Something just clicked…..

[Strouty]

I think it is good that you are still feeling like you have too much stuff two years into this process. You do. Sounds pretty mean, eh? Naw, I just want you to continue to purge weird things like crash test dummies or whatever the hell that thing is. Sell it.

Want a kick in the ***? Get off your **** and go to the shop and sort hardware into your thousands of dollars of storage you bought. You don't need two arms to sit on a stool, relax and sort.

You know Kev has a point, it doesn't take two arms to sit on a stool and sort stuff with one hand.

I do not think it is too harsh, it is reality. The last two weeks I am not sure I could have done any sorting without getting myself into trouble. Now that the elbow is not all swollen and I have some use of the arm, I think I will be able to try and do a bit more.

The biggest problem I have right now is motivation, the future is so unclear that I have had thoughts of abandoning everything, I know deep down that I don't want to do that, but part of me feels that way. So I am balancing a lot for me right now and as I said before, it is overwhelming for me.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Just hang in there, things will get looking better. the sun will come up tomorrow.

 

[bczygan]

Strouty,
Go to the mats. Do things in an area where you DO have control, no matter how small an area. It will be yours to deal with. Put blinders on for the other stuff.

And another great mother quote "And this too, shall pass".

We're with you.

Bill

 

[legenddc]

Every time I watch hoarders I have to clean and purge stuff. I guess I'm fortunate to have a smaller space so I can't accumulate as much stuff. You'll get there eventually.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Strouty, if you need a call, you know I am here for you. Rich

 

[Strouty]

Thanks guys, what is going on is too personal at this point and there are too many unknowns to even discuss things. Once I get to a point that I know what is happening then I may be willing to talk, I don't want to put any of you guys off and I hope you can understand. The support I get from this thread is great and I intend to keep pushing forward at my pace, sometimes it may get stalled or even appear to go backwards, but I am committed.

 

[1/2 Cup]

I do not think it is too harsh, it is reality. The last two weeks I am not sure I could have done any sorting without getting myself into trouble. Now that the elbow is not all swollen and I have some use of the arm, I think I will be able to try and do a bit more.

The biggest problem I have right now is motivation, the future is so unclear that I have had thoughts of abandoning everything, I know deep down that I don't want to do that, but part of me feels that way. So I am balancing a lot for me right now and as I said before, it is overwhelming for me.

Hang in there Strouty, I have been where you are at now, take it easy on yourself.

You know that I was going through exactly what you are going through and the one thing that helped so much I discovered the GJ. If you go back through some of my threads you may understand.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=214198

Regards

 

[RacerRick]

Strouty,

I follow this thread, and think that you have made great progress on your shop, but take care of your personal life first. All this stuff is just that - stuff. It will wait for you, while your personal life may not. If its something that needs your attention, I am sure that nobody here will fault you for it.

With that said, I find just sorting and cleaning things to be cathartic when I am stressed or things are happening that I have no control over. It gives my mind a rest, and lets me to focus on the simple task that I do have control over. And when complete, there is the feeling of satisfaction, however small, for completing the job. Its a good way to pass the time when you have time to pass and an unquiet mind.

 

[Strouty]

1/2, I wish it was just the shop, that is the easy part of my mess.

Rick, you are hitting the nail on the head. Personal life needs to be first, the shop may end up getting a lot of time off this year so I can deal with myself. I also find sorting stuff as a sort of escape, but I need to be careful with it, I could spend 8 hours sitting in one spot doing more damage to my body than it is worth.

I have a local electrician that I work with from time to time coming over this afternoon, I am hoping he will be interested in some of the surplus that I have. I told him I would give him an opportunity to buy things before the auction. Also probably will ask for it in labor trade instead of money. I have had a chance to do a bit more paperwork, so all the bills are being paid on time or early. I have one more to pay over the phone, then they will all be caught up. My Dad may come over to the shop later this week, hopefully we can get the air compressor actually plumbed up. That would be a huge relief.

 

[dlcwent]

"stuff. It will wait for you, while your personal life may not"

Sounds like RR is smarter than the average bear too.

Good luck with the electrician and hope it all works out for you.

 

[readhead]

Hopefully you have a clear direction forward for the personal stuff. The clutter will always be there but it is nice to have some small victories when you see another area cleaned up. Good luck going forward.

 

[Strouty]

I love it when you get more time! Apparently I have been out of it so much that I thought I had to start bringing things to the auction next week, it is the week after that! I just gained an entire week!!!!!! What a relief.

 

[Thumper68]

That is only a good thing if you use that time wisely, IE not putting off getting stuff ready to go.

That is one of my issues, if I know I have more time I will put off doing things.

My mother once said

"You would put off your own funeral if you could"

 

[Strouty]

I do have issues with procrastination, so I will pay attention to it.

The electrician wants to buy a bunch of things, hopefully next week we can get them out. Unfortunately they are not really in the way, but they will create a bit of income, so that is better than nothing.

 

[Strouty]

The elbow held up well, last time the drive home was aggravating, but this time not an issue at all. I figure I am not going to overdo things, but I definitely want to go back for a while tomorrow. If I can get some help, I think I may be able to do quite a bit still. I know I need to start listing things on ebay, so maybe I can work towards that.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Can your gf help put stuff on ebay/craigslist for you?

