Juror #44

Yes sir-eee

That was my number 44 -- surely since they only needed 12 people, #44 wouldn't even be considered for the jury. Wrong-o, heck #58 was selected before they finally eliminated everyone from the initial pool. Anyway, my first time on a Jury was interesting.

I have to admit, the lawyers really did a good job of selecting us, as we were all really level headed and pretty much on the same page. Then there was Juror #16 - we were all secretly praying that she would not be put on the Jury. Every time they asked a question she would pipe up with some contradicting statement. Oh the headache that would have caused (thankfully she was eliminated).

The charge in the case was indecency with a child. We found out afterwards that this was the second go at this trial, as the first trail ended in a hung jury. It's heart wrenching how prevalent this type of behavior is. More than half of the 65 people selected for the initial panel had some 'experience' with this charge, and so the question had to become 'could you put your feelings aside?'

I think that is dreadful -- it broke my heart to see some people simply break down and cry when asked why they didn't think they could put their feelings aside. I challenge everyone to pray hard against this, to bring protection to our children, and to cast out this evil behavior. We found the guy guilty, that didn't take long (8 minutes I think). Sentencing was a bit harder, ultimately we all agreed 6 months in jail, 10 years probation with required therapy for those 10 years, and a 10K fine was adequate.

The one good thing about my call to duty, was I was able to be home every night this week, and Amy and I were able to have a wonderful Birthday celebration for her Thursday night! I couldn't resist giving her her present a day early; as she really needed it! I'll let her tell you all about it, I'll just say she dropped the perfect hint for me this year, leaving no doubt as to what she desired.

There are some wonderful pictures on Claire's Blog of our fun times with Aunt Lori last week -- coming soon pics of Claire's first Yachting!

Have a good weekend!

Quick Update!

Amy knows I love a deal so the other day I come home, and she tells me I need to watch a segment on the Rachel Ray show that she recorded for me. A bit puzzled I obey. The segment was great!
It was about a woman who wrote a cookbook using only items found at her local 99 Cents Only Store. She then takes us on a tour of the store where I am amazed at some of the finds. At her particular store they even carried expensive wines that were reaching the end of their shelf life for --- you guessed it -- 99 Cents.
So Amy, Claire and I load up the family car and make our way to this little mecca of shopping for what is sure to be a delight. And honestly it truly was -- here are some of my 'bargains'

We all know Claire needs a sticker album -- where well else can this be found for less than a dollar?

I'm still not convinced this is the cheapest place to buy these two items -- but we needed them anyway.

A STEAL!!! 'SOS' PADS!!! And I think in the future we will steer clear of the 99 Cent 'Facial Tissue' AKA micro-derm-abrasion in a box.

And finally, its come to our attention that most normal parents don't often take their one month old swimming. While we have tried to find a good deal on newborn swimsuits, it has been nearly impossible. The only store to carry such a thing is Baby's R' Us, and very few things are a good deal at that store. Would you believe that we found two NEWBORN swim suits at the 99 Cents Store, for 99 Cents each?

There was no meat or wine department as advertised on the RR segment, when I queried the clerk, she simply said -- "You must have seen Rachel Ray, trust me I'd know if there was a wine department!"

Amy has actually made one more special trip to this store to stock up on a salsa we tried (not pictured) and loved, she was able to buy a whole case for $12.00, not bad.

Moving on ---

We all remember my classic post about the SHAM - wow

Noting the emphasis, lets have a look at the most recent picture of the overexcited goon that promotes this little absorbing wonder


A tad different from his normal image as the face of SHAM - wow (note the emphasis).

That's all I got for now -- fun time in store this weekend. Time with Aunt Lori, and some Texas travels that you know will end with a funny story or two. (I believe I see a ferry ride on our itinerary today -- Claire's first boat ride!!)

I'm Busy!

So I get home from two grueling HOT days of work last night at about 7:57PM, which incidentally was a feat in itself as my airplane wasn't due to land until 8:00PM; oh yes I did pull some strings, and buy the gate manager a Monster Energy drink for a PRIMO parking spot. Anyway I notice my yard was a bit out of control. Due to the lack of rain here in Houston for the past couple of months I've been watering like crazy, the latest sprinkler setting has the back yard on for an hour and the front for 45 minutes.

