So almost 12 years ago...

Jeff and I got married. And then it seems like the next day he went on the road and hasn't really been home on a regular basis since. Well, now he is. He leaves for work anytime between 3 and 5 in the morning and gets home between 2 and 4 in the afternoon.

I have to say, this is a change in our lives that really made me nervous. We haven't lived together like this -- ever. He's home for dinner every night. He's home over the weekends. Can I deal with that? Initially, it sounds wonderful, but actually, after forcing myself to deal with basically being a single parent for years I was really nervous about having him around so much.

Well, I'm so happy to report that the transition has gone beautifully! The whole family has really gotten along well with this positive, but yet still stressful change. It's been so wonderful to have Jeff's help with parenting and cooking. He's had a lot more time for his music and Greenstreet (his band.) He even takes Joey to Cub Scouts!

I have always loved Jeff. From our first date I knew that he was the one for me. But over years of being apart so much I have trained myself to get along with seeing him in small doses. Less than 48 hours at a time. Our time together was so short that we had to focus on the needs. He needs to spend time with the kids. He needs to mow the lawn. He needs to change the oil on the car. And on, and on. When so many needs have to be met in such a short time, it doesn't leave much time for fun stuff.



I had forgotten how much fun he is to be around. We are having such a great time just doing stuff together. Shopping, walking the dogs, even cleaning up around the house. It's so neat to have him here!

The Family Curse

Migraines.

My Mom has suffered with Migraines for her entire life. They put her in bed for at least a day at a time. She can't look at the light, sounds ring in her head, nausea takes over. She has tried all kinds of meds, home remedies, chiropractic care, acupuncture, reflexology -- you name it. Nothing has ever really done the trick every time.

Last February, I experienced my first Migraine. I was in tears from the pain. and then the nausea kicked in. Wow. Since then I have had a couple more - one of them put me in the ER.

Now it looks like Joey has the same issue. He's so young, but his headaches seem to be so intense and all of the Migraine symptoms are there as well (sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, severe pain.)

Yet another thing for me to feel guilty about.

RIP - One of my favorites.

WESTPORT, Conn. (Sept. 27) - Paul Newman, the Academy-Award winning superstar who personified cool as an activist, race car driver, popcorn impresario and the anti-hero of such films as "Hud," ''Cool Hand Luke" and "The Color of Money," has died. He was 83.
Newman died Friday after a long battle with cancer at his farmhouse near Westport, publicist Jeff Sanderson said. He was surrounded by his family and close friends.

In May, Newman he had dropped plans to direct a fall production of "Of Mice and Men," citing unspecified health issues.

He got his start in theater and on television during the 1950s, and went on to become one of the world's most enduring and popular film stars, a legend held in awe by his peers. He was nominated for Oscars 10 times, winning one regular award and two honorary ones, and had major roles in more than 50 motion pictures, including "Exodus," ''Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," ''The Verdict," ''The Sting" and "Absence of Malice."

Newman worked with some of the greatest directors of the past half century, from Alfred Hitchcock and John Huston to Robert Altman, Martin Scorsese and the Coen brothers. His co-stars included Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Bacall, Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks and, most famously, Robert Redford, his sidekick in "Butch Cassidy" and "The Sting."

He sometimes teamed with his wife and fellow Oscar winner, Joanne Woodward, with whom he had one of Hollywood's rare long-term marriages. "I have steak at home, why go out for hamburger?" Newman told Playboy magazine when asked if he was tempted to stray. They wed in 1958, around the same time they both appeared in "The Long Hot Summer," and Newman directed her in several films, including "Rachel, Rachel" and "The Glass Menagerie."

With his strong, classically handsome face and piercing blue eyes, Newman was a heartthrob just as likely to play against his looks, becoming a favorite with critics for his convincing portrayals of rebels, tough guys and losers. "I was always a character actor," he once said. "I just looked like Little Red Riding Hood."

Too much to do.

I think that that the biggest problem I have with being my own boss. There is no time clock that announces that the end of the work day is here and I need to punch out and go home. There is no separation between home and work.

Truthfully, I really like that. I don't have to answer to anyone.

And I also really hate it. The buck stops here. There is no boss I can go to when I'm stuck. No one else to blame when things don't go as planned!

Maybe I need to install a time clock for myself! Punch in at 7:30 and punch out at 4! That's a thought...

Or I could hire a boss for myself. Someone to yell at me; encourage me; hold me accountable. An even better thought...

Have you ever had so much to do that the thought of even starting one task is overwhelming? That's kind of where I am right now. There are so many things to do that when I look at my list I almost freeze. And then I feel guilty for spending time blogging or emailing (if it's not work related.)

I had better do something though!

An interesting alternative...

A friend of mine posted this on MySpace. Food for thought...

The Birk Economic Recovery Plan

I am against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG.



Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in

a "We Deserve It Dividend."

To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000

bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+.


Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman

and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up..

So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billon that equals $425,000.00.



My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a

"We Deserve It Dividend."

Of course, it would NOT be tax free.



So let's assume a tax rate of 30%.



Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.



That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.



But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.



A husband and wife has $595,000.00.



What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.

00 in your family?

Pay off your mortgage - housing crisis solved.



Repay college loans - what a great boost to new grads

Put away money for college - it'll be there

Save in a bank - create money to loan to entrepreneurs.



Buy a new car - create jobs

Invest in the market - capital drives growth

Pay for your parent's medical insurance - health care improves

Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean - or else

Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks

who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company

that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.



If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it...instead of

trickling out a puny $1000.

00 ( "vote buy" ) economic incentive that is being proposed by

one of our candidates for President.




If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+!

As for AIG - liquidate it. Sell off its parts.



Let American General go back to being American General.



Sell off the real estate.



Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.



Here's my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn't.



Sure it's a crazy idea that can "never work."

But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!

How do you spell Economic Boom?

I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion

We Deserve It Dividend more than do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC .



And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.

5 Billion is returned

instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.



Ahhh...I feel so much better getting that off my chest.



Kindest personal regards,

Birk

T. J.

Birkenmeier, A Creative Guy & Citizen


PS: Feel free to pass this along to your pals as it's either good for a
laugh or a tear or a very sobering thought on how to best use $85 Billion!!

What am I supposed to do with my Twitter Page?

Does anybody know? I have one. I have people following me. I am following other people. But I'm still not sure why.

Thoughts?

Here's my URl if you're interested http://twitter.com/MissJodi

Natural Highs -- How many can I do this week?

1. Falling in love.
2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.
3. A hot shower.
4. No lines at the supermarket.
5. A special glance.
6. Getting mail.
7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.
8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio..
9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.
11. Chocolate milkshake (vanilla or strawberry ).
12. A bubble bath.
13. Giggling.
14. A good conversation.
15. The beach.
16. Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter.
17. Laughing at yourself.
18. Looking into their eyes and knowing they Love you
19. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
20. Running through sprinklers.
21. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
22. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.
23. Laughing at an inside joke with FRIENDS
24. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
25. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
26. Your first kiss (the very first).
27. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
28. Playing with a new puppy.
29. Having someone play with your hair.
30. Sweet dreams.
31. Hot chocolate.
32. Road trips with friends.
33. Swinging on swings.
34. Making eye contact with a cute stranger.
35. Making chocolate chip cookies.
36. Having your friends send you homemade cookies.
37. Holding hands with someone you care about.
38. Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change.
39. Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much desired present from you.
40. Watching the sunrise.
41. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day.
42. Knowing that somebody misses you.
43. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.
44. Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people think.