Select Page

jody's blog

random thoughts, ideas and chaos

choker [minimalist challenge item #220]

[item] A flower beaded choker necklace [purchase info] Given to me by a jewelry client [time in my possession] Approximately 8 years [last used] Several months ago [difficulty level in getting rid of it] Easy [destination] Gave it to a friend [replacement item] None...

read more

$206 was my highest electric bill this hot summer

Yes, that's my thermostat.  It's reading 92°.   No, I don't want to turn my air conditioner back on.  One cool day is all need to motivate me to turn it off until the heat is needed.  I'm tired of the high electric bills.  I'm fine in the low 90's down in Mexico, why...

read more

food with more color than the package…

I don't usually blog about food, but clearly this is a topic that falls into the "living differently" and "downsizing" categories. Flashback to 6 years old.  I remember eating cereal called Kaboom.  Do you remember it?  The cereal itself was more colorful than the box...

read more

form or function? [minimalist challenge item #216]

[item] Pineapple pillow [purchase info] Purchased new [time in my possession] Approximately 7 years [last used] As decor, about 3 months ago [difficulty level in getting rid of it] Easy [destination] Thrift store [replacement item] None [info] The kids pulled the top...

read more

go spidey! [minimalist challenge item #214]

[item] Spiderman blanket, toilet paper holder and a pillow sham. [purchase info] Sham - new, toilet paper holder - given to me, blanket from grandma [time in my possession] A couple of months to 9 years. [last used] Never, except the blanket.  About 3 years ago....

read more

odds and ends [minimalist challenge item #213]

[item] Bag of miscellaneous hardware. [purchase info] Purchased most of it new for projects [time in my possession] Approximately 3-4 years [last used] Some never, some a long time ago [difficulty level in getting rid of it] Easy [destination] Freecycle [replacement...

read more

3 things rarely seen in suburbia…

There are just some things you rarely see in affluent suburban areas.  I decided to walk to work this past week, and what did I see?  #1, a whiskey bottle in a tree.  It was empty.  What?  You would have checked too.  I guess the good thing here is that the person...

read more

random stuff pile [minimalist challenge item #212]

[item] Scrapbooking books, photo processing trays, paint tray and car magnets [purchase info] Books, used, $1.00 each.  Photo tray & paint tray new and magnets came with a vinyl order [time in my possession] Approximately 1 year to 5 years [last used] Long, long...

read more

you put it where?!?

Yes, that's a piece of art hanging on the wall outside, on my patio.  I was painting this canvas in my garage, but the 100+ temperatures warped the wood frame.  I still love the painting, and although I never finished it to my final idea, it's now looking good in my...

read more

drinking vessels [minimalist challenge item #210]

[item] A travel coffee mug with no lid and a water bottle [purchase info] Purchased both new [time in my possession] Water bottle, 3 years, mug, 7 years [last used] Months ago [difficulty level in getting rid of it] Easy [destination] Freecycle [replacement item] None...

read more

my kids are helping too [minimalist challenge item #208]

[item] Big bin of miscellaneous toys [purchase info] Purchased mostly at thrift stores, but some new. [time in my possession] Anywhere from a year to several years [last used] A long-dang time [difficulty level in getting rid of it] Easy [destination] Freecycle...

read more

my chainsaw… [minimalist challenge item #207]

[item] Electric chainsaw [purchase info] Purchased new at Home Depot on sale, last one, open box thing. [time in my possession] Approximately 4 years [last used] 2 weeks ago [difficulty level in getting rid of it] Medium, maybe difficult [destination] Freecycle...

read more

bags & backpacks [minimalist challenge item #206]

[item] A leather (faux) logo gym bag and a camo shoulder backpack bag [purchase info] Gym bag was free, camo bag purchased at Target new [time in my possession] Gym bag - 9 years, camo bag - 4 years [last used] Over a year ago [difficulty level in getting rid of it]...

read more

what’s my address? [minimalist challenge item #205]

[item] Plastic address house numbers [purchase info] Came with the house [time in my possession] Approximately 5 years [last used] 2 weeks ago [difficulty level in getting rid of it] Easy [destination] Trash [replacement item] None yet, but looking for a free...

read more