Grunge Garage

[bczygan]

bill, just a constructive note from an outsider - leave all that inside refinishing and sanding till you have the bigger, more time sensitive projects done, ok? Then you can rework what you have.

And keep that momentum going!

agreed!

 

[bczygan]

nice work keep it up. I really think you need to get a dumpster though cause its going to be easy to slide and let some of that stuff thats in the "donate" bin get back inside. Either that or when you are making the donate pile make it in the van and take the van straight to goodwill when you are done.

you are doing good but having that stuff siting close by has relapse written all over it

I agree. I don't like having it in the yard. Even the van is too close. But I've decided that once I make the decision to put it out, out it goes. That means there is no place in here for it. If a thing has no specific place, then it can't live with me. No more storing backup items in cardboard boxes. The sheds will not be available when I build my shop from their materials. No more storing things for "Someday". Use it or lose it. I've broken things before throwing them away to avoid bringing them back in.

Trying to quit drinking pop too, while I'm at it. Drinking lots more water. Just had some Martinelli's Sparkling Cider. Very refreshing.

Beautiful warm weather here in Detroit. Having fun!

 

[JimVonBaden]

Bill, just a constructive note from an outsider - Leave all that inside refinishing and sanding till you have the bigger, more time sensitive projects done, OK? Then you can rework what you have.

And keep that momentum going!

Excellent advice!

Jim

 

[bczygan]

In line with divesting ourselves of responsibilities, we just this evening, re-homed the kitten we rescued from the squatter/drug house. Single lady who's children are off to college who needs someone to love in her trailer. Perfect match!

Just found out the cops took a gun out of that house a day before we evicted the squatters.

 

[rlwhitetr3b]

"1/2 the stuff was thrown in the trash. 1/2 of the remainder is in boxes to be donated. Of the rest, some goes in different rooms" - 1/2 + 1/2 = 1...where did "the rest" come from? just kidding you

1/2 of 1/2 = 1/4

So the end result is 3/4 gone 1/4 move to where it belongs, I hope!

The ball is rolling, it will be easier to keep it rolling than to get it started.

 

[SiGmA_X]

Bill, I think you are making some progress. I hope it continues. I also realllllly support the dumpster idea.

Thats more like it! DONT STOP DONT STOP DONT STOP DONT STOP DONT STOP DONT STOP

+100000!

Bill, just a constructive note from an outsider - Leave all that inside refinishing and sanding till you have the bigger, more time sensitive projects done, OK? Then you can rework what you have.

And keep that momentum going!

I was just about to write the same post sir! Bill, this is good advice! Move on to get the rest to this state, then to the refinishing!

 

[bczygan]

Bill, I think you are making some progress. I hope it continues. I also realllllly support the dumpster idea.+100000!I was just about to write the same post sir! Bill, this is good advice! Move on to get the rest to this state, then to the refinishing!

I will go with a dumpster if I run out of the Courvilles consistently. I have 8 and 2 more I can grab.
I will follow the advice above and move on to the other rooms. Kitchen and Living Room tomorrow until complete.

Thank you to all for the support and pushing. Sometimes it gripes me, but all in all it gets me moving when I have a hard time motivating myself.

 

[NickTheNut]

I've been watching this thread for a very long time, and I have to say Bill; this post, in my opinion, is the first MAJOR progress you've shown in a very, very long time. It looks great!

I also second the advice someone else said; don't spend you time sanding, resurfacing, painting, and polishing up that room. Keep your momentum going and move to the next room once you get the remaining items in there taken care of. Finishing work is really time consuming. I'd simply clean the remaining of the room real well - use 409 or some other cleaner to get any dirt off, dust anything necessary, and vacuum up the floor and walls really well.

Great work Bill!

 

[fergus]

Like JC23 told me when I was trying to fix my garage "How you eat an elephant? One bite at a time".

That's a nice big bite. Now finish your vegetables!

 

[SiGmA_X]

I'm glad you're making progress man, and the dining room looks like good progress to me!

Understandable about using what you have to clean it up, but I bet you'd find it goes a LOT easier if when you get a box full of junk, you just dump it into the dumpster!

