Monday was Memorial Day and I was busy with my family, so I didn't get to post the coloring page.
Here are both for this week...
New Free Pandemic Coloring Pages #128 & 129!
New Free Pandemic Coloring Page #124!
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If you love this saying as much as I do, I have a different design of it on t-shirts and hoodies in my Etsy and you can see that listing here: Doodling Rocks. If you like this design better and think I should add it to my shop, leave me a message or tell me on Facebook. Thanks!
New Free Pandemic Coloring Page #123!
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Today is day 439 of quarantine. Shavuot starts this Sunday, May 16th and ends on Tuesday, May 18th. I created this page for The Blue Dove Foundation (as seen here: https://thebluedovefoundation.org/shavuot/) and I'm sharing it here for both Shavuot and Mental Health Awareness month.
For those who don't know what Shavuot is - it is also known as the "feast of weeks" and it celebrates the day that the Torah was given to the Jewish people on Mt. Sinai (this is why I drew mountains) more than 3,300 years ago; 7 weeks and one day after the second night of Passover (the weeks). It is associated with the grain harvest (the feast). It is typically celebrated by lighting candles and staying up late at night reading the Torah.
This holiday is typically celebrated with the study of the Torah, but in my family, we will celebrate educational achievement. While the school year isn't quite over, my children have worked very hard during this strange year attending school from home on their computers. They have had to adjust their method of learning, modify their organizational methods, and figured out how learn with little to no kinesthetic tools or manipulatives to enhance their learning experiences (I'm not counting filling out a worksheet as a kinesthetic experience). This holiday also celebrates the harvest of the grain, so I will bake fresh bread and we will have our own "feast." Adjust and celebrate.
I wrote "You can move mountains" because I believe we all can. When presented with a challenge, review it, study it, tackle it, but don't go around it. Don't avoid it. That's what this year has been for most people. We constantly have to review the situation and adjust our approach. It might be one pebble at a time, but you can move mountains.
New Free Pandemic Coloring Page #120!
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Today is day 429 of quarantine and it's May 3rd. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and with the pandemic year being soo challenging for many and those with and without mental health challenges are all feeling additional stress. I started these coloring pages last year because drawing them helps me handle both the stress and anxiety created by everything happening during the pandemic. I'm not going to list what has been causing stress, because I'm not sure that is helpful, but here's a list of just some things that could help you reduce stress or anxiety -
seeking a friend to talk to, coloring or drawing, listening to music, crocheting or knitting or painting, reading a book, doing a crossword puzzle, taking a walk, playing with a pet, baking, watching a funny movie, etc...
Whatever you use to reduce stress is for you. If these suggestions are not enough and you need more help, please contact your doctor and get a referral to a therapist - we have many great ones here in Atlanta.
New Free Pandemic Coloring Page #116!
Today's page is in honor of a good friend, Andy, who is battling colon cancer. He is incredibly strong. Positive. Confident. He hasn't given up. The love of his life hasn't given up. I haven't given up and neither have dozens, if not hundreds, more of his friends and family who love him. He is the bravest and strongest person that I know. He amazes me every day. Keep fighting Andy! You have got this.
Life throws you curve balls, challenges, things that you can't fathom how you will get past, but don't give up.
Inspired by such powerful people like Andy in my life, I don't give up. I was told, 25 years ago, that it was likely that I wouldn't walk again after I crushed my femur and lost the cartilage in both knees. I walk, not fast, but I walk. I was told that I'd have little functional use of my dominant arm after I broke the ulna and dislocated the radial head (same accident as the leg). I've spent more than 20 years drawing with that arm (I have since had to switch to my non-dominant arm, but I'm still drawing almost every day). Don't give up. A favorite quote is "The bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you fail to make the turn." I know that I can walk, I just walk shorter distances and sometimes use a walking support. I know that I can draw, I just had to change how I do it. I wanted to learn how to crochet 4+ years ago and I taught myself as a righty because my left arm doesn't rotate enough.
There is almost always a way around the obstacle. Find it.
