12.17.2009

Brown paper packages...

Have you ever had one of those days.....


and i mean...


one of those days.


The type of day that is so full that your head starts to spin before you even


crawl out of bed.....


well...


i feel everyday is like this.....


which is just one of the reasons i closed my wee shop.....


to take a breather....


and even though my shop has been closed for a few weeks now...


i still feel like my head is just above water.


I swore that i was going to be a better mom....


but seriously...


i am living in some sort of dream....


do you ever have a dream that you are falling...


you wake with a start...


or a jolt....


only to wake up and find that you fell off the bed...


and your husband is still sound asleep...


then you think you probably hit your head...


which....


you know ...


for sure..


resulted in a concussion....








that seems to be the norm around here....


and i ran out of my tylenol pm weeks ago...


so i can't blame it on the drugs...


anyhoo....


i just wanted to let you in on the fact that


i do indeed still have kids...


knowing in fact that they probably


hate to admit that i am their mom.


Except when it comes to gift giving...


because i can wrap a mean gift.


that's the truth.


These gifts are for Fin's 2 teachers....


i found this lightweight craft paper at Ikea...


wrapped the gifts and then added some jute string


around it....


of course i then added these adorable colored pencils which


i found at Anthro...








So...i thought for sure...


this year....


i am so getting the coolest mother of the year award..


no doubt....


because while most of the


other


kids gifts were candy and wrapped in red and green...


my kids gift was uber cool because it was wrapped


by his uber cool mom.


yup.


That is....


ummm...


errrr...






till i was having coffee with my good friend after i had dropped off


fin at school.


You see.....


fin's holiday party at school was supposed to start at 10:30...and i knew


i wasn't going to be on time...


possibly 10 or 15 minutes late...


Let me just interject something here....the kid only goes to school


for 2.5 hours a day...


and i wasn't about to spend a whole hour of the 2.5 hours at his


holiday party....


so here i am thinking ...


i'll show up...


bring the camera...


and all would be good...







Things like that just don't happen in my life...


no they don't....


i was sitting having coffee....


and my phone rings ....


right at 1030....


1030 on the nose....


it's fin's teacher....


*hello mrs buick...


{at this point i turn around looking for my mother in law...}


am i the only one that still can't get used to being called mrs..so and so?


ahem.....


*mrs buick....this is fin's teacher....ummm...are you still planning


on coming to the holiday party....because we are waiting for you.


gulp....


spit my coffee out...


gulp again...


so i say...


ummm...yes..i'm on my way.


Let me say right here ....i really do try...


to be a good mom...


all i can do is try my hardest....


but it's never good enough...


so i showed up late...


but not that late...


and every mom and dad was there...


at the preschool holiday party.












Let me just say that the boy above is fin's best bud...

i don't want to say his real name because i didn't ask his mom


if i could use his picture....


but he's Italian.....


and they like salami....and roast beef....


they make real pasta....with meatballs....


yup....


they like to cook....


even made us dinner one night....


which my husband then fell in love with them...


a family that cooks real food.....


and their kids eat the real food they cook...
i hear you...
what does salami have to do with a holiday party...
not much at all...
nope...
not much at all.








xo












52 comments:

Amy said...

I am up late as usual cause I can't sleep and I am finishing up a last minute project I seem to always say yes to....I feel ya girl...Please know that you are not alone in these feelings you are having....Big hugs to you!

Simply Me Art said...

Better Late than Never. Your a Great Mom. Love the Wrap too. Jamie

Sheila said...

Kasey, I hear and know exactly how you feel... it is hard being the best Mom you want to be, and to still be able to be the best wife you can be and yes still be REAL... nobody ever told me it was going to be this hard :( I know we can do it, we just need to keep finding and getting support from the Lord above, Family and friends like all the women I have met this year... when you realllly think about life is good and we are blessed.

xo and blessings
Sheila

FEDERICA said...

Kasey your brown paper packages are awesome! Thanks for the great idea!
You're an amazing Mom!
Kisses,
Federica

Amy said...

Um, ok...although I am not teaching right now, thanks to being able to stay home with my kiddos...I am a 4th grade teacher.

And let me tell you, I could care less if you showed up late or on time...

Your wrapped gifts and anthro pencils would win me over INSTANTLY.

The fact that you write about your kids so much says you are a good mom. We always doubt ourselves in the area we care the most about. :)

xoxo

Julie Harward said...

THE PACKAGES ARE CUTE AND IT WILL GET BETTER...we are never as bad as we think we are! (Get some Tylenol in the house!) and enjoy these days!
Come say hi :D

The Little Red Shop said...

Love the mini GQ ringpop? shot!

