Today I decided to get motivated and do a project. My first thought for a good project was to take a nap. Then I realized I do that every day anyway, so I should probably pick a more challenging project. How about…folding all the laundry on the same day I wash it? Nah, too challenging. I need a project that would get something off my list of things to do. Last week I cleaned up my computer desktop with one eyeball glued to my igoogle homepage, hoping someone would post a blog entry. No one posted, so I was able to make some good progress and put all six “to do” desktop documents in a folder where I can look at them some other day. Someday when the planets align, I may venture to open one of these documents. Half a century ago, when I had energy, I bought some “Diego” fabric to make Sage a pillowcase so she could hand down her “Dora” pillowcase to Eliza. Today a few Nick Jr. stars must have aligned, because I got out my sewing machine, dusted off 6 inches of dust, and got to work on the darn Diego pillowcase. It actually felt really good to get down with the domestic skills I last practiced over a year ago in
Now, if you don’t think completing three sewing jobs in one day is good enough to count for my aforementioned “project” goal, let me indulge you in the events accompanying my sewing stint. While looking for my misplaced Diego fabric, I discovered a water leak in our front closet. (We finally got our automatic sprinkler system powered up yesterday. Apparently, the "Lawn Genie" felt so underused and neglected that it decided to make up for it by refusing to stop watering at 4am, after the two hour shift was done, and instead cranked away until 9am, when I realized what was going on and cut the power.)
I cleaned out the waterlogged closet (which, unfortunately, happens to be my favorite place for jamming things that I don’t want to put away, and don’t want to be seen by all guests), and aired it out by leaving the closet and front doors open. Sometime during this procedure, Eliza abandoned her less-engrossing projects (I admit it, she was watching a movie) and absconded with my sharp sewing scissors. I found her, barefoot in the driveway, sitting on her bicycle, happily snipping with the scissors, obliviously shredding her shirt. Miraculously, she didn’t cut herself. Not so miraculously, she had shredded the shirt I had borrowed from a friend. Unfortunately, repairing the new fringe on her shirt is way beyond my sewing skills. When I tried to take away the scissors (and later on the pincoushin that she was enjoying), she said "Mom, I'm using sewing!" My own little Project Runway candidate.
So much for my big project day. I think next time I’ll just choose “Make popcorn and watch a movie” as my project. And if I get really optimistic, I might add “Eat Dove chocolates” to the agenda. And before starting I'll hide all the pairs of scissors in the house, because you can't dress your 2-year-old in a shirt with a fringe every day.
11 comments:
I'm glad to hear you're sewing again. I miss you in our sewing group. It's almost non-existent now. I bet I can guess the last time your machine was used. Could it be when I visited? That would explain the amount of dust.
Mattey is doing sewing in 4-H this year. You can sign Eliza up for it when she's 4(?). The only draw back is the parent teaches it at that age. Until then maybe you could make up a little sewing kit of the non-harmful variety and she'd think she's big stuff.
Good luck with future projects.
Ah me . . . if it's not diaper-drawing it's sewing! That ingenious Eliza . . . just think of all that creativity all bottled up in one little, petite body! (if you can just live through it to eventually ENJOY it :) )
Heck yeah, finishing three sewing projects in one day is a big accomplishment! And airing out a closet int he meantime- WAY TO GO! You are one accomplished Momma! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. :)
No kidding. I am way impressed!!! (Especially knowing how long you've had sewing projects on your to do list- I have plenty of dreaded items like that on my list that I get stressed just thinking about and thus never do). And it was pretty amazing how focused Eliza was on getting those scissors yesterday.
I think three sewing projects in one day is awesome as well! I have a few nursing covers that need to come off my to do list before the babies are no longer nursing!
I think that most definitley counts as a challenging project. But you know popcorn, a movie, and eating Dove chocolates I think is hard pretty hard work!
Loved the "a half century ago when I had energy" comment! Are we Moms??
Wow....I am so stinking proud that a mother of 2.5 would have the engery to do not one...but 3 sewing projects in one day. I think you have earned your popcorn and a movie with the girls. I mean for the love, aren't you suppose to spend time with your family?
Janel, I totally love to read how your depict your daily doings. So funny!
Janel, I've been thinking about you and your family a lot this year! Kimberlee told me about the bar and about your blog as well. Things are good in the Village, where I'm an AR. I teach a little for Upward Bound, and I'm working on my masters. I'm having fun with the boys and hoping to have #3. I think your blog is fantastic, and I've missed having you here in the Village.
This is very cleverly written - I laughed out loud, bravo! I am also impressed with your skills - if my family is lucky I may sew on a loose button...but probably not!
See...that's why I don't even try to do projects anymore...unless the kids are asleep, but then I usually want to be asleep too...so, pretty much nothing get's done. You are the only reason I ever finished any project and yes, my fourth of July pillow is still in my closet collecting dust!
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