Whatever your preference for a holiday greeting, please consider yourself "greeted."  I've been immensely touched by the Christmas greetings in my PM's this month, especially the past few days.  With all you have to do, you’re still reaching out and spreading goodness. Thank you.    

Eight years ago on Christmas Eve, Charlie and I were exhausted.  We had been working 16 hours a day, six days a week to get Scrapbook.com built and ready to launch.  The kids were all in bed, it was after midnight, and we still hadn’t wrapped their gifts – wrapping gifts is a love/hate thing for me and I always leave it to the last minute.  While Charlie went to find some tape, I waited, lying down on the floor between piles of sorted gifts, and closed my eyes for a moment, trying to muster the strength for the hour of wrapping that lay ahead.  The next thing I remember was Charlie’s soft voice gently calling my name and the rattle of black plastic garbage bags above me.  Charlie smiled apologetically, and then said he’d made an executive decision.  Each child’s gifts would go into their own black garbage bag, so we could get to bed.  If we hurried, we could be finished in four minutes. ” 

I felt sick to my stomach.  Had our lives come to this: true Scrooges?  I like to think that any holiday is better with “fluff,” so you can image my inner conflict. I’m a scrapbooker, for heavens sake, and we embellish!   I gave in though, and with an exhausted sigh, I helped fill the bags.  A few minutes later, we placed four pathetic-looking, lumpy garbage bags on our living room couch.  We stumbled back to our bedroom, said our prayers and climbed into bed.  I cried for about 10 seconds before the exhaustion washed over me with waves of glorious sleep.

I awoke feeling great until I remembered what we had done.  There it was again, the knot of opportunity-for-embellishment-lost roiling in my stomach. 

A few minutes later, our daughter entered the living room, expecting the usual multi-colored array of presents. Upon seeing the four garbage bags, she burst into tears.  Where was the festivity? The happiness? The bells the bows and the “pretty” that signals Christmas morning? What kind of parents give their children something that looks like a 40-pound lump of coal?  (Happily, she can laugh about it now.). Our three sons, of course, thought it was pretty cool.  They could just dump the goods out on the floor and didn’t have to go through all that tearing open the packages.   

So what’s the point of my story?  Two things. First, the work we put into Scrapbook.com was worth it – hard work always is.  And, second, black garbage bags are an option for lots of things other than garbage: e.g., suitcases, rain ponchos and gift wrapping,  I’ve become so fond of them that we’re using them again this year—without the guilt!  We’ll all get a big laugh.
 

I want you to know how much my family and I appreciate you. Our lives are blessed in so many ways because of your support.  My sons all have jobs, at Scrapbook.com, and our grandchildren have their needs met.  Scrapbook.com unites us, brings growth and so much happiness.  We get to work side by side with wonderful people in the offices, in the warehouse and in this industry.  And or course, we get to serve you. 

As this year comes to a close I count each of you as a blessing, and I hope that 2008 brings you opportunities to realize your hopes, experience your dreams and achieve your deepest desires.

Thank you so very much. 
Jill Davis

P.S.  Excitedly, I’ve been finishing my next e-book (it’s coming VERY soon so watch for it).  My monthly drawings have been out-of-site-out-of-mind,  and it’s time to make good on them. I have eight surprise packages stacked in my office that are longing for a new home.  Anyone who shares ONE of their 2008 hopes, dreams, resolutions (or whatever you call them) below is eligible.  All drawings will be held on Thursday, December 27th.