A Hump-Day Hodge-Podge

The first hump-day of the new year. Woo-hoo...

Last night like a fool I stayed up way too late. Finally getting into bed at 3:30am and set my alarm for 6:30am. I had the craziest dream that someone in my family was a serial killer and was murdering people right in left in the house if he was alone for more than 30 seconds. Of course we lived in some huge mansion with several "wings" and all my mother was talking about was how I hadn't vacuumed like my father does. I found this hysterical, because my father doesn't vacuum and no one in my family lives in a huge mansion or even close to it! I swear the stairway was wider across inside this house than the actual width of my home... In response to her complaining I yelled at her that I thought it would be more beneficial to find the psychopath relative before he found another victim then the one piece of fuzz she found on the carpet... I woke up once from the dream and fell back asleep and went right back for round #2. By then the cops were on their way and in the end I had to hold my mother back from trying to prevent psychopath relative from turning himself in, which he wanted to do...apparently he was tired of killing family members in our home. Of course my mother turned this on me telling me I must make a horrible criminal defense attorney since I just let him walk right out into the arms of the waiting police with the blood literally still on his hands. I was thinking that was better then to keep chasing him in the house to see who he murdered in our family next. No, I have no idea what this dream was about or why I couldn't seem to escape it. And no...I had not taken any Nyquil last night either...

I got up at 7, which wasn't half bad between the little amount of time I was actually in the bed and the little amount of sleep I got with a psychopath relative running around in my dreams killing my loved ones. I knew I would be dragging pretty much all day. I was amazed that I did as much Bar studying as I did this morning, especially for the lack of sleep I got! And I made it to the gym again today. Two days in a row! Now that is amazing all by itself! It would be more amazing if I had gotten more studying done this afternoon or this evening, but I'm trying to pace myself. Ha!

Of course I pulled something in my upper back at the gym. Of course it had nothing to do with actually working out... It happened while I was putting my stuff in the little cube while talking on my cell with my friend Faye. When it happened it took my breathe away and it is still sore. Hopefully a little BioFreeze tonight on it will help it work its way out, because my plan is to head back to the gym tomorrow and do weights again. Since I had just done weights yesterday my plan was just to do some time on the treadmill. I had originally thought I would kick it up a notch today to 30 mins, but I stuck with my 20 mins, because I was so late in getting to the gym this afternoon. Of course I stopped to Sonics afterwards to pick up my jumbo Diet Coke since I had consumed all 64 ozs of my water. It was really great since it was during their happy hour & it was 1/2 price. Sonics still rocks!! The only downside to this whole liquid equation is the amount of times I'm running to the bathroom. Apparently my bladder is the size of a golf ball and it apparently is no match for the 108ozs of fluids I'm sucking down in about 12 hours.

For the most part it was a pretty great day today. Well, minus the back muscle thing. Oh yeah and the munchkin's apparent recent development of alzheimer's. He has "forgotten" his homework packet at school every night this week. I'm about to come unglued on his ass. WTF dude?! So I'm hoping my threat that if he forgets it tomorrow night and doesn't have it finished in time we will not be going to Monster Jam Saturday night. It is all on him. Of course I'm a bit irritated that his babysitter, who picks him up from school everyday & knows that he has forgotten it every night this week & that it is an issue, didn't think to ask him before they left the school this afternoon. Then she tells me I should take something away from him for forgetting it and claiming it isn't his fault for forgetting it. Seriously? You couldn't ask him before you left the school today & resolve this issue? Come on, a little help here...trying to concentrate on studying for the Bar over here!

Oh yeah...and even though we took our finals way back on November 30th our grades still aren't posted. Again I ask, WTF Dude?! All I need to know is if I passed, because I now only need 1 credit out of the possible 4 I took to graduate, because I know I received the 3 from my Externship.

I cannot seem to warm up today. I don't know, maybe it is the 108 ozs of ice cold fluids running through my body or maybe it is because it is in the low 20's and I refuse to turn the heat up any higher than 69 degrees in the house. I want to boil a bucket full of water and just submerge myself in it.

Last, but not least on this hump day...none of my garbage or recycling was picked up. I guess it would have been too much trouble for the over-paid trash man to get out of his truck and put the cans where the machine arm could reach out and pick it up. I called and complained and I bet when I get up in the morning the trash and the recycling will still be full, sitting out on my street. I so need one of them there union jobs....

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33

Just getting started: 34, 35

Needs attention: 10, 26

This Wasn't Suppose To Go Down Like This

I would like to assure everyone that I am still alive.

I've accomplished nothing in the last 7 days other than finishing my externship, finishing work, starting my leave of absence, and being sick. It all started Monday night after dinner with my friends. On my way home I couldn't stop coughing. I had hoped that it was just my sinuses and my lack of my allergy pill, but I knew. Each mile I drove home, getting closer to home, I knew... And I knew it wasn't going to be pretty either...

This week of all weeks was not the time to get sick. The only other time that it could have been a worse week to get sick is the week I take The Bar. So I guess now is better than then. Even with my horribly nasty head cold I had to push through and show up every single day so I could finish my externship and finish my time at work before my leave started today. So I spent this week going in as needed, working late, coming home, eating chicken noodle soup, taking a shot of nyquil and sleeping. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less...

If you thought I had a lot to do last week, you would probably cry (like I want to) if you saw the pile of stuff and the long list I have that needs to be accomplished this week...especially when I was hoping to just have the necessary things to do, live & study! Opps...

