Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Trying to help a friend

This is a picture of my friend Janet’s husband, Rick and his 2 kids who he has not seen in 4 years.  Please read the story below and if you have any media connections and are able to help in any way, please contact Janet or Rick at the information below.

 

Help Rick get his kids back

rick and janet

Help Rick get his children!

Category:

Common Interest - Families

Description:

August 26, 2009
This is my Story and I am looking for help to put Pressure on Israel to let me see my two boys that I have not seen for over 3 years.
My Israeli Arab Muslim Wife has Taken my two Boys to Israel 6 Years Ago Never to Return. It’s been 3 Years since I have seen them and the Israeli Family Court has made it all too easy for her to make this possible. They have awarded me Custody rights to my children, but I cannot go to Israel to make sure it is enforced as my now ex-wife Ranya (In America Only) has had the same Court issue me with a “No Exit Order” while I was there for a third time attending a separate hearing, in the Sharia Court, relating to the actual divorce. This “No Exit Order” forbade me from leaving Israel. Two Emergency Hearings were held on this issue and her lawyers convinced the judge that I would not only stop support payments, but that I had an overseas bank account and I was a rich American. There was no evidence to support this and I submitted all appropriate W2 forms, paystubs etc. to prove it, but the judge still didn’t believe me. One month later, the court finally ruled I could leave if I provided a $100,000 cash guaranty as well as two court approved Israeli citizens who would sign as my guaranty and who could afford to pay $4,000/m. After nearly losing my job and being bulldozed by my Ranya’s lawyers, to pay her $300K and $6K/month, I had No Option but to Escape Israel as I was also told by the judge that I was not legally allowed to work in Israel in the event that I could not satisfy these guaranties. I have not returned since, but I am desperate to find a way to travel there to see my children and to resolve this issue in the Israeli Courts.
If this isn’t enough, the Israeli Family Court, 6 months after I left, awarded Ranya over $5,300/month spousal and child support even though they had my salary and 3 years of my W-2’s which showed that what they awarded her was equal to my entire take home pay. They still awarded me Custody Rights to my children, though, in American and Israel. Small victory, but I have no way to get it enforced as I have to be there to fight in court. Soon after, Ranya filed a petition with an Oregon Court to get this Israeli Court Order (Only the Part related to the money of course) enforced, but she lost largely due to the way I was treated in Israel. I suppose the fact that she never had to attend a hearing or even call in didn’t help her case. An Oregon Judge also gave me a divorce, but the Israeli Courts do not recognize this Judgment from the U.S.
Now I understand that the practices of Israeli Lawyers, Courts, judges and Citizens may not be all that newsworthy, but I would like to explain a little further how Israel has and is mistreating and violating the rights of, not only myself, but American Government Officials from the U.S. Embassy who were trying to help me gain access to my children under the Hague Convention. In April 2008, the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy were helping me with my Hague Case to gain access to my children. They made several attempts to contact my children by telephone and were able to talk to my oldest son once as well as his grandmother. During this conversation, the U.S. Embassy asked to make a personal visit to the grandparents home to see my children and make sure they were OK, however, the grandmother refused. The U.S. Embassy informed me a month later that because the family was being uncooperative, they were scheduling a cold visit to my oldest son’s school. In June 2008, the U.S. Embassy sent 3 Employees to visit my son’s school and when they arrived on the school grounds a few young boys came up to them to ask who they were. One of the employees, who is the Israeli Arab woman who had spoken to my son over the phone previously, informed the kids that they were from the U.S. Embassy and they were there to speak to Dean Myers. The woman then asked the fair haired boy, wearing a baseball cap, if he was Dean and he said yes. The woman then said that they were there, on his father’s behalf, to speak to him and make sure he was OK. My son began to cry and at that point a teacher arrived. They identified themselves to the teacher and let her know why they were there and asked for permission to speak with Dean. The teacher said she would allow it after she gets permission from his mother and they all went inside the school to contact her. At this point everyone was civil, but that all changed when Dean’s mother Ranya showed up. She refused to let them speak to my son, called the police and accused these people of trying to take our son. I do not know exactly what happened from there, but I do know that I received a phone call at 2:00am, from Ann McGahuey (US State Department – Office of Children’s Issues) letting me know that there was a problem and that I needed to assist in getting two U.S. Embassy employees out of jail. I was told I needed to fax a letter, indicating that I authorized the visit, and a signed copy of the custody agreement to the police station and the office of the U.S. Embassy. For some reason, they showed up with an English translation of the custody agreement. This helped in getting them released from jail and getting the charges dropped, however, neither the U.S. Embassy (Elisa Greene) nor the Office of Children’s Issues (Ann McGahuey), in Washington DC, will tell me what happened. Worse yet, the harassment, by Israeli police, scared the U.S. Embassy so much that they will no longer help me seek access to my children under the Hague Convention. The final report that I received also left out anything to do with their employees being put into jail. When I tried to find out what happened, I was told not to ask, that it was not pertinent to my case and that they will no longer help me seek access to my children. I was shocked to hear that the United States allows this kind of thing to happen to it’s citizens and US Embassy Employees. I felt like Elisa Greene was totally over her head and afraid of the consequences of what had happened and that she wanted to hide this from her boss. Is this not the job of the Hague, but to Help Parents who have been left behind? How is it that the U.S. Embassy allows this harassment? How is it that Israel treats their closest partners and biggest supporters like this and we do nothing?
I have not seen my children in over 3 years and phone conversations are not only at a minimum, but monitored. On two separate occasions, the family didn’t allow me to speak to my sons for 6 months and many gifts and Birthday Cards have been returned to my home. I even have emails, from her attorney, telling me that my children, who very much Love me and want to see me, will continue to be kept from me unless I pay substantial amounts of money, which by the way are not consistent with either Israeli or Sharia Law. Since August 2006, I have written many news agencies, worked with the U.S. State Department and U.S. Embassy, attempted to contact several Congressmen and Senators (John McCain & Jon Kyl) and I am now working with an attorney associated with an Israeli Father’s Rights Advocacy Group. So far, I have had no success in even getting my story out there.
My two sons, Dean and Adi Myers (9 yrs & 6 yrs respectively), do not understand why I don’t come to see them. All I am asking is to have the opportunity to travel freely in and out of Israel and get the opportunity to fight for my rights to my kids in accordance with the Court Order issued by Ashdod Family Court. I also believe it is important that Israel be made aware that they cannot treat Americans, U.S. Embassy Representatives and U.S. Government Officials the way they did in my case.
Thank You for taking the time to read my story and I look forward to hearing from you.
Rick Myers
4820 W Tulsa St.
Chandler, AZ. 85226
Cell: 480-221-0214