My folks bought a farm back in 92 that had a PO who thought they must keep anything that -might- be useful down the road. This farm had a barn with two large feed/tack rooms, that turned into storage rooms. We parked a large dumpster (the largest normal sized one.. 10x20x6? Not sure, I'd have to google) at the end of the barn and threw everything out short of the tools and some tack that we gave away. Then we went through the other outbuilding (weird 1000sqft building that was used as an indoor dogrun..) and also went through allll our stuff as we unpacked. We did a lot of shedding of ****, to say the least! Feels good man! We did the same thing before moving out of my teenageyears house, smaller dumpster, but lots went. And I should say, my parents are not really pack rats at all, we just decided it was time to throw out a lot and give away of **** we hadn't used in years.

Bill, I'd love to see a couple quick pics before/after of the kitchen tomorrow! Keep up the good work sir.

PS, I have to admit, I started reading this thread last year. It grossed me out. I was dating someone who is a near horder, and I couldn't look at your thread without seeing what my future may look like, lol. Then I saw it was still around on Saturday, and read through it. I was worried you were never going to make any real progress on it. And then a short 48hr later, you have an almost clean nice looking dining room! Keep up the work sir, we're rooting for you!

 

[ckadams00]

Bill, just a constructive note from an outsider - Leave all that inside refinishing and sanding till you have the bigger, more time sensitive projects done, OK? Then you can rework what you have.

And keep that momentum going!

What he said. From your posts you have mechanical issues. Painting and sanding is cosmetic. Fix your space,your house, and then you can choose paint colors.

Have dinner with your wife in the dining space and see how it feels. Repeat.

 

[bczygan]

OK,
Time for the room I've been avoiding for some time. It's the Kitchen. As you will see from the photos, it is a real project. But it is essential that I clean it up as there is a stack of kitchen stuff that was in the dining room and the living room also has been my acting kitchen for years. The kitchen has a non working fridge that needs removing. The stove is a replacement one that was put in a few months ago. There are a total of 5 microwaves in the kitchen and throughout the house. Once the kitchen is cleaned I will be able to remove the fridge, microwave, dishwasher, file cabinet and boxes of food and kitchen gear from the living room. That will make the living room a fairly easy cleanup project. Photos below. I'm really embarrassed to show them, but this thread has been about finding the truth and dealing with it, so here goes.

 

[Bronson]

Bill, rollup Your sleeves and wade into it. Just tossing the 5 microwaves will start to open up the kitchen. The broken fridge is a big space eater, also. Go to it!

 

[MadMechMaster]

That shouldn't take too long. You got 8 empty cans right? Toss the obvious and all of the food. It looks expired.

It would take me longer to wash all of those dishes. If you ditch any pans, just put them on the curb for the scrappers. You don't have to fill the cans with metal.

 

[Rag Roc]

Woooooo Hooooooooo keep the momentum going Bill!

 

[novaboy009]

A shovel, a trailer, a few trash cans and a bonfire would take care of that mess in about a day.

I moved recently. I had a big mess in my upper garage due to the "just dump it here for a minute" mentality that you have when you're moving. This was one night's work:

Before:

After

A trash can, a bonfire, and moving around some storage took care of everything. How is this so hard?

 

[Tjc]

Thats nothing and not even compareable to bills^^

 

[novaboy009]

We're talking one 8 x 12 room. How much worse can it be than a 30x40 garage stacked to the gills with stuff?

 

[markviii]

You definitely haven't a clue as to how different it can be. Really. Size isn't everything, as they say.

Bill -- you sure have lucked out with the weather. Also, I can tell you're feeling better after the first round with the dental work and other health related issues. Keep moving!! Oh, also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JULIE!!! It's a great gift being able to have a nice dinner in your own dining room. Sparkling cider is what we celebrate with as well since we're not drinkers and gave up carbonated beverages years ago because of a vitamin deficiency and problems with low bone density. (see link: http://clivesimpkins.blogs.com/clive_simpkins/2010/03/harvard-med-school-on-carbonated-drinks-and-osteoporosis.html)

Chris

 

[bczygan]

We're talking one 8 x 12 room. How much worse can it be than a 30x40 garage stacked to the gills with stuff?

