Deep Breath...I'm Gonna Do It!

I'm going to take the challenge!  I have what I like to refer to as "Organized Chaos" going on in my room and I am finally in the first stage of recovery.  I am admitting that I have a problem.  SO, I'm counting on the Clutter Free Classroom to lead me out of the dark, dismal clutter-filled dungeon.  Lead on, Strong Leader! 

This is my desk--though I rarely sit here, it is  the first unpacking zone of my morning.

This isn't bad as I just had to completely reorganize it before Christmas when one of the shelves gave  under the weight and spilled everything onto the floor.  

Cleaning basket on the floor for quick touch-ups.  I also just added that.  These used to be across the room under the sink.

BONUS!  My inbox was actually cleaned out on Friday before I left school.  :)

This is my actual work area/meeting area.  This is unpacking zone number two.  By the end of the day, this table is usually covered.  I can't explain it.  :(

On the stool I have all of the Scholastic Book Orders that filled my mailbox when I returned from break.  Why are they here?  No idea.  I am not sure what I'm going to do with them yet so it seemed as good a place as any, I suppose. The pink bin is how I file all of the papers that need to be returned to my reading groups.  That is actually organized and ready to disperse tomorrow in our Tuesday Folders. WHOOT!  

Another angle of my work table.

My library is in a state of...well let's just say it's in a state.  I started with the best of intentions, too, but I am still struggling with a way to ensure that the books will be returned to their proper place when a student is finished.  When I find them in the wrong places (desks, cubbies, random places in the room), I place them on a shelf to be reshelved.  Oy--that's a mouthful.

I just did some reorganization here on Friday to put the station activities in those new magazine holders from Target.  I apparently got distracted because you can see the leftovers on the chair.

The leftovers.

The shelves above my sink--not too bad.

I just moved the pillows over here b/c they were on the bottom shelves of my library and I decided that I needed those shelves for...BOOKS!  Whodathunkit?

Not bad...

This needs some attention.  It has cups, plates, mouthwash, standardized testing copies, and treats.  A bit of  a mix that makes no sense.  I should mention that I don't use these cups or plates for anything.

My writing station--not bad.  The only reason the crayons are there is because that is where I keep my stragglers and I have a plan for those using a Pinteresting idea for Valentine's Day.  ;)

Believe it or not, I've actually gone through this basket MANY times.  I have most of those copies in digital files.  Someone please tell me to recycle them?

Intended organization going slightly awry...  The folders are mostly empty, the manilla envelope is for a student who withdrew and I want all of her stuff together for when I receive her withdrawal packet.

Rarely used nonfiction resources.  I have such a hard time getting my students to choose books from over there, but you put them in the school library and they head straight to the informational books.  Bizarre.  I think I need to make it look more appealing.  I am also thinking about getting rid of the magazine rack and all of the contained magazines.  They. Are. Never. Used.

Another failing attempt at being organized.  If only I didn't have the attention span of a PUPPY! :(

And so begins the tour of my closet.  I am SO glad that this door not only shuts, but also locks.  I have made a very honorable attempt at being organized here, but it's those moments when I have to put something away quickly or those days when I can't get to it (for putting it in its appropriate place, anyway) and then INTO the dungeon/closet it goes.  :(

I can't even make excuses for what you're seeing here.

Though I know what is in each of the pink-lidded bins, I think I need to finish labeling them to feel good about them.

Buddy Read books.

Many of those portfolios are empty and the rest are storing things that I.  NEVER.  USE!  Ahem...RECYCLE THEM, KRYSTAL!!!

Hey, it's a way to store charts. ;)

Yeah--no idea, no excuse.

UGH!  Deeper in, and definitely darker!

Please don't judge me for the tops of my filing cabinets.  Again, tucked in the closet and I'm reverted back to the peek-a-boo game of childhood where, if I can't see it, it isn't there.  Hmph!

Now, as bad as this looks, this is where I store all of my empty gift bags, wrapping paper, and totes.   Certainly there's a better way...

This is actually organized!  WHOOT!

SO that's it...and now that I'd like to go bury my head in the sand, I can only hope...that there is still hope for me.

Top 11 in 2011 Linky Party

I haven't done a Linky Party in quite some time and they are ohsomuchfun!  I've been missing out.  Well, truly, I've been missing my blogging altogether!  Sooooo, here goes, and thank you to Kristen @ a teenytinyteacher for starting such an easy linky (meaning I don't have to think too awful hard to post--DOUBLE WHOOT WHOOT)!
11.  Favorite movie you watched:
Easily, the only movie that I've made a point to watch at least TWICE in one month since it's release:  The Help!  EVERYONE should see this movie!  EVERYONE!  I have  already downloaded the sample from iTunes so that I can read the book, so if I find that I have time to read the sample, then most likely I will purchase the full copy because this is an AMAZING story that can potentially be a life changer, if you need it and let it! 

