End of the Run...24

So, my favorite-most-ever show has come to the end of its run.

Finished.

No more.

All done.

The clock has stopped.

Sigh.

Thank you, Kiefer Sutherland and the rest of the cast from the past 8 seasons!

Thank you, FOX Network! Thank you, writers, directors, camera men, makeup people, producers, etc.! Thank you, ALL!

What a wild, wonderful, and awesome ride it's been!

* * *

I'll miss our Monday night 24 viewing "parties," but I'm looking forward to seeing Jack Bauer on the big screen!

Wooooo-hoooooo!

Returning the Favor-ites...

I cannot tell you how psyched we are to be watching our favorite series again!

It seems like such a LOOOONG time between seasons, and yet it's so worth it to be able to watch it non-stop from now until May.

That said, the weeks between episodes seem to dawdle a bit...though I don't really want to rush time.

Such a quandary...such fun!

So if you call us on a Monday evening...please, just leave a message. *wink-grin*

Ticking Clock...

He's BAAAA-ACK!

10-on-10 Jack Bauer Style

ONE WEEK MORE...

More Muggy Monday Musings

And then there was one...

One Monday left in July that is.

Happy Monday! The final one in July. Next week is August... already.

And it's a muggy Monday, that's for sure. I think traditional Summer finally decided to arrive. (And I, for one, would not have been disappointed had it decided to stay away this year.) Sigh.

We've had lots of thunderstorms lately...so the gardens are filling with lots of weeds. Ugh. I guess it's time to spend some quality time in the flowerbeds.

The kids chose to make some homemade gifts for Ethan, and Edward finally got the chance to finish his: a fringe-edged (Is that even a word? It is now.) blanket. Emily had started hers -- a mini scrapbook -- before he was born last year and has already enjoyed sharing it with him. He "thanked" -- rewarded -- both of them with plenty of happiness at their thoughtfulness.

Speaking of Ethan... The kid is ready to take off...literally. He has been sneaking unassisted steps here and there, and today he took three steps from me to the table. It was like "look, Mom, no hands." Egads. I'm definitely not ready for that stage just yet. Neither of my older two were climbers...and I'm very worried that once he gets his sturdy legs running this guy might be different. But he's growing and changing and chatting up a storm now so there's no holding him back. It's really exciting and fun to watch. Well, from his siblings' point-of-view anyway....my mommy-view is having to quell alarms that keep going off in my head as I remember the older two...

August is ramping up with activities. Our church is holding an "adventure camp" the same week as the Reading Fair...so the kids will be pretty busy that week, I think. Then Emily has another visit to the spine doctor in Wilmington, Delaware, just to check on her scoliosis. She's grown over 5 inches since last October, so we're hoping nothing has changed too much. We also have our annual 4-H club picnic, which comes in the form of a night swimming party.

Stuart and I will resume our "Monday Movie Night" tonight with a selection from the library again. I think we might watch the newest Indiana Jones movie though he's already seen that so we'll see. I have to remind myself of the joys of borrowing movies for free from our local library. In our effort to save money, we sometimes forget that you can't get much cheaper than free. *wink-grin* My laundry folding time has found me just finished with Season 1 of 24 again, and now I'm rewatching Season 7. It's fun to see the huge changes in the main character, Jack. I can't wait for Season 8!

Speaking of shows... Stuart introduced me to a fantastic new show on the Syfy channel called Warehouse 13. It's awesome. Check it out online for free. We watched all three episodes and now we have to wait until later in the week for the next new one. Sigh.

Still, good things come to those who wait.

Until next Monday...ciao!

On Parenting, Murphy's Law, and 24

After posting the glowing review of my favorite-most television program, I failed to give some background on our viewing of the show.

I've been waiting approximately 18 months for my favorite show to return. The writers' strike last year along with Southern California fires and Kiefer's incarceration for DUI worked together to bring about this looooong delay. Still, Kiefer did his time, the fires were put out, the filming resumed, and all was back on schedule, delayed by just a year...only 12 months...a mere 365 days...sigh.

