Humans are good...

I want to share a little story that happened yesterday, not to brag that my boyfriend and I rescued a fur friend, but how happy it made my heart to see the simplest of things remind me that humans are good.  People have hearts.  People care.  It's so awesome to see the compassion in our world especially right now when it seems like we are constantly only seeing the hatred in today's society.

I had a moment last night after my sweetheart had fallen asleep that I got up and sat on my couch and cried.  Cried from exhaustion and anxiety (this was a day that kind of a lot of shit happened too) but also cried from joy that I got to witness people rally and a situation that really could have turned out fucking horrible didn't.  It's like the universe aligned to get this little pupper back home.

Wednesday night was a normal date night and Pat and I had decided to check out a new restaurant in DTSA.  It was slightly disappointing and we came back to my car to a parking ticket.  I apparently read the meter wrong.  FYI - it's not free after 6pm down there anymore.  Sigh.  We got in the car and I was grumbly and tired from an already emotionally draining day that I won't get to why here.

As we're driving home down Broadway nearing the hill that goes up over the 5 fwy I'm chatting away.  Pat starts to say "Dog...dog..."  My reactions are not as quick as I would have preferred and as I started to comprehend on the third "DOG!"  I see an English Bulldog trotting across the busy street of Broadway like it's no big deal.  Right in front of my car.  She looks at us as she's trotting right in front.  I slam on my breaks, my heart leaping into my throat because there was no way I was not going to hit that dog and I screech to a halt.  THANK GAWD no one was behind me, or to my left when I swayed trying to avoid the dog.  A second later I shriek "DID I HIT IT?!?!"  Nope.  I don't know how I didn't.  The dog appeared on the passenger side of the car like it's no big deal and continued on it's way.  Shaking I threw on my hazards and started to pull over as Pat was already getting out of the car to try to catch the dog.



Next thing I know cars are slowly going around us since we were causing a bit of a jam but no dicks, no honking.  I hear Pat say "Come here!" and next thing I know the dog is thrilled to be hopping in my car.  Pat gets in with the not so light, very loud breathing, very slobbery English Bulldog on his lap.

We turn around and head back to the Flora Park neighborhood that we assume the dog came from and start driving around hoping to find someone looking for a dog.  We asked a few walkers with no luck, but then a group of 20 somethings said they would take a picture and put it on the Nextdoor App.  So we pulled over and one of the boys leaned into the car and snapped a few photos.  He took my name and phone number.  The girl promised the second she got home she'd post it on the app.  We drove around some more, but the dog was needing to get some rest and water and we were needing to figure out what to do.  It was also hot as balls on a humid summer night in SoCal.

I called mom and she agreed to let us come over to feed/water and figure out stuff.  On our way home through slobber and fur Pat and I started calling people, looking online for rescues, etc.

We get to mom's house where the dog promptly hopped out of the car and trotted up to moms front door as if it lived there and waltzed in.  Hilarious.

I posted on Facebook to immediate responses and phone calls.  A friend offered to drive out from Huntington Beach and take the dog to temporarily stay with her until we found a shelter or the owners.  If you leave a message for animal control they call right back.  Before the resolution we probably had about 3 or 4 places the dog could have gone for the night and my anxiety was starting to simmer down a smidge.  Then I got the best phone call - The owner!  She saw the post on the nextdoor app. 

They came over and picked her up - I found out her name is Ms. Bo Jackson and has a tendency to push open their gate.  She also had a tag but it must have fallen off in her adventure.  I was so happy to see such happy relieved pet parents.  It was the best ending.

Pat and I went home and had a drink.



This could have ended so badly.  I could have hit that damn dog.  Someone could have hit me.  They could have been horrible people.  I could go on.

But rather I saw the good in people - the group of kids who instantly were willing to help/post on the app.  My mom who let us crash her house with a very happy/hyper slobberer and figure things out after she had a hell of a day herself.  Anita for offering to drive from Huntington Beach to pick her up and take her temporarily.  All the folks who posted help/links on Facebook minutes after I posted my plea.  To Linda who called and was ready to do whatever was necessary to help.  To my hawk-eyed boyfriend with a good heart who saw the dog and then wasn't about to leave her running around on a busy street.  To all the people we stopped and asked that were so nice and apologetic they couldn't help.

I know this isn't an uncommon story but I think I really needed to see the good again.  It's been a rough go and we're in a rough time right now and the hate is so prominent.  I needed this.  I hope it can give you a little light too when you read this.  People rallied.  People didn't hesitate.  People are good and compassion and empathy are still out there.

