Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Skiing!

It had been several years since I'd been skiing, so I REALLY enjoyed getting to go again! Thank you, C. family for taking me! And for putting up with me on the 3 hour car ride!


Thank you to Marie M. and the C. family for the pictures!


I didn't get any of me coming down the big hills, but here's some pictures from close to the lodge.






And here's the group of cousins/aunts and uncle I was with!


Selfie on the ski lift!


When you think you might fall!!! Or you're just having fun! :) :) 

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Sisters

These pictures were taken at Christmas . . . obviously, but this week I saw them for the first time and thought I would share them.


Every Christmas, we girls get a few pictures in front of the tree.


I'm SUPER blessed with these AWESOME sisters!!!!!!


Ah! The joys of being the youngest sister! 


And besides sisters, we're also GREAT friends.


Take time to be thankful for the siblings that God has placed in your life. Cherish your time with them, and enjoy where God has put you.


Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Floppy Disc? Seriously!!!!

I came home this morning from helping out a neighbor, and found the kitchen table covered in old computer gear and modems from the last twenty years. Apparently the attic was being cleaned out, and Mom decided that they needed to go. I mean seriously, why would we need these old computers around? But before saying good-bye, I had to plug in the old e machine, for sentimental reasons. This is the computer that I used to type out my first complete copy of Adventures of Amy book one.


It's funny how my perspective has changed. This computer used to be REALLY cool because it had a disc slot! Now I look at it and think . . . "Is that a floppy disc slot? How old am I?"


I'll never forget the agony of typing a sentence, and then sitting back and watching the letters appear one by one in slow motion. Moving the mouse across the screen was an ordeal of it's own!


I typed in Works Word Processor, so when I decided to upgrade, I had a fit getting the file to show up on my 'new' old computer. It showed up as gibberish, but my oldest brother came to the rescue and somehow got the next computer to read my file.


Do you see the black line on the screen? It used to scroll by very consistently. I tried to save it to a USB stick, but after right clicking the document, the only options to 'send to' were either floppy disc, or CD ROM. Since the CD slot didn't work, that left me with the floppy disc option, and I don't have many of those sitting around . . .


Wow. Reading the unedited version of book one that I typed out when I was thirteen is . . . it's hard to describe. In some ways, it's hilarious! I mean the story has changed SOOOOO much since then. I mean I have a totally different villain! In other ways it hurts. I want to just grab a red pen and hack it to pieces! The grammar, the story line, and pretty much EVERYTHING about it is AWFUL!!!!! I wonder if in another few years I'm going to look at what I'm writing now and groan at it?


I tried e-mailing the document to another computer, but when I tried pulling up the internet, it said . . . Dialing . . . And I'm like "WHAT!?!?!?" I'll never forget the days of dial up. I remember being across the lawn, at Grandma's house and calling home to ask Mom a question, but the phone said busy. "She's probably using the internet. I'll just run home and ask." It was so natural at the time! Now, dial up seems so . . . old. 


Do you see all those cords, and the size of that thing?!?!?!!? I'm REALLY THANKFUL for my laptop!!!!

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Ty Carson

  Last winter, I wrote a book about Ty Carson, and then put it on the shelf and ignored it till this last fall. When I pulled it out and started editing, I knew that it was going to be my next published book. I wrote the rough draft to the second and third book in the series, and have been editing them, and having my amazing beta readers work on them as well. This week, I got copies of my first two proof copies in the mail. Now, I'm working on final edits, letting my final beta readers at it, and working on final cover design issues. Do any of you have a cover design program that you love?
     Lord willing, if things stay on schedule, I'll be releasing at least the first two, and possibly the third, at the ND Homeschool convention where I'll be doing a vendor booth.
    So, you're probably wondering, "Who is Ty Carson?" Well, here's a basic overview of Ty Carson, and his trilogy.

  Book One - Graveyard Bend

There’s nothing like spending the summer with a grandpa that you don’t remember ever meeting. . . Especially when he’s murdered the day you arrive.
     It's been ten years since Ty Carson's policeman dad was killed in the small town of Graveyard Bend, and he hasn't been back since. . . until now.
      Fourteen-year- old Ty Carson wants nothing to do with the boys’ home as he searches for clues to the alleged murder. Can a baseball game, a figure dressed in black, and an old gun collection be the things that he needs to find friendship and bring him closer to God?

