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On the road again ... How many of you had that song in your head during the week of Thanksgiving? Just call my daughters and I the “suitcase kids” because that’s exactly how our trip to New Jersey went; from one house to another and one bed to another.

There was no unpacking of the warm clothes, toiletries, and nightly pajamas. It was pick what you need from the trunk of your suitcase and put back what you wore the day before. Before you know it the suitcase turned into a hamper and dresser drawer.

Have you heard of the expression “George Washington slept here”? Yep, that was me and my girls. Another house conquered, another plate set, and another round of “where does the time go?” and “why do you have to leave so soon?”

We left our mark short of posting a sign on everyone’s front yard saying “Gina and family slept here”.

Here is the good news; the airports weren’t as chaotic as the media portrayed it; we got to catch up with the family after a long six-year hiatus in Florida and friends that were almost a memory came back into our lives.

Some more good news ... we were constantly on the move therefore those Thanksgiving calories didn’t have time to settle on the hips and tummy. So now what? Do we do more of the same for Christmas, another road trip, more visitations, more piling on of calories while running from one dining room to the next?

I’m seriously thinking of getting away from the traditional Christmas holidays and opt for something really different. Last year we went to the Miami/Jets game. It was something really different alright; it poured all morning, late afternoon, into the evening and right on our heads. I sat at the stadium miserable with my hot dog bun getting soggy, and my coffee getting cold, as the rain dripped off my poncho into my food or onto my cold toes.

Despite the Jets doing rather well (yes, they won the game last year) I just couldn’t take it and left at half time for the warmth of the car and the thrill of not having to deal with exiting the stadium with all the other traffic at twelve midnight.

The thought of watching either team on Christmas does not thrill me — although I’m positive it would be a good game since both teams are having a losing season! So I’m looking for a few good ideas!

Here’s the catch: find a place that is open on Christmas!

Hanging out at the Seven-eleven is different; however not on my list of things to do with the kids.

It has to be something you wouldn’t ordinarily do like having a picnic on the beach, taking the boat out for a joy ride, or riding around looking for Christmas Island-style House Decoration winners (that’s usually reserved for Christmas Eve).

I’m going to be slightly selfish — I don’t want to work. As rewarding as working a food kitchen for the holidays is (been there, done that back in NJ) I want the time to take the day with the family exclusively.

Lastly, I don’t want to be the big organizer of the neighborhood or with friends. I do that at work; don’t want to do it on a day off (I’m still recovering from putting together the giant birthday cake at the YMCA).

Oh, so you do have ideas... and you’re willing to share! I would love to hear from you! I may share them with the island folks. Who knows? We may be able to start some real home-spun vogue way of saying Merry Christmas. In the meantime, I will put on my Martha Stewart thinking cap and come up with some of my own thoughts. Until next week...ho ho, hmmmmm...