Snow on the ground ............

To be sung to the tune of "Pants On the Ground" by General Larry Platt ....

Snow on the ground,

Snow on the ground,

Actin' like a fool when there's snow on the ground.

Can't go to work,

Can't go to school,

Can't do nuthin' when there's snow on the ground.

Gotta buy milk,

Gotta buy bread,

Shoulda bought beer but there's snow on the ground.

Slammin' on the brakes,

Slidin" off the road,

Drivin' like a fool when there's snow on the ground.

Mazie Grace ................

My sweet baby girl taking a nap with her teddy bear.

Lies .......................

I was watching a program on TV the other day about lying. According to this program the average person tells at least three lies per day. I assume that figure includes those little white lies that are told to avoid hurting someone's feelings. "That outfit looks nice on you." and "I love your new hairstyle."

I have known people who lie excessively. I knew someone who told so many lies and told them so often that she began to believe them. These weren't vicious lies or lies told to cover up some shortcoming. They were stories made up to entertain or make herself look important. If something funny happened to you and you told this person about it, you could count on her telling someone else that it happened to her. Once, she told the story of meeting a celebrity in an elevator back to the person it actually happened to. When confronted with the lie, she just laughed and said it was a good story. I learned to consider everything she said as fiction - just stories she made up.

I'm giving her my three allotted lies per day. I don't lie - not even little white lies. If you don't want my honest opinion, then don't ask. I don't like hurting someone's feelings, so instead of telling a white lie, I will evade the actual question or avoid answering. When asked "Do you like my new dress?" I may answer with "I saw in a magazine that that style is hot right now." My honesty has caused me to alienate people and it's gotten me in hot water plenty of times.

I don't know why I find it so difficult to lie. I know as a child, I would be severely punished for lying. If I did something wrong, it was better to admit to my mistakes than to lie and be caught in the lie. I don't seek acceptance or approval. I have no need to lie to make myself look better or to garner praise. If you like me, that's fine - if you don't, that's fine too. I have no need to lie about my actions. I don't do anything that I would want to hide. I own my actions.

Honesty is one of my traits. It can be a good thing, and it can make life very difficult. I don't use my three lies per day - do you use yours?

Lunch is served ..............

I happened to go outside around noon, just as my neighbor was unrolling a bale of hay in the field across from my house. The cows had been near the barn, but when they saw hay, they came running. They were so comical! Great big cows were jumping around like they were calves. The calves were prancing around in circles and kicking up their heels. A few of the cows chased the tractor across the field - running in circles around it. Evidently they were happy to see hay for lunch.

We're getting rain again tonight after several really pretty days with temperatures in the 60s. I am so tired of rain and mud. Spring can't get here soon enough. I've been cleaning out file cabinets and old records. It's a boring job that I've put off for too long. I'm almost finished except for some boxes that are somewhere in the attic. I know there's stuff up there from 40 years ago. I don't believe I'll ever need my electric or phone bills from 1970. One of my goals for 2010 is to simplify - to get rid of everything that I don't need or use. I have a small house, so I only have room for a limited amount. Consequently, I'll be making multiple trips to Goodwill.

Odds and ends ...................

The new thermostat for my dryer finally came Thursday afternoon. Hubby put it on the dryer as soon as he got home from work. I was looking forward to catching up on the laundry, but it was not to be. We had spent $100.00 on parts and the dryer still would not heat. I ended up calling around Friday morning and found a repairman who came out that afternoon and fixed it. He replaced another thermostat. I probably should have called someone to begin with. Next time I'll know better.

Whenever I would catch myself wanting to complain about my dryer not working, I would think about the people in Haiti - people who are hurt, homeless, and have no food or water. I cannot comprehend the devastation that has occurred. I see the pictures on TV, but they just don't seem real. My heart goes out to everyone who has been touched by this tragedy. Seeing the pain and deplorable conditions the people of Haiti are having to endure makes me realize how very priviledged and lucky I am. I certainly have no right to complain about anything.

Our weather has warmed up the last few days. I went out for awhile this afternoon and did some raking. Sure was nice getting out in the sun and fresh air. Tomorrow we are suppose to get rain. I tell myself - each day of winter we make it through, means that spring is one day closer. Hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend.

I'm out of gas ............

