Help around the house and enjoy the Okotoks, Canada

Details

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  Description

  Hi!
  
  I am a busy, involved, grandmother who likes to stay relatively active. I enjoy hiking, learning pickleball and Spanish, play ukelele, sing a bit…lots of interests, but, truthfully, I don’t do any of the above often enough!
  
  I could use some help with a few organizational and seasonal projects like gardening, deep cleaning, deck staining, sanding furniture and garage organizing. If you have any carpentry skills, that’s a bonus! I’m open to 2-3 week stays for these projects.
  
  My least favourite thing to do is house tasks, however, I do love a clean house. Duties may also include upkeep of housekeeping help. Dusting, vacuum, washing floors, windows, dishes, picking up doggie do do, etc. If you can help me with computer skills, that would be a huge bonus! AND, if you can speak Spanish and help teach me…WOW!
  
  I live in the town of Okotoks, which is about a 20 minute drive to Calgary, a 30 minute drive to mountain hiking trails and about an hour and a half away from Banff. Okotoks has a lovely downtown area with many original boutique and funky stores. Great restaurants and beautiful walking trails that connect the whole town. A river runs through the centre of town and is great for a kayak adventure or nice to walk or bike along. I can provide you with bicycles to use around town.
  
  Calgary is a thriving metropolis with tons of things to do and see. I live 15 minutes from the outskirts of the city, from where you can connect to city transit.
  
  I have a very well behaved chihuahua, who loves company, especially workawayers! Nicky is elderly and although, she does enjoy a nice walk, mostly, she likes to stand guard and protect the house while she naps in the sun on the back of the couch.
  
  I will provide breakfast foods, cereal, yogurt, toast, eggs, fruit, coffee, tea etc. , although, you are responsible for preparing your own breakfast. Lunch will be soup, chilli, salads, leftovers, or sandwiches. On work days, I will prepare lunch, other times you are on your own. Breakfast and lunch is provided daily, with sandwich fixings available for lunch on days off excursions. Days off evening meals are mostly on you and other than perhaps noodle soup or KD, not usually provided.
  
  We would follow the rule of I cook, you clean, you cook, I clean for the evening meals. Meal prep/clean up would not be included in the weekly 20 - 25 hour commitment, nor would cleaning of your personal space and belongings. I do not provide snacks other than fruit, nuts, popcorn and granola bars. I supply good, filtered drinks, but...if you want soda or other drinks, there is lots of fridge space. You are welcome to drink alcohol, at your expense. MOST workawayers have been wonderful, although, I do feel in the past that a few have misunderstood the room and board concept. It doesn’t mean full pantry/fridge access 24/7. With the astronomical price of food right now, no one wants to feel taken advantage of, thus, I try to be very clear on this subject. Of course I want you to feel at home while you are here, but, still be mindful that you are guests in my home.
  
  Your accommodations would consist of sharing my home, which is a 1400 sq ft bungalow. You’d have the spare room with a comfy king sized bed and a mostly private bathroom to yourself. I may use the bathtub once or twice a week as I only have a shower in my room.
  
  Having a car during your stay is extremely beneficial as there is a lot to see in the surrounding area, but, transportation is an issue. Canada is limited in bus or train service outside major city limits. Although Okotoks is only a short drive into Calgary, there is not public transportation to and fro. I may consider driving you to the south transis line and picking you up, but, only once a week or so and if it fits in with my schedule. Other workaways have had luck posting on chat sites, but, that is up to you. Of course, there is uber etc, but, that's not usually cheap.
  
  In order to give you ample time to explore the beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountains and everything else the area has to offer, I am open to working longer days, with more full days off, as long as you meet the 20-25 hour weekly requirement set out by workaway. Some choose to help 3, 8 hour days, with 4 whole days off, which is my preference. Others choose shorter hours with less days off. We will discuss this once you arrive.
  
  Now…privacy. Of course you will not be banned to your bedroom, however, I am used to living alone and I do value my alone time. I am social, but, not looking for constant companionship and in turn, I will also respect your privacy. I am very appreciative if you try to spend most of your off time out and about and not just hanging around the house.
  
  For the record…I am NOT vegan nor vegetarian and prefer you are not either. I promise to supply you with good, wholesome, balanced and hopefully yummy meals. However, sorry, but, if you have special dietary requests...for the most part it will be on you.
  
  Phew…that was a lot, but, I believe open communication and clear expectations make for more enjoyable stays.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Interests

  

  Events & social

  

  Charity work

  

  Music

  

  Languages

  

  Gardening

  

  Carpentry

  

  Fitness

  

  Nature

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Hiking
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I'm a fairly handy kind of girl, however, I think we would both benefit from sharing our skills. Evenings you are welcome to explore the town and area on foot or by bicycle. If you stay in, I'm open to some backgammon, crib and/or ukelele playing I have 3 and could teach you basics.

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  Help

  My "to do" list is varied. Ideally, you have varied skills. My garage is a disaster! I need someone with a few muscles and strong organization skills. I want help with sorting, selling, chucking and organizing. I will work with you to finally accomplish this task properly.
  
  Springtime yard clean up, garden digging and planting, general weeding, spreading mulch and painting the deck and railings. In the fall,I need the garden beds to be cleared out and put to bed and help with some light canning.
  Lots of fresh veggies in my garden starting in July thru to the fall.
  
  Inside my house, i could use help organizing, as well as a deep spring/fall cleaning including windows. I want to build a wall unit entertainment center with a built in electric fireplace. Nothing too fancy, but, if you have carpentry skills, that is a BIG plus. I have all the tools necessary.
  
  I could use help with laptop set up.
  
  Also, I may ask you to house/dog sit if I want to go away for a few days.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  I speak limited Spanish, but, would love to learn more! I “practise” with a small group of wannabe Spanish speakers and we love it when Spanish speakers attend our get together.
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  Accommodation

  You stay in my guest room with comfy king bed. You will have the main washroom nearby and lots of privacy.

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  What else ...

  I would suggest that you do lots of research on the area so you know what you would like to do and see during your visit. The area has so much to offer that i could never list everything here. I will help out when I can, but, you will have lots of free time to explore if you choose to work longer days. Although I may join you on an occasional outing, I am far from a tour guide. I am quite used to my privacy, so, don't ever feel like you have to "keep me company". I enjoy seeing travellers get out and experience the area in the evenings or on days off.

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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

  My internet connection is good, strong and fast. There is a small desk set up in a spare room.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Good fenced yard and pet friendly home. Small dogs preferred, we can discuss

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

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