Economy bailout plan B.

I had to write this because I truly believe this is an awesome idea.

Our government was trying to pass a 700 billion bailout to the financial institutions with taxpayer's money. I had a real hard time swallowing that one myself. Of course it didn't pass.

So why not go about it in a different way using less money. They tried doing this with the stimulus package and it did virtually nothing to stimulate the economy because it was in amounts that would absolutely stimulate nothing. So let's take it to a different level.

For example: Let's say there are 335 million people in the United States. Out of those 335 million they are approximately 280 million people between the ages of 18-60. If the government issues checks of 250 thousand to each and every one of them that is a taxpayer it would cost roughly about 75 billion dollars. If the government wants to use the taxpayer's money than I whole heartedly believe it should go to the taxpayer period. This would allow everyone to pay off debts and allow the taxpayers to spend also which would boost the economy. Now I know that a percentage will squander their share (still boosting the economy) and a percentage will hoard their share. But the majority will do what will be intended. The financial institutions would still benefit from this as well just not at the obscene level. My figures are just an estimate but let's say that the government gave out 500 thousand dollars it would still be only 150 billion. Still a hell of a lot lower than the 700 billion dollars. See where I am going with this? Now I understand many government officials would squint at this because of their greed. Reality check here people. They want to spend our money but not to the benefit of the taxpayer. I truly think we should contact our representatives and senators and urge them to push this forward. How many of you would benefit from having to get out from under your subprime and revolving loans? How many of you would love to be debt free and stay that way? How many of you would like to be secure in your jobs? How many of you would like to see the small business owner be able to stay in business? Our nation founded the government with the understanding and the drive to make sure that it was by the people, for the people and of the people! It is not that way anymore is it?

Tools and Man

Chris has a slew of tools. He cannot pass up a Harbor Freight catalog without circling items he wants added to his wish list for Christmas. The other day while he was gathering his tools together to head over to Kats house to remedy her A/C issues. I noticed his airbrush kit and started to giggle because he has not used that once and he has had it for over a year now. I just can't understand the way men think about not having enough tools. Walking with him through Sears and other tools stores is like a candy store to this man. But it doesn't affect just Chris. My dad and Chris' dad are the same way. I guess it would be similar to a woman having a shoe compulsion but I am not like that. I will never understand it.

Not just dieting anymore…

I am looking to change my life style. Too many of us have are just too damn lazy… myself included. So.. I am going for a change of life overhaul. No more of the SAD (Standard American Diet) as my friend, Rob, explained to me. I want to lose weight and be healthy about it too. So if it takes me a year to take all the weight I want off so be it. At least by then my change will become habit and I will be able to maintain it for years afterwards.

I was recently told about Orovo. It's a company that sells all natural supplements for just about anything from acne to diet supplements. What is appealing about this company is that all the supplements you could want or need are sold at reasonable prices. I think I am going to check them out and try a few things.

What I really want to look into is the Whole and Raw foods option. I mean everything in moderation is healthier for you when it's not all mucked up with preservatives and needless fillers. My friend, Rob, who has been into this life change for over ten years gave me a recipe for chocolate Smoothies that I haven't tried yet but he swears is so good you don't even think it could with the ingredients in it. I will try if first and then I will post the recipe. Assuming I have his permission. Which I am sure won't be a problem. Chris is willing to try this change and I am sure our kids will take some time to get use to but in the long run we will all be healthier and happier for it.

Bloggers helping Bloggers

I have told you about my friend, Kat, which needs help financially until she recovers from her neck fusion. This could take months. She is on total restriction from her doctor. Christine informed me about the fund that donates the first $359.00 to a blogger in need and the rest they raise goes to the Susan G. Komen fund for breast cancer. The name of this event is the Boobie Thon. Please visit the Bloggers helping Bloggers area of the site and nominate Kat Cooper to be the recipient of this charity. The nominees must be submitted by Sunday, September 28^th. They will select the recipient on Tuesday, September 30^th.

I am asking all of you to spread the word and have as many people you know nominate her. This would help her a great deal.

They didn’t teach this when I was in high school…

Jeff is taking some strange classes. All his classes except for the electives are honor courses, including Astronomy and Economy. He chose astronomy because he wants to major in Aerospace engineering. I understand that. One of the many assignments he will be graded on will be getting together with his class on a weekend night and go east of the interstate and just star gaze through the teachers high powered telescope. I think that will be cool.

