Merry Christmas!

I tried to post a lovely little Christmas poem but for some reason it won't publish?? Maybe I'll figure it out later, something to do with the HTML tags. Figures.

Christmas is coming way to fast this year! I never got a chance to get my lights up outside this year. I did buy an animated polar bear for my front yard and someone stole it, extension cord and all! They must have been drunk because they left one of it's legs behind. Now I'm on the lookout for a three legged bear. It just so happens that my neighbors had a big birthday party that day and it disappeared when they were all leaving. Nice. At least this time I didn't find broken tequila bottles in my palm trees.

I received an e-mail today from my friend Shonda in Ohio:

I was on my way home from work today, listening to the Findlay radio station, WKXA. They announced they were going to do a sixty second flash on sports. To my surprise it was about your dad. The man that was talking was the one who spoke at his funeral at the high school. He mentioned sitting with your dad while he was in the hospital and seeing a lot of your dad in Rick. I was in tears by the time I turned into my driveway. It was a wonderful tribute to a great man.

Rick is my brother who happens to be a basketball Coach like my Dad. It's nice to know his memory is still alive. What a good way to start the day:)

Let me catch up here quickly. November 18th we had our fundraiser for Tustin Area Republican Women Federated. John Moorlach, Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector, was our surprisingly entertaining guest speaker. I didn't expect to laugh so much as he explained the situation that Orange County faces along with many other counties around the state. Let's just say we're doing better than San Diego right now. It was a nice evening, no big event, and I'm sure we raised a bit of money to keep our club going.

I cooked a couple of turkeys for Thanksgiving and dropped them off along with all the fixin's to deva's before going to enjoy a nice dinner with close friends. Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving as well.

December 1st the Orange County Federation of Republican Women had their Biennial Convention which I attended. Dr. John C. Eastman, Professor, Constitutional Law, Chapman University, spoke about Religion and the Law. Quite interesting, I never put so much thought into the history of how our Country was formed and what they were thinking so long ago. I'm not a history buff, put it this way.............. I never took history in High School except half a semester of Civil War. I never had to take Geography either. I'm not sure how I missed those two subjects, but now I wish I would've had those classes. One of the first things I ended up buying when I moved to California was an Atlas so I could look up where all the countries were when I would meet somebody new. I did luck out on taking Spanish as my foreign language, we had a field trip every Friday to Taco Bell. I'm not kidding, that was the only Spanish that existed when I grew up in Ohio. Anyway, enough about my school days.

So here we are in December and it's only 3 weeks until Christmas. I've been sick for about 5 days now, trying to get rid of this horrible cold, flu, whatever it is. It's the most time I've had to relax, too bad it's under these circumstances. If I take any more Vitamin C I think I'll turn into an Orange.

Stress, stress, stress................. 'tis the holiday season! It's always a "blink" from Halloween until Superbowl Sunday.

There are a few recent articles about deva's in two different local papers, check them out:

http://www.ocweekly.com/ink/06/07/best-tustin.php

http://epaper.ocregister.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=T0NXVHVzdGluTmV3cy8yMDA1LzExLzE3I0FyMDM0MDA=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-ocr

Basically they point out how deva's is a mostly Republican bar, that's fine by me. OC Weekly, a very liberal paper called me "hot" so how could I be angry? I'll have to read the paper more:) Besides you need to read what the other side is up to. How else can you stay informed if you only read what the people you already agree with have to say?

Gotta go thaw out that turkey.........

Happy Veteran's Day!

Thankyou!!

Happy Marine Corps Birthday!

Semper Fi!

I just ran across this blog today with a few nice words about me and a link to my blog. I may not agree with everything Jeff Ellis stands for but he did just jump ship recently to become a Republican thanks to Cindy Sheehan. Who knew she'd actually do any good?

