Sorry to hear the sad news, Hammer We were at my grandmother's having dinner when we got the call my other grandmother was on the way to the hospital. Nothing serious, she hadn't been feeling well, but it certainly puts a damper on the day.

I gave lots of cycling gifts. Actually, that's all I gave. My brother an I got our parents a Cycleops fluid trainer. I set it up yesterday and was very jealous. My Minoura rim-drive's days are numbered I also gave everyone spare tubes, tire levers, and Planet Bike Blinky 7's, and got a lock for my parents. I got my brother the Park Tools chaingang kit and some lube, plus an Italia jersey, and mom got some Specialized Sonoma's. Oh yeah, and Ruthie gave my dad a cycle computer while mom got some Pandora beads. Such a thoughtful kitty

As for me, I got a pair of Performance Triflex tights. My brother also got tights. When I went to try mine on, I thought they were a bit roomy in the crotch. He said his were kind of tight all-around. That's when mom realized she'd mixed them up Once I had on the right pair, they fit just fine. I also got some winter gloves that have to go back, socks, and a Yukon Extreme headlight.

Overall it was a good Christmas. Seemed less stressful than past years. It was nice seeing my cousins back from college, though I missed my cousin calling from Italy. He's finishing his culinary training and spent the holiday with my grandfather's cousin. He said the food was the best he's had there and they were treating him like a king. That's what family's about, even if you've never met them before