Well, that’s the story. So if your air conditioner goes on the fritz or your washing machine blows up or your video recorder conks out; before you call the repairman turn on all the lights, check all the closets and cupboards, look under all the beds, ’cause you never can tell there just might be a gremlin in your house. — Gremlins

Honestly, if one more thing goes wrong around here, I’m going to call in Monster Hunter International and a priest to take care of the issue.  Owning a home means you own all the problems, and you better either have money to pay someone to deal with them, or the skills to do it yourself.  If you’re like me, you fake it until you make it.  A little Internet research, a couple DIY books from the hardware store, and a small wallet are my resources to figure out plumbing, carpentry, gardening, and landscaping.

You know, that retirement condo with no yard and a maintenance contract is sounding better and better all the time.