Today is day 414 of quarantine. I've had both doses of the vaccine. I'm still at home. I still wear a mask on the rare occasions that I go out. I'm not going to restaurants. We need everyone to get the vaccine, but sadly, Many Georgians aren't planning to get the vaccine. I don't know why and I really don't want to know. It is their decision. It just makes me sad. The sooner we can get herd immunity, the sooner we can get some semblance of a normal life. Stay strong. Get vaccinated. Wear a mask and continue to social distance. We CAN do this.
New Free Pandemic Coloring Page #115
Today, I got dose #2 of the vaccine, so I am happy, and relieved. My plants are looking okay in the garden - not great yet, but this is very early for the garden, so I am happy. My kids are almost done with school for this crazy remote learning year and this also makes me happy.
New Pandemic Coloring Page #113
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Today is day 402 of quarantine and the sun has been shining all week. We were expecting thunder storms today and it's been cloudy, but the rain hasn't started yet. My garden could use it, so I'm actually hoping for a little rain. Have a great rest of the week! Stay safe! I hope you enjoy today's page.
New Free Pandemic Coloring Page #112
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Today is day 398 of quarantine and my daughter and I did the most normal thing we've done in a year. We went to the skate park. We had our masks, in case it was crowded, which it wasn't. She had posted on social media that she was having a meetup at the skatepark and invited others to join her. We went, met new friends (keeping socially distant), she skated for 2 hours, and it was a great event. What a nice thing to see after a year of remote school and almost no social interaction with kids her age. I hope you are all being safe this spring break, but also getting to do some normal-ish stuff.
In world news - This week the Pfizer vaccine announced that it is 100 percent effective for 12-15 year olds and we are looking forward to my teens and their friends getting vaccinated.
New Free Pandemic Coloring Page #111!
New Free Pandemic Coloring Page #110
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Today is day 391 of quarantine. Happy Pesach. I know that the vaccine rollout is here and I've even had my first dose, but I also know that friends are struggling. While many of us are eligible to get vaccinated, many are not. We have kids at home who can't get vaccinated yet. We have versions of the virus evolving and changing and we don't know if the vaccines will protect us from them or for how long. This is stressful. Mental health is important. You are enough. I am enough. Believe it. Say it. Color it. Post it somewhere that you can see it.
Some ways to safely handle stress during the pandemic - doodle, color, crochet or knit, read a book, take a walk, listen to music, spend time with a dog or cat, talk to a friend on the phone, dance it out, ride a bike, bake something you love and eat it while it's still warm out of the oven. We all have bad days and that's okay. Choosing an activity that will make you feel better can turn things around - one day at a time.
May is Mental Health awareness month, so look for more positive pages coming soon.
New Free Pandemic Coloring Page #108 & 109!
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High school students can get vaccinated.
College students can get vaccinated.
Young adults can get vaccinated.
Friends in their 30s and 40s and early 50s can get vaccinated.
Roll up your sleeve and do your part.
Let's wipe this thing out and get our kids safely back in school.
Since Passover is starting this Saturday evening - Here's a Passover Seder coloring page. There are 3 hidden pictures in it (not hidden too well so the little ones can find them) - Elijah's cup, a piece of Matzah, and the word L'Chaim!
Free Coloring Page #109!
New Free Pandemic Coloring Page #106!
Today is day 379 of quarantine - Every day is a new day. I hope you saw yesterday's post and are celebrating small moments. The pandemic can be stressful, so take the celebrations you get. Today's page is about learning. You can learn something from anything and everything. Think about this one. You learn something from everyone, even if it's what not to do. You don't have to judge. You don't have to get angry. You do you. Learn from others and figure out something to use or something to remember not to use from that information, but whatever you choose, you will continue to grow.
In my Get Out and Go challenge for this year. I have ridden 16 miles and I have 484 to go. When we have better weather, my number will go up, up, up. Make a goal. Do your best. Celebrate your progress. #GetOutandGo If you want to join me, leave a message. If you don't walk, bike, swim, jog, skate, *insert any other activity* 500 miles, then celebrate what you do get done.
New Free Pandemic Coloring Page #105!
Celebrate the small moments. They all count. They all contribute to your quality of life and feeling of self worth.
