Paying it forward...

I had a blog-worthy experience today. I was running late. This is my first non-trial/non-court day in about a week, so the chickadees and I took our time getting ready and didn't leave until 8:45. I coughed all night - so I'm still feeling cruddy.

After dropping off the short people I had to go to the bank so I was passing Starbuck on the way and decided I deserved a skinny vanilla latte. There were many cars in the drive-up, so I parked and went inside. There were two ladies there at the front of the line chatting up the cashier. This conversation had something to do with the ladies' day and their plans, and some misfortune, blah-blah-blah. Behind the two ladies was a very nice looking man who was just hanging and waiting. We were there FOREVER.

So finally the ladies' drinks are prepared and ready and they move on. The guy in front of me (we'll call him Mike, because that's his name ;) ) - goes right up to the chicka at the counter and slaps her a big ol' High-5 and says "THAT was excellent customer service and you did a GREAT job making those ladies' day." He ordered a skinny vanilla latte with protein & fiber powder, and then turns around to me and says "And, I'll pay for whatever SHE'S having, too - since she waited so patiently..." I shook my head and protested no, he didn't have to do that...but he insisted. So, I got the same thing, minus the protein/fiber...I was being healthy enough with the skim milk and sugar free stuff! He was so super nice and I told him thank you for paying it forward. Turns out the barista accidentally poured the protein/fiber-free latte into "Mike's" cup - and the protein/fiber-dosed latte in to "J.J.'s" cup - so I've been carrying around my "Mike" latte for about 1/2 hour. I'm sad it's gone...and the barista had even dotted his "i" in Mike with a little heart. AH, how sweet.

We should all have a bigger heart some days. Thanks, Mike - wherever you are.

And today, of all days - I still have a hard time discussing the events that took place 9/11/01...but for the sake of remembering how real it was, I will never forget the frightened faces of all my fellow law students crowded around the tv in the student lounge. Frantic cell phone calls - only to get blocked signals. Being afraid to drive anywhere. Worry...fear...disbelief...anger. Insanity. God bless these United States.

Middle o' the week blues...

This has not been a stellar day, but all things considered, it's getting better mostly because of the banana nut muffin sitting on my desk...

I feel terrible! This is the time of year when I get the preschool sniffles that C & C bring home. They have them, too...which leads to an incessant hacking cough that is more annoying than anything, especially when I'm trying to sleep at night.

I had my second (and last) jury trial of this month today. Guilty verdict. The guy was NOT happy...he has to go to jail until Sunday night, so he has to take 2 more days off work. The thing is that the plea recommendation was for only 12 months probation (i.e. no jail time) and he insisted on a jury trial...I hate it, but I know I did my best. I'm not the one who committed the crime, ya know?

In any event, my to-do list is catching up with me - at work and in my personal life. I need a day off to handle all my errands and minor inconveniences like cleaning the toilets, etc. I would love a personal assistant, but you know, I can't really afford it on my public defender salary. Alas, there is the rub.

Bring on the weekend, already! I need college football therapy!

One down, one to go...

I finished my first misdemeanor trial of the week before lunch today. Not Guilty verdict (justice was served ;) ) - and I am picking a jury for tomorrow's case in the morning. We shall see.

From today:
1. I forgot Carsie's ballet things and she has ballet at 5:30 (pulling a Homer Simpson - "doh!" at this point...BAD MOMMY!)
2. I feel like crap. Really. I thought taking the non-drowsy cold medicine would help but now I feel worse...ugh.
3. To add to the crappy feeling, I ate a chili dog for lunch. It was so YUM! on the way down but now my stomach has disowned me. ugh.
4. I am really tired. Small children invaded my bed in the middle of the night and we all coughed and played "Kick Mommy until 6 am" ugh ugh ugh...


***NEWS FLASH*** Please note the new little thing over here-------->>> in the sidebar entitled "Followers" - and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE sign up to be a faithful follower, even if I don't know you. Really, I won't think it's creepy, I'll be flattered. It's really nice to know who my readers are (and even if you aren't necessarily a "faithful follower" and never actually read my blog, but if you're feeling generous and need a good dose of kharma - bring it and sign up. You shall be rewarded!!! ;) Thank you. PSA is over, stepping off soap box now.
That's really all I have to say. It's Tuesday. Just 3 more days until the weekend. *sigh*

I HEART College Football!

Yesterday was a really perfect day, really. I got up and drank coffee on my back porch, took a shower, met the cable guy...who showed up ON TIME at shortly after 11. Unfortunately for all you internet friends...I still don't actually HAVE cable. Something about the phone lines being "home-run" and mine aren't, and the guy was going to have to drill holes and run new lines which equals more money...and HEY! my house is still on the market, and I really really don't think that drilling holes and running new lines is what I want to get involved in at the moment. I just want to sell my house. For realzies.

OK, so back to the perfect day...I left the house around 11:30, busting it to get somewhere that is showing the Auburn-Southern Miss game...so I showed up at Old Havana and all the guys there are watching the Tech game. Snooze... ;) Just kidding, of course, all you tech fans - and they DID beat the crapola out of Boston College, so for you here's a shout out to the Ramblin' Wrecks...but, there ARE two TVs at the cigar shop, so I turned the other one onto the Auburn game and drank some coffee with my friend Joey and watched Auburn smack Southern Miss a good one. Excellent running by the offense. The defensive line fell apart a little there mid-game and allowed a few touchdowns, but maybe that was just good sportsmanship...he he. I left at half-time and ate at El Zarape with Joe - and then back for the second half. WOO HOO! Then, of course the beer drinking began with the kick-off of the GA game (after a quick check on other scores by flipping it to ESPN for a second...) Saw lots of lawyer-buddies in and out for an hour or two throughout the day...fun times. Eventually the GA game was over and I got invited to see a film that was being shown at the City Auditorium at 7 as part of RIFF...so I went with my friends Tricia and Jonathan and enjoyed "Phantom of the Opera" - a silent movie with an orchestral background - 3 guys playing a myriad of instruments. Very fun and entertaining.

