Jazzy, I heard about the flights being cancelled out that way.

Jazzy, do you notice the difference between the 2 AIs? I am on Aromosin and, like you, had the joint pain prior to the medication. But now it seems so hard to get out of a chair if I have been sitting more than a short period of time. I am always up and walking at home during commercials to prevent that stiffness. Once I start moving I am OK but that initial get up and go seems to have gone. LOL

I am also taking a claritin tablet each day as I read that it can help lessen the pain. I did a trial run, then stopped it. I started it again because, for me, it did make a difference, My family doctor says he had heard it worked but was not sure why.

And sitting by the garden watching everything grow just makes everything feel better!

Heidi- my MO told me Aromosin would be easier but honestly I did not see a huge difference. I have noticed some of the sorer areas like my elbows and feet seem a bit better through time though. I get tired too sometimes, which can be from lots of things. My MO confirmed last visit I can stop after 5 years and will be coming off them next March. I know a lot of women are on the 10 year protocol. The heat is making me tired here right now! I need a siesta!

The thing that has helped me the most is swimming. I have always been a swimmer but changed back to a community olympic pool this past April, and now swimming up to 1 mile at a time (70 lengths). Last night I broke a personal record and did 80 lengths, whoot whoot. I find it keeps me feeling stronger and helps to keep the joints lubricated. I like bike riding too, but not back to being strong with that yet either. Walking and hiking still has it's limits because of my feet. And well, that outdoor stuff is out of the question until this heat wave passes.

I am definately stiff when I get up after sitting awhile. I try to move around regularly, but notice especially after a plane flight where I have been sitting for a few hours.

You bet, Lori!

Jazzy, congrats on being less than a year away from coming off them!! The swimming sounds great. I know it did wonders for my arthritis but DH did not put up the pool after I was diagnosed last year and he hasn't mentioned it this year. I wonder if a hot tub would help. Too bad insurance companies don't pay us for the more natural pain relievers like pools and hot tubs...and garden supplies!

Vicky, I'll have to check that section out and see about useful tips they might have as well.

Thanks Jazzy. I live out of town and carpool so no time really for me to get back into town to swim. :-(

I headed to the blackberries last night knowing there would be a nice handful of ripe ones. But...not a single ripe one. They had been picked off by the birds! Grrrr. I told DH that we needed to fling the netting over them tonight so I can at least get some as the rest ripen. May need to throw netting over the grapes too as I know from experience that I can come home and not find my grapes either.

To top things off my freezer part of the frig seems to be going out. Things on the top 2 shelves have been defrosting. it is 16 years old so I guess it's time to look for another. But it sure is a pain in the tush especially if we have to go back into town tonight. My net flinging may have to wait.

~heidi

The birds will get my figs too if I am not quick enough to harvest them. I don't mind sharing, but don't take everything!

Ohh yes, Home Depot and Lowes. I'll have to check there. I started to fret a little because our Sears store closed down last year. Two years ago we were looking at refrigerators because ours was giving us a problem. They had such nice ones with cool (no pun intended) features. But then for a $75 part my husband fixed ours. We also have an upright freezer in the garage and a small refrigerator(also 12 and 16 years old) out there. I tend to..err...ahem..cough cough..keep all of them filled up. I would hate to look at the things on the very bottoms of each freezer and see how old they are. But I may need to toss some things to make room i9f we can't get a new one for the house right away.

My student worker has brought in the loveliest of plums. No insect damage at all and so juicy and tasty! She says she has an apple tree whose fruits are almost ripe and a big fig tree too. I am in fruit heaven!

That does sound yummy!

Lori, I agree with Wren. I take the med at night.

My Rose of Sharon's are blooming too. Nothing on my hydrangeas yet but they are double the size they've been the past 4 years. I guess they got a huge growth spurt!

Rose of Sharon

Can you find Bob the stray cat?

I only have one Rose of Sharo and it's blooming nicely too. It's one of the better years for it so far.

Yep, I finally found Bob too. :-)

Got the netting put over our blackberries Wednesday night so hope to have a few more ripe ones soon. Still need to toss some netting over the grapes before it gets too late.

Daughter always enjoys selecting and arranging the flower plants.

Husband and I only planted a 1/3 of the (V) garden area this year.

Looked at my tomato plants today to discover I have the first tomato of the season growing. More flowers coming on other plants. Looks like it might be a good season for the tomatoe

Jazzy, he's so cuuuuute!!

Teka, beautiful flowers! Your DD sure has a great eye for pretty flowers.

M0mmy, yay for tomatoes! I have a few plants that have more tomatoes than we will ever eat. Looks like some canning in my near future. My kids just love my red and green tomato salsas.

I have a few cucs that are almost ready for salad making or just for crunching! My beans have gone crazy but my sweet peas are just not growing. My list for in ground planting has been started for next year but I love the conveinence of the straw bale garden and I will do it again next year. I'll get my bales this fall so by spring 2018 the bales will already be set to go!

Gardennerd, mine are 12 to 15 ft tall. If it were my decision I never would have planted where they are. The lady before us planted 2 at the end of our driveway and now they block us from seeing what's coming. I may just cut them down and plant something else there??