The ICI Experience:

I'm going to try posting every day in July. November didn't work so well for me (holidays etc.), and now they have NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) EVERY month. Each month has a theme. For June the theme was Home. For July it's Food. I don't know how I'm going to relate each post to food; maybe just a picture of something good to eat. Like this lovely edible flower salad. Would someone make me one, please?

The politics part is my funny for the day: I, Lieutenant Worf, Endorse Barack Obama For President in Your Year 2008 Be sure to read the comments. Hilarious and sometimes true. The war part is not so funny. Once again, this subject relates to the topic of this blog because war causes stress for those of us at home, too, and it's especially stressful for those of us with already compromised immune systems and conditions that are aggravated by stress. That said, I've been reading the Military Religious Freedom Foundation website and newsletter for a couple of months now. There seems to be some crossover between church and state going on in our military. Which is against the law, but hey, that hasn't stopped this administration on several other fronts so nobody seems to expect this to matter to them now. The image on the right kind of summarizes the whole issue for me. I call it "Rifles and Bibles" . I thought it was those nut job Taliban guys that did stuff like...

Here are the important parts of the notification email I received: June 25, 2008 Dear “International Leaders Against Pain” Applicant, Congratulations! You have been chosen to receive the NFA 2008 Leaders’ Scholarship to attend NFA’s 4th Annual International Leaders Against Pain Media and Advocacy Training Seminar at the Airlie Conference Center in Warrenton Virginia Sunday, August 10 to Thursday, August 14, 2008. The National Fibromyalgia Association is pleased to invite you to spend 5 days and 4 nights with support group leaders and patient advocates from around the world to learn how to promote and create awareness on behalf of those living with fibromyalgia and other chronic illnesses. Your NFA 2008 National LAP Scholarship includes: 4 Nights accommodations Sunday, August 10 through Wednesday August 13, 2008 at Airlie Center Dinner on Sunday, August 10, 2008 Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday, August 11 through Wednesday, August 13, 20...

So, I'm trying to get more personal in my writing. I like how my friend Aviva on SickMomma keeps an updated record on her doctor's appointments, etc. on her blog. But this post is even more personal; it's about a crying meltdown I had recently. From Fibro Viv, on Being Credible: If my own family does not support me, what am I to do? During my recent vacation, I was reminded of the lack of support for my current plight (cannot work, waiting for SS disability hearing) I get from some of my family members. I've accepted my father's view that I should just keep on keepin' on. I/we don't discuss the subject of my health at all, except in the most cursory of terms. But when I learned of another family member's (by marriage) feeling that it's not right for me (or anyone else, apparently) to be receiving assistance (which I do, from whoever will give it to me), or applying for public housing (which I'm currently in the process of - I've been li...

Vacations are nice, even working ones. I've been on a working vacation but I'm back now and will be posting again soon. Out my window - Cephallonia, Greece vacation , originally uploaded by mnadi .

My father and the dad-next-door once dressed up like Zombies and followed us on our trick or treating route on Halloween. When we were as far away from home as we could get, they made their presence known. AAAGGGHHH!!! I just sent this card to my Dad: Don't send a lame Father's Day eCard . Try JibJab Sendables ! I like JibJab. So appropriate for my family's warped sense of humor.

Did you know that Medical Astrology was used by physicians hundreds of years ago? Me neither, until I found this site about the star signs and managing illness. I think sometimes I might be better off with an astrologist treating me than some of the well meaning medical professionals on my treatment team... This is me being sick, according to Kingsley: Aquarius If there was ever a Star sign-social worker Aquarians fits that job description perfectly. Aquarians have unique but traditional approaches to managing symptoms. Their reformist approach may include herbal or alternative healing modalities. Aquarians are social and intellectual creatures with dependable (stoic) temperaments resistant to change. They are indeed rebellious of authority and most doctors. Denial of their illness is no excuse to keep drinking heavily though. Managing illness will present challenges for Aquarians who tend to burn out when stressed. Aquarians detach from their painful symptoms by reading, partying o...

Click here for a printed copy of the story. To ask Oprah to have Tom on her show, send her his name and address: Tom Varillas 1015 Dover Ct Oldsmar, FL 34677-2528

Pic ture courtesy of the Oxford Illustrated Science Encyclopedia As specified in my About The ICIE page , in the Email republication policy section, the policy across The ICI Experience sites and blog is to reproduce any critical emails sent to any email address associated with me or this site, and also to reproduce any critical discussion of me or my activities which I see or become aware of on any outlets in any form of media. The following email doesn't come across directly as all that critical of me, but it does insinuate that I have not bothered to research Dr. Barrett's reputation before throwing my lot in with him. And it quite blatantly suggests that Dr. Barrett is himself a quack. The following is a copy of the email, and my answer. On Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 10:38 PM, Janis & Fred janis_at cox dot net > wrote: Hello Sherrill, I was reading your blog. I wanted to know where the chiropractor Whitcomb is located as his name rings a bell from my support group a...