Contact Info

Email:

Location:

4820 W Tulsa St.

Chandler, AZ

Random Pictures

Nothing much happening at our house these days.  Just waiting for the heat to be gone!!! 

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On her way to ballet

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Lilly

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Summer time fun in a wash bucket!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Story Time with Sofia

Each night I read one or two books and Sofia “reads” one.  Tonight she chose a book about mermaids – sort of.  Ignore me and my feet!

 

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Do –Re-Mi

Musical theatre tonight – pay close attention to the “free-styler” on the right side of the screen!

Monday, August 24, 2009

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Monday’s Thrifty Finds

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So this weekend we were way to busy to hit up any yard sales, but we did go by the Goodwill.  Here are few items I picked up.  I was looking for items to put in my bedroom because I have been working on a redo.  Last night I rearranged the bedroom and just now put it back together!!

Make sure you head on over to Southern Hospitality to check out everyone’s fabulous finds!

I got all of the pillows you see here on the bed (5 total) for .75 – 1.99 each.  As you can se I have my drapes hung that I mentioned here.  I got the comforter at a great clearance price at Tuesday morning.  Now, I need a cream coverlet to lay across the end of the bed.

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I also got these Citizens of Humanity jeans for $10 and this great green jacket (brand new) for $8.

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Last, I got this chair (which I will be painting the back of) for $4.99.  The cushion matches perfectly with the new fabrics in my bedroom.  This is at my desk.  Next I am on the lookout for a new desk.

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I stopped by Joanne’s to look at some fabric and found these cute pictures in the clearance section for less than $5 each.  They now hang in my master bathroom (which also got a little makeover this weekend).

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Hope everyone had a great weekend and found lots of treasures!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Nutcracker Auditions

Sofia had auditions for the Nutcracker today.  The town I live in puts on a huge performance each year.  It is directed by the dance school Sofia attends.  She had her regular ballet class at 9am this morning and then her audition group performed from 11-12.  She was really tired afterward but very excited.  We found out this evening that she had made it!  She will be an Angel and a Hershey Kiss Mouse. The costumes are amazing and she is now very excited! 

The video below is from last year’s performance.  They will perform 5 times this year.  4 performances at the theatre and one at the Festival of Lights. 

 

Practice starts in about 3 weeks and will be about 2 hours every Saturday.  Wow. 

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Music Theatre Fun

Wednesday nights Sofia has Musical Theatre.  She loves this class.  Each week they take a different movie or play and do a different number. 

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Thrifty Treasures

SouthernHospThriftyTreasurescopy Make sure you head on over to Southern Hospitality to see everyone’s fantastic finds! 

I only stopped at a couple of sales – and one of them was next door.  Below are the few things I found and also a great find I am very happy about from the Goodwill.

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I got Sofia 3 ballet / dance leotards for $1-$2 each and a brand new pair of ballet shoes to save (they are about 2 sizes too big right now).  They were $1.00 also.  I also found her this blingy shirt and a denim skirt (not pictured) for $1.00 each.

