Daily Update, November 26, 2023

    Today was Sunday, so after breakfast, I contacted Uber, and a fellow came and took me there. He said he'd mostly been picking people up from the airport today until I called. With it being the last day of Thanksgiving weekend, I bet a lot of folks are either going back to their home island, or coming back from where they went for the weekend. {Smile}

   I got there a little before the service, so I had time to settle in. The service honored. the Holy Sovereigns, as they were calling Kamehameha IV and his wife, Queen Emma. It was very well done. We had a man and a few women representing a Hawaiian order that dates back to the kingdom in the front row. {Smile}

   After the service, I checked with our priest about memorial poinsettias, as well as replacements plaques for two of my grandparents: Mom's mother, and Dad's father. All four grandparents had plaques on pews, but we only find two now. Our priest is still looking for them before ordering new ones, or even discussing how much I might donate for replacements. Yes, I've offered to donate for the replacements, though I follow that with my hopes that it won't be as expensive as the first donations, since we donated for the first plaques already. {Smile}

   I sat with Auntie Barbara for lunch. We had a nice talk, including with those we sat next to. since church has long tables that encourage visiting. Then she took me home, and visited with Mom, singing several songs with her again. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Her eyes opened when I started showing her pictures and stayed open after that. First, I read scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. After that, I started reading _Exploring Kittens_ by Nobuo Honda. She was tired at first, but I think she got interested int eh cute kittens. Next, I read a few poems, singing one I knew a tune to, and then read a story from_365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the 26th of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Make-Believe." The narrator says that after Mummy said goodnight, and before they fall asleep, they like to imagine being someone quite different. last night, they were Tarzan, with a pet lion they'd rescued from a trap as a cub. The lion let him ride him and protected him. He slept at his feet and roared loudly at everyone except Tarzan. Then he says goodnight to Mummy and decides to be an underwater explorer looking for treasure in a very old ship. Then it's morning; he's been dreaming. {Smile}

   I started to do an arm exercise, then remembered I'm giving my arms a rest. So, I did my head exercises while waiting for Uber to come take me to church. I did my walking exercises after teaming for the evening, then my salsa dancing warmup set. After a longer break than I meant, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. For the second piece, I tried a new piece. It was good for about 3 minutes. Then it sped up, so I did one of my shorter pieces. I definitely got more salsa dancing than usual done. I'm kind of glad, because I'd been hoping to get my leg exercises, but it got late enough, I think I'd better start them tomorrow, if I have as little trouble with my shoulders as I did today. {Smile}

   I wrote up yesterday's daily update after I came home and read some Sunday comics. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Perogies was in the early long, large-group event. I joined, but it was fairly close to done, so I didn't do it long. They had a small group that day. After that, we teamed up. We thought Kitten was asleep, but then Kitten came back into the game. So Kitten joined our team, and we all got our warshades. We did the rest of the warshade story arc just in time for me to read to Mom. Well, there's another arc in a few levels, and the last arc a few levels after that, but we've done what we can until I gain some more levels. {Smile}

   After dinner, I was just too late to join the late-night short, large-group event. So, I read some comics, then hopped into City of heroes: Homecoming when Kitten got my attention. However, they were quiet in the game, even though it wsn't that many minutes later. They must have fallen asleep in the small window between trying to get my attention and me responding. Instead, I teamed up with another friend who was doing some missions. When we finished his story arc, we debated who's to do next, and ended up keeping going with his. I also chatted with Hayden and Nox on the chat server. Eventually, the fellow quit for a while, and I did some paperwork until starting my exercises. I checked some paperwork in City of Heroes; Homecoming and started badge hunting. Gargle Ripper invited me to a farm, but it was one for folks who were actively participating only, and I had to finish my salsa dancing, so I bowed out. I finished writing this up, but later than I like. I need to work harder on getting done earlier. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 25, 2023

    Auntie Barbara came over around noon. She visited with Mom, and we sang a bunch of songs - the nurse said eight of them. That's one of her best visits recently. {SMILE}

