New {School} Year Resolutions...Link Up!

I usually reserve Sundays for posting about personal stuff, but as the beginning of the new school year draws near, it's all I can seem to think about! My to-do list is still as long as ever (and growing by the day)! Please tell me I'm not the only one! :)

I almost NEVER make New Year Resolutions, because let's face it, I never keep them! It always seems like the resolutions I need to make are work-related anyway and who can implement those in January when it's the middle of the school year? So, I've decided I'm going to make my New {School} Year Resolutions...publicly...on my blog, so that you guys can help keep me accountable for them! You'll do that, right? :)

As I was thinking about this, I thought you might like to make some, too! I mean, who doesn't want to try to improve their classroom in SOME way for the new year? So, go ahead, and link up to share your resolutions, too!

This school year, I hope to....

Resolution #1: Take more pictures of my classroom activities!  I always have high hopes for this, but somehow I fail to follow through.  I'm hoping now that I'm blogging, I will have a reason to NEED to do this....to share pictures of our class activities with YOU!

Resolution #2: Keep the piles cleaned off of my desk!  No matter how organized I am, I always tend to start the day with a sparkling clean desk and end the day with piles of paperwork!!  I am determined to put things in their place as I go to keep these piles off my desk!

Resolution #3:  Stay focused on my students.  I really want to not worry about pleasing everyone else and learn to say "NO" so that I'm not taking on too many things.  I don't want my focus to be on anyone or anything other than my students.

Resolution #4:  Work smarter.  It's so tough not to want to "hang out" with other adults in the mornings before school starts or on those planning periods since our adult-time at school is SO limited.  However, I'm really going to try to use my time wisely so I don't have to bring so much home with me.  I really want to spend my evenings with the hubby (and, according to him, this doesn't count if I'm working on the computer the whole time!)

So, that's it!  Those are my New {School} Year Resolutions!  I really think they're realistic and I will be able to keep them this year.  I'll let you know how it goes!  What are your resolutions?  Link up at the bottom of this post to share!

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Sundays in the South: Concert Recap

On, the personal side, I promised to share a bit about our trip to Atlanta for the Aerosmith Concert.  Well, we  went for a quick overnight trip, staying at the Ritz Carlton....I told you I was picky about my hotels and the Ritz is it for me in Atlanta!  Not, only is the location perfect, right in the middle of downtown so we can walk to concerts, but their service is always IMPECCABLE!
This was our room with a great view of Atlanta!  The entire hotel was booked with people for the concert so that was a lot of fun!  We almost always eat at the Hard Rock Cafe since it's just a couple of doors down.  This trip was no different, and they were having a little pre-concert tribute to Aerosmith so everyone was rocking out!

We had GREAT seats at the concert...lower level, row 8, end seats (end seats are our thing...whether it's football, races, or concerts we always have to have end seats - don't you HATE having to climb over people to get in and out?  I always feel like a bother and I hate that!) 
Mr. Madden was VERY worried about this concert since Aerosmith is one of his all-time favorites.  He was really worried that he would be disappointed and that Steven Tyler wouldn't sound the same in person.  Let's just say we were VERY happy!!  It was an AMAZING show and Steven can still hit every one of those screaming notes!  I love that he came out in a long red sequined cape (that he ended up throwing out to an audience member!)  I also love the ribbons that were tied all around his microphone...I would totally do that if I were a rockstar! :)
I would definitely recommend snagging tickets to this tour if you're an Aerosmith fan!  Now, we've got a few months with no concerts (but that's okay since we'll have football games to fill those weekends!)  The next concert (Madonna) is the one that I'm worried about...I sure hope she does a lot of her 80s music to make this girl, happy!

