Help out my friend and this great cause!

I wanted to share with you this message I recieved from my friend Brandy over at Stitchblade .

Im sure a few of us has had this situation happen in our lives and its devestating. Brandy is helping those families who have expereienced suicide first hand. So please, take a few minutes and read this message from her. Support her and her team!

As you know, our friend Ben committed suicide in July. His family has set up a walk team and we have joined it.

My goal is only $100.
http://afsp.donordrive.com/participant/stitchblade

I will be joining with thousands of people nationwide this fall to walk in AFSP's 2008 Out of the Darkness Community Walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. I would appreciate any support that you give me for this worthwhile cause.The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is at the forefront of research, education and prevention initiatives designed to reduce loss of life from suicide. With more than 32,000 lives lost each year in the U.S. and over one million worldwide, the importance of AFSP's mission has never been greater, nor our work more urgent.I hope you will consider supporting my participation in this event.

Any contribution will help the work of AFSP, and all donations are 100% tax deductible.Donating online is safe and easy!

To make an online donation please click the "Support This Participant" button on this page.

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page!

What happened to Customer Service?!

Im officially boycotting Home Depot. I can not stand them right now.

We ordered our lumber for the fence on Tuesday...paid for it to be delivered...we were told it would happen on Friday....it never came...we called and they said they have truck issues that we would be the first delivery Saturday morning... so I go to garden ridge and walmart Saturday morning thinking when I get home the wood would all be piled in my drive way...no..no wood...I call home depot and they say "Oh the truck is getting loaded up right now, you are the first stop. " Wonderful...finally we can start the repair on the fence.....the truck arrives and as it is back in Im looking at it thinking there is no way that that is it...we order over 900.00 worth of supplies....sure enough we get out there with our receipt to start counting....we are short 6 bags of concrete and 330 pickets!!!

So I call the store and they ask to get my name and number so the manager can call me back later, I said "no thank you I will come up there and talk to them in person". At this point Im more than upset...my blood is boiling...I load DH and the kids in the car in case God forbid something happen and I passout from being so upset.

We get there and the manager tries to say it was a error by the girl who set up the deliveries, that she is having to use all her customer rental trucks to make deliveries today...I say "well thats not really my fault is it? My order should of been delivered yesterday". Again, more "Im sorry" from the manager and she goes off to see what she can do. She comes back and tell me she can "try" to get it to me today...I look and her and I say, " no, either you can get it to me today or I can get my money back, whats it gonna be? I paid for my supplies, I paid my delivery charge and I was expecting my product yesterday...I didnt get it, I got it today and more than half of my order was missing. I had people coming in to help put this fence up today. Now, will you guarantee me it will be delivered today?" .......her response " No, I can not make that gurantee." And I said...."well then you can give me my money back so I can go to Lowes and get what I need.
I have never seen customer service like this before. Very inappropriate and uncalled for and I will never come back to Home Depot and I will make sure all my friends and family know just how horrible you treat your paying customers." So I got my money back and we went to Lowes instead. We normally do shop at Lowes but we had a gift card to Home Depot so we thought we would give them a chance.

I understand that lots of people are needing lumber b/c of the hurricane, but why tell someone it will delivered on a certain day. They never said we will try to deliver it, they said " It will be there Friday morning." And then why only bring me half my order when you do finally deliver it?! And when I come up there to see what he problem is, you don't make every attempt to make sure I am satisfied and I get the product that I have already paid for.

So, this blog is to mainly tell you my exerpeince with Home Depot. And I have talked to several people since his happened to have also voiced frustrations with home depot. I hope that you too, stop and think of this story when you need home supplies...and instead of giving Home Depot, who does not care about their customers satisfaction, your money you will go some place else. Even if it cost a tiny bit more, you will be paying for your customer service.

Yummy Soup!

So I love soup. And I love soup and Sammy's. And Thursday nights are now soup and sammy night since Greys Anatomy comes back on tonight! YAY!!

Anyways, I just got the new Rachel Ray Magazine a few days ago and this recipe jumped out at me.

