2023 in Review

  

2023 in Review

My worst year ever for blogging. I may not remember a darn thing from 2023...

1. What did you do in 2023 that you'd never done before?  Got new E-bikes and did a little (very little) biking. Actually did a single track mountain bike trail and pretty much hated that.  Frank wishes I would be more open to new experiences and he's not wrong.


2. What would you like to have in 2024 that you lacked in 2023?  A little more self control (though I did better this year than in many past years), happy knees, more time with girl friends.


3. What dates from 2023 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?  Dante  Roman Hill was born to Ryan and Kristal on May 5, 2023. I got to attend the birth which was exhausting and exhilarating and heartwarming and a bit scary too. haha So many emotions!  I gave it very little thought when I had my children...I knew I planned to have them and so I did. Now that I'm on the outside, I find the whole thing terrifying.
4. What was your biggest achievement this year? I decided to be proactive about my health and got a bunch of testing done...all of which came back terrible! I was mad at even finding out but it did spur me to make some changes. One of the best ones is that I joined a local club where I lift weights with a trainer. It is expensive so not sure how long I can keep it up but it is helping me a lot.   My other big achievement is that I finally convinced (whined enough that he caved) Frank to get moving on the remodel of the kitchen and family room!
5. What was your biggest failure? You mean learning opportunity?  Fell off the wagon for scripture study/inklings/church. Getting a headache whenever I go to church makes it really hard to feel motivated I will admit.  But I'm turning over a new leaf, again!
6. Did you suffer illness or injury?  My knees were bothering me a lot so I started physical therapy. The weight lifting seems to be helping a lot also.  I got foot surgery on my right foot the day before Thanksgiving. I have been putting it off for years but the doctor said I had enough damage that I shouldn't put it off anymore. As of this moment I am still in the surgical shoe but get it off next week and then start physical therapy. A little nervous.
7. What was the best thing you bought?  A designer to help me finally figure out a plan for the new fireplace. 
8. Where did most of your money go? Helping kids, saving for remodel of fireplace.
9. What did you get really, really, really excited about? New grand baby! Austin came to visit...twice! Finally doing the remodel on the house. Having the Michigan family here for Christmas this year!
10. What song will always remind you of 2023? None. I can't even think of a song right now. I should probably listen to more music.
11. Compared to this time last year, are you: Happier or sadder? Fatter or Thinner? Richer or Poorer? About the same, a bit thinner (thanks weight lifting!), richer at the moment but about to be poorer when I pay for the remodel stuff.


12. What do you wish you'd done more of? Visiting Michigan, visiting girl friends, being happy for no reason


13. What do you wish you'd done less of? Working...how else can I do all that traveling I say I want to do!  But also, I like being able to help kids and also save for stuff I want to do/have


14. What was your favorite TV program? We do watch a show almost every night. Slow Horses was a favorite. Also Severence though that might have been last year, not sure.


15. What was the best book you read? We found a new author that we like and I'm working my way though his books. His name is Michael J Sullivan and the first group of books was the Riyria Chronicles. So good.


16. What did you want and get? Not done yet, but remodel is being planned and will happen! Foot surgery though I wasn't excited, I'll be glad if my foot is now pain free. I made a point of visiting Logan a fair amount so that William will know me. I always enjoy the day up there.


17. What did you want and not get? a million dollars. just kidding.


18. What was your favorite film of the year? I still love Spirited and watched it twice this year. Would have been more but I try not to annoy my family too much. I'm sure I saw other movies and I'm usually pretty easy to entertain but I can't remember anything right now.


19. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 56. Here is what I did.  It happened way back in January so I've always forgotten by the time I do this thing.


20. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2023?  I'm continuing to try to buy clothes that are more authentically me but I fall back into the comfort zone of flannel shirts and t-shirts especially on my day off. I enjoy comfort too much to be truly fashionable. Obsessed with my kizik shoes.
21. What kept you sane? naps, Marco Polo with Candice, Pickleball, walks


22. Which celebrity did you fancy the most? I don't care about celebrities. 


23. What political issue stirred you the most? too many terrible things going on. I have trouble even staying informed without it affecting my mental health.


