Dear Adventure-Seeking Friends,
Today’s Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone, 07.2019 is not what I had originally planned for this post. You might remember that one of the items on my 2019 Summer Bucket List was to get a custom temporary tattoo. I began working on bringing this project to fruition early in July. Googled online temporary tattoo shops and discovered Momentary Ink. Appreciated their clever shop name so decided to place an order with them. Was hoping to receive my custom designed tattoo in time to wear it to see my girls in Ft. Worth.
But it has been 16 days since I placed my order and 14 days since I last heard from them. While just thinking about a temporary, or any other kind of tattoo, is a big stretch for me, wearing one is waaaaaay outside my comfort zone. In fact, I get butterflies just thinking about applying it and wearing it out in public. Where do I put it? What will people think about this 61 year-old mimi getting a tattoo?
Since I haven’t received my temp tat, I am tabling this activity until next month’s Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone. And for this month, I had to pull something out of my…hat.
Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone 07.2019
Around my 43 birthday, I found myself sadly divorced from my daughters’ step-father. It was a very difficult time emotionally and financially for my daughters and me. We were all 3 fairly crushed by the decision of my girls’ ‘daily dad’ and my husband of 10 years to move out. I was stunned by the thought of potentially being alone for the rest of my life. Maybe as a reaction to another failed marriage, impending divorce, and another birthday, I decided to get my belly button pierced.
Not sure where the idea came from. I think I was probably feeling numb, almost dead inside. May have thought I wouldn’t experience any pain from the piercing as I was already in so much pain already. Or maybe I wanted to feel young again. Might have been I just needed to do something a little unexpected to feel alive. Whatever the case, I picked a day, went to Renegade Tattoos and had my belly button pierced, selecting a simple green single stone for my first naval ring.
I didn’t tell my then teen-aged daughters immediately. In fact, before I could find the ‘right time’ to tell them about my piercing, Brennyn and Lauren discovered it on their own. The shirt I was wearing at the time rose up just a little too high when I was stretching to get something out of the kitchen cabinets. And there it was. They were both a little shocked. Lauren, probably most of all. Because Brennyn wanted to have hers pierced, too!
Buying More Belly Button Bling
I began buying more belly button bling. My second piece was the iridescent ball and aqua crystal cube pictured below.
Because my pierced ears had stretched badly about 10 years before, I was unable to wear pierced earrings of any weight for long. In fact, I had almost completely switched to clip-ons when I did wear earrings. Buying naval rings became my new jewelry option. Of course, being a newly single mom with teenage daughters, no one was going to be seeing my ‘jewels’. But that was ok, because this was something I was doing for me.
And naval rings are inexpensive, so I was able to treat myself to a new piece now and then without forgoing electricity or water for the month. What a responsible parent, eh?
I really enjoyed the boost wearing my belly button bling gave me. It was like wearing pretty panties. Or a lacy new bra.
Menopause Burst My Bubble
When I met PC, I had was at the peak of my navel ring-wearing days. Not sure he knew what to think that first summer we were together, and I wore it with my 2 piece bathing suit. He is the son of a conservative Baptist preacher, after all.
Within 18 months of our meeting, though, I began having lots of menstrual issues that resulted in a partial hysterectomy. And a decline into peri-menopause and then menopause. Until that time, my stomach and abdomen had always been surprisingly toned for a middle-aged mama. Now, I’d begun putting on weight in my middle where I had never really had problems before. My waist started disappearing into my hips. My once hour-glass figure was a full 90 minutes. Wearing my belly button bling began to hurt. The jewelry rubbed sometimes against the waist of my jeans. Menopause burst my bubble. I removed my naval ring and stored them all in my jewelry box.
Until Now
Every once in a while, I would try one on. Maybe wear it for a day or two. But that would be the extent of it as the irritation and pain always returned.
This spring, though, when PC and I started Weight Watchers again, we also began working to tone various areas of our bodies. We have 4 work-out routines we rotate through.