Okay. Okay. I'm an adult. I'm mature. I can wait patiently for something fun and important to me to come back, right?

Of course...(snort...huff...sigh...)

Rewind to last Sunday night.

7:30 p.m. -- I'm scurrying around, setting up the VCR, vacuuming the rugs, preparing the coffee machine and snacks, doing whatever is necessary to be ready for a comfortable viewing of our favorite show, the show we've anticipated for sooo loooong.

7:40 p.m. -- Emily calls down that she's not feeling good.

7:42 p.m. -- I resume breathing after suggesting she sit on the toilet. (It's not unusual for her to get a little "put out" that she can't be a part of fun things like this so she fakes illness or does something to get some attention.)

7:45 p.m. -- I'm looking at my watch, wondering where my sister and brother-in-law are...and hoping that they won't show up minutes before the show.

7:50 p.m. -- I lock the dog in his crate to prevent him from "puddling" due to his intense love of my sister.

7:55 p.m. -- Emily announces -- with lots of tears -- that's she's thrown up in the toilet.

7:56 p.m. -- I resume breathing after shouting that "she had to be kidding." Sadly, she wasn't. Happily, I married the most wonderful man in the entire universe, and he went to help her. (Bad Mommy! Bad, bad, bad!! *wink*)

7:59 p.m. -- My sister and brother-in-law show up, just in time for the end credits of The Simpsons.

8:00 p.m. -- We all sit down to watch the first episode of 24 Season 7...snacks and drinks will have to wait for the first commercial break.


Fast-forward to the next night.

There's not so much excitement around the second night of the shows. We all sit comfortably in our own homes. The kids are ready for bed and reading in said-place...no tummy troubles to speak of.

7:38 p.m. -- Stuart drifts off to sleep, promising to take "just a short nap."

7:40 p.m. -- I laugh and tell myself that I don't need to sleep. I might be tired, but it's too close to the actual show to..........

8:00 p.m. -- The Christmas carol clock begins to "sing," waking us both with a complete shock. We scramble to find the TV controllers. I knock over my cup of coffee and smack Stuart with a controller in an effort to start the VCR in time. He's on the floor, trying to mop up the spilt coffee.

8:01 p.m. -- All is "calm" again, and we both sit to watch "Part 2" of the premiere, our hearts still pounding in our chests as we realize we nearly slept right through it all.

* * *

To quote a passage from Robert Burns' poem, "To a Mouse:"

"The best laid schemes o' mice an' men/Gang aft agley." (Which roughly translates to "The best-laid plans of mice and men/often go awry.")

Indeed.

Sigh.

24 Hours and Counting...

When I was in high school, there was a cheer that was popular (still might be... I'm out of the loop on that). It went like this: "A-W-E...S-O-M-E! Awesome! Awesome! Awesome are we!" (There's nothing quite so self-promoting as a cheer, huh? *wink*)

Anyways, lest my blog become a solid wall of Ethan-ness in various stages, outfits, and expressions...I thought I'd post a comment or two about the newest season of my favorite show. (Caution: Spoilers may follow.)

After waiting 18 months for the next season...and viewing the first four episodes...I have to say:

1. It was a-w-e...s-o-m-e!
2. It was phenomenal(ly awesome)!
3. Only one week to go until the next (awesome) episode!!!!

(Did I mention that it was AWESOME? You cheering with me yet?)

I'm probably not the most unbiased judge of the show since I've liked every season/episode/blooper reel/anything 24 they've made to date.

I think Kiefer's done a brilliant job of building up the emotions in Jack's character over the seasons. And the action/energy of the show is a perfect match to the drama. I think it's all well and good to have motions in a series, but it needs to be coupled with emotions to bring some depth to the show. Otherwise, it's just a weekly James Bond flick. (Not that there's anything wrong with that. The latest installment of that series was excellent! A true bite-your-nails, edge-of-your-seat kind of movie.)

