Jury Duty

I had Jury Duty last week. I showed up on Monday and after a few hours of waiting was asked if I could attend a 3 week trial. They also explained that we could be reimbursed for lost wages, so that was not a valid excuse. I told them yes and was told to return the next afternoon.

The next day I had to sit through the court asking 60 people in the jury pool various questions. It was mildly interesting, but tedious. We only thing we were told about the trial was that the defendant (a black, 25 year old male) was being charged in a home invasion where one of the residents was shot. The saddest thing was that several jurors said that they had family members or close friends who have been murdered.

I tried to find any honest reason for the court to dismiss me, but was not successful. I got close when the defense attorney asked if anyone would tend to disbelieve a witness if it was known they were a convicted felon. I was amazed to find my hand was the only one raised. The judge however made him rephrase his question to ask if anyone would reject a felon's testimony automatically. I couldn't raise my hand to that.

They finally finished questioning at 4:45, so we were told to come back on Wednesday to see who would wind up on the jury. I came back to find the courtroom empty except for the bailiff and fellow jurors. I thought for sure the guy plead guilty and I was free, but no. It turns out the defense attorney had a seizure that morning and was in the hospital. We were to return on Thursday, but left our cell phone numbers in case it was delayed again.

Each day I received a call telling me to attend the next day until this morning. I was told today that I have been dismissed. I am very glad since this was looking to be over 4 weeks of duty while my job only pays for 2.

So today I actually got to look around and find out what I could about what happened. It turns out 3 guys broke into an apartment here in Chandler (about 12 miles from our home). One of the people living there fought with the intruders and ended up getting shot and killed. The three were caught and plead guilty to armed robbery. This defendant got 8 years in prison for that. This trial was either for kidnapping or muder or both. They never did say.

Just knowing that this guy plead guilty already to being a part of the robbery, I would be very inclinded to find him guilty. It could have been interesting, but 4+ weeks would have been way too long, especially since it would be durring the kid's fall break.

Strawberry Pie

Anna's Favorite Strawberry Pie Recipe

This is my absolute favorite recipe. I got it from the Better Homes and Garden recipe book. I've made some adjustments in the measurements, so I've renamed it.

2 quarts fresh strawberries (8 cups)

1 -1/3 C granulated sugar

4 Tbls. Cornstarch

A few drops of red food coloring

One baked pastry shell

Whipped topping

 

Remove the stems from the strawberries. In a blender or food processor, process 3 cups strawberries with enough water to fill to the 3 Cup mark, pulse until smooth.

In a medium saucepan combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in berry mixture and add a few drops of red food coloring. (If you don't use the food coloring, it will have a light pink color). Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat. Cook and stir for about 2 minutes more. Remove from heat. Let cool for 8-10 minutes without stirring.

Spread about ¼ of the berry mixture over the bottom of baked shell. Arrange half of the remaining berries in pastry shell, stem ends down, cutting larger berries in half lengthwise. Spoon the remaining berry mixture over berries, being careful to cover all of the fruit.

Chill for 3 hours or more. Add whipped topping prior to serving.

Pie Crust

Pie Crust

This recipe was taken from The Silver palate cookbook. I use butter flavored Crisco to make the crust taste extra buttery. I always receive compliments on how yummy the crust is. Enjoy!

2 to 2 -1/2 Cups all purpose flour
2 tsp granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
1 stick butter, chilled
6 Tbs. Regular or Crisco butter flavored shortening
5 to 6 Tbs. ice water

Mix flour, sugar and salt into a mixing bowl. Add chilled butter and shortening. Using your fingertips or a pastry blender, rub or cut fat into dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse meal.

Sprinkle on ice water, 2 to 3 Tbs. at a time, and toss with a fork. Turn dough out onto your work area and using the heel of your hand, smear dough away from you. Scrape it up into a ball and wrap in wax paper. Chill.

Roll dough out to 1/4 inch thickness on a floured work surface. Line a 9 inch pie plate with half of the dough. Crimp edges for a single - crust pie.

For prebaking, line dough in the pie plate with foil, and fill with beans or rice. Bake in a 425 degree oven for 8 minutes, then remove beans and lining. Prick bottom of dough with a fork and return pie plate in oven to 10-13 minutes longer, or until crust is golden brown.

This makes One 9-inch double crust , or two 9 inch single crusts.

my brain is fried....