http://jeffellisonline.blogspot.com/

Well, as you all know by now Arnold's propositions failed miserably in Tuesday's Special Election. That's great to know that in my state the majority of the people prefer to not want to know if their minor daughter has an abortion, they want the state to spend more money than we take in, they enjoy giving their hard earned money to the Unions to attack the Governor, and they want to leave all the districts unchanged to ensure that no seats ever change parties. Oh, and in San Francisco they voted to ban guns. Apparently they've had too many shootings. The solution: forcing all law bidding citizens and business owners to turn in their weapons. I'm no crime expert, but wouldn't that leave all the guns in the hands of the criminals and the citizens without any protection? Then there's the added bonus that the criminals would know they don't have a gun. Hmmm.
Okay, so now Arnold is forced to go back to Sacramento and sit down with the legislators and try to work something out. Hopefully this works and is just an expensive lesson on how to deal with the people that voted for Arnold in the Recall, but don't want change to affect them personally. How could the average person not really interested in politics vote against teachers, nurses, and firemen? My polling place was at a High School where the students covered the fences surrounding the school with messages like " Save Our Schools Vote NO," and "S.O.S. " with a drawing of a teacher being choked. Nice. They even had signs next to the door of the polling room, nevermind that it's illegal. I wonder why they bothered to put up the "100 feet to polling place" sign on the way in? Anyway, we didn't lose anything.................... but nothing has changed. I guess we'll have to wait until the state is bankrupt and our bonds are junk. The Democrats will start crying to raise taxes again. I'm sure Rob Reiner already has his next "sin tax" speech ready to go. Of course the first place they look is to tax anyone enjoying themselves.

I received a "FareWatcher" alert from Travelocity today. It's only $241 round trip from LAX to Cancun, Mexico. Hotel rooms are as low as $33.33 a night. Wow, what a deal! I can only imagine that trip......... I guess you'd have to sky dive out of the plane since the airports are closed and camp out under the downed power lines littering the streets. Doesn't anyone check this stuff before they e-mail it out?
Great! My cat just brought me a present, now I'll be cleaning up bird feathers for a week again. In his attempt to adjust to the death of his companion of 13 years he has decided to meow constantly while following me around. Earlier I made the mistake of giving him turkey for breakfast to shut him up. When he didn't get it for lunch, he started biting my feet, jumping on my desk, and now bribing me with his kill. Such the great hunter! So anyway, I had to give the little monster some more turkey to get the bird out of his mouth. Guess he's not stupid.
Well, back to work.

It's been a long time, I know. Too many things happening all at once, life does get overwhelming sometimes. Just trying to get everything organized and take care of business. I am determined to see the bottom of my desk before the end of the year. Maybe then I can start on the floor, I know there's hard wood under there somewhere:)
Something so sad happened a few weeks ago, I had to put my cat to sleep. I watched her mother give birth to her over 18 years ago and I was there comforting her through tears as the vet gave her the injection. I thought the vet was going to cry. I think I used the entire box of kleenex in his office. She stopped eating for 2 days and I was expecting to take her in for medication or something, not to be told her kidneys were failing. At least she didn't have to go through the pain. The poor thing couldn't even drink water on her last day. I miss my Ciara.

There's just not enough hours in the day. I know, an understatement. I think I've run out of space on my calendar it's so full. The fact I have to keep bartending ( babysitting) because no one seems to want to work anymore doesn't help. So I gimp around the bar all day being entertained by the patrons. Mostly it's a lot of me yelling at people to pay their tabs. My customers have figured out a great way to obtain credit; run a a tab and then run out the back door when the bartender isn't looking. Sure, they pay the next time they come in........... sometimes. Welcome to the Bank of Deva. I should be there right now but I'm just too tired to drag myself over to the bar after getting out of bed at the crack of noon. The no sleeping cuz my back is killing me thing gets old, at least I may have caught up on a few hours this morning. Anyway, the Health Department is coming today to check on my "Food Handler's Certificate" to make sure I know to put the raw chicken on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, while the salad goes on the top to prevent cross contamination and thereby avoiding serious outbreaks of salmonella bacteria. Which is great knowledge to have when you're prohibited by the same Health Dept from serving any food. They even made me take out the popcorn machine several months ago. that's regulation for you! The only really handy information I received from attending the 4 hour class followed by an 80 question exam ( I did score a 96 percent:), is that you should drink the sake when you eat sushi because the alcohol will kill any worms that the restaurant may have not removed from certain types of seafood resulting in Anisakis. Nice to know, personally I rather just drink the sake and avoid any raw sea creatures at all costs. Give me a some steak and potatoes. Which by the way if it's a rare roast it needs to be cooked at a minimum internal temperature of 130 degrees and held at a minimum of 121 minutes at that internal cooking temperature. Terrific, my head is filled with more useless knowledge.

