The Beginning of Summer

I haven't really had a chance to Blog in quite a while. Sorry. Anyway, I guess sometime over the weekend I caught a sinus infection. I am treating it with over the counter stuff but if it is still present by Monday I will be going to the doctor for antibiotics.....I can't afford to be sick too long - I have a nephew to go see!

Last week we started off summer with a bang. I picked up Brennen on Thursday (which was the last day of school). He had his grade report in hand. He did not have the best grades but they were high enough that he gets to go to Texas with me. *Phew* I was really hoping he wouldn't make me prove how serious I was about him NOT going!

We started the afternoon off wishing Liah a happy 6th birthday. That evening we watched Jack Reacher. It was pretty good. I don't think Brennen REALLY enjoyed it. He watched it and said it was good - but not really his cup of tea.

On Friday we went to an awards ceremony in Hagerman for Zeta and Nakomus. Let me just say.......I am glad we had the FLEX. We took Amber, Gladys, Brennen, Dorian, Shawnna, Zeta, Nakomus, Kyli, Liah, and Myself. Who else can say that they could fit everyone in their vehicle? I have pictures to prove it:
(Liah is between Brennen and Amber...she is too short to see; and of course, Gladys and Myself are in the front seat). I knew this car would come in hand.



Before the ceremony started, we had time to play at the tiny park that Hagerman has to offer. Here are some pictures.



Amber and Gladys


Kyli teaching her little sister how to swing by herself


Gladys and Brennen taking a stroll around the track


And of course it wouldn't be complete without Brennen climbing on something!





After the awards ceremony we traveled to Artesia. Amber attended a meeting at work and then Gladys, Amber, Brennen and I went to see the FAST and the FURIOUS 6. It was good. I really don't like when the special features take over a movie and that was the case here. Even Brennen commented that he didn't enjoy the fight scenes because the camera switched back and forth too quickly. Overall it was a good movie but I wish is wasn't so.....advanced.

We returned home that evening and I made Chicken Spaghetti. It went over ok but nothing special.

Saturday, Brennen got up early and did some yard work both for our house and Gladys's house. Then he spent the rest of the day rearranging his bedroom. He was one tired puppy come the evening. I got called into work Saturday night - BUMMER!

Sunday, I made Brennen pancakes and then we spent the whole morning playing video games TOGETHER. The afternoon was taken up by me napping from my night at work.

Overall, it was a good kick off to the SUMMER. We can't wait for 1 more week before we get to go to TEMPLE.

It's UNOFFICIAL

For the past 21 days I have doing the job of my Supervisor. My supervisor is no longer my supervisor. This has been true since May 2. I was asked..."for the next two weeks" can you please look after things and kinda fill in this position. And I have. It is supervising 2 "clients" and 5 staff. It is a lot of paperwork and what not......I learned over the last two weekends that it is a lot of weekend on-call stuff too.

This has kept me pretty busy. I did get off of work this weekend - but believe me - I was on the phone so much I shoulda just been at work. There was supposed to be a meeting last week to determine the fate of this situation. But guess what - meeting was cancelled and it was stated that it would be rescheduled some time before the middle of July. So, is it wrong of me to be asking the question - "Are we going to make this official or what?" A lot of paperwork I have to turn in involving several different departments at work don't want to accept it because it has to have a supervisor signature. I was told to sign them. Then they want a lot of explanation as to why "so and so" isn't the supervisor anymore and who is now. I say a lot of "I am not sure" and "unofficially" and "HOW?". I am not to proud to ask questions when I need to learn something - but people are not so forth coming with the needed information when there is no "official" word. I can't really blame them. But at the same time it makes it hard on me - the "unofficial supervisor".

I think the hardest part is - what do I have to the means to do? Can I do this and that or do I need "YOU" to do it for me since I don't really have any authority. It is pretty frustrating. Can you tell? So, I sent an email this morning with the question in it - "are we going to make this official".

So, this is what I have been doing lately. I am also planning my vacation! I am getting so excited! I will be busy a lot between now and then - but I am hanging strong. Hope everyone has a good week.

My Crazy Son

Brennen and I had such a great day on Friday. He has this new thing....he just wants to yell in the general direction of people just to see what their reaction is. Of course, I do not let him do this. But just this one day, I don't know what got into me. When I picked him up from his dad's house, Brennen asked me if we could spend the day just him and I. Of course I said yes. So, it was drizzling a very little bit. After the drizzle (like 3 whole minutes) was over we had our windows down. He was showing me this new really annoying noise that he had been making. It was like a whoop and well, I am not sure - just some weird annoying loud noise. We happen to be sitting in the parking lot of the Roswell Daily Record checking out the newspaper for movie times. When he was showing me this noise the person getting into the car next to us just turned around and starred at us. This triggered my giggle box.

