Background

I had been following the American Dream for the past 30 years, working, clawing, slowly making my way to the top. When I became vice president of the company I was working for I bought what my boss termed "a house worthy of an executive."

When that same man pulled the rug out from under me two years ago, I re-thought my strategies including how much time I was able to spend with my family and we sold the American Dream and bought the American Fixer Upper.

I'm not such a handy guy, but we tackled this anyway. The little bride figures there's nothing that can't be done if you try. I don't always agree.