Tim holds a Tool Man auction on Tool Time to help raise money for Jill's fund raiser for the library. Bob Vila guest stars and raises more money. Tim challenges Bob to a hot rod race.

Randy starts a romantic correspondence with a woman in St. Louis on a computer bulletin board, presenting himself as a 32-year-old dermatologist rather than a 12-year-old, but his bluff is endangered when she decides to come meet him. Meanwhile, Tim helps Mark with his science project, but has to fight the urge to do it all himself. Also, Tool Time gets a visit from the crew of the Space Shuttle Endeavor (STS-61).

After an acquaintance of hers gets cosmetic surgery to please her husband, Jill gets mad at Tim for suggesting that she could benefit from some improvements. On Tool Time, Tim and Al attempt to refurbish a table. Meanwhile, Brad and Randy challenge Mark to a series of games, with the loser having to do cleanup chores around the house.

For Mother's Day, Tim and the boys plan for a hot tub, but they have to remove the swing set. Jill mentions she wants an herb garden. When she sees the swing set gone, she reminisces how much she enjoyed it. Tim gets the swing set back.

Tim and Al present the "man's kitchen" on Tool Time, but it costs so much that the head of Binford insists they cut back on expenses for the rest of the year - ruining Tim's big plans for the show's fifth anniversary program.

Jill hosts a baby shower for a friend. Tim reluctantly attends. The women flatter him and Tim charms them. Jill wants in on some of the charm with Tim, but he does some uncharming things that night.

Al and Tim are asked to guest host "Cooking with Irma" while Irma is out of town for a week, but Tim chafes at suddenly being Al's assistant. Meanwhile, Randy needs advice about a girl he likes.

Tim agrees to build a house for Habitat for Humanity on his show, with famous athletes helping out, but Al and Jill challenge him by agreeing to lead a separate team (made up of women) to see who can build a house faster. Meanwhile, Brad doesn't know what to do after giving Ashley a locket he found, not telling her that it was lost by one of Jill's friends.

Brad asks for his own room after getting tired of sharing with Randy.

When Jill's father comes to visit, their relationship is strained by their longtime inability to have an honest talk, but this causes problems when he asks her opinion on the book he's written about his military career.

Al invites Tim to go ice fishing with him, but Tim is only interested in bringing his TV and tools along rather than passing the time in conversation.

Ilene is furious with Al after he tells Tim about an embarrassing dream Ilene had about Tim, which Tim then tells to Jill.

Randy loses a sled race to a neighbor boy he does not like, so Tim helps build a super sled. He wants to win to prove he is good even though short. Meanwhile, Brad wants to give up his saxophone lessons.

Mark performs in the Christmas play at school. A neighbor puts up decorations a day before Tim does it, and it is because Randy is sharing Tim's secrets with that neighbor's granddaughter. Brad wants to go skiing instead of staying home.

Al watches the boys while Jill & Tim attend Jill's 20th high school reunion in Washington DC. Jill tries to avoid Joanie, the girl who stole her boyfriend. But, they talk and Jill hears the whole story.

For the Christmas card photo, Tim wants to build a set and have the family dress up as Santa and the elves. On Tool Time, Tim builds the MAN'S bathroom.

Jill's mother gives the three boys bonds to either re-invest or to spend. The boys decide to buy a valuable remote control car. Tim & Jill tell them they cannot play with it, but of course, the boys decide to drive it around.

Binford Tools has a prototype for a new power saw and wants Tim to promote it on Tool Time later that week. Tim tests it out at home and finds it is inferior and not worthy of the Binford name. Tim and Al tell their concerns to the boss.