New Orleans last year, I hope it looks even better when they rebuild. 

It will be amazing to watch them fix all the roads back there. New Orleans 

New Orleans. 

New Orleans trip last summer. 

New Orleans last year. 

Driving into New Orleans last year. 

It's actually raining here in Sunny California today. I'm saying put at home, all those crazy drivers are even worse when there's a little H2O on the road. With my back the way it is I'll be tensing up every minute on the freeway!
I haven't said much about Hurricane Katrina, it's all just so devastating and depressing. I can't imagine being in such a horrible situation. I went to New Orleans last summer for the first time, I'll have to look up some of those pictures and re-post them. Anyway, I received the following e-mail today and thought that this Preacher sums it up pretty accurate:

David Millican is a retired preacher in McComb, MS.

To my friends and family:
What I have seen since Katrina:
The poor and the wealthy hurt by the storm Black, white, hispanic, oriental and Indian all hurt by the storm. Christian people giving, giving, giving. Churches going all out to minister in Jesus' name Neighbors going door to door helping one another Thugs and hoodlums going door to door looking for someone vunerable. Ice and water being fought over as police tried to keep the peace. People coming up from New Orleans taking over empty houses because shelters are full Out of town volunteers coming with food and staying for now a week still serving it. The Churches all over this part of the country doing what Christians do in a crisis. Fema doing a wonderful job in getting help to us The Red Cross doing a great job in the shelters The Salvation Army doing a great job in the community Four Hundred crewman from everywhere bring back the power to our homes,churches and businesses. Lines at service stations a block to a mile long National Guardsman patroling the streets of Mccomb along with Kentucky policemen protecting us from the hoodlums and thugs of McComb, Pike County and New Orleans (the most dangerous city in the world before Katrina.) Drug dealers working outside shelters Doctors, nurses and other hospital personnel working tirelessly, evening sleeping the hospital to do the job God called them to do.

WHAT I HAVE NOT SEEN:
The ACLU setting up a feeding line. People for the American Way helping in the shelters The NAACP doing any work whatsover The American Atheist organization serving meals in the shelters. Jesse Jackson directing traffic at the gas stations I could go on but you get my message. Its the Christian people with loveand compassion who do the work. The gripers in Congress should come ondown and get in line to pass the water and the ice. Are you listening Hillary, Chuck, Teddy, and all the sorry loafers we call Senators and Congressmen. They don't have a clue as to what this life is all about there on the gulf coast. Boy, I feel better now.

David A. Millican

http://www.calltothenation.com/

September 17th: National Support Our Troops Day!

The Sheriff Dept. was out in full force on Wave Runners, the girls had to wear their pasties!

Training at Front Sight. 

Wow, summer is going way too fast again this year. Seems that there's just not enough hours in the day to get anything done. I've been out in the desert way too much lately. I went to Front Sight out by Pahrump a couple of weekends ago. Nothing like baking out in 115 degrees, port-o-poddy's, dust, and a Glock holstered around your waist all day long. Give me another Gatorade! That is a great place to go and learn weapons self-defense training. The instructors are wonderful people that really make sure you understand what you are doing while keeping you safe. I would highly recommend it to anyone that owns a handgun:

http://www.frontsight.com/

Okay, there's just a few things bugging me today and I need to vent. First of all I can't believe the Mexican Presidential campaign will be kicking off this fall right here in Southern California. What are they going to promise to do for the Mexican people living here? It makes you wonder just how many Mexican people are actually living here. Apparently enough people that their votes could affect the outcome of the entire country of Mexico. This should be interesting to watch.
Secondly, I am really sick of hearing about Cindy Sheehan. Many people have lost loved ones in Iraq and I'm very sorry for them and her. But for her to keep camping out in Texas and crying to the media about how she just wants to speak to the President to tell him to bring home the troops, is annoying. She already spoke to the President once. She only wants to call attention to herself to promote her anti-war, anti-Bush, it's all-America's-fault, liberal agenda. Stick Cindy, Jane Fonda, and Joan Biaz on a bus and let them tour Iraq and explain to all those people over there that they would prefer them to be terrorized and murdered by an evil monster rather than to be liberated with a sense of hope and a future.

