My Mother -- The Jail Bird?!

I have one of those jobs, that if you ever just walk down the hall -- and you are not familiar with what we do -- you will always hear conversations that you will find yourself asking "did I really just hear that?" That is probably because the conversations that go on in my office are usually about depressing, frustrating, or just plain horrible subjects.

However, every now and then you will come across a comment that will just make you stop and laugh. A conversation that went on today is one of those examples. It made me laugh so hard, I just had to share!

I was holding a training meeting with my team, since the Judges were out, and we actually had some down time. During the course of this meeting, I was interrupted by one of the clerks from the other side of the building. She came in, excused herself, and then proceeded to tell me that "your mother is in jail, and you will need to have her transported for tomorrow's hearing." I turned around and said, "excuse me?" My team, of course found this just hilarious. Of course she was referring to one of the mother's that was set for a hearing before one of our Judges tomorrow, and she wouldn't be able to attend her son's hearing, if we didn't have her transported from the jail. However, I was having a hard time trying to figure out why my mother, who lives in Box Elder County, and was certainly still in bed at 9:30 in the morning, had just been arrested by one of our bailiffs in the West Jordan, Courthouse, and was now in the Salt Lake County Jail, waiting to be transported to a hearing, before one of our Judges tomorrow morning.

Needless to say, I am relieved to report, that upon calling home, my mother was exactly where I had expected her to be, in bed, just contemplating getting up for the day. She was not, in fact in the Salt Lake County Jail, compliments of one of my coworkers -- our Salt Lake County Sheriffs Deputies. And while it was a completely ridiculous situation, and I couldn't help laughing -- I did, in fact have to call mom and tell her I wanted to know what she was doing that managed to get her sent to jail.

As I said -- sometimes conversations in my office are completely off the wall -- as the case in point demonstrates. And I just couldn't help sharing. I hope you get as much entertainment out of this story as I did. But then, maybe it is something you just had to be there for.

So -- I need some input. I am getting tired of reading about the same old stuff, and the same old people. Not that they are bad -- but I am looking to expand my horizons. So I am asking for input. Most of you know that I am a history lover -- and I am a little fussy about my fiction. So, who are some interesting people that I can read about. (Or time periods, places, or interesting events in history.) Let me know what you think, or what your suggestions might be. Or if you have a specific book that you would like to recommend, I would love to hear about it as well. I am kind of getting bored with my usual reading -- and I want to find something new.

Lovin' Felling

So, here's how it works-the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a handmade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well. Before you leave your comment, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going (or be lazy and copy and past like I did). Then come back, let me know you're going to play and sit back and anticipate the arrival or your gift! Please submit in an e-mail or on the comment, your address, if I don't have it already (kahlee2000@msn.com) :) Remember that only the first 3 comments will receive a gift from me, so be quick!

The Twelve Days of Christmas

I received an email at work this week that I found very interesting, and I wanted to share. If you are like me, when you hearing the carol, the Twelve Days of Christmas, you probably cringe, and promtly tune out -- or change the channel. Well, the email I received had some interesting information about this traditional Christmas carol that I thought might help you to rethink your response to this particular song.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to Practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for the young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning, the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could remember:

1. The partridge in a pear tree was a symbolic representation of Jesus Christ.

2. The two turtle doves were a representation of the Old, and the New Testaments.

3. The three french hens represented the three foundations of belief: Faith, Hope, and Love.

4. The four calling birds were a reminder of the four Gospels of the Bible: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

5. The five golden rings are the anchor of the religious law, the Torah's first five books: Genesis, Exodous, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

6. The six laying geese were a reminder of the six days in which God created the heavens, and the Earth.

7. The seven swimming swans represented the gifts of the Spirit, specifically: Prophecy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

8. The eight milking maids were a reminder of the beatitude teachings of Jesus Christ.

1. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kindom of heaven."

2. "Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted."

3. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the Earth."

4. "Blessed are those that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled."

5. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

6. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

7. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."

8. "Blessed are those that are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

9. The nine dancing ladies is a reminder of the nine fruits of the spirit, as taught by Paul: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

10. The ten leaping lords represent the Ten Commandments.

11. The eleven leaping lords represented the eleven faithful apostles.

12. The twelve drummers drumming are a reminder of the twelve points of belief as found in the apostles creed.

Job Applications, Interviews, and Chaos

Most of you are aware that things have been changing in the clerical department of the District Courts. This is the result of a lot of time and money invested by an independent agency, hired by the State, to come in and see what needed to be done to improve the retention of employees for the Courts. While money was a huge factor, there were many other concerns that they identified as well. There was a lot of debate, and things have been crazy here at work for the last several months -- due to all the anticipation of if the Courts were going to put a new system in place for the clerical department or not. As is par for the course with government, these changes have been slow in coming, and have had to go through a lot of red tape before being authorized for implementation.

Three weeks ago, the Courts did decide to move forward, and restructured the entire clerical department, including management. This meant that everyone would have to reapply for their positions, if they wanted to be considered for management positions. I am sure you are aware that I was in this application process, and that these applications, and interviews took place over the last couple of weeks. It has been a lot of confusion, stress, and worry, and many people at work have been having a hard time with these new changes.

