My Bedroom

All right, I finally got around to putting up pics of my room, even though my little sister already posted on her blog...cheater.
 Anyways, it's still a working progress, but I am loving it!

My sweet Daddy even insulated the floor!

 

Painting

And the finished project!

My dad built is an open closet, and re-trimmed the window, door, and floors.

And he built this adorable door! Isn't gorgeous? He picked out the hinges because he knew

all us girls LOVE the look of rustic hinges. <3

 

 Our room is now stacked with boxes, and dressers are lined up against the wall, but I haven't time to post those yet.

 And we still need shelves built for our books, ect., so still lots to do.

 When we finally get it finished and decorated, I will upload them for ya'll!

 

                                                                LaKaysha

1960's

So I finally got around to recreating a period look on myself.
 I'd say this actually looks maybe late 1950's, early 1960's.

It is my first EVER attempt at a flick, so bear with me, please. ;)

This look is based on Elizabeth Taylor's look, so I added her beauty mark. ;)

And the finished look. What do you think? How did I do?

I felt like I belonged in 'Hogan's Heroes', (Even though the show takes place in the 1940's. They aren't accurate with the women's fashion AT ALL) and was quite pleased at how accurate it turned out! 

*great big grin*

 I hope to reenact the 1970's next, but we will have to see. :)

 Till next time!

                                LaKaysha 

Currently in My Life

So it's been a while since I did a personal post, and I thought it was time. :)

Life has been pretty busy these days.
 My little cousin was brought to the hospital Last Sunday, with pneumonia, to add to her other health problems.
 My family and I took the rest of the kids in, and it was a long week, but I was glad to be able to help, and I love my little cousins! <3
 We are praying that sweet little Abby will be able to return home soon to her family...

My dad built my sisters and I a bedroom in the garage!
 Yay!
I am loving the privacy of having a real bedroom again, and it's so quiet in the garage, I have been sleeping like a baby. :D
I will post pictures when the decorating and moving in is truly complete. Patience, please. ;)
 We still have to buy some bedding, curtains, and a rug, and Daddy hasn't finished the shelving we want for our books, ect.
 But it is working progress, and still quite cozy. :)

I've been trying to train my hair to be less greasy and skip the shower every once in a while, but it can be hard.
 I can't stand having dirty hair, but it is getting easier to handle, and baking soda massaged into the scalp works for dry shampoo.
 I try to skip a shower at least twice a week (I usually shower every day) but sometimes I just feel to gross to do it. ;)

My current favorite songs:

Work Through My Hands, Lord: by Dennis Weaver

I Still Sing Jesus Loves Me: by Dennis Weaver

Call Me Old-Fashioned: by Bradley Walker

Forever Country: Various artists (It's actually a mix of old country songs)


Currently watched:

The Big Valley

Meet John Doe (LOVED)

 

Currently read:

Shalako: Louis L'Amour

 

 

Have a wonderful day, everyone!

 

                                              LaKaysha

 

Wit and Wisdom

Pinterest quotes again, ya'll!

I laughed so hard! This is so me!

Ok, so a few of these of really funny....or maybe I'm just over-tired ;)

Oh, yes, oh, yes. Sherlock Holmes!

This is always my prayer. :)

A good reminder when we are feeling overwhelmed

<3

This one just touched my heart. :) <3

Goodnight and God bless you all tonight!

LaKaysha



A New Season

Fall is around the corner, guys!
 Is anyone as excited as me?
I have always loved fall...the smell of rain on the green grass, a warm fire in the stove, pumpkins, apples and cider... ah, it doesn't get much better than that.
 It's always exciting for me whenever a new season approaches, no matter which one.
I guess I am always looking forward to the change of seasons.
 When it's nearing the end of winter, I am ready for summer, and whenever summer finally comes to a close, I wait for winter with excitement. haha
 One of my favorite things we do in the fall is our annual Fall Party or Harvest Party, whichever you prefer.
 As Christians, we do not celebrate Halloween, but we do get together to celebrate the coming season before winter sets in and we are all cooped up forever.
 I guess it's the same idea that the earlier generations had whenever they got together to celebrate the harvest before the snows came. :)
 Well, anyways, we gather together to eat delicious food, drink apple cider and other spicy drinks, and to enjoy each others company.
 Something my Grandma started when I was young was a costume party to go with our gathering.
I am a historical fashion nut, so it has always been something I enjoy, because I can put my knowledge of past clothing to use. ;)
 I thought maybe I would share some costume idea with ya'll, if you are interested. ;)

