Dear Doug from Creators Syndicate

My Grandmother, My Hero! for 02/13/2012

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0800

Q: My grandmother, who is a widow and now is 87, is my hero. During my lifetime, I have learned she is the happiest individual I know. She loves everyone she knows, is a happy camper, has a positive attitude, is receptive to change and manages her money. How she does it all l do not know, but I would like to write her life story. How could I do that?

A: As all writers understand, you mus ...

Updated: Mon Feb 13, 2012

Your Mother-in-Law for 02/06/2012

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0800

Q: I am married to a man whose mother is into everything we do. She invites herself to spend the night, has our house key and interferes in things with our kids. My husband's reaction to my complaints is that he listens to her because she has been through a "tough life." He says he will talk to her about how I feel but never does. I am on the brink of leaving. What should I do? Help!< ...

Updated: Mon Feb 06, 2012

Sharing Valentine's Day With Others for 01/30/2012

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800

Q: My wife and I have been talking about celebrating the upcoming Valentine's Day. During our 30 years of marriage, we have usually enjoyed moonlight dinners, going to a concert or taking a short vacation. However, this year, we would like to do something extra and share our blessings with others. What would you suggest?

A: There are a great number of lonely individuals who have lost the ...

Updated: Mon Jan 30, 2012

Kid Needs Money for 01/23/2012

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800

Q: We have two grown sons. One, who has two young children, wants us to lend him $25,000 to move to a larger home. We are financially able to make the loan, but a major underlying concern is that he and his wife separated for over two months last year. Do you think it is a wise to make the loan?

A: Ask questions. Do they really need to move up? Do they need better schools? Does the famil ...

Updated: Mon Jan 23, 2012

Discouraging Thieves for 01/16/2012

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800

Q: The number of burglaries in our neighborhood is increasing, and we are becoming concerned. Our sight, hearing and mobility capabilities are diminishing. Recently, a home evasion occurred a couple of blocks away. How can we better protect ourselves?

A: Knowing seniors are vulnerable, thieves target homes with unlocked doors and open windows. Never open the door to strangers or let them ...

Updated: Mon Jan 16, 2012

Educating Grandkids for 01/09/2012

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800

Q: Our twin grandchildren are home for the holidays, and we have heard more about their goals and hopes for their futures. Wisely, they have asked and are continuing to do so for counseling and advice from their professors. They are focusing on jobs after graduation.

They are asking questions like: Who will offer the best paying jobs? But they are being told that they have a new competit ...

Updated: Mon Jan 09, 2012

Grandchildren Have Out of Control Debt for 01/02/2012

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800

Q: After three years of marriage, our granddaughter and son-in-law find themselves deeply in debt and are now asking us for a loan for next month's apartment rent. Both work and, combined, should be earning enough to pay their expenses. We have not responded. Now along with their plea for financial help and still no response from us, they are also asking for advice on budgeting, of course while wa ...

Updated: Mon Jan 02, 2012

Balancing Apathy and Action for 12/26/2011

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0800

Q: Since my husband and I retired, we have slid into an unhealthy routine. We enjoy eating too much, consider our exercise to be punching the TV remote, sleeping, napping and imbibing with a little more alcohol. After two years of this, we now realize we are digging ourselves into a hole that can only get worse. How can we throw ourselves out of balance and look forward to something, rather tha ...

Updated: Mon Dec 26, 2011

Winning Resolutions for 12/19/2011

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0800

Q: Every January, I resolve to make my life better by making a list of five lifestyle changes that would most benefit me. However, within about six weeks I give up. Several of my friends usually succeed in achieving their resolutions. How can I learn to do that?

A: I believe the reason many fail to overcome their resolutions is that they list too many items, which automatically sets them ...

Updated: Mon Dec 19, 2011

Being Grateful for What We Have for 12/12/2011

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0800

Q: This year, we are frustrated and don't know if we can afford buying gifts for everyone on our holiday list. We simply do not have the money to buy gifts. We do not want to throw a wet blanket on our families' happiness, and we fear telling them we cannot buy presents this year. How can we best share our love and gratefulness for them?

