Lazy Pants

I've done nothing but read, sleep and eat today and am therefore feeling lazy about everything...especially blogging. So while I have something in mind to blog about today, it's probably not going to happen until tomorrow. I want to give my topic its full attention, and right now is not the time.

Let's just say I stayed in my sweats all day. :)

I Need a Man!

Guess who just had a big spoonful of Nutella

to help swallow my car repair bill?!

I took my car into the shop this morning because it was making a very loud whining noise. Come to find out it is likely associated with the "repairs" I had last year to my A/C.

Yeah, it's about time I got a man in my life to help advocate for me. Or if that doesn't happen, maybe I should just become a mechanic.

Dear Friends - Book of Mormon Style

Alma 15: 16-18

16 And it came to pass that Alma and Amulek, Amulek having forsaken all his gold, and silver, and his precious things, which were in the land of Ammonihah, for the word of God, he being rejected by those who were once his friends and also by his father and his kindred;

17 Therefore, after Alma having established the church at Sidom, seeing a great check, yea, seeing that the people were checked as to the pride of their hearts, and began to humble themselves before God, and began to assemble themselves together at their sanctuaries to worship God before the altar, watching and praying continually, that they might be delivered from Satan, and from death, and from destruction—

18 Now as I said, Alma having seen all these things, therefore he took Amulek and came over to the land of Zarahemla, and took him to his own house, and did administer unto him in his tribulations, and strengthened him in the Lord.
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Wow, when I was reading these verses last night, my breath was taken away. What love Alma had for Amulek! Amulek was basically disowned by his family and friends, but Alma (him being an instrument in God's hands to deliver this love) took care of him.
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Now let's look back at Alma 8:19-22. Alma had been preaching in Ammonihah and was rejected by the people so he left the city. He was then visited by an angel and commanded to return back to Ammonihah and preach again. So he went back and here's what happened.

19 And as he entered the city he was an hungered, and he said to a man: Will ye give to an humble servant of God something to eat?

20 And the man said unto him: I am a Nephite, and I know that thou art a holy prophet of God, for thou art the man whom an angel said in a vision: Thou shalt receive. Therefore, go with me into my house and I will impart unto thee of my food; and I know that thou wilt be a blessing unto me and my house.

21 And it came to pass that the man received him into his house; and the man was called Amulek; and he brought forth bread and meat and set before Alma.

22 And it came to pass that Alma ate bread and was filled; and he blessed Amulek and his house, and he gave thanks unto God.
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I truly enjoy reading about these two great missionaries that listened to the Lord and emulated the beautiful quality of charity to eachother in their times of need. That's the kind of friend I want to be. That's the kind of wife I want to be. That's the kind of mother I want to be.

I love the Book of Mormon. I have read it so many times and have never noticed these verses. I'm grateful that the Spirit lead me to read and learn something new.

26.2

My roommates and I signed up for the Fargo Marathon and started training about 3 months ago (minus December, which was a bust). But with the new year I've decided to rededicate myself to the training schedule. So far this week I ran 6 miles on Monday and 6 miles today and will run 8 miles tomorrow, 4 miles on Friday and 10 miles on Saturday. Yep, that's a lot of running and it takes up much of my free time. But I'm getting more and more excited about the whole marathon experience.

Yesterday when I was talking to my roommate about the marathon, we realized that we never received a confirmation email that we were registered for the race. So today I decided to look into it and look what I found! It's official!

This is what the website has to say about the race:

Are you ready to run what has become one of the country’s most popular marathons? Then you’ve come to the right place! Are you ready to ROCK in the city of Fargo? Then you’ve come to the right place! How about if we combine those two…..in 2011, you can Run Fargo and Rock Fargo when you join us for the 2011 Fargo Marathon! Known by thousands for being one of the Fastest and Friendliest races on the calendar, we’ve now added a Fun twist….Fargo Rocks!

The Fargo Marathon is best described as Flat, Fast, Friendly & Fun….with an emphasis on Friendly & Fun! The recipient of the Runner’s World Reader’s Choice Award as the #1 Best Value Marathon in America and the 8th Best Overall Marathon in America (January 2010)! We’re proud of this honor, but NEVER stop trying to improve…our goal is to give you the best marathon weekend possible!

