Good morning. What is everyone up to today? Anything new or interesting or just having a nice relaxing day?
We have had quite a snowfall over the last few days which has been nice for the kids apart from my daughter who had her appendix out as she can not join in the snowball fights and sledging but we did take her for a walk so she could at least enjoy the scenery. We only get a snowfall like this once every 18 years so its a strange occurance.
My RA is givng me a lot of trouble esp. in my hands and feet but still no meds due to all the allergic reactions..going to see my rheumy again next week to see what else we can do. Until then its tramadol, warm packs and lots of gentle exercise and rest.
Its 37 in beautiful SWFL, high of 59 today, cold again tomorrow. The first cold winter in my 10 years here. I like it, but man it brings back memories. If it snows, I predict a new ice age. LOL Hope everyone has a good RA day. Truly is cold in FLA... My DH just went down on a business trip. He's very disappointed to say the least! I don't think he took a winter coat with him..Just a business overcoat... poor baby.... I say, as I sit in my house w/ 20's degree weather and snow all about LOL
Oh dear Joonie..hope you get your cold water working again..Greetings from Scottsdale Arizona, Mrs P... We've been having weird weather this year. We hit 83 yesterday. Which is very warm for this time of year, even for us. Of course, next week we'll be in the 60's with rain. For us, that's as wintery as we get. Heh...
Sorry to hear about your RA acting up. I find myself flaring when the weather yo-yo's around like it has been lately...
Be well...
Good morning. What is everyone up to today? Anything new or interesting or just having a nice relaxing day?
I will use this question to make a plea to any of you who have even an hour a month to consider helping out in one of your local schools.
I spent this morning at a No Child Left Behind school. The third grader I worked with doesn't read as well as my kindergartner (but we will work on that!).
The teachers and children are great, it is just that the families are stressed in various ways and they get no 'one on one' time.
All it takes to make a difference is to read with a child the way you would read with your own. On a regular basis, hopefully weekly, but anything you can do.
They told me this little girl was left at school until 6:00 the other day. No one even called to check on her or anything.
Helping a child read will also help them in math - they have to be able to read the word problems.
It is very rewarding and if you are able to simply sit and read, I hope you will consider it!
It is freakin' cold here today - it was below zero this morning and that's not the half of it. We were scheduled for an oil delivery today, and the oil ran out last night. We woke up to a cold house, and cold showers. Hubby went and got 5 gallons of diesel fuel and put in the oil tank so we could get some heat keep the pipes from freezing until the delivery came.
We're back in business now and all is well. I felt so sorry for the delivery guy - he had to be out in those temps delievering oil, and he had to trudge through about a foot of ice encrusted snow dragging that big, heavy hose. One day I plan on volunteering in a child welfare type setting. Right now working 2 jobs I cannot. We have an organization nearby that houses children in transistion from abusive homes to foster homes. I swear I have a calling. Yet every time they have a training session it conflicts with something I absolutely have to do for my family. I believe I could do something on the weekends there if I can ever get in a training session.
Other than that I'm still flaring, I faxed a letter with all my symptoms to my doctor yesterday asking for advice and he did not respond. Still having disbelief problems at my job. Yesterday my boss said over and over how he could not believe I bought myself an electric stapler. (All day I do estimates that are 7 pages long each that need to be stapled) After saying the first time that it hurt my hands to use the manual stapler I just stopped responding.
[QUOTE=SnowOwl]
Suzanne.. what a great thing you are doing!! It's heartbreaking that this little one is so forgotten... We help the aged...inviting them into our home for a sunday lunch or acting as a taxi to take them to another host family.It works well in our town.
Suzanne. I used to work at a school for disadvantaged children and quite often a child would be forgotton after school or come to school having no breakfast and looking like they had not had much sleep or were in dirty clothes...The head teacher started a breakfast club and and after school club with parents volunteering thier time
[QUOTE=babs10]Suzanne.. what a great thing you are doing!! It's heartbreaking that this little one is so forgotten... [/QUOTE]
Thanks, Babs. It is very rewarding, though, and that is why I wanted to share it. I know not everyone has the time, and when my daughter was younger (and sicker) I wasn't able to volunteer, either, but I've started back this year. If anyone is able to donate their time, I assure you that you will benefit as much as the child!
Suzanne, you reminded me of a student I was touched by years ago. I was a teaching assistant and I was the lucky person who got to sit with students given internal suspension. Often they were angry, uncooperative and disruptive in class and the teacher would kick them out and send them to me. There was one 7th grade boy who would was pushing everyone's buttons, he could say the most cutting, mean remarks to other students, and teachers.
One day he was sent to me with a book that he had been assigned to read, but no one had any hope that would actually read it. He didn't really have reading difficulties, he just wouldn't commit to reading. So I started reading the story to him. I can't tell you how magical the effect was. Just he and I in a small conference room, and he tuned right in, so focused on the story and listening to my voice. He literally ended up on the floor like a toddler, listening intently. We were connecting and I honestly believe that he had never had anyone read to him. He was starved for that attention, like a mother would give, reading to a young child.
[QUOTE=Mrs Pincushion]We help the aged...inviting them into our home for a sunday lunch or acting as a taxi to take them to another host family.It works well in our town.
