Daily Update, July 19, 2024

    Friday was a day of phone calls. {Smile}

   First, I called the surgeon's nurse again. She was quick to tell me that my insurance wants an ultrasound to prove that a CT scan is warranted. I should expect a call scheduling it soon. Then I asked again about if I could become a candidate for the surgery. She explained that this doctor doesn't want to do it because of my medical history. The nurse was concerned about my diabetes, but when I saw him, the doctor seemed more concerned about my ischemic heart disease. Then the nurse said we could check if we can find a surgeon in Honolulu who was willing to do the operation on me. The nurse didn't say this, but I think it might be worth checking on the mainland for a place which specializes in this... but we'll see. If it's common enough in Honolulu, then that's fine. {Smile}

   Before lunch I also got three phone calls from the secretary of nursing company touching bases with me. {Smile}

   After dinner I had a nice text-based conversation with our former nurse after dinner. Then he called me when I didn't call him because of I misunderstood that he was saying to call. We had a nice, long talk. {Smile}

   Next, Auntie Barbara called, and we had a nice talk. later, she called again, but just explained it was an accident when she was trying to do something else, so that was short. 

   I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was resting when I went in, but aroused, especially when we got to the baby pictures. First, I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. After that, I continued _the 40 Cutest Babies in the World_, showing her each picture, and saying a bit about it. Then I read three stories from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the 19th of July's poem, "the Nightingale," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did my arm swinging exercises and my arm resistance exercises after dinner. Then I did my salsa dancing warm-up and less structured sets after playing City of Heroes for much of the evening. {Smile}

   After breakfast, I read articles and played Cross Stitch World. then I had my phone call with the nurse, and my phone calls with the secretary. After lunch. I played more Cross Stitch World and wrote up Thursday's daily update. Then I cleaned myself up. next, I had a text conversation with Nox on chat world. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I teamed up with Pierogies and Dennis for a couple of missions until it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I exercised, then hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. there, I chatted with Jenny's player. I also began writing this up. Then Pierogies, Dennis and I teamed up to do missions together. Dennis left for bed after a couple of missions. Pierogies did one more mission before also leaving for bed. Then I did paperwork followed by Cross Stitch World. Next came salsa dancing, videos, and more salsa dancing. Then more videos and making notes in this with a little proper writing. {Smile}

Daily Update, July 18, 2024

    On Thursday, I started counselling as I was eating breakfast. The session was so full of recent developments and current concerns, we ran over, and had to finish scheduling the next appointment by test. It's next week, since enough is in flux, I'm not confident about waiting a week. {smile}

   Not long after counselling, phone call with surgery nurse. My insurance denied our request for funding for a CT scan. The surgeon is trying to get them to okay it. I also repeated my question about if and how I could become eligible for the operation. The nurse promised to ask the doctor. She did not call back. {smile}

   Our housekeeper came after lunch. Our house is much better for her attentions, especially since she did an extra job cleaning the window screens. {Smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was asleep when I went in and groggy most of the reading, but she did wake up more for the baby pictures. I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Next, I started _the 40 Cutest Babies in the World_, showing her each picture, and saying a bit about it. After that, I read two stories from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the 18th of July's poem, "My Boat and I," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my arm swinging exercises, my arm resistance exercises and my leg exercises after dinner. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup after playing and visiting for most of the evening. I did my second salsa dancing set after cleaning myself up. {Smile}

   My morning was mostly full of counselling and the phone call. I did do some online browsing for workbooks on relationships and friendships after counselling, since she suggested looking into them. After lunch, I played Cross Stitch World and read articles. I eventually got around to writing up Wednesday's daily update. By then it was so late, I just hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies and Dennis in a farm and joined them. We soon decided to do something else. They told me to pick something, so I picked one of my missions that I particularly wanted to do. Afterwards, I did another mission from a different contact. Then it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner and exercise, I began writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I chatted with Jenny's player. whose roleplaying was winding down. She and a friend of hers joined me for a mission. After it, they left, tired. So, I did some paperwork, and some hunts by myself. Then I talked with Nox on the chat server. After that came salsa dancing. Next, I cleaned myself up. then I did more salsa dancing. After that, I watched a few short videos. I also wrote a little of this and made notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, July 17, 2024

