2023 Annual Birthday Post

 My birthday fell on my day off this year! Yahoo!

I woke up in a bad mood...actually I went to bed the night before in a bad mood. For a myriad of unimportant reasons. (truly unimportant!  Why do I let little things upset me like this?) Anyway, I woke up in a bad mood and laid around feeling sorry for myself for awhile.

I finally decided that I needed to do something to cheer myself up so I forced myself to go to the gym where I walked around the track, listened to a book and also did some stretching/strengthening. I gave myself inner pep talks and also did some praying.  I left and went to my car where I texted my cousin and did some good ol' fashioned car crying, which actually helped.

I came home and  laid on my bed until Frank became concerned and asked if I needed to open a present or something. 

Instead of doing that I got myself up and got dressed for lunch. I had plans to have lunch with Doneen and Kari and Diane. To my surprise and delight, Jaime was still in town and she came too. And so did Josh, who I love like crazy. It was a fun lunch and really helped me feel more happy.  Also I had chips and queso which I've been craving for awhile now. So that was a win for sure.

After lunch I took a nap because I've trained my body to need a nap every single day even when I've done very little.

Dinner was at a fancy steak place (Carvers) with Dion and Summer ( and Frank of course) I had a lovely time. I always enjoy hanging out withe Dion and Summer. I had asked for no cake so we all shared a cheesecake at the restaurant which was nice. Dion and Summer gave me a gift certificate to a different steak place so we get to go out again! WooHoo!

Frank got me pajama pants (need those), 5 (yes 5!) flannel shirts, and a new plant. He also got me court shoes earlier in the week but I already returned them because they didn't fit right. I plan to buy new online and count them as a bday gift though. Ryan also brought me a nice card and a new plant. 

I had nice phone calls with 3 of the 4 boys and texted back and forth with Carter as well. (he's more local so I see him way more than the others). 

Anyway, it was a lovely day overall.

I'm 56.  Closer to 60 than 50. I don't feel old really but I'm feeling some symptoms of an aging body for sure. Plus the wrinkles. Gah, the wrinkles. But overall, life's good.

2022 In Review

 

2022 in Review

Still having trouble with blogging on the regular so we'll see if I remember anything...

1. What did you do in 2022 that you'd never done before?  I'll be honest, I'm not a big fan of trying new things. HA! We did go on vacation with Diana and Rob which I think was the first time we've done that. We went to the big Island of Hawaii (first time!) and I got to see Lava!  Also I had my first grandson, though I didn't have to "do" anything to accomplish that. 


2. What would you like to have in 2023 that you lacked in 2022?  A left knee that feels good. A head that never hurts.


3. What dates from 2022 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?  Kaylee was baptized and we got to go to Michigan to visit for it. William James Hill was born to Carter and Harley.
4. What was your biggest achievement this year? I actually started exercising and eating better. (Then had surgery and fell of the wagon but still...better than past years!)
5. What was your biggest failure? You mean learning opportunity?  uh. No idea.
6. Did you suffer illness or injury?  My left knee is not great. Finally got an MRI and my cartilage is falling apart. oh yay!  But no major illnesses or injuries other than that.
7. What was the best thing you bought?  Got a port a crib and a high chair so William can visit easily!
8. Where did most of your money go? Surgery to fix a horrible c-section scar that has hurt me for 33 years. huzzah.
9. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Seeing Lava! Still super in love with YNAB and am unsuccessfully trying to get everyone around me to use it. New grand baby!
10. What song will always remind you of 2022? 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? happier, about the same, maybe richer but it's not in a big way or anything. (Thanks to YNAB!)


12. What do you wish you'd done more of? Traveling with Frank on his business trips and visiting Michigan.


13. What do you wish you'd done less of? Working...so I could travel more with Frank on his business trips.


14. What was your favorite TV program? We do watch a show almost every night and we've had a few we enjoyed quite a bit. Better Call Saul, For All Mankind...uh, can't remember what else but I'm sure there's more. I always enjoy a binge of the Great British Baking Show.


15. What was the best book you read? I'm reading The Wheel of Time. Full Series!  I tried once before years ago and petered out but this time I'm reading the whole thing. It'll be awhile.


16. What did you want and get? Surgery


17. What did you want and not get? All the remodeling I've wanted forever on my house.


18. What was your favorite film of the year? I am easily entertained and enjoyed pretty much any movie I see. (repeat from last year) Mrs Harris goes to Paris, Thor, Top Gun (got to see that with my besties from HS...Arizona girl's trip!), the second Avatar (wasn't sure I would like it but I did). Spirited! Oh my gosh, I think it's my new favorite movie! I could listen to the soundtrack all day. I've watching it 3 times and will probably watch it again!


19. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 55. 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 2022?  Trying to embrace my bohemian self. Bought some skirts and dresses, and actually wore them!  Got some shirts that are more bohemian than my previous work shirts. I'm not sure people around me think it's a good look for me...maybe too young? because I rarely get compliments when I wear these clothes. But I like them, so that's what matters, right?
21. What kept you sane? naps, Inklings, Marco Polo with Candice and Annavon


22. Which celebrity did you fancy the most? I don't have time for celebrities. My phone seems to think I need to know everything about the Kardashians for some reason. 


23. What political issue stirred you the most? How can I get off the spam texting list of candidates??  Also don't want their junk mail.


24. Who is the best new person you met? William James is my new person this year. Love having a baby around and watching him learn and grow!


25. Who did you miss? My mom. Janice and Frank. Austin-although we did get to see him but just not often enough.


26. Tell us a valuable lesson you learned in 2022. 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!