The Sunshine Lawyer

02/09/2023

I stopped posting last year when my dad unexpectedly fell ill. It wasn’t an illness in the traditional sense of the word. He was diagnosed with something that wouldn’t eventually end his life but would affect him for the rest of it. He has parksinsons. I noticed a slow decline and then a year ago, the slope became very steep very quickly. My dad was by no means traditional, but gone was the guy who could give me career tips, house design tips, restaurant tips, etc. But I was gone too. As an only child I was not thrust into the roll of caretaker. I thought I wouldn’t have to face this challenge for another 10 years but here I was.

The last year was an adjustment —- and then my mom got sick too. And in the middle of this I ended up in the hospital.

In 2023 I am getting back to what I enjoy - travel, concerts, and, most of all, actually spending time with friends. I have to learn to rely on others to help me with my parents. I feel constant guilt if I don’t make every doctor’s appointment! I need to shed that:

I am mid life now. We’ll probably past mid life. I tell people I am on the top of the plateau staring down the other side. And I intend for that slide not to be grief filled! Somehow…

It feels great to be back writing.

09/11/2021

This weeks lawyering fails by yours truly.

My lawyers fails are usually related to zoom….this week was no exception!

This week’s dilemma all began with the fact that my office gave me a new computer last week. I’m not sure what was wrong with my old computer, but I was informed I had one of the oldest computers so I needed a new one. It seemed to work fine for me……

The next important piece of information is that we recently had our entire office suite repainted and new carpeting is being installed. Prior to having to clean our offices to prepare, I had more suit jackets in my office than my home closet. This is important! Keep reading!

Forgetting that I had a new computer, I logged into my zoom hearings with only a few minutes to spare. Who would have thought the new computer wasn’t set up for audio????? I later learned that it was and my problems were user error (me), but that’s a different conversation….

At least I learned to always test audio before a hearing. I learned this because yours truly was being called on one day during a hearing and I didn’t realize somehow my speakers got disconnected. So there I am I’m being called on and I’m staring blankly at the screen utterly oblivious until my cell phone began getting blown up by colleagues to ask why I’m staring blankly at the camera….how embarrassing!

Back to this week’s dilemma. When i realize the new computer isn’t set up for audio (which it was but I’m really bad with technology), I switch to my cell phone, that I didn’t have charging all day because I didn’t think I’d have to use it for a hearing. 20% power!!!! Crap!!! So now I’m running around the office trying to find a cord long enough to stretch from the wall to my desk!

Once that problem was solved, I realize that I had a clothing problem. My computer camera is set so you only see me from the neck up. Although I like to wear a jacket, no one can see if I am or I am not. The only place to set my phone for a hearing shows my entire torso. So now I am on hearings with a phone with 20% power, a charger stretched across the office and a big baggy sweater because I brought all my suit jackets home due to the office remodel. So I had to tie my sweater in the back so it kind of looked like a dress. Whoever said video hearings are more efficient has not spent s day in my life….

On a positive note, all the hearings went well and I don’t think anyone noticed my behind the scenes mishaps!

09/09/2021

08/03/2021

Good morning! Thought of the day….

07/21/2021

I went back to Court today for the first time since March 2020. To the clerk’s office…. To pick up a document…. I wore a dress and everything for the occasion. I haven’t worn a dress since March 2020. Black stretchy pants with flats have been my post-pandemic uniform. Where I typically practice, we are soon going to a “hybrid” model where the attorney can choose whether or not to go in or appear via zoom in most instances....

I went back to Court today for the first time since March 2020. To the clerk’s office…. To pick up a document…. I wore a dress and everything for the occasion. I haven’t worn a dress since March 20…

05/20/2021

This almost happened today

04/22/2021

I’m from Connecticut originally and I saw this meme and I laughed my a— off!

04/22/2021

Last week was a lot of juggling for me. Since my daughter lives out of state with her dad, when she’s with me in Florida, I try to give her my undivided attention.....which is pretty much next to impossible when other life matters are also nagging at you....the dishwasher, job duties, the litter box. I think you know what I mean....

Last week was a lot of juggling for me. Since my daughter lives out of state with her dad, when she’s with me in Florida, I try to give her my undivided attention…..which is pretty much next …

04/12/2021

There’s nothing like taking a break and getting a little R & R by the ocean, well in this case the Gulf!

There’s nothing like taking a break and getting a little R & R by the ocean, well in this case the Gulf!

04/11/2021

Taking a break from life for a week.

03/31/2021

For sure!