From Pencil to Ink

Anyone who knows me, knows that I have a love for tattoos. Not just any tattoo, they must have meaning. I love hearing the stories behind each tattoo as I meet people with them. I’ve lately talked to J that I would love to do a little artistic study. I would love to go out, talk to people on the street and chart their stories behind the art they carry with them every day. To break the stereotype of “those with tattoos”. Make a little coffee table book, and just go out and learn.

Each of my tattoos has a story, a very significant meaning to each of them. It took me 8 years to get my first tattoo, and it is still one of my most special yet.  It is one that will be added to as the years go on, unfortunately.  It is a stylized set of angel wings, halo, and stars for my family that have passed away.  I designed it with the intent of adding stars and making a galaxy of my loved ones always watching over me.  The openings in heaven where I can see and visit those I have loved and lost.

After that, I wasn’t sure if or when I would get another.  But as they say about tattoos, once you get one – you can’t just stop there.  The first tattoo was 5 years, and four tattoos ago.  In fact, I just recently added my fourth!  Again, one that I have been wanting and working on for a little while.  One I designed the basic idea of, and a very fitting quote that goes along with it.  My tattoo artist did an amazing job with finalizing the design, and is a true artist.  It is an arrow with beautiful feathers, and a ribbon entwined around the arrow.  This tattoo represents my journey in my career, and as a woman in a male-dominate field, the quote fit perfectly.  The quote added is a favorite from Miss Marilyn Monroe:

I don’t mind living in a man’s world as long as I can be a woman in it.

I can tell you this is not my last tattoo.  I already have another designed, it is just a matter of the right time for it.

And now I want to hear the story of your tattoos!  Ready….go!

The day I rented a car that was worth more than my life savings…

I woke up this morning a little later than planned.  J had to be at school earlier to set up a Veterans event his club was sponsoring.  I knew the day was off to a rough start when we were leaving the house 5 minutes later than planned.

I got into the car and started it up.  An unfamiliar rumble and rattle began.  Oh great, now what.  I drive a manual, and I couldn’t shift the vehicle.  Great.  I turn the car off thinking it would fix it.  And…..nope.  I turn the car off, put it in neutral, turn it back on and get it down the driveway thinking having on level ground would make a difference.  No such luck.  It was then a call to the family mechanic.  “Oh, you’re scheduling a week out and can’t look at it until Monday?  Awesome.”  Then a call to the tow truck and the rental car company.  After all was said and done, my car was hooked up to the tow truck and rolled its sad little way to the mechanic where it will sit all lonely for a week.

Then it was off to Enterprise to get my rental so I could actually get anywhere, like work which I had to get to today.  They had something available, and here I’m thinking I will get a standard, run of the mill vehicle that I have to hand crank the windows and may or may not have cruise control.  After the paperwork was all done, the associate walked me out to the car.  The shiny, fancy, worth-more-than-my-life car.  What, you mean this is what I get to drive for a week??

Come on, you’re kidding me right?  This is when you go, “oops, your car is actually over here,” and direct me to the beater.  Nope, this was mine for the week.  Remote starter, fancy emergency brake button, vehicle/driving warnings and all.  And it’s all shiny and sparkly on the outside and in.

Ooofta.  I may have a hard time going back to my Saturn once its all fixed up and working again….

 

Monthly Wishes :: November

Welcome back!  I know I took a bit of a hiatus, but the last few months have been super, crazy busy.  More on that later.  Until then, since November just began (November, wha??), I figured why not do a new Monthly Wishes!

 

• November Wishes •

→ Lose the last 6 lbs. to get to my goal weight

→ Keep training for a 5k (will be running it next Spring/Summer)

→ Clear out a couple debts that are almost paid

→ Kick Jamberry back into gear and fill the calendar

→ Go out to dinner with J, just the two of us

What are your monthly/weekly goals?

So this happened!

After many months of planning, the big day finally came!  8.23.14 will forever be our day. This was the sneak peek photo our amazing photographer, Danielle, posted on Sunday…and I’m in love with it. We will be getting a large canvas of this one for sure!

