But today I had to go to a restaurant to meet friends who used to work with me. I wanted to fit in with them, as they are all still gainfully employed and still have to dress to impress.

So I dug out my makeup bag from the dresser drawer and commenced to applying makeup to my face. Sadly, some of the makeup has actually turned bad – the foundation bottle that I used burned my face, made it itch and caused a rash. So I had to toss that out and wash it off. Then the eyeliner was so dried out and clumpy that I could not use it. And then the lipstick burned my lips. The whole exercise was a disaster!

This is too much snow and too cold for my comfort. But the entire country has snow this week. Every U. S. state except Hawaii.

To be prudent, the school board allows 5 snow days each year to be built into the school calendar. Last year we did not use a single snow day. But this year, we have already used up all 5 and are going to have a 6th day tomorrow, which will have to be made up later this spring. And we still have 5 weeks of winter left to go!

The rest of the commercial show Charlie playing his fiddle in great form, the bow is frayed and he finishes with a florish, saying, “That’s how it is done!”

I love Charlie Daniels and I’m tickled that he is doing this commercial for GEICO, even though I will never buy insurance from them again.

Screw me once, shame on you. Screw me twice, shame on me.

We are welcoming 2010 with high hopes for a better year. We need a return to prosperity and security, and are willing to work for it. Let’s get busy and see what we can do!