Omegan Days

Not Every Day is Glamorous...

2018-10-24T12:06:00.000-05:00

...But that's what makes each day amazing.

Over the past few years my journey has involved deeper soul-searching than I've ever experienced in any other parts of my life's book. Much of this research has included the use of other's self-interpretation and revelation, inner-guidance and outer-energy forces, etc. and so-forth...

Through all the suggestions these teachings, students, listeners, who-have-you, the one that stands out to me the most is: Enjoy the day today; take pictures of the small moments, not just the grandiose. When you look back through the albums (whether digital or tangible), the daily captured moments will sometimes hold more personal value than the special occasion photos.

It's hard, many days, to not get swept up in the routines of life and we often forget to appreciate the small details in our lives that really make each day special. When we recognize and acknowledge these opportunities for deeper Love, the universe responds to this energy and creates more opportunities for these daily pleasures.

Enjoy LIFE, one day at a time.

- OMegan :-D

Dancing the Days Away

2015-11-22T17:24:00.002-06:00

I can honestly say that I am NOT sorry that it's been a while since I have posted

BECAUSE....

I've been busy Dancing!

And it feels great to be back in a studio and learning new choreography and the history of where all these fantastic moves came from in the first place.

Thankfully, my instructor is as much of a video nerd as I am and she records all of our dances...

so here are the links to the two most recent class evaluations we had.

West Side Story

Sing Sing Sing

Enjoy the show!

2015-08-28T21:52:00.000-05:00

I love having Internet back SOOOO much that I might just start this blog again.

I have a lot to say.

Omegan

2014-01-03T15:09:00.000-06:00

I know it's been long while since I've done a blog...

OMegan life Happens.

But I came on to say that as proud as I am to be a Mommy, to two very awesome girls, I am soo grateful that I am not even 30 and my youngest will soon be Six years old. I turn 30 five weeks later.

[Do the math :-)].

Happy New Year 2014

...and expect a WHOLE LOT MORE dancing OMegan.

Peace ---<-

- OMegan :-D

A Bird's Eye View

2013-02-13T18:22:00.001-06:00

I never realized how much I enjoy watching the birds until I moved to Tennessee.

I've always heard their chirp; loved their songs... Dreamed of flying high above the clouds and looking down on the world from above, with endless skies to soar and explore. And with all the different colors, features, personalities, songs & calls, sometimes it's enormous to grasp how many different species of birds there really are in the world.

My appreciation for our little feathered friends started earlier in my life than I realized...

When I was a kid, living in Colorado, we had a little wren family that would come nest, every year, in a porch ornament of my mom's. I always looked forward to having them around; watching their young peep their heads for worms and grub from mom and dad and then learning how to fly away, until the next year.

In our backyard, we had a cherry tree and an apple tree - we could eat the cherries, if we got to them before the birds; but the apples were not edible for us anyway, so we let the birds enjoy those willingly. We also had what mom called Dive-Bomb-Birds, that nested in the trees across the street... any time ANYONE would walk by them, they would swoop up and then dive down at your head to get you to leave. (They were Mean birds).

While I've always been a nature lover, when I moved to Texas at the beginning of high school, Freshman year, I had other things on my mind than nature and birds; therefore, my notice of them steeply declined. Unless you count the thousands of small black birds that would line the wires along the road, or the occasional hawk that would enjoy lunch in the field that was behind our house, there weren't many spectacular sitings.

Atlanta was a completely different scene, around the city. My parent's backyard, however, served as glorified watch tower for all your viewing pleasures. With full-clear pane windows in the breakfast nook overlooking the backyard - that is delightfully filled with feeders, houses, and perches galore (not to mention the plethora of trees to flutter to-and-fro) - there's always a glimmer of color, chirp, or cheep to catch your eyes and ears. And with a binoculars and a Bird Guide at the hand's ready, it was enjoyable and relaxing to spy and be informed.

I also experienced a delight while shooting a short film for college one day, with a group of classmates... A hawk swooped down and nabbed a frog from the creek not 50 feet from where we were set up to shoot. Unfortunately, we had the camera off, as we were setting scenery and props at the time. It was still a fascinating moment.

While I didn't stay at my parent's house very long after moving to Atlanta area, I still enjoy the view of their feathered friends while I visit. And recently, the city where they live approved their yard as a Wildlife Preserve - it provides all the essentials for birds and animals to live and survive in their habitat.

Not long after I moved into my OWN apartment [still in Atlanta (a few years after actually moving out of my parent's)], I was closely re-introduced to one of my favorite fowl friends - the Owl. [We had one that lived near the field in Texas, that I would see at night, once in a while, searching for breakfast/dinner; he mostly chilled on the wires and made no noise]. My boyfriend has an incredible ability to mimic many bird calls, including the hoot of an owl.

You're probably thinking: "Seriously... what's so hard about Hooting??"

But really, there's an art to it... You can't just HOOT. You have to have the same tone and definition in the hoots that they make to sound convincing that you are part of his "family."

Well, one night we were on the porch at my apartment, and heard some hooting. He hoots back. The owl hoots back differently, almost as if in question of the new hooter. He flies closer. Along with 3 or 4 OTHER owls. So now my boyfriend and the owls are hooting back and forth; within 20-40 feet from where we are, they are scattered in the trees. They figured out that we weren't part of their family; when the big one left, the others followed.

We moved into a house that was nicely surrounded by trees, with lots of branches to hang feeders. The first one was red with a butterfly; then green with trees; then red with a bird design... And there, I fell back into the love of our feathered friends.
We set up a couch in the garage (yes, I know... not very attractive, but it was comfy!) to chill and watch the birds; helped with staying still so they wouldn't be frightened by our movements.

Our stay at that house was short lived, but I learned new birds and saw some in person that I had only seen in books - the Cardinal and the Blue jay; Neither were indigenous to the climates where I grew up.

My life's wings took flight and landed here in Tennessee, where I have turned a subtle re-introduction to one of nature's most overlooked beauties into an appreciation of the songs of life. With the help, of course, of my boyfriend.

On yet another dark night, we heard the hoots.

Ladies and Gentleman: Dr. Doolittle

With binoculars from my dad, a bird guide from my bro, and my boyfriend's already extensive knowledge of birds and their language [he does hawk and crow (and calls the crows in regularly; mom gets mad at him for it: "Bad Crows! Go away!" Haha!); and he's working on chickadee and nut thatch), we have had the pleasure of observing and friending many of the flocks that flutter in our forest.

My favorite is the Blue jay - I call them Buddy Blue Jays. I've learned how to do their "I'm Happy" chirp; I called three in to the tree next to me just the other day! I've had several come up and eat a peanut, then grab one to go while I'm standing still outside with them; it's almost as if they know that I'm not there to harm...

The Mocking Birds follow me on my walks, from wire to wire, singing their beautiful songs as I enjoy their company. Then they follow me home to enjoy my appreciation for their melodies.

The Woodpeckers sometimes build up their courage enough to come have a nibble...

And of course, I can't forget the buzzards that made our woods their home for the first couple years here. I acquired a good stash of fallen feathers while on my walks (to use making my dreamcatcher creations). And it was always thrilling to have them circling my head while they ride the thermals; even buzzards have some grace while in flight. (Sadly the 911 building/tower didn't like them roosting atop the structure during the day, so every evening would fire a flare at them, which forced them to find somewhere else to roost and rest).

The deck now has three feeders with peanuts, a dish on the rail for water or eats, depending on the weather, and two suet cages with added peanut butter and peanuts (for extra crunch) that keep our feathered friends nourished and hydrated. [We have a birdbath in the front yard that desperately needs replacement - birds don't like to drink broken cement. I'm thinking sturdy metal stand with a stained glass bowl].

During the summer months, there are added Hummingbird feeders - and believe me: those little buggars aren's shy! They will defend "their" sugar water 'til the end!

And let's not forget Garden Greenthumb's contribution: Homegrown Sunflower seeds. I'm not a big fan of eating them myself, but I love the look of Sunflowers...

Enjoy the beauty and give the fruit back to nature, while enjoying the melodies of life.

All the species of birds have such unique sounds; and you can tell when they are happy or cranky. Most mornings, I can step out onto the deck and hear the happy songs, waking with the sun.