   Then we went out, and joined Michelle, who waited in the car as usual. We caught up on the way down to Wailoa Park, particularly learning about Michelle's Saturday job that she finished early enough to come to the picnic today. We found an empty small, one-table pavilion. I took salad and water, which were both good, since Auntie Barbara's only salad was sweet potato salad, and no one else brought drinks to share. Teh food was very good, and mostly traditional: turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce... Sweet potato salad was as close as we got to regular potatoes, I think. There was a coconut and sweet potato dish that was a traditional Pacific basin dish, but not particularly associated with Thanksgiving. It was very good, though. {Smile}

   After lunch we took a walk up with park until Auntie Barbara was ready to turn around. Then we went back to the car, and drove over to Liliu'okalani Gardens, and the "ice cream parlor" where Auntie Barbara and I got popsicles, and Michelle got ice cream. I almost got blueberry cream, but then I spotted liliko'i (passion fruit) cream and got that instead. They've added tables and chairs and moved the popsicle freezers into a room that had been storage only, and added a counter, a table, and stools. That is doing amazingly well for a business that was brand new in the pandemic. Mind you, it's still not fancy, but it's looking good. We ate int eh car, then they took me home. {Smile}

   After I got home, I got a surprise call from my cousin Nancy, who lives on Oahu. It's been too long since we've talked; we both agree. Maybe we'll get more going, at least for holidays or something. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. Her eyes were open, but she was quiet again. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I moved on to more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Then I finished _Classic Fashion: 40s 50s Memories_. After that, I read a slightly longer story from_365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the 25th of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Cleo's Hat." Cleo was a timid young marmot. When gentlemen marmots spoke to her, she was too shy to answer, so they went away. Her friends said she'd never marry. There was going to be a ball, where ladies sometimes wore hats. Cleo said she didn't have a hat, so she couldn't go, but she really didn't want to. The morning of the ball, her friends brought her a beautifully decorated straw hat covered with flowers, leaves, and berries, which they'd made specially for her, so she had to go. On the way to the ball, the hat blew off her head and was spoiled. Cleo cried, because it had been a beautiful hat. A handsome marmot told her to dry her eyes, for she looked pretty without a hat. Then he offered his arm. She lost her hat, but she found a husband. {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises after teaming for the evening finished. My arm felt enough better, I didn't\' avoid using the arm that has been giving me trouble to brace myself during the walking exercises, and I did fine. No trouble. If that continues, I'll try bracing myself while I do my leg exercises, too.  Then I did my salsa dancing warmup set. After a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. After a slightly shorter break, I did my head exercises. {Smile}

   I read articles in the morning, and a little after the picnic. Then Nancy's phone call came in. After the phone call, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I think I was too late for either early event, but Pierogies and Kitten were both on, so we teamed up, choosing warshades to work on next. We started the next warshade arc, doing the first few missions, with a pause to talk in there, too. We stopped when it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I caught the late-night short, large-group event. Then I started writing this. Next, I read a couple of short comics, and hopped over to the chat server, where Kitten and Paradox both said they'd join me in City of Heroes: Homecoming. So, I went in there, and noticed a low-level trial I knew a character needed. I almost got the wrong character, but checked, realized my mistake, and switched in time. After that, I teamed up with Kitten, Paradox, Ulty, and a fellow who hung around after the trial. We ran the rest of a story arc I had. I also chatted a bit with Radio's boyfriend, who's name is Hayden, and Nox on the chat server. Then the team broke up, with Ulty and the new fellow heading to bed, Paradox heading out to wind down for the evening, and even Kitten going offline for a fair while. It was late enough that I got a bunch of paperwork done instead of joining something new. Then Kitten came back in time for an individual mission or two and a hunt before I started my exercises. I chatted with them on the chat server for a while after that, until they left. Then I watched videos, read several more comics, and talked with Kitten a little more when they woke up and said hi.

