Hello again

Charlotte asked me a few posts back to share a little about myself. I wondered if there was a thread where you all did that. It would be fun to get to know all of you all a little better too.

Gayle, I don't think there is any particular thread for a biography...just tell us about you in this thread.

I'm not sure if you know about me. I'm a Christian stay-at-home mom of 3 little girls. Ages 11, 5, and 2. I live in Billings, Montana. Married almost 6 years to 2nd husband and am 33 years old. I've had RA for about 4 years now, except didn't get the official "hey you have RA" diagnosis until 2 1/2 years ago. I've did colchicine, sulfasalazine, prednisone, vioxx...etc. Now' I'm taking methotrexate ( max. dose) and bextra. If I get any worse, it'll have to be the high price drugs. I love to play on the computer, esp. ebay and slingo.com and pogo.com and yahoo games. I'm an avid reader. Love mysteries and self help books. My current read is Dr. Phil's Family First. I also love to sew and do crafts, like scrapbooking. That's my new venture, but I'm not as good at scrapbooking as my sister (we call her Martha Stewart). I can only do so much with the sewing because my hands and wrists get too sore. My mom and older brother both have sarcoidosis (another auto-immune disease). Also being treated for depression and anxiety disorder for about 1 1/2 years. That's about most of me. How bout yourself?
If you want to know more about Charlotte...click on the link at the bottom of one of her posts. She has a web page. She is a really neat fascinating lady.
~chris

I think walking is one of the best exercises we can do. I too have oa of both knees. One already has a knee replacement. If your knee hurts to walk go buy a cheap knee brace at walmarts and wear it. I walk 2 1/2 -3 miles most days of the week. Along with WW/Tops support I have lost 72 lbs..I still want to lose another 4-5lbs. I wear a size 12 now. I used to wear a 20+. You can do it..Weight is an ongoing battle.. It is always on my mind..Holidays are not as much fun . I am afraid to eat..I think I am getting paranoid..
Eleni had her procedure done today. They put in a pacemaker/defib. This may give her a few more years..I hope more than that.For you that don't know ,Eleni is my sister.
I am sorry to hear about your stepfather ,Angel..Gosh Those fingers of yours sure are giving you a fit..It seems like everything comes in bunches. My son told me God won't give us more than we can handle.. I wonder!I think we all have had our share this year..
Hello Everybody..I wonder how Grasshopper is...Joanne

If there is ANY way you can have access to a pool, get into water aerobics! It is wonderful for your joints, and you can do any intensity you need, it is definately strenious for weight loss, and it's fun!!!

Charlotte,

Thoughts and prayers and {{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}} to you and your mom and family.

Charlotte-
Sorry to hear of the loss in your family. Just know that my thoughts and prayers are with you too. Like you said, one day at a time...

~chris

Angel -Sorry to hear about your S/father.. In time your mother will stop missing him so much.. It is good you are there for her..
Eleni is doing well. She had her procedure yesterday and seems to be feeling much better. She will get to come home this P.M. There will be a lot of things she will not be able to do for a while. Her daughters and I will be there when she needs us. Her hubby is a jewel and will carry the biggest load..
Hope everyone is staying well and getting all their Christmas stuff done so they can enjoy their Christmas..I still have gro. for the Christmas dinner to buy . Next week..
Hello Everybody...Joanne

Barb,

A question for you about the water exercises. I have access to a pool, but the water aerobics classes have not been at a time when I can get to them because of my work schedule. Would it be possible to describe what movements I could do for exercise in the pool?

Thanks

Angel, I am sorry to hear about the passing of your s. dad. My sympathies to you and your family. Your Mom will miss him for a bit, but that is the thing with Alzheimers. She will soon forget when she doesn't see him everyday.

Joanne - I am glad Eleni had her procedure done. She will be feeling a lot better.

