Okay, let me just start by saying that I know my husband ("D") well enough to know that he could never be unfaithful. Not to Tracie, and not to me. It didn’t matter, though...she accused him of cheating on her throughout the entire length of their nearly 8-year marriage. It’s called “neurotic projection” or “perceiving others as operating in ways one unconsciously finds objectionable in yourself; e.g., an unfaithful husband suspects his wife of infidelity.”

Only it was just the reverse in this case…she was the one who had a problem with fidelity:

• First, she cheated with her former lover, Bob A., while he was married.
• Next, she was seeing D while Bob A. at least thought they were still together (although D had no idea this was the case).
• She then cheated on D several times before they got married.
• And she cheated on D with Bob A. while they were married.
• She cheated on her boyfriend Tom B….twice!
• And most recently she cheated with her fiancé Chris B. while he was married to his current wife Michelle.

Here’s a rundown of Tracie's licentious behavior, along with a little background for clarity:

9/17/76 – Robert (Bob) A. married his first wife Linda. Their son was born 11/9/77, and their daughter was born 6/6/80.

1/8/82 – Linda filed for divorce from Bob A.; their divorce was final 12/7/82.

‘85 – Tracie’s former classmate Christopher (Chris) B., whom she’d known since 1978, married his first wife Niki. Their son was born ~1986, and their daughter was born ~1988.

9/7/85 – Bob A. married his second wife Patricia.

‘86 – Tracie began a 6-year on-again, off-again relationship with Bob A., which began as an extramarital affair. Bob got Tracie an apartment soon after they began dating.

8/14/86 – Chris B. filed for a divorce from Niki; they eventually reconciled…at least for now.

12/24/86 – Bob A.’s third child was conceived around this time, so either he was cheating on Tracie or with Tracie. Bob and Patricia’s son was born 9/16/87, at least a full year after he and Tracie began sleeping with each other.

9/27/89 – Bob A. and Traice had been together for 3 years when his second wife Patricia filed for divorce. Tracie always said how much Patricia hated her. Well, duh!

6/6/90 – Niki B. filed for divorce from Chris B.; they again eventually reconciled…for now.

‘89 – Tracie and D met. She was still living with Bob A., but made it very clear to D that she'd cheat on Bob with D if he was interested. He wasn’t. They didn’t see each other again for 3 years.

9/92 – Tracie and D met again. She told D that she and Bob A. had recently broken up. She was supposedly fresh out of a relationship, so they remained friends for a few months.

3/93 – Tracie and D began dating. He didn’t know it, but she was still involved with Bob A. One day, a man D didn’t know let himself in to her apartment. He was as shocked to find D there as D was to find him. It was Bob A. He and Tracie severed all ties; she’d led him to believe that they’d just been on a break. Tracie broke it off with Bob, but for months afterward, he stopped by Tracie’s apartment to leave flowers and sometimes breakfast on her doorstep, which she loved.

4/93 – D arrived at Tracie’s apartment one evening to find her upset and agitated. She tried to calm herself by flipping through a magazine, when she suddenly declared that Bob had been cheating on her during his business trips to Florida. She knew he must have a girlfriend because he wouldn’t let her accompany him on these trips. Frantically, she leaped up and shouted, “I think he’s having an affair! I’m gonna kill him! I’m gonna fuck up his stuff!” Now crying, she bolted outside and jumped behind the wheel of her car; D stupidly ran after her. She’d become so hysterical that he was afraid she’d try to hurt or kill herself or someone else, so he jumped in to the passenger side of her car. It was dusk as she impulsively sped off toward Bob’s house. Still crying when they arrived, she jumped from her car and sprinted to his front door. She pounded on it with her fists for several minutes, screaming “Come out, you mother fucker!” Luckily, he either wasn’t home or wisely chose not to answer his door. Still sobbing desperately and wanting to destroy something of his, she violently kicked her cloven hooves at two small bushes growing near his front door. She got back in to her car; her rage not yet spent, she sped off to his downtown business intent on smashing the windows. Once there, she looked for something to throw at the windows; thankfully, she couldn’t find anything suitable. Still frenzied, she grabbed a bright red lipstick from her purse and in huge letters wrote across the front windows of his business, “You’re a cheating mother fucker! Go fuck your girlfriend!” While all of this was happening, D was thinking that Tracie’s behavior was more than a little scary and extreme. Why did he stay with her after this incident instead of bolting? He felt "sorry" for her; she seemed to be so traumatized by whatever it was that the “evil Bob” had put her through.

4/93 – Tracie and her mother Sandi went to Disneyland and then on to San Diego to celebrate Tracie’s 29^th birthday. Even though she and D were now in a committed relationship, he wasn’t invited to join them. He found this a little odd – and hurtful. The two spent about a week in southern California. A few days after their return, Tracie eagerly (and stupidly) shared the photos from her trip with D. As she was flipping through them, it became quite obvious that she and her mother hadn’t spent their trip alone but had been with several others. D thought I’d noticed her ex-boyfriend Clint (who lives in San Diego) in one of the photos. At the same time, Tracie became flustered and quickly placed that particular photo back inside the envelope. D asked her about the photo, remarking “That looked like Clint.” He then retrieved and examined the photo for himself, confirming that it was, indeed, Clint. Only then did Tracie confess that she and her mom had spent the entire week with Clint in southern California. She protested that it was “no big deal,” that he was her ex-boyfriend and they were, after all, still friends. She attempted to turn her bad behavior around on D by saying that it was his problem if he was bothered, not hers. Needless to say, he was pretty hurt and angry.

9/93 – Tracie and D moved in together. (I don’t know why…I’m still scratching my head over that one. Anyway…) During the early part of their relationship, she manipulated him in to enduring not only meeting but spending time with her ex-boyfriends. She’d insist that they go to their homes or even their parents’ homes. Any time he stepped out of the room, her ex would most often have his arm around Tracie’s shoulders and they’d be intimately leaning in toward one another when, staring in to each other’s eyes and exchanging hushed tones when he rejoined them. Seeing him, they’d suddenly straighten and abruptly end their whispered conversation. On the way home, Tracie would ask if D recalled that moment. He’d say yes and she’d giggle and confess that her ex had been telling her how happy he was for her in her new relationship…but that he still cared about her and wanted her back. When D would say anything to Tracie about feeling uncomfortable in these awkward situations or how inappropriate he thought they were, she’d ask him, “What’s wrong? It’s not a big deal. He’s just my ex-boyfriend. You must not be very secure with yourself if you can’t handle meeting my ex-boyfriend!” She’d challenge D's manhood and shame him in to going along with her to sit through one evening after another with her exes. Sick!

9/93 – About a week after D moved in with Tracie, she said she was going shopping with her girlfriends at the mall, and that she’d be home in the afternoon. She left at about 8 a.m. (which, in hindsight, is odd because the mall doesn’t even open until 10 a.m.…and they only lived 10 minutes away!). She instead came home at 11 p.m., sunburned from head to toe, and confessed that she’d actually gone on an all-day outing…with a date. One of her clients had set her up with her son, and she thought "why not?" They’d spent the day with his family on their boat at the lake. D was pretty pissed off and told her so, but she again insisted that her date was “no big deal” and if he was secure with himself as a man, he wouldn’t have a problem with it. Unfortunately, he’d just moved in with Tracie, and she’d gotten rid of most all of his stuff; he had very little money and couldn’t afford to move again. She knew that he was basically “stuck” and thought she could pretty much do whatever she wanted and he wouldn’t leave…because he couldn’t. It seemed like she was testing him to see how far she could push him before he’d get fed up and leave her.

