Daily Update, April 25, 2024

    Thursday was a mostly quiet day. I did get more of the story written. It's moving again, if not quickly. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I got there at a typical time these days. Mom was resting, and continued to rest while I read, opening her eyes when prompted to look at the pictures. First, I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. then I continued reading her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. After that, I read the last few pages from _1960s Fashion in Pictures_, along with the back cover. Next, I read "Little Red Riding Hood" from _Five Minute Fairy Tales_. I finished with the 25th of April's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Primroses." {Smile}

   I did my leg exercises between reading to Mom and dinner, and my arm resistance exercises after dinner. The I did my arm swinging exercises after teaming for the evening, and a bit of paperwork, besides. then I did my walking exercises. I found I could do a repetition and a half of the exercise I was only doing one repetition of with my eyes open. with my eyes closed, I added an intermediate exercise along one railing that I was doing between railings. Then I did the other one on one railing for one full repetition - which is much longer than using two railings because they don't overlap far. I ended my walking exercises with the one I still can't do on one railing between two railings. Then I did my head exercises around some writing and a little paperwork

   After breakfast, I read articles and played Cross Stitch World. I also texted with Carol, the cousin who visited yesterday. That was fun. I tried to write, too, but I just couldn't concentrate on that enough. that took me up to lunch time. Then I read the web novel some more. It's _Demon World Boba Shop: A Nice Slice of Life Story_ on the web fiction host site Royal Road. Then I wrote up Wednesday's daily update. Next, I quickly cleaned myself up before I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I thought I was arriving in time to join the later long, large group event, but I couldn't find it. Instead, I found Dennis. We talked a bit. Apparently the later long, large-group event was done a different way that can't be joined late or be joined by low-level characters. So, Dennis and I ran a couple of missions. Pierogies joined us when the later long, large group event finished. He'd gotten in properly, I guess. {Smile}

   After dinner, my exercises, and beginning to write this up, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming later than I hoped or expected. I talked to Ulty until I realized they were busy in a roleplay with friends. I also talked with Nox on the chat world. We had a good talk, I'm happy to say. I also talked to Owl Girl. Just as I actually ran into Owl Girl after we'd been chatting for a while, Dennis came on. I talked with both, then teamed up with Dennis. I showed him a few characters. He picked a story arc the last one I showed him had, and we finished it. Then we said goodnight. Then I did some paperwork and my exercises. I also wrote a bit of my story. then I wrote a little of this and made a lot of notes, interspersed with writing the story and with some research. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 24, 2024

    A while after breakfast, I contacted Uber, and a guy came and took me to physical therapy. That went quite well. I showed him the exercises, and he gave me some good suggestions for improving some, especially the tricky ones... primarily by working on by doing less-extreme versions, and gradually making them more challenging. 

   After physical therapy, I contacted Uber again, and Alan got the ride. He came and took me home, and we had quite a lively conversation all the way home. {Smile}

   Late that afternoon, my cousin, Carol and her husband, Roger, dropped by our house for a very quick visit. It was all too quick - a little over half an hour of talking, pictures, visiting with Mom, who sang a song, "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition," and getting contact information straightened out. {SMILE}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I got there I got there earlier than sometimes, but not really early she was awake when I got there but rested in the middle. She did need prompting to look at some of the pictures, but she did look with reminders. First, I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I continued reading her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Next, I read the next several pages from _1960s Fashion in Pictures_. Then I read "the Wild Swans" from _Five Minute Fairy Tales_. I finished with the 24th of April's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Happy Birthday." {Smile}

   My exercise today was my physical therapy. They work me quite hard enough for one day. {Smile}

