Custody Evaluator Has Been Paid

Well, the custody evaluator has finally been paid and she has continued working. Ex-wife, the girls...

Snowmobiling without Helmets

Email from me to [ex-wife] Today, when the girls were telling me about their weekend, they told me...

Role Model?

Email from me to [ex-wife] Today, the girls told me you drove by my parents’ vehicle on...

“I am no longer allowed to exchange email messages with you...”
— Me (via email) to [ex-wife]

Tuition?

Email from me to [ex-wife] At court today I was given the impression you were interested in helping...

1098?

Me: Have you received the 1098 document from [the] bank? I need this document for tax purposes. May I have a copy?
Ex-Wife: I have not received anything.
Me: [The bank] tells me all 1098s were sent out in January. I still haven't received the 1098 form from you. Do you have this document?

“[Ex-Wife] is going to ninja all baby daddies… Well, at...”
— Ex-Wife Is this a threat?

First Communion Class

Ex-Wife: [Jan 23] There is a parent/child First Communion class on February 9th from 9AM to noon at the old church (the one we were married in). Please let me know if you plan on attending.
Me: [Jan 23] Sounds like fun. Is this a required class? If so, can you provide me with contact information (i.e., a phone number) for the person that makes that decision?
Ex-Wife: [Jan 23] You want the contact information? Why must you go over my head when I try to set up appointments, etc? I am telling you all the information. Will you be there or not?
Me: [Jan 24] No, I am not going over your head, and no, you didn't give me all the information. Is it required? Can you provide me with some contact information?
Me: [Jan 25] Do you have this information?
Me: [Jan 29] Do you have this information?
Ex-Wife: [Jan 29] I have called and will let you know when she gets back to me.
Ex-Wife: [Jan 30] I received some more information regarding Feb. 9th. Apparently the time is from 9am to noon but we can go anytime. We will go through learning centers that should last about an hour. You do not have to go but Gabrielle and I will be going.
Ex-Wife: [Jan 31] There is another one on March 8th at 1pm that I cannot go to. Would it work out for me to go to the one on Feb. 9th and then you can go on March 8th?
Me: [Jan 31] Is it required for Gabrielle to attend? Do you have a phone number?
Me: [Jan 31] I just want to know if this stuff is required. I would also like a phone number. If I have the girls and the event is required, we will go.
Ex-Wife: [Jan 31] Yes the classes are required. I have the girls both of the weekends; Feb. 9th and March 8th. Will you be attending? Again, I wouldn't mind taking her on the 9th if you could take her on the 8th. Let me know.
Me: [Jan 31] I guess I'm just looking for more information. Could you pass along a phone number for me?
Ex-Wife: [Feb 8] Gabrielle and I will be going to St. [name]'s tomorrow around 10AM. Please let me know if you plan on attending.
Me: [Feb 8] Could you send me a phone number for someone who can provide me with some information about the event? I believe I've been asking for this number for almost three weeks. It is now the 11th hour and I still have minimal information about this event. Thanks!
Ex-Wife: [Feb 8] You are delaying this and being stubborn because you don't want to go...then you're going to try to make me look like the bad guy.
Ex-Wife: [Feb 8] I gave you all of the information. There is no reason you need to call anybody. Yes it is required. It is from 9am to noon and you can go anytime in between. The stations will take us about an hour.
Me: [Feb 8] Can you just give me the name and number for someone in charge?
Ex-Wife: [Feb 8] If you really cared you would have found the number on the internet. You know where to find that...you don't need me to give you any of that...again, just another stall tactic of yours. I really wasn't expecting you to go...and now you'll blame me for the reason you didn't go because you didn't get a phone number. I told you all of the information.
Me: [Feb 8] Well... I called a few hours ago and they told me the person I need to speak to is gone for the day. I also spoke with Gabrielle, she told me she wants me to attend. At what time will you be at the old church?
Ex-Wife: [Feb 8] Well, I guess you should have called sooner. We will be there close to 10AM.
Me: [Feb 8] Why didn't you give me a name and number back in January?

Natalie (left) and Gabrielle (right) outside when we were...

Easter

Email from [ex-wife] to me Easter is March 23rd this year. I believe that is your weekend but I...

Mortgage Discussion

Email from [ex-wife] to me I spoke with [gal] from [bank] this afternoon. She said that you told...

