Grunge Garage

[critter]

What was the catalyst that prompted the very first post of this thread?
What was it that flipped the switch in your head Bill that finally made you turn the ship around?

 

[Phxphenom]

My belief is that Julie has not bought into the idea of cleaning this mess up and so Bill is just going along to get along.....

 

[Brewsterg6]

If it's the fame, attention, and pity you want, why don't you get it all over with at once, and call up one of those Hoarders programs on T.V. They show up with truck loads of people and do in two days what it seems is a lifetime of work for you alone to handle. Are you worried that the story would end there, and then we'd have no reason to follow this train wreck of a garage? That's where you could start a real thread on garage organization, and get positive feedback like on all of the other threads here. I think I've wasted 85 pages worth of time checking up on this one as well.

Someone please PM me when this mess has some real "after" pics... I'm not adding to the post count any more...

 

[70Chevy]

I think someone is catching on here.

 

[JC23]

/\ /\ /\ This man should know...

 

[Kevin54]

I think someone is catching on here.

/\ /\ /\ This man should know...

^^^^^^^^

 

[phy6]

Wow, just saw this thread for the first time. I read the first and last 20 posts. Crazy stuff. It helped me when I realized "I'm never going to get to it", which helps me throw things away.

Also, you're only given so many hours to live in your life, and only 24 hours at a time. Stop fxxxing around and do something noticeable before your time runs out.

 

[burlybrute]

His sympathy bus has crashed so he stopped posting on his own thread. He wanted us to help hold him accountable for his "clean up" but he don't want to anyone playing with his ball. So he is probably lurking on his own thread waiting for the "poor Bill" to start up again.

 

[sams]

Here's a simple suggestion for you Bill, put all but one Vise on Craig's list. You said it's an issue for you so start with it as it wouldn't take much time so your usual priorities don't count. If you can't do it see a councellor so you can.

I am guessing your going to ignore my post.

 

[Bull]

I am not as involved in this thread as some others are or have been since the beginning.

My concern is not to pile on Bill too much.

If someone was an alcoholic, you wouldn't take it personally if your online advice, encouragement, and admonishment didn't cause them to put the bottle down. Addiction and mental illness are serious things. This thread, for all the good it might have done or felt like it was doing, could only ever be a small part of a much larger solution, most of which is beyond the control of anyone on this forum.

 

[MadMechMaster]

There is a larger solution for Bill, and he needs to find it.

Bill, I don't doubt that you can work hard, and and are capable of doing what is needed. It appears that you are working in short spurts of motivation with long periods of being inactive due to being overwhelmed by the situation. Most healthy people can continue with basic daily chores even when their lives get busy. See a professional to help you get yourself together. The support group is good, but you need more, maybe even medication.

Make this clean up a habit, you don't have to do a 16hr day, just do something each day.

 

[Nelson58]

There is a larger solution for Bill, and he needs to find it.

Bill, I don't doubt that you can work hard, and and are capable of doing what is needed. It appears that you are working in short spurts of motivation with long periods of being inactive due to being overwhelmed by the situation. Most healthy people can continue with basic daily chores even when their lives get busy. See a professional to help you get yourself together. The support group is good, but you need more, maybe even medication.

Make this clean up a habit, you don't have to do a 16hr day, just do something each day.

+1 on this advice. While it takes a lot longer (and frustrates my wife), I work slowly, getting ONE tangible thing done each day on a project. Doing it that way is not only satisfying but far less frustrating. Especially if you are working at a job at the same time. Do one thing each day, keep slowly moving in the right direction, and you will get there. Remember the tortoise and the hare.

Nelson

 

[Lump]

Don't give up, Bill. Keep pushing yourself.

I suggest making a priority list, as YOU see the priorities, and stick to that.

Good luck!

