Update on ARNie and ChezCrochet.com

I am alive, but my health is still preventing me from reopening my store and selling my books.  Each time I seem to conquer one problem, another pops up.  We are managing the blood disorder, but the reality is, my immune system is compromised and that severely restricts everything I do.

For the last few days (that I know of), ChezCrochet.com has been offline.  I have been researching this issue, and I'm still in the dark as to what is going on with this company.  I've been with them decade, and only one time in the past, did their servers go offline, and that was due to a horrible storm.

At present, I am still trying to determine what happened, and in the days to come, what I should do about it in the future.  Whether that is to try to transfer to another host, which will probably mean rebuilding the site, which will be an insurmountable task with as large at it was.

Please know, that I'm not dead, like the disappearance of the site might suggest.  I'm still living at home, and doing as well as I can.

I do spend time on Facebook, and you can find me there.  I'm still stitching, but just for peace of mind and to sell a few things at 4 living history events I risk going to.  My office is now my hermitage, and I leave the house very little.

My ChezCrochet at yahoo dot com email is still working, but all of the ChezCrochet.com email accounts are offline, and I don't know how to retrieve them, yet.

Angela 'ARNie' Grabowski

Update on ARNie and ChezCrochet.com

I am alive, but every day can be a struggle with staying alive. I've been so pre-occupied with what I have to do each day, that I forgot to re-register my domain, ChezCrochet.com.

I took care of that today, and my site should be back up in a day or two.

I am still not healthy enough to sell my books or booklets, and as I can, I am researching other digital methods for the booklets... but this process cannot be anymore taxing than selling booklets, or I won't be able to do this.

I thank you for the prayers and good thoughts sent my way. There are days when I know that the only thing that got me through, was the prayers from all of you.

Angela 'ARNie' Grabowski

Finished Project Review... ARNie's Knitting-Knook

As I explained in another post, I had to put my hooks away, because that is my job, and my brain couldn't treat it as a hobby... consequentially, knitting became the hobby for several years.

This is the link to my Knitting blog, with most of what I've knitted over the past few years.

http://arnies-knitting-knook.blogspot.com/

Finished Objects Review 2012-2015

In 2013, I attended a living history event the first weekend of May.  Now understand that by May, my part of Texas is already reaching 90F.  Not that weekend... we had snow flurries on the Thursday- while I was setting up.  Consequentially, I took MY Tunisian Crochet stitch sampler shawl to keep warm, because that is my Winter Coat.
On Friday, the building my shop was in, had rock walls that took a long time to warm up... so it was cold in the building but warm enough outside to not need my winter shawl.  I left it in my chair in my 'little store' when I went to the chow line at lunch.

When I brought my lunch back to my spot, a lady was trying on my winter shawl. 
'How much is this shawl?'
'Whoa, wait!  That's my winter shawl.  I can't sell it.'
'Oh, I want one just like it!  It's so warm and soft.'

Well, it took me two years to complete that shawl... not because the stitching was that difficult, but because I would forget to work on it... or the stress of trying to make sure I'm paying attention to the stitches and the patterns... would wipe me out after a couple of hours.

The new shawl is on the left and mine is on the right.  Both are made with 6 skeins of Red Heart Amore in a cream color.

Finished Objects 2012-2015

This uses 3 of the 4 sides of a Corner to Corner Around the Block.  Done in Lion Brand Homespun in a dark burgundy color.  This is still available for purchase.

 

This uses a variety of soft and fuzzy yarns: Lion Brand Jiffy, Hobby Lobby's faux mohair, an odd ball of Red Heart fleck and some unknown boucle yarn.  A friend had eyed the shawl done in Bavarian Stitch, but it was too small for her.  Using similar colors, I stitched this one for her Birthday this year.

 

Another Corner to Corner Triangle done in Hobby Lobby's faux mohair yarn.  This is still avaiable for purchase.

