Grunge Garage

[bczygan]

Let me tell you, if I could have, I would have moved EVERYTHING out of my garage to do ALL the work that I've done so far. I have probably cleaned it about 8-10 times so far, and we are talking about 4-5 hour complete cleaning sessions, mostly from moving stuff around during a main project and then trying to gain access when starting another one. First it was the electrical...then it was the insulation, then it was the drywall... etc etc.

That is at least 40 hours of time that I could have spent doing something else.

This is a big deal. Thanks for mentioning it.

Other than the C'man stack, 2 jack stands, 2 small Kennedy's, 2 vises and an oil drain pan, everything else is removals. If I get it down to just those things, the lathe and band saw and what's on the built in bench, then the garage is as good as empty and I could even take those things out temporarily to paint or do ceiling work or electrical.
Right now I need to get ready for vacation, so I'm rushing things. I know it's some double work. Maybe I can avoid putting more in there by consolidating and cleaning some in the living room.
I almost have a clear enough path through the garage to bring trash out from the back yard. But the opening through the door which is only open a couple of feet, and having to shinny behind a shrub (6" space) to get stuff out, is a pain. I want to free up the back sidewalk and the back hall to the kitchen and the front entry. Now I'm just starting to get greedy!!!

 

[bczygan]

You know, I don't have a 'fix all' for what you are trying to do, but I can offer up some encouragement.

Think about it...you could have one of the most amazing garages here on Garage Journal, complete with new painted walls, great lighting, awesome ceiling, beautiful epoxy/tile flooring, and more. Just think of the transformation...just think on that for a bit. It IS within your grasp. The only thing that is standing in front of you is the time you have. Keep moving forward.

Perhaps a less-intrusive solution to the dumpster idea is the WM 'bagster'...it lays wherever you want it and you can put (I think) up to 3500 lbs of **** on it, then they come and lift it up and take it away. It might be cheaper than the dumpster. It might be more approachable.

I am not a hoarder, but I do understand the feeling of wanting to keep things that have some type of intrinsic value. For things that are 'non-garage' related, may I suggest a donation to charity. I work for a non-profit and I can tell you that the non-profit sector is having a tough time right now. Think of how awesome a donation of some of the things you are trying to get free of could be to a local charity. It would help a bunch of people and only add positive force to what you are trying to do with your space. Also, that way you won't have to feel guilty about throwing away something of value or usefulness.

Many times, they will even come and pick up your donation.

You're doing good. Keep it up! Don't give up. Stay encouraged.

We're with ya

Red Leader,
That is something I have been harboring as a secret hope in my heart......After seeing all these marvelous garages here on GJ I got to thinking that I might be able to do something with mine. It could be a little jewel. My advantage is that the garage is small. Costs are less, time and labor is less, required materials are less. The big problem is all the **** jammed into it.
Well that problem is on the way to being solved. So thank you for giving voice to what I dared to think. Maybe that can be my reward. Taking the next steps. Sure gives a guy incentive!!! For now there is a lot more work to do in the garage, house and yard. But a guy can dream..........

 

[bczygan]

I think today I'll get measurements and start a layout and begin to make this a real Garage Journal project. You guys have any ideas for it?

 

[bczygan]

My Photobucket bandwith has been exceeded. It will reset on the 6th and photos will be viewable again. Meanwhile I'll do it differently.

 

[wolflrv]

You might consider upgrading to pro on your photobucket account and just keep going. GarageJournal will continue to push bandwidth limits monthly, just due to the number of views your thread will generate. I just upgrade my account to pro, so I don't have to worry about it for a year.

 

[Foxxtrot]

Congratulations on the progress! I eagerly await the 6th when I can see the pics!
I have lived with some of this same stuff myself through my parents and my father-in-law. As a matter of fact, I showed him some of your pics earlier in the thread the other day, and he wanted to know where you lived so he could go see what you were willing to part with! Fortunately, we live to far away. I didn't need a bunch more stuff at my house, everyone I know wants to store stuff with me as it is.
You are doing a great job, just keep at it. If you can keep the end goal in mind, even if you only work at it a little at a time, you can get there!

 

[flybefree]

Bc: I have a theme to propose: the Phoenix garage...from the ashes comes a Detroit beauty! I would second RL's suggestion to make your mission even more noble by giving away to help others. I see some hope in your posts...and that is something.

