The Great Little Garage

[bczygan]

Little progress since the last post.

Bought a compressor today and dragged it home.

Wrapped up in a blanket in the warm bedroom eating comfort food and playing on the computer. My favorite sanctuary.

Tomorrow I'll see what can be done.

Bill

 

[UpstateNY]

Little progress since the last post.

Bought a compressor today and dragged it home.

Post # 49, you already have a compressor, how many does one need ?

 

[bczygan]

Post # 49, you already have a compressor, how many does one need ?

The answer is 5.

Unless I run into another one.

Bill

 

[UpstateNY]

The answer is 5.

 

[Strouty]

The answer is 5.

Unless I run into another one.

Bill

Wrong answer Bill.

 

[dlcwent]

Wrong answer Bill.

You're one to talk

 

[Tommo3]

Five is that one per shed? If the basement were clear would that not be a better storage solution than most of the sheds ? especially once all your heating and plumbing issues get fixed. And the answer is always 42

 

[bczygan]

Sometimes I feel like that guy that started building a house and kept adding rooms until he died.

Whenever I get more stuff, I build more space. To an Architect, or builder, the answer to every problem is to build more space.

Of course I know there is another answer. But I'm about to go outside and build a couple more walls.....

Bill

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Whenever I get more stuff, I build more space. To an Architect, or builder, the answer to every problem is to build more space.

Maybe for a builder, but no self respecting architect would do that. Architects are usually more interested in efficient use of space.

 

[TXNinAZ]

Bill, I think that money spent on the compressor would have been better spent hiring some help for the basement cleaning, or someone to protect the roof, if that still needs covering. I know you already know that, but you may be ignoring that truth.

 

[bczygan]

Decided to move and sort and toss things instead of building........for the moment.

Moving, sorting, tossing, organizing, clearing, cleaning and simplifying.

Bill

 

[bczygan]

Bill, I think that money spent on the compressor would have been better spent hiring some help for the basement cleaning, or someone to protect the roof, if that still needs covering. I know you already know that, but you may be ignoring that truth.

No doubt that the money spent of the compressor could have and should have been spent elsewhere.

I would NOT have spent it on help.

Actually, I am quite enjoying doing all the grunt work here. What I like about it is that it takes little thought to move and sort and organize.

Just came in for a moment. Finished gathering all the coolers in one place and the bikes and dumped a bin of waterlogged charcoal briquettes. Consolidated some lumber and put away some milk crates and boxes of automotive stuff.

It is transforming minute by minute.

Bill

 

[TXNinAZ]

Bill do you have a google earth shot of your property? I think it would help us understand your property if we had a picture beyond just the back of napkin sketch.

 

[bczygan]

Bill do you have a google earth shot of your property? I think it would help us understand your property if we had a picture beyond just the back of napkin sketch.

I would, but you couldn't see anything.

Too many trees! You can't see the house from the street on a 40x100 corner lot!

Grass won't even grow.

Bill

 

[bczygan]

After spending too much time having too big a dinner, and taking too much time to recover from it, I finally went back out shortly before dark and moved a few more things. Bunch of paint cans, some bins and such.

Not as much as I wanted to do.

But I know what's next for in the morning.

Would work after dark, except only one light mounted on the outside of one shed. The rest are inside lights for the sheds. And my headlamp is too weak to be of much use.

Maybe I can get a few cheap wall lights and hook them up so I can work in the yard after dusk.

Or maybe I can just buckle down and get this finished!


Bill

 

[UpstateNY]

The answer is 5.

Unless I run into another one.

Bill

I'm sorry, but with that kind of flippant response, you're never going to get anywhere. You don't care enough to get better. You're self delusional, moving stuff around, "organizing", but yet still acquiring stuff you clearly do not need, and stuff you clearly will not properly take care of, all whilst ignoring some basic life necessities e.g. the proverbial roof over your head.

You purport to wanting to improve your lot in life, and suggest you feel achievement in getting a handle on the clutter, but the real you comes out in the above response. This thread is all smoke and mirrors.

To quote the Beatles: "the movement you need is on your shoulders". Until you get your head squared away, you're just wasting your time.

