Daily Update, December 22, 2023

    On Friday, I thought over the chores that have been piling up, and searched for a bill I thought I had to pay to Life Care Center. A quick search didn't find it. Neither did a more thorough search. I still didn't find it, so I called Life care Center, and they connected me to the gal who's keeping track of that stuff, and she said I was paid up. Next, I asked her to connect me to outpatient physical therapy. They answered, and I asked about the referral, which had first been made in October. She said they've been just too busy to add new patients. Yes, since October, but they will start clearing space for new patients next month. I need a new referral, but if I get one, and don't hear by February, call again. {smile}

   After that, of course, I called my doctor. They actually answered the phone, so I told the secretary about Life Care Outpatient Physical Therapy being busy and me needing a new referral to hopefully finally get something started. They promised to send one over. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake and reasonably alert when I began. She enjoyed looking at the pictures. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued with cards from a friend, her cousin's granddaughter, and her sister. After that, I continued _A Picture Book of Cute Kittens, vol. 1_, I described each kitten as I showed her the pictures. Then I read more from _The Mother Goose Treasury_, reading and showing and describing the pictures that went with each. Last, I read the 22nd of December's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Red and Blue." Blue Elf asked what he should do this morning when he reported for work at Father Christmas's toy factory. He was told to pain a box of tree decorations, dolls, and streamers blue. then he found Red Elf had come much earlier and was already working on his second box. Blue Elf couldn't stand red, so while Red Elf was busy, he painted over some of the things. However, the red paint was still wet, so it mixed with the blue, making purple. Father Christmas came by, said it was a splendid color, and to keep up the good work. {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises and head exercises while waiting for the late night short, large group event. Then I did my arm resistance exercises, my leg exercises, and two of my four sitting arm weight training exercises after teaming for the evening. I tried the other two sitting arm weight training exercises, and my shoulder says it's not ready for them yet. This is the most I've done since my root canal, though I really want to do more. Well, unless you count the day with Auntie Barbara and Michelle as more exercise, almost all walking. Which it was, but this is the most of my exercises I've done. {SMILE}

   I wrote most of Thursday's daily update from notes after breakfast and shared it. Then I played some of the cross-stitch game after the phone calls, until lunch. I played a little more of that game after lunch, then cleaned myself up. After that, I hopped into City of heroes: Homecoming. It was too late for the early short, large group event. I could have joined the early long, large group event, but instead, I worked on paperwork and talked with Kitten and Pierogies. We planned to get together. Pierogies and I even got ready to team with Kitten, but they went quiet after mentioning recent trouble sleeping, then went offline. So, I picked some stuff I wasn't saving to do with Kitten for us to do, and Pierogies and I did a couple of missions. that took us to the later short, large group event, which we did together. Then Pierogies headed off to the later long large-group event while I did a little paperwork before reading to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I did the late night short, large group event, joining early enough, I did my walking exercises and my head exercises while waiting to get started. Then I started writing this up. I tried to find folks to talk to and did talk with Nox a little in City of Heroes: Homecoming, but mostly folks were quiet, so I caught up on comics. Then I got back into City of Heroes: Homecoming and did some badge collecting. I tried on my second-best badge collector but had more luck on my fourth-best badge collector. Then I noticed some folks asking for low level missions. I tried to start something. Kitten woke up and joined me just after I'd promised that. We ran a mission, and the ones who wanted low level left, after another joined us. I think I should have picked lower; it was really mid-level. The new one stayed for two or three more missions, until she left for bed. Then I switched to a character who'd been saving stuff for Kitten, and we did two of her missions. We didn't get to what Kitten really wanted, but we got closer. Then I stopped and did the rest of the exercises I did yesterday. I wrote a little of this up and made a bunch of notes for the next day while talking with Kitten and doing a bit more paperwork than I really had time for. {smile}

Daily Update, December 21, 2023

   On Thursday, I had online counselling after breakfast. It was a nice session. We talked mostly about what I can do with my writing. She mentioned that I'm busy with appointments and gaming, so I don't have too much time for writing. I... hadn't realized, but I guess she's right? I'm sorting through my feelings over that. I enjoy my life, but I want more time for my writing. {smile}

