Daily Update, February 28, 2024

    I finally got a phone call from Life Care Center's outpatient physical therapy Wednesday morning. They finally have an opening for me. It's not with the therapist I saw all last year I'll miss him, since we'd worked up a rapport. Instead, it's with a different therapist Wednesday morning next week. I took it, since I've been waiting months to hear from them. I was wishing I'd mentioned it to my doctor the last time I saw him, but now I'm glad I waited. {Smile}

   I just hope I'm up to it when I start. I've been taking it easy, with some exercises, but no revising or writing beyond the usual daily update writing. I thought about working on the story, but I want to be in better condition than the day after I had that root canal finished, though finishing was distinctly easier on my system than getting it started, let alone getting it done in one sitting. {Smile}

   After dinner, I got a quick call from our former nurse, which was nice. it's good to touch base with him sometimes. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake and looking around but put her head down and closed her eyes when I started. When the cards and other things with pictures to look at come out, she raised her head and opened her eyes again. She looked at every picture I pointed out, and even responded once. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I read and showed the pictures of Christmas cards from a nephew and a cousin's granddaughter, and a birthday card from me. Then I finished _Mele Kalikimaka: Christmas in Hawai'i_, and showed her the covers of Cats on Quilts, which I want to try reading next. Next, I read the next story in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_, "The Elves and the Shoemaker." I ended with the 28th of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Black Forest."  {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and arm resistance exercises between lunch and cleaning myself up in the afternoon. Then I did my arm swinging exercises while waiting for the later short, large group event to start. That was all, but I guess it can be good enough for the day after the root canal got finished. I'll try to do more tomorrow. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics and played Cross Stitch World in the morning. Then I finished and shared Tuesday's daily update before and into lunch. I did a little more article reading and Cross Stitch World, and a little exercise before I cleaned myself up. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I did some paperwork, then said hi to Pierogis. We finished watching the last two segments of Kudo and the Two Strings. Next, he left, and I joined the later short, large-group event. After that was done, I did a bit of paperwork until it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and looked around. I said hi to Pierogis and started on paperwork while waiting to see if he'd answer. I also started looking elsewhere on the internet. Pierogis said hi, and we teamed up. At first, I got distracted by some internet shopping. Pierogis feared it was him, but no, it was getting bean snacks recently that taste so good except for the salt and wanting ones with less salt. Then I concentrated on the game better, and we did a few missions. He left when he got tired, and I started collecting badges. Then Dr. Faustus said hi, and we teamed up to do some spring/Valentine's Day missions. Phonso joined us and mentioned that these missions are just about over for the season. Phonso left after a while, and Dr. Faustus did a couple of low-level missions that aren't special to one time of year. Then I said goodnight, did a little Cross Stitch World, a little more shopping, and wrote notes to write this up from the next day.

Daily Update, February 27, 2024

    On Tuesday, I began to edit a holiday story from a few years ago. I made good progress with it, but it needs more work. {Smile}

   In the afternoon, I called Uber. They came and took me to the endodontist, who numbed me up and finished the root canal. Then I took Uber home. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake and looking around when I started. She looked at every picture I pointed out, and even responded. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I read and showed the pictures of an easter card from a cousin, a birthday card from a friend, and a birthday card from church. After that, I continued _Mele Kalikimaka: Christmas in Hawai'i_, Then I read the next story in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_, "How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin." I ended with the 27th of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Restless Star."  {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises, my standing arm weight training exercises, and two of my head exercises while waiting for Uber to come take me to my endodontist appointment. I took it easy the rest of the day. I just had a root canal completed, so I think I can have one day light on the exercise. {Smile}

   In the morning, I read part of an article and played Cross Stitch World. Then I revised the story over and after lunch. Next, I cleaned myself up, did a few exercises, and started revising Monday's daily update before heading out to the endodontist. When I got back, I finished revising Monday's daily update before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Pierogis, and we started chatting. He invited me into a farm to show me how a new character was shaping up. We chatted more, then ran an individual mission before I broke to read to Mom. Between reading to Mom and dinner, and right after dinner, I wrote a bit of this daily update, and made notes to write from later, as well. {Smile}

   Then after dinner I hopped into City of heroes: Homecoming. Then i shifted to playing some Cross Stitch World. Next, I went back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and said hi to Pierogis. He left shortly after, so I started on paperwork. Then I said hi to Dr. Faustus. He was helping a friend, so I joined them. We did a few missions before Dr. Faustus realized that I had been a few missions behind them. He had us back up and do mine, though we were now several ahead -- just over a story arc. Kitten joined us partway through. I tried to talk Nox and Nik (Radio) too, but we kept getting distracted until we said goodnight. I'd almost caught up to Dr. Faustus's friend when they had to leave. We finished catching up. Then Dr. Faustus switched to a character who wasn't done with the next story arc himself. We ran that story arc too, then said goodnight because it was really late. I tried to talk to Kitten on the chat server, but they didn't respond. I did finish making notes for this, despite the email program erasing my text and making me restart a couple time before I started saving frequently. Once I started saving frequently, it stopped erasing stuff. {Smile}

Daily Update, February 26, 2024

    I texted with our housekeeper, catching up with recent events, and arranging for her to visit the next day. {Smile}

   I also looked at web fiction host sites, talked with friends, and picked one to try, called Booksie. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She seemed asleep when I started, but the nurse said to go ahead, so I read scripture and thoughts about it first. Then Mom opened her eyes when I got out the cards with their pictures, so I think she wasn't as asleep as she seemed. I read a Christmas card from her cousin, a Christmas card from one sister, and a Thanksgiving card from her other sister. Next, I continued _Mele Kalikimaka: Christmas in Hawai'i_, After that, I read the next story in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_, "The Three Little Pigs." I ended with the 25th of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Clever John."  {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises between reading to Mom and eating dinner. I did my arm swinging exercises after teaming for the evening. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup set. After a break I did my less structured salsa dancing set. Then I ended with my head exercises. It was too late for more. {smile}

   I played Cross Stitch World in the morning and read comics over lunch. Then I finished writing up yesterday's daily update before cleaning myself up. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming later than I thought I would. I found Pierogis and we teamed up. We ran a couple of missions, then said a provisional goodnight in case he left before I returned. Then I broke to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I found Pierogis busy with paperwork. I had some too, so we chatted while we each worked on our own. About the time I was done. I figured out Pierogis had stopped replying. Then Rivka said hi. We teamed up and did a couple of missions. Then they said goodnight and headed off to bed. Next, I looked around, and ended up starting to work on getting badges. Then Kitten said hi. We teamed up and did a mission. I also talked to Nox and Nik (Radio). When we finished, I realized Phonso had said hi and invited us to a taskforce I responded, and it looks like we got the last two spots. We ran it with them. Then Kitten got busy sorting recycling, and I did what exercises I got done. I also looked over the web fiction sites and joined one that I think Pierogis liked because it allows cover pictures. I also wrote a little of this and made a lot of notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, February 25, 2024

    Saturday night, I discovered the freezer flatly refused to close. No matter how hard I tried, the door would not close, but stay ajar. Only after rearranging and taking out everything in the front rows, top and bottom, did I look at the door, where a few items were sticking up, including a box entirely too thick to let the door close on it. Moving that and a few thinner things let the door close much more nicely, even when I loaded the rest into the fridge. Unfortunately, this pushed a moderately late bedtime to distinctly late. but I didn't want to wake up the nurse and make them deal with it, so I felt stuck. *resigned look*

