The Potter Asks, the Potter shall receive

My shoe shot from the other day had Gary the Potter asking what my tattoo was. Some of you have seen these so bear with me..................

Well, let me tell ya, there isn't just one that peeks out :-)

It all started 9 years ago. Yesterday was our wedding anniversary so I guess it's also appropriate to tell the tale of the tats.

My most special girlfriends, T, H, and E went on a little excursion with me for my bachelorette party. We went to Doc's tattoo in Medford Wisconsin. It's one heck of a drive but he is the best tattoo artist in the midwest.

For my first tattoo, I chose what I call my cave art jack rabbit. He is on the inside of my right ankle. And yes, I did get the tattoo the day before my wedding. But he is pretty harmless and small. I chose him because for one, I love bunnies. And for two he became my guardian spirit. Alerting me to any dangers in this world.

Then, because you can't stop at one. I decided that I wanted a fairy. So I spent months looking for the perfect one. I also was determined to work daisies into the design. So once again we headed out to Docs. The fairy is part of a beautiful illustration for a children's book. I looked at that fairy for over a year to make sure she was the one. And yes, for me, she's perfect. Doc, in his infinite artistic wisdom thought the mountain and clouds would give the scene some perspective. And he was right. I love the little background he added.

Then, last summer I decided to get my phoenix. I was burned when I was young and had to have skin grafts. To most people they aren't noticeable but to me some days it is all I see. So, I wanted to put something beautiful there. And I decided that a phoenix was perfect. Rising from the ashes to be reborn stronger and wiser. Much like a lot of the things we experience in life. I look at some of the things I have done and been through and I am proud of how far I have come. Now, grant you, I have had a very blessed life with a wonderful family always there to lean on. But some things we have to do, we have to face, alone. My divorce was the biggest one. But even something like moving to Minnesota was a huge change in my life. I took a leap of faith and a leap of heart that I was doing the right thing. I knew I loved Hubster with all my heart, he is my soul mate and best friend. But, still, I left behind my job, my friends, and my family to be with him. I went from being surrounded by safety and security to a complete unknown. But I never looked back, I never doubted what I was doing and I jumped, with eyes wide open. And so I marked those moments of my life with my phoenix.

So there you have it. My art. And the stories behind them.

We were given a half day on Tuesday so my 4th of July holiday got to start early. I met Girl J at the Mall of America for the semi-annual sale at Victoria’s Secret. I didn’t find much but when we moved on to DSW I found these:

Aren’t they fabulous????????

After our shopping trip I had to take Soc’s to the vet because he has been pulling out the fur along his back. At Dr. Skadorn’s office my cat is famous. Or maybe that is infamous. For one he’s crazy, for two he tends to have problems with crystals building up in his urinary tract, and for three, along with the crazy goes being high strung and very in need of routine. So apparently his new routine includes ripping out his fur. But the doc said we caught it plenty early. We are trying some non-invasive methods first to get him to stop. This includes coating his fur with bitter lime and putting a t-shirt on him. He hates the shirt so we are seeing if a bandana is enough to dissuade him. ***Note we are doing full blood work-up to rule out any physical problems he might be having just in case.

Our 4th of July was pretty quiet. They hubster worked on a new utility sink in the basement and I did random busy work around the house. I watched Good Night and Good Luck which was excellent. And I also watched most of Casanova. It was ok. Nothing to write home about.

Though we planned for a 4th of July in the basement we didn’t need it. Maybe all of the fireworks people have been setting off for the last two months helped, or maybe it was because the next day was a work day but the dogs were virtually unphased.

Of course timing couldn’t have been worse, I looked at the clock and got Lily and pups out about 9:15 to go potty, trying to get ahead of all the fireworks shows. But, as with the last time, as soon as Lily stepped outside our neighbors set off ALL their fireworks. But she did pretty good. I was proud of her.

We did start our Eureka marathon. It was fun. Nothing spectacular but good family together time.

And in closing here are the pictures I promised:

The Hubster's Back

Blurry picture of the dragon we just added

And then all of mine(in case you haven't seen them enough :-) )

Whole lotta nutt'n

So here it is again, cause I like it so much:
It's shiny cause it's covered in Tattoo Goo.

I have to take pic's of the hubsters back still and have him take one of the fairy on my back. I had her darkened a wee bit. He used a soft gray when he originally did it but the hubster thought it looked too faded and she didn't stand out enough so we had her darkened.

Yesterday while we were sitting in the living room reading both Caleb and Lily jumped up on the couch and went over to my dad for pets. All of us held our breath and slowly dad put his hand out and got to pet Caleb. I know it seems silly to get so excited but when he gets brave like that it really makes me feel good. I think the cuddling we are "forcing" on him is helping.

Here are some gratuitous cuteness pictures for you.


And finally a lil' meme:

Use ONE WORD for each answer.

