Daily Update, October 30, 2024

On Wednesday, after breakfast, I contacted Uber. A fellow came and took me to my dentist's office. While I waited, I met and talked to Dana, a friend of the family. Then the receptionist told me that I was in the wrong place. My calendar definitely said the dentist this time, but I remembered two previous occasions when I'd confused my dentist and my podiatrist, whose names are both Japanese and start similarly, though they end differently. So, I called my podiatrist. Yes, I had an appointment with them, but an hour later than I had in my calendar. I hung up, thought about this. It was less than five minutes to my podiatrist, but 20 minutes home, and another 20 back, and I didn't have a full hour anymore. I called my podiatrist again. Yes, the gal assured me I could go early. So, I contacted Uber, and a different fellow came and took me to my podiatrist. I waited a bit, but the fit me in early enough, the appointment ended about the time it was scheduled to begin. Then i contacted Uber again, and a third fellow came and took me home. {Smile}

I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was awake when I went in again. She closed her eyes a lot but opened them to look at some of the pictures, especially the ones of kids. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I read a Christmas card from her sister's friend. After that, I continued with some pictures in _Babies & Toddlers Happy Book_. Then I read the first story from _Richard Scarry's 5-Minute Stories_. I ended with October 30th's story, "The Picture," in _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

I did my head exercises while waiting for Uber to come take me home. Nothing really fit for the earlier Uber rides, but they worked nicely for that one. I did my arm resistance exercises between reading to Mom and eating dinner. Then, after playing City of heroes for part of the evening, I did my salsa dancing warm up set. After a break, I did the first piece I do less structured salsa dancing to for 14 3/4ers minutes of salsa dancing. I stopped there partly because it was late, but also because I just didn't want to overdo it after yesterday's knee trouble. {smile}

Over lunch, and afterwards a while, I played Vindictus. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Kitten in the middle long, large-group event, and joined it joined before they got to the big bad this time. We got together, and Pierogies joined us. Just then, the late long, large-group event began recruiting, surprising us with how early it was. All three joined that event. Afterwards, I fixed up my character, and the three of us ran a couple of missions to test it before I went to read to Mom. {Smile}

After dinner, I looked the half filled out absentee ballot I had. I answered the county charter amendments I hadn't answered, then looked up the offices I could vote for that I didn't know. I picked candidates, then prepared it to mail, and handed it to our nurse. Then I wrote up Tuesday's daily update. Especially with the voting, I got into City of Heroes: Homecoming late. I found a giant monster team, but we had trouble One left, and we recruited some others, including Phonso and Kitten. I tried talking to Nox, but was busier with the game than usual, so we talked less. Some left after those giant monsters, and Phonso ended up leading the team. He found a pair of giant monsters, but a zombie apocalypse found us before we started on them. So, we fought the zombies until they stopped. Then we fought the giant monsters next. After that, Phonso found one more giant monster, and we fought it. A couple of my new acquaintances joined us. Then Phonso left; and I got the team. We fought two more giant monsters before the team broke up. Kitten went to help the acquaintances gain a few levels on low-level characters. The one stranger who hadn't left and I tagged along. I left my character quiet in the game while I danced, then began writing and making note in this. Then I went back to the game and the same group. We chatted until Kitten and the acquaintances left. Then I did a little more dancing, some paperwork, and finished writing and making notes in this. {Smile}

Daily Update, October 29, 2024

On Tuesday, after breakfast, I contacted Uber. The driver came and took me to Sack 'N Save, a grocery store chain I think might be Hawai'i only. It's the closest store bigger than a 7-Eleven that might have something to hand out on Halloween, since we didn't have any, and Amazon couldn't get anything here before the second week of October.

There was a Halloween display right inside the front door of Sack 'N Save. Unfortunately, it only had candy, paper plates and napkins with Halloween designs, and a few makeup kits and such for one person per package. I reluctantly picked out a bag of candy with I knew would be rough on my diabetes if I took any, /then I checked out the rest of the store. The stationary had none of the cute, Halloween-themed notepads I'd eyed on Amazon. unfortunately, they would likely arrive in the second week of November if I ordered them. However, the aisle with a few toys in it had some packs of plastic dinosaurs, and some capsules with toy-shaped sponges that would expand greatly when wet. I particularly like the sponges, so I got three packs, but I also got two packs of dinosaurs in case kids seemed disappointed to get sponges. Then I very happily put the candy back. these won't upset my diabetes, but they should please trick-or-treaters if we get any. {Smile}

After I bought them, I contacted Uber, and a nice chatty driver took me home. {Smile}

I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was awake when I went in. She kept her eyes open, and looked at all the pictures, especially the ones of kids. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I read three Christmas cards, one from each of her two sisters, and one from her cousin's granddaughter. Next, I continued with some pictures in _Babies & Toddlers Happy Book_. After that I read the last story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I finished with October 28th's story, "In the Evening," in _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

I did my arm resistance exercises while waiting for Uber. Then I did my arm swinging exercises after dinner. After playing much of the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup. Towards the end of the warmup, my knee started hurting, but I finished out the set. Next, I took a bath, and my knee stopped bothering me, so i tried more salsa dancing. However, my knee started hurting again. I tried for a bit but had to stop at not quite 10 minutes of salsa dancing between the first set and the aborted second. After a Cross Stitch World to calm down, I did my head exercises, and both my standing and sitting arm weight training exercises. One of them got broken up because of my elbow hurting, but fortunately switching to another exercise helped stretch it out or something, because it didn't twinge as much when I went back, so I was ablet o finish the usual number of repetitions. {Smile}

