Daily Update, February 2, 2024

    Friday morning, after breakfast, I got an envelope from my health insurance with a big enough rebate, I contacted Uber, and had them take me down to the credit union and deposit it. The driver was chatty, and happy to wait for me to come back out. I wasn't too long, and we tried Uber, and she got me very quickly, and took me back home. I did like doing it that way, though if it had tried to give me someone else, I could have just cancelled and paid her directly. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was largely awake through most of the reading. I began with scripture and thoughts about it from my phone first. I will be glad when I pick up the paper copy the next time I got to church. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Next, I continued _Girl's Day/Boys Day_, finishing off Girl's Day, and briefly showing her Boy's Day, which will really start next time. After that, I started reading _Richard Scarry's 5-minute Stories_ with "The Busy Day." Last, I finished off with the 2nd of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Tibby's Busy Day." Tibby was a Tabby cat who lived with Olivia. After the early morning run, she got busy indoors. She ate the breakfast her mistress, Olivia, served, then watched Olivia go off to school through the window. Then she guarded the house from rats and mice while curled up on Olivia's bed. Lunch was fresh fish skins. then she stayed away from the vacuum, watching for mice by the fire. That's where Olivia found her after school and asked about Tibby's busy day. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and arm swinging exercises while waiting for Uber to take me to the bank. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup set after lunch. In the evening, I did my arm resistance exercises while waiting for Phonso's taskforce. After teaming and visiting for the night, I did my less structured set of salsa dancing, including the extra fast piece that isn't quite as long as most, but probably has as many steps. {Smile}

   I read comics and articles in the morning and before lunch. After lunch, I finished writing the day before's update and salsa danced, then cleaned myself up before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I saw Dr. Faustus on and said hi. We chatted a little, but he was busy. So, I got the character I'd made the day before and gotten partway through the tutorial and got them the rest of the way through the tutorial. Then I got the other character I'd made the day before and got them all the way through the tutorial. I realized they hadn't gotten the experience for the tutorial, probably because it was turned off at first, though I thought I'd turned it on well before the end. So, I worked them up to 2nd level in the second safest part of the game I know of for such a low-level character. Then I did a little paperwork and badge hunting, too, before reading to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Dark and Pierogies and chatted with each separately. The three of us got together for a quick mission before Pierogies left for bed. Then I showed Dark my new and newly revamped characters. We teamed up on one of the ones I just got out of the tutorial that afternoon, doing a few missions. Then Phonso popped on and invited us to a taskforce that would get an item that Dark had mentioned wanting on one character earlier. We switched characters and ran the taskforce. I also chatted with Nox and Radio on the chat server in the conversation we share. And I chatted on the group Radio set up on the chat server, with Radio and another member. I visited with a few of the participants of Phonso's taskforce afterwards, especially Dark, and badge hunted with Dark until we said goodnight. Then I went to do my salsa dancing, followed by some more badge hunting before writing more of this and making notes to finish it from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, February 1, 2024

    On Thursday, I had a counselling appointment by video. I think it went well. At the end, my counselor pointed something out today that I hadn't fully realized. We both know I have anxiety; it's one of the reasons I keep up the counselling. She pointed out that I've learned to use my anxiety to push myself to get things done. Yes, without fully realizing it, that's what I've done. I'm not sure how I'd get so much done without it at this point. {Smile}

   I also called church about some things and clarified two things that should save me a trip, at least for now. The scripture and thoughts about it are waiting on a particular table for me to pick up on Sunday, and we'll deal with the donation to cover replacing my grandparents' plaques next week, when the secretary can check with our priest. All four grandparents had plaques, but Mom's mother's and Dad's father's plaques have gone missing and can't be found. I want to cover replacement, and a bit more. {Smile}

   The secretary from the nursing company came by Thursday, too, since it's a new month, it's time for me to pay them, and them to pay the nurses. She promised me a meeting to talk with her and the head of the company about when we'll transition from them taking care of Mom to them taking care of me, so there will be no disruption in the process. It's good to know they're looking ahead. {Smile}

