Guess it is time for a knee(s) update. After our previous trip to Fairbanks last March, my knees were so badly swollen that they were very painful to the touch. The knee joints continued to hurt for a full month. It was shortly thereafter that I began getting prolotherapy shots once a week in each knee for six weeks. At the end of the six weeks, there was much improvement. I was able to do some things that I hadn’t been able to do for a long time. Unfortunately, my ligaments are still not holding well, so some of the activities I’d planned on doing were not to be done. Sad!

Well, I am very pleased to announce that I did much walking and climbing stairs during this trip! This time, my knees did not swell! I was not in pain! I am happy that those shots did what they were supposed to do. Hopefully, someday my ligaments will tighten and then I’ll really be able to ride a bike (well, maybe and not head for the trees) or do stair climbing a lot easier. I have been walking (primarily at the store) for about half an hour at a time and my knees haven’t bothered me at all, either! Thank you, Dr. Huffman!

Have you seen the Alaska Airlines 737 jet painted as a salmon? It is really beautifully done. Well, we flew on that flying fish from Fairbanks to Anchorage. The plane continued on to Sitka and then Seattle. Everybody that sees that salmon-thirty-salmon jet will be reminded of Alaska’s wild caught salmon. That is a great advertising scheme.

It’s been cold this week with lows in the teens, clear skies, and daylight under nine hours! Yes, winter is here. I had to add insulated underwear to my wardrobe to wear under my skirts. I could (and will probably do so soon) wear slacks, but I’m going to try to hold off for a while, yet. Today was probably the last time I’ll be wearing my loafers. My feet got really cold. Now, it’ll be walking shoes or boots. Loafers are so much easier to remove. I really hate wearing shoes at all. Those beautiful seal skin moccasins I bought in Fairbanks will be great to wear inside once the floor stays cold. Mukluks are okay for ice and snow, but I don’t have any of them now.

I’ve been enjoying listening to my Mind Aerobics CD’s, especially the one for stress reduction. Even the boys are enjoying that one! They mellow out and sleep well.

I’ve also been making some extremely healthful smoothies with a flax seed oil & cottage cheese blended base that is just super. I blend that with a banana, some frozen berries (or tropical fruits), and either sparkling water or a complimentary fruit juice. I’m hoping that the addition of the flax seed oil will really help keep us all healthy throughout the long winter months ahead.