OK.  I thnk I've gotten the hill thing.  I was out at lunch driving around.  I found that just letting the clutch go until I feel it grab works(like you guys said).
 As for regular shifting, I think I found a trick.  I think I shift too slow.  Tell me what you think.  Prior to my trip at lunch I would wait for the RPMs to drop then shift.  Well I found at lunch that If I shift quick while the RPMs are higher that I get into gear with no jerking.  Sound like this is what I ought to be doing?
Also first gear is still shaky for me.  I never seem to get a smooth take off.  Any ideas on that one?
Thanks for the input thus far.......