Ms. Bo Jackson

Thank you universe for reminding me that Humans are Good!

OC Fair 2019...

I love so much that this has turned into a yearly tradition!

As per usual we had a fantastic evening at the OC Fair.

The boyfriend joined us this year and we had a wonderful night of eating, drinking, playing games, visiting Brenda and wandering around.

Love my family!!

First stop of course is to see if Lori placed with her quilt entries.  Dad didn't submit this year, and I keep needing to remind myself to submit my photography!!!  Next year!

Lori got 3rd place for this quilt!

Her other Kitty Quilt got an honorable mention

Her entire quilt guild worked on this one!

Then we of course hit our usual favorite corn stop.

Welcome to the McCoy Fair Fun Babe!

After this we visited Brenda of Brenda Ranney Fine Jewelry and dad bought us ladies all beautiful pieces!  No pictures this year cuz I'm a dork and forgot.

Shane finally joined up with us and we got our libations on.

Shane was happy to finally get his beer!

Shane saw a heart in his beer and said he always thinks of me when he sees a heart!  💓

A highlight of the evening was wandering into the Wine Garden and running into Julie!  Of course!!  Her and T were hitting up the show that night and a few other OCC'ers were chillin in the garden!  OMG!  Hi guys!!!

Loved running into this crew!

Then we got ourselves some ice cream.

Yummy

And of course the annual game playing and D and I sliding down the weird slide!

I kind of love this picture

I'm the only one who won this year!!!

Woohoo!

As always - a fun evening out and always seems way to short!  I hope to get back to check out the stuff I missed, but ya never know.  Yay Family Fair Time!!

Lake Gregory...

So I'm coming down off a whirlwind of 3 trips almost back to back.
Laughlin, Bishop and now Lake Gregory.
Whew!



I was a bit nervous about this one.  There was going to be 11 of us under one roof and I was the odd man out again, hopefully not whacking out the dynamic.  Plus Pat, myself and his kiddo were all sharing one room.  Pat's friends the Hernandez Clan goes every year over 4th of July weekend with their family.  Mandy was filling me in that she's been going since she was little.  Sounds like my yearly trips to San Clemente since I was a wee one.

Well lemme tell ya - it was a great time!  I seem to fall right into the groove with the crew.  It's only about an hour out of town - which is awesome - and there is a swirly mountain road with some ear popping non fun, but it's not that long.  I actually did ok!!  Yay!!!

1st we hit up a super fun BBQ at Pat's friends home.  They know how to throw a block party!  We didn't stay too long but it was fun while we were there.

She rented a cute little ice cream truck!

I was feeling a bit less whacked out (We had an earthquake earlier that day that almost triggered me) and off we went!

The Hernandez Clan has been renting this same cabin for years.  It's 2 story and right across the street from the lake.  The downstairs is kind of basement-esk and where most of the kids/young adults sleep.  There's a bunch of beds down there, a pool table and they set it all up for their gaming joy.  (Lots of video gamers in this crew).  The upstairs is the main area with a living room, kitchen, 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.  One bathroom is in the master bedroom so let's just say it was interesting with 11 peeps sharing 2 bathrooms.  Then outside the main area is a huge deck facing the lake with a table, plenty of chairs, BBQ, love seat and a bunch of bird feeders!  It wraps around the corner then there are stairs that go down to the street where you can cross to the lake.

My 1st view from the deck!

Being initiated in!

The rest of the crew had arrived the night before, so we got settled and decided to head into town to the little bowling alley.  I was super mortified by how horribly I bowled.  I chalk it up to weird balls.

My boyfriend kicked all our asses

That night Mandy made tacos which were Delish!!!  We just hung around the cabin and it was just lovely!   I realized late into the night that it was the 4th of July and I didn't hear one firework.  Fucking glorious.

Friday morning I had a little time by myself out on the deck since I'm probably the earliest riser (and wanted to make sure I got shower time).  The owner has lots of bird feeders and one of them had babies in it!  I loved watching the mama fly back and forth the whole time we were there feeding her babies that you would hear each time she arrived.  So friggin cute!!

My kind of morning

Hi Mama!

I loved hearing the babies!!!

This was the beach day.  The crew usually takes a day and goes to the part of the lake that has a beach and play area.  You have to pay to get in, so you plan to go and stay there.  It's walking distance from the cabin which was rad!  The water was a little too cold for me, but most the peeps enjoyed it.  Then a group headed over to kayak.  Elise and I stayed back since I can't boat anymore (Sad Panda) and chilled at the beach.

