Day 374 ~ Creativity & Life

I just love it when I complete projects!!  

Whether it's a chore... a DIY project... an art project... and especially a graphic design project!  I love it!! Best yet is the feeling that comes with it.

So... today, I finished working on my new design for my blog... Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life.  {and} I can't wait to reveal the new look to all of you (hopefully Monday)!

Now that my new look is completed [for now anyways- you know us creative people... I'll look at my work tomorrow and I'm sure I will tweek it somehow], I can now finish Calley's room.

Yes... throughout all of this, I have been painting and decorating Calley's room.  My poor baby had to wait over 5-1/2 years to get her room done.  Funny, both my boys' rooms were done before they were born.  Different times, different circumstances.  

In my defense, when Calley was born we were remodeling a house at the time with my brother... then, in August of 2008, two months shy of her second birthday, we relocated to Texas.  {and} Yes... it has taken me nearly all this time not only to get to her room, but to save the money to do so.

One thing that I pat myself on my back for doing is that all this time that I have been waiting to do Calley's room, I knew more or less what colors I was going to use... so... anytime I would see something great for her room on sale {most times even on clearance!} I would buy it.

Oh... and of course Calley has been helping me all along the way, sometimes a little too much or her timing is off... but all and all she has been so excited through all of this.  Especially when the walls were finished being painted.  She calls it her princess room. (No, it is not princess themed, but it sure does look pretty.)  

With all that said... this week's focus will be to finish her room.  Perfect timing too, since she will be in Vacation Bible School every morning this week.  YAY!  Needless to say, this week will be good for the both of us.

You are correct.  After all this time I am still not done.  As I said it's all painted, and the wall hangings that we had are up...  Now all we need are some finishing touches here and there. .. but with all that said, Calley is so grateful and is loving her new room.  She's even keeping it picked up!

Before you were born, I dreamed of you, I imagined you, I prayed for you.  Now that you're here I hope for you, I love you and I thank God for you.  ~unknown author

Tiaras and things and butterfly wings, that's what little girls are made of.  ~unknown author

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

Peace...

... 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, Taking Back My Life ~ Making It My Own.  © 2012 U.S Copyright laws apply.  

Day 184 ~ The Results of Bad Time Management

Phew!  The only word that comes to mind to describe my day.  The only time I sat down today, was to eat lunch, do crafts with Calley and to paint.

Yes, Elisabeth I am working on a new art piece.  As a side note, my little lady I was working on, well let's just say that Calley thought I needed some help one day.  (sad face)  That was a bad day, yet we survived it.  In the scheme of things, I realized that it was not a big deal, after all I can moisten and reuse the clay.  (big smile)  And she was coming out pretty cool too, as you can see her here.

As part of our 'crafts' that I had planned for Calley and I was to make a Christmas wreathe, being that the wreath we had been using was ten years old and had seen its share of Christmases.  (so sad because I really liked it; it was made entirely of red ornaments)

This project was really simple for what it was, although as Calley helped and saw it come together, she was truly impressed.  She was especially impressed when I threw the bow together.  All she would say was, "ooo... oh wait... ooo... wait...oooooo mommmy."  She was really cute with all the sound effects.  It really wasn't a big deal, but to her I was the coolest mom in the world!  Which of course, I thought was pretty neat.  (BIG SMILE)

Taking care of Calley is special in itself.  We may have our rough moments, but we always manage to get through it.  But then, I always keep in mind that the good times always out weigh the bad.  It's funny, regardless of the situation, I can always count on Calley to be very caring, helpful and with a little touch of drama.  I see acting and possibly the debate team in her future.

As I mentioned, today was a whirlwind of sorts.  As a matter of fact, after having my morning tea I checked my emails, blogs, stats, and comments, not necessarily in that order, but anyways... I got so wrapped up in some new games, that when I finally got to the point that I felt I could take a break and do other things with Calley... IT WAS ONE O'CLOCK!!   OH EM GEE!!!  I could not believe how long it took me to do my morning routine.  It took me almost three hours longer than normal!

I have come to the conclusion that I have to do something about time management, that is for sure.  Five hours at the computer, and not realize it... well... I think I need to start using my timer!  LOL!!

