I love Skyrim, despite of the sometimes buggy and anoying UI, but I just use the favorite menu, and that really makes everything alot easier. And i would never play with a controller on PC, I just don't like that.
Give yourself a chance with the ui, I far prefer it to the clunky oblivion one, it makes much more sense to me.
I am using a controller though and I fly round the menus, can't say I had a problem before I used a controller either though. A bit off topic butI would definitely reccomend a controller, it is worth it alone for the force feedback when a dragon flies over your head or lands.