A Dot The i Cross The t Kinda Girl

Last fall I had made a cake and followed the recipe to the T.  It came out dry and not good at all.  SM made an effort with it, but I eventually tossed it and mentally put it in the "looser" camp.

I tried it again a couple of days ago and adjusted the recipe and watched it like a hawk while it was baking.

As it was cooling on the counter, I gave SM his marching orders.  (I don't eat gluten anymore so it's not like I could taste test it.)

"Ok...I don't think I overcooked it this time and the recipe called for 3 eggs but I changed that to 2 eggs and 1 egg yolk cause Alton Brown says that egg whites will dry out your baked goods."  Me

(*Alton Brown is a God in my household.  "Alton Brown says this."  Tami do.  "Alton Brown says that?"  Tami bows down before the wisdom of Alton Brown.) 

"I'm sure it'll be fine."  SM

"Well, I need to know cause if it's a stinker this time than I'm giving up on it."  Me

"You're such a perfectionist!"  SM

"I am NOT."  Me

"Are too."  SM  (We are such children...)

"I'm not a perfectionist...I just like for things to be successful.  What's wrong with making sure food tastes good?  If I'm going to garden, why not do everything I can to ensure a successful harvest?  Everything can be improved, can't it?  And once you find what works than you can repeat it."  Me

"Right.  You're a perfectionist."  SM

Crap!  Am I a perfectionist?  (Must go to Holy Google for further research...)

Perfectionist (In Bold) vs Healthy Striver (In Italic)

(Ohhh...I like that.  "Healthly Striver" instead of "Type A" pain in the A$$)

Sets standards beyond reach and reason
Sets high standards, but just beyond reach (Yep)

Is never satisfied by anything less than perfection
Enjoys process as well as outcome (Check 2)

Becomes depressed when experiences failure and disappointment
Bounces back from failure and disappointment quickly and with energy (See me bounce around?  A bundle of energy I tell you)

Preoccupied with fear of failure / disapproval. This depletes energy levels
Keeps normal anxiety and fear of failure and disapproval within bounds — uses them to create energy (Sure...why not?)

Sees mistakes as evidence of unworthiness
Sees mistakes as opportunities for growth and learning (Oh Yeah, Baby!)

Becomes overly defensive when criticized (hmmm)
Reacts positively to helpful criticism

All true!  Well, except maybe for that last bit about criticism.  I can definately get my back up when being criticized.  Hey, we can't all be perfect!

"Ha...See there!"  I say pointing at the computer monitor. "What do you think about THAT!" Me

"Right.  Perfectionist!"  SM

***(Turns out the cake, according to SM, was quite good.  Dense and rich but better than the first effort.  "Aren't you glad I'm such a perfectionist?" (Grin) Is it a keeper?  Nah...there's always a better chocolate cake recipe out there. Says the "Healthy Striver" in me.)