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Wellington, New Zealand
welcome to my corner of the blog world! i love step, boxing, zumba, scrapbooking, photography, watching movies, walking the hills of my suburb, my family, and life in wellington. take some time to have a look around and be sure to say hi!

Friday, December 19, 2008

photostory friday - no i'm not having a mid-life crisis

i know what you're thinking:

purple hair one day, tattoo the next...

she's having a mid-life crisis!


if you've been following my blog, you will know that i change my hair colour EVERY TIME i get it cut!

...and as for the tattoo, i was actually going to get one when i turned 40, but the younger girls were only 5 and 6 at the time. my days were pretty intense and i just never got around to it.

feel free to ask me about it; but here's a little Q&A to get you started:

Q: what does your tattoo mean?
A: i was named for my grandmother rosina, who has been gone for 9 years. i still miss her every day. my middle name is rose. the 4 leaves are for my girls, and of course the "S" is for me! miss 19 actually designed the whole thing. she was so psyched to see it come to life.

she has been talking about getting one ever since i booked mine (3 months ago), but i came home and told her she couldn't hack the pain! (she has a very low pain threshold)

Q: what does it feel like?
A: like someone is colouring in on your skin with a small, yet very sharp chisel

Q: how long did it take?
A: 45 minutes

Q: how much did it cost?
A: $130 - which i happen to think is REALLY good value for money!

Q: did it hurt?
A: yes, but i have a very high pain threshold. birthed 4 girls with no pain relief. i was reading and chatting and texting all through the tattoo. manu (the tattooist) said i was 'tough' and i'll take that!

Q: is it hygienic?
A: totally. it almost took longer to set up than to do the actual tattoo

Q: where is it on your body exactly?
A: on the inside of my right ankle. the angle wasn't great. once it's healed, i'll get someone to take a better pic.

oh, i've left most of the pics full size for the really curious!

he has this very clever little machine that looks like a laminator that produces a 'film' that he places on my leg, then simply starts 'colouring'!

KIDDING!!!!!



PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

85 comments:

Anonymous said...

nice design and tattoo Sue. I always find it funny when people notice them (the reaction varies from shock. "you have a tattoo" to "how cool") it always makes me giggle. There seems to still be a perception out there that nice girls do not get them.......lol....don;t even get me started on that.

Daryl said...

Fabulous .. I want one but I know I am too big a wuss ... I think I will stick to the faux tatts that wear off or get a henna one ..

gigi said...

Well Merry Christmas to you! What gift! You are one Scrappy lady for sure. I could never handle the pain. You are very brave.

Anonymous said...

Sue I will take your word on the whole process as I know I will never do it. Needles and I do not mix. Glad it has special meaning for you. Cool that your girl designed it.

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Dude. You rocketh.

Janette said...

Nice Tat Sue. Love your purple hair too. You are too cute. =)

The Mom Jen said...

Looks fantastic, very cool, love the story behind it!

If it's a mid life crisis, then i've had two!! I have two tats that i've gotten both after the age of 30 and i'm itching for a third!

Keep in touch! ;)

Anonymous said...

Way to go, miss 19 - it's lovely. You have such a talented bunch there!

Anonymous said...

Mid-life crisis or not, it's very cool. Neat too how it's been designed by one of your own - very spesh.

Michelle said...

I love to hear stories behind tattoos. The one you have is very pretty.

Unknown said...

Love your tattoo.

the mama bird diaries said...

Girl, you are edgy and cool. You must be one rockin' mom.

Chris said...

I dig the fact that your daughter designed it. That is very cool.
I could not take the pain.
Purple hair...maybe

MomOf4 said...

This is a really pretty tatoo! It does seem like it would be pretty painful, but the end result was really neat!

tiarastantrums said...

awesome - and in one of the most painful spots - it really is a gorgeous one!! Love the meaning behind it!

Pam Emmons said...

Good for you!

Debbie in CA : ) said...

Wow! A tattoo tutorial. Interesting stuff. Thanks for sharing. : D

Anonymous said...

love the design that your daughter came up with and good on you for documenting it on film!!!

Undercover Mother said...

You are my second big-girl friend that has gotten a tattoo recently. I have been dying to get one for ages. Hubby doesn't like them (he has three), but, at the same time, isn't standing in my way either.

I also wish I was 20 years younger, because I have decided I would totally go Goth. I've been wearing the combat boots for years already. At this point, I'd just look strange.

It's beautiful and you go, girl!

auntiegwen said...

So so cool, i love having Mendhi on my foor but like I said in the email, I'm a big wussy wuss

MomOf4 said...

Thank you for your kind words on my baby blog! It might be fun to have a Christmas baby! :) Have a great day!

Pam said...