Apples and oranges. Probably both take the same time to clean out and straighten. But this approx. 9x10 kitchen has had rats running around in it, over the counters and through the cabinets, water damage and puppies pooping on the floor. Different case than moving, organizing and sweeping up. This room needs all surfaces disinfected and maybe refinished. Got half the floor cleared. It's just hard to face and even go into the room. Unpleasant. But I will just plow on through. I have 5 trash cans full and working on #6. Pics when it is cleared out. Probably tomorrow or Thur. morning since Julie's birthday is tomorrow and we will be going out to dinner (She has a Groupon we've got to use).

 

[Nighttrain]

Bill Happy First Day of Spring! And hopefully Happy New Life, you are on a roll now and am sure there will be slow downs but keep going. Remember the house is not broken. You still need to look at whats broken which I know you will do as you make progress with the house. Keep it up and make Julie a nice dinner!

 

[Bronson]

Better groupons than coupons!

 

[reddog289]

Glad to see your making progress Bill. I myself can't say much about clutter in my kitchen cause the dining room part is full of emptys and auto parts. Kitchen side is better do to the fact the wife cleans that. I could not deal with a non running fridge since I don't like warm beer, Bill, If anything you lighted a fire under my *** to get stuff done. Thanks and Happy Birthday to your wife.

 

[bczygan]

Julie and I had a nice little sit down dinner of left over chicken paprikash on fine china with plastic forks and a good wine in crystal wine glasses. She didn't want to come downstairs but I insisted and she enjoyed it. I loved that we were face to face without the TV blaring and had a few moments of peaceful contemplation and time to talk about this and that. Usually she plops down on the bed and spends the entire evening in mindless junk TV shows while I lay next to her lost on the computer. This is a new habit I want to make the usual method. Next I want to institute a short walk around the yard and eventually up and down the block after dinner. Would also like to get us going to the rec center for swim times. It's free for seniors. All part of the improved lifestyle. Trying to make day to day life better so we don't have to "escape" it with mindless time wasting activities. Not that sometimes vegging out isn't good. I want her to be excited about coming home from work. Right now, work is her refuge from home life. Should be the other way around.

Well, today is trash day and I hve 6 Courville containers filled. Time to go out and get 2 more completed. Half the kitchen is cleared. Time to finish it.

 

[Nighttrain]

Good for you Bill. This last week you have done more for your house and yourself than in the last six months. Keep those ideas you have mentioned and make them into a habit. That reminds me I have not gone for a jog in a while, time to put on my running shoes.

 

[novaboy009]

I'm a little bit excited if the kitchen is half cleaned.

Every morning you've got to put your battle helmet on and go to war Bill. This is hell, but you can dig yourself out everyday! Keep fighting.

 

[cowboy73]

Sounds like you are on the right track, Bill! Enjoying dinner in a cleaned out dining room is one of life's simple pleasures. The rest of the house and yard CAN be cleaned up as well. Keep up the good fight. I know alot of people on here want to see a TV style dramatic result, but in reality that doesn't happen. You and your wife have to work through this arduous task to come out mentally healthy on the other side. There are no fast paths to inner peace. You have both had a taste of what it would be like to be free of your self-imposed prison. It felt good to sit in an uncluttered room, remember that each time you toss out something. It will spur you on and make your goal all that more real. Good luck, man. I'm rooting for you.

 

[98TJ]

Apples and oranges. Probably both take the same time to clean out and straighten. But this approx. 9x10 kitchen has had rats running around in it, over the counters and through the cabinets, water damage and puppies pooping on the floor. Different case than moving, organizing and sweeping up. This room needs all surfaces disinfected and maybe refinished. Got half the floor cleared. It's just hard to face and even go into the room. Unpleasant. But I will just plow on through. I have 5 trash cans full and working on #6. Pics when it is cleared out. Probably tomorrow or Thur. morning since Julie's birthday is tomorrow and we will be going out to dinner (She has a Groupon we've got to use).

I've stayed away from this thread for a long time because I get sick to my stomach by reading it because of the lack of progress. Bill, I see that you're making progress. Good deal. Keep it up.

