Tattoo You (or, ME for that matter)

Until I turned 40, my body was free of tattoos. The only mark I had on my body was a big old scar on the inside of my left ankle. (that's a whole 'nother blog) And, then, all of a sudden, I turned 40 and started my mid-life crisis. (In case you are wondering, it's still going...)

The hardest part to me was deciding what I wanted. Obviously no names. (I'm divorced twice, so I didn't trust names!) I'm not the "MOM" kind of tattoo person. And, as much as I love pin up girls, I didn't think I was the right canvas. So, I had to think of what meant a lot to me. When I did that, it was a no brainer---I'm a huge Dave Matthews fan, so I started to think along those lines. (again, my obsession with Dave is a blog waiting to happen) I finally decided on the Fire Dancer; a sketch by Dave himself. I had it put on my upper right shoulder. Mel asked me if it hurt. This one didn't hurt. I was so excited to have it done, and I felt so bold. I love it to this day. It will always remind me of my decision to live my life rather than watch it pass me by.

Once I had a tattoo, the bug bit me. Everyone says once you get one, you want another. So true! It wasn't long after my first one that I had to have another. I didn't think this one out as much, and thus came up with a design that really didn't mean much to me. I have this one on my lower back (also known to some as the "tramp stamp" ) Mel, THIS ONE HURT. It didn't take as long as my first tattoo, but yowza mama, it hurt. Again, I felt very bold for getting a tattoo, but I don't like this one anymore. It's not centered properly, I don't have an emotional attachment to it, and I wish I had something else there. I do like the swirls. Ah, looking at this picture, it's not all that bad. :-)

And, then, last summer, I got my third tattoo. We were in St. Louis and I went with my good friend, Rose, her daughter, my daughter, and their friends. We went to an old tattoo shop in St. Louis and an old man tattooed the back of my neck. It only took about 10 minutes and didn't even make me blink Mel! And, I LOVE this one. It speaks for me. Most people see it as what I intended, a sign of PEACE. I've only had one misinterpretation: a four year old boy asked me, "Why you got that steering wheel on the back of your neck?"

My Weekend In a Nutshell

My weekend was here, there and everywhere. I'm a little tired, so the thought of creating paragraphs is a bit daunting right now. Please excuse the bullets and lack of continuity!

• We went to a wedding on Saturday, that could only be described as lovely. The bride and groom are young, beautiful, smart, kind, and have their whole life ahead of them. They married at an old plantation home, surrounded by mature oak trees, a corn field, and some noisy crickets. It was just lovely.


• Steven was the photographer for the wedding. It is so wonderful to watch him work in this situation. He was all over the place taking pictures; he said he took close to 2000 pictures between the rehearsal and the wedding. (This means many nights of editing, which means many nights of blogging for me!) I'm very proud of him and the gift he can give to others on their special day.


• We stayed at the Hampton Inn. I love the Hampton Inn. They always have a shower curtain that makes the bath/shower area feel larger than it really is. For a claustrophobic like me, this is a great thing.


• Steven got a new tattoo this weekend. Last year, he shot a wedding and payment was a tattoo instead of cash-ola. So, he finally was "paid" this weekend. We were at the shop for five hours and it was finished fifteen minutes before Steven was due to be taking pictures. My stress level was through the roof. But, the tattoo looks great, and we made it there on time. Whew!


• I'm always so glad to get back home from a road trip. I love my bed and I love a Sunday afternoon nap. (or any day's nap, for that matter!!)


• I'm so darn excited about this week: NOTHING IS PLANNED. There are no hair appointments, nail appointments, doctor's appointments, funerals, weddings, vet visits, mid-week dinner outings, or anything else!!! The weekend is another story (more on that later---) but for now, the week is fancy freeeeeeee!


• I want another tattoo. Seeing Steven get one just makes me hanker for one! I know what I want (my kid's names) so now it's just doing it. Oh, and the time and the money.


• I met a really nice older lady at the wedding. She was leaving and I assisted her to her car. She called me her angel. I told her that I thought she was mine. I do love older people.


• It was so hot at the wedding. (think outdoor wedding in late July in the south) I was running around helping Steven with photos, wearing an uncomfortable dress, sweating, thighs chafing and flat out miserable. After the wedding, I had a very cold beer, and it was honestly the best tasting beer I'd had in a long time. I also had the best shower ever, following the night's activities. I love experiencing "BESTS."


• I'm very happy to be home, sitting on my couch, listening to Law and Order, Steven playing chess next to me, and all the animals content.

