Let's Talk Turkey!

Given the past two weeks (murder trial and sinus infection) I was in dire need of some fun with my boys.....we made these turkeys that I used to make with Adam and Kristen

Their mommy also designed these shirts to wear on TG day and I made them....

I think they turned out so cute!!!

Dylan putting on his turkey 'feathers'

Brody ready to decorate his apple turkey bird

Truth be told I think Brody liked eating the decorations more than decorating....check out how many Dylan has on his feathers and how few Brody has on his bird

It was fun to laugh and have fun with these two special boys

....and how fun to have new suitcases for a TG trip!!! Happy Thanksgiving all - I am Thankful for all of you in my lives!

Murder 1 She Wrote....and with Special Circumstances

I am often amazed at how things happen in life....it is entertaining, surprising, strange and magical all at the same time.....I have a random non-documented 'Bucket List'....and it is fun to achieve things and most of them are so random they would be almost impossible to accomplish them without perfect star alignment, but it is my list non-the-less.

One item that has been on there for a long time is to serve as a juror in a murder trial. About 2 - 3 years ago I was on a panel for a gang murder trial for 3 days and then excused by the defense on the 3rd day. I have to say, I was not disappointed and kind of put my bucket list item in a 'rethinking' status.

Fast forward to 11/7/11. Steve and I had both received jury summons. In CA you go for '1 day, 1 trial'. I was not to report until 11/18 and Steve on 11/8 however, with our upcoming international travel and TG plans we decided we would both go on 11/7 and be excused. We rode together and parked downtown and walked to the courthouse. At the standard announcements they mentioned they were polling for a 3 week criminal murder trial and if you wanted to be excused, to complete a certain section, which we did. Then after a bit they called us to the jury commissioner and when he reviewed our sections only one of us could claim work financial hardship and since Steve was preparing for a huge project he claimed it. I then claimed that we had prepaid travel and he said if chosen I would be completed prior to that travel. No problem, I thought, I will not be chosen as I did not think I fit the model of a juror for a murder trial (based on my earlier experience). A few hours pass and Steve and I were dismissed for lunch and went to eat and shopped a bit which was nice and back to the jury room for the afternoon. Next call and I was to report (with 64 others) to criminal court for selection. Off I went and in the random computer poll I was in the first 12 called to the jury box. All the obvious questions and discovery and then interviewed back and forth by the prosecution and defense attorneys. I was then called back for day 2 and was lucky enough to get a ride downtown with Shannie and Adam. Day two passed with more discovery questions and interviews and finally at 4:30 p.m. they swore us in as a Jury and I was Juror #9. Opening statement were Wednesday a.m. and every day full of witnesses (almost 40) and evidence (over 160 pieces). For some of the details you can read about it here:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/nov/18/guilty-verdict-la-jolla-mans-death/

however, this small article does nothing to refer to the intensity, the roller coaster, the emotions and the composure it took for this trial. I am still digesting it all...and these are some of my thoughts:

• I am really grateful for the opportunity, however on day 3 I was really questioning myself if I had the moxy to complete the task.


• I truly accepted the fact that the suspect was 'innocent until proven guilty' and it was overwhelming to me that he was, however, I was one of 12!


• I really did not think the diversity of our jury would be able to agree on all charges, however we were unanimous on ALL charges on all counts.


• There were two *uh-oh* moments for the prosecution that could have really been a show-stoppers; however they recovered with composure and grace (taser flash door; keys)


• In the jury room I was unnerved at some of the comments and attitudes - 'let's not vote tonight - I don't want to go to work tomorrow' (UGH!); 'Let's wear our Charger jerseys when we give the verdict' (OK - I had to speak up on this one and remind them the family of the victim would be present and this is a very serious moment for them. 'Let's ask for a read back just to show we are working' (UGH! - Altho one juror did think she heard more about cash and none of the rest of us did.....and she admitted the read back would not change her vote. I am really thinking of sending an email to the DA just to share the comments and approaches....not sure yet. Maybe it is just me and I am way too serious over things.


• Felt so sorry for the family from the UK and the friend who insisted the circumstances were suspicious (they were ready to cremate him and would have lost the evidence of taser and strangulation - the accused almost went free!).....further confirmation that friends and family are the best things in life we have.


• That I am so grateful I don't work downtown and have to wear suits and high heels all day.


• The 'receiving' line after the trial where the attorneys, family and friends thanked us, tearfully, emotionally. The family gave me this button of John.




• That Murder Movies and TV shows can never compare with real life drama


• That this UK millionaire man lived simply and humbly and cared about the future of entrepreneurs in the US.


• That I think I have become and *expert* at Tasers!


• The press rushing in at the last minute, camera and crew - almost like a comedy routine.


• It was so very nice to car pool with Adam and Shannie and spend some time with them.


• I was so proud that I did not disclose any details of the trial to anyone!


• It was so cool to see the Secret Service and listen to their expertise!


• That I know this experience will change me forever for sure.

11 Grateful Things on 11-11-11

1. I am so grateful for these little boys....my grandsons and their buddy Luke....I have so much fun playing with them....this Friday- fort night, fire pit, marsh mellows, popcorn and movies

2. I am grateful for little life lessons where play also teachs teamwork and keeps little boys playing in the fresh air

3. I am grateful for this precious, precousis, particular and perfect little boy.....

4. I am grateful for this loving, beautiful, unique, athletic and brilliant perfect little boy

5. I am grateful for my dad, a true Veteran on this Veteran's Day and miss him so very much.

6. I am grateful that being in a downtown courtroom is a rare occurrence for me and that jury duty teaches me to be grateful and thankful.

7. I am grateful that my husband loves to stay home on Friday night with our grandsons and have family fun.

8. I am grateful my son and daughter in law are caring and loving people and are most considerate.

9. I am grateful my daughter and son in law strive to be the very best parents they can be and know the importance of family.

