JURY DUTY HELL

****UPDATE! I've been Excused!!!!! Yay, now I can stop searching eBay for a DIY clone kit or teleportation machine!*****

I'm in jury duty hell right now! Now don't get me wrong, I'll all about doing my civic duty. My dad raised us to serve our country and take pride in it, but my little "civic duty/responsibility" is getting out of hand.

Several weeks ago I received a summons for Jury duty for the Federal District court. That was just fine and dandy! I was kind of excited...I'd never served jury duty before. And maybe I'd get on some awesome Erin Brockovich, O.J. Simpson, take 'em down kind of case. So Monday I reported to the courthouse, did the orientation, got sworn in and sat in on the beginnings of a case. Except this case was not as glamorous as I had originally thought. Something about an employer not paying overtime. Anyways, I didn't get picked. So they excused us to go home. Then the next day I was to come in and try to get called on for another case. We walk into the courtroom and there's tons of lawyers and boxes of "evidence". I think...Oh boy, this is the big one! We're gonna take these suckas' down!! Not so much! Again something uber boring about Anti trust laws, someone prohibiting competition or something about metal stuff. Anyways, again didn't get picked for that one either (which I was glad because it was supposed to last 2-3 weeks, and I don't know how much "evidence" I could take about sheet metal and aluminum).

So our little jury duty lady tells us that we'll need to call on Friday after 5 to see if we need to come in on Monday. Which I'm sure I will since I haven't been assigned to anything yet. Well, now I've got a little problem...I'm supposed to report for jury duty to the County courthouse on Monday! So I get the number from our Federal jury duty lady and call the county to inform them that I'm already serving jury duty for the Fed's and will they please reschedule me (mind you I'm super busy at work right now and this really isn't the time for all this jury duty stuff). He tells me that I have to come up there on Friday at 2 to fill out an excuse form and go before the judge to explain why I can't report for duty on Monday! REALLY?? Can't I just fax in my summons and letter stating I'll be tied up at Federal court until June 5th!! REALLY?? Just reschedule me...I don't care, I don't mind but I'll be a monkey's uncle if I can be in 2 places at once! Why the freak do I have to come up there and explain all that to the judge?? Can't you just mark me off the list and move me to a later time? Ahhhhhh! So frustrating...

So now I'm going to have to leave work early on Friday, probably report on Monday, possibly report on Tuesday (which will cause me to have to cancel my womanly yearly exam, which I won't be able to get another appointment for at least 2 months b/c my doctor is awesome and every "freakin A" person goes to her, which will cause me to have to call up there at least once to get a BC script called in to the pharmacy, b/c I'm gonna run out before my rescheduled appointment...grrrrrrr).

Calm...find your center...hommmmmm...namaste.

Ok, I'm OK.

So no Erin Brockovich coolness for me...more like Melba toast duty. I'll keep you posted, in the meantime make me feel better by telling me your jury duty horror stories...Anyone?

Just a Blonde's Take

Lake Season

Almost nothing can beat sipping on drinks enjoying a relaxing dinner on a patio just off the shore of an Oklahoma lake at sunset (Ok, so it's no bahama beach with white sand and waving palm trees, but we cherish what we get)!  Lake season is upon us and I can't wait to enjoy more scenes like this one. 

Just a Blonde's Take

Lettuce Wraps

Sorry everyone I've been so late at getting this recipe to you all. It actually turned out rather well. It was kind of a pain to cut the chicken up so small...I'm looking into finding another way to mince it; and I forgot to make the rice sticks. Overall it's awesome and we'll definitely be making it again! I combined 2 different recipes on sparkrecipes to make this one (don't forget this is a low cal, low fat meal; which makes it even more yummy). Enjoy!

Asian Lettuce Wraps


Ingredients:
8 ounces of minced chicken mix (see below)

Chicken Mix:
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 cup of water chestnuts
2/3 cup shitake mushrooms


3 tablespoons chopped green onions
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon wok oil
2 ounces of minced chicken sauce (see below)
1 cup of rice sticks (prepared)
1 teaspoon of sesame oil


Minced chicken sauce:
1/4 cup of mushroom soy sauce
1/4 cup of oyster sauce
1/2 tsp of white pepper
1/4 cup of cooking rice wine
T of sugar

Heat mixture on medium high heat at low boil for about 6 to 8 minutes.
(can cool and refrigerate additional sauce)

Preparation:

Cooking Procedure

Heat wok until white whisk of smoke appears
add 1 tbs of wok oil
add garlic 5-10 seconds
add minced chicken mix and sear
add 1/4 ounces of minced chicken sauce, stir and incorporate
add 2 tbs of diced green scallions
add 1tps of sesame oil and plate

This recipe serves 2.
Multiply accordingly for additional guests.

Nutritional Info
Servings Per Recipe: 2
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 119.9
Total Fat: 0.4 g
Cholesterol: 27.5 mg
Sodium: 122.2 mg
Total Carbs: 17.8 g
Dietary Fiber: 2.5 g
Protein: 13.1 g

Just a Blonde's Take

New Favorite Blog!

I have a new favorite blog folks! K.Reid over at Reid All About It is funny, witty, and thrifty! She IS the COUPON QUEEN (in my humble opinion)! She buys loads of stuff for pennies! I'm not even joking. She is truly inspiring with her DIY tips and homemade meals that look absolutely delicious (I'm making her Salmon turnovers soon, the drummer will die)! Go check her out and show her some love! I know her site will be a regular stop for me!

