Today was very much like yesterday.

I got to go in 30 minutes later because my group didn’t need to watch the orientation video, so I stopped for a cup of tea on my way to the courthouse.

Different people gave us similar instructions, and then the TV came on and the waiting began.

During “The Price is Right” as they were filling up Contestants’ Row, I realized we were just like the audience members, waiting to “Come on down!”

Only we wouldn’t be trying to win a new washer and dryer.

They came with the first announcement a little earlier today. It was just after 10 a.m. when they called 25 potential jurors. I was not one of them, so I returned to my book.

A little after 11:30, one of the judges came to speak to us and explained why so many of us were called in today. It initially seemed like my group would have been exempt today since half of this week’s potential jurors were called in yesterday.

There was the possibility of two multi-day trials on the docket. One was a rape case involving DNA evidence. The other was a murder case with a 16-year-old defendant, who was also accused of setting the body on fire.

Had these defendants requested trials rather than give guilty pleas, the judges would have needed to interview a lot of jurors. Thus the full waiting area.

I am certainly glad they didn’t go to trial.

After this announcement, we were released for the day. I was home before noon.

I’m not totally off the hook yet, though. I don’t have to go in tomorrow, but I can be called in on Monday if my number comes up.

I’ve had a great experience this week with jury duty. But I haven’t had to actually do anything. I got to read in the morning, and was able to connect to my office network early enough that my missed time in the office hasn’t put me behind. It’s been almost like a vacation.

I kind of assumed cases we might encounter would be simple. Not rape and murder. It’s scary knowing I could end up hearing that kind of case!

The verdict?

Pretty awesome. I didn’t really have to do anything except get up a little earlier than usual.

I reported to the court house at 8 a.m. After a short wait, a couple people talked to us about the process, and they played a short video (I believe it was called “You the Juror”). Then we had a 15 minute break.

After we reported back to the waiting area, somebody else talked to us. And then we waited. And waited.

I fortunately have two unfinished books, so I brought one along. In the background, the TV was on. We watched “Regis and Kelly” and “The Price is Right.”

Around 10 a.m., they told us the judge was still reviewing the docket. We were given another break. (You know, a break from waiting). And then we got to wait some more.

Around 11, they called 30 people. I was not one of those people. Five minutes later, they called two more people.

And then the rest of us could go.

Yay! I was home by 11:30, and worked from home for the rest of the day.

I’m on jury duty until Monday, and will have to call in each night to find out if I’m needed. I’ll be back again tomorrow morning.

I wonder what my odds are on another easy day?

So I had to take a photo of the photo of my eye that the tech loaded on the screen for my eye doctor to review.

After all, it was a lot of work taking those eye photos. I’m a blinker. It took about four tries on each eye, staring at the light with my eyes wide open, waiting for the flash.

Same thing for the “puff of air” test. Though I think it took five tries on each eye.

I’m still blind as ever — without my contacts or glasses, I have to squint to make out the “E.” And now, bonus! There appears to be some swelling in my cornea so I have to buy a special ointment to use at night.

After I got home we sat around watching TV and waiting for the furniture delivery guys. We had a delivery scheduled for 1 p.m. Of course, they arrived at 2:55 p.m., two minutes after I called the store to see if they could track them down.

It wasn’t until after five when everything was assembled and arranged in my kitchen. But now I feel kind of like a grown-up. There is furniture in my kitchen that I didn’t have to put together!

Posey approves.

It’s nice that I don’t have to store my wine in boxes on the floor anymore. But there are some empty spots.

I need more wine!

(I also need a new kitchen floor. Someday …)