Dear Maribeth,

I am an avid reader of your column and I am hoping you can help me with some advise. I love my boyfriend very much but I am not sure what to do with his irratic behavior. One minute he tells me he loves me and wants me to have […]

Dear Maribeth,

While visiting a friend last week my car window was smashed and a bag of personal belongings was stolen. I find this very upsetting. On top of losing some money, there are things that are not important to anyone but me like my calendar and some special gifts. Not only do I have to […]

Dear Maribeth,

I am a realtor who is working very hard to continue to promote my business in a positive light in this economy. I am sure I am not alone. How can I attract new business and be prosperous with all the negativity in the news. In reality only 5% of the population is in […]

Dear Happy Medium,

I have recently hired an old friend to come and work for me at my business. She has been struggling with the most basic of tasks and I am wondering how to set her in the right direction without compromising our friendship.

Signed,

Pondering Proprietor

Great question P.P.!

Establishing boundaries while mixing friendship and business […]

Dear Maribeth,

I have just completed a one-year internship and will be moving back home with my parents until I find the next job. I am 23 years old and have been away at college and living on my own for the past five years. I am anxious about moving back in with my mom and […]

I recently volunteered my services to speak to a community group in a few months. I don’t see myself as a group presenter. I am better one on one. I don’t want to withdraw because I really want to do it. But I don’t want to fail either – or have people yawning. […]

Dear Maribeth,
By day I’m a professional technical writer and editor; by night I indulge my more creative side and write whatever I want: fiction, poetry, essays, drama, criticism and screenplays. I have won a half dozen national writing competitions and have been translated into Russian, Italian, Dutch, Japanese and German. However, I can’t […]

Dear Maribeth,

I have been with my boyfriend for 6 months. He is a wonderful person and so sweet to me. We’re thinking about moving in together, but he seems to have some insecurity with himself about it. He keeps telling me that he is difficult to live with. I ask him why and he says […]

Dear Maribeth,
My sister just went through a divorce that has been very hard on her young son. I am very worried about his emotional well being as it seems like his parents are too busy being angry and not giving him the attention he needs. Now they are fighting over the visitation schedule. Will they […]

Dear Maribeth,

My husband and I live in Newport. Now that the summer is here, our home has become a popular destination for friends and family. We are within walking distance to downtown. My question is, what to do with our guests that walk into town, enjoy the food, fun and libations, but are unable […]