    Late Wednesday afternoon, I got a web-phone call from Pierogies warning me he'd lost internet to a big storm, and asking me to pass it on to Kitten, and maybe Dennis, too. I remembered much later to tell Kitten, but I did tell them when I remembered. {Smile}

   I walked out to get the mail and found - as Amazon promised - a second corset of the type that my doctor recommended. Unfortunately, neither included washing instructions, so we just have to hope it likes whatever the nurse does to it. 

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake when I went in and stayed awake and interested in all the pictures, especially the baby pictures. I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. After that, I finished _Calm Babies Picture Book_, which shows peaceful babies with short phrases for captions, which I read, along with giving a partial description of each baby. Then I read a story and two poems from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the 17th of July's story, "the Brave Crab," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   Between reading to Mom and dinner, I walked out to the mailbox and back. Then after playing on City of Heroes: Homecoming, I did my arm swinging exercises followed by my salsa dancing warmup. After a not-too long break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set for not quite 21 minutes of salsa dancing. After a short break, I did my walking exercises, all 14 with just a tiny break between the first eight and the last six. It left me tired, so I hope it compensated for the lack of other exercises. {Smile}

   After breakfast, I played Cross Stitch World and read articles until I wrote up Tuesday's daily update. After lunch, I read more articles, and also read comics and played Cross Stitch World. Then I did online shopping, finding something I've been searching for for days. Then I cleaned myself up before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I started on paperwork, then joined Jenny's player in a story arc she was doing with friends. Dennis joined us near the end. Then the team broke up. Dennis and I squeezed in another mission before I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner I played Cross Stitch World and read articles before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I chatted with Jenny, then started a new, complex kind of paperwork. Then I chatted with Direct X. After that, I played by myself, first hunting, then doing a series of talk-missions. Then I did more paperwork. Next came salsa dancing. Then I wrote in this and watched videos before more salsa dancing. Then more videos before my other exercise. After that, I made notes in this and chatted with Kitten on chat server. {Smile}

Daily Update, July 16, 2024

    Right after breakfast my ride came and took me down to the monthly meeting. that went well, and so did the lunch that was the later part of the meeting. For we adjourned after lunch, since some folks were ready to go home. The same ride took me home. As we were getting home, I checked about other rides. They're doable, but I would have to call ahead and see if the driver is available. If they aren't, then I have to find another way. {Smile}

   After I got home, I called the surgeon's nurse. I know I'm not eligible for the operation, but could I become eligible? Under what circumstances? She said the surgeon isn't available until Thursday. She will ask then and get back to me. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake when I went in and stayed awake and interested in all the pictures. First, I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I started her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Next, I continued _Calm Babies Picture Book_, which shows peaceful babies with short phrases for captions, which I read, along with giving a partial description of each baby. After that, I read a longish story which was actually the beginning of _Alice in Wonderland_ from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the 16th of July's story, "She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I walked out to the mailbox and back this afternoon. Then, after dinner, I did my arm resistance exercises and my leg exercises. Then I did over 20 minutes of salsa dancing late in the evening, in two sets. {Smile}

   After getting home after the meeting and the phone call, I played Cross Stitch World and read articles. Next, I wrote up Monday's daily update. After that, I cleaned myself up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I talked with Pierogies, who was in the later long, large-group event. Afterwards, we teamed up on villains and did a mission which Dennis soon joined. We split up after that, and I went to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner I did some exercise and began writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming and started on paperwork. I spotted some folks going after a giant monster and joined them. then some of us took on a second giant monster. After that, they broke up, so I started on paperwork. Then Dennis came in. We chatted briefly, then joined up to do four missions, two of his, one of mine, then one of his which was really close to the one of mine we did. Then I did some paperwork. Next, Pierogies came in and suggested we farm together. I did that, along with chatting, exercises, checking out videos I wanted to show him, and finishing out with a little writing and more notes in this daily update. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 15, 2024

