Daily Update, September 26, 2023

    I had a few text conversations, but that was it Tuesday. {Smile} 

   The nursing company still didn't want me eating with Mom, and I admit I woke up feeling like it really should be at least one more day to be sure, myself. I mis it, and I miss her, and just hope she remembers me when I can finally get back to it. {resigned smile}

   I thought that yesterday, maybe part of the reason I didn't get more exercises done was that I started with my walking exercises, which are probably the most exercises after the salsa dancing. So today, I started with the easiest, and tried to work up, though there were breaks to talk with Kitten and Phonso, which made "too late" come before I'd done as much as hoped. I started with the easiest, and worked up, more or less, which means I did my head exercises, then my arm swinging exercises, my arm resistance exercises, my leg exercises, my standing arm exercises, and 2 of my 4 sitting arm weight training exercises before it got too late. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics in the morning and over lunch. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming when Kitten said hi after lunch, a little earlier than usual. I did a little paperwork, then joined Kitten and Perogies on the low-level characters we're working up together. I learned that Perogies had gotten two rewards, and a particularly nice reward for getting those and three other rewards. The particularly nice reward permanently improves the character. I thought we had to be a few levels higher, but he definitely had it. We teamed up, and I asked about improving our characters, too, but Perogies just wanted to run mission, so we did. {Smile}

   We ran missions together and chatted until suddenly my power went out. I looked things over, glad it was still late afternoon, with sunlight to light the room. As I was beginning to wonder about turning off my computer, the power came back on. My internet connection didn't come back until I turned my computer off and back on. While I was waiting for it to come back on fully, my phone beeped enough, I checked it. One of those beeps was a text message from our power company notifying us that power had gone out in our area but should be back by almost three hours from then. I just had to tell our nurse that before I got the computer running and got back into the game just in time for Kitten to tell me that Perogies had just left. I tried to message him, but he wasn't checking his phone. Knowing him, he was probably heading to bed. {Smile}

   Kitten also told me Perogies had made the next level while I was offline. We "street swept," meaning found enemies loose on the streets, and earned enough experience for both of us to reach Perogies's level. Then I got one of my high-level characters to help Kitten's low-level character get the badges Perogies had gotten, since Perogies had teamed with a couple of his own high-level characters on his other accounts. (Perogies has three accounts, though Kitten and I only one each.) Then we switched. I got my low-level character, Kitten got their favorite high-level character, and we got the rewards for me. {Smile}

   By then it was dinner time for me, so when I asked for something to do with a fork in one hand, Kitten suggested watching a couple of My Little Pony episodes. They meant to pick a two-part at the end of a season, but they picked the season shortened by a writer's strike, which ended with two unrelated episodes. That's okay. the first episode was about a part I'm particularly interested in, and the second was as challenging to the main characters as I'm learning to expect the beginning or end of a season to be.

   Then we teamed up on the slightly higher characters and finished the story arc we'd started last night. I meant to do one more mission, but between feeding Val and talking to Kitten, it really got too late. I started my exercises, and Phonso started talking to me. We got kind of involved, which slowed my exercises more than I meant it to. I wrote this and made notes, but this ran late, too. So, I was late to bed, and wrote most and shared it the next day. {smile}

Daily Update, September 25, 2023

    Well, I am feeling better. The gastrointestinal trouble seems to be gone. I've found my appetite again, and mostly gotten some cramps to calm down. My stamina isn't back, but I did get my walking exercises and my head exercises done, with a few extra of each, and some regular walking when I went out, too. The nurses and the nursing company still don't want me near Mom more than strictly necessary. It's frustrating not be able to read to her when I feel up to it, but I'd rather be overly cautious than give this to her. {Smile}

   I called cardiology after breakfast. It took a few tries to get them, but I eventually confirmed that an appointment I wasn't sure hadn't been rescheduled was indeed on for that day. So, I contacted Uber and went to my cardiology appointment after lunch. The driver was a new woman. We didn't talk much on the way over. I saw their nurse-doctor who convinced me into trying a diuretic on an as-needed basis. I got the same driver to take me home, and we talked a little on the way this time. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics in the morning and over lunch. Then I read some more after coming back from my appointment, until I felt going into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Perogies and Kitten. We teamed up on the low-level characters the three of us are working on together and finished the arc that Perogies and I had started the other day. Then they tried to level my character, since that alone hadn't caught me up, since Kitten and Perogies had both gotten to the level needed to start the next arc in these characters' main advancement. Perogies left when he got tired, and Kitten kept working until I caught up in level. {Smile}

