#8

This past weekend, tattoo #8 happened. I made the appointment SO many months ago (which is what happens when you have the best tattoo guy in the land...he books up quick) and the day finally arrived!

I had prepared myself for the hours and hours sitting that this next tat would entail...Thad (that's my dude) called the night before to confirm some stuff but first played the jokester and said he had to cancel the appointment. Not cool dude. All was good and I was ready.

This round would be a doozy...4 hours or so but worth every second. My long term plan (like years and years and years) is to complete a half sleeve on my left upper arm. I don't have a specific plan for how this will come together....as ideas come, so it will be.

I knew, however, that every sleeve should for sure include some classically drawn flowers. I like pink, I like flowers. They are beautiful. That's about as deep a meaning I have to offer for the choosing of #8.

Here we go:

Boom...I think it's my favorite so far! Currently in process of healing...it will look even more amazing in a few weeks. In the meantime, lots of lotion, sleeping on my right side and shedding of colorful skin chunks (bahahaha....I know that's super gross...but that's what happens...just keepin it real).

'So, what's your plan for tattoo #9?' I'm glad you asked.

I have yet to represent my loving/wonderful mommy and daddy somewhere on this human canvas....something I have wanted but had yet to be inspired with a worthy subject matter.

I asked my mama for some ideas and she suggested a chocolate chip cookie. This is genius because she is a cookie baker by trade and my dad has never met a cookie he didn't like...hilarious. Alas, a cookie tattoo would most likely look like a large mole or questionable skin condition. The idea search continued.

Then it came to me. All my young life, there was a set of wooden carved wings hanging above a doorway. I always liked them. My mom told me that the wings were their first wedding present- hand carved by a friend. I also (in the recent past) may or may not have staked my claim on said wings with a post it note stuck to the back where I wrote 'Dharma wants these someday'. The note may have been dated and parents initials possibly involved...the details are fuzzy.

When I bought my house this summer, mama gifted me with the wings to hang over my door. Wow!

A perfect representation of my parents and a wonderful memory from my childhood. Done deal.

I have an appointment scheduled for early June, can't wait for #9.