Daily Update, December 4, 2024

On Wednesday, after breakfast Auntie Barbara and Michelle came over. They talked with me and my main nurse. Then Auntie Barbara, Michelle, and I went to lunch. They picked Kuhio Grill, a local place with mostly American and Japanese cuisine, with a few other plates for variety. I had the mushroom and bacon cheeseburger. We talked more, and after lunch, they took me home. {Smile}

When they got me home, we found two cars in the driveway. I went into the house to discover that the head of the nursing company and the nursing company secretary were inside. We talked about how things will be now that I'm the primary patient. My main nurse is staying on, at least at first. Our relief nurse will go to a new position that can more fully utilize her skills with the very sick. My former nurse will come back to be my relief nurse. Then the nursing company owner and secretary left. {Smile}

For exercise, when my evening had wound down, I did my salsa dancing warmup. After I cleaned myself up, it was too late to do a second set, but at least I got 8 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing done. I think that's better than the around ten minutes of walking I got the previous day, since salsa is a particularly vigorous dance. {Smile}

After the visits, I hopped into Vindictus, and mainly checked mercenaries. maybe a little solo play, but not much. Then I hopped into city of Heroes: Homecoming. I said hi to Ulty and Jenny's player. Then I teamed up with Pierogies. W ran one or two missions, and Dennis joined us partway through. We said goodnight after that because I was called to dinner. {Smile}

After dinner, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I got a little villain and did a mission or two on her. Then I looked at my global friends list. I said hi to Meghan, an adopted cousin of mine, and noticed she was on a low-level villain, too. I joined her without changing characters, and we ran a few of her missions. We also had a long talk. Then we said goodnight, and I did my salsa dancing warmup. After that, I cleaned myself up. Next, I made notes in this, with a break for a little web browsing before finishing my notes in this. {Smile}

Daily Update, December 3

Now, the rough one... but I think getting it out of the way is best. {small smile}

On Tuesday, I got up to find policemen with our nurse by Mom's bed. Our nurse said she was sleeping, but I didn't spot her chest moving. I decided it would be easier to deal with whatever was going on after I got dressed, so went through to do that. When I came back out fully dressed, the nurse said she'd passed. 

I called the church and tried to arrange for last rights before she went to the hospital, but our priest was at a doctor's appointment, and the folks who came to take her wouldn't wait. 

Then I sat down at my computer as my phone rang. It was my counselor, asking if I could do my Zoom appointment with her, that was supposed to have started 5 minutes ago. I hurriedly signed in and told her what had happened. We talked until my priest came, cutting the appointment short, but I welcomed her. 

When our priest came, we got ready to go. our offered to follow and take me home, but my priest suggested we all use her car. So, she drove both our nurse and me to the hospital. She took a wrong turn and went the long way around one of the longer blocks in Hilo. (Thie is saying something... I think it took over 8 miles when we could have taken less than 2.) At the hospital, the first sent us to a different patient with a similar name. When that was wrong, we went to the emergency room, but they told us she should have gone straight to the morgue, and they weren't letting us go there, even with our priest. {small smile}

We came back home by the usual route. The priest and I sat in the living room and talked for a long time, remembering Mom and Dad both. Then I saw her off after accepting her offer to call Auntie Barbara and give her the news. I had lunch, then called my cousin Kim, Mom's only niece on her side the family. I told her, and we remembered Mom together. Then I called my cousin Nancy, closest of the nieces and nephews on Dad's side. It took a few tries, but she called me back, and I gave her the news. We reminisced. Then I hopped into Vindictus. I didn't spot Div. but I just felt up to talking with mercenaries and a little shopping anyway. After that, I called Auntie Barbara and reminisced late in the afternoon. After that, I told Kitten, Pierogies and Dennis on the chat server about Mom. Kitten and Pierogies met me in game. We talked a lot and played one mission. Then I broke for dinner. {smile}

After dinner, I played Cross Stitch World, and wrote a brief note to tell friends, family, and readers of my daily updates about Mom, and that it might be a while before they got daily updates again. Then I got into City of Heroes: Homecoming just after Pierogies said goodnight on the chat server. I said goodnight there, then said hi to Ulty and Jenny's player. I joined them in farm, where we just talked out-or-character, without trying to role-play anything. Next, they left. I did some paperwork, played Cross Stitch World, watched some videos, and made notes in this. It was a quiet end to a rough day. {smile}

