Southern California Weather

As many of you may know, or maybe not- I live in the mountains.  So you are probably day dreaming about the wonderful wildlife and snow I must get... The kicker is, my mountains are in Southern California.  While we are not foreign to weather or snow, I am bitter that we are having endless summer/ spring weather up on the mountain top.

I need snow!  I need cold!  I want to wear my boots and not feel over dressed or get over heated.  I am wearing sandals for heaven's sake!

I know I shouldn't be complaining as the Mid West and East Coast are getting hammered, but seriously, where in the hell is my winter?  I am over here day dreaming about the Arctic chills of Canada and have my heater in my house off and a window open so I get a little cold at night.

 Yes I am crazy, but it makes me sad when I don't get to have my four seasons.

Who wouldn't want to dream about this or live in it?

So in Cliff's notes, Mother Nature stop being so dang tropical and give me some snow.  Punxsutawney Phil has already declared 6 more weeks of winter, so I am more than ready to accept it!  

Just say- CHEESE!!!!

Well it only took one holiday weekend to completely throw me off of my blog every day in July challenge.  I suck at life and frankly, sometimes I am completely ok with that.  That is the great thing about blogging- it is always here for me when I need/want to come back and it's the only "relationship" I feel completely ok with putting on hold.

Anyways... Today's prompt from the lovely ladies is "Things That Make You Smile" and honestly my past weekend made me smile the mostest (which also helps out with Bella and Lisa's Weekend Recap).  It was seriously one for the record books and one that I will not soon forget.

I love the 4th of July and with exception to the year I fell into a boat and jacked up my ankle, they have all been pretty good, but this was by far the best.  I love living in the mountains and having that small town vibe and the festivities of the 4th make it all that much better.

Thursday night was a good night with my family and friends.  I did drink too much and mix that with the exhaustion of the week and I pretty much fell asleep standing up at the bar.  I don't remember the car ride home and I as much as I hate to admit it, I woke up in my clothes.  Yes it was a great start to my holiday weekend.

Friday found me relaxing and catching up on sunshine and tv.  I almost was tempted enough into going to Arrowhead for the fireworks, but I knew it was going to be a freaking zoo as it was also the 40th anniversary of the fireworks.  I was actually legitimately fine staying home as I prepared for the party Crestline's Jamboree Days was going to be.

I don't think people were quite prepared for the party Candice and I bring with us.  It was so much fun to do what I would like to refer to as the "tourist" thing.  We hit the bar, the parade, a family gathering, back to the bar, to a BBQ to another BBQ to the bar to fireworks and back to the bar and then home.  I started out around 9:30 am and continued to celebrate until midnight!  At some point there were streamers as sweatbands, too many pitchers of beer and at some point or lots of points, dancing.  It was a hot and humid day but it was fun, heck yes it was fun!

Yes, this weekend made me smile and I am sure I will be smiling for awhile, if not laughing at the crazy shenanigans that occurred.  

Freezing Temperatures and Awkward Encounters!

Oh hello there Monday!  How are you today?  Me, oh I am great, especially because I woke up to Diersk Bentley's newest video "Drunk On A Plane".  It is UH_MAZING!  You, of course, can thank me for the laugh and the envy for not being on that plane!

Friday night started off the summer concert series in Lake Arrowhead, and all though it was freezing and the band wasn't all that Great (ArrowSmith, the Aerosmith cover bad) it turned out to be quite a hilarious night.  At least the parts I remember were.  In the crowds I ran into quite a few peeps, got to say good bye to a life long friend ( moving up North), and got to have that ever dreaded awkward encounter with an ex and his fiance, or whatever she is.  It has been seven years, but I secretly relish in the fact that I dress like an adult and she dresses like I did in junior high (hello hooded sweatshirt and skater shoes).  Gosh I am so mean!  Actually the encounter wasn't all that bad and I wish him all the best...  (That was mature of me, right?)

Saturday morning found me headed back to my car with a hangover.  I am pretty sure I am the only person to ever sport sunglasses at 7 am in a parking structure before breakfast.  At least I was smiling!

 Only a bottle of champagne, orange juice, coffee, water and a bloody Mary was my solace while reading over insane drunk texts from the night before!  I have to say it is nice to have friends who also get the giggles when thinking of the shenanigans that took place the night before!

 I captured this sweet picture on Sunday while celebrating Mother's Day/ my little sister's birthday.  I am pretty sure Kay Kay Bug missed her Pa.  She is a little worker, all she wanted was for him to say she could drive his boat next weekend.  I think the answer was yes, because how can you say no to a sweet little "angel"?

Selfie- Sunday seemed appropriate, however per Kenny it should be called a "groupie" when it isn't just you.  So here is the first ever "Groupie" Sunday photo.  Don't be too jealous you didn't think of it.

 Of course there will always be silly faces and sticking tongue out pics when these munchkins are around.

 Oh, Happy Birthday Tay Tay!

"Give Me Back My Hometown"

In the words of Eric Church:
Damn, I used to love this view
Sit here and drink a few
Main street and the high school lit up on Friday night
Down there it's another touchdown
Man, this year's team is stout
I can hear them goin' crazy
And up here so am I
Thinkin' about you sittin' there sayin' I hate this, I hate it
If you couldn't stand livin' here why'd you take it, take it
Give me back my hometown
'Cause this is my hometown

The above song seemed relevant, other than the fact that it's about lost love, to the city-fied folks trying to make my hometown part of corporate America.

The sad part is that over-population is ruining small towns across America.  Poverty stricken families sink lower, while wealthy families are able to lounge on higher piles of cash.  When will enough be enough?  When will the voices of the "little" people be heard?  

When can we have our hometowns back?

Last week I talked about the accountability needed (if you missed it, you can read it here) by residents in order to bring that accountability to the masses, most especially the big wigs.

I fully understand that as areas grow so do the issues and in turn more law enforcement and crowd control is needed.  However, I live in a place that used to literally SHUT DOWN for the 4th of July festivities.  Now days, cars can zip right by a family walking as the streets are no longer allowed to be closed.  The reason?  Too many complaints from newer residents about not being able to get to the post office or bank (both of which are closed for the festivities).  Here is what I have to say you , "MOVE if you don't want to participate in the our small town charm."  

I know first hand the difficulties that come with planning the Jamboree Days festival as I worked with the Chamber of Commerce for a time.  But I will say this "where there is a will, there is always a way."  There will always be a way to take back our hometowns but the question is, who has the balls to get out there and get people concerned about the slow elimination of small town charm?  Who has the audacity to stare down the self elected officials who get their palms greased by using back door deals?  Who is going to stage a march or protest or boycott?  

Unfortunately when it comes to boycotting in a small town, the entire town is affected, but isn't that the point?  People can sit back and talk a big game, but the truth of the matter is when it comes to getting what you want, if you don't have the money to pay for it, you have no other choice but to play down and dirty.  It's a full time job and one that needs more than a sole renegade standing up to the masses.

Who is willing to step outside, away from the computer and social media and make a stand?