Time eras are always fun.
 1800's, 1900's, maybe even future fashion would be interesting! ;)
I have done the 1940's many times (a personal favorite era of mine), but any era can be lots of fun!
 If you wanted to dress up 30's, but don't have much for fancy dress, all you need is a skirt that comes below your knee, a blouse and sweater, and a cute little beret atop pin curls.

 The 1960's is also a easy era to do on a budget!
A tunic or shorter dress overtop leggings or tights is all you need really, because the hair and makeup is really what makes the look.
 Blue eye shadow, thick black eyeliner and ratted hair is perfect for the 60's.

Eras aren't the only theme I have done, though. ;)

 There is always your typical princess, bride, cowgirl, or Mommy.

Last year my little cousin Evelyn was a Crayon!

 It was adorable!

She wore a pink sweat outfit and taped the word 'Crayola' up her side in black tape, and wore a paper cone atop her head for the crayon's point.

 Clever, huh?

My sister was a Spanish senorita one year, and wore a long, full, tiered skirt, a ruffled white blouse tucked in, with a colorful scarf draped over her head.

 A long blingy necklace was around her neck, and some bangles on her wrist would have been even better.

 Her hair was in a tight bun, and she did her eye makeup dark to create a more Spanish look.



If you have money and wanted to go all out, there are other ideas.
 You could dress up like your ancestors would have (Swedish, Irish, German, ect...) or there is always characters from your favorite book or movie!
 Last year my brother went as Adam Cartwright from Bonanza. *smiles*
Anne Shirley, Jo March, Huckleberry Finn, Peter Pan, or Robin Hood are just a few ideas.

I was actually Maid Marion one year. :D

'Anne Shirley'

Then there are real people.
 George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Betsy Ross, Clara Barton, Jacky Kennedy, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn....
 So many choices!

Any ideas of your own?
 I would love to hear them!

                                               LaKaysha

Vintage Makeup

I haven't done a fashion post in a while, and I know some of my followers really enjoyed the last ones, so I thought I'd do a short one today. :)

Makeup looks changed a lot through the years.
In the early 1900's, makeup was used, but only the richest women used it, and it was very hush-hush.
 Painting your face was considered taboo, and no respectable woman would admit the secret to her flawless look.
 Eyebrows were plucked to a perfect but natural shape, cheeks were painted very sparingly with a small amount of rouge, and then powdered.
 Lips were tinted just slightly.

And then came the Roaring Twenties, where women wanted to break away from the polite and respectable earlier decade.

 Eyes were painted to look smoky, and lined with eye-liner to enhance the look of a wide eye.

Lips were shaped in a pouty look, cheeks pink and painted, and all in all, the look was very unnatural.

!930's the brows were plucked to near nothingness, and then drawn over again in a very thin line.

 Lips were painted in a cupid's bow, and cheeks were pale and powdered with a small amount of blush.

In the 1940's, the war brought a shortage of items, but women made the most of it.

 Lips were painted in their natural shape, always red, brows were plucked but natural looking, and cheeks were painted in an upside down triangle to enhance the cheekbones.

 Mascara was a must, but eyes remained much more clean and natural compared to the earlier two decades.







In the 1950's, the war was over, and peace returned to our land, so the women took advantage of the happy period.

Brows were thick and defined, lips painted naturally, cheeks powdered with pink blush, eyes were defined with lashes and lashes of mascara and lined with thick eyeliner.

Just a short history. ;)

                                  LaKaysha



A Still Small Voice

I have been feeling so down lately.
 It doesn't seem like I have much point or purpose here on earth.
Yes, I help out at home, but living in a house full of adults, cleaning, cooking and laundry truly doesn't feel like much of an accomplishment.
 My sistes can cook, clean and do all that, too, and I guess that doesn't make me feel needed.
Like if I were ever gone, things really wouldn't change all that much.
 Oh, I know my family would miss me, and they would never want me to leave, but I still feel discouraged.
 I was feeling pretty alone and empty.
I wanted a spouse, and I wanted him now, but he wasn't showing up, and it didn't look like he would be any time soon.
 In anger and dispointment, I lashed out at God and told Him I was tired, lonely, empty, and it wasn't fair!
 Didn't He care? Why doesn't He send me someone?
Didn't He see all of the pain and loneliness I was feeling?
 God answered back to me in a very humbling way.
For one thing, why did I want a husband?
 I wanted him to be happy, to feel secure and needed.