Chili Chicken and Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

2 TB Butter

1 onion, chopped

salt and pepper

1 TB Chili powder

1 baking potato, peeled and chopped

4 cups of chicken broth

1-16oz bag of frozen corn kernels

2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken meat

1- 10 oz bag of frozen green beans

Sour cream, for serving

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until tender. Stir in the chili powder and cook for 2 minutes. Add the potato and chicken broth and bring to a boil; lower the heat and simmer until the potato is tender, about 10 minutes.

2. Stir in the corn, chicken and green beans and cook until heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with sour cream.

~ To stretch leftovers, add in rice or your favorite beans.

* The next time I make this I will add some garlic when Im cooking the onion and maybe some cumin when Im cooking the chili powder. And I actually think it might be better with rice instead of the potato. But it was tasty!

Yummy Granola Goodness!

Talk about a yummy scrumptious snack to have on hand!



I just love Granola! Here is the recipe I use. Its from Ina Garten on the Food Network.



My granola that I just made has salted cashews, dried cherries, blueberries and apricots. That's what I had on hand. Doesn't it look amazing?!







Homemade Granola




Ingredients
4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
2 cups sliced almonds
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup good honey
1 1/2 cups small diced dried apricots
1 cup small diced dried figs
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup roasted, unsalted cashews




Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Toss the oats, coconut, and almonds together in a large bowl. Whisk together the oil and honey in a small bowl. Pour the liquids over the oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until all the oats and nuts are coated. Pour onto a 13 by 18 by 1-inch sheet pan. Bake, stirring occasionally with a spatula, until the mixture turns a nice, even, golden brown, about 45 minutes.
Remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool, stirring occasionally. Add the apricots, figs, cherries, cranberries, and cashews. Store the cooled granola in an airtight container.

Hubby's birthday

So last Saturday was my dear husbands birthday...we didnt get to celebrate...we were too busy riding out a hurricane in our house. And then we were without power for 5-6 days and then had to go get the kids from my parents and of course life just busy.

So tonight was the night we were going to celebrate. We baked him a cake and the kids decorated it. We sang Happy Birthday and ate enough cake to send the kids into a sugar coma! ;)

So Happy 31st Birthday to my wonderful husband!

I was Tagged!

I was tagged by Stitchblade!

Favorite person (outside family)? Cheryl, but she kinda is family (Christopher's Godmother) so I guess....Chris

Favorite food? Mexican hands down! Could eat it everyday for the rest of my life!

Quirks about you? Tshirts must be folded a certain way or the world will come to a end! LOL

Any regrets in life? Everything I have done has made me the person I am today, so no.

Favorite Charity/Cause?Anything that helps kids in our OWN country. Cancer society, March of Dimes

Favorite Blog recently? Organizing Junkie

Something you can’t get enough of? Mexican Food!

Worst job you’ve ever had? I guess it would be Mazzios Pizza back in the day! LOL

What job would you pay NOT to have? Anything outside in the Texas Heat!

If you could be a fly on the wall, where? Oh several places!! Too many to list really.

Guilty Pleasure? When not preggo- WINE! When Preggo- Chocolate!

Got any confessions? Not that I wish to share with the cyber world.

If you HAD to spend $1,000 on YOURSELF, how would you spend it? A new stove! Or dishwasher!

Favorite thing about your house? My huge backyard(even though it is damaged thanks to Ike right now) and being on a culdasac.

Least favorite thing about your house? being a older house ('84) and only 3 bedrooms but hope to change that someday.

One thing you are bad at? Painting my nails.

One thing you’re good at? cooking! ;)

If you could change something about your circumstances, what? less debt!

Who would you like to meet someday? Living or dead? Oh lots of people! Chris Burke(baseball player), Lance Berkman, Patrick Demsey, Tim McGraw, Paula Deen, Anderson Cooper, Michael Ausellio

What makes you feel sexy? A new haircut and Danny

Who is your real life hero? My parents, Danny

What is the hardest part of your job? staying cool and calm, finding time to do everything that needs to be done.

When are you most relaxed? in the shower or taking a bath, or sitting in bed on the computer and watching tv.

What stresses you out? Money is a big stress but its getting better.

What can you not live without?My Family and close friends. COFFEE! Mexican food

Do you agree or disagree with the recent article that reported that blogs are authored by narcissists? What?!

