life

Friend Uses Charitable Gifts To Fund Extravagant Lifestyle

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | March 11th, 2023 | Letter 1 of 3

DEAR ABBY: My friend's house was severely damaged in a hurricane and she lost a lot of the contents. Mind you, she was one of the lucky ones. Others in her community lost everything. One of her friends started a GoFundMe account to help with repair costs, and it is now up to thousands of dollars.

My problem with this is: She's now on her third trip to Europe this year. She constantly spends money, has thousands of dollars in credit card debt and tells me she's broke. Granted, two of the trips were partly funded by her partner. Normally, she would post details about her trips on social media, but this time she's not. Instead, she's posting pictures of her house construction and implying that she's there.

I've considered outing her on social media, but I decided against doing that. I just can't get beyond what she's doing and don't think I can continue my friendship. Am I justified? -- FULL DISCLOSURE IN FLORIDA

DEAR FULL DISCLOSURE: Yes, you are justified. What you have described is fraud. Go online to your friend's GoFundMe page (gofundme.com) and you will find a "Report" button. Because you have reason to believe she is misusing the funds that have been contributed for the repair of her house, use that "Report" button to alert the GoFundMe team about this potential issue, and they will investigate.

life

Teen's Choices Put Her on a Risky Path

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | March 11th, 2023 | Letter 2 of 3

DEAR ABBY: I am a 14-year-old freshman who had an abortion last year. I'm not sure who the father is, and I don't want to go through that again. I want to get birth control, but I'm afraid my parents or my older brother will find out. They would kill me. I already have a bad reputation, and I don't want a worse one by having someone find out I was pregnant (or could be again if I don't get birth control).

What would be the safest way for someone my age to get birth control? I know you'll probably say "no sex" is the best, but I enjoy it too much now. It's like a habit. Please help. -- GROWN-UP GIRL IN RHODE ISLAND

DEAR GIRL: I have never heard of a girl in this country being killed just because she had sex, so your fears about your parents doing that may be overblown. Your mom may not be thrilled with the news, but she won't kill you. You need her and her guidance.

If you continue on the path you're on, having sex with multiple boys, you may have more to worry about than becoming pregnant again. Some of the sexually transmitted diseases around today could cause you to become sterile at a time when you may want a child.

An organization called Planned Parenthood (plannedparenthood.org) can provide you with birth control. It can also inform you about STDs and how to avoid them. Because you feel you cannot stop yourself from having sex, contact Planned Parenthood as soon as possible, preferably before the next time you indulge your habit.

life

Spring Forward as Winter Winds Down

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | March 11th, 2023 | Letter 3 of 3

DEAR READERS: This is my annual reminder for all of you who live where daylight saving time is observed: Don't forget to turn your clocks forward one hour tonight at bedtime. Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. I look forward to it each year because it signals longer, brighter days and warmer weather. The extra light is a mood elevator and an energizer. May good things bloom for all of us this spring. -- LOVE, ABBY

life

Gym Relationship Harder To Quit Than Membership

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | March 10th, 2023 | Letter 1 of 2

DEAR ABBY: I am a healthy, single, 76-year-old man. I spend lots of time at a local gym. I met a woman there two years ago, and we went out for coffee. She's a few years younger than I am. She told me she was married, but it was a "complex" marriage. What started as a friendship morphed into an intimate affair.

We have many common interests and spend as much time as we can together, given the circumstances. I know she will never get divorced. I've fallen in love with her, but I have never pressured her to divorce. She has grown children, and she doesn't want to upset them. I get it. There are also financial considerations and entanglements.