Over breakfast I browsed the web. When breakfast was over, I made my shopping trip to get treats for Halloween. After I came back, I played Vindictus over lunch and afterwards. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I joined the middle long, large-group event just too late to get credit for the big boss, but I still did the rest and got decent rewards considering I missed the early parts, including the big boss. I told them about Pierogies being without internet. Not long afterwards, Pierogies came on and said hi. His internet was finally back! We talked, then teamed up on low-level characters. We did several missions of mine. I finished one contact's story arc and gained a level. Then I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

After dinner, I began writing up Monday's daily update, pausing to play more Vindictus than I meant to. Eventually, I stopped to finish Monday's update. Then I began Tuesday's update before I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Dennis, who had found a Halloween giant monster earlier. He was still there, so I recruited a team. We fought the giant monster. The team had started to disperse when the same giant monster appeared among us. We fought it, and I declared it must be the son of the first one. After that, Dennis looked around for the other Halloween giant monster, since there are two. Instead, he found a third one of the one we'd just fought twice. So, we fought this one, too, and I declared that it must be the grandson. When it was done someone asked what to do next just as the other Halloween themed giant monster appeared among us. So, we fought him next. I declared he was obviously jealous of all the attention the other guy's family got. For the record, giant monsters almost never spawn while people are around. In fact, I thought they had to spawn when no one was around until this happened. Then it was twice in one evening! After the giant monsters, we did a Halloween mission Dennis had. I also talked to Nox on the chat server. Then we did a few normal missions one of the strangers had. Phonso said hi during them, so I invited him to join us. He did. Then Azurette said hi, and I invited them to join us. They did. Eventually the team broke up. Dennis, Phonso, and the strangers left. Azurette and I talked a bit until they disconnected. they did come back, but only to say goodnight because I still needed to dance. I started to write and make notes in this just before dancing. Then I cleaned myself up. Next, I tried to dance again, but my knee hurt too much. I played Cross Stitch World until I decided to try those arm exercises that I hadn't done yet. After I did them, I barely peeked at Vindictus before I wrote and made notes in this. {Smile}

Daily Update, October 28, 2024

On Monday, I just stayed home and took it easy. I meant to run to the store for treats for Halloween but got caught up in reacquainting myself with Vindictus instead. {Smile}

I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was resting when I went in. She wasn't fully asleep, and did open her eyes to look at the pictures of kids. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I read two Christmas cards, one from her niece, and the other from her nephew, Then I started showing her pictures in _Babies & Toddlers Happy Book_. Next, I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I ended with October 28th's poem, "Rain," in _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

I did my arm resistance exercises between reading to mom and eating dinner. After playing on City of Heroes: Homecoming much of the evening. I did one piece and roughly half of a second piece for my less structured salsa dancing, for a total of 17 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing. {Smile}

After breakfast, I got into Vindictus, and stayed there, trying more of it than I have been. I suddenly realized I barely had time to clean myself up before lunch, so that's what I did. Over and after lunch, I read comics and checked out Vindictus some more. This meant getting into City of Heroes: Homecoming late. It looked like the middle long, large-group event had just finished, so I looked around. I found Divi waiting to join a very high-level trial. I joined it and ran it on my third best badge collector and got the three badges she hadn't gotten (there are six possible for each of this type of trial). Afterwards, I saw the later long, large-group event advertising, so I joined it and ran it. Then I went straight to the late short, large-group event. Then I did some paperwork before I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

After dinner, I wrote up Sunday's Daily Update with breaks for Cross Stitch World and comics before hopping back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Dennis and joined him in a hunt, switching to character who needed it. Phonso said hi. He wasn't doing any taskforce, and he ended up leaving. So did Dennis when he got bored with the hunt. After he left, I switched characters and ran two high-level individual missions. Then i joined a giant monster hunt. After that, I talked with another hunter while working on paperwork. Next, I began writing this up and making notes in it. Then I started dancing, reading comics int eh break between the sets. Then I checked Vindictus and finished making notes in this. {Smile}

Daily Update, October 27, 2024

On Sunday, after breakfast, I contacted Uber. Despite getting going slower than usual, the fellow who came and got me got me there while folks just before the announcements. He's wondering about joining. Yes, my church, since that's the one he was raised in, too. We had a nice service. {Smile}

After the service, we had lunch on the lanai. I sat with Auntie Barbara, dn we caught up with what each other have been doing. After that, I picked up another booklet of scripture and thoughts about it for the next three months. {Smile}

Then I went home with Auntie Barbara She came in with me, and we sang. Mom helped with the first two songs, then sang most of the next three, and parts of a couple more. This is by far the longest singing session we've had with Mom in months. {Smile}

Home communion come shortly afterwards, but they left, saying they'd come back another day. They said Mom was too tired, especially when they heard how much singing she'd just done. I can't seem to help thinking they overreacted, but I do know that her going downhill is more obvious to folks who haven't been here as often. They may have more of a point than I quite realize. {smile}

I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was awake when I went in. She said she enjoyed the pictures of kids. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I finished her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. After that, I finished showing her pictures in _The 40 Cutest Children and Animal Photographs_. Then I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I finished with October 27th's story, "The Race," in _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

I did my arm resistance exercises and my arm swinging exercises between reading to Mom and eating dinner. Then I did eight of my 12 walking exercises, followed shortly by my head exercises. After playing Vindictus, I did three more of my 12 walking exercises. After a much shorter break, I did the last three walking exercises. I'd really hoped and meant to do more, but I ran out of time. It was too late when i finished those walking exercises as it was. {Smile}

