It's Cold Outside

Welcome to the first frost of the 2026 Autumn season! The heater is going strong, keeping my home at my preferred temperature, and I am looking forward to seeing the frost. It makes my everyday backyard sparkle when the sunshine first rises. My backyard faces west, so I get to enjoy the look of frost for longer than my front yard keeps its layer of sparkle.

I do not mind the cooler temperatures, but this always brings an autumn ick to me. I am currently struggling with sinus and breathing issues - this is usual at this time of year for me. I don't feel sick enough to go anywhere, but there will be some cold medicine in my future pretty soon just so I can continue to sit upright. I have things to do after all.

I accomplished some things this week.

I went to the library once and got some work finished. I saw a movie (Forgotten Island) yesterday. I cleared the sewing table off and folded the material that I want to make into some nightgowns. The plumber came and gave my system a clean bill of health (HOORAY!!). I attended a webinar about Ableism and Disability. I read about four books, and I have two more to work through before I head back to the library next week. I even did some work on my website redesign and reminded myself about how much more I still need to do before I launch it!

I even wrote a comment on Threads that has about 3,000 likes so far! Of course, that hasn't translated into additional views here, but that's okay. I have some goals for the day and week ahead. I will be going back to the library at least once, and I may go see another movie. I have website things to do and lots of job applications to send out into the world, so my to-do lists are filling up - both work-related and personal.

This time of year is always a renewal for me.

I have Seasonal Affective Disorder of the summer type meaning that I tend to have more weather related mental health issues during the months where there is more sunshine than darkness. I do better as the level of sunlight decreases and the angle of the sun changes. Right now, I am feeling better mentally but not physically, so that is an interesting twist on things.

Meanwhile, my job search continues to be unfruitful. I am now collecting applications for seasonal work so I can get some income into my coffers. I will also be calling my financial advisor to withdraw some money from my 401K to help me through this time. It's health care that's breaking me right now. I think I will be able to qualify for some subsidies once the open enrollment process happens, but I am not sure. If I can get my health insurance costs down, I will be okay. If not, then I will have to pay for storage and sell my house to live at my mother's place. That is NOT the plan!

Bankruptcy has always been my nightmare. I don't want to have to rely on my mother for support and a home. That's not what I want for myself or for my mother. So, I will do everything I can to avoid that situation. For now, though, I will try to find something to keep me occupied before I run out of money. So, two different things happening - one is the need for cash money right now and the other is the need to continue with my business plan for musictherapyworks.

Time to move forward with my day. I am going to put together a CMTE course on trauma-informed music therapy for either November or December as well as a mini-symposium for January focused on working with adolescents. If I can get those fleshed out, I will be able to plan what comes next for my business. So, I have ambition today. 

Lots of things to check off the list... 

Wish me luck!!

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