Flowers in my eyes

Cleaning the lounge today (do you notice I always manage to mention any housework I do?) I realised something: it is just about 20 years since we moved into this house.

It was within the first year after that, I am fairly sure, that we decorated the lounge and had new curtains made. So it is for 19 years that I have loved and hated those curtains in almost equal measure.

I say 'almost' because I do love them dearly, even though they disturb my equilibrium.

I bought the fabric from Laura Ashley and took it to a local curtain shop that employed a seamstress to make lined curtains. We have three large windows in the lounge, including French doors, and, although it was expensive, it was cheaper than having them made at Laura Ashley.

I picked them up just a few days before Christmas, when we were having family to stay, and, excitedly, hung them up in our newly-decorated lounge - and then exclaimed in despair, 'Oh no!'

She had joined the material in completely the wrong place!

But she'd obviously done it very carefully as it was the same on all 6 curtains.

Of course I should have taken them back.

But ... it was Christmas in a few days' time; we needed some window dressing. And I couldn't see what on earth she could do about it. We would lose some of the length if she had to unpick it and rejoin in a different place and we'd end up with curtains that didn't fit properly. Unless we bought new material - which cost a fortune. And I was worried that she'd have to pay for it. Or she'd lose her job if we kicked up a fuss.

So every time I draw the curtains I make sure the fold hides the mis-join. And if I go and sit in there and notice the exposed join, I can't relax until I've got up and adjusted it.

And that's been going on for 19 years!