   I also got a call from our former nurse. We had a nice talk. {Smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was resting, but opened her eyes for me when I began. She kept her eyes open when I read and enjoyed looking at the pictures. I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with a recent Christmas card from her niece, and a Mother's Day card from me.  Next, I started _A Picture Book of Cute Kittens, vol. 1_, There are no words, only pictures of kittens so I described each kitten as I showed her the picture. After that, I read more from _The Mother Goose Treasury_, reading and once singing the poems and showing her the pictures that went with each. Lastly, I read the 21st of December's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Magic Carpet." Julian loved to visit Aunt Agatha. She'd travelled with world and brought back many treasures. She had beautiful shells, Chinese screens with birds and flowers painted on them, and a rug covered with tiny, mysterious designs. Julian lay on the rug one day, looking at the patterns, when he felt himself float up into the air, out the window, and over Aunt Agatha's vegetable garden. Down below was a tiny palace in the cabbages, and a tiny Indian prince riding a tiny elephant. Suddenly, a full-sized worm wriggled towards the elephant, who reared up, knocking the prince off his back. Julian laughed. The worm must have seemed like a huge snake to the tiny elephant. But now he was inside again. Was that a dream? {Smile}

   I did my head exercises while waiting for the late-night task force to start. I meant to do more, but it ran too late. {small smile}

   I read comics around the counselling appointment in the morning, and more after lunch. Then I cleaned myself up. I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming halfway through the afternoon. There, I found Pierogies, and we teamed up. We did a mission and a talk-mission that finished up a story arc one of my little characters had. Then we did a few short missions for another contact my character had. This took us to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I got into the late night short, large group event. Soothing Darkness was there, too, and afterwards, we talked. She was showing two other friends her base which she has begun building, so I joined them in a tour. Then one left, and we ran the pair of high-level task forces with a group she recruited to fill out the empty spaces. I was on my 5th best badge collector. She still didn't get the last badge for that. Then the group broke up, and our other friend left, but then Dr. Faustus joined us. We talked for a while, as I started to write this up, and others did did things they had, too. I also started talking with Nox and a little with Kitten on the chat server. Then Dr. Faustus suggested a different, fairly high-level task, so we recruited for it, and we did it. After that, I did some paperwork, a teensy bit of online shopping... well, browsing, not buying yet. I also took notes for this to write from the next day, because it was really too late to do more. {smile} 

Daily Update, December 20, 2023

    Auntie Barbara came with Michelle before lunch. Michelle waited in the car while Auntie Barbara came inside, and visited with Mom, singing a few songs. Then we went out to the car and drove downtown. {Smile}

   Auntie Barbara wanted to walk to her favorite restaurant a few blocks away from where we parked, but she stopped at a different restaurant on the way. I hope it wasn't because I was walking slowly, which she commented on later. My shoes weren't as comfortable when I was walking as I hoped they would be when I put them on. {bite lips} Anyway, we had a nice lunch, then walked back to a new-and-used bookstore. There, I picked out books for Mom and me, while Auntie Barbara picked out books for herself. Then I bought her books, she bought our books, and we swapped back, saying Merry Christmas. This is the best way we've found to make sure we like our Christmas presents. We both love to read, but our taste in books is different enough, we find it hard to choose stuff the other really likes. {Grin}

   Then we went back to the car. We stopped by church because Auntie Barbara had an errand. Then they took me home. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake when I went in. She kept her eyes open when I just read and enjoyed looking at the pictures. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with three Christmas cards that arrived recently, from a friend, our financial adviser, and Auntie Barbara. After that, I finished _1950's Memory Lane_, showing and reading the last few pages and the back cover. Next, I read more from _The Mother Goose Treasury_, reading or sometimes singing the poems and showing her the pictures. I backed up to sing "This Old Man" with her at one point. She joined in on the last line of the first verse and got verses 2-5 pretty good. then she went back to verse 4 instead of on to verse 6, so I figured it was a good time to stop. Last, I read the 20th of December's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Messenger." One night, a lot of snow fell. The next morning, a sleepy marmot opened one eye, saw the snow, and went back to sleep. A few birds sat in the trees, puffing themselves up to keep warm. Then a strange figure came into sight, striding quickly without leaving a print in the snow. He was dressed in a smart blue uniform with white gloves. A fawn whispered who was that. His mother, a doe, whispered back that it was Father Christmas's messenger. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises arm resistance exercises, and leg exercises but found myself tired for my walking exercises. I think my walking exercise today was the walking downtown, despite the uncomfortable shoes. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics in the morning, and researched three sites that help creative types earn some money from their creativity -- Patreon, Buy Me a Coffee, and Ko-Fi -- after I came home from the trip out. Does anyone know anything about any of them that they could share? {Smile}

