//this constructor is for when a type is passed
 public GenericStrongTypeComboBox(Type type)
 {
     AllowedType = type;//I decided to save this as a public variable in case it is needed later
     //MessageBox.Show("Type constructor ran");//for debug only
     ItemContainer_ = new ItemContainer(this, type);// create a new type bound ItemContainer
 }
        private ItemContainer ItemContainer_; //this is the new hidden colleciton that will hold Items

        #endregion Fields

        #region Constructors

        //the default constructor for when nothing is passed in.
        //will not be type bound
        public GenericStrongTypeComboBox()
        {
            ItemContainer_ = new ItemContainer(this);//creates an instance for Items and owner is this combo
        }