What is that?

I am so confused. It is wet on the ground. I am pretty sure I didn't leave the sprinklers on all night. Wait, it is wet on the street too. Did some crash into a fire hydrant? Did a really big dog go pee. My car appears wet as well. This is very, very odd. I am definitely going to have to Google this. This is really weird!

Oh my gosh!

Wow!
After hours trading, Apple stock was $185.62. I guess everyone BUT Andrea is buying an iPod! Better join now Andrea. Pretty soon you will be an outcast!

Okay ladies

Tomorrow is it. A post today and a post tomorrow and fini! Wow. I don't know about the two of you but it hasn't been as hard as I thought. I think honestly the hardest part for me was thinking at random times, "Did I post?", "Oh my gosh, I have to post". ha ha

Still feeling a bit sick. Body feels sluggish. I am still wheezing (going through inhalers like crazy!)

Diego has been walking around with one hand in his pocket. I think it is adorable. It bothers Eric but I think it is cute. He looks like a big boy!

Bradley is playing varsity soccer. I wish he would grow up though, he still acts like a little kid. Fighting with Siobhan and Diego like he is still 10 instead of 17. Siblings, maybe they never grow up.

Gotta get to dropping four kids off at three different places now. Good times!

Back to work

I went back to work today. Ahh, I feel better. Of course now my stomach is a little tender. I don't know why.

Siobhan has her school Christmas play and her dance performance coming up. Thank goodness none of the other one's have too many things going on.

Short post. I still have to go to the pet store and then off to Siobhan's school.

Ta ta

A few photos

I am sitting here thinking "what to write". I thought I would post a few photos. Siobhan is singing "God loves me" so I have beauitful background music.
This is a photo taken in front of Notre Dame of Krystal and Bradley. Those birds HATED me and would not come to me no matter how much food I held out for them. Obviously a while ago. When we found out I was pregnant we thought we better take them to Europe while we still could.






Siobhan showing her art work for her Daddy's present. We are still not sure how she is getting a B in Art when it seems to be all she does.
Krystal and Diego at a party last year. Gosh they get big so fast.






Siobhan playing GH3 on the Wii. Could she be any cuter?

Song two

I am not even sure if I would normally like this song, but this one still hurts to listen to. Even the name, Breath. That is how I felt, "cradle your head in your hands, and breath just breath". It was all I could do. If I could do that, then the next one would follow. "Life is like an hour glass glued to the table". "No one can find the rewind button".

The pain is still so strong, sometimes it still takes over everything I am. Sometimes I feel like it almost defines who I am.

Lazy Day

Woke up to Krystal telling me my mom called and she is coming over. Great! We had to get up. Okay, it was 11 but a cold or something hit yesterday and I was sneezing and wheezing and feeling like crap. Siobhan and I watched I Love Lucy at 2:30am. I watched a couple of movies today.

Krystal took Siobhan to The Block. They actually took the bus (it is down one street and about 10 minutes), I picked them up. We had McDonald's for dinner. No, wait you don't understand. We NEVER have fast food. Never! It was yummy. Of course 3 of the 4 kids complained of hurting belly's shortly afterwards, but they are fine. Yum Yum McDonald's.

I can't believe it is back to work tomorrow. Ah, it is so nice to be off, even if the Christmas lights don't get put up like I REALLY wanted. Sigh, you can't have everything!

Song one

There are three songs that really meant a lot to me when my dad passed away. I was going to post some of the lyrics, or just all of them but I thought it wouldn't do them justice. So I have decided to post the video's so that you can hear them.

The first one, you have certainly heard before. Wake me up when September ends. I heard this for the very first time about two days after my father died. My dad passed away on September 20, 2005. (The song's release date that I found was September 27, 2005).

Listen to it again and just think of how much it made sense to me. The title alone says it all. I know it isn't what they intended, but that is the thing about songs. They mean something different to everyone.

Black Friday

Well, I didn't get up at 5am. It was more like 7am when I woke up on my own. As I was laying there, I thought "What the hell you are already awake. There ARE door buster prices". So off K and I went.

