The good news is my husband believes everything has a place. The bad news is the place is wherever he puts something down. As a newlywed, I was an enabler - otherwise known as John's live-in pick-up. I folded clothes and put them away until my enthusiasm folded. Three years later things changed. John became a father. When he came home, he had to stop setting everything on the kitchen table. Instead, he had to set a good example.

Like father, like sons. They had a place for everything too - under their beds. To the frequent question, "Do you know where my such-in-such is?", I would reply, "Have you looked where it belongs?" What a concept!

When we moved to a smaller house, I had to give things away. Instead of leaving Great Aunt Bertha's clock to one of my sons in my will, I thought I would give it to one of them now and enjoy his enjoyment. Wrong. The clock is still on my sideboard. I seem to have made a mistake in parenting. I taught my sons to say what they think and neither one thinks much of the clock.

Maybe it's time ... to put the clock in a closet. Let's hear it for built-in closets! Their designers are Rumplestiltskins for adults. They can spin wasted space into storage. Our bedroom closet is so well designed it has a built-in hamper and an area for sitting. There's almost enough room for my mother-in-law!

With only four rooms, however, there's not much room to grow. That's why we have the "where and why" rule. No matter how much we like a potential purchase, we have to ask ourselves if we're willing to give up space for it. Empty space is space to breath.

Unlike John, I'm the proud possessor of some empty drawers and shelves. Because I initially felt guilty, I gave a couple to him. Mistake! My husband has a case of middle-age spread - not around his waist - but into any available nook or cranny. My give-away-challenged husband can fill up anything but a wastebasket.

I don't share my drawers and shelves anymore. I'm keeping them full of - possibilities. Right now I'm looking for a spot for the palm tree, floor lamp Cousin Walter gave us as a housewarming gift. It's been a challenge, but I think I've finally found the perfect spot - the thrift store.