Daily Update, November 24, 2023

   I got a nice long phone call from our former nurse in the evening. We had a good talk about both things we have done recently, and things we hope to do in the future. Thanksgiving definitely was part of that. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. Her eyes were open the whole time again, and she was looking at things when I showed them to her, but she still barely spoke. I started by reading scripture and thoughts about it. Then I read more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. After that, I continued _Classic Fashion: 40s 50s Memories_. Next, I read some a story followed by some poems from_365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the 24th of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Roast Chestnuts." It was actually a poem about how roasting chestnuts is a fun activity for colder nights. Also, how roast chestnuts make a tasty treat. {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises after teaming for the evening. I tried using the bad shoulder on one pass. It didn't hurt, so I finished that, but it tensed a little, so I went back to using only the other arm. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup set. After a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. I didn't remember to do my head exercises until a while after the phone call, but I did get that done too. {Smile}

   I read articles, comics and web novels in the morning. Somehow, lunch was later than usual, so I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming pretty soon after that. Kitten commented about how early I got in. Perogies and Kitten had joined the early long, large-group event, so I joined them. After that, we teamed up. I meant to do one mission, then start the next warshade special arc, but somehow the mission was actually 2 missions with talking in the middle. Also, the missions were long enough, they took me close enough to time to read to Mom, we just talked a bit after that. I guess we'll start the next warshade story arc next time we get together. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped on quickly enough to catch the late-night short, large-group event. Then I started writing this up and read a comic. I went back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I did some paperwork, and chatted with Ulty. I also said hi in the conversation with Nox, Radio, and Radio's boyfriend on the chat server. She was busy, so I did some badge hunting on my own. Then I noticed a fellow hunting a giant monster, so I joined him. We got it all by ourselves. It sure took a while, and succeeding was a surprise for me. I wasn't on my best character for that, and I'm not the best at this anyway. I think it was about this time that Radio's boyfriend, then Radio and Nox, said hi on the chat server. The latter two stuck around to talk for a while. Back in the game, we went on to do some other giant monsters. He asked me to lead one he wasn't familiar with.  I recruited it and gave directions. We did get it. I suggested another giant monster, He found a different one first, though.  While we were getting ready, Kitten came in, and joined us just in time. We did two more after that. Then the fellow I'd joined went to bed, and Kitten went to eat, while I started my exercises. I talked and checked my character in between. After the phone call and my head exercises, I wrote a little of this, and made notes to write from tomorrow for the rest. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 23, 2023

    I called Aunt Valerie after lunch. She seemed happy to hear from me but asked to call back. She and Kim, her daughter and my cousin, were getting ready to leave a friend's house where they'd had Thanksgiving dinner. She wanted to call back when they'd reached Kim's home. I said sure. Actually, Kim called back a while later, and she, her mom, and I had a lovely long talk. I think Kim set her phone to speaker phone, because she and Aunt Valerie were both quite audible. I hoped to give them a chance to talk to Mom, too, but Mom was sleeping, and I didn't want to wake her. Still, Aunt Valerie, Kim, and I had a nice, long talk, which was wonderful. {SMILE}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. Her eyes were open the whole time, and she was looking at things when I showed them to her, but she barely spoke. I began by wishing her happy Thanksgiving. Then I read scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I picked out cards from her sisters, reading a Valentine's card from one, a Christmas card from the other, and a Thanksgiving card from the first one. Next, I started _Classic Fashion: 40s 50s Memories_. After that, I read some poems and a story from_365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the 23rd of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Cyclone's Tricks." Jeremy heard the circus music faintly as he left his house and headed towards the green, where the circus was setting up. He'd been in school when it arrived. He passed one of Farmer Brown's fields and saw a beautiful white horse standing on his hind legs, waving its forelegs in the air while it runed around. Telling him he was a clever horse called him over, and Jeremy gave him a lump of sugar. He ran off to the farm to tell farmer Brown. "Cyclone was a circus horse." Farmer brown explained he bought him when he was too old to perform. Jeremy wanted to give Cyclone an apple for being so clever. He ran off, hoping Cyclone would do more tricks. {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises and head exercises after teaming and paperwork this evening. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup set. Then after a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. I was having more trouble with cramping in both shoulders today, but treating electrolyte imbalance seems to be helping a lot. Still, I resisted the temptation to add more exercises. If I'm going to give my shoulder and arm a rest, I'd better give them a rest. {Smile}

