Tomorrow is April Fools Day. My own childhood list of auxiliary annoyances included: shortsheeting beds, balancing a (paper) cup of water against a cracked doorway, or blasting ketchup packets after faux falling on the asphalt.

Now that I'm getting a little age on my back, I've been thinking about who I am, how I've changed, and why I could happily be buried in the Colorado River running silty through the Grand Canyon.

You see my point is, that I once hiked through The Grand Canyon and was annoyed to learn that the average visit time was fifteen minutes. And how if I tried to hike right now, I would probably cry and not even have fun. My body testifies of a different life. But my spirit remembers. And smiles.


And how I truly in my heart adore old friends who are sacrificing their taut figures, and degrees, raising little kids who love the Lord. Seeing them do this knowing that once we slept on the trampoline under the stars, dreamed about boys together, or jogged alongside Idaho wheat fields makes motherhood more inspiring to me.


And hearing stories about The Mister's Grandma B (of those yummy caramel marshmallows) and how she grew up in the Depression. Her dirt-poor folks scrounged to get enough sugar to make...lollipops. Just one lollipop for each kid at Little Bernice's birthday party. Excited, she invited her entire class to her birthday party. She proudly displayed the suckers as a rare sweet treat for her guests. Then she waited. And waited. and no one came.

And you know what? She refused to celebrate her birthday for years. Oh, she was giving and loving and serving. But when it came to her birthday, forget it. Get back to her tomorrow. In her 80's, her family finally said enough is enough and threw a surprise party for her.

Think of me as retired, conspiracy theorist, and a redneck. I am now resident spammer, but this week I'm not filling your inbox with blonde jokes, I'm goin' for love. I signed up to pay it forward from my old high school buddy, volleyball wizard, and supercrafter Danielle. I'll be getting some homemade love from her, so here's how I'm passing it on:

First 3 people to respond to this post will receive something made by me. To you! It will be my choice and made especially for you. Just so we're on the same page, here's the details...

• No guarantees you will feel absolute true love, but possibly happiness, fervor, or chocolate.
• What I create will be just for you.
• It will be done sometime this year.
• You have no clue what it will be... it may be a story. Maybe poetry. Perhaps an article on how to reuse chicken poop in your garden. I may draw or paint something. I may bake something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you! That's for sure.
• I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

Requirements? You must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 3 people who do the same on their blog. When you get your lovely homemade goods from Mrs. Olsen, post a picture on your blog so I know my love arrived without a hitch.

The first 3 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did will win a heartfelt gift from Mrs. Olsen.

Tootles!

Not much of a crafter. But once in a while I get a bug to create something or take something and give it a little flair. This holiday season I got the bug and flourished a gift for Celeste, my tiny cute sister-in-law.

A) Purchase simple black knit jacket at the store. This was the canvas.