music, therapy, and me

This weekend was mostly spent in bed, but I did accomplish a weekend challenge from one of my Facebook groups. Every weekend, one of the group members posts a challenge for us to create. This weekend's challenge was a Christmas-themed challenge, and I decided to participate. We had to figure out something with paper that included the following: envelopes, Santa, a holiday saying, glitter (nope for me), and lace. We could replace one of the elements with a button, so I took out the glitter part because I am hopeless with glitter. Here is what I created...  This is an envelope that I made out of cardstock. I covered all of the flaps with scrapbook paper, added some paper lace die-cuts, a picture of Santa, and a holiday sentiment. It is a fancy gift card holder that I will give to our family friend, Mary, this Christmas. I am pretty happy with how it turned out. The entire thing folds into the envelope shape and is held together by the string which wraps around the button on the front...

It is Monday again, and I am sitting here, looking around my messy office space, and wondering what I will write about today. I didn't make much this weekend, but I did continue working on current projects. I have stitched in the signatures to the winter and turtle books (somewhat crookedly, to be sure - have to disguise/camouflage that in some way) and am starting to put in the signatures to the Christmas book. It is time to decorate books now, so I am going to look around for some turtley things. I already have plenty of winter stuff and Christmas stuff is always easily found. I did make a shelf. I am a fan of all things Disney, and one of the ways that has manifested is purchasing Doorables. If you don't know what I'm talking about - just look at the photo here. They are small characters in a particular style, and I love them! I had them in a small wooden house that I have had in my home for many years, but it was difficult to see them as they were all crammed together. ...

One of my quests for this year is to rip all of my CDs (yep, I still have CDs) onto my computer so I have the music in digital form without having to stream. So, I have been ripping CDs and listening to more music lately. I have realized that music has been missing from my life lately... Now, let me clarify because I am musicking all the time with my clients, but I have not been engaging in music for me lately. I listen to what my clients want to hear, not what I need in my own musical journey. So, part of this quest is to remind me of music for me. I was asked why I still have all of my CDs, and the simple reason is that I paid good money for all of these, and I don't want to give them away! I will keep them for as long as I possibly can! As I was listening and ripping and appreciating the music I have collected over the years, I have started to select songs for specific reasons (because I am a music therapist and goals are ALWAYS things that I think about - even for myself). One ...

It has been a long time since I have listened to music that is just for me alone.  It has been a long time since I sat down with my keyboard and just played music that I love. I do not seek music out for my leisure time - mainly because I am surrounded with it most of the time. I changed that last night. I turned on my streaming service on my television and let it select music for me for most of my waking hours. My choice parameters were soundtracks and musicals, and the music that was shared was mostly pleasant for me. There were only a couple of songs that I didn't enjoy, but I didn't skip any of them. I listened all the way through all the songs, but I also allowed my attention to go in and out while I was listening. I enjoyed it, and will do more listening in this manner. The shuffle function keeps the music novel and goes like my favorite compilations go - from one extreme to another and back again from one side of the music continuum to another side. Many of my non-musica...