Moss Motors, Ltd

What would you do?

As many of you know, I'm a teacher, and summer vacation is right around the corner. Contrary to popular belief, teachers DO work a full year, we just do it in 10 months. Plus, I've been tending to my aging parents much more than children should ever have to do while working 60 hours a week. I don't mean to sound crass about that, I just wish I had more time to devote to them, they both deserve it, and I'm cooked! In any case, summer break is definitely a Godsend! Now here's the dilemma...

I have to choose between building a rather large garage, a chore I've been wanting to complete for the past 5 years, OR spending the summer actually relaxing for a change. I have 2 Spridgets, a ford tractor/pay-loader, another smaller tractor, a truck and another car along with a log splitter, huge tiller and various other cool toys that all pine for adequate protection from the New England winters. On the other hand, I ALSO have two boats at the marina on Long Island Sound, 18 miles away. (I might add that the bartender there is a long-time personal Friend, and she just bought the place!)

Since time and money are both finite, and both the garage and relaxation (for a change) are both necessary, what should I concentrate on this summer?

again...What would YOU do?

 

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On their death bed, nobody ever said, "Gee I wish I'd spent more time at work!"

'68 Sprite 1275
'76 Midget 1500

davey,

Since I would like to add on to my garage for exta storage and workshop space...I would deffinatly build the garage...I have will plenty of time to relax after the kids move out.

joel

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1976 MGB with a 1977 engine

That's a really tough decision. You have to be the one to say, just need a gut check to see if you mentally need the time away or need the physical relaxation. Sometimes a project like the garage can be just as mentally relaxing as a day on the water, especially if when you're in the boat you're thinking that you "should" be working. That will wear you out when you're not doing anything. I'd probably take a week or at least a few days at the shore to unwind and then decide. If you're like most of us you'll find yourself ready to get home after a few days. If you need longer then you have the time. I understand about the parents as well, you just have to set limits for yourself with that also. My dad passed several years ago at 97, Mom's still going at 98 but needs a bit of my time every day, most of the time it's just a phone call to say good night. I have her living in an assisted living center so she's well cared for.

It's been a long time since I was in Wallingford. Must have been the spring of '72. Had a friend from the Navy that lived in Meridan and went up to visit when I was in a training school on Long Island. Beautiful country up there.

Just keep some time open in the summer of 2011 for the Midget 50 party in Wisconsin. If you don't make it back to KC before then perhaps we can meet up for that brew up there.

Bill

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'73 Midget (V6)
'59 MGA (I6) under construction
'73 Lotus Europa

"There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness"

Davey-

Spend each week with four days on the garage followed by a three day weekend which you have thought about while working on the garage. Then during your long weekend you can plan your next move on the garage construction and wait for ordered supplies, etc.

Hmm. I think I'll follow my own advice this summer!

 

LCJUTILA 

davey,

The Garage Mahal is an elusive dream that we all would like to bring to reality. Unfortunately, reality is where we must live every day, and deal with those details which make it up. You seem to have plenty going on as it is. Think about adding the construction project to all that right now. Only you can decide if the extra load will begin to require the kinds of compromise in various areas of life that will make EVERYTHING less satisfying.

Here's how it was put to me. Take the time to do what's important, and let nothing distract you from doing it well. Some things will be urgent, and must be dealt with immediately. Here's the rub. If you keep taking time away from what's important, as most do, to attend to what's urgent, the important things go undone until they are urgent. Eventually, everything is urgent and nothing is important. And, things done in an urgent manner are usually not done well. This is not a serene way to live. And in the end, it is serenity which we all desire.

As stated first, only you can see your circumstances clearly enough to make this decision. We can hardly even render useful specific advice. Somewhere between throwing a tarp over the exposed machinery and hanging out at the marina with your "long-time personal friend bartender/owner" and allowing your personal batteries to recharge, and attending to your parents and building this garage while ignoring anything relaxing all summer, lies the compromise which will bring you enough guilt fee relaxation. And my friend, I know just enough about teaching to understand that if you do it well, you are pretty well spent at the end of the school year.

Don't forget to relax and take care of yourself. In this country, we have a tendency to feel useless or guilty if we aren't "usefully employed" every waking moment. To this I say BALONEY. This is a false guilt, brought on not by natural circumstances but quite purposely by large moneyed interests who see the populace as instruments of wealth. THEIR WEALTH. Don't fall for it. The problem is that this "keep moving" mentality becomes so ingrained from our careers that we let it follow us into our personal lives. I'll actually catch myself feeling this guilty tension sometimes while watching the TV because I'm not downstairs accomplishing anything with all the hobby equipment and materials in which I've invested. What a load of crap! It's a hobby only if you enjoy it while doing it, so don't do it when it's not enjoyable. Duh!...

In summation, the garage is desirable (though you call it necessary), and the relaxation is important. Maybe the fall is the time for construction. Tarps are cheap...

 

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Motorbill
From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon

To all...

Bill Young - I had ANOTHER 1st place winner for Electronics in Connecticut, that makes 7 out of the last 9 years. I will be in KC again - June 21 through 27. Perhaps we can hook-up this YEAR?

