Bunny isn't funny

As with all things related to the wee ones, you just never know what you're going to get when you pop a head decoration on a baby. My little spot of sunshine was most agreeable when it came to the "I look like a sweet little flower" here:







My personal favorite: "I'm so adorable, just try looking as cute as I do right now" here:











Even the sunglasses didn't ruin her good mood. Probably because we were going on a walk, and she absolutely loves to go for strolls in her stroller. Wouldn't you, if you looked this good?






She most decidedly had enough when we put the bunny ears on her. Have you ever seen a cuter, pissed off bunny?


Nope. I didn't think so. Me neither.

Confessions of a juror, part three: CASE CLOSED

Much to my relief and consternation, we completed deliberations today and I have been officially relieved of jury duty. So, tomorrow, I go back to my "regular", boring, little, unassuming life. I don't know that I have ever been so grateful to get back to work in my life. Since the process of serving on a murder trial has proven to be a wee bit stressful and uncomfortable, the less said, the better. At least for now. Perhaps at some point in the future, I will be able to discuss it, but not for now. I appreciate that the judge spent about an hour discussing the case with us after we delivered the verdict to answer any questions we had, and that we were personally escorted to our cars by several bailiffs, to ensure our safety.

I counted the stairs today while trudging up for the last time to deliver the verdict. Anywhere from 4 to 6 times a day, we dragged our sorry little asses up and down 125 stairs. And, I only hit the M&M's once in six weeks!

Here's hoping I can actually sleep an entire night tonight. It's been a long time coming. As you can see from the photo below, little spot of sunshine has been wringing her hands and contemplating the entire case, bit by bit. Perhaps she'll sleep a little better too, now. Wish I could hold her tight, and reaffirm all that is good in the world, and as it should be. Goodnight, little spot of sunshine. Sleep tight.

Confessions of a juror, part 2

The drama continues. As we approach our fifth week of the trial (6th if you count the jury selection, which I absolutely do count, as does my employer, I'm sure), closing arguments are expected to continue on Monday, and then we, the jury, will be left to our own devices, to deliberate. We have already received 90 minutes of jury instructions from the judge, who was so apologetic about the length of closing arguments on Thursday, he offered us breakfast on Monday. What a good sport!

Since I can't speak at all about the content of the trial, I can only report on the comings and goings of the audience (it might be called the gallery, I'm not sure about that), as well as the continuing battle with the vending machine areas.

So, here goes. As far as the audience or gallery is concerned, I'm thinking it's much like a wedding. You know, friend of the bride sits on one side, friend of the groom sits on the other side. So, based on my very unscientific experience, I'm guessing (remember, this is just a guess) that the individuals sitting on the left side of the courtroom (the judge's right, looking out from his podium, or stage, or whatever it's called) are friends of the prosecution, and to the right, friends of the defendants. Just a guess, though. The audience or gallery changes daily, with a few faithfuls showing up every single day, and taking their seats on their respective "sides".

We've had the media there many days, as well as a few untimely field trips from the local schools. Geez, I'm not sure I would want to bring my middle schoolers to a murder trial. I say untimely because one young, well-behaved school group showed up and very quietly took their seats when one of the witnesses uttered an expletive over and over and over again, during testimony and also during cross examination. Somehow, when little Joey or Susie gets home from school and the parents ask "How was your day?" and 'What did you learn in school today?", I doubt they will be ready for the answer. "Well, I learned that the F word is used extensively in court, by witnesses and attorneys alike". "And they didn't get in trouble, or anything!"

As far as the vending machine areas, I have discovered two, count 'em, two vending areas in the jury assembly area. I did succumb to one bout of M&M madness (peanut variety, no less), but when I tried to surreptitiously eat them in the courtroom, the juror next to me whipped her head around once I started crunching, even though I thought I had let the M&M "relax" in my mouth for an inordinately long period of time, thereby reducing the crunchiness of it. I hadn't even gotten to the peanut yet. This was just the outside part. Nope. Damn. I tried several M&M's, too, hoping that she would get used to the crunch or I would get better at not crunching. Not to be. I eventually had to give up the idea, lest the entire courtroom be privy to my crunching dilemma. I happily crunched my way home, smacking and chewing to my heart's delight.

Other than the one M&M indiscretion, I have remained faithful to my original idea of the occasional diet soda only, and huffing and puffing my way up and down the many flights of stairs.

