Also, I meant to ask if I can stick this thing outside in the ground, it is getting awfully heavy to be moving in and out every year.

I can answer one part of your question. Ponytail Palms (Beaucarnea recurvata) are usually listed as hardy to zone 9. That means they can take temperatures down to 20 degrees F. Even in recent years as the winter temperatures have been relatively high, the lows have still been below this temperature. You would have to provide quite a bit of shelter for the plant to survive. If planted on the south side of a brick house with plenty of mulch and maybe a cover of some kind for the coldest times, you MIGHT be able to pull this off as long as the temperatures don't get as low as they used to get. Palm people (yes, I know this isn't really a palm) come up with all kinds of ways to baby their plants through the cold. They use row covers, blankets, Christmas light, etc. To me, it would be easier to haul it inside or give it up for a smaller one.