project 365 entry for Saturday July 4th, 2009

My step-mother’s family reunion was today. I hadn’t been to this reunion since 1993. My daughters & grand kids had never been.

I kept getting compliments all day about how well-behaved my kids were. Had to keep explaining that 2 of the kids are my daughters, the rest are grand kids. LOL Yes, they were great today.

After the reunion, one of my step-mother’s brothers was having a cookout. I was surprised at how well I could remember my way around the back roads of rural South Carolina. But, I had no idea where his house was. LOL At least while I drove around trying to find his house, the kids got the chance to see some beautiful trees covered in moss.

Finally arrived. The kids played in the pool for awhile before eating.

Well the youngest grandson, wasn’t so sure about the pool. Oddly enough his loved the “big water” (ocean).

I had been trying since before I left Indiana to locate someplace for the kids to see fourth of July fireworks. Finally got (kind of) directed to a place. We all said our good-byes & had to head out before dark.
We got to the local racetrack, where I had been told to just park in the parking lot to see the fireworks. When it was just about time for everything to start, a police officer started making his rounds. He informed everyone that we had to either pay to park & watch or we had to leave the property. Okay, I had 6 children all excited (the youngest grandson couldn’t wait to see the “big lights”) Now had to pull away? I happen to notice that most people were just pulling out of the parking lot & parking on the road. That is exactly what we did… I quickly found a place to park on the dirt road!

It was nice, but very short fireworks show. The kids enjoyed it, but I was glad that I hadn’t paid to park for it!
Headed back to drop the oldest grandson off with my dad. Gathered the oldest granddaughters stuff. We are headed out in the morning. I will be driving several hours east to go to the beach for a few hours & then heading home to Indiana. The oldest granddaughter is going back with me. She still has never seen the ocean or been to a beach. Tomorrow she will.
Packed up the van & we all snuggling in for some sleep at the motel.
Hope I made you smile. Until next time …

Here’s an image from a recent shoot. Location is Freedom Park in Charlotte.

Just a hop away from the Raleigh-Durham airport is a large red wooden barn that houses one of the most revered institutions in the NC Triangle. The Angus Barn is much more than a mere steak house, and around Christmas time can be seen bedecked in lights, trees, apples, santas, and crowded with local families carefully dressed in their Sunday best for family reunions, dinner with Grandma, and milling about with chummy business associates impressing each other with their largesse. Downright impossible to get a reservation for the main dining area during these times, it’s best to go frightfully early, around 4pm, and set up camp upstairs, past the gun collection, in the no-reservations Wild Turkey Lounge, which has enough presence and Southern charm to satisfy any diner.

Forget the yummy twice baked herbed potato with cheddar or the huge “side” of Caesar salad – one could happily munch on bottomless cheddar spread, homemade pita chips, and pickles all night with a glass of sweet tea. And maybe a cocktail. Ok, then there’d be no juicy, perfect spare rib or lush, classic Southern desserts – sawdust or chocolate chess pie, anyone? Expect a constant battle of the frustrating confines of ones own stomach, but just keep in mind that the portions (and service) are pure Southern hospitality and each additional course is worth sacrificing the previous course for room.

9401 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC 27617, USA

So, for those of you in the greater Raleigh, NC, area this afternoon, I visited the local shopping mecca with my SO and mum-in-law, ending up at the Shops at Baileywick, and the DSW shoe outlet.  At the Shops, I found myself wandering off alone among the rows of tiny boutiques, full of trinkets, original art, antiques, imports, all of a deliciously feminine flavor.  I adore the Baileywick, and I am realizing now that it really is not at all a manly place.  Most men I see there are carrying their wives’ packages, or handbags; or they are sitting on the faux-brick wishing well in the middle of the center aisle, eyes aglaze, checking their watches.  Meanwhile, I’m scurrying up one aisle and down the next, eyes aglow at the pretty necklace/earring/bracelet sets, checking out the handmade handbags, and admiring lovely appointments for the boudoir.  I realized suddenly, as I’m checking out an antique perfume bottle necklace, that no one in that store would have any reason to think anything but that I was shopping lovelies for my spouse, and I instantly began to enjoy the experience even more.  There were quite a few pretty things I would have loved to have walked up to the checkout with, but I can wait until SO and I can go back together, alone (mil does not know I CD).  But oh, tempted, tempted.

