Our Christmas Tree 2006

Our Christmas Tree 2006 DSC00857
Here's our tree! No one mailed this to us, though! :-) Long and wonderful story about a friend of ours...

Christmas Happenings

I definitely did the right thing by taking this whole week off. I head
back to work on Tuesday. So far we've had a pretty nifty holiday with a
few wrinkles.

The girls were wonderful on Christmas Eve and Day. Its just so darn
cute to watch them play and hang out with each other. On Christmas Eve,
Super Mom's parents and two of her brothers (the two in province) came
over for our annual Christmas Eve Fete. The girls love their uncle
time!

Christmas morning was wonderful. Kids really do jump up and down with
excitement when they confirm that Santa paid them a visit. Action Girl
(age 5 3/4) really, really loved her "Webkinx." He's a small stuffed
golden lab that she was able to register and adopt on-line. Super Girl
(age 3) is very happy with her Barbie head (the large one with the hair
that she can style). If we were able to get high-speed internet, she
could also play games with him (or at least a picture of him) on-line.
Later on Christmas Day, we went briefly to S-M's parents and then to my
parents. This was an extra special Christmas because Dad's sister, M.
is visiting, along with her daughter G.(my first cuz) and her husband,
C. Very cool to re-connect with them. BTW, my mian gift was a really
cool pair of NEW skates and S-Mom got a new Duvet and cover. Her gift
is more for sharing than mine.

Boxing Day was pretty quiet, although I wasn't feeling 100%. Very, very
achy and sore. Also light-headed. This got worse on the 27th but we
were still able to go to on an out on the 27th to stay overnight at a
local hotel. For less than $50 (with $10 going to the Childrens' Wish
Foundation), the four of us stayed overnight at the same time as Action
Girl age 5 3/4)'s best friend and her mom. We spent a lot of the time
in the pool and a lot of time eating and playing. (Polly Pockets and
stuffed puppies seemed to be the toys of choice.

We got back at about noon today. S-Mom is now quite sick with the bug I
had, but hopefully will get over it as quickly. The other thing that's
going on is that our furnace is refusing to heat our basement. It's
heating the main floor quite well, fortunately. I was on the phone to
our oil company today and my tinkering has solved little, aside from
ruling a few things out.

So, Merry Christmas to you all! There's been a lot written about how
Christmas is a whole lot more when you see it through children's' eyes.
For me, it just adds a whole lot more to the whole experience. Their
wide-eyed wonder puts all the fuss, bother, aches, and pains in
perspective. Ho, ho, ho, indeed! Hope to see some of you later this
week when everyone is feeling better. For now we're just kind of laying
low...

B.

Super Girl's Letter to Santa 2006

Super Girl's Letter to Santa 2006
Originally uploaded by Binky

At age three this is not her handwriting. They were her words, however.

Action Girl's Letter to Santa 2006

Action Girl's Letter to Santa 2006
Originally uploaded by Binky

"DEAR SANTA,
I HAVE BEEN A VARY GOOD GIRL. I WANT A WEBKIN DOG, GUM DROPS RED, AND
[A] BIG PONY.
THANK YOU.'

Fantastic Last Miute Gift Idea!

World Vision Canada has an on-line catalogue that lets you
purchase something for needy kids in the developing work.
The girls bought anti-biotics as a Christmas gift for their
daycare/kindergarten teachers.

Check it out if you'd like:
http://www2.worldvision.ca/gifts/app?service=page/Home

B.

Toe Update

Good News-
Super Mom will not need surgery... We saw the orthopedic
surgeon today and four week of taking it easy (and not
driving) should be enough to heal the toe.

I saw the x-ray. Even I could see a couple of breaks. That
said, she reported a lot less pain today.

B.

Super Mom's Big Break

Yesterday was quite a busy day... At about 9:30am Super Mom
had a desk fall on her right big toe, breaking the bone in
her toe. She hobbled around until she went to the hospital
at about 3pm to have it examined. It is indeed broken and
quite painful!

S-Mom is off work for the rest of the week. Tomorrow
morning she has an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon.
Today she was at home and managed to get some rest.

So, an interesting start to the holidays :-) Nothing
compared to what people with real losses deal with this time
of year.

B.

My Three Favorite Christmas Songs

There are three Christmas songs that I'm comfortable listing as favorites:

(1) "Do they Know Its Christmas?" By Band-Aid (1984)

I actually got choked up trying to explain this song to the girls this morning on the way to daycare/kindergarten/work. Musically its strong and unique (as a mid-80s pop song). Whatever we've been able to say about celebrity musicians and activism, there was a desperate honesty to their desire to save lives with this song. Its earnest and haunting.

(2) "Go Tell it on the Mountain" (Traditional Spiritual)

Christianity is sometimes at its best when its faced with slavery. Its easy to imagine African-American slaves drawing hope from the Christmas story in face of horrible oppression. The message of the season can be that strong, despite millions of dollars spent trying to dilute it,

(3) "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" (Victorian Carol?)

With or without the "Loo loo loo"s in a Charlie Brown Christmas, this is a great song. I love it in large part because of that program, though.

What are your favorites?

B

.

What I'm Watching...

Last night I watched the last episode of HBO's Carnivale series on DVD (originally 2003-05). It ended after its second season (12 episodes). What a strange and creative show...

The premise: Basically in 1934-35 a traveling circus, "Carnivale" moves across the American Mid-West and South. A young man it picks up, Ben Hawkins, has supernatural powers and a mission that has yet to be realized. Ben begins to discover that deeper and more other worldly influences guide the show in its travels. Parallel to this a Methodist minster named "Brother Justin" starts down a path towards a dark plan to fulfill his very evil destiny.