A: In today's economy, you do need not feel embar ...

Updated: Mon Dec 12, 2011

Accent the Positive! for 12/05/2011

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0800

Q: We enjoy socializing with another couple in our retirement community because they are so much fun, and they are always positive. They are "happiness oriented" and have that rare ability to spin their negative thoughts toward positive ones. Our problem is that we often find ourselves focusing on our negatives. We would like to learn how to be positive-oriented. Can you help us?

...

Updated: Mon Dec 05, 2011

How Can We Stay Close to Our Family? for 11/28/2011

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0800

Q: We have moved to a retirement home about 33 miles from our immediate family, and we are now beginning to feel lonelier. We call our family weekly and play catch up. However, because we miss them so much, we want to know how can we keep in closer touch with them?

A: If you are only using your phone for contact, consider buying a computer to gain email capability. It would prove to be ...

Updated: Mon Nov 28, 2011

Why Exercise? for 11/21/2011

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0800

Q: Both Mom and Dad are in their 70s and have been regular exercisers since they married. Now they have retired and have decided they are too old to continue that routine, even though their doctor has been encouraging them to do so. My brother and I are also trying to influence them. We question if we are getting a straight answer from them, but from all indications we are. How can we change th ...

Updated: Mon Nov 21, 2011

Family Holiday Happiness for 11/14/2011

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0800

Q: We are retired. And with the holidays rapidly approaching, we need to cut back on our gift giving. We have three adult children and five grandchildren under sixteen. However, we want to continue giving something to each one. Love, being together, hugs and a happy attitude are the only gifts we want for ourselves. This year, how can we make this happen?

A: Open up your gift giving ide ...

Updated: Mon Nov 14, 2011

Children's Maturing for 11/07/2011

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0800

Q: We have a lovely 19-year-old granddaughter who is in her second year of college. She made straight A's in high school, was happy and popular.

Now she is struggling to make C's, has gained a lot of weight and wants to quit college. Neither her parents nor we can we understand her problem. How can we help her refocus her talents?

A: Some psychologists believe individuals do not ...

Updated: Mon Nov 07, 2011

Stretching Is a Winning Exercise! for 10/31/2011

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Q: As new retirees, my wife and I have begun to experience those creeping-up-on-us pains, particularly in our upper body. Our doctor has recommended we could lessen our pain if we began stretching exercises. How should we go about that?

A: To begin, find an exercising partner. This someone could be your wife or your friend.

Always start with a warm up, such as walking. Stretching ...

Updated: Mon Oct 31, 2011

Successful Aging for 10/24/2011

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Q: I am in my late sixties, was happily married for 38 years, was widowed and have been in a five-year, loving relationship with a new partner and lover. We live separately, are not married, are in daily contact, travel together and maintain our own homes and finances. Our families approve of our relationship. Other individuals upon learning about our life style are turned off about it and show ...

Updated: Mon Oct 24, 2011

Why Write Your Autobiography? for 10/17/2011

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Q: As a widow, with many memories, I have been thinking seriously about writing the story of my life. I was adopted, had two failed marriages and have experienced and am still grieving over the accidental death of one of our sons. I have not discussed many of the details with my family. Although I finished high school, I do not feel qualified to write my story. Should I even bother to do so, ho ...

Updated: Mon Oct 17, 2011

Update Your Bucket List for 10/10/2011

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Q: With the holidays approaching, I realize how quickly life is creeping up on me. I focus more on my regrets. I have made a number of mistakes in my life that have left me with things that I had hoped to do. If this is so, what can I do about it now?

A: It depends on your attitude and how serious you are about resolving your guilty feelings. Have you taken an honest look at your accompl ...

Updated: Mon Oct 10, 2011

Choosing A Caretaker for 10/03/2011

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Q: Recently, my brothers and I met and decided it is no longer possible for our widowed father to live alone. Now we are searching for a part-time caretaker and have found it frustrating and difficult. My brothers and I can help and share time with him on weekends. What should be on our checklist?

A: Your best source for a caretaker is referrals. Experience counts. To find referrals che ...

Updated: Mon Oct 03, 2011