I know it’s been too long! Sometimes “life happens” and you just can’t do everything. I took off at the last minute to Las Vegas for the Super bowl! It was a blast! If you can’t have a great time in Vegas……………….stay home! Several friends and patrons were there so that made the trip even more entertaining. Nothing like watching the Super Bowl on a giant screen in the Cirque de Soleil venue at Treasure Island. They really take care of you during the game. Waitress service, appetizers, and big comfortable seats. Okay, I’m not that into football, but the commercials are always fun. The half-time show was a bit of a shock; I wasn’t sure what I was looking at when Justin pulled off part of Janet’s top. Things look blurry on a movie-sized screen.

Anyway, off to work………running late!

I just finished addressing all of the W-2’s and 1099’s to go out in the mail tomorrow. The fun never ends! I need to start figuring out what I’m going to do for our Super Bowl party this year. We will be having our 5th Annual Chili-Cook-Off during the game. It’s seems so weird to have Super Bowl Sunday in February.

I just finished another article about The Republican’s attempt to oust Boxer. I keep reading how Bill Jones is in the lead, especially after Arnold’s endorsement. At least one article from Saturday talked about how Jones didn’t have a chance and how Rosario Marin was our best bet. Well, one article is a start.

I’m trying to sell tickets to the Laker game on Wednesday night. They are the seats I had last time on the floor behind the Lakers bench. I really would love to go again but I’m too busyL I bought tickets for the Harlem Globetrotters as well, but that’s not until February 21st at The Pond. That should be a lot of fun; we’ll be in the front row. I used to watch them on TV with my father and brother all the time as a kid. I have no idea who any of the new players are. I remember Curly and Meadowlark Lemon the most.

Well, back to paperwork………………………..

I’ve been so busy with fun tax forms lately. DE 6, DE 7, 941, 940……………….you get the idea.
Last night was another fun filled evening at deva’s with karaoke and dancing. I’m feeling much better now, finally!

I dragged my best friend Leisa to the Chamber mixer on Thursday night at the OC Register. We took a tour of the building and it was quite interesting. I never realized how much work goes into the newspaper every day. It’s really amazing to get a look at tall the different departments, editors, graphic artists, writers, researchers, the many people running the presses (at 35 miles an hour by the way). Anyway, if you get a chance it’s a tour worth your while. I did run into two of the reporters that did stories on me during the election. George Stewart I knew already because he has been in deva’s several times for interviews. He writes a column as well for the Tustin News that’s pretty entertaining. The other reporter I spoke with on the phone only so it was nice to put a face with a name. Tustin’s Chamber mixers are becoming a fun event to attend-finally!

A few days ago I had the sudden craving for orange slices. While refreshing, sweet, and full of vitamin C, I usually don’t think about eating them. It’s obvious to me today why the sudden urge. In 1991, on January 19th, my father passed away from cancer. I was there, holding him as he let that last breath escape, never to inhale again. My father held on through the night of the 18th, I remember it like it was yesterday. He kept asking me what time it was, trying to look up at the clock. He clung to life a bit longer as to not die on the same date as his father did of cancer, for his mother’s sake. My grandmother never did recover from losing her husband and son. She lived several more years and fought off the depression repeatedly. My grandmother died on August 3, her birthday, of cancer.

You’re probably wondering why the orange slices………... My father was Coach Roger Renz, basketball coach at Findlay High School in Ohio. I remember my mother cutting up a bag full of oranges before every game for my father to take to the gymnasium for his players. Every half time the players went to the locker room for orange slices and Juicy Fruit gum. Sometimes for a reaming from my father if they weren’t playing up to their potential. I know it may sound a bit strange, but sometimes it’s the littlest things that remind you of someone. I certainly remember riffling through my father’s sports coat pockets searching for the Juicy Fruit. I can see that big Tupperware container sitting on top of his clipboard, where he drew the plays for the game, tucked under his arm as we made our way to the game. My father passed away during one of his team’s basketball games. They announced it after the game and the gymnasium, I was told, was full of silence and tears. He coached right through chemotherapy, right up until he went back into the hospital for the last time. The funeral was held in the gymnasium to accomadate the hundreds of people attending. There was a basketball on top of the casket in the middle of all the flowers. The casket was on the court, right under the basket, which seemed very fitting.

