#5 Is Cossed off!!! I now have a Tattoo

Slowly getting through my 30 before 30 list and loving every minute of it.  Number 5 is now officially crossed off.

I have a permanent mark on my body which will never go away!  A mark that I am very proud of and  honored to have on me.

The experience was nothing that I had expected, but one that I will always remember.  I was freaked, as in I wanted to throw up because I was so scared and nervous all at the same time.  Anxiety was running high. I really wanted to chicken out as she was setting up......But I figured since I drove 45 minutes to get here and she was giving up a Sunday to ink me I better go through with it.   When I climbed up on the bed I took a deep breath and there was no turning back.

The sound of the tattoo gun was mearly a whisper, thank goodness!!!  She had a new "quiet" machine, so the sound didn't scare me off.  I was actually very surprised it was so quiet compared to some that I have heard.  I told her I was very nervous and a tiny bit scared, so she said don't worry it feels like this and the needle was in!.......

Well I didn't jump scream or even cry,  It really didn't hurt........I thought ok not bad I can do this.  So I try to lay there still and not breath.....didn't want to mess her up, but turns out you really need to breath! hahaha.  Did you ever notice just how hard it is to stay still when you have to?  I twitched and jittered all while telling myself to just stay still!

Well the outline wasn't bad, hurt a bit more on the front side than the back side, but just as the pain and stinging was getting a bit much the needle would stop and she would re position.  I almost came to the point that I dreaded when she turned it back on, but the usual small talk kept my mind off it.

During our small talk, I ask what is the worst place to tattoo on the body........and her answer......right here!  Umm, awkward......Sorry!  Turns out that on the ribs or side in general the artists hands don't have much room, there are arms and legs in the way! lol None the less she did a fantastic job.

The pain was bearable, not bad as I said the front side hurt a bit more but we were finished of the outline and the wings.  Time for Pink!  OUCH!!!  So turns out that the coloring hurts the most, if you could have seen some of the faces I was making!  Oh man did that part hurt!  I is essentially coloring your skin with a needle with out stopping when it starts to hurt!  But thankfully it didn't last very long!  We were finished and it is fantastic!  I love it.

Griffen Dunsmore-Rodgerson was my tattoo artist and she is amazingly talented!  If you ever want a great tattoo I definitely recommend heading to Summerside and asking for Griffen at Artists Ink on Water Street!  Awesome!  Fantastic people there!  This is my first tattoo and it may not be my last!

I chose this tattoo in honor of my Grandmother Kay Getson and my Great Grandmother Olive Arsentault who have both lost their battle with breast cancer, and it is also for everyone who is fighting this awful disease with great spirit and strength.  I hope that someday there is a cure for this and it will not be something that my daughters will have to worry about. 

I designed this tattoo from a few different pictures.....I cut and pasted together....and by cut and paste I mean I printed off pictures cut them out of paper and taped them together! lol Griffen didn't mind, although she did laugh a little at my artistic ability, which was no where close to hers!  She did an amazing job with my tattoo.  Thank you Griffen.  Much Love!

My Papa

My Papa, was a man of humor.  No little child nor adult was with out being tricked into the "pull my finger" gag.  A jokester at his best, there was never a time I don't remember him reciting a joke or two. 

Those big blue eyes lit up every time he seen his grandchildren.  His loving hugs spoke louder than words.  He was a great man in many ways.  He could hold a grudge like no other, but at the same time he always held a special place in his heart for animals.  He worked many hours at the Humane Society and frequently checked in on the animals.  He was a man with lots of wisdom and love to share.


Born In: O'Leary, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Born: January 4th, 1932
Passed in: O'Leary, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Passed on: August 16th, 2011

Rodgerson
Peacefully at Community Hospital, O'Leary on Tuesday Aug. 16, 2011 of Alfred William Rodgerson, Unionvale, aged 79, veteran of the Korean War, beloved husband of Theresa (Arsenault). Born in O'Leary on Jan. 4, 1932, Alfred was the son of the late George and Rillie (Bernard) Rodgerson. Dear father to Gloria Warren, Bangor, PE; Dorothy (Ron) Ramsay, Montrose; Judy Rodgerson, O'Leary; Lynda Rodgerson, Charlottetown; Tracy (David) Bruce, Charlottetown; Rhonda Rodgerson, O'Leary and Eric (Griffen) Rodgerson, Summerside. Loving Papa to 15 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Dear brother to Glen (Kay), Freetown; Gordon (Eva), Unionvale and Lorne Rodgerson, Cascumpec. Alfred is also survived by in laws Dot Rodgerson, Unionvale; Olga Rodgerson, Charlottetown and Viola Rodgerson, Yorkton, Sask. Predeceased by parents, sister Isabel Harvey, brothers Fred, Leroy, Emmerson, son in law John Warren and infant son John Alfred. Alfred will be greatly missed by all his family and friends, especially by Russell Veniot, Kelly Clements and Clarence Brown. Resting at Ferguson Funeral Home and Chapel, O'Leary. In keeping with Alfred's personal request there will be no visitation or service. Private family graveside service will be held at a later date in Knutsford Cemetery. In memory of Alfred, memorials to O'Leary Community Health Foundation would be appreciated.