   I read articles, comics, and web novels, and searched Wattpad, a web novel host, for interesting stories, with less luck than I hoped. It's supposed to be the largest, but so far, I've found less promising stuff there than elsewhere. Does anyone have any suggestions? After the phone call ended, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Pierogies was there, and encouraged me to join the early long, large group event, so I did. After the event was over, he wanted to watch a show. He mentioned a couple I was interested in, but really wanted to watch a new series. He seemed to love it, so we watched most of the pilot right up to time to read to Mom. It was good, but a bit tense for me. I hope we can get back to some of the other series again soon. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming in time to catch the late night short, large-group event. Then I hopped back out to start writing this. I also started chatting with folks on the chat server, mainly Nox and Radio's boyfriend, but also a little with Paradox and Kitten. I also did some more searching for web novels on Wattpad. After that, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did a little paperwork, but quickly started chatting with Ulty. We teamed up for about three missions. Then I did some paperwork and a little badge-reward hunting before my exercises and salsa dance. I did more badge-reward hunting and searching Wattpad for stories after the exercise and dancing. I ended up making notes here to finish writing up from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 22, 2023

    A friend suggested to me that I take a few days off of my arm exercises to give my arm and shoulder time to heal. Then, if it still isn't healing, see a doctor. That makes a whole lot of sense, so that's what I did. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Her eyes were closed a lot, but she opened them a couple of times, and even answered me. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I continued with the next part of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Then I skipped _1960's Memory Lane_. and went straight to _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_, which I read two stories from. I tried to keep it short, and not demand that she look at too many pictures, since she seemed particularly tired. I finished with the 22nd of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Burglary." Pipkin the Squirrel came home one evening to find his house had been burgled, and all his precious stores for the winter had been taken. He started to cry, asking what would become of himself, when it's frosty, and will be worse with snow. A kind owl came over, and pointed out a house where they put seeds, bread, and other tidbits out for the animals daily. When the little girl who lived there saw Pipkin, she put nuts on the windowsill for him, and they became good friends. {Smile}

   So, I was able to modify my walking exercises to only use the other arm, so I did them when I finished with the teaming and paperwork. Then I did two of my head exercises, which just loosen up the shoulder, and seems good for it. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup set, followed by a break, followed by my less structured salsa dancing set. I did my other three head exercises later, two of them too late, really, but I felt I was doing little enough, I shouldn't skip. {Smile}

   I read articles and some comics in the morning and over lunch. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after cleaning myself up. Pierogies was working on the early long, large-group event, I think, so we chatted while I badge-reward hunted for a while. Then we teamed up. We ran a story arc, with time out for him to solo the part that has to be done solo. Then we ran the first half of another story arc. That took us almost up to time to read to Mom, with just a bit of badge-reward hunting on my own first. {Smile}

   Right after dinner, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and spotted the late-night short, large-group event, so I joined it. Then I read some comics I remembered. I also started chatting with Radio's boyfriend. Nox and Radio joined us after a while. Then I got back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started chatting with Ulty, and we teamed up, doing a couple of missions before she went to bed. I did some paperwork until I started my exercises. I also started talking with Paradox and Owl girl in our group chat. Then Owl Girl and switched to private for an animated discussion. Near the end of my break, I did some more paperwork, and Pierogies came in and wanted to team up. I did my second salsa dancing set, while he got a hunt my character needed out of the way. Then we started on a mission, but it ran longer than expected, and we quit before finishing. We'll have to start over some other day. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 21, 2023

    I realized I had a doctor's appointment almost an hour after it was supposed to begin. I called, and thankfully they were able reschedule it for early next month. I realized after the call that it was my gynecologist, who doesn't remind patients ahead of time like most doctors around here do. I'll have to watch for things like this more carefully.

