August fine-tuning

Well, since the format for this site seems to have been changed, I guess that makes it an opportune time to fine-tune my own approach. I was reading a "highlight" from a David Allen "Getting Things Done" info sheet. (yet another organizing system I have heard about)

I picked up a few pointers from that source and am trying to implement them, or at least revise my system so that I can start to use them.

One thing I did was to move some of the action items to a "Someday/maybe" list. That helps the to do list look a little less overwhelming.

I also revamped my monthly master task list to actually include the daily am and pm routines (even if the routines themselves are not listed out) and specific actions tartetted for each day. I'll see how that goes for the next month. That being said, I guess I should probably print it out so I have it with me and can actually test it!

That's it for this month...

July - already halfway through 2010!

So since "they" appear to have changed the formatting somewhat for Blogger, I guess I have to adapt my blogging... no more copying last month and adjusting it. And perhaps I should include some thoughts on the process.

So for this week, I've been getting ready for our cottage weekend as well as (at work) getting ready to be on holidays for several days.

- exercise+ / bike / vacuum

- meditate+

- review coaching book / work with "coach" [I can do some on holiday]

- read French book [I can take to Bluesfest]

- tidy / organize sewing room [to do while on holiday]

- fix clothes items (skirt, blouse, ...) [to do while on holiday]

- cut background pieces for forest quilt / lay out forest quilt

- get more signatures for table cloth (NP, BL, SW, JC?, SN?...) [I could do over summer]

- embroider signatures

- determine fabric size for frame

- find / buy fabric for tablecloth frame

- knit socks

- start knit shrug

- cross-stitch

- fix / photograph hooked rug

- add picture to blog / send to contact

- file photo / memorabilia books / files

- record and file magazines

- empty closet in office / give away clothes

- find / organize clothes for give-away

- establish routines for house

- tidy office

- add photos / write-ups to VT site

I didn't bother including some things that actually got done (though not by me), like fixing the camp chair, and hemming G's pants.

Well, now I'm ready for July to begin!

June!

Wow, I can't believe it's already June.

Well, so far this week I have planted some bedding plants (annual flowers). I got the vegetables in last week. Maybe I'll get the mulch down this evening.

I'm not so sure that this ongoing list thing is working. It just seems to keep getting longer, not any shorter. However, it is a way to keep track of the things I want to do. So here goes again...

- exercise / bike / vacuum
- meditate
- review coaching book / work with "coach"
- read French book
- tidy / organize sewing room
- fix clothes items (skirt, blouse, ...)
- cut background pieces for forest quilt / lay out forest quilt
- get more signatures for tablecloth (NP, BL, ?)
- embroider signatures
- determine fabric size for frame
- find / buy fabric for tablecloth frame
- knit socks
- start knit "shrug"
- cross-stitch
- fix / photograph hooked rug
- add picture to blog / send to contact
- file photo / memorabilia books / files
- record and file magazines
- empty closet in office => give away clothes
- find / organize clothes for give-away
- establish routines for "new" house
- tidy office
- add photos / write-ups to VT site

Well, some of those evolved. Better get moving!

Welcoming spring 2010!

Wow, I guess I've been falling out of this practice as well. So I missed April... may as well pick it up in May.

I believe I'm figuring out this IP stuff. Did a visit in April and am planning another for June. In between times, I'll keep at my ongoing list of things to do.

- Exercise/bike/vacuum
- Meditate
- Review coaching book / work with "coach" (H/W)
- Read French book
- Tidy/organize sewing room
- Fix clothes items (skirt, blouse...)
- Cut background pieces for forest quilt / lay out forest quilt
- Get more signatures (NP, BL, ?)
- Embroider signatures
- Find/buy fabric for tablecloth "frame"
- Find/buy plastic for tablecloth
- Knit socks
- Start knit "shrug"
- Cross-stitch
- Fix/photograph hooked rug
- Add picture to blog
- File photo/memorabilia books/files
- Record and file magazines
- Sort boxes in basement
- Empty closet in office => give away clothes
- Find/organize clothes for give-away
- Establish routines for "new" house
- Tidy office
- Add photos/write-ups to VT site - I have been making some progress here. But I'll keep going!

Into March like a lion?

Wow, I was sure I had made an entry in February... oh well, here goes for March.

