Accepting challenges

Well, last week I accepted a couple of challenges. The first challenge was Monday night I used a sewing machine (think the last time I was in Gr 7 Home Economics!). My quilting buddies Brenda and Linda decided on the way to quilting that there was enough for Linda to do, so lets get me to sew the "X" pattern on the 7x7 squares for the rag quilts. I don't know who was more surprised - them or me - probably both. I did quite well (if I say so myself). We even laughed when I said - by the end of the year I will be sewing the curtains for my own basement windows!!! Imagine that as right now, can't even sew on a button! Had to share the news with my mom the next day - we had a good laugh. Thank you Brenda and Linda for being such special friends and providing this new experience for me. Dale said she will be sending me the photo capturing this moment in time. Once I get I will put it on my blog.

The next challenge was public speaking - definitely my weakness for professional skills. This year, I became one of the daysurgery trainers at CHR. One of the responsibilities is to speak in front of my fellow coders and present part of the 2007 coding standards. Well, a couple of weeks ago, our data quality coordinator asked for volunteers to help in the presentation to the rural managers first. I thought - it will be a small group compared to the huge group (we have 90 coders in total that work for the CHR) I face on Wednesday. Turns out I was the only volunteer. The part I presented was all of the coding sections while Cheryl did all the abstracting sections. As always I got flustered which meant I talked fast, but they said I did okay including our coding director. That was a good feeling. Still nervous about Wednesday as it is a teleconference, so I will be facing 3 other tv screens and the people in the room. Cheryl did point out to remember to breath!!! (HAHA) Well, had my dry run hopefully things go smoothly on Wednesday.

BTW - for those who kept me in your thoughts - thank you, my surgery did go well last Monday. I had a wonderful nurse - she literally held my hand throughout the whole procedure. Thank you Marilyn for picking me up and going for a Tim's afterwards. The stitches come out on Tuesday - luckily don't have to go to either job, as I am sure my face will be stinging for a bit afterwards.