The Great Little Garage
- Thread starter bczygan
- Start date
ShadowRuleZ
Well-known member
Great improvement!
Chase Rockwell
New member
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2011
- Messages
- 3
Well done. Keep it up!
xtremek
Well-known member
Great start!! Praying court goes well. Let us know how court goes.
dbonne
Well-known member
Bill, Just read through the whole thread. You have come a long way, you (both) will have to stay diligent to not amass more junk. Please do something for all of us here on the Journal, get that plumbing fixed, PLEASE. I cannot stand to see you two living like this. Focus on quality of life, not quantity of junk in life!!
Good Luck in court.
Good Luck in court.
So I got up early and got cleaned up. Got going downtown.
Got the the City building and discovered that they had HC parking right out front!
Parked and put in my $2 of quarters for 2 hours. I was a half hour early. Not due til 9.
Then here comes the meter maid, telling me I can't park until 9. Can't even stand. So I abandon my paid for spot and go around the block. Real slow traffic\, so it's 8 minutes til 9 when I get parked again, in the same spot. Perfect timing, because all the spots fill up in the next few minutes and meter maid doesn't come back.
Then I go to help a HC guy get his scooter over the curb. I find him a curb cut.
Go inside and realize I am missing my photographic evidence. Must have left it on his cart. Yikes! I find out which way he went from security, but it's a big building. No idea where exactly.
So I go upstairs and check in. They tell me that photos on the phone won't do, But if I take 2 sky-ways over to GM headquarters on the river, there is a CVS where I can print them. I hustle over there and do it.
Get back to the court and find that I had the photo folder in my back pocket all the time!!!
The hearing officer invites me in and get's right to it. It's just him, me and 2 inspectors sitting to my left. Asks my name and then says..."Well, since the inspector is not here, this case is dismissed without prejudice!"
We chat a few minutes, and I show him photos of the cleaned up yard, and I'm free!
What a relief!
Now, I firmly resolve to do, to paraphrase Paul Harvey, "The rest of the job!"
Bill (Breathing again)
Got the the City building and discovered that they had HC parking right out front!
Parked and put in my $2 of quarters for 2 hours. I was a half hour early. Not due til 9.
Then here comes the meter maid, telling me I can't park until 9. Can't even stand. So I abandon my paid for spot and go around the block. Real slow traffic\, so it's 8 minutes til 9 when I get parked again, in the same spot. Perfect timing, because all the spots fill up in the next few minutes and meter maid doesn't come back.
Then I go to help a HC guy get his scooter over the curb. I find him a curb cut.
Go inside and realize I am missing my photographic evidence. Must have left it on his cart. Yikes! I find out which way he went from security, but it's a big building. No idea where exactly.
So I go upstairs and check in. They tell me that photos on the phone won't do, But if I take 2 sky-ways over to GM headquarters on the river, there is a CVS where I can print them. I hustle over there and do it.
Get back to the court and find that I had the photo folder in my back pocket all the time!!!
The hearing officer invites me in and get's right to it. It's just him, me and 2 inspectors sitting to my left. Asks my name and then says..."Well, since the inspector is not here, this case is dismissed without prejudice!"
We chat a few minutes, and I show him photos of the cleaned up yard, and I'm free!
What a relief!
Now, I firmly resolve to do, to paraphrase Paul Harvey, "The rest of the job!"
Bill (Breathing again)
Bronson
Well-known member
Man, what a stressful start to Your day!
Glad it worked out, Bill.
You ought to take the day off and catch Your breath. And, DON'T BUY ANYTHING!!
Glad it worked out, Bill.
You ought to take the day off and catch Your breath. And, DON'T BUY ANYTHING!!
Man, what a stressful start to Your day!
Glad it worked out, Bill.
You ought to take the day off and catch Your breath. And, DON'T BUY ANYTHING!!
Still have a few things on the curb to clear up. Tomorrow Aaron is coming over and we will continue.
Need to consolidate the dumpster top and button up the sheds a little better and place some brick as a driveway border.
Still need gutters and downspouts and painting to satisfy the other inspector.
And also need to re-tarp 2 boats and put new tires on the boat trailer at the property. Also bring back the snowmobiles and take the camper and kayaks out.
Julie wants to work on the house over the holidays!
