Boot Camp Blues

I stayed in Maryland for 3 weeks with my daughters to help with potty training the triplets and signed up for their Sergeant's boot camp exercise program every weekday morning at 5:45 -- yes, it was still dark, outdoors at a neat park with a variety of things like benches, hill paths, parking lots, curbs, etc. to utilize, plus people brought their own jump ropes, light weights, and mats. It was great! I felt so good every day. Whatever the combination of circumstances, it was just what I need to feel light, and energetic (although I did need an afternoon nap from getting up so early).  That's me in white visor, front, second from right, Emily front left in headband and Elise standing right in white shirt.

Now that I am home I see I was spoiled and am trying to duplicate just what it was that worked so well while I was there. Was it because my girls got me up? Or that it was really early every day at the same time? Or the low altitude? Or just the right amount and type of exercises? Or being outside? Or being in a regular group? Or someone tough (see Lisa, center in red shirt) telling me exactly what to do? I don't know. My daughter Emily is now an official substitute. She does great!

Goin' Faster than a Roller Coaster*

I won an ipod shuffle at a Christmas party and Amber and Cami gave me a gift card to put songs on it. Drew helped me do this. Wow! I am really enjoying my teeny tiny record player and new playlist! These songs are great for running to -- inspiring and motivating and fun. Some are my all-time favorites for anytime. I thought I'd share:

Beautiful Mess, Diamond Rio
Another One Bites the Dust, Queen
Come to Jesus, Chris Rice
*Everyday, James Taylor
I'm a Believer, Monkees
I'm Gonna Be, Proclaimers
I Hope You Dance, Lee Ann Womack
If I Had a Million Dollars, BNL
If I Should Lose My Way, Linda Eder
The Impossible Dream, Linda Eder
Light My Fire, Jose Feliciano
Man of La Mancha, Linda Eder
My Sweet Lord, George Harriso
Redeemer of Israel, BYU Men's Chorus
Jacob's Ladder, BYU Men's Chorus
Me and My Arrow, Neilson
She's So High, Tal Bachman
Till There Was You, Christen Chenoweth (sp?)
Twist and Shout, Beatles

Eclectic taste, don't you think? I'm going to try and change/expand this list often because I do get tired of songs and don't want to get tired of these and not like them anymore. Any suggestions for good running songs?

I made fancy cupcakes!

Stack o' Books from 2011

Instead of making along list of the books I read last year, I just gathered a lot of them up and took a picture. It was fun to handle the books again and make stacks and think about what I've experienced. What a feast.