My mouse pad of paper

I saw this over the weekend while I was perusing pinterest ...

It is originally from here and you can purchase it as a T-shirt. Now if you know me personally, you are probably thinking it would be the perfect gift for me. Take that out of your mind now! 

{via RedBubble}

But I have to admit it does describe what goes on inside my head very well. Apparently it is an inherited trait. When my youngest daughter was about two and a half, I think, we were at a local restaurant waiting for our food and I watched her looking at all the things cluttering the top of the table (the salt and pepper shakers, the sugar packets, etc.). As we sat there waiting, she proceeded to rearrange it all; lining everything up into neat little rows. When she was finished, she sat back and let out a big sigh. That is when I knew she had the same thing going on inside of her. 

It is not a bad thing. In fact, I have been able to channel it in positive ways. I have learned not to be (too) obsessive about it ... but I do function better when things are neat. Especially my desk top. One of the things that helps is my mouse pad notepads. My daughters bought me one for Mother's day - it was from Anthropologie. I checked and they don't have them anymore - but before they sold out I picked up a nice stack to make sure I didn't run out. My sister bought me some as well ...

          These were from Michaels. They call them Calendar Memo Pads.

What I love about them is that I always have a place to write down a note, a phone number or a reminder for myself without having to search for something to write on and my desk stays neat with less clutter (one pad / two functions). It has really helped these last few weeks as I have tried to get caught up with all of my projects as we await the new baby (yes ... we are still waiting). I can't tell you how many times I have gone back to my mouse pad to grab some information that I have scribbled down while talking on the phone or listening to a message. And when it looks to messy (I doodle) I just tear off the page and start fresh. Nice and neat ... just like I need like it ;)

Happy Monday Everyone!