Lifestyles

Dear Annie: Father’s 73rd birthday: To go or not to go

DEAR ANNIE: My dad is turning 73 next month, and my mom is throwing this big party for him. She is begging me to come, but my parents live across the country — a six-hour plane ride. I work full time and have two kids under 5. My family only takes a trip like this once or twice a year, and if I’m really honest with myself, I don’t want to spend it on this family party. At the same time, I know they’ll be disappointed if I say no. I feel guilty but also spread thin. How do I decide? — Torn Daughter DEAR TORN DAUGHTER: There’s no perfect answer, only the one you can live ...

Hints from Heloise: Refreshing baby wipes and more

DEAR HELOISE: I use baby wipes frequently, and I have one package in each of our two bathrooms. After a while, I found that the top sheets would be dry, while the bottom sheets would be swimming in liquid. Now when I use the bathroom, I flip the package. Some packages are flat and get flipped over, while some packages are taller and need to be rotated. But this way, there are no dry or awash sheets anymore! My second hint is about the pill bottles that my pharmacy gives me; the tops can be switched out from a childproof top to a screw top. I feel better when some pills come with the ...

To Your Good Health: Aspiration pneumonia after an adenoma

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was 47 when my first colonoscopy found a villous adenoma, and during the past 21 years, I’ve had eight or nine more without problems. But this week, I had another and wound up with aspiration pneumonia, despite having followed the prep instructions to the letter. I know my stomach was empty. How could this happen, and what can be done to prevent it from happening again? A friend suggested that it might have been “water brash,” which is associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Would they let me take an acid-suppression drug before the next ...

Friday evening TV

Bridge by Steve Becker

1. Six clubs. Partner’s four-notrump bid is the equivalent of a strong takeout double, so you should assume that he has adequate trump support for at least two suits. When he next bids five spades, you should assume that he is void of spades and that diamonds is not one of his suits, as ...

Variables to consider before downsizing a home in retirement

Aspiring to save money in retirement makes perfect sense. Once professionals call it a career and are no longer drawing a paycheck, cutting back on expenses can be a sound decision that ensures seniors won't outlive their money. And housing remains a significant expense, even for retirees ...