Don't faint and fall over, yes I'm actually posting something! Sorry it's been quiet here for the last while. I do hope you all had a nice Valentine's Day if you celebrate it. We don't here in my house, hubby doesn't believe in that particular day as he says he "can tell me he loves me every day of the year" not just that one. But he IS big on my birthday, Christmas and most especially our wedding anniversary. He's just not the romantic kind.
2010 Winter OlympicsHave you been watching any of it? The Opening Ceremonies, even with a glitch or two, were beautifully done. I'm not normally one for watching much of the Olympic Games, although I used to enjoy the odd Summer Olympics. However this year I've somehow gotten the "bug" and I've been watching a lot of it. I've always enjoyed figure skating and in particular, the Pairs.
Well now I've found I also enjoy a lot of the skiing events too, and I've been following the Canadian Womens Hockey games, they're getting a lot of shut-outs. I'm so proud of all who make it to the Olympics from every country, but it's especially exciting to see Canada FINALLY break the slump and win some Gold on home ground! I hope the Closing Ceremonies are as good as the Opening, I'll be sure to watch that as well.
OuchiesOne reason I haven't been posting quite as much of late is a very sore arm. I'm not sure what is happening there, but here's a bit of an explanation:
A few years ago some of you may remember my left arm was getting especially bad from osteo-arthritis. After trying many things, it was a friend's suggestion to try Shark Cartilage that did it for me. I always prefer to go with natural rememdies wherever I can. After being on it for a few months once there was enough of it in my body, it made a huge difference! For the past couple of years it has been pretty good without much pain or stiffness.
A few months ago, the store I was getting it at suddenly stopped carrying it. I wasn't in a huge hurry to find it elsewhere, until several weeks ago my arm suddenly started hurting again quite a lot. In desperation I found some elsewhere and I'm back on the stuff again but it may take a few months once more before it gets better.
In the meantime, the last several days have suddenly become SO painful that that arm is almost useless. I can't lift it, sleep on it, or move it too quickly or I'm gasping in pain. It's so bad that when I have to turn over in bed I actually have to lift that arm with my other one just to move it with the rest of my body. Showering, doing my hair, getting dressed...... things I take for granted are impossibly painful, but I get it done.
On Tuesday I went to my doctor. I asked him if he still thought it was just osteo-arthritis and he said that it could be, but he wanted Xrays done. So off I went to get those (thanks to sister Pammie for running me there or I'd have spent a lot in cab fare as I don't drive) and once my doctor gets the Xray results he'll call me.
He also gave me a prescription for a "better" antiflammatory, but seriously it's not working any better than Advil was. So I'm dealing with this right now and hoping for decent news on a prognosis. I'm just hoping that whatever has to be done will get RID OF THIS PAIN. It's hard to sleep, or to do anything really. Anyway, I'm not whining, just sharing! I'll keep you posted, wish me luck!
The WeatherI know a lot of you have been dealing with horrible snow storms of late. I do hope that subsides soon where you are if it hasn't already. Being an El Nino year we've been pretty lucky here in Alberta. Actually the weather has been downright balmy for February and even January wasn't so bad. March is almost here and Spring comes with that!
With the trees being bare of foliage, we can now see where there are several spots of
Black Knot Disease on our big May Day tree out back. Hubby will have to get after that with pruning etc. before the tree starts to bud in the Spring, or we could lose it.
Above is the tree in spring. And below is a close up of the pretty white flowers it produces, they smell SO nice!
Early last autumn I spotted this in the tree and that's when I found out we have a problem. I had hubby cut off this branch so we could get a better look at it. It's a rather ugly disease isn't it??
I do hope we'll be able to save the tree, it would be a shame to lose it after so many years of gorgeous scent and flowers.
I think my arm has had enough so I'm calling this post done. Glad to have caught up with you all, and I hope you are all well. Remember to take good care of each other!
PEACE!
Love Jude