Daily Update, December 2, 2024

I haven't written about Monday when I learned Mom had died on Tuesday... let me write up and share Monday first, as much of a "blast from the past" as it now feels. {smile}

On Monday, before breakfast, I checked with our nurse about some prescriptions I needed. He said that he would get them, but it would be later that day. I found them and partly caught up right after dinner. {smile}

After breakfast, I called my church and straightened out one name on two of the poinsettias I ordered the day before. I am so embarrassed I didn't get it right the first time. {rueful look}

Midafternoon, the nursing company's secretary called to get me to write the check for the month before she came. I did and paid them for the month when she stopped by a short while later. 

Also, Div came back to Vindictus on Monday, and Dennis came back to City of Heroes: Homecoming. They both report a nice holiday weekend with their families. {smile}

I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was awake when I went in almost on time. She was a little subdued, but looked at most, and possibly all of the pictures I showed her. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2019. Next, I finished showing her pictures in _the 40 Cutest Babies in the World_, backing up a little to give her more pictures to look at. After that, I read from _365 Bible Stories and Prayers_, reading "Job and His Troubles" and "The Tower of Babel." I finished my reading with December 2nd's story, "Journeys," in _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

I did my arm swinging exercises and my arm resistance exercises between reading to Mom and eating dinner. I did my salsa dancing warmup after playing in City of Heroes: Homecoming much of the evening. After a break, I did my less structured set for somewhat over 20 minutes of salsa dancing. {Smile}

I played Cross stitch world and read webcomics when I wasn't on the phone in the morning. At lunchtime, I hopped into Vindictus, and played with the mercs. Then I started playing by myself until I realized Div had said hi. He was back from his weekend! We teamed up and did a few missions together, with me on my mid-level character. Then he left. I ran one or two missions on my low-level character after that. I'm looking forward to seeing how she does on a team with Div. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming and started on paperwork. Next, I said hi to Ulty and Jenny's player. Not long after, Dennis and Kitten said hi. We teamed up for a few missions before I left to read to Mom. {smile}

After dinner, I began writing up Sunday's daily update and taking notes and writing in this update. I also took a break for Cross Stitch World before I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I said hi to Dr. Faustus, who was just leaving for a meal. Then I saw Dark was on. I said hi, and we teamed up on low-level villains. We ran missions. Then Dr. Faustus came back and joined us on enough higher a villain, I told him he was the babysitter. I think I also talked with Nox on the chat server.  We did several more missions before Dark left. Then Dr. Faustus and I did three more missions. I discovered I hadn't gotten credit for something, and we did one more to at least advance me a little. Then I start my salsa dancing. I began more notes in this, watched a short video or two, and peeked at comics before doing more salsa dancing. After that, I watched a longer video I didn't meant to finish, but didn't want to stop, either. Then I finished my notes in this. {Smile}

Not a full daily update

 Hello,

Between 3 am, when the nurse changed Mom, and 8:30 am, when he checked on her after getting up, she died. I came in to police offices checking on her when I got up at 9 am. Our nurse claimed she was having some problems, and didn't admit she'd died until I was dressed. I'm not as stunned as i was after losing Dad or my friend Jennifer. I'm sad, but aware of my surroundings and such. The priest came too late to give last rights, then stayed until just before a late lunch. Since then, I've been making phone calls to folks who were close enough, they deserve to hear it when the speaker's attention is on them, and they are not driving or otherwise unprepared for bad news. 

I can write about yesterday and today when I'm feeling a bit more like myself. I might need a few days, but I've got the notes to write from about yesterday and will keep making them so I can write them up when I'm ready. {worn smile}

Daily Update, December 1, 2024

On Sunday, after breakfast I contacted Uber later than I like. They got me to church a way into the service. At least the part of service I saw was nice. After the service, I had lunch with Auntie Barbara. Our priest gave me bread for our nurse then, and I ordered memorial poinsettias as well. {Smile}

After that, Auntie Barbara took me home. She came in to visit with Mom, but Mom was fast asleep, so we didn't sing or anything. We did give the nurse his bread, and Auntie Barbara and I convinced him it was his, not Mom's. Auntie Barbra also told him about some Marshallese dishes she'd brought the day before and left in the fridge. They were left over from Thanksgiving. She wanted to share with him and his wife, who I think is Marshallese, or something close. Our nurse loved her thoughtfulness. {SMILE}

