Guests or relatives.. and I mean the dropping-in kinds... who just stopover at their convenience for the night or two or maybe just shopping? And get free boarding, food, laundry!

I am absolutely sick of them. How does one deal with it? When it becomes one every week... I am going nuts. I tell myself that if I cant avoid them them, then stop cribbing and put up a smile for them. Else do something about it?

It affects my mood, my routine, my work and I get tensed unnecessarily. I guess that's my problem....

How do I speak to my hubby and make him understand... without hurting him? I know he hates it as much as I do...but accepts it since he cant do anything about it.... and anyways...their being here or not hardly makes a diff..since he doesn't have to do anything...

I am rambling... just had to get it out  

Swetha, first - I think you need a hug! - So here's a virtual one! Second, believe me I have had trouble doing the same, but sometimes saying: "No I have other things to do today", or "Not today, I just need to rest today, because I have lots of things planned for tomorrow", or "Hey I am really busy right now (relaxing hehe), thanks for stopping by but come back another time... best if you call, first!" is perfectly ok! I am sure there are other things you can do in Feng Shui, but it may also keep away the beneficial guest.... just a thought... hey, honesty is the best policy! Get with the hubby and agree to tell all of your friends and family that you have a new rule.... "no unannounced drop-ins unless there is an emergency! Other than that x amount of time pre-contact mandatory before dropping by because you might have other plans etc etc..." - that way they know in advance and have no excuse. Or have the hubby do all the hosting and cooking for a change and see how long he puts up with it ;) - and how the guest take it... good luck and blessings!

thanks for your advice... I liked the part about the hubby doing everything ;)
point is they come not to meet us.. but they need a place to stay for the time they r here. And my hubby has this logic that don't we need to eat..so what is there is an extra person for dinner

I once had this neighbor wanting to come over like every couple of days and stay for dinner after she had dinner here once and evidently liked it a lot. I usually cook a nice big dinner when I expect company. But this one time she kept staying, mentioning that "oh my stomach is making noises, I think I am hungry..." It really started bothering me, because I am unemployed right now and she makes good money as a nurse and hasn't even once invited us to even just visit her. She always just comes knocking on my door unannounced... So I acted like I really didn't know what to cook... and she stayed so long that we were literally starving and I wouldn't have had time to cook a big meal at that point, anyway... so I started making Mac'n'Cheese and hot dogs. She left rather quickly when she realized she wouldn't get a great big meal haha...
Hint, Hint...! ;)
Make people's stay comfortable, but make it a limited courtesy thing when people take too much advantage of you. Kinda like: "Oh you are welcome to stay, but I have a project going on in the guest bedroom, right now. But the couch is certainly available!" ;) Or: "Oops, it's getting to be dinner time and I have nothing in the house... would you mind calling the pizza place and ordering us something?" and then when the pizza comes: "Oops, I thought I still had that $20 in my purse, so sorry, hey would you mind helping me out, friend?! - Next time I pay!" LOL (ok I've never done that, but it might be effective, haha, I think I am being a little mischievous today lol)
People often use my goodwill and generosity, but sometimes I just have to put my foot down!

Anything over 2 weeks and they have moved in.  The first 2 days you are renewing acquaintance.  Then it grows to new experiences together for 2 days.  Then it gets old and you want your space back again.