I too will be starting my IMC course next week. You guys are getting me worried!
Have read Thom fully once. About to start again. Also logged about 10 hours MFS time.
Last weekend, tried out some of this stuff in VMC - it ain't easy is it. Not sure if it's the avionics on my plane, but the blessed VOR just won't keep still. One second I'm on track, the next it's 6 degrees off, and my compass precesses like mad.
Let's keep in touch.