DEAR HARRIETTE: I am about to be in an awkward situation. I was recently engaged in a pretty intense process to see if I would be hired for a job. I worked a lot with the human-resources director, and we grew to be friendly. Then, when I didn't get the job, she sort of disappeared. Next week I am going to an event where I'm sure she will be present. I'm wondering, how should I react to her? There won't be that many people there, so I don't think I can avoid her. But I'm not sure what to say, either. -- Unsure, Dallas

DEAR UNSURE: First, you have to shore up your confidence. You didn't get the job, which may make you feel vulnerable or unsteady. That's natural.

What you can do is literally count your blessings. Write down what you know to be good and great about yourself, personally and professionally. Remember the good qualities that made you a viable candidate for the job. Recall positive interactions that you had with the human-resources director. Then remind yourself of the nature of the event you will be attending.

When you go to the event and see the HR director, walk right over to her and say hello. Ask how she is doing, and listen to her response. You can offer something about yourself if you like. Or you can say "good to see you" and keep moving.

By being proactive and seeking her out, you will show that you are confident and strong. Hold that intention, and the jitters should subside.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My son has been going to camp for a month now, and I just learned that two weeks into the camp, several children came down with lice. I was never notified of this. I learned only because the children were talking about it among themselves. When I inquired, the camp director said that it was true but that it was under control.

Every time there has been a lice outbreak at my son's school, we have gotten notifications immediately so that we would know to watch for lice. I am outraged at the lax behavior of this counselor. What can I do about it? -- Itchy, Chicago

DEAR ITCHY: Please know that schools and camps are not required to inform parents of lice outbreaks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, head lice outbreaks are relatively common in schools. Lice do not compromise children's health, and they can be treated effectively.

This, of course, doesn't make parents feel better. It's still unnerving when a child brings home head lice.

While the camp policy may not be on your side, you can still reach out to the camp administrator and make it clear that you wish you had been informed. Ask for this to become the policy in the future.

For more information on preventing or treating head lice, visit www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/prevent.html.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend constantly complains that I always snore while sleeping. I can tell this bothers him a lot. I feel as if I'm disrupting his otherwise peaceful sleep. What can I do to make our nights more comfortable? -- Nocturnally Noisy, Chicago

DEAR NOCTURNALLY NOISY: Snoring is a challenge for many couples. In some cases, it can be so bad that couples decide to go to separate rooms to get uninterrupted sleep. That could be an option, but it doesn't address the real problem.

Snoring is a symptom of several health conditions, and you should find out if you have any of them. Go to the doctor for a complete physical, and tell him or her about your snoring. Before your appointment, ask your boyfriend if you snore more frequently or loudly at particular times -- after drinking alcohol, when you have a cold, after you have eaten certain foods, when it's hot or humid in your bedroom, etc. The more data you have about your sleep patterns, the more helpful you can be to your doctor.

The doctor will evaluate your health and treat you if needed. He or she also can give you general recommendations for sleeping more quietly and soundly.

For now, make sure your head is elevated. You also may want to sleep on your side rather than on your back.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am 18 years old and have always been average weight -- not too skinny and not too big. Recently, though, my weight has been seriously fluctuating. When it's time to eat, for some reason I am always severely hungry. This is a problem, because I have gained a significant amount of weight.

Everyone around me always reassures me that I am not big and that I look normal. But I strongly disagree. I want to be healthy, I want to be fit and I want to be skinny. How can I watch my eating habits? -- Uncomfortable in My Skin, Bronx, N.Y.

DEAR UNCOMFORTABLE: It's time to make an appointment with your internist. Get a complete physical, and be sure to explain what has been happening with your diet and your hunger issues. Talk to the doctor about any stress you may be experiencing and any major changes in your life, and about how you feel overall.

Verify how much weight you have gained, and ask your doctor to help you understand why this may be happening. Your friends are not experts on your body. While you may actually look good right now, if you feel that you are not eating in a healthy manner, you should get help right away.

Ask about working with a nutritionist. It's possible that with a professional's help, you can learn how to eat in a way that's right for your body.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have two roommates. Because it has been hot, we got another air conditioner. That's all well and good, but the electric bill has skyrocketed. I guess that's natural, but we didn't take that into consideration, and we can't afford to pay it. We literally don't have enough money. We also need to have electricity. What can we do? -- Keeping Cool, Brooklyn, N.Y.

DEAR KEEPING COOL: The good news is that your power company will work with you on a payment plan. Immediately get on the phone with a representative and explain your situation. Ask the utility company to establish a plan that allows you to pay down the bill over time.

In the future, be mindful of how often you use your air conditioners. Turn them off when you leave your home, and turn on only the ones you absolutely need when you are at home.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I got paid for a big job the other day and immediately put the check in my bag to take to the bank. It was raining that day. I had to go get my umbrella, and it was just a mess. I got a little undone because of being excited about the check and the crazy weather.

When I got to the bank, I couldn't find the check. It has disappeared. I am so embarrassed. I need to tell my client what happened. How should I go about that so that I don't look like an idiot? -- Check-Free, New Orleans

DEAR CHECK-FREE: Immediately contact the finance department of the company that issued the check and ask that a stop payment be placed on the check. There is a chance that someone else could try to cash it. Apologize for losing the check and ask that it be reissued.

You are not the first person to whom this has happened. It's likely that the finance office has had to reissue checks before. It may take awhile for the office to give you a new check, and there is a chance that you will be charged a stop payment fee. In the end, though, if you don't let the company know what happened, you completely lose. Don't let your embarrassment stand in the way of your hard-earned compensation.