Rest, renewal and possibly rediscovery

I’ve now missed two weeks worth of my regular Tuesday blogging, yet I’ve actually had more than enough to talk about. Each week I’ve sat here trying to decide exactly which topic would be best, what most applies and where to start. Now, this week, after an extra day of weekending, I thought “perfect! I definitely can talk about weekends and relaxing and all that fun that is sunhiney”. Here I am, a day later and no sunshiney babble to attempt to entertain you.

This is exactly how and why I am where I am right now. Muddled chaos of brainstorming bliss…

A fairy in my second life

There are so many new ideas, good ideas, exciting ideas and vivid ideas for fabulousness running around in my head… so many angles to choose from, I just can’t decide. So instead, I’ve been rediscovering my alter ego through my Second Life me. It’s not helping me accomplish anything in the here and now – or is it?

Sometimes I think this does help. I wander around my virtual world. Talking with real friends, building virtual places, exploring virtual wonderlands. It’s inspiring. Like walking into a dream, while you’re awake and actively playing a role. I’m building a virtual shop to really sell my JGoode doodles — to whomever happens by.

To add to my dreamy state of unproductivity, I am listening to The Time Traveler’s Wife on audiobook. I listen while I walk… training for my upcoming breast cancer walk. Today I’ve been listening while I’m attempting to work. My brain doesn’t function at that level very well. I can’t think my colorful thoughts and listen to someone else’s stories and grasp both at once. I tried none the less.

So what does all this have to do with anything? Well, not much, and everything all at once. This disarray of half thoughts is where my mind keeps going. I start a new idea, get side tracked and move on to another idea… only to find myself at the end of the day with a tornado zone mess around the house and nothing else to show for my creativity. This is where creativity starts isn’t it? Or maybe where it gets lost. For me, this is where creativity ages, grows bold and bright; and maybe… after a little molding or fermenting or whatever it is that it does… it will blossom and flourish.The creativity that is. It goes into the chaos to come out magnificent and delightful.

Until that happens, I’ll keep doodling in my virtual playland – I’m building a garden there so I have a quiet place to sit and ponder with the fairies and the roses and the willows…

Oh sure, some will giggle or even hardily laugh, long and loud at my current past time. It’s keeping me away from the mundane and helping inspire ideas I forgot I had… I’m not in a place in my life that I can travel and explore and venture off on a whim. So virtual reality fits perfectly.

Soon, hopefully, I’ll find myself surrounded by a garden of brilliant blooms – ideas of sparkling greatness.

That’s the plan today.

Tuesday's Topic: skipping day

I hope today is filled with spring in your yard… because it is National Adult Public Skipping Day “a day for adults to skip in public to feel like a child again”.

I think this is a great way to spend the day, even if you have to sit at work all day, add a little skip to your step and a smile on your face!

Today is also (so they say)…

National Hairball Awareness Day. – Is this for the cats or the peoples

National Warm Weather Lunch Hour Appreciation Day. – What a perfect way to spend lunch, outside in the fresh air. Hope you brought some treats to share!

And, today is also National Teach Children to Save Day. – Teach your kids how to save their money, it’s invaluable lesson. There are tons of fun games and activities available at Positive Promotions and “Thousands of bankers nationwide will teach young people valuable savings lessons as part of the ABA Education Foundation’s National Teach Children to Save Day on Tuesday, April 29, 2008.” Check to see if your bank is listed on the American Banker’s Association Honor Roll.

I’m a big fan of the piggy bank, so here’s my recommended doodle for the day…


Pig Lovin’ Girl by JGoode

Thank You

This is my special Thank You page. Currently this page is featuring all of the individuals and companies that are helping and sponsoring for my 2008 60 mile Breast Cancer Walk… as new donors and sponsors help out, I will share here – check back often! To keep up to date on the penguin and my walk training and experience, visit PinkRibbonPenguins.com

Special enormous penguin hugs and kisses thank yous to…

  • Willow – An Artisans Market
    2400 W. Main St., Littleton Colorado
    303-730-8521
    Readers’ Choice: Savory Spice Shop
    Willow does not currently have an online store – more information via Westword

Get involved – sponsor me on my journey to raise funds for Breast Cancer

Good People Day

Oh yes it is! April 3rd is Good People Day (according to one of my new found inspirations, Gary Vaynerchuk). I could go on and on about all the Good People I’ve met, all the Good I hope to offer People and all the People that do Good, but there’s no way there is enough room to list every name, and I would be horrified if I left one person out.

