Sunday's Seven Snapshots vol.113

First week of a new job has been completed.  Feeling good about things so far.

I saw these tiles outside a primary school.  I stopped.  I read.  I thought about these young voices talking about where they live: a street which "has less junkies" and a park that is "full of magpies", another young voice claiming to be a growing family who "came as (r)efugees" from El Salvador, and another whose parents came from India.  I don't know why these young, multi-cultural voices impacted me so much, but they did.

Our big girls absolutely love it when we take them to the duck pond and let them go crazy.

This weekend I went to the Australian Tattoo Expo in Sydney.  I took this picture while waiting for my gal, Melanie to get ready for me.

My super duper artist in action

Three of their favorite animals to represent three of my favorite people on the planet ~ a hippo for niece 1, an ostrich for niece 2, and a penguin for my nephew. They are such amazing humans. They've always owned a part of my heart. Now, they own a thigh too. I think my gal Melanie was just being a show-off this time.  She does such a brilliant job at taking simple ideas in my head and creating pieces that I fall in love with.  This tattoo makes me so happy.

After being poked and stabbed for a few hours, I exited to this view ~ a perfect autumn day in Sydney.

A week filled with work productivity, fur babies, blue skies, pretty art, and impactful words.  That's a good week in my books.  Hope yours was too!

Sunday's Seven Snapshots vol.107

Y'all hear me talk about Book Challenge by Erin quite a bit...well, another reason that this group is fantastic is the idea that Megan presented to our group ~ a book exchange!  If a reader is in search of a particular book, and another reader has a copy of the book (and they are willing to give it up), that book goes to its new home for free.  Just the recipient is responsible for cost of postage.  Bev in Switzerland and I are exchanging books (as seen in this photo...she gets an Aussie bookmark too!)  If you are interested in books that I have on offer, check out the list in our goodreads group.  You don't have to be a challenge participant to request a book from me. 

It was raging hot again earlier this week, so there were more indoor doggie naps with doggie snuggles.

What's going on in this picture?  Well, if you've ever gotten inked, you probably recognize this look.

The results!  My dad married my 1st stepmom when I was 16, and sadly, fourteen years later, she was taken from us after a courageous battle against brain cancer.  They had a big cactus on their back patio of their lakehouse...a very special place to them...a special place for all of us.  The only time I ever saw a flower actually bloom on that cactus was last visit to see her before she passed away. 

Then...I got sick...in case you missed my update on instagram...I went to the doctor expecting strep or tonsillitis based on the nasty activity going on in my throat.  Instead, the doctor sees a fever, my throat, and swollen glands and diagnoses me with glandular fever (which I later learned is a fancy way to say "mono" in Australia.)  No blood test was done, so no confirmation of that diagnosis, but needless to say, I've pretty much been in bed the rest of the week.  Luckily, I have sweet cuddle partners to keep me company.

They know that mama is sick.  These boys barely left my side the rest of the week.

Even though Ricky is our most mischievous, he can be awfully sweet and cuddly when he wants.

I'm on the mend (I think), so hopefully I'll be back to normal in the next day or so!  Hope you've had a fabulous week!

My mother as a pin-up

I've been on a roll with tattoos lately.  I'd had a "wishlist", and I've been knocking those out since finding my little superstar of an artist, Melanie Milne.  In October, I got a tattoo in honor of my dad, and I mentioned one was in the works in honor of my mom too. 

My mother taught baton twirling in my early childhood.  She can still pick up a baton and do some pretty impressive tricks with it.  She taught me in my early years.  We marched in parades and went to competitions.  She was/is energetic and enthusiastic, and everyone loved/loves her.

Me...during my baton twirling career

Rewind to times before my childhood...and before she was my mom...this woman was a drum major during the 1960s.  Not just any drum major, but she led a band of over 300 members, and this band's claim to fame during their tenure was they played the National Anthem during the opening of the Houston Astrodome. 

I used to work with a guy that went to high school with my mom.  He told me that when she took the field that all eyes were on her.  He may have been slightly infatuated all those years later. 

Fast forward...I'd always wanted a pin-up of some sort, and I wanted a tattoo inspired by my mother.  Drum majors, majorettes, baton twirlers, and even pin-ups are "Americana" identities.  It just seemed to work together.  In fact, when I told my tattoo artist my idea, her reply was "that is sooo American, and I love it!"

So, here we are.  She's working.  I'm wincing (in pain).  We're both singing to Eagles Greatest Hits vol.2 and talking about her recent trip to New Zealand.

And...the finished project...I just love her!  (her as in the tattoo, my mom, and Mel, my artist)

My mom has her own sound when she sends me a viber message.  I heard it as I was getting the tattoo.  She asked what I was doing.  So, I sent this in return.  Let me clarify, my mom doesn't like my tattoos, so I had to tell her to not be mad.

Her response was that it was "nice", but she hoped the picture was just a drawing on paper and not on my body.  Ha! 

What do you do that drives your mother crazy?

Sweet Girl

I was born on Father's Day.  It has been said that I was a "daddy's girl" from the start.  The story goes that he picked my name.  Apparently, my mother preferred Meredith.  Not that there's anything wrong with the name Meredith, but I have always felt like Erin suited me.

My dad calls me "Sweet Girl".  Always has, and still does.  My dad likes to spend time to pick out just the right greeting card for special occasions.  (I picked up this trait from him.)  On the envelope and/or inside, he address many of them to me as "Sweet Girl".  I used an envelope from a recent card as inspiration for my next permanent piece of body art.

I met with Melanie (ig: melaniemilnetattoos) and talked about what I had in mind.  I like sweet things, and the color pink, and strawberries, and cupcakes, and the fact that my dad calls me "Sweet Girl".  She used his handwriting to create this tattoo around it.

I sat for about an hour.  We chatted.  We listened to Silverchair. 

Then, this masterpiece was unveiled.

It's a little red & irritated ~ this is fresh off the press

I know tattoos aren't for everyone, and I have no problem with someone who never wants a tattoo.  But, they are for me.  In fact, my mother is messaging me as I type this telling me "no more tattoos."  I love them.  I love the stories behind them.  I love the way that people express themselves through their body art. 

Speaking of my mother, Melanie and I have one planned to honor my mother coming up in December.  Whether my mom likes it, or not. 

Do you have any tattoos that honor a family member?

Sunday's Seven Snapshots - tattoo edition

Sitting, waiting, at LDF Tattoos in Newtown ~ I had a consult in June to design my pieces. After 3 attempts at appointments for the ink, Friday was finally the day!

From my tattooist's (Melanie Milne) portfolio; for all my blogger buddies who are Disney fanatics, I snapped this pic for you :)

Melanie at work ~ it's like she was made for me ~ we talked music, books, travel, fur babies, and more. 

Her knick knack corner complete with a "Howdy from Texas" ceramic boot.  She's roadtripped across America and spent two weeks in Texas. 

I'm laying and singing along to Fleetwood Mac that was playing on the loud speakers. 

They are just finished in these photos, so red and raw. 

On my forearm, Bluebonnet season in Texas is my favorite time of year there. This depicts a sunset over a field of bluebonnets (the state flower of Texas) with a waratah overlooking (the state flower of New South Wales, the state where Sydney is located.)  Both are vibrant wildflowers.  This captures my love for my two homes. 

On my calf, my long awaited book tattoo ~ "so many books, so little time".

I love them. 

Do you have tattoos?  Share their story with me.