Dear Queenie,
I work at night and have to sleep during the day, get my housework done, sometimes run errands, and just relax for a while and do nothing, but my family and friends are all “day people” and think it is okay to call me or drop in on me whenever I am at home, even though I have explained all this to them and asked them not to.
Queenie, how do I get them to let me get my rest and my “alone time”?—Night person
Dear Night person,
Instead of telling your friends and family when not to call or visit you, give them a specific time(s) when they can do so. The rest of the time, do not answer the phone or open your door. If the person leaves a message or a note, reply to it during the time(s) when the call or visit would be welcome.
Dear Queenie,
I am a single elderly man with only a dog to keep me company, and he is getting older too and needs medical care.
For Christmas last year, instead of giving me anything I really didn’t need anyway, my son arranged with my veterinarian to pay my dog’s medical bills for the rest of his life, and told me that that would go for any other dog I ever have if I get a next one after the one I have now dies.
Queenie, that is the best gift anyone ever gave me!—Dog’s best friend
Dear Best friend,
I think that was a wonderful idea and I am pleased to pass it on to my readers. Even if you cannot afford all the expense, paying even part of it probably would be a big help.
Dear Queenie,
My boyfriend and I have been only dating each other for almost a year, so I invited him to our family’s holiday dinner and he accepted, but later he decided to go to his family’s dinner instead and he didn’t invite me to go with him.
Shouldn’t a couple plan to be together for the holidays? And shouldn’t I have met his family by now? He has met mine.
Queenie, does this mean he doesn’t really care about me?—Disappointed girlfriend
Dear Girlfriend,
Apparently your boyfriend does not care for you as much as you care for him. You will have to decide what you want to do next about your relationship with him.
Dear Queenie,
I have read several letters from people complaining about their husband or wife still being friends with his or her ex-wife or -husband.
My wife stayed on good terms with her ex and I always liked him and we have gotten to be pretty good friends, so having him around for family events like holidays or birthdays is no problem,
Queenie, why can’t people just learn to get along? It makes things a lot easier for everyone, especially the kids.—Second husband
Dear Second husband,
You are quite right. It is a pity others with previously-married spouses cannot share your attitude and point of view.
Dear Queenie,
I’m a woman in my 30s and I have dated a lot of men. I always meet them in public for the first few dates and if I like them enough I give them my e-mail address and that’s when things starts to go bad.
Several of them have sent me sexy or even nude pictures of themselves. When that happens I delete the pictures and stop seeing them and block them from my e-mail, but I can’t help wondering why they think it is okay to do it.
Queenie, what do you think?—Seen too much
Dear Seen too much,
I think you should ask yourself what you may be doing or saying to give these “flashers” the idea that you would be pleased to receive such pictures – or at least would not object to it.