24. Who is the best new person you met? Dante Roman of course! He's mostly a stoic little thing except he really lights up for his mama and daddy. Until recently he was just fine with us babysitting occasionally but has entered the stranger danger phase and now pretty much hates us. I'll have to win him back of course.


25. Who did you miss? girl friends, Michigan family (only got myself out there once this year!)


26. Tell us a valuable lesson you learned in 2023. I feel remarkably better when I don't eat sugar or lots of carbs. Hard to stay on the wagon but much improved from past years! I still love YNAB and enjoy budgeting and feeling on top of things money-wise.

I think I'm supposed to include pictures but my computer is having issues doing that right now. I'll try to add some later!

Annual birthday post

Well, the Michigan folks came for Christmas and we also had Carter's family and Ryan's family here a lot over the break...and we got some new germs. I succumbed to the illness on the 3rd of January and by my birthday I was well and truly sick.

I called out sick to work on Thursday night and spent my birthday in bed/on the couch with tissues and cold medication.

Frank was willing to take me to lunch and/or dinner but I just wasn't up for it. I think he got us take out but I honestly can't remember..it's all a blur.

Frank gave me some new workout clothes which was nice. Ryan stopped by with a card and some mini cinnamon rolls. Austin and Branden both called. And I chatted by text with Carter but he was also sick. Amber sent me some gem art to do for when my house is torn apart and I need a distraction (they worked on one while there were here and it looks pretty fun!)

I was hoping to feel better the day after my birthday and we bought tickets to see the newest Hunger Games movie but I ended up cancelling that because I still felt horrible. We ended up renting it at home though so we still watched it. I had read the book so I knew it wasn't exactly uplifting but, yeah, downer movie when you're already feeling crappy. ha!

I hope and plan to go to lunch with my sisters this week or as soon as I feel better. I've already called out sick to work tomorrow (it's 1/7 as I write this) because I still feel horrid. The worst is that when I'm sick it sometimes triggers other things that make life even worse: cold sores (yep, got several) and the ice pick headaches (so far those have been off and on and not debilitating).

I also plan to make myself a cake at some point! Or make Frank do it. But that get's harder the further away from my birthday we get. I did tell him that I want a birthday do-over when I'm feeling better because this one sucked.

I have a tradition of taking a selfie on my birthday just for fun/show the passage of time. But man, I look bad. I took one but probably deleted it. If it's still there when I have energy to check, I'll upload it here.

I tried to smile  in the hopes it would improve the picture but alas. No makeup, cold sore, hair fresh from shower and not styled at all, feel like death. There you have it: 57!

The latest thing

Frank got it in his head that we needed E-bikes. E-mountain bikes to be precise. I keep hoping I'll get on my normal old road bike on occasion but that hasn't really happened so Frank isn't sure this is a good investment to get me another bike but he's trying to have faith.

He's ridden his a few times and we've gone out on the bike path near the house which I find perfectly enjoyable. 

I have no desire to actually mountain bike. Frank wishes I would have a more open mind about it.

Anyway, we took our bikes down to Manti and visited Daren, stayed in a cute little BnB, played pickleball and took the bikes on a trail that they like. 

Here's how it went down:

Daren and Frank in the front having a great time.

Berit, in  skinny jeans and having her phone in her hand a fair amount because it wouldn't stay in her pocket

Camille: on a bike that's too big for her

Me: in all the gear needed to have a successful bike ride. No phone in hand. Bike the right size.

I fell twice.

I was super stressed and got way behind and no one even heard me scream when I had my second and worse fall.

Everyone else had a great time. 

Clearly the trail isn't too hard if Berit can do it in skinny jeans and one hand on the handlebars and Camille can do it on a bike that's too big for her!  I have a mental block.

Anyway, I tried it! That' what matters, right?

My injuries

Everyone looking happy after the ride

These pictures are clearly not in order but you get the gist.

 

Michigan!

 I just returned from a short trip to Michigan.  I usually go from Thursday to Sunday, it's kind of my normal routine. It's easier for me to get just Friday off of work rather than trying to stay longer. We did stay longer at Christmas but when I go alone, it's usually just 4 days. If it is during the school year, this seems like a pretty decent visit but this visit was the first day of summer break for the girls and it just went by so fast! It really felt too short.

