Hanging Cutie

I've always been into plants, but mainly outdoor ones and vegetable gardens. Last year I started getting interested in house plants. Growing up, my mom kept lots of plants both inside and out. We always kept aloe in the kitchen for burns, an umbrella plant in the living room that had been passed down from my great grandmother, and a flowerbed outside full of peonies, gladiolus, and azalea, just to name a few.
I've learned a lot over the past year, and honestly have killed my fair share of plant babies, but a few are still going strong! My aloe is doing great, and I'm desperately trying to propagate goldfish plant cuttings. Jonathan surprised me with this sloth planter one day! He hangs in our kitchen. Not gonna lie, the plants pictured have long since died, but that's just an excuse to go back to the greenhouse!

I waited 22 years!!!

For my birthday last year, Jonathan took me to see the Lion King musical!! I had waited, wishing and hoping, since I was 11 years old to see this masterpiece. It was more than worth the wait - an amazing journey, full of incredible music, beautiful dance and chants, mind-blowing costume feats, and spiritually uplifting. The Lion King has always meant so much to me, on a very deep, personal, spiritual level, and seeing this literally left me speechless and in awe. If you ever get the chance, do yourself a favor and enjoy this beautiful work of visual and audible art!

Spring Visit

Last Easter, my brother, mother, and Trauma came to visit! We had a great time together. They had been to Virginia many times before, but it was the first time since we had moved here. It was also Trauma's very first time ever seeing a beach or the ocean! He was very unsure of it, and was not a fan of the water. He absolutely loves his pool back home, but the ocean was just too much for him. He takes after his momma - I'd prefer to be in a pool, too! Nonetheless, it was great having everyone together in our new home.

Witch of Pungo

Like I previously mentioned, the history is so rich here in eastern VA. Some spectacular, a lot disheartening, all fascinating. Not long after we moved here, I learned of a local lady by the name of Grace Sherwood. She lived in the area during the turn of the 18th century, and became well known by the unfortunate event of being one of the last people in Virginia to be convicted of witchcraft. She and her husband were farmers in the area of Virginia Beach known as Pungo, and Grace was well versed in the use of herbs and had a huge love for animals. For years, several neighbors accused her of using spells to kill livestock, damage crops, and even cause the miscarriage of a neighboring woman. In 1706, shortly after her husband passed, she was ducked (the term used at the time for seeing if a witch sinks or floats in water; if she sinks, she's innocent, if she floats, guilty. Guess which one happened to Grace), tried, convicted and served the next 8 years in prison. Upon her release, she managed to regain her farm where she lived until her death in 1740 at the age of 80.
In 2006, Governor Kaine granted an official pardon for her name, stating that she was wrongfully convicted. A beautiful statue of Grace was erected on the corner of Independence Blvd and Witchduck Rd, near the site of the courthouse where she was tried.
Many stories and legends exist of the Witch of Pungo, but in truth she was an innocent lady who loved nature and lived during a darker time.

 

My... sinuses...

The pollen here in Virginia is unlike any I've ever seen, or suffered through. We live in an area dense with pine, and this time of year everything turns yellow! They pressure washed our apartment building today, but in a week it's just all going to be yellow again!

No BS!

A couple of times over the past year we've gotten to see one of our favorite bands, No BS Brass! They are absolutely fantastic, and are wonderful live. Just bring some earplugs, or the horns will blow your head off!

My Goodness!

We seem to have lost a year! Time really gets away from you when life gets hectic, you're unable to get pictures to your computer, you start a new job, and a pandemic sweeps the globe! We hope everyone is staying safe and secluded out there. We are taking every measure we can to not only ensure our health, but the fragile health of my mother-in-law that lives with us. I started a new job at a local craft supply store 6 months ago, but I will soon be laid off so I can stay home to further crack down on bringing the virus into our home. Luckily Jonathan has been able to work from home the past couple of weeks. Things will get better, they always do, but it's going to get a lot worse before it improves. Life goes on. In the meantime, keep your distance and wash your hands!
In our absence within the past year, our furbabies have developed illnesses. Our rat terrier, Toby, developed chronic pancreatitis and must stay on prescription food from the vet. Our boxer, Trauma, is going through a much more serious ordeal. His leg mysteriously swelled up over night a few months ago, and has never gone back down. We've ran every scan and test, administered every antibiotic and steroid. Nothing has changed. The vet is fearing it's cancer. Unfortunately we've done all we can afford to do, and the biopsy that must be done is nearly $1000. The vet said his leg may even need amputated in the future. We have started a fund raiser to help our little pooky butt. If you have a few dollars to spare, we would greatly appreciate it, but please do not feel obligated:

Trauma's Fundraiser

In more positive news, last May we adopted 2 brother rats named Joseph and Jerald! They are very sweet. We got them from the SPCA. Joseph is a rex, meaning his fur and whiskers are coarse and crinkled, and as he's aged he is starting to go bald, which can happen in rexes. The baldness is mainly on his sides, so you can see all of his fat rolls now, haha.

Now that I can access my pictures again (I've still been documenting our lives here, waiting for the day I could get these photos online!), you can expect regular updates. There will probably be a lot here soon since I have a year's worth to catch up on! Virginia is a lovely place, and I am especially fond of all the history, old buildings, and cemeteries. Stay tuned while we fill you in on the time we've missed with you!