Then we went to a bar in a "pocket universe," and Kitten snuck me out of the bar to take a tour of features usually only seen through the windows if at all. It took a few tries because I kept falling and getting teleported back inside, but eventually we got it worked out. We had a fine tour - a long one where we took pics for Perogies while I ate dinner, since I'm not eating with Mom yet. After that, we watched a My Little Pony episode together. Then we toured a badge I didn't have and needed. Next, we ran a mission we both needed. After that, we switched characters, and started a story arc my other low-level character I've been working on. After one mission, I broke to take care of Val, and took so long, Kitten had gone quiet when I got back. They later said they'd fallen asleep. So, I did some paperwork, and what exercises I managed to do. Then I read some articles, wrote this up, and chatted with Perogies when they came back on. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 24, 2023

    My gastrointestinal upset calmed down enough in the night for me to get better sleep. That was a relief. {Smile}

   The next morning, I really didn't think going to church would be wise, between the need to leave the plumbing for the whole ride down, and the risk of passing whatever I have to other parishioners and the Uber driver, too. No, that wouldn't be good, so I stayed home, and watched the 10 am service online. Or listened to it. Despite getting what would normally be a good night's sleep, I just could not keep my eyes open. I missed the peace entirely, but I think I heard the lesson, gospel, and much of the sermon. I may have to watch it again later in the week. {Smile}

   I took a longer nap than I meant to after that, and before lunch, which meant Val's lunch was later than I like, and mine was later than is quite safe. I did feel my blood sugar go nuts before I settled in and started... but part of that was having to deal with one last, bad gastrointestinal problem. I really haven't had more since then, though my appetite is not good. Lunch took long, and I didn't get a lot of dinner down at all... Then again, I haven't been active, either. I couldn't bring myself to do even my head exercises today, never mind the rest or the salsa dancing. I just don't have that kind of energy yet. {Smile}

   I didn't read to Mom, either. Both our nurse and the nursing company are encouraging me to keep my distance until this illness is past. {smile}

   I read some articles over my long, late lunch, and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming when I was done. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming and found Perogies pretty quick. He hoped to catch the later short, large-group event, but it appeared to be over. So, we caught the later long, large group event that follows. Yes, it can often be a bit boring, but not today. I was feeling tired enough, it was just about what I could handle. When we were done, Perogies wanted to hunt some critters. I found a character who didn't have as many as the game rewards you for and tagged along. I'd like to say I helped, but I think they carried me more than I carried them. We continued until they got tired and left for bed. {Smile}

   I read some articles and tried to read a comic that came recently over dinner, since our nurse thinks it's safer for Mom if I don't eat with her until I'm better. Then I looked around on City of Heroes: Homecoming and saw a task force starting up. We only got four members, but they ran it with that. I disconnected as we were starting the last battle, but I restarted my computer, and got back in time to get full credit for the task force. After that, I didn't see anything being advertised, not that looked al that long, so I did a mix of badge hunting, simple solo play, and catching up on comics which I read, since I somehow forgot to read them while I was sick. The Perogies came in and said hi, and we started to talk as I started to write this up. I'm really enjoying the talking, but it's time to share this at least in quick places and go to bed. {SMILE}

Daily Update, September 23, 2023

    In the wee hours of Saturday morning, when I lay down after getting up to use the little room and feed Val, as I do every night, I had enough gastrointestinal distress, I couldn't get back to sleep, not even with my usual medicine for gas. It took a couple of hours to finally fall asleep, and then I woke up in early morning, and had more trouble with the mostly the same gastrointestinal distress. When I got up, I had a short, severe bout of a different kind of gastrointestinal distress, then felt better. I still tried to text the housekeeper to warn her to stay away. She didn't get it because she left her phone at home, but she went right back to her car. I got to talk to her from a good distance just long enough to establish yes, I'm sick, and I will let her know when I'm better. I hoped I already was, since I was feeling much better. {smile}

