DEAR ABBY: I live with my parents and when my mom does laundry, she always asks me if I want to throw any of my clothes in with hers and vice versa. The problem is, when the cycle is finished, she throws everything into the dryer -- even items that will shrink or wrinkle. I've asked her not to do it, but she persists.
Now, I know what you're going to say: "Do your own laundry." I have tried. But if Mom hears the wash finish before I do, she goes out and chucks everything into the dryer. Last week she shrank half my socks.
I can't think of a solution aside from doing my laundry when she is out of the house, which would be difficult because she's retired. I'm starting to get frustrated. Any ideas? -- FRUSTRATED IN COLUMBUS
DEAR FRUSTRATED: If your mother is also forgetting other things, it's possible she may be in the early stages of dementia. However, if that's not the case, then your solution is practical -- or consider taking your things to a laundromat. It would be less expensive than constantly having to buy new socks.