A day at the zoo

Today was a great day - Kyle and I spent our afternoon at Springfield's Dickerson Park Zoo. I absolutely love going to the zoo, seing all the animals, spending time with my hubby, and just admiring the diversity that God has given us all. Here is one of my favorite things to do at our zoo: feed giraffes!

I also love feeding the ginormous koi fish and big white swans. Today the swans were stretching their necks up so high they could have nipped me . . .

So I played catch with them instead!

I just thought I'd throw those fun videos out there . . . hopefully you'll smile like I did today!

And just remember, the good Lord gave us diversity for a reason. We're not all supposed to be the same - we're not all supposed to look the same, talk the same, or even eat the same. But we are all in this world together, so you'd better get over your differences ... 'cuz we're gonna be different for a while!

Me - Then and Now

It's amazing how much we change over the years. To think that we grow a little every day is quite facinating to me - even more facinating is the fact that you don't really notice that you're growing until it's already over! Today I was fitted with my first pair of glasses in seven or eight years, and it got me thinking back to how I looked so long ago.


So much has changed since then. I used to have bangs and multiple necklaces. My wardrobe was slightly more juvenile and I wore glasses on a regular basis.


Now, I have a more updated haircut, simpler (if stranger) jewelry, and I finally got the guts to test drive contacts and had never gone back. I have a tattoo, I have a husband and a house.


But I have also grown in more than just the asthetic ways. I have a more outgoing personality. I have a better sense of humor (thanks to my hubby), more control over my anger, and a greater respect and understanding of the blessings I've been given.


I pray that I never forget where I came from - so I can understand how far I really have come.

Joanie

Every morning when I am brushing my teeth before heading to work, I peruse the numerous choices of necklaces for the day's best option.

Today, like some days, I decided on this lovely little silver key.

I have always chosen jewelry with a particular meaning or appeal, This key in particular is one of my simplest and most beloved pieces.

It belonged to my Grandma - one of the most amazing women I think I've ever had the priveledge of knowing.

She, like my Mom and me, was a bit quirky ... one her most endearing qualities.

She collected keys - big keys, tiny keys; keys in frames and keys on chains.

This particualar key was given the special honor of hanging in my bouquet at my wedding.



And though Grandma wasn't there to smile and cry and hug me and laugh, she was holding my hands as my Dad and Grandpa gave me away.

I cherish those little moments of recollection and reminisce.

I remember sitting on their porch helping her string tiny beads onto wires to make a miniature Christmas tree to cover in teeny ornaments. I remember going into town every so often to make "happy little trees" at Bob Ross painting classes with her. I remember going to walk on "The Path" and feeding the ducks out of that brown and yellow label bag of bread. And can't forget to drink "bat's blood" with breakfast while talking like Dracula.

I allow myself a moment to dream about what she'd say to me today, so many years later.

I like to think of her giggling when Kyle bursts out in his goofy Irish accent. I like to think of her cheering me on when I got my first tattoo and encouraging me to keep being myself and nothing less. I like to make up little adventures that we'd have together - like maybe going to the mall and scaring people by making her false teeth pop out.

Never underestimate the power of a memory - no matter how vague, no matter how simple, no matter how ridiculous. Your memories are what keep amazing people alive.

And if those memories can be provoked by a simple piece of jewelry -
I say wear it with pride!

My Little Doodle-Bobber :)

Stephanie.
I never thought I could ever love an animal so much. I have always been a cat person, and have always loved all the cats that have ever crossed my path - no matter how unsociable or ugly they've been.

But this particular little ball of fluff is my best buddy. She seems to love me just as much as I love her- she's always close by, if not right on top of me.

She entered my life rather suddenly, and Kyle wasn't too happy about it at first. We had been feeding the scuzzy black stray that "came with the house" and noticed she had steadily been growing plump. I predicted her pregnancy, and just a couple weeks after, we discovered a small mass of fur under our home. When our TV and internet were being hooked up, the technicians left the crawlspace door ajar - what a gift they'd given me! I temporarily overcame my fear of small, dark, musty, bug-and-maybe-snake infested places to wiggle under there to gather my new litter.

Five adorable kittens found their way into my laundry basket, then into my garage, and eventually into my house. Locked in our spare room, they were slowly subjected to our puppies and other people. Soon, I began gathering prospective parents for my tiny adoptees - and though I still miss them, three have found their way into wonderful homes.

