Summarize the following:
A full cord, also referred to as a "cord," is a stack of wood that measures 4 feet (1.2 m) wide, 4 feet (1.2 m) tall, and 8 feet (2.4 m) long. Its total volume should be 128 cubic feet (3.5 cubic meters). Note that the exact amount of solid wood in a cord will vary based on the size of each piece, but most cords of firewood average 85 cubic feet (2.4 cubic meters) of solid wood. The remaining volume is taken up by air. The entire length of the pile should be 8 feet (2.4 m), but the length of each piece of wood matches the width or depth of the pile and should average about 4 feet (1.2 m). Even though the cord is the standard unit of measurement when selling wood, most firewood dealers do not sell 4-ft (1.2-m) long pieces of wood to home consumers. As a result, other cord-based terminology is often introduced. A face cord is the next most common unit of measurement. It refers to any stack of wood that is 4 feet (1.2 m) high and 8 feet (2.4 m) long. The depth or width of the pile is less than 4 feet (1.2 m), which means that each piece of wood in the pile is less than 4 feet (1.2 m) long. There is no single agreed upon length for pieces of wood in a face cord. On average, the length of most firewood is 16 inches (40.6 cm), so the depth of most face piles is 16 inches (40.6 cm). This is one-third the depth of a full cord. Other piece lengths can also be used, however, so you'll need to make sure that you find out how long the average piece in a face cord is before you make the purchase. While "face cord" is the most common terminology used to describe piles like this, "stove cord," "furnace cord," "run," and "rick" are also used and refer to the same thing. A thrown cord or loose thrown cord is a rough measurement of volume on wood that has been tossed or dumped into a truck, rather than stacked into neat, compact piles. A loose thrown cord should take up about 180 cubic feet (6.66 cubic yards or 5.1 cubic meters) of space as is. The idea is that, when stacked, the total volume would equal roughly 128 cubic feet (3.5 cubic meters), or the volume of a full cord. A "thrown" cord takes approximately 30%+- more space than a stacked cord. A typical pickup truck w/ 6ft. bed is 54 cubic feet (2 cubic yards - level load-Stacked); an 8ft. bed is 81 cubic feet (3 cubic yards - heaped load- Stacked). Remembering now! that "thrown" takes 30%+- more (space) than stacked. Therefore a 6ft. truckload has 30%+- of a "thrown" cord; an 8ft. truckload has 45%+- of a "thrown" cord. This usually applies to wood pieces between 12 and 16 inches (30.5 and 40.6 cm) long. When wood pieces are sold in lengths of 2 feet (60.1 cm), total thrown cord volume should be about 195 cubic feet (5.5 cubic meters). A green cord refers to a measurement that was taken before wood was split and dried. As such, the current or dried volume can be smaller than the indicated volume by 8 cubic feet (0.23 cubic meters). The green cord volume should be 180 cubic feet (5.1 cubic meters) if loosely stacked or 128 cubic feet (3.5 cubic meters) if neatly stacked, just as you would expect of a loose cord or full cord, respectively. When green, unseasoned wood is dried, the wood shrinks by about 6 to 8 percent. Firewood dealers sometimes measure and price their merchandise by the green cord instead of full cords or loose cords as a way to make up for the money they would otherwise lose from the shrinkage of wood. Sometimes, a dealer might try to sell wood by rough measurements like truckloads, piles, station wagon loads, or pick-up truck loads. Measurements like these are not regulated and can be difficult to compare, so you might end up getting far less wood than what you paid for if you trust them. Some states within the United States even ban the sale of firewood by measurements not based on the full cord.

summary: Know the dimensions and volume of a full cord. Compare the full cord to the face cord. Familiarize yourself with the thrown cord. Learn about green cords. Watch out for measurements that cannot be compared to full cords.

Summarize the following:
The Catholic Church requires couples go through preparation classes to confirm their commitment to each other and the church. Programs vary from parish to parish and different dioceses, but many include group interaction with other engaged couples. Some courses are weekend getaways, while some are held on scheduled evenings. Specific programs are offered for things like remarriage, bringing children into a marriage and interfaith marriages. Some of the issues covered are prayer, the meaning of marriage and sacramental roles. Most classes are taught by an experienced married couple. You will receive a certificate of completion to present to the marrying priest upon finishing the course. The Catholic church stresses that financial issues should never be a hindrance, when a couple is ready for marriage. Wedding offerings are determined by each parish and can cover things like an organist or vocalist. Marriage preparation classes often include only material costs. If you and your future spouse are experiencing financial hardship, you can come to an agreement with your local priest. Ornate clothes and fresh flowers are considered extras by the Catholic Church and are not things they help with. This is a requirement for marriage in a Catholic Church and early registration is recommended by most dioceses. They like couples to learn the method several months before marriage. The class will go over biology and how to use ovulation cycles to plan for children. The Catholic church has different handbooks you can choose prayers and music from. "Together for Life" and the "Rite of Marriage" have bible verses and music appropriate for a Catholic wedding. You can make a couple of different choices on how you respond to the priest during the ceremony. You can choose from several different prayers the priest will use throughout the ceremony. Music must be similar to what you hear during regular mass. Some parishes require the sacrament of reconciliation before marriage, if both parties are Catholic. Others may not require confession, but they still strongly recommend it.
summary: Start your marriage preparation program. Apply for financial help, if you need it. Take a Natural Family Planning (NFP) class. Decide on prayers and music. Go to confession before your wedding.