Day 480 ~ In The Works

The excitement is starting to build!!

There are 14 days and counting to the BIG Reveal!

I have a lot of work ahead of me.  This is serious business. Big smile.  Even with that said, I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am.

I have kept my plans under wraps... not even my in-laws know!  tehehehe wink, wink.

The reason behind all the secretiveness is having the element of surprise.  After all you don't see Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, or any other successful business person giving away their ideas while they're in the works or before their time, now do you?

Okay... I will say this... NO... I am not starting a computer company... and NO... I am not starting a talk show or my OWN network... 

HOWEVER...

I will say this... I will be helping others just as both Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey do.

Here I have been looking for "my" purpose all these years and it was under my nose the entire time!!

I feel as if another cloud was shooshed away from overhead.  

I feel exhilarated!

I feel like I am walking on clouds!  Walking all over the clouds that once lingered overhead!

As I was saying I want the element of surprise... a grand opening if you will.  

Not only that but when I do tell my in-laws, I want my presentation to be polished... professional... SPECTACULAR!  I want it to be perfect.

It will be perfect!

After all... how can anything go wrong when one does something for the good of all and with God's guidance?

It can't!

Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  ~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 479 ~ One Word- "Relax"

“Don’t tell God how big your Storm is.

Tell the storm how big your God is.”

I have never read such powerful words before in my life.  This is such a sincere example of faith and love of God.

I just read this quote on a {blogging} friend's blog... just moments ago as a matter of fact.  Since I met Kenya, I have always and continue to be a fan of her works.  

In am at a loss for words.  I am still trying to really process and soak in this strong quote.  One thing's for sure... I have never been taken aback by a quote as I have with the quote above.

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 478 ~ All It Takes Is Faith

I've been really busy lately with all the preparations for my BIG Reveal (17 days and counting)...  making sure my vision is translated into reality... crossing all "t"'s and dotting all my "i"'s... laying out all my plans... setting up my objectivity... and most importantly... getting my {supporting} team together.

You see I want to do this right.  I want the foundation of my idea to be solid, so that anything we build on it will be very well supported.  

I do not want to make any mistakes and more importantly I do not want anything to go wrong.  I do not want anything to rain on my parade.  But above all... I do not want to fail.

After mentioning to {another one of} my friend{s} that I "didn't want to jinx anything," she too had some enlightening words for me that went hand in hand with what Kristen had said to me just days earlier.

"What gives you uncertainty?"  "Why do you have doubt?" Alysia asked me.

"Every time I have had something good going on for me, something has come up or someone has let me down and ruined it all. ... Plus, I do not want to fail"

"If something was to happen, something came up, could we not just change direction.  Do something differently?  Redirect?" 

As I processed her question and thought about it, I almost felt like an idiot when the answer was obviously so simple...  "Yes, we could."  I finally answered.

"Okay.  So if something comes up, we figure it out and keep going.  We are going to do this.  All you need is a little faith."

She left me at a loss for words. 

After I finished my conversation with Alysia it seemed as if the cloud that had been lingering over my head, following me everywhere {for what seemed to be an eternity} just vanished.  The sun appeared brighter than I have ever seen before!!

"FAITH."

She hit the nail on the head.

Funny how one word... one five letter word can light up your world.

Alysia hit the bull's eye on center!  She could not have been more right even if she tried.  The answer could not have been more simple if I had imagined it myself!  Having been knocked down so many times in my life... well I have to be honest... faith has been hard to come by.

faith noun \ˈfāth\

1a : allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty

b (1) : fidelity to one's promises (2) : sincerity of intentions

2a (1) : belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2) : belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion

b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2): complete trust

3 : something that is believed especially with strong conviction;especially : a system of religious beliefs

I honestly think know that faith has been "the" missing ingredient in my life for quite some time now.  I don't know if it's my controlling nature (I learned this as a survival technique when I discovered that I had no one to help me with anything) or the diminished trust I have for others.

My problem is that I have to cut the purse strings.  Meaning... I need to trust God.  I need to completely let go and let God.  Surrender.

After all, how can anything go wrong when you have God on your side?  

Surrender to God All-Powerful! You will find peace and prosperity. ~Job 22:21

With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. 6Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow. ~Proverbs 3:5-6

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 477 ~ Do You Love Yourself?

