DEAR ABBY: I am involved with a man, "Gerald," who is an only child and has a difficult relationship with his mother. We bought his mother's home two years ago because she couldn't afford it on her own. She had separated from her husband, who is not Gerald's father.
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Initially, his mother was going to stay with us, but she reunited with her husband instead. The issue is, she has not removed her personal items from our home. She's a bit of a hoarder. Our garage is full of her stuff, and every room in our home has her furniture and personal items in it.
I have packed many of them and can no longer deal with the anxiety of the unknown waiting and wondering when she plans to move them. Gerald's strained relationship with his mother doesn't help the situation. I made him text his stepfather asking when the items will be picked up.
According to Gerald, his mother has control issues, and this is all part of her game. I need advice because I'm desperate. I feel Gerald is at fault for not setting an expectation when we first purchased the home. -- BOXED UP IN TEXAS
DEAR BOXED UP: Call Gerald's mother. Tell her you want her things out of your home and set a date, after which you will arrange for a moving company to deliver them to her and her husband. Be sure to give her plenty of notice -- a month -- so she can plan to have what items she doesn't need placed in storage (at her expense). Will she like you for it? Heck, no. But you will be free.