My Friday To-Do List:

1. Start studying for the bar

2. Set up my study schedule/calendar

3. Drop off my final time sheet at my Externship

4. Pick up my book of 9's & 10's at school

5. Write out my shopping list

6. Go shopping

7. Plan Christmas Eve & Christmas Dinner

8. Pick up the house

9. Go & see my guy

10. Do laundry

11. Write my Externship paper

12. Write out my bills

13. Balance my checkbook

14. Drop off my dry cleaning

15. Pick up my dry cleaning

16. Get my allergy shot

17. File my papers

18. Go through my papers that have piled up for a few weeks now

19. Write my guy

20. Update my December budget

21. Write my "bitch" letter about some issues at my guy's facility

22. Work on my guy's next PB hearing letter

23. Write a follow-up letter about my guy's classes

24. Make some calls on my guy's behalf

25. Pick up the munchkin's pictures

26. Workout

27. Finish cleaning out our drawers and closets

28. Catch up on my emails

29. Catch up on my blog reading

30. Catch up on my TIVO backlog

31. Get my car looked at for the squealing sound it is making

32. Finish my thank you notes

33. Finish Christmas shopping

34. Write out our Christmas cards

35. Update my calendar

36. Get over my cold with some serious sleep

37. Get re-motivated

38. Get re-focused for next week

39. Re-commit to my healthy living

40. Plan out my week

41. Get organized

42. Definitely get my shit together!!

Just Another Day Behind the 8-Ball

Most Mondays I am fairly excited to go to court, but not today. I don't know exactly why. I think it may be my lack of motivation. Or it could be that I'm just ready to take that next step and move on to taking the bar. Maybe it is the cold weather or the impending holidays. I'm not really sure, but I definitely had no desire to get off my love-seat or to go on to my Externship. I hope my motivation returns soon or else the next week and a half is going to be very long for me...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 40

Just getting started: 4, 5, 10, 11, 20, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37

Needs attention: 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39

It Is Not Official Yet, But...

I am done with law school. Yes, please reread that again. I finished my classes, took my last two exams and am done with law school. I still have a few things that I have to finish up before it is really official (confirm passing those exams; finish getting my hours in at my externship; write 2 more weekly journals for my externship; & write my 5 page reflective paper for my externship), but come on people...for all intents and purposes I have finished law school. Woo-frickin-hoo...

It is such a special night with a twinge of sadness that even the heavens are spilling tears of mixed emotions (joy & sorrow)...or maybe it is just pouring down rain because that's how they roll...

Consider it done: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 18, 19, 22, 27, 31, 32, 38, 43

Just getting started: 2, 14, 16, 39, 40, 41, 42, 44, 45

Needs attention: 11, 17, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37

Friday & Saturday Came A Little Early This Week

Yesterday totally felt like a Friday with a twist. I took this week off work, but continued to do my Externship to work towards the hours I need to complete it. So I went to court in the morning, did my "thang" there and then I met my LSBFF for lunch. It was yummy and fun!! I just wish I had more time to spend at lunch. Oh well...next time! We celebrated her birthday! Yay her... :)

From there I went to see my guy for my weekly visit. We made it a little early this week due to the holiday, plus so I could use the rest of the week to study for my two finals Monday night. Well, that studying thing hasn't really happened yet...

Since yesterday I kept thinking it was Friday I apparently forgot that today wasn't Saturday and ended up accomplishing nothing. Or at the most, very little. But I do have a little happy news to spread...the skank (a/k/a my bro's wife) will not be at the family Thanksgiving tomorrow, so I am thankful for that. I'd hate to have to knock her out at a family dinner.

I've also been uber exhausted today. I'm not really sure why though. It could be that both Sunday and Monday night I didn't sleep worth a crap. After being up for 4 hours today all I wanted to do was take a nap. I didn't. Then almost 3 hours ago I wanted to go to bed for the night. I haven't.

My original plan was to do nothing other than study for these 5 days, but so far all I've done is eat and all I've wanted to do is sleep...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 22, 24, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38

Just getting started: 5, 8, 9, 10, 17, 20, 25, 39, 40

Needs attention: 21, 23, 26, 30

Totally Crushing On My Prof!

I seriously don't think I could be any exhausted or feeling off than I am this week. I am hoping that this is just a small little blip on my radar. I'm also hopeful that I don't screw up my streak, but I'm not betting any money on that. I don't think I've consumed all of my water one single day this week. But I do know that I have more than consumed all of my calories every single day plus some. I'm hoping this is just a result of my hormones and emotions. Yes Mother Nature, I'm laying a portion of the blame at your feet, but I will take the brunt of it, I promise!

When class started today Prof. Arrogance announced today was out last class. Woo-hoo!! This means that when I finish my last final a week from Monday at 7:50pm I will officially be done with law school. Well...officially done with attending classes and finals! I will have to finish the my Externship and the work that goes with it, but I'll be all done with classes! I cannot believe it! I've waited for this day to come for a very long time. Some times I think I've waited for this day for over 34 years. Then during class as we were all filing out a survey Prof. Arrogance gave me a present! Yes, me...a present!! :)

He said all Criminal Defense Attorneys need one! I heart Prof. Arrogance!! And to think that 4 years ago I hated Prof. Arrogance. I guess it goes to show that most people I end up loving in my life I start out hating... Thank You Prof. Arrogance!