I have to ask - the highlighted area above - at what point did this become an acceptable way to live?

I'm wondering how a person gets to a point that living this is OK. You had a nice house but what caused the change? Was there a life event that triggered this, or was it just apathy?

 

[Ole_Red]

what is a Courville Container? Never heard of them before.

 

[98TJ]

what is a Courville Container? Never heard of them before.

trash can

 

[bczygan]

I've stayed away from this thread for a long time because I get sick to my stomach by reading it because of the lack of progress. Bill, I see that you're making progress. Good deal. Keep it up.

I have to ask - the highlighted area above - at what point did this become an acceptable way to live?

I'm wondering how a person gets to a point that living this is OK. You had a nice house but what caused the change? Was there a life event that triggered this, or was it just apathy?

This is a very important question. It starts small. First was a desire to have too much and do too much. I spent all my time looking for materials to build sheds to hold still more materials. This took all my time and energy for a few years. I built 7 nice sheds in my yard. Meanwhile I neglected other areas of my house. Then I started putting materials in the house. And buying too many of everyday things. Not just 1 George Foreman Grill, but 8 of them. Not just 1 pop up camper but 18 of them. It is in it's heart, a series of inappropriate choices. These are further compounded by additional inappropriate choices. Instead of repairing damage to the house or car, you ignore the emergency and, to make yourself feel better, you go buy something. Things start falling apart. Things start piing up. I began seriously falling behind on maintenance, but still found time to re-roof half the house and plant lots of trees and plants. Then a combination of a basement flood and water heater being destroyed and furnace quitting just became the nails in the coffin and I gave up and retreated into the bedroom. Then just avoidance and refusing to even think about it until it closed in on my so badly that I had to reach out to someone for moral support. That's where this group has been my savior, helping me struggle and try to change my thinking while beginning the long task of reversing things. I've felt like giving up many times. But you are here to help me each time.
Now, I can see some light. And I am determined to live differently. It's been too long without the normal things of life. I can't believe I sunk so low for so long. And what seemed an insurmountable task that I couldn't face, now seems doable, piece by piece.

Does this explain it well enough? I created this all by avoiding dealing with things and retreating to a life filled with the pleasures of buying things I didn't need. This spent the money I could have used to solve the initial problems like maintaining the house and cars. It is a self feeding downward spiral that is self imposed and hard to break out of. Even now I see myself still doing it by looking at a SO roller, intermediate and top box set for $100.

what is a Courville Container? Never heard of them before.

We call them dumpsters, but they are a wheeled trash can (96 gallon) issued by the city that you roll out to the curb weekly with household waste and trash.

 

[SuperSocket]

This is a very important question. It starts small. First was a desire to have too much and do too much. I spent all my time looking for materials to build sheds to hold still more materials. This took all my time and energy for a few years. I built 7 nice sheds in my yard. Meanwhile I neglected other areas of my house. Then I started putting materials in the house. And buying too many of everyday things. Not just 1 George Foreman Grill, but 8 of them. Not just 1 pop up camper but 18 of them. It is in it's heart, a series of inappropriate choices. These are further compounded by additional inappropriate choices. Instead of repairing damage to the house or car, you ignore the emergency and, to make yourself feel better, you go buy something. Things start falling apart. Things start piing up. I began seriously falling behind on maintenance, but still found time to re-roof half the house and plant lots of trees and plants. Then a combination of a basement flood and water heater being destroyed and furnace quitting just became the nails in the coffin and I gave up and retreated into the bedroom. Then just avoidance and refusing to even think about it until it closed in on my so badly that I had to reach out to someone for moral support. That's where this group has been my savior, helping me struggle and try to change my thinking while beginning the long task of reversing things. I've felt like giving up many times. But you are here to help me each time.
Now, I can see some light. And I am determined to live differently. It's been too long without the normal things of life. I can't believe I sunk so low for so long. And what seemed an insurmountable task that I couldn't face, now seems doable, piece by piece.

