Daily Update, August 12, 2024

    Monday morning, I had a nap. I'd been late to bed again, and just needed one. It was longer than I hoped for, but I did feel somewhat better for it. I guess I needed it. I was still frustrated that I lost my morning to it. I'm going to try harder to get my nights and mornings earlier, so I have more of a morning to do stuff in. Maybe then I can get into City of Heroes: Homecoming when more friends are around. {Smile}

   I also had a phone call with our former nurse after dinner. It was short but ended with a promise to talk more soon. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I left the game slightly earlier. Mom was sitting when I went in but slightly slow to respond. She was better with pictures to look at, especially the baby pictures and the ones that followed them. I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Next, I continued _The Picture Book of Babies_ and was again rewarded with seeing her pay more attention. Then I read two stories and a longer poem from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I finished by reading the 12th of August's story, "The Sand Castle," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my arm swinging exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did my head exercises after dinner. After a short break, I did my arm resistance exercises, too. After playing for much of the evening, I did my first eight exercises and paused because I was worn out. I took a break, and then did my other six walking exercises, again wearing myself up. I didn't have time to recover and work on the arm weight training exercises and leg exercises, but considering I was notably tired twice, I think I did okay. {Smile}

   Over and after breakfast, I read articles and comics. Then I took that nap. Next, I finished writing Sunday's daily update. That took me into lunch. When I finished, still during lunch, I checked City of Heroes: Homecoming to see who was on. Then I did some paperwork there. Next, I broke to clean myself up. I got back into City of Heroes: Homecoming earlier than sometimes. I started on more paperwork. Then I said hi to Pierogies. We talked and teamed up. I helped him with a couple of high-level villain missions. Kitten joined us. Then Dennis said hi, and he joined us, too. Kitten picked individual missions that get badges as you do more of them. We did one before it was time to read to Mom. I think they might have continued after I left for that. {Smile}

   After dinner and exercises, I began writing this up, Then I did a few more exercises before I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I said hi to Kitten. We teamed up. As usual, Kitten wanted me to pick what to do. As I was deciding, I spotted Phonso, and said hi. We joined the strike force he was organizing and ran it. I also talked with Nox on chat server. After the taskforce, the team mostly broke up, but Kitten, I and one other stayed. The new one organized a task force, but only got two more. We tried to run it with a small team. We actually did just fine until a mission to get a particularly nasty monster and its associates. We got about half the associates, but that left the other half and the monster itself. I suggested everything I could think of, but our first tries failed, and the others weren't in a mood to tough it out, which to be honest, was looking less promising when we decided to just give up. The leader, Kitten and I stayed on the team long after. I did paperwork while we all talked, helping the leader prepare to set up an expensive type of character that does earn good money. Eventually, I quit to do exercises. Then I went back and forth between checking City of Heroes: Homecoming, playing Cross Stitch World, checking comics, and writing this around my exercises. After the exercises, I did more writing and also note taking in this. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 11, 2024

    On Sunday after breakfast, I contacted Uber. A gal came, and we had a nice chat as she took me to church. There, I sat with Auntie Barbara and Michelle. It was a nice service. For lunch on the lanai, I sat down near my usual place. Auntie Barbara and Michelle sat at another table, so when I got up to check the desserts, I moved to sit with them to finish up. {Smile}

   After lunch, we went to island naturals because it was their customer appreciation day. Then they took me home. Auntie Barbara came in with me to visit with Mom, while Michelle stayed outside, and checked our lemon trees, picking a lemon or two despite them being green. They insist the green ones have plenty of juice, though Dad said you got more if you let them ripen. At this point, I'm not arguing, since they're the main ones picking anyway. It's hard for me to walk on the grass around them, even though they're really close to the driveway. I can check a little of the bigger one from the driveway, and that's it. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I left the game moderately late. Mom was resting when I went in but responded and woke up pretty well.  She was slightly slow looking at the pictures at first, but the babies helped wake her up, and then she was awake. I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. After that, I continued _The Picture Book of Babies_ and was again rewarded with seeing her pay more attention. Next, I read two longer poems and a story from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I ended by reading the 11th of August's story, "Peter's Fish," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises and my head exercises while waiting for Uber. Then I did my arm swinging exercises after dinner. After teaming for the early evening, I did my standing arm weight training exercises. then, after a longer break than I meant to break, I got my sitting arm weight training exercises done. After another short break, I did my leg exercises. Then, after a longer break, I did seven of my 14 walking exercises. then I was tired enough, I had to sit down, and it was late to continue later. Maybe I should add that the eighth and the fourteenth are very tiring, and the seventh and thirteenth only somewhat less so. I was tired enough after the seventh tonight, I knew I wasn't ready to tackle something even worse. {rueful smile}

