Replies to '06/21 "Throw It Out!"'

I recently left a 14-year marriage.  One of the major factors was my husband's inability to listen or be concerned about anyone but himself where our home was concerned.  A few years ago, while between jobs, he decided to provide family support by buying items at auctions and selling them on e-bay for profit.  He did okay for an "in-between" job, however, it didn't stay "in-between".   

Even after becoming employed, he continued to buy, and buy and buy and buy.  For 3 - 4 years, we and our four children, lifed in a warehouse.  Boxes and boxes stacked everywhere.  Shelving set up around every wall.  Couldn't see the couch, much less sit on it.  Was fortunate if I could push things back so that one person could sit at the table at a time and eat.  (No more family meals - no room!!)  Garage was so full things fell when you walked through.  At points in time, there was no more than a 12-15" pathway from the front door to the refrigerator to the bathroom to the multiple computers, to the bed.   

The stories from the families destroyed by having their homes converted to makeshift storage facilities was so real to me.  After having enjoyed for several years being able to open my home for dinner parties, enjoy weekly family get-togethers, kids having friends over, I fell into a terrible depression.  Trying to not be a nag, I attempted to express my frustration calmly and maturely.  It didn't work.   

My now ex-husband lives in an apartment very close to our home so we can both be near our children.  His apartment looks like a smaller version of what our house looked like for those last few years.  He's again "in-between" jobs and is using e-bay for income.   

As for my home.  The highlight of the past year for me has been my ability to once again get my car in the garage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I feel so sorry for all the wives of e-bayers out there and can't tell you how I wish he could have seen the light and am worried he never will.