Richard Branson

Deck the halls with boughs of holly. Fa la la la la la la la la. Tis the season to be jolly. I think I 've caught it...the Christmas spirit!

We decorated 2 mantles yesterday and put up the Christmas trees. Last year we decided that we were tired of worrying about a "real" tree burning the house down so we switched to a pre-lighted fake tree. I have to say, we're much happier. No mess, no fuss, and no shelling out $75 each year for a tree. (I do miss the smell though.) We have a big tree upstairs and a 3 foot tree downstairs. I love the little tree because that is where all my really pretty ornaments go. Every year I go to Crate & Barrel or Pier One and buy a few new ornaments for the little tree. Its sort of my special thing I do just for me...I know, selfish, but it makes me feel good.

Given the changes that Nigel and I are making in the next couple of weeks - you'll learn more about that next week. And even with all that is going on with Kristie's health, I am optimistic that all things will work out for the good.

I watched You've Got Mail yesterday while decorating the little tree...I LOVE THAT MOVIE! Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks are two of my favorite actors and that movie is so quirky and witty. it makes you think about what you should really value in life. Relationships with family and friends.

So, this Christmas season, I have resolved to treasure family and friends; focusing on those relationships because that is where real happiness lies. Stuff is just stuff, spending time with people who you love is the key to happiness. (That, and good food!)

Oprah magazine for December had articles about various family Christmas traditions. One family implements the LTOYW - Love the one you're with - rule. To stop the whole expensive gift giving frenzy, they only give gifts to people they see that season. I LOVE IT!

Another family records interviews with family members. Here's some questions you could ask:

What was the happiest moment in your life?
The saddest?
What is your favorite memory from childhood?
Would you sing the song your mother sang to you as a child?
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
the kindest?
What are you most proud of ?
What's your favorite memory of me?
Is there something about you that you think nobody knows?

Fun!

When you go to a family dinner, ask the question: What was the best thing (or most favorite thing) that happened to you this year? This will get the conversation flowing around the table!

Got $25? Help someone in another country finance their business by going a microfinance loan. Log onto kiva.org and read about it. Its cool.

Learn about Richard Branson's latest plan to change the world for the better utilizing a group he organized called The Elders. Log onto www.theelders.org and read about it. I shook Richard's hand in New York a couple of years ago while freezing with Katie outside on the Today's show set...neat. I admire his courage.

Our snow is gone and now we have a river under our bridge in front of our house. All of western WA is under a flood warning.

Have a GREAT Monday!