Concerts in 2011, that is. And there was much rejoicing.

This was a great Christmas concert run, actually. The kids and audiences were all wonderful, and I didn’t make a complete hash of anything myself. Personally, I love seeing the energy of 5th and 6th graders, and wish like heck that they’d keep it throughout their high school years, without me having to threaten them with their lives. Still and all, the four ensembles blessed some people this week. That’s what counts.

And now, spring music begins. Actually, it’s already begun in HS choir. Thumbs up for non-holiday music. Thanks to my RtB fiends for the good wishes and thoughts. We made it!

Bando, be sure to check in and let us know how everything went with your concerts. I have to tell you that I stumbled upon an old comment you made, back in 2009, when you were doing Godspell, when someone sounded like an “arhythmic meth addict on full tilt.” HAaaaaa. I needed that guffaw.

It’s all over Facebook:  the latest indignant foot stomp about the whole “Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays” thing. Behold the official RtB stance:

I say “merry Christmas.” I say “happy holidays.” Why does it have to be one and not the other? What’s wrong with saying “happy Hanukkah” to a Jewish person, or “blessed Kwanzaa” to an African American, or “good winter solstice” to a religiously unaffiliated friend? What’s the big hairy deal? Is America not the great tossed salad, where liberty — both secular and sacred — reigns? So the government would rather we use generic terms to describe this time of year. Yeah, so? It’s part and parcel of the free society. People who make you feel guilty over saying “merry Christmas” are not “making” you feel guilty; you’re allowing them to make you feel guilty. So, don’t. Somebody dissing your beliefs? It happens all the time. Don’t give them the time of day.

Do you feel ooky at the fact that we all sing “White Christmas,” even though its composer was Jewish? It didn’t matter to Irving Berlin, fiends, so it shouldn’t matter to us. Life’s too short.

And for those who constantly yammer about how the “founding fathers” did things…I say HA to you. If I had the time, I would go into more detail about some of the practices in which our “founding fathers” engaged. It might make some think twice. But it’s all about selectivity, isn’t it? We like this or that rule, so we’ll pick the ones we want and ignore the rest.

Buuuuuuuuuuut….it’s time for me to wake up the Js and get them gussied for their CHRISTMAS program at church this morning.

Merry Christkwanzakkah solstice!

All right, fiends — how is your weekend shaping up?

Last night, the Thriller and I went to M-town to get a few things, and ended up going to five different places, including a stop we rarely make: the mall.

At that mall is a lovely store in which I could spend the better part of a day (and of my paycheck): yikes. But I managed to escape with only this new little toy, and God bless the Thriller, he bought me a new griddle, which I’m not even sure will fit on my tiny little kitchen counter top. S’ok — I’ll use it on the dining room table. Kidding.

The Js arrive tonight for a fun sleepover, which means I have got to get to work today. So little to do, so much time. Stop. Wait. Reverse that.

Happy Saturday! I’m off to check off the list.

Yesterday’s post: now that’s what I’m talkin’ about. Comment love! Makes me vur vur happy. I take all of you into a big bear hug. Yay! You guys are great.

Actually, the happy factor is a bit of a struggle on this Monday morning. The Browns continue their losing ways, it’s 5:05 a.m., and it’s going to be an insane week. But once I get through Wednesday night the 14th, it’s smooth sailing through January. That makes me want to put on a pointy party hat, grab a cute little parasol, and do a dance while juggling one-handed.

Poor Justin was sick with a fever over the weekend, so Grandpa Thriller and I took Jake Saturday night.  We were busy. First, we drove around and looked at some Christmas lights:

Then we went home, and he made a bee line for his usual activity of choice: our little Casio digital camera. I got it away from him long enough to take a long, leisurely bath, but afterwards, he was back at it:

Of course, he wanted me to get in on the act, so I grabbed the phone and we both took pictures of everything from Aunt Mavis’s Christmas gift to Rousseau sleeping on the floor to the box fan in his bedroom. Then we sat down and compared photos. I’m definitely going to try and get a picture of his face on Christmas Eve, when he opens the box that contains his very own digital camera. Good thing we have extra SD cards. Ha.

The final game of the evening was “Jake Plays Silly Things on the Piano While Grammie Dances.” I think that was his favorite…

And then we were both worn out. It took him about 3 minutes to drift off. It was a great visit, ending with hot chocolate with BFF Kay at Starbucks on Sunday morning, where we met up with Jake’s daddy, who took him home.

So, here we go, and let the circus begin. Nine days of madness; I can do this.

FO

Tell me what’s a-happening. (Great song.)

I haven’t heard from many of my RtB fiends for awhile. Must be that the holiday season is taking up more and more space in people’s lives. I know it is with mine. But hey, looky here now. We went from this on 18 October:

To this, last night:

Wahoo.

The Thriller and I went over the work (Seamus is coming today to do the same), and we saw no flaws at all. In fact, the front end seams look cleaner than I’ve ever seen them. Different body shop than last two times = happiness.

Only bad part? They put the Chevy bowtie emblem back on the front grille. Removing that today, not because I dislike Chevrolet, but because I like the mystery of a “debadged” vechicle. (I love the looks we get on the interstate and at stoplights…What kinda car IS that? Heh.)

Check it out. Mama Fink sayin’ debadged. Swagga.

So when you’ve had your coffee, tell me your plans for the weekend. A little Yuletide comment love will go a long way.