So instead I want to say THANK YOU to all the people that have inspired me, encouraged me, taught me or been there when I needed them.

This is to all the people that wake up every morning with an attitude ready to make a difference in the day… ready to conquer the world, no matter how big or small for the moment. To all the people that strive to better themselves. All the people that reach out and help those in need. To all those people that are just darn Good People.

These are the people that I hope to meet, sit with, surround my life with. It’s the Good People in the world that make the world a better place to be… and it’s the tiniest of good that can make a difference…

Try, just for today, to do One Good Thing for one person and see how it can spread. One Good Thing! Then challenge them to do the same. Take just a moment to let at least one person know that they are Good People! 😀

So here it is again, The Do Good Penguin…

YOU ARE
GOOD PEOPLE!
Thank you for being a part of my day

original designs by JGoode at myJGD.com

Some Good People Blogs I recommend:

[tags]jgoode, penguin, good people,GPD08[/tags]

Store Display

Yesterday my hosting company was having technical diffculties, resulting in error pages and missing stores.

Today my primary vendor, CafePress, is having technical difficulties resulting in slow loading and missing pages.

I do not know the status as of yet, but will update as soon as I have info to share.

Sorry for any inconveniences that may have caused.

-jgoode

Dads n Daughters

After 9 long months of waiting for our newest family member to arrive, we were blessed with a happy healthy 8 lb 12oz baby girl.

I’ve been thinking a lot, watching my husband with the boys and wondering how the dynamic between father and daughter will be different

She’s so tiny and delicate… so dainty and fragile… so many new opportunities lie ahead, how will dad adapt? What will the princess learn from dear ol’ daddy poo?

I finally have insight to an answer:

Look at what the man is teaching her!!!

and she’s soaking it up!

(people have asked who she looks like… hmm)

Thoughts:

You never know what your children will inherit, nor can you plan for what they will teach you. All you can do is prepare for the unexpected and get ready to be lovedunconditionally in return for your just being there.

[tags]dad, daddy, daughter, baby, parenting, tuesdays topic[/tags]

Some funny thoughts for the day

So today’s Tuesday topic is kind of a random thought day, odd things I’ve run across this past week…

1. Barbie now has a dog that not only can Barbie feed, but Barbie can also scoop the plastic pellet poop after it exits the dog. — what ever happened to just wanting Barbie with ballet shoes?

2. Toilet tissue does not make a good substitute for fabric softener laundry sheets.. even if the attempt is accidental.

3. When testing to see if an “out of order” sign is really sincerely meaning the machine is out of order, expect a mess.

4. If farting makes your kids giggle, maybe books about farting will help them want to read.

5. If your oven cooking is sizzeling more than usual, it could be your insulated cookie sheet turning itself into a puffy pastry popper.

— and finally for the day, don’t combine pregnancy, taxes and new car sales. It’s a very ugly atmosphere and the man of the house doesn’t deserve to be biten so hard.

😀 Happy Tuesday!

Add your own whimsical moments of learnedness to the comments…

[tags]tuesday topic, jgoode, random thoughts[/tags]

Don't pay for bling you don't want, It's your dime

A lesson at hand… buy what you need, pay for what you want but never just take what you can get.

Perfect example, let’s go car shopping.

After weeks of mulling over, I finally went to a dealership yesterday to check out some of my choices.. Talk about pre-owned options, etc.

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I am now in the process of choosing between buying a small ranch in the middle of nowhere, or a new vehicle.

