gifts unopened

Christie's Christmas presents for her dad are still sitting on my kitchen counter. It's sad, really.

There was an early holiday celebration on my ex's side of the family, which Christie went to, but since she didn't have his presents wrapped that early, she didn't take them along. Then Christmas Day came and went. As far as I know, he didn't call her. Not sure how hard she tried to call him. Usually when I ask her to call him, she says he's never home, and that he doesn't text her back.

She says she doesn't want to be around him, that he doesn't even know her, and she wonders why I ever chose him (to marry and be her father). She says she wants Andy to be her father. That part is not sad to me. The fact that her own dad has missed the opportunity to connect with such a fantastic kid is what is sad.

He really blew it a few years ago when he behaved like a 2 year old, cursing under his breath at her, at women in general, throwing things, slamming doors. Christie got so upset at the way he treated her, and the words that he uttered, that she decided not to spend her 3 days/week at his house anymore. In fact she called me that night from his house and begged me to come and pick her up. And that's probably why she doesn't make an effort to stay in touch with him. That I do understand.

I wonder if he has any regrets. I wonder how he'll react to the news that she and I are moving to California. Will he accuse me of taking his daughter away from him? That would certainly be a twisted accusation, but it seems likely nevertheless.

finally, a laptop!

Hopefully the indecision ends here. I finally bought a friggin laptop. The flyer from Future Shop came with a "final clearance" on the laptop I'd been eyeing since December. So I hauled myself over there and grilled the handsome young sales guy until I was completely convinced that I was choosing the right one.

And now I sit here from the privacy of my bedroom--no young roving eyes peeking into their mother's online antics and no wrestling the 13-yr-old MSN addict for computer time. Woo-hoo! I love the nice wide screen and resolution, even the soft clicking of the keys.

Since my purchase was somewhat spontaneous (after 3 months of contemplation) I didn't tell Rob about it till that night. As this had been the intended Christmas gift from him to me, I think that by buying it I've gotten myself into more of a pickle. You and I both know I'd decided long ago that I wanted something more sparkly and meaningful from him than a laptop, but he had not a clue! I'd just been letting it slide over the last few months hoping he'd read my mind, I guess.

So basically I robbed my Rob of the chance to give me the laptop as a gift. He certainly wasn't going to hand me cash or go to the bank and pay off my credit card. So I felt a little guilty, but then I didn't. Now he's reconsidering what he can give me for Christmas (2008). It was our first attempt at exchanging gifts, a ritual he doesn't believe in, but I convinced him it would be fun. Oops...

He suggested maybe he'd pay for the trip we're taking this weekend, as a gift. We're staying overnight Saturday in a nearby city and going to a concert there Sunday afternoon. I'm sure it'll be fun.

It doesn't sparkle, but what the hell. Gotta let the guy off the hook.