Jury Duty & Fly Away

I am sure the people behind the planning of jury duty have a system that works for the courts, but wow does that system seem wasteful from this side. I was summoned to Fresno County Superior Court today for said duty. I arrived on time, after ensuring that my substitute teacher was ready to go at school. I was seated in the Jury Assembly room for the clerk to go over instructions at 8:30. She said her piece, explaining the process and paper work. Next, she took roll. Then she said we could have a twenty minute break.

After a twenty minute break, I read a few chapter in Of Mice and Men, we were instructed to watch a video about jury duty. I read a few more chapters. Shortly after the movie ended, they announced that any one who had their name called is dismissed and has fulfilled their civic duty. Mine was the first name called. I was finished with Jury Duty by 9:35. I did meet some nice people inn the assembly room and walking to the Civil Court. Reyna and Ray were citizens trying to be responsible members of society, too. It was nice to meet them and visit a little. Other than that Jury Duty was a bust!

I did get to have a brief meeting with two administrators at my school when I got back. That was a nice benefit. I also had time to see my wife off at the airport as she left on her first great CAbi adventure in Nashville, Tennessee. I hope she has a good time and learns a great deal. Eric and I will put the house back together before she gets home.

Larry

The Weekend

It was a long week back to work. Meetings, planning, grading, assisting students, purchasing materials, supporting student efforts; it was all exhausting. Plus Dawn was busy with her social calendar every night. It was one of those crazy weeks. Friday night was finally time for a breather. We had time alone together for the evening. (Eric worked a late shift.) I enjoyed trying take out from a new Pizza Fusion restaurant in our neighborhood. We took a short walk; had an adult beverage; watched a television program; enjoyed conversation, and each others company. It was a stay at home romantic evening and get away. Life is good.

Tonight we get to join 5 other couples to play bunko. We always have a good time at couples bunko.

Are you planning anything fun this weekend?

Larry

First 2009 Day of School

Today was a good first day back to work day. My students were pleasant and easy going, though a little sleepy early in the day. We all need to get up very early to make it to school by 7:30. I feel tired from the day, especially since I talked more today than I did in a week during vacation. My throat is sore and I have a bit of a headache.

After school I went straight to the gym. After 20 minutes on the stationary bike, my trainer put me through his paces for 60 minutes. I will be sore. Then I got home, took a quick shower, and my wonderful wife had home made dinner ready. Jessica and David joined us for a nice meal. Dawn made some dishes from scratch that included a tasty coleslaw and pork chops. This was a real treat for a weeknight. Then David took the lead on doing the dishes. I only needed to help him. Wow, I have a great family. Life is good!

Did you have a good day?

Larry

A FInal Saturday of Freedom

Today is the final Saturday of our Winter Vacation. I started the day by going to GB 3 for a workout. I am trying to follow one of the poster workouts from Men's Health magazine. I have a goal to meet with my trainer two days per week, do two days of cardio, and one day of this twelve station workout. Mike, the trainer, tells me that if I achieve that goal and push myself a little, it will be body changing. One week down so far and I went to the gym 5 days. It will be a little tougher to manage when work starts back next week.

Today is my dad's 73rd birthday. I wish I could spend the day with him, but he live in Arizona. I called him this evening. He sounds like he is in good spirits. I told him to look for the UPS truck on Monday. Happy Birthday, Papa.

Eric and I went to see a matinee of the Clint Eastwood film, Gran Torino. It was a good flick. It seemed like typical Eastwood fare, until the surprise ending. It is a film worth paying the matinee price at the theater. Dawn used today as a school work day to see some of her students. Then she did a few hours of shopping.

Honor to a Navy Veteran

Larry and I had an afternoon full of emotion and admiration. Larry drove with me to Visalia to attend the Celebration of Life for Jerry Groh, the uncle of my best friend Sue and her sister, Lori, my quilting buddy.

