Sorry to be Missing In Action. This has been the least I have posted as of the past few weeks, so I thought some readers may want to know what is up? First of all, I have had the stomach flu for a few days, our basement is being repaired, and I think I may have needed a break too. One of the biggest things on my mind is that I will be going back to work this Fall as a High School Art Teacher. I had been laid off from my job as an Elementary Art Teacher and have been called back to fill the all too unfamiliar role of a High School Art Teacher. I've taught for 10+ years as an Elementary Art Teacher and have always been so prepared and now I feel like a brand new teacher again preparing for High Schoolers. I've always wanted to teach High School Art and I'm excited to take on this new experience in my life, but I know taking this job brings about a lot of change. I will be working full time again and my daughter will be going to Kindergarten Full Day so I have a lot of anxieties about that too. And to add....I worry about: "What Will Happen To The Chocolate Muffin Tree?" Then I think....Do I really need to tell my readers this information? So if you wonder why I may not have as many postings....it may be that I might be busy preparing High School Art Lessons for my new job. I do love this blog and hope to continue posting because I feel I owe it to my readers. I am always doing creative things with my daughter, but I may not always blog about it. I have tons of pictures and ideas to create posts with, so it is not like I will ever have a shortage of material. What I may have a shortage of......is TIME! This blog means a lot to me and has brought a lot of joy and self esteem to me. So thank you to everyone! I hope to continue posting throughout the summer and some during the school year. (We'll see how it goes....) So there....it is said. No surprises.
Awww, congrats on the new job! How exciting and scary all at the same time :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for keeping your readers in the loop about the Chocolate Muffin Tree.
Thanks. Yes I agree. This is life and it is always full of changes! Your welcome.
DeleteThe Chocolate Muffin Tree is one of my most favourite blogs and I can understand your struggle for time. We sound very similar.....I too find it difficult to find time for my little blog and there are more and more days when there is just none at all. I will also be returning back to work only part time though, which scares me as full time terrifies me, it is a complete juggling act! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Melissa on your new job and big changes in your life. I wish you well with everything. x
Thanks so much Janice! Your blog is excellent too. Again, I think in general life is a juggling act too so we just have to go with the flow and take it day by day. Thanks so much for sharing your experience too and now we know we have someone we can look to for support! Change is scary, but also as some say it is necessary. It was difficult for me to write this short post and then publish it too, but I wanted to get it out there. My readers/fans are important to me and I want to keep everyone informed. I love my little blog!
DeleteI wish the best for you too.
All the best to you as you start this new adventure! I'm a teacher, as well, and will likely be in a similar position a few years from now once both of my children are in school. I'm pretty sure once that happens I'll have no time to blog at all! Even being home with them I find it very difficult to find time to devote to my blog sometimes. Life just gets crazy, but obviously family comes first! Just do what you need to do for yourself and your family and don't feel guilty if you can't blog as much as you'd like. If you do get a chance to post something new, we'll all be excited to read it and see what you're up to. And if you don't, well, there are plenty of fabulous ideas already on your blog for us to check out. Good luck and have fun!! ~ Lauren from 365 Children's Books
ReplyDeleteThank you Lauren. I agree, blogging takes up lots of time and I have put my heart and soul into this blog at times! I feel very proud of what I have done with this blog and it has made a huge impact on my life. You are right, there are many great ideas here on The Chocolate Muffin Tree....we repeat many of the ideas too. We've just done DIY chalk paint
Deleteagain and we are planning to do bubble printing. We've had a lot of fun here and glad others can find inspiration.
Many readers have stated that they would love to see me share some High School ideas when I do have some to share. The adults could try them and find inspiration too. Many High School Art project ideas can be easily transferred to younger children too. So who knows ...that may just happen. This is why I love doing this blog...I get ideas from my readers and from other bloggers.
Thanks again for the encouragement and positive words.
congratulations on your new job! high school kids will be so fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Yes they will and a lot of I will have had when they were first graders!
DeleteCongratulations! How exciting. I hope you will still be able to find some time to share your inspiring ideas with us because I will miss you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy. I sure hope so. I will miss all of my blogger friends too.
DeleteCongratulations on your new job, must be so exciting; lots of new challenges. I love your blog, really hope you manage to find the time to continue with it! xx
ReplyDeleteThanks for the words of encouragement and hope to continue in some way too.