Why do you blog? too keep people informed with what is going on with us mainly.

rules:
1. Answer the questions

2. Link back to whoever tagged you

3. Tag eight bloggers to do the same, 2 from each category. * OK Im way too new to blogging to fill this part out. I dont know too many people! LOL

New/newer bloggers -



Bloggy friends —



Bloggers you’d like to get to know better –


Bloggers you are not sure will respond, but you hope will—

Menu- 9/21- 10/4

Here is my 2 week menu. It is subject to change really, just like last weeks menu plan went out the window due to the hurricane.

Sun. 9/21- King Ranch Chicken Casserole and veggies

Mon. 9/22- Roast, rice, and corn on the cob

Tues. 9/23- Fundraising night at Texas Roadhouse

Wed. 9/24- Any leftovers in the fridge

Thurs. 9/25- Crossiant Paninni and soup

Fri. 9/26- French Bread Pizzas

Sat. 9/27- Fish tacos and trimmings

Sun. 9/28- PF Chang's Lettuce Wraps

Mon. 9/29- Spaghetti, salad, and bread

Tues. 9/30- Breakfast- Bacon, pancakes, fruit, and cowboy hash

Wed. 10/1- Broiled Tilapia Parmesan, Couscous, and veggie

Thurs. 10/2- Crossiant Paninni and soup

Fri.10/3- Any leftovers in fridge

Sat. 10/4- Leftover fajitas from Madisons party.

Hurricane Ike

It has been a while...some of you know why...others, not so much.

Hurricane Ike came ashore here in Texas a week ago. This was my first ever Hurricane to go through. It is not something I will forget I think. Yes it was just a Cat 2 storm( BTW it was only 1 mph less than a cat 3) but it was still scary. The wind howling is a sound that has stayed with me since the storm hit. When I close my eyes I can hear the wind howling at me. It rained, but not as much as I was expecting. But at the height of the storm the rain was coming down in sheets. Around 11pm on Friday night we lost power. And thats when I knew it was not going to be easy.

Luckily the kids slept through the storm! Christopher woke up several times but I am sure he knew something was going on with mommy and daddy still up and all of us sleeping in the same room. Madison didnt make a peep till the morning around 7am when she asked if we could watch tv. We had to explain that we were without power. And unfortunately she did not understand.

As soon as it was light enough we took a look outside. We first went to the front yard b/c we were worried about the 2 pine trees out front. Luckily, those pine trees were still standing! All we had out front was some little limbs and some water on one side of the house.

That was all a different story when we went out back. I was in tears looking at my beautiful backyard, one of my most favorite things about this house. The beautiful big trees, the large fence that kept the kids safe as they played....all were gone. Tree tops gone, the fence gone on all sides.....you could see into every neighbors house.....the water in the backyard was ankle deep in some areas but luckily not up to the patio yet.

Saturday as soon as we got a chance we got out and began the clean out. Mainly with the front yard, getting the limbs picked up and the yard raked up. The backyard we knew would take some time. DH got out to the backyard and we son realized the kids were not going to be able to be back there. One of our neighbors has a pool and Christopher attempted to go to that pool not once but twice! It was more stress that we did not need at this point.


Luckily my parents said they would take the kids for a few days so we could get somethings done. So on Sunday we loaded up the kids and met my dad to let the kids go stay with them.

We were without power for 6 days. 6 long days. Luckily the weather changed and we had a cool front come through so it wasnt too hot, but it was not fun having to run a generator to get anything to work, being in the dark....I just wanted to wash clothes or run my dishwasher. Its amazing how much we depend on electricity.

Luckily, we all survived. We made it through. Yes we have some damage to the backyard, but we still have the house and we still have each other. And that is all that matters. Im forever greatful that we were spared.

Menu Planning

So, we menu plan...kinda always have. But now Im working on planning for 2 weeks at a time. It makes things seem less crazy in our house when at least one thing is set and we can always count on...a great dinner plan. Plus it helps with the grocery shopping, less trips to the store. Don't get me wrong. I still go once a week, but that once a week trip is just for milk, bread, fruits and veggies. I usually go 1-2 times a month for my big non perishable, stock my pantry grocery trip.