I always take the 6 am flight because it's the only flight that gets me there without wasting a whole day. Down side is that I am always so tired when I arrive, that I need a nap. When the girls are in school, it's works out perfect as I can nap right up until they get home. They were already home from their last day of school this time and I was worried that I wouldn't be much fun being so tired. Branden and Amber must have talked to them because they both commented that they knew I would need a nap and showed me my room right when I arrived. haha. Still, I needed it! So that was awesome.

I have always brought presents when I come and this was my first time not doing so. The girls are getting older and I really just don't know what they are into day to day so picking out a gift is really hard now. I figured I would take them to Target and let them buy something but there's always that moment of telling them I have no gifts in my suitcase. Well, again, sounded like Amber had tried to prepare them for this possibility because as I was bringing in my suitcase, Kaylee asked what I had in there. I replied, Just clothes this time. I was about to explain the plan and she said, "Well, the real gift you bring us is you! So really, you did bring us gifts!"  That was so sweet! (I did still take them to Target. haha)

Day 1-Flight went off without a hitch. I had a window seat and tried to sleep but that just never happens for me on airplanes. I got my rental car and drove the 1 hour to their house. I stopped for a burger king chicken sandwich for lunch...the line was SO LONG and incredibly slow and then the sandwich was really bad. I ate it anyway because I was so hungry but it was definitely subpar. No issues getting to the house. 

Showing me the wildflowers on the side of the hill

Once I arrived, I unpacked a bit and then napped :-). Isabelle had put a little poster up in my room welcoming me. I can't believe I forgot to get a picture! She also made me cards several times and left them on my bed. She's really creative and thoughtful!

Riley remembered me but was thinking I was the fun person who would play with her. I have played with her but the fun person is Frank...poor Riley. We all pitched in and helped Amber clean. I did dishes and Isabelle dried and put them away. The girls showed me their rooms and some of their favorite things. 

I've become pretty bad at taking pictures lately. Once Branden got home from work we went out for dinner to a nice restaurant nearby. After dinner, it was late enough the Isabelle was willing to wake up her hamster so we spent some time playing with it. It is a very cute and fluffy hamster and I have already forgotten its name!

We fed it a strawberry and a pea pod

Amber read to the girls (they are in the middle of a chapter book) and we had family prayer and scriptures before the girls went to bed. I watched a show with Branden and Amber and then I was off to bed. Totally exhausted from waking up at 3:15 despite my nap! I found another cute note from Isabelle on my bed. 

Day 2: Today was adventure day with grandma. We started with pancakes for breakfast, made by grandma.

We planned to see a movie and go to Target so we chose the theatre closest to Target...which is a 45 minute drive!

We went to see the Little Mermaid. It was very good and we all loved it!

We thought we might have the theatre to ourselves for awhile but other people eventually showed up. Super fun movie!

Then we went to McDonalds for lunch where I let them choose whatever they wanted to eat. They both chose a milkshake for their drink but after having some candy in the movie, neither of them finished it, stating that they had had too much sugar! I like that they can recognize when sugar is making them feel crappy and just stop!

Off to Target next! They had each brought some of their own money to spend. We also had the assignment to buy a set of hooks for the bathroom at home as well as a flotation vest for Kaylee since she has outgrown hers.

As the girls were examining the various toys, I announced my plan to add $10 to their spending limit. They were pretty excited about that since that meant much bigger items. 

Kaylee chose a fox stuffy pretty quickly but Isabelle had a harder time and wanted to look at the craft stuff. Kaylee and I were so tired! As Isabelle looked, we sat on the floor and tried to rest. haha!

Eventually Isabelle chose  a couple of crafty things but wanted one last look at the toys. She ended up with a couple of things including some cat hamsters (stuffed animals...yes cat hamsters). 

With both girls satisfied with their purchases, we trudged to the checkout.

The drive home was good and we listened to a kids entertainer that I found on youtube. We were trying to find a certain song but that never came on. The music was enjoyable though and I found myself singing along.

Once we got home, the girls played with their new items.

I napped. I know, why am I so tired!?!

We had chicken and rice for dinner and then played a new game that we all liked.

