Latest Updates…
I have been slow to update over the past week so here goes:
Sunday the 16th:
Went to the jail at 8am and performed magistrate duties — reading legal rights and ensuring inmates understood their rights, etc. and setting bonds ascertaining that probable cause existed for the arrests (got to see the murder suspect from the events of Saturday). Then I ran home and picked up Coleman and Mallory — Mel didn’t feel well after a week of Mistetoe and Magic and needed some rest, so she and Griff stayed at the house.
Listened to a great sermon with awesome music… then went by the jail again with the kids (an educational experience for them) to handle a little more magistrate business. Then ran home, grabbed quick lunch for the kids and took the whole family to see Madagascar 2 at Times Square. It was a much needed “down time” with the family and a cute movie. Then we went home and Coleman and Mallory “helped” me trim trees and clean up around the yard until after dark. It was a great family day.
Monday the 17th:
Began with magistrate warnings at the jail, followed by a long commissioners court meeting. Worked through lunch and then held mental hearings. Got tugged and pulled many different directions with unscheduled meetings and “fires” then went to the jail to do afternoon magistrate warnings.
We did a trial run on the video system to see if I could perform magistrate warnings by video while attending a conference out of town.
Got home later than I would like, and I stayed up late trying to get things in order to leave town for a conference. Didn’t pack.
Tuesday the 18th:
Magistrate warnings… no probate court!!!
Worked diligently to get my desk cleared before leaving town. I was supposed to leave by noon, but as usual, that didn’t happen. I was doing so good clearing my desk and getting organized because everyone thought I was already gone. I had very few interruptions, and it was great! Long story short… I left the office at 4:50 pm, and I called the jail on my way to the bank to get some money for the trip. They needed me to do magistrate warnings, so I headed back to jail and handled that. I got home around 6:00 pm, and packed, hugged/kissed the kids and hit the road by 6:30 pm. Pulled into Galveston around 11pm, and it was a little eerie. There were very few street lights on, and the city appeared to be somewhat deserted. As I pulled in to Moody Gardens, there were no lights lighting the driveway and few lights on the signage. I wondered if I was in the right spot. I got checked in and settled into my room, and I stayed up late with paperwork.
Wednesday the 19th:
I woke up early to prepare the video camera and computers to do the magistrate warnings. We had some technical difficulties, but got through the first round of inmates without much fuss.
I was able to make it to the first session of the judicial education conference. I enjoyed getting to see my fellow county judges and catching up. The big topic of conversation for many of us was IKE and cleanup issues.
Magistrate warnings in the afternoon.
Dinner with other judges and TAC staff.
Thursday the 20th:
Magistrate warnings… education and fellowship.
Friday the 21st:
Magistrate warnings and technical difficulties, education and left Galveston by a little after noon. Arrived home to get hugs from the kiddos and a family dinner at El Charro Numero Uno… awesome!
Saturday the 22nd:
Hung out with the kids ALL day while Mel worked. I spent about an hour and a half doing magistrate warnings by video. Me and all the kids played and watched movies and it was great! I got to spend a little one-on-one time Sat. evening. We went to do a little window shopping at Best Buy. We played on the display Wii for at least 45 minutes, and a Wii is now at the top of her Christmas list. A great Saturday! I even went to bed relatively early.
Sunday the 23rd:
I did magistrate warnings by video, and as a result I didn’t quite make it in time to Sunday School (the kids did). Church service was interesting. It started out with bright lights and no greeters or staff and NO MUSIC. Rev. Baker was standing at the podium and began the service with no assistance. The service was intended to show that stewardship is important to keep church going. As the service proceede, Rev. Baker asked for assistance from people in the A/V room, the ushers, the greeters, the band, etc. It was a great message and a great service.
Afterwords, we had to run by the jail to perform magistrate duties. Mal went in with me (she is curious/concerned about those things I think and asks me lots of questions about the people there).
We then ran home, changed clothes, ate quick lunch and went to see the new animated movie (a Sunday movie two weeks in a row!) Bolt! It was in 3-D and very entertaining. I thought about keeping the 3-D glasses afterwards because I think they made me look nerdy/cool. Mel persuaded me that I was incorrect.
We wrapped up the day by taking a late afternoon drive, and doing some work around the house (with Coleman’s help)… Early to bed… praise the Lord!
Monday the 24th:
I received a phone call through my conscious spouse at about 12:45 a.m. from my friend Det. Tarrant with TPD. I was in deep sleep. When Det. Tarrant asked if I could sign an arrest warrant for an Aggravated Robbery suspect, I told him I would love to help him but that I was in Galveston. (As I said, I was in deep sleep.) Melanie hit me and said, “No you are not!” Then I woke up and realized I was back in Tyler. After being embarrassed and explaining the situation to Det. Tarrant, he arrived ten minutes later and I took care of the warrant.
I wasn’t able to get back to sleep right away so I went to the playroom and watched T.V. until I fell asleep around 4am or so. Melanie woke me up at 5:45a.m. so she could go on a walk because I wouldn’t be able to hear the kids. So much for sleep.
I went to the office to prepare for a Commissioners Court meeting. The meeting went long… a couple of hours. I then ran to the jail to perform magistrate warnings, then back to the office for our Thanksgiving Feast for CC employees and Department Heads.
Held three mental health hearings, and then worked on desk work. I left for the jail to do warnings late in the day, and made it home by 5:45p.m.!!!
Tuesday the 25th:
Went to jail early to do magistrate warnings, then to the office for probate court which went way too long! Now it’s time to take my daughter to lunch and shop, then I plan to spend a little quality time with the kids (who are out of school for the whole week - how crazy is that!?).