I rode my bike yesterday. 7 miles. It is an ebike, but contrary to popular belief, that is not the same as a moped. You have to pedal, even if you have turned on pedal assist, you have to pedal the whole time (unless you are coasting down hill). I live with permanent damage to my knees, wrist, and elbow and riding a bike (without excessive pain) was taken out of my ability range for a long time, but with level 1 pedal assist for the giant hills in my area and my super cool vertical ergo grips, I can ride. I have ridden 168 miles since getting this bike last October and I plan to ride 500 miles in 2021, so yes, I'm celebrating 7 miles.
Challenge yourself and celebrate every step toward that goal.
If you want to join me in the Get Out and Go challenge to ride, walk, jog, skip, dance, swim, skateboard, roller skate, etc.... 500 miles (or any amount you complete) in 2021, Comment on this post or the post from last Wednesday to let me know. #GetOutandGo
On a different note - Today is day 377 of quarantine and while everyone around me is claiming to be eligible for the vaccine, I suspect many are not being truthful. I am not yet eligible. I will not sign up until I am. I realize that starting today in Georgia, if I had gained 20 lbs during the past year of quarantine, I would not be over 25 bmi and qualify - however, I did not. I stayed fit. I worked hard to stay fit while baking cookies and brownies and breads for my family. My group is next. I've waited a year, I'll wait for my group. You do you.
New Free Pandemic Coloring Page #103!
Today is day 370 and I have seen all over the news that it is International Woman's Day. Really? Never heard of this before. I think every day should be Woman's Day - we should celebrate girl power and woman power every day! We have amazing women who are doctors, scientists, inventors, astronauts, teachers, doctors, nurses, and VICE PRESIDENTS! There is nothing women can't do. When I was a toy designer, I was paid less as a woman at 3 different companies. Women should NOT be paid less for accomplishing the same task. It's time for gender equality.
New Free Pandemic Coloring Page #102!
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What do we need?
We need to persevere.
We need to care about others.
We need to continue to be safe, be careful, wear a mask, show empathy, and soo much more to get through this.
Instead of filling the page with patterns,
I filled it with very important words.
We can do this. Together. Separate.
Thank you to those who have been sharing my coloring pages with others. I will continue to create them until we are vaccinated and until our families, children, friends, and neighbors are safe.
New Free Pandemic Coloring Page #101
YOU DECIDE...
Today is March 1st and day 363 of quarantine and it feels like March 2020 never ended. Cases each day are fewer, but still horrible numbers (70,000 a day) and we have spring breaks and Easter coming up, so YOU DECIDE.
You choose. Are you getting relaxed on quarantine restrictions? I know you are tired of being stuck at home, but we need to continue to push forward with staying careful and gets these numbers much lower.
We can't plateau this high.
Will you have a family gathering with no social distance this Easter? Are you taking a spring break vacation? If you can figure out a way to do those things safely - wearing masks, staying far from everyone outside your household, hosting your event outside, then go for it, but if you can't follow CDC guidelines - please don't wreck this for the rest of us. We are all tired of it. We all want our lives back to something remotely normal, but to do this, you need to think outside your circle.
New Free Pandemic Coloring Page #99!
What's out your window?
Today is day 357 of quarantine. Most of the country was hit with a huge snow storm last week, but here in Georgia, it was just really cold. My friends post pictures of beautiful snow scenes out their windows that looked like snow globes. This coloring page has the window blank so you can fill in what's out your window.
On the other side of this storm - I am sorry that those in Texas are going through horrible conditions and I hope things improve asap and that my friends out there are okay.
FYI - Straight lines are wonky, because I don't use a ruler - all of my coloring pages are freehand with my non-dominant hand as I work to improve non-dom coordination.
New Free Coloring Page #98
Today is day 352 of quarantine. With all of the January 6th info continuing to come out, more video, more audio - it is difficult to watch the violence. Sadly, there is a lot of hatred in our world, but we can make a change, if you care. Care about other people. Show kindness. Help others. Small things count. Donate your gently used toys and clothes to those in need. Deliver food and necessities to shelters. I crochet hats for Cancer patients. I know that this is a little thing, but if I make one person feel less alone, then all 200+ hats I have made and donated is worth it. Every little bit counts. Helping one person counts. Think of what the world would be like if each person helped one person, one stranger, one neighbor, anyone who needed help. Just take a moment, a half hour, an afternoon, to find a way to help others. BE THE GOOD.
FYI - I was unable to post a page on Monday because a current project that I am passionate about needed my time.
