Changed for Good

There is a song that I love from Wicked, called "For Good". I heard Mat and Savanna Shaw sing it. Here are a few of the words-

I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those who help us most to grow, if we let them. And we help them in return. Well, I don't know if I believe that's true. But I know I'm who I am today because I knew you. Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But... Because I knew you, because I knew you, I have been changed for good.

These words remind me of something that happened last week, when I had to serve on jury duty. I was put into a group of people that I will never see again, and I don't even know their names. But it changed me for good. Maybe not for better, but for good. 

On Wednesday, October 5th, I had to login to a zoom meeting at 8 am, with about 350 people. A few of those people got excused because the court dates were Oct. 6,7, and 10. That group got assigned to several 45 person panels. My panel was to report to court room 131 at 9 am on Thursday morning. I was there until about 4 that day. That was group questioning and individual questioning, that resulted in a 12-person jury. I was #4 of those twelve people. I had to report again at 9:30 am on Friday. That day was opening statements and testimony of three witnesses. (The plaintiff, the defendant, and the plaintiff's wife) Some of that was very boring 😉😖.  Monday was closing statements and then the jury deliberation. Over the weekend, as I thought about the case, I got angry at what the jury was expected to do, with what I thought was insufficient information. Then I realized that what I thought was insufficient information... was actually nonexistent information. The case was a lawsuit for injuries from a traffic accident. Our first decision was "who was at fault" for the accident. If it was the plaintiff, then our work was done, because then there was no grounds for the lawsuit.  One of the most amazing things that happened was that the jury was unanimous that the fault for the accident was the plaintiff... so we were done. I volunteered to be the "fore person". Which was much easier than any of us expected. I had to sit in a particular chair, answer one question and give the paperwork to the bailiff.  The judge actually read the decision. 

I am grateful to live in this country were things like this are settled in court with a jury. I was sad that the accident happened almost 4 years ago and is just now in court, but covid took two of those years and the court is still back logged because of that. I was the oldest person on the jury, and this is my first time to ever serve on a jury. I got a summons in Houston when we lived there, but I didn't get chosen. It is somewhat amazing how being put into a situation like jury duty can change us and change our thinking. 

Halloween Decor

 At first, I was having trouble getting some of my Halloween decor to "look right". I already knew when I got the boxes out that I needed to donate some. I just kept moving things around, until I got something that I liked. I am wanting to put some items on the front porch, but one of the neighbors could show up any day to use a pressure washer on the front wall near and above the porch... that means what is on the porch would probably get wet. All I have out there now is something hanging on the door... I wouldn't exactly call it a "wreath" 😑 I need to unpack my larger Halloween items from boxes in the garage and get my trunk-or-treat ready for next Friday. I guess my theme this year is "ghosts". I ordered a few things for that, but I haven't had a chance to work on that yet. My life got hijacked with jury duty last week and tomorrow. Then on Tuesday, I need to take my Christmas items to Homestead Handcrafts. That gets me to Wednesday, before I can work on my trunk-or-treat. Anyway... here is my indoor Halloween decor. My splurge for this year was this metal ghost in my foyer (pic #1) And I guess Gracie thinks my Halloween table runner was just for her... maybe she is a Halloween decoration 😉 (third to last pic) Last 2 pics are updates of the front porch... if the neighbor comes to power wash, I will need to move my witch 😉.

Update on Elder Simms

Elder Simms didn't get his Visa to go to Ecuador yet, so they sent him to Nashville. I think he felt like that was part of the plan for him, because he thought he might be going to that area, before he got his official assignment. He called and talked to Annie on her birthday last week. She said he is somewhat bored, because they don't knock on doors anymore, they rely on social media and on ward members for contacts or people that are out in public. I grabbed some pics that either he or Annie have shared. The first pic has an interesting story to it. The lady there, is related to a family that the Simms knew in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Some of the missionaries were staying at her house. The last three pics are a letter that Annie wrote to Elder Simms, right before he left home. I am not sure that those will post very well here. 

Painting with a Twist

 On Saturday, September 24th, Audrey planned an activity for her, me, Ashley, and Hailey. There is a place on the northeast side of San Antonio called, Painting with a Twist. On that particular day it was "Paint my Pet". Audrey had sent in photos of Kai, Kitty, BonBon, and Finn. Then an artist there drew the picture on a canvas, and we spent 3 hours painting it. It was fun and different. Audrey painted the picture of Kai, to give to Annie for her birthday. The Simms are calling it their "Mona Beastie".