From the beginning...

[25yearsmlc]

BB,

this is a reaction I have that is "off the top of my head", okay?

I say don't toss in the barb about her not working since May. To a lot of women, having to work is a negative reflection on their h, as unfair as that may seem.
Plus she probably feels self esteem blows you are not aware of at all...and

to me, you sound a little bitter and as if you are scorekeeping. And not being fun.

Too bad you could not even ENTERTAIN the idea of a flat screen.

She may have wanted to play some, just daydream. Let it run its' course til SHE says "OMG I just investigated the costs of a good one...guess we'll have to wait a bit more." That way you are not just saying NO like a parent. The parental tone is a turn off. If she actually thinks you CAN afford it, and you don't, at least hear her out. You two may not be that far apart but "warring" about it isn't the way to work through something, with a winner and a loser.

I used to find it such a downer if I'd wonder out loud "where would WE go if we could go anywhere in the world"

and h's reaction would be first, an audible sigh, and "woe is me" comment about "first paying for ALL the kids' colleges"...I mean at that rate, it'd never happen.

you know, it cost nothing to dream...