Next at the DSW outlet, I couldn’t help but be drawn to the great selection of very stylish boots, including a size 11W moc-croc black patent Guess boot with about a 5″ spike heel.  Leather, knee-high, gorgeous – $99.95.   Oh honey, I would make that work – I may have to go back for them . . .  I ended up settling for a pair of (men’s(!)  sad-sad!) black Adidas street shoes that look just like soccer cleats, without the knobby bottoms:

.   Oh, my wife’s reaction?  Ugh. What?  They look fruity.  Jesus, God.  Should have gone with the Guess boots.

Kisses, KM

So, I guess that’s where I am with my crossdresssing, as I look toward 2010.   Hope it is a year full of blessings and good times, to all.  Kisses!

Ted Williams Tunnel @ 50 mph (Boston, 2009)

Originally uploaded by David R Keith Photography

tomorrow we embark on the nc to ma drive one last time….i would be lying if i said i enjoy this time in the car with a puppy on my lap and a crick in my neck, but this final passage on I95 will be a good one, a cleanse of anxiety and the promise of new beginnings…david and i are leaving boston, our wonderful adopted city to come home…we are returning to love and to be loved by our family, and to be nourished by the sweet southern comfort that is NC.

new england has bestowed many gifts to us, the gifts of friendship, and unleashed creativity and success. and for all of those blessings we are grateful. but home is calling and we must answer, so for this new year we resolve to return to the nest, tend to those relationships that need us the most and bloom again where we are planted.

project 365 entry for July 1st, 2009

Testing was finally done for my 17 yr old son. Nothing to explain the breakdown earlier this year. Results are pretty much what I have always known.
(Wed) 2nd to the youngest had a Youth Group pool party. After we were headed home, she realized she left her bathing suit. Not good being as it was the night before leaving for the beach. So, we had to go back & get that. LOL
My 2nd to the oldest & her son have come back home to stay with us for awhile. She needs a place to stay until she finds a job & a place for her & my grandson.

My step-mother has a family reunion in a little bitty town along the NC / SC state line every year. My dad wanted to head down (with one of my granddaughters) before she could get off work, so she wants me to take her.
Leaving around 6:00. No way have I had enough sleep; especially since I am making a side trip to the Outer Banks of NC on our way. This side trip will add a few hundred miles & no, we are not stopping at a motel. My 2 youngest daughters (ages 8 & 11) are going. I am also taking my 2 yr old & 8 yr grandsons and my 4 yr old granddaughter. The grand kids have never been to the ocean or beach. My step-mother has never been to the Outer Banks.
Weeee… here we go…this should be interesting…
Hope I made you smile. Until next time …

A study published in 2009 shows that occupants in car crashes with no damage, had the same incidence of a back injury as those involved in more violent crashes.1  No damage crashes are typically rear end collisions at under five mile per hour. This research and other papers show that low speed collisions can cause serious spine and spinal cord injury to the occupants, especially seniors with spinal stenosis.3  Insurance adjusters try to use the rationale that if there was no damage to the car, then there could not be significant damage to the occupant…this couldn’t be further from the truth.  Most doctors are also guilty of not understanding the potential impact of low speed rear impact collisions (LOSRICs).

Have you noticed the height of your head rest?  Did you know that setting it to its highest position can literally save your neck?  If your head rest is too low, and you are hit in a rear impact collision, even one under 5 mph, your head will literally wrap around the headrest (if to low), and increase the damage to your spine.2  This is just one of many factors that cause occupant injury in low speed rear impact collisions under 5 mph.

If you or someone you know, has been injured in a car crash, you should be evaluated for a spinal injury by someone that understands low speed collisions can cause serious injury.  Often time whiplash injuries lead to chronic pain and disability, and early treatment is essential to proper healing of muscles and ligaments.  Spinal manipulation is proven to be a safe, affordable, effective, and drug free way to rehabilitate whiplash injuries. Chiropractors are considered an expert wittiness in the court of law.  If you or someone you know, is ever in need of a whiplash evaluation, please contact our office to schedule an evaluation.  (828)324-0800

1. Beattie N, Lovell ME. 2009. Can patients with low energy whiplash associated disorder develop low back pain? Injury. Jul 20.