’94 – One day in early 1994, Tracie and her mom went to a work-related dinner at a hotel, where Tracie took several photographs. She was sharing the photos with D a few days later when he noticed several of her with another man. When asked about the photos, she explained that she’d gone with a man whom she’d previously dated. Again, she claimed that it was “no big deal” that she’d spent an evening in the company of a former lover, nor was it a big deal that she’d kept this from D. She again insisted that if D had a problem with it, then he was the one with the problem.

9/11/94 – Tracie and D married. (I know…stupid, stupid, stupid.) She had the audacity to continue to see Bob A. throughout their entire relationship. Days after, she'd casually mention to D that she’d “stopped by to see Bob” at his place of business, or that they’d “met for lunch” somewhere. She once even gushed about having gone on a picnic with Bob in the foothills. These are just the encounters she chose to tell D about…he has no way of knowing how many times they were actually together.

8/29/00 – Niki B. filed for divorce from Chris B. a second time. This time they saw it through. Their divorce was final on 4/19/02, a year and 7 months after their filing date.

7/01 – Tracie and her mom secretly consulted with a divorce attorney, and completed the paperwork to file for a divorce from D. She also checked in to AFDC and WIC eligibility, as she’d hoped that D would abandon the kids (like her father did) once they were divorced. (She wanted his money, but she didn't want them in their lives.) She also opened a secret, individual savings account. She rethought the whole “divorce” thing and didn’t file because she’d soon be undergoing chemotherapy. D didn’t discover her covert actions until more than a year later when he found the paperwork crammed under their mattress.

8/02: Chris and Tracie became reacquainted at their 20-year high school reunion.

8/28/02: After 6 years of marriage counseling, Tracie and D decided to call it quits. Tracie filed for Legal Separation on 10/26/02, citing “irreconcilable differences.” But why postpone the inevitable? D countersued for divorce on 11/21/02.

3/03: Tracie and Tom B. were dating by now.

3/14/03: Tracie’s neighbor (D's former neighbor Al K.) noticed that a white Hummer had been parked overnight in Tracie’s driveway a few days earlier. Tracie’s “former” boyfriend Bob A. has a white Hummer. (Coincidence?) It was also about this time that our daughter began mentioning "mommy’s friend Bob” and telling me “how great” Hummers are, especially white ones. D didn’t give a shit who she was sleeping with, but Al did: he was not only friends with Tracie’s new boyfriend Tom B., but he was the one who introduced them!

8/14/03: Already married, Chris B. and his second wife Michelle bought their first house.

1/25/05: D requested that his marriage to Tracie be bifurcated; he was finally set free from that bitch on 4/29/05!

7/05: Even though Tracie and Tom B. were in 2-1/2 years in to their committed relationship, she’d met and was now dating Keith P. through Match.com (mselectricity and Pace002).

1/06: Keith P. wisely broke things off with Tracie at or soon after the first of the year.

12/06: Tom B. was blessedly put out of his misery. I’m not sure who did it, but they ended their 3+ year relationship.

3/7/08: Tracie and Chris B. renewed their friendship, and began an extramarital affair while he was still married to his second wife Michelle.

8/22/08: Learning of her husband’s affair, Michelle B. filed for divorce from Chris. As of 6/27/09, they’re still legally married.

2/19/09: Even though Chris and Michelle B. aren’t even divorced yet, he and Tracie were already engaged by this time, according to her email: "Here is our contact information … Chris B. - fiancée …” (Hey, dumb ass…it’s fiancé, not fiancée. He’s not a chick...he's a guy!)

3/7/09: Chris moved in with Tracie.

So there you have it; that’s all the relationship havoc that Tracie's wrought in the last 20+ years…that we know of. I'm sure she's left a path of destruction that we can't even begin to imagine!

And even after nearly 7 years, Tracie continues to enjoy playing the “victimized wife” and still refuses to accept her role as a “full accomplice” in the breakup of her marriage. After all, how could it have been her fault when I'm the one who lured her husband away…right? Well, as you can tell, Tracie is the one with the habit of luring married men away from their wives, not me!

Go fuck yourself, Tracie…everyone else sure has!

THE DEVIL...Revealed!!!

"LLLLLet's get ready to RRRuuuummmmbbbblllle! ... Ya'll ready fa dis?!"

Ding-ding-ding! The gloves are coming off...I'm layin' dat bitch out!

THE DEVIL made itself "fair game" after posting this little bit of nastiness to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life website:

Hello Friends & Family,

For those of you who have not heard my story. On June 9, 1995, at the age of 31, I was diagnosed with breast cancer [at my husband's insistence that she see her doctor because of chronic breast pain]. I had been married only 8 months [9/11/94], we were in escrow on our 1st home. The doctor's [sic] told me my left breast needed to be removed. Due to a strong family history of breast cancer [it's father’s sisters], I chose a prophylactic [removal of as much of the at-risk tissue possible] double- bi-lateral mastectomy, with a 1% chance of ever having the disease again.

Seven years later, a mother of a 3 year old & 7 months pregnant, I developed a lump on my right breast, the very breast I chose [elected] to have removed. I was 37 years old when I was given my 2nd cancer diagnosis [a different cancer from the first diagnosis, which was likely brought on by increased estrogen levels due to pregnancy]. I was told my right breast would need to be removed, again. It was at this time I made the decision to remove both breasts, for the second time, to help increase my chance of survival.

I had my second bi-lateral mastectomy in September 2001, just days before 9[/]11, my wedding avnniversary [sic]. I had chemotherapy immediately following. During my chemo treatments I became ill with strep throat and I ended up in Intensive Care for over a week, nearly costing my life. When I recovered, we celebrated my daughter's 4th B-Day which had been postponed. Approximately a month later [3/02] I was given the option to have genetic testing to determine if I had a genetic disposition to the disease. Through this testing we discovered that I have the [altered] Brac 2 [breast cancer 2] cancer gene and was given the choice to have a [preventive] prophylactic hysterectomy-[salpingo-]oophorectomy [removal of healthy fallopian tubes and ovaries] to decrease chances of reoccurance [sic], so I chose surgery again. There were complications after surgery which kept me in the hospital, over a week [8/30 to ~9/6/02] and in the midst of all this, my husband served me with divorce papers...”

I went without breasts for over a year and have since had [a second] reconstruction. In August [it was March, what an idiot!] it will be 8 years since my 2nd diagnosis. I am healthy, happy and am living a miracle.....LIFE ...

I am now happily engaged, to a man I have known over 30 years [and who it dated for at least 5 MONTHS before he walked out on his 4-year-old son and his current wife...to whom he is STILL legally married!]. His name is CB and he loves & accepts me the [evil] way I am. ...

Victoriously,
THE DEVIL

(NOTE: Despite repeated written requests to the American Cancer Society's site administrator, THE DEVIL's blatant lie remains on posted to her web page. Nice.)

Knock, knock, knock:
"Hello...REALITY KNOCKING!"

