Daily Update, May 30, 2024

    I had video counselling in the morning after breakfast. I suddenly realized I was late to my counselling by a few minutes and hopped in as fast as feasible. My counselor warned me she'd have to leave promptly even though we were starting late. We had a good if slightly short session. {Smile}

   I also got a call from my priest, talking about how the replacement memorial plaques for Mom's mother and Dad's father were going to be. She asked me to check the spelling sent by text. I'm glad she did! Grandfather's name was fine. Grandma's first and last names were fine; they so often trip folks up; I made the spelling very clear from the start. However, Grandma's maiden name, which she used as a middle name after marriage, was close but not right. I got that straightened out, to both my and our priest's relief

   I ate lunch dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was resting when I came in, but roused and looked at things when I had stuff to show her. She responded a few times. First, I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I started her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2019. Next, I read the last few pages from _1940s Fashion in Pictures_ as well as the back cover. Then I read "Training Daze" from _5-minute Disney Junior Stories_. I finished with the 30th of May's poem, "Flying High," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises, then after a break, my arm swinging exercises and my arm resistance exercises. It was late and I was tired to continue, so I stopped there... but I am getting back to my exercises. {Smile}

   After breakfast, I read articles and played Cross Stitch World until my counselling. Then, after counselling, I read comics and wrote up Wednesday's daily update before lunch. After lunch, I read more comics and played more Cross Stitch World before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Kitten, who was tired, and Dennis, who planned to be busy, so I paused to clean myself up. I took longer than I meant to but did go right back into City of Heroes: Homecoming when I was done. I teamed up with Dennis, and we started to run missions. then Pierogies said hi, and joined us after the later long, large-group event. The three of us played up to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   Then, after dinner, I started writing this up before I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Kitten and a few other friends, some of which I haven't been teaming with as much. We ran a mission of mine. Azurette joined us late. I also talked to Nox on chat server. Then someone suggested a zone's story arcs I was the right level for. I ran the first story arc, interrupted by a giant monster fight in the middle that's not part of that story. Azurette left right after the giant monster fight. The rest of us continued for a while. Pierogies joined us, then another left. Then two more left, and we were down to Kitten, Pierogies, and me. We finished the arc and talked about something I've been thinking about recently. Then I watched videos and did my exercises before I wrote a little of this and made enough notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 29, 2024

    On Wednesday, Auntie Barbara came with Michelle to visit in the morning. Auntie Barbara came inside to visit with Mom. It took a fair bit of coaxing, but when we were almost ready to go out, Mom agreed to sing, and sang six of the seven songs we usually sing with her. {Smile}

   Then we went outside, and Auntie Barbara and I sat in the carport, where we chatted and enjoyed the day. Michelle was checking out our lemon tress the whole time, I think. She said hi near the end of the visit. 

   After lunch, I contacted Uber, and they took me down to my dentist appointment. I arrived slightly early, and they were quite happy that I on time. We got three fillings done. One tooth needs a crown, but I don't mind waiting until the other teeth are ready for crowns too. then I contacted Uber, and a fellow came and took me back home. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was resting when I came in, but opened her eyes and looked at things when I had stuff to show her. She did respond at times.  I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I read a Mother's Day card from one sister, and an Easter card from her other sister. Then I read two Christmas cards, one from her cousin's granddaughter, and the other from a friend. Then I read a few more pages from _1940s Fashion in Pictures_. After that, I read "Home, Scream Home," from _5-minute Disney Junior Stories_. I finished with the 29th of May's story, "The Woodpecker," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did two of my leg exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Later, I felt too tired. I think getting three fillings in one day took something out of me. {rueful smile}

   After breakfast, I read comics and played Cross stitch World before Auntie Barbara came. After she left, I wrote up Tuesday's daily update, writing right into lunch to get it done before the dentist. Then I read a comic or two to fill the rest of the time before the dentist. After the dentist, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I found Dennis. We talked, then teamed up. His long-time friend joined us. They like to use voice chat on the chat server I use during play. I can, too, so Dennis and I made the connections needed to make it work. It was neat, even if we all laughed at how I sounded with my mouth still numb from the dentist. We agreed we'd have to do this again. This took us up to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I began writing this up. Then I checked City of Heroes: Homecoming. I chatted with Ulty, who was just finishing up for the evening. I also talked with Kitten, who was farming tiredly.  We decided I should clean myself up first, since I really wanted to get that done. Then I went back, joined Kitten and their friend, who was sitting in their farm. Another friend joined, and I asked about "running content, meaning playing missions and such in the game. I got my character who is just starting the end game, and we ran his first story arc. I tried to talk to Nox, but they were just leaving. The first friend of kitten left part way through. then, in the last mission, two more of their friends joined for the big reward at the end. Then all three others left, and I talked with kitten and did paperwork. I also wrote a little more of this and made lots of notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 28, 2024

    Tuesday morning, I contacted Uber. A somewhat chatty fellow came and took me down to get my hearing aids checked. They're okay for now, but one may need a new rechargeable battery. We're keeping an eye on it. When we were done, I contacted Uber. It claimed they'd taken me to the credit union nearby. I told them it wasn't me, and they refunded my money. I hope they work out who that was, but I'm not sure how they could. I contacted them again, and this time, a quieter fellow came and took me home. {Smile}

   I tried calling my financial adviser. I go their answering machine and left a message on the first try. I got a secretary the third try, and asked for some free resources they offer, since ordering over the web hadn't produced them. {smile}

   I also got a phone call from dentist. They asked if I could come in the next day (Wednesday) to get the minor filling done. I was happy to make that appointment. {Smile}

   I got a phone call from Auntie Barbara after dinner. She wanted to visit Wednesday, too, with Michelle. I told her about the dentist, and she picked a time that wouldn't conflict with the dentist. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was resting when I came in, but opened her eyes and started looking at things when I had stuff to show her. After a while, she rested some more, but I do hope she enjoyed the pictures and readings. She did respond sometimes.  I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I read a long Christmas card from a friend. Next, I read a few more pages from _1940s Fashion in Pictures_. Then I read "Blooming Bows," from _5-minute Disney Junior Stories_. I finished with the 28th of May's poem, "Counting Rhyme," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and most of my arm swinging exercises while waiting for Uber to come get me and take me to my hearing aid appointment. Then I did the rest of my arm swinging exercises and my arm resistance exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. After teaming with Dr. Faustus, I did my salsa dancing warmup. Then, after a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set before it got too late. {Smile}

   I read articles and played Cross Stitch World after breakfast, before the trip to get my hearing aids checked. Then I wrote up Monday's daily update before and after lunch. Writing during lunch wasn't working, so I read comics during lunch, and afterwards, too. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Dennis, who said he's going to bed much earlier... so we'll have to team in my afternoon, not my evening. We teamed up, and did several missions, mostly on villains. Pierogies said hi but was catching an even later large-group event, so didn't join us. That took us up to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I started writing this. Then I cleaned myself up before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I realized the anniversary event had just finished; I'd hoped to do a little more badge collecting in it, but that's usual at the end for me. I was deciding what to do when Dr. Faustus said hi. We teamed up for badge collecting, doing villain stuff, largely on villains, though my second-best badge collector did some posing to be one for a badge or two. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server for a while. The badge collecting ran late, but I still got in my salsa dancing, with videos between and after, along with reading one article. Then I made notes in this to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 27, 2024

    On Monday, I tried to fill out a form requesting some general information on retirement and such from my financial adviser. I filled out the form but didn't receive the information. I'll have to contact them about it if it doesn't show up soon. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake when I came in and enjoyed the pictures and readings. She did respond sometimes but got sleepy after a while.  First, I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I read three cards: Christmas cards from a friend and our financial adviser, and a birthday card from her cousin. After that, I read the next few pages from _1940s Fashion in Pictures_. Next, I read "Father's Day Countdown," from _5-minute Disney Junior Stories_. I finished with the 27th of May's poem, "My Brother Says..." from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup late in the evening and my less structured salsa dancing set after a longer break than I intended. I tried to do my leg exercises next, but the knee of the leg I was holding off the ground started hurting, so I stopped. I did my arm swinging exercises and two of my head exercises before it got too late. {smile}

   After breakfast I played Cross Stitch World and read articles. Then I wrote up my daily update before and into lunch. When that was done, I switched to reading comics for the rest of lunch and afterwards. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started on paperwork. Then Pierogies said hi. We soon had a brief video call when i got interested in their "little cat." Then we got together in the game, teaming up for several mission of mine. We actually ran up to almost time to read to Mom. Then Pierogies left, and I did some paperwork that playing had created. 