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 15 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28

Just getting started: 7, 9, 10, 14, 29, 30

Needs attention: 8, 13, 20, 22, 23, 24, 31, 32

Just Another Hump Day Over Here

I really started this week on a good note...well I woke up in a pretty good mood Monday morning and from there it seems to have went down hill and continued that way. Monday morning my guy called me and was in some bad space. It was nothing directed at me, but I knew that there was stuff simmering around him and he was being pulled into the folds of it. The unfortunate thing is there is nothing I can do other than talk with him to help and what's worst is that he can't just pick up and move out of the way of the tidal wave that is rising around him. I didn't dwell on the situation when I was busy with other stuff, but during my down time I often wondered how things were going. And I really wondered when I missed his call at 3:10pm, because I was stuck in court for my Externship.

My Externship wasn't all that great this week. I didn't get to do anything other than follow other people around and observe. This is good, but not great. Then I thought I had my scheduled all jacked up for Tuesday and perfectly planned by 12:45pm Monday afternoon and by 3pm that same afternoon my Tuesday schedule was blown out of the water.

Tuesday I had hoped to observe a trial from 9am until 10:30am when I needed to duck out a little early to attend my financial aid exit interview at school for 11am. Then Monday afternoon I learned that the trial wouldn't get back under way until 10:30am. Just great! So after discussing it with my LSBFF I opted to bail on my Externship for Tuesday morning and went to my exit interview. From there I headed over to my ortho follow-up appointment. Of course I had that scheduled for 1:45pm and had scheduled my munchkin's flu shot appointment (located 35 minutes away) for 2:45pm. So I headed to my ortho early and actually was in and out 17 minutes before my scheduled appointment.

Before my doctor's appointment I was able to make my way to Biggby Coffee and pick up a yummy Double Dark (Sugar-Free, Fat-Free) Hot chocolate and after my appointment I even had enough time to swing over to Buddy's Pizza for my uber-yummy family-size Antipasto Salad with their delicious ranch dressing! Then off to get the munchkin from school with enough time to fill out the paperwork to drop off his "stomach pills" (a/k/a Pepto-Bismal chewable tablets). Then we went to his doctor's and upon his discovering he would be getting a shot everything became a mess. I remember lots of tears, yelling, screaming, some "I hate you Mommy...You lied to me." statements, a few slaps at my hands as if he could just swat me away like a fly. And all of this was pre-shot!

Some how I got suckered into getting him a prize for handling the situation so well. After the shot I even remarked to the doctor that "this" (carrying on) was the reason why we couldn't do this at Walgreen's! Everyone except the munchkin found this funny. After picking up his "prize" we headed home, but only for the munchkin to point out that at some point, on some road I had a rock take a chunk out of my new windshield. Damn!

After having to call my wonderful insurance agent and then the glass repair place, plus fixing dinner I was worn out. I think the emotional toll of finding out that the tidal wave did scoop up my guy in the mix even though he was okay as a result that day didn't help either. The munchkin told me to take a nap, because I was so sleepy. Or it was maybe because he wanted both the TV and the computer for himself! I laid down at 6:30pm with only a few interruptions from my munchkin and my ringing phone. At 8pm my munchkin joined me in my bed. We finally fell back asleep sometime after 10pm and before I knew it I was waking to Hump Day!

With all of these things going crazy, feeling exhausted, and feeling crabby as could be I have experienced some heavy handed emotional eating. I bitched at a lot of people. There was tons of eye rolling and a desire to scratch someone's eyeballs out. It all descended on me when I got in my car tonight to drive home and had an overwhelming desire to sit in my car, in the dark parking lot, in the big city and instead of driving home crying my eyes out. I didn't do this, but I really wanted to. So instead I called up the aunt and met her and the munchkin for a late dinner. More emotional eating...go figure!

I really haven't gotten much else accomplished this week so far and I keep thinking about my streak and whether I'm throwing it away by the hour. I'm hoping tomorrow I will be in some better mental space, out of the eating phase and I can get tons done in addition to working on keeping that streak alive...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28

Just getting started: 7, 9, 10, 29, 30

Needs attention: 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 20, 22, 23, 24, 31, 32

A Deranged Soul In My Town

This week has been another crazy week here in j'lynn's world!

Monday I met a new intern at my Externship. She did everything I was always told not to do! She didn't wear a suit to court and actually dressed in khakis, a white tee-shirt with a multi-colored cardigan. She took personal calls while at the office on her cell phone. She didn't have anything with her other than her cell phone and her purse. Um hello?!? What are you going to take notes on or with?!?

Tuesday I had to follow the same attorney as the other intern and we were both given files the night before to review to do preliminary exams. I knew my exam wouldn't go, but we learned that her exam was definitely going. She had never done an exam before so I was trying to be supportive and telling her how mine went the week before...blah, blah, blah. Well she backed out and didn't do her exam. WTF?!? So not only did she miss out, but so did I! If she was not going to do it then she should have given the file to me! I wanted to do another exam! I was not a happy camper! BTW, she showed up in brown dress pants, a white t-shirt and a tan cardigan.

Wednesday As I was finishing up at work my ex-neighbor called to tell me that her daughter's ex-fiance was all over the news because he failed to show to court for his own preliminary exam for his charges of 2 counts of criminal sexual conduct in the 3rd degree. This doesn't seem newsworthy, but the fact that he kidnapped his 15 year old victim was definitely newsworthy. The Amber Alert went statewide and insider information started pouring into me and with every call things were going from crazy to down right scary! What started over 200 miles away from my town ended several hours later in a cemetery down the road from me. It appears from all outsider and insider accounts that I have received that hours before that van parked in my local cemetery he killed his 15 year old victim (who in his eyes was his girlfriend) and because he couldn't imagine his life without her he finally turned the gun on himself. By the time the swat team arrived both of them were dead inside the van parked in front of his grandparents grave site.

