I love this image of a jar filled with paintbrushes. I don’t really paint often, not painting a picture type painting. I paint crafts and kids projects and sometimes something for around the house, but I don’t paint images to hang on the wall. Yet, I love the potential this jar is filled with. I could paint, I have the brushes right? They’re not fancy nor high end. They’re regular old miss matched brushes just waiting for a little color.

Every day is an opportunity to add your own splash of color ~ Jen Goode

I think that’s how every day is really. Miss matched, sometimes crazy busy and full of a billion different things to do in a gazillion different directions… just waiting for us to add our own little splash of color.

Add your own splash of color is a post from: 100 Directions

I recently had to deal with an issue that I found myself questioning whether I should stand up for myself or not. I brought up a situation I was unhappy with and instead of a line of communication resulting in better understanding, I felt like I needed to defend myself, prove myself, share the laundry list of items that were viewed incorrectly…. because my unhappiness was uncalled for and inaccurate.

Since when can another person tell us our perception of feelings are wrong? We might be incorrect in our assumptions or facts – stand up and claim responsibility for those errors. But we shouldn’t let someone else make us question what we know is right or wrong. No matter how much we want to make others happy, our own happiness comes first. How we handle what we do with our perspective is the key. How we treat others in the process is the important factor.

Hidden Rainbow in the midst of an oncoming storm

My initial thought was to write a “how dare you…”, “you have no idea what you are are saying…”, “such ignorance” — but I didn’t. Of course I didn’t, since when do I talk to people like that (Dave, don’t answer). I wanted to list off all the reasons the finger pointing was incorrect, show where the accusations and misconceptions were wrong. I wanted to correct the situation. Then I stopped myself. Why I am defending myself when I’m the one taking the time to communicate something that bothers me in the first place? Why am I the one trying to show I’m ok?

Why do we do that? Do we really need people to like us that much? Yes, yes I do… but no, really, not everyone needs to like me. It’s unfortunate if they don’t, I occasionally send treats and hugs and things to people I call friends. Not everyone is going to see things as I do – as bossy as I can be, I’m still ok with that.

What I’m not ok with is when people don’t treat each other with respect and listen to each other. There’s going to be misunderstandings, quirks in communication and differences in  perspectives. If there weren’t we might as well all be clones or robots with a single master mind – remember the  “Collective” replicators in Stargate? Because there are so many different points of view, I think we can become better people if we step out of our own bubbles and maybe (to use a cliche), step into someone else’s shoes before we snip or get frustrated or give up on someone else. You never know where they are or where they are coming from… you can only stand your own ground and live your life holding on to your integrity.

How did my situation turn out? I didn’t share the laundry list, I prevented myself from proving I’m ok. I apologized for any of my own errors and explain my meaning for things thought to be accusations. I left out any proof of what I’ve accomplished. I put my view out on the table and left it at that. I figured, if they really don’t know what I’ve accomplished and what kind of person I am, I don’t want to be in this conversation anymore anyway. I feel better for it – The end.

Struggling with integrity is a post from: 100 Directions

I original took this photo a couple days ago with the intent to share because I was thinking the weather outside was not helping inspire any kind of creativity. It was cold and foggy and on the verge of snowing. Right before Christmas, snow is great, but I just wasn’t feeling it, I wanted a sunny day to get me going. Then when I downloaded the picture to share I realized how pretty it really is.

Winter view inspiration

Looking at this photo reminded me that sometimes we get grooving with our to do list, our set ideas of schedule and how we want things, yet if we would stop and really notice for a moment, we might discover something even better. I know I get caught up in getting things “just right”, I forget that sometimes things are already fantastic. Slowing down and taking a look around can often times prove to be very rewarding and even inspiring.

Winter view is a post from: 100 Directions

I went with some friends to see the Nutcracker presented by the Colorado Ballet last night. I hadn’t seen the show since I was a little girl. I think I was 8 when my mom took me, so I didn’t remember much except that I had loved seeing the ballerinas seem to float across the stage. It was like I was watching the show for the first time all over again. I found myself mesmerized by the dancers, their costumes and the stage scenery. The detail in the backdrops reminded me of why I fell in love with art to begin with. The sparkly and magic of the performances reminded me of being a little girl and wanting so much to be able to dance and twirl and sparkle across stage.

Walking along the twinkling lights after seeing the Colorado Ballet's Nutcracker

So it got me thinking… every little girl wants to be the star of her own show. She wants to sparkle and feel important. She wants to be pretty and have people like her. She wants to do something that she is proud of. How that stage looks and what she is important at differs tremendously.

It’s important to provide the encouragement and special moments so every girl can grow up to be a confident woman that feels like she can accomplish anything… so she can sparkle.