THE DEVIL secretly met with a divorce attorney in 7/01 (4 months after its second cancer diagnosis). It didn't file at that time because it knew it would need my husband (I'll call him "D") to take care of it during it's treatment and recovery.

More than a year later, on 8/28/02, THE DEVIL and D both agreed to divorce.

It went ahead with its scheduled elective surgery on 8/30, and ended up hospitalized due to postoperative complications (venomous blood, you know?). But its note to D [a] completely contradicts its later account to Dr. K (and everyone else) about D's bad behavior during that time, as it "ratted" him our during the child custody evaluation that it insisted on.

And then on 10/2, THE DEVIL pretty much “sealed the deal” on their divorce by calling the police and insisting D would need a court order to ever take “its” kids anywhere when he tried to take them to the park. [b]

Regardless, THE DEVIL was in excellent health on 10/26 when, 2 months post-surgery, IT filed a Petition for Legal Separation citing irreconcilable differences (the irremediable [beyond repair] breakdown of the marriage) and on 11/2 when IT served D with the papers. [c]

.....a THE DEVIL's 9/02 handwritten note to D: “Honey: Thank you for staying with me while I was in the hospital. Thanks for the flowers and just being there and helping. Love You, Devil”
.....b Crime Report, Case # D02-9831, 10/2/02: “(IL)THE DEVIL became angry when I asked why (V)D could not take the children with him and it told me if he wanted the kids that [he] should get a court order.”
.....c THE DEVIL'S 11/2/02 letter to D: “I need to let you know that I was advised by my attorney to file a legal separation.”

So in what alternate universe were they living when “in the midst of all this” D “served [it] with divorce papers”? This shit just never ends, you know?!

Curious about THE DEVIL's identity? Follow this link to its Relay for Life website: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY09CA?pg=personal&fr_id=13839&fr_id=13839&px=3400718.

Why not just reveal THE DEVIL's name here on my blog, for all to see? I don't want to risk that bitch (or one of its minions) stumbling across this site...it's vain enough to Google itself.

Let's just keep this between us, shall we?

The Big “Life Insurance” Debacle!!!

My husband's unfortunate marriage to THE DEVIL ended with their bifurcation on 4/29/05, and almost immediately he removed it as the beneficiary of his life insurance policy and changed it to me.

I don’t know how long it took before THE DEVIL found out about this switch, but the "shit hit the fan" about a year later. Here's the fallout, in all its blazing glory! Enjoy!

THE DEVIL’s 7/19/06 email: “...it became crystal clear who was more important … it became aparent [sic] when you chose to take your own flesh and blood off your life insurance policy to make her [me] sole beneficiary”

My Husband's 7/31/06 response: “Let me get this straight: are you actually suggesting that you are my “flesh and blood”?! On the chance that you’re at all confused about our relationship, allow me to enlighten you: No, we’re not…nor have we ever been blood related…that’s not only illegal, it would be disgusting. Regardless, the children were never listed as beneficiaries on my life insurance policy: I removed you, not them, as you’re no longer a part of my family. MY LOVE and I have a firm plan in place to care for my children in the event of my untimely death…and beyond that it’s really none of your business. And keep in mind I’ve never asked you who your beneficiary is on your life insurance policy as it’s none of my business, is it?”

Apparently, THE DEVIL didn’t like his answer.

THE DEVIL’s 7/3/07 email (written to her attorney and cc'd to my husband, with this section directed to him): “TOKEN MALE YOU ARE THE MOST SPITEFUL SELFISH VINDICTIVE PERSON I HAVE EVER MET! ... JUST LIKE YOUR LIFE INSURANCE POLICY MY LOVE HAD YOU TAKE THE CHILDREN OFF OF! DON'T YOU WANT YOUR CHILDREN TAKEN CARE OF IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN TO YOU! MOST COURTS REQUIRE A LIFE INSURANCE POLICY BUT WE NEVER GOT THAT FAR!”

My husband's 7/3/07 response (copied to THE DEVIL’s attorney):

“’TOKEN MALE YOU ARE THE MOST SPITEFUL SELFISH VINDICTIVE PERSON I HAVE EVER MET! THESE ARE YOUR CHILDREN.’
How pathetic. What a childish attempt to provoke me. …

‘JUST LIKE YOUR LIFE INSURANCE POLICY MY LOVE HAD YOU TAKE THE CHILDREN OFF OF! DON'T YOU WANT YOUR CHILDREN TAKEN CARE OF IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN TO YOU!’
What complete and utter B/S. The children were never listed as beneficiaries on my life insurance policy: I removed you, not them. YOU ARE NO LONGER MY WIFE!

MY LOVE and I have a firm plan in place to care for my children in the event of my untimely death…and beyond that it’s really none of your business. And keep in mind that I’ve never asked you who your beneficiary is on your life insurance policy because it’s none of my business, is it?

So would I be correct in assuming that I am your sole beneficiary on your life insurance policy? And if I’m not, should I also jump to the conclusion that it is the intention of whoever is your beneficiary to keep all of the money they would receive for themselves and not provide for our children? Because that’s certainly your way of thinking. Maybe this will ease your mind: just because you would behave a certain way in this situation doesn’t mean everyone would behave just as badly as you.

Either way, our children will be well cared for with or without my life insurance as they’d receive a substantial amount in survivor’s benefits from Social Security each month until they turn 18, get married or graduate from high school, whichever comes first. That’s the law.

‘MOST COURTS REQUIRE A LIFE INSURANCE POLICY BUT WE NEVER GOT THAT FAR!'
This makes no sense. I have a life insurance policy…you’re just not the beneficiary. And no court would ever force someone to make their ex their beneficiary. That would be absurd! (Think of all the psychos who’d have their exes killed for their life insurance money!)”

THE DEVIL’s 7/5/07 email: “The problem is, you allow your spouse [funny...it couldn’t even bring itself to refer to me as his “wife”] who has HUGE ISSUES with me, to MICRO-MANAGE our divorce and decisions within. You cannot make decisions on your own, and the decisions you have made i.e. LIFE INSURANCE are a prime example of how you have allowed her influence to potentially harm your very own? I don't see how ANY parent could allow themselves to be convinced of this. In fact, if heard in court it would not have happened.”

My husband's 7/5/07 response: “Wait a minute…'micro-manage our divorce'? What divorce? We are divorced! We’ve been divorced since April 2005! ... It’s regrettable that, for whatever reason, you continue to feel threatened or intimidated by my wife, but that’s your problem, not ours. I am fully capable of making my own decisions. However, THE DEVIL, for the first time in my life I’m in a true partnership. My wife doesn’t dictate to me, and I don’t dictate to her. I know this is a difficult concept for you to digest, but, yes, these types of relationships truly do exist.”

We haven’t heard a peep out of that bitch concerning my husband's life insurance policy since its July 2007 rant. Maybe, after reading through their email exchanges, its attorney finally told it to shut the fuck up!

Our Son's Rash!!! (1/06)

Saturday, 1/14/06. THE DEVIL noticed a quarter-sized dry patch on one of OUR SON’s cheeks to which it applied a lotion that was not hypoallergenic or noncomedogenic.

Sunday, 1/15/06. THE DEVIL called me first on my cell phone and then on my Our Town home phone this evening. We’d already returned from Squaw Valley, and I answered our home phone. THE DEVIL was calling to inform me that OUR SON had a rash, that he was probably contagious (he wasn’t), that it was (unnecessarily) keeping him home from daycare tomorrow, and that it was my responsibility to take him to urgent care in the morning as the doctor’s office would be closed due to the Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday. I agreed that I would and we hung up.

