February 1, 2007
Child abuse is a hot topic and a scary one. Parents have been terrorized by news stories of repeat offenders turned loose time and again to prey on youngsters. As a preventive measure, anxious parents closely supervise children far later into their adolescence than was true in my day. This is the hype that LL uses and ironically LL is a child abuser. To coach children is abuse.
I am concerned and want child abuse to be stopped (Including in my own family in which LL and Nancy abuse my children). Understandable, right, but what I have learned is that any parent is targeted as the major source of child abuse by a relatively new federally funded bureaucracy known as Child Protective Services.
The pedophile who catches someone else's children and abuses them is not the focus of Child Protective Services. CPS is there to save the child from its own parents.
The explosion of false allegations is partly a result of the hysteria generated by child advocates and partly a result of the fact that federal law grants immunity to those who make false allegations of child abuse. Today false allegations are widely used to obtain sole custody in divorces, as a means for the childless to grab other people's children, and as avenues for ambitious prosecutors to create political careers.
And the crazy thing is that, even realizing that the allegations in my case are absolutely false, my children have not even made a sex abuse allegation and yet that is where the KGB is taking things. They are nuts.
Now, one of my children, Hannah, is adopted. So far she has had email contact with both of her biological parents and she has seen pictures that they have sent and she has spoken on the telephone with one of them. All this has happened slowly andnaturally and it has been driven by Hannah and her emotions have been good about it all and I have been in close collaboration with Sarah and Scottie about what they say to her. With Scottie it is somehow easier. He asked me to tell him what I wanted him to say.....He is totally cool with me just telling him what he can say and I tell him to say anything good about Hannah, that he is proud of her, that he thinks she is a great girl, that he is in Iraq and he can not see her...... Sarah is very emotional but also very understanding of the situation.

February 2, 2007
I called at 7PM. LL picked up the phone. She sounds cordial enough. It has taken her three years to be this cordial. “How are you Rena?” “Oh, fine,” she says. Then I ask her about Sofia and Hannah’s day. She tells me that they had made tie dye shirts in their after school time. Then she says “here is Hannah.”
I start out by speaking with Hannah about the cold and the snow. She confirms that she had gone to school a couple of hours later yesterday but that today she had gone at the same time as usual. Then I ask her if she knew that there had been a tornado in Florida (it’s big on the news today and Florida is one of her favorite states,) and she says that she had not but is very excited to hear this. She has been through tornado watches in Louisville and understands this concept as well. “I know how it makes a tornado!” she exclaims and then she describes how the clouds swirl around and around. I ask her if she has seen tornados in the sink or in the tub and she tells me that she has. Then I ask her if she has a book she can read to me. She does and finds a book that has three stories, only she reads them to me in a rather convoluted fashion which I will now mimic in this write up, so get ready for some mind boggling work!
The first story is about a Polar Bear and a Hare. “Do you know what a hare is, Daddy?” she asks me and I respond “yes, I do, it’s a bunny rabbit.” “Yes!” she says and then she continues to read out the story: The Polar Bear lives on a hill on the north pole and life is pretty quiet until it hears a loud cry from a Hare in a hole (or something like that.) Then Hannah explains “Ok, Daddy, I am going to read you half from each story.” I guess she has become tired of this story and goes on to the next story which is called “Bounce, Tigger, Bounce!” In this story Tigger is bouncing along and causes snow to fall on Roo’s head. “Hi, little buddy!” says Tigger and then the two of them bounce in big and tiny bounces “deep into the woods.” And then the third story is called “Muddy Soup.” It is about a girl who is drinking soup out of her thermos flask in the presence of a boy called Josh. The soup is thick and dark in color and it has beans that look like wiggly worms or pebbles… “Mummm, Mud soup is delicious!” says Rosa. Josh, who is eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, is disgusted. “Did you like that Daddy?” “Yes, Hannah I love it when you read to me on the telephone.”
“Ok, then let me read to you the other story parts too!” and she continues to read that the Hare was scared by some snow but the bear told her that “everything is alright,” and then they played tag. The Hare is too fast for the bear but then the Hare is tired and falls asleep but the brave Polar Bear stays awake to protect the Hare. And then the other story has Tigger and Roo deciding to bounce up into a tree. “Can Tiggers climb trees? No, but they can bounce in them! You see, their tails get in the way when they bounce in them.” And then these two creatures are stuck in the tree and along come Kanga and Christopher Robin (and probably also Pooh) and Christopher Robin extends his coat so that Roo can jump down but Tigger has to bounce down. And then the third story continues with Rosa meeting Josh at the Park slide and going to Rosa’s house and there in the kitchen is a hot pot of wonderful soup. Rosa calls it “Mud soup,” but it sure smells good. And in the end Josh tastes it and asks why it is called mud soup? Because it looks like Mud! “Thick and dark,” says Rosa. “Mummm, Yummy!” says Josh.
Then Hannah and I speak about the tie dye shirts they had made earlier. She describes bunching up the cloth and putting rubber bands on them and then spraying them with tye dye paint. Sofia is angry about something in the background. It seems like she has a wound or a sore or something. I ask Hannah and she tells me that she has a rash on her arm. She then tells me that LL is putting Chap Stick on the rash. I tell her that this is good and “You can put chap stick on your skin but not on your eye balls.” Suddenly Hannah says “I have the most important question to ask you.”
“Yes, Hannah.”
“Did you do peepee?”
“No, Hannah.”
Hannah repeats this again saying:
“I have the most important question to ask you.”
“Yes Hannah” I repeat.
“So you did not do Peepee?”
And then Hannah says “Yes, I know.” And the next thing I know we are talking about meeting tomorrow. She wants to know where we will meet. I told her that it was going to be a cold day and that we would probably spend most of the time inside, but just in case, she should bring a jacket so that we can go outside too. Then I can hear LL making directions to both children in the background and Hannah tells me that “I think it’s Sofia’s time.”
“I love you very much,” I say “I love you too Daddy,” she says but then she tells me that Sofia is being “naughty” and it is unlikely that Sofia will speak with me. I hear Sofia say “Daddy…” and I respond “Hey? Is that my Sofia?” and she does not respond. The next thing that I know happens is that Sofia is screaming and LL comes on the phone and tells me that she “has no idea what happened.” I described to her what had happened form my end and she tells me that Sofia will call in a little while.
At 8:00 still the phone had not rung so I called. Hannah picked up the phone. I said to Hannah “Hello Hannah, this is Daddy and I was calling back to see if I could speak with Sofia because I spoke for a long time with you but I did not speak with Sofia.” Hannah then told me that she “could not go to Sofia because she was stuck in the high chair” and that “Sofia was in time out up stairs.” I inquire why Sofia is in time out and Hannah says that “it’s because she was hitting me.” “Oh?” I say “well, do you think that if I ask Mommy first if Sofia can speak with me and Mommy says yes, that you would agree to let me speak with Sofia?” “Yes,” said Hannah. But Hannah is stuck in the high chair so I ask her some questions about the stories she had read to me. “Did the bear live on the North or the South Pole? Why was the Hare scared?” Hannah answers the first few questions and then she is quiet. I say “Hannah?” three times and then she says “I was looking at Momma.” I can hear LL approaching (I hear her steps.) Hannah says to LL “sorry.” Then LL gets on the phone and says “Sofia is not talking to anyone right now because she doesn’t want to.” Hannah is obviously right in front of her and Hannah must have been cringing. I ask LL “Does that mean that I will not be able to speak with Sofia tonight?” and she says “She is in time out. And when she is ready to talk with you then she will.” I can hear a great deal of stress in LL’s voice. She explains that she has a lot of things to do and that she “can not talk with me at that point.” I have already accrued a huge understanding from Hannah and so I have gotten all that I can gallantly get from this telephone interaction and so I say “Ok, Rena, bye-bye.” She hangs up. I imagine the thoughts running through Hannah’s head as she sits in the high chair – I think she is under strict Lasky orders to sit in the high chair while Sofia is in time out, locked “upstairs.” The reason for all this hell is that LL has been trying to coach the children again to make statements to the effect that I abused them. This is why Hannah asked me about the allegations and probably why Sofia behaved as she did, knowing that LL would be pleased, that she would gain points with LL, if she refused to speak with me – apparently it is that being in Time out is better because then she is excused by all parties. What do you want to bet that tomorrow she will apologize for not being able to speak with me and tell me that she is in time out?” (That would be the third time it happens the last time was in December or November of last year.)

February 2, 2007
Dear Lorena,
What is going on with your attempts to make an appointment with LeeAnn. Please remember that I sent you an email to make an appointment without worrying about me because I will make it.
Thank you,
Allan

February 2, 2007
Dear John,
I have sad news about my job in Memphis: The school did not open. On Monday we were told to go home. The school will open, they say, in several months and we are laid off until then. The school does not have enough money to open right now and the fire marshal did not OK the buildings....
I got paid for the time I worked and I paid $550 child support and now I am now heading back to Louisville. I have not told my X.
Allan


February 2, 2007: For the second time, I send Richard a simple question. It is not surprising that Richard never responded to the email the first time – he doesn’t care. He is such a looser (professionally) that the only reason I am sending him this is so that he may experience his self.
Dear Richard,
Tomorrow you will not be present with Sofia and Hannah. Would it be possible for me to speak to Alicia, the person who is replacing you?
Allan

February 3, 2007
Today I am scheduled to spend time with my children. I am not sure that they knew this yesterday when I spoke with them. They would have brought it up? So there are two interesting aspects to our time together tomorrow. The first is that the children have been recently coached and the second is that there is going to be a completely new person – a person who is entirely ignorant of this case -- present. This new person, Alicia, will need a great deal of help if shit flies, if either Sofia or Hannah say things that are a reaction to being coached or consequent to coaching. Of course, from the solid perspective of a social scientist, I can not provide that. I can only be myself and see how the universe unfolds: Hope that Alicia calls CPS to make a complaint against LL (something plastic Richard never did although he had plenty of reasons.) Then again, maybe nothing will happen?


February 3, 2007

I arrived early at Day’s café. I called Richard to remind him that it would be nice if the person who is replacing him today and I could meet before Hannah and Sofia arrive – but I had to leave a message on his answering machine since he never picks up his phone. In fact, I believe he has picked up the phone only two times for me in the years he has been involved in the case. I am polite to Richard but it must be said that if he and I were in reversed roles and I treated him like he treats me that he would be very angry and rightly so. For example, it is a terrible fact that Richard is a liar. The numerous times that he has said that he would do something and hasn’t is fantastic. For example, he promised that he would bring copies of the reports to the zoo and didn’t. When I asked him, he shrugged his shoulders and with a smug expression on his face said “I forgot.” I am still in the blue about whether he has provided Helmers with the reports that he promised to send to Helmers weeks ago. He told me on many occasions that he supports unsupervised visits but then he told Craig Hansen that “he sees no reason for either supervised or unsupervised and so can not make a recommendation either way,” and in effect what he has tried to do is pander to all parties and has been a terrible impediment to progress. But, the list of promises he has made to me is endless and many very poignant lies.

