Puzzled, Dazed and Amused!

I am super excited to confirm the rumors that I finished my first 1000 piece puzzle that I have EVER owned.  I love puzzles and we have small ones that we help Shaeler with, but I have never bought one of my own to put together.

There is such a calming feeling as sitting down and figuring out what piece could go where, next?  Part of me loved to sit down for a little while and work on the puzzle and then another part of me had to hold back the inner cleaner that wanted the puzzle done so I could clean up the mess.

This puzzle was a piece of cake until we got to the tree.  That took us hours of work because every piece look exactly identical.  Grr!  There were several pieces that Brian and I could not find so we would go through piece by piece until we found the one that fit.  Many hours passed by working on that tree.

As I worked on the puzzle, I couldn't help but have the thoughts that working on a puzzle is a lot like life.

• In the beginning, we only get small pieces of where we need to go and what to do.
• There is great support in finding those who we have similarities.
• You cannot force things that are not meant to go together.
• When frustrated, step back and let things clear up in your mind.   Sometimes frustration makes things even harder.
• You cannot quit.  This is a process that is step by step, piece by piece.  Endure to the end!
• Those who are smart, reference the creators instructions or pictures for guidance.
• Every piece is important.  Even the lost pieces are needed and must be found.
• Remember that the creator knows the big picture.  He knows how things will turn out.  Yes, there is great reward at the end of our hard work.

Putting a puzzle together was a great experience.  It brought our family together and we all helped.  With all the hard work, I am the hardest time putting it away.  I guess one more day of display will suffice............well until the cleaning personality can't handle it anymore.