: )

Julie M.

ps I thought everyone knew that it's in bad taste to show up on time for a party. : )

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Oh Kasey,
I don't think that it makes you a good Mum just because you turn up on time and are a great cook.
You love your children with all your heart and that's all that matter's. There will be ups and there will be downs, but you are still there for them all and love them dearly.They are happy and well adjusted children.
Don't beat youself up just because you don't fit the Stepford Wives type mother !!!! There is no such thing as the perfect mother and there is no such thing as the perfect child. Keep doing what your doing. You're a lovely mum. XXXX

Unknown said...

How could you! The perfect Mom never forgets. I thought you were perfect! Aren't you?! I'm confused, now I have to take you off that list.
Happy Holidays to you!

And you are a perfect gift wrapper person. And I think that's important too. Lovvve Anthro great idea for the pencils.

manon 21 said...

j'aime ces paquets!!!

manon

white flower farmhouse said...

right now you might feel like an over whelmed mom, but you ARE a very cool one. Love that wrap, Lori

bethchien said...

Well, at least you made it! And got some great pics! AND had some amazingly wrapped presents!

I am not big on salami. :P

Unknown said...

Looking at that picture, had I been the teacher, I would have been grateful for a few parents NOT showing up! And having coffee with a friend while Fin enjoyed his party sounds JUST FINE and frankly more enjoyable. You rock as a mom and don't let that teacher make you feel any different!
Cheers!
Jill

Jboo said...

I still think you are a very cool Mom and you're wrapping looks beautiful! I used twine as ribbon and thought I was pretty cool -- nope! Have a good day!

Janet

Anonymous said...

love the paper! just the fact that you were there means everything to them. Don't sweat the small stuff!!
Lynn

*The Beautiful Life* said...

Crack me up, girl! I know the feeling, too... staying just above the waterline schedule-wise!

Maybe into the new year things will settle down for you -- as the parties and rush of things slows down?

Take of yourself, Kasey!! :)

Ruth

Michelle, All Home and Love said...

Don't be so hard on yourself! You're doing just fine.
~Michelle

Joyce said...

You had me in stitches as I read your post. You are a hoot! I like to wrap in brown paper too. I hope you can enjoy your cup of coffee today! xo

Sa-Sea said...

that made me laugh out loud because i seem to be having one of those weeks/life too. i lay awake thinking of how "tomorrow i will get it all together and be great"......but when i wake up i seem to just feel like hitting snooze.
i have to put EVERYTHING in my blackberry to set an alarm off! to include "pick kacey up from school" DAILY! my poor phone has to remind me of everything!

The Flying Bee said...

Totally feelin' ya...

Love the packages.

xo,
Adrienne

Leah C said...

Made me laugh this morning...but I'm laughing with you {not at you} because I can soooooo relate! And you're not just a good mom, you are a REAL mom:) P.S. Super cool packages!

Brenna LaPray said...

I love how you can put a simple encounter into such a fun story to read! You do wrap a good present though!!

Preppy Mama said...

Oh God you and I must have been separated at birth! That is such a typical "me" thing to do! Thanks at least I am not alone!! BTW, mine goes for three hours, but its almost like 2.5 because we are late every single day!! And you do wrap the meanest packages ever!!!

Jennifer said...

Breathe girl breathe - you're doin' great! My son once told me "Mom, I'd rather have P B and J and have you spend time with me than have you make the best dinner in the world and have the house clean" Lesson Learned. My Cancer diagnosis in June taught me to slow down and breathe too.... You're doing a marvelous job Mom! Jennifer

Annie said...

Oh man - I'm cracking up over here that the teacher called you! I so understand the feeling b/c I have a daughter in preschool & I know what those parties are like. By they way - you do wrap one serious gift!

Kristin said...

tee hee..snort...you are hilarious! I thought I was the only one who got phone calls from the teacher for not showing up on time!! At least you didn't forget candles for your son's wal-mart bought birthday cake yesterday...how crappy is that for a mother!!
Hang in there girl; all of us are in this together! :0)

Amanda said...

So funny... especially the "Mrs. Buick" part!

Happy Holidays to you and your family!

xo
Amanda

Anita said...

I almost spit out my diet coke when I got to that part. CRAP! This is yet another example of what I have tried to explain as how I can't possibly be the #1 and also hold down a full-time job...but alas, I muddle through and make a huge mess of it usually. Oh well. You made it and have pictures to prove it :)

Tracy ~Seeking Refinement~ said...

I got that anxious "OH S**t, I forgot the MID-TERM was today and now I'm going to be late" feeling I know all too well from the college days when I read your story.

I hate that feeling.

LOOOOVE your packages!!!!

xoxo

Unknown said...

If you're not good Mom then I have no idea what that makes me...gulp!!??

Seriously though, I think you are a fabulous mother....and those presents look amazing :)

xo

Wendy said...