I was able to get into work one day this week, and the welcome I received was so enthusiastic, kind and heartwarming! I'm looking forward to getting back to my students!

I am having a fair amount of difficulty in patching up that damn hole in my heart, now that my little spot of sunshine is gone. I saw her this morning on Skype, and although the camera on Maeg's computer really sucks, I was thrilled to see them all. They are enjoying their new digs, and meeting up with old friends. Sad for me, good for them.

News flash: Sunshine headed for Vashon Island, Washington!

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine...

A quick study

As the date nears for Maeg, Krus, and Sohna to leave for Vashon Island, I feel compelled to impart some of my worldly knowledge and experience on Sohna, who, after all, is not yet 12 weeks old, and could hardly be expected to know everything. After all, what are grandparents for?

This week, we have been practicing all the obnoxious deeds kids feel obligated to show to other kids and adults alike. I don't want Sohna arriving in her new neighborhood without some of the tried-and-true antics that all kids seem to enjoy, at one time or another. For example, who doesn't like "seefood" and "train-wreck-in-a-tunnel", which involves a fair amount of food in one's mouth and invariably elicits groans from adults? That was high on the list this week. We also practiced "farting" by placing one's hand in one's armpit, and we thoroughly reviewed the advantages and joys of "whoopie cushions". We recited the ABC's while burping, after very quickly ingesting just the right amount of a diet soda (me, not Sohna), and also practiced farting and burping loudly, and then quickly looking at others around us with a rather astonished look on our faces. And, of course, a family favorite, snorting like a pig, on command, no less, was also high on the favs list (Maeg taught Flanny to do this when Flanny was 6 months old, so I have high hopes for Sohna...maybe it runs in the family; who knows?).

We spent a great deal of time "oohing" and "aahing" over the daffodils that have managed to make a cheerful, friendly, and sunny appearance just before Sohna departs, and we have thoroughly reviewed the rewards and joys of gardening and just where to plant the vegetables to ensure a healthy crop. Sohna is very opinionated about it all, but wisely defers to my judgment in these matters.

All in all, it's been a very productive week for us. Lots and lots of talking (words for me and cooing on her part) and giggling (she is quite the giggle girl, I must say), and so very many smiles (both of us), mixed in with a few tears (mine). Here is Sohna enjoying the daffodils and one of the many chats.

Confessions of a juror, part one

The trial is on, although I must say, the wheels of justice may be turning, but in a decidedly slow fashion. We completed a whopping 3 hours of testimony this entire week, thanks to a holiday on Monday, a defense attorney getting snowed in back east somewhere and arriving half a day late to court, a furlough day for the state workers, and a serious illness in one of the defense attorney's family; serious enough to take the rest of the short week off to deal with that crisis.

While I could be pondering the bombshell that one of the witnesses delivered earlier this week, I am busy figuring out how I am going to patch the enormous hole in my heart when little Sohna leaves on March 2nd. Yep. Maeg, Krus, and Sohna are moving to Vashon Island, WA, flying out on March 2nd. I can't even accompany them to the airport, because my civic duty to appear on time that day doesn't take into account the real life that happens outside the courtroom.

It's probably better that way. I'm not so terribly fond of so longs and goodbyes. I am really hopeful that somewhere in that little soul of hers, she knows just how loved and treasured she truly is, and how utterly and completely perfect she is, just the way she is.

My Favorite Valentine

I have a favorite valentine. I spent the day with my new, favorite valentine. My favorite valentine sang to me, giggled, and spent a wee bit of time on the couch, contemplating life, with pinky up on one hand, showing excellent manners (you know, when in doubt, pinky out) and flipping the world off with the other hand, albeit most likely unintentionally. Maybe not.



As I was changing my valentine's diaper (as in all significant relationships that go through some shit, my undying love and affection includes a lot of poop, as Sohna is affectionately referred to as "Sohna Super Pooper"), I started to whistle a happy little tune. It's been a few days since I've whistled to Sohna, so she was surprised. She stopped wiggling, stared at me for quite some time with those amazingly beautiful eyes of hers, and then proceeded to join in. Not a coo or two. A full blown stanza of her version of singing. Sounds a lot like a really long-winded coo, rising up an octave and continuing for quite some time. I was thrilled! Maeg assures me she's singing, and Sohna sings along with Maeg quite frequently.

My valentine also giggled. She's been working on this for some time, starting to laugh, but having some difficulty executing the actual full sound of a laugh. Well, bless her little giggly self, she did it. Sheer bliss!