   The housekeeper came today, too. The house is very much better for her attentions. {Smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake when I got there, and through the early parts of reading, but she got sleepy later. the stories helped her wake up, but not like yesterday. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. I used the online version, as I will until I pick up the paper copy the next time I got to church. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Then I restarted _Girl's Day/Boys Day_, and went further than yesterday, since mom seemed pretty interested at first. Next, I continued reading _Fairy Tales_ with "The Three Little Pigs." Seh was so sleepy at the end, I started to just quit, but then I remembered that the last one I usually read has date. So, I finished off with the 1st of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Tossing Pancakes." While Mummy was preparing to cook pancakes, Sophie ran in and asked if she could cook one. Her mother doubtfully said yes but be careful. When her mother said the fat in the pan was hot enough, Sophie poured some batter in. She waited, then shook the pancake loose from the pan. Her mother said she could toss it, but when she did, it stuck to the ceiling. Sophie laughed, and the cat ate it when it finally fell. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises, arm resistance exercises, and arm swinging exercises in lulls around task forces. Yes, I did all my arm swinging exercises without enough of a twinge to stop. It just felt like stretching out little used muscles, which I was probably doing. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup set after I finished teaming on City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did my less structured salsa dancing set after a short break. So, I got a little more exercise done than I've been doing recently, though I do need to do more yet. {Smile}

   I read comics between breakfast and counselling, and also around lunch. Then, after the phone call with church, I cleaned myself up before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Once there, I looked around. No one I usually team with was on. So, I changed another character's name and costume, and ran two solo missions on a character. I hadn't gotten around to them despite getting a badge from each because I'd rather team up with friends. Then I ran a hunt on another character that's easy to do by myself. Then I started looking around for something to get into when Pierogies came on, talking about all the stuff that had made today so late for him. We almost teamed up, but he was too tired, so we just chatted until it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Dr. Faustus was there but heading to another part of Homecoming, so we just chatted. I finished adjusting costumes o n a set of characters I'm adding to. Then I developed two new characters I'd been planning, getting them each as far as the tutorial. Yes, I still run the tutorial for most new characters. They're particularly vulnerable at first level, and the tutorial is designed for their particular vulnerabilities in ways the main game isn't, even in the starting zones. Then I started one's tutorial. I was part way in, and chatting with Azurette, who was finally on, when Phonso came on and invited me to a taskforce. I said yes happily. Finally, a chance to play with others that wasn't just a random collection of strangers. I told Azurette about it, and she came, too, so I was doing it with two friends and only five strangers. I also chatted with Owl Girl and Nox on the chat server, though not in the same conversation. After the TF, some stayed and talked, including me. Then Dr. Faustus finally came back to the part of Homecoming I was in and invited me to that pair of high-level TFs that I sometimes run, since he'd joined a group with room.  I said yes, and we ran it. It pushed my salsa dancing late, but I still got all the dancing done. After that, I did minimal stuff in City of Heroes: Homecoming. I mainly concentrated on writing this and making notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 31, 2024

    Wednesday, I meant to do more stuff, but I woke up too sleepy. I suspect it was because I got up a few times in the night, and went to bed even later than usual, though not by much. Anyway, I took a nap after breakfast that lasted much of my morning. It left time little time for the other things I meant to do. {rueful look}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was sleepy when I got there, and through the early parts of reading, but she woke up more for the stories. I hope that's a sign she likes the stories. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. After that, I started _Girl's Day/Boys Day_. However, Mom was so sleepy when I read it, I left the bookmark at the beginning. I thought I'd try again another day. Then I continued reading _Fairy Tales_ with "Hansel and Gretel." I finished off with the 31st of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Little Donkey." Pepito, a shaggy little donkey, was hot, tired and bored. He'd been taken from his stable early that morning, and loaded up with baskets full of lavender bag, and bottles of lavender water. Then the little boy who was his master led him to the town square where he tried to sell what he'd bought that morning. Pepito jstu stood with his head and ears down. The smell of lavender reminded him of the honeysuckle in the field he used to live in. Here, the fumes and noise of the traffic made him sick. Then a little girl walking with her mother noticed him. She called him a sweet donkey, and wanted to buy him, so he could live with them in the country, where she was sure he'd be much happier. Her mother agreed, and soon Pepito and his little mistress were enjoying walking in the countryside with its sounds and smells.  {Smile}

