All that Glitters Golden

A bit more on Fiber One Bars

2010-05-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

More thoughts...

Never, Never eat one on an empty stomach, you'll suffer greatly and those around you.

If at all possible, make the others in your house eat them too. You can then all bond in your gassyness together.

Who knew?

Rules for Fiber One Bars...

2010-05-22T17:44:00.000-07:00

Did you know there are rules for eating Fiber One Bars? Yes, there are rules and I only know the rules because I discovered them over the course of eating the bars.

1. Fiber One bars can also be called "Gas Bars."

2. Eat the intended bar before noon. Why you ask? Your body needs enough time to process the bar and release all the gas.

3. Only eat one bar per day no matter how great the first one tasted, you'll pay royally for this later.

4. One bar and one cup of coffee a day will keep you flowing strong.

5. When beginning the process of eating Fiber One Bars don't give up after a day or two. Keep strong and after a week your body will adjust time them and many of the problems just go away.

I love fiber one bars and they fit in nicely to my diabetic diet while I was pregnant, and now I continue to enjoy them. Not that you are all informed about them, go, try, and enjoy!

Not So New Baby Girl Golden...

2010-05-13T16:39:00.000-07:00

We have had a new addition to our family. We like her...she is fitting in well with everyone. Colin likes her...especially when she is in her bouncer or swing. We love her dearly. It is amazing how much your heart can grow. I cannot imagine my life without her. I pray everyday for her, her health, her future, that she may be happy and experience joy, and that she may dislike the color purple as much as I do.

Here she is...

"Assistance" & Lowe's

2009-06-16T08:06:00.001-07:00

I used to work in a county facility that was an emergency shelter for the county's abused and abandoned children. Some times there were incidents when the children were either a danger to them self or others. When this would occur the staff that needed the help would call the front desk and request "assistance." Then the front desk would call each of the other cottages and whoever answered the phone was to run to where ever they indicated.

When I shop at Lowe's they have those buttons in the isles for "assistance." Every time I am there you hear over the loud speaker "assistance to plumbing" or "assistance to hardware." Due to being conditioned for so many years to a somewhat different meaning of the word "assistance." It simply gives me goosebumps and I always look up to see if there are blue-vested Lowe's employees running to the department.

2009-05-13T16:50:00.000-07:00

A friend gave a talk today on adoption. It was a wonderful talk that gave me insight to her life as she and her husband have adopted a simply delightful boy. She brought up a really good point that I think many of us tend to forget.

God has adopted us all.

It doesn't matter how we get to where we are,
we are always wanted,
we are always treasured,
we are always loved by God.

That in of itself is a true blessing.

Dust

2009-05-03T21:00:00.000-07:00

I hate dust, however I don't mind dusting. Confused are you...?

We often have our doors and windows open at our house. We get a simply wonderful breeze, that money just can't buy. I enjoy it. However with keeping them open, one is much more susceptible to dust.

I dust weekly, it seems now bi-weekly, and sometimes daily.

Dusting is like weeding.

Its a task.

It is better if you keep up on it.

It never ends.

I hate Dust!

My Two Boys

2009-05-01T08:14:00.001-07:00

What can I say, I simply love this picture. This is Rob and Colin in Yosemite at Lower Yosemite Falls. It was a great trip with friends. Just after taking this picture and walking our bikes down the hill, we rode home in a hail storm. Colin did not really care for the hail. This trip provided Colin with many new firsts.

First time sleeping in a tent.

First bike ride.

First hike.

First hail storm.

First snow storm.

First bears (see we saw 2 bears at less then a 10 foot distance).

It was a great trip!

Colin's new love....

2009-05-01T07:53:00.000-07:00

Colin has a new love....grandpa will be very proud. I found a train table, with tracks, and trains, on clearance a few months back and we decided to purchase it and keep it in the garage until some special occasion for Colin.

This Monday while shopping in Target I decided to buy Colin one Thomas train. Since then he has been in train heaven. He eats with Thomas by his side. He runs through the house with him. He is very easy to change because he is holding Thomas in his hand. When we came home I decided to look up other trains and found that you can print them all out. So I did. Colin could barely wait till pull the paper out of the printer, and then would look at all the pictures and comment with a loud, "Woooooow" and "Choooo-Choooo."

So I decided to scour the Internet for any other Thomas trains for cheap. I found seven train pieces on Amazon for an amazing price. Five pieces came yesterday, the boy has been in train heaven. He puts them together and pulls them around. He likes to see how many he can hang off of one another. It is very amusing the watch and see his smile of joy. It is shear bliss.