   I still hoped I was better when I got first chilled, then overheated around lunch time, since I do that after a lot of illnesses, to the point I see it as part of me more than the illness. {smile}

   However, I had to admit that this wasn't the case when I got a third kind of gastrointestinal distress around dinner time that even made it hard to eat. It's hung around right through the evening, but either it quickly got milder, or I quickly learned how to handle it much better than that first bout. It didn't go away that day, so I had serious doubts about making it to church tomorrow. Thankfully, they still try to post it online for those who find it easier to watch from home. {smile}

   I didn't eat any meals with Mom, nor did I read to her today. Neither our relief nurse nor our regular nurse thought I should until I'm clearly over it. Our regular nurse isn't even sure she'll survive another illness, so I'm trying to be very careful not to give it to her. {faint smile}

   I didn't do any of my exercises today. I just didn't feel up to them. {worn smile}

   I shared yesterday's daily update in the morning. Then I chatted with Nox on the chat server a bit more than usual over lunch. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after lunch and found Perogies. We chatted a bit, then teamed up, trying to do one of the individual high-level missions with two particularly good rewards a day. We did complete one but had to drop the difficulty twice before we could handle it. I blamed being sick, but that frustrated us so much, we switched to watching a show together. The first show we tried to watch was not to Perogies's taste, so we tried a second that was much better. Perogies pointed out when it was time to read to Mom, but I explained that wasn't happening because I was sick and will resume when I'm clearly noncontagious. So, we continued to watch until Perogies was ready for bed. We said goodnight, and I looked around at my friends list. Ulty looked like she was busy with an RP, but we chatted on the side. I told her I wasn't well enough for good RP or good play anyway. I also hunted for rewards on my fifth best reward hunter, cementing her claim to that title more firmly. I eventually got to talk with Nox on the chat server while hunting for rewards, too. When they left, I just hunted rewards until I started writing this, switching to making notes to write from the next day. {smile}

Daily Update, September 22, 2023

    I got some nice texts today, including some pictures from Auntie Barbara showing her enjoying herself with friends back home, where she's visiting. That was great to see! {SMILE}

   I also had an actual test chat with Nox on the text server around lunch time. It got me thinking about family, and how distant I am from many relatives. Then I checked Facebook. The cousin I tried writing to a while back is a Facebook friend, so I made tentative steps towards communicating through Facebook. We'll see where things go from here. {Smile}

   I ate Breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Mom, and read to her before dinner. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I read a Thanksgiving card from her sister, a Christmas Card with pictures from a friend, and a Birthday card from me. Then, I started reading _Visions of Scotland. First, I read the blurb on the back of the book. then I read a caption they had right on the title page. Then I read the caption for the first few pages of pictures. It has lots of pictures and fairly short caption, which works pretty well for reading to Mom. Next, I read a story from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. Last, I ended with _Winter Stores_, the September 22nd story from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Mrs. Hedgehog was worried that they might not have enough food stored away for winter. She was especially worried that they had no fruit. LIttle harry Hedgehog told them about a pile of sweet red apples that belonged to an old lady who gave him milk when she saw him. His father told him to lead the way, so he did. His mother complained it was too far to carry the apples, but his father rolled up into a ball, and rolled onto the apples. One stuck to the spines on his back, so it was easy to carry home. The others copied him, and soon they had enough apples for winter. {Smile}

   I got started a little earlier on my exercises than last night, so I got my arm swinging exercises, my walking exercises, and my arm resistance exercises done before I did my salsa dancing warmup set. I did my less structed salsa dancing set after a break. Then, after another break, I did my standing arm weight training exercises and one of my sitting arm weight training exercises, followed by my leg exercises, then the other three sitting arm weight training exercises, then my head exercises. So, I got everything done again, though again, it was late. {Smile}

   I shared yesterday's daily update - and the day before's update, too, on my blog, since I discovered I'd forgotten to share it yesterday- in the morning. I also read comics and articles in the morning. After lunch and cleaning myself up, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did some paperwork, and found Perogies getting ready for the later short, large-group event. I joined it too on one of the characters I'm working on developing. Then we got together. He was tired and wanted to watch a show on a new service he found, where we could both watch the shows with free accounts. I texted our former nurse to tell him about the website, since he watches far more shows than I do. He thanks me. Then Perogies picked a show he thought I'd like, and we watched it. It was okay, but I really prefer more adventurous shows, 