   At the same time, I realized it was the third Tuesday of the month, which normally means Aloha Independent Living sponsors a picnic or meeting for some of the disabled folk they serve. However, when I called the leader, I got her answering machine telling me she was off island, and wouldn't be back until next Monday, so at least I didn't miss that. {Smile}

   After dinner, I got a nice call from our former nurse. We chatted a bit, enjoying getting to hear from each other, like we usually do. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Her eyes closed after a bit, but opened again when there were pictures to look at. She seemed to like the pictures, though she only spoek a couple of times, and not about that. I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with the beginning of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Next, I read the last few pages and the back cover of _1960's Memory Lane_. After that, I read two storiesms from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. Last, I finished with the 21st of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Twins." Tom and Tim were identical twins who looked so much like each other, even their parents had trouble telling them apart. They did all kinds of naughty tricks which each blamed the other for, too. One day, Tim found an enormous strawberry flan. He cut a slice and ate it, and another slice and ate that too, until he'd eaten half of it. Then Tom came to look for him and ate the other half. Their mother was very annoyed to find the flan gone. She asked Tim if he'd eaten the flan, but he said no, and had she asked Tom? So, she asked Tom, who said no, too. However, when they were called to lunch, neither could eat any, so she knew they had lied. She forbid them from playing together for the rest of the day. {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises after teaming for the evening. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup. After a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. After another break, I did my head exercises. I expected to do my leg exercises at the least, but my arm was complaining enough. I wasn't even sure about bracing myself on the railing for those. {rueful smile}

   I read articles and comics in the morning a while after lunch. then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming slightly too late to join the early short, large-group event. I started chatting with Pierogies and Kitten. Pierogies was in that event, and Kitten was with two other Pierogies characters in a farm. When the event was over, we teamed up, and worked on a story arc I'd started on my warshade character. We did that through the afternoon and finished it just in time to read to Mom, which was nice. Especially since the warshade is now ready to continue the warshade-only arcs with Kitten's and Pierogies' warshades when we're all free. {Smile}

   After dinner, I started writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I didn't spot Kitten as I hoped to, but I found Gargle Ripper. We chatted a little while I badge hunted on the gal... she passed the sixth best badge hunter, but she isn't that firmly ahead as I'd like yet. Then Gargle Ripper and I teamed up. I learned they prefer less talking, which I'll have to adjust to. I also chatted with Radio's boyfriend on the chat server, in our group conversation. After a while, Nox came in. Gargle Ripper and I finished one tough mission, and they left for bed. I badge hunted a little more. Then Kitten woke up and said hi, and we teamed up, doing a story arc one of my mid-level characters has. Pierogies joined us in the middle of the last mission. We finished that just before I started my exercises, and Pierogies started a farm where we and Kitten talked while getting goodies, with folks going quiet as they left their computers to do other stuff. Radio joined the group conversation, and Paragon, Kitten, Owl girl and I started talking in their group conversation. Pierogies started a second farm when he felt the first was mostly done. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 20, 2023

   Today, I took the envelopes I finished Saturday, and put it in the mailbox before breakfast. Thankfully, I checked after breakfast, discovered I hadn't put the flag up, and put it up, I hope before the letter carrier got here. {Smile}

   I also finished yesterday's update after breakfast. {Smile}

   While getting ready to clean myself up, I realized our toilet really is leaking. I kept hoping it was simpler, like a leaky bottle next to the toilet, but it wasn't. Before lunch, I called a plumber I know who lives just down the street. He said give him 15 minutes, and he came right up. With two trips out, he fixed it up in a couple of hours or so. {Smile}

