My home on the web since 1995
Veterans Day, 1977, at John Sullivan Square in Waltham, MA. Standing in front of the signpost are my mom, Joan Doucette Winterkorn; to her left is Mrs. Sullivan (John’s mother), and next to her is my Uncle Burney. All were members of the John M. Sullivan VFW Post 10334 in Waltham. John was killed in the Vietnam War on January 14, 1967, at age 20.
Thank you for your service to all the veterans, living and deceased, who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
Halloween 1997 at Give Kids The World (GKTW) Florida. This was our Make-A-Wish trip to Walt Disney World when the twins were 4 years old. Here are a few photos from Halloween night. GKTW held a big party at the “Castle of Miracles,” which included many Disney characters and awesome costumes. The twins enjoyed GKTW just as much as Disney World. Everyone had a fun time.
If you’d like to see more, here is a YouTube video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSt1E4B4f8U
Losing a dog is so hard. They become part of the family and a constant source of unconditional love. They leave such a huge void when they are gone.
Xena crossed over the rainbow bridge yesterday. She was such a sweet girl and a wonderful companion for the whole family. She left pawprints on our hearts and will be forever missed. We were fortunate to have her with us for almost 15 years.
A special thank you to Dr. Paul from Lap of Love for coming to our home and helping Xena pass peacefully. His gentle, calm, and compassionate way brought us much comfort during this difficult time.
Xena Warrior Princess Bissell
Nov. 13, 2011 – Sept. 20, 2026
Today, September 8th is Star Trek Day. This date commemorates the debut of the original Star Trek TV series in 1966. My dad was a big Star Trek fan, and I remember watching the original series with him. This year is especially significant because it marks the franchise’s 60th anniversary, and it is still going strong.
Here are some of my Star Trek related photos.
Fresh on the heels of our 34th anniversary comes the twins’ 33rd birthday.
I spent our first anniversary in the hospital on complete bed rest after my water broke at 23 weeks gestation with “Twin A.” Twin A was Eric, who has always kept us on our toes—and apparently, that started from the very beginning.
I was 35 years old when the twins were born, so some people assume we used some sort of fertility treatment. But no—there was this one time without protection, and bang: twins. The boys are identical, meaning one fertilized egg split into two.
My due date was October 31st, so the twins being born on July 28th was much more of a trick than a treat. It was a traumatic day for us, but those memories have become easier to live with over time. Today, we have so much to celebrate in these two amazing young men.
They have changed our lives in nearly every way. We have faced some difficult times, but our experiences have also changed us for the better. We have learned patience. We have learned to celebrate the smallest milestones and to appreciate every day that all of our children are happy and healthy. We have learned not to sweat the small stuff and to choose our battles wisely.
Along the way, we have met so many amazing people whom we never would have known if not for our children. Over time, we have gained a deeper understanding of acceptance and inclusion, and we have become advocates for all people with disabilities.
Happy 33rd birthday to our incredible twins. We are so proud of the men you have become and so grateful for everything you have brought into our lives.
