Weekend and Jury Duty...in a nutshell.

Hello Blog-Stalkers. How are you? We haven’t chatted since last Friday which was 6 days ago if you count today…and since it’s after 3 p.m., I am totally counting today. Wow!  6 whole days.  You are probably dying of curiosity to know what I, the girl with curly hair, have been up too, right? Well…it’s been remarkable, to say the least.

Friday – after work, I managed to bribe myself with the promise of a chick flick and comfy jimmies, if I went home and cleaned the cottage.  It worked like a charm.  See, I’m a simple sorta gal. Oh, I did skip the gym on Friday…mostly because my friend Lauren and I are doing the “Girl Power Weights” at the gym and my arms were killing me.  It was dreadful.  How do birds flap their wings and migrate hundreds of miles? I would not make a good bird.  I’m just sayin’.

Where was I?  Oh yes…the chick flick of choice…drumroll please…You’ve Got Mail. Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. I love this classic movie! Boy and girl meet in cyber world. They email and fall in love. Months later, they decide to meet. Boy realizes who the girl is – his enemy – and then boy works diligently to woo girl…  (sigh)  Makes me want to grab a piece of dark chocolate and press PLAY.

Saturday – I got a haircut and thankfully Missy worked her magic on my highlights. While relaxing and knitting mid a sea of tinfoil (which I am pretty sure I could’ve picked up radio stations in Seattle!), my dear friend Mrs. T came in.  We had such a lovely little chat while Missy worked more magic on Mrs. T.  You know what – I’m convinced God sends us little blessings when He puts people in our paths…  First it was Mrs. T at the hair place…and then on Monday, when I had jury duty – He sent my choir-neighbor DeDe.  What a HUGE blessing it was to see a familiar face in the sea of other potential jurors.  And three cheers for Facebook status updates because that is how I found DeDe!!!  Well, Facebook and my friend Lauren.

Where was I?  Oh yes – Saturday.  Bergner’s on North Second Street has a Clearance Room now.  It’s official.  They put a big banner on the side of their store. Inside the clearance room – bedding, shoes, boots, more bedding, other linens, etc.  The shoes and boots were $29 and under. I didn’t purchase any.  My trip in to the Clearance Room was for research purposes only.

After the research trip, I went back to the cottage where I spent the remainder of my Saturday. Don’t you just love being at home? I do. Given the choice of being out-and-about or being at home, I would hands-down pick staying home. Seriously! The cottage is so comfy and cozy.

I digress. I digress often, don’t I? You can be honest and agree. It won’t hurt my feelings nor will it change my digressing-tendencies.

Sunday was marvelous. We discussed Daniel and the lions’ den. After church, I managed to squeeze in a quick work-out. It was very relaxing. I knew that the next week would not afford me many opportunities to get to the gym sooo I made good use of my free-time. My Sunday evening concluded with a trip to the red bull’s eye to find a watch. I figured I had better get a time-telling-device because of my jury duty commitment the following day.

A watch was procured and a good night’s sleep was had by all inhabitants of the cottage.

Monday morning began bright and early for yours truly.  After a fabulous court-worthy outfit was chosen – dark jeans, brown sweater, Autumn Leaves scarf, and brown stacked-heel loafters…I was ready for my first day of jury duty.  I have never been summoned to jury duty before. 

I have to admit that the parking situation in downtown Rockford had me more nervous than the actual appearing and being questioned in the jury box.  I really, really, really did not want to get a parking ticket.  When I got near the downtown correctional facility, I saw a police officer who seemed like a kind gentleman who would be more than happy to aid a damsel in distress (aka:  Me!).  He was quite helpful and informed me that the parking lot I was an ideal place to park.  I thanked him many times and pulled in to a parking spot.

Realizing I had about 15 minutes ‘til my appointed time, I meandered down State Street - noting a cute coffeeshop on State Street.  It’s called Restoration and ran by the Rockford Rescue Mission.  It’s open from 7:30 to 2 p.m. everyday – Monday through Friday.  I recall Trudy telling me they had great coffee…mark that place down for a potential lunch stop.

