Dear 2010,
I don't normally say this, but I'm happy to say goodbye to you, and never, ever see you again. Although my life (and attitude) is very upbeat, you have tried me this year like never before. You have challenged me, and you have challenged my family, but you didn't win. With Bobby and Diane's motorcycle accident, my Aunt's breast cancer, and my step-brother's illness....with all that you laid out for us to beat this year, WE BEAT YOU.
It is true, through challenge, illness, injury, and difficult times, we (supposedly) come out stronger. I always knew my family (and I) was strong, but we never had to prove it like we did this year. Bobby and Diane continue to improve, and that is with a tremendous amount of hard work and determination on their part. They amaze me and inspire me every day. My Aunt Cathi battled breast cancer this year with a strength and resilience that I never knew she had. Bravo to her! And my step-brother, who was sick for most of the year, is ending the year healthy and stronger than ever before.
Yes, 2010, you tried to bring us down, you did your very best to beat us, but it ain't happening. Perhaps there is a reason? That question remains and we will never know the answer. Life's challenges are complicated, and we need to take each one as they come and handle them as best we know how. But I am looking forward to what 2011 brings, including more recovery, good health, continued quality time with family and friends, more business, and yes, more good wine.
So there you have it. My most challenging year is coming to a close, and all I can say is "Arrivederci!"
Now let's get back to refilling that wine glass.
jrb
Friday, December 31, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
2010 Christmas Update
I decided to post my family's Christmas Card "update", since it qualifies as something I've written about my life. I will write more in the new year, when I'm not so busy with shopping, baking, working & drinking wine. Well, the last two won't go away (I hope!), but the first two will! So, here it is:
We hope our holiday letter finds you healthy, happy and laughing. Here’s our update for 2010…
WOW time goes by fast…Robbie is turning 12 in February and is now in middle school! He loves all of the social aspects of middle school, but is not a big fan of the homework load. He joined his school’s Cross-Country team and was the fastest 6th grader! He is currently playing CYO basketball and Dan is his team’s head coach. Robbie continues to have a strong interest in music and still enjoys playing the drums. He has become such a compassionate, fun & free-spirited kid.
Andrew is turning 14 in February and like many teenage boys is growing like a weed! He is now 5’7” and wears a size 11 ½ shoe. Andrew continues to love to build things, ride his bike, golf with Dan and hang out with the family. He entered his first bowling tournament earlier this year and looks forward to participating in additional tournaments next year. Andrew continues to be a sweet boy with a big heart and strong love for his family and friends.
I have recently started a new business as a Social Media Consultant! I am enjoying it very much & have included a link below if you’d like to read more about my business. I am still running (ran the Seattle Rock N Roll ½ Marathon in June), helping out young moms in a “parents of special needs kids” group, and hanging out with girlfriends whenever time permits. I also enjoy spending time with my brother and sister-in-law, who are still recovering from their motorcycle accident, but are miraculously doing very well, thanks to the grace of God, a lot of hard work, and the positive thoughts & prayers of friends & family. ♥
Dan is doing well, and is staying very busy as usual. He likes taking Andrew and Robbie to the gym for workouts and to “shoot some hoops”. At first, he was the one pushing to go to the gym. Now the boys ask “when can we go to the gym?” Dan is really having fun coaching Robbie’s CYO basketball team this year. It cracks me up how they “de-brief” for at least an hour after each game! He also enjoys playing golf with his brother and/or Andrew whenever he can.
The four of us enjoyed a few short vacations this year visiting and/or traveling with family and friends to Tahoe, Lake Coeur d’Alene and Seattle. Dan and I were lucky enough to sneak away to Las Vegas for three days for our 15th Anniversary too!
We love and value our friends and family so much. Thank you for being such an important part of our lives!
With love,
Dan, Janeen, Andrew and Robbie
www.facebook.com/JRBGroup
Friday, November 26, 2010
2010 Christmas Card
Snowy Night Christmas
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Friday, October 29, 2010
Women, Women, Women
Earlier this week I attended the Women's Conference in Long Beach, hosted by California's First Lady, Maria Shriver. What a thought-provoking, inspiring, and just incredibly good time! I was inspired by so many successful and spirited women. From the presenters, to the celebrities, to my co-attendees...all were women that are intelligent, driven, passionate and forceful, in whatever their endeavors are.
