Yeahhhh, Hi! Remember me?

Sooooo, hey guys!!! I'm not sure if anyone is still reading this, since I disappeared for over 10 months... Sheesh. But, I am alive!!! Lots of things have changed. Jon and I got engaged and married (in the same day, yup) and then we moved from Virginia, to South Carolina and then to Florida all in about a month's time... Yeah, that was fun (said no one ever).

So, we're living in Jacksonville now. Jon's gone a lot what with duty nights and under ways and so on and so forth, so a lot of times it's just me with the dog and the cat. They're actually a lot more work than I thought they would be, so I don't get to craft much anymore. I'm still trying to adjust to everything and just when I think I'm getting into a routine, something changes.

I randomly decided I want to start blogging again though. I miss it. Although, it's more of just something for me to do to have an online diary for other people to read and to organize my thoughts. Maybe one of these days I will be crafting again. But, I doubt it.

Here's a few pictures of life for us, it's really not so bad... And I'm willing to admit some craft time is taken away because of the beach, which we live 10 minutes away from. Muahahaha.

Oh yeah, and we live on a golf course with a lake view. It's pretty awesome.

I'll post more tomorrow!

I'M ALIVE!!!!!

Believe it or not, I am still alive!!! Sorry for disappearing, but, I haven't had much time for anything else because we just recently added a furry addition to our ever growing zoo.

This is Lucy! I had fallen in love with her at one of the SPCA booths back in August when she was a puppy, but didn't get her. I saw her again at another booth in October and still wanted her, but, still didn't get her. Then she got adopted and I though, okay, it's done. No more. But, I just happened to be checking the SPCA website and there she was!!! Apparently her previous owner had developed Alzheimer's and had to return her. I took this as a sign that she was meant to be mine and went to the SPCA that weekend and filled out the paperwork. And now she's my baby girl. 

She's a chow mix, not sure mixed with what. Some people are saying Sheltie, some people say Cocker Spaniel, some say Golden Retriever because of her hair. She's only about 30 pounds. She's SUCH a good dog. So, so, soooo very lovable. My only complaint is, she likes to run out the door (she's already escaped twice) and she doesn't like other dogs. But, we're working on that. She's only been out of the pound for 3 weeks and she's come along way, obedience wise, since then. 

And of course, she's already spoiled.

I love the fur around her arms. It makes it looks like she's wearing a shirt with fluffy sleeves haha.

I've also been absent because I've allowed myself to get COMPLETELY obsessed with the Hunger Games haha. I had been told to read it before the movie came out, but, thought I didn't have time to. So, I finally made myself break down and buy them and read them. I was done within less than a week. Holy Cow! So good!!! Except for the ending. Not too thrilled with the ending. And everyone else I've talked to seems to feel the same.

I just saw the movie this weekend. It was meh. I mean, I liked the actors, it just needed maybe an extra half hour to it (and the cave scene needed to be better Gah), but, when movies are directed at tweens, they don't normally go over two and half hours. But, I've been listening to the soundtrack nonstop!!! Have you guys heard this!?! I mean... AMAZING!!! Best 12 bucks I ever spent!

This is my favorite song from it. The Civil Wars are ridiculously good. I can't believe I had never heard of them until now. They have two tracks on the album. 

Beautiful.
I also recently found out they're doing tours in Asheville, NC where they teach you survival training, have Hunger Games themed meals, teach you archery, take you zip lining at night and take you on tours of the filming locations. Um, sign me up!!!! Especially since it's so close to home and one of the tour weekends is my birthday weekend! What better way to celebrate turning 25 then fully immersing myself into a teen fiction series!
http://hungergamesfantours.com/#!adventure-weekends/

Around the Interwebs: Easter

I'm a BIG fan of Easter crafts and baking. I don't know why, really. But I remember always making jello eggs with my Nana and dying the coconut shavings green so it looked like grass. My Nana is probably where I get most of my creativity from. She's pretty amazing. Last year we made super awesome, super pretty cupcakes and she made dirt in a cup (which was delicious) complete with gummy worm and fake flowers. Now that it's that time of year again, time to find some Pinterest crafts for Easter!

Source: hungryhappenings.com via Christina on Pinterest

Source: cupcakeproject.com via Sam on Pinterest 

Source: bhg.com via Gaynell on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Gretchen on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: styleathome.com via Ima on Pinterest

Source: u-createcrafts.com via Renee on Pinterest

Cute Animal Monday: Emotional Weekend

So, we had a pretty eventful, emotional weekend in the Hamilton household. My pretty kitty Sheba started having very labored breathing.

