The last few weeks have been tough. The Fibromyalgia pain I wake up with that generally fades somewhat as the morning rolls on is soon replaced by osteoarthritis pain.

I haven't gotten the official report yet, but the X-ray of my right hand last Tuesday is gruesome. I don't seem to have a joint that isn't "messy". No wonder my hands hurt all the time. You have no idea how many prayers I've said, giving thanks for it not affecting my hands. And then it did. With no warning. One day the pain and stiffness showed up and hasn't gone away. It is likely here to stay.

That's hard to take for a writer and painter. I find it so hard these days to hang on to an artist brush, to get it where I want that lovely paint to land on the canvas. My family doesn't even know I've tried.

There have been days that my fingers just won't work. I'd asked my spine specialist if the pain in my shoulders-to-fingertips was the work of new undiagnosed OA or from the OA in my neck. He didn't know, but recommended X-rays. Well, I guess we know now.

As the nights have begun to get colder I can't help but wonder how I'll deal with the cold weather this winter. Last winter was rough.

However, I have had some wonderful times this summer, and look forward to fall. We went to my husband's company picnic last Saturday and I rode a roller coaster for the first time in about 30 years. It was wonderful fun and worth every minute of the next two day's pain.

Sometimes we have to take pleasure where we can.