- Yoga/abs/cardio/lunges/arm machines;
- Yoga/abs/cardio/rowing machine/leg machines;
- Yoga/abs/cardio/squats & lunges/chest & back machines;
- Yoga/cardio/stair master/ab machines.
So that makes for an ab workout at least 4 times a week, in one format or another. Crunches, sit-ups and ab workouts on weight machines.
My waist is returning and my grandma-paunch is beginning to tone up. So guess what? I have dusted off my belly button bling and begun wearing them again.
Doing so has brought back that feeling of being alive, and a little risky (or risque?). PC is still not terribly thrilled about it but that’s okay. Because I am doing this for me! He is noticing the results of my ab work, though, and that makes me feel good, too. And it’s kind of crazy, now I am not sure if I am wearing the belly button bling because of the results of the ab work outs or doing the ab work outs because I want to wear the belly button bling. Whatever the case, it’s working. Not a six-pack yet, but…
This week, I have been in Ft. Worth visiting Brennyn and Cady. Lauren and Lucia joined me a few days into my visit. We have swam at the kids’ community pool several times and spent the day at a water park. I was jumping off into the pool with Cady and we were going under water together when she noticed my belly button bling. For a second, I felt embarrassed and kind of silly. I am a grandmother twice over and 61 years old.
When Cady asked me if I had a belly button ‘earring’, pretty sure I blushed. Then she was quick to add how much she liked it. And Brennyn spoke up to say that she still wears her naval rings but went on to explain it was something Cady would have to wait to do when she got older. Ha! Like Mimi, like mommy, like grandbaby.
Your Turn
Is there something you’ve done to make you feel just a little more alive? I think if I were to go back over each of my Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone activities, that would be a common thread among them. Whatever I have done has made me feel more alive. Has stretched and challenged me. And look! I’ve lived to tell about it!
Home tomorrow. Will be sad to say goodbye to Brennyn and Cady. Just hate not knowing when we will be together again. We are talking Christmas, hoping Christmas. And that gives me something to look forward to.
Thank you for stopping by today. I have been unable to do much blog reading or writing while I’ve been away but will be catching up this weekend again. Seems I say that a lot! Need to stay my butt home for awhile now. Enjoy your weekend. Try something outside YOUR comfort zone.
Hugs and kisses,
Dee | Grammy's Grid
I have never wanted a tattoo but have thought lately that I’d like for me and my hubby to get one to replace our wedding bands, yes on that finger! No belly button for me but when my daughter was a teen she got one without me knowing it. I would, however, like to have a tiny diamond stud piercing on the side of my nose! You are a hoot – “My once hour-glass figure was a full 90 minutes.” Cute video, don’t you just love spending time with your grands?
Leslie Roberts Clingan
LOVE being with my grands. They are so precious to me. Get that tiny diamond, Dee. Then write about it!! Join me for Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone. I think those little studs on the side of the nose are so pretty. DO IT!!!
ShootingStarsMag
I think it’s awesome you got a belly button piercing, and you’re right – it just has to make YOU feel good. It’s not for anyone else. I think stepping outside of your comfort zone really does make you feel a bit more alive!
-Lauren
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Stepping outside my comfort zone has only brought me good feelings and experiences. I want to keep it up!
Deb
What a great story – and especially great as you did it for YOU, no one else. And even better that you’ve now seen the results of all your hard exercise work and can wear them again!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you!! I am enjoying wearing my belly button bling and thinking of treating myself to a new piece!
Dara
That is something I never would have guessed about you! It looks really cute!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Ha!! I think it’s fun that you wouldn’t have guessed about my belly button bling! Thank you.
Juhli
I loved reading that getting outside your comfort zone has made you feel more alive each time! That is so important to continue as we get older. Glad you had a good time visiting your family too.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Juhli. Had a great time in Ft. Worth and looking forward to having my girls here in El Paso for Christmas.
Donna Connolly
What great modeling for your family….and for all of us!
Love it!!!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Awww, thank you. Just wanted to feel young and the teensiest bit bold!
cindi
I’ve stepped outside my usual comfort zone a few times this month so far. With no end in sight. IT’s good to shake up the soul every once in a while. 🙂
Leslie Roberts Clingan
So excited about your new RV. I imagine that was a step out of your comfort zone. But what wonderful times you will enjoy traveling in it. Looks like there might be room for PC and me, too!!