Great looking tattoo! I got mine when I was 47 (I'll be 54 tomorrow). Mine is tiny and I did think it hurt a bit - but still glad I did it. My daughter and I got them together - my mom paid for them. It was a great time! Once you pass the age of 40 you should feel free to do whatever you want! Now that I'm not frightened by needles I'm loving Botox and Restalyne as well!

Mean Mom said...

That's a very tasteful tattoo. Nothing like my son's tattoos, fortunately. He has an eyebrow ring, too...... ;0)

tommie said...

Very nice! I have always wanted a tattoo...but can barely handle it when I get a paper cut. I don't think I would be a good candidate!

Thanks for visiting my story.

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

WoW you go girl! I'm way to big a wimp for that! Looks cool!

CC said...

OWWW!!! I'm in so much pain just looking at those pics. I'm a total whimp. I should have invested in Advil stock long, long ago.

imbeingheldhostage said...

You are living life!! Nice tat and fun PSF! Happy Christmas to you if I don't get back before then:-)

Tres Chic Boutique said...

OUCH!!! I have never had one, but I have heard. You are brave!

Rachel said...

It looks great!! I love that there is symbolic meaning behind it. I hate when people just get tattoos without any reason behind them.

(now, after seeing your pics. . . I want another one!!!!)

Unknown said...

I love it! Thanx for sending me the link! My husband took photos of me getting mine done to. :)

Angelia Sims said...

Wow! Awesome! I love the meaning behind it. Great design.

Brandi said...

You are definitely braver than I am. It's a beautiful tattoo and it's wonderful story.

Crystal Escobar said...

haha, fun! I almost got one when I was 19, but chickened out right before they started setting it all up for me.

theUngourmet said...

I have a tattoo and both my ankle and my back and you are so right, it sure does feel like a chisel!!

It's such a nice design and I love the colors in it!

Just Lisa said...

I like! I especially dig all the symbolism!

tattytiara said...

Ha! Great pain face!

cat said...

Beautiful tattoo - love that last picture!

Maria said...

What a daring woman you are! Good on you!

karen, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry" said...

The meaning of your tattoo is super cool! I was glad to see it is on your ankle; at the first picture I thought it was on your back real big!

Congrats on your SITS day!

Elizabeth D. said...

Love that last picture, totally made me smile! I needed that this morning! :)

Lori P said...

Ouch! In my book, you're a very brave lady. I love your short hair and hold you in high esteem for getting it colored every time. Mine always seem to be disasters.

Nice to meet you and congrats for being picked!

Lori
http://whatsafter29.blogspot.com

Annie @ astonesthrowfrominsanity said...

I may have to consider the differing colors now that I am going grey here and there. Thus far I have resorted to taking a sharpie marker to color out my greys. The tat rocks!

Anonymous said...

Your tattoo and hair are great. I have one very old, tattoo. I was such a puss...it hurt like hell. I need to get over it though, b/c my kids would like it if we all got matching tats. Clovers. We shall see.

I just can't believe you got yours on the inside of your ankle; that is such tender meat and hurts x10 I've heard.

You rock.

mom2kmjx2 said...

I have 2 tattoos. one on my ankle of Tweety. I just got one last May on my back Of my Kids' name with flowers in thier birthday colors. I love it. I don't think tattos are very painful, but thats just me.

Melissa said...

Wow, this post shows a whole different side of you. You are one tough scrappin' mama!

Jen said...

that's an awesome tattoo.

Unknown said...

That's really a very pretty tattoo and knowing that your daughter designed it makes it all the prettier.

Louise | Italy said...

Lovely tattoo. And nice that it really means something.

Anonymous said...

I love that Miss 20 designed the tattoo. She's very talented.

Unknown said...

Hi again!
1. I love that your daughter designed your tattoo!
2. My daughter's middle name is Rose, I love it.
3. All three of my children were born without pain meds or interventions (you go girl!)

Mommie Daze (Colleen) said...

I'm a wimp. I don't think I could ever get a tattoo. I did get my belly button pierced in college.

Joann Mannix said...

What a beautiful tattoo! So pretty and feminine. You New Zealander's must be tough chicks. No pain meds during birth! I didn't have any for my last child, but that's just because I didn't get to the hospital in time. Screw the epidural. I could have used a few shots, or more than a few, of vodka!

Love your hair. I, too, am a mom in my 40's. I have what you would call here in the states, a pixie cut-very short. And I color it platinum blonde. Bring on middle age, I say, I'll show you how it's done. Rock on, sista! Love your blog!

Katherine said...

I loooove tattoos, and yours is GORGEOUS! Very feminine! They're totally addicting though... have you gotten anymore since then?

pixielation said...

I love your tattoo. I am getting a third one, and I am about to turn 40, so I am going to make it my 40th present to myself. My hubby hates the two I already have, so he doesn't want me to get another one.

