Daily Update, December 17, 2023

    After breakfast, I called Uber, and they came and took me to church. I got there early again, which was a bit of a surprise, since I went to be late last night, and got up almost as let this morning, but I guess everything went pretty much right. We had a nice service. {Smile}

   I sat at a different table for lunch. Auntie Barbara sat with me, but the other seatmates were different than usual. Then I went home with Auntie Barbara and BJ, who lives near her, and doesn't drive, so she rode with Auntie Barbara today. Auntie Barbara came in to visit with Mom before going home with BJ. *Smile} 

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was resting when I went in, but opened her eyes when I tapped her shoulder when we got to the pictures and kept them open. She answered at the end. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with her niece's long family Christmas letter from this year. After that, I continued _1950's Memory Lane_, showing and reading the next few pages. She enjoyed the old pictures. Next, I read more from _The Mother Goose Treasury_, reading the poems, singing a couple where I know the tune, and showing her the pictures again.I was surprised when Mom joined in on "This Old Man." it's not one of our regular songs. I wonder if we should try it more often. I finished with the 17th of December's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Legend of the Polar Bears." Once upon a time, long ago, all bears were brown. A wicked magician was travelling and didn't like seeing dark brown bears against the white ice at the north pole. He told them they couldn't' stay because they didn't match the background. Then he turned them into ice bergs. Some of the bears he hadn't seen covered themselves with snow, hoping he wouldn't notice them, and go away. He did see them, but he chuckled. He said if they wanted to be white bears, they could stay that way, and scattered magic powder on them, turning them into polar bears, which have been white ever since. {Smile}

    I did my head exercises later than I meant. Somehow, I was tired to do more... well, tried to do leg and walking, and my arm and shoulder have been uncomfortable, so I'd rather not upset them. {small smile}

   After Auntie Barbara left, I cleaned myself up and finish yesterday's daily update. Then I hopped into the game. Pierogies was around, the early long, large-group event was on, or so I thought. So, I joined it and ran it. I hoped to get together with Pierogies, but he left. By then I realized that someone was running a marathon. All I had to do to join the next was go out and join the group, since they didn't break up the group. I did two more, and that was the end of the marathon. They'd done 9 before i got there, for a total of 12. I don't know how the leader did that many. Then they broke up, and I had enough time to catch the later short, large-group event before sorting through the paperwork that had piled up before I read to Mom and made a few notes for this, too. {Smile}

   I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after dinner, and got in on the late-night short, large group event when it was in progress. I still got credit f or two runs, which was nice. Then I wrote some of this - a lot more than I usually do. writing up the notes I'd made earlier, and a bit more. Then I said hi to the friends I sometimes talk to on the chat server, letting those who seem interested in teaming that I was going to go into City of Heroes: Homecoming again. Dr. Faustus said he was just going in there, himself. I quickly hopped in and checked paperwork a little. Soon he showed up, and we got together. We ran a couple of individual missions on the character I recently got to the "endgame". I also started chatting with Nox on the chat server. Back on City of heroes: Homecoming, I was wondering about starting a story arc which I'd just done on another character when Dr. Faustus warned me that he had one more mission, and it couldn't be too long. I switched to my highest villain so he could see her, and we ran one of her missions. It was longer than he asked for, but he stuck with me to the end, then left. Then I caught up on the comics I didn't read yesterday or earlier today and did a little badge collecting on my fourth best badge collector. I finished writing this up but think I should wait to share it until tomorrow because it's late again. {Smile}

Daily Update, December 16, 2023

    I had some aches and pains in the night in my right upper arm and shoulder.

