I had jury duty last week. I have jury duty this coming week. I will not have jury duty next week. This sounds like an English language learner's lesson. Maybe I'll revert to journal entry excerpts to tell the tale:
Sunday, February 8th: I made my first call-in for jury duty tonight. My group has to report to the courthouse in Yakima at 8:30 tomorrow morning! So Jeff has to take Amber to his classroom 1 hour and 15 minutes before her school opens, she will walk to school from there, and Jeff will somehow take her home after school during swim practice. He also has to take Rose to the DMV to get her permit. I will probably miss my doctor appointment. It's also piano lessons for the girls tomorrow night. It feels like I'm the only one who ever remembers about piano lessons. Will I be home by then? The court didn't say. I'm worried that Jeff might forget some of these necessary activities. I don't know why it's fair to ask any busy parent to be on a jury. What do other people do in this situation? It's so frustrating! I feel no sense of civic duty. All I feel is annoyed at being pulled away from my #1 duty. Ugh. I have to leave home at 7:30am tomorrow and drive all the way to Yakima in a dense fog advisory to stay at the courthouse for an undisclosed amount of time.
[Sunday night I was feeling extra grumpy about jury duty.]
Monday, February 9th: I attended my first ever jury duty today! I left home at 7:30 a.m., and got home at 5:40 p.m. It was my first time ever in a courtroom! The judge's clothes looked exactly like a graduation robe. It was a long day. We had to watch a 20-minute informational video first. Then the bailiffs gave us each a number that we had to clip to our shirts. I was number 29. It was funny because we kept having to reorganize in the right order as we switched between the room with the bailiffs and the room with the judge.
Jury selection is a lengthy and thorough process. We started with 75 people in the jury pool. Throughout the day, they weeded people out who couldn't serve for various reasons like financial hardship or emotional trauma related to the case. It was heartbreaking to see how many people experienced domestic violence in some form. They told us that the case is centered around domestic violence, so anybody who felt like they couldn't be objective in that situation was asked to share their reasons in front of the whole group. It was sad and sobering to see how many people have been through that and how and still brought out so many strong emotions in them.
Once we got through that portion, then we each took turns answering the same questions off of a paper. They passed a microphone and the paper around the room and we each had to answer the questions for the group in front of the judge, the prosecutor, and the lawyer with his client. The questions were:
- Where do you live?
- What is your occupation and your spouse's occupation?
- What are your hobbies?
- What groups do you belong to?
- Have you ever been on a jury before?
It was nerve-wracking talking in the microphone in front of all those people. Even though we didn't have to walk up front since the mic was cordless, I was still nervous.
After we answered the get to know you questions, the prosecutor and lawyer took towards asking us various questions related to our ability to serve on the jury, our experiences, and how we feel about certain issues. That was the scariest one because it felt like we were being grilled by professional grillers AKA lawyers and prosecutors! Thankfully the question the lawyer asked me wasn't as hard as some of the questions asked to the people before me. He asked how I got into coaching and what I like about coaching. Then he asked how my coaching experience could help me in a jury.
This is what I said:
How did you get into coaching? About 8 years ago, my husband was the head HS cross country coach. His assistant coach quit one week into the season, and he asked if I would be his assistant coach. Since we both ran together in college, I decided to help him out. (At this point the lawyer asked something about how it was going after all this time, and I said that Jeff gives me pretty good evaluations at the end of each season, so it must be going okay. The room chuckled.)
What do you like about coaching? I like watching kids realize that they can do hard things. I like teaching them how to do hard things and seeing them learn how to do something they didn't know how to do before and something that they didn't think they could do before. It's really fun and rewarding.
How could you coaching experience help you on a jury? I paused and kind of mentally scrambled before this popped out of my mouth: "Well, as a coach I am used to promoting teamwork!" (When I said that, the room chuckled again, and the lawyer finished his questioning. Whew!)
Ok, that is ALL I said. There was a lot of sitting and waiting and listening to other people and sitting and waiting. We had an hour and 15 minutes for lunch, so I ate my tuna in the car and then took a walk around downtown Yakima. It was a slow walk because I had to stop and wait for red lights at every single intersection. My walk pace was 20 minutes per mile-- this was not exercise, it was movement! Still, it felt really good to be outside in the sunshine stretch my legs after all that sitting on those hard benches.
After all of the questioning was finally over, the judge reiterated the jury's responsibility for discretion and banned us from sharing anything about the case or reading any thing about it. The judge, lawyer, prosecutor, and bailiffs powwowed up front while we waited and watched. In a way, it reminded me of waiting to be picked for a team in gym class, except I didn't really want to be picked at all. At last they read off our numbers and selected 14 jurors--12 official jury members and two alternates who still have to go to everything. I was selected as juror number 13, or the first alternate. Out of the 75 people who came that morning, somehow they chose me! I still don't know why!
