Daily Update, March 30, 2023

 Well, Val got sick this morning, right in the middle of breakfast, judging by how much food he left behind. {sigh} I found it an hour or two later. {bite lips} After cleaning it up, I called the veterinarian's office. I told them it was 9-10 and 13-14 hours after trying the medicine, though I later realized that it wasn't 13-14 but 17-18 hours after. Still, the point was enough after, we couldn't be sure which it was. The receptionist put me on hold, saying she needed to check with the doctor. She came back with orders to take him off all medications, even the heart medication he's been for a couple of years. Also, to bring him in tomorrow if he didn't stop throwing up. I'm very relieved to say that was the only throwing up, and by late afternoon, he was finishing his meals again. {relieved smile}

Before I found the mess, I'd gotten a call from not-Hospice. They wanted to have an exit interview from Kupucare, the palliative care program that provided the nurse who went along with me to my cardiology appointment last week, because my heart condition is under control. Then I called them back, and it was while I was finding better reception for my cell phone that I found where Val threw up. The thing is, I'm not sure how well I'm tolerating the medication. It makes for less room in my abdomen, which keeps filling up with gas, especially since my cardiologist got my regular doctor to put me on another medication that increases the amount of abdominal gas. I already had a fair bit from the type of Irritable Bowel Syndrome I have. Well, now Kupucare wants to talk about managing my medication instead of an exit interview, So I will be busy tomorrow. If Val needs to go into the vet, I'll take him, but unless something happens, They're getting a phone call reporting his improved condition, and asking what to do about the medications now. {Smile}

After lunch, I called Uber. A guy came and took me down to my doctor's appointment, and we chatted a bit on the way. We discussed both the blood sugar readings and the abdominal gas, and we decided to leave things as they are for now, and touch base at my next appointment in almost 2 months. {smile}

Then I called Uber again, and a gal came and drove me to Hawai'i Federal and State Federal Credit Union. We had a bit of a chat, too. There, I did some banking i needed to do, and called Uber again. This time, Uber gave me Alan. He asked about Valentine, and I told him about the throwing up and not being on meds for a while. We chatted about other things, too. {Smile}

When I got home, I called my financial adviser's office, and told them about the banking I'd just done. I also tried to ask for a phone or video call from the advisers to talk about some stuff. I've since said the same in an email to them. {Smile}

I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I started with scripture and thoughts about it and continued with more of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2019. Then, I read a bit from Cotillion by Georgette Heyer. Next, I read "Little Lamb Gets Lost" from 365 Animal Stories and Rhymes. It was about a lamb who followed his brothers out of the meadow they called home, looking for the sweetest grass, only to end up back in their home meadow. Then I finished up by reading the March 30th story from 366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year. Mom said she liked it all. {Smile}

I did over 20 minutes of salsa dancing tonight. I hoped to do more, but after I brushed my teeth, I sat down when I'd hoped to get up after a rest to do the last set of dancing, and I hadn't really had a rest. Maybe I can work brushing my teeth in afterwards. We'll see. I used to be able to do everything in the time I had. {Smile}

When I finished the phone call with my financial adviser, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and found Div showing his base to my RWBY friend and another base builder. We looked at a lot that Div has done. Then we went to look at the other base builders' biggest base, which convinced him to stick to smaller projects, like this base may have convinced Div to. At least he's talking about only doing smaller stuff. My RWBY friend left, but Div and I continued to explore that big base. Then the other base builder took us to the much smaller base he's working on now. I Actually left before the others when it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

I started working on this update around dinner time, with a little writing as well as note taking. The note taking is new. I find it helps me not forget stuff when I write it up later. {Smile}

After dinner, I went back into City of Heroes. Div and my RWBY friend were gone, and I read a few comics before I started to solo while watching for something to join. What I spotted was Phonso, who I started to talk to. He was planning to do a task force, so I joined him. My character -- my second-best badge collector -- got a badge during it, and credit towards another badge. Then he left a little early mentioning Star Trek, and I soloed a bit and chatted with Azurette before reading a few comics and starting my salsa dancing. {Smile}

