music, therapy, and me

It is the Music for Kiddos symposium day! I am at home, sitting in front of my computer in my pjs, and getting ready for a day of learning. I do not have to go to work today, so I am taking a leisurely morning. I will have 11 hours of continuing education to get through by the end of today. That's lots of time to sit in front of the computer, so I might not watch everything today. I prefer watching things live, but if my body cannot handle it, then my body cannot handle it. It is always nice when there is an opportunity to watch via recording later on. I wonder if I can get my little laptop to stream while I use my big computer for working on other tasks... Ideally, I would be able to watch the symposium on my television, but I haven't figured out how to screencast things to my older televisions. I know that there has to be a way, but I have started this a bit too late to figure it out right now. A quick search of my Roku has identified some screen mirroring apps, but they requ...

I am taking this Wednesday off from my job, and I am going to be doing some just-for-fun reading later today. Most of my reading these days is just-for-fun reading, so this isn't really different, but I am diving back into the idea of library reading again, so that has changed. Also, let me explain the day off - I get four unpaid work days per year to use as I see fit, and I decided to use my last one today. If I don't use them in the contract year, then I basically donate a day where I don't get paid but work for free. I am not that dedicated to my job that I want to work and not be paid, so I am taking noncontract day #4 today. I am going to eat spaghetti, read cozy mysteries, and nap if I want to. I am hoping that my lawn finally is mown today, but we will see. It has been cancelled, postponed, and lied about four times in the past week. I don't know if it will happen, but I am hoping it will be finished today. The weeds outside are pretty tall, and the city gets rea...

I've been on a bit of a spending spree lately, buying things like new tote bags and plane tickets and Christmas gifts for family members and a new car and a shirt for me from my favorite blogger's brand-new bookstore and several sets of vinyl beanbags in the shapes of frogs, turtles, and ladybugs! The fruits of my shopping are starting to arrive here at my home, so I am sitting and trying to figure out a couple of things - one, where I will put all this stuff until it goes to its final destination, and two, if there is anything else I need... (P.S. I already know the answer to the second thing on that list, but it doesn't stop me from wondering...) This day is one where I do not have to go to work, so I am taking the day to finish up the pesky chores that have stacked up around here. I cleared out the front hallway yesterday to accommodate the annual changing of the furnace filter, so I have things that need to be pit in their places. I am distressed by the state of m...

Yesterday was our third snow day. I am almost ready to declare that I will be having an additional Spring Break this year!!! I now have enough extra days off to do so. Here's what goes on at my job. I work at a residential treatment facility and day school. When inclement weather comes, like yesterday's ice storm, we have a group of students who are at the facility already. Their commute to school is down the sidewalk. We also have a group of students who need the structure of daily school, and, compounding all of that, we also have a lack of staff members scheduled for school hours. Hence, the inclement weather policy! Any certified staff member (me - that's me) who wants to make the trip to be at school gets to take an equivalent amount of time off at a later date. I have missed exactly 3 snow days in my 22 years of service. Yesterday was the third snow day of this school year. I am hoping for one more so I can take a week off later in the Spring. If it doesn't ha...

Today is my day off. It is the only day of the week where I don't always have to do things that are part of working. It's a very good thing to have some time to be on my own, and I cherish my Saturdays. Some Saturdays, I meet via Skype or GoToMeeting with some dynamic music therapists who enrich my life immensely, but this isn't one of those Saturdays. Other than an appointment for some routine car maintenance, there is nothing that I HAVE to do! I am going to take my current book to the dealership to read while I wait for my car. After that, I may go shopping. I have some coupons for money off things. I like that. Money off. Of course, the best way to get someone to spend money is to make it seem like they are saving money, but I am happy to be convinced. I feel the need to do some more creating today. I had so much fun making some non-TME related games and folders for a friend of mine, that I think I'll do some more. Does anyone want a lapbook about shapes and ...

Over on social media, someone just asked about whether there were other music therapists who just didn't use music for their own relaxation/self-care routines. I admit that I am one of those music therapists. After making music, putting myself into the music all day long, I can't seem to use it for relaxation outside of the job, and I realize that IT'S OKAY!  I used to feel guilty that my relationship with music had changed. No more. Now I realize that my relationship with music is what it is and does not have any inherent value. It just is. What do I do to relax? I draw. I craft. I write. I read anything and everything. I occasionally pick up my ukulele or my keyboard to compose something for work. I watch copious amounts of television - mainly mysteries or conspiracy shows. I cook a bit. I spend time online, looking at all types of websites for all types of purposes. In addition, I spend lots of time thinking about music therapy as a treatment modality for others. ...

I woke up this morning with a really good idea for a blog post that made me think, "I need to get this down as soon as possible." Of course, by the time I actually got myself to the computer to write, the idea had just... gone. So, you are stuck with this blog post instead. Maybe the other one will eventually materialize, but that's just the breaks. (That's why I have super sticky post-it notes on my desk and in the car. You never know when good ideas will strike - don't let them go away!!) I have today off. We get a random day off in the middle of April just because. Today is that day. I have an early morning Skype date with a friend of mine (we're working on a project, but just like to talk to each other as well) and then I think I'll go grocery shopping. It's also payday, so I can afford to buy ANYTHING I WANT! Speaking of that, I should probably eat before I go shopping - otherwise I will buy ANYTHING I WANT - that's never a good thing. The...