Grunge Garage

[ish993]

Bill- I'm sure you are flooded with Ideas, but in those initial pics it looks like I saw some stuff worth money. I cannot toss stuff worth money so it gave me this idea !

Have you tried selling stuff on ebay or craigslist? seeing the cash come in might just help with motivation. Mark the stuff cheap so it sells and you'll cut down on your dumpster costs !!

[jjpp]

Bill, I'll say this, it sounds as if you are starting to realize that it will be a good while before you will be able to focus on creating what you started this thread for.
That is something to be very proud of !!!! You are now beginning to get your priorities straight.
Now I will say this one last time!, sell all of the large tools, the lathes, bridgeport, that new welder, etc. You only have a small garage and you don't need nor have the room for these big items that will take up very much needed space. Keep only the things that will help you achieve your goal of repairing your home and decluttering your spaces. When you have everything else in order and it is time to start on the shop you can replace them if need be. I know that it is hard to part with tools as I am a mechanic and some of this stuff is dream type tools. You don't seem to have any problem finding these type of things but for now you just don't have any need for them. So let's use them for the thing that they are best suited for as of now and that's $$$$$$$$$$. sell sell sell
Bill, keep at it and be proud! you are pointing in the right direction.

[web]

Originally Posted by bczygan

Been reluctant to post as progress is slower than people like, but progress is being made.

If that's net progress (despite any new stuff you've brought in), then you're good.

Trashcans or dumpsters, seven of them should be some progress. However, with every new item you bring onto your lot, think about how many more trashcans you need to fill to compensate. That's off your net progress. A lot of work. If it's worth that to you, it could be okay, but consider the cost anyway: not just monetary but in hours of cleaning work. You need to reclaim your house way more than you need any good deals.

Originally Posted by bczygan

It is time to simplify in all areas. Simplify and refocus.

Good idea - that should help get a grip on the whole situation.

Originally Posted by bczygan

Today I have decided to remove all the contents of the spare bedroom, with few exceptions (Dressers and closets will remain. If we haven't used items, we don't need them.

Photos when that room is cleaned out.

Allright! Let's see that

Originally Posted by bczygan

And BTW, Web's post was so right on the mark. I ate it up. I soaked it up. I am following it and referring back to it. I may print it out and post it on the bathroom mirror.

Wow. Well at least I won't have to repeat any of it then Now try to live by it. Cleaning out that spare bedroom would be an excellent start! If that long post of me made even a little bit of difference - it was worth the effort to write.

Don't let the impatient get to ya, good progress doesn't happen overnight. But don't be too easy on yourself either ; you've got a job to do, and you know where to start (that bedroom) so go and do it. Focus and you'll be done in no time at all.

[rwhite692]

Great to see that the leaves have been picked up, thank goodness for that...

Any progress toward getting running water and heat?

[bczygan]

8 more trashcans of trash and leaves full and ready for trash day. 6 more piles of leaves raked up and ready to go (The last of them). 8 boxes and 8 big bags of stuff out and waiting for trash day. 6 more bags of clothes out to van to go to laundromat. 1 dog ready for new home pickup.

[boostedgt]

Originally Posted by bczygan

8 more trashcans of trash and leaves full and ready for trash day. 6 more piles of leaves raked up and ready to go (The last of them). 8 boxes and 8 big bags of stuff out and waiting for trash day. 6 more bags of clothes out to van to go to laundromat. 1 dog ready for new home pickup.

good progress

fill the trashcans every week

[web]

That definitely sounds like solid progress. Keep it up!

[bczygan]

Well, got rid of 12 trash cans full of junk and leaves instead of 8. I refilled one of my 8 and then 3 of a neighbors with the leaves from in her gutter and curb (It feels good to help your neighbors once in a while. Makes you feel like a human being). Also got the stairway completely cleaned off (First time in years and it will stay that way)! Photo later tonight after I sweep it.

[BigWil]

Good work, Bill. Is it the basement stairs or the stairs from main floor to second floor? And keep it up.

[markviii]

Good job Bill! Yep, I'm still lurking - just busy doing my own clean-up, making picture frames and gifts in preparation of a Market Day on Dec. 3 at the local Santa Breakfast, and seeing my dad in hospice (2 hours away).