The pump guy came to check our well house today while I was gone. This morning I let him know that I left the wellhouse door unlocked so he could look at it while I was gone at jury duty. He texted me a few times during the day, and we talked on the phone when I got home. The problem wasn't as urgent as we thought! And repairs are not going to be $10,000 like I feared it would be! That was a really nice thing to find out after my very long day in the courthouse. I feel so relieved.
When I got home tonight, I ate a quick quick dinner of leftovers. Then we all went across the street to the Andersons' house to watch Ian open his mission call. He is going to the Belgium Netherlands mission Spanish speaking! That was such a huge surprise, none of us knew that there was a Spanish-speaking division in that mission! It was really sweet and special to be able to feel that spirit and be there for Ian. As Ian's swim coach, Jeff gave him a big hug afterwards and it made me so happy. Ian also is in Jeff's French class, so Jeff was excited that Ian will probably have opportunities to speak French in that part of the world. Ian is already fluent in Spanish, and he's in French 3 now, so he is going to be a versatile missionary! I still remember when we first moved to Sunnyside and little 8 year old Jay became neighbor buddies with little 9 year old Ian. They are not little anymore!
Today was so long and so full. I did not like leaving my house all day. The judge says this trial will be 3 to 4 days long. Poor Amber's schedule is the most thrown off when I am gone. While I was in Yakima at the courthouse today, I kept thinking that it would be brutal for me to have a full-time job right now. Today helped me realize the value and magnitude of the the things I do for our house, our family and the emotional stability it gives us. Who knew jury duty could teach me that lesson?
Tuesday, February 10th: This morning I got up extra early so I could run on the treadmill and do a short lifting session, since it was unlikely that I'd have time or energy for exercise later. I managed to throw some sausage and taters into the crock pot for dinner before I dashed out the door for jury duty.
The case is closed! I got out of jury duty 2 hours early today. After listening to three witnesses be questioned in court this morning, with lots of "objection, your honor," (that poor prosecutor could not seem to ask proper questions, and the lawyer would not let him off the hook!) we were dismissed for lunch. Then we waited and waited in the jury room till 2pm, when the judge himself came in and told us that the case had been dropped due to insufficient evidence. There really wasn't much in the way of evidence. The defendant had apparently violated a no contact order with his brother, but the brother admitted under oath in court that he had invited the defendant over. It seemed fishy, almost like the brother was trying to trap the defendant. Anyways, not enough evidence to continue. After all that work. I honestly don't even know why or how this case made it all the way to trial, when the incident that was basically an argument, that didn't escalate past raised voices, happened over 3 years ago.
I still have to call in every weeknight until the end of next week to see if my jury group gets called in again. Whew. I hope I don't get called in again. Doing that long day of jury selection again would be brutal because it wouldn't even be new to me, so I would be even more bored than the first time! Today while we waited endlessly several times in the jury room, I chatted with two fun older ladies who were in their 70s. We talked and talked. In the back of my mind, I was marveling at myself the whole time. "How am I chatting superficially with two people I just met who are nearly twice my age?" Normally that kind of thing does not appeal to me at all and I clam up, but we had a good time talking and telling each other stories. I also did talk with the collegiate strength coach-turned-preacher who's in our jury a bit about running. It was fun. But we were all so glad to get out of there.
It was strange sitting and talking with those sweet 70-year old women for so long and suddenly being dismissed to go our own ways. After the judge announced that the case had been dismissed, we looked at each other and said "Well, it was nice meeting you...what was your name again?" Sharon and Richelle, thank you for your kind conversation and sense of humor. I hope we meet again sometime.
It seems unlikely that I'd get called in again in the next week and a half, right? Please? After this jury though, it does seem that the odds are not in my favor. I'm trying to keep my expectations and hopes at a minimum. I called in tonight and my group does not have to report to the courthouse tomorrow. So I have at least one day of freedom! I'm trying to take the rest of my jury duty one day at a time.
I was home by 3pm today and was able to go pick up Amber from school like usual. In our family prayer tonight, Rose prayed that "Mom won't have to go back to jury duty." Amber asked if I had to go to jury duty tomorrow, and when I said no, she cheered.
It's nice to know they want me around.
Wednesday, February 11th: After spending Monday and Tuesday at jury duty this week, I did three days worth of housework today, playing catch-up. I unloaded and loaded the dishwasher, wiped down the counters, scrubbed out the kitchen sink, refilled the dish soap, washed the big window behind the sink (it gets splattered with water frequently), vacuumed the kitchen, vacuumed the basement stairs and rug, made four loaves of bread, made a batch of biscuits, and cleaned out the microwave.
I ran 5 miles and stretched my tight muscles this afternoon. It was a beautiful sunny 51 degree day, so my 3 mile run turned into a 5 mile run. My left calf and various tendons felt tight afterwards, but not painful. Fingers crossed that everything keeps loosening and healing and getting stronger, and that I don't do something to make it worse!