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and found Perogies still on. I noticed he was on the new character: He was trying to gain 5 levels so he could continue the story. That didn't sound quite right, so I looked it up. We only needed two levels to continue the story. He thanked me, since he was now at the right level. I tried to get a character with a mission I could use to talk to me, but he wouldn't. So, we picked a story arc we both needed that we were sure we could do and ran the first few missions until Perogies was tired enough to head to bed. He tried to tell me to continue without him, but I insisted I'd rather wait and continue together.  Then I soloed some on the character I'd run the early short, large-group event on until I got an item I wanted, before starting my exercises. I tried to concentrate on writing this up after that, but comics, one video, and checking things on City of Heroes: Homecoming all distracted me. {Smile}

Daily Update, September 21, 2023

 I got a text from the vet. Yes, one unit of insulin as long as Val is eating. If he stops, no more insulin while he isn't eating. That makes sense to me. {Smile}

Looks like I sent the day before's story twice; I thought I hadn't added it just long enough to send it again. {blush, look down}

I got up late enough, and taking care of Val took long enough, I started eating breakfast while I was signing into my counselling session already this morning. I think it was an okay session. We talked about what's been happening recently with Val and others, too. I'm not entirely comfortable with what she says about how to build a family, but we'll see what happens. At this point, I really need to be open to possibilities, and that was her biggest suggestion, so we're in full agreement there. {smile}

I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I read scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I read a Thanksgiving card from her sister, a birthday card from her cousin, and a valentine's day card from her sister, too. After that, I finished reading _Memories 1960s_ properly this time, reading all the pages from the first missed pages, including those I had read, then finishing with teh blurb ont he back of the book. Next, I read three poems from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. That seemed short, but the next story was four pages long, which seemed too much when she was already tired. So, I ended with _Bobby's Toys_, the September 21st story from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Bobby had been given a toy monkey for his birthday, but three weeks later, it was still on a high shelf, not played with. The monkey complained about the boy not playing with him, when he was glossy and new, when the boy played with an old worn teddy bear who was missing half his fur and one eye. The teddy bear suggested staying up on the shelf if he wanted to stay glossy, clean, and unworn, because he'd gotten the way he was from being played with often. The monkey didn't know whether to topple off the shelf and join the fun, or stay up there, out of harm's way. {Smile}

Well, I didn't do any exercise until my salsa dancing. Then I did my warmup salsa dancing set, then my head exercises during the break, then my less structured salsa dancing set. Yes, I got over 20 minutes of salsa dancing. Then I did my arm resistance exercises, my walking exercises, my arm swinging exercises, and my leg exercises. The last of the leg exercises left me panting a little, so I took a short break after that. After the break, I did my standing arm weight training exercises, followed by my sitting arm weight training exercises. Yes, I got them all done today! {SMILE}

I read articles and comics after the video counselling session, and also right after lunch. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I didn't see any of my closer friends on, but I did see a high-level trial being advertised. The run was trying for a particular badge. It turned out my best badge collector didn't have that badge, so I ran it on her. Kitten came on near the beginning and said hi. I promised to join them after it was over. Wehn we were both done with what we were doing, we teamed up with me on the lower-level character I've been working on. We started that story arc I wanted to start, and Perogies came in and joined us for much of the first part. He left before the last mission. So, Kitten and I finished without him. Then I started a contact with less story to his missions, and Kitten and I ran a few missions before it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I said hi to Kitten on the chat server, and they said hi and came on to team up with me. I also started chatting with the fellow I met a few nights ago who likes stories. After a while, I invited him to join us. We finished up that contact, and I was ready to start the next story arc until I realized my character was one level too low. I had an individual mission, which got me a little closer to the next level, and then got a similar one, which also got me closer to the next level. I said hi to Nox but didn't get back to them in time to chat. We ended up saying goodnight and hoping to talk more soon. The contact for the individual missions wanted to give me a complicated mission. I asked my teammates if they wanted to, they pretty much said it was up to me. So, I got it, and we did it, and then my new friend left because it was getting late. Rather than start the story arc when I didn't think we'd have time to finish, I switched to first one then another high-level character I've developing further and ran a single mission with particularly good rewards on each. Then I talked with Kitten a bit as I started my salsa dancing and other exercises. I concentrated on doing them and writing this more, but I still snuck on for a bit of paperwork. I'll have to share this the day after; it's getting too late to take the time before bed. {apologetic smile}

