Traditions

Or maybe this post should more accurately be called the way I like to do things. They are traditions and things I would like to continue forever. And my very favorite part about it all this year is that it involves my husband. So fun and different to have someone to do it all with.

The first is that the nativity goes above the TV. And Baby Jesus sits on a block above everything else. I am not sure why but it was something started when I was young at my parents house. Probably because He is the reason for Christmas and should be above all. So easy to say at this time of year, but not always easy to put into action. This is a topic for a different post someday.

I love putting the tree up together. We put in a Christmas movie and decorate til every last ornament has its place. We have a tree decorated with nutcrackers, KU, and red and blue. Our tree looks so nice by our fake fireplace and 5 foot nutcracker.

Another thing I enjoy doing at Christmas every year is stopping by the local coffee shop, getting something warm to drink and driving around looking at Christmas lights. Of course we listen to all the Christmas CDs. Last year we saw a lighted peacock.

On Christmas Eve we go to church. When I was a kid we would go to my parents or grandparents house and have soup. It is the only time each year I like to eat soup. They also always make oyster soup, I don't eat that.

I also overly enjoy Christmas music. When I am in control of the music I start it in October, but officially start on s regular basis November 1.

And one of my favorite traditions of all: At the Bartley Christmas my Grandpa asks someone to read Luke 2. We share the reason we celebrate and he says a few words. It is such a special time. Last year he asked me to read, I was quite honored.

I hope your traditions bring you as much joy and love as mine and my families do for us!

Merry Jesus Birthday to you!

Did you know...

Did you know that Noni is a traditional name for a Kenyan girl? I didn't. I was at a wedding this weekend where there many people from all over the world. I introduced myself to a lady and she had to ask me again what my name was. As it turns out, she is Kenyan and named her daughter Noni. It would be crazy to go somewhere where Noni is a common name. My real name though, not so common.

Did you know that pizza and Chinese don't go well together? Also at said wedding they had pizza and Chinese food. Which upon first glance is exciting, because who doesn't like pizza and who doesn't like Chinese? Well, let me tell you from experience, when posed with the choice of both, just stick with one.

Did you know that being in a room full of people singing your husband's praise is simply delightful? I know my husband is quite amazing, but to hear it from person after person I was introduced to, just filled me with pride. My husband is such a great man and has had such a positive impact on so many people. It is so fun to hear that from the mouths of others.

Night Driving

When I was young sitting in the backseat behind dad as he drove I would stare into the lights of the oncoming traffic when he drove at night. Sounds crazy, right? It was, but as a youngster I was certain I had to master the art of looking directly into the other person's headlights so that I would be able to drive someday. It was literally blinding for a moment. It wasn't long before I asked my parents how they did it. And much to my surprise they told me they didn't. I just could not understand this. 

Now as an adult I still do not have that art mastered as it is not necessary, but here are a few of the reasons I do enjoy about driving in the dark:

• It gives me the chance to look at the stars and moon. How often do you stop and contemplate how majestic they are and their ability to cut through the dark and light up the night. 
• Seeing the lights meet on the road. Let me explain. When it is night and you are driving up a hill you can clearly see where your headlights end, if a car is approaching you from the other direction you can clearly see where their headlights end on the road. It brings such excitement to me when you see the darkness being closed and the lights finally meet. 
• When there are lots of car on the road it makes me feel like I am in a city with so many lights around.

A Month to be Thankful

November is here. If you are like me, you may be wondering where in the world October went. My answer for you is this: It was there, I'm sure of it. I did some really fun things in October. But it is not October any more, nope, it is a far better month now. 

For one, it is my birthday month. And if you know me, you know I LOVE my birthday, and that might be an under-exaggeration. 

For two, many people stop to count their blessings and be thankful. And that is what I want to talk about today. Being thankful. On many social media sites, people post something they are thankful for everyday. Which is so great and truly inspiring. But who are they thanking. Who are you thanking? Someone, or something has greatly blessed you. Have you ever thought about where all the good or bright spots come from? Or maybe it is the strength to get through the tough stuff?

Well let me clear it up for you. It is from God, the giver of all good things. There is no other explanation. So this year as you are thankful, and thinking of all the good in your life give credit where it is due. Because there is some good, even if it is hard to see. If you really purpose to focus on the good you will find it. I know some rough things have happened this year for many people, all you have to do is watch the news or listen to people's life stories. And sometimes our vision is clouded and we are in a place where no good seems to be happening. But even if nothing good ever happened in this world again, God is still God. And God is still good. And Jesus still has paid for our sins. And we can forever be in the presence of God through the blood that has been shed in our place. 