Do you love yourself?  Do you like who you are? ... what you represent? ... what you stand for? what you've accomplished? 

John Lennon once said that "we need to learn to love ourselves first...".  It is also said that "for others to love you,  you must first love yourself."  Along with this, "you must respect yourself, before others will respect you."

In my healing journey I have searched and searched for answers to these questions... do I, love myself? ... do I like myself? ... do I respect myself?

The first question that was the easiest for me to answer was if I respected myself.  Although I have had quite a few low moments in my life, the respect I have for myself has helped me lift myself up {if that makes any sense}.  So my answer is a BIG fat YES!  Respect for myself has never been an issue.

Loving myself has always been tough for me though.  Having a father who constantly put me down has always made it very difficult for me to have good healthy self esteem.  Then the fact that I went from the frying pan and landed right into the fire with the father of my sons...  you know how they say that women often marry men that remind them of or are like their fathers... yup!... I did that too!  So "it" continued.

Needless to say that the questions "do I love myself" and or "how do I love myself?" both have haunted me for a very long, long time.  I guess it is the admitting it or saying it out-loud is the difficult part. 

My friend said some interesting things to me at the beginning of the week that really helped me put these questions into perspective and cleared some of this up for me.

She started of by telling me that it broke her heart to know how sad I had been feeling and said something to the effect that "...when you love who you are, love what you are made of and what you believe in... what others say or do to you does not affect you because you know who you are and what's in your heart..."

I stewed on Kristen's words for a few days... I kept replaying her words over and over again... boy did I ever give it some thought.

"Do you like who I am?"  

Yes.  After a few moments of pondering there was no question about it.  I do like who I am.  

"Do I like what I represent?"

Yes.  I am a good person.  I love helping others, and will even go out of my way to do so too.  {and} I really, really like this about myself.  

"Do I like what I stand for?"

Yes.  Although I have struggled many, many times in my life and the fact that I have managed to keep above water... it wasn't easy- but I did it!  I never gave up!  Going through those struggles planted a seed in me to help others... I love the feeling I get from helping.  {And} most importantly letting them know that they are not alone and have a friend.

"Do I like what I have accomplished?"

Even though I am not done with my special project for "the" BIG REVEAL (less than 17 days and counting,) I would have to answer this one with a HUGE YES!  I have two handsome sons and a beautiful daughter.  I have a wonderful husband and three awesome dogs!  We have a roof over our heads, food on our table, with many, many good things ahead of lying ahead.  

SO... for the first time in my life I can answer this question with a HUMONGOUS
YES!

The man replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind." They also say, "Love your neighbors as much as you love yourself.” ~Luke 10:27

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 476 ~ Speechless? ... No ... Humbled!

{ SWITZERLAND's in DA HOUSE!!! }

As I sit here and start my post for tonight... well I am speechless?

When I set out to start my blog 476 days ago... yes 476 days... {CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?} ... I never expected any of this.  I must admit that every-so-often I have to pinch myself.

I know... I know... I've written about this before at earlier stages of my blog.. but I just can't help myself!  

THIS.. Blogging... putting my thoughts, experiences, feelings, pet peeves, griefs, happiness-es and joys... has not only been a learning experience, but an amazing journey for me.

Furthermore, what was more of a unexpected surprise and of which continues to bring joy into my life is... YOU!

Yes YOU!!

My readers, followers and new found friends... you all bring so much joy into my life.  Just to see your city pop up on "my recent visitors"... well it's just so surreal to me.

Just think... here I am in Texas and somewhere in Switzerland you are reading my blog.  Or ... maybe you are in the Philippines, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, India or even Australia.  Not to mention all those of you in the good ol' US of A!  This is just so amazing!!

I am humbled by your comments, your checking in on me from time to time and your friendships!  I am so blessed.  Thank you.

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ~Romans 12:10

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. ~Colossians 3:12-14 

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. ~Proverbs 17:17

Do to others as you would have them do to you. ~Luke 6:31 

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 475 ~ Live Life Right... Live Life Well

WOW!  Seems like so much has been going on that it is so hard to wrap my head around it all.

What a ride I've been on lately, wouldn't you say?