Yesterday we were about to leave the house for the morning. And suddenly I heard sounds of Colin playing with his shower toys. I listened from a far and thought to myself, if I am actually hearing shower toys then Colin must actually be in the shower. As I walked into the bathroom, Colin is standing in the middle of our shower/tub running his Thomas the train around the perimeter of the shower, which looks like train track. He had a huge smile on his face!

Well, this weekend Robert and I will be moving our living room furniture around to accommodate the new train table for Colin. It is not any special occasion, but I would rather not find him in the shower again, totally soaked with water.

Mustangs & Old Ladies

2009-04-04T13:34:00.000-07:00

I often see things when I am out and about that just make me laugh or just seem really odd, but in a funny way. For example, I remember when Ford updated the Mustang, it was badly needed and the new version was quite the hit. I remember driving on the 605 about the take the 7th Street exit towards my mom's house. I got all excited there was a brand new convertible green with a tan top. I got all excited as I was about to pass by the drivers side. And in the driver's seat was a old lady with white hair, and all glittered up in makeup and jewelry. I just had to laugh out loud. It just seemed like such an odd combo, new cool contemporary mustang, old, white, woman.

Just the other day I was out running errands and came across another old, white-haired, woman, white tricked out Mustang. And again I had to laugh.

Sleep

2009-02-25T16:55:00.000-08:00

I love sleep. I am a person who requires more sleep then less. When we first had Colin I was a walking zombie for the first few months. I would even cry at night before we went to sleep, it was pointless to me, why go to sleep when I would be up in a couple of hours or so.

I love naps on the weekends. Naps on Sunday's are the best, especially when you can crawl back into your unmade bed, because you had to fly out it to be late to church. I love naps on rainy days. I love to nap with my husband in bed, as it usual follows a particular activity.

Last night Colin began to cry as I was lying awake in bed not sleeping. It was not his normal cry. I checked on him and he had all the necessary items to sleep. But he was not. I left him there and he began to cry more. We try to let him resolve his problems on his own. But I was not sleeping and couldn't listen to him anymore.

So I sat in Colin's room holding him across my chest and softly talking to him. As I held him I looked around the room and thought to my self, its been a really long time since I had held him like that, and at that hour.

And suddenly I thought to myself, "I totally miss this."

AM I NUTS???

I miss getting up and holding my child in the middle of the night?

I miss sleep disruption?

I miss sleep?

Oh I got the baby blues bad.

Like I mentioned before, we are working on resolving this situation.

Babies

2009-02-20T13:45:00.000-08:00

I know I haven't blogged recently...I have been thinking about blogging and then nothing currently is irritating me, or there's nothing really spectacular going on in my life at the current moment to blog about.

So........

A friend had a baby yesterday. He is absolutely beautiful, as most freshly produced babies are. And it makes me think back, not that long ago to when I gave birth to Colin. Looking at the pictures of the new baby, I remember holding Colin when he was first born, and thinking how amazing God is. Or perhaps I was relieved to be done squeezing a personal sized watermelon from my loins. Probably a little bit of both.

I remember first being told that he was in fact a boy as we did not know what we were having. A boy... our first child, a son, Colin John. When we were trying to decide on names, we quickly picked and agreed upon Megan Gayle for a girl (and still I think when we have another it would be in the top ranks for a girl). We had such a hard time with a boys name. I liked things that Robert didn't and vice verse. About a month out we were down to four names...Ethan, Samuel, Colin, and Garret. Well as many of you know I had Gestational Diabetes, and during one of my twice a week fetal monitoring I was having higher then normal blood pressure. Well I had to be induced immediately, we rushed home, grabbed my already packed bag, and headed to the hospital. On the way as we pulled onto the 405 North ramp at Woodruff, Robert and I decided with a handshake that if we had a boy we would name it Colin John. To this very day I still find myself completely dumbfounded that I am a mother, I have a son. I can still look at him and say "I have a son, I have a son named Colin." I feel completely as ease with him. I look at Colin every day knowing that we are truly blessed.

I have been thinking much lately about a second child. I think its fairly common knowledge that we are working for another. Something we need to step up and get serious about.

Part of me wants to hold out, its a hard feeling to express. Not being pregnant I can think about becoming pregnant and waiting for delivery day. But being pregnant kinda puts a closed door and becoming pregnant again. There are so many wonderful things about being pregnant. I can also think of many not so great things about being pregnant as well. And while I did not have a problem free pregnancy the postives out weight the negatives. Its it funny how after you have a baby all those worries tend to go away. The pain is just physical and quick to pass.

