I READ THE ARTICLE ABOUT THE LADY HOW SAID THAT SHE WAS GOING TO HOLLAND AND HIS FAMILY WAS ALWAYS WEARING NO CLOTH AT ANY TIME. WEL THAT IS NOT HOW DUTCH PEOPLE ARE, THIS MUCH BE A REAR FAMILY, I;M FROM HOLLAND AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYBODY DO THAT. IF SHE DOSE NOT LIKE IT, THAN DOINT GO. STAY HERE AND TELL HER MAN SHE WANTS NO PART OF THIS.

"Anxious husband" has a wife who appears to be manipulative in her passive/aggressive behavior of "freezing him out" when she doesn't like something he does or says. No one should have to be on 'pins and needles' trying not to upset their "other half" all the time. They need to get to the bottom of this or their 'sunset years' will be hell on earth.

I'm thinking maybe you two need to spend a little time apart. It sounds as though you spend every second together. you worked together for the last 15 years but I doubt you were side by side. Now you retired together and the constant togetherness is driving her crazy. Even people who love each other *madly* need breathing room. Her previous once a year freeze out is hardly a mood swing. Her moodiness now is as I pointed out in the beginning. As for the tourist shop. Maybe she was truly wanting to buy something and your *pointing out* that the items were of low quality was your way of telling her that you're to cheap and she doesn't need or deserve to spend money on herself. I would have taken that as criticism too.

Regarding DNS proof of paternity - We had a similar case in our family. But I said no to DNA tests. I said the boy may not be your real son but he is our son now. That was 40 years ago. He is still our son and we love him.
Shirley in Indiana

Dear Annie,

I read your advice about Cancer support groups and just had to write. I lost my beloved younger sister to cancer last year. She fought it and won the first 2 battles but lost the 3rd. During the entire 10 years she was phenominal. She started a support group because doctors were "fantastic medically" but useless about other things cancer-related. Where to buy (or donate) wigs, what to do when chemo makes you constipated, someone to commiserate with you, you name it, she'd help you.

When she knew she had only 3 or 4 days to go, the doctors kept trying to make her rest. They finally gave up and allowed her to have a "party" to say good bye to friends. 60 people flew in from 4 countries to attend with just 48 hours notice. Some of whom she had never met. She was exhausted, but said if the party made her live 2 weeks less, it was still worth it.

Baldy's Brother.

Reply to jealous in Ohio. I hope she uses precautions when and if she decides to be intimate with her boyfriend.

Dear Annie,
response to: Refuse to be an Enabler. I agree with you girl! Having a family member who abuses substances and denies it is "classic". You are not alone out there. get counseling for yourself on how to deal with your sister and your enabling parents. Watch A&E's show; the Intervention. It's an eye-opener! good luck.

Dear Annie,
Your response to Deborah would have been more effective, had you not admitted you laughed. What is funny about a six year old child pooping in front of company? Not only is it very inappropriate, it is disgusting! If I were at a friend's home and this happened, I would be very concerned about my friend's parental skills. Deborah should not return to her friend's home until the public pooping stops!

This is a comment re: column in the Wed. 4/14/10 issue of the Dear Annies section from "Devastated and Frustrated". I am a Grandmother myself of only one and I could not imagine never seeing my grandson or never having him over to my home. That is such a crying shame that the parents of this child would deprive him of your company and love because of their own childesh manners. You need to know that granparents "DO HAVE RIGHTS". Its just like visitation rights for parents that are seperated. Yes, you would have to go through the court system, however they will grant you visitation rights just as they would for the parents in case of the same situation. You go girl and get those rights enforced. Your grandchild and you will be glad that you did. Good Luck.

Your answer to "Confused" regarding her family making decisions while she was "on life support" really was a missed opportunity to educate her and the public. "Confused" needs to fill out a living will and a Medical power of Attorney. She must make her wishes known, in writing. She also, should reinforce her wishes verbally, to her husband , family and doctor. As a hospice nurse, I have seen the devastating results of patients who have not expressed their wishes when it comes to health care. There are no such things as "Death Panels' but making your end-of life wishes known; can save you and your family a lot of suffering. Families break up over such issues as, when to remove life support. Should the patient have tube feedings or Intravenous solutions? Does the patient want to have hospice care?
These are just some of the concerns " Confused" and everyone else, should address, before they cannot speak, for themselves. Anyone over 1eighteen should make out a living will and then talk to your loved ones.
Prevent issues like Terri Schiavo from happening by making these very important decisions now. Do not allow your family to fight over something as important, as end of life care.
My family knows exactly my desires, down to what medications I want to keep me comfortable. No one needs to suffer; not the patient, the family or or loved ones. Speak up!
Living wills are so easy to obtain. You do not need a lawyer, although I had an attorney to make sure all the Is were dotted and the Ts were crossed.

Dear Annie: (P's and Q's) We don't want to flog the horse to death, but when I was in Jr. Hi school I took a course in printing. This entailed hand setting of lead type.We were taught to watch our P's and Q's as (p and q) upside down were undetectable. Also, I have never heard about customers keeping their own drinks in an Irish establishment. In Ireland however when law required no more ordering drinks after closing time even though you could still finish what was left in your glass after hours, the owner would five minutes before the closing call out "mind your P's and Q's" Pints and Quarts or ORDER NOW. A Mc in the last name.