Tonight Candyce and I celebrated her 21st birthday with a glass of wine. We had a quiet table outside under a leafy tree. She nursed a dainty glass of chardonnay as we ranted about color theory, graphic design, and magazine politics. Now I know that last sentence sounded pretentious, but it’s no different than two farmers talking fertilizer and the farmer’s almanac. You talk about what you love.

Matt Maher’s new lady friend is visiting from Texas this week. She is a contractor by trade, which is kind of cool. Back home she pays the bills by installing wood floors, tile, and applying decorative finishes to walls.

It’s been a year and a half since I pulled up the carpet and scraped the linoleum from my bathroom floor. Since then it’s been a ritual to brush my teeth and stare at the floor and think to myself, “I really need to finish this floor.” So I hired her for the job. Matt Maher was pretty excited to see his babe using power tools. He laughed hard and suggested I design him a T-shirt that reads, “My Girlfriend Uses Powertools”

I’ve been reading the newest issue of Metropolitan Home magazine. I love flipping through the pages and seeing different takes on hip houses. It might be a couple years before I do any major work on my home. Last night I asked Candyce for advise on money. I need to figure out how to pay for all of my personal projects:

1. nomoho.com: buying a new computer, launching a line of shirts, hats, and belt buckles, buying a customizing a promotional car.

2. Remodeling my house: kitchen, dining room, den, and living room.

3. Real estate: buy, sell. Repeat.

4. Backyard: Redesign the landscaping.

We sorted out all the details for an hour, and finally decided I shouldn’t remodel my house. I need to put my time and energy on nomoho.com and real estate investments. Nomoho.com is important to me, and it can help a lot of people. The realty thing will make money so I can afford to make more websites in the future. I can give a little bit of attention to the backyard, but not much.

It’s hard to imagine not remodeling my house, because I already had a contractor hired to do the job earlier this year. He flaked out on me, so it never happened. Since then, I’ve talked to a few other contractors about picking up the job. I was really excited about making my house more livable, stylish, and complete. But my life has changed, and so must my plans.

I bought my house a couple years ago because I wanted something to keep me busy when I got off of work. I also wanted a cozy retreat when I came back from traveling. But now I have a girlfriend, and she’s given me stability and peace. So remodeling the house can wait a few years. I’m fine with that decision.

What did Albert Einstein’s house look like? No history book cares to describe his living room furniture or carefully chosen wall colors. I’d almost be embarrassed to have a perfect house while the world is still a mess.