You are right-on when you say that after a few days at the shore, I'd be itching to get home to take care business. As you may remember, the "shore" is right down the road from my home in Wallingford so even though proximity won't be an issue, my mindset will be.

mortorbill66 - I hear you and resonate to your words of wisdom. They echo one of my mantras, "do it right - do it once". The palace garage certainly does require my personal attention. It will be built on the foundation of an old bank barn on my property. 70- something feet long and 16 feet deep. The foundation is already in place, all I have to do is construct a roof for it, something with trusses so I'll have enough clearance for a lift in the future...maybe next year?

You write of the guilt we feel when not productive, I HEAR YOU - Check the signature at the bottom of my posts! I work like a son of a gun, and always try to direct my efforts to my students first, then ME, a close second. My work ethic is not centered around making money for a boss, it is all about feeling proud and making a better life for myself. American's are the most productive people in the world, and I am a son of one of the members of the "greatest generation". When dad came home from the Philippines and married mom, he vowed that his future kids would have an education, good work ethic and a better life than he had. Thanks dad, I do appreciate your sacrifices! 

LCJUTILA - I like your idea the best of all, a few days playing and a few days working. That sounds like a great compromise! The truth is, as Bill Young stated, I could never be satisfied just hanging around at the shore...I have to keep busy, and if I was busy all summer, I'd feel cheated and even MORE burnt-out. Your suggestion sounds like the right mix.

Thanks to all for your input. Perhaps, with luck, in the autumn I'll be able to post pictures of the new garage, the boat, and me and Bill Young having a beer in KC! 

 

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On their death bed, nobody ever said, "Gee I wish I'd spent more time at work!"

'68 Sprite 1275
'76 Midget 1500

It's on my calendar! I hope we can make connections. Congratulations to your students, hope they are just as successful in KC.

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'73 Midget (V6)
'59 MGA (I6) under construction
'73 Lotus Europa

"There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness"

That's a tough one, davey. Now if the choice was to remodel the kitchen or add a laundry room instead of relaxing with men toys the decision would be easier, maybe even a no brainer. But a garage, that big of a garage, which is really a gear head's playhouse...yeah I'd try to find a way to do both. A few days here, a few days there and besides you know there'll be days that the construction crew won't even show up. 

 

Davey,

How about doing the garage in two stages, the first a 16 X 36 ft. structure with one 16 foot side built to become one side of a paint booth which would be completed in the second phase of your project. On second thought, if you were to get a Backyard Buddy

it’s cost may not be any more than completing the rest of the garage and you may not need a 70+ ft. long structure anyway.

I like the spray booth idea!

Since the foundation is already in place (built circa 1830), I'd like to keep the footprint.

Perhaps one bay can have a mechanical bull & a wet bar!

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On their death bed, nobody ever said, "Gee I wish I'd spent more time at work!"

'68 Sprite 1275
'76 Midget 1500

davey,

It's fun just to contemplate all the neat things to incorporate in a garage such as this. I'd CERTAINLY plan a section with enough height to accomodate a lift. They are really not all that expensive, so you might want to include it in the original build budget. One thing that's important when installing a lift is the depth and soundness of the concrete surface on which you will mount it. 1830 is fairly old material. You could cast a nice level pad in the lift area with extra depth where the side posts will go. It's pretty important to have the floor under the lift level , and the fresh concrete in that area could take a nice epoxy paint after curing. I'm just sayin'...

As far as the spray booth goes, how much of a daredevil are you? If the authorities or your insurance company found out about it you'd be in for some maximally expensive times, my friend.

 Hey, I'm 60. Forget the mechanical bull. In fact don't waste space for me on the wet bar either. All you need is a "Kegerator" with room for pint glasses. Don't over chill them, or the magic fluid. I'd say one month Guiness, the next month Boddington's...

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Motorbill
From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon

Allow me to revive this thread for a progress report....

As you may (or may not) recall, as a teacher having summers off, I was wondering what was the best way for me to use this time, specifically last summer. I have some very demanding family matters and other things that require my attention, but I really just wanted to relax for once so I asked for your opinions. Here's what happened...

I took a bit of everyone's advice! I tended to what HAD to be tended to personally, but hired a crew to erect my ....I'm going to call it ...."Carriage House". As I spent as much time as possible on my boat, men younger and stronger than myself toiled away at the construction of this new garage palace!

It's 80 feet long by 16 feet deep with a 10 foot ceiling. It has three 16 foot garage doors and a pedestrian door. It will allow me to store all my toys...OR come to think of it, I could put a two lane bowling alley in there!

The roof shingles are going on as I write this, so we should be all buttoned up for the winter.

Next comes the waste-oil heater, wet bar, and mechanical bull! 

I will post some pictures when the final nail is sunk...thanks for the input folks. It's been a while, but davy's finally smiling!

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On their death bed, nobody ever said, "Gee I wish I'd spent more time at work!"

'68 Sprite 1275
'76 Midget 1500

Now that sounds better than nice, davey. You planning on an intercom between the carriage house and the big house ?

My initial response is WHY!

But actually, Pooly..yes, it's in the design. I actually have an intercom/radio system in the house already, I just have to add a circuit out to the playroom. A task that will be made easier by the underground conduit I installed years ago when I first dreamed up this man palace!

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On their death bed, nobody ever said, "Gee I wish I'd spent more time at work!"

'68 Sprite 1275
'76 Midget 1500

Speaking as one who has done all the major stuff on his car in a draughty car port.... that sounds fantastic! Can't wait to see some pictures when you have time.

Cheers,

Ed

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I want my MGB