After talking with MY LOVE about how THE DEVIL might be treating OUR SON’s rash, I called it back and asked it more specific questions about the rash and any seemingly-related symptoms, and if it had been applying hydrocortisone cream as a healing agent. It reluctantly answered my questions, and said that it had been using cortisone cream (although it turns out that it had been using hydrocortisone ointment—not cream—which irritated OUR SON’s skin and made him cry!). It’s also been giving him Benadryl elixir to relieve the itch.

THE DEVIL later complained in a 1/16/06 email to its attorney (see entry) that I’d “…called back to ask me a plethora of questions and wanted to know how I have handled his symptoms.” Yes…and your point is?

THE PSYCHIATRIST’s Report, Part VI: Conclusions, p. 19: “THE DEVIL tests as evidencing internalized psychopathology that reflects its proneness to convert Psychological stress in to physical symptoms, which results in hypochondrical features.”

Monday, 1/16/06

From: THE DEVIL [mailto:msdevilshine@carrier.net]
Sent: Monday, January 16, 2006 4:34 AM
To: TOKEN MALE
Subject: children

TOKEN MALE,

When the children are ill, I expect that you will be taking care of our children and not placing that responsibility on anyone else. The children have been more than clear they wish to be with mom or dad, especially when they are ill. If you have a problem with this request, please let me know if this will be a potential problem, as I feel caring for the children, especially when they are ill, is soley [sic] the responsibility of OUR DAUGHTER & OUR SON's parents. If this is not going to be the case, then we need to find a solution we can agree on.

I also want to make it known that when you are unavavilable [sic] to be with our children, during "your" scheduled visitation time (for whatever reason) I will always be available to care for our children, even if that means rearranging my schedule. The children want to be with us. There is absolutely n o reason the children should be left in the care or anyone else when one of their parents is available. The only person I ever leave the children with is my mother and that is not for child care but to visit their grandma. Again, if this is not acceptable and agreeable, I would like to know.

THE DEVIL

I didn’t respond to THE DEVIL’s nasty email; however, see 1/17/06 and 3/23/06 for my unsent responses.

5:25 a.m.: Following is another email from THE DEVIL...although this one was actually intended for its attorney and it inadvertently sent it to me instead. My responses to its lies and accusations follow its follow-up message (see 1/17/06).

From: THE DEVIL [mailto:msdevilshine@carrier.net]
Sent: Monday, January 16, 2006 5:25 AM
To: TOKEN MALE
Subject: Fwd: children

ITS 2ND ATTORNEY,

I have informed TOKEN MALE that OUR SON is ill and have asked him to take the day off to care for our child. He said he would but then called back to ask me a plethora of questions and wanted to know how I have handled his symptoms. Then he indicated to OUR DAUGHTER he would pick our child up at 7:30am, which is unheard of for him as he usually makes me late for work. [LIE] This tells me as always, he is planning to drop his fatherly responsibility of caring for his ill child onto his girlfriend/wife?, [Wife, thank you very much!] and this IS NOT ACCEPTABLE to me under any circumstance. My children do not like. [incomplete sentence]

Cathy, I requested and made it very clear from day one, I wanted "the first right of refusal" why is it okay for TOKEN MALE to DUMP his parenting responsibilities he has fought so hard for, off on someone else?[ ]especially when my children have made it clear they DO NOT WANT to be with MY LOVE [LIE] only their dad or I. They don't want to live with dad [LIE] but understand they have no choice, but now this? I have a MAJOR problem with this especially when TOKEN MALE he has sick time that he can take.

IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GOING TO NEED ANOTHER COURT DATE TO SORT ALL THIS OTHER BULLSHIT OUT.
I want you to know, I am NOT AT ALL PLEASED with the way ANY of this divorce has turned out. I am not pleased with Unger as our Judge, and her 50/50 circus agreement one day with dad, the next with mom, what kinda of [sic] stability is this for our children. It heard absolutely none of our case
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

THE COURT[S] DO NOT do whats [sic] in the best interest of the children. I have lost ALL RESPECT for our so called court of law. The system is unjust and wrong.[ ]It's an unethical money making industry. Now you know how I really feel.

I'm not going to allow TOKEN MALE to shift his parenting responsibility which he has fought so hard for off onto someone else. Isn't that a dead beat dad??? Unger is so stupid she couldn't see this whole thing is about money, of coarse [sic] maybe if she had heard any of our testimony she would have figured it out. I WILL continue to fight for my children and the truth. I do not have a problem with TOKEN MALE parenting his children, or the children living 43/45% with their dad, even though the schedule is a dog and pony show! and is reaping [the word is “wreaking,” you idiot!] havoc on my children! I have a HUGE problem with DEAD BEAT TOKEN MALE DUMPING HIS PARENTING RESPONSIBILITIES off on ANYONE else, especially someone who is seething with hatred towards the mother of his children.

I am supposed to believe that is not going to affect how she treats our children when he's not around? She already has "OUR DAUGHTER big a s [sic] a house"???? [LIE] You know Cathy, it wouldn't be such a slap in the face if he had exhausted all his sick leave, but he gets 5 weeks a year. WHEN IS THE LAST TIME HE TOOK A SICK DAY FOR OUR CHILDREN. I will tell you the honest to God's answer, NEVER! In 3 1/2 years!

Maybe TOKEN MALE & I should be forced in to mandatory counseling with our children. I don't know if this is a solution but what am I to constantly do? It [sic] clothing, it's nasty emails, it's his constantly changing the rules to his advantage, the schedule, the holidays. When are the courts going to facilitate a parenting plan? Isn't this what we have been paying for??

I WILL FIGHT FOR WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR CHILDREN AND FORCE TOKEN MALE TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE!!!

THE DEVIL

Note: forwarded message attached.

I didn’t respond to THE DEVIL’s nasty email; however, see 1/17/06 and 3/23/06 for my unsent responses.

THE PSYCHIATRIST’s Report, Psychopathology, p. 13: “THE DEVIL is unable to accept aggressiveness in itself or in others and will react to stresses with clinging and petulantly demanding behaviors. Some women with THE DEVIL’s profile developed [sic] anxiety symptoms or acute anxiety attacks.”

6:02 a.m.: Thirty-seven minutes later, THE DEVIL sent me an “apologetic” message once it realized its error (which it had copied to its attorney):

From: THE DEVIL [mailto:msdevilshine@carrier.net]
Sent: Monday, January 16, 2006 6:02 AM
To: TOKEN MALE
Cc: its2ndattorney@carrier.com
Subject: email sent by mistake.

TOKEN MALE,

Your [sic] going to get an e-mail which was mistakenly sent to you intended for my attorney. I apologize for not being more careful when I hit send. It happend [sic] when I was forwarding the other two e-mails I sent you earilier [sic] and didn't notice your address was the address attached. I apologize as you will take offense however try and remember it clearly was not intended for you to read. I am very embarrassed.

I imagine you will be very upset, but now you know how I honestly feel.

