Dear Abby: My charity donations unleashed a flood of nonstop fundraising mail

DEAR ABBY: Do charities and nonprofits share or sell donor information? For years, maybe decades, I’ve made quarterly contributions to two well-known charities for children’s cancer research hospitals, and I truly believe in what they do. However, over the last few years, I have started receiving an increasing number of requests for money.  One continues … Read more

Dear Abby: I don’t see any point in meeting my daughter’s sister from the same mister

Dear Abby: I don’t see any point in meeting my daughter’s sister from the same mister

DEAR ABBY: I have been widowed for seven years. My husband served in the Air Force in Saigon during the conflict in Vietnam. We met and married shortly after he returned from his hitch overseas. We had two daughters together.  Recently, my older daughter was notified through social media that she has a half-sister, “Leiba,” … Read more

Dear Abby: The mothers of the bride are taking over wedding plans

Dear Abby: The mothers of the bride are taking over wedding plans

DEAR ABBY: My 33-year-old daughter is getting married, and the mothers have taken over her wedding plans. They want more than 200 guests, a full Catholic ceremony, fine wines, a full bar, plated dinner and a live band.  My daughter wants to please everyone but is not a practicing Catholic. She wants a small, intimate … Read more

Dear Abby: A memorial is for paying your last respects, but I have no respect for him

Dear Abby: A memorial is for paying your last respects, but I have no respect for him

DEAR ABBY: My brother “Earl” and I always had a very bad relationship. When I was 6 and Earl was 13, he molested me. Actually, he took my virginity. My mother caught him but whipped both of us and told me I should have known better than to allow it to happen. Fast-forward to when … Read more

Dear Abby: Cruise companions come with one big problem: She never stops talking

Dear Abby: Cruise companions come with one big problem: She never stops talking

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have friends who are kind, intelligent and warm. However, as we have spent more time with them, “Phyllis’” compulsive talking has become a real problem for us. She hijacks whichever one of us is sitting next to her and starts a monologue that goes on and on.  Phyllis doesn’t … Read more

Dear Abby: My nephew lacks survival skills. How do I get out of this stinky situation?

Dear Abby: My nephew lacks survival skills. How do I get out of this stinky situation?

DEAR ABBY: I suggested to my husband that he invite his nephew “Ryan” (age 26) to stay with us. Ryan definitely needed some male direction. He was homeless, jobless and didn’t even know how to apply for a job. Ryan is not mentally challenged. He simply was never taught anything until he was thrown out … Read more

Dear Abby: Everyone offered help when I got sick, but no one showed up when I needed them

Dear Abby: Everyone offered help when I got sick, but no one showed up when I needed them

DEAR ABBY: I have a chronic illness and have been on a long-term leave of absence from my job for two years now. I have always surrounded myself with good people and have been blessed with great friends and family. When I was diagnosed, everyone was supportive. There were many platitudes, not the least of … Read more

Dear Abby: My husband acts like our failing marriage is all my fault but I still love him

Dear Abby: My husband acts like our failing marriage is all my fault but I still love him

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been living with my mom for a little over a year. Our 4-year-old lives here also. Mom has guardianship of her because of our past. A month ago, my husband decided he was leaving. I didn’t leave with him because of my daughter. Now he acts like everything … Read more

Dear Abby: My new friends called me family, then vanished without explanation

Dear Abby: My new friends called me family, then vanished without explanation

DEAR ABBY: Four years ago, my cousin “Roy” introduced me to his friends, who, once a month, have a party at the home of one of the couples. We would eat and then play a form of dominoes. It was raucous and fun. The second time I went, a couple in the group told me … Read more

Dear Abby: I’m my families chamber of secrets. Should I open up the gates and reveal all?

Dear Abby: I’m my families chamber of secrets. Should I open up the gates and reveal all?

DEAR ABBY: There are two significant secrets in my family, and as I’m a member of the oldest generation and likely in my last decade, I wonder if they should see the light of day.  The first involves my cousin. He’s a year older than I am and doesn’t know he was adopted. My older … Read more

Dear Abby: I do it all while my wife doesn’t even have a driver’s license and its driving me to drink

Dear Abby: I do it all while my wife doesn’t even have a driver’s license and its driving me to drink

DEAR ABBY: I have been with my wife for 17 years. We have three daughters. She doesn’t work, doesn’t have a driver’s license, doesn’t clean and rarely cooks. I often find myself so frustrated at her lack of commitment to the family that I drink and go to bed after I cook dinner.  I work … Read more

Dear Abby: My cheating ex-husband died — am I wrong for skipping his funeral?

Dear Abby: My cheating ex-husband died — am I wrong for skipping his funeral?

DEAR ABBY: After a nearly 20-year marriage, my first husband, “Lloyd,” told me his feelings for me had changed. He said we needed “some time apart,” but he didn’t want a divorce. He immediately went to a lawyer and executed a financial settlement for me, still insisting he wasn’t going to file for divorce. Six … Read more

Dear Abby: My husband and daughter attack me, and I live in total dysfunction

Dear Abby: My husband and daughter attack me, and I live in total dysfunction

DEAR ABBY: I am living in total dysfunction with my daughter (32) and husband (75). I am retired and going on 76. My daughter will not work and is controlling my life. She has OCD and refuses medication. It’s so bad that she has become completely dependent on me. She makes me drive her and … Read more

Dear Abby: After 31 years of marriage, my wife still isn’t interested in my music

Dear Abby: After 31 years of marriage, my wife still isn’t interested in my music

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been married 31 years. We have a great marriage. We work from home, so we spend pretty much every minute together and enjoy each other’s company so much that it isn’t an issue. That said, I will also share that I’m a basement musician. It’s my hobby. I … Read more

Dear Abby: My house is not a convenience store, despite what my neighbor thinks

Dear Abby: My house is not a convenience store, despite what my neighbor thinks

“Overwhelmed in Ohio” seeks advice on dealing with a new, intrusive neighbor constantly asking for items. “In a Dilemma in Pennsylvania” asks how to handle her husband’s brother dating his past one-night stand. A 17-year-old in the West worries about his thumb-sucking habit being exposed in college. DEAR ABBY: I moved into my apartment four … Read more

Dear Abby: My husband’s flirty personality and Facebook addiction have me questioning everything

Dear Abby: My husband’s flirty personality and Facebook addiction have me questioning everything

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married 45 years, but over the last six months, we’ve had numerous fights about Facebook. I’m having issues with his addiction to social media and his constant posts and comments with people I don’t know.  I get jealous about these interactions with women. He has never given … Read more

Dear Abby: I don’t think my marriage will survive my dream road trip

Dear Abby: I don’t think my marriage will survive my dream road trip

DEAR ABBY: I have just retired and want to spend the summer taking a long road trip from Florida to Alaska and back. I’ve dreamed about it all my life and finally have the time and money to do it.  My husband hates long road trips, and I don’t want to take him. He would … Read more

Dear Abby: My brother-in-law cut off the family — but still expects his parents to bankroll his lifestyle

Dear Abby: My brother-in-law cut off the family — but still expects his parents to bankroll his lifestyle

DEAR ABBY: My husband’s brother, “Hank,” has estranged himself from the family. He’s married with two children but has little to no contact with his mom, dad, stepdad, sister, brother (my husband) or any of his nieces and nephews — except when he calls his parents asking for money. On the rare occasions I have … Read more