Day 421 ~ Thursday's Favorite Things Hop!

Today I am taking a break from my 30 Days of Truth for something totally new!!

I am so excited to share with you my FIRST EVER co-hosting of a Blog Hop!!  Woo Hoo!!  No ... really... I am so exited.

First off... for my readers who do not know what a Blog Hop is... well let me enlighten you.  :D Big Smile.  A blog hop is where many bloggers link their site/blog on the hosting blog's site, and then everyone reads one another's blog and leaves a {meaningful} comments behind.  We hop around reading one then another... hence... Blog Hop.  

Us bloggers LOVE comments.  We love hearing what others think about what we've written.  There's only one other thing that a Blogger loves just as much as comments... and that is someone visiting and reading their site.  We do love receiving comments more- at least I do.

Soooooo.... here goes....

I am co-hosting with a great, talented gal... Katherine of Katherine's Corner a blog for sharing.  You all should definitely check it out... this woman truly has a gift!! 

As a side note here... I always get this idea in my head that Katherine should have named her blog Katherine's Korner... corner with a "K"... I don't know.. I just thought it would look kool (wink, wink)

I met Katherine, well nearly a year ago on voiceBoks, a social network for bloggers an awesome social network for bloggers!  This is where Katherine introduced me to Blog Hops....

I have to add here, that sure this has been an amazing journey for me, my blogging these past 421 days and counting.... the best part of it all... was an unknown hidden treasure... and that is that I have met and become "bloggy" friends with so many wonderful, TALENTED, worldly women {and men too}... and I am talking all over the world too!!

My life has been blessed in so many ways from my experience with blogging... 

and here's to you finding your hidden treasures!! 

About the Thursdays Favorite Things Hop, this hop is where you can link your favorite post or write a post about your favorite things and share with old and new followers!

Here are the rules, yes there are rules. But just a few:

• You must be a follower of Katherines Corner preferably through Email (or she has facebook, google plus, linky, twitter, blogloving too) If you’re a new follower, please let her know how you follow.
• Please follow my blog too.  I too am on facebook, twitter, google+, bloglovin too.  Check out my left side side-bar area.  Let me know in the comments area... and I will follow yours as well.  ;)
• No adult content blogs.
• Blogs only please.
• Visit and Follow as many other blogs in the list as you can. 
• Please leave {meaningful} comments after your visit so they know you were there.  Nobody expects you to visit all of them ( although that would be awesome) 
• now.... Just click and go.  Remember to leave a comment :-)

Now hop on and share your favorites. If you’d like to post this blog hop on your page please just grab the linky code. Or if you would like to be a co-host please contact Katherine.

     *participants who link up will be sent weekly reminders of this wonderful hop*

Please grab the hop button to share with others, you can copy and paste the image with a link to KatherinesCorner.com OR grab the code from Katherines Corner it's on her right sidebar.

I am second.

[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, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 312 ~ My Glass, Half Full!

We're half way there!  Really?  Wow... it's been a hair shy of two weeks already?  How time flies when you're having fun!  Honestly, I knew I just finished with the 13th letter, "M"...  
However it did not dawn on me that I was half way through my little challenge (Blogging A to Z...).  In other words even though it was staring me in the face, I did not see it.  Make sense?


BTW... tonight, Sunday is a bye night... we take a break from the "bet" (short for "alphabet", trying to sound hip.  LOL! trying being the operative word. 


Moving right along... 


This has been a fun experience... and one that has had me looking at things in a more "positive" light.  Just as I ask my five year old daughter... "don't you get tired of whining?"  


I swear, each time I hear those words come out of my mouth... well let's just say that it keeps me in check!  As a matter of fact, anytime I hear words come out of my mouth which are directed at Calley to better herself as a person... I give it a second thought.


What I lacked as a child, structure, love etc...  I  am seeing to that Calley will will never have to endure the same..


With that said... Is my challenge halfway over OR am I almost there?  That question is no different than asking if the glass was half empty or half full... 


Now, you can choose to look at this one of two ways.. 


(1) It's half over.  The glass if half empty...  Sounds so negative... as if you do not have anything to look forward to after it's over.


OR


(2) The glass is half full.  I am halfway there.  I have so much to look forward to, so many possibilities with this choice.  Even if that's no the case, it put a positive view on it.