Water sounds like a good idea...
Off from work til the 1st and then all hell will break loose there.
Bill
xtremek
Well-known member
Great news. Keep the moementum going, Bill. Once you stop, it's so hard to get rolling again.
70Chevy
Well-known member
It's nice to see that dumpster full! You could easily fill another one from the stuff in the house. I can't imagine anything in the basement is salvageable.
As someone that has actually seen this yard - I gotta say "Nice job!"
As someone that has actually seen this yard - I gotta say "Nice job!"
Your voice is the one I have been waiting so long to hear!
You'll have to stop over next summer for some beer and brats on the deck.
I'll have heat and water by then too.
Basement is all trash, as you can imagine.
House still needs purging too.
This is just the first big baby step.
Bill
markviii
Well-known member
Good progress! Prayers continue to send good fortune your way, as well as the will to continue moving forward!
No back-sliding over the holidays to reward yourself LOL! There are still other inspectors to satisfy. You got lucky in court this morning when the inspector didn't show up. Does Julie know how close you were to having your home deemed uninhabitable or even having another looming deadline to repair things or having massive $ fines assessed (that you can't afford)? Hopefully this is what is motivating her to finally get on board with the clean-up.
Keep up the momentum and fill another dumpster as soon as this one is off the property. Don't wait! You know there is enough stuff in the house (and outside) to fill it.
Now that Julie appears to want to be involved, take advantage of that to work together toward the less-cluttered lifestyle.
Chris
No back-sliding over the holidays to reward yourself LOL! There are still other inspectors to satisfy. You got lucky in court this morning when the inspector didn't show up. Does Julie know how close you were to having your home deemed uninhabitable or even having another looming deadline to repair things or having massive $ fines assessed (that you can't afford)? Hopefully this is what is motivating her to finally get on board with the clean-up.
Keep up the momentum and fill another dumpster as soon as this one is off the property. Don't wait! You know there is enough stuff in the house (and outside) to fill it.
Now that Julie appears to want to be involved, take advantage of that to work together toward the less-cluttered lifestyle.
Chris
Chris,
There is no break in the progress, nor will there be.
Every day of this holiday break will include some work and progress.
I just finished putting away the unused tarps. I sure have a lot of them!
Then I finished cleaning up the side sidewalk and making a pile of stuff to go in the dumpster.
Tomorrow Aaron and I are scheduled to work on the house and yard some more. Buttoning up the sheds for the winter. And consolidating the dumpster for pickup.
We sure won't lack for entertainment here, for some time to come.
Even though we met this deadline, there is a much bigger one. I don't want to die, and still have this pile of stuff, unused and deteriorating. That's the real DEAD LINE.
Bill
There is no break in the progress, nor will there be.
Every day of this holiday break will include some work and progress.
I just finished putting away the unused tarps. I sure have a lot of them!
Then I finished cleaning up the side sidewalk and making a pile of stuff to go in the dumpster.
Tomorrow Aaron and I are scheduled to work on the house and yard some more. Buttoning up the sheds for the winter. And consolidating the dumpster for pickup.
We sure won't lack for entertainment here, for some time to come.
Even though we met this deadline, there is a much bigger one. I don't want to die, and still have this pile of stuff, unused and deteriorating. That's the real DEAD LINE.
Bill
Hi Bill,
Congratulations on beating the "law" today. An even bigger congrats for getting into this really, life long, project.
I suggest that when you call to have the roll-off picked up, you have them bring an empty one so you have an immediate, self-imposed timeline to get it filled and gone!
With the help you've arranged it will really go a long way to making for a comfortable holiday season as well as set you up for a much less stressful New Year.
One other point, in an earlier post you mentioned "re-tarping" two boats, when you do that take some photos and list the worst one for sale. Really.
Keep after it so you'll be able to enjoy the things you have.
Back into lurker mode! Best of luck Bill!
Congratulations on beating the "law" today. An even bigger congrats for getting into this really, life long, project.
I suggest that when you call to have the roll-off picked up, you have them bring an empty one so you have an immediate, self-imposed timeline to get it filled and gone!
With the help you've arranged it will really go a long way to making for a comfortable holiday season as well as set you up for a much less stressful New Year.
One other point, in an earlier post you mentioned "re-tarping" two boats, when you do that take some photos and list the worst one for sale. Really.
