DEAR GETTING: Yes. All you have to say is, “This is my time to exercise,” and keep walking. Eventually, word will get around, and you’ll have fewer interruptions. Your mistake may be in mentioning “10,000 steps.”
DEAR ABBY: I never expected to be writing to you, but I am frustrated. My husband, who is a great guy, sniffles constantly. He gets very annoyed with me when I call it to his attention and says I should just get used to it. He does it at home and in the car. He doesn’t have a cold or a runny nose. I notice when we are out socially, he doesn’t sniffle the entire time. I have tried to ignore it, but frankly it’s the most irritating sound. I read recently that there are three top irritating sounds, and sniffling is one of them. I showed the article to my husband, but he shrugged it off. I usually know how to handle situations, but I’m stumped with this one. Hope you don’t think my letter is nothing to sniff at. – Miserable in Mass.
DEAR MISERABLE: If your husband hasn’t discussed this with his doctor, he should. It’s possible that he has a chronic sinus condition or allergies, and his problem could be easily corrected. It could also be a nervous habit. However, there is no chance that the sniffling will stop unless he’s willing to seek treatment. I wish you luck in convincing him.
DEAR ABBY: I’m a 23-year-old girl who is still a virgin. I haven’t had a real kiss or dated, either. My mom and friends think it’s because I read a lot of romance novels and imagine something like that happening to me. Are they right? Will I ever find love? – Hopeless Romantic
DEAR HOPELESS ROMANTIC: You probably will find love eventually. However, before you can do that, you will first have to spend less time reading and more time meeting men and making friends, and stop expecting them to live up to your fantasies.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www. DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
