January 31, 2010: Two Crazy Boys Eager to Play in the Snow

Choosing today's picture was tough, because I had a few good ones. Even if this one reveals that I don't know how to work my camera in different lighting conditions, I just love what it says about the relationship of a boy and his dog. J snapped this during lunch as L and the dog stared longingly at the snow outside. Yes, we finally got out there, and the kids had a good time playing and doing their best to help shovel snow. The dog played too, and he was in heaven, but his good times were short lived, because he was a little too energetic for the neighbor kids, so I had to put him in the yard.

January 30, 2010: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cream-of-Oat-Wheat-Meal

I wanted to try cooking oatmeal in the crock pot over night, but genius that I am, I forgot to plug it in, so it was well soaked but not cooked in the morning. My little girl (C, age 3) protested the very suggestion that she should eat oatmeal, and L (pictured) said he'd only eat cream of wheat. So I dumped the soaked oatmeal in a pot, brought it to a boil, and added some cream of wheat. L saw the cream of wheat go in, so he was satisfied. When C protested that she didn't want cream of wheat OR oatmeal, I assured her this was something different altogether--it's chocolate peanut butter cream of oat wheat meal! Of course! She heard chocolate somewhere in there, so all was good. They ate, and they were happy.

January 29, 2010: A Temporary Escape From the Four Walls of My Office

I went to a net neutrality debate/forum at the National Press Club today. It was very good, and yes, it gave me an itch to do more policy work. It was very cold, but I wasn't in the mood to wait for a cab, so I walked. I was glad I did; it's always good to walk past the White House, no matter who happens to be living in it when I do.

January 28, 2010: A Home Gym

Yup, that's it, my home gym. Oh, I almost forgot, I also have a pull up bar and a 35 pound kettlebell. Um, no, the purple dumbbells are not mine. I improvised tonight; I worked out at home, because I got home late, and J had plans with a friend, so I couldn't sneak out to go to the gym. Much to my surprise, I ended up having a pretty good workout.

January 27, 2010: Eggs One Way

I like eggs in the morning--it's a great way to get the day going in a high protein way, and no, they won't give you a heart attack.  I got sick of eating them hard boiled; now I'm sick of eating them scrambled.  Oh well, I think I've exhausted my eggs repertory, but I'm more interested in being strong and feeling good than in having an entertaining breakfast.  If I wanted fun for breakfast, I could always eat something from a box with a cartoon character on it.

January 26, 2010: What's in it? What's Not?

Plain Greek yogurt, mango, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, banana, almond butter, milk, chocolate protein powder, and some ice cubes to keep it smooth = good post-workout nutrition.

January 25, 2010: Two Crazy Kids, Part II

Again, can you see the madness? L likes to take off his shirt after he goes to bed. Is he five or 16? He also recently made the switch to boxer shorts, and he's pretty certain that he's not going back to those confining and cutting briefs. What can I say? He's a genius. Most gents don't figure that universal truth out until they're much older.