Shaun

 

[bczygan]

OK, This is all your faults..........every time some gives me an atta boy on the progress it goads me on to do some more. I am now down in the garage with my netbook tethered to the phone. Just pulled down all the rest of the balusters and railings from the top shelf. Next I'll take them out to the shed.Found a dado set and a sheet of white laminate.
Just pulled down all the kitchen cupboard doors. They go out to the shed until either they are refinished and rehung, or new cabinets are installed and they are disposed of.

My new watch phrase is "Does this belong here?". If an item doesn't go where it is, it immediately goes where it should be. Every trip I am carrying something from here to there and then something from there to somewhere else. I'm a human conveyor belt! And the second question is "Can I do without this?". If not, it has to have a pretty immediate use to take up space. If I can do without it, there is trash or donate. Most stuff is trash, as hoarders tend to buy cheap and broken items they will"fix up" some day.

Update 1:32
Balusters and cabinet doors are out. I can see that a few minutes can make a difference. Add another few minutes and even more. See attached photos showing empty space behind me and notice goofy smile in last photo.
Now I see that all this paint does not belong here. Time to sort and haul.

 

[clkimmel]

I just read this whole thread and I am impressed with your work so far. I can't wait until I can see all the pictures.

My advice: When you are looking at something to buy, ask "where will I put this?" If you don't have a place, don't get it. Don't get it for the place that is only planned either! (My wife has bought more stuff for the sunroom we don't have yet!) I would also encourage you to get rid of things you have duplicates of.

Good luck and continue to come to GJ for counsel, it looks like it has been helping you so far.

I have subscribed to this thread.

 

[Bronson]

Stupid question here? How do I subscribe to a thread?

 

[BigWil]

Look above the top post on this page. There is a little drop down menu there, called thread tools. Click on it, and then click "subscribe"

 

[Bronson]

Thanks Sir!

 

[bczygan]

I just read this whole thread and I am impressed with your work so far. I can't wait until I can see all the pictures.

My advice: When you are looking at something to buy, ask "where will I put this?" If you don't have a place, don't get it. Don't get it for the place that is only planned either! (My wife has bought more stuff for the sunroom we don't have yet!) I would also encourage you to get rid of things you have duplicates of.

Good luck and continue to come to GJ for counsel, it looks like it has been helping you so far.

I have subscribed to this thread.

More sage advice from a GJ member. In the past we have treated our house and property as a "catch all" that we could stuff anything into. We couldn't even find half the things we had, so rather than look for them, we bought more, and piled them on top. Now I want to know where everything is and be able to put my hand on it without difficulty. That will negate the need for duplicates.
While I have not followed all the advice given her on GJ, I have benefited from enough to have helped me quite a lot as further photos will show. But far more of a gift has been the feeling of support. And the feeling of freedom that comes with the idea I will have a working garage.......well that is a gift in itself. And GJ has helped to start giving me back my "right thinking" mind. One where the benefits are much larger than a clean garage.
I know there are a lot more lurkers on the website, than active members. I suspect there are those among them suffering the same or similar problems as I am. One thing I feel particularly good about is being able to let them know they aren't alone and something can be done. That makes "letting it all hang out" worth it. And it pushes me to succeed.........!

Back to it.........

 

[JC23]

Bill,

Keep in mind we are watching this thread for your progress. All of us are not always commenting but we are watching and are behind you.

My GF says 'nothing comes in until something else goes out' when we go to garage sales of fleas. And most of the time we do just that.

I have a newly heightened power for getting rid of things these days. See what you've done? Your story is helping others so keep posting and diggin'!!!

 

[BigWil]

Bill,

I just wanted to tell you I'm pulling for you. Keep working at it, and you'll do change your life. Just mention to your wife that the garage, yard and sheds are yours. She can have the bedrooms, and the common living spaces (living room, kitchen, dining room etc) can only have items put in them if you both agree on it. She doesn't have to change if she doesn't want to, but it may help keep her from filling up spaces after you empty them.

I really don't know if my suggestion will work, but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway.

I also want to say that I feel that you have some big brass ones posting all this online. I'll keep throwing encouragement your way, and I'm happy to see you've already started the up spiral working on your own.

 

[rickairmedic]

Bill I am still here with you . Just got home myself and came here to see how you were doing . Ok now onto the paint if its got less than half a can especially quarts and you dont have an imediate use for it pop the tops let it harden and toss it . 1/4 cans of quarts of paint take up alot of space . I tossed several gallons myself this weekend and will be tossing more now that the toters are empty again ( monday garbage day around here ) . Keep pushing forward and you will get there . I would be happy to see half or more of the garage before you go off galavanting for the weekend .


