A Tribute to My Grandma

My Grandma was a wonderful, warm person, with a heart big enough to hold any person that crossed her way.
 She radiated Christ's love anywhere she went, those beautiful eyes warming your whole being whenever she looked at you.
 Whenever she saw me, she'd open up her arms and engulf me in one of her great bears hugs, squeezing me tight, assuring me without words that she loved me.
 I guess I had always known Grandma was sick.
I could recall Mommy telling the story of when Grandma came home to tell her the news, how she was very sick with a strange sickness called cancer.
 My mom was twelve, I believe.
But that was a long time ago.
 I truly believed in my little heart that Grandma was well.
Even when I found out that she was getting worse, I knew that if I prayed hard enough, she would get better, and stay with me forever.
 But then she got sick.
Very sick.
 And she wasn't going to get better.
The many trips to hospital, the long days spent in the quiet room, they are kind of fuzzy now.
 But to this day I can't walk into a hospital without feeling that strange, confused and lonely feeling I had felt all that time.
 Finally the doctors said that she hadn't long to live, and Grandma went home to that wonderful house I grew up in, to die.
 Her last days were filled with family, singing, laughter, and love, and those days were the warmest, saddest, and most beautiful days of my life.
 I wanted her out of pain, wanted her to go home to Jesus, but I didn't realize that meant losing her.
 I didn't understand at first. I was young, and naïve.
Grandma was sick, yes, I knew.
 Grandma was going to die, yes, I knew.
At least I thought I knew.
 I couldn't imagine life without her, and I don't think I truly believed it would happen.
Not to her.
 But the Grandma I had known all of my beginning years seemed to be gone, and a tired, weary, pained woman was in her place.
 No more hugs, no more kisses and laughter.
I was nine years old then, and although I knew she couldn't help it, I felt a little alone, pushed away, and forgotten.
 I saw Grandma's pain, saw the weariness and sorrow in Mommy's eyes, the tears in Grandpa's, and I couldn't understand it.
 Nothing seemed to make sense anymore.
I hurt, but didn't understand just why.
 I wanted her hugs, her smile.
I wanted her to look at me with those warm eyes and truly see me.
 And then, one night, I leaned over her bed to kiss her goodnight as us grandkids always did, then turned to leave.
 Grandma suddenly reached out her hand and grabbed my arm in firm grip, her eyes staring into my face in almost desperation.
 She wouldn't let go.
I remember Mommy saying, "What is it, Mom? What are you trying to say?"
 She just looked at me, unable to speak, trying so very hard to tell me something.
I didn't know what it was then, but I do now.
 She wanted to tell me, before she went away, that she loved me, that Jesus loved me, and that everything was going to be okay.
How had she known the loneliness and pain I would feel years down the road?
Every time I look back on that moment, I wish I had thrown my arms around her and assured her that I knew.
 But I didn't.
Sometimes I cry myself to sleep, missing her.
 The terrible ache seems to only grow as I get older, and sometimes I get a lonely desire to talk with her again, hug her one more time, and to simply see her smile.
 And then there are times when she seems to be fading in my memory, when I can't picture her face in my mind, and I get so scared, thinking maybe I am forgetting her.
  I guess that's the worst part of losing one you love.
But then... :D
 Then I see my own mom smile, hear her laugh, and listen to her wise words, and I am reminded that I still have an amazing woman in my life.
 A woman so much like the one I lost, and a woman very much a part of her.
And I am thankful.
 Very thankful.
                                                            LaKaysha

Pinterest Quotes

So I love Pinterest! ;)
 You can find any recipe you want, all kinds of fashion ideas, ideas for decorating your room and your house, and wedding inspiration.
 I have found so many cool quotes that I would like to share with all my readers.
I hope they bring a little bit of peace to your soul today!

<3

 

 

 

 

This one really took my breath away <3

 

I have been really struggling with being single, and this really made me think :)

 

This is me, sadly.

 

 

With God by your side, everyday is FULL of wonder :)

 

 

I thought this was one really cool!

I love this one! :D

 

I hope you enjoyed!

 LaKaysha

 

 

 

By the Book Tag

I was tagged by Marita@ When I Hear Music  for this tag, but I have to confess, most of the books I like may seem dull to most. ;)

What Book Is On Your Nightstand Now?
  I don't actually have a nightstand, but will my dresser do? ;)
Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
I've mentioned these books before, but, come on, they are the bomb! ;)
 Every time I pick it up, I'm swept into Dr. Watson's world, where Sherlock sprawls in his great chair, his smoking pipe hanging from his lips as he plays a solemn, somber tune on his violin.
 You can really smell the tobacco, feel the warmth of the fireplace, and hear the rain pattering down on Baker Street.
 Love these books. <3

What Was the Last Truly Great Book You Read?
Oh, boy.
 Well, it's been a while since I sat down and read a good book. (Besides Sherlock) ;)
Honestly, I can't think of great book I've read recently.
 Maybe, Dark Canyon by Louis L'Amour? :)
I am Louis L'Amour fan, despite what a few of my family think. ;)
 This one is one of my all-time favorites.
It's about a young man who is trying to go straight after a somewhat criminal past, and of course, gets married and has a bad guy to fight. ;)
 I really like the way this one was written just as much as I like the storyline.

 

If You Could Meet Any Writer - Dead or Alive - Who Would It Be? And What Would You Want To Know?
 Well, my sister already mentioned Laura Ingalls Wilder, so besides her?
I'd have to say Louis L'Amour. :)
 Sadly, I don't believe he was a Christian, which makes me rather sad to think about it.
But he was so wise and learned, and so well-traveled, it would have been fascinating to hear his stories, and ask him about all the people he met, like the lawmen and outlaws of the Old West.
 This man lived his stories!