All this watering coupled with the small rain storm we had last week evidently gave our lawn the boost that it needed, because it was a bit out of control. The fact that it needed to be mowed was a touch more aggravated by the fact that my edger/weed whacker is broken (the little pull cord broke). So I do what any red-blooded American would and borrow the neighbors for an instant mowing.

I quickly change my clothes as 'daylight's burnin,' and immediately start with my neighbors line trimmer. A little history: My neighbor and I don't exactly agree on HOW to mow a lawn. He likes his about 5 inches tall, I'm more of a 2 inches tall kind a' guy. While he insists I'm burning the roots, I insist that it looks better. All this to say I was prohibited from mowing the side of our house where our lawns meet about two years ago. So now here I am using his trimmer, and I can see him eye-balling me; this soon turns into an excursion on his part to my side of the driveway.

He explains that he is going to show me how a 'real man' edges his lawn! I learned a long time ago to always take advantage of learning opportunities, so I patiently watch, and quickly realize his way takes FOREVER, but none the less I'm watching intently. After his fourth pass down the same edge I reach to take the edger back, and he insists on finishing is so it 'looks like his'. Remembering that 'daylight's burnin' I decide to get my mower and start mowing, as my neighbor seems to have the edging under control.

I do hope this didn't offend him, shortly after I started mowing he turned off the line trimmer and set it back down on my driveway. I will admit that the edge he manicured does look a lot like his, except of course my grass is considerably shorter. I think I'll take my machine to the shop today, and have a new edging blade installed while I'm at it.

More company arriving tomorrow, my wonderful Aunt Lori will be here for a week, getting a sneak peak at her Great-Niece. We have lots of fun time in store, including a visit to San Marcos, a mecca of outlet shopping.

Remember when...?

Do you remember the skit "The Chris Farley Show" from SNL? Chris Farley used to "interview" guests by asking them, "Do you remember when...? Remember that? That was cool." He spent the entire time asking them if they remembered his favorite parts of their movies. There was nothing else to the interview. It was hilarious! What a great skit!

Psalm 77:11-12 says "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds."

Three years ago, Steve and I started keeping a written record of the miracles in our lives. Here are a few of the wondrous works God has performed in my life:

• My amazing husband, Steven
• My dream home
• Being debt free
• Job that I love
• Wonderful family
• Great friends
• Great church
• Favor
• Promotion for me and Steve at work
• Financial increase
• Healing for me and other family members
• Ability to quit my job and travel
• Claire

These are just a few. The list goes on and on. We are so very blessed. Today I encourage you to remember the miracles in your life.

Psalm 126:3 "The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."

Psalm 118:17 "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD."

Remember when...? Remember that? That was cool!

Happy Birthday Claire

Claire is one month old today -- today we celebrated by sharing a fun new video on her blog

CLICK HERE

Happy Fathers Day To Me!

I've had a wonderful first Fathers Day (well as a Father that is, I've actually had 29 Fathers Days in my life). Lets start with the little gift that made me a Father!

Isn't she cute? and the bow! Well she was a little off kilter today, to maintain order she really needed to dine prior to our departure for Church. We made time for this and attempted to force feed her, but it was to no avail. She just simply wasn't hungry -- fast forward 45 minutes, and our arrival at Sunday School -- guess who is just instantly starved?? We are still working on this pumping business, we had a little milk but not enough. What we had held her over for another hour; but sadly we were forced to leave a little early.

We would use the 'Nursing Mothers Room,' but let me tell you, it needs a little work. There are three of them, and they are wonderful spacious rooms with all the amenities, even a microwave, baby swing, and crib. There's a large TV on the wall -- pause -- the TV doesn't broadcast the service! What?? I asked why this was, and am told they are still working on that. For crying out loud the building was finished three years ago, we are beaming video across the globe via intergalactic satellites in real time, but we can't push a video feed to a room 20 yards from the Sanctuary? I'm debating a special offering!

All this to say, sending Amy to this room to feed Claire while I am enjoying Church seems torturous. So we will just try to be more prepared with stored milk in the future. Amy asked what I wanted for Fathers Day -- I was delighted to tell her that I wanted nothing more than for her to bake me a Rhubarb Pie. Lets talk a little about Rhubarb shall we? This little flavorful weed is EXCEPTIONALLY difficult to find. When I was a kid it grew in my Grandparents garden. We always had it, in the last few years I've really been wanting Rhubarb pie, and Amy's Grandma is kind enough to make it for me on my Birthday each year, and my Grandma makes it when ever I make it out that way. But I want it a smidge more often.