Subsequently I am constantly thinking about having another. I love children and sometimes fantasize about having a very large brood. But lets face it, children are expensive to raise to adults. And can the Golden family successful raise more then two children. Something I think about all the time. Or do I just caution to the wind and say, "God, let your will be done?"

I was going through my file cabinet the other day and found this quote.

"Babies are bits of stardust, blown from the hands of God. Lucky the women who knows the pangs of birth, for she held a star."

So I don't really know what all this means. Yes, I am willing and ready for another child. Yes, I am kinda willing for the sleepless nights. Yes, I am ready for my heart to grow to love another. I guess time will tell. My heart is open to what God has planned for me and our family.

One Greatness

2009-01-01T11:49:00.000-08:00

I have been pondering the past few weeks what it would be like to be really great at one thing. It is kind of funny that this has stuck in my head. I would genuinely say that I can do many things well, but I often wonder what it would be like to be known for one great talent?

Even now as I sit here thinking about it more my mind is blank.

Things I do well:
Cooking and Baking
General Craftiness
Good Housekeeper/Cleaner
Being a decent mom
Driving a car (never any tickets, only pulled over once in HS)
Pulling Weeds
General Creativeness
Sudoku

Things I used to do well but not anymore:
Sleep
Ride dirt bikes
Ride a unicycle
Drink Beer or Alcohol (this is apparent after 2 large Margaritas on New Year's Eve)
Having good balance

What would it be like to be the best weed puller around? Not that glorious. I guess its not bad to be considered a person who is more a "Jack of all trades" the a master of one thing. Perhaps if you were good at one thing you might really suck at everything else.

I guess I am resolved to be somewhat good at lots of little things then to have one great talent.

But wouldn't it be cool for just a little while to be able to say "I rock at ______."

I guess my line is "I got lots of pebbles in many pots."

Christmas Memories

2008-12-23T21:47:00.000-08:00

I love the Christmas holiday. I love the smell, the sights, the lights, the decorations, the general Christmas cheer and spirit that seems to be all around. As Colin gets older, yet still doesn't understand all the encompasses Christmas, I think back to my fondest childhood Christmas memories.

When I was a young child each Christmas Eve we would go to my Grandparents house in Park Estates. We would have a family dinner and then attend Christmas Eve service. I think this is where I fell in love with the traditions and true joy of attending the Christmas Eve service. There were four of us children, my brother, my two cousins, and me. It was all we could do to sit still in the service. We all knew at the conclusion of the service that we would return to our Grandparent's house to open presents.

Every year my grandfather would somehow disappear stating that he had to go to the bathroom(but since we were so young and captivated by the Christmas spirit, we rarely noticed.) Suddenly, there would be a knock at the door and a ringing of Santa's bells. Soon Santa would be in living room with a red sack in tow. We couldn't believe our eyes, we were amazed, we were getting an early visit from Santa. He knew all our names, and called us one at a time to sit on his lap and asked us all if we had been good boys and girls (and of course you know how we answered.) Santa would look in his sack and pull out presents for each of us as well as a plastic-shaped candy cane filled with M&Ms. We were so delighted. But soon Santa had to leave, he had to get ready for his big night and would leave. Santa would stand in the doorway, wave goodbye, and let out a jolly "HO, HO, HO."

Even as a child we all knew it was our grandfather, but none of us ever uttered a word that it was him. We became so overwhelmed by the moment that it kept us from saying anything. My Grandmother told us years later after our grandfather had past away that he loved doing it each year and that the suit he borrowed was from a friend who smoked. My grandmother stated that he always complained that it smelled so horribly.

These are my memories. I hope that as a parent I will be able to create vivid and special memories for my child. Even though Colin won't remember this Christmas, it is the things we do, the people we share the time with, the traditions we create and start now that will hopefully build memories for him.

Merry Christmas to all. May your holiday season bring out old and create new memories for you to treasure.

Goodwill

2008-12-08T19:52:00.000-08:00

Of course at this time of year a majority of us are looking at our Christmas list and out shopping for those family and friends. This weekend Robert and I are going to a Christmas party and we need to take a "White Elephant" Christmas gift. I screached the house for something memoriable, all I could find was expired contraception sticks, and decided to pass on that.

So, I was headed out to Goodwill to find a once-garage sale- item. Something special, something that said "what the heck is that?" or "who would have ever bought this in the first place?"