   After dinner, I began writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I chatted with Ulty a fair while, then took a break to clean myself up. Then I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found two very low-level characters who'd soon be in danger of losing their names if I didn't at least pop onto them for amount. So, I got one out, played a bit, and went back to the first one to play a bit more, and leave them in similar places. I also tried to chat with Nox for a bit, but hey were so tired, we mainly said goodnight. Then I switched to badge collecting on my newly fourth best badge collector. After a while, I stopped for some salsa dancing. In between sets, I watched videos and did more badge collecting on City of Heroes: Homecoming. Then I did more badge collecting afterwards. Then I wrote a little of this and made notes to write from the next day. The note making was interrupted by a couple of comics. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 26, 2024

    On Sunday, I contacted Uber after breakfast, when I'd done a bare minimum to get ready for the day. Uber said it was ten minutes away, so I finished getting ready. Then I started exercising before they came. It actually took them not quite 19 minutes to come get me, but eventually I was off to church. Amazingly, I arrived during the opening hymn, because church started late, itself. {Smile}

   After church came lunch. I sat with Auntie Barbara, and we enjoyed talking. Then our priest came and sat with me and talked about the plaques. They didn't turn out, so she's trying again, and wanted to know how I wanted them. We also admired her daughter. She's been a pretty quiet baby, happy to be held by friendly adults. not yesterday. She's around a year old - her first birthday party is soon. She's crawling quite well - she was scooting around - and our priest expects her to stand on her own "any day now." {SMILE}

   Home communion offered to take me home. Auntie Barbara liked the idea, saying we could get together later this week. So, I rode home with them, waiting at the first stop We were their second stop. Unfortunately, I forgot to warn nurse. I do need to remember that in the future. It was a day for forgetting I forgot to wear a mask, which I didn't even notice until I was headed home. I don't wear them primarily for me. Mom is hard to keep vaccinated, and if she does catch something, she doesn't recover all the way from it, so I try to keep from brining stuff home to her. Masks do help with that. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake when I came in and enjoyed the pictures and readings. She did respond sometimes.  First, I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I read three cards: a Christmas card from her niece, a birthday card from her cousin, and a Mother's Day card from me. Then I read the first few pages from _1940s Fashion in Pictures_. After that, I read "A Rainy-Day Adventure," from _5-minute Disney Junior Stories_. I finished with the 26th of May's story, "The Diamond Bird," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises while waiting for Uber to come and take me to church. Then I did my arm resistance exercises and my arm swinging exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. After I was done teaming and badging for the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup. After a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. {Smile}

   After Home communion left, I read some web fiction I'd started reading while waiting at their first stop. I also checked out some comics. Then I wrote up Saturday's daily update. then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies and Kitten and teamed up with both of them. Soon, a friend of Kitten's joined us. Later, Dennis joined us, too. Then everyone left at once, about half an hour before I like to read to Mom, so I did paperwork until I realized it was a little later than like to start reading to Mom. {rueful smile}

   After dinner, I began writing this up. Then I cleaned myself up. Only after that did I hop back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I joined Kitten, who was helping a friend get one of the badges that permanently improve characters. Then we helped the friend work on another badge that permanently improves characters. Dr. Faustus joined us after a while. I also started chatting with Nox on the chat server. Eventually, Kitten's friend left for bed. Then Dr. Faustus offered to do a mission that would get us a badge. My second-best badge collector didn't have it, so I did the mission with her, and we all got it. Then I broke for exercises. I played Cross Stitch World and did some research in between the dancing sets. Then I did paperwork in City of Heroes: Homecoming afterwards. I also made notes in this to write from next day after the paperwork. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 25, 2024

    On Saturday, Auntie Barbara called just as I was getting ready for my day. We settled that I wasn't upset that she'd forgotten to call last night and arranged for me to call her back after breakfast. I did call back after breakfast, and we had a nice, reasonably long chat. It was great to get to talk with her. {SMILE}

   I also wrote a tiny bit more of my story in the morning, and another tiny bit in the late evening. I'm hoping the writer's block I've been fighting is beginning to ease {Smile}

   I started checking out a book on Amazon and the public library, both morning and late evening. It has its points, but I'm not sure it's right for what I want. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake when I came in and enjoyed the pictures and readings. She did respond sometimes, once without prompting, which is rare these days.  I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I read four cards: a Christmas card from her cousin's granddaughter, a Thanksgiving card from one sister, a Christmas card from her other sister, and a birthday card from me. Next, I read the last few pages from _Picture Book Babies_. Then I read "Toy Hospital," from _5-minute Disney Junior Stories_. I finished with the 25th of May's story, "The Magic Mirror," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did one of my standing arm weight training exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did the other standing arm weight training exercise and one of my sitting arm weight training exercises after dinner. Much later, after I finished playing City of Heroes for the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup. After a long break, I did the rest of my salsa dancing, and after a bit more of a break, I did my arm resistance exercises, the rest of my sitting arm weight training exercises, and my head exercises before it got entirely too late to continue. {Smile}

   In the morning, I played Cros stitch world, and read articles and comics. I wrote up Friday's daily update before and into lunch, then read more comics. After lunch, I realized I hadn't finished posting my daily update, and did so. Then I cleaned myself up before I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I said hi to Kitten, but they didn't respond. Pierogies did respond when I said hi. He helped me get my character who's new to the end game through the introductory story arc. It never feels like they've fully arrived at the end game until I've done that. We did pause to discuss a film Pierogies likes. I might have to watch it soon. We finished that introductory story arc just when I like to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner and exercises, I began writing this and read a little of a comic before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found note from Dennis apologizing for missing me. I'm sorry too. Kitten was still unresponsive, and most I team with much weren't there, so I did some paperwork, followed by hunting for badges by myself on my new fifth best badge collector, since it's still anniversary month, so special badges are available that aren't usually. I also had a fairly long talk with Nox on chat world. Radio came in just after Nox left, and we talked a fair bit, too. In the middle of that, Dr. Faustus said hi. He had less than an hour to team, but he knew of a story arc the character I wanted to play was the right level for. We got it well started, doing a few missions before he left. After he left, I finished the solo badge hunting I'd started earlier, and did some paperwork. Between the dancing I watched some videos and read a comic. Afterwards, I wrote more of this, and made notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 24, 2024

    On Friday, I got a short phone call from nursing company's secretary. It was nice to touch bases with her. {Smile}

   I called Auntie Barbara after dinner. She was still eating hers, and said she'd call me back, but it looks like bedtime came before she got around to calling. {smile}

   I ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Mom, and read to her before dinner. She was looking at the TV when I got there, but shifted her attention to me when I entered the room. She enjoyed the pictures and readings and did respond sometimes.  I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I read four cards: a Christmas card from a friend, birthday cards from her cousin and both sisters. Then I read the next few pages from _Picture Book Babies_. After that, I read "One Unicorny Day," from _5-minute Disney Junior Stories_. I finished with the 24th of May's poem, "Making Jam," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises after dinner. Then I did my arm swinging exercises, and after a short break, my head exercises. Another short break, and I did my salsa dancing warmup set, with just a little extra when I messed up a little way into the third piece and restarted the piece. I did fine on the second try. I did my second salsa dancing set after a longer break than I intended. Altogether, I did around 20 minutes of salsa dancing, which is my goal for the day. {Smile}

   After breakfast, I read articles, played Cross Stitch World, and read comics. Then I finished Thursday's daily update before lunch. After lunch, I read some more comics and played more Cross Stitch World. Then I cleaned myself up. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I said hi to Kitten, but they didn't respond, and I didn't see anyone else I particularly like to team with. So, I started doing paperwork with my newly fourth best badge collector. Then I switched to a low-level character and soloed a mission with a lot of reading. Next, I did some hunts with the same character, to get the easy to do alone stuff out of the way. Suddenly, Gargle invited me to a farm team, thinking he'd help the little one level. However, I really want to finish her stories and contacts first. When he realized I meant that, he let me change to my new incarnate, and even encouraged me to start setting him up. That took me to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner and a little exercise, I started writing this up. I tried calling Auntie Barbara, the hopped into City of Heroes: homecoming while waiting for her to call me back. There, I said goodnight to Dennis, who was leaving early because of a big and early day the next day. Then Kitten said hi, and that they had to leave for a bit. They didn't say hi again later. While waiting for them, I did some more paperwork, and talked with Radio and Nox on the chat server. Then I started talking with Sheperd. We ended up teaming up and doing a couple of missions before he left. I also explained about a tutorial his character is almost ready for, but not quite. It was late enough, I started on paperwork and exercises with some Cross Stitch World, too. Afterwards, I read comics, did more paperwork, played more Cross Stitch World. I also wrote some of this, as well as made notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 23, 2024

    I called the nursing company's secretary after lunch, and we had a good talk. We cleared up some things I was concerned about. {Smile}