   After Auntie Barbara left, I sat down at my computer. A quick check of conversations on the chat server turned into well over two hours of checking music videos, first for examples, then for a poignant song, then for less poignant songs to break the mood that had inspired. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started with paperwork and was still at it when Pierogies found me. I dropped the paperwork (it will keep) and we teamed up. Then Dennis came on, found me and joined us. We did a mission or two of mine. Then we did a mission Dennis had that got us each a badge. Next, we ran the story arc that mission was in for another badge. After that, I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner and exercises, I started writing this up. Then I read some comics before I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started with paper, and talked with Ulty, who was just winding down, until she left. Next, I looked around and spotted someone doing a couple of individual missions I often solo. I joined them, and another joined us, too I must say it's more fun with company. After two of those missions, the others left. I got back to my paperwork until Dennis came in and said hi. We talked and teamed up. We started with another badge mission, netting each of us two more badges. Then I switched characters, and we did a few of my missions, making five in one day for my fourth best badge collector. She's gotten the easiest that rack up fast, so this is a good haul for her. During this, I said hello to Nox on the chat world, but didn't notice when they responded until a fair while later. In the meantime, they'd gone to bed, so I just said goodnight too. Then I started my exercises and got back to writing a little of this. Next, I watched some videos and played some Cross Stitch World before I wrote some more of this and started making notes in this, too. then I did more exercises and wrote more of this and made more notes. After that, I played a little Cross stitch World before finishing what exercises I did that day. I finished out the evening with some City of Heroes: Homecoming paperwork, reading another comic, and finishing making notes in this. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 10, 2024

    I've been doing a lot of thinking about things... the story that's badly stuck, as well as the new or deepened relationships I hope to develop... {bite lips}

   I guess I'd always hoped they be there to see, support, and celebrate these milestones with me. How can I include them when they're not? {bite lips}

   I will say that a problem I've had gathering my thoughts has eased. Just recognizing it as "grief brain," as the bereavement support group called it eased it a lot. Not that I'm over it, but... it's better. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I left the game moderately late. Mom was resting when I went in but responded. At first she just cracked her eyes open when prompted, but as we got into the baby pictures, she began opening them more and keeping them open longer. First, I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Then I started _The Picture Book of Babies_ and was rewarded with seeing her wake up and pay more attention. After that, I read six short poems and a story from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I finished by reading the 10th of August's story, "The Old Days," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   Between reading to Mom and dinner, I did my head exercises. Then after dinner, I did my arm swinging exercises and my arm resistance exercises. After playing on City of Heroes: Homecoming for much of the evening, I did my sitting arm weight training exercises with a short break. After another short break, I did my standing arm weight training exercises. After another short break, I did my led exercises, pushing myself to do a little more of most of the exercises, while yesterday, I just tried to get in enough of each that I didn't feel guilty saying I'd done them. {wink} Then after a longer break, and a longer one than I meant to take, I did five of my walking exercises before I admitted to myself that I was unsteady enough and it was late enough, I really should stop for the day. {Smile}

   After breakfast, I read articles, then played Cross Stitch World while I did a good bit of thinking. Then I started writing up daily update. I checked out City of Heroes: Homecoming over lunch. Then finished writing up my daily update. Next, I cleaned myself up. Then I got back into City of Heroes: Homecoming earlier than I have recently. I saw someone advertising a team doing a kind of individual missions in a row and joined it. Then I discovered it was led by bowlofdro and Soothing Darkness. I ran with them for a few missions that lasted well over an hour, right until Pierogies said hi and invited me to the later long, large-group event. Then I switched and ran it with him. We talked a bit afterwards, but I left to read to Mo fairly quickly. {Smile}