I guess about 18 months ago I started trying to find Rhubarb in the grocery stores around Houston. We went everywhere! We tried the Farmers Market, most of the chains, the Internet. Nothing doin -- we even went to one of the fancy stores that has valet parking (quite the experience, now they had EVERYTHING), but they were out of rhubarb. There was a store near our house that we had been boycotting because of some issue the American Family Association had with them. A couple of weeks ago I needed something and decided to go in this particular store, as neither Amy or I could remember why we were boycotting or if it was still in force.

This particular chain (which incidentally owns the store with the valet parking) is known for their service above all else. I confidently walk to the produce man and ask him for rhubarb, fully expecting to be looked at like I was from another planet. I was astonished when he immediately rushes to the section where rhubarb would be, sees it isn't there, and then informs me he could have fresh rhubarb in two days if I could wait. Or he was sure they had some frozen! I was delighted. He WALKED WITH ME to the frozen section, and handed me a bag, I pushed him aside and grabbed eight bags.

Today my dreams came true, Amy baked me a pie, now I can cook -- you name it I can cook it. But Amy -- she can bake! She is just so clever, I pretend to know how to bake, but usually screw it up -- just today I saw her fluffing the flour prior to measurement, who knew this was required? Every time I've made cookies since we have been married they have always been a little off. Recently she helped me with a batch, as I skipped adding the salt to the recipe she asked me why. I replied that my Grandma had told me salt was always optional (I probably misunderstood), so I always opted not to add it. We added salt this time and the cookies were exquisite!

Anyway, here's to Amy's pie -- doesn't it look delicious, the crazy part is she HATES rhubarb, and everything it stands for; now that's love!

Coming soon fun at the 99 [cents] Only Store!

Norton The Second Part 2

So I've been a little busy with the baby and all -- but as promised more on my forthcoming proclamation that I shall be known as the second Emperor of the United States.

No doubt you'll recall this fine looking chap! Yes the first Emperor of the United States (self proclaimed). He held meetings, had representatives, and sent his imaginary Army to the halls of Congress countless times in an attempt to put a stop to their foolishness up there in DC.

Let me also remind you that he had ridiculous proclamations, like the one fining people for referring to San Fransisco as 'Frisco.' I believe his wording referred to the word Frisco as meaningless, and without definition.

Let me share with you some more fun facts. He spent his days meandering around town, riding the trolleys, and inspecting public areas. He would approach Policemen and inspect their uniforms for proper appearance and cleanliness. Most of them allowed this behavior, but one day a particular officer was not amused. He arrested the good Emperor for disorderly conduct, and hauled him to jail.

Oh the outrage that ensued, the police chief immediately released the Emperor, issued a public apology -- gave the Emperor a new uniform (as the one he had been given from an Army officer ten years earlier was getting a bit tattered), and he ordered the Police Force to salute the Emperor in passing.

Too funny -- he really had all these people eating out of the palm of his hand. He then decided to try something ingenious, he started printing money!
Just crazy, isn't it? Would you believe that business owners in Frisco accepted these bills as legal tender? Anyway Emperor Norton spent the remainder of his days essentially penniless and living off of the charity of others. Since he lavished the finer things in life he decided to become a food critic.

The Emperor proclaimed that establishments were not fit to eat at unless he gave it his seal of approval. Almost immediately restaurateurs were begging the Emperor to come and dine at their restaurant, if he liked the food he would sign his plate and hang it on the wall -- that's all it took, that was the seal of approval.

So basically the guy was an idiot. Although a smart idiot, he left a legacy, it was originally his idea for the Golden Gate Bridge, he must have been a good leader - as there were thousands of people the respected him, and his self imposed position.

In passing his funeral expenses were paid for the businessmen of Frisco, there were 30,000 people in attendance. Although I would love to claim the blood line and become the second Emperor of the US, he didn't have any children; making that virtually impossible. Besides I really don't have time -- perhaps I'll run for the position of HOA President, or something a little more manageable.

I hope you have a splendid weekend

TTFN