My friend Julie and I went together. We made a new friend while there, and the three of us stayed together throughout the conference. All 3 of us business owners, but at very different stages of ownership. We laughed, were star-struck, walked all over the conference center (and around it), ate, had cocktails together, and best of all, had great, stimulating conversation. It was fabulous!
I learned that women can do anything and we do everything! It's hard to keep up with it all, and it's ok to leave things to another day, it's ok to say no, it's ok to do something selfish (everyday if possible!), and it's smart to savor the day, and the moment. But it's important to put our passion and our heart into what we REALLY believe in, whether that be our family, our home, our community, our business, our clubs, our nation, or our globe.
One thing is for sure - we must always surround ourselves with women that we love and that love us. No one uplifts us more, supports us more, sings our praises more, is as honest with us, makes us laugh more, holds us as tight when we cry, and plain just GETS US. Here is one of my all time favorite quotes "What I expect from my male friends is that they are polite and clean. What I expect from my female friends is unconditional love, the ability to finish my sentences for me when I am sobbing, a complete and total willingness to pour their hearts out to me, and the ability to tell me why the meat thermometer isn't supposed to touch the bone." (Anna Quindlen, Living Out Loud)
And I'll leave you with my favorite quote from the conference, which came from Martha Beck, PhD, author and Life Coach: "Never put off till tomorrow......what you can cancel."
Now please, let's have another glass of wine.
jrb
My friend Julie and I went together. We made a new friend while there, and the three of us stayed together throughout the conference. All 3 of us business owners, but at very different stages of ownership. We laughed, were star-struck, walked all over the conference center (and around it), ate, had cocktails together, and best of all, had great, stimulating conversation. It was fabulous!
I learned that women can do anything and we do everything! It's hard to keep up with it all, and it's ok to leave things to another day, it's ok to say no, it's ok to do something selfish (everyday if possible!), and it's smart to savor the day, and the moment. But it's important to put our passion and our heart into what we REALLY believe in, whether that be our family, our home, our community, our business, our clubs, our nation, or our globe.
One thing is for sure - we must always surround ourselves with women that we love and that love us. No one uplifts us more, supports us more, sings our praises more, is as honest with us, makes us laugh more, holds us as tight when we cry, and plain just GETS US. Here is one of my all time favorite quotes "What I expect from my male friends is that they are polite and clean. What I expect from my female friends is unconditional love, the ability to finish my sentences for me when I am sobbing, a complete and total willingness to pour their hearts out to me, and the ability to tell me why the meat thermometer isn't supposed to touch the bone." (Anna Quindlen, Living Out Loud)
And I'll leave you with my favorite quote from the conference, which came from Martha Beck, PhD, author and Life Coach: "Never put off till tomorrow......what you can cancel."
Now please, let's have another glass of wine.
jrb
Monday, September 6, 2010
My Hardest Day
It was roughly 3:00 in the afternoon on Memorial Day, 2010. My mom called and said, "Honey, Bobby and Diane have been in a motorcycle accident. They've been airlifted to UC Davis Medical Center. His friend that he was riding with called me. That's all I know. I already called your dad and I'm on my way." WHA?????? "Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God." is all I remember saying.
When Dan heard me he ran into the kitchen. He quickly shuffled me into another room, so the boys wouldn't hear me crying. I was frozen. Do I wait to hear? Do I leave? Of course, I left. I told Dan I was OK and could drive, so he stayed home with the boys. I, of course, was in no shape to drive, and I'm sure both my parents weren't either. I remember sobbing and praying the entire drive to Sacramento. I also called a couple girlfriends on the way (another bad idea) and we sobbed together.
My dad and I talked once on the phone while we were both on our way. He said that after my mom called him, he had gotten a call from the CHP. The officer told him to hurry. Shit.
