The Bathroom Reno Saga: Day One

And thus it begins... After one day, it doesn't look much like it did before. Check out the-
bathroom from the hallway and the south bathroom wall and the new tub.

The cat and kids seem to be getting over the shock.

B.

The Bathroom Reno Saga: Prequel (The Before Pictures)

Tomorrow our bathroom renovations are starting! If all goes well, we should have a new floor, tub, shower surround (tiled), vanity, shower hardware, sink and facet by Wednesday. This is the most significant work we've had done to our 19 year old house in the six years we've lived here.

Basically the following are the facts about our (only) bathroom:

1) It is ugly (this, we hope, will change),

2) It is small (yes, this will not change),

3) There is water inside the wall behind the tub (and maybe mould),

4) The shower/tub leaks down to the basement,

5) The sink leaks into the vanity,

6) We like the paint colour (we painted it about four years ago- it now needs to be re-painted), and

7) We deserve a better bathroom.

So, between 8 and 8:30 tomorrow they will start dismantling our bathroom, Version 1. Here's a shot of what it looks like today (with some things already removed to get ready.

Here's the floor (its actually much whiter than the flash made it look).

Here's the facet.

Here are the shower and the tiles.

Stay tuned- its going to be an expensive week!

B.

Lost Episode 3.6: The Beginning of the Great Sleep

Fellow Losties, we shall have no more of our heroes until next February.
Fear not as we have been left with some actual plot...

Tonight's episode was low on mysticism and visions, high on suspense and
Kate's back story... I was happy with the episode but not blown
away. The whole episode revolved around whether or not Jack would
operate on Ben, aside from Locke, Sayid, and the new characters (Paulo
and ...?) burying Echo. Just to finish that line, Sayid and Locke find the "Jesus Stick" to bury it with Echo...

Back on Alcatraz, Sawyer and Kate, er... "couple," Jack finds out, Jack escapes (for a few minutes), Jack agrees to operate on Ben, Jack operates on Ben, Jack cuts open his "liver sack" who knew we had one of those), Jack says he will let Ben dies if Kate isn't let go, Sway er is about to be executed, Sawyer isn't executed, and the 1/2 season ends... Phew...

The suspense was equal to the better moments of the series.

B.

Theatrical Premiere

Yesterday I had the privilege of taking Super Girl to her first movie at
the theater. As Super Mom was home sick, Action Girl (age 5.5), Super
Girl (age 2.5) and I went to see Flushed Away at a matinee. Both girls
seemed to have a good time and S-G wasn't scared. She spent a while on
my knee but didn't mind the theater darkness and sound.

She is not heavy enough to make the seat sty down unless she sits on
the very edge. Both girls enjoyed our popcorn. The movie was fine
quite enjoyable. I think I laughed out loud more than the girls. Its
hard to walk past the arcade they have just inside the main doors, even
with small kids.

Both girls are starting to talk about their birthdays already (3 in
December and 6 in January). Presents, games, and invites, oh my...

B.

Lost Episode 3.5 Part II: Your Comments

M.H. sent me this thoughtful reply via e-mail:

"Interesting plot twist you forgot to mention...."the others" have been telling Jack he's too smart to fall for the "brain-washing" but by telling him he's so smart for figuring them out...the brainwashing is actually working better. Soon jack will be a white-robe wearing-Julliet dating-Ben operating-sawyer shocking-Michael freeing-baby stealing willing member of "the other" cult.
PS - Don't trust Julliet.
mh"

B.

Lost Episode 3.5: R.I.P., Mr. Echo

Adios, Mr. Echo! Summary of last night's episode:
1) Mr. Echo's flashbacks reveal that he really was a good guy (but
don't mess with him),
2) The "monster" kills him because he wouldn't confess to the ghostly
image of his brother (which was probably the monster anyway), and
3) Ben does have a tumor on his spine and he would like Jack to
operate. Jack is not open to this but is open to rubbing in that he is
not open to this.

Oh yeah - there's also a crazy guy with an eye patch in one of the
other stations on the island. He must be a pirate.

RE: #2) above, the monster runs the island as a redemption theme park
but reserves the right to kill islanders who aren't "with the program."

