ask karenR



read advice get advice make favorite read feedback advicenators



I have gone from younggrandma to just yg. Now,
I am using my real name.
I don't think anyone who knows me will have trouble figuring out who that is!


I have been gone a while dealing with things in my own life. I am back now to help once again. Do not expect answers from me that just tell you what you want to hear. Life is to short for nonsense. :)
Website: advicenators forum
E-mail: karenrickel@gmail.com
Gender: Female
Location: KANSAS
Occupation: Homemaker,EMT, ER worker, Medical assistant
Member Since: March 4, 2005
Answers: 10132
Last Update: July 29, 2022
Visitors: 575050


Favorite Columnists
ammo
DangerNerd
SilentOne
adviceman49
Razhie
isis
Xenolan
flare
Erinn_the_bamf
selectopaque
storageanddisposal
more...

I have known my entire life that I have some sort of connection with the other side and a hire power bur over the years I blocked it out. I am hoping to try to strengthen my connection and that I may be able to find someone to help guide me through this Journey. (link)
There are so many weirdos out there just looking to take advantage of people,I don't think anyone would feel comfortable even attempting to answer this one with a name. You best bet would be to look in your local phone directory and see if you could find someone locally to help you out.


I'm friend's with this kid. We aren't very close, but I still hung out with him every once in a while. He just makes me so angry! He thinks he's higher up than everyone else! He'll butt into conversations that he has no part being in, and talk shit about random people when they make the tiniest inconvenience. This one time in class we wrre discussing religion. He kept whispering to our table that none of this ever happened, and that god wasn't real. I'm fine if you don't believe in that kind of stuff, but there's no need to put down other peoples beliefs like that! Recently though, a friend if his told me he had some form of autism and can't help this type of stuff. Now I feel extremely bad for getting so angry. But he keeps doing this type of stuff and it's really getting on my nerves. I thought about ending the relationship, but I feel guilty doing so. I'm not sure what to do now, and I really need advice! (link)
I don't know if there is a form of autism that makes someone so rude all the time. I suppose its possible though. Regardless, if you don't like his behavior, then end the relationship. He probably isn't going to change anytime soon. So don't feel guiltily about it if you decide you don't want a relationship with a guy who sounds pretty rude. You aren't ending it because he is autistic, you are ending it because his behavior is inexcusable. Regardless of why. You didn't even know about it anyway. Don't waste time in a bad relationship. Good luck.


Why would a teenager hallucinate? Apart from medication, drug abuse, or alcohol, what could cause visual/audial hallucinations? (link)
Just wanted to add that a high fever if a person is sick may also cause hallucinations. They need to be taken to an emergency room if they are hallucinating.


My name is Rachel and I am 28 years old and I still live with my mom and share a room with my 16 year old niece. I live with my mom because the courts sat that I am unable to live on my own so my mom is my legal guardian even though I am 28 , so moving out is not an option. My problem is that my when I am changing my niece talks to her friends on her phone with her webcam an when I ask her to turn it off she says no because they can't see me , but it makes me feel really uncomfortable . What should I do ? Help! (link)
Try talking to her when she is not on the phone & explain your concerns. Since mom is your guardian get her in on the conversation too. Since it really doesn't take all that long to get dressed, It shouldn't be a problem for her to wait to talk to her friends.

If all else fails, take your stuff into the bathroom & get dressed there.


17/f
I was best friends with this girl for 5 years and then last year may we stopped being friends because we got In a fight and we became very different (she always wants to go out drinking whereas I don't). Then in December I messaged her on Instagram telling her I miss her and hate how things turned out and she just sent a heart back so I left it then last week I said happy birthday to her and she just sent a smiley face back. Then yesterday I saw she added my number back because I can see her WhatsApp story and profile picture. I really just wanna message her because I miss her so much. How can I sort things out with her? (link)
I would message her & see how it goes.
Maybe you can get some sort of friendship back with a little work. Maybe not. But at least you will know you tried. I do think, since she is sending smileys & things back, that she may be wanting to talk to you too. Make the first move & see where it goes.

Good luck!


My boyfriend and I care for each other deeply and can't stand to see each other's feelings get hurt. I am 26 he is 37, we are serious and he has talked about marriage together not too long ago. It was a first for both of us to ever celebrate Valentines Day with someone.

I told him I think Valentines Day is a bit overrated and actually never really liked seeing the lovey dovey heart decorations everywhere. He agreed and said he is the same way; although his actions always speak differently as he is always very very loving and mushy about everything, not to mention emotional, which I think is cute. With a romantic dinner, he handed me a lovely bouquet of roses with a huge Godiva heart chocolate, he always aims to get the best of everything which I've told him numerous times that it is not necessary, that even if he didn't get me anything that would be perfectly fine. Which caused him to buy even more expensive gifts, claiming I deserve the best. Truth is I would prefer it if he got me cute cheap things, I do not believe that the more you spend on something the better it will be. I do not enjoy trying to be flattered by the price of something. Thus I feel that in return I always have to buy something equal to his gifts.

