Has this lonesome teen learned an old-school lesson?

Dear Annie: For two years, I attended a good all-girls Catholic high school. Because of my poor grades, I was expelled and am now enrolled in a public school. I really don’t like it and long to be back with my friends.

I have asked my mother and stepfather about re-enrollment, but they said even if it were possible for me to return, they can’t afford it with the state of the economy these days. Financial aid is not an option because their income exceeds the amount needed to be eligible.

My father said if I really wanted to go back, he would find a way to pay the tuition. Annie, I know he would never deliberately lie to me, but he’s not rich and I’m not sure he can manage it.

I desperately want to get back to my old school, but it seems hopeless. I’ll do anything it takes, but it seems impossible. Any suggestions? Losing Hope

Dear Losing Hope: We know you miss your friends, but there are consequences when you don’t take your education seriously enough to get passing grades. It is unfair to expect your father or anyone else to put themselves in financial jeopardy because you messed up.

We think you can make new friends at your current school. However, it’s possible your parents would be willing to pool their resources so neither one gets stuck with the entire tuition bill, and it’s OK to ask them about that. And, honey, if you get back into the Catholic school, you’d better make them proud.

Dear Annie: I recently hosted a costumed ladies social, serving lunch to 20 women and organizing icebreaker games. While guests were arriving and I was introducing people, “Susie” started taking pictures of the fun costumes. She directed people to move here and there for photos. After several attempts to get my attention, she hollered, “Debbie, look at me right this minute!”

Susie acted put out when her ideas weren’t used and wanted to control how the games were played. She was not a very compliant guest, and I remain resentful.

Aren’t guests supposed to let the hostess direct them? Or can they create their own activities? What could I have done to relieve the stress Susie brought to what was supposed to be a fun afternoon? Hostess Blues

Dear Hostess: Susie was a rude guest because she undermined your authority as the hostess. Guests should always defer to the hosts’ plans for the occasion, and hosts should make their guests’ participation as pleasant as possible. The best way to defuse someone like Susie is to assign her a job and make her feel like an important part of the process. We would have gushed about her photographic skills and put her in charge of taking pictures of every aspect of the event so she had less time to interfere in other areas.

Dear Annie: I’m in my late 50s and married to a very fine lady, the love of my life. Like many women in their 40s and 50s, she now has a weaker sex drive. It’s called menopause and is inevitable, kind of like death and taxes.

Does my wife wish she had a greater desire for physical intimacy? Of course. Can she will it to happen? No. But I still find her desirable, and she shows me her love in so many other ways, from the special meals she prepares to being my best friend.

I try to be passionate without expectation. Just cuddling when she needs comfort is far more important than sex. I let her initiate intimacy, but I make sure I continually provide her with a reason to want to, by being loving and caring outside the bedroom. I’ve got more important things to worry about than how much sex I’m getting. The Other Side of the Bed

Dear Other Side: Compared to the majority of letters we receive from men, it’s refreshing to get another perspective. We love you guys.

• E-mail your questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net or write to: Annie’s Mailbox‚Ñ¢, P.O. Box 118190, Chicago, IL 60611.

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