Day 329 ~ What!? No Tone? Just Ask.

Have you ever said something and had it taken the wrong way?  Better yet, can you tell if someone misunderstands you when you are speaking face to face to them?  Usually you can tell by their response or that whacked out look on their face... (slight sarcasm) and it can be remedied  with a mere explanation, right?  Right.

Now... have you ever written something with the intention of meaning one thing (white) and have it taken completely wrong (black)?  Not that THAT has happened to me, but close enough.  

I have found that when I am face to face with someone and (of course) I am tuned in to their responses, body language and tone in their voice, and I can pretty much respond immediately to any misunderstanding.  [Okay, so there have been a few times I miss the cue and don't get it until that night... BUT...] I immediately back track, and explain myself.  I will even draw pictures if I have too.  (sarcasm, trying to be funny..lol)

That is face to face.  Simple enough, right?  Right.  With writing... IT'S ANOTHER STORY!!  

As a writer (because I do write my blog, therefore I am a writer- I say this because one of my fellow bloggers was told she wasn't a writer... WHAT!!!  SERIOUSLY!!??  That's exactly what I thought!) my main goal is to get a message across to my reader. That includes s-a-r-c-a-s-m, humor, coloring words, emphasizing where needed and being sympathetic when called for.

However, sometimes that is not enough.  HELLOOO! (sarcasm). As shown, I have started implementing descriptions within parenthesis to avoid misunderstandings.  Not only for the reader, but myself as well.

When I am writing, it's as if I dictate to myself... I talk in my head, and I type what I hear.  {I think it's funny}... If you ask me, it sounds crazy.  Whatever I hear, I write, tone and all.    {It's as if I have little voices in my head! oooooo ooooo (trying to be funny, with a little sarcasm)}  After I'm done, I usually re-read what I have written and emphasize tone and meaning and adjust accordingly.  Then I hope to God I didn't miss anything and I get my message across AS INTENDED.

I don't know about you, but I can be silly, sarcastic, goofy and love life to be fun.  

   

SO with that said... I certainly hope I have gotten my message across.  Sure, I know that I have my opinions, as do you.  Right?  Right.  {I thought you'd agree with me.}  (attempt at a little humor,with a chuckle)

Honestly, I just want to be understood.  I mean no harm.  No harm to anyone.  If anything I want to help! (big smile)

SOOOOOO... if by chance there is a day that I may have forgotten a parenthesis or two, or didn't color my words... PLEASE do not jump to conclusions (not even in real life please) ... PLEASE ask.  Email me, ask me... "Carla, what were you thinking?  Did you mean...?"

Real life is no different... if you don't get it OR if you think.... "OH NO SHE DIDN'T!"  (little humor) PLEASE... please ask.  Not just if it's me... if it's someone you know... ASK.  Sometimes you may think that you understood one thing, and after asking ... you find out how off you were.  More importantly, you avoided a HUGE misunderstanding.  

Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.  ~Albert Einstein

Understanding is a two-way street.                                                                  ~Eleanor Roosevelt

It isn't until you come to a spiritual understanding of who you are - not necessarily a religious feeling, but deep down, the spirit within - that you can begin to take control.  ~Oprah Winfrey

Blessings to all,

36 days to go...  

... 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.  U.S Copyright laws apply.  © 2012

Day 220 ~ Driving It Home!

Alright... I must start off tonight's post by saying, that no matter how tired I get at the end of the day, after I finally am able to write my post, I will always take the extra time to do a final edit!  I was so tired last night, that all I did was do a simple quick skim over, as opposed to reading my post that one final time... as always.  I'm not perfect, that's for sure... 

I have gotten into the habit every day, that before I write my post, to read the last one I wrote.  BOY!! I tell you... I was so embarrassed when I read my post just now... talk about typos!  There were four, and one of them was in the title.  

Well let that be a valuable lesson...  Always, always do a final proof read no matter how tired... that extra few minutes saves face big time! 

Sooo... What was the lesson?

Always do a final proof read!   Just when you think you are all done proofing your work... keep reading it through in its entirety, until there aren't any of those evil little typos left.

Just wanted to drive it home one last time, so it sinks into my thick skull.  (wink, wink)  and I call myself a blogger and a writer!  

Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes.  ~  Oscar Wilde

All men make mistakes, but only wise men learn from their mistakes.  ~ Winston Churchill

Blessings to all!!

145 days to go...

