I started a list of the phases of my craft shed/house project
By ElicBxn
@ElicBxn (64177)
United States
September 25, 2011 10:23am CST
It got me thinking more of you might like to share it with me!
Maybe even get some of you thinking about listing your projects in phases.
Don't think I'll have them all, because I really don't know if phases aren't going to be added or changed.
However, here they are now...
Phase one: clean out the green shed is: DONE!
Phase two: fix craft shed is: nearly done
Phase three: organize craft shed: in planning stages
Phase four: clean out blue shed: started
Phase five: re-sort materials put into green shed: looked at (some of the stuff in there is going into the craft shed - desk, chair)
Phase six: organize craft materials in blue shed: not started
Phase seven: sort cat room: well, that's sort of on going, a bit has been done here and there, some stuff is going out to the craft shed and others into craft materials/blue shed, etc but we also have house cleaning materials in there and those will need a new home
Phase eight: convert cat room into a spare bedroom/guest room by building in a captain's bed - the roommate has a totally blind friend and rather than have her move into some kind of assisted living, she's going to move in with us, meaning we need another bedroom, and all I do in my bedroom is sleep and store some underwear so the cat room conversion would be for me if we still have the roommate "J"
Phase nine: clean and organize the front room (lots of craft stuff in there)
Phase ten: clean and organize the office - whole different sent of issues in there, but until we have space to put stuff either in a shed or in a better organized way we have some "pile-it" problems
Probably some of these later phases are going to have to be broken into their own phases, but right now we can't see what they are. 
So, does that give you guys an idea of what I'm facing? does it give you any ideas?
So, does that give you guys an idea of what I'm facing? does it give you any ideas?9 people like this
15 responses
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
25 Sep 11
Wow, my eyeball just tripped over those phases as I read them! :-o Seems very daunting, but well, the best thing for me, is one thing at a time, with this approach, you'd be amazed at what you've accomplished! Best wishes! 
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
25 Sep 11
It sounds like you have great plans. They sound very ambitious also and I know you will be glad to see the fruits of your labor. I'll have to admit, it sounds exhausting to me! LOL Good luck!
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169590)
• United States
25 Sep 11
I am hoping someone does not throw a switch and send our weather straight from hot to cold. We have had a week or so of fallish temperature, and after my next little trip I plan to get some things done, We have some sorting and organizing to do outside.
2 people like this
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
25 Sep 11
hi Elicbxn oh my I am exhausted sitting here thinking about each of these phases but you are younger and more healthy too. It
does sound very workable and will make it easier to do everything in
those steps.but I warn you like Robert Burns said " the best laid
plans of mice or men, often go astray" but with the phases you have
a sort of orderly plan and if all goes as it should will make it take less time. go for it.Good luck and God bless.
3 people like this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
26 Sep 11
Yes. It gives me the idea that you're crazy. A project of these dimensions will sap all your energy, then kill you, & I predict it won't work anyway, as your roomies will never clean up their act...& no, I'm not talking of the fur-covered roomies.
I would, were you less stressed, stronger & younger, encourage you, but I've been to this rodeo--for decades. You'll need to throw out tons of things (& that's a killer project by itself!). You'll end up having to pay to get real, decent help.
If I said anything else, sweetie, I'd be lying. I hate to see you get hurt.
Or...did you not want the honest answer? If not, then, by all means, play the part of Sisyphus! I'm sure no-one will continue to allow huge piles of laundry to build up (as they did at one of your roomie's former homes). I'm equally certain you'll find the strength--physical & mental--to do the major part of the work.
Go for it.
Maggiepie
"They laughed when I said I was going to be a comedian. They're not laughing now." ~ Bob Monkhouse, comedian 1928-2003
@ElicBxn (64177)
• United States
26 Sep 11
Actually, its the blind roommate who is really the driving force in this. I had to finally put my foot down and make her stop on Saturday, I could tell it was getting warm and we needed to put the stuff back into the blue shed (in better order) so we could be finished. Granted, some of that was because there was a pile right in the middle of the way of mystery stuff that she wanted to at LEAST move over.
