Grandpa Jerry, 1986

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My stepdad, Jerry, would have been 76 years old today if he hadn't passed away May 29, 1995.

I love this photo of him and my mom — whom many of you know here as Ann — from a December 1986 holiday celebration.

my stepdad 1986

He was a good man.

Happy birthday, Grandpa Jerry — as he was (and still is) known to my girls.

Today's fill-in-the-blank:

The thing I loved most about 1986 was _____________.

Winter wonderland: The Breckenridge Ice Castle

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Though many folks across the country may be tired of cold and snow, the following is a recap of my recent encounter with cold and snow — ice, actually — as you've likely never seen it.

Breckenridge Ice Castle

On Saturday, Brianna, Andrea, Jim and I took advantage of free tickets I received to review the Ice Castle at Breck, one of only three such icy palaces in the country. (If you're in Colorado, be sure to see the giveaway below...

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Disneyland 1994

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Dear readers: "Throwback Thursday" (#TBT) is a popular Internet meme. This is my first time participating... and I just might continue (#TBD).

I recently shared with you photos of my grandsons' visit to Disneyland and the beach with their mom and dad just after Christmas.

The throwback part: Twenty years ago this week, our three daughters made the very same visit with Jim and me, as you can see here (along with my big hair and mom jeans and Jim's...

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Holiday highlights... in passages and pics

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It was quite indescribable. It was like what happens when you shake a kaleidoscope. The parts of it are the same parts, but they are arranged differently; they are arranged in a new pattern...
~Agatha Christie "The Water Bus"

family at Christmas 

They err who thinks Santa Claus comes down through the chimney; he really enters...

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