The songs of Nature.

Every time I see a little birdie come up and grab a peanut, it brings a smile to my face.

Next time you're having a difficult moment, need to relax, or simply want to re-introduce nature into your soul, look to the sky and listen for the song of flight.

- Omegan

Hiccup Therapy - New Experiment Tested!

2012-11-11T11:31:00.002-06:00

There are quite a few good things about Fall....

- the changing of the leaves
- the feeling of the holiday season coming close
- life steadily regaining routine after the summertime.

But there are a few other things you can rely on every year
that come in the form of Sweet Treats...

- Cakes
- cookies
- brownies
- Candies.

And with these things, Fall brings
Candy Corn.

Not only is Candy Corn one of the most popular Halloween, Thanksgiving, Fall essentials of candy dish offerings, it also serves as a wonderful cure for a common bodily behavior that is also prominent around this type of year from all the sugary-bubbly goodness.

Now, I don't take credit for this Solution Therapy hypothesis, test, and proven result (over and over).... Someone else in my family tested this on my daughters, while they were at their house; but I promise,

It Works.

And not just for them.

If you remember in my first Solution Center blog, I described a bodily function that can cause brutal jolts to the body; The kind that make your whole chest expand and thrust the rest of you body into uncontrollable flails of limbs and a head-bobb to match.

Not very much fun.

After hearing my family member's experience with this newly introduced Hiccup Solution hypothesis, and having my daughters back-up the proof, I decided that it may be a logical solution.

However, I needed to test the theory myself.... But I hadn't had the hiccups in quite a while, come to think of it...

Well, it's Fall and there is a plethora of Candy Corn, et al, to be had and eaten. And since my family member introduced this type of candy to my daughters at such an early age, it's one of their favorite quick sweet treats to snag... Therefore, we have a stash in the essential candy dish on our table.

And quite unexpectedly, but in good testing time, I got the hiccups, just two nights ago...

DING! DING! DING!

Time to experiment!

Half the Candy Corn did it for me! Hiccups: BE GONE!!

And they were, within less than a minute.

I've noticed pieces in the dish
that have just the tips bitten off....

So apparently one or both of the girls got the hiccups at some point and remembered the Solution Therapy... and grabbed a nibble of Candy Corn. At least they know how to remedy the "jolt-jerking dance belly hiccup groove" on their own!

Depending on how severe the case of hiccups you are currently experiencing, there are various doses of "medicine" that you can take: bitten tips, half, whole, or in extreme cases...

Pumpkin Size.

No matter your needs or prescribed dose,
there's a cure for all sizes and random arm flails.

And thankfully, the Candy Corn making company was smart enough to change the color tones depending on the season and holiday, therefore making this Hiccup Therapy solution available at most times throughout the year.

So the next time you have body-wrenching, chest bumpin', new dance move groove-making hiccups, grab a Nibble, a piece, or a chunk of candy dish essentials!

[and if you've run out of the essential, you can always revert back to Solution#1]!

- Omegan :-D

Human or Dancer?

2012-09-13T20:34:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time, there was a little girl that wanted to be a Dancer.

She told her mom of this dream and luckily, the little girl had a Mom that was willing to embrace whatever ventures the daughter wanted to try.

The little girl was enrolled in a class, at the local Recreational Center...

...and there began the heart's desired fulfillment of expression of soul

through the beats and rhythms of song and lyric

using the art of flowing body movements

in an act called

Dance.

The little girl was 4 years old when she discovered this wonderful outlet of beauty and soul expression.
Shortly after the final performance of the season at the Rec Center, the family of the little girl was re-located to a new city...

New City = the search for a new class.

In this new town, it was a little more challenging, as it was a bigger city with more options and even more prevalent: the differences in Teachers' abilities and styles.

The first venture at a new dance class for the little girl, was an attempt at the same type of facility as was originally introduced: the local Rec Center. However, one thing the little girl often did when she needed more of a challenge in an activity, was to FAKE SICK and do her own thing, rather than succumb to the boring-ness of the current activity...

One night, while using this tactic, the little girl embraced her expression of soul more, at that moment, by using her imagination with toys (that were sooo conveniently placed in the room that the little girl's class was in). Ironically, on that same night, the little girl's Father was on his way to the class for a surprise visit to see her "progress" in the class.

Whoopsies.

Needless to say, the little girl did not return to that class.

However, as was said before, the little girl had a Mom that was willing to embrace ventures... She inquired upon the cause of the playtime, rather than the passioned Dance-time, while it was so readily available for her to embrace and express....
...After a list of reasons (finally admitted), the Mom and little girl decided to try a new class, at a different place (an actual dance "Company"), with a different teacher.

The second place was fun and enjoyable, at first (kind of like a Honeymoon-Phase); but, it was soon discovered that THIS "Company" was, yet again, not up to par with the capacity needed to fulfill the little girl's passioned needs. It was in the basement of the instructor's house, which had been finished into a studio, with dance floors, ballet bars, and mirrors lining the walls.

After Spring recital, the search continued...

Over that summer, the Mom and little girl sought out all the different dance schools and studios in our immediate area. To no avail, they were bummed. And the little girl missed dancing and was craving the embracement of passion and soul of the almost-lost-to-her form of self-expression.

During an annual event at the local park, the Mom and little girl were browsing all the craft booths set around, when they came upon a stage, set up in the grass. It was an impressive display... and they had a banner across the bottom, advertising a Ballet Studio, located almost right down the street from their house. (How could they have missed the studio in their search before?!?)
It was like a sign from the stars.

After staring at the sign in amazement for a few minutes, the Mom and little girl realized that this was the studio that another family had chatted about, casually, while at a swim meet (the little girl was active!). Not long after this realization, music started, and pretty red tu-tus started to appear on stage, with such grace and beauty; it was almost as if the world was handing the little girl a bouquet of roses for the new found love of this Ballet Studio.

The Mom resourced as much information as she could, at the stage setting in the park... Within a few days, a phone call was made; an appointment set up to tour the studio; and a whole new journey of twirling, prancing, and leaping hearts had begun.

The little girl had found her Home Studio.

Year after year, the little girl indulged in formal class, learning many steps and moves... practicing everyday and performing in yearly Spring Recitals.

All types of dance were explored:
Ballet, tap, jazz, tumbling, RAD, Cecchetti, modern.

The girl even participated and competed in the Ballet Guild,

in the downtown area of where she lived; a statewide event granting scholarships to dancers for international summer training camps.

While they are ALL wonderful forms of dance and expression of soul to the beats and sounds of music, some were highly more embraced by the little girl...

Ballet, Jazz, and Tumbling.

Sooner than later, in the little girl's career at her home studio, she was at the age and skill level to audition for and dance in the yearly production of the Nutcracker Ballet. For Seven years, the little girl danced various rolls in the production...

Although never dancing the role of Clara, the little girl accepted this, as most of Act II, Clara spends a majority of the time dreaming she could indulge in the beauty of the music through dancing; but, alas, she must patiently WATCH, on a bench-like chair, next to her prince, while others enjoy the lyrical sensations of soul...

One year, for Halloween, the girl dressed up as a belly-dancer; and 5th grade required the choreography and practice of line and circle dancing for Pioneer Day.

Other forms of exercise and activity were explored during these years, in the little girl's life...

And while the girl enjoyed these other activities,

they were not her heart's dream...
She danced more than she participated in other "sports."

-----------------------

Shortly after the little girl turned 13 years old, peer-influence into new ventures of life and sport steered the now-teenager away from her passion of dance...

Maintaining fitness (but not flexibility or passion of soul and rhythm) the girl enjoyed these other activities, but longed for her dream of dancing to become reality, once again.

She tried other outlets to fulfill the desire to "play a role" and dallied in the art of Theatre, while in High School. While it was closer to her dream than the other activities, it wasn't Dance; it wasn't her outlet of expression of soul.

During the Theatrical time in the girl's life, an attempt was made, at age 15, to re-define her soul through the art of flowing body movements; yet again, in another new city, new studio, new instructor.

The Attempt failed... Miserably.
Thus, creating a hole in the girl's heart.
And a THUD in her step.