   After I finished teaming for the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup. Then I did my less structured salsa dancing set for a little over 20 minutes of salsa dancing. Later, I did my head exercises, and my arm resistance exercises, but it was really too late to do more. I do need to work on getting more done. {rueful smile}

   I finished yesterday's daily update and read comics between my nap and lunch. I also chatted a little through the afternoon in a chat group Radio just set up. I cleaned up after lunch, then hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I said hi to Dr. Faustus, Ulty, and Pierogies, chatting a while with Dr. Faustus and Pierogies. Then I teamed up with Pierogies. He picked the Roman zone, and we found a contact there neither of the characters we'd picked had started. We ran the few missions of his first story arc at a leisurely pace, finishing that story arc and setting up a second story arc from the same contact shortly before time to red to Mom. then Pierogies invited me to sit in a farm while I read and ate dinner. I took him up on this, picking a character who could use that. While I was arranging that, Dark came on an said hi. We chatted a little and agreed to get together after dinner and reading. 

   So, after dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Dark quickly, and we charted a little. Then we teamed up, and I changed a character's name and costume because the character I was thinking of could have other powers, but the powers they had were almost required for another character I wanted to do. Then we teamed up and did a mission or two. We meant to do more, but Phonso invited us to do a TF, so we switched to higher level characters and ran it. One of the characters I've been upgrading got fully upgraded while I waited for Phonso to recruit a full team, so, the TF was her shakedown cruise. I think she's turning out pretty well. Yes, there's more I can do, but it's more adding options rather than clearly improving her now. I finished her big push. Then I did a bit of paperwork followed by the salsa dancing. Between and after my salsa dancing set, I chatted on the chat server with Nox and Haiden, wrote part of this, hunted badges on the game, and took notes for this to write from the next day. I still got to bed later than I want, but at least I was enough earlier, and slept enough better, I shouldn't need a nap. {smile}

Daily Update, January 30, 2024

    Tuesday, I got up, and started to get ready for my day. Then I looked at my clock, and discovered it was an hour earlier than I thought it was. I went back to bed, discovering on the way that I'd reset my clock an hour late after the day before's power failure. {smile}

   I called my financial advisers again, and still got their answering machine. If some emergency was involved, I'd expect some member of the office staff to pick up the phone and explain that. {smile}

   After that, we had another power failure. power failure. Somehow, the internet was out, too - that's cable - and the lad line phone may have been out as well. It looked like they may have come back at the same time, but I don't know for certain. 