Keep after it so you'll be able to enjoy the things you have.
Back into lurker mode! Best of luck Bill!
Nighttrain
Well-known member
Good job Bill. As Riley mentioned have another dumpster delivered. It should cost less since they are heading that way with an empty truck. Ask them. After all that stress I bet you felt pretty good walking out of that court house. Keep the wind in your sails. We all want to see water and heat in that house. You both deserve that.
Update:
Friday it was drizzle and mist in the morning, turning to rain in the afternoon, so Aaron cancelled. But I went out and braved it. Got soaked to the skin but finished cleaning up the side sidewalk almost completely. Just a small pile of trash and wood to cut up and put in a large trash can and a stack of doors and siding that are on CL. It was quite a bit of work, but got it done. Also finished clearing and cleaning up the front yard. Just three small stacks of brick to use up as edging.
Today it is drizzle and rain again, so Aaron hasn't called. Left a message for him to come Monday instead, so we can work to do more in the sheds etc. This project was the 90-95%, but there is the rest to do. The finish up. Organizing the sheds. Buttoning up the sheds. And next summer, after water and heat, the finishing touches. Proper doors for the sheds, new privacy fencing to replace the dilapidated stuff. Outside work on the house.
Dumpster just got pulled a few minutes ago, leaving a large and wonderful empty space! I will definitely get another when the basement job begins.
Woohoo!
We're working inside this weekend while it rains. Have a few empty trash cans to fill for next week.
Bill
Friday it was drizzle and mist in the morning, turning to rain in the afternoon, so Aaron cancelled. But I went out and braved it. Got soaked to the skin but finished cleaning up the side sidewalk almost completely. Just a small pile of trash and wood to cut up and put in a large trash can and a stack of doors and siding that are on CL. It was quite a bit of work, but got it done. Also finished clearing and cleaning up the front yard. Just three small stacks of brick to use up as edging.
Today it is drizzle and rain again, so Aaron hasn't called. Left a message for him to come Monday instead, so we can work to do more in the sheds etc. This project was the 90-95%, but there is the rest to do. The finish up. Organizing the sheds. Buttoning up the sheds. And next summer, after water and heat, the finishing touches. Proper doors for the sheds, new privacy fencing to replace the dilapidated stuff. Outside work on the house.
Dumpster just got pulled a few minutes ago, leaving a large and wonderful empty space! I will definitely get another when the basement job begins.
Woohoo!
We're working inside this weekend while it rains. Have a few empty trash cans to fill for next week.
Bill
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Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Bill......I just don't know what to say really, other than I am very proud and thankful that you finally decided to hit things head on, no matter how tough it is, both mentally and physically. I know that you are a man of your word, and if you say that you are going to continue on with the purging, I feel that you will.
I wish nothing more for you and Julie to get to a normal lifestyle, and to be able to enjoy that lifestyle as many and most others, not only on here, but everywhere. To stand back and have a clean and landscaped lawn, to have a decent workshop, and above all to have the house all fixed up with fresh paint, no water problems, and to be able to stand in a nice hot shower. I wish nothing but the best for the both of you. And with a little more hard work, another roll-off or two, after all of the cleaning is done, you will find that it is way easier and way less stressful to keep things cleaned up and maintained.
So again, I am proud of you for taking this huge leap, especially after a few years of posting about it.
And if I don't post in this thread again, before Wednesday.....You and Julie have a Very Merry Christmas. Enjoy that day to it's fullest.
I wish nothing more for you and Julie to get to a normal lifestyle, and to be able to enjoy that lifestyle as many and most others, not only on here, but everywhere. To stand back and have a clean and landscaped lawn, to have a decent workshop, and above all to have the house all fixed up with fresh paint, no water problems, and to be able to stand in a nice hot shower. I wish nothing but the best for the both of you. And with a little more hard work, another roll-off or two, after all of the cleaning is done, you will find that it is way easier and way less stressful to keep things cleaned up and maintained.
So again, I am proud of you for taking this huge leap, especially after a few years of posting about it.
And if I don't post in this thread again, before Wednesday.....You and Julie have a Very Merry Christmas. Enjoy that day to it's fullest.
Kevin,
I have been waiting for, and hoping for a post from you all day. It is a wonderful Christmas present.
