Current Mood : Exhausted elation
Whoo. I'm exhausted, and I've already had a nap. But today, I wouldn't trade for anything...
For some reason, I didn't sleep well last night, so once Dearest Son was on the bus, I was back in bed. And I overslept. I barely had time to check the stars as I wrapped them, and then I remembered that I wanted a photo. So everything ground to a halt so I could wrap the boot box in foil - nothin' says Christmas like a shoe box encased in aluminum foil ! - since that's how I'd be distributing them. Everyone could pick their own small, wrapped bundle from the boot box.
I made three colors of stars - green, yellow, and black - with one special one made of glitter red felt. That one is made from the same yardage I bought for Dearest's first Pre-K class' project. I made stockings for the whole class, with train ribbon for the boys, lace for the girls. I don't have much of that felt left, so I don't use it often. I get a little nostalgic when I see it, it seems like I used it a lifetime ago. I really wanted his teacher to have something made from it. So hers got a small bag, so I could tell it apart.
Got it all done, and dashed out the door. I had pangs of gift inadequacy on the short drive over, but figured this was better than nothing, and after looking at them and not much else for two days, they weren't coming back home with me in any scenario. I was happy to give the first one to the school custodian, since I'd missed her last year. I got one to everyone I wanted to, then doubled back with a few extras. In short order, they all had new owners, and I was headed to ‘party set-up' with an empty boot box.
But then, I got a gift. Seems our librarian's daughter was the Star of Bethlehem this year at their church. Which entailed wearing a large star costume of... you guessed it, yellow felt. And guess which one she got ? She was so happy she hugged me, saying her daughter would always have it as a special memory. I may have to make her another one, so both mom and daughter can share the memory...
Dearest had a great party, and I was glad I got to see him having fun with his friends. We ended up storing the non-perishable leftovers in the boot box - pencils, rings, stickers, hard candy. His teacher can use that stuff later for rewards and such. She loved her red glitter ornament, and I left the boot box with her. She asked if I needed it, because she kinda needed one later that day, so I was glad to pass it along.
It wasn't until party's end that I remembered that I still had that really good box lid, still in the truck ! She didn't need it, though. But I was glad I helped a bit.
Whoo. What a great, if tiring, day. So. What have I learned ? I don't have to top myself every year when it comes to gifts. Sometimes - and I of all people should know this ! - it's enough to know that someone thought of you. Even if it's just a felt star, knowing you matter is important.
Photo link, if you'd like to see what the stars looked like - they're not much, but they made some folks happy, and that's quite a lot !
https://dorriebelle.tripod.com/dolls_of_my_life/boxostars.jpg
(they really would make good cat toys...)