In his economy class they are actually learning how to read the stock market and each student was set up with his own stock account (fake of course) and they have to monitor their stocks and know when to buy and sell. They are also being taught online trading. It's just amazing what the kids are being taught these days.

Jeff wants to go to his homecoming dance in two weeks. He asked out a girl already and she accepted but her parents said no. Not even when I assured her father that Chris would be chaperoning them and we would be more than willing to host a dinner at our home so they can get to know Jeff and us. She is two years younger and she has never been out on a date much less a formal dance. And her parents are just not comfortable with her dating a 17 year old. It kind of makes me mad in a way because I know my son. But on the other hand I know how Chris will be when Katie starts dating. Vision a man sitting on the front porch with a shotgun cleaning it when the young man comes to take Katie out. Enough said.

Cats rule my house

I grew up in a household that always had pets, except for cats. My father is not a cat person at all but don't ask me why all cats gravitate towards my dad. They just do. Our two, Belle and Cuddles, adore my dad. They will not stop meowing until he at least acknowledges their presence. I always thought that I was most like my dad. I never had the urge to own a cat and I never could understand the people that preferred cats over dogs. When Jeff was about 4 or 5, I got him a small dog, Taffy and then two months later my sister asked me to take her kitten because the apartments she lived in did not allow pets. Jeff had named her Pumba. Gee, I wonder where he got that name. Pumba was the epitome of why I didn't like cats. She was mean and feisty and sneaky as hell. She never allowed Jeff to just hold her. Jeff constantly had scratches and bites all over him and Pumba would climb my legs while I stood there washing dishes because she knew that she could. I swore that I would never own another cat. Never say never!

I have to admit that I enjoy the two I have now. Cuddles is the adventurous one. She will investigate anything. She is very loving but only when she wants it. She is the dominant of the two. Belle on the other hand will let you hold her for hours and just purr up a storm. The one thing I get a kick out of is when they turn into Psycho cats chasing and flipping their toys with the catnip inside. I swear they this stuff makes them look like they are on crack. That's what Chris calls it, Crack for Cats. The way these two act around it you would think they would need drug rehab to get over the catnip. Also let's not forget alcohol rehab. The way Cuddles behaves when I have a beer is like a wino looking for his last drink. I can't take a sip of my beer without her tilting the can her way so she can have some. At night I have to spend at least 15 minutes playing with them before I can go to sleep otherwise they will jump all over me in the bed. And don't even bring ice cream or potato chips near them because you might as well just set it down and step away.

Mama, I can read!

I have mentioned before how my daughter, Katie, is struggling with her reading skills. Basically she was a non reader for her kindergarten and first grade years. She has a learning disability that inhibits her from retaining information and therefore she would forget letters and sounds. This made it extremely difficult for Katie when it comes to reading.

Last week I have noticed a positive change in her. She is showing more interest in reading and she is taking chances to sound out words that I would think she would just as soon not even to attempt at. Yesterday, Chris took Katie to the store with him and she started to notice signs and try to figure them out herself without help. With some prompting from her dad, Katie, started to read every sign she saw. She read exit signs and store names. I think the light bulb is finally shining strong for her and hopefully she will take off running with her new found skills.

She’s coming home!

I spoke with Kat yesterday. She called to let me know that they had moved to her to a private room and that she would be coming home today. Depending on what time they release her, myself or Jo will be picking her up. She's anxious and wants to come home. She was in a happy mood and we laughed quite a bit over the phone.

I know that I didn't post for a few days but the situation didn't change and I was a bit under the weather. I am sure Kat will have lots to say once she is home and in her comfy chair in front of her computer. If I could have planned ahead more for her I might have been able to give her access to a laptop computer to use while recovering but maybe it was all for the best. I know she is a little unnerved that they kept her "sleeping" for five days but she understands why.

I am sure once she is settled back at home and has gotten her strength back she will be surfing the net and posting like a mad woman. Knowing Kat it won't be long at allJ

On The Mend

I talked with Jo today. Kat is still in the ICU but only because she still has the chest tube in and so they can better monitor her. Apparently once you are moved to a regular room you don't get the same attention. The chest tube will most likely come out today. She should be moved to a regular room hopefully by tomorrow. She may still come home on Monday but we shall see.

