What Exactly Do You Do When Carolers Come To Your Door?

So, okay.

Carolers are awesome and such, don't get me wrong, but what do you do when they come to your door?

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This happened to me a few days ago. I had just washed my hair and I air dry, so it was wet. I was in my pajamas with no bra on. I was reading a book. (Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks.) The rest of my family were upstairs on electronics.

The doorbell rang.

I shouldn't have answered. But supposed it was a package? There's a rise in porch pirates, so I couldn't leave it sitting out there.

So I answered. With dripping hair. In my pajamas. Without a bra.

A boy dressed as Santa stared back at me. I jumped. He jumped and nervously handed me a wrapped chocolate pretzel rod and a mint.

"Oh," I said, startled. "Thank you." And I went to shut the door because again I'm standing there with dripping hair, pajamas, and no bra. I didn't want to scar the lad for life. He couldn't have been older than 10.

But then he said, "Wait! We're going to sing for you!" and my heart dropped. I hadn't noticed before, but there was a group of people at the end of the driveway. Staring. At me. With dripping hair. Without a bra.

Would it have been rude to run into the house? Probably, yes. So I stepped out on the porch. It looked like it was a bunch of high schoolers, with some adults and small kids mixed in.

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I stared awkwardly as they began to sing. A few looked shocked to see me because when my hair has just been washed, I sort of look like a wet dog.

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Still, the show must go on, so the group sang "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" while my hair dripped on my bare feet. I crossed my arms over my chest so no one could tell I wasn't wearing a bra.

It is so terribly, terribly awkward to have a group of strangers sing at you, I'm sorry. I don't know the rules here. Do I join in? Dance? Am I supposed to offer them a treat? I didn't have enough to feed a group. The only cookies I had in the house were stale Oreos because no one likes to bake here.

I stared as they sang with what I hoped was a normal looking smile on my face. I worried I looked like this though:

The song seemed to go on forever. I surreptitiously tried to get a family member downstairs.

"Kids?" I hissed from the side of my mouth so as not to interrupt. "Anyone?"

No luck.

It was only me. In my pajamas. With no bra. And dripping hair.

I was so worried they'd start singing another song, so when they finished, I clapped enthusiastically and went, "Thank you, thank you, you did great!" and turned to head inside.

But really, was I supposed to tip them? I have no earthly idea.

I think it's a sweet thing to do, spreading Christmas cheer and all, and yeah, maybe you just don't open the door if you don't want to hear singing, but again, I thought it was a package.

"Merry Christmas," I told the group as they moved on to the next house. I swear I frightened some by my appearance and for that, I apologize.

So what do YOU do if carolers come to your door? And if you are a caroler, what do you expect from the people who you sing at?

The Phantom of the Opera+San Antonio Riverwalk Christmas Lights

"Think of me...think of me fondly.."

I saw The Phantom of the Opera for the first time as a senior in high school. I loved it and immediately wanted the soundtrack. I knew I wanted to see it again. Some day.

That day happened over the weekend. The show came to San Antonio, and my Mom got tickets! I told my daughter Natalie all about it.

"There's this Phantom. At the Opera. And he's cranky. And you'll see why."

My son and husband did not care to come. My husband is not into musicals. He'd be like this:

The Phantom played at The Majestic, which is beautiful. We've seen many shows there.

Natalie wanted to know what the brown thing covered up was. "You'll see," I said with a wink.


Not surprisingly, Natalie loved it too. So did my Mom.


"I know why the Phantom was cranky. The world didn't show him compassion," Natalie said.

The special effects were spectacular as well. The sets were amazing. Natalie found out the thing covered up was a chandelier.

The actors did a wonderful job. I am amazed on the high notes they can hit. I can barely sing the alphabet on key. If you haven't seen the show yet, you must! You won't be disappointed.

Would I see it again? Of course. I can watch the same musicals over and over. My next goal is to get tickets to Hamilton in May. Fingers crossed.

After Phantom, we decided to eat at Bubba Gump. Yup, I love Forrest Gump.

I completely forgot to take a photo of the food. I was hungry. But here's a photo of the brownie cake:

And of course they have a store.

Afterwards we walked along the riverwalk to check out the lights:

Oh, and those motorized scooters were everywhere. So not only do you have to dodge people walking, but now people on scooters.

We had a lovely evening, despite the crazed people on scooters. We'll be at The Majestic again in March to see The Beach Boys.

Have you ever seen The Phantom of the Opera?

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