Sunday, October 25, 2009

Happy Birthday Jeanine!

Happy Birthday Jeanine (AKA Neaners, and what I've called her for decades, JayBabe)! We are excited to celebrate our beautiful, thougtful, outspoken, caring and loving sister, cousin, niece, and aunt on her 44th birthday. J, we hope the following list of things about you brings some smiles and not too many embarassments...


When I asked for help from people about doing this post, everyone immediately said that Jeanine is someone who makes and keeps friends FOREVER! Here is a picture of Jeanine with her best friend from high school, D'Anna, who she still sees and talks to often. And D'Anna's just one of many lifelong friends who know they will always have a loving ear and generous soul to share things with in Jeanine.


One of the ways Jeanine stays close to people is through cards and letters. Many of us mentioned her beautiful handwriting, but in the end it was George who noted the most important fact: even if everyone else were to forget a birthday, there would for sure still be a card in the mailbox from Jeanine. I know every one of us can attest to that. What a wonderful thing she does. Thank you, J!


Another way she stays in touch (and also just plain goes on adventures) it is through travel! The girl has been so many fun places--Greece, Italy, the British Isles, Hawaii, all over the U.S., and more. (We're all pretty jealous of this.)


Jeanine's best friend. Currently "her man". Frodo!


Another cool thing about Jeanine is that she always wanted to be a nurse, and so she became one. And she's great at it. She is now in her eighth year as a pediatric nurse at the children's hospital attached to Stanford. One of the ways she brightens the lives of sick kids is through the colorful scrubs she likes to wear.


When she's home, it's often reality t.v., especially American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance. She also loves a lot of television dramas...


...but her most steady "must see t.v." is General Hospital, which she's watched since she was a teenager.


She lists The Sound of Music and Ladyhawke (grrrr Michelle Pfeiffer!) as a couple of her favorite movies. And in general, she's a "chick flick" girl.


As the winner of TKWAW blog's Most Embarrassing iPod Playlist contest for having the oh-so-syrupy Muskrat Love and a few other, um . . . classics there, I'm happy to report that she does like a lot of 70s (the one and only true musical decade) music, including things by the Eagles, Simon and Garfunkel, and Cat Stevens.


She belongs on this blog and part of this family (am I the only one who hasn't read them?) as a fan of the Twilight series...


Jeanine loves playing board games, and she's especially good at "wordy" ones like Boggle and Scrabble (she and I have a very close match going online right now)


A kind of unusual thing is that Jeanine doesn't like the taste of regular water, so her drinks of choice for her healthy lifestyle are Vitamin Water and Propel


Jeanine is really very spiritual with her temperament running toward the "New Agey"


We're all excited about the amazing physical transformation Jeanine has undergone these past three years. It's fitting that she loves butterflies (even having a tattoo of one on her shoulder).


She not only loves butterflies, she's tried flying herself! NOT a surprise to any of us who know what a lover of life this girl is.

We love you, J! Have a great, great day! You deserve every happiness as we know there is nothing but love and beauty in your heart. We've all been very blessed to have you in our lives.

Love you!!! Kisses!!!

39 comments:

Pops said...

Nice post, Dan. Happy birthday Jeanine. You are really a special person and we are all glad you are part of this family of strange, loving, adorable people.

Emily said...

Happy Birthday Jeanine! You truly are so caring and sweet. I think you found your calling as a nurse and glad you had those inclinations at a young age and went for it, I'm sure you make a lot of children happy, and I for one am glad to get your advise about my kiddies when I need it! Glad you were able to come out to see us, and hope you have a wonderful birthday!

Cat said...

Happy Birthday. Dan forgot to add Love you!!! Kisses!!! So there you go. Hope to see you again soon.

Emily said...

Dan- Matt has not read the books, but has thought about it after seeing the movie with us. I think all the other regular contributors have (unless you count Rob he hasn't nor will he ever). Might be a funny challenge to get Dan to read them and comment. I would bet Hope has them somewhere.

Emily said...

Hmmm, Cat's smoking crack again?
He totally did the love you kisses!

Cat said...

WOOPS! Hee hee. Sorry about that.

Haley said...

Haha! Happy Birthday Jeanine! What a great post Dan, very sweet.

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"Happy Birthday!" from Allison

Matt Wright said...