You would think this story couldn't get any worse. Well, you thought wrong. After he shot the girl in the chest and head he drove to his ex-girlfriend/baby-momma's house and showed her the body, told her he was going to end his life and left to finish what he started twelve hours earlier. He followed through on his promise and now two families are left with unanswered questions and tons of grief. My heart goes out to both families.

Today I finally balanced my checkbook and realized how broke I really am. Of course this was compounded when I opened a $340 bill from my school for my parking. It is going to be a little difficult paying that bill when I have less than $45 in my checking account for another 14 days... Nothing like adding to my stress these days. Just what I needed, huh?

Since the post sort-of took a nasty turn let me share some positives for the week! I've really tried to step up with my healthy living this week. I haven't been perfect, but I have managed to get my water in every day and really have tried to pay attention to what I'm eating. I haven't been within my target calorie range, but I feel positive about the direction I'm headed. Of course I picked up Mexican take out tonight for dinner, but I think I did okay with it. I guess we will see in a few days!

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38

Just getting started: 10, 11, 16, 20, 21, 34, 39, 40

Needs attention: 15, 24, 29, 31

Consider It Completed

This week I actually made all of my scheduled time at my Externship! Kudos to me!! Monday I attempted to shadow one of the attorneys Prof. Arrogance suggested I follow. I actually stood outside of her assigned courtrooms for about 50 mins waiting for her before I realized someone from the office whom I never met before was covering as my A's Girl called in sick. Once it was determined she was basically just adjourning all of the cases for a week and Funny Man from the office popped in saying he had 4 Prelims going I opted to follow him for the remainder of the day in court. Of course he worked my butt out making me go up 2 flights of stairs, then back down, and up one final time. Yikes! But I survived and we finally left court after 1pm.

Today I followed a younger defender and he basically let me run his entire docket in the courtroom for the morning. I was so scared yet excited. I did one bail hearing, which was totally granted (neither he nor I expected that to happen either) and the defendant even thanked me with a wink. Go figure he was just declared competent to stand trial in the last few days... I got one Prelim Exam adjourned and performed another one. It was so damn exciting. My newly adopted leader kept telling me how great I did after we were leaving. It made me feel so good. I was totally proud of myself.

When I left court my weekend was filled with so many errands I lost count! From there I swung by my chips & salsa place to recollect the money they owed me for the extra charge from two weeks ago. Then I went to the Federal Courts for a docket printout of one of my 3 litigation files to put with my Bar Application. Then I drove out and was fingerprinted twice for the Bar Application. Then I made my way to my ortho's office where I was told there was nothing he could do today for my wrist. I was not a happy camper.

I swung by one of the declared best pizza places in the area, but not for pizza...for their yummy yummy salad. I raced back home to go to the local court to get copies of my local litigation docket sheets and some of the pleadings. I wasn't sure I was going to make it before they closed, but I did. Heck, I even made it to the bank so I could get my money orders for the Bar Application. I went to Staples to get envelopes for my Bar Application and then finally headed home. That's when I did it...I hit "complete" on my Bar Application and printed it out. All that is left is to put it together, sign everything, get it notarized and put it in the mail!

All in all...today was a great day!! Of course this all left me exhausted tonight, plus I suspect I may have a little cold, but I'm trying to fight my way through it all...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 2223

Just getting started: 5, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26

Needs attention: 6, 7, 8, 9, 12

Losing Time While On A Roller Coaster

The last several days I definitely have been on a roller coaster in my life and have been experiencing some crazy things. Let me reflect for a few moments here...

Thursday night I went to Sam's Club and did some shopping. A lot of times in the morning I don't have time to eat anything and end up running through the drive through at Burger King or McDonald's and ordering a small diet coke and two sausage patties. I love me some sausage! So while I was at Sam's Club I saw this big box of Turkey Sausage Patties, individually wrapped. I was so excited, because this would be so much more cost effective and healthy for me! My aunt helped me haul our groceries in and we went about the rest of our business that night. The munchkin went to bed, my aunt went home and while I was getting a few things done before I went to bed I heard a cough come out of the munchkin's bedroom. I instantly thought to myself, "Oh...that's not good."

It was only one cough and the munchkin remained asleep so I finished what I was doing and made my way to bed. It was around 2am. At 3:30am the munchkin climbed into my bed and asked me to rub his back. He felt warm to me, but my son loves to wrap up in multiple blankets while he is sleeping and it isn't out of character for him to feel like he was in an oven when he comes out of a bed. We both feel back asleep. My cell phone alarm went off, I stood up and looked at my cell which read 5:40am Friday morning...the next thing I remember was walking into my bathroom, looking at my alarm clock which read 7:12am. Um, hello?!? I just lost an hour and a half. WTF?!? I must have went back to bed and have no memory of it. Great! The munchkin woke up too and was complaining how he didn't feel good. I checked his temperature and it was 101.6. Talk about changing the momentum of my weekend!

Since I took both Monday and Tuesday off from my life this week I really couldn't afford taking the day off again. I called my aunt to see if she could help and she came right out. Once she arrived and we had put a plan of action into place I told her that the night before when I crawled into bed I thought about my Turkey Sausage Patties and the fact that I didn't see them when I was hauling my groceries in and assumed she had brought them in on one of her trips and put them in the freezer. She, of course, had no idea what I was talking about and indicated she didn't haul them in either. I began to wonder what else I was going to lose since it appeared that so far that morning I had lost 1.5 hours and now an entire box of Turkey Sausage Patties!?! Since we put everything in the pantry on the washer so I could rearrange my shelves to fit everything in over the weekend. She then uncovered the box of Turkey Sausage Patties that she carried in the night before. In the garbage they went... She felt horrible and apologized several times because she didn't put it in the freezer. I told her that I was equally to blame since I should have double checked since I was the one that knew I had bought things that needed to be put in the freezer. I'm totally bummed though...

