Okay, here is the story. I drive home last night, pull into the garage, shut the garage door, and think all is well. Wake up this morning, go out to the garage, open the garage door and start to back up. Crunch! "What the...??" as I scramble out of the car, only to find the lawnmower, that was placed directly behind my car, by my husband, now moved about a foot, and several large gashes in my bumper.

I am furious. Now, logically, I should have looked behind the car before I backed up, but honestly, how many of us do that every morning? And, the fact that it had been folded, it was completely out of view.

So here is the problem, for the past couple of years, I have asked my hubby, to keep the garage organized. A responsibility that he has avoided now for quite awhile (its only his responsibility because I gave up after cleaning it for the umpteenth time). The space for my car (and its an oversized two car garage) has steadily shrunk to the point that I have to park as far right as I can to avoid hitting anything with the drivers side door. You can't even get in the passenger side door until I back out! The lawnmower incident is the last straw.

So, Bryan comes home around 5, and, for the sake of our marriage, I want to approach this calmly and rational. However, I have an unnatural attachment for my car, and as far as I am concerned, a gash in her bumper might as well be a gash on me. So, aside from suggesting therapy for the misplaced love for my car, what would you say?

 

Picture of the garage and offending lawnmower.

 

Don't take this the wrong way but demanding that he keep the garage clean for a decent place to keep "your" car is wrong. If cleaning the garage is my responsiblity then I would think that it would be my territory. Do you share the car?

 

I am always 50/50 when it comes to space, belongings, chores, etc., and he can use my car anytime, and even park in the garage if he so chooses, which he does not. We both use the garage, but I was the only one keeping it organized, which is not right. Sure, we can draw a line down the middle and be responsible for "our" side, but frankly, were married, not roommates. And, I always ask, not demand.

Anyway, I am more calm now that I have vented and shared my frustration (or maybe its the morning coffee wearing off?). And will discuss a reasonable solution to our garage crisis. That is if he is brave enough to come home.

 

Pay a handy-man (or be a handy-huskergirl ) to build a sh!tload of shelves. The fact of the matter is, with most garages, people just don't build shelves along the walls...and LOTS of shelves at that. Shelves will take care of most of that. Add a few hangers from the ceiling for the lawn chairs, fishin' poles, whatever , and you should be quite set!

- Dave

 

Shelves are a good idea- easy and inexpensive to do. Hey, maybe you can come down to clear my corners and help install shelves! Great idea, Dave!

...Just kidding!

 

Your thread title caught my attention.
I'm afraid I distill most things down to the last common denominator.
The car can be fixed. Simply withhold "favours" till he fixes the car. Having done that, the lesson will then be in place for future such events. "Cause and effect" works wonders.

 

The shelves sound like a good idea. I saw the pic... I feel your pain.

 

tell ya what, u provide the materials, pay for dave to clear my corners,and ill gladly come down and build the shelves for you

 

honestly though, whether man or woman.. who, in their right mind, puts ANYTHING directly between a working car and the garage door?!?!