*Note, this post was written on Friday at the height of my pissiness, but withheld until my company left because DH has me on his RSS feeder and I didn't want anyone "accidently" clicking on it and reading my vent.*
I am so ready to be done with company. I woke up feeling not so great yesterday, which was not good with a houseful of people and a feast to prepare. I took some aspirin and managed to shake it off until yesterday evening when I started feeling crappy again.
So, DH was offered a ticket to attend the big game w/ FIL. Since half my diners were splitting for the afternooon, I had to bump Thanksgiving dinner up an hour. DH's ticket was compliments of SIL, who came over with her own three rugrats. Yea--6 kids and no dads around to control them. It was not fun.
When SIL went out to the car the bring in her stuff, all the kids follwed her and saw that the neighbors had light-up reindeer in their front yard. I told the kids they could run down the block to look at them while I watched from the porch. Well, apparently Nephew (almost 4) was tragically injured (he fell and scraped his knee), and was unable to make the trek back home. I went to rescue him, but he only wanted Momma. He was screaming at the top of his lungs, and continued to scream as I carried him back down the block to my house and his mom. I can't believe none of the neighbors came out to find out why I was kidnapping this kid.
SIL and her crew spent the night, and I woke up with a true houseful and feeling like crap. I have spent the morning hiding out, feeling like I have been run over by a bus, and using my death penalty paper as my excuse for not being sociable (well, its really not an excuse, I have a lot to do by Wednesday.)
Meanwhile, despite the fact that I have a refrigerator full of food, MIL has decided to remake Thanksgiving. Yeah--because we need more food in the house. She is making greenbean casserole and Stovetop stuffing (yes I did make stuffing from scratch yesterday, and it was good), and God knows what else.
I had intended to serve turkey sandwiches for lunch, because I figured everybody would be doing their own thing today, and then I was going to make a pot pie with the leftovers tonight. But who cares what I planned--guess that's what I get for hiding out (those kids are driving me nuts!)
Finally, FIL and the boys are upstairs watching the game they saw live yesterday--yeah, cause its different on tv.
I want my house back, I want my kitchen back, I want my tv back, and it would be nice to be able to breathe and talk again.
**Does anybody else remember that commercial, or am I giving my age away?
11/21/06
Prepping for Turkey Day
It has been a busy week. The kids have the entire week off. I forgot about this when I planned to pick up the data I have been waiting on from the DA's office. I had to drop them off with DH over lunch while I headed to the court house. Dragging my kids through the criminal courts sounded neither appealing nor professional.
On the bright side, I finally have the data I have been trying to get for about a month now. So I have spent the last two days reading about the most heinous murders in the county. Fun!
The in-laws are coming in tomorrow for T-day. I love cooking for Thanksgiving, and I get along well with my in-laws, so I am ok with this, but there is a lot of cleaning involved. My mother-in-law has a higher standard of cleanliness than I do. I am slightly irritated, however. After informing us that they would be spending Thanksgiving here, FIL accepted tickets to a major sporting event on Thanksgiving day. SIL's in-laws live in this area and had an extra ticket. I know that it is his favorite team and that it is a rare opportunity, but did FIL come to see sports or his grandchildren? I don't know if I am actually irritated w/ FIL or with SIL for making the offer. She lives in the same town as him--her kids get to see their grandparents several times a week. My kids get to see their grandparents 3-4 times a year. I know it's silly--just mildly iritated. Besides, he is gong out of his way to bring down an antique secretary that my grandparents are sending me. Just too bad for him that he will only get leftovers for dinner!
So, my menu:
Maple Roast Turkey
Apple Pecan Stuffing
Broccoli & Rice Casserole
Hashbrown casserole
Cranberry jello sauce stuff
Homemade Rolls
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
Frozen Cherry and Pumpkin pies
Yes, I realize all of my veggies are in casserole form, but this is the only time of year we have them like that, so it will be ok. I usually make all of my pies, but honestly, the frozen cherry is just as good as homemade (thank you, Marie Calender) and I don't eat the punpkin, so what do I care ;)
I have done the Maple Turkey twice and it is devine. It makes a rather sweet gravy, so I thought the Apple Pecan stuffing would compliment it nicely. The rolls will be by MIL. She makes the best rolls ever. I have the recipe and can do a decent job duplicating, but hers are still the best.
