Daily Update, August 19, 2024

    Right after breakfast Monday, Auntie Barbara and Michelle came to house. Auntie Barbara came in in for a quick visit with Mom. I was going to try to sing with them, but I got a call from the driver who takes me to the monthly picnic asking if I was going. I told her I didn't know, because I was having a toenail removed this morning, and really didn't know how I'd feel the next day. I promised to call early, when I knew. {Smile}

   Anyway, Michelle and Auntie Barbara took me down to the podiatrist. Michelle waited in the car while Auntie Barbara came in with me. She signed up to get hers seen to and was delighted that they'd take her that very day. The doctor's folks warned me the numbing up would be the worst part, and they were right. The actual removal was quick and simple. I checked out, then waited while Auntie Barbara saw the podiatrist. {Smile}

   Next, we went to Longs Drugs to pick up the painkiller the doctor prescribed. However, they were backordered. We tried calling Safeway to see if they had it before making the trip, but it seems it's controlled. They aren't supposed to tell folks if they have it until the pharmacist has studied the written prescription and determined it's legitimate. Longs had suggested the hospital pharmacy as the most likely pharmacy in town not to be out, so we went there. They did have it, so we got it. Then Auntie Barbara and Michelle took me home. {Smile}

   Later. I straightened out a misunderstanding on my part. I'll be taking care of this wound myself. I can, so I should. {Smile}

   Today, I still ate dinner with Mom, and still read to her before that, but I kept the reading to a minimum. I stuck to the two dated ones, meaning I started with Monday's scripture and thoughts about it. Then I went straight to the 19th of August's entry in _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Billy's Picture." Mom seemed to enjoy being read to, even if it wasn't as long, and only had one picture. {Smile}

   I didn't even try to do any exercise today. Actually, I have strict orders to stay off my feet for a week starting tomorrow, so I won't be doing much for a while. {Smile}

   When I got home, I had lunch and wrote a bit of Sunday's daily update up. Then I lay down and put my feet up. I read, texted by phone and drowsed most of the afternoon, trying and completely failing to keep cook when my room has no fan, and my bed is a heat sink when I'm on it. I got up once or twice for drinks and such, then lay back down and read and texted by phone. Then I got up to read to Mom and eat dinner with her. {smile}

   After dinner, I finished Sunday's daily update and City of Heroes: Homecoming as I ate. Then I lay back down, texting and playing games on my phone. Yes, that included talking with Nox on the chat server for a while. I got up for one more snack and made more notes in this before going to bed. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 18, 2021

    On Sunday, after breakfast, I contacted Uber. A fellow came and took me to church. For once I'd gotten up early enough, and Uber arrived promptly enough, I got to church slightly early. Our priest even noticed and commented. I'll have to try to move my mornings at early enough, this happens even on Uber's late days. {Smile}

   The service was nice. After wards, I had lunch on the lanai with Auntie Barbara and a few of the other regulars. I did enjoy that, though Michelle didn't come. Auntie Barbara came for both services so she could do Sunday School at the later, though no kids came. Two services were too much for Michelle. Auntie Barbara had someone else to take home, and had plans to help me get my toenail off the next day. So, we parted after lunch, and the Pennys took me home. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was awake but quiet when I went in. I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I finished her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Next, I started _The Picture Book of Kids and Animals_. then I read a log story from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I ended with reading the 18th of August's story, "A Sunshine Song," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my arm swinging exercises and my arm resistance exercises between reading to Mom and dinner Then, after playing City of heroes: Homecoming much of the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup. After only a short break, I did my less structured salsa dancing. Then I was too dizzy to do more immediately, and it was too late to do more later. {Smile}

   When I got home after church, I hopped right into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I found Div. We teamed up and started doing my missions. Austin joined us after the first mission, and switched characters after the second. We continued, running a few more missions, and almost finishing a story arc. They both left one mission before the end. Then I broke to clean myself up. After that, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I found Kitten. We tried to team up, but they went quiet at the beginning of the first mission. Unfortunately, it was timed, so I'd lose it if I just left it. I tried to do it anyway, but it was set harder from when Div and Austin were teaming with me. Then Dennis came in. I quickly invited him, and he started helping. Then Kitten finally joined us. We got it done, but we ended so close to time to read to Mom that we just talked a bit until I left to read to her. {Smile}

   After dinner, I played Cross Stitch World, then wrote up Saturday's daily update before I played more Cross Stitch World. Next, I began writing and making notes for Sunday's update. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I talked with Dr. Faustus, Jenny's Player, and Ulty, all of whom were just leaving. So, I badge hunted by myself while talking with Nox on the chat server. Then I joined a team doing individual high-level missions. When they were done, the same team did a high-level story arc. The others left after it was done. Shortly after that, Kitten said hi. I switched to a mid-level character, and we teamed up and did a mission. I debated and did another. Div joined us part way through, helping us finish. Then we said goodnight, talking a little, before I left to start my dancing. I played Cross Stitch World in the break. Afterwards, I watched a couple of videos, played some more Cross Stitch World, and read some webcomics. I finished the evening with writing a little more of this and making notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 17, 2024