I have his leather jacket that I bought him for Christmas one year hanging in my closet. I took it from the hospital after he passed away (after a struggle from a horrible step mother, I don’t want to think of her today.) There’s still a piece of Juicy Fruit gum in the pocket. I miss my father very much; he was a great man who did everything in his power to help his players, students, family, and friends. I hope I can live up to what he accomplished. Most people never even knew how much he helped others until he passed away and the local radio station had an hour show where people called in to talk about him. Now that’s a true sign of a special human being. He was only 49 years old, never smoked, rarely touched any alcohol, exercised daily, ate healthy (was a health teacher), and our family grew our own vegetables. Sometimes it just doesn’t matter how healthy you try to be.

I’m going to go cut up an orange for breakfast.

Is anyone paying attention to the propositions that will be on the March ballot? Prop 57 needs to be passed so that we will not incur more tax increases. The proposal calls for a $15 billion bond so that the state can refinance the accumulated debt. Apparently, so far, the majority seems to be against it in the polls I have read about. Wake up people! It’s far better than an increase in taxes! Of course the first people everyone wants to tax is the rich, the smokers, and the drinkers. Any further taxes on these areas will send even more businesses packaging out of California. I know my small business can’t afford more taxes. It really hits hard when you’re a small business that sells alcohol. Most of my customers that drink also smoke. It’s bad all the way around. Hopefully Arnold can convince the people that this is a good idea. And as for the $6 billion short fall anticipated by Legislative Analyst Elizabeth Hill next year………………hello! If the business climate improves in California, there will be more tax revenue coming in. It only makes sense to vote yes on Prop 57.

Well, now that I have that off my chest……………….I need to go serve up some cocktails and sing karaoke! Happy Friday!

The sun just does wonders for me. I actually spent some much needed time outside yesterday. I feel much better now, but still not completely over this hell-flu!

I went to a meeting yesterday at American Express Financial Advisors Inc for a friend who is just getting started in a new career. I do miss being in that financial environment. It’s been a long time since I sat in an office as a registered rep. My license expired a while back; I couldn’t find anywhere to “hang” it to keep it active. I sure wouldn’t want to take the Series #7 exam again! It’s a difficult test, mostly about options. Six hours of 250 questions out of a possible 10,000. At least it was 10 years ago when I took it. I can’t believe it’s been 10 years! I’m getting old fast!

I can’t believe Arnold is endorsing Bill Jones for the Senate race to oust Boxer! I still am convinced Rosario Marin is the best candidate. The endorsement today of all five Republican women in the California State Legislature was a good sign. The primary is coming up quickly; hopefully I can help spread the word about Rosario. I have heard several Democrats say that are going to vote for her, I hope that is the case come March!

I woke up at 5am today. I’ve been at my desk for almost 10 hours now! The bottom of my desk is still nowhere to be found! I know the payroll tax booklet is around here somewhere, it’s due on the 15th. Good thing I never procrastinate!

Okay, I’ve been sick now for 5 weeks. Please! I felt a little better yesterday; I’m just tired today. Everyone I’ve talked to that has this flu- thing said they were sick about 6 weeks. Lovely.

My steady diet of potato chips, french fries, popcorn, pizza, Top Ramen noodles, and raw potatoes with salt (yummy,) is starting to have an affect. I can’t wait to be well again so I can go back to Sugar Free Red Bull, yogurt, and romaine salads to shed these extra pounds! What is it about being sick that makes you crave carbs? I guess it’s that whole “comfort food” thing. I just wish comfort food didn’t make you fat! Seriously, I just had sour cream potato chips while waiting for my fries in the oven to get crispy! What a well-rounded dinner! It’s okay, I have taken tons of Vitamin C and drank gallons of juice, and so I’m good. I’m eating the healthy things as well. Rice crispy treats, ice cream with hot fudge, See’s candy, and broccoli. I’m such the health nut.

After quite a bit of feedback about the article yesterday, I guess I may have been too hard on myself. This never-ending flu must be clouding my vision a bit. Maybe the article and picture weren’t that bad. I was trying too hard to sound like a politician, when all the while people seem to like the straightforward, simple approach. Lesson learned. I just need to be myself, like always. I must have read too many articles and interviews with politicians and just assumed I needed to sound like them. Anyway, I’m just happy to have a voice and know people actually read what I had to say. I received several kind e-mails about the article. I even received one from a terrific guy involved with the Chuck Devore campaign (70th Assembly). While I originally volunteered for his campaign, I felt I had a better understanding of Rosario Marin’s efforts. I learned rather quickly that you need to volunteer for someone you feel you know on a certain level, and more importantly, someone you truly believe in. If you don’t have that, there’s no passion involved. I’m confident that the “DeVore in ’04” campaign will be strong. I only listened to Chuck speak once, so I didn’t really get to know what he’s about. I was impressed with his speaking ability; he commands such presence in a room.

