Day 209 ~ 2011 Top Ten & A Look Ahead

My post this evening is a quick mention to 2011 and a preview of 2012.  I wanted to share with you some of what I have been up... what my plans are for my blog... and then finish off with my Top Ten most read posts.  Honestly, I saw a few other blogs do a Top Ten... granted their blogs are more informative than my real life drama (lol! humor? a little funny?) ... no seriously... Even though my blog is not an informative, "how to", sort of blog... there always is a  lesson learned to each of my posts... so I thought it would be cool to include it in mine.

I know that I have shared with you, on numerous posts, of what a difference blogging has made in my life, so much so that you are probably sick of hearing about it!  Too bad! (wink, wink)  Anyways, I love blogging and this, my (baby) blog, has 156 days to go.

I Realize that this is my blog and I can do what I want, however, if I want to be respectful of my goals, I must follow through as planned.  With that being said, I will be finishing this blog in 156 days as planned, as mentioned.  After all, this was meant for me to take back my life and make it into my own!  Therefore, this phase of my journey will end...

And a new one will begin! 

I am in the process of putting together a website for all my blogs.  A self hosted web site.  A collection of my writings... my work... my portfolio of my life.  Everything is still in the design, construction and  constant developing phases  I will however keep you in the loop as to its progress.  

This website will also be the home to my next blog.  My next blog will be an ongoing one, without expiration.  

There is no way that I am going to stop blogging any time soon!  Blogging is in my heart, my head,,, it my niche!  YES!!  My Niche!

SO here are my 2011 top ten most read posts.  

10.  Day 27  ~ An Angel Named Caylee

 9.  Day 49  ~  A Mother's Love

 8.  Day 70  ~  I Believe...

 7.  Day 63  ~  My Fight Continues!! ... Part Deux

 6.  Day 39  ~  What Is A Friend?

 5.  Day 33  ~  Thank You God for My Family!  For I am Truly Blessed.

 4.  Day 95  ~  I Will Never Forget!

 3.  Day 23  ~  "words" ...  Use Them Wisely

 2.  Day 124  ~  You Only Live Once...

Top most read post...

 1.  Day 28  ~  I Have a "Dream Team"!! & You're On It!

The power of your thoughts can open any door and you can set yourself free.  ~Lucy MacDonald

Blessings to all!!

156 days to go...

PS... Sons, I love and miss you.  To the moon and stars above and back.  You are my sunshines.

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 206 ~ In With the New * Hello 2012

Okay.  All done.  With what, you ask?  I have just prepared myself for 2012.  I have written down all I want to say good bye to of 2011... read it out loud to myself... and burned it all!  A lighter was a little more accessible than a balloon [to place the note in it and then letting it go].  See Day 7.

1. All negative thoughts of my past
2. Things I can not change or control

.

Then, I took another piece of paper... made a list of what I want for myself... and placed it on my fridge.

1. Stay positive (if a negative thought shows up, replace with two!)
2. Continue to work on being healthy
3. keep BlogGinG!!
4. Make My Life My Own
5. Work towards that book of mine...
6. Do one thing each day to better myself
7. Date night once per month
8. Family night once per week
9. Tell my family I love them each time I see them (already do this)
10. Be a better wife, mother, daughter, and above all be a better friend
11. Keep laughter in our lives each day 

In my lifetime I have made plenty of New Year's resolutions... succeeded in some... and in others... didn't do so good or the resolution sort of just faded out.  I either always wanted to loose weight, be happy or find the perfect man.  Or all of the above.  You know, the important things in life.  LOL!! (my last attempt at humor this year)  

As years went by, life just got to the point that at the end of each year I did not even think of making a resolution.  Didn't even cross my mind.  Didn't bother.

This year so much has happened.  I feel that my life has turned around.  I feel that nothing but good lies ahead.  Full steam ahead!  TooT!  TooT!  

Seriously now.  I know that everything may not be perfect now, and it may be a while before it is.  But... I have decided that being negative... crying... closing off from the world... laying in fetal position... well it has not gotten me anywhere... nor has any good come from it.

Why not give it a shot?  Why not be positive?  Why not wait for the good to come from the bad that has crossed my path?  And most certainly... Why not give a happy childhood to my daughter, along with healthy habits to make her a better person... a better woman.

So I say hello to 2012!  I welcome you with open arms.  I am excited to see what we can accomplish together... and all the good that will come from it.

A Happy New Year from my family to yours!  May all your demons be gone... and may all your dreams come true!  

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind?

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and auld lang syne (days of long ago)?

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne,

we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796) 

Blessings to all!!

159 days to go...

PS... Sons, I love and miss you.  To the moon and stars above and back.  You are my sunshines.

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)

Picture credits... images are courtesy of Bing images.

Day 190 ~ Our 2011 Angels

After watching The Year with Katie Couric on ABC tonight, I was left a little melancholy.  After being reminded of all the great, talented and innovative people we lost this year, I saw how our lives were richer because of them.  

Loosing both Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Russell, was like loosing two wonderful aunts.   Growing up to Jack LaLanne exercising on television... thinking that it was such a silly show, and yet somehow I  found myself exercising each time.  These are some of the many memories I have of these great icons.

Then there was Steve jobs... how blessed are we to have had him in our lifetimes?

All these people have done some amazing things in their lives, leaving behind legacies that generations to come will be able to enjoy.

I dedicate this post to all of them.

• 445 Military deaths in 2011 
• Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor, 1950s Hollywood bombshell Jane Russell, pioneer of health and exercise- Jack LaLanne, journalist Andy Rooney, First Lady Betty Ford, modern day inventor Steve Jobs, Super Glue inventor Harry Coover Jr., father of Mattel- Elliot Handler, e Street Band's Clarence Clemmens, young music legend in the making- Amy Winehouse   

God bless.

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.  ~From a headstone in Ireland

A human life is a story told by God.  ~Hans Christian Andersen 

For some moments in life there are no words.  ~David Seltzer, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory 

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me,

...   two ceiling fans, 

...   our little girl we call Calley

Blessings to all!!

175 days weeks to go...

PS... I love and miss you boys.  To the moon and stars above and back.  You are my sunshines.

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.

Picture credits... images courtesy of Bing images.