We then went to Dollar Tree and again as I was getting back into our vehicle Brennen made this noise - of course someone turned around to stare at us. He wasn't at this point doing it for any other reason except to make me giggle (which it did). I am guessing I was just in a silly mood too. His must have been contagious. But after that person stopped to stare I laughed even harder. Then it hit. Brennen's face lit up and he asked, "Mom, can we make 5 laps around the Rib Crib and then just drive off?" Of course I said no and this light dimmed on his face. Then that silliness just hit me. So, we drove in a circle (a slow circle because I believe parking lots are one of the most dangerous places ever) around the Rib Crib. The parking lot was almost empty. And then we drove around it a second time. As we ended our second lap I noticed 2 employees standing outback smoking. And then our 3rd lap started and ended leading into the 4th lap. By this time Brennen and I are just looking forward to getting to the back of the building where these two employees have began to just stare at us. Neither one of us can control our giggling at this point. As we make our final lap I look at my son and he is just beaming. I am reminded that he doesn't have anyone else to do this silly stuff with. This is one of the small things I can do WITH him to make his day. I know that for the rest of the weekend he is going to think about this and giggle. I love the sound of his giggle. You would think at age 13 he wouldn't giggle - but let me assure you - there was enough giggling just today to last a long time!

After our laps we decided we were hungry and went to Pizza Hut. On the way of course, with the windows down Brennen kept making this new noise. Many people including ones in other vehicles, ones at bus stops, and even some in parking lots just turned to stare as we passed. After eating we both seemed to calm down. Maybe because I would not allow him to make his noise inside Pizza Hut and the pizza took a while to come out. But whatever the reason we calmed. After dinner we went to the Yogurt Bar in the mall. I had always seen these on television but had never actually been to one. It was cool. They have frozen yogurt (about 6 different flavors). You fill the bowl yourself and then top it with your choice of toppings. They have nuts, candy, cookie dough, marshmallows, sprinkles, and fruit (kiwi, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, pineapple, etc). Then you pay for it by the ounce. Pretty cool. We enjoyed it.


Then our day was complete. I returned Brennen to his dad's house and came to work - YUCK! But I sit and giggle as I type this. I am glad I took time to be silly with my crazy son.

Fun Day

Since I worked everyday last week (including Mother's Day) we (Amber, Gladys, and I) decided to make Thursday a fun day. I got off of work Thursday morning and slept a little. This was the one night I had off this week so I only wanted to sleep a little so I could sleep that night. Anyway, after Amber got out of Jury duty about noon, I got up and dressed. We started our day by going to Galaxy 8 and watching "OZ the Great and Powerful". It was a GOOD movie. It was visually stunning. So beautiful - I loved it.

We made it out of the movie in time to make a quick stop at Wal-Mart and then off to Hagerman. Zeta and Nakomus had their end of school program tonight. Here are a few pictures I managed to capture:

all of us walking into the school


Zeta and Nakomus talking before the program


Amber and Dorian cutting up while we wait


Kyli, Liah, and I wasting time before the program


Nakomus and Zyler (the girls' brother) were in the 1st act. They sang 3 songs ABC's, The Itsy Bitsy Spider, Old McDonald and then finished with the chicken dance (which I caught on video).

Then came act 2 in which Zeta played the xylophone bells. The played 2 short songs (also caught on video).

After the program we headed back to town and grabbed a quick bite to eat and then headed to Icon Cinema and watched Iron Man 3. It was GOOD! The end got ruined for me because I got a call from work. Yup! No one showed up for the shift. Guess what that meant - I had to go to work. UGH! Oh well. So, finished the movie and ran home. Caught about a 3 hour nap. Then I was at work by 2am. So, hope everyone had a happy weekend. I was working!

Happy Mother's Day!

I am working all of this weekend. But...I got to spend the morning with my Mom yesterday. I had a great time just following her around the house talking my little head off. I love how my relationship with my Mother has grown. 10 years ago I would have thought people were crazy for suggesting that we would get along. All of these years without a healthy relationship has only made me so much more appreciative of our growing relationship. I really do love spending my life with you Mom. I love doing things with you as much as I love doing nothing with you! So, today I will celebrate YOU (granted it will be from my bed - but you will not be forgotten)!


My MOM
BELINDA DIANNE (RAINER DUNN) BUTTS

Glady's Anniversary

So, I said I would write more about Krusti's trip to Albuquerque. On May 7th, 2013 we got the privilege to celebrate Glady's Anniversary. On this day Gladys has been cancer free for 6 years. Gladys is a survivor of COLON cancer. Immediately following her finding out about the cancer (which was already in advanced stages) she was rushed to Albuquerque where she had surgery, chemo, radiation, and an experimental treatment still in the trial stages. Gladys had wonderful doctors and nurses. She had several scares along the way. One which included being allergic to one of the experimental drugs. To this day, she and every one of her kids and grandkids get choked up just talking about it. Gladys went through some amazing stuff - WHAT A STRONG WOMAN. So, every year on this day, we take some special time to thank the Lord for sending angels to surround her. We thank him for allowing us more time with her. And we thank him for the wonderful care she received and for the strength he gave not only her but her whole family to get through this trial. And we take time on this day each year to CELEBRATE GLADYS. She is a wonderful mother, friend, and grandmother (just to name a few things). You have a special place in my heart....Mama.



