Color Choices

Today I won't complain or even talk about how much I have to do; instead, I'll talk about what I get to do. When my children were young and would say, "Oh, man, I have to go to school tomorrow!" I would say, "No, you get to go to school tomorrow!" Of course, that meant I also had to make an enthusiastic statement about "getting" to go to work. I did. For most of my working life, I've loved my job(s). That doesn't mean I've always felt like going to work, but I have always at least tried to frame it as an opportunity rather than a chore. As of today, I am scheduled to teach five fall classes, four different courses on three different term schedules, two of them at a university where I've never taught before. A piece of cake, right? Maybe. I'm sure it will be fine once I get the hang of it. I was thrilled that a friend and former colleague recommended me so highly that being hired is just a matter of doing the paperwork. One more opportunity, more money for a cool trip! I spent all day today (or rather from 12:30 on, as I scored essays for a half-day) filling out the forms and requesting transcripts. All I have to do now is send the packet in.

To celebrate, I went to Lowe's to choose some paint samples. I actually got two a few weeks ago from Home Depot, but the mold remediation people buried them somewhere. I can't find them. I am having the worst time choosing a color! I'm glad I have choices and extremely glad I don't have to share the approval process. There are some things about living alone that are downright delightful. I don't have to care what anyone else thinks about the color I choose, but I want to be sure I'm happy with it. My plan is to do the entire open area (living room, dining room, kitchen, foyer, and hallway) in the same color, and I don't want to paint again for a long time (if ever). What might be hindering my decision is that I have a color in mind, sort of aqua, and everything I look at is too blue or too green. Also, the darkness of the color is important; I want it to be visible (the color I have now is barely off-white, a very pale blush) without being overpowering. I might do the kitchen a shade lighter or a shade darker, depending on what I choose.

Tomorrow will be my paint play day. I have no work other than a little bit of grading and planning that I can finish in less than an hour. If I get super-ambitious and like one of the color samples, I might go back and get enough to get a good start. I don't think I'm working on the weekend either, so I can make some good progress. I'm ready for a change and color is a great, cheap easy way to change. Soon after, I'll have my new floor and then my new cabinets. It's getting exciting!