1 Day. Multiple Projects. Help Me Decide

[MillerMav]

For those of you who are married, work full time and have little ones you will probably understand where I am coming from with this post so bear with me....

I technically have tomorrow off (11/15) and it was unexpected so I don't have any plans. I have to come into work from like 6-8am then I'm done for the day. For people in my shoes (read above) this chance doesn't come along and my project list is a mile long. LOL!

So pick what you guys would do from the project list so that I may use my time wisely keeping in mind my start time will probably be around 09:00 and I have to pick my daughter up from daycare by 17:30.

1. Fabricate and install 8'x4' storage shelves over garage door and get more items stored and off the walls/floors.
- Time to complete 6 hours tops with storing and organizing
2. Finish shelves in unfinished section of basement to get that area better organized then organize and arrange.
- Time to complete 3 hours
3. Create practice drum kit out of old drums lying around practice area.
- Time to complete 2-3 hours and a possible trip to Guitar Center
4. Clean Gutters and rake/finish winter prep in yard area
- Time to complete 3-4 hours
5. Clean, Detail and winter prep the Audi including conditioning leather, changing oil and getting winter tire installed (trip to Discount Tire)
- Time to complete 4 hours & weather is supposed to be decent enough
6. Go to Alro; pick up some steel then fab up my fold away workbench with integrated old c-man top box.
- Time to complete 6-8 hours

I could go on forever but I think those (either combined or stand alone) are all possible in the course of a day. I'm leaning toward trying to squeeze 3, 4 & 5 all in but I am curious how you other "Dad's with a day off" would go about this stuff. I would like to say I have a buddy to help out but I am rolling solo on this stuff.

 

[Chris4x4Gill2]

I'm in the same situation. I'll be off tomorrow slightly unplanned with no set project.

From your list I'd start with 4 ( can start as early as you want, then 5 ( have to go when tire store is open), and then either 3 or 2 depending on when you get done with #5. I'd probably do 2 since it would be good to have an area organized to give space for other projects first.

 

[nit2wn]

Personally, I'd knockout both those sets of shelving but wait to later on loading them up like a rainy day. Daylight is getting hard to come by so I'd take that into consideration too.

 

[jay8s]

Shelving followed by some time for you. I had a weekday off a few weeks ago, and I played golf, and made a big dent in the hubby do list. It felt great to accomplish so much and have some time for me.

 

[dawgee]

take a nap

 

[Ohmthis]

If you enjoy play the skins like I do, then set up the drums and relieve some stress. Then get the stuff done that mother nature won't wait on. If you are more responsible than me, do the things mother nature won't wait on first then the drums. I have three kids a wife and 1.5 full time jobs. I totally understand the phrase "not enough time in the day". Have some fun if you can though.

 

[Thumper68]

I say 2 and 4, get something done that needs doing and do something that will make the SO happy.

 

[cbrxfr67]

I voted 4,.....as best choice. #2 is close second,....!

 

[apexit1]

I'd do winter prep for the car and house. Keep the car and house protected and prevent any damage. The rest can be done during the winter so time isn't so short.

 

[The Frisco Kid]

4 then 1

 

[Wingnut65]

1 and 2 will give you more space in the garage to do 3 and 6.

4 and 5 are time and weather sensitive and could be getting into crunch time. Even though I have no idea what 'winter prep' means...

3 and 6 are fun projects that are close to your heart and are high on your wish list. You will find or make time to get these done, no matter what.

So, I guess the question is, now that you have had 8 uninterrupted hours handed to you that you would not normally have, what project(s) would you not be able to get done on a normal weekend? Or that would have to be split to a couple days.

 

[MillerMav]

You make some good points Wingnut et al. I will always find time for the shelves and fab work but I should probably take advantage of the weather to get the gutters cleaned and change oil etc.