So this year to help her celebrate, Amber took her to Albuquerque. They had a great time. I was working but got to show her some love with a few special things that morning before they left. What a special LADY!

FLEX

One week ago today we signed papers on our BRAND NEW FORD FLEX. It is the 1st BRAND NEW vehicle either Amber or I have ever owned. It is a 2013 and we got it with like 17 miles on it (or something like that). Can you believe that we qualified with no money down and with payments low enough that we can afford to keep the Pruis also. Our insurance company really worked with us too. They were able to get us coverage while only raising our monthly cost less than $100. Everything really seemed to fall into place with this purchase. So, without further ado.........

I present to you.......

KRUSTI!



Here is the front view and then from the back


It can seat 8. Which is what we needed. Especially because we have all of the girls and then Brennen, Amber, Gladys, and myself. We really have outgrown the Pruis. Anytime we ALL wanted to go somewhere we had to make two trips to get us all there. But now... we all fit!



The back row of seats can flip up for seats, fold half way down, and then can lay flat for lots of trunk space. They even flip backwards for tailgates, or watching parades, etc. They just happen to be flat in the pictures because we had a dresser back there earlier that day.

As you can see from the next picture we have only had Krusti for 7 days and already have put some miles on it (740)....It made a trip to Albuquerque on Tuesday. (More of that on a different post).


We are really enjoying it. It is averaging about 20 miles per gallon....but does take about $50 to fill up with gas. This is a change compared to the Pruis that fills up at $27. It has already saved us tons in time and mileage though. Amber now drives the Pruis to work (in Artesia) daily because it gets better gas mileage. But now that we have Krusti we are not required to make 2 trips a day to Artesia and back. It has been nice.

Slow Dancing

So, this weekend Brennen brings home a flyer about an end of school dance. It was a dance just for the 8th graders out at Berrendo. They actually had the dance semi-formal attire. Girls could not wear pants and boys could not wear jeans or t-shirts. So, we spent Saturday afternoon searching for dress pants in a 28 inch waist. Yeah - good luck to us......No such thing. But, we did find a size 30 waist in some "golf pants". They have the look of dress pants - so they worked.

After searching for pants we went to Mom and Scotty's. Brennen showered and cleaned up. We all had supper and Brennen agreed to let me snap 2 QUICK pictures.



Just before we left Scotty became concerned that Brennen did not know how to slow dance. Believe it or not, I have been teaching him how to since he was little. Despite what he says, I AM the one who taught him. But we made sure he could 2 step and then do the sway thing. Of course, I had to warn him against touching bodies - only hand to shoulder or hand to hand. All I got was - MOM!

Anyway, I dropped him off at the school. I really had to fight the urge to walk him inside. I could see numerous teachers and chaperones from where I dropped him off at. I returned to the Butts residence where I was kept busy WINNING at marbles. (Ok, I actually don't know who won last night but I know I did win one game). About an hour into the dance, I thought to myself that I should run out there and check on Brenn - but I did not.

At 10pm, Mom and I returned to the Middle School and collected a VERY EXCITED LITTLE BOY. Brennen had a great time. He danced with several girls and was now needing a "romance counseling" from his friends. To bad he had to settle for advice from his mom and grandmother. Ha!

Brennen ended up staying the night at Mom's and I went home with a smile on my face. Brennen had been to his first dance and had a great time. That is all that mattered to me. I am now trying to prepare myself - in just a few short months -

HIGH SCHOOL BEGINS!

Decisions, Decisions

The latter part of last week was spent looking for a new vehicle. When the Pruis was purchased it was a forced purchase. We did not a chance to look around, compare prices, or even see WHAT KIND OF VEHICLE we wanted. We pulled into the lot with a blown radiator amongst a lot of other things wrong with the car. It is time to get something that is GOOD for us. We do way to much living in the car not to be comfortable. So.......the journey started - from scratch. What are we looking for? How much do we wanna spend? New or Used? Lease or Buy? AAAAAGGGGGHHHH. The questions are endless. In an ideal situation we could afford to keep the Pruis and have a second vehicle as well. Don't really know if the ideal situation exists. So, we looking everywhere. We are crunching numbers. We are driving a lot of sales people crazy because we won't look at things we know we can't afford. We won't test drive if they can't talk numbers first. We have found 2 very nice sales people who we are working with currently. We have found a few vehicles we like: Chevrolet Traverse and The Ford Flex. We are not done looking however. Hopefully we get a chance to go back out and do some more looking today or tomorrow.

In the meantime, we have had 4 safety recalls fixed on the Pruis. We are currently waiting to have the computer replaced as well. It really brings things to light about why this vehicle was pushed onto us - when you receive recall notices every few months.

Anyway, I will keep you posted.