So, basically all of those loose ends have been tied up neatly and the
series can end. Any questions?

B.

Lost: Oct. 25, 2006 (3.4) – “Every Man for Himself”

Things are looking up. To re-cap: As M.H. at my work had predicted we were rewarded with Sawyer flashbacks tonight. In the “present” there was a beach storyline (brief), a Sawyer/Kate/Ben storyline, and a Jack/Juliet storyline.

The Beach: Desmond is still freakin’. Specifically he’s still seeing the future. After unsuccessfully trying to get Claire and Aaron (the baby) to move out of her shelter while he “fixes” it, he borrows the nine iron from the communal golf bag and constructs a lightning rod that saves Claire and Aaron. Charlie starts to suspect Desmond’s ability.

Sawyer and Co.: Sawyer schemes to escape and instead is out-conned by Ben. In a variation on a classic con, he is sedated and convinced that they have inserted a pace maker in his heart that will kill him if his heart rate goes very high. Sawyer falls for it and in the process convinces Kate not to try to escape (they are being watched anyways). In the end, Ben takes Sawyer up to the top of a bluff overlooking the water and shows him how they are on a smaller island “twice the size of Alcatraz” a few miles from the main island. Kind of makes you wonder why they aren’t on the main island… hmmm… Oh yeah, Kate says she loves Sawyer. Does she?

J & J: Juliet gets Jack to operate on and try to save “Colleen,” the woman who Sun shot last week. She dies. Jack sees the x-ray of an adult male with a tumour on his spine. Is this why he has been selected by the others- he happens to be a spinal surgeon.

Overall: Not bad. Not bad at all. The gag of having Sawyer’s hear rate go up while Kate was changing was kind of a cheap gag, though. Good set up for next week, hopefully.

B.

America, is this what you really think of us?

So far, I've kept this blog to some pretty light topics. Yesterday I
heard a story on the news that has compelled me to protest here using
all the blog-space I can.

Here's the story: an American citzen named Malcolm Watson was convicted in New York State of sexually abusing a student he taught at a prestegious all-girls private school. He made a plea bargain that was accepted by the state prosecutor (district attorney?) and by the judge, pleading guilty to one count of sexual abuse and one count of endangering a child. The "bargain" was that he could return to live with his wife and children in Canada for three years and stay away from US for that period except to visit with his probation officer, or he could spend one year in prison in the U.S.

Here's the full story from the CBC: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2006/10/23/exile.html

What the heck? Is this how we (Canada) rate for the U.S. or at least part of it? Is our children's safety is worth that much less than their children's safety? I've been around enough to realize there are probably several legitimate but conflicting perspectives on this story with reference to how high the risk of him re-offending, international law, citizenship versus permanent residency, and differences between Canadian and American law. It's true the legal age of consent is lower in Canada than in New York State (14 vs. 17, I think), BUT the fact that he (as a teacher) was in a position of trust over this student, he could still be guilty of an offence in this country.

So, his choice was one year in jail in the U.S. or 3 years living with his family and working in Canada.... In summary, this whole despicable incident is a:
1) Good deal if you're Malcolm Watson.
2) Good deal (in a really short-sighted way) for the U.S.- one less sex offender for a few years.
3) Bad deal for 33 million Canadians, who happen to include a number of children I'd like to keep safe.

B.

An Actual Update

I probably should write an actual update, instead of only posting fun stuff. We had a quiet but great weekend. We had a marshmallow-filled campfire between rain showers Saturday night. Also went to the children's library with the girls this PM and met up with my mom.

Super Girl is 95% toilet-trained. It probably felt like a stronger, tougher struggle than it actually was this time around. She's worked hard at it, though. She just had to get to the stage where she wanted to do it.

Skating and gymnastics are going well for Action Girl. Neither is a very high-intensity sport when you're five, but that's as it should be.

I'll write more soon.

B.

Lego block head of Binky

Lego block head of Binky
Originally uploaded by Binky

Have you ever wondered what you and those closest to you would like if they were made out of Lego? Well, I hadn’t either, until I stumbled across this site:

http://www.reasonablyclever.com/mini/index.htm

If you follow this link you can make your own virtual Lego “mini” figure (the king with the yellow head and blank stare. What? Still not interested? Well, you too could preserve the likeness of those closest to you in well… virtual plastic toy-hood.