So our nice winter holiday is over - it was very nice, but too short. I think next year we should go a little earlier (early February?) and go for two weeks.

Back to work tomorrow and I guess I need to be planning for a trip to Victoria and talk to folks there about intellectual property...

What else do I need to work on this month?

- Exercise/bike/vacuum

- Meditate

- Review coaching book / work with "coach" (H/W)

- Read French book

- Tidy/organize sewing room

- Fix clothes items (skirt, blouse...)

- Cut background pieces for forest quilt / lay out forest quilt

- Get more signatures (NP, BL, ?)

- Embroider signatures

- Find/buy fabric for tablecloth "frame"

- Find/buy plastic for tablecloth

- Knit socks

- Start knit "shrug"

- Cross-stitch

- Fix/photograph hooked rug

- Add picture to blog

- File photo/memorabilia books/files

- Record and file magazines

- Sort boxes in basement

- Empty closet in office => give away clothes

- Find/organize clothes for give-away

- Establish routines for "new" house

- Tidy office

- Add photos/write-ups to VT site

That should do. Better get busy...

Wow - New Year!

And I seem to have missed blog entries for November and December! Oh well, better late than never.

I guess we should have done more Christmas prep in November. I'm not sure what I got done. I guess I did start taking on some new work responsibilities; maybe that's how the time slipped away.

Then it was December, which is always busy. Parties or events most weekends. Another Santa Claus pub crawl done. Another "waifs and strays" dinner over. I didn't take holiday time between Christmas and New Year's because of a) the new file(s) and b) our upcoming move. That's mostly taken care of now. Only 8.5 more days at Dow's Lake, then off to Qualicum for a year. Oh well, they say a change is as good as a rest and I can definitely use a change!

So what else should I try to accomplish this month.
- Book trip - inform hosts

- Exercise/bike - renew RA membership?
- Meditate
- Review coaching book / work with "coach" (H/W)
- Read French book

- Tidy/organize sewing room
- Fix clothes items (skirt, blouse...)
- Cut background pieces for forest quilt / lay out forest quilt
- Find/buy fabric for tablecloth "frame"
- Find/buy plastic for tablecloth
- Knit socks
- Start knit "shrug"
- Cross-stitch
- Fix/photograph hooked rug - add picture to blog

- File photo/memorabilia books/files
- Record and file magazines
- Sort boxes in basement
- Empty closet in office => give away clothes
- Find/organize clothes for give-away
- Establish routines for "new" house
- Tidy office

That should do. I do seem to have been able to knock some things off the list, which feels a little like progress!

October is basically over...

Well, we had a lovely holiday in Victoria. So finally I can get down to what I would like to accomplish this month.

- Clean up gardens
- Exercise/bike
- Meditate
- Finish canvassing / return proceeds
- Finalize work project? (presentation) (W)
- Work on next TM presentation (Dec 09-Jan 10)
- Review coaching book / work with "coach" (H/W)
- Read French book
- Tidy/organize sewing room
- Fix clothes items (leather pants (lining), skirt, blouse...)
- Cut background pieces for forest quilt / lay out forest quilt
- Find/buy fabric for tablecloth "frame"
- Find/buy plastic for tablecloth
- Knit socks
- Start knit "shrug"
- Cross-stitch
- Fix/photograph hooked rug
- add picture to blog
- File photo/memorabilia books/files
- Record and file magazines
- Sort boxes in basement
- Empty closet in office => give away clothes
- Find/organize clothes for give-away
- Establish routines for "new" house
- Tidy office

Considering I'll have to do this again fairly soon, this is probably adequate. Of course, I need to file my travel expense claim, fix my Hallowe'en costume and have my hair cut. But that will be finished by Sunday!

September, already!?!

I love this time of year. It's finally bug-free enough to spend time outdoors and it's still warm enough to want to do so. We had a brilliant outdoor movie experience at the cottage on the long weekend. I'm hoping we'll be able to do it again...

I guess I should update my task list.

- Weed / mulch gardens
- Pick basil / make pesto
- Pick tomatoes ?