So I might be a little psyched...pumped...ecstatic for the next episode which is only 6 days, 21 hours, and 59 minutes away...

Okay. Okay. Just a tad excited...

Friday Funnies

Today's "funnies" are just the intros to two British kid's shows. But they are quite humorous in content.

Enjoy, and have a funny day!

Polar Monday Musings

A freezing-cold greeting to you on this freezing-cold Monday.

Temperatures plummeted yesterday from in the 40s in the morning to down near 0 in the night. The wind was howling all night long and now has calmed to more of a whistle. Our backyard literally looks "blown apart."

Exciting news over the weekend... The writers' strike should be officially over by this Wednesday! Yay! Yay! Yay!! Finally. We're not sure what that will mean for our particular favorite show since it runs on a different schedule than most shows. But maybe, just maybe, we'll get to see some form of it this year? Some online friends saw Kiefer Sutherland at an Ironworks/Rocco show in L.A. and said he looks really ready to go back to work.

In other news...

There isn't much "other news" happening around here these days.

Stuart and I began watching Season 1 of The X-Files. It's funny how different it seems 15 years later. Still, we're enjoying it and getting "creeped out" by some of the spooky storylines.

We watched Chicken Little with the kids this past Saturday night and were again pleased (and surprised) by Disney's ability to produce a decent kids' movie again. We avoided seeing it when it was out in the theatres because it was so hyped. But watching it on DVD (especially one that we borrowed for FREE from the library) was perfect!

Emily had a birthday party for our two bunny brothers, Earl Grey and Clementine, on Saturday. We went to her room for snacks, crafts, and some funny moments watching the bunnies race around her floor. Their red eyes made it hard to get some good photos without "glowing" eyes. But a fun time was had by all.

Now the countdown continues for Edward's birthday. Only 3 more days for him to be 6 years old. He's getting excited to turn 7 on Thursday. The plan is to go to New York for the day to FAO Schwarz and Macy's. He's hoping for some birthday money -- so, like Emily, he can buy a few goodies along the way. *wink*

Originally, we were going to the Empire State Building, but we didn't realize that Valentine's Day isn't the best day to try to visit that particular tourist site. Apparently, lots of people plan their weddings there that day. Go figure. Blame it on An Affair to Remember and Sleepless in Seattle, I guess.

* * *

5 THINGS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT

• pictures of faraway places

• solving a riddle

• a great teacher

• tic-tac-toe

• strawberries and champagne

* * *

I love viewing photos...especially photos from faraway places and the past.

I guess I inherited my paternal grandfather's shutterbug habit.

Years ago, Stuart and I traveled around Europe. I snapped photo after photo after photo. I think I had at least 12 rolls of film to develop by the end.

I was trying to capture life in the faraway places we were visiting. I was attempting to freeze a "moment in time" so that we could look back at the photos from that time and relive our trip.

I love seeing historical, touristy places...but I'd much rather visit a grocery store or wander through the shopping district of a town. That shows true life rather than tourist life.

I want to see the mothers walking their uniform-clad kids to school. Or an older man buying his groceries for the day. Or even the business people scurrying to their offices. Ordinary people living their ordinary lives.

I just love to "people watch" -- something inherited from my maternal grandmother and mother.

Some call it being nosy.

I call it...interesting. *wink*

Sigh...Sniff...Curses...

Wait a minute while I stomp, shout, cry, seethe, shriek, punch a pillow....

There! That's better...a little.

It seems to be a "cursed" season for 24.

First, a delay in production, then some troubles for the star, then the wildfires, and now...a writers' strike.

Ugh....

The network has officially announced plans to postpone the premiere.

8 whole months of waiting...

Sigh.

I wonder how Jack Bauer might handle this situation...

"Just settle, d***it!!!"

Stars and Stripes

Oh, my....dumb, dumb, and dumber.

I've been debating whether or not I should even comment on this on my blog, but the whole situation is swirling around in my brain so maybe typing something about it will relieve that?