   The fact that I know how to mend books came up, and he asked if I do that now. I certainly can. He has a friend who might call me. I think maybe I need to get that professional license again. Yes, if any of you know anyone who needs a book mended, I can do that. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Her eyes were mostly open today, but she did only spoke a few times. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I read Christmas cards from a friend and her sister. After that, I read some pages from _1960's Memory Lane_. Then I read some poems from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. Two I know as songs, so after reading the first I sang it, and I sang the second, too. The last I know as a finger game, so I did that for Mom. I hope she liked the songs and game. She seemed to watch the game. Anyway, I finished with the 20th of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Granny Florence." The narrator tells of an old woman, Granny Florence, who lives at the end of the lane with her white cat, Minerva. They tell how they do chores for her when the weather gets cold, like shopping and tidying the garden. then she invites them in for sweets or chocolates, roast chestnuts, and stories about her childhood over 60 years before. {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises, leg exercises, and arm resistance exercises after teaming for the evening. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup set. Ater a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. Then after another break, I did my arm swinging exercises. I do need to contact my doctor. Something doesn't feel right. That's why I didn't do my arm weight training exercises. I meant to do my head exercises, but it got too late. {small smile}

   I read articles and comics through the morning and early afternoon, right until the plumber left, because I wanted to be free to drop stuff for him while he was here. Only then did I hop into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I talked with Ulty, who seemed busy, and Kitten, who went quiet just after saying they were tired. So, I badge hunted, eventually joining a high-level trial on the gal I want to become my sixth best badge collector. Technically she passed the gal who had held that title that day, in part due to the six badges she got from that trial, but not firmly enough that I'm comfortable calling her that. If I hunted badges on the other again, she could easily pass this one, so right now, they're both part of the pack behind them again. Anyway, partway through the trial, Perogies spoke up. I explained I was in a high-level trial. After the trial, I joined Perogies and an unresponsive Kitten in a "farm," where we can get game-money and experience relatively easily. Perogies and I chatted a fair bit about our day, around other stuff. Then Perogies wanted to join the later short, large-group event, so he and I did. Kitten woke up and came back while we were there - yes, they were sleeping after a difficult weekend. When we were done, I suggested slipping in an individual mission before we broke up. It just about fit the time before I like to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I started writing this up, and read a web novel a bit, too. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and found Kitten eager to team up with me. Kitten and I ran a few of my missions. I also started chatting with Radio's boyfriend on the chat world. Then Nox and Radio joined us, since we were using the group conversation. We chatted through much of the evening, as did Paradox and Kitten in our group conversation with Owl Girl. Back in City of Heroes: Homecoming, Gargle Ripper, one of the friends I've recently connected with more, said hi, and asked to join us.  So, I added them, and they ran a few missions with us before leaving for the night. Kitten and I continued to run missions until it was time for me to start my exercises. I continued chatting with Nox, Radio, and Radio's boyfriend until they left for the evening. I chatted with Paradox and Kitten, too. Then Owl girl came into our group conversation, and we talked, along with Kitten, and a bit with Paradox. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 19, 2023

    Today was Sunday, so I called Uber after breakfast, and they came and took me to church. I actually got there early, despite hunting fruitlessly for a skirt I thought I'd found... but it was another skirt whose waistband needs to be shortened seriously, as well as not being quite the color I was looking for. {smile}

   Anyway, I had time to visit with some folks before the service started, including explaining to Ed, who's our treasurer as well as the fellow who sometimes takes me home, who the Baldwin plaques are dedicated to, and which grandparents' plaques are missing. {Smile}  

   It was a nice service. I did enjoy sitting and talking with Auntie Barbara and others after the service. I tried my best with lunch, but it was heavy on the sweets, and light on both vegetables and protein. I still tried to limit my sweets. {Smile}

