DEAR ABBY: My cousin ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œScottyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ invited my husband and me to see his new house. He made it clear, several times, that my sister and her husband, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIan,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ are not invited because his wife doesnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t like Ian. My sister and brother-in-law would have no problem if they never saw Scotty again. However, every time I speak to Scotty, he reiterates not to bring my brother-in-law along.
I admit, Ian is a difficult guy to get to know, but I have known him for 40 years and he really has a heart of gold. How can I resolve this in a way that wonÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t result in not communicating with Scotty ever again? ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” RELATIVE DRAMA IN FLORIDA
DEAR RELATIVE DRAMA: The next time Scotty starts on his rant about Ian, head him off by interrupting him and saying, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œYou have already told me that. You donÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t need to repeat it.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Then change the subject.
DEAR ABBY: My dear husband died suddenly last year. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s been difficult, but I am blessed to have good friends and close family. The hardest part, however, has been the four-plus months it took to decipher his online accounts. He left me few passwords, and many of his contacts were uncooperative. Why should it be impossible to pay someone elseÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s bill? I cannot stress enough how important it is to have a log or written account of passwords and usernames. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” LESSON LEARNED IN MICHIGAN
DEAR LESSON LEARNED: Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your husband. You are not the only spouse who has written about this very real problem. Sometimes the concept of a world without us in it can be difficult to comprehend, hence the hesitancy to share passwords. But death can come at any time. Readers, it can spare your loved ones a world of unneeded stress to log those passwords and make sure your spouse, trustee or attorney can access them in case of emergency.
DEAR ABBY: When my wife of nine months makes a dental or medical appointment, she gives her last name as her late husbandÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s last name. He died 10 years ago. Should I be disappointed with my bride since, before we were married, she said she would adopt my last name? ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” NEWLYWED IN FLORIDA
DEAR NEWLYWED: Why your bride would be hesitant to do this, I canÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t guess, but because it bothers you, discuss it with her before it festers. Informing health care professionals about a name change is fairly simple. All one has to do is inform the receptionist that a new name should be entered into the computer.
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