   The housekeeper came this morning and worked through my lunch. It was good to see her, and the house is definitely better for her attentions. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake when I went in and opened her eyes for the pictures, though at first I had to remind her. She answered once or twice. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued this year's long family Christmas letter from her niece. Then I started _1950's Memory Lane_. I showed the front and back covers, read her the back cover, and showed and read the first few pages. She does like the old pictures. After that, I read more from _The Mother Goose Treasury_, reading the poems, singing a couple where I know the tune, and showing her the pictures again. I finished with the 16th of December's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "A Wet Day." Puddy the tabby cat looked at the rain outside. He hated getting wet! So, he started looking for something interesting inside, where it's dry. He found the goldfish in their bowl, blowing bubbles, he meowed that they were poor things, being wet all the time, and wouldn't they like to come out? We won't know if he really felt sorry for them, or if he meant mischief, for in trying to tip the bowl, he tipped the flower vase over instead, so Puddy got wet after all. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises, arm resistance exercises, leg exercises, and walking exercises before it got entirely too late after we finished teaming for the night. My arm resistance exercises had just enough discomfort, I didn't even try my arm weight training, and I wasn't going to try the arm swinging again after sleeping had some aches and pains last night. {Smile}

   I cleaned myself up after breakfast, then had lunch. After that, I did some more Christmas shopping online; I'd done some the night before. That might be most of my Christmas shopping. Next, I wrote up my daily update, and read some articles. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming too late to join the early short or long large-group events. Instead, I did some paperwork and collected some badges. I chatted with Ulty, and with Dr. Faustus, but they were both busy. Then I teamed up with Pierogies, and we started the next story arc on my newly high-level character. Soothing Darkness joined us, and we finished it a little before I like to read to Mom. I squeezed in some paperwork, then left quickly. {Smile}

   After dinner, I joined the late night short, large group event. It went to the worst condition it can. That's the first time I've seen it that bad. We regrouped, and I and a few other players got better characters for that mess (though I soon thought of an even better one for the future). Then we got ready and started cleaning up the mess. We pushed right through the hard parts, and actually won. We didn't try a second time. I'm not sure if they started early, so I only caught the second run, or if everyone just felt this was the right ending. Some folks mentioned being a bit tired after that. Then I wrote a bit of this and hopped back online. I spotted the pair of high-level TFs, and grabbed a character who needed it. I joined it and got up to do a bit while I waited, returning close to our starting time. Dr. Faustus came in while I was running the first TF. One person left at the end of it, and I got Dr. Faustus included for the second half. Then we chatted a bit. I began chatting on and off with Nox and Kitten on the chat server, too. Dr. Faustus and I started a high-level story arc my character had. Soothing Darkness joined us near the end. Then we ran the next high-level story arc. The second didn't have the nice reward most of those have, but we finished it just about when I needed to start my exercises. After that, I did some paperwork. Then I did my exercises. Next, I started writing and taking notes for this, and slipped in some more paperwork. I finished this the next day, after church. {Smile}

Daily Update, December 14, 2023

   Thursday, I had video counselling after breakfast. It went pretty well, I think. She's really encouraging me to put my writing out there, even if it's not as polished as I like. {Smile}

   A while after lunch, I called Uber, and a chatty driver I hadn't seen in a while took me to an appointment with a dietician to talk about how to eat better for my diabetes. I didn't like all her suggestions, but that's par for the course, I think. I'll still try to follow most of them. A different, chatty Uber driver took me home afterwards. {smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She woke up for me and looked at all the pictures again. She even answered me once. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I read more from this year's long family Christmas letter from her niece. Next, I continued _1940's Memory Lane. I think she likes the old pictures in that book. After that, I read more from _The Mother Goose Treasury_, reading some poems, and showing her the pictures again. I finished with the 14th of December's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Little Angel." A little angel lived in a picture frame above a particular fireplace. She looked sweet and innocent, but often plotted mischief for her next birthday. Once a year, on her birthday, she could fly out of the picture frame and amuse herself. If the family she lived with forgot her birthday, she reminded them with mischief. She blew out the match when grandfather tried to light his pipe and hid one of the marbles Camilla was playing with under the chair. She snatched one of the biscuits Mummy made, too. Only Tibby the cat could see her. Mummy sighed, saying it must be the little angel's birthday, and that she'd bake her a cake. The tricks stopped, and peace returned. {Smile}

