Sunday, March 2, 2008

Random Thoughts: Cleaning up my life...

or, at least, cleaning up my garage. For a while now I have been really motivated to work on the Cadillac. I haven't worked on it in the slightest, though, due to a bunch of things. A lot of times, there is something that is more important that must take priority. Usually, though, it is just that I spend free time on the computer instead of in the garage.

Much of my problem is the work environment. To describe my garage with simple words doesn't really do it justice. Think about a 25 foot by 25 foot by 8 foot tall space neatly lined on all sides with stacks of miscellaneous stuff.  Then, turn the room upside down and inside out. Toss in a hand grenade to "neatly" push everything back to the outside walls so that you can fit a 1938 Cadillac on one side. Finally, just for fun, pile scrap lumber and hand tools on every surface that is flat or somewhat flat and you've got my garage.

Would you want to perform a long-term car restoration (or any project) in that environment? I thought not.

Enter, my super smart wife... She pointed out that I wake up early and go on the internet or watch TV. Instead, I could go work in the garage. (Didn't I say she was super smart?) So, this morning, that is just what I did. I started the long slow process of cleaning up the garage. After 2.5 hours of work, I managed to clear a 6' by 6' space of floor. Hopefully, I will be able to do some more work on over the next couple weeks. If I'm efficient, I could probably clear out enough space to work comfortably.

After that, I'll take a short hiatus while I spend all my free time pruning the trees and brambles. With any luck, I'll spend my free time in April making some progress on the car. I have to get my oven installed so I can powdercoat things. I think I will wire up a second outlet at the same time so I will be able to plug in an air compressor, which will be my next big purchase.

Of course, once May rolls around, I will have to plant, mow, pick and other miscellaneous chores. My other outdoor projects this year include a french drain on the high side of the house, a front path/stair landing, rebuild the front steps, install a fence along the road and landscape the whole front yard. Needless to say, I probably won't have much free time until September when I will start all over again.