Kids as the Messenger (via email)

Me: Last night Gabrielle gave me more mail. Please stop using the girls to relay messages, mail and notes.
Ex-Wife: We have already gone through this. Please do not fill my inbox with these riduculous emails and please do not put anymore pressure on Gabrielle.

Homework Issues

Email from me to [ex-wife] On Tuesday, Gabrielle brought home a homework assignment that had only...

Sunday's Pickup Via Text Messages

Ex-Wife: [8:04 PM] Its past 8pm. Bring the girls out now.
Me: [8:05 PM] Are you here?
Ex-Wife: [8:05 PM] What do u think?
Me: [8:06 PM] I don't know... That's why i'm asking.
Ex-Wife: [8:07 PM] Grow up. Bring them out.

“Please keep your parenting ‘tips’ and...”
— Ex-Wife (when I asked why she...

“I will not be discussing anything of importance with you.”
— Ex-Wife (via email)

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Missing School

Email from me to [2nd grade teacher] with a CC to [ex-wife] Hello again [2nd grade teacher]. I...

Click to clean your screen

Tuesdays

Email from [ex-wife] to me on Tuesday morning As of today I will not be able to pick up the girls...

Thursday Pickup

Me: At 5:00 PM today, will the girls be at the [home] house or at [daycare]?
Ex-Wife: Thank you once again for your email asking about pick-up.
Ex-Wife: You may always pick the girls up on your days at 5pm at [daycare] unless I tell you otherwise.
Me: Aren't they supposed to be at the [home] house?
Ex-Wife: Aren't you supposed to be paying the mortgage? Yeah, sometimes things don't always stick to the orders, do they?
Me: Because I'm not paying the mortgage you aren't going to have the girls at the proper place at the proper time?
Ex-Wife: No, that's not what I'm saying. The girls will not be in [home] because they are at school at 5pm; school which is closer to your office than the [home] house.
Ex-Wife: If you have a problem with this, please contact your attorney. I will not be discussing (returning emails) pick-up locations with you anymore.
Me: Understood. I don't agree with you, but if you refuse to discuss this with me, I have no choice.
Me: You are correct, [daycare] is closer to my office than the [home] house, however, the [home] house is closer to my home than [daycare] is closer to my work. In other words, you are still making me drive farther because you live right by me.
Me: The [mall] is also closer to my office, however, I don't think you can just tell me to pick the kids up at the mall.
Me: I'm doing everything I can to pay for things, however I just don't have enough money (e.g., my current checking account balance is -$872.60). I barely have enough to pay for gas and food, let alone mortgage, health insurance, car payment and tuition at [school].

Relaying Messages

Email from [ex-wife] to me Please stop telling Gabrielle not to relay messages. This only adds...

Private School Tuition?

Email from [Ex-Wife] to me Have you been able to pay any of the tuition lately? Have you discussed...

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Contradicting Emails

Thursday, January 4, 2008 from [Ex-Wife] After I picked the girls up this morning Gabrielle told me...

Cleaned Up?

In an effort to satisfy my attorney and me, I have removed links to pages (i.e., my Vimeo videos and...

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A Moving Note With Donation

[I received this note with a $5.00 donation today. I thought the note was quite moving. I read the...

I need money for the custody evaluator...

I really hate doing this, but if you could, please, donate some money. Before this custody battle...

Natalie's Missing Medicine

Me: [I left a voicemail message saying Natalie forgot her medicine and Gabrielle forgot her school library books at ex-wife's place.]
Ex-Wife: [via text message] U may come pick up Nat's medicine and the books. They r in between the doors.
Me: [After she wouldn't answer my phone call, I sent the following text.] Can't come right now [we're sitting down for dinner]. I'll call before i arrive.
Ex-Wife: Don't call. Everything is in the doors.
Me: It might freeze [It's Minnesota!]
Ex-Wife: Then u better get it sooner than later.
Me: [I ended up missing the first part of dinner to pick up the books and medicine.]