We test drove an expedition and a suburban.. Sat in a tahoe… Checked our hair in the shine of a mustang (not a limited) and smelled the upholstery of a shelby ac cobra (authetic… Could be).

The Expedition being my absolute first choice as far as the handling and drive goes… My 6’4″ husband fit nicely in the 3rd row seats.. None of the other vehicles had that kind of leg room. But I hear the gas mileage is so ugly they don’t even post it on the window sticker 🙁

However, I’m thinking I’d get more mileage out of a ranch with a cow, a couple chickens and a tomato garden on the side.

Ford’s manufacture incentive right now is 1000.00 off MSRP. That cuts a monthly payment by about 20 bucks. Now I realize over 5 years, 20 bucks a month can add up. But when you’re talking about getting a 3rd job to afford buying a car, does 20 bucks matter anymore? — and joyfully fun, the sales guy and finance guy were tag teaming us. Sales guy said incentive ends feb 28th (it’s displayed clearly on the websites -wink-). Then the finance guy comes by a few minutes later “remember, that incentive won’t last long”… Dooood, the tires on this car cost more than that sad little incentive. Maybe if you throw in a babysitter for a weekend and a day at the spa… just maybe that 1000.00 will look more useful. sigh

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Yo! get this… I was looking at the bling and things that some of the available ready-to-buy models were equipped with, and I was going through the list tryin’ to figure out how to cut the costs. (not to mention, the fancier it is, the less the kids are allowed to breath while seated inside.) … I made the comment “who needs a 2000.00 nav. system to drive around town?” — the guys answer, “everyone who’s had one ‘has to have one’ when they get a new car… If you get lost, you can quickly figure out where you are, they’re great.”

Um… K… I’m sure they’re just doodly dandy. Yet, I haven’t had one yet. So, I don’t “have to have one” now. I’m so deprived, I’ve been driving for years without one… Yet, I have no problem stopping at a gas station, asking where I am OR even spending 3.00 on a neat tangible paper map (those map guys need jobs too) — PLUS (ding ding, bonus!) stopping gives me an excuse to buy a slurpee.

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What about this option.. For about 500.00, you can add a remote car starter, “So when its really hot or really cold you can stay inside and heat up or cool down your car without going outside.”.

Am I really that lazy that I can’t walk 10 yards, start my car and walk back inside? — or better yet, young children like to play with the buttons on the keys and accidentally turn on the alarm… Can you imagine, they push the wrong button and your car alarm goes off while it starts up and drives away. Neat new game of auto tag… all for only 500.00

Dvd systems… I realize they’re fun and keep kids entertained(kid quiet = mom sane, I do know this). For 1500.00 you can add an entertainment DVD something or other system to your next new vehicle too. Then your family can sit in silence, completely entertained and not communicating with anyone for miles. – forget the alphabet game or singing out of key together. Yet another genius idea — not to mention, drivers behind you can enjoy the show every time you stop at a red light.

I can’t recall how many time’s I’ve seen Shrek snippets between here and the grocery store — where’s the built-in side compartment popcorn machine?

Don’t get me wrong, this is all truly facinating…

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I’m just amazed at the conveniences we can enjoy now. Don’t talk about family vacations or camping trips…no no, they’re much too cost effective compared to a new car. We’re camping in the driveway with the 50k vehicle this summer… Weenies roasting on the roof, a cup holder for every passanger AND their imaginary friend. — sorry, no stars, it’s moon-roofs now and we’re not getting one.
Do go ahead and hold your breath, give me a month, I’ll send you a picture of my new investment.. Then you too can join in our luxury bun warmer expense sharing program.

Back to the lesson… If you’re going to pay the prices of today’s market, you better darn well get what you want. You better be treated like you have a brain when you are shopping. Don’t let them sucker you into things you want to live without.

So, Don’t let them show you those high ticket models with more bling than you need or want… and all in the wrong color.

It’s Your dime!

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[tags]money,shopping,jgoode,cars,tuesdays topic[/tags]