Rick

 

[bczygan]

Bill I am still here with you . Just got home myself and came here to see how you were doing . Ok now onto the paint if its got less than half a can especially quarts and you dont have an imediate use for it pop the tops let it harden and toss it . 1/4 cans of quarts of paint take up alot of space . I tossed several gallons myself this weekend and will be tossing more now that the toters are empty again ( monday garbage day around here ) . Keep pushing forward and you will get there . I would be happy to see half or more of the garage before you go off galavanting for the weekend .


Rick

Bigger Victories:
Sorry about the delay on photos, but I had to take a 4 hour "old man nap" after dinner and didn't get going til 9 or so on work. Keeping at it and tried to give it a bit of a push.

Not quite ready for the paint yet Rick, but I do feel the halfway point may have been reached on cleanout. May be fooling myself a little as all the boxes you see up on shelves and piled out of the garage door need sorting. But I have floor! I left a big sweep up pile in one photo to show what's going in the trash. Lots of rat poop in that. They had free rein in the garage for years. Feel like I should be wearing a hazmat suit or at least a respirator.

First photo is looking out toward the partly open garage door with a bunch of stuff piled in front of it. A lot of that still to be dumped.
Second photo is looking the opposite direction, in from the door towards the back of the garage.
Third is a pile of trash still to be picked up.
Fourth is some bare floor near the front of the garage. In fact, most of the floor is now bare. Doesn't show up well on a point and shoot.

Right now is a time to be very satisfied with progress. But I still have to put 2 big lumber piles in sheds, sort the boxes by the door, clear the back walk and get the fridge inside. Plenty to entertain me by the end of the week.

Big thanks to you and everyone who has gotten me this far.

 

[rickairmedic]

Holy cow Bill I see floor congratulations . Ok for the masks I would say yes probably not a bad idea as theres bad stuff if mouse and rat poop you dont want to breathing. I must admit today workwise was a complete and total monday and by the time I got home and ate tonight . I have selfishly sat here at the pub table in the garage and watched Top Gear the whole evening and not moved other than to get a soda from the fridge or to go inside and make room for another soda . I will get back to my project tomorrow evening though .


I am pulling for you to have twice as much floor before the weekend and maybe even some room along a wall for some of that fine metal working machinery languishing in the back yard .



Rick

 

[tinbender 66]

Holy cow! Those last pics really show some great progress. Congratulations! I'm thinking that the more of that floor you see, the more you'll want to see. Be proud of yourself.

 

[bczygan]

Thanks guys. Yes, success breeds success. I can't go in that space anymore without doing something. Moved and sorted a few things even after the photos.
And Rick, everybody needs a veg night now and then...
Back at it tomorrow........I visualize the next steps in my mind so when I awake there is a course to follow.
Pick up pile at back
Consolidate and cover lumber
Clear rear walk
2 dumpsters out to curb
Start taking lumber pile from front yard to rear
Sort boxes at garage door and fill more dumpsters
Empty collapsing metal shelving and pull out
Paint sorting
I'm thinking of putting the Cman bandsaw on CL. Never got it going.

 

[bczygan]

Another day and up early (for me). Nice day ahead but rain this evening or tonight. So I'll pick up trash pile and then look to store or cover lumber.
The garage is clear enough to be the conduit for trash removal from the rear yard, but I don't want to mess it up by dragging things through it, so rear walk cleanup is next. Moving lumber pile from front to back is necessary before we leave so that has to happen. If time runs short I can leave box sorting til later and just throw the boxes back in that are at the front door.

Guys, I need your help!
I need to design this new garage.
I'll get measurements and add them to this post. It's about 9x18 with a higher than 8' ceiling.
Things I want to accommodate (But you tell me. Maybe some boxes should be in vans or elsewhere with construction tools in them):
HF 13 drawer roller
HF red 5 drawer service cart
HF press
Anvil?
Steel top table?
Parts washer
Engine stand
Cherry picker (Foldable)
Cman 12 drawer upper
Small Cman stack
Misc handled toolboxes
Shop vac
Jack (future)
Jack stands
HF creeper
Oil drain container
Car supplies (Oil, antifreeze, washer fluid, cleaning supplies etc.)
Bench top drill press
Small parts cabinets
Pancake air compressor
At least 2 bench mounted vises

Possibly:
Bridgeport
South Bend Lathe
Would like enough room to pull a motorcycle in for service.

