Day 145 ~ A SpOoK-ta-BoO-lar Day

Today the One Lovely Blog Award has been bestowed upon me by fellow blogger SuzyQ, author of "Photos are Fun" and "Someday Somewhere" blogs, who stated... "Taking Back My Life- Carla is truly taking back her life.  I love reading her journey."  


Suzy, a humble thank you!



Part of accepting this award, I must pay it forward to seven to fifteen fellow bloggers, and in no particular order...

• Fitness Frenzy♥
• Beauty and Riches♥
• Amazing Ones♥
• Suzie the Foodie♥
• Note to Self, Just Breathe, Live and Smile♥
• Stylify Your Blog♥
• Someday Somewhere♥
• What Matters Most♥
• Widget Index♥
• Think Spin♥
• A Lupie Existence♥
• Life's Little Slices♥

Please check out their blogs as they are all inspiring.

Suzy wasn't sure where this award or where its rules may have originated, which prompted me to find out... I too found many variations, and were all consistent in the following rules:  

To accept this award:

• Share 7 random facts about yourself
• Award at least 7, although 15 would be great
• Drop them a note to tell them.

Finally, my 7 random facts ...

1. I love the color red...
2. I love eating sushi and making it at home 
3. I love hearts
4. I collect crosses
5. My first dog's name was Puchi
6. I still have my maternal grandmother, who is 97 years old (both of her aunts lived to well over 100)
7. I went back to school at the age of forty

A safe and Happy Halloween to all!

Now back to putting Calley and her costume together for the big night...

Eat, drink and be scary!

Blessings to all!!

220 days to go...


All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.

Day 144 ~ Proud Not To Be Perfect

I don't know why I feel compelled to write and tell you this, but I will go with it... 

Kurt Cobain

I am not perfect.  I continue to have good days, keeping in mind that not too long ago I had my share of bad ones too.  I treat others as I would like to be treated, and I apologize as soon as I discover I failed.  I have made my share of mistakes and have had my own bouts with drugs.  But no matter what, one thing is for sure...  I do what I say and I say the truth.

I have my family's best interest in mind, as well as putting their needs ahead of my own.  I am a perfectionist and am a true believer that there is a place for everything and everything has its place.  I continue to work on the fact that sometimes things do not go as planned.  I do better at spontaneity, even though, at heart I am a planner.

I am a loyal friend through and through, however I do not go against my own values or beliefs for anyone, even you.

With all my imperfections, I am no one to judge you.

Who are you to judge the life I live?  I know I'm not perfect and I don't live to be.  But before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean.  ~ Bob Marley

Blessings to all!!

221 days to go...


All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.

Day 143 ~ Three Must Haves

Life takes on meaning when you become motivated, set goals and charge after them in an unstoppable manner. ~ Les Brown

Successful people do all the things unsuccessful people don't want to do.  ~ John Paul Jones DeJoria

Be thankful what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.  ~ Oprah Winfrey

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  ~ Colossians 3:15

Blessings to all!!

222 days to go...


All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.

Day 142 ~ Life's Jewels

Liz Taylor shows off the 33 carat
diamond ring Richard Burton gave her in 1968 

• Can you imagine that your daily wear would include a 33 carat diamond ring! Which is only part of $100s of millions worth of jewelry... WOW... One thing for Liz (Taylor), when she did it, she did it big!  

• Imagine building possibly one of the largest homes in the country ...90,000 square feet... being asked why, and replying... "because I can!"

• Or owning a house with 29 bedrooms and a basketball court.

• 560' foot super yacht ... A yacht that is two football fields! in length, has its own missile defense system! ... (rumored to have cost $1 bill dollars ..). 

I just finished watching 20/20 tonight, with Barbara Walters, on which she had shared with all of us what some multimillionaires own...  

I am going to be very honest with you...

I do see success in my future.  And with that said... I do want to live in a really nice home, Dean and I drive nice cars, great education for Calley, nice necessary things for my family, important things, comfort, our retirement, take care of my family... and then of course we can't take it all with us ... (wink, wink)

I do not see us spending money on ridiculousness... or on diamond studded collars for our girls (dogs) ...