Arnold’s budget plan is due to come out today. I’m curious as to what it’s going to entail.

Anyway, I need to get to deva’s. I haven’t been there in a week!

Well, it?s on page 7 today in the OC Register. I wish the reporter, Ricky Young, were calling about my subscription yesterday. The photo wasn?t very flattering to start with. The reporter twisted some of my answers to make me sound, well, stupid. Should?ve seen it coming by now, huh? The previous articles in the Register were a better measure of my speaking ability than was this horrible Q&A! Guess I was out of practice yesterday in my flu-ridden state. Usually I can steer my answers into intelligent quotes for the reporter to write. Oh well. At least they?re still asking questions and I can voice my opinion to Orange County; I should be grateful for that. Here?s the article if you are signed up with the Register:

http://www2.ocregister.com/ocrweb/ocr/article.do?id=75173§ion=REGION_STATE&subsection=REGION_STATE&year=2004&month=1&day=8


I did attend our Neighborhood Association meeting last night. City Council woman, Claudia Alvarez was there to give the ?State of the City? report as of last July. She did a good job dealing with all the complaints and problems from our section of the city. Then we had to go over the Center Line project again and again for those who missed the last meeting. What a nightmare this Center Line project has been. It?s basically a light rail train that goes nowhere and costs millions of dollars. I know the premise is that it is the foundation that we will build on in the future. Hopefully that is what will happen if this project gets approved.

Still trying to shake this flu. I should’ve bought the entire Theraflu Company to save money this winter!

The OC Register called me today. I actually answered because I thought they calling regarding my subscription. Funny. The reporter asked me how I thought Arnold was doing so far. I watched his State of the State yesterday, and I thought he did a good job on the speech. He was positive about California and was standing by his word about not increasing taxes. Anyway, you can read the Q & A in the Register in the next few days. What a pleasant surprise; I still get to voice my opinion. That was the first interview of the New Year. I’m sure there will be the “Where are they now?” interviews before too long. I guess I better “get” somewhere! If I could just get over this flu I could at least “get out of bed!”

I haven't dropped off the face of the planet; I'm still sick! This is the worst cold, flu, or whatever it is! You start to feel better, and then it hits you again!

I'm back to bed with my Theraflu!

Happy New Year!

I have nominated deva's as a meet-up place for all you fellow Republicans! Check it out:



2004-Year of the Deva!

It’s almost 2004! So much work to do! I bartended the last couple of days so I’m even further behind. Tomorrow is payroll and the big New Year’s Eve Party at deva’s. We are having chicken, spinach dip, and appetizers. I think we serve more food then most restaurants during the holidays. I wish deva’s had a kitchen! I made gallons of “Mad Cow Stew” (vegetable & Top Sirloin) for Sunday football two days ago. The patrons ate every drop and asked for more. I don’t think many people are actually worried about getting Mad Cow disease. The line is still around the corner at Inn & Out, the hamburger joint, down the street. We had steaks on Christmas Day. Its just one cow, linked to Canada, come on. I’d probably die from chocking on a piece of steak before I’d actually die from Mad Cow Disease. A person actually wrote in to the OC Register today proclaiming they weren’t going to eat beef anymore because of all the pictures on TV of cute little cow faces being slaughtered. Okay. That guy probably believed the commercials of the “Happy Cow” in California as well. Does he think that the cheese slices on his turkey or chicken sandwich today came from “Happy Cows” roaming free in the sunshine over the vast green, daisy covered, hillsides? What about the poor little cute chicken or turkey faces that were slaughtered for his non-cow meal? Give me a break. I guess we all should become vegans, wear man-made material shoes, and hug a tree.

Friday was such a lovely day at work. By the time I got there the ice machine stopped running, the cash register died, and several light s had burned out. It wasn’t even a Monday! Deva’s is such an electrical nightmare. The previous owner was an electrical contractor, and still is! Scary! We have outlets in the strangest places. The one above the TV’s is fell out of the ceiling when I first took over. I really would like to remodel the place. Only problem is all the laws, regulations, ordinances, commissions, departments, landlord, etc………. maybe someday. ( There are so many idiotic regulations that prevent imprvement.)

I’ve got to get all these bills in the mail and start searching for the bottom of my desk again before next year starts!

Merry Christmas All!