I have had the pleasure of two occasions and Larry had one occasion to spend with "Uncle Jerry". He was immediately one of my favorite people in the world. After his service today, we feel honored to have spent even that short time with him. Larry and I both were moved to tears as his family unfolded the virtues that made Jerry Groh such a special husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. When they finished with the military volley of gun shots, playing of taps and the flag folding ceremony I was overwhelmed. I tried to imagine how my dear quilting friends, Jeannette and Amy (Jerry's wife and daughter), and the rest of the family must be feeling when the officer handed Jeanette the folded flag "On behalf of a grateful nation...".

Before I knew it, I was sobbing as I thought of my mother recieving the American flag at my father's funeral 50 years ago. I knew my mother was a brave woman to raise two children by herself, but for the first time I got a sense of what it must have been like for her back in Germany when she lost her husband in an airplane crash.

I was so impressed with the Groh family for their strength and love today. It is obvious this honorable man was greatly loved and admired by many.

Who do you greatly admire?

Family DInner

Today we went to church. After the service Dawn and I treated ourselves to lunch at the Elephant Bar Restaurant. Then it was home to more organizing and storing. I think we are almost finished.

Dawn went to paying the bills, so it was my turn to make the family dinner. I made pasta with meat sauce, spinach salad, Italian Wedding soup, garlic bread and cookies. I made chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies. I made the cookies for David and Jessica in honor of their first wedding anniversary tomorrow. The idea that I would make peanut butter anything for my daughter was out of this world. It was so unexpected that David ran to the back door, pointed to the sky and shouted "Yep, there goes a flying pig!"

I wanted to surprise Jessica by doing something completely unexpected for her. She and David of course know that I despise, even fear peanut butter. But I am so happy for them on this eve of their first year as a married couple, it was worth the effort to surprise them. Happy Anniversary Jessica and David! They took all of the cookies home at our urging. Thank you.

It was a great way to start 2009. Plus we get to see Eric tomorrow. We look forward to hearing of his adventures with Darli, her family, and DisneyWorld.

Marley and Me

We spent the second day of 2009 cleaning and organizing. My amazing wife spent hours reorganizing and consolidating stuff we store in our closets and garage. I cleaned the house and helped her too. It was a real feeling of satisfaction to see our home a bit more tidy and organized at the end of the day. Then she made an amazing dinner of talapia, sweet potatoes and a spinach dish. I never liked sweet potatoes before. These were baked, nothing fancy. Just baked sweet potato. Like that guy on t.v. says, mmm its so good!

Last evening, after dinner I starting watching the Sugar Bowl. I was pulling for Utah, just because they get no respect from the media. Utah did it! They proved not only to be worthy, but also proved that the BCS is bull----!

I set the DVR to record the second half because we wanted to see a movie together. We used passes to buy tickets for the Brad Pitt flick. It was too full, so we went to see Marley and Me. I do not like Owen Wilson as an actor. I wish there were more scenes with Jennifer Anniston, and less of him. But darn it, that movie was good. I actually cried a little at the end. It made me regret the loss of every dog I ever owned. Rusty and Sinatra, you were good dogs. I miss you dearly. Putting them down was hard to do.

Have you ever lost a pet?

Larry

New Years Day 2009

We enjoyed a fun evening with our friends Marshall and Karen for New Year's Eve. They are great cooks, fabulous hosts, and dear friends. Visiting with long time friends is always a treat. And their food is always so tasty.

On New Years Day, Dawn & I watched the Rose Parade in High Definition together to start. Then, while I paid some attention to football games, we teamed up to put away our Christmas decorations. We even reorganized our storage systems and garage as we went along.

Next, while Dawn prepped some dishes, I walked down to the Save Mart to get a few items, including lobster for dinner. When I returned, I kept Eric up to date with the USC victory over Penn State in the Rose Bowl game via text messages. Then Dawn and I sat down to a scrumptious lobster dinner to celebrate 2009.

What did you do on the first holiday of the new year?