    Saturday was pretty quiet. I stayed home, and didn't even use the phone much. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I left the game late again. Mom was awake but quiet when I went in. She did rouse when we got to the baby pictures and stayed awake after that. 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 finished _The Happy Book Babies_. Next, I read two poems from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. The story after that was long, so I just finished with reading the 17th of August's story, "The Lonely Spring," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises between reading to Mom and eating dinner. Then I did my arm resistance exercises and arm swinging exercises after dinner and some Cross Stitch World. After teaming for much of the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup set. Then, after a longer break than I meant to take, I did one less structured piece for 14 3/4 minutes of salsa dancing {Smile}

   After breakfast, I read articles and comics and played Cross Stitch World most of the morning. Then I finished writing Friday's daily update into lunch. then I hopped into City of Heroes Homecoming, where I did a little paperwork before I teamed with Div. After some talks and a mission, he left, and I did more paperwork. Then I cleaned myself up before I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I worked on paperwork and ran through a bunch of talks left from playing with Div. Then Austin invited me to a light role-playing mission team with him and someone I don't know. Kitten meowed at me but was too tired to join, I think. Dennis said hi, and did join us. The four of us finished the story arc. Austin actually told a different story centered on his character while we played, which I thought was neat, giving himself unique motivations for what he did, and adding a few things, too. Austin and the one I don't know left after the story arc was done. Then Dennis got a different character who'd outlevelled a mission I had, though they still had it. We did mine, and both got credit for completing ours while fighting folks of a reasonable level for us. After that, I left to read to Mom, after promising to continue the arc with them so we can continue to both get credit for stuff that counts. {Smile}

   After dinner, I played Cross Stitch World and began writing and taking notes in this, pausing to do a few exercises before continuing. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I said hi to Dr. Faustus, Ulty, and Jenny's Player. They all responded, and we started to talk. Dr. Faustus was in a task force. They were reforming, but I checked for characters who needed it, and didn't get back to them in time. He promised to team and badge hunt afterwards, having a couple of good missions for that. I searched my characters for ones to do it at leisure. My top three badgers all had them, and they were villain missions, so I checked my villains. My top villain had one and got the other easily on her own while I waited for the taskforce to finish. My second villain got both. My third villain got one that Doctor Faustus farms. That meant we went in, got what we wanted, and come out without properly finishing, so he can do that again. We also farmed something else for my second villain, but we didn't get enough. During this, I tried to talk with Nox, but they were tired and left before I noticed they'd responded. I was seriously distracted by teaming with Dr. Faustus. Then Dr. Faustus had to leave.  I tried to get more but ended up just doing paperwork. Then i did my dancing, with Cross Stitch World in the break. Afterwards, I did more Cross Stitch World, some City of heroes: Homecoming paperwork, and took notes and wrote in this. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 16, 2024

    I got a phone call from Auntie Barbara after dinner. She thought I'd had the toenail removed today and wanted to know how that went. No, that Monday. She's actually free Monday, and 10:30 isn't too early for her, so she wants to take me. I'm so relieved! I didn't fully realize it, but doing this by myself is more than a little daunting. {relieved smile}

   I've started using the workbooks, kind of. I'm answering the first question in the grief journal in a blank book journal. they provided 1 1/2 pages for an answer that will take a few pages at least. I'm sure some other time, they'll provide more space than I really need. So, I write in a separate, blank book that will let me write as much or as little without making me cram here or teasing me with empty space there. I'm mostly writing during meals so far. {smile}

   I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I left the game later again. Mom was resting when I went in. She did rouse and stayed awake even when i was interrupted. I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Then I continued _The Happy Book Babies_. I was just winding down when the nurse said someone wanted me at the front door. Sure enough, it was the yardman with the monthly bill. I took care of that, then went back to Mom. After that, I read a story and two poems from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I ended with reading the 16th of August's story, "Planting Roses," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my standing arm weight training exercises, and my arm resistance exercises a little while after dinner. After teaming in City of Heroes: Homecoming much of the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup. However, I felt so dizzy afterwards, I tried to treat myself for unstable blood sugar and didn't manage to get it feeling good enough to try more exercises after that. {rueful smile}