   Sunday morning, I noticed three pink spots I stopped to wash them out, and actually got them out, but the pants were dripping all over the place. So, I went to look for a skirt to wear with the top, and realized none I knew fit went with my pink top. I finally found a black one that kind of went, but it was fussy to fit. This plus the night before and Uber taking 18 minutes to get to me when it said 11 meant that even with a ten o'clock service, I got there in the middle of the gospel. Since I discovered on the way down that my blouse was inside out, I didn't settle down until the priest had started the sermon. This really was too late, as Auntie Barbara gently pointed out later, but I'd have to make sure I got there at least half an hour early just about every time to avoid being late on the one morning after the one night when so many things went wrong in the past few years. Though she did admit this might be unavoidable in this case. {SIGH}

   I had lunch there afterwards with Auntie Barbara and several others, including two men who were doing home communion. They wanted to take me home and make Mom the first stop. I was happy, and so was Auntie Barbara with the prospect of being able to just drive home, which in in the opposite direction of my house.  The ride home with home communion was nice, as was home communion with Mom when we got there. They did a good job, especially for their first time with us. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was sleepy, but opened her eyes for the pictures with prompting, and seemed to like them and the stories as well as I could tell. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I finished her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Then I continued _Mele Kalikimaka: Christmas in Hawai'i_, reaching the page on the _Hawaiian Nutcracker_, a ballet a friend of the family choreographed that Dad called "his masterpiece." Then I read the next story in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves." I ended with the 25th of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Bold Billy."  {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and arm swinging exercises while waiting for Uber to come take me to church. Then, after teaming and talking with Dark, and unclogging a toilet that got clogged, I did my arm resistance exercises and my salsa warmup set. I really meant to do more, but my plans did not allow for having to unclog the toilet. any more than my plans for getting to church allowed for all the things which slowed me down. {rueful look}

   I hopped onto my computer after home communion. Then I played a little Cross Stitch World and finished writing up yesterday's daily update before cleaning myself up. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming and found Pierogies. As we began to team up, someone invited me to a team at my level. As far as I know, pretty much randomly; I don't think I know them. I asked if my friend could come. when they said yes, both Pierogies and I joined. Pierogies really liked being able to play with a mostly full team, instead of by himself in a farm, or with just a couple of friends like we so often do. When that team broke up, we watched a few segments of the film we started the other day, _Kubo and the Two Strings_. We got up to just before the last big battle. I might have been able to squeeze in one more segment, but there are two more, not just one. That suggests the next one stops at a really tensely exciting part, so we agreed waiting for another day was better. Then Pierogies started a farm, and I left a character there as I went to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies still farming, but ready to quit, so we said goodnight and he left. Then I spotted Dark, and we stated talking, and teamed up, talking and preparing before we started playing. Then we ran a couple of missions. The first went fine. I also said goodnight to Nox on the chat server; they were just leaving when I said hi again, so we didn't get to chat. Dark's and my second mission failed to complete. One enemy got stuck in a cage which we couldn't get her out of and couldn't get her while she was in it. The mission wouldn't complete until we got her. We discussed options, and decided it was too late, so we'd let it restart and try again... or maybe get it to auto complete, which you can only do once every three days. Not that either of us likes to use it, but... we don't like to use it, so maybe we won't. Anyway, then we said goodnight. After dealing with the toilet and doing my exercises, I wrote this up, with much of it write, as well as some notes for the next day.

Daily Update, February 24, 2024

    Today was Saturday. I again have been thinking about web fiction and its host sites and looking into the latter. It is cutting into my time for other stuff, especially game playing and comic and article reading. I miss the time I usually spend with my friends in the games. I hope that soon I'll be able to get back to more of that, at least, though I know I can't write regularly and do as much other stuff as I used to. {smile}

   I forgot to mention yesterday that I ate breakfast and lunch with Mom, too. I did; I only miss meals with her when the relief nurse is with us when I'm eating out, like the day before, with the belated birthday picnic lunch. {Smile}

   It looks like I also forgot to mention that the phone company called. We get not just phone but email addresses through them. They called to say I've lost one. I hadn't let them know the last time a card expired, so the account lapsed. Once it's cancelled, they can't reinstate it, but they can and will cancel the entire outstanding balance. It was the address I signed up with to most accounts, so I'll have to figure out how to fix that. {sigh}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake when I got there and looked at the picture, listened to the stories, and even commented at least once. It was a good day for her. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. After that, I continued _Mele Kalikimaka: Christmas in Hawai'i_. Then I read the next story in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_, "The Tortoise and the Hare." I ended with the 24th of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Competition."  {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises after saying goodnight to Dark, followed closely by my salsa dancing warmup set. Then I took a break. Next came my head exercises, followed by my less structured salsa dancing set, followed by my arm swinging exercises and my standing arm weight training exercises before it got too late. {Smile}

   My morning was mostly trying to figure out web fiction and the host sites for it, as I said earlier. Then I played Cross Stitch World around and over lunch. Next, I did some more research before cleaning myself up. After that, I dashed into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies, and we teamed up, and did a few missions together before it was time to tread to Mom. He let me sit in a farm during reading and dinner again. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies ready to leave, so we said goodnight. I also found Dark and said hi. He asked me what characters I wanted to play, and I picked some we'd played as a set. I knew which was mine and got it. He found two around the same level who we decided must have been the ones. Their powers are similar, so I think we had a theme going. We ran through a story arc he'd started, then got a story arc we both wanted next. Paradox said he'd get on through the chat world and did come in and join us near the end of that arc. I also chatted with Nox on the chat world. Next, we started the arc's first sequel. They're the first two of four arcs and a trial that form a series. Paradox left before the last mission of the second arc. Dark and I did that mission, and started a different, unrelated story arc that Dark likes to get at low levels. We can finish that sequence after this one, and there's an annoyingly difficult enemy in the other if you do it at mis-levels. We'd both rather catch it low rather than wait until high levels or fight those. Then we said goodbye, and I started my exercises. Between and after, I wrote this up and made notes for the next day. I also checked more in City of Heroes: Homecoming than I really had time for, especially when church was the next morning. {smile}

Daily Update, February 23, 2024

    Friday, I stayed home and thought a lot about hosts for my web fiction. I tried to look into some sites, too. I'm having a lot of trouble deciding what to do next. {small smile} 

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She woke up when I got there and stayed awake to look at all the pictures and listen to the stories today. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Then I continued _Mele Kalikimaka: Christmas in Hawai'i_. Next, I read the next story in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_, "Beauty and the Beast." I ended with the 23rd of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "A Riddle."  It gave an awful lot of clues describing a snow man, I guess so little children have a good chance at guessing right. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and one of my sitting arm exercises while I was talking to Dark. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup set after a break. Next, I did my arm swinging exercises after another break. Then I could have gone on, except for how late it was. I'll have to work on getting stuff done earlier. {Smile}

   I researched web fiction hosts in the morning, then finished writing Thursday's daily update. After lunch I played Cross Stitch World and did more research into web fiction sites. Eventually I got around to cleaning myself up. Then I hopped straight into City of Heroes: homecoming because it was pretty late. I did get together with Pierogies, and we did 3 or 4 individual missions before it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I got together with Pierogies, and we got ready to continue the movie we started yesterday with Kitten, since Kitten insisted that we shouldn't wait for them. Then Dark came in and was more interested in missions than the movie. When I told Pierogies, he shooed me off to play with Dark, saying we'd watch the movie some other time. I teamed up with Dark, and we played two story arcs together over the evening, the first and second in a four-part series. I talked to Rivka, too, but they were too close to bedtime to play together. I talked to Nox on the chat server, too. I talked to Dark as well as teaming, especially about web fiction. He reads it, so i asked about suggestions to start publishing. We talked about other things after teaming, until I had to start exercising.  Then we said goodnight, and I did my exercises, with more looking into web fiction hosts and writing up this, well, mostly making note to write from the next day. {Smile}