The girl eventually left the stage altogether, leaving the dream in the wind... Life had taken hold of her mind, leading the girl on a different path than was originally sought out by the dreams of the Little girl.

But, she still knew how to

Dance her hair Out-of-Bun!!
(gotta love Senior Prom!)

---------------

...Struggles with time, weight, and inactivity of the fitness-sort left the now Grown girl sad and "out-of-body." [And the college-sized budget (and more peer-influence) didn't help with that life-style, either].

Then came the most body-altering chaos to the girl-turning-Woman:

A family of her own.

While the Woman loved her new family, she still had the desire to excel in her heart's dream, even if only for personal benefit, and not "professionally," per say...

One day, the Woman made a decision to get her Life and Soul back; to feel the un-inhibited rhythm of her heart. It was time to be set free again.

While the journey was not easy, perseverance and dedication slowly un-gained some extra baggage and brought a gradual incline in fitness and health; mind and soul; beauty and heart back to the "little girl."

She dedicated herself to her new life-change; finding any small way she could to include fitness and exercise into her daily routine of Mom... ...

... ...while still searching for the little girl's soul.

Walking, jogging, swimming, biking: these were some of the re-discovered loves of sport; but they weren't enough...

Every now and then, near the beginning of the health journey, music would come on the stereo, and the Woman couldn't help herself... She'd break open into full-on drum-beat dancing in her apartment. [The neighbors below LOVED it...].

She continued adventuring outdoors, whenever possible, to fulfill the desire for nature; but sometimes, the weather and smog would bring her indoors, to the box of machines.

The woman still boogied down, when she could... only, now, with life and family, it was alone in the kitchen... while chores and daily routines were being ignored!

The woman continued to dance when she could, but once again, her rhythm of soul and drumming heart of beats could not be tamed....

Then, one day, an unexpected event happened.

The woman was scheduled to have a "regular" workout at the gym; with a walk/jog on the treadmill, a few jumping jacks on the side, and some moderate handstands and stretches to "cool down."

However, when the time came to change into the workout get-up, the woman discovered that she had...

NO SOCKS.

Okay... It's alright...
What should she do?

The woman had worn a skirt with biker shorts underneath to work that day... and there was a BIG open room at the gym to "play" in....

Who said you have to wear shoes and socks

at the Box of Machines??

IMPROVISATION.

BAM.

Since the woman had been in the big, open room before.... and there never Really seemed to be anybody in there at the hours that she was there... The woman made a choice.

Dance; or go home.

Are you Human; or are you a Dancer??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-tsQsPFimg&feature=share&list=PL523AA1A56D292803

(please note that this video clip was from different day; socks are worn in this video...)

And from there, a new chapter began in the "little girl's" life....

...Freestyle Gym dancing, with fulfillment of expression of soul

through the beats and rhythms of song and lyric

using the art of flowing body movements

in an act called

Dance.

An Epiphone entered the world and mind of the woman that day - never neglect, again, what you love so dearly and expresses you most.

The little girl found her soul, once again... and even shared the expression with her young family; although, a little camera shy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfpjqrSHaVg&feature=share&list=PL523AA1A56D292803

Our story ends a happy one; with butterflies in the tummy (stage fright), re-found expression of soul (feel the beat!), and a bouquet of Roses for the love of the art of DANCE.

- Omegan :-D

Peace, Love, Dance

Hungry?? You have Choices; Even the Little Voices...

2012-08-31T13:54:00.001-05:00

What is the most common skipped meal of the day???

BREAKFAST. Which, to a nutritionist or someone trying to live a healthier lifestyle, this is THE Worst meal to skip.

Why??

Your body fasts throughout the night, resting and digesting; sorting and organizing all the nutrients/waste from the prior day's consumptions. When you wake up, your body needs fuel to function, just as your car needs gas to crank over the engine. In other words, if you don't gas up your belly to rev your mind and muscles, you become the rusty car in the driveway. It also helps prevent your body from storing calories as fat: when you skip breakfast, your body is still in "fast" mode and doesn't know when it will get proper nutrients. Your body acts like a camel's hump does for water, with food. Spare Tire, anyone??

Skipping breakfast is NOT common in our house...
As a matter of fact, we all eat breakfast everyday. It's not piles of pancakes and bowl fulls of eggs and sausage, or a full-on buffet-style meal; but simple foods like cereal, yogurt, toast, etc - enough to give our bodies the jumpstart they need [without the pounds of calories and fat].

This morning started out like any other weekday morning; just as I was finishing my workout, I heard the Beep, Beep, Beep of Kaia's alarm clock, signaling the day's official beginning. Holly awoke shortly after and both girls got dressed and ready for school, before making their way to the kitchen for some Breakfast.

Their choices were small, but significant; enough for their LITTLE bellies to feel satisfied and ready for the day.

We headed off to school a few minutes ahead of schedule (unlike the rest of this week, where we left at least 10 mins late each day); so we were off to an extra good start. The girls' school provides "breakfast" every morning, if kids want to grab a bite before class. A good service for growing kids with learning minds. Since we were early, we had a few minutes to chill while we waited for Holly's classroom to open. [Kaia can just go to class; Holly has to be signed in and out each day because of her age]. We decided to head to the lunchroom to see what they had to munch on, for an additional boost to their brains and bodies.

Both girls picked to have a biscuit, no gravy; Kaia added a bowl of cereal; and each girl had a carton of milk. As we approached the cashier, the lady told Holly that she needed to put something ELSE on her plate; that just a biscuit and milk wasn't enough food to make a "nutritionally balanced" meal.

While I agree with having a balanced meal, it's not right to push a child to eat more than they are hungry for; especially if they are instilled with the "clean plate" rule at home... You learn to only put as much food on your plate as you are hungry for - enough to be satisfied and not full.

It also puts the idea in kids' heads that in order to be "healthy," you have to consume a certain amount of food at each meal, whether you are hungry for it, or not... Some kids don't know HOW to recognize when they are full; therefore putting more than they need on the plate will cause them to overeat and become part of the childhood-obesity statistic. So, while they are trying to promote healthy food balance, they are denying the child's right to know their body and when they are satisfied.

Some kids don't know when to stop.

Since I was standing right there, I told the cashier that it was okay; that she had already had something at home and this was just extra. She started to get upset with me, spouting the "balanced meal" point, failing to look at MY lean body and tone to recognize that I, as a person and a Mom, know what a nutritious and balanced meal consists of. I still said that it was okay and started to head to a seat, when she said that for the computer to show that each kid gets all the "proper" foods, Holly HAD to put something else on her plate.

[You cannot FORCE a child to put food on their plate that they don't want or have a desire to eat].

I told the cashier to charge us for "something" and pretend that we got it, and we walked away and sat down, with just a biscuit and a milk. [The cashier was befuddled at my lack of desire to please her food enforcement].

Point Proven: Holly only ate 1/3 of her biscuit and only drank half her milk, because she HAD already had breakfast at home, and was apparently easily satisfied this morning. Had she put something else on her plate, it would have been completely wasted food, because once it goes out, it can't come back into the kitchen. [They say that Americans waste enough food to feed an African tribe for MONTHS, or even a year.... let's validate that, shall we... ??].

As the girls ate, I sat back and observed the kitchen staff, reflecting on the conversation that had just occurred, nutrition, and my own fitness/weight loss journey. As my thoughts flowed, I noticed that the ladies working in the kitchen all maintained an excessively WIDER physique than that of someone who is concerned with proper nutrition, a balanced meal, and diet needs... Not that I am judging; just observing.

I slightly chuckled to myself and gave myself a mental high-five for helping MY children understand when to say NO if they don't want something, especially unnecessary calories. [Stop eating when you're full-up].

When the bell rang to go to class, I said goodbye to Kaia and walked Holly to her room; signed her in, and then jogged back to my car, the same way I do everyday, to give my heart a little burst of energy and blood-flow.

So, When is Gym class?? Let's learn about FITNESS, now that we've broached nutrition...

Did you eat your Wheaties this morning?!?

- Omegan :-D

Hiccup Therapy - Solution Center

2012-02-28T13:44:00.002-06:00

Have you ever

*hiccup*

tried to say some-

*hiccup*

-thing and just

*hiccup*

couldn't say it

*hiccup*

because of your darn

*hiccup*

HICCUPS?!?!?!?!