Im hoping to come and post my 2 week menu plan for everyone. Hoping to give others inspiration and maybe even some helpful tips! ;)



9/7- Beef tacos with all the trimmings and yellow rice



9/8- No Meat Spaghetti, Spinach Salad, and bread



9/9- Pork chops in cream of mushroom sauce, Crashed Hot Potatoes and Roasted Veggies.



9/10- Fish Tacos with all the trimmings



9/11- Eggplant Parm, salad, and bread



9/12- Homemade French Bread Pizzas



9/13- DH's birthday! His request: Roast, Rice, Corn on the Cob, and cake balls!



9/14- Stuffed Manicotti, veggie



9/15- King Ranch Chicken and roasted veggies



9/16- Fundraising Night for Madison's school at Texas Roadhouse



9/17-Crossiant Paninni(Madison calls these Moon Sandwiches) and soup. (Pasta e Fagoli or Potato Soup)



9/18- Any leftovers in the fridge



9/19- Tacos for a Bunko Party



9/20- DH will be in College Station cheering on the Aggies, so its just the kids and myself. Not sure what we will do yet! ;)

First Day of School

OK so I know Im about 2 weeks late posting this but...hey...its been a little chaotic here in the Gutierrez household!

Madison started Kindergarten! Akkk! I can not believe my baby girl is in Kindergarten! She is doing fantastic so far! My big girl decided she did not want mommy to take her to school so she opted to ride the bus! Luckily the bus picks up and drops off right at the end of the street. And of course, Miss Smarty Pants has memorized her bus number and even knows her bus drivers name and which seat is for her! Her teacher, Ms Bailey, is wonderful. Madison has even decided some days she wants to buy her lunch! Good thing I loaded her card with money! She has even memorized her card number so she can punch it in herself! Its just like a little PIN number she has. I load it with money and when she punches in her number it takes away from the balance. Pretty nifty huh?! I wish I could tell you what she has learned at school or what they have done, but Madison always says she doesnt remember. All she can tell me is that they went to PE, art or music and that they went outside and then she can tell me what she ate today. I usually have to wait till Friday when they send home the progress report to see what they have done for the week.

Madison was not the only kiddo who started school. Christopher started school as well. He goes Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30am-2pm. He is adjusting I think. Still cries a little, but his progress report says he does well. Most kids are adjusting his age, still going through the seperation anxiety. I think he enjoys being around other kids and will only get more comfortable at drop off time the more times he goes.

Wool!

So, as most of you know...we switched to cloth diapers. Made the switch a couple months ago. Christopher's skin is doing wonderfully in cloth! I'm so excited about it! And to top it off, we are doing something fantastic for the environment! I cant wait to start buying tiny diapers for the baby!

Anyways, this post is to show off his first set of Wool! I received this wool in a swap and it was made by a very talented woman. You can check out her blog for more of her great items she makes with love. Just click this link STITCHBLADE

And for the moment you have all been waiting for!

Christopher in Stitchblade Wool!

Christopher says " Thank you Ms. Brandy for making my wool and thank you Ms. Donna for sending my momma the wool!"

Cuteness!

First off, I know its been a while but you would not believe how crazy it is here. So I apoligize for not posting much.

Be sure to check my blog over the next couple days, I plan to post a ton. I actually have them typed and saved so I can post almost one a day for the whole weekend. There will be a lot of pics in the posts for sure! SO bookmark me, subscribe, whatever...just make sure you come back! ;)

Ok, now for the cuteness that the title suggests.

As most of you know, Madison gave Christopher his first haircut back before Easter....yes his first...she cut off a lot of his cute baby curls...I was devestated. Took me a long time to get over it. Well....Im back to that point. DH took the kiddos to get their haircuts last night. Mainly Madison since today is picture day at school. So while he was there, he went ahead and got Christophers done as well. So...he now has his first big boy haircut! The curls are gone...and Im sad, but he looks so cute and so grown up. I cant believe I agreed to a haircut but at the same time its so sweet to see him with a big boy haircut and he had a great time getting it cut.

Now you check out these pics and just tell me you dont think he is the cutest thing ever?!

Before

Yes I know that his glasses are on upside down, but you try and tell him that!

And the after!

See....total cuteness!!! How can you not love it?!