I have to say I'm completely envious of your ability to share the kids w/XW. I'd love to be flexible and accomodating, but you know what I'm dealing w/so it is nothing but the letter of the law for me buddy.
Enjoy the time you have to yourself and I hope you get all your shopping done too.
I met with a mortgage guy today and it looks like a good deal so I am proceeding to refinance for the big payout. I got the process going to get X off my health insurance with the COBRA. I also setup to transfer the child support automattically from my checking each month to X's account. My L's assistant is getting the SEP IRA's transferred. I will sign over the title to one car and figure what to do with stocks. XW's lawyer had those assigned to her on the ledger, but she knows nothing about the stock market and all the stock is a big time loser. It would benefit me more as a tax deduction when they are sold. I am proposing that I buy the stocks from her, but I am going to gige her with all the information about them in case she wants to keep them.
I got some of the shopping done. I got D6 a set of golf clubs and bag. So far only books for S8, but I plan to go to a rock shop this weekend and get him a rock tumbler. I need to also get something for G40 and her D4. During last summers road trip vaction, I bought some very nice Opal earings at a mine in northern Nevada that I will probably give to G40.
You sound like a busy little beaver! How does it feel detangling the remaining household and financial involvements with your ex spouse?
I've always felt the most memorable gifts were the ones under $25.. the ones where you keep meaning to get for yourself, but never get around to it. One year my mom gave me a whisk. I was howling with laughter because I reallly needed it! And I still remember even though it was 8 years ago.
Also.. I'd suggest getting her something now that reflects who she is to you, not something you happen to have (which can always be given at a later time). This is your first Christmas, after all. Make it personal.
Maybe even ask her what she wants.. you might be surprised.
I got D8 some golf clubs when she was 6 also.....cool. Already on the earring Christmas gift....you do move fast. I have not given any thought whatsoever to any christmas gifts except for D8 and my two nephews.... rock band collecter's edition for D8's Wii....If the house is a rockin don't bother knockin....
Glad you knocked a lot off your "to-do" list. That should free things up for you to start to relax a bit more.
Gypsy's idea on the G40 gift is intriguing. You may want to play w/it a bit. If you can come up w/something small, but original, it would indeed be memorable for her.
I thought the earrings sounded like a really nice idea myself. Something from a family trip given to your new partner - sends a message of welcoming her as part of the family. Just my $0.02...
Me45 W35 M6 T8 D16 SD11 D0 Dec 07: Bomb July 08: Busted! Thread
I believe you said you are doing a 4/4/3/3 or a 4/3/3/4, can't remember...I tried both out on paper but it seems one parent will have them on the weekends all the time no matter how I try to pattern it out. How do you guys do it? Also since you are the king of information any links or suggestions for that? H wants 50-50 and I am not willing to go a full week without my kids. Thanks Kerry!
The thermal underwear seem cozy btw. And we are in an "Ice Storm Warning"....sounds so ominous!
This is the ghost of Christmas past. Thermal underwear may be cozy but as a first holiday gift to a potential romantic partner .... not so good. In fact, bad. And if she finds out you bought the earrings before you met her, she'll think they were for XW and boy will that one sting.
My $.02. Hope you and kids are doing well - I still check in. Stay in touch if you want.
