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!

September 8 update

Well, I've been back at work for a week. In theory, at least. That doesn't consider time for headaches and to help clean up the tree that fell on our house during the wind storm on Friday.

It's all sorted now, except I think we will still call an arbourist to see about having the other rotten maples taken away so they don't take our our new electrical system in the next high wind!

Here's an update and some more new photos:
- sort boxes in basement
- file photo/memorabilia books/files
- record and file magazines
- establish routines for new house+
- hang up quilt layout tablecloth
- lay out quilt
- empty closet in office
- fix clothes in sewing room
- organize sewing room
- exercise/bike
- look into accupuncture
- work with "coach" (H/W)
- tidy office
- work on knitting project
- I think I'll have to fix the butterfly garden along the back of the house, but I'll wait to see what comes up next spring.
- organize and make horse fabric quillows++ - they ended up being a little long. But that could be good!

August 21 update

Here's another update and some new photos.

- sort boxes in basement

- file photo/memorabilia books/files

- record and file magazines

- establish routines for new house

- hang up quilt layout tablecloth

- lay out quilt

- empty closet in office

- fix clothes in sewing room

- organize sewing room+

- exercise/bike++++

- look into accupuncture

- work with "coach" (H/W)

- tidy office

- work on knitting project+++

- return beer bottles+

- cut out purse+ / sew purse+

- plant butterfly garden along back of house (between tomatoes & lupines)++ (see Aug 18 for photo)

- re-hem new pants+

- add mulch to flower beds++ (see Aug 18 for photo)

- clean cook-top++++

- file TM materials+

- organize and make horse fabric quillows+

August 18 update

Here's another update and this time I'll add some photos.

- sort boxes in basement

- file photo/memorabilia books/files

- record and file magazines

- establish routines for new house

- hang up quilt layout tablecloth

- lay out quilt

- empty closet in office

- fix clothes in sewing room

- organize sewing room+

- exercise/bike

- look into accupuncture

- work with "coach" (H/W)

- tidy office

- work on knitting project++

- return beer bottles+

- cut out purse+

- sew purse+

- plant butterfly garden along back of house (between tomatoes & lupines)++

- re-hem new pants+

- add mulch to flower beds++

- clean cook-top++++

- file TM materials+

August 12 update

Here's another update. I've finished putting out mulch, making my new purse, and mostly finished cleaning the cook-top. One burner basket is really dirty; I think I'll try putting oven-cleaner on it and also clean an oven. But that can wait for tomorrow.

- clean cook-top+++
- clean oven

- sort boxes in basement
- file photo/memorabilia books/files
- file TM materials
- record and file magazines
- establish routines for new house
- hang up quilt layout tablecloth
- lay out quilt
- empty closet in office
- fix clothes in sewing room
- organize sewing room
- exercise/bike
- work on knitting project+
- grocery shop for farm weekend
- look into accupuncture
- work with "coach" (H/W)
- tidy office

- return beer bottles+
- cut out purse+
- sew purse+
- plant butterfly garden along back of house (between tomatoes & lupines)++
- re-hem new pants+
- add mulch to flower beds++

Last week of July 2008

Just getting prepared for my month off! August will have its own entry, but here are a few things to work on before then:

- work on knitting project (H)
- finish putting mulch on flower beds (H)+
- go to RA Centre / bike (H)
- cut purse fabric (H)
- project list for August (H)
- send e-vite for long weekend (H)
- grocery shop for long weekend (H)
- grocery shop for August farm weekend (H)
- look into accupuncture (H)
- contact "coach" (H/W)
- finish implementing July work on common drive (W)
- tidy office (W).

August action

Since I'm off work in August and my intent is to get organized and re-find my focus, I better get a list of things to attack:

- return beer bottles+
- sort boxes in basement
- file photo/memorabilia books/files
- file TM materials
- record and file magazines
- establish routines for new house
- hang up quilt layout tablecloth
- lay out quilt
- cut out purse
- sew purse
- empty closet in office
- fix clothes in sewing room
- organize sewing room
- exercise/bike
- plant butterfly garden along back of house (between tomatoes & lupines)

Ok, it's now August 6, I better get to it. I'll check in later to update.