We hear the stories every day now: the father who puts on a suit every morning and leaves the house so his daughter doesn't know he lost his job the recent college grad facing up to the painful reality that the only door that's open to her after four years of study and a pile of debt is her parents'. These are the faces of the Obama economy.

It's hard to think of yourself as a brand especially when I have four daughters who kick my butt early in the morning every day before I go to work.

It is not time for mirth and laughter the cold gray dawn of the morning after.

This morning I went to wipe my hands on a tea towel and while I was using it it seemed like it felt a bit light. I unfolded it and realized my daughter had cut little bits out of it to make frocks for her dolls!

I still at hotel rooms I do this one sort of not-so-cool thing: continually shoving my room service tray in front of someone else's door. Because I don't want the remnants. I don't want to be caught like being like the pig that I was at two in the morning.

And I know this happens because I took economics and I'd explain it to ya but I flunked that course. Not my fault. They taught it at 8 o'clock in the morning. And there is absolutely nothing you can learn out of one bloodshot eye.

My mom always taught me to be sweet and polite and cross my legs because it's what the guys like. Actually they like a raunchy girl once in a while.

My mom taught me how to make grilled chicken and I bake too.

My mom Emilie always taught me to think hard about marriage.

Well my mom taught public school music for almost 40 years. And she's about 5 feet - and very mighty. And she would control her kids a lot by giving them the eye or the stare.