OUR DAUGHTER & OUR SON are our children and parenting them should be between us. You need to care for them when they are ill, nobody else.[ ]You need to be with them when it's your scheduled time. This is all I ask. When you can not be with them during your scheduled time, they need to be left with their mom. To assure you, I do not leave the children with any sitters, ever. [LIE] They visit their grandma on occassion [sic] and thats [sic] all.

We need to be agreeable for the sake of our children. I will do whatever I can to facilitate a peaceful environment with you, for them. Again, my e-mail was not intended for your eyes as I think is clearly evident. Please accept it was mistakenly sent and not intended to strike up any warfare between us. I don't need some lengthy response from MY LOVE as I will no longer welcome her emails, and frankly this is between us.

All I ask TOKEN MALE, is that you will do whats [sic] best for our children. Ask them how they feel. Nobody will take as good of care of our children as we will. Please parent them when they are with you and don't put that responsibility on anyone else. This is all I ask.

THE DEVIL

I didn’t respond to THE DEVIL’s “apology”; however, at the end of my 2/6/06 email to THE DEVIL, subject: Your 2/6/06 Note and 2/3/06 Voice Message (see 2/6/06), I wrote the following: “Oh…and by the way…just because I didn’t respond to the nasty, lie-riddled email you sent to me instead of your attorney (as you’d intended) doesn’t mean I’m okay with it.”

Also see 1/17/06 and 3/23/06 for my unsent response to THE DEVIL’s nastiness.

6:30 a.m.: Today was a school holiday (the observation of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday), so MY LOVE and I stayed in Our Town last night on our way home from Squaw Valley. Because we had only one vehicle with us, MY LOVE rode with me to Our New Town this morning to get ready for work there.

9:30 a.m.: MY LOVE climbed in to her van in our driveway to leave for Our Town. Just then, THE DEVIL pulled in to our cul-de-sac, driving so slowly that its SUV caught MY LOVE’s attention (she’s only seen THE DEVIL’s new SUV a couple of times and didn’t immediately recognize it as THE DEVIL’s). MY LOVE thought it was strange that the SUV was driving so slowly and intently past our house. I said, “I guess they’re here.” “Who’s here?” “The bitch is here with the kids.” Regardless of THE DEVIL’s untimely arrival, I leaned in to MY LOVE’s window and gave my wife a quick kiss goodbye before she left for work. I didn’t do this to upset THE DEVIL, but I wasn’t about to let my wife drive off without a proper goodbye just because THE DEVIL happened to show up at an inopportune moment.

THE DEVIL’s Reaction to MY LOVE. At this point, neither MY LOVE nor I had seen THE DEVIL’s ugly emails. Blissfully unaware of its most recent spate of nastiness, upon THE DEVIL’s arrival MY LOVE considered that she could pretend not to see THE DEVIL, or she could be cordial and acknowledge its presence. Because we’re living closer to THE DEVIL and we’ll likely be seeing more of it, she decided to start things off on the right foot and acknowledge it. As MY LOVE backed out of our driveway, she glanced at THE DEVIL, meeting its red pig eyes, and gave it a small, friendly wave and smile. THE DEVIL was leaning over its steering wheel with its mouth gaping open as it sat staring toward us. In response to MY LOVE’s wave, THE DEVIL continued to hold its mouth open and blatantly rolled its eyes as if to say, “Give me a break!” MY LOVE left knowing that she had done the right thing by being cordial. We also both understand that THE DEVIL will always be difficult. After all, it's the devil!

THE DEVIL was obviously upset as it clomped around on its cloven hooves and barely spoke while we exchanged the children. This was the first time it had been to our new home, and I don’t know if it was upset by our house or its location, by MY LOVE’s earlier presence…or what. And, personally, I couldn't give a shit.

OUR SON’s Doctor Visit. I took OUR SON to urgent care; he was seen by the Internal Medicine doctor on duty, who diagnosed him with contact dermatitis. He indicated that OUR SON was NOT contagious, and that he didn’t have chicken pox or poison oak as THE DEVIL had stupidly speculated. He surmised that OUR SON’s rash was caused by something external that he’d come in to contact with, which had likely been on his hands and transferred to his face. He recommended that we treat him with an oral allergy medication to control any itching and apply hydrocortisone cream to the affected area to help speed healing. He said it would be okay for OUR SON to attend daycare, and that we should monitor the rash for a day or so to make sure it didn’t get worse. When I communicated this to THE DEVIL, it accused me of not being “pushy enough” with the doctor, and said that it would just take him to a “real” doctor tomorrow versus an urgent care doctor…keeping in mind that he had been seen by my personal doctor.

I purchased Children’s Claritin Syrup for OUR SON’s rash.

Tuesday, 1/17/06

I took OUR SON to daycare this morning and sent him to THE DEVIL’s house with the Claritin elixir that I’d purchased for him yesterday. Unfortunately, I’d failed to label the bottle as belonging to me.

Not surprisingly, THE DEVIL didn’t take OUR SON to see his pediatrician today as it claimed that it would yesterday. (Of course not…that would’ve cost it $15, and it leaves the co-pays to me.) Furthermore, it didn’t keep OUR SON home today due to his “illness.” It worked a full day while the children attended daycare.

I, too, worked today after taking the day off with OUR SON yesterday. At some point this afternoon, I was able to check my work email and noticed the 1/16/06 messages from THE DEVIL. Following is my unsent rebuttal, which counters each of its absurdities and out-and-out lies:

“When the children are ill, I expect that you will be taking care of our children and not placing that responsibility on anyone else.” [1/16/06] You cannot dictate to me how to parent our children.

“The children have been more than clear they wish to be with mom or dad, especially when they are ill.” [1/16/06] The children turn to me or MY LOVE equally, even when they aren’t feeling well.

“The only person I ever leave the children with is my mother and that is not for child care but to visit their grandma.” “To assure you, I do not leave the children with any sitters, ever.” [1/16/06] I am very aware that you DO leave the children with individuals other than your mother. Let’s start with teenaged babysitters to include Nicole and Jessica. You’ve also left them with your neighbor Kris, your boyfriend Tom, and your friends Pam and Mary, among others. Shall I go on? Regardless, it’s absurd to compare MY LOVE to teenaged babysitters and family friends. She’s the children’s stepmother. She’s family, not a babysitter.

“This tells me as always, he is planning to drop his fatherly responsibility of caring for his ill child onto his girlfriend/wife?” [1/16/06] As always? MY LOVE has never taken time off from work to care for our children. Beyond that, I’m perplexed as to how you jumped to this conclusion in the first place given that in no way did I give you any indication that this is what I’d intended to do. (And, for the record, MY LOVE is my wife.)

“My children do not like [MY LOVE].” [1/16/06] OUR DAUGHTER and OUR SON adore MY LOVE. They won’t admit this to you because you’ve made it clear that for them to appease you they must despise her. We know the truth and the children know the truth because they live it every day. Regardless, I’m confused…don’t you want me to be with someone who is kind, compassionate, supportive and loving of our children? Or would you prefer the alternative, that she was horrible, wicked, degrading and loathing of them? As any selfless parent would, I expect that you would choose the first scenario rather than the latter.

“…I requested and made it very clear from day one, I wanted "the first right of refusal” [1/16/06] Please clarify. Did you actually want me to offer you the option of taking the day off to care for OUR SON when that’s what you were asking me to do? (THE DEVIL: “OUR SON isn’t well. Can you take the day off to care for him?” TOKEN MALE: “No, but because you have the first right of refusal, rather than have MY LOVE care for him, can you take the day off instead?” THE DEVIL: “Sure, no problem.”) That doesn’t make sense. I’m sorry…I just don’t get your point.