   After dinner and exercises, I began writing this up. Then I read comics and got back into City of Heroes: Homecoming earlier than usual. I started with paperwork. Dennis came in and said hi before I was done, so I left it for later, and we joined a giant monster team together. We ran with it all evening, even when it switched leaders, and even when it started repeating monsters. I said goodnight to Nox on the chat server sometime during that run, having missed talking. After Dennis left and the team broke up, I went back to that paperwork, along with more than had piled up during the evening. Then I played by myself a bit before I started my exercises. Then I played alone some more and did more paperwork. Next, I wrote more of this and started making notes in it. I finished out with more exercises, followed by finishing writing and making notes in this. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 9, 2024

    Friday, I did a lot of thinking. Some was helpful. I noticed over the morning that I'm really struggling to read the textbook on friendship which I clicked with when I read samples online. I realized that I kept thinking about Dad and Jennifer, who both died a few to several years ago. I'd noticed a textbook and commercial journal on grief that I'd picked up after losing Dad and tried them during lunch and dinner. I'm doing better with them, though not with the acknowledgements section, but I did better with the forward and introduction so far. Maybe I need to deal with the fact that they'll never see this part of my life, and I won't have their support, encouragement, and yes, advice while I work on friendships and try dating and hopefully romance. Not that either was a master at dating, but they'd both done more than I have. I guess I always assumed I would with them, in Dad's case all my life, and in Jennifer's since we became friends. I know they would support me in trying to date and improve other friendships but knowing that is a poor substitute for getting their support and help while I get started. {rueful smile}

   The housekeeper came, too, and the house is definitely better for her attentions. {Smile} 

   I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I left the game moderately late. Mom was resting when I went in, but responded, and cracked her eyes open when prompted... barely. First, I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Next, I skipped over a picture book, since she wasn't opening her eyes much. Instead, I read a longish story from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I ended by reading the 9th of August's story, "Lady Scarecrow!" from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   After dinner, I did my head exercises, my arm swinging exercises, and my arm resistance exercises with only short breaks. After playing CoH much of the evening and winding down with Cross Stitch World, I did my standing arm weight training exercises. After a little break, I did my sitting arm weight training exercises. After an even shorter break, I did my leg exercises. I'm adding a little each day since the root canal got finished. {Smile}

   After breakfast, I read articles and played Cross Stitch World while I did a lot of heavy thinking. Then I had a late lunch, after which I read more articles as well as some comics. Then I played more Cross Stitch World before I wrote up Thursday's daily update. After that, I cleaned myself up. Then I checked the chat server before I got into City of Heroes: Homecoming particularly late. there, I found Pierogies, who wanted to watch the next episode of the _Cursed Princess Club_. When it was done, I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I played Cross Stitch World, read comics, and checked the chat server before I began writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I worked on paperwork until Dennis came in, since he did so pretty quickly. I said hi, and we teamed up. Dennis and I did a few of his missions and a couple of mine before we said goodnight and went our separate ways. I also talked with Nox on the chat server. After Dennis left, I did a couple of hunts on my own. Then I played Cross Stitch World and read some comics before and around my exercises. Afterwards, I wrote more of this and made notes in it, with a little City of Heroes: Homecoming paperwork mixed in. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 8, 2024

    On Thursday, breakfast ran into my counselling session, though I mostly ate it before we got started. It was a good session. We talked about things I've been concerned about and planned how to start working on things, including what resources to get next. I found too much to want to get all of it now. {Smile}

