I think today is a good day to share the question, “Has this ever happened to you?” This question is important because I am looking for someone out there to tell me that I am not the only sorry soul who manages to find themselves in these predicaments.

Predicament one:

Have you ever purchased a new clothing item and worn it out without remembering to remove the tag? I have. That would be the time that Kat and I laughed until we damn near cried about the tag hanging from the armpit of my new sweat jacket. One might think that such a thing would be noticed when one was getting ready in the morning before one left the house – yes, one would think. Indeed, one might even think that having missed the first obvious opportunity to notice it, some other person might quickly spy it and offer the offending tag wearer an opportunity to reform by removing the tag while only slightly embarrassed. One would likely not think that it was possible to get through a few hours of casual work followed by an hour-long meeting while having arms extended upward to write on a white board without someone telling them.

Predicament two:

Have you ever bent over and ripped your pants and not realized it? At my mom’s funeral I wore a pantsuit that was a bit snug in the fanny. I remember crouching down a number of times to hug friends’ kids at the funeral. At some point, unbeknownst to me, my seam could no longer take the pressure. I was tasked with the eulogy. The minister waited quietly and seemed deeply engaged in my presentation – indeed, it took him a moment to realize that I was done and move on with the service. At the grave site my Aunt Cathy came up to me and said “Dear, I believe you have a rip in your pants.” When I asked her where – as I had no idea (although I should have felt the breeze) – she clued me in that it was the fanny seam. Lovely. Then I understood why the minister was so absorbed in my eulogy presentation…as my nephew Nick put it, “Aunt Carol showed the minister the light.”

Predicament three:

Have you ever picked a stray hair off some one’s clothes as a nicety only to find that it was actually still attached to the person’s body? I can still vividly recall the moment when I attempted this kind gesture with Mr. Moore my manager when I worked at Ole’s Hardware Store in California. He had on a nice dress shirt and tie and there was that stray hair sitting mid-chest detracting from his otherwise professional appearance. I am a do-gooder – I tried to help. I should have let go more quickly when I got resistance. I let go in short order after he loudly said, “Ouch!”

So I ask you again, “Has this ever happened to you?” Or have you had other experiences in this vein that you are sure must be shared by others? I cannot be alone in my comedy of errors…please tell me that things like this happen to you as well. I could use the consolation of knowing that I am not alone in these predicaments which amazingly continue to occur in my life.  Ah, but life goes on even after the initial horror and in retrospect it is always good for a laugh…such is my life…one bumbling moment followed by another. 🙂

Day one hundred and twenty-seven of the new forty – obla di obla da

CC