things starting to fall together

[MarkG]

short version of my story:
WAW left Aug 2008 and I went absolutely crazy, I hit a lot of speedbumps, obsessed about how things were going to work, then got in a car accident that involved criminal charges and I sat a short sentence in the state pen, been out 2 months and doing a lot better since then mentally, emotionally, and physically

what's happening now:
I'm looking for a job in the field I went to school for but there are no jobs in town so I'm going to have to move. I live with my parents now, who have custody of my children. My W is in another state and her OM recently went to prison for at least 2 years. She has no job, no car, and few friends. Last night she finally broke down and asked me if I thought things could work out between us again, but she did it in her usual reverse psychology method by 1st asing if & when I was signing the D papers. I am completely aware of the fact that this could be because of OM's incarceration, her lack of job car and friends, etc. but on the other hand WAS's need to be broken somehow.

But my question today isn't about any of that, I've already thought of the long-term problems and the anticipated things such as how to get over both of our insecurities, where to live, whether to live together, timelines, etc. This is far more trivial, but at the same time since it's the beginning and does deal with a long standing issue it might be far more important. Here's the last few texts between us last night:

her: Well if u want try to work it out I will hopefully be down for christmas we can talk more in person then but we can talk about whatever till then
her: And if u decide no just sign the papers but if u decide we can try first proof of change is something i never had on time
me: K. I'm going to go to bed now tho but i'll call u from work tomorrow when i'm not busy
me: Proof of change?
her: Present on the holiday

I was slightly confused and it took me til this afternoon to understand what she meant. I kept thinking "I was always around on holidays!" I was reading it as " 'proof of change' is something I never had on time" as opposed to what she really meant, which was that something she never had was a present on time for the holiday. At first I was angry, thinking no way am I going back to a greedy b****! But then I started thinking about how since I went back to school I have not had enough money around any holiday or birthday to get presents on time for xmas, valentine's day, bdays, etc. and if I did have the money I may not have had time to make it to the store til a few days after. Sometimes xmas + valentine's day + her bday (2 weeks after valentine's day) would all get combined into one present, which was always something nice, but even that had to wait until tax returns. Watching the movie Click with Adam Sandler last night made me put it in perspective a bit. It's not the 1st time I've seen the movie, and not the 1st time I've thought of the comparison. My hectic schedule put me on the autopilot he talks about, and after graduating and having all the hours put into school returned to my freetime I struggle to use it well. That's most definitely the next issue I'm trying to tackle along with seeking employment.

So am I right in thinking she's not really being greedy, she's looking for something deeper than that? I'm leaning towards getting her a present for xmas, but most definitely something purely sentimental, not something functional, not too costly, and of course on time for xmas day. Last night she did tell me before she moved out of state our wedding rings got stolen. My 1st choice for a xmas present is to try to find our rings at the local pawn shops, etc. My 2nd thought was her 1st engagement ring, but then again something I already have sitting in my house probably doesn't count so I'm not going to do that. In the case I don't find our wedding rings what should I be looking for? Or should I at all?

Sorry for the wrong read, thanks to those who read it.