A Certain Time of Morning

It was that certain time of morning where you can get up refreshed or try to get back to sleep and be assured of a hard wake-up later.  I chose to getup.  I have had my coffee IV in since 4:15AM...some 45minutes before I even want to THINK about getting up. I have already been outside and noted that it is mild and summer-like.  I expect today to be a warm one.  I like this quiet time of the morning.  No one is stirring, not even me, since i like my coffee black.

I guess I could go for a walk, but that would require getting dressed and letting Cora know my whereabouts, and quite honestly, I think waking her at this time in the morning might be asking for trouble.  I will remain here, sipping my coffee, which is bold and strong and smells so nice.  All I hear is the babble from the fish tank filters and the gentle moan of my chair as I rock slowly to and fro.  Oh, and also the tap-tap-tap of my keyboard.

Once in awhile one of the dogs steps out into the cool night air and they can be tracked via their nails on the floor and the slap-slap of the dog door.  I could read a book, or take my camera outside and see what kind of morning shots I could get.  I noticed that Jupiter is not far from the moon this morning, probably something astronomers knew months ago, but it was a pleasant surprise to me when I stepped out this morning.

How many of you know which planet is Jupiter and which is Venus?  How many of you really give a damn at this time of morning...(crickets chirping) ...that's what I thought.

Well, it seems Friday is here again.  I will be secure in the knowledge that a strange charade will play out in the next week.  I have the singular position of senior maintenance sub.  I have been working as a maintenance sub for five years now.  I am familiar with every one of the maintenance staff and it seems, given yesterdays turn of events, I am in charge of making sure a ton of things gets done...why me?  Dunno.  Could be because of my charm and good looks.  Either way, I need to make sure a number of things get done and if they do that my "crew" stays busy.  Which would be great, but they don't all have those wonderful qualities that I do.

One of them does not know how to drive a stick (manual transmission).  A different one does not have his own car and apparently sees no need to (which is something the rest of us have discussed at length as being somewhat un-American) since he can have his mother or step-father drop him off where ever he wants to be (A. This would annoy me to have to wait for other people, B. I think you have to be crazy or insanely unconcerned with being in control of your life to do this).  And another can be trusted with certain things, but needs to have a certain amount of guidance (he will take over something I have started...leaving me to wonder why he could not have been doing it himself the whole time...).

Also, as if that isn't enough, I have to try and make sure Hose B is not left with Hose A or Hose C, as neither of them seem to like Hose B, and Hose B is of the opinion that everyone is beneath his lofty intellect and therefore unworthy of socialization.  JEEZ, dude!  Just a little conformity will go a long way toward fitting in and making others a little more comfortable with your presence.

Instead, Hose B insists on brushing his teeth for a lengthy period of time (up to ten minutes) AT THE LUNCH TABLE, often just whipping out the toothbrush in the midst of conversation.  He also prefers to use a 15 letter word when two 3 letter words will suffice.  He has been known to begin his phone greetings with "Greetings, Sir, am I to believe we are not to be meeting at X School, as I am unable to ascertain the presence of other employees."  (He could have said, "Are we meeting here?  Nobody else is here yet.")  He has a habit of placing his forehead on the table when the conversation being carried on by us low-lifes is not sufficiently intellectual for him...which is most of the time.  To say he is difficult would be to understate the discomfort he affords others.  I have been sending him off to do lonesome tasks since, when he is out of sight, he is...out of sight.

Well, I guess I could go get ready for work by thinking up a few more nasty projects for them that I want to avoid.  You see, there are perks to being at the top.  I lead by example, unless they can't see me.

Oh, as sort of an update, we are getting more and more coloring books ready.  I am going in to make more copies tomorrow.  Hopefully about five-hundred books will be enough.  Of course, if we sell out, I won't complain.  Cora has been working her tail off making crayon rolls and has finished a fair few!  Everyone is invited to come out to the Moxee Hop Festival!  We will have a table there and it is FREE!!  There is live music and lots of fun for the family!  AND a fireworks show!!    

Finished

If you have not been over, please click on over to Color Me Home and look at some of the dragons!  They are ready to go!

I spent a couple hours getting copies yesterday and then we began binding them last night, in between packing for the wedding and getting things ready.  Should be a nice drive today!

I love going for a drive!  I suppose it's the adventure and the sense of just getting away and doing things that I don't usually do.  But, this morning there are many things to be done.  I suppose, I had best get snapping!

