Interesting thread. I think it's pretty amazing how our minds can prevent us from seeing the obvious sometimes. I spend a good majority of my time looking for things. When I can't find something, hubby and kids start checking the fridge, the dryer and other odd places cause that's usually where I put things.
It's also amazing how our mind can prevent us from seeing things as a defense mechanism. Yesterday I got cut when I was washing dishes because a glass broke. When I was at the hospital, the dr. lifted my hand towards me 2 different times to show me the cut( I was already feeling faint and he was teasing me...I think he thought I would faint if he showed me). But I didn't see it at all.....and I'm glad. He even lifted the flap of meat(as he called it) that had been cut by the glass and showed my husband and tried to show me...again I didn't see it.
So, as frustrating as it is to have things blocked from sight, sometimes it's a good thing.