The next morning we had breakfast credits at the hotel so we ate at its restaurant, Atlanta Grill.
It was delicious (but so not worth the money had we not had credits!)  We decided not to stay in Atlanta too long (we were just here not long ago) but I had planned on swinging by IKEA since it's just a few miles from the hotel.  However, I talked myself OUT of it since I really didn't NEED anything else for my classroom.  We did stop by the outlets, but Mr. Madden was the only one who purchased anything (I love that my hubby loves to shop as much as I do!)  Why was I so good?  I planned to swing by a store on the way home and buy a Silhouette Cameo!  I've been wanting one for sooooo long.  So, on the way home I searched to see where I could find one and was surprised that they aren't sold by most of the big chains (only a few small scrapboooking stores...none in our city)! :(  BOO!!  But, I did end up ordering one online the next day and can NOT wait for it to arrive this week!  Hopefully it will SO be worth not shopping in Atlanta! :)  I'm sure it will inspire some Monday Made-Its once it arrives!




33 comments

  1. I definitely need to work on your second resolution also!!! Haha

    Ginger Snaps

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  2. Hehehe...glad I'm not the only one! I HATE going into teachers' classrooms who have CLEAN desks...it makes me think they have a secret closet where they stash their stuff! ;) It makes me feel so inadequate!

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  3. Looks like such a fun concert!! I've never been to an IKEA, but I am dying to go!!

    I think a few weeks back you posted about a laminator you bought at Target (that was you, right? I read so many blogs I sometimes lose track!). Anyway, I bought it today and am in love! :)

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  4. I love this idea for a linky party. I'm going to link up as soon as my giveaway is over. I love all your resolutions and those are all things that I need to work on. I love Atlanta! I went to IKEA there last week but I didn't get much. I can't wait to see what you make with your Silhouette. I've just started playing with mine.

    Swimming into Second

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  6. Love your resolutions! I think I will have very similar ones this year. I can't wait to link up!

    Christine

    Leapingintothird.blogspot.com

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  7. Great resolutions! I think I will have very similar ones this year. Can't wait to link up!

    Christine

    Leapingintothird.blogspot.com

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  8. I love your Resolution #2! I always end up with "piles" everywhere! I definitely had #4 as well. It's hard because I don't want to seem mean when I'm busy, but sometimes I have to turn off the lights and shut my door! I linked up, I had done a pledge a few weeks ago that I think fits right in with this!

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  9. Hi Amanda! I just found your blog! I'm a fellow bloggie from the Palmetto state (I live right outside of Summerville). I have a new blog: anappleadayinfirstgrade.blogspot.com that I am just starting. Stop by an say Hi sometime!

    Karen

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  10. I grabbed a pad of paper and within minutes had 12 resolutions! Ok some are things that I just over do and have to stop doing. As a previous principal told me, Stop being the martyr! Oops, that's a lesson that is really hard for me to learn but I hear those words everything I do too much. Going on my 22nd year of teaching so the things I need to tweak mostly have to do with my working environment and others. Can you imagine what it would be like to spend time with family instead of fretting over work needing to be done? I can't! Your husband is right, being in the same house but one on the computer does not qualify as spending time together.
    A little note about Madonna's concert... I am not one to follow gossip pages but somehow found myself reading a review of a more recent concert. It was not good and those 80's songs you are hoping for, her signature songs, were not covered. She's promoting her new album. If I were you I'd google her lastest concerts and the reviews by her fans. I'm SOOO jealous you got to see Aerosmith! Love that Steven Tyler!
    Michelle

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  11. My resolutions are very similar...thanks for the linky!

    Nichole
    Craft of Teaching

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  12. What fun! Happy New Year! I like reading other bloggers resolutions, it helps me see that I'm not the only crazy one! Thanks for hosting!

    Mary
    Teaching Special Kids

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  13. First off I wanted to tell you I love your idea for the linky party! I've already seen so many resolutions that have made me go "OH YEAH! ME TOO!" Like your one about pictures. That is absolutely number 1 on my list. I cannot wait to take my camera to school this year and keep true to it! :) Thanks for making this linky happen!

    Amanda
    Reaching for the TOP!

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  14. This is a fun linky, thanks for hosting it! I have to admit, I'm the freak that leaves her classroom each day with clean tabletops (my desk, the reading table, and the students' desks). I might be borderline OCD about piles. They drive me crazy! Thanks again for hosting!

