ArcaMax

Dear Annie: I'm a 23-year-old woman living with my parents because the cost of housing is so high. This is creating problems, especially in my relationship with my father. He has been disrespectful to me for a long time, at least since I was 18. He makes disparaging comments about my weight, my friends and my life choices.

This in turn has ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have recently been diagnosed with a chronic illness. I am only 40, and I always took for granted that I had plenty of life left to live. I'm happily married, but I worry because my husband, "Al," has become my caretaker. I feel terrible about it.

My condition is very limiting. I'm in pain all the time and may have to stop working ...Read more

The threatening cold front was coming two days later, but that Saturday morning, it was absolutely beautiful. We decided to walk to the nearby hospital to get a flu shot.

There's an initiative every year that my family and I enjoy, and it has almost now become a tradition. Local hospitals team up to offer free flu vaccines in October, a program...Read more

Dear Annie: I wonder if you and your readers can give me some advice. I was ill recently and received a lovely floral gift from a business associate. One type of flower included was on its last legs, while the rest were fresh. The florist also stuffed fern into the water, which created a pretty look but made the water murky and the display ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I've been married to my husband for almost 43 years. We haven't had sex in more than 10 years. He is a nasty drunk, which has grown worse. He is emotionally abusive and calls me lazy and fat.

He hurt his right shoulder three years ago and refused to seek medical attention for it. Two years ago, he had all his teeth extracted. Since ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My ex recently contacted me and asked me out. We broke up last year because I didn't like him smoking and drinking. Since then, I've been focusing on myself and finding out what makes me happy. I've been enjoying the process of self-discovery. In our conversation, he told me that he has stopped smoking and drinking and has turned...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I'm flying to corporate headquarters for a daylong meeting with stakeholders next week. I just received the itinerary, and lunch, happy hour and dinner will be provided for us.

For health reasons, I typically eat five small meals per day. Would it be uncouth to bring a banana or string cheese to snack on between the provided ...Read more

Dear Annie: About eight months ago, I met "Len" through a dating app. I'm 71, and he's 81. We clicked right away and started a beautiful relationship. He calls me twice a day and comes to visit me once a week. We go out for dinner and take some road trips once in a while. He never invites me to the house where he lives; he told me that it ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I've been with my husband, "Harry," for 10 years, married for four, and already I'd like a divorce. We have two small children. I'm a stay-at-home mom while he works and pays the bills.

The problem is, he feels that because he works, he doesn't have to do anything else. He doesn't help around the house, help with the kids, spend time...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: Growing up, I was raised by my mother in a single-parent household after my father passed away when I was a baby. Now that I am older, I have a desire to find my father's side of the family. I am concerned that this may cause some issues or bring up past hurt for my mother. My mother never spoke much about my father's side of the...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband is a first responder (one not bound by privacy laws) and usually lets me know when neighbors or acquaintances die. Sometimes I know before the rest of their family.

When is the appropriate time to express my condolences: as soon as I find out? Or should I wait until the obituary comes out?

The older I get, the ...Read more

Dear Annie: I love my job. I love the people with whom I work; yet recently, a member of my office decided on their own that they wanted to purchase an office support pet, despite not needing any additional support in an already sound and safe office environment.

This individual, with their own money, went out and bought a hamster. This ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm 24 and not where I want to be in life. I have goals and dreams I would like to accomplish. However, my family is super family-oriented. I work for my dad in a family business. He always talks business with me.

I do not want to go into the family business. I have my reasons, one being his side of the family works there and we don'...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm facing a significant and unexpected challenge in my marriage, and I could use some guidance. My husband and I have been happily married for over a year, and I believed our connection was strong. Recently, I decided to surprise him by securing a job on the East Coast, where he's located, as I missed being near him. However, ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have noticed a peculiar new phenomenon: people's refusal to knock on the front door. When a tradesperson, or even a friend, arrives at my house, they will just text "I'm here" from their vehicle.

What is the proper response to this? I generally feel obliged to get up and come out to their car, which I do not appreciate.

...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm a 20-year-old girl, and my boyfriend is 24, soon to be 25. We've been dating for about three months, and he's the best boyfriend I've ever had. This is only my second relationship and his fifth. Unfortunately, two of those exes weren't very nice; one cheated on him, and the other left him for another boy.

The other day was my ...Read more