It can be EXTREMELY frustrating.

However...

I have a solution.

A quite simple one, really...

My theory was first tested when I was a kid, doing stupid kid things, while left to the devices of my own thoughts and imagination.

(I must have actually learned something in school to apply this knowledge to something like Hiccups)...

One day, while sitting alone in my room, I felt a burp starting to form. As a kid (and a teenager) I drank a lot of soda... And as most, who have drank ANY kind of carbonated beverage would know, that bubbles in the tummy can rumble back up quite loudly and obnoxiously.

As I knew this would be the case, in my situation, at that moment, I did not want to project the rude display of bodily functions into the atmosphere.

So I patted myself on the top of the head a few times.

Awesome.

Problem solved. No more bubbly-rumbles.

.....

........... ..........

................ ...............

brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrt.

(ooops.

excuse me.....).

Okay. Maybe that wasn't the most effective way to solve my problem...

.... at least, in THAT instance.

(and yes, it has still occasionally worked again).

So, time continued on....

...yet I knew there was some aspect of life and the human body that I could applicably use my hypothesized notions of bubbles in the gut and redirecting rumbles into a different form of execution from the human body.

And then one day, the epiphany came.

And was tested.

And approved.

I was having one of those fits of hiccups that,

as I described before,

were brutally jolting to the body.

The kind that make your whole chest expand and thrust the rest of you body into uncontrollable flails of limbs and a head-bobb to match.

Suddenly, after attempting to do the whole "hold your breath, deep in your belly" tactic failed for the umpteenth time this current hiccup session, I remembered my childhood experiment with the burp-turned-brrrrrt....

...Could I apply this same knowledge to my dilemma, at this moment, with these body-rocking disturbances to my inner gases??

Ahem.......

brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrt.

Yea. It works.

Within moments, the hiccups had completely subsided.

No ifs, ands, or...

....butts!!

After my new found way to apply my childhood-learned knowledge, I of course had to share the facts of my findings to my family...

...and with my mate, being the comic relief for awkward and uncomfortable - or new dance crave - situations, he used these facts to create a farscicle act of the Glories of the Human Body.

Again, I had the hiccups one day; creating my next groove-style in the process, I headed to the restroom to expel my liquid human-ness.

...From the other side of the door, I heard an imitation rumble....

brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrt.
(from Jeremiah)
(...and then a real
brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrt.
from Me...

(and then, I totally giggled at myself).

So, the next time your chest is poppin and your head is bobbin, like you've made some crazy new dance:

Make a toot and call it a goose!

And your hiccups will be GONE!! (like the Golden Goose Egg! *just don't lay it next to me!*)

Hiccuping, farting, and giggling.....

....self-tested kid experiments turned Dance-craze to gastronomical heights!

(Wanna Jig with me??)

[And for the record, I have 2 other hypotheses proven cases - but their participation will stay in the family ;-) ].

- Omegan :-D

Life as a Kid

2012-01-07T09:28:00.000-06:00

Growing up, I always loved playing at the park.

Any Park.

There was something magical about the open-ness of a park that gave way to un-inhibited fun and laughter.

I always found sanctuary in the comfort of a park's atmosphere... Its aire was the feeling of good times with people you trust, allowing yourself to share your true nature of imagination.

It's amazing the nooks and crannies; backways and sideways; ups, downs, and all-arounds that you can discover while trying to hide while playing Hide and Seek. Who knew that there could be so many "unknown" corners of play area!?!

What fun it is to play...

As did the girls and I, one special New Year's Eve Day.

Apparently, I still do enjoy the magic of the playing in the park...

- Omegan :-D

Singing in the Car

2011-12-05T17:44:00.000-06:00

HI THERE!! Omegan back again with an addition to my "Relationships with Strangers"

per:

My un-modest ability to let my vocals reach all ranges while trolleying around the city :-)

I LOVE singing in the car. Especially when I'm by myself, on my way to work. And I don't just sing... I'm one of the dancing drivers, too.

I cruise down the highway to Murfreesboro, rockin' to the beats, singing my heart out! [Of course, I don't always listen to the same thing; it just depends on my mood and how I want to "set my tone and rhythm" for the day]. I make slight hop and skip through town and catch the interstate north to Nashville... maintaining my groove.

[Somehow, feeling that open and calm helps me stay more aware of what's going on around me, because I glide with the songs through the flow of traffic. It also helps me relax when heavy delays happen... I just keep jammin' and realize that the cars will move when the move and there's nothing I can do but wait it out ... ... so why not at least have fun?? What else is there to do? ROCK OUT!].

My lack of inhibition, as far as jammin' in the car goes, has brought many friendly encounters from other drivers.

One day, I was driving into Murfreesboro, listening to the new Coldplay song, "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall." I was totally bobbin' my head and driving dancing... I think I put my arms up in the air a few times... Well, I happened to pull up alongside a truck with a landscaping crew and an equipment trailer attached to the back. At first, I thought it was only the driver and a passenger; and I'm just dancin' away! So, they roll down the back window, and there's 4 more guys in the back.

Needless to say, we drove next to each other for a good 2 miles, both automobiles of Dancing Fools, groovin' away... until they got ready to make their right turn to their jobsite. I waved, they waved; and we went our ways. It was fun :-)

Then, just last week, I was on I-24 going to Nashville, cruising along through traffic, doing my thing [I don't remember what I was listening to]... And this car that I saw approaching from behind, came up next to me in the left lane. He looked over, saw me singing and dancing... Smiled, chuckled, and kept cruising on. He was about my age... Mid-to late-twenties. That was quick but hilarious.

Today, however, was the best time yet! I had been driving down 70S into Murfreesboro...

...and somehow, when you are going from a small town to a bigger city, it's easy to keep track of the other cars that you pass and then eventually catch up or get stuck at the light...
Anyway, there was this Gray Ford truck that was not too far behind me, but we both made the left turn arrow onto the connecting road. We're going along, trading places who's in front and who's in back... But, he picks up on the fact that I am just all out Groovin' and Singin'. So he starts watching me... and keeping an eye on me...

[I was listening to AWOLNATION, so it was "Kill Your Heroes," "My Nightmare's Dream," and "Sail" while we were cruising together].

We got to one of the stoplights, part of the way to the interstate on-ramp, and I looked over at him, and we both smiled at each other. Traveling along a little further, he's still watching, kinda chuckling and smiling.
Before we both took the left turn, we waved to each other sitting at the light; we took the left turn, got on the interstate, and continued driving. I made my way to the third lane, he stayed in the right hand lane. He didn't stay on long, but before he exited, he flashed his lights "BYE!" at me, and I returned the goodbye with my Emergency flashers. :-)

I spent the rest of my drive to work laughing, smiling, giggling, singing, AND dancing, all while maintaining my Awesome maneuvering abilities.

Life is fun, but only if you allow yourself to see it that way.

I'm a dancer; I always have been... I just had to figure out how to apply my dancing soul and body to my ever-evolving mind. Now that I've connected the two, I am freer to be who I know I am...
...Singing in the Car and Dancing While Driving included.

- Omegan :-D

Traits of Personality

2011-11-24T17:08:00.001-06:00

Hello there!! Omegan, back again with a new thought in mind:

PERSONALITY TRAITS

What makes you, YOU??

There have been soo many instances that I can remember, where I have been cruising along, doing my thing:

- and someone will randomly comment on something to me about an item...

- Or I will make a comment to someone else, catching them off-guard with my willingness to randomly share an observation with them (all while smiling); and they will genuinely respond, while somehow gaining a flutter in their step from my one "happy" comment.

- The girls were with me one day and the Pepsi Man was stocking the shelves; I grabbed a juice and then made a comment about messing up his pretty "facing" ... he smiled, astonished that I knew what FACING was... and we had a whole conversation (girls included) with him while he worked and we shopped.

- Sometimes, I wear my headphones (if I'm shopping alone), and I will just smile and nod at people as I awaringly manuever around the aisles; and they get caught off guard by my friendly, alert, but groovin' shopping style.

