Elephants

This post is way old but for some reason it never made it out of my drafts (5-4-14).  I HAVE to share about it because I got to spend time with some of my favorite things ever, My mom, niece & nephew, friends, the bf and ELEPHANTS!  
It was a rather busy weekend but Friday I had the opportunity to sit on my porch and have a glass, err a mean a few glasses of wine.   It was nice to not have anything to do especially with the busy weekend ahead.  I love that it's finally starting to get warmer, it just makes my heart happy.  Phil was on his way back from Arizona so it was just me,  the pups and my bottle of Moscato.  

Saturday was the day I got to play with the elephants! :)  Phil and I headed down to Indy to spend the day with my Mom, Martha, my brother Liam and his family at the Indianapolis Zoo.  It was such a gorgeous day, actually almost too gorgeous because everyone and their cousin were at the zoo.  It was a mad house.  It was all totally worth it though because the kids had so much fun AND they had beer.  

(Martha, Me, Mom)  And apparently like mother like daughter because look at our stance.

Unfortunately we couldn't stay with them all day and we had to say our buhh byeeees.  The good news was that Phil's half sister had her baby the night before.  We went home, changed, took some snaps and headed over to the hospital.  We dress up to go to the hospital.  Do you not do that?

Just kidding we put our fancy clothes on because we were going to a Live Auction and needed to leave right from the hospital.  The auction ended up being a lot of fun.  Phil and I ended up leaving with a new mountain bike, a wine making experience, and a facial (that's for me).  This was also when still was still using his cane....SMH.

The next morning we were all in rough shape, particularly Phil, as I had to chase him down around town in his bike trying to get him back in the car.  Yea it was that kind of night.  Sunday I brought Dragon (Mouse doesn't do well in social settings) over to Lindsay's for a play date/recovery day and ate lots of food including my fav of all fav's Spinach and Artichoke Dip. We were pretty lazy but we did manage to get a few games of Ticket to Ride in.

Little Bit Of Everything

This weekend was pretty random much like myself.  Since we celebrated my birthday last weekend in Chicago we didn't do a whole lot this weekend "birthday" worthy.  I knew I would have a busy weekend following and with the bf going out of town for a week and a half we both didn't feel like doing a whole lot.  Because I am a "lister" this post wouldn't be complete without being in list form.  

1.  Treat yo self:  This is the one thing that I did this weekend that was actually birthday worthy.  I had stopped to see Phil's half sister Whitney and she invited me for lunch and pedicures with her daughter and lil baby Ryan.  I don't typically do the whole manicure and pedicure thing often because I can't justify spending my money on that regularly.  But it is nice and so relaxing once in a while. And heck I'm going to spoil myself and why not? I mean I am almost a quarter of a century.  Of course I snap chatted with my girls Rachel & Brooke, because my day is just not complete without them.  

2.  Last week I came home to this awesome little package and I knew it was for my birthday but I couldn't wait.  Mary, the bf's sister had sent me THE BEST T-SHIRT ever.  I mean seriously I would/might wear this everyday.  She knows me all too well, thanks Mary!

3.  ^ This is also when I learned I am and will never be a fashion blogger.  Haha.  I would much rather be behind the lens then in front of it.  I not only feel awkward but I straight up look awkward.  Seriously, this is why I never got senior pictures done.  I don't know what I am going to do when it comes to getting engagement and wedding pictures.  I just can't act all naturaaal when there is a camera in my face.  What's up #selfies?!

4.  The bf and I got all green this weekend.  We did yard work and planted a tree!  It all happened so fast.  We made a trip to Lowes to get a watering can and the next thing you know we have a tree sticking out of our sunroof.  I can't wait for it to bloom because it's a Flowering Red Dogwood! :)  This makes me even more excited because I got to cross this off my 101 Things in 1001 Days List.  

Our Burning Bush is sprouting!  We planted this over the fall and our happy to see we didn't kill it!

