Actually, no, they’re not. We have neither stockings nor a chimney.

Now isn’t that funny? An American family that doesn’t “do” the stocking thing. It’s a wonderful tradition, but it was never observed by my family growing up. We had great Christmases, and we lived in a couple of houses that had fireplaces, but they just never included hanging stockings. Why is that? I never asked my mother, even though I thought it was a cool idea to have extra little presents waiting in a hanging sock.

We did it a few times when the boys were little, but never really stuck with the tradition. Hmm. Not a huge deal to me now, especially since it’s just the Thriller and me in the house, and our children do stockings for their own kids.

Whatever your Christmas plans and traditions, I hope they’re wonderful tonight and tomorrow. I’m feeling a bit tired…I think I’ll hold the couch down for a while this morning before getting busy for my gathering later on tonight. We’re down one family, unfortunately (Jake has the stomach flu, poor baby).

Merry Christmas, fiends — relax and enjoy your families today!

Hey, guess what.

It’s funny that choral directors talk about the Christmas season in past tense, when Christmas hasn’t even arrived yet. But there you have it. Done and done, and now it’s all — wait. It’s all arrange music for spring, choreograph a tap routine…but truth be told, I love it. It’s a good way to spend some time off.

Yesterday, I ran around the town with 12 awesome teenagers who sang in three different locations, then came back to feed them at my house. It was wonderful and special, and fun was had by all.

And now we rest. Christmas Eve is the next gathering, and I’m looking forward to that.

So, the new RtB digs. What do you think? There could be more changes; I’m not 100% sold on this one, although I think it’s pretty. Not sure it’s me, and not sure how I will incorporate my new logo on it. I will be goofing around with it over the next couple of weeks, so if you happen to check in and everything looks helter-skelter and higgeldy-piggeldy, you’ll know why.

But for now — Christmas is coming! The goose is getting fat! (So are the Fink and the Thriller, yikes…gotta get back on the wagon.)

Holiday hugs to all my fiends this day.

Last time I repainted and changed the locks on Rockin’ the Bourgeoisie was June of 2010. It’s getting to be time to tidy up around here again, don’t you think? Especially since I just received my shiny, new, personalized Rat Fink logo. How fun!

The awesome Andy Nortnik designed her, and I think she’s delightful. Nerdy, sassy, kind of artsy, but with the requisite amount of silly. I think he nailed the persona, from the ubiquitous turtleneck to the John Lennon specs. If you ever need custom cartoon art, hit him up. He’s a super nice guy, and he’ll cut you a sweetheart of a deal.

OK, back to me. Focus. I need to find a new blog template that will incorporate little RF perfectly. The search begins.

Hopefully, the next 48 hours pass quickly and happily (there is much merriment at the school house today and tomorrow), so we can get on with the weekend, which will consist of grandsons, flash mobs and chili for 20. Piece o’ cake, piece o’ pie. Mavis and I have been known to bash out a magnificent feed or two in our day.

I hope your work day goes fast, too. Unless of course, you’re one of my favorite you-know-whats, to whom every day is Saturday.

Fink, off to search the WordPress themes

We’re down to the happy wire, fiends. Last night’s high school concert marked the end of the school Christmas gigs. Now it’s just the fun stuff for the remaining “performance” (a quick flash mob at a local grocery this Sunday, followed by chili at my house for the mobbers), then hello, Christmas break. Family in the house! Grammie kisses for grandchildren. Love the thought of it.

Now to keep my HS choir from lying down on the floor in protest. “Time to get out choir tour music.” Ah, I can see the faces now…

Heh heh.

Over halfway there, my pets. Over halfway. Three gigs down, two to go. High school concert on Tuesday night, and our little flash mob next Sunday. Then it’s done for another holiday season.

Today, I go to the band concert, come home and wrap more gifts (I made a dent last night, although this cold seems to be reluctant to exit, and I didn’t get as much done as I’d have liked), and gear up for the last full week of school. I will also say at this juncture that, while the Thriller and I have decided to forego getting live Christmas trees anymore, I am sad about it. I miss the look and smell and decorating fun. Blah. Perhaps next year I could ring up Lars and ask him to haul the tree in from the car. Mebbe? I think he’d do that for us.

Update: Just got this text from Lars: “Of course I’d haul the tree in for you!” He’s such a good son.

Anyway. How are you coming with wrapping?

When my kids were small, it seems I was always running around dangerously close to (and sometimes, even on) Christmas Eve, trying to get last-minute shopping done. Nowadays, I’m 90% finished by the end of the Thanksgiving weekend. Not that Christmas is all about the shopping for me, mind … I love the time of year, actually, because it means more family time for us. Everyone’s so incredibly busy, including me. I hate it. Each year I make a silent promise that I’m going to slow down and enjoy the holidays a bit more, but “stuff” just gets in the way. My intentions are good, dangit, but cripes. One day I will learn.

The worst part of this Christmasy, snowy weekend is that I’m still not “over it” enough to be around the Fab Four (our grandsons). I feel like a big fat Grammie fail.

But that comes to a screeching halt on Friday. Come on, virus gods. Let me go.