DIY help and eco-friendly picturesque mountain life in the Santa Cruz mountains, CA, USA

Details

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  Description

  Join me for a simple, eco-friendly mountain lifestyle in the Santa Cruz mountains, California. My name is Daisy. I'm 50 years old, former corporate executive, who has found peace & solace in the mountains. I LOVE my mountain life - finding a simpler way of life, one that is closer to nature and the childlike joy that we all have inside of us, has changed everything for me. I am on a spiritual path - I now spend most of my time painting (I am an artist), being a spiritual mentor, taking care of my mountain home, this land, and my two dog companions.
  
  Probably the main draw to my listing will be the lifestyle (mentioned above( and the picturesque location. If you like mountains, trees, nature, the Northern California life, this is for you. My location is 5 acres in the Mountains of Santa Cruz. My partner lives in San Jose, and spends part-time living here with me. My home is 10 minutes from the freeway, 10-15 minutes from the nearest grocery store/Starbucks, 20-25 minutes to downtown Santa Cruz & the Santa Cruz beaches, 20-30 minutes to San Jose, 90 minutes to San Francisco. It is a great place - remote enough to feel remote, but a short distance to all the city has to offer.
  
  I have 2 of the sweetest dogs you'll ever meet. Juels, an 8 year old British Labrador, and Struppie, a 3 year old Golden Doodle. They are self-appointed greeters, as well as vicious guard dogs that warn me of any unruly UPS delivery men or the crazy, free-roaming turkeys that roam the mountains. LOL.
  
  Most people who stay here always comment on how quiet & peaceful it is here. Many are able to quiet their thoughts/anxiety, while opening up to growth, development, creativity and healing. Some even fall in the love with the dogs more so than the place.
  
  PLEASE NOTE: When I say "I" - this refers to me, as the host/homeowner. When I refer to "we" or "family/community" - this means the family/community that includes me, my partner, my dogs, and possibly other workawayers that I may host.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I am located in the mountains of Santa Cruz, trying my best to live a a spirit-led life that is sustainable and conservational in its approach. I teach beginning watercolor - as a creative and meditative practice. I am a spiritual mentor - for those starting on their spiritual path. I am also an AVID ONEWHEELER. (If you don't know what that is, look it up.) I'm happy to teach you how to OneWheel and take you on group rides in our local OneWheel community. In my life, and in my community, I am usually sought out for my ability to teach, share, lead, and my gentle approach. This is a great opportunity if you want to experience or learn more about art, mountain life/the simple life, ONEWHEELING or starting/continuing on a spiritual path.
  
  You'd be another member of the family and we love sharing meals, games, music, adventures, and fun. I don't smoke and will only host non-smokers (absolutely NO smoking in or around the property), especially since California is in a constant state of fire danger. I would prefer volunteers that are at least 21 years old. I don't allow pets here, as I already have 2 dogs and don't want to create a situation where it becomes chaotic for my fur babies. I prefer volunteers that come for at least two weeks - 3 months. Couples or besties traveling/working together, are welcome.
  
  I am an artist and a musician (I'll share my grand piano, guitar, ukulele's, violin, spirit drums with you) and love to have musicians come! I am easy to get along with and I am looking for likeminded people to share my beautiful place with.
  
  Preference will be given individuals with a car, but not required. I don't want to be your personal uber, although I don't mind dropping you off here or there, when it is convenient for me, but don't want that to be your sole mode of transportation.

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  Help

  I am currently looking for someone that can help me in the garden. I have 5 acres, and need a lot of pruning, weeding. If you hang around long enough, I could use some help to clear a hill, to build a cascading garden bed down the hill. I also have some art projects, so if you also have art skills, you will have great variety in your Workaway exchange here. My availability for gardening & art projects is June - July. We can take turns with making meals.
  
  Starting in July, I will be looking for DIY skills/handyman skills/carpentry skills. I have a lot of DIY projects in progress that I need some help finishing. Knowledge with hand and power tools is a must. A couple of examples of my on-going DIY projects: 1.) I am an artist, I always need more picture frames. 2.) repairs to deck stairs, replacing deck boards, etc. 3.) Help me build a cascading garden down a side of my hill. 4.) Build a platform 5.) Help me weave a TreeNet. I am flexible with my timing in July - I like finding the right fit, and not just looking for just anyone. The right fit will have the skills I'm looking for, be well-balanced and have some common interests.
  
  I tend to like people who will stay longer - a minimum of 2 weeks. My last Workaway, David, has been with me since April - I would love for him to stay as long as he wishes! He's thinking of heading out in Mid-July. I have plenty of room, so if there is some overlap, it's not an issue.
  