MY FIRST BLOG AWARD!!!

I can't tell you how honored and excited I am to receive this award from my good friend Babalou! She is the whole reason I started blogging in the first place. I am now honored to be able to bestow this prestigious award (because they're the only kind I receive) on other deserving lady bloggers!

Here are the rules:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate up to 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude!

3. Be sure to link your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Remember to link the person from whom you received your award.

Drum roll please...

The suspense is killing me...

And the Awards go to...

Anna at: Absolutely Beautiful Things

FC over at: { Freckles Chick }

Lincee at: I Hate Green Beans

You all get me through my work week! You constantly provide me with inspiration, laughter, and blog envy! Thanks!

Just a Blonde's Take

The Golden Years: A life in Review

I recently read a post by FC, a favorite blog of mine, and it really hit home. Her friends lost their precious Golden Retriever to cancer and it came quite suddenly. It seems as though the ugly disease will take us all. The post reminded me of how little time we really have with our pets. Riley's graying muzzle constantly reminds me of how much she has grown up. She's five now and when I look back at my life 5 years ago, I am amazed at how much my life has changed. I am so different (I guess grown up) and Riley had so much to do with that. She's my buddy and I hate to imagine life without her. She has weathered the storm with me, helped heal my heart after breakups and boyfriends. She has been my snuggle partner during sad movies, scary nights, and lazy weekends. She's lived in seven different homes with me (if only I could get her trained to help me pack). Like her mom, she's had several roommates: Lucy, Desi, Gracie, Nixie, Ruby, Atticus, Millie, Sketch, Rossta, Bruce, Chief and now her brother Axel). She's been the pain in my side, many times (we won't discuss the wall chewing days)! She been my loyal friend.

*Riley being bossy with her former roomie, Ruby (the Bagel)

I remember when I got her...I had just sold all my college school books for the semester. Instead of saving the money for next terms books, which would have been the responsible thing to do, I bought myself the love of my life...Riley Belle. Whoever said money can't buy love was utterly wrong in this instance. That little ball of fur was love at first sight. I can still see her sitting at the foot of my bed at 3 in the morning staring and barking at me with that cute little puppy bark for me pay attention to her, feed her, let her out...I'm not really sure. I felt like a new mom with her baby, not really sure what the thing wanted, but that it was disturbing my sleep and it wouldn't stop "crying" no matter what I did.

Riley was fond of car rides from day one. It was about a 30-40 minute drive to take her home when I first picked her up. She just laid down in the passenger seat and fell asleep. Now she's a pro. She hops up in her spot and awaits our destination. She also, loves going out on our boat and enjoying the lake. However, she does not enjoy her life jacket. I got her one last summer, because I'm always afraid something will happen and she'll go over board while we're cruising around. She's allowed to take it off once we are docked. She loves swimming and getting lots of attention from the other lake rats.

Riley is also, in love with...socks, mail, any form of treat (unfortunately she's really smart and knows the word treat, so if we are ever talking about them we have to spell it out or she starts barking bossy even more to try and get one..."Honey, she wants a T-R-E-A-T", I just hope she doesn't figure out how to spell), peanut butter, stripping sticks of their bark, barking at everything outside, getting wet and dirty, being pet, getting attention, getting the ball away from her brother Axel, going on walks, and most of all me.

Here's a cute email I received a while back, I'm not sure who the author is, about pets. One of those random emails that you're not sure who started them:

To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - nose height.

Dear Dogs and Cats,

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years…canine or feline attendance is not required.The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough! To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets:

1. They live here. You don't.

2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. (That's why they call it "fur"niture.)

3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.

4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.
Remember: Dogs and cats are better than kids because they:

1. Eat less

2. Don't ask for money all the time

3. Are easier to train

4. Normally come when called

5. Never ask to drive the car

6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends

7. Don't smoke or drink

8. Don't have to buy the latest fashions

9. Don't want to wear your clothes

10. Don't need a gazillion dollars for college, and...

11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children.

Give your pets a big hug and a T-R-E-A-T!

Just a Blonde's Take

New Branch, No Time

Sorry folks, I've been busy at work and at home and have had no time to post anything. At work I've been busy trying to open a new branch for our bank. We just opened our doors officially yesterday. Before that there was tons of planning and preparing, manual labor and shopping!

I enjoyed my friend Marlene visiting from Paris. Her trips are always fun and seem too short. While she was here we were able to celebrate my birthday! We had a fabulous party at the house. Tons of friends and family and food! It was great, just what I wanted for turning 27! And the weather cooperated for once. Every year it seems that it monsoons on my birthday. This year it was clear, crisp and just right for a patio party!

Speaking of patio, you can find me this evening enjoying food and drinks on my lovely patio. The weather is nice and just right to be relaxing outside. I can't wait. I also can't wait to try a new recipe. I'm going to attempt to make Asian chicken lettuce wraps tonight. I always order them when we hit up our local Pei Wei and they're just sooo good, I'm going to try and recreate the deliciousness in my kitchen! We'll see, we might be enjoying grilled cheese sandwiches on the patio instead! I'll let you know how they turn out! Hope you all are having a wonderful week so far!

Just a Blonde's Take