Oh, dear Kasey, I saw your post on Facebook about this. I feel for you. Really I do. :-)

I haven't even thought about teacher gifts yet, so you've got one up on me there (and I LOVE the snowflake out of the music sheet...you do have a way with anything sylish, you know.)

Fin is the cutest little bug! And, despite being late to his party, you're a great mom...after all, it's the love that counts.

Anonymous said...

girl...I love you...really i do...you make me feel normal! Thank you for that! You are a great Mom...tooo~

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

That was the best ramble ever. I felt kind of slighted that being a homeschooling mama, I didn't get a teacher appreciation type Christmas gift from MY students, so I made my man go buy me one last night. HA! I really did! And it wasn't wrapped like yours, but it worked. I feel very appreciated now. LOL

Unknown said...

You are TOO funny! Your brown packages look AWESOME!

Unknown said...

Finding balance is the hardest thing....I have been there and done that!! I stayed up way to late to finish the handmade gift for our preschool teachers today.....and I only had to bring paper goods, still trying to find the balance....lol!! Merry Wishes and I loved your package wrapping.

maura said...

Kasey, It is tough, life is just tough. We have good days and bad, hard days and easy days. It never seems to get any easier. I have a neighbor who lives by the saying "It will wait for you", and even though she drives me nuts she is right what ever it is, project, person, whatever. It will still be there when you are done with the task at hand. Being a good mom is not about what time you arrive it is about the love you share with your kids. It is about being there when you are REALLY needed! Which I am sure you both loving and there! Hope this makes you feel a tiny bit better. It is a good reminder for me too!

Unknown said...

I can't believe they called you!!! That seems strange to me...

Well you can indeed wrap a fabulous gift...and take a beautiful picture too!!

:) T

Kacey said...

I bet your fantastic gift made up for your tardiness. ;-)

traci said...

You are a great mom and you do wrap a mean present. (Both you and Tracey!) And you tell great stories. Leave me hanging on the edge of my seat stories. Love them. It was so great seeing you today. I LOVE my box full of goodies!! Your so sweet. I am so thankful to have met you!!

Laura said...

sending you a salami for Christmas

Oh K, I am right there with ya...I thought I saw another head bobbing head just above water! It was you!!!!

I am sucking down a peppermint latte right now, as I get kids ready for the (dreaded, oh Lord, kill me now) Christmas pageant at the church tonight...which should be awesome since it starts right when Luke goes to bed, only he will be THERE, on my freakin lap....and anyhoo, I have 2 cakes a doz cupcakes, and well, lets just say a lot of cake to start when I get back home...at 10pm.

yup...just above water...

Kelly Berkey said...

Love you Kasey, just love you! I feel so good about myself knowing you are so beautiful and talented and REAL!
Big hugs, thanks for the laugh!
Kelly

goddessof4 said...

You are soooo funny!!!! Love the wrapping on the present!!!!!Don't be hard on yourself ,you are a great mom!!!! Your kids are lucky to have you!!! Sara

Michelle Hughes said...

I am sure that once they saw the presents they forgot about the lateness!

Michelle

christina @ sage creek said...

maybe... just maybe... it has nothing at all to do with you being a "bad" mom... but has everything to do with you being a good friend that doesn't want to interrupt a very long-winded friend... i'm just saying... that COULD BE a possibility.

sorry darlin... c

christina @ sage creek said...

maybe... just maybe... it has nothing at all to do with you being a "bad" mom... but has everything to do with you being a good friend that doesn't want to interrupt a very long-winded friend... i'm just saying... that COULD BE a possibility.

sorry darlin... c

mrs boo radley said...

You make me happy inside my heart.

brockey said...

did you make the snowflake ?

1 Funky Woman said...

Somehow I posted and then I think I erased it. Hey love the fact that now I am not the only one that has had the dreaded phone call from the teacher! When my son was in kindergarten I was so late for his party and I didn't bring 22 little gifts for each kids stockings. I had no clue, said I didn't get the memo. Many looks were given by the "perfect" moms but hey I'm human! Love how real you are.
I use to live in Rockford IL so I know the charming shops. Loved shopping at Christmas.
Megan

Martha said...

Your teacher gifts do rock...and I feel like I have days like that all the time:)...now seriously they called you?

Anyhoo...you are a GREAT mom Kasey!!!

Gail said...

Your packages are awesome...I love unexpected colors schemes/themes for Christmas. And those wooded colored pencils are adorable.. :)

Oh, and what is Fin eating? It looks like something copper dipped in chocolate. Ha!

-Gail

Marci said...

oh, i just love you. you always know the stories to tell that let me know i'm not alone in the eeek dept of motherhood.;/
can i put the pictures of those oh too cute packages on my blog and rant and rave about the blogstress that did them? i just love those.

PS~Erin said...

Oh, that Fin is a handsome fella! And proud that your his mom. I mean, those were some great looking packages! :-)

Hope you're having a great weekend.