My First Tattoo: Commemorating 29 Years

Many people, upon seeing my new tattoo have asked: "Was this a milestone birthday?" and the answer is funny. I mean, it's yes and no. Most people would probably not consider 29 to be a big year to celebrate, but for me, given the year I've had...making it was a challenge to say the least.

One major symbol I've used to get through all the difficult moments was that of the lotus. I studied Buddhism in college (and even went vegetarian for a time) and the imagery of the lotus rising through the swamp to bloom strong and beautiful above the water reminded me that I, too, can rise above whatever circumstances I'm faced with. Look at this beautiful example of the lotus in nature:

I love how the petals are at once delicate and strong. I also love that they hold symbolism in many belief systems, as I consider myself a seeker in the religious sense.

So when I decided I wanted a tattoo, I knew I needed to consider a few important things. The 'what' was obvious. I wanted a lotus. The where was the tricky part. For me, if you are going to get ink, show it. I wanted a place that was visible, yet somehow personal. In the end, I chose my wrist. I can cover it with a watch or bracelet if I want to keep it private, but if not, it is obviously visible. I found the following as base image for my design. I loved the water lines and the stem, showing the flower rising above the water.


I chose to get my tattoo done by Kike at Brightside Boutique and Studio in Federal Hill. Kike came highly recommended by some friends, so on my birthday, 10/20, I took my design to him and told him to be creative. Here is what he came up with:

He made the flower larger and fuller, 'in full bloom' as he put it. He also used dots to create some shading and add depth. In the end, it was exactly what I was looking for - a very basic lotus, with minimal detailing...just enough to give it a vintage, classic look. So we went for it. No color, because the lotus itself represents me...my skin, my life story.

So there it is!!


Best birthday gift to myself EVER! And every time I look at my wrist I think 'I can do this.' Totally worth it!









Do you have any ink? What does it mean to you?

Two Trips to the Vet - On Being a Good Pet Momma

I want to start off by saying that I hope this post doesn't come across preachy - that is not my goal at all. I just feel like I had a bit of a wake-up call these past few days and would like to share it with my blog-audience. Maybe some other people are in need of a wake-up call too...

Let me start by introducing you to my two sweetie-buns,

    

 

 

  

 Happy and

Lucille
(Baby Lu or Lulu for short) 

I was first introduced to the love of buns when I was just a kid out in Hagerstown. Our family went through a number of bunnies as family pets, with such varied names as Gloria, Bill, Ruben, Gus-Gus, Snuggles, Big Butt (he was a hefty boy) and Al. And those were just the ones while I was living at home!

 

So in 2005, newly out of college, living on my own and facing some serious, bracing health issues - I was looking for a little animal companionship and it was only natural to seek that in the form of a beautiful, or in Happy's case, handsome, bun. I adopted the Hapster from the Pennysaver, where a family had placed an ad to cut back on their pet population. He was a scraggly little guy, with one 'crying eye' and long, never-been-cut nails, but his handsome coat won me over. Within weeks, we were BFF's. He hopped around the room while I sat on the floor grading mountains of papers and he laid on the couch with me and lounged as we watched TV. About two years later when I started working an evening job, I realized that without me there to keep him company he might want to have a buddy and so I adopted Lulu from the Baltimore Humane Society.

 

Warning: Here is where I might get a little preachy:

I believe that when you get a pet, it is your responsibility to that animal and to society to do a little research and be sure you are adequately prepared for what you are undertaking. For example: I get the question all the time that 'Well, if Happy's a boy and Lulu's a girl, how come they don't have babies?!' Um...because I got them neutered and spayed respectively. When I decided to get a partner for the old Hapster, I wanted to make sure that I would not end up with a whole litter of baby buns, so I did some research and paid the money to make sure that wouldn't happen. I also took on the responsibility of my buns knowing that this was a lifelong commitment - meaning to the end of those buns natural lives! Bunnies live to be about 10-12 years old on average, and they were about 2 when I adopted them. That means for the better part of their lives I have paid for food, treats, vet visits and grooming. It adds up!! I even developed an allergy to them around year four and was advised to rehome them. Now, I want to clarify that I have no qualms against rehoming an animal if it is the absolute last resort for you - but for me, meds fixed the allergy issue. I couldn't get rid of these babies - they are a part of my family now! So on this note - I strongly encourage everyone to inform themselves completely about any animal they are thinking of adopting because being a bunny's honey or a kitty's momma or a doggy's daddy should be a lifelong commitment! /rant

 

Anyway, these past two days have been a bit tough for me. Happy and Lu are now what we call 'seniors' - at 8 years old, they are getting up there. So when Happy became lethargic and stopped eating, I immediately worried. Took him to Chadwell Animal Hospital, the premier bunny vet in the area, and he was diagnosed with a bit of a belly ache and sent home with some medicines and a syringe-feed diet to get him back on track. 