Yourself: Lighthearted

Your Partner: Grumpy

Your Hair: Boring

Your Mother: Generous

Your Father: Hero

Your Favorite Item: I-pod

Your Dream Last Night: Weird

Your Favorite Drink: Coffee

Your Dream Car: Mini

Your Dream Home: Lakeside

The Room You Are In: Silent

Your Fear: Helplessness

Where You Want To Be In Ten Years: Loved

Who You Hung Out With Last Night: Parents

You’re Not: Ambitious

One of Your Wish List Items: Elliptical

The Last Thing You Did: Phone

You Are Wearing: Sandals

Your Favorite Weather: Warm

Your Favorite Book: Fiction

Last Thing You Ate: Powdered

Your Life: Content

Your Mood: Disappointed

Your Best Friend: Hubster

What Are You Thinking About Right Now: Hungry

Your Car: Subaru

What Are You Doing At The Moment: Hello!

Relationship Status: Blissful

What Is On Your TV: Darkness

What Is The Weather Like: Perfect

When Is The Last Time You Laughed: Morning

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO NETTIE
go wish her one!

Happy Tuesday

I'm back. I have a lot of blog reading to catch up on but I promise!

We had a marvelous long weekend. The trip to Wisconsin was wonderful. On the way there we came across a roll-over on 94 Westbound. (we were going east thank goodness) There was about a 3/4 mile back-up of cars and semi's. The poor people had been there since about 6:00 in the morning. We drove by about 8:00. They were outside of their cars, lawn chairs out if they had them. Getting to know their nearby "neighbors". Then for about 10 miles it was eerie emptiness. The highway patrol had detoured traffic off 94 so the West bound highway was completely empty. Once we got to the detour point the traffic was backed up for miles. It was incredible!

Doc's was a lot of fun. Dad didn't get his tattoo :-( I say again :-( but we couldn't pressure him, it's too personal and too permanent. I however have a giant tattoo on my leg. And the hubster has a new dragon, a moon, and clouds on his back. I owe ya'll pictures of his back. My bad.

Then Saturday we went to Alexis Bailey vineyards for our little party. It was PERFECT! Good food, good wine, great family and friends. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect afternoon. The harp player was excellent.

Sunday was Father's Day. We took my dad and the hubster's dad to a chinese buffet. (My dad's favorite thing in the world). It was a lot of fun.

Monday I took them to a local place for breakfast and then we went back to Barnes and Noble. Dad loved that they had a big used book section so he wanted to browse it again. Then I took them to a marvelous little used bookstore called Sixth Chamber on Grand Avenue. It's about the cleanest and best smelling used bookstore I have EVER been in.

I finished The Historian. It was a terrific book. And yesterday afternoon I started "the Darwin Conspiracy" by John Darnton. I am more than half way through already. It's wonderful.

Oh, sorry, I bet you are waiting for pictures: This is actually a show so the pictures change as you watch it. Or you can click somewhere on the box and it will take you to the site.



Enjoy!

My Sunday Best

Sunday was one of those perfect days. I sell my jewelry at craft shows Oct., Nov., and Dec. And I needed to make some stuff. One of the requests I get every year is more earrings. So I made a bunch. But it’s slow work and not my favorite thing to make. So to combat that I loaded up the DVD player. And throughout the course of the day I inundated myself in chick flicks. A full day of romantic comedies. Here’s what I watched:

While you were sleeping
Love Actually
Two Weeks Notice
Bridget Jones
Bridget Jones #2
Someone like you

Yep, all in one day. Starting at around 9 and going till after 10 last night.

I stopped only to run to the grocery store and mow the lawn. Oh, and to watch the Simpsons.

5 days till the Hubster is home.

To top off a really nice weekend I found out something that made me smile just a little bit. A long time ago someone had said something very hurtful to me. Without going into a lot of detail I was smugly satisfied to hear that the Karma Cow came through for me. And got that person back. I love the Karma Cow. The Karma Cow works in mysterious ways………………..






On another note Here are pictures of my intended tattoo. I am going to have the idea of the swirly smokey bird pictured left. But the bird looks too robin like, I want it to be more eagle looking as pictured below:

It's your vote dear readers

We met Cora on Wednesday night. She's a sweetheart. Sophie seemed to like her. Though lil Cora was too scared to do much but sit and flinch.

Because we didn't just want our hearts to do the thinking we told her foster mom we needed to think about her and we would call her as soon as she was back from vacation. Which is next Tuesday.

The hubster and I discussed what we thought and we both really like her and want to adopt her. Yeah, like ya'll didn't see that one coming. So, I was telling the hubster the names I had picked out and also the preliminary input from any bloggers. He said that I should throw the two final choices out there and let ya'll choose.

So, you vote dear reader.
Your choices are:
Chloe
Phoebe


I will probably be bringing her home Tuesday afternoon. So, you have till then to cast your vote.

Today the hubster and I went back to Doc's tatoo in Medford Wisconsin. He just about finished up the hubsters back. He got a magic using babe and an archer added to his dragon scene. He also got some rocky cliffs and background added. Oh, and most importantly, the end of the dragon's tail. You can see the pictures Colin Firth is pretty damn yummy. I am not sure just what it is about him..........

Anywho, let me know which name you like more.

So long and thanks for all the fish