Being Original

I think our coloring books have done well.  I think it has something to do with the fact that no one else has thought to make coloring books to help with their adoptions, though some have asked for our secrets...and if you really want to know the secret?  Here it is for all to see:  Get yourself a JIM and CORA.  I am proud of the way we work together.  We both do our parts, though, often, she does more.  Let's just say, I enjoy a little relaxation.

I finished the Dragon coloring book last night.  Which is, sadly, another book NOT specifically aimed at girls.  Sorry, girls, I am a boy.  Always have been.  I like drawing dragons and dinosaurs and tanks and airplanes...always have.

I DO try to get a little out of my box and draw girl things, but that requires a little more effort on my part.  When you are drawing things in between classes, easy comes out more often.  So, here's the thing.  I AM working on a few girl targeted coloring books.  I have drawn a couple butterflies and dragon flies and princesses.  I AM working on the story that Cora wrote.  It's taking some time, but I noticed when I put my focus on one thing, it happens much more quickly!!  It's been over a month since I finished a new coloring book. I HAVE been working on them, just I had been doing one dinosaur, one dragon and then working on a part of the story and then a flower or something.

Now, my main focus is to draw for the story.  And I am fond of this story.  It is coming along.  I have 7 panels done...that is, pages.  I may have to re-work a few when it comes to putting text in, but they are coming along.  I guess the problem of creating characters that are reproducible and then reproducing them is one of the main issues.  Another is visualizing dynamic scenes and then putting them on paper using the reproducible characters and then making them look like the characters on the previous pages...I have been recycling a lot of paper for this.

When we are done, I think it will be something to be proud of.

Another thing I am particularly proud of is my other website.  I know I have mentioned this before.  I like having people email me to ask me questions.  I really like it when I have a little something to offer back.  It is rewarding to see that my little site fulfills a little place that no one else's does here in Washington State.  I am REALLY looking forward to my coming visit to the Yakima Training Center!!  I may actually get to walk around at one of those sites!  The other is apparently on one of the main impact areas, so, no walking, but I'll be able to look down upon the area where it hit.

Some have suggested I write a book from it.  I don't know about that.  Maybe eventually.  I know that others have worked on the same subject and probably have more information and a few more years research on it than I do.  For the moment, I am happy to live my life and write my other blog for fun.  Once it gets serious, it will not be fun.

Same goes for life.  When you get too serious, the fun trickles away.  What's the use of living life if it isn't fun and interesting?  And let's face it, if it's interesting, it's probably a little fun.

This weekend promises to be interesting.  We have a wedding to go to!  Cora's cousin is getting hitched.  Who is this guy?  I am sure I will be able to find out this weekend.  Of course the REALLY interesting part is the museum she is having it in!!  A WEDDING in a MUSEUM!  It's genius!!

Phlog Sunday

So, I decided to try using more pictures today.  I took a ton this week and none seemed to fit with the blogging events.  Below is some SOB who thinks it's a good idea to get up in the wee hours of the morning and ride his bicycle up semi-vertical roads and down again.  I have seen him a few times on my way to work and wondered just why anyone would do that.  I want to say, "You go guy!" but, I can't bring myself to it. I suppose I am too soft and need my morning coffee too much.  Honestly, though, unless there is a war going on and I am in direct danger, I see very little reason to do such a wildly insane thing.  Let's wait till mid-day and go for a stroll instead, shall we?

I have been making copies of our coloring books near the local bus terminal and I have seen some truly questionable grooming habits, a significant lack of manners, and more than a little mayhem there.  I suppose I should not be too surprised at who uses public transportation.  The days of getting dressed up to go to town are long gone and using your manners in public appears to have died with one of the Roosevelts, and it shows.  I have encountered language being shouted across long distances and mixed company that would probably make a sailor wince.  Various acts of violence have been played out.  However, the other day I pulled up and there was a surprising silence from the terminal.  I looked over, expecting to see dead bodies or some other reason for the silence and lack of cursing.  There was a policeman over there and everyone was acting with their...well, not best behaviour...but they were behaving.  Note the sleeping person next to the sidewalk...gotta love the inner-city when it comes to your town!  

I took a self-portrait.  I like this shirt.  Makes me look like a grown-up.

I used to buy Cora miniature daffodils about this time of year.  She planted them in the front and they came up.  I thought this was a pleasing "Alice in Wonderland" view.  I had run the sprinkler for a little while and the water was still on them...nice touch.  I did not see any hookah-smoking caterpillars, though.