After home communion left, I called my cousin Kim, Aunt Valerie's daughter. We talked more about how our mothers are doing than ourselves. Then I found a note from Pierogies. He'll be unavailable for an indefinite amount of time. I passed on the news to Kitten and Dennis. Later, I texted with him a couple times. I also texted with Auntie Barbara a couple times, too. After passing on Pierogies' news, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started on paperwork. Then I joined Kitten after the early long, large-group event. A friend of theirs who's an acquaintance of mine's haunted house was open. I hadn't seen it yet, so we went, and I toured the whole thing. Dennis and his best friend joined us, also touring the whole thing. Dennis's best friend left first. Then Dennis left. Then I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

After dinner I wrote up Saturday's daily update, with breaks for a little Cross Stitch World. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I teamed up with Kitten and Dennis. We ran Dennis's missions. I also talked to Nox on chat server. Eventually, Dennis left, and we ran a couple of my missions. then Kitten went quiet. I played myself until I was sure they were gone. Then I began writing this up and making notes. Next, I watched some videos. After that I did some exercise. Then I hopped into Vindictus and spent more time playing than I meant to. When I did leave, I did some more exercise, then made some notes in this and read a comic before exercising a little more. I finished my evening writing and notes in this and checking out a new comic. {Smile}

Daily Update, October 26, 2024

On Saturday, I took it easy. I took no trips out, we had no visitors, I didn't even get a phone call. Just a nice, quiet, restful day. {Smile}

I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was awake when I went in. I think she enjoyed looking at the pictures, especially the ones of kids. She even said she enjoyed one of the stories I read. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Next, I showed her some pictures in _The 40 Cutest Children and Animal Photographs_. After that, I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I ended with October 26th's story, "Flop-Ears' Treat," in _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

No exercise the day after physical therapy. I'm not aware of being tired, but I know I'll discover I'm still too tired to exercise if I try. {Smile}

After breakfast with Mom, I read comics and played Cross Stitch World into lunch. Sometime during lunch, I switched to writing Friday's daily update. I continued writing for a while afterwards, but didn't finish. When I stopped, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies and Kitten in the middle long, large-group event. I joined them just as they were finishing the big boss's fight. During the event, I helped one character start getting a reward they'd been missing. Afterwards, i told them how to get started on the end game with their character, who was newly eligible. I teamed up with Kitten, Pierogies, and the new person afterwards. We three helped them with the introductory story arc. Kitten and Pierogies left to join the later long, large group event one mission before the end. I stayed to do that last mission and help them through an introduction to the first end game zone. Then I introduced them to the individual high-level missions, and we ran one together. The new one left after establishing a connection, just after Kitten joined us again. Kitten and I did another individual mission. Kitten asked why I do them. The character I was on had depleted a lot of her game money helping to establish her grandkids, who are other characters of mine. When we were done, I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

After dinner, I finished writing Friday's daily update, with a break to play Cross Stitch World. Then I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I said hi to Kitten, Ulty, Jenny's Player, Divi, and Azurette. I ended up talking with Azurette. Then we teamed up, and Kitten joined us. I was on a moderately low-level character whose missions we ran most of the evening. I talked with Nox on chat server, too. A while into the run, I spotted an acquaintance from last night and said hi. They joined us, and the group of us finished out a half-done contact. I finally got the last drop I've been hoping for her! Near the end, we ran into a giant monster. I handed the star to the acquaintance and got a friend of theirs who's another acquaintance of mine to join. Then we did one last hunt, and I did a little paperwork and began writing and making notes in this before I cleaned myself up. Then I made more notes in this, with a break to read comics. {Smile}

Daily Update, October 25, 2024

On Friday, part way through the morning, I contacted Uber. A nicely chatty fellow came and took me to physical therapy. That went well. They tested my vertigo between the warmup on the machine, and the salsa dancing in the harness, which lets me do more complicated moves more safely. Afterwards, I called my doctor's office and asked them to resubmit the order for other kinds of therapy, since my therapist seemed to think they hadn't gotten it when I asked. They will. After that, I contacted Uber, and a nice, chatty fellow took me home. {Smile}

I've thinking about my writing, and this is the day I realized that it's not anti-social. Many authors claim theirs is, and I'll believe it is for them... but it's not for me. If I try to hole up like they describe, the ideas dry up, and everything else seems more urgent somehow, even things like Cross stitch World, which I know isn't important like my writing seem to get in the way. Oht eh other hand, if I can find a way to make my writing at least somewhat social, the ideas flow more freely, and I have less trouble getting around to it. So now I'm trying to think of ways to make this social enough to work. Any suggestions you have would be very welcome indeed. {SMILE}

I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was sleepy but awake when I went in. She woke up more while I read to her. I think she enjoyed looking at the pictures, especially the ones of kids. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Then I showed her some pictures in _The 40 Cutest Children and Animal Photographs_. Next, I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I finished with October 25th's story, "Boko's New Hat," in _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

I had quite enough exercise in physical therapy today. I even left feeling a bit tired, though I seem to have recovered enough, I don't anymore. {Smile}

After breakfast with Mom, I played Vindictus until my physical therapy. When I got back, I quickly had lunch with Mom. After that I went to finish up in Vindictus before I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I started with paperwork. Then I got together with Kitten where we did a mission one of my moderately low-level characters had. After that, Kitten spotted a high-level trial. I went to find character and ended up missing the trial. However, soon after, Pierogies said hi. Then Kitten joined us - the trial was short, and over already. We three all joined the later long, large-group event. Afterwards, Dennis joined us for a couple of missions before I left to read to Mom; Dennis and Pierogies left, then, too. {Smile}

