A Christmas message fro Jana OLiver, a guest blogger

Jana Oliver sent this message for us and our readers.

It's that time of year. Again. But this year is different because of that sucking sound. Economy sucks. New jobless claims suck. Real estate prices suck. You get the picture. Not all of us are in deep trouble (fortunately) and so this is aimed at you who are keeping your heads above the waterline. Now is the time to share your good fortune. It can be as simple as leaving a gift card tucked in someone's mailbox to fund a trip to the grocery store. Think the recipient will be embarrassed? Then leave it anonymously. Consider donating to a homeless shelter or food bank in your area. Many of the homeless are those who had a house and a job at the start of the year. Now they have nothing.

If you're in the Atlanta area consider the Atlanta Community Food Bank www.acfb.org or the Norcross Cooperative Ministry www.norcrossco-op.org/

(a non-denominational outreach program.) To help our four-footed friends whose owners are foundering on the rocks, consider a donation to Daffy's Pet Soup http://www.daffyspetsoupkitchen.com.

If you're outside of Georgia, just do a quick Google search to find your local charities. Whether you donate time, money or canned goods, it's a blessing. And this year we need all the blessings we can offer. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, a Blessed Yule and a Joyous Kwanzaa. > -- Jana Oliver www.janaoliver.com http://www.janaoliver.com