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jody's blog

random thoughts, ideas and chaos

the value of your stuff [day 357]

One of my neighbors was talking about getting rid of some planters and clay pots that have been sitting on the side of her house for a while.  She said her husband was going to throw them out if nobody wanted them.  I have no idea if that meant the trash of the thrift...

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3 silk scarves [minimalist challenge item #91]

[item] 3 artistic handmade scarves [purchase info] Purchased at an art show [time in my possession] Approximately 5 years [last used] Never [difficulty level in getting rid of it] Medium [destination] Fundraiser [info] I bought these at the Cottonwood Art Festival....

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top-ics [day 356]

I've been reflecting a lot lately over the past year and how my life has been impacted by the no retail shopping challenge.  It has taken me in directions I'd never expected and changed my thinking in so many ways.  I'm not sure what I was expecting that morning I...

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6 curtain panels [minimalist challenge item #90]

[item] 6 Ikea velvet curtain panels [purchase info] These came from work, they were about to be thrown out [time in my possession] Approximately 3.5 years [last used] Some never, 2 of them about 2 years ago [difficulty level in getting rid of it] Easy [destination]...

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air is not free [day 355]

So I did take a day off to pick up the camper and to play a little bit.  I have to 'fess up.  I had to make a purchase.  There was no possible way around it.  I had to buy a tire and some air. Here's the story. The camper had been sitting for 4 years, probably most of...

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getting caught up with 10 days to go… [day 354]

I've been blogging everyday for almost a year and I've never been behind more than a day.  I'm two days behind and trying desperately to catch up.   I was at a staff retreat for two days and spent one day playing.  There's only 10 days left in the challenge!  Where...

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tablecloth [minimalist challenge item #89]

[item] Red Ikea tablecloth [purchase info] Purchased new for $3.99 in the Ikea as-is section [time in my possession] Approximately 3 years [last used] Never [difficulty level in getting rid of it] Easy [destination] Fundraiser [info] I never even used this....

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duvet cover [minimalist challenge item #88]

[item] Red king size duvet cover [purchase info] Purchased new at a discount retail store [time in my possession] Approximately 4 years [last used] 3 years ago [difficulty level in getting rid of it] Easy [destination] Fundraiser [info] I would have probably never...

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bed sheets [minimalist challenge item #87]

[item] Various bed sheets [purchase info] Purchased new at discount stores [time in my possession] Approximately 4 years [last used] Some never, as we don't use top sheets and some over 3 years [difficulty level in getting rid of it] Easy [destination] Fundraiser...

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away from the metro mess [day 353]

I'm behind on blogging. Saturday, I was in San Angelo picking up a pop up camper. It was an awesome trip... away from the "metro mess" and away from the electronic devices that seem to have too much control in my life. Spending a day enjoying God's creation is just...

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2 pillow shams [minimalist challenge item #85]

[item] Patchwork pillow shams fro Pottery Barn [purchase info] Purchased on eBay [time in my possession] Approximately 7 years [last used] 6 years ago [difficulty level in getting rid of it] Medium [destination] Fundraiser [info] I have the matching comforter and we...

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digital pack rat [day 352]

I'm much more organized in the real world than in my virtual life.  For some reason it's easier to throw things under a folder than a rug.  I'm going through literally hundreds of CD's and DVD's trying to clean up and organize my digital media. So what started this?...

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make money with excess! [day 351]

Just in case you ever wondered about the excess in our society, here's a nice picture of it.  No, this was not a shopping trip for personal gain, this was a shopping trip for resale.  My friend supported herself and her son for well over a year through an eBay...

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peace and humor are running low [day 350]

When I stated the challenge almost a year ago, a few people asked, "Did you buy a bunch of stuff in preparation to not shop for a year?"  The answer is no.  This was an idea I had when I woke up one morning and I implemented it the moment I thought about doing it....

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glass vases [minimalist challenge item #84]

[item] 2 glass decor vases [purchase info] Purchased at Marshall's new for about $7 each [time in my possession] Approximately 7 years [last used] A few months ago [difficulty level in getting rid of it] Easy [destination] Fundraiser [info] I have many vases, too many...

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it might be new [day 349]

I've done over 5,000 transactions on eBay.  Not recently, and not all purchases either.  I had an eBay business from the late 90's until about 5 years ago. I still shop on eBay and so do my kids.  I just had an interesting observation.  Many of the items I have...

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jantzen flip flops [minimalist challenge item #82]

[item] Jantzen flip flops [purchase info] Purchased at a discount retail store [time in my possession] Approximately 3 years [last used] Last summer [difficulty level in getting rid of it] Easy [destination] Given to a fundraiser [info] I liked these a lot, but I just...

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do I look fat in this dress? [day 348]

Okay, so maybe I have taken this paperless thing a bit too far... or have I?  Yesterday, Lindsey, my friend and coworker, said the most awesome thing to me.  She said, "Happy Mother's Day!" and followed that up with something like, "I was going to get you a card, but...

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