Some (but not all) of you may have heard about Kiefer Sutherland -- my favorite-most actor -- being arrested for DUI. Hmmm... Not surprising really. The guy really does enjoy drinking too much.

Hopefully this will be a "wake-up" call that enjoyment of such should never ever ever include getting behind the wheel of a car afterwards. (You'd think he'd learn after being picked up and busted in September 2004 for the same thing!)

So now, because he was on probation, he's facing jail time...

Okay, okay. Maybe it'll just mean wearing "stripes" for a week or so. But, being completely selfish here, what about making 24??? (Ugh! You're such an excellent actor, Kiefer!)

The bigger question in my mind is: Why do it? Why blow his success with "having a bit of fun" like that?

Sure, he might enjoy the taste and the feeling of being uninhibited, but why seemingly all the time? Why, when he seems to be at an apex in his career, would he risk hurting his reputation?

Stuart told me there were men that he knew in the Royal Navy that got drunk all the time just because they liked it...it was what they did.

I'm not sure I can understand that. I'm not sure I want to understand that.

All that aside...

When I was in university, I had to take a course on journalism ethics -- I promise that is not meant to be a juxtaposition -- and one of the big topics that we debated was that of public figures. How much freedom does the media have in reporting stuff about their private lives? We went 'round and 'round on that.

I don't think I completely understood that topic until I worked for the newspaper.

I'm sure I'd still disagree with the prof on the degree to which a public figure's private life may be divulged. But another issue came up through that: no matter where you work or who you are...you represent someone/something besides yourself.

Kiefer represents the FOX network. He represents the show 24. He represents -- though I think he's completely separate from -- the character "Jack Bauer." He chose that the moment he signed his "John Hancock" to the paperwork offering him a job with 24 and later when he accepted a contract for $40 million over three years. He represents the 60+ movies he's made.

That said, he needs to be more careful how he lives his life in the public eye. And it's very public and very watchful.

Perhaps that puts a lot of stress on him, causing him to drink so much in the first place?

Hmm...then I guess it's time to choose a new line of work.

Of course, I won't stop enjoying his work. (I know from meeting him that he's a really nice guy!) And I'll still support him. After all, we're all sinful humans.

I might feel embarrassed for him and disappointed that he let his indiscretions get him into trouble (again)...that he didn't think before he got behind the wheel of a car...that he didn't remember who he is and what that means to the rest of the world.

And if I lived in L.A., I'd be joining the rest of his family, friends, and fans in kicking his butt around the block.

*grin*

Ah, well. Life goes on, and this too shall pass. I'm sure that's Kiefer's "Thought for the Day."

Exonerated

Miss Teen South Carolina was allowed a chance to clear the "shame" she brought on herself because of her nervousness in the recent beauty pageant...and I have to say, she really did exonerate herself.

I give her KUDOS for even coming back to national TV to explain herself after her major faux pas. She deserves every wish for success.

A Singing Angel

Although I'm not a viewer of American Idol or even America's Got Talent and its equivilant in Britain, this video was priceless.

And the precious 6-year-old singer melts everyone's heart (I'm still wiping away my own tears), even Simon's.

Amusing Musings on Monday

Happy Monday to you! Another week begins...as another month nearly finishes.

We start school in two weeks. Hmmm...I guess I'd best get cracking on our schoolroom, huh? Emily starts 5th grade and Edward is going into 1st grade. Wowzers! I can hardly believe that!

I was invited to teach a journalism class again at our homeschool learning group this year. I'm excited as it gives me a chance to share a true passion of mine with the kids (and pay for our kids to be in the learning group). Now, let's hope I get some students.

Let's see...Monday night wings with another episode of The Closer. Stuart just finished watching the first season of Prison Break. I re watched some of it in between snoring. Season 2 comes out at the beginning of next month, but we're debating the costs of renting it versus buying it. It's not a show that I care to own, but... Still, Season 3 starts September 17th. We're hoping for one of Blockbuster's good coupons....or maybe we'll join an online video service temporarily. Hmmm...imagine the possibilities...

