How the heck do you tell a man, "No, you may not be the man you've longed to be for ten years and show your wife how much you appreciate her"?

You don't, especially not in these initial stages of "Seriously? We aren't going to debtors' prison? You mean it???" I'd say that the best thing you can do is gently guide his purchases (the ones for you) so that you end up with something you would wear/use. Maybe earrings?

Besides, I always got the impression that your DH is well aware that you prefer cutty, blade-y things to sparkly, gem-y things.

(suddenly picturing MM showing Em pictures of people, and saying "who's that?" and Em looks at POTUS and says "total fuckcake,") It's oddly heartwarming.ETA: Connie, he's just enjoying being able to choose again. He's had a lot of choices limited recently, and I know from experience that being poor makes it worse.

(suddenly picturing MM showing Em pictures of people, and saying "who's that?" and Em looks at POTUS and says "total fuckcake,") It's oddly heartwarming.

Have you been spying on me?

(((Nora))) Feel better.

(((Aimee))) If you have the time coming to you, you should be able to take it whenever you need it.

Not literally, no. But I'm glad to know I was on the right track.

I would totally drive up and help out this weekend if it weren't for my cat. Tough to know where to put her, and I really don't think you need another furry animal about the place.

Yeah, but if you come up, I'm not going anywhere!

Dear UMB Library Website,

Why the hell do you have a star after a few entries on your hours page, but then don't tell us what the hell those stars mean, making me suspicious of your Spring Break hours listed?

No love,

vw

How the heck do you tell a man, "No, you may not be the man you've longed to be for ten years and show your wife how much you appreciate her"?

Assuming there was a decent amount left over after the bills were paid, maybe put X in a savings account and use the rest to satisfy some pent-up splurging urges?

What Teppy said about guiding his purchases (and at least he's looking for bargains -- I mean, $50 on a diamond wristwatch you'd never wear is preferable to a $5000 diamond etc., for what that's worth), with the addition to guide him toward buying a little something for himself, too?

I always got the impression that your DH is well aware that you prefer cutty, blade-y things to sparkly, gem-y things.

In the Bronze Age world that is my husband's mind, the cutty, blade-y things are everyday necessities, and when there's loot to be had, you shower your woman with glittery stuff. I may have gone a bit gaga over things like the Hope Diamond and the Crown Jewels and piles of sparkly things that have crossed my path. Shinies.

And anyway, that .22 pistol was for me. Sig Sauer. The kind Scully uses, and gun shop owners aren't impressed when a woman's shopping criteria include "Oh, that's what Scully has!"