{{{Stephanie}}} I hope the back pain gets better soon.

Does anyone know if I will have trouble shipping packaged food stuff abroad? It turns out that what my friend living in Italy really misses is Tex-Mex style food like she had when she lived in Austin. So, I was thinking I would send her some hot sauce and a few other items in a care package.

I'm happy to take any suggestions. NOt having to get up and down has helped a lot.

she's doing some research now. She suggested a pose, ardha chandrasana or half moon pose, but I can only find pictures of a variation of it where you balance on one leg and I don't know if I'm up to describing how to do the version she recommended. Basically, you are standing up straight and you raise your arms straight over your head and clasp your hands together. Your arms frame your ears (be sure to keep your shoulders down). And then you stretch over to each side making a gentle s-curve with your spine. So, if you are stretching to the right, you want to bring your left hip a bit forward.

It's a great gentle stretch for your lower back and your belly won't impede.

When I took prenatal yoga, it was really nice getting the modified poses--the ones I mentioned were the most comfortable for me.

But nothing beats a good, long back rub, too.

Let me guess, ND--a television blaring Dr. Phil or The Price is Right, loudly, a few people reading novels, some older ladies knitting and chatting? No really comfortable chairs and crappy, crappy coffee?

I have to say, San Francisco's jury waiting room was comfortable, softly lit (okay, a little dim, but in a restful way), and quiet. If I hadn't been there so against my will, I would have enjoyed it.

Cambridge's, however, was the usual municipal-building 70's linoleum floors, folding chairs, and blaring lights.

The one courtroom I was in was really depressing. It was located in a strip mall. It was if they decided to have the cheapest courtroom possible.

DC's jury room is one of the circles of hell. Crowded, not well cleaned (ever), overheated, with multiple TVs blaring (luckily all the same thing), not enough restrooms, etc. The federal court was better ... but still jury duty.

It's a great gentle stretch for your lower back and your belly won't impede.

I will try this. And Cash's stretches helped a lot.

I've never been called for jury duty.

DC's jury room is one of the circles of hell. Crowded, not well cleaned (ever), overheated, with multiple TVs blaring (luckily all the same thing), not enough restrooms, etc.

Sing it sister! What a hole that place is...and I can't figure out why. It makes no sense that it never gets cleaned, or that the same jittery video (not dvd) player is there year after year, or that the lighting makes you feel as if YOU are the one in jail.

The employees are generally inoffensive, but that place.

And, don'tcha know it...exactly 2 years (the service grace period) and two days after my last appearance, my summons showed up again last week. Blergh.

I have to say, San Francisco's jury waiting room was comfortable, softly lit (okay, a little dim, but in a restful way), and quiet.

Also, a mini-cafe right down the hall with decent coffee and good sandwiches. Thank God, since I'm apparently now well and truly In The System and get called up every 6 months like clockwork.

Stephanie, I'm so sorry about the back pain.

I would post more but I am still ded from puppy cuteness. The one that truly slew me dead (aside from pup and Sparky cuddled in an easy chair, giving bashful and/or baleful stares to the photographer) was the one where she's flopped out alongside a ruler scientifically proving that she is OMG WEE! SO WEE AND SMALL! Science says so!

The jury room here is just big. This is the largest courthouse in the world. I'm on lunch now. Currently I'm in slot #16 on a jury but they haven't started the jury questioning so hopefully I will dodge being on he jury.