Tattoos anyone?
It’s been a while since I posted some photos for Dawn’s A Lingering Look At Windows challenge so to get started up again, I’m spicing things up a bit. Well, for me anyway! Your average English country garden post this ain’t!
What we have here are some shots I managed to squeeze in (and I mean squeeze) from the back of my ex-husband’s car (a white Mustang Cobra no less).
This might sound strange and I’m sure some of you would like to know what on earth I was doing there, of all places?
Well, during my trip back to California last year with Aspie D, having spent the bulk of my time with my friend on the Central Coast, I joined Aspie D and her father for the last few days of our trip.
She wanted to see some of the old haunts in Los Angeles (Hollywood, Disneyland and the house from the TV show ‘American Horror Story’, that kind of thing) with me.
Driving through West Hollywood, we drove past Kat Von D’s famed High Voltage Tattoo Parlor as featured in the TV reality show, LA Ink which Aspie D used to watch.
EH (ex-husband) stopped just outside the shop so I could grab these shots. Not the best, I agree, but they are windows, and we did linger!
No sign of Kat Von D though.
You can see the reflection of EH’s car in this photo. I’m crammed in the back and could hardly sit up straight. Not that I’m complaining or anything…
Gunning down the streets and freeways of LA in that is great – as the driver!
I have actually driven that old car a few times, back in the day. As I’ve written here before, nothing beats the deep rumble of a V8 engine.
EH recently sold the Mustang. 20 years he had it.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, no, I don’t have any tattoos. Not my thing. Are you kidding? I thought I was being rebellious when I had my ears pierced (I was 18). Sad isn’t it?
Both my boys do though and when Aspie D was 15 she informed me that she was going to get a skull with wings tattooed across her chest and neck.
So of course I took her straight down to the nearest tattoo parlor…yeah right! I told her not under my roof and hoped that by the time she was ‘of age’ she would come to her senses.
I did also suggest that if she ever got one like that, I would get a tattoo of a fairy with Union Jack wings tattooed on my chest at the same time. A nice mother and daughter day out I thought.
She changed her mind. I wonder why?
A View From My Summerhouse 
That’s a fun way of handling your daughter’s desire for a tattoo. Good points for her for asking though. 🙂
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Haha! I didn’t even go into all the piercings and hair dye dramas!!! Bluffing worked in this case though, thanks Imelda… 😉
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Ha ha! I would think the words “High Voltage” before Tattoo would be a big enough deterrent. It certainly is for me. I’m glad to hear you put your foot down on Aspie D getting a tattoo, Sherri…excellent tactic! Just the other day, my mother and I were having a discussion about the number of young girls with tattoos these days. Personally, I don’t get it, but to each his own. 🙂
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Haha! Yes, you would think wouldn’t you? I think you can imagine my face when Aspie D told me of her plans…! She actually thanks me now for not letting her get it done, can you imagine???? Thanks Jill, hope you’re having a good week, Friday tomorrow, yay 🙂 xo
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Oh the dreaded tattoos! Good reverse psychology on your daughter although I’m surprised she didn’t see through that one – ha! I just don’t get them at all – far too permanent – just wear some nice jewellery, or even piercings – at least they go away once you’re done with them 😉
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Haha, thanks Jenny! I think she probably did see through it but she knew that I wasn’t going to budge on this one…pick your battles and all that, right? She did go on and have a few piercings done, which we always battled and compromised over and then, after years of that she removed them all, bar one. So I think we’ve come through it relatively unscathed, haha 😉
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Tattoos are not my thing, but my eldest boy has a few fairly discreet ones. Sadly my step-daughter went full on with the hair dye, the piercings and the tattoos. A form of self-harming which became addictive. As Jenny says, the piercings can be removed, not so the tattoos and the older they get the uglier they look as the bright colours fade. I just hate to see them on pretty young women.
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My boys have discreet ones too, although my middle boy, who has one arm with a Japanese dragon, wants to get more. I’ve made him promise me not to get his hands and neck done and to make sure they can be hidden though.
