Earlier today I posted a question on Facebook…
So where’s the best place to get a tattoo in the area?
I thought I’d get a bunch of recommendations from some tatted up people.
But holy shnikes. Instead, I ignited a little bit of a firestorm.
I told you yesterday when Tyrone called how I lost it. Burst into tears. Sobbed uncontrollably.
What I didn’t tell you is I saw that Tyrone had called around 2:30, and I was home with Number 6 and 7.
They were both hungry, and I got them something to eat in the kitchen, and I didn’t want to call back because I was petrified but I did want to call back because I was hopeful.
So once I got Number 6 and 7 situated, I told them I had to make a phone call and I ran upstairs to my office.
About four minutes later, Tyrone gave me the news and I cried so hard and so loud and for so long that Number 6 and 7 sprinted up the stairs and burst through the door.
“MOMMY! WHY ARE YOU CRYING? ARE YOU OKAY? IS SOMEBODY BEING MEAN TO YOU? WHY ARE YOU CRYING? MOMMY! WHAT’S THE MATTER?”
Once I got myself together, I told them I was crying because I was happy.
I was feeling the love.
After I published the post about it yesterday, I read the all the amazing comments left by everyone on Facebook and I cried some more.
I was feeling the love.
When my husband came home from work, I hugged him in the driveway, and I cried some more.
I was feeling the love.
When the kids were eating dinner and there was a knock at the door and it was Number 7’s preschool teacher from last year who is also a good friend of ours, and she had a big box of desserts for us and on the box it said “Congratulations! We love you guys!” I hugged her hard. And I cried some more.
I was totally feeling the love.
And I just want to keep feeling the love right now.
I want all of us to feel the love.
I know at some point there is a chance that someone is going to do something which pisses me off and incites enough anger in me to write a scathing blog post.
But that’s not the direction I really want to go here.
Something really amazing happened for me and to me yesterday.
And I would really love to hold on to that feeling here for as long as possible.
Not just for me. For all of us.
Which brings me back to that question I posted today on Facebook.
First, I want to share the comment someone made that really made me laugh.
Someone asked, Are you getting a “Tyrone” tattoo?
AHAHAHAHAHA.
That was a good one.
No. I’m not getting a Tyrone tattoo.
But then other comments started coming in.
And here is the thing.
I know they were all left by well meaning people who were trying to be helpful.
But what some people thought was helpful, other people thought was judgmental.
I can totally see where they were coming from, too.
And while I know that everyone genuinely had my best interests in mind, it got kind of ugly.
And like I said before, I just want us all to feel the love around here.
So I deleted that post. (But first I wrote down the names of all the recommended tattoo shops. Thank you.)
Because, yes, I asked that question because I want to get a tattoo.
I have wanted this particular tattoo for over a year now.
And I have told myself for the last year that when we get back on our feet, when we are off of food stamps, when we are at the point where we are able to save a little money every month, when we are out of debt (except for the mortgage) and when we get that call from Tyrone telling us nobody is going to come and remove us from our home, I can get it.
Yesterday I checked the last thing off of that list.
And I have been waiting for a year, and I am getting that fucking tattoo.
Because I want it.
And because I earned it.
And instead of fighting over tattoos or, well, anything…
It would be great if we could all just keep on feeling the love for a little while longer.
I’ve always been of the opinion that it’s your body, your decision. I have two tattoos. I have them in inconspicuous places just because of my job. I have seen some people with some totally awesome tattoos and people with tattoos that make me wonder if the “artist” was smoking some wacky tobacky before he started inking (please ask to see some examples of the artists work prior to committing) or what the person was thinking when they picked out the pattern (but again, personal choice…it’s not on my body so I will simply silently wonder what they were smoking before they picked it out)
I didn’t read that post ( I saw it but I don’t live in your neck of the woods so I kept on going because I couldn’t give you any recommendations)
Im sorry it got ugly. If it’s something you have on your bucket list and something you can afford to do at this point (they really aren’t that spendy depending on how big/complicated…) and since it’s your body, your choice….go for it.
If you have money for a tattoo, why not donate the money to another family who didn’t get the help you did, and lost their home and have to move? To me it’s not about the tattoo, it’s about the money. You have a pool and your kids are on swim teams; you enjoy an elevated standard of living. A tattoo is a luxury item.
I think this was the judgemental comment she was hoping to avoid Anne. Tattoos are not $1000s of dollars, most of the time not even $100s. She has been wanting this for over a year and can finally afford to get it. Do you give every single extra dollar of yours away? A car is considered a luxury item as well, I bet you have one of those. If you have nothing nice to say . . . Can’t wait to see pictures of your new tattoo, and congrats on the house Susie!!!
Thank you, Shannon!
She has the money. THEREFORE SHE DESERVES HER MONEY. My god, who are you to tell someone what they should or shouldn’t spend their money on…. Shame on you. As for the tattoo go for it!!! It isn’t any different then going on a shopping spree, or a really expensive hair cut. Moms are ALLOWED to treat themselves!
Susie wrote an excellent post about saving money for the future. She has medical bills, etc. what if her car gets a flat next week or needs a new headlight? The tattoo money could pay for that. A car is not a luxury item if you have a job to go to. I drive the cheapest car, take no vacations, do not buy wine or othe luxury items, Live in a very small old house on a 6,000 sq ft lot,; yet a flat tire would wreck my budgEt.
Actually, I don’t have medical bills. Aside from our mortgage, we are debt free.
I’m sorry but if you consider wine a luxury item… spending 6 dollars on a bottle of wild vines wine is a luxury to you..LOL well wow, come on..
There’s always a few in a crowd who like to take a big ol’ shit on people’s celebratory occasions, milestones, success, and perseverance through turbulent storms. I have yet to understand why someone feels the need to dampen such a triumphant moment with ridicule and judgement. Where have the days gone when people were genuinely happy for other people when good things happened? Or, in this case, when a family gets to keep their home and no longer has to worry about having a roof over their heads.
Unless you’re Susie’s personal accountant, it’s none of your fucking business how and where she spends her money. If she wants to get a tattoo to commemorate the occasion and celebrate the copious amount of strength it took to get through the past year, so be it. It’s her body. Her money. Her choice.
Congratulations to you and your family, Susie. Get your tattoo. Get two. Or three. And, splurge on wine. You deserve it.
Cool post and congrats to you and the fam! Go get that tattoo 🙂