On The Road Again

Lately, I spend a lot of time in my car. I drive all over Tennessee to visit families who have expressed interest in becoming foster parents. I never imagined I'd end up working in child placement services. My job is to help new parents prepare for the challenges of fostering children (and other duties, as assigned.)

Depending on where those families live, I'll drive anywhere from ten minutes to five hours away from the office. I arrive at homes and spend hours talking with prospective parents and their relatives before I hop back in my car to drive back home. This may sound strange, but this is my favorite part of my job. Meeting new people who want to help children is exciting, challenging, interesting, difficult, and fun- all mixed together in an experience unlike any other. I've gotten lost many times when I've tried to locate families- Thank God for my GPS! 

I sometimes snap pictures when I'm traveling for work. This habit helps pass the time and also documents memories of all the places I've been. After spending hours sitting at my desk and staring at a computer screen or filling out piles of paperwork, I can't wait to get on the road again!

 Click to play video and keep on scrollin'...

iPad Art & Drawing App Must-Have

PAPER is an iPad app you've got to try!

I love to doodle, draw, paint, and finger paint. When I got an iPad, I wasn't sure what apps could incorporate all of my artistic inclinations until I stumbled on one that lets me use a variety of tools- pencils, brushes, calligraphy pens, markers...you name it, Paper has it. I probably wouldn't have downloaded this app, however, had I not been given an Apple gift card. It's a bit pricey since each tool is priced separately, but I promise it's worth it! Separate journals keep all your ideas and sketches organized and a magical 'rewind' button allows you to erase when you go overboard with creativity. I made both of these pictures below, using just my fingers to draw them. I haven't found another app that affords so much versatility, but I'm always open to suggestions! Doodles have never been so much FUN!

A quick doodle of a doggy! This one could be better if I'd spent more time but I prefer to have fun with quick sketches than to stress with details, sometimes. 

This one took me more time than the doggy doodle but I enjoyed using every Paper tool to make it. My husband was stressed out one
day about an upcoming exam for pharmacy school. I frequently hear him say nonsensical words when he's studying and trying to memorize
every medication known to mankind.  I made this drawing to remind him that I'm the only prescription he needs to succeed. He loved it, but
to anyone else- this drawing could be interpreted to suggest a drug addiction or necessity of drugs to become successful. That's actually
why I like it so much- it will represent different meanings for different people. I had fun blending colors and using my new app's tools to 
create a drawing that I'm kinda proud to display! I've always loved to draw. This app lets me do so much more than I expected and is a must-have
for my fellow doodlers. I welcome any suggestions for similar apps of awesomeness, but I'm partial to favoritism of PAPER.
Happy Doodling, friends! :)