Day 186 ~ It Will Happen!

Calley my li'l helper,
always on my left 

I feel very blessed that I have Dean and Calley in my life.  I feel blessed that each day gives me the opportunity to show them how much I love them.  Sure I tell them as often as I can that I love them... but what better way to tell your family that you love them than by cleaning their home, doing their laundry, making cookies, and preparing their meals.

I'd say they mean the world to me!  Especially, when I can eventually sit back and admire the fruits of my labor.  (wink, wink)

For as much as I am trying to hold back, I am starting to get excited because I will be having house-guest come stay for the holidays, and then some.  It's not that I do not want to tell you who it is... it is just that I am afraid that if I do tell you, it may not happen.

I know this sounds so weird.  Unfortunately, when it comes to things in my life that I really want to happen and... whether (insert sarcastic tone now) "I put it out there" or not something seems to happen... something spoils it.  After all my "house-guest" has been promising to visit for some time now, and if it wasn't for one thing, it was another, why the visit has not yet happen!  HOWEVER...  Things seem to happen for a reason.  (wink, wink)

The last six months of my life... my life seems to have started to turn around for me.  Either that, or I am just looking at it in a more positive light.  So with that in mind... I am going to allow myself to get a little excited... still holding back the name of my "house guest" as a surprise for all.  A surprise for myself included, because then i can blog about it! ...and it will get interesting!   (wink, wink- hopefully I have not "winked" at you to death!  LOL!) 

courtesy of Bing images

So keeping the last paragraph in mind... in preparation for the possibility of a "future" house-guest... I have been working on my home for the last couple of months- painting, replacing light fixtures, completing small unfinished projects and what not... and in the past week, I have really started cleaning my home from top to bottom, and now with the last minute chores to do and the finishing touches to put in place in the next thirty-eight hours... I am hoping that everything will be just right for my special "house guest."  Keeping in mind that if something does not go the way "I planned it"... it will be okay!   (I am trying to deal with control issues, lol!)


Be careful what you "will" for.  I hope I do not regret this ever.

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:  the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.  ~Burton Hillis

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.  ~W.T. Ellis 

Blessings to all!!

179 days 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.

Day 157 ~ Giving Life Thought

cbk

It's been about four days now that I have been putting in extra time on the design elements on this blog and then if I have any extra time (ha, ha) I've been putting some thought into my next blog.  

When I was writing My wii Fit Plus 21 Day Challenge ! I found it a bit challenging writing my ...Challenge blog in the morning and ...Life blog at night.  Not that I could not handle writing both blogs... I did it for the three weeks.  It was that it didn't leave much time for the rest of my life.  There was housework, meal planning and cooking, as well as my first priority - my family, to take care of.

Let me make something perfectly clear... I had a blast doing it and none of my responsibilities were neglected.  Although... as I look back on it I should have given it a little more planning especially since I was on a family vacation the last week of my ...Challenge.  

You know how they say that hine sight is always 20-20 ... what would I do differently? hmmm...

I know that my next blog needs to be written frequently each week for it to be effective, however I need to put my family first and do this comfortably... and realistically...  keeping it fun!

Tonight's quote is a special one.  Today, Dean's great aunt, Auntie Mary (who is Dean's grandfather's sister) told me that when she found out she had been denied membership to a sorority back when she was attending Texas College of Mines (UTEP) she had gone to her father for consoling...

Great Grandfather Feris Karam said in Arabic to his daughter, "Don't surround yourself with people who will take the laughter out of your soul and clip your wings where you can't fly alone." 

 I am thankful for all of our family ancestors for whom without we would not be here, or let alone know what we do. 

Blessings to all!!

208 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 72 ~ With Structure Comes Implementation...

courtesy of Bing images

Now that I have a game plan... that's all fine and dandy!   (sounds of fingers tapping on the table top...)

SOLUTION:  The key... the secret ... One word... IMPLEMENTATION!

PROBLEM:  To get my arse moving!!!

Ok... so all of this sounds really simple.  I know what I want ... and I know what I have to do to accomplish it...

HOLD the BUS!! (sounds of screeching tires!!)  