- Exercise/bike
- Meditate

- Do canvassing / contact canvassars again / collect canvassars stuff / return to source
- Finalize work project? (presentation) (W)
- Work on next TM presentation (Aug-Sep/09)
- Review coaching book / work with "coach" (H/W)
- Read French book

- Tidy/organize sewing room
- Fix clothes items (leather pants (lining), skirt, blouse...)
- Cut background pieces for forest quilt / lay out forest quilt
- Find/buy fabric for tablecloth "frame"
- Find/buy plastic for tablecloth
- Knit socks
- Start knit "shrug"
- Cross-stitch
- Fix/photograph hooked rug
- add picture to blog

- File photo/memorabilia books/files
- Record and file magazines
- Sort boxes in basement
- Empty closet in office => give away clothes
- Find/organize clothes for give-away
- Establish routines for "new" house
- Tidy office

This time I definitely added more than I crossed off, but we're coming to a change of season!

August?!?

I guess we had summer last week. I'm hoping it will be nice for the last couple of weekends this month...

I guess I should update my task list, in spite of feeling that I haven't been accomplishing much lately.

- Weed / mulch gardens
- Exercise/bike
- Meditate
- Finalize work project? (presentation) (W)
- Work on next TM presentation (Aug-Sep/09)
- Review coaching book / work with "coach" (H/W)
- Read French book
- Tidy/organize sewing room
- Fix clothes items (leather pants (lining), skirt, blouse...)
- Cut background pieces for forest quilt / lay out forest quilt
- Find/buy fabric for tablecloth "frame"
- Find/buy plastic for tablecloth frame
- Knit socks
- Start knit "shrug"
- Cross-stitch
- Fix/photograph hooked rug
- add picture to blog
- File photo/memorabilia books/files
- Record and file magazines
- Sort boxes in basement
- Empty closet in office => give away clothes
- Find/organize clothes for give-away
- Establish routines for "new" house
- Tidy office

Well, I guess I did cross off a couple of August's items.

It's July - it should feel like summer...

Well, in spite of the cool damp weekend, it is summer and it's already July 6. Bluesfest and my holiday are coming up, so I better get down a few things I want to accomplish this month.



- Weed / mulch gardens
- Exercise/bike
- Meditate


- Finalize work project? (presentation) (W)
- Work on next TM presentation (Aug-Sep/09)
- Review coaching book / work with "coach" (H/W)
- Summarize HA record for August Dr. C. visit - note other symptoms to discuss
- Review "personality" book
- Read French book (Bluesfest)


- Tidy/organize sewing room
- Fix clothes items (leather pants (lining), skirt, blouse...)
- Cut background pieces for forest quilt / lay out forest quilt
- Find/buy fabric for tablecloth "frame"
- Find/buy plastic for tablecloth cover
- Knit socks
- Start knit "shrug"
- Cross-stitch
- Fix/photograph hooked rug - add picture to blog


- File photo/memorabilia books/files
- Record and file magazines
- Sort boxes in basement
- Empty closet in office => give away clothes
- Find/organize clothes for give-away
- Establish routines for "new" house
- Tidy office


It seems to be getting longer... well, at least it's slightly more organized. I guess I should make an effort to do a little bit in each category every week, if not every day.

June already!?!

Well, so far so good. It's only June 2. I've been making some progress on projects. So how about an update of my to do list...

- plant tomatoes / basil
- find lettuce to plant

- Finalize work project? (presentation) (W)
- Appraisal/learning plan (W)
- Work on next TM presentation (Jun-Jul/09)
- Review coaching book / work with "coach" (H/W)

- Tidy/organize sewing room
- Fix clothes items (leather pants (lining), skirt, blouse...)
- Cut background pieces for forest quilt / lay out forest quilt
- Find/buy fabric for tablecloth "frame"
- Find/buy plastic for tablecloth cover
- Knit socks
- Start knit "shrug"
- Cross-stitch
- Photogragh/Fix hooked rug+

- File photo/memorabilia books/files
- Record and file magazines
- Sort boxes in basement
- Empty closet in office => give away clothes
- Find/organize clothes for give-away
- Establish routines for "new" house
- Tidy office

- Exercise/bike
- Meditate

Well, that's evolved a little. I'm not sure it's getting smaller, but things are coming and going so that's a kind of progress!

*May* the summer begin!

Well, now that my baby quilt is done and delivered, I can get back on track with some other projects. So how about an update of my to do list...