    Aimee
    Primarily Speaking

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  15. Great idea! I'm linking up! :) I could probably go on and on about what I would like to accomplish :)

    Angie
    Rulin' The Roost

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  16. Amanda...I gave your Linky a whirl...I am a Newbie to blogging..so bare with me...Still trying to find my way.
    I love your ideas and your blog and look forward to following you. Stop over to my blog Teise's Tidbits when you have a second between your resolutions. It stands to reason that we are making resolutions..after all it is Christmas in July! :)
    debbie.teise@gmail.com

    Debbie

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  17. Just found your blog and I love it. I'm pretty new to blogging and am still learning things. I will be linking up to your Linky Party. I see that you are from Simpsonville, SC. My husband and I were planning on moving up there 4 years ago, but the person buying our house down here fell through. We are still hoping to move up there someday. My husband got a job right away at Woodland Elementary. Which school do you work at? Also, stop by my blog sometime and check it out.

    Cara
    The Teacher's Backpack

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  18. Amanda, my blog was not cooperating today so I had to delete my first post and link up. It was number 29, not sure if you can delete that one since it doesn't link to a post... Sorry about that! That's why I have a resolution to be more computer literate!

    Tammy
    The Resourceful Apple

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  19. I just found your blog through this linky party... thanks for hosting! I love your blog and have had a blast reading through your old posts! I would be your newest follower but for some odd reason my followers gadget is not showing up on my blog or on anyone else's... strange. arrrgh!

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  20. Hey Amanda!
    I LOVE your blog and will be joining up with your resolution likny party tomorrow. (Sorry, Monday Made It stole it for today.) I also REALLY love your Sundays in the South posts and might have to start doing some of my own. You rock my flip flops.

    www.wherethereswonder.com

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  21. I just found your blog and I LOVE IIIIT! I love this link up. Maybe we can all come together December-ish to share how all of our resolutions magically came true.... Right?? :-P

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  22. First of all, I am SUPER jealous about the Aerosmith concert! I would love to see them....

    Also, Love this idea for a linky! I just linked up and I'm a new follower!
    Marie
    The Hands-On Teacher in First!

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  23. Holy Moly! That was therapeutic!
    Thanks for offering a chance to make some great reflections!
    Super idea!

    Margaret
    Kinder Journey

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  24. I'm glad you had such a good time at the concert. I hope the Madonna doesn't disappoint. I was super disappointed when I saw her in New Jersey a couple of years ago especially since I had flown up from Georgia to go with a friend. The concert itself was good but she started about 1.5 hours late and was a total diva/snotty to the fans. It was also pretty short.

    I'll have to come back and share my resolutions a bit later. I'm still catching up after being away for a week.

    Heather
    room 4 imagination

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  25. I remembered reading that you had just ordered the Silhouette Cameo. I just did a quick post about two deals you might want to look into for the Cameo. I linked to specific post below.

    Heather
    room 4 imagination

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  26. Hi Amanda! Great linky party! I had a few resolutions that were similar. I joined the party - #89. For some reason there is a red x by my link so I will have to check back later and make sure it actually got posted. Sorry about the image. That is what the system pulled from my blog. I'm at school and don't have the original. Thanks!
    ~ Melissa
    Teacher Treasure Hunter

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  27. Thanks for the linky party! This was my first linky party!! I have so many ideas for this upcoming year but it was fun to really examine them and put them into words!! I agree with your number 4 resolution. It is hard to make that decision to work more efficiently and be a little less social! Thanks again!

    curiousfirsties.blogspot.com

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  28. I love this idea. I am always talking with friends during prep and I never get things done. I need to make a big effort to save that for after school.

    Jennifer
    Darling Little Learners

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  29. OMG! I LOVE Aerosmith!!!! I am your newest follower! I figure you have got to be pretty awesome since you like Aerosmith and your name is Amanda :o)

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  30. I LOVE this Linky! It was a great stress relief to put my resolutions into words:) I really enjoy reading your blog!
    ~Holly
    Fourth Grade Flipper

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  31. Best linky EVER!! I was just thinking I wanted to think about (and blog about) some resolutions. :) You are just too smart! :)

    mysillyfirsties.blogspot.com

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  32. Great linky ! you're lucky! jealous about the Aerosmith concert! I would love to see them too!

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