I'm down for the day after overdoing. Legs are killing me. We sponsored a breast prosthetic clinic for Mexican women and I was on my feet for 8 hours fitting, stretching and standing on concrete. A Canadian woman brought down about 300 prosthesis and as many bras in assorted sizes. We're fitting over 300 women with bras and prosthesis in 3 days. I had to bow out after the 1st day but at least I made it through day 1. The women were timid and scared when they arrived. They left laughing, dancing, and giving hugs and kisses after seeing themselves in a full length mirror. Two matching breasts under their clothing. There were a lot of tears doing the day but they were tears of happiness. Most of these women were from the mountainous region of where we live and live in small villages. Some of them rode a bus for 7 hours to get here. The buses were paid for by the medical community and the community where we live volunteered our services and had food available all day. It was a win/win situation for everyone involved. I'm leaving the next 2 days of fitting up to the younger women.
That's my volunteer effort this month. Next month we're going to one of the villages and deliver food. There are only 200 people in the village but almost half are elderly and many of them are alone, so we're taking food packages to them. After this I have nothing going on. When we get back to the states I'll probably volunteer at the senior center. I did that last year and it worked out well.
I wouldn't have shared all of this but Suzanne has raised a valid point about volunteering, if you can donate your time, do it. Only has to be an hour a week. Most organizations will take whatever hours you can give and be happy for them. Volunteering elevates the endorphins which in turn helps us to deal with the pain of our disease. Start volunteering in an area where you have some interests, schools, hospital auxiliary, senior center, etc.
I've just been reading for the last day and a half. Keeps me interested and I'm not bored. Spent way too much time on the computer yesterday and am limiting myself today. Can make me crazy. Hope that everyone is feeling good or at least better. What's everyone having for dinner? I'm going to fix chicken but not sure what recipe I'll use. Anyone have any suggestions? Lindy
[QUOTE=Hillhoney]Suzanne, you reminded me of a student I was touched by years ago. I was a teaching assistant and I was the lucky person who got to sit with students given internal suspension. Often they were angry, uncooperative and disruptive in class and the teacher would kick them out and send them to me. There was one 7th grade boy who would was pushing everyone's buttons, he could say the most cutting, mean remarks to other students, and teachers.
Seems like I am confused a lot on this board. But isn't it 02/05/09 ?
Forgive me if I am missing the obvious.
aren't you all so wonderfully civic minded and caring! Cool. I haven't the time to volunteer recently but I love giving back to the community!! the date, sTink, was written european style Lisa is from Great Britain and the date is presented day first, month second.Oh I see. Thanks.
Babs, please call me Tink....lol...."Stink" sounds so...well so smelly!..lol
I assume Lisa is Mrs. Pincushion. I am learning!
Sorry for the confusion...Yes I am Lisa
Hi lisa, I was just trying to follow. lol
This board is very interesting, a lot of information to absorb. I find if i don't read, read,read I get behind. lol
Tink
No problem...its been mad on here but it will quieten down. How long have you had RA for...I have been DX for several months now. Although I feel I have had it for sometime. I take Plaq, and have had predisone, celebrex and I have pain meds. I think my doctor will put me on one of the stronger drugs when I go back this month for my follow up. The reason I believe this is that my Family phys mentioned Enbrel to me when I seen him a few weeks back. I do not know if he read this in a letter from my Rheumy or if it was just his thinking. I will find out soon. I know my blood work was bad, but I do not know exactly what, I am going to ask for a copy of it when I see him.
How long have you had RA?
Tink
13 years now. So long that it part of my every day life now...I couldnt imagine life without it....but id like to..[QUOTE=sTinkerBell]Oh I see. Thanks.
Babs, please call me Tink....lol...."Stink" sounds so...well so smelly!..lol
[/QUOTE]
OMG.
I am so sorry... It wasn't my intent!!
Tink it is!!!!
How is your mom, Lisa? My mil had Alzheimer's, bless her. It is difficult to deal with under the best of circumstances. There seems to be a lot of guilt associated with it on the part of the caretakers... is she in the right place, I should not have snapped like that, I shoulda, coulda, woulda....
[QUOTE=Mrs Pincushion]
Good morning. What is everyone up to today? Anything new or interesting or just having a nice relaxing day?
[QUOTE=babs10][QUOTE=sTinkerBell]Oh I see. Thanks.
Babs, please call me Tink....lol...."Stink" sounds so...well so smelly!..lol
[/QUOTE]
OMG.
I am so sorry... It wasn't my intent!!
Tink it is!!!!
[/QUOTE]
After eating beans, one might call me stink...lol
But only if I don't take a Beano!
No foul ,.....giggle....
Tink
[QUOTE=Mrs Pincushion]13 years now. So long that it part of my every day life now...I couldnt imagine life without it....but id like to..[/QUOTE]
13 years, wow. I feel like it's been a lifetime and it's only been official for maybe 13 weeks!
I can still imagine life without it. It seems like I have a few days that things seem better, than I wake up on a morning and I feel like I am back to square one. My DH tells me to just rest and relax, let the meds work and will more than likely level out. I hope so. We have a very social life and I am finding I am putting some of my girls off. Then I feel guilty when I do. I have good intentions and the desire to go shopping, and lunch or whatever the plan maybe, but then at the last second I find myself wanting to bail. Just getting dressed and hair and makeup can take up a good part of my morning. What do you do or take for STIFF joints. Pain meds help the pain, but do nothing for the stiffness. Except make it easier to keep trying to work out the stiffness. I use to meet a few friends for swimming, I know it is great exercise, but I just don't feel like it right now. Should I force myself to move the joints that are so bad, or should I rest them. I am torn.
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