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ANNIE'S MAILBOX(R)
Dear Annie: My husband's sister refuses to cancel her plans even if her children are sick — which happens all the time. She will drop the kids off at my mother-in-law's and, as she's leaving, say, "Oh, by the way, 'Suzy' has a cold.…
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ANNIE'S MAILBOX(R)
Dear Annie: I was close to "Bob" in college. Four years ago, when he married "Sue," whom I vaguely knew, I was the only one of his friends to attend her bachelorette party. A few years after their wedding, I flew across the …Read more.
ANNIE'S MAILBOX(R)
Dear Annie: I am an addict in recovery. I moved out of state three years ago when I was seeking treatment and completed my program 15 months ago. I have successfully maintained employment for more than a year now.
My three children are still living …Read more.
ANNIE'S MAILBOX(R)
Dear Annie: Our next-door neighbors have a wood stove that is their primary heating system. My family is the victim of their invasive smoke. We have put plastic around our windows, but the smoke still enters our house through the vents, electrical …Read more.
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Annie's Mailbox®, June 16Dear Annie: I'm a 15-year-old girl whose mom is her worst enemy. Mom and I haven't really connected over the past few years. We drive each other crazy, and both of us say hurtful things like, "I don't care about you" or "You are ruining my life." Lately, things have gotten worse. She doesn't trust me at all. She reads my e-mail and text messages, and hovers when my boyfriend is around. I have an older brother who has a great relationship with Mom. I really want to get along with her again and be trusted. It's important that she be a part of my life. What can I do? — Concerned Daughter Dear Daughter: Relationships between teenage girls and their mothers can be complicated, and sometimes the reason is because you are too much alike, reacting in similar ways when upset or angry. Try to find a calm moment to talk to Mom. Tell her you love her. Say that she is important to you, and ask how you can make your relationship closer. She was once a teenage girl and may have a more comprehensive idea of the challenges facing you. But you can also remind her of how difficult it is to navigate through these years, and a closer, less discordant bond would help. You also can discuss this problem with your school counselor, close relative or a friend's mother. Dear Annie: My niece was married in a big wedding several years ago. They divorced after two years, and she was soon living with someone else. She's been with the current guy for three years, and he finally popped the question. Big deal. I thought surely there would be no showers for this second go-round, but a few days ago I received an invitation. I think this is in very poor taste. They both have excellent jobs and own a house. They have everything they need. Am I wrong to resent being invited to another shower? — Very Irritated Dear Irritated: It is not uncommon to have bridal showers for second-time brides, but those who were invited to a previous shower are not obligated to bring a second gift. Dear Annie: You missed the boat with "Sexless Lady," whose husband only has makeup sex. You didn't address the possibility that he's just given up. My wife could have written that letter. When we first met, she dressed sexy, and we made love everywhere — in a closet, in the car, at the lake. After we married and had kids, she changed. Fifteen years later, we have sex at 10 p.m. on Saturday night, under the covers with the lights off. She sleeps in a cotton nightgown that goes from neck to ankle. I haven't seen her cleavage in 13 years. My wife is attractive at 45, but to her, sex is a chore. I went to a marriage counselor, read books, bought marital aids, tried to romance her, but it didn't help. It's been three years since I initiated sex. I am staying for the kids and have let her believe my sex drive disappeared. One day, I will leave and find a woman who doesn't see fondling as perverted, who dresses with sex appeal and who might cook breakfast in the nude. Ladies, sex starts with the mind. If you aren't into it, he will find someone who is. — Just Waiting Dear Just: We'd be happy to start a National Married No Excuse Sex Day, but once a year doesn't seem sufficient. And it won't encourage your wife to dress in a more sexually provocative manner. Have you told her? If not, please do. Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, P.O. Box 118190, Chicago, IL 60611. To find out more about Annie's Mailbox, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.
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