    On Tuesday, I phoned the leader of the monthly meeting I go to and confirmed we're meeting the next day. Then I phoned the driver who takes me and arranged a pickup time for my ride to the next meeting. {Smile}

   Then I phoned the surgeon's nurse and found out where they are in the process of arranging for a CT scan. That is moving very slowly, but it's not quite stuck. My insurance asked my doctor for more information rather than approving it immediately. My doctor is still preparing that extra information. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was resting when I went in, and often kind of drowsed while reading, but mostly opened her eyes to enjoy the pictures. I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I read from her cousin and me. Next, I started _Calm Babies Picture Book_, which shows peaceful babies with short phrases for captions, which I read, along with a partial description of the baby. Next, I read three poems, two fairly long, and one even longer, from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I ended with the 15th of July's story, "The Lost Appetite," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my standing arm weight training exercises, my arm resistance exercises, and four of my arm-swinging exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did my other eight arm swinging exercises after dinner. After playing on CoH most of the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup set. After a break I did another set, with two pieces for over 20 minutes of salsa dancing. 

   After breakfast, I played Cross Stitch World and read articles until lunch. After lunch, I played more Cross Stitch World and wrote up Sunday's daily update. Then I cleaned myself up. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I found Pierogies. We talked, then teamed up and started a mission. Dennis joined us, and we finished the mission. Then we did another mission, running right up to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I exercised. Then I started writing this up. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I started some paperwork. Then Dennis came in, and we teamed up. We did a mission or two of mine. Then Kitten said hi and joined us right near the end of a mission. Dennis asked to do one of his missions. We did, and Kitten really made a difference. I also talked with Nox on the chat world. Kitten, Dennis, and I did another mission of Dennis's. Then Dennis left. Kitten and I did a mission of mine, then got ready to do another when Kitten stopped responding. Then Kitten timed out, so I did paperwork. Then I did some salsa dancing. I watched a couple of videos as a break, then did some more salsa dancing. Then I wrote a little of this. Next, I played Cross Stitch World, and read web fiction. I finished the evening by making notes in this. {Smile}

Daily update, July 14, 2024

    After Breakfast, I contacted Uber, and they took me to church. I got there before the announcements, which was earlier than Auntie Barbara and Michelle got there. Yes, Michelle was there again. Her Sunday job stopped, so she is free to drive for Auntie Barbara on Sundays again. That means coming to church, among other things. {Smile}

   We had a big lunch on the lanai afterwards. I sat with Auntie Barbara and Michelle and enjoyed talking with both. However, Auntie Barbara arranged for me to go home with Home Communion, since it was Mom's week with them, and she wanted to stop at Island Naturals, then go straight home. I really didn't need to shop there, since I'm trying to get away from the higher-energy snacks I've been picking up when we stop there. So, I went home with home communion. We were their first stop because it was hot, and the gal who was driving didn't want me sitting in a hot car waiting while they saw someone else. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was resting when I went in, and often kind of drowsed while reading, but opened her eyes to enjoy the pictures, especially the pictures of children. I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I read Christmas cards from her niece and a friend, and a birthday card from church. After that, I discovered I hadn't quite finished _The Picture Book of Kids and Animals_, so I finished it, redoing enough pages to get a decent session. Next, I read seven short poems and a story from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the 14th of July's story, "the Happy Gnomes," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises and my arm swinging exercises after dinner. Then I did my head exercises a while after I mostly finished playing City of Heroes: Homecoming for the evening. I swiftly followed that with my salsa dancing warmup set. After a break, I did my less structured set - yes, two pieces back-to-back. It was slightly over 20 1/4 minutes, but I'm particularly proud I did it without a break between the last two pieces. That does require more stamina.  