2. Venkataramana MP, Hans SA, Bawab SY, Keifer OP, Woodhouse ML, Layson PD. 2005. Effects of initial seated position in low speed rear-end impacts: a comparison with the TNO rear impact dummy (TRID) model. Traffic Inj Prev. Mar;6(1):77-85.

3. Viano DC. 2008. Seat design principles to reduce neck injuries in rear impacts. Traffic Inj Prev. Dec;9(6):552-60.

THIS INFORMATION IS PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT AND IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR DUPLICATION.  WE DO RANDOM SEARCHES FOR THIS MATERIAL ON THE INTERNET.  IF FOUND, YOU WILL BE CONTACTED BY OUR ATTORNEY. THANK YOU FOR RESPECTING OUR TIME AND WORK.

Yes!  This sounds strange but those who give will receive.  I had a situation where a customer contacted us to provide a one time carpet cleaning.  We do provide this service, but typically only for customers who utilize our janitorial services.  We could have easily not returned the customers email however, we decided to contact them to learn more about their concerns.  After listening to their needs we decided to refer them to our competitor who are known for providing a quality carpet cleaning and janitorial service.  But, we did not just give her the number.  We took the time to call our competitor and provided them with all the necessary details so they could call the customer.  In the end the customer was very thankful we took the time to refer her.  She was so happy, she said she would refer us to others.  Our competitor was just as excited.  They also stated they would refer business our way.  It was a win-win situation for everyone.  And, by giving away one customer, we potentially gained several in the future. 

Tim

Founder

Green Leaf Janitorial Services

http://greenleafjani.com

Providing commercial janitorial services to Charlotte, NC and York/Lancaster counties in S.C.

Photo c/o: Magnusfranklin

“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:  the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.“
~ Burton Hills

Coaching thought: Embrace your family and be thankful for their presence.

Life & Business Coach Katie Mattson • Momentum • Energize Your Moment

`It was much pleasanter at home,’ thought poor Alice, `when one wasn’t always growing larger and smaller, and being ordered about by mice and rabbits. I almost wish I hadn’t gone down that rabbit-hole–and yet–and yet–it’s rather curious, you know, this sort of life! I do wonder what can have happened to me! When I used to read fairy-tales, I fancied that kind of thing never happened, and now here I am in the middle of one! There ought to be a book written about me, that there ought! And when I grow up, I’ll write one–but I’m grown up now,’ she added in a sorrowful tone; `at least there’s no room to grow up any more here.’
-Alice in Wonderland

Here is my childhood park where, in a location I can’t quite recall, we made and buried a time capsule–not to be opened until 2018.

And here are the railroad tracks in Biltmore that carry the trains I heard each night in my yellow, basement bedroom.

(Happy to be home for a white Christmas)

Some bereaved individuals find journaling a silent outlet for expressing emotions or feelings about the loss of a loved one, pregnancy or pet easier than face to face. Journaling can prove therapeutic because  inner most thoughts are manifested on paper and kept secret.

Another way to journal if you have difficulty using words, is recording a sky journal. A camera, journal and adhesive is all you need to start.

Many grieving families are drawn to nature in the healing process, which also includes the beautiful skyscapes.

Photographs of the sky can be taken on yearly angelversaries, a loved ones death date, birth date, holidays or just on the day a spiritual connection is felt.

The beautiful pictures can be adhered into a special memorial keepsake journal and updated when the time is right.

If one of your hobbies is scrapbooking, try creating pages within your scrapbooks for your sky photography. In this way, your loved one is always included while updating your family pages.

Another option is to frame your sky photography.

With early miscarriages bereaved families are left with little to no tangible memorial keepsakes. Think about starting a sky journal in your healing process. Journaling is a wonderful activity and when combined with photography, may help in healing a broken heart.

If you have pictures from your sky journals and are comfortable sharing, please send to diana(@)justacloudaway.com and I will gladly post them.