 

[bczygan]

I'm sorry, but with that kind of flippant response, you're never going to get anywhere. You don't care enough to get better. You're self delusional, moving stuff around, "organizing", but yet still acquiring stuff you clearly do not need, and stuff you clearly will not properly take care of, all whilst ignoring some basic life necessities e.g. the proverbial roof over your head.

You purport to wanting to improve your lot in life, and suggest you feel achievement in getting a handle on the clutter, but the real you comes out in the above response. This thread is all smoke and mirrors.

To quote the Beatles: "the movement you need is on your shoulders". Until you get your head squared away, you're just wasting your time.

I should have put a smiley face next to the comment.

It was a joke, dripping with irony.

The sad/funny part was that I might just do it...or not. Who knows.

You HAVE to have a sense of humor about this, or you get too depressed.

And there has been a sea change.

I am now in the stage where there is less tossing and more organization.

Yes, more things need to go, maybe even a compressor or two. But that is after the right ones are hooked up and working.

The excess things that still need disposing of now, have value, and shouldn't be just tossed in the trash. After organizing, I will know which stays and which goes.

Bill

 

[Strouty]

Bill, sometimes humor is a way to keep your sanity, but the compressor is a backslide and you and I both know that "organizing" to numb the mind means you need to toss stuff, not sort it. Remember you are using this process to avoid something bigger.

 

[bimmer1980]

so just curious.... do you have a picture of this air compress you just purchased?

What is it's condition?

Is it ready to run or is it a project? Does it need ANY thing done to it to have it operational?

how much did you pay for it......?

What condition and status are the other four aircompressors? Where are they located?

In my garage, I have two air compressors and that is suffiencent for right now. I have my "starter" air compressor which is a roll around 21 or 15 gal compressor by Brute. It has served me well and continues to do so when I have a remote project at the B-in-L or Mother-in-law's house, etc.....

I also have a 60 gal upright air compressor for the general shop use. The only way I would consider adding another air compressor is if I was going to be doing some major sand blasting and I needed way more air.... other wise, my two are more than sufficient and they take up enough room as it is....

for what it is worth, they were both purchased new and when I absolutely needed them..... The 60 gal AC was purchased when I blew a capacitor on the small compressor and I needed air... it was on the long term plan, so I did some cursory research and then went to Lowes and bought it. It was hooked up and running about 2 hours after buying it...due to needing to wire up a cord and plug with SO cable.....

p.s. the brute air compressor was repaired (replaced Capacitor) and both AC's are operational.

 

[bczygan]

Bill, sometimes humor is a way to keep your sanity, but the compressor is a backslide and you and I both know that "organizing" to numb the mind means you need to toss stuff, not sort it. Remember you are using this process to avoid something bigger.

Strouty,
The truth is there is some avoidance involved with everything I am doing right now.There is also a plan that is being followed and things are working according to plan, just a little slower than I thought it would in my mind. "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men Gang aft a-gley." (Robert Burns - To a Mouse)

I also agree that some of the things I am moving around, will later be properly sorted and some tossed and some given away and some sold. Right now it is broad brush strokes. Get it put away but still accessible. I still have small piles and very large piles, some on the bare ground, covered with tarps. These must be dealt with before snow comes. Some stuff will just be scooped up and put in bins for now, and then put under cover. After snow comes, I can bring them in, one bin at a time, and work through them all winter. Or better yet, I can turn to more pressing matters and save them for later, even spring.

A few more days of accomplishing as much as I did today, should button up the yard.

Bill

 

[bczygan]

so just curious.... do you have a picture of this air compress you just purchased?

What is it's condition?

Is it ready to run or is it a project? Does it need ANY thing done to it to have it operational?

how much did you pay for it......?

What condition and status are the other four aircompressors? Where are they located?

In my garage, I have two air compressors and that is suffiencent for right now. I have my "starter" air compressor which is a roll around 21 or 15 gal compressor by Brute. It has served me well and continues to do so when I have a remote project at the B-in-L or Mother-in-law's house, etc.....