10. I am grateful for my friends and the time I get to spend with them.

11. I am grateful for my problems and challenges and stresses to teach me what I need to learn.

Happy Fall Y'all

I have ALWAYS decorated and love Fall and Thanksgiving the MOST...the colors of amber, dark and light green, golds, browns and of course my favorite *bittersweet*....when the kids were little they would help (anyone surprised to know that I still have the kids kindergarten holiday papers?) and as they grew up and started dating they would tease me with statements....when Shannon commented on my decorating Adam said 'you should see her Cesar Chavez and MLK decorations!'.....once when Brian brought Kristen home from a date he said 'It was Halloween when we left for the movie and now it is Thanksgiving'....funny memories that make me smile....so now besides decorating for all of us....it is also for my 2 beautiful Grandsons:


So in their Toy Room they have this Fisher Price Thanksgiving Set waiting to entertain them....

I changed out the garden window shelf and added their precious Turkey hand prints and a few of our pumpkins we grew and an apothecary jar I found thrifting filled with amber jewels.....

In the living room I put my Turkey Vintage S&P shakers and some pilgrims and Indians (er-Native Americans)

In the entry way I put those 'Friend or Foe' Pilgrims, a rag garland I made and a cranberry glass nesting turkey I found in Savannah.....

The fall table scape looks about the same as except I added some turkey pieces....

The mantle is full of my larger turkeys I collect, many Pilgrims and Indians and some other small turkeys (mostly 1/2 of a S&P that I find thrifting) on some fall greenery and with my rag garland with yummy fall colors....my bittersweet is hung on the fireplace screen

I love fall and it grounds me to feel thankful, grateful and hopeful. Yes, the audit continues, Yes work is still crazy, Yes stress is still omnipresent but I am choosing to soak in the colors and the feelings that Fall brings me....hope you are feeling good things too!

Poor Blog....Stress = Repurpose & Organize

Poor Blog....so many things I want to write, however the wrath of the IRS continues =( it is relentless and even tho we prove everything they are not accepting it....so needless to say our tax accountant is digging in and words like appeal and litigation are starting to be part of our daily discussions....when we are talking as the stress is getting to both of us and we have had many 'silent' days where we don't want to speak as it would not be pretty....if you know what I mean...in addition Steve lost his Aunt and 12 days later his Uncle....his back is bad and both our jobs are very demanding right now.....I find in my life when chaos reigns I have to organize anything, something!

I have been saving special cards for years in a tupperware container under my bed. I just can't part with these and feel that they are not appreciated in a box under my bed so I finally came up with an idea to organize them with....

Michaels had these 'binder rings' 6 to a package for $2.99, less 40 percent off = great deal. I bought several packages.

Then I hold punched the upper left hand corner of the card and put them on the ring.

Here is a basket full and I am still not done! Had to take a break to watch the boys Friday night and take them to soccer Saturday, so some errands and help Kristen with her H'ween party last night and plan Steve's bday dinner tonight here....moved our bedroom furniture to the fall configuration and dusted and cleaned, did laundry and ran some errands.

I think when I have them all punched and in clips I may go back thru and sort some by categories. When I have the finals then I will put them in my office and leaf thru them from time to time. I even think this is a great idea to take to nursing homes (as long as the cards do not contain anything personal). I found several birthday cards from Steve's mom and dad to him (they passed away years ago) so I tucked those inside his gift bags for a special treat.

Spooktacular 2011

The spookiness of our house this Halloween...gotta say I am not feeling the love this year but going thru the motions.

2nd Annual Spoon River in a Box = Delightful!

My incredibly sweet and thoughtful cousin Biz that lives in Illinois sent me a 'Second Annual Spoon River in a Box' that arrived yesterday.....each and every bit of thoughtfulness is loved and appreciated.....I wrote before about Spoon River, a fall event in Southern Illinois where all these little towns near the river on the same weekend hold festivals and people drive on several different routes enjoying shopping and eating and the beauty of the fall colors and goodies for sale and enjoy seeing friends and the crisp lovely feeling of fall.....you see Amish young people meeting up and Quaker ladies selling beautiful mums and elders that carve walking sticks, farmer that bring trailer full of colorful gourds and each stop has their own food special and they are all good! How Biz can capture all that in a box and send it to me amazes me, but when I open it I can see it, feel it and share it with her.....I was lucky enough once to go with her and I hope next year I can be right beside her to share this together!

This years box: The most precious bunch of Bittersweet, an incredible hand painted square by a local artist, Kettle Corn from the Shed (Steve made quick work of this!), Pecan Brittle from the sweet ladies at the Methodist Church, a huge Sycamore leaf from the banks of the Spoon River at one of my most favorite stops (Bernadotte), a corn husk, an incredible quilted square, most likely done by some Amish lady, and two most adorable hand painted ornamental pumpkins from Bishop Hills for my boys....

Close up of the bittersweet - I just love this....bittersweet represents 'truth' and that is why I named my Blog after it....in Victorian times the children would bring it to their teachers once the 1st frost turned the little buds to this beautiful crimson...it just makes you feel good to look at it!

Close up of the hand painted ornamental pumpkins, so much detail, ghosts, witches, trees, cats - what a talent!






So I put the leaf and the corn husk into my fall table centerpiece

....and this lovely bunch of bittersweet on my fireplace grate

The quilt square goes perfectly on my grandmothers dresser in the guest room with my cranberry glass!

THANK YOU BIZ - you are so thoughtful, so kind and I miss you so much. You touched my heart and brought so many wonderful memories fresh to my mind. I so appreciate your random acts of kindness. I hope everyone has a cousin/friend like you.