DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have a great relationship. We work in the same school system. He's an administrator; I am a counselor.
We sometimes go to joint meetings, but when we do, he always acts awkward, like he doesn't even know me. I understand we have to behave professionally, but not as if we don't know each other. Recently, we were leaving a meeting and no one was around. I was going to give him a peck on the lips to say goodbye, and he turned away as if he wanted nothing to do with me.
What is the proper etiquette when spouses work together? - MORE THAN A CO-WORKER IN GEORGIA
DEAR MORE: Demonstrations of physical affection are not appropriate in a workplace situation if other people are present. You say you and your husband have a "great" relationship, so I'm advising you to discuss this with him and tell him how it made you feel.
Because no one was around, there should have been no harm in a simple "peck" goodbye. Personally, I think he owes you an apology. What he did wasn't nice.
DEAR ABBY: My calico cat, Rosie, seems to be fixated on my next-door neighbor Ron. Every morning Rosie grooms herself for an hour, then jumps in the window to watch for Ron to go for his morning run. She sits there until Ron comes out of his house. He exercises a lot and has kept himself in shape, while I admit I have let myself go. As soon as she sees him, Rosie starts purring.
I have to say that I resent this. I provide her with room and board and brush her regularly, but while I'm doing it, she watches the window intently and then bolts to her lookout post if Ron appears. I bought new window treatments, which she scratched her way through, damaging the blinds and shades. Filling her food dish strategically before Ron goes out doesn't deter her.
I love my cat, but I feel she is being unfaithful. What should I do?
P.S. I'm happily married (my wife thinks I'm crazy) and Rosie has been fixed. - LARRY IN DELAWARE
DEAR LARRY: What a sad situation. Few things are more painful than feeling rejected by a love object. You didn't mention how sedentary you are, but it's possible that Rosie watches Ron because he is a moving object. Consider joining Ron on his runs and you may find Rosie is watching you, too. However, if that doesn't work, you may have to share the affections of your cat. Accept it.
DEAR ABBY: My wife and I host many holidays, Thanksgiving, Passover, etc. Invariably, everyone gathers in the family room and several people put their legs up on the ottoman with their shoes on. It drives me crazy. I view it as no different than walking on someone's furniture.
My wife thinks I should say something. I actually have done that in the past, but not for years. When I did, it made me look like the bad guy. Is this a weird fetish of mine or am I right? - PAUL IN BUFFALO GROVE, ILL.
DEAR PAUL: If you prefer that your guests not put their feet on your furniture with their shoes on, speak up and say so. Doing that doesn't make you a bad guy or a fetishist. It's your home, your preference, and it isn't rude to address something that bothers you, especially since it's something that you have mentioned before.