   Then I called the phone company. I worked the phone tree to where they offered to call me back in around half an hour, so I could keep my place in line and do other things. I took them up on it. They called me, but I got cut off. I called them. They said I was still in line. They called me again. this time we connected properly. We arranged for the third time for them to send me the paperwork needed to transfer our account from Dad's name to mine. I hope we get it this time. Then I told then I needed help with my own account. She determined I really needed the billing department, and promised they'd call me. They did, and determined I needed a billing specialist for the particular type of account I have. One should call me in one or more days. Does that count as getting anywhere with the phone company? We shall have to see. {worn smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake most of the time, and looked at the ictures when they were there. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I started her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Next, I finished _Memories 1960's_, showing the pictures and reading their brief captions. I also showed her the next book I'll start: _Girl's Day/Boys Day_ After that, I continued reading _Fairy Tales_ with "Sleeping Beauty." I finished off with the 30th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Ballet Dancer." Angela was lost in the wonder of watching her first ballet. It was a late performance of "The Nutcracker" on TV. She knew some of the music; now she was watching the real ballet. She half-closed her eyes to help herself imagine she was there, dancing and wearing that white tutu. Then she imagined curtseying to the audience as someone brought her flowers. her mother came in, and exclaimed that she was half asleep, and it was over, so she should go to bed. She wasn't sure how to explain about pretending to be the ballerina. She decided that wasn't important when she'd have her first ballet lesson tomorrow. Maybe she'd try again then. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and arm resistance exercises during lulls on City of Heroes: Homecoming. When we were done teaming, I did my salsa dancing warmup set. After a break, I did my salsa dancing warmup set. Again, it got too late before I did more, abut at least I'm getting this much done. I'll keep trying to do more, but he weather has been warm enough, I have to avoid the warmest part of the afternoon, which doesn't help. {rueful look}

   I read articles and comics when I wasn't on the phone in the morning. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after cleaning myself up after lunch. I saw a few friends online and connected with Kitten first. Perogies was running the early long, large group event, but Kitten and I started running part of a story arc on one of my high but not very high-level characters. Pierogies joined us after the early long, large-group event was done, and we made good progress before stopping to chat before I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and caught the end of the late-night short, large-group event. Next, I started writing this. Then I talked to a friend who was on a different part of City of Heroes: Homecoming. I also talked with Mysty and Dr. Faustus in the game. They both seemed busy. Then Kitten came in, and we teamed up again. We were just getting going, when a random stranger invited me to join them. They said my friend could come too, so Kitten and I both joined them. They lost two members after the mission, which was the last of a story arc. We did another, short story arc, then seemed to start a long one, which I changed characters for, but the last two strangers, including the one who invited me, left the group instead. I checked with Dr. Faustus, and we joined him in helping a new player with the introduction to the end game. That took most of the rest of the evening. I tried to say hi to Nox on the chat server, but they didn't respond until they were heading to bed again. When the introduction to the end game arc ended, Dr. Faustus and the new player left. Kitten and I ran one more mission before I stopped for my salsa dancing. Then I talked, with Radio (Nik), Mysty, and a new fellow in a group Radio is starting on the chat server. I also talked to Kitten on the chat server and read a comic, did a little paperwork on City of Heroes: Homecoming, and wrote part of this up and made notes for the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 29, 2024

    Monday, after breakfast, I called my financial adviser. The answering machine still answered. I'll try again later. {resigned look}

   Then I called church and arranged for them to hold a copy of the scripture and thoughts about it I like to read to Mom. I also arranged to drop off payment to cover the replacement of my grandparents' plaques. All four grandparents had plaques on pews, but we can only find Mom's father and Dad's mother now. So, they'll order new plaques and put them on their spouses' pews. That was very specifically my grandmother's wish. It wasn't for my grandfather but at this point, every pew has at least one plaque on it. He simply has to share, so he might as well share his wife's {Smile}

   Late that morning, the power went out, and my internet went with it. I traced the power cord, and found it plugged into one of the surge-protection-only outlets on my battery backup. I managed to juggle cords, and get it plugged into a battery enabled plug. Those are now all full. I hope this both explains and fixed the occasional disconnecting that has been happening since they brought me a new modem. When the power came back on, the internet didn't reconnect until I turned the computer off and back on, just like all the disconnects. I now suspect those disconnects were little blips in the power supply, too brief to be detected otherwise. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake most of the time. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I read Christmas cards from a friend and her sister. Then I continued _Memories 1960's_, showing the pictures and reading their brief captions. Next, I continued reading _Fairy Tales_ with "Snow White." I finished off with the 28th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Peto the Polar Bear." Peto, a little polar bear cub, was playing with his penguin friends in their icy playground. He boasted that he could catch fish with his paw. They said they used their beaks. Peto announced he'd catch a big fish and ran off. His friends warned him not to go too far. He stopped by the edge of the icefloe, made a hole, and started fishing. He was so busy with that, he didn't hear the ice crack as it broke, and started floating away with him. But his friends, the penguins, heard, and scurried across the ice and in the water to rescue him. He greeted them by showing off his big fish. {Smile}

