#thedertings

I have found myself being way too negative lately and the way I like to clear that negativity is to write...I am not sure where this is going and no clue how it will end up, but I can only hope that my mood will be more positive by the end.....so back out now if you don't want me to be real...... This is the crazy time of year that my job starts to wear on me...and as the days drag on this year is no different.....testing season is so close, deadlines are closing in, and lets face it everyone is ready for the END..... I was so negative at the beginning of the year and tried really hard to figure out why and I truly think now that it was my intuition preparing me for a trying year (probably my hardest to date).....I feel like I have not been on top of any thing all year...my to-do lists never go away (if you know me, you know this kills me), problems walk through the door 14 times a day...and then Monday night I said to Brooks I think I can see the end...and as soon as I say tha...

It is hard to believe that one month ago we were sitting on a fancy boat enjoying a magical dinner..... Bryson wanted nothing more than to celebrate his 7th Birthday on the Disney Boat the Dream.....so that is just what we did! We drove down late on Wednesday afternoon, picked mom up on the way and headed south for Port Canaveral...one thing about the Disney boat it only docks for the Bahamas in FL and maybe TX. So as we enter Daytona about midnight Britan decided to THROW UP everywhere.....pulled over stripped her, drove some more and it happened AGAIN...and one more time after that....by this point it was Valentine's Day and we FINALLY made it to the hotel for the night.... On the shuttle :) She seemed fine the next day...although I didn't....but we took the shuttle and went to check in only to be greeted by Sailor Mickey and Minnie! Check in was quick and easy and after our pictures with Minnie we boarded the boat with a grand entrance as they announced our names an...

This is my dirty little secret confusion that I would have been humiliated to share this time last year, BUT I am very excited to share the Dertings LIFE changing year with you today......(although there is still a HUGE part of me that can't believe I am getting ready to share this with the world considering NO ONE has known about this) One year ago, TODAY, we were going to TN to celebrate Bryson's Birthday a little early at Wilderness of the Smokies...it was also his Valentine's Dance at school and I was pretty excited for the weekend to begin......BUT then Brooks called me at work and said to call him immediately.... I did and my HUGE secret was out and honestly it felt like a burden had been lifted off my shoulders although I could hear the anger in his voice and I honestly didn't know if he would divorce me or not........but it felt good knowing that the lies were out and OVER! I had always balanced our checkbook and had always been in charge of the money b/c ...

I am not sure what I want to say, what I need to say or what I should say......but here it goes........ I have not let myself watch the news (not that I normally do) since Friday...the most information I have seen has been on FB.....I have not let myself fathom that such a horrible, unspeakable, awful, senseless, heartless, horrific act could ever happen.....nor have we talked to Bryson about it..... I do realize that it is a real world, real life situation, but I was very sheltered as a child and I obviously am raising my children to be the same way.....and yes, you can disagree b/c that would be your opinion......but I do not know what good it is going to do for my already worry wart 6 year old to know that a classroom full of students his age were suddenly taken from this world b/c some people have issues and do not know how to handle or control their emotions without ending or resulting in violence....... I am deeply saddened for the families involved and it breaks my hea...

Well, I am a little behind on a few things, so I am going to take this time and try and catch up before more craziness sets in..... I know I am behind on my weekly menus, but they have been really easy this week...soup/sandwichs, mac and cheese, pizza.....I will try and do better in the coming weeks...but as you know next week is Thanksgiving, so that will take over most of my menu for next week..... I want to take this time to reflect on the past few days...I have been at the EC Conference in Greensboro since Wednesday....this is always a much needed thing for me...and especially this year... As you know I struggled going back to work this school year and questioned why I work...and as the weeks have pushed on, I have seen the answers 1st hand, but then again yesterday it was crystal clear...... It has been a rough start to the school year for most of us educators because there have been so many changes statewide and even many within Alexander County....I finally, think things...

Happy Wednesday!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Menu and put away laundry day....... ***Please note this week's menu looks like a whole lot of Italian....but I have some new recipes to try and that is what they all ended up being....I will try and be a little more health next week........AND I even have a little bit of hamburger meat thrown in this week...... Sunday: Grilled cheese sandwiches and your favorite soup....good way to end the Balloon Rally weekend, you probably know about my balloon obsession, if not click and read..... My balloon obsession is tied to memories :) Monday: Pizza Pasta in the crock pot http://www.cookingwithjoey.com/2008/09/crock-pot-pizza-pasta.html Tuesday: Pizza night Wednesday: Chicken Spaghetti http://www.boomerbrief.com/2012/03/super-satisfying-chicken-spagetti.html Thursday: Chicken Tenders & Mac & Cheese   http://tipgarden.blogspot.com/2011/09/one-pot-mac-and-cheese.html Hope your week is going great....see ya next week!!! Much ...

Hi all!!! I am day a late...sorry about that!! Also, I have to admit I didn't like the Parmesan chicken last week. Mine turned out tooooo greasy and oily, so that you will probably never see again!! With that being said, you may see some repeats...... Sunday: Steaks on the grill, baked motz cheese sticks, green beans   http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/25-baked-alternatives-to-potato-chips-and-french-f Monday: Pizza Night Tuesday: Crock pot chicken tacos http://www.mychocolatetherapy.com/2012/01/crockpot-chicken-tacos.html              Wednesday: Spinach Artichoke Pizza *Recipe of the Week* http://thetwobiteclub.blogspot.com/2011/07/spinach-artichoke-alfredo-pizza.html Thursday: Hot dogs and nachos Hope you have had a great week!!! Enjoy the weekend! Alysha