I finally published the day before's update just before this one. {smile}

Daily Update, September 20, 2023

   Oops! I forgot to post this yesterday. Well, I can post it now. {Smile}

   Val... seemed to have a very bad hypoglycemic episode this afternoon. He was staggering and walking funny even after one syringe of karo syrup, prompting a second syringe of Karo Syrup. I tried to call the vet, but only go their answering machine. I left two messages, and one text message, but it's well after closing time, and they still haven't called back. I'm increasing his food - I didn't realize how much I'd cut back - and I'm seriously considering doing less insulin as if he hadn't finished his meal, because they're really large snacks, not full meals. {bite lips} I'll try to contact them again in the morning. (smile)

   I got a call from our former nurse after dinner. It was great to get to talk with him again. {Smile}

   Actually, I feel comfortable giving him one unit tonight I increased his food by less than a spoonful, and now he's not licking the bowl clean, but leaving a thin layer. They said to give him only one unit if he didn't finish, and now it feels like he isn't quite finishing. {Smile} 

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with two Christmas cards, one from Mom's nephew, the other from her cousin's granddaughter, and a birthday card from a different cousin than the one with the granddaughter. Next, I tried to show her next several pages in _Memories 1960s_, but I got to the end, then discovered I'd skipped a few. So, I put the bookmark at the first I skipped, and I'll figure out what to do tomorrow.  After that, I read a few poems and a short story from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. I ended with _Winter in Africa_, the September 20th story from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. A boy asked his father why the swallows were gathering on the wires. His father said they were getting ready to go to north Africa, where they spend the winter. The boy wanted to go to, but the father said that he, himself, had to work, and the boy had to go to school He promised they'd be bac int eh spring. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises while waiting for Phonso's fourth trial. Then I did my salsa dancing after his sixth trial. First, I did my warmup set, then I did my less structured set after feeding Val and a short rest. After another short rest, I did my arm swinging exercises, my walking exercises, and my arm resistance exercises. I only missed the arm weight training exercises and the leg exercises. I had to treat hypoglycemia after the arm resistance exercises, and it didn't get better quite quickly enough to do the last few exercises. {Smile}

   I read articles in the morning and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after lunch. I met Perogies, who was eager to join the short, large-group event. He sort-of managed, getting into the zone, but not able to join the group - the zone holds two more than the group can - so he ran the event alone, still getting the credit that really matters. When I tried just after him, I didn't even get into the zone, so I just did paperwork until he was done. It didn't last long. About that time, Kitten showed us, so the three of us got the new characters, and ran a few missions before Perogies had to leave. Then Kitten and I switched, and we ran a story arc I've been very much wanting to do. Perogies came back and did a mission or two with us before leaving again. Kitten and I finished the story arc and had time for a mission or two. Starting the next story arc didn't feel right, so I found an individual mission nearby that we did. Then it was fairly close to time to read to Mom, and Kitten went quiet, so I did a little paperwork, and broke to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner and the phone call, I caught up on comics. Then I fed Val his first slightly larger meal before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I saw both Kitten and Phonso on. Kitten started talking to me quickly. Phonso was on a team, so I asked if he was in a trial, expecting to hear he was. He wasn't quite yet, and had two spots left on the team, so I joined, and got Kitten to join too. Phonso ran six trials. I ran the first three on the character who they'd all count towards a reward they're actively working on. I could have stayed on her for more credit, but the rewards go down after the first run of the day, so I switched to a character who'd get stuff she needs more of from the run. Then I remembered a character who needs a particular reward she could get from a run and did the next on her. I did the last one on yet a different character who is collecting stuff similar to the what the first one is collecting. I think she actually got a little more of it than the other one did. Then I left the game while doing my salsa dancing and the exercises after it, then snuck in for a little paperwork now and then but tried not to stay in and get involved in anything. The last couple of nights ran late because of getting into stuff with Perogies, and last night Kitten, too. which was all my doing, not theirs. I know when I need to leave, but I need to start actually doing it, so I concentrate on this enough to get it written before bed, not finished the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, September 19, 2023