PS... Sons, I love and miss you.  To the moon and stars above and back.  You are my sunshine(s).

Images are courtesy of Bing images.

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied.  All accounts herein are written by Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life.  Some names may be changed to protect the innocent or protect me from the guilty.  (just kidding...wink, wink)

Day 175 ~ Here's to Growing!

courtesy of Bing images

Unbelievable!  I mean, really.  Who would have thunk?  Today, is my 175th post.  Which means I have now been blogging for 25 weeks now.  WOW!!

Blogging has become a way of life for me. A positive way at life.  I remember there being a couple of days that I was so tired, that I had to force myself to write my entry.  Tonight, once again I find myself really tired when I started writing... however, only difference is that tonight writing/blogging has become such a part of me, that I would not be able to go to sleep if I didn't write it.  I didn't even hesitate a little.

I've seen some dark days... and then there have been those days that I found out something new about myself, and as a result I grew about an inch taller, [figuratively speaking of course.]

Earlier today, I noticed that I have become very understanding of others...  there are times, that just as I am speaking to someone- just as  the words are making it out of my mouth, I am hearing them and at the same time coming to the realization myself as to how much I have grown as a person. 

I honestly am anxious and excited, in a really good way, to see what else I will learn and how I will grow as a person.

Write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow. ~Lawrence Clark Powell 

Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.     ~ Benjamin Franklin

I am thankful for everyone and everything in my life.

Blessings to all!!

190 days / 27 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 164 ~ I Will Not Give Up...

When I started my journey, I never stated that I was an expert or that I was perfect, or that I was a perfect expert...  (lol) just kidding... an attempt at humor again... anyway...

courtesy of Bing images

The point I am trying to make, is that I am taking life one day at a time.  Most times my days may not turn out the way I set them out to, even so, I set out each day to do better than the day before. Learning as I go.

funny, one thing I remember my father saying to me when I was in my 20s  (one of the few good memories I have with him as an adult) ..."Carlita... (he called me that once in a while, when we were one on one)...  there isn't a handbook at life, or being a dad...  one tries to do the best we can..."

Well... I'm trying the best I can... at this thing called life...and writing my own manual as I go...on being a wife... at being a mother... a daughter... a sister... I will not give up... I will be strong,

I will not give up ... I will be strong.

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.    ~  1 Chronicles 4:10   (NIV)

I am thankful for finally recognizing the wonderful person that I am, and always have been. 

Blessings to all!!

201 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 154 ~ Always Having A Clean Slate

Time truly got away from me tonight.  There aren't many times at all that I am able to write during the day... very few really.  Try writing with a naturally hyper five year old little girl... not going to happen!

My li'l "Super Star!" 

I wish I was able to write more during the day, although it really is nice ending my day here.  There;s is something to be said about going to bed with a "clean slate," as well as "peace of mind."

Needless to say, my writing time comes at the end of my day, after Calley has gone to bed.  Then there's those nights that she won't go to bed right away and continue to get up for either water, bathroom or the new excuse lately is a "late night snack!"  Just as I sit down to write... "Mom...my.... Mom...my..."   Come to think about it, seems like its been few nights since this has happened... I hope I didn't just 'jinx' it!

That's right, unfortunately I do not have the time to sit at my computer all day... fortunately "life happens."  Between teaching Calley (home schooling,) keeping the house clean, preparing meals, helping my in laws with whatever comes up whenever it comes up, my blog and any other unexpected obstacle that life may throw at me, I'd say I have my plate pretty full.

Another thing I have noticed is that the last few days that I have been working on the design of my blog, soon to be unveiled, the time that I have to actually write has been infringed upon.  I get into working on the design and I loose track of time.... hence my writing time has been infringed upon!  

Don't worry... not only will the new look speak for itself, but I will make it up to you as well.  I have a few new things cooking up... Oh and then there will be my sister's up and coming visit.  That should give me something to write about... just think, I have not really had a good relationship since we were very young.  

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth, and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.'   ~ Job 37:5-6  (NIV)

I am thankful for having the ability to see the difference between good and bad.

Blessings to all!!

211 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 131 ~ All In A Day's Work

WHAT A DAY!!  Today was a very challenging day with Calley.  So much so that my brain is literally mush.


