Mrs. Bicycle's Holiday Gift Guide

Merry Christmas, Hive!  I just love this time of year, especially now that I have children in my life.  There is such an innocence with them that all the family drama that tends to go along with major holidays just melts away.  The other night I walked upstairs to see how A was coming on brushing her teeth and she was counting something on her fingers as she was brushing.

Me: "Whatcha doing, A?"
A: "Counting the days until Christmas."

I mean, come on!  The only cloud over our Christmas this year is we decided last week to tell her that we are really behind the Elf on the Shelf.   It was rough.  Anyway, on to the fun!

WHAT I'VE ASKED SANTA FOR

I have wanted a pair of Hunter Wellies for a ridiculous amount of time.  They've been in my Zappos cart for...4 months?  5?  I haven't pulled the trigger because I don't need them but I want them so badly!

Image via Zappos

I should probably alert someone to the fact I want these (Mr. B?).  It should also be noted that I need the adjustable ones because I have freakishly large calves, probably due to the fact all my hobbies involve leg strength.  

Speaking of hobbies, now that I have changed my name I need to replace all of my riding stuff that has my old monogram on it.  I asked for a new tack trunk and a monogrammed cover would be a perfect compliment.

Image via Dover Saddlery

GIFTS I'M THINKING OF GETTING MR. BICYCLE

Mr. B is a runner and I know he would like some new running gear.  I bought him these bluetooth earbuds (JayBird BlueBuds X Sport), which means there will be no cord from his ears to his iPhone while he is running.

Image via Amazon

This fogless mirror from Amazon has been recommended by a few of my guy friends who love it.  Mr. B shaves in the shower and the mirror he uses always falls off the wall, which gets annoying.  It also always fogs up, which is why this fogless mirror would be a special treat.

Image via Amazon

I would like to get him some products to spruce up his skincare regimen.  I was thinking of this bundle by Origins:

Image via Origins

I would love suggestions of better male skincare bundles so please feel free to pass those along!  I also took advantage of a crazy Joseph A. Bank sale to get him a sweater and two ties, since he is always looking for wardrobe additions. 

GIFTS I'M THINKING OF GETTING MY PARENTS/IN LAWS

This is a toughie.  My mom is pretty much impossible to shop for, which has led me to just not get anything for her lately.  Horrible, I know.  I told her she could have my recently retired laptop so I may go ahead and clean it up and out and send it to her, maybe with some homemade baked goods.

We also do not usually get much for Mr. B's parents for Christmas, since we like all presents to be focused on the kids/grandchildren.  We will see them in the days before Christmas and we will bring a few bottles of wine and maybe some cookies that we make as a family.

We tend to order presents for Mr. B's mom from Uncommon Goods, which has a lot of unique gifts.  Her birthday was the week before last and we got her these glasses, which were a huge hit.

Image via Uncommon Goods

Is it me or is shopping for parents impossible? 

GIFTS FOR MY FAVORITE FRIENDS

My friends love a good monogram so I anticipate anything I give them will be monogrammed.  We don't really exchange presents, though, so I haven't yet decided what I will do this year.  I may make some homemade chai tea or hot chocolate mix and put it in an etched container.  I have done etching like this tutorial a few times and it is always popular.

Image via Keep Calm and Craft On

That about does it for Mrs. Bicycle's holiday gift guide.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!

Secret Life of Bees: Bicycle Edition

Since I am still waiting to get my pro pics back, I figured now would be a great time for me to do my "Secret Life of Bees" post and share some insight into what makes me uniquely myself.

1. I Ride Horses!
I grew up riding horses from the time I was 5 or 6 until I was 16, finally stopping because the level I reached made it a very, very expensive hobby and my parents weren't millionaires.  A little over a year ago I decided to get back into it and it has been so amazing.

Mrs. Bicycle riding Meant to Be / Photo by All Seasons Photography

Riding is the thing in life I am most passionate about and if I am not at work you can usually find me at the barn.  I currently ride in hunter classes (judged, collected, etc.) but I am starting to transition to jumper (timed, fast, fun!).  (For an explanation of the difference between hunter and jumper, try this.)  Riding was such a great release for me during the wedding planning process.  I could go to the barn, hop on a horse, and forget about centerpieces and invitations and RSVPs (or lack thereof).  I am fortunate to ride at a great barn with a fabulous group of people. 

2. I am Terrified of Manatees
Yes, I am actually afraid of manatees.  Growing up in Connecticut manatees weren't something I knew a lot (anything?) about.  When I moved to Florida and started doing triathlons I swam a lot in the manatee-infested waters of the Indian River Lagoon, where nearly 1/3 of the nation's manatee population either lives or migrates through.  Getting into a river with a bunch of creatures I don't understand freaked me out. 