The next item below was…..FREE!  It was sitting on the curb in front of my house.  I believe it belonged to the people who had the sale.  It works perfect!!! 

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I found these drapes at the Goodwill for $7.99 per panel!  There are 4 panels and they are 96 inches long!!! Wonderful.  They are custom made and lined.  I am planning a master bedroom overhaul and they are going in there.  While I believe they probably came from a formal living room, I love the colors and they are going to be in my master bedroom!  VERY excited!  They are black and cream and have gorgeous pleating and black grosgrain trim!!!

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Nacho, Nacho, Nacho

 

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Last night was a first for Sofia – she ate Nachos!  Complete with beans (first time she ever had them) and ground turkey (instead of beef).  It was yummy and she actually liked them once she gave them a chance.  She ate about 6 chips with beans, meat, cheese and olives.  Oh and she may have even eaten a green onion or two!  She was so excited that she is the one who told me to post about it!

*to those of you new to my blog, Sofia is about the pickiest eater you could come across!!

It was a yummy dish though. Here is the recipe:

Southwest Nacho Casserole

INGREDIENTS
2lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef

1 cup water

2 envelopes (1.25 oz each) Old El Paso® 40% less-sodium taco seasoning mix

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso® chopped green chiles

2 cans (16 oz each) Old El Paso® fat-free refried beans

2 cups shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese (8 oz)

1 cup chopped tomato (1 large)

1/2 cup chopped green onions (8 medium)

1 can (2.5 oz) sliced ripe olives, drained

1 bag (12 oz) gold tortilla chips (extra thick)

Sour cream, if desired

DIRECTIONS

1.
Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until thoroughly cooked; drain.

2.
Stir in water and taco seasoning mix. Bring to a boil; cook 2 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Stir in chiles.

3.
Spread refried beans in baking dish. Top with ground beef mixture. Cover tightly with foil.

4.
Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until bubbly around edges.

5.
Remove from oven. Uncover; sprinkle with cheese, tomato, onions and olives. Arrange 18 to 20 tortilla chips around outside edges of baking dish. Return to oven; bake uncovered about 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. If desired, top with sour cream. Serve with remaining tortilla chips for scooping.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Just Saturday Stuff

Just a regular Saturday with not too much happening – just the way I like it!  Sofia had ballet this morning and we stopped at a couple of yard sales on our way there – I’ll post those finds later.  After that we just came home and played and now I am supposed to be cleaning the house.  Well, I’m working on it! 

Sofia is busy doing one of her favorite things – taking a shower.  But she is not alone:

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That is our new friend, Lilly!  She is a chocolate lab/ pointer.  She is really cute and is Sofia’s new best friend.  In the shower they are playing vet/ dog groomer.  The dog loves water!

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Moving on to the next random topic.

This is the work Sofia brought home after her first week of school. 

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School is going great and Sofia really likes her teacher.  It was a great first week. 

have a great rest of the weekend!

Friday, August 14, 2009

Flashback Friday

Whitney- 1981 almost 5 and Sofia – 2009. almost 6

Kindergarten Pictures

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Thursday, August 13, 2009

Kelly’s Korner – Show us Your Life – Favorite Vacation Spots

Head on over to Kelly’s Korner to join in the weekly fun!

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Well for those of you who know my, you know I don’t really love traveling. I like weekend trips but not particularly long vacations.  So here are a few shots from my favorite spots.  Oh and I have never left the country (except crossing the border between TX and Mexico – and I promise, that is not vacation!

First up:

Great Smokey Mountains – I grew up going here my entire life. I hope to take Sofia one day so she can hike all the trails I hiked as a child to adult (some of them MANY times!  Since moving out west, I have not been to the Smokies since 1997.

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Next up, Las Vegas --  and I don’t even gamble!  Just like to go and shop…and eat!!!  Apparently, so does Sofia. She has already been to Vegas 10-15 times!

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Next up – Orange Beach / Gulf Shores.  I don’t care what anyone says, this area has the best beaches!

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Next up: Marietta, GA – simple – to see some of the nicest folks in the whole wide world!!!  Hi Elizabeth!  I have been visiting my friend Elizabeth and her family since the moved to Marietta (from Decatur, AL) since 2000.  Sofia has gone to visit every year as well.  We love these folks!  As an added bonus Elizabeth is an awesome photographer and is responsible for some of my most favorite portrait style pictures of Sofia. Including these:

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Of course I consider going home (Alabama) a vacation too! 

Sofia and I at our first Alabama football game! November 2008.

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Sofia catching her first fist with Mimi and PaPaw, May 2008.

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Last and certainly not least, now that I have a child I must admit this place is pretty fun:

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Like I said, I’m not a big traveler.  My favorites are simple – just the way I like them!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

MckLinky Blog Hop Favorite Photo

Join the weekly hop!

This is my favorite photo of Sofia since she has returned from TX. I just love the look of sheer delight on her face!

It is really one of my favorites from all summer!

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