Make a list and check it twice

The hubby and I sat down the other night and discussed a few home improvement projects.  There is a lot that we want done, but it is hard to prioritize.  I'm not very good at deciphering between a "want" and a "need".  I decided to make a list so we could SEE what we were dealing with. 

As we started looking at the list we realized that item #2 couldn't get done until Item #3 was complete.  And Item #3 could not get done until item #4 was complete.  And on and on it went....we finally realized that there was definitely going to have to be an "order" in which these items were completed.  And the order that we came up with is not one to make me happy.  The first item on our list is the most expensive and I really, really hate big purchases.

Here is the list of things I would like to have done by the end of the year(assuming our finances allow it)

1. Have central air installed along with a separate furnace for our basement
2. Build a deck in our backyard
3. Install sliding glass doors in our dining room to access said deck
4. Install privacy fence on the one side of our backyard that does not already have it
5. Replace all the screens in our windows (they are all broke and/or missing)
6. Replace all the old mulch with new
7. Paint the laundry room
8. Paint the master bedroom
9. Paint one of the spare bedrooms
10. Install a new front door
11. New counter tops in kitchen

This is not even the entire list, but only the "high priority" items.  I have a feeling it will be another 3-5 years before our list is completed.  It's a good thing we don't have any plans of moving any time soon!

If only I could win one of those HGTV makeovers.....