I, personally, was very worried as this was the first symptom one of our other cats developed before he passed away. We were finally able to find a vet in our area that was open on the weekend and get her in first thing in the morning on Sunday. At first, the vet wasn't very optimistic. He thought it was tumors and, of course, this got me more upset. Then they did x-rays and THANKFULLY found nothing! So, he decided, to try steroids with her to see if maybe she had asthma. He checked on her later that night and that's what it was! 

So, my baby is at home and following us every step we take again and I couldn't be happier. I am so thankful for the veterinarians at the Well Pet Group in Lexington behind Peebles. They are sooo amazing and patient and wonderful. They really, truly love animals and didn't mind us constantly pestering them while constantly checking on our baby girl. They even called us at 9:00PM on Sunday night.

Anyways, this original post was supposed to be about our main man Arthur. So, I don't know if you guys know "Business Cat", but, this is him:

And since Arthur is a black cat, I decided to get him a business tie from the Etsy shop SewSmooth. Amazing quality! Love her stuff. 

"Deficit? You gotta be kitten me!"

Teeheehee. Isn't he cute!?! :D

And here's just some regular pictures of Arty.

And this is "Toy Graveyard". The place where Arty pushes his toys off the side of the patio.

And, just to throw in some more cuteness, here's a picture I got of my baby boy Bubby this weekend.

Phew!!! I'm done! All animals are safe, happy and healthy. Which makes the humans happy! Have a good rest of the week all!

Around the Interwebs: Eclectic

No real rhyme or reason to this group. Just things I want to try! 

Source: hotteaandmilkchocolate.blogspot.com via Tana on Pinterest

Source: fabulesslyfrugal.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Source: thisoldhouse.com via Nancy on Pinterest

Source: viv-spot.blogspot.com via Rhonda on Pinterest

Source: mycoveredbridge.blogspot.com via Jessie on Pinterest

Source: blogs.babble.com via Amy on Pinterest

Magnolia Plantation Swamp Garden

Remember when Jon and I went to Magnolia Plantation back in June?

First Magnolia Plantation Visit

Well, last weekend we went back. This time with our friends Brandon and Mary-Jane (and this time to the Swamp Garden). Here's some pictures from the day.

I don't know if you guys remember Sylvester or not, he's the cat Jon and I found while we were waiting on the tour of the mansion. He greeted us at the ticket booth this time :). For some reason, no matter where I go, the cats find me... They know I'm a crazy cat lady... *sigh*

The critters that greet you before you walk through the gate. So cute.

The wood pecker that picked, probably the smallest piece of wood in the swamp.

My artsy fartsy cardinal picture.

For some reason, I can't remember what type of bird this is... Anyone able to help?

Same story for this guy... 

Tehe... He's eating the sign. See the eye and the mouth? OM NOM NOM!!!

First gator!!!! Mary-Jane was not a fan of the gators haha. Especially since the paths we were on didn't have fences for the most part. 

We were amazed of the strength of those nests! They're some pretty big birds and they were pretty high up in the tree.

The Ibis were doing their mating dances!

Ducks on a log. I actually had to go through a lot to get this picture. My camera kept wanting to focus on trees and whatnot instead of the duckies. So I squeezed myself up against a tree and finally got it.

This guy was being creepy, slowly walking across the swamp. We tried to call him to us, but, apparently gators don't respond to kiss noises and "Here pretty pretty!". Oh well. 

We didn't get to stay long because a big storm was brewing overhead and it started raining on us, but, we got to shopping instead. I found one of the bead stores! Apparently it was in the mall this whole time and I had no idea I was so close to it. But, I know now! 

I will actually be home for the next 3 weeks and I'm not sure what to do with all that free time. And the year is winding down here at VMI. I will have much more time for crafting. I'm hoping to try a craft this weekend and I'll put up a tutorial if it works out well! I'll be working in the garden too. It's supposed to be 70s and 80s for all of this week and most of next. I don't mind losing the extra hour of sleep. BRING ON THE SUNSHINE!!! I can't wait for it to not get dark until about 9ish. That's my favorite time of year.

I also got 2 new sewing books that I'm pretty excited about. One of them is 101 Things to do With 1 Yard of Fabric. I'm hoping this will teach me how to sew... Finally.