the freakin' screws are so deep down and twisted that i can't get a screwdriver in there to loosen up the hose ties...i've banged the hell out of almost every one of my knuckles....now i have to go to my house and get one of those short, stubby screwdrivers and try again..nothing comes easy for me..i knew this would happen!!!

I had the same problem.
 

I just pulled it out of it's holder, held it in my hand, and twisted the hell out of it until I got to where my screwdriver would reach. and went from there.
If you try to push off the hose off the barb, you'll have a lot less trouble than if you try to pull it off.
Have the new filter ready, so when you pull off the first hose, you can plug it into the new filter, and lessen the fuel leaking.
Just my $0.02.( and don't ask for change)

You need the right tools for the job
 

Yes...you need one of those stubby screwdriver or offset screwdriver. You can't do it with a regular. Like with any mechanical job, the right tool is the most important partl.