Gail
Good for you Leslie, there’s no age limit to belly button rings or temporary tattoos (can’t wait to see that!). In the past I did a few things to make me feel alive like having hair extensions in 1998, so I could feel what it was like having long hair, and then, when I had my hair cut brutally short, buying a few fun wigs! I’m tempted to try pink hair, so watch this space!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, I would love to see you with pink hair. The blogger Shauna at Chic over 50 (who is adorable) wears pink hair on occasion and looks so cute in it. And Jennie at A Pocketful of Polka Dots is also a pinkie at times. You might check out their looks before you pull the trigger. But I know you will be just as pretty in pink as they are.
I would love to try extensions. Moreover, PC would eat that up!! Ha! Maybe I need to surprise him and be Rapunzel for an evening.
Em
Oh, Leslie! How fun. I think it feels like having a little secret, a little rebellious and free. My mr. would probably react the same as Paul, but I love how it’s your thing and you’re having fun with that. And what a great way to celebrate your weight loss and fitness!!! Have to say, I’m pretty inspired….(tomorrow, lol).
I’m not very great about “risks” like this. My gosh, I had an extra hole pierced in my ear and my sister-in-law interrogated me about it, as if I had somehow permanently offended the world. Gotta say, I LOVE having that extra hole in my ear, even more so because of her reaction. Sigh, people.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Ha!! Good for YOU! Isn’t it crazy how people can get all bent out of shape over the silliest things that are really none of their concern. Of course, PC does, occasionally, have to see my belly button bling but he seems to be okay with it now. And you are right, it is like having a little secret, a little undercover rebelliousness. My sister always asks me if it is real when she sees it. And is quit appalled when I say yes. Ha!! Like you said, sigh, people!!!
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
Oh, Leslie… I thoroughly enjoyed reading this post. And, wow. I’ll be 42 in August and I can’t imagine losing a husband and step father to your kids after 10 years (heck, Brian has been step dad to my kids for almost 7 now), but you did it and I just adore that belly ring story that goes along with it. You are so incredibly strong and beautiful and yes wear that belly button ring (or whatever they call them! lol!) as much as you want! You look GREAT! I need to get back to working out, I took the week off we were in Hawaii and then we all got really sick after Hawaii (I think I caught something on the flight home and spread it to everyone else) with fevers, congestion, etc. I’m just starting to feel back to myself this week, so I may push myself out of this lazy mode and get back to it next week! Or sooner. Take care and thanks for sharing a little bit about you!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
You are so special. I cherish your comments. Thank you for this dear message. It was so hard on my daughters and me when John moved out. We really gave our marriage all we had to give but there were too many circumstances, too many problems that were insurmountable. Both of my daughters ask if I ever see him, as he lives about a mile from PC and me, with his wife. But strangely I never run into him. Which is probably for the best.
I am so sorry you’ve been sick since returning home from Hawaii. It is scary to get sick after traveling overseas. Especially with all of the folks who have recently died after travel to the Dominican. You just never know. Hope everyone is well now and ready to begin a shiny new school year.
Thank you again for always making my day and warming my heart with your comments. Big love to you!
Danielle
I love this! I love that you did it for you, and that you proudly sport it still.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you!! Always think of you as one of my bestest cheerleaders.
Daenel T.
What a great story {minus the divorce}. I love that you’re now able to wear your bling.
I remember the first time I got my belly button pierced – my kids were little and they nearly fell on the floor. I also got a tattoo which nearly destroyed them. To this day, they still have something to say when they see my tat. It’s hilarious. Even though I’ve had it for almost 20 years. LOL
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Ha! Can’t imagine that your now adult children are still talking about your tat. Good for you to follow your heart and give them something to talk about. There is a song “Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About” by Bonnie Raitt that I always liked and at times in my life have felt like it was kind of my anthem. Do you still wear belly button bling? I took my out after my trip to Ft. Worth but time to get something back in there to remind me/encourage me to keep after my ab workouts!