At 2:00PM I heard my daughters! I was just then writing LL an email. LL came with them. But where was Alicia? Alicia arrived 20 minutes late! It was an opportunity for LL and I to manifest decent behavior to one another. LL could not contain herself! She bossed me around, pretending to need to protect the children and all that crap. I obliged in an Allan way, went outside looking for Alicia and then came back. I showed Hannah and Sofia how to use the computer to watch videos of themselves and then of ‘Stripes’, which kept them nicely entertained until LL spotted Alicia. I went to get her. Alicia did not care about anything: She excused herself at a distant table and pulled out her laptop and checked her email while Hannah, Sofia and I watched videos and made paper airplanes. At one point Sofia and I went outside and Alicia did not care to follow us. We stayed outside for five minutes and then returned to join Hannah who was happy watching stripes. Her favorite part was when the goose took the motorcycle to pieces.
As we walked then to a convenience store we talked about the temperature and noted that in the shade the ice had not melted but in the sun it had turned to water. Each child selected one item to buy and then I gave them the money so that they could purchase the items on their own. We made a funny video outside and then returned to the car (but we left my coffee cup on the other side of the street and picked it up on our way on.) We picked up the laptop and went to Heinebrothers café to watch the video we had just made. Hannah then become most intrigued to watch the video ‘Stripes,” and indeed she carried the laptop back to Days Coffee shop with ‘Stripes’ running. Lorena arrived fifteen minutes late and I recorded her picking up the children on video. I remember at quarter past the hour, detecting that Alicia was talking with LL on the phone but otherwise she gave no indication of care. Sofia and Hannah had already expressed many times that they did not want our time together to end and were not happy that Mommy was going to pick them up so soon… and yes, I think LL was a stressed basket case. Alicia didn’t appear to be paying attention to anything. She left even before LL and the children had gone. There is a remote possibility that she was sneakily observing us but I doubt it. I think she is a nincompoop of incredible high order. I don’t care for me but for other ‘supervisory’ roles she must suck. In a way, it is sad that she was there and did not pay attention. She would have made a good witness.
“Why are you so harsh on people?” Dawn-Michelle asked me later. “Harsh? What? after they have done to my children I am gentle.”

At 7:00PM and at 8:00PM I tried to call my children and no one answered the phone. I called Nancy’s house too and left a nice message asking that Sofia be able to call me.

February 4, 2007
I awoke with a start. Tomorrow is the first of the hearings: tomorrow is the sentencing.
9:40AM I tried to call my children at LL’s number but the phone just rang interminably.
I was never able to speak with either of my children today, I called at 7:00, 7:30 and 8:00PM.

February 5, 2007
Dear Richard,
Please continue to schedule parenting time.
Allan

February 5, 2007
My children are afraid to speak with me on the phone. This has alwaus been true but it has become much more the case recently. Hannah acted like she was in for a beating when LL approached her and asked her who she was talking to. I ended up being able to speak with both Sofia and Hannah for sixteen minutes before they had to leave for LL’a belly dancing since there was no baby sitter.
“Oh I wish I could be your baby sitter,” I said.
“Yes, Daddy, this hurts all of us.” Responded Sofia.
But the conversation went well: I started with Hannah who has recently transitioned into a new developmental phase and is now very fluid on the telephone. Sofia continues to be her usual bubbly self. Sofia looked at several Nancy Drew books on her book shelf and picked the one that is called “Mystery on Crocodile Island.” She had not managed to speak out but the first sentence when the telephone call had to be cut short.

February 6, 2007
Mediation yielded nothing.
Helmer says: “In getting ready for today I spoke at length with Lorena’s lawyer, last week I spoke with Richard, and with Leeann and I want to let you know where they are coming from and Richard says look there is nothing that would indicate to me that Allan presents any threat to the kids ticki tacky stuff that would be considered different parenting styles that I am more loose that LL is more controlling but nothing that rises I cooperate the kids love me there is no indication of any feat he is dissatisfied with LL = and her refrains of this and off the record he is very disagreeing with Dial and Crumbo and with the time that he has spent with me and the girls there are no safety concerns and I have told mason that and also that conference calling Richard into the early parts of the mediation, e very single fucking syllable form every sentence has her perspective and her perspective we all live in different mental worlds. Leeann says that we are both enormously frustrating to deal with that we can not co parent and that I have my agenda you are more overt in my dissatisfaction with other people certainly more vocal long winded, LL has her own agenda and has not been compliant and believes that there will always be problems and she believes that any order needs to be written in stone and in that it needs to be incapable of multiple, interpretations. Leeann has issues with both of us and helps not, she things she can not help us. She backs to a certain degree Dial and Crumbo.

Today: we are working bill Blackburn,
I thought it was Fitzgerald.
Both of them are strong which is I think well in mediations and I don’t really have many use for limp mediators. Today is an opportunity not to win but rather to. I can’t imagine that we will have a productive session. Because I think we need Richard at the start. I do this: especially in break out sessions. The mediator is down in the conference room and over here we are laying out ideas and counter offers, let’s talk about the trial and the ups and down s of going to trials because I need to be presented with settlement versus trial – what does it mean and the negatives. Don’t want any small talk.
Give me the agreement will need to say this is what the expectations of LL are and Allan are. If there are problems the xyz happen built in ramifications. Del;atus inherent in the system and the lack of a reasonable tie breaker, judge walker has been parenthetical in the handling of the case because she has been too slow= the option that is available to me is to have a parenting coordinator who is a proiveate judge who if no one. And Kim and Ginger

I have to move slowly
This is going to go solid.
Patience wins the day.
I am going to ask you suppress for the purposes of today. I t just doesn’t help you today. He has an ability to sway. He is not going to act as an effective advocate for you if you think that you are. “
Games people play. I am not going to be the heavy.”

Any questions?

Richard this is John Helmers I am here on the Lasky-Headrick case and I need to speak with you before the meeting so could you please call me before the meeting starts.

Helmers describes the limitless functions of the family coordinator and their function with silly home details.

My real problem with Helmers right now is that he does not care for the Judge Patti Walker Fitzgerald and indeed is blaming her for putting things on the back burner.

The bond money will come back says Helmers.

Helmers signs two documents one of which allows Kim dials crap to enter into the courts proceedings – he says there is no way we can stop it. And the other of which allows all documents of any kind and nature to enter into the custody proceedings.

I went to the DA’s office to find out about the check for 550.00 and indeed it is good and posted and all is clear and life is OK. 1:19PM Mason Trenaman appears and is escorted to the conference room where I am located and then suddenly Helmers appears and escorts him away to have a secret talk. I follow along and they are talking about bottles of alcohol. Games people play.
.
!:26PM Helmers and Trenaman are shooting the bull in the back ground and life is a stupid, pedantic and heavy hell hole. By the way, I am very disappointed with Helmers so far. He has not learned the nature of this case.

1:28 LL arrives.
“Oh Rena, how are you?”
“Just fine,” she says.
“Oh, I’m glad you are doing just fine,” I say. I know that she is a front. She looks busy in her thoughts and then says “I am actually late. I was supposed to meet him. Have you seen Maaon?”
“Yes,” I respond matter of fact and LL is already out the door with Mason and John.
1:31 Blackburn arrives, introduces himself, we shake hand, say “good to see you.”

LL is busy in her thoughts and then says “I still need to make a call to the school – make sure the kids have someone to pick them up.” Then I hear LL on the phone say “Hi Cary, I just wanted to make sure that CEP is running and that the children will be there until until the normal hour too.” And “Oh great, I just wanted to check on that.” And then when she enters the conference room I hear her say “Oh great, coffee sounds great.”

Trenaman decides the sitting arrangement. Then he talks about the snow. Lorena wants to know if we are addressing “only the visitation issue.” Trenaman says we can address anything we want. Treneman has a bullish personality and fucks things up and Helmers points this out to him.

Mediator: I want you to reach clarity but it can be hard to reach that point of clarity and the truth may hurt and bear in mind that this is not because we, myself and mason and John are here. If there is pressure it does not come from us. This is the nature of the beast.

Mason: I think it is a generally agreed upon notion that these parties are not easily going to come to any agreements during this session.
Allan: May I respond to that?
Mediator: But let me start by asking you some questions first: When did you marry?

LL: May 31, 1988 (LL provides the official date and I do not argue.)
Mediator: When did you separate?
LL: October..
Mason interrupts with some legal jargon which is pure crap and then John adds to the crap and then I say:
A: Rena was answering and I am fine with her answer so can you just let her answer?
Mediator: Yes.
LL: October 20, 2002.
Mediator: and when did you divorce?
LL: answers.
Mediator: Who brought us back here?
Helmers: Let me provide a synopsis: Divorce was litigated in Texas, A dependency issue was litigated in Kentucky after the parties had moved from South America. And then under the Uniform Child Custody Act… Fitzgerald dismisses the petitions. The important players in this case are Ricahrd Nassr, LeeAnn Gardenr, Kim Dial and Ginger Crumbo.
Mediator: Ok how many children do you have?
LL: 2
Allan: 2
Mediator: and when were they born
LL: Sofia was born, on September 10, 1998
Allan: And Hannah was born on April 23rd, 2000
Mediator: And you have seen a counseling therapist?
LL: Yes and I don’t thingk this has been useful and so it does not seem important for us to meet.
Mediator: How many times have you seen her?
LL: About six times.
Mediator: And Allan do you agree with that?
Allan: We have seen her very few times. Maybe six.
Mediator: Ok, we will listen to what ever you have to say. It may be that one of your lawyers may intercede and unless you state otherwise, I am going to assume that you are in agreement with what your lawyer states. It happens that clients then complain that something is their lawyer’s statement and they disagree with them without indicating. Also, please note that agreements are tentative until there is a complete package and so in the event that you agree on something small or do not agree, do not feel that this means that the mediation should not continue. Litigation is cost prohibitive.

And then Lorena and I start talking about something little: talking with the children on the telephone. Lorena agrees that I am to be able to speak with Sofia and Hannah three times a week but she is somewhat wishy washy about when and how long it happens and then she says that she would prefer to change it from Monday, Wednesday and Friday to Sunday, Wednesday and Friday….

LL is trying to explain the telephone conversations I have with Sofia and Hannah happen naturally and he is no hindernis to their realization. This is an absolute lie.

The mediator asks me if I agree to the three calls per week idea and I respond “At the very least we would then be subscribing to the Judge’s orders.”

LL explains that I had not been able to speak with Sofia and Hannah since Sofia had been in time out.

The mediator is frustrated with not understanding what the point of agreeing on anything is if there is no way to check on it being realized.

The mediator tries to suggest that we can communicate by emailing one another. I wish that could work! I think it is clear that this does not work because LL does not let it work. “I agreed to one email per week,” she said. She was talking about an event with Craig Hansen to which I could not possibly agree. This was two years ago!

Then Helmers interceded and tried to explain that LL accuses me of sexually abusing my children. He referred to this as the 800lb gorilla. The mediator asked LL “Do you believe that Allan seually abused the children?” and LL nodded her head. “And so you want supervised visits?” the mediator continued and LL said “yes.” I asked LL why and she said “the lie detector test.”

Mediator: For how long do you want supervision?
LL did not know how to respond so trenaman stepped in and said that the therapists would be best able to answer that question. Trenaman continued to say that the therapists believe that the children are at high risk with Allan. He then went on to say that the therapists do not want to communicate with Allan because they consider me to be unreasonable and to act inappropriately. He claimed that the therapists tried to communicate with Allan and that it didn’t work.

LL explained that she wanted to defer to the therapists because they had already threatened to call CPS on her for endangering the children by letting them be with me. What a twist! Don’t those crazy therapists realize the extent to which LL is using them? The therapists are doing LL’s work for her.

I explained that Kim Dial and Ginger Crumbo had told me that only if I lie then I can be integrated in the rehabilitation program to be with my children.

Helmers states that Richard Nassr has seen none of the risk factors and there is no fear and indeed Allan and his children have an outstanding relationship.

Trenaman steps in and says that “Allan does not like Seven Counties.”
I tell Trenaman that he should not put words into my mouth. I tell him that he had done so at the court hearing and asked him to desist. He responded like a pit bull dog on the attack: “Ok, then you like seven counties and let me write up the agreement that you will work with them and you can sign it.” I did not flinch. I said “I have tried continuously to span the dialectic chasm between myself and seven counties. I have engaged in discourse, dialog and conversation with them. Seven counties had at one point wanted me to take part in a program and I had agreed to do so but not admitting that I had abused my children. Then Seven Counties had taken back it’s offer. In the end, it is not possible to work with Seven Counties.”

The Mediator asked LL “What does Allan have to do in order to get unsupervised visits?” LL says that I have to satisfy the requirements posited by Seven Counties. How confortable for her that she has them! Lorena defers to the therapists.

Lorena went on to say that Seven Counties is changing insurance companies and it may be that….