Life is good.

A question that has kept me up nights

WHY is it that bug bites itch so darn much in the middle of the night?

Single Minded

This is the nose of my dog, Rockett. She is the biggest baby in the house. We adopted her from the SPCA almost four years ago. Right now, she's sitting on the bed with me, her bone is between her front paws.

She may seem content when you look at her, but she's keeping an ear open for the magical moment when it's time for her WALK. We can't speak this word aloud, as she goes crazy when she hears it. Steven is very good about taking her for a "W" every morning and evening. He likes to take her when it's dark outside, so all through the evening, she waits and waits and waits for it to get dark. (the long summer evenings are killing her!)

Her leash hangs on a coat rack just near our front door. She looks at it all day long. She will sneak glances with hopes that one of these times, she'll get an "unscheduled" walk. If Steven lingers a bit too long, she will remind him, via lick or bark, that it's time. Then finally, it's time!! Happy dog happy dog happy dog!! And, when she walks, she sniffs and sniffs and sniffs. She does her three legged squat to pee. When things are really good, she runs into her canine friend, Eddie, and they sniff each other, then resume their walks.

This is truly all she lives for. Food? No big deal. Snuggles? Pretty good. Squirrels in the back yard? Entertainment and frustration.

But those walks? Her one true thing.

(Thanks to Steven for the pictures and the oh-so-wise suggestion to change the title of my blog to, "Just a Bunch of Poo. Awwww.)

Red Rover Red Rover

Happy Saturday Evening fellow bloggers. I'm in my usual position on the couch, thus the picture of my feet, the coffee table and the hairy rug. Thanks so much to Angie for giving me a ready made post for a weekend evening! I love these surveys, tags, or whatever they're called.

1. What is your current obsession? Blogs and Facebook.

.2. What is your weirdest obsession? Having plenty of toilet paper on hand. If we get below 10 rolls in the house, I start to panic.

3. Recall a fond childhood memory? Spending Friday nights at my Grandma Jamieson's house and sleeping in the room with the angel wallpaper.

4. What’s for dinner? I had two beef tacos and some cheese dip from La Hacienda. (and a couple Dos Equis!)

5. What would you eat for your last meal? Hm. Probably a filet, corn on the cob, fresh tomatoes with loads of salt and pepper and some mashed potatoes with loads of butter. Oh, and some fresh bread and ice cold water.

6. What’s the last thing you bought? Besides food or something for others? A dress for Will and Bri's wedding next weekend.

7. What are you listening to right now? Top Chef Masters is on Bravo. I like the regular series so much better. Give me my Padma!

8. What do you think of the person who tagged you? I love me some Angie. I found her blog while randomly perusing blogs. She made me laugh. Then, I followed her blog and twitter throughout the Memphis Tigers' basketball season. I fell in love with her, her blog, her life, her sister, her kids, her dog! I enjoy having her be a part of my life each and every day! And, she always supports my life one way or another.

9. If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished house, anywhere in the world, where would it be? The mountains just outside Bryson City, North Carolina.

10. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? St. Croix, overlooking Buck Island.

11. Which language do you want to learn? Well, since it looks like we might be going to Portugal in September, I'm thinking Portugese. Prior to that, I would have said Italian. I love the way it sounds.

12. What’s your favorite quote (for now) "Where there's a will there's a way."

13.What is your favorite colour? Red (btw, I got my new red camera!!!)

14. What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe? I'm with Angie, totally pajama pants.

15. What is your dream job? Working with a non profit, such as SPCA, or some kind of group with older people.

16.What’s your favorite magazine? hm. 442? A soccer mag. (oops, "football") I do also love me some PEOPLE. Also, the old ones: Ladies Home Journal, Redbook, Good Housekeeping!

17. If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on? I'm looking for a new red purse. Well, actually, it's last year's Roxy red purse.

18. Describe your personal style? Casual Bohemian

19. What are you going to do after this? Read my favorite blogs.

20. What are your favorite films? Shawshank Redemption, 16 Candles, Forrest Gump, The Godfather, Steel Magnolias, Beauty and the Beast

21. What’s your favorite fruit? Peaches or strawberries.

22.What inspires you? People who overcome adversity, the human spirit, and my friend, Anjeanette.

23. Your favorite books? All Harry Potter. YaYa Sisterhood. The Book of Joe.

24. Do you collect anything?Not really. I wish I did! Maybe I should collect diamonds??

25. Any advice from bitter experience? I think the best thing for all of us is to let go of the bitter and just keep moving forward.