B.

Super Girl in Lego Oct 21-06

Super Girl in Lego Oct 21-06
Originally uploaded by Binky

This is how Super Girl, age 2.5 yrs, sees herslef in Lego. Cute, eh? Yes- she really did pick those eyes.
B.

Action Girl in Lego Oct 21-06

Action Girl in Lego Oct 21-06
Originally uploaded by Binky

Action Girl, age 5.5, picked the microphone, cap, and cape to prove that she is in fact a "rock girl."
B.

Binky in Lego Oct 21-06

Binky in Lego Oct 21-06
Originally uploaded by Binky

When I showed my sweetie the Lego mini-figure site, this portrait of me, by her, was the result. Uncanny isn't it? That may be next year's haircut, though.
B.

Super Mom in Lego Oct 21-06

Super Mom in Lego Oct 21-06
Originally uploaded by Binky

Super-Mom, the love of my life, in Lego. Considering her portrait of me, I think I've shown some restraint in not enhancing this picture.
B.

Happy Birthday Super Galactic Space Mom

space mom oct-06









My far better half's birthday is today!
Happy birthday, sweetie!
B.

[Picture: This is a drawing that Action Girl (age 5) made of herself, her mom and Super Girl (age 2) going to a planet to meet aliens. Its not every mother that could inspire that level of adventure. ]

Lost Season Three, Ep. #2: Yawn…

Last night’s episode of Lost wasn’t that bad, I guess. In case you missed it (and you want to know), it basically involved a Swayer-Kate storyline about a kiss and an attempted escape and a Jin-Sun storyline that involved a lot of flashbacks to Korea.

Basically, Jin did have an affair with Jae, her English tutor. Sun’s father discovers this band sends Jin to go to kill him over some supposedly uncollected debts. Jin cannot kill him and gets him to promise to leave the country. But, as Jin goes to leave Jae comes crashing down onto his car- did he jump or was he pushed? He’s holding a set of pearls that he tried to give to Sun earlier. I can’t remember if she accepted them or not. If she did, then presumably she pushed him. If she didn’t then he jumped, heartbroken. In the “present” Jin, Sun, and Sayid try to ambush the others at the dock only to have the sailboat (“The Elizabeth”) taken by a squad of others. Sun shoots one of the others in the stomach in the course of this.

Sawyer and Kate are sent to break up rocks… No really, to break up rocks… Sawyer kisses Kate and tries to escape. He almost gets away, but doesn’t. I think the important thing in his mind is that he got to kiss Kate. In the last scene, “Henry” (“Ben”) sits down to speak to Jack. He tells him his name and that he’s lived here all his life. There seems to be a real naivety in Ben that I can’t quite sort out…

So, what’s the third season going to be like? The tough thing is that with the suspense of the first two seasons is going to be really hard to top, or even equal…

B.

Recent News

1) We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I’ve added a few pictures from that w/end to my Flickr page at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/binkygetsby/

2) Super Girl is now (mostly) toilet-trained. Yay!!! Good for her!

3) Super girl (age 2 2/3) can identify the letters J, L, and A by name. Neat!

4) Our next door neighbour had her baby yesterday (on the 11^th). “C” is a brother for “A” who is Super Girl’s age (within a week). Action Girl is determined to one day be his babysitter.

Good night for now,

B.

Picture of Herbie the cat

Herbie Cat Sunday October 8 2006

(my in-laws' house cat)

I love the expression on his face.

B.

Lost Season Three Premiere: Your Comments via e-mail

A few of you sent me comments about my Lost season premiere post. Here
they are with all identifying info removed.

#1
Dear Binky - you are indeed a die-hard fan of Lost. I say this because
of noting that
only a short time after the airing of the premiere you have posted a
well thought out
description. While talking to a friend this morning, she suggested
that to her memory
(which I must admit, is much better than mine) Carrie's partner was a
woman of color?? I must say I don't remember that but thought you had
remembered it correctly.??? This too will unfold eh! ---- Another
die-hard fan.

#2
Hey B.,
I was excited to see the show again but I must say, the numbers of
unanswered questions outweighed the answers and it frustrated me
somewhat.