Chris

[98TJ]

Originally Posted by bczygan

Well, got rid of 12 trash cans full of junk and leaves instead of 8. I refilled one of my 8 and then 3 of a neighbors with the leaves from in her gutter and curb (It feels good to help your neighbors once in a while. Makes you feel like a human being). Also got the stairway completely cleaned off (First time in years and it will stay that way)! Photo later tonight after I sweep it.

Good job.

Also...Re-read the highlighted part and think of those that offered help you.

[bczygan]

Originally Posted by 98TJ

Good job.

Also...Re-read the highlighted part and think of those that offered help you.

I was thinking of them just yesterday. And I think of them, and all the GJ members often and with gratitude. I especially think of them after loading 12 trash cans full of wet leaves, with my kidney area aching!

[bczygan]

Here are photos of the stairway clean and empty. It almost feels too wide. The cats think I made them a new playground and are racing up and down the stairs!

Also included are a couple of photos of a place we went out to brunch last weekend. One thing I am learning through all this, is that life should be lived in balance. It is an odd lesson to take from a group where the biggest garage with the fanciest cars is celebrated. But what can a person do with 18 pop up trailers. All my energy is spent dealing with finding places to store them and protecting them from damage or theft. Not much time left to enjoy them. So what does this have to do with dinner out? Well, I discovered there is nothing wrong with eating out at a nice place once in a while. Balance. And the cleanup is proceeding in the same fashion. No herculean efforts, but rather, a slow steady progress. Each day I make purposeful changes. And I am enjoying the work. There is enough change to be satisfying. And I am learning to enjoy giving things up. There is freedom in having just the right things and no more. Part of the balance is knowing I don't have to sell and throw away everything I own. I know the financials are being taken care of. The taxes are on track to be paid well before the deadline. I don't have to give up my shop and all my tools. It will be a well organized usable shop. The secret is that I am now facing things I never faced......and dealing with them. That gives me a feeling of control. Before I felt out of control and had given up. Now I know, I just KNOW, that I can do it. I can do all the things necessary to have a good life, a balanced life. And that, compared to what it has been, will be extraordinary! I just set up Dr's appointments for both of us and will be setting up dental appointments as well. Saturday, Susie our dog, will go to foster care in preparation for a new home. So I am hitting a lot of different areas and making changes and improvements. It shouldn't surprise me. You all do all these things daily. Why shouldn't I?

[Phxphenom]

Nice work on the stairway. Master Bedroom next?

[bczygan]

Originally Posted by Phxphenom

Nice work on the stairway. Master Bedroom next?

Maybe, I tend to use trips up and down the stairs to remove trash and things from the M. Bedroom daily. I would like to get the pile of Julies shoes off the floor in front of her dresser so we can go through the dresser and make it usable. Also, the closet is unusable and still a lot of things to remove from the room. But those are all things I can do almost as fast as describing it.
Rain due this weekend so today is finish picking up last of leaves and buttoning up outside stuff. Then drag the last tools from the kitchen/back hall into the garage to clear that access again and permanently.
Then the next big task is trashing out the kitchen. But first I've got to clear the front porch for access.
Gotta go........leaf piles are calling and lots of empty trash cans to fill!

[NJHandyGuy]

good job on the stairway bill keep ump the momentum

[Nighttrain]

Best update yet Bill. Keep it going!

[Bronson]

Bill, I got frustrated and unsubscribed, but I had to keep checking in on You. I am proud of You, You are going to make it! Your story got Me motivated to clean up and throw out junk that I had in My shop and storage building "that I might need". I found a lot of antique tools that i had forgotten I had, that belonged to My Grand-dad. I found a Fender practice amp I forgot I had, and enough scrap copper to make a Harley payment. I threw away a bout 6 wheelbarrows full of dried out calking tubes, dried our drywall mud, and forgotten /abandoned projects. I also finished 2 motorcycle projects that were pushed to the back and sold off 6 or 8 project bikes that were taking up room. I am now caught up, and My shop and storage are "clean". Well, I wouldnt eat off the floor, but , I now have room to begin a Honda XR-75 restore, that has been hanging from the ceiling for 3 years! Keep it up , Bill, one bite at a time!

[omr]

like others here , this thread motivated me to do some spring cleaning ..lol

keep it up bill ..

[tinbender 66]

The stairway looks great Bill!!