Over the last six months, our relationship has become strained. It has turned into a push-pull type of situation. I know it's unhealthy for both of us, but I can't seem to let her go. We've come to the brink several times, but we always have talked through it, and we keep limping along. I don't know how to stop loving her. Even thinking about it causes me great mental distress. I'm looking for suggestions to ease the pain and figure out how to move on. -- LOVING A MARRIED WOMAN IN MAINE

DEAR LOVING: Because thinking about it causes you great mental distress, go cold turkey. You deserve more than to be someone's side dish, but in order to find a more fulfilling relationship, you must let this woman go and allow her to focus on her "complex" marriage. Then, keep yourself busy, join another gym, avoid places where the two of you used to hang out and get back into the swing of life.

life

Woman Feels Disrespected by Fiance's Family

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | March 10th, 2023 | Letter 2 of 2

DEAR ABBY: I have been with my boyfriend for six years. He is wonderful. We became engaged last year. His family has been nice to me, but on holidays, I dread bringing a dish or dessert because none of them touch whatever I bring. It's insulting and hurtful. I end up upset and toss it in the trash.

I come from a large family. My parents immigrated from the Philippines, and I look forward to our family holiday celebrations. We all cook, appreciate and enjoy each dish or dessert we bring. I don't know if my fiance's family is afraid to try my cooking even though I make common, simple, American dishes.

He doesn't see the big deal when I raise the subject with him. My sisters all say I should stop bringing anything. Am I too sensitive? Is it worth taking anything to these gatherings? -- HURT COOK IN KENTUCKY

DEAR COOK: Ask whoever is hosting these family get-togethers what the problem may be. It may have nothing to do with your cooking, and more to do with the fact they are set in their ways when it comes to holiday celebrations. I have to say I agree with your sisters. Rather than waste the food, give it to a friend or relative who might enjoy it, keep it for yourself and your fiance, or bring nothing more than a little "host" gift with you. Assorted nuts come to mind.

life

Woman Reconsiders Pledge Made to Ailing Boyfriend

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | March 9th, 2023 | Letter 1 of 2

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend of four years has been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. We're both only 51. Obviously, we face a grim reality. He has already tried once to end our relationship to spare me the inevitable, but I convinced him I'm in it to the bitter end.

Now he's accusing his family (and me) of being interested only in interrogating him about his conversations with others regarding his condition. He has cut off contact for the last few days while he reevaluates all of his relationships. I'm respecting his wishes, which is so hard since we have never gone a day without speaking.

My problem is the relief I feel. There are no meltdowns, no angry outbursts, no having to tiptoe around our conversations. Until now, I didn't realize the pressure I was under. My dilemma now is: If he wishes to continue our relationship, should I? His anger is scaring me, and he's losing himself so quickly. He's not the man I grew to love.

I haven't taken vows, but I don't feel right ducking out when he needs someone the most. I'm confused about what to do. Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated. -- TORN IN TWO IN THE SOUTH

DEAR TORN: The relationship you shared with your boyfriend is essentially over. You stated that his illness is turning him into someone else. You are not his wife, and you are not responsible for his well-being. Talk with his family and suggest they create a long-term plan for his care. He is going to need one. Because the emotion you are feeling now is primarily one of relief, allow this man to end the relationship if that is what he wants to do.

life

Grandma Concerned About Young Family of Vegetarians

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | March 9th, 2023 | Letter 2 of 2

DEAR ABBY: My daughter-in-law just became a vegetarian and she seems to think pasta, cheese and fruit are all that is needed. She and my son have a 1-year-old and insist she be a vegetarian too. I'm worried because I feel like the protein is missing. There's no effort to calculate protein levels, and now she has decided to eliminate cow's milk, although ice cream and whipped cream seem to be OK. I've encouraged my son to add soy and other beans to the baby's diet. He does all the cooking and seems a bit overwhelmed.

I don't live close, or I would happily prepare some meals for them. Is there anything I can do to encourage them to plan the meals more carefully and get the proper protein-to-carb ratio? I'm worried they may be cheating my grandbaby of the needed building blocks of health. I've kept my mouth shut so far, but I'm really worried. Help! -- HEALTHY GRANDMA IN FLORIDA

DEAR GRANDMA: A vegetarian diet can be a healthy one for little ones. Because you have concerns, encourage your son and daughter-in-law to discuss this with their child's pediatrician. Many books have been written about healthy vegetarian diets, and there is a world of information about it on the internet. Explore the subject for your own peace of mind, and encourage them to do the same.

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