   No exercise Thursday, but I'll start again soon. {Smile}

   I read articles and played the cross-stitch game around lunch and before my appointment. I did some more cross-stitch when I got home, then finished and shared yesterday's daily update before I went into CoH: Homecoming. I was too late for the early events, but I checked who was around, and took up an offer Dr. Faustus made on the chat server to come in and team up. We started a high-level story arc. Pierogies joined us partway through. Dr. Faustus realized a villain group one of his characters belongs to was meeting, so he left after that first mission. Pierogies and I did the next mission, getting it done about time for me to read to Mom, so we said goodnight. {Smile}

   After dinner, I caught the late-night short, large-group event. Then I started writing this up. Then Kitten wanted to get together. I finished the writing I most like to do early, along with some personal chores while talking with Kitten. Then they showed me a farm they love, and Pierogies very much doesn't. Next, Dr. Faustus joined us, and we finished the story arc we'd begun before I read to Mom, getting a particularly nice reward. Then we started the next story arc, since that one was the start of a series. I talked with Nox very briefly on the chat server, mainly wishing them goodnight. Part way through the second story arc, Dr. Faustus asked me to add a friend of theirs. I did, and the four of us finished that story arc, getting another particularly nice reward. I did some paperwork before writing this up, mainly doing notes to complete the next day, which I did after lunch out. {Smile}

Daily Update, December 13, 2023

    Today, I stayed home, and took things easy. Only the yardman dropped by for his check. We did have a nice talk. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She woke up for me and looked at all the pictures. She answered, but not often. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I read more from this year's long family Christmas letter from her niece. After that, I continued _1940's Memory Lane, showing her the pictures, and reading the text and captions. Then I read more from _The Mother Goose Treasury_, reading some poems, and showing her the pictures, pointing out how they went with the poems. Lastly, I finished with the 13th of December's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Marina's Find." Marian hadn't arrived at school yet, so the teacher said they'd have to start without her.  That's when they heard someone scraping the snow off their boots outside the door. then there was a knock, and the teacher called out, "Come in, Marina!" The girl walked in holding something small in her scarf. Blushing, she apologized for being late, but said she couldn't leave the poor thing in the snow when he was half frozen. She had a small sparrow in her scarf. They made it a nest in the box by the radiator, and it was well by midday. {Smile}

   I didn't do any exercise again, but I'm thinking if I stay this good, I'll try a little soon. {Smile}

   I finished yesterday's daily update and shared it after breakfast. Then I read articles, and some comics, and played the cross-stitch game until after lunch. I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming too late for the early short, large group event, but in plenty of time for the early long, large group event. Pierogies and Kitten seemed to be ready to do that, so I joined, too. Then Kitten, Pierogies and I teamed up. I asked them to run the story arc that introduces the "end game" content with me. That's where the characters get a whole new approach to more powerful powers, at least in this game. We ran it together, and got it done with enough time to spare before reading to Mom for Pierogies and Kitten to start on resting, and me to do a short story arc that follows the one we'd just done, and is part solo, so easiest done alone.  I got that done before I read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I played some of the cross-stitch game. That made me distinctly too late to join the late-night short, large group event, so I started writing this up. When I was done, I looked around to see who was on, and tried talking to some. Mysty talked back, and we got together. We chatted a long time, and a friend of hers joined us. The three of us chatted some more. A lot of mainly visiting happened, in other words. {Smile} Then kitten came on, and I left to join them. I helped them get a badge that improves the character. Just as we were finishing up one character, Pierogies came in, and joined us for a second run for the same badge on a different character of Kitten's. Then I upgraded my character. I wanted to test it, so we joined something Kitten spotted, but it was too low-level for a good test. We still ran three missions, then ducked out, and ran one mission that was high enough to be a better test. After that, I left City of Heroes: Homecoming, but we continued talking on the chat server while I wrote this up, switching to notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, December 12, 2023