Also, one of my friends from law school whose family lives far, far away will be spending T-day with us. I think it will be fun, and my kiddos will like having somebody younger around.
On the bright side, I finally have the data I have been trying to get for about a month now. So I have spent the last two days reading about the most heinous murders in the county. Fun!
The in-laws are coming in tomorrow for T-day. I love cooking for Thanksgiving, and I get along well with my in-laws, so I am ok with this, but there is a lot of cleaning involved. My mother-in-law has a higher standard of cleanliness than I do. I am slightly irritated, however. After informing us that they would be spending Thanksgiving here, FIL accepted tickets to a major sporting event on Thanksgiving day. SIL's in-laws live in this area and had an extra ticket. I know that it is his favorite team and that it is a rare opportunity, but did FIL come to see sports or his grandchildren? I don't know if I am actually irritated w/ FIL or with SIL for making the offer. She lives in the same town as him--her kids get to see their grandparents several times a week. My kids get to see their grandparents 3-4 times a year. I know it's silly--just mildly iritated. Besides, he is gong out of his way to bring down an antique secretary that my grandparents are sending me. Just too bad for him that he will only get leftovers for dinner!
So, my menu:
Maple Roast Turkey
Apple Pecan Stuffing
Broccoli & Rice Casserole
Hashbrown casserole
Cranberry jello sauce stuff
Homemade Rolls
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
Frozen Cherry and Pumpkin pies
Yes, I realize all of my veggies are in casserole form, but this is the only time of year we have them like that, so it will be ok. I usually make all of my pies, but honestly, the frozen cherry is just as good as homemade (thank you, Marie Calender) and I don't eat the punpkin, so what do I care ;)
I have done the Maple Turkey twice and it is devine. It makes a rather sweet gravy, so I thought the Apple Pecan stuffing would compliment it nicely. The rolls will be by MIL. She makes the best rolls ever. I have the recipe and can do a decent job duplicating, but hers are still the best.
Also, one of my friends from law school whose family lives far, far away will be spending T-day with us. I think it will be fun, and my kiddos will like having somebody younger around.
11/17/06
I need to find happier things to write about
This has been a crazy week. I have been late every day and DH is complaining that he feels like a single dad.
I turned in my international law paper, so that is one huge weight lifted. Now I have two papers to write for death penalty in the next two weeks. I will spend my weekend reading up on the constitutionality of the death penalty for child rape. Fun reading. I started yelling out loud using very bad words when I read my first case this morning. Good thing I am working from home. Asshole raped 5, 7, and 9 year old girls knowing he was HIV positive, and argues that the death penalty is excessive. Personally, I hope they fry him up. I don't see a big problem with disproportionality when he essentially gave each of those children a death sentence.
As you can see, I am a little biased on this paper. I took this class because I am very pro-death penalty and I thought that I should at least be open-minded enough to look at the other side of the story. Well, I came in open minded, I have endured a full semester of two very liberal very anti-death instructors, and I am still very pro-death. And, yes, its all about retribution. I recognize the stats that say that the DP is no deterrent. I don't care. If you intentionally take someone else's life you get what you deserve. If you rape an innocent child--especially when you have a deadly disease--you deserve to die. (And I won't even get into the crime statistics of the victims of child sexual abuse--even if these assholes aren't murdering themselves, they are creating more abusers and murders.)
The only argument that has even begun to sway me the tiniest bit on my death penalty stance is the enormous cost. And by that I mean pure economics. It costs far more to litigate a death penalty case to the very end than lock 'em up for life.
I wasn't intending the post to be a vent about my death penalty stance, but there it is. Maybe now I can concentrate on my delightful reading without screaming at my notebook.
Oh, and in case anyone ws wondering, I made the mock trial team.
