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Dealing with noisy spouse during remote work

DEAR ANNIE: My husband and I both work from home and each have our own offices. The problem is our walls are thin and his voice is LOUD. It travels through walls and doors and can even be heard by colleagues I’m speaking with when we both have meetings at the same time. It honestly sounds like he’s screaming in there. I’ve resorted to noise canceling headphones while doing focus work, but even then I can sometimes hear him. I love him dearly, but I feel like I’m co-working in a sports bar. Is there any hope? — Drowned Out DEAR DROWNED OUT: There are ways to solve your ...

Send boxes ahead of a vacation

DEAR HELOISE: What’s the easiest and cheapest way to send clothes ahead of a trip instead of checking bags? — Dee, via email Dee, sending a little box ahead to your destination can really cut down on travel headaches. Keep it to just what you’ll actually need and pack it up in a sturdy box or in a padded shipping bag. Make sure to compare rates between the United States Postal Service, UPS and FedEx before you commit — prices can vary more than you’d think. Going with ground shipping tends to save you the most money, as long as you drop it off a few days before you head ...

Remove support stockings before tucking in for bed

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m 70 years old, and my whole family is prone to edema, varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis due to venous insufficiency. I’ve been wearing support pantyhose for 45 years whenever I get dressed, and I recently increased the compression. My question is whether it’s OK to wear the support hose all the time, even while I’m sleeping? — P.H. ANSWER: The most common reason to develop edema (swelling) in the legs is venous insufficiency, which is caused by the failure of the valve structures in the veins. Without these valves, blood tends to pool in the ...

Bridge by Steve Becker

Declarer is sometimes so certain he’s spotted the best approach to his contract that he often begins to play without stopping to double-check his plan. It is in such situations that a disciplined player restrains his impulses until he first makes sure he’s really following the right path. For example, take this deal where West led the diamond four against six hearts. South took East’s king with the ace and quickly formulated an endplay. He drew two rounds of trump, then cashed four club tricks, discarding the jack of diamonds. Next, he ruffed dummy’s last diamond and re-entered ...

Make a margarita with tropical notes

The classic margarita from my book “Freezer Door Cocktails” calls for four things — tequila, orange liqueur, sugar and lime. This variation, inspired by a cocktail at Bitter & Twisted in Phoenix, keeps the key flavors, but gets to the finish line a little differently. Italian ...