Daily Update, February 9, 2024

    On Friday after lunch, I finally got a different message for their answering machine. So, I left a somewhat garbled message - being flustered by finally getting something - and they called me back. I explained wanting to open a new account that PayPal's automated system can work with. She suggested making an appointment to open one at Mom's bank. I'll try it Monday; by the time we were over, I felt like things would go better if I was fresher. {smile}

   Oh! We had a little earthquake after lunch. it toppled some books by Mom, but luckily, she and her bed were a little further away than usual, so nothing fell on her. I spent a while after that moving books around so there shouldn't be another incident like that. I did a little by my computer, but most of the space I could move books into was used for Mom. {smile}

   I ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake when I came in, but sleepy, and got sleepier over time. She did look at the pictures I showed her, at least a little. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I read a few cards, from the church, a friend, and each of her sisters. Then I continued _Visions of Scotland_ I think she does like the pictures of Scotland. Next, I tried continuing reading _Richard Scarry's 5-minute Stories_ with "A Day at the Fire Station." However, that turned out to be a longer than usual story for that book, and Mom was getting sleepier and sleepier. {Smile}

  So, I stopped and finished with the 9th of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Snow Fairy." Paul was sitting by the fire, looking at his picture book. then he looked at the window, where it was snowing outside. the snow was drifting onto the windowpane, getting bigger, until one turned into a snowman. Paul was curious, so he put on his warmest clothes and went outside. He was surrounded by dancing, smiling, little snowmen who pushed him along the path. Then they were all flying until they landed on a pond in front of an icy palace. Out stepped a beautiful lady in a glittering dress, silver wings, and a shining crown. She told him she was the snow fairy and offered to grant him a wish. He asked her to give the birds food and drink, since the ground is hard, and puddles frozen. She smiled and told him to close his eyes and count to three. He did, then opened his eyes to find himself by the fire. He thought he must have been dreaming. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises, arm resistance exercises, arm swinging exercises, sitting arm weight training exercises, and my standing arm weight training exercises during lulls in role-playing in the evening. I did my salsa dancing warm up set, too. It got too late for a second set before I got to it, but I was happy with how much I did with the arm weight training. besides, there was all that book rearranging around Mom. That should cover what I didn't do. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics and played Cross-Stitch World in the morning. Then I played more Cross-Stitch World after lunch. After that, I cleaned myself up. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Pierogies, and we teamed up. We did an individual mission, then Michiel said hi. We talked a bit, then I invited him to join us. He did and we ran four more individual missions: one for all of us (there are two particularly good rewards a day), one because Michiel missed the first one, and two because we trusted them not to run too long, like some missions can, especially in story arcs. Then, I read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. It was too late for the late-night short, large-group event, so I started by checking my friends. I saw Pierogies on, but he didn't respond. I saw Darkthough1 on, too, and he did respond. We got together and ended up roleplaying all evening. I did talk to Nox on the chat server too, and to Kitten a bit as well, though they were busy with work a lot of the time. Darkthough1 and I even kept roleplaying past my salsa dancing warm-up, which helped me not get to the rest of my salsa dancing, but I had done all that book rearranging to make Mom safer during earthquakes. {Smile}

Daily Update, February 8, 2024

    On Thursday, I had a nice phone call from our former nurse. We enjoyed touching base and chatting. {Smile}

   I checked, but my financial adviser still seems to be unavailable. {small smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake when I came in and stayed awake. She did look at the pictures I showed her. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I finished her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Next, I continued _Visions of Scotland_ showing her the pictures and reading the captions. After that, I continued reading _Richard Scarry's 5-minute Stories_ with "Good Friends and Neighbors." It gave examples of those. I finished with the 8th of February's poem from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Marmalade Kitten." It told about a marmalade kitten's troubles with strong winds. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises while the evening's taskforce was getting going. Then I did my head exercises followed by my salsa dancing warmup set after the taskforce and some soloing were done. Then I tried to do my salsa dancing, but soon started stumbling. So, I stopped and did my arm swinging exercises. Then I tried my walking exercises but felt unsteady almost immediately. So, I walked around the hallway, living room, dining room, and kitchen 10 or 11 times in 9 minutes before it was late enough and I was tired enough, I figured I could stop. 15 minutes would be more equivalent to my second salsa dancing set, but when I'm too tried, I'm too tired. {smile}