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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, February 22, 2024

    Auntie Barbara came around eleven. She visited with Mom, and we sang six of her songs with her. Then she told Mom that she was taking me out to a much belated birthday lunch, and Mom spontaneously sang Happy Birthday, which we joined in on again. That's her favorite song, since it's the one she's most likely to start singing without prompting. {Smile}

   Then we joined Michelle, who was waiting out by the car. She'd picked lemons while waiting, which is great. I lose many to no one picking in time. Then we went down to Island Naturals, where we met up with Scott. We all picked out lunch, and Auntie Barbra insisted on paying as her treat. Scott came with us, leaving his car by Island Naturals. We went to Wailoa first, but all the small pavilions with tables were taken. The big pavilions were empty of both people and places to sit. You're expected to bring your own tables and chairs these days. They took them out at the beginning of the pandemic. {smile}

   So, we tried Liliu'okalani Gardens, and started to sit at a table when it started raining again. We ate in the car, with the lunches we picked out at Island naturals, and some chocolate cake Scott brought. He'd made it himself, and it was very good. Then we took Scott back to his car by Island naturals before they took me home. We were, of course, talking the whole time, which was great. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake and looked at all the pictures and listened to the stories today. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Next, I continued: _Mele Kalikimaka: Christmas in Hawai'i_. After that, I read the next story in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_, "Rumpelstiltskin." I ended with the 22nd of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Frozen Lake."  Claire lives in Canada, where lakes freeze hard, and snow is on the ground for months in winter. Claire was very good at ice skating. It was her favorite sport. She could skate fast, and backwards, and leap and twirl. Claire often skated alone on a lake near her house. her mother asked if she felt lonely there, but Claire assured her that sometimes bears kept her company, and sometimes she rode on a reindeer. Then she winked at her mother, who smiled back. {Smile}

   After teaming for the evening, I did my arm resistance exercises and arm swinging exercises, followed by my salsa dancing warm-up set. Then I did my less structured salsa dancing, my head exercises, my standing arm weight training exercises, and two of my four sitting arm weight training exercises after a break. I've really been feeling like I should do more of my exercises, and I finally did. I hope to add in the other two sitting arm weight training exercises particularly soon. {Smile}

   I browsed the internet, reading some articles and thinking about web fiction hosts after breakfast and before starting to get ready for Auntie Barbara. When I got back, I played Cross Stitch World and wrote up the day before's daily update before cleaning myself up.  As soon as I was done, I dashed into City of Heroes: Homecoming particularly late. Pierogies and Kitten were there, and eager to watch a movie. Luckily it is in segments, so we watched four segments, slipping in the last right before I went to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started on paperwork, and Gargle Ripper invited me to team up. I tried to get Kitten's attention, but they were unresponsive. I did get my new friend, Rivka, to join the group, I found out that's what she wants to be called in these updates. Later, I got Dr. Faustus to join us as well, once he'd finished with a taskforce he'd been running. I also talked with Nox and Hayden on the Chat world, in the conversation we three share with Nik. We teamed, with some leaving early, and others coming in. Rivka left partway through my evening. Eventually, our leader left, as did a couple others at the same time. Dr. Faustus and one other stayed for a hunt I had before we broke up, too. I wrote this, did paperwork in City of Heroes: Homecoming, and looked at web fiction hosts some more between and after the exercises. I still managed to head to bed too late, but at least with more exercises done. {Smile}

Daily Update, February 21, 2024

    Wednesday, I had an appointment with the nutritionist after lunch, so a while before the appointment time, I contacted Uber. They came and took me to the nutritionist. The, I explained that her plan had cut back so much I was hungry too much, and just couldn't keep to it. Then I asked about healthy snacks, and she gave me a couple of lists of good small snacks. Next, I asked about the amount. She said one in the afternoon, and one in the evening, and no amount me trying to explain that we'd just seen a more generous plan fail because I was hungry all time made any concessions. So, we ended there, with me planning to look into the snacks, but I don't think I can reasonably try to stick to two most days. I will try to cut back though. I contacted Uber and they came and took me home again. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was resting but woke up and looked at all the pictures and listened to the stories today. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. After that, I continued: _Mele Kalikimaka: Christmas in Hawai'i_. Then I read the next story in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_, "Puss in Boots." I ended with the 21st of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "the Flowers."  {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises, head exercises, and arm swinging exercises while waiting for Uber and the appointment. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup set and salsa dancing less structured sets after teaming for the evening. I realized today I really need to push myself to do more of my exercises, but somehow it was too late again. {rueful look}

   I researched web fiction sites in the morning, Then I wrote yesterday's daily update before lunch. After lunch, I just had time for a little Cross Stitch World before I had to get ready to go to the appointment with the nutritionist. After I got back, I cleaned myself up. After that, I hopped onto City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Pierogies, who really wanted to team up the characters who are all the same type. However, mine isn't ready for that. So, he ran a couple of missions with that character of mine, gaining me a level. She still has two story arcs to run through before I want to let her gain the last level she needs to continue those characters' story. I suppose I could give up on one, but I really need to do the other because it helps a statistic-improving badge I want. Anyway, that took me into time to read to Mom, but I still did a full session with her. Pierogies let me sit in a farm over reading and dinner again, which was nice. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back online, and found Dark in City of Heroes: Homecoming. We talked a bit, and then teamed up. I found a character who was about the same level, and Dark noticed they were further back in the story arc they were working on, so we shifted to my missions, and did a few. Then Kitten woke up, and eventually joined us. After the three of us did a mission or two, Kitten said they should leave to help a friend. Instead, all three of us joined their friend who was an acquaintance of mine, and their friend of theirs who was already with them. I also said goodnight to Nox on the chat server. We missed a chance to talk again. I changed characters when I realized the one that I was on didn't need what I thought she did from what we were doing. So, I found a character of the same level who did some of that. We ran a few more missions. Then Dark left because it was late. We ended up talking a fair bit before either of us actually left. We did leave at about the same time because by then it was time for my salsa dancing. In between and after sets, I tried to research wed fiction hosts, but they often don't mention things I'm looking for. I also tried to write this, mainly taking a lot of notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, February 20, 2024

    Soon after I got up on Tuesday, I got a phone call from the driver who takes me to the monthly meeting with Aloha Independent Living's disabled support group. I've called it the monthly picnic int he past, but fewer are feeling picnics these days. She wanted me to be ready by 9:45, which meant a hurried breakfast. The driver and I did come and pick me up then, and we had a nice talk on the ride down. the meeting was mainly lunch with catching up with each member and what they are doing. Then we played Yahtzee for a few rounds. The leader looked for a game that accommodates a ride range of abilities, and settled on that, figuring we could all roll dice. The driver then took me back home, and we had another nice talk on the way. {Smile}

   Shortly before I read to Mom, I got a phone call from the nursing company's secretary. She wanted to touch base and check on how we're doing. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake and liked all the pictures and stories today. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Next, I started: _Mele Kalikimaka: Christmas in Hawai'i_. After that, I read the next story I thought she'd like in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_, "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." I ended with the 20th of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "My Granny." David brought his writing book back from school one day, and one of his parents read a passage about his Granny. He told he face, as round as pink as a baby's, but wrinkled. He told of her half=glasses that would slip down her nose, and how she'd look over them. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises, my arm swinging exercises and my salsa dancing warmup set all in one go. then I did my less structured set after a longer break than I meant to, and my head exercises after another longer break. {smile}