- Many times, on the road, I will be so aware of my surroundings; entries/exits, light-timings, etc., that I will purposely leave space for other cars to get where they need to, without avoidable disruption on my part - I make it easy for other people, naturally... I don't even "think" about it; I just do it... Many of the drivers that are able to take advantage of this curtiousness are somewhat shocked by the gesture. They are grateful, but confused at the friendly awareness.

- Or, when someone didn't plan ahead, so they get [your] attention to "cut" into your lane... Yea, I'm THAT nice lady. And I usually accommodate with no hesitation. There are hundreds of thousands of cars on the road, and 80% of them will try to sneak in and cut me off anyway, so I'll just save us both/all some grief and let ONE more car into the lane in front of me. [SMILE! - good deeds feel good]. :-)

SO....

With all that being said.... Here's a video!!

What's your most noticable PERSONALITY TRAIT??

Omegan's Trait: Approachably Friendly :-)

I'd love to read your comments!! Thanks for reading and watching!!

- Omegan :-D

Omegan the List Maker

2011-11-12T15:51:00.000-06:00

AHHHH!!

It’s Monday morning… You’re running late; the kids have school, but are still in bed from staying up late working on whatever projects were procrastinated; you haven’t had breakfast, let alone thinking about what you’re going to eat for lunch and dinner…

…then add in trying to coordinate schedules with buses, work, errands, and chores, and you have a real calamity on your hands!

Thankfully, my life isn’t quite that crazy… At least not yet. [My girls are in Kindergarten and preschool].

AND, I am: OMEGAN the LIST MAKER.

I have list upon list upon list… and lists within lists. I even have long-standing lists… Like “wish lists” of kitchen items, or some fancy picture, etc. Then, of course, there are always the Personal Goal lists. Those are always a challenge to fulfill.

But, each and every day, I usually have a mental list checklist that I go through right before I rise from bed each morning. Then, throughout the day, the list making begins without thought… usually while prepping breakfast and packing my lunch, as I discover items that need to be added to the Grocery list.

As the day goes on, if it’s a weekday, I will almost always make 1 to 2 lists of some sort at work (i.e.: supply list; literature orders from customers; re-stock lists). And I think of 3 to 4 things on a normal day that I need to stop and get at the store that day on the way home, for dinner or lunches the next day.

Enter in yet another list: the mental checklist for needs for the following day. I am a “sack lunch” advocate, when it comes to my own lunch and snacks. I don’t like to rely on taking the time out and about to stop at fast food establishments or gas stations for quick bites. [Plus, I like to know what kind of nutrition I’m eating—which is an entirely different type of one of my lists!]

Therefore, every weekday afternoon, I spend a little time going through what food I will need in my lunch bag for the following day until I arrive home again – and certain days need more planning, as I’m away from home a little longer.

I also have to take into account my girls snacks; and sometimes providing AlphaJ with leftovers for eats while He’s working. Add in the coffee pot, refilling the water bottles, and maintaining the dish pile, and I’ve got mental lists longer than Santa’s checklist – and I check mine twice, too!!

If it’s a weekend day, I have a whole different set of lists to accomplish; usually involving cleaning and sorting the weekdays from around the house – I’m a notorious “pile-er.” Laundry, dishes, keeping the girls entertained (mostly with them stepping on my heels, following me around – “Mom,” “mom,” “Mom,” “mom”).

My other list, as I mentioned with nutrition, is my daily tracking of food: my Food Diary. Every day, I write down everything I eat (and indicate breakfast, snack, lunch, etc.) and drink; how much I weigh in the morning; what time I wake up and go to bed. I also keep track of my workouts in my log, along with about what time it occurs. [I have two completed diaries – working on my third now and I’m halfway through]. This list is one of those “personal goal” type lists that I use to help maintain my health and happy lifestyle.

I also use this log to track what “work” I do each day… Whether it’s actually going to work (on the weekdays) or housework; grocery shopping or other extra-curricular activities – they are all tracked and noted. It’s fun to go back and look at a day from a year or more ago… I can tell where I was and what I was doing based on the day’s tracking. It’s neat :-)

With the holidays approaching, I’ll be making a few new lists: Card recipients; outgoing gifts; incoming gifts; budget charts; and thank you cards. Phew!! Add that to all the other lists, and I have a Plethora of things to keep track of!! Good thing I write it all down! There’s no way I’d be able to remember it all!

Sometimes I’ll even get list “back-ups” in my purse to where I’ve neglected to take old lists out after they’ve been completed. When I finally go through them, I have to look at them and do the mental checklist to remember when and where I got the items.

I’m so crazy.

With all that being said…. Do you make lists?? What types of things do you keep track of?? If you don’t make lists, what do you do to keep track of ALL the day to day things we as people need to take of to maintain life?

I’d love to read your comments and feedback!

- Omegan :-D

Relationships with Strangers

2011-11-03T16:21:00.001-05:00

I'd love to hear your stories; please comment!! Thanks!
Omegan :-D

Music is the Soul of Life's Rhythms

2011-10-13T12:34:00.000-05:00

Do you listen to music? What's your favorite style or artist?

Do you have a favorite album? Which one and Why?

Isn't it amazing... All the different sounds that music can create?!

All the different...

beats

sounds

lyrics

tunes

melodies

messages

...all combine to form a melodic harmony of life and soul; speaking our heart's mind.

How would you explain music??
I would love to hear your thoughts and comments; please share!!

- Omegan :-D

"Man Dominating Man"

2011-10-03T22:10:00.000-05:00

Sometimes,

life moves in sync with things in such a dance-like sway and movement,

that it seems to just flow from our fingertips like rays from the sunshine…

...natural beams of life.

Then there are times that the lyrics of life’s music is singing to our beat,

to create a lyrical song and dance of our soul;

the musical of our life.

Every once in a while,

our thoughts and our words mimic our musical in ways that prove to our soul that

what we are thinking, feeling, and living

… is Real.

…the world complies with your needs to create a monumental epiphany of life, mind, and soul;

uniting the heart’s true desires and rationalities.

[Can you catch all the documented coincidences… and maybe a few more?? Have you ever seen Pink Floyds’s: Dark Side of the Moon, played along with the Wizard of Oz … ??] – Omegan thought….

And here it starts. … … …

Listen and imagine, and hear the messages; combined into a rhythmic harmony…

PART ONE

Time Markers:

Song playing – “Jump on My Shoulders”

01:01 [7 Deadly Sins]

Line: “It’s not supposed to be easy; that’s why it feels so fucking good”

Song playing – “Burn It Down”

02:24 [Cavemen]

Line: “Looking through a window made of time; looking down the barrel of today”

02:53 [Bashing neighbors]

Line: “Burn it down” (repeated)

Song playing – “Guilty Filthy Souls’

03:35 [Man Dominating Man/Bible/Growing Up]

Line: “Running outta faith; remember who you are”

(remember your background/history of self) – Omegan thought!

04:16 [Religious Leaders]

Line: “You’ve gotta Guilty Filthy Soul”

04:54 [Not even the Rules]

Line: “Look her in the eyes”

[7 Deadly Sins]

Line: “Love your way of life”

(notice what’s going on; open your eyes!) – Omegan thought!

05:38 [Loosing the point/goal]

to 05:56ish Line: “Waiting on the plotline”

06:30 [Being Free Agents/Being able to Choose]

Line: “Running outta faith; remember who you are”

Song playing – “Kill Your Heroes”

08:23 [Not complicating shit and being Happy]

Line: “Don’t need to worry… Everybody dies”

(live life in the Now) – Omegan thought!

08:35 [Humanity’s Character Defect]

Line: “We love you more than you know”

Song playing: “Sail”

Nearing the end

[Man Dominating Man]

(with a helicopter in the background drowning out his voice)

[Relaxing]

(during the piano interlude)

(“sail” through life peacefully) – Omegan thought!

PART TWO

Time Markers:

Song playing: “Kill Your Heroes”

00:12 [Caveman smacking head]

Line: “Everybody dies”

00:58 [Cain and Abel—God coming down –Heaven?]

Line: “Saw an old man dying on a train; no more destination, no more pain”

01:35 [Work his ass off]

Line: “Just Go, Go, baby you know” – [God asks…?]