    On Tuesday, after lunch, our priest came to visit Mom, and called me over to join them, which was nice. I didn't realize she'd arrived. We sang some songs, but it was mainly the priest and me; Mom only sang along a little. Then she gave Mom (and me) home communion. Not that I'd get it by myself when I go into church every Sunday. It's for people like Mom, who can't go into church. But anyone who's also around at the time may take it too. And Mom was happy to eat the communion. {Smile}

   Later, I headed out to my cardiologist's appointment. I called ahead because I accidentally started late, and Uber couldn't get there quite at the check-in time. they thanked me for calling ahead and checked me in normally. after a short wait they had me go to the exam room. then the doctor came and asked me several questions about how things are going. Then she told me a bit about the tests, particularly why one made her want to raise one medication. She also wants to put me on something for dizziness. I told her it might help, but it wasn't going to fix my vertigo, and agreed to try it. We'll see how it goes. Past attempts have been less than great, but I can always stop if it's not effective. Afterwards, I contacted Uber, and they took me home. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was sleepy, but opened her eyes for me, and kept them open for the pictures. she didn't really respond other than looking at me, though. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I read more from this year's long family Christmas letter from her niece. Next, I started _1940's Memory Lane, showing her the pictures, and reading the text and captions. After that, I read more from _The Mother Goose Treasury_, reading some poems, and pointing out the pictures, relating them to the poems. Last, I finished with the 12th of December's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Granny's Knitting." When Betty and Paul were invited to tea with their grandmother, each asked her to knit them something. Betty asked for a red jersey, while Paul asked for a pair of purple socks. Grandma laughed, and said she couldn't manage both by Christmas, but she might manage the socks. The next day, she invited two friends over for tea. She planned to knit the first sock while they talked. They thanked her for the tea as they left at the end of their visit. After they left, Grandma noticed the sock was at least three times longer than Paul's leg. Then she had an idea. When the kids came, they found a long purple sausage dog lying at the base of the door, keeping out drafts. {Smile}

   Still no exercise. My teeth are feeling better, and I fervently want them to continue to feel better, so I don't want to upset them by exercising this soon after the root canal. It was just yesterday. {Smile}

   I finished writing yesterday's daily update and shared it after breakfast. Then I cleaned myself up and read articles and played the cross-stitch game through lunch. That stopped when our priest came to visit Mom. After she left, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming and caught the early short, large group event. Then I talked with some friends in a semi-private conversation, since I knew I wouldn't have much more time before the cardiologist for getting into things. Somehow, I was still late to my cardiologist. After my cardiologist, I read comics, and played the cross-stich game, which frustratingly reset despite me saving along the way.  Then I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming too late to join anything. However, I caught Pierogies, who admitted he'd also come in late. We couldn't get together for anything, but we had time to talk, and we sure did. {Smile}

   After dinner, I checked some comics. Then I tried to get into the late night short, large group event, but the zone was full. So, I started to write this up instead. I checked City of Heroes: Homecoming and found that Dr. Faustus was on. We got together while I finished up the bit of my daily update I did want to write then. He found a friend he wanted to help, and we finished a story arc they were working on. Then we ran another story arc that got us a badge. I also started talking with Nox on the chat server. After the story arc, Dr. Faustus's friend established contact with me and left for bed. Dr. Faustus apologized for leaving then, but he'd disconnected, and thought a break from the game would help that. He and I talked on the chat server, as Nox and I continued to for a while. Later, I concentrated on collecting badges on my second-best badge collector. Then I worked on writing this up and making notes but went far too late. I need to manage my time better. {rueful smile}

