Dear Annie: Hoping you can offer some advice! My son has been married for six years to a beautiful girl who rarely speaks to us and acts as though we don’t exist. Her distance has gotten much worse over time, and we have no idea why. We love her and are just as kind to her as we are to our ...

Dear Heloise: Times have changed so much in regard to weddings, but common sense sure shouldn’t change. How on earth would someone think about having a wedding and expect the guests to pay for it? This is insane! If you can’t afford the wedding, cut down the guest list -- and I don’t mean ...

Dear Annie: I’m in a strange situation with my childhood best friend, “Lila.” We’re both 32 now, and while we’ve stayed close over the years, something shifted after I got engaged last spring. Lila has always been single, and she’s made it clear she doesn’t believe in marriage. I ...

Dear Heloise: One serious point about trying to replicate the wide plank floors of early American homes: The wood that you can obtain at a semi-reasonable cost is not the same as the antique stuff. It is of a different quality. It is wetter as it is not well-seasoned and often an entirely ...

Dear Annie: This Thanksgiving I will be meeting my new boyfriend’s family for the first time, and I am already a bundle of nerves. His mom is hosting a big traditional dinner at their home, the kind with a perfectly roasted turkey, gravy from scratch and about 10 different side dishes. She is ...

Dear Annie: My 12-year-old son has always loved playing soccer. He is not the most talented kid on the field, but he works hard, listens to feedback and truly enjoys being part of a team. Unfortunately, his new coach seems to have taken all the joy out of it. From the first practice, this ...