Alone Time

If you are a working musician/music teacher with little kids, and you actually have any kind of time to practice, I commend you.

I've probably picked up my instrument on my own 3 times since Meatball was born. This doesn't count rehearsals, performances, or teaching. Before he was born, I didn't have much better luck. I'm embarrassed, and disappointed, as this is supposedly a big part of my livelihood. Granted, I haven't been working in the field in a year, but even so.

I am thrilled to report that today I got to practice AND exercise. Furthermore, my mother said that she would really like it if I could do that every day, that Musical Daddy should be allowed the same, and she'd try to make it happen. That's HUGE.

She really wants to make it a point that not only will the children be cared for by multiple people who love them, but WE also get to do more than we otherwise would be able to do. We were pretty well alone. I was REALLY alone. But not alone, because I always had the little ones.

My "alone time" to practice was amazing. I almost felt like a professional again. My exercise time was playing Wii Fit while Meatball sat around in his little chair. He gave me a good amount of time.

This afternoon, my mother went out shopping alone. She needed a break. The Boy has been glued to her most of the time, and every now and then she needs a rest. Before, she'd come and visit us in NJ, and then she would go home and miss him. Now I think she can understand how I can get touched out, between Meatball and The Boy.

I need to check my mother's work schedule so that we can plan our day. Most days during the week, she works two separate hours, and we do what we need to do for the family the rest of the time. Also, my father is going to Boston for a few days. My sister has finals coming up, so she's been spending a lot of time studying, but she will have dinner with us, help a bit with The Boy, and grab Meatball for hugs from time to time. I don't expect her to do much for me because she is very busy with school but she always comes through and she's great company as well.

I'm going to apply to substitute-teach in Pittsburgh for the rest of the year. I obviously won't make the money that I'd make teaching in a contracted position, but I don't really see one of those opening up mid-year. Also, if I have to decline on a day when The Boy has chemo...then that's what I have to do.

Time for meds and maybe even settling down for the night!