Tuesday, October 02, 2012

The sun also rises...

I have a cheerfully striped slipcover for the armchair I always sit in and a few months ago I removed it to launder it because it had gotten soiled. I do this every so often and am actually a bit of a pro at getting it back on after it comes out of the washing machine still damp. I can't wait until it dries because that takes the stretch out and it becomes impossible to put back on the chair. 

This time, however, I must have been in an impatient mood because no matter how much muscle power I used, I couldn't get it back on and with my irrationally thinking mind thought it had finally shrunk in the washing. Being thoroughly frustrated, I gave up and let it dry and put it in a drawer and thought I would do without.

Of course, after a while, between the careless abuse of the animals and me, the armchair became very spotty looking and for all purposes it couldn't be seen in company anymore by scrutinizing eyes. It looked like it had been trodded on by a herd of mad cows and I knew I would have to give that slipcover one more try. 

I put it in the washing machine again with some other laundry, although it was already clean, but I had to get it damp again and that seemed like the easiest method. When it was done, I took it out and approached the job of putting it back on the armchair with all the patience and logic and conviction I could muster. I had gotten it back on on other occasions and why should I not be able to now?

Apparently this mindset worked because I eyeballed the whole thing and in one fell swoop put it in the right position and  fit it properly immediately. It was done in a sigh. 

That just goes to show you that you can get intimidated by your own temporary inability to deal with a job and think it is a permanent condition. I don't know if I was meant to wait this long to put it back on or if I had used some wisdom, I would have tried it sooner and not let the armchair get in such bad shape. I hope I remember this the next time I run into a frustrating job. 






3 comments:

Gail said...

A wonderful lesson. If first we don't succeed, try again. I think, there are just some days nothing will work.

Rob-bear said...

Still, well done, Irene!

Wisewebwoman said...

That's a lesson I've learned too Irene, almost in desperation some times.

I think I remember your stripey chair from a photograph...

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