Last week is over. Monday I did nothing work- related (though I should have at least done some visits over the weekend, but didn’t). I spent some wonderful quality time with my granddaughters! They are getting so big and adorable! Ruby is growing a little personality:) She is so good-natured. She loves Madison and is blissfully unaware of the little eentsy weentsy bit of competition/jealousy on Mads’ part. Madison is getting so mature in her first cool kid year of Kindergarten. It was a good way to start the week.
Then work… After four days in court (Tues was a shelter, Wednesday I was supposed to be a witness in a contested matter, then on to a -successful, thank goodness – mediation, then visits, then EFM, Thursday was court from 9 to 5 as was Friday – a total of 21 client hearings and a shelter hearing)the capper was the CASA Gala benefit. I had a really nice time, spent time with some of my clients’ CASAs and their families/spouses/SOs and saw a quote by one of my clients displayed in the hallway. It was at Oregon Ridge in Hunt Valley – quite a nice classy affair but not too frou-frou. (In other words, I didn’t have to drag out an old evening gown!) I bid on and won a year’s subscription to the Daily Record!! Something I’ve wanted since graduating law school lo’ these fourteen years:)The other thing I’ve wanted since then I cannot post here! I really felt I needed to bid, since I was at the GALA as CASA’s guest for doing a couple of trainings for their volunteers.
I still have lots to do, but the intense pressure is off (well, for the time being at least). We’ve got a deadline in the B case and I really want to do a proper closing argument on that. My client deserves this and needs this! Can there really be an end in sight for this little guy?! Hope so!
Today I have to do a couple of client visits – probably will hold off to the evening. First, get some wash moving, then get to the bank, then call the SL people to transfer a payment, then finish the wash – RIIIIGGGGHHHHTTTT- and iron – RIIIGGGHHHT – and PACK for tomorrow and Monday. Then the two client visits. Then, maybe, just maybe, get a little knitting in – that cable vest is moving along. I’m almost ready to start the armhole/v-neck shaping on the front (always a challenge for me). This actually may be something I don’t knit too large (fingers crossed here).
Tomorrow I have choir until about 12:30 or so and then I’m off to Flintstone (!) for that CINA conference. Darlene is having a reception in her suite and then the State is hosting a barbecue 
for us- should be fun, will have to keep the no refined carbs rule, though. For the Moot Court presentation on Monday, we’re supposed to summarize and do our closing arguments in one minute (who ever heard of a lawyer who could be succinct?)and then Judge M is supposed to make a live ruling. Which means I’ve got to prepare something tonight and I will need to bring business attire to the conference – no problem I wasn’t going to wear jeans much as I’d like to – too many judges/masters will be there:) I know “Hollywood” will look good on the video, but I really really dread seeing myself in court mode (then I will have to face the reality of my sad shubby existence, LOL). Worse, I could embarass the whole firm! (I think that’s an example of “awfullizing” as defined by John Bradshaw:)). It will be fun learning something new (Lord I hope so!!!!) and socializing with colleagues.
EFM is getting interesting – and more intense. If I could do it this past week, I know I can finish it. Thank goodness, the church helped financially with that, so I was able to do it. 
Next week, it’s my turn to bring the coffee and I have to prepare a spiritual biography (one I can share with the class, LOL!). John is totally freaked out because he thinks I want to become a priest. As if! I’m just not good enough for that. Therapist is the best I could ever hope for. I am still looking into the GREs and testing the waters maybe with an e-mail to Chris M. if he’s willing to let me know what I need to get there. Kris has told me on more than one occasion that it is laughable I even want to do that because I have a lot of emotional maturing to do! She’s right of course, she usually is.
I’m hoping next week is a good one – I’d like to catch up on client visits, work on the B proposed findings of fact, etc. and spend time with friends. Wednesday afternoon, we have another training in Annapolis on the new TPR statute, where I intend to take copious notes! EFM Wednesday evening, Choir Thursday evening. I’m looking forward to lunch with Nancy on Friday. It’s wonderful to share ideas with a fellow Liberal:) She’s had some fascinating views on the political scene and we share the same faith – hope we can share ideas. As much as I have been blessed with wonderful colleagues, I am so happy to have found friends who are NOT lawyers:) I think that’s why choir is so important to me – we share faith and a love of music and there is only one other lawyer in the bell choir:) so not much opportunity to talk “shop.” Not that there’s anything wrong with that:)
