Homerr
Well-known member
Major progress Bill, solid work. It doesn't look like enough to me. Cut all that clutter out - all of it. The room should be ready to paint essentially, should it not?
Grunge Garage
- Thread starter bczygan
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SiGmA_X
Well-known member
I know it can be slow, overwhelming work. My shop gets like this (not like *this* but you know) and it takes a while to reign it in. When I am doing it, my solution is to take an area at a time, such as one of the work benches, and entirely clean it and as I go, throw stuff out and put -everything- away. Part of my personal problem is things that do not have homes. They either get logical homes, or go in the trash. The ONE exception is things that should be in longer term storage - I put those into similarly grouped boxes, label the content addition, and put on my storage shelves.
Do work Bill! Maybe you can get that room DONE this week?
Do work Bill! Maybe you can get that room DONE this week?
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It was major work and progress for me. And no, it isn't finished. And yes, it must and will be finished in a day, I hope and plan. But finished isn't totally empty, and ready for paint. Finished is with surfaces cleaned except for lamps and the sewing machine. Chair, dressers and closets stay.
If I obsessed with any room, patching and painting etc., I would halt progress on the larger project. Perfection is not the goal. Perfectionism is a hallmark of OCD and hoarding. It needs to be good enough. Future go throughs, after the whole house and yard meet this standard, can improve it.
A place for everything and everything in it's place is the goal. But that can't happen until places are cleared for things to go. So clearing a room like this provides those places. Now that this room is cleared (It will be), there will be a place for the shoes that we are tripping over in the bedroom. This will be a dressing room/closet.sewing room. Some of the kitchen items that were in here will go in the kitchen when it is ready for them. Meanwhile they are in temporary storage outside. Some of the sewing items that were taken out of this room while clearing it, will come back in.
As more rooms are cleared and sorted, more space will free up to put things where they go. Every room will end up organized with just the things they need. At the end of the process there will be a lot less things total. There will be a normal amount of typical stored things like Christmas things and out of season clothes.
My goals for this week are very large. Finish this room, the kitchen and the living room. That means just clearing them, not sorting. Just removing the contents to outside storage so I can work on cleaning and organizing the rooms and making them ready to receive the proper contents. That's a method I have found that works for me.
Sorting rooms box by box was just too slow. And too difficult to face. Sp I purge and then pick from the purged contents, just what I need to furnish the room. The rest goes.
Bill
MadMechMaster
Well-known member
Solid plan!
cowboy73
Well-known member
Way to go Bill! Keep at it. That elephant is getting smaller all the time!!!!
fergus
Well-known member
Yep. I think attitude is about half of life. Right on for selling the trailer. 15 more to go.
novaboy009
Well-known member
I'm kind of surprised that carpet doesn't look worse than that. Guess there wasn't anything particularly disgusting in there?
Oh yeah. Most of the clothes were in bins or boxes or dressers so protected. But a rat got in there for a while, and there were rat turds all over the carpet. It will be stripped out of there and discarded and replaced with an area rug. This will be good as Julie will be doing beaded jewelry work in there. There is oak hardwood flooring beneath the carpet.
Working on finishing clearing the room today.
Bill
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Coming up on nine months now. Nine months on this, coming up on the 16th from when the thread was started.
Rag Roc
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I lurk on this thread every 2-3 weeks, and except for some minor relapses, have seen steady progress in your attitude and results. Congratulations, and keep gaining momentum. I believe you have many more friends and supporters on here than you think. Atta Boy!!
SiGmA_X
Well-known member
Weekly update?
mdbeck1
Well-known member
Now THAT sounds more like a normal person...
novaboy009
Well-known member
Weekend update?
hopefully they filled a few trucks today
Wow, I actually thought you would have more done/accomplished since the last time I read this (which was around Christmas holidays). I remember it was getting cold and we were all worried about your heating situation. Now you have Summer just around the corner and still a house full of stuff and a yard...and now a Hanger I read!
Of the pic in the spare room, I would love to see a updated one, post 1601, I see the following items that are in that room and I don't know why they are just not on the side of the street or in a trailer to be hauled to the dump?
1. lots of wicker baskets
2. computer monitor (these things get given away and tossed because people can't figure out what to do with them when they get a new LCD) I have a hint for you at the bottom of this post regarding computer/cable paraphernalia.