So even if there doesn't seem to be something to be thankful for, think again and start making that list of things to be thankful for or blessings in your life.

Let me share a few snippets from my list of Thanks to God:

*God who gives me open access to Him and forgives my sins

*My husband who shows the love of Christ on this earth

*My family who is there through thick and thin

*A job that I like and supports me in professional growth

*A roof over my head to keep me safe

*The ability to meet my needs and sometimes my wants also

*Time to relax and rejuvenate

*Generally good health

*Living in the USA, land of the free

*My sense of humor, and those who understand it

*The abundance I have

*Reliable transportation

Slush

Anyone who knows me knows that I like a good slush. There is just something about the frozen smooth goodness of a frozen Dr. Pepper. There are many names for this cold beverage: slush, snoball, Icee, slurpie, frozen (insert pop name). I like to call it a slush though. 

So the other day Jim and I were talking and he said that we could make our own. Oh my goodness, make our own, my life could change for the better knowing how to do this. He said that we could watch a video online and learn how. I was thrilled.

We watched the video and here are the basics I needed to know. 

1. It is best to use a bottle so you can see it.

2.You have to shake it to get the bottle pressurized. 

3. It takes 3 hours or more in the freezer.

4. It has be just past freezing, but not yet frozen, I like to think of it as super cold. 

5. This deliciousness can be made by me.

6. And I can make any flavor that comes in a bottle.

Last weekend we did it. We made slushes. I was slightly concerned that we would leave it in too long or not long enough and the 3 hours in the freezer would be wasted. But sure enough, we got it right the first time. We shook up the bottles, set the timer, and waited. 

I was checking the first bottle and it worked. The liquid, as I shook it, turned into a slush. My dreams were coming true before my eyes. And I was freaking out I was so excited, just ask Jim. The only difference between ours and the ones we get at the convenience stores was that ours had a lot more carbonation to it. But it was delicious nonetheless. We had two 1 liter bottles of slushy goodness. 

Now the pressure it on to do it again.

Let's talk about gophers

I have always had the philosophy since living there that if there are insects or critters outside I won't bother them or try to bring about their demise. On the flip side, once they enter my house, game over for them. Inside is my space, outside is their space. It couldn't be any more clear.

That being said, I  am certain there are some gophers, who in the last several months, are making our yard their home. I have never seen them, but you don't have to have a sighting to know they are there. Because their tunnels are making my yard uneven. And actually it is kind of fun to step on the mounds. But they just tunnel them again.

So now I have this irrational fear that one of them is going to pop up and bite me while I'm stepping on the dirt. Crazy, I know, especially since I have never actually seen one.

This leads me to wonder how to get rid of them. I'm told that with prairie dogs you just suck them out with a huge vacuum truck thing. But that won't work with gophers. Apparently with gophers you have to find a place where they come out and then put a big trap that cuts their heads off. I dont want to deal with that mess, so I guess I'll let the gophers stay.

Welcome to the park gopher friends! (Please don't bite me)

Here's to you

It has come to my attention that I have really let my blog go since getting married. And so I must apologize to all four of you who have been dedicated followers for allowing this to happen.  I will endeavor to do better, nay to be better. You deserve to hear about all the funny and unfunny things that I think and that happen in my life.

That being said I would like to dedicate this post to that person, my cousin who has been more of a sister than cousin my entire life, Dana. You know who you are, stand up and take a bow as you finish reading this. The rest of you who are not her, first, quit trying to figure out if I should be writing whom instead of who, cuz I'm honestly not sure. And second, give her a round of applause for bringing me back.

Now onto the good stuff.

I wish I knew how to put a picture on here from my phone because early this week we saw a guy driving a recliner around town. Now, I know what you are thinking, that it isn't possible. But my friend yes it. It was on three wheels and had a license plate and everything. I would say this guy brings riding in comfort to a whole new level. And if you feel the need to try this, don't forget your helmet. Also the recliner was a forest green.

Noni Fun Fact: Sometimes I am proud of myself for remembering to actually add the attachment to an email before I send a blank one first. It really is the small victories in life.

 

Hope leads to...

We are singing praises this time. I was not disappointed this week. If you follow my blog you have already put two and two together and know I am talking about selling Jim's mobile home.