   I got my arm resistance exercises and my head exercises done between and after a couple of missions in the evening. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup. After a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing. by then it was too late to do more, abut at least I got that much done. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics in the morning and over lunch. Then I finished writing yesterday's daily update after lunch. Next, I cleaned myself up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I chatted with Pierogies, but he apologized for not being in a mood to team up. I also chatted with Ulty, who was busy. I said hi to Kitten, but they apologized for having to leave for a while. So, I looked around and spotted a high-level trial that I joined on a character who was missing a couple of badges from it. We ran it and finished but didn't get the badges I wanted. Maybe some other time. Then Kitten said hi, and I got a high but not very high-level character who might be the next to reach the endgame. We ran a couple of missions before it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming again. I said hi to Dr. Faustus, who was busy.  I also said hi to Dark and found out what they were working on. I got someone working on something they needed. and we started running missions together. Kitten said hi too, and they joined Dark and me. We ran through a story arc Dark and I had started and finished it. Then Dark left for bed, since it's a weeknight. Kitten said someone was on who we met recently. I said hi, established a lasting connection, and invited them to one mission - my last before salsa dancing. We ran it. Then I broke for salsa dancing. I watched videos and talked with Kitten between the sets. Afterwards, I talked with Kitten and wrote this up and made notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 28, 2024

   Sunday, I called Uber after breakfast, and they took me to church. I got there just as the offertory was finishing, which means I got all the eucharist, but nothing else. That's more than I expected, after arriving after they'd finished a couple of weeks ago. {Smile}

   After church was brunch and the annual meeting. It was a long but fruitful meeting, I think. We got stuff approved and people elected as needed, except for one vestry seat which will remain vacant as they continue to search for someone to fill it. They couldn't find anyone willing to fill it. If we don't find someone before the meeting ends, they can appoint someone until they can be confirmed at the meeting. Yes, the meeting didn't adjourn. They reached the financial part, which needs to be reviewed by the vestry. They aren't supposed to adjourn and have more than one annual meeting in a year, but they can declare it recessed, so they did. Next week the Vestry will meet. Then the week after, the annual meeting will reconvene, and we'll finish what needs to be done. {Smile}

   After the meeting, the Kubos offered to take me home if I didn't mind if we stopped for some shopping first. I didn't, so we did. They made sure I had a plate of noodles that became most of my dinner, because it was left, and wouldn't keep well.  {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake but resting and didn't talk much. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I read Christmas cards from a friend, her niece, and her sister. After that, I continued _Memories 1960's,_ showing the pictures and reading their brief captions. Then I continued reading _Fairy Tales_ with "Little Red Riding Hood." I finished off with the 28th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Coincidence." Emily and Anne Expected their grandparents for team. Anne suggested making the chocolate buns Granny had taught them to make as a surprise. Emily agreed, so they made some, then picked some flowers, getting everything ready for tea. Then the doorbell rang. It was Granny and Grandad. Granny told them she'd made their favorite chocolate buns for a surprise. They girls burst out laughing at the coincidence. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises while waiting for Uber before church. Then I did my arm resistance exercises in the evening. I tried to do my salsa dancing after Dark left but got dizzy and had to stop a little after a minute. That's no good; I'd had hopes it would be at least as good as yesterday, but at least I tried. I'll have to try harder when morning and early afternoon aren't full of church and the annual meeting. {smile}

   When I got home from church, I wrote up yesterday's daily update. Then I cleaned myself up and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Dark, Pierogies, and Dr. Faustus seeming to be online. I say 'seeming' because Pierogies didn't answer. I was talking with Dark when Dr. Faustus invited me to a high-level taskforce. I asked if I could bring a friend, and he said yes, so Dark and I joined. It ran so close to time to read to Mom, I just squeezed in a little paperwork after that. {Smile}

