Warren and I are friendly 'Kiwis' ( Born and bred New Zealanders) who currently live in Jacksonville, Florida. We lived aboard our 57ft Motor Yacht for yrs, travelling more than 7,000 miles during that time. We are now back aboard, courtesy of Hurricane Irma having had our apartment building condemned. We feel fortunate to have somewhere to live.
We both have dual US/NZ Citizenship.
Monica: Lived and brought up her family (2 boys), on Maui, Hawaii. Prior to that, she lived and worked in 7 different countries, sowing the seeds of lifelong travel.
A former Chef, Restaurant and Hotel Manager, Artist, Landscaper, photographer, Art Gallery owner and non-profit arts volunteer, Monica also has many other strings to her bow. She is an eternal student who thrives on acquiring new skills.
Warren: A former Industrial Chemist and Art Gallery owner, photographer, expert DIY'er, anything electronics maker/fixer/computer guru and all around child and animal whisperer. He is a 'solutions' guy who loves a challenge.
Warren and I have been together for 10 years, and are two peas in a pod in most ways. When we entered our middle aged relationship, I came with an 85lb female Bouvier des Flandres sweetheart and Warren came with a 42ft Motor Yacht, (both) in NZ. When we moved to the USA to go boating for a few years, our lovely girl (dog) was happily adopted by a lady who had loved a Bouvier before. We miss our own pooch, but enjoy loving yours just as much.
As mature people we have a rather unique relationship in that we are together 24/7, but we don't have cross words. We laugh plenty at ourselves and know our strengths and weaknesses and appreciate both. We are no-fuss, though detail oriented.
We enjoy making ourselves part of the 'local scenery' and aren't afraid to attempt any local languages. We have an excellent work ethic, and also know how to enjoy ourselves and our time away, to the max.
In 2015 we completed a 5 week Work/Accommodation exchange in France, and were invited back in In 2016 we completed 9 house/animal sits, including 9 weeks at the French estate and 9 weeks with one 15 yr old dog. These were all 'return requests' or came by word of mouth from our previous hosts in Florida, Hawaii and France.
We are safety conscious, level-headed, and imbued with much collective common sense.
Over the years, in our own childhoods and with our children, we have had a wide selection of pets: 24 Guinea Pigs, too many goats, rats and mice, and dogs to count, 10 cats, calves and lambs, turtles and tropical fish. I might have left some out!
Warren and his ex owned a Dairy Farm in NZ.
** In the absence of a Police Clearance, Warren and I have both been severely scrutinized by the US Dept. Homeland Security and the Government in order to be granted US Citizenship.**
We are non-smoker and non-drinkers.
Why we want to house sit
We don't have animals of our own right now, and love to love yours! We also don't have a garden and relish the thought of putting our hands in the soil - soul food! Our rural backgrounds in NZ mean we aren't dependent on city life for entertainment and we are happy as clams out in nature with camera in hand and your dog by our side.
What we bring to the assignment / relevant experience
We are a multi-talented pair who can do pretty much anything, and what we don't know, we find out. Warren has operated all sorts of machinery including a 12 tonne hydraulic excavator on the farm. We are known to 'fight' over who is going to mow the lawns! Monica drove a 56inch Ride-on mower for many years, to her delight.
We have both been landlords, and have high standards for ourselves and others. We are clean people who live 'lightly' wherever we are.
Monica and Warren Brown