...my quirks

I was tagged by Jen, Emily and Melissa to write a post about my quirks. I have been hesitant to write this because I didn't want everyone to think I was a complete weird-o.

My sister in law, Hilary, just did this on her blog and it only made her seem more endearing, so that made me feel a little better about blogging my strange habits. I realize that my quirks are a lot more bizarre than Hilary's, but I am hoping you will still like me. :)

My family often tells me that I am an odd duck, and I wouldn't dispute it. I am a woman of "unique" routines. (Unique is a very nice way to say I am a weirdo, huh?) So...lets get to the quirks:

• I am a perfectionist. Majorly.
  Example 1: I have gone through 6 planners this year because I messed up and can't stand to have something crossed out. I really couldn't use the planner anymore! I can't stand if I write in a different color pen in the same planner or even if the pen is a different weight or texture. (gel vs ball point; 0.7 vs 0.5) I also can't stand if I misspell something, am bumped while writing or my daughter scribbles on one of the pages. If any of this happens, I make a quick trip to the nearest office supply store and buy myself a new one. But...the weirdest thing about it...I can't stand to have a month empty at the beginning of the planner so I go back and fill it in using my old planner until it is filled out. I know...weird.
  Example 2: I am a craft perfectionist. I love crafting, but I take a LONG time to finish everything. My seams have to be perfectly straight, my paper perfectly cut, my paint perfectly even. And...the sad thing about it all...I am NOT as good as I feel I need to be, so I end up giving most of my crafts away because I can't stand to look at them if they aren't perfect.
• Feet=Gross! When I was younger, the only thing my sister had to do to get me out of her room was threaten to touch me with her feet. I realize that many people don't like to be touched with feet, but for me, it was a complete aversion. Touching my face with your feet would make me just as sick as if you threw poop at me. I still don't really like feet, but it isn't nearly as bad. At least I am getting over ONE of my weird quirks.
• I HAVE to check my email! I always have my computer on and am usually in a room nearby. If I hear my mac tell me that I have a new email, I get up and check it immediately. I can't stop myself. I can't stand to wait. Weird? I know...
  I am EXCELLENT at checking and responding to emails (so if you need to get in touch with me, that is the way to do it), but am horrible at answering my phone or listening to my messages. I listen to my phone messages about once a week or less. It is a chore. I don't really know why I feel that way about the phone and not about email, but like I said, I am quirky.
• I have to be involved with as many things as I possibly can! When I was in high school, I was Miss Involved. My senior year, I was in Student Council, Seminary Council, PTSA, the Drama Club (and our school plays), Chamber Choir, A'Capella Choir, private vocal lessons, piano lessons, 4-5 other clubs in the school, etc. I was always on the run and my mom often worried that I was going to drive myself crazy.
  I always thought that once I was in college, my life would slow down.
  Nope.
  When I was in college, I thought my life would slow down after I graduated.
  Nope.
  Now I am a stay at home mother, working 3 jobs and holding 2 callings. I think often about what I should let go of, but I have decided that I thrive on being way too busy. I LIKE driving myself insane.
• I bite the inside of my cheeks when I am frustrated, scared, or overwelmed. I don't know why. I have sores on the inside of my cheeks right now because of my stress last week. I started doing it right after I gave birth to my daughter, E. I was so scared and overwelmed that I bit my cheeks until they bled. I am aware that I do it now, so I am not as bad, but I still do it, obviously. (This makes me seem really psycho, doesn't it?)
  
• I am a planning freak! I am very into to do list and planners. I can't do anything without making a action plan first. (I just sent both sides of my family a 10-year plan for Christmas gift exchanges.) I like to plan out every hour of a vacation and every minute of a party. (And...if I write something wrong on my check lists, you can bet that I will throw it our and rewrite it.)
  When we were planning our Anniversary "trip" with our in-laws, Jerry and Hilary, I think I drove them insane trying to plan out the day. They just wanted to have a relaxing, carefree weekend and I wanted to plan out every second of our short time to do the maximum activities in the shortest, most efficient time possible. ha!
  I should show you all my typed up life plan (which has been rewritten at least 100 times because things don't seem to work out exactly as I plan it.) It is hilarious, I am sure, but I feel more content knowing that I have SOMETHING planned and written down.

So, there you have it. The confirmation of my quirkyness.

If you haven't done this, and want to, consider yourself tagged.