I did see a dog...he was a reluctant model.

Here's another view of the Daffodil, which now resides on the kitchen counter.

I love macro, and I think it shows.  Have a look at dinner from last night from close up!

These veggies went on the barbecue and received a nice grilling.

I figured since the coals were already hot, I might as well grill some chicken for today's lunch.  I added smoke...I love hickory smoked everything.  After working over the grill, sometimes I am hickory smoked...and I'm o.k. with that.

Our guest arrived.  She is a very large dog that seems embarrassed to be a very large dog.  Pepper is one of the best dogs I have seen.  I enjoy having her around.  Last night she was sleeping with one leg straight in the air.

Cora and I took out the crayons last night and decided to try out the latest coloring book we are offering.  Cora did the pig...and I am the Walrus.  (if you get the Beatles reference, you get ten cool points)

We have a relaxing day ahead.  I hope you do too!

Coloring Books Galore!

This morning I snagged a job at WMS.  It wasn't a bad day, and the kids know me, so I didn't have any problems behavior-wise.  Plans were less than perfect, though.  I ended up putting on a show for a couple classes that finished their work early.  I used the document camera.  I started by showing them the pictures in our coloring books, and then finished by drawing requests.  I amazed the kids with what I could draw.  Privately, I was a little amazed myself.  Still, they were more than forgiving or minor mistakes for the simple fact that I drew their pictures right in front of them.  I am a little better with a pen and paper than I am with a dry erase marker, so document cameras make the work more fun.  So, yeah, it was fun for them to call out a request and I would draw it right in front of them.

I then went to the local office store a made 1400 copies.  I printed some Transportation Coloring Books and, of course, the Animal coloring book.  I think we will have a long weekend binding them.  We'll bind some this week, too, but honestly, I was on my feet for an hour and a half copying these.  I need a rest.

Here is a photo to whet your appetite.

I meant to mention:  The other day, on Saturday, I ran into a gentleman who was a phone talker aboard the USS Fanshaw Bay during the Battle off Samar.  He described how eight inch shells from a Japanese cruiser did nothing but plow straight through her bow and out the other side.  It was a fascinating conversation.  Thank you Mr. Gapen.

Reading and Writing

I taught a low reading/writing class yesterday.  Their assignment was to write a five paragraph essay on what they could to get the best education possible.  Easy.  I had them give me ideas to put on the board in a bubble web thingy(the question at the center, and ways to answer it branching off).  Most of the ideas were pretty stock:  No drugs, no alcohol, no gangs, improve study habits, etc.

There was one combo at a table where a boy and a girl were getting on each other's nerves.  I said that their education would probably be served better if they had less of each other.  later, I walked by the table and looked at that girls ideas.  There it was in blatant language.  "No Jesus."  Of course, the boy's name was Jesus (pronounced HEY SOOSS for those of you inexperienced with Latin-American names) and she meant him, but I chose to enjoy the moment the most by misunderstanding and asked her how NOT GOING TO CHURCH would help her education.  She stuttered and then realized why I had said that.  The kids all got a chuckle out of it, as did she.  I looked at his paper a second later and they must have written each other's names down as soon as I'd said it.

I came home and did a few things adoption related, made a call to the agency basically to verify they know nothing more than they did last week and to register our disappointment at that turn of events.  Then I began doing dishes and watching TV.

When Cora got home she made dinner!  She made Maple Bourbon Chicken.  Now, we've had it on salmon and chicken before.  Cora is excellent at mixing it up.  The first time the chicken did not hold the glaze, but this time Cora excelled!  Oh!  It was mouth watering and I am glad I pulled four chicken breasts out of the freezer, because that's what we will be having for lunch, too!

We spent the rest of the evening relaxing.  I made a few drawings for the coming coloring book, but I'm not sure if all will make the cut.  Stupid Blogger doesn't want to turn them the right direction today and I am too lazy to take another photo.  So you'll just have to turn your head sideways and look like an idiot, which is what I had to do when I put the picture up just now.  I am really liking those gazelles.

Hopefully by this weekend I will have enough to make a book.  Then we will copy and bind.  No promises yet, so don't go ordering a bunch until we have them in hand to ship out!  Still, the work continues.  Cora opened it up to suggestions for the coming books and many people sent us some wonderful ideas.  I have enough ideas to keep me busy drawing until Aiden comes home...which, I suppose is the idea!  I hope he comes soon!