Yeah, I said three. Two of them - Stephanie and Charlie - just never left. I had staked my claim for Steph the day we brought them in, and I stood firm when others tried to take her home instead. And I am so glad these two goofy critters stayed.

So here's my little tribute to my "doodle-bobber" (I'll have to tell that story sometime):

Growing up so fast . . .

Snuggling with her Mommy . . .

She loves to settle in the strangest places . . .

And frequently mistakes herself for a dog . . .

But she is mine . . .

And I will love her -- no matter how many sections of door jamb have to suffer!
:)

Quote Book

Blogging seems to be the current method of expression among many web-savvy individuals. Gone are the days of "Dear Diary" and touching pen to paper - now it's all about showing your creativity, showcasing your talents, sharing your thoughts and voicing your opinions.

I do miss the era of pen and paper. We have so forsaken the written (not typed) word; it's becoming a lost art. So, today I'd like to show you the way I'm trying to keep that art alive - in a very different way.

This is a diary of sorts, but in the place of "here's what happened to me today", I have written and attached quotes, pictures, slogans and other things. Things that make me smile, things that make me think, and things that reflect who I am and what I love. Let me give you a glimpse into the pages of one of my most prized possessions:

(click on the pictures to see them full size!)

My Husband

So, I've been pondering all day what it was that I was going to write about for my first actual post, and I finally settled on a subject:


My husband!


If my blog was going to be about the things that are tied to my heart strings, then I naturally had to start with Kyle. He is all that completes me and more - I couldn't be happier that he is mine!

I love all that Kyle is -
adorable, loving, thoughtful, funny, intelligent, sweet ...
And I love all that Kyle is not -
cruel, cold-hearted, too serious, careless, boastful, hateful ...

I never thought the good Lord would bring me this most wonderful gift - not that I doubted Him, but that I felt unworthy of such grace. And I still am! I have never lived up to the standards that I should to deserve such a lavish blessing; yet God still smiles down on our marriage every day.

I mean, seriously... look at him!



I just can't stop grinning when I think about his smiling face, his goofy laugh, and all the antics that I always seem to catch in the lens of my camera. He makes my life so worth living, and our marriage so worth working for!

Let me, if I may, just share some of my favorite moments with my darling hubby:

Here he is, helping me paint ornaments for Christmas gifts, with a little bit of fluffy help ...



Picking apples at an orchard in Pennsylvania on our honeymoon ...



And canoeing on Springfield lake last summer - a good paddler, not such a stellar steering mechanism ... ;)



Playing in the snow with the dogs while we were supposed to be shovelling the driveway ...



Reading my childhood journal to my first kitty, Natalie ...



It's small moments like these that make our relationship so fantastic. I don't care how many roses he sends you, or how many cards he takes the time to pick out and sign, or how often you go on a date to a fancy restaurant - if you don't have fun, you're not living!

Kyle's never bought me flowers - he surprises me with Eeyore pajamas or my favorite chocolate cake from WalMart.

I don't know if Kyle's ever bought me a card - he writes little notes that say "I love you" and slips them in my lunchbox to make me smile at work.

And our idea of a "date" is to hit the Olive Garden before heading to the Dollar Tree and the grocery store.

And I wouldn't trade a single silly, simple, special moment with him.

I love you, my Honey Bear!

This is only the beginning . . .

Here I am, finally entering the real world -- I now have a BLOG! Even the word "blog" sounds out of my realm of expertise.
But here I am, ready to send my thoughts and feelings and life out into cyberspace.

Why did I choose the name Tied to my Heart Strings? I thought about all the things I would write about and all the things that I wouldn't, and decided on blogging about all that I hold dear. I have a heart necklace filled with things that I love, things that are close to my heart.
Then I was thinking about that expression, "tugging at my heart strings". I don't want the things in my life to just tug those strings and let go again. I don't want to be moved momentarily by something only to have the feeling pass all too quickly. I want to be permanently inspired by all that touches me -- so I shall tie those things to my heart strings; so they will tug on them every single day of my life.

Will anybody read it? Will they even care? Who knows -- I don't! But all I can do is write and post, write and post, write and post. Maybe it will reach someone. Maybe it will touch someone. Maybe, just maybe, it will inspire someone to consider what is tied to their heart strings -- what to tie tighter and what to let go.

So let the adventure begin!!