Signs and Opinions

Dear Allison,
I have a problem.  Recently I have seen that many people have signs in their yards regarding wilderness. In some areas of town it is common to see signs that say, "Let's expand and protect our wilderness so that nobody can chop down the trees."  In other areas the signs say, "Let's always be able to chop down trees so that people can have jobs and feed their families."  I feel very strongly about this issue, and I wish I were brave enough to put a sign in my own yard. But most of the people I know feel differently than I do, and I worry that they might stop liking me if they see my yard sign. They feel strongly too, and they might all decide I'm crazy and bad for showing my opinion. Still, I want to put a sign in my yard.  I'm just not sure I have the guts.

Sincerely,
No Guts


Dear No Guts,
Perhaps you could talk to your friends about how they are wonderful people, but you just happen to think differently.  Perhaps they will understand.  Just put the sign up anyway, and then you will seem to find the confidence to explain your opinion if your friends ask.  If your friends do think you're crazy, I am sure you will find more friends that feel the same way you do, and they'll have the exact same sign in their yard, and they will not think you are crazy, and perhaps they will make you their friend.  That's all I have.

Be Back Soon,
Allison

Happy Birthday

Dear Allison,

I have a grand daughter who will be turning 11 next week. I know I will get her some nail polish that she wants, but have no other ideas. She is just now getting in to hip hop dancing. She likes Justin Beaber, Miley Cyrus and other popular singers. (don't know if I spelled those correctly) Any ideas? 

Thanks!!! Karen


Dear Karen,

At any Claire's Boutique you can find all sorts of Justin Bieber stuff.  And half of the fun of hip hop dancing is wearing cool, tricked out, neon, colorful clothes and accessories including fake, dyed hair on barrettes.  Selena Gomez is popular.  I'm sure you could find something about her just by strolling any store that's popular.  That is all I have.

Be Back Soon,
Allison

Farms, Wives and Dogs

Dear Allison,

I have a problem with my dog and my wife. Our big dog, "Chuckie", is a big, lovable oaf, but he can be just a tad bit ill-behaved, especially when we have a bunch of people in our house. He growls at guest dogs, lays on the floor in the middle of whatever you're doing, begs for food while we're eating dinner, and basically can be just slightly annoying. My wife, "Bossy", gets mad and tells me to put the dog outside when he does these things, and she says silly things to me like, "Chuckie's a DOG. It's OK for him to go outside when he's misbehaving," or "Lock him in the garage if he's going to pick on the other dogs. We're the boss, he's the dog, and we make the rules." I think Bossy's being mean to "Chuckie", and I feel sorry for him. What should I do?

Frustrated at the Farm

 

Dear Frustrated,

 

First of all, when Bossy does that sort of stuff you could reason with her politely about reasons that Chuckie is important to you, and she might stop doing it.  And you might want to try having guest dogs over half as much as usual since you did mention it makes him mad.  I am on your team - dogs have feelings too!  That is all I have.

Be Back Soon,

Allison

Science Class

Dear Allison,

I am a 15 year old boy. There's this girl that sits in front of me in science class. She is really cute. Sometimes I pull her long blonde hair a little bit, just kidding around. She turns around and acts mad, but maybe she's not, really. Do you think she likes me?

Gotta Crush


Dear Gotta Crush,

I usually know about girls, since I am one and I grew up around them too.  If she likes you she will act like you are a good friend.  But some girls don't work that way.  Besides, I am not a teenager so I cannot tell you that for sure.  If all you do is pull on her hair, it's not going to get you anywhere.  Instead, perhaps try talking to her about what she likes.  After all, girls love talking about themselves.  Make a joke once in awhile, but don't make a long, desperate chain of jokes every time.  Just ask her questions and let her talk about herself the rest of the time.  That's all I have.


Be Back Soon,


Allison

Dishes

Dear Allison,

I have a problem with my wife. The way "Bossy" loads the dishwasher doesn't make sense: she fills the side of the dishwasher closest to her with dirty dishes FIRST, which makes her have to reach OVER those dishes to fill up the far-away side. It's like when you go to a movie theater and choose to sit on the end of a row, and then all the people who want to sit in the middle have to climb all over you to get there. It would make much more sense if she filled the far side of the dishwasher FIRST, then she wouldn't have to reach over all the dirty dishes to fill up the close side. What can I do to make her change this? And why doesn't she follow all my good ideas?

Stumped up the Satsop


Dear Stumped,

I am not sure why "Bossy" loads the dishwasher that way. But she probably has a reason why. If you really want to change it, perhaps you could give her reasons why it doesn't make sense, like you did in your question. Of course, she IS doing the dishes. If you feel wrong about the way she does it, perhaps you should talk to her about doing it yourself. Or if that sounds hard to you, you could just go into the other room when she is loading and unloading the dishwasher since she probably unloads wrong too. That's all I have.
 
Be Back Soon,

Allison

Delicious

Dear Allison,
 
I really want to try making a caramel corn pie, but this cyber bully I know says I probably can't do it and that it will be gross.  How can I invent a recipe for a delicious caramel corn pie and put that naysayer in his place?
 
Signed,
Sweetie Pie

Dear Sweetie Pie,

First of all, add a lot of sugar.  Second of all, my dad is a naysayer, so I kind of know how to deal with them.  Make sure you test the filling to make sure it really is good, then make the pie and rub it in the naysayer's face that it really is good.  Do not share with the naysayer.  Have a positive day making a pie with your family, while that naysayer sits around all day being negative.  That is all I have.


Be Back Soon,
Allison

Cats Galore

Dear Allison,
My problem is that I really want another kitty, but my mom won't give me one.  We already have two cats.  How can I convince my mom to let us have one more?
 
Signed,
Meow the Cat

Dear Cat,

I know that you are an incredible artist, so perhaps you could draw a few pictures and paint a few too, and sell them on your street to get enough money to buy a new cat.  This would show your parents that you really mean that you want one.  This might give you shocking flashes of the future, but you might want to wait until one dies of an old age.  Then you could get another one, and your family would still have two.  Or perhaps you could try getting another dog.  Or, if you really want to have three cats at one time, you could promise to help with some of the chores that need to be done if you have cats at all.  That's all I have.


Be Back Soon,
Allison