I feel we are on a roll and don't want it to stop. This is in no small part, to your posts all along the way.
Way more remains to be done, then has been completed so far. But I believe in my heart that it is possible. I can't wait for the daily hot showers I used to have.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, and everybody here on GJ.
It is certainly one of the best ones we have had in quite some time, and all of you are in part, responsible.
Bill and Julie
I have been waiting for, and hoping for a post from you all day. It is a wonderful Christmas present.
I feel we are on a roll and don't want it to stop. This is in no small part, to your posts all along the way.
Way more remains to be done, then has been completed so far. But I believe in my heart that it is possible. I can't wait for the daily hot showers I used to have.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, and everybody here on GJ.
It is certainly one of the best ones we have had in quite some time, and all of you are in part, responsible.
Bill and Julie
markviii
Well-known member
Great work! Things are continuing to look better every day. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New year.
Chris
Chris
Every day a little more work.
Julie and I spread out the rest of the brick edging.
Cleared the rest of the doors and siding from the side sidewalk.
Took a coal shovel and shoveled up the drek mixed with slush in the street
Put away the large trash can so the side and front are clear and clean. Photo later.
A couple things to bring in yet today. From the front porch, a kitchen trash can, a monitor and a file cabinet.
Then the public spaces are clear and clean.
The new paradigm is that when I see something that is a mess, I work on it instead of ignoring it and becoming blind to it.
Bill
Julie and I spread out the rest of the brick edging.
Cleared the rest of the doors and siding from the side sidewalk.
Took a coal shovel and shoveled up the drek mixed with slush in the street
Put away the large trash can so the side and front are clear and clean. Photo later.
A couple things to bring in yet today. From the front porch, a kitchen trash can, a monitor and a file cabinet.
Then the public spaces are clear and clean.
The new paradigm is that when I see something that is a mess, I work on it instead of ignoring it and becoming blind to it.
Bill
galute
Well-known member
Great job Bill. Keep up the good work. I understand how hard it is for you to get rid of your stuff. My Dad was the same way. The man could not stand the thought of throwing something away. If it was free or cheap He brought it home. Didn't matter if He needed it or not. If He actually did need something He would just go get another instead of looking for one He already had, sometimes two so He would have a spare. I'm gonna fix that someday was his excuse. But He never did. He would get very defensive and we had many arguments over me trying to help him clean it up. Nothing I could do or say to change his mind. He even went so far as to point a shotgun at me and force me off his property when we got into an argument over me throwing away some stuff so I could get into his shop.
I suspect your friends and family know this and realize it is futile to try to help. It really is something you must do for yourself. I applaud your effort and progress. Keep up the great work.
I suspect your friends and family know this and realize it is futile to try to help. It really is something you must do for yourself. I applaud your effort and progress. Keep up the great work.
Every day a little.
Today:
Dragged the parts washer from the back yard, where it has been for a couple years, and put it in the garage.
Folded the tarps.
Stacked some misc. lumber and put it away.
Went through the metal stacked on the utility trailer and arranged it so it can go to scrap yard.
Put away a table saw.
Straightened up the back back yard area and put small things away.
Broke up some plastic greenhouse panels and put in the trash.
Put away 2 trash cans.
Couple more things to do before dark. Bring in a monitor from the front porch and a kitchen trash can from behind the Airstream.
House looks good with Christmas lights on. I'll have to take a photo.
Wrapped a bunch of Christmas gifts for the grand-kids, Evan and Gabriella.
Bill
Today:
Dragged the parts washer from the back yard, where it has been for a couple years, and put it in the garage.
Folded the tarps.
Stacked some misc. lumber and put it away.
Went through the metal stacked on the utility trailer and arranged it so it can go to scrap yard.
Put away a table saw.
Straightened up the back back yard area and put small things away.
Broke up some plastic greenhouse panels and put in the trash.
Put away 2 trash cans.
Couple more things to do before dark. Bring in a monitor from the front porch and a kitchen trash can from behind the Airstream.
House looks good with Christmas lights on. I'll have to take a photo.
Wrapped a bunch of Christmas gifts for the grand-kids, Evan and Gabriella.
