For the past week and a half, I've been awakened by the sound of hammers outside my house. We replaced the wood trim around the exterior because it was disintegrating due to termites. The walls are stucco.

I'm glad we finally got it done. Hubbo never wants to do anything or pay for repairs, but I didn't want my house falling from termite rot.

The handyman lives in this housing complex 2 blocks away. Several neighbors recommended him. I walked up to him when he was taking his lunch break in his truck (he was fixing another house in this cul-de-sac) and asked him to take a look at our place, because I knew we had wood damage.

I hired him without consulting Hubbo, who would've complained about the money. I feel we have an investment in this home and need to take care of it.