The Dynamic Duo

Right now I could feel a little down if I let myself. The two youngest UltraSons left today to resume their college careers and their own lives, but for a week or two they were back here, back in mine and UltraDad’s life, and, I’m not gonna lie to ya, it felt pretty good.
As promised, this was one busy day for me. This morning, bright and early, I showed up at the Courthouse to answer my Jury Summons. Those with a pink summons went to one courtroom, those with a blue one, like mine, to another. But first we waited for about 40 minutes while all of the elected officials were sworn in. Later, the Bailiff informed us that because of the impending swearings, our summons was supposed to read for a later time, but, oh well, it didn’t. UltraMom struck up a conversation with a young woman who had been recently married, worked in a pet store, and was studying to become a Veteranarian Tech. It helped pass the time to have someone to talk to. After all the welcomings, admonitions and information from Bailiff, Judge and Attorneys, the first Jury pool was selected. Lucky UltraMom! Juror #20 out of #23. I was hopeful that when I mentioned where I am employed (Department of Corrections), I would be summarily dismissed, but no such luck. Other potential jurists were excused for such trivial reasons as “leaving on a trip in a week, and I have a lot to do”, “owner of a busiiness and noone else to run it”, “teacher, and need to prepare students for final testing”, “mother up all night with a sick baby and needs to take her to the hospital”, and, my personal favorite, “cut off my finger with a power saw last week, and have a follow up doctor’s appointment.” I was starting to resign myself to the possibility of sitting in on a 3 day Jury trial to decide if the state had enough proof to charge the rather seedy looking defendant with driving under the influence. But when the final 12 jurists and 1 alternate were selected out of the 23 called, UltraMom’s name was missing from the roll call. Hooray!
Immediately I called home to see if the UltraSons had left yet. If I hurried, and if I stopped at KFC and got some chicken for us all, I could have lunch with them. When I got home and spread out the feast, I realized that my bucket of chicken was missing from my 8-piece meal deal. But on the upside, we did have the biscuits, mashed potatoes and gravy, potato wedges, chicken strips and popcorn chicken. I called KFC and they promised me a bucket of chicken next time I was in town.
After a quick bite and farewell, it was time for UltraMom to show up late for her job at the prison, where inmates, eager to buy tobacco, sodas and ramen noodles at the prison canteen, always give her a hearty welcome. We got a big shipment in from one of our main vendors, and my two clerks had lots of volunteer help from other inmates getting the multitude of boxes from the outside gate to inside the store. After putting all that away, running store orders and passing out the merchandise, UltraMom was just in time to show up 1/2 hour late for her weekly Weight Watcher meeting.
This was our first meeting after Christmas break, and people were eager to get back into it. I had half a dozen people waiting for me, but they were all very understanding, and several of them pitched in to help me carry in my stuff and get the meeting room ready to go. We had a very inspiring meeting on setting goals that are 1, Stated in the Positive, 2. Specific, 3. Within my control, and 4. A good fit with my Life. A new member joined, always a good thing, but it makes me a bit late getting home as we go through the principles of the program.
Its pretty quiet at my house right now; quite different from last night’s noisy viewing of The Fiesta Bowl. UltraDad has gone to bed, but I needed a little time alone…...........and doggone it, I am NOT going to feel down, no matter how much I miss those boys. Are you buying this? Cause if so, I have some swamp land in Florida…......

UltraMom