 

 

Finished Objects Review 2012-2015

My first experience with AA's Bavarian Stitch.  Done in a variety of acrylic scrap yarns. I sold this one recently.

I have one more Bavarian Stitch shawl in a UFO box, done in sock yarn [lace weight]... but it's still UFO.

This is a Free Form Lace shawl done in Hobby Lobby's sock yarn [lace weight].  I sold this one.

 

This is done in a variety of Sock Yarns [lace weight.]  I had tried to knit the rainbow colored yarns, but they looked awful... and then I realized... all those small stretches of color would work much better in Crochet Corner to Corner.  This one used a lot of scraps... but I'll say that 2 skeins of Hobby Lobby sock yarn, using a H/8 [5mm] hook.  This is still Available to purchase.

 

Finished Objects Review 2012-2015

Crochet was my Job.  The Hooks and Strings put my brain in Work mode... and I've been in no shape to work for several Years.

I spent most of the last 5 years knitting, because I specifically made the decision to NOT design knitting, so I don't try to keep notes of what I'm doing... I don't rip out to make that transition easier for others to understand... I just stitch.

At the end of last year, I reconnected with my hooks, and the following is what I've accomplished.

I don't remember what I was trying to do with this, when I found it in a UFO box.  I worked a few rows in Tks/Tps edging to prevent the ends from curling and stuck a fork in it.   Done in Red Heart Amore yarn in winter white.  This is still available for purchase.

This is a Corner to Corner Triangle shawl XL size.  Done in Lion Brand Homespun in shades of burgundy, gray, steel blue.  This is still available for purchase.

 

 Another Corner to Corner Triangle Shawl that is XXL.  Done in Leaf Peeper Camo colors of Lion Brand Homespun. 


Still Available for purchase.

Update on ARNie's Health

Well, there isn't any good way to say this, but to just say it. After the hospital stay for diverticulitis and kidney infection in May, I was hospitalized- AGAIN- for an infection in the tendons of my index finger of my dominant hand. They had to cut open that finger and clean out the infection. When cultures did not reveal what caused that infection, my primary healthcare provider sent me to an Immunologist.

I've been doing some medical testing over the last month; testing that we've never done before.... and we found something.

The Immunologist ran a gamut of tests to see what was going on with my body, and he found something he had never seen before.

I've been to a Hematologist and an Oncologist, and the short of it is:
I don't have enough symptoms to validate the suspicions of the Immunologist;
I don't have cancer at this time;
and I'm in no need of extraordinary treatment until secondary symptoms arise.

This is an abnormality within the blood; it handicaps the immune system; and unfortunately it can look like cancer or a very rare disease that has a dire prognosis; and there isn't a test to determine which it is.

Without the secondary symptoms, we are operating under the belief this is benign... non-malignant, and NOT the blood disorder.

In addition to the 'big find,' the Immunologist is running more tests on various anomalies and abnormalities he found within my immune system-even down to the cellular level. There are treatments he can offer to help me, but we need to determine what that help should be.

My goals are to do everything possible to strengthen my body and my immune system. Regardless what this turns into, I will weather the coming challenges much better, with a body that is as strong as it can get.

I'm being forced, once again, to triage my life; take a hard look at what I can do and what I should not do....

At this time, I'm forced to relinquish Hooks In Texas. The physical stress is too big of a risk for me. For as much as I love seeing stitchers from across our great state, the responsibility is too much for me, anymore.

My Immunologist has said that Positive Stress is a good thing, so I can continue to go to the few living history events I've attended in the past. With those, I'm only responsible for one person, me.

I'm keeping ChezCrochet.com online, since it is self sustaining, but everything else will need to be evaluated over the next few weeks.

For now, I'm done with the doctor visits for a couple of months, and that tells me I'm in no grave danger. I can focus on the positives in my life, and hopefully, get back to stitching soon. Oh, did I mention, I've been doing physical therapy on the hand scattered all through this. All this emotional turmoil, and I couldn't stitch... let me tell you folks... that was a challenge.

oh, NO, I'm not going to say the names of the diseases... what little you will find on google, will just scare you half to death.