I called Craig Hansen to let him know that nothing had evolved and to ask him if he could write something to mitigate the unilateral impact of what he had written (he has written only derogatory things about my children and me.)

I called my children and was able to speak with Sofia but then BANG the phone line was cut off after 45 minutes and I was then not able to speak any more – the phone rang interminably.
But here is a description of that telephone conversation: It started with us recalling that we had left off in the “Crocodile Mystery” Nancy Drew book but then Sofia could no longer find it and so we decided to look at other things to converse. Hannah was watching a movie called “Ghost Busters” with Mommy and Sofia took her mobile phone down stairs and we started inventing our own school. We invented a whole school with all the rules of conduct, the referrals, the teachers (Hannah was the Spanish teacher, Sofia was the Principal and the substitute teacher…) I told Sofia that I knew she was doing well in school (LL had told me that she had been admitted to the AP program) and then we calculated that a couple of dogs who have two dogs ever generation will have a family 22 dogs large by the third generation. Sofia added all the people in her family together, and then I had to help her add all the people in my side of the family together. At 7:44PM we were cut off.


February 7 2007
I went to court and waited until I was the last on the docket list. Why? Because Helmers was not there. I called three times to try and locate him and even the Judge called him but he could not be found. He literally disappeared – which is strange because I had been with him the day before and he had assured me that we would talk about the mediation hearing today as well as deal with the court issue. The Judge told me that she did not advise me to speak. I spoke anyhow. I told her that I had just come in from Texas. I told her that there was a difficult custody case taking place in the family court on the 16th.


February 7, 2007
7:00PM I called my children at LL’s. The phone rang interminably.
7:15 again the same
7:45PM LL calls me on her cell phone and it appears as an unknown number on my cell phone and she tells me that their telephone does not seem to be working and so now, finally, after (bleep) years of asking for her to use her cell phone for me to be able to speak to my children (it matters not where they are) she concedes. The telephone conversation starts with Hannah but then the cell phone is put on speaker phone and I am talking to both my children together. It is a happy conversation. I start by asking them about insect and then go on to skin issues and then… here are some of the topics that we broached:

1 Fleas, found in cracks in the floor, rugs and pet’s fur: cause small bumps that look like a hive. Often in groups where clothes fit tightly
2 Bedbugs, found in cracks of floors, walls etc and in the bedding. Cause itchy red bumps surrounded by a red blister, usually two or three in a row.
3 Fire ants, mounds in pastures and lawns, cause immediate pain and swelling.
4 Bees and wasps, flowers and shrubs and picnic areas – can leave you with a hard time breathing and spread through out the world.
5 Ticks in wooded areas: hidden in air or skin – pull out with tweezers.
6 Sunburn
7 Asbestos – until 1970’s in schools as fireproofer.
8 Carbon monoxide – exhaust from any motor that uses gasoline but not from a motor that uses electricity.
9 Global warming – because of carbon dioxide. Makes the atmosphere hotter.


Mentioned that she and I had been cut off during our last telephone conversation. She said that she had kept talking and had no idea that the telephone had been cut off. I told her that I had tried to call her back. Neither of us knew what had happened. (It must have been LL.) Sofia And then I read them a children’s story that I found on line about a bed time routine. LL cut us off and Sofia was obviously unhappy. LL has to rule like an authoritarian. Like her own mother. She can otherwise not contain the distrust and explosive nature of her daughters.

February 7, 2007
Well I went to court and Helmers never appeared so the Judge said that I had to return tomorrow. This is pretty outstanding of Helmers.

February 8, 2007
Dear Lorena,
I am emailing you because the mediator thought this was a good way to exchange information.

As you must have heard (in the Wednesday call) Sofia was not cool with the way the telephone conversation on Tuesday was cut off. I tried calling back that Tuesday and no one picked up the phone. I called right back, which means that Sofia probably was still holding the phone in her hand and yet in Tuesday's conversation she gave no indication of knowing that the telephone had been ringing. What do you conclude?

And then yesterday, I called at 7:00PM, 7:15PM and 7:30PM -- the phone rang interminably and no one picked it up. (I let it ring about 6 times and then hang it up.) Then, you called me on your cell phone and I was able to speak with my children on your speaker phone. This happened in spite of your having told LeeAnn that I could not speak with the children on your cell phone... So, I am glad that you changed your mind, but what kept you from doing so for so long? This is the first time that I speak with Sofia and Hannah with them on your cell phone. Your cell phone number came up UNKNOWN on my cell phone.

Finally, the way you terminated the telephone conversation (the three of us were having) obviously made Sofia unhappy. It was abrupt, sudden and without notice. Can you please find a better way to terminate telephone conversations? I know that Craig Hansen has given you advice on this matter.
Thank you,
Allan

February 8, 2007
I called Richard Nassr to make sure there was a plan for me to see my children this weekend. I left a message.

February 8, 2007 I got a job. I will be a janitor at an old people’s home. Now I have to find a way to live near there cheap. It is very close to Nancy’s house.

February 8, 2007
I came to Helmer’s office half an hour before the court hearing. He was at his office but he was busy. Eventually he came in and he did apologize, but it was cursory and almost insignificant. He said “I’m sorry I stood you up.” I told him it was alright and I presumed that he had obtained my note from the day before stating as much. Then he sat down and pretended to be serious: Helmers wants to know if we should have LeeAnn Gardner testify. The problem with LeeAnn is that she is friendly with the crap from the KGB. LeeAnn thinks that “Allan and LL are both very difficult people to work with” and that “we both have agenda’s.” She has insinuated both to me and told Helmers that she is partial to the ideas espoused by Kim and Ginger. Why? On the basis of what? She has NEVER seen me with the children. When I asked her she said “they are professionals.” I felt cornered. That is not fair. Anyhow, Helmers came to me and asked me if I wanted LeeAnn on the stand: These are the kinds of questions for which LeeAnn might be good.
1. Who would you say is or was more interested in meeting with you: Allan or Lorena?
2. If it is true that Allan felt that you were only 1% useful, why do you think he felt that way?
3. How many times per month or per week would Allan have wanted to have you provide therapy to the two?
4. How many times per week would LL have wanted to have ou provide therapy to the two?
5. What did Lorena state were the reasons why she wanted Allan to have supervised visits during the therapy sessions?
6. Do those reasons seem reasonable to you?
7. Does it seem reasonable to you that Allan should still be supervised?
8. Did you speak with Richard Nassr? What was the outcome of those conversations?
9. What did you experience as Allan’s greatest frustrating factor?
10. What is your understanding of the purpose you were to fulfill in meeting with Allan and Lorena?
11. Did Allan want you to meet with Sofia and Hannah?
12. Did Allan want you to observe the parenting styles of each parent?
13. Did Allan come therapists of the children?
14. Do you think that if you have been given the job of assigning custody to the children and had been able to look at all the many facets involved (including speaking with Allan’s therapist) that Allan would not have been so frustrated with you? Do you think that LL would have been more frustrated with you?
15. Did you speak with Allan’s Therapist?
16. Did you speak with the children’s therapist?
17. Did you speak with Lorena’s therapist?
18. Who else did you speak with (Richard Nassr included.)
19. And so is there anything else upon which your understanding of this case is made?
20. Thank you.
21.
I told Helmers that I would tell him if I wanted Leeann to be present at the hearing by 5PM today.

Then I went to court. I waited for Helmers and he appeared at 1:52. To the best of my mathematical abilities that calculates to be fifty two minutes late. At that point he walked by me as I was typing on the laptop and sauntered into some lawyer office. At 1:52 he wandered past me again, this time going into the court room. A minute later, when the court room door opened I saw him coming out and we made eye contact – the nature of his expression lead me to believe that he had known I was there and was looking for someone else, presumably the state prosecutor.
Finally we appeared before the Judge and I got a sentence of conditional discharge and notice of conditions. The document states that a notice of conviction is hereby entered against you for violation of KRS530.050. I am hereby sentenced to 361 days , imprisonment, however this sentence is conditionally discharged for a period of two years on condition that you comply with the conditions set out below:
1. Not commit another criminal offense. Work faithfully at suitable employment as far as possible.
2. Notify the clerk of my address and of any changes.
3. Pay child support in the sum of $150/week. The first payment is due tomorrow, Feb 9, 007
4. All payments must be made to the DA.
5. Pay $127 court costs by April 27, 2007
Then there is a bunch of signatures (mine, the judge, Helmers, the assistant Jefferson County attorney recommending sentence.)

February 8, 2007
I called LeeAnn and let her know how disappointed I was in her work. She has restricted her work (with Craig Hansen’s endorsement, she said) so much that she was not actually able to help. I told her that I had spoken with Helmers and he had told me that he did not know if it was worth the while to have LeeAnn Gardener. I told LeeAnn that it was as bad to falsely accuse and she went even farther and said that the children were in even worse shape than they would be if they had been abused, (since) they have been coached. She thought that this crime was worse than the crime of actual abuse of the children – that being to coach children, use them, for this purpose. I am grateful to LeeAnn for introducing me to thinking of LL and Nancy as being even worse than pedophyles. I called her back and left a message that I needed her to come to court.

7:00PM I call LL. Of course she had already admitted to me that the telephone at her house does not work, but I tried it anyway. Then again today is Thursday.

February 8, 2007
Dear Scottie,
Where are you? How are you? I have attached a picture of Hannah, your biological daughter. She is a great child!
Your brother All


February 8, 2007
I have been to court three times this week. I have gotten a job at the Episcopal Church/old people’s home. I understand that this is not going to be a challenging job. That I will be completely unchallenged and un-intrigued by the menial nature of the job, but it has two great qualities to it. First, it pays me money – which is better than anything else right now and I will be able to state as much in court, at the custody hearing. Helmers does not think I have a chance of getting any kind of custody at this next hearing. He is going to file a number of motions, the most important one is that the issue of child abuse can not be re-litigated. When this was filed in the Texas case, it was rejected by the Judge. I do not know what will happen this time. “You are not allowed to take two bites out of the same apple,” has not been true.
I call Kelly, do you think she can help?
I call Michelle, do you think she can help? I left messages with both.
Peter offers to help.


February 9, 2007
“Un Segundo mas de vida yo a dios le pido,” elates me.

February 9, 2007
I called my children at 7:00PM to now avail – the phone just rang, and I kept calling every fifteen minutes until the hour was over and each time the phone simply rang.

February 9, 2007

12:30 PM Richard Nassr called. He complained that LL takes her time to respond to his requests and that he still has not heard from her regarding my children and I seeing each other this week end. Richard confirmed that he had been subpoenaed and that Helmers was going to give him a courtesy call one hour before he was to appear on the stand – so that I would not be worried if he does not show up in court. I told Richard that progress in this case depends entirely on him. Regarding Alicia, “there was no finding,” he said and that seemed really sad to me because there should have been the finding of excellent parenting. Richard said the he did not think that Helmers was worried – that I should not be worried, the things will probably go my way. Sally Brenzle can interview all the parties, I have an appointment only available at 9:30AM tomorrow morning. I agree to meet at Bob Evans and Newburg Lane. “I’m in bed by 9:30PM” Richard says, and I can tell that he is afraid that LL will not respond to his request on time.

February 9, 2007
Dear Daddy,
I was sentenced today. This is what the document says:

Finally we appeared before the Judge and I got a sentence of conditional discharge and notice of conditions. The document states that a notice of conviction is hereby entered against you for violation of KRS530.050. I am hereby sentenced to 361 days , imprisonment, however this sentence is conditionally discharged for a period of two years on condition that you comply with the conditions set out below:
1. Not commit another criminal offense. Work faithfully at suitable employment as far as possible.
2. Notify the clerk of my address and of any changes.
3. Pay child support in the sum of $150/week. The first payment is due tomorrow, February 9, 2007
4. All payments must be made to the DA.
5. Pay $127 court costs by April 27, 2007

Then there is a bunch of signatures (mine, the judge, Helmers, the assistant Jefferson County attorney recommending sentence.)
The Judge also ruled that you get your bond money back.

