170 Days

$41,856 salary paid by school district to new hire--with masters degree--with six years of prior service
$31,392 prior number prorated to 75%

$36,336 salary currently received by school district during seventh year of service--with masters degree
$27,252 prior number prorated to 75%

$17,170 2007 federal poverty guideline for 48 contiguous states for family of 3

$5,520 difference between new hire salary and current salary
$4,140 prior number prorated to 75%

170 days 'till my 40th bday

75% FTE my school district contract

my $4,140 anger has been squelched by a profound $17,170 sadness

177 Days

177 day 'till my 40th bday

95 days since i filed for divorce

67 daffodils emerging in front garden

37 days 'till vernal equinox

24 hours 'till next predicted snowfall

hope grows slowly, almost imperceptibly, like the length of day as spring approaches

183 Days

183 days 'till my 40th bday

40 minutes of exquisite napping in my friend's new recliner

25 days since her 40th bday after which she gave herself permission to buy said recliner

4 the number of little boys unsuccessfully being quiet so as not to disturb nap

1 ounce of liquid vitamins full of B-12 and other good things to stave off depression

love is measurable, but the units are unpredictable

185 Days

185 days 'till my 40th bday

6 days 'till impending deadline

5 number of times rescue inhalor used today

4 number of career building opportunities missed in last 2 weeks

3 number of girl friends that have moved away

2 number of hours spent creating "favorites" play list

1 number of movies seen in last 5 (or is it 6?) months

187 Days

187 day 'till my 40th bday

15 number of days since temporary orders hearing

4 number of 3rd grade homework pages assigned today

2 children pumped on caffeine after dinner with their father

2 number of child support payments due since temporary orders hearing

1 number of 3rd grade homework pages completed while under the attentive care of their father this afternoon

1 number of kindergarten homework pages assigned today

0 number of kindergarten homework pages completed while under the attentive care of their father this afternoon

0 number of child support payments received since temporary orders hearing

0 number of times father has lived up to the promises made in temporary orders hearing

0 number of people surprised