To be OCD or not

My name is Emily.  I am recovering...from OCD.  Is that even possible to get rid of OCD?  Yep.  Let me explain.  I have been married for 17 years and now have 3 boys.  The first few years my daily was consumed by making sure my house was always clean, laundry was always caught up and dishes were always done.  Really, though, how many messes can 2 adults make while going to school and work most of the day?  Then 5 years into marriage we had our first son.  Of course the amount of laundry increased, but I was still able to keep up.  He was easy and liked TV.  Plus, I think there really is something about 1st child not liking to get dirty (again, the increase in laundry).  Then, 4 years later son #2.  I had to learn to let things go.  A. LOT.  If there was something to get into or a mess to be made, #2 found it.  From flour in the pantry dumped on the head, to pots and pans or utensils all out of the drawers or filling up toys with water, a large jar of Vaseline all over the hair (at least 2 inches thick), fingernail polish dumping...you name it, #2 did it.  So, I was busy cleaning up his messes and keeping up got a lot harder.  Part of the problem is the time he was 1 or so I started working from home full time, so he was sneaky.  Yes, I got tired, things started to slide a bit.  Another 4 years, #3.  Working full time, 3 kids and husband, lots of housework.  Boy #3 is a mix of #1 and #2.  He will watch TV, but likes to eat in front of the TV and draw pictures on printer paper and then cut them out, leaving lots of messes of broken crayons and bits of paper.  Plus, add Grandparents in the mix who think they have to buy 8 million toys every Christmas and birthday and what do you have?  A VERY CLUTTERED HOUSE.  And now, unfortunately, I'm 37 and starting to slow down.  It still drives me completely bonkers to have toys all over the floor and chips broken and mushed in the carpet, crumbs on the kitchen counter and dishes in the sink along with dirty clothes, shoes, coats all over, not to mention 4 loads of laundry to fold, 4 to wash (not counting what is on their bedroom floor); however, I'm just tired of being the nag asking everyone to pick up after themselves.  Results?  A house that I am ashamed of and hope nobody "drops by" unexpectedly or that I don't have to ask the neighbor to come unplug the crock pot while I take one to guitar (yes, that happened last night).

I'd like an excuse or reason the dust bunnies are growing by leaps and bounds and cobwebs are the latest decor, but mostly just because my give a darn is busted currently.  If anyone wants to take intervention before my house shows up on the latest episode of hoarders or Extreme Home Makeover, feel free.  Just give me a warning so I can clean up a little first. ha ha

Really, though, I think letting things relax a bit is a good thing.  I just need to reach a happy medium and find a balance.  That's the trick I haven't learned yet.  If you are a good organizer please feel free to share your tips and tricks, especially when it comes to toys.

While I sit here in disgust of my house I'm also very grateful that I have 3 healthy kids and a husband who are here to make messes because I keep telling myself that some day I will wish for the day that I had it all back.