The resounding theme for me is experiment, experiment, experiment with
the prisoners! It freaked me out when Juliette knew all details of
Jack's life (beyond what they simply would have overheard him say). I
picked up on a little strife between Juliette and Ben which could be
interesting. Also, it seems these 'others' are leftovers from the Dharma
(?) initiative but I cannot get a sense of their purpose in their quaint
lives on the island or their need to 'test' the new arrivals. Hence, I'm
just too stumped at the moment.

I'm always interested in other's views. And yes, this Juliette
character was on ER. I did not recall where I saw her before until you
mentioned. Have a great day!!

#3
my theory.....Jack didn't escape he was hallucinating

#4
I'm "Lost" for words B. To put it more simply, when it comes to this
show I don't know my arse from my elbow. I so badly want to figure out
what is going on, but just come up empty handed (similar to the K Rock
Fugitive scenario). Just when I think I have a bright idea, it's
squashed by something even more bizarre and complex. The suspense of
this show kills me, yet I don't really want to know the truth because
that would just be boring. Can't wait until next week!

TV Time: What else am I watching?

(1) Battlestar Galactica (the 2003-now version) (Season 2.5 on DVD). One of the greatest dramas ever on TV... Certainly the best written science fiction show ever made... The original version (1978-9) was quite a different show.

2) Survivor Yep, I'm still hooked.

3) ER Maybe... ER's hold on my viewing is now tenuous. They've written everything. I was left with the sense that some of the long-time cast is just going through the motions.

4) The Amazing Race This season is looking up- my only problem is that I can't remember to watch it.

5) How I Met Your Mother Funny show, a very funny bittersweet show... Okay, maybe originally I started watching it because Allison Hannigan was on it, but I stayed for the laughs. I don't see it all that often, though.

6) CSI The original is still the best.

7) Two shows I'd like to watch but don't: The Office, My Name is Earl, and Scrubs. All are funny, funny shows.

B.

TV Time: Lost has returned to us!

Lost had its season premiere last night! I was not disappointed. The show has already gone in some very challenging directions that will probably work for some viewers and not others. I hope to be in the first group (if you haven't seen it yet, you may want to skip this whole post). We're shown the tranquility of the Others' little residence village and how

Basically, Jack, Kate, and Sawyer are now "the Others'" prisoners. The episode was centered around Kate's interrogation by a new character, "Juliette." He makes an impressive escape attempt and through this, we get quite a bit more of his back-story, including some insight into the end of his marriage and his relationship with his father. Does the actress who plays Juliette look really familiar to anyone else? Was she Carrie's first girlfriend on ER? (I remember because her character was a social worker- there's not a lot of us portrayed on TV, as we have a wee bit of an image problem... or maybe people just don't want to think about us.)

Sawyer is kept in a polar bear cage (empty). He befriends (sort of) a young man who is in the next cage over and joins his new friend in an apparent escape attempt that Juliette stops. The whole Sawyer learns how to do polar bear tricks theme was really, really funny, including when "Henry" tells him that the bears figured out how to work the food release in two hours (less than Sawyer). Sawyer defensively then asks "how many of them were there?" or words to that effect. His new young friend is then lead away, presumably to be shot. The oldest trick in the books!

Kate, is taken away to shower and then given a pretty dress (I honestly don't know how else to describe it). Then, in a scene/twist incredibly similar to what happens to Marion's character in Indiana Jones, she has a nice breakfast with Henry. Did anyone else think that basically the same scene? Anyhow, a long story cut short we then find out that Henry's real name is Ben.

What did everyone else think?

B.

October, here we come...

Posting on this blog weekly still seems to be something just out of my
grasp. That said, everyone in our happy yellow house is doing well and
settling into our autumn routine. Action Girl (5.7 yrs.) started
gymnastics a few weeks ago and can already do actual somersaults
(something she though she could do for some time). She also starts
skating lessons on October 9th.

On Friday, September 14th, both of our girls took part in the
pre-school Terry Fox Run.

Super Girl (2.8 yrs.) is just as excited about skating this year even
without lessons. She did skate a couple of times last year on borrowed
skates- here's what adorable scene that looked like.