I do see us giving back and "helping" those who have had it tough like us, help them (learn) to get ahead... and I do see a nice family (reunion) vacation (wink, wink)... 

This is what I see as my diamond ring..

I do see us leaving a legacy for our children.

How's that for believing in myself?!

I was at the point of my post that I quote something motivational, inspirational that coincides, as I do every evening... my way of paying it forward per say... and I could not have come across a more appropriate quote, which in turn prompted me to write this last paragraph.  This quote was written by Louise L. Hay, yet comes from my heart!  In other words, I could not have said it better!!

I have the power to change my life for the better and I am doing so now.  I love all of the good mental habits I am learning and I watch my life respond to my positive thoughts.  If I had a known how easy this would be, I would have started this process years ago.  I am in awe of the power of my own thoughts to heal my body and my  life.  ~ Louise L. Hay

Blessings to all!!

223 days to go...


All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.

Day 141 ~ Believing In Myself

Seems to me that I may be onto something here... today I found myself once again surprising myself.  

"I have to forgive my sons' father. not for him... but for me.  I have allowed what he has done to me to affect me and my life for far too long.  I actually let all of it happen to me by not believing in myself and not standing up to him .  As far as my boys... well although they are young men now and are old enough to do as they please... this is now their choice.  They are allowing their father to continue to "brainwash" and lay controlling head games with them.  I love them and always will.  They are my sons and I do forgive them... but if they insist on not talking to me, it isn't for something I did.  As an afterthought, they may be upset at me because of my blog... I stand by what I write and believe in everything I say,  I have done nothing wrong, and write of the truth.  I would do this all over again."

As much as my heart aches for my boys, I believe in what I am doing just as much.  I realize that they have not been under the best tutelage, however they should remember what we went through together, and their father's continued suggestions to not contact me.  

Regardless, now... it is all in the past, can't change it.  All I can do is be the best I can be for myself, and my family.  And as far as the time we continue to spend apart... well, I will continue my blog for them [because I know that one day they will thank me for it,] and I will make them proud of me.

Today I came across the following quote, "I bless the past with love, take a deep breath, and move gently into the new." by Louise L. Hay.  For some reason Louise continues to pop into my life just at the right time, with just the right words.  She could not be anymore accurate.  I'm sure you would agree with me that Louise L. Hay is definitely on my "Dream Team."  

I have to admit that after having read these quotes, I realized that I am actually believing in myself, really liking what I am about and where I am heading.  I can't believe I just wrote that, because I actually am feeling it! 

Every day it gets easier to look into my own eyes in the mirror and say, "I love you just the way you are."  ~ Louise L. Hay

Received word that Shelly is doing well in her recovery process, however is in a lot of pain.  Please continue to pray for my friend's pain to subside and for a quick, healthy recovery.




 Blessings to all!!

224 days to go...


All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.

Day 140 ~ My AHA Moment

I'm so happy I could
jump on Oprah's couch!

Today I experience an "AHA!" moment that unquestionably made me feel good about myself... I believed in myself.

As the title of my blog suggests... for the first time ever... in my life... I felt as if I was owning my life.  I felt/feel like I am "taking back my life, and making it my own."  Seriously.  I had a moment where my past was where it belonged, and I was accepting it for what it was.  I felt, without a doubt that all I wanted to do and obtain, was and is doable.  I had/have no second thoughts, uneasy feelings nor did I question myself.  All my plans (dreams) will come true.

Right now I feel as if I could do or conquer anything...

Oh, how I wish you could feel this same amazing feeling.

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.   ~Abraham Lincoln

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.  If you want to be happy, practice compassion.   ~Dalai Lama 

Real elation is when you feel you could touch a star without standing on tiptoe.  ~Doug Larson

 Blessings to all!!

225 days / 32 weeks to go...

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.

Day 139 ~ The Power of Prayer!

The last two days have seemed to drag on with the anticipation of Shelly's surgery.  Having this weigh heavy on my heart made it easy for me to fast for Shelly.  That was the least I could do in her honor.  It was tough to do, especially when my stomach started to ache.. which then  I had to eat a little... however all in all, with prayer at my side, the thought crossed my mind that I wish I could have done more.

