Confessions of an Extravert

We took the Meyer's Briggs Personality Type Indicator (personality test) at work a few weeks ago, and my results were predictable. I'm an Extravert... off-the-charts-extravert, in fact. [I know, it's a *shocker*... Not.]

Basically, extraverts draw energy from action. According to Myers Briggs, contrasting characteristics between extraverts and introverts include the following:

• Extraverts are action oriented, while introverts are thought oriented.
• Extraverts seek breadth of knowledge and influence, while introverts seek depth of knowledge and influence.
• Extraverts often prefer more frequent interaction, while introverts prefer more substantial interaction.
• Extraverts recharge and get their energy from spending time with people, while introverts recharge and get their energy from spending time alone.

I've taken the Meyers Briggs test several times through the years with similar results, and it's always spot-on.  I definitely have an extraverted personality. But motherhood has changed one part of my extraverted personality forever...

I cherish every precious second that I have alone.

I used to *dread* going to the grocery store. And while I don't jump for joy in the produce section, I definitely have a newfound appreciation for that sacred hour of weekly food/supply-gathering now that I'm a mom... becuase I can do it *alone* without a 2-year-old screaming at me, "Mama, I [want to] color!" or even worse, "I poop!"

I confess.  This textbook off-the-charts-extravert-mom desperately craves time alone.  I mean, seriously.  Is it too much to ask to go the bathroom by myself?!

It never fails that I'll sneak into the bathroom and close the door to do my business, only to have Snuggles bang on the door from the outside, crying, "Mama! Mama!"  He carries on like the world is going to end if he can't watch me pee.

I've always been an extravert. And I still am. But every-once-in-awhile, even an extreme extravert needs five minutes alone to poop in peace.

Karate Ballet

Snuggles got a hold of my fabric headband the other night - the one I use to hold back my hair when I'm working out.  (Which is rare these days.)

Anyhoo.

Snuggles put my headband on his forehead, which made him resemble The Karate Kid, only not-so-Italian and much cuter. (Is that a word... Cuter?)

Anyhoo.

After Snuggles put on my headband, he started doing this weird little routine where he put one arm out in front him, and said some unrecognizable word, and then positioned his legs like he was trying to kick... He did it over and over. Guitarman and I could not figure out what he was doing, but it looked like karate moves.  So I called Snuggles' daycare provider, Cathy, and asked her where Snuggles learned karate moves. "Oh, that's not karate," Cathy said, "That's ballet!"

Apparently Cathy's granddaughter has been teaching Snuggles ballet routines... I consider myself a supportive mother, but I have to draw the line at ballet.  I don't even want to think about my son wearing ballet tights.

Snark Attack

Guitarman and I have been married for almost ten years.  When you've been together as long as we have, it's not uncommon to complete each other's sentences or say the same thing at the same time.  (Jinx!)  Part of what has kept us together sane all these years is our shared sense of humor.  I have to admit that sometimes we laugh at those around us.  People-watching is cheap entertainment.  I'm sorry folks, but people are just too funny!  These "snark attacks" happen when we least expect them, and sometimes I just can't resist...

While we were eating lunch in downtown Nashville today, an attractive young lady walked by.  She was obviously dressed nicely for work, but her skirt was so short that she had a difficult time sitting down without showing her lady parts.... That's when I had a snark attack.

Me: If your skirt is so short that you can't bend over, it's too short for work.
Guitarman: Well, that depends on your line of work...
Me:  Yeah, maybe it's okay if you're working the POLE.
Laughter

On the way back to work, we drove through a low income area (also know as "The Hood").  As we passed a store called "Kings & Queens Urban Wear", I had another snark attack:

Me: Kings & Queens Urban Wear... Get your saggy drawers here.
John: I bet they don't sell belts.
Me: Ha!
John: They should have a sign that says, "All pants half off!"
Laughter

Apparently our lunch menu today included a side of snark.  Life is short.  Laugh a lot.