Working on a reboot

In the last 5 years of my life I have lost both my parents and biggest supporters. It has made the last year the hardest as I have had to navigate life without both my mom and dad. I miss them daily but find ways to keep them alive in my daily life. When my dad passed away in 2020 I had to go through his belongings and I discovered he had a passion for Peanuts. Charlie Brown and Snoopy. His love for them was as intense as my own for Rainbow Brite.

Before my dad passed away in October of 2020 he had mailed me a letter. In it he wrote on the back of some custom printed stationary the following:

“I am sending this to you because I never want you to stop doing things like this. I love it as I love you my daughter”

In August of 2024 I also lost my mother. Both deaths were quick. Both my parents had preexisting conditions that kept them from living longer. I miss them both daily.

Any time I see anything Peanuts (for dad) or Betty Boop (for mom) I say hello. “Hi mom” or “hi dad” to myself. 

It has been a full year without them both and I’m learning to move on and try to bring more Rainbow Brite knowledge to the internet.

Last year I completely the WordPress transfer of moving all my older content to the newest file manager. But I am not ready to continue updating. My real life and health has been a mess and I am concentrating on my health. I look forward to the day I can update more frequently and have fun again. Until then, keep a happy thought in you heart and a Rainbow in your sky. 

7 years later…

Wait…. Did I read that right? 7 years?

Ok. Something to say: life is hard.

My lack of updates and activity is not without merit. In the years since my last post the following occurred:

I had surgery

Lost my job

Fought for disability 

A pandemic 

My dad died

My mom went blind

And I moved twice.

All through this I have also battled depression and my own physical limitations and health.

I have multiple chronic illnesses: hives (which I assume is caused by an unknown autoimmune disease) degenerative disc disease in my lower lumbar and now my upper back as well as chronic pain and I’m still here and alive.

I did NOT get COVID (yet) and am trying my best to do what I can with what I have.

I updated instagram most often, sharing to twitter (x) and facebook.

Until I can find a better place soon updates will be slow. I have been so wrapped in taking care of my family I usually forget to take care of myself. But I am making strides to improve myself and look forward to Rainbow Brite’s 40th anniversary celebration soon! 

Look for products from The Loyal Subjects as well as from Hallmark in major stores soon this year (2024).

I am also trying to get BriteCast up and running again, so don’t give up on me!

Thanks for the support!

Happy New Year Color Crystals

Hey Brites,
It's been a while, but I've been dealing with a lot of health problems the last few years. These are not something I will go into detail about here, because I only what the bright and shiny news here.

Brite and Shiny News

1. Despite rests Brite Cast: The Rainbow Brite Podcast is still around. We released an episode in November of 2016. It's a special 2 hour podcast playing catch up with all the news that has to do with Rainbow Brite since our previous episode in June.
2. I'm working on parting with a huge part of my personal collection. This will come into detail in another post, so keep a look out if you are curious.
3. Rainbow Brite merchandise is in heavy flow, releasing the first Stormy Doll and Itty Bitty on Hallmark.com. If you can't find them in your stores you can order them online. ProTip: have orders under $50 sent to your local Hallmark store for free shipping.

I know I always promise to write more, but I write when I can, so hopefully that will be more frequently.

Until the next update!
Have a Rainbow Day!

Sunshine after the Rain

Hi Color Kids,

So much has happened. So wonderful and I feel truly lucky the past month.

1: There was an announcement of a Rainbow Brite celebration in Hallmark's headquarters in Kansas City MO. I took the time to go to this celebration to represent the fans, as well as meet new fans.
Katy of RainbowBrite.Net also came and we shared our cheer with others online on behalf of ourselves as well as "BriteCast".

2: We were able to meet the current creators of the new Rainbow Brite products, as well as see the Hallmark Archives where we learned even more secrets about the creation of her that we will be sharing as we can.

3: [Personal] I got a 3rd opinion on my back and had surgery to assist in helping it. I'm currently in recovery and hope to be able to come back to work soon. I've been spending the past 2 weeks in recovery so I haven't said anything about it, but now that the pain in lessening, I feel inspired to share what I can with fans, so hopefully you will see much more coming from www.rainbowbrite.co.

Until then,
I'm still resting but hope to have more for you soon.

Have a Rainbow Day!

Another Year, Another Day...

Hello Color Kids,

This is going to be yet another personal entry. I have had a lot of personal life issues that have kept me from being as active as I have been.

My mother has been ill, and for the last 3 years she has lived with me, but since her health began to decline last fall, so now lives with friends. I hope to find a better living situation for her as soon as we can find out what has made her sick.

As for myself, a year ago I was diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease (aka DDD). It ends up a lot of females in my family have it, but I actually got MRI's to prove mine now. I lost the ability to walk for a while, and recently I've had my symptoms flare up and have started losing it again so I'm trying epidural shots to relieve the pain. It worked last year, but I don't know if it still will, and it's been messing with my concentration. Anyone who deals with chronic pain will know what I mean. Still I have kept a full time job as well as attempted to keep things going on the website, but because of the pain I often can't think clear enough to do my private projects.

I've been trying to keep up with things on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc with official sources share Rainbow Brite news, or if I find something cute to promote. It all comes down to the not being able to think clearly. Anyway, I recently decided that due to current events my beloved Rainbow Room will be dismantled, and boxed.

But this is good for you too, because I plan to catalog all my items so you can see them. As well as selling items I don't want/need.

I hope to have more about that in the future.

In the mean time, what are some things I've done so far:

January of this year I re-branded many of the social media site names to Rainbow Brite.Co. In doing this I have also worked on the site layout. I'm hoping to start more features with fans and artists, but I want to organize these posts and haven't.

Anyway, thanks for hanging in there with me, and I hope to have more news soon.

Have a Rainbow Day!
Renee

Personal Progress

Hello Color Kids,
I've had a lot of personal things to over come this year. From my health, personal theft and various trials and tribulations. Still I'm here. It's made updates slow, but its getting better.

I'm working on getting some things updated this weekend. The Official Rainbow Brite Facebook page has been releasing never before seen images from the making of Rainbow Brite and Star Stealer. If you aren't already following them, you should. They have also released preview photos of the new Itty Bitty line of Rainbow Brite toys. Very exciting information and you should follow them if you don't already!

If I can keep the momentum going, check back for more!
Have a great day!

A fan in need is a friend, indeed

Pat Fraley and Michele Ivey 2011

Michele Ivey of Cowabunga Corner, is one of the biggest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fans. 

She maintains a website, vlog, and does all she can to promote the TMNT brand. She does what many fans dream they could do to be part of the fandom they love and helped shape them into the people they are today. Her dedication to her fandom is almost as close to her dedication to her family.

She and her family do need help, so I'm hoping to help her out a little by sharing her posts with Rainbow Brite fans too. 

Michele is a Rainbow Brite fan also. She has a few childhood toys still, and has even interviewed Patrick Fraley, the voice of the original Lurky, and in TMNT the original voice of Krang!

Click this link to go to the donation page she has set up and read the full story of what she is asking fans and friends to help save.

If you can't donate, please share and help get the word out.

Share the Rainbow!