   I tried to call Auntie Barbara after dinner but left a message when I got her answering machine. Then we texted a bit. At first, I waited for her to call back, but I ended up arranging to talk the next day, so I could go clean myself up already. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was resting when I got there, but kind of roused when I spoke to her, and stayed kind of awake through the reading, looking the pictures, and sometimes responding. I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I read three cards: a Thanksgiving card from one sister, and birthday cards from her other sister and her cousin. After that, I read the next few pages from _Picture Book Babies_. A few of the babies were dressed warmly, with hoods and furry linings. Next, I read "Going Batty," continuing _5-minute Disney Junior Stories_. I finished with the 23rd of May's "Lonely Harlequin," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

 I did my walking exercises when tired of badge collecting, with a couple of short breaks in there. Much later, I did my head exercises, my arm swinging exercises, my arm resistance exercises, and my leg exercises. Then I needed a rest. Not bad for the day after physical therapy, though I'd have liked to do my standing and sitting arm resistance exercises, too. {Smile}

   After breakfast, I read articles, played Cross Stitch World. and read comics. then I finished writing Wednesday's daily update after lunch and the phone call with the nursing company's secretary. Then I played more Cros stitch World and read more comics before I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Pierogies happy to chat and team up. We ran two of our little heroes most of the way through a story arc. We ended too close to time to read to Mom to do the last part, since it is long, so we did a shorter mission of mine instead. {Smile}

   After dinner, I began writing this up before I tried to call Auntie Barbara. Then I played Cross Stitch World while I waited for her to call. Eventually I gave up and texting about talking the next day so I could clean myself up already. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Not finding anyone to talk to in the game at first, I started talking with Nox on the chat server. I eventually talked to Azurette a little, but she wasn't free in time to team up with before I was ready to start my exercises, so I badge hunted and played Cross Stitch World while chatting. I played more Cross Stitch World and did some City of Heroes paperwork in my long break in my exercises. Then I wrote a little of this and made notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 22, 2024

    On Wednesday, I had my last physical therapy before summer, when the place is taking time off. This time I wasn't late, just late getting ready. I skipped some steps, but I called Uber, and a somewhat chatty fellow came and took me over so that I arrived about on time. I had a good physical therapy session. Since it was the day I "graduated," they had some tests, which I did at least aa little better on. My therapist helped me plan for the summer, which was nice. Afterwards, I contacted Uber, and Alan came and took me home. We had a great talk all the way, as usual. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was resting when I got there, but responded when I spoke to her, and stayed awake through the reading, looking the pictures, and sometimes responding. I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I read three cards: Christmas cards from her cousin's granddaughter and her nephew, and a birthday cards from me. Then I read the first few pages from _Picture Book Babies_. There was a baby in an astronaut suit, but most just wore regular baby outfits. After that, I read "Adventures in Puppy Sitting," continuing _5-minute Disney Junior Stories_. She said she didn't like that as well, but we were almost done at that point. So, I just finished it and went on to the 22nd of May's "The Garden Fairy," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   No exercise beyond physical therapy was needed. They made sure I got a workout today. {Smile}

   After breakfast, I played Cross stitch World and read articles until I suddenly realized I needed to leave for physical therapy. After physical therapy, I read comics over lunch. Then I finished Tuesday's daily update. Next, I hopped into City of heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies on a little villain, so I got one, too, and we teamed until it was almost time to read to Mom. I had a short conversation with Nox on the chat server in there somewhere, too. {Smile}

   After dinner, I began writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I said hi to Ulty, Dennis, and Shepherd. Ulty and Dennis were busy in a way I couldn't join them. I considered joining Shepherd, but he was on a little villain, and one afternoon on a little villain was enough of that for a day. So, I worked on collecting badges on my fifth best badge collector. I tried to talk to Nox on the chat server but got distracted when Dennis came back for paperwork and chatting. I did have a nice talk with Dennis, but I mainly said goodnight to Nox... at least I did so when they could respond. I got my fifth best badge collector ahead of my fourth best badge collector today, so they've switched places, but it was only by three badges. When I double-checked how much, I picked up two badges on the former fourth best badge collector, so my new fourth best badge collector is ahead by only one badge, but she's now my fourth best badge collector, and the old fourth best is now the fifth best badge collector. As I was looking for more badges, I broke to make some notes in this, and get some herbal tea. When I came back, I found some folks who Kitten had introduced me to invited me to some hero missions. I jumped at the change to finally play a good character and team at the same time. We ran a few missions... and I learned we were doing a story arc that really helps characters newer to the end game. I have one who's just getting into it, so I switched, and finished the arc, despite running a little close to bedtime. They did a single mission that really helps them, so I stayed for that, but the second single mission... it would have helped, but not as much, and it was late. So, I said goodnight, and finished up the notes in this to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 21, 2024

    On Tuesday, shortly after breakfast, the ride I'd arranged yesterday arrived It took me down to the monthly meeting - not a picnic this month - which got going shortly after I got there. After a while, the meeting moved to the kitchen, where we had a long, chatty lunch. Then it was back to the meeting room after that, for a bit more talk before we adjourned, and they took me home. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake when I got there and stayed awake, looking the pictures, and sometimes responding. First, I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I read four cards: an Easter card from her cousin, birthday cards from a friend and church, and a Christmas card from her sister. Next, I read the last few pages from (the other) _The Picture Book of Babies_. Only one baby in a costume, and only if you count a pumpkin bib... but that wasn't a regular bib; it was too pumpkin-like. I showed her the next book I picked, _Picture Book Babies_ right after that. Then I read "Undercover Princess," starting _5-minute Disney Junior Stories_. I ended with the 21st of May's "Igor's Pipe," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup set after teaming. After a break, I did the first piece of my less structured salsa dancing set, but I was unsteady enough, I had to treat the vertigo. Unfortunately, it was too late to do more afterwards. {small smile}

   After I got back, I played Cross Stitch World, then wrote up Monday's daily update. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I teamed up with Kitten. After a couple of mission, first bowlofdro, then Pierogies, and lastly Dennis joined us. bowlofdro was the first to leave, then Pierogies. the others continued doing missions until it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I cleaned myself up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I chatted with Ulty, bowlofdro, and Shepherd int he game, and Nox on the chat server. None were free to play for a while, so I worked on paperwork, then more active badge collecting. Eventually, Shepherd was ready to play, since he'd been busy with paperwork of his own for a fair while. We teamed up and did some stuff from one of my contacts. Then I showed him how to do some of my favorite story arcs on the character he had, since he'd just outlevelled the first two of a four part set before we started to play tonight. Then I started dancing, watching videos and playing Cross Stitch World in between. I also talked with Kitten a little on the chat server and did some paperwork on City of Heroes: Homecoming. I also wrote a little more of this and made lots of notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update May 20, 2024

    On Monday, I was late to my dentist appointment. I finished lunch, checked the time, and it was already 3 minutes after my appointment. So, I contacted Uber, and found out that they were nominally 9 minutes away. I called the dentist, more than half expecting them to make me reschedule. No, they wanted me to come down. So, I did some exercises while I waited, then a fairly chatty fellow came and took me down. {smile}

   The dental hygienist took me right away, and the dentist saw me afterwards. They did squeeze me in, but both lectured me on the importance of getting there on time. I know... which was why I was perfectly prepared to reschedule if they'd asked. My dentist did check the rest of my mouth and determined some other work that needs doing besides the two root canals. He wanted to wait on the root canals, but I wanted to just get SOMETHING out of the way, so I got an appointment to get the rest fixed a few days before the earlier endodontist appointment. and yes, if they'd pushed, I'd have waited, but they didn't. {Smile}

   I contacted Uber, and an even chattier driver took me home. I think we talked most of the way, about one thing or another. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake when I got there and was moderately responsive. I think she particularly liked the pictures of babies. First, I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. After that, I read the first several pages from (the other) _The Picture Book of Babies_. Again, i noticed several pictures of babies in costumes before we got to them in regular baby outfits. None of our other baby books have many babies in costumes. Next, I read "Thumbelina," finishing _5-minute Mary Engelbreit Fairy Tales_. I ended with the 20th of May's "The Naughty Twins" from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and my arm swinging exercises while waiting for Uber to come take me to the dentist. then I did my arm resistance exercises after dinner. After teaming, I did my salsa dancing warmup set. Then, after another break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set for almost 20 minutes of salsa dancing. After yet another break, I did my leg exercises. 