More sobbing. More praying.
When I arrived at the ER, my mom, dad & stepdad were all there. I was the 4th to arrive. I'll never forget the looks on their faces when they saw me. My mom asked me if I want to see them. Yes! I went to my brothers side. Not easy to see. Too much facial trauma. How can this be Bobby? He was concious when he arrived, but they put him out and intubated him so he wouldn't choke on blood. The image is actually a bit vague in my mind now. But I remember seeing a lot of red, a lot of road rash, and a lot of yuck. I touched his arm. I turned to my parents and my mom kept saying to me, "Everything is fixable. They said everything is fixable." My dad started crying again. Then I went to see Diane. She had some lacerations, she was also intubated, and she had a neck collar on. She looked better than Bobby, but they said she was unconscious at the scene. We later found out she was almost pronounced, but they resuscitated her. Thank you Lord. I also remember seeing her feet move a little bit. But even in the worst crisis I have ever faced in my life so far, those 3 words, "Everything. Is. Fixable." gave me tremendous comfort. We aren't going to lose them. We aren't going to lose them.
They took us to the "family room" and the case worker talked to us. She was so genuine and caring. What a job to have! Then one of the ER Doctors came in - a pretty, young woman who definately was MANY years younger than me. But when she spoke, she clearly knew what she was talking about and what she was doing. She told us that Diane was going to have some stitches on her facial lacerations in the ER, and Bobby needed to be sewn up in the OR, since his facial trauma was so severe. I remember telling her that Bobby and Diane are both really cute - please do a good job. Then Diane was going to have an MRI of her head and spine to see what, if any, damage had occurred. Now it was time to head to the ICU waiting room. And wait. And wait.
Diane's brothers, Bob & Greg, arrived, as well as more family members, and waited with us. We sat in the waiting room all night. Bobby came out of surgery and we were able to see him. Mom, Dad and I went in. He still looked really bad, but better. Still intubated, very very swollen, lots of stitches and lots of redness. When he opened his eye (left one was too swollen to open) he saw me and gave me a little wave. "HI!" I said, grabbing his hand, and so happy to be able to communicate with him! "I love you!" He pointed back at me. Mom and Dad did the same. We just sat with him.
Still waiting for news on Diane's MRI. Finally done. They said very little bleeding on the brain and they weren't worried about any long-term brain damage. But she does have a traumatic brain injury. She also had a fracture on C1, and needed to have C5-C7 fused together. OK. That's all good, right? Thank you again, Lord. No long-term brain damage kept going through my mind. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. They were going to take her into surgery that next day for the fusion.
We stayed up all night in the ICU waiting room that first night. I think it was around 2am that we all finally went to get something to eat in the lovely hospital cafeteria.
For the next couple weeks, we stayed in the hotel across the street. It became our home. It's amazing how in such a crisis, there are still so many things to be grateful for. They're alive. They're both expected to fully recover (it will take a while, but it WILL happen), my family is so close and even closer now, and THANK GOD my mom, dad, stepmom and stepdad are all friends. Can't imagine how much more difficult this all would have been if we had that uncomfortable feeling of parents not liking each other.
More on their recovery later. If you're on facebook, you know that they still have a long way to go, but they have come SO far already in these last 3 months.
So, that was my Hardest Day. And the time between the phone call from my mom, until I was in the ER and heard that "everything is fixable", that was my hardest 3 hours. Ever. This post was both difficult as well as therapuetic for me to write. Thanks for reading. Now, I really AM going to need you to refill my wine glass.
jrb
When Dan heard me he ran into the kitchen. He quickly shuffled me into another room, so the boys wouldn't hear me crying. I was frozen. Do I wait to hear? Do I leave? Of course, I left. I told Dan I was OK and could drive, so he stayed home with the boys. I, of course, was in no shape to drive, and I'm sure both my parents weren't either. I remember sobbing and praying the entire drive to Sacramento. I also called a couple girlfriends on the way (another bad idea) and we sobbed together.
My dad and I talked once on the phone while we were both on our way. He said that after my mom called him, he had gotten a call from the CHP. The officer told him to hurry. Shit.
