newbuzz...There is nothing like fresh, white snow in the late winter to bring out the kid in me. I suspect there are others who feel this way when the snow starts to fly. Whose tongue can resist lapping a dab of sky candy as it swirls to the ground? I love to watch as the muddy brown landscape disappears under a clean blanket of snow. Being the one who makes the first footprints in the yard or the parking lot is worth all the shoveling and window scraping that follows. I love the snow, even though I hate it.

newbuzz...Our tax returns are finished. We got some back from the IRS and we have to give most of it to the state of MN. Pay the tax preparer, and it's a wash. That's good, right? That means we didn't pay too much in taxes during the year, just our fair share. Then why do I feel cheated? I think it's because somewhere, deep down inside me, the little girl who still believes in Santa Claus was hoping this would be the year I got $5000.00 back. I have no reason to think that I would, I was just hoping. Well, there's always next year.

newbuzz...Today is Fat Tuesday and many people spend the day indulging in bad habits, knowing that Ash Wednesday will bring a halt to them as Christians abstain during lent. I don't know how many people actually give things up for lent anymore. Still, it is good food for thought. I guess we do take our blessings for granted and often abuse our good fortune by being greedy instead of sharing what we have. I indulged freely in unhealthy food today. For lent, I will give up the pizza and chocolate. But I am going to do more. I am going to donate to the food shelf to help those who don't have enough in the first place.

newbuzz...I find peace in the quiet times when I am by myself, doing something I enjoy. The news media often persuades me to feel insecure about what I don't have and what I might lose to the point that I go to bed exhausted with the weight of it all. Just taking a break from "reality" by relaxing with a good book, re-potting a violet, or doing some needlework is the best way I have found to get back to a more realistic frame of mind. Life is not just about the the landmark decisions and events. It is made up of many quiet moments and small accomplishments that move us through time. By filling the small moments with joyful activities, I find peace.

newbuzz...I love Sundays. All rested up from last week and not yet starting a new week. A textbook Type A, I am normally focused and task driven. But on Sunday my focus changes to me and my driving speed shifts into low gear. There is nothing like free time to get the mind wandering. In my daydreams it is warm and sunny. I can smell the breeze and feel the sunshine on my face as I fold the laundry, imagining that I have just taken it down from the backyard clothesline. The weather does not worry me today because there is no place I have to be on time. Today I thank God for Sundays and daydreams.

newbuzz...Today I helped my nineteen year old daughter file her income taxes. She is a student amassing a great deal of debt to go into the teaching profession where she will be underpaid and overworked. She is already collecting bilingual story books that she knows she'll use in her lower grades classroom. She made less than $5000 last year and has already paid over $500 in taxes. Now she owes $41 to the State of MN and $41 to the IRS. There are few things more pathetic than watching a poor college kid drain the last of her meager funds to help the government bail out the big wigs on Wall Street so they can continue to live in the standard they are accustomed to. Too bad we can't designate where we'd like our tax dollars to go. I think ordinary citizens would be able to allocate resources more effectively than our politicians.

newbuzz...The economic drama continues. Now there is talk of two big banks becoming nationally owned. Yikes. I don't even want to think about that. Really. I'd rather drink coffee. Just for today I want to visit with friends and comment on the weather. I want to go to work and think about donuts. I want to catch up on family news and make plans for a summer vacation. I realize that no one is stopping me, so I'm going to brew a cup of hot, fresh coffee and pick up the phone.

newbuzz...I had the afternoon off work, so I headed out to do errands. I wanted to buy some party favors for Mardi Gras, but alas, these things do not exist in Minnesota. I did find some strands of multicolored beads, and they will do in a pinch. The thing that made me stop and think was the large display at Wal Mart of unsold Valentine's Day items. It seems that the recession is hitting Americans so hard that we no longer shower our Sweets with sweets and stuffed toys. Boy, lets hope we are not as stingy with our love as we are with our money. Otherwise we're in for real trouble ahead.

newbuzz...Today I was feeling "Spring-ish" so I pulled out a lime green sweater with short sleeves. This is more skin than I have shown all winter. Imagine my surprise when I opened the door to head out for work and found 1.5 inches of snow! Now I know how the first robin feels when she arrives at her summer digs only to find that winter has not departed. I put on my winter jacket and filled up all my bird feeders-I don't know if this will help the robins, but I feel better.

newbuzz...Anyone else a little disappointed with the stimulus package? I suppose someday I will get something. Hard to get excited about a couple extra bucks in my paycheck in a few months. I think the extra administration is going to cost my company more than it's worth. And I'm lukewarm about bailing out the auto industry-not sure if giving them more money is the best idea. Right now, I am working hard, paying my bills and feeling penalized for doing all the right things. I'd rather put my stimulus dollars into a state health care fund to pay for those with no insurance and those who are under-insured. I think we'd all get more bang for the buck that way.