Winter House Projects

G-man grew up fishing.  I don't understand the attraction....but whatever.  He spends his internet time looking at fishing stuff, chatting on fishing forums, discussing lures.....not my bag baby.

The other day, the topic of "winter" hobbies came up, and what are all these men (there are women on these sites, but they are few and far between) doing while they are waiting for the weather to warm up and they can hit the water.  Of course, some are hard core and go ice fishing.  But most have some other hobby they do during the winter months.

And one guy....who normally I would have hugged for this, but in this case has started a bigger discussion.....says he does the indoor house projects that his wife wants done.  In his opinion, why waste a beautiful spring or summer day on the house when you can go get stinky and touch fish that are happier in the water than being yanked from their homes with a sharp metal object in their mouth (gee.....tell me how you really feel Mysti.....)

House projects.  Now G-man wants to work on all the inside house projects we have talked about, which includes but is not limited to: 

• Putting a new floor in the powder room (the lovely peel and stick tiles have come loose, and some have broken due to the cold).  
• Painting the office.  
• Painting the living room.
• Building a desk for Sassy.

Great idea....except....this stuff costs money that we don't have right now!  Alot of this stuff is "dream" stuff for updating the house.  Painting the office and living room probably requires 4-5 gallons of paint (for walls, ceiling, and trim), plus supplies (roller covers, tape, etc). The office and the living room will "need" new window blinds as well as painting (5 windows), or we leave the blinds and they are cream and the new trim is white (the blinds are great, and we would order the same ones, just in white.  Then I would try and sell the ones we have).   The flooring in the bathroom will be 2 boxes of the flooring we want, plus a new wax ring for the toilet that has to come out to do the job.  

Sassy's room....a whole other ball of wax.  She is growing up and would like some more "grown up" things in her room.  Depending on what we decide will determine where her desk will go (her room is tiny), and thus the size.  And whatever else.....a chair, shelves, etc.

He wants to do this so he has more time to fish.  I understand his point.  I just don't have any idea where he thinks this money is coming from!!!   We need new tires for his car (which I think we can cover between the money in the car maintenance account and some overtime money); we just got some medical bills in (which will get in line with the $315 we are still paying on my surgery last year); my car needs to be looked at due to the tires leaking (I am at a loss on this one).

I will admit, there is a part of me that wants to do SOMETHING on the list.  We have $175 in the "fun project" account....which is also our new furniture account.  I told him IF we agree to take that money towards one of these projects...it will be that much longer before we can get new furniture.  He said "ok" but in G-man world that means "ok, until you figure something else out, right."  I am trying to not use that money for "life" stuff, as we really do need the furniture and such.  But if push comes to shove....

We are not getting a tax refund (the numbers aren't final yet, but we owe a small amount, which will come from the "taxes" account).  Overtime is hit or miss.  I am trying to find a new job.  The recent changes in taxes on our paychecks leaves our checks a bit smaller.  Gas seems to be going up again.

I love that he WANTS to do this stuff, it just isn't in the current budget.  Sorry hon....you may have to miss a day of fishing this summer to do the projects when we actually have the money!