ArcaMax

Dear Annie: My wife's sister is 21, lives with her parents and has extremely violent long-lasting outbursts that culminate in her being verbally and physically abusive. "Mindy" tells everyone she is suicidal, although she has never made any attempt to harm herself. She obviously has deep psychological issues, yet absolutely refuses treatment. At...Read more

Dear Annie: Can you tell me whether this is a scam? Dentists are now telling seniors that their old fillings need to be replaced. My dentist told me this, and I've never had a bit of trouble with my fillings or teeth. I said I won't replace them until they bother me. I was also told that I need additional, costly work done when I haven't had a ...Read more

Dear Annie: Our daughter and her husband have two young children. Over the years, we have been very close to our grandsons.

We recently found out that our daughter has started a relationship with my son from a first marriage. Forty years ago, I gave up this son for adoption when he was 4 years old. This son contacted me when he was 28. I told ...Read more

Dear Readers: Happy Valentine's Day to one and all, along with our special good wishes to all of our veterans in VA hospitals around the country. And our particular thanks and appreciation to those readers who have taken the time to send valentines, visit the vets and volunteer at VA facilities. Bless each and every one of you. You are truly ...Read more

Dear Annie: My wife and I have been married for 19 years. I have been faithful the entire time, and I would like to think she has been, as well. There have been a few times when she has come home extremely late after going out with "the girls," and she sometimes comes home an hour or two later than expected after work. She always has an ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am 53 years old and have been with my boyfriend for four years. The first year was awesome. We would hug and kiss hello and goodbye, and often say "I love you."

Now? Nothing. We don't touch at all. I am so unhappy. We have sex once a month and only when he wants it. During sex, there is no kissing or embracing. When I talk to him ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have been married to my husband for 10 years. A couple of years ago, I started conversing via Facebook with "Kevin," whom I have known since grade school. We briefly dated in high school, but I broke up with him.

A mutual friend passed away, and I called Kevin a few times to offer support. We spoke about the old days and our ...Read more

Dear Annie: My fiance and I have been together for three years. "Justin" shares custody of his 13-year-old daughter, "Chrissie."

The problem is, Chrissie will not sleep in her own bed. Until recently, she used to sleep on the floor in our room, but two months ago, Justin started sleeping in her bed. I couldn't take it, so I went back to live at...Read more

Dear Annie: I am 26 years old and have been in a wonderful relationship for four years. "Cody" is my best friend, and we are extremely compatible.

Here's the problem: His sex drive could run circles around mine. Sex is the only way he feels appreciated, loved and needed. Cuddles and kisses don't sate his desire. This puts immense pressure on me...Read more

Dear Annie: I am the youngest of three sisters. My oldest sister, "Betty," lies about everything, from her relationships to her education. When Betty was younger, my mother thought she'd outgrow this phase, but it hasn't happened. Betty is 48, and her stories have only become more detailed. Her specialty is claiming various college degrees.

In ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am a 75-year-old man living in a retirement community. A woman in her late 80s keeps bugging me with winking eyes, mouthing statements like "I love you," and persists in staring at me and blinking, presumably flirting. My dining chair faces hers, and this is what I see at every meal. I also run into her in the corridors and on our ...Read more

Dear Annie: A few months ago, we hired a lovely young woman to work in our office. "Jen" soon moved into a duplex in the neighborhood and says she loves the area. She has a boyfriend, works full time and goes to school online. She is busy and rarely gets enough sleep.

Jen lives close to the office, so she often goes home to nap at lunchtime. ...Read more

Dear Annie: My twin sister and I are 57. Every time she visits me, she takes things. Often, I don't realize the things are missing until I need to use them, or when I want to wrap them as gifts, which is what happened last Christmas.

When this has happened in the past, I've confronted my sister, but she denies taking anything. However, during ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have a family history of cardiovascular disease and lost my mom to a heart attack when she was only 32.

To be preventive about my own health, I had something called a vascular wellness screening: a check of my arteries for atherosclerosis, the plaque that builds up in our arteries as we age. The tests were easy, painless and held ...Read more

Dear Annie: I've lived my entire life feeling as though I was born the wrong gender. Transitioning is not an option. I was born female and look it. I would have a hard time passing as male. Also, I have heard nothing but horror stories regarding the surgery.

There appears to be resources galore for those changing from male to female, but ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am close to my parents, and my husband and I love to visit them when we're in town. We always stay in their home, not only because it is convenient for us, but because I know my mother would be upset if we didn't.

The problem is my sister and her children. While we are at my parents' house, she drops the kids off each morning, and...Read more

Dear Annie: Each February, Americans participate in the National Salute to Veteran Patients by visiting and volunteering at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, and by sending valentines and letters of thanks to those who have protected our nation. This year's National Salute is February 8-14, and we again encourage ...Read more

Dear Annie: My recently widowed 74-year-old mother is now dating. She met "Paul" less than a year ago and is already talking about marrying him. Paul has been married several times, hasn't held a steady job in more than 30 years and lives with his 97-year-old mother.

Mom is naive, lonely and desperate. She has already spent close to $10,000 on ...Read more

Dear Annie: Over the holidays, I stayed at my cousin's home. My cousin has two children, a daughter and a son. The son is 14 years old.

I noticed that the boy's grandmother slept with him in the same bed. I think she has a weird obsession with the boy. She is constantly touching him and rubbing his back. She always has to sit next to him. She ...Read more

Dear Annie: Last summer, my 19-year-old college student granddaughter asked to rent my basement bedroom, with its own bathroom and access to my laundry room. I agreed and asked for a minimum rent to cover utilities. She attends school on a scholarship and works two full-time jobs, and I postponed payment of rent until her next student loan came ...Read more