There I go again, missing a trick. If I practised what I preach about
SEO this post would be titled '5 Tips for Coping with a Rheumatoid Arthritis Flare Up'
*. But I never did like that kind of blogging. And my tips are only really relevant to chocoholic knitters who blog. In fact, they're only
really relevant to me.
Tip 1: Rest. Put your feet up, switch the tele' on, and watch Team GB rake in the Olympic medals.
Tip 2: Drink good chamomile tea and eat
Michel Cluizel Mangaro 65% Cocoa Single Origin Dark Chocolate. Both have anti-inflammatory properties
and they'll cheer you up!
Tip 3: Do not attempt to knit while under the influence of high-strength painkillers. Unless, of course, you
intend to knit freeform.
Tip 4: Do not attempt to knit while wearing a whippet as a shrug**. If you do you'll be walking like Quasimodo for the rest of the day. (Actually, that probably applies even if you don't have arthritis.)
Tip 5: Gentle walks are good, even if you can't stand up straight after the whippet wearing incident. Gentle walks sans umbrella when sudden downpours are forecast
are not good. Plus the drowned rat look really doesn't suit me! Bother!!
Life generally has been a bit bothersome lately. Plans are being revised. Change may be afoot. But we're fine, honest - well apart from my RA flare up and still dodgy jaw - just kinda' in flux. No sympathy needed. Actually, we're rather looking forward to the autumn. How about you? Still holding out for a summer if you're in the UK? Or are you ready for the season ahead?
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
A warm
knitso welcome to new commenters and followers: Maria of
Subway Knits - check out her
podcast - Sarah Jane of
Chantille Fleur, and Missy of
Edith Florence. And a cheery wave to all who've stopped by recently. Come back soon, won't you, there's a giveaway on the horizon!
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
* Just as my post on the bind off technique I 'invented' for the Demne baby jacket
should have been titled,
'The best garter stitch bind off ever!', but wasn't. Darn!
** Yes, literally. They're quite cat-like, whippets, they like to lie along the back of the sofa in the sun. Behind me. And then slide slowly forwards. More because the consequences amuse them I fear, than because they're feeling affectionate!
Please excuse the recycled chamomile image, but what with the rain and all me and the cameras aren't getting out that much.
I did get a chuckle out of Tip 3. I've learned the hard way not to knit whilst under the influence, although for me it's wine. Hope you are feeling better soon :)
ReplyDeletedo hope you feel better, I have RA as well and it can be a pain (no pun intended). May you be leaping around with your pups when you read this comment :)
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have not had good painkillers lately, I find falling asleep while crocheting can have the same effect. Sleep crocheting causes rumples where there should be ripples. Now that I know dark chocolate has anti inflamatory propperties I'll be depositing some more in my saddlebags!
ReplyDeletePlease excuse my dodgy typing Annie but I am doddery on the keyboard right now. I am blaming the 'journey'!
ReplyDeleteHope your RA is feeling better soon, must be a real drag in general and make knitting a challenge.
ReplyDeleteI would love to wear my whippet as a shrug, but she is of the not very cuddly, very scared, but still absolutely adorable variety!
I hope you are feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteThank-you for the welcome! I just wanted to say that your blog is so lovely and I love seeing it pop up in my news feed. Keep up the good work! :)
ReplyDeleteSarah xx
Oh Annie, I know it's no laughing matter but your post did make me chuckle. Sending much love to you - I hope you feel better soon and the flux resolves itself. I have to try the recommended chocolate - I'm a Green and Blacks girl usually but chocolate is my thing so if I can find anything better, bring it on. Anti inflammatory and anti oxidant. We should be eating 5 a day! Bars that is.
ReplyDeleteSx
Hello Annie:
ReplyDeleteWe are really sorry that things are not quite as good for you as they could be. We very much hope that those needles will be clicking away to a regular pattern before too long!
Sorry to learn you are having a bad time just now and hope the flare up will soon pass. Glad you can still see the funny side of things though!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds horrible Annie and anything that keeps you away from your knitting isn't a good thing. I hope that chocolate does the trick. I had no idea chocolate was an anti inflammatory. I could use it medicinally for my asthma couldn't I - every cloud etc.
ReplyDeleteI hope your flare up settles back down soon - and I'm sure it needs more chocolate in the meanwhile. I think the whippet shrug and the painkillers are absolutely necessary for freeform knitting, so I'd embrace my inner freeformer, myself. As a freeform spinner for the last two years - there are art yarns and there are deeply meaningful, expressionist, real, art yarns which communicate deep ideas about society and culture and making, and I produced the latter, ahem - all I can say is go with the flow and submit your work for the Turner Prize.
ReplyDeleteI do freeform knitting too, and have now mastered the art of knitting with a cat attached to the end of each needle (they strangle themselves with circulars, getting in on the act). One cat - problems. Two cats - balance.
I know I shouldn't laugh but I did at the mention of a whippet shrug - mine do that too! Hope the flare up goes soon.