We went to Toys R Us, where it took us a bit of time to find a parking space. In we went. Oh my GOSH! There were people everywhere! The line was around the store! I actually got very little. One, because the sales were not that good. Two, I couldn't go down the row I really wanted to because there was another line down it. Now, if this had been the checkout line, no big deal. I could shop while I was waiting to check out but it was the line to check out in electronics (I was informed about 10 minutes after waiting in line, bitter). So, I didn't even get to look at what I wanted to get in the first place.

The checkout line, although VERY long went quickly. They were very organized and had staff everywhere to help with anything. I was standing around looking for Krystal and employee asked me if I needed anything. WOW! That never happens. Anyway, I spent less than $20.00. The items I got that I was so excited about weren't even on sale. They were a bargain 74 cents.

Since we didn't find any bargains there we went to Target across the street. The store was much less crowded and the line, wasn't one! I got a couple things, Krsytal got almost all her shopping done.

My opinion, stay home unless there is something you saw advertised that you really want that is a REAL bargain. Black Friday shopping, overrated!

Should I or shouldn't I?

Trying to decide if I should tempt fate and get up and go shopping at 5am tomorrow. On one hand I think it would be fun, on the other, hmm a crowd. Eric said they are supposed to have better deals later. I have never gone shopping the day after Thanksgiving before. Krystal wants to go too. I could be back in bed before the little one's even get up.

Hmmmm

Hey all you lucky turkeys. We are having ham!

Off to Bradley's soccer game!

Momma needs a new pair of shoes

I need new shoes. My feet hurt. When I was training for my (half) marathon, Eric said we have to get you a good pair of shoes. We went to the shoe store that specializes in running and they had me walk barefoot over this thing hooked up to the computer. It basically tells you what kind of support you need. They found three shoes that should be perfect for me. I tried one on, hmm nice. Then the other, feels funny. Then the last one, "Oh my God Eric, I feel like I am walking on a cloud". No kidding! This is it, I will take these. Eric takes them to pay and they are $109.00. Huh? Um. Well.

So I figured, okay over a hundred for running shoes, yeah it is a lot. But I AM doing a marathon (at that time I didn't know it would be a half). So I put them on and head out for our first training. Oh man. Everything hurt BUT my feet. I kept those shoes for months and put many miles on them. I bought another pair about a month before the event. I did not mind at all. At that point I was walking about 4 miles everyday after work and about 10 on Saturdays.

Now, hmm, only going around the neighborhood. I can't justify that much money for that. I know part of it is because I am so overweight. Part of me thinks, if you are in pain, you won't do this. Can't there be a nice middle somewhere. A good pair for $50. We are not cheap in this house when it comes to shoes. No Payless or no name brands here. We want quality.

Oh, I don't know. No matter what it will have to wait until after Christmas. Four freaking kids! ha ha

Dear Santa, I would really like a brand new all paid for Range Rover. I can buy my own shoes!
Love and kisses,
Diane

haha I am sending it out NOW!

A little about myself

I really like to cook on Sunday, the other six days, not so much.
I love to read. Favorite food- probably pizza, favorite drink- Dr. Pepper, favorite snack- popcorn
I like 3 musketeers candy bars and when I have one, I eat all the chocolate off first.
I am not a big fan of chocolate. I don't really like pie.
I love veggies and fruit. Really, almost all of them!
I love my teenagers but wonder what it will be like when they move out.
The little one's, I wish they would stop growing up.
I am very literal, it drives Eric nuts. I am sarcastic (got it from my dad)
I love music. I think people who do not have to have music around them have something wrong with them.
I have a few friends who I would do anything for and I would ask anything of them in return.
I miss my dad every single minute. I still cry randomly.
I can shower and be dressed in about 5 minutes (includes washing and conditioning my hair)
I do not like to plan things, I would rather go along for the ride.
I am really bad with money. I try, but still...
I want to write a book someday (doesn't everyone), I am pretty sure I would be good at it too.
I actually like fast food. I try not to eat but I like it
I like steak. I hate fish.
A few years ago I would never try anything new, now I will take a taste.
I have a friend I see most days and wished we were closer.