   I read articles and played Cross Stitch World before contacting Uber to go to physical therapy. Then I started reading a web novel while waiting for Uber and physical therapy. I read more articles and more of the web novel when I got home, over and after lunch. Then I wrote up Tuesday's daily update before I cleaned myself up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and started to join the later long, large-group event. Pierogies had just greeted me as I was settling in when our nurse came and said someone was at the door. It was my cousin, Carol, and her husband Roger, dropping by on a family trip. We had a lovely visit. We talked, took pictures and visited with Mom. We all agreed the only problem was it was too short, but this was the time they had to drop by. We're just so lucky I was home; they'd tried calling, but she called the house when I was at physical therapy, or on the way there or back. She now has my cell number, and we've confirmed it by starting a text conversation. She also has our correct address hopefully packages won't be lost. By the time I got back, the later long, large-group event was over, and Pierogies had gone to bed. It was almost time to read to Mom anyway. {Smile}

   After dinner, I began writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming and looked around for folks. Not seeing anyone, I read more of the web novel. Then I went back to City of Heroes: Homecoming, and started chatting with Ulty, who was winding down, and Dennis, who was in a taskforce. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server. Ulty left. Dennis finished his taskforce and promised to come back after a break. I worked on paperwork and a little solo play. Then Dennis came back, and we teamed up. We did a few missions and ended up saying goodnight later than he meant to. then I did some paperwork and made notes in this to write from on Thursday. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 23, 2024

    On Tuesday, my ride to my meeting arrived before I was quite finished with breakfast.  I quickly finished eating, grabbed my things, and left. I had a nice talk with the driver on the way down to the meeting. {Smile}

   The folks assembled, and meeting began. It almost immediately adjourned to lunch.  We had a leisurely lunch with much talking. Then we went back to the meeting room, to talk a bit about sympathy, empathy, and compassion. We talked at least as much about the problems of finding a better place to meet, and the struggle to do just that. That was our leader's way of asking us for help in finding something better. {smile}

   The ride home wasn't solo like the way down. Another guy from the meeting was in there, too. He got dropped off first, and we talked a fair bit on the way to his destination. Then it was pretty quiet. The driver was the same as on the way down, and as nice as our conversation was, we covered the main topics I could think of well on the way down. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I got there late, and she was awake when I got there, but got to resting after a while. She did need prompting to look at some of the pictures again, but she did look with reminders. I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I continued reading her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. After that, I read the next several pages from _1960s Fashion in Pictures_. Next, I read "Cinderella" from _Five Minute Fairy Tales_. I finished with the 23rd of April's poem from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "A Rain Storm." {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and my leg exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did my arm resistance exercises and my walking exercises after dinner, all 12 long ones and 2 short ones, including one of each being half the repetitions. After teaming I did my salsa dancing warm-up set, and later, after a break, a much less structured salsa set than I have been recently; I've been frustrated with a rut. {Smile}

    When I got home from the meeting, I read articles, played Cross Stitch World, and read a comic I've been following. Then I wrote up Monday's daily update. Next, I tried to rush cleaning myself up. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming and found Kitten. We teamed up and ran a couple of missions together. Dennis joined us over halfway through the second mission. The three of us finished with a hunt before I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner and my exercises, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Kitten and Pierogies, and the three of us teamed up. Pierogies and I got our low-level characters, since Pierogies insisted Kitten wanted to see mine, sine they'd designed them. We ran several of my missions, running out some low-level contacts one by one. Dr. Faustus joined us part was through It involved a few missions, since low-level missions often are small enough to go quickly. Then Pierogies left, and I finished my lowest contacts with Kitten's and Dr. Faustus's help. I also said goodnight to Nox on the chat server. We missed talking again. Anyway, when I finished the lowest contacts, Dr. Faustus left for the night. Then Kitten and I did a few missions, starting up the next round of contacts. When it was definitely time, I left to do my salsa dancing and other exercises, not that I got them all done. Around them, I watched a video and researched some stuff on the net. I ended the night by writing a little of this update and making notes to finish writing it from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 22, 2024

    On Monday, a while after breakfast, I contacted Uber. they came and a guy came and took me to the appointment to get new hearing aids. They didn't call me quickly, so I checked the time. Turns out the appointment was for 11:30 am, not 11 am like I thought. They took me at 11:10 pm and took over half an hour to fix up the new hearing aids. 