Peace Love and Hugs

Diana

Just a Cloud Away, Inc.™ Journal

Photo c/o: Rutio

“Christmas, in its final essence, is for grown people who have forgotten what children know. Christmas is for whoever is old enough to have denied the unquenchable spirit of man.”
~ Margaret Cousins

Coaching thought: Enjoy the eve of Christmas day. No matter what your religion, enjoy the lights, the softness in the air and be child-like today.

Life & Business Coach Katie Mattson • Momentum • Energize Your Moment

Now I remember: when I was little, I never missed a year without dutifully sending to almost everybody I knew in overseas, a X’mas card by post (internet didn’t exist yet), and a week later, another card but purposely for New Year. It was time-consuming but a happy moment for a child like me, because giving is truly the same joy as receiving, and also because I treasure authenticity of any act over things which are not palpable.

Years passed. During my 12 years in France or Asia, I always attended X’mas party, gathering, dinner, partying etc. and thinking of the last 2 X’mas evening we did at Landbay seems incredibly, only like yesterday! Such sweet memories include the friends, the dinner, the Secret Santa (thanks A. Chan for teaching me this), the present opened in front of everybody, our laugh, pictures (which will stay hopefully forever in our hard disk), and especially its share of special guest with their unpredictable gifts! 

This year, for the first time of my life, I am moody and decided that a quiet evening is the most suitable. No greeting, no X’mas card, no party, no dinner, no friends. But I have fresh oyster. At least they are still alive when I am going to eat them… 

(just landed from NZ still in their mud and kiwi’s sea water. Got myself the same qty from my last record- guess how many douzain?…)

Hope to have my 2010’s X’mas with my friends and family… Miss them so much…

View the Full List

1. Christmas at Biltmore Estate: Our biggest holiday event is Christmas at Biltmore. Starting on November 6, America’s largest home is decked out in festive finery. Candlelight Evenings are especially magical. Continues through January 3.

2. Shop Downtown Asheville: Make holiday shopping more fun and relaxing while finding truly special gifts. Browse through more than 200 shops, 30 art galleries and a dozen antique stores – all locally owned. No cookie cutter chain stores here. And if you need a break, stop at one of the 50 restaurants or many coffee shops. Tour the fascinating Thomas Wolfe Home for only a buck! See our Downtown Asheville Guide. For more great local shops with unique gifts, explore the quaint downtowns of nearby Brevard, Hendersonville and Waynesville.

BONUS: “Seasonal Sizzle” fireworks in downtown Asheville at 7 PM on December 5, 12 and 19, rain or shine. The best view will be Pack Square in the middle of downtown – looking toward City Hall.

3. Gingerbread Houses at Grove Park Inn: For a real treat, see the amazing display of gingerbread houses from the National Gingerbread House Competition at the famous Grove Park Inn Resort on November 18-January 3. Guests at the resort can view the display at anytime. If you’re not a guest, visit on Mondays-Thursdays. It’s free to tour the display and see the other elaborate decorations at the grand hotel. See our Gingerbread House Competition Guide.

4. Shop Biltmore Village: What a charming area for holiday shopping! Located across from the entrance to Biltmore Estate, the Village is home to more than 40 unique shops and 10 cafes and restaurants. Most businesses are housed in historic cottages and buildings. Tree-lined streets, brick sidewalks and period architecture make it a delight to stroll through and explore. See our Biltmore Village Guide.

5. And More Art: Asheville is a mecca for artists, so this is the place to find one-of-a-kind gifts. With more than 100 galleries and even more artist studios, you will need plenty of time for exploring. In addition to the galleries downtown and Biltmore Village, head to the Folk Art Center and the River Arts District. See our Gallery Guide.

6. Antiques: The best area in Asheville to find antiques is the Biltmore Antiques District with 13 stores within a mile and a half of the Biltmore Estate. Included is the local long-time favorite, the Antique Tobacco Barn. See our Antique Shopping Guide.

7. Winter Hiking: For the best views of the year, take a winter hike. With leafless trees, cool temperatures, less crowds and frequent bright blue skies, it may become your favorite time of the year to hit the trail. See our hiking guide for our top picks. See a snowy hike on Roan Mountain. And don’t forget to find some of our spectacular waterfalls. Most area ski resorts open by early December.

