A Very Merry Christmas To You!

So it's been a while...

okay it's been like forever but who's really counting :)

I just wanted to send out a very Merry Christmas wish to all of you and wish you well in the New Year!

I also wanted to say that I'm really trying to get back into blogging because I love sharing my craftiness with you and reading all of your comments but I am truly struggling.

I'm struggling because of many reasons:

First, I am no longer able to add pictures to my blog because I'm over the limit and I really don't want to pay to add more pictures because I know that I will just use that space up and have to pay more.

So I'm at a crossroad right now as to what I should do.

Ideally, I would love to pay someone to create a blog for me where all I would have to do is sign in and write, but I'm not sure if I am serious enough about blogging to really reap the benefits of this and I really can't afford to spend the extra money on something that doesn't seem worthwhile.

Secondly, I have been working really hard trying to gather materials and create complete math units for my grade level as well as making original activities and all the manipulatives, worksheets, and games that go along with it.  Sadly, I have put in over a year on one unit and still have 9 more to go.  All ten units should be implemented by 2014 but I'm not sure how they are going to get finished in time.  I have been working mostly at night while my son is asleep to finalize everything for the first unit and it has taken a toll on me because I no longer have the free time plus I'm not getting paid for creating this unit on my free time.  Don't get me wrong, I actually like creating a curriculum but I'm only a part time teacher and sometimes the inequities where I work is very frustrating especially since I am working my tail off to make a fraction of what someone else is making doing a fraction of what I am doing.  However, that rant is for another day.

Thirdly, I am desperately trying to make some extra money for my family by taking all my activities and games that I have been working on for the math units and uploading them to teacherspayteachers.com and my personal shop HERE.  I am very pleased with the responses I have received and how much I have made so far but I hope to increase my earnings by adding more downloads.  Unfortunately, getting activities classroom ready versus  TPT ready are two entirely different things.  I have spent so much time making my ideas both presentable and user friendly for TPT that I haven't been able to think about anything else.  However, there is one thing I have been putting off for about 6 years now and I realize that I have to do something quick.

Lastly, I HAVE to go back to school to get my masters degree and I am absolutely dreading it because I have no idea where I will get the money and where I will find the time to attend class, read the books, and finish the assignments.  Let's just say that I'm feeling the stress of everything on my shoulders.  Needless to say, my biggest concern is whether or not I am spending enough quality time with my son who really and truly is the most important in all my constant worries.  Though I thought I wasn't going to say anything about what happened two weeks ago...

I realize that life is so short and I can't imagine what I would do without my family especially my little man.  I am very grateful for this week off from school because I have been able to really spend time with my son and not worry so much about my lesson plans or correcting papers.  It's just the two of us, since my husband still has to work, building Legos or Thomas the Train sets or reading one of the many books Santa brought him.  And yes, Santa probably spoiled my son this year but he deserved every single gift under that tree because he is an amazing little man and each and every day I am so proud of him.  In light of the tragedy in Newtown, I am thankful I had a tree filled with presents and a little boy filled with joy and excitement to open them.  I send my heartfelt and sincere prayers and sympathy to everyone who was involved in the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, as well as all the first responders, and the families who were touched in someway.  I pray for your peace and for your strength to make it through another day without your loved ones.

I apologize to you readers for having to deal with my scattered thoughts which started out one place and ended up in an entirely different direction.  Please don't think less of me as I rant and carry on about trivial things while mothers and fathers are mourning the loss of their children.  The most important part of a mother's life is her children and that is always in my heart.

Merry Christmas to you and your families!

~Katania