Key West.

For the first time ever, my family took a trip at Christmas this year. A holiday trip was something we had talked about doing for awhile but this year we finally booked it. And, it was a good thing -- it gave my mom a goal and something to look forward to as part of her recovery from the surgeries this fall. It was also a much needed chance to rest for my dad and the first vacation my brother would take for ten years. So, my grandmother, parents, brother and his partner, and twenty year old cousin met in Miami and headed to Key West. None of us had ever been. I think it was fair to say that most people were a little anxious about how this would work out.

And, it worked out well!

Key West is a nice island. Not too touristy except down by one end, nice weather (although in a perfect world, it would have been maybe 10 degrees warmer), and good food. Some people went to visit Truman's Little White House and Hemingway's house. Some people went deep sea fishing. Some went to the beach. Some went on a ghost tour. And, on Christmas Eve, we had a family dinner complete with holiday poppers and a family picture around a Christmas tree.

Routine.

I am my father's daughter to a certain extent. He is a man of routine. If he cannot go through his morning routine, his entire day is entirely thrown. He never quite gets it together all day long. AND, his routine is LOOOOOOOOONG. The man gets up three hours before he needs to be anywhere.

Last night, I was out celebrating M's elevation to partner until 1:30 a.m. A normal person would sleep in a bit. But, I got up at 5:45 and went to the gym because that's my routine. I don't even know how to get ready at home any more. There is no coffee made and waiting for me at home. There are no jars of lotion and aloe. My shower is tiny in comparison. I went and half-assed a workout because I wanted to get ready at the gym.

I like to think that I'm not as bad as my dad. At least I can take comfort that I am MUCH quicker than him. Even including the hour workout and travel time, I come in around 2 hours.

Second Annual.

Last night was our Second Annual Trump Girl Holiday Dinner. Yes, all capitalized. Lends the proper degree of importance to the event. There are six of us that we consider the Trump Girls. Beginning in December, the schedules get so busy with holiday stuff, family, and travel that its quite possible that we won't all be able to get together again until March. So, starting last year we began having a holiday dinner -- Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, enjoy MLKJ day, etc. until we manage to get together again.

This year, it took two attempts to find a date between Thanksgiving and Christmas that would work for everyone. Last night was the ONLY date. I was hoping all day that no one would have to cancel because there just wasn't a rain date possible. Thankfully, everyone made it. I guess it helped that it was a Monday.

As previously mentioned, when H and I went to the Thanksgiving parade, we met the loveliest people, one of whom is a manager at RL. As I had never been, I hadn't even considered it before but that gave us the dinner location. And, it was fantastic! The restaurant was subtly festive. We dialed it up a bit with gift bags from O and holiday poppers for everyone. We talked so much to start that it took a long time for us to be able to place an order for anything but drinks. But once we did order, the food was SO good. And, our new friend from the parade sent us a plate of desserts. While we were all stuffed, we somehow managed to eat them all. I am still full as I write this, some twelve hours and a workout later.

A very happy holiday dinner was had. We even toasted the Donald for bringing us all together.

Let It Snow!

Yesterday was the first major storm of the year and probably the biggest storm we've had in a couple years. M and I were sitting on the couch, having some coffee, eating a snack and watching some incredibly bad tv when we got a text from O, asking if we were coming to kickboxing. I generally don't workout on Sundays so it was easy to glance out the window, see the snow going sideways and hear the wind howling, to say nope. But, O mentioned that she was going shopping at 900 North. At that point, M took over the texting and agreed that we would meet her there. Seemed crazy to me, but once she suggested breaking up the walk with a snack, mimosa and train-car-viewing I was in.

And, once properly bundled up, it was really a fun afternoon. Very few people out and those who were, were in a good mood about it. If you're going to do it, you might as well do it right.

That said, I wouldn't mind if that was our only big storm of the season. Or, if today's high of 12 was the coldest and only seriously cold day of the season either.

Chugga Chugga

Choo-Choo!

Since moving to my new place, part of my Saturday involves breakfast at Butch McGuire's. A delicious egg sandwich with mimosas to wash it down plays an integral role in a perfect Saturday. While I had heard that McGuire's got festive for the holidays, only recently did I learn what that entailed. Their entire ceiling is covered in multi-colored Christmas lights with large ornaments sprinkled throughout. There are two train tracks that run along the ceiling in each room. At this point in December, the place is so like Christmas threw up in there -- tacky, overwhelming, and incredibly wonderful.

When I was little, my dad had a fairly extensive train set that I used to love. And, every Christmas, my parents set up a small train around the tree, primarily to keep the cats from stealing any low-hanging ornaments but also because my dad likes trains. So, I have a fondness for a good train.

Imagine my delight when we learned that we could actually sponsor a train car at McGuire's. For the cost of the car and artwork, along with a donation to Mercy Homes, Melissa and I will have our very own train car circling Butch McGuire's through the Super Bowl. AND, the car is ours in perpetuity and will continue to run each season, so long as we make the charitable donation.

After much brainstorming, the development of a creative team, several emails and phone calls, we decided on our car. While we had planned on an unveiling ceremony, complete with engineer caps, schedules did not permit. But, since it began running, I've been by to see it -- and enjoy the holiday mimosa (a seasonal twist, substituting cranberry for orange juice) -- no fewer than four times. Basking in its holiday cheer, if you will. Santa may have Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night but we will have for years to come:

Merry Mimosas! Festively, Melissa and Laura!