While national economists and Obama administration officials are being perky about the official end of the recession, others aren't so sure it's time to break out the party hats, especially here in California.

When told about the 3.5-percent jump in the national economy, a restaurant owner in Rancho Cordova made this comment:

"Yeah, I just bought a bigger wallet, because I'm making so much money over here."

He was, of course, making a little joke. He followed up by saying it's still a recession at his business - maybe not as bad as a few months ago, but still very slow.

Economists predict California may be one of the last big-population states to enjoy a full recovery. The chief economist at Cal State Sacramento said that while the state's gross domestic product may be creeping into positive territory, the recession inflicted some very deep wounds in California.

One indicator is the number of jobs lost, and still being lost, in major metropolitan areas. There are nearly 500,000 fewer jobs today than in 2007 in the Bay Area, L.A., Sacramento and Silicon Valley. Experts say getting those jobs back is going to be difficult, and the rebuilding process will take a long time.

But just the hint of a turnaround in the national economy could give California some of the momentum it needs to climb out of its rut. It's all about attitude, the desire to succeed, and the willingness to stop whining and get to work - if you actually have a job.