Moral Dilemma Inna Vacuum

I have a horrible ex-boyfriend, because really, horrible exes are like cars with oil leaks, experimental hairdos, and deranged roommates - everyone's got to have one in their past. Anyway, one of his more minor faults was that he rarely listened to me, and when he did listen, it was just so he could prove that his judgment was superior.

"Minor fault." Man, I'm so glad I have a son; I would seriously spend the entire next decade worrying about how to explain to a daughter that "disrespectful dismissive asshole" is dumpworthy, considering that I spent five years with that guy. With a son, I can leave the conversation to the Perfect Mate.

Anyway, for Christmas one year, The Horror got me a gold-colored watch. With my money, since he was chronically unemployed. Only, I don't like gold. I never have. Everything I have is silver, stainless steel, silvertone, white gold, platinum... see the trend? When I was asked what I wanted for Christmas, I said "A silver watch."

He got me a gold one because it was "better looking." So I spent Christmas morning oohing and aahing over an unsuitable watch (because Nice People act like it's the thought that counts, and it is, except when it's passive aggressive garbage), and the next year turning my wrist green wearing this watch, so I wouldn't have to deal with the Wounded Puppy Face.

Now, Perfect Mate, the one who got me a silver ring after we'd been dating for two months based entirely on his observations of what I actually wore... he wants a Dyson vacuum cleaner. He does all the vacuuming in this household. He specifically asked for this brand for his birthday. He never asks for anything.

This vacuum cleaner is more than five hundred dollars and appears in the middle of the Consumer Reports ratings range. Even if it were the top of the chart, I'd still die inside at spending that much on an appliance. My first CAR wasn't that much. Rainy and Lah are no help helping me break this deadlock, because Rainy feels the way I do about five hundred dollar vacuum cleaners, and Lah HAS ONE.

I'd have already bought the top-rated, half-as-costly Sears vacuum cleaner, if I could have rid myself of the suspicion that this is a gold watch in an appliance box.