Oh, also, we got some good news...but I am not sure I am supposed to share just yet, so I will refrain.  Just know that when I get permission to share it will be front page.
 

St. Patrick's Day!

Well, thus far, my luck in searching for the daily job search is unsuccessful.  Often, more often then not, actually, I have my job lined up well ahead of time.  Of course there are some days that seem to strain my patience.  On those days I stay up late and then get up extra early (today, 5am) just to sit in front of the computer and wait to find a job.  So, that is one of the down sides to being a substitute.  The other, of course, is a lack of employer provided benefits.    

Perhaps, I need a little of the luck of the Irish.  Many of my students have suggested my red beard is a sign of Irish heritage.  I have, in turn, suggested that they get back to work, and stop staring at my facial hair.  It seems my suggestions are often followed by chuckles and laughs, thereby creating more of an interruption than the original comment...damn my smart mouth.

I got my teeth cleaned yesterday.  It was relatively painless.  I did manage to sell several coloring books yesterday; two at the dentist.  I was amused to see one go to the Principal at one of the elementarys.  He assured me he was getting it for himself and no one else...I hope to see his efforts in our gallery!  It's so fun to see who buys them and why.  I had a student (I don't sell to students as a rule) demand one, and I relented only after she had admitted to going home and discussing it with her mother (Her mother told her it was her money).  II don't think she would have taken no for an answer, anyway.  Cora's grandmother bought one, expecting to give it to a child she knows, but ended up buying some crayons and working on it herself!  Now THAT's a compliment to the book.  I don't think my drawings are as accurate or as smoothly drawn as a computer can do, or creative as graphic artists, but maybe that's why people like them...they are real.  Whatever the reason, it makes me happy that my drawings are making so many other people happy!

So, this is St. Patrick's Day (as the title suggests) and I have an inkling of what we might be eating tonight...Corned beef!  And Cabbage...and Guinness.  Especially if I have the day off, though I would prefer not to, it would make boiling it for a couple hours much easier on dinner time.  The last few evenings we have looked at the clock in disbelief!  How can it be that late already?  Stupid daylight savings.

Well, I suppose I had better make a cup of coffee for those about to return to the land of the conscious...also, it's time to refill my own cup.  Don't forget to wear green.

We Are On Face Book Now!!

We are on Face Book!  Cora, my devoted and somewhat single minded wife, spent a couple hours tonight and developed a Face Book page for Color Me Home!  and, can you believe it?  Color Me Home has MORE followers on Face Book and Blogger followers than THIS site.  Ah, well, it's all for a good cause.  Bringing our son home!

And, lets face it, Diana, over at Diana Rambles, is doing a give away and with thanks to her and many of our internet friends, we will make enough to offset some of the costs of this adoption.  It's great to have so many people support us in our quest to become parents!  With so many people behind us, it is difficult to doubt it will happen!  Thanks all!

Wild Things...What?

We watched "Where the Wild Things Are" and I have to say, "WHAT???"  I was expecting a very cool, positive, happy, simple, easy to follow movie that would be fun for kids.

and...


I was surfing the net, keeping an eye on the movie like I usually do.  And was quickly lost in the jumps and boredom of a movie that was apparently meant as an art/metaphoric piece on the trials of adolescent lives.  The art was fantastic.  The photography and the monsters were well devised.  The story?  I don't know, I wasn't paying attention.  I know I would have been PISSED off if I'd have taken my kid to watch the movie...because, even though I am not a kid (Or a parent yet) I am pretty sure they advertised it as a different movie than it really is!  Overall, I give this movie a big thirteen thumbs down.

So, tomorrow, I need to, A.) find a job, B.)collect funds for some of the coloring books I have sold, and C.) mail a few coloring books.  Can you believe the way these things have sold?

I have had kids at the schools tell me they thought I had printed my drawings off the internet.  To which I reply by drawing them a picture in front of their eyes, or another student comes up and tells them to have their head examined because Mr. H is an Artist!  I have had people tell me I am gifted, which is hard for me to swallow, since I think ANYONE could draw like I do, and many do, and better than I.  Still, I suppose the ability to visualize and place things spatially on a paper is not the kind of thing they teach in Kindergarten.  I have worked to get to the point I am at.  I was always jealous of those artists who could make a painting in five minutes, or draw faces at the fair, or make a cartoon character in seconds without sketching.  Now, I can do some of that.  It is something I have worked toward, but I still feel that with patience and determination anyone can do it.