What Books Might We Be Surprised to Find On Your Shelves?
Hmmm.... I guess The Nancy Drew Books by Caroyln Keene.
 Yes, I still read Nancy Drew,and yes, the yellow covered ones.
Not that I don't enjoy the originals (1930's), but I grew up with the Yellow Covers. (1950's)
 Whenever I am feeling sentimental, I'll pull out one and slip away into Nancy's world for a while, just like I used to when I was a little girl. :)

 

 How Do You Organize Your Personal Library?

Well, as my sisters have also mentioned, all of my books are packed away in a box. :(
 But if I did have a shelf, I guess I'd put the classics first, followed by the romance, History, Westerns, and then children's books.

What Book Have You Always Meant to Read But Haven't Got Around Yet?
 I really can't think of any books right off the bat....
I guess any good classic?

Anything You Feel Embarrassed Never to Have Read?
Uh, not really? ;)
 haha I guess if I've never read it, it's not that important to me. ;)

Disappointing, Overrated, Just Not Good: What Book Did You Feel You Are Supposed to Like But Didn't?
  Uh..... haha.... I'm not sure.
I guess maybe The Season of Grace series by Beverly Lewis.
 My sister read and liked it, and so did my aunts, but when I decided to try them, I found them kind of boring.
 I have never really liked Amish books, so maybe that's why.

Do You Remember the Last Book You Put Down Without Finishing?
Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years and The War Years by Carl Sandburg.
 It's not that I don't want to finish it.
It's just that it's so long, and I haven't had time to sit down an read anything lately. :)

 

 What Kind Of Stories Are You Drawn To? Any You Stay Clear Of?

 Hmm... Well, I have always been drawn to westerns! :D

My first crush was a cowboy, you know. ;)

 Good clean romances are nice, too, especially Historical.

History books draw me like a fly to honey ;)

 I enjoy classics as well, and mysteries intrigue me, as long as they are clean and decent. :)

I steer away from Amish books, as I have said before.

 I know my sister and some other people really enjoy them, but I don't.

I guess I can't handle their interesting beliefs at times, and so I simply stay away from them.

 Besides, there is simply not enough action for my liking. ;)

And like Marita said, anything that goes against God's Word, I avoid.

 

If You Could Require The President to Read One Book, What Would It Be?

The Bible, of course!

 

What Do You Plan to Read Next?

 Haha, do you really want to know? (chuckles)

I'll be seeing you folks.

 Sherlock is waiting! ;)

 

                           LaKaysha

 

 

 

 

 

Fashion of American Women 1900-2000 Part III

I gotta say, I'm pretty nervous about the eighties, since my mom and a bit of my followers are from that generation.
 They'd know more than me. ;)

As the 1970’s became the 1980’s, the American women’s fashion changed quite a bit.
Perms were the fashion again, but this time much more longer, and a lot fluffier, with plenty of hairspray to give it as much body as possible.
Pants were what the average woman wore for everyday, mainly jeans, and casual was rather, well, casual.
T-shirts, letterman sweaters or jackets, and ‘scrunchies’ were worn during the week days, along with sneakers and other causal shoes.
Church or formal consisted of dresses with either padded shoulders or puffed sleeves, low-waisted at times and knee-length, large earrings, tights or nylons, and heels.
Some dresses were a similar style to the fashion of the 1940’s. with a modern, funky twist to them, and as most of the women of the 80’s were career women, the executive look was also very popular.
Western was becoming quite ‘in’ during this time, and nearly every girl owned a fringed jacket, boots, or a fringed, sparkly shirt.
Some of the styles were pretty far-out, as women followed after the fashion icons like Madonna, and anything bold, colorful and bright was the way to go.
 It seemed as if anything could go in the 80's, and there was a large variety of styles.

I'd guess early 80's

early 80's :)

Levis became popular for women

Early 1980's, Princess Diana, a fashion icon

Crazy, huh? Imagine walking around like that and feeling pretty

Why, this looks similar to the early 1900's...
Except the hair, of course ;)

Why?

Get a load of that hair!

The 1990's were similar to the 1980s, but I would say much less.... pop.

 Jeans were the casual fashion, straight leg, with at least two pairs of socks over top.
Keds and sneakers were the footwear of the day, leather jackets popular, and it was even more casual than the 80's.
 Formal was pretty formal, copying styles similar to the forties and fifties, nylons still ever-present, heels, and as it came to the late 90's, women were began to cut their hair short again.
 Perms were slowly becoming a thing of the past, and women wanted to look more sporty.

early 1990's

early 1990's

 

Casual 90's

90's

90's.

I can recall the time my mom dressed similar to this. Looser sweater, though ;)

late 90's. Yep, my mom definitely wore this in my childhood :D

Princess Diana, 90's

Now we come to a era I can recall quite well. ;)

 The early 2000's.

My, oh, my, some of the styles during that time... whew!

 I can recall the crop tops, flare jeans and clunky shoes, along with the strange little pigtails scattered across the head, and the dark lipstick the teens wore.

 I can remember that they were similar to the 1970's in some ways, and as I watched all of the teenagers, I thought they were so cool.

 Now that I'm their age, I am rather amused and also shocked at some of the things they wore. ;)

I won't have very many pics, because this was a pretty immodest time, with low shirts with very short hems, short dresses.. why, they practically wore nothing during this time!  ;)

That hair... yes, I recall. Sorry about the nose-ring.. It was the only decent pic I could find of that hairstyle...

Oh, yes. These chokers were the thing

during the early 2000's, it seemed that wackier the better

Formal was not very formal

Thank goodness these trends passed!

 Now we have some pretty crazy fads of our own, but I'm happy to say that retro is becoming the fashion (yay!) although sadly, so is the 1970's...

 Well, that's all folks!

Hope you enjoyed the ride through time!

              LaKaysha