ArcaMax

Dear Annie: I have a friend, "Rosie," who kicked me out to the curb (metaphorically speaking) when her sister moved into her mobile home park.

Prior to her sister's moving into the neighborhood, Rosie and I saw a lot of each other. I was always sewing for Rosie, her husband and her mother-in-law at little or no cost. I sent food to her after ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My friend of many years, whom I consider to truly be part of the family, has made food the only thing that makes her happy. Besides my husband, she's all I have left. She went to a doctor a couple years ago who told her she must lose weight, but she ended up gaining more.

I've tried talking to her, but she says I am preaching to the ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My 14-year-old brother wants to live with me instead of our parents, and I'm seriously considering it. My brother and I are 20 years apart in age, and I have been out of the house for years now and have been able to secure a good life for myself. I have a good job, a husband and a cute Pomeranian puppy, so I have the means to be ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was in a store where an acquaintance of mine was making a scene, demanding a product that the store does not supply. She stormed out after a barrage of loud, foul language. As she left, she must have noticed me, but I was looking purposefully away.

This type of circumstance, while not the norm, certainly does arise. Is it ...Read more

Dear Annie: My granddaughter, "Melanie," thinks that she has a half-sister 24 years younger.

Melanie believes that her father, long divorced from her mother, was asked by his former unattached girlfriend with whom he remained friendly, to "help" her have a child before it becomes biologically too late.

Now, my granddaughter has become very ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am 70 and consider my mental faculties to be normal. One aging issue my wife and I have noticed is that I tend to repeat stories to our children, grandchildren and friends. Our children can be less than forgiving toward this old boomer as they deliver a comment like, "Yeah, we've already heard about that," sometimes in a rude or ...Read more

Sexual expression is part of mental and physical well-being. On that we probably agree. And being unmarried, you know how difficult it is to find a caring and committed partner. It's well worth waiting for, because when soul mates join spirit and flesh, their union can approach spiritual communion. Once that's experienced, anything less is out ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: For the first time in a long time, I am in a steady romantic relationship. I haven't done much dating since my last relationship four years ago. I've been dating this current guy for three months. At first, I was a bit skeptical, but I have since warmed up to him, so much so that my friends have noticed an undeniable difference ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I know the etiquette of the host paying for the event, not the guest. Which is great. However, in my wide circle of friends, we do things differently. We often eat potluck, though when one of us does provide the meal, we provide all of it at our own cost. Guest will usually bring wine to share, or maybe a homemade dessert if ...Read more

Dear Annie: I recently turned 27 and feel as if life is just passing me by. I try so many different things to find career opportunities and to meet other people but nothing leads to anything, and I am always stuck back at square one.

It seems like nobody ever gives me a chance (social and economic). Is there a way to move on in life without ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: A few years ago, I started receiving mysterious phone calls from a man claiming to have in his possession videos of me performing sexual acts. I do not know where he would have gotten something like that. I changed my phone number, but somehow he got my new number and started harassing me again.

After a while, the phone calls stopped...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I just threw a birthday party for my daughter. She's turning 11, and I invited a few of her friends and our family to celebrate her at a "Moana"-themed party. The party was held at my mother-in-law's house, which irritated my mother, who said she feels uncomfortable going to my children's other grandma's house. I explained to her...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I accepted an invitation to a party for a friend's husband at their home. It hadn't occurred to me to bring a gift -- most likely I would have simply brought a nice card and a bottle of wine.

A few days before the party, I was surprised to receive this message: "Some of you have asked about gifts -- and truly, your presence ...Read more

ATTENTION "DEAR ANNIE" EDITORS: ANNIE LANE IS OFF TODAY. THE FOLLOWING COLUMN WAS PREVIOUSLY RELEASED IN 2018. THANK YOU. -- CREATORS

Gift Gaffe

Dear Annie: On a yearly basis, my employer recognizes employees who have dedicated 10, 15, 20, etc. years of service as well as individuals who are retiring. These employees have their names published...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am a 54-year-old woman who, after 40 years, reconnected with my childhood best friend, "Neil." We are now engaged. I have no children, but Neil has two girls ages 11 and 13. The 11-year-old is in therapy and on medication for depression and anxiety. I love them as if they were my own. Their mother is useless and irresponsible, and ...Read more