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Host is looking for help immediately
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
13 Jun 2025
Reply rate
83.3 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
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Description
Update June 2025: two small projects I could use some help with. 1 week stay for each (or 2 for both)
I just got home after a 6 month trip and am having some trouble getting my regular DIY projects in gear. One is to set up my outdoor shower (I have most of the parts ). The other is to figure out how to make a sort of privacy screen. I have a lot of material around the house to use. Every year we do something different. Neither of these tasks are for pros- just for people with creativity minds and practical hands.
Sometimes I go away for a few days and my plants would really appreciate getting some water when I am not around.
Standard info:
Hello, my name is Kelly. Originally from the US, I have lived in Italy for over 30 years now. I have 3 adult children; two live nearby and one lives in Tenerife. I have been a workawayer (also woofer, SCI/IVS, and similar type things) guest and host for many years.
For the past 15 years, I have been a translator, working from home. The bad thing about working from home is that you (I) get used to the mess and don't see it anymore. The good thing is that I can travel and work.
I enjoy dabbling in arts and crafty sorts of things - none of which I am good at, but I do have fun trying.
Please note that I cannot help with getting residency here in Italy. It is a total hassle and comes with a bunch of rules and regulations and costs that I don't want to deal with. Thank you for understanding.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
House sitting
Interests
Events & social
Plant care
DIY & crafts
Languages
Gardening
Cooking & food
Nature
Beach
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The house is on the Ancona- Rome train line. The area is safe, the people are friendly, This is a very good spot to take a little break from your travels and recharge your batteries. If you are into outdoor sports, there are lots of rock climbers and cavers in the area.If you want to learn how to make pasta or bake pizza in the pizza oven, we can do that. The nature around here is beautiful. If you are into arts and crafts, I have a number of things to play with like paint, polymer clay, wool, a sewing machine (but it needs some adjustments that I have failed to do right) and a ton of fabric to make things. There is a little bar right next to my house where the locals meet so if you are an extrovert and looking to learn some Italian, it is possible :) Now (June) is the time to sleep outdoors - feel free to drag your mattress out to the terrace and sleep under the stars. Now and again we have imprompto parties at my house, sometimes with live music. Of course you are welcome to join in and meet new people of all ages.
Help
The help requested is to:
Help with 2 small projects ideally using the stuff I have around the house to keep the cost down. One is an outdoor shower enclosure and the other a DIY privacy screen (both using fabric, bamboo, or some other type of material). These are temporary and no building permit or professional tradesperson is required. What is required is someone with a lot of creativity: someone with a macgyvery, mickey riggery attitude. I have some ideas, you might have some better ideas (e.g. the beautiful mural painted by WA last year in my photos)
Warning: It's getting hot out. Mornings are best for getting stuff done - if you are an early riser, this is the place for you. OR if you like to sleep in til noon followed by a good outdoor sweat session under the scorching sun this is the place for you (the outdoor shower is awesome for cooling down). Personally, I like getting stuff done in the morning.
As you'd expect, pitching in with basic house stuff—like cleaning up after meals or giving the floor a sweep—is just part of living together.
The house stays very cool most of the summer as long as we follow a certain windows/shutters opening and closing routine (it's not difficult - but very important - everything has to stay shut - like really really closed from when the sun comes up to keep the heat out and then everything open at night to let air in). About every single person makes the mistake of leaving a window open during the day and learns quick why it is so important not to do that :)
The best type of workawayer for my situation are people who are independent, have a good sense of humour, do not require constant supervision, and are basically able to figure things out.
Important to note is that we (right now just me) do smoke in the house.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
German: Beginner
Spanish: Beginner
Accommodation
Private bedroom, shared everything else.
What else ...
Google "Grotte di Frasassi" to get an idea of the surroundings. The train station is about a 10-minute walk from my place. The closest (not the most beautiful) beach is 40 minutes on the train (make sure to buy tix online). The closest biggish town is Fabriano (home to the paper museum and bike museum and Saturday market).
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Unlimited wi-fi (unless you are synchronizing your google drive - that sucks up all the wi-fi when it is on - but it's a good excuse to get off the computer and do something else. I have a couple desks that can be moved to wherever you want.
Space for parking camper vans
I do not have private parking but there is a flat parking area near my house.
Can possibly accept pets
Maybe. If they are super chill (not barkers for example), don't eat the furniture, and you clean up after them it shouldn't be a problem.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (19)
We only got to meet for 5 minutes at the airport . He was flying out and I in.
I came home to a clean house and all plants alive.
I definitely recommend him to other hosts. Nice guy, gets things done.
We were given a free… read more
They added many thoughtful finishing touches and much-needed improvements to the house. No need for instructions or supervision, and communication was spot-on whenever they had a question/concern.
Although I’m not currently… read more
Our time there was filled with unforgettable experiences: we learned to make homemade pizza in the… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.6)
We only got to meet for 5 minutes at the airport . He was flying out and I in.
I came home to a clean house and all plants alive.
I definitely recommend him to other hosts. Nice guy, gets things done.
We were given a free… read more
They added many thoughtful finishing touches and much-needed improvements to the house. No need for instructions or supervision, and communication was spot-on whenever they had a question/concern.
Although I’m not currently… read more
Our time there was filled with unforgettable experiences: we learned to make homemade pizza in the… read more
When I was there I took care of the backyard that you can see in the photos. The work was simple enough. With Kelly… read more
Kelly is empathic, sensitive, ironic, caring and extremely generous.
She does everything possible to make you feel at home from the first moment and always confortable with the tasks.
Moreover, she is a great cook: I confirm she perfectly masters both Indian and Italian… read more
Thank you for everything Kelly, hope you're doing well this days!
Kelly thank you for welcoming me into your home and life in the quintessential Workaway… read more
Workaway hosts: if Casey gets in touch with you to stay at your place say yes. He is smart, nice, kind, a hard worker, flexible, pleasant to be around..... not annoying, needy or a PIA. He is one of those people that will restore your faith in humanity.
Bravo Casey -… read more
I hope to see… read more