The first Goodwill had a couple of items that I might just have to go back for if I can't find anything else.

However the second Goodwill I went to was a different story. The store was very sparse. As I looked around at the items, I noticed the shoppers. While I was coming to the store for a gag gift of sorts. There were people in the store shopping for items for their families or Christmas gifts. And then I became sad. I had to leave, I couldn't really look at the stuff.

It made me realize how fortunate I am. I live a very well life, my child will live very well. And when I think that I don't have all that I want. I must realize that while I will always have wants or desires in my life, I will probably be able to have some of those things. There are those individuals that will always have wants and desires and never have them filled.

Appreciating my husband & grocery shopping

2008-12-01T15:51:00.000-08:00

I love my husband dearly, he is a very loving, gentle, and overall good guy. He is tremendously helpful with just about anything, with the exception of cleaning the bathroom. (I of course let this slide since he is so exceptional in all other areas.) I tell him everyday that I love him, this is not hard to do at all.

But Rob is traveling again this week and when he is gone I definitely realize all that he contributes to the family.

Rob is an amazing father to Colin. I know that not all father's take such an active role in their children's life, but Rob is not like that. He eagerly waits to see his son get up from his nap, he feeds him, clothes him, changes his poopie diapers without complaint, he bathes Colin.

I love watching Rob read to Colin it is about one of the most precious moments. Rob and Colin play games together that they only understand.

Well its just me and Colin this week. Its only Monday and it wasn't the best day. I'll some it up:

We dropped Rob off at the airport.

We returned the DVD's to Blockbuster. So far so good.

We went to Ralph's for groceries (now I travel past two other Ralph's to get to the one that has a better produce selection).

Colin had a super soaker of a diaper, clothes totally gone. (this is were it goes down hill).

The seat belt on the basket broken. (can't leave Colin AKA Super Destruction Boy alone for a second).

Colin won't sit still. (Shocker)

Have to carry Colin & Shop (always fun-I remember the days he was in the infant carrier).

Due to his wet clothes, I obtained two pee soaked sweatshirt arms.

I stood in line for 15 minutes before getting out of line to further contemplate leaving a full cart of food (by knew we desperately need the groceries) & migraine has now set in and I can't see squat.

Felt bad about leaving a full cart of food, got back in line.

Waited in line for another 10minutes before checking out.

The checker asked my 3 times if I would like paper or plastic. (At that point I wanted to tell the checker to stick the plastic bags where the sun doesn't shine.)

We made it out, Thank God!

We made it home, Colin fell asleep.

I was able to take some drugs, eat some lunch. And thankful the headache is finally beginning to subside.

These are the days that I look forward to Robert coming home, this will not happen today. So all I hope for is a good evening and a peaceful night, so we can start anew tomorrow.

I love Rob. And while I appreciate him everyday, I really appreciate him the most when he is gone and I eagerly await his arrival home.

Rob saw Santa....

2008-11-18T16:36:00.000-08:00

Rob is away near San Jose on business. Yes, I miss him dearly when he is away. Blessing that he travels so rarely.

Any ways...

Rob telephoned me last night to inform me as he was walking through a mall near his hotel that Santa was eagerly awaiting children in the mall.

Rob however reported that there was absolutely no line. Thank goodness some people still have their feet grounded. I can't believe this, of course Rob knew this would fuel the fire (read previous post) and yes, someday I promise to move past the "rip on Christmas in November blogging.")

So friends, may all enjoy the Thanksgiving Season.

Did I mention I bought Colin a lovely Reindeer Knitted Vest for Christmas today??

Christmas Lights

2008-11-13T18:05:00.000-08:00

Last night Rob and I were driving to take our son, Colin to grandma's house so we can attend bible study. To my dismay as we were driving we passed a house that already had on its Christmas lights.

I yelled out to Rob "They deserve a fine!"

I love the holiday season, I love the smells, the sights, the joy that people seem to have, the giving, the recieving. Its a great season, but come on people it is not even Thanksgiving.

The fall and winter seasons are so much fun. However there is a time and a place for everything. And since yesterday was November 12th, for me that is way too early for Christmas lights.

Get them out of the boxes, check the bulbs, heck, even hang them on your house, but please do us all a favor. Don't turn on your lights til the day after Thanksgiving. Let us all enjoy the Thanksgiving season before we dip into Christmas.

The best part is I yelled at Rob again about the Christmas lights as we passed them again on our way home. I think he was more scared the second time then the first.