Daily Update, March 29, 2023

    Yesterday, as I was finishing up sharing my daily update, I realized I'd misread the clock, and it was a whole hour earlier than I thought it was. I usually hate that, but this time it let me get another 10 minutes of salsa dancing in for a little over 30 in all yesterday. {GRIN}

   I called Alan right after breakfast and arranged for him to take Val and me to the vet late this morning. Then I called my financial adviser and let the secretary know something I've been watching for arrived this morning. She said she'd let both my financial advisers know, and they'd call me later. {Smile}

   Alan arrived right on time and took me to the vet. He's so understanding about the upset meows we always get, because Val does not ever want to go to the vet. While I was waiting for the vet, my therapist came out, and said hi to Val and me. Then he left, but it was nice that he stopped to say hi as he was leaving. {Smile}

   Then we saw the vet. While they were examining him, my financial adviser called. Both were on the line, so I wish I could have talked to them then, but I was busy with the vet, and didn't have the papers I wanted to consult, and no privacy, either so I asked them to call back, and promised to call back myself. His kidney and heart disease are progressing, as they will, so he has two new meds, but they're smaller. I think he ate them both. I hope so. I really don't want to have to force pills down his throat indefinitely. That's no fun for him or me. {Smile}

   I called my financial adviser later. Technically twice, but the first time I just told the secretary that I was free, but wouldn't be in the early afternoon tomorrow, when I had a doctor's appointment. I called again, when it was getting close enough to their closing time, I wasn't sure we'd get to talk again if I didn't.  My usual financial adviser was available, and we talked about next steps. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I started with scripture and thoughts about it and continued with more of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2019. Then, I read a bit from Cotillion by Georgette Heyer. Next, I read "the Fox's Tail" from 365 Animal Stories and Rhymes. It was an Aesop's Fable about a fox who lost his tail in a trap and tried to convince the other foxes to get rid of their tails, too. They had none of that nonsense. Then I finished up by reading the March 29th story from 366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year. Mom said she liked it all, but she was tired today. Well, she listened as she could, and knew I was beside her. {Smile}

   Today, I didn't get confused about the time, and really did run out of time before I could do more than 20 minutes of salsa dancing. but at least I did over 20 minutes of salsa dancing, including both warmup and less structured dancing. {Smile}

   I read comics over a late lunch after I got home, and a bit after lunch, as well. then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There I found Div, and toured his base again. He showed me the latest changes. He hopes to finish it - as far as the contest is concerned - tomorrow. Finishing touches can come afterwards, but it's pretty full, so he can't add much more anyway. this happened with his first base, too. Then Div left, and my RWY friend arrived. We teamed up on mid-level villains and finished a story arc I had started. Fortunately, we finished at about eh time I like to read to Mom anyway. {Smile}

   I worked on this update, with notes and a little writing, around dinnertime. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming again. I joined a team that was hunting a particular giant monster, and ended up leading it because I was a good level for that. when we were done, I suggested hunting some other easy to find giant monsters. i recruited some folks as other left, and we had a good time. My RWBY friend came in just as we were breaking up. We started to get ready to read a comic together, but then Phonso invited us to a task force he wanted to run. we did that instead, planning to read the comic together soon. My RWBY friend left after one task force, but I stayed for another with Phonso on different characters. That took me close enough to time to start salsa dancing, I just did paperwork on the characters I'd used this evening until I started salsa dancing. {Smile}

Daily Update, March 28, 2023

    After breakfast, I finished sharing yesterday's daily update, since sharing it on Discord was too slow for last night when I was finally done writing it. 