The people at Move America Forward aren't sitting around:
http://www.moveamericaforward.org/

It's Monday again, time to stress. I guess it will even me out from a weekend of trying to relax:) I can't believe it's been over a year since my car accident and my back & neck hurt just as much as they did when it happened. Go figure? Anyway................ Happy Monday!

Latest sign on freeway: "When your dreams turn to dust......... vaccum."

I went to the Gypsy Kings concert at The Greek Theatre up in L.A. Sunday night. I try to see them every year when they come to Southern California. They just sound the best at that venue, it's so beautiful up there surrounded by all those trees. They are such talented musicians! I've actually had their "Gypsy Kings Live" CD in my car for the last 14 years. Well, okay, I guess it was a tape 14 years ago............ there I go showing my age again:)

http://www.greektheatrela.com/

I just received this poem in an e-mail and thought I'd share:

French Poem written by an American Patriot....
Eleven thousand soldiers lay beneath the dirt and stone,all buried on a distant land so far away from home.For just a strip of dismal beachthey paid a hero's price,to save a foreign nationThey all made the sacrifice.And now the shores of NormandyAre lined with blocks of white:Americans who didn't turnfrom someone else's plight.Eleven thousand reasons for the French to take our side,but in the moment of our need,they chose to run and hide.Chirac said every war means loss,perhaps for France that's true,for they've lost every battle since the days of Waterloo.Without a soldier worth a damn to be found within the region,the French became the only landto need a Foreign Legion.You French all say we're arrogant.Well hell, we've earned the right--We saved your sorry nation when you lacked the guts to fight.But now you've made a big mistake,and one that you'll regret;you took sides with our enemies,and that we won't forget.It wasn't just our citizens you spit on when you turned,but every one of yours who fell the day the towers burned.You spit upon our soldiers,on our pilots and Marines,and now you'll get a little sense of just what payback means.So keep your Paris fashions and your wine and your champagne,and find some other market that will buy your airplanes.And try to find somebody else to wear your French cologne,for you're about to find out what it means to stand alone.You see, you need us far more than we ever needed you America has better friends who know how to be true.I'd rather stand with warriors who have the will and might,than huddle in the dark with those whose only flag is white.I'll take the Brits, the Aussies,the Israelis and the rest,for when it comes to valor we have seen that they're the best.We'll count on one anothe ras we face a moment dire ,while you sit on the sideline with a sign, "friendship for hire."We'll win this war without you and we'll total up the cost,and take it from your foreign aid,and then you'll feel the loss And when your nation starts to fall,well Frenchie, you can spare us,just call the Germans for a hand,they know the way to Paris.

Please forward to all Americans, so they will not forget...

Jodi & her man with their"kids." 

Entertained by Cindy's son,Jonathon, at the Family Picnic.  

Well, here are the pictures from my trip back to Ohio. It was so good to see everybody! Sometimes you need to go back to where you're from to see how far you've come!

We did have a great time at the reunion! 

The more they drank, the more they acted like they were in High School! (I don't know what's up with the date??) 

Class of.............. I'm not saying what year!. 

Me & Vicki, she sure stayed gorgeous! We had so much fun in school together. Congratulations Mrs. North Carolina! ( The date must be a camera malfuntion??) 

You can't see them too well, but some crazy guy is trying to grow Palm Trees in Ohio. Good Luck at first frost! 

Driving back to the airport....... this has always been siting there in the middle of nowhere. Strange huh? Growing up I had no idea what it was.

Playing ball with my brother, neice, and nephew. That was just how I grew up. 

Me & my baby brother. 

Chad played basketball for my Dad. He's running around Ohio State now somewhere! 

Flag City USA! 

At the park where I used to go feed the ducks everyday. Nice to see some things don't change. 

The Hay-bailing, Pumpkin farmer family. Luv ya Daph! 

Dedge...... he played basketball for my Dad, which kept him out of trouble! 

Me & Pat, she lived down the street from me growing up.  

Dan, obviously a former football player!