Saturday, March 24, 2018

Hurricane Maria - Puerto Rico still needs your help

Samantha and I, like you, were both affected by what the people of Puerto Rico endured when Hurricane Maria made landfall Sept 20, 2017.  Keep in mind that Maria came on the heels of Harvey and Irma.  We have friends who are Puerto Rican and many family members still live on the Island.  Our work and activities are deeply involved in the aid and restoration efforts.

Without going too deep into her involvement at work, Samantha has talked to many survivors of the disaster.  She listens to their stories and helps them with obtaining assistance.  Some of these stories are devastating as she hears about generations of home ownership on the island that was destroyed.  Land and homes that were subdivided and handed down without record or even addresses to identify them.  This makes sending aid a challenge.  Many times she refers them to local charity groups for assistance.

This is how I am indirectly involved.   Many of you know that I am a member of the Knights of Columbus.  The Knights of Columbus took immediate action to bring aid to the families.  The Columbia magazine reported that local Knights distributed food, water and household supplies.  The Order committed more than $1 million in funds to aid in relief and recovery efforts to restore churches, K of C families and others in need.

Here are some reminders of the impact from Maria

  • winds reached nearly 200 mph making it the strongest storm to hit the island since 1928.
  • caused loss of electricity to the entire island (3.4M people).  Today about one-third of that population is still without power.
  • official death toll 64 people prior to the impact of the lost power grid and damage to island infrastructure.
  • $94 billion of damage.
Recovery efforts are ongoing and the people of Puerto Rico still need our help.

If you would like more information or can make a donation, please visit kofc.org/disaster.

May God Bless you and your families.

Saturday, March 3, 2018

I am the NRA



There’s been a lot of energy and debate over gun ownership rights and restrictions. Honestly, I can understand both sides of the debate. But what I don’t understand, is accusing the membership of the National Rifle Association as it pertains to the recent tragic events in schools. I am a recent member of the NRA. I became a member because I am a proud gun owner. As well as a proud American. What began as home defense, is now more about the love of the sport.

Samantha and I own a H&K VP9, Glock 43 and a Remington HD shotgun. We take classes and joined the Frisco Gun Club. We enjoy our date nights; going to the club, having a meal and then shooting our guns in the range. We will take LTC classes very soon. From there we will be able to conceal and carry the sidearms. Unknown if and when we will, but the 2A gives us that right. 

None of this, nor my membership to the NRA make me responsible for the Florida shooting nor any other. At the end of the day, I believe there needs to be some changes to gun rights. 
  1. Legal ownership age to 21 and mirror that of legal drinking age. I also believe that driving age move to 21. 
  2. Deeper background checks before sale. 
  3. No augmentation to semi-auto guns to make them fully automatic. 
I do not support taking away my rights to own a gun though. 

Don’t blame the members of the NRA. In fact don’t blame anyone. Take action and contact your local representatives and have them take action. 

I also support putting authorized armed personnel at public schools to keep our kids safe. Let the teachers teach. Let retired or new peace officers work at defend our schools. 

RD

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Monday, September 23, 2013

Week One of Unemployment

Starting the first full week of unemployment.  I was able to get my application for unemployment benefits done this morning.  Kentucky has a very user friendly online system.  Maybe a total of 5 pages to enter data.  Took about 10 minutes to input my information.  That was followed by an upload of my resume for job search.  The whole experience was very good.  I should receive my first payment by October 9th.  The really cool thing is that it will be direct deposited.  I may even have a job lined up by that time if things go well.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Sea of Monsters

This happened on Tuesday, August 6, 2013.



Madison has been counting down the days to this movie's release.  She had originally wanted to see the midnight showing thinking it would be the first showing.  Samantha ended up finding a 10PM 3D showing which was more interesting to me.  First because it was a work night and second because I might enjoy it better.  I tend to enjoy the 3D effects.

We didn't tell her about it at all.  Samantha bought the tickets online.  I came home and the surprise was in play.  I told Madison that I was in the mood to see that greek mythology movie set in present day.  She was more than happy to oblige and pull out the original movie.  That movie was originally released in 2010.  While it was playing, we were talking about the movie and things that were happening.  I started asking about the book series and when the new movie was coming out.

Madison began to talk about the new movie.  She was fairly excited to see the movie at some point, but avoided asking when we could go.  She told us that the movie opened up tomorrow (Aug 7).  I looked at her and said, really?  I feigned disbelief.  She assured me that it was opening up tomorrow.  I said, well this says Tuesday, August 6th.  She looked at me stunned.  I said, in fact it says 10PM tonight, three tickets.

