I feel like I was run over by a sewing machine

Posted on | Friday, April 8, 2011 | No Comments

I am so excited -- I got my tattoo done today! Or at least about half of it done. For those who don't know, I'm tattooed. I'm likely going to get more work done. I don't have anything scandalous or rude and I don't intend on every having tattoos that can't be hidden by a t-shirt and shorts. I enjoy having tattoos and knowing people who have them. That's just me. If tattoos don't float your boat feel free to skip this entry.


Anyways.

I went to Hall of Tattoos to have my work done by Ken. I adore Ken, he is such an incredible tattoo artist. I'm going to miss him so much when I leave for Alabama. He's one of those truly kind and good people. You know what I mean, the kind of person that you want to be friends with; the kind that this world needs more of. The word "spectacular" comes to mind.

Ken has done two tattoos for me. The one that is currently in progress and also a very large phoenix that is on my back. The two experiences are like night and day. While my birdie took 14+ hours to complete and a majority of that experience I was gripping the chair unable to talk from the pain, the tattooing at had today was easy.

I was talking through 90% of my tattoo and in sections it didn't even hurt. It felt uncomfortable and like a very annoying and aggressive tickle. I watched Stranger Than Fiction, talked with the other guys in the shop, texted people... I kept telling Ken that it was so WEIRD to not have so much pain. Only a small section really hurt, and that was near the spine so I'm not very surprised.

I am thus far insanely and stupidly happy at how this piece looks. It's bright and vibrant and it flows wonderfully with my shoulder. I know the color will settle some in the next few weeks, and truthfully I can't wait to see how it looks once it's entirely healed.

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Fair thee well, Madam

Posted on | Saturday, April 2, 2011 | 2 Comments

I name my cars. Likewise I also tend to name my laptops, and occasionally my toasters. But my cars always are given a name.

My Honda's name is Madam. For almost a year she didn't have a name, but Madam suits her perfectly. She an older car, she doesn't always work like she should. She has a temper and isn't afraid to show it. She also has her moments of insecurity (losing your A/C will do that) and she's been put through the ringer more than I'd care to admit as her owner. She's reliable, if not a bit rough, and although her outward appearance maybe be a bit haggard I truly love her.



Madam has been with me since I reached adulthood. She is in essence the only car I have ever truly owned. She's seen me through cross country moves, marriage (and a divorce), being pregnant, having a baby, and going to college. I've cried into her steering wheel when times were hard. It was while I was driving in this car that I came to the realization that I was a Christian. So much has happened in my life with this car, I feel like she's family. Like some key element in my life that bookmarks my entering the real world and surviving it.

Sadly, Madam isn't what she was when I bought her almost a decade ago. And the cost to make her the car she deserves to be is more than what she is worth (at least monetarily speaking). With a big move looming this summer and very life-altering changes following, the question arose if Madam could survive such a journey.

Truthfully, she can't. And it's silly of me to think that she can. Which meant that it was time to let Madam go and to find a new car that can drive me into this new chapter of my life. So today we went and traded in Madam for a new(er) car and let my darling Honda go to greener pastures.

It's strange how emotional it is, getting rid of your first car. Or maybe it's just me. I feel so emotionally tied to my vehicle, it's a testament to everything I've done since I reached the age of 18. I've done a lot. Far more than I thought I would. And although friends and living spaces have changed, my car didn't. Buying a new one was almost a surreal experience. It's like severing who I was with who I am in the most tangible way possible.

One benefit to all of this though (aside from owning a car that has functioning A/C and a muffler) is that I truly love the car I have as of today. It doesn't have a name yet, but it fits me. It's a car I can take four kids to soccer practice in, a car for VBS and for house projects. It's fancier, comfier, and most certainly bigger. I have gotten mixed responses from others as to the kind of car they think it is -- I have heard "old lady car", "undercover cop car" and "ghetto car" in the past 10 hours -- but when I look at it I don't see that. I see my car.

Mine. And it is absolutely perfect for me.

The name 'Buelah' came to mind as I was driving it home and I could almost hear the engine say, "If you even try calling me that I will break down in Tupelo Mississippi, so help me Chrysler."

Well, Madam took almost a year to name. I think we have time.

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Day three

Posted on | Thursday, February 3, 2011 | No Comments

We are on our third snow day here in Oklahoma. Most of the college campuses and public schools are closed (likely until Monday unless by some miracle all the snow melts between now and tomorrow morning). I would be excited about having a week off from school, except that with online classes I still have the joy of taking my exams and lessons even if the college itself is snowed in.

Oh bother.


At least Kael has found some innovative ways to entertain himself while trapped indoors. Including but not limited to pretending he was competing in the Iditarod and making a slide out of his mattress pad and box spring. We've also taken to playing 'Jungle' in which we pretend to be monkeys and jump madly about the house while hooting like some deranged creature that sounds nothing like a monkey.

Yesterday we ventured out to get some groceries and fresh air. Needless to say Kael was ecstatic to be leaving the house and accidentally became trapped in an armpit high snow drift due to his gleeful celebrations.

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Let's put it to a vote!

Posted on | Monday, January 10, 2011 | 3 Comments

I'm in a bit if a conundrum. You see, I need to pick out mine and Alex's save the date cards sometime this week. Originally I thought this would be an easy task; pick out a card I like, get everyone's addresses, and mail them out before the end of January.

Well.

I have the addresses, but choosing a card has proven to be more difficult than I expected. I've whittled it down to eight cards but I am stumped as to which would be the best fit. Alex, being the wonderful gentleman he is, is trusting my judgement on the matter which places the decision firmly on my shoulders. Yikes.

So, my darling readership I am asking for your opinion on the matter. Perhaps between the seven of us (with perhaps some additional help from a certain fiance) I can pick one before the week is over. Let us put it to a vote!

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Henna head

Posted on | Sunday, November 7, 2010 | 1 Comment























Today we will be discussing hair. I have been dyeing mine off and on since I was about fourteen. In this past decade it has been plethora of shades and colors varying from the normal blondes, reds, and browns, to the not so normal purples, blues, greens, and even the occasional pink or orange. There was a point in time in my rather short life that it wouldn't surprise many to see my hair change colors on the monthly basis.

Yet no matter how many colors I dye my hair I always go back to red. I love having red hair. I love how I look and how my skin glows, that my eyes suddenly look fifteen times brighter. There is only one problem with this (aside from the fact that red is not my natural hair color). The upkeep for being a faux redhead is enough to drive a person mad. For years I had two options: I could either use box dyes every four weeks, or going to a salon every six weeks. Both options left my hair fried with split ends aplenty.

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About

Photobucket I was born and raised in California. I have also lived in Hungary, Texas, Alabama, Oklahoma, and I will be moving again this summer. Kael is my incredibly awesome kiddo who is growing up far too quickly, and Alex is my fiance who makes me happier than should be legally allowed. I write about them a lot. I'm mildly obsessed with cooking and photography. I write about those things, too.

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