"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. 
Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."
~Jane Howard

Hi all,

It's that time of year again!  Our two annual addresses are below.  I for one am glad that this is a short issue! 

God bless,
Jenni

The State of the JABBers Address
by Jenni

First, you may notice that I've changed the title of this address (formerly the State of the Androolers Address).  While we may all be Androolers, I think it's about time I start using our proper name for this: JABBers.  Cause we may be a small subset of Androolers but I think we're a pretty awesome one!

Every year I like to take a few moments to reflect on the highlights we at JABB have experienced.  Traditionally, I start that reflection off by listing the John Dye-related DVD releases.  Oh boy...  Yet again I hoped I'd start the address with the happy news of the DVD release for Season 5.  Instead we got themed sets with a measly 4 episodes a piece.  I'm just going to come right out and say that I'm ambivalent to unhappy about this development.  On the plus side, they actually saw fit to include extras and, I suppose, some post S4 episodes on DVD are better than no post S4 episodes.  But still...  I wanna see "Beautiful Dreamer," "The Sign of the Dove," and more on DVD!  I'm also a lil peeved by how many pre-S5 episodes are on these sets.  Yet, their existence is proof that TPTB haven't fully given up on TBAA and that's something to be grateful for!  So enjoy them, if you want.  But, please, continue to press for the full seasons on DVD by following the advice listed here. 

Happily, I have been able to move on from S4 and prior episodes on the TBAA Photo Gallery and Episode Guide!  True... it's pretty annoying to discover that the Hallmark Channel edits the episodes and then, ya know, regularly drops TBAA from its schedule.  But still... as much as I like Andrew's long hair it's been nice to finally have some short hair photos to use around here!  And the Hallmark weirdness has inspired some fun... and some ranting from yours truly to the YG.  Thanks YG members for tolerating that!

As with last year, I remain grateful that JABB itself continues to thrive.  I don't think I've been this excited about the goings on at the YahooGroup for quite some time!  Not only have we had new members join us but we're having a lot of fun playing JABB Jeopardy.  True, I can't dole out the money like Alex Trebek can but I think it's given us all some unforeseen rewards!  Not only has the trivia itself been fun but it's prompted discussion of TBAA and aspects of Mr. Dye's career that I haven't thought about in ages. 

Beyond the fun, the YahooGroup continues to be a supportive, interesting, amusing place that I turn to for both escape from the frenzy of life and cathartic discussion of it.  I hope others feel the same way.  Even though this past year has brought many of us stresses, responsibilities, losses, and worries; we've hung in there and I'm really proud of that.  I hope my fellow YGers are, too.

Now's the point at which I generally talk about new aspects of the web site.  But that would involve actually remembering what new things I added and I don't!  At least not beyond the aforementioned S5 additions to the Photo Gallery and Episode Guide and then Jeopardy.  So instead I'm going to go on for a bit about something I've gained a new appreciation for: Dyeland.  I think it started as a way to get through the summers between TBAA seasons and other "droughts."  If someone would have told me that it would one day become one of the central focuses if not *the* central focus of JABB, I would have told them they were insane.  Maybe it turns out I'm just insane!  :-)  But, really, it's been a joy (even if sometimes an exhausting one) to see these characters grow and to be able to explore issues both funnily mundane (unwanted cell phone calls) and achingly serious (attacks on the homeless).  So big thanks to everyone who did any of the following:
-Read the Dyeland stories and gave feedback... It really means so much to me and does encourage me to keep going!
-Helped create and populate this awesome world... It's been a pleasure getting to know your characters.
-Talked me down after I had to kill characters off... When I hit the lottery I will pay you some sort of counseling fee.  [NOTE: I don't play the lottery so don't hold your breath.]
-Helped me deal with my Andrew angst and even joined me in it...  Are we absolutely sure we're not masochists?
-Helped give Dyeland a sense of a family, joined together by love if not genetics...  May their tribe increase!

It's that last bit that has become most meaningful to me.  Every time that I look back on JABB's year with these addresses, I seem to pick up on a theme that stretches through the stories and even to JABB as a whole.  I think this year it's pretty safe to say that theme was the value of family.  Not necessarily of traditional family but family however you count it.  I look forward to continuing to see not only Dyeland's family grow but ours, as well.  It's been an amazing, inspiring year!  Let's make sure the next one is, too!

Thank you and God bless you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The State of the Dyelanders Address
by Andrew

Wow.  It's hard to believe a year has passed since I last did this.  But this year... this year has brought me so much to be grateful for and I hope it has all of you, too. 

I have cherished every moment filled with laughter.  I've had some memorable Easters but one featuring a helpful robot rabbit was definitely new!  I love that some of you were able to turn something as annoying as solicitation calls into a cause for creativity and amusement.  And I don't think I'll ever forget how a stormy night helped me discover that not only is my name Andrew but also apparently 'Crush of Crushes,' 'Amish Boy,' 'Poor Love,' and many more.  I think I'll need a larger driver's license in order to list all those names!  I have to say I'm surprised I didn't pick a new nickname up at the Renaissance Faire.  I think Sir Andrew the Valiant has a nice ring to it.  Uh oh, JenniAnn's taking notes and whispering to Rose.  Ladies, I was just kidding.  And now it's going on the third edition of the shirt.  OK...

There's that saying: "A family who plays together, stays together."  If that's true then I think we're all going to be together for a long time (at least as long as we have football, pool, Spin-the-Bottle: Dyeland Style, Andrewopoly, etc.)!  But I believe that having the courage, trust, determination, and love to pull through the more difficult times is also what keeps a family together.  I've seen those qualities a lot in my line of work.  And I've seen them here.  The strength and affection you all lent me in November will never be forgotten.  I carry that memory with me forever now.  I hope you, too, never forget your own bravery and selfless love.  You have shown the best... the very best... of yourselves as the Father created you. 

It's been a joy and a blessing to have spent nearly ten years now in this place.  You all make me so proud and so happy to consider you my friends and my family.  I thank God every day for letting me be a part of this.  And I thank Him for His promise that I'll be able to grow with you and be with all of you for many, many years to come.  Whether it be the hug of a friend at exactly the moment one is most needed or hearing the happiness in the laughter of a Tunnel child or seeing hope rise again in someone at the Phoenix, you all have given me and each other so many wonderful, beautiful moments.  Let's all look forward to more of those moments to come.

Thank you.  I love you.  God loves you.

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