Daily Update, December 11, 2023

    Today, I had the root canal. I called Uber, and nice, chatty driver took me down. The endodontist was reassuringly cheerful. He fixed up the tooth, and said he packed it with so much medicine, I shouldn't get a temporary filling. Just come back middle of January, and we'll see if it needs more medicine, or if it can be closed up. So, I left after making the next appointment, and called Uber to take me home. The same driver took me back and was happy to hear the root canal went so well. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was sort of awake and opened her eyes to look at pictures when prompted today. Responses were few, though. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I continued this year's long family Christmas letter from her niece. Next, I continued this year's long family Christmas letter from her niece. Then I started reading the Mother Goose Treasury, reading the introduction, showing all the pictures in the table on contacts, and reading the first three poems. I finished up with the 11th of December's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Barnaby and the Wolf Cub." Barnaby lived on the edge of the north forest in Canada. One day, he set out in his sledge, pulled by two huskies. He had left eh sledge to look for a pine tree for Christmas. Instead, he heard plaintiff whimpering. A young wolf cub lay wounded by an oak tree, with its mother dead nearby. Barnaby stopped looking for a Christmas tree and picked up the wolf cub gently. He tucked it into the sledge and drove home quickly. His father removed a bullet from the wolf cub. He cared for the wolf cub, helping it recover, and they became great friends. When it was old enough, Barnaby encouraged the wolf cub to live in the forest. The cub did, but never forgot Barnaby and his kindness. {Smile}

   I didn't even try to exercise after the root canal. It's feeling surprisingly good, with barely any bruised feeling, even... and I don't dare do anything to make that flare up. {chuckles}

   I finished yesterday's daily update after breakfast. Then I cleaned myself up, trying to make sure to get as much done before the root canal as feasible, so I could just take it easy afterwards. I also played the cross-stitch game before the dentist, while at the dentist when waiting, and afterwards, at home. After I got back from the endodontist, I read articles, and comics, especially comics. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming distinctly too late for either the short or long early large group events. I kind of wandered around, looking for stuff, but not even getting into the later short, large-group event in time. I might have teamed up with someone, or just done paperwork and badge collecting until it was time to read to Mom. 

   After dinner, I played with the cross-stitch game, then tried to get into the late night short, large-group event at the last minute. It was full, but then Pierogies said hi. He wanted to start another story arc on the little characters we've been playing together. He picked the story arc, and we did a few missions. The leader from last night - who says to call him Dr. Faustus, since that's his favorite character, and his player-name - joined us a couple missions before Pierogies left for bed. First, I switched story arcs, and did an arc Pierogies very definitely wasn't interested, but Dr. Faustus said he was fine with. he likes to do everything, I think. I like that, too, but he takes it further. Then I switched to my favorite character, after learning he'd been on the chat world that brought me City of Heroes: Homecoming, too. She was my first and favorite there, too. We did a few missions, chatting at times, especially about the chat world. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server.  I made the last mission tougher, because I was tired of it being too easy. Then Dr. Faustus and I talked some more as I started to write this up and make notes to finish writing it the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, December 10, 2023

    Today was Sunday, so I contacted Uber, and a driver came and took me to church. I got there earlier than usual, which was nice. Auntie Barbara sat with me for most of the service, since they didn't have any kids for Sunday school. Well, the pastor brought her daughter, but she had a babysitter, and is young for Sunday school still. {Smile}

   After last Sunday being all desserts, this Sunday's lunch didn't have any desserts. There was lots of good food, though, and it was easier for me to eat well for my diabetes. {Smile}

   Auntie Barbara took me home by way of the natural food store, since it's the monthly customer appreciation day. I picked up 5 snacks I was running low on: dried fruit, seeds, and nuts. She did even more shopping. Then she took me home, and we sang with Mom, and I showed her the book of stories Mom's particularly enjoyed. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake and looking at pictures today but didn't respond often. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I read a card from her sister, and the beginning of this year's long family Christmas letter from her niece. Next, I showed her the last several pages of _The Calming Cat Book_. After that, I tried a picture book, _The Strange and Terrible Adventures of Popoki the Hawaiian Cat_. I should have read the full title earlier and picked something else... or stuck with the regular books. I stopped halfway through, when the cat had gotten lost, but it was too long for one sitting. I'm not sure if I'll continue tomorrow or not. Picture books are longer than the stories in _My Little Pony: five Minute Stories_, I guess. I finished up with the 10th of December's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Snow Queen." Sally and Laura were making up stories. Sally said she'd be Queen of Snow when she grew up. She'd marry the King of Ice and live in a castle of crystals and diamonds. She'd wear a shining white dress and a fluffy cloak of snowflakes. She'd drive across her kingdom in a sledge covered in crystals and diamonds pulled by a white reindeer with golden bells and hang icicles in the trees. Laura said her nose would go red in that place. Sally said it wouldn't, and that she'd turn rude people into ice. Laura countered that she'd marry the Prince of Summer, and they'd come melt their snow and ice. The two girls burst out laughing. {Smile}