Book Two - Traffic at Graveyard Bend

There’s nothing like getting new neighbors . . . Especially when people disappear on their property.
     After a summer at the boys’ home, fourteen-year-old Ty Carson can’t imagine feeling at home anywhere else. Things seemed perfect . . . until the new neighbors arrived. The traffic from the neighbors at all hours of the day and night seemed bad enough, but then the new boy showed up.
    Can a new kid, threats against the home, the new neighbors, and his mom’s absence, help Ty learn to trust God? When Uncle Wyatt leaves, can Ty and the gang do the right thing? Or is losing the home inevitable?
     With a gun in his hand, and fear in his heart, Ty has to make a decision, but will it be the right one?


I haven't written a synopsis for book three yet but the title is, Chaos at Graveyard Bend.

I would appreciate prayer as I'm working on finalizing details for the books, and as I try to be wise with my time and get everything done that I need to. 

On another note, I've REALLY enjoyed getting to go skating and have some AWESOME games of hockey with family and friends! Thank you, Caleb M. for taking the time to make the rink great!




Every January, we make portzelky, and since we already have the deep fryer out, we usually make egg rolls and wantons. I've always liked Chinese food, but there's something about the homemade ones that are WAY better than any I've ever had at a restaurant. 

That's all for now, until next time, this is Priscilla J. Krahn, reminding you to let the joy of the Lord by your strength!

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

New Plans

  Well, it's a new year . . . as if you needed to be reminded. Obviously, with the new year, I've been thinking about what I hope to accomplish this year. (Like everyone else:)

    There are several areas of my life where I have plans to accomplish things. Lord willing, I'll be able to accomplish at least some of them.

  WRITING - I am planning to publish the Ty Carson trilogy in February, and then working on a rough draft for something else. I'll be announcing more about Ty Carson soon, but the 'other' project is still in the, 'I'm-not-talking-about-it' stage. ;)
 
  IN PUBLIC - I'm planning on attending the North Dakota Homeschool convention with a book table vendor. If you're in the area, I'd love to see you! I'm also considering the South Dakota Homeschool convention but I haven't actually signed up for that yet.

  SUMMER - I'm going to be spending the summer at Northland Camp again. Only, this time, instead of being a teen counselor, I'll be working on a store team.

   SPIRITUALLY - Some years, when January 1st hits, I look back at the previous year and think, 'Wow, that was a great year.' Other times, I look back and say, 'That was tough.' This was one of those tougher years. It wasn't like there was any one thing that was hard, it was just an overall, spiritually challenging year for me. Hopefully, in 2018, I'll continue to draw closer to God, and more specifically, that I'll not get discouraged, but that I'll be able to be victorious in my Christian life. We all have struggles, but through Christ, we can have victory. I'm hoping to have a year of spiritual victory, trusting God, and serving Him however He leads.

  FALL - Survival. Yep. I'm hoping to survive another corn maze season. :) :) Honestly, as much as I may act like it's going to be the death of me, I actually do enjoy the craziness of it all! :) :) ;)

So, there you have it. A run down of what I'm currently planning on for 2018. Whether or not it all happens exactly as I think or not, is yet to be seen.

Here's a picture of me signing my contract for Northland.

I had a great time this week going out with some of my AWESOME cousins and friends. A simple cup of coffee or breakfast can be so amazing when shared with friends! Thanks, gals!

And one of my cousin/friends sent me this picture! :) :) STAY SAFE, PEOPLE! And finish out all those Christmas goodies! :) :) :) 

Also, my publisher contacted me with a few opportunities for Mission of a Lifetime to potentially get some awards. If you would like to help make that happen, I would REALLY appreciate it. Here are links to two places that you can nominate Mission of a Lifetime.



Until next time, this is Priscilla J. Krahn, reminding you to be thankful in EVERYTHING, and don't freeze! :)