Chisue, I'm also pretty good at noticing the same actor popping up in different series. I thought I noticed the change a couple of episodes ago, but when I Google it, Wikipedia and IMDb gives the credit to only one actress. Thanks to the KT I have extended my Instant Queue to include "Doc Martin". I'll have to look for others mentioned. I can't decide whether to start watching a new series before I finish Midsomer, or finish Midsomer then start another. I think I'll do the latter, then when there are no more Midsomers to watch I won't be so let down, I'll have the others to look fwd to. I'm really enjoying my streaming Netflix. I've also watched a few documentaries and some older movies. Unlike TV, there's always something new to watch on a cold winter's evening.

I gave a gift box to DSIL. On the top said "These are a few of my favorite things..." and I filled it with some of my favorite things. Dove foaming handsoap, Dawn super detergent, a tide stick, the name and number of our favorite babysitter and landscaper, a couple angled measuring cups, and a gift card to our favorite restaurant. DH got me Super Mario Galaxy for the Wii, and I have been playing it every night when the kids go to bed. He also got me a bluetooth speakerphone for my car. The kids and I commute an hour and a half each day, so now, they can talk to daddy and grandmas in the car too.

Daycamp a couple weeks this summer might be something she actually enjoys if she will give it a chance. You might also suggest to dad that you'd like say two morning (or afternoons) a week that allow you to be free of caretaking. Time to clean house, do your errands, book club at library or whatever. That would not be unreasonable. When dad goes off to work along the lines of 9 to 5 Monday through Friday and you're the 'stay at home' caregiver, your correct that the 'not my kid, not my problem' is something that's easier said than done. Dad is leaving you at home in charge of watching his daughter for 8 to 9 or more hours a day until he gets home. While I agree with others that you can't tell dad his daughter can't watch tv if dad thinks it's perfectly okay for his daughter to be a couch potato, that does not mean you have to be the one there taking that responsibilty all day, day after day. And if you plan an outing such as a walk or a trip to the library, she has to join in as she can't stay home alone. If you really have no hope of motivating activities other than tv/vids, you might also try setting her up in a place other than the living room. But not her bedroom. A playroom with the tv, books, crafts, toys ...and declare 'quiet time' for an hour (but not sshhh, no noise allowed)...just a simple 'we are going to clear the livingroom for an hour, it's time for our quiet time'. Maybe she'll go off to her playroom, maybe she'll go outside, it's her choice what and how she spends the time, it just can't be in the livingroom. Lure her outside, set yourself up a place for your 'my space', a cozy corner of your deck or under a shade tree where you can go out and read. Who knows, maybe with you outside daughter will venture out and ride that scooter. I think what most have been trying over your different posting threads in telling you in their opinions, is that you can't tell dad how to raise his daughter (example, too much tv, no veggies, inactive sedate days) but you do get some say in how *you* spend the day. It's unrealistic to think one will have lots of relaxation, quiet time, and self entertaining kids all day when there are children in the home...if you know how that can be done without affecting normal childhood, write a book, it'll be a best seller LOL... it is not unrealistic to think that you have to be the one doing all the caregiving in dad's absence. Shakti above had some good ideas with "May be you can do something with her (think as if she were your own d, what would you do with her? - talking, joking, walking in the park, cooking together ...)" If you do intend to remain the sole caregiver during dad being absent, you are going to have to come up with ways to make it workable for both daughter and you without complaining and fighting. If SD is not there one week, maybe that's when you need to focus on the main housework. Maybe folding towels and putting her own laundry away could be a regular assigned chore. Helping set the table. Little things that are actually helpful to you yet gives her a sense of not only responsibilty but also a sense of being a part of what's going on in the home...being included.

The Wii "Sports Resort" has some upper body games, like shooting baskets and swordfighting. There's frisby golf, kayaking, bowling, and a 'bike race' where you pump your hands to 'pedal'. Pingpong, too. Sorry for your injury!