Bill
bcrewcaptain@
Member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2007
- Messages
- 19
Nick Danger
Well-known member
I suggest that you get rid of 99% of the tarps. Put them on Craigslist. Throw them out. You really need about 2. The only reason you had so many tarps to begin with is that you were using the to cover junk in the yard.
Since you aren't going to do that anymore, you can reclaim the storage space by getting rid of the folded tarps. As a bonus, you won't have the temptation to put more stuff under tarps "for later".
Since you aren't going to do that anymore, you can reclaim the storage space by getting rid of the folded tarps. As a bonus, you won't have the temptation to put more stuff under tarps "for later".
I was thinking that the other day!
Many of them are worn out from UV exposure in the yard. Those were all thrown out anyway.
I need a couple to cover the deteriorated ones on my 2 boats. That's about it.
Did a little this morning. Put away some aluminum for machining. Took a monitor off the porch.
Don't need any Christmas presents as we already have everything we could want.
Julie did buy a BluRay player and some disks on Black Friday.
I just hooked it up and we're watching a movie, World War Z. Gotta have some fun!
All ready for the family gathering. Love being ready ahead of time instead of last minute.
Hope all on GJ are happy, healthy and ready for the holiday.
Bill
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A little bird just told me that Kevin 54 and Bronson contributed to the dumpster fund that Riley set up and originally paid for.
I want to say how thankful I am for their support, and of course, Riley's both financial and moral.
This is truly the spirit of GJ x 1000!
Without you guys, we would not have been able to undertake this journey.
Bill and Julie
The work continues...
I want to say how thankful I am for their support, and of course, Riley's both financial and moral.
This is truly the spirit of GJ x 1000!
Without you guys, we would not have been able to undertake this journey.
Bill and Julie
The work continues...
elguappo
Well-known member
Wow I just read all 11 pages of this and am exhausted.
I am truly happy for you and your wife to get started on this journey.
My mom also has this tendency, and passed some of it on to me, so I do understand how things can get so out of control. I have however been able to get rid of/throw out/give away junk when it was just too much.
I still have plenty of work to do though.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and high hopes that you are able to continue your progress throughout 2014.
Cheers
I am truly happy for you and your wife to get started on this journey.
My mom also has this tendency, and passed some of it on to me, so I do understand how things can get so out of control. I have however been able to get rid of/throw out/give away junk when it was just too much.
I still have plenty of work to do though.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and high hopes that you are able to continue your progress throughout 2014.
Cheers
Bronson
Well-known member
Awful quiet there, Bill. Any updates? Inquiring minds want to know!
Just becoming conscious from 3 days of oblivion.
Flu!
Didn't think I would make it. High fever, hallucinations (More than normal) and bedridden.
Fever broke a little last night.
Going to try sitting up and walking around a little.
2 lessons:
Don't ever smoke.
Get your flu shot.
Flu!
Didn't think I would make it. High fever, hallucinations (More than normal) and bedridden.
Fever broke a little last night.
Going to try sitting up and walking around a little.
2 lessons:
Don't ever smoke.
Get your flu shot.
xtremek
Well-known member
Glad to hear you survived. I pray that your Christmas was blessed and the New Year brings more progress and healing.
Bronson
Well-known member
Glad You are getting better, Bill.
I am sure You were exhausted from stress, cold, and physical exertion.
Take care and don't rush it.
then, get back to work!
I am sure You were exhausted from stress, cold, and physical exertion.
Take care and don't rush it.
then, get back to work!
Zeke
Well-known member
That yard is going to be beautiful come Spring. You'll have an new and unfamiliar task... mowing the grass! Excellent progress and it has to feel good all the way.
Did you know Jack Olsen once had a pile of junk in his yard?
Did you know Jack Olsen once had a pile of junk in his yard?
It has beat me up, chewed on me, cut me to the core and spit me out. And Julie too.
Both have had the flu and bad bronchitis. Still coughing our guts out. But we're improving.
And then the bitter cold hasn't helped.
Car horn went off and drained the battery.
The extreme cold should break tomorrow and I can start to get out and begin again.
Meanwhile I will work inside today.
Thanks for asking.
Bill
xtremek
Well-known member
Get your swim fins out for this weekend.
Bronson
Well-known member
Any progress, Bill?
Don't stop now!
Don't stop now!
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Yep...been pretty quiet. So any progress inside Bill since the snow's been flying?