- Finalize work project? (presentation) (W)

- Next French project (W)

+- Appraisal/learning plan (W)+

- Work on next TM presentation (May/09)
- Review coaching book / work with "coach" (H/W)

- Tidy/organize sewing room
- Fix clothes items (leather pants (lining), skirt, blouse...)
- Cut background pieces for forest quilt / lay out forest quilt

- Find/buy fabric for tablecloth "frame"

- Find/buy plastic for tablecloth cover

- Knit socks
- Start knit "shrug"

- Cross-stitch

- Photogragh/Fix hooked rug

- File photo/memorabilia books/files
- Record and file magazines

- Sort boxes in basement

- Empty closet in office => give away clothes
- Find/organize clothes for give-away

- Establish routines for "new" house

- Tidy office

- Exercise/bike



Well, that's evolved a little. After May, I'll have to add gardening...

March snows bring April showers

Although, so far, April has been pretty nice.

I had a great time at the Learning Organization workshop in Canmore last week. I've come back all inspired to do better and get more done...

So now an update of my to do list.
- taxes
- finalize work project? (presentation) (W)
- work on next TM presentation (Apr /09) w/?

- tidy/organize sewing room

- work on baby quilt

- fix clothes items (pants, leather pants (lining), skirt, blouse...)

- cut background pieces for forest quilt / lay out forest quilt

- knit socks

- cross-stitch

- start knit "shrug"
- file photo/memorabilia books/files

- record and file magazines

- sort boxes in basement
- empty closet in office => give away clothes

- find/organize clothes for give-away

- establish routines for "new" house
- tidy office
- exercise/bike
- work with "coach" (H/W)

Well, that's evolved a little. Soon I'll get to (have to) add gardening. Well, not point getting ahead of myself. Take things a step at a time. On with April!

March moving on

March (a little late) and time for a new post and update of my to do list.

- finalize work project? (presentation) (W)
- work on next TM presentation (Apr /09) w/?
- work on baby quilt
- fix clothes items (jacket, pants, leather pants (lining), skirt, blouse...)
- knit socks
- start knit "shrug"
- lay out forest quilt
- organize sewing room
- cross-stitch
- sort boxes in basement
- find/organize clothes for give-away
- empty closet in office => give away clothes
- file photo/memorabilia books/files
- record and file magazines
- establish routines for new house
- tidy office
- exercise/bike
- work with "coach" (H/W)?

Well, that's evolved a little.

New Month, New Post

New month, new post, re-new focus. Just an update of my to do list.

- laundry (Christmas linens+, bed)
- finalize work project (presentation) (W)?
- work on next TM presentation (Mar 10/09) w/?
- work on baby quilt +

- fix clothes items (jacket, pants, leather pants (lining), skirt, blouse...)
- work on (knit) socks
- start knit "shrug"
- lay out forest quilt
- organize sewing room
- cross-stitch

- sort boxes in basement
- file photo/memorabilia books/files
- record and file magazines
- establish routines for new house
- empty closet in office => give away clothes
- tidy office

- exercise/bike +
- look into accupuncture
- work with "coach" (H/W)


Well, that looks pretty good.

Happy New Year 2009!

OK. New year, new track, or is that new focus on similar track...

Better have a look at and update my to do list. At the very least, it may help me focus on getting stuff done and keeping away from the "boob tube".

- laundry (Christmas linens, bed)

- finalize work project (presentation) (W)?

- work on next TM presentation (Jan 13/09) w/Angie?

- get fabric for "birthday" gift

- lay out forest quilt
- organize sewing room
- cross-stitch
- lay out baby quilt
- sort boxes in basement
- file photo/memorabilia books/files
- record and file magazines
- establish routines for new house
- empty closet in office => give away clothes
- fix clothes in sewing room
- exercise/bike
- look into accupuncture
- work with "coach" (H/W)
- tidy office

Well, that looks pretty good.

Making potato scones

Potato scones (tattie scones, tottie scones) are a regional variant of the savoury "griddle scone", which is especially popular in Scotland. Many variations of recipe exist, however they generally include liberal quantities of boiled tatties or tawties (Scots for potatoes) and salt. (from Wikipedia)

My husband and I, however, make my grandmother's version, which includes only boiled potatoes (as noted) and flour.

