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Ending the toothpaste tube drama

Dear Heloise: The letter from Jan M. purports to end all the toothpaste drama. However, there’s one more thing that nobody has mentioned. Because of my curiosity, I cut open the tube after thinking I’d effectively removed all the toothpaste within — only to discover that no matter how ...

My friend’s joy highlights my own pain

Dear Annie: I am embarrassed to admit this, but I am jealous of my best friend. "Claire" and I have been close for more than 20 years. We met in college, stood in each other's weddings and raised our children alongside one another. She has always been the person I could tell anything ...

Weakness and more persist in woman after gallbladder removal

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a friend who had gallstones and ultimately had her gallbladder removed. When they went in, they saw lots of infections, cleaned her out, and put drains in her liver. She's been feeling awful and weak, and she wants to get a second opinion. Which type of specialist should ...

Being needed isn’t the same as being valued

Dear Annie: I am the person everyone in my family calls when they need something. I babysit, drive relatives to appointments, host holidays and lend money when someone is in a bind. I rarely complain because I love my family and want to be helpful. A few weeks ago, my sister called me in a ...

When is ‘soon’?

Annie: I am a 31-year-old woman, and I've been with my boyfriend for five years. We've been talking about marriage for the past two -- talking about it and talking about it. Every time it comes up, it's positive. He tells me he can't wait to marry me. But Annie, the proposal still has not ...

Gauging the temperature of oil

Dear Heloise: I love your column, Heloise. I read it every day! It’s sometimes hard to get an accurate temperature of oil when using a thermometer, especially if there’s only a 1/2 inch of oil in a saute pan. My hint is to dip the end of a wooden spoon into the hot oil. When you see the ...