I want to thank everyone for stopping by. I can't say that I am surprised by all the love and support that you all have shown for Kat. Please if you haven't already done so (if you can't its ok) donate whatever you are comfortable with by visiting one of her blogs and clicking on her PayPal donate button. Every little bit will truly help her until she is back on her feet.

She’s awake.

I just got word from Jo that Kat is awake. They took the breathing tube out around noon today and she is doing just fine.

She is tired still but that is the effects of the medication. She is still in the ICU and she will be in a regular room sometime tomorrow.

Jo and the boys will be going to see her right after they get out of school. She may still come home over the weekend or Monday.

Jo will call me once she has seen Kat tomorrow and let me know more. I still plan on visiting her on Saturday provided that she is up to the visit. I think she will be.

Never Forgotten 911

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I.
I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say "Good-Bye." I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, "Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK...I am ready to go."
I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.
I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. "I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!" I said. "Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now."
I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.
I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.
I was in Texas, Kansas, London. I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?
I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.
Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; "Come to Me... this way... take my hand." Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.
I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?
September 11, 2001 was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are "ready to go."
I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.
Remember...I love you.


Original Title: Meet Me In The Stairwell Author: Ms. Stacey Randall
Reader: Bob Holiday of KFSH/KKLA/KRLA
Music Performance: Mannehiem Steamroller

Kat has not been moved yet.

I haven't posted earlier because Jo never got back to me until 10 minutes ago. With all the things she has to deal with I can understand. She spoke with a nurse earlier this afternoon. They think they may have nicked her lung during surgery or the bag that was placed around her lungs. She is still in ICU.

They tried to take an x-ray of her chest to find out whether or not her lung re inflated. They could not tell because of all the hardware that she has in her body. So… they will need to take a Cat Scan (CT) when one becomes available. They have her on a waiting list at the moment and Jo is to call the hospital at 6pm to see if there is any change.

She has been under sedation this whole time. They do not like to bring people out of sedation while they have a breathing tube still in place. Everyone that wakes up with one tries to take it out not knowing what it is at first because it feels like you are being choked. So… for her benefit they are keeping her asleep.

I cannot go see her until she is out of ICU. Jo and the boys may go see her tomorrow but even if she is still in ICU they will only be allowed to visit for five minutes and they will not bring her out of sedation. Chances are it will be Friday before they move her out of ICU.

I am hoping to be able to visit her on Saturday. I know she is going to wake up thinking that it's only going to be the next day. I think she will be shocked that she has been sleeping for days now. I am hoping that maybe she will sleep the after surgery pain off and won't be in a lot of pain when they do bring her out of sedation.

I know a lot of you are keeping her and her family in your thoughts and I know she will appreciate it! Please if you can visit one of her sites and donate whatever you can to her PayPal donate site. I have a feeling it's going to be a little rougher for her financially once she does come home. She has donate button on both her blogs.

I will keep you all informed as I get the information. Thanks so much for caring!

Still in ICU

Kat is still in the ICU and will remain there until tomorrow sometime. The complication was due to one of her lungs collapsing. So the decision to keep her in ICU will be in effect until tomorrow sometime. Jo and the boys did in fact go see her today. The nurse brought Kat out of sedation long enough to know that they were there. Kat being the feisty woman that she is, was getting agitated about the breathing tube still being in place. So Jo had them put her back under. I doubt that Kat will remember that because the medicine they use to sedate her will probably have her forget that Jo and the boys were even there. Maybe and maybe not.

I will be calling tomorrow morning to see whether or not they put her into a room and if they did I will go see her but chances are it will be Thursday before she has a room out of the ICU. Jo and I are guessing that Kat will be in the hospital through the weekend. She may not come home until Monday or Tuesday of next week.

Jo is going to call me later this evening to let me know how things are going. I would call myself but I think Jo would like to be the messenger from this point on. I am sure she feels terrible for not being the one to take Kat in the first place. Which she shouldn't in the least but I do understand it.

Kat made it through

I picked Kat up at 4:17a.m. I could tell she did not get much sleep and that the boys were extremely upset. Mark and Sebastian did not sleep all night!

We arrived at the hospital at 5:33a.m. and had to wait until 6:00 to have her admitted. The office was not open until then. Once we got up to the pre-op area they gave her a waiting room and she changed into her lovely hospital garment J

I stayed with her right up until they were going to take her to the OR. I doubt she remembers me leaving… she was already sedated. The I.V.'s and other wiring they had her hooked up to were surreal. And I was told that was just the beginning. Her doctor was extremely kind and explained to me how long the procedure would take and that once she was in recovery he would come talk to me.