1. First, peel and boil some potatoes.

2. Second, let the boiled potatoes cool.

3. Next, mash the potatoes. I've taken to mashing them with some of the flour to be added later.

4. Next, using a rolling pin, roll out the potatoes using just enough flour to help the potato stick together.

5. Then, cook the rolled scones on a dry, medium-hot griddle until they are cooked.

The scones are lovely at this point with a little butter. Also at this point, we usually put them away until Christmas morning, when we have them for breakfast, with some back (or pea-meal) bacon.

6. Heat some vegetable oil in a frying pan.

7. Re-heat the scones individually in the oil, but don't let them boil in the oil, as they get tough.

8. Place the re-heated scones on paper towel to drain them.

9. When enough scones have been re-heated, eat them with bacon and enjoy!

December here, now!

Well, my new job is definitely busy. I think I'm enjoying it. But now it's December and I've got to update my to do list:

+ finish prepping French presentation for Dec 9, including 'topical questions' to encourage interest and debate from the class (W)+
+ make cookies for exchange (Dec 7)+
+ finish sewing gift+
+ finish Christmas letter+
+ finish (+on-line+) Christmas shopping+
+ write/send Christmas cards
+ wrap/send Christmas gifts+
+ decorate house
- make more chocolate cookies
- shop for work party / Solstice party / Christmas day
- make scones
- knit dish cloths
- finalize work project (presentation) (W)
- work on next TM presentation (Jan 13/09) w/Angie?
- lay out forest quilt
- organize sewing room
- sort boxes in basement
- file photo/memorabilia books/files
- record and file magazines
- establish routines for new house
- empty closet in office
- fix clothes in sewing room
- exercise/bike
- look into accupuncture
- contact Dr/fitness for meeting
- work with "coach" (H/W)
- tidy office

OK. I better get to work!

November coming up (already!)

Well, my first month back to work was pretty good. I managed to find myself a new job and now I'm very busy. It's not a huge change - just to a different branch with the same sector of Natural Resources Canada and a move of only 1 floor. I'm also still working with a secretariat for a sub-group of the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers. However, the field of study/discussion of this group is quite different from my old group. Quite innovative, in fact, as it's the Innovation Working Group.

While, technically, I only moved down here last week (just after Thanksgiving, in fact), I had been doing things (participating in meetings) related to the work for a while before. I continue to need to think about a few of the things I was working on in the other Branch. I'm sure eventually it will all get sorted out.

On the home front, I've still got a knitting project almost finished - I've just got to add a label before November 1; I've got a machine quilting project well on its way; and I've got a design wall up in my sewing room. Here's my ongoing list:
- finish Halloween costume
- do Christmas shopping
- make Christmas card list
- write Christmas letter
- work on knitting project
- lay out tree quilt
- organize sewing room
- sort boxes in basement
- file photo/memorabilia books/files
- record and file magazines
- establish routines for new house
- empty closet in office
- fix clothes in sewing room
- exercise/bike
- look into accupuncture
- work with "coach" (H/W)
- tidy office

That should take me through the rest of October and well into November! Back to work!

October coming up

So how did my first month back to work go? Well, reasonably well, I suppose. I was getting some stuff done when, suddenly a couple of weeks ago, my friend and colleague asked if I would like to take her spot for a year while she goes on secondment to another federal department. I said (as I had when she had asked me the same question in the spring) "that might be intersting". Now, she's starting her secondment on Wednesday, I'm meeting with her previous boss tomorrow and it seems I'll be moving.

I think it will be a good change. I think I probably should have changed jobs about 5 years ago. But, as they say, better late than never! I will work to make it a good change. I'm hoping my head(aches) will not make it too hard to do that.

On the home front, I've got a knitting project almost finished; I've got a machine quilting project almost ready to start; I'm working to get a design wall up in my sewing room. Here's my ongoing list:
- work on knitting project
- hang up quilt layout tablecloth
- lay out quilt
- organize sewing room
- sort boxes in basement
- file photo/memorabilia books/files
- record and file magazines
- establish routines for new house+
- empty closet in office
- fix clothes in sewing room
- exercise/bike
- look into accupuncture
- work with "coach" (H/W)
- tidy office

Well, I guess that's enough for now. I better get moving on some of this stuff!