Day 218 ~ A Glance Into The Future

My blog reaches 10,000 Views!

What a day!  Reached a new milestone; keep meeting great people; got a great deal on Calley's ballet shoes; and I worked out today!!  

The funniest part of my day was working out.  Why?  Well, since you asked... (wink, wink) Calley and I showed up at the local Y ready to rock!  Or at least I was, until I found out that the class I wanted to take had been changed to a Pilates class.  That's not the funny part.  Maybe some of the exercises looked funny, but that;s not it.  As the class was finishing up, our instructor let us know she was heading up a low impact aerobics class afterwards.  Hmmm... I thought, do I even dare?  After all I have not worked out so vigorously since July... Oh what the heck... Let's do it!!

Yes, I made it through the Pilates class.  The instructor was awesome... first one I have ever had that was not this skinny-minny thang.  Although I must say... who does full blown sit ups anymore?  Weren't those like outlawed or something?  It just did not seem right... I stuck to my crunches.  After all, I did not want to mess up my back or God knows what other body part. 

Seriously, this is what I returned to.

So I stayed for the next class.  As I returned from checking in on Calley, I discovered about twenty or so senior citizens had invaded the aerobics room!  Yes!  There wasn't anyone under 75 taking the class!!!  This was the funny part.

What a great workout I had!!  I was the youngest in the class.  The best body in the class. {snort, snort}  The highest kicker too! (laughing uncontrollably right now)  

I was looking around wondering what these people were like in their youth.  Were the men jocks?  Running out touchdowns and making free throws?  Were some of these women dancers, cheerleaders or athletic once upon a time? 

As I was so busy patting myself on the back... I realized something... if I do not start taking care of myself now, in twenty years plus more, I will be the one that can barely kick above the ankle!  

What a moment of reality.  What a humbling moment.  What a inspiring and motivating moment!!

Needless to say, days that Calley is not in ballet or gymnastics, I will be working out and setting a good example for my daughter.

You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair.  ~Douglas MacArthur

Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.  ~Chili Davis

Do not regret growing older.  It is a privilege denied to many.  ~Author Unknown  

Blessings to all!!

147 days to go...

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

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 155 ~ Working On Me

2005 ~ My Boys and I

I remember the first time I noticed I had laugh lines (in a picture.)  "What are those? When did those happen?"  Isn't it funny how we don't appreciate something until it's gone?  Including our youth.

That was some time ago.  What I am struggling with now is that in the last five years... well let's just say that I look a little older.  Doesn't help any that I am a little older.  

Since turning forty-six I have had a big problem with aging.  Why? HELLO!! That's four years away from the BIG five O!  Well... that was two years ago... only two to go.

Do not get me wrong!  I love the year I was born... the era I lived... the history I experienced... the music I experienced... H O W E V E R . . . 

2011  ~  Calley and I

I think the main reason I am having issues with aging, is Calley/  I want to be around for her.  I want to be healthy for her.

I know that she will one day live her own life... I do not want to think about that day!   We'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Regardless... I say I want to be around for her.  However, I also want to be healthy for me.  Lead a healthy life and feel great about myself.  I currently am working on me...now I have to work on me.  Meaning, I am working on the mental part of me... now I need to work on the physical part of me.

Hmmmm...  I just may be ready for that...

It is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible. From this, happiness in both the short term and the long term for both yourself and others will come.    ~  Dalai Lama

Work harder on yourself than you do on your job.    ~  Jim Rohn

I am thankful for each day that I am given, so that I may do better than the day before. 

Blessings to all!!

210 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 106 ~ Say Cheeese!!

Have I told you all lately how much I love my mother in law Gene? ... Well... I do!!

After going through some gloomy days, including mourning over my sons... I have been spending a lot of time helping Gene, or rather mom (because that's what I call her and it is weird to call or refer to her as Gene, if you get what I mean)...anyways...

Mom is such an amazing woman.  Here it has been five days shy of loosing her mother, Nana, and the first words out of mom's mouth when Nana passed, "I have lost my best friend!".  Still chokes me up when I think about those words.  Anyways, as I was saying, here its been just five days shy of a month and not only has she been taking care of her own family, but in addition has been going through her mother's home of nearly thirty years.

I've been in my house for three years now and have accumulated some things as you can imagine... but can you imagine THIRTY YEARS?!?!  One word... WOW!!!