Oh Jude, I hope your step-daughter is in a happier place now…
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I think she is Sherri, but it has taken a long while. During her mid-teens she refused to have anything to do with me which caused a lot of unhappiness all round. She is 24 now and seems to be handling life a bit better.
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That is a hard thing to go through Jude, very hard for you both and for the family all round as you say…I’m so glad to hear that she seems to be doing better….for all your sakes…xx
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Why wasn’t I good and wise Mum like you? Jessie still hasn’t forgiven me for the dolphin tattoos across her ankle and yes I got a tattoo which I still regret to this day, some 14 years later-bad mommy! bad mommy! Other than my regret I enjoyed this post and still enjoy tattoos…..on other people! You and daughter had such a splendid time in Southern California-come back! ❤
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Oh Diane…you make me smile because remember how we laughed and laughed about your tattoo? I’ve never laughed so hard in all my life I don’t think.. !! Haha, I’m laughing now actually at the wonderful memory of it all…such great times. Well, at least Jessie didn’t want a massive skull with horrible wings across her neck and chest, a dolphin is so much nicer 🙂 Oh yes, we did indeed have a fab time…will try to come back as soon as we can my friend :- ) xoxo
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Dear Sherri,
I love this post!!! Not just because I have two tattoos and am contemplating the third but also because I can feel your zest and energy in it!! These shots are great and hearing the story of how you came to take them is such a joy 🙂 Rock the goodness my love!
Peace, always,
Allison xo
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Haha! So glad Allison! You would have loved this place then in LA! So many people, I hear, aren’t happy with just one tattoo, they want to get more! My boys are the same. My middle boy has one arm sleeved in a Japanese dragon! Rock the goodness indeed!!!! Thank you my dear 🙂 xo
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I always feel with tattoos ~ some people just need to wear their stories on the outside 🙂 love a dragon!! I have a butterfly and an anchor. Contemplating the beautiful word “love” on my arm next. We shall see!
xxx
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🙂
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Great “anti-tat” tactic.
I have to say this was your most attention grabbing headline I’ve seen – job with The Sun awaits?
________________________________
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HaHa!! Well Denise, you’ve got me sussed…my true calling awaits.. 😉
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Little bit of rock n’ roll! Perfect car to do it in!
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You got it Jennifer 🙂
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laughing pretty hard with the ending of this – you are so fun! and if you get a tattoo I will get a tramp stamp too – just kidding not my thing either – even though some of my family members got the tattoo eyeliner years ago and that looked neat…)
also, great window photos. 🙂 have a good day!
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Haha! Love it…we’ll go together Y 🙂 I have quite fancied getting the eyeliner tattoo, I admit. Saves a lot of faff with makeup each morning 😉
You have a great day too mon amie 🙂
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You ARE a s.m.o.o.t.h. talker, MOM! 😀
My daughter waited until she wasn’t under my roof when she got her first tattoo. Why? Why? Now she has a half dozen, each commemorating a special memory. Still…
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Well…you know how it is Tess…bring out the ammo when needed, haha 😉
Yes, ’tis the way of it. I told my boy that his next tattoo has to be a heart with the words ‘ I love mum’. I’m still waiting… 😉
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Mothers with words stacked in their favor, R.u.l.e.
BTW, I read something interesting at http://retirementandgoodliving.com/ 😀
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HaHa, you got that right!!
Well, I thank you very much Tess, I just saw your comment over there and replied! I was asked to write a guest blog out of the blue but didn’t broadcast it. I better watch my step, LOL 🙂 😉 🙂
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I love tattoos and I’ve got a few, including a couple of big ones – it’s definitely addictive, but I think the key is to think hard about what you want and where – what seems cool when you’re 20 might not seem so cool when you’re older – I recently had a small one covered with something else because what was quite new when I was 20 or so, is far too common now…
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Yes, I have heard that they are addictive! You would have to be very sure that you are getting something you want for a very long time! I’m really odd about anything like that. I tried wearing contacts and couldn’t bear them. I would be the same with tattoos, I just know that the minute I had it done I would want it off! I’m even odd about jewellery. Can’t bear necklaces that I can feel or scarves around my neck. I try to wear them but then hate them on me…haha!! I’m just weird like that… 😉
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Sherri- pretty good shots for being taken out of a car! My husband watches those ‘ink’ shows sometimes on television. He has a ton of tattoos, which I love, but you’ll never see me in the parlor being inked myself. Kids said they wanted tattoos until I told them how it works- I will just have to wait and see how that shapes up when they are older. I myself was more into ear piercing to… I have 5 holes on each side, but only wear 4 tiny studs on both sides…. so wild! LOL.
