Why 26?

I think I'll try to answer questions and have a little narrative on Fridays.

For today's installment I'll answer the question that 95% of folks have asked when hearing about Project TwentySix: "Why 26?"

Answer: Several years back I went to the home of a friend and fellow mommy. Her name is Mindy and her home was spotless. Really. Not a loose paper or wayward toy in sight. I naturally asked her how such a thing was possible. Her response was a casual "Oh, I throw out 26 things a day." My response was a jaw-dropping, "What?!" These were the days of hubby working hard at two and sometimes three jobs while I waitressed on Saturday nights. We had two very small children on a very tight budget. I couldn't imagine throwing anything away at that point because somehow stuff made me feel more secure.

Anyway, back to Mindy. She explained that when she brought the mail in or brought the kids home from school the first thing she did was toss papers out. No extra papers floating around, period. Usually this was between 15 and 20 pieces of paper and it wasn't too hard to find a few more things in the bottom of the toybox or wherever. I was impressed.

I took the idea home and for awhile threw out 16 things a day. I thought she had said 16. Later a mutual friend saw my 'chore chart' and said something like "Oh, Mindy does that, too. But she does 26 things a day."

"Really?" I don't know which one is right, but this mama brain can't always trust its memory so we're going with 26.

If Mindy ever hears of this project, I'm sure she can tell the true story. Regardless, I've committed to 26. The website name is purchased so I'm stuck with it. I like the three syllables better anyway.

Katie