Listen

Gabrielle's Prescription Drops

Me: How bout the [prescription] drops?
Ex-Wife: Ughhh...
Me: She told me she's not taking them.
Ex-Wife: Yeah.
Me: Why?
Ex-Wife: Because. Can you shut the door please?
Me: Just because?
Ex-Wife: Yep. Shut the door please.
Me: You got them [the drops] though, right?
Ex-Wife: Thank you.
Me: You got them?
Ex-Wife: Thank you.
Me: Yes?
Ex-Wife: Thank you.
Me: In the bag?
Ex-Wife: Thank you. Shut the door.
Me: [Shocked by her comments, I can't help but smile] Okay.
Ex-Wife: [sarcastic tone] Okay... hahaha.
Me: Well... You know she was prescribed those, right?
Ex-Wife: Shut the door please. Thank you.

Doctor Visit?

Email From Ex-Wife on Fri. Jan. 4: After I picked the girls up this morning Gabrielle told me you...

Tuesday Pickup

Me: Where will the girls be at 5:00 PM? Regardless of where they are, I would rather just go directly to them. [According to our temporary order, the kids should be at her residence at 5:00]
Ex-Wife: The girls returned to school yesterday and will be at [daycare] for your pick-up tonight.
Me: Thanks.

Today's Pickup

I just wanted to send this message to (once again) ask you refrain from using vulgarities towards...

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“I think it’s ‘f-ed’ up that her...”
— My girlfriend Melissa (after...

“Nastay!”
— My girlfriend Melissa (after...

The inside of Gabrielle’s ear before I took her to the...

Today's Pickup

Me: Hi.
Ex-Wife: Thank you. [walks away]
Me: Hello?

My girlfriend’s cousin Kurty (right) and me (left)...

My brother’s awesome gingerbread house.

This picture was taken on New Year’s Eve, just hours...

New Year's Day

Me: What's the plan for tomorrow [New Year's Day]?
Ex-Wife: You can pick the girls up at 5pm at the house.
Me: What is the excuse for not having them to me sooner? [I was supposed to have the girls at 8:00 AM]
Ex-Wife: Gabrielle has a double ear infection. It is not in Gabrielle's best interest to leave the house with an ear infection and a fever at 5pm just so I can go pick her up at 8pm.
Me: Could you tell me where in Judge [K's] order it states you can simply decide to keep the girls out of town during my parenting time?
Ex-Wife: You were supposed to get them at 8am? Tell me where it says that in the orders.
Me: Page 4, paragraph D.
Me: When did you take Gabrielle to the doctor?
Ex-Wife: It is not my responsibility to ask you before every holiday what the plans will be or if you are planning to pick them up. Every time I have to wait until the very last minute until I know what is going on. Unacceptable.
Ex-Wife: You cannot argue that it would be in Gabrielle's best interest to leave the house with a double ear infection and a fever.
Me: I can argue that it is in Gabrielle's best interest to leave the house; I would have taken her to see a doctor. [Note: This hasn't happened yet]
Me: If you haven't heard my voicemail message, I was at the house earlier today with an officer from the [city] police department.

For the first time ever, my girlfriend (Melissa) took me...

Middle Finger

This is an email I sent to ex-wife yesterday. She did not reply. Hello again [ex-wife]. I just...

“Liberty itself has allowed the American public to freely...”
— Jim Kunstler (thanks,...

My girlfriend and me… I don’t know how I got so...

“I didn’t get any toys for Christmas!”
— Gabrielle (8) talking about...

Less Christmas?

Ex-Wife: Would u mind having the girls tomorrow the 26th instead of today the 25th? If so, u may have from 3pm to 8pm. Please let me know.
Me: No, but thanks! I'll see you today at 5.
Ex-Wife: R u willing to work anything out so I dont have to run the girls in for a 3 hr visit?
Me: No... It's Christmas and I'm only going to see the girls for 3 hours.

Frosty trees after the weekend snowfall. Taken from the...

Frosty trees after the weekend snowfall. Taken from the...

Gabrielle (left) and Natalie (right) entering their Webkinz...

OMFG! The girls received 40+ of those Webkinz toys for...

Dry Skin

Ex-Wife: The girls have had extremely dry skin lately. I bought a humidifier and have been putting lotion on them, especially in the morning. If you notice they are really dry this weekend please have them put lotion on.
Me: Thanks for the note. For what's it's worth, I've been putting lotion on the girls' hands for a few months.

“Mommy!”
— What the kids call their...

I miss the warm weather…

Video-sharing websites resolve to showcase...

