Opposite-sex pals can enrich one's life
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Generationally speaking, opposite-sex friendships are a relatively new phenomenon. And despite how common they are, some experts believe they can be problematic for marrieds, while others hold that cross-sex friendships are actually healthy and beneficial to marriage.
Friendships build a life worth living
Monday, April 21, 2008
They were having such a good time. Four women. All middle-age and giggling and laughing like schoolgirls. Something about the women was, well ... different. Something shouted that they knew each other down to their toes. That they had paddled together in life's ocean for a long time, riding the high waves and savoring the low tides.
Don't make pals choose one or other
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Once the court proceedings and parenting plans are finalized, there's another thing to be decided: After a divorce, who gets the friends?
A virtual girls' night out
Monday, Feb. 25, 2008
A light beer, some microwave popcorn, a cozy blanket and a phone. This is nice enough, I suppose. I'm trying to be open. I'm the last of the four babes to agree to this stupid idea. It's 9:30 p.m., so I punch in the phone number Beth gave me.
When friends move away
Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008
You shouldn't be angry when a friend announces she is moving. You can't take it personally. She got a new job, or her husband did. It happens every day. Everything about America says it's the right thing to do.
Avoid sides when friends divorce
Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008
Q: Is it OK to resume a friendship with the ex-husband of an old friend? Following their divorce all the friends took the wife's side. She bad-mouthed her ex and we all bought into it. Now I am divorced and remarried and I saw my friend's ex at their son's wedding. I felt sorry for him as he told me how rejected he felt by all of us. What is the proper etiquette in these cases? I know my friend wouldn't like it as she can be a bit controlling. Do I respect her wishes and therefore say goodbye forever to her ex-husband as my friend?
Stop trying to 'fix' people can help you enjoy relationships
Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007
Do you spend lots of time trying to straighten out people - or at least fantasizing that you can? You know how this goes. You wish your sister didn't talk so much. If she'd stop her 20-minute monologues, you could become real friends. Or, you'd give anything if your boss didn't talk so much in meetings. This one flaw of hers wastes a lot of everybody's time.
Road Test: Frustrating Friends
Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007
I love having friends. Really, I do. And I'm a good friend as well. But inevitably there's someone who gets on my nerves.
E-cards are cheap and easy, but taboo for many
Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007
They're quick and fast and as welcome as Scrooge at Christmas dinner. E-mailing holiday cards at Christmas and Hanukkah may be the last taboo when it comes to electronic communications.
Find your holiday inspiration
Monday, Dec. 10, 2007
We've only begun to shop. And this is but a brief selection of some of the cooler holiday items out there. Each store had many options, so it was tough to edit down. But it is a start, and hopefully it will inspire you to be creative this gift-giving season.
Keep holiday newsletters light and brief
Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007
The second-most maligned holiday icon - the fruitcake being No. 1 - is the family Christmas newsletter. Five years ago, I wrote: "Stop sending out family newsletters for Christmas. Nobody cares." OK, stepping back, that sounds downright mean-spirited.
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