On the down side, I have to keep up my pace, since there is such a demand, and I want to keep up the sales, so a new book is going to have to come...but, where do I get the ideas?  (Many people ask me that)  OUT of my WHOLLY mismatched and poorly working head.  I use all sorts of things for ideas.  I do that without thinking most times, though.  One instance where you can see me consciously looking for ideas would be that picture of the truck from about a week and a half ago.  I used it for the coloring book (next to the last page).  So, it is not completely in a vacuum (well, maybe, if you were to talk to my sister or my wife, they might tell you that the inside of my head IS a vacuum).

Anyway, time for bed!  

The Sun'll Come Out!

I've been teaching HS the last few days.  It is a nice change.  There is more time to sit and relax and less tugging of the arm and asking for the attention of Mr. H!

I need to make another printing of out Transportation books already.  Shoot, they just debuted and we are almost out of them.  I think the reception has been...WARM to say the least!  That makes both Cora and I happy.  So, by the end of the weekend, we should have another batch of the Transportation coloring books ready.  I need to work on the next one, but I don't think I should tell anyone what it is since I felt rushed for the last one.

I took a few pictures the other day.  The sun was trying to poke through a hole in the clouds and it was all silver lining.  A while later it rained hard!  It was a nice day.  enjoy my pictures.

You May Be Blinded By My Awesomeness

Cora says I have a way with people.  She says I am...forgive me, it's her word, not mine...Charming.  I don't really know what she means.  She explains it to me that I am better at getting people to be agreeable to my wishes more than others.  I don't think I do anything special, but she just calls it charm.

There are several examples she cites:   At the bank, for instance, they used to give Cora a bad time if she did not fill out the deposit slip before she got to the counter.  THAT has NEVER been the case for me.  I can walk up and tell the teller what I want and it gets done with very little problem, with or without the deposit slip.

That's not all.  With our adoption agency I seem to have a better chance of getting information out of them than Cora does.  I have had luck with bill collectors.  You know the type:  "We have assessed a fee to your account because the billing day landed on a Tuesday, your last name begins with 'H,' and the computer does not like 'H's'"  So I call them up and ask why we have been assessed such a charge.  I don't usually raise my voice or complain too loudly.  They generally take off the charge.  Nice.

There are other things that she accuses me of being charming over.  Usually I just chalk it up to her being an unbelievably generous wife.  Today, though, I am inclined to believe her for once.

I went in to the local copy shop today.  They quoted me a per copy price self-serve a couple weeks ago, but since Office Depot had such a great deal a couple weeks ago, we went with Office Depot for our coloring books.  That sale is over now, though.  So, the choice is go back to Office Depot or go to the local shop for slightly less.  I chose the local shop.

I got there with both of our coloring book original sets.  I walked in, ready to do the whole self-serve thing.  Then I read that for over 100 copies I needed to speak with an employee.  So, I spoke to an employee.  She came over and I asked her about the 100 copies thing, she typed in her password.  I then asked about the cover, since that is thicker paper.  She said she would run the covers on the machine behind the counter because the public ones are picky, but she said she would only charge me the self-serve price.

So, while she was doing that, I asked if the public ones would handle the regular copies in a manner that would be acceptable to the coloring book.  She hesitated a moment and said she would do them behind the counter, too.  I clarified that this would be for the self-serve price because I did not mind doing it myself.  She said yes.

While we waited, I showed her our coloring book, since I'd brought one in to match the cover.  I also mentioned that this was for a fund raiser, and showed her a picture of Aiden.  I told her I am a teacher and kids seem to like my coloring sheets.  She looked over my coloring book and seemed to appreciate it. went to help another customer and I waited.  One of the other employees had looked at the coloring book.  She stood nearby.  I asked if she had kids.  She said yes.  I asked if she would like a coloring sheet for them.  She said yes.  I went out to the car to get one...no sheets.  I had blank paper, so I took a few sheets in and drew three pictures for her.  She and the other two watched as I drew the pictures.  She took the coloring sheets, thanked me, and went to help another customer.

When the copies were finished, she told me in a secretive voice that she had given me the Office Depot sale price instead of the regular self-serve price!  I thanked her profusely and promised to tell no one!  (Technically, I have told no one here, since you have no idea where I went)  I told her she didn't have to do that, but I wasn't going to beg her to charge me more.

