Dear Queenie,
A friend of mine and I started a business together many years ago and his wife has been an employee in the business for a long time, ever since they got married, and she is important to the business running smoothly.
When I got married a few years ago my wife started working in the business too, but she does not get along well with my friend’s wife and sometimes things get tense, which has a bad effect on how smoothly the business runs.
Queenie, how can we put an end to this conflict?—Caught in the middle
Dear Caught,
Explain to your wife that, much as you love her, the business provides your (and her!) livelihood and if she cannot learn to get along with your friend’s wife, who is essential to the business, it would be best if she finds another job.
Dear Queenie,
A while ago a relative of ours got married and we didn’t know what they might want or need, so we gave them a check for the money we would have spent on a gift.
After the wedding we got a letter thanking us for the “generous donation.”
Queenie, what kind of “thank you” note is that?!—Offended
Dear Offended,
Technically, according to my dictionary, a “donation” is “something that is given to a charity”; that is, a type of gift. My guess is that your relative was trying to be humorous.
At least you received a “thank you” note for your gift. Too many people, nowadays, are careless about sending them.
Dear Queenie,
My mother is getting older and she lives alone and I can’t always be there for her, so I made an emergency kit for her with prescriptions, doctors’ names, insurance cards, emergency phone numbers, her will, power of attorney, and $100 in cash in an envelope. I put one copy in the trunk of her car and one by her front door.
When she had a bad fall and had to be taken to the hospital, the people who rescued her told me the kit was a huge help in caring for her.
Queenie, don’t you think your other readers would benefit from this idea?—Faithful reader
Dear Faithful reader,
Indeed I do. Thank you for the thought. Readers, take careful note!
Dear Queenie,
For medical reasons I will never be able to have children. I wouldn’t talk about this on a first date, but someone I’m going with has a right to know.
Queenie, how soon should I tell someone I’m dating about this?—Need to know when
Dear Need,
Tell them when they mention the subject of having children.
And if you have an online dating profile, mention it there. It will screen out anyone who wants children – and probably attract many who do not.
Dear Queenie,
I moved in with my boyfriend after just a few months of dating and now I am sorry I did because of the way he treats me. I was ready to break up with him and move out, but all of a sudden he said he was sorry and he would try to change, so I waited to see what would happen.
He did change, but he could just as easily change back and I just don’t love him anymore and I don’t want to try.
Queenie, should I give him another chance?—Can’t decide
Dear Can’t decide,
Your boyfriend may be trying to do better, but I think he is too late. When a romance dies it usually stays dead. If you do not even want to try to revive your relationship, you do not have much chance of succeeding. Pack up your things and go.