5.  I finally got around to finishing those DIY projects that I had started a month ago, err maybe longer! I had 3 pallets that I got from Philly's work.  I turned one that actually required two into a platform for Dragons Kennel and the other one into a Shoe Rack for Phil.  There was a lot of sanding and hammering involved.  I kid you not I was sore from all the squatting, hammering and panting. Dragon has ruined our kitchen floor. She has destroyed 2 plastic trays that sit in the bottom of kennels and now has completely ruined the floor.  We need to replace the flooring, which I hope we get around to it this summer because it just looks awful. The platform will hopefully keep her from anymore future flooring destruction and I would rather her destroy this practically free DIY pallet project.  The only thing I paid for was the letters and the gray spray paint for them.  My next project is to sew my own dog bed so she has something comfy to lay on!

6. Ever since the bf got me my camera for my birthday I CANNOT put it down! I discovered this weekend that Dragon might just be the coolest dog ever because she can fly!

7.  A lot of this weekend looked like this and I did not hate it.... I mean there really isn't a lot better than snuggles with your bf and pup! 

The fact that I posted a Weekend Recap on a Monday is a miracle, seriously this stuff just doesn't happen often! :)

Because You Can't Just Have One

For as long as I can remember, I have loved tattoo's.  I think they are a great outlet for expression.  They tell stories about peoples lives or reminders to keep going.  They're inspiring.  They're beautiful. They're conversation starters. They're art.  

At 20 I got inked for the first time.  The best part was getting to do it with my best friend and pledge sister, Tori.  Who needs best friend bracelets when you can get matching tattoos?  Tori and I met freshman year and instantly clicked.  We pledged a sorority together and the symbol of our sorority is an anchor.  At the end of my sophomore year I decided to transfer to another college in New York.  So we chose the anchor as a symbol to be forever connected.  But my tattoo actually has duel meanings.  My father is a Tugboat Captain, so was my grandfather and my uncle.  My dad and three brothers all have anchor tattoos.  So it also represents family.  It's a very special tattoo to me and I'm in love with it.  

Tattoos are no joke though.  They hurt.  I don't know if you can tell by the picture. I also could look like I'm having trouble on the toilet.  Haha but no worries, it's just me getting a tattoo. 

At 22 I got inked for the second time.  I fell in love with the quote "Without struggle there is no progress."  Things have never come easy for me.  I've encountered many bumps in the road but it's part of who I am today and has made me a stronger person.  

I didn't have as much success with this tattoo and I was not pleased with the outcome. It straight up looks like crap.  It's so hard to read and it's not in the writing I wanted at all.   Here's my advice, research your tattoo artist and be super picky.  This is on you for life.  Once I get some money saved up, I'm going to meet with a new tattoo artist to see what they can do to fix it.  Cross your fingers that there's hope!

 

Below are the tattoos that I am crazy about. 

1 - Dream catchers are a symbol of unity and for children is used to catch the bad dreams and thoughts.  Growing up I always had a dream catcher hanging by my bed.  It reminds me of my childhood.  To me I also relate it to keeping happy thoughts and not focusing on the negative.  
2 - The Elephant represent a lot for me.  For one thing, my blog is Chasing Elephants. It means to follow my dreams, not give up and to remember what it is that I love.  It means strength, peace and family.  Elephants with their trunk up is good luck.  
3,4, 5 & 6 - I could sit outside for hours just looking at nature like things and have a big old dorky smile on my face.  Just ask my IRL best friend Erin.  My degree is in Outdoor Recreation and so obviously I like outdoor things.  I love hiking, backpacking, canoeing, skiing and just being outside in general.  Lately I haven't been enjoying the outdoors like I should/want to.  I can't forget to keep enjoying the things that I love.

7 & 8 - If you can't tell, I love to travel and it's the thing in life that makes me feel so alive and gives me that rush.  It reminds me how much beauty there is on this earth.  It's what I am most passionate about, besides family of course.  I think it somewhat defines me even.  Compasses also means protection and guidance.  

9 - "An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward, so when life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means that it is going to launch you into something great.  So just focus, and keep aiming."  I found this on Pinterest somewhere and it just sums up the arrow so perfectly.  

What I love about tattoos is the meaning behind them.  Every tattoo is a story. And every one has a story to tell.  Each of these tattoos would remind me to keep going, enjoy life and to stay true to myself.  Not to mention I think they are sexy.  As you can see it is going to be hard to pick my next tattoo.  What are your favorites?