Poor neglected blog :(

It has been some time since I have updated my blog, it's been hard getting back into routines after such an enjoyable summer.  The boys and I did a total of 4.5 weeks worth of camping!!  Between the trailer, travel costs and camp sites, my savings were rather depleted... but there is no way I can complain!  We had just way too much fun, and it was money well spent.  In preparation for next year, the boys and I have sat down and talked about saving money each month.  We have talked about how I will not be spending as much money on 'things', so that we can get as much (if not more) camping done next year.  We have also set up a jar for saving towards 4 iPads.  The boys did do incredibly well on those long drives we took, but they did get bored.  I think the iPads would be an excellent alternative to getting a DVD system for the van, as they could do so much more than just watch a movie.  So, they have agreed that there will be no big presents for birthdays or holidays, and we will make as many of them as we can.  I'm pretty proud that they are going along with this so easily.  I want them to learn about saving for things, and making sacrifices for something that you really want.

New things in our lives...  Monkey started Grade 1, and is so far thriving!  After all the struggles last year, he is doing amazingly well so far.  Bug started at a 5 morning montessori this year, and is so far enjoying it thoroughly.  Little Man had his first day of pre-school last week, can't believe he is old enough to start school!  He will attend Tuesday's and Thursday's, which also means I get those two mornings child free!  The best part of him starting school, is he is now potty trained... so other than overnights, this is now a diaper free household!  I no longer need to carry a diaper bag around!

As for myself, I got another piercing!  It has only been 2 days, so it is still healing, but so far so good.  Curious as to what I got done???  Well, it's my tongue!  I have a lovely purple barbell smack dab in the middle of my tongue lol.  I have wanted to get my tongue pierced for over 14 years, can remember being so jealous when my friend Erin got hers done.  We had planned to get it done together, but I knew then that my fiance (now my ex) didn't like them... so silly me didn't get it done.  Really wish I would have just done what I wanted to do.  But, it is done now!  My tongue was really swollen yesterday, but it is down considerable today.  Hopefully by Monday it will be back to normal, and on it's way to healing nicely.  I almost didn't get it done, but only because I also want a labret piercing as well.  It was a tough decision.  As long as my tongue heals well, I will consider getting a labret done next month.  While I was in, I booked the touch up appointment for my pheonix, so in a few weeks it will be done as well.

Other news.  I have a set schedule with my ex!!  It feels so good knowing what weekends, and the few weeknights, that he will have the boys.  He tried to not do this, saying his usual crap of how he doesn't plan things.  Ummm, it's not all about him anymore!  The boys, and I, would both greatly benefit from a schedule.  Yes, I understand he travels for work, but it's much easier to adjust the schedule that is in place for those occurrences, then to always wonder when he will take the boys.  I was also tired of being the one to contact him as to when he wanted the boys.  It is no longer my 'job' to schedule his life, no longer my 'job' to keep track of his life.  We also came to an agreement about the settlement, which hopefully we will be signing this month... which means I am so much closer to finally being divorced!

One other things, I got my hair cut really short (really short for me lol)!  I absolutely love it!  I've never had it this short, but it's amazing just how well it suits me.  I am feeling so incredibly good about myself, my 30's are going to be some of the best years of my life!

Tattoo Crazy!

My latest tattoo is only a month old, and I already am getting anxious to get another one!  I've asked my Mom to come up with a design to represent her, something that I could have to always remember her.  I don't think she is too crazy about doing it, but I really hope she does.  It would mean a lot to me to have something of her like that permanently with me at all times.

I had my back piece (the one with the boys birthstones) lasered 2 weeks ago, and it looks like it will need at least one more laser session before it will be ready for the fix up.  I am getting very anxious to this done too, I want it complete.  I also must say the lasering is so much more painful than the actual tattoo, not something I really want to have to get done too often.

I am sort of leaning towards making the Phoenix on my left arm a sleeve, but a little unsure of just how it would all work out.  It will most likely be a few years before I consider that, as it will be fairly costly, and I have other pieces I want done first.  But it is there in the back of my mind.

I am also trying to figure out what piercings I want done as well.  I'm thinking of getting a fair number on the cartilage of my ears, as well as some labrets.  Biggest concern there is how my Mother will feel about them when I am working for her?!  If I one day buy her out of the store, than it will not be an issue, but of course it is her business right now, so her choice as to what is acceptable.

I am so addicted!!

My nose was pierced this afternoon, and I love it so much!  I am seriously thinking of getting two more studs put in, but will give this one a chance to heal first.  I am getting very addicted to piercing, hadn't realized it would be as bad as tattoo's, but they are!  I just wish it wasn't so expensive, but I do think it is worth the cost.

I am really hoping I can get some rings put in the cartilage of my ears in the next few months.  I think they would look just wonderful.

The boys are with their father this weekend, which is good and bad.  Good that I can have some down time, but bad because I miss them.  Monkey really had a hard time, he did not want to leave at all.  He kept saying how he wanted to stay with Mama, and not go with Dada.  I did finally convince him to go, but his father was all for letting him stay with me.  I personally don't think it's a good idea to let the boys decide these things.  It is up to the parents to decide.  I don't want to end up with a little boy that thinks he can just live with whoever he wants, whenever he wants.  They need one home.  I especially don't want to encourage a situation where they will say 'I Hate You, I want to Live with Dad/Mom'!  Guess we shall just have to see how things turn out over the years.

All excited again!!!

Did you know that piercing is addictive???  I didn't think about this problem when I had my nipples done 4 weeks ago, which by the way are healing beautifully!  I want more, so much more! So, tomorrow afternoon I am going to get my nose done.  I also want 4 rings in the cartilage of my ear, but that will cost much more, so will need to save up for it.  I am just pumped to be doing this!

I am finally feeling like the person I was meant to be, the person I should have been if I had not let my ex become the driving force of my life.  I realize now just how unbalanced our marriage was.  I'm not going to point fingers, as it was just as much my fault that I let it happen.  I'm just forever thankful that I am finally living my life how I want to now!

They look great!

Well, it is done!  My nipples are pierced with bar bells, and it went so well.  It did hurt, but not as much as I would  have thought, the tattoo removal was much harder to take.  So far I have no pain from the piercing, but I do know they are in place.  I think it looks awesome, and am already planning more piercings.  I would eventually like to get rings placed in, but I need to wait at least 3 months for the piercing to heal properly before making any changes.

I am now wondering just why I waited so many years to do this.  It feels so incredible to finally take my life in hand and make it my own.

I am exctited!

So, this Friday I am going to Tribal Expressions.  They are a highly recommended piercing parlour.  This may shock some of you, but those that have known me longer won't be as surprised.  I am getting my nipples pierced!  I have wanted this done for many, many years.  Long before I met my Ex.  I was always nervous about doing, and then once I was with my Ex, I knew he wouldn't approve.  So, here I am in my middle 30's, about to get my nipples pierced!  I am anxiously awaiting Friday afternoon now.

I will also be getting my tattoo lasered so that it can be fixed up properly by my tattoo artist.  I just need the top two colours (red & green) to be lasered off, then go back in to have it all touched back up.  Once it is done and healed, I will be planning my next one.  I would like to get mine and the boys birth flowers tattooed across my back and along my sides.  This one will probably take more than one session, but will be worth it in the end.

You may be wondering why I am doing all this.  It's a pretty easy answer.  I am now doing all the things I would have done had I not married the Ex 13 years ago.  I knew he did not approve of tattoo's or piercing, so I refrained from getting any.  Now that I am not living my life for anyone but myself, I am finally going ahead with these things.  Whoever I end up with next will have to accept me for who I am. I will not change myself so drastically again.