    Today, instead of the monthly picnic, we had a Zoom meeting of the same folks... or some of the same folks. Some didn't come, but we had a nice meeting of six or seven at the maximum, counting the leader and me. It was a nice meeting which lasted about two hours. When my Zoom is mostly counselling, which can't be longer than an hour on my insurance's system, not even a little, that feels long, but it was really nice. {Smile}

   The housekeeper finally came, and I sang her "the song about the apples" to thank her for not exposing us while she had Covid. She loved it, and didn't really remember it until I sang it, though I sang it to her a previous time in a similar situation, where she stayed home to avoid giving us what she'd caught. {Smile}

   I got a call from our former nurse in the afternoon. That was nice. I like talking with him, and we did have a nice chat. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I started by reading scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued by reading three birthday cards, one from a friend, one from church, and the third from me. Next, I showed her the first several pages in _Memories 1960s_.  After that, I read a short story and a couple of poems from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. I thought I'd read more poems, but she seemed tired, so I cut to _Autumn Leaves_, the September 19th story from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. A boy asked his father why the swallows were gathering on the wires. His father said they were getting ready to go to north Africa, where they spend the winter. The boy wanted to go to, but the father said that he, himself, had to work, and the boy had to go to school He promised they'd be back in the spring. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises while waiting for the first story arc of the evening. Then I did my walking exercises and my leg exercises waiting for the second story arc of the evening. I did my head exercises while waiting for Phonso's for trial, which the second story arc got replaced with when the leader agreed to it. Then I did my arm swinging exercises while waiting for Phonso's second trial. Then at the usual time I did my salsa dancing, fir the warmup set, then the less structured set for over 20 minutes of salsa dancing in total. a little later, I did my standing arm weight resistance exercises. {Smile}

   I read comics after lunch and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did some paperwork, and looked around, but didn't see anyone. I did chat with Kitten and Nox on the chat server, but no one was in the game who I particularly like to team up with. When the housekeeper left, I took a break to clean myself up. Then I read some comics. I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming particularly late in the afternoon for me. I didn't see anyone I particularly like to team with. It was really too close to time to read to Mom to join much, so I just hunted for the rewards I like so much when I finished with paperwork.  {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I chatted with Kitten on the chat server, but found no one there, and very little going on. I did spot a story arc; I think it was led by the same fellow as last night. I joined it, and we ran it. The leader said he'd do the next in a bit, so I just waited for it. Eventually, I noticed he'd advertised and asked to join. No one else had, despite the advertisement being old. We went to the contact, and started to wait for more to join when Phonso invited us to a task force. I asked the leader if he'd like to, and kind of talked him into it. It wasn't too hard; he was slightly reluctant, but open. We joined and ran it when Phonso got enough for his satisfaction. The story arc leader left after the first. I messaged him, and he said his character was too low. I asked if he had someone higher. He did and ran the next two on that one. I also talked to Nox a bit on the chat server before they went to bed. I chatted with the leader of the story arcs some more after the trials, and we established communications. He likes stories too. I'm hoping he'll like the way I share the stories when teams don't object and I'm leading. I read comics, did paperwork, and wrote this up around my salsa dancing and exercises until Perogies came on. {Smile}

   Perogies and I chatted, and I admired how he was playing with some enemies in the game. Then I found out he was playing with some low-level enemies in the game, teleporting them into places they can't get to on their own. First, he'd stun them Then he teleported them into the plaza, and up onto a globe one of the statues holds. There, they got up, and staggered around, stunned, until they fell off. We think one of the stores below took them out. Perogies started testing this and found out that a store that looks like a regular businesswoman can take out a gun because she did and shot them. He recreated this feat so I could see it. Then he tried taking them over to the trainer, a heroic young woman who used a combination of energy powers and martial arts to take them out. I missed teh first time, so he recreated it for me, and it was truly a treat to watch. Then Kitten came in and joined us, so we had to show them that trainer's prowess. Then I mentioned a time when a friend drew an enemy to the other trainer - a tough guy in as bad a neighborhood as that zone has - and he just started going from enemy to enemy, clearing 3/4ers of the area around him. Of course, Perogies wanted to see that, and so did Kitten, I think, so we went over to him. It was really something to watch. One enemy would get him stared, but they'd get scared and run, and he'd take out 3-6 groups before settling. though once he settled, he'd ignore them for a short cooldown period, catching his breath, I guess. I particularly liked it when he ran up a fire escape to chase someone down. you cannot complain he lacks enthusiasm. {GRIN}

