Earl & Deborah

United States
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Profile information

Travel information
We are currently
At home
Our next destination:
Aruba
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Description
Earl worked as a Michigan State Park Naturalist and that job evolved into exhibit design. He designed the state's visitor centers in parks and fisheries before he retired in 2010. He is an excellent gardener, loves all things about nature and animals, loves projects around the house, carpentry, painting, fix-it, and he loves to travel! Both his wife, Deborah, and he are proficient with computers. His wife is administrator of 5 Facebook Fan Pages and used to have her own website. Deborah is licensed for 200 hr. Yoga Instruction, she has been a swimming instructor, loves to sew and crochet, and is currently tutoring English, online to students from 42 countries. Deborah worked in the UAE for 5 years as a school principal and Earl lived there the last three. They traveled from there to 13 countries during the holidays. They returned in July, 2013 and are now seeking new adventures. In 2014, they enjoyed their first WorkAway experience in Santa Cruz, Chile helping out at a new villa and the host's Italian restaurant in the Chilean vineyards. In 2015, they worked in a Hostel/B&B in the Sacred Valley of Peru; helped with many improvement projects and helped host many groups from the USA. Deborah studied Spanish for 6 yrs. and is rusty, but improving. She also speaks some Arabic and French. In 2016, they were on WorkAway for 5-6 weeks on a New Zealand farm, helping with childcare and many home improvement carpentry projects, including remodeling a laundry room and making a shoe cubby (see Host reviews) In 2017, they lived with a couple on St. Thomas, Virgin islands. where they helped out and initiated many many projects ranging from sewing new lounge cushions (Deborah) to Earl creating a set of hardwood bar stools from salvaged pallet lumber. In 2018 they lived with a wonderful family outside of Brisbane, Australia - childcare, sewing projects, home maintenance; re-built the host a new laundry room and updated their entire kitchen. In 2019, they lived with a couple in Tasmania, AU and helped with their B&B, assisting with guest meal prep, household duties, and special projects around the home, garden and grounds. Deborah sewed an entire set of patio chair cushions with a matching table runner. In 2020, they ran the bungalows on Easter Island (Rapa Nui) for their host who became very ill and was hospitalized. This included cleaning, picking up guests from the airport and returning them for their flight home as well as giving guests a ”mini” tour of the town. Earl and Deborah are always planning their next adventure!
Interests
Cooking & food
Yoga / Wellness
Technology
Politics / Social justice
Sailing / Boating
Plant care
Photography
Performing arts
Fitness
Movies & TV
Events & social
Music
Outdoor activities
Mountain
History
Hiking
Languages
Nature
Culture
Fashion or beauty

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Languages spoken
Spanish: Intermediate
Arabic: Beginner
French: Beginner
Skills and knowledge we'd like to share or learn
Some knowledge of:
DIY and building projects
Being an elderly companion
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Eco Projects
Helping around the house
Animal Care
Hospitality/Tourism
Charity Work
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Able to teach about:
Gardening
Babysitting and creative play
Languages
Art Projects
Teaching
More details about your skills
Basic carpentry, Fix-it projects around the house, gardening, landscaping, child care, teaching/tutoring, leading groups in nature talks, animal care, computer work, Photoshop & graphic arts, photography, social networking, jewelry making, sewing, crocheting, theatre/dance experience, art projects, swim instruction, yoga instruction (registered with Yoga Alliance 200 hrs.), and many other skills.
Age
73 & 73
What else ...
We have been married over 40 years and are very out-going, creative, and friendly. We easily strike up conversations with strangers and love to meet new people. We are both considered leaders and are responsible for many projects of which we are very proud. We have three wonderful, grown children. We take the initiative to get things done and don't wait to be told. We are very "young at heart" and have lots of energy! We are not afraid of work and we take pride in our accomplishments. We love new challenges!
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  Earl - Hornets, Deborah - ragweed and latex.
- Special dietary requirements
  No, we are adventurous eaters!

Feedback

20 Apr 2024

Left by host (Help around the house, walk ...) for Workawayer (Earl & Deborah)

Earl and Deborah make a delightful couple! They are fun, affectionate, and incredibly helpful both around the house and with the children. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together, as we got acquainted and explored the country. Their generosity knows no bounds, and their enthusiasm for travel and discovery is truly contagious. Despite the age gap,… read more

(Excellent )

4 Jan 2024

Left by Workawayer (Earl & Deborah) for host (Help around the house, walk ...)

Our hosts did an excellent showing us around the Faroe Islands! Not only did we get a tour of the capital but we visited many of the islands as well. We were treated like a member of the family and we even attended some extended family dinners. Our room was clean and tidy, and even included a journal for us to leave our comments for the host, and… read more

(Excellent )

24 Feb 2020

Left by Workawayer (Earl & Deborah) for host (Volunteering on Easter ...)