   After breakfast, I read articles and played Cross Stitch World. Then I wrote up Sunday's daily update over lunch. After the dentist, I cleaned myself up before I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Kitten, and we talked, but they were too tired to play. So, I hunted for badges on my fifth best badge collector until it was time to read to Mom. She's gaining on the fourth best badge collector, though she's still got a way before she takes that place. For some reason, I'd like her to be in the top three. {Smile}

   After dinner and exercises, I started to write this up. Then I read some comics before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming late. I found Kitten, and this time we teamed up. We ran several of my missions. I also chatted with Nox on the chat world a fair while, though the missions went even later than the chatting. Eventually I stopped for salsa dancing and exercises, with some Cross Stitch World and more videos in the breaks. After that, I wrote this up, making notes to write from the next day, too. I also squeezed in some City of Heroes paperwork, and a brief chat with Pierogies. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 19, 2024

    On Sunday, after breakfast, I contacted Uber. A nice, chatty driver came and took me to church. They had a guest speaker - a graduating high school senior who attends the early service regularly spoke after our priest spoke a little on Pentecost, since it was Pentecost. {Smile}

I had lunch after church with Auntie Barbara and our retired organist. Then Auntie Brbara took me home. She came inside to visit with Mom, and we sang several songs, a few of them twice. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake when I got there, but did rest when I was reading, and didn't respond as much as sometimes. She did seem to like the pictures of babies. I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Then I read the first several pages from (the other) _The Picture Book of Babies_. I mentioned picture montages, which it does have two or three of, but what I really noticed was the first part at least has lots of babies in costumes. None of our other baby books have as many babies in costumes. After that, I read "Rapunzel," from _5-minute Mary Engelbreit Fairy Tales_. I finished with the 19th of May's "Frisky's Friend" from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my standing arm weight training exercises, my arm resistance exercises, and one of my sitting arm weight training exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. After the taskforce and some solo badge hunting, I did my arm swinging exercises. Then I did my less structured set of salsa dancing. {Smile}

   After Auntie Barbara left, I played Cross Stitch World, and watched most of a video before I cleaned myself up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I talked to Perogies. We didn't team up because he was too tired. I soloed instead, then did paperwork until it was time to read to Mom. A while afterwards, I started writing this up after exercises between reading and dinner. {Smile}

   After dinner, I finished watching the video I mostly watched earlier. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I talked with bowlofdro and Ulty. bowlofdro was starting to look for something for both of us to get into when Dr. Faustus invited us to a taskforce that he'd just joined We joined, and found Crash on the team too, and an acquaintance of mine leading it. We ran the taskforce. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server until they left. After the taskforce, I did my exercises, played Cross Stitch World, and read some comics. I also told Kitten some things about the video... it's really been making me think. I also finished writing parts of this and making notes to write the rest from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 18, 2024

    Saturday, I stayed home and took it easy. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake when I got there and responded occasionally. She looked at the pictures, especially the ones of babies. I began my reading with the 18th of May's entry for scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Next, I read the last several pages from _The Picture Book of Babies_. Then I read "The Emperor's New Clothes," from _5-minute Mary Engelbreit Fairy Tales_. I finished with the 18th of May's "The Little Prince's Animals" from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. I got ready to start the (other) _The Picture Book of Babies_ tomorrow. It's the larger one with at least a couple of photo montages. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did my arm swinging exercises after dinner. After soloing and teaming for the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup set. After a break, I did my head exercises, followed shortly by my less structured salsa dancing set. 

   After breakfast. I read articles and played Cross Stitch World, then wrote up Friday's daily update. Then I read comics over lunch. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Not finding anyone, I did a little paperwork and some solo play before breaking to clean myself up. Then I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I did a little more soloing until Pierogies said hi. We got together for a mission or two before I broke to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner and exercises, I started writing this up and making notes in it. Then I dealt with some termites before hopping back into City of Heroes: Homecoming again. I didn't find anyone again, so I soloed until I got some badges mainly available this month. Then I changed characters, and joined a Public high-level taskforce that was trying to get enough folks. I also chatted a little with Nox before they went to bed. When I finished the taskforce, I started my salsa dancing, with paperwork and exercise in between the sets. Afterwards, I played a little more Cross Stitch World, and did a bunch of paperwork in City of Heroes. I also wrote more of this up and made more notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 17, 2024

    On Friday, our housekeeper came, and put in a full afternoon. our house is definitely better for her attentions. {Smile}

   I got a phone call with Auntie Barbara in the evening. She'd tried twice while I was taking my bath, but over the water without my hearing aids, I didn't hear it. She got me afterwards, though, and we had a nice talk. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was resting, but responded occasionally, and looked at the pictures. I began my reading with the 17th of May's entry for scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Then, I read the next several pages from _The Picture Book of Babies_. This one is smaller, and consistently has one picture per page. (The other one with the same name is larger and includes some photo montages. After that, I read "Hansel and Gretel," from _5-minute Mary Engelbreit Fairy Tales_. I finished with the 17th of May's "Rosemary" from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises after teaming for the evening. After a break, I did my salsa dancing warmup set. Another break, and I did three of my sitting arm weight training exercises. Another break, and I did the first piece of my less structured salsa dancing set. Then a short break, and I started the second piece... and had to stop a little over half a minute in. I did get over 15 minutes of salsa dancing in... I think that's the best I've done since the abscess by my teeth were drained, especially if you add int he earlier exercises. {Smile}

   After breakfast, I finished Thursday's daily update. then I read articles and played Cross Stitch World until lunch. Afterwards, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I did some paperwork. Not seeing anyone I particularly like to team up with, I soloed on a low-level character. Then, when he came on, Dr. Faustus warned me about a supergroup meeting coming shortly. I soloed a little more, then switched characters to go to the meeting. My character was too low for the taskforce they wanted to do, so I switched to a higher-level character. We ran the taskforce, and my character gained a level I wanted for her. Afterwards, I said hi to Pierogies. We teamed up for a quick mission before reading to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I started writing this daily update. Then I read some comics, and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I did some paperwork. I didn't see anyone I particularly like to team up with, though, so I broke to clean myself up. Then I hopped back into City of Heroes: homecoming, where I saw Dennis, and said hi. We teamed up for two or three missions, finishing a story arc of his. Then I did my exercises and salsa dancing, with articles, videos and Cross Stitch World in between and a little afterwards. Afterwards, I mainly wrote some of this daily update and made notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 16, 2024

    Thursday, I had video counselling in the morning. Somehow getting breakfast ran so late, I ate while we started. It went pretty well, I thought. We covered the recent tooth trouble, and other stuff which has been on my mind recently. {Smile}

I also had a phone call with my financial adviser after lunch. It was good to confirm where i am with the anticipated root canals. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom again and read to her before that. She was resting, but responsive when I went in. She did say she was enjoying this at first. First, I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. I just read the 16th of May's entry first, since I'm caught up with this. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Next, I read the first several pages from _The Picture Book of Babies_. This one is smaller, and consistently has one picture per page. Mom was interested in the babies today.  Then I read "Puss in Boots," from _5-minute Mary Engelbreit Fairy Tales_. I ended with _366 Stories for Bedtime_, first reading the 15th of May's "The Fawn," then ended with the 16th of May's "A Chinese Tale." Mom seemed to enjoy them all, sometimes even saying so, if a little sleepily more often than not. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises after teaming for the evening. Then I did twelve of my fourteen walking exercises, and just started the thirteenth when I felt tired enough, I had to stop. I think I miscalculated the time earlier, since it was too late to rest and do more later. Still, I did most of my walking exercises the day after physical therapy. {Smile}

   After counselling, I read articles and comics before lunch. I played Cross stitch World and wrote Wednesday's daily update after lunch. Then I cleaned myself up. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming late. I teamed up with Pierogies and Kitten. Pierogies and I got some low-level characters we've been working on, and continued their missions with a mission, a hunt, and another mission before it got close to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I started writing this daily update. Then I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Kitten and Shepherd, and we teamed up. Kitten was on one of their favorites, Shepherd was on a higher end of low-level character, and I was on a mid-level character. We ran one after another of my missions, working through most of one contact, and starting another contact. I also talked on and off with Nox on the chat server until they headed to bed. After we finished teaming, I did my head exercises while talking to Dr. Faustus on the chat server. Then I did most of my walking exercises, wrote some of this, played a little Cross Stitch World, and made a lot of notes in this to write from the next day. I slipped back onto the computer to make one more note when I remembered something I'd forgotten to include. I felt it was too big and too easy to miss otherwise. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 15, 2024

    On Wednesday, I called my dentist. their secretary explained that we will discuss options and decide about medication next Monday, at my already scheduled appointment. {smile}

   Middle of the morning, I realized it was almost time for my physical therapy, and I hadn't contacted Uber yet. I contacted them immediately, and learned they would get to my house shortly after physical therapy was to begin. So, I phoned physical therapy and got their answering machine. I left a message saying I was running late, but on my way, and would get there when I could. I did, and the receptionist wasn't there, but the therapist I had last year was there. He texted my current therapist and got me started on my first exercise while my therapist come over. I had a shorter session, but fairly intense, at least. Afterwards, I contacted Uber, and a driver came and took me home. {Smile}

