Post Its and Sharpies…Horses and Carriages

In the spirit of tooting my own organizational horn (yes, I have been in Organize Mode quite a bit this summer…a girl’s gotta have some fun, right?), I will now give you a rare glimpse inside my personal life and how my obsession with all things Post It have strengthened my marriage.

Usually I don’t post that much about my personal life. Sure, you can read some more about me here (Thanks to Alexander Russo).But in general, I tend to refrain (read: save you) from updates such as the new shoes I bought today, my latest dinner triumph or the crazy lady I saw in the parking lot of the bookstore. You know, because you all probably have better things to do. However, from time to time, I have mentioned my family in posts (here, here and here) and have tempted you with insights into Mr. Mimi. Let’s see, I’ve mentioned my lovely husband here, here, again over here and…um, in this one.

Before I continue, let me provide you with a bit more insight into the mysterious Mr. Mimi, because we are very different. Mr. Mimi is a big thinker. For example, one night at dinner he’ll say, “Let’s go on vacation! We’ve always talked about going to (insert fabulous place here)…when is your vacation?” He will not let this idea rest (read: will bug me relentlessly) until I give him the requested dates and the trip is booked. And then this happens:

Sigh. Yeah, I took that picture.

Do you hate me yet? Are you thinking…um, girlfriend needs to keep her personal life personal, because now she’s just bragging?” If you are thinking this…I’m sorry. (Not really.) (But can we all stop for a minute and marvel at the fact that I actually figured out how to post a picture on my blog?? Watch out friends, I think I’ve got the fever…I may go picture happy on you.)

While I love my husband’s Big Ideas, his fatal flaw (sure -cough cough -there’s only ONE flaw) (and I know, you’re thinking, “Cry me a river, you went to Italy” but whatever) is that he is NOT a details person. Cut to me frantically making lists…what we are going to pack, how we get from the airport to the hotel, where are we going to go, restaurant recommendations…endless, glorious, I-can-barely-contain-myself listing.

For I am a lister. List-aholic? List lover? Whatever. I like to make lists. Duh, you know THAT by NOW.

The same characteristics hold true in our professional lives. My day tends to be dominated by the myriad of lists that live inside my planner: lists of small groups, lists of To Dos, lists of copies to make, lists of upcoming lessons, lists of books to read…(shudder) (All this talk of listing….am I blushing?) Mr. Mimi’s day is dominated by big business-y ideas. (Note: I would go into more detail about his type of business but he would a) kill me and b) I don’t know about you, but my eyes glaze over as soon as I hear words such as “financials” and “budget analysis”. Am I right or am I left on that one, people?!) As a result of our different professional lives and personality traits, we are generally unable to help one another in concrete ways. Yes, we support each other and he listens to his fair share of stories about the Bacon Hunter, who farted and the latest children’s book I’m obsessing over, but beyond that…not so much.

Until last night.

Charged with a pretty intense, weighty project, Mr. Mimi spent the day in his office. (Which is a totally gorgeous space by the way…I really out did myself in that room. He left one weekend and Big Mama Mimi and I re-did it for him…very House and Garden Design Show/While You Were Out) Occasionally I would play the part of the good wife and bring him an iced tea or snack. I would find him surrounded by piles of papers, open binders and stacks of books. I had to bite my tongue because, seriously? I wanted to organize that mess stat! But hey, I can get with the whole different work styles thing…

ANYHOW. (Here comes the moment of truth, a.k.a. the point of this post.) At dinner he looked across the table at me and said five of the most beautiful words I have ever heard.

“I need help getting organized.”

Friends, I almost choked on my beautifully poached salmon (another insight into my personal life – I like to cook fancy meals and then walk around the house with a very satisfied “I-have-conquered-the-kitchen” look on my face) at those five simple words.

Yet I managed to pull myself together and reply, “I know just what to do.”

After dinner I confidently trotted to my office (also known as the guest bedroom) and put together my arsenal: a rainbow of post it notes, several blank index cards, some tape and my lucky plum colored Sharpie. I was prepared. Armed with these seemingly ordinary supplies, Mr. Mimi and I could tackle anything.

What resulted is really truly a work of art and an example of how we are a perfect pair. I’ll let you know what the boss thinks!!

(Visited 15 times, 1 visits today)
13 Comments
  • Very nice picture, I'm glad you've mastered that hurdle =) Now I,also an organizational goddess,make lists for and organize hubby. The question is- and I hope Mr. Mimi is different than my hubby- will he remained organized after you do all of that work for him? I hope you have better luck than I do there. At work,they says he's Mr Got It Together. At home, I deal with a different guy.

    August 4, 2009 at 12:52 am
  • Good job posting a picture, Mimi!! Your a pro!

    That's so fabulous that your hubby asked for help organizing! Wonderful!

    August 4, 2009 at 3:10 am
  • Cannot belive I just said "your" a pro…need sleep…ugh… Will you take the excuse that I just spent 12 hours working on my classroom?

    August 4, 2009 at 3:10 am
  • Lovely picture!
    It's not often a person is asked to sort out someone else's stuff, is it?! Wow!
    Miss x
    @misssmemoirs.blogspot.com

    August 4, 2009 at 2:14 pm
  • Oh my gosh, I'm so jealous. I would kill to have someone else to take my post-it and index card madness out on!

    PS- I signed on to my Twitter account for the third time ever just to follow you!

    August 5, 2009 at 12:31 pm
  • This is the first post of yours I have read. Your blog was listed on one of the "must subscribe to" list off of….free technology for teachers, maybe? Anyway, the title alone got me – and we ALL know judging a book by its cover (or choosing a race horse by its name) is an excellent idea. Anyhow – as a teacher of gifted middle school students and as a "big picture" person painfully imposing organization when and where needed, I loved what you had to say. You're my new favorite. Thanks for writing, thanks for sharing and I definitely plan to keep reading!!

    August 6, 2009 at 3:26 pm
  • Photos? I mean office photos – before and after would be nice. 🙂

    August 7, 2009 at 1:14 am
  • Sounds to me like you and your husband are my wife and my opposites. I am the organized (read: anal) one while she is the pile-maker. We must live in your Bizarro World.

    However, we do agree on one item: we take a small vacation every year even if it's just a few nights in a hotel somewhere in our own state. We like to recharge away from home and work.

    August 9, 2009 at 4:33 pm
  • This comment has been removed by the author.

    August 16, 2009 at 6:28 am
  • I started as a teaching aide last week while earning my Master's in SpEd. I swore all my life, as many of us have, that I would not become my mother.

    Last week, I purchased my very own P-Touch label maker. Two days ago, I used it.

    One step closer.

    August 16, 2009 at 6:29 am
  • Lovely picture!
    It's not often a person is asked to sort out someone else's stuff,
    is it?

    RITA PIT

    Cash Online Get Easy cash at your door step

    August 19, 2009 at 8:01 am
  • Nice picture collection but they should be some large because they are not that much clear.

    RITA PIT

    Cash Online Get Easy cash at your door step

    August 19, 2009 at 12:11 pm
  • Oh yes, I knew I really, really liked you. I have fallen down on my organizational duties and you've inspired me to whip the Berg household into shape. I can't wait to see the House and Garden style office you've created for MR. MIMI! Can I call him that?
    Tons of hugs!

    September 1, 2009 at 11:51 am

Post a Reply to Kate Cancel Reply