3. everything on top of the dresser and that weird cat thingy on it as well.
4. dried/silk flowers - if they don't have sentimental meaning (like the flowers from a loved one's funeral or your wedding or something) toss them or put them on someone elses grave! Memorial day is coming up and there are lots of graves that need decoration!
5. lamp globes/lamp shades, and lamps. If you don't have a need for it at this moment or even the future, and it has no sentimental value...toss it, put it out on the curb for free, take it to goodwill/resale shop, or whatever. Basically get it out of that room and part of someone elses problem.
6. old bags/suit cases/brief cases/ etc..Pick out your best that you would actually use and toss them/give them away, etc.
7. paper boxes...what is in these, if it is important...it is not going to last long in these boxes. Put what is important/family stuff in proper sealed totes. If it's clothes, determine if it is even still in style for this decade and if not toss it or drop it off at the goodwill and let them deal with it. This saves you from filling up your dumpsters with "good" clothes and the thought of you helping someone else out!
Now, I find it hard to believe that the basement has not been tackled yet. I am also curious if the stair's are still clear?
Now regarding pc gear, computer stuff, wires, cables, etc. This is what I did to make my life easier and my wife happier. I used one 33 gallon plastic tote to put ALL/and everything I wanted to keep that is related to IT basically. hard drives, memory, cables, keyboards, etc...If I wanted to keep it it all had to fit in ONE tote. This way I don't have tons of old towers, monitores, keyboards, printers, etc all sitting around. I take the parts out that may be useful for me or for someone else and put them in this tote. This also make it easy for me to find something that I may need like screws or a old just plain CDrom to give to a fried who's stopped working. I figure there is more used technology that can be had for very very cheap or free if I ever need to find something I don't have.
My mom recently hauled off alot of old cars from my dads collection, perhaps you can do the same...cut losses on your old campers/skidoos/etc and just pile it all up and take it to the scrap yard and enjoy a few bucks from it all.
I really want to see you succeed, but taking your time like this when all you have is 'time' on your hands make me feel like you or your wife or both will fall ill due to these conditions before you get a chance to see them through.
I did not get a chance to see if you finished your wife's closet and if it has been kept from being horded up? Basically with a closet that size, a woman should be able to put all the clothes she wants in there and any left out should be donated or trashed! Same with you Bill. Take the best clothes, hang them up and trash the rest.
Perhaps get on your city's freecycle/facebook/free/swap website/social site and offer your extra stuff that you deem "good" up for free or just a buck or two. Reason it is so cheap is so you can move it fast! Offer it up in batches and list it as "curbside at ** address first come first gets".
Not sure if you have a trailer, if not, hollow out one of those old pop ups that is only good for spare parts and use it as a trailer for trash.
Good Luck Bill!
Of the pic in the spare room, I would love to see a updated one, post 1601, I see the following items that are in that room and I don't know why they are just not on the side of the street or in a trailer to be hauled to the dump?
1. lots of wicker baskets
2. computer monitor (these things get given away and tossed because people can't figure out what to do with them when they get a new LCD) I have a hint for you at the bottom of this post regarding computer/cable paraphernalia.
3. everything on top of the dresser and that weird cat thingy on it as well.
4. dried/silk flowers - if they don't have sentimental meaning (like the flowers from a loved one's funeral or your wedding or something) toss them or put them on someone elses grave! Memorial day is coming up and there are lots of graves that need decoration!
5. lamp globes/lamp shades, and lamps. If you don't have a need for it at this moment or even the future, and it has no sentimental value...toss it, put it out on the curb for free, take it to goodwill/resale shop, or whatever. Basically get it out of that room and part of someone elses problem.
6. old bags/suit cases/brief cases/ etc..Pick out your best that you would actually use and toss them/give them away, etc.
7. paper boxes...what is in these, if it is important...it is not going to last long in these boxes. Put what is important/family stuff in proper sealed totes. If it's clothes, determine if it is even still in style for this decade and if not toss it or drop it off at the goodwill and let them deal with it. This saves you from filling up your dumpsters with "good" clothes and the thought of you helping someone else out!
Now, I find it hard to believe that the basement has not been tackled yet. I am also curious if the stair's are still clear?