After dinner, I wrote up the day before's daily update, with breaks for Cross Stitch World and reading comics. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I found Dennis and Kitten. Yes, Dennis got back before I did. Anyway, we teamed up and did a mission. I also said hi to Ulty, Jenny's Player, Divi, and Phonso. Turned out that Phonso was just finishing a taskforce. In the meantime, a friend of Kitten's and acquaintance of mine joined us. Then Phonso invited us to the next taskforce he was running, so we joined it.  I also started talking with Nox on the chat server. After the taskforce, Phonso ran a strike force that my group and Divi joined too. Afterwards, we did a mission. Then Divi and Dennis left. Kitten and the acquaintance did more missions with me. First one then a second friend of theirs joined us. I was acquainted with at least one of them. Eventually, I left, and started writing this up/ IO broke to check out Vindictus, then finished making notes in this. {Smile}

Daily Update, October 24, 2024

On Thursday, I had an appointment with my nutritionist right after breakfast. the first link she sent me, from her chosen video host, sent me to "this page does not exist." When she tried a link though my insurance, it worked fine. Once we got it working, I had a nice appointment. {Smile}

After that appointment, I started on a bunch of phone calls I'd remembered I really needed to do. I called my podiatrist first and made my next appointment with them. Next, I called my cardiologist by accident. I really wanted my surgeon. However, as long as I was talking, we confirmed my next cardiology appointment as we worked that out. After that, I called my surgeon to ask about a follow up to the ultrasound. After looking for a while, they promised to call back. They haven't yet, so I'll have to follow up... unfortunately next week, since it's after hours on a Friday. Then I called my doctor and left a message asking about my test results. They did call back and told me the short version is the numbers are good, and to keep doing what I'm doing. They will mail the results, too. {Smile}

I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom seemed to be asleep when I went in but woke to groggily respond. She woke further while I read and started opening her eyes when there were pictures of kids to look at. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. After that, I started showing her pictures in _The 40 Cutest Children and Animal Photographs_. Then I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I ended with October 24th's story, "Late for School," in _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

I did my head exercises, and my arm resistance exercises between beginning to write this up and hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. After playing for most of the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup. Then I cleaned myself up. I hoped to dance more after that, but it was really too late. I might have tried anyway, but I was really too tired. I didn't want to stumble and risk getting hurt, so I just stopped. {resigned smile}

After the phone calls, I went straight to lunch with Mom. After lunch, I hopped into City of Heroes Homecoming, where I started with paperwork. Then I joined the later long, large-group event after they began. I got most of the event, including the big boss who opens the main battle. After that, I did more paperwork. Then Pierogies said hi. He showed off a new costume, and then we teamed up. We worked on a stat improving badge he needed after I found a character who could work on it too. We ran three missions before we got the one that we wanted on the third try. Then we got a simpler badge together. After that, I switched characters, getting a character just enough higher to help who was hoping to gain level anyway. We ran a mission I had. Dennis came in and said hi while we were finishing up. He got a character who needs what we were working on, and we worked on a long hunt until I left to read to Mom. No, we weren't done. The others were ready for a break too, though. {Smile}

After dinner, I finished Wednesday's daily update with breaks to play Cross Stitch World. Then I began making notes and writing in this. After that, I did a few exercises before I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies, and we continued working on that badge. Dennis joined us. Pierogies left, not quite done. Dennis said he was bored with that, so we looked for something else. While we were deciding what to do next, Phonso said hi, and invited us to a quick taskforce. I got a character, and realized part way through that this character had finished with what I wanted from the taskforce. We thought we were running another one, so I switched to the character I wanted it on. We fought a particularly elaborate giant monster instead. Azurette joined us, expecting the taskforce. When Phonso left after the giant monster, Azurette ran the task force. Then she and I ran a mission after the rest of the team broke up. Then we talked until I left o dance. After dancing, I cleaned myself up. Then I started working on this, playing a little Cross Stitch world when I needed a break before finishing my notes in this. {Smile}

Daily Update, October 23, 2024

 Wednesday, I stayed home and took things easy.

I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was mostly awake when I came in, and looked at things with some prompting, though she didn't respond directly. She may have fallen asleep during the first bedtime story, but I just kept reading in case she was listening with her eyes closed. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Next, I finished showing her pictures in _The 40 Cutest Mother & Child Photographs_. After that, I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I finished with October 23rd's story, "The Kangaroos" in _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

I did my head exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did my arm resistance exercises between starting this and reading comics before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. After playing on City of Heroes Homecoming and checking out some of Vindictus, I did another piece and bit over half of another for slightly over 17 1/2 minutes of salsa between the two sets. I think I stopped before I was quite as tired as the last time I stopped, but I thought stopping before I stumbled might be better. {Smile}

Starting over breakfast, I researched something with Vindictus, the game I just went back to. Then I went into Vindictus, and managed to come out too late to clean up before lunch. So, I browsed the web over lunch. Then I checked On City of Heroes: Homecoming. I didn't find Div, or anyone else I particularly wanted to catch early, so I took a break to clean myself up. Then I went back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I just barely missed the middle short, large-group event, so I went to the middle long, large-group event, arriving on the early side. When that event was done, I did the paperwork it had produced. Then I saw Dennis and said hi. I joined him trick-or-treating with just us. We talked a bit about how my characters follow urban fantasy conventions, and how those are different from comic superheroes. He'd been pushing me to make them more like superheroes, but I really enjoy and am comfortable with fantasy, including urban fantasy. After a while, I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

