My Book: What Do You Think?

I have been working on a novel for quite a few years now, although a lot has changed since I first began, and I am very slowly nearing the end...Finally!
 It needs a lot of work still, and whenever I go back to reread the first few chapters, I cringe and just have rewrite some of it.
 So it is still a working progress.

Now just some pieces here and there:

Katherine set about to make the house a home, remembering her mother’s wise words she had heard throughout her young life:

“Remember, Katherine. A home is more than clean floors and neat beds. Even if you fill the whole house with dozens of flowers and the brightest décor you can find, it will be a cold, empty home if you do not fill it with love.

Laughter, tears, joy and sorrow must all abide in a house of love, for these are the things that make up life.

And if the love of God is in every corner and crack of your empty home, it will be filled with the strength and comfort that will enable you go get through life.

Home is where God’s heart is.”

Katie embraced these words with all her being and vowed to make her house a happy, welcoming home, where the Presence of her Savior would warm every heart that entered.

Oh, yes, she had times where her selfish nature would overcome her vow, and she would allow herself a few moments of anger and frustration, but after all, to be human is to be flawed, and Katherine Renee Hayes Tucker was the first to admit that she had quite a few flaws
 

Rain pattered on the umbrellas as the small group crowded the bus station that cold, wet Tuesday morning. Carrie held Amy’s hand in her gloved one, standing stiff and without emotion while little brother Ethan slumped beside her, his hands shoved deep inside his overall pockets. Water poured from the brim of his hat that bent into the wind.

Konner pulled his own hat down over his eyes, and his face remained expressionless, his arms hanging limply at his sides.

Nolan stood close to Cole and Mama, his big brother’s bag clutched firmly in his hands, while those deep blue eyes remained bright and proud as he gazed at the tall man in front of him. He respected Cole greatly, as a son would his father, and seeing he in uniform only added to that deep affection that he had for his big brother.

The train was waiting, its engine loudly chugging as it sat at the edge of the wooden sidewalk. People were hurrying into its dry exterior; some were in uniform, and their friends and family called out greetings and goodbyes as they stood beneath their umbrellas.

It seemed as the world had given a sudden tilt, knocking them all off of their feet, and it was hard to consider getting back up.

But get up they did, and when they did stumble to their feet, they ‘came up swinging‘, as Konner would say.

Tom West immediately began orders for the shipyard in Seattle, Carl Flynn signed a contract with the Army to train horses for government use, and the young women volunteered at the local Red Cross.

What of the young men?

All the brave young men of the Valley tossed down their plows, lariats and hammers, took up their guns, and marched away to war, leaving behind tearful mothers and sweethearts.

 

Ethan tossed the wood shaving he had been fiddling with, his expression guarded.

Looking into the swaying trees and dark gray sky, he remained silent a moment, simply listening to the sounds of the snow-covered hills.

Finally he spoke. “I reckon not.”

He nudged a clod of dirt with the toe of his boot. “But then, you aren’t Papa. We really can’t ask you to be someone you’re not.”

Ethan shrugged as if uncomfortable and added, “Guess we’d better let you go on being Nolan.”

Nolan glanced down at the silent boy, a grin suddenly brightening his features as he reached to muss Ethan’s hair.

“Here I was just thinking how young you were, and then you grow right before my eyes.”

Ethan gave him a bashful smile, looking both amused and pleased at the same time.

“Come one.” Nolan clapped him on the shoulder. “Let’s go see what Mama has got on for supper. This chopping has given me an appetite.”

It still needs a lot of work, but what so you think?
 Would you be interested in reading such a novel?

                                                                      LaKaysha
 

 







The Merry and Bright Tag

I was 'unofficially' tagged by Marissa for this tag, so I thought I'd give it a try.
 (Meaning she walked up to me and literally tagged me in person, because she forgot to online. lol)

 

 



Favorite movies to watch at Christmas time:

It's a Wonderful Life
Holiday Inn
Little Women
An Avonlea Christmas
Mrs. Miniver
Shop Around the Corner

I'm sure there are lots more, but I really can't think of any?

Some Christmas songs that make me want to sing:

It's the Most Wonderful Time of Year
Silver Bells
Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
Winter Wonderland 
Wonderful Christmas Time
This My Prayer for You

Some Books that I love in the Winter:
I really don't read any specific books in the winter, so I guess I'll just name a couple books that I adore in any season. ;)

Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Nancy Drew (for old-time's sake) by Carolyn Keene
Heart of India series Linda Chaikin
Shalako by Louis L'Amour
Dark Canyon by Louis L'Amour
Bendigo Shafter by Louis L'Amour

Some Christmas goodies that make me smile:

French bread and homemade cheese dish
Mocha truffles
chestnuts, almonds and other nuts, cracked with my Grandma's old nutcracker. <3
peppermint milkshake from Burgerville
hot apple cider
candy canes
sugar cookies

Some Christmas-y words that make me happy:

snow
cocoa
Jesus
manger
Merry Christmas
angels
glory

Some things about Christmas that are awesome:

The gathering of family and loved ones
sitting on the floor and gazing up at the tree
secrets and hidden presents
The joy and peace that seems to overtake the world


Favorite Christmas memories:
 
Hmm.... well, let's see.

