KATHY MITCHELL AND MARCY SUGAR \ Annie's Mailbox Teen is uneasy about boy's interest



Dear Annie: I am a 16-year-old young lady who is smart and mature, but I have a problem. There is a guy in school who is a year older than I am, and he makes me uncomfortable. "Greg" stops in the hallway and walks with me to classes, and he never leaves me alone. He is arrogant and annoying.
I try to avoid Greg because, frankly, I need to have my own life and don't like him pestering me. I am not interested in guys, and he is stressing me out. I don't want to hurt Greg's feelings, but I need to do what is right for me.
I can tell that Greg likes me, but I don't feel the same about him. Should I just tell him to stop bothering me? If he asks why, should I say, "I prefer to be by myself"? I feel like he is breathing down my neck and is constantly in my face. California Girl
Dear California: Greg obviously has a crush on you, and what's more, your aloof attitude is honey to the bee. Honesty might work best. Tell him you are not interested in him as a boyfriend and you'd appreciate it if he would back off and give you some space. If he continues to look longingly in your direction, ignore him. If he becomes more aggressive, report him to the school authorities.
Dear Annie: I have been meaning to write in the hope that you can somehow pass on some information to "Good Memory in a Small Town," whose 56-year-old husband, "Edgar," couldn't remember the mayor's name or their vacation plans.
She is describing some of the signs of FTD (Frontotemporal Dementia), possibly Pick's disease. I do not wish to alarm this good lady, but if I am right, she is going to need a great deal of help. There are some really good Web sites where she can get information (www.ftd-picks.org and www.pdsg.org.uk). Not all family physicians are aware of Pick's, and it often is misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's.
I was reluctant to send this in case I was viewed as an interfering busybody. Then I realized how much I would have appreciated the help when my wife's situation was diagnosed six years ago. Alan in the Midwest
Dear Alan: Bless you for caring enough to write. Pick's disease is a slow, progressive form of dementia that typically occurs when a person is in his mid-50s. If you suspect a loved one is suffering from Pick's or any other FTD, it is important to seek out a physician with knowledge of these diseases. There is no cure, but the Web sites listed above will provide support and guidance.
Dear Annie: My daughter-in-law gave me a color printer as a birthday gift, but it did not have all the features that my current printer has. My current printer can fax, scan and make copies of documents. Since I didn't need the new printer, I gave it to someone who I thought could really use it.
That seemed like a logical thing to do, but my daughter-in-law became upset, saying the gift was intended for my use only. What can I do to make her forgive me? Bad Mother-in-Law
Dear Mother-in-Law: You did nothing wrong. Once a gift is given, the recipient can do with it as she pleases. Your daughter-in-law is upset because she selected something expensive that she expected you to like and was disappointed to discover that you simply gave it away. If you want to soothe her ruffled feathers, apologize for the "regifting," explaining that you appreciated her thoughtfulness and generosity enormously and you hope she will be pleased that the printer is being used by someone who is really grateful to have it.
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