ArcaMax

Dear Amy: I am a single mom. My main focus and passion has always been my children.

Yesterday was my birthday and I spent the evening with my oldest son, 31, and his girlfriend. They are fundamentally good kids and I enjoy being with them (for the most part).

However, I am always waiting for the other shoe to drop when it comes to my son.

He ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm a married woman in my 30s. My husband and I own a home, which I have decorated to our taste with the exception of my bathroom. My husband and I use separate bathrooms. Mine is the one on the main floor, which is also used by our guests.

A few months ago, I purchased a large piece of art to hang in my bathroom. Admittedly, it is a...Read more

Dear Annie: My grandfather passed away last month, and the wake was catered by a close friend of the family who owns a restaurant. He closed off a section of his dining hall for our family.

The meal included 15 children under the age of 10, and they were absolute monsters. My nephew threw his shoe across the room and then tripped a waitress. ...Read more

Adapted from a recent online discussion.

Dear Carolyn:

My boyfriend and I have been dating for about six months, and I'm really enjoying it. He is 30 and I'm 26.

I mentioned that I've been making my Thanksgiving plans, which involve traveling to visit my family -- as I have done every year since college -- and to my surprise he got a ...Read more

Dear Annie: Shortly after Christmas, my work friend, "Mike," and I were talking at lunch and discovered we have the same problem. Our wives both gave us silk pajamas. Worst yet, they expect us to wear them! We think it's a conspiracy, even though they have never met. Mike wears his boxer briefs to bed. I stopped wearing my underwear to bed ...Read more

Dear Amy: My much younger sister and her husband recently decided to purchase the home next door to my husband and me.

My husband was not happy about this. He thinks they are "cheap," and "moochers." (They do have that reputation in the family.)

He feels they should've asked us before making the offer on the house next to us.

My husband told ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend's best friend asked if we could drive an hour to visit them and their children on Saturday. I've met her twice, and we have chatted a bit online. I have met her fiance only once.

My boyfriend just told me she wants to take off with him to a bar for a birthday drink -- or two -- while I stay at home with her fiance. When ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband works at a private college. His male boss had an affair with one of the female directors under him. My husband and his assistant found out about it and, after much deliberation, brought it to the attention of the human resources department. The president of the college was informed, but he only put the two guilty parties...Read more

Adapted from a recent online discussion.

Hi, Carolyn:

My partner "Suzie" and I have been together for over two years, and we're mutually happy and relatively carefree. Lately, however, I've started to worry that Suzie is growing frustrated and apathetic. She has her bachelor's and is overqualified for her current position, but doesn't know ...Read more

Dear Annie: My girlfriend and I have been dating for a little over 10 months now, and she has been pushing for an engagement since month three. I've been telling her I'm not ready for marriage. We are in a toxic relationship but have been working on it and have been improving step by step. The main reason I have been hesitant about marriage is...Read more

Dear Amy: I am the mother of three adult children and grandmother to six.

We usually celebrate holidays, birthdays, etc. together.

On Christmas Eve, my son's 4-year-old was bitten by my daughter's dog, while my son-in-law had the dog on a leash. The child was upset, but his parents handled the situation calmly. He now has a scar...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am a happily married man. I'm also a part of my church's worship team and at the church three times a week. Two ladies are active in the church almost as much as I am. Every time I'm there it's a good bet I'll see at least one of them.

I'm ashamed to admit this, but I have lustful feelings for them. I would never act on my feelings...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm a 20-year-old woman in love with a 25-year-old divorced man who has a 4-year-old son, "Mikey."

Lately, Mikey's mother has been letting us have the child more often because she has to go out of state on business. The problem is, this boy is very stubborn. He's not a bad child. He just doesn't like to listen. And for the most ...Read more

Dear Annie: I recently just had a beautiful baby boy. He is the love of our lives. My husband and I want to document every smile and milestone. My husband wants to photograph me with our son. I have let him take a few pictures of me. The problem is that when I look at the pictures, I see how much weight I gained during my pregnancy and barely ...Read more

Dear Amy: My 24-year-old nephew, "Harley," is marrying his longtime girlfriend in September. I don't have children, but if I could pick one for me, it would be him.

I have been estranged from both of his parents for many years. His mother is my sister, and she's divorced from his father. I haven't talked to my sister in over five years. I did ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I live in a small town in the Northwest. After many years here, feeling that a warmer climate may be better for us, we decided to retire and move to a 55-plus community. We researched and visited several, and recently bought a home in one with about 5,000 residents and a lot of senior activities.

After closing, we stayed ...Read more

Dear Annie: My brother was divorced more than a year ago. Of course, it was extremely difficult for his family, but slowly, life is moving forward.

My mother is the one who is not getting over it. In the past year, she has grown into one of the most bitter people I know. She used to be fun, positive and easygoing. Now she detests her former ...Read more

Adapted from a recent online discussion.

Dear Carolyn:

My wife and I are coming up on a milestone anniversary. We have been talking about taking a big trip to observe this.

Recently, my wife was visiting her sisters and started talking about this trip. I'm not exactly sure what happened, or how it happened, but apparently, she said, "Do ...Read more

Dear Annie: I know this is a subject that has come up many times, but I would like my husband and his cronies to read it at their local breakfast group. We have been married for over 40 years, but this problem only started about a year ago. He loves to watch porn on TV. It may not seem like much of a problem, but it is; it is hurtful. When I ...Read more