I turned in my international law paper, so that is one huge weight lifted. Now I have two papers to write for death penalty in the next two weeks. I will spend my weekend reading up on the constitutionality of the death penalty for child rape. Fun reading. I started yelling out loud using very bad words when I read my first case this morning. Good thing I am working from home. Asshole raped 5, 7, and 9 year old girls knowing he was HIV positive, and argues that the death penalty is excessive. Personally, I hope they fry him up. I don't see a big problem with disproportionality when he essentially gave each of those children a death sentence.
As you can see, I am a little biased on this paper. I took this class because I am very pro-death penalty and I thought that I should at least be open-minded enough to look at the other side of the story. Well, I came in open minded, I have endured a full semester of two very liberal very anti-death instructors, and I am still very pro-death. And, yes, its all about retribution. I recognize the stats that say that the DP is no deterrent. I don't care. If you intentionally take someone else's life you get what you deserve. If you rape an innocent child--especially when you have a deadly disease--you deserve to die. (And I won't even get into the crime statistics of the victims of child sexual abuse--even if these assholes aren't murdering themselves, they are creating more abusers and murders.)
The only argument that has even begun to sway me the tiniest bit on my death penalty stance is the enormous cost. And by that I mean pure economics. It costs far more to litigate a death penalty case to the very end than lock 'em up for life.
I wasn't intending the post to be a vent about my death penalty stance, but there it is. Maybe now I can concentrate on my delightful reading without screaming at my notebook.
Oh, and in case anyone ws wondering, I made the mock trial team.
11/15/06
The Windy City
Grad pics were today. And the wind was blowing 40 mph and its raining. I'm sure my hair looked great. It was very strange putting on the gown and hood. Graduation will be here before I'm ready. And the Bar. And at an event last night no less than five people asked me if I had a job lined up yet. I'm beginning to get a bit nauseated from the pressure.
In even better news, the horrific winds blew our fence over. Two of our 4x4 posts actually snapped in two. DH had already started replacing the crappy wooden posts with steel--I guess he better speed up that plan. Unfortunately for him, we have a large yard, so it won't be an easy (or cheap) project.
I was home late tonight because I tried out for an off-campue mock trial team (again). I tried out both semesters last year and never made it. I'm not expecting any better luck this go 'round. It is sort of an old boys club. The teams are made up of the same people year after year, and its hard to break in. I'm not a huge fan of mock trial anyway--seems to emphasize acting more than practical lawyering. (But maybe that's just my cynical, haven't made a team, attitude.) I only bothered b/c I would get 1 hour credit which would save me from having to pick up an extra class next semester.
In even better news, the horrific winds blew our fence over. Two of our 4x4 posts actually snapped in two. DH had already started replacing the crappy wooden posts with steel--I guess he better speed up that plan. Unfortunately for him, we have a large yard, so it won't be an easy (or cheap) project.
I was home late tonight because I tried out for an off-campue mock trial team (again). I tried out both semesters last year and never made it. I'm not expecting any better luck this go 'round. It is sort of an old boys club. The teams are made up of the same people year after year, and its hard to break in. I'm not a huge fan of mock trial anyway--seems to emphasize acting more than practical lawyering. (But maybe that's just my cynical, haven't made a team, attitude.) I only bothered b/c I would get 1 hour credit which would save me from having to pick up an extra class next semester.
11/12/06
You 1L's Just Think Bluebooking Sucks
Just wait till you get to figure out international law citations. I am about ready to pull my hair out. I don't know how the hell to cite to an international treaty or a CPA order. I found it all on the internet. I can tell you where to find it on the dang internet, but if you want me to give you a cite to a treaty service you are SOL.
I finished the final substantive changes to my memo due Tuesday, and I thought I would let it sit a bit before I went back to proof. Bluebooking seemed mindless enough. Ha! I have been stopped dead in my tracks.
I will never take another international law class as long as I live (not saying much since I only have one semester left). The research is brutal, and once you found the stuff, citing back to it is even worse.
I finished the final substantive changes to my memo due Tuesday, and I thought I would let it sit a bit before I went back to proof. Bluebooking seemed mindless enough. Ha! I have been stopped dead in my tracks.