I also have a 60 gal upright air compressor for the general shop use. The only way I would consider adding another air compressor is if I was going to be doing some major sand blasting and I needed way more air.... other wise, my two are more than sufficient and they take up enough room as it is....

for what it is worth, they were both purchased new and when I absolutely needed them..... The 60 gal AC was purchased when I blew a capacitor on the small compressor and I needed air... it was on the long term plan, so I did some cursory research and then went to Lowes and bought it. It was hooked up and running about 2 hours after buying it...due to needing to wire up a cord and plug with SO cable.....

p.s. the brute air compressor was repaired (replaced Capacitor) and both AC's are operational.

Good questions.

I agonized over this purchase. Could have easily done without it.

I have 2 60 gallon vertical compressors. Both need to be hooked up and one definitely needs work and parts. The other probably does. This is a fault that hoarders and guys who look for "deals" have. We look for deals and often take on projects that never get done. Might be more thrifty and efficient to save up more money and buy one fully functional unit and even have it installed turnkey. But we would rather be penny wise and sometimes pound foolish.

I have 2 small portable hand carry compressors. A porter Cable pancake and a double tank. I use the pancake in the shop and the other one is out in the new shed, but I will put it in the automotive shed for using for the vehicles.

The new compressor is a mid 70's Craftsman 2HP horizontal with wheels. It is 240V and twin cylinder and has oil. The two hand carry and one of the verticals are "oil-less", which means louder. This Craftsman won't be immediately usable, since I have no 240 outlet set up for it yet. Haven't heard it run, but seller said it was ready to use. Paid $60 which is and is not relevant. Just being a good deal isn't enough reason to purchase. It's power and portability are it's pluses but being 240V, is a negative cause I will need the outlet and a longer cord.. And age and tank condition are a concern. Plus as I and Strouty know, buying something, even if not a project, does cost money and time, when both could be spent elsewhere. Not to mention the time spent explaining!!!

Here's some photos:

Bill

 

[slowzuki]

This is exactly why I have 3 two stage compressors and 3 single stage direct drives, while I only use 1 of them. Waste of space and money and brain hp when I got them all reassembled and running, I'm hoping to get rid of 4 of them this winter. I did get rid of my wood lathe this weekend for a fraction of its value but it's fantastic to have the space. On the backslide I bought a jobsite bin but at least all the cordless tools in the shop are going into off the floor.

 

[dlcwent]

Good morning Bill. I'll send my positive thoughts your way and know that you'll get a few more things taken care of today. Keep up the good work. You're getting closer to having it the way you want it to be.

 

[bczygan]

Good morning Bill. I'll send my positive thoughts your way and know that you'll get a few more things taken care of today. Keep up the good work. You're getting closer to having it the way you want it to be.

I'm beginning to see that wishing and hoping and even planning does nothing.

Doing and doing and doing some more is the only way. And sometimes you just have to do one more thing...

So the days work today, ended when Julie came home, as it usually does. She had burgers from a greasy spoon we like so it was eating and resting time. And you know I am an expert at those things! I extended the resting part until almost dusk, when I knew I had to get back out there and move and cover a bunch of things. This I did, finishing just after dark.

Part of the work I completed in the last couple of days, was to tear into a giant pile of kitchen stuff that was under a tarp. I boxed up and filled bins with 80 percent of it and filled the back porch with a pile 10 feet long by 3 feet wide by 6 feet tall. I threw a tarp over it bacause it will rain in the morning. My aim is to bring it down to the basement for temporary storage. But I haven't properly prepared a place for it yet.

Laying here, playing on the internet, with good weather still outside, got to me. I HAD to do something more.

So I just went down and dragged in every box and bin from on the porch. I put them in the powder room for the moment. It's full to the brim. They are safe from rain. And the porch is clear again.

Now I can sleep with a clear conscience.

Bill

 

[DonPowers]

Just went through your thread Bill, wow there was a lot of stuff in the beginning, good job with the clean up.

 

[bczygan]

Don,
Sorry you had to suffer that torture.

Things are a lot better now.

Just finished completely eliminating the pile of kitchen stuff, even folded up the table.

Now I'm working on misc. things in that area of the yard and clearing off the patio table.

Photos when it's up to par.