   When I was done, I contacted Uber again, and they came and a different guy came and took me to Longs Drugs, where I picked up some ginger capsules, since Amazon is running late delivering what I ordered, and I was almost out. Then I contacted Ube, and yet another fellow came and took me home. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I got there late, and she was sitting up when I go there, but rested during the longer story. She did need prompting to look at some of the pictures, but she did look with reminders. I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I continued reading her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Then I read her the front and back covers and first few pages of _1960s Fashion in Pictures_. Then I read "The Musicians of Bremen" from _Five Minute Fairy Tales_. My last reading was the 22nd of April's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "A Strange Dream." {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and my arm swinging exercises while I waited for Uber. Then I did my walking exercises, all 12 long exercises and 2 short exercises, but only half of the long exercise and the short exercise that tired me so much yesterday. This left me enough energy to do my arm resistance exercises right after that. Then, after teaming for the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup set. After a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set for around 20 minutes of salsa dancing. 

   After breakfast, I read articles and played Cross Stitch World until I left to get my new hearing aids. When I got back, I had lunch, during which I started reading more articles, playing more Cross Stitch World, and reading some comics. Then I wrote up Sunday's daily update before cleaning myself up. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming later than I usually like to. the later long, large-group event was over half-finished and didn't have space to add me to the group. I felt my character was too low to join them separately, so I waited. It finished before space cleared for me, and I got together with Pierogies. We ran 3 quick missions on our little ones before I left to read to Mom. 

   After dinner and my exercise, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I said hi to Ulty, and she was delighted to chat a bit before saying goodnight, since she was leaving soon. Then I said hi to Mysty, but she was busy with friends, so we only chatted a little. I also said hi to Dr. Faustus, who was working through a quick taskforce (A few taskforces are quick; most are longer, and a few are quite long.) So, I soloed a bit. I also began to chat with Nox a little on the chat server. I said hi to Dr. Faustus again when I noticed he was solo. He was happy to team up now that he was free. We started working on catching me up in the story arc we've been working on, since I'd fallen behind. Dennis joined us, and Kitten said hi, but decided they were too tired to play with us. Dr. Faustus, Dennis, and I finished the story arc. Then Dr. Faustus left, and Dennis changed characters so we could start catching one of his up with mine with an unrelated contact. Then I paused for paperwork, and Pierogies said hi. We squeezed in a mission before my exercises. Then I read articles and watches videos around the exercises. Afterwards, I wrote a little of this, and made notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Journal Blog (with links on the page in case you'd like to leave a tip for my writing): https://aeb-anne.blogspot.com/

Daily Update, April 21, 2024

    On Sunday, I got up normally late for me. I contacted Uber after breakfast. They were fast; my driver was just a minute away. So, I did get there slightly before the service, which was wonderful. I touched bases with Auntie Barbara. then enjoyed the service. After that, we had lunch. I enjoyed listening to and talking with the folks around me, and the lunch, of course. {Smile}

   After that, I went home with Auntie Barbara. We sang around ten songs with Mom. Since we're only sure of six or seven she knows, this involved singing some of them twice. {Smile}

   Later I called my Aunt Valerie. We had a nice talk. I tried to let her talk to Mom, too, but there was no reception in in Mom's room by her bed. I had trouble by my computer, too, so we talked elsewhere in the house, primarily in the living room, where I could sit on one of the couches. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I got there late, and she was resting, but she roused some when said I'd read with her. She did need prompting to look at some of the pictures, but she did look with reminders. She also responded more than I expected. I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I continued reading her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Next, I read her the last several pages of _Memories 1950's_. Then I skipped over "The Flying Trunk" because she's didn't like the Merchant's Son and the Princess never seeing each other after their wedding. Instead, I read "Tom Thumb," which was next in _Five Minute Fairy Tales_. It has a happier ending that Mom likes. My last reading was the 21st of April's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Reward." {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did my walking exercises, including two new ones that took me down the hallway and back as much of the hallway as similar ones, and two which only went the few feet I can go while hanging onto a railing on each side of me. Those last two were walking backwards in challenging ways with my eyes closed, and we only have a couple of feet where railings are on both sides at once. The walking exercises wore me out. I think that was primarily walking backwards while raising my knees high in the air, both the length of the longest railing with my eyes open, and that short stretch with my eyes closed. I think that uses more muscles that don't get used much than anything else. After I was done with teaming for the evening and had done my main paperwork and soloing, I did my salsa dancing warmup set. After a break, I did my leg exercises and my arm swinging exercises. After another break, I did my less structured salsa dancing. I didn't get any arm weight training exercises done, sitting or standing, but I hope I'll keep working on that. {smile}