 

The next day, I noticed that he seemed to lose his balance as he hopped around the cage. He would fall on his side and kick a bit before righting himself, shaking his head and continuing along his way. My first thought was seizures and Yhadird suggested maybe the meds had side effects. Again I called the vet and we went in for a second day emergency visit.

 

Here is what the doctor noticed: 

Do you see how the bun's head is tilted slightly to the side in that pic? (Not my pic, btw...big thanks to Google Image Search for this adorable baby!)

 

That, my friends, is called 'Head Tilt' and in buns it can be caused by a variety of issues. According to the House Rabbit Society, some of the causes of head tilt include:

 

Middle/inner ear infection (otitis media /interna)

Stroke (cerebrovascular accidents)

Trauma

Cancer (neoplasia)

Cervical muscle contraction

Encephalitozoonosis

Cerebral larva migrans

Intoxication

Our vet guessed that it might be an inner ear infection that caused Haps to lose his balance and stumble around like a little borrachito. She prescribed some long term antibiotics and that I watch him carefully. She also said that his lack of appetite could have been a precursor to this illness, since it's hard to feel hungry when the room is spinning!

All in all, he is doing okay. The vet said he doesn't feel pain from this illness, more a sense of disorientation. But this was a big time reminder to me of the following facts:

• Our pets won't be with us forever - we have to cherish them while we have them around! AND
• It's important to monitor your pets' behavior - behavior changes are the only way they can communicate to us about their health.

So to sum this up - I plan to make sure to take lots of pics and make lots of great memories with these two beautiful bun buns - and spoil them like crazy so that the time I have left with them is worth it! Meanwhile, I'll keep you posted on Happy's progress! Thanks for reading!

 

 

The Amazing Race: Who Knew I Was a Runner?!

So yesterday was the Baltimore Running Festival and for the first time in my life, I was a part of it. Three friends asked me to be a part of their four-girl marathon relay and I accepted. What did we call ourselves? Las Guerreras! Warrior girls. Fitting, I think, given the year I've just come out of!

Anyway, I took the first leg of the marathon, which looked like this:

If you are at all familiar with Baltimore, you will know that this is quite an uphill endeavor. But at 5.7 miles, it was also the shortest leg of the race. I decided to do the first leg for two reasons; first, it started with the marathon runners so I figured it would be high energy and second, let's be honest...it's the shortest!

Anyway, the first mile was tough. Steady incline and super cold outside, I think I heard 37 degrees. Around the middle of mile two, I'll be honest...I walked a little. It was so hilly and cold, I started to get tired. But I have to say, running through totally unfamiliar neighborhoods where people came out in their PJ's to cheer us on was quite inspiring. At one point, I was power-walking along when an older gentleman jogged past me. I noticed he had 'Relay' on his back and I surveyed him only to notice that he was running on a prosthetic leg. Needless to say, that inspired me to get back to a jog. I was so impressed with him - with all my running comrades, actually. Many people kept a really slow steady pace, but they kept going. One girl in front of me for a while had a shirt on that said 'Put one foot in front of the other. Repeat.' and it reminded me that that was all I had to do, all I had to keep doing. It was awesome.

I think it was just past mile three that we entered the Maryland Zoo. Easily the most awesome part of the run for me. Greeting us, just as we entered were several zoo staff holding various animals - but the first, and most significant was of course, a raven. As we ran through, we were also cheered on by a kookaburra, a skunk, a rooster, a duck and my favorite - a little penguin named Tux who actually ran along the side of the walkway with us! So cute! (Apparently his amigo Tails greeted runners later on! Check out the pic to the right courtesy of the Baltimore Sun!)

Anyway, coming out of the zoo, we were greeted with the five mile marker and then I knew I had actually done it! Only .7 miles to go and I was still moving! Luckily, some rockin' volunteers were waiting with water and Gatorade to keep us going. One even complimented my hair flower! Finally, as I neared the relay exchange area, I saw my teammate Mariajose and sprinted through to finish. I gave her a quick hug and a good luck and she was off. From the starting lineup to the run itself and even riding back to the finish line on the bus I talked to a lot of awesome people, all running for different reasons. It felt amazing to be a part of such an awesome group - it felt amazing to be a 'runner'!  Something I can guarantee you, I never thought I'd be.

After the race, I watched a few rounds of marathoners make their way to the finish line, then joined Yhadird at Pickles Pub for a post-race lunch and headed to Celebration Village to claim my free beer and people watch. And even given my aching hips and knees today, all in all I can say it was an awesome experience and I can see how people get addicted to this. Next stop, a 10-miler? Who knows...??

