The Leprechaun stikes again!

Every year, on the night before St Patrick's Day, we lay out a shoe to see if a leprechaun will leave us anything. And those rascals do!! Last year the leprechaun also messed up our house! Moved furniture, etc. This year, the leprechaun was more sneaky. Calvin had tried to leave a trap for him, so the leprechaun played a trick on the kids. He left the Lucky Charms and this note where the kids left their shoes. The inside of the note says "guess where your shoes are".

Missi found hers in the fridge.

Calvin found his in the bath tub.

Owen found his in the cupboard under the TV.

Luckily the leprechaun left these little foot prints as a trail to their shoes. So they weren't too hard to find.

And here is a picture of my leprechaun! He'll be 6 tomorrow.
I just love these pictures we took last year, so you get to see 'em again!

I also join another "Pay it Forward". I have always LOVED the concept of, instead of paying someone back, you pay it forward. I know it doesn't always work, sometimes you HAVE to pay someone back. But to continue the service/acts of kindness in that way is such a great thing!

My auntie Jeanne is starting this "Pay it Forward". (Go check out her cutie grand daughter!)

The rules are: Be one of the first three people to leave a comment on my blog saying you want to "Pay it Forward" and I will send you a handmade craft sometime in the next 365 days. (No promises, but it should be before May when the baby is due, and no, he still doesn't have a name!) And then you must post a "Pay it Forward" on your blog and promise to send a handmade craft to the first 3 people who sign up on your blog. And they send it on to 3 people and so forth. FUN huh!

Happy St Patrick's Day and make sure you let your SHAM rock! ;)

I can do it all?

I heard this on my favorite podcast the other day. It's just too funny!

The Girl in a Whirl
by ‘Dr. Sue’
(a.k.a. Vickie Gunther)

Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do
If you only knew how.

I study the scriptures one hour each day;
I bake,
I upholster,
I scrub,
and I pray.

I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.

I help in their classrooms!
I sew all they wear!
I drive them to practice!
I cut all their hair!

I memorize names of the General Authorities;
I focus on things to be done by priorities.

I play the piano!
I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle!
My checkbooks all balance!

Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!)

I’m taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all …

I track my bad habits ‘til each is abolished;
Our t-shirts are ironed!
My toenails are polished!

Our family home evenings are always delightful;
The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.

I do genealogy faithfully, too.
It’s easy to do all the things that I do!

I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
I know all the names of each youth in my stake!

I read to my children!
I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too, with my labors.

I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day!

(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
It’s the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)

I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each “lost lamb” on my Primary roll.

I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all …

I write in my journal!
I sing in the choir!
Each day, I write “thank you’s” to those I admire.

My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
My kids get straight A's!
And their bedrooms are clean!

I have a home business to help make some money;
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.

I go to the temple at least once a week;
I change the car’s tires!
I fix the sink’s leak!

I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;
I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.

I make sure I rotate our two-years’ supply;
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!

These things are not hard;
It’s good if you do them;
You can if you try!
Just set goals and pursue them!

It’s easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!

It’s easy!” she said …

… and then she dropped dead.

I've been tagged

How did you meet your spouse?

I was working at Crossroads Mall downstairs at the Record Shop. Shawn and his buddy Matt (who I knew from high school) came in and bought cds.

Where did you go on your first date?

I don't know! That was almost 13 years ago! Shawn, Matt, and I were all good buddies for a while and then we kinda stopped hanging out with Matt and started hanging out together.

How long have you been together?

We were friends and then dated for about 1 1/2 years, and have been married for 12 years. We just celebrated our anniversary on March 8th.

Who eats more?

Shawn, but I can come in a close 2nd at times.

Who said I love you first?

Oh my goodness. That (again) was like 13 years ago. I don't know. But it probably was Shawn.

Who is taller?

Shawn, unless he's not wearing shoes AND I am.

Who sings better?

Shawn

Who is smarter?

Ok this is a silly question if you know Shawn & me. Of course it's Shawn!!

Who does the laundry?

Me, unless I'm out of town.

Who does the dishes?

Me (or the kids)

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?

Shawn

Who pays the bills?

Me again. And who spends all the money? Yup, ME!

Who mows the lawn?

Me. I do enjoy doing this. As long as Shawn is keeping the kids busy, I can listen to my ipod and it gets done the way I like it!

Who cooks dinner?

For the most part I do, but Shawn is cooking more and more. And we usually like it better when he cooks the meal.

Who drives when you are together?

Shawn! I fall asleep.

Who is more stubborn?

Again silly question! Have you met me?

Who is the first to admit when they’re wrong?

Shawn, but he is rarely wrong. Just ask him! ;)

Whose parents do you see the most?

Mine

Who kissed who first?

It was oh so long ago, I would bet it was Shawn.

Who proposed?

Shawn. We went on a hike to Lake Blanch (I'll double check, but I think it's right) and he asked me after our picnic lunch up there.

Who has more friends?

Me! Shawn is such an anti social.

Who has more siblings?

Me. I have 5 siblings and Shawn has 4.

Who wears the pants in the family?

He does, but he usually let's me think it's me!

Vinyl

I get a lot of questions about my vinyl cutter. So I am going to tell yaw'll 'bout it! I found a Roland Stitka SX-15 on ebay. It was about half off, so I bought it immediately. It came with the software and gobs of blades, so it really was a smokin' deal. I buy my vinyl and application tape locally at Regional Supply. And really the only other tools I use are scissors, Pampered Chef scrapers, and an exacto knife.

So how does a vinyl cutter work you ask? Well, I just found this YouTube video that Specialty Graphics made, and they do a pretty good job of showing what to do. So sit back, relax, and turn on some tunes (there is no sound on this video), and enjoy!



Check out my vinyl blog for some examples of what I have done. It's been a fun toy! And some day I will officially be in business, but that will be a few years yet. Until then I'm having fun playing and let me know if you need vinyl!

Happy St Patrick's Day