Ok. Crazy stories. Here’s one I’ve never told.

 Ok, so March 1988, I’m 15 years old, and my parents and I are going to Hawaii for my freshman year Spring Break. It’s a long flight. We flew from Newark, NJ to Dallas, TX. (3 hours.) Then Dallas to Honolulu. (8 hours.) Once at the Honolulu airport, the first thing you notice that it smells like flowers. Hawaii is almost unimaginably beautiful the first time you see it with your own eyes. I got to boogie board on Diamond Head Beach. Then we took an Aloha Airlines flight to Hilo on the Island of Hawaii. We took a tour up to the top of Kilauea Volcano, and it seemed like the surface of the moon. There was snow up there that’s how high we were. I don’t remember what the flight number was, but I know it was an Aloha Airlines 737. 

Fast forward a month later, April 1988 and we see on the news at home that an Aloha Airlines 737 had an unexpected emergency in the air. At 24000 feet the plane suffered an “explosive decompression,” and part of the top of the plane blew off in mid air, leaving some of the passengers exposed like they were in a convertible. Once flight attendant was sucked out and obviously never found. The plane managed to land safely and the flight attendant was the only casualty. 

I can’t prove if I was on that plane or not, because I don’t know if they used more than one plane on the Honolulu to Hilo route. But I imagine it was highly likely that there was only one, and I was on it the month before.

The accident was blamed on poor maintenance and metal fatigue. I went on to finish the 9th grade.

All good everyone! Welcome aboard.

Honolulu, we have a problem.

Happy Thanksgiving! Pete's Mean Green Bean Rock 'n' Roll Casserole (from 11/25/2010)

Despite the lengthy name, it's just a spiced up casserole.

Pete's Mean Green Bean Rock 'n' Roll Casserole

2 Cans of Campbells Cream of Mushroom Soup with Garlic

2 Cans of French Cut Green Beans

2 Cans of French Fried Onions

1/2 Cup of Milk

Add spices to your liking:
Black Pepper
Cumin
Chili Powder
Cayenne Pepper (Dash)
Cajun Seasoning

Put 2 cans of Cream of Mushroom Soup, 2 cans of Green Beans, and 1 can of French Fried Onions in a casserole dish.

Add 1/2 Cup of Milk, Spices, then mix together.

Bake in the oven at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.

Have Toby Keith playing loudly in the background.

Cover the top of the casserole with French Fried Onions and place back in the oven for five minutes, or until the French Fried Onions brown.

When you take it out of the oven, the top layer should be crispy, the bottom layer should be mushy, and the whole thing should be yummy. Enjoy.

Another Lockdown

Stopped by to see the kids again today and it seems we may be on the verge of another lockdown until after New Year’s. Not only are Lucky and Ash getting big but so are Evan and Eliana. Sometimes I have to look at Evan twice because I can’t believe how tall he’s gotten in the last few months alone. I dropped off some of Eliana’s 

2020

In the internet world of know it all memes and anonymous quotes, every know and then I see one that hits me pretty hard. No matter how bad things get I've always believed can and will get better. I've always had this driving force, even when I lost my way for a while, there was always an undercurrent of optimism that got me through the worst of times. I'd like to think that my Mom would have loved this quote. Or maybe had she seen it while she was still here that she would be the one who sent it to me. I don't know exactly what it is, but the essence of this quote has put into words something I've always believed, and it's something that's pulled me through some rather challenging times. 

Thinking About You Two

I just wanted you guys to know that I think about you all the time. I miss you guys immensely and your the first thing I think of when I wake up, and the last prayer I say before bed. Every. single. Night. I love you both and can't wait until I see you again.

Love,

Dad.

Summer of 2019 - GONE (152 Days without my kids)

The summer of 2019 should have ended this weekend with me spending it with my kids. Instead, I have seen them ZERO days. This is inexcusable, and in a few months, it may be against Pennsylvania law, punishable by up to 6 months in prison for the alienating parent.

My attempts to ask for the kids go either unanswered or are outright refused, with no explanation. This is parental alienation, plain and simple. It is wrong and I will continue to fight for my parental rights.

I have been in touch with several PA State Representatives regarding parental rights legislation that is being introduced, some re-introduced in the next session of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania.

150 Days

I have been in touch with several (6) members of the Pennsylvania State General Assembly in regards to this matter and have gotten some positive feedback. There are a few House Bills that are going to be introduced in the next session pertaining to parental rights, that if passed, would stop this ongoing parental alienation in it's tracks.