8. Stay in Holiday Style: Stay in a home away from home, complete with the sights, sounds and smells of the holidays, at one of the elegant bed and breakfast inns. See our complete list of small B&Bs and large B&Bs in the area. Many of them have special holiday packages and specials. For a quiet retreat from the holiday madness, escape to a romantic cabin or cottage.

9. Pick your Christmas Tree: North Carolina is the number two state in the country for growing Christmas Trees! Go to a “choose and cut” Tree Farm to pick the perfect one for your home. Many farms offer hayrides and other holiday-related events. See our Asheville Christmas Tree Farms Guide.

I am a proud member of several childbirth organizations, have served a handful of pregnant women and births in 2009, and already have a handful of women due in the upcoming 2010 year between May and July.  I am currently open for more clients due Winter- Spring 2010 and  possibly a few more for the summer depending on your due date. I have recommendations from previous clients as well as comments and references from health care professionals of all levels. For a limited time, I am offering free labor doula services to qualifying women here in Asheville, NC.  Email me (link above my picture on the right) for more information and to schedule a meeting.

My services include 

• rental of childbirth books and movies from my personal library
•  personal coaching and educating on the birth process including many possible scenarios, and your rights, with medical study based facts
• helping you write your own personalized childbirth plan
• list of resources and birth classes in the area
• on call 24/7 for you
• my personal individual focus on your vision for your birth and your family
• demonstrate techniques with you and your partner
• my physical service, maintaining your dignity, honoring your vision, your plan, your needs and wants during childbirth, including natural methods of easing discomfort, relaxation techniques, and guided movement as well as sincere compassionate support for you, your partner and your family during your childbirth.  Whether you are laboring alone, or with your partner-my services are tailored to fit your needs, to ease and complement your vision.

Most often I meet with the mama and family a few times before the birth, have even attended Blessingways and taken pregnancy pictures. These are great ways to get to know one another and I am happy to do it.

I believe pregnancy is an honorable beautiful moment/miracle in life. I believe in- birth as a sacred rite of passage,  an initiation, everyone woman’s right to their vision of childbirth, and their right to birth naturally, with honor and respect. I believe in the natural strength and instincts of the woman.

Spaces may fill up fast, as I have a few local offices spreading the word, so contact me today with interest.

Tonight at the Dirty South Improv Theater in Carrboro, NC, Kumail will be performing!  Let’s do this!

We are on day 5 since more than a foot of snow fell last week, and we  have at least 7-8 inches still left on the ground. The roads are almost back to normal, but many roads remain bad. Rewind the clock. WNC used to get snow like this all the time in 1980-1990 and further back. In the last 10 years we haven’t seen snowfall like this so the cities and towns weren’t prepared. This storm not only left it’s mark in NC but also other states along it’s path. Some records of snowfall were broken. There was even talk of the National Guard’s help.

Many double-digit thousands have lost power in the area and shelters were set up to help. The snowfall caused much damage and has complicated Christmas shopping for those needing to grab those last-minute items.

Thankfully our home was not one of the ones who lost power. However we were trapped for a few days unable to get out and we live off a main road in city limits! Good thing I did the normal thing and stocked up on plant milk, and necessities the night before the storm.

Downtown roads are still a mess and many are still getting stuck on side roads. It has stayed fairly cold here, heating up just above freezing in the afternoon only to drop back down to freezing or lower a few hours later. Black ice is a problem once the sun goes down as the snow melts little in the afternoon and freezes back over.

Although it has caused problems, it has been beautiful though. Definitely makes it more festive for Christmas and is a lot of fun. I love it, I have missed these winters for years. I have seen people who haven’t lived here long (less than 10years) complaining and swearing this never happens. Oh-Yes it does. It has just been a long time. In winters from the 90’s and back, 6-8+ inch snowfall was common. My mother and grandmother (both natives to this area- born and raised) talk a lot with many stories of the winters passed. Having my own winter memories of past winters. I had made a joking prediction of a white Christmas a few weeks back when we got an early dusting of snow. Sort of coincidental and ironic. Not really though, I just knew we were due for a good snowfall, we have had too many easy warm winters these last ten-ish years.Welcome to the real winters of WNC.  I hope to see all our winters return like this again.

