New-ness

Lots of new things to ponder this week.

New racing season (yeah, I showed up a little late to the party). My first race of 2009 will be this coming weeked...Idyllwild Spring Challenge. (gulp)

(photo from last year)

A new set of wheels. Specialized Roubaix Pro. Carbon. Full DuraAce. I am not yet worthy of this bike.

New Podium bottle (I got a free one at Interbike and really wanted another).

New recipe for whole wheat bread.

New growth. Plants are blooming and sprouting. Looking forward to the rest of spring.

Tom-ah-toes

Orange blossoms (my favorite)

Cactus about to bloom


Cactus #2

when moths attack

Mothra vs. Godzilla. Lol. Not quite what happened in our backyard yesterday, but it was a little unnerving. Dan and I were eating dinner around dusk at the end of a hot, hot (102 degree) day, watching the hummingbirds at our bottlebrush tree. Suddenly, the birds were joined by what looked like baby hummingbirds. Awwww, how cute.

Until we start to see a few, then a dozen, and then a few dozen! Upon closer inspection with binoculars and then up close, we decided they were really hummingbird-like moths! And Google, in all its wondorousness, led me to the species: the White-Lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata).

Photo credit to Dr. Bill May (http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/moths.shtml

house = home

Here are some interesting before and after shots of the house. We are in month 2, officially, of home-ownership. We've been living here now for just over a month and spent 4 weeks doing work/minor renovations. It's a work in progress, and no...it will never really end, but we've made a damn good start!

Kitchen before...old appliances, no paint, awful linoleum floor


Kitchen after...stainless steel appliances, new paint, tile floor (done by us)


And, the best part, our chalkboard wall


Living room/fireplace before...yellow/orange paint and 4" tile in entry


Living room/fireplace after...rich, dark accent wall, new tile in entry, ceiling fan


Dining room before...hideous, unfinished green and orange paint. They painted around some furniture


Dining room after...new paint and light fixture (only wires before), artwork ready to hang

It's Been a Long Time (Since I've Rock & Rolled...)

I think I'm ready to do this again...devote some time each week to blogging. The last several months have seen new beginnings and new endings. New stage in my relationship. New house. New level of commitment to training. Lots of good things and fun times have been had.

In an attempt to keep our loved ones and friends more in-the-loop, I'll be posting up bike-related and non-bike related musings and photos. You want a little insight? Check back frequently. I can't promise that there will be something new everyday, but hopefully it'll be something to entertain, inform, or enlighten.