Okay, enough already, who cares. ha ha but I got a blog in!

But you just ate 4-6 hours ago

This is the game I am playing. I am so into that game. I have abandoned my family for that game. In the walk through, they say about the 9th (or something) day move your people into the tree-house. WHAT! I have put HOURS into this game. I just moved into the tree-house. I am on day 73! It is kinda like the Sims which is probably why I like it so much. I will get in whatever time I can. Kids are napping, game time. Nothing on tv, game time. One hour until Amazing Race, game time! Eric said, I am tired of seeing you play that game, yeah yeah, I am TRYING to help these people eat here. ha ha I can devote SERIOUS time to a game if I REALLY like it!

If you have a DS and have time to play and don't have children that require breakfast, lunch AND dinner, get this game. It is fun. Someone at my work bought it and she is hooked.

Why am I blogging? I could be playing my game!

Bradley's gift

Here is Bradley playing GH3 for the Wii that he got for his birthday. It is really cool. I have even enjoyed playing! Rock on! By the way, not sure WHAT Diego is doing there!

In honor of Conner!
Just kidding, be safe!

Soccer

The Jasso's are the proud (super super super partial) owners of a soccer team. We have a share in this futbol team located in Kent England. I can't wait to go to a game!
Click here to check it out

Worth the click

For some reason it won't save to my desktop. This was sent to me by my husband. One of his Flickr! contacts took his picture. Believe me, well worth the click. Oh yes! WELL worth it!
Well worth it!

Happy Birthday Bradley

My son is 17 today! Do you know how old this makes me. 17? Oh my gosh, where has the time gone? How have they gotten older but I stayed the same? Aren't I still 28?

Thursday or hell day?

What a morning. I would say a morning from hell but I guess it wasn’t quite THAT bad. I didn’t feel so hot this morning so I didn’t get my walk in this morning. I didn’t feel sick so much as exhausted. You know when you laying there and your body feels like dead weight? That was me.

I had Krystal put laundry in yesterday when she got home from school. Come to find out this morning she never put it in the dryer. Um, my work pants are in there. So, luckily they are of a thinner material and dry pretty quickly. I am getting really tired of things like this. She is supposed to be an adult. She actually wants to get a job, but she is home about three hours alone and can’t manage one load of laundry? Come on! Lazy! Needless to say she will be doing some housework tonight!

In addition to yesterday’s blog, Eric doesn’t want turkey, not a big surprise there. He said to get a Honey Baked Ham (he actually said, that really good ham, but I know what he mans) and tamales. Whatever. I can make baked potatoes and maybe I might try and bake a pie, maybe not. What I do know is the kids are going to find (or we will buy yet another set) of lights and put them up the day after. I am going to decorate some for Christmas this year! I am! Really! I mean it!

Crazy Morning

What is going on this morning? Things are crazy. The kids are acting like they had a bunch of sugar or something. The cat threw up. I think my dog is throwing up right now (outside). Weird.

So Thanksgiving is coming up. I was trying to talk Eric into going to Mexico. The hotel we stay at has a special for 3 nights and it includes Thanksgiving dinner for four. We haven't been there for an extended time in a while. I guess it isn't going to work out. I thought we might go to my mom's for dinner (she is ALWAYS ready to cook for us) but Bradley has a soccer game. Eric and I aren't big on the dinner thing but I think if we are going to be home I will give it a go. I HAVE cooked a turkey before. I think the best Thanksgiving I had since we have been together was the year we took my Land Rover to the park to go off roading. That was a lot of fun! (We took the dogs too, but Cucui got car sick with all that bumping around).

So, I have only decided as I was writing this that I would actually make a Thanksgiving dinner. I know Eric will say it is too much work. It will probably take a few extra hours with our P.O.S oven, but alas I shall attempt it. WIsh me luck people (better yet wish us ALL luck!)

