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Asking Eric: New friend seems uncomfortable about introducing his partner

Life Advice / Asking Eric /

Dear Eric: I'm a happily married woman who talks to a gay guy that frequently walks in my neighborhood. We have so much in common. I recently gave him some plants from my garden, and we've texted a bit. Simply put, I enjoy his company. He seems receptive to starting a friendship with me. He said I could stop by his house sometime to chat. I ...Read more

Realities Of Move Catching Up To Family

Life Advice / Sense & Sensitivity /

DEAR HARRIETTE: A couple of months ago, I moved from Spain to the United States with my husband and our daughter. We settled in Los Angeles after we had done what we thought was careful planning. We saved up what felt like a substantial amount of money and assumed it would give us a good cushion while we adjusted and got settled. Reality has hit...Read more

Impractical Invitations Make Friend Uncomfortable

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I'm an adult with physical and emotional disabilities, and I live with my caregiver. I have an older friend who is a very sweet person with good intentions, but I feel like she doesn't really understand my needs.

Among other things, I have a catheter and use a wheelchair. She often says she wants to "take me out on the town" ...Read more

Is It Love Again or Just Grief?

Life Advice / Dear Annie /

Dear Annie: I might be in love with my sister-in-law. Or to put it more accurately, I think I might be in love with my deceased wife's sister. I'm not sure if we're still truly in-laws anymore.

My wife died in a car accident three years ago. Our son was only 11 months old, so he won't remember his mother. My in-laws (both of her parents) and ...Read more

Husband Dismisses Calls To Help Out More At Home

Life Advice / Dear Abby /

DEAR ABBY: I was once a stay-at-home wife. I did all the cooking, housekeeping, etc. Due to a downturn in the industry where my husband was a highly paid executive, he returned to a health-care career using his bachelor's degree. I returned to work in a well-paying but demanding job.

So now I cook, we eat. He sits down to watch TV, and I clean ...Read more

Asking Eric: Coworker’s body hair causes workplace distraction

Life Advice / Asking Eric /

Dear Eric: My coworker has been wearing sleeveless summer tops and dresses recently. She looks so cute in all of her outfits. Although her daily wear slams, it is her hairy armpits that causes everyone in the workplace to cringe. The armpit hair is not straight. It is short and kinky which is a turn off to me.

Her job description calls for her ...Read more

Girlfriend Refuses To Let Ex Stay In Shared Apartment

Life Advice / Sense & Sensitivity /

DEAR HARRIETTE: My girlfriend and I decided to break up. It was mutual. We both had our own grievances, and, in my opinion, we'd hit our peak. I don't think staying together any longer would've made a great difference for either of us. Things got complicated because we lived together in a two-bedroom apartment. To be amicable, I offered to take ...Read more

You Know Who Doesn't Judge By Appearances? Clowns

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I've noticed that some mature women do not change how they apply makeup as they get older, which makes their maturing features begin to look, well, clownlike.

For instance, their lipstick may be too dark for their skin tone and may be applied beyond the natural vermilion line in an effort to give the lips a fuller appearance,...Read more

When a Good Relationship Still Doesn't Feel Right

Life Advice / Dear Annie /

Dear Annie: I'm 28 and have been dating my boyfriend, "Marcus," for a little over a year. He's kind, funny, responsible -- and everyone in my life seems to adore him. The problem is, I don't think I'm in love with him.

I've been trying to figure out if it's just a rough patch or if I'm forcing something that's not there. There's no big issue;...Read more

Divorcee Has No Desire To Walk Down The Aisle Again

Life Advice / Dear Abby /

DEAR ABBY: I am twice divorced and recently celebrated my 61st birthday. I look pretty fantastic, and I'm in great health. My husbands were really great guys, and I have maintained positive relationships with both. My first marriage lasted 20 years; the second lasted 10. I have been flying solo for the last five years. I love my life and ...Read more

Ask Anna: How to support your nonbinary partner while processing your own feelings

Life Advice / Dating Advice /

Dear Anna,

I've been with my partner for two-and-a-half years, and six months ago they came out to me as nonbinary. I want to be clear that I love them deeply and I'm so proud of them for sharing this with me — I know it took courage. They've asked me to use they/them pronouns, which I'm working on (though I still slip up sometimes), and they...Read more

Asking Eric: Affair ruined a friend group, now cheater wants back in

Life Advice / Asking Eric /

Dear Eric: My hubby and I are in our late 60s. Starting in our 30s, we had a large group of friends, with whom we spent many fun weekends together. It was so much fun, and we all treasure those days. All wonderful people, or so we thought.

A few years ago, it came out that one of our dearest friends had an affair with another dear friend’s ...Read more

The Meaning Behind Juneteenth

Life Advice / Sense & Sensitivity /

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a friend who has invited me to attend a Juneteenth event at our local museum. We often do cultural things together, so I'm down for going, but I feel uncomfortable because I have no idea what Juneteenth actually is. My hometown didn't celebrate this when I was growing up. Can you fill me in? -- Understanding History

DEAR ...Read more

Child's Party Must Include Neighbor

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My daughter is turning 9 soon, and we will be having a small party with four of her closest friends. We are hosting the party at the clubhouse facility in our condo complex.

There is a fifth girl we know, "Kiara," who also lives in the complex, with whom my daughter sometimes plays. I consider her mom somewhat of a friend, ...Read more

New Roles, New Rifts

Life Advice / Dear Annie /

Dear Annie: I have a co-worker, "Jenna," who I also considered a close friend -- until recently. We've worked together for five years, and we used to grab lunch, text outside of work, even double date with our spouses. A few months ago, she got promoted to a management role in our department. I was happy for her -- truly. But since then, ...Read more

Husband Quick To Pass Judgment On Others' Behavior

Life Advice / Dear Abby /

DEAR ABBY: In the four years my husband and I have been married, his distaste for the LGBTQ community has grown into a passion. He calls it immoral and unnatural. I've never tried to change his opinion, but because I don't enthusiastically agree with him, he is convinced I'm going to hell. He uses nearly every conversation as an opportunity to ...Read more

Single File: Create Love

Life Advice / Single File /

Admit it. You and I sigh for it. At times, we yearn for it. We dream of finding it embodied in one special person, discovering the real thing we crave. Everyone's always looking for it. We mask our yearning in a zillion different ways, but it comes down to hunger for the real thing.

But we can help make it appear in our lives. The very thought ...Read more

Brandon Bell/Getty Images North America/TNS

Ask Dating Coach Erika: Should I cancel my trip for my new boyfriend?

Life Advice / Dating Advice /

A woman recently messaged me with a dilemma. She had planned a trip to the Grand Canyon months ago with a platonic male friend. Since then, she started dating someone new, and after one month of exclusivity with her new boyfriend, she told him about the trip. The boyfriend’s reaction? Not good.

Her question to me: “Do I cancel the trip out ...Read more

Asking Eric: Care or burial plots falls to one family member

Life Advice / Asking Eric /

Dear Eric: As kids we went to the cemeteries with our parents and grandparents every year before Memorial Day. There are three cemeteries with family members, and I remember all of us working on each plot every year – planting flowers, digging, weeding then going out for lunch. All this takes preparation then daily/weekly care.

Now our ...Read more

Friend Upset About Uninvited Mom

Life Advice / Sense & Sensitivity /

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend is celebrating her son's first birthday soon! We are all excited to be there for him, but it seems like my friend left a few people off of her guest list -- my mom being one of those people. We have been best friends since we were 13. Our parents are close, and my mom is always there to support her for special occasions...Read more