   Still no exercise. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be skipping because I just had a root canal and need to heal up, but we shall see. I did have one tooth that couldn't be fixed; it had to be pulled. {small smile}

   I cleaned myself up after Auntie Barbara left, then hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. It was technically early enough to join the short, large-group event, but the zone was full, so I couldn't get in. It starts early when that happens anyway. Next, I looked around. Kitten and Pierogies were on, but when I talked to Kitten, they were busy running a story arc with a team. They suggested that I join, since there was space, but there was only one space, and Pierogies wanted to team with me. So Pierogies and I teamed up on our little ones and worked on finishing the last story arc. Kitten joined us during the last real mission, which is quite long. They helped us finish quickly when it got close to time to read to Mom. We finished the whole arc, which goes a little beyond the long mission. Pierogies suggested we park in their farm while we went AFK. {Smile}

   After dinner, I tried to join the late night short, large-group event, but it was almost time, and again, the zone was full. Instead, I started writing this, then worked on paperwork that had piled up on my character. Then I discovered the character I'd parked in the farm was still there, and went back in. I played with doing some things in the farm and chatted with Nox on the chat server. When I got bored with the farm, I looked around and saw a fellow asking publicly for a team fairly recently. I switched to a villain because that's what he wanted, and found he'd teamed with someone else. They were happy to add me, so we teamed up and played together. Then the leader noticed I could do the arc and started me at the introduction to the whole series of story arcs. About then, Kitten came alive, and decided to quit the farm and join us. We started my arc, and I disconnected. I've been doing this every once in a while. I reconnected and got back with them. One other had joined us. The new left, then the one who I talked to first left, inviting me to stay in touch, as did the leader at that time. Then the leader, Kitten, and I finished that first arc before we quit the game. I wrote some more of this and made notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, December 9, 2023

 Today was a quiet day at home. That was nice, and about what I'm up to with the tooth... but I'll be up to church tomorrow, in part because I had a quiet day at home today. {Smile}

I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake and looking at pictures today, but only responded once or twice. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I read two cards: one from her cousin, and one from her sister, followed by a story about how spiders wanted to see the Christ child when he visited on Christmas Eve, and covered the Christmas tree in webs. The Christ child, loving the spiders, but knowing the mother of the family wouldn't like the webs, turned them into silver and gold tinsel, which we decorate Christmas trees with to this day. Next, I showed her the next several pages of _The Calming Cat Book_. After that, I read the last story in _My Little Pony: 5 Minute Stories_. "The Magic of Friendship." I finished up with the 9th of December's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "So many Toys!" Joy went to the toy department of a big store with her aunt. She wanted to play with the lovely toys, so when her aunt turned her back, she jumped into a packing crate and hid. Soon the store closed, and she jumped out of the box, and started playing with all he toys, undressing the dolls to give them a bath before putting their fancy clothes on for tea with teddies. Two hours later, the night watchman found her fast asleep in a toy house, hugging 8 dolls and ten teddy bears. {Smile}

Still no exercises. I think I want to try, then the tooth feels less normal, and... maybe I should wait until I've recovered from the root canal. I know the same day and next day will not be great. {resigned smile}