When we used to live in the Yellow House, my big sister and I ran outdoors in our purple robes and slippers to catch the falling snow on our tongues, and I can still feel the cold on my cheeks at the memory. <3
Listening to John Denver sing as my sister and I (Felicity, again) jumped from couch to couch, and every once in a while I would cry, 'I flit, I float. I make believe I fly!'
 (Not sure if those are the right words, but that's what I said) haha
Another special memory is lying on my stomach, on my Grandma's kitchen floor, as the women stepped around us to prepare the meal, intently coloring a picture from the old Christmas coloring books and enjoying the smells and constant murmur of voices. 
 Speaking of voices, nothing takes me back like hearing my Grandpa read the Christmas Story in his low voice, so soothing and gentle, and I can close my eyes to become a little girl again.

Some Random Things that make THIS Christmas Special:

My cousin, who I never see, coming to our Warnke Christmas, and bringing his girlfriend with him!
 It so nice to meet her, and seeing him was wonderful.
My uncle Casey playing and singing for us. <3
 Hm.... Having a bedroom to sleep in makes this Christmas awesome! lol
Now I don't have to worry about my parents hanging the stockings in the living room, which is where I used to sleep. ;)

Well, that's it!
 I hope you enjoyed it, ya'll.

I tag:
Emily at Living Through Jesus 
Michaila at Mic's Room

Don't freak out.
You don't HAVE to do it. lol

                                                              LaKaysha

Winter Photo Shoot

The other day I realized I didn't have hardly any nice pictures of myself, and I was pretty tired of the same old Facebook profile photo. ;)
 So I decided that I should get dressed up, do my makeup (I usually do that everyday, anyways) and I dragged my sister out into the freezing, crisp air to snap a few photos.
 Please excuse the frizzy hair, for it has been VERY dry out, and I'm as dry and wrinkled as a year-old raison. lol
 It snowed just days after these photos, and it would have looked even better with fluffy white snow instead of brown leaves, but that can't be helped. ;)

What do think? Did they turn out well?

 The last one isn't edited in any way, so please don't judge. ;)

                                                                      LaKaysha



2016

So it's not QUITE the new year yet...
 But I thought it'd be nice to look back on the year that's now ending, and I thought maybe you'd like to join me!

Let's see....
 Wow, I find that I really don't have much to say.

Kaysha and Roger's wedding was the highlight of the year!
 It was wonderful to help with the preparations, and Kaysha and Roger were so happy. <3

Wedding Rehearsal

There was our trip to the ranch, which was a blessed time and a trip I will always treasure in my memories.
 I enjoyed seeing all the boys run wild in the hills, their music, and their teasing and joking with each other.
 Driving fourwheelers at the ranch is always something I look forward to, the wind tugging at my hair and the dust blowing in my face. (and dirtying up my contact lenses. tsk tsk)
I mean, it's closest I can get to a horse since my aunt and uncle moved and took their horses with them!
 (Never will quite get over that one)

Just realized both pics are of my brother...

Oh, well.

He's cute, ain't he? ;)

 

I babysat a little boy a number of times this year, and I would post some photos but I'm not sure if his mother would want that.

 He's such angel, I enjoyed having him, and so did the rest of the family! :)

 

I took another trip, this time to the Memorial Day Campout our church puts on each year, and enjoyed that trip as well.

 Nothing could beat the ranch, though. ;)

 

This girl is nuts.... ;)

 

My parents and two youngest siblings took a road trip to Texas for business, and they were gone WAY too long for my liking.

 I did enjoy the sister time, but hey, I actually like having my family around. ;)

 

All set to go

 

I got contact lenses! *woo woo*

 I'm told I look fine in my glasses, but let me tell you, I never liked those things.

I was glad to save up enough money to final get some contacts.

Took a bit to learn how to put them in, but now it's second nature, and as long as my money holds out, I plan to wait a long time before going back to glasses! 

 





 

And these are just some random pictures from the year.

 Please excuse the bad lighting and all. I never bothered to edit, and some are from my cell.

Just had share. Aren't my parents just too cute for words?

They have such a spirit of youth and are the perfect picture of a wonderful marriage

One of my projects. :)

This is a picture of my parents when they were young, which I

transferred onto wood.

A vintage 1950's cotton dress I bought from a antique store.

 

My sweet little cousin. <3

 

Getting ready to head to Grandpa's for Thanksgiving.

Yeah, so we are weird. Accept it.

Love this little boy! He makes my life so much brighter

with his sweet cheeky grins and his snuggles.

My cousin came down for Thanksgiving!

Always love having her around. :)

 

I am sure there is a lot I have missed, but that's all I can think of for now.

 

 It seems like my posts have been rushed and very, let's say, 'unpoetic' these days but I always seem to be in a hurry lately.

 Please excuse the bad grammar and rather 'dull' writing. :)

 

What have you done this year?

 

                                                                       LaKaysha