It is frustrating. Now that you've cleaed that table maybe you should put a note on it saying it is not for storage, but for laundry related items and folding clothes only. Make it a big note so he won't miss it.

Linda

We have a chest freezer out in the garage and everytime I go out there to get something out of the freezer, I have to clear off the junk that DH has piled on it!

I can relate to that GRRRRR feeling!!!

This is one of my pet peeves too. Why do they have to pile things everywhere and then wonder why we get so mad. Mine does the same thing pileits everywhere. I hate to go into our garage..grrrr

Have you moved into my basement? LOL!

Oh, he just went down to the basement. I hear stuff rattling around. Hope it's not ending up back on the table.

For the first couple of months, I moved stuff neatly. The past couple of weeks, I've just flung stuff across the room in frustration (okay, I did check to make sure the stuff isn't breakable, first--LOL).

Thought about the note, but if, after about 10 years of me folding wash on that table, he hasn't figured out the drill, I'm pretty sure he could ignore a note, too.

I have an old hutch that I put in the garage so "stuff" could go in it. Guess where everything is? On top of the hutch.

I have "lots" of tables from my Jewelry Show days. I put them up for special art projects and put them away as fast as I can, because Main Man will start "nesting" on them.

Gayle

"Men are just little boys dressed in big boy's clothing". Sooooo-here's what you do:

When my kids were little and didn't pick up their toys? I'd take those toys, box them up & they weren't allowed to have them for 1 month! So box up hubby's misc items & the next time he asks where something is? Tell him it will cost him-(you decide on what) to retrieve the item(s) EVERY time you have to pick them up to do your work!

Azzalea - Do you think it's worse since he's still on vacation so he has more opportunity to play with all his things? Which brings up something I've been pondering myself - when you start considering houses for your retirement years is there anything special you'll look for considering both of you will be home more?

I know I would prefer a house where we can each have a separate room or space for our projects. I could use the spare bedroom for my sewing machine and fabrics and he could use another room or basement for his hobbies. We're still in the retirement planning stage but it could become a reality next year.

Nice of you to try to stand up for him--but no--this has nothing to do with his vacation. It's been going on for months now (and he's only been off 2 weeks.).

Just an update--the stuff I tossed seems to have been put away properly, now!

McM--We're definitely considering what kind of space we need. I've actually started a detailed list. A large garage--preferably at least 3 bays with 2nd floor storage is a must. I want a basement, too. He really does have a lot of tools. And honestly--I do benefit from them. He does so much around the house himself, and he's an excellant craftsman. He also stockpiles stuff--paper towels, light bulbs, batteries--we never run out of those things, so I really do appreciate him.

For me? I must have a nice kitchen, with lots of counter space. And some sort of extra room (extra bedroom, or a family room or sun porch) for my hobbies--sewing, computer, crafting, etc. Other than that, we can get by with a smallish house.

One thing we both insist upon, though, is a private driveway. We've had a shared one for the past 35 years--fortunately, with nice neighbors who have never been a problem, but it would be SO nice to be able to park near the street, if bad weather were predicted, or to be able to let workmen or guests pull into the drive--we only have room for our 2 cars right now--unless we want to be pigs and block the house next door.

Good lord, we are married to the same man! My laundry folding table at present has a gigantic TV, some old beer cans he found in his deceased father's golf bag, a few boxes he wants to keep to put stuff in, parts to the pool vacuum, and yesterday I saw he has started to pile his wrenches there because he blocked his path to the plastic drawer unit they belong in with STUFF.

Every once in a while DH will throw back his covers to go to bed and find a pile of stuff to put away ROFL!

Sounds like you guys need to borrow my DH,he's the extreme opposite.Everything is very neatly hanging,or sitting in it's own spot.Which sometimes drives me crazy as some of this stuff could be stacked,so as to save more room for other stuff,but he doesn't stack stuff.The wall has peg board and all his tools that can hang,hang there.He's one of those that has one of those boards that you lay down and fold your t-shirt on so they all come out the same size.His dresser looks like a store things are folded so neatly.

So be careful what you wish for.LOL
Kathi

Kathi may I borrow your husband just for a little while?
I just want to know how it feels to live with a neat man before I die. LOL

Just keep moving his stuff to another spot. One day he'll ask "Where is my such-and-such?" and you can tell him where it is.

Put one of those folded-like-a-tent signs like they have in restaurants, "RESERVED - for laundry".

You use it - you move it ... or else.

And if he leaves stuff on the table, he comes back to find a note on the table with a clue leading to another location ...

... then one there that he has to guess where to go, leading to another location.

At the last one, it "tells him where to go" - to you.

And you direct him, not to the item, but to another note.

Or - just hide the stuff in a box somewhere, and refuse to tell him where it is, until after the next laundry day, or whatever time you choose.

Dances ... what a great idea!

Somehow, it seems to fit you.

Have a lovely day ... and weekend, everyone.

ole joyful