Song playing: “My Nightmare’s Dream”

02:35 [Killing]

Line: “Smiling”

(oh, the irony of the two topics being “speaked” of) – Omegan thought! [and yes, I know that’s not the right vocabulary word, but it sounded right].

Song playing: “Sail”

03:06 [(Beginning of song) – Beats in the song with the pts of words (and arm “beats”) with the beats of the song]

03:41 [Man Dominating]

Line: “This is how I show my love”

(Does Man have to Dominate in order to “show love?”?) – Omegan thought!

03:43 [Religion]

Line: “Made it in my mind because…”

03:48 [Politics]

Line: “I blame it on my ADD”

(Religion clouds your mind into certain “ways of life;” politics give money to the doctors; promoting a “human defect”) – Omegan thought!

04:00 [Covet=Hurt] = Character Defect

Line: “I blame it on my own Surprise; cause, I blame it on my ADD (baby)”

(ADD is so prevalent in “people” nowadays… can we blame surprise and hurt coveted on that??) – Omegan thought!

04:24 [Why is the world so damn bad?]

Line: “Sail” (repeated)

[why does the government suck so damn bad??]

(Sail through life…) – Omegan thought!

04:28 [Politics – Government Suck!]

Line: “Maybe I should cry for help”

(will the Government Really be there for us when we need them?) – Omegan thought!

04:33 [Maybe the answer might be this] (gesture)

Line: “maybe I should Kill myself”

(irony?? Wow. Like the 1920’s suicides after the stock market crash… makes you think, huh… ??) – Omegan thought!

04:37 [But do they go for that? NO! … Because they are DuMBasSES!!]

Line: “ Blame it on my ADD (baby)”

(gov. is always changing focus…)

04:46 [Some of us are Intellectual]

Line: “Maybe I’m a different Breed”

(use your mind – be a smart person; a “different breed!”) – Omegan thought!

[repeating “Sail” while talking about working harder to get the things in life that you personally want/need].

My AlphaJ has strong, powerful; Life words.

Rhythm and harmony… Souls and Life,

combine to form a Musical of Life’s beings of heart.

Sail through Life.

- Omegan :-D

Coke Rewards - Friend or Foe??

2011-09-27T22:28:00.004-05:00

It started out like any other Coke Rewards Monday: I got on the computer after dinner, logged onto Coke Rewards to enter my weekly 120 points and then log off...

...However, one summer Monday, I logged on and found a Surprise! The 1,000,000 Points Giveaway - Summer of Points rewards game was back! Excitement poured over me from all bubbly directions, as I knew that I would get to bobb my head to the beats of the bubbles, and have an opportunity to win points, just for entering my weekly points. :-)

[The requirements to play the game were to enter an "Eligible" 12-pack code (worth 10 pts) and received a "free reward" to play the game. Each member was allowed 3 Eligible 12-pack codes a week. Since I enter between 7 and 10 12-pack codes, I played all three of my games, all right in a row, each week during the game].

After the first go-around, I thought to myself: How fun would it be to video Me playing the game and to see my reactions at wins or losses?!?

So what did I do?? The next Monday, I set up my web cam. Only, something went wrong with the video and quality/ size of file, so that documentation was a bust.

However.....

... The following Monday, my noggin was workin'... On a better way to document the experience.
A couple years ago, AlphaJ and I acquired a camera "spider" to fit and adjust and "claw" around objects to hold the camera in place. So, I set the camera up right where the webcam sits; only the contraption made the camera sit higher, therefore making a better shot anyway :-)

Along with the suit of the Game, the "earliness" of the summer, and the number of points left from ending my last points session a week prior, I was eager to get the "bubbles poppin'"...

Humph.

The Next Monday, I was game and ready to play... and AlphaJ (and Romeo) was there with me, ready to share the sparkly pop... or flat bubbles...

[this game doesn't like me].

Okay.... So let's try again, shall we?? There's still just under 80,000 points left to win...
(and yes; Romeo is here to dance!)

SILLY COKE REWARDS!
When will you be my friend?????????

[the very next week]...

YAY!!! Coke Rewards! Even though you may not give me "free" stuff ['cause technically, I only partially pay for the rewards that I redeem by buying Coke products], like even 5 points for a 1,000,000 point giveaway... I still love you].

You let me down [during the Summer of Points giveaway]; but yet, I am still loyal to you... and my loyalty finally proved to be Rewarding...

My Gourmet Stoneware Mixing Bowl set, that I have been ogling from day one of its appearance as a reward, came back with a vengeance... to catch my eye and make me "purchase" with my available points.... [damn you, tempting cookware stuff!!].

Even though you let me down [and made me ill with you]:
Coke Rewards: You ARE my friend.

Now, I get to make tasty treats [Yum! brownies and homemade Banana Bread! (and more!)] in a Fan-tastically sturdy set of bowls. And, they match my microwave AND the retro toaster that I used Coke points to buy [bc IT matched my microwave], so my kitchen is coordinated and ready to cook and bake!!

Even though I didn't "win" any free points from the giveaway, Coke Rewards has been reliable in there point redemption promptness and their options for reward products. I am also impressed with the sweepstakes offerings; as many times as I've entered, no result there, yet... But until I get my dream vacation, or top-of-the-line digital camera, or Kitchen-Aid Mixer, whatever.... I will keep entering my codes on Coke Rewards Monday.

Coke Rewards: You are My Friend.

- Omegan :-D

Summer Sunsets

2011-09-24T15:02:00.000-05:00

Seasons change and people grow with age… But the souls and the skies always dazzle with color…

After our Adventures in Driving trip to Georgia two weeks ago, our Monday started off the way Mondays should: With the near full Harvest Moon on the horizon; rising for a daytime appearance.

Tuesday, was a fairly normal day of the week, which can be good for the mind to not have to worry about or plan for anything “special” going on with schedules, people, or events.

Wednesday the 14^th, my friend Ashley in Texas needed some motivation to start her day, so I helped her make a cup of coffee at 6:30 in the morning. [I had already been awake for an hour, or more, so I was feelin’ my caffeine buzz!] We had coffee together via Facebook [before FB “changed face,” that is].

HA! We could call it the FaceBook Bistro! “Can’t meet at your local Starbucks?? Have coffee together via FaceBook Bistro! – Just create the event through the bistro, and invite your friends… Discuss the days’ events at our virtual tables!” [I’m such a dork].

After sharing coffee and discussing the woes of having early morning risers for children, I stepped outside to catch the sun and the moon in my morning sky.

Thursday the 15^th was slightly disastrous due to [a combination of] miscommunication from the school and bad reading on my part… I TOTALLY thought that Grandparent’s Day at Kaia’s school was on the 15^th, in the afternoon. So I planned with Mom for her and my bro to drive up that morning, go to the party, and have a stay-over; returning to Marietta the next day.

Go Me… Grandparent’s Day was scheduled for Friday, not Thursday. Dag Nabbit!! Apparently, I wasn’t the only parent/grandparent that thought it was Thursday; for when Mom and Doug showed up at the school, the ladies in the front office said they had received several phone calls that day with people verifying the correct date [the 15^th or 16^th].

Luckily, there were no major events [other than the now “re-scheduled” Grandparent’s Day] that required my mom and brother’s attendance, so they were able to re-adjust their schedule to accommodate the party’s “new time and date.” And we still had some good chats and eats during their stay-over, so the visit was well spent.

Mom and I went and played in “Garden Greenthumb;” I showed off all my peppers and we harvested some tomatoes for eats that night and to package up for Mom to take home.

And we closed our evening with a gorgeous sunset.

Friday Morning, Mom followed me down to Holly’s school so she could see the Headstart diggs in Woodbury, before she journeyed to Kaia’s school for Grandparent’s [and Uncle] Day.

That night, AlphaJ and I indulged and had grilled salmon and corn on the cob, with asparagus and baked potato:

…Sort of. AlphaJ was feeling under the weather upon completing the grilling session, so I enjoyed it fresh and hot and he chowed down on his portion a few days later [and it was still tasty, he says]. Either way it was consumed, it was a Very scrumptious dinner! I love AlphaJ’s grilled fishes; they’re so yummy :-P

Saturday, AlphaJ went to work, so the girls got to “Play” …

And I worked on a whole lot of basically nothing. It was my first day off from the work week and I needed some Me time to do what I wanted and needed to do. Ahhh….. Girl Time…. Some things you just can’t do as openly with the men in your life around… And I will leave the rest of Saturday’s events up to your imagination with that statement being said ;-)

On Sunday Morning, Willow decided that she had some pressing business that needed to be addressed while she was having her morning “chatter” with the humming birds.

