Mine is in what used to be the quest room. It's corner to corner in there. I have to slide the end to get around it. My sewing machine is in the closet where it fits nicely. We no longer have a quest room but I have a quilting room. Guests come around rarely. I live here every day.

Or his motorcycle!

I think men just feel they should have all the toys for hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and the list goes on and on. I just bought what I needed for my hobbies and if anything was said, I say well I can sew all year. Motorcycles can only be used a few months of the year in MN. Bowling costs money, old cars and fixing cars takes money, smoking costs money. I could go on and on. So just enjoy your long arm and if he makes a comment again give him some examples of what he spends money on. No one should feel guilty!!

I'm with you. A M E N !!!

I love this explanation..........sounds like my house.

GOOD QUESTION.....will we (women) ever figure out the answer??? doubtful

This would be something I would get.......and I would do the same in return.

My husband does not have hobbies-drives me crazy-I love to design and have done beading and now quilting. Both expensive hobbies. I do not sell but donate what I make to local charities - he doesn't say much but every once and awhile I get the raised eyebrow. I was quilting on the dining room table but he hates the mess so we are in the process of moving everything up stairs to the guest room.

That is too funny!! And and incredibly valid point! I'm totally using this argument. Plus, our kids all play EXPENSIVE sports and none of them will get scholarships or make a career of them. What about mama?

Anytime my husband would think of mentioning what I spend on my toys, I just start asking about his latest camera purchase, and he goes away.

I worked most of the years we were married, and had my own income. Now, I don't, and my only income is a measly social security check. But all those years, I was and still am the person who cooks and cleans around here. No maid, no chef. Me. I don't think he can afford to replace me, so I buy what I feel we can afford, if I want it.

And if anyone else questions him about what I spend....he tells them it keeps me out of bars. What?

And you have been married How Long?LOL.

Do you know that you can buy $2500 lens made for film cameras that had BETTER be able to fit on those $800 digitals, lol? You can buy a lot of fabric for that much money.

My dh told me we needed to do a clean out of all MY extra stuff. I told him we'll start with the barn and shed where all HIS extra stuff is and he said ok. I asked when did he want to start and he said he'll let me know. Its been years and never another word. TILL he retired last year.....then he cleaned out my kitchen cupboards ( I was gone) and threw away stuff that I don't use every day. The next week I went to the barn and started tossing his stuff that I never have seen used into a pile (a burn pile ) hehehe. I knew I'd never burn anything of his but this set the example . He said he better leave homemaking things to me and left my stuff alone. He finally got a hobby now making camel-back trunks. hehehe My stuff is safe.

I heard ONCE: "and just HOW MANY sewing machines does a woman need in a lifetime?" To which my answer was: "Just HOW MANY power saws does a man need at one time?" Subject was closed. Funny how we always see what the other is doing but tend to forget about our own foibles. Enjoy your LA.

ehhhe...love it..

Bwahahah! LOVE IT!!

I'm lucky, my hubby fully supports what I do. I bought my pre-loved mid-arm & frame with money that came from having to sell my truck in my divorce (*pout* I still miss that truck), but I waffled on it for almost a week before honey said 'just buy it, you want it, you'll use it, just get it!'

I work from home as a part time contract bookkeeper, and I also have an online shop to sell my quilts (My own attempt at justification to myself over the cost of quilting). Neither one brings in much money. I get down on myself because my quilts aren't selling, every show I've done has been a bust, etc etc. I spent a week prepping a bunch of baby quilts for a show, and noone even looked. Hubby reminded me that everyone's being tighter with their dollar, and said instead of trying to figure out what quilts people want, just make the quilts *I* want. When they sell, they sell, and until then, just enjoy creating.

So, there you go: if you want to sell, sell. If you don't, just enjoy the process! I mean, why have such a time-consuming hobby if you don't enjoy it??

When I wanted to pay $1400 for a used Bernina, my DH said that is an awfully lot of money ! But when we paid double that for a lawnmower that is only used once a week for 5 months and wears out after 10 years (if we are that lucky), that was okay. I think this is a man's point of view. I have told this story to many women and they all had their own story to tell.