Due to the munchkin being home sick I called and canceled my new cleaning lady, which worked out well because her father-in-law was in the hospital just being diagnosed with Leukemia. My aunt took the munchkin to the doctor and he was diagnosed with strep throat. Fun, fun, fun... The munchkin was feeling a little better later in the day, so I opted to still go and see my guy after work, but before I could get there I had to swing by the Defender's Office, drop off my time sheet for the week before and pick up the day sheet for Monday. Then I was off to see my guy.

After a great visit, I was totally exhausted, but opted to still do the rest of my weekly grocery shopping. When I finally got home around 11pm last night I made sure I put away all of my perishable foods away, but left everything else out to be taken care of in the morning. I knew I had tons of errands to run Saturday morning so I set my alarm for 6:20am so I could get things done. I had a plan of attack and was going to be totally ready to hit the ground running. Well things didn't work out that way since I didn't get out of the bed until 7:50am. Lost another 1.5 hours this morning. This has became crazy and totally unacceptable!! Time to grow up j'lynn and get your shit together! Come on already! Ugh.... I quickly got myself ready, took off to get my oil changed and tires rotated, then off to the salon to get my highlights done and a hair cut. I was hoping to get my allergy shot in between these two errands, but thanks to my inability to get my ass out of bed this had to be moved to later in my morning.

While at the salon one of the new assistants started talking about how she and her 2 kids were looking for a place to live. They had just moved from up-north and she was in the midst of getting a divorce. I spout off how I have a 3 bedroom, 2 bath trailer she can buy. Her eyes totally lit up! That is exactly what she is looking for! I instantly got chills. She said she was going to drive by after work. She has a friend who will be moving with her, so she wants her to look at it too. Thinking or maybe hoping she would want to come in and look at it today I knew I was in trouble cleaning wise! It had been 3 weeks since my cleaning lady had been in and I know she isn't available for emergency calls so I made the call to my former cleaning lady and she came down and did the job for me! I was so appreciative that she was able to help me out!

While she was cleaning I finished up at the salon and finished my errands. I think I was home 10 minutes with my former cleaning lady when the potential buyer drove by. She didn't stop and come in though. Maybe she thought I had company and didn't want to intrude. I don't know. I was really hoping she would come in this afternoon fall in love with my house and this would actually be happening. It would certainly be a huge boost to me if this could happen. Please say an extra prayer for me guys...because this would be so great if this would happen for us!!!

After a little nap this afternoon I picked up some dinner, made my way to my aunt's and after chowing on a good steak we headed up to our annual trip back in time for Halloween. The munchkin was not able to make his last game of the fall season this morning and had to miss the trip to McDonald's with his team, because of being sick. He was totally bummed. He asked every hour if he could still go tonight. Since he was no longer contagious we opted to go and he had a pretty good time. You could tell he was still feeling punky though.

Even though I haven't accomplished as much this weekend as I wanted it has been one helluva roller coaster ride for the last couple of days. Now if only I could either recover those 3 hours I've lost in the last two days or figure out how to get my ass out of bed on time I might enjoy this ride a little more these days.

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20

Just getting started: 11, 18, 21, 22

Needs attention: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 17, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26

Judging My Week On Hump Day. Verdict=Having A Moment

What a crazy week so far. I didn't go into my externship Monday so I could study for my midterms. Well, I didn't study that day...no shock there. I just can't seem to get it together. The one thing I did Monday was I took my two midterms. Or should I say Monday I failed my two midterms. But I've been attempting to not dwell on this fact and since I haven't confirmed this, yet, I will continue to try to not dwell on it. After we finished, some of the guys we've been in classes with since the start wanted to go for drinks. I had opted out, but then my LSBFF twisted my arm and I went for one drink. Things were good until on my drive home.

While I was making my way home I started feeling really achy, especially in my legs, hips and lower back. I figured it was just nerves. After I got home I ate a little something because I was starving and then all of a sudden it hit me. What "it" was I'm not sure, but I couldn't sit anymore, I couldn't look at anything anymore. I knew that I had to get to bed within the next minute or something bad was going to happen. I didn't know anything else other than I had to lay down. So I did just that. I ended up not going to my Externship Tuesday either, because of how I felt and I called into work too. I was hoping to get some sleep hoping that this was part of my problem, being exhausted.

Of course I couldn't fall back asleep once I woke up at 7am. Finally at 8:30am I got out of the bed, came out to the living room and started working on paperwork. I still wasn't feeling 100%, so I had some chicken noodle soup.

I think I finished my bar application that afternoon, but I have this fear of clicking on "complete"...but I don't know why. Maybe it is the fear that it will be incorrect or I will have forgotten something. But I'm committing to hitting "complete" in one week. Once I have my fingerprinting done next Tuesday and make a trip to my local courthouse to pick up some additional documents I need I will have to hit "complete" and make my way to the post office to mail that bad boy. How scary is that?!? YIKES!!!

Yesterday afternoon I also did some homework so that was good too.

I did make it to work today, so that is a positive or so my bosses think so!

I also decided to delete a few things from my to-do list, because of a few situations I've ran into.