It might have been called Bears and Bees or maybe that's the nickname we gave it. ha! I can't remember.

Day 3: Lake Michigan!

It's my first time going to lake Michigan so that was fun. It isn't close: 2.5 hour drive! But Amber had all the food and towels and various things all ready to go and we got the car packed. We stopped by her parents house for some the shade tent and some flotation vests that we needed. While we were there, Daniel and Shannon decided last minute to come as well! They quickly packed and stuffed into the van with us. No issues with the drive. Branden and I were in the front and listened to an audiobook while all the folks in the back chatted and played travel games. Both Daniel and Shannon are super fun and full of energy!

The beach was beautiful and felt like being at the ocean! The water was super calm, which was nice. Apparently that isn't always the case but we basically had the perfect day! It is a bit of a hike from the parking lot to the water but we managed to get everyone and all the stuff down there.

The fun and energetic Daniel andShannon played for hours with isabelle and Kaylee! They played in the (frigid) water, they dug holes in the sand, they buried the girls in the sand and even ended up making a little picnic table out of sand where they ate their lunch. It was so fun!

I relaxed and read and chatted. I did venture into the water a bit but not much past my calves. It really was cold to me! I'm a wimp.

Funnest aunt and uncle award!! (funnest adults actually)

Branden and I chatting in the shade

When we'd had our fill of fun, we loaded up the van and headed home. Partway home we stopped for dinner at Olive Garden

It was a lot of driving for one day but totally worth it. Next time I think we should get an airbnb and stay over though. I wouldn't mind two days there!

Straight to bed when we got home..it was like 11 pm!

I actually fell asleep on my bed, still in my dress and swim suit. Luckily Branden woke me up so I could change or I would've slept all night in a swim suit!

Day 4:

Last day :-( It went so fast!

Branden made the girls waffles for breakfast, though they call them wuffles because they are the frozen kind and don't count as real waffles. haha

Amber had an early meeting so we met her at church. Church was nice with a talk from a recently returned missionary. I got a headache (surprise!) so I went outside and sat in the car with the door open during Relief Society. The weather was really beautiful for my whole visit.

We had lunch of deep dish pizza, played one last game of bears and bees and then it was time to head to the airport.

The girls said I should stay longer next time and BRING GRANDPA!

My final note:

We have a new baby!

 Ryan and Kristal welcomed their first baby on May 5th!

I was super excited that Kristal invited me to attend the labor and delivery. I had imagining of being lots of help but I don't think I actually was. I at least knew some stuff which I think was helpful...but you never know what a person will need when laboring.

They were brought into the hospital for induction on the evening of May 3rd. We thought they were going to actually start pitocin but that didn't turn out to be the plan. So we sort of hung out and waited together to see if the labor would start. I ended up going home to sleep for a few hours and the plan was to start pitocin in the morning.

Once labor started for real the next morning, Ryan and I just tried to be supportive and helpful.  It comes right back to you after having been through labor...you see it and remember how it was.  It's such an intense time and not knowing how long it will all take is quite hard emotionally. But Kristal was quite a trooper and did a great job for many hours.  

After a long time, she decided to get an epidural so she could get some rest.  Ryan napped a bit too.   During that time, Kristal got a fever and wasn't feeling so great either. They were able to get the fever down pretty quickly, thank heaven. She was pretty much fully dilated but things just weren't progressing. The doctor decided to let her wait a bit and see if the baby would move down so we continued to watch and wait and nap as we could. I eventually went home for maybe 3 hours of sleep when it seemed like labor had stalled.

When I returned after my short trip home, there seemed to be no change. The doctor decided that a c-section was needed. I felt sad about that and Kristal was clearly sad and scared as well. But it seemed like the right decision after so much time. The doctor felt that he just wasn't fitting in the birth canal...we knew he was probably a bigger baby and Kristal is a small woman.

The doctor asked Kristal if she was ok with me watching and she said yes!  I got to watch the delivery from a window and it was so cool!

Little Dante (or should I say big Dante) was seriously stuck.  He also had the cord very tightly wrapped around his neck several times. It took quite a bit of work to get him free and I was so glad for modern medicine as I don't think he would have ever come down with that tight cord and just being so big. 