   I read articles and played Cross Stitch World between Auntie Barbara leaving and calling Aunt Valerie. After the phone call, I cleaned myself up, then hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming late. Pierogies was struggling to respond because he was in the later long, large-group event already. I joined them, and joined him in doing that tricky move, trying to learn it by helping him. After the later long, large-group event, we switched to our little characters, and ran a few short missions, since they're so little most missions are short. That took me to high time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner and my walking exercises, I began writing this up and making notes to write from later. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I looked around and checked who was on but didn't see anyone. So, I got caught up in research elsewhere. Then I got back into City of Heroes: Homecoming and looked around again. Still not seeing anyone, I left a note for Dr. Faustus on the chat server and started soloing some low-level characters who had talks and hunts. Then Dr. Faustus came on, and we started to team up. While we were doing our first mission, Dennis, one of the mutual friends Kitten and I share, came on and said hi. Turns out he knows Dr. Faustus pretty well, too. I said goodnight to Nox on the chat server, having missed chatting with them again. Dr. Faustus and Dennis left at the same time. After that, I did a little paperwork, then started my exercises, with articles, research, and Cross Stitch World between and after that, as well as writing this up, mostly making notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 20, 2024

    On Saturday, I got up while was still sleepy, because of how late I got to bed the previous night. So, I lay down and rested for the better part on an hour after breakfast. I did feel better rested when I got up. {Smile}

   I worked on my story a little after dinner and exercise. It's coming along, very slowly, but it's coming along. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I got there later than sometimes, earlier than others. Mom was alert, interested in the pictures, and responsive today. First, I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued reading her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. After that, I read her the next few pages of _Memories 1950's_. Next, I read "Sleeping Beauty," from _Five Minute Fairy Tales_. My last reading was the 20th of April's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Impatient Colin." {Smile}

   I did my leg exercises between reading to Mom and dinner, and my arm resistance exercises and walking exercises right after dinner. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup set after teaming for the evening. Then after a break, I did my head exercises and my standing arm weight training exercises. Then I did my less structured salsa dancing set, for over 20 minutes of salsa dancing. After a very short break, I did my arm swinging exercises. I was tired after that, but I only missed the sitting arm weight training exercises today. {Smile}

   After my nap, I read some articles and played Cross Stitch World right through lunch. Then after lunch, I read more articles and wrote up my daily update. Then I cleaned myself up before I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Pierogies. We teamed up on low-level characters, and played through a hunt, then did a story arc, and ended with two or three unrelated missions. That took me to time to read to Mom.

   After dinner and my exercises, I hopped into city of Heroes: Homecoming. I chatted with Ulty, but she was busy roleplaying. So, I soloed some talks the character I'd played before dinner had. Then Dr. Faustus came on, so I said hi. We teamed up, and he invited a friend of his, too. We finished a story arc my character had started and moving on to the next story arc. I also talked with Nox on the chat server more than usual recently. Dr. Faustus had to leave at the end of the full story arc. He told us to continue without him, though my character had just caught up to his; we'd done just one mission he also had, so both of us got credit. We continued after he left, but the first mission of the next story arc was so long, by the time we finished, it was time to start salsa dancing. I did a little bit of paperwork and started my exercises. While resting, I used the chat server to tell Dr. Faustus that my character can still do most of that story arc with him. I also played Cross Stitch World, read articles, and watched a video. I wrote a bit of this and made notes to write from for the next day, too. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 19, 2024

    On Friday, I had all kinds of plans to get Thursday's daily update written right after breakfast, then hammer out the last couple of scenes of the story, or rather the first couple since they will make a new beginning. Somehow, I didn't do any of that. I barely got the daily update finished before lunch. {smile}