Then if it's so simple, why can't I "get 'er done?"  Oh my gosh... why does something that sounds so simple seem as if I have to climb Mount Everest!?!

IDEA!!:  I think there's a possibility of this having an overwhelming affect on me...  So I am going to take a different approach to this.

I am going to tackle this step by step.  HOW? you ask... well...

courtesy of Bing images

Step 1... move Vision Board to a more "in your face" spot that is more accessible...  hence this will have more of a positive affect on the "scheme of things" ... like actually doing it's job!!  lol!!  [a lot of good it does to have a "vision board" if it's not really being used/ being effective]  Then make a couple of updates to it (moving, spice store, online business and jobs ).

Step 2... update "honey do" list.  

1. finish house remodel:  master bath, Calley's bath, paint Calley's room, master bedroom and living room
2. work on schedule for Calley's homeschooling and "life" in general
3. work on online business goals
4. work on sending resumes out
5. look for perfect west coast location for our life (ties in with number4)

Step 3... In this step... there's a saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" ...  well hopefully the following clip art will say it all...

courtesy of Bing images

The point to today's post... well sometimes it is easier said than done.  However...and I mean a Big HOWEVER on this...  sometimes it good to be flexible and in my case... I think I need to get into a routine, (once I know what the goals are that is,) and don't stop until its done!!  In other words... don't think about it... Just Do IT!!

courtesy of Bing images

I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.  ~   Philippians 4:13

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” - Howard Thurman 

"Trust in what you love, continue to do it, and it will take you where you need to go.”   ~ Natalie Goldberg 

 *  Here's a quote I came by, which isn't really relevant, BUT I just have to share it with you!!

“Cooking is like making love, you do it well, or you do not do it at all”  ~  Harriet van Horne

  

Blessings to all!!

293 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 71 ~ There's Something to Say About Structure!

courtesy of Bing images

WOW~!!  I can't believe it... two revelations in one week!!??

I am almost positive that you have noticed, as well,  that something has been going on with me... I can tell, especially in my writing.  There's something missing.  ... and ... finally, after being back from our annual family vacation a mere two weeks ... (the light bulb turned on again) ... I know what's been going on... what's taken the "it" out of my heart, mind and soul and most of all, my writing...

First... I am missing structure.  Before leaving on our "family holiday" I was feeling great.  Anticipating seeing friends at my high school reunion... anticipating seeing the ocean, smelling the ocean air and feeling the breeze against my skin.  I was working out and doing great on my wii Fit Plus Challenge and I was eating healthy.

As I have mentioned... being healthy, eating healthy and feeling healthy is a lifestyle not a temporary fix.  

As soon as we "rolled" into LA... my weight loss challenge really became a CHALLENGE!!  It became almost uncomfortable telling your "host", or rather family, that I was watching what I was eating... or rather that I was on a healthy diet.  

IT WAS AS IF I OPENED A CAN OF WORMS!! by doing so.  Everyone had an opinion or their own diet stories... and no sooner as the words came out of my mouth... the food came "TEN FOLD"!   Not to mention, asking to set up my wii... this meant taking over someone's television and their living space as well.

To sum it all up, I had to replace my exercising on the wii with natural exercise...  (walking to the beach... walking on the sand... etc..)  and did they best I could with eating healthy items. 

SOLUTION:  I have decided to place structure back into my life with a NEW wii fit plus challenge, actually more of a change of lifestyle challenge and maintenance... MORE IMPORTANTLY I am doing this for ME... not for a reunion and not to impress... I am doing this so I will have a healthy and active life for a long time...  look for my new blog out next week...  

Second... I am missing vitamin D.  Actually, I am missing the ocean, ocean air and the ocean breeze... as well as outdoor activity!..  This has really sucked the life out of me since I have returned.  It is too hot outside to function.  

T

SOLUTION:  To turn all of this around to a positive note... we, as a family, have to decide what exactly we are going to do to work towards our goal of getting back to the west coast...  The saga continues, however only until a plan is determined.

Note to self...  Sit down and work our a plan, including steps needed to forge forward... and do it!!

courtesy of Bing images

Finally... not having order at home sets a domino effect on the rest of your life.  Can you believe it... I just finished unpacking!!  Can you say no motivation!??!!  

