Two Christmases ago, I received this jigsaw puzzle as a gift.

I like jigsaw puzzles but this one is driving me insane. I had it on the coffee table all last summer and got all but the blue background done. All those little tiny images that made up the larger image–very frustrating!

We needed the table for a party so I slid the puzzle onto a posterboard and slipped it under the living room couch, and then forgot all about it. Last week a few pieces started to come loose and I figured it was time to deal with what was under there.

But I just don’t know if I can. This puzzle is not a pleasure. It’s not relaxing. It’s just a frustration–so is it worth it? But there’s this obsessive-compulsive part of me that can’t let it go until it’s finished. I’d rather let it sit there undone than really put it away.

I dragged it out last night, and this morning TheDad saw it all sitting there on the floor. He asked if I was doing the puzzle again and I said I just wasn’t sure if I was going to try, or whether I’d just box it back up and work a different puzzle.

He didn’t help any when he said, “It defeated you, huh?”