Exploring in January

In 2016 I did a "walking" post for each month.  In 2017 I upped it to a "hiking" post for each month.    Either way the fresh air and exercise has been wonderful.  I want to keep this going and I've realized that I am more motivated if I take pictures of the scenery around me.  But, how often can I take pictures of the same places.  So this year I am going to an "exploring" post for each month.  I only want to blog about the walks I take in a place or trail that I haven't been to before.  It might be a hike or a walk, depending on who is with me; either way, it will be an exploration - complete with pictures - which makes me happy and motivated.

So - Exploring in January:

Samantha came with me on a trail that is across the highway from and above the beach.  It was a beautiful day which explains why the parking lot was packed.  It was fun to pass so many people out enjoying our beautiful world.

3rd annual "now is the time to drown my sorrow in movies" post

It's always hard for me to have the holidays end, and at some point I in January I let myself vegetate in front of a few movies.  For Christmas I got 2 biographical movies about Dolly Parton.  Love them - partly because the little girl who plays her is wonderful!

I got a movie from Red Box last night that I've been wanting to see - it is so sad that I'm glad I only payed the Red Box price.  Not that I regret watching it.  It just confirmed my sentiments that I would never wish fame on any of my children, no matter how talented they may be.  But he and his family get through, so I'm still glad I saw it.

Lastly, during the holidays Reggie and I saw more movies than usual - Star Wars, Jumanji and Coco.  Did I mention how much we loved Coco?  Can't wait to own it!

with laughter

This has been a strange month.  I was expecting a few challenges which I was all ready to face and tackle.  But all of a sudden those challenges were gone/had resolved themselves, yet different challenges I had not expected all of a sudden popped up.

 Now that the month is thankfully almost over I want to give my family a big shout-out.  They got me through it with a whole lot of love and laughter.

Now, hurry up February, I need you!

the stick

Last January I started having a lot of pain in my hips - especially when I laid down.  Since it was waking me up in the middle of the night I went to the doctor and was told I have "bursitis".  They gave me a bunch of physical therapy exercises to do at home and recommended I get an exercise/massage stick, like the one pictured below.

 It is helpful even though it reminds me of a rolling pin; with this and the exercises, I was having less pain.  In a couple of months I noticed the problem was completely gone.  Now here we are in January and it is back.  I wonder if it is seasonal.  I have to try to remember the exercises.  But, thankfully I still have my stick.  In fact, it is also useful if you have tired or sore legs.  I wish I had had one of these when I was a youngin, playing volleyball.  So whether you are young or old I recommend an exercise/massage stick.

"Hap Pea all year"

I had some ideas for themes for 2018 but decided that getting organized needed to be my one theme for every month, I need to stay focused on that.  So far so good.  But I've also realized in the 2 to 3 weeks of 2018 that I should also keep a hobby or two going, just to keep my sanity, and I still need to keep up my walking and spiritual strength.  So that is my outlook for 2018.

I came across this book in my school's classroom which is adorable and has the perfect sentiment - I hope to be happy all year, through the fun and the trials.  The book's title is "Hap Pea All Year"  (check it out with your little ones, or just for you!)

let's count this for November

I didn't do a hiking in November post!  Hillary and kids were here in November but we didn't do this place until the end of the year.  We explored, more than hiked, "Quarry Park" in Half Moon Bay - it has a cute little playground, walking trails, and a mysterious little shack.  These trails seemed a little less traveled and maintained than the others we've done so often.  It was beautiful and fun.

I think she looks like Little Red Riding Hood here.

my partner in crime and everything else

Part 1:  Today I was telling Reggie about how I had already bought Hannah's birthday present (which is in the spring) but then saw something on sale that I knew she would like even more.  I was tempted to exchange the one for the other, but decided that would be silly - that I should just be practical and keep what I got.  He agreed that she would like the second idea much better and said we ought to hurry to the mall right now and do the exchange.  It was a fun little "date" for us, and a nice break from all the practicality going on around here (which I'll blog about later).

On Christmas morning Reggie usually jokes and says "what did we get them?" when the kids are opening the presents.  But the fact is he is more of a participator in picking out the gifts than they know.  For example, in the fall he told me that he really wanted us to give the grandchildren matching outfits for Christmas for family pictures.  I love to do the shopping and found a great sale and was excited to bring them home to show Reggie.  The pictures worked out great (which I blogged about recently).

And now we can't wait to see cute little Hannah open her gift, pictured below:

 Part 2:  Our 4 oldest granddaughters love to play dress up.  Their faces just light up when they wear princess costumes.  So Hannah's gift/costume/dress is from my favorite movie, "The Princess & The Frog".

While at the store I thought it might be fun to splurge and get her a doll as well, which is wearing the same dress.  I asked the salesperson where their barbie-sized dolls were.  She showed me and said that they were out of quite a few.  She said that, for example, they had Elsa but not Anna (from the movie "Frozen") and started talking about when they would get more in, etc.  I interrupted her and said that I was actually looking for Tiana.  It kind of made me laugh, because maybe the "Frozen" movie dolls are still so popular that she assumed that's what I wanted.  I am a big Disney fan and am happy that there are so many movies to watch and so many toys to choose from.

final, random pictures from our time together

Samantha had Avonlea laughing out loud - it was adorable!

Lester's back-up career as a face-painter

 Our spinning-top contest was fierce!  Everyone decorated their tops.  A very good use of our new floors!

                                                                                 A very happy Grandma

Family Pictures 2017

Echo-ing in the New Year

For Christmas Reggie got me an "Echo" - a voice activated speaker that will play whatever I ask it to play (it is currently hooked up to Spotify).  We keep it in the kitchen.  Though it is mine, boy has everyone been enjoying it - especially when it is their turn to cook or do the dishes.

Some funny things about the Echo - you can tell I love it the most because I am the nicest to it!  I realized that I can't stand to give it a command without saying "please".  ha! Ha!  Oh well, it is probably a good idea to keep in the habit, otherwise we might start talking to each other the way we talk to the Echo.

Also, it is funny how we have all been hi-jacking each other's songs.  Someone will command "Alexa (which is it's name) play . . . ." and then someone else will interrupt it because they don't like that song and give it a different command.  Even the little girls have been interrupting people's song choices in order to get their Disney songs on.

It especially served us well on New Years Eve as we were all home playing games, cooking, etc.  During a song that everyone seemed to like, at minutes before midnight, we all ended up having a dance party in the kitchen with the Echo.  

Echo - another one of Reggie's wonderful ideas!

ps - I think the most requested song this Christmas has been the one below, for Hannah.  Again, she is so in love with her "Bolt" and she is calling herself "Penny" who is Bolt's owner.  I especially love it when we all support her by singing the chorus loud and strong.

tide pooling-it on New Years Eve

Some of us also walked the trail above the tide-pools.  The light that shone on the trees as the sun was setting was beautiful.

Ross' brother and sister in law and baby hung out with us for a few days after the blessing - they fit right in and made things just that much more fun.  Personally, they won my heart instantly by coming to my rescue:  first Tanner at the baby blessing, offering to play the piano when he saw that I was asked to do it minutes before the meeting started.  Secondly, Sarah during church on Sunday when she noticed my being asked to play the piano minutes before that meeting started.  I think they both noticed me explaining that I would do my best, though I didn't know the songs very well.  I will always remember their kindness.