After 2 1/2 years, SWMBO finally complaines.

[ScottsGT]

So yesterday she unloaded on me. She was complaining about the past 2.5 years time spent by me in the garage on the Mustang.
Background: 13 years ago tomorrow I brought home the beast. I worked on it hard for three years, then life got in the way and it sat untouched.
Bathroom remodel (X2), a business the wife wanted to try that dried up all funds and put us in debt, and the biggie, she announced that she wanted to go back to grad school to become a Nurse Anesthetist.
I told her fine, but when she graduates, it's balls to the walls and nothing else until the Mustang is done! She agreed.
2.5 years ago (May of 2010) she graduated and as promised, it's been a money pit and a time consumer.
Now I have taken weekends off to visit family, go on vacations, anniversary trips, etc... But I guess that's not enough.
I did tell her, in 3 years not once did I make one peep about her being gone away to school and I was at home raising a family of 4 kids and working full time. And I'm seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Just hope it's not a train!
All that's left is complete interior, wiring, plumb the fuel system to include a new tank, all glass, exhaust and a few trim items.
So here we go....13 years in, how does one balance finishing up a project and keeping SWMBO happy??

[02Lightning]

I only know one side of the story, but it doesn’t sound like she is holding up to her side of compromise. At times when building my mustang I think I would have been better off paying someone to do it so it was just money and not all my time too.

[Darkstang65]

May be a long shot depending on how anal you are with your car
but why don't you ask her to work on it with you??

[martyscholes]

This is a dangerous post to reply to, but I'll dive in.

The car is a symptom, not the problem. Maybe it's a symptom of you eagerness to be away from her, or a symptom of your resenting the school and the remodels, or a symptom of her feeling unappreciated, or a symptom of some neuroses one or both of you have, or whatever. If it wasn't the car, it would be something else or the issue would fester, building resentment.

See a counselor or a pastor or someone. Fix it. Now. If she bolts or strays, your project will seem so insignificant and you will kick yourself.

Be thankful that this has surfaced now while it is still manageable. Fix it. Now.

That said, I am not a doctor and know almost nothing about psychology, so take everything I say with a grain of salt.

Good luck, my friend.

[slim]

Does SWMBO allow you to have a hobby? Do you think she's glad your hobby is at home?
Is your hobby taking food away from the children, causing hardship? Does it bother SWMBO that your project isn't complete?

Just asking?
Slim


My SWMBO shows me that she appreciates that my hobby keeps me home, likes to help and doesn't bother her that it's never done! Guess I'm a lucky guy!

[LukeMustangMalta]

Wow, so I take it you're the breadwinner? So you put trust in her for a business idea, which ended up losing money, and she then wanted to go back to school, which means you're tied to 1 income, paying her tuition, doing the housework and taking care of 4 kids.

Goddam son, not tellin you what to do, but maybe batman has an idea for you



I'd put my foot down. If she's gonna be unreasonable about you spending some time and money on your hobby, then maybe you're better off without her.


Again, this is my opinion, and I hope not to offend

[miguelito]

Welcome to the club.

[Israel]

Tommy please put a cover on that rusted piece of **** I'm tired of looking at it!

[Machin]

Boy there seems to be a lot more going on other with you two other than mustang problems. I hope that it works out the best for both of you.
I spent 3 years restoring my Mach 1. UPS man bringing packages almost daily, etc,etc. Not one complaint from my wife. Restoration completed ( ok,there never completed ) and enjoying the car and going to shows.
My wife comes to me and says, " You know I always wanted to add on to the house and put a master bedroom above the garage " Smart wife ! Of course I really do enjoy that new master bedroom above the garage. True story ! ( this all happened about 17 years ago )

[Snipe656]

Originally Posted by ScottsGT

So here we go....13 years in, how does one balance finishing up a project and keeping SWMBO happy??

If money is not an issue then via paying someone else to finish out the car.

My wife never cares about me spending time on the cars. But what she does care about is spending money on the cars. Since most everything that requires time on the cars also requires money for the parts ... well .... I do not spend much time on my cars.

[Rebel Racing]

Originally Posted by ScottsGT

So yesterday she unloaded on me. She was complaining about the past 2.5 years time spent by me in the garage on the Mustang.
Background: 13 years ago tomorrow I brought home the beast. I worked on it hard for three years, then life got in the way and it sat untouched.
Bathroom remodel (X2), a business the wife wanted to try that dried up all funds and put us in debt, and the biggie, she announced that she wanted to go back to grad school to become a Nurse Anesthetist.
I told her fine, but when she graduates, it's balls to the walls and nothing else until the Mustang is done! She agreed.
2.5 years ago (May of 2010) she graduated and as promised, it's been a money pit and a time consumer.
Now I have taken weekends off to visit family, go on vacations, anniversary trips, etc... But I guess that's not enough.
I did tell her, in 3 years not once did I make one peep about her being gone away to school and I was at home raising a family of 4 kids and working full time. And I'm seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Just hope it's not a train!
All that's left is complete interior, wiring, plumb the fuel system to include a new tank, all glass, exhaust and a few trim items.
So here we go....13 years in, how does one balance finishing up a project and keeping SWMBO happy??

I'm lucky, the Wife is a real gear head--usually tells me to buy this part or that part and gets me motivated to start or finish a project. She is still very "girlie" but likes to ride her motorcycle and go to car shows and races with me. No real advice here but I'd try to tell her that you are nearly finished and the car will be worth a lot more finished--maybe she relates more to the dollar value than the joy of the car?? Hope it works for you ad we all know things go smoother when "She" is happy.

[Rebel Racing]

Originally Posted by LukeMustangMalta

Wow, so I take it you're the breadwinner? So you put trust in her for a business idea, which ended up losing money, and she then wanted to go back to school, which means you're tied to 1 income, paying her tuition, doing the housework and taking care of 4 kids.

Goddam son, not tellin you what to do, but maybe batman has an idea for you



I'd put my foot down. If she's gonna be unreasonable about you spending some time and money on your hobby, then maybe you're better off without her.


Again, this is my opinion, and I hope not to offend

LOL that is one of the funniest things I have seen in weeks!!

[gimpystoy]

Scott Sorry to hear you may have reached a Crossroads. Your plight has actually made me appreciate my wife a bit more. My 67 FB project is "ours". from day # 1 (it's titled in both names). Althrough she does comment at time " Why do we need that!"
Now that it's out of garage after 20 yrs and in hands of Glazier, Nolan Mustang Barn for final finishing the comments are now will we be going to shows this Summer ?
I'll say a few prayers for you two.
Gimpy

[chillininnh]

Bought mine LOOONG before i got married. I was never able to do what I really wanted to do to it while I was married. Funny, after I poop-canned the money grubbin, selfcentric whore I had plenty of extra money to throw at the car. Life is good.

[Mrfleet12]

I only have one question, what is SWMBO?? got rid of the wife 7 years ago, now have cash in the pocket and bank as well as 4 vehicles and only 1 driver Life ain't bad