Since it's been so cold, I've been putting off filling my car with gas. I just didn't want to stand out in the cold wind, holding that cold nozzle. Yesterday was a bit warmer, so I decided to go fill her up. I got to the gas station, got out of my car, opened the fuel door, and attempted to remove the gas cap. The cap would twist, but it wouldn't come off. I twisted and pulled, I pushed and twisted, I pushed and pulled and twisted - but still the cap would not come off. After struggling a few minutes to no avail, I got back in the car and moved away from the pumps. I got out again and tried to get the darn thing off - still no luck.

Since the fuel guage was sitting on E, I had to forget my other errands and come back home. Once I was home, I tried again, this time using a few choice words. That darn cap still wouldn't come off. I was stuck at home with a new car that I couldn't drive because I couldn't get gas in it. I decided to call the dealer to see if they had any suggestions on how to get the cap off. Of course, their response was to bring it in to the shop. I had to explain that they were 60 miles away and I didn't have enough gas to get there. They suggested I get some pliers and break the cap off if necessary.

As soon as Hubby got home, I told him what had happened and asked him to see if he could break the cap off. He goes out to the car, opens the fuel door, and removes the cap with absolutely no problem. He then gives me this look - like I'm either totally inept or else just plain crazy. I try the cap and it works. OK, I'm not crazy - it wouldn't come off earlier. I'm not doing anything different now. I still get "that look".

I'm going to go out this afternoon, try it once more, and if it is still working, go fill the car with gas. If it doesn't work for me, then Hubby has to fill it when he gets off work. Why is it when something doesn't work and you ask your hubby or a mechanic to fix it - it seems to work for them - making you look like a fool?

Update: I got the car filled with gas - $50.00 worth. That should last for awhile. I do plan on taking the car in and having them check the cap - it does not work correctly - really it doesn't.

It's still cold .............

It's still cold here in Southside Virginia. We haven't had any snow lately, so at least we have something to be thankful for. Since I've been stuck inside, I've been trying to get my files cleaned out. This is an annual job that I try to do each January. I think papers divide and multiply once you file them. My shredder has been working overtime.

The heating element for my dryer came yesterday. I had several loads of clothes to do today once Hubby got it installed. We put the new element on the dryer this morning and it still didn't heat. Hubby decided it was the thermostat, so I ordered one this morning. That means at least another week without a dryer. It wouldn't be so bad if it would get above freezing outside. It's hard to dry clothes when they are frozen solid. I've got things hanging on the backs of all the doors in the house.

Maggie May is trying so hard to catch a bird. She spends all day outside stalking them. I don't know what she would do if she actually caught one. Mazie Grace is busy with her favorite activity above. Have a safe and happy day and stay warm.

My 3 PM appointment ..............

Most of the year I love getting outside in the fresh air and sunshine. Since our weather has turned so cold, I've been staying inside. Whenever I can, I keep a 3 PM appointment with my sofa. I open the drapes, position my pillows, and stretch out on the sofa in the warm sunshine. A quick 15 minute nap and I'm ready to go. It's amazing how a little sun can lift your spirits and make the day seem brighter.

Brrrr, It's Cold .................

We're having a cold spell - daytime temperatures in the 30's and nighttime temperatures in the teens. My dryer broke a few days ago, so until the new heating element arrives, I'm forced to use the clothesline. I went out this morning to hang up a load of clothes and things were freezing as fast as I hung them. Everything was stiff as a board. Somehow they managed to get dry - maybe because the wind is brisk and the air is super dry.

I HATE cold weather! After being outside for only a few minutes my hands, ears, and nose are numb. I've tried to keep the cats inside. Maggie May insists on going out as soon as it gets light and she won't come back in until dark. You would think she had sense enough to curl up in the house where it is warm, but evidently her thick fur makes her immune to the cold. Mazie Grace has more sense - she's been spending most of her time inside.

Hubby has been on vacation since before Christmas. It's been too cold for outside work, so he has had a relaxing time watching movies on TV (or rather sleeping in front of movies on TV). I've been just as lazy as he has been. Much time has been spent in my chair with a furry throw and a cup of Cafe Vienna coffee. Hubby goes back to work tomorrow, so I have promised myself that I will get off my butt and clean the house.