Living it up by the sea

Savvy_Sue

Clowance said:

Katiehound said:

Volunteers for many things seem to have become almost an extinct breed........

People likelly to be working until later in life leaving them with little energy or desire for further commitments perhaps?
Young mums having to work to pay mortgage? 

I suspect the lack of volunteers has been creeping up on us for a long time. My boys are in their 30s now, and I remember talking to fellow mums with pre-schoolers about one of our church groups, which we'd discovered was the Mums and Toddler group from 40 years previously! We all agreed our group wouldn't be able to evolve in that way, because we were all heading back to work at least part-time, and most full-time. 

There was a marked increase of volunteers during Covid from people who weren't able to work, and trying to meet unexpected needs, but at the same time some activities were simply no longer available, and people get out of the habit. Then people were back to work, and some of those needs were no longer so obvious, and their volunteering fell away. 

I retired about 18 months ago, and started thinking and planning beforehand what I would do, but I find friends who've more recently retired are taking time to de-compress before making decisions about any regular commitments. Either that, or they're already giving a lot more time to caring for grandchildren. I feel I have a good balance: playing to my strengths using skills I picked up at work to help a local community association - before I forget everything I ever knew! - and some 'just for fun' activities. 

But I guess the important thing is that the volunteering was in front of my nose, and something I cared about. I hear about lots of other volunteering 'vacancies', but I don't know the people involved, and they're not things I feel I HAVE to do something about. 

And then thinking about things I've done in the past where we needed volunteers, I've been able to recruit people I know, sometimes without asking them directly to help! Just telling one childless friend about setting up an out of school club, they offered to help, and drew another childless friend in to help, and those two were just perfect for what we needed! 

Humboldt

Morning @uralmaid thank goodness for people like you who are willing to volunteer and give something back to the community.  Sadly, some of those attending the festive meal, may for whatever reason, not have the opportunity to enjoy another this Christmas.  Good on you for creating some real Christmas cheer.

Like you, I also take joy in including decorations made by family years ago.  It would seem wrong not to include the snowman made from cotton wool and the tube from a loo roll, together with a very wonky clay candle holder. A Father Christmas ornament (made from some sort of prototype plastic) originally belonging to my DH's great grandparents takes centre stage on the mantle piece.  My dad bought us a star and other decorations from Wo0lworths when we were first married (we had little money).  Sadly, dad is no longer with us, but his star has sat high upon the top of our tree every year since we were given it. 

Loved the seal update too.  Great to have a good news nature story.

uralmaid

It's all these things like the decorations that keep the memories alive.  In today's world where people seem to want everything to be perfect it's good to have a bit of "wonkiness".

Organgrinder

If everything was perfect, life would be pretty boring.

bluenose1

Hope the Christmas meal went well @uralmaid .
This is my first year fully retired and loving not having the normal stress of working and trying to sort Christmas out.
Have put less Christmas decorations up than normal as trying to declutter in general, actually think it looks nicer.

Three bags ready for Charity shop this week and a box of Christmas ornaments. Hopefully be of use to someone.

uralmaid

Yes it did thanks @bluenose1.  I should think people will welcome your bags and ornaments. At the beginning of this year I gave our local charity 2 6ft Xmas trees. They were wanting people's old trees so the could make a Xmas grotto for children.  I regularly have a clear out and take them stuff to sell , and it was a compliment that when one of their staff came to collect the trees she said that the other helper told her that the trees would definitely be good as I always give them quality items to sell. I like to help them as the charity was set up to raise money after a local little girl got killed in a freak accident. They do lots of good things in the local community  too.

uralmaid

I have a confession - this week I found myself thinking I really needed a little pick me up.  I am going to Manchester on Wednesday for my Grandaughter's graduation ceremony, and I want to look like the funky Grandma I am. I had a craving for a Vivienne Westwood cross body bag to go with my outfit. So dear reader - I purchased one.  My outfit is all black but I cant decide between fuschia pink patent Doc Martins, scarf, gloves and beret or all said accessories in black. P.s my hair will be deep magenta.  

Savvy_Sue

Accentuate in fuschia, obviously! It's a graduation not a funeral ...

Katiehound

Go to town on the fuschia, if you are going to stand out do it with panache!

have a great time.

uralmaid

Thanks @Katiehound