I Hate Group Projects

Nicole Sauce talks often about the “My Three Things” system on her podcast. She uses it to drill down on the three most important tasks she needs to get done every day. I use it, too, although sometimes I have more than three items on my list. I’ve found that its usefulness to me isn’t in helping me focus. I don’t have trouble with that. Its usefulness lies in the fact that it allows me to let go of—and not be distracted by—things that aren’t on the list. That’s a hair-splitting distinction, but an important one.

Yesterday, I had two fairly big (non-sewing) tasks on the list and a couple of smaller ones. The problem wasn’t that I couldn’t complete them; the problem was that I had to wait on other people to get me information I needed to complete them. I’ve been playing phone tag for three days with one of those people. I have no trouble being productive when I am the only person in the equation. (I hated group projects in school.) But just when I had given up waiting and thought I might use my time productively to cut the grass again, it started raining. 😑

[Rain wasn’t in the forecast, at least not until it started raining.]

I am hoping to finish up those two big tasks today. We’ll see.

I decided the universe was sending me a message, so I worked on some sewing projects. The “pages” for the Place for Everything Tote have all their pockets attached. I need to trim the corners of the pages and bind them, but that will have to wait.

I also traced a deconstructed Liz Claiborne top. I bought myself a couple of LC knot tops last month and really like them. On a hunch, I stopped in at our JC Penney store and found the same top in my size on the clearance rack for $4.99. I can’t buy a pattern for $4.99. I bought the top, brought it home, and took it apart. The clearance rack top is not a Tall size, so I didn’t feel too bad about taking it apart. The process of deconstructing it also let me see how it was put together.

I have no idea when I’ll get around to making a version of this, but at least I have the pattern ready when inspiration strikes. I traced the original, then lengthened it by 2" and traced it again.

Next week will be devoted to getting ready for the plant sale—and getting some of my own plants into the ground—after which, I need to focus on finishing my Bernina University jacket.

I am teaching a serger class tomorrow in Missoula and really looking forward to it. And it looks like the rain is supposed to end tomorrow, so I’ll be out doing yardwork on Saturday.

The husband says we have two bunnies now, and I think there are at least three or four robins with nests in the porch rafters. I’m waiting for the garter snakes in the garden to show up. I only had one hummingbird for a couple of weeks—a male—but a few days ago, a female arrived.

And our Joann Fabrics has a “countdown until closing” sign on the door. It looks like they’ll be out of business for good by the end of the holiday weekend. RIP Joann Fabrics. You had a good run.