Standard sized recycle bin

So Calley and I have been helping mom too... I've been in charge of going through photographs... Nana loved taking pictures!! to say the least.  I'd say I've gone through thousands of pictures covering her life span of eighty-five years, and still have a third left... unless we find a hidden box somewhere else.  hahaha

So while I have been going through all these pictures, some thoughts have been going through my mind....  

6" left to the top!

1. From now on my pictures must contain a loved on in them!  - of all those pictures Nana took, two thirds of them were of landscaping, plants, beautiful flowers, landscapes, her home, her doggies and koi fish. 
2. If taking pictures of loved ones or friends, now that we have the technology, please TAG them!!  If we would know who some of Nana and Grand-dad's friends were in some of these pictures, I'm sure they would have loved to get them.

So... the next time I see a beautiful flower and I want to take a picture of it.... "Calley, come take a picture!!"

A friendship can weather most things and thrive in thin soil; but it needs a little mulch of letters and phone calls and small, silly presents every so often - just to save it from drying out completely.      ~  Pam Brown

God intended motherhood to be a relay race. Each generation would pass the baton on to the next.     ~  Mary Pride

Blessings to all!!


259 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 91 ~ Paying It Forward

We may have just said good-bye to Nana, however this afternoon we celebrated her life.  There is something to be said about being with family at a time like this... especially the sharing of stories of times gone by.

I can not imagine being in the position of having lost a family member and not having anyone to grieve the loss or celebrate their life.  Must be horrible.

I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people at a time like this... as I am sure they are too, especially since their loss is far greater than mine being that I married into the family.  I think I feel the loss for my mother in law, Gene... meaning I feel her loss.

I may have not known Nana that long, but I know what she means to Gene and the rest of the family.  And knowing that makes me sad.  This is not to say that Nana didn't mean anything to me, because she did.

Uncle Jim, Gene and Nana

All of this speaks volumes about Nana.  Especially knowing the people she raised.  Uncle Jim and Gene are wonderful people, with kind hearts and faith to no ends - to say the least.  All the qualities that were given to them by Nana, have now been given to their own children, and to theirs as well.

Dean spoke very eloquently about Nana today, and said something that has stuck in my mind ever since... "Great parents make great children."  This not only says something about Nana, but it also says something about Uncle Jim and Gene, and the rest of our family.

Thank you Nana!  We will take your teachings with us and pay them forward for generations to come!

Blood makes you related.  Love makes you a family.  ~  Author Unknown

Family:  A link to the past and a bridge to our future.  ~  Author Unknown

You don't choose your family.  They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.  ~Desmond Tutu 

Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.  ~Anthony Brandt

Blessings to all! 

274 days /  39 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 90 ~ Saying Good Bye to Nana

Tonight was the first of a two part homage to Frances, better known to her loved ones as Nana.  For such a little lady, she has left big shoes to fill.

It has been an emotional night.  Tomorrow will be the the grave side service... which that in itself will be so final.

So many emotions, which only leads many of us to think of our own mortality.  And being such a nut myself, I have no idea what my family will do with me when it comes to my time.  Why, you ask... well... I do not want to be buried in a coffin... claustrophobic - just the thought of it drives me insane... I know ... you are probably saying, "you will be dead... what will you know?".. I'll know!  and I do not want to be cremated because they have to put you in a box to do so... I know ... you are probably saying, "you will be dead... what will you know?".. I'll know!  

When discussing my dilemma with the family tonight, my solution was to have Dean send me to a taxidermist!  We all laughed!!

Just joking of course.  Actually, I am hoping someone comes up with a new method by the time I go!!  ;)

Seriously now...

Nana, you were an amazing woman!  I know I have learned a lot from you, and I will pass it on to Calley.  We love you!!

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.  2 Timothy 4:7-8

Blessings to all! 

275 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 89 ~ For Me & For Calley

Scratch another day off the calendar!  Can't believe we are already in September... before we know it Halloween will be here, and then... you got it!... Thanksgiving and Christmas!  ...and then the cycle starts all over again.

I know that I had said last Wednesday that I was going to start my Lifestyle Redesign on the first, however with all the preparations for the service tomorrow night and the graveside service Wednesday... well let's just say that my plate has been a little full.

Even so, I have been making conscious decisions as to what I am doing and above all what I am eating.  Being that I am going for a complete redesign, I have been making choices that I can comfortably live with for the rest of my life. 

Yes I said for the rest of my life.  Just like people sit there and reach for junk food or get fast food instead of making a healthy meal... I am trying to do the complete opposite, and teach my daughter to do so as well.