I just thought I'd give you all an update on my schooling...My brain is completely fried. It's been a long time since I've exercised my brain. My Algebra class is going great...Acing it so far..not too difficult. Don't ask me how to use my super fancy calculator yet, but I hear I can program Tetris on it... too advanced for me. As for Bio...having it from 8ish to 2ish is absolute torture. The labs are kinda cool..we dealt with goat blood today. Some ladies that are nursing majors got grossed out by it (not me)...I was thinking " Uh, nurses deal with blood...You might want to think of a different career." Oh well. I think anatomy will be awesome, but first I need to pass this biology course. Brent and I thought this class would be like high school bio, Nope, so wrong! I sure hope I survive this!

honor thy mother and father

I recently came across an essay we had Alycia write a few months ago. She was not doing what she was being told to do, and corner time was utterly painful for us (her wonderful parents) to hear the grumblings. I thought for sure that writing the essay would be a delight for her since she loves to write. Nope...I was so wrong, she sat there for over an hour complaining about how unfair and horrible we were to make her write an essay on honoring her parents. Once she realized how much time she wasted, she finished up this masterpiece. Both Brent and I were amazed at how well she knew the scriptures and that this girl has a fantastic memory.

Some days parenting can be quite challenging, while other days you are just happy to be a parent. I love and enjoy this precious time I have to be a mother and wouldn't change any of the challenges that have come my way. At times I wonder if what I'm teaching my children is actually soaking into their little minds or if I'm wasting my breath. I'm pleased to know that they ARE listening and applying them into their everyday lives. I can't honestly say that my children are perfect.....a clean room, towels hung up, dirty clothes put IN their baskets (not just near them), would be wonderful but I can't ask for total perfection..can I?

As you read the essay, Alycia does a wonderful job illustrating the consequences of not honoring parents and why honoring your parents is so important. I do plan on framing this or perhaps just saving it for her when she has her own children.

marriage between a man AND a woman

This past week I've been thinking about marriage and what the true definition of it is. We' re living in some troubling times where morality is becoming (in mainstream media) a bad thing. Brent and I were married June 10th 1995. We were married in the most sacred and and holy place where we were sealed for not "til death do us part", but for time and all eternity. I am very fortunate and extremely blessed to have found the man I plan to spend the eternities with. He is such a wonderful husband and father, and truly my Prince Charming!

As I was saying earlier, things in society are changing quickly and NOT for the better. I have recently been made aware of what the consequences of "alternative lifestyles" are, and that they are attacking the institution of marriage. In the state of Massachusetts and California, as many of you know, same sex couples have a legal right to be married. Some may think it's not a big deal, but there are some serious consequences to these "rights." The Catholic church in Boston was told that, by law, they needed to allow same sex couples to adopt the children. The church had to close down their adoption agency due to this request. What's next, are churches going to be "made" to allow same sex marriages or risk prosecution? Are schools going to be "made" to teach these alternative lifestyles in their curriculum? Are pastors or bishops going to be hit with "hate speech" because they are teaching from the scriptures? This is NOT kind of society that I want my children growing up in.....so what can I do? Go out and vote and make sure that my voice as a citizen is heard. In the state of Arizona, we will be voting to clarify the language in our constitution that marriage is between a man and woman. If this doesn't pass....I will NOT be a happy! Let's hope the people of Arizona and elsewhere make the right decision to vote for this! Okay...I'm done venting.... :-)

I officially have a "tween"

As I was walking the kids to school today, Alycia was reading a book and walking ahead of Joseph and I. I called her to come and talk to us. She turned around and asked what we wanted. I told her that she looked nice today and that she was very color coordinated. Even her shoes matched! She grumbled a "thanks" and continued walking.

What happened to my sweet little girl that would wrap her arms around me and tell me that she loved me and would miss me while she was at school. She used to ask me if certain things matched or if an outfit looked good. Now she has her own sense of style.

I am seriously not ready for her to grow up. I can't believe she starts junior high next year. Am I old enough to have a kid in junior high? Yes, I'm a bit vain! Some of the things she is doing reminds me of myself as a tween and I'm not prepared for this.

I hear boys are easier...Wish me luck!

What is your integrity worth?

While I was walking home yesterday morning from dropping off the kids, I noticed a $5 bill on my next door neighbor's front yard. At first I thought..."woohoo finder's keepers!" My second thought was to go next door and return the money. I felt that if I went over to my neighbor's house, she would think I was crazy. The whole rest of the day, I had a sinking feeling. This may not be a big deal to some of you, but it really bothered me. Later that day I decided to call my wonderful hubby Brent and get his opinion. When I told him my dilemma, he said "Is your integrity worth $5?" Hmmm....I knew exactly what I needed to do. When I went next door and told my neighbor about the money, she smiled and said that she didn't lose it and said "finder's keepers." In all, I'm glad I made the right decision.