After dinner, I wrote up Tuesday's daily update, with breaks to play Cross Stitch World. Then I read comics before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. As I was settling in, Phonso and Pierogies came in Phonso wanted to do a shorter strike force than the taskforce we did the last two nights. Pierogies thought that sounded great. He and I both joined Phonso. I checked with several other friends while we waited for Phonso to fill the team, but no one else was interested. We ran the Taskforce. I also talked with Nox on chat server. After the taskforce, I did some paperwork. Then I played Cross Stitch World. Next came dancing, then some Vindictus. Then more dancing followed by more Vindictus. I finished out the evening writing and making notes in this with minimal breaks. {Smile}

Daily Update, October 22, 2024

 On Tuesday morning, I fixed my Vindictus account so I could get in. I spent most of the morning doing that, but I did it. I reset my email, my password, and my secondary password when each were on a different screen down a different path of clicks. After that, I logged in to look something up, and stayed to make sure it was working well, parts of it were. I didn't try a quest yet, so I can't speak for the main game. {smile}

I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was awake, and looked at things attentively, though she didn't respond directly. I'd still say it was a fairly good day for her. I usually have to work more at getting her to look at things now. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Then I showed her pictures in _The 40 Cutest Mother & Child Photographs_, staying longer because she kept actually looking at the pictures. Next, I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I ended with October 22nd's story, "The Kangaroos" in _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

I did my arm resistance exercises after dinner. Then I did my head exercises between starting this and getting back to City of Heroes: Homecoming. After playing City of Heroes then Vindictus most of the evening, it was late, but still easy to fit in my salsa dancing warmup set. After a short break, I squeezed in one piece of less structured salsa dancing, but I was too tired to even try another piece after that. {Smile}

Over breakfast, I started working on fixing my Vindictus account. Then I went back into it and kept at it right after lunch. When it had settled down, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Kitten and Pierogies eager to start the taskforce Kitten and I did the night before. So, we did it, it took a bit over two hours, but we did it. Dennis was disappointed that we were well into it when he came in. He couldn't' join us, and he'd missed it, but he amused himself playing with other friends. We finished just in time to join the new later short, large-group event in time to get both good rewards. Then I did a little paperwork before I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

After dinner, I wrote up Monday's daily update, with breaks for a little CSW, and reading some comics. Then I started making notes and writing in this. After that, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I teamed up with kitten, and we did a mission. Dennis joined us, and we did another mission. Then Phonso invited us to that same taskforce I'd done the night before and that afternoon. Dennis was so excited to finally catch it! So, we ran it after Phonso recruited enough more for a team. I also tried to talk to Nox on the chat server, but they needed a long break, and we ran out of time. So, we mainly said goodnight. After the TF, Phonso said goodnight, and Kitten and I ran a mission. Then Kitten suddenly went quiet. I played Cross Stitch World while waiting to see if they'd come back. When they faded off, I checked out Vindictus, and spent a little over an hour with it without realizing it. I hurriedly started my salsa dancing, wrote and made notes in this between sets of salsa dancing. Then I did more writing and making notes in this. Then I watched a couple of videos and finished making notes in this. {Smile}

Daily Update, October 21, 2021

On Monday, I called my internet provider and cancelled the router rental while keeping the internet service. I confirmed that a few times, because I don't want to lose my internet, nor do I want to keep playing $10 a month for a router when I can buy them outright fairly economically. {Smile}

Alter, I called Aunt Valerie. She didn't answer, and her mailbox is full, so I called her daughter, my cousin Kim. She answered, and we had a long talk. Turned out Aunt Valerie was listening in, so she heard it, too. {Smile}

I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom seemed asleep when I went in but woke when I said I was here to read to her. She answered me once, too. I'd say it was a fairly good day for her. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. After that, I read from _The 40 Cutest Mother & Child Photographs_, but soon stopped because she seemed a bit sleepy to enjoy the pictures. Next, I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. Then I went back to _The 40 Cutest Mother & Child Photographs_ because she seemed more awake. This time I was sure she could see the pictures. Lastly, I ended with October 21st's story, "Clever Jip!" in _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

Between reading to Mom and eating dinner, I did my arm swinging exercises and my arm resistance exercises. After playing much of the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup set. After a rest, I did a less structured piece and started another. I had to stop a little over halfway through because I got tired, but I think I got around 17 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing, which is my best since the recent operations. {Grin}

Over and after breakfast, I browsed on the web, read comics, and played Cross Stitch World until I started the phone calls. After the phone calls, I cleaned myself up. Then I had lunch, during which I wrote some of Sunday's daily update. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I said hi to Pierogies and Kitten, who were just finishing up the middle long, large-group event. It sounded too late to join, so I did paperwork while I waited for them to finish. After it was done, we teamed up. They let me choose what to do, so I finished a story arc on one of the moderately low-level characters I've been developing. Then I picked another mission on the same character. Kitten went quiet as we started, and Pierogies left right after we got the goal. I cleared the rest of the mission by self, with some difficulty, to see if I could. It was a bit of a challenge, but I liked that. After I finished, I did some paperwork and chatted with Rosie until I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