   I read articles, watched videos, and played Cross-Stitch World in the morning. After lunch, I played Cross-Stitch world some more before cleaning myself up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I was checking some of my characters when I spotted a trial that has some nice badge. I checked who needed it, and grabbed my third best badge collector, since my first and second had all the badges. As I took off to join the trial, someone said hi. It was Pierogies. He said to go along when i told him what I was up to. I did, though we ended up running another trial because the leader turned out to be low for it, despite being able to set it up initially. So, we ran a lower-level trial, then the one we all wanted, and got all the badges. I tried to learn what Pierogies wanted but ended up running it again before he answered. After that, the group broke up, and Pierogies and I got together. He was mostly interested in showing off new costumes, and discussing the character, which he wants to try role-playing. We did watch an episode of RWBY before I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

   I tried to get into the late-night short, large-group event after dinner, but even though I was early, the zone was already full. then I started writing this up. I checked the game a few times, an eventually saw Azurette, but she left before I said hi. So, I caught a TF. The participants were not at all chatty, but we did get things done. Then I badge hunted on the same character for a while. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server a little. Then I started my exercises. The earlier part went better than the later part. I'm not quite sure why. I checked the game some more, wrote a little more of this, and made enough notes to finish writing it the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, February 7, 2024

    On Wednesday, I realized my right eye is sick. I hope that explains higher blood sugar and more tiredness that I've had recently. I should see my doctor next Monday, so I will bring it up then, whether I've gotten better or not. {smile}

   I called my doctor a couple of times after breakfast to make sure they phoned in my lab tests. Then late in the morning, I contacted Uber. A fellow came and got me and took me to Clinical Labs We had a nice chat on the way. there, they already had pulled my doctor's orders. Soon, we did the tests, though one took two tries, which was frustrating. Then I contacted Uber again, and they came and took me back home. We also had a nice chat. {Smile}

   My financial advisers must still be out. Their answering machine is still answering very quickly. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake when I came in and stayed awake. She looked at the pictures I showed her. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. After that, I continued _Visions of Scotland_ showing her the pictures and reading the captions. Then I continued reading _Richard Scarry's 5-minute Stories_ with "Lowly Worm's Horrid Pests." I finished with the 7th of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Fancy Dress Party." Robert and William were twins who looked very similar, except that Robert's hair was dark brown to William's reddish-brown hair. On their seventh birthday, they had a fancy-dress party. Robert went as Pierrot, and William went as Harlequin, the two clowns. After tea, they went to their room and switched costumes. No one noticed until they took their hats. off. "We fooled you!" The twins said. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and most of my arm swinging exercises waiting for Uber at home. Then I finished my arm swinging exercises in the waiting room of Clinical labs, after checking in. then, after we said goodnight in City of Heroes: Homecoming, I did my salsa dancing warmup set. Then I meant to take a short break, and when I checked the clock again, it was too late for more dancing, or much other exercise. I did squeeze in my arm resistance exercises, and I do wonder if I'm having more trouble because of the sick eye. {smile}

   After breakfast I read some articles. Then I finished writing up yesterday's daily update before going down for the medical tests. After I came back, I read more and played Cross-Stitch World over lunch. Then I cleaned myself up and read some more before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming when Kitten got my attention. I hadn't realized how late it had gotten. I got together with Pierogies and Kitten, who were watching videos after some missions. We watched two episodes of RWBY together before it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I tried to catch the late-night short, large-group event, but it was done particularly early, so I missed it entirely. I started writing this and checked comics and City of Heroes: Homecoming once in a while, until I finally spotted Dark on. He admitted he had gotten on later than usual when we started to talk. Some workdays are like that. Then we teamed up, and played a story arc of mine together, followed by a follow-up story arc. Kitten joined us for the second, which we didn't quite finish because I needed to start my salsa dancing, and Dark needed to head to bed. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server for a while, and with Kitten there, mostly after we were done teaming. I also wrote more of this and made notes to finish writing the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, February 6, 2024

    Tuesday, I stayed home. I did try to call my financial advisers a couple times, but I just got their answering machine. I wonder if I remember them mentioning that they'd return on the 9th. I can hope they come back soon. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake when I came in and stayed awake and interested in the pictures. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Then I continued _Visions of Scotland_ showing her the pictures and reading the captions. Next, I continued reading _Richard Scarry's 5-minute Stories_ with "Dolly's Birthday Party." I almost expected to read about a doll having a party, but no, Dolly was a pig in a purple dress and matching bow, with pretty nice manners. I finished with the 6th of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "One Snowy Morning." One snowy morning, the squirrel looked down and saw the tomtit getting dressed up warmly, the hedgehog waking with his prickles sparkling with frost, and the rabbit practicing with his new snowshoes. As the rabbit called for the squirrel to join them, Peter walked by, pulling his sledge. The rabbit hid, and the squirrel watched him from high in the trees. {Smile}

