Dear Annie: My husband and I are raising a surprise baby at a stage in life when we thought our child-rearing years were mostly behind us. Our older children are already teenagers and young adults, and while we adore this little one, I would be lying if I said the large age gap has not brought ...

Dear Heloise: Trash cans can develop odors even after you empty them, but a quick step keeps smells under control. Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda at the bottom of the can before adding a new bag. The baking soda absorbs odors throughout the week. After noticing lingering smells in my ...

Dear Annie: I have a friend I have known for years, and our sons have grown up playing lacrosse together. On the surface, we are both supportive sports moms who cheer from the sidelines, pack the snacks and talk about practices, tournaments and college hopes. But underneath it all, I have ...

Dear Annie: My husband and I have lived in our modest home for many years in a quiet, beautiful neighborhood where the houses have always felt gracious and in scale with one another. We are not extravagant people, and our little house has never been the biggest or fanciest on the block, but it ...

Dear Heloise: I also miss the paper version of the news, but after getting the e-edition for a while, I find that the one big advantage of it is the ability to zoom in for larger print and to print out crossword puzzles. And I can also go back to older issues and revisit a topic. I enjoy your ...

Dear Heloise: Shoes can develop odors quickly, especially after long days. A simple solution helped in my house: I sprinkle baking soda inside each shoe before bedtime and let it sit overnight. Baking soda absorbs moisture and neutralizes odors. Shake it out in the morning, and the difference ...