So as each day grows into a month, and each month then adds up to a year, I vow to lead a healthy lifestyle so I can be around for my beautiful little girl for many years to come!  

Calley, I am doing this not only for myself, but I am doing it for you as well!  And by the way that you munch out on raw broccoli or ask for a glass of water, instead of juice, I think we are on our way!!   I love you so much!

A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future.                      ~  Author Unknown

And mothers are their daughters' role model, their biological and emotional road map, the arbiter of all their relationships.                         ~  Victoria Secunda

A daughter is a miracle that never ceases to be miraculous...full of beauty and forever beautiful...loving and caring and truly amazing.   ~  Deanna Beisser

Blessings to all! 

276 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 86 ~ A Life Well Lived!

After spending most of this week looking, sorting, reminiscing, imagining, and more or less envisioning myself in what remained of Nana's life... hundreds upon hundreds of photographs... I have come to the conclusion that she led an amazing life.

She had fallen in love and married the love of her life at the age of eighteen, and later had two children.  Her husband was in the Army, made a career of it.  After twenty years he retired from Fort Bliss, and continued serving as Deputy Director of the Air Defense School for another thirty years.  To his credit, he would be the one to start and head up the training for the Green Berets.


In order to help support her family, shorty after arriving in El Paso she went to work for a bottling company after convincing the owner she knew how to keep books.  She later went on to become a credit manager of a furniture store and an accounting firm... all the while going to UTEP and becoming one of the first women CPAs in the state of Texas in 1966.  


She later became a credit analyst at the El Paso National Bank, and worked her way up to Assistant Vice President and Credit Manager... handling major accounts all the way.  Eventually she landed at a CPA firm, becoming a partner by 1976.

Frances was very respected in the business world, in a time where women were expected to stay at home.  She was honored by her banking colleagues who elected her the first woman director of the Texas Chapter of the Robert Morris Associates, an arm of the National Association of Bank Loan and Credit officers.  They had to change their bylaws allowing a woman into this prestigious organization.


She managed to do all of this while raising two amazing people.  Let's just say that the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree!


With her petite frame, she not only was quite the lady, but she had a big heart, a faithful spirit and a smile that warmed you heart.  She was just as much part of her grandchildren's life as she was her own children, and was starting on the next generation, her great-grandchildren.


We find comfort knowing that you will now be watching over us, side by side with Grand-dad.  

Here's to you Nana... you truly will be missed!  

It is not length of life, but depth of life.    ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson 

 

Sure God created man before woman.  But then you always make a rough draft before the final masterpiece.  ~Author Unknown

Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good.  Luckily, this is not difficult.  ~Charlotte Whitton

 Blessings to all! 

279 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 80 ~ To Nana, With Love

Nana ~ Thanksgiving 2009 

Today I, along with Dino and Calley, spent most of our day hanging out with Dino's mom, Gene, at her mother's home (Frances, better known as "Nana".) 

We more so were paying our respects, and letting Nana know how much we love her.

You see, in the last twenty four hours, Nana's health has had a turn for the worse. 

Nana, who is a young 85 and quite petite at her five foot stature~  but don't let her size fool you!.. she's a tough cookie where you see her standing.  In the early seventies, she was the first woman vice-president of a bank when it was not the norm to be a "working woman"~  she was ahead of her time!  And well respected too!

She, has had bronchial problems, pneumonia, has had multiple surgeries, including a new pacemaker, and on top of that.. several more surgeries on the pacemaker alone... and all since November 2009.

After our visit ended... my day's experiences sent me into a head spin... thinking about my own mortality.... and not like I did not know this already, but we are all on this earth on limited time.

You have to make it count!  ... well and let me tell you...  

Nana.. well she made it count!

God bless you, Nana. 

It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth ~ and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up ~ that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had.  ~ Elisabeth Kubler~Ross

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.   ~  John 3:16

Blessings to all!!

285 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 58 ~ And Now to Work Towards Our Dreams!

It seems so surreal to be driving home right now!  Pinch me!  Were we ever in LA, or NOT?  

Edmonds, WA ~ October 2008

Again that TIME thing...  it just seems to go so quick!  I know each and every one of us experience this with our own lives, especially when it comes to seeing our children grow.

Speaking of which... I can't even believe that I am knocking on 50's door!  First of all... I do not feel my age, nor do I act it!  Having a four and a half year old doesn't hurt either... only adds to the immaturity!  

Then I start thinking about my boys... who today respectively are twenty-four and twenty... and I start thinking that possibly I may be getting older... and as quick as that thought comes to mind... I SNAP OUT OF IT!!