   After church, I played Cross Stitch World, but I kept dosing off. Eventually I tried eating some protein, which seemed to help. Maybe too much sugar and not enough protein at lunch. Then I wrote up Saturday's daily update. After that, I cleaned myself up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming and worked on some paperwork. then Dennis came in and said hi, and we teamed up for a mission and a hunt, taking us right up to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I exercised, and started writing my daily update. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I teamed up with Dennis for a few missions. After he left, I did paperwork, then played Cross stitch World until I started my exercise and salsa dancing. After the first round, I wrote a little more of this up, watched a video, and played Cross Stitch World. Then I did more salsa dancing. After that, I wrote a little more of this up, played some more Cross Stitch World, and made notes in this to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, July 13, 2024

   On Saturday, I texted our former nurse. He was busy but had a short chat. We also arranged to have a longer talk soon. {Smile}

   I also texted Auntie Barbara, and she called me back. We had a nice talk. {smile}

   I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was sitting up when I went in, and enjoyed looking at the pictures, especially the pictures of children. I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I read a long Christmas card from a friend. Then I finished _The Picture Book of Kids and Animals_. After that, I read Red Riding Hood and another story from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I ended with the 13th of July's story, "the Sea Urchin," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises while waiting for Pierogies to finish the later long, large-group event. Then I did my arm resistance exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. I did my leg exercises after dinner. then I did my salsa dancing warmup set. After a break, I did a less structured salsa dancing piece, and after another break, I did another less structured salsa dancing piece, though when I started, I realized I was tired enough, I was glad I'd picked the slightly shorter, still slow piece. I got around 19 minutes and 50 seconds of salsa dancing, not quite 20 minutes... but I think I was tired enough, it was still a good showing. 

   I had breakfast with Mom. Then I read articles and played Cross Stitch World until I had lunch with Mom. Next, I played Cross Stitch World, read articles, and chatted with friends on chat server until I wrote up Friday's daily update. After that, I cleaned myself up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I said hi to Pierogies, who was finishing up the later long, large-group event. I talked with Jenny's player, too, and did paperwork and a little exercise while I waited. Pierogies and I did get together and do a mission when he was done, taking us right up to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I exercised, and began writing this up and making notes. Then I read some web fiction before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did some paperwork and had my phone call with Auntie Barbara. Then back to City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I talked with Jenny's player and Direct X. I also did a little more paperwork before I joined a pair of high-level taskforces. After that, I did more paperwork, and read comics, articles, and web fiction before salsa dancing. Next, I wrote more of this, and watched videos before more salsa dancing. Next, I read more comics, and played some Cross Stitch World before the last of my salsa dancing for the evening. I made notes in this and hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming to do some paperwork. Before I finished making notes in this. {Smile}

Daily Update, July 12, 2024

    Friday was pretty quiet. {Smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I wasn't late. She was sitting up when I went in. She rested, but looked at most of the pictures, especially the baby pictures. First, I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I read a card from each of her sisters, and one from me. Next, I started _The Picture Book of Kids and Animals_. Then I read The Tortoise and the Hare and two poems from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I ended with the 12th of July's story, "The Legend of the Dragonfly," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises, my leg exercises, and 8 of my 14 walking exercises part-way through the evening. Then I did my warmup salsa dancing, and then after a longer rest than I meant, another salsa dancing piece, for 14 3/4ths minutes of salsa dancing. Then I did my arm swinging exercises. After a break, I slipped in my head exercises, even though it was far too late, but I hope that's a good evening's exercise when I'm still recovering from the root canals. {Smile}

   After breakfast, I played Cross Stitch World and read articles Then I wrote up Thursday's daily update. After lunch, I played more Cross Stitch World and read comics. Then I cleaned myself up. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I teamed up with Pierogies for two or three missions, which took us up to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I found Pierogies just finishing a mission and ready to wind down. So, we watched a video together. After that, I did some paperwork, some exercise, and started writing this up. Next, I did a little hunting by myself back in City of Heroes: Homecoming. Next, I decided to check out the roleplaying scene. I ran into my new friend, who I can't just keep calling my new friend... I checked, and I'll call her Jenny's player, since the character of hers that I know best is Jenny. Anyway, she recognized me because I was on the character my account is named after, though she'd never met the character before. We teamed up, with me switching characters. My even newer friend who I roleplayed and teamed with a couple of nights ago -- Direct X is his account name -- joined us. Jenny's player left after one mission, more tired than she thought. Direct X stayed, and we did two or three more missions. Then I did some salsa dancing, then watched videos during my break. Next, I did more salsa dancing, followed by other exercises, and writing my daily update, including making notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, July 11, 2024

