jo bauer

Those of us who are retired worked hard for "your time." I enjoy my non-commitment time and have no trouble saying no to all kinds of requests for my time. I'll donate anything but time. Ha, Ha. It takes time to make a quilt, toy, pot holders, whatever, for raffles, bazars and such. It's just that I get to choose how to donate and commit to a project. Now I "hobby" commit, and even then choose judiciously. Heck, I don't even repair or alter my own clothes, I send them to a friend who has a business doing that kind of thing. Forget home decor--boring. Made curtains once years ago and that was the end of that little exercise. DH just got a long arm and already has requests for quilting, he doesn't even know all the ins and outs of using it yet. We say no to all "please make me a---" The expense excuse usually works, and if it doesn't : "its just a hobby, not a business, we're retired for Pete's sake, and too busy to take on extra projects" also works in saying NO.