Mama, my daughter has rheumatoid, rather than osteo-, arthritis, so this may be a bit like comparing apples and oranges, but she has found that consistent, low-impact exercise is very helpful in getting through each day. You may want to check with your doctor to see what s/he recommends.
I also suggest you read this:
http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/na...poonTheory.pdf
Although the author is talking about her experiences with lupus, I think it can be just as meaningful for degenerative arthritis. I know it's helped me with my daughter. I recently visited her at college and noticed that her new shoes were terribly scuffed up. I asked her why on earth they were so beat up after only one month, and she admitted that she used her foot to open the bottom drawer of her dresser. I kind of rolled my eyes at that until she said, "It doesn't do the shoes any good, but it saves me a spoon." I hope you won't need to be saving spoons any time soon, but if you do, there are lots of ways/tools available to arthritis sufferers to make life a bit easier. And if it helps, share the spoon theory with friends.
Best to you...