My Second Original Crochet Pattern: MY FIRST HAT!

If you are reading this, you have to swear not to repeat when you have read. I have a confession to make: I have an incredibly short attention span. As a crocheter, it's even worse! I give major props to all those afghan makers out there - patience of saints!!! I, on the other hand, am more of a small items crocheter. I especially love making hats and other items for babies! Especially baby girls!!! <3 <3

And with that, I introduce my second original crochet pattern (at least I think it's original, I made it up as I went!):

The 'Helen' vintage-style Infant Beanie

This pattern uses:

SC - single crochet
DC - double crochet
Modified V-stitch
4DC cluster

*Note: Ch in the beginning of each round count as a stitch in stitch counts =)

Ch 4 and join to form a circle.
Round 1: Ch 2 and DC into the circle 9 times to make 10 st, join with sl st. (10)
Round 2:  Ch 2, 1DC in same st, 2DC in each stitch around, join with sl st. (20)
Round 3: Ch 2, 1DC in same st (counts as 2DC), 1DC in next stitch, *2DC, then 1DC all the way around, join with sl st. (30)
Round  4: Ch 2, 1 DC in next stitch, *2DC in next st, 1DC in next two st* repeat til end of round, join with sl st. (40)
Round  5: Ch3, 1DC in same st, ch 2, skip 2 st, *DC, Ch1, DC in next st, ch 2, skip 2 st* repeat til end of round, join with sl st to Ch 3. (10 V-stitches)
Round  6: Ch 2, 3DC in the Ch1 space of V stitch, 4DC in the Ch2 space of each V stitch around, sl st to ch2 of the first cluster.
Round  6-11: repeat Rows 5 and 6, alternating, sl st to the center of the 4DC cluster on first cluster in even numbered rows.
Round  12: SC in each stitch around. Finish off.

For the adorable flower I added, check out this pattern from http://easymakesmehappy.blogspot.com/!

Please feel free to sell any finished items made from this pattern (for flower, check with the pattern author, of course!) and as always...happy hooking!!!

Great Moments of 2012 (So Far!)

2011 was a rough year for me. Honestly, a year I'd like to forget. So on New Year's Eve of 2012, I made myself a promise. I promised that 2012 would be MY year. I promised that I would do amazing things that year! And so far, I've made good on that promise. So let's take a look at some highlights!

Early January: New Year's in Columbus, OH

Late January - Met Hector (my roomie)
and my new crew (Heather, Will, Andrea, etc...)

February 2012 - Met my boyfriend Yhadird
 











May - Ran the Warrior Dash!

  

June - Went to Denmark to visit Kirstine!

September - Opened my Etsy Shop!

I can't wait to see what's in store for the rest of 2012!!!

My First Post AND My First Ever Original Crochet Pattern!

First of all, welcome to my blog! Today, to start off my new adventure, I'd like to share with you my very first original crochet pattern!

I started crocheting when my sister, Chrissy, found out she was expecting. I mean, to be fair, I'd done it a bit as a kid but all I could do was chain...so I guess I was 'getting back into it'...in any case, my great friend Marisa taught me how to read patterns and since then, I've been a crochet maniac! I even opened my own shop on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/shehadmeinstitches

^ The shop name is dedicated to my niece, Peep; she really knows how to make me laugh! Anyway, so here it is, my very first pattern! (Feel free to sell from this pattern, if you'd like! Just please link back to my blog to give me a little credit! Thanks!)

 *Johan's Baby Necktie* 

For this, I used dark green, worsted weight acrylic yarn and a size J hook.
It uses:
chain (Ch)
double crochet (DC)
double crochet decrease (DC2tog) and a blunt yarn needle for sewing!

 -----

 Note: Each Ch3 of a row counts as 1DC.

Ch 3, DC into third ch from hook. Turn. (2)
Row 1: Ch 3, 2DC. Turn. (4)
Row 2: Ch 3, 3DC in each DC across. (6)
Row 3: Ch 3, DC in each DC across. (6)
Row 4: Ch 3, DC in each DC across. (6)
Row 5: Ch 3, DC in first stitch, DC2tog for next two stitches, DC in last space, turn.
Row 6: Ch 3, DC in each of first stitch, DC2tog for next two stitches, DC in last space, turn. (4)
Rows 7-30, Ch 3, DC in each DC across, turn. (4)
Finish off, leaving a long tail!

Now, I finished mine by creating a knot at the top, sewing it together with the tail and then using the tail to attach the tie to the item of my choice, in this case a wine bottle. This can be used as a photo prop for your little handsome baby boy - or to dress up any number of bottles as gifts for the holidays or even for a manly birthday!

Enjoy!