I still have a very few things that need to be dealt with in case it rains tomorrow (HA!)
We are actually working on the shed most of her stuff was put in, so all I'm dealing with is stuff that came out of the brown shed... at least right now.
We cleared enough space that you can see floor again in the blue shed. When the last few bits of the brown shed gets done, we have 3 or 4 things to put in - desk, table, ironing board... and then I can start sorting boxes of books!
2 people like this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
27 Sep 11
Well, good. So long as that lasts.
Remember, when you really become exhausted & would like uninterrupted sleep...my door is always open to you!
Maggiepie
"The smallest feline is a masterpiece." ~ Leonardo da Vinci
1 person likes this
@bellis716 (4799)
• United States
26 Sep 11
I've tried to follow your discussion but sort of got lost. Just how many sheds do you have. Do they have electricity? Are the cats OK with you taking over "their" room?
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169590)
• United States
25 Sep 11
It makes me a bit tired, but it also may make me go back to my spare room/sewing room and get some things done. I just need to prioritize. I also need everyone else to take their stuff away from my house.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (51839)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
26 Sep 11
Here's my list:
Get up, go pee - done
Go downstairs, Let Harmony out - done
Fire up the computer and turn on the radio - done
Make a cup of tea, take meds - done
Check email - in progress
After that, the ink starts to fade...
@BarBaraPrz (51839)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
27 Sep 11
Good thing there wasn't much more on my list for today. I went back to bed after finishing the email, and slept to about 9:30.
Then my friend wanted me to help her pick up some pavers from another friend. But first we had to empty her van. Then her dog needed walking. And then we had to stop at the walk-in clinic because she thought she had an UTI... Wait time was about an hour so we went for lunch. Wait time was longer than an hour... even more waiting when she finally got in to see the doctor, who sent her to emerg because her pulse-ox was low and she was having (some) trouble breathing. So we spent the remainder of the afternoon there. Finally, at 6:00, she decided she wasn't going to wait any longer and we left.
Never did get the pavers.
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37353)
• United States
26 Sep 11
Wow...you go girl. I just finished cleaning my craft room this morning..but still would like to get the bench in there done.....it's only been in there for a year or so! But took two big bags out to the garbage...reorganized a few things like the scrapbooking things....cleaned my closet....got summer clothes packed away and all clothes reorganized....cleaned out my dresser...pitched a few things...ended up with a garbage bag of things to donate too....and tossed a few things along the way. I am feeling pretty good with the exception that I now have to start getting ready for the next craft fair in Nov. room will be messy again!
1 person likes this
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
27 Sep 11
You know what, you're doing an awesome job! I think your list is unbelievable and I just know it all will be done and you can sit back with a smile on your face for accomplishing all this work.
I too make a list of things when there is a whole mess of stuff that needs doing. I try to do and accomplish one at a time but I do know how that goes. Easier said than done.
I guess it would be to prioritize and take it from there. It stinks when the weather is not on your side, but I must say, you've come a long way baby, lol!
Good Job and keep up the good work! It's amazing to me!
I too make a list of things when there is a whole mess of stuff that needs doing. I try to do and accomplish one at a time but I do know how that goes. Easier said than done.
I guess it would be to prioritize and take it from there. It stinks when the weather is not on your side, but I must say, you've come a long way baby, lol!
Good Job and keep up the good work! It's amazing to me! 1 person likes this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
25 Sep 11
Yes it gives me a great idea..... Ask hubby to put up a shed for my crafty stuff!! *LOL* Too bad we can't afford that nor adding a room on so I have somewhere that doesn't clutter up the whole house trying to do stuff
2 people like this
@Nadinest1 (2016)
• Canada
26 Sep 11
I think it is a great idea to clean/organize/fix in phases. Sometimes it seems too big a project for us to accomplish, but it we cut it up into sections, more will get dome because we like the look of the cleaned/fixed and feel the need to continue on.