Kimberly Malkiewicz
Oh, my. This is something I never would have considered–good for you! Back to the temp tattoo, when we were in Key West, I was going to have a henna tattoo, but when I went to the location, they were doing someone else and I didn’t feel like waiting. Such is my “dare-devil” experience!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Ha! You tickled me with your henna experience. I had henna done on my hands in New Orleans and loved it. But didn’t want to wash my hands or even use my hands for fear of messing it up. Still don’t have my temp tat. It needs to come on so I can mark that activity off my bucket list when I update on 08.21.
Nancy Dobbins
Hi Leslie,
How risky, or “risque”…love your style. And congrats on being able to rock the bellybutton jewels again at 61.
Am facing my 61st in a month and for some reason I am more melancholy about it than I was about my 60th.
You’ve brightened my day!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Nancy. I hope you can find a way to celebrate this next birthday rather than dread it. Maybe you could do something small each day or have a mini-celebration once a week for the whole month! But do something that makes you happy. Wish you would think of a way to step outside your comfort zone and write a post to link-up with me on the last day of this month.
Natalie
Glad you had a good time with your family, Leslie. Good for you to wear your belly button bling for yourself and continue to expand your comfort zone. In July I stretched my comfort zone by meeting a fellow blogger IRL. It was like a blind date 🙂
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Had such a good time in Ft. Worth, but wish now, we had tried to cram less into each day and had just sat around talking and hugging more. There’s never enough time!
Need to keep up with my ab workouts so I can continue to wear my belly button bling. Tickled me that my granddaughter thought it was ‘cool’!
Laura
Good for you getting that belly button piercing for yourself then! Sometimes you just need to think about yourself and what will make YOU feel better!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Such a silly thing, this belly button bling!! But it makes me feel young and a little feisty!
Dee | Grammy's Grid
Thanks so much Leslie for linking up and co-hosting at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty 40!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you for hosting the link-up, Dee!!
Amy Johnson
Well, as a conservative Baptist myself (ha ha) I see nothing morally wrong with a belly button piercing. If you like it, great. But every time I see one I cringe, like nails on a chalkboard kind of cringe, because they look so painful to me. I would be terrified of it getting caught on something and tearing. But that must not be the case, or so many people wouldn’t have them. I’m just impressed you have the abs to wear them. All my weight always go to my middle.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
High five, conservative Baptist, you!! I think maybe my piercing wasn’t done exactly right because it hurts sometimes. Not so much now that my abs are in better shape but it would hurt when I would try wearing it when I was chubbier. So I need to keep after the ab work and the Weight Watchers. My weight tends to go to my hips, behind and upper thighs and then my middle. Kind of equal opportunity!
Sylvia | Grace for a Gypsy
Leslie, that was a great story about stepping out of your comfort zone! I am not good at that but have decided that I am going to make a list of “stepping out of my comfort zone” projects. I am inspired! Thanks for linking up and co-hosting the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty 40
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, sweet friend. Please think about joining me at the end of the month for my Stepping Outside My Comfort post. I would love to link-up with you and together we can inspire others to try something new!!
Candi Randolph
I think it’s awesome that you decided to express yourself with a belly button ring, and even more exciting that you are able to wear it again since working out regularly! Yay for you! I stepped out of my comfort zone about 7 years ago when I decided to get a tattoo. My husband had a couple of them and I wanted to experience the joy (and pain) of a small tattoo. I ended up with two small tattoos, one on my ankle and one on my upper back. They both remind me of those good times with my late husband. I have his name forever written on my body and will always treasure that little tattoo.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
What a sweet story about the tattoos. I have such trouble remembering how to spell that word and the word commit, and tattoos are something you commit to permanently!! My temporary tattoo is still not here. Frustrating. Think I will order another similar one from a second company and write a review on the two.
I only feel like I can wear my belly button ring when my tummy is flatter. So, it has become incentive for more sit ups and keeping at the Weight Watchers.
Thank you for visiting!!