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Terms of Endearment Have Opposite Effect on Woman

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend and I are middle-aged. We have been together for 2 1/2 years. I love him, and I’m grateful for such a wonderful man at this point in my life. My problem is, he calls me “Sweet Baby” every single time he addresses me. (“Sweet Baby, what do you need help with?” “Sweet Baby, I am on my way.” “What did you say, Sweet Baby?”) Even when it comes to trying to be affectionate, he’ll say, “You’re my sweet baby, aren’t you?” He asks this over and over and over, and then says, “You’re my sweet baby.” Abby, I could probably take it ...

After 30 Years, First Love Reappears in Woman’s Life

DEAR ABBY: I have come into contact with my first and forever love again after 30 years. We have had a few encounters throughout the years. When they happened, we fell right back into our comfort zone. We both have current relationships with others that are not satisfying. We have both had failed relationships as well. No relationship I have ever been in compares to the one I have with this man. He’s successful and buries himself in his work. Even though he never says it, I know in my heart he has hidden feelings toward me as well. This man has held my heart my entire life. I never ...

No More Overbooking!

Today’s Sound Off is about overbooking: Dear Heloise: What is it with doctor’s offices overbooking people? I had a doctor’s appointment at 9 o’clock this morning. While sitting in the waiting room a woman came in and she also had a 9 o’clock appointment with my doctor. Three minutes later a third woman came in and said she also had a 9 o’clock appointment. While I was waiting the office began to fill up with patients until it looked more like a convention center than a doctor’s office. When I finally got to see my doctor, he spent all of seven minutes with me and left. ...

What Pitfalls Occur When Upgrading a Bipolar Drug?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your recent response to a man having withdrawal issues from short-term Paxil use. Could you take a shot at a bigger, yet related problem I have? I have been on 9 mg bromazepam daily for over 40 years. I am now 75. My diagnosis was manic depressive, which is now, I believe, bipolar, as well as an anxiety disorder. About 10 years ago, my doctor was considering if I could change to a more “modern” medication, as mine was by then known to speed mental decline. His concern was that the mental deterioration normally expected with aging was going to be accelerated ...

Son-In-Law Refuses to Stop Driving After Having Seizures

DEAR ABBY: My son-in-law was diagnosed with epilepsy 25 years ago. He typically has two or three seizures a year. He has seen a neurologist on and off over the years, but he has not been to the doctor for his medications in several years. He works in the medical field and gets his meds from the doctors he works with. He recently had a seizure after dropping one of his children off at an appointment. Fortunately, the child wasn’t in the car when he wrecked it. My question is, how involved should I be? Should I confront him? Unfortunately, my grandchild reached out to her dad’s ...

New Feature in ‘My Social Security’ Puts You in Control

The future can be uncertain. However, Social Security’s new Advance Designation program can help put you in control of your benefits if a time comes when you need a representative payee to help manage your money. Advance Designation enables you to identify up to three people, in priority order, whom you would like to serve as your potential representative payee. The following people may choose an Advance Designation: * Adults applying for benefits who do not have a representative payee. * Adult beneficiaries or recipients who do not have a representative payee. * Emancipated ...