Isn't that what I'm for?

 Oh, yes, I knew that I should be finding my peace and comfort in God, but I was just tired of all this waiting...

Don't you think those are selfish reasons?

I felt pretty humbled then.

A husband isn't going to fill the emptiness inside your heart. Only I can do that.
 And didn't you ever stop to think, that I have something very special planned for you, and all of your waiting and wondering should be turned into prayers and meditation with Me?
 Perhaps I feel that you need to be filled with more of Me before you are ready to give your heart to another.

I was moved to tears.

I may have someone out there, made for only you, and you must guard your heart from foolish dreams of a love that will fill your wants.
 He will be worth the wait, and will give you what I know you need, not what you think you need.
Until you heart is mine, it isn't safe in the hands of a man.

I had never felt so rebuked, and I was ashamed.
I asked Him to give me a searching heart, always wishing to know more of Him, and to forgive my selfishness and anger.
 To teach me His ways, to mold me into a better woman that will live for Him, and not man, and teach me to be content where I am.

I am going admit something, so bear with me.
 I had seen someone, a man, and had thought he looked nice, and cute, and began to dream of him.
 I hadn't even spoke to him.
I think I really was clinging to him, mentally, because he was single and cute.
 Well, he got a girlfriend.
And that hurt.
 I felt so let down.
And that same day, I saw this:

Wow.

 Talk about humbling.

It literally took my breath away when I saw it on Pinterest.

And now I know that I have to stop trying to write my own love story.

 I must simply walk with my Lord and hold to His Hand as He guides me, because I have no idea where I am going in this life.

 I must always be seeking His will, His strength and His love.

And when it comes to my point and purpose in life, I must live for Him, and Him only.

Just some food for the thought this morning.

                                    LaKaysha

Riding the Wind

Well, both my sisters and my aunt all wrote posts about out trip to the ranch, so I won't go into too much detail.
 All my followers follow them, too. ;)

I was kind of hesitant the morning of the drive up.
 I hadn't slept well the night before, didn't like the thought of no showers or dust in my contact lenses, and although I love the Ranch, I was feeling a little...'Ehh."
 But the closer we got, the more excited I became, and when the house did come into sight, my heart did a little flutter and I actually thought I would cry!
 My old home away from home.... *sigh*
The silence there (when there aren't four wheelers roaring by) is absolutely amazing, and there isn't a more peaceful place on earth!
 Birds singing in the trees, the wind blowing through the tall grass, and no cell service, boy, it's awesome.
 The mornings were always my favorite, when I wake up to birds, cool air on my face, and the sound of bacon frying in the kitchen.
 I have loved four wheelers since I was little, (just ask my parents) and they never fail to give me a thrill and a wonderful sense of freedom.
 After we got the house cleaned the first day, Daminika and I (I can't remember if Emily was with) finally got to hop on a four wheeler and fly.
 I was so happy to be there, at one point I stood up while driving and laughed, "I'm so happy, I could die!" ;) haha
 The next best thrill was when the boys took out their instruments and played for us. :)
 Fiddles seriously take my breath away, and Gavin plays so beautifully. :) :) :)
Leaving was bittersweet, just like it always is, because as much as I was looking forward  to a real shower and my bed, it broke my heart to leave the wonderful place behind.

Isn't beautiful? I must admit it was pretty depressing to go from this...

 

To this.

 

But then, living in a more populated area makes me appreciate the Ranch even more. :D

 There you believe you could do anything, like ride the wind or catch a falling star...

It's a place of wonder, and peace, and I love it so very much.

Saying goodbye for the last time will be very hard.

 But it's only a place, and another chapter in life that must come to an end someday.

I hope you enjoyed! 

 

                                                               LaKaysha 

 

 

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