   Auntie Barbara took me home from church. She came inside to visit with Mom, and we sang eight songs, two of them twice. Mom hasn't sung that many in a good while, but she did today, and might have kept going if we had.  I tried to adjust for the low protein, low vegetable lunch with cheese and carrot sticks after Auntie Barbara left. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Her eyes were mostly closed today, but she did open them for pictures, and occasionally responded. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with Christmas cards from her nephew, cousin, and both sisters. Next, I read a few pages from _1960's Memory Lane_. After that, I read a story from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the 19th of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Champion Footballers" Peter and his new friend Luke took a soccer ball onto the common to practice kicking goals. Peter bragged that he often played forward, so might get more goals, but Luke said he's often goalkeeper, so we'll see. They set two poles to make the goals. They agreed on five shots each. Peter kicked his first goal straight into the middle, and Luke blocked it easily. After that, he aimed for the corners, and got four goals in a row. Then Luke got his first four goals in but missed his fifth. They went home celebrating being champions together. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises while I was waiting for Uber to come take me to church. I just had time to do that and walk out before the fellow got here. Then I did my walking exercises and leg exercises just before my salsa dancing warmup set. After a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. After another break, I did my arm resistance exercises, my arm swinging exercises, and one of my sitting arm weight training exercises. My right shoulder complained just enough during both the arm swinging exercises and the sitting arm weight training exercise that's easiest on it that I didn't think I should try any of the weight training exercises that use the shoulder more, sitting or standing. I really need to talk to a doctor, a therapist or both about that shoulder, I think. {rueful look}

   I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming as I settled down after Auntie Barbara left after bringing me home and visiting with Mom. I found Perogies in the early short, large group event, but it sounded late for me to join. He wanted to do the early long, large group event next, so we did. Then he got a character he wanted to work on, and we did one high-level story arc, and most of another high-level story arc. That took us up to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After supper, I read comics and a web novel or two, and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I didn't find anyone around who I particularly like to team with, so I took advantage of this to do some serious badge-reward hunting, first on my fifth best badge collector, then on a gal I'd like to be my sixth best badge collector, who needs to hop over the gal currently in that spot. I also talked at some length with Nox, Radio's boyfriend, and Radio on the chat server. I chatted less intensively with Kitten and Paradox on the chat server, as well. I continued the badge hunting between exercises and chatting on the chat server. I also wrote a lot of this up, only taking some notes at the end, to finish the next morning. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 18, 2023

    I got a bunch of mail sorted before lunch. It had piled up while I waited for supplies, which arrived recently. It felt good to get them out of the way. {Smile}

   I started checking out stories on the main site that Paradox recommended and found one I liked as a comic on a site I'm becoming less comfortable using. I looked for more form that site, or stories linked to comics on both that site and the totally comic site but found little. Still, I have two authors to check out, and when I've figured them out, hopefully the site will start making better recommendations to help me find more. Part of me wishes it was easier to pay for stuff there, but I really appreciate not having to pay for something I won't really own. You can resell a bound book, but not an eBook... unless you made a hard copy of an eBook and bound that, like I did a couple of times. Then you really aren't supposed to sell the hardcopy. Somehow, I'm more comfortable buying books I could sell to a used bookshop if I wanted to. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. Her eyes were mostly open today, and she talked a few times, mainly to answer that yes, she was enjoying what I read. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I continued with a Christmas card from her sister's friend. Then I read the next few pages from _1960's Memory Lane_. Next, I read some poems from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_, including a longer poem that I ended with. I finished with the 18th of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Fire Chief." Sebastian had been given a big, shiny toy fire engine, with a key to make it go, extending ladders, and a hose that really worked. Sebastian was the Chief Fire Officer, called out to fight fires in every room of the house over the afternoon. he rushed into the kitchen to put out another raging fire. Mummy asked if he could take time off for tea. He did but kept the fire engine close by -- just in case. {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises, leg exercises, and standing arm weight training exercises after I finished teaming in City of Heroes: Homecoming for the night. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup set. After a break, I did one of the pieces for my less structured salsa dancing set. Then I took a break without really meaning to. When I realized what I did, I did another piece of less structured salsa dancing. So, I did get the usual amount done, just with an extra break. Next, I did my arm resistance exercises, my arm swinging exercises, my head exercises, and one of my sitting arm weight training exercises. My shoulder started intermittent aching just before, so I only tried the exercise that uses the shoulder the least. I don't think it made it worse, but I thought I'd better stop there. {smile}