Bill

 

[bczygan]

Another session finished.

Patio table and chairs cleared off and winter umbrella put up.

Finding and moving more things to put them away and clear the yard even more. Logs, storm windows, buckets, screens, automotive items, light fixtures, etc. etc.

Going back out to keep going as long as the weather is good, there is light, and I have the gumption.


Bill

 

[JC23]

OK, I’m writing this to contribute, not to knock down, alright? I’m writing this for Bill as well as any new readers and even some of the old ones. Maybe we can all understand this better…

I’ve watched this situation from the very beginning of the first thread. I’ve even posted and contributed ideas and support. Not too long ago, I read the entire second thread. I’ve thought long and hard about even answering the thread, wondering what I could contribute or even if I would want to contribute. Kevin54 is a good friend of mine and has also been a part of Bill’s saga. Kevin and I talked about it a few times and he suggested I write something.

In my work, I process information and then repackage it, usually in a way that’s more easily digested. Part of that work is noting trends, patterns and how the flow of information proceeds. So, when I saw the second thread, I couldn’t help but notice the consistencies and inconsistencies. I also noted what was not posted. And by that, I mean the many readers that logged on, read the posts and contributed. They really wanted to help Bill. But they left, either no longer reading the thread or just not posting. It made me wonder if they didn’t like Bill’s methods and results. They likely hoped he could do better. To say they were frustrated would be an understatement. I know I was, too. Nonetheless, the pattern emerged where folks would contribute, then leave the thread. Along came new readers with new support and best wishes for Bill’s success. But all they saw were the same old results. Then, those new readers dropped off, too. As to any of those new readers, my thoughts are with you and your frustration with Bill.

So my analytical mind starts looking for reasons folks would drop out. Sorry Bill, it comes back to you. Remember, I am writing this to help – not only Bill, but others like him that read in silence, hoping for that piece that will unlock their own personal puzzle. I am also writing to the many readers that are sorry for Bill and his results and no longer post.

There are two big things going on here. One is the disconnect in Bill that keeps him from prioritizing the basic needs of himself and his family. The patterns I see are not taking care of basic needs such as one’s health, providing a safe place to live with the basic necessities of life and to prioritize every day and extracurricular tasks. Now, I believe we all have this to one extent or another, but Bill’s case is the obvious extreme.

I’m no doctor, but the information Bill has provided in his posts leads to the above assessment. I’m not going to break it down, point by point, the info is already there. Nor will I try to pinpoint any causes for this disconnect. It is obviously there and I am trying to cut to the chase. Bill says he knows what to do, but going on how many years now, he has not corrected the problems. That is a perfect example of a disconnect. It’s not about how or why, it’s just there. Reasons and excuses don’t count. Results do.

The other big thing is Bill’s need to buy and hoard. It’s a complete other disconnect and very separate from the first one. Look at it this way; if he had only one of the two disconnects, his life wouldn’t be anywhere near as bad. But the two disconnects totally compound each other.

A good example is the dumpster. Generous GJ folks helped him by paying for it. Bill finally used the dumpster, but really only under threat of large fines from the city. Once the city got off of his back, Bill was back to buying and hoarding. And Bill keeps creating reasons to buy more stuff, often duplicates of what he already has; negating the effects of the gifted dumpster. I’m trying to avoid going into Bill’s head in search of the how and why. Nobody on here can do that. Maybe not even Bill. Instead, I feel as I’ve posted just the facts I’ve observed from the thread.

There’s one more thing that is part of these disconnects. And that is Bill being accountable to himself and his family. And, as we’ve seen, that is not happening. Bill talks the talk but doesn’t walk the walk.

Now, I learned a long time ago to not ***** without offering some solutions. To all the folks both new and old that have either read or posted here, understand that Bill cannot help himself in these disconnects. Yes, he can help himself in getting help. He just chooses not to do this for reasons unknown to us and maybe even to himself. So don’t be frustrated with Bill. He is locked into this until he actually does something real about it. And time will tell when and if he will. I’ll address this next part directly to Bill.