   I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I got there at a fairly reasonable time, i think. Mom was reasonably alert and seemed to stay alert. I think she enjoyed most of the pictures, thought she responded rarely. First, I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I continued reading her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Next, I read her the cover and the first few pages of _Memories 1950's_ Then I read "The Nightingale," from _Five Minute Fairy Tales_. My last reading was the 19th of April's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "the Timid Chick." {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises and my walking exercises after dinner Then I did my arm swinging exercises, my leg exercises, and my head exercises a while after I stopped teaming in City of heroes: Homecoming and had started soloing. After a break, I did my salsa dancing warmup set, and after another break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. I expected to do more, but I was too tired for my arm weight training exercises, either sitting or standing. {smile}

   After breakfast, I read articles, and played a tiny bit of Cross Stitch World. Then I finished writing Thursday's daily update up before lunch. While I was writing, I got a note from Doctor Faustus on the chat server, saying the villain themed supergroup he got me into planned to meet in 3 hours. So, I finished my daily update, and ate lunch. Then I cleaned myself up right after lunch and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after that. Dr. Faustus wasn't around, so I messaged him in the chat server. Turned out I was a little early. He came in, and he and I were the first at the meeting. Others came and we talked, first generally, then about what content we wanted to run. I was too low for the main suggestion. I tried to suggest I get a higher-level character, but someone suggested helping me with my content. I told them what I had, and they picked a story arc for us to run. We ran it in character and adjourned when it was done. After they left, I set up a new character, ensconcing them in the tutorial before dinner. {Smile}

   After dinner, I started my exercises, and started writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes; Homecoming and looked around. Not seeing anyone, I started to solo on the character I'd barely started before dinner. Then Ulty and another friend (who I keep forgetting to ask what to call them when we're together) came on. I said hi to Ulty, but our conversation petered out. I said hi to the other friend, and our conversation took off. It was the friend I was hunting critters with a couple night ago. They were doing that again. We chatted for a while, then I joined them in hunting. We hunted most of the evening, changing zones and critters a couple of times. I even changed characters once, when we changed to a critter the character was on didn't need, but another character of mine very much does. I also talked to Nox a little on the chat server, but not much. When the friend I was hunting with got tired, we chatted a bit, then said goodnight. Then I soloed on the new character I made earlier, playing until I got her out of the tutorial, and into the regular game. Then I read some articles and some comics, played Cross Stitch World, and wrote some of this around my exercises. I switched to going back and forth between paperwork in City of Heroes, making notes in this, and beginning to make the next revisions in my story. I got so caught up in that, especially the paperwork, that I ended up going to bed later than I have been by a margin. it was bad enough, I set my alarm to get up at a late-normal time with plans to nap after breakfast. {smile}

Daily Update, April 18, 2024

    When I was starting my day Thursday, I found a note from The Fire Ant Guy saying he'd come later that morning. Then I discovered he'd come even earlier. Yes, he was already here. I happily paid him as part of starting my day. {Smile}

   After breakfast, I had my video counselling appointment. That went quite well, I think. We had a good talk. {Smile}

   Then the housekeeper came, and I got caught up in getting things ready for her. We spent a particularly long time getting the sewing machines set up. The Old Lady, who's been immobile due to a thread snark for years is finally out of the treadle box and waiting by the front door to go to a repair shop. The Young Lady is pulled out of the pile she was in and set up in the treadle box. I also ordered replacements for the shower curtain hooks I was sure I had but couldn't find.

   Then Auntie Barbara called and arranged to come up and visit with Michelle. I tried to say I hadn't had lunch, but somehow Auntie Barbara heard it as I had. I squeezed in eating about half of it before she arrived, but she complained about me eating slowly, which I usually do, but I ate more quickly than usual; I just got started late. Anyway, Auntie Barbara and I visited with Mom, singing several songs. Then we sat outside and talked while Michelle picked lemons, including three she gave to us. I very much appreciate that, since my balance makes walking on grass to pick lemons myself difficult. 