   Then I had a few phone calls from the dentist's office, which prompted some with my financial adviser, too. the dentist's office was calling about the crowns for the teeth with the root canals. As the dentist knew and I remembered before the final call, those two really need to be done now. the old crowns were removed at the request of the endodontist. There's no way they won't need to be replaced before next January, when my insurance renews, but fortunately, my financial adviser assures me I can really afford them. I do need one more crown, but that one can wait until January, when the insurance should cover half of it, or close to that. {Smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I left the game moderately late. Mom was resting when I went in, but responded, and roused over the course of reading. She was fairly good at looking at things today, especially baby pictures. I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. After that, I finished _Picture Book: Babies_. She was really looking at those babies, though she claimed she didn't enjoy the book. I think this is a good example of how confusing late-stage dementia can get. Next, I read a story and six short poems from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with reading the 8th of August's story, "Gino's Oasis," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then, a while after dinner, I did my head exercises and my arm swinging exercises. then after playing on City of Heroes, Homecoming for most of the evening, I did my standing and sitting arm weight training with only a couple of short breaks. I hope that's a good improvement for my second day after the root canal got finished. {Smile}

   After counselling, I played Cross Stitch World while I thought about what the counselor and I discussed. then I read at least one comic. After lunch with Mom, I played more Cross Stitch World while I thought some more. Then I read articles before I wrote up Wednesday's daily update. Next, I cleaned myself up. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I talked with Dennis Pierogies, and Kitten. I teamed up with Dennis, and Pierogies and Kitten joined us to do the last mission of the story arc I so wanted to finish on that moderately low-level character I played the other day. With that story arc done, she is finally ready to gain a few levels. So, with that, I broke to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I played more Cross Stitch World while thinking. Then I read the Amazon sample of the textbook of a textbook and workbook set my counselor favored. It does look particularly promising. After that, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started saying hi to friends. Michiel was leaving. Phonso was busy. Dennis came in, and we teamed up. Kitten joined us for most of it, too. We finished a story arc Dennis was near the middle of. Dennis left for bed. I think Kitten and I did one more mission. then they went quiet, then went offline. so, I worked on some of the paperwork that playing had produced. then I started soloing on a different character. I took a break to play Cross Stitch World, then went back to City of Heroes: Homecoming to do more of the paperwork. Then Pierogies came in, and we teamed up. We ran a mission that was slightly low but could be worse after we boosted it. Then I did what exercises I got done. Next, I wrote a little more of this and started making notes. I did peek on Amazon at the workbook of the set my counselor favored before I finished making notes in this. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 7, 2024

    On Wednesday, I mostly took it easy, since it was the day after I got my root canal finished. {Smile}

   I did get a nice phone call from Auntie Barbara in the evening, after dinner. We had a nice talk, and she confirmed how well the root canal went. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I left the game as early as I'm trying to now. Mom was sitting up when I went. She was good at looking at things today, especially baby pictures. I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Then I continued _Picture Book: Babies_. She was really looking at those babies. After that, I read a story from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I ended with reading the 7th of August's story, "Pom's Big Catch," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and arm resistance exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Later in the evening, I did my arm swinging exercises. I'm encouraged that this was more than I was able to do the day after the last root canal. {Smile}

   At and after breakfast, I read articles. Then I played Cross Stitch World. I began writing up Tuesday's daily update before lunch. After lunch, I checked city of Heroes: Homecoming. Then I finished writing up Tuesday's daily update. After that, I cleaned myself up. then I went back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Pierogies grabbed me right away. He had Kitten with him, and they wanted to run a player-made story arc. Dennis joined us before it began, so we all ran the whole thing. We all liked it, too. It was pretty well written. It also ended just about when I want to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I played Cross Stitch World. then I began writing this up, and also talked with folks on chat server before I tried to find someone to talk to. Michiel was just leaving. Phonso invited me to a taskforce, Dennis came in and said hi, and then Auntie Barbara's phone call happened. When it was finished, Phonso's taskforce had filled, so I just teamed up with Dennis. He helped me do a few missions in a story arc on a moderately low-level character. I'm eager to get it done, because after this, she'll be ready to gain a few levels. I spend more time delaying gaining levels to do more content at level, when they let you add folks any time. After a few missions, Dennis left for bed. I also talked with Nox on the chat server, along with some others. then I did some paperwork. Next, I played Cross Stitch World and read comics, before doing what exercise I felt up to. After that, I wrote more of this and made notes in it, along with doing some City of Heroes: Homecoming paperwork and reading more comics. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 6, 2024