Been sitting here for a while, and the only action happening at this computer are my eyelids closing.  For a brief moment I get a flash recall of my day today, and then all of a sudden this blanket of relief comes over me when I am reminded that my day is finally over... Calley's asleep  (big smile)


Right now the only thing coming to mind is the thought that soon my head will be resting on my pillow... then before I know it, Calley and I will have another day full of surprises!

Stop trying to perfect your child, but keep trying to perfect your relationship with him.    ~ Dr. Henker

Praise your children openly, reprehend them secretly.        ~ W. Cecil

Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.     ~ Lin Yutang 

Blessings to all!!

234 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 107 ~ Editor's Pick of the Day!!

When I woke up this morning I knew immediately that I had to continue on course... Sooo when Calley woke me up at "o-dark-thirty", all I could do was whisper to her to get under the covers with me and snuggle with mommy until it was time to wake up.  After all it still was dark out!!  

Finally after the sun rose, business was as usual... and the second thing I do before rolling out of bed is to check email.  YES from bed!!  lol!  I know I am a crazy techie!!  First thing I do... I smother Calley with kisses!

However I did not have a clue what was about to happen or what was in store for me until I opened my email.  I started seeing emails from other bloggers from bloggers.com... not that I normally don't get any, but I was a little surprised when I saw an email from bloggers.com themselves with "Congratulations..." in the subject box.  I didn't even finish reading the word "congratulations", let alone the entire sentence, and I was opening the email from them.  I felt a little excitement growing, just like the kind you feel when you are opening up a present.  Then I read the following:

Hello Carla:

Congratulation!

You have been featured on BLOGGERS as one of the Bloggers of the day. Your profile and Blog "Taking Back My Life ~ Making It My Own!" has been showcased in Bloggers Home page (http://bloggers.com). In addition to that you are awarded with Featured bloggers badge on your profile.

Thank you again for your brilliant work. Enjoy the latest features and tell your friends to join this wonderful community.

regards

Thank you
The Bloggers Team 

Editor's Pick of the Day!!

OH MY GOODNESS!!! I could not believe what I was reading, and then the next thing I knew I was overwhelmed with joy and started to cry.  I could not believe that my blog had been chosen... and then I started reading all these comments from fellow bloggers... 

As simple as it may sound, all that comes to mind is .... THANK YOU!!!  You all made my day!!! my week! my month!! my year!!!

Who'd a thunk?!

First thing I did was call my hubby :)  I love that man so much!!!  After all, he is putting up with my writing every evening before I go to bed, which at times makes it difficult for him to go to sleep.  Does he complain... NO! he does not... He encourages me to continue writing.

Dean, I love you so much!  You mean the world to me... I look forward to continue to grow old with you!! and raise our daughter together!!!  YOU are my knight in shinning armor!!  

At day's end I received nearly a hundred emails, and I continue to receive them as I am writing tonight's post.

And If I have not responded back to any of your questions or emails yet, please rest assure that I will!!   and...

Once again.... a sincere, heartfelt Thank You!!

A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues.  ~ Cicero

Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting.    ~ Author Unknown

Every time we remember to say "thank you", we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.   ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach 

Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles, And sing praises to Your name.   2 Samuel 22:50

Blessings to all!!


258 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 85 ~ Making a Plan

Having to deal with death just sucks the life right out of you!

My new quote, written by, yours truly.  I'm feeling it right down to my bones.  I guess that's what i get for "burning the candle at both ends"... as coined in the early seventeenth century and then written in part in Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem.

It seems as if every channel I turn to has death on it (the tenth anniversary of 9/11 is around the corner.)  

As a side note:  All I can say is that... when I go, I hope it's a peaceful death.  I most certainly would not want to live in a vegetable-like-state, or be a burden to anyone.

Other than things that will eventually be Calley's... in other words, when I buy something of use... say for example pots and pans or a stand mixer... it will be of quality, like Calphalon cookware or a Kitchenaid stand mixer - only the best!... why, well... I know that I will get good use of it, and eventually Calley will too.

courtesy of Bing images

As I was saying, other than things that will eventually be Calley's, I am not going to buy anything else!  At least this is my plan ...  (wink, wink)  I will put all papers in order, and write everything down in one file for anyone to make sense of our family's assets and liabilities... and keep it all with my will [that I will eventually get to writing.]  I wonder how long it will take me to do this little project?!  (haha ha)

I see what my in laws are going through with trying to put Nana's life to rest... and I do not wish that upon Calley or anyone else for that matter!  Plus, if you think about it... there's something weird about going through someone's life and belongings who is no longer with us... a little on the morbid side, wouldn't you say?