In other news, our next door neighbours, A. & S. are going to have
their second child any day now. Our girls are pretty excited for them
(we are too). A-Girl is already talking about babysitting the new baby
(not for a few years). Our two year-old neighbour "A" is, if you ask
him, absolutely convinced he is getting a baby brother. Hmmm...

B.

Family Picture Sept 22-06

Family Picture Sept 22-06
Originally uploaded by Binky

This is how she sees us... Our family, drawn by five and a half year-old Action Girl, Friday Sept. 22, 2006. Note: my cool hair.

B.

The Solar System, by Action Girl (including Pluto)

DSC00239
Originally uploaded by Binky

This is a cut-out paper version of the Solar System that Action Girl (age 5) started last spring and finished over the summer. It hangs in our kitchen.

B.

Lego Super Car: Don't you wish you had one?

DSC00243
Originally uploaded by Binky

A really, really cool Lego car that Action Girl (age 5) made today. Side view.

Lego Super Car: She could make anything.

DSC00241
Originally uploaded by Binky

A really, really cool Lego car that Action Girl (age 5) made today. Front view.

Not so Easy...

We had a very interesting experience this afternoon. The main local army reserve unit had a display set up in the park, complete with a flying Griffon helicopter, all kinds of guns and rocket launchers, and a whole lot of people with assault rifles. As many of you may know, I'm actually a big admirer of the Canadian Forces and pretty firm believer that we/our armed forces and other government agencies should be in Afghanistan. I'm comfortable enough with the military that I walked around most of the displays with the girls. True to her nick name, action girls sat up in the turret of a "G-Wagon" lightly armoured vehicle. A fun half hour...

But... There was something very, well... sobering and wartime about the whole event. It felt like the recruiting fairs that were such a part of the first part of WWI. Maybe that's accurate, maybe that's not... I honestly don't know. Maybe I've finally come to the point in my life where, for me, the military in the necessary sharp end of the stick in a democratic and free society rather that something to idealize and dream about. I certainly don't have any less respect for it, even if my unease with it is new and unavoidable.

Basically, I believe in Canada having a strong armed forces and that we should be prepared to fight when its the moral thing to do (as in Afghanistan). I'd like to think that the fact that Canadians in uniform are dying in Afghanistan stops me from thinking this blindly or without, thinking more about it. It just seems a little more serious now that we're in our first sustained combat of my lifetime. Maybe it has something to do with being a parent...

B.

Weekend in Review

DSC00218
Originally uploaded by binkygtesby.

A pretty great weekend for us...

1) Friday night: fire side time with Supermom's parents (looked something like this...)

2) Action Girl (5 1/2) started gymnastics on Saturday. She really enjoyed herself and also got registered for skating (starts in October).

3) Potty training: Not going so well with Super Girl... at least we (including her) are trying.

4) Quiet day around home today.

A real entry to follow when I have more time...

B.

Someone Likes our Pizza Pic!

This is a pizza that the girls and I made on August 27, the week before they went back to pre-school and K. full-time...

Interestingly, I put the picture of it in my "Flickr" album and someone picked it as one of their favourite pictures... Here's proof:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/binkygetsby/237196854/favorites/

Never underedtimate the appeal of a homemade pizza that... well, looks like a monkey...
B.

Our Summer in Pictures: Part 5

The Haunted Forest Tree Aug 2006
Originally uploaded by binkygtesby.

"The Haunted Forest Tree" - I don't actually remember this part of summer, but am very glad that Action Girl managed to escape from the scary haunted trees.

Personally, I was hoping maybe she'd draw a picture of our friends in Alberta.

Our Summer in Pictures: Part 4

Animals - August 2006
Originally uploaded by binkygtesby.

More foam animals, this time by Super Girl... man, we love foam animals... doesn't everybody?

Our Summer in Pictures: Part 3

Riding the Rainbow Aug 2006
Originally uploaded by binkygtesby.

Its not every day you get to ride the rainbow... (to the Skittles at the end?)

Our Summer in Pictures: Part 2

Nice Painting
Originally uploaded by binkygtesby.

I look at super girl's painting and just think she must have been happy that day, like she is most days.

