To Pee or Not to Pee, That Is the Question
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer . . .
I have a urinary tract problem that, to say the least, proved to be embarrassing last week. I took my wife to the mall for some afternoon shopping. I had to go to the restroom, but before I could do my business, I had a slight accident. Upon leaving the men’s room, I was so embarrassed that I went straight to the car and drove home, leaving my wife in the store. It was only after she called, quite mad, two hours later that I remembered I had left her. Am I entering the first stage of senility? Signed: Frequent Fred
Blabby: Well, Crabby, I think our friend Fred has some serious issues here. For one, his wife must be worried that he’s losing it. He may be going senile.
Crabby: Are you nuts? Fred has just passed through the first stage of brilliance! Read More >>
Peeping Tom
Hubby won't leave!
Once a month I have my girlfriends over to the house in the afternoon for bridge. We have a great time talking, gossiping, and just letting our hair down. The problem is that my husband has recently started refusing to leave the house and eavesdrops on some of our conversations, which has caused some of my friends to be uncomfortable. His behavior is starting to put a strain on the bridge club. What can I do? Signed: Married to a Peeping Tom
Crabby: I wish I had Tom’s telephone number. I’d call him up and invite myself over. I bet there’s some juicy stuff going on in those conversations.
Blabby: You couldn’t do that. Who ever heard of a Peeping Crabby? Besides, it’s not you we’re trying to help here, it’s Mrs. Peeping Tom. Read More >>
The Doctor Is Out!
Dear Blabby and Crabby:
My wife and I are both retired and in good health. It seems every time we go out to play cards with our friends in the bridge club, the conversation always centers on who’s had what illness or operation. My wife and I are competitive bridge players, and this medical rehash destroys our concentration. While we are always interested in the health of our friends, night after night of endless discussion of gall bladders, hemorrhoids, bowel obstructions, and heart problems is wearing a little thin on me. My wife says I’m becoming intolerant and lack empathy. Am I being unreasonable to expect more out of our social evenings? Signed: The Doctor Is Out
Blabby: I can relate to Doc’s problem. My wife and I played dominos with friends the other night, but all we talked about was our medical issues. I know it’s characteristic of older people to do this, but what can be done about it?
Read More >>Hard-of-Hearing Consequences
Dear Blabby and Crabby:
My husband is very hard of
hearing but refuses to consider hearing aids. Sometimes his lack of
hearing is funny, while other times it’s downright embarrassing. I’ve
asked him repeatedly to have his hearing checked, but he is so vain
that he won’t listen to our children or me. What can I do to get him to
the audiologist? Signed: Married to Hard-of-Hearing Harry
Blabby:
Well, Mrs. Harry is experiencing a very common problem. Men lose their
hearing more frequently than women do but don’t like to admit that they
need to do something about it.
Crabby:
Vanity sometimes causes more pain than a physical illness. We need to
help her find immediate help for Harry, or they both will regret it.
Read More >>
Martha to the Rescue
I’m concerned about my wife’s social behavior lately. She records what she serves each of our guests whenever we have anyone over for a meal. She also lists what they drink. In addition, she has started placing tags on each item in her wardrobe with the names of the people she sees whenever she’s in public so she won’t risk wearing the same outfit again when we go out. She spends hours on the computer organizing this data. In addition, she’s started purchasing new outfits for almost every occasion, since our circle of friends is small. She doesn’t want to violate social dress code. She frets over what to serve at our dinner parties. Her behavior is costing me money, but I’m mostly concerned she’s losing her mind. Can you help me with this problem? Signed: SOS (Save Our Sarah)
Blabby: This sounds as if it’s a real serious SOS. How can we help Sarah’s husband help Sarah?
Crabby: If she’s good on the computer, we could hire her and give her a clothing allowance. Read More >>