Does this explain it well enough? I created this all by avoiding dealing with things and retreating to a life filled with the pleasures of buying things I didn't need. This spent the money I could have used to solve the initial problems like maintaining the house and cars. It is a self feeding downward spiral that is self imposed and hard to break out of. Even now I see myself still doing it by looking at a SO roller, intermediate and top box set for $100.




We call them dumpsters, but they are a wheeled trash can (96 gallon) issued by the city that you roll out to the curb weekly with household waste and trash.

It takes a lot to get out of that spiral. Good for you to have found the bottom and are bouncing back, keep it up.


I think you will notice that with cleaning up and staying clean, you will find yourself not only with a nice looking place, but with more money in your pocket, working things, and nicer things.

 

[98TJ]

Even now I see myself still doing it by looking at a SO roller, intermediate and top box set for $100.

You do realize you could buy that, flip it, and put money into repairs on the house, right?

 

[Nighttrain]

You do realize you could buy that, flip it, and put money into repairs on the house, right?

Bad idea...Don't think that Bill. You have way too many projects.

 

[bczygan]

Luckily it didn't work out. And instead of juggling money for the next week, we were able to pay the last $56 we owed on property taxes. If it hadn't been paid by the end of the month, we would have lost the property. But I still have to learn to make the right decision at the start to do the responsible thing and pay the taxes rather than trying for something I don't HAVE to have, regardless of the deal. I don't get any credit on this one as the deal broke down, I didn't quit it. Maybe I can learn from it though. Note to self. Take care of the boring mundane responsibilities BEFORE spending on that exciting DEAL!

 

[fergus]

You know, there are always deals out there. I'm having to learn this one...resist impulse buys. Get to where you have extra money first...then be ready for the "deal" when it comes along. Instead of buying something you want, then figure out how to pay the bills. Thats just nuts if you really think about it. But, I've made many stupid purchases. Less and less these days...though I still look at CL all the time.

 

[bczygan]

You know, there are always deals out there. I'm having to learn this one...resist impulse buys. Get to where you have extra money first...then be ready for the "deal" when it comes along. Instead of buying something you want, then figure out how to pay the bills. That's just nuts if you really think about it. But, I've made many stupid purchases. Less and less these days...though I still look at CL all the time.

It really IS nuts! And I am trying to be less nuts. It's something that some of us really have to work at.
Another good thing about being forced to take the right road. We had enough money to buy $20 in food staples we needed. The larder was bare. Still feels good even though forced into it. Will feel even better when I make the right choice myself. And there WILL be other deals.

PS, Stopped by the guy who owes me $750 and he says if he gets a check he is expecting, I'll get $200. Maybe put that aside for a rainy day deal.

 

[Red Leader]

We had enough money to buy $20 in food staples we needed. The larder was bare.

...I'll get $200. Maybe put that aside for a rainy day deal.

Bill, these two statements were just sentences apart. Do you see the madness in this? Just wondering.


This is my first post back to this thread in a long time. I remember saying in my last post that I would be back when I saw something actually happening. Bill, I think you've done a good job on that dining room. If I was being honest, that picture is the very first picture that has shown any progress, period. Now my question to you is what will that room look like in 6 weeks from now?

A few other things I feel worthwhile to comment on...

You had 18 trailers. How many do you have now that you can still sell? In the same month that you almost lost your house due to back taxes?

You also keep referring to this:

...as a dumpster.



That is not a dumpster.




This is a dumpster:

or this:

I am going to echo the concerns initially voiced in this thread - You need to get one of these dumpsters. We are still seeing 90% trash in the cluttered pictures. You were recommended back then to get a dumpster. You haven't done it.

Just a little math while we are at it. That room is what again, 8x12? That is 96 sq feet. How many square feet are in:

- your home?
- your basement?
- your garage?
- your yard?
- anywhere else when you have junk?

...combined? It took you 7 months of getting to the point where you have 1 completely clean room (and some of the stuff went back to other rooms?). Lets say you have 3000 sq ft of house, garage, and yard combined (extremely conservative estimate) - at that pace it will take you 18 years to clean the rest of it. Do you really have the time left in your life to continue to operate at your current level of dedication? That is a question for yourself.

