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Learning it’s OK to lean on others

Dear Annie: Please give me your opinion. I am an 84-year-old widow. I have one child, a son, and one grandchild in town. My other children live hours away. I no longer drive. I am financially independent and have someone to come clean twice a month, drive me to run errands, go to the doctor, do grocery shopping and take me to the beauty shop. I have taken care of my parents and my husband’s parents, and I know this can be very tiring. I truly hate to have to call on my children. I try to be careful, and I don’t spend unnecessarily. It adds up when you have to have extra help. My ...

Take a look at these traveling hints

Dear Heloise: Since I travel about 99 days a year for my job, I’ve learned a few tricks that might be of help to others who travel. I’d like to pass these hints along to your readers: 1. If your hotel curtains don’t close all the way, take one of the pant hangers and clip the curtains together in two places. 2. Place all underwear in zip-close plastic bags. If your luggage needs to be opened and inspected, an inspector can see what you have without directly handling your personal items. 3. Place all liquids, such as shampoo and conditioner, in plastic bags to insure that your ...

Family troubles leaving me at a loss

Dear Annie: It has recently come to my attention that my middle adult son has molested my adult daughter when she was 8 years old. She broke down and told me tearfully last week. She is now 23, and he is 31. And I am completely at a loss of how I should feel, think, react. I’m basically an emotional wreck. He is married with four children (whom I now fear for), not to mention what his wife would think/do... I’m REALLY at a loss because we were/are so close. Please, any thoughts on this? My daughter and I are OK; she knows I’m here for her and we will go at her pace and not push ...

Manage bank info on your phone

Dear Heloise: I start my day with your column and enjoy all of the hints. I recently read a hint about credit card protection where the reader suggested going to the bank to set up and receive text messages when a credit card is used. It isn’t necessary to go to the bank. This can all be managed by logging into your account on your computer or phone. There are many options available for security and notifications that you can and should consider. You can even deposit checks using your phone without ever having to go to the bank. You can also temporarily freeze your credit card if ...

Support proposed housing legislation

Hello New Ulm residents, I trust that Bockfest was another success for the city . My name is Kaye Rysdahl and I am a born and raised New Ulm-er. If you know me, it’s probably because I am daughter to Dr. Scott Rysdahl and GiGi Rysdahl. I love New Ulm and the surrounding communities and am filled with joy each time I get back home. Through the social work program, students are placed in an internship at BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) run and focused organizations/agencies. This year I am an intern at the Minneapolis American Indian Center in St. Paul. I have loved ...

Healing from the heartache of abusive adoptive parents

Dear Annie: I come from a long history of family dysfunction. Child abuse, toxicity and abandonment are all I ever knew growing up. I developed severe complex PTSD and borderline personality disorder coming into my preteen years. I remember the blame was solely on me for my severe depression, suicide attempts and deep-seated suffering from my adoptive parents. I moved out at age 17. The abuse continued despite my removal from their household, well into my late 20s. At that time, I cut off all contact with my abusers. I removed myself entirely from the family dynamic. (I have been in ...