All that I experience empowers me to grow more as a positive person.    ~  Carla Barila Karam

  

Blessings to all!!

181 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 152 ~ A "Housekeeping" Kind of Monday

A shout out to
Salvatore Vuono for his picture!

Well I must say that today has been one of those "housekeeping" Mondays.  I woke up, did my usual breakfast routine... including feeding Calley, tea, check email, check blog and spend fifteen to thirty minutes researching my dreams.

As my day progressed, it truly ended up being a productive day!  I finished painting my bedroom- just need to do one last thing... and my bedroom will be pretty.  I'll post a picture after I am done.  (big smile!)

Additionally, I was able to set some time aside to work on my blog's design.  I've been doing a little "housekeeping" on it as well.  I'm in the process of revamping it, with hopes of being able to unveil it soon. 

Writing my blog is turning out to be a beautiful, enlightening and enriching experience.  Not only am I growing into the happy, strong person I have always known I was, but I am also learning to accept "my past."   I want you to know that at times it is not easy putting myself out there, however the fact that in turn I have been meeting some great people, makes it easier to do so.

A a special bonus, I've received some pretty cool messages from friends and strangers alike. Which have been humbling.  So much so,  that it makes me want to write even more.  Thank you.    

If I had to relive a Monday... well let's just say that this would be a good one.   As I continued to work... my day was over before I knew it.

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.    ~ Albert Schweitzer

I am thankful for the great experiences my blog has given me... including the experience of getting to know the real me.

Blessings to all!!

213 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 10 ~ Hmmm... I Think I May Be On to Something Here (?)

There's been a couple of times that I have mentioned that I (kinda) liked - wink, wink - blogging.  I don't know, maybe I'm onto something here?

I just realized that I have not told you what I do for a living... and please bare with me because it will make sense in the end.

Where do I start?  I just finished my second school year at a small [private] Christian school in western Texas (we moved here almost four years ago - another story, another day) and am out for summer vacation...I taught computers to 1st through 8th grade students.  

I'm pretty computer savvy... ~ thanks to working under the tutelage of my father for nearly a decade at his computer stores, "The Computer Supply" (Van Nuys and Newhall, CA) which doors closed back in 1996 more or less...  I can put together a computer system, troubleshoot it (I did sales and etc there), and love to work with software.  I am a freelance Graphic Designer and Computer Consultant, and pretty darn good with Microsoft Office.  Altogether I've been dancing with computers for twenty-six years.

But that's not all!  I have remodeled homes, done interior design work, bar-tending paid for my divorce and custody law suit, I have worked at a world famous gym among personal trainers, famous body builders, fitness models, actors and athletes, and I can run anyone's office (like nobody's business!) whether an architect, engineer, hair stylist or travel agent!  I am very organized and as mentioned in earlier posts (Day 7,) I "plan" everything.  

Above all, I am very artistic- While ceramics is my thing (here's a picture of my newest piece in progress), I also love to paint and I enjoy great gourmet food and even grow my own herbs and fruits/vegetables...~ as a result, the love of cooking has grown not only within myself, but in my four and a half year old daughter as well.

One constant I have always had in my life was writing~ even though I had taken what some would call a "long hiatus" (as described in Day 2), I have always done well at writing... and writing has been good to me.  I don't know, some would even say that they have noticed a "skip" in my step, and have even caught me humming a tune or two...

In the past week I have increasingly been researching all to do with blogging.  I now have a copyright on my blog and belong to a blogger's website.  Oh, Laws - Oh yes laws, because Bret and Kevin (who I have already mentioned in earlier blogs) would be more than happy to team up (another story, another day) against me... I am NOT as naive as I once was! I can not be held libel nor can I be accused of slander (ok, I can be accused, but I will also fight for the truth,) ... when I am writing the truth.

Therefore I will take this opportunity to re-state that fact that I will only write the facts and truths in my blog.  Even if I make myself to be the idiot~ it will be the truth.

In the last couple of days I have also been playing with the formatting of my blog, learning a little bit about the designing of blogs if you will. [This is where my experience comes in.] You may have noticed a different look, background photograph (taken by ME) of one of my favorite corners ;) and even a new title.

Did I mention that I (kinda) liked blogging?   ;)

Blessings to all.  

355 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.