The other good news is the fact that in 2 days the weekend will be here. Thank goodness.

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24***, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Just getting started: 9, 10, 11, 32

Needs attention: 12, 16*, 17**, 18, 25

*~~Since we are getting so close to getting the munchkin's Christmas pictures done I've decided to just combine them again like I did last year and get them all done at once in November/December...

**~~Due to the fact that I'm having to go back to my Ortho Surgeon for the cyst on my wrist, which has began hurting practically all day with every thing I do, I've decided to put this off for a week or two. Hopefully he will do what he did last year and it will stop hurting so I can get back to normal...at least till after the bar!

***~~I called to make a mani/pedi appointment while my salon is offering BOGO on Wednesdays this month, but of course there are no openings...ugh. I was able to schedule my birthday massage for the last Saturday of the month. I definitely think I need it...

I Have To Get Back To Basics

This weekend I was pretty productive, but on all the wrong things... I should have focused more on my homework and studying for my two midterms scheduled for tomorrow, but I didn't. Now I just have to deal with that. I have no one to blame other than myself. So I will do my best in the next 24 hours and then deal with the consequences of that when it comes. I can't change it and can only control the present and change for the future.

I had different plans for this weekend, but it didn't turn out the way I had hoped. Friday night after going to see my guy and grocery shopping I came home and got a few things done before I realized it was already 3am and made myself to go to bed. I had tons of errands that I needed to run Saturday morning and the majority of them had to be done before 1pm, so I set the alarm in my bathroom to get up at 9am. Of course I forgot to turn it on. Opps! Then I went to bed, started to catch up on Twitter and the next thing I knew I had something under me vibrating and it was light outside. I was a little disorientated before I realized that it was my phone under me in the bed vibrating. I passed out catching up on Twitter and forgot to switch off from vibrate and also didn't set that alarm either. It was almost 11am. Opps!!

I rushed around and got all of my errands done before places closed on me except getting my oil changed, but that really wasn't necessary and I have enough miles to go in my 5,000 miles to make it to next weekend with no problem, so it was all good! I made my way back to the house by about 2:30pm. I had hoped to be home much earlier so I could get lots more done, which would let me work on drafting my flashcards for my MBE midterm while watching the Alabama football game starting at 3:30pm. Well, that didn't happen. I watched the game and did laundry while watching the game and got a few other things done, of course none of that was school related.

After Alabama lost (which was heartbreaking for both my man and I) I continued to work on getting a few things done and then my former neighbor called me late last night and chatted my ear off for almost 2 hours. Again it was another late night and I went to bed at 4:00am. I didn't really want to go to bed, because I was feeling motivation to get things done, but I made myself go. This of course lead to me not getting up until 11:40am this morning, which put me behind. I had no desire to work on homework so instead I worked on my bar application and a few other things until almost 7pm. Then I started working on homework, so I've made very little progress in that area and now I'm out of time, so I'm hopeful that tomorrow I'll go to court in the morning for my Externship and then get a few hours of studying in before I take my tests.

I think my main problem with this semester is that I'm just not mentally ready to start to even think about preparing for the bar let alone having to do it for classes. Combine that with my senioritis and I'm having issues, but I need to get it together! I think I need to take myself back to basics. I haven't felt this mentally blocked with school since my 2L year, so I need to really get my shit together. I only really have about 8 weeks of school left so I now is the time to get it together! I will take my midterms tomorrow and move on...hopefully as a better student to finish on a high note, not feeling like a schmuck!

The other area of my life that I have to get back to basics is my battle of the bulge. I knew today's weigh in was going to be horrible. Today's stats...

Starting weight (7/8/09): 363lbs

Current weight: 326lbs

This week's results: +6lbs

Total weight lost: -37lbs

I ate like crap last week and ate out a lot and when I ate out I ate a lot! So I need to get back to basics and take control back. I have no choice. What I'm doing is stupid. I'm tired of playing this back and forth game. What am I doing other than wasting time and constantly getting upset with myself? I sure as hell am not making myself feel good with this constant gain one week, lose the next, gain the following week, back and forth constantly. So I'm getting back to basics...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Just getting started: 9, 10, 11, 32

Needs attention: 12, 16, 17, 18, 24, 25

Got On The Record & I Loved Every Minute Of It!!!!!!

So I met with Miami Vice this morning, because I now have to start filling out time sheets at my Externship. Odd, but whatever. Of course when we spoke yesterday I was told he would be at the office from 8:30am-8:55am. So I got there around 8:35am and then I waited and waited and waited. Finally at 8:50am Miami Vice showed up and admitted he was dragging. We talked a bit and I agreed I would follow him for the morning.

I met Miami Vice at the courthouse a few minutes later...after I ran into my LSBFF! :) Nothing like running into your LSBFF to brighten your day! (Thanks LSBFF!!) Apparently they were giving out a free set of steak knives in addition to a felony and jail/prison time, because everyone and their brother was there this morning. I swear to God there were like 250 people in line waiting to get in and I'm not counting jurors, attorneys and us interns!

We ran around like crazy with the few clients of Miami's and got them all taken care of in less than an hour so then he shipped me off to the first young defender I followed weeks ago. She was swamped, but she did give me an opportunity to get on the record! Twice!! Two sentencing hearings! I was totally stoked and I want to do it every single day now!! Woo-hoo! And what was most thrilling is when she told me how great I did! She even said she was impressed at my demeanor, my decorum, and the deference I gave to the Court! She even said that my introductory request to practice speech was the best she had ever heard. (Again, I have my LSBFF to thank for that!!! Thank you LSBFF!!!!)