As I was buying a new ruler for a project, my DH remarked "why do you need a new ruler, an inch is an inch?" To which I replied, "why do you have 40 different screw drivers to screw a screw, a screw is a screw?" To which the saleslady laughed out loud. I don't make comments about his Miata which only gets driven on nice cool days (we live in ETexas!)
I must be fair, however, he usually just lets me get whatever I want and doesn't make me justify it. I wonder if it is because he doesn't dare? I have worked since I was 17, through pregnancies, child raising, moving household(for his job), illness and everything else. Just did it. Now I am retired and while he sits and reads, I quilt. If I cook, he eats, if not, he scavenges. If I clean, he doesn't notice and if I don't ditto. So we are okay. Just don't let your DH's comments get you. Get what you need and quilt on!

Seems a lot of DHs need to be on lower pedestals.

or cross bow lessons!

Enjoy your toy, you deserve it. :)

Ladyjanedoe is right. I have deleted my message. But this sure has been fun.

LOve all the stories and oh so true :)

Boys and their toys! I think girls can have toys too! Enjoy your LA - and loose the guilt! We (women) get sucked into the guilt trip way too easily. If you can make money (to buy stuff for YOU) and you like doing it, all the better. But don't feel you must quilt for others to justify it's purchase. Then it is no longer a joy. It becomes a chore - and who needs more of those?

I don't think I'd like it if my husband took to the internet to complain about me, so I'll refrain from grousing about my better half unless it's to his face.

That made me laugh out loud!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Baseball cards would make good kindling, huh? :hunf:

Though women have come very far in society, we are still not equals. I have a friend who got married for a 2nd time. Her hubby didn't have kids, but she had two from a previous marriage and they have one together. She pays the mortgage one month, he pays it the next. She pays the phone bill, he pays the cable bill. That is how they split the household expenses and then they keep the rest of their paycheck. I love this method and wish more people would do similar things.

*picks up her picket sign & chants* unfair treatment!

Amen to that!

Send him a challenge. See who can use their gift, to earn more, then you can just learn at your own pace. (chuckle)

im with Susan!!
lol
:thumbup:

I never thought of it like that but you are soooo right !
Thanks for the eye opener.

So True!!!

That is so true! Gotta love it to do it!!

Good one Sue!

Thank you all so much for your input and humor. I thought this would be a good thread. No matter how great our DH is, most of us have these feelings sometimes. It was great to have some laughs and the encouragement didn't hurt. Selena

Oh my dear girl! You just have to know how to go about it. Here is an example and you can adapt this so many ways, just let your mind get creative.
I signed up for Road to California classes and a 3 night stay in a hotel with friends in January 2012. My hubby said "that is an awfully lot of money!" So I told him that if the "General fund" would pay for the classes I would save and cover the rest. OK - here is how I did it! I went thru my quilt book library and my patterns and decided which I was tired of. Then I put them in a box and showed them to my friendship groups and to my guild and told them my story and sold books for $5 each and patterns a little more, depending. Well, let me tell you that was great! Then a friend put the books up for sale on the internet and that is more $$!
Then decided I should be paid for other things like not getting my nails done or a pedicure. So, each time I skipped a session, I put the $ in my stash! Well, ladies, along with a little I already had in my stash, my trip in January is paid for. Hope this gives you ideas. There are a lot of "services" you could "charge" your husband for! NO! Not the bedtime stuff!! Other stuff like making his favorite dessert and spending extra time doing other things. Think about it!! Have fun! Remember, guilt is not allowed in a marriage!!!

After reading all these replies I am really glad to be single. Both of my exes had the same problem with thinking I had to justify any of my hobbies when they didn't, even though I have always worked too. Now I'll buy whatever I darned well please - as long as I can afford it.

I am probably one of very few people that can say my husband doesn't have any expensive hobbies. He used to hunt but never did it excessively. He likes to play cards and plays a couple times a week but not for more than a quarter a game. So, happy and grateful as I am, I feel guilt sometimes about the amounts (which aren't huge) I spend on my hobby. So to all of you while I don't "feel your pain", I can hope that you all reach some happy compromises!

Awesome!!!

I don’t have a boat, I don’t fish, and I’m not into spots. And I don’t hunt. So those toys I don’t have. But I do have a small wood shop. As for those toys, I try and save my change to buy them.