I, yes me, got called for jury duty. Finally. I've been waiting my entire adult life for this and it finally happened! When I got the summons in the mail, I jumped up and down and ran around the kitchen in glee. Mike later said that he didn't even think I smiled that much on our wedding day. Sheesh.
So my day was last Friday. I was so thrilled to get up at 6:30, get a shower, put on dress pants and a sweater, make-up and jewelry and have to be somewhere important by 9 am. I was actually about 3 minutes early, for the record.
I entered the circa 1970s court room, took a seat near the back row, a few seats in. I scoped out the crowd entering the room. Of course I brought a few magazines with me, but had no real intention in reading -- I was too excited to sit still and read! I sat with my legs crossed, my top leg bouncing up and down as if I had a little too much coffee (yes, that's probably the truth). I noticed a young man (20 ish maybe?) dressed in a suit sitting in the front row, facing the bench. There was another guy near him, also in a suit, standing near him. I assumed this was to be the guy on trial and his lawyer. I wonder what the crime was?
A few minutes later, an older man sat down right next to me. Why do people always sit right next to someone else when there is clearly open seats elsewhere? Like when you get seated at a restaurant next to the only other occupied table ...? I tried not to judge.
After a minute or so, he striked up a conversation ... I soon discovered that he was 63, has no kids, spends his summers working at a golf club, and his winters traveling. For several weeks at a time. In fact, he and his wife just got back from a 21-day cruise to Antarctica. Since Mike and I are planning a cruise to celebrate our anniversary this year, I thought this conversation was extremely timely. It's always good to hear someone else's travel experiences, cruise tips, dos and don'ts, etc. He was a really interesting guy, and we talked the entire time we waited.
So back to the jury process. At precisely 9:35, the judge entered the room and announced that the trial was to proceed, but there have been a couple of delays. He thanked us for our patience, and said he would return in 5 to 10 minutes.
I continued to talk with the man - who later introduced himself as Rick, people-watched, and ignored my reading materials. There was a young girl (18, maybe?) sitting on the other side of the room, appearing to be really bothered by being there. She played with her hair, her nails, and text-messaged on her phone. Another lady opened her laptop and tapped away at keys (she must have somewhere really important to be.) As the time clicked on, people grew more comfortable with each other and the room got louder. Rick recognized someone else in the row in front of us who lived on his street. Two guys on the other side of me were joking about the decor, announcing that our tax dollars certainly weren't going towards this building.
Then, at exactly 10:30, the judge entered the room again, this time wearing a black robe. We all stood. We all sat down. Then he said he has some good news and bad news. The good news is that the trial wasn't going to occur, and that we were all excused. For TWO YEARS! So, the bad news being - if we really wanted to participate in the court process, we won't get called again for TWO YEARS! Yes, I saw that as bad news for me. Other people's faces lit up and everyone stood up, and shuffled out of the room. I said goodbye to Rick, and thanked him for all the travel tips.
I was so angry! I was home before 11 am. This was certainly not the day in court I dreamt of!
So, now in 2010, when I'm 35, I'll be eligible to get called again. Pick me! Pick me!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Deny Self ... and Get a Minivan?
I drove a minivan over the weekend. Oh. My. I think that anyone who knows me longer than 10 minutes knows my hatred of a minivan and all the stereo-types it holds. I think the only thing I dispise more than minivans is country music!
When I found out I was pregnant with my third, one of the first things out of my mouth was "I WILL NOT DRIVE A MINIVAN!" This is what I was yelling through my sobs.
Anyway - back to me driving one. On Saturday we were on a mission: to test drive one and also a SUV we've liked for several years that would accomodate The Three. The salesman drove a minivan into the service garage; while Mike installed all three of the car seats in it so we could test drive it, the salesman also drove the SUV-in-question into the garage next to the minivan. I ignored the minivan and immediately went to the SUV and opened it. Then my mouth hung open as I realized that while there IS a third row, there isn't a way for the passenger (namely my 6 year old) to get into the back seat - unless you slide the second row forward. I stood there with a dumb look on my face and asked the salesman "how do you get back there?" (duh, I know the answer) My reply to the obvious question was "Well, I have the girls in car seats." And then it was all over. I had a totally rebelious attitude as I drove the minivan. That was the end of Saturday.