Your Fargo Rocks Course Tour begins and finishes at the FargoDome! Starting just outside the front doors of this magnificent facility, this awesome route will bring you through the finest that our community offers, including the historic and revitalized downtown districts, beautiful tree-lined residential streets which take you from turn of the 20th Century to the 21st! And remember….bands at every mile will keep you running strong!

FAST AND FLAT defines the terrain here, but the MOST important “take home piece” for you will be FRIENDLY! Our community proudly boasts its friendly side as you visit our streets on your way to your personal Finish Line!

The marathon and half marathon routes take you into Fargo’s wonderful sister city, Moorhead, Minnesota, which means you will traverse through two states in one race! Everyone will stroll along and over the mighty Red River, and full marathoners will take in the impressive campus of Concordia College before heading back to North Dakota.

As you make your way back into Fargo, the challenge will be to see which street “WOWS” you the most 7th, 8th Street or 9th Street? You decide….but either way; you will know the meaning of FUN after you are done with them.

Two passes on Fargo’s infamous Broadway mean more people, more fun and more Fargo….Fargo Theater, that is!

Finally, your Fabulous Rockin’ Finish Line means the Dome again! This time, you’ll make the grand entrance in front of thousands as you raise your hands up high and smile for the Jumbotron Video Monitors!

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If you want to learn more about the marathon, go to http://www.fargomarathon.com/. If you want to come cheer me on, I'll see you on May 21!

Pound for Pound Challenge

Bob and Jillian are my fitness heroes! Sometimes I'll be at the gym, trying to push through a workout (usually during a grueling spin class) and thinking that I can't do anymore and then I think of Jillian and imagine her screaming at me to keep going...and so I do. True story, it's happened more than once for me.

My family and friends know that one of my most favorite shows is The Biggest Loser. I love watching people transform their lives by not only losing weight, but by working through their emotional problems. I watch people overcome obstacles, both big and small. And during it all, I transform myself a little too. It's inspirational to see people put their minds to something and making it happen. Sure, the winner or rather "Biggest Loser" of the competition gets some money out of it, but everyone is really on the show to change their lives.

So what changes do you want to make in your life? Are you going to be motivated to make those changes? Are you going to make goals and overcome obstacles, both big and small to make it happen? You can do it! You are a champion.

Every season, the show always talks about the Pound for Pound Challenge. For every pound you pledge to lose through May 31, 2011, the Pound For Pound Challenge will donate 11¢ to Feeding America® — enough to secure one pound of groceries on behalf of local food banks. $1,040,000 maximum donation. Go to http://www.pfpchallenge.com/ to pledge. I just did.

The Harp Days Are Over

the harp days are over

the harp days are done

the horses are coming so you better run

So tonight was the last night with my harp. I have decided to stop taking lessons for now to save money and dedicate my time to other pursuits. Learning how to play the harp was one of the best things that I have ever done. I started taking lessons almost a year ago exactly and have learned a lot from my teacher, David Crookston. I hope that someday I will own my own harp and will be able to pick it back up again and continue to improve.

The past couple of hours I have been recording a bunch of harp songs that I learned over the last year (and some that I just site read - mostly the Christmas music). It was really fun getting on my roommate's Mac and using GarageBand to record and burn the CD. (Btw, I REALLY like GarageBand now). It was enjoyable and nostalgic to play through all of those songs tonight. I will miss you my little green harp.

Some final photos with this green beauty (I have to return it to my teacher tomorrow). :(

(Please excuse the messy room and my post-gym appearance)

So long, for now, my little green harp. I will miss you very much!

A Woolley Family Christmas 2010

This year for Christmas we went to Disneyland!! It was absolutely fantastic. Before going out to California I made t-shirts for my family. The designs are below.

Bambi- Lauren

Flora, Fauna & Merriweather - Mom

Steamboat Willy (Mickey) - Eric

Princesses - KK and Sammie

Baby Mickey - Baby Alex
Jasmine - Cammie

Buzz Lightyear - Fred

Goofy - Dad

Prince Philip - Me

My family loved them and most of us were able to wear them on Christmas Eve, the first day we went to Disneyland. And before we even got in the park we were recognized by one of the "cast members" and were made honorary citizens of Disneyland.

Here are a few more pictures of us in our t-shirts.

More Disneyland stories and pictures to follow.