Daily Update, September 18, 2023

    I think I forgot to mention that I had a phone call with Auntie Barbara after dinner Sunday. It went well. {Smile}

   Monday morning, right after breakfast, I called the veterinarian's office. They answered and assured me Val was ready to come home, and was even letting them pet him, he was in that much better a mood.

   So, I hung up, let that sink in, began to call Melanie, remembered she's on a trip, and called Alan to tell him that I needed a ride to pick up Val and take him home. Alan asked when I wanted to pick him up. Well, not between 12 noon and 1 pm, because that's their lunch break. When could he come and get me. He said give him 15 minutes to finish up. I was happy to. {Smile}

   Alan came, and picked me up, and took me down to the vet. They want to see Val again in a couple of weeks, so we made that appointment. Then he waited in the car while I arranged for the refund for Val's stay, and got his medicine, and him. He was quiet on the way home, not meowing plaintively. I think he knew we were going home and was just happy we were. {Smile}

   So, I got him home, fed him, and after a while, he came and sat on the chair next to me. I petted him on and off, until he suddenly started jerking, and even fell off the chair. He was having a seizure! I got our nurse, who said he didn't know what to do, but he did pull him out of the spot he was in and put him on a couch in the living room. I moved him to the couch which has a heavy foam ramp so he wouldn't have to jump. I called the vet's office, and texted them, too. they responded by text, suggesting that I try Karo Syrup. I did, and he walked less shakily after that. I guess it was hypoglycemia, but why must Val's be so much scarier than dad's and mine? {wistful look}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. First, I read scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I read a Christmas letter from 2018 from a friend of Mom's sister complete with a poem, which the friend includes every year. After that, I showed her the last few pages in _the Picture Book of Vintage Vogue_, with its pictures of old Vogue magazine covers from the early 1900's. I read the full date when the picture had one, and any other words that caught my eye. Then I showed her _Memories 1960s_, reading her the blurb on the back, and promising to start it tomorrow.  After that, I read Thumbelina, a short story from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. Last, I finished with _Mushrooms_, the September 18th story from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. David, Diana's older brother wanted to see the mushrooms she'd picked. He waws impressed with the number, but asked about the colored ones, which he said weren't mushrooms. She told where she'd found them, and pointed out how pretty they were. David told her to throw them away because they were poisonous, and which kind of mushrooms me meant to gather. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and my arm swinging exercises while waiting for Alan to come for me. I did my walking exercises and arm resistance exercises while waiting for Phonso's second trial to fill. After taht, i was plain too drained mentally, emotionally and physically. Getting Val back, then having the seizure, and not knowing what to do, or what might be the problem... Yeah, I was quite drained. a snack to help hypoglycemia helped, but not enough soon enough. {rueful smile}

   I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after lunch. Then I did paperwork and some solo play when I didn't catch the early short, large-group event like I hoped to. After that, Perogies came in, and we teamed up. We began running missions together. Then Meroa came in and said hi. They joined us and ran a few missions before they had to leave. Perogies and I ran a couple more missions before it was time for him to go to bed, and me to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Not finding anyone on, I saw one story arc being advertised, and joined it. We ran it successfully. After it was done, two of the folks didn't leave the team, but started talking about how they both needed a particular item that I've been running the high-level individual missions for. So, I introduced them to it. While we were getting going, Perogies came on and said hi, so they joined us. Then the others let, and Perogies and I ran another mission. Phonso came on when we were part way through and invited us to the first of three trials. We finished the mission, accepted, and ran that trial. I disconnected partway through but was able to reconnect before I'd missed too much. Then we ran the next trial. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server a bit. Perogies left, and I considered doing my salsa dancing, but I was just too tired, between hypoglycemia of my own, and all that had happened with Val earlier. So, I ran the third trial, which was less physically demanding. Then the group split up, and I did paperwork and wrote some of this, switching to notes to finish the next day when it got late. {Smile}