Our Summer in Pictures: Part 1

Calgary Zoo 1 Aug 2006
Originally uploaded by binkygtesby.

The girl's artwork is the best, most accurate way to review our summer: Here is Action Girl's picture of the Calgary Zoo.

The Last Two Weeks...

The last two weeks have been a busy, happy, and successful time for us.

To summarize:

Number of Cat Escapes: 2-3 (all my fault)
Number of Parents Going Back to work: 1
Number of Girls entering Kindergarten: 1
Number of Girls entering the pre-school: 1
Number of Dads Fighting off a bad head cold: 1

I was able to take last week off from work to spend some extra time with the girls. Super-Mom was going in to school all last week to get ready for this week. This was a wonderful plan, aside from the fact that I managed to catch a really awful head cold and have been fighting it ever since.

Action Girl (5 ½ years) started Kindergarten at the same place where she did Pre-K last year. She was extremely excited about it and was, we're told, very helpful to the new kids in her class. Super Girl (2 ½ years) is in the pre-school class at the same centre. She hasn't been as happy about being back but seems to be doing alright.

Labour Day was a time for some down time with a big trip to the McDonald's Playland and premium ice cream for dessert. (Not our everyday routine...) Super Girl went down the big blue side at the Playland for the first time, with some help from her big sister. We're back, happy and healthy (except for me, but I'm on my way).

B.

My Vacation: The Sequel... Part III

DSC00077
Originally uploaded by binkygtesby.

And, another pic from the beach. Sunday, August 28, 2006. Not our kite..

My Vaction: The Sequel... Part II

DSC00075
Originally uploaded by binkygtesby.

Another pic from the beach. Sunday, August 28, 2006.

Vacation: The Sequel

DSC00080

Yes! Another week off coming up for me, with some good and quiet "down time." Unfortunately, I'm beginning it off with a bad head cold, but that seems to be getting better. Its Monday at 3:28PM and I've only been to the office once...

Yesterday we went to the beach. It wasn't hot, but was quite pleasant. More playground time than time in the water. The girls seemed to have fun and Super Girl (age 2.5) ran right into the water, fully clothed. The toy of the day for her was the fuzzy fellow you can see above- "Wooly Lamb" or as she now calls him, "Bully Lamb." Yes- he is in fact a goat. Click on the above pic to read more.

Here are a couple more pics of him (wait, why am I assuming he's a he... No udder?).

B.

A Question of Screening?

Yesterday morning we were cat-less again. Here is the reason why- the feline-sized hole in the window screen in the girls' room. She went out the same hole for an hour or two this evening too.

Hmmm... Does anyone with more cat experience have a suggestion? This is the third window through which that Mitsu has exited and this will start to get kind of expensive. The weather will soon be cooler and we'll have the windows shut more often but we'd like to be able to open a window or two this fall.

B.

Great Escapes

(1) Last night, someone in our family decided that she would make a hole in the screen on the bathroom window (see above) and escape into the night. At about eight this morning she was meowing at the girls and me from the front lawn. So, at least she walked from the back yard to the front yard. In my mind she was on a far grander adventure…

Then again, she left right before the heavy rain and lightening started. If only she could pay for the ripped screen...

(2) A great escape for a rainy day like today- Lego!

Q: What can you make if you take every Lego piece, big and small, in the house and spend an hour building a castle that uses every piece (well, most of it)?

A: If you’re us- this!

Goin' Digital!

Err... "Sad" news- our 35 mm film camera didn't fare well on the trip to Alberta (even though we didn't use it). I took it to A-Girl's last soccer game and discovered that it had stopped working. With a new battery it won't turn on and there's a visible crack on the zoom switch. So, I'm happy to report that we got a digital camera. Nothing fancy, but its more than we need.

Our new little friend is a Sony DSC S600 and we took her home today. Should make it easier to post...

B.

PS- A big thanks to my mom and dad for lending us their digital camera for the Alberta trip!

PPS- ===> I've added a lotto the Alberta Trip pictures on my flickr page at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/binkygetsby/

Someone's Mind is Opening

Today our two and half year-old told me that we should “keep an open mind” on something we were trying to figure out. She then went on to say that the bears on TV had been told to do that when they wanted to go to a movie. I asked her if she mean the Bernstein bears and she said yes. Good advice…

Tonight involved a first of sorts: Super Girls and Action Girl agreed that neither wanted to have the first bath tonight- I suggested that we flip a coin… Blank stares… Oh… They don’t know!