ReplyDeleteA Whippet shrug! I am sure I have a small child one somewhere! lol
ReplyDeleteSorry things are being rather bothersome for you at the moment although your tips for dealing with a flare up sound very good!
Sometimes changes and a new direction can be good. Hope you are feeling better soon. Take care.
P x
Ahh, lovely Annie,
ReplyDeleteHere; take this big hug from me across the Channel. I'm sure your flare up will be a mere memory in a few days. I am so glad I read this post before leaving again for a fortnight. I'll be back in the last week of August with high expectations of a complete recovery report from you ;-)
Stephanie
Take care of those joints of yours... despite not really being able to knit, I hope you enjoy time in a comfy armchair with chocolate in hand!
ReplyDeletexx
"wearing a whippet as a shrug"
ReplyDeleteLOL in our house it's known as the lurcher apron.
No, not holding out for summer, I love the autumn and I shall embrace it with great pleasure.
I know what it like for your body not to do what you want it to do and how frustrating that can be! I've found a dairy free diet has really helped me (drastic I know but there is a lot of evidence to back up its benefits!) I also keep my omega 3 ( flaxseed oil) intake high, this has really stabilised things for me. Take good care of yourself, Ada :)
ReplyDeleteThat's what I love about visiting here Annie, even when things aren't good there's always something to smile about.
ReplyDeleteTwo things, firstly the idea of you freeform knitting while on a high did make me laugh and secondly I now have evidence that chocolate is indeed good for you! :)
Hope things pick up for you soon!
Vivienne x
Hoping your RA flare up doesn't last too long. I think good quality chocolate and chamomile could be recommended for many problems. I have always thought that whippets sound like such lovely dogs, even if rather dangerous to your shoulders. Juliex
ReplyDeleteMy sister's whippet was scared of its own shadow, not the shrug type at all. I am looking forward to cooler weather, at least. I did laugh the SeO terms, you could come up with some good ones in this post! Fell better soon.
ReplyDeleteIt feels a bit bad finding this post so funny... when in fact RA is not at all funny. But you did make me smile. Hope joints etc. all feeling a little easier soon.
ReplyDeleteIt is rather bothersome when the mind is willing but the body ain't Annie, I do hope the flare up will soothe itself down soon for you, not much fun having to rely on pain killers I bet!
ReplyDeleteYour whippet shurg di make me smile somewhat and I have a vivid picture in my mind of your sunshine couch, you and a whippet or two :o)
I did love visiting your ravelry page the other day, I guess I should stat adding some of my little makes onto my page someday... Enjoy watching team GB, how brilliant the viewing has been, we are indeed addicted! xox Penelope
How seldom it is that something spellbindingly delicious is also clinically proven to be good for us! Food of the gods indeed. :)
ReplyDeleteMy niece has a little dog (rat terrier mix) who loves to play shrug. She's not very subtle about it either - the dog I mean - just leaps up and plops herself right down around the chosen shoulders.
A photo as lovely as your chamomile ought to be seen more than once - no need to apologise! And frankly I find "Bother!" a MUCH more enticing blog post title than "5 Tips for Whatever It Was". Google just needs to tweak its search algorithms a bit.
I do hope your flare settles down quickly.
P.S. Yes, I'm looking forward to autumn (for the first time in years). :)
I am smiling as I picture you wearing one of your whippets as a shrug! Our little miniature dachshund Jenny does the same thing, but with much less damage inflicted. :-)
ReplyDeleteIf my (big) dog tried that trick I would have to be hospitalised! Luckily, he prefers to lie on my feet, which is at least nice and warm!
ReplyDeleteSorry about your aches and pains, though.
Chocolate reviews always welcomed!
Annie, your tips are quite endearing, and your sense of humor is very engaging. I do hope that your RA diminishes soon.
ReplyDeleteThis continues to be a very hot and humid summer here in New York City, and this city is not at its best under those conditions, if you ask me. So, it's lovely to find it just a bit cooler today...on a day off for me. It's going to be a pleasure to get out and about on my errands very soon. I am also already looking forward to fall, knowing that my energy level will go up.
xo
Annie, I am so sorry for your pain. Flares are so annoying. I hope yours passes quickly. I love the visual of the whippet as a shrug! You are so entertaining even when you are in pain. Here's hoping you can relax, enjoy your chocolate and feel better soon. I am also looking forward to fall. It's my favorite time of the year. Take care.
ReplyDeleteSharon
Mmm - I love chamomile tea! I hope you feel better soon - it really is no joy being in pain all the time. So tiring too.
ReplyDeleteOh Annie, what a rough few weeks you've had. The fact that you are on high strength pain killers gives me an idea of the level of pain you must be in. Do take care of yourself. (it sounds like you are).
ReplyDeleteI know it's still August but the minute my September edition of Country Living arrived I was in Autumn mode. It's my favourite season by far. As soon as September 1st rolls round, I am firmly in back to school mode, thinking about Harvest festivals, Halloween, Bonfire Night, Christmas... oh I LOVE it! xx
Hope your pain has started to ease. My boss suffers from RA and you can see sometimes he is really suffering so I do feel for you. In the meantime hope you find some solace in the chocolate, chamomile tea and the Olympics and our comments and good wishes!