I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. Mom was awake when I went in about on time again. She certainly looked at all the pictures. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2019. After that, I continued showing her pictures in _the 40 Cutest Babies in the World_. Then I read from _365 Bible Stories and Prayers_, reading "God Tells Noah to Build an Ark," "The Flood," and "God's Promise." I finished my reading with December 1st's story, "The Legend of the Pine Tree" in _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

I did my head exercises between reading to Mom and eating dinner. Then I did my walking exercises in just two sets: eight exercises in the first set, and six exercises in the second, both with my tummy and pelvic floor tucked in. {Smile}

After I got home, I hopped into Vindictus. I still didn't find Div, so I started talking to the mercenaries, one of their solitary activities. Then I worked with my mid-level character. After a while, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, but no one was there, either. I did some paperwork, then went back to Vindictus for mercenaries on my low-level character. After that, I went back to City of Heroes: Homecoming. I joined and ran the later short, large-group event. Then I joined the later long, large-group event. As it actually started, I realized it would end well after time to read to Mom. I stayed just through the Giant Monster. As it settled down after that, I made sure my team had a high-level leader and left to read to Mom. {Smile}

After diner, I hopped into Vindictus, giving the low-level character a little regular attention. Then I began makes notes and writing in this. Next, I wrote up Saturday's daily update, with a break for reading comics. After that, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I started to look at a moderately low-level character. I also started talking with Nox on the chat server. Then Dr. Faustus said hi, and we began to get together for story arcs. Before we got far, Divi invited us to a strike force. We ran it with him, then finished out a story arc I had to catch me up to his character for next time. We struggled until Pierogies said hi and joined us. Then it went much better. After the story arc, I said goodnight to Dr. Faustus and left my character in Pierogies' farm at his invitation. I exercised, then watched videos, chatted with Pierogies in the game and Kitten on the chat server, and read comics between the exercise sets. I did some paperwork and notes in this after the exercise and farming were done. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 30, 2024

On Saturday, after breakfast, I had a Zoom meeting with our priest and a few other gals from our church. They are talking about possibly starting a chapter of Daughters of the King, an Episcopal order one member belongs to. I'm not sure if I want to join, but they're encouraging us not to decide until we've done some months of a course of "discernment" about doing that. {Smile}

A while later, Auntie Barbara and Michelle came. Auntie Barbara sang several songs with Mom and me. Then I left with Auntie Barbara and Michelle for a picnic lunch of Thanksgiving leftovers at Liliu'okalani Park. We thought we'd get a table mostly in the sun, which is NOT preferred in the tropics, but Two guys called us over, offering their table since they were just leaving. It was mostly shaded. We walked around part of the park afterwards, so I even got some exercise, though I don't have to the day after physical therapy. {Smile}

I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. Mom was awake when I went in about on time. She seemed happy to look at all the pictures. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2019. Then I started showing her pictures in _the 40 Cutest Babies in the World_. I couldn't seem to help saying I wasn't sure they were the cutest, but they're certainly cute, since all babies are cute. Next, I restarted reading from _365 Bible Stories and Prayers_, reading "God makes the World," "God Makes People," and "The First Sin." I finished my reading with November 30th's story, "Happy Harriet" in _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

After I came back from lunch, I hopped into Vindictus. I still didn't find Div, but I worked on my mid-level character by myself. Then I hopped into City of heroes: Homecoming and did a little paperwork. Next, I found Pierogies. We did a couple of individual high-level missions, then said goodnight. After that, I went to read to Mom. {Smile}

After Dinner, I checked something on Amazon. Then I began making notes and writing in this. After that, I started writing Friday's daily update, with breaks for more Amazon. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I worked on more of the extensive paperwork and its side project. I also talked with Jenny's player and Ulty. Then I teamed up with Dr. Faustus and worked on badge collecting with him. I talked with Nox on the chat server too. Dr. Faustus eventually left, and I made more notes in this. Then Alex said hi. We talked, and he asked for help making a video, which I happily provided. Next, I made notes in this and checked Vindictus and comics briefly. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 29, 2024

