Right Brain, Left Brain, Both Brains

This month, Real Simple magazine featured an article on how to organize to your life according to what brain type you are. I get a kick out of these articles, especially when they include a quiz in order to help you determine which category you belong in. One night this week, Charlie and I were laying in bed and I had this great idea to share this article with him. I love to read before I go to bed, and I wouldn't blame Charlie for thinking it's just my personal form of sleep hygiene sabotage.

I will cheat at quizzes (or cards, board games, etc) if left unsupervised, so I asked Charlie to give me the quiz to keep me honest. To determine what kind of brain I was, I just had to answer "yes" or "no" to the following questions ( this is just a sampling):

1) When I'm finished using an item, I put it away immediately.

No. Only when I cook. Under all other situations I prefer the laundry basket method. Just walk around a room placing anything that doesn't belong in the basket. When you move to the next room, put back what belongs in that room and remove what doesn't.

3) Whether I'm looking at a work of art or a room, I tend to prefer symmetrical design.

Yes.

4) I like to move around my furniture a few times a year rather than stick with the same arrangement.

YES. It's a good thing no one in my household or my circle of friends is blind. I take that back, my niece is legally blind, but rarely comes to TN.

5) I'm the go to party planner for friends and family.

Yes. I can either turn a lump of coal into a diamond, or spend too much on flowers...your choice.

7) I love having a designated spot for each item in my closet or drawers.

Yes. As I wavered with this answer, Charlie pointed out the key word was "love" not "have". Don't we all love to have a designated spot for clothes? It doesn't mean we always put them where they belong.

9) I have a specific morning routine I follow to a T.

YES. And if for some reason I veer off the normal path, it leads to a very bizarre and unproductive day.

13) When I find a great dish at a restaurant, I order it every time I go there.

No. While yes, I am tempted to test their consistency- I tend to feel guilty not trying new things.

14) I often drive with the empty light flashing.

Really? No. What if the price of gas goes up 10 cents?

15) I always bring a list to the grocery store.

YES. If not, I spend WAY more than I should and my pantry will resemble a Y2K shelter.

18) My desk is filled with piles of papers, stick notes, and business cards.

Yes, but I only limit this to the middle drawer. The other drawers are organized, I promise.

19) I feel guilty if I don't follow the rules while playing board games.

No. No. No. Games are way more fun when you make up new rules as you go. If you ever play cards with me, keep a very close eye on me.

After the quiz results were tallied, Charlie gave me the news. I am not a left brain like I thought I was. I am a right brain. Charlie put it best when he said, " Lauren, you are a right brain, who is too much of a right brain, to attempt transforming into a left brain. Once you got started, you would realize how much work it takes and quit." At that moment, I felt crushed. All my life I felt like I was super organized and knew it was my personal quest to deliver order and structure to my household (even my office). After having a child, I realize that it's okay not to have it all together or organized, it just needs to be neat and sanitary. So thank you Emma (and Charlie), for bringing me the gift of organized clutter and toy chaos.

My mom would have a field day with the new craze in car stickers if she was still around. I remember her always saying things like,"Putting that "Baby on Board" window hanger in your car is like advertising for your child to be kidnapped." Well get this mom, now people have these customized stick figure stickers that advertise not only the fact that a baby is on board, but the entire family make-up, each member's hobby, and the family pets!

On the way home from church today, I spotted the best family sticker yet. On the rear window of a Nissan Quest were the following characters: Golfer dad, Shopaholic mom, Soccer Boy, Cheer Girl, Baby girl, Fido, Ferret and Bunny. I went on over to the dark side of my mind and surmised that if I chose to break into this house on it's well manicured cul-de-sac, the following would occur: Upon entering the house I would be greeted by a golf club wielding man in his skivvies, a woman in a T-Shirt ten sizes too large, swinging her new over sized Coach purse like a weapon. Soccer boy (who loves the game so much he sleeps in his cleats)awakes during all the ruckus and begins to kick my shins repeatedly. Cheer girl is so tired from her sleep over last night she doesn't even wake. We all pause to cover our ears the minute baby girl begins her shrill screeching after which the beating continues as I try to make my way out of this insane house. On the way out the Fido takes a chunk out of my rear, the ferret leaps onto my back, crawls up my shoulder and latches onto my ear, and I trip over fluffy the bunny.

I used to just think my mom was over protective, and a little nutty. It's the gentle reminders, like silly car stickers that help me keep her memory alive.

Confessions of a poser blogger.

Okay loyal followers, I know you exist out there somewhere. I created this blog thinking that two posts per week was no big deal- and that I could commit to it. NOT. I vow to be better. My new goal is once a week. Thanks for your continued support of my creative outlet.