Mediation

For a long time, I've been in favor of we Family Court Judges being required to complete mediation training. We have to send so many litigants to mediation, how could it not make us more effective in our jobs? Anyway, with my loss in the election, I decided to go ahead and attend myself. Depending on how things play out between here and Jan. 1, it may be beneficial in more ways than one for me to have qualification as a Family Court mediator!

Today was the first day of a five-day training program in Morgantown and it was enjoyable. I'm looking forward to the rest! I was a bit tired today - we didn't get home from Knoxville until after midnight, We left my son's apartment yesterday at 3:45 and by 5:45 we hadn't gone 20 miles - all the result of a major tractor-trailer accident/spill before noon yesterday which tied up traffic in a rather major way - obviously - hope no one was hurt -

Had a great time in Knoxville and looking forward to the next time with the whole crew! Since I'm in Morgantown each day this week, all day and in addition I have evening meetings tomorrow and Thursday, I'm taking #2 son Cameron and his wife to dinner tomorrow during my break.

We've gotten some major lawn work done this past week which is great. Our two huge spruce trees got a much-needed pruning, the grass is mowed and today I got my new "Garden Groom" trimmer in the mail. We've got some bushes - one especially - in desperate need of some major trimming. I may give that a shot this weekend, although our Haitian pastor Andre Jean and his wife Justine will be here for their once-a-year visit so it'll be very busy - we'll see -

Looking at about a dozen jobs as of now - not surpisingly, my interest level varies rather widely from one to another - but it is encouraging that so many things seem to be open right now -

Can't wait for The Amazing Race and Survivor to come back on the air! Should be next month. In the meantime - I'll have to content myself with the Olympics. I am looking forward to them - they start this Friday, 8/8/08. Go USA!