August 30, 2011

The Colors of August... and Beyond

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

August 23, 2011

InWinBlade

Omegan's AlphaJ: At his Best!


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

 - Omegan :-D

August 19, 2011

When the Cat's Away...

... 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.