Happy Birthday Jeanine! Hope it's a great one. I think it's so awesome that you have been sky diving. Man, I want to do that so bad.

Great post Dan!

Amy said...

Jeanine, I hope you have a wonderful birthday! Dan did a great job on your birthday post and reminded us all of what a sweet, caring person you are. We're so glad you're in our lives as part of our family. I love you a lot! I can't think of my childhood without thinking of you. We were together a lot and I have some great memories. Tab floats with McDonald's cookies, sleepovers, games, pony rides and "bakie eggs" with Grandpa, Baskin Robbins, singing, Kentucky Fried Chicken, playing Barbies...I could go on and on. Happy Birthday, Jeanine!

Amy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Amy said...

Oh, I forgot BYU Academy for Girls! Fun times!

Dan W said...

It was a pleasure to do this post--and pretty dang easy, too. Thanks everyone for the fun discussions, and especially Sharon for a whole lot that both made it in and also that didn't! A neat experience thinking about so many facets to the JayBabe...

I just MAY read the Twilight books. I've been thinking about it actually. And Hope and Lorri definitely have them. Reading the new Dan Brown right now. Pretty exciting... Who else has it (read it, started it, plans to read it)?

Haley said...

I'm waiting to get it from the library!! I want to read it so bad!! You really should read Twilight, so good!

Matt Wright said...

Tab Floats!!

Emily said...

Tab floats-- HAHA!
Hearing grandpa called something "bakie eggs" (scrambled eggs with bacon crumbled in them?) is a little insight into dad's roots. Grandpa died when I was Scout's age, so I have a few memories, but not many.

That would be a lot of fun for us Dan if you read those books and gave a review on the blog. My advice is this: Don't go reading them thinking you are reading The Great American Novel or anything (I'm sure you know that), she isn't the best author in the world, but I will say, she has a penchant for writing a book that is very captivating and keeps you reading to find out what happens next. In a Rowling-ish way, she took adolescents (and adults) that normally would never read a book on purpose and got them reading instead of going to the mall or watching tv and you can't help but respect that. Plus, I think you will find them enjoyable, easy reads. They won't change your life, but a little brain candy is nice sometimes.

Ben- I have no idea if you've read them, I kind of lean towards that you haven't. If you would like to join Dan in his adventures in teenage girl literature (if he takes this challenge), you can borrow my books :) I would expect reviews from you too.

I am also awaiting my turn at the library for the new Dan Brown. Rob almost bought it for me while I was in the hospital having Tiny E, but went to Barnes and Nobel and balked at the price. He bought me the current National Geographic instead which was fine with me, as those aren't books I really go back and read again, but I do enjoy reading them (once).

Emily said...

Whoa Matt, weird! Jinx 1 2 3 buy me a coke.

Emily said...

Barnes and Nobel- HAHA!

Haley said...

I thought Nobel looked weird, haha! What are tab floats? One more thing I would like to add in regards to Stephenie's writing, I really like her style of writing and she has a great vocabulary. That is another thing I really liked about the books. She also really does keep you captivated.

Neaners said...

Hello Everyone! Thanks so much for the wonderful thoughts and wishes! I feel very loved and appreciated! Thanks big bro for an awesome post! It was right on. I loved my main man Frodo's picture. Awwwweee.The old one of me and D'Anna is funny and is amazing that so much time has gone by.
Thanks Amy for reminding me of bakie eggs and our sweet grandpa and of the TAB floats and McDonaldland cookies:) So many fond memories. I am sorry you didn't get to know him Em. It was the same for me with grandma. She passed when I was six and I have just a few cherished memories of her.
Anyway, thanks again and I love you all very much!I look forward to many more memories and good times with the "Wright" kids and our new generation of amazing children. Thanks Haley for Allison's comment:) Hugs!

Dan W said...

I'll take the Twilight challenge! What about it, Ben?!?

Emily said...

Maybe you can get Matt in on it too and have some sort of Male Twilight Book Club Circle going on. It helps to come up with a cool group name such as the Harry Pot Pots or the Fro Baggs.

About that- I don't know about you Sue, but my no book pregnancy really derailed the Fro Baggs. What ever happened to the Harry Pot Pots? I have been meaning to bring that up lately, because I am back on the book horse and have been thinking that whole thing needs closure. I hate not delivering on a challenge. Must. Have. Closure. The Fro Baggs shall endeavor!

