Inspiring To Me

TV is such a waste of time. REALLY! When I hear the statistics that children are watching TV for 7 or 8 hours per day I am stunned. What is there to watch?!

But, I must admit that there is one program on TV that has caught my attention. THE BIGGEST LOSER! The season just ended Tuesday night and I am sad because I will miss it in the off season.

This show is not only non-offensive (I never have to cover my ears or eyes). . . but it is inspiring! The whole show exists to teach people discipline and how to regain control of their lives. People are learning truth! They are learning how to make their physical bodies become subject to their spirit. They are learning eternal truths, whether they know it or not. These big, overweight, sad, sick, downtrodden people come in feeling worthless and as they gain power over their physical bodies their spirits grow while their bodies shrink.

This season's winner was Michael. He came in weighing over 500 lbs. In the first week alone he lost 34 lbs. At first, I thought he wouldn't make it. He was just so weak in mind and spirit and body. It was overwhelming to carry around that 500 pound body. But, he did it! Over the course of 12 weeks you could visually see his countenance change. He took his life back! Inspiring!



This is Sherry. I probably relate to her because she is near my age. She is a tiny woman who was sad and broken and sick at the beginning of the season. Her husband had died and she was still in mourning.

She also took her life back. She now has the power and strength to make her own choices. She's no longer a victim. Awesome!



And this guy was the most inspiring to me. Koli came in a very shy and doubting guy. He really didn't even want to be there. He was lazy and defeated. At one point in the show he talks very candidly about the fact that he just doesn't want to do the hard stuff that is required. He is too comfortable being broken.

I guess thats why I really like the show. In some way and on some level I can relate to every one of these people. Koli's tranformation was the most amazing because it seemed the deepest. His change seemed greater on the inside than on the outside. He grew up, matured, "got it" before my very eyes. Even though Koli didn't win the "whole thing" (that $250,000 prize went to Michael, above) Koli did something that I think was harder. He went home and on his own finished what he had started on the show. He kept the principles he had learned and lost more weight at home than even Michael did while still under direct supervision. Koli lost the biggest percentage of weight of anyone on the show. . . over 53%. He went from weighing 403 lbs to weighing 188! Incredible.



I know some people out there will criticize the whole idea of this show. I know it is commercial and there are annoying things about it. . . but at the same time, even if every one of these people goes home and gains all their weight back, they have learned lessons that ultimately will bless their lives. They are lessons that EVERY SINGLE PERSON on this earth needs to learn, one way or another. It is inspiring to me to see how learning truth changes us . . . makes us better . . . makes us look and feel happier. That's in part due to the greater influence the Holy Ghost can have on us when we choose righteousness. It's consistent. It's real. It's inspiring!

I've Been Everywhere

The past three weeks has provided not ONE, but TWO road trips to Bentonville, Arkansas. What's in Bentonville, you say?

It is the home of the only lime green Pinto still on the road.







It is also the home of this fine American Patriot, whose statue stands in Bentonville's central park as a symbol of all confederate soldiers.







And across the street from this proud soldier is Sam Walton's first store: Walton's Five and Dime. They've made it into a cute little museum, of sorts.







And, of course, it's the home of today's controversial Walmart. Ya' either love 'em or ya' hate 'em!







Yep! That's it! A big blue sign and a small, little store front to a large warehouse! That's the headquarters for the ginormous, worldwide Wal-mart! This little building is where decisions are made that affect life all over the world. Is this a surprise to any of you? It was to me. Around Bentonville, which is a sprawling little town clearly stunned by its rapid growth, there are a variety of warehouses which are home to various Walmart operations . . . but THIS is the main headquarters.

That's the Sam Walton way . . . I've been told. If this little, old- fashioned office building will work then there's no need to build something else. Just make do. Interesting!

What brought us to Bentonville? Two trips . . . the second, exactly 2 weeks after the first . . . to deliver items that "have to be here" before close of business on Friday! The items could not make it from the Chinet plant, through the mail system and to Bentonville by Friday, so S.Weed, the "above and beyond" account manager drove it 3 1/2 hours and hand delivered it! Twice!

That's service!

Now, I've been EVERYWHERE!

My World

Please join me, if you would, on my early morning walk through Cedar Creek, the stunningly beautiful neighborhood that Steve and I are blessed to live in.





Cedar Creek Blvd.





The golf course clubhouse . . . the place where Landon Putnam SLAVED away last summer. (Everyone, together with me now . . . "Pooooooorrrr Landon!")





Weaving through the neighborhood are the 18 holes of the championship golf course designed by Tom Watson.









Water features enhance the golfing experience and the view!





Too bad we don't golf!





The golf course and neigborhood are built around a beautiful lake. Small-motor fishing boats, canoes, rowboats and kayaks are welcome on the lake.





Around the perimeter of the lake is a 3 1/2 mile walking trail that we enjoy!





The entry way is bordered by these fabulous waterfalls!






And every once in a while you come across a view that takes your breath away!

It's a good life! Please come and visit!

Unspoken Competition

Yes, you all know it. There is an unspoken competition among men and women regarding the beauty of their grandchildren. Call it vanity. Call it relief. Call it what you want . . . but we all know it exists. So, why fight it?! I'm throwing my hat in the ring. I'm in the competition. And I'm going BIG!

Here they are. My entries for the most adorable grandchildren on planet earth.


First, the newest entrant, little Logan, from Logan.





Next, this little pixie of a girl named Leah.





Not to be out-done by ol' blue-eyes . . . Ben.




And the codilicious Cody.



And the leader of the pack . . . runnin' Nate.




So, there you have it!


How do you feel about my chances of winning this competition outright and taking home the trophy and all the cash? Yeah, me too.

Do you need a loan?