DeleteYou know I love you and appreciate your blog so much. I can't wait to hear about your job! What a wonderful opportunity!
ReplyDeleteAwww thanks Deborah. It means so much to hear this from you. You have been such an inspiring person and I am so gladt to have crossed paths with you.
DeleteCongrats! I look forward to reading about what you are doing!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I hope to incorporate some of my HS ideas on The Chocolate Muffin Tree.
DeleteCongratulations! You know I love love love your blog. Do not worry though- Your posting less will only make me appreciate each post that much more! Again, congrats and I am excited for you x
ReplyDeleteThanks. So much Crystal. It helps to hear your encouraging words. Thanks for being so loyal to TCMT!
DeleteWhat a scary and exciting new chapter. Wish you the best. You have a wonderful blog but I understand the lack of time as I am suffering the same thing. Keep us posted on the KBN to how your job and life is going. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. Time is so precious, I agree. I will be definitely popping in from time to time!
DeleteWow! Wonderful news and SOOOO exciting! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI do hope we still get to see you here from time to time!
Maggy
Thanks Maggy. I sure am glad to have crossed paths with you. You have taught me so much about blogging. You have such a remarkable blog!
DeleteCongratulations on your new job, it sounds exciting. Time is the hardest resource to control, I know I have a huge list of things I want to do and a very small window of opportunity to do them. I end up sacrificing sleep - which I can't do long-term. I look forward to any new chocolate muffin tree posts if you get the time..... best wishes.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ali. We do have to be selective how we use our precious time. I never want to short change anything in my life and always want to do the best in all that I do so it makes things difficult. Life is always like this. My lists are always huge too....there are lists of lists in my house! Thanks again!
DeleteCongratulations! Have a good job and lucky! The best for you!
ReplyDeleteTeresa Rebelo
Thanks so much Teresa. I appreciate the kind and encouraging words you always leave on my blog.
DeleteCongratulations on your new job, Melissa! Big changes like yours always take some adjustment, but I hope you're able to happily embrace your changes. Your blog is awesome, and we'll all look forward to whatever blogging you can do! :) Deb @ LivingMontessoriNow.com
ReplyDeleteThanks Deb. I sure hope I will embrace these changes with ease. Your positive words really are encouraging. I have had a great experience blogging and you have been there from the beginning so Thank you so much!
DeleteCongrats - sounds like a great adventure! I hope you don't worry about your readers too much, we know that you must take care of your family and your work first. Bless you as you embark on this new phase of your life. If you blog, we'll be thrilled but if not, we will understand.
ReplyDeleteThanks So much for your kind words. I agree, my readers will be more understanding than I even realize. It will be amazing to see what I will be doing a year from now. You are very encouraging.
Deleteaww good luck on your new adventure
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for being so supportive along the way....I appreciate it.
Deletepost when you can...or bring us some advanced art projects, too!!! good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tricia. I hope to do some of that too.
DeleteThank you for sharing with us -- art as life, life as art. I look forward to your posts, however spaced in time. The inspiration of one last a while, and is appreciated much. I wish you deep breaths and peace of mind as you embrace this new adventure. No doubt you will inspire your students as you have our entire household, 2 - 50+ years old. No pressure on this end, just gratitude.
ReplyDeleteYour comment has made me all teary eyed Carey! Thanks so much for your lovely comment. Your words speak perfectly to me and are just what I need to hear at this moment. I am overjoyed that I have inspired your whole household,...Wow! Really? Again, I am so thankful for your words and appreciate the time you have taken out to make my day!
DeleteCongrats on your new job, Melissa. Your students will be very lucky to have a creative art teacher! I work full time too, but my blog is a fun creative outlet for me. I hope you will find energy and motivation to keep it up, however infrequent it might be.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new job. I would love to see the creative projects you do with your high schoolers!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new job. I love your blog. Sharing just pictures of your art with your daughter and/ or high schoolers would also be wonderful to view. Even without explanations your ideas would continue to inspire me!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a wonderful blog!
Your new job as the high school art teacher sounds very exciting, Melissa. So much to learn and share. I'm sure you'll do an amazing job - due to the creative artist that you are and the wonderful person too! So, all the best. I'll miss seeing your posts on a regular basis but then I'll look forward to your posts even when they are few and far between.
ReplyDeleteI love your ideas!
Once again, best wishes to you and to your daughter. It'll be a big change for her, too, as she goes to school full time.
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