Happy New Year

Mongo and Snacks*, along with our worldwide corporate partners, would like to wish everyone a healthy and joyful 2009.

Keep your grip tape clean and your chain lubed...Mahalo!

*(Not his real name)

Rumpus Room

We have lived in here the past few days. A computer, the TV, good reading lamps, afghans . . . if only the lone fireplace in our home were in here, we'd never leave.

Mom's Placemat Totes

Even my mom got bitten by the handmade-gift bug this holiday season! She made all the girls in the family these totes made from a placemat, grommets, rings and a purse handle. She matched the placemat to our personalities (mine is the shell theme, obviously!!). Thanks, Mom, so much for these special gifts made with love! (She even sewed a "made by" patch into each.)

First And Meade

Fresh from a successful campaign in '83, as the number one starter for the Santo Domingo Jankees of the Dominican League, Mongo went on to college and was virtually "unhittable" for years.

Belgian Waffler

Mongodamus had a down year in '08 with his prognosticating. As a matter of fact, if anyone named Vito comes looking for me, tell him I moved to "the islands."

With the '09 season right around the corner, there's no better way to clean the slate than with my first bold prediction.

Breakthrough Rider Of The Year*...Stijn Devolder

*(As long as he doesn't abandon the Tour again like a little girl)

Florida Haiku: NPW

Crossroads in our lives

The joy of the adventure

A smile touched my soul

Katy Teapot Vase

Katy from work found this ceramic teapot in a thrift store and thought of me. She gave it to me this month to thank me for all I do at work around the holidays. A sweet gesture. One of my weekly treks to Kroger to visit their deeply discounted flower bins and the teapot makes for a great vase!

Glamorous

Courtney at work got me this perfume bottle for Christmas. She thought it suited me because it's glamorous. Courtney is one of those friends who inhabits that wonderful friendship place where we can be and do anything we want. We love each other's company and laugh, sing and dance our way through the workday. Can't ask for a better co-worker than that. Besides . . . she thinks I'm glamorous.

Here is the bottle, placed on a tin tray, a vintage ribbon tied at its throat, and showcasing a bright pink rose. Looking lovely. I like separating the stopper from the bottle so you can see the glass rod that gets dabbed glamorously on neck and wrists with the finest of fragrance. So elegant.

Just An Observation

Based on his posture, blank stare, and gas station quality "El Pistolero" logo hat, I think it's safe to say that the guy on the right can't f***ing stand the guy on the left.

My Eyes Really Suck: Part Dew

So there I was this afternoon, out for a fast 30 on the Silver Comet Trail, when I had to pull over momentarily for a quick rear derailleur barrel adjustment.

I was re-mounting Ol' Lightnin' when a guy flew past me on a TT bike. Of course I had to give chase...but as I drew closer, I thought I recognized both the bike and the rider. I formulated a plan to draft unnoticed, and then drop the hammer and give him shit as I passed.

This would have been a great plan except...it wasn't my friend on his Blue T16 that I'd been following for two miles...rather, some random dude on a Cervelo P2C.

I've aged ten years in the past week!

Banana Seat Casanova

"S'up baby...You wanna take a ride on my chopper?"

After-Christmas Sales

I really didn't make a point of hitting up the stores for the post-Christmas sales, but I did find these items that I couldn't resist. The stockings were $5 a piece (and fit in with my living room color scheme) and the "cupcakes" were 99 cents a piece, perfect for gift toppers.

ADDENDUM: I found these items at a store called Fresh Produce. They carry mostly women's and children's clothing, but have great gift items as well.

Domino Gift Subscription

My sister Karla got me a gift subscription to Domino magazine. The most fun part of the gift was her creative presentation. I opened a box to reveal cardboard muppet dominoes. It took me a minute to figure it out. (The subscription gift card, pictured here, followed in the mail a few days later.)

Homemade Gifts this Year

The downturn in the economy certainly had a silver lining this holiday season. It seems that our family, and many others, simplified this year, focusing on family and the true meaning of Christmas. Even our gifts were more thought-out, and, in many cases, handmade.