On Friday, I contacted Uber a little earlier than usual because I wanted to pay my bill. This turned out to be fortunate, since Uber sent my driver to Kapiolani street, around ten minutes away by car. I texted the driver with my address, then again, when it looked like she was off course about halfway here. It was still showing her a couple miles away when she turned into our driveway. I apologized for the extra texts, and we both agreed that Uber's system was having a bad day. {smile}

Then she took me to Life Care Center, where I paid my bill before I started physical therapy. Afterwards, I contacted Uber. This time, a different gal took me home without further incident. {Smile}

After lunch, I called my cousin, Kim, to wish her a happy Thanksgiving, and chat a bit. I talked with Aunt Valerie, too, since they were together. Both talked to Mom, as well, and Mom even answered once, which is rare these days. {Smile}

I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. Mom was almost asleep when I went in about on time. She may have fallen fully asleep during my reading. I just hope that's a sign I have a soothing voice. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2019. After that, I saved starting the next picture book for a day when her eyes are more open. Then I started reading from _365 Bible Stories and Prayers_, starting that book, though i may well restart it when she's more awake. I finished my reading with November 29th's story, "James's Visitor" in _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

My exercise was my physical therapy Friday. They worked me pretty hard! {GRIN}

After lunch with Mom and my phone call with Kim and Aunt Valerie, I hopped into Vindictus. I still didn't find Div, so I worked with my mid-level and low-level characters. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I started with paperwork. Then I joined the later long, large-group event shortly before they began. It ended at just about time to read to Mom. {Smile}

After dinner, I looked into Daughters of the King, a women's religious order one has joined, and others are looking into at church. I wanted to prepare for a meeting the next day to begin "discernment" for interested parishioners.  Then I wrote up Thursday's daily update, with breaks to start this, check Amazon, read comics, and talk with kitten on the chat server. I guess I was easily distracted. Anyway, after all that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I chatted with Ulty, and a little with Jenny's player. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server. Back on City of Heroes: Homecoming, I started an extensive paperwork project after confirming with Kitten that they really weren't keen on actually doing it, despite expressing interest. I also started a side project that suddenly made sense while I was figuring things out for the first project. As I was winding down before bed, I made notes in this. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 28, 2024

I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving if you celebrate now. If you don't, I hope you had a nice day. {Smile}

Mine was quite low-key I exchanged texts with my cousin Kim, and I got a phone call from Auntie Barbara after dinner. I also ate with Mom and the nurse, who did fix a full turkey dinner for me. {Smile}

I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Our nurse fixed a nice turkey dinner, which I really enjoyed. Mom was awake when I went in a little late again. She stayed awake and looked at all the pictures with her eyes wide open. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2019. Then I finished sharing pictures in _Calm Babies Picture Book_. After that, I read "Opening Night" in _Disney Princess 5-minute Princess Stories_, finishing that book. I ended my reading with November 28th's story, "A Cozy Nest" in _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

I did my arm swinging exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. then, after playing on City of Heroes: Homecoming much of the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup. after a break I tried some less structured salsa dancing, but I got dizzy and grabbed for furniture after only a couple of minutes. So, I stopped, and as usual, it was late to do more later. At least it was almost all with my abdomen and pelvic floor tucked in. I remembered much earlier than Wednesday. {Smile}

Starting with breakfast, I read comics, then cleaned myself up. Next came lunch, during which I started playing Vindictus. I didn't find Div, so i worked on my low-level character, who is a little higher level now, but not too much. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I started with paperwork. Then I was just starting to play by myself when I spotted someone advertising that the late long, large-group event had started, but we could still join. So, I did and ran it. I got done just slightly late to read to Mom before Thanksgiving dinner. {Smile}

After dinner, I began writing up Wednesday's daily update, with breaks for Cross Stitch World, Vindictus, beginning Thursday's daily update, and Auntie Barbara's phone call. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I started with paperwork. I said hi to Alex, Jenny's player and Ulty, and talked with Alex and Ulty. Then I did more paperwork while beginning to chat with Nox on the chat server. After the paperwork, I talked with Azurette. We teamed up for a few loosely related missions, then said goodnight. Then I did my salsa dancing. I made notes in this and checked Vindictus between sets. When I got dizzy early in the second set, I stopped. I chatted with Kitten on the chat server, finished my notes in this, and checked Vindictus again. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 27, 2024

