Too Country? Nope, Too Practical.

I really regret not going to Brad Paisley's concert last year, and it looks like practicality may win out again this year.   You know how women are supposed to be offended if their husband buys them a cleaning implement or kitchen appliance for their anniversary?  Not me - that's the kind of stuff I specifically ask for.  The best gift I can ever remember receiving was my Bosch mixer, although it was from my mom when I graduated from BYU.  So when I look at the long list of things I want, I typically prioritize by practicality.  Brad Paisley tickets are on the low end of "practical".  Here's my unedited list of Things I Want or Think I Need, exactly as it is written on my secret scrap of paper [I'll save my editorial comments and explanations for a future post]:

Natural/mineral makeup and/or makeover
Spa stuff - massage, manicure, etc.
Chiropractic care
Contacts and/or glasses
Henna
Flexi-8's
Ficcares
hairsticks
Nursing bra
Clothes
Shoes
Food processor attachment for Bosch
Dillard's or similar gift certificates
Engineering scale
BRAD PAISLEY CONCERT tickets
Photoshop Elements
Digital scrapbooking instructional DVDs
silk sleeping cap or pillowcase
AV re:coil
robe

When I look at that long list of much more practical things, how can I even consider concert tickets?  Not to mention the other challenges of going to this concert, namely:
1 - It's an hour away, on a weeknight
2 - My husband would have to skip most of his sleeping time to go, and then he'd have to go to work right afterwards.  We might even have to leave early so he can get to work.
3 - I'd have to go to work the next day (but maybe this isn't really a big deal since I always stay up half the night wasting time on the internet)
4 - We'd have to get a babysitter who could take the kids until very late at night (but maybe we could get noise-reducing ear muffs and take the baby with us)
5 - I discussed the cost with my husband, and we agreed that we'd forego expensive Christmas presents (like concert tickets) and get a portable dishwasher instead.  We HATE washing dishes by hand.  I'm all for the old days, but not when it comes to dishwashers.  I love modern appliances.

Earlier in the week when I started this post, I was waffling.  The biggest thing is the dishwasher.  I could buy the tickets and have one fun night.  Or I could put that money towards the dishwasher and be 80% free from dishes from here on out.  We were thinking that we'd be spending $300+ for the dishwasher.  But yesterday I found a NEVER BEEN USED nearly-new portable dishwasher on KSL.com for $75!!  Of course it was gone by the time I found it, but if one popped up, another will come along eventually.  (I hope). 

Oh and by the way, I've made my choice.  I'm throwing caution to the wind and ignoring the consequences - I'm buying the tickets.  Tomorrow morning, 10 am sharp.