Speaking of new seasons...we heard that production on 24 has been delayed another two or three weeks. Makes me wonder if they'll be able to get it done by mid-January. They're usually a month into production by now. Grrrr.

Found the above funny photo tidbit on Amazon.com the other day. Can you spot the error? How can you offer an calendar of this actor (or any famous person) and NOT spell his name right on the cover art?? I'm just saying.

We had our 4-H picnic on Saturday. Emily enjoyed spending the time with several other club members and getting to swim in the frigid swimming pool. The woman who hosted the picnic has a bulldog kennel so we got to spend some time cuddling with an 8-week-old puppy. She was a-dorable! When Emily said we should get one for Buster to have a friend, (winking) we told her to ask how much they cost. Her eyes nearly popped out when Diane told her $2,500. Still, the puppy was fun to play with.

Our new friend, Chaucer, has been enjoying his new abode, we think. He certainly has made himself at home. "Mi casa es su casa" seems to be his motto at the moment. Now if I can just get him to stop trying to be my "turban" at night. *grin*

* * *

5 THINGS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT

• a day with family

• homemade macaroni and cheese

• gardens of the past

• rainbows reflecting off mirrors

• making forts

* * *

The kids have enjoyed making forts under their beds this summer. Earlier in the season, Stuart's coworker gave us an IKEA bunkbed exactly like Emily's bed (except hers is the loftbed version) so now both kids have a place to make a hideaway/playplace.

They've only done it a handful of times, but each time it brought back memories of doing the same thing as a kid in my room and the basement rec room.

My sister and I had huge closets (I say huge because I was small) in the room we shared and made "homes" in them, journeying the short distance across the room to visit each other and "have tea." It was fun to knock on the closet door and be welcomed inside amongst the shoes, clothes, and doll things.

In our basement rec room, we would disassemble the chairs and use the cushions to make tunnels and tents. As long as we left things the way they started -- ie. neat and tidy -- we could do whatever we wanted down there.

That included me getting "married" three times by my sister and her friend!

"Ah, I remember it well..."

Memorable Monday Movie

This was a favorite show of ours when we lived in England. I especially loved the theme song!

24: All "Jack"ed Up

I'm working through Season 2 of 24 with my friend, Clare. We gave Season 1 to her hubby and her for Christmas. They made it through that season the week after New Year's Day. And she's been waiting to see the next season ever since.

It's been such fun because it's all new to her.

Since I've already viewed it several (okay, okay....more than several less than a gazillion) times, I already know what's coming but have to keep a straight face.

That's not always easy.

At one point when a character leaped out on another one, she jumped and so did her cup of tea. We laughed and laughed about it, and she was careful not hold anything for the rest of that episode.

However, since we don't have 24 spare hours (or 17 and a bit) free to watch the entire season all at once, we had to stop after a few discs.

But where exactly do you stop??

Well, let's just say Jack is on a plane with Nina, and the plane was just hit with a missile......

[Insert "scary music" here...]

Imagine the Possibilities...

"Imagining something may be the first step in making it happen, but it takes real time and real efforts of real people to learn things, make things, turn thoughts into deeds or visions into inventions."

-Fred Rogers

* * *

I remember always loving Mister Rogers.

My mom took me to have "breakfast with him" when we lived outside Pittsburgh. It was late-1973. He was still kind of "new." And so began my "love affair." Mom got me the souvenir pack of 45 rpm records of all of his songs. I listened to them over and over.

It was like Mister Rogers was always there. Even though he was on TV in front of a huge television audience, I felt like he talked just to me; he listened just to me; he shared things just with me. When I saw him and listened to what he said, I felt safer, more confident somehow. I don't think I ever realized how much he was a part of me.

Then I had kids and could share that part of me with them....and they loved him, too.

My friend, Angel, gave me his book, The World According to Mister Rogers, for Christmas. She, too, had a "love affair" with him as a child. He was magical to her, too.

And when he passed away...the whole world mourned....finding it hard to imagine a world without him.