Every girl wants to sparkle is a post from: 100 Directions

My mom made a comment about how interesting it was to hear such different perspectives on events people experience together. I had been talking about handling something with my kids which was a similar situation to something she had gone through with me. She’s made this comment before, but it just occurred to me today how it fits in with where I am now with my own kids. As a parent I think we can step outside our own individual view and look at things with in own parental view as well as our own “I was a kid once too” view and gain some new insight to grow happier families.

My son and my mom and I'm virtually in the middle

I can see how some things now make sense that my mom tried to teach me growing up. However there are other things I can see but still remember my own teen perspective and now I realize where the two views weren’t working together. I think having this view now, gives me the unique opportunity to build a better relationship with my own kids. We can’t possibly perceive our kid’s perspectives in their entirety, because we aren’t them. On the other hand, we can realize that the way our kids communicate their ideas compared to our own communication direction might be our biggest disagreement. Understanding this concept might prevent a lot of arguments.

Kids don’t have the same experiences or understandings or comprehension of things that we do as adults. How they relate to things is different than ours but not just because they are different people – because they are kids. Their experiences are limited, their knowledge is new, they’re ability to think beyond themselves and their own world is much smaller than ours. Think of you and your kids speaking two variations of English. We each have our understandings of the language, but we don’t necessarily know what the other is saying, as they are meaning to say it.

We are doing to have differences and we might even argue. Hopefully we’ll work things out and come to a better understanding and maybe even respect for the differing views. Most the time I think we come out learning a little more about the other person, their view and their focus on things in life. We don’t have to agree on it all, we just have to work together.

Skewed perspectives and happy families is a post from: 100 Directions

This year was the 4th year that my family has gone and walked in the Race for the Cure in Denver. The first two years was my mom, sis, me and my oldest son. These last two years we expanded to all my kids and husband, my sister and all her kids and husband and mother-in-law and sister-in-law and our mom and dad. How cool is that? It’s become a family tradition we all love to participate in.

We have family that’s been affected by cancer, a whole array of types, not just the pink ribbon variety. It’s an important event to each of us for different reasons but we walk together, enjoy the day, share in the thoughts of love and support.

Here’s some pictures of this year’s walk…

Denver Race for the Cure 2011

Of course there is some penguin love.. it wouldn’t be Goode photos without it, right?

Denver Race for the Cure 2011

Denver Race for the Cure 2011 is a post from: 100 Directions

What caption would you put with this photo?

Eye need a good caption

I really love this picture and that really is the real blue of his real eye… cool right?

Here’s my caption… Happy 16th to my first born!

I really can’t believe I have a 6’3″ bouncing baby boy that turned 16 today. Sixteen years ago, I was a single mom, not a clue where I was headed or really how I got to where I was (no smart ass comments there please.) I just knew that my life was going to be different and I was excited. I can’t imagine what life would be life without him. Although there have some loud debates and not to fun wrestling matches, and I’ve said I would trade him for a cat (I’m allergic)…  I wouldn’t trade him for the world and I am so proud of him!

Happy 16th to my first born is a post from: 100 Directions

My son’s high school baseball team is hosting an invitational golf tournament at the fabulous Pinery Country Club, and YOU are invited! Now usually, when kids have fund raising events, mom and dad take the forms to work and pitch for others to support my kids. I work from home, in my kitchen, remember? I’ve already checked with the half naked barbie dolls, the Pokemon cards and the dirty dishes… even a missing sock came crawling out of the back of the dryer to let me know they were all in support of this event. They’re all in for helping out, as long as I write the check. So I am – well my husband is. We’re sponsoring at the $250.00 level and now I’m reaching out to my co-workers – that’s all of you on the internet. That’s all of my Facebook pals (because what are friends for, right?) and all of my Twitter followers… follow my lead, participate please.

And thank you so much for joining me at the water cooler today!

Goode kid playing baseball - pitcher

Here’s the scoop:

Join us for a fundraising golf tournament to benefit Rock Canyon High School baseball. This invitational golf tournament generates funds specifically for the baseball teams to help purchase much-needed equipment throughout the spring/summer/fall seasons.

Here’s your choices to participate:

You can…

Enter as a player

or

Sponsor a tee-box

or

Donate an item to be included in the auction

We’d love to have you join this great event!

Pinery Country Club

Awesome view eah? I know you want to get involved! If you don’t like in Colorado, you can still sponsor a tee-box and get your company name in front of the golfers OR donate an item for the auction!

Contact Jen Goode to make a donation or to signup.