I finished writing and hared yesterday's daily update after breakfast. Then I read articles and worked on the cross-stitch game - Cross-Stitch World, if you're curious - in the morning. then after lunch I cleaned myself up before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. It was late for the short and long large-group events again, so I checked who was online, and started checking my characters. I spotted Pierogies, but not Kitten. He was finishing up the early long, large-group event. When he did, we teamed up on the little characters again. We caught a low-level trial, for which I turned my experience off. Then we ran the last mission from our current contact. I remembered to turn on the experience towards the end of that mission, so I was still a level low when we got done. We hunted enemies in the wild until I made level. Then we started the next contact, doing two hunts and a regular mission before it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

After dinner, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming hoping to join the late night short, large-group event, but the zone was full, so I couldn't get in. That can happen if you're close to time, and I was. So, I started writing this up and read a few comics. Then I started checking my characters. After a while, I noticed Kitten had come on, and said hi. We teamed up, and I picked a mid-level character, and a story arc we'd started early this past week. We ran right through my normal exercise time and finished the arc. Part way through, I started talking to Nox, and Haiden joined us for a while. I also talked with Owl Girl, Paradox and Kitten in our group conversation there. After Kitten and I finished teaming we talked on the chat server. I also read articles and played a bit of the cross-stich game before quickly writing this up. {Smile}

Daily Update, December 8, 2023

    Friday, the housekeeper came after lunch and finished setting up the tree, as well as getting some other stuff done. She bought the lights, and said she had to try a few stores to find one with red, yellow, green, blue, and pink, but that's what matches the ones wrapped on the tree. The house is definitely better for her attentions, both cleaner and more decorated. {Smile}

   The tooth is hanging in there, feeling odd, occasional small pains, nothing unbearable. Still, I will be so happy to get that root canal! {Smile}

   I ate Breakfast, lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was tired, but opened her eyes to look at things, sometimes when reminded. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with three cards: one from her cousin, one from her sister, and another from her cousin. Next, I showed her the first several pages of _The Calming Cat Book_. After that, I read the next story in _My Little Pony: 5 Minute Stories_. "The Crystalling." I finished up with the 8th of December's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "the Reindeer." Grandfather told Kipi, a little boy from Lapland, stories about a great, white, magical reindeer. One day, Kipi decided to go hunting for it. If he saw it and killed it, he'd know his grandfather wasn't just making up stories. So, he dressed warmly, put on his skis, and took his bow and arrow. When he'd gone some distance, he saw a giant white reindeer silhouetted against the sky, with sparkling horns and flashing eyes. The reindeer told Kipi not to kill it, and he would have good luck all his life. Kipi went home as fast as he could to tell Grandfather.  {Smile}

   I read articles and played an online cross stitch game. It's simple, but somehow absorbing; the nurse came in to point out lunch was unusually late... I'd lost track of the time. After lunch I cleaned myself up. Then I welcomed the housekeeper who'd arrived while I was busy. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. It was too late for the early large-group events again, so I worked on some paperwork. Then I noticed it was time for the later short, large group event. I joined it, and as always, they ran two. The first went fine, but the second produced three times the usual enemies. We started to clear it, but folks attacked one with the wrong weapons, which just makes things worse, and it was quite bad enough already. Then enough folks left, the whole group broke up. I was actually relieved, since it was time to read to Mom already, but I didn't want to abandon them if they kept going. {Smile}

After dinner, I got back in time for the late-night short, large group event, and found a big group gathered, looking at the mess we'd left when the last event broke up. We got to work and cleared it. One even was sorry we'd gotten three enemies earlier. We'd get that much less experience and stuff. {chuckles} We cleared it with modest difficulty, considering the size of the mess, and ran the usual second run without incident. The character I played for both - the one I'd been trying to get to level 50 - finally made it, so I had a whole bunch of paperwork after that. I also talked with Owl Girl on the chat server. Well, and after I started writing this update. I guess I finished just as Kitten came in. We talked a while, then teamed up. Nox and I started talking on the chat server, too. Kitten and I ran a special mission only available during the winter event to test the newly improved character She is indeed improved. After one mission, Soothing Darkness said hi, and asked to join us. I added her happily, and we ran two more winter missions. Then Kitten left to start a new character they thought of. Soothing Darkness asked if I could add a friend of hers. I did, and we ran one more winter mission. It was tough, especially since her friend was lower level, but they insisted they were fine.  The game adjusts, but not entirely. We made it through it, and I said goodnight. I wrote a little of this and made notes for the rest. I finished this the next morning after breakfast. {Smile}

