Pete's Dilemma - New Computer vs. Good Spouse

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

What would Christmas be without a little guilt?

First off, my apologies to anyone out there having a truly shitty Christmas, my problem is trivial in comparison.

My wife is into horses, don’t ask me to explain it, I can’t. Something about girls and ponies, but that’s another thread. Anyhow this year we built a barn so her beasties could live in our back yard. Not just a simple shed either, it’s the bees-knees of barns. Lots of $.

My wife also can’t stand computers, hates the things, but tolerates the fact that I like them. The machine I use at home is a relic, vintage 1996 Pentium 166. Still does some things well, just really slow.

I would love a new unit, but money is surprisingly tight, and my schoolteacher wife wants to quit work after this year to stay home with our newborn. We keep trying to get on a real budget, trying to figure out how we’re going to live on my salary alone (did I mention HORSES$).

Anyhow, a while back, she tells me that it’s okay if I order a new computer. Her 'rents usually give us a check for Xmas, and it would go most of the way towards a new system. I think part of it is guilt for the whole barn deal.

I’m torn. I really want a new system, something that can actually keep up with current software, but yet I also know that the money would be better spent trying to set aside savings for the future.

So, who should I be this year? Selfish asshole or caring husband/father?

2

Normally, if you were a friend of mine I’d say be a good husband/dad and put the money away. But horses have far more resale value than old computers and she’s not going to have time to care for more than one horse with a new baby anyway. Errr, I’m assuming you meant a human newborn, not a foal.

3

Would it be possible to buy parts, then assemble? Assuming you have the know-how, it is a cheap route, in that you don’t have to buy the whole system at once.

4

Marlon Brando can probably get you a good deal on the head.
::quietly slips back into shadows::