By then it was time to go as we were done for the morning and I had to go to my other job. I can't even say my "real" job, because I want my externship to be my "real" job!! My afternoon sucked there, but that is the status quo these days there. I finally left there around quarter to 7pm and other than stopping for gas I made my way home. I was hoping to get some things done tonight, but that didn't really happen. And after I watch Sons of Anarchy I'm off to bed...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 32

Just getting started: 12, 15, 18, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31

Needs attention: 13, 14, 16, 17

Is My Two-Day Headache The Cause For My Lack Of Motivation?

I had scheduled yesterday off from work since I had my annual eye appointment to get my eyes dilated, which I don't handle well for some reason. I suspect this is because I'm prone to ocular migraines. Knowing this I also knew that I needed to get my other errands ran before my 10:45am appointment.

Once I completed my errands and finished my doctor's appointment I came home with a headache. All I really wanted to do was take a nap and had every intention of making this happen, but my plan didn't happen. Instead I pushed through my crazy eye situation and drafted my weekly journal entry for my externship after which I headed up to see my guy. The entire time I had a dull headache, which has bleed over to today.

Even though I got up at 8:40am this morning I feel like I've accomplished nothing. I meant to go to the post office before they closed this morning and I forgot. I had planned on doing my grocery shopping tonight after I took my aunt and uncle to dinner, where I begged for them to help me with the fees for taking the bar, but it was cold and rainy plus I still had my headache so I opted to come home. I've gotten a few things done tonight, but not a lot of things, which totally sucks...

I enter every weekend hoping to get so much done, but it doesn't seem to happen. I think maybe my constant running during the week just wears me out so much that I have no motivation to get stuff done Saturday and Sunday. Or maybe it is because I have so much to do it blocks me from getting motivated. Maybe I'm just hitting senior-itis. Regardless of the reasons why, I know is it has got to change. Of course I still have my headache tonight and now my stomach is feeling a little bubbly too. Go figure...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 20, 21, 22, 32

Just getting started: 8, 15, 18, 19, 25

Needs attention: 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

And The Verdict Is...

A hung jury.... Go figure. I guess I count that as a tie, huh? They will be retried in January... First vote was 6-6 and it ended with 9-3 for guilty.

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24,25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36

Just getting started: 11, 13, 14, 15, 19, 32, 37, 38

Needs attention: 8, 12, 16, 17, 18

Sorry 3 Hours Just Isn't Enough

Dear Jury...

Sorry about your luck, because 3 hours just isn't enough. So the fact that after 3 hours of deliberating today you sent word that you were hung only cost you another day in your life, another round of parking and more importantly another trip to the great big "D". We shall see you all tomorrow morning at 9am!

Love,

j'lynn~~Defender Intern

Today's Lesson...don't try to give up on your civic duty at 3pm...it doesn't bode well for anyone!

What a Frickin' Day!

I got up a little later than I wanted, especially on mornings I need to go to court for my Externship, but I balanced things out without washing my hair. It was all good, because I washed it yesterday morning plus it was pouring outside with a nice wind blowing things around. I got on the road earlier than lately and then it happened...traffic!

The expressway I take to get into downtown is the same whether I'm going to work, school or my Externship. For months now there has been a lane closed going over the great big bridge. So can someone explain to me why, even months later, there remains a traffic jam south of the lane closure every single day? Once you do that can you then explain to me why this morning traffic came to a crawl 6 miles before the lane closure? And even on a normal day that crawl begins between 3 and 5 miles before the lane closure. WHY?!?

I make it to the courthouse and today would be my first day using my new found...er...obtained badge. This allowed me to go through the "attorney" line without feeling like I was committing a crime or something. I was so excited! So when I finally got up there I asked the deputy if I needed to put my badge in a little bowl to go through the metal detector. She looked at me like I was crazy! She then told me to just put it in my bag. I wanted to ask her if she maybe wanted to see it. Apparently she didn't care and the line was backed up behind me, plus I was running a few minutes late so I just moved forward.

Of course ever since I purchased my two new bras I now trigger all metal detectors. I don't know why...maybe it is because they are better bras and the underwire is stronger. I don't know, but apparently this gives every single metal detector screener grief. They wand me and it never fails that the stupid thing goes off on my ankles not my bra, but the only thing different on me going through now is the bra. I can't explain this. Regardless if I'm going to see my guy or if I'm going into court I now set off the metal detectors. Crazy if you ask me!

I get upstairs and of course the two defense attorneys are running late, but I'm always so happy that the our client and the co-defendant are always there. On time! Such good boys! I was so excited to bring this trial to a conclusion today. I've enjoyed it, but there is no reason why this 1.5 day trial should be on week #3 and into day #3. We go through the morning, call our 3 witnesses and then it is Co-Defense Counsel's turn. Apparently he did have a stroke because the fool put his client on the stand!! This was such a bad move! Both us and he had everything we both need for our closing and to give reasonable doubt. After hearing that crazy testimony I don't think it bodes well. There is still reasonable doubt to be had, but placing a defendant on the stand can certain swing things against you.

Close to noon everyone rested and the prosecutor inquired about a stipulation. The attorney I'm shadowing wanted to inquire as to how the stipulation would be worded before she agreed to it. Apparently this upset the very easily-irritable judge, because instead of letting this get worked out, potentially over a lunch break, and coming back to give closing arguments he opts to dismiss the jury for the rest of the day and we can all show back up tomorrow at 9am. Are you kidding me??!!??