 

[boostedgt]

just sell/donate/throw out a couple cans a week. a little bit here and there does add up as long as you are not bringing more in

 

[santagary]

Sometimes, an intervention strategy (tough love), even with alcoholics is called for. I'm thinking the lady behind the scenes is Bill's real problem. Gentle persuasion for a couple of years has certainly not worked...maybe this tougher intervention will.

 

[sams]

It's not the real problem he already said what is- he's getting barely any work done. Add to that he's still buying stuff.

He said he has trouble making himself go and then looks for reasons to stop. I have the exact same problem, it's called lazyness. I struggle all the time and that's before my health went bad. It's time for him to accept his not a naturally motivated person.

 

[Kevin54]

It's not the real problem he already said what is- he's getting barely any work done. Add to that he's still buying stuff.

He said he has trouble making himself go and then looks for reasons to stop. I have the exact same problem, it's called lazyness. I struggle all the time and that's before my health went bad. It's time for him to accept his not a naturally motivated person.

Exactly the problem. It's not fun to work, but it's fun to spend.

 

[sams]

well said, pics of a corner cleaned here and there doesn't mean **** when things are still coming in. I bet he still has that Arc welder he traded for even though he can't use it. Also about the previous thing about his wife getting sulky about not going to a group of yard sales, she wouldn't be upset if he said no every time so does that mean he still to this day still goes to them with her on a regular basis?


I also forgot to mention something. I think I get the whole clean the leaves up thing. When I am feeling unmotivated in my shop I end up leaning towards more mundane jobs that don't require so much thinking and mental stress. Sometimes without me even realising I am doing it before I catch on and try to pull myself together. I am guessing that's the case here, he said himself that it's overwealming and so if he knows it or not he is using the leaves as an excuse to not do the serious stuff because it's too much mental physical work. He may well tell himself that it needs to be done and tell us and himself why it's important when it's not.

 

[Mat Mobile]

I have followed this thread from the start and regularly. Sorry, but it was a great case study of human pshychology (and not just from Bill's side).

There were so many postings that I don't think any of my postings would have added anything new.

Here's my point of view: People don't really change inside. If someone seems to have changed it's because they changed their actions but they're the same inside.

Bill will never get his house fully cleaned up. But he has gained one important thing with this thread: he admitted to himself that there's a problem (although he hasn't grasped the magnitude). So I do see this thread as somewhat positive.

He also got a lot of guys getting rid of stuff... including myself.

No pity from me. No congratulations either.

Still, keep at it Bill! You still have at least 10 years to go!

 

[Kevin54]

 

[VWPORSCHEGT3]

ok I think I'll call it.... thread time of Death 8:57 Pacific time June 18th 2012.......

 

[Ole_Red]

Been gone from the site for a month.... I had hoped for progress. I had hope for Bill and his wife. I really wanted to see that he was happier and healthier. Bill seemed to want it all done in print. I hope that he hasnt fallen in to his old ways.

Bill, please report.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Nope he's still posting...about toolboxes on Craigslist.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=154444

 

[mdbeck1]

According to the "who's on" he's online right now...

 

[Bull]

I think Bill is stepping away from this one for a while. Can we blame him? Yes, your hearts might be in the right place, but I imagine the frankness of some of the posts here might be hard for even a thick-skinned individual to take over a long period of time. Bill still needs to be able to enjoy this site; every time he comes here it can't be to turn in his homework.

I'm not saying anyone is right or wrong here; I am just able to sympathize with him for what he must be feeling.

So maybe just let this one sink to the bottom for a while, and if Bill wants it to come back up, he'll fiddle with the ballast tanks.

 

[bczygan]

I think Bill is stepping away from this one for a while. Can we blame him? Yes, your hearts might be in the right place, but I imagine the frankness of some of the posts here might be hard for even a thick-skinned individual to take over a long period of time. Bill still needs to be able to enjoy this site; ever time he comes here it can't be to turn in his homework.

I'm not saying anyone is right or wrong here; I am just able to sympathize with him for what he must be feeling.