Hope leads to praise.

So let the praises reign!

Thank you to all those that lifted us up in prayer during this time.

Never, ever, under any circumstances, doubt the power of prayer.

Disappointment

Disappointment is the worst. I'm pretty sure it is the thing I like least, I am even going to venture to use the word hate here. I hate disappointment.

No so much disappointing others, but being disappointed. I will even lower my expectations of things just to avoid disappointment. And when my expectations are exceeded it is awesome, if they are not, no harm.

However, I feel God calls us to expectation. We are to expect for Him to do what He says He will. But being human that is hard. People and things of this world will always disappoint---they aren't perfect, they aren't God.

So lately this disappointment has come in the form of selling Jim's mobile home he was living in. We get calls or e-mails that someone is interested, I get my hopes up, and they decide they aren't interested after seeing it. Bummer. Disappointment.

Hope.

I am learning as much as I hate disappointment, ultimately it shows me God's greatness. How even though things of the world fail, God is still constant. God is still in control. God's glory will be shown. God will make it all work out.

And that is where I find myself right now. I am putting my hope and trust in God. I know He will take care of us in this situation. And so I will not allow disappointment to win.

Because Hope wins.

Noni Fun Fact: We have a mobile home for sale.

And you wanted to hear about: Being married

Because of the overwhelming response to my last post (or not) I decided to take all of those suggestions and run with it.

Suggestion #1 from a friend via text: talk about married life.

Here is what I thought about that: Really? You want to know what I think about being married. Okay, here you have it.

Many people gave me advise, whether I asked or not, about what it is like to be married. I listened and thought it was interesting to hear what everyone had to say. But really they were all mostly wrong, at least thus far. Some said it would difficult, it would take lots of work, it will make you fight, it will be just the same as it is now. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

Let me first say that for some people maybe this is what it looks like, not for us, some people would call it work, but I think more of it as love.

So if someone were to ask me what it is like to be married here is what I would say: It is different. It is a good different. But mostly it is different. There is someone always around and someone who loves me for me and someone who sees the value and necessity of giving it all to God.

Moral of the story: I am thankful to be in this stage of life with this amazing man.

Suggestion #2: Well there was only the one suggestion.

Nothing to say

I decided I should blog today.

I say to my husband, "Husband, what should I blog about?" And he thinks for a few minutes and finally says, "How about places that do gift wrapping for you." No joke, that was his first response. But lucky for you I will not blog about that. Partly because I am a proponent of wrapping gifts myself because I really, really like wrapping gifts. And partly because, who wants to read a blog about that?

---

Well that was all several weeks ago and I still didn't come up with anything good to say. So if you have a topic or something you would just love to hear my take on let me know and we'll see if we can't get a 'real' post up here soon. 

Buster

Noni Buster coming to you live from the Rockhouse Cafe.

That is right I am now a Buster. It is okay, go ahead and laugh. It has been two months and I still do. And as my matron-of-honor said to me a few weeks ago, "Someday hopefully I'll be able to say your last name without laughing."  My husband however just doesn't see why that is so funny, but I don't know how to explain it to him. I mean he has always been a Buster. But I went from one of the most common last names to one that, well, I had never heard before.

Enough of that.

Here are the details of the wedding:
It was perfect. That is truly how I remember it, well that and being sick, but that is a minor detail. My family worked to hard to make it everything I dreamed it would be since October 15, 2012 (the day we got engaged). We could not have done it without you all and will forever be gratefully for your love and support.

Naturally the next thing you want to know is: How is married life?
Awesome. It is simply awesome. It is so great sharing life with the amazing man God has blessed me with. Also it is fun to say husband. I have a husband.

Yep, It's Coming!

That would of course be Jim and I's wedding I am speaking of. And as you can tell (from my lack of posting) we have been quite busy planning and preparing. And let me tell you...WE ARE READY!  We a both so  excited and are counting down the days, 17 to be exact.

So here are the details...
Bride: Noni
Groom: Jim
Date: January 26, 2013
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Colors: Orange and Teal
Number of attendants: 2
Number of ring bearers: 1
Number of flower girls: 2 (fun fact: our flower girls are twins, when I was 5 I was the flower in 2 weddings, they were twins)
Food: Potatoes
Sweets: Cake, Cookies, Candy buffet

Next time you hear from me I will be a Buster! (unless I find something I should blog about before the wedding)