   I did my salsa dancing warmup set after I finished teaming for the night. Then I did my head exercises during the break before I did my less structured salsa dancing set. After that, I did my arm resistance exercises. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics in the morning, finally getting that site to show me the comics I didn't get the day before. Then I finished writing the day before's update. I had lunch while reading some more articles, then cleaned myself up. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies, and we chatted before teaming up. We a story arc we'd started together on lower-level characters. I also chatted with Ulty on the chat server. Dark joined Pierogies and me before we finished the story arc, which we did do. Then Pierogies left. Dark and I did a hunt and hunted for badges and chatted too. That took me to time to read to Mom. 

   Around supper, I started writing this and making notes for it. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Dr. Faustus and Dark and talked to each in the game. Dr. Faustus was busy and left soon after wishing me a good evening. Dark and I talked, too, and we teamed up, each choosing a character in or near their teens in level. We ran a story arc he'd suggested before dinner, and the following story arc, too. I also chatted with Nox and Kitten on the chat server. The last mission of the second arc warned us we'd need more help than usual. I 'd been ignoring similar warnings this evening, but I didn't that time. I checked with two friends in the game - folks I rarely talk to on my global friends list who seemed to be alone - and left a note on the chat server. The char server didn't respond, but both folks in the game did. One declined to join us, but the other came over. We finished the mission, and with it, the arc. We didn't feel like breaking up, but the next in the arc wanted me higher level, and I have other things I wanted to finish first. So, I picked another contact, and we did 2 or 3 of their missions before I had to stop to exercise. Then I did my exercises, read another comic, did a bit of research, and wrote this up, making a lot of notes to write from the next day. Oh, and I played a very little bit of Cross Stitch World, too. {Smile}

Daily Update, February 5, 2024

    Monday, I had an appointment with my podiatrist, so I called uber after an early lunch. Alan came, and we had a great talk catching up all the way down to my doctor's office, starting with wishing each other Happy New year, since we hadn't yet. {GRIN}

   My appointment with my podiatrist went well. He was just rechecking my right big toe, where the toenail got badly bruised. A new nail is slowly pushing out the old one. He checked it, and it doesn't seem to be causing problems to require intervention, so he wants to check it again in two more months. {Smile}

   I contacted Uber and a driver I don't know as well took me home. He was much quieter, but that's okay. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake when I came in and stayed awake. She was looking at all the pictures today. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Next, I started reading _Visions of Scotland_. I showed her the picture, and read the blurbs on the covers, the title page, and the first few pages. It's not made for seniors with dementia, but it's full of pictures, with short blurbs throughout, without longer passages that are harder to keep Mom interested in. After that, I continued reading _Richard Scarry's 5-minute Stories_ with "Sergeant Murphy's Safety Rules." I finished with the 5th of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Yellow Bird." Yellow Bird's friends in the forest were very worried. They'd all overslept because Yellow hadn't sung early in the morning. When they called to him, he came down, complaining he was too cold to sing. the rabbits warmed him up with their own warm bodies, and gave him fur to line his nest with. That kept him warm enough at night to sing each morning. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises, arm swinging exercises, and two minutes of walking while waiting for Uber to come take me to my podiatrist. After teaming for the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup. Then, after a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. {Smile}

   I read articles after breakfast, followed by comics, but one site had so many problems, I gave up on it. Unfortunately, it's the main host for the short comics I read daily. So, I read what other comics I could, then played Cross Stitch World until lunch. After my podiatrist, I played more Cross-Stitch World. Then I cleaned myself up before going into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Dr Faustus was on, but unresponsive. I think he was busy with a team. So, I chatted with new friend and teamed up. It took most of the time I had that afternoon to hit our stride, but we did get a "door mission" (a regular mission) done before reading to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner started writing this up and made much more notes than I usually do this early. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I spotted Dr. Faustus on and said hi. He invited me to high-level taskforce, which I ran with the group he'd recruited. I did some paperwork afterwards, then read some articles. Then I went back to the game, where I saw Phonso. We chatted. I also started chatting with Nox on the chat server. Then Phonso and I teamed up. He suggested more players, so I advertised for one, and folks started joining, including Owl Girl. We started before we had a full team, but more joined until we did have a full team. We a few missions, finishing a story arc my character had started. Then half the team left, including Phonso. I ran one more individual mission with those who stayed, including Owl Girl. Then I did more paperwork and started my dancing. I watched videos between exercise and afterwards and got the comic site that hadn't been working to show me about half the daily comics I read there before it stopped working again. Then I did some more paperwork in the game and did some research on the web as well. I also talked with Kitten. I made more notes in this and wrote a little more as well, until I felt confident that I could finish the next day. I went to bed entirely too late again. I need to get my bedtime earlier, and under better control. {Smile}