Read the storm story on CNN

More pictures to come in the next day or so when I get a bit more time…

Norma Villeda, right, has dinner with her family, Carlitos Garcia, 7, and Nancy Garcia, 18, while staying with Norma's sister-in-law in Apex on Dec. 9. Villeda, who immigrated illegally 20 years ago, has circled the date on the calendar (above) when she must leave the country.

From the Charlotte Observer:

In the five months since immigration agents knocked on her door, Norma Villeda has sold her home and furnishings and shuttered her husband’s business. She now sleeps in the living room of her sister-in-law’s trailer, what’s left of her possessions packed into three suitcases.

But the biggest loss has yet to come.

When she is returns to her native Mexico at the end of this month, at the order of U.S. immigration officials, she will leave behind her daughter, Nancy, a U.S.-born high school senior who aspires to go to college.

[Click here to read the rest of the article]

Photo c/o: renatotarga

“A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.”
~ John Steinbeck

Coaching thought: We control nothing. And, although we love control, sometimes the best way to flow through life is without it. Release control today.

Life & Business Coach Katie Mattson • Momentum • Energize Your Moment

Recent research hypothesizes that the abnormal pain processing associated with fibromyalgia actually occurs because of a problem with the healing process of fasica (the translucent connective tissue over muscle). 1  The idea behind this research is that fibromyalgia is caused by a dysfunctional healing response of injured fascia, that is characterized by inflammation, HPA dysfunction (Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Adrenal axis), leading to central sensitization (highly sensitized nerves that make every sensation painful).

This is a plausible symptom of fibromyalgia, but the question remains, why isn’t the fascia healing normally?  If the answer is inadequate HGH (human growth hormone) production by the pituitary gland (which is mentioned by the author), then the next questions should be, well why isn’t there enough HGH?  The questioning should go on and on until you get to a root cause.  One thing you will discover as you learn more about fibromyalgia, there are probably 50 different hypotheses for the cause of fibromyagia.  I encourage you, when presented with one of these ideas, that you always ask why.  In this case, the proposed cause is the abnormal healing of fascia, but shouldn’t we be asking why isn’t the fascia healing normally? Always continually ask why until you are at the root cause, not just another symptom or side effect of a deeper underlying problem.  I encourage you to go through this line of questioning, knowing that currently, there is not a completely agreed upon cause of  fibromyalgia, but I think it is stress.

Stress in the form of chemical, physical and emotional stressors, that disrupt your body’s normal physiology/function. Once you have come to the conclusion that stress is at the root of your problem (and I firmly believe it is), your plan should be to figure out how to address the stressors in your life, and treat your symptoms without creating more problems as a result of the treatment, as some medications can do.

I’ve got a plan to help you begin tackling this problem, and to help you remove this stress from your life. I use all natural,  drug free, neurologically based treatments to help you reduce stress.  Here is an overview of the plan, that is not very specific. I designed this plan, and it’s my intellectual property, and part of the value in my care.  It is also part of my competitive advantage, so I’m not going to explain it in great detail, but just give you a conceptual overview.

1) REMOVE - Remove all possible chemical, physical and emotional stressors.

2) REPAIR - Repair your body…there is a lot more to this.

3) MAINTAIN - Continue some aspects of the plan to maintain your health.

That’s basically the overview of how my program is designed to help patients with fibromyalgia.  This approach is also successful at treating other conditions because it focuses on reducing the cause of so many of our health problems, STRESS.

If you have fibromyalgia our treatment may be able to help you.  Dr. Shook is available for complimentary phone consultations to see if you could benefit from our care.  If you would like to schedule an appointment or if you have any questions, just give us a call at (828) 324-0800, or email Dr. Shook at drshook@alliancechiropracticcenter.com.

1. Liptan GL. 2010. Fascia: A missing link in our understanding of the pathology of fibromyalgia. J Bodyw Mov Ther. Jan;14(1):3-12.