Peter and Tiare were excellent hosts. They clearly explained the expectations and provided an adequate apartment with breakfast and lunch. Tiare fixed delicious lunches and we enjoyed eating with the family and having great conversations. Their two daughters were delightful! We were so impressed that they spoke both Spanish and English and some… read more

(Excellent )

19 Feb 2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Earl & Deborah)

Earl and Deb are excellent volunteers. Deb cleaned our 3 guest bungalows and Earl worked as a gardener. We could not wish for better volunteers, both did a great job. Earl and Deb are very good with kids, very considering and responsible. We could not wish for better helpers. We gonna miss them very much. Any host could be happy to have such great… read more

(Excellent )

13 Mar 2019

Left by host (Help us on our property in ...) for Workawayer (Earl & Deborah)

This couple were strangers that came to our home but left as life long friends.They are such lovely people that you can't help but love them right from the first day.
They were up for any task that had to be done and were very dilligent in their work often jumping in to do more than was expected. We enjoyed chatting to them about their country… read more

(Excellent )

6 Mar 2019

Left by Workawayer (Earl & Deborah) for host (Help us on our property in ...)

Peter & Susie were the ultimate hosts! They loved to take us to see the sights and critters of Tasmania! (I truly believe that they want everyone to love Tazzie as much as they do!) We enjoyed pitching in around the B & B, mixing in fun, dancing at times, and great dinners with guests from many places. Our tasks were varied, from my husband… read more

(Excellent )

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Earl working in a garden in Chile.

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20 Apr 2024

Left by host (Help around the house, walk ...) for Workawayer (Earl & Deborah)

(Excellent )

4 Jan 2024

Left by Workawayer (Earl & Deborah) for host (Help around the house, walk ...)

(Excellent )

24 Feb 2020

Left by Workawayer (Earl & Deborah) for host (Volunteering on Easter ...)

(Excellent )

19 Feb 2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Earl & Deborah)

(Excellent )

13 Mar 2019

Left by host (Help us on our property in ...) for Workawayer (Earl & Deborah)

(Excellent )

6 Mar 2019

Left by Workawayer (Earl & Deborah) for host (Help us on our property in ...)

(Excellent )

8 Mar 2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Earl & Deborah)

Deb and Earl were beyond amazing. They were 20/10. They are lovely people, really easy going and they just knew what to do without much explanation or asking. They always went beyond the call of duty and exceeded our expectations by a country mile. We miss them and hope they come again!!!

(Excellent )

7 Mar 2018

Left by Workawayer (Earl & Deborah) for host (Enjoy country living close to ...)

This is a wonderful family with three busy, smart, and active children! They have a lovely home and we immediately felt like we were part of the family. We were never at a loss for things to do! After helping get the kids off to school, we engaged in other projects, and awaited their return to help with "parent watching" as they swam in the pool… read more

(Excellent )

4 Mar 2016

Left by Workawayer (Earl & Deborah) for host (Help with farm projects, ...)

We were sad to leave Sarah, Hamish, and Seth in NZ! They were fantastic hosts in every respect. Their home and accommodations were very nice and the surrounding rolling farmland is beautiful. We were allowed to use one of their cars for touring Southland sights on weekends. It was fun to live like the local kiwis and we picked up many of their… read more

(Excellent )

2 Mar 2016

Left by host (Help with farm projects, ...) for Workawayer (Earl & Deborah)

Earl & Deborah have just spent 5 weeks with us here in NZ and we have loved every minute of their time here. Apart from being amazing help with a huge range of things we have also made friends for life. Their help included small & large DIY projects (garage storage, laundry redesign, garden furniture restoration, kitchen improvements etc) , sewing… read more

(Excellent )

22 May 2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Earl & Deborah)

"It was a pleasure to have Deborah & Earl around our family and the Guesthouse in January and February 2015. Earl was helping us in painting , light balls, the garden, making a fishing stick and helping us in everything. Deborah was a help with our kids and taking care of the guests and our facebook page. I would always be happy to have these 2… read more

(Excellent )

16 Mar 2015

Left by Workawayer (Earl & Deborah) for host (Help with guesthouse and ...)

My husband, Earl, and I spent six weeks helping out at the Guesthouse Qoya. Stefan and Cristi as well Ellie and Raymundinah were very accommodating, friendly and very helpful. We enjoyed helping the two medical teams and one doctor that stayed in the guesthouse. Earl also scraped, replastered, and then painted the dining room there and I… read more

(Excellent )

23 Mar 2014

Left by host (Help at our family place in ...) for Workawayer (Earl & Deborah)

I cannot begin to describe what a great experience it was to have Deborah and Earl staying with us for 6 weeks. I've had several workawayers but these two have been the most energetic by far. They went above and beyond our expectations. Deborah helped us with painting , fixing and sewing. Earl is an avid gardner and landscaper and worked and… read more

(Excellent )

2 Mar 2014

Left by Workawayer (Earl & Deborah) for host (Help at our family place in ...)

Excellent living quarters, food, and all near a quaint town and many wineries. Our hosts went out of their way to make our stay comfortable and to share their love of the region and of Chile. There were a variety of jobs to do in several locations. Our only regret is that we didn't stay longer! We heartily recommend Janine and Jaime to any… read more

(Excellent )

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