Here are the details:

Monday, October 17, 2011
Pinery Country Club
6900 East Pinery Parkway
Parker, Colorado

ENTRY FEE $100 per PERSON

Checks are made payable to: RCHS Baseball

AGENDA

Registration from 8:45 am to 9:45 am
Shotgun Start at 10 am

Registration from 8:45 am to 9:45 am
Shotgun Start at 10 am
Lunch at 2:30 pm
with
awards, raffle and silent/live auction
winners announced

Sponsorship Options:

• HOME RUN Sponsor at $75 – Receive a sign on a tee-box with your name/logo on it.
• GRAND SLAM Sponsor at $250 – Receive a sign on a tee-box with your name/logo on it, plus two entries into the tournament.
• PERFECT GAME Sponsor at $450 – Receive a sign on a tee-box with your name/logo on it, plus a foursome into the tournament.
• WORLD SERIES Sponsor at $1,000 – Receive a sign on a tee-box with your name/logo on it, (2) foursomes into the tournament, your banner hung at the check-in table, plus your name and logo on any e-mails and flyers that we send out.

Auction item donations:

If you have a product or service you’d like to donate for this event, I would be so thankful for your generosity! I will also be happy to write up a blog post about your product/service to help promote your offering along with the donation.

Please contact Jen Goode for more information, to make a donation or to signup.

Golf or baseball, which do you love more? is a post from: 100 Directions

Now, we aren’t selling our kids… yet. Seems every year, just after school starts, there are piles of things we have to sell. None of the organizations or fundraising coordinators coordinate with anyone else to make sure we can give our best effort towards whatever it is they want us to raise funds for.

So here we are, asking for money for any of the following:

• Boyscout popcorn (YUM!)
• Pledges towards better health and sharing the earnings as donations for another Denver school
• Multiple options for a golf tournament at the Pinery Golf club
• Players – goal is to sign up 4 golfers
• 1 sponsorship
• 1 item for an auction after the tournament
• Funds toward a new couch

We can’t possibly go to the neighbors with a notebook full of fundraising requests, their kids are selling this stuff too. Just like a good mommy should, I’m taking the info to work, see, here I am. Wanna sign up for something?

Can we donate our boyscout popcorn as a golf auction item to be eaten while pledging to stay healthy?

If any of these things interest you, please holler. You can never have enough popcorn!

(disclaimer: I just threw in the couch for fun)

School has started, Sell Sell Sell! is a post from: 100 Directions

So I just saw a commercial for Burger King in conjunction with the new Thor Movie that makes me wonder where the marketing focus group went. Burger King has always had (or at least for the last 6 years or so) really off commercials, but this one came across as a bit normal, until you stop to pay attention. They are promoting their kids meals with the included Marvel’s Thor movie themed toys.

Last I checked, Thor is a movie rated PG-13. I double checked with my kids and even my 8 year old thinks he is getting a bit too old for “kids meals”. Sure he likes the toys, but he’s rather have a bigger burger. I think the “mighty kids” meal is even pushing it as far as quantity… but are they marketing the different sized meals differently, which would make more sense? So I’m confused. Are they (Burger Kind and Marvel/Paramount) promoting that older kids order kids meals, or younger kids go see the movie? I do understand, lots of comic happy parents and older siblings will love these toys. Yes! Grab them, collect them… promoters should sell the toys as action figures at Walmart – but marketing as a theme for a young child’s intended product, I think, is inappropriate and another example of how our own preferences for money generating opportunities are skewing what is really right or wrong.

Sure it looks like a great movie. I get it, they’re promoting… but to the right audience, really? I haven’t seen it yet, it’s on my list to go watch. However, from the previews I’m pretty sure it’s not appropriate for kids meal aged viewers… regardless of the good vs evil, big hero guy saves the day storyline. I have no intention of taking my 3 nor 8 year old without seeing it myself first.

Yeah, I know… I’m the prude, over-protective one here. But if I’m not, who will be? Who’s looking out for my kids if I’m not? Just because prime time television or even cable kids shows are more adult than they have ever been, doesn’t mean I have to be ok with nor allow my kids to participate. Sometimes I wonder if the number crunching marketing geeks actually have kids or even families and if so, what choices do they make with the products and services they purchase? Are they really sparkly clean do-gooders all shiney and tidy, just trying to make a buck and feed their families like the rest of us? Or do they really believe in the messages they push on the rest of us and they’re 6 year olds are heading to the theaters this weekend to grab their own best seat to watch Thor too? I really hope not. What happened to letting and even encouraging our kids the joy of innocent childhood? What’s wrong with coloring outside the lines with a washable marker and then eating PB&J… why do our kids have to be forced into grown up mentalities so soon? They’re so young still… let them enjoy it.

Now remember, I haven’t seen this movie. I’m not against comic books. I’m curious what the mindset for others is here. I’m also one of those parents that thinks kids in elementary school are too young for T rated let alone “mature” rated video games… yet my kids have had friends who play and own Halo. You don’t have to agree with me… I’m just tired of marketing America forgetting we have kids we are trying to teach to be good and kind and happy while allowing them to grow and flourish on their own. I would love to hear your thoughts on the topic.

What do you think? Have you seen the movie, if so, what’s the youngest age you think would enjoy it?

Thor and Burger King shouldn’t be playing so nice together is a post from: 100 Directions