   When I got back from the morning's outing, I thought it was late, but played Cross stitch world because I was so tired. Then I looked at the time again, and it two hours earlier than I expect; I must have read a 12 as a 2, just blanking on the 1 at the beginning. Then I cleaned myself up before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I said hi to Kitten, Pierogies, my new friend from yesterday, and Dark. I teamed up with the first three, since Dark left. We ran a mission or two, and my new friend left. Then we ran another mission, and Pierogies left, followed by Kitten. I soloed a bit, accidentally running a little into time I like to read to Mom. The phone call from nursing company's secretary helped me remember to go read to her. Pierogies came back just in time for me to join them in a farm, leaving my character there while I read to Mom and ate dinner. {Smile} 

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I saw Dark, and we chatted before teaming up. I started chatting with my new friend, and they joined us. We teamed for much of the evening. My new friend left first. Dark and I did a little more, then Phonso invited us to a taskforce. We joined, and ran it, along with Dr. Faustus, Owl Girl, and few acquaintances, so it was really a friendly team. Then Dark left, and I ran another taskforce with Phonso. I also talked with Nox on the chat server. Then I started my exercises. I worked on this, read articles, played cross Stitch World, chatted with Kitten on the chat world, and researched web fiction hosts around the exercises, which is why the breaks got longer than I meant them to be. {Smile}

Daily Update, February 19, 2024

   Monday morning, I thought long and hard about how to share my writing. Looking into blogging platforms made me realize that the web fiction platforms have the humongous advantage of a audience specifically looking for fiction built right in. If you can match the kinds of stories you write to the right place, they can even be people looking for your type of writing. So, I really need to figure out a way to make those work out for me. I even did a little research into both blog platforms and web fiction host sites. That confirmed that blog platforms are a poor match. I need to look further to figure out what web fiction host is a good match for me, because many are not as much better as one would wish. {small smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake and seemed to like all the pictures and stories today. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Then I finished 1950's Fashion in Pictures_. Next, I read the first story in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_, "Pinocchio." Then I moved the bookmark right past the second story to the third. I'm suspicious she'd have trouble processing "The Gingerbread Man, since he gets eaten at the end. I finished with the 19th of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Strange Stone." Mark was helping his father dig in the garden. Mark found something heavy and picked it up. He showed his father the strange, round stone he found, pointing out how it was round with lines all over it. His father told him it was a tortoise who'd gone to sleep in the fall and wasn't ready to wake up yet. Mark put it back carefully, burying it in the dirt like before, and marking it with a stick so it wouldn't be disturbed again. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises, arm swinging exercises and head exercises between Phonso's taskforces in the evening. When I was sure I couldn't get back to the second one, I did my salsa dancing warm-up set. Then after a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing. {Smile}

   I played an awful lot of Cross Stitch World in the morning while I thought about how to share my writing. Then I wrote up yesterday's daily update before lunch and did the research into both blog platforms and web fiction hosts over lunch and after it a bit. Next, I cleaned myself up before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I didn't see anyone on, so I joined a taskforce I saw advertised. We ran it, and it ended only a little late for reading to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I went back onto my computer. I talked with kitten a little on the chat server. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming and looked around. I saw two friends who looked busy. I also spotted a taskforce I wanted, so I joined it, and we ran it. I made friends with one of the others when I offered some game cash, since I have some to spare. They were new, so I helped them get a teleporter, and join two in-game organizations. I also explained a few things to them. As we were winding down. Phonso came on and invited us to a taskforce. My new friend was heading to bed, so I finished saying goodnight. Then I joined Phonso, and he recruited for the taskforce. We ran it pretty quickly. Then he wanted to do another. He recruited it and he started it. Nox said goodnight on the chat server. Then I disconnected. I often do for a moment, so I tried to go back as usual. However, Homecoming was going down. I confirmed this on the server they have on my chat server. Yes, the one I talk to Nox, Kitten, and others on. So, I did my exercises, watched a video, and wrote this up, mostly making notes. {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, February 18, 2024

    On Sunday, I called Uber after breakfast. A nice, moderately chatty man came and took me to church. I got there just after communion, when it was ending. I only got to take part in a prayer and the recessional. However, I did get all of the rest of the annual meeting, as well as a very generous lunch. The Kubos took me home. I'm right on the route he takes his mother home on. {Smile}

   After I got home and rested a bit, I fiddled with Ko Fi a little more. I think I'm as set up there as feasible until I get a blog or other site to connect to it, but here's the page: https://ko-fi.com/anneelizabethbaldwin , {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake and enjoyed all the pictures and stories today. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Next, I continued 1950's Fashion in Pictures_. After that, I read the last story in _Richard Scarry's 5-minute Stories_, "Ma Pig's New Car." To finish off, I read the 18th of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Annabel's Doll." Annabel's Doll, Bella, went everywhere with her. One day, Annabel's aunt took her to a toyshop to pick out a doll's tea set. Belle went along, and Anabel put her next to two dolls having a tea party with a toy tea set complete with five toy cakes. When the tea set was chosen and bought, Annabel went to pick up Bella. She thought Bella had a funny smile, and there were only four cakes. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and arm swinging exercises while waiting for Uber to come get me, but I barely got started walking around the driveway when they came; I didn't even get one time around. When I finished with teaming for the evening, I did my arm resistance exercises, followed by my salsa dancing warm-up. After a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. {Smile}

   After I got home from church, I played some Cross Stitch World to recuperate. Then I cleaned myself up and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Kitten and Pierogies. I talked with Pierogies, and teamed up with both, but we didn't run missions. Instead, Kitten and Pierogies searched frantically for a show we could all watch. I tried to help, too. Kitten finally came up with an Equestria Girls episode. that's a My Little Pony spinoff where the ponies are (mostly) human. We talked a little after that, but not long because it was soon time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I went back to City of Heroes: Homecoming again. Kitten was there, but unresponsive. Dark was there, too, and quite happy to talk and team up. We ran several missions on a fairly high-level character I'm hoping will reach the end game before too much longer. I also started writing this. I said hi to Nox not long before they left, but we did get to talk a little. Kitten came in and joined Dark and me in the last mission before Dark left. Then kitten and I ran... I meant it to be one mission, but it turned out to be a mini arc, with two short missions with a talk session between them. We did get it all done. Then I did my exercises, talking with Kitten on the chat server in between and afterwards. I also wrote a little more of this and made a lot of notes for it. {Smile}

Daily Update, February 17, 2024

   Saturday, I stayed home and took things easy mostly. I did fiddle with Ko-Fi a bit after dinner, trying to set it up before I start and attach a more serious blog than the notes that hold my daily updates these days. I fiddled with it some more between and after salsa dancing and exercises. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake and looked at all the pictures and listened to the stories today. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Then I continued 1950's Fashion in Pictures_. Next, I read the next story in _Richard Scarry's 5-minute Stories_, "Sergeant Murphy and the Banana Thief." At last, I finished with the 17th of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Wild Goose." Every year, wild geese flew over Sally's house when they migrated to warmer places for the winter. She heard them honking one day while she was playing in the garden. She looked up, as saw one goose was behind the rest, flying slower and closer to the ground. It landed in the garden, all worn out. She took it inside to feed and care for it all winter. In the spring, when it heard a flock overheard, it flew off with them. Sally was glad it was back with its friends. {Smile}

