ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: Last week, I surprised a friend of mine on her birthday because I hadn't heard from her in a couple of months. I am so glad I showed up when I did, because it seems like she needed some love. I tried to conceal my shock, but upon entry to her apartment, it was complete chaos -- clothes, groceries, empty food containers, dishes ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I received a birthday card from a newish friend in the neighborhood. The card was unsolicited, though the giver had previously asked whether a party I was throwing had something to do with my birthday, and I admitted that it did happen to fall on that day.

The card had a few scratch-off lottery tickets in it. My family ...Read more

Dear Annie: I know I am stuck in the "old ways," but I am trying to adapt to changing times. It is becoming very common for couples to live together before marriage.

While I have come to accept traditional and extravagant weddings as an occasion to finally declare their commitment before church and family, what I still struggle with are the ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I've been seeing "Brad" for nine months. We both have children of our own. He has a daughter, and I have a son. The little girl is a few months older than my 7-year-old son. I can see myself having a family with Brad.

However, one of my biggest pet peeves is when children use baby talk. Brad's daughter seems to be doing it more and ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: While my friend and I were walking, we found a wallet on the ground. My friend's first instinct was to steal the cash inside instead of trying to get it back to the owner. She is a 40-year-old woman with a well-paying job. I was shocked because I have known her for more than a decade and never would have expected her to react ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My in-laws are always asking for money or gifts.

One couple who had been living together for years -- divorced and married, employed, with a home, etc., asked for "cash only" gifts for a honeymoon for their second marriage to each other.

Another in-law asked for a piece of artwork I had created that was not monetarily ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have a friend, "Rosie," who kicked me out to the curb (metaphorically speaking) when her sister moved into her mobile home park.

Prior to her sister's moving into the neighborhood, Rosie and I saw a lot of each other. I was always sewing for Rosie, her husband and her mother-in-law at little or no cost. I sent food to her after ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My friend of many years, whom I consider to truly be part of the family, has made food the only thing that makes her happy. Besides my husband, she's all I have left. She went to a doctor a couple years ago who told her she must lose weight, but she ended up gaining more.

I've tried talking to her, but she says I am preaching to the ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My 14-year-old brother wants to live with me instead of our parents, and I'm seriously considering it. My brother and I are 20 years apart in age, and I have been out of the house for years now and have been able to secure a good life for myself. I have a good job, a husband and a cute Pomeranian puppy, so I have the means to be ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was in a store where an acquaintance of mine was making a scene, demanding a product that the store does not supply. She stormed out after a barrage of loud, foul language. As she left, she must have noticed me, but I was looking purposefully away.

This type of circumstance, while not the norm, certainly does arise. Is it ...Read more

Dear Annie: My granddaughter, "Melanie," thinks that she has a half-sister 24 years younger.

Melanie believes that her father, long divorced from her mother, was asked by his former unattached girlfriend with whom he remained friendly, to "help" her have a child before it becomes biologically too late.

Now, my granddaughter has become very ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am 70 and consider my mental faculties to be normal. One aging issue my wife and I have noticed is that I tend to repeat stories to our children, grandchildren and friends. Our children can be less than forgiving toward this old boomer as they deliver a comment like, "Yeah, we've already heard about that," sometimes in a rude or ...Read more

Sexual expression is part of mental and physical well-being. On that we probably agree. And being unmarried, you know how difficult it is to find a caring and committed partner. It's well worth waiting for, because when soul mates join spirit and flesh, their union can approach spiritual communion. Once that's experienced, anything less is out ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: For the first time in a long time, I am in a steady romantic relationship. I haven't done much dating since my last relationship four years ago. I've been dating this current guy for three months. At first, I was a bit skeptical, but I have since warmed up to him, so much so that my friends have noticed an undeniable difference ...Read more