When I was picking out the next little picture book to read to Mom, I noticed I was wrong about three having the same title. Two do; they are both _The Picture Book of Babies_, but the third is _Picture Book Babies_. I picked out one of _The Picture Book of Babies_ to read next. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom again and read to her before that. She was awake, but getting sleepy when I went in. She did say she was enjoying this at first. I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. I read the 14th of May's entry first, then the 15th of May's entry, catching up again. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Then I read the last several pages from _Picture Book of Happy Babies_. I noticed Mom was getting slower about opening her eyes over time, but it wasn't too bad, so I kept going. After that, I read "Jack and the Beanstalk," from _5-minute Mary Engelbreit Fairy Tales_. I ended with _366 Stories for Bedtime_, reading 14th of May's "Helpful Caroline." Mom was sleepy enough by the end of that tiny story, I just stopped there. So, I didn't catch up with the last part, but I progressed. Maybe tomorrow will be better. {Smile}

   Despite the shorter session, I still exercised enough at physical therapy, I didn't feel a need to do more. {Smile}

   I played Cross Stitch World before going to physical therapy. I played more Cross Stitch World after physical therapy, along with eating lunch and writing Tuesday's daily update. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I teamed with Pierogies, doing a few of my missions. Kitten joined us, as did bowlofdro after a while. Then Pierogies and bowlofdro left. Kitten and I joined Dennis, who was teaming with a friend. Dennis warned that he wouldn't be on after dinner. So, we made the best of the time before dinner, teaming up for a few missions. Dennis's friend left after a while, but the rest of us ran right up to time to read with Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I wrote a little of this. Then I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found the new fellow we first met last night, Shepherd, and teamed up with him He was with a friend, and both were on littles, so I got one too. We ran my missions all evening. Kitten joined us part way through. I said goodnight to Nox without us talking again. Shepherd's friend left after a while, but Shepherd didn't get tired until I was ready to get ready for bed myself, which was late because I didn't need to exercise. We wound down by chatting a bit, and I did some paperwork. Then I made notes in this to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 14, 2024

    Tuesday, I called the dentist right after dinner. His answering machine said he wasn't in, so I left a message. 

   Then I called my financial advisor. I left a message on their answering machine, too. I also called my financial advisor's general office, so I left a message there, too. The secretary in my financial advisor's office called to say my adviser was in a meeting and would call when it got out. It must have run late since she didn't, but this does happen. {smile}

   My bath went so late, I didn't read to Mom, though I did eat dinner with her when the nurse was done cleaning her up. The nurse called it a good call under the circumstances. I guess I'll need one more catch-up day after all tomorrow. At least it will be easy to remember: two in a row, with the earlier one today. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises, arm resistance exercises, arm swinging exercises, standing arm weight training exercises, one of my sitting arm weight training exercises, my leg exercises, and the rest of my arm weight training exercises. I still missed salsa dancing and walking exercises, but at least that's all I missed today. {Smile}

   I read articles, played Cross Stitch World, and did some online shopping after breakfast and first phone calls. This went right into lunch, and a bit afterwards. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I teamed up with Pierogies. We ran a few of my missions and broke early I did a little online shopping. Then I cleaned myself. I took longer than I meant to. I got out to find the nurse cleaning Mom up, so I did some more online shopping and caught up on comics until the nurse called me to dinner. {Smile}

   After dinner, I read more comics, and finished writing my daily update. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming distinctly late. I teamed up with Dennis and did a mission of his. Then bowlofdro said long time no see, and joined us, bringing a new-to-Homecoming player who'd played years ago when the game was hosted by the company that owns it. We ran a mission. Then Dr. Faustus joined us, and the group started a badge mission while I found a character who didn't have it. Then they restarted the mission so I could get credit for it too. After that, Dennis left, and Dr. Faustus gave the newcomer a tour of the exploration badges in many zones as an introduction to the place. I started my exercises during the tour. Then I said goodnight so I could concentrate on them better. After that, I played a little more Cross Stitch World, wrote a little of this and made a lot of notes to finish writing it from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 13, 2024

    Around breakfast time Monday, I called my dentist about the abscessed tooth. I got their answering machine, so I left a message. Then I called my doctor, and left a message on their answering machine, too, asking them to forward to report from the emergency room to my dentist. my dentist's office called back and offered an appointment at 4pm that afternoon. I happily accepted. I tried calling my doctor a couple more times, but no luck. {smile}

   Around 3:30pm, I contacted Uber. The driver was further away than usual, so I called my dentist's office to warn them I was doing my best. Uber came and took me down when the driver could. My dentist took me quickly. He found two alarmingly big holes in my teeth - bigger than usual for how recently he'd seen me. He said sugar or acid are the usual causes, but he noticed trouble at the gumline... I can't think of any negative changes in those recently, but I have been less than happy with my toothbrushes for a while now...

   Then I went to make an appointment with the endodontist. I was hoping for speed. No such luck. The best I could do was an appointment a little over a month from now for one of the teeth, and another early in July for the other tooth. They put me on the waiting list for earlier appointments and promised to call if a spot opened up. I assume that means "and doesn't get filled by patients earlier in line. However, those things tend to cascade, so I will hope it works down to me. 

   When I got home, I thought it over, then found one toothbrush not too worn that I liked, and more online. I have ordered them, and the recommended mouth wash as well. I also gave 24 less than satisfactory but unused toothbrushes to our main nurse. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom again and read to her before that. she was awake and relatively alert when I went in. She did say she was enjoying this a few times. She enjoyed the readings and the pictures. First, I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. I read the 13th of May's entry first, since it's today's entry. Then I found the 10th of May's entry and read it. So, I'm now caught up there. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Then I read the next several pages from _Picture Book of Happy Babies_. Next, I read "Sleeping Beauty," from _5-minute Mary Engelbreit Fairy Tales_. I ended with _366 Stories for Bedtime_, reading two poems from it. First, I read the 10th of May's "Coloured Ballons," and then the 13th of May's "Happy Birthday!" {Smile}

   I realized that with the appointments so far in the future, I can't just wait for the teeth to get better to do my exercise. That said, I didn't want to overdo it, so I started with my head exercises. Then I did my arm swinging exercises, and after a break, my arm resistance exercises. {Smile}

   I played Cross Stitch World after breakfast and the first phone calls, and around later phone calls. I also read some articles, and I read more of the web novel, reaching the end of what I could easily open. After the appointment, I did some online shopping, since it looks like I need both mouthwash and new toothbrushes. I may have also written up Sunday's daily update before and into lunch. This took me to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I chatted with Ulty, Azurette, Dr. Faustus, and Dennis. Dennis joined me, and we finished a partly done story arc of his. Then we did a few of my missions before he left, Then I soloed a couple of hunts and got distracted with more online shopping. I did what exercise I got done, played some more Cross Stitch World, and tied up things in City of Heroes: Homecoming better than I had. Then I made notes in this to write from the next day and headed to bed. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 12, 2024

    On Sunday, I did not go to church. I hated to miss it, but a tooth that had started acting bruised Thursday night was clearly worse than bruised by Saturday night. Sunday morning, that included swelling. I debated going to the emergency room that afternoon, but decided the better course was calling Uber, and asking them to take me to the emergency room. 

   I checked in and read web fiction while waiting, but I also dosed, I think sleeping with tooth pain didn't make for the most restful night. They eventually saw me and found an abscess int he upper right quadrant of my mouth. They drained it, and prescribed antibiotic and numbing mouthwash and sent it to Longs downtown (Yes, Hawai'i still has Longs; they have enough better name recognition than CVS in this state, they didn't change the name.)

   Auntie Barbara came after church and took me to the Longs. An abrupt discharge meant I was waiting for her, but not for long. Anyway, the prescriptions weren't ready, and might not be ready for a fair while. So, she took me home. She came inside, and visited with Mom, singing 10 songs with her. The she admired the books I had gotten to give Mom for Mother's Day.

   After she left, I read articles, and looked at Saturday's daily update, before I found a text from Longs saying my prescriptions were ready. I contacted Uber, and a fellow took me down, and used the drive through window to pick up the medication. Only the antibiotic was ready because they still needed to talk with my doctor about the mouthwash. They will text when the mouthwash is cleared with the doctor. They still haven't. 

   I ate dinner with Mom again, since abscessed teeth aren't normally contagious. Mom was awake and looking around like she expected something. So, I got her Mother's Day presents, and a decorative bag from my room, and proceed to show her "The Baby Book," "The Happy Baby Book," "The Baby Book," and "The Baby Book," four picture books for dementia patients, three of them with the same name but put out by different publishers with different pictures in them. Then I read to her before dinner. She did say she was enjoying this a few times. She enjoyed the readings and the pictures. First, I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. I read the 9th of May's entry first, since it was the next that we missed. Then I read today's entry, the 12th of May. I figure with two a day, I'll catch up fairly quickly. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. After that, I read the first several pages from _Picture Book of Happy Babies_, the only one of her Mother's Day presents with a distinct title. Then I read "Rumpelstiltskin," from _5-minute Mary Engelbreit Fairy Tales_. I ended with _366 Stories for Bedtime_, Frist reading the 9th of May's "Beginner's Luck, and then the 12th of May's "The Kind Clown." {Smile}

  I didn't do any exercise with a tooth this bad. 