   I was worried Val hadn't forgiven me for pushing him off the table, the way he stayed in the other room through the morning, afternoon, and early evening. however, he came and sat near then on my keyboard after dinner. I didn't push him; I just got treats, which he happily ate. Then he sat not far away until I was salsa dancing; only then did he go back to eat and rest in the other room. It may take time for him to fully forgive me, but I think it will come. {relieved smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I started with scripture and thoughts about it and continued with the next part of her niece's long family letter from 2019. Then I read the next part of Cotillion by Georgette Heyer. Then I finished up by reading the March 28th story from 366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year. Mom said she liked most of it. {Smile}

   I did over 20 minutes salsa dancing, including both warmup and less structured dancing. I hoped to do more, but I was tired when it was time for the last set. However, I'll actually be able to do salsa dancing for the next few nights. My therapist couldn't meet tomorrow, so I don't go back until Saturday. Instead, I salsa dance every night until then. I also take Val to the vet in the late morning. He won't want to go, but he needs a checkup, so off we'll go. {Smile}

  I tried to read comics in the morning, but try as I might, I couldn't get the short comics' pages to load. I did read a couple of slightly longer comics on a service than hosts up to comic book length, those the new ones that were up were more like two or three comic book pages long. Instead, I read the shorter comics around lunch, when the page was working again. {Smile}

   After lunch, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Kitten on new character, which they make very rarely. We teamed up and did a couple of missions in a story arc i have been wishing to make progress in. Then I started chatting with Div, and Kitten and I saw his base, which he happily showed us. Kitten hadn't been in a while, and she particularly loved the animals Div had put in a few places, like a liger, a wolf that Kitten called a "dawgy," and a large number of "fishies" in a hug aquarium, and in a pool in a cave. then Div left, and we finished up the story arc we'd been working on. Next, our RWBY friend came in, and all three of us teamed up to do a couple of missions in another story arc until it was close to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I found my RWBY friend on, and we started to team up. We were slow getting going, and while we were still picking what to do, Phonso invited us to a task force. We joined it, and did another after it, with largely the same group. Then Kitten left because they were very tired, and I read a long comic and did my exercises and some paperwork. {Smile}

Daily Update, March 27, 2023

    I apologize to my email list for this update. When I was starting to write this update, Val decided to jump up beside me and start walking on my keyboard. He somehow managed to send a very unfinished version of this update out to everyone. I'm afraid I pushed him off the table while I thought he'd deleted it, though he has no idea what he's doing, I'm sure. Then I found it in sent items, where I could copy it, so I didn't have to start over. I felt so bad, he got extra treats in apology, though I really don't think he was hurt. It wasn't that far to fall for a kitty. {rueful Smile}

   Auntie Barbara called at the end of breakfast. She wanted to come into town to visit two members of our church who'd recently gone to the hospital. One, a gal named Anita who I'm not well acquainted with, is still there. The other is a dear family friend I know pretty well. Auntie Barbara suggested that I go with her, and I agreed. {Smile}

   I managed to get yesterday's daily update before Auntie Barbara came - so little before, I again didn't get the door unlocked in time, which Auntie Barbara has told me many times she gets upset with. I I really need to find a way to start remembering to open it ahead of time for her. (rueful smile}

   Auntie Barbara came in and visited with Mom first. We sang a few songs. Mom mostly just listened, but she sang the first and last lines of Happy birthday at the beginning, and she sang most of the last song, too. Then Auntie Barbara asked about taking some magazines. I'm not ready to get rid of some of Dad's National Geographics like she first suggested, but I found four Discover magazines, and took them with us. {Smile}

   When we got to the hospital, Auntie Barbara and I checked at the front desk about Anita. we got her room number but were told only one of us could go up, because someone was already visiting her, and they have a strict two-person limit. Since auntie Barbara knows her and I don't really, I gave her the two magazines I'd picked out for Anita and told her to go on up. I waited in the lobby. Auntie Barbara soon came back, saying Anita and our priest were deep in discussion, so she didn't stay long. Anita had apparently had some kind of health incident this morning in the hospital, so she might not be going to rehab as soon as we thought.

