Bigger is NOT better!

What is it with guys and big screen TVs? Ever since Derek graduated from law school, he has been on this kick about getting a big screen TV. I am currently back to my non-TV watching self and could care less about anything on a TV and for sure don't care what size TV screen I watch basically nothing on.

I tried to suggest we wait until we buy a house to accommodate such a purchase especially since the TV he wanted would not fit in our current entertainment center. So, not only are we talking about a new TV, but also a new entertainment center, and getting rid of the old entertainment center.

Derek was first adamant about making the big purchase before leaving Oregon so as to avoid sales tax and "save" so much money. I talked him out of that option seeing as how we had just spent the last 3 years without jobs and in graduate school racking up loads of debt. I think it was more the fear of damaging it while moving that really kept him from the purchase.

Then, we made the move to Utah and started working. Derek thought we should celebrate our first paychecks by buying the TV. I suggested we put that money towards the loans, a house, an emergency fund, you know...responsible things. And, so the TV purchase was again put on hold.

Finally, it was his birthday. And, he really really wanted that TV. I relented and said if he really wanted a TV, he could get it. However, I also added a comment about how TVs would probably go on sale the day after Thanksgiving, and it may be better to wait until then. It was an internal struggle for Derek, and I felt bad putting him through it. But, in the end, he decided to hold off once again on the TV purchase.

Thanksgiving came, and we found ourselves in Southern California visiting my aunt. There were two problems: 1) No time to shop for a TV, and 2) No way to get the TV home with us. I'd say that was a pretty genius plan by myself if you ask me.

Well, now it is Christmas. The time of year where Santa brings you want you wish for if you've been good boys and girls. It took some detailed pro and con lists to determine that Derek had, in fact, been more good than bad. And of course, Derek still wants the TV. So I said, if you can buy the TV (and a new TV stand) from YOUR bank (Derek's checks goes into his bank, and we use that for all our living expenses. My checks go into my bank which is not to be touched except for emergencies or a potential house down payment in the future) and still pay all this month's expenses without enlisting the help of MY bank, then yes you can buy a TV.

It looked tight like he wasn't going to be able to make the purchase, but after thorough analysis of our expenses, Derek marketed a well-planned pitch short only of some graphs or box and whisker plots all pointing to the conclusion that he could indeed afford this TV from HIS bank. So, we now have a bigger TV, a new TV stand, and the old entertainment center is squished into our extra bedroom completely ruining my hard-pressed attempt at a decorating theme!

Since the arrival of this TV, I have received progressively fewer compliments on my attire, hair, face, or anything really. However, every five minutes he stops his bar study to ask, "isn't that TV just beautiful?" I think I will stop showering, putting on make-up, or fussing with my hair. He probably wouldn't notice.

Today, is the BYU bowl game. In honor of the new TV, Derek announces yesterday (a day before the game) that "everyone" is coming over to watch the game at our place, and I need to make food. I love this TV more every day.

The second I walked in the door after ward choir practice (7 hours before actual game) Derek asked, "want a preview of how good a football game looks on this TV?" and turns to some random football game. I appropriately oooohhhed and aaaawwwed all the while thinking my husband Derek does not need any additional excuses to watch more football.

So, that is our latest news. And, I believe this TV has over and over proved to me that bigger is, in fact, not better!