After dinner, I finished writing up Sunday's daily update and played a little Cross Stitch World in the middle as a break. Then I began making notes and writing in this. Next, I spent entirely too much time trying to get into Vindictus, a game I used to play, either with Div or by myself. Eventually, I gave up and went back to City of Heroes: Homecoming. I joined Pierogies, Dennis, and Kitten in a farm. Then Phonso invited us to a taskforce. Pierogies was too close to bedtime to join a taskforce, and Dennis had had too rough a day to want the rigors of a taskforce. Kitten and I joined Phonso's taskforce after he started recruiting publicly. I wrote more of this while waiting for it to fill. Then I ran the taskforce with Kitten, Phonso, and four others he'd recruited. After that, I did some paperwork before my salsa dancing warmup. I talked with Kitten a bit dur in the break, then did the rest of my salsa dancing. After that, I talked with my British friend, and left notes for Nox to find in the morning on the chat server. Since we'd missing talking, I thought it was better than nothing. I also did some City of Heroes: Homecoming paperwork and finished my notes in this. {Smile}

Daily Update, October 20, 2024

On Sunday, after breakfast, I contacted Uber, and a guy came and took me to church. He was across town, and I wasn't running early, so I got there at the tail end of the announcements. I sat with Auntie Barbara and Michelle. I enjoyed the service. 

Afterwards, we had lunch on the lanai. At least I tried to. I did set out the nuts I finally remembered to bring. However, I spent so much time telling folks about my backyard being full of wood, I barely had time to eat, and didn't get to visit much. I even took the plate of dessert home. I ate two small pieces and saved the rest for another day. This may be better for controlling my weight anyway. {Smile}

Then Auntie Barbara took me home. I'd been hoping to talk then, since I was too busy advertising the wood to talk over lunch, but another gal they were taking home afterwards was very chatty, so I didn't get a chance.  {smile}

When we got home, Auntie Barbara came in and visited with Mom. Mom said hello and added a line she likes to add to the end of Happy Birthday the first time we sang it, but she wouldn't join in the next song or do it again when we repeated Happy Birthday. Still, two so close together count as a good day these days. I think Mom likes seeing Auntie Barbara most weeks. {Smile}

I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was awake when I went in. She looked at all the pictures, even turning her head for at least one that wasn't central for her. Especially with the visit when Auntie Barbara brought me home, I'd say t was a good day for her. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Next, I read from _The 40 Cutest Mother & Child Photographs_. After that, I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I finished with October 20th's story, "Cyril's Tail," in _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

I did my arm resistance exercises and my head exercises while waiting for Uber to come pick me up. Then I did my arm swinging exercises between beginning to write this up after dinner and going back into City of Heroes: Homecoming in the evening. After playing City of Heroes: Homecoming for much of the evening, I did my standing arm weight training and eight of my walking exercises. after a break, i accidentally repeated two walking exercises I'd already done before doing the other six. So, I guess I did 16 of my 14 walking exercises. Maybe on next week's light exercise night I can do other exercises, since I'm tired, but not impossibly so. {smile}

After I got home, I browsed the web and played Cross Stitch World before I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started by finishing some paperwork I hadn't finished the night before. Then I noticed them advertising the middle short, large-group event, so I joined it. (I used to call it the early short, large group event, but I just learned they've added an earlier one I'm never on early enough to catch.) After that, Pierogies said hi. We talked, then teamed up to do a couple of individual high-level missions.  Then he left, and I did some paperwork. I also talked with Dennis, and we almost teamed up until I realized it was time to read to Mom. So instead, we said goodnight in case we didn't see each other again, and I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

After dinner, I browsed on the web a bit and played some Cross Stitch World before I finished writing up Saturday's daily update. Then I started making notes and writing in this update. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started on paperwork. I also started talking with Michiel, Divi, Ulty, Jenny's Player, and Dr. Faustus. I said goodnight to Michiel, Ulty, and Jenny's Player, then teamed up with Dr. Faustus. We began working on a moderately low character of mine's missions. Dennis joined us early in the run. After a mission or two, they noticed another team of similar level, so we combined teams. I also talked a little with Nox on the chat server, too. Anyway, the combined team ran some of my missions, then some of another player's missions. After that, we were having trouble finding low-level missions that weren't restricted in a way that not all of us could do it, so we ended with a few individual missions, including a special one at the end. After that, I started on more exercises, making notes in this during the break before I did more exercises yet. After that, I went back to City of Heroes: Homecoming for some paperwork, then finished my notes in this before bed. {Smile}

Daily Update, October 19, 2024

On Saturday, I got a phone call from Auntie Barbara after dinner. She is back from her trip visiting her family and friends back home. We made plans to meet in church the next day. It's wonderful knowing she's back! {SMILE}

I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. Mom seemed asleep when I went in but woke right up when I said I was ready to read. She was looking at all the pictures and listening, too. She even answered me once. So, it was a good day. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. then I read from _Teh 40 Cutest Mother & Child Photographs_. Next, I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I ended with October 19th's poem, "The Wise Owl," in _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

No exercise again, since it's the day after physical therapy. Tomorrow I can do something lighter, but Salsa dancing will wait another day. {Smile}

I read books over breakfast. Then I wrote much of Friday's daily update after that, with only a little browsing on the web, until I stopped to clean myself up. After that, I did some more writing and web browsing over lunch. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found advertising for the early long, large-group event pretty quickly, so I joined it. After that, I did some paperwork and hunted for badges by myself until I caught the later short, large-group event. I learned their new schedule starts tomorrow. I will have to change the names I call the events. There's a 5 PM/3 PM weekends Eastern U.S.A. time. I'm never in early enough to catch that one. There's a 7Pm Eastern U.S.A. time. I caught that today. I've been calling that the early one, but I guess it's the middle one now. There will be an 11pm Eastern U.S.A time one starting tomorrow, replacing the 10Pm and midnight runs (also Eastern U.S.A. times). Anyway, after that event I caught the later long, large group event. That's moving half an hour earlier, to 10 PM Eastern U.S.A. time to accommodate the other shift, since most people who do one do the other, too. Also, Pierogies came in part way through, and joined us. We visited afterwards. Then we started a quick individual mission when Dennis said hi and joined us. The three of us ran the mission. Then I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