   After teaming for the evening, I did my salsa dancing warm-up, followed by my arm swinging exercises and a rest. Then I did my less structured salsa dancing, my arm resistance exercises, and another rest. Then I did my head exercises. I was low on time, especially since tomorrow is church, and they're starting an hour early. {smile}

   In the morning, I read articles, watched videos, and played with cross Stich World. I wrote yesterday's update around lunch time. Then I cleaned myself up before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Dark, Pierogies and Kitten online, and said hi to all three. Dark responded first, and explained he'd been entirely too busy with work and too tired from work to come on during the week or even on Friday. Pierogies said hi and we chatted, too. Kitten said they were helping a friend level and should be free after that. Dark and I teamed up, and Pierogis soon joined us. We ran some stuff Dark had, and Kitten joined us part way through. Pierogies and Kitten left when the story arc ended. Dark and I ran one mission I had before I broke to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I began writing this up, then did the fiddling with Ko-Fi. I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming to find Dark and Kitten were still there. I said hi to both. Dark and I got together and ran a story arc he was starting. Kitten joined us, and Pierogies might have too, for a while. I also chatted with Nox a bit. After Pierogies left, Dark, Kitten, and I ran stuff until Dr. Faustus said hi and joined us. Dark left next. Then Kitten, Dr. Faustus, and I did a couple more missions before breaking up so I could do my dancing and exercises. I read articles and comics, and fiddled with Ko-FI some more before finishing this with a bit of writing and mostly notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, February 16, 2024

    On Friday between working on my new bank's web, phoning my new bank, and working on PayPal's website, I got PayPal and my new bank to work together. I even got them to start transferring a little money to my bank. I think they said the free way takes 1-3 working days. That should mean Tuesday to Thursday next week. I could have gotten it faster, but they would have charged a fee for speed. That doesn't sound like it would take most of the morning, but somehow it did. {smile}

   In the afternoon, I got a call from the secretary of the nursing company. She wanted to straighten out some possible misunderstandings. it was good to get things straight. {Smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake and liked the pictures and stories today. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I started her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Next, I continued 1950's Fashion in Pictures_. After that, I read the next two stories in _Richard Scarry's 5-minute Stories_ , "The Birthday Party," and "Pig Won't's Decision" Again, one just wasn't enough. I finished with the 16th of February's poem from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Old Copper Kettle." The poem asked an old copper kettle to tell of the old days when it was new, asking about the people who might have had tea parties with it. It ended by asking if it could tell, or just bubble. {Smile}

   I did my salsa dancing warm-up after watching the movie Nimona with Kitten and Pierogies in the evening. Then I did my head exercises and my less structured salsa dancing set. Then it got too late to do more. I really need to start earlier. {smile}

   I did a little Cross Stitch World before a late lunch. Then I read comics and finished writing this up after the nursing secretary's call after lunch. Next, I cleaned myself up. Somehow this meant I got into City of heroes: Homecoming very late after that. There, I talked with Pierogies until he went quiet. I tried to team up with kitten, but they were too tired. I got a story arc started with two talky missions. Then I did some badge-collecting done on my... on Ana, the character who has been my sixth best badge collector, but just moved past my fifth best badge collector today. They are currently very close - it would be easy for them to switch back. Anyway, then I broke to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, looked around, and worked on collecting a few more badges for Ana. Then Kitten came on, followed closely by Pierogies. We got together, and they helped me finish the story arc I'd barely begun before dinner with those talky missions. Then we settled in to watch the movie Nimona together. We got done, and squeezed in a little talk about it before I started my exercises. We talked more about it during my pauses because it begs to be talked about. After that, I wrote this up, mostly taking notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, February 15, 2024

   Well, on Thursday, I tried to add PayPal to my signature in my daily updates, but it was too pushy in two of the four places I tried to share a link. I just want to I just want to make it possible to leave a tip for my writing, so I'm working on toning it down. I hope it looks better already, but please let me know if you feel something isn't appropriate. I'm on the fence in places, especially with Facebook. Thanks for putting up with my missteps as I try to change journalling for free into writing for pay as well. I figured tips were a good place to start, though I hope to add more later. {Smile}

   I also had online counselling after breakfast. I had a bit of a late start, because while I started to sign in two minutes ahead, it took eleven minutes of sign in. So, I had a slightly shorter session. We tried to finish much closer to on time because my counselor had something right afterwards. I'll have to remember to sign in sooner in the future. I didn't realize it took that long. {smile}

   After lunch I got a visit from the secretary from Helping hands Hale, the nursing company that provides home nursing for Mom, and a little for me. That is for now; the contract will continue with me as the primary recipient when I am the only one left. {smile}

   Later, I exchanged a few calls and texts with the nursing company's secretary because at first, I hadn't made it clear that I was sharing a link to PayPal so I could get tips with my writing. they helped me make the purpose there clear. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was sleepy, but seemed to enjoy the pictures and stories today, except when i got interrupted. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I read a card from a friend. After that, I started 1950's Fashion in Pictures_. Then I read the next two stories in _Richard Scarry's 5-minute Stories_ , "Corn on the Cob," and "Guess Who?" Again, one didn't seem like enough. I wasn't sure two was, but four was a bit much, and there are only two more short ones, so I stopped there. Next, I read the 15th of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Moon Rose." The story asked if the listener could guess where a little girl came from. It said she lived in a faraway land and wore a pink floral kimono with wooden soled shoes. Her hair was long, black, and pinned up in a bun with long hairpins. Her house is mostly wood and lit by paper lanterns at night. She sleeps on a mat in warm weather. Her mother is giving her lessons in flower arranging. Her garden has dwarf trees, and colorful birds and flowers. She likes to play with a kite, and dance with a fan. Bells hang at her door that tinkle in the wind. She lives in Japan. Mom did not like that story; I'm not sure whether it was the guessing game or the break to answer a phone call, but I read a random couple of pages out of the fashion book, and she liked that better. {Smile}

   I did my salsa dancing warmup after I finished teaming for the evening. Then I did my salsa dancing less structured set after a break. Next, I did my arm swinging exercises, my arm resistance exercises, and my head exercises. {Smile}

   I read comics and finished writing the day before's daily update before lunch. Then I fiddled with PayPal after lunch, before the visit from the nursing company's secretary. After that, I cleaned myself up, and got the first phone call as I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. After I settled in, I worked on badges on my sixth best badge collector until Pierogies came on and said hi. We chatted, then we teamed up, fitting in just one solo mission before I read to Mom. {Smile}

   I started writing this up around dinner. Then I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I said hi to Dr. Faustus. He responded immediately and invited me to join him and a friend. They were both playing characters in the group I'd added a character to recently, so he suggested I bring her, and I did. We teamed until Dr Faustus left for other things because it had gotten pretty late. Then the other player disconnected and told Dr. Faustus he was going to bed without going back on, so Dr. Faustus told me on the chat server. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server, too, and a little with Kitten, but Kitten was particularly tired. After the exercise, I looked into stuff, and wrote a little of this. I also made notes on this to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, February 14, 2024

   I hope you had a happy Valentine's Day on Wednesday, or a happy Single's Awareness Day if you prefer. If you don't celebrate either, I hope you had a nice day. {Smile}

   On Wednesday, I contacted Uber after lunch, and they took me to HFS credit union. I arranged for the driver to wait, and I picked up a cashier's check. Then the same Uber driver took me to the Waiakea branch of First Hawaiian Bank. I was there on time for my appointment to open up an account. It was a checking account that they assure me ought to work with PayPal's automated system. {Smile}

