Snow Day in the South

It snowed last night - 8 inches. Usually, it melts quickly down here in North Carolina, but the temperature has dropped into the low 20's and won't get much warmer tomorrow. To top it off, we got sleet on top of the snow, then another layer of snow, so it's really trecherous outside. I'm debating whether to go to church tomorrow. I told numerous people I'd be there to take pictures, but I'm worried about driving. Streets don't get cleared very quickly around here, and they may be very icy in the morning. I don't want to chance anything happening to my new car.

I've been inside all day working on pictures on my computer. The picture of the cardinal was actually taken yesterday, before the snow hit. We haven't seen many birds at the feeder lately, but with the snow, I've already seen more than usual. The Chicadees found the feeder and so have the Sparrows and Cardinals. It's fun to see them, and I'm hoping to get some more pictures. I actually saw a Robin yesterday. Couldn't believe my eyes - it seems way too early for them to be coming back. They may not migrate much further south, so it might not be such a rarity.

Tonight is the Miss America Pageant. I've been watching that beauty contest most of my life. It used to fall on the weekend of my birthday in September, but now it's in January on a cable station rather than a major network. Times have changed. There was a back-stage preview on last night which was fun to watch. There are some very pretty girls in the pageant this year.

This weather makes me want to bake something. Homemade bread with a pot of chili just sounds right on a cold winter's night. Think I'll go do that.

New Toy

This looks just like my new car, only mine is dark gray. I'm hoping it was a good choice. You never know whether you get a honey or a lemon when you buy a car. Time will tell.

I'm not sure whether it is one of the Toyota recall cars. I don't think so, but I'm not sure. I'll have to check the list.

The president gave his State of the Union address. Same old campaign balarkey. He doesn't seem to understand that the American people do not want the health care bill he's been trying to ram through Congress. They can see it for what it really is - a power play.

Car Shopping

This old red Chevy looks just like my very first car - only mine was blue. What a thrill it was to actually have my own wheels way back then. That was in 1968. I was out of high school and working in downtown Chicago - the Loop. Hard to believe that was 42 years ago. The time goes so fast. There have been a lot of cars since then too.

Well, I'm looking for a car again. Like the first one, this will probably be a used car. After having a Dodge mini-van, I really would like something that has a little height to it. I like being higher than the average sedan. My husand and I looked at Honda CRVs, Jeep Grand Cherokees, and Honda Elements. I really like the Element, but my husband didn't. The CRV is pretty nice too - less roomy but practical. I'm not sure why he didn't like the Element - he didn't think it had enough power, and it's a bit more expensive than a CRV. I like the fact that it has plenty of room for hauling "stuff."

My husband is also thinking of GM cars, like Chevy Malibos and Impalas. He's always been an American-made car person, but Hondas are really good. He sold them for a while, so he knows what they're like. He's also sold Jeeps, and knows them. In his opionion they are so-so. They don't get the gas mileage the Hondas do.

From what I understand, if you want good gas mileage, the Toyota Prius is the way to go. One of my girlfriends has one, and every time I ride in it, I'm impressed. I love the quietness and comfortable ride, and the fact that it gets 40 to 50 miles on a gallon of gas is just what I need with gas prices so high. I think I may try one just to see how it handles.

I got frustrated tonight, because for every car I like, my husband has a reason not to want it. This is supposed to be my car. I want it to be what I want. My two picks right now are the Element and the Prius, and doggone it, I'm got to get I really like!

Road Trip

I'm ready for a road trip, but first I need a new car. I doubt this one would get me very far. Saw this machine at the Spencer Train Museum here in North Carolina. They have a nice display of classic cars - it's not just trains.

My husband and I actually went car shopping today. I'm looking for a small SUV. I drove both a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Honda CRV. I liked them both, but the CRV gets better gas mileage than the Cherokee; much more practical.

I need to get something soon, my old Alero has 131,000 miles on it, and it's beginning to give us trouble. I already have a couple trips planned for the spring. The first is a trip to Charleston, SC, for the annual spring LWML Joy Event, and the second is my yearly trip to the Grandfather Mountain Nature Photography weekend. I've been to four of them now, and really enjoy myself. The one thing I have to get for that is a laptop so I can see the pictures I've taken during the day. There is always a friendly contest (no prizes), so I need to be able to pick out my best shots.

I have an old laptop that might be salvagable. I'm hoping I can put in a new hard drive and get it running again. I don't need much - just something to run Lightroom on (even Picassa, for that matter), and Word. I don't even need Internet access. Having a portable computer would give me the freedom to head over to Barnes & Noble and sit with a cup of coffee and write. Perhaps I could be inspired surrounded by books and people.

The day is winding down, and so am I. Busy morning at church taking pictures for a new congregational directory. I'm learning about portraiture as I do it. This is a good place to get my feet wet. Posing people is a lot different than shooting ad lib on the streets. I beginning to think that I might not be too bad at it.

I'm in the middle of a book, "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society." I'm enjoying it. It's actually a tale of World War II as told to a writer by the members of the above-named society. I'm about half-way through and will snuggle down on the couch with it as soon as I finish writing here.

Not much to say tonight. Apparently, we're in for heavy rain tomorrow. There are flash flood warnings all over the TV. Good day to have lunch with a friend and discuss we've both read.

Old Friends

I heard from an old friend today thanks to Facebook. I was apprehensive about joining it, but it has turned out to be a lot of fun. I have re-connected with people I haven't seen in years. The person who contacted me today was an old roomate, adventure pal, and bridesmaid. I'm really glad she sent me an e-mail. When I go back home, I'll have to look her up.

It's so easy to lose track of friends, especially if you move away. You have to make a concerted effort to keep in touch. Our lives get so busy that we don't take the time needed to drop a few lines and say Hi. Even with the ease of e-mail, we don't keep up like we should. Of course, the older we get, the more people we know so it becomes more difficult to stay involved in everyone's lives.

Yet, it's worth the effort. Those who are ture friends will hang in there. The relationships take up right where they're left off, even if it isn't often that you communicate.

Having my friend contact me just made my day!

Change

Life is changing once again. It's never what you expect. I'm re-arranging closets and rooms, making space for a returning child. Both kids will once again be living at home.

No deep philosphical thoughts tonight. I'm tired, but I do want to write something each night. This is my on-line journal.

I got a copy of "The End of Overeating" by David Kessler from the library. I had seen it at Barnes & Noble, and it seems intriguing. I've been battling the bulge all my life, and I'm back up again. I have to lose weight, but it's such a struggle. It just never ends. If I even let up for a little while, I gain. Sometimes it is so depressing. So, I'll read the book and see what he says. I've read so many books. How many time have I been on Weight Watchers - I've lost count. I always lose weight if I stick to the program. Unfortunately, I always seem to give up at some point and never really get to where I want to be. I can't quit trying though.