Night Shift

@Appleblossom I thought you might be in the process of re-reading from the likes coming through. There have been really good times on the forum! The support and cameraderie means a lot to me too. Do you have anything planned for tomorrow? I've got psychologist and then phone session with my peer worker about what other things we might be able to explore together before she is finished at the end of the year.

My son asked me to do some singing and help him work on reading "the fool" from King Lear ... then he is off with his father for the evening ... I had originally intended to go to a carers event . but cancelled ...

as son's reading is on Saturday ... and I am not rushing madly about but glad to be available when needed ... and then I have house to myself ... will I do music or sleep ??

My puss ... the dirty flirty one .. the one who thinks he owns the street ... has been snuggling up for an hour but my feet are freezing ... I have to get socks and go to bed soon ... I have never done a skype session yet ... do you like them?

Your feet freeze while I'm sweating. In my current frame of mind I'd say try for the music over the sleep when you are alone in the house. Or something more purely for pleasure perhaps. I have done Skype but don't like face to face over the internet. But clearly many people like it and find it useful.

It was funny about the weather difference ...

I've had a couple psychologist phone calls and if rapport and trust have already been built it can be as good as a face-to-face session.

Big day of therapy today. Psychologist for an hour at midday and then phone session for about another 45 minutes with peer worker not long after getting home. My head is whirring. Focussing on writing here helps to settle my mind and nervous system. Does anyone else find the forum helps sometimes like that too?

@Appleblossom In some ways the phone session with the peer worker was more intense than the face to face with the psychologist. It's the first time I've engaged in a therapeutic discussion like that over the phone. We covered some deep terrain. I'm sorry my peer worker and I won't get to continue on together after the end of the year but being philosophical about it. I'm getting her a hand made gift hoping that it won't be against the rules for her to accept it.

After wondering if I even liked my psychologist last week, this week's session was great, we had a rapport like never before. It's only the fourth session so I'm glad I gave it a bit of time. I had made notes for this session so I could take the lead with the discussion if the uncomfortable silences went on for two long. No uncomfortable silences today. Instead, interesting discussion including of wider issues than my particular mental health. Some of this was about art, creativity and criticism, of special interest with me. He was also encouraging of my progress so far.

Hot here again today, @Appleblossom. How is it with you?

Its cool but not freezing ... but I am prepared with fluffy socks on.

I have given occasional chrissie gifts to therapists .. it has never been a problem ... although I did wonder if it was stepping over the line at the time ... my last psych showed me the gifts that others had given to her ... you'll be fine with it.

My long term part time work as piano teacher also featured gift giving parent almost use it as a teaching for the children to appreciate and give to others ... sometimes I did rotate those gifts ... there is only so much choc and bikkies that are good for a 2 person family.

Teaching and music often give high immersion, rapport and bonding experiences ... I have grieved for my students and families but realised it was in their interests as they crossed town to get into "better" schools .. which happened a few times. So I decided that loving detachment was the best approach with "letting go".

its funny about liking and trust ... people often ask what music I like ... but I just cant answer ... it all depends ... glad it has been a productive day.

Mine has been a bit lazy and 3 parcels came to my door mat .. as I had my first on-line spending spree ... beats trudging across town trying to find exquisite gifts to satisfy the overseas family. I just shopped for son and I, this time.

@Appleblossom Glad you've got your fluffy socks this time.

The gift is made by my oldest friend who I've known since I was 13 and who lives in country Victoria now. She does beautiful hand dying of silk and fine merino using materials from nature like eucalypt leaves. I'm getting my peer worker one of her scarves. Glad to hear you've had no problem with this in the past. What have you ordered online? I love getting mail order packages.

Christmas is just me and my partner usually and then a later get together with our friend nearby. I'm sending gifts to some people this year but some years I've done very little. It has depended on my state of mind and finances too. But next week I'm going to an afternoon Christmas party on the beach for the community organisation where my peer support works. It's for clients and staff. Haven't been to a Christmas party for years.

'Loving detachment' sounds fair enough as a way to keep some boundaries in place so that bonds with students don't become too painful.

I have very eclectic musical tastes so that question about what sort of music do you like is also a bit too open for me to give an easy answer. I do like listening to jazz as part of my daily routine but the kind of music I have liked over a whole life is very wide.

The present sounds gorgeous ... special ... I may have actually seen some of her very fine work at the Abbotsford Convent ... made an impression on me

Hi @PeppiPatty

I've already gone ahead and bought the pressie and if it's not allowed I'll just keep it for myself, hehe. I have a feeling from what you and @Appleblossom have said that it's going to be fine anyway.

How are you today, @PeppiPatty?