Ok, so what does this mean? It means a few things:
1. I now have a misdemeanor on my record.
2. It may be expunged in due course.
3. The child support payments were reduced by $50/month from the last hearing.
4. I must continue to pay this until the family court hearing states otherwise and if the family court reduces the child support payments then it is retroactive to the day I went to jail. If the family court increases, it's the same thing?

The family court hearing is on the 16th I think but it might be the 13th.

I got a job today working in an Episcopal Church.
Lots of love,
Allan

February 9, 2007
Allan, Is the child support payment of $150/week or $150/month? If it is by the week, then it amounts to almost $665/month, which is more than you have had to pay before, if I am not mistaken. Also, how does this amount compare to your salary at the Episcopal Church? Please mail or fax me a copy of that court order.

Let me know what transpired at your mediation.

Do you still have the list of points to be covered at the Family Court hearing? If not, I will send it to you. There have been too many hearings at which one or two points get decided, and the rest is left up in the air. This time, please make sure you and Helmers cover all the points. I wrote to Helmers that, if he decides to write a motion in preparation for the Family Court hearing, I would be glad to make my comments.

Your Dad

February 9, 2007
Lorena has hired a bullish lawyer, Mason Trenaman.

February 10, 2007
Allan,
As I explained to you Wed when I called you on my cell phone so that you could speak to the children, my land line is not working. I am not sure if it is the line or the phone units, but probably the line.
We will call you tomorrow on my cell phone after the kids get home from their sleepover which will be at 12:00pm.
I left a message with Richard letting him know that the 9:30am time would not work.
If a slot comes open for Sunday or late Saturday, we could probably do that. Let me know if there are other options. Again, the children had this planned before Richard tentatively scheduled the am for a visit. Until late this week, there was no discussion at all about a visit. We never said and the court order never said there had to be a visit this weekend--I have just been saying yes each time asked. I still would have accommodated this weekend had the time worked out.
I am most in favor of every other weekend as is usual for divorced parents. I think it would be fine for you to do a Sat visit & a Sun visit --2 in one weekend--as long as we are on the every other weekend schedule. Think about that idea to see if you agree with it before we meet on Tuesday.
Let me know if any other times open up for visits this weekend, Lorena
February 10, 2007
Yes--we are going to trial on Tuesday. The visit tomorrow morning will not work with the children's schedule. Lorena
February 10, 2007
Dear Allan,
Sofia did not display distress at all about the Tuesday call. She only mentioned in passing that you got cut off mid-sentence. Meanwhile, you got to talk to her a good while before that happened. She mentioned it again during your Wednesday call in order to pick up where you left off. She did not sound upset to me.
I called on the cell phone because my regular land line is inoperable. I told this to you at the beginning of the call--you act like you do not know this. I do not have to explain to you why I did not use my cell phone in the past--the regular phone worked just fine. You are choosing to pick at issues rather than being happy that you got a phone call despite the phone line not working. The children were not in the least bit unhappy about getting off of the phone. They were excited and in a good mood all evening. They continued to giggle & have fun all the way to bed. They had a 5 minute warning about getting off of the phone & were quite eager to comply. I then said "one more minute" and Sofia chose to say "I gotta go daddy" and hang up right then without taking the minute.
Allan

Now how does one respond to this? I considered that both the fact that LL is preventing the children and I from meeting this weekend and the fact that she is suggesting that I get to see the children at most every fortnight and the fact that she addresses the last email to me with “Dear Allan,” (for the first time in two years?) and I also note that Sofia sounded very morose when she said “gotta go Daddy,” and the fact that she did not take the extra minute indicates the pressure that she experiences with LL about speaking with me… calls for the following response.

She may be softening, or she may have been drunk… the kids are at a sleepover and it’s Friday night and the emails she sent today she sent late at night. I got them after midnight and the third email was sent at 12:56AM!

February 10, 2007
Dear Sofia, Mommy and Hannah,
The attached ‘snoopyism’ is for you.
Lots of Love,
Daddy

The ‘snoopyism’ is in the February 2007 folder. And then, I address what needs to be taken care of in LL’s emails:

February 10, 2007
Dear Lorena,
Do you agree that Sofia did not display happiness? She was certainly sad, she sounded morose as she said "I gotta go Daddy."
Thanks for making your cell phone available. I am only stating that many telephone calls may have happened in the past if your cell phone had been available in the past -- for all the times you were not at home at the appointed time.
Please keep trying to call me if I do not pick up the phone the first time -- just in case. As you know, I do not have your number so there is no way that I can call you if (god forbid!) I miss the one call.
I believe that children need both their parents. Furthermore, in our case, the distance that has been forced on my children, calls for more frequent meetings between Sofia, Hannah and me than the once/fortnight you are suggesting.
Thank you for sending me three emails so very late last night.
Allan


.
February 10, 2007
Thanks for the follow-up Allan. I attempted to schedule this appointment well in advance of our contract goal (24 hours). On Friday, I left three messages for Lorena requesting that she confirm this appointment. She returned the call once (I was interviewing at the time) but never left a message. See you Tuesday. Richard

February 10, 2007
Richard, I left a message for you last night around 7 or 8pm. Did you get it?
Lorena Lasky
LL and Richard are at odds about whether a message was left or not. Well, who are you more likely to believe? You know, LL’s is a funny way to respond to Richard: Richard is clear about making three attempts and getting a call with no message from LL. LL then responds in a manner that seems to indicate that she did not read his email and contradicts Richard.

It’s possible that LL is somewhat schizoid. Last night I was taken by the fact that she wrote (even if in her drunkenness) ‘Dear Allan,’ and now I see that she is on her deliberate war path – a path she feels she must take to protect herself from Seven Counties? That is a new twist.

I wonder what this trip is like for someone like LL who hangs her hopes on lies and is now always trying to wiggle worm more time with protection clauses and ‘potential this that and the other’ measures? What is she hoping for? Nuts! (and evil.)

Well, do you recall that LL had stated in an email February 10, 2007 (after midnight last night) that

We will call you tomorrow on my cell phone after the kids get home from their sleepover which will be at 12:00pm.

Well, I never got that call. After waiting over an hour, I called LeeAnn and Richard to let them know that not only had my children not been able to see me this morning but their telephone interaction had been lost.

1:10PM Michelle, Justice’s mother called me. She wanted to know why I had called her and left messages asking for her help. I told her that I needed character references and preferably from a woman and a mother. She told me she would think about it and that she would call me tomorrow. This is a complicated situation for her for two reasons: The first is that she herself is caught in her own divorce, the second is that her friend Jen is close to Rebecca Lasky and has invited her to think of me as she otherwise would not.

February 10, 2007: At 1:04 Richard sent this email and I got it at 1:30PM and Richard is finally holding on:
No, Lorena, I didn't receive your message. Just as well though, I assumed you couldn't do it when I didn't hear from you. I regret that my schedule has become so limited. Richard


February 10, 2007: Farfar writes a letter to Helmers.
February 10, 2007

John H. Helmers, Jr., Esq.
Helmers Demuth & Walton

Ref. Allan Lasky-Headrick

Dear John:

After the school in Memphis for which Allan had been appointed as director failed to open for lack of funds, Allan attended a job lair last week and the best he could find was a job at an Episcopal Church, where he sweeps and mops and vacuum cleans for about $900 a month. He is required by the terms of his suspended sentence to remain employed, but his present job is no solution, either to his own need to be economically self-sustaining, much less for the need he has to contribute to the support of his children.

In Texas an attempt was made to have the judge make a finding of fact that Allan had not sexually abused his children in Paraguay, so as to enable him to take a teaching job in Texas, but that attempt failed. Lorena indicated her objection to it, and the judge made no finding of fact. I believe the present situation warrants another attempt to clear the air on this matter. As you know, Lorena (or perhaps another person acting for her) has been informing the school authorities in Louisville that Allan has committed (or is accused of having committed) sexual abuse against his daughters, with the result that Allan is unable to apply for a teaching job and that even substitute teaching, which he was able to do when he first came to Louisville, has also been blocked.

If Allan is adequately to support his children, it is necessary for him to have a teaching job or an administrative position with school, which pays a decent salary. To that end, the air must be cleared in respect of his alleged sexual abuse. Any attempt to obtain a ruling from the judge, to the effect that there is not sufficient evidence to warrant a finding that sexual abuse was committed, will be strenuously resisted by Lorena and by the therapists she has employed, but it worth a try, if only for the sake of the children. You have a “laundry list” of matters to be raised at the February 13 hearing, and Allan will update that list with the change in his employment situation. To that list, I suggest you add a request for a ruling that there is not sufficient evidence to warrant a finding to support the allegation that Allan committed sexual abuse against his daughters. Such a finding of fact may help him get a teaching job.

That issue, together with Allan’s right to be with his children without supervision, will be the main bones of contention at the hearing. Load your guns and wear your heaviest armor when you go into that battle.

Sincerely yours,

William C. Headrick

January 4, 2007
To John Helmers, Esq.

I suggest that the following matters should be dealt with at the February custody hearing. The aim of this list of points is to have a custody decree which is as complete as possible, for the present and the foreseeable future.

Lorena and Allan would retain joint custody, under the terms described below. The terms of their joint custody will be supported by the testimony of Richard Nassr and the letter of Dr. Raymond Hawkins, who evaluated Allan during eight or more sessions in the early part of 2005, which he attended in order to comply with the condition in the decree of Judge Dietz allowing him certain visitation rights. If the terms described below are not substantially granted, then Allan requests that another hearing be scheduled in six months for the purpose of reviewing the parenting situation.

1) On 4 days of the seven day week, Allan will have his children from 4PM until 8PM. If Allan and Lorena can not agree to the days of the week, then the days will be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

2) On days when Allan has parenting time, the children would be picked up at Lorena’s home and returned there at the end of the visit, unless Lorena and Allan agreed on another location.

3) All parenting would be without supervision.

4) During the week, as in the past, Allan would be allowed three telephone conversations with each of the children, on any day the children do no see Allan, lasting approximately 20 minutes with each child. The conversations are to take place between 7:00 and 7:30 p.m., unless the parents agreed on a different time. The telephone calls could be initiated by either parent. Allan shall also have the right to send emails to the children. It will be the responsibility of Lorena to bring these emails to the attention of the children and to facilitate their replies.

4B) Lorena would be allowed three telephone conversations with each of the children, on any day the children are with Allan, lasting approximately 20 minutes with each child. The telephone calls could be initiated by either parent. Lorena shall also have the right to send emails to the children. It will be the responsibility of Allan to bring these emails to the attention of the children and to facilitate their replies.


5) If for any reason Allan is unable to be with the children for the amount of time allotted to him on any week or to have the prescribed telephone conversations, the time missed could, at his option, be made up on the following week or, in the case of the telephone conversations, during the following week.

5B) Same as above for Lorena.

6) Allan would have possession of the children during the second half of the school vacations. During vacations, Lorena would have the same parenting rights and telephone time with the children, and the same right to send and receive e-mails from them, as Allan enjoys during vacations. Lorena will pick up the children from Allan’s home in Louisville when it is her turn to have the children and Allan will do the same when it is his.

6A) As a fall-back position, if it appears that Allan having possession during the full vacation time would not be in the best interest of the children, Allan would have possession of the children for half of the vacation time, and Lorena for the other half of the vacation time, as determined between them by mutual agreement.

6b) At least twice during the year, while the children are on vacation, Allan will have the right to travel with the children to visit their grandparents, who live in Durham, NC. One such a visit, which would take place during the summer vacation, would last approximately one week and the other, during the winter break, may be for four days.

6c) Lorena and Allan will allow all relatives of the children to speak with the children by telephone, send and receive emails, and to send gifts and regular mail.

7) Allan and Lorena would both have the right to attend school activities and to consult with the teachers concerning the childrens’ behavior and academic work. Both Lorena and Allan shall have the right to attend the childrens’ extra-curricular activities, such as soccer, ballet or swimming. During the school semester, Lorena would be obligated to keep Allan informed of any medical problems affecting the children. Conversely, while Allan has possession of the children during vacation, he will be obligated to keep Lorena informed of any medical problems affecting the children.

