Cutting straight - A Lesson in Patience

I have discovered that I can't cut straight. I can't sew a straight line either, but that's another issue. I have all of the tools that you would think could help cut a straight line. I have a mat with measurements, a ruler with a handle, a rotary cutter, one eye and half sense, and I still cannot cut a straight line. I WANT to quilt. I want to make quilts that I can give my family or friends so that on cold nights, they can wrap up in them and maybe think about me. I know that's the selfish part, but regardless, you can't make a quilt if you can't cut a straight line. Last week I was trying to cut fabric across my left hand which was holding the ruler and made such a mess of the cut line. with little shreds of material that not only mess up your seams, but make your fabric uneven. I went to the other side of the table, thinking if I cut on the right side of the ruler, my cut lines would be neater. Okay - that should have worked, except that I turned my fabric as well which gave me the same problem only I was standing on the other side of my table. So when I figured out my issue (it was like Judy Finch and the gas tank) I added that experience to my quest for straight cutting. So I truly believe this cutting and sewing straight issue is a lesson in patience. There should not be a reason that I cannot sew straight. My mama has sewn for years. She made my clothes when I was growing up and I am pretty sure she probably finished my Home Ec and 4-H projects because I do remember them looking very neat and perfectly stitched. She still sews - very well. It is in my blood. I should sew. I am normally a very patient person and a very crafty right brained person. So why can't I mix the two? I tell people all the time - start a craft - it will help you relax and give you something to do. So, I wonder why I am having such issues. Most of it probably stems back to the days when I was learning to sew and wanted to go to the store, pick out the pattern and material, then come home and have the garment ready to wear by bedtime. Otherwise, I got frustrated and it wound up unfinished. Woe is me. Here is my new plan. I have read that I should stop multitasking and focus on just one thing at a time. So I am going to choose one part of a project and set aside just enough time to complete it. This morning, I cut and ironed the three rail part of the baby quilt I am currently working on, cut my inner blocks and laid out the quilt top on the bed. I sewed the first row together - wrong - twice. So once I got it together correctly, I picked up the second row to stitch. And then I stopped. I need to write. My book.