I don't know about the other things, but I am going to claim full credit for being awesome today.  I'll paraphrase what Po said in Kung Fu Panda, You cannot look directly at me, for you may be blinded by my shear awesomeness!

And Then There Were Eight...

But, unlike the TV show of the 1970s, eight is never enough.  We counted last night and noted that, setting aside books that have been purchased, we are down to eight left!  How awesome is that!?!?  We will just have to make another printing.  OH! and good news!  I have finished the Transportation series.  There are twenty-five cars, trucks, airplanes, tractors, boats, and trains ready to be made into a coloring book in the next few days!

It is hard to believe our little idea has met such acceptance.  I did not think we'd sell the first 25 to be honest.  Of course, that was before the reports, via e-mail, fan mail, phone calls, and direct observation of just how much the  proud new owners of my coloring books enjoy their books.  I hope, if you haven't already, you'll click on over and have a look at what I am talking about.

Yesterday, we went grocery shopping.  It was nice to get out for awhile, but we never seem to get everything done that we'd like to.  Alas, the weekend was over too fast.

I did begin a post for my airplane blog.  I stopped when I needed more source material.  I wrote a quick email to a gentleman that works for the USAF and viola, this morning's email had some more information on the airplane I was writing about!  How awesome is that?  It helps that I have discovered a nifty way to use Google that allows me to view newspapers from years ago!  Still, you would think a jet aircraft falling from the skies would be a bigger deal and maybe someone would put it in a newspaper!  Apparently the people of Spokane are made of sterner stuff, though!  Or, maybe I just need to expand my search parameters.

Well, I should get ready for another day teaching math, or, rather, watching the students do math that I can't...at least without finding a friend smarter than me or realizing that there is very little use for it in my life and throwing my hands up in the air in disgust and walking away.

Which Phase?

Last night we went over to a friend's house and had dinner and played cards.  They want me to paint a painting to go in their living room.  They just put in an addition to their home and it looks beautiful!  I only hope I can come up with a painting they aren't embarrassed to hang.

It was lots of fun.  We took a coloring book for their daughter.  And as we talked, I would glance around to find this young lady busily coloring her coloring book.  I don't know what made me happiest; that she started by coloring the front cover or that she took so much care in her wonderful color choices!  She was bent over that coloring book studiously and carefully tinting each area longer than I expected!  That is how I hope all those who get one of our coloring books enjoys them!

We played Phase 10.  It's a deviously designed card game.  I imagine it will take a dozen more times before I am nearly as cut throat and demented in my card play as our delightful hostess...who won quite handily.  I WAS in second place, but, really, who goes around bragging, "I got beat!  But I was in SECOND place!"  Of course, I have as much fun being beat as I do winning.

I don't know why we don't visit more with friends, we always have such a good time.  I guess it is just easier to sit around watching TV...but it isn't nearly as much fun.  I guess we should clean house and just have some company!

Food for Thought.

I taught kinders yesterday.  They were a hand full.  In the morning, when they first began to filter in, I was singing a Beatles song, and my voice was particularly low for once.  Some thought it was particularly funny that I should be singing.  Others seemed to be a little unsettled.

Later on in the day, one of the little girls said, "Mr. H, when I first saw you I was freaked out."  I smiled, "So, are you freaked out now?"  She looked at me appraisingly and said, "No."  I chuckled about it all day.

This morning, I walked into a third grade classroom to teach for the day.  The kids came in and seemed happy to see me.  One of them looked at me and asked, "Are you going to teach us all day?"  I said, "Yes."  He looked perplexed, "Then who's gonna be the music teacher???"  I just started laughing!  I texted the music teacher (the one I have subbed for a week at a time and a few days in between) this little nugget.  She showed up a couple minutes later and wanted to know who the culprit was.  I pointed him out.  He had of course given himself a figurative slap on the forehead when I told him his regular teacher would be there.  She chided him a little and promised to pick on him when he came to music today.  Some days, the kids just make me laugh!    

I took a few photos today.  I intend to use these for my Transportation Coloring Book.  I hope you all have an opinion on what should go in!

I always liked old trucks...

I also like big shovels.

and tractors...

And I like earth movers...

let me know...

I like Saturdays! I Want More!

Last night was a relaxing evening that saw a bottle of merlot fall victim to its own good taste.  We greived for it with toasts to our health.  I believe it met an end to be proud of.  