On Wednesday, the new management positions were announced here at the court. As many of you have already heard, I did receive one of these new management positions, and I couldn't be happier. While this will bring change -- (not the least of which is no longer having to work at Walmart!) -- it will also bring new challenges and opportunities.

Thank you to all of you for your patience with me during this difficult time. I know I have been on edge, and the stress I have been experiencing has been tremendous. I could not have endured all of these shifts without my friends, and most importantly my family! Thank you so much for standing by me, and lending me your strength and support. It is greatly appreciated.

Thanksgiving -- My gratitude and Memories

With the arrival of the Thanksgiving holiday, my thoughts have once again returned to to center of my Turkey day memories -- and to the things that I am grateful for the most. Thanksgiving has always been synonymous with Grandma Armstrong -- and I will always make that association. Though she has been gone for a few years, never does she live on stronger than at this time of year. My Thanksgiving memories all revolve around Grandma Armstrong -- and the dinner that was a major an event that took at least a week to prepare. Without fail this dinner entailed the formal china, which once belonged to my great-grandmother -- her mother -- and is now close to 200 years old. And then there was the crystal, and the silver. The silver was polished a week before Thanksgiving, and that was about the time my complaining began. I hated polishing the silver. every little crevice, nook, and cranny -- and not just on the silverware -- but the Turkey platter, and all the serving bowls as well. My grandmother would meticulously plan every little bit of the dinner, and make sure the table looked like a formal, black tie affair.

My mother was usually the on that was on the Turkey detail -- but grandma never allowed anyone else to handle the pumpkin chiffon pie, and the cranberry sauce. One of which (the pie), is my favorite still, to this day, and one (the cranberries), that I could still do without.

Grandma had an old buffet side board cabinet that was used for serving the food, and both it, and the table held long taper candles that were lit just before the dinner was served, and remained burning throughout the whole dinner. The meal was always served on a white table cloth -- and even from my very earliest memories, I remember wondering how she always got it clean -- since we always spilled cranberry sauce on it year after year.

The dinner was a chaotic affair -- as it usually is with children around the table. And grandma spent the entire meal warning us to sit down, and be careful. It is a wonder she never had a heart attack just trying to get through that dinner, without one, or all of us kids bringing down the table, the turkey, or even the entire house.

Once dinner was over, we had the opportunity to sit in grandma's den, and watch the Wizard of Oz -- while the adults ate their pie in peace, and then meticulously cleaned up the mess.

Grandma Armstrong always personified Thanksgiving dinner, and many of the traditions established by her parents, are still carried on today. It is for this reason that I always associate Thanksgiving, with Grandma Armstrong. This meal became a central component of our family life, and eventually turned into Sunday family dinner. Thanksgiving has always been a little bit harder since she has been gone. Probably because all aspects of this meal remind me of her.

As I reflect back on Grandma Armstrong, and all that she did and inspired in my life, I can't help but think of how different things are now that she is gone. But there is so much of her that lives on in the memories, actions, and lives of her loved ones -- those that remember her best. Following her passing, I found in my journal a piece I wrote, and dedicated to her memory. I leave that with you -- as a tribute to one of the greatest women I have ever known. She will always be one of the pillars of my life, and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to know her.

The Orchard

I stand at the window,

looking out on the forsaken apple trees;

denuded sentinels protected by faded, fallen foliage.

Behind me whistles an indrawn breath

from the last keeper of a once proud orchard.

Like the wind blowing through the barren branches,

her breath sighs out of the labored, tired lungs.

In the darkness she moves with a quiet rustle of sheets,

shifting in harmony with the dried leaves on the frozen ground.

"If you listen closely -- you'll hear the trees sing."

The words echo in the back of my grieving mind.

Life's Lessons From Walmart

OK -- I JUST COULDN'T RESIST! Sometimes there are moments in life that make you step back and say "what the. . .?" (You fill in the blank.) Most of you are aware that I have a second job, cashiering at Walmart. And I have frequently been asked where I encounter the most unusual situations, and stories; at my primary job with the court, or at Walmart. So, with this question in mind, I decided to share this story -- and let you be the judge.

Last night, a lady and her husband came through one of the lines, with her many kids in tow. Those of you who shop Walmart frequently, know that Walmart is the undesignated zoo for children. This lady had to make a last minute stop at Walmart, to purchase a home pregnancy test, and a box of condoms. My only thought, as this story was being expressed to me is, this is clearly a case of closing the gate, after all the horses have escaped. As the home pregnancy test was scanned, it was noticed that the package was open on one end. Trying to be a a good Walmart employee, and provide outstanding customer service, this observation was brought to the lady's attention. The cashier then asked if she wanted to go get a new box, since boxes are frequently damaged during the shipping process, and often some of these damaged boxes manage to make it to the shelves. The lady promptly replied, with a huge grin on her face that she was already aware the box was open, as she was the one that opened it. She needed to make sure that there wasn't another pregnancy -- before deciding to buy the box of condoms, which would be a waste of money, if she was. So she had taken the pregnancy test -- yes, you guessed it, in the Walmart public restroom, and she was very happy that the test was negative. (Huh? Can you say too much information?) So of course they would have to buy the condoms as well.

Now I ask you -- what do you say to that, and how do you keep a straight face while you are saying it?