   Next, we went to Hale Anuenue, the long-term rehab facility where another friend is. When we got there, I realized my red purse was missing, so we went back for it. It had already been turned in to the front desk, so I got it from them. We met our priest at the door and talked with her a bit about visiting. She encouraged us to visit Anita now that she was gone, but Auntie Barbara felt Anita had looked too tired. I just followed Auntie Barbara's lead. {Smile}

   Then we went back to hale Anuenue, where we checked in, and learned our friend's room number. It was a long way back to her room; auntie Barbara commented on all the walking she was getting today. Of course, she walked to Anita's room as well as our other friend's. I just walked to our other friend's room and back. when we got there, we found two of our other friend's daughters with her, one who I think might be in that residential car home herself, and the other, who was visiting, but clearly settled in for a long stay. I gave our friend the two magazines I'd brought, pointing out the kitten on the cover of one that made me think she should get that one. She thanked me, and we had a nice visit. She really misses church. It's such a big part of her life, and really means a lot to her. She told us about her accident, too, when we asked, and showed us the brace that is helping hold the bone in place while it heals from the operation to reinforce it. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before it. I started with scripture and thoughts about it and continued with more from her niece's long family letter from 2019. Then I read a story, "The Open Road." It was from the Wind in the Willows, all about how Ratty and Mole visited Mr. Toad, and Mr. Toad got them to go caravanning in a gypsy wagon he'd gotten. That didn't last long, because a car ran them into a ditch, and Mr. Toad promptly feel in love with the car. Then I read six short poems. The story and the poems were from 365 Animal Stories and Rhymes. I finished up by reading the March 27th story from 366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year. Mom said she liked it all. {Smile}

   After yesterday, I made certain to do my head exercises tonight. I also did all eight of my arm swinging exercises. My right arm was mostly okay. it twinged momentarily in some, but not enough I felt I should stop. {Smile}

   When I got back from visiting our friends with Auntie Barbara, I ate lunch while reading some comics. Then I headed out, taking Uber to the class for Bereavement at church. That went pretty well. I got the teacher's contact information, both for myself, and for the leader of the disabled picnic, since she'd mentioned wanting to get something going along these lines for us if we're interested. {Smile}

   When I came home, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I found Kitten all ready to team up.  We did and ran the first mission of a story arc together. I also talked with my RWBY friend, but the game didn't let us add him after we'd started. When we broke up so I could read to Mom, I suggested breaking our team so they could team with our RWBY friend while I read to Mom and ate dinner. {Smile}

   After dinner I started with a little bit of writing and a lot of notetaking for this daily update. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Kitten. It was slow getting their attention, but I did. We tried to team up, but I remembered that I needed to feed Val. They said to do that, and I did. They'd spoken recently when I got back, but I couldn't get a response out of them, and they eventually went offline. I think they timed out. Next, I noticed Azurette was on, so I started chatting with her. and joined her for a couple of missions. During the second, Phonso invited us to do a task force with him. Azurette needed to go to bed too soon. She had time for only one or two more missions. I dropped out, though, to join Phonso. He actually ran two related task forces back-to-back, and I did both with him. {Smile}

   After that, I did a bunch of paperwork I noticed I needed to do, especially on the character I teamed up with Azurette on. Then I worked on writing this update, completing the notes, but even more, turning them into full paragraphs. I also read another comic. {Smile}

Daily Update, March 26, 2023

    Yesterday, I was late to church. I thought things were going normally, but when I got out of the house, i realized it was just a few minutes from ten, when the service starts. However, I get going any earlier, and I so hate to miss it, so I called Uber, and arrived during the gospel. So I did get the full sermon and communion. It was a nice service. I sat with Auntie Barbara and Michelle. {Smile}

   I had lunch with Auntie Barbara, Scoot, Michelle, and a parishioner whose name I forget. We had a nice, long chat that roamed enough, it felt like a few chats with the same people. Ed and BJ took me home, and we had a lovely chat all the way. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I read scripture and thoughts about it, then continued with the next part of her niece's long family letter from 2019. Then I read the next part of Cotillion by Georgette Heyer. Then I finished up by reading the March 26th story from 366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year. Mom said she liked it all. {Smile}

   I somehow didn't get around to the head exercises I meant to do. I really need to work harder at that. {small smile}

   I finished Saturday's daily update when I got home. I decided to post on my old blog, which I haven't done a thing with in years. I'm thinking of doing that regularly. My blog is at Anne's Notes (aeb-anne.blogspot.com) https://aeb-anne.blogspot.com if you want another place to read these updates. {Smile}

   Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and found both Div busy with his base, and my RWBY friend eager to play. We all teamed up, and I managed to slip into the base to see a bit, but Div was still busy building new, and my RWBY friend really wanted to play, so my RWBY friend and I ran a couple of missions while Div continued working on the base. The contest entry deadline is pretty soon, so Div wants to get it done if he can. We were able to use the team for a bit of chatting. Div left first, and my RWBY friend and I continued with another mission. Then my RWBY friend left for dinner, and I just did paperwork and solo badge-hunting until it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   I came back after dinner and started today's daily update. Then i read some comics before going back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I tried to chat with Austin and Jag, but Austin was unresponsive, and Jag was tired. Then I joined a giant monster team - one of two working on the same monster. I talked to both leaders about getting them into a league, but Someone went at the monster, and we ended up taking him down before we could. I talked to leaders, trying to encourage them. The one for the team I was on found this helpful enough to thank me, but the other accused me of being nasty and told me to get lost. I don't know what got him into that mood, but it ruined my mood for teaming with strangers. So, I soloed some work on a badge again and started talking with Azurette. That improved my mood, and we teamed up for a few missions. I chatted with kitten a bit over the day. I tried to chat with Nox, too, but they responded when they were heading to bed, so we mainly said goodnight. I wanted to solo one last mission after Azurette left, before I wrote my daily update. It was tougher than expected and went slowly at first. Then my RWBY friend came on, surprised I was still playing. I asked him to help with the mission, and he happily helped me finish the mission. That was good. Not only was it longer than I expected, but it had two separate parts that felt like separate missions but had to be finished together. I barely had time to make notes about today's update and had to write it properly the next morning. I just started doing that a couple of days ago. It really helps me remember stuff the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, March 25, 2022

    This morning, I called Uber, and they took me to Life Care Center for physical therapy. I had a nice session, and I learned my therapist owns my veterinarian's office, and works there on his days off. I suspect he's helped carry Val for me. His father owned it until the father died; I think he founded that office. {Smile}

   I took Uber back home, and got a nice, chatty driver with a "trainee driver" in the bucket seat. He'd talked about the perks of driving for Uber enough, one of his neighbors signed up, but wanted an introduction, so I he was helping her. It was nice to talk to both of them. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I read scripture and thoughts about it and continued with the start of her niece's long family letter from 2019. Then I read the start of Cotillion by Georgette Heyer, who I think is her favorite author. When we used to ask who her favorite author was, she'd mention two out of these three: Anne McCaffrey, Andre Norton, and Mercedes Lackey, but she'd always mention Georgette Heyer, too. Then I finished up by reading the March 25th story from 366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year. Mom said she liked it all. {Smile}

   I didn't do any exercise beyond physical therapy. He said to take a break from my own exercises on the days I actually work with him. {Smile}

   I read articles over lunch and wrote a lot of yesterday's daily update after it. Then I went into City of Heroes, homecoming, and found div, who showed me the latest developments in the base. it's really coming along and is pretty close to done. he says he won't do another big base, but this is the second base out of three which has grown like this. the middle one just stalled. We'll see what happens. My RWBY friend joined us, and admired all the progress since the last time he'd been in. Then I teamed up with my RWBY friend for a mission or two, then read some comics before I broke to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, i read a few comics, then hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming again. Jag didn't respond, and Austin and Shen Dragon were busy, so I collected badges on my second-best badge collector for a bit, and worked on some harder badges, too. Then I noticed a chance to do a task force my third best badge collector needed for a badge. So, I joined it, and learned they were doing the sequel, which was the other one she needed for the same badge. I did both, and she got the badge. While I was doing that, i chatted with Azurette. We hoped to get together afterwards, but by the time we were both free, she was too tired, and went to bed. I looked into working on another badge on my third best badge collector, but that was tricker than I realized. However, I found several other easy badges, and got them. She has lots more to get, but I found she was at 799 badges, and couldn't resist grabbing one more for an even 800. Then I switched to my second-best badge collector, and worked on a couple more badges, alternating with reading comics until i caught up with the current comic series I'm reading. I chatted a little with Kitten over the day, as their work allowed. I also wrote most but not all of this daily update; I finished up after church and lunch the next day. {Smile}