Daily Update, February 4, 2024

    After breakfast on Sunday, I called Uber. The fellow came so quickly, I didn't even have time to do any exercises because I barely waited at all. We had a nice, long chat all the way down. He lives really close by; he came so fast because he was in the driveway when he got the call and lives literally two minutes away. {SMILE}

   I arrived at church just before the service started. Auntie Barbara arrived and sat with me during the announcements before the true service begins. It was so good to see her again. After the service, I picked up the latest Forward Day by Day, the booklets with scripture and thoughts about it that I read to Mom from daily. There is an online version I can read from my phone, but I really prefer the booklets. {Smile}

 

   At lunch I sat with Auntie Barbara, but she was leaving in a different direction. So, I checked with the gal and her mother who've taken me home a few times, and yes, they could take me. I enjoyed talking with them on the way home. {Smile}

 

   A while after I got home, Cathy brought home communion to Mom. I was watching and joined them. {Smile}

 

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was resting with her eyes closed when I got there, and mostly had them closed until there were pictures to look at. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. It was wonderful reading from a paper copy again! Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. After that, I finished _Girl's Day/Boys Day_, finishing the section on Boy's Day. Then I continued reading _Richard Scarry's 5-minute Stories_ with "A Visit with Tillie." I finished with the 4th of February's poem from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Nature's Colours." It mentioned different animals, and a color each mostly is. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and arm resistance exercises while waiting for home communion to come. I was too tired for salsa dancing, but I did walk around the house for ten minutes straight. That's not the 30 the therapist asked for, but it's something, and it's what I could do when i pushed myself just a bit beyond tired. {Smile}

   I cleaned myself up after home communion, then hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found and said hi to Kitten, Pierogies, Dark. Dark and Pierogies were responsive, so I teamed up with both, and we ran several missions together. Kitten joined us at the end, for a partial mission and whole one. Pierogies left near if not at the end. Then I read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Dark, so we teamed up, this time on lower-level characters. Pierogies joined us for several missions. After he left, we did some by ourselves. Then Kitten joined us for the rest. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server, and with Kitten on the chat server after we broke up in the game. {Smile}

Daily Update, February 3, 2024

    Saturday, I called Auntie Barbara after dinner, and we had a nice talk. It was good to catch up with her. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was largely awake through most of the reading again. I began with scripture and thoughts about it from my phone first. I really look forward to picking up the paper copy tomorrow at church. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Then I continued _Girl's Day/Boys Day_, starting Boy's Day. Next, I continued reading _Richard Scarry's 5-minute Stories_ with "Pig Will, and Pig Won't." I finished with the 3rd of February's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Greedy Gray Mouse." A gray mouse on a farm decided to see the world. He told his brothers and sisters he'd catch the train to town as he packed his suitcase. he hid in the farmer's truck to go to the station. Then he crept into the goods van. Soon he smelled cheese He spotted a big round one, and tore into the packaging, gorging on the cheese. Soon he felt sick, and just wanted to go home. He scurried back to the farm truck just in time, forgetting his suitcase, poor mouse. {Smile}

   I did my salsa dancing warmup after lunch. Then I did my salsa dancing less structured set after teaming for the evening. I also did my head exercises, but it was too late to do more. {rueful smile}

   I read a long article, watched a video and played Cross-Stitch World in the morning. Around lunch time, I learned that Kitten was particularly tired, Afterwards, I did my salsa dancing warmup before cleaning myself up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I said hi to Kitten, Pierogies, and Dr. Faustus. Dr. Faustus said he was busy. Pierogies and I started chatting. Then we teamed up and did a couple of long missions which finished the story arc we were working on. by then, he was tired and left for bed. Next, I looked around, and realized Dark was on. We chatted, and he finished a mission he was doing. Then we teamed up on the little characters we'd teamed on the day before and finished their story arc just in time for me to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I got back Into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Dark and Dr. Faustus and said hi to both. Dr. Faustus was busy, but Dark was available, so we teamed up. This time I picked higher ones to play. We stayed on them most of the evening, including when Dr. Faustus joined us for a few missions. Then he left, and almost came back, but got busy with someone else. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server. Eventually I switched characters for the last mission, getting us both some stuff those characters need more of. Then I said goodnight to Dark, did my salsa dancing and head exercises, and wrote this up, making notes to write from the next day for some.

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}