Lisa said...

Lovely tattoo! My mother, sister, and I all got matching ones for a "bonding" experience, so I am a big fan :)

Wendy (The Local Cook) said...

Happy SITS day! Love the tat!

Just A Normal Mom said...

Congrats on the tat! I wanted one when I turned 40 two years ago, but I don't think I could hack the pain, either. I'm a big wimp!
Enjoy your SITS day!
***Ally

Marie said...

Great tattoo and I love the symbolism of it as well.

I got my one and only tattoo on my last day of 39 in Nuku Hiva. It's small and the process lasted maybe 10 minutes but to me felt like an hour, it hurt sooo bad, but as soon as they stopped it didn't hurt and there was no pain in healing either. I am really glad I got it. :)

Date Girl said...

I could never do it myself but good for you! I love the purple hair too. I've always wanted to go to New Zealand...seems like a beautiful place to live.
Happy Sits day!

Jenny Brown said...

You're too funny.....I wanna get a tattoo, but I keep putting if off! (Love the hair!) :):)

Helene said...

I don't think it's a mid-life crisis at all...it's just you keeping up with the times!!!

The tattoo came out really well..I'm too much of a wimp to get one myself!

The Italian Mama said...

I have been wanting a tattoo for so long, but I am a giant chicken. Plus I can't decide on what I want. I love the meaning behind yours and since it was made by one of your girls that makes it so much more special.

ConnieFoggles said...

You really put a lot of thought into your tattoo. Love the design and the way it came out. Enjoy and keep being you!

Skooks said...

I don't think I could ever commit to a tattoo. I love the story of yours though!

Heather said...

Well done! And it's so great that your daugher designed it. It's gorgeous.

Stopping by from SITS.

Unknown said...

There's just so much AWESOME in this..I love that every bit has meaning, and even more than your daughter designed it!

I don't have a tat yet, but I'll be getting one, hopefully this year. Mine too has meaning in all of it, and hubby designed it :)

Kearsie said...

I told my husband I really wanted a tattoo. He told me if I did it had to have his name in it.

So I'm planning to get one that says Lance Was Here.

It's a good thing his name is Lance, otherwise I'd have to find some other random name. Preferrably a shorter name, like Bob. I'm not fond of pain.

Unknown said...

Very beautiful and meaningful tattoo! I love it. Happy SITS day!

Unknown said...

You are a brave woman! Don't think I could handle the process!
I had two natural childbirths too, but only because I hate needles and they couldn't even get an IV in me!

Judy@grammyreads.com said...

Way to rock it, girl!

Randa Derkson said...

Looks great! Stopping by from SITS

Rachel Lundy said...

Interesting! You are one tough lady. I love your face in the last photo!

Jill said...

LOVE the tattoo...have a few myself, started when I was 35!

Anonymous said...

I couldn't take the pain!

Good for you. It's beautiful, and I love the symbolism behind it. Your daughter is a talented designer.

Anonymous said...

I couldn't take the pain!

Good for you. It's beautiful, and I love the symbolism behind it. Your daughter is a talented designer.

KimMalk said...

Your crazy! ;) (You know, in a fun way...)

Kris said...

I have 7 tattoos! All of them can be hidden with pants and a tank top. I want a new one on my foot but haven't found the right one yet

Kelly Jo @Typing One Handed said...

Happy SITS day, congrats!
I have one tiny, hidden tattoo. I want another one, but I don't know what, or where! I LOVE yours, your daughter did a beautiful design!

Andrea said...

I love the meaning behind the tattoo! It's lovely. I love the purple hair too. You are rockin' it!

Lorri S said...

It is pretty! I have thought about getting one several times but that's all.

Lourie said...

You are far braver than I! I am a big baby when it comes to pain. That is why I had 3 epidurals. ;) Cool story how the tat came to be.

Stopping by from SITS. Happy SITS day!

Sara Plays House said...

I want a flower tattoo! I have plans to get the girls' birth month flowers tattooed on my shoulder some day. Just gotta get around to it!
P.S. LOVE that hair color!

Eileen said...

First~ I love the meaning of your tattoo! Second~ You are too darn cute! Third~ This is why I'm so happy I just subscribed to you!! Happy Happy SITS Day {I'm happy for me, too! lol!} I would love...a tattoo of a little blue bird on my hip... :)

MariahSmile said...

your daughter is very talented! the tattoo is beautiful!

Kim said...

I love tattoos that have meaning behind them. It makes them seem so much less scary to me. The scary part being that they are permanent. But how do you regret putting something on you that represents yourself, your daughters, and your grandmother?! And even better your daughter designed it! It looks fabulous! I wish I had the courage to get a tattoo or even an idea of what to get! :)