All I needed was a little bit of order to kick me in the "butt"!! and to open my eyes to what I am missing.  After all, don't they say?... "cleanliness is next to godliness"...

I can not allow myself to get into a slump!  Especially when there are things that I want from life!  Bottom line... I need to do something about it... otherwise... it will not happen on its own and I will be miserable!!

SOLUTION:  SOOO... Structure, Vitamin D, and order here I come!!!  

Never give up on dreams... catch them as they fly by.  author unknown.

Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart.  Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.  ~ Carl Jung

"The first and the best victory is to conquer self." ~ Plato 

Blessings to all!!

294 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 57 ~ Never Good Bye... Always So Long!

Such a bitter sweet day!


Soaking in as much as we could, including family and friends... and still there wasn't enough hours in the day or days in the week for that matter!! 


Caught myself even getting cranky a couple of times... and as quick as that happened... a happy face took over.


I will take all these feelings with me when we leave tomorrow and turn them into 100% good old fashioned MOTIVATION!!

Until then... I will turn in and get a good night's sleep.  Tomorrow will roll around before we know it, and then another sleuth of so longs!!


And just in case you didn't catch my affirmation/quote last night... I thought it was also befitting of my day today!

Make every day count.  Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again. 

Blessings to all!!

308 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 30 ~ My Greatest Gift... My Son Addison

Addison Ryan - 1 month old

Twenty-four years ago today, Wednesday, July 8th, 1987... Bon Jovi's Livin' on a Prayer and  Whitney Houston's I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) were topping the charts; The Edmonton Oilers won the Stanley Cup; The Los Angeles Lakers were NBA Champs ... and ... I was given the gift of my first-born son, Addison Ryan.  

As far as I was concerned, Addison was my "miracle baby"... it had taken me nearly two years to conceive him.  I had never in my life wanted anything more, as much as I wanted to be his mommy!

I remember thinking just days before he was born, as I was laying in bed watching the 4th of July show on tv, trying to keep cool (as mentioned in Day 26)... if I was going to love Addison enough?  Let alone about all the wonderful things I was going to teach him... more importantly to be a true gentleman...  and how I couldn't wait to be his mommy.  

What I mean to say is that after months of talking to my belly, eating properly (the best I had ever taken care of myself EVER!), taking my vitamins... the time was almost here!  Days before his arrival my mind was doing loops!  All the What if's where flying all throughout my head.  What if this?  What if that?  I was literally driving myself insane!!


Addison was a planned c-section baby... so planned, that knowing this in advance, I even planned his actual birthday months ahead (secretly~ I didn't want to come across too neurotic!!  LOL!!)


And talk about the "nesting period"... This "new mommy to be" had to have EVERYTHING ready for her little boy.  His room, his clothes, and even his name!


The day finally came...  The second I laid eyes on my little Addison, I was flooded with an abundance of love!  I had never known that I could love someone as much, until the day my son was born! 

Years have gone by... many trials and tribulations, ups and downs... most definitely more than "the" normal family.  My son is so grown up!  A man.  We hadn't spoken in two years, until today.  (Long story~  another day, another time.)   I just wanted to jump through the phone and hug him!

I told him of my blog (among other things) and how I wanted to leave him something of myself.  How I wanted him to be proud of me... that when he sees me, to say and think of me... "That's my mom!" with pride!    

My son responded by saying, "...first you need to be proud of yourself..."

My immediate thought, "forget me"... I want YOU to be proud of me.  However, then I thought ... "he's right".  You know, like they say, "you need to love yourself, before anyone can love you" ... 

May 1989 ~ Addison and I

Then I thought... "my three children are my best accomplishments", and as quickly as I thought of that, I then thought... "I love that I am writing a blog, and I am proud that I have kept it up and I am still going strong!"...


So maybe, I am starting to feel a little self-worth and pride... WOW!  This is how it feels?


A M A Z I N G !!  I want more!!

I love you Addison.  You are one of the three (okay four~ including Dean) best things that has ever happened to me!  

I love you to the moon and stars above!!

I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”   Genesis 17:16

Blessings to all!

335 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.