   I actually got into City of Heroes: Homecoming quite late because of the research. I found Pierogies, and we talked, with the first subject why I was late. Then we teamed up in time to do two seasonal missions (only available to be picked up during the Winter Event, which is running now). That took us to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   I got back from dinner too late for the late night short, large group event, so I started writing this up, getting not just the reading to Mom part but also the trip out written out. Then I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and spotted Ulty, Pierogies, and bowlofdro. I said hi to all three. Bowlofdro didn't answer, but Ulty and I chatted a little, and Pierogies answered, too. I chatted with Owl Girl on the chat server, too. Pierogies was tired, but not tired enough for bed yet, so he wanted to watch RWBY. We watched around half an episode when I mis-clicked and skipped ahead, into the next episode. I tried to find out where he was so we could go back aways farther, but he was tired, and just wanted to try again another day. So, we said goodnight and I looked around. I chatted with bowlofdro, who was finishing up after a particular task force. He pointed out another getting started, so I switched to my third best badge collector who could use it to get a badge. We ran it, and I did get the badge, with little to spare. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server for a while. After the task force, I switched to my fourth best badge collector, and hunted mostly easy badges until I got her the badge for getting 1000 badges. then I did a few more. I also wrote up more of this, shifting to notes when it got too late, and finishing it the next day. I really need to do both notes and writing earlier, so my whole day can be earlier again. {Smile}

--

Personal Blog: https://aeb-anne.blogspot.com/

Daily Update, December 19, 2023

 Tuesday, two gals from church came to visit with Mom and give her home communion. They called to warn me they were running late, and I still managed to miss most of their visit. I walked in as they were getting ready to leave. We did talk a bit, which was nice, and they had a nice visit with Mom, which was the important thing. {Smile}

I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake when I went in/ She closed her eyes when I just read, but opened when I mentioned looking at pictures. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I continued _1950's Memory Lane_, showing and reading the next few pages. Then I remembered the mail I usually read and finished her niece's long family Christmas letter from this year, including the family picture from an early Thanksgiving celebration. After that, I read more from _The Mother Goose Treasury_, reading or sometimes singing the poems and showing her the pictures. Last, I read the 19th of December's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Waiting for Snow." On the last day of school before the Christmas holidays, Judy was very excited. Her uncle, aunt, and cousin Bobby were coming from Australia to spend Christmas with them. She'd never met bobby, but he sent a postcard anticipating the trip. Judy ran home and asked her mother if it was going to snow. She wanted to take him to the hill to ride toboggans and play in the snow, then come back inside for roast chestnuts. Mummy said she hoped it wasn't snowing when the plane came in, because planes have trouble with too much snow on the runways. Judy said she might spend next Christmas in Australia, on the beach. Her mother said, "If you're invited!" {Smile}

I did my walking exercises and two of my head exercises, but between time and dizziness, I didn't manage more. I shall have to work harder at this. {smile}

I finished writing and sharing yesterday's daily update after breakfast. Then I read some comics later in the morning, and over lunch. Then, after cleaning myself up, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. It was enough before the early short, large group event, I tried to get in, but the zone was full. So, I went over to the early long, large-group event, and joined it. I met Pierogies there. We teamed up afterwards. We hoped to get Kitten to join us, but they were busy farming. They'd found a stranger and wanted to get them from 1 to 50 to see how long it takes. So Pierogies and I were slow starting but got two seasonal missions done around the phone call and home communion visit. I really enjoyed that. That took us to time to read to Mom.