A little bit X-Files-ish, but more mystical and visually stunning, Carnivale was time well spent. Its not a leap to imagine that in America (and elsewhere) the Depression could have felt like the end times. Carnivale was time well wasted in front of the DVD player- it had a different combination of qualities than . I'd recommend renting it (or getting both seasons from the Library like I did).

B.

A Proud Ahmadinejad Denier!

From the CBC:

“Iran's president [Mahmoud Ahmadinejad], who once described the Holocaust as a "myth," opened a conference Monday meant to question the scale of the Nazi genocide of Jews — and whether it even happened...”

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2006/12/12/holocaust-iran-061212.html




You know, some things are just too stupid to argue with... So, stealing an idea from my very significant other, I'm going to propose that we start a group of Ahmadinejad deniers. If he can deny an unbelievably important historical fact, then who's to say that he ever actually existed. Even Iranian state TV is capable of some gratuitous CGI (computer generated images). He's a fake!

Join me- I deny that President Ahmadinejad ever existed! Such stupidity could never have taken place. Remember folks, you heard it here first.

Deny Mahmoud,
B.

Round-Up

Sorry I haven’t written much lately… Things have been busy and hectic but in some really positive ways. The girls’ Christmas concert was last Friday night. It was a hoot! Cute, but meaningful. Action girl (almost 6) took things a little more seriously than her now three year old sister, but they both tried very hard, were very cute, and enjoyed things.

My Christmas shopping is coming along fairly well. The girls (and their mother J) have all been pretty specific about what they’d like for Christmas. We’ve already bought my main gift. It’s a new pair of very comfortable skates! Skates for the non-hockey-playing dad! Skates for the dad whose skates don’t fit. Skates for me.

B.

And Then She was Three!

Magically, our littlest girl is now a beautiful, determined, smart,
stubborn, and wonderfully creative three year-old. A week ago Sunday we
had a party for her and a few of her friends. On Tuesday (the 5th, her
actual birthday) her grandparents came over for more cake.

Its been more amazing than I could ever explain watching both of our
girls grow. They actually are pretty good friends by now.

B.

News and Reviews

(I promise not to mention the bathroom at any point in this post!).





THE NEWS:
I am starting a new job on Jan. 15th. Given the recent job changes among by bloggin' community, I guess it was inevitable. After 10 years in Child Protection, I am moving to a family therapist position, working with adolescents and their families. The position is only for a year so that makes it a safe move in a way. I actually really like my present job (well, mostly) but have wanted to work in a more therapeutic position since grad school. I'm really looking forward to it but am a little nervous.





THE REVIEW:
Last week we saw Casino Royale and really enjoyed it. By far the most "realistic" Bond flick ever made. You really believe that this guy is an MI-5 (or is it MI-6?) agent and that he's quite good at his job. His job happens to be brutal, bloody one that threatens to consume him, though. Unlike me, he does not appear to be pursuing other employment.

I've been thinking a lot about the whole James Bond mystique- basically this is what I think it comes down to: when James Bond is on the job, Great Britain is still a super power. He is a sign that civilized parliamentary democracy backed by a just but iron fist is still out there. There's a little bit of Ango-phile in most North Americans and I think we're re-assured by him... Just a thought.

Gotta go, my lunch is over!

B.

Odd Story from the Beeb

From the BBC's "This Day in History"

* 1999: Nude swordsman attacks churchgoers *
Eleven people are injured in a sword attack at a church in south London after a naked man wielding a Samurai sword bursts in during Sunday Mass.
Full story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/November/28/newsid_2527000/2527805.stm

Usually, the BBC is a little more conventional than this...

B.

The Bathroom Reno Saga: Day Five Pic 6

DSC00608 Bathroom Reno Day Five
Originally uploaded by Binky

The Bathroom Reno Sage: Day Five Pic 5

DSC00607 Bathroom Reno Day Five
Originally uploaded by Binky

The Bathroom Reno Saga: Day Five Pic 4

DSC00609 Bathroom Reno Day Five
Originally uploaded by Binky

The Bathroom Reno Saga: Day Five Pic 3

DSC00606 Bathroom Reno Day Five
Originally uploaded by Binky

The Bathroom Reno Saga: Day Five Pic 2

DSC00604 Bathroom Reno Day Five
Originally uploaded by Binky

The Bathroom Reno Saga: Day Five Pic 1

DSC00603 Bathroom Reno Day Five
Originally uploaded by Binky

The Bathroom Reno Saga: Day Five

My friends, all good things must come to an end. Fortunately, many painful, expensive, and very inconvenient things also end. Our bathroom renovation has not yet ended but is now firmly in amateur hands- mine!

There's a lot of painting to do.

[Pictures to follow soon- tonight or Sunday.]

B.

The Bathroom Reno Saga: Day Four

Man, does this thing ever end...? WE HAVE TILE! ( No grout, yet though.)
B.

The Bathroom Reno Saga: Day Three

We have a vanity! Also, the frame is back around the window. The floor (vinyl) was installed but has cardboard over it.
B.

The Bathroom Reno Saga: Day Two

Progress! On Tuesday the bathroom was re-drywalled. We were away Tuesday night, needing showers and baths. B.

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)

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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?

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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.

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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

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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

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Originally uploaded by binkygtesby.

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

My Vaction: The Sequel... Part II

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Originally uploaded by binkygtesby.

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

Vacation: The Sequel

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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.