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Thanks Tieshka! I didn’t think they came out too badly considering, haha!! Tattoos are definitely viewed very differently these days as a form of self-expression. As with you though, I’ll stick to my ear piercings… aren’t we the wild pair!! Have a great weekend in sunny LA 🙂
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🙂 I’ve nominated you for some awards. If you choose to accept them, you’ll find them here:- http://africolonialstories.wordpress.com/2014/05/16/award-time/
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Thank you so much dear Jo, how lovely of you to think of me! I’ll be over soon to check out the bling 🙂 xxxx
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Yes the tattoo craze has passed me by also. I just don’t get it. A friends daughter wanted a tattoo and her parents knew they could do nothing about it so sensibly said nothing but took her for a trip to the nudist beach that is hidden in a cove not far from us here. She observed for herself what tattoos look like when you are in your fifties and sixties and the skin has started to sag and hang in place that are not too complimentary to the tats which may have looked okay on young firm skin. Nothing more was said and if a tattoo was obtained it is in a very discreet place. As for myself I haven’t even been able to come at getting the ears pierced.
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Well that is a very interesting story indeed! I’ve never been to a nudist beach and not sure I would want to, under the best of circumstances, haha!! I wonder if your friend’s daughter ever did get her tattoo? I thought I was being very daring when I got my ears pierced. I suppose my rebellion came in other ways, but we won’t mention that!! Thanks for sharing your story Irene! I hope you have a lovely weekend my friend 🙂
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Maybe I’ll try that with Cam. He insists that he’s getting a dragon tattoo. If I offer to go with him and we can share the experience maybe the embarrassing though of it all will quell that desire. Or not! 🙂
I enjoyed that post Sherri!
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Well, it might be worth a try Lilka! My middle boy Nicky went ahead with his dragon tattoo regardless but it doesn’t show when he’s wearing regular shirts. Then again, I didn’t know he had done it until after the fact but he had already left home…I just hope he still likes it years from now…glad you enjoyed the post though, thanks Lilka 🙂
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My son got a tattoo on his arm when he was 18, and yet, it was one of the gruesome ones. Now he’s in his 30s and is thinking about having it removed even though there is sure to be a scar. My stepdaughter got one when she was 19, a small butterfly on one of her butt cheeks. She is just barely into her 30s now. I doubt that she’ll ever get rid of it.
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It must be really difficult when you want a tattoo and then want to get rid of it years later. I’ve heard it’s expensive and painful so always best to be sure when getting one in the first place. That’s why I never did, I just never felt sure about it and knew I would regret it. But that’s just me…thanks for reading Glynis 🙂
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mother-daughter tattoos, haha, brilliant way of handling that!
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Haha! Thanks Letizia 🙂
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Great story, Sherri, and all because of a window or two!!
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Thanks Sue! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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Ah, Sherri, you are wise beyond your years, as a mother. Were I a 15 year old girl, just the thought of your threatened tattoo would put me off them. The possibility that you’d tell my friends or, far worse, show them would be just too much for me to deal with.
Not that you wouldn’t look great with such a tattoo, of course. Leopard skin print spandex pants, too, and wicked six-inch stiletto heeled killer pumps? (I’m not particularly good at fashion.)
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HaHa!!! Well now Nav, you’ve got me sussed…I think showing her friends would have been the best part, along with recounting our little mother-daughter jaunt!! As for the leopard skin spandex pants and six-inch stilettos, well, isn’t that every mother wears on a normal day out? I think you have great fashion sense Nav and I think maybe I need to get that tattoo after all… 😉
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There I was, thinking I’d been clever, only to be outdone by you, Sherri! A thoroughly enjoyable response–thank you. };-)>
Yes, is does sound like standard maternal wear, these days. (In a trailer park.)