He was a whopping 10 lb 9 oz!  So cute and we're so glad to have him safely here!

Welcome to the family, Dante Roman Hill. We love you so much!

Hawaii February 2023

 We decided a couple of years ago that it was important to spend more time with Frank's sister. Both of their parents have passed on and we don't live super close to each other but we like to be in touch, more than we have.  So we decided to start vacationing together at least once a year!

This is the second year of going to Hawaii together. Last year we did the big island and this year we did Kauai.

DAY 1 (February 5)

We flew out at 8 am, had a layover in L.A. and then arrived in Kauai at about 8:30 PM. Diana and Rob had been there, waiting around, since 5 PM since we rented the car in Frank's name. Oops.  Maybe next time rent the car in the name of whoever arrives first!

I always love the first look at the palm trees!

We took the extremely full shuttle to the rental car place where it was mayhem! The line barely moved and it seemed extremely unorganized. I'm not sure how long it took but it was a couple of hours for sure. Luckily, just as our car was pulled up, the rain started pouring. We lucked out!  

Frank had packed suitcase full of drinks: his diet mountain dew and my mineral water. Not surprisingly, something burst in the suitcase and we were leaking liquid pretty badly. We went through the bag as we waited at the rental car place and found a couple of burst cans. Frank was pretty impressed at how many cans made it through just fine. I took the opportunity to razz him about his addiction to Mt Dew that would even cause you to consider bringing canned soda in your suitcase!

Rob had a place in mind for dinner but when we arrived it was closed (forever). We ended up going to place next door..a mom and pop chinese place. Food was so-so but we were tired and just glad to eat something.

We found our airbnb without much difficulty (though it took us awhile to find the lock box). Seems very nice! 5451 Ka Haku Rd, Princeville HI

DAY 2 (February 6)

We drove around a bit in the lovely area of our Airbnb. It's a neighborhood near a golf course and overlooks the ocean on one side. 

The view from our front door

The view from our back deck

We went to Hanalei Bread Co for breakfast and it did not disappoint. They have tables in the grassy area by the restaurant and we at there. They have some chickens who feel quite at home and will attempt to eat your food if you leave it for even a moment. Frank tried to show them who is boss.  The restaurant was right across the street from a grocery store so we picked up a few items.  Diana had packed quite a bit of food (in one of those moments where she totally reminds me of Janice!). She had chicken (frozen!), lunch meat, tortillas...and probably lots more but I can't remember.

Our first stop was Hanalei pier and Black Pot Beach (as seen in the move South Pacific). We decided it was important to watch that movie while we were here. Diana had brought the CD with her for just such an occasion.

On the way back, we went to the North Shore General Store which had been highly recommended to us as a good lunch stop. Frank and I had Paniolo Chicken pizza (recommended by my sister Diane) and Diana and Rob had fish and chips. 

We went back to the house where I took a nap due to a migraine. Frank and Rob went on a hike-Mahogany Plantation Hike

Frank, Diana and Rob went to a late dinner at the Hanalei Gourmet but I stayed home with the headache.

When they got back we messed around with the tv and dvd players for some time before realizing that, as usual, entertainment is difficult. Frank then found and rented it online and we watched about half of South Pacific before deciding we were pooped!

DAY 3 (February 7)

We started the day trying to find some local pickeball (of course). They were playing indoor at a local Neighborhood center so we joined for that. It wasn't too busy and we had a good time.

 

We decided to do some sightseeing that day. Stopped at an old fort- paula ula and saw a statue of King Kaumaulii

    

We went to Waimea state park and did a couple of hikes: Iliau nature trail and Kukui trail. I seriously should have written this sooner because I can't pull any specifics out of my brain regarding these hikes.

We hiked until we got to a washed out river and decided to turn back.

Next we visited the spouting horn

We had been told that we had to visit Lapperts ice cream in Hanappe but when we arrived, they had been closed since covid. Sad.

We went to Chicken in a Barrel in Kopaa which everyone liked. Then we rushed back to princeville to get there before the Lapperts closed there but they had changed their hours and we missed them too! By now we are pretty sure we NEED ice cream.

We went home and finished South Pacific. Not sure anyone was all that impressed. haha

DAY 4 (Feb 8)

Breakfast at Hanalei Bread Co again. Yummy again. Crazy chickens again.

