is the pain really worth it?

I know plenty of people (yes, mum - you) who would say no. And I did struggle quite a lot this time. That bit at the top of your arm, underneath - it's quite fleshy, and squishy (on me, at least), and sensitive. According to my rule of 'if it's tickly it'll hurt' that bit should have hurt the most out of the places I've got tattoos. It did. I'm not ashamed to admit, I had to turn away so I could have a little cry. A very quiet one. That was a first.
But it's 2 days later, and it's starting to feel a bit better. The bruising is going down (I bruise really easily). It'll start getting itchy soon. My crafty arm is almost complete. I think I just need a few little buttons dotted here and there, maybe a couple of stars to fill in small gaps. Then we can move on to the left arm.

My friend, Sash, who is much cleverer with the camera is coming round tomorrow (she took this pic) so I'll see if she can get one of my whole arm.

School starts again next week. Today I have the last minute rush to get everything I've previously put off. We need shoes for Miss G, most importantly. Ginger's school shoes were bought right at the end of last term when he had a last minute foot growth spurt. Typically. I know leaving it so late will mean she gets no choice, which is bound to cause drama and much stomping of feet in ugly school shoes. I do it every year. I think 'I'll get everything early this time' and then forget. So here we are, less than a week to go. To be quite honest, she needs a whole new uniform, but I have an irrational fear of the school shop ever since I went once (yes, I have only been once - I write notes to the teacher asking for things, or send the husband) and a very scary shop lady screeched 'no children in the school shop' (which is difficult as it's a school shop, for school children to buy uniform). I think she may have left, she'd been there since the husband was at school, it's possible she's no longer on this Earth, but I'm too afraid to risk it.