Well work has been keeping me busy but I found time to do this last weekend after seeing one that Mija did. As she asked, "What are the whisps?" Lion's hair and lion's paws are the mark of the Chimera. Thus it is individually mine. Work is interesting because this year I am in a computer lab and staying busy although some people wonder if I do anything. Still making them look good which is my job. I am happy that the ex finally found a place and I no longer have to go with her searching for apartments. Her patience was running thin and she was giving up hope and as usual started taking it out on me. I kept my kewl but remembered why we got a divorce. I could no longer take the emotional abuse. Never was it intentional but neither was it necessary. Next project will be to create a costume for School Charater Dress up Day. I have to make it decent since it will be for school. Right now I am thinking about a new genie costume for the Tales of the Arabian Nights, one of my favorite books.

Remembering a poem I learned for poetry interpretation in high school. Edward Rowland Sill. 1841–1887 206. The Fool's Prayer THE ROYAL feast was done; the King Sought some new sport to banish care, And to his jester cried: "Sir Fool, Kneel now, and make for us a prayer!" The jester doffed his cap and bells, And stood the mocking court before; They could not see the bitter smile Behind the painted grin he wore. He bowed his head, and bent his knee Upon the monarch's silken stool; His pleading voice arose: "O Lord, Be merciful to me, a fool! "No pity, Lord, could change the heart From red with wrong to white as wool; The rod must heal the sin: but, Lord, Be merciful to me, a fool! "'T is not by guilt the onward sweep Of truth and right, O Lord, we stay; 'T is by our follies that so long We hold the earth from heaven away. "These clumsy feet, still in the mire, Go crushing blossoms without end; These hard, well-meaning hands we thrust Among the heart-strings of a friend. "The ill-timed truth we might have kept— Who knows how sharp it pierced and stung? The word we had not sense to say— Who knows how grandly it had rung? "Our faults no tenderness should ask, The chastening stripes must cleanse them all; But for our blunders—oh, in shame Before the eyes of heaven we fall. "Earth bears no balsam for mistakes; Men crown the knave, and scourge the tool That did his will; but Thou, O Lord, Be merciful to me, a fool!" The room was hushed; in silence rose The King, and sought his gardens cool, And walked apart, and murmured low, "Be merciful to me, a fool!" 40

Today I was supposed to be taking the ex for hand surgery but she rescheduled for later. I did not reschedule so I am staying home relaxing today. 5 more days of school with the kids and 6 days left total. Who knows what the next year may bring. I am waiting to see if I get a new contract on june 1st, the last day of school when they are supposed to be posted. New Super has started making changes through consulting contract till he is officially onboard June 2. He has already eliminated 86 positions at the top and created 36 new ones. We shall see.

I took a shot of the little section of my backyard that I call Mini Grand Prairie. It looks like a little prairie so I let the grasses grow around that little section where I have my pecan tree. The yard is looking much better with the new changes I have made this year. Me I am still about the same. I have slacked off the gym but I am still needing to make more changes.

I could add a full monty but no need it is posted in other places. Well I think I will continue to enjoy the morning outside listening to my iTunes while enjoying my morning mate and crocheting a scarf that I started for my sister at her request but I stopped because I was busy with other things. More updates later. I have slacked off of writing too.

New Year and New Me

Last year for my resolution I quit smoking, again. So far it is holding. On the first of February I joined the gym. I have been going 3 times the first week and 4 times the second. Getting myself adjusted to the new lifestyle. I want to get back on the weights and the doctor wants me to work on cardio. Right now a little of both at a slow pace.

Took the cat to see her mother since they, mom and the new boyfriend, wanted the two cats together. Not happening, Lucky was a real bitchcat with her fur on her back and tail like I have never seen her. Wow, she took out after that new cat. Very territorial and so she is back with me.

Wow, such a wild lifestyle, well I did make it back to the spa for a delightful evening after working out at the gym. It has been over a year and I was needing a good evening. It has been too long. I don't know what the deal is. These guys hit me up but then cancel out at the last minute.

Feliz Navidad

Well will it be a Christmas to remember. I think not. As usual they all have it planned out for me not that I would do any planning. I went Thanksgiving and it was ok. I baked pies and cupcakes which did not come out to my satifaction so I am not wanting to bake. Not in the mood. I have been sitting around crocheting as usual and still working on a last minute gift for Mija as I did last year. When will I learn. Went to Khols and bought all my gifts earlier so I have my shopping done early, wrapped at Thanksgiving break.

I revamped a lamp. As they said in Aladdin, "New Lamps for Old!" The ex had a lamp that was given to her parents but did not work so I took it apart, repainted it and rewired it. Bought new globes and it worked fine.

Still baby sitting the new grandkitten that my daughter took to replace her aging cat. But Dad had to take it home and train it not to bite. Working better but she still hasn't learned not to totally stop biting. She is still a kitten. Right now I said hello lazy cat and she crouched in her attack position.

Things are always changing. Go with the flow!

Well Dallas informed us that they would be taking measures to lower the debt that they and Gov. Perry caused by their mismanagement of funds. Not their words. They call it Leveling! They take from one school and send them to another school. If there is a position.

Yet Perry wants to ruin the whole country. I hope the people are not that stupid to vote for him. I sure won't. I made that mistake once which helped get him in office. I won't make that mistake twice. I'm not a republican anyway.

Back on track, the dreaded news came today and we lost 4 teachers, one was on leave and the other three were in tears along with many of the staff members. The boss lady was good enough to call some of her friends to see if they had some openings and they went for interviews today so probably have the positions if the District doesn't screw it around someway as usual.

The good news is that I still have a job. The bad news is that no more of the fun thing I was doing, I now will be heading back to the classroom to take the place of one of those teachers. I will be teaching Math and Science in the 3rd grade.

It will be interesting when the parents and kids find out that I am still a teacher and back in the classroom. For the last couple of years they have asked me, "You're not a teacher anymore?" I will always be a teacher, I just may not be in the classroom all of the time. We will see what this year holds and what next year may hold with the District still having a $30 million shortfall.

Closing

Well I am a very

happy camper and get to camp so much more peacefully now. I just signed the closing papers on my refinancing. I am getting a two percent lowering and a lowering on the payments as well. That just means when I send in the payments then I will have more of an effect on paying off the house sooner.
I still have to wait the three days that is required by law for me to change my mind, but why would I. I just want them to hurry and finish the closing before the first of the month when the amount will change with the old lender and before the government screws up my chances by not taking care of their debt ceiling. Just keeping my hands on what's important and my eyes set on the goal. Explosive joy.