  My first few Workaway exchanges were great. I was so lucky to host a couple of very talented Workaway folks who had major DIY/carpentry skills, and loved to work on projects. David, a very talented carpenter & DIYer, stayed here 3+ months, and finished up turning my finished art studio into a small studio cabin that included a halfway, bed/headboard built from redwood fence planks, a small kitchenette, outdoor shower, composting toilet. He also built a dome inside one of my Redwood Fairy rings, a fence, and built many steps into my hill, so that I can access the lower parts of my land. Piotr, another talented carpenter/DIY/artist, stayed for 2+ weeks and helped with the cabin project. I always ask for ideas and insight from my Workaway exchanges, as you guys have been out there, seen alot and have great suggestions! In this way, we have a lot of flexibility in projects, timing, as well as creative input. When you arrive, you will see the love that some of the previous WorkAway exchanges have put into this place - and they've made it even more fantastic.
  
  I am at home about 80% of the time -I often spend days/nights or the weekend in San Jose. Your schedule is somewhat flexible -we will decide together on the projects and the goals, and you can let me know what hours you want to help, to get those projects completed. The help I offer is a constant exchange and evolving. You may have ideas that I’ve never thought of. I’d love to hear them. I’m always teaching and learning about nature, spirituality, how to become more eco-friendly, and connected to the earth and each other. Our exchange will evolve as we get to know each other and the gifts we have to share with the world.
  
  What I'm NOT looking for:
  -if you have a full schedule and a full life and think you can fit in 5 hours of help, whenever you feel like it. Although timelines are flexible and projects are somewhat flexible, I like to keep things moving forward. This is ideal for those traveling to a new area, or in-between jobs or projects, who don't already have a full plate, who want some time to explore or work on personal projects (like reading, writing, art), but have room for a exchange basis of 5 hours/day, 5 days a week.
  -drama or anxiety - if you tend to have drama in your life, or prone to anxiety, I'm not in a space where I want to live in that kind of energy.
  -if you're reactive or easily triggered
  
  I’ve created a peaceful & calm sanctuary in my home and want the energy level that I invite here, to reflect that.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Vietnamese: Intermediate
  German: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I love learning new languages, I am working on my German, but am a beginner. I am fluent in English and Vietnamese.
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  Accommodation

  I am offering you a room in my newly remodeled home. If you have a camper van, I have space for you to park that if you prefer to live in your camper van. No RV's please. If you live in your camper van or trailer, you will have access to my main house for bathrooms, shower, laundry facilities, and kitchen, as well as electricity and internet access. Of course if you choose a room in my house, you have full access to everything - we will live together.
  
  My home & location are one of the most desirable. Located in nature, surrounded by Redwood trees and wildlife, but with all the modern amenities, bougie decor - it's like living at a nature resort/retreat center.
  
  I offer you the opportunity to share meals with me - if you want, however, I am sporadic with my cooking, so would love someone where we can take turns making the meals. I eat everything. (i.e. I eat meat, vegetables, seafood, etc.) I'm open to increasing my vegetable intake, but I'm not open to cooking all vegetarian or vegan meals. That's a skill I don't have.
  
  I am at home about 80% of the time -I often spend days/nights or the weekend in San Jose. Your schedule is somewhat flexible -we will decide together on the projects and the goals, and you can let me know what work hours you want to work to get those projects completed. The help I offer is a constant exchange and evolving. You may have ideas that I’ve never thought of. I’d love to hear them. I’m always teaching and learning about nature, how to become more eco-friendly, and connected to the earth and each other. Our exchange will evolve as we get to know each other and the gifts we have to share with the world. Looking forward to hearing from you, and how we can contribute to each other’s lives.

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  What else ...

  My location is 5 acres in the Mountains of Santa Cruz. It is 10 minutes from the freeway, 10-15 minutes from the nearest grocery store/Starbucks, 20-25 minutes to downtown Santa Cruz & the Santa Cruz beaches, 20-30 minutes to San Jose, 90 minutes to San Francisco. It is a great location - remote enough to feel remote, but a short distance to all the city has to offer. Henry Cowell State Park is nearby. In your free time, there is so much to explore, from nature to city. There are amazing mountain bike trails, hiking trails, rivers, streams, the beaches, the sloughs, surfing, the night sky! The solace, quiet, and peace here, is on another level. However, life is all about balance - the excitement of the city - whether that is Santa Cruz, San Jose or San Francisco, is nearby. Restaurants, shopping, art, culture, museums, Silicon Valley - so easily accessible.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  I can host digital nomads. I have space for you to park your CamperVan, but can not space for RV's. I do not have hookups for sewage or 240V electricity, only 120v electricity. I have wireless internet on most of the property, including the remodeled studio, the tipi, and the front yard.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  I can host digital nomads. I have space for you to park your CamperVan, but can not space for RV's. I do not have hookups for sewage or 240V electricity, only 120v electricity. I have wireless internet on most of the property, including the remodeled studio, the tipi, and the front yard.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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