So maybe just let this one sink to the bottom for a while, and if Bill wants it to come back up, he'll fiddle with the ballast tanks.

This ^^^^ x1000
Thank you Bull

Bill

 

[Phxphenom]

Bill,
Why don't ou just come clean and fess up the truth. You have been stringing so many along for so long so just spill the beans already. Was it the wife not buying into the "plan"? Was this just for attention? Come clean already or just have this thread removed....

 

[jeffmoss26]

Yeah really...spending 300 bucks on a bench and vise that are the LAST things he needs. What a waste...just delete this thread already.

 

[ravs261]

I just don't understand how delusional a man has to be to hold on to $13k worth of rotax airplanes and parts when your house and your's and your wife's health need that money. $600 isn't "having money" when your house could be condemned by a passing by inspector within 5 minutes. I mean do you even have current medical certification or biennial flight review? My guess is probably not, but somehow you'll pay for those like that hanger rent before you fix central heat and plumbing.

I also don't get how repeatedly you have stated that you need to fully clean out a room and then only put back furniture that belongs there yet you haven't accomplished this once. In over a year... Moving **** around is not the same as cleaning.

Why you need to keep shop equipment around for a shop you won't get to at your current pace in the next decade is beyond me, but apparently par for the course.

Grow up man. Reality is you'll be lucky if you get to fly again, but not before they liquidate your planes. Paying the minimum on your bills is not paying the bills. It's throwing money at the problem hoping it goes away. It's childish and it's how the CC companies get people into debt. I hope for your sake you don't miss a payment because it'll get ugly real quick.

I hope my eyes were deceiving me because I thought I spotted a gas stove in your kitchen. Lord knows how bad those connections are with your reactive maintenance. Home maintenance should be proactive, not reactive.

When other house on the market on your street are going for $9k I have a hardtime seeing how putting in this much money into a restoration is worth time, money, or sentimental value.

Good Luck, you really need a miracle.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I just don't understand...

I also don't get...

This is the whole issue - most people don't understand hoarding. It's a complex issue, and it's not something where the person suffering from it can simply change overnight.

From what I've seen Bill is making a valiant effort to resolve things on his own, but it may or may not be something that can be done without professional help. However, that's for him alone to decide. If it helps him to post his progress (and setbacks) more power to him, and I hope he continues. If he finds it isn't helping, I hope he can come up with something else that does.

 

[Crzydmnd72]

I wonder how many were inspired to cleanup from reading this thread?

Personally, I was, but my clutter was limited to the garage. Our house is minimal and open, clutterfree most of the time and I like it that way.

My garage is/was another story. Began making plans while laid up withback problems, after surgery and healing up, my son and I began culling the "hoard" We threw out a lot, I let him do the throwing out lol. His philosophy was "if it hasnt been touched in 2 years, let Lowes store it until WE need it"

I sure hope Bill sorts it out. As been pointed out, hoarding can be a complex problem, sometimes its just laziness, (my part lol) but Bill doesnt seem lazy IMO

 

[Need4racin]

It's more impressive to say I have some planes in my plane hanger than it is to say I have a clean house that doesn't have piss and **** stuck to the basement walls with rats and mice crawling through out the house. The ceiling turned green from mold, so we didn't even have to paint it. Oh btw look at my new vice I bought for $300; isn't it cool? bbiab, gotta go take a shower with the neighbor's garden hose.

 

[Bull]

Guys, I need to lock this until Bill asks me to unlock it. This is not his request, it is my decision. If you need someone to beat on, I'm your guy.

I just can't feel good about leaving this open for people to jab at Bill when he has made it clear that he needs to take a break from this transparency. He shared more about his personal life on here than most people, and that was risky. Some of the nature of that risk is now probably clear to him.

I'm not a hoarder, but I'm still not going to cast any stones because like most humans I live in a greenhouse; it's all glass.