- - - - - - - - - - - -
My week so far
Posted on Nov. 10, 2006 at 8:50 AM
in Rambling Thoughts
Monday I survived jury duty. I actually found it all very interesting but very tiring. I was called as a prospective juror for two different juries. The first was a murder trial and the second a drunk driving accident. I was released from serving on both upon my request. To be excused you must tell the judge, in front of a full courtroom, your reason for wanting to be released. I explained that I homeschool my four children and that I have no where for them to go while I would be serving. My husband took Monday off from work so I could attend. The court I was called to was the county court and a ways, distance literally and distance through rush hour traffic, from our home. I do think I would probably enjoy experiencing jury service, and the happening of court and all, if I was at a different time in my life. Maybe when my children are all grown. :)
I had some definite fears about my day at jury duty. I do not like to drive in rush hour traffic or on the freeway. I no longer drive enough to be comfortable in those situations. What a blessing my sweet husband, and my girls, took me and dropped me off. Whew!
I am not a good public speaker. I get so nervous and feel so sick to my stomach. I had to stand up in two different court rooms, before two different judges, in front of many other people and speak. I did okay! I did not die or faint or anything! haha
The Lord also blessed me in a very unexpected way. After I went through the metal detector, had my bag x-rayed and filled out my questionnaire I went to find a seat. I sat by a lady about 20 years older than me. We talked a little. She got called as a prospective juror and off she went to line up. This group had 50 people in it and she was called near the beginning of the list. I was number 50! When she saw me walk up she motioned for me to come stand by her. When we were released for lunch we went to together. She asked me at lunch if I was a Christian. She said she thought so. And I thought she was too and she was! We both tried to get a peek at each others books to see if they were Christian ones. haha The Lord sent me a Christian sister to make my day a little easier and brighter. I tend to get a flustered when in unfamiliar crowded situations and my new friend was such a blessing. When I said goodbye, after I was released from the first court case, she reminded me we will meet again one day in heaven. :)
Speaking of crowded there were over 700 prospective jurors waiting at the court house while I was there. The waiting room seats around 400, they had to open up another room for the over flow. The docket (I think they called it) was full of cases. I was called twice as many people were.
Tuesday Oh, I was soooo very tired from my day at jury duty I was not worth much!
Wednesday, Thursday and Today Along time ago we bought some picture collage type frames for our hallway. The kind with the mat in them with all the little cut outs for photos. Two of them are rather big and hold 28 pictures each. Three of them hold 3-5x7s and one holds two 8x10s. Well, they have hung in our hall, some empty and some with the original advertisement pictures of strangers in them, for way to long. My sweet husband asked that they please be filled by Thanksgiving.
So my older girls and I have been going through all our photos (paper and digital) and picking our favorites. We are copying all the paper ones to a computer, fixing red eye, enlarging or shrinking them to fit the little cut outs and then printing them out. I do not want to use the original paper prints as I want them for scrapbooking! We are doing the same with the digital minus the scanning of course.
Today I get to start taping the pictures to the mat. Yay! It will be sooo nice to have picture in those frames. We have all had so much fun looking at our memories. It is sad too to see those of our loved ones who are no longer here with us. One sweet picture of my oldest with my husbands mother made me cry. Oh! How I miss her! Tearing up again
In addition to being able to look at these pictures everyday it will be wonderful to have this long time thing to do off of my to do list. Do you all have one of those? It may not be on paper but it is there in your head. A looooooong list with all the things you need to do on it. There is also another list close by and that is the want to do list. Mine seem to ever grow with more and more things. The need to do of course comes first but my heart longs to do more of the want to dos! One of the nice things about older daughters is that often they will take up your want and need to dos. It is such a blessing!!!!
Back to my working on the pictures
:)
Untitled Comment
Posted by KarenW on Nov. 10, 2006 at 9:46 AM - Link
How wonderful to meet a Christian sister in a crowd of strangers. The Lord knows what we need! Call me strange, but I have always wanted to serve on Jury duty. Unfortunately, we have moved far too frequently. I don't stay in one spot long enough for my name to be called. Also, my husband says I'd probably be rejected from most cases since he is a former police officer. Oh well...
Hello!
Posted by StitchNchick on Nov. 10, 2006 at 11:49 AM - Link
I was shocked at how much our jury duty experiences were alike! It gave me a chuckle actually!
I was called during the school year last year, but was able to postpone my service until the summer. However, when they actually called me, it was August and school was back in! I was dreading being called and begged the Lord to get me out of it! Like you, I had nobody to watch my kiddos (my mom was out of town at the time even) and my hubby had to take a day off of work so I could go in. I'm also afraid of that kind of driving and parking, so my hubby and kids dropped me off as well. What a relief!
I was actually selected to serve that day, and I was happy to get it over with and not have to come in the next day or days that it might drag on into. The defense lawyer seemed to really want me on the jury and asked me many questions--I have no idea what he was thinking--but he wanted to know what my husband did for a living and everything! It was a very intimidating experience!
Like you though, I was paired with an older lady and we supported each other through it. In the end, I was released since the trial could possibly go over a day. I did find it interesting and really wouldn't have minded serving--but it's impossible in this stage of my life and I'm glad it's over for now!
Enjoy going through those pictures..I know it's bittersweet. I've been missing my grandma so much lately. Yesterday was her birthday...
Have a great weekend!
Amy
I've often wondered
Posted by SlackerMom on Nov. 11, 2006 at 4:04 AM - Link
what would happen if I were called to jury duty. It's good to know that at least some judges are reasonable regarding our duties as moms. I'm glad you survived.
Just coming by ....
to wish you a blessed weekend and week ahead and let you know that your blog is a blessing and encouragement to me!
Seems like we have alot in common!
Untitled Comment
Hello, I came across your blog today while random blogging and have enjoyed my visit.
I've never been to jury duty before. Sounds like quite the experience.
Good for you for getting at the pictures and yes I have projects like that around here too.
I pray you have a blessed week!
Blessings,
Theresa
Untitled Comment
Posted by amandasangels on Nov. 13, 2006 at 12:20 PM - Link
It sounds like you survived beautifully. I can relate to your feeling about public speaking. Ugh! :/ I am so glad you got to meet a sister in christ to make your day easier. That really is such a blessing.
Love & Blessings,
(: Amanda :)
I'd have been nervous too!
Posted by Kathy on Nov. 14, 2006 at 12:30 PM - Link
Glad you found someone to make your day go a little easier.
I'm fortunate to be in a state that has an automatic release if you have any children under the age of 10. They will also release you, if you provide a letter to the judge, if you have children over that age that have no one to supervise them and are homeschooled. I have even gotten out of Federal jury duty by writing the judge a very respectful letter. I figure when my children are grown, I can fulfill my duty.
Untitled Comment
Posted by jengresak on Nov. 16, 2006 at 6:09 AM - Link
I've never had jury duty, but my husband has done it enough for both of us. I enjoyed catching up with you today. Have a great week : )
« Last Page :: Next Page »