Hooks In Texas Update!

There are MAJOR updates on Hooks In Texas 2012!  Click the link to read more about them!
Angela 'ARNie' Grabowski

Director of Hooks In Texas

Another Day in my Life

I had to pick up my asthma meds from my 'franchise' pharmacy, since I've never moved them to the local compounding pharmacy.  While I was there, I asked them to print out the details of the dosage to the natural thyroid hormone they last filled for me.

Just as I suspected: 300mg.  Right at 5 grains- for those who understand Armour dosages.

My new compounded natural thyroid replacement: 30mg.  What a difference one lone 0 makes.

I am improving, but it doesn't take much to improve when you are sitting on the side of a grave, with both feet danling in the hole. 

And I have a loooooong way to go.

I see my healthcare provider on Monday to discuss this further.

Hooks In Texas Saturday Evening Supper!

I have updated the Hooks in Texas Blog with an update on the restaurant where we will be having Saturday Evening's Supper!

Find all the Details here:

Hooks In Texas!

ARNie's I Cord Class at Hooks In Texas!

Here is a link to the Hooks In Texas blog, that offers details on my class I Cord Methods and Machines.

Oh, and some photos of what you'll learn how to do:

Hooks In Texas 2012

With the help of several friends, including Kim Guzman, I'm hosting Hooks In Texas again this year, and have added more classes, along with a People's Choice Award for crocheted projects.

You can get all the details here:  http://hooksintexas.blogspot.com/

OR our new FaceBook page that my Friend Beverly set up.  Hooks In Texas at Facebook.

The Second Day of the Rest of My Life

Last week, I noticed a new little label on my Thyroid Replacement meds.  When I read them, I was dumbstruck, in shock and disbelief.  They were the chemical names of synthetic thyroid hormones.  I discovered 12 years ago, that my body doesn't tolerate synthetic thyroid replacement.

Of course, my mind was whirling as to what possible mistakes could have happened for the label to be wrong....did this switch happen in January when we tinkered with the doseage.... oh dear God have I been on these synthetics for three, four years?!

After last fall, and the addition of Adrenal Hormones and another comprehensive hormone cocktail, I had begun to improve... a little bit.  After we tinkered with the thyroid doseage at the beginning of the year.... all forward momentum stopped, and I slipped right back to where I had been.

I had pretty much given up; if this is how badly I feel on Natural Thyroid, AND high doeses of Adrenal Hormones... then this is as good as it gets, and I need to prepare for a radically different life of having others care for me.

Finding that little label, for as horrible as it should have been- that my health care professionals let me down so badly that I was circling the drain for years.... it was also the one ray of hope- that could explain everything, and with that one small change, could bring me back to life.

A trip to the pharamcy, proved that they had never compounded a natural thyroid replacement for me.  I had, indeed, been on synthetic thyroid for three-four years.  For me, that explained everything. 

But I'm not bitter about this.  Everything happens for a reason.

• My health had to get so bad, for my healthcare pros to consider running that test and adding the hormone cocktail.  They had refused to both, in the years since my second thyroid surgery.
• Being on synthetic thyroid for several years, proved beyond any doubts, that I don't tolerate the synthetics. 
• You can't comprehend the Horror of Errors (no one can call this a Comedy)..Until you are a thyroid patient struggling to survive with doctors who are given alllll sorts of Payola from Drug companies specifically telling docs that those 'naturals are going to kill your patients, but my synthetics will make them so much better... and if they have some lingering symptoms.... we have a litany of prescriptions to treat all the individual symptoms.'
• Did you catch that?  The Drug companies have a dozens of synthetic drugs to 'treat' each and every symptom of hypothyroidism.  They will make more money, if we are kept at too low thyroid levels, and just purchase all their drugs to compensate for not getting enough thyroid.  Yessiree, we are walking talking Gold Mines for PharmaCos.