8) The amount of child support, while the children are in Lorena’s possession, would be based on Allan’s net income per month. During 2007, his gross salary will be of $1000.00. From that amount must be deducted income tax, real estate tax, cost of repairs on the Austin house, Social Security contributions, and contributions to Medicare, estimated to be a total of $1,000 per month during 2007. Allan’s net disposable income would then be of $0.00 per month. His obligation to pay child support to Lorena during this year would be calculated on the basis of that figure.

9) Conversely, while Allan has possession of the children during vacations, Allan would be discharged from the obligation of paying child support and Lorena would pay child suport to Allan based on her net income from employment plus any other sources of income she might have.

10) If either parent’s employment is terminated or their salaries are modified, or if Allan’s house in Austin is vacated by the present tenant, either parent would be required immediately to notify the other, his or her attorney, and the court. At such times, Allan would pay child support to Lorena based on the percentage provided under Kentucky law. Similarly, during vacations, while Allan has possession of the children, Lorena would pay child support to Allan based on the same percentage.

11) The cost of medical insurance, to the extent not provided by the State, would be for the account of Lorena as a part of the childrens’ cost of living to which Allan would be contributing in the form of child support. Medical and dental care not covered by insurance (e.g. braces for Sofia) would be covered in equal parts by each parent.


February 10, 2007
And when I was finally able to speak with my children it was 6:20PM and the children were really excited to tell me that they had gotten some jewelry made of Sapphire which is Sofia’s birthstone and gold which is nice for Hannah. Then I asked my children from the following array of topics:

1 Kidzbop CD’s, do you have any?
2 Dakota Fanning, do you like her?
3 Do you like That's So Raven, or Hannah Montana, or Zoe 101
4 Do you enjoy solitary play - video games? TV? Reading? Dolls? Construction sets? Or crafts?
5 Do you love sports, baseball? Like Football? And basketball?
6 Do you enjoy bicycling? Skating? Swimming? What other forms of active play, though they are not as proficient at them as they will be at ten do you enjoy (Ballet? Belly Dancing?)
7 1, 2, 3, 6 which is not like the others?
8 63, 57, 98, 01 which is not like the others?
9 22, 21, 20, 19 which is not like the others?

Note: These books are arranged roughly in order of difficulty with the simplest books first.
The Dragonslayers
Bruce Coville, Katherine Coville (Illustrator), Patricia MacDonald (Editor)
What would you do if a fierce dragon were to come to your village to destroy everything you knew and loved? In The Dragonslayers, King Mildred faces that situation. Ages 8-10.
Rosa
Nikki Giovanni and Bryan Collier
Caldecott Honor. A wonderfully illustrated biography of Rosa Parks. Ages 8-10.
Mayfield Crossing
Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and Leonard Jenkins (illustrator)
A shocking depiction of prejudice and integration during the pre-civil rights era. Parents should be involved with this book.
Belva Lockwood Wins her Case
Drollene P. Brown,
Describes the struggles and triumphs of Belva Lockwood, the teacher, suffragette, lawyer, and peace activist who became the first woman to practice law before the Supreme Court and a candidate for president in 1884 and 1888. Ages 8-11.
Wildlife Rescue: The Work of Dr. Kathleen Ramsay
Jennifer Owings Dewey,
What happens to birds and animals injured in the wild? Some go to the National Wildlife Center in New Mexico, established by Dr. Kathleen Ramsay in 1985, which successfully returns 80 percent of its "patients" to natural or nearly natural environments. In four fascinating chapters, this book explores the challenges faced by Ramsay and her dedicated staff in their unusual veterinary practice.
Understood Betsy
Dorothy Canfield Fisher
This novel is about a young girl whose family teaches her that the world is a dangerous place. She begins the story as a frightened, self-doubting girl lacking in self-confidence. Due to a family illness, Betsy is sent to live with other relatives in the country. With them, Betsy builds self-confidence and self-esteem and becomes a responsible, happy little girl who knows that whatever difficulties present themselves, she will be able to deal with them. Ages 8-11.
The Ordinary Princess
"The Ordinary Princess" follows the quest of Princess Amy to make something of an ordinary life for herself, to go along with her very ordinary appearance. During which time, she meets -- and falls in love with -- a young "man-of-all-work" named Peregrine.
Pippi Longstocking
Pippi Longstocking is perhaps the world's first child superhero. Able to lift strong policemen with her bare hands! Capable of climbing tall houses and trees with virtually no effort at all! Rescuing children from burning buildings and adults from snobby talk!
The Brooklyn Bridge
Elizabeth Mann and Alan Witschonke (illustrator)
Sometimes overly technical, but a great account of the art and architecture of the Brooklyn Bridge. Ages 8-11.
To Space and Back
Sally Ride
Much has been written about the vast scientific importance of space exploration, but very little about the human side of being a member of an astronaut crew. In this book, America's first woman astronaut answers questions most frequently asked about a journey through space. Ages 8-11.
The Trouble with Tuck
Theodore Taylor
An inspiring story of a triumphant dog. Ages 8-11.
Charlotte's Web
As the story opens, eight year old farm girl Fern Arable stops her father from killing a piglet who has been labeled the runt of the litter. The little pig, whom Fern names Wilbur, becomes one of the central figures in the story. Eventually he will be befriended by Charlotte, the wise and loving spider mentioned in the book's title. Ages 8-11.
Scooter
Vera B. Williams
Set in a New York City housing project, this "series of vignettes forms a bouncy oversize novel about a girl's adjustment to her parents' divorce," wrote PW. Ages 8-11.
The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread
Kate DiCamillo and Timothy Basil Ering (illustrator)
Newbery Medal. The adventures of Desperaux Tilling, a small mouse of unusual talents, the princess that he loves, the servant girl who longs to be a princess, and a devious rat determined to bring them all to ruin. Ages 8-12.
The Birchbark House
Louise Erdrich
Omakayas is a little Native American girl living on an island in Lake Superior in 1847. Over the course of a year, an epidemic changes her view of her family forever, and she learns the truth about her heritage. Ages 8-12.
Yolanda's Genius
Carol Fenner
Newbery Honor. Yolanda is determined to convince the world of her brother's special gifts. Ages 8-12.
Confucius: The Golden Rule
Russel Freedman
Do you think you will be quoting your teacher when you grow up? Confucius was a teacher and people are still quoting him after 25 centuries!
Homesick: My Own Story
Jean Fritz
1983 Newbery Honor. The author's fictionalized version, though all the events are true, of her childhood in China in the 1920's.
Her Stories: African American Folktales, Fairy Tales, and True Tales
Virginia Hamilton, Leo Dillon (Illustrator), Diane Dillon (Illustrator)
Ms. Hamilton shows us that her extraordinary gift is for bringing, and keeping, history alive. Ages 8-12.
The Volcano Disaster
Peg Kehret
"The Volcano Disaster" is a fast-paced action adventure, set on the slopes of Mount Saint Helens just minutes before the volcano is about to erupt. Ages 8-12.
Knock at a Star: A Child's Introduction to Poetry
X. J. Kennedy
A collection of poems arranged in such categories as poems that make you smile, send messages, or share feelings; poems that contain "beats that repeat" or "word play"; and special kinds of poems such as limericks, songs, and haiku. Ages 8-12.
The View From Saturday
E.L. Konigsburg
Newbery Medal. Four students, with their own individual stories, develop a special bond and attract the attention of their teacher, a paraplegic, who chooses them to represent their sixth-grade class in the Academic Bowl competition. Ages 8-12.
Vision of Beauty: The Story of Sarah Breedlove Walker
Kathryn Lasky
The daughter of poor sharecroppers, Sarah went from working as a laundress t being one of the richest women in America.,
The Lost Flower Children
Janet Taylor Lisle and Satomi Ichikawa (illustrator)
This story blends fantasy and reality in this story of coping with death and loss.
Erie Canal: Canoeing America's Great Waterway
Peter Lourie
This is a great way to teach kids about the Erie Canal.
Every Time I Climb a Tree
David McCord, Marc Simont (Illustrator)
Twenty-five poems with short lines on such varied subjects as a lost turtle, a fence, the wind, jam, a witch, and bananas and cream.
Sparks
Graham McNamee
When Todd moves to fifth grade from his special needs class, he feels he must leave his old friends behind. Though he learns his lessons in school slowly, he quickly learns who his real friends are. Ages 8-12.
Shiloh
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (Author), Barry Moser (Illustrator)
Newbery Medal. When he finds a lost beagle in the hills behind his West Virginia home, Marty tries to hide it from his family and the dog's real owner, a mean-spirited man known to shoot deer out of season and to mistreat his dogs. Ages 8-12.
Cut from the Same Cloth : American Women of Myth, Legend,
Robert D. San Souci, Brian Pinkney (Illustrator)
"Stories culled from the melting pot of American culture (Hawaiian, Eskimo and Native American, among others) unite a league of female folk heroes as courageous, irascible and noble as any of their more famous male counterparts," said PW. Ages 8-12.
Falling Up
Shel Silverstein
Excellent collection of entertaining poems. Ages 8-12.
CDB!
William Steig
Visual brain teasers.
Golem
David Wisniewski
Caldecott Medal. Golem is a dramatic tale of supernatural forces invoked to save an oppressed people. It also offers a thought-provoking look at the consequences of unleashing power beyond human control. The afterward discusses the legend of the golem and its roots in the history of the Jews. Ages 8-12.
All the Small Poems and Fourteen More
Valerie Worth, Natalie Babbitt (Illustrator)
This book is a great collection of poems about nature. Ages 8-12.
The Adventures of Sojourner: The Mission to Mars that Thrilled the World
Susi Trautmann Wunsch
As the one who actually got to remotely drive Sojourner on Mars, I have to say that Susi has done an outstanding job of capturing the excitement of this once in a lifetime event in space exploration. She goes into great detail about how we created the rover and lander, launched and guided them over 120 million miles to Mars and finally how we landed safely and explored the surface. The numerous illustrations and photos in the book should really make the mission come alive to young readers. The primary Mars Pathfinder Rover Driver gives this book two big thumbs up! -- Brian K. Cooper. Ages 8-12.
The Mary Celeste: An Unsolved Mystery from History
Jane Yolen (Author), Heidi Elisabet Yolen Stemple (Author),

Pictures of Hollis Woods
Patricia Reilly Giff
Newbery Honor. A troublesome twelve-year-old orphan, staying with an elderly artist who needs her, remembers the only other time she was happy in a foster home, with a family that truly seemed to care about her.
The Doll in the Garden: A Ghost Story
Mary Downing Hahn
In this book, Ashley and her mother move to a house in the suburbs to begin a new life after the death of Ashley's father. The house they move to is a portion of a larger house owned by a cranky older lady (Miss Cooper) who constantly threatens to throw them out. Ashley discovers a buried antique doll and challenges Miss Cooper's crankiness in order to return the doll to its orginal owner and learns about making peace with people who have died. Ages 8-13.
Walter Wick's Optical Tricks
Goofiness. Utter utter goofiness. Using 4" x 5 " and 8" x 10" view cameras, photographer Walter Wick has done what many would have thought was well nigh impossible. He has systematically photographed some of the world's best known optical illusions.
Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone
Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Dare to return to Hogwarts in Harry Potter's second adventure! The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry is now a 13-year old, and concerned mostly with classes, Quidditch (a wizard sport), and the fact that he's not allowed to visit the local wizard village of Hogsmeade with his friends on the weekends. One of the reasons for this is that Sirius Black, a convicted murderer, has broken out of Azkaban, the wizard prison, and word has it that he's out to get Harry.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Fourteen-year-old Harry Potter joins the Weasleys at the Quidditch World Cup, then enters his fourth year at Hogwarts Academy where he is mysteriously entered in an unusual contest that challenges his wizarding skills, friendships and character, amid signs that an old enemy is growing stronger.