   After dinner, I found Dark again. We chatted and were starting to pick who to team up on when Dr. Faustus invited me to the same taskforce. Dark and I both joined, and it took most of the evening. After that, we talked as we wound down. I barely said goodnight to Nox, but I chatted with Kitten and Radio on the chat server. I also did some paperwork and a little online reading and video watching as I wrote this up, mostly making notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 27, 2024

    Well, I fiddled with Ko-fi some more today. I realized because of some things Owl Girl said that I may not be happy sharing stories on the net, or not as happy as I thought. It can be a cheap way to share, and there are ways to still get compensated for my work, but you really need to publish at least once a week, and that severely limits how much revising I could do. {bite lips}

   I'm wondering how feasible writing is after all, but I'm trying not to change anything too quickly. {smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake but didn't talk much. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I read a Christmas card from her niece, and a birthday card from me. Next, I started _Memories 1960's,_ showing the pictures and reading their brief captions. After that, I continued reading the book simply called _Fairy Tales_ that I gave her for her birthday, with Goldilocks and the Three Bears." I finished off with the 27th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Chip's Adventure." Chip's mother reminded the little sparrow to wear his hat and scarf as he was leaving his nest. He grumbled that he wasn't cold but flew back to put them on. He flew around, saying hello to his friends, then settled down to sleep on some dry leaves. He woke to find it had been snowing. He shook some snow off his head but couldn't move his wings. Luckily, his mother found him, cleared snow off his wings, and helped him home. When he asked how she found him, she said she saw his hat. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises during a lull in the game. Then I took a break to do my salsa dancing warmup. After a couple more missions, I did my less structured salsa dancing, for over 20 minutes of salsa dancing between them. So, I got all my salsa dancing done, though not much else. At least it's better than last night, and I can try to improve further. {Smile}

   I read comics and articles in the morning when I wasn't working on Ko-fi. I cleaned myself up after lunch and hopped into City of Heroes: homecoming. I found Darkthough1, and we teamed up on slightly lower ones than the day before. We ran several missions. Pierogies joined us partway through. We had enough trouble in one mission, Dark brought a tough, high-level character to help us, though the game tries to adjust them so game is still balanced. We continued to play after that. Pierogies left for bed a mission or so before I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner I came back onto City of Heroes: Homecoming and teamed up with Darkthough1 on the characters we played the previous night. We ran several missions in three different story arcs, bouncing back and forth between them. I also chatted with Kitten privately on the chat server, as well as the two of us talking with Owl Girl in a group conversation on that chat server that we share with Paradox. I talked with Nox on the chat server, too. Radio - Nik - joined us, since we were in a group conversation the three of us share with Hayden, Nik's boyfriend. Radio and I continued to talk after Nox left for bed. Radio even got me into a larger group conversation about a project they're working on. Eventually I did a little exercise, then broke for salsa dancing twice. The first time, I rejoined Dark for two more missions. Then we said goodnight. Later, Pierogies came on and let me sit in a farm while I wrote parts of this and made notes. I also worked on Ko-fi a bit more. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 26, 2024

    Friday, I tried to contact my financial advisers but kept getting the answering machine. I suspect they aren't just on the other line, as the answering machine suggests, but out of the office, since I'm not even reaching the office staff. I'll have to keep trying after the weekend. {smile}

   I also started looking at Ko-fi, a website that helps creators connect with followers who may choose to support them. I'm slowly getting it worked up, but there's so much to decide and arrange for. {Smile}