Now regarding pc gear, computer stuff, wires, cables, etc. This is what I did to make my life easier and my wife happier. I used one 33 gallon plastic tote to put ALL/and everything I wanted to keep that is related to IT basically. hard drives, memory, cables, keyboards, etc...If I wanted to keep it it all had to fit in ONE tote. This way I don't have tons of old towers, monitores, keyboards, printers, etc all sitting around. I take the parts out that may be useful for me or for someone else and put them in this tote. This also make it easy for me to find something that I may need like screws or a old just plain CDrom to give to a fried who's stopped working. I figure there is more used technology that can be had for very very cheap or free if I ever need to find something I don't have.
My mom recently hauled off alot of old cars from my dads collection, perhaps you can do the same...cut losses on your old campers/skidoos/etc and just pile it all up and take it to the scrap yard and enjoy a few bucks from it all.
I really want to see you succeed, but taking your time like this when all you have is 'time' on your hands make me feel like you or your wife or both will fall ill due to these conditions before you get a chance to see them through.
I did not get a chance to see if you finished your wife's closet and if it has been kept from being horded up? Basically with a closet that size, a woman should be able to put all the clothes she wants in there and any left out should be donated or trashed! Same with you Bill. Take the best clothes, hang them up and trash the rest.
Perhaps get on your city's freecycle/facebook/free/swap website/social site and offer your extra stuff that you deem "good" up for free or just a buck or two. Reason it is so cheap is so you can move it fast! Offer it up in batches and list it as "curbside at ** address first come first gets".
Not sure if you have a trailer, if not, hollow out one of those old pop ups that is only good for spare parts and use it as a trailer for trash.
Good Luck Bill!
I like to check in on here as well. I say Bill has made progress. I like seeing that. I myself have alot of **** I have to get rid of. I am tired of triping , climbing over, and moving stuff to find my stuff.
Good thing is when I get rid of my parts car, I will have a garage sale. Don't need the inspector to see that and write me up for it. Just wish I would see more updates from him.
Good thing is when I get rid of my parts car, I will have a garage sale. Don't need the inspector to see that and write me up for it. Just wish I would see more updates from him.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
I'm curious as to any progress pics. Bill, you out there? Did you get everything out on the 7th?
JakeKohl
Well-known member
Good on ya. Keep up the good work and chugging away bit by bit. Slow progress is still progress.
I'm prone to keep stuff for no good reason just because I like to tinker (at one time I actually had time to do that) thinking "I might be able to use that some day". I ended up with an attic full of useless junk...like a broken microwave, busted vacuum cleaners, industrial electrical enclosures, etc. Know, however, I usually look at something like that (or when cleaning) and ask myself how my life would be different if I threw that away. 99% of the time, the answer is that "it wouldn't be different at all" and I toss it.
One other motivational tidbit that has served me well is a "15 minute principle". When I get home from work, I try to spend 15 minutes working on a project that needs to be done - cleaning the shop or some other task that needs to be done. 15 minutes sometimes is only 15 minutes...usually, though, it turns into 30 minutes or 2 hours. A friend of mine visualizes themselves as being "the best in the world" at that particular task and that works sometimes too. Keep it up - you'll get there.
I'm prone to keep stuff for no good reason just because I like to tinker (at one time I actually had time to do that) thinking "I might be able to use that some day". I ended up with an attic full of useless junk...like a broken microwave, busted vacuum cleaners, industrial electrical enclosures, etc. Know, however, I usually look at something like that (or when cleaning) and ask myself how my life would be different if I threw that away. 99% of the time, the answer is that "it wouldn't be different at all" and I toss it.
One other motivational tidbit that has served me well is a "15 minute principle". When I get home from work, I try to spend 15 minutes working on a project that needs to be done - cleaning the shop or some other task that needs to be done. 15 minutes sometimes is only 15 minutes...usually, though, it turns into 30 minutes or 2 hours. A friend of mine visualizes themselves as being "the best in the world" at that particular task and that works sometimes too. Keep it up - you'll get there.
fergus
Well-known member
Hey Bill, I see you posting in other peoples threads...but not here. Whats up with that?
JC23
Well-known member
Bill, IIRC, you wanted us to hold you accountable, right?