Bill,
You do need help. Professional help. Don’t say you know that. Don’t say you’re in a group that is helping. Look at the bottom line. How many years have you put off serious repairs to your house and how you are living? How many years go by before you do something health-wise? How many years have you had the hoarder mentality and all the things to prove it? And how many years have you had with no results of getting rid of those mentalities? Bottom line, you know what is wrong but cannot correct it.

If you can’t lift something out of your truck by yourself, you get help, right? You get someone to help or you use a tool. Get professional help, Bill. Use the engineering and logic part of your brain. If you had a broken arm, one would think you’d see a doctor right away. This is the same. Get professional help. The shame you think you’ll feel if you do get help is small in comparison to the shame you must now feel when you look at your results. And if you are not feeling that shame about these disconnects, it means you really do need serious help.
jc

I truly wish Bill the best. What I’ve said here is the culmination of what he and others have already said. Much like priorities, I just listed them. Hopefully, in a way that can benefit someone.

 

[Tommo3]

Wow that dumpster gets mentioned a lot! I guess that's why it was so hard to accept that "gift" because gifts shouldn't have strings attached.
If they do it's no gift just something for the givers to bludgeon a guy with when he's down.
I see great strides being made. Hopefully now the basement is a little clearer the repairs get underway.
As for the help all pro do is persuade you to help yourself (Of course there's always electro therapy) or send for the ambulance to the crazy house!

 

[JC23]

Tommo, my post about the dumpster was not about 'strings.' It was about after making great strides with it, Bill went back to buying more stuff.

And if I remember right, he did say something about getting another dumpster. It doesn't look like that happened, tho.

 

[csp]

JC23 you've echoed many of my sentiments. I recently started glancing at this thread again (yep I'm one of those that read the first thread and started reading this one and gave up) and have many times thought of posting my disbelief in the lack of progress or any change in Bill's patterns, but then I just hit my "back" key knowing it falls on deaf ears.

I mean no disrespect either, but Bill I can't help but read your comments providing advice in other peoples' threads and wonder if you're just googling for answers purely because you have such a mess of your own going on.

 

[fergus]

Pretty much what CSP and JC23 said. I check in, but then all I ever see from Bill is " sort, moving, organizing". I try to be a patient person, but I've no patience for this. I always leave disappointed. Sorry Bill.

 

[bczygan]

Not much progress today. It's been rainy off and on but I could have done more outside, or inside. Just down and out of it.

Going to try to make tomorrow better since temps are going to be slowly getting colder during the week.

Should be able to sufficiently button up the yard for winter by weeks end. Have a list and will work it through.

Then inside.

Bill

 

[MadMechMaster]

Hello Bill, It's good to see you still posting updates. I was the first one to reply on your last thread, so I have been watching these threads from the start. I'll admit that it is somewhat of a reality show for me(no cable). Like csp I sometimes type responses and delete them before posting.

I want to echo JC23's points, but also want to believe that you have had some progress that you have decided not to show. This shows in how you have decided to frame your photos. You are entitled to this privacy. If you have been filling all of your trash cans every week for the last several years, you should be getting close.

Remember that you are posting this on a forum that is populated by people with the get-er-done mentality.

Winter is short, as long as nothing outside will get damaged, or get attention of the city, consider that done for now and work on the house now! Get your medical care straightened out now!

 

[bczygan]

Hello Bill, It's good to see you still posting updates. I was the first one to reply on your last thread, so I have been watching these threads from the start. I'll admit that it is somewhat of a reality show for me(no cable). Like csp I sometimes type responses and delete them before posting.

I want to echo JC23's points, but also want to believe that you have had some progress that you have decided not to show. This shows in how you have decided to frame your photos. You are entitled to this privacy. If you have been filling all of your trash cans every week for the last several years, you should be getting close.

Remember that you are posting this on a forum that is populated by people with the get-er-done mentality.

Winter is short, as long as nothing outside will get damaged, or get attention of the city, consider that done for now and work on the house now! Get your medical care straightened out now!

MMM,
I haven't actually been taking many photos. And while posting some, haven't completely documented the progress. I've been too busy doing the work and other life activities.
There have been some purchases, a few necessary, others not.

This project has turned a corner, but still has substantial work ahead.

