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Attention "Single File(R)" Editors: The Following Column Was Previously Released In 2018. Thank You. -- Creators
ATTENTION "SINGLE FILE(R)" EDITORS: THE FOLLOWING COLUMN WAS PREVIOUSLY RELEASED IN 2018. THANK YOU. -- CREATORS
How Do You Spell Success?
The following are classic definitions of success. Number them 1 to 10 -- No. 1 being the most important to you. And do feel free to add some of your own!
--Money.
--Job satisfaction.
--Self-expression.
...Read more
Ask Dating Coach Erika: How do I deal with ghosting?
Ghosting — the abrupt disappearance of someone you were seeing or taking to — is jarring. It often comes out of nowhere, and it forces you to first wonder what happened to the other person before it sinks in that they did this intentionally. In short, ghosting is cowardly, avoiding a short, difficult conversation to spare yourself being ...Read more
Asking Eric: Step-grandparents feels sidelined
Dear Eric: I am a "third grandma" in a family with several stepchildren and now their grandchildren. The problem is with my daughter-in-law's parents, both of whom are lovely but annoying.
The kids have bonded with them which is great. But her mother is almost always at their house and interferes with any attempts by their other grandfather or ...Read more
New Resident Misses Nightlife
DEAR HARRIETTE: I consider myself to be a social person. I recently moved to a more rural area in an attempt to experience a new way of living. I think there's value in all different types of lifestyles, even those that are often seen as less glamorous. My new neighbors have made this town feel like home within a matter of weeks. Although it has...Read more
Guests Make A Beeline For The House
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a tiny house, so I enjoy hosting dinner parties al fresco in my backyard. I recently invited guests to dine when the weather was lovely, 75 degrees with a soft breeze.
During the first course, a bumblebee flew over the table and then moved on. One of my guests announced, "There are bees out here," picked up her plate, ...Read more
Feeling the Sting of Supporting Daughter's Family
Dear Annie: My husband and I have a 34-year-old daughter who has lived with us all her life (except for maybe a year). She brought her freeloading boyfriend in. I had cancer at the time and they didn't even bother to do anything, so she ended up pregnant.
I kicked her boyfriend out of the house after finding out he couldn't even take her to the...Read more
Woman Stuck In A Rut After Move To New Area
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married 45 years, but over the last six months, we've had numerous fights about Facebook. I'm having issues with his addiction to social media and his constant posts and comments with people I don't know.
I get jealous about these interactions with women. He has never given me reason not to trust him, but I...Read more
Asking Eric: Two sons vie to house parents
Dear Eric: I am finding that I don’t much like getting older. My husband and I have just learned that we need to be closer to medical help, so we must sell our current home, which we love, and move.
We have two sons, both of whom we love dearly, who each want us to build a little home on their property so we can be close enough that they can ...Read more
Girlfriend Doesn't Want To Use Location Sharing
DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend of six months wants me to share my location with him, and I'm not so sure I want to do that. I know lots of families, friends and couples do this for safety, but I don't feel comfortable sharing this because I am a grown 35-year-old woman. I don't think anyone should be allowed to stalk my location. I told my ...Read more
Is This An 'if You're On Time, You're Late' Thing?
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am confused on the proper time to arrive at an event or social function, whether in private homes or public venues.
When attending an event like a concert, play, church service or something else in a public space, I understand the announced time is when the event starts, and that you should arrive early enough to be in your...Read more
Does Forgiveness Fix All?
Dear Annie: Most often a cheating husband or wife causes the divorce. Most would want to end their marriage after finding their partner cheated. And most people would advise the offended partner to leave.
This is most of what I read in people's letters and people's responses to you.
But it doesn't have to be like that. Actually, it can be one ...Read more
Wife's Dream Trip Wouldn't Include Her Grumpy Husband
DEAR ABBY: I have just retired and want to spend the summer taking a long road trip from Florida to Alaska and back. I've dreamed about it all my life and finally have the time and money to do it.
My husband hates long road trips, and I don't want to take him. He would be miserable and make me miserable in the process. Further, he has a list of...Read more
Anxious Thoughts Continue To Intrude
DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been struggling with anxiety for years now. As those who experience anxiety know, it ebbs and flows depending on a plethora of factors both in and out of my control. My anxious thoughts stem from a childhood with many unexpected and uncontrollable changes. As a result, feeling unsure or not being able to predict what's ...Read more
Guests Never Compliment My Cooking
DEAR MISS MANNERS: For years, I have entertained and loved every moment of it. But lately, when having people over, they just spend time talking about restaurants they have been to and what a wonderful experience it was.
I am a good cook, school-trained, and take pride in what I serve. I am fed up with nobody making comments about what I have ...Read more
Asking Eric: Sister read and mocked stolen childhood journals
Dear Eric: I grew up in a silent household. I was a shamed, rejected kid and learned not to speak. One sister was the beautiful favorite. My brother and I were shamed, and we feared our father.
Our divorced mom apparently stole and kept some of my childhood journals. She put them in her desk. When we cleared out mom's home after she died, the ...Read more
Not Looking to Cause a Stir
Dear Annie: I have a family problem for which I would appreciate your opinion. My wife and I are Americans living in a small village in Italy, in an area popular with tourists. Recently, I contacted my sister and her husband from the States and expressed our interest in having them visit us and stay at our house, since we haven't seen them for ...Read more
Jeanne Phillips Bids Adieu As 'Dear Abby' Endures
DEAR READERS: As anyone who reads "Dear Abby" knows, I have always stressed the importance of writing thank-you notes. It is now time for me to put pen to paper. I have always considered you, my readers, to be my friends. Thank you for accepting me as warmly as you always have and thank you for being willing to share your joys, pains and ...Read more
Millennial Life; The Beauty in Generational Imperfections
The hardest part of grief for me has been losing memories of the person you've lost, like their voice or a clear picture of their face. But from my Oma, there are other strange tidbits I do remember. Like a spot on her neck where she had a scar that looks like a mole removed. I may have asked as a child, but likely got a "hmpf" as a reply and ...Read more
Asking Eric: After saving man’s life, Good Samaritan never wants to see him again
Dear Eric: A few years ago, I was directly responsible for saving “Peter’s” life. I did not know Peter before this event and soon afterward he and his family reached out to thank me and ask to meet me, obviously under better circumstances.
I agreed to the meeting and, to be blunt, I regret it completely.
Peter is a perfectly decent ...Read more
Dear Annie; Keeping Seniors Safe Behind the Wheel
Dear Annie: I am a retired RN, and I was interested when one of your readers wrote that if an elderly person falls, they should not be allowed to drive. I am here to tell you there is no direct correlation between falls and driving. Falls for the elderly occur for many reasons -- some known and others unknown.
The statement in your column was ...Read more
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