Daily Update, September 17, 2023

    Val is home and doing okay. but more of that in Monday's update. This is Sunday's update, and he wasn't home yet on Sunday. {SMILE}

   Today was Sunday, so after breakfast, I contacted Uber, and a nice, chatty guy I've ridden with several times came and took me to church. I didn't have to wait long at all; in fact, I only had time for my head exercises before he came. We had a nice talk all the way there. {Smile}

   I got there early enough to visit with a couple of friends, as well as prepare the hymnal for the service. It really helps to get the bookmarks set up for the hymns before the service. It was a nice service. Auntie Barbara was busy with the Sunday School, so she didn't come sit with me until after communion. We sat together for lunch after the service. I will miss her; she's going home for over a month to visit long-time friends and family back in South Carolina. Her husband is staying here, as is his habit, so the house won't be empty. {Smile}

   She took me home and visited with Mom. She mentioned how odd it seems to not have Valentine at home when we get there. Yes, it is odd, but I hope things will return to normal soon. {Smile}

   I apparently missed a call from the veterinarian herself, but she left a message on my cell phone's voicemail. She assures me he's eating fairly normally, and while he's still not quite back to normal, they hope he will be ready to go home tomorrow. {Smile}

   I did call my aunt Valerie after Auntie Barbara left. She even talked with Mom a little, though Mom stopped responding and started just listening after a few questions, so Aunt Valerie stopped. It wasn't long, but they did get to talk. And I talked with her both before and after she talked with Mom, so we got a nice chat. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with the last of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Next I showed her the next several pages in _the Picture Book of Vintage Vogue_, with its pictures of old Vogue magazine covers from the early 1900's. This time I tried to read the full date, though one didn't have a date, and some it was so tiny, I couldn't make it out. She woke up for it again, and enjoyed the pictures, too. After that, I read a short story and a few poems from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with _Baby Kiki_, the September 17th story from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Bertha, the mother kangaroo was going to visit Granny Kangaroo, but she was afraid it would take her all day just to get there, because she was moving so slowly. Granny Kangaroo saw her and asked why she was moving so slow. Was she sick? No, it was baby Kiki, who insisted on staying in the pouch as the baby of the family, even though he was getting big and heavy. It made moving around, especially travelling, hard. He told Granny he got blisters on his feet and liked it in there. Granny made him colorful striped socks. Then Kiki was out all day, showing them off to his friends. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises while waiting for Uber to come take me to church, and I did my arm swinging exercises after church, while waiting for Auntie Barbara to take me home. I did my walking exercises while waiting for the evening task force to start. Then I did my arm resistance exercises and leg exercises after the evening trial, when the second trial fell through. I did my salsa dancing at the usual time, first the warmup set, then the less structured set, for over 20 minutes of it. After that, I did my standing arm weight training exercises after a little rest after my salsa dancing. {Smile}

 I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after calling Aunt Valerie. There, as I tried to start some paperwork, Perogies called me to hurry to join the early short, large-group event. I did, and ran it, and got the rewards I hoped for, as well as the ones I knew I'd get. Then I think he had to leave. I got some paperwork done, but not much before Kitten came in. They mentioned being frustrated about getting behind on the new low levels we three all have. I got mine out, and we started running Kitten's missions to help them catch up. Perogies came back in and joined us. Then Meroa came in and joined us, too. We ran a few missions together. Then Meroa left. Perogies, Kitten and I kept going until it got close to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   When I came back, Kitten was on, but not the others... but kitten was quiet. They'd fallen asleep. I found a low-level taskforce and found a character who needed it. After that, a low-level trial advertised, and I jumped into it. When it was done, the leader was going to run it again. I asked if I could switch. He said yes, and I made the switch pretty fast, but they were gone when I got back. However, as I was trying to figure out what to do next, Kitten woke up, and we started talking. We teamed up, running a few missions. I chatted with Nox briefly on the chat server, since I didn't remember until they were almost ready for bed. I did tell them the news that Val was better, at least. I kept teaming with Kitten until it was time for salsa dancing. I interspersed writing this and paperwork with the dancing and exercise, and with chatting with Kitten on the chat server after the dancing. Yes, I made notes to finish writing this up the next day. {Smile}