DEAR ABBY: My mother-in-law phones me daily. The calls are answered in case of emergency, but if I don't make an excuse to cut the conversation short, she can interrupt my day to the tune of 40 minutes or more.
Several years ago I asked her not to call so often. Much as I love family, I have friends, kids, hobbies, cooking -- in short, a life. I call my own mother weekly, not daily.
Even her own kids say she can never get enough. If you call her, it's not often enough; same for a visit, except you didn't stay long enough or eat enough food. She's retired now, so it's gotten worse.
How can I get her to leave me alone and get a life? I am ... STILL MAKING EXCUSES IN SAN DIEGO
DEAR STILL MAKING EXCUSES: Get an answering machine and screen your telephone calls. Your mother-in-law can leave a message. And you can return her call at your convenience.