    On Tuesday, after lunch, I contacted Uber. A fairly chatty fellow came and took me down to my dentist's and endodontist's office or tried to. The road was blocked off at the intersection just before their driveway on account of roadwork. so he dropped me off near the intersection, and I walked in. that was okay, but I really hoped for another solution after the root canal. What was a perfectly doable walk in would be much more difficult right after the operation. {rueful smile}

   The endodontist took me quickly and started to root canal promptly. He said at the outset it would be tough. It did take the better part of two hours, but at the end, he was happy with it, and said it turned out fine. So I went to office, to check out. {smile}

   While getting the bill sorted, I mentioned not wanting to walk out to the road, since as I'd expected, I wasn't feeling nearly as energetic as I did on the way in. She said to tell the driver to come in from the side I'd walked from, because the actual work was beyond, and not passable. I texted the driver, and he came to get me, apologizing when he took over twice as long as Uber initially estimated it would take to get there. He blamed all the road work, and I just nodded. We had a nice talk on the way home. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I left the game later than I like, though I've been even later. Mom was mostly asleep, though she did respond a few times, and even opened her eyes to look at pictures. First, I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. After that I started her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. She surprised me by looking at the pictures more than I expected, so in spite of earlier doubts, I tried to continue _Picture Book: Babies_, and I was happy to see her open her eyes to look at the babies. I read a few pages of that. Then I moved on and read a story from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I ended with reading the 6th of August's story, "Where's the Wolf?" from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I got at least five minutes of walking because Uber dropped me off outside the construction cones for the road work on the way into the endodontist. That was it for exercise today. After the endodontist, I didn't feel up to doing much. {rueful smile}

   After breakfast, I read articles and played Cross Stitch World. then I searched for some clothes that have been going missing, I found one, which means there are about eleven still missing, but it's enough for the moment. then I had lunch followed by the endodontist. After I got back from the endodontist, I read article and comics and played Cross Stitch World as I rested. then i hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I teamed up with Pierogies, with me on a moderately low-level character. Dennis joined us, and we did a hunt of mine. Then it was almost time to read to Mom, but we hadn't done a regular mission, so I squeezed one in anyway. {Smile}

   After dinner, I finally wrote up Monday's daily update. Then I played Cross Stitch World and read comics. Next, I began writing this up. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I talked with Michiel. He was fiddling with a character, then leaving for bed. I talked with another friend, who was street hunting before bed. That's like the hunts, but for our own goals, not assigned by a contact. I joined her until she left for bed. Then I switched to the moderately low-level character from that afternoon, and was just starting on her hunts when Dennis came on
We teamed up and did about three door missions with her. I also chatted with Nox a little on the chat server. then the last door mission was done, I said goodnight to Dennis and ran through this character's hunts. Then I switched to a character I'd used the day before who's barely higher level. I realized I should get ready for bed, but quickly ran through a mission first, afraid I'd out-levelled a story arc. Thankfully, I discovered at end of mission that she's got the story arc after all, though she'd better not gain too many levels before she finishes it, or it will be less fun. Next, I wrote a tiny bit of this and started making notes. I paused to update the character's contacts who give missions and story arcs. I also talked briefly with Kitten, planning to get together the next day. then I finished making notes in this. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 5, 2024