  When I got back from Longs, I wrote Saturday's daily update. Then I finally hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Kitten and promised that I would return after dinner since I really didn't have time to do much else before giving Mom her presents and reading to her. After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Kitten was farming but promised Dennis was coming back. It was a while before he did, so I started writing this. Then Dennis came back, and we broke up the farm so Kitten, Dennis and I could team up. We did some of his high-level missions until Dennis left. Then I switched to a low-level character so I could work on her missions and gain a couple of levels. I also said goodnight to Nox, having missed a chance to talk again. After a while, Pierogies came on, said hi, and joined us for the last two missions. Then he got us into a giant monster fight that was starting up in the zone we were in. Then they continued with the monster fighting team, but I left. I watched part of a video, and made notes for this, with a little bit of true writing, too. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 11, 2024

    On Saturday, I got a phone call with nursing company secretary. She got upset when I mentioned some spots of rough skin I had to promise to call my doctor about it on Monday. This was before I realized that some mouth pain was more than bruising from food getting stuck. The tooth pain is currently my top health priority, including my first priority Monday. Then I can see about the doctor after that. Yes, the calls can both be Monday, though I'll try to spread out the appointments. {smile}

   I finally ate dinner with Mom again and read to her before dinner. I didn't pay attention to the time, but I was delayed by fixing myself a cup of tea to sip at. Mom was resting but roused with some patting and prompting. She did say she was enjoying this a few times. she enjoyed the readings and the pictures. First, I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. I read the 8th of May's entry first, since it was the earliest, we missed. Then I read today's entry, the 11th of May. I figure with two a day, I'll catch up fairly quickly. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020, guessing where to begin, since it has been a while. After that, I read the next few pages from _the Picture Book of Kids and Animals_. Then I read "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves," from _5-minute Mary Engelbreit Fairy Tales_. I ended with _366 Stories for Bedtime_, Frist reading the 8th of May's "Rosebud's Day, and then the 11th of May's "Rose, the Sleeping Beauty." {Smile}

   I did my standing arm weight training exercises, and my arm resistance exercises around dinner. then I did my salsa dancing warmup set, and the less structured set after teaming and soloing in City of Heroes: Homecoming. {Smile}

   After breakfast, I read an article, then played Cross Stitch World. then I wrote up Friday's daily update before lunch. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Kitten was unresponsive, and they were the only one of my regular friends there, so, I hopped back out of the game, and cleaned myself up. Then I hopped back into the game. Kitten was responsive this time, so we tried to team up. However, they went unresponsive after a playing for a mission or two. I finished up the easy to solo talks and hunts in the story arc I'd started. Then it was time to read to Mom, so I stopped. {Smile}

   After dinner I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I tried to say hi to Kitten and a few others. Kitten was tired, and didn't seem interested in teaming, and no one else responded, so I started to do a talk-heavy, reading-heavy story arc on the same low-level character I'd played on before dinner. I was just getting to the first fighting part when Dennis said hi and joined me. Then I suggested switching to what I'd been working on earlier. We did the last mission of that story arc, and the whole next story arc, which has more fighting and less talking. I also said goodnight to Nox on the chat server. Then Dennis and I switched to high level characters so we could work on an arc Dennis had. We did the first mission. The Kitten went unresponsive, and we had to kick them from the team to go on. We did a couple more missions, finishing that story arc. Then we said goodnight. I got caught up soloing something and started salsa dancing very late; that's why I didn't do more exercises. I watched videos in between and afterwards. Then I wrote some of this and made notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 10, 2024

    On Friday, I wrote a little more of my story in the morning. 

   A power failure hit late afternoon, during a thunderstorm. I think the power was out for between two and three hours at my house. While I wished I could take a bath, I started with my walking exercises. then with occasional breaks, I did my standing and sitting arm weight training exercises, my leg exercises, my arm swinging exercises, my head exercises, and my arm resistance exercises. That's everything except the salsa dancing, or the walking that can replace it. I also did one of the smaller parts of cleaning myself up more thoroughly than I have been recently. {smile}

   Mail arrived, including four picture books of babies for Mother's Day. One is damp and drying in the dry room. I read the others. One has no captions at all, just pictures. Another has brief captions. I expect her to love both of those. The other has a paragraph or two about babies per double page spread. I'm not sure she'll be as interested, but she should still like the cute babies. {Smile}

After that, I realized it was late to start dinner. Our nurse had set out stir fry and pot stickers. I ate most of it cold before the power came back on. Then I made a beeline for the microwave, and our nurse took over heating it up. He was very happy the pot stickers got heated, too. I will say that orange chicken and orange shrimp are not bad cold, but they're better warm. {SMILE}

   I still am not reading to Mom, though I am feeling better. If feeling better keep s up like I hope it does, I might read to her tomorrow. I'll see. {Smile}

In addition to doing all my non-dancing exercises during the power failure, I did my salsa dancing warmup set. Then I took a long if not that restful break and came back to do one more piece. I hoped to do another, maybe after a short break, but I was too tired. At least I got almost 15 minutes of salsa dancing. {Smile}

   Over and after breakfast, I read a couple of articles. Then I played Cross Stitch World and wrote a little more of my story. then I finished writing Thursday's daily update. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming to do a little paperwork. I also started writing this up. Then I read a bit of a web comic. After that, I went back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Kitten and Pierogies ready to team up. We got together, and Pierogies said which arc he had his heart set on. The third low-level character I tried could get it. We did the two hunts at the beginning, and first real mission. Then Pierogies left for the demands of real life. Kitten helped me do another story arc the same character had, one that would free them to gain a couple more levels than the one level they gained during it. We practically finished it. I was heading to the last talk when the power went out. {Smile}

   After the power came back on, I finished dinner and wrote this up before hopping back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I finished that talk and said hi to Kitten. They invited me into a farm they were running to help some folks level their characters. I did chat with Soothing Darkness and Divi, but they were both on big teams that didn't have room for more than one, if they even had room for one, so I stayed with Kitten. Eventually Dr. Faustus said hi, and joined us for a mission, but he left after one mission when he realized it was just a farm not a story. I tried to join him, but I guess I didn't communicate soon enough that I was pretty bored with the farm, too. I did manage to communicate that to Kitten, who suggested we join a team doing fairly unusual individual missions. So, I and one of their accounts broke away from the farm and did a few missions with that group until I left to do my exercises. The long but not restful break was the biggest part of cleaning myself up, with a little more afterwards. Then I made notes and wrote a tiny bit more in this, so I could finish it easily on Saturday. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 9, 2024

    I was feeling much better on Thursday, but still being careful. I'm not reading to Mom or eating with her again yet. If she didn't catch anything from me before I was careful, she shouldn't now. {Smile}

   I got a phone call from Auntie Barbara on the house phone. She'd tried calling my cellphone, and I hadn't answered. That's probably because it wasn't in my pocket, and I didn't hear it. We had a nice talk about other things, too. {Smile}

   When I hung up, I went looking for my phone, and found it where I do medical tests. I guess it didn't get back into my pocket after testing my blood sugar that morning. I called Auntie Barbara back on it to tell her how quickly I found it. {Smile}

   I did my salsa dancing warmup after teaming and some paperwork on CoH. Then I took a moderate break, then did my two standing arm weight training exercises and four sitting arm weight training exercises with only a short break in the middle. Then, after a short break, I did my salsa dancing less structured set - yes, the full one, for almost 20 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing between the two sets. Then I did my head exercises right away. After that I felt tired, but after another break, I did my arm resistance exercises. I would have done my leg exercises, since I missed those yesterday, and did do the head and arm resistance exercises then, but I didn't have that much energy. {smile}

   After breakfast, I played Cross Stitch World. Then I wrote Wednesday's daily update before lunch. Over lunch, I read web fiction. After lunch, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Michiel on a villain. I grabbed a villain fairly close in level, and we teamed up for a couple of his missions. Then Michiel left, needing a break. I was settling down to paperwork when Pierogies said hi. We teamed up and did one of my missions on the same villain. Then Ulty invited me to join a light roleplaying mission team doing high level hero missions. (We talk like our characters while playing the game.) I swear that's my favorite type of roleplaying, so I asked if my friend could come, too. However, Pierogies noticed it was time to gather for the later long, large-group event, so he left to join them instead. I joined Ulty and friends, and we did a few individual missions in character. My character reached the level where the endgame begins, which is a notable step. Then Ulty left, and the team broke up around dinner time. {Smile}