Maybe, just maybe it will be okay

Maybe this getting up early and walking thing will be okay. Here it is 7am, I am usually just getting up, and I have walked and showered already. I am ready to go to work minus the shoes. It gives me a lot more time to get Siobhan ready. She requires light direction in the morning, otherwise her feelings get hurt and the tears come. And lookie here it gives me time to blog first thing too.

On thing about this blogging once a day is I don't have much time to read everyone else's blogs. I don't spend nearly as much time on the internet as I used to. And if one my favorite people posted a long blog, I have to come back to it. I could read them while I am at work but I don't want to be one of those people who does a lot of non work things during work.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day. I will be home early today where I plan to read about Julie's dogs and laugh again and Felicity's picture of food all over her face!

Well Eric is comfy in bed. Bradley and Krystal are off for the day. I have to work. Siobhan has half day (parent teacher conferences). I want to be comfy in bed too.

Fresh and Easy

Okay people, especially you Andrea, there is a new market out there. It is called
Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Market. It is similar to the markets they have in Europe (Tesco). There are not a lot of them yet. The closest one to us was very west Anaheim (almost Garden Grove).

Okay, here is my review of Fresh and Easy. First off, they have family parking right in front! I think there were four or five spaces for families. I love that idea. I love that Ikea had it and I loved it here. (I ALWAYS have at least one kid with me, usually three or four). It was larger than I thought but still on the smaller side, like a Trader Joes. The first isle is fresh flowers and fruit on one side and veggies on the other. Here is where is differs some. The fruit and veggies are already packaged for the most part. So, it isn't per pound (except for bananas). You get 2 pomegranates for whatever price. You get a bag of oranges and a bag of apples, but NOT like the bags at Albertsons or Ralph's. These are not plastic bags where some of the fruit is bad. Everything looked great.

They have a couple of isles that are prepared food. I will use Albertsons as my comparision for the most part because that is where I shop (I received another hand written thank you letter from the manager just yesterday). The prepared food is fresh (only good for a couple of days) and good food. We got a few for dinner that night, all for the microwave. I got the chicken fajitas (it came with salsa, sour cream, FOUR flour tortillas and chicken, grilled onions and bell peppers. Bradley and the little one's got chicken enchiladas'. Siobhan and Diego shared one, it had two chicken enchiladas (slightly spicy but yummy!) rice and beans. Bradley did finish his. Eric had spaghetti and meatballs. Krystal got California rolls. The meals were about $3.99-4.99 each. Not a bad deal. For a family of six, maybe not for everyday but NO more expensive than fast food really. One thing I really liked was they had a little package of carrots, juice, (now my mind has gone but it had only good for you stuff in a little package you could send as your child's or your lunch).

Eric got some ham that we have not been able to find in the US. Every thinly sliced different types of ham. They had so many cheeses that all I could think of was Europe. They have fresh breads (we went on Friday and they were dated to be eaten by Monday). They even had the small corn tortillas (I never see those anywhere). They have their own brands of many things and had people giving out tastes of different items. The isles are big enough and the store is bright. Everyone who worked there was very friendly ( of course it was only the second day). They weren't just "healthy" food. They had some frozen stuff you would find at Albertson's as well as vitamins and baby items.

Okay, I guess the thing I would be asking, what about the prices? The cereal was a bit more then when it is on sale at Albertson's. Just about everything else was cheaper. Considerable cheaper. I would highly recommend at least checking it out if there is one anywhere around you. It is worth the drive. I wish we had one real close, I would go very often. I would love to buy stuff every few days, I am at the store anyway.

If you do go, please let me know what you think!

Okay I KNOW it is a bad picture ( my cell phone stinks with photos) but this is a car on fire at our neighborhood Albertson's. It seemingly took the Fire Department some time to get there. It was so long I actually called 911 to report it. Of course, someone already had. There were Paramedics parked close by but they didn't do anything until after a few (long) minutes, they brought out a fire extinguisher.