    On Thursday, our housekeeper came in the afternoon for a regular length work session. It was great seeing her, and our house is definitely better for her attentions. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I wasn't as late. She was sitting up and alert when I went in. She rested at times, but looked at most of the pictures, especially the baby pictures. First, I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I read two Christmas cards, one from her friend, and the other from her niece. After that, I finished _The Happy Book: Babies_. Next, I read a long story from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I ended with the 11th of July's story, "Good Neighbors," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did one of my four sitting arm weight training exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. then I did my head exercises after dinner After a break, I did my arm swinging exercises too. After teaming, I did my salsa dancing warmup set, all 8 1/2 minutes of it in one go. Then I did my arm resistance exercises after a break. After another break, I realized it was getting late, and I wasn't ready to do more salsa dancing, so I did 8 of my 14 walking exercises in one go. By the end, I was tired enough, I figured that was enough for one evening. {Smile}

   After breakfast, I spent most of the morning explaining a lot of the paperwork I do in City of Heroes: Homecoming. They're ready to get into that part of the game. Then I had lunch. After that, I wrote up Wednesday's daily update. Then I read comics. The housekeeper came, and I cleaned myself up with her assurances she'd work elsewhere until I was done. I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming later than I like, but earlier than the day before. There, I found Kitten. We teamed up and did a couple of missions before it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I began writing this up, and did a little exercise. then I hopped into City of Heroes: homecoming. I found Pierogies, who invited me to join him in a farm, and even help with it. We talked and farmed until he said he was tired. then he went to bed, and I worked on the paperwork the farming produced. then I talked with Divi a bit in the game, and Nox on the chat server. I was just considering playing alone when Dennis said hi. So, we teamed up, which I far prefer to solo play. We did a couple of my missions. Kitten joined us in the first one and stayed with us. then Dennis said goodbye and left. Kitten and I did another mission. Then I stopped to exercise, I chatted with Kitten on the chat server and researched stuff between exercises. After that I wrote a little more of this and made notes, interrupted with more research and a little Cross Stitch World. {Smile}

Daily Update, July 10, 2024

    On Wednesday, I called the nursing company's secretary to check about something. It's good to know how to proceed. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I was late again; the mission took a while. She was sitting up and alert when I went in. She stayed alert, looking at all the pictures with apparent interest, especially the baby pictures. I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I finished her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2022. Next, I continued _The Happy Book: Babies_. Then I read a story and seven poems from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_, leaving a long story in between them for a different day. I ended with the 10th of July's story, "The Shy Ostrich," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did my arm resistance exercises and my leg exercises after dinner. Then I did my arm swinging exercises during a lull in the game while I was playing with Kitten in the evening. After we finished, I did 6 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing with only a pretty short break in the middle. I didn't feel up to more salsa dancing, so I did my standing arm weight training next. 

   After breakfast, I played Cross Stitch World and read articles. Then I had lunch, with more Cross stich world and reading a comic over and after lunch. After that, I finished writing up Tuesday's daily update. Then I cleaned myself up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies, who was finishing up the later long, large-group event. We teamed up when it was done. Dennis came into the game and said hi just as we were getting together. He joined u, and we three ran one mission of mine which ran a little late, but we were all happy to have had the chance to team up and play together. {Smile}

   After dinner and exercise, I started writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Kitten responded! They hadn't before dinner. We got together and started a mission of mine. After the first battle, we paused for a long talk that I needed. Then we resumed the mission and did a few to several more missions. I also said goodnight to Nox. We didn't get to talk except to say goodnight, but we talked a little then. After Kitten and I parted, I exercised. After the exercise, I went back and forth between writing this up and making notes in it and doing paperwork in City of Heroes: Homecoming until I left for bed. {Smile}