   I also got help from Pierogies setting up PayPal, and we tested the ability to transfer money to me. That works, though I'm still working out the best way to get it from them. There's now a link below, and one on my blog in the sidebar, too. It joined the Kofi donate/tip buttons on the blog. I'm mainly trying to prepare them for when I start sharing stories... which might start with something public, with tips possible, which is why I'm setting up tipping ahead of time. Start with the freebies to gain an audience, I figure. {Smile}

   Then I contacted Uber to take me home. but I realized they had me being picked up somewhere else. I tried to walk there, but the first driver gave up before I got close. So, I tried to have them pick me up by Zippy's restaurant, since I'd walked over halfway there already, and it could be within the accepted radius, but somehow, they still sent the driver to a cable company instead. However, this one phoned to find out what was up, and I explained I was by Zippys, and didn't know how they got the cable company, and he came and got me, and took me home. We both shook our heads over the mix-up. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake and seemed to enjoy the pictures and stories today. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I read a card from her nephew, and one from each sister. The card from her younger sister was, most appropriately, a Valentine's Day card. Next, I read the next two stories in _Richard Scarry's 5-minute Stories_ , "the Pig Family," and "Going Shopping." In contrast to the last three stories, which were long to read in one day with everything else I read, these were so short, just one didn't seem like enough. Lastly, I finished with the 14th of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Lucky Valentine." Two girls in the same class at school who lived side by side on the same street were very different. Mathilda was happy and had lots of friends. Janet was serious, shy, and often had no one to play with. When Valentine's Day came, some children put cards in their friends' mailboxes without any names. Mathilda had lots of cars, but one card she should have gotten went into Janet's mailbox by mistake. It showed the clown Pierot looking up at smiling Columbine, another clown, who was swinging on a crescent moon. A verse talked about being too shy to make friends, and hoping the recipient would return a smile. Janet was quite struck at the idea that someone as shy as she wanted to be friends. That day, she started smiling back if someone smiled at her, and soon she had lots of friends. {Smile}

   I did my arm swinging exercises, head exercises, and walked around the driveway three times while waiting for Uber to come take me to the credit union. Then I did my arm resistance exercises around dinner time. I did my salsa dancing after I was done playing on Homecoming for the evening, first the warmup set, then the less structured set. {Smile}

   I wrote the day before's update, played Cross Stitch World, read comics, and cleaned myself up before lunch. After lunch was the banking trip. When I got home, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Pierogies. We teamed up, but first he helped me set up PayPal a little more. Then we teamed up, and did a couple of missions, which took me to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   Around dinner time, I started writing this up. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies, and we said goodnight again, since he was just leaving. Then I worked on badges for my 6th best badge collector, getting her closer to becoming my fifth best badge collector. Then Phonso said hi, but he left after that without doing anything. Dr. Faustus also said hi. I join him and a friend who turned to be a friend I often team with through Kitten. I helped them with several missions, first a few in a story arc, then a repeatable one for badges, getting four more for my sixth best badge collector. She's really close to moving up in the ranks now. I'm so happy that's easy to keep track of; for a while, she was in a different part of the list because she wasn't fully developed. Anyway, Dr. Faustus, our mutual friend, and I said goodnight after the missions. Then I did my salsa dancing, and watched videos and such until I made notes in this to help me finish writing this the next day.

PayPal (in case you feel moved to tip): https://paypal.me/ABaldwin399

Daily Update, February 13, 2024

   On Monday, I reluctantly started to look for my mother's bank's number so I could make an appointment. Then I found a way to schedule one online. I started to sign up, and almost managed before I had a question that I wasn't sure how to answer: do I have an account with them? I've been banking with them for several years as the trustee of Mom's trust, which has an account with them, but that's not my account. So, I looked up their number, called, and guessed my way through their phone tree. The man who answered helped me fill out the form. Then I explained what I wanted - an account that could work with PayPal's automation - and he assured me they had something I felt so relieved! I was really worried they'd have trouble just like my credit union. {Smile}

   The secretary from the nursing company called me to touch base and assure me they're interested in meeting with me to plan for when I'm the primary patient. It's good to know they're watching out for that. {Smile}

   Our former nurse called, too. We chatted, which was great. I do enjoy talking with him. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake and seemed to like the pictures and stories today. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I read a a long card from a friend. Then I continued _Memories 1950's_, showing and reading the next few pages. After that, I read the next story in _Richard Scarry's 5-minute Stories_ , "Postman Pig and His Busy Neighbors." I finished with the 13th of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Granny's Surprise." Robert's Granny lived close enough to his school, he had tea with her on Wednesdays. Then she'd sit knitting, which she loved, while he read books or watched TV. One Wednesday, she t old him a surprise was waiting for him. He asked if it was a toy. She said it was something that had come to live with her, but he could play with it whenever he visited. When they got home and entered it, Robert found a small kitten all tangled up in Granny's pink knitting wool. Robert untangled the kitten, and they played happily. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises while kitten tried to fix something with their internet connection. then I did my arm resistance exercises while waiting for Phonso to get the taskforce going. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup followed by the less structured salsa dancing after a rest. Then it got too late before I did more. I really have to work on that. {smile}

   I played Cross Stitch World in the morning. I wrote up yesterday's daily update over and after lunch. before cleaning myself up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies and Kitten teaming up. They really wanted to watch a movie, _Nimona_, but we couldn't work out how I could watch it, too. We finally gave up for now and ran a few missions together instead. That took us up to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   I started writing this up between reading to Mom and dinner and did a little more after dinner. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming and looked around. I read a few comics but kept looking back at City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did talk to Dr. Faustus, Azurette, and Mysty in the game, but they were all busy. Then Kitten came in. We teamed up, talked, and they discovered their router or modem might be having trouble. They got it working well enough, we ran a mission or two. Then Phonso invited us to a taskforce. I also started talking with Nox on the chat server. Kitten and I joined Phonso's taskforce, and ran it when he'd recruited a full team, which happened quickly. It went so fast, I had time another, longer taskforce before my salsa dancing. Then I broke to dance and talked with Kitten on the chat server. I also read articles and watched videos around the dancing. Then I wrote a little more of this and made notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, February 12, 2024

    On Monday, a while after breakfast, I contacted Uber. They took me to my doctor's appointment. That appointment went well. Most of the numbers int he tests they ran are improved, and most of the rest didn't change much. My eye needs a medicine he said he'd prescribe. He thinks it's just a little conjunctivitis. When it was done, I contacted Uber, and they took me back home. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake and seemed interested in the pictures that I showed her. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I read a few cards, from her niece, her cousin, and her sister. Next, I continued _Memories 1950's_, showing and reading the next few pages. Then I read the next story in _Richard Scarry's 5-minute Stories_ , "A Day at the Police Station." I finished with the 12th of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "the Nightingales." Mrs. Nightingale called her children to supper. they didn't want to stop playing hide-and-seek until their mother promised them their favorite: stewed worms and beechnut salad. then their mother told them she and their father had decided they were old enough to join in the singing, but only when their parents told them to sing, and only one at a time. Soon the nightingales' song filled the woodland, and the young birds were proud to be joining in too. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises, arm swinging exercises, and walked twice around the driveway while waiting for Uber. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup after teaming for the evening. After a short break, I did my less structured salsa dancing. then i did my arm resistance exercises just as it was getting too late to do anything more. {Smile}