I will never take another international law class as long as I live (not saying much since I only have one semester left). The research is brutal, and once you found the stuff, citing back to it is even worse.
11/11/06
Very Interesting
For the last two weeks I have been pulling every string I can to get some statistics from the DA's office for a research paper. It should be public information, but they aren't making it very easy to acquire. Finally, they told me that if I paid $102 to program a query, they could generate the information I needed. I really think that they thought the price tag would scare me off. And honestly, I wasn't about to shell out that much cash just to get started on a paper. But I talked to my prof, and the school is going to pick up the tab. (Glad to know my $28K tuition comes with some perks!) So I called to the DA's office back. I believe that they were genuinely shocked that we called their bluff and agreed to pay up. Later, they called me back to say that the price had dropped to a mere $51.
I am really beginning to wonder what is going on over there. The funny thing is that I really wanted a job with that office. I loved working in the small town DA's office over the summer, but I thought that the big city would have more to offer. Now I'm not so sure I want anything to do with Big City DA's office, because they are coming off as a bit slimey.
I am really beginning to wonder what is going on over there. The funny thing is that I really wanted a job with that office. I loved working in the small town DA's office over the summer, but I thought that the big city would have more to offer. Now I'm not so sure I want anything to do with Big City DA's office, because they are coming off as a bit slimey.
11/10/06
Our Judges Have a Two-Year Old Mentality
Like a lot of other places, there were big changes in the political climate here. Nearly all of the judges up for re-election got the boot, due to decisions clearly based solely on party politics. We went from a primarily republican judiciary to a primarily democratic one. I don't align myself with either party, as my views swing wildly between the liberal and the conservative, and I can't say that it wasn't time for a shake-up. Unfortunately, some good judges lost their jobs based solely on their party affiliation.
Even more unfortunately, the losing judges are now being big fat babies. I heard stories all day yesterday of judges who simply didn't bother to show up or who refused to leave their chambers and run their dockets. WTF? So you lost--yeah it stinks, yeah you have to go find a new job now, yeah, your party screwed up big time and maybe you didn't even deserve to lose your job. But does that give you the right to clog up the justice system? Just because you got screwed over by the people your now going to screw the people over? The judiciary more than anybody should understand the importance of moving forward and clearing dockets. That in the criminal and family law systems especially, people have had to rearrange their lives to fit the hearing or trial that the judge scheduled--that a father trying to get custody of his children might lose his job when he has to ask to take another day off because the judge was throwing a temper-tantrum yesterday.
Maybe the people did make the right choice when they voted these guys out.
Even more unfortunately, the losing judges are now being big fat babies. I heard stories all day yesterday of judges who simply didn't bother to show up or who refused to leave their chambers and run their dockets. WTF? So you lost--yeah it stinks, yeah you have to go find a new job now, yeah, your party screwed up big time and maybe you didn't even deserve to lose your job. But does that give you the right to clog up the justice system? Just because you got screwed over by the people your now going to screw the people over? The judiciary more than anybody should understand the importance of moving forward and clearing dockets. That in the criminal and family law systems especially, people have had to rearrange their lives to fit the hearing or trial that the judge scheduled--that a father trying to get custody of his children might lose his job when he has to ask to take another day off because the judge was throwing a temper-tantrum yesterday.
Maybe the people did make the right choice when they voted these guys out.
11/6/06
Law School is Killing Me
So I've known since 1L year that law school was making me fat. I have put on 12-15 pounds since I first started. I can no longer button my suit jackets, and when I was in Ann Taylor a few weeks ago, my standard size no longer fit. But, I have been ridiculously busy and my eating habits have reflected it. My primarily sedentary lifestyle isn't helping either. I keep saying I'll do better, but for the last few months I haven't been paying any attentioni to my body.
So, I went to the doctor a couple of weeks ago for a minor issue. The doc, noting that I haven't been in in almost two years, decided I needed a complete physical, including bloodwork. I can't say that I was particularly surprised when they called to tell me that my cholestorol is way too high and that I needed to follow up with an internist.