    On Monday, I contacted Uber after lunch. They took me down to my podiatrist, for I had an appointment with them on my schedule. However, the Podiatrist's secretary said I didn't have an appointment with them that day. When I called about my toenail fungus, they moved up my appointment, cancelling the later one, but didn't make that clear. I'd been expecting to get my toenails trimmed, so they gave me one for next week Tuesday. by dinner, I'd decided to cancel it, since I really can trim my own toenails. I have clippers. It won't be as pretty as when the podiatrist does it, but it's not worth the fuss and money for this appointment, and the Uber rides involved in getting there and back. Anyway, I ended up taking Uber back home. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I left the game earlier, around the time I want to. Mom was still mostly asleep, though she did respond a few times, including later int eh session than I expected. I think I'll blame the weather. It finally feels like summer, which means hot enough to be less energetic. First, I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I read a card from her sister's friend. After that, I tried to continue _Picture Book: Babies_, but Mom wasn't as interested. So, I moved on, figuring she'd enjoy it more on a day when she was more awake. After that, I moved on and read a story from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I ended with reading the 5th of August's story, "The Windmill," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises, and my arm resistance exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did my arm swinging exercises after dinner. Late in the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup set. after a break, I did my salsa dancing less structured set. After another break, and later than I wanted to, I started my walking exercises. I got dizzy at the end of the fourth exercise, and had to stop, even knowing it was too late to do more later. Looking back, I wonder if trying to rush the tricky steps helped make me dizzy. {rueful smile}

   I read articles over and after breakfast. Then I switched to Cross Stitch World until I broke to clean myself up. After that, I had lunch and checked City of Heroes: Homecoming over lunch. I found Div and apologized for not being able to play due to podiatrist appointment. I also apologized for a similar problem the next day with a root canal sch3eduled barely later. I told him the rest of week should be better. After my trip to the podiatrist, I read comics and played Cross Stitch World. Then I talked with Kitten and Pierogies on chat server while writing up Sunday's daily update. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I teamed up with Pierogies. I warned him when I'd want to leave to read to Mom. We did one... possibly two missions, but the last was long. It ended at a good time, and I happily left to read to Mom. She was still very tired when I go there. {small smile}

   After dinner, I read web comics and played Cross Stitch World. Then I began writing this up and making notes in it. Next, I did a little exercise. Then I continued writing this. After that I played a little more Cross Stitch World before I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I said hi to Michiel, and learned he was just finishing up one last mission before bed. Then I said hi to Ulty and to Jenny's Player. Ulty answered, and said she was roleplaying with Jenny's player before bed. So, I read comics and browsed Amazon for a while. Then I went back to City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I found Dennis. We teamed up and ran a mission of his. Then we talked while badge hunting. At the end of that, we said goodnight. I also said goodnight to Nox on the chat server. Then I did paperwork in City of Heroes: Homecoming and read comics. Next, I played Cross Stitch World before starting my salsa dancing. I played it and wrote some of this, making some notes as well, between salsa dancing sets. Then I played more Cross Stitch World afterwards, and wrote some of this up, and made notes in it, too. More Cross stitch Word and more writing this up and making notes came before I did what walking exercises I got done. Afterwards, I browsed Amazon and finished writing this up and making notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 4, 2024

    On Sunday, I contacted Uber after breakfast, and a fellow came and took me to church. I arrived just as they were finishing the announcements and starting the processional, though I thought I might be later. I sat with Auntie Barbara and Michelle, both during the service, and afterwards, during lunch. Then Auntie Barbara and Michelle took me home, and Auntie Barbara came in to visit with Mom. She was eager for that, since she'd missed visiting with Mom entirely last week. {Smile}

   A while later, home communion came. I joined them, and thought it was a nice service, if quick. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I left the game later again, because the last mission was long and ran late. I wasn't comfortable leaving Pierogies to finish it alone. She was more tired, so I'll have to try harder to end sooner. I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I read a card from her nephew, and one from her cousin. Then I continued _Picture Book: Babies_, describing each picture and reading the facts about babies provided on each page. After that, I read two stories and two longer poems from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I ended with reading the 4th of August's story, "The Lake Fairy," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises and my head exercises while waiting for Uber to come take me to church. Then I did my arm swinging exercises after dinner. Then, after playing on City of Heroes: Homecoming for much of the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup. I did my less structured salsa dancing set after a break, for just over 20 minutes of salsa dancing, with the second piece a newer, fast one. Then i missed my walking exercises because it got too late before I got to them. {rueful smile}