As my day was in full swing, I received a text at about 2:30 this afternoon. Which at first I found myself reading three times before I realized what I was reading! 

I could not believe it.  I had received word from Shelly's husband himself... "Shelly was out of surgery and all went well..."  He even shared that he was going to be able to see her within the hour.

PRAISE GOD!!!

By the time I was finished reading his text for the ump-teenth time, I was sobbing.  Tears of JoY!  

I can not begin to tell you how happy I am for Shelly and her family.  I pray for a smooth and quick recovery.  She will be away from home for about two weeks.

I realized last night that I really had not told you too much about Shelly.  Her sister, Marlene's little girl and Calley were in the same class at the  little Christian school I used to teach at.  Marlene and Shelly both have had their children enrolled at the same school for years.  These ladies are the definition of what sisters should be!  They are good people, with good hearts... raising good people...  

Shelly is a terrific person, with a great personality. (Marlene too.)  She has a beautiful family.  Two beautiful daughters, one in 7th grade and the other in 4th, who are both their mother's daughters.  Shelly is an amazing mother, who without a second thought drives hours upon hours for a volleyball tournament [in one weekend.]  A wonderful role model.  Devoted not only to her family, but to her God as well.  A woman of faith and devotion.  Putting her God first.

I am very happy to pray for this family and to call them my friends.

So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.  ~ Ezra 8:23

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.    ~ Matthew 7:7-8

 Blessings to all!!


226 days to go...

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.

Day 138 ~ Praying For A Sister's Strength

I can not begin to tell you how many times I have re-written "this" sentence in the last thirty minutes... it's stupefying!  To be very honest with you, I did not think that Shelly:s surgery [in the morning] would have me in such a head spin ...

I am at a loss for words...

Hard to believe ... I know.. but... think about it... when it comes down to it, my friend is having "brain surgery".  There... I said it.  Brain surgery.

I can not even begin to imagine what that really feels like.

It is bad enough, to be "the" person going into surgery...

How about being her sister?

Tonight ... I ask you to please say a prayer for Marlene... Shelly's sister.

Marlene, my heart goes out to you.  I can not even begin to imagine what you are feeling... 

I pray that, soon enough you can have your sister back... healthy, sweet and spunky as always!

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.    ~ Matthew 7:7-8

 Blessings to all!!


227 days to go...

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.

Day 137 ~ Praying For Shelly

Praying for Shelly
Tues.  Oct 24th

Just as there is happiness in life, there is sorrow too.  


A friend of mine will be going into surgery on Tuesday.  The surgeons will be removing a "benign" tumor that is resting on an auditory nerve.  As would be expected, there are a few risks, one of which she may end up with permanent hearing loss in the one ear... and another being that there may be partial face paralysis [on the same side.]  


I do not know that she would like to be mentioned in my blog, so I will only mention a first name... 


I am asking for your prayers for Shelly on Tuesday.  Her surgery will be anywhere from 6 to 8 hours, it could even go longer.  Her sister and I will be fasting on Tuesday, the same day in her honor.


On a happier note... Today was a day for spending time with family and friends... I especially love it when "the day" comes around [each year] that we get to celebrate the day one of us was blessed upon our family.   Today we celebrated the birthdays of Calley, her 5th, Dominic (my cousin,) his 18th  and Dean's 46th !

Funny... I was just thinking... [no funny comments now...] (wink wink)... each one of them are entering what seems to be such different stages of life, however as different as they are~ they are alike.  Meaning, that each of them are about to experience very special times in their lives.  How exciting for each one of them!  

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.    ~ Matthew 7:7-8

 Blessings to all!!

228 days to go...

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.

Day 136 ~ Faith For My Future

We all have good days, and once in a while we have bad ones too.  The thing is to be able to differentiate between the two... and then regardless, be thankful.

I know... you're probably thinking that life isn't that grand at the moment and the last thing you may feel is thankful or grateful.  Well, if your parents were anything like mine... and if you didn't hear it once, you heard it a million times... there are people worse off then us.

