jody's blog
random thoughts, ideas and chaos![vintage tripod [minimalist challenge item #1]](https://i1.wp.com/adventures.jodywissing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/1-freecycled-vintage-star-d-tripod-camera-photography-1024x1024.jpg?resize=400%2C250&ssl=1)
vintage tripod [minimalist challenge item #1]
[item] Vintage tripod [purchase info] Purchased at CCA thrift store for $6.99 [time in my possession] Approximately 3 years [last used] Never [difficulty level in getting rid of it] Medium [destination] Freecycle [info] I bought it because it was cool looking and...
dual purpose get-togethers [day 267]
Several months ago, I conducted a Photoshop training class at the church where I work. It was something I did for fun, and for free. All I asked is that people bring something to donate to the local food pantry or a thrift store. The photo is of the food that was...
![my new minimalist challenge [day 266]](https://i1.wp.com/adventures.jodywissing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/minimalist-header.jpg?resize=400%2C250&ssl=1)
my new minimalist challenge [day 266]
I'm not sure how many challenges one person can have going on at the same time, but I'm willing to break a world record on it. My recent wardrobe downsize was just the beginning of downsizing my entire house. This has not been a super easy process, but I sure...
I miss my lazy jelly [day 265]
We ran out of grape jelly a few days ago, and I quickly added that to our list to buy some more. Now that I've changed my grocery shopping habits, I don't have 23 jelly options, as it's been narrowed down to about 3. Missing from the new selection was my lazy jelly,...
new york city?!?!!?? [day 264]
Just sharing a pic my friend sent from her trip to New York City over new year. If you look closely enough, there's furniture, pallets and bags upon bags of trash. How do we generate so much trash? And worse yet, how is this okay, having piles of trash around us?...
I’m the ugly neighbor [day 263]
I know my neighbors must cringe when they drive by garage when the door is open. I'm clearly the ugly neighbor. Since I've been downsizing in the cold weather, everything was pitched out into the garage, in anticipation of some warm weather to get everything to the...
ditch your high maintenance vacation [day 262]
My kids and I decided to make a purchase a couple of years ago from craigslist. It was a bright red Sebring convertible that we fondly called the "vacation". We couldn't take a vacation that year, so this was our substitute for it. It wasn't uncommon to hear, "Mom!...
theme your fire! [day 261]
It looks as though chimineas have become a seasonal item. Now I really don't understand why anyone would buy one of these, with the exception of someone like me, who likes to display holiday stuff on the wrong holidays. Where do you store this giant, hollow chunk of...
the desire to get new stuff [day 260]
After having my house painted, and having everything moved, I was very careful with what I moved back into my space. I rearranged a few things, but mostly, I purged a lot of stuff. Unfortunately, because of the weather, it's all sitting in my garage. My new...
I bought something [day 259]
Yes, I made a purchase. I think it was the right thing to do. You tell me... I hired a painter to paint all of the trim, doors and baseboards in my house, along with a few other painting jobs. He's doing a great job, but having your house painted basically requires...
$9.99 for some little plastic sticks [day 258]
It would be easy for me to look at this and say, "I'm in the wrong business...", but you can't say that when you work for a church. ;) I took this photo of a package of Nintendo Rainbow Styluses at Game Stop a couple of weeks ago. It's just plastic sticks, no...
how many of you stayed home today? [day 257]
The day after the Super Bowl is apparently the most missed day at work for hangovers. The Dallas Morning News ran this article in a Super Bowl special excerpt. There's a website that will give you good excuses so you can miss work if you've partied too hard....
downsizing the kitchen & food supply [day 256]
I've been doing a lot of downsizing lately. Right before snowmageddon, I decided to clean out the kitchen, not just utensils and cabinet crap, but food. I don't like being wasteful, and although we waste a lot less than the average American family, I felt that we...
on sale for an additional $10 [day 255]
I was doing some image research for work and stumbled upon this photo. Save -$10! I wonder if they actually sold any of these at the higher sale price? You would think that this error had to have been seen by at least 2 employees, and yet, it made it to the sales...
playing catch-up [day 254]
I'm 3 days behind on blogging. Some may call them excuses, some may call them reasons. Either way, here they are. Ice storm. Having my kids at home for 4 days... I don't think I need to explain that one further. Internet down. I had one day with no internet access....
my carbon footprint [day 253]
So I still have quite a ways to go to meet the world target, but mine is substantially lower than the national average. I decided to take this test a few months ago after speaking with the power company. He was surprised at how low my kilowatt usage was for my size...
hello, my name is jody and I’m a hoarder [day 252]
So this is the third day we've been "iced" in. This is clearly not snow, as you can walk on top of it. I even saw a video of a kid ice skating in the street. My kids are bouncing off the walls and I'm so ready for this mess to go away, and them to be back in...
where is she? [day 251]
I still need to get rid of some of my clothing. I downsized by 50% a few weeks ago, but there's still a few more pieces I could part with. I was thinking about the clothing again after a short trip I took recently. I went house hunting last Sunday, no, not to buy...
stripping the super bowl [day 250]
The Super Bowl XLV in 2011 will be held in Arlington, Texas. You can tell it's coming when you drive through the area, as it's completely pristine, even a smart phone snapshot looks like a postcard. I suppose there's many benefits to hosting the Super Bowl, like...
I don’t like to drink bubble bath [day 249]
I met with some friends at a local coffee shop a couple of days ago. Coffee shops are good... the implied earthy feel, the aroma of fresh brewed coffee, the trendy decor, the comfortable seats, the people watching entertainment and the busy sounds of much needed...