Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Mystery Revealed: The Case of the Missing Clothespins

Three years ago, about this time of year, I tucked my clothespin bag away for safekeeping until the next spring. I can remember it like it was yesterday; my mind being a steel trap and all. So when the next spring rolled around, and I couldn’t find the darn bag, I was a bit miffed. I knew exactly where I had put it, but it was no longer there. I searched the entire room, they had to be there somewhere. Nothing.

These aren’t just any clothespins. These are the old-style clothes pins. Ones that actually work. Ones that you just can’t go out and replace now days. Some were my grandmothers. I wanted these clothespins, not to mention the handy little bag.

I expanded my search. First, just focusing on the first floor of the house. I mean, why on earth would I have taken them upstairs, right? Nothing. I finally gave up and put the clothes in the dryer.

For three years now, every spring and a couple other times throughout the year, I’ve left no stone unturned in my house in an effort to locate the missing pins. I inspected every surface and every hole, no matter how small. If I couldn’t see into the space, I poked a stick in it to feel around. From the attic to the basement I looked EVERYWHERE. At this point it was a challenge. A quest to find the holy grail.

This summer, I had resigned myself to the fact that someone had broken into my house and stolen my clothespins. I mean, they are irreplaceable after all. I’m sure I’m not the only one who understands the value of a proper working clothespin. They probably stole them and sold them on Ebay. What other explanation could there be? I can remember EXACTLY where I put them, they were on a hanger in the mudroom.

My in-laws are visiting this week. It is snowing today. When my father-in-law put on an extra pair of work overalls to go out in, he found this inside. Exactly where I had left them three years ago.

IMG_0017

I’m glad to have them back, but if I ever figure out who hid them from me in the first place, they’re a dead man. Gah!

18 comments:

Betty Lou said...

We have little mischievious elves who come to our house and hide things. Somtimes we find them, sometimes we don't. Looks like they were at your house also.

Tombstone Livestock said...

I can relate to that, I think I have ghosts here that hide things from me. I have been looking for my Christmas garland with lights and ornaments now for 8 or 9 years. If I ever find it I will put it back up even if it's the middle of July.

Earlene said...

Funny..that happens to me a lot!
Hate to admit it but I will anyway.
Earlene

I'm gonna tell Mom! said...

I'm glad you found them, but now I want you to show us what they look like! Maybe you need to tell us where you are putting them NOW, so we can remind you where they are when you need them this spring!
kim

Anonymous said...

omg.... so glad it wasn't the Craigslist clothespin thief.

Christine said...

Good idea, Kim. They are in the laundry room. I'll be calling you come spring if they're not there.

The Barn Door said...

LOL....can you ask him to come over and find the baby quilt I made for my daughter but never finished? Tore the house up looking for it and I knew right where it was or 'used' to be!!

Unknown said...

Ask your father-in-law if he has any vibes on where my paper hole punch might be.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

thank goodness they are found. i hate when that happens ... but it does all the time. hope you did your "happy dance" after they were found. (:

Karen Anne said...

Yes, what do they look like? The wooden ones with a slot in the middle? The wooden ones with the curly metal "hinge"? Probably not the plastic hinged ones.

The latter work fine to hold two tomato cages together vertically, by the way.

Karen Anne said...

By the way, Ace has the wooden ones with the metal hinges.

Karen Patrick said...

Would you please ask your father-in-law where my dogs' collars are? I can't find them anywhere. Last time I saw them was when the dogs went to the vet to be boarded the time before last. I always just leave them in the Jeep for when I go pick up the dogs. But they are no where to be found. I hate not being able to find things. Makes me question my memory and my sanity.

Donna OShaughnessy said...

I did it. Sorry. I saw this cute ornament made of clothespins so I nabbed yours and then forgot to put them back where I found them. I am so busted

rkbsnana said...

In the overalls? Really? Someone obviously is pulling a prank on you.

Evelyn said...

Blame your brothers cat

Kathy from NJ said...

I blamed the heating/ac people for stealing my beautiful cookie platter that my Mom gave me. Oops, located it in a very safe easy to remember place a year or so later. So I relocated it to a safer easier to remember place (under the kitchen sink). Then the plumber stole it. Oops, six months later it was found in another much safer & much easier to remember place (by the side of the furnace where it was originally). Now it is in the attic (I think???).

Karen Anne said...

Kathy, I have a large (mended) platter that belonged to my stepgreatgrandmother. It's a Wedgwood with a totally realist hare design. I mean, not a cute bunny, no.

It too fragile to use, and I prefer not to think what it was intended for.

Christine said...

The clothespins are just the regular clip kind but they are heavy duty. They sure don't make them like that any more.