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Haha! I love it, you do make me laugh Nav! Have a great weekend my friend 🙂
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You as well, Madam Sherri.
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Thanks Nav 🙂
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L.A. is such a cool city. I love the diverse neighborhoods. And the tatoo parlors are everywhere, you’re right, especially in West Hollywood and Melrose. Nice pics. Like you, I don’t have tattoos. Not my thing, although two of my daughters have a few lovely ones. They’ve tried to convince me to go with them and get a small one. Instead I invited them for a pedicure. We had a good time and much less pain.
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Yes it is Evelyne! The grandparents were from L A, and relatives still live there (EH born and grew up there)so we have strong family ties even now.
I think your idea of going for a pedicure with your daughters is a much better one, as you say, much less pain… 🙂
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Hahaha, ‘but they are windows, and we did linger’. Why did that amuse me so much, I wonder?
I believed we’ve already discussed this, but when I was in America I had a trip in a GT Mustang… Blimey!!! Quite the experience, I can tell you. Terrifying, if you ask me. But that roar of a V8 engine really is something.
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Hahaha…just you saying THAT has got me laughing…. giggling now….silly isn’t it…. 😉
Yes, I remember our V8 discussion…I thought of you in fact as now you can see the car itself, even if just its reflection…and I felt quite sad when I heard that EH recently sold it…after all these long years… 😉
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Aww, the end of an era, eh! What’s he got as replacement? Another roaring V8, I wonder?
I really am terrified of V8s haha. TOO FAST.
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He got an SUV!! Make of that what you will… 😉
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Haha, the classic American car, then? 😉
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Yep….. 😉
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Both of my brothers live in Santa Monica. One is a director/producer and the other is in marketing. I visited about 6 years ago but it is way past time I go back! LA Ink is on my list of places to check out. Like you, I have no tattoos and am not interested in one but I’d like to see the place. 🙂
Right before I turned 40 I was convinced I wanted a tattoo. I was going to get one of bright red lips near my ankle. As the date approached, I came to my senses. PHEW! My son has been threatening to get one of a fish or a hook (he’s an avid fisherman) but lucky for us, he had a nightmare that he got it done and that it got so infected that his skin was falling off. SWEET! I hope he continues to re-live that dream. 🙂 I hope your daughter does not change her mind! 🙂
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Santa Monica is really beautiful. When we lived in LA we used to go there a lot. I hope you get to go soon Maria, especially with your brothers out there, what a great place to live! Be careful you don’t get tempted if you do go to LA Ink though… haha 😉
I love your tattoo stories! It is crazy the ideas we get. What a horrible dream your son had, but it seems to have done the trick! I always worry about it being so permanent and then not wanting it anymore…thanks Maria, let’s hope that neither of our kids change their mind…and let me know if you ever decide to get those red lips done, I’ll get my fairy done at the same time, LOL 😉
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Great opost, you had me giggling throughout.
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Thanks Dawn, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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Oh! I wish I had thought of giving such a response to my youngest when she talked about getting a tattoo when she had saved up enough money.She still laughs at me for when I took my oldest to get her ears pierced: it hurt me much more than it hurt her. She knows that tattoos totally gross me out.
Her first one was a small heart behind her ear. That wasn’t too hard to ignore. However, her choice for her second tattoo softened the blow for me: one word written across the front of each ankle: Stability and Strength. She said that these are two of the values that I gave to her.
You bring back memories of my brother’s Mustang in the 70s. We loved it. Funny how sedans and coupes are made for the front seat riders, and to heck with anyone in the back seat.
Congrats on your awards from Jo Robinson! I’m glad they led me to your blog 🙂
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Hello WeaverGrace!
Thanks so much for dropping by and sharing your tattoo story, and I do love the meaning behind your daughter’s tattooed words on each of her ankles, I can see why that greatly softened the blow!
Glad too I brought back some good memories for you from the 70s… and yes, no thought for the person in the back, none at all 😉
I really appreciate you coming over from Jo’s blog, and congrats to you too! I’m so glad you came by and I hope you will return. I look forward to visiting your blog too, it’s a pleasure to meet you 🙂
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