I explained what we meant by this time-honoured method of settling questions large and small. It worked. The winner (who about 30 seconds sooner protesting that she should ever again have to have a bath) was happily going upstairs bath-bound and, “the winner.”

B.

Scorecard for August so far…

Number of times the cat has escaped since vacation: 1

Number of Soccer Nights Left: 0

Goals scored by Action Girl in the season’s last soccer game: 2

Goals scored by me in the season’s last soccer game: 0

(It was a parent-child game).

B.

Alberta Trip Pictures

We have some great pictures from our trip. I've created a "flickr" photo album with some of them.

You can find it at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/binkygetsby/

B.

Letting Go of my LEGO...

Exciting news: Super Girl (age 2) and Action Girl (5) have inherited the remains of MY Lego collection. Its not that I've REALLY been holding out and keeping to myself all this time, I just really wanted to make sure that S-G wasn't going to put it in her mouth... Yeah, I don't believe that one either...

Technically, we've agreed that its all OUR Lego. That seems to be easing my pain in giving it away, even to my own daughters. They love it! They have a big bucket of "Duplo" sized mega Blocks, but seem to see the "small" (regular) pieces as a quantum leap forward. I even added the two small Star Wars sets that I had acquired in my mid-twenties to the "general population" of blocks. (There goes the plan to keep them both and sell them on E-Bay when they were both worth enough to finance my retirement...).

BTW, playing with them is as fun as giving the set to them. :-)

B.

Dinosaurs, a City, and Mountains… Oh My!

Late Friday night (July 28^th) we returned from our week-long trip to Alberta. We visited Calgary, Drumheller and Banff. Things went very well with the kids and we all had an amazing time.

We spent the first few days seeing Calgary and visiting with good friends. Highlights included the Calgary Zoo, shopping, the farmers’ market, lots of pool time and a couple of great dinners with our Calgary friends.

Our visit to Drumheller (about 90 minutes from Calgaryslow down,

be patient, and

have fun where you expect to and especially where you don’t…

B.

Meow! Meet Mitsu!

Hi everyone!
Sorry its been so long! Thanks CCC and NofN for the reminders to post.

So, summer is here, soccer has started for action girl, and WE HAVE A CAT!

Mitsu is a three year tabby. We adopted her on June 14th and I'm happy to say haven't looked back since.

She is:

• very good natured
• gentle with the girls (she bit Super Girl a couple of time, but...)
• neat and tidy (only one accident and I think that was because we hadn't emptied the L-Box), and
• a real joy for all four of us to have in the house.

She has only managed two escapes, but spends a lot of time looking out the windows. She REALLY likes tuna as a treat (heck, don't we all?).

More Mitsu stories to come as she continues to train us...

B.

Parting Thoughts on Season Two

Yes- I'm still here. Things have been very busy. I'm still tryiong to sort out the seanson finale.

I haven’t mentioned this before but my favourite place on the Web for Lost information is Jay and Jack’s Lost Podcast. I’ve been listening to it quite a bit and would recommend it. Jay and Jack are from Raleigh North Carolina and have built up a world-wide following of “losties.” It’s pretty wacky, but very well done. If you’re new to Podcasting, let me know and I’ll help you out with what I’ve learned so far.

Here are a few things about Lost that I’ve gleaned from them:

1. The Guys at the end of the Season Finale were speaking Brazilian Portuguese. I think that means it was either an Antarctic station or in a mountain somewhere in South America.

2. The schedule is out for next season apparently. Jay and Jack cited andfound.com (and the Official Lost Podcast from ABC and explained:

Next Season will begin in late September.

> There will be 6 consecutive and “mini-cliff-hanger.” These episodes will be about why Jack, Sawyer, and Kate were taken by the others.

> There will then be a TWELVE WEEK BREAK!!!!!

> Lost will return in February for a twelve week run straight to the finale with NO RE-RUNS.

It’s going to be a long, long summer…

B.