Death is nothing else but going home to God, 

the bond of love will be unbroken for all eternity.   ~   Mother Teresa

 Blessings to all! 

280 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 79 ~ Saving Money On Therapy!

courtesy of Bing images

NEW MILESTONE!!!  3,000 VIEWS!!   This is too cool... 
Here are some blog stats for you (or rather for me, being that I am so amazed by this all)... 
it took 29 days for my blog to reach 1,000 views, another 24 days to reach 2,000 and it has taken 26 days to reach 3,000 views.

I can not explain the feeling I get when I get a comment on my blog ... other than to say that I feel elated, as if my "self-esteem" meter goes off the charts!  

courtesy of Bing images

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that "writing," more than likely, will not be most people's first choice for a "self-help" therapy, let alone "blogging"... although for me IT IS number ONE!  

"Writing/Blogging" has and continues to be very therapeutic for me... not to mention all the money I am saving on actually going to a psychologist??!!  Could you imagine that if everyone that goes to therapy were to start writing? or if they were prescribed to write a journal...  hmmmm....  very interesting thought.  Anyways... it works for me, plus I don't get kicked out in mid thought at the end of the hour!  LOL!


Instead... I kick myself off my laptop in time to publish my post before midnight!

And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise.  The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.     ~Sylvia Plath

Writing became such a process of discovery that I couldn't wait to get to work in the morning:  I wanted to know what I was going to say.     ~Sharon O'Brien

If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don't remove it - I might be writing in my dreams.    ~Terri Guillemets 

Blessings to all!!

286 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 77 ~ A Shout Out ... Filled With Gratitude

courtesy of Bing images

When I started writing my blog, as I have mentioned, I wanted to put my story out there for my children and my family so they could understand me a little more... and to possibly help someone.  

Having said that... I knew that my blog had to be read... however... I cannot believe all the cities that my blog has been read in!!  

I am dedicating tonight's post to all of those who have read my blog... I hope in some way I have either helped you, or at least made you laugh.   ~ wink, wink

Some of you may have only read my blog once, and others couldn't resist coming back for more... Either way... a big thank you!!!  and then some of you may not like what I write...  a quick note to you...  if you don't like what I experienced, how do you think I felt going through it all?

Regardless... I hope in some way I have toughed your heart, and maybe even made you laugh once or twice...  any way you look at it... 

a shout out to each an every one of you (a heartfelt hello)... you know who you are... ~ wink, wink.  ... this post is for you!!

courtesy of Bing images

...   as south as Porto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo - Brazil...   as north as on the borders of Nunavut and Manitoba, and in Vancouver Canada...   Alexandria, Egypt...   Paris, France...   as north as New Delhi, as west as Gujarat, Chennai and,  south of Dubbak and Vishakhapatnam in India...    Germany...    Malaysia...    near Amsterdam and Rotterdam in the Netherlands...   southern city in Pakistan...    Lima, Peru...   near the cities of Manila and Batagas City and near the small island of Banton in the Phillipeans...   southern Poland...   Moskva in Russia...   Singapore...   as well as near the cities of Seoul and Busan in South Korea...   near the cities of Birmingham, London, Oxford and just north of Stockton-on in the United Kingdom... 

I also want to pay homage to those back home, in the States, some old friends... and some new... may God Bless you too!

courtesy of Bing images

Normal, Alabama...   near Phoenix and in Tucson, Arizona...   near San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, California...   Pensacola and Port Charlotte, Florida...   just outside of Atlanta and Huntsville, Georgia...   near Boise, Idaho...   the windy city- Chicago, Illinois...   Council Bluffs, Iowa...   just northeast of Wichita, Kansas...   south of New Orleans and Thibodaux, Louisiana...   a border city in Massachusetts...   Las Vegas, Nevada...   New York...   close to Cleveland, Ohio...   near Rapid City, South Dakota...   Austin, El Paso and San Antonio, Texas...   Seattle, Washington...   southwest of Washington D.C.... Milwaukee, Wisconsin...     

I really hope, that I in some way, have brought you a little insight, encouragement and support, possibly even some joy or even maybe an "Aha" moment... as much insight, encouragement and support, and "Aha" moments as writing this blog has brought me!   This one is for you!

A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues.   -- Cicero

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

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.   -- Brian Tracy 

Blessings to all!!

288 days / 41 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.