“…why is it okay for TOKEN MALE to DUMP his parenting responsibilities he has fought so hard for, off on someone else?” [1/16/06] It was never my intention to leave OUR SON with MY LOVE. I took the day off from work, I took OUR SON to urgent care, I purchased the doctor-recommended over-the-counter medication for him, I explained the outcome of this visit to you, and I had the children in my care until the following morning. Enough!

“especially when my children have made it clear they DO NOT WANT to be with MY LOVE only their dad or I.” [1/16/06] The children have in no way, shape or form ever given me or MY LOVE any indication that would even remotely support your claim. In fact, they often ask to stay home with MY LOVE when we have errands to run, and OUR SON has asked more than once if he could stay home with her rather than go to daycare when we’re both heading off to work. Your claim is not supported by the facts.

“They don't want to live with dad but understand they have no choice…” [1/16/06] Interestingly enough, both children have expressed to me at one time or another that they wished they could live with me. I’m sure they’d love to live with both of their parents, but they also know that it’s not even a remote possibility and it would not be a happy situation for anyone.

“I'm not going to allow TOKEN MALE to shift his parenting responsibility which he has fought so hard for off onto someone else. Isn't that a dead beat dad???” [1/16/06] This assertion is so insane…so out there in “left field”…that I cannot even attempt a response. Oh, wait a minute, yes I can: "FUCK YOU!"

“THE JUDGE is so stupid she couldn't see this whole thing is about money” [1/16/06] THE JUDGE could see that for me this is all about spending quality time with my children. Do you really think that I increased my mortgage payment by $1,000 a month just so I could save $400 a month in child support?

“I do not have a problem with TOKEN MALE parenting his children” [1/16/06] I don’t need your consent to parent my children.

“I have a HUGE problem with DEAD BEAT TOKEN MALE DUMPING HIS PARENTING RESPONSIBILITIES off on ANYONE else” [1/16/06] You know full well that this is a lie, and yet you attempt to undermine my integrity and credibility by lying to others (albeit to your attorney) about me in a manner that makes it impossible for me to defend myself.

“…especially someone who is seething with hatred towards the mother of his children.” [1/16/06] She doesn't think much of some of your tactics or motives (nor do I), but MY LOVE is not “seething with hatred” toward you as that would only hurt her.

“I am supposed to believe that is not going to affect how she treats our children when he's not around?” [1/16/06] Could it be that you can’t accept that MY LOVE always treats our children in a fair and loving manner because you’re not sure that you would be able to do the same if the situation were reversed? (It's called "transferrance," DEVIL.)

“She already has ‘OUR DAUGHTER big as a house’” [1/16/06] Just because you reject the truth in favor of perpetuating this cycle of lies and hate, doesn’t make what you say any less of a lie. It’s amazing that by repeating your lies, you actually begin to believe them.

“WHEN IS THE LAST TIME HE TOOK A SICK DAY FOR OUR CHILDREN. I will tell you the honest to God's answer, NEVER! In 3 1/2 years!” [1/16/06] Really? Then how do you explain the fact that I’ve taken time off from work to care for the children on 3/17/03, 5/9/03, 5/12/03, 6/13/03, 5 days in 11/03 for OUR DAUGHTER’s tonsils, 1/14/04, 7/15/04, 3/30/05, 1/16/06 and 1/18/06…just to name those days that I’ve documented? I could pull my work records for a more complete representation, if necessary. Beyond any of that, how do you justify to yourself that you invoked God’s name in support of your lie?

“I apologize for not being more careful when I hit send [in sending an email intended for ITS 2ND ATTORNEY].” [1/16/06] Excuse me, but let me get this straight…you’re sorry for not being more careful, but you’re not sorry for blatantly lying about me and MY LOVE? I do NOT accept your apology as this is no apology at all.

“OUR DAUGHTER & OUR SON are our children and parenting them should be between us.” “…and frankly this is between us.” [1/16/06] To me, “us” means you, me and MY LOVE. Nothing is just between you and me. I’m married and, as my partner and co-parent, everything involving me and/or my children will also involve MY LOVE.

“You need to care for them when they are ill, nobody else. You need to be with them when it's your scheduled time. When you can not be with them during your scheduled time, they need to be left with their mom.” [1/16/06] You cannot dictate to me how to parent our children.

“I will do whatever I can to facilitate a peaceful environment with you, for them.” [1/16/06] You have done little in support of this; however, I would truly appreciate it if your actions supported your claim as actions speak louder than words.

“Please accept it was mistakenly sent and not intended to strike up any warfare between us.” [1/16/06] I am not the one who continues to make war between us; therefore, your indiscriminate act will not strike up any warfare between us.

“I don't need some lengthy response from MY LOVE as I will no longer welcome her emails...” [1/16/06] My emails are from me; they express my opinions, my concerns, my requests and my expectations.

“Ask [the children] how they feel.” [1/16/06] I am not going to put our children in the middle. They freely tell me how they feel with their own words and actions. I refuse to make them feel that they must choose sides. My home is their safe haven and I’m not about to take that away from them.

Wednesday, 1/18/06

8 a.m.: THE DEVIL called to tell me that I’d again have to take the day off from work to take OUR SON to the doctor. According to it, his rash had worsened. It’s obvious that it’s documenting this “incident” as it not only left me a voice message and spoke to me about this on the phone, but it sent me the following email with a copy to its attorney, as well:

From: THE DEVIL [mailto:msdevilshine@carrier.net]
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2006 8:11 AM
To: TOKEN MALE
Cc: its2ndattorney@carrier.com
Subject: OUR SON

TOKEN MALE,

OUR SON woke up this morning and his rash is worse. It appears it may be traveling down his back. He is itching and crying. He is very uncomfortable. His glands on the right side of his neck are extremely swollen and protruding. He needs to be seen by a real doctor, a pediatrician. Someone that is not just going to pat him on the back and tell us everything is okay. I am calling this morning to make an appointment for him. He does not feel well and is sick.

I have been the one who has taken the children to work with me and taken the time off work every time they have been ill. [LIE] I am training a new girl for ITS 1ST JOB and starting a new job Monday. I will not have the flexibility that I once had, especially being new to a property.

[T]he doctor need[s] to know I treated OUR SON with benadril [sic] for 3 days, have been using topical benadryl [sic] and cort aide [sic] for 5 days.[ ]Nothing is helping. The opening of his air passage in his throat is very small. If I take him I will demand they do tests to figure out what is wrong. You need to do the same.

The only thing different I have given him to eat was Special Kay [sic] cereal with red berries. It had a lot of dehydrated strawberries in it.

THE DEVIL

I didn’t respond to THE DEVIL’s nastiness; however, following is my unsent rebuttal to its assertions and allegations:

OUR SON woke up this morning and his rash is worse. Upon my examination later that morning, I determined that it had only spread slightly from the day before, and was still not severe.

It appears it may be traveling down his back. He is itching and crying. He is very uncomfortable. After speaking with THE DEVIL, I learned that it had applied lotion to OUR SON’s face on Saturday to treat a dry patch. The doctor who saw him today believes that this is the cause of OUR SON’s rash.

