the rest of the story

I accidentally hit the post button before I was done. Can you believe it?

Craig is an excellent example of studying a subject and learning all about it. He studies medicine, history, computers, photography, current world affairs, politics, and gospel doctrine. When you ask a question, not only does he know the answer, but he can explain the history behind it. It is great to live with an intelligent man.

We are who we are and can only hope to become better. Just don't blame everything on your parents. We are, in fact, only human.

Balance is good in life. Creator vs. Maintainer - maybe a little of both is best.

Inherited family quirks

This may help the family understand where they get a few of their quirks from, me or dad. Craig is mostly a maintainer and I am mostly a creator. I sure hope some of you have a little of both, because then you are perfect.
I have discovered that it is best if I work on becoming a better maintainer, such as learning to clean up quickly after meals, cooking even though I would rather be sewing, find a place to put essentials, and dejunk all the unnecessary stuff in my life.When my trainer once said after being the perfect weight and fitness, "You now are on maintenance." It put me totally out of my comfort zone and I had no idea how to maintain. I have discovered anytime I go on maintenance mode, I just get lost in the day to day and totally get distracted by another new project.
I have never been good at excelling in one subject. I love to learn something new all the time and as soon as I feel I know enough about that subject, I move onto the next one. So consequently I know how to do many things, but only the basics and then I turn around and teach the basics to others. As least I know more than they do in the beginning. I am usually only a few steps ahead.

Creator vs Maintainer

I have thought about this idealogy many times now.

I have shared this idealogy many more times.

I have analyzed this idealogy for a year now.

So I have come to the conclusion that I am a creator, not a maintainer.

Read the following and see if you share my conclusions.

A maintainer is very good at the following:

- brushing teeth and flossing after each meal

- physical activity (exercise) every day

- having a place for everything and putting it away after every use

- cooking food and cleaning the dirty dishes as they cook

- when asked to get something, they easily and effortlessly find it within minutes

- they plan ahead when they have an appointment or meeting and dislike being late for any reason

- have a well planned shopping list and know where everything is in the store

- they like a regular daily schedule and are early risers

- they normally do not like surprises or unexpected events

- and the list goes on,

I think you get the idea

So the creator is about everything that makes life fun and exciting. (well at least from my point of view)

- enjoy looking at each day as a grand adventure

- making very few plans and winging the rest of the time with "what else can I do that's fun"

- being in my sewing room and especially starting a new project

- it's not essential to finish any project. It's the process that makes the project fun

- inpulse shopping for anything, especially non-essentials

- looking for something and being surprised when you find something else, that you haven't seen for a very long time. (like my marriage certificate)

- love surprises like a new car, and then riding in a new car

- planning and implementing a new project like a whole house remodel

- blogging, chatting and emailing friends and family

- vacationing anywhere

- going to work and finding 75 different ways to tell telephone sales people "NO THANK YOU" especially the ones from India.

- and anything else that uses the creative side of the brain

I have found that understanding this creator vs maintainer idealogy has helped me understand myself. It really doesn't change anything or anyone around me. In fact, those who know me think I'm either a little crazy or now have an excuse for not putting anything away. Which is true on both accounts.

So which are you? A creator or maintainer or a little of both?

to be continued. . . .

the dream car

It has been the most fun week. You know the week that you never ever get. So let me explain. I have had a week where I had no meetings, no classes to teach, no classes to take, no obligations except for work. The rest of the time I have been able to do those things I have been waiting to do, like complete my Mystery quilt from quilt guild. It was so stress free and I really enjoyed it.
The best part of the week was seeing my husband get excited about something he has wanted for as long as I have known him. It all started with going to a car dealership when we were first married and looking for our first car. Not only did we look for a car we could afford, but looked for that "dream car" that we hoped to have someday.

As we would see the "dream car" on the highway, someone in the car would say, "Hey Dad, there's a . . . . . " and we all would stare at it until it was out of sight. Or, "Hey Dad, you missed the . . . ." and we would keep driving always looking for the "dream car."

Recently the thought of owning the "dream car" has been more openly discussed. Recently there was an opportunity to obtain the "dream car" but it sort of slipped through our fingers and after being a little (a lot) disappointed, life continued and we knew there would be another "dream car."

Sometimes things just fall into your lap and you know they are meant to be. So this is how it happened. Craig was visiting with the wife of a car dealer and mentioned what was his "dream car". She said they rarely have any on the lot, but just happened to have one delivered two days before. Her husband called up Craig and invited him to come have a look and test drive.

Now we have been to the car shows in Detroit several times. Every time we sit in the "dream car" but never have gone for a test drive. I think we felt that if we had a test drive, we would buy it. Somehow we couldn't resist the temptation. And we were right.

So after a long test drive last Wednesday, there was no question that this was the one and only "dream car". It is now resting in the swept and cleaned out garage just waiting for the first road trip. Craig is really, and I mean really, excited about now owning his "dream car".

It is a black 2008 Corvette Coupe. License plate: 4CEKA.