26. What makes you follow a blog? When I read it, if it touches me and I feel close to the author, I want to continue reading to see how their life is going. I care very easily about my blogging friends.

And now.... I tag....

Mel (or Pam!)

Jan

Sherrie

Dusti

How to Celebrate

I am now going to make the most profound statement of my life: Funerals suck.

We lost a dear friend last Friday, and the weekend was filled with sadness, funeral preparations, casseroles, ham, visitation, story telling, the funeral, the burial with full military honors. Through all this you feel like you're walking on eggshells. You watch people's hearts break right before your eyes. You sit there in shock as someone you love and respect is blessed and buried.

Then, like all good Southerners, you go to the family's house to eat.

But then, something very good happened. People went in the pool. Kids started swimming and splashing. Music was playing. Cold beer was drunk. And all of a sudden, smiles reappeared. We all realized we were doing exactly what Gary would have wanted us to do. We were celebrating. We were celebrating a wonderful life and a wonderful man. We were celebrating that we were all there together. For those few hours we were all together and lifting up the other.

And for some reason, every good celebration must have a Belly Flop Contest.

Hugs were everywhere.

And grandkids posed with their best style.

Old friends reunited.

Newlyweds carried on.

Some people even showed off.

And some people went ALL out to bring joy to the masses.

Sure, there were plenty of moments of intense sorrow---



But for this one afternoon, they passed quickly,

And the celebration was back.

With love to the Wombwell Family. xxx

Under Cover

I've decided I do not like the "under cover" plot device. I've watched many a show where the main character goes undercover to solve a mystery, a crime, or whatnot. I never enjoy these episodes, even during my favorite show, "Law and Order: Criminal Intent."

These shows stress me out, as the main character always ends up in danger, or doing something evil. Their "real" friends are concerned, as they think something has gone awry. They people they're trying to fool always catch on at a critical moment. When drugs are involved, it seems the person always ends up on drugs!! Everyone is stressed. This stresses me.

I especially hate the story lines when someone pretends to be crazy to go into an insane asylum to solve the crime. They are just one step away from being put there permanently. What if it doesn't work out? What if they forget about their cohort being undercover and leave them there? It give me an elevated heart beat just thinking about it.

It's just too stressful for me to watch. I have enough of that in my own life, thank you very much!!!

I'll just change the channel to Top Model. That doesn't stress me at all. :-)

No Exit

See this sucker? He and I are going to be the end of each other one day.

This little guy sits right outside my office. He came with the building. I think the building was built in the 1950's.

Yes, I know this little cherub is required by law and is intended for safety and to save my life in case of fire. But, honestly? I think he may be aging me quicker than normal.

I'm sure you're wondering just how a simple EXIT sign can drive a woman crazy. Well, this is not your everyday, normal, run of the mill sign. This thing is alive.

It talks to me. When I come up the stairs in the morning, it's talking. It sounds like there's a bad connection and it's about to blow. It hums at me, but not musically. There are times it seems like it's yelling at me. At times, I would swear he is laughing at me with his loud raucous off kilter buzz. He has a personality; sometimes I swear he knows when I've just sat down and starts yakking. And, since it is connected to the ceiling, and I am only 5'3", this presents a conundrum. Luckily, I have a softball bat in the corner of my office. I am forced to press the black reset button AT LEAST five times a day. If anyone walks by my office and EXIT is talking, they are trained to shut him up. (again, via the bat)

I'm starting to think he's real. He actually was respectful as we watched the Michael Jackson memorial.

But don't worry, he's back to his normal tricks now. Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

PS: Rest in Peace Gary Wombwell. We will miss you dearly.

Things I'm Loving Right Now (Summer Version)

Believe it or not, I'm feeling very positive on a Monday! Here's some things bringing a smile to my face:

The color RED. I've decided I'm going through my red period. I'm currently on the lookout for a red purse and I'm yearning for a red Canon camera.

OPI nail polish. My current color of choice is, "Grape Wall of China." Prior to this, I was wearing, "The Lifeguard Makes Me Blush." What great names for purple and pink!

The Simpsons. Watching it still makes me giggle.

Heirloom Tomatoes. Salt and Pepper. Delicious!

My new toothbrush that has the little rough things on it that "clean" your cheeks. It tickles!

Dizzee Rascal's song, "Bonkers." Listen to it, I promise, you'll feel like dancing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci40ae8BlcE

Dr. G, Medical Examiner. LOVE HER.

Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood. (Thanks Pam, or Mel) :-)

Afternoon thunderstorms.

Reading my daughter's blog, and the fact that she's writing a blog.

Pioneer Woman Hamburgers.

Garnier "Skin Renew" Anti-Puff Eye Roller. It feels so cool on your under eye skin. Ahhhhhhhh.

My Blogging Buddies. I enjoy reading about their lives, their joys, their challenges, their children, their triumphs and tragedies.

Harry Potter is just around the corner. Need I say more?

My new Timex watch from Target, black plastic band and white face.

Reconnecting with elementary school friends via Facebook. We are all thirty years older, but no one feels it. (or looks it!)

Rockett's stinky feet.

***What are you enjoying this summer????

MOST Important Question, EVER!!

Is there a comfortable bra on this earth?

I read the Obits

Everyday at lunchtime, I read the local paper, online. One of my favorite things is to read the obituaries. Sometimes, it's sad (young kids, or tragic accidents) but most times, they read as true celebrations. I love it when they add detail about the decedent's life, and when you feel like you know the person after reading it. I've read some great ones over the years, but this one I came across today may just take the cake. If I could be HALF the woman this woman was, I'd say I lived a great life. And, that part about the tomatoes? LOVE IT.

God bless you Ms. Nadel, I wish I had met you while you were on this earth .

Ruthe Galler Nadel CHARLESTON - Ruthe Galler Nadel, widow of Eli M. Nadel, of Charleston, died from cancer, Sunday June 28. She will be deeply missed and always loved by her children: Eric Nadel (Heather Nadel), Jim Nadel (Elizabeth Finlayson), Amy Nadel Romanczuk (Alan Romanczuk), by her grandchildren: Alex Romanczuk, Joby Nadel and Marie (Robert) Haynes, her great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Ruthe was the eldest child of Ada and Avram Galler, born on New York's lower East Side and raised in Brooklyn, in a Yiddish-speaking family. She met her future husband July 4th weekend 1937, over a game of ping pong. He won both the game and her heart. They married in 1941, and lived in New York City, Washington, DC, St Louis and Charleston. She remained devoted to him until her death. Ruthe received her Bachelors of Science from Brooklyn College (1941). She was a teaching assistant for Abraham Maslow and a member of the Scientific Research Society, Sigma Xi. During the war years, she planted victory gardens, walked the Brooklyn Bridge with Eli, received her Masters of Science from Massachusetts State College (1943) and was one of the first women in the field of Bacteriology. She began to lose her hearing in the 1940's from otosclerosis and in 1960, experienced the first symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. Disability colored her world, but did not daunt her remarkable spirit. She found ways to contribute as a scientist and researcher or through volunteer and community activity. Though virtually deaf, her love for music never waned. Her mobility declined, but she fought to stay active. She was a member of the Ethical Society for over 50 years. Her beloved Eli died in St Louis in 1981. Earlier, at the Medical University of SC, he initiated plans to start a Cancer Center (now Hollings Cancer Center) where this past year his widow received excellent care for her Breast Cancer. She returned to Charleston when her first grandson was born, bringing together three generations in one household. She went yearly to the Stanford Jazz Workshop and became the darling of jazz greats such as Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, James Moody and Tootie Heath. She was a familiar sight zipping about on her mobility scooter, bright orange flag waving behind. Books were always a passion, expressed as a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, and of Friends of the Library; as a National Library of Medicine librarian; and as a habitual browser in used bookstores. At the age of 82, she joined BookCrossing, a book lovers website, where her zest for life brought her admirers from around the world. In her life, she loved one man, cherished her children, and adored her grandchildren. She re-read Jane Austen yearly, delighted in fresh tomatoes straight off the vine, gardening, and nature. She won hearts around the world with her spirit, wit, courage and humor. One of her last wishes was to know that she made a difference in the world. To the hundreds who reached out when the severity of her illness became apparent, know that you made her world brighter. Her family thanks you. Celebrations of Ruthe's life will be held later in Charleston, San Francisco Bay Area and online. To be notified of these events, e-mail bummala@gmail.com. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions in memory of Ruthe Nadel to the Stanford Jazz Workshop, P.O. Box 20454, Stanford, CA 94309; or to Hospice of Charleston, 3870 Leeds Avenue, Suite 101, North Charleston, SC 29405. Arrangements are being made through PALMETTO CREMATION SOCIETY, Charleston, SC.