Hi, Dolly: My thirty-year-old daughter just told me that her husband has taken a job in another state, but that she's going to remain in her current job and join him in a couple of years when she achieves her own personal career goals. She says they'll see each other on holidays and some weekends. Do you think this could possibly work out or will this end their marriage? — Ruth in Sebring Dear Ruth: It's hard to say, hon. If they're really committed to each other, they'll ride this out — but when married folks are apart, they get lonesome just like anyone else, and chances are good they won't stay lonesome for long. I reckon your daughter ain't tellin' you everything about what's goin' on between her and her hubby. You'll find out sooner or later. For now, keep your fingers crossed for her and be ready to listen when she's ready to talk.
Hi, Dolly: When my wife and I go for a Sunday drive, she wants to stop at every garage sale. Much of what she buys we don't need or I'd rather have new. How can I wean her off this habit? — Larry in North Bend
Dear Larry: How long you been married, sugar? Tryin' to wean a woman off anything is like tryin' to nudge a boulder. Look at these little jaunts the way your wife does: they're a treasure hunt (hey, you might come across somethin' valuable one of these days!), a way to meet people and gab, and take a look into other people's lives. Most women are real interested in knowin' how other folks live. If your sweetie has been buyin' too much, suggest settin' a budget or havin' your own garage sale to unload what you don't really need.
Hi, Dolly: My husband is always complaining about the “piles” of stuff lying around our house, but he never helps with the cleaning or puts anything away that don't belong to him personally. He often yells at me for being a bad housekeeper. I do my best, Dolly, but we have three children and I have a part-time job outside the house. I'm so tired and I'm getting madder and madder at my husband for how he's treating me. What should I do? — Sally in Fredonia
Dear Sally: You have a right to be mad, hon, and your hubby has no right to yell at you. Trouble is, when folks get away with somethin' for too long, it's hard to break them of their habits without a ruckus. Your hubby has you pinned down pretty good and it sounds to me like you'd be too scared to fight back without some help. Tell him you want to see a marriage counselor, and if he won't go, go by yourself. This is abuse and it’s gotta stop.
Hi, Dolly: The woman in the next cubicle has three boyfriends — none of whom know about each other — and they each call her a minimum of three times a day on her cell phone — which, ironically, has a “Three Blind Mice” ring tone. She doesn't spend that long on the phone with any of them (how could she? She'd never get any work done!) but I want to scream every time I hear her phone ring. If I could write, I'd write a novel about what I'm forced to overhear. This woman is driving me crazy! Help! — Bea in Indianapolis
Dear Bea: If you write that novel, I'd like to read it. Meantime, ask her to put her phone on vibrate. Sounds like she might actually enjoy that.