I chatted on line with Cecilia for a very long time. We spoke a great deal about LL and my daughters. She is very supportive and hopes for the best in the courthouse on Tuesday.

I called Farmor and she confirmed with me that LL had never responded to Farfar’s email from a few months ago. Farfar told me how Farmor had presented LL with the reality that LL had undermined my ability to get a teaching job.


February 11, 2007
HOLA ALLAN, COMO ESTAS ALLAN? QUE YA NO ME ESCRIBE ALLAN CUANDO ENTRO Y VEO UN MENSAJE TUYO ESTOY MUY FELIZ PERO CUANDO NADIE SE ACUERDA DE MI ME SIENTO MUY INFELIZ ALLAN,COMO ESTA YO ESTOY MUY BIEN Y MI HERMANA YA VA TENER SU BEBE,MI HERMANO ESTA GORDO MI HERMANO RAMON, AAAAAAAAAAAALLAN QUIERO TRAERLE AMI HERMANO EVER,PARA QUE ESTE CON NOSOTROS SIDIOS QUIERE, A MI HERMANO PEDRO YA NO TIENE SOLUCION. CADA VES ESTA PEOR LA DROGA E DOMINA Y MI MAMA ESTA MAL NO PUEDO ASER NADA POR QUE NO ESTOY ALLA PERO CUANDO ME VAYA ESTOY SEGURO QUE AYUDARE A MI MAMA Y MIS OTROS HERMANOS. A PEDRO NO PUEDO AYUDAR PERO A LOS OROS SI AYUDARE PARA QUE NO SIGUEN IGUAL QUE PEDRO ,YA MADURE MAS MUCHOS ALAN SER INFELIZ AYUDA PARA VER LO QUE HAY ADELANTE Y ATRAS. Y YO APRENDI Y MUCHOSSSSSS BESOS ALAN SALUDOS A HANNAY SOFIA A TU MAMI Y PAPI


And this certainly merits a response:
Querida Fátima,
Por favor dile a tu hermana que yo la felicito por su bebé, y a ti Fátima, por ser una tia – de las mejores tias que hay en el mundo. Traer a tu familia de Paraguay a Espana es una Buena idea – para difundir la mierda de las drogas. Yo sé que Pedro hace drogas porque lo vi endrogado cuando visité a tu familia en Paraguay. Aldo, el hermano de Francy, habló mucho tiempo con tu Papá, y me dijo que piensa que tu Papá también hace drogas pero tu Papá no lo confirmó. Es horrible que Pedro domine a tu Mamá, pero ella es fuerte. Ella me parecio muy fuerte cuando la vi en Mayo. Ella no come mucho porque le da toda la comida a sus hijos, pero ella tiene una fuerza interna muy feróz y bonita.
Yo debería de haber visto a Sofia y Hannah este fin de semana pero Lorena se me escapó y no sé como verlas. Así es mi vida.
Bueno, queridissima Fátima, sigue siendo lo que eres y te deseo y a toda tu familia lo mejor en la vida. Como se llama el bebé aun que no ha nacido?
Allan

And then I sent yet another email to Fatima,
Fatima, tu estas comunicando con Lorena por email? Por favor, tratalo, Te escribo mas despues!
Allan

And another one:
Querida Fatima,
La verdad es que siempre pienso en ti y en tu familia. Tu familia es muy importante para mi, y tu eres una de las personas más importantes para mi -- porque tu sabes lo que era mi familia en Paraguay.

Lorena esta diciendo mentiras y les esta enseňando a mis hijas estas mentiras para mantenerlas fuera de mi alcance. Es por eso que casi nunca puedo ver a mis hijas. Sofia y Hannah te necesitan para que tu les puedas decir la verdad – yo estoy bajo una orden de la corte que me prohibe hablar sobre Paraguay con mis hijas..
Te quiero,
Allan

And so I am learning how afraid people are in the United States. When things go badly for a long time, it is very hard to find anyone to help. It is so much easier to leave those just fall through the woodwork. Can I expect Dawn-Michelle, Stephanie, Michelle and Kelly to come to court with me on Tuesday and speak out what they know to be true? Michelle is the only one who has called me back and she did promise that she would call me back today but I doubt she will help me at this point. She may begin to help me if I have some kind of visitation rights with my children. Then she may have me bring Sofia and Hannah to her home to visit with her son Justice, but it is too much to ask of her, that she come and speak to the court about my ways with children. Shame that!

I will ride this out. There is a lot to ride out. Mel (the cute lesbian from Heine Brothers) called me just now wanting her bed back! I have had it in storage since I got the house on Zane street, since Brian moved out of his house (it was originally Brian’s bed) – that’s some eight months ago. The problem with giving it back to her is that it is in storage in Memphis. Yesterday I saw Mel at Heinebrother’s and she made no mention of it. Synchronicity: when things fall at the worst (and best) possible moments.

I don’t know how applicable these lyrics are but they go “I hear the train coming and time keeps dragging on, but that train keeps on rolling on to where ever. When I hear the whistle blowing I hang my head and cry.”


February 12, 2007
Dear Allan,
During mediation, we clarified that Monday was no longer a phone call day. the phone call days are Tues, Wed., and Friday. We also discussed Sunday as a good option. It is fine with me if we do Tues, Wed., & Sunday. Either way, I decided to have Sofia call you tonight anyhow to (1) let her tell you the big news about winning the young authors competition, and (2) remind you that the call has been changed to Tuesday since I thought you might have forgotten. I guess the reminder did not work because by the time you wrote this email, you had forgotten again.
I also told you on the phone that court is cancelled tomorrow & that I am going to resume the meetings with Lee Ann Gardner. I said I would write this in an email to confirm. I will call Lee Ann this week to schedule. You said your availability is after 3:30? Is that on any day? Did your availability change because of employment reasons?
I will also be asking Richard if he can schedule the visits for several weeks at a time so we can plan ahead.
We will call tomorrow.

Lorena Lasky

February 13, 2007: I respond to LL in the morning…
Dear Lorena,
During mediation you clarified that Monday could no longer be a phone call day. That is true. The next sentence is not true. I was know this because I was taking notes. I wrote that we discussed whether Tuesday or Sunday would be a better calling day and both you and I suggested that Sunday was better. I suggested it first and then you agreed with me because "the children are not in school that day." Thus, the call days are Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Also, this means that you called yesterday because (1) You had missed the Sunday call and (2) tell me the big news about Sofia winning the Young Authors Competition. Thank you for that.

The answers to both your questions below are "yes." That is to say, "Yes, I would like to see my children after 3:30PM, meet you at LeeAnn's, call my children, meet with you for green tea or croissant au beurre, etc..." and "Yes, it is in part due to employment reasons but also to make sure that I can get there in time. ..I am worried , that with last minute decisions, if I am to be somewhere in the morning, that I might be unable to get there in time." For example, there was one time when I did not know that I was to see my children until 20 hours before the Parenting Time was to take place in the early morning. If you can schedule for any even to take place after 3:30PM, that is always better. If you have to schedule for an earlier time, then please give me a week's notice.

Yes, it is a good idea to plan for several weeks in advance with Richard. Thank you for recommending that. I do however hope my children and I can spend time every week end. It would not be possible for me to adequately or reasonably parent them otherwise.

As you know, it is crazy that I am in this position, that Sofia and Hannah should be in the mire, and that I should be getting and sending emails to you like has been going on since you arrived in the USA and I will always hope that this can become better.

Sincerely,
Allan

February 12, 2007
Dear Lorena,
Could you please set up an appointment with LeeAnn
asap and after 330pm, I would very much appreciate it.

Thank you,
Allan.


February 12, 2007
Dear John,
Please send me an email detailing all options
available to me at this point. Also, let me know when
I should call you or see you after 330pm any day.
Thank you,
Allan.


February 12, 2007
7:00 I try to call my children unsuccessfully.
7:15 I try again with the same result.
7:21 LL calls me and puts me with the children. She tells me that Sofia has important news to tell me, that the hearing has been postponed and that Mason told her to re-contact LeeAnn Gardner.
Sofia has Big news! I told by LL and then Sofia said “I got rid of and I’m getting braces” and Hannah will get braces too, 22 days before her birthday, But it turned out that this was not the big news, it was the biggest news in Sofia’s mind but it was not the bigges news in LL’s mind, so LL primed Sofia for the other news and it is that she got the second prize in the young author competition. Sofia told me that it is 6 pages and I asked her if she could email it to me.
Lorena lets me talk for 8 minutes only because the children “had to eat dinner.”
Lorena tells e that she is going to contact LeeAnn and set up an appointment.
Lorena tells me that the children need to eat dinner so we hang up.

February 12, 2006: I email Richard and LL about the phone call.
Dear Lorena,
I spoke with the kids for only 8 minutes today. You prevented more conversation because of "dinner." Please make this up.
Allan.


February 13, 2007
I called LeeAnn to tell her about the phone call and to ask her to try and get me a meeting time after 3:30PM with LL.

February 13, 2007
Allan,

I think that you have options available to you.

They are in two categories.

First, you can wait until the hearing as scheduled. That is self explanatory.

Second, we can seek interim relief. The relief sought would be dependant on what you want. I would suggest that we modify the supervisor - to include friends and/or family members. One option would be for you to have spring break with the children in NC with your parents acting as supervisors.

Think about it and get back with me.

John.

February 13, 2007
Dear John,
Interim relief is of categorical importance and there are two aspects that need to be dealt with.
1. Yes, let’s ask to modify the supervisor to include friends like Kelly McCarthy-Kenning – massage therapist, Michelle (Don’t know her last name), Peter Van Howe – elementary school teacher, Rob Kearn (? Walker-Fitzgerald is the judge in his divorce case!), Brian Bradshaw, David Herman, Dawn-Michelle Waddell and any of my family members including Lorena herself. I would also like to be able to spend more than two hours per week with my children. I think that a minimum of four is reasonable. (Members of my family are William and Inga Headrick (parents), Mark Headrick (brother), Cecilia de Moya (sister) and her husband Eric de Moya, Isabelle and Michael Hurewitz (cousin and husband) and their children Zeldovich and Avi as well as my Uncle and Aunt Daniel and Kate Headrick. I would like to add to this list a distant cousin called George Moryadas and his wife, Andrea, and child.)
2. I would like to spend Spring Break with my children at my parent’s home. They will come to Louisville to pick them up with me and they will return them as well – or at least one of them will for each trip.
3. If the next hearing is after the summer vacation starts then some provision for a similar trip should be made for that time as well.
4. The child support payments need to be modified. I can not pay what is currently ordered. I am literally broke and you might as well consider me to be living out of my car.
5. Email communication between myself and my children needs to be ordered.
6. Telephone communication as well.
In short, the child support payments and Richard expenses add up to such a large amount that I would have to be making income over three times what I am making to be able to afford it. As you know, I bought a house in Louisville and my Dad and I will email you the expense.
Finally, I would like to be able to communicate with my children in Spanish or German but possibly we need not worry the Judge with this?
Thank you,
Allan

February 13, 2007
Allan forwarded to me your suggestion about interim relief, as well as his response. If the trial in Allan's case will not take place until June, some interim relief is indeed needed on two fronts: his supervision and his child support payments. On the question of supervision, please bear in mind that you must give Allan guidance in the things he requests. If asking for unsupervised visits is beyond the scope of an interim hearing, you can propose what will fly in terms of the persons qualified to act as supervisors.

On the question of child support, you will need the numbers. Allan has given me the following figures. According to the ruling of the criminal court, until the Childrens' Court rules otherwise, Allan must pay child support in the amount of $150 a week, which is $664 during a 31-day month. His income at the Episcopal Church is $7.50/hour and he works 37.5 hours a week. (Allan just started this job and will not be paid for three more weeks.) He also receives $750 per month for rent from the tenant occupying his house in Austin, subject to the cost of repairs, which varies from one month to the next. The tenant is behind in the payments by one month. His maximum income, assuming no repairs on his house in Austin, is therefore of $1,810 per month. His unavoidable expenses include monthly mortgage payments on his house in Louisville of $1012 and at least $200 per month for insulin and other diabetic supplies. His disposable monthly income is therefore of $600, out of which he has to pay food, gasoline, public utilities, etc.