It was also Omegan Pizza Night! Yum!! [My mouth is drooling as I look at the picture trying to type and write about its tastiness….]

As if the ingredients are tantalizing enough:

[*drool starts to drip down chin*]

(notice the Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon wine in the background!!)

Then you get to “feast” your eyes upon the finished Pizza Pies, hot and ready to eat!

[*slurping drool*]

And to top that off, I made experimental homemade Banana Chocolate Chip muffins that proved to be ultimately delectable:

Wow! That was a week, wasn’t it?! [at least we ended with Chocolate endorphins…] And we still have another whole week to travel through… Only, this was a “lighter” week, with not as much excitement. [It was dark, gray, and rainy the majority of the week].

Monday, I played Coke Rewards; although there was no “game” going on, my efforts proved to be fruitful. [But you won’t find out about the results of Monday the 19^th’s Coke experience until I receive the benefits… and then of course, turn the entire sequence of events into a blog on its own :-) ]. [Ha! Ha! That will keep you reading!! ]

Tuesday displayed gray skies most of the day; but the light drizzle rain made for a nice hummer fanfare at the feeders.

Miraculously, near the end of the evening, as the sun was setting, the clouds let the rays shine through to create a spectacular surprise in the sky:

Wednesday and Thursday were fairly normal weekdays; although Kaia had “Pajama Day” at school on Thursday, so she got to wear her jammies instead of normal play clothes.

Thursday night, our Summer Sky set for the last time this year, as today, Friday, was the first official day of Fall. The girls were off from school today and it’s also another GA day! So, while I’ve been typing and planning this blog post, we’ve been in the car, making our 3 hour trek to Marietta.

As with being a new season in the year, the air has different feelings… Some days are golden yellow, some are gray; but no matter the color of the sky, our hearts glow at the rise [and set] of all our emotions and life happenings.

Goodnight, Summer; Good day, Fall... Your colors of seasonal change are welcome; for with time, we learn experience; therefore, changing our souls' colors...

- Omegan :-)

Adventures in Driving part 2

2011-09-18T21:38:00.000-05:00

After a long work day for AlphaJ and a “play day” for me in Marietta [I made it to Menchie’s!!], it was time to make the journey home…

[Documentary in reverse!]

Traditional car pics!

[Our pics are placed how we sit in AlphaJ's truck].

And the trek begins! On Shallowford Road headed to Canton Road.

And entering onto the interstate:

We have amusement for our drive right away, as this old man’s truck was ALL AMERICAN!

We soon approach on my Dalton exit again: Exit

333 – Walnut Avenue

We pass by Ringgold into the backwards split in Chattanooga – either I-24 W towards Nashville, or I-24 E towards Knoxville; which way do we go to get home??

As we came near the Alabama split, people started to forget how to read road signs and flip their levers [and it sounds better if you say “levers” the British way].

Leaving behind the Alabama-Slamma’s, we curve around my favorite part of the road, which has a beautiful horizon around its bend…

Continuing on to my bridge, today’s under-passing displays a special surprise!!

Fairly quickly after my bridge’s excitement, we come upon a gorgeous display on Nickajack Lake.

As with all good things, they come to an end, as we approach the Jasper Junk.

We play roller coaster on Sewanee Mountain one more time…

going up:

And

coming down:

We stopped in Manchester to grab a bite for dinner when we arrived home.

The drive home was relaxing, despite the few crazy people on the road… We made it home with plenty of time to comfortably settle in and prepare our Subway dinner for consumption :-) The Pack was definitely hungry!

Drive safe and we’ll see you next time!

- Omegan :-D

Adventures in Driving - Part One

2011-09-18T17:43:00.000-05:00

Video Documentation of our adventure :-)

We were able to leave on Friday evening this week, since our work and school schedules allowed us to, while it was still light outside.

Our journey started as we headed down the highway toward Manchester… As it’s coming to the end of the garden harvesting season, I have a feeling that these gorgeous rows of corn crops and fields won’t be around much longer; so, I took advantage of the sunrays creating “fields of gold.”

As the drive got started on the interstate, headed southeast, we encountered two truckers that thought they would try and regulate a patch of cars’ speeds’ by playing “trucker-road-block” …

Once we got through that mess, we came upon one of my favorite parts of the drive-one of the more scenic views-as we traveled up and down Sewanee Mountain.

--going up Sewanee Mountain-- [I just saw a chick cock her head side-ways in a funny way as we drove by, as if to be checking her driver-side mirror… Is that what I look like when I do that?? …random thought for the day.]

As you make the decent down the other side of the mountain, Nickajack Lake sits pleasantly at the bottom of the hills.

And just beyond the lake, we approach on my favorite bridge [that monumentally gets the “roof raised” for every under-passage… ]

Soon after the bridge, we begin to lose nearly half of the “pain-to-deal-with on the road drivers,” as they take Hwy 59 towards Alabama – and oddly the split is a hotspot for fireworks stores…

Not long after the TN-AL split, we approach on Ruby Falls, Lookout Mountain, and the big city in the hills, Chattanooga [do the Choo-Choo, baby].

After the All-Mighty dangerous curve around the hill in Chattanooga, we make our entry into Georgia.

North GA on I-75 is really rather boring… unless there is a good sunset to watch as your driving, the scenery is just lines of trees. After we stopped in Ringgold and satiated our traveling, hungry bellies with some tastiness at Cracker Barrel, the drive was darker and definitely more boring.

I was able to get my family’s Historic Site exit on video, though!

As we were curving around the trees, AlphaJ noticed the moon, yet again, on our horizon.

We made it safely to my parents house in Marietta, shortly after 9pm. AlphaJ went to bed fairly early; after a long day of working and then driving, he was worn for the wear. While he was trying to get comfy, Mom and I had some good chats, hanging out at the table chilling.

Part 2 coming soon!! [we have to go home sometime...]

- Omegan :-D

The Colors of August... and Beyond

2011-08-30T21:55:00.002-05:00

Wow… This month has flown by!

Time seems to go faster when you get older. It’s amazing how we do so much in our day-to-day lives, that when you look back on say, a year, we as humans have a “survival mode” type of living and natural routine of personal needs.

I have adjusted and adapted to many changes in home life, schedules, and outlook on my sense of self over the past 30 days [let alone the past 8 mos. so far this year]. I started a new job; Kaia started Kindergarten; Holly started preschool.

Vibes of “New Beginnings” on the horizon started on the very first day of the month, as that was my first day at my new job. Less than two weeks after that, Kaia went to her first day of real school, attending Kindergarten as a full-time student. The mood continued on through the end of the month, with Holly starting preschool this past Thursday.

8/25/2011 - Holly at Preschool - First Day

And through the midst of all the women in the family challenging life’s compatibility with our family, AlphaJ has been weaving in and out of the web of schedules that has woven itself into our Pack’s human routines, trying to maintain His own sanity and life’s needs.

Thankfully, we are Pack to the fullest and that makes coordinating and shifting a lot less stressful… Communication and willingness to help the world flow keep our Pack unified to the stronghold bond that makes us Pack. Thankfully, AlphaJ’s work allows him to rearrange accordingly to accommodate the needs and obligations of the family; making coordination more adaptive to everyone’s schedules… It’s all about balance.

We have been successful so far this week, with another new change to the mix of crazy schedules: Holly started riding the bus to preschool; morning and afternoon. She loves riding the bus and has commented on how “cool” it is that there are TWO buckles [they had special “harness” buckles installed over the summer, for a more secure ride in the big bus seats].

Her teachers are very nice and she seems to be making friends quickly. She is having a little trouble adjusting to the breakfast and lunch that the school serves; today was spaghetti, apple, and bread. She tried the spaghetti… no go. She ate the bread and part of the apple. I told her thank you for trying [she doesn’t like pasta sauce yet] but that she would get used to seeing and eating that for a meal at school. [She looked at me funny]. She’ll get used to the tastes. [I think my mom said (she read in a magazine) that, 15-20 times you have to feed a child a certain food before you can really decide if the child like that certain food or not].