THIS INFORMATION IS PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT AND IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR DUPLICATION.  WE DO RANDOM SEARCHES FOR THIS MATERIAL ON THE INTERNET.  IF FOUND, YOU WILL BE CONTACTED BY OUR ATTORNEY. THANK YOU FOR RESPECTING OUR TIME AND WORK.

We’ve all done some pretty dumb things. Some of us have done things so asinine that you just want to give yourself a swift kick in the tail. I’ve been known to mutter, “that was so stupid I could kick myself” at least once per week. I do thank God that my feet don’t get that close to my backside. If I were serious, I’d have New Balance marks all over the seat of my pants. I talk a good game, but I’d rather not do it.

Tom Hayward of Croatan came up with the contraption to accomplish the act of the “self kick.” Consisting of a hand operated crank, a wheel with four spokes and a shoe on each, the concept was simple: Give ‘er a crank, kick yourself in the arse. Repeatedly.

One look at that picture reveals four tough looking shoes and the slogan, “If we kick ourselves more, we will kick others less.” Legend has it that Lucille Ball was spotted using the kicking machine. No word if it was at the request of Desi Arnaz. It’s a device suited for the homes of any politician, in which case it should be used with great regularity.

Back in New Jersey we go about the method of self kicking in a different way. That machine is replaced with either “wife” or “mother-in-law,” and all one needs to do is open his mouth to receive a swift kick. Like the folks who have used that machine, it’s generally deserved (or at least that’s what we’re told).

However, it turns out the real punisher is not in New Jersey.   The actual punish yourself gizmo resides about 10 miles east of New Bern.

Bend over and give yourself a kick.

Let’s look at this rationally . . . what’s up with the kicking machine, dude?

I usually don’t discuss how I treat fibromyalgia unless I see you in the office or talk with you on the phone, because what I do is a pretty unique combination of things I have learned from some amazing doctors, patients, and from research.  The knowledge I have, and my approach to the treatment of fibromyalgia is part of the value in my care.  The thing is I really don’t mind sharing an overview with you though, because if you are suffering with fibromyalgia you need to know how we are different.  My approach to treating fibromyalgia is a thick combination of many different techniques, clinical experiences and research.  With that said, I’ve been fortunate to learn and be mentored by excellent teachers, and for that I’m very thankful.  Without great teachers, I wouldn’t be able to provide you with this information.

One thing you will discover as you learn more about fibromyalgia, is that there are probably 50 different hypotheses for its cause.  I encourage you, when presented with one of these “causes”, that you always ask why.  Always continually ask why until you are at the root cause, not just another symptom or side effect of a deeper underlying problem.  I encourage you to go through this line of questioning, knowing that currently, there is not a definitive answer to the cause of fibromyalgia.  I believe, as do many other doctors, researchers, and people with fibromyalgia,  that the cause  is stress.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Stress in the form of chemical, physical and emotional stressors, that disrupt your body’s normal physiology/function. Once you have come to the conclusion that stress is at the root of your problem (and I firmly believe it is), your plan should be, to figure out how to address the stressors in your life, and treat your symptoms without creating more problems as a result of the treatment, as some medications can do.

I’ve got a plan to help you begin tackling this problem, and to help you remove this stress from your life. I use all natural,  drug free, treatments including neurologically based therapies to help you significantly reduce your stress for good.  The plan consists of in office care, and out of office lifestyle changes that are extremely important to the speed of your recovery.  So here’s the plan…

1) REMOVE

• Remove all possible, toxic chemical stressors. (food, cosmetics, house hold chemicals, environmental, etc)
• Remove all possible physical stressors. (ergonomic, postural/biomechanical, excess body weight, etc)
• Remove all possible emotional stressors. (financial, relationships, address emotional trauma from the past, work related, etc)

2) REPAIR

• Begin a neurologically based treatment program to focus on improving how your brain and nervous system function.
• Replace toxic chemical stressors in your environment, with safe nontoxic ones.
• Normalize metabolic/chemical/hormonal imbalances within your body through temporary nutritional supplementation.
• Eat a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods (organic if possible).
• Begin an appropriate exercise program.
• Correct any postural/biomechanical/ergonomic imbalances causing excess strain and stress on your muscles and ligaments.
• Get your finances in order, end or strengthen stressful personal relationships, address work related problems, seek professional assistance for past emotional trauma)
• etc…

3) Maintain

• Maintain the progress and changes you have implemented.
• Use the principles here, to guide you in the future with respect to limiting stress in your life.
• Keep your biomechanical/postural stressors limited through regular traction and bodywork sessions
• Don’t stop learning, and give back to others by sharing your knowledge.

