jody's blog
random thoughts, ideas and chaosis it really a challenge? [day 93]
I had to stop and ponder the question yesterday, "Is this really a challenge?" There are times when it feels like one, but for the most part, it's really not too challenging. A challenge should make you feel like you're missing out on something, shouldn't it? The...
sign of the times? [day 92]
I snapped this photo a couple of months ago... I call it 'sign of the times'. I love hearing on the radio when someone announces that the recession is over or almost over. I still have many friends without jobs and also many that are underemployed. What is the...
1/4 year into the challenge!! [day 91]
Where does the time go??? It's been that long already? Today I'll just do a few updates on the challenge. What have I learned? Many good things, but mostly that there are good alternatives to a lot of the purchases I would have normally made without the challenge....
gift bags [day 90]
A friend of mine sent me this on Facebook. Reusable gift bags. You don't have to buy the grocery store or retail store logo bags, you can now get reusable bags with festive artwork! If I read the tag correctly, these are made from recycled materials too. As long...
air, water & destructoboy [day 89]
Air So I realized yesterday that I need to replace the air filter on my air conditioning unit. It's about a month past due, and quite frankly, looks like a year past due. My house is so dusty, I don't have dust bunnies, I have dust elephants. I found some filters...
at the mall??!!? [day 88]
I went to the mall... yeah, but it was to eat lunch with a friend. We ate at Potbelly's, which is really good! It made me happy because they recycle there. I must have a thing for trash since we chose to sit next to the trash area... There's separate bins for...
solar panel dilemma [day 87]
I had a great idea! Solar panels on my house. They have some great tax incentives, and with the energy savings, that has to be a great plan, right? I called to get some pricing and to see if my home is a good candidate. I wasn't sure if it would be since I have...
jody & jodie [day 86]
On our way to the campsite in Oklahoma, we passed this little store... I had to stop. Her name is Jodie? I have the boy spelling of the name, so I figured this had to be a woman. Uncommon shoppe? Yes, this is too ironic not to stop in and see what's it about, and...
paper vs. plastic paper [day 85]
Paper plates. Can you call them that anymore? Most of them are made from paper with plastic coatings, foam or plastic. I choose not to use them most of the time, but going camping, I figured that's not a bad idea. I thought back to my girl scout days and...
speak your mind [day 84]
Just say it!!!!!! Okay, I probably speak my mind more than the average Joe(D), but that seems to work a whole lot better in keeping harmony at work and at home. I used to feel like I had a piece of duct tape over my mouth, but when I speak the truth in love (which...
school supply update [day 83]
I was able to find a lot of supplies at thrift stores and I also pulled from the stuff we still have from last year. Again, this was a lot of work. I see why people just buy new stuff each year. It's easier. It took several hours shop at resale places, find all of...
just curious, because I don’t get it [day 82]
Glance at the photo. What is the first thing you saw? I saw Gucci underwear. I found this on a Facebook ad a few weeks ago. Do they know that this handbag looks like underwear? Was that intentional? Is it some subliminal message about undergarments that makes...
I’m back… with another green bag [day 81]
So I've been trying to decide if I should do blog posts for all the days I was gone or do them all together. I'm actually on day 85 now. I think I will do the individual days, as I've had many experiences with the no shopping thing that are not blogged yet. :)...
no electronics [day 80]
I'm doing no electronics for 3 days. No computer, no phone, no camera (that's the hardest) and no plug in stuff. 3 days of books and art supplies. :) See you in three days!
superstores… superhoards [day 79]
It pained me greatly, but I had to go to WalMart today. Not for me, but for work. There was no part of my being that wanted to go in there, but I had to get bringer cards printed, and they're the cheapest. Instead of waiting, I decided to drop them off and go back...
what is it? [day 78]
You know, there's just not a lot to blog on with the no shopping challenge. So how is it going? Really well. I guess I don't like to shop too much. Don't get me wrong, I've had my days of too much shopping in the past, purchases heavily associated with debt. I...
bye-bye dreads [day 7]
I planned on keeping my dreads throughout my Mexico trip, however plans change. My first night at CHE was the end, as I was unsuccessful in dodging water balloons. At first, the water rolled off my hair, but then it started coming apart. I have to say, it was well...
green & clean plan [day 77]
I guess you could call it shopping. I shopped around for renewable energy plans and solar energy systems over the past two weeks. Here's what I found. My utility provider is Stream Energy. My one year contract was up last month, so I decided to shop around. Price...
historia en los corazones… [story in hearts]
You know I have a difficult time doing anything simple. I started painting these hearts, and was about halfway done, when I had an idea. Yes, I usually change direction midstream on art projects. :) The hearts have meaning because we love all of the kids at Casa...
no hay bolsas para la leche [day 75 & 76]
I shopped at the Soriana while in Mexico, only for food and toiletries. It's similar to a Kmart here in the states. They have the best bakery there, aisles and aisles of breads and pastries as far as the eye can see. I had fun messing with my kids since all of the...