jody's blog
random thoughts, ideas and chaosstarbucks travel mug & steamer pitcher [minimalist challenge item #11]
[item] Small Starbucks travel mug & a stainless steel steamer pitcher [purchase info] Mug was free from work, left there by someone that never claimed it. The steamer pitcher I bought new for $15.99 [time in my possession] Mug, about 6 months. Pitcher, about 7...
give some, get none [day 277]
Yesterday, I spent the early part of the day running errands before work. Most of them were driving the Infiniti sleigh, full of donations, to all of the required destinations for drop-off. I started at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, dropping off my old back...
hot oil treatments [minimalist challenge item #10]
[item] 3 tiny bottles of Macadamia hot oil hair treatments [purchase info] A gift from a friend, part of an entire box of products [time in my possession] Approximately 1 year [last used] Never [difficulty level in getting rid of it] Easy [destination] Given to a...
wine or 70’s bubble bath? pick one already! [day 276]
I know my friend would never lie to me, but I really had to question that when she said she was standing in the wine aisle at Walmart, looking at pink cat-shaped bottles of wine. I said, "no way! Send me a photo." She did. So, is it me, or does anyone else find...
the minimalist challenge update [day 275]
I have to say, I never thought I would call myself anything related to being a minimalist. I was raised in a very materialistic home and placed a pretty high value on having stuff. So what exactly is a minimalist? Here's the dictionary definition. minimalist...
hawaiian shorts [minimalist challenge item #9]
[item] Old Navy board shorts [purchase info] Purchased new for $12.99 [time in my possession] Approximately 8 years [last used] About 9 months ago [difficulty level in getting rid of it] Easy [destination] Thrift store [info] I used these mostly to do yard work over...
ice cream scoop [minimalist challenge item #8]
[item] Ice cream scoop [purchase info] Acquired from previous marriage [time in my possession] Approximately 12 years [last used] 4 years ago [difficulty level in getting rid of it] Easy [destination] Thrift store [info] I have two of these, time to get rid of one....
3/4 year through the no retail shopping challenge [day 274]
This is an exciting point, reaching 3/4 of a year in my no retail shopping challenge. It's exciting because of the lifestyle change, not because I'm closer to being able to shop. I've been asked many times if I will go shopping on the day the challenge ends....
kitchen utensils [minimalist challenge item #7]
[item] A scoop, small condiment tongs and a wooden butter brush [purchase info] The scoop and tongs were free, paid full price for the butter brush [time in my possession] Approximately 8 years on the tongs and brush, scoop 1 month [last used] Tongs, years ago....
I found a psycho guy in my garage [day 273]
Before After This cleaning and purging job took about 4 full days. Not bad since it's been in there for 4 years. Heck, I could even park my car in the garage if I wanted to. I gave away several car loads of stuff to the thrift store and had my driveway filled, and...
candy cane pajama pants [minimalist challenge item #6]
[item] Candy cane PJ pants [purchase info] Purchased for $2 at the thrift store [time in my possession] 3 months [last used] 2 weeks ago [difficulty level in getting rid of it] Easy [destination] Thrift store [info] I bought these and I like them, but they don't fit...
a smart shopper [day 272]
I was asked last night if I ever shopped like a real woman. I'm not quite sure how I should take that... Yes? At least I think so, from what I've studied about them. ;) Seriously, my shopping habits are more like a man. I have an easier time buying a $500 TV...
dell desktop computer [minimalist challenge item #5]
[item] Dell desktop computer, dual processors [purchase info] Purchased from Dell brand new, custom built, $4,000 [time in my possession] Approximately 10 years [last used] 1.5 years ago [difficulty level in getting rid of it] Medium [destination] Recycle [info] I...
where did all this stuff come from? [day 271]
I spent a few hours yesterday in my garage, again. I'm making progress and getting rid of a lot of stuff I don't need, or even want for that matter. So this begs the bigger question. Where in the world did all of this stuff come from and why do I have so much?...
photography reflector [minimalist challenge item #4]
[item] Photo reflector, double sided [purchase info] Purchased on eBay [time in my possession] Approximately 5 years [last used] 3 years ago [difficulty level in getting rid of it] Easy [destination] Donation to church [info] I have 2 of these. I don't need two and I...
what does an organized hoarder look like? [day 270]
I've used the term "organized hoarder" in conversations about hoarding, and it usually provokes some strange facial expressions. These photos were take many years ago in the house of an organized hoarder. Dining room Guest bedroom Home office One of the photos is...
window panes & shiny rocks [minimalist challenge item #3]
[item] 3 vintage window sashes without glass and 2 containers of polished rocks [purchase info] A friend gave me the windows and the rocks were leftovers from a creative element at church [time in my possession] Less than a year [last used] Never [difficulty level in...
vga flat screen computer monitor [minimalist challenge item #2]
[item] NEC flat screen computer monitor [purchase info] Purchased a long time ago, 1st generation flat screen [time in my possession] Approximately 5 years [last used] Right now [difficulty level in getting rid of it] None [destination] Donated to church [info] I've...
dust, downsizing, donations and discards [day 269]
The Boyscouts are collecting food items in my neighborhood today to donate to our local food pantry, Frisco Family Services. I want to help, but I just cleaned out my pantry a couple of weeks ago and drastically changed my shopping habits to not have too much extra...
heaven has a 30-day return policy [day 268]
What!??!?! I can't hear you, the angels are singing to loudly. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore is heaven on earth... it's a giant hardware building supply store, but all used stuff. I found some of the home repair stuff I've been needing... okay, and one want...