So where is the action from the 7th?
Are you hiding?
So where is the action from the 7th?
Are you hiding?
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
My thoughts exactly, JC.
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=149559
Finished the spare bedroom by the big trash pickup on the 7th. Threw out carpet and pad and a bunch of other stuff (More than the 1 CY limit)..
Busy tonight. Gotta finish clearing out the living room before bed and fixing trailer to haul stuff in the morning.
Bill
Finished the spare bedroom by the big trash pickup on the 7th. Threw out carpet and pad and a bunch of other stuff (More than the 1 CY limit)..
Busy tonight. Gotta finish clearing out the living room before bed and fixing trailer to haul stuff in the morning.
Bill
Lump
Well-known member
Stay at it, Bill. Remember that a huge salami is too much to chew up and eat all at once. But you can finish it (and even enjoy it) if you eat it one slice at a time. Just keep at it, so you can finish it within a reasonable time.
You can do this.
You can do this.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Any pics of the work done?
NickTheNut
Active member
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2010
- Messages
- 26
So... I see you've bought MORE stuff (a vise), but have yet to post an update on this huge trash day...
*whistles jeopardy theme*
*whistles jeopardy theme*
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Just what Bill needs! More stuff!!
BarrelRoll
Well-known member
I stumbled uppon your thread a while ago. I don't post on GJ much but keep at it. Don't bring home any more junk till you are done with your current project. You've made a ton of progress and have a ton more to go. I'm rooting for you, keep at it. It was an experiance reading through your thread and seeing progress though as I read through each page I was hoping I'd see the "end" and your place organized.
You have inspired me to organize my junk. I'm moving from my current place in about 2 weeks and I've been organizing everything. I've sorted through every can of nuts and bolts and put them in little plastic drawers by size. Parts such as u-joints are all in 1 plastic bin labeled u-joints instead of 4 different amo cans and a couple on the shelf. Unpacking at the new place should be easy, just unload all the bins from the truck on to shelves in the garage.
You have inspired me to organize my junk. I'm moving from my current place in about 2 weeks and I've been organizing everything. I've sorted through every can of nuts and bolts and put them in little plastic drawers by size. Parts such as u-joints are all in 1 plastic bin labeled u-joints instead of 4 different amo cans and a couple on the shelf. Unpacking at the new place should be easy, just unload all the bins from the truck on to shelves in the garage.
fergus
Well-known member
Bill,
You got another vise? You have way more tools than I have. I don't wish to own that many tools just cause I wouldn't have a place to put them. Neither do you. Where is the proof of your progress?
You got another vise? You have way more tools than I have. I don't wish to own that many tools just cause I wouldn't have a place to put them. Neither do you. Where is the proof of your progress?
mdbeck1
Well-known member
Vises are a vice for me.
Video of the spare bedroom cleaned up. Remember it was to the ceiling and to the door full of stuff.
I took a look at the video and you have made quite an improvement.
Now are the stairs and other rooms that you worked on still cleaned up?
Stair has a dresser carcass at the bottom but the rest of it is cleared and cleaned. Bedroom has a pile of papers in the corner but other wise same as when cleared and cleaned. Dining is still great as is bathroom and hall. I have most of the office, half the garage and kitchen and most of the living room cleared. Working to finish the living room right now. Cleared and cleaned the refrigerator yesterday and it's like a new fridge. None of it is perfect, but cleared and cleaned means good enough. An example is that spare bedroom. It still needs a few things removed like the TV's, lamp shades, air conditioner, vacuum and some misc. from the dresser.
Bill
Bronson
Well-known member
Bill, did something crawl up from the basement and gobble You up?
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
As usual, he is posting in other threads but not this...shocking!
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Bill, did something crawl up from the basement and gobble You up?
Probably some garage sakes going on!!
Hey Bill, have you given up or just too busy cleaning to show any results? I'd like to believe that's what it is, but I'm afraid that you have really slid.
How is the support group working out? Are they helping or hindering? You wanted us on here to help you out so fill us in on the progress.
novaboy009
Well-known member
Where's the beef Bill? Let's see a progress report.
burlybrute
Well-known member
Maybe he is too busy stripping the copper out of the empty house's in his neighborhood. His $$ got to come from somewhere.
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