Now, if I could just find my lipstick ....

As organized as I try to be, with the million and one lists that cover my desk at work and my kitchen table at home, I am a true professional when it comes to misplacing things.

I just don't get it -- how can I be organized and disorganized all at the same time?

I think half my problem is that I try to be too organized, creating files, folders and boxes for everything -- I just forget what fills up those folders, and where I put them to ensure they're "out of the way."

The number one thing I lose all the time is lipstick. I carry lipstick to work with me and forget to take it out of my purse (of course I switch purses often so I forget which one holds my favorite shade of pink). Other tubes are left in my car, desk, and unfortunately, sometimes in my jeans pockets.

Yes, I have had to throw away several pairs of my favorite jeans over the years because I don't think denim marked up with red streaks will ever come into style.

Of course, I always find my lipstick eventually, it's just after I've replaced it, so sometimes I end up having about five tubes of "ravishing red" or "wild orchid" in my possession -- somewhere.

I am also guilty of losing sunglasses. Ironically, I can hold onto a pair of cheap sunglasses for years, but no matter how hard I try, I don't think I have ever owned a pair of Ray Bans for more than three months.

I have left three pairs of Ray Bans on airplanes. Can you believe that? Most recently, I left behind a pair in San Diego -- on my last day there, no less. I think subconsciously I left them behind on purpose, so a piece of me will always remain in Little Italy.

There's more, as I've lost or left behind plenty of jackets, sweaters, cameras, earrings and other sentimental possessions over the years -- and if Lizzie could talk, she'd tell you that she has the largest collection of collars and leashes in canine history as a result of her master misplacing them, only to find them in strange places -- like my sock drawer -- months down the road.

Speaking of Liz, last weekend, during our Paws for a Cause Fun Walk, I attempted to track down Lizzie's proof of vaccinations. Hmmm ... Which box did I put that in? Since I'm always short on time, it was easier for me to make a trip to the vet's office to get another copy than to sift through a bunch of files and boxes.

Paperwork is one of my biggest weaknesses.

Every year, around Christmas time, I can't remember where I stored that list of addresses, and so every year, I have to make a new one in order to send cards to my friends and family.

As bad as I am at tucking things away, I am much worse (but trying to recover) at throwing things away. My husband, Jack, is the biggest pack rat I know, and I am the complete opposite. I cannot stand clutter, including useless junk mail that fills up the kitchen table whenever Jack gets the mail. I get annoyed, go through it rapidly, and throw the "junk" away, only to learn Jack's business credit card is now through CitiBank instead of Bank of America.

Oops! Sorry, Jack!

You would think after searching through the trash once I would learn, but I have to admit I have also thrown away other important receipts and tax and retirement information that I have mistaken for junk mail in my frenzied rush to de-clutter the house.

For some reason, however, the gift card I recently received from the Sunglass Hut for 20 percent off my next purchase remains on my kitchen table.

-- Sadie Fowler is lifestyles editor at the Times-Gazette. She may be reached at sfowler@t-g.com or 684-1200 ext. 214.