Got our spot

Our view

The crew chillin on a floatie

Pat got pics of everyone - Vince

Mandy and Jose

Issac

That night we had yummy burgers and brats!  It was also face mask night!  I love that Mandy always brings this stuff and I love even more that the boys almost always get involved!

Yummy!

Eddie was in!

The boys were in as long as they could keep playing video games

Ladies!

Even Nicky got in!

There were 2 interesting occurrences this evening.  1st one was not cool - another fucking earthquake!!!  It was apparently a 7.1 and a real rolly one.  We were so lucky that we only sort of saw it on the deck rather than felt the rolling.  Valerie, Elise and I were out there when the sliding glass door started shaking and all the bird feeders swinging.  As we jumped up the boys were running up from the downstairs and we were all like earthquake?!?!?!  Yup.  I guess so.  Reading all the posts about how nauseous people were feeling and my phone blowing up with concerned texts (I love my friends/family who are so sweet to check on me and my condition) that it was a doozy.  I really lucked out this time.

The other moment I want to share is the brilliant moment that yes - you had to be there to find it as funny as it was - but I want it here to remember.  So this deck is huge.  At one point Valerie and her brothers had gone down to the lake when it was dark to find something they left.  As we can hear them starting to come back, I notice a rather large animal running full speed towards me on the deck.  For some reason I had a huge delay in realizing what was happening and the 1st thought that rolled into my head was "Who brought a dog?".  At the same time, the 3 or 4 other folks on the deck heard the animal running but didn't have the view I did and were also aloud starting to say "WTF...."  It looked up - saw me - and did a full 180.  It was a raccoon.  I have never seen a raccoon run so fast in my life which may have led to my confusion as to what it was at 1st.  As it spins around, it's booking towards where the crew is coming back up from the lake.  Some of us start to get up out of our chairs to yell a warning to them - but too late - we hear Valarie scream and the boys start shouting many WTF's.  I honestly cannot remember when I've laughed that hard. 



After the youngsters retreated downstairs we all played Cards Against Humanity and Jami may have had one too many glasses of wine....

Saturday morning was a little rough going for me, but I was able to rally.  This was the day we were going to attempt to go to the hike they do every year.  Unfortunately this was the same day as Jamboree Days, the event Lake Gregory has for the Independence Day Celebration.  They close off streets for a parade and a street fair.  We tried...we went through swirly mountain neighborhoods trying to get out of town, but to no avail.  We gave up and headed back.  Lord.

But - all was not lost - we decided to walk around the lake and go Geocaching!  There was a whole bunch around the lake so off we went!  Valerie and Mandy decided to do the kayaking again, Eddie and his boys stayed back but the rest of us trekked out.  The entire walk around the lake was about 3 miles so a really great walk!

Found our 1st one!

Pat told us to act like we were looking for a cache...

The treehouse cache that I was super nervous about!  So many muggles!

Vince had no fear

Loved the googly eyes on this one!

Me and my love

This one was so cute!!!! It was called gone fishin or something!

You're supposed to add water to this one and the cache floats to the top...I think...but we didn't notice there were more than one hole and we didn't have enough water.  Damn!  Until next year!

What was also cool, was the lake is pretty small so we kept seeing Mandy and Valerie!  And Mandy randomly caught a fish! Ha!

Such a pretty walk!

Hi girls!

The random fish Mandy caught

After we got back and cleaned up a bit and played with hair color, Pat and the girls headed into town to wander around the street fair.  It was really cool!  I would have liked to pick up a couple of sundresses, but I was trying to be a bit careful with the funds.  So many cute vendors though!  The crew decided to order pizza so Jose came down and picked up Pat/Elise and the pizza while the girls and I got some more libations and wandered a bit more.

Ladies!

That evening was the firework show over the lake.  It was so cool to just be right there watching from the deck!!!  Now, there were lots of trees in the way, but you could see the high ones.  Everyone went down to the lake to watch, but Pat, Elise and I stayed up on the deck and it was just lovely!  My phone didn't work with firework shots, but Pat took a bunch!

I did get a rad shot before it got super dark.  No filter needed!

Waiting for the fireworks and using my flash for the 1st time on my phone. LOL

Later that evening we again landed at the large dining room table playing you know what....

The next day was a bit sad since we had to leave, but we didn't have to rush out of there which was awesome.  So we took our time packing up, having breakfast and enjoying the last moments.

The whole crew!

I loved being included this year!  It was a great weekend away that's not far from home at all!!  There's talk of staying longer and spreading to 2 cabins next year, so we'll see what happens but I'm super stoked to have something to look forward to over my least favorite holiday! Ha!  A beautiful location and a beautiful relaxing weekend!