As you can tell, we had a rather non-traditional wedding. J wore a kilt made of his family tartan that came directly from Scotland. I wore a dress that wasn’t white, and carried a vintage broach bouquet. The wedding was perfectly us. Vintage themed with pictures and vignettes of items that have been passed down in the family. Including my grandfather’s medals from World War II, and a framed picture of my great-great grandparents taken at their 50th wedding anniversary party. The history spread throughout the decorations was incredible. Toys from my husband’s childhood, my grandmother’s bible- a gift from my grandfather on their wedding day, and my great-grandmother’s brush and mirror set engraved with her name. 

It was definitely a blessed day!  And the best part?  I got an amazing man I can finally call my husband out of it all!

I’ve made the leap!

I have been looking around at different ways to increase my income lately, and have recently made the jump to my next step in this journey. I am now an Independent Consultant with Jamberry Nails!

Haven’t heard of Jamberry Nails?

If you’re interested in giving Jamberry Nail Wraps a try, why not host a party?  It doesn’t have to be done at your house.  Online parties are the way to go!  Click here to schedule your very own party.

Or you can request a sample, and your sample will be sent directly to your house.

There are so many great things about Jamberry Nails that I love!  My favorite thing?  No dry time, and no chipping!  The wraps last 2 weeks on fingers, and up to 6 weeks on your tows.  Who wouldn’t love that?!

If you want updates (like the new designs that will be coming out September 1st!) – be sure to like & follow my Facebook page here!

I’m cleared!!

As of Monday afternoon I have officially received my walking papers, my doctor has officially released me from his care!! That means I can finally go back to work full-duty, do many things I’ve been waiting months to do, wahoo! One of the best parts of the appointment:

Dr: Have you tried doing push-ups?

Me:  No, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to.

Dr:  Well, go ahead and try.  (points to floor).

Me:  Seriously?  Okay!

Dr:  Let’s go, I’ll do them with you.

And there I was, in the doctors office, doing push ups with my doctor.  Heck yes!  I did two push-ups with no pain!  I haven’t been able to do that since back in January!  And I can finally go shooting again, wahoo!  I already have time at the range scheduled for Saturday, you don’t have to tell me twice.  Dad and J have been biting at the bit to go to the range with me again.  And now I can!

The only thing I have left as evidence is my beautiful scar and a metal plate with 7 screws that may come out in 12 to 18 months.  Will I have the plate removed?  I’m not sure yet.  Although, I’m pretty tempted to consider it everytime I bump that darn thing.  At least I know I’ll make some friends at the airport when I set the alarms off with my arm.  Needless to say, I’ve been all smiles since Monday!

Monthly Wishes :: August

Well, ladies and gents, July is over, Back to School sales have started, and its wedding month!  Which also means the summer is almost over, boo.

Since a new month is upon us, it is time for the Monthly Wishes session.  First, lets review my July wishes:

• July Wishes •

→ Finish up the last few things that need to be done for the wedding.  The big decisions are all made, now just the last few projects.

→ Tackle my 9 Day Detox Challenge with my sister-in-law, then start the “21 Day Fix”.  Done!  I lost a total of 3 lbs and 4.5″! 

→ Have a blast at our Co-Ed Bachelor/ette party!  The party was a blast!  It was full of family, friends, laughts, and tons of fun!

→ One Caribou coffee drink a week.  Did so awesome here!!  Only 2 Caribou drinks all month!

→ Fit into my wedding dress (I have a wee bit to lose after gaining it back after surgery)  Not quite yet.

Now onto my wishes for August!

• August Wishes •

→ Fit into my wedding dress (I have a wee bit to lose after gaining it back after surgery)

→ Marry a fancy man!

→ Pay off a good portion of our honeymoon.

→ Organize my business things/finances.

→ Go out to dinner with J, just the two of us, and take a break from wedding planning.

What are your monthly/weekly goals?