"Winter Prep" BTW for the car would be washing then a sealant application to prevent salt damage and what not. The leather treatment is always good before winter because it keeps it supple. It used to include raising the coil-overs and applying some anti seize but this year it will be cleaning the coil-overs I recently acquired prepping them for install in the spring.


Rarely am I not posting from my phone....

 

[Jere]

I'd do winter prep for the car and house. Keep the car and house protected and prevent any damage. The rest can be done during the winter so time isn't so short.

That's my choice of what should be done also... I tend to procrastinate so in reality those wouldn't get done and the fun projects would get started on (I am sure something else would come up while the fun projects are underway)

 

[turnpikecrusier]

4 then 5

 

[shooting4life]

I would do 1 and 2. I love storage, my wife loves my storage.

 

[signcrafter]

If the weather is going to be decent then get the winter **** out of the way. If you're weather is anything like mine then you are way behind schedule!

 

[kd4pbs]

I'd say do whatever you want to do and don't rely on us to decide for you.

 

[MillerMav]

If the weather is going to be decent then get the winter **** out of the way. If you're weather is anything like mine then you are way behind schedule!

We are lucking out in Mid Michigan this weekend with upper 50's but by Monday its back down to normal 20-30's which is fine. The more I sit and think the more I am pretty set on outside work and car prep work.

It would be nice to do a full on detail on the Audi but I don't know if I will have time for that so I will probably just do wash, contaminant removal (no more clay bar for me!) and sealant app. Then treat the leather and let it set while I get going on the gutters, windows, etc.

 

[CaptainMarvel]

DRUMS BABY .... DRUMS !!!

 

[Shadowdog500]

Is your wife home? Are the kids at school? If so you need another option.

No matter what you choose, take a little me time to relax a little.

Chris

 

[Nick Danger]

We are lucking out in Mid Michigan this weekend with upper 50's but by Monday its back down to normal 20-30's which is fine. The more I sit and think the more I am pretty set on outside work and car prep work.

It would be nice to do a full on detail on the Audi but I don't know if I will have time for that so I will probably just do wash, contaminant removal (no more clay bar for me!) and sealant app. Then treat the leather and let it set while I get going on the gutters, windows, etc.

It's warm out, it's mid-November . . . definitely do the house winter prep. Most of the other things on the list can be done while there's snow on the ground. After that, it's a toss-up between the remodel for the wife or the drums for yourself.

 

[e-tek]

Judging by the fact that you have AT LEAST 6 chores piled up to do, by deciding to ask others which ones to do and then getting 10 different answers in 10 posts, I would bet on NOTHING getting done! Sorry!

 

[Fishplate]

All day home by yourself? Hookers and blow!

Oh, wait, I meant to vote for rake the leaves and winterize. That's what I did on my day off. Glad it's done, and now I can concentrate on indoor stuff like shelves and drums.

 

[94ONLYSS]

I didn't see Golfing in the list????

 

[Jimi]

I voted for 4 because, I'd be glad I did so each time I arrived home knowing the outside is done and ready for Winter. If time permits after, start on the extra storage in the garage!

You've got the next months to tackle all the inside projects!

 

[Rod N]

You can come over and help me with my yard work.
We have snow on the ground this week already!
(Do your outside/daylight stuff)

 

[crewchief888]

drinking, lots of it






since the weather is still warm, get the outside 'round the house stuff done.

then start on garage shelves

 

[SUNBURNTsnype]

I feel you bro, every little chance i get to go work in the garage unmolested i have to take advabtage of and make it productive. My oroblem is i get a million things started and nothing finished because one project holds up the other which is held up by the one stupid project your wife wants you to do for her first.

Id say anything you can do that will make future jobs easier and quicker is the way to go. So id go with the shelves and workbench.

plus i always find my "sweet spot"to get work done during the week is right after the kiddies go to bed, but not so late that the wifie is bitchin that "im still up workin on that" and risk being too tired for work the next day, which translates to my window of about 8-10 pm.

Good luck and enjoy the free time!