The Golden Years

Yesterday was the Retirement Party for Judge Golden, who served as the only District Judge for the Creek County Courthouse in Sapulpa from 2004 to January 2025.  I was his court reporter from 2007 to April of 2022.  In spite of some rough jury trials, boring pleas, crazy bailiffs, and often seeking work that would give me a greater sense of purpose, that job was easily my favorite and the cushiest and longest-running CR job I have had (and it will remain so, as my court reporting career will likely end for good this year).  Judge Golden was always kind to me, and I feel very grateful for my time working with him!!

Judge Golden's bailiffs through my time at that courthouse were Michelle Smith (who spoke with me when I called about the opening in December 2006), Marleen Long (who created the Bailiff Bible notebook), Kathleen and Debbie (both short-lived for good reason), and finally, Laura Allison (from 2016 to this present day)!  Lord willing, Laura will continue her Secretary-Bailiff career with the next District Judge appointed by Governor Stitt.  In October of 2017, Tiffany Joanne joined us as a Court Clerk in Creek County.  Exactly 7 years later (10-2-2024), she became the First Deputy, the highest ranking member of the clerk's office under Amanda, the actual Court Clerk!  I'm grateful for my time working with these ladies in Creek County, and I was happy they saved me a seat at this party!  I saw several judges and attorneys I hadn't seen since I left (including Judge Golden himself - that was the first time I've seen him since then)... that was mostly fun, but as a classic introvert, I was very happy to have a table spot with people I know well enough to skip the small talk... Cheers to that! ;-)

Judge's wife, Phyliss, and his sons (Zach and Jake) and their families hosted this party at the Kellyville Mountain Creek Lodge.  Not sure where they got the cake, but it was excellent, and I appreciate that they gave everyone a small piece of both chocolate and white! =)

LB and I at the entrance!

The party was 1-3pm.  We mingled around whilst they had some technical difficulties, then they started the judicial roast around 2:15.  Judge Serner, Judge Vassar, and Judge Woolery spoke, then Judge Golden gave what he called a "rebuttal." lol  Everyone's speeches were 90% kind with a little humor thrown in, which I appreciated.  The idea of being roasted at a party with my friends and family is an actual nightmare scenario for me... I would walk right out and promptly de-friend whoever hosted and planned that.  I will only accept complimentary-toasting speeches. lol

So anyway, partly in his honor and partly because it makes sense and I like the sound of it, I've decided to call Round 1 of my time in Tulsa "The Golden Years" (the 15-year time span from January 2007 to April 2022 when I worked as the Official Court Reporter alongside the Honorable District Judge Douglas W. Golden at the Creek County Courthouse, age 22 to 38 for me).  Obviously, life wasn't all golden and sparkly for 15+ years - six months into my time in Tulsa, my heart was shaaattered and I'd never felt more friendless and I wasn't sure I would ever recover or find a new reason to keep living... but looking back, I feel immensely grateful and honestly very proud of the way I rebuilt my young adult life and found new dreams with God's help.  I would go through the pain again to have the beautiful memories, the personal growth, and the core relationships that were forged in that season!!  ...The pics just happened to fit best this way, but it makes me happy that it's a sparkly gold background in that center photo! ;-) #GoldenYears

This pic is from my last day of work, April 14, 2022 (documented here).  It's on the "Tulsa wall" in my laundry room, and I love it!

Okay, moving on... I had lunch before the party with the wonderful Wilson fam at McAlister's Deli! ❤

Parker Elizabeth sat by me, and she was in a fun mood.  I adore her! ❤

P.S. I'm sad you can't see my new jeans in any of the photos from yesterday - they are extra sparkly and fabulous and go well with my diamond boots, which I was also wearing! I'll be sure to get a pic that shows them next time.

The night ended with a 3+ hour catch-up session with Tiffany and Laura over dinner and dessert at BJs - yum!!  This served as a belated bday dinner for Laura and an early bday dinner for Tiffany! lol  I'm grateful for their friendship and glad we all got to hang out!

Okay, this goes with nothing else in this post, but whatever.  Here's the Bullard fam 11 years apart... I just love them, and these pics make me happy!

Huzzah for brighter days ahead, literally and metaphorically!

This also has nothing to do with anything, but gracious, a few of the sunsets and sunrises I've seen lately have been really pretty and extra colorful! ❤

Tomorrow is Tiffany's birthday, so Happy Birthday-Eve to her!!  Thursday was Kristin Renee's birthday, so here's a fun through-the-years collage I made for that - kudos to her for being my longest-running Tulsa friendship, my only friend who included me in her wedding party, and one of my top 3 most-deeply-trusted people!! ❤  Praying God continues to bless her and the Foster fam as life moves forward!!

Peace out, friendo! lol

I'm off to conquer 10 miles and finish my CCU doctoral application essays and videos (keeping that door open, just in case).  I love you and believe in you, and I believe in your ability to set meaningful goals and establish positive momentum in life!!

❤ ❤ ❤