Here is a gift I made for my sister, Beth. Her home style is primitive. She had always wanted those decorative balls you find in places like TJ Maxx or Marshalls. They come in a variety of materials — ceramic, glass, beaded — and are usually showcased on a platter or in a large bowl. I'd been on the hunt for some to fit her decor, but was finding nothing. So I went online and found an online primitive shop that sells fabric, in this case fat quarters for quilting. I bought several fabric squares, some styrofoam balls, and then ripped the fabric (so the strips would have slightly frayed edges) and wound them around the balls, securing with straight pins. It was an easy project, and she loved the outcome!

Papa Needs A New Pair Of Shoes

Mongo retires the Vision kicks and gets a pair of new-school Vans for the upcoming '09 S.B.F. season.

(Mine are all black with white trim and laces)

Holy Crap...It's Happened

Over Mongo's brief history of time on this planet, I have been very lucky in regards to illness and serious injury. Knock on wood, that will continue, but there are still many unavoidable byproducts of aging. Though hair loss and dick stiffness seem to be at the forefront of our society's collective consciousness,(Sorry Alzheimer's!) I want to talk about eyesight...Mine!

After years of denial, and a group intervention on my behalf, Mongo purchased his first pair of reading glasses. I couldn't ignore the fact that reading and working on the computer were straining my eyes. When a friend of mine let me try her glasses, it was amazing how much better I was able to see up close... I had forgotten what clear vision looked like.

Of course...I had to get the black, Titanium, wire-rimmed model. I'm pretty sure the frame is made by Lynskey.

New Quilt and Pillow

For Christmas my sister got me a beautiful quilted cotton blanket in the same blue-gray as my bedroom walls. And a quilted white pillow with pink rosebuds. Looks so pretty on my bedroom chair.

Birthday Gift from Laura

I've gotten around to putting up the framed prints that Laura got me for my birthday back in September. I wound up adding mattes to them in a seafoam green, which, when hung in my bathroom, mimic the wall color and almost give them a floating look within the frames. Thank you so much, Laura! You know how much I love the beach!!!!

Christmas means fresh-squeezed OJ!

The same neighbors who bring me a smoked turkey every year (done-up-right on their back patio deck, infusing the whole neighborhood with a mouth-watering smell!), bring me a case of oranges at Christmas. This picture shows what's left. Every morning when I wake up I squeeze, with reckless abandon, a big honkin' glass of fresh orange juice. It's such a treat at the holidays.

3000 MPG

"The bicycle is the perfect transducer to match man's metabolic energy to the impedance of locomotion. Equipped with this tool, man outstrips the efficiency of not only all machines but all other animals as well."

(Ivan Illich)

Funkmaster Z-Flex

It was only a matter of time...

Mongo predicts an early, Latino domination of the Neon-Lowrider skateboarding scene... Until, inevitably, the Japanese decide that they want in, and go all "Tokyo Drift" on their culos.

Polish Traditions

Our Christmas meal — of ham, lots of sides, always including carrot souffle and the traditional sauerkraut and kielbasa — begins with the breaking of the Oplatki a semi-transparent wafer of unleavened dough, stamped with scenes of the nativity. Everyone at the table breaks off a piece and eats it as a symbol of their unity with Christ. In the past we've broken off pieces and offered a piece to each person at the table wishing them good luck, good fortune, and good health in the new year. But this year, with my grandmother not hearing well at all, we didn't do the passing. The tradition was still as powerful.

What's In A Name?

It's name has been used for a Heavy Metal rock festival as well as a certain Bike shop group ride. Literally translated, it means..."Rocks that are good for tying up ships."

Hammerfest, Norway.

Bringin' the noise since 1838!

Tuck In Your Shirt

"Officer...I know that to you I may look like a no-good punk, who's probably on the dope...but I can assure you that I am, actually, a Professional skateboarder."

He Looks Like More Of A Hawk Guy

J.C. hittin' the slappy rail at the White-Pearl skatepark.

The Kid's Got Style...But He's A Little Hairy

Easily...the best Judo-Air kickflip ever caught on camera...indoors...at an unsanctioned event...by a non professional.

First things first

Gideon is the first to dive into his gift: a giant rawhide. He'll chew on it until it takes on the feel and weight of a giant wet washcloth. He must have been a very good boy this year. We always tell him that Santa is watching.
After sitting and patiently waiting for Harleigh to unwrap the red-ribbon-tied bone, it's all his!
I love how as big as he is he still insists on lying on the ottoman. See his back leg hanging off.
Harleigh enjoying her stocking loot. Lots of great teen mags; Mrs. Claus must have clued The Mr. into that idea! And her favorite of the stocking stuffers is the I [heart] Jim note cube (see it on the table next to her; Jim from The Office). Who doesn't love Jim??!?!?!?!