His glands on the right side of his neck are extremely swollen and protruding. This is an extreme exaggeration, but his slightly swollen glands are because of his tonsils, not the rash.

He needs to be seen by a real doctor, a pediatrician. He was seen by a real doctor…MY doctor…who was working at Urgent Care on Monday.

Someone that is not just going to pat him on the back and tell us everything is okay. The doctor did not “pat him on the back.” He thoroughly examined OUR SON and made a determination as to the cause and severity of his condition.

I am calling this morning to make an appointment for him. He does not feel well and is sick. He was feeling fine and is not sick. THE DEVIL is exaggerating, as usual.

I have been the one who has taken the children to work with me and taken the time off work every time they have been ill. This is a lie. I, too, have taken time off work to be with the children when they are ill. However, why would I take time off from work to care for them THE DEVIL doesn’t tell me when they are ill?

I am training a new girl for ITS 1ST JOB and starting a new job Monday. This is the first I’ve heard of this. I’m assuming that this means THE DEVIL will be earning more money.

the doctor need to know I treated OUR SON with benadril for 3 days, have been using topical benadryl and cort aide for 5 days.Nothing is helping. The opening of his air passage in his throat is very small. If I take him I will demand they do tests to figure out what is wrong. You need to do the same. Then why doesn’t it just take him instead of trying to dictate to me.

The only thing different I have given him to eat was Special Kay cereal with red berries. It had a lot of dehydrated strawberries in it. OUR SON has eaten dehydrated strawberries in cereal at my house several times and experienced no problems.

OUR SON’s Doctor Visit. I took OUR SON to see a pediatrician. She indicated that his rash was likely caused by THE DEVIL’s application of lotion to his face…something THE DEVIL had communicated to me for the first time only that morning. When I later spoke with MY LOVE about this, she agreed with the doctor’s assessment, saying, “If it had just mentioned that right up front, I could’ve told you that that’s what caused it. You’re never supposed to use lotion on your face unless it’s hypoallergenic and noncomedigenic!” The doctor recommended that we continue to treat OUR SON with allergy medication to control the itch and apply hydrocortisone cream to the affected area to help heal the rash.

OUR SON was fine, so I dropped him off at daycare for the remainder of the workday. I sent him with the Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Cream that I’d also bought for him; however, because THE DEVIL almost never returns products that I’ve purchased to my home, I wrote “TOKEN MALE’s House” in indelible black ink across the tube…which is what it does with everything it sends with the children that belongs to it.

Thursday, 1/19/06

4:30 p.m.: I picked the children up from daycare after work today and noticed that, as expected, THE DEVIL hadn’t returned the Claritin Elixir that I’d purchased and sent with OUR SON for his use at its house. It knows that he needs to take an oral allergy medication for his rash, and yet it didn’t send the medicine that I’d purchased for him to take.

On the way home, I purchased a generic cherry-flavored Children’s Allergy Medicine (equal to Benadryl Liquid) to replace the Claritin.

Friday, 1/20/06

I picked the children up from KIDS’ 2ND DAYCARE after work today for our weekend together. THE DEVIL left the following, handwritten note inside OUR SON’s backpack:

TOKEN MALE

Ive [sic] been researching and we should try not putting any cream on OUR SON’s rash. It could possibly make it worse. Ive [sic] read it may leave a barrier from air and lock the heat in. Instead try a luke warm[sic]/tepid bath with the bath treatment [Aveeno*] and let him soak.

Im [sic] calling 1ST PEDIATRICIAN today as the rash has now spread to his back.

THE DEVIL

I didn’t respond to THE DEVIL’s note.

*THE DEVIL sent home a packet of Aveeno Skin Relief Bath Treatment and actually returned the marked Aveeno Hydrocortisone Cream that I’d purchased for my house.

THE DEVIL’s request that we “try not putting any cream” on OUR SON’s rash was referring to the Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Cream that I’d sent with him the day before. Its so-called “research” findings contradict my discussions with both doctors; therefore, I took a few minutes to do my own online research and found the following advice to support the use of 1% Hydrocortisone Cream:

Source: Shands HealthCare (http://www.shands.org/health/information/article/003220.htm)
Common Causes:
Contact dermatitis following exposure to:
- Dyes and other chemicals found in clothing
- Chemicals found in elastic and rubber products
- Cosmetics
- Feminine deodorants
- Poison ivy and poison oak
Home Care:
Most common rashes will improve with gentle skin care and avoidance of irritating substances.
- Avoid scrubbing the skin.
- Minimize the use of soap (using gentle cleansers when possible).
- Moisturize frequently.
- Eliminate any newly added cosmetics or lotions.
Hydrocortisone cream (1%) is available without prescription and may soothe many rashes.
Call your health care provider if:
- Home treatment is ineffective, or if symptoms persist or worsen.
- Other symptoms accompany the rashes.
What to expect at your health care provider's office:
Depending on the cause of your rash, treatments may include topical medications, oral medications, and/or skin surgery.

I ignored THE DEVIL's note and continued to treat OUR SON's rash as recommended by his doctors, and it improved while in my care. Idiot!

Lice!!! (Nov '05-Jul '07)

Tuesday, 11/29/05. THE DEVIL sent me the following email, and then called me in a panic later that afternoon to inform me that OUR SON has lice…even though his pediatrician didn’t reach that conclusion. As described to me, THE DEVIL believed that it might have seen "lice eggs" in OUR SON’s hair this morning....even though it has no idea what "nits" look like.

From: 1st JOB [mailto:1stjob@1stemployer.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2005 1:17 PM
To: TOKEN MALESubject: OUR SON

TOKEN MALE,

I am taking OUR SON to the doctor today at 2:00pm to see if he has lice. If he does there is a good possibility OUR DAUGHTER has it and us as well. I will let you know. OUR DAUGHTER & OUR SON are still feeling under the weather so please keep them out of the cold and make sure they bundle up. I will be home at 7:00pm so you can drop them off.

THE DEVIL

According to THE DEVIL, the children’s pediatrician was "unable to definitively diagnose head lice"; however, THE DEVIL itself concluded that OUR SON did have lice and claims to have purchased $80 worth of supplies to rid him of this "infestation." THE DEVIL’s reaction is so typically histrionic that I’m not sure where to begin.

· THE DEVIL knows nothing about head lice and, once again, has failed to educate itself concerning the children’s “perceived” illness (see 3/29/05). Rather than consult with me, one of its minions, or the Internet for additional information, it panicked and scheduled a doctor’s appointment…right before it sent OUR SON off to daycare to possibly infest his classmates!

· Without even knowing if OUR SON actually had head lice, THE DEVIL assumed the worst case scenario: Not only does OUR SON have lice, but OUR DAUGHTER, THE DEVIL and I all have lice. Using its logic, one could then assume that I must have given it to everyone in my household and everyone I work with. And so on and so on...

· If OUR SON did, indeed, have head lice, the actual treatment costs less than $15 and household sprays might cost another $15 for a total of $30. THE DEVIL is either exaggerating when it says that it spent $80 on treatments or it went way overboard. If true, it likely purchased treatments for it and the children at a cost of $45, plus another $35 or so for cleaning products, etc.