Amy said...

Tab floats came about one late night at Grandpa's when I was sleeping over. Jeanine and I were hungry and for some reason rootbeer floats sounded really good to both of us. We were so disappointed that no rootbeer was to be found. We searched the pantry and found a can of Tab. (It was a popular diet cola in the
70's.) So we tried it and giggled the whole time and ate a box of McDonald cookies. I think we were about 10 or 11.
Yes for the male Twilight club! I'm sorry to say that Scott will probably never read them either, however, one day riding home in the car from Salt Lake, I gave him a very thorough review of the 1st three and read aloud a good portion of Eclipse to him (the tent scene!) He actually liked it, was interested, and kept asking questions. He also went to see Twilight with us and quite enjoyed it. Living in a house with all these crazy girls, it was a must that he understood who Edward was. Now I think he's jealous!
By, the way, this Harry Pot Pot completed the challenge several months ago...Come on guys!

Dan W said...

K, Matt and Ben.... Let's do it. I can have the first two read by Thanksgiving.

Name idea for our reading club: The CHROLs (stands for "Cullens Have Ruined Our Lives" as a nod toward our having to hear non-stop about these dang books and movies and being forever compared--unfavorably, of course--to the oh-so-perfect Edward)

Haley said...

Hee hee I LOVE it! I am reading New Moon right now AGAIN in preparation for the movie. This Harry Pot Pot has also completed the challenge eons ago, so get with it peeps!

Emily said...

Haha! The CHROLs. Hooray for another book challenge! I was inspired to go back to my blog this morning and read the Harry Pot Pots vs. the Fro Baggs posts and it was so fun. I forgot how funny that was, especially the first few days. Good times.
This one is a little different since there isn't any reciprocal reading going on.

Matt and Ben- you better support your cousin! He may need it.

Amy said...

Yay! You will have to change the name, though, after you've read them. Maybe to CHREOLs. Cullens have enriched or enhanced our lives!

Emily said...

Haha! Nice Aim.

Neaners said...

Love the name too:) I can't wait to hear what you think of them. They are quite the phenomena. Have fun!

Chef said...

Count me in on the Twilight book challenge thing. I've been hearing so much about them so sure, let's do it. So can I borrow the books from somebody? Was it you Emily who said I could use yours? Let me know and I'll stop by and pick 'em up!

Chef said...

So, how many of these books are there?

Emily said...

Yeah it's me and come by anytime and get them, I'll go dig them out of where ever they are in the basement. There are 4, they are all fairly thick, but don't let that discourage you, they are EASY reads and go fast.

Hooray Chef for accepting the challenge!

Sue said...

I went back about a month ago and read the initial blog you did Em, on the book challenge. Holy crap those comments are funny, I laughed so hard reading them. Especially the very first comment when I answer you in Yoda. I like it when Haley chimes in after a few comments with "wow!" Funny stuff. I do have a Harry Pot Pot update, stay tuned.

Oh yeah, and Happy Birthday Jeanine! Great post Dan!

Sue said...

Oh yeah, and Dan, your name for the Twilight club CHROLs and what it stands for made me laugh out loud when I read that.

Dan W said...

Excited to have Ben join in the challenge. How the Cullens have Enhanced our lives, eh? We will see!

Loved reading the Fro Baggs and Harry Pot Pot stuff on Em's blog. You guys are pretty dang funny.... Lots of pressure on us CHROLs... We sure could use you on the team Matt! Come on, man...

Amy said...

I laughed so hard at the Yoda talk, too.

Matt Wright said...

Love the name Dan... but I it's going to take more then that... Just kidding. I'm in! But I can't promise I will finish even the first one.
How's that for a commitment? (pretty lame)

W.V. YourLifeIsAboutToSuck

Haley said...

NO WAY! No suckiness is allowed while you read about Edward. :) Glad you are in on this Matt, makes me excited!

B said...

Happy Birthday Jeanine!! Sorry, I'm late and lame. I'm excited to have Matt start reading the books!!! We can suffer together because I pulled out and dusted off Fellowship of the ring today. Should be a wild ride!

Pops said...

I love the movie "Ladyhawk"