When Sunday rolled around we overcame several obstcales to get to church. God always has a really good message what that type of morning occurs. It was about denying self. Ironically the first analogy was about vehicles - how there's always the vehicle you really want (SUV, in my case) and the one you can afford (or stuck with - in my case, the minivan). So while God impresed on me several months ago that I'm not defined by what I drive, I know that He was speaking to ME! ME! I think that someday I'll think this is funny - like all the other things I'm doing that I PROMISED I never would. I guess I pray for a change of heart, so why am I surprised when it happens?
Apparently, I'm now in the market for a minivan.
When I found out I was pregnant with my third, one of the first things out of my mouth was "I WILL NOT DRIVE A MINIVAN!" This is what I was yelling through my sobs.
Anyway - back to me driving one. On Saturday we were on a mission: to test drive one and also a SUV we've liked for several years that would accomodate The Three. The salesman drove a minivan into the service garage; while Mike installed all three of the car seats in it so we could test drive it, the salesman also drove the SUV-in-question into the garage next to the minivan. I ignored the minivan and immediately went to the SUV and opened it. Then my mouth hung open as I realized that while there IS a third row, there isn't a way for the passenger (namely my 6 year old) to get into the back seat - unless you slide the second row forward. I stood there with a dumb look on my face and asked the salesman "how do you get back there?" (duh, I know the answer) My reply to the obvious question was "Well, I have the girls in car seats." And then it was all over. I had a totally rebelious attitude as I drove the minivan. That was the end of Saturday.
When Sunday rolled around we overcame several obstcales to get to church. God always has a really good message what that type of morning occurs. It was about denying self. Ironically the first analogy was about vehicles - how there's always the vehicle you really want (SUV, in my case) and the one you can afford (or stuck with - in my case, the minivan). So while God impresed on me several months ago that I'm not defined by what I drive, I know that He was speaking to ME! ME! I think that someday I'll think this is funny - like all the other things I'm doing that I PROMISED I never would. I guess I pray for a change of heart, so why am I surprised when it happens?
Apparently, I'm now in the market for a minivan.
Vehicle shopping
The time has arrived! Squeezing our three-ring-circus into one-ring is getting absolutely ridiculous. Hailey is now in Chloe's old seat and Chloe is in a new booster. It's exciting, but wow - the three of them squished into the back seat is quite a sight. Anyway, we've spent several hours test driving minivans. And I literally mean hours ... we ALL go out, drive around a lot and "pick" 2 or 3 or 4 we want to drive from the lot .... Mike goes in to a sales person and begins his little speech "I'm not buying today but we need to know what fits our family and how easily the car seats fit in, etc."
So the sales person drives one up at a time, while Mike installs each car seat. I chase the girls in and out of the snow. Entertain Hailey. Take Maddie and Chloe to the bathroom - at least once, sometimes twice. Or even better - once before we leave the lot, once while we're out on the test drive (McDonald's), and then once we get back to the dealership.
Then the seats are ready, we convince Chloe that she has to be strapped in and we drive around for a few minutes or miles - whichever comes first. A few vehicles we knew before we even got out of the lot that we hated it, but we figured we made it that far, we might as well continue w/ the test drive. Then, we drive back to the dealership and do it all again in the next vehicle. So far our top three are the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, and Nissan Quest. Talk about quality family time!!
But let me back up ... here's my initial minivan adventure that I forgot to post:
So the sales person drives one up at a time, while Mike installs each car seat. I chase the girls in and out of the snow. Entertain Hailey. Take Maddie and Chloe to the bathroom - at least once, sometimes twice. Or even better - once before we leave the lot, once while we're out on the test drive (McDonald's), and then once we get back to the dealership.