My 15 year old son had ADD and when he was younger to clean his room was a terrible chore for him. We we broke it up into phases: 1st clean and straighten the bookcase headboard. Once that was done, we moved on to something else. for him to look at the dirty room...he didn 't know where to even start. This helped a lot. Mow I wish my husband would divide things up and clean his garage.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (64177)
• United States
26 Sep 11
I'm bad about being overwhelmed, so its good that the roommate is one of those who dives in and starts!
I can do that - to a point, but I need places to put stuff, and that's where I start getting in trouble - I'm hoping when it cools off (100 again today) I can open the front door and shove some stuff out there to give me space in the front room!
After all, its NEVER going to rain again!
1 person likes this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
27 Sep 11
Weather people predict rain realsoonnow. Like tonight or tomorrow.
Just so ya know....
Maggiepie
"The smallest feline is a masterpiece." ~ Leonardo da Vinci1 person likes this
@chrystaltears (3392)
• United States
26 Sep 11
Hi there, elicbxn. I just wrote a long long response to your discussion and then I noticed I hadn't added tags, so I lost the whole response so I am attempting to write it again.
I feel for you and the projects you have ahead of you. I would come help if I could get some time off, but there is no way I can. Sorry!
A few weeks ago, the doctor told me I needed to take care of myself and nobody else for 3 weeks while they were trying to straighten out my medications. Weaning me off and starting me on new ones.
While I was forced to take this time to myself, I was very happy that I became deligent about doing some well over due projects around here myself. Now my place is shiny and clean. Clean enough to show for a realtor to sell. That's clean!
I wish you well on getting your projects completed! YOU CAN DO IT!
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (64177)
• United States
26 Sep 11
I would like to get this stuff done before the end of 2013... but I'm not holding my breath
I do want the craft shed DONE by the end of October and a good chunk of the blue shed done before December.
Since doing this stuff on weekends are our only options, it has to take time, and when we can only put in a couple of hours a day (or weekend in this weekend's case) and we have to allot a part of that time to putting stuff away before we finish up, it does seem to take a lot of time, tho we almost completely filled the trash can from the shed (stories printed off the internet mostly before the roommate moved in 12 years ago)
I do want the craft shed DONE by the end of October and a good chunk of the blue shed done before December.
Since doing this stuff on weekends are our only options, it has to take time, and when we can only put in a couple of hours a day (or weekend in this weekend's case) and we have to allot a part of that time to putting stuff away before we finish up, it does seem to take a lot of time, tho we almost completely filled the trash can from the shed (stories printed off the internet mostly before the roommate moved in 12 years ago)1 person likes this
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
25 Sep 11
Wow ElicBxn,
Very mapped out and so organized! But it is what will get your project completed. I have often put forth on mapping out my phases but must admit that I slip off at times, but this does give me a good idea on how careful planning in the end does pay off.
I can see on how phase one too long but not cutting corners got you to phase two. After mapping them out one gets a good idea of what is in store ahead with no big surprises.
@ElicBxn (64177)
• United States
26 Sep 11
Honestly, there's no way to cut corners - because we are going down to the floor (so we can sweep it!) It took so long because its been so long since we could actually work more than a few hours before the heat hits - the shed remodel did go much longer in the day, but that's because the young people doing it tolerate the heat better than I do.
We had done some blue shed stuff before the craft shed project, but the stuff from the brown/craft shed had to go some place, and into the blue and green sheds were the only options.
@SomeCowgirl (32189)
• United States
26 Sep 11
Wow! That is a lot to do! Truth be told I need to do a lot as well. I have a lot of posessions now, and need to sort them out. Not to mention I need to get a container for all my summer clothes and spring clothes, put them in it and get out my winter clothes. I've got a lot of stuff planned for myself really, I just have to figure out when and how to do it.
First things first, I need to get myself some wheels. After that, I'll save for an apartment, and if I can't / dont have the money for contaienrs etc when I go to move out, I'll make do and buy the stuff I need later.
Your phases seem fair enough, with all plans though, they usually get mixed up, remingled, etc, but you'll figure it out as you go along, just what you need to still do etc.
1 person likes this