· Something that should’ve cost no more than $30 max allegedly cost THE DEVIL about $95 ($15 co-pay for a doctor visit and $80 in treatments and cleaning products)…AND OUR SON didn't even have lice!

Within 1 minute of searching “head lice treatments” on the Web, I located an article at Harvard School of Public Health’s website (http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/headlice.html). As excerpted: “Treatment should be considered only when active lice or viable eggs are observed.”

If the children had been exposed to and/or been infested with head lice while in my care, THE DEVIL would’ve come unglued! Regardless, when it informed me of its diagnosis that OUR SON had head lice, I remained calm and unaccusatory.

Wednesday, 6/6/07

7:39 a.m.: Excerpt from THE DEVIL’s email in response to my 6/4 email concerning her refusal to reimburse me for the children's dental appointment: "Also, now that I think about it. Remember the lice scare??? I spend [sic] $120.00* for over the counter treatments for both children? which was part of a medical condition."

*On 11/25/05, THE DEVIL claimed to have spent $15 for OUR SON's doctor's visit co-pay and $80 in supplies, which totals $95...and now it claims to have spent $120?! Okay...

7:28 p.m.: Excerpt from THE DEVIL's third nasty email in follow up to my 6/4 email (my bolding and highlighting added): "Are you going to give me $60.00 for the Dr visits and Nix treatments for both children when they had lice???? If your [sic] a father, leave a check for the other 'shared"expenses ...'"

Sunday, 6/17/07

1:28 a.m.: Excerpt from my email to THE DEVIL in response to her 6/4, 6/5 and 6/6 emails to me and her attorney (excerpts from its original emails are in violet; mine are in blue):

"Remember the lice scare??? I spend [sic] $120.00 for over the counter treatments for both children? [W]hich was part of a medical condition.
Are you going to give me $60.00 for the Dr visits and Nix treatments for both children when they had lice????"

The State of California defines “uninsured healthcare expenses” as health insurance deductibles, co-payments and reasonable health-related procedures not covered by health insurance. It does not include over-the-counter medications or household cleaning products (otherwise I’d have a whole slew of receipts for you). I will reimburse you for half the children’s doctor visit co-pays and any prescription medication co-pays upon proof of your imbursement…and once I’ve received your reimbursement to me for half of my out-of-pocket 2006 uninsured healthcare expenses, of which your outstanding share is $95 (seven doctor visit co-pays at $15 each, two eye exams at $10, and five prescription co-pays totaling $65, for a grand total of $190). However, I will not reimburse you for household cleaning products.

Tuesday, 7/3/07

7:58 a.m.: Following is an excerpt from THE DEVIL's lie-filled rant to its attorney in follow up to our conversation this morning:

I ALSO NEVER HAD HIM PAY ME $100 1/2 HALF OF THE LICE TREATMENT LAST YEAR.

My Response:

Again, as I explained in my 6/16/07 email, the State of California defines “uninsured healthcare expenses” as health insurance deductibles, co-payments and reasonable health-related procedures not covered by health insurance. It does not include over-the-counter medications or household cleaning products (otherwise I’d have a whole slew of receipts for you). I will reimburse you for half the children’s doctor visit co-pays and any prescription medication co-pays upon proof of your imbursement…and once I’ve received your reimbursement to me for half of my out-of-pocket 2006 uninsured healthcare expenses, of which your outstanding share is $95 (seven doctor visit co-pays at $15 each, two eye exams at $10, and five prescription co-pays totaling $65, for a grand total of $190). However, I will not reimburse you for household cleaning products. Again, please stop trying to collect money that is not owed to you.

I'm assuming THE DEVIL's attorney told it to knock it off, because I haven't heard a peep out of it about this issue in the last 3-1/2 years.

Rabies!!! (6/10/05)

Friday, 6/10/05. THE DEVIL’s cat carried a bat in to its house. That's it. End of story. At least you'd think so...

THE DEVIL called me on my cell phone and frantically informed me that it and the kids may have “caught” rabies. I repeated this out loud, and MY LOVE and I looked at each other and rolled our eyes. THE DEVIL doesn’t care that you can’t catch rabies by being in the same area as an animal that was around an animal that may have rabies…that it’s transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal or, though rare, if the saliva from a rabid animal gets in to your eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound—none of which had occurred. There's no drama in that scenario.

Apparently, THE DEVIL had called animal control, and they removed the bat for testing (it was later determined to be rabies-free). At animal control’s suggestion, THE DEVIL “quarantined” the cat. I say “quarantined” because it caged the animal in its bathtub, then allowed the children to pet it through the cage! I saw this taking place while picking the children up at its house the following Monday morning, and suggested that this wasn’t a good idea. It replied that it "really didn’t think the cat had rabies," therefore it was "okay for the kids to handle the cat"…and yet it had the mewing animal caged in its bathtub!

THE DEVIL never bothered to research rabies, how it’s transmitted or how it’s treated. Rather than educate itself and remain calm (which wouldn’t have drawn any attention to it or its “plight”), it telephoned everyone it knew in an attempt to garner their attention, sympathy, and support. It was disappointed by my reaction to the news of this “tragedy” as I didn’t panic. I asked it specifically what had happened, and calmly said that it didn’t sound like there was any real danger and that I certainly hoped for the best outcome.

With THE DEVIL, it’s all about drama, not facts. Because the bat didn’t have rabies, THE DEVIL quickly became bored with this particular topic and never raised the subject again.

Hoof and Mouth Disease!!! (3/29/05)

THE DEVIL called to tell me that OUR DAUGHTER had a moderate fever and it thought that she might have “hand, foot and mouth disease”* as “one of the neighborhood children had recently been diagnosed” with this illness.

I asked if it knew anything about this disease or if it had taken OUR DAUGHTER to the doctor. It said that it didn’t know anything other than that you get a high fever and blisters inside your mouth and on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet, and it hadn’t taken OUR DAUGHTER to the doctor. I asked it if OUR DAUGHTER exhibited any of these symptoms, other than that she was running a fever. THE DEVIL said no. So even though it was obviously "distraught" and overly concerned that OUR DAUGHTER might have this disease, it hadn’t taken any steps to learn more about it, nor had it consulted with a medical professional about the possibility that OUR DAUGHTER might have been exposed to it.

I told THE DEVIL that I had no problem taking the next day off from work. THE DEVIL expected that I would drive to OUR TOWN after work tonight (which is 35 miles past ITS TOWN), return to ITS TOWN tomorrow morning (Wednesday) to pick the children up from its house, then drive back to OUR TOWN that morning, only to return to ITS TOWN Wednesday evening to bring the children to its house, then drive back to OUR TOWN that evening. I told it that I’d pick the children up from its house on my way home from work Tuesday evening, keep them at my home all day Wednesday, and bring them to its house in ITS TOWN Thursday morning on my way to work. It was initially taken aback and was unsure whether it would agree to my suggestion. It eventually agreed, and decided that it would be better for OUR SON to remain with it in ITS TOWN as – according to it – “hand, foot and mouth disease is highly contagious.”

*At my first opportunity, I researched this disease on the Internet and discovered that hoof and mouth disease is a viral infection that afflicts animals with cloven hooves (cattle, pigs, sheep). Onset in animals is characterized by fever, followed by blisters inside the mouth and on the feet. Humans are not susceptible to hoof and mouth, but can carry and transmit the disease without even realizing it.