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. Despite arriving late, Mom was reasonably alert when I got there, back to my later time again, because I got on later than I wanted, and wanted at least a little time with my friends. Mom was still more awake and interested, looking at the pictures, and even responded a few times. I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I continued reading her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. After that, I finished showing her pictures in _'The Flower Garden'_. Next, I read "Rapunzel," from _Five Minute Fairy Tales_. My last reading was the 18th of April's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Gone Fishing." {Smile}

   I did my head exercises during a lull in the game. then I did my walking exercises, my standing arm weight training exercises, my leg exercises, my arm resistance exercises, my sitting arm weight training exercises, and my arm swinging exercises after I got done teaming in the evening. That's every exercise except the salsa dancing, which is my goal the day after physical therapy. {SMILE}

   Over breakfast, until my counselling appointment, I read an article or two. Then I read more articles and played some Cross Stitch World after my counselling, until the housekeeper came. I finished my lunch after Auntie Barbara and Michelle left. After lunch, I wrote up my daily update. While I was writing, Pierogies messaged me, asking if I was coming into City of Heroes: Homecoming soon. We arranged that I'd finish a tutorial so I could show him a new character. I did that when I finished writing and sharing my daily update.  (I know what the tutorial teaches by now, but it is the safest place I know for a first level character; when they come out, they can immediately train to 2nd level, which I think is safer in the full game.) Anyway, Pierogies and I found each other and admired our new characters. Then we ran a trial. Kitten joined us afterwards, and the three of us ran two quick missions before I read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I quickly cleaned myself up, since it just hadn't fit into my afternoon at all. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming again. I said goodnight to Ulty, because I came in so late, she was just leaving. Then I looked around for someone else to talk to. I didn't find anyone, so I looked around for something to do, and spotted a pickup team I could join. I said goodnight to Nox after we'd neglected to talk again. Then Kitten said hi, and joined the team I was on. My character barely got any of the special things I hoped for, but she did get a badge I needed for a particular statistic-improving badge. Then I switched characters, and a character who needed it even more got it, getting the statistic improving badge, since she had everything else for it. I switched back to the other character, and we ran another couple of missions. Then the team broke up, and Kitten and I ran two quick missions before I broke, winding down with a bit of paperwork before doing my exercises. I ended the evening with a little browsing of comics while I wrote a little of this and made a lot of notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 17, 2024

   On Wednesday, a little while after breakfast, I looked at some web fiction, and found a story I'm really enjoying, it's Demon World Boba Shop: A Nice Slice of Life Story by R. C. Joshua. I read it while waiting for Uber both over and back, as well as a bit after I got home. {Smile}

   I contacted Uber. A gal came and took me to Life Care Center, where I had physical therapy. Since I arrived early, we started early, and I got a good, full session in. When it was over, I contacted Uber, and they took me home. {Smile}

   I phoned the Fire Ant Guy after lunch, when he hadn't appeared when expected. He said it looked so dark and gray, he assumed it was raining heavily. It wasn't, but yes, it looked like it could any time. He promised to come the next day. {Smile}

   I also had a nice text conversation with our former nurse. It was great getting to chat and catch up. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was reasonably alert when I got there, back to my later time, but only because the game ran really late. Missions often last around half an hour... this went an hour and a half. Mom was still more awake and interested, looking at the pictures, and even responding a couple of times. I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I started reading her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021.  Then I continued showing her pictures in _'The Flower Garden'_ I started it yesterday, even though I claimed I finished a different book; that was the day before. After that, I read "Hansel and Gretel," from _Five Minute Fairy Tales_. My last reading was the 17th of April's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Anna Learns a Lesson." {Smile}

   I had no exercise beyond physical therapy. They worked me hard enough for one day! {Grin}

   After breakfast, I read an article or two, and played Cross Stitch World. Then I wrote up Tuesday's daily update before I cleaned myself up. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies and we teamed up, running a few missions. We expected to end early; he said last one a little over an hour before I hoped to read to Mom. It wouldn't complete after an hour and a half, and apparently getting every enemy in the mission. I "autocompleted" it, an option they recommend saving for when you have to, like when it jams like this. {smile}

