Organization 101

I LOVE to organize and plan. I especially love to go to office supply stores. Every fall, I looked forward to buying school supplies. This year, I finally decided I was far enough removed from college that I should start referring to "school supplies" as "office supplies."

This afternoon, my dad asked if anyone would like to go to an office supply store with him. I practically jumped up and down, waving my arms, saying "I DO! I DO!!!"

He had no idea what he'd signed up for. As my dad recounted the events to our family later, he said, "You know, I should have realized how much trouble I was in when she said she had to go back for a cart."

See, it all started with planners. I ADORE planners. And my dad needed a new planner. So, to the calendar aisle we went. I dutifully helped him to pick out the perfect pocket planner. Then, I found a planner for myself. This little green goblin started it all:

After the planner, I spotted THE MOST chic desk organization boxes. I went...a little crazy. I piled turquoise, black, white, and green file folders, picture boxes, document boxes, and desk organizers into my quickly-filling cart along with pink rubberbands, push pins, paper clips, and binder clips.

Over an hour later, when I finally wheeled my cart up to the front, it was chock full of {beautiful} organization pieces and office supplies. The poor cashier stuffed one plastic bag after another. I told him I hoped he was getting a break soon. {I think} he replied that he wasn't taking a lunch break today. By the time he finally gave me my *gulp* total, he told his manager that he was taking his lunch break in 2 minutes. I have a feeling he was going to ice his sore muscles. Hopefully he got some kind of bonus from my addiction.

My dad and I piled the bags into the passenger side of the cab. Finally, we decided it would be safest to close the door and start stuffing from the driver's side. Surprisingly, all of my new acquisitions fit as did both of us.

On the way home, I told my dad that I was gonna have to change the name of my blog to {Confessions of a Shopaholic}, but he told me that I don't have this problem with all kinds of shopping. So, I decided the new name would have to be {Confessions of an Office Supply Junkie}.

Should you think this story is simply an example of creative license and witty hyperbole, I have decided to include the embarrassing proof:

Yes, that's right, it took not one but TWO strapping young men to haul my cargo. After my husband recovered from the shock of the evidence of my addiction, he informed me that I am not allowed to buy anymore school supplies until Kendrick goes off to college.

{Dear Mrs. Local Family-Owned Business--you know who you are ;)--I may need at least a part-time job to pay off my office supply debts...}