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Microwave Dishes

Dear Heloise: I have some plastic and melamine bowls I use in the microwave. They always have a hard substance around where the food is and I can’t get it off. Could you tell me what to use on it? — Ila V., Grant, Mich. Ila, you no doubt have a residential brand of melamine instead of a commercial brand, which is expensive and not easy to find. That means you should never microwave anything in your melamine. The substance that you refer to as being stuck on the bowls has more than likely etched itself into the bowls. It’s not recommended for microwaving foods. In the future, ...

Attention From Married Man Plays With Woman’s Emotions

DEAR ABBY: I’m someone who doesn’t get noticed often by the opposite sex. So when I do receive attention, it’s a very nice feeling. The problem is, I am getting that attention from a man who is married. In the beginning, I didn’t know he was married. He doesn’t wear a ring, and he never mentioned a wife until one day while we were chatting, he let it slip. I don’t think he meant for it to happen. When someone is married, I back off. But for some reason, I’m not backing away from this. I’m starting to have feelings for him. I’m leaving it up to him, though. If he ...

St. Jude’s Ranch For Children

Dear Readers: Everybody wants to feel safe, encouraged and loved. Sadly, some kids aren’t blessed with an ideal living arrangement; the teenage years especially can be a time of trial and disadvantage. St. Jude’s Ranch for Children is working to make kids’ lives better. Programs include teaching life skills for the 15- to 18-year-old crowd, pregnancy help and new mommy training, help with homelessness (including keeping siblings together) and healing from exploitation, among many others. Education completion assistance, job training and housing support are all available. ...

Discussing Sex Life With Ex Is The Final Straw For Wife

DEAR ABBY: I have been married for 19 years now. A few years back, I came to know about my husband’s platonic relationship with his old girlfriend. She lives in a different state and is married. My husband has long chats with her every day about everything, including our sex life. I confronted him and asked him to end their relationship because knowing that he wants me to do something in bed because his friend does it bothers me a lot. He promised at the time that he wouldn’t talk or chat with her anymore, and I trusted him. A few weeks ago, I discovered that he still chats ...

Paying For A Doctor’s Visit

Today’s Sound Off is about Medical Care: Dear Heloise: I work in a physician’s office, and I am amazed at how many people get angry over a co-pay or refuse to pay a bill because they think medical treatment should be free. It’s not, and running an office is very expensive. First, co-pays are set up by an insurance company or Medicare, not the doctors, and you must pay it if we are to continue to help you. Next, doctors have staff, rent, supplies, mortgages, families to feed and much more. So yes, you are expected to pay your bill or work out some payment arrangement. ...

Couple With Bright Future Get On Each Other’s Nerves

DEAR ABBY: I know every relationship is different, but how do you know when to stop trying and let go? My boyfriend and I have been dating for a year and a half. Lately all we seem to do is fight or upset each other. I don’t want to call it quits, but I’m tired of being angry or sad all the time. We have been trying to fix our relationship for a while now, but nothing seems to stick. We haven’t been able to get professional help due to our financial situation and COVID, but I don’t know what else to do. We have so much potential for having an amazing life and family in the ...