I took this picture after [Ex-Wife] took the girls outside...

if you could pick one up, I would...

Ex-Wife: Tomorrow the Kindergartners are exchanging gifts with their Friday Friends. [5th graders] We did not have time this week to get one so if you could pick one up I would appreciate it. It is a small gift; nothing more than $10.
Me: Sure... Will you be reimbursing me?
Me: Actually... Could you just get the gift?... I have the girls tonight and I would rather not spend our time doing your shopping. You don't have the girls tonight so you probably have plenty of time. Let me know.

Uniform Reimbursement

A few weeks ago, my older daughter called me from school. She was at the bookstore (concerned...

Return the Purple Tree?

Me: Any word on the status of my tree and the two sets of lights (butterflies and flowers) that were packed with it?
Ex-Wife: I was under the impression you took all personal items with you when you moved out in April.
Me: I remember, the tree was in the storage room downstairs, it was in a large cardboard box with a QBP sticker and I wrote "Christmas Stuff" somewhere on the box. I distinctly remember that box being in the storage room when I was forced out in April. Does any of this ring a bell?
Ex-Wife: That's right. I do not know if the tree is in my possession. I also remember three studio pictures of the girls hanging on the wall that were not there when I moved in; pictures you claim you do not recall.
Me: Sounds like you are holding my Christmas tree hostage for some photos I don't have.

The Infamous Purple Christmas Tree (2006)

The Very Short Version Of A Very Long...

Subject: DUDE!Message: Your Ex-wife!!! It’s almost unbelievable. Tell me more! Here is my...

Chicago, Wed. Morning Taken from the window of the McCormick...

Natalie, Marco and Gabrielle… Cousins

Help Me Out

Me: I just wanted to drop another note to ask you to stop directing vulgar language towards me.
Ex-Wife: Please stop sending me emails whining about how you perceive you are being treated and/or spoken to.
Me: Thanks for your understanding.
Ex-Wife: Would you be willing to switch next weekend with me?
Me: Unfortunately, we have plans for next weekend so, no, I am not willing to switch weekends with you.
Ex-Wife: Please let me know.
Me: Sorry... No.
Ex-Wife: This is going through my attorney.

“Ah yes, ‘someone’…always meddling in...”
— Ex-Wife. She was upset...

My Weekend

I spent most of the weekend hanging out with my girlfriend. We did some Christmas shopping and...

“I think I have small ear holes.”
— My girlfriend (after noticing...

Pickup

Me: Hello.
Ex-Wife: [Inaudible]
Me: Excuse me?
Ex-Wife: Go to hell Giancarlo.
Me: What?
Ex-Wife: Go to hell!

Vote for Vimeo for the Open Web Awards!

Vimeo has been nominated as “Favorite Video Sharing Site” for the Open Web Awards. Click...

“We also have a MySpace… Check it out.” I...

“I like working from home.”
— Me

Enchanted (movie review)

I actually enjoy watching bad movies with my kids. I like to think my kids will one day realize how...

Negative Identification

Negative identification is the process by which one attempts to define himself not by the sum of his...

Natalie, enjoying a self-frosted and self-sprinkled sugar...

Evaluator Payment?

Me: I am wondering if you would be willing to pay [custody evaluator] a deposit of $5,000. This would place us each at paying (approximately) half of the evaluation fees. [I have already paid $7,000 she has paid nothing]
Ex-Wife: Over the past month or so I have sent a few packets to [custody evaluator]. I will give you copies of these packets when I pick up the girls Sunday night at 8pm.
Me: Thanks for the warning. Have a good weekend!
Me: Just curious... Did any of the packets you sent to [custody evaluator] contain money?

Followers?...

I was checking out dalas verdugo’s page and saw his post about 200 people following him. ...

Vimeo Over YouTube for Video Sharing

I discovered Vimeo about two months ago. Before I knew about Vimeo I used YouTube to upload and...

Gabrielle [right] with two of her classmates.

“[Ex-Wife] is nice to her friends and mean to everyone else.”
— Kid of Ex-Wife

“I look at happy couples/families and hate them.”
— Ex-Wife

“Gabrielle said you picked them up early from Extended Day...”
— Ex-Wife

“Once again, I will not be talking with you about this. My...”
— Ex-Wife