Looking for layout ideas.
Do I remove the existing bench and shelf setup that BIL built?
Should I pull down the rest of the plaster on metal lath ceiling and replace with drywall (And insulate above)? Note: There is a room above so no other way to access for insulating)
Walls are brick. Outside wall is 2 layers. There is a moisture problem that caused the shelving and tools to rust. Door is not sealed and is jury rigged insulated by me with batt insulation.

I have a bunch of metal wall mount steel panels for Akro bins.
I have ample lumber to build shelves or benches and tops.
Would like to leave brick exposed and run new electrical on surface. Brick is painted white. Color ideas?
Floor is crack free in the surface but big crack at the door. Finish ideas.
There is a metal window with small panes and obscure glass with security wire embedded (I think). Replace with view window to enjoy looking across 8' to neighbors windows? He may fence and block half the space.
Lighting? For now I have old fluorescents. Ideas?
Signage?
Theme?

Photos to come...

 

[JC23]

Item One on yer makeover...

Use that room in the back for storing as much as you can. And by that I mean the stuff you are going to have in yer garage. With that small size, you want keep the work area as clean as you can. The back room is yer bonus and can be your 'shrine' to just how organized you can be.

The main part can then be used more effectively for benches, cabinets, toolbox stacks and the bigger footprint stuff.

And after you redo the ceiling, don't forget about the storage you can build up there.

Above all, one bite at a time and keep up the good work.

 

[Bronson]

You have motivated Me to eliminate some clutter. Just sold 2 motorcycle projects and a bunch of boxes of parts. I just listed 2 more project bikes for sale.....Now, if I can just keep Myself from dragging home more "bargains"!

 

[rickairmedic]

Bill with that small of a space if the ceiling is high enough I would recomend putting as much storage as you can up as high as you can go . I would also leave at least one sidewall empty as even one set of 2' deep shelves along one side is going to uct your width down to 7' which to me is barely enough room to work on one motorcycle and be able to move around it . I will get back with more ideas just popped in for lunch and have to get back to work .


Rick

 

[bczygan]

JC23,
That room above is actually an attic bedroom over the garage, but accessable from the upstairs hall in the house. It used to have a small deck over the porch on the rear of the house. So it is more usable as a big clothes closet/dressing room for my wife and maybe guest quarters. I have thought about the idea of cutting out the floor system and making the very high ceiling for a lift, but the garage is really too small for car repair, especially an E350 van.

Bronson, Congratulations! I bet you feel a little sense of freedom........Now you can be VERY particular on what you buy and work on.

I will get measurements in a minute.

Progress report:
Moved the BIG pile of lumber in the front yard and put it over the side gate. Now I need to move it to a shed in the back yard.
Put out 2 full dumpsters. Working on a third.

Back to the fun...

 

[JC23]

Sorry, Bill. I thought I saw a room off the back of the garage that would have been perfect for secondary storage and giving you more garage floorspace. Either way, you get my idea and you've got plenty of good ones of yer own so keep on diggin'!

 

[bczygan]

That's OK.

Measurements of the garage"
Width 9'-6"
Depth 19'-8"
Ceiling Height 8'-8"

Behind the garage is a tiny back hall on the left side with 4 doors. The one from the garage, one to the back porch, one to the left into the kitchen and one to the right into a powder room.
With kitchen and PR and dining so close those facilities are covered. Living room is right around the corner through the kitchen, or the other way through the front entry if you need serious R&R. A screened porch will be rebuilt just outside the rear hall with a patio adjacent. Off the dining room will be a small deck. A hammock and BBQ will be out in the yard. This should take care of rest breaks and old man naps.
I do think the shop needs a TV and radio for at least background noise. I would hate to be stuck in there for hours with just my own thoughts for company! And net access through a computer is a necessity in my book. My ultra portable netbook will always accompany me there, along with my cell phone with net access and tethering software for the netbook.

This garage won't be a show garage, although I want it to be beautiful.
It will be a working garage without being messy
It will be a place for tools and supplies, but not a storage room for excess supplies or equipment.
Note: Remember hand wash dispensers in PR and fire extinguishers in kitchen and shop.
It is becoming evident to me by looking at the equipment list, that as more auto and mechanic and metalworking equipment goes into the garage, that woodworking equipment must find another place. Another shop will be built at the rear of the property to replace the numerous sheds.

