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Thank you both so much! I am sure I am overthinking a lot of it, I have a habit of doing that and coming up with ideas for this is a way to get me away from all of the worry about the pregnancy. I live in the Minneapolis area so I am sure there are some decent shops around, I will just have to my research.

If I was a cat, I'd be down to 1 life left..at best. In fact, I may be ahead of the game. In just my 26 years in the Army, I had an 8" artillery shell detonate over my head and was hit with shrapnel but without injury, I've ridden 2 helicopters to the ground with engine failures...one hard enough to compress the skids...and walked away and was in the area of the Pentagon hit by the plane on 9/11 and twice escaped (at least) from circumstances where I could have not made it out. My uniform is part of the Smithsonian exhibition form that day....I stared Death down and smiled back. My second tattoo is attribute to the 9/11 experiences. Not focused on death but on the determination to live and to face the threat head on. That's why I chose an eagle standing on a pentagonal shaped rock with sun rays shining overhead. Death doesn't scare me nor does it control my actions. When it comes it comes...and I am ready to face the life after.

I got this flaming owl tattoo from Jon Gray in 2013. It was a piece of his flash that I liked and he was doing a guest spot in town. After I booked in a time to get this owl, I found out someone very close and influential in my life was dying and then he passed away. I was the pall bearer at his funeral a few days before receiving this tattoo. It was simply unique owl tattoo flash that I liked. I then discovered the owl can be a symbolic messenger of death...the whole thing then took on a new meaning in light of what was going on in my life. It is by no means a memorial tattoo, just an eerie coincidence and a reminder that everything (life) is temporary. I guess a lot of my tattoos are about death - in the sense that they are markings symbolizing and a creating a personal rebirth of sorts.

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today's shenanigans - or at least bits of it -

This is easy in Minneapolis. Go to Leviticus on Lake Street. Excellent artists doing walk ins every Saturday or go in and tell someone at the desk your idea and they will help you choose an artist. Again, I am biased because I also live in Minneapolis and Leviticus is not just my favorite tattoo shop- it's one my my very favorite business in town period. Hell, now I'm jealous. There are plenty of other great tattoo shops in town so my feelings won't be hurt if your research leads you elsewhere but save yourself the trouble and go to Leviticus.

i was a pall bearer for the first time a few years back for my 98 y/o grandmother figure. carrying that tiny woman was a pretty heavy load to bear, but it was huge honor. around the same timeframe, there was a typhoon big enough in the Philippines that is started a Tattoo for the Philippines movement where the proceeds of the tattoo would be donated to support the efforts there. "The inspiration for the tattoo design comes from an artifact known as the Manunggul Jar. The artifact was discovered in a burial site Manunggal Cave in Lipuun Point, Quezon, Palawan. It was chosen as the inspiration for the design because the figures represent guides taking the deceased to the next life, in essence guiding the souls of those who died. The artist's interpretation of the design is in the style of a petroglyph. This style was chosen as a nod to the indigenous cultures of the Philippines." i decided i could double up by supporting the Philippines and also have a reminder of my Nanay. check out the jar! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manunggul_Jar

I wouldn't go back...

Is it even healed? It doesn't look like it. Also, don't go back there.

I don't think I'd be going back to that artist/shop.

How great, my parents names are Michael and Debbie (different spelling). I might need to prank them.

I snagged this from Benny Haft over at Allied last week. I finally finished my torso after five years, done by Ian Dana Camp (formerly of Good Faith in Boston) currently at Adventure Tattoo in Nashville. He was all booked up in Boston before his move, but I luckily caught him doing a guest spot in Philly right after he moved.

@Dan A mix of Skittles and M&Ms?! You, sir, are a true psychopath.

Detroit.....most painful spot to get tattooed in.

I'm really really flattered(and surprised) that I was inspiring to you Lizzie(in even a small way)! I am the type of person that likes to stay in the background and i'm kind of the watcher and listener of whatever is going on around me. I try my best to be positive force and always have a smile on my face! I read this post on Christmas night and it was so uplifting to have someone recognize that I really am very interested in my new hobby. As well as the fact that I was so sick and mostly stayed in bed over the holidays, so it was a nice pick me up. I hope that other will contribute to this thread and share some positive stories!

Nice mindful response and I think you made a great decision to weigh-in on this one, thanks!

Best quote ever.