   Between breakfast and the doctor's appointment, I read a little and played Cross Stitch World. After I came home, I played more Cross Stitch World. Then I finished writing yesterday's update after lunch and before I cleaned myself up. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Dr. Faustus was busy, but Pierogies was eager to play. Kitten was quiet, which was part of what Pierogies and I talked about. We played a mission or two, then watched the first episode of Inuyasha, an older anime series. It was nice and ended just at the right time to go read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, the late-night short, large-group event was full early, but I found Pierogies, and also Kitten playing a character on one of Pierogies' accounts. The three of us teamed up, and tried to test the character Kitten was on. They're making it for me, so they're testing how it plays. I'll have to remake it on my own account. We were working on one of the self-improving badges when Pierogies left. Kitten and I continued working the badge until Phonso invited us to a taskforce. He had trouble inviting Kitten, but we kept trying until it worked. Then we ran that taskforce. After that, most left, but Phonso, Kitten, and I stayed together to start another taskforce. I also talked with Nox a little. Dr Faustus joined us for the second taskforce. We ran it, then the team broke up. Most, including Phonso and Dr Faustus, went their separate ways. One fellow stayed with Kitten and me, and we worked on the self-improving badge. We got it for both Kitten and the other fellow from the taskforce. Then I said goodnight, but suggested they work on another self-improving badge Kitten knows very well. I left to do my dancing and other exercises. I also read comics, talked with Kitten on the chat server, wrote some of this and made notes for the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, February 11, 2024

   Does anyone know of economical ways to get pictures suitable to accompany fantasy stories? Mom really does better with pictures these days, especially when there are stories to go along with the pictures. I can write stories, and some friends like that idea, but she'd really appreciate pictures to go with them, and art is not the forte writing is for me. {smile}

   After breakfast, I contacted Uber, and they connected me with Alan, who came and took me to church. We had a lovely and lively conversation all the way down. {Smile}

   I got to church as they were giving the announcements before the service proper. I sat with Auntie Barbara and Michelle. The big thing of the day was that our bishop was here to baptize our priest's baby daughter. He did this, and then we had a big lunch on the lanai, with a man providing live music, and lots of food. I sat with Auntie Barbara and Michelle, and we went to Island Naturals on the way home. It was customer appreciation day, with most of the store discounted. I picked up pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries. Auntie Barbara picked up a lot more. I think Michelle waited by the car. Then we went home, and auntie Barbara came in to visit Mom. We sang six songs with her. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake when I came in and did look at the pictures I showed her. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I read a few cards, from her cousin, a different cousin's granddaughter, and her sister. After that, I started _Memories 1950's_, showing and reading the covers and the first few pages. Next, I finally read the next story in _Richard Scarry's 5-minute Stories_ , "A Day at the Fire Station." It wasn't as long as I thought. It just had larger pictures, so took more pages... but the time I stopped, Mom was getting tired. Anyway, I finished with the 11th of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Clumsy Penny." Penelope had been given a doll almost as big as she was for her birthday. She named her Penny. One day, when Mummy was busy, Penelope took Peny to the kitchen for a tea party. Penelope set out the tea things, then Penny misbehaved, knocking her tea over, and dropping biscuits on the floor. Penelope showed Mummy what Penny had done when Mummy came into the kitchen. Mummy said Penny was young, and couldn't help it, as they cleaned up the mess. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises, my arm swinging exercises, and walked between two and three times around the driveway as I waited for Alan to come pick me up. Then I did my arm resistance exercises in a pause in touring the base with Dr. Faustus. After Dr. Faustus and I parted, I did my salsa dancing, first my warmup set, then my less structured set, with a brief pause in the second piece, which led to restarting the second piece leading to over 23 minutes of salsa dancing -- a bit more than usual. {Smile}

   After auntie Barbara left, I played Cross-Stitch World to relax. Then I wrote up and shared the day before's update. Next, I cleaned myself up, then hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did some paperwork and looked around. The only folks I like to play with seemed busy, so I started soloing hunts. Pierogies came on and said hi. We chatted until I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming after a bit more Cross-Stitch World. I found Pierogies, who was eager to watch some Stargate 1. I found a free host, and we ended up watching roughly half the first episode before he got tired and went to bed, since it was double length. I also talked with Dr. Faustus, who wanted to get together for something. At first, I was busy with Pierogies. Then he was busy with a taskforce. Then he hoped to join another taskforce together, but they filled too fast. So, he went back to his earlier plan, and showed my villain who joined his SG the other day around the group's base. I said goodnight to Nox, who barely had time for that much. At the end of the base tour, I picked my room, and he customized it for me. That's when I had time for the exercise. After he said goodnight. I soloed some more and did my salsa dancing. I also did some paperwork, read comics, and made notes on this to write from properly the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, February 10, 2024

    Saturday morning, I straightened up the piles of books in my room, moving many to other location, especially two boxes for book that I can try to sell if a friend is interested, or I can get them to a store without paying too much for the trip. That's all I did between breakfast and lunch: rearrange books. It is more open, and hopefully less of an earthquake hazard. Yesterday's earthquake apparently was 6.3. It felt more like a five-pointer, so it must have been further away than usual. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake when I came in, and did look at the pictures I showed her, at least a little. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I read a few cards, from nephew, her niece, and me. Then I finished _Visions of Scotland_, ending with three postcards that came with the book, even thought they were to me. They still had nice pictures of Scotland. After that, I set aside _Richard Scarry's 5-minute Stories_ because I was worried it would be too long. I read a little booklet called _Where is Home, Little Pip?_ instead, but I'm not sure it was any shorter. I didn't realize until I was far enough into it, I just kept going. Then I finished with the 10th of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Waiting for Spring." Becky watched her father dig a big hole in the garden. She asked what he was doing, and he explained he was planting a tree. He explained it looked dead because it was winter, but it would grow new leaves in the spring. She asked about planting her flowers, but he said they should wait until spring, when the earth is warmer. {Smile}

   I didn't do any exercise beyond rearranging the books. There was enough bending, lifting, carrying, and bending to put them down, it didn't feel necessary. {Smile}

   After lunch, I played Cross-Stitch World, then cleaned myself up, then played Cross-Stitch World a bit more before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I talked with Dr. Faustus, who said he was in a taskforce, but wanted to talk afterwards. I talked to Michiel, who joined me for a few missions on low-level characters. Next, Michiel left for dinner. So, I talked to Dr. Faustus again. He told me about a supergroup he was arranging, for villains with an urban fantasy theme. He invited me to bring in a character. I thought the demoness with a pet gang would qualify, so I got her, and we ran a few missions, along with first one friend of his, then two. This took me up to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I looked around, did some paperwork, read some comics, and started writing this outside the game. I was in an odd mood, so I got ready to run a few missions solo on the low-level character who'd teamed up with Michiel earlier. Then I realized Darkthough1 was finally on. So, we got together to roleplay. This continued for the rest of the evening. I did say goodnight to Nox, and chat very briefly with Kitten. I also made notes for this to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, February 9, 2024

    On Friday after lunch, I finally got a different message for their answering machine. So, I left a somewhat garbled message - being flustered by finally getting something - and they called me back. I explained wanting to open a new account that PayPal's automated system can work with. She suggested making an appointment to open one at Mom's bank. I'll try it Monday; by the time we were over, I felt like things would go better if I was fresher. {smile}

   Oh! We had a little earthquake after lunch. it toppled some books by Mom, but luckily, she and her bed were a little further away than usual, so nothing fell on her. I spent a while after that moving books around so there shouldn't be another incident like that. I did a little by my computer, but most of the space I could move books into was used for Mom. {smile}