Back for more pickleball...the place was much more crowded with a number of tourists. The locals are pretty darn good and seemed annoyed with all the "beginners" at their place. We commented (only to each other of course) on the fact that this place had less of the "aloha spirit" than the big island. Much less welcoming of us at pickleball. HA!

We had planned a boat trip as our big adventure and were notified that it was cancelled for Thursday due to weather. Rescheduled for Friday.

We went to Anini beach for some snorkeling. Frank saw a turtle!

We decided to head out to the Kauapea beach and Kalihiwai lighthouse. Turned out you needed a reservation to see the lighthouse but it was a very pretty view

We finally made it to Lapperts for some ice cream!

Then we hiked to Ho'opa falls. This was a fairly significant hike, sometimes muddy. Frank and Rob got way ahead of Diana and I and we had a few times we wondered if we were going the right way. It started to get dark and we were a little nervous but we made it to the end to the lovely waterfall and back to the car before dark. Diana and I saw a teenager jump from the falls into the fairly fast moving river. I was thinking about how his mom would not be thrilled. haaa! I did the whole thing in a skirt with a swimming suit underneath. Not my best hiking gear ever.

We were pretty tuckered out and went home for showers and a dinner of sourdough toast and homemade guacamole with chips.

DAY 5 (Feb 9)

We woke up to rain and wind and weren't sure what to do.

First item was to get a picture of us in our matching Hawaiian shirts. Diana gave ours to us for Christmas two years ago. Rob brought the wrong shirt! haha

We had the Shaka guide driving tour of the island so we did the Waimea Valley tour which included a few different view stops.

I don't remember where this was but we were looking for potential whale sightings. The water was beautiful. Right after this picture, it POURED rain on us.

We went to the Waimea falls lookout (the hike to the bottom was closed, thank heaven, or Frank would've wanted to do it)

   

We had lunch in Lihue at Rob's Good Time Grill which was a pretty simple place but good food.

Lydgate Park was next: Beach and ruins of a sacred stone building

Opaeka'a Falls

Hindu Sacred Forest with the blue berries used for beads from the trees. This place was very cool to walk around and seeing the blue berries was very cool.

Next we went to the Keahua Arboretum. They had the rainbow eucalyptus trees (one of my favorites!). We did a small hike along the river which was very muddy. Frank toyed with the idea of trying the cross the fairly deep river but no one else was game. ha!

We then headed back to Princeville before Lapperts closed to get some more ice cream. The girl was on a break when we arrived but we stayed and waited her out!  We wanted that ice cream!

Once we got home, we decided to walk up the road and see what was there. We knew there had to be a beach access but we were up on a cliff. We checked out the access from a local hotel but all the signs said we weren't allowed. So we went the other direction and found the entrance to hide-away beach. The path was down the cliff and was fairly slick in places. There was a rope to hold onto to help go down (and back up). Diana wasn't too sure about it  so she stopped part way down where she had a view and told us to go on because it was getting late and kind of dusky. So Frank, Rob and I walked down. Before too long, Diana joined us!  It was a very pretty beach with pretty wild waves at times. We stayed til almost dark and getting back up was a bit of a challenge for Diana with her eyesight...but we helped each other out and made it safely back up the cliff.

We ended this nice day with some card games at home.

DAY 6 (February 10)

Started the day with pickleball again. Can't let the haters get us down!

Lunch in Hanalei-we ended up just getting pizza at a little group of shops because most of the places we had wanted were closed! 

We had a recommendation from my friend Lance to go to a certain beach and it was a winner~  Sheltered from the wind and waves crashing over some rocks that made for a beautiful setting and we enjoyed the sand and water for our last day!

Might have been named Waikoko beach but we're not sure. He just showed us on a map where to go.

We made reservations for a last fancy dinner at a "steakhouse". Turned out to be  out of prime rib and had no steak! ha! But we had a nice last dinner together

I look a bit frazzled...sea air does that to me. Ha! Wish we'd gotten a group picture together!!

And that was the end of our Hawaiian adventure for 2023!

What a good time and a good decision for us to get more family time.

Can't wait to see what we do in 2024!