   After Auntie Barbara left, I read comics and played Cross Stitch World until home communion came. After home communion, I hopped on City of Heroes: Homecoming, but didn't spot Div. So, I finished writing up Saturday's daily update, then washed myself up before going back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. This time, I teamed up with Perogies, doing a couple of his missions. The second one ran past the time I've discovered worked better for reading to Mom, but I saw it through. {Smile}

   After dinner and exercises, I played a little Cross Stitch World and did a little comic browsing before hopping back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. there, I caught up with paperwork until Dennis suddenly came in and said hi. I happily dropped the paperwork so we could team up. Dennis suggested we join a group getting a giant monster. Then he spotted another, which turned out to be a team getting a few giant monsters in a row. I also talked briefly with Nox on the chat world, mainly saying goodnight. When the giant monster team broke up, Dennis and I did a couple of missions together. Then I did some more paperwork before I started salsa dancing. I watched a video and did more paperwork before the second set of salsa dancing. Then I wrote some of this and made notes while talking with kitten. Somehow, I got so caught up in that, I missed my walking exercises because it got too late. {rueful smile}

Daily Update, August 3, 2024

    On Saturday, I found a text from nurse when I got up, before breakfast, asking me to call. I called after breakfast, since, with the relief nurse here, I was eating with Mom and the nurse, which has the worst cell reception in the house. I just waited until afterwards. When I was in a room with more reasonable reception, I called, and we had a nice, fairly long talk. It was good to hear from him, but he's back from a trip, so talking is easier again. The trip involved areas with worse reception than the room I ate breakfast in, so we didn't try. {chuckles}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I left the game around my old regular time again, in hopes she'd be more awake. Sure enough, she was resting but responsive, and willingly cracked her eyes to look at things when prompted. I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I read a card from her niece, and each of her sisters. Next, I continued _Picture Book: Babies_, I described each picture and read the facts about babies provided on each page. She seemed more interested in those pictures than most I showed her today. then I read a longer story from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I ended with reading the 3rd of August's story, "The Timid Fawn," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises between reading to Mom and dinner, and my leg exercises after dinner. Then I did my standing arm weight training exercises after a short break. After playing much of the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup set. After a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. After another break, I tried to do my walking exercises, but I needed to stop and readjust the corset a few times, finally starting all over with it to get it comfortable. Then I continued my walking exercises, but only got eight of the fourteen done before I got too winded and had to stop. It was too late to finish up later. {rueful smile}

   After breakfast and the phone call and played Cross Stitch World and read articles before I cleaned myself up. Then I had a slightly late lunch. I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming during lunch, and found Div. We teamed up to do a few missions. Pierogies joined us. Then Div said one more and proceeded to do three more missions to finish a story arc Pierogies had. After that story arc, Div left. Pierogies and I continued to do missions, and Dennis joined us. Then Kitten joined us, too. I slipped in finishing writing, then sharing my daily update between missions, trying for pauses. We switched to villains at some point, and stopped slightly earlier again, since it worked so well last time. It worked again, which was nice. {Smile}

   After dinner and exercises. I read a comic. Then I began writing this up and taking notes. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I found Dennis. I teamed up with him, and we ran a mission of his. I also started talking with Nox on the chat server. We chatted off and on for much of the evening. After our first mission, Dennis spotted a strike force, and we joined it. Unfortunately, it was one with enough unusual tricks, it really needs a good leader well-versed in its quirks and idiosyncrasies. That was not the type of leader we had. I managed okay for the most part, but he really struggled. H complained of not enjoying it afterwards. We talked for a while before he left to try to calm down before bed. Just after he left, Michiel said hi. We teamed up, chose the characters we wanted to play, and ran a mission. It was trickier than I expected, but we pulled it off, and even kept going for a while after the mission was officially done. Afterwards, Michiel said goodnight and left the game. So, I did some paperwork, followed by some salsa dancing. Then I wrote more of this and took more notes in it. I also played a little Cross Stitch World before doing more salsa dancing. After that, I wrote more of this and took more notes in it and browsed on Amazon and the Public Library's websites before doing my walking exercises. I finished out the night by browsing on Amazon and the Public Library's websites some more and finishing up writing and taking notes in this. {Smile}