Post-Christmas Wrap Up
The best Christmas ever ended when my plane landed in Philadelphia this morning. The weather here is pleasant, though, so my attempts to brag about 80 degree weather won't quite create the jealousy in my friends that I desire.
A lot happened since the last post. Tuesday was a fairly rainy day in south Florida. A cold front moved through that produced heavy rain fall throughout Monday night into Tuesday morning. Our plans of playing Indian Creek in Miami were put off. Paul thought the course was too wet and that we'd have more fun if we pushed it off until Wednesday.
So, Joe Jr., Joe Sr., John, and I went up to Old Palm Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Fl - about 45 minutes from Delray. Old Palm is ridiculous. You must purchase a home in order to gain membership consideration (starting at only $1.7m!). If accepted you have to plunk down $260,000 in initiation fees. Your annual dues are going to cost you $20,000. Paul and Carrie got in without having to purchase a house because Ray Floyd, a close family friend, designed the golf course. They leveraged their friendship into a membership, but their pockets are $260k smaller now. My guest locker was between Matt Lauer's and Hank Kuehne's (PGA Tour Pro).
That was fun. We went home and really did a whole lotta nothing (played FIFA 07 mostly) until dinner. Paul and Carrie left us 4 Filets they weren't going to eat because 'we're not Filet people'. We grilled them up along with some nice NY Strip Steaks, potatoes, and the ever-popular Harvest Day Pear & Herbed Goat Cheese appetizer.
Wednesday was absolutely beautiful. The temp dropped to the high 60s/low 70s with perfectly clear skies. My morning run was greeted by about 100 old people all jostling for some space on the running path along the beach. I guess they re-started their morning routine now that Christmas was over. It was annoying.
We drove down to Miami and played Indian Creek. What a great place. My only goal was to beat Paul. He's a 2 handicap and plays over 150 times a year. He had already played Indian Creek that morning so I knew I had my work cut out for me. This course is very difficult and has the 2nd fastest greens I've ever played on (Oakmont being the fastest). My struggles around the greens led to a mediocre 77. Paul shot 75. I was crestfallen.
Maggie, John, Christina, and Paige all went to South Beach while we played golf. John thought South Beach is best characterized as 'Mexico + boob jobs.' Miami in general is a pretty trashy place so I'm sure they didn't have as much fun as we did on the golf course.
After the round we drove home. I made plans to meet my Aunt Bea Wednesday night in Delray. She stopped by the house before going out. Downtown Delray was packed. It's such a cool spot. Anyway, it was great to re-connect with Aunt Bea. She's my dad's sister and has lived in Boynton Beach for the last 5 years. She looks fabulous which leads me to believe she's had some work done. I was really glad that we had the opportunity to get together.
Afterwards, John and I dominated some FIFA 07 before I headed to bed. I woke up early this morning, boarded a plane out of Palm Beach Intl and flew home.
This was clearly the best Christmas ever. Now that Christina and Paige are pregnant (and expecting only 2 weeks apart) it is going to be more difficult for the family to get together over the holidays. This mini-vacation is going to be the last time that we are all together without worrying about taking care of kids. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to be a dad but times like the ones I experienced this week are going to be something I miss.
-a somber JP
A lot happened since the last post. Tuesday was a fairly rainy day in south Florida. A cold front moved through that produced heavy rain fall throughout Monday night into Tuesday morning. Our plans of playing Indian Creek in Miami were put off. Paul thought the course was too wet and that we'd have more fun if we pushed it off until Wednesday.
So, Joe Jr., Joe Sr., John, and I went up to Old Palm Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Fl - about 45 minutes from Delray. Old Palm is ridiculous. You must purchase a home in order to gain membership consideration (starting at only $1.7m!). If accepted you have to plunk down $260,000 in initiation fees. Your annual dues are going to cost you $20,000. Paul and Carrie got in without having to purchase a house because Ray Floyd, a close family friend, designed the golf course. They leveraged their friendship into a membership, but their pockets are $260k smaller now. My guest locker was between Matt Lauer's and Hank Kuehne's (PGA Tour Pro).
That was fun. We went home and really did a whole lotta nothing (played FIFA 07 mostly) until dinner. Paul and Carrie left us 4 Filets they weren't going to eat because 'we're not Filet people'. We grilled them up along with some nice NY Strip Steaks, potatoes, and the ever-popular Harvest Day Pear & Herbed Goat Cheese appetizer.
Wednesday was absolutely beautiful. The temp dropped to the high 60s/low 70s with perfectly clear skies. My morning run was greeted by about 100 old people all jostling for some space on the running path along the beach. I guess they re-started their morning routine now that Christmas was over. It was annoying.
We drove down to Miami and played Indian Creek. What a great place. My only goal was to beat Paul. He's a 2 handicap and plays over 150 times a year. He had already played Indian Creek that morning so I knew I had my work cut out for me. This course is very difficult and has the 2nd fastest greens I've ever played on (Oakmont being the fastest). My struggles around the greens led to a mediocre 77. Paul shot 75. I was crestfallen.
Maggie, John, Christina, and Paige all went to South Beach while we played golf. John thought South Beach is best characterized as 'Mexico + boob jobs.' Miami in general is a pretty trashy place so I'm sure they didn't have as much fun as we did on the golf course.
After the round we drove home. I made plans to meet my Aunt Bea Wednesday night in Delray. She stopped by the house before going out. Downtown Delray was packed. It's such a cool spot. Anyway, it was great to re-connect with Aunt Bea. She's my dad's sister and has lived in Boynton Beach for the last 5 years. She looks fabulous which leads me to believe she's had some work done. I was really glad that we had the opportunity to get together.
Afterwards, John and I dominated some FIFA 07 before I headed to bed. I woke up early this morning, boarded a plane out of Palm Beach Intl and flew home.
This was clearly the best Christmas ever. Now that Christina and Paige are pregnant (and expecting only 2 weeks apart) it is going to be more difficult for the family to get together over the holidays. This mini-vacation is going to be the last time that we are all together without worrying about taking care of kids. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to be a dad but times like the ones I experienced this week are going to be something I miss.
-a somber JP
posted by JP at 2:31 PM
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