ANNIE’S MAILBOX: ‘Sarah’ is out of line with her texting

September 17, 2010 at 4:14a.m.

By Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar

Dear Annie: I am having problems with my neighbor “Sarah,” whom I used to consider a good friend. A year ago, she began sending my husband text messages. They started out innocently, but then she implied she wanted “Ed” to have an affair with her. I was hurt and angry.

Sarah sent me an apology via e-mail, but otherwise hasn’t spoken about it. Ed told her to stop texting, but she still sends him an occasional message, although they are no longer suggestive. I feel it is totally inappropriate for her to text him at all. Ed does not respond to the messages. I no longer feel comfortable around her.

The irony is that Sarah seems angry at us because our friendship is not the same. I have no desire to be friends any longer and don’t feel I can trust her. Am I being too harsh?

Annoyed Neighbor

Dear Annoyed: No. Sarah has betrayed your trust and dismissed her culpability and is inappropriately maintaining separate contact with your husband. She is not a friend. You and Ed should tell her, together, that her behavior was disgraceful and forgiveness is not possible as long as she continues to text him. No excuses will be accepted.

Dear Annie: I have an old acquaintance who has inserted himself into my life via Facebook. Now, it seems I’m his only friend.

Every time I’m on Facebook, he’s there. I wouldn’t mind so much, but he likes to turn everything into a political argument, and he is insulting.

I’m tired of having to cut back on my own social networking in order to avoid another discussion with him. “Unfriending” him isn’t a good option because when he isn’t arguing with me, he’s a decent guy. How do I solve this with the least amount of backfire?

Getting Too Much

Dear Too Much: Try ignoring the political rants. Change the subject. It’s hard to fight with someone who replies, “Yeah, whatever, how about them Yankees?” Tell him that if he continues to insult you, you will be forced to unfriend him.

Dear Annie: I read the letter from “Not Always Greener,” who was adopted and searched for her birth mother. I am 54 and was adopted. I’ve been asked many times if I am curious about my birth parents. Yes, of course.

I would not, in any way, compromise the feelings of my devoted, nurturing parents in order to satisfy a selfish urge on my part. Medical history, however, is a blank record. Is there a way I could get that information without disturbing anyone?

Doubly Loved

Dear Loved: Your state may allow access to your adoption records, which should contain some basic medical history. Contact the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse (http://www.adoption.org/adopt/national-adoption-information-clearingho use.php), 330 C Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20447.

E-mail your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

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