Dad’s Losing It: At The Zoo

I thought that I was going to become a Daddy again yesterday, but at the last minute we backed out of a convenience-based near-decision to induce labor. Instead, since I was already scheduled to be home from work, we drove to a small but lovely local zoo and walked for about three hours. Instead of a costly and more than likely poor-quality lunch out, I did the sensible thing and packed peanut butter & jelly sandwiches for the three of us, a Ziploc bag of Pirate’s Booty to share, some fat free Fig Newtons (which really taste identical to the … Continue reading →

Dad’s Losing It: Sympathy Belly

My second child should be arriving any minute now. Friday was probably the last doctor’s appointment before the big day. In fact, we were fairly certain the contractions would intensify shortly after the 3:30pm visit. They did, but my laid back daughter is apparently not ready to met us just yet, as my wife’s contractions never progressed enough to warrant a trip to the maternity ward. My first child has been with Grandma and Grandpa for the last three days, and, in her absence, my wife and I have been eating like college students – cheesesteaks, French fries, breaded chicken … Continue reading →

Dad’s Losing It: Bangers & Mash

Last night, I cooked a some traditional Banger pork sausage on the grill while indoors four large Russet Potatoes enjoyed a stovetop Jacuzzi. To the potatoes, I added a bit of light sour cream, a pat or two of salted butter and a lot of finely chopped chives from my herb garden. It marks the first time I have prepared this customary British meal for my family. I had a plate of Bangers & Mash while in London four years ago and loved it – last night I finally got around to making it at home. It is a delicious, … Continue reading →

Dad’s Losing It: Ice Cream Social

Happy Mother’s Day everyone! This morning, we drove a couple hours roundtrip to my parent’s house, to make my Mom (and Dad) a big breakfast to celebrate the special day. I cooked up homemade pancakes on the griddle and sausage with real Maple Syrup (Shady Maple Farm Thick-n-Rich – it is delicious!) and topped it off with fresh French pane au chocolates and muffins from the bakery near our home. Being a cooking equipment snob, I packed up half my kitchen for this trip! Before we three exited at 8am, I had a toasted bagel with peanut butter on one … Continue reading →

Dad’s Losing It: Happiness is a warm croissant

I am in the middle of a three-day stint with my mother as houseguest extraordinaire. She is the human version of the Energizer bunny. The woman never rests if there is work to be done (and sometimes even if that means creating work for herself). In my house she could go 72 straight hours without sleep – we have A LOT that needs tending to. My wife and I joke that she will wash all our clothes twice; just to be sure they are truly clean. With my mom around, I cannot rest much. It is a double-edged sword, for … Continue reading →

Dad’s Losing It: On My Knees

My weekend, and the early part of this week, was about nothing more than weeds and mulch. No, that is not my special diet or a new celebrity get fit trend. Weeds and mulch, or more appropriately, the act of weeding and of mulching, have been my exercise oasis for the past four days. I have on my hands and knees, getting down and dirty in the garden and trying to make the numerous beds around our property somewhat presentable, and at the same time, getting a strenuous workout. Add that to my normal three-mile walk with a push-mower attached … Continue reading →

Dad’s Losing It: Under Siege

On back-to-back days this week, co-workers of mine generously supplied donuts for breakfast. I was helpless as the sugary treats were lingering around my cubicle for 48 hours. I think I had about five donuts between Thursday morning and Friday afternoon. Not that I am Superman, but if I were – donuts would certainly be my kryptonite. Fortunately, I combated the donut attack by walking a few miles on Saturday morning during, and in preparation for, our community-wide yard sale. I was up at the ungodly hour of 5 am yesterday dragging my rear-end and our merchandise from the garage … Continue reading →

Dad’s Losing It: What a Weekend

I had a remarkable weekend of outdoor activity and exercise. I also ate pretty darn well, save for an abundantly delicious upscale Mexican feast at El Vez, a stylish spot in Philadelphia, on Sunday night. Earlier that day, I mowed my ½ acre lawn for the first time this season, which amounted to over 3 miles walked. I also chopped down and raked up the five patches of last year’s sea grass on my property and then shoveled and distributed some wood chips in the front yard. I felt utterly exhausted, yet totally satisfied, with my level of exercise. Needless … Continue reading →

Dad’s Losing It: Hello Spring! Oh how I have missed you.

It was 75 degrees today – a simply perfect Saturday from start to finish. I even got a big workout and I accomplished one enormous task in cleaning out the garage. I was out there for several hours, sweeping, lifting big dusty boxes and reorganizing while listening to the new Arcade Fire and Modest Mouse discs. Our community is having a yard sale next weekend and, after initially thinking we would have only a modest offering, I know now that I need to come up with additional tables! Seems we have been storing WAY too much stuff out in the … Continue reading →

Dad’s Losing It: No-Mo

I have no momentum. Zero. I charged up my iPod and packed my gym bag on Wednesday night while heroically proclaiming to my wife that I was going to work out before school Thursday night, before work on Friday and then again while our daughter napped on Saturday. Three straight days of high-energy exercise! Yeah, none of that happened. My excuses, while valid, were far too commonplace: I was stuck at work until at such time when I had to leave right for school, we awoke WAY too late for me to stop off before my day at the office … Continue reading →