Gayle - I am 58, live in Alberta, Canada. I am married to the most wondeful man, and we have two kids, and two grandkids. My son just got married on 1 Oct. so we inherited a grandchild Both of these kids are 6 yrs. old. I have OA in the facet joints of the lower back, and the right hip, as well as Fibromyalgia. That is more than enough to keep me busy

Hello to everybody else. I know you are all busy this time of year. Don't forget to pace yourselves.

Good Morning everyone hope that everyone had a great week cant believe that it is Friday already just not enough hours in a day for me when it comes to ZXmas shopping LOL Charlotte so sorry to hear about your loss my prayers are with you and your family at this time!!!!!!!!!!well a little about my self soon to be 57 have 4 children 7 grandchildren a wonderful hubby after 38 years of training him to where I wanted him to be(just Kidding ) work a full time job and a part time job have oa in my knees need one replaced but that is put on hold until I retire have it in my feet and now going to my wrist and fingers but I keep on a ticking so I am grateful!!!!!! well girls have a good one and a great weekend probably wont be on for the next few days as I am working the next 8 days so I will be lucky if I get out of bed and am going to the right job Rita

Hi Gayle, Anne, Rita, Charlotte, Barb, and Canuk, and all you other ladies.

My day is kind of laid back. I can't go anywhere. Nicole has pink eye. My eyes are feeling a little sticky so I must be next on the hit list.

I'm hitting another level of frustration. I've been at the same weight plateau now for a month and I'm about ready to say...to heck with it! Somebody tell me why I'm not losing. I've been doing better on my eating, and exercise and still I have nothing to show for it except some sore body parts.

Well I'll check on you all later. I know everyone is busy with the holiday preparations. I only have to get 2 more gifts and one birthday present and I'm done. My nephew was born on Christmas so we have a little celebration for him too. Next year, when he turns 4, my sister is going to have a party on a different day for him. I'm going to get him a trike. They live in an apt. and don't have many outside places to play but they have a sidewalk. He comes over here and he rides Nicole's trike all afternoon so I know he'll love it.

Charlotte-Even though you're having alot of troubles and heartaches, I hope you're okay. Still sending you prayers and good thoughts.

~chris

Hi All,

Been really busy. With Christmas, planning on starting new computer systems at work at the first of the year, time just slips away.

If you find the answer to that one, please share it! I'm fustrated because it takes me weeks to lose 1/4 a pound, or 1/2 a pound, and then wake up one morning (today) and be up 2 1/2 pounds!!!

Gayle, about Water Aerbics, do you have both deep water and chest high water? Just walking in chest high water is great, if you have deep water, get a flotation belt and do all the "Old calasthetic"(sp) exercises that people used to do before we didscovered our joints wouldn't tolerate them. Running in the water, cross country ski, jumping jacks, etc There are a couple of website that have good info, but I don't have time to find them right now, but I will try to post them later.

About me: I am 57 y/o 2 grown boys, 1 6y/o grandson, married to the same man 39 years, We own our own business making and selling parts for Mustang automobiles, and I drive a Mustang convertible. ( A childhood dream come true) I live in Dallas Texas and have OA in most of my joints, and Sjorgren Syndrome. SjS affects the body just like RA, except you don't get the deformities that are to prevelent in RA, and you have the added aggrevation of the dryness, dry mouth, dry eyes, dry sinus, dry bronchical tubes, etc, etc, etc,

Sorry, I've been so MIA, but I'll do better after the first of the year, maybe!!!

Angel- I am glad that you are doing well. Yes ,when we lose a close person in our life ,it is one day at a time. It slowly heals. Eleni is doing very well. She says the pacer is helping her heart to beat at a steady beat.. Now she needs to lose a lot of weight.. I am hoping she will be able to do that this coming year..I know that all the prayers is what kept her alive. She was at deaths door when she went to the hospital. The Dr. was wondering why she was still alive.
Christmas is fast arriving.. I will be glad to rest..We had a cookout this weekend for my hubbys B/D. Next is christmas. I will be cooking for a couple days.. Just family..
Hello everybody..I am trying to walk on T/M every day..Maybe that will help some..Too much around to tempt me..Joanne