   After dinner, I started writing this daily update. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming and tried to find someone to join. I talked with Ulty, but she was busy in a roleplay where another character wouldn't fit. I talked to Mysty, but she was busy base building. I talked to Rosy - she's a friend Kitten introduced me to - but our conversation petered out. Then another friend came in and said hi. So did Dr. Faustus. I got the three of us together, and Kitten said hi just as we were starting to do something. I got them to join us, and we started the last story arc Dr. Faustus wanted to do. I also said hi to Nox, but got distracted, so we barely talked before they left for bed. The four of us ran the story arc, and the other friend left. Kitten pointed out a friend of theirs wanted to team with a little character. I got a slightly bigger character, and Kitten's friend joined us. I ran a couple of story arcs my character had. Dr. Faustus left partway through. Then the three left finished the big, penultimate mission, and Kitten's friend left. Kitten and I did the last mission, and the talk-mission that followed. Then Kitten and I talked a bit on Discord, and I made notes in this to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 16, 2024

    On Tuesday, I expected a ride to come get me and take me to a meeting... well, the monthly picnic indoors in a regular building, so it feels more like a meeting and lunch than a picnic. They didn't come, so I called the driver. I got their answering machine, so I left a message. then I called the leader. I did get her, and learned it's next week, not this week, because that's when the room was free. I suspect things are tighter in general since one of the County meeting buildings got damaged by a fire. they plan to fix it, but the way these things work, I'd be surprised if they've got it out to bid yet. {smile}

   Later, I got a phone call from the driver confirming when she'll pick me up next week. So, we're settled there now. {Smile}

   After that, I got a phone call from the Fire Ant Guy. He apologized for not coming for a few months and arranged to come the next day. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was reasonably alert when I got there, deliberately earlier than I've been doing recently, after the nurse mentioned it had slipped later by about an hour. I went back halfway... we'll see how it goes. Mom was more interested in the pictures, which I'm hoping will be a pattern if I keep with the earlier time. First, I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I read a Christmas card from her nice, and another Christmas card from a friend.  Next, I finished _The Happy Book: Babies_ She does like the pictures of the happy babies; they got her more interested in looking at pictures today. Next, I read "The Elves and the Shoemaker," from _Five Minute Fairy Tales_. My last reading was the 16th of April's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Forgetful Kanga." {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises, my head exercises, and my arm swinging exercises while waiting for the ride to the meeting. Then I did three of my four sitting arm weight training exercises during lulls in the game while teaming in the evening. Next, I did my salsa dancing warmup set. After that, I did the last of my sitting arm weight training exercises, and my standing arm weight training exercises. then I did my less structured salsa dancing set for a little over 21 minutes of salsa dancing. Then I did my leg exercises, including enough more than usual with the last one, I needed a rest. After that, it was too late to do my walking exercises too. {smile}

   When the morning mix-up was sorted out, I came inside and read articles, played CSW, and read a comic right through lunch. Then I wrote up yesterday's daily update and cleaned myself up before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies; I think he was in the later short, large-group event. We chatted, then got together, and decide to run the later long, large-group event together. Afterwards, we chatted a little, and fit in a mission, since the event ended earlier than usual. I still broke to read to Mom earlier than I have been recently. I think Mom was more attentive, so I'm going to try to make this a habit. {Smile}

   After dinner, I began writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I checked who was on and started talking with Ulty. She was role-playing with friends and had time to talk on the side. Then Dr. Faustus came on and said hi. We got together and ran the next in the series of story arcs we're doing. I also said goodnight to Nox on the chat server. We missed talking again. Later, another friend came on and wanted to join us, but the game wouldn't let us invite him while we were doing that story arc. So, Dr. Faustus and I finished and said goodnight. Then Dr. Faustus left, and I joined my other friend. We hunted for a couple of badges, though we had trouble finding some of what we were looking for. We plan to get together again to hunt for more of them. Then I did my exercises, played Cross Stitch World, and watched some videos or parts of some. I finished my day writing a little of this and making notes to write from the next day. {Smile}