 On Wednesday, in the morning, I started working on bills, figuring out which I'd paid already. In one case, I found the number to call and checked. They asked the account number and confirmed that it had been paid. I tried that with my doctor, too, but had to leave a message on the answering machine I left messages with them about a prescription that needs refilling, too, while I was at it. {smile}

I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was awake when I went in a little late. She stayed awake and looked at all the pictures with her eyes wide open. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2019. Next, I continued sharing pictures in _Calm Babies Picture Book_. Then I read "Snow White and the Three Giants" in _Disney Princess 5-minute Princess Stories_. I finished with November 27th's story, "Old Photographs" in _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

After playing City of Heroes: Homecoming most of the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup. Then I took a break/after that, I did my less structured salsa dancing-- 2 pieces for almost 21 minutes of salsa dancing. I did all but the first piece with my pelvic floor and abdomen held in, because I remembered at the end of it, so that's when I started. I did the longest piece I regularly do to compensate for the part without the extra exercises and still made it through without a second break. {SMILE}

Over breakfast, I read comics. Then I made my phone call and sorted through bills. After that, I cleaned myself up. Next came lunch, and while I ate, and started playing Vindictus, though I did not see Div. So, I began playing by myself. Then Div came in and said hi. We talked, but when I suggested teaming, he said he had a headache that wouldn't let him play. So, we just talked some more until Div left. After that, I played by myself. Then I hopped out of Vindictus to hop into City of heroes: Homecoming. I did some paperwork. Then I played by myself, since no one I particularly like to team with was on, right up until I left to read to Mom. 

After dinner, I began writing this up, and writing up Tuesday's update, too. I took a break to read comics and shop on Amazon. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I did some paperwork and talked with Ulty and Jenny's player. Then I started more paperwork getting a story almost ready to play. Yes, you can your own stories, though you can't save many at a time without the management stepping in. When I finished that for the evening, I did my salsa dancing, with a video between sets. I wrote more notes in this afterwards, with a peek at Vindictus. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 26, 2024

On Tuesday, I got a call from our former nurse. It was before breakfast, and brief, which is a good combination, but I hope we'll talk more soon. {Smile}

I called my financial adviser. I explained all I wanted to the secretary who answered the phone. She connected me to my adviser. I told her my problems and concerns. She told me what to do on my end, and I did it. {Smile}

I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was awake when I went in earlier than sometimes, though not early. She stayed awake and looked at all the pictures with her eyes wide open. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2019. After that, I started sharing pictures in _Calm Babies Picture Book_. Next, I read "Merida's Challenge" in _Disney Princess 5-minute Princess Stories_. I finished with November 26th's story, "Make-Believe" in _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

I did my head exercises and arm resistance exercises between reading to Mom and eating dinner. Later, after I'd played on City of Heroes: Homecoming much of the evening, I did my d=salsa dancing. I kept my pelvic floor and abdomen held in for most of it, both the warmup and, after a break, two pieces for a second set, since it was too late for dancing after a second break. Since it was my first time trying to do two in the second set, I picked the shortest other piece I do. With one stop to back up a little, I did almost 20 minutes of salsa dancing between the two sets. {SMILE}

After breakfast I made my phone call, then cleaned myself up. After that I had lunch and hopped into Vindictus. I didn't find Div, so I played by myself and worked on paperwork. Then I hopped into City of heroes: Home coming with more time to play than usual. I found Pierogies, and we teamed up. We did two individual missions before both of us joined the later long, large-group event so we could play together in it. After that, I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

After dinner, began writing and making notes in this update. I went back anf rother between that and writing and sharing Monday's daily update a couple of times, with a break to read comics. then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I talked with Ulty and Jenny's player. After a while, Alex said hi. We got together and added his other martial artist to the martial arts group. Then we added his only mutant character to a mutant supergroup Div had also started. Next, I started a magic themed group so we could ass Alex's magical character to it. We realized that the character I wanted to head the group, and his magic character had the same face. We decided they are half-sisters, and he had me write his biography. I added a line or two to my biography, too. Then we chatted until we said goodnight. After that, I did my salsa dancing, with Vindictus in the break. After my dancing, I made notes in this and played a little more Vindictus. {Smile}