MAKE AMERICA GRAPE AGAIN

I do like purple in its varied shades. It's never been my emotional go-to color family like green, blue and brown but it's quite magical and pretty. Maybe I just don't have enough experience dwelling in purple spaces to truly appreciate the aura it can wend because after looking at these spaces, I think I could embrace it.

A few images that are testament to purple’s stylish power...

Those half painted walls.
Image found on Homedit

Nathan Turners streaked lavender with gray to give the color a timeless quality. He says:

"I wanted a lavender that you might find on vintage cosmetics if you were rummaging through a 1940s dresser."

Image from House Beautiful

Steven Gambrel felt Pantone's Mysterioso in a high gloss from Fine Paints of Europe suited a stylish and spirited family.

Images from Elle Decor

Essex by Seabrook Wallcovering via Steelyard

In Beirut, designer May Daouk created custom lacquer bookcases in a room painted a heavenly dusty lilac.

Image from Architectural Digest

A Palm Beach bedroom, designed by Les Ensembliers is treated to a targeted dose of purple.

Image from Les Ensembliers

The Metroplitan from B&B Italia

In a historic NYC apartment designed by Jamie Drake, a plum Venetian plaster enchants in the family room.

Image from Architectural Digest

a delightful print from Sister Parish Design

Modern plush.
Image found on Love is Speed

 Lilac Leopard rug by Diane Von Furstenberg for The Rug Company

Wallpaper chosen for a Victorian renovation.

Image from This Old House

Go

 GRAPE!

TALES OF A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER: Last Minute Jobs

Today I am not in the classroom. I am home, working from here, nursing a cold, still in my pajamas and soon to make chicken soup.

At 11:55 a.m. I received a call from Broward County SmartFind Express, the automated phone system that pairs up subs with classroom openings. As the call comes in, I quickly go to SmartFind's website to see the job. The automated system takes a while to get to the heart of the matter and so if it is an undesirable job, I can swiftly hang up rather than hear the recording in its entirety.

The offer is for a job that starts at 12 and goes till 4. It is a middle school science class at Lyons Creek. The job will entail trying to keep 3 or 4 classes tame until the final bell. Lyons Creek is about 6 minutes up the road if I breeze through every light. Did I mention that it is 11:55 AM and I am in my pajamas) If I arrived at 12:20, I would make about $35 dollars after taxes for the effort. Somehow, I'd rather list something on eBay and take a chance.

If you've been reading this blog, you know that I am quite fond of subbing. And when my favorite sub coordinator calls and begs me to take a job that isn't quite up my alley, I usually say "Yes." And, I love the scene in Mrs. Doubtfire when Pierce Brosnan is choking and Mrs. D runs to save him, declaring, "Help is on the way!!" But I won't be playing class rescuer today. There's just not enough reward in it.

I might have been incentivized if...(and I'm dreaming here):
a.  the kids were nice and respectful to me and thanked me for filling in for their teacher
b.  subs hired at the last minute made time and a 1/2. ($50 seems like a more respectable sum)
c.  subs got points on an "frequent subbing card" and could redeem them at Starbucks.
 The school board could have an effect on # 2 and #3 - #1 is way beyond their control.

 FYI, it is now 12:32. I was called at 12:05 and re-offered the job. And I can see that the job is still "in callout" mode.