Then back to the bar/TVs for the second half of the Miami/Florida game. Fun times.

Eventually I went to sleep. But a good football Saturday was very gratifying and I'm grateful. I have a trial or two starting tomorrow, so I need to get crackin' on that...I hope everyone is doing well!

Ce-le-brate good times...COME ON!

WOO HOO for the weekend...It has been a doozie of a week. (Doozie (doozy?) is such a nerdy word. I embrace my nerdiness...just go with it...) Even with the holiday Monday, I've kicked some tail this week. I had probation revocation hearings on Wednesday, a trial calendar yesterday and made it to the jail twice to meet with my incarcerated clients. Phew.

AND, it's now FRIDAY. I have a dilemma. I've got a Junior League kickoff party tonight at 7...but it's also the (free) First Friday concert and I've talked to several (non Jr. League) folks who have asked me if I'm going to be there. It also starts at 7. What is a popular girl to do? I think I"ll go to the kickoff party FIRST and visit, and then head to the 1st Friday.

Tomorrow I get cable!!! Bring ON the college football. Ahhh...the simple pleasures in life.

Carol - if you read this, I will call you this afternoon, got the email/chat about your phone...but can't call right this second. I love you.

Well, folks, tune in next week for updates on my two misdemeanor trials - a DUI and a simple battery...fun times here in River City!

The downhill slide!!!

Update on ballet - was fabulous! Carson was the youngest there (it's a 3-6 year old class, and she JUST turned 3 last month...) but she did great, listened and sat still (well as still as her little 3 year old body would allow). Cole was so proud of her, it makes my heart to bust - he told her he looked SO VERY PRETTY in her ballerina clothes...ah, be still my heart...and that she was the best dancer ever.

I'm off to court today...folks on probation who got in trouble...I have a calendar call tomorrow. Bella is at the vet...she has a boo boo on her tail (think it's a "hot spot" - infected place. Ick.) Last time I fell off the wagon with the blogging was in the middle of my trial calendar, so if you don't hear from me for several days, that's why...if you want to hear about my day - email me. I'll send you my number ;)

On tap for the weekend (I know it's only Wednesday...but we're on the DOWNHILL SLIDE!!!):
- Junior League Kickoff Party Friday
- First Friday Concert
- I'M GETTING CABLE (woo hoo - note to self, call friend that does computer stuff and get him to check out my laptop)
- Saturday - after cable, possibly work on the Treehouse for Rome project with young lawyers...work, (trials next week)...I have no real plans for the evening but I'm looking forward to laid back relaxation...

Weekend Update

Ah, what a holiday weekend. We usually do "movie night" on Fridays - complete with a $5 Little Ceasar's trip. BUT, on the way back to town from picking up C & C Music Factory, they started whining that they wanted Schroeder's. I had eaten lunch there two days in a row (including Friday) - but I could basically live off Schroeder's, so I thought what the hey?

At Schroeder's, we ran into several people we knew - including my lovely friends Simone & Dan. Simone is a teacher at the high school by my house, and they were headed to the football game after dinner. So, we went, too! My kids were deathly afraid of the "painted boys" - teenagers with no shirts who had painted their faces & bodies in blue, white & black...but they eventually got over it. Cole was SO in his element at the ball game. Wanted to know all about 1st downs, interceptions, incomplete passes, and TOUCHDOWNS...of course, this is Model High School we're talking about so the only touchdowns were in the opponent's favor, but it was still a great time. We got home at 10 pm!!! TOO LATE for preschoolers.

Saturday we went to see Grandmomma & Pop. Fun times. Pop is sick with a nasty cold, but we had a fun time just hanging out. G.G. (my grandmother) came over and played (and got them silly string. NOTE TO GIFT GIVERS - don't get preschoolers silly string...) Then the chickadees begged to spend the night and I headed back to Rome. Helped my friend pack books & knick-knacks (she moved this weekend) then had dinner AT SCHROEDER'S AGAIN!!! (That makes 4 times in 3 days...) and some beer and just had a nice time all night....got home TOO late, but it was fun nonetheless.

Sunday I got up at 7am...picked up my short people from Grandmomma's then headed back and ate in town. Schroeder's is closed on Sundays ;) so we ate at Jefferson's then went to help that friend move. C & C carried stuff out to the U-Haul, couch cushions and such. Monday was a rougher day, I was getting tired from all the festivity - but we got BBQ from the St. Mary's Knights of Columbus and ate with friends at their house. Fun times! Then headed to the park in the afternoon, stopped at Starbucks for some caffeine and went home for a nap.

Now it's Tuesday (though it feels like a Monday) and I am preparing for my hearings tomorrow and my trial calendar on Thursday...Carson has her first ballet class tonight! I'm so excited and she is, too - she even (GASP!) let me put her hair in a ponytail today (and if you know Carsie, you know this was a major feat...)

Y'all have a good week!