 

[Strouty]

Not really, she is not so computer savvy and I get grumpy too quickly. When she helps it is usually with the paper work and she does well as I basically leave her alone.

 

[Orionrising]

which auction is this? one of Keenes?

 

[Richard Cranium]

some times it is easier to just do it your self.

 

[Kev442]

Glad to hear you were out and about.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Well this is post 6803 and puts me on top of page 3. Just over the top of Steve-0
looks like a long haul to get onto page 2 even on the bottom. It looks like another 340 post, at least right now to get onto page 2. Richie

 

[Strouty]

The auction is the Beech Ridge spring auction run by Keenan.

 

[DonPowers]

Here is a link to the auction, with the stuff consigned so far.

http://keenanauction.com/auction.cgi?&i=3744

 

[bczygan]

Strouty,

Just reading the last few posts and your responses, I see a guy who is actively involved and dealing with things.

Like a good field commander, you are adjusting and changing your plan of attack as conditions change on the field of battle.

You are engaged and involved.

Good for you!

Carry on. And keep your field reports coming.

Your progress inspires me to get back in the fight.

Bill

 

[slowzuki]

My only advise about hoarding and stress is from experience, don't spend time buying or looking to buy stuff when stressed. Like comfort eating it feels good to distract you from the stress but you will regret it later.

 

[Richard Cranium]

But I really love to go to the yard sales and auctions, But now I don't feel that I need to buy just because I was there. Maybe the first step of getting over this.

 

[dkmc]

Here is a link to the auction, with the stuff consigned so far.

http://keenanauction.com/auction.cgi?&i=3744

OOH! Pallet Racking!

 

[bczygan]

But I really love to go to the yard sales and auctions, But now I don't feel that I need to buy just because I was there. Maybe the first step of getting over this.

The trouble wit yard and garage sales and resale stores of every kind and auctions is that you go there with no set shopping list, so EVERYTHING is a possible purchase.

Much better to go with a shopping list, and if those items are not there, simply leave.

It doesn't have to be a written on paper list, but you must have in mind, the things you are looking for.

Bill

 

[Thumper68]

The trouble wit yard and garage sales and resale stores of every kind and auctions is that you go there with no set shopping list, so EVERYTHING is a possible purchase.

Much better to go with a shopping list, and if those items are not there, simply leave.

It doesn't have to be a written on paper list, but you must have in mind, the things you are looking for.
Bill

For the most part this is how I do auctions, I look over the auction bill very closely and there has to be at least 1 big item or several smaller items from my list to even go, once there I will look over the items I am interested in and if they meet muster I will look over the rest of the offerings. If they don't I will leave.

 

[Strouty]

Auctions are the Devil's tool.

 

[Thumper68]

Auctions are the Devil's tool.

That must be why I love them so much.

 

[Richard Cranium]

that is why I love them all.

 

[Wanna Ride]

Just skimmed through this for the first time in a while. Due to a busy work schedule and steady travel for the last twelve weeks, I haven't had a chance to visit here, Strouty. Later this weekend, I'll read through it all and get caught up.

 

[86turbodsl]

Hang in there Strouty, this too shall pass.

When i feel low or angry, frequently i will clean and organize. Put your blinders on and just pick something small to do. the success you feel when you accomplish that little goal can feed your mood for other things.

We got your back.

 

[Strouty]

Thanks guys, the elbow is feeling much better, so maybe next week will be better than expected. I have a bunch of things lined up, so even if I can't really do any physical things, I still have plenty to do.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Just don't over do it.

 

[Strouty]

I think I just over did it. It is definitely more pain than I have inflicted on the arm since before the surgery. I am going to take a break for a while and try to finish unloading the truck, but this time I will be using the forklift even for the light stuff.

My Dad is supposed to come over and help try to get the compressor plumbed into my air lines. I still have to fix the small leak and install a drain valve on the bottom. I am not ready for the auction yet, but I am trying to line up help so I can get stuff over there in about a week.

On Monday I reinstalled the stainless top on my toolbox with new bolts, it appears that some of the wood is no longer glued to the steel, so it is still not the way I want it. It is much better though, so I will live with it. Trying to sort through my messes and for some reason it seems like I am procrastinating.

 

[Richard Cranium]

You post right under my post of telling you to not over do it, And then you say that you have over did it. Take it easy....

 

[Strouty]

That was why I posted it. I had been really good, but I had to unload the truck so I could use it tonight and tomorrow. I just wish I had used the forklift to start with. Relatively uneventful after that.

I had to disconnect the trailer from the truck, so I jacked it up, removed the brake and safety chains, made sure it was clear of the hitch, then went and started up the truck. When I went to move, the trailer was dragging with me, I stopped and checked on it, the hitch was sitting on the ball and the jack was off the ground. I then remembered that the air was out of the suspension when I started the truck. Silly me.

 

[dkmc]

Auctions:
Sometimes I go even if I don't have much money to spend.
It can be a laugh to see people over bit on stuff, plus you get a chance
to meet other people and network.
Can't forget to mention the times I've gotten some great deals on leftovers
that nobody bid on.
One time I got a forklift and a big Welles bandsaw pretty cheap....neither one got any bids. Of course they needed work! But I got them for scrap price.

Point being....you CAN go to an auction and buy nothing.
Maybe a hotdog from the roach coach....
And just visit with people.