[I think This food only took Once!!]

Kaia, as well, will be experiencing the “hot lunch” experience soon… I am signing her up for reduced meals; as I qualify, with my income. [Yay, Government!] My mom and I chatted about this, because I have been sending Kaia with “cold” lunch since the first day. But, the thought and convo with Mom [abbreviated to]: If I can save just a little bit of money, letting [someone] else provide for my child while they do a “governmentally required” task like Going To School, then WHY NOT use their services to the fullest extent of my capabilities?!? These are hard times and we have to maintain survival… Right?!? …

Tomorrow is the last day of the month and it’s a hump day at that [Wednesday!]… September is on the horizon and Labor Day weekend is just around this corner.

Wow. September… The summer is officially coming to an end and the fall air is creeping into our lives [my morning workouts have been getting chillier each AM]. The leaves are already starting to turn. Although, with Fall there brings another new life to the world, as we are “coming down” from the high of Summer and there is a new sense of yearly reality when you see the leaves take their course.

Fall; change; life: I’m ready.

- Omegan :-D

InWinBlade

2011-08-23T22:47:00.000-05:00

Omegan's AlphaJ: At his Best!

Check out the You Tube links to his actual window cleaning, listed on the flier.

- Omegan :-D

When the Cat's Away...

2011-08-19T21:10:00.000-05:00

... the Girls get to play!

Tuesday night, although a school night, was not a regular weeknight. Mom came to visit and have a sleepover; AlphaJ was working; and the girls were both home again...

In the eyes of Omegan: it was Party time!

Kaia arrived home from school shortly after Gramma Linda arrived at our house from Marietta. Since Holly had stayed a few nights in GA with Gramma, she was eager to see Kaia when she pulled up in the school bus. [It was very exciting to see every one's happy faces upon greetings].

First on the agenda was to head inside and show off Kaia's school work for the day and see her homework for that evening. Since Gramma has been such a big part of Kaia's learning and school, I let them go over the paperwork together. [Quality time, with a good focal point]. Holly played Dad's drums while I observed and thought about dinner...

Which lead to our next agenda topic: What's on the Menu in Omegan Kitchen for Mom's visit?? When the question was approached, I knew the protein was going to be baked chicken breast, but the sides were undetermined. I started naming some options for grains and veggies, when I said the words Pearled Barley...

It was like music to both our ears and taste buds! My mom and I have had to "give up" barley on family meal nights due to our mates' sensitive tummies; something about the gluten free, or fat free, or something just doesn't agree happily. As you can imagine, we paired that with the chicken and then started pondering our FAVORITE part of the meal: the Veggies! [mmmm.... veggies... *mouth drooling immensely*] Although I had fresh zucchini available, we decided on Broccoli (stems included), fresh tomatoes, and onions galore.

Before dinner, Mom and I went for a walk around the neighborhood; chatting like crazy Cathy's about anything and everything. We hung and chilled; playing games on Mom's iPad, downloading music and software to my computer, and catching up on girlie things during and after dinner. We took the night at an easy, laid back and comfortable pace. ...all with nice relaxing music in the background...

Mom went with me to drop Kaia off at school on Wednesday morning and of course, she took a few pics! After that, I had to get back into the work-week groove and get ready for the day. Mom stayed in town for a little while longer, running errands with AlphaJ to town and exploring some shops of interest. She made her drive home safely... and soon after invested in a cassette tape to play her iTunes, through her iPhone in her car, without using the cup holder as an amplifier! [You're welcome, Mom!]

I love that my mom and I have such a good relationship and friendship that we are able to relax and "let loose" with each other. We have a very dear and special bond for and as a mom and daughter. We certainly went through our difficulties (mostly based on my behavior at the current times); but without those times, I'm not sure we would understand each other as well as we do.

Even though we don't live down the street from each other, we know how to maintain love and communication in our hearts and souls, as best as life's roads and distances allow us... The world ebbs and we flow.

Encyclopedias of Life

2011-08-13T23:12:00.000-05:00

AlphaJ turns 1792 years old! What a Graybearded old man J

My AlphaJ

[Thinking about yesterday’s (ironically yesterday), birthdays, and time: Life is a curious thing. We go through our days, one at a time, and little by little, we learn and grow based on inevitable change. We adapt to our circumstances and utilize every resource we can to uphold our lives to our personal satisfaction of happiness and comfort. As people and Humans, it’s in our nature to thrive in life; to maintain our strength as an Individual soul].

…that’s one reason that Birthdays are soo significant. Not to make you feel old, ugly, or aged; but, to help you look back on your life and look at all that you, as an Individual human, has accomplished, overcome, and enjoyed to get to where we stand today. [Every yesterday is the beginning of a new Today]. We lived our stories and took our journeys across the wonderment that the world laid before us; we embraced the moments for our Soul to gather the knowledge we need/ed to uphold our individual Human nature’s yens for a fulfilled life.

My AlphaJ is an excellent example of rising above the storm clouds, to show his “Man in the Moon” drive and spirit, every single day.

The feats and battles; struggles and hard times; Smiles and Laughter that he in his [1792] years has experienced, learned and grown from bewilder my mind.

Each person truly does write and own a full set of Encyclopedias that we have filed our life into, to recall and recollect the information index to guide us through the situations at hand. And then we add more to the never ending info database that is our lives based on new knowledge learned from similar but different chapters.

Each volume of our research resources is constantly revised and updated; our glossaries filled with new vocabulary, etiquette, and mannerisms. [Where would we be without our thoughts…?]?

The sun rises and falls, everyday, without fail... Constant and reliable, she lights our path with un-wavered rays of hope that each day will bring us new streaks of knowledge. The moon is her backlight, as we still need to see in the dark. The moon’s appearance reminds us every night, that even though we can’t see her, the rays are still reflecting on our world, through the Moon’s “eyes” [he’s the man!], guiding our lives through the shadows of the darkness.

- Omegan :-D

"Yesterday's Todays"

2011-08-13T15:46:00.001-05:00

Looking back on yesterday’s…

Kaia started her first day of Kindergarten on Tuesday the 9^th. I was very nervous for her; but, somehow, I knew she’d be okay… That she would adapt just fine. The Mom that I carry deep down in my heart Let Go of my first child, in the sense that I am now giving her learning powers and imagination the true strength it needs to soar.

[I remember my first day of Kindergarten; my mom had the same look on her face when I walked into the classroom that I Felt on my own face the day Kaia sat down in her seat at school].

Surprisingly to me, I have generally been easily accepting of this new change in her life; my life; the family’s life. It’s actually almost refreshing to know that she is going to be starting her learning journey from people other than Mom and Dad. [We don’t realize how many things, throughout our lives that we have learned from influences and resources outside of our homes].

Along with looking back on Yesterday’s:

When Kaia was going to preschool, a couple of years ago, I was in a different Life situation. I wasn’t able to give her life the attention it needed for the stage that she was in at the time. I was working and commuting nearly 80 hours a week, trying to maintain livelihood. With my Mom’s help, we traded and swapped the girls from house to car to apartment, to uphold schedules and “have-to’s.”

There were many times that Kaia would need to take something special to school, wear a special outfit, make something at home to take in; and I neglected a lot of those experiences. I felt awful after each unexpected disappointment. [It made me believe that I wasn’t a reliable Mother; even though I was, and I knew I was, because my girls were both happy and healthy, and I was doing what I needed to for our lives].

When I was sitting with Kaia (and Holly, too) at Kindergarten registration on August 2^nd, I looked around at all the other families there… and remembered how I felt going to my first day of REAL school; not just preschool. [Even as the 5 year old Megan that I was, somehow I knew that going to K was different than PreSch. It had a different aura… like you knew you were starting something Big].

At that moment, I vowed to myself and my Kaia, and my Holly, that I was going to be the support and reliability that they need during this new journey. The soil their roots need to base has been tilled; the water they absorb will moisten their roots to help them grow into their personalities… nurtured by the [Mother] Sun.

- Omegan :-D