To recap in a sentence or two, the yard was purged, then the house was purged into the yard, and now the yard has been purged again. 3 sheds have been purged and reorganized and re-purposed and another one has been rebuilt and filled with woodworking machines and equipment. The quantity of possessions has been reduced and all areas cleared enough that they can be worked in. Sorting and tossing in the yard and sheds at this point is counterproductive, especially with winter weather coming. Will leave it until spring.

This leaves the house ready for repairs and further sorting and organization of the remaining possessions. The house will be the focus.

A couple of days or so should wrap up the yard adequately but far from completely.

Then I come inside and work there for the winter. First task is taking the kitchen stuff down to the basement, clearing the powder room, and then finishing clearing the basement.

Along with that, water hookup and installation of the water heater and furnace.

I really see another year of work to finish clearing, repairing and organizing.

New second story roof first thing in the spring. That's the plan.

Bill

 

[Strouty]

Bill, honestly we both know you should not take anything to the basement if the plan is to purge it. Have you been truthful with yourself about what kitchen stuff is needed or are you trying to keep Julie happy?

I hate to ask, but is she in a group as well? If she is still hoarding and you are trying to get better I fear the two of you counteract each other. I know that when things at the house get bad, it is not always my problem.

 

[bczygan]

Bill, honestly we both know you should not take anything to the basement if the plan is to purge it. Have you been truthful with yourself about what kitchen stuff is needed or are you trying to keep Julie happy?

I hate to ask, but is she in a group as well? If she is still hoarding and you are trying to get better I fear the two of you counteract each other. I know that when things at the house get bad, it is not always my problem.

Strouty,
I don't have time to deal with each and every kitchen item. I'll go through it later.
Julie is NOT involved with any part of the improvements I am making. We do work at cross purposes. She wanted her winter clothes, so I brought all the bins and boxes up to her dressing room. She was going to make the switch, but still hasn't. The room is almost unusable. I won't touch it. It's up to her.

Here is a before and after of where the kitchen stuff, and a lot of other stuff was:

Bill

 

[elguappo]

JC23 summed up perfectly what I was struggling to put into words.
I've been reading these threads for what feels like forever now, partly to make myself feel better about my own lack of progress.
But constantly reading "sorting, organizing, moving stuff" just says your yard house and life are like the puzzle with 9 spaces and 8 tiles. 1 open space gets shifted around and it 'feels' like progress. But its not progress. I know this from my own fruitless efforts at organizing my garage, house and life.
I wish you the best Bill, but I don't see this effort going anywhere, and I need to remove the auto update function of this thread since this is actually depressing me instead of giving me hope.
Cheers

 

[DonPowers]

JC23 summed up perfectly what I was struggling to put into words.
I've been reading these threads for what feels like forever now, partly to make myself feel better about my own lack of progress.
But constantly reading "sorting, organizing, moving stuff" just says your yard house and life are like the puzzle with 9 spaces and 8 tiles. 1 open space gets shifted around and it 'feels' like progress. But its not progress. I know this from my own fruitless efforts at organizing my garage, house and life.
I wish you the best Bill, but I don't see this effort going anywhere, and I need to remove the auto update function of this thread since this is actually depressing me instead of giving me hope.
Cheers

Thats where I've been my whole life, even with my new, not yet complete, 32x48 garage. Don't know how many times I've shuffled stuff around to make room or have easier access.

 

[bczygan]

JC23 summed up perfectly what I was struggling to put into words.
I've been reading these threads for what feels like forever now, partly to make myself feel better about my own lack of progress.
But constantly reading "sorting, organizing, moving stuff" just says your yard house and life are like the puzzle with 9 spaces and 8 tiles. 1 open space gets shifted around and it 'feels' like progress. But its not progress. I know this from my own fruitless efforts at organizing my garage, house and life.
I wish you the best Bill, but I don't see this effort going anywhere, and I need to remove the auto update function of this thread since this is actually depressing me instead of giving me hope.
Cheers

If you don't see the progress, then either you aren't looking carefully enough, or I'm not showing it well enough, or both.

Look at the two photos above, as just one example.

Bill