I showed her the print out and she began to cry from excitement.  The Rick Riordan book series is one of her favorites.  It's most likely in her blood.  I remember my my introducing me to Greek mythology at the Hacienda Heights public library.  Her passion transferred to me and in return to Madison.  She was very grateful and we left for the show.

Now, this is not an academy nominated caliber film.  But there was a good sized crowd there for the secret screening.  There wasn't even a marquee up for the showing.  It was entertaining.  More than anything, the reaction from Madison will be forever etched in our memory, it was just precious.

Percy Jackson Sea of Monsters Video

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Grilled Chicken on BGE


Welcome Back


Welcome back to our blog. We had looked back at the pictures we posted here and wondered why we stopped.  With Madison entering Assumption High School in just over a week, we decided to pick this back up.  We hope you enjoy our posts.  We will still post to facebook and the like, but this is our online home.

Monday, December 31, 2007

Happy New Year

We all wish you a very prosperous New Year. May you receive all the blessings and answered prayers in 2008.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Buon Natale


Christmas was very blessed and full of celebration this year. We started off by rushing downstairs to see what Santa had left for Madison and Jimmy. Santa left a note of thanks and praise to the kids for a great year of behavior and coping with several disrupting events including new schools and a new home. Madison made special cookies for Santa and also left carrots for the reindeer and a cherry for rudolph to keep his nose red. There were presents for all.

Later that afternoon we headed out to Papa and Natalie's house for Christmas Dinner. This year we had an italian pot luck. Great food from everyone. The surprise was that the evening became an engagement celebration. Robert proposed to Kathie the night before. Check out the rock on Kathie's hand.

The adults had a ball with the first Yankee gift exchange. Several steals occurred and even some teamwork in the background. That was a lot of fun. The night ended with the kids playing Rock Star on XBOX 360.

Andiamo

Christmas Eve...



Christmas Eve at Gamma and Papa Dockery's. We had honeybaked ham, sweet potatoes, latkes, zucchini boats, pumpkin bread and bon bons. Uncle Mark had his way with the Latkes. Poor Jimmy wasn't feeling good. He says he had an upset stomach...we all think he had a bit too much holiday cheer the night before. Everyone got some great presents. We miss seeing Mindy a lot. Maybe next time.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

We spent the evening putting up our Christmas Tree. This is our first Christmas in our new home in Yorba Linda. Jimmy and Madison did most of the work. Samantha and I were more interested in the egg nog drinks I made. Getting the tree home was an adventure as we nearly lost it off the top of Jimmy's truck. We caught it in time and it'snow standing majestically in the front room. The dogs did their best to assist and the cat could care less. maybe next year.
Click on the image to see the picture gallery.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Rob in DC

Rob's trip to Washington DC Nov 2007
I recently took a trip to Washington DC. I attended a leadership conference for the Cable Television Association of Marketing. Part of this annual trip includes a walk after dinner on the mall. It is extrememely moving at night and has become an incredibly spiritual and patriotic experience for me and my peers. I highly recommend that you do this at least once in your lifetime. I have never walked the monuments during the day. Samantha and I intend to take a trip to DC in 2008 to accomplish this with the kids. I hope these pictures inspire you as they do me. Click on the picture above to see more images.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Madison's lil Copper

Copper comes home

We added a new family member yesterday. We traveled 3 hours to Lucerne, CA in order to get him from the breeder. He did pretty good for his first car ride. He had bad travel gas though and we needed to keep the windows down in order to breathe and not pass out. I think his own gas had an effect on him. When we rolled into our driveway, Copper decided to show his appreciation by spewing on the door. Madison narrowly escaping the projectile liquid.

He is a good looking puppy and a hound dog through and through. I am sure the neighbors will love him, especially at night. The pup can howl already at 4 months old. Shadow and Tinkerbell are adjusting pretty well. Although Shadow is too old to play with a puppy. Copper runs around her begging her to play and Shadow just doesn't want anything to do with him. She's patient with him though and will teach him the ropes.

Copper was named after the hound in the Disney classic "Fox and the Hound". Click on the image above to see more pictures.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Madison Swim Lessons

Madison_swim_lessons_2007

Madison took swim lessons before our move to Yorba Linda. She now can officially be called a fish and eats plankton. Click on the image above to see more pictures.