 

[Vernmotor]

I see floor That is good ! your doing a fine job

 

[bczygan]

Tomorrow is trash day and I have 3 dumpsters out. The big lumber pile in the front yard is now over the gate and piled on the back walk and tarped. Front yard looks a lot better without it. The other lumber pile in the back yard is also consolidated and covered with a tarp as we expect rain by 10 tonight. Brought two toolboxes in from the back yard to the garage. Took some buckets of trash from the back yard out through the garage and dumped into the last dumpster. The final one was a bucket that had water in it and 3 rats drowned themselves in it a week or so ago. Another reason to continue this cleanup. Rats will winter over in a yard anywhere they can dig a burrow under something. So if you have anything stored on the ground they will just burrow under it and the item will insulate their burrow. That's why rules require you to store things outside (Like lumber) 12" above grade. But of course, they can burrow under whatever supports your lumber. I've seen them burrow under a single board or concrete block. They will also make dens next to your foundation by heated spaces. For these reasons I will soon get all my tarped items stored inside buildings or disposed of.

The first photo shows how much better it looks without the lumber pile in front of the Airstream.
Second photo shows the 3 things that need moving to make the front look much better, the file cabinet, fridge and dumpster. Also the M416 and Apache trailers need moving.
Third shows the pile where it was moved to the back walk and tarped temporarily.
Fourth shows the other lumber pile tarped in front of the temporary shed in the back yard.

The back yard is the next big battle ground after the garage, side yard, living, dining and kitchen. Turns out this is a WAY bigger project than just a garage cleaning.....

Bill (Still doing it in Detroit)

 

[BigWil]

Keep it up, Bill. You are doing great.

 

[bczygan]

Keep it up, Bill. You are doing great.

BigWil, Every time I see your avatar it makes me chuckle!!!

 

[BigWil]

BigWil, Every time I see your avatar it makes me chuckle!!!

I'm active duty military (Canadian) and some days that's how I feel. It makes me laugh, too. I found it online, and use it on a couple forums for fun.

What's the history on your avatar?

 

[bczygan]

Question.....How do you eat an elephant?
Answer.....One bite at a time!

A project like this seems overwhelming. And when you are in the throes of hoarding you can close your eyes to a lot. You just don't see it. Once you admit it to yourself the veil is removed from your eyes and you see it all in all it's ugly reality. Then it is too much to face. You know it's impossible to fix. Especially if it's just you providing the remedy.
But one thing the last week has taught me is that once you see it, you must act. Either that or go back to not seeing. And that is hard to do once you KNOW you have a problem. You can't go back. So the only alternative is to face it and deal with it. And that gives you a certain kind of peace. Once you decide to change you can forgive yourself your past and move forward.
Then the only problem is how to go about it. Now that you see the whole of the problem with clear eyes (And mind), it seems insurmountable. But every trip begins with a plan. A plan and then the first step. To make it manageable, focus on a small part of the whole. My garage is like that. It is a difficult, but doable project. It involves other parts of the house and yard, but it has a narrow focus. It's big enough to make a difference and be a satisfying start, but small enough that you don't give up. Even then, it can't be done in an hour or a day, so to give yourself steps you can accomplish, break it down into tasks that are doable in a single work session or day. And gather support.Moral support from others will carry you through the rough spots where you want to give up. Other peoples responses to you will help clear away your wrong thinking and make it clear when you are on a wrong tack. You can fool yourself, but friends won't let you fool them. They'll set you straight when you don't know what straight is.
I'm still in the middle of this. I am keeping far more stuff than I should. Lumber piles just because I have sheds that will accept them. Slowly I will wean myself off of the need for them. Maybe I can learn to live with a small pile of lumber, just enough for the next 2 projects, not enough for all the projects for the rest of my life. Maybe I can learn to just have 1 or 2 pop ups or even 3. But not 18. Maybe I can live with just 1 shed, a shop and the garage, rather than 7 sheds and a garage. Hmmm....I keep thinking that you can live happily even if you live like other people. gotta think on that.

Tomorrow:
Clean up pile in garage floor
Clean up back hall down to the floor
Clean out front entry
Fill up a couple dumpsters
Bring in file cabinet
Continue sorting boxes
Bring out more trash from back yard

Night all!

