ArcaMax

Dear Annie: My son recently married a young woman from an affluent family. When he was first engaged, we began to see less of him. We invited him and his fiancee to dinners, vacations, etc., but were usually turned down. They do, however, spend a great deal of time with her family, so we have just backed off.

My husband and I contributed ...Read more

Dear Annie: Last year, my husband and I attended my cousin's annual summer barbeque. After we arrived, I looked for a place to tie up our dog in the backyard and noticed a few dead rats. They appeared to have been there for some time. I made mention of this to my cousin's husband, but he made no attempt to remove them even though they were ...Read more

Dear Annie: On a recent trip to visit my daughter, I found out that my 12-year-old grandson has taken up Irish step dancing. What bothers me is that he dances in the girls division.

My daughter told me it began when a girls troupe needed one more dancer and he agreed to join them. He had to wear a girl's costume, and the judges allowed it. ...Read more

Dear Annie: My cousin's daughter, "Julie," moved her family of four in with my aunt (her grandmother) after my aunt's husband died. It was done on the pretense of helping Grandma maintain her home and large yard.

In fact, the opposite has happened. They've created more work for her by making a mess, not doing their laundry and not picking up ...Read more

Dear Annie: Years ago, Ann Landers printed a hilarious piece called "How To Give Your Cat a Pill." I have two cats and can truly identify with the sentiment. Can you find the piece and put it in your column? -- Condo Owner

Dear Condo Owner: With pleasure. The piece originally appeared in the Laguna Beach, Calif., Coastline NEWS and appeared ...Read more

Dear Annie: My granddaughter, "Mary," is employed full time, has two daughters, ages 10 and 5, and is pregnant with her third child, even though a divorce has been in the works for at least a year.

The problem is that Mary expects her mother, my daughter, "Cindy," to provide daycare, often for 12 hours a day. Cindy is in her 60s and finds ...Read more

Dear Annie: My dad's cousin, "John," is an internist from another state. During my younger sister's wedding weekend, Dr. John stayed with us. Two days before the wedding, my sister was stressed and couldn't sleep. John offered her Ambien. The pill was blue and in a blister pack. He gave her two, even though the label states you shouldn't take ...Read more

Dear Annie: I make my living by helping people with computer issues, setting up, getting rid of malware, etc. I love helping clients and truly enjoy my profession. I do an excellent job for my customers and am completely devoted to customer satisfaction.

My problem lies with friends, neighbors, etc., who take advantage of my knowledge and ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am a 34-year-old wife and mother of four. My husband is 44 and drinks on a daily basis. I don't mind a few cans of beer when he gets home. However, he drinks at least a six-pack, usually more, every day after work. I'm tired of arguing with him about his drinking. He always responds, "At least I drink at home and not at the bar."...Read more

Dear Annie: My mother chooses to hide the fact that her boyfriend is a pedophile. He abused me 15 years ago, when I was a teenager, and it still haunts me.

Mom broke up with him for a short period of time, but they got back together, and the abuse started again. She didn't want to press charges because it would mess up his retirement. She is ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I have been married for three years. It's a second marriage for both of us. We are in our 50s.

Here's my problem: My husband still keeps in close contact with his ex-wife. I understand that a certain amount of communication is necessary because they have grown children together. But I recently found out that he sent...Read more

Dear Annie: I have been in a relationship for a year, and my boyfriend has already cheated on me twice. In fact, he continues to talk and text with one of these ladies, and she recently posted a picture of them hugging closely.

My boyfriend says they are just friends, and he doesn't see how it affects me. I happen to know he slept with her in...Read more

Dear Annie: I am involved with a wonderful man who has three grown children. The youngest, age 25, is still in college. He seems to have made college his career. Dad has put himself into debt putting his children through school.

This young man was failing his classes, so he decided to take a break and moved back into his father's home six ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am a 35-year-old man. Years ago, my mother developed a bad habit. Whenever I was in the passenger side of the car, if she stopped short, she would put her arm against my chest to prevent me from going through the windshield. This infuriated me. I'm already wearing a seatbelt, and there is no way a woman her size could protect me....Read more

Dear Annie: Atrial fibrillation is a serious health issue that can lead to stroke. I didn't even really know about it until my wife and I attended a preventive health screening at a local church where they checked for atrial fibrillation and other stroke risk factors. It turns out that atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat that you may...Read more

Dear Annie: I am a college student who is about two years from graduating. I have been living with my parents while I am in school, because it's cheaper than living on campus.

A few years ago, I decided, for several reasons, to move from Ohio to Florida when I graduate. Although my parents have told me my entire life to do what I want to do, ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband has a wonderful mother, and I am happy that such a terrific woman raised him. The problem is, she wants me to call her "Mom." I love her dearly, but I am not comfortable with this. She introduces me as her daughter and signs all of her emails and texts, "Love, Mom." Any advice on how to handle this situation? -- ...Read more

Dear Annie: Last year, my best friend of 20 years married someone who comes from a very wealthy background. The wedding was beautiful. I spent hundreds of dollars on travel to get an expensive bridesmaid dress, attend the bachelorette party and go to the wedding. I tolerated the typical "let's talk my wedding to death," while my relationship ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I have been married for 11 years. My first husband died, and my grown children love "Davis" as a father.

Davis is a wonderful man who took care of his kids when they were little, while his wife moved them around the country to follow a married man with whom she was having an affair. A bitter divorce followed, after ...Read more

Dear Annie: My grandchildren are 6 and 3. My brother has a step-grandson, also age 6, from his wife's daughter.

Two years ago, at my eldest grandchild's birthday party, my brother and his wife brought this step-grandson along. He was not invited because he is an unruly child. He has a mild form of autism. Then his grandmother became upset ...Read more