I travel to raise sponsorship for my work under the North American Mission Board--providing English assistance and family strengthening resources for the local immigrant community in my area of Michigan.
When at home, between South-eastern Michigan and the Thumb areas, I divide my days between live-in care for my senior parents, their home and dog, and my work in the community. I have 3-day weekends (Saturdays through Mondays or Fridays through Sundays) off from parent care for focused work projects or work-related travel. If not traveling, I would enjoy the solitude and focused work time that a more local house-sit would provide (within a 5-hour drive). I will need longer vacations from time to time, as well.
I have been responsible for the oversight of several privately-owned, mission or church-owned rental homes. I have house sat for 2 different home-owners over the past 10 years, who would be able to provide references. The most recent was a long-term 9-year house-sit from 2009 to 2018, where I oversaw a large house, 4-acre property, and 2 dogs for long-distance owners.
I am accustomed to attending to security issues as I have lived in a third-world country for 11 years where that was of ultimate concern. I and any of my 3 adult sons and their families who may visit me (if I'm in their area, or they in mine, and if permitted by the home-owners) are all non-smokers and health and safety-conscious people.
I am also interested in house-sitting in many places across the globe where I have friends or where I could be immersed in Spanish in order to hone my skills in that language.
I'm looking forward to some new house-sitting adventures, maybe in service to YOU!
Sincerely,
"Ten-Years-a-Sitting"