PRESTON: A Christmas massage, some communication and lubrication - The Independent

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ASHLAND — I suppose I may have a raging case of first-timer’s enthusiasm, although I’m otherwise a total convert to the concept of therapeutic massage after experiencing an hour on the table at Moxie Massage & Boutique.
You may remember my mention in last week’s column of a most thoughtful gift from a buddy who surprised me with a gift certificate for a full-hour session after I began my annual winter whining on recent rainy days. I was up and down all night the evening before I had scheduled that session and said to myself, “You are crazy if you really think a massage is going to make any real difference with this stuff.â€
I was actually taking baby steps to cover the half block between the newsroom and Moxie Massage and explained my particular set of problems to Dr. Amy Litteral before crawling up onto her heated massage table.
For the next 60 minutes or so, the old rock tune “Hurts So Good†was surely my theme song, despite the relaxing ambient music playing in the background. Litteral could have been much rougher with me, but thankfully she seemed to sense my pain threshold (my screaming-like-a-little-girl stuff may have been an indicator) and kept it well on my side of the comfort line.
I caught myself giggling at the new-age-y music and the soft trickling waterfall sounds in the room as I prepared for the massage, but quickly took it all back as the sounds, as well as a relaxing scent, helped transport my little brain and flabby body. I wasn’t exactly taking notes at the time, so please pardon the lack of further detail. Litteral seemed to read me like a (Braille) book and there were a few times when I heard her actually talking to a particularly troublesome muscle or mass as she kneaded the knots away.
I did not want it to end, ever, but as with all other good things ... my hour was over. I stole a couple of the good chocolates (Lindt!) from Dr. Litteral’s front desk and started babystepping my way back to the newsroom. I had barely made it past the new Boost Mobile store when I realized I was grinning like a madman and had an undeniable feeling that bordered on euphoria — in other words, I had “a buzz†from the massage session.
The good feeling stayed with me for a while and to my shock and surprise, I actually slept through the entire night with no rude awakenings from my trouble areas. Honestly, I could not tell you the last time that happened. I suspect there are many here among us who would pay big money for a night like that.
So, obviously, I’m not saying Amy Litteral can solve all of your problems, but I am saying her services worked wonders for me and that was one heckuva fine and outstanding gift. At the risk of saying something tasteless, personal experiences have caused Dr. Litteral to require a recommendation or voucher for any new male clients, so keep that in mind if you are thinking of gifting a session to someone for Christmas.
And, while I’ve proven my high level of fashion ignorance, the boutique part of the small shop at 1607 Winchester Ave. has some really cool things I’d suspect are ideal for anyone who appreciates one-of-a-kind jewelery.
For more information about Moxie Massage & Boutique, find the page on Facebook or call (606) 831-1501.
New downtown
I’ve been driving by and watching the progress at Ashland’s new Quick Lane at 2129 Winchester Ave. during recent weeks, and received a call from service manager Brian Smith last week advising the place is now up and running.
The latest venture by the Fannin Automotive/Boyd County Ford family offers a variety of services including things like oil changes, tire rotations, brake jobs, belts, hoses, water pumps, flush and coolant service, wheel alignment or air-conditioner work, as well as stocking 16 different tire brands and providing all factory required maintenance work for “anything that’s got wheels,†Smith advised, adding they provide a two-year warranty on their work. They also provide shuttle service back to the office, home or even the mall, if you need to drop a vehicle off.
Appointments are never necessary (although they are happy to schedule a set time), and the new shop is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
For more information, visit quicklane.com on the Internet, or call (606) 393-3134.
Also new downtown
I did a hit-and-run visit to the new Boost & Virgin Mobile store at 1613 Winchester Ave. in the former location of Print My Threads which was also the city’s longtime Hallmark store just a few years back.
Owner Ron Barker greeted me and almost took my breath away as he explained the new shop is a sort of memorial or tribute
to Ashland native, Johnda Clay, his wife of 32 years whose life was cut short by an aneurysm.
The Ashland store is Barker’s third, joining the first two in Huntington. Barker plans to be there himself quite often, and expressed his confidence in store manager Grady Nicholas to take care of things even when Barker is at one of the other locations.
While the outside sign hasn’t yet arrived, “We’re ready to rock,†Barker said, explaining they have a full inventory of phones and plans for payLo, Boost and Virgin.
“None of this is contract. It is all pay as you go,†he said, explaining they provide personalized service and also take “any kind of phone payments you can think up.â€
The shop also has a Christmas special running through Dec. 24, providing a free month of phone service to all customers who import their number from another carrier.
The new Boost & Virgin Mobile store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
For more information, visit barbellmedia.com or call (606) 420-4375.

TIM