   Friday evening, I got a phone call from Auntie Barbara. We both talked about what we've been doing recently. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was sleepy when I went in, and part of the time I was reading, but she seemed to wake up when the pictures were particularly interesting to her, especially the ones of her and her sisters. She answered a question or two, too. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I read a birthday card from her sister, and a Christmas card from a friend. After that, I finished "The Picture Book of Vintage Vogue," describing the pictures and reading the dates and titles. Then I started reading a book simply called _Fairy Tales_ that I gave her for her birthday. Except I started with the second story, "Cinderella," because it started with "The Gingerbread Man," and I wasn't sure she'd like him getting eaten by the fox at the end. I finished off with the 26th of January's story-poem from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Magic Hat." Two mice jumped into the conjurer's hat to get away from the cat. They thought they could hide there, but the conjurer came along and changed them into rabbits. They ran off to play in the meadow. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises right after dinner. Then I did my head exercises during lulls in the game. After finishing teaming in the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup before it got too late, all 8 1/2 minutes of it. I know I need to try harder to do more earlier, but at least I did some. {Smile}

   I read articles and played a phone game in the morning. After lunch I cleaned myself up before getting into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I looked around for friends, but the ones I am close to were busy. I ended up doing a lot of paperwork that's been waiting for the weekend. Then I looked around. My friends were still busy, so I looked for a task force, and finally spotted one I wanted. I ran it on my 4th best badger, and finally got a badge I've been working towards for months. Then it was more paperwork and a bit of chatting on the chat server until I went to read to Mom later than I meant to. {Smile}

   After dinner, I squeezed in the one set of exercises I did and began writing up today's daily update. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Darkthough1 on, and we chatted, and teamed up. We ran a story arc some of our mid-level characters needed. We started with a mission to catch me up with them. We paused for the phone call from Auntie Barbara. Otherwise, we worked through it pretty steadily through the evening. I also talked with Nox on the chat server. We did paus for a talk which I needed with Darkthough1. He helped me work out something that was weighing on my mind. Then I forgot to turn in a mission, so we had to do it twice. Near the end of our second time through, Pierogies showed up. We had just one more mission, but he joined us for it. The three of us enjoyed talking afterwards. Then I did my salsa dancing, some paperwork in City of Heroes: Homecoming. I also made notes to write the rest of this from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 25, 2024

   Thursday was my birthday. I decided to celebrate with a day off. All the catching up and trying to get stuff done and set up can just wait until another day. {Smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake when I went in but got sleepy as we went on. She still answered a couple of questions. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I finished her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2022. Then I continued "The Picture Book of Vintage Vogue," describing the pictures and reading the dates and titles. Then I read the last story in _5 Minute Disney Junior Stories_, "Minnie's Vacation Home." I finished off with the 25th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Crash." Lucy and Arthur decided to take their toboggan to the top of the hill and ride down, since there was snow though it was thin and icy. Their father warned them that snow hid lots of rocks, and suggested waiting until the snow was deeper. They didn't want to wait, so they went up the hill, and Arthur pushed off with Lucy in front of him. They went faster and faster until a stone appeared right in their way. They tried to slow down by digging in their heels, but they crashed into it and went flying. They wished they had waited! {Smile}

   I'm afraid I went easy on the exercise, too. I did get my salsa dancing done, both warmup and two pieces of less structured dancing, but that's all I did. I will get back to more when it isn't my birthday. {Smile}

