"Operation Garbage Bag"...

So, we're taking the first major step in getting our house in order. We're calling it "Operation Garbage Bag".

I hate to say it, but half of the stuff we have in this house doesn't even have a purpose anymore. Coloring pages that are half done, "Happy Meal" toys, pieces to puzzles that have somehow outlived the puzzle itself. And even the kids agree that they need to go.

So we're carrying a garbage bag around, room to room, mess to mess. Whenever we see something that needs to leave, we throw it in the bag. If it's something that we think someone else could use, we put it either in the "tag sale" bin or the "Goodwill" bag. But sadly, much of the mess really does need to go into the garbage. So far, I've put 5 bags out for garbage day; two with the girls' blessing and three without their knowing (Gramma and Papa took the girls for the afternoon while Mommy "got busy" on the livingroom.) But I have to say, the kids are actually being more cooperative than I was expecting. Even they are starting to feel a little bogged down. And I've given them quite the incentive....Once the house is clean, they can invite their friends over whenever they want.

And that really is one of my major incentives right now. One of my friends, actually the wife of one of my cousins, posted on Facebook that her house, at the time, was filled with a bunch of kids. I'll be honest, it made me cry. I want MY house to be a house where everyone can come to hang out. But right now, that's just not possible. My close friends know what my house looks like, and they know they are always welcome. They always come over, and they never judge. But I can't invite people over who aren't that close, friends from school, friends from camp, friends whom I'm sure really wouldn't care about the mess; but I care about the mess. It embarresses me.

So here's to a new beginning! Here's to, among other things, "Operation Garbage Bag"!