Here's one for the hubbies....

I need help finding an affordable do-at-home in downtime hobby. My hubs is a builder, and with construction so slow, he's looking for stuff to do (and he NEEDS something other than the computer to keep him busy).

He plays golf on occasion ($$) and cuts the grass. He's not a reader, and doesn't have a lot of patience for tiny details (ie, building models - that sort of thing). With winter coming, there won't be much in the way of yard work and no golf. Yikes!

He used to collect coins, but now that you have to buy the coins instead of hunting for them, he says that's no fun.

He does like to draw/re-do house plans (on the computer, of course!!). That's about the only thing so far I've seen spark an interest. We used to have an RV, but it went back to the bank, so he can't invent trips anymore (and we couldn't afford them now anyhow!).

He and a couple of friends have obtained 8 mobile homes and are gutting them out and re-doing them for people to purchase (very affordably). It's a great idea for low low income people to be able to have their own home. It sure will improve the area
as well.

Anyhow, if anyone has any suggestions, I'll pass them on to him and see what the reaction is!

How about quilt pattern design, or perhaps building bird houses. I also know around here we have trouble getting someone willing to do small home repairs.

If he like woodworking, how about a quilt rack. You have a good source for posting pictures & lots of potential buyers.

I was going to suggest the small home repairs also. We are trying to find someone reliable and honest to do two bathrooms and some work on our den and let me tell you (as we say down south) "It's slim pickins". Nobody want to work on anything but new home building and they just aren't going to find much of that these days.

I hope you find something for him. (It will make it easier on you too. ;-)

The home repair thing isn't high on his list of priorities! He knows what needs to be done and how, but doesn't like to do it and sometimes does a half-a** job on a project! (He actually calls me Mrs. Fix-it because I do most of the stuff around here!). Must be in my blood - my brother in Northern NJ has a handy-man business and does really well - always busy!

I suggested the quilt pattern thing to him a while back and that went over with a dull thud!

I think he's being waaaaay to picky and won't even give some of these things a shot. Funny - my Mom suggested bird houses, too. I'll suggest it and let you know!

I'll suggest it!

wow, i finally got my hubby reading. that helped a lot.
good luck

Quilt hangers for the wall? Thread racks? Clocks?

How about bird feeders? Or squirrel feeders? I have seen and bought some really creative designs. These go really well at craft fairs here. You might take him to a craft fair- there should be alot this time of year. And maybe he'll see something that sparks his interest.