Lorena's disposable income may also be relevant under KY law in the calculation of Allan's child support payments.

It seems to me that, until Allan is able to earn more than the minimum wage, his child support payments should be of a very small amount, as he will face the prospect of spending a year in jail if the amount is larger than what he is able to pay.

Sincerely,

William C. Headrick

February 13, 2007: and then to the email that I had responded to from Lorena on the 12th, yesterday, I add:
Dear Lorena,
In the email below you wrote that you would call today and you did not. It is possible that this was a simple mistake and I am Ok with your explaining what happened and what we can do to make things better.
Thank you
Allan

February 13, 2007
Okay--now I remember that we agreed on Sunday, not Tuesday. I still had tuesday in my head as the time to call. That is fine--this week I will call Wednesday, Friday & Sunday.
You did not say anything to me on the phone about missing a Sunday call. Maybe you were thinking that Monday was a make-up call. I was thinking it was an extra call. Anyhow, it will be straigtened out for the future.
Please clarify about the "after 3:30" preference. Do you also mean weekends? I ask because you mention that you would like all visits after 3:30 pm as well.
Where are you working?
Lorena
February 13, 2007
Dear Lorena,
The "after 3:30PM" preference is every day of the week, Monday through Sunday. It does not matter what day it is, for me, it would be nicer if the meeting could take place after 3:30PM. I have not started work yet, I am anticipating starting and I would prefer not to tell anyone of my work place because of past events. I beg that you leave this alone, at least this time. Please. I will keep Richard fully informed.
Thank you,
Allan


February 13, 2007: LL copies me in on this email to Richard.
Hi Richard,
Would it be possible for you to schedule the visits with Allan & the girls weeks ahead of time so that we al can plan for them? Is it possible that you schedule the next 6 weeks worth of visits now?


February 13, 2007: I got the email moments later and sent Richard more positive reinforcement.
Dear Richard,
Would it be possible for you to schedule the visits with Hannah, Sofia and me weeks ahead of time so that we all can plan for them? Is it possible that you schedule the next 6 weeks worth of visits now?
Allan
February 14, 2007
Dear Sofia, Hannah and Mommy,
When I was a little boy, I think I was seven years old, I remember I dropped a big wrench into the sink and the wrench broke the ceramic and it was Valentines Day. My Mommy and Daddy shared their valentines day with me even though I had broken the sink (by accident). That is true love. Sofia and Hannah, I (and I think I can speak for Mommy) will always love you what ever happens for ever and infinitely.
Your Daddy

February 14, 2007: Valentines Day.
LL called at 8:25PM and it lasted until 8:55PM because the call was so late. And the children needed to go to bed. Hannah was not in a mood to talk because it was that late. LL did not tell me anything about the children so I had to improvise from the get go. Hannah and LL were fighting with the result that Hannah said “I'm sorry, Daddy, I am not going to talk.” And LL said “ then you are not going out with Sofia!” Hannah cries and there is much screaming and hollering. After a few minutes LL comes back on the phone and tells me that the children has been baby sat by Vera and were too tired to be able to reasonably speak.” Hannah is apparently moving away because LL calls out to Hannah: “Hey Hannah, look at me! You’re not getting up there -- you are getting in my bed. Hannah cried “No Mommy!”

My Telephone call with Sofia and Hannah February 14, 2007
First Happy Valentines day. Did you get my email? Sofia had not. How did you celebrate Valentines day?


"This is a quiz about various different animals... I'll give you the clues and you guess the animals."



1. I am an Australian marsupial, not usually hopping slowly.
When I have a baby, it's always called joey.

What am I?



2. I am usually seen in historical pictures, sometimes on a farm,
People may be scared of my height, but I usually mean them no harm.
I can be many different colors, maybe brown, black, white, or red
I sometimes stay in a barn, a stable, or a shed.
I can be short, but I can be tall too,
And I whinny or neigh when I call to you!

What am I?



3. I can be many striped colors - orange or white to name a few,
I may be a cat, but I definitely don't say "mew".

What am I?



4. I am a very dull creature,
Really lazy and really slow.
Judging from "Ice Age",
I've been around since long ago.
I am often seen hanging upside down from a tree,
And I have very sharp claws, so don't mess with me!

What am I?



5. I sometimes make squeaks or clicks,
And I swim in the ocean.
I can be blue or grey,
And I'm a mammal in motion.

What am I?



6. There are many cartoons that are based on me,
To name a couple, there's Mickey and Minnie!
I am small and usually white or grey,
And I may live in your house or in a field in the hay.

What am I?



7. I am a close relative of the dog, and I often travel in a pack.
I can be colors of grey, white, or black.

What am I?



8. I am a huge animal, in fact the largest on land,
I can live in a zoo or on the African Savannah's sand.

What am I?



9. I am small, hoppy and really quick,
I usually live in a hole in a forest where the brush is really thick.
I have long ears and a "cotton" tail,
I am very cute and have a keen sense of smell.

What am I?



10. I am the last animal,
But not the least.
My babies are called lambs,
I have a thick coat of fleece.

What am I?




1. Here we start, our first stop is the Chemical Lab, and the scientist there asks us: Which gas is not present in the bulk of space which is the reason that fire cannot be burnt there?


2. Our next stop is the Microscope Lab, the scientist asks us: Which insect has formic acid in it?


3. Our next stop is the Animal Observatory, the scientist asks us: What class of animals does a snail belong to?


4. Our next stop is the Water Pool, and the scientist there asks us which of the birds below can drink salty water?


5. Our next stop is the Bird Observatory, the scientist asks us if the question is true or false: Some birds squeeze oil onto their feathers to help themselves stay dry.


6. While leaving the Bird Observatory, the scientist asks us another true or false question: There is also a bird named the 'Tailor bird'.


7. Our next stop is the Science Bakery, the scientist asks us if we know what is the special thing about eggs which makes them stop rolling from the nest?


8. Our next stop is the Creepy Crawlies' section, and the scientist there asks us: What is the thing in worms which helps them breathe oxygen?


9. While leaving the Creepy Crawlies' section, the scientist asks us: In which country are the world's longest earthworms found?


10. Here comes our last stop, The Eight Legged Creature area. The scientist asks us a true and false question: Spiders belong to an animal group called 'arachnids'.



I believe Sofia loved this telephone conversation.

February 14, 2007
Dear Lorena,
Yes...you had me and the children talk at 8:30PM, one and a half hours (90 minutes) later than agreed upon: Problematic and very difficult with a bellicose child and no intro for me to work with... Now, having stated these issues I want you to understand that I would rather speak with Sofia and Hannah under these conditions then not at all. So, thank you. That was Valentines Day, I hope yours was happy.
Allan
Also, thank you for calling the next day.

February 15, 2007: In the early morning I get this from Helmers:
I am filing Motions on your time with the children - increasing it and granting you Spring Break - and the child support.

I will e-mail to you when filed.

John.

February 15, 2007: I get the following from Helmers.
Dear Allan,
Attached please find the motions that we have submitted to the Court. Please contact our office if you have any questions or concerns.

Thanks,

NO. 06-CI-501203 JEFFERSON CIRCUIT COURT
FAMILY DIVISION THREE (3)
ALLAN ROBERT LASKY-HEADRICK, PETITIONER,
v. MOTION FOR INTERIM RELIEF
LORENA MARIE LASKY (FORMERLY LASKY-HEADRICK), RESPONDENT.
NOTICE
It is hereby noticed that on Monday, February 19, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., in the above
courtroom, the undersigned will make the following Motion and tender the attached Order
MOTION
Petitioner, Allan Robert Lasky-Headrick, by counsel, moves this Court to enter a temporary Order with regard to his supervised visitation. As the Court is aware, the hearing with regard to the visitation scheduled was continued until June 2007. Given the length of this delay, Petitioner, Allan Lasky-Headrick, requests that the Court enter an Order which (1) increases the number of hours of visitation from two (2) to four (4) per week; (2) allows for Court ordered email communication between Petitioner and the Parties’ minor daughters; (3) allows for regular telephone visitation; (4) increases the supervisors, including but not limited to include any licensed clinical social worker in the state of Kentucky, and Petitioner’s parents; and (5) allows Petitioner to vacation with the girls under the supervision of his parents to North Carolina.

And then there is another MOTION
Petitioner, Allan Robert Lasky-Headrick, by counsel, moves this Court to set a brief Child Support hearing. As the Court is aware, this issue was going to be addressed with the more lengthy hearing regarding visitation. As a result of the motion for a continuance, that hearing has been delayed. However, there is no reason to delay the brief hearing on Child Support. Presently, Allan is earning $7.50 per hour and is working 37.5 hours per week. Additionally, he spends two-hundred dollars per month for insulin and diabetic supplies which are not covered by insurance. It is the belief of the undersigned that given his current income level, he is entitled to an immediate reduction in Child Support. It appears to be a guidelines case and the exchange of income information within the next ten (10) days will determine the guidelines amount.
Date: February 15, 2007 Respectfully submitted,
HELMERS DEMUTH & WALTON, PLC
By:____________________________
John H. Helmers, Jr.
429 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.
200 Republic Building
Louisville, KY 40202
502-581-0077
jhh@hdwlaw.net
Counsel for Petitioner
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
It is hereby certified that a true and correct copy of the foregoing was served, via fax, and
via U.S. Mail, postage pre-paid, this 15th day of February, 2007, upon:
Mason Trenaman, Esq.
600 W. Main Street
Suite 200
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Counsel for Respondent
HELMERS DEMUTH & WALTON, PLC
By: ___________________________
John H. Helmers, Jr.

NO. 06-CI-501203 JEFFERSON CIRCUIT COURT
FAMILY DIVISION THREE (3)
ALLAN ROBERT LASKY-HEADRICK, PETITIONER, v. ORDER LORENA MARIE LASKY (FORMERLY LASKY-HEADRICK), RESPONDENT.
Upon Motion of Petitioner, and the Court being otherwise sufficiently advised,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that a hearing on Child Support shall be set for the ____ day
of ______________, 2007 at ____________. The Court allots ____ minutes for the hearing on this matter.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Parties shall exchange financial information within the next ten (10) days.
Date: _________________, 2007 __________________________________________



February 15, 2007
Dear John,
Thank you for trying. Let me know when I next need to appear in court.

My current employer gets very stressed about absences and tardies so it is best to give her as much warning as possible. (I have told her about a custody battle in court and she will understand.)

I remain grateful to you for your services,
Allan

February 15, 2007
You do not need to come on Monday. I will give you an update on the events on late Monday or Tuesday.
John.

February 15, 2007
I had a good conversation with my children. I walked into a video store and asked them a million questions about children’s movies. But I suspect that Yesterday LL did not know about the motions that Helmers had submitted yesterday.

February 16, 2007
At 7:00PM I called my children at LL's usual phone number even though I had been told that it does not work... and it rang interminably and then at 7:30 I called LL's other numbers and on her cell phone I left a message stating that I would very much like to get to speak with my children... And then at 8:15 she called me when I had just sent her an email which you can read below..... (To send that email I had to call Papo and dictate the message.)

February 16, 2007
Dear Lorena,
While I recognize that life may at times be complex, and that you may have a term to describe your own personal life, which may or may not include the word complex, and there are also physical limitations, superimposed on all psychological and emotional ones (such as, for example, your telephone is broken), I would like for you to please help me forgive you for not having made it possible for me to speak to Sofia and Hannah on this important day, 18 February of 2007. What is needed here, Lorena, now, is immediate, proactive, determined commitment to realizing telephonic and email as well as in-person communication between the children and their father, myself. This been needed since December 15, 2003.
Sincerely,
Allan.

