Thank you! I actually don't have PhotoShop. I use ArtWeaver, and it's free, actually. Just type in ArtWeaver in the URL and it'll come up. I believe you'll get the 5.0 version. And you can draw just using the mouse (like what I do), though people do recommend a tablet. But a mouse works just fine.
And you don't have to have a computer to digitally color pictures. If you have a scanner, and it's in good condition and scans well, you can draw free-hand your pictures, and scan them in. Some people do that on DeviantArt.
I'd like to see your drawings when you get the chance. If you ever get a picture up somewhere, like you end up getting a DA account, let me know.