Peonies and Jewelry

Our reno “must do list” is like an argument you try to ignore, but it keeps popping back up at the most inconvenient time.  We can’t stop revising it.  I thought a simple three piece suit (painting) would have been all of the renovations needed to make this rough looking home presentable, but unfortunately our Money Pit needs a little bit more TLC than anticipated.  A couple bottles of Lambrusco and a few lively discussions later DH and I both agreed that due to irreconcilable differences it would be best to separate…renovation priorities that is. 

A minor argument can usually be resolved with my favorite flowers—peonies and tulips—but an all out, trenches dug, hand grenades propelled, having to implement COIN (counterinsurgency), calling in air support type of argument requires jewelry, or for DH, at least 8 uninterrupted hours of Xbox.

Thus the creation of two renovation wish lists:

Peonies and Tulips

• Paint EVERYTHING
• Update Kitchen (budget $300)
•  Refurbish antique furniture

Jewelry/ Quality time with the Xbox

• 2-story addition 600sqf
• Master closet (to include laundry room)
• Master bathroom
•  Dream Kitchen
• Den/Family Room
• Refinish original 1940s wood floors if possible
• Remodel Upstairs Bathroom
• Update Electrical
• Update Plumbing
•  Repair or remove all plaster walls and popcorn ceilings
•  Add closet in 3^rd Bedroom
• Finish Basement
• Up to code staircase
• Built in shelves for Library/office
• New Light fixtures
• Privacy fence
•  Garage
• Sprinkler system
•  Patio
•  Paint Siding
•  Repair Walkway

Why the two?  Well, I think I must have been love drunk when I made the argument that we’d be able to do everything we wanted within the first year.  Sure we can easily spring for the items on our Peonies/Tulips list, but funding a 2-story addition, now that’s almost equivalent to the Tiffany’s Cobblestone Yellow Diamond bracelet I’ve been drooling over. 

I kid, I kid, our  budget is a little less....

Is your DIY list never ending?  How do you compromise with your significant other?