Then the seats are ready, we convince Chloe that she has to be strapped in and we drive around for a few minutes or miles - whichever comes first. A few vehicles we knew before we even got out of the lot that we hated it, but we figured we made it that far, we might as well continue w/ the test drive. Then, we drive back to the dealership and do it all again in the next vehicle. So far our top three are the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, and Nissan Quest. Talk about quality family time!!
But let me back up ... here's my initial minivan adventure that I forgot to post:
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Did you know these things about me?
1. What is in the back seat of your car right now?
2 car seats, 1 car seat base, lots of wrappers, coloring books, crayons and markers, color wonder paper, misc. toys that haven't been brought in, maybe a hat or scarf? That's just the back seat - let's not discuss what's in the trunk area.
2. When was the last time you threw up
Seriously? Why would anyone want to know this? Let's just leave it at the entire family has had our share of illness this winter. Enough said.
3. What's your favorite curse word?
Ya mean a word to hear? Use in a sentense?
4. Name 3 people who made you smile today?
Madeline, Chloe, and Hailey :)
5. What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
Waving to Maddie getting on the bus
6. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Walking through the door - picking Maddie up from school at her Valentine's party
7. What will you be doing 3 hours from now?
Yay!! I'm going out for Valentine's Day! Perhaps a first?!
8. Have you ever been to a strip club?
Nope
9. What is the last thing you said aloud?
Ok, that's nice
10. What is the best ice cream flavor?
Chocolate Panda Paws
11. What was the last thing you had to drink?
Ice water
12. What are you wearing right now?
Jeans and a striped shirt. Vertical stripes, never horizontal.
13. What was the last thing you ate?
Pretzels
14. Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
Yes - amazing clearance items at the mall!
15. When was the last time you ran?
Earlier this week I actually ran on the treadmill for a few minutes!
16. What's the last sporting event you watched?
Maddie's soccer game this past fall.
18. Who is the last person you emailed?
Beth
19. Ever go camping?
What a loaded question. Yes, I went but NEVER again. I went as a teenager and hated it. I went last fall with kids and hated it. What other time in my life could I possibly try? Why do people even do this? You spend childhood playing house; then you become an adult and buy one. You spend all kinds of money decorating it. And purchasing towels and toilet paper. And shower gel. And shampoo. And air conditioning and a furnace. Why, why, why on earth would you give that all up and "vacation" outside and pretend that you don't mind?
20. Do you have a tan?
Not yet!
24. Do you drink your soda from a straw?
At times.
25. What did your last IM say?
Don't remember
26. Are you someone's best friend?
I hope so
27. What are you doing tomorrow?
The day is wide open!
28. Where is your mom right now?
Probably working.
29. Look to your left, what do you see?
The dining room table and window.
30. What color is your watch?
Silver.
31. What do you think of when you think of Australia ?
Michael Hutchence :)
32. Would you consider plastic surgery?
Consider it? Sure. Do it? Never. Why would I sign up and pay someone to be in pain?
33. What is your birthstone?
Opal
34. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit thedrive thru?
Both, depending on how much of a hurry I'm in.
35.How many kids do you want?
My 3.
36. Do you have a dog?
Technically he lives with my dad.
37. Last person you talked to on the phone?
Angela
38. Have you met anyone famous?
Not yet!
39. Any plans today?
I'm going out to dinner with Mike!
40. How many states have you lived in?
One
41. Ever go to college?
Yes.
42. Where are you right now?
In the dining room, in front of the computer.
43. Biggest annoyance in your life right now?
Interupptions
44. Last song listened to?
Something by the Newsboys.
46. Are you allergic to anything?
No
47. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?
Black boots
48. Are you jealous of anyone?
Nope.
50. Is anyone jealous of you?
Doubt it!
51. What time is it?
4 ish
52. Do any of your friends have children?
Yes.
53. Do you eat healthy?
Sure, sometimes.
54. What do you usually do during the day?
Like a list of stuff? Prepare food, lots and lots of food (in forms of lunches, breakfasts, bottles, snacks, dinner, etc.), clean, talk on the phone, email, read a few words when I can, play, and occasionally work.
55. Do you hate anyone right now?
No.
56. Do you use the word 'hello' daily?
Sure.
58. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
29
59. Have you ever been to Six Flags?
Yes!
60. How did you get one of your scars?
Crawling around in a friend's barn as a teenager, trying to scare her little sister.
2 car seats, 1 car seat base, lots of wrappers, coloring books, crayons and markers, color wonder paper, misc. toys that haven't been brought in, maybe a hat or scarf? That's just the back seat - let's not discuss what's in the trunk area.
2. When was the last time you threw up
Seriously? Why would anyone want to know this? Let's just leave it at the entire family has had our share of illness this winter. Enough said.
3. What's your favorite curse word?
Ya mean a word to hear? Use in a sentense?
4. Name 3 people who made you smile today?
Madeline, Chloe, and Hailey :)
5. What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
Waving to Maddie getting on the bus
6. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Walking through the door - picking Maddie up from school at her Valentine's party
7. What will you be doing 3 hours from now?
Yay!! I'm going out for Valentine's Day! Perhaps a first?!
8. Have you ever been to a strip club?
Nope
9. What is the last thing you said aloud?
Ok, that's nice
10. What is the best ice cream flavor?
Chocolate Panda Paws
11. What was the last thing you had to drink?
Ice water
12. What are you wearing right now?
Jeans and a striped shirt. Vertical stripes, never horizontal.
13. What was the last thing you ate?
Pretzels
14. Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
Yes - amazing clearance items at the mall!
15. When was the last time you ran?
Earlier this week I actually ran on the treadmill for a few minutes!
16. What's the last sporting event you watched?
Maddie's soccer game this past fall.
18. Who is the last person you emailed?
Beth
19. Ever go camping?
What a loaded question. Yes, I went but NEVER again. I went as a teenager and hated it. I went last fall with kids and hated it. What other time in my life could I possibly try? Why do people even do this? You spend childhood playing house; then you become an adult and buy one. You spend all kinds of money decorating it. And purchasing towels and toilet paper. And shower gel. And shampoo. And air conditioning and a furnace. Why, why, why on earth would you give that all up and "vacation" outside and pretend that you don't mind?
20. Do you have a tan?
Not yet!
24. Do you drink your soda from a straw?
At times.
25. What did your last IM say?
Don't remember
26. Are you someone's best friend?
I hope so
27. What are you doing tomorrow?
The day is wide open!
28. Where is your mom right now?
Probably working.
29. Look to your left, what do you see?
The dining room table and window.
30. What color is your watch?
Silver.
31. What do you think of when you think of Australia ?
Michael Hutchence :)
32. Would you consider plastic surgery?
Consider it? Sure. Do it? Never. Why would I sign up and pay someone to be in pain?
33. What is your birthstone?
Opal
34. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit thedrive thru?
Both, depending on how much of a hurry I'm in.
35.How many kids do you want?
My 3.
36. Do you have a dog?
Technically he lives with my dad.
37. Last person you talked to on the phone?
Angela
38. Have you met anyone famous?
Not yet!
39. Any plans today?
I'm going out to dinner with Mike!
40. How many states have you lived in?
One
41. Ever go to college?
Yes.
42. Where are you right now?
In the dining room, in front of the computer.
43. Biggest annoyance in your life right now?
Interupptions
44. Last song listened to?
Something by the Newsboys.
46. Are you allergic to anything?
No
47. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?
Black boots
48. Are you jealous of anyone?
Nope.
50. Is anyone jealous of you?
Doubt it!
51. What time is it?
4 ish
52. Do any of your friends have children?
Yes.
53. Do you eat healthy?
Sure, sometimes.
54. What do you usually do during the day?
Like a list of stuff? Prepare food, lots and lots of food (in forms of lunches, breakfasts, bottles, snacks, dinner, etc.), clean, talk on the phone, email, read a few words when I can, play, and occasionally work.
55. Do you hate anyone right now?
No.
56. Do you use the word 'hello' daily?
Sure.
58. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
29
59. Have you ever been to Six Flags?
Yes!
60. How did you get one of your scars?
Crawling around in a friend's barn as a teenager, trying to scare her little sister.
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