After dinner, I browsed on the web and played Cross Stitch World until I got the phone call from Auntie Barbara. After hanging up, I felt ready to begin writing and taking notes in this update. When that was done, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I got on early enough, Dennis was still on. I joined him for a quick mission. He'd been planning to break after that, but when I mentioned that hunt that I had trouble with the day before, he wanted to help quickly before his break. While we worked on that, Dr. Faustus said hi. The hunt led straight to a mission that Dennis wanted to do too for completeness. Dr. Faustus joined us for that mission. Then he wanted to stick around to play with Dr. Faustus a while longer, since they haven't been on at the same time recently. Dr. Faustus didn't have a mission to do, so we did another mission of mine. Dennis left for bed after that. Dr. Faustus ran a story arc for a friend, and I came along with them on my third best badge collector, who got a badge from it. Then Dr. Faustus and his friend left, so I did some paperwork and playing by myself. After a while, I began making more notes and a tiny bit of writing in here, occasionally checking City of Heroes: Homecoming while I did. then Alex came on, and we talked, becoming more comfortable about our last meeting, and the awkward ending. Eventually, I realized it was earlier than I thought, so I joined Alex to help him finish his mission. After that we talked. When Kitten came on and said hi, I got them to come over, and I introduced Alex and Kitten to each other. Then Alex left for lunch, and I left to finish making notes in this before bed. {Smile}

Daily Update, October 18, 2024

 On Friday, after breakfast, I contacted Uber. A fellow came and took me to physical therapy. {Smile}

Physical therapy went pretty well. I mentioned my recent trouble with getting dizzy, and also that it was less when I was more careful with spotting, a collection of techniques where y9ou use particular ways of looking at things to control dizziness when dancing. Even people with much less vertigo can benefit from using proper spotting while dancing. {Smile} 

When it was done, I contacted Uber, and a different fellow came and took me home. {Smile}

I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. Mom wasn't resting when I went in and stayed awake enough to look at all the pictures. She even answered me once. These days, that's a good day. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. After that, I finished _Childhood Memories; Picture Book_. Then I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I finished with October 18th's story, "The Cricket," in _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

Physical therapy wore me out quite enough to be all my exercise today. {Smile}

After lunch with Mom, I played Cross Stitch World and browsed the web before I got into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started with paperwork, then shifted to solo badge hunting. Then I noticed someone was recruiting for the later short, large-group event, so I joined it. When it was done, I went to join the later long, large-group event, knowing that starts when the short one is done. After that, I did some paperwork. I also talked with Dennis in City of Heroes: Homecoming and Pierogies on the chat server, agreeing with each separately to meet up if we could after I finished dinner and came back to the game. I went to read to Mom late, but thankfully that still went pretty well. {Smile}

After dinner, I wrote up Thursday's daily update, with a break to play Cross Stitch World for a while. Then I began writing and taking notes for this update. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started with paperwork, then went on to badge collecting, just like I had earlier. However, early in the badge collecting, I ran into a pair of giant monsters. I recruited a group to take it down, since I am neither the player nor the character builder to take down a giant monster by themselves, let alone two in short succession. Recruiting started slowly, but when I got enough, we fought the giant monsters, taking them down with a little patience. Then a zombie apocalypse started when only one had left. So, the group fought the zombies. Then we began to search for more giant monsters. Before we found them, the rest of the group went to deal with one another person found in another zone. I got there just too late to help. I started to hunt for badges again when Pierogies came and said hi. I switched to a low-level character, and we started a mission together. Chrome joined us for most of that mission and stayed for the hunt and the long mission that followed. Then they both went to bed, and I went back to badge hunting. Then I read some comics and went back for some hunts I remembered on that character. The first went well, but eh second got frustrating, so I stopped and switched to the earlier character, going back to badge hunting. I finished the evening with some paperwork and making notes in this. {Smile}

Daily Update, October 17, 2024

After breakfast, I had my online counselling appointment. I think it went well. She's helping me come to terms with unrealized dreams, both letting go of the ones that aren't to be, and maybe making others work while I still can. {smile}

Right before lunch, our priest came to visit Mom. she talked with Mom and gave home communion. Then she had a talk with me. She's concerned about us, and I realized she has good reason to be. {smile}

I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. Mom was resting when I went in, she woke right away when I greeted her. She looked at all the pictures and even answered me at the end. These days, that's a good day. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Then, I continued _Childhood Memories; Picture Book_. After that, I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I ended with October 17th's story, "Blue Mushrooms!" in _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

I did my salsa dancing warmup one right after another, as commercials allowed, since I dance to a piece on YouTube, and haven't bought their commercial free plan. After my bath, I did one longer, less structured piece of salsa dancing. I tried to watch my spotting, especially in the first set, and most especially during the fast turns int he first set. I think I felt my balance holding better when I spotted during the fast turns. I'll talk with my therapist about the dizziness tomorrow, but hopefully more careful spotting will make the essential difference. {Smile}

