2011: A Year to Learn From

This year, unlike last year, I am prepared with my end of the year post. Go me! Haha. And so I want to share with you some things I’ve learned this year.
One thing I learned is to never play with staplers. I stapled my left index finger because when I sit at my desk I fiddle with something. And often it was the stapler. Was, is the key word here, as I learned my lesson and no longer play with the stapler. I had two holes in my finger and it was very bloody, took several bandages to stop it.

Another thing I learned is that God’s timing is so much better than mine. I wanted a new job and looked, but nothing was working out. And a month after I felt God tell me I was where I was supposed to be, He provided the perfect job for me. I am challenged regularly and am using my brain more than I think I have in my entire life. And so I’d like to think I’ve learned to fully trust God, but if not fully than maybe a little more than before.

I learned I am more compassionate than I once thought. Seeing people in emotional or spiritual pain brings tears to my eyes. And more and more often that drives me to prayer.


Also on the list I learned about my physical limitations with my shoulder. I often over do, but I am getting better and know it’s something I have to work on and not be lazy about. So I try to do my exercises every morning and that helps a lot.

I learned how to use a smart phone. Sometimes I can’t imagine how I lived before it, and sometimes I think it’s crazy how dependent I am on it. I do enjoy how it lets me stay connected, but am working on not letting it run my life.


Another thing I learned about is not steaming your thumb while warming up pasta in the microwave. Basically, it hurts and I don’t recommend trying it.

I found out I look fantastic with short hair and it makes my life much easier. And pierced ears aren’t the pain I thought they might be. It’s actually almost fun to shop for earrings.


Also learned I get more Chinese at HyVee when a guy is dishing up the food than a gal. So next time, I need to see if there’s a guy working.

Well, I would say that's a pretty good summation of my year, other things happened but these are the ones making my learned list.

Noni Fun Fact: I don't like animals, but I like to go to zoos.

Grocery Store

I have found there are two really bad times to go to the grocery store. The first is when I am feeling really hungry, I want everything, and everything looks good. This is the time I buy 5 packages of cookies, make sure I get some ice cream, and buy some candy bars. I want to make sure I am stocked. The other is when I am really hungry and nothing sounds good. I walk through the store and everything looks okay, but I know I won't actually eat it. And so I end up with lots of frozen food I don't really want.  It seems lately everytime I go to the store I am at one of these two extremes. And so I either waste or drastically overspend on things people don't ever need.

So I think I'll make it a goal for myself to at least every other time I go to the store this next year to be in the middle. I think this will make for a more satisfying experience and one that won't be dreaded each time I go.

I also plan to look for some new recipes to cook. I love cooking and haven't done as much of it lately as I'd like to and would like to try something new. So if you have recipes you'd like to share I'd love to try them.  And here's a list of things I don't like (in case you do share some recipes): pork, corn, peas, tuna, any form of beans except green, and cooked carrots. When my parents read this they'll both be able to add several things to the list, but that's all I can think of for now.

And can I just add how thankful I am to be able to actually go to the store whenever I want and buy whatever I want. What a blessing.

Noni Fun Fact:  I really like beef. (It's what's for dinner)

Christmas Dreams

Last night I had a Christmas Dream. I had been playing with some of my new 'toys' at a coffee shop and was headed to leave when someone stole my Christmas card laying by my computer. And of course as anyone with the running skills I have would, I chased the kid down and grabbed the card as he tried to stuff it in his back pocket. You see this card was so important to me because it had some Christmas money in it. And I 'needed' that money. So satisfied with my running skills and the fact that I had gotten my money back, I went to load up my stuff to head out. And so I checked the card to make sure the money was there. And it wasn't. Seemed the kid was smarter than I and had taken it out of the card. By this time the kid is long gone and sadly my first reaction is to be angry. And then a moment later I realized that Christmas isn't about what I did or didn't get, or how much cash I have to spend. And maybe that kid needed the money more than I did, and afterall it isn't even my money in the first place, it's God's money that He has entrusted to me. And so in the instant, I woke up and was thankful the reason I celebrate Christmas is because my Savior came and became human, just so he could have a relationship with me and with you.

What a great way for God to literally and figuratively 'wake me up' this Christmas day. Because with or without presents or money or anything, I have an awesome reason to celebrate today.  Happy Birthday Jesus!

Christmas Lights

An unusually warm December evening my friend and I  went exploring. We went on this adventure to see what the town had to offer in terms of Christmas lights. So with Starbucks in our hands and the spirit of Christmas playing on the car speakers, we were on our way.

We saw many comment worthy houses, most of the comments being "Why would anyone do that to their house", but it was fun to see what people had done.  And because neither of us has Christmas lights on our houses, they are clearly one step ahead of us.The other main theme was the tree coverage, it is not an easy task to cover a tree with lights and make it look good. But below you can see the best lit tree we saw. Folks, this is how you put lights on a tree.

Among our favorites was the zig zag street, found amongst the state streets. Sadly I did not get this captured on camera. But it is so spectacular to drive down. But the big winner of the night, as it is every year, is the blue house. It is a sight to see. And as we drove away you could see the blue glow coming from the house. 

And our ultimate conclusion: We should have a reality show and travel the country critiquing Christmas lights,  it would be full of fun and twinkling lights. So anyone who has a video camera...

Noni Fun Fact: Driving around looking at Christmas lights is one of my favorite winter pastimes, so if you wanna go, let me know!