Even though I didn't want to I opted to head over to work to get some stuff done and more importantly to be able to return tomorrow. Finally at 7:30pm I left work...exhausted and irritated. I got tons done, but this current project I'm working on does not appear to have an end in sight. It is due by the end of the month...

Hopefully tomorrow will bring a conclusion to our trial and more importantly we will get a quick verdict and that would be a not guilty verdict!

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36

Just getting started: 11, 13, 14, 15, 19, 30, 32, 37, 38

Needs attention: 8*, 12, 16, 17, 18

*~~I still mention this because I'm still pissed off from last Saturday. Just saying...

No Trial Today, Maybe Next Week?!

Today was one crazy hump-day! Our trial didn't go. Co-Df Co apparently has had one, maybe two heart attacks since Saturday. It has been adjourned to next Tuesday but not until after the Judge asked the attorney I was following to commit malpractice! Yikes!!

I was able to get home pretty early tonight and thought maybe I would get lots done. Failure. I got a couple things done, but for some reason there are just not enough hours in the day! Ugh...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32

Just getting started: 12, 13, 14, 33, 34

Needs attention: 11, 15, 16, 17

Is Time Talking? I Sure Hope Not!

Um, yeah...as for that potential "success" I was spouting off about less than 24 hours ago well I may have killed it this morning. How many things can go wrong in one morning? Let me count the ways...

~I overslept this morning

~I felt horrible from all the spaghetti & garlic bread I hate last night and spent the rest of the day feeling like an over stuffed sausage

~I ran into horrific traffic on the way to court

Of course all of this took place before 9am! Opps...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30

Just getting started: 13, 26, 31, 32

Needs attention: 12, 17, 19, 20

"The Track"~Am I On It, Off It; Or Just Stumbling My Way Around

The last few weeks I've been struggling to get into the routine of my new schedule. My schedule is pretty crazy right now. The way it is suppose to work is:

Mondays:

8am-3pm @ My Externship (of course this is not going smoothly for various reasons)

4pm-5:50pm @ My MBE Class

6pm-7:50pm @ My SBM Essay Class

Tuesdays:

8am-12pm @ My Externship

12:30pm-6:30pm @ My Regular Job

7:30pm @ The Gym

Wednesdays:

8am-6:30pm @ My Regular Job

Thursdays:

8am-12:15pm @ My Regular Job

1pm-1:50pm @ My Externship Class (Yes, we still have class for it!)

2:45pm-6:30pm @ Back to My Regular Job

7:30pm @ The Gym

Fridays:

8am-4:30pm @ My Regular Job

By doing it this way it allows for me to fulfill all of my requirements. (1) I must work 32 hours a week at my job. (2) I must do a minimum of 8.5 hours a week at my Externship for 14 weeks in order to fulfill the requirement of getting between 120-180 hours there to receive credit. And since I don't like being at the bottom of the scale I definitely want to do a minimum of 150 hours.

But doing it this way makes for a really long week and I've yet to have a "calm, normal" week to execute all of these things. Just this past week I really started to get in the groove of this new schedule. I was able to make it to each "appointment" on my schedule and only had one goof up and that was forgetting to take my black binder to my Thursday class...or any paper for that matter. Good thing my LSBFF is in class with me and she was able to give me a couple sheets!

Last week was also the first week in a while that I've been able to attempt to get back on track with my healthy living goals. I'm talking like a real good faith attempt not just "thinking" about it. I actually did really well Tuesday, Wednesday and the majority of Thursday, but since I had to attend a 3rd Grade Parent Informational Meeting at the munchkin's school Thursday night that lasted much longer than anticipated I stumbled on that track and ended up with Taco Bell for dinner at 9pm instead of going to the gym or eating something at home. I also didn't make it to the gym Tuesday because it was the munchkin's first day of school and I really wanted to come home and bask in his excitement for a few hours!

Then Friday things got crazy at work and this led me and two of my co-workers to decide to go out for lunch and a lunch consisting of chips & salsa, a strawberry margarita, and a shrimp quesadilla isn't really conducive to a weight loss goal for the week. Normally this wouldn't have been really too bad, but I also apparently drank less than 24 ozs of water that whole day. Then Saturday rolls around with all its yummy church festival food and lack of any water for the whole day and then you start to feel like you haven't just stumbled on the track you've actually left the whole damn track in a cloud of dust!

I just didn't picture this semester's schedule being filled with so many necessary distractions, especially in the beginning, nor did I imagine that I would be having such a horrible time trying to adjust to it. Even though this week was still successful (Hello! A loss is a loss and I'll take it!!) I am longing for a week to follow the plan that I've set up for myself without any disruptions.

Today's Stats...

Starting weight (7/8/09): 363lbs

Current weight: 321.8lbs

This week's results: -.4lbs

Total weight lost: -41.2lbs

I'm hoping to be able to get through the entire week running on the track and not running away from the track in defeat.

It isn't going to be easy this week though...I have major coupons that are expiring Tuesday at one of my clothes stores and I really want to use them!! But since my LSBFF and I are attending a seminar at 5pm Wednesday night and then doing dinner after I had thought I would work an hour later on both Tuesday and Thursday to make up that time in order to get my 32 hours in, but then what happens to my coupons and equally important what happens to my plan to hit the gym those two nights. I guess we will have to wait and see how this all unfolds, but I'm trying to stay positive that I can get it all done and have a very successful week!

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 18, 21, 22, 23, 25, 30

Just getting started: 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32

Needs attention: 4, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20, 24