JABB 414- Monica's, JenniAnn's, and Violeta's Turn!

"Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood."
~~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Hi,

Welcome to another exciting issue of JABB... that I have thrown together. ;-) I hope those of you in the States and from here had a wonderful Independence Day! Mine was quite nice... although a lil sleep deprived from the late night fireworks in the neighborhood. So if any of this is wonky... I'm blaming it on that.

Also... I just finished the first draft of the story I've been working on like... ten minutes ago. So... while I focus on editing that, I got more people to answer some questions. ;-)

God bless,
Jenni

Monica

1. What is your family history?

God created me around 6,000 years ago. I have a lot of family!

2. Where are you originally from?

Heaven. Ireland is the first place I set foot in on Earth.

3. Describe a few of your favorite outfits.

Oh... I don't know. I've worn so many different types of clothes. I'm glad ladies' fashion isn't quite as... uncomfortable nowadays. I still love my flowy, white dresses but jeans and a cute top are much more practical of late.

4. Do you have any particular mannerisms you adopt during certain moods?

Does drinking coffee count? Lots and lots of coffee... Oh, Tess, please don't give me that Look!

5. Why did you come to Dyeland?

Andrew spoke so warmly of it that I had to come visit. I know my visits were quite sporadic for a long while but I am so pleased to be back more often now.

6. What are some of your deepest fears?

Oh... we're not supposed to have fears. I was afraid of the water once but now I find it delightful. I suppose I am afraid of disappointing people sometimes.

7. What are your dreams?

Being the very best caseworker I can be! I'd also love to continue on at True Light with Arthur. I enjoy having a more regular assignment in between my other ones.

8. What are your hobbies?

Drinking coffee, making coffee, blending coffee, baking with coffee. 0:-)

9. What would an ideal day be like for you?

Being among friends, maybe even in Ireland. Sipping coffee and talking and not doing much of anything except being with them and with God.

10. Do you have any regrets?

Yes. But we must not let our lives be ruled by them.

11. If you were to be completely honest, what would you say you are most proud of yourself for?

My promotions. It makes me happy to know that God is pleased with my work. I am also proud of some bridges I've mended. Sometimes that's one of the very hardest things to do.

12. And what would you say you are least proud of?

Walking away for a time.

13. What do you think/know is the biggest misunderstanding people might have about you?

I don't really know. I feel quite understood these days!

14. What’s something you would most like to improve about yourself?

I would like to keep working on being a better, more attentive listener. With assignments, yes, but especially with friends which I know sometimes I struggle with.

15. What are some of your prized possessions?

The lovely statue from Joshua... And my espresso machine. More the statue, of course. And I still treasure the caddy from Tess and pocket watch from Andrew. Also my favorite earrings. It's not the things themselves but who they represent... All right, the espresso machine is just the thing itself.

16. What’s your best memory thus far of life in/associated with Dyeland?

March and April of this year were wonderful! Most everything since has been very good, too!

17. And the worst?

Being away for so long.

18. Favorite food?

Coffee. Mocha lattes. Cappuccino. Frappuccino. Coffee cake. Coffee ice cream. Chocolate covered coffee beans.

JenniAnn

1. What is your family history?

My parents are Allison and Robert although I'm also very close to my cousins, Catherine and Vincent, who are like a second set of parents (Vincent's my godfather!) Then I have several aunts and uncles and cousins and my grandmother and now, of course, Andrew's and my little girl, Belle. And all of you! And the dogs! And, of course, my new furry friend.

2. Where are you originally from?

Omaha, NE

3. Describe a few of your favorite outfits.

Oh boy... the ones that don't currently have spit up or formula on them? Definitely love the boho look.

4. Do you have any particular mannerisms you adopt during certain moods?

I twist my Claddagh when nervous or particularly pensive. I pace... inherited that from Vincent!

5. Why did you come to Dyeland?

Crawled right on through a portal! It made for a terrible time for my parents but... I can't imagine how differently my life would have turned out if that hadn't happened.

6. What are some of your deepest fears?

Something happening to someone I love and not being able to make it better. I know everything will turn out all right in the end. God's plan is always at work, even through things He doesn't will. But sometimes it can be hard to face.

7. What are your dreams?

Making a happy life for Belle with Andrew. Continuing to all grow closer to each other and our expanded New York contingent! And Joshua coming back for a visit...

8. What are your hobbies?

Wow... Haven't had time for hobbies in a while! Reading, redecorating, writing, scrapbooking, knitting, dancing with Andrew (have, happily, snuck in some time for that!).

9. What would an ideal day be like for you?

Sleeping through the night, waking up to a happy little girl ready for the day's adventures and discoveries, sharing breakfast with Belle and Andrew and whomever is visiting, teaching and watching the kids' faces light up when they learn something new, enjoying a peaceful afternoon in Dyeland, getting Belle to a restful sleep, dancing with Andrew in the moonlit ballroom, and ending the day thanking God for all of the above.

10. Do you have any regrets?

I do, yes. But I also know the things I regret made possible or more meaningful other things that happened afterwards.