More sobbing. More praying.
When I arrived at the ER, my mom, dad & stepdad were all there. I was the 4th to arrive. I'll never forget the looks on their faces when they saw me. My mom asked me if I want to see them. Yes! I went to my brothers side. Not easy to see. Too much facial trauma. How can this be Bobby? He was concious when he arrived, but they put him out and intubated him so he wouldn't choke on blood. The image is actually a bit vague in my mind now. But I remember seeing a lot of red, a lot of road rash, and a lot of yuck. I touched his arm. I turned to my parents and my mom kept saying to me, "Everything is fixable. They said everything is fixable." My dad started crying again. Then I went to see Diane. She had some lacerations, she was also intubated, and she had a neck collar on. She looked better than Bobby, but they said she was unconscious at the scene. We later found out she was almost pronounced, but they resuscitated her. Thank you Lord. I also remember seeing her feet move a little bit. But even in the worst crisis I have ever faced in my life so far, those 3 words, "Everything. Is. Fixable." gave me tremendous comfort. We aren't going to lose them. We aren't going to lose them.
They took us to the "family room" and the case worker talked to us. She was so genuine and caring. What a job to have! Then one of the ER Doctors came in - a pretty, young woman who definately was MANY years younger than me. But when she spoke, she clearly knew what she was talking about and what she was doing. She told us that Diane was going to have some stitches on her facial lacerations in the ER, and Bobby needed to be sewn up in the OR, since his facial trauma was so severe. I remember telling her that Bobby and Diane are both really cute - please do a good job. Then Diane was going to have an MRI of her head and spine to see what, if any, damage had occurred. Now it was time to head to the ICU waiting room. And wait. And wait.
Diane's brothers, Bob & Greg, arrived, as well as more family members, and waited with us. We sat in the waiting room all night. Bobby came out of surgery and we were able to see him. Mom, Dad and I went in. He still looked really bad, but better. Still intubated, very very swollen, lots of stitches and lots of redness. When he opened his eye (left one was too swollen to open) he saw me and gave me a little wave. "HI!" I said, grabbing his hand, and so happy to be able to communicate with him! "I love you!" He pointed back at me. Mom and Dad did the same. We just sat with him.
Still waiting for news on Diane's MRI. Finally done. They said very little bleeding on the brain and they weren't worried about any long-term brain damage. But she does have a traumatic brain injury. She also had a fracture on C1, and needed to have C5-C7 fused together. OK. That's all good, right? Thank you again, Lord. No long-term brain damage kept going through my mind. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. They were going to take her into surgery that next day for the fusion.
We stayed up all night in the ICU waiting room that first night. I think it was around 2am that we all finally went to get something to eat in the lovely hospital cafeteria.
For the next couple weeks, we stayed in the hotel across the street. It became our home. It's amazing how in such a crisis, there are still so many things to be grateful for. They're alive. They're both expected to fully recover (it will take a while, but it WILL happen), my family is so close and even closer now, and THANK GOD my mom, dad, stepmom and stepdad are all friends. Can't imagine how much more difficult this all would have been if we had that uncomfortable feeling of parents not liking each other.
More on their recovery later. If you're on facebook, you know that they still have a long way to go, but they have come SO far already in these last 3 months.
So, that was my Hardest Day. And the time between the phone call from my mom, until I was in the ER and heard that "everything is fixable", that was my hardest 3 hours. Ever. This post was both difficult as well as therapuetic for me to write. Thanks for reading. Now, I really AM going to need you to refill my wine glass.
jrb
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
I'm really blogging!
Well, here I am. I've been thinking about starting a blog for a LONG TIME. I feel I have so much to say, but just never know quite where to start. And who the hell's gonna read it, anyway? So I'm going to take the advice of my good friend, Joe. He said, "stop thinking and start writing". OK, Joe. Here I go.
