ArcaMax

Dear Annie: My children and I live about 350 miles away from my parents. Since moving away 13 years ago, my father has traveled out every month and stayed at our house for about a week each time. These visits are welcomed by my children, who really enjoy his company. I understand that this time is important for them, but these visits are ...Read more

Dear Annie: The artificial flowers on my grandparents' graves have gone missing three out of the past four times my mother and I have put them out. We put new flowers on the graves several times a year -- seasonal flowers in the spring, summer and fall, Christmas flowers, etc. It is disheartening to drive to the cemetery a few weeks later and ...Read more

Dear Annie: My girlfriend (of a year) and I are both in our mid-20s and are both smokers. In fact, that's how we met -- on the smoking patio of a bar, both out there alone because none of the friends we were there with smoked. We've both always talked tentatively about quitting, but in a vague way. So I was surprised when last week my ...Read more

Dear Annie: Seventy-one years ago, my father decided to honor his kid brother and heritage by naming me Iaina, the female derivative of Iain (also spelled Ian), and I have had to correct others' spelling and pronunciation of it ever since. I have not learned how to live with it, and no matter how long I live, I never will. I chose a nickname ...Read more

Dear Annie: My girlfriend has a brother, "Joel," who is 23 years old and has Asperger's syndrome. Now, don't get me wrong; I have nothing against people with Asperger's. But this guy is too much. He always has to have the last word, argues constantly and thinks he knows everything. Their mother insists that my girlfriend let him tag along ...Read more

Dear Annie: How does one know whether she wants children? For my whole life, I haven't been sure, but I figured I'd know eventually. Now I'm in my late 20s and not any closer to making up my mind.

I'm afraid I'd regret it if I didn't have kids, but I've never particularly wanted them, either. Don't get me wrong; I am sure that if I did have ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am not a fan at all of potlucks at work. First of all, I think it is rude to ask employees who have worked all day to bring food into work the next day. Secondly, I am concerned about the food that some people bring to work. Is it old? Has it been prepared in a hygienic environment? I feel that companies should have food ...Read more

Dear Annie: Not long ago, I got out of a relationship with an ex who was sometimes physically abusive to me. It was a nasty relationship with an even nastier breakup. And though I can now look back at it as a blessing in disguise, I can't deny the fact that it broke my heart and soul into a million pieces and has left a lot of emotional scar ...Read more

Dear Annie: I've been dating "Grant" for a few months, though we have known each other for 20-plus years. He has two kids, ages 25 and 21, and I feel that they run all over him. Their mother died about five years ago. She and Grant had been divorced for a few years before that. His youngest son, "John," lives with him, and Grant got the boy a ...Read more

Dear Annie: You get lots of questions about weddings after the fact. Here's one that's before the problem happens so you can advise us. We're getting married in June. We sent out about 100 invitations, each with a note requesting a reply by June 1. So far, we've gotten only a handful of responses. As I'm writing to you, there's still plenty of...Read more

Dear Annie: I am feeling so desperate, angry and frustrated. I deal with depression, and my brother is certainly not helping matters. I am 65. I cannot do a lot of lifting because of back problems, so I wait for my grandkids to come and help me when they can, which is not so often as I'd like.

My brother thinks I am a hoarder. He tells me ...Read more

Dear Annie: This concerns unwanted reactions by others to my husband's and my medical problems. My husband has balance and coordination problems, for which we have been seeking answers for years. He sometimes stumbles or falls. I have experienced a degeneration in tendons of both hands and have been through surgery seven times. I'm wearing a ...Read more

Dear Annie: About a month ago, a truck with an attached trailer lost control while on the highway and smashed into my sedan. Luckily, everyone was OK. However, my car is currently in the shop for major repairs. I'm working through some fear of driving, and I didn't want to pay the insurance on a car I might not use, so I decided to forgo ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am in a predicament. My best friend is also my neighbor, and I don't know how to tell him I would prefer a call or text before he shows up in our house. It's a daily occurrence. Sometimes I don't even get into my house after work before he is here to hang out, chat, find out what we are having for dinner and just be here with us....Read more

Dear Annie: My good friend has a habit that makes it difficult for her fellow diners when she is out to eat. She frequently blows her nose at the table and places her dirty tissues in a pile on the table. If cloth napkins are being used, she has no problem blowing her nose in it. She has chronic bronchitis, so it is an ongoing problem.

She ...Read more

Dear Annie: Wedding season is upon us. I have been married for over 30 years, and I would like to share some wisdom and hard truths with any prospective brides or grooms.

The man or woman you are marrying will not change. Many things are hard-wired by the time we are in our late teens. To avoid a lifetime of regret and disappointment, please ...Read more

Dear Annie: I wrote this list after saying goodbye to my beloved dog, Capra, and thought you might share it with readers.

10 Things My Dog Taught Me

10) There is great beauty in the quiet stillness. Let it envelop you.

9) Sniff it. Touch it. Feel it. Taste it. Hear it. Engage all your senses in the world around you.

8) Plunge in. You can ...Read more

Dear Annie: A few years ago, one of my sons needed funds for support during some difficult times. I explained that I would help but that I needed the funds to be returned. His spouse was checking other avenues to gather it.

It has now been over three years since the loan was given. In that time, they have purchased a second vehicle and even ...Read more

Dear Annie. My octogenarian parents recently visited my family for two weeks. They stayed in our house for the duration of their stay. My three sons are all preteens and were very excited to spend time with their grandparents. My husband and I are always a bit more anxious to have them stay. My parents were present and financially supportive ...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm a recent college graduate, and I just moved into my first real apartment (as in, not campus housing). I found my current roommate, "Stella," through a friend of a friend. She is very outgoing and laid-back. My problem is that I think she assumes everyone is as laid-back as she is. This mainly comes up regarding our food. Stella...Read more