I went to the doctor yesterday. Armed with Bill O’Reilly’s “Who’s Looking Out for You?” “The Week” magazine, and a list of “The Best Notable Quotables of 2003,” I planned on the long two hour wait. I didn’t even get through a paragraph when they called me in. I have gained back 7 pounds from my lowest weight during the campaign. Lovely. My blood pressure was 110 over 80; okay I guess. I also had a slight fever, no big deal. Dr Chang looked down my throat, listened to my heart, and asked me what was wrong. I told him I thought I had strep throat and needed antibiotics. So I got the prescription for the Z-pack that I wanted. I paid cash and that really throws people off! If you want to see confused people, pay cash for a doctor’s visit and then don’t use your insurance when you go to fill your prescription either. Think about it. They told me there would be a two-hour wait, so I know they were extremely busy yesterday morning. I paid $50.00 cash for the visit with three Twenties. They barely had $10.00 cash in the drawer to give me change! So then I went to Sav-On to fill the prescription. It was a big deal because I wasn’t in their computer and I wasn’t using insurance. When I went to pick up the prescription they wanted my insurance again. I told them my insurance is so screwed up that I’d rather pay cash. They still insisted I use my insurance because the antibiotics where going to cost $57.99. I still paid cash. What’s the big deal? If I can’t afford A little over a hundred dollars when I get sick, which is usually twice a year, then there’s a problem. I choose to use my insurance incase of a major illness or accident. If everyone did that prices and doctor care would be so much cheaper. Just my opinion.

I better go rest again. I refuse to watch soap operas, those Jerry Springer type shows, Divorce Court, and basically most of daytime TV. Have you ever seen the ads they run during the daytime TV? That should tell you right there who is watching these shows. All the ads are aimed at the unemployed, weight-challenged, and people who may need an Attorney for a worker’s comp claim. Give me a break! If you see these commercials, turn the channel, you are watching “loser” TV. Come on, they assume you are stupid, fat, and unemployed. I have all the movie channels and there still isn’t anything worth watching. I can’t read because my neck is killing me and I start getting a headache. So I’m stuck with TV after the Rush Limbaugh show. Hey, he’s funny, I like his show.

Here’s an interesting e-mail holiday greeting I received, it pretty much sums up all the stupidity this society is swimming in:


Have a safe insane... ;)

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes
for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress,
non-addictive, gender neutral celebration of the winter solstice
holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious
persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with
respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of
others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions
at all...and a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically
uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted
calendar year 2004, but not without due respect for the calendars of
choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make
America great (not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any
other country or is the only "America" in the Western hemisphere), and
without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability,
religious fait!
h, or sexual orientation of the wishee.

This wish is limited to the customary and usual good tidings for a
period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday
greeting, whichever comes first. "Holiday" is not intended to, nor shall
it be considered, limited to the usual Judeo-Christian celebrations or
observances, or to such activities of any organized or ad hoc religious
community, group, individual or belief (or lack thereof).

Note: By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms. This
greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal, and is revocable at
the sole discretion of the wisher at any time, for any reason or for no
reason at all. This greeting is freely transferable with no alteration
to the original greeting. This greeting implies no promise by the wisher
to actually implement any of the wishes for the wishee her/himself or
others, or responsibility for the consequences which may arise from the
implementation or non-implementation of same. This greeting is void
where prohibited by law.

Back to laying in bed watching countless stupid movies that I’ve never heard of.

We just get all the excitement in California! A 6.5 earthquake yesterday in the center of the state. I didn’t feel the quake because I was driving in my car at the time. It’s weird how you don’t feel them when you’re driving unless they are right under you. I certainly feel for those people going through this right before Christmas, how terrible.

Well, I’m re-sick. I don’t care if it’s not a word, I just made it up. I had the flu, now I have strep throat I think. I tried to get an appointment at the doctors—yeah right! They told me there are no appointments available and if I want to walk-in, I will have wait at least two hours. Wonderful. I only spent half a day shopping for Christmas this year and it looks like that was all the time I had. I’m basically just angry about being sick now; I don’t have time for this! I still have a New Year’s Eve party to plan! Oh, and don’t even mention all the paperwork, the year-end stuff, payroll, and can I just scream? No, I can’t because I have no voice! I can barely talk, so every time I call someone they think it’s a prank call and hang up. Terrific. I really sound like I’m in the Christmas spirit, don’t I? Well, our party was Friday and I was in the “spirits” then anyway.

We are open on Christmas of course. deva’s never closes; open 365 days a year! JJ will be coming in at 6pm for the night crowd.

