Simply put your foot down! Tell here you wear the pants in your house! Then tell her "A "SHOP" is going to happen!" Be firm!!
I understand! Get you one of those two-sided signs with "garage" on one side and "shop" on the other. That way when she's not home, you can turn the sign around to show shop. Then when your buddies come over, you can say "I showed her, by golly!"
I have to agree with the O rings would be the simplest way to make the knot less floppy. I have seen o rings in several colors so there is variety other than the standard black ones...
I did it! I told my wife, "a Shop is going to happen, and I won't take no for an answer!" She said "fine." Then she said, "Wal-Mart, Safeway, or Fred Meyers?" I just can't win.
I extend my sympathy! Just so you know, you are definitely "NOT" in a minority! LOL What's a poor fellow to do?