And I had just finished sending this email when she called! But she also responded to this email two days later and here is what it said:
February 17, 2007
Allan,
The 18th of February is tomorrow. If you mean today (Saturday the 17th) we never had a phone call scheduled. The phone calls are for Wed., Friday and Sunday. You talked to them this week do far on Monday (8 minutes), Wed., Thursday and Friday. That is, you are way over schedule in days this week. The next call will be Sunday between 6:30-7:30pm.
Check your blood sugar level. You are wasting my time, Richard's time & attorney's time (thus money) sending emails implying that you were "wronged" when, in fact, the calls this week have exceeeded the minimum required by court order.
Do you disagree that you have spoken to the children 4 days this week--ALL 4 calls initiated & made by me?
Lorena Lasky
And I thought to respond to this email for a while but then I didn’t…:
You may read the email I sent in two days reading.

Anyhow, LL sounded like lacerated stainless steel. Her voice was ice cold and she was perfunctory like a machine. She did not want to tell me anything about the children before putting me with them: She said "There has been no change since yesterday."
“What is that supposed to mean?” I wondered.
"What did our children do today?" I asked.
"They went to school “ she said and then she put me on the phone with Hannah. Oh what a great conversation I had with Hannah! We talked about a myriad different topics with a fluidity and a wonder that was awesome. “What animals do you like?” I asked her and she listed as many animals as she could think of... the list went on and on. At one point she told me that she liked llamas. I asked her if she had ever seen a llama and she said that Mom had. She added that the llama had spat at Mommy. I asked Hannah, “when did that happen?” She did not know so she went to her mother to inquire and was told that she did not want to speak about the incident. Hum?? I told Hannah that Mommy and I had seen Llamas in Macchu Picchu but that the llamas had certainly not spat! And then I had a very fluid conversation with Sofia. Sofia pulled out some magic cards and read my fortune based on asking me for a secret number (which I had to tell her since she is the one who had the cards and had, for all effective purposes regarding this fortune telling, power of attorney) and then she told me what other numbers are lucky for me.

All in all the sad thing about my conversations with my children is the enmity that looms all around them from which they have to speak.
My telephone conversation was cut off with Sofia saying "I’ll see you Sunday." She sounded stressed out as she said this.

But I have not been informed of this. How did she know? I found out an hour later…

February 16, 2007
I made a child support payment.

February 16, 2007: very late at night Richard sent this.
Lorena; did you and Allan agree upon a meeting location for Sunday at 1:00p as we discussed 2/14? I need to know by 1:00p tomorrow or I will cancel the appointment. Thanks, Richard

I did not get this until after my phone call with my children was ended, and I responded by writing to Lorena and Richard two separate emails. (I copied Lorena’s email in to Richard’s account so that he could read what I sent her.)

Dear Lorena,
I would like the meeting place to be Dog Hill (we have been there before, one time, do you remember?) --- for sledding and other snow related experiences. We will sled until we are tired and then we will go to Heinebrothers at the intersection of Eastern and Bardstown road for Hot Chocolate and goodies. We will drive in my car from Cherokee park to the goodies. So, this time the drop off point and the pick up points will not be the same. Please be so kind as to pick the children up at Heinbrothers.
Thank you very much,
Allan

and

Dear Richard,
This evening, Friday at about 8:15PM, in conversation with my daughter Sofia, I heard that we would see one another on Sunday. That, was the first I ever heard of my children and I meeting. Lorena did not speak with me on the phone about this issue after Sofia and I spoke. She has to date, not spoken with me about a meeting location for Sunday at 1:00p "as you and she discussed 2/14. " As you know, she has also not emailed me about this matter either.

I have been left completely in the blue about this week end until it was almost the week end.

So, here is a the meeting place: Dog Hill --- for sledding and other snow related experiences. We will sled until we are tired and then we will go to Heinebrothers at the intersection of Eastern and Bardstown road for Hot Chocolate and goodies. We will drive in my car from Cherokee park to the goodies. Richard, please confirm that you are good with this. I would appreciate your response before 1:00 PM tomorrow, Saturday.
Thank you very much,
Allan
11:15AM I sent an email to LL and to Richard.
Dear Richard and Lorena,
It is now 11:15AM on Saturday and the dead-line for the appointment is in forty five minutes. Richard, can you please extend the dead line? Lorena, can you please respond to this? I will call both of you pending your having called me first in fifteen minutes.
Thank you very much,
Allan
11:30AM I called Richard Nassr and left a message: What incentive does LL have to reach an agreement with me? If she does not do so within the next thirty minutes, then according to Richard the appointment gets cancelled? I asked Richard to please call me.
11:34AM I called LL and left a message asking her to please call me. She was on another line… Maybe she was talking with Richard? It is snowing outside and very pretty.
11:45AM still no news from anyone. I have just checked my emails.

12:45PM Richard called. He sounded very upset. He was at his ends. He no longer had a grip on reality. I listened to him and allowed him to come to his own conclusions. He sounded out his thoughts like a blabbering idiot. Finally he concluded that the best that he can do is to document. At first he said that he wanted to cancel the appointment and then at the end he had changed his mind and indeed his last words were I’ll see you tomorrow.
Richard had attempted to get LL to communicate with me about a meeting place and it had failed and he concluded that this is not something for which the children should be deprived of meeting me. I told Richard that Helmers had filed two motions and that LL had probably learned of this yesterday. I told him that LL had sounded “icy cold” last night. I told her that I believe she is “angry.” Richard concluded that she was angry because her ploy to keep the custody battle from taking place had been threatened. There is another dimension to this which nobody recognizes. Yes, LL does not want me to interact with my children and does so only with great reluctance. I believe she does this because the children put a phenomenal amount of pressure on her to allow us to interact. For example, the last two calls have started out with LL stating that she is calling because the children have clamored for it. But the real irk for LL is the financial pressure that she is under. If I am really lucky, she will have no power to fight the motions or the final custody battle in June. Oh, Richard is pretending to not understand why LL does not communicate with me – although he does recognize absolutely that she does not do so, and that I am the one who always initiates communication. LL gets other people to do her work for her, she herself does not do anything which is why she seems to some of the worthless idiots involved in this case (Kim Dial, Ginger Crumbo, LeeAnn Gardner and Craig Hansen) to be somewhat angelic! Imagine that – she is a terrible person with an angelic aura. Anyway, the thrust of Richard’s position was that he had provided LL with an opportunity to “negotiate” the meeting places and times with me, that Richard did not want to be a mediator, and that LL had failed. When I told Richard that the reason the custody hearing had been postponed he said “Bullshit!”

Now, Richard deserves to suffer because he has been such a shoddy professional (kowtowing to people with whom he disagrees like the KGB) and stupid person (displaying no sense of how to write a letter to a judge, but I never want it to be at the cost of my children.

So, yes, I certainly got the impression that Richard is sick and tired of this case. He pointed out that LL had stated to him already a year ago that LL has no problem with me interacting with the children, only she wants it to be supervised. What a nut he is. Can he not see that LL wants other people to do her work for her? I re-iterated to Richard that I
Am in a chronic state of shock! Richard said he would call Helmers Monday morning.

I mentioned that my friend Peter could supervise for free. I told Richard that Peter is an elementary school teacher and Richard reacted very favorably to this. He wanted to interview Peter. I told Richard that Peter knew the whole story. Richard was glad! He also wants my parents to be in on the picture.

Basically, Richard took the following stand regarding tomorrow: We will meet even if LL does not respond. (She responded at 4:08PM)


And when there is the parent like LL parent, recently divorced and deeply wishful to have nothing to do with you except get your money, who will listen to pseudo professional con people, who needs the Establish-ment? So these mavericks, like Kim Dial and Ginger Crumbo continue to circulate, paddling in the same scientific shallows, attending the same conferences and boasting connections with the same research institutes. They travel the world quoting each other in circular support, reinforcing a fringe belief in unproven interventions for abuse and projecting: propagating the mistaken view that ordinary doctors are cowed by mysterious vested interests into not doing their best for children with abuse... This is twisted for two reasons. The first is that I have never abused my children and the second is that they are the ones who are cowed. I quote Craig Hansen, after speaking with these awful therapists stating that "The work of Dr. Hawkins is irrelevant."
Their harmful agenda is, regrettably, assisted by newspapers with acres of space to fill, which delight in feeding the middle-class paranoia over perfect parenting. For these organs, cute Ph. d. carrying Ginger Crumbo is a newsroom blessing on a slow Sunday. Or, in the case of our meeting of professionals including telephone conferencing with Texas, which produced a docudrama followed by a lame debate between Richard Nassr (who had behaved without direction and myself, a surefire ratings winner. Unfortunately for Seven Counties and their disciples like Craig Hansen, hundred of studies published in Richard's methods have failed to confirm a parent and abuse link.
There is nothing wrong with a scientist pursuing a hunch, and everything right about parents wanting to do the best for their child. There is nothing even particularly sinister about Kim Dial and Ginger Crumbo gambling their reputation on an instinct. But there is something depressing beyond belief about a scientist who refuses to recant in the face of overwhelming opposing evidence.
Seven counties claims to hold the interests of abused children above all, and has been lauded simply for listening. But showing compassion and respect to those affected by abuse is also about being brave enough to admit you were wrong, and not using the distance to Texas etc.. of vulnerable parents to push your own agenda.

Well, it’s 3:30PM and there is no notice from anyone of anything.
Then, at 3:55PM I get this:
Allan; as you might recall, a taxi will not come to Cherokee Park and our
contract stipulates no transport by you during visitation. I have not heard
from Lorena despite an email and phone message. I will have to assume that
she recieves this message and I will see you tomorrow at 1:00p at Mid City
Mall. If you and your children choose to go elsewhere by car, a taxi will
have to return us to Mid City mall. Thanks, Richard

And I respond
Dear Richard,
Yes. and Thank you. (I have no choice is also in my heart.)
Allan
Hum? Ok, so it seems like Richard is trying to put a little pressure on LL? Poor guy, he really got himself in a crunch by writing that email regarding cancelling the appointment and then realizing that the ones who suffer are Sofia and Hannah. Now, LL can lie about communication with me and she can say that the appointment needs to be cancelled by Richards own words. Yes, Richard is an idiot.


February 17, 2007
Allan,
Driving in your car is not acceptable for the visits, as you know from signing the contract with Richard. Other than the driving, I have no objection to the locations you mentioned. In view of the driving not being okay, where do you want me to drop off the children?

Dear Lorena, I will ask Richard to relax this requirement. I will seek a response to this from you tomorrow.
Allan

February 17, 2007
Richard & Allan,
If you see my previous email, I also mentioned the driving concern. I have been working at the Youth Opportunities Showcase all day (which was the reason the visit was on Sunday, not Saturday). I received both messages. Allan's message asked me to read the email before I called anyone back. Mid-City Mall is fine. I will bring the children there at 1:00pm on the side facing Bardstown road.
Thanks,
Lorena
February 17, 2007
Allan,
The 18th of February is tomorrow. If you mean today (Saturday the 17th) we never had a phone call scheduled. The phone calls are for Wed., Friday and Sunday. You talked to them this week do far on Monday (8 minutes), Wed., Thursday and Friday. That is, you are way over schedule in days this week. The next call will be Sunday between 6:30-7:30pm.
Check your blood sugar level. You are wasting my time, Richard's time & attorney's time (thus money) sending emails implying that you were "wronged" when, in fact, the calls this week have exceeeded the minimum required by court order.
Do you disagree that you have spoken to the children 4 days this week--ALL 4 calls initiated & made by me?
Lorena Lasky

Dear Lorena,
Oh dear, no, that was a typo: It is not supposed to say 18, but 16 (sixteen.). It is clearly a typo because the sentence strongly implies that I am talking about that very same day. If you look at the date when the email was sent you will see that it was the 16th of February and not the 18th. And you state in your email, the telephone calling dates are: ”Wed., Friday and Sunday. “ So then the 16th was a Friday, a regular calling date. As it turns out, you did call me on that day, but very late. I had already sent this email when you called. It was past the children’s bed time. You called me at 8:15PM, and you will recall that it was a short call because of the lateness. You