Daily Update, December 7, 2023

    The tooth is still mostly almost normal... but kind of considered flaring during one meal, before settling down again. Later, I tried chewing on the other side. It's awkward because the other side is pretty short, so not as easy to chew much on. I'll try some more and think about talking with my dentist about possibilities. {Smile}

   I got a call from the podiatrist's office today. They were happy to reschedule the recheck of the toenail that separated from my big toe for early January. I think the receptionist agreed that the root canal was more urgent. That's so much better than making a root canal wait until mid-January! Untreated root canals can turn nasty! I have much higher hopes for it getting seen next Monday than January 15th! {Smile}

   Our housekeeper came today, and the house is better for her attentions. She even put up the tree, but the middle lights don't light. She's going to come back to finish up and add strings of lights. She said she'll get my bed at the same time. {Smile}

   I got Mom's Christmas ornaments up. It was relatively easy, since I'd never gotten around to undecorating the trees; I just stashed the m on the porch. So, I just took them back and made room for them and a creche, and a tree music box. {Smile}

   I'm still thinking about series to write... I'm wondering what sorts of stories everyone is fondest of, if I might ask? {Smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She opened her eyes to look at things, sometimes when reminded, but she did look. She responded a couple of times. I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued with two cards: one from each of her sisters. After that, I showed her the last few pages of _1940s Fashion in Pictures_. Then I read the next story in _My Little Pony: 5 Minute Stories_. "Equestria." All about the ponies' land and the communities in it. I finished with the 7th of December's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Making Presents." Jane wrote DO NOT DISTURB in big letters on a piece of paper and hung it on her bedroom door. Then she got out a big box with colored paper, cardboard, beads, shells from last summer, and glue. She was going to make presents. She decided to make a frame for Mummy, with yellow shells around the edge of some blue cardboard, and a cut out collage for Daddy. Then the door opened. Jane tried to cover everything, but it was only Tigger, the cat, who couldn't read. He jumped up on the table scattering everything in his curiosity.  Jane said he didn't deserve a present. {Smile}

   Still no exercise. The tooth isn't quite normal, and I don't want to upset it like exercise seemed to Monday. {Smile}

   I read articles in the morning, and wrote yesterday's daily update, too. Then I hopped into City of Heroes around lunch time. Soothing Darkness was on and invited me to join her for a story arc that introduces high level content. I started to accept, switching characters, then realized I hadn't cleaned myself up. So, I took a break to do that, missing the beginning. She invited me when I got back and shared it with me and another friend who left for a while about the time that I came in. I think non-computer stuff called them away, as it will. They came back, we finished that arc, did a follow up that's all story, and started a regular story arc that follows that. Later, Pierogies said hi, and we started chatting. I asked Soothing Darkness to invite him. She handed me the team, but we kept doing her missions. We didn't quite finish that story arc by the time I wanted to read to Mom. The others might have left then, too; I'm not sure. {Smile}

   After dinner, I joined the late-night short, large group event. That character is now almost to 50, the level where you can start accessing a different style of play and especially tough content. She also got really close to a badge. Hopefully she'll get both the badge and the level the next time she runs the short, large group event. Then I started writing this up. Next, I spotted that pair of high-level task forces that are individually short enough, folks like to run them back-to-back. I got out the character who's working on those, and she got a couple of badges, and that much closer to getting a particular series completed. Then I worked on paperwork and chatted with Nox and Owl Girl on the chat server. Kitten and Paradox joined me and Owl Girl for a while. I also hunted badges some, and did some research into web fiction, and especially ways to supplement income from that.