Excuse me... I just want to interject something a little off subject here...  


I would like to make something perfectly clear here.  I do not enjoy being negative.  Nor do I enjoy bringing up my past... I can not help that I have been through quite "an adventure" in my life (trying to put a "positive" twist on this.. wink, wink.)


Also, keep in mind (directed more so to those reading TBML for the firs time) I want to leave this for my children, family and friends.. those I know and those I have yet to meet,  A handbook on "How & Why is Carla, Carla?"  A "how to" of sorts... or better yet... Carla for Dummies!    


After all what I write in my posts is about my life, my thoughts and/or my experiences, etc... and are all my accounts, memories and my truths.   


I was challenged once by a family member against something I had written.  However, as far as I am concerned this person "challenged" me with their opinion being based on "hear-say".  


All I had to say to that was ... "it was and is my life. I was there, this is what I saw, this is what I felt, this is what I experienced.. you were not there..."  That's it. There's no argument.  Zip.


I have nothing to gain by not being honest here, only credibility to loose.  As is I can not control who reads and doesn't read my blog.


No one has said anything to me to suggest anything of this nature... however... my blog has received over 23,000 views and 421 total comments.  You do the math.  Okay, I'll do it for you... 17% of readers leave me a comment.  If you haven't done so yet... please leave a record of your visit by commenting.  Become a part of my blog.


What I am trying to say is that not everyone of the 23,000+ views have left me a comment... 


Leave your thoughts in the comment area below each post.  As opposed to Facebook.  You'll be helping me put my book together.  It'll be easier for me to print out my complete blog.  Fear not... your comment left on Facebook will still be included in my blog-  I just have to look it up and include it that way. Whether you agree or not. Even if you think I may be crazy, or not... I want to know what you think, and I get to hear from you.  .       


Back on subject...


I am choosing to see the "glass half full" and to look forward to the next 13 letters of the alphabet.  Most importantly i am excited to see what I will be learning about myself the  second half of the alphabet.      

Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow.  

~Doug Firebaugh

If you aren't sure who you are, you might as well work on who you want to be. 

~Robert Brault 

Blogging A to Z Challenge April 2012... What will "N" have for us tomorrow?

Blessings to all!!

53 days to go...  (This is starting to become bitter-sweet)

... 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.  ©

Day 263 ~ Each Day I Am Thankful for...

I don't know what made me think of this, but I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me.  Oh, sure, I do not mind an occasional stay strong, or I could not imagine what you are going through, and possibly a my heart goes out to you.  After all, I know that I am sharing with you some personal thoughts, my trials and tribulations that I have survived, as well as troubled times I may be struggling with at the moment.


My motivation to share all this with you is not for pity, but to get my story in written format for two reasons... one... for my kids, a legacy of sorts... I want them to know who I am, what I did and why, and how I survived... and secondly... I honestly want to get my story out in hopes of helping another mom out there somewhere.  Someone who may be going through her own "troubled" times, or simply in need of a friend.

Even though I do not want people to feel sorry for me, I do not want this coming across as if I don't want your comments.  I love and welcome any and all comments.  Actually, I look for them everyday.  Big smile.  Funny.. I never know whether or not to comment back... so most times I don't, mostly because I don't think anyone comes back to read them... is that weird?  Come to think about it... now that I am writing this, maybe I should start responding.  At least the comments won't seem unappreciated or un-noticed.  I think I am going back and responding to all of them! ;)

I know I am going through a "troubled" time with my son(s)... however, I am also working on staying positive and being grateful for what people I do have in my life.  wink, wink   

After all, I do have you!

Each day I am thankful for nights that turned into mornings... friends that turned into family... dreams that turned into reality... and likes that turned into love.  ~ unknown author

Blessings to all!!

102 days to go...

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

Some images courtesy of Bing images.  Others are marked accordingly, and are property of Carla Barila Karam and Taking Back Life ~ Making It My Own, this blog.   All U.S Copyright laws apply.  ©

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 66 ~ Who Me? Sarcastic? ... Noooo... ;)

You know... I was just thinking... I just finished reading yesterday's post, and I laughed!!  Oh no... don't get me wrong... I sure came off like a bi#@#... Well, that certainly wasn't my intention. Oh no... no weird evil comments or anything like that has made me expand on last night's post or anything...