   After breakfast, where I think I started writing in the blank book journal, I read articles and played Cross Stitch World. then I cleaned myself up before I had lunch with Mom. Next, I played more Cross Stitch World while thinking. Next, I finished Thursday's daily update. Then I hopped into city of Heroes: Homecoming, where I found Pierogies, who wanted to make new characters and team on them. I took a while making one but did. Then we teamed up. We did the first story arc hero characters can do, and part of one of the sequels together. Kitten and Dennis joined us part way through the second one, not long before Pierogies left. Then I got some other missions and did a couple of them with Dennis. After that, I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner with Mom, I played Cross Stitch World and began taking notes and writing in this. Next, I did some exercises and wrote more in this. Then I played Cross Stitch World before hopping back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Kitten. We started to team up as I started talking with Ulty and Jenny's player. We joined them for a mission. Then Jenny's player left, tired. Ulty did one more, and Dennis joined us. Then Ulty left. I started talking with Nox on the chat server and continued off and on through much of the evening. Dr. Faustus said hi and joined us after Ulty left. We did a couple of Dennis's missions before Dennis left. Then we did a couple of my missions Kitten went quiet during the second of them. Dr. Faustus left after the second, so I worked on some paperwork. Eventually Kitten went offline. I did my salsa dancing, then tried to fix my blood sugar. That didn't work as well as usual, so I played Cross Stitch World, read comics, and worked on this, both writing and making notes. I broke for the Friday paperwork in City of Heroes: Homecoming, which I almost forgot. Then I finished making notes in this. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 15, 2024

    On Thursday, I stayed home and took it easy. My only notable phone call was from the podiatrist, confirming my Monday appointment to get the toenail removed, fungus and all. {Smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I left the game later again. Mom was resting when I went in. She did rouse, but she rarely answered. I started 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 Happy Book Babies_. She was interested enough in the baby pictures, I read a fair bit to her. then I read a story and six short poems from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with reading the 15th of August's story, "Toby's Concert," 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. After playing on City of Heroes: Homecoming most of the evening, I did my warmup set for salas dancing all in one go. then, after a longer break than I meant to. I did try another piece, but only got three-and-a-quarter minutes into it before I admitted I was tiring too quickly to continue. Still, that meant I'd done almost twelve minutes of salsa dancing, which is a distinct improvement over just over eight and a half. So, I'm still improving. {Smile}

   Over breakfast, I read articles. Sometime after breakfast, I switched to Cross Stitch World while I thought about stuff. Eventually I realized it was time to break to clean myself up. After that, I had lunch with Mom. Then I checked City of Heroes: Homecoming, checking who was on and doing some paperwork. Then I wrote up Wednesday's daily update. Next, I went back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I did more paperwork. Pierogies said hi but left quickly due to just not feeling up to playing. So, I continued the paperwork. Then Dennis came in. He warned me he'd be going to bed earlier. We teamed up and did a mission or two of his before it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner and exercises, I began writing this up. Then I played a little Cross Stitch World before I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started with soloing some particularly low-level characters. I also said hi to Ulty and to Jenny's player. They invited me to join them for a couple of missions. I switched to a much higher-level character for that. Direct X joined us too. Then Ulty and Jenny's player both left. I said goodnight to Nox on the chat server. I began arranging to roleplay with Direct X when Dennis came in and invited me to team. I realized I really needed more time to think about the roleplay scenario with Direct, so apologetically pulled out and teamed up with Dennis. I suggested a story arc he was ready to start. I found a character who didn't have it and got it so we'd both get credit. We ran a mission. Then I got invited to a giant monster fight. I know Dennis loves them, too, so we joined that on the same characters. Neither of us got the badge, but some other time. Afterwards, Dennis invited Azurette to join us, and we ran two more missions in that story arc. Next, Dennis left for bed, and Azurette and I talked until I left to exercise. I started my salsa dancing, wrote some of this, and played some Cross Stitch World. Then I did more salsa dancing. Afterwards, I wrote more of this and made notes, with a break for Cross Stitch World and City of Heroes: Homecoming paperwork. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 14, 2024

    On Wednesday afternoon I had a telehealth appointment with the nutritionist. A bit early, I tried to get into the online appointment. I signed in and waited for the nutritionist to join. And I waited, and I waited. Finally, I tried phoning and got her answering machine. I left a message. She finally came online, but we barely said hi before her picture froze, and I stopped hearing her talk. I tried to call again. On my third try, she answered, and we conducted our appointment by phone. She blamed the website for the trouble, which makes sense to me. We did start late because of trying to get online working first, though I actually started that early. Anyway, we had a productive appointment. She suggested some vegetable snacks I'll have to try, between her recommendation and the surgeon's. We decided to use my health insurance's system next time. We've both used their video appointments and like them. I think it's only gotten messed up enough to need a backup system once for me, and it's the usual system for my online counselling. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I left the game slightly earlier again. Mom was sitting up when I went in but didn't always answer. First, I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. After that, I finished _The Picture Book of Babies_. She was definitely interested in those cute babies. Also, there wasn't much left in that book, so I got out _The Happy Book Babies_ next, and starting it. Next, I read a longish story from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I ended with reading the 14th of August's story, "The Bumble Bee," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   A little while after finishing Tuesday's daily update, I did my head exercises. then, after playing on City of Heroes: Homecoming much of the evening, I did my first warmup piece. Then I took a break and did the rest of my warmup for 8 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing. I was more winded than I expected after the second part of the salsa dancing, so I took a short break, and did my arm swinging exercises. Then I had to admit today had been hard enough, that was enough somehow. {Smile}

