WWII, Pilot checklist and the lesson of To-Do lists

Many months ago, while reading the Checklist Manifesto (by Atul Gawande) my Great-Uncle, then 92 years old, showed me his B-29 bomber manual from WWII and right there was the pilot checklist that Mr. Gawande references in his book and I saw first hand the importance of checklists, also known now as a to-do list and every time I do my list I think of "UB" and his manual.

(This is just one of the many insights I have gained from listening to my great-uncle tell stories about his youth, WWII and his working life).

I salute you, UB and all the other veterans of war for their service in protecting our freedom and those of our fellow men, women and children in this world.

Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande at Amazon

Taming morning madness....

I have discovered that if I get up 30 minuted before my daughter, I can make her lunch, prepare breakfast for both of us (no more cereal every morning for her), plan my day over a cup of tea and we leave the house on time (which we did before) feeling relaxed, so take my advice and follow suit.

In the kitchen on Thursday: Seasonal Muffins

After Halloween, I dismantled our display and dissected the pumpkin into seeds for roasting and the pulp for muffins. Making the muffins doubled as mother-daughter bonding.

(Muffins, hot out of the oven)

1 box gingerbread mix
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (optional)
1/4 C. water
3/4 C. pumpkin pulp pureed (or canned pumpkin)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together. Place liners in cupcake tins. Spoon in batter until each is 2/3 full. Bake for 30 minutes. Makes 10-12. Great with butter, cream cheese or plain.

More Words....

"No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it." —Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein Biography

Wednesday's words: Size matters

"It is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog." —Anonymous

Tuesday's Tip: Eco friendly Laundry

A few months back I read that adding a dry towel to a dryer cycle cut drying time equaling saved energy. The added bonus is the clothes come out softer and with less static (with no dryer sheet).

November and the New Year

While it is not the new year and only November, I have decided to set some goals from now to the end of the year, break them down into bite size pieces and accomplish them none-the-less like they were new years' resolutions and those goals are to get check off more household projects, craft a better business message that really builds my "brand, support my husband in his work transition and get better at setting boundaries for my 8 year-old "teenager."