After dinner, I caught the late-night short, large group event. Then I started writing this up. Next, I started talking with Kitten, who was still farming, but so close to finally getting the character to 50, they didn't want to stop. Thinking it would take a while, I joined Michiel in a mission he was doing. Kitten was slow to leave the team with the person they'd been farming for when they finished. When they did leave the team, we joined up. Kitten wanted to help the player they'd been farming for get a story arc that opens access to other abilities. So, we invited the other player, who promptly switched to their favorite character, who needed that, too, and they wanted it more for. Michiel and I switched to characters who'd benefit, too, and we ran that story arc. I also chatted with Nox, Paradox, Dr. Faustus, and Kitten on the chat server. Then Michiel and the other player left because it was late, and Kitten and I ran two missions kitten wanted badges and stuff from, including one that took too long because I didn't check the difficulty, and it was too high. We eventually got the difficulty lower, and got the mission done fairly quickly then. {Smile}

Daily Update, December 18, 2023

    I am seriously considering starting a blog where I could share stories, and maybe write about stories, either mine or not. I hope this will give me the maximum flexibility while I work out writing and posting regularly. I wondered if anyone had any suggestions? I'm wondering about best days to post, what folks might like to see and such. {Smile}

   Monday was a day of phone calls. I made a phone call to my doctor, and two to my cardiologist to clarify things about medicine I'm to take. I tried to call my gynecologist about medicine too, but somehow the phone didn't connect properly the two or so times I tried. I guess I'll try again some other day. {Smile}

   I also got two phone calls from Auntie Barbara, arranging to get together on Wednesday, along with Michelle. That sounds much more fun! {SMILE} 

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was resting when I went in, but opened her eyes when I I said hello, and each time I mentioned looking at pictures. She answered a few times, too. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued with her niece's long family Christmas letter from this year. Then I continued _1950's Memory Lane_, showing and reading the next few pages. After that, I read more from _The Mother Goose Treasury_, reading the poems and showing her the pictures. I finished with the 18th of December's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Early Lamb." A few days before Christmas, a lamb was born in the stable. Mary, the farmer's daughter, was worried, since it was born in the middle of winter, instead of early spring. Its mother didn't have enough milk, so the lamb got weaker. Mary's mother helped her line a box with an old blanket and put it in the kitchen to make a warm bed. Mary fed it cow's milk with a bottle, and it grew stronger. It followed Mary around, and she took it out for exercise and grass to eat. In the early spring the other lambs were born. May's lamb joined them in the field and taught them skipping. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and walking exercises after we finished teaming, and I'd been talking in a farm with Kitten for a while. Then it got too late, but I did more than last night. {Smile}

   I read articles and caught up on comics in the morning and over lunch when I wasn't on the phone. Oh, and I set up a signature file in my email which should help me provide the link to my blog if anyone's interested. I can add another link if I start that fiction blog. Then I cleaned myself up before hoping into City of Heroes: Homecoming too late to join the early short, large group event. I looked around, and did some badge collecting, but didn't really settle until it was late for the early long, large-group event, too. Then I started talking with Kitten. They wanted to work on statistic improving badges. Pierogies said hi and joined us, first showing interest in seasonally available badges. Kitten thought that ought to take priority because they aren't readily available most of the year, but Pierogies chose the stat-improving stuff because it would be useful in getting the other later. they told me to lead the way, trusting me to organize things well. I lead them around to the badges you just have to visit, then told and showed them what critters we needed to get. Pierogies wanted to get the toughest critter while I read to Mom. So I helped him until I left for that. {Smile}

 

I checked back briefly between reading and dinner, and again after dinner. He was still going both times. We chatted and I helped he finished up, determined not to leave until my character - who had to be as low as anyone - had the badge we were looking for. then he left to set up a farm to run overnight while he went to bed. Then I started writing this up, getting more than I had been, though not as much as yesterday. Next, I came back and started badging. I also started and talking with Dr. Faustus on the chat server. Kitten came back to City of Heroes: Homecoming, and we teamed up. We settled on a task force, and I arranged it, advertising, and inviting Mysty to join us, which she did. I started talking with Nox on the chat server around this time. After that short task force, Kitten and I started another, much longer task force four times before getting it set up right. Then we got what we most wanted from it in the first mission. So we quit, and Kitten did a farm where we chatted. I got so into the chatting, I started my exercises late, but I did get some done. After that, I wrote more of this up, making notes to write from the next day when it got late. {Smile}

 

Daily Update, December 17, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Update, December 16, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Update, December 14, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Update, December 13, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Update, December 12, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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