I'm sorry, I was going to clean the house, but i couldn't find it...

My house is about to lose some weight.

And by "my house", i really do mean...my house.  Yup.  I have been inspired by Sarah over on Clover Lane and i am joining her 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge. 

"What's that?", you ask. 

Well, it's genius, i tell you!  Genius! 

Beginning on Ash Wednesday {that's THIS Wednesday!}, i am going to go room by room and purge my house of 40 bags of clutter.  You know, the stuff you really don't use, don't want, don't need.  Some stuff is garbage and some stuff could come in handy for someone else.  My house is loaded with that stuff.  Overloaded.  It's time.

So, why Ash Wednesday?  Well, this challenge goes hand in hand with Lent.  Lent for me, means reflecting on the sacrifices that God has made for me.  It's a time for soul-searching and repentance.  It's a time to come clean...in my faith, in my life and in my home...to prepare for the upcoming gift of Easter.  This is the perfect time for this Challenge. 

Following Sarah's lead, i've made a little list for myself...going room by room in my house and each space is going to lose some poundage. 

40 bags sounds like a lot.  It is a lot.  Sadly, i think i could probably fill a lot more than that.  But, we'll see. 

I seriously can't wait to get started.  I will take lots of before and after pictures.  That's going to be so embarassing because I'm a pack rat {and i have raised little pack rats!}.  I keep everything.  I'm not a good housekeeper.  I am not organized...i was not born with those genes.  But, i'm turning over a new leaf and i'm going to do this with a prayerful heart....in gratitude for all that my family is blessed with and with clear intention to be more aware of how we spend our money. 

So....who's with me on this?  Think about it.  Pray about it.  Let me know. 

p.s.  you guys rock, once again...totally inspiring me with your encouraging comments after my last post.  thank you, so very much. mwah! ♥

Comments

[Sarah]

I love this idea! We are set to move back to the states in a few months and this would be a perfect way to get rid of the extra stuff.

[Stacia Pratt]

LOVE this idea, Lori--not just the purging, but the way you are going to approach it. I hate to think about the amount of money I have spent of things that we really didn't need. Would be a great learning exercise, for sure! I like how manageable the process sounds, too. I tend to get overwhelmed and quit. Good luck, girl! I think you may have inspired me!

[Katie]

Hello! I am also starting the 40 days challenge this week! I am hosting a link up party on my blog right now - feel free to link this post up here: http://theterpblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/40-bags-in-40-days.html

Thanks!

[Katie]

Thanks for linking up! I'm very excited to get started!

[Katie]

p.s. I love your etsy shop! I just clicked over to it and realized I had already marked it as a favorite (I think I originally found it through Pinterest!)

[Lori McDonough]

Sarah & Staci - i'm so excited to get started! Let me know how it goes for you!!

Thanks, Katie!

[Erin]

I am doing it - I love Sarah - she's so calm and real - she's done this for a few years now - the first year she blogged about it I thought she was crazy (I also had a 2 yr old and 1 yr old boy and was completly overwhelmed and the thought of even brushing my hair)and then the following year she blogged about it again and I DID IT... it felt so good - I'm not sure if she said it or I did but I just kept thinking "if I don't love it, I'm not keeping it" Things I kept were straightend and organized and IT FELT SO GOOD - well - Easter is around the corner and though I'm not Catholic, I love the idea of 40 bags in 40 days for Lent... good luck with it... I won't lie, you have to sort and think quickly or you'll soon talk yourself into keeping each item you touch BUT... the feeling of the purge is FABULOUS! I can't wait to get started - I look forward to your before and after posts!!!
Hugs -
Erin