Still, I am only 31, for goodness' sakes. I am not old enough to have high cholesterol. I'm not old enough to be carrying the extra pounds I have either. The biggest kick in the butt is the realization that my kids eat all the crap that I do. It may be one thing to destroy my own health in the name of being too busy, but I can't to that to my kids. So this time, I really have resolved to change. I went to the store and loaded up on fruits and veggies and whole grains. We are going to have to eat at home more (our biggest problem is eating out all the time), and when we do eat out, we are going to have to make better choices. I have quit french fries cold turkey (that is major for me--french fries may be my only addiction).
In the meantime, I am still waiting on the followup with the internist. Hopefully a lifestyle change will solve the problem.
So, I went to the doctor a couple of weeks ago for a minor issue. The doc, noting that I haven't been in in almost two years, decided I needed a complete physical, including bloodwork. I can't say that I was particularly surprised when they called to tell me that my cholestorol is way too high and that I needed to follow up with an internist.
Still, I am only 31, for goodness' sakes. I am not old enough to have high cholesterol. I'm not old enough to be carrying the extra pounds I have either. The biggest kick in the butt is the realization that my kids eat all the crap that I do. It may be one thing to destroy my own health in the name of being too busy, but I can't to that to my kids. So this time, I really have resolved to change. I went to the store and loaded up on fruits and veggies and whole grains. We are going to have to eat at home more (our biggest problem is eating out all the time), and when we do eat out, we are going to have to make better choices. I have quit french fries cold turkey (that is major for me--french fries may be my only addiction).
In the meantime, I am still waiting on the followup with the internist. Hopefully a lifestyle change will solve the problem.
11/2/06
Cruel and Unusual Punishment
Did anyone else think that it was just wrong for Grey's Anatomy to have its episode with the chick who couldn't pass the bar on the very day that bar results came out? Talk about salt in the wounds. You emerge from a full day of crying and drinking to wind down with your favorite show only to have it thrown back in your face again.
Not that it applies to me (yet.) I still have a year before I have to endure this hell. But I was in the unfortunate position of being in the room today when someone got news that she did not pass and it was not pretty. This was not someone I know well, which made it all the more uncomfortable. I just hope she is in a drunken stupor and not watching tv tonight.
Not that it applies to me (yet.) I still have a year before I have to endure this hell. But I was in the unfortunate position of being in the room today when someone got news that she did not pass and it was not pretty. This was not someone I know well, which made it all the more uncomfortable. I just hope she is in a drunken stupor and not watching tv tonight.
I am being forced to become a night student
Through a series of circumstances due in part to being a transfer student and in part to my own choices, I have left several of my major bar courses for my last semester. I was ok with that--thinking that it might actually be helpful to have my bar courses scheduled closer to taking the bar. The schedulers at my school apparently do not agree.
Wills & Trusts is only being offered at night--WTF? The subject that is probably the most tested on the bar is only offered one time and that time is at night? BE is only offered one time--thankfully during the day--but it conflicts with Con law 2, which is required for graduation. My undergrad degree is psych. I have never taken a business course in my life. I am pretty darn sure that I will regret it if I don't take BE. So, that forces me into the night Con law 2 section. This just sucks. Why would a major bar course and a required course conflict? The entire morning is open, as my school sucks up to the evening students. I have to take night courses 4 nights a week. I will not get to see my children at all on those days--other than getting them ready for school in the morning. If I had wanted to be a night student, I would have enrolled in the f'ing night program.
Wills & Trusts is only being offered at night--WTF? The subject that is probably the most tested on the bar is only offered one time and that time is at night? BE is only offered one time--thankfully during the day--but it conflicts with Con law 2, which is required for graduation. My undergrad degree is psych. I have never taken a business course in my life. I am pretty darn sure that I will regret it if I don't take BE. So, that forces me into the night Con law 2 section. This just sucks. Why would a major bar course and a required course conflict? The entire morning is open, as my school sucks up to the evening students. I have to take night courses 4 nights a week. I will not get to see my children at all on those days--other than getting them ready for school in the morning. If I had wanted to be a night student, I would have enrolled in the f'ing night program.
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