My first post is about Facebook. Yes, Social Media is on the rise. (I've even started a small business using it!) Yes, it's fun! Yes, I've reconnected with MANY people that I'm excited to be friends with again. Yes, I LOVE LOVE LOVE being social while in my PJ's at home with dirty hair, un-brushed teeth, a cat on my lap, and probably chowing down on something that I shouldn't be chowing down on. Or, if it's after 5pm, with a lovely glass of vino. (well, usually after 5pm. shhhh)
What I really want to say about it goes deeper than all that fun stuff. (And let's face it, it's REALLY REALLY FUN!) It's more about my friends, family, and connections than it is about Facebook itself.
On Memorial Day of this year, my brother and sister-in-law were in a serious motorcycle accident. (More details on how they are doing in a later post). It took me almost a week before I posted anything about it, but as soon as I did, boy, it was a whirlwind of prayers from east coast to west coast, and even in the UK! The prayers, well wishes, and all around positive mojo that was sent to my family on a daily basis (and still is), uplifted us all more than I can ever put into words. I am tearing up right now, just thinking about it. I believe in my heart of hearts, that those prayers played a HUGE roll in their recovery, and coupled with their hard work and determination, are why they both are doing so well and are expected to have a full recovery.
How does one pay that back? Well, that is simply something that can't be paid back, and I know that no one expects it. That is the beauty of friendship and of being a compassionate human being. And all my friends know that they can count on me ANYTIME for that same support. No question!
I also have loved how everyone wants and enjoys the updates on Bobby and Diane. And if I haven't posted one in a while, several people always ask about them. With each positive update, I get so many "likes" and positive responses and with the few updates that have told about a curve ball that has been thrown our way (most recently, two weeks ago with Diane's brain surgery), I am just uplifted again and again with everyone's words, prayers, hugs, and undying support for my family.
So thank you friends and Facebook, for all you have given me and my family over these past 3 months. I have learned so much from all of you, as well as from Bobby and Diane, on spirit, determination, unconditional love, and the power of prayer. And I will never be the same.
That's it - my first post. Now please, refill my wine glass. :-)
jrb
My first post is about Facebook. Yes, Social Media is on the rise. (I've even started a small business using it!) Yes, it's fun! Yes, I've reconnected with MANY people that I'm excited to be friends with again. Yes, I LOVE LOVE LOVE being social while in my PJ's at home with dirty hair, un-brushed teeth, a cat on my lap, and probably chowing down on something that I shouldn't be chowing down on. Or, if it's after 5pm, with a lovely glass of vino. (well, usually after 5pm. shhhh)
What I really want to say about it goes deeper than all that fun stuff. (And let's face it, it's REALLY REALLY FUN!) It's more about my friends, family, and connections than it is about Facebook itself.
On Memorial Day of this year, my brother and sister-in-law were in a serious motorcycle accident. (More details on how they are doing in a later post). It took me almost a week before I posted anything about it, but as soon as I did, boy, it was a whirlwind of prayers from east coast to west coast, and even in the UK! The prayers, well wishes, and all around positive mojo that was sent to my family on a daily basis (and still is), uplifted us all more than I can ever put into words. I am tearing up right now, just thinking about it. I believe in my heart of hearts, that those prayers played a HUGE roll in their recovery, and coupled with their hard work and determination, are why they both are doing so well and are expected to have a full recovery.
How does one pay that back? Well, that is simply something that can't be paid back, and I know that no one expects it. That is the beauty of friendship and of being a compassionate human being. And all my friends know that they can count on me ANYTIME for that same support. No question!
I also have loved how everyone wants and enjoys the updates on Bobby and Diane. And if I haven't posted one in a while, several people always ask about them. With each positive update, I get so many "likes" and positive responses and with the few updates that have told about a curve ball that has been thrown our way (most recently, two weeks ago with Diane's brain surgery), I am just uplifted again and again with everyone's words, prayers, hugs, and undying support for my family.
So thank you friends and Facebook, for all you have given me and my family over these past 3 months. I have learned so much from all of you, as well as from Bobby and Diane, on spirit, determination, unconditional love, and the power of prayer. And I will never be the same.
That's it - my first post. Now please, refill my wine glass. :-)
jrb
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