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Ornaments, Old or New, Are Perfect Collectibles

Do you have a favorite ornament on your Christmas tree? That’s one of the things that make the tradition of the tree so important — the precious ornaments used for trimmings. Vintage ornaments dating to the mid-20thcentury are popular right now and you can still find these at antique shops, second-hand stores or in an attic if you’re lucky! Other collectors seek genuine antique ornaments and look for Victorian treasures or German examples from the early 1900s. But there are many new ornaments that are collectible and just as lovely. One of the big names that collectors ...

A Urologist Treats ED Caused By Blood Flow Blockages

DEAR DR. ROACH: Some months ago, you wrote that the blood flow to the penis could be reduced by blockages in the arteries. What kind of doctor should a guy go to, and what tests should be asked for? — J. ANSWER: Low blood flow to the penis is one common cause of erectile dysfunction. Without adequate blood to the arteries supplying the penis, an adequate erection may not be possible. It is unusual that those arteries are the only ones blocked. This symptom occurs most commonly in people with multiple blockages, although ED is occasionally the first indication of atherosclerotic ...

Mom Working Swing Shift Is Pressured to Stay on the Job

DEAR ABBY: My hubby and I come from very different backgrounds. He grew up in a community where all the moms had to work. I grew up in one where most of the moms did not. Our marriage was perfect until we had a baby. After our first child was born, my hubby made clear that it was unacceptable for me to leave my career or reduce my working hours. I never realized I would have the desire to be a stay-at-home mom or work part-time until I became a mom. For the last several years, I have chosen to work swing shifts so I can be available for my children during the mornings. But this has ...

After 44 Years, Breast Implant Ruptures, Causing Concern

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m 73 and had silicone implants put in when I was 29. Other than getting firm, I’ve never had a problem with them. I have had a mammogram every year since I was 45 and all has been well except for this year, when the right implant showed up as ruptured. This was five months ago. I’ve had three opinions, two from plastic surgeons and one from my primary doctor, that I should replace. Please convince me that I need to do this when I have no pain and they are so encapsulated that the silicone is going nowhere. Also, it’s expensive, I’m a senior and I don’t ...

Ex Comes Back For a Second Chance After Being Rejected

DEAR ABBY: My ex had a prior relationship with my cousin “Earl.” When she talked about her past relationships, a common theme emerged. Her partners were emotionally abusive — cheating, berating her, throwing rage fits where they screamed in her face and threw things. My own history is similar. My partners have done the same to me. (I do not engage in such behavior.) Earl told her he still has feelings for her, despite the emotional abuse he had inflicted upon her. I confronted him and told him that what he did was inappropriate. Abby, when she heard about it, she dumped me and ...

Living With Ex-Husband Goes From Bad to Worse

DEAR ABBY: Although I have been divorced from my ex for eight years, we still live together. There is not — nor will there ever be — more than a platonic relationship between us, and I have made that abundantly clear to him. It wasn't always a bad situation, but now it's worse than I could have ever imagined it would be. He drinks heavily on a daily basis and becomes verbally abusive. He has a woman over a lot, and I can't sleep when she's here. She's a drunk, too, and she also abuses her prescription medications. At least half the time when she's here, I have to lift her ...