10.  Favorite TV series:
I feel like, in this day and age, this should have two categories (or maybe even three--drama, comedy, and trashy reality tv).  Since it doesn't, I'll post the most honest answer I can give.  Crud.  I'm  normally a rule follower but I'm gonna have to go outside the parameters this time and give my three.  I'm a rebel.  There.  I said it.
Fave drama:  Grey's Anatomy (if not for the eye candy alone, lately)
Fave comedy:  Modern Family
Fave Reality TV:  X Factor (sorry American Idol, but I believe you've been replaced)

9.  Favorite Restaurant:
Longhorn Steakhouse.  And STILL, after all of these years!  I have NO shame. ;)

8.  Favorite New Thing You Tried:
I'm going to go with blogging on this one.  I started at the beginning of the school year with intentions of teaching my students as I even took a course in it.   THEN technology in my classroom decided otherwise (my projector would not work when connected to my computer and my computer would not work when connected to my projector).  HOWEVER, it was fixed in late November (THANK YOU JESUS) so I'm hoping to get started after we return from the break.

7.  Favorite Gift You Received:
I have to put this on two levels again.  I've been given the blessing of amazing students and parents this year (truly--you couldn't argue if you knew them, I promise)!  I also received an iPad2 from my superfantabulous hubby and am sosuperelated because I can use it at home, on cas (just made that up as a short word for casual experiences--Webster wants to hire me but I'm just toooooooo busy), AND IN MY CLASSROOM!!!

6.  Favorite Thing You Pinned:
This one I have deemed COMPLETELY UNFAIR!~  I'm a pinaholic and I don't care who knows it!  However, to be fair, I pulled up my pins and gave it the good ol' college try.  I failed miserably.  BUT, I'm going to answer anyway.  I think my most favorite thing I pinned was the FIRST thing I pinned because it led to such a fulfilling addiction and has saved me SOOOOO many pennies throughout our ongoing journey.  I LOVE YOU PINTEREST!  What?  You want to know what my first pin was? Oh, me too, sistah!  I have NO idea!  There are too many!  We need a Pinterest Timeline, now (get on it, Facebook)!

5.  Favorite Blog Post:
Hmmm, gimme a second because I need to look back (okay, if I'm being honest, it took A LOT longer than a second to find one I could call my favorite).  GOT IT!  It's my "Thanksgiving" post:
http://beachykeenvankampen.blogspot.com/2011/11/giving-thanks.html

4.  Favorite Accomplishment:
Being selected as a Teacher of the Year nominee at my "new" school and that was a HUGE honor for two (other than the obvious) reasons:  1. We have a FANTASTIC staff and I totally didn't see this coming.  Particularly because I was a Teacher of the Year at the school I left to come to this one.  2. The other two nominees are truly teachers that I have looked up to for YEARS!

3.  Favorite Picture:
Awwww, jeez, this one is hard.  I rarely get my picture taken but I take a TON of pics!  So, although most seem to be posting pics of themselves, I'll post a few (I think we already established that I'm breaking the rules on this one) that I'm not in but that seriously have provided me with so much joy (they're very much out of order):

Kai's smile--it makes me giggle EVERY time!

My light, my heart, my first born son, BAILEY SAMUEL FRED SAHLI-VAN KAMPEN!!!

I was so overcome with emotion here--though you probably can't tell!  I sure wish my mom could've been at the finish line.  Or anyone, for that matter.  :(  BUT, I DID IT!

My cousin, Jessica, and I at the 26.2 with Donna.  We finished our FIRST EVER 1/2 marathon (so we're only 1/2 crazy) and were SOOOOO proud of ourselves!  I figured if my mom can go through chemo, radiation, and a mastectomy and come out smiling, I could do 13.1 and come out smiling for her!  ;)

Kai giving the over-the-shoulder glance.  I can't believe he was ever that small!

Father and Son Bonding Time

The happy couple at his Homecoming from Africa

HE'S HOME!

The River Run--The 10k that 'bout killed me and broke my hip but I FINISHED!

Kai at the vet getting his Big Boy shots (rabies)

A sailor and his baby

My three Golden Delicious Babies

Maizey and I at the pet hospital.  We came VERY close to losing her from some random bug and I was SO GLAD to see her smile return!

The Mr. and I

Kai...landscaping. ;)

Family Portrait

Take your pick, because I surely can't do it!

2. My Favorite Memory:
My mom being declared cancer free, my husband coming home, and the birth of my puppies.  Three way tie.  ;)

1.  Goal for 2012:
Professionally:  Finish my Reading Endorsement and begin classes towards my next degree.
Personally:  Being ON TIME for birthday cards/gifts, Christmas Cards/gifts, etc. so that the people in my life who live far away from me realize that I DO love them (infinity) and can be proactive so that they know that ON THE SPECIFIC DAY designated as theirs.  BIG BREATH.  This will be hard.  :(  WISH ME LUCK!