Some guy (guessing the owner) was opening the door of the car to get something and swoosh, the fire really took over. There were people all over the place. Crazy! No one was hurt thank goodness!

UCLA Osaar Rasshan

I know it says he is a QB but he isn't. The first, second and THIRD Quarterbacks were out so he filled in. I thought he did an amazing job! Some of the passes he made were great! Especially considering UCLA doesn't play him as a quarterback but receiver. Way to go! I thought you did great!

Friday night's alright

At home watching Ghandi with the family. This is the first time I have seen the movie. Why did I wait so long? It is amazing.

Anyone want a cat?

Who are you voting for?

I wasn't able to put this on the sidebar. Stupid blogger! Oh well. I am not counting this as my post for the day either!

I told Diego we were getting Thai food. He said "Yeah, I love Thailand food". ha ha

As always, thinking of you Nan!

ER time

Today I took my mother-in-law to the ER (she is okay!) Everyone knows it takes forever whenever you go to the ER. I have a theory on that now. We got there pretty early so there weren't any other people waiting. They took her back fairly quickly, found out what was going on and took her to a room. All of this in about 30 minutes. Good timing.

A nurse came right in to find out the problem, a doctor followed soon after. They took the specimens they needed, then the wait began. Don't get me wrong, I realized tests take time. I have NO problem with that. THAT I understand. They decided to do an ultrasound and did that in a reasonable amount of time. Wait. Wait. Diego and I went to visit my mom who works at that hospital. We walked around a bit. She was still waiting. Wait. Diego went to the bathroom about three times, still waiting.

Finally someone comes back says "blah blah blah is wrong with you" "Do this and this" Great! Doctor says "here take this medicine". Super I think, we are OUT of here! Doctor says " I just need to get your Rx". Wonderful! After about 10 minutes, we agree that I will just take Diego to the car where he will enjoy listening to the Toy Story Disney Storyette on my iPod (yes, Andrea, iPOD!) So we head down, it is slow going because Diego really enjoys stairs!

I call Eric "Your mom is fine, Just waiting should be any minute" Yeah, any minute 30 minutes later. Seems they wanted to make sure she didn't react to the meds they gave her. Again no problem with that, but why not SAY SOMETHING. How about "We still get to get your Rx but we want to make sure you don't have a reaction to the medicine we just gave you so it will be about 30 minutes". Would that be too much to ask?

All in all we were there about four hours. Not really too bad. Only one trip to the gift shop (Diego couldn't understand why he couldn't actually get a gift for someone, yeah right at those prices!". One bag of trail mix, Diego was GREAT! Seriously Great!

So, my thought as I was waiting in the car. They make sure you aren't going to die and they make you wait. Do you want to know why? To discourage you from coming back. That is why! I am sure of it. They probably teach that in medical school, otherwise everyone would show up at the ER. How many times have you thought "Oh, if I go I am going to have to wait forever!". It doesn't take forever, get them in and get them out. How difficult is that!

It is a conspiracy, I am sure of that!

Are cell phone dangerous?

I was coming home from work the other night and I saw a girl walking down the street talking on her cell phone. She was so busy talking that she wasn't paying attention to anything else. What if she is walking down a street and someone is following her? She wouldn't even notice. Think about most people you see who are on the phone. They pay little attention to anything else. At the store I saw this lady on her phone pay for her food and start walking off leaving her wallet behind. I mean, come on people. I just don't get it. Do we have more to talk about? Do we need immediate gratification all of the time? Would it hurt to say "Hey, can I call you back in a bit, I am (fill it in) at the doctor, going through a drive through, in the store, AT DINNER!

Oh well, be safe out there people!

Oh yeah

Not only did I FINALLY get to enjoy my jacuzzi tub last night. My car was fixed today and cost a hundred bucks less then we thought. Oh yeah! So excited.

I almost missed Heros last night because I didn't want to get out of the tub. Man, that thing uses A LOT of water. I think I am going to have to limit baths to the weekend. I will have to start filling it up 15 minutes before I want to get it. But, oh it felt SO good!