   I ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake when I came in, but sleepy, and got sleepier over time. She did look at the pictures I showed her, at least a little. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I read a few cards, from the church, a friend, and each of her sisters. Then I continued _Visions of Scotland_ I think she does like the pictures of Scotland. Next, I tried continuing reading _Richard Scarry's 5-minute Stories_ with "A Day at the Fire Station." However, that turned out to be a longer than usual story for that book, and Mom was getting sleepier and sleepier. {Smile}

  So, I stopped and finished with the 9th of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Snow Fairy." Paul was sitting by the fire, looking at his picture book. then he looked at the window, where it was snowing outside. the snow was drifting onto the windowpane, getting bigger, until one turned into a snowman. Paul was curious, so he put on his warmest clothes and went outside. He was surrounded by dancing, smiling, little snowmen who pushed him along the path. Then they were all flying until they landed on a pond in front of an icy palace. Out stepped a beautiful lady in a glittering dress, silver wings, and a shining crown. She told him she was the snow fairy and offered to grant him a wish. He asked her to give the birds food and drink, since the ground is hard, and puddles frozen. She smiled and told him to close his eyes and count to three. He did, then opened his eyes to find himself by the fire. He thought he must have been dreaming. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises, arm resistance exercises, arm swinging exercises, sitting arm weight training exercises, and my standing arm weight training exercises during lulls in role-playing in the evening. I did my salsa dancing warm up set, too. It got too late for a second set before I got to it, but I was happy with how much I did with the arm weight training. besides, there was all that book rearranging around Mom. That should cover what I didn't do. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics and played Cross-Stitch World in the morning. Then I played more Cross-Stitch World after lunch. After that, I cleaned myself up. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Pierogies, and we teamed up. We did an individual mission, then Michiel said hi. We talked a bit, then I invited him to join us. He did and we ran four more individual missions: one for all of us (there are two particularly good rewards a day), one because Michiel missed the first one, and two because we trusted them not to run too long, like some missions can, especially in story arcs. Then, I read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. It was too late for the late-night short, large-group event, so I started by checking my friends. I saw Pierogies on, but he didn't respond. I saw Darkthough1 on, too, and he did respond. We got together and ended up roleplaying all evening. I did talk to Nox on the chat server too, and to Kitten a bit as well, though they were busy with work a lot of the time. Darkthough1 and I even kept roleplaying past my salsa dancing warm-up, which helped me not get to the rest of my salsa dancing, but I had done all that book rearranging to make Mom safer during earthquakes. {Smile}

Daily Update, February 8, 2024

    On Thursday, I had a nice phone call from our former nurse. We enjoyed touching base and chatting. {Smile}

   I checked, but my financial adviser still seems to be unavailable. {small smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake when I came in and stayed awake. She did look at the pictures I showed her. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I finished her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Next, I continued _Visions of Scotland_ showing her the pictures and reading the captions. After that, I continued reading _Richard Scarry's 5-minute Stories_ with "Good Friends and Neighbors." It gave examples of those. I finished with the 8th of February's poem from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Marmalade Kitten." It told about a marmalade kitten's troubles with strong winds. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises while the evening's taskforce was getting going. Then I did my head exercises followed by my salsa dancing warmup set after the taskforce and some soloing were done. Then I tried to do my salsa dancing, but soon started stumbling. So, I stopped and did my arm swinging exercises. Then I tried my walking exercises but felt unsteady almost immediately. So, I walked around the hallway, living room, dining room, and kitchen 10 or 11 times in 9 minutes before it was late enough and I was tired enough, I figured I could stop. 15 minutes would be more equivalent to my second salsa dancing set, but when I'm too tried, I'm too tired. {smile}

   I read articles, watched videos, and played Cross-Stitch World in the morning. After lunch, I played Cross-Stitch world some more before cleaning myself up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I was checking some of my characters when I spotted a trial that has some nice badge. I checked who needed it, and grabbed my third best badge collector, since my first and second had all the badges. As I took off to join the trial, someone said hi. It was Pierogies. He said to go along when i told him what I was up to. I did, though we ended up running another trial because the leader turned out to be low for it, despite being able to set it up initially. So, we ran a lower-level trial, then the one we all wanted, and got all the badges. I tried to learn what Pierogies wanted but ended up running it again before he answered. After that, the group broke up, and Pierogies and I got together. He was mostly interested in showing off new costumes, and discussing the character, which he wants to try role-playing. We did watch an episode of RWBY before I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

   I tried to get into the late-night short, large-group event after dinner, but even though I was early, the zone was already full. then I started writing this up. I checked the game a few times, an eventually saw Azurette, but she left before I said hi. So, I caught a TF. The participants were not at all chatty, but we did get things done. Then I badge hunted on the same character for a while. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server a little. Then I started my exercises. The earlier part went better than the later part. I'm not quite sure why. I checked the game some more, wrote a little more of this, and made enough notes to finish writing it the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, February 7, 2024

    On Wednesday, I realized my right eye is sick. I hope that explains higher blood sugar and more tiredness that I've had recently. I should see my doctor next Monday, so I will bring it up then, whether I've gotten better or not. {smile}

   I called my doctor a couple of times after breakfast to make sure they phoned in my lab tests. Then late in the morning, I contacted Uber. A fellow came and got me and took me to Clinical Labs We had a nice chat on the way. there, they already had pulled my doctor's orders. Soon, we did the tests, though one took two tries, which was frustrating. Then I contacted Uber again, and they came and took me back home. We also had a nice chat. {Smile}

   My financial advisers must still be out. Their answering machine is still answering very quickly. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake when I came in and stayed awake. She looked at the pictures I showed her. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. After that, I continued _Visions of Scotland_ showing her the pictures and reading the captions. Then I continued reading _Richard Scarry's 5-minute Stories_ with "Lowly Worm's Horrid Pests." I finished with the 7th of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Fancy Dress Party." Robert and William were twins who looked very similar, except that Robert's hair was dark brown to William's reddish-brown hair. On their seventh birthday, they had a fancy-dress party. Robert went as Pierrot, and William went as Harlequin, the two clowns. After tea, they went to their room and switched costumes. No one noticed until they took their hats. off. "We fooled you!" The twins said. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and most of my arm swinging exercises waiting for Uber at home. Then I finished my arm swinging exercises in the waiting room of Clinical labs, after checking in. then, after we said goodnight in City of Heroes: Homecoming, I did my salsa dancing warmup set. Then I meant to take a short break, and when I checked the clock again, it was too late for more dancing, or much other exercise. I did squeeze in my arm resistance exercises, and I do wonder if I'm having more trouble because of the sick eye. {smile}

   After breakfast I read some articles. Then I finished writing up yesterday's daily update before going down for the medical tests. After I came back, I read more and played Cross-Stitch World over lunch. Then I cleaned myself up and read some more before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming when Kitten got my attention. I hadn't realized how late it had gotten. I got together with Pierogies and Kitten, who were watching videos after some missions. We watched two episodes of RWBY together before it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I tried to catch the late-night short, large-group event, but it was done particularly early, so I missed it entirely. I started writing this and checked comics and City of Heroes: Homecoming once in a while, until I finally spotted Dark on. He admitted he had gotten on later than usual when we started to talk. Some workdays are like that. Then we teamed up, and played a story arc of mine together, followed by a follow-up story arc. Kitten joined us for the second, which we didn't quite finish because I needed to start my salsa dancing, and Dark needed to head to bed. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server for a while, and with Kitten there, mostly after we were done teaming. I also wrote more of this and made notes to finish writing the next day. {Smile}