   I was just starting on a particularly large amount of paperwork that suddenly comes up when characters reach the endgame when Pierogies said hi. I asked him to help me with the paperwork, since there was a bunch of stuff that was easier to hand to Pierogies and have him hand it back than transfer it between my characters directly. After that, Pierogies and I teamed up and ran a farm mission, to see if my character is a good farmer. We agreed he's good actively but not passively yet, but he shows potential. Then Pierogies left, being tired. Dennis said hi just as I was thinking about more paperwork. We teamed up and did a few missions, nicely testing my character. I also said goodnight to Nox; we missed talking again. Then Dennis left, and I did more paperwork that I let wait while we were teaming. After that I did my exercises, with Cross Stitch World, watching a video, City of Heroes: Homecoming paperwork, and starting to write this, and reading comics in between. Afterwards, I read one more chapter of the web novel, wrote a little more of this, and made a lot of notes to write from. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 8, 2024

    After breakfast, I called I called Life Care Center, where they connected me to physical therapy. They didn't answer, so I left a message. They did call back a while later. I explained about being pretty mildly sick, and they cancelled my appointment for the day, and made two more appointments for the next two weeks. Then they close for summer. She said I should reapply in August. {Smile}

   I also called the nutritionist several times. I only got the answering machine, where I left messages, but she still hadn't called back when it was time to leave if I was going. I wasn't so sick it would be hard to handle, so I contacted Uber, and a fellow came and took me down. I'd found an address on the web that wasn't the same as last time, but seemed current, so I tried there. Neither I nor the driver spotted anything, so he offered to wait while I looked for it.

   Fortunately, as I was coming to the conclusion that I wasn't finding it, the nutritionist called to ask where I was. I explained I was at the wrong place and asked for the right address. the nutritionist gave it, and the same driver took me to the right place. I had a nice appointment once I got to the right place, and the nutritionist was happy how quickly I came once I knew the right address. Afterwards, I contacted Uber, and went back home without incident. {Smile}

  I didn't read to Mom, because I was following the nursing company's policy of keep Mom's exposure to sick people to a minimum. As mild as it is for me, it could so easily be worse her, and she's unlikely to come back all the way from being sick. We don't need that. {small smile}

   Since I didn't do physical therapy today, I did do my head exercises and arm swinging exercises while waiting for Uber. Then I did my arm resistance exercises during a lull on City of Heroes: Homecoming. Next, I did my salsa dancing warmup set after ending teaming late. The I started my less structured salsa dancing set. I got through the second piece after a false start but started to stumble and feel unsteady between 1 and two minutes into the second piece. That's about one piece better than I did the last two or three nights, so I'll take it. I did feel a bit tired for any of the exercises still left, so I stopped there. {worn smile}

   After breakfast and the first round of calls, I played Cross Stitch World. That got interrupted by the called from Life Care Center's outpatient physical therapy, which I welcomed. Then I played more Cross Stitch World and finished Tuesday's daily update before and into an early lunch. I started reading a web novel as I finished lunch and for a while afterwards. Then I popped into City of Heroes: Homecoming just before leaving for the appointment with the nutritionist. I found Pierogies, but he didn't respond. I also found Michiel, and we commiserated, because we were both less well than great. {smile}

   After the appointment, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Dennis, and we teamed up on mid-level villains to do a story arc. Then he left around dinner time, and Pierogies came on and said hi. We teamed up on high-level heroes and did a couple of his missions. Then Pierogies left because he was tired, and I started on some paperwork. Partway through, Dennis came back, and we did some badge hunting on high level heroes. Then he left, and I did some exercises and more salsa dancing than I could for a couple nights there. I also played some Cross Stitch World, did some City of Heroes: Homecoming paperwork, and wrote a little of this. I made a lot of notes to write from properly the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 7, 2024

    On Tuesday, I finally admitted to myself that I'm not quite well. I don't really feel sick, but this is the third day in a row I've seen mild to very mild symptoms of illness. I may have to reschedule physical therapy tomorrow; I'll see. 

   I looked into another website similar to Kofi but allowing folks to do things without signing up. Unfortunately, I couldn't get it to respond to my attempts to start an account. You're supposed to submit an account name... it didn't accept it, nor did it acknowledge rejecting it, and it certainly didn't make alternative suggestions like most sites do. Then I checked out Patreon, and it did let me begin to sign up, but I didn't get very far, because I really need to figure it out first. {small smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I was just about at my usual time, which felt pretty good, considering how late I started my bath before it. Mom was awake and looking around, almost alert, even. She even said she enjoyed the readings and the pictures. First, I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Next, I read the first few pages from _the Picture Book of Kids and animals. Sure enough, she even perked up a bit for that one. I thought it was one of her favorites. After that, I read "Aladdin," from _5-minute Mary Engelbreit Fairy Tales_. I ended with the 7th of May's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Moonlight." {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises and my leg exercises after dinner. Then I did my walking exercises after teeming for the evening and took a break. Next came my salsa dancing warmup with another break. However, when I tried my less structured salsa dancing set, I wasn't far into the first place, when I backed into a chair and had to stop to regain my balance. I decided that discretion can be a good idea if it prevents injury, so, I quit. {small smile}

   After breakfast, I played Cross Stitch World Then I wrote up Monday's daily update before lunch, though two got shared later in the afternoon by accident. After lunch, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Div and Kitten. We chatted, then teamed up and did a couple of my missions. Then Div left, and Pierogies said hi and joined us. We did a couple more of my missions, along with three hunts I'd picked up and didn't finish on my own. Then I left to take my bath before reading to Mom. I'm pretty happy with how soon I finished that bath. {Smile}

   After dinner and some exercises, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I saw Kitten, Dennis, Dark, and Ulty, and said hi to each. Ulty was in another private role-play. Dennis was just leaving. Dark, Kitten, and I teamed up, with Dark and me on little villains. We ran about half of a story arc of mine before Dark left. Kitten had gone unresponsive, so, since we ended on a series of talks with various characters, I finished those on my own. Then Dennis came back, and we teamed up on higher level villains for one of his missions. Next, he left, and I did a little paperwork, and then worked on my exercises. I read comics and such in between and after the exercises and ended with writing this up and making notes in it, mixed with a little more paperwork. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 5, 2024

    I didn't write more of my story Monday, but I did think about what I need to do next, trying to plan it out ahead. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I was a bit later than I like this time. Mom was still awake and looking around, almost alert, even. She seemed to enjoy the reading and the pictures. First, I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I started her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Then I read the last few pages from _1960's Memory Lane_. Next, I read "Cinderella," from _5-minute Mary Engelbreit Fairy Tales_, starting that book. I ended with the 6th of May's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Warm Island." {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises and one of my standing arm weight training exercises between reading to Mom and eating dinner. Then I did the other standing arm weight training exercise after dinner. Then I did my head exercises when the taskforce in the evening was slow getting together. I did my salsa dancing warmup set after finishing with the game. After a break, I tried the less structured set, but got dizzy enough, I had to stop pretty quickly. So, I did my walking exercises instead. Then it got too late before I did more. {small smile}

   I played Cross Stitch World After breakfast until I switched to writing up Sunday's daily update before lunch. then I read comics over lunch. I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after lunch, where I found Div, who really wanted to show off the base they'd just completed. So, I toured it with them, admiring all the changes. Then they left, being too tired to play. After that, I soloed looking for things for the anniversary hunt badges on my 2nd-best badge collector. I also talked with Kitten on and off, who was too tired to keep it up, let alone team up. After getting all three badges, I broke to wash up before dinner. {Smile}

   After dinner and exercise, I got back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I talked with kitten and visited their base, which has much more detail now. I got stuck in a part they got me out, more than once. They say they need a special teleport for me, to keep me from getting stuck. Dennis joined us, and the three of us visited for a while before deciding we wanted to do something. Dennis suggested running a task force he needed. We gathered friends and maybe others, but one was too low-level, and didn't have any high enough. We ended up trying to find something all could do and settled on a lower-level taskforce. Which sounds nice except we were trying to help Dennis, and what we chose didn't help him much at all. After the taskforce, Dr. Faustus, who was the only other regularly mentioned friend who joined us, offered to let us tag along while he did badge missions. Most of us did, including Dennis, Kitten, and I. I tried to pick characters who could get the badges, but sometimes I didn't realize they had them. then I broke and started my exercises. Between and after my exercises, I read comics, played more Cross Stitch World, did a little City of Heroes: Homecoming paperwork, and a little research. Then I wrote some of this and made notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 5, 2024

    On Sunday, after breakfast, I contacted Uber. They connected me with Alan, and we had a nice talk going down. He got to the house lightly after the service was supposed to start, so I got there partly through the lessons, but sometimes late can't be helped. {small smile}

   We had lunch after church, which was nice, with good food and nice conversation. Though afterwards, our priest talked to me about my phone being too noisy. I tried to point out that I'd turned it off the first time it made noise, but I guess it would be better to do it earlier. {small smile}