I love my husband for making sure I got one. He kept saying "go pick a tub", but I put it off for years. Ahhhhh

Hang on, literally

I took my car in today because the seat belt doesn't work. The seat belt. These things only happen to me. Everything else works fine. My car hit a 100,000 miles and runs great and the dang seat belt doesn't work. It won't pull out or go in. What, seriously, is that about?! Grrr.

Hopefully it will be done tomorrow. I have the BEST mechanic ever! If you need one, let me know!

Turn your clocks back

If we got an extra hour, then why am I so freaking tired?!

We woke up earlier than usual for a Sunday but it wasn't THAT early. (Andrea I am so sorry, I know you are up at all hours!) I dropped K and her grandma off at the mall and Siobhan and I made a run to Lowe's for something else for the tub. Eric went to Home Depot for something else (this is his fourth trip I think!)

We have a LA Galaxy game today. It is a fundraiser for the people who were effected by the fires. There will be a lot of stars there. Again, hopefully Beckham will take off his shirt. (He is HOT!)

I just might get to take a bath tonight. Ahh, I think we have been without a tub for about a year and a half. Except for the two little one's I am the only one who really takes a bath. I LOVE a hot bath. Now I will have a hot jacuzzi bath! Oh yes, with my candles and wine cooler and a good book. What could be better? I might even post a picture.

I guess there is probably no time for a nap either! Dang it!

New links

Hey I messed around with my links. I added a couple. I added Julie's and my oldest son, Bradley. I don't know how often Bradley will actually update but he says he is going to keep it up!

Julie is a fellow mom trying to muddle through life. Gosh, we all need a vacation!

Andrea, Julie-let's go! Hey Mackey, Drama Mama, Melissa and Diet Coke Queen-want to join us?!

I am committed, well sort of, maybe, I guess

Okay I am putting it on paper (so to speak!) I am going to get my lazy fat ass (along with the rest of me) and get up at 6am starting Monday and go for a walk before work. I will walk everyday that I go to work (except if it is raining or I am ill of course). That should still give me time to shower, and get the brats off to where they all need to go!

I have been saying I am going to do it for a while. I thought since the time is changing it is the perfect opportunity to make this change. Besides, the morning is the only time it doesn't interfere with anything and everything else I might have to do.

So there it is. I am committed. It is in writing. I have told everyone. (I am convincing myself here!, I LOVE to sleep!)

Oh yes, may I help you?

Thursday I dropped Siobhan off at school and I swear I could barely see out of my windshield. I pulled into the only gas station between Siobhan's school and Krystal's school. There was a guy standing there (right in the way). I pulled up and left the car on. K jumped out to clean the windshield. He said "Can I help you?" She said "No, I am just going to clean the windshield". He said "I will do, I am not doing anything else.". He cleaned the windshield 100 times better than Krystal would have. He offered us a free calendar. No thanks. "Would you like coffee? It's free!". Again, I said "No thanks".

That was it. He said "Have a nice day" and off we went. He didn't ask for a tip. He didn't think we were buying gas. I didn't think you could do that anymore. I can't actually remember which gas station it was. I know it wasn't Cheveron because that is the gas we use.

Remember full service gas stations? Kinda reminds me of that!

Let the games begin

Okay, ladies, are you ready? I have plenty of things to at least post in case my brain stops working. Think about it, photos (small caption extra bonus?), blog about someone else's blog, write a review. There are endless things to blog about.

The day after Halloween, the kids aren't so eager to get up. Lazy they are. Of course we were so busy yesterday that it wasn't until very late I realized that Siobhan's pe uniform needed to be washed. She is out of drinks for lunch. I was supposed to prepare a crock-pot for tonight's dinner (something I am trying, be prepared, obviously NOT working!) where did the night go?

Can you imagine how much more difficult it would have been if the time had changed already?

Day one, completed BEFORE work. Oh yeah, I rock!