ReplyDeleteSarah x
My mum is having a flare up at the moment too, I' m going to point her in your direction. It's nice to know you aren't on your own. Feel better soon xx
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your flare up. My flare up is strictly Menopausal and I have had enough of all this hormone garbage. GB is doing very well in the Olympics, love to hear the local crowd roar when a GB athlete does well. Now that swimming is over I am missing more of the games, but still loving them.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you, well gentle hugs of course.
Meredith
So sorry things have been hard going Annie - chamomile tea and that dark chocolate sound good and soul-cheering as well as hopefully doing their anti-inflammatory stuff. Take care and perhaps suggest to the whippets that warming your feet (without sitting on them!) might be a better idea than masquerading as a shrug! I send you a hug and lots of feel better soon wishes. E x
ReplyDeleteAs stuff flares up, it canalso go down, so hope yours is on the turn, Annie. I don't have naything like RA but I am noticing achey joints a bit more, recently, ad my fingers ache more when fiddling or playing my melodeon..I need to get myself topped up with glucosamine, which I find does the trick.
ReplyDeleteI did laugh about you wearing your whippet, my friend has one and he would worm his way onto any spare inch of her!
Oh, dear.....I can only imagine the RA-thing; my osteo drags me down sometimes.....I know the RA is much much worse, so here's hoping for a quick "recovery" and a fast move into autumn. I have a friend with whippets (she only has two, although another woman in town has 9!!!!)---they are even willing to drape me when I visit! gotta love that breed!!! hugs from across the pond!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea Annie, all pretty crap I'm sure, but you're still sounding upbeat which I'm sure is helped by very good choc and wonderful whippety friends. What tinkers sliding down the sofa llike that.
ReplyDeleteHope you're out of pain very soon.
X
Dear Annie, always gifting us with a smile even in the midst of troubles. Hope your pain issues fade quickly; in the meantime, enjoy your tea, chocolate, and pain killers!
ReplyDeletexox
i know of another amazing knitter who has RA but has never let it get the better of her.
ReplyDeleteI might ask her permission next time I see or chat with her to see if she has any personal tips for you.
hugs
margie
Freeform knitting and a whippet as a shrug - I do love that.
ReplyDeleteBut in all seriousness - I do hope you're OK and the drugs are doing their job.
Take care
Nina xxx
I'm sorry to hear you've been suffering, Annie....but glad you always keep your sense of humour :) Keep eating the chocolate....and I hope you are already feeling much better.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Helen x
Dear Annie, I know you don't want sympathy but I'm sending you some anyway. Not too much, mind, because I'm hoping a good dose of choc and drugs are doing their stuff!
ReplyDeleteAs for seasons, I'm ready for the next one now .. Or anything but rain!
Kate xox
Hi Annie,
ReplyDeleteLovely to discover your blog and many thanks for visiting me.
It made me smile with the thought of a whippet as a shrug!
Do hope that the chocolate and medication, will help you feel better.
Happy rest of the week
Carolyn
All sounds pretty bothersome to me....I would highly recommend some malteser squares, although to be honest, I've said it before, it's a slippery slope and I don't think they count as even one of your five a day.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you're feeling more chipper soon.
Isn't it the pits feeling poorly, I am at the end of week two of flu and I am jolly well over it, in an emotional sense, however in the physical, I'm not over it yet...pooh!!! Not feeling motivated to do a thing and feeling dizzy and wobbly doesn't help. Oh well, it could be worse of course!!!! Well it is, as I don't even fancy chocolate :(
ReplyDeletexx Sandi
No whippet shrugs here, just a cocker spaniel lap rug. Hope the chamomile tea and chocolate are working their magic. Have to say summer is my least favourite season. Crisp autumn days? Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteEven if you're not doing so well, you keep you humour Annie. You're an exemple to me. I'll keep this in mind for the following weeks.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
bothersome indeed.... i hope you are feeling better VERY soon x
ReplyDeleteand i too am feeling the itch for autumn, i am always the same though, just a little into one season and am longing for the next.
have a super lovely weekend
love jooles x
Why is it that we never follow our own advise? Guess we are stubborn when it comes to ourselves. Indeed, take care of yourself and I hope you are on the mend very soon. Drink some tea and relax!
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling much much better soon .... looking forward to autumn here too ... maybe we'll get an indian summer to ease the change of the seasons .... Bee x
ReplyDeletetea and chocolate are great healers, hope they have worked their magic xxx
ReplyDeleteLove the image of you wearing your whippet as a shrug. Don't think I should try the same with an overweight labrador!!
ReplyDeleteHope there has been less botheration of late. Sorry I'm so late in sending you good wishes!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could knit a shrug for a whippet and then they would know how you feel!
ReplyDeleteHope the flare up leaves you in peace soon.
I hope your flare up settles down soon and you can go back to whippet wearing - maybe just one at a time though!!
ReplyDelete