I guess I better go wait in line at the doctors with a few good books so I can get antibiotics. It will be so much fun sitting there in a room full of sick people, coughing and sneezing all over the place for two hours! Maybe I’ll get really lucky and catch the flu again. This is so ridiculous to have to go through this procedure. Now I understand why so many people buy their antibiotics down in Mexico. I have to go pay the doctor to look down my throat and tell me if they a culture it will take several days to get the results and so he will just prescribe me a Z-pack and I’ll go wait in line at a pharmacy with more sick people in the back of a Sav-On Drug Store for another hour, only to pay a fortune for the medication I should just be able to go pick up somewhere! I know, I know, we are not smart enough not to abuse antibiotics; we must be protected from our own ignorance. Can you tell I don’t like going to the doctor? I only go if I need antibiotics, something is broke, or I think I’m going to die. Okay, I’m really going on about this aren’t I? This is where I procrastinate. Okay, I’m going……..

Today is deva's Christmas party! Too much fun all day and all night! We are having food, fun, shooter specials, presents, etc............. I even wrote out cards for almost all our patrons. Lots of work! All the presents barley fit in my car! I just love Christmas!

I went to the Christmas Chamber mixer last night. I actually had a good time there ( what a change from the boring mixers of the past). The Chamber is going in a much better direction than it was previously. They have a good group of people invloved now. Who would've thought? A chamber that is friendly and actually promotes business! Amazing! I can't believe no one came up with the idea earlier!

I did attend the Grand Opening of Rosario Marin's Campaign Headquarters on Monday evening. She is just an awesome individual! I can't say enough about her! I spoke to her briefly, she is so down to earth and easy to talk to. Some of the Republican Federated Women where there as well; it was nice to talk with them as well.

Well, better get to work! Gotta find the holiday costume to go with my 7 inch, red leather, platform boots! I'll be singing "Santa Baby" all day long!

Too much to do before Christmas! What a crazy week!

One of my employees ex-husband, and father of her chidren just passed away the other day. Another employee is at the hospital with her young child who is having difficulties breathing. And one more employee just got back from Indiana after taking care of his sister who was in the hospital. What a terrible time for everybody!

Anyway, I need to prepare for the Christmas party so I'm back to work...........

Okay, I’m back! That flu was just nasty! Seems like everyone is sick, even Barry’s doctor was ill. Lot’s of good news to report!

They captured Saddam! Yeah!

He looks like crap. Living in a little 6' by 8’ hole in the ground? Looks like the $750,000 he had with him was doing a lot of good. Just proves that money isn’t everything. The wimp didn’t even put up a fight. This is the guy who urged all his people to fight to their deaths? They should torture this idiot for the rest of his pathetic life. I'm extremely grateful that no one was hurt capturing him. Great work Military!

We went to Barry’s doctor on Thursday right before the OCFRW Biennial Convention, honoring Anna Bryson, President 2002-2003. Good News! The “hot spots” that the doctor was so sure were a return of his cancer, were only areas of dead cells killed by the radiation that Barry underwent. Yeah! The doctors still can’t believe how well Barry is doing! Every time they basically hand him the death sentence, they end up being wrong. I always stay positive and keep Barry positive because there is always HOPE that the doctors are wrong. And in Barry’s case, they usually are! Now if we can get him through this flu season safely, he’ll be doing okay.

Back to the convention on Thursday………… it was a really nice event. I ran into Brooke Adams, and met her father, John Adams for the first time. I should say Orange County Superior Court Judge John Adams, who won his position as a write-in during the run-off election of 2002. They are both extremely nice people, Brooke even mentioned she may go work in Washington D.C. Good for her, we need more intelligent young people there to make changes. There were so many people there I couldn’t see everyone when they were recognized. I’m still trying to put names with faces. In no particular order: OC Supervisor Tom Wilson; Mayor of Tustin, Tony Kawashima (he was actually the photographer as well); Stan Freberg (really, if you don’t know who he is go to: http://freberg.8m.com/ ) ; and of course the main guest, Paul Shanklin. I didn’t get a good look at the many other wonderful people that were in attendance. Paul was so funny! He does most of the humorous songs you hear on the Rush Limbaugh show. We had such a good evening seating with all the wonderful people from the TARWF.

Tomorrow is the Grand Opening of Rosario Marin’s office headquarters. I will be there after work for sure. If you still haven’t visited her website, I suggest you do so at: www.rosarioforsenate.com . I plan on doing whatever I can to help get the word out to help Rosario Marin beat Barbara Boxer from Marin County ( funny huh?)

I’ve had the flu all week-yuck! Barry has been sick as well. We are both getting better thanks to my vegetable beef soup, vitamin C, and Theraflu. Anyway, not much to write about since not much has happened.

There have been a few editorials about Rosario Marin. I think the word will spread quickly that Boxer better beware!

Tomorrow night is the fundraiser where Paul Shanklin will be the guest. I better get some more rest so I will be able to go!