Nov. 23rd - 30th 2006

Diane teaches us how to load the black powder















Chuck shoots black powder at the Ocotillo
"Shooting Range"
















7 4-wheelers, one dirt bike and
3 Jeeps ventured into the
Carrizo Badlands
















Lunch Break















A trip to Julian for Apple Pie
and shopping















Thanksgiving Dinner in the Desert - Borrego Springs State Park

Natalie's Birthday Party

On November 19th we celebrated my granddaughter
Natalie's 4th birthday
Natalie, the birthday girl

Natalie's Birthday Cake


Natalie's baby goat she named Chocolate


Natalie rides her pony

Freedom Isn't Free

http://patriotguard.org/


On Monday November 13, 2006 I rode with the Patriot Guards in the funeral procession for one of our fallen soldiers. Ninteen year old Allex Oceguera PFC U.S. Army gave his life fighting for our freedom in Afghanistan on October 31, 2006. About 18 Patiot Gurards rode motorcycles giving support to the Oceguera family and for our troops. It was a very touching experience for me, being my first participation with the Patriot Guards. It probably won't be my last.

The Love Ride

http://www.loveride.org/index.php On Sunday, Nov. 12th I rode in The Love Ride, a huge fund raiser ride from the Glendale, CA Harley-Davidson shop to Castaic Lake, about 40 miles away. Jay Leno was the Grand Marshall of the ride. I heard him being introduced, but I was so far back in the crowd I couldn't actually see him. Click on the link above for more info:


This is just one small parking area at the lake. My bike is somewhere on the left side.
Bikes lined up in Glendale before we took off on the 40 mile ride. I heard 17,000 riders registered for the ride.

How I spent Veteran's Day 2006

Patriotic Americans protesting the Illegal "Illegal Alien Invasion"

U.S. citizens need extensive Police protection in Maywood, CA

to express opinions on illegal immigration

More of California's finest protecting us.

One of my favorite signs

Please take the time watch the following video. It's quite an eye opener!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iMuwv5nr40

After a hard day of bringing to the attention of America the problems of massive illegal immigration, about 20 of us went to a Ruby's Diner for a bite to eat. After waiting for about an hour for our orders to arrive we were told to leave because our presence and our patriotic attire of red, white and blue were making some of the other customers uncomfortable. We were quietly waiting in a back room of the restaurant. Ruby's Diner is off my list of restaurants to patronize!! And this was Veteran's Day!!

Seeing some progress

The kitchen after I removed the 60's stove and counter top


The bathroom after I removed the 60's vanity and installed shut-off valves.



The bedroom wall after the closet and paneling were removed
and after the nail holes were patched

The kitchen before the 60's stove and counter top were removed

The front of my little house before the tree was trimmed.
The tree still needs some serious pruning.

A Labor of Love

Two walls of paneling and a weird closet bite the dust!
Check out the shirt!





Over grown cacti have to go!

Next stop THE DUMPSTER!!!!!


Sanding the kitchen cabinets

The first fews day as a happy home owner

I closed escrow without a hitch on Tuesday, Halloween. I've spent the last 4 days working harder than I have since the last time I bought a house (12 years ago). With my Mom's help, we tore down two walls of ugly paneling and a weird closet in the bedroom. And now, after pulling up ugly green carpeting on the front porch and back patio, I'm scraping the left-behind glue which has probably been there since the 60's. I ordered a dumpster, which I thought would take me a month to fill up, but actually took only 3 hours. I fixed the stacked washer and dryer unit so it doesn't wobble with every spin cycle, and the water heater stopped leaking all on it's own. The next big project, besides scraping the glue, is cutting some of the carpet away from the walls before the house is painted. Picking out new carpeting and couches is two of the big decisions looming in the near future.
I hope to post some pictures soon.