watervole | Entries tagged with guides

I've now been along to three meetings wearing my new hat as a unit helper for the local guides.

I've enjoyed it. They're a nice bunch of girls and I like the guiders. In addition, they really need my help. One of the guiders is at retirement age and really wants a break. I'm bringing in new ideas and new energy.

The only draw-back is turning out to be a big one. The hut smells very musty. I've had to use my inhaler every time I've been there, but last night I woke at 5am with a really severe asthma attack, my worst since the last time I was exposed to fireworks. I had to go downstairs and take far more medication than is really a good idea and read a book until I was finally able to go back to bed half an hour later. The asthma is finally starting to stabilise again, but it's been dodgy all day.

If this happens again (I may be able to prevent it by taking a double dose of salmeterol on Thursdays) then I'll have to give up helping with Guides.

After a break in years roughly equivalent to the age of my younger son (ie. lots, because with two boys there wasn't much point), I've ventured forth to consider helping with Guides again.

Went for the first time this evening.

Conclusions:

I'm a heck of a sight more bossy and self-confident than I was as a young mother.

All that con-running experience comes in handy.

I like the Guides.

The Guides appear to like me.

Giving a prize of a spray perfume in a pass the parcel is a very BAD idea when your brand new unit helper has asthma that is triggered by strong scents, especially when they are sprayed into the air. (I'm still a bit wheezy now, after taking a couple of puffs of ventolin) I've now let the Guider (it wasn't her who wrapped the gift, I think a parent donated it) that I have a problem with perfumes, so hopefully it won't happen again.

Guides like poi.

I enjoy organising things like musical chairs (It was the Xmas party night). I said I'm bossy...

I have to remember that I have no current desire to run a unit by myself. I'll need to be careful not to volunteer to fast, as the Guider really wants to retire soon. She's been doing it a long time, but there's no one to replace her...

Moral - avoid jumble sales... (I went to a Guide jumble sale the other week, we were just passing the hall while on a walk - after about ten mins, I said "You know, I really fancy volunteering again...")

Just after 2pm, I heard the band and raced out of the house and up the road to watch the rather smaller local Remembrance Sunday parade. About 80 members of the British Legion following a local youth band, all walking in step with the music, followed by a rather rag-tag collection of Brownies, Guides and Scouts, none of whom (apart from one tall, teenage scout) were able to walk in time.

It cast my mind back to my days as a Guide. Our Guider, known as 'Captain' to the entire village, used to teach us drill once in a while and march us around the hall. I'm sure it was old-fashioned even then, but at least we were in step when we went on parade.

I'm now fighting off an urge to go and volunteer with a local scout or guide group. Will people please talk me out of it! (Or alternatively tell me why it might actually be a good idea...) I was a helper for a couple of years with the Guides, but it was over 25 years ago, and I remember almost nothing about it.

Judith Proctor's Journal

Ramblings on morris dancing, 17th century re-enactment, and gardening

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