Dear Sammy

Hi Sammy,

I need help with a neighbor. We’re pretty good buds most of the time, but every time there’s a sports event, he makes posters and signs pointing to my house that say things like Cowboys suck, Wankee Yankee fans ahead, or Packers fans here and losers there with arrows pointing at my door. Now we’re both grown single men in our 40s and I know there’s worse things going on in our world, but dagnabit it bothers me to no end. If I say it bothers me to see the stinking ugly signs he’ll give me heck for it no doubt. And I’m not the type to retaliate. So, what do I do to get him to knock it off without looking like a wienie? He’s my best bud and I don’t want to end up losing that. Thanks, y’all.

Dear Neighbor,

You will need to talk to him and explain that it makes you uncomfortable. Don’t fear looking like a “weenie”, if he’s really your friend, he’ll understand. Healthy rivalry can be fun, but the fun stops as soon as someone becomes uncomfortable. If you can’t find it in yourself to have this conversation, we suggest putting up positive signs to “retaliate”. Make them fun , kind, and pointing at his door!

Dear Sammy,

My friend told me I could write here anonymously about things. Well, my wife said I don’t care about her anymore. It’s not true, she just been watching them Netflix shows and reading those romantic stories lately.

I’m no FABIO or whatever but I do stuff for her. I always thank her for cooking and cleaning for me and I bring her snacks like those little round cheese wheels she likes. I know I forget special days but that’s because I’m not a smart man. There’s so much I gotta get done and I just forget or put it in the back of my mind for later and it disappears. She knows I’ve never been the romantical type and was ok with it until lately.

Please give me ideas to keep this woman. She can tick me off from time to time but I love her very much. I’ll be waiting for some ideas

-Just a knucklehead

Dear Knucklehead,

Start by making a notebook/calendar with important days and check it regularly! You can also add events into your smartphone’s calendar, and it will remind you the day before or on. You can start simple; leave notes in the house where she can find them, and send loving messages to her here and there throughout the day, letting her know you’re thinking of her. Give her little gifts every once and a while, whether it be a cheese wheel, little trinkets she may like. Anything you see and think, “she would like that”, while you go about your day. Plan a short day trip for the two of you. Spending time in a car together can help you to connect, and experiencing new things together brings back that spark. Also, it never hurts to ask what things she finds romantic, perhaps take some tips from her shows and books! Pay attention to the little things she does for you that spark that romantic joy, and try to reciprocate!

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