That’s basically the overview of how my program and treatments are designed to help patients with fibromyalgia.  This approach is also successful at treating other conditions because it focuses on reducing the cause of so many of our health problems, STRESS.

If you have fibromyalgia our treatment may be able to help you.  Dr. Shook is available for complimentary phone consultations to see if you could benefit from our care.  If you would like to schedule an appointment or if you have any questions, just give us a call at (828) 324-0800, or email Dr. Shook at drshook@alliancechiropracticcenter.com.  You can also visit us at www.ncfibroclinic.com.

1. Wood PB. 2004. Stress and dopamine: implications for the pathophysiology of chronic widespread pain. Med Hypotheses. 62(3):420-4.

2. Martinez-Lavin M. 2004. Fibromyalgia as a sympathetically maintained pain syndrome. Curr Pain Headache Rep. Oct;8(5):385-9.

3. Martinez-Lavin M, Solano C. 2009. Dorsal root ganglia, sodium channels, and fibromyalgia sympathetic pain. Med Hypotheses. Jan;72(1):64-6.

4. Martinez-Lavin M, Vidal M, Barbosa RE, Pineda C, Casanova JM, Nava A. 2002. Norepinephrine-evoked pain in fibromyalgia. A randomized pilot study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2002;3:2.

5. Martinez-Lavin M. 2007. Biology and therapy of fibromyalgia. Stress, the stress response system, and fibromyalgia. Arthritis Res Ther. 9(4):216.

6. Martínez-Lavín M. 2001. Is fibromyalgia a generalized reflex sympathetic dystrophy? Clin Exp Rheumatol. Jan-Feb;19(1):1-3.

7. Cohen H, Neumann L, Alhosshle A, Kotler M, Abu-Shakra M, Buskila D. 2001. Abnormal sympathovagal balance in men with fibromyalgia. J Rheumatol. Mar;28(3):581-9.

8. Martínez-Lavín M, Hermosillo AG, Mendoza C, Ortiz R, Cajigas JC, Pineda C, Nava A, Vallejo M. 1997. Orthostatic sympathetic derangement in subjects with fibromyalgia. J Rheumatol. Apr;24(4):714-8.

9. Arias M. 2008. Is fibromyalgia a neurological disease? Neurologia. Nov;23(9):593-601.

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The ordering system is complex at this faux-rustic little sandwich shop/marketplace, which caters more to regulars who know their way around the place instead of visitors who don’t know anything. It would seem that you first order your hot drinks from the coffee counter by the door, pay for them, then order your food from the sandwich counter a few steps over. After getting your order ticket, you find a seat (which may involve waiting, if you go during rush hour when it’s too cold to sit in one of the outside lawn chairs facing a four-lane highway) and when ready your food is served to you. You eat…then you go up to the cash register, ruthlessly lined with candied goodies, and pay.

My favorite order these past few years has been an enormous, tender herb biscuit for breakfast/lunch, lightly heated (microwaved), with two pats of butter. The sandwiches are decent, but too heavily buttered when grilled and rather generic and served in papered wicker baskets; soups can be overly peppered. The tiny marketplace consists of a short wall of wine and an eclectic assortment of crackers, spreads, cookie mixes, and candies. The decor and feel have something of a Martha Stewart stamp to it, due to the creator’s past professional involvement with Ms. Stewart; several years back, the store’s feature in a Martha magazine sat prominently framed on the wall.

Despite its flaws, I have always had strong, fond memories of those huge biscuits, and the hot chocolate is acceptable - although mostly whipped cream, it’s at least good, genuine whipped cream, which is more than I can say for its neighboring competitor, Guglhupf.

2694 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., Durham, NC, USA