The first page consists of the stops I need to make, in geographical order. I have each store listed separate with the items I need from there, I also have the price, size, quantity and whether or not I have a coupon.
I make my way around the map of stops, running in, getting through my list, cringing when I pay, back out to the van to load, sanitize and off again. Ten places in all if you count the car wash and gas station.
The second page is Meijer. This is the bulk of the trip, not only will I shop for toys and other Christmas goodies, this is also where I will grocery shop. This list is long! It's in order by aisle. Starting with the non grocery items.
I have my list and a pencil in my hand at each store. Using one the Monster High Doll boxes as my writing surface I cross out things as I go. The first comment someone made about my lengthy, organized list, I laughed. By the fourth list comment, I am starting to get worried, list conscious.
My over thinking self is doing what she does best and on my hour long drive home I start to wonder if I have OCD. I've questioned it before.
I mean who makes lists like I do?
Are anyone else's hands dry, cracked and raw from washing so much?
Does anyone else vacuum every day?
Do you check more than once to make sure you unplugged your curling iron?
Don't we all sometimes avoid places, seek assurance, or stress out about things that don't go just right?
Those are just a couple things that have made me question this. So I thought myself into researching OCD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder in which people have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, ideas, sensations (obsessions), or behaviors that make them feel driven to do something (compulsions).
I even took this test. http://www.ocdtypes.com/oci-r-test.php
My score is 14, borderline to what could signify minimal to mild OCD.
For the people who question my ways, this is what I say.
If washing a hundred times a day because I've wiped noses, bottoms, changed a diaper, took the garbage out, made breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, cleaned out puppy pens, picked up dogs, cleaned up after a teenage boy, or girl for that matter, oh and my own potty breaks makes me OCD then I am troubled that you are not.
There is nothing worse than caring for a sick child. I prevent if I can and deal with it when I can't. In this house they all know that hand washing is a priority. If that makes you think I have OCD, then caring for a sick child, or children in my case, must be easier for you than it is for me.
Instead of wandering aimlessly around a store, buying things I don't need, trying to keep the impatient children from having meltdowns and wasting precious time, I make a list.
So, maybe I do have some of the signs of OCD and here I thought I was just organized, thrifty, careful, considerate and detailed.
