My mama didn't raise no stupid kids -- I'm gonna let the professionals do the hard stuff like 'lektrisity an' plummin' an' re-roofin'. They got the tools an' ekspurteez an' I don't. (Besides, I'm kinda tired of running up and down ladders, hurting myself, doing the job over and over 'til I get it sorta right, and cussin' a blue streak all the while. I can think of lots of other things to do that don't involve the "heavy lifting".)

We'll probably get the flashing and bird intrusion fixed right away and leave the re-roofing until Spring. It's a cedar shake roof, and I'm thinking of replacing it with a metal rook in shake pattern. Then I'll probably be dead or elsewhere before I have to think about it again.

The termite treatment will be done right away tool.

I want to replace the current electric cooktop with a gas one -- better heat control during cooking. (The second kitchen can stay as it is -- it works, it's all electric, and I probably won't ever use it.)

I'm also thinking of replacing the 40 gallon water heater with a tankless unit -- a bit more expensive, but tankless units come in both gas and electric and have a LOT going for them. Any suggestions or experience in this area would be welcome.

I'll also get the chimneys and flues swept and inspected.

Toilets and plumbing repairs are on the top burner too. The inspector recommended pulling the carpeting off the deck so that the wood can dry out and water doesn't accumulate under the carpet. Deckman, the wood is moisture stained, but seems solid (they used to have a hot tub); the railing is only 30 inches instead of the now-required 36 high.

Bobert, the "wet bar" area is really a kitchen but without a stove. It's got a double sink, cabinets, and a place for a fridge, so the house really has 2.75 kitchens. The area looks like a small kitchen, not like any wet bar I ever saw.

Behind this wet bar is the store room.

A word about LDS beliefs as I understand them (and I'm not Mormon).

You are to keep a year's supply of food and water (or better yet, more) stored for your family in anticipation of The Coming. Thus, many houses in this area have "Mormon Storerooms." The second kitchen is so that you can take in another LDS family if they fall onto hard times, helping your fellows out in their times of trouble. *NOTE: If I'm wrong here I'd appreciate having any LDS or jack-Mormon 'Catter correct me -- my books are stored and I'm going on memory and hearsay.*

I think that I'm going to turn the storeroom into a workshop. There's a nice pantry in the kitchen, and I agree with Mark 14:32 anyway. (See? I've even read the Bible! Also a bunch of other books, good and bad.)