When I arrived at the courthouse, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  I guess I thought the building would’ve been more glamorous.  I was wrong.  When you enter the courthouse, you are subject to a metal search. 

Did you know that knitting needles are “safe” according to Delta Airlines, Alaska Air, and every-other airline.  Knitting needles are considered “WEAPONS” at the county courthouse.  Here’s my theory…

The day I see the Ninja Turtles using knitting needles to nab the bad guys…or even Chuck Norris wielding size 10 purple knitting needles to catch a criminal, then and ONLY then will I believe that knitting needles are dangerous and/or weapons.  Until that point…I will resign myself to know within my heart of hearts that knitting needles are, infact, quite safe.

Goodness. 

Thankfully I was able to determine said knitting needles are unsafe before they were confiscated.  I left my knitting bag containing the needle “weaponry” in my Corolla. 

After sitting in a large room with approximately 100 others for 2 hours, we were dismissed for lunch.  We were informed to report back at 1:30.  I thought this was very generous – a 2.5 hour lunch break!!!  My destination lunch spot was Restoration.  An over-sized, comfy leather chair with an ottoman was where I partook of my lunch and small decaf coffee.  It was reminiscent of being at the cottage…the stuffed chair, the ottoman, and the cup o’decaf coffee.  It was a marvelous, relaxing lunch break.

Upon arriving back at the 5^th floor juror waiting area, I discovered that my choir-mate DeDe was in the same room!  Who would’ve thunk?  We were able to sit and chit-chat for a few minutes before she was called out with the second group.  I was in the third group.

After questions galore…my 2 favorites…what are your hobbies?  Knitting, reading, and working-out.  And how do you get your news?  I informed the attorney (and I quote), “I read the Fox News ticker at the gym and my co-workers.” 

I was selected to be one of the 12.

I went home Monday night literally exhausted.  I hit the gym only because that’s what good girls do.  After the gym, it was supper, jimmies, and in bed by 8:45. 

Tuesday – trial day.

Nothing really exciting to report.  We waded through evidence.  We spent over an hour making our decisions.  It’s funny because the verdict that took the longest was the one that…

A)  the defendant claimed that he did do it;

B)   the witness said she saw him do it;

C)   the police were convinced through deduction that he had done it

I kept thinking, WHY IS THIS SO DIFFICULT?  THE GUY SAID HE DID IT!

After that thought, the next thought through my pretty, little head was…I’m so thankful that I read the book Unglued because I realize that I cannot change this situation.  I can only control my reaction.  I need to be calm and confident. Coming unglued won’t change a thing – other than my blood pressure.

6:20ish – decision made.  We were done.

After the verdicts were read and everything was concluded, the judge came in to our juror room and talked candidly with us about the legal system and how appreciative he was of each of us for taking time to perform our civil duty.

The neatest part of the whole experience was – it felt like I was on a field trip.  As I sat there soaking in the whole experience, I couldn’t help but utter a “Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful opportunity to see how our court system works and to be a part of this.”  Even when we were in that tiny room and we weren’t all on the same page – I knew that everything would be ok and that the Lord would direct us to the right verdict.

I believe I arrived at home around 7 p.m.  I was completely wore-out.  The only glimmer of hope was that tomorrow (Wednesday), I would be able to return to work.  Return to my crazies.  Return to my normal routine.  Be able to be outside on my lunch break.  Drink coffee and come & go mostly as I please.

If the rumor is true, my name will be withdrawn from the jury pool for the next 12 months.  Hip hip hooray!  This is one rumor that I hope is completely true.

And here it is Wednesday already…middle of the week.  It seems surreal.  It feels like I’ve been gone longer than just 4 days (if you count the weekend and let’s count it!)…

Who would’ve thunk that work would be such a joy!!!