ArcaMax

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My first pregnancy has been 10 years in the making due to infertility. I would like to tell some specific friends the news before I announce it in general on social media.

However, when I try to start a conversation with these friends, such as via text, they talk about themselves and don't ask how I am, so I don't have a good...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I have been married for 34 years. We have two grown children, both of whom still live with us. They work and pay rent toward our mortgage. I have no problem with their living at home, and I don't think my husband does either. The problem I have is that both my husband and my son are alcoholics. They both work hard, but...Read more

DEAR ABBY: We are a male couple celebrating 34 years of partnership. We recently took a cruise, during which we met four straight couples traveling together who welcomed us into their group. It was a pleasant experience, and we were delighted to make friends with whom we anticipated sailing again. In fact, the group booked a future cruise ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I started gardening as a way to unwind and connect with nature, and I've been loving it. However, it seems my enthusiasm might be causing some issues with my neighbors. They've mentioned that the noise from my gardening tools and the mess from soil and plant debris are becoming a problem for them. I truly find peace in this hobby...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a gregarious friend who likes to involve service people, such as cashiers and waiters, in conversations he is having with me.

Occasionally I will make a request, such as asking a waiter about the contents of an entree, for a reason this friend knows. He then often says something to me along the lines of, "Do you want ...Read more

Dear Annie: My boyfriend and I have been in a relationship for 10 years. We've had a lot of trials but always managed to hold onto each other and weather the storms. The last major trial was that I cheated on him with one of our best friends. I feel terrible about it; in fact, I think I may have managed to break my heart more than my boyfriend's...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband, "Guy," and I enjoyed a happy marriage for 30 years, despite the fact that his mother disliked me and did everything she could to undermine our relationship. Guy died suddenly in his sleep last month while we were vacationing in South Asia. I cut the trip short, but between complying with local legalities, arranging for his...Read more

Meditation is a proven path to inner thoughts, to thoughts circling consciousness. It can serve as a quiet time in your busy life, a few minutes of total calm in which you allow your mind the quietude and rest it needs -- and certainly deserves. In the 15 minutes or so of quiet time, meditating, you'll hear the voice of your inner thoughts ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm 19, and I was invited to a close friend's major milestone birthday party. Initially, I agreed to go, but I've since learned that the theme is "sexy Hollywood." The mood board my friend created and feels strongly about features tight, skimpy skirts and bralettes, which I'm not comfortable wearing. I prefer more low-key events ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My children's school district is the first organization I've dealt with in my professional career in which employees routinely ignore their customers.

I make an effort to ensure that the person I'm reaching out to is the appropriate person for my question; I send a focused, respectful email, and I receive no response. In one ...Read more

Dear Annie: My boyfriend and I have been talking about moving in together for a very long time. I became pregnant and had our baby, but he didn't move in with me because he was upset that I was talking to other people about our problems.

Well, finally, almost a year later, he has moved in his dresser and bookshelf. But he is mad at me again ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: A close male friend, "Will," ended our friendship without warning. I didn't know he had such strong feelings about my current arrangement. I have been dating a married man, "Bart," whose wife suggested he get himself a girlfriend if he wanted sex/intimacy/companionship. She also told him she would "never want to sleep with him again."...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm starting to feel uneasy about my relationship with my girlfriend. We've been together for about a year now, and while I care for her, it seems like when we spend time together, it involves me spending money on her. Whether it's buying her meals or gifts or covering other expenses, there's always some sort of financial ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was invited to a shower for a friend's daughter's wedding. It was called a "suitcase" shower, meaning that everyone was asked to give a gift card since the bride lived out of town.

When they started opening the cards, the family slowly realized that they couldn't tell what people gave, or pass any gifts around to share, ...Read more