Again, I'm not bitter about circling the drain for three years on synthetic thyroid, and I'm blessed that I didn't know it.  No one can say, the Placebo In Reverse Effect happened to me: that I convinced myself I felt bad, because I was on a medication I didn't like.  I didn't know that I was slowly dying, because my thyroid replacement was synthetic, and that proved my point, better than all my efforts over 8 years after my thyroid was all gone.  I'm with a doctor who would at least try the natural, but she wasn't really thrilled with the idea.

Today is my second day, back on a natural thyroid replacement.  I woke up with manageable headache, but to be certain of it's nature, I waited to take anything for it.  If it was just muscle tension from oversleeping, then coffee and movement would cure it.... they didn't.  Another baby migraine.

Yesterday wasn't too bad; it started out wonderful, but this new doseage isn't broken into two capsules.  I didn't get that afternoon boost, so I'll adjust how I take the Adrenal hormones to compensate.  If that doesn't help, then next month I ask them to split the daily doseage into two capsules.

I've been at this for more than a decade, I know what to expect: I will hit the wall with this new thyroid med, before the end of the year.  I know this, because the dosage is significantly lower, than the last time I was on a natural thyroid replacement.  This improvement will be short lived, and we'll need to increase the dosage time and time again... Once we get that thyroid to an acceptable level....then we get to start the really difficult task of trial and error on all the various hormones- to see which one is truly low, and which one simply couldn't work without thyroid.

I have made decisions now, just so I won't get too excited later on, and then overextend myself.  I won't even consider ReOpening my Retail Operations until next spring.  I'm not even going to try to wade through the Wholesale Orders until September.  I'm sorry folks, truly sorry, but I don't want to get your hopes up, and then I can't deliver.

ARNie isn't Dead, yet

I am double posting this in several places, to make it easier for me to spread the word.

Last Fall, I posted an update at ChezCrochet.com, but my health problems did not improve; on the contrary, I had decided that if I got any worse, I wouldn’t be able to take care of myself.

My nurse practitioner reminded me of a test that could shed some more light on the issues; that test proved, what I had been saying for years, plus it revealed more problems.

All of my hormones that control critical functions, like cardiac, muscle, tendons, blood sugar regulation, metabolism... All of those were extremely low. Some folks have questioned how I was functioning at all, well, I wasn’t; my body was slowly shutting down.

Thankfully, I have a pharmacy in my town that can compound medications and I’m now on a hormone cocktail. However, this road to recovery is going to be long, because trying to get all of the hormones back in balance is a trial and error process.

After I shut down retail ops, I posted on my Facebook page that I had prepped the last of my orders and was going to mail them.

To my horror, those orders never made it to the post office. I found them while preparing my income taxes.

I mailed all remaining orders from 2011 the last week of March. They all had Delivery Confirmation numbers.

I compare my life and business to the Gulf Coast after Katrina: with so much destruction and devastation - where do you begin to recover? All you can do is to choose a spot and start digging out.

I am slowly digging out, and returning to normal. I appreciate all those who have offered prayers for me, and your patience with missing orders.

ARNie-April 2012

New stuff from ARNie and ChezCrochet.com!

I have finished the patterns and instructions for the Shoulder Shawls & Capes that I blogged about at Facebook.

You can see the photos of the pieces as you scroll down.

I'll be loading the booklet onto the ordering page at ChezCrochet.com in the next week.
http://chezcrochet.com/page92.html

UPDATE! Dora at Crochet Insider just let me know that she has the newest edition of her magazine online, and it includes an article by me!

You can find that new edition here:
http://www.crochetinsider.com/

Feather and Fan Wrap and Scarf

Sun Rays Yoke with Diamond Eyelet Drape

Sun Rays Yoke with Strectch Ribbing Drape

Tunisian Simple Stitch Cape in Bernat Boucle