   I watched videos and read comics in the morning and after lunch. Then I finished yesterday's daily update and cleaned myself up. That done, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I said hi to Pierogies and Kitten, but they didn't respond immediately. So, I started working on a character, making some changes which added up to a bit of complicated paperwork. I started testing the character by pitting her against some monsters that are easier with a group, but not impossible for a good character solo. One was not much of a problem solo for her. Two to three was quite a challenge, but doable with difficulty. Pierogies said hi not long after, and we chatted a while. Then he came to join me, and we got several of those monsters together. They are definitely easier with help. I think Kitten said hi next, and we teamed up. We all wanted to do some "stuff and things," meaning more than just fighting monsters with no story, so I looked at my missions. I realized one contact was in our zone, so I started her story arc. We did a couple of missions. Dr. Faustus joined us right near the end. he helped us finish up a mission that seemed to be mostly talk. I really wanted to do something more active for them, but it was too close to time to read to Mom, so we stopped there. I promised to be back after dinner. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped on, and said hi to Dr. Faustus, Pierogies, and Kitten. Only Dr. Faustus responded quickly. He was with a someone, so I joined them. We ran a few missions that the person he was with had. Then someone else he knew joined us. When the first person he was helping left, we started helping his other friend. I got my highest villain, because she seemed close to the right level, and fit with the group. We ran several story arcs with the friend leading. I talked with Nox and Owl Girl on the chat server, too. Kitten joined us, then then Dr. Faustus left. We did a few more missions, then we broke up. I did some paperwork, and Kitten joined my conversation with Owl Girl on the chat server, making it quite lively for a while. I did my salsa, talked a lot with kitten and Owl Girl, and wrote some this up, and ran too late getting the notes done to write the rest the next day. I really need to work on getting done earlier. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 24, 2024

    Wednesday I went back to PayPal, and it looks like the problem is that it and my bank have protocols that don't work together. It looks like the easiest solution will be to get a different bank account. I called my financial adviser, and got their answering machine, so I left a message. I'll have to follow up on that soon. {smile}

   I got a pleasant surprise a little after midnight: a call from our former nurse. He wanted to be the first to wish me happy birthday, and he certainly was! {SMILE}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake when I went in, and looked at the pictures I showed her, and even answered a couple of questions. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I read her more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2022. After that, I continued "The Picture Book of Vintage Vogue," I described each picture and read the date and title if I spotted them, for it's all Vogue cover pictures from the late 1800's and early 1900's. Then I read the next story in _5 Minute Disney Junior Stories_, "Bingo and Rolly's Birthday." I finished with the 24th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Happy Orphan." Peppi was a pheasant who the farmer's wife had found in the woods when he was a tiny chick. She looked around but couldn't find parents or siblings anywhere. Peppi was alone. So, she carried him home, made him a nest of rags near the over, and fed him. Soon, he followed her around like she was his mother. He perched on her shoulder and ate from her plate. She took him to the woods when he was fully grown and tossed him into the air. As he flew away, she told him to find a wife and bring the babies to visit, which he did. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises and over 20 minutes of salsa dancing after I finished teaming on City of Heroes: Homecoming tonight. I do need to work on getting better, but for now, I'm reasonably happy with that. The salsa dancing by far the longest and most vigorous part of my exercise routine, and I got all of that done! {SMILE}

   I played a lot of the cross-stitch game after figuring out that PayPal doesn't work with my credit union. Then I finished writing up yesterday's daily update. After lunch, I cleaned myself up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies. We chatted a fair while, then teamed up. I had to pull the difficulty way down. They were mid-level characters, which isn't high enough to boost much. Kitten joined us for a couple of missions, but they were so tired, they couldn't keep going, and went to rest. Pierogies got tired and left, too. I just did paperwork until it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped on and started on paperwork. After a while, I spotted Dr. Faustus on, and we joined up. We tried to join some groups. The third worked out, and we ran a fairly high-level taskforce together. Then we split up, as Phonso came on, and invited me to a taskforce that Dr. Faustus didn't have time for. We ran that taskforce. I started chatting with Nox on the chat server, too. I also chatted with Owl Girl when they responded about a game that I'm curious about. Turns out they've played it for years. Back in City of Heroes: Homecoming, Phonso and I ran another, shorter taskforce. Then he left and got the former nurse's phone call. When that was done, I did my salsa dancing, then researched games a little, including watching parts of some videos. I've been longing for a game that's more fantasy-oriented, while still being free-to-play, or at least try out, and not demanding too fast a reaction time, since I am not quick. Does anyone know something they might recommend? Then I wrote part of this and made notes to finish up from the next day. {Smile}