Devious6

@oboogie - that is destined to be a classic. I love it!!

I've used Cocoa Butter, too......but my Labs love the smell and constantly try to lick it off my arm.

I apply Aveno once or twice a day to keep the skin soft and hydrated.

Welcome to the forum. My first is a wolf so I'm looking forward to seeing what you decide on. I'll be getting my next done in September - probably more of a traditional eagle/flag design.

I think it looks good, too! Mine has a lot of heavy black, too, and it took more than a month before I could really begin to gage the consistency of the fill. And, as good as my artists did, there were still a few areas he wanted to touch up. Relax and let it heal as @Dan says.

Welcome to the forum!!

Feisty...and honest.

The most frequent question I get when people see that I got my first tattoo is focused on the pain. "Did it hurt?" "How much did it hurt?" The answers to both are easy...but they really don't get to the root of the question people really want to ask - "How much pain would I feel if I got a tattoo?" In my case, the answers to the first two questions are No and Not at all since I never felt anything I would really call "pain." Scratching? Irritation? Yes. Pain? No. But, there's no way for me to answer the real question of how much would it hurt someone else since we all process pain differently. And, I also recognize that my tattoo is done on what is one of the least painful spots so my frame of reference is limited. Still, this comes from someone who once set a fractured bone in his own hand thinking it was a dislocation. My brother in law, the ER Doc, told me I set it as nicely a he would have...but he would have given me some Novocain first.

Friends are (insert appropriate word/phrase here such as God's, Buddah's, Life's, etc) way of apologizing for your family. @Gingerninja - you totally rock it. I love your confidence and your perspective. I'm not sure if I have mentioned this anywhere before - and I do so now only for perspective - but I was very close to the point of impact of the plane that hit the Pentagon on 9/11. Several times that day I stared death in the eyes and won. Any time you can find yourself included in a Smithsonian Museum exhibition...and be alive to see it...is a positive outcome.That experience, and other close calls I had while in the Army, gave me a totally new perspective on life, on my priorities and on my approach to others. I don't let others control me - but I also am more attune to other points of view. I may not agree, but I am much more tolerant and open to considering those viewpoints. I can't make everyone happy...but I CAN make myself happy. Life is about choices - we make them every day. Not all are right or good but as long as we are willing to accept the consequences of those choices then, it seems to me, that it is a correct way to go.

I'm 61 - and got my first tattoo 4 months ago. My mom, who is 83, loves it. Go figure. As much as we want to please our parents, in the end, we are wholly responsible for our own happiness. It seems that your husband is at peace with your choices and supportive. That is a sign of a very positive and healthy relationship. Your mom is clearly trying to bully you emotionally, to do as she wishes. It is a control issue. As you work though your reactions, though, only you can determine how much exerting your independence will impact the relationship with your mother and how comfortable you are with it. That, too, has an impact on your happiness. So, weigh it all out and do what makes you the most happy. No matter the choice, you will be doing what is right for you, not for her. Just $.02 from one of the older crowd here.

Ok, this almost made me squirt water out of my nose.

Welcome to the forum! I'm also a one tattooee right now and looking forward to my next this Fall.

Welcome to the forum!!

Such beautiful dogs here! I always love to see pictures of them. Keep them coming! Lynn took this picture of me sleeping a few nights ago. Her side of the bed - empty. My side - me crammed in with our two Labs.

Nice!

Welcome to the group!

Ugh. Have you talked with a labor attorney? You are in a protected class and a decent attorney should get you some amount of severance. The going amount is 1 week for every year of employment - sometimes more. And, you can COBRA your healthcare.

@Dan Sorry to hear that, Dan! Have any plans for now? Hopefully, they are giving you a good severance package.

This is how we beat the heat. Pool temp yesterday was 90 F without the heater turned on - all heated by the sun.

You can keep our winter down there if you'd like! We lived in northern VA for about 8 years and rarely used the AC in our house. We didn't put any central air or forced air heating in the house when we built it - our heating is all radiant heating with lines embedded in lightweight concrete under our floors. It is amazing - clean and constant. The only downside is that you can't just walk in and turn the thermostat up if you're cold. It takes a while to push the temp up. But, that's why they made sweatshirts!

I'm on the other side of PA - close to Scranton. I love the hot weather - and hate air conditioning. We built our house where we almost always get a breeze, with lots of windows and doors....and no air conditioning. Even on the most humid of nights, sleeping under a ceiling fan is heavenly.

Me and my two girls a few days ago after a walk.

Welcome to the forum!

@HettyKet Beautiful work!!

@oboogie Yours is awesome, too. If I finally decide to go visible, I think a dagger or bayonet on the inside of my forearm will be my choice.