 

[rickairmedic]

Bill your doing great. A little progress every day and before you know it you will have a nice new mancave . Once you get it into shape I have figured out a prize to give yourself for your efforts . A wireless router so you dont have to tether in the garage .I have wireless in the house and everybody in the house can go anywhere they want to go within reason on their laptops such as myself out here in the garage .


Rick

 

[bczygan]

I'm active duty military (Canadian) and some days that's how I feel. It makes me laugh, too. I found it online, and use it on a couple forums for fun.

What's the history on your avatar?

I started out with a (head shot)photo of me. That proved too much for tender sensibilities. Then I used a flag of E. Prussia, where my great grandfather immigrated from. Then I used the Confederate battle flag in honor of my other great grandfather who was a surgeon in A.P. Hills corps. That got a couple of comments so I changed it to this, the flag of the City of Detroit. Who knew they had a flag.....!!! The upper right shows the cities English heritage, the lower left the French and the other two quadrants the American. The middle shows the city rising from the ashes of the fire that destroyed it in 1805. A fitting idea for today as well. You probably knew that Detroit is north of Canada.

Flag info see here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Detroit

 

[bczygan]

Bill your doing great. A little progress every day and before you know it you will have a nice new mancave . Once you get it into shape I have figured out a prize to give yourself for your efforts . A wireless router so you dont have to tether in the garage .I have wireless in the house and everybody in the house can go anywhere they want to go within reason on their laptops such as myself out here in the garage .


Rick

Rick,
Thanks. I actually have no internet service that I could use a router with. I tether my laptop to my phone by wireless. So the phone is the router. It's Android. Don't worry though, I can think of lots of gifts for myself. That may be the problem in the first place.....I already bought them all and brought them home
.......Seriously, the best gift is the gift of a usable garage, and eventually a usable life. Was watching a PBS show on turning a bowl and I was thinking that I could actually use my wood lathe again!

Bill

 

[rubberrodder]

Bill,
Congrats on actually DOING something! Wow! You are an inspiration to get off my *** and go through my stacks of ****. I just read all 8 pages. After seeing the first page,to seeing the progress on this last page... DUDE! you are AWESOME! I know that word is way over used these days, but, you are! You have proven to the world, and more importantly,to yourself,you can accomplish this dream. Don't give up for ANY reason! I believe your wife will come around on this stuff as well. Just give her some time.
You got my support and encouragement as well.

 

[BigWil]

I started out with a (head shot)photo of me. That proved too much for tender sensibilities. Then I used a flag of E. Prussia, where my great grandfather immigrated from. Then I used the Confederate battle flag in honor of my other great grandfather who was a surgeon in A.P. Hills corps. That got a couple of comments so I changed it to this, the flag of the City of Detroit. Who knew they had a flag.....!!! The upper right shows the cities English heritage, the lower left the French and the other two quadrants the American. The middle shows the city rising from the ashes of the fire that destroyed it in 1805. A fitting idea for today as well. You probably knew that Detroit is north of Canada.

Flag info see here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Detroit

I'm well aware of that little fact. I grew up near London, Ontario, and my wife is from your fair state. She's from Grand Rapids. I considered going to Detroit, but I don't have a concealed carry permit.

I'm currently residing on the east coast...and will be here for another couple years.

 

[bczygan]

Bill,
Congrats on actually DOING something! Wow! You are an inspiration to get off my *** and go through my stacks of ****. I just read all 8 pages. After seeing the first page,to seeing the progress on this last page... DUDE! you are AWESOME! I know that word is way over used these days, but, you are! You have proven to the world, and more importantly,to yourself,you can accomplish this dream. Don't give up for ANY reason! I believe your wife will come around on this stuff as well. Just give her some time.
You got my support and encouragement as well.

Rubberrodder,
That was an unintended but very satisfying consequence. I wasn't really thinking of anyone else when I started this thread. Did it for myself. The real lesson I learned, and it didn't become clear until the last few days, is that the real problem was in my head. That's where the real struggle and success will come.
If it has been a start for you, great. I'm pulling for YOU! No matter what the size of the project, it IS doable. Any size project is FINITE. Start and continue.......you will reach the end. Why don't you start your own thread and I'll follow you.

 

[Bronson]

Bill, You are an inspiration! I was working in My shop, and looking around at all the unfinished projects. I went in the house, sent an E-mail, and sold 2 more unfinished bike projects! The clutter is going away! Keep motivating Me!