Last night we started decorating our house for Christmas. Today we are wading around in a big mess. In a few days it will look beautiful.

 

I am always looking around and asking myself the question why. Why do we do what we do, or rather, why do I do what I do?

 

Why do I drag all the boxes out of the attic, open them all up, and ah and um over their contents, spend hours arranging them – putting away all the regular stuff, so that the Christmas ‘stuff’ can be on display for a month then take it all back down again.

 

Why do I not bake a single cookie all year and then all of a sudden, I need to start baking stuff to fill those cute tins and to make sure Santa has something to snack on when he arrives.

 

This year we are giving everyone on our list a gift that costs $10.00 or less, which means we have to get really creative: not a gift I was blessed with, but what the heck, if I am baking and decorating I might as well get the knitting needles out and start making stuff too…a pot holder or something.

 

Why, oh why do I do this to myself?

 

For me, it’s called love… chapter eight in our book encourages you to ask:

 

‘What would love do here?’

 

It’s about creating an atmosphere of comfort and cheer as we begin to invite people into our home for the holiday season. It’s about watching the kids’ eyes light up as they all dig in the same box for the same stuffed grinch – and then I ask myself ‘why’ again. It’s a time to celebrate the birth of Christ, which I have never really understood, but always liked the presents. It’s a time to remember, reflect and love.

 

I am continually learning life’s little lessons, and the one that has been brought to the forefront of my mind lately is that it doesn’t matter who is doing the loving in any situation: loving occurs. When I give, I receive. Today is Sunday, it’s family day and we are celebrating Shawn’s birthday, so today I have chosen to give the gift of service. I choose this day to serve my family in any way that I can (I’m just not telling them, our kids have seen Cinderella too many times).

 

So here goes: headlong into another month of craziness. I don’t know who writes those Christmas cards that say ‘Peace be with you’. It’s obviously not the same folks promoting all the toys, food and mayhem out there.

 

Speaking about mayhem…ours has come to a slow down, but we’re on CHLY radio on Tues Dec 5 at 2pm Pacific. 101.7 on the FM dial if you’re in the local Nanaimo listening area. This will be a call in show, so if you’ve got some unanswered relationship questions, call in. 250.740.1067

 

Well, I do need to get shopping with my $10.00… maybe we will see you out there or pop by YouTube and you can see us there.

 

The questions have been flying into Dear Lorraine and Dear Shawn, so we have posted a couple responses...

 

These are typical thoughts that go through my mind at this time of year as I prepare to find “The Perfect Gift.” A whimsical Christmas Article from Lorraine!

 

We needed a relaxing date in November...

 

And we’d love to be one of your Christmas shopping stops! Pick up a copy of Olive Juice Forever. It’ll be a great stocking stuffer for your friends and co-workers. And if you'd like an inscription in your book, please send us an email or put a note on the PayPal invoice!!!

 

To all of you that have supported the message and business of Olive Juice Forever over the last year, Lorraine and I want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We love you.

 

 

The ‘Olives’