   I read comics in the morning, as well as checking out that site like I said earlier. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming a while after lunch. There, I chatted with Pierogies and started working on paperwork. He was busy, so I found a character who needed some work on badges. I got a couple and set to work collecting more, including two that contributed to a badge that improves the character. When Perogies finished what he was doing, I asked for help getting more for the badge that helps the character. We got one by doing a particular mission. Then Paradox joined us on a new character, and we got another badge, and made progress on the last badge needed for that. That took us up to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I started writing this up. I also read a bit more of the web novel Paradox got me into. Then I got into the game, and let Paradox know I was going in.    They came in, and we teamed up for a while before left again. I tried to find folks to team with, but it was a quiet night. I finally advertised, and got invited to a group that a fellow whose advertisement had inspired me to try was in. The leader disconnected, but we tried to run a mission of mine. Then Azurette invited me to a task force. The other fellow liked that idea, so we stopped my mission, and both joined. We actually ran a related task force, rather than the one Azurette mentioned. I also began talking to Nox on the chat server. I think the rest of the group who ran the task force ran the other one Azurette mentioned just after, but it ended right when I needed to start my exercises, so I ducked out. I talked a bit with Paradox and Kitten on the chat server, too, around my exercises and salsa dancing, as well as continuing to talk with Nox. After Nox left, I read more of the web novel. I really like it. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 17, 2023

    I'm feeling less concerned about needing more care as I get older. I've talked to a few folks who feel that's not assured by any means. That's a real relief. {Smile}

   Today, I tried calling my doctor two or three times, but didn't get past their answering machine. I tried to leave a message, but no one called back. {small smile}

   Auntie Barbara called after dinner, and we had a nice talk. We even made tentative Thanksgiving plans, or after-Thanksgiving plans. It won't be on the day, but we're planning a picnic lunch for the following Saturday. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast, lunch, dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. (I ate lunch as well as dinner with her yesterday; I think I forgot to say that.) Her eyes were mostly open today, though she barely talked. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued with a birthday card from her sister, and Christmas cards from her cousin's granddaughter and her niece. After that, I read the back cover and the first few pages from _1960's Memory Lane_. Next, I read some poems and a story from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the 17th of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "A Secret Lodger." The narrator says a lodger has come to live at their house, and only they know about him. A few nights ago, they crept into the kitchen for a glass of milk and saw a little brown mouse on the floor by the fridge. The mouse ran off, wriggling through a small hole in the wall. The narrator saw the mouse was thin. So, they put a small piece of cheese on the floor by the hole. Soon the mouse came out nose first and ate up the cheese before running back into his hole. The narrator now comes down every evening to feed the mouse and asks the reader not to tell. {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises and my leg exercises after teaming and such. Then I did my warmup salsa dancing set. After a break, I did my full less structured salsa dancing set. After a longer break than I meant to take, I did my arm resistance exercises, my arm swinging exercises, and my head exercises. Not one of my better nights these days, but better than last night. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics in the morning and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming a while after lunch. I got into the second half of the early short, large-group event. Then teamed up with Paradox. I said hi to Pierogies, too, and invited them to come, but they wanted to catch the early long, large group event, while Paradox and I wanted to run missions. I picked one of my higher but not really high characters, and we ran a few missions. Then Pierogies joined us, and we ran some more missions until it was time to read to Mom.

   After dinner, Paradox wanted to start a series of story arcs they had. We did two or three missions before Paradox decided he'd played this game enough for one day. Paradox does want to continue at another time. I tried to find someone else to team with, and even tried to join a pickup group before I realized it was time to start my exercises, but I ended up talking to Ulty in the game, Nox and Radio in one conversation on the chat server, and Paradox and Kitten another conversation on the chat server, even after I started my exercises and salsa dancing. I also checked out a web novel Paradox recommended. After they left, I checked out comics, and did some paperwork on City of Heroes: Homecoming. {Smile}