   Over breakfast and a bit after that, I read articles. Then I played Cross Stitch World and read comics until late morning, when I cleaned myself up. Next came lunch, during which I checked City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I did some paperwork. Then I played Cross Stitch World until my online appointment. After the appointment, I played Cross Stitch World while I calmed down from the stress of not getting the online appointment to work. Then I went back to City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I found Pierogies. We teamed up and ran missions together. Dennis joined us. The three of us ran up to time to read to Mom that way. {smile}

   After dinner, I wrote up Tuesday's daily update. Then I did some exercises and started today's daily update. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I started with paperwork as I talked with Jenny's player and Owl Girl. I joined Owl girl for a mission, then switched characters for another mission. Then the team broke up, so I did some more paperwork. When I spotted Phonso, I said hi. I joined him for a taskforce he was just starting to get together. I started talking with Nox on the chat server while waiting. Then Dennis said hi and joined Phonso's taskforce, too, so I introduced Dennis and Phonso to each other. Then we ran the taskforce. Afterwards, most of the team left. Dennis, one other and I started hunting giant monsters. We got a good team going that grew to a small league which Dennis had me lead. I kept at it until Dennis and I both had to leave, him for bed, and me for dancing and exercises before bed. I did find someone else to take the league, since it was going strong. Then I did my salsa dancing and exercise, playing Cross Stitch World and writing in this and talking notes here during the breaks. Afterwards, I continued to write and take notes here, with a break to check a couple of comics. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 13, 2024

    On Tuesday after dinner, I got a phone call from Auntie Barbara. It was good to hear from her. We had a nice talk. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I left the game slightly earlier again. Mom was resting when I went in but roused somewhat when spoken to. She particularly roused for the baby pictures, those she rested more afterwards, too. First, I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Then I continued _The Picture Book of Babies_. Though she was drowsy, she did rouse to look at the cute babies. After that, I read six short poems from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. Then next story was long, and Mom looked tired, so I just went on, finishing by reading the 13th of August's story, "The Apricots," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then, after dinner and finishing Monday's daily update, I did my arm resistance exercises. Then, after playing City of Heroes: Homecoming for much of my evening, I did the first of three pieces in my salsa dancing warm up. After it I needed a break to catch my breath, but when I took it, I realized I could do more, so I did the second piece. To my surprised, this time I wasn't even winded, though that one is faster, and I did a restart, so it was longer than usual. So, I did the third piece for my full warmup, though it was in two sets, not one. Because of the restart, I did a bit over the usual 8 1/2 minutes, but I can't say how much. {Smile}

   Over and after breakfast, I read articles. Then I cleaned myself up. Next, I had lunch and wrote a little of Monday's daily update. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I found Div, teamed up for some missions including both his and mine. Then Div left. I did a bit of paperwork our playing had produced before Pierogies found me. We teamed up, and Pierogies said he had a mission he wanted help on. Kitten joined us as we were getting ready, so the three of us did that mission together, helping Pierogies like he hoped. Next, I meant to pick a mission Kitten really wanted, but l picked one that sounded similar but didn't count for what Kitten wanted it for. When we finished, it was about time to read to Mom, so I left. {Smile}

   After dinner, I finished writing Monday's daily update. Then I did some exercise before I started writing this. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I quickly found Kitten and we teamed up. I started to get the mission they wanted when Phonso invited us to the taskforce we didn't finish the night before. that was slow recruiting, so I started talking with Nox on the chat server while waiting. We got more players, including Soothing Darkness, and then ran the taskforce, and finished this time. Then the team broke up. I tried to team with Kitten again, but they went quiet. However, Pierogies said hi. We teamed up and ran one mission of the type that Kitten wanted, but we can run more for Kitten. I need more than they do at this point, several times if you count all the characters interested in it. When we were done, I did some paperwork, then some dancing. Next, I played Cross Stitch World during a break in the dancing. Afterwards, I watched videos, then finished making notes and writing in this. {Smile}

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}