Checking In With This and That...and a Question????

Wow, it's the end of August and all through Maine, we are still waiting for summer to arrive.  The summer days have been few and far between.  Our gardens have been producing, but not like years past.  Out of 52 tomato plants, we have one tomato that looks like it will ripen.  None of our winter squash produced and there is only one pumpkin in the pumpkin patch.  We managed to can close to 100 quarts of green beans and 10 pints of pesto.  We froze 30 quarts of broccoli and 5 gallons of cheesy cream-of-broccoli soup.  Everything else is producing in small quanities.  I'm so blessed that our gardens did so well last year.  I still have enough tomato's, applesauce, corn and cauliflower to see us through another winter. 

I've been silent for awhile and miss being creative.  I think those of us who have that creative streak, really lose a part of ourselves and become off-balance when we deny ourselves that outlet for too long.  Sometimes it's not by choice though and I have found myself flat on my back this past month with some medical issues.  I was wondering how many of my wonderful followers experience auto-immune issues?   I've just started researching these disorders and they are truly far reaching.

This year I have been diagnosed with osteo-arthritis, fibromyalgia, crohn's disease and severe anemia...while I am still working with doctors to figure all this out and treat out-breaks and pain, I find it's wearing me down in spirit and keeping me from doing all that I love.  My quilting, gardening, knitting, scrapping and even caring for my grandest daughters. 

I don't want to use this blog to complain or to air my medical issues, but I am wondering if any of you have similiar issues and have words of wisdom for me.  If so, I would appreciate all insight and help.

On another note, Trixies pups are ready for their forever homes and already two of them have found the very best homes.  Here is a picture of the group taken last week.  I sure am going to miss them when they are gone - but I'm sure there will be more puppies in our future!

Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and good wishes. I truly am blessed to have found such a community of wonderful people!