Want to know the worst part?  I am afraid that if I swim into one my arm will go through it like it hit a cake.  I know, this makes no sense at all!  To be honest, I think it was easy for me to find a silly thing to focus on instead of being nervous about the actual predators that live in the water.  I have since moved away from that area and my open water swims don't have as high a manatee risk, but I am always on the lookout!

A sign left for me in my work bathroom / Personal photo

3. My Cat is Potty Trained
Tchoupitoulas, my lovely cat, uses the big girl potty.  Mr. Bicycle's brother's fiancee potty trained her cat and it inspired me to give it a try.  I ordered a training system, Citi Kitty, after reading a lot of mixed reviews (it takes a special kind of cat!).  

Image via Citi Kitty

The entire process took about two months and it was pretty much pain-free for us.  Tchoup has had a total of three (maybe four?) accidents since training was complete in February.  We can even leave her alone for a few nights without any problems.  We did have our neighbors come over to flush the toilet and feed her while we were on our honeymoon...  That wasn't at all awkward to ask... 

This isn't for every cat but I cannot recommend it enough if you're up to it.  Game changer!

Poor Tchouppy is probably embarrassed now / Personal photo

4. I am an Endurance Athlete
I have mentioned my triathlon and marathon training a bit in the past but I thought I'd go a bit more in-depth here.  First of all, meet Mrs. Bicycle's Bicycle:

Personal photo

I ride a Quintana Roo Chicqilo.  It is a triathlon/time trial bike, which means it has different handlebars than a regular road bike.  It is also a bit more lightweight than a road bike.  Because I have been dedicating so much time to horseback riding lately, my bike hasn't gotten as much use as I would like.  Maybe I will go out for a nice long ride this weekend!   Some of the major races I've done include:

• New York City Olympic Distance Triathlon (0.9 mi swim, 26 mi bike, 6.2 mi run) - swim in the Hudson River (fun!)
• Nation's Triathlon in Washington, DC - swim in the Patomac River
• Goofy Challenge at the Disney Marathon - run the half marathon (13.1 mi) on Saturday and the full marathon (26.2 mi) on Sunday
• Augusta Half Ironman - 1.2 mi swim, 56 mi bike, 13.1 mi run 

Mr. Bicycle and I are currently training for the Rock N Roll New Orleans Marathon on February 2.  If you'll be there, let me know!  This will be his second full marathon, the first being when we ran the Chicago Marathon two years ago. 

I first started training as a way to keep me busy during the slow summer months at work.  I signed up for Team In Training, which helps you train for an endurance event while raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  I did three different races with TNT, raising close to $15,000.  If you're interested in getting into endurance events I recommend looking up your local TNT chapter - it is a great place to start!  I also ran the Chicago Marathon while raising money for the American Brain Tumor Association because....

5. I Have a Brain Tumor
It is a "best case scenario" brain tumor, as I like to call it, so no worries!  I have a meningioma on my left frontal lobe, which is the same type of brain tumor that Sheryl Crow has.  It was discovered through an MRI after I had some numbness in my right forearm.  Most meningiomas are benign and the risks of a craniotomy aren't really worth the potential reward so until I start having serious symptoms or until it grows significantly, annual MRIs are a sufficient course of treatment. 

Researching brain tumors and seeing how devastating they can be was heartbreaking.  I am fortunate that I have the best possible kind of tumor and even more fortunate that I have good health insurance.  So many others struggle to find the means to pay for treatment, if any treatment at all is available.  This is why I wanted to raise money for the American Brain Tumor Association - to give something to those who are facing far worse circumstances than I.  I say all this to encourage everyone to do what they can to help those around them - every little bit helps!

Yes, those are running brains with tumors on my shirt / Personal photo

5. New Orleans Changed Me
Going to college in New Orleans changed me in ways I am sure I still do not understand.  The city, the people, the music, the food...  It all just becomes you when you live there.  Author Chris Rose summed it up pretty well after Hurricane Katrina: "Dear America, I suppose we should introduce ourselves: We're South Louisiana.  You probably already know that we talk funny and listen to strange music and eat things you'd probably hire an exterminator to get out of your yard. We dance even if there's no radio. We drink at funerals. We talk too much and laugh too loud and live too large and, frankly, we're suspicious of others who don't."  

One night I was fortunate to partake in a project called Dear New Orleans.  Basically a photographer takes pictures of people (mostly celebrities) with inspirational messages on their hands and arms.   I was out to dinner with a friend while I was in town for the weekend when she asked if I wanted to go with her to a Dear New Orleans fundraiser where we could get our own portraits done.  This is, quite possibly, my favorite picture ever taken.

Newcomb College at Tulane University ring to the left, fleur de lis ring to the right

"I love who you make me."  Yep, that pretty much sums it up.  New Orleans changed who I am and for that I will be forever grateful. 

OK, I think that is enough for me!  You now have a very clear picture of the life of Mrs. Bicycle.  Horseback rider and New Orleans misser by day, manatee nightmare victim at night.  Please feel free to share the secret life of you!