Clearing out 1 room in a house is admirable. However, given the fact that you are still without water, without heat and having a basement that is a cesspool (correct me if I'm wrong on those), the priorities are still upside down. If you needed 1 clean room just to prove to yourself that you can do it, that this isn't impossible, that you needed that for yourself, I'll give you that. But if you come to a forum, show people the extremity of your living conditions, then refuse help and 7 months later clean a dining room, just what are you expecting?

Also, if you are talking about having $200 to spend for fun while these monsters are still (literally) lurking in your basement, why isn't that $200 being applied toward what nearly everyone who sees this thread can agree with you needing...a dumpster? You remark that every trash day you are taking out 7 or 9 or however many trash bins full of stuff, yet you just keep posting pictures of a house stuffed to the gills. Something is not working. I get this image of a man chipping away at an iceberg. You've proved to yourself that you can do it. You keep talking about how you've totally changed now. Please, for everyone's sake, for all who read this thread, for your neighbors, but mostly for yourself...

Get the dumpster. (the real dumpster)

The more you continue to talk about how you've totally changed and your life's perspective has been reborn + the longer you stay in denial about the extremely serious issues that are threatening your life, your wife's life, all your pets' lives, and the life of your house and continue to refuse to take big steps to get at the root of the issue (dumpster, counseling, etc) the less credibility you will have.

You say you've finally turned a corner. Okay. Where's the dumpster? Where's the disconnected hose that used to run from your neighbor's house? Just how long are you going to keep us waiting!!?

The dining room, the dental care...you are making great steps, but you have to take even greater ones, or you won't make it.

 

[Kevin54]

I am going to echo the concerns initially voiced in this thread - You need to get one of these dumpsters. We are still seeing 90% trash in the cluttered pictures. You were recommended back then to get a dumpster. You haven't done it.

Just a little math while we are at it. That room is what again, 8x12? That is 96 sq feet. How many square feet are in:

- your home?
- your basement?
- your garage?
- your yard?
- anywhere else when you have junk?

...combined? It took you 7 months of getting to the point where you have 1 completely clean room (and some of the stuff went back to other rooms?). Lets say you have 3000 sq ft of house, garage, and yard combined (extremely conservative estimate) - at that pace it will take you 18 years to clean the rest of it. Do you really have the time left in your life to continue to operate at your current level of dedication? That is a question for yourself.

 

[bczygan]

Yeah Guys,,,,,I know, I REALLY do!

It IS ridiculous to think of using money for anything else but fixing things.

I feel a panic attack coming on whenever I think of the enormity of the WHOLE job.

I can barely deal with one room at a time.

I have started to throw away perfectly good things like the can of floppy disks.
I am about to do some wholesale disposal of perfectly good things that I put outside including major items like tables and chairs and numerous boxes of stuff.

I am maintaining what I've cleared. No more moving things from room to room.
Bedroom is still clean.
Stair is still clean.
Dining is clean.
Living room has now been half cleared out. Working it and the kitchen right now. It's as much as I can bite off at one time right now.

I will dedicate myself to focus like I did on the dining and get this completed as fast as possible so I can go on to the rest. Just pull it all outside and worry less about sorting. Like with the dining room, I will just box and move things outside en mass as quickly as I can. Just haul it out.

As has been said, it isn't a job that should take 7 months. The holdup is in my head. But the dining room, although it was an easy room, shows that a lot can be accomplished in a few days if I just charge into it, put my head down and do it.

AND..........the next steps ARE in the back of my mind. After the main rooms of the house are cleared (Living, Dining, Kitchen Bedroom and Bathrooms)I have to purge the yard of stuff to make a staging area for the basement. The roof is stable and leaks temporarily patched, but it needs a re-roof within a year. Then it will be time to face purging the basement. At that point a dumpster may be necessary. I will suit up and dive in and haul it all out and dump it. By then I will have saved up money to fix the heat and replace the water heater. YES......I am starting to think about saving rather than spending and planning rather than living for the moment.
Til then, no more purchases. No more non essential spending. No more helping others to avoid my own work. Live simple and cheap and treat each day as a work day on the house clean project.
Well, it's almost 8:00 and time to clock in for the day!