I just wish there was a sarcasm button sometimes.  It's not like you, the reader, can hear the conversations I have with my laptop while I am writing [this]... and quite honestly I do not want to come across arrogant either [because I certainly am the furthest thing from that]...  So, that's where I am coming from.

courtesy of Bing images

Please, do not misunderstand me either... I stand by everything I write and am not taking anything back of what I wrote yesterday...  I just want you to know that I am sarcastic by nature, and if I was reading this to you out loud you would hear the sarcastic manner or joking tone I tend to have.  Maybe I'll have to insert some goofy pictures or icons when I am joking.  (LOL!)  

Oh, and by the way, I'm not joking about joking around, having a good laugh or about being sarcastic... however, I am never mean!

courtesy of Bing images

Besides, if your laughing, negativity just went out the window!! ... I think it makes sense.  I also once read somewhere that you should laugh at least once every hour... huge stress reducer! and great for the soul.  

One that note...  I am going to end my post tonight on a happy note tonight...

Three small rules for living a happy life

1. Start each day with a grateful heart.
2. Focus on the positive aspects of every person you encounter.
3. End each day with a grateful heart. 

~  Lucy MacDonald

I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose.                          ~  Woody Allen

If every word I said could make you laugh, I´d talk forever.   ~  The Beach Boys

  

Blessings to all!!

299 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 41 ~ Friends... Part Deux

So Dean brought up a couple of really good points about my Day 39 post, as did one of my wonderful friends...

Courtesy of Bing images

My friend Elisabeth, who has been beyond an "angel" in my life, and which I sincerely hope that our flight together as friends takes us until we are old and gray!.. definite Dream Team player... brought to my attention that my post on friends may have come across as my having "expectations" ... 

Let me expand on this...  It's not that I expect these qualities from my friends... the fact is that my friends already possess these qualities, and I want to be that type of friend as well...    

Courtesy of Bing images

Earlier in the day... my wonderful husband commented... "well, I can have a good friend... we have fun times... years go by... that's great... one day he turns out to be a molester or a murderer, I am not going to stand by them..."

Well Dean, that's a given!  Really?  I will not cross that line either.  

I choose to have my life filled with positive people.

I have close friends who nurture me and make me laugh. 

I have an abundance of loving, supportive friends.

Blessings to all!

324 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 29 ~ "1,000 View Milestone"

I've been blogging for four weeks now... can't believe it!  I know that this blog is not the book I always wanted to write, but the fact that it has taken a life of its own for me~ that it has given me something to look forward to each day and the way it is lifting me up...I know I've said it before ...well... I AM LOVING IT!   

The book will come... all in due time... all in due time  :)

I can't believe it... I just  got happy tears! as I wrote all of that.  This blog... makes me happy!  Is that crazy?  Can just sitting down each day with my thoughts and sharing myself help me feel that way?... and actually if you think about it (please, I am not condescending or trying to sound as if by any means..) I am also leaving "my self", "my thoughts", "my history" on cyberspace so that my children will one day know the woman I was and how much they meant to me and how much I love them... "to the moon and stars above!" 

Courtesy of Bing images

And with that said... yesterday my blog reached a new milestone... 1,000 views!!  Before you ask... my personal views are not included in the count. lol   It counts each time a post is viewed on my blog, not number of people that have viewed my blog... I wish!!  maybe one day!

I did a little research online (thank you, Kenya! ...never thought of doing so until you mentioned it  ~ also on my "Dream Team"!) and  I registered my blog with a blogging community, bloggers,  where people from all over the world read and review each other's blogs ~ who knows I may reach that "one person".  I've been on Facebook for what seems the beginning of it all (way, way before it was cool) And I finally went and did it... I'm now on twitter too!  LOL!!

In as much I have discovered that my blog has been read from people as far away as Ireland and India, as well as Canada.  I don't know about you?...  But all I have to say is ... this is pretty cool!   :)

Not only that, but I am getting the best comments. "Dream Team" material~ which makes you part of my "Dream Team"!!  Very supportive, caring and inspiring!  I would love your comments, if you are reading this, to become a part of my blog... meaning that It would be awesome if you all would leave your comments on my posts so that they become part of my blog, so that one day my children may read how my wonderful friends supported me!  

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime;  weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.  Psalm 30:5 

Blessings to all!

336 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.