After counselling, I played Cross Stitch World and browsed the web while I thought a lot about stuff from the counselling. Then our priest came to visit. After she left, I had lunch with Mom. After that, I played Cross Stitch World while I thought, both about things from the counselling, and also things from the pastoral visit, especially my talk with our priest. I ended up getting into City of Heroes: Homecoming particularly late. I found Kitten pretty quickly, and we teamed up. Dennis and his best friend soon joined us. I asked for the Halloween trial so I could run it on my third best badge collector in a costume for the last badge, since we had four, and it takes precisely four to run it. Dennis and his friend wanted all the badges, so they needed to get costumes; I already had mine, and Kitten already had the badge. We got some by knocking on a few trick-or-treat doors, since the costumes we needed are some of the treats in trick-or-treating. We ran the trial, with Dennis, his friend, and I in our costumes, and Kitten in a permanent costume they'd bought. While we were starting, Pierogies said hi. I told him we were doing exactly-four content, but we could get together later. He was happy to work on a new character while we ran the trial. So, we ran it. I got my last badge, and Dennis and his friend got all four badges on the first run. After that, Dennis's friend left. Dennis wanted to do the same trial with Pierogies next. Pierogies joined us on a character who needed the badges, while Dennis and I switched to other characters who needed the badges. We ran it again, and all but Kitten got the badges, since Kitten already had them. Then Pierogies and I switched to low-level characters. We came across a stranger while getting back together and invited them along as we ran a regular mission. Then I left to read to Mom. The stranger wanted to do more, and I think the others may have kept on going with them for a while. {Smile}

After dinner, I wrote up Wednesday's daily update, with breaks for Cross Stitch World and comics. Then I began writing and making notes in this update. After that, I got into City of Heroes: Homecoming rather later. I said hi to Kitten but got no response. I started talking with nox on teh chat server. I also said hi to Phonso. He was doing a Halloween event for badges, so I joined the small league he was in on a character I just wanted to play. Most of my high-level characters have these badges and I didn't want to hunt for someone who didn't. In doing this event, someone spotted a giant monster, so we got it afterwards. While getting the giant monster, a zombie apocalypse started right in our zone, so we shifted to fighting zombies right where we were, since they were appearing in the water with us. When the zombies were over, the small league broke up. Phonso suggested running the Halloween trial. I found the next character in the list who needed it. She's down in the pack, not a ranked badge collector. By "the pack," I mean a large bunch of characters who are close enough together, any ranking changes too often to keep track of. Phonso recruited two more characters, and we got costumes for them with a little trick-or-treating. Then we ran the trial. After that, I said goodnight to Phonso. Then I ran into Divi. We chatted a little, then said goodnight. I did some paperwork before my first set of dancing. Then I cleaned myself up before my second set of dancing. After that, I wrote and made notes in this, with a little Cross Stitch World, though not as much as usual. {Smile}

Daily Update October 16, 2024

On Wednesday, I had a nap in the morning because I got to bed late again. It helped a lot, but I got done too late to clean up before lunch like I hoped to. {rueful smile}

I should say that about two or three weeks ago, mom suddenly became noticeably quieter. She responds less frequently. If she speaks to me in response while reading, it's now a good day. The day she spoke twice was a very good day. From something the relief nurse told our priest today, this is typical of late-enough stage dementia. {bite lops}

I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was awake when I went in, and didn't fully fall asleep, though she did rest at times while I read. She looked at some of the pictures and seemed to listen to the rest. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I I started her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Next, I restarted _Childhood Memories; Picture Book_. then I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I finished with October 16th's story, "Winter Flowers," in _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

I did my arm swinging exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did my head exercises after I'd played much of the evening. After that, I did my salsa dancing warmup. After a break I tried more salsa dancing, but I got too dizzy entirely too quickly. I had to stop very quickly. So, I got only 9 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing in. The last couple of times this happened, I blamed starting too late, but thanks to Dr. Faustus reminding me earlier, I started my second set when I usually start my first set, and I was still too dizzy. I think I need to talk to my physical therapist about this. Luckily. I see them again on Friday. {Smile}

Starting during breakfast, I browsed the web. moderately late morning, I took a nap. It was too late to clean up before lunch, so I browsed the web some more. Then came lunch. After lunch, I read comics and browsed the web. Then I wrote a little of Tuesday's daily update before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Kitten and Pierogies eager to start a particular strike force (a villainous task force) I was slow getting ready, but we did start when Pierogies said he needed to start because it was getting late. He was more right than I realized. With only three, it went a little slowly, so we finished late to read to Mom. I did get to talk with Dennis a bit near the end, when he said hi. He was sorry we'd started something he couldn't join, but the game doesn't allow adding folks in the middle of a taskforce, strike force, or trial. When it was done, I rushed to read to Mom. {Smile}

After dinner, I finished writing Tuesday's daily update with breaks for browsing the web and Cross Stitch World. Altogether, this took long enough, I got into City of Heroes: Homecoming later than I realized. When I did get in, I said hi to Phonso, who immediately invited me to a special Halloween trial. He reminded me to get a costume to wear during the trial, because one of the four badges is for doing so. I got the costume... then forgot to wear it. I will have to do it again for that badge. While waiting, I said hi to Dr. Faustus. Afterwards, I started talking with Alex and showed him a vendor he asked about. Then we realized he really wanted something different. I started to show it to him, and invited Dr. Faustus to join us, since he was solo, and I've been wanting to introduce them However, Alex suddenly left before I could either introduce them or show him what I wanted. Dr. Faustus and I waited, but he didn't come back. When I began wondering what to do next, Dr. Faustus reminded me it was time to start my exercises. That's how I got started early, but somehow still got too dizzy for second set. I began writing this after first set. Then I watched some videos after aborted set and read some comics. Next, I did a little solo badge hunting and paperwork in City of Heroes: Homecoming before I made notes in this in preparation for bed. {Smile}