Some of us may want a better home, maybe a newer and nicer car... or how about those cute shoes you saw last week...  All I have to say it that...

At least some of us have a home, even a clunker car [at least one that is working!]... we even have  a closet to keep shoes...

The point I am trying to make is that I may not be in my dream home yet, or driving my late model hybrid suv, let alone buying the latest and greatest shoes...

But I do feel thankful for what I do have, as well as the fact that I am able to make plans and have goals to one day soon... have the house and car of my dreams! 

I have faith!

When you are grateful fear disappears and abundance appears

Anthony Robbins

Each day offers us the gift of being a special occasion if we can simply learn that as well as giving, it is blessed to receive with grace and a grateful heart.

Sarah Ban Breathnach

 Blessings to all!!

229 days to go...

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.

Day 135 ~ Happy Birthday Dean!

Well today is the day that I give thanks to Sally for not only having given birth, but to have raised such a wonderful man... 

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

A special birthday cake for my loving husband! Happy Birthday honey...    we are truly blessed to have each other!! ♥ ♥ ♥

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

A thank you to my father and mother in law for having raised such a wonderful man..

I don't know...  but to say, that Dean makes me want to be a better person...

which says something about the man himself!

Thank you Jesus!!

 Blessings to all!!

230 days to go...

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.

Day 134 ~ Life's Obstacles

Picture borrowed from
e-nterest.com

I would have to say that today was definitely a far cry from what yesterday bestowed upon me, let alone this entire week for that matter- maybe this entire year!  

It's so funny... maybe even ironic... but right now Dean and I are trying to teach, and instill in Calley, to work through frustrations... you know... coping when you can not have something instantly or when something just doesn't happen like you want it to.  I think that even patience may have a little hand in this as well...  Well let's just say that I may have had some of those coping skills instilled in me this week!

I swear that there were a couple of times I just wanted to scream and then let out some tears... but NOooooOO... I had to lead by example and deal with all of it as Calley witnessed on.

♪♫•♪♫•♪♫•  ***LIFE UPDATES***   ♪♫•♪♫•♪♫•

• I have now been without my car for TWENTY-SEVEN WEEKS!!   Yes you heard me right, twenty-seven weeks!.. Six months plus!!  Although... I do have some GREAT NEWS!!! Guess what I opened in the mail a few days back... A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT against Toyota; for owners of Rav4 years '01-'03... with the Electronic Control Module (ECM) and automatic transmissions problems... 

GUESS WHAT!?!  ...  

Picture borrowed from Craig's list
ad in St. Louis

I have a Toyota Rav4, who has had nothing but transmission problems (since I have owned it September of 2010 - in thirteen months I have driven it a total of maybe four combined,- and that's being generous!!) including "harsh shifting," and we replaced the ECM!  YES!!  THANK YOU JESUS!!! Mailing my claim to the attorneys tomorrow.  Let's see what happens next...

• Safety switch on our water heater went out three days ago (no hot water since,) which is definitely better that the water heater itself needing to be replaced!  $70 vs. $600!  THANK YOU JESUS!!!
• I Had to replace my dsl modem, among other issues... I still need to add a telephone jack and move the actual connection into our home office here and get our home network back up and running.
• Last (I'm sure it won't be the last time), and not least... our tv... it went out too! Aiy ya yai! ... won't be fixed until Monday.  (big sad face)  I Miss my DVR!

I am thankful for all the good and bad in my life... and I am especially thankful for all the good that has come out of the crazy-ness this week!!

As we grow up, we learn that the people that weren't supposed to ever let us down, probably will.  You'll have your heart broken and you'll break others' hearts.  You'll blame a new love for things an old love did.  You'll fight with your best friend, you'll cry because time is flying by, and eventually you'll lose someone you love.  So take too many pictures, laugh too much, forgive freely, and love like you've never been hurt.  Because every second you spend angry or upset, is a second of happiness you can never get back!    ~ Unknown Author

 Blessings to all!!

231 days to go...

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.