I feel that we all have choices, including how old we want to be and feel.  I, personally never want or will get old.  This is my choice! and what I have decided.

Furthermore, I will forever stay as old as I am chronologically at this moment.  I almost have to... especially if I have to keep up with Calley.

So, as we travel eastbound headed back home... I not only take back with me fabulous memories, but I also am taking back with me a ton of MOTIVATION and a new Outlook!

We have created new goals, and must now start our great journey towards meeting them.

I feel motivated and am moving in the direction of my dreams.

I feel alive, energized and motivated to take on any task in front of me.

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing- that’s why we recommend it daily.”   ~Zig Ziglar 

 

Blessings to all!!

307 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 52 ~ 48... the New 38!!

My 30th high school reunion was tonight... one word... FUN!  

What a great night!

I had been keeping myself busy up until I had to get ready, just so I wouldn't get anxious and cancel out.  Yes, in the past I have worked myself up so much that I actually would not go to functions due to anxiety of "what ifs". But, that is behind me now!

I was sporting a great new hair cut (and color), thanks to the future famous Chëlseá, I lost a total of 9 pounds (thanks to My Wii Fit 21-Day Challenge), and I was in a great place!

After battling the Southern California traffic on the 101... I finally arrived at the Sheraton Universal... Dean and Calley, well they were having and daddy/daughter day long date. Just as I arrived I saw a good ol' (not using the word in reference to our ages by any means!!) friend from school... she looked fabulous!!  Way to go Melinda! ... We were so happy to see each other,  not only because we were friends... but I think more so because we were "flying solo" and did not want to walk in alone.  NO! It's not like going to the bathroom with your girlfriend!  It's just easier walking into a function with a friend in hand, as opposed to making "an entrance"... and I am sooo not about that! 

Then... it happened!  I saw my SISSY!! and the shrieks all started!!!

I strongly feel that if it wasn't for Facebook, and the fact that I have re-connected with so many friends, as well as re-connected with acquaintances, who now have become dear friends... (let's just say I could not picture my life without them ever again!!) ... I more than likely would not have gone to the reunion.

So the Carlas spotted one another!! Thing one and thing two, as another friend calls us... and then there were so many other wonderful people. Carla has become such an important part of my life...a most definite "Angel" and part of my "Dream Team."   I feel blessed to have become friends with her later in life.  I strongly believe once again, that God works in mysterious ways and places people in your life when you need them most.  

Let me remind you all, and mention to others, that back in high school the only thing or person that mattered to me, was "Eddie"...  and because he wasn't part of this click or the other... and was loved by all, he did his things his way... He was the air I breathed... even the teachers knew!  LOL!  Anyways, it was too much for my parents to handle, so my mother sent me to Perú.  I had been told that I was going for a two week vacation, then once I got there my return ticket hidden from me, and finally found it in time for the senior prom, a year and a half later.  (There are more details to this chapter in my life, I just have to get the courage to share it with you.)

The point is that, the great thing about my night was that I really didn't feel out of place.  I felt as if I belonged.

You see, I was always the new kid in school.  After my parents divorced, we moved around so much... that by the time I was in high school, I had gone to thirteen different schools.  Not only that, but we even moved during junior high, still in the valley, but... well, just to clue you in, only 5 kids from my junior high went to my high school.  So, once again, the last school I go to, again, I come in and have to meet and make new friends, trying to fit in... and then most of the kids, well some had gone to school together since first grade, others maybe later, but anyway you sliced it, I always felt like the "odd man out." 

Last night was amazing!!  I re-connected with such amazing friends from the past, and discovered that we all look fabulous for being 38!!  After all 48 IS THE NEW 38!!  Or at least this is what my generation is telling ourselves!  LOL!!!  

Seriously, we came to the consensus last night that our parents were much OLDER at our age... They weren't as involved in our lives, as we are in our own children's lives.  Most of us were allowed to leave the house in the morning, and personally, my brother, sister and I, always listened for my dad's whistle for when it was time to come home... by then it was already dinner time.

Today, well we drive our kids to school... we're scuba diving, boxing, working out, going on 5k runs... etc.  I wonder how our children, will be with their's... and what they will think of us.  Especially since most of them from eighteen to twenty-four already think we are ancient!  Can't wait to see what they think when they themselves are thirty!!

There are some givens in life that no amount of positive thinking can change. Aging is a fact of life. The wisest approach is to accept and enjoy the ride.  author unknown

Blessings to all!!

313 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.