This morning I awoke bright and early.  Not by choice, but by the decisive and rather imperative nature of my bladder.  I decided sleep would not visit again, and that I was rested enough, so I made a cup of coffee.  Lately it has been a Rwandan Coffee.  It is delicious, especially if brewed strong enough.

My parents had planned on coming up to visit and pick up a few copies of Color Me Home.  So, Cora and I put the house in a presentable condition and waited.  Mind you, putting it into a presentable condition took much longer than the waiting.  

It was great visiting with them today!  They brought pizza!  We enjoyed their visit AND we ended up selling four coloring books!  

It was such a nice day, I would not mind having a few more just like it.  Cora and I went to town for a while after my parents had gone home.  We picked up a few things and then came home.  

When we got home I began work on some new coloring pages.  I will let you see a preview of some of the transportation coloring book that we will be publishing as soon as I have 25 decent pictures finished.  A few, as you can see, are still ...on the drawing board, so to speak.  Others have been ready for awhile.  the school bus is one that many a child has practiced on.  the others, well, I think I'm on the right track.  except for the tow truck...any suggestions?

We had a little time and a couple extra sheets, so we both took a crack at coloring to show our finished finished product!

These are actual pictures in our coloring book.  I hope that those of you who have purchased a book will send us pictures of your own finished products!!  I suspect all of us would like to see what can be done with these!

Some of the other themes we are considering are Animals, Dinosaurs, and ABCs.  One that may eventually pan out is one of Princesses and Castles.  I hope those of you who are interested will not hesitate to mention other potential themes!  I cannot thank you all enough for the support you have given us!!  I hope it continues!

Color Me Home!

http://colormehome.blogspot.com/

Today!!!  I am pleased to show you all the fruit of our recent labors!!  This is OUR first Coloring Book!!  This endeavor, which we have dubbed "Color Me Home," is intended to help us bring our little boy, Aiden, home by raising money to help us afford some of the numerous fees associated with adoption.

Given the on-going nature of our adoption, there are many unplanned things that have come up.  For instance, we are having to update our home study for the fifth time.  We are having to renew our immigration documents for the third time.  Then there is travel!  There are other unplanned things, all of which require...yep, you guessed it MONEY.  

This is our first coloring book and it has a theme.  Our theme is "Under the Sea."  We feel that sea creatures give a greater opportunity for color choice and creativity.  You will find all manner of sea creature!  Fishes of every shape and size!  Crabs, starfish, and sea horses also complement this book.  There are twenty-five pages for your little one, or you (we promise to tell no one), to color!  We have also designed the cover to be colored.

As a substitute teacher I have had the opportunity to test many of these on willing guinea pigs.  My students seem to take unbelievable enjoyment in coloring my pictures.  What has been more surprising to me is the reaction of high school students to the chance to have a coloring sheet.  Even Cora and I have colored a few sheets.  It is surprisingly relaxing.

We are suggesting a donation of $5.00 plus about $2 for shipping.  Please go to our new SITE and have a look!!  ...and buy a book.  The name of our new site is Color Me Home!

If this first book goes well, we expect to begin producing more.  We have several ideas lined up.  All that remains is a few more drawings.  Unfortunately, I do have to work and do not get to draw as much as I might like.  Look forward to more books in the next few months!

Things a-comin'!

I had a pretty good day at work.  The fifth graders were a bunch of turkeys.  There were times I wanted to strangle them.  I threatened and demanded, yet, they were too hopped-up on sugar to shut the heck up.  As usual, I banked on the notion that the day would end.  It did.  It helps that their teacher came back and watched their Musical Program and then decided to stay for the "party," which I assumed would be some sort of bizarre torture for a substitute.  It turned out we became a sort of matched set of co-teachers.  It's a nice thing having another adult in the room.  It turned out well, and despite my misgivings, she wants me back for the next time.  I won't go into how sometimes it feels like your fighting a losing battle, it's when the kids walk out, and even though you had just been after them for inappropriate...ness, they still think you are a good teacher.  It happens more often than I deserve, but it is much appreciated.  Also, many of the teachers I work for seem to like me, too.  Makes a person feel pretty good.

Cora and I have been driving to work together.  Well, I dropped her off and then went on to school.  Anyway, we both went in and got some copies today.  We were treated pretty well at Office Depot.  I think the manager gave us a good deal on things.  You see, we are working on a Coloring book...it's coming together really nicely!  We plan on selling them to raise money for the adoption!  The first one will be an "Under the Sea" theme.

See the picture above.  Think it'll come out ok?