   I came home with Auntie Barbara, who came in to visit with mom again. Mom sang ten songs again - a few twice. {Smile}

   A while later, home communion came. That was nice. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I more or less on time this time. Mom looking around and somewhat responsive. She seemed to enjoy the pictures. I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I read a Christmas letter from a friend of her sister's. Next, I read the next few pages from _1960's Memory Lane_. After that, I read "Beauty and the Beast," from _5 minute Mary Engelbreit Fairy Tales_, starting that book. I ended with the 5th of May's poem from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Pretty Ladybird." {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises, my head exercises, and my arm swinging exercises while waiting for Uber. Then I did one of my four sitting arm weight training exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. After cleaning myself up after teaming in the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup set. Then after a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. After another break, I did eight of my walking exercises, followed immediately by the other three sitting arm weight training exercises, and after a short break, my other six walking exercises. I didn't do my standing arm weight training exercises, or my leg exercises, but I'm starting to try to mix it up, so I don't always miss the same exercises. {Smile}

   After church, around home communion, I played Cross Stitch World. then I finished writing up Saturday's update. After that, I hopped into Coty of Heroes: Homecoming later than I meant to. If Div had been there, he'd left, but Perogies was there. We teamed up and did a few of my missions. We kept at them until Pierogies realized it was a good time to try to join the later MSR. He does love those, so we did join it. It was done in the new way, where they do it in a kind of mission, not the full, open zone. It went very similarly and wasn't as restricted as I expected. Apparently, a level restriction has been dropped. After it was done, I joined Dennis, who was hunting a few badges which are available special this month, because the anniversary of City of Heroes first opening is in May. After a while, I left to read to Mom. I hadn't gotten any of the badges yet, but Mom comes first. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I saw Pierogies, but assumed he was farming while offline. So, I started solo hunting the badges I'd been hunting before with Dennis. Two came very quickly, but the third didn't. then Pierogies said hi and joined me. We hunted the badges together. I also talked to Dr. Faustus, who was finishing up a task force. Pierogies finally got sleepy enough to leave a while later. I'd just begun hunting on my own when Dennis came in and joined me. We got together just about when my character finally got the last badge. So, I switched characters, and started hunting on my fifth best badge collector. Then Dr. Faustus got done and invited us to join him for a couple of badge missions. We leapt at it as a lovely change of pace, since this sort of badge hunting gets monotonous after a while. With Dr. Faustus, I got one badge on my 5th best badge-collector, and the other on my second-best badge collector, along with a related badge. Then I broke to clean myself up. I came back to find Nox had said hi just after I left and gone to bed a while later. I responded, so they'd find it in the morning. Then I started my salsa dancing and other exercises. Playing Cross Stitch World, watching videos, reading a comic, and writing a bit of this filled my breaks. Afterwards, I followed by making notes, reading a comic, and a tiny bit of soloing to start my second-best badge collector on one of the anniversary-badges. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 4, 2024

    On Saturday, I slowly worked on my story a little more. I got another character introduced kind of around lunch time. Two to go, and then we'll see what's next. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I got there right after my bath again, but at least I was pretty much on time this time. Mom was resting but opened her eyes and started responding more easily than the day before. She seemed to enjoy the pictures. I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I read a Christmas card from her nephew, an Easter card from her cousin, a birthday card from one of her sisters, and a Thanksgiving card from her other sister. Next, I read the next few pages from _1960's Memory Lane_. After that, I read "The Ugly Duckling," from _Five Minute Fairy Tales_ finishing that book. I ended with the 4th of May's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Golden Spider." {Smile}

   I did my two arm-resistance exercises and started my two standing arm weight training exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. I finished the last standing arm weight training exercise after dinner. Next, after teaming for the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup set. Then, after a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing. After another break, I did my seven leg exercises, then two of my four arm weight training exercises and eight of my fourteen walking exercises before it got too late. 

   After breakfast, I played Cross Stitch World. Then I finished writing Friday's daily update. Over lunch, I wrote a little more of my story. Then after lunch, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. there, I found Div, and we teamed up, doing a few of their missions. Pierogies joined us, despite not feeling good. We continued to do missions. Then Div left. I tried to find out if Pierogies felt up to more, and accidentally picked up a timed mission. Pierogies helped me finish that mission, then left. I did a little paperwork, then paused to clean myself up. That took me to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner and a little more exercise, I began writing this up, then hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I didn't find anyone on, so I tried soloing, but had trouble. So, I did some paperwork. Then Dr. Faustus came on late. We tried to help a friend of his, but they disappeared before we could. I talked with Nox a little on the chat server. Dr. Faustus kept getting pulled away by work. He got us into hunting a couple of giant monsters, so I got a couple of badges from that, while he could go in and out as work needed. He did slip in helping me finish the last mission in a story arc. then I did more paperwork and played a little Cross Stitch World. I also did my exercises, and a bit of research. Then I wrote a little of this, did a little paperwork, and made notes to finish writing this the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, May 3, 2024

    On Friday, a moral dilemma came up while I was playing on City of Heroes: Homecoming. Dr. Faustus insisted on sitting out the story arc the supergroup we belong to was supposed to do, because the contact we were supposed to help was a Nazi, and he's against helping them even in a game, and he felt his character would be, too. The gal who's the other person I'm more comfortable calling a friend, not just an acquaintance left about then... One of the others suggested we run something we could all do. I seconded that, but Dr. Faustus insisted we play on "for completion's sake." That's when I found myself with a serious dilemma. I play this game to spend time with my friends, and both of my real friends had left. Worse, at least one was sitting out as a conscientious objector, as far as I could figure. As I thought about it, I realized that my family has been fighting for civil rights in assorted movements for well over a century, if not longer. I don't mean just lip service. We've put our reputations on the line for civil rights. We've put our jobs on the line, too. Also, our freedom, and possibly our lives. It's a heritage I am proud of, and I am not going back on that heritage "for completion's sake" in a game. Not when a friend has decided it's worth sitting it out, even if he tries to decide for me that it's more important for me to support the group. If he hadn't done that, I probably would have played, too. I wouldn't be the first time I'd have chosen spending time with a friend over in-game ethics, but this time I actually got more time with my friend by sitting it out. {smile}

Also, our housekeeper came on Friday. Our house is definitely better for her attentions. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I got there right after my bath, and I'm fairly sure I was late at that. Mom needed to be woken up; the nurse helped with that, speaking louder than I'd gotten to yet. She did look at the pictures while I read, though she closed her eyes to rest when she'd seen enough. First, I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I read a Christmas card from her nice, a birthday card from one of her sisters, and a Valentine's card from her other sister. After that, I read the next few pages from _1960's Memory Lane_. Next, I read "The Emperor's New Clothes" from _Five Minute Fairy Tales_. I finished with the 3rd of May's poem from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Wood Sprite." {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises after teaming for the evening - all fourteen in one go. Then, with only brief pauses in between, I did my five head exercises, my two arm-resistance exercises, and my fourteen arm-swinging exercises. Then, after a longer break, I did my salsa dancing warmup set. Then, after another longer break, I did the first piece of my second salsa dancing set. I realized as I started that I was tired but tried to stick it out for that piece. I did, but as I finished, I realized that a second piece - even a shorter one - would probably not be the best choice. So, I stopped at almost 15 minutes of salsa dancing. I realized I was tired even for the simpler exercises, so I stopped for the night. {smile}

   Over breakfast, I played Cross Stitch World, and continued to do that through most of the morning. then I wrote up Thursday's daily update late in my morning, before lunch. After lunch, hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Div, and we teamed up. Pierogies said hi but wanted to check with his family before committing. Also, Dr. Faustus let me know the villain group he got me into had a meeting in a couple of hours. Not worried about that, Div and I started doing a mission of mine. Pierogies came back and joined us, and we ran a few more of my missions. Then Div left, and Pierogies left too, admitting he was tired. Finding myself free, I checked with Dr. Faustus. The meeting was going. I went, we were still chatting, but soon we adjourned to do a story arc. That's the story arc Dr. Faustus and I sat out, and another friend left before it started. In any case, I left early to squeeze in a bath before reading to Mom and managed to be later to start that than I hoped. {smile}

   After supper I went back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Dennis and we teamed up. We ran the last couple of missions in one of my character's story arcs, ending just when he hoped to leave because of an early morning. Then Dennis left, and I did a little paperwork, the looked around. I spotted someone asking for a team who was a bit lower level, so I asked if he'd found a team. He said no, but he'd hoped not to lead one, so I switched to a character closer to his level, and advertised, getting a few more characters on the team. We finished one of my story arcs, and all but one left. I advertised again, got a couple more, and we started another story arc. We did a few missions, and everyone left just about when I was hoping to start my exercises. So, I did my exercises, interspersed with writing this, reading comics, and playing Cross Stitch World. After the exercises, I made notes in this to write from the next day, then headed to bed. {Smile}