Monday, February 28, 2011

Welcome to THU Blog

Hello Blog Readers,

I am new at keeping a blog so please bare with me as I get the hang of it.  I love getting comments and emails letting me know your thoughts. <3  So feel free to share please.

I am Ashlie AKA "M" (in the initials MC), Owner and Crafter behind The Hook Up {Custom Crochet, Knitting, & More} by MC on facebook.  I am a mother of two beautiful babes.  A daughter (turning 8 this July) and a son (turning 4 this June).  I have been married to their father since March 2004 but we have been together since 2002. 

Who is "C" in the initials?  My wonderfully brave Uncle.  He is the reason I started THU.  If you have been around since the beginning of the year than you know who he is and his story.  If not, then I will share it with you.  Two years ago my Uncle was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer.  He has been battling it ever since.  It has been a long and excruiciating journey.  After his first trip to the center He asked me to simple make some hats for him to take to his cancer center to add to the box for the other patients.  I did and shared images of some on Facebook.  Then I started making some for my kids and family.  Thus THU was born on Oct. 23, 2010.

I hosted a charity auction for him Jan 6th, 2011.  When it ended we raised over $1,200 for my Uncle.  I surprised him with a huge lump of cash and transferred the rest.  They were so surprise with how much we raised that he was speechless and tear-eyed.  My Aunt cried and was stunned as well. <3  I couldn't have done that without my wonderful fans and artisan friends.  I thank you from the bottom of my <3.  A few weeks after the auction he went in for his scans and they found 2 new spots.  Biopsy says it is back.  So he is yet again enduring chemo.  He has to fly from Phx AZ to Chicago ever 3 weeks for treatment.  I will be hosting another charity auction for him soon.

That is our story.