Superman Air To Bar Spin 540

Mele Kalikimaka

Merry Christmas!

To all the new friends I've made since starting this blog just shy of a year ago, I want to say thank you for visiting me, for your heartfelt comments, for being the wonderfully supportive and kind people you are.

May we all strive to be more like Christ in the year to come. Merry Christmas, friends!

Love,
Dawn E. Girl

Christmas Cookie are DONE!

As of 10:00 this morning, all the cookies are done! My goal was 48 dozen, but alas I fell short and produced only 45 dozen. My punishment . . . eat cookies!!

And as of 12:30 today, most of the cookies have been delivered to wonderful neighbors. Always watching out for us, always greeting with a smile, a family of sorts.

Here are a few of my Christmas tins. Cookies belong in vintage tins, not tupperware. It's the law here at Chateau Gahan.

Speaking Of Training...

"It never gets easier...you just go faster."

(Greg LeMond)

The Wrath Of Khan

Though heavily camouflaged, here is a spy photo of the 2010 Hybrid SUV from Chrysler... mandated under the Federal bailout agreement.

In the spirit of the legendary Cordoba, the driver's seat is made from only the finest "Corinthian" leather.

Chair Collection

I began collecting small chairs back in the late 1990's (and have featured many in my blog). When I moved into my house, this recessed bookshelf seemed the perfect place to showcase a portion of the collection. While I think it might be time to pack them up for the attic, I wanted to post a picture first (Marisa, a visitor to my blog back in November, had asked for a close-up of the shelf).

New Chairs for the Study

I've had two chairs in the study FOR-E-VER that are not even suitable for sitting on. But they're really cute. I've now learned that cute and functional MUST go hand in hand.

A few weeks ago I went to sit down in one of the chairs (the one that seemed the most sturdy of the two, mind you!), and a second after my booty hit the seat, the chair seat split in two and I fell to the floor in a heap of splintered wood. A primordial dwarf (yes, I've been watching a lot of TLC lately) could have sat on it and the same would have happened; it had nothing to do with my chunky frame. The chair was on its last leg. Thank God that a house guest wasn't the one to embarrassingly break the chair.

Anywho . . . in my search to find two new chairs, I chanced upon two of these at a local thrift store, and with it being half-price day, scored the two for $20. I like the green accent paint on them. And while I had planned on replacing the chair pads, now find them in keeping with the decor of the study.

Baking: The Best and Cheapest Therapy There Is

I consider today a spa retreat, a much-needed respite. And it all took place in my kitchen. Small as it is. Counter space at a minimum, and I mean a MINIMUM. The picture above is the beginning of the day, setting out all my treasures.

I had begun the Christmas-cookie-baking days ago, but today I tackled it in earnest. Tree lit, Christmas music on the radio, a list of cookies-to-bake a mile long. And the spread before me — measuring cups, spices, flour and sugar, mixing bowls and mixer, wooden spoons — is pure heaven. And that my dear boy, Gideon, keeps me company, makes it all that much more special.Today I made chocolate chip cookies, cheese wafers, hot nuts, macaroons, and Greek cookies. The kitchen smells . . . ahhhhhhhhh. It's as good as any Yankee Candle.

And the best part of the whole day was when I needed some ingredients that I'd run low on. I asked Harleigh — the new driver in the family — to run to the store for me! Gave her a list and some cash, and she came home with what I needed. One of the perks of having your baby grow up.

Cycling Apparel Or Snuff Film Accessory?

Six brave members of the Smyrna Bicycles crew suffered the thirty five degree temperatures today and got a sneak peak at the '09 "To Be Named Later" Hammerfest route. They were...Boonen, Mongo, Irish Brian, Jello, Clay, and Young Jimmy.

A new points system takes effect next year, involving Sprints and KOM. So unless Mongo can lobby successfully for some kind of age/weight/drug use/ handicap, I'll be battling for fifth place points all year...if I'm lucky.

The new loop is great...Fast and technical, without the severe, spirit-crushing climbs from this year's route, but instead, longer sustained rises that force you to either sit and spin or stand and hammer.