11. If you were to be completely honest, what would you say you are most proud of yourself for?

Gosh... I guess just not giving up on life here in Dyeland. I mean it's been great for a while now but there were some lonely years in there. I don't wanna think about how things would be if Andrew and I had moved on... or if I'd moved on from Andrew. ::shudder:: Oh and I'm also proud of myself for not going into complete basket case mode during my recent makeup artist stint.

12. And what would you say you are least proud of?

That I actually did sometimes consider just throwing in the towel. Belle, sweetheart, if you ever read this... never, ever give up on love.

13. What do you think/know is the biggest misunderstanding people might have about you?

Ooh boy... Well, I think people around here get me pretty well. But Andrew and I have had a few instances of utter cluelessness from people... especially with Belle. Yes, she is really ours. No, we did not pay for her (?!?). And, yes, thank you, I am aware she has a different skin color than Andrew and me. What of it? ::deep, calming breath::

14. What’s something you would most like to improve about yourself?

I am really, really working on living my life in a way that's true to my values and my faith and doesn't involve shrinking away or going to pieces when people make assumptions like... see above.

15. What are some of your prized possessions?

My tea chest, my Claddagh, my cross necklace, my Bible with all the mementos in it, the froggy nightlight (really more of a joint possession), my lil bat from Vincent, and my Cupid and Psyche book for obvious reasons.

16. What’s your best memory thus far of life in/associated with Dyeland?

Can I just say everything from February 5th on this year? Cause I am!

17. And the worst?

Oh... Belle's waking up so I'll just crib from Andrew for now: That's hard to answer. I see good coming out of so much that happened, even what could be considered "bad." Still, when Max was so sick back in Afghanistan and then when I was unwell back here and, more recently, those first difficult days with Belle in the hospital... those days were hard. I'm so glad and grateful that everyone is well now!

18. Favorite food?

Whatever's quick and easy! Bye!

Violeta

1. What is your family history?

Joshua and the Father created me on April 18, 1997... well, at least that's how it matches up with Earth's calendar. My family is HUGE.

2. Where are you originally from?

Heaven, near a pond. There were ducks. So I'm Duckling!

3. Describe a few of your favorite outfits.

Ooh. Ivy and I went to a Goodwill and I found this old dress from the 50s that's bright pink and super cute. And also a jean jacket that I'm, uhh, "borrowing" from Andrew because it looks so adorable with my dress.

4. Do you have any particular mannerisms you adopt during certain moods?

I dunno. Do I? I don't notice. Maybe?

5. Why did you come to Dyeland?

I was sent to Dyeland to meet Andrew and I love it here!!!!

6. What are some of your deepest fears?

I don't want Andrew to ever go away again... Although I'm really glad he brought Max back. Love ya, Max!!!

7. What are your dreams?

Hmmm... I want to be a really good angel of death and help people and make them feel peaceful and loved as they prepare to go Home. I also wanna be an awesome aunt to Belle and... maybe have my own car? Some day?

8. What are your hobbies?

::blushes:: Watching Hugh Jackman movies... But Andrew and/or JenniAnn have to watch them first.

9. What would an ideal day be like for you?

Lotsa friends, lots of fun, and... I'd want Joshua there. I mean I know he is. Always. But you know what I mean...

10. Do you have any regrets?

I wish I hadn't been so weird when I came here. It's stressful not being your true self! But I thought I should act older and more mature... Turns out I just seemed like a snob. Oops!

11. If you were to be completely honest, what would you say you are most proud of yourself for?

I dunno... I guess not completely freaking out during the show. I mean there was that one night... but not *during* a show.

12. And what would you say you are least proud of?

Oh definitely the snob thing.

13. What do you think/know is the biggest misunderstanding people might have about you?

Well... it is sometimes hard since I look twenty five so people sometimes think I am that even though I'm only seventeen and have only been outside of Heaven for not even three years... But I'm glad I look twenty five cause otherwise people might look at Andrew and me funny when we're on assignments and then I'd feel bad.

14. What’s something you would most like to improve about yourself?

I guess be a little more sure of myself and less nervous around some people sometimes.

15. What are some of your prized possessions?

My box Joshua made me and my duck statue and my blue scarf and my snake scarf and my hairsticks and the river stone and, well, all my birthday presents.

16. What’s your best memory thus far of life in/associated with Dyeland?

Everything this year!!!

17. And the worst?

When Andrew was gone. But then I guess I also got lots closer to people then, too.

18. Favorite food?

Sweets. Not really picky! I like pizza a lot, too.

This newsletter is dedicated to John Dye... whose work I am very much looking forward to enjoying on a weekly basis again! I don't know that I'll resume the episode guide right off but with my story finished... I am so watching Touched every week again! So thanks to John for offering a very nice incentive for writing a really, really long story.

JABB TOC

JABB 415

(Photo Credits: The photographs used on this page are from Touched by an Angel and owned by CBS Productions, Caroline Productions, and Moon Water Productions. They are not being used to seek profit.)