Tonight was the district swim meet-- at last! It was far far away in Wenatchee, with no room for spectators around the pool, so I watched via the YouTube live link they provided. The video feed was kind of fuzzy at times and it paused for an entire 10 minutes in the middle of the meet, but I got to see my boy swim his four races! The medley relay was first, then later the 500 freestyle, followed less than 15 minutes later by the 100 backstroke. Jay was ok with his effort in the 500, but not his time (6:30 I think-- his PR is 6:20). But he rallied and got a .6 second PR in the 100 backstroke! 1:15.00! And the 400 freestyle relay that Jay was 2nd leg on shaved a second off their record too! Jeff said Jay was the 2nd fastest leg of the relay, and he swam his 100 yard leg in 1:04. Whew!
Jay told me "I had a bad race, and wasn't too happy, so I sat down, read some scriptures and said a prayer, and then I was able to have two good races after that." Sweet Jay.
I drove Amber to and from her church youth activity tonight, and watched the swim meet before and after driving. I watched Jay's 100 backstroke race while standing in the hall at the church. Amber and I watched the last event, the 400 relay, at home together before she went to bed.
Thursday, February 12th: I lifted with my friends Danae and Liz in the barn this morning and ran with Rose this afternoon. I'm tired! Jeff, Jay, and Rose got home after midnight last night, so they are tired too! Jay went to school but not seminary, Jeff went into work later at 11am, and Rose opted to stay home all day to recover from the late night. This afternoon, Rose and I got into the van so she could practice driving figure eights around our barn and driveway. She got in a solid 45+ minutes of turning and parking practice. She even backed into the garage and parked! About five minutes after that, we planned to go to the track for a workout with Coach Winger and his winter training crew. However, when Rose tried turning on the van again, it wouldn't start. We tried our best to jump start it with the battery pack jump start kit that I got 2 years ago when we had battery issues, but the van wouldn't start. Grampa Dan happened to show up to meet some throwers at the barn, so he tried jump starting the van with his car. The van still wouldn't start! So we gave up and Rose and I went on a run together instead of going to the track.
But first I had to call Amber's school to get a message to her to walk to the high school track to meet Jeff there, since I couldn't drive to pick her up thanks to the dead van battery. I left a message at the shop where we got our current van battery less than 2 years ago. Hopefully they provide some sort of maintenance for free! I don't know how we'll get the van there, but that's a tomorrow problem. Sigh.
We had leftovers for dinner tonight, but we all sat at the table together to eat them! It is always nice to have family time after a hectic evening apart like last night was. We also had family scripture, in French, because Jeff was in charge.
Friday, February 13th: No school today. I spent most of my day calling the dealership and figuring out how to get a new van battery put in. They ended up making a house call, which they never do! It was so nice! But then the guy left before it was done, and the van hood was still up. So I called a few hours later and three guys came back to put in the new battery. They gave me a discount, and apologized for basically forgetting about me, but I felt so thankful that they made such a huge exception for me by coming to my house! I didn't have to arrange a tow truck or anything! Perks of small town living. I mean the shop at the dealership was a pain to work with this time with the endless runaround every time I called, but still. They went above and beyond and I feel so thankful. Our van works again!
Rose and Amber went on a run with their friend Kennedy this morning. Later, while I was working on getting someone to fix our van, Jay took Rose to the high school to water her radishes for her science fair experiment. Rose had her BFF Elsie over all afternoon. They ate candy and hung out in the basement the whole time. Jeff had to work for about 3-4 hours this morning but he came home in time for exercise and lunch. Family movie night in the basement!
Saturday, February 14th: I jogged with Jaylene for the first time in several weeks this morning. She turns 21 on Monday! For some reason it is always surprising when kids we coached as high schoolers keep growing up and getting older even after they graduate, haha. From there, I went to the track and ended up running ten 400s with 2 minute standing recoveries, with the track kids. It felt surprisingly good to get out there and do a full workout. My body cooperated! It was my first running workout since July -- 7 months!! I felt so empowered and happy and hopeful afterwards!
Today was the 20 year anniversary of our first ever date! So Jeff and I went on a Valentine lunch date to the new dual Applebee's-IHOP fusion restaurant at the new truck stop in Grandview. It's one restaurant with a menu that has IHOP food as well as Applebee's food, plus a few exclusive menu items that are only served at Applebee's-IHOP combo restaurants. The paper said this is the only Applebee's-IHOP combo in the whole state! What a claim to fame, HAH!
We had to wait 30 minutes for a table (apparently everyone else in the area also thought a Valentine date to a truck stop sounded awesome--haha), so we walked around the truck stop convenience store (they sell Indian food and fried chicken and also tacos at the same counter there?!). Then we sat in the car and talked until the restaurant texted us. We kind of chuckled at ourselves for going to a truck stop for our date, but it was close to home and new and fun, even though the food was as mediocre as expected, haha. It was so nice to have Jeff all to myself! We talked about everything. I love him.
Later this afternoon, Jeff went with Rose while she did a 70 minute practice drive. Bless him. Bless her. Bless all of us. Learning to drive and teaching someone to drive are both really hard.
[end journal entries--wow, I wrote in my journal a lot this week!]
1 comment:
You are my hero. Period.
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