I was in the waiting room from 8:30-10:00 and the nurse called me at the desk to tell me that her surgery wouldn't start until 10:30 and to expect it to be over around 4:30-5pm. She told me that they had my cell number and to please not wait around all day. I did anyway. I wasn't going to leave until I knew she was ok and also because I had her backpack of stuff.

Dr. M. came in to see me at exactly 4:36pm to tell me how well the surgery went and he went on to say that he was keeping the breathing tube in overnight in case there were any complications. I immediately called her sister, Jo, to let her know the news and that I would wait to see her before going home.

I waited until 8:45pm. When I called the nurse's station to find out her progress, they informed me that she was still in the recovery room and were waiting for a bed to open up in the ICU. I didn't want to leave but I had to get back to my family. So I called Jo and asked her if I should hang on to her stuff or "trust" a nurse to give it to her. We decided that I should keep her wallet and give the backpack to the ICU nurse, which is what I did.

I got home at 9:45pm. My daughter, Katie, was in bed but not asleep. She waited until I got home so I could tuck her in. I said goodnight to Jeff and to Chris and went straight to bed. I don't remember hitting the pillow.

Jo called me at 9:30 this morning to give me an update. Kat is still in the ICU and will be there for the rest of the day today. She did have some complications last night but they would not go into detail with Jo and they told her that she was stable now and seems to be doing well. They advised her to not bring the boys up because her face is extremely swollen, she is still on the breathing tube and they still have her sedated. Jo and the boys will probably visit her tomorrow evening but I plan on going there in the mid morning provided that she can receive visitors. I will do my best to keep everyone updated.

In support of Kat

This is my friend, Kat. She has been a blogger for more than ten years now. She is more importantly a single mom to two very cool teenage boys, Mark and Sebastian.

Kat was born with many congenital defects. One of which was severe scoliosis which she had surgery to correct back in 2006. She is having surgery tomorrow morning that will stop the vertebrae in her neck from closing in more on her spinal cord. This surgery is NOT optional. Either she has it or she will die in less than 2 months. This decision was a no brainer for Kat even though it will take away 90 percent of the mobility of her neck and shoulders.

She will be completely fused from the base of her skull all the down to her tailbone after the surgery is complete. Can you imagine that?

The purpose of this post is to drum up support for Kat and her boys while she is recuperating. On the sidebars of her blogs she does have a PayPal donate button. It's set up so that whatever amount is donated to her it will go directly into her PayPal account. I know that this is a hard time for many due to the economy but please if you can show your support. You may also spread the news around and let others know that a fellow blogger needs our help.

She won't be in the hospital too long. We expect her home until Thursday or Friday. I will keep you up on her progress!

Uncle Phil has returned

Uncle Phil, Chris' best friend, has come to stay with us for a month before going back to London to finish out his last year at the University. So…this weekend has been all about cleaning the house and rearranging Jeff's room to accommodate both the twin beds.

Yesterday the kids and I watched a couple of movies to pass the time away awaiting Uncle Phil's arrival. Chris had to pick him up from the Orlando International Airport. That's a 2 – 2 ½ hour drive from Sarasota. They got in about 9pm last night. Both the kids were excited and stayed up an extra hour just to be able to visit with him before bed. The dogs got their share of Uncle Phil too. Bentley of course was his usual standoffish P.I.T.A. at first but he quickly warmed up to him. Cuddles and Belle apparently warmed up to him quickly too because they never once came into our room last night.

While Phil is here, I will take him clothes shopping and to renew his driver's license so he can rent a car for the remainder of his stay. He is hoping that the car rental place accepts international credit cards since that is all he has at the moment. He needs clothes in the worst way. He went with 7 pairs of jeans about three years ago and has two left. He doesn't like how the jeans in London fit him. They like their clothes tight and forget about getting the size shoe he needs. No one in London wears a size 13. So we will be off to the mall either today or tomorrow.

Chris is beaming that Phil is here. Those two are like brothers. They are like little kids eager to get into trouble. I sat up with the two of them until midnight laughing at the two of them. The both of them are going to be heart broken by the time September is over.