I have my project that I am getting ready to reveal in nineteen days and counting, as you can see on the countdown I have going just to the left of here... my weekly food lover's group is getting ready for its third meeting this Thursday... for the past two months I had been nursing one of our fur-babies, Lola, who passed away just two days ago- you can read my tribute to her here and her memorial here... I know I named her memorial a tribute- I had a lot on my mind wink, wink... and not to mention Calley starting kindergarten- a lot of new changes here.

Sooo... as you can see my plate has been a little full.  wink, wink.

As I sit back and take a deep breath, I notice that our home is just a tad more quiet.  One less mouth to feed.  This all seems so surreal.

If you would have told me two months ago that I would be burying a dog family member soon, well ... I would have definitely called you CRAZY!!

Funny how life has a way of letting you know who's in charge.  wink, wink.

I learned quite some time ago not to take anything or anyone for granted... and as time goes by and you start getting comfortable... and ... BAM!! ... something happens just to remind you the same...  just in case you forgot... 

Not only do we live once... but that Life we do live is far too short.  

Sooo... live it right and live it well.

Forgive those who've done you wrong, so that you will be forgiven.

Treat others as you want to be treated.

{and} you'll live life right and you'll live life well.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ~Mark 11:24

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 474 ~ A Tribute to Lola

In Loving Memory...

Lola Karam

April 2, 2002 ~ September 23, 2012

 I have fought well. I have finished the race, and I have been faithful. ⁸ So a crown will be given to me for pleasing the Lord. He judges fairly, and on the day of judgment he will give a crown to me and to everyone else who wants him to appear with power. ~2 Timothy 4:7-8

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 473 ~ Saying Good-Bye to a {Four-Legged} Family Member

Lola came into our lives April of 2002.  

Our dog Kelly had been in {near} seclusion for two months, which meant no play dates, after being hit by a car.  Kelly had to have hip surgery, and lost an eye.

Seeing that Kelly was not her playful self in quite sometime, Dean and I decided to get her a sister.  A permanent play date/mate if you will.  We rescued Lola from the animal shelter, as we did Kelly.

As we approached a kennel, we immediately saw her.  She was the sweetest looking dog.  As she approached us, another dog in the same kennel came along and bullied her into a corner.  Immediately we wanted to save her.

Fast-forward to today... Lola has not been doing well for almost two months.  After her appetite seemed to diminish and she would not even eat roast beef, we took her to the vet.

After x-rays, blood work, exams and the opinion of two vets {and $500 later}... there's nothing we can do.  Nothing was found in the x-rays or blood-work... however, a mass was felt around her kidneys.  Cancer?  We'll never know.  She has lost too much muscle mass, weight and the fact that she won't eat- surgery is out of the question.

As a family we gather... we reminisce... we look at pictures... we laugh... we tell stories... we cry.

We wait for the moment... for the look... where she will tell us how much she loves us... where she tells us good bye.

We are sad.  

However... 

We know that we have given her a wonderful life and when she does leave us...

We know that she will be going to a wonderful place... doggie heaven.

Where she will find rivers filled with milk... with biscuits everywhere... balls galore... and toys here and there.  

Best thing of all she will be reunited with all our other family fur-babies... Ranger, Hannah, Max, Alex, One, Blondie and Mikey...

~ An Homage to Lola ~

Lola and Kelly

Lola welcoming Pepper to the family

Kelly, Lola and Pepper

Lola, Kelly and Pepper

The girls taking over the sofa.

Dean & my engagement photo shoot;

including our girls in a few of the pictures 

Venice Beach, California

Lola- striking a pose

Mar Vista, California 

Our girls LOVE the park!

Venice Beach, California

Pepper, Kelly, Lola and a ball.

Lola got "the" ball.

Lola welcomes and tolerates Calley.

Calley growing up with Lola.

Lola welcomes Shelby to the family.

Lola tolerates Shelby (can you see it in her face?), along with Pepper and Kelly-

all taking over our bed!

Lola

 We are so blessed you chose us. 

We are so honored to have been your family.

We are so much better for loving you. 

~Dean, Carla and Calley Karam

Thank you for being such a wonderful sister. ~Kelly

Sorry we fought, but so happy we made up.  I love you. ~Pepper

Thank you for teaching me the ropes and for letting me snuggle with you. ~Shelby

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.