Oh my goodness...

Had just deleted a post about a situation my mom got into, but figured it was better not for public consumption---at least not told in great detail.  Just saying she was ripped off by a guy she met at the drugstore who offered to fix her car for her.  Her car broke down away from home and this stranger followed her home (which she allowed) and fixed it in her driveway. What further transpired was that he ripped her off by over $500 dollars (he said the part, the starter, was $625.00) and she willingly let him into her house as well.  That's been my reason for not being here.  Just too troubling to think about---her being so naive and thinking that most circumstances that pop up out of nowhere are from the Lord.  But that's the way she thinks---can't seem to get her out of that habit.

In other news....tattoo life is fine.  Hoping I'm over the itchies, and the first layer of skin has peeled off as it's healed.  The color is dark charcoal grey rather than black now and looks dandy.  And, yes, I still feel empowered.  It's a lovely feeling.

Must go to bed now.  With Gary's wonky sleep pattern, I've got to get my routine back on track.  Yelp.

The care and feeding of your new tattoo

When 3rd son and I left the tattoo parlor yesterday (a phrase that cracks me up to write...really), we were each given a little packet of A/D ointment and instructions on after-care. Then at home, since I tend to be a research babe, I got online and watched videos and read bits about what can happen if you don't take care of a new tattoo.  Ewww.  Well, so far, so good.  Mine looks neat and tidy with no redness and no flakiness yet.  Seems that's a normal process---the shedding bit.

Thought for my own information purposes, I'd document the healing process here.  Just move along little doggie if you're not interested.  It'll just take a minute.  Oh, and by the way.  When I went to the grocery store today, I felt so empowered.  Go figure.  This tattoo has made me feel so brave and strong.  Maybe it's the part where I sat still while enduring, what for me was, sort of hard-to-manage pain.  Or maybe it's the permanence of the decision.  Feels good, no matter.

Now onto the update.

Have washed the tattoo with mild soap about 6+ times today, using my hand and not a washcloth. Applied A/D afterward.  Had left it uncovered overnight and won't cover it again. Keeping it moist with the ointment is key to the healing.  Should expect it possibly to look a bit tattered in the days to come, but today at about 17 hours after coming home, it looks dandy.

Oh, told one of my brothers about it today on the phone.  He wasn't aware of what we'd done, and he said he fully expected me to get a second one.  Said he doesn't know one person who has only one.  Hmmm.

Thursday a.m.

Would appreciate work-related prayers, please.  I mentioned recently about some work Gary had to bid on, and one being a set of custom bookcases.  Have really taken for granted that he'd get this job, since this particular designer always uses Gary and while he tends to bicker about the bid prices, we get the work.  Well, he's hemming and hawing about this bid and says he's going to ask a cabinet-maker he uses to bid as well, saying Gary's too high.  So.  While I appreciate that the cabinet-maker also has to make a living, it'd be wonderful if the bid came to us.  We need the work SO badly.  Gary will re-work his bid (also known as making it lower) and present it to the designer today.  This is a designer who also works overnights at FedEx to make ends meet.  There are several of us, it seems.

And, if you please, a bid for a table will be shared with a client today as well.  Different designer, different client.  The table he's offered a price to build is shown here...it's the darling, low cocktail table, and the only photo we can find online.  The designer is Frances Elkins, whose brother was David Adler, a famous architect back in the early 1900's (I just love this sort of stuff).

Anyway, your prayers are certainly coveted.  Will update when I know something.

The proof

I won't deny it.  It hurt!  The tattoo artist said it's compared to getting scratched by a cat.  Repeatedly.  She wasn't kidding.  And while our son went before me and seemed much more stoic, I didn't cry.  Could've if I'd wanted to, though. But still, I'm proud.  Something I never thought I'd actually go through with---a tattoo.  And really, my husband seems a bit shocked as well.  It's one thing to talk about it, but something else entirely to follow through.  He's giving me these looks that can only be called admiring.  So funny.

FYI

Okay.  So the tattooing date is tomorrow at 4:30pm.  Both third son and I will get ours done.  And while I initially wanted to have a botanical-like honeybee, talked with one of the girls at the tattoo parlor and she said it'd have to be pretty big to get the detail.  I was afraid we'd get into the cartoon-like look otherwise, and that's not what I wanted.  Anyway, decided on honeybee in Chinese characters.  So excited!

And just for your information, Melissa is Greek for honeybee.  And with my fondness for Oriental things, seems fitting.

Oh bother...

I can't really even remember putting up Sunday's post.  Must be I'm tired?  I realize it's about 1am on Tuesday morning, but after a 1-1/2 hour nap after dinner, I'm not quite tired enough yet.

A bit of drama at our house is becoming the norm.  I think I need to put halters on some of our kids to keep them at home and in line.  Nothing big's going on, but the emotions are running rampant and we all need extended home-time in order to slow everyone down.  And now we have folks outside our home calling the shots or having an influence and that isn't my idea of fun.

Parenting isn't enjoyable lately.  And really, when they get a bit under the weather it's almost a good thing.  Even now, middle daughter and the least one are bothered by their eyes---a bit of a virus or just pollen---who knows, but they're quieter and are having to rest a bit more. That helps when the older ones are driving me nuts.  But as I said, nothing big, but stuff that causes me to shake my head a bit more than usual.

Looking forward to Easter weekend and HOPEFULLY some down-time.  Oh, and Tuesday (really today) is making-a-tattoo-appointment day.  They were closed on Monday.  Will have to get back to you on that one.

Palm Sunday

The chicken's done cooking in the pot and cooling a bit so I can handle it.  After a bit of a rest in bed will put together the Spanakopita w/chicken, which is our traditional Easter meal.  I already mentioned that we had a change of plan, with oldest son wanting to grill out next Sunday.  He's asked a guy friend from church and wants to cook for us.  Made noises about grilling a cake as well.  We all think that should prove interesting!

And church was sweet, this morning.  The two little girls went with me, but looked a tiny bit uncomfortable with thumbing through the Book of Common Prayer, but were good sports about it.  No big deal.

Now must chill out.  I've mixed up the sourdough bread mixture so we'll have fresh bread for tomorrow's dinner.  Trying to think ahead since tomorrow is 'make an appointment at the tattoo parlor' day.  These kids keep me on my toes, no doubt about that!  But besides dinner, my chores are done.  Must stick my head in a book for awhile.