While bidding farewell for the night we exchanged our main gifts for each other. We both opened our gifts when we returned home. I bought him a Burberry men's wallet, which he claims he really liked, although he says that for everything which I give him or go to with him. For the wallet, he said that I know him well. He in return gave me a bottle of perfume. I was happy that it was not an expensive piece of jewelry like last time (which is another story of its own- I went back and forth with him telling him I could not accept the Tiffany's necklace, he reluctantly told me he would return it however he secretly kept it waiting for the return date to expire which he later gave me again saying "now you know I can't return it, did you really think I'd give it back, its yours". Which of course I had to take, I do like it, but again unnecessary spending).

Now this perfume which I thought was normal priced because I have never heard of it turned out to be $370 (Portrait of a Lady), which is expensive for a perfume, and he went and got the biggest size. The worst part is that it has an EXTRAORDINARILY strong scent, I researched reviews on the perfume which is when I learned the price, I googled it thinking maybe I just found it strong however everyone claimed that it was really hard to get off even with showering and washing clothes and stays on about 3 days with 1 spray. I am one who prefers Eau de Toilet sprays in comparison to Perfumes as they last shorter with less of a scent, so this is 10x too strong for me. I appreciate the thought but it kills me that he would spend $370+tax on a perfume which will most likely sit on the shelf, a similar scent to it could have been plain old rosewater for $20. I thought of trading it for something I could use but I doubt someone would pay that much for it. I also really don't want to bring up that I didn't like this gift of his either as I mentioned he is easily broken hearted, and probably still touchy that I rejected his first necklace gift in the beginning. All I did so far was thank him for the perfume saying it smells like roses but did not spray it yet. Please help what should I do, what would you do? (link)
It seems he is determined to spend money on you. Maybe if you talk about how much you enjoy the simpler things in life every couple of days during a time when a giving holiday isn't looming he will get the message. He probably won't though.

Spend your money the way you want to. Don't feel the need to spend a lot on him. Maybe make him a gift next time. Sooner or later he will get the message. We are so bombarded with diamond commercials & the idea that if you truly love someone, you have to shower them with expensive gifts. I think they are put out there to make men feel it is expected of them to buy the best. I really hope he learns that simple is better. If he doesn't then I guess you just accept the gifts & consider his spending just one of his quirks. Its all you can do short of breaking up & I don't think you want to go that far. Good luck!



This is probably jumbled and random. I'm a little upset, so I apologize. Thank you in advance.

When I was little, my maternal grandmother lived with us a lot. I had a very close relationship with her, as I do with my mother. Her whole life she's had a hard time with personal relationships, and she's moved around and met different men, none of which have been pleasant. Right now she lives with an old man with a farm, and he's a little off his rocker, and doesn't like to go out or be around people, and besides getting anxious sometimes, he isn't that bad of a guy. However, they have this idea that they just cannot leave the farm unless they need something because they might get sick, and of course, they can't afford that. I haven't seen my grandmother in around a year, even though she lives about half an hour away. My step dad and 8 year old brother saw them from across the street at a gas station. They all made eye contact, but couldn't even be bothered to wave. Just last year, when I was still in highschool I had a lead roll in our winter musical, and we were doing South Pacific. It's my grandmother's favorite, and she promised she'd come see. It was the only thing that kept me from dropping out. She didn't come. Graduation rolled around, and I sent out invitations. She sent me a letter saying that she and her boyfriend or whatever he is would "be there in spirit." I cried both times. I know she's never had the best mental health, but it makes me angry. I want to write her a letter, but I don't even know what to say to her. My mother hasn't really ever had the best relationship with her, and it's at it's worst right now. They haven't spoken in months. Grandma sends occasional cards. She doesnt know what my siblings are up to, she doesn't know I moved out, or that I'm seeing someone. I'm so hurt by her lack of action, but I miss her. I know where they live, and I want to go see her, but I don't know if that would be the right course of action. I'm upset right now, so this whole thing is probably very jumbled. I also don't know if I should take how my mom would feel if I went to see her into consideration. I'm 18 and it's not really any of her business, but I love my mother very much. Also, I don't see or talk to my family much, despite living 8 blocks away, and I don't want another confrontation about it..

I want to see my grandmother again. What should I do??? (link)
Go see her. I'm a grandmother & really love it when my grands come to visit.

You need to go because she won't come to you. You need to check on her now & then just to make sure she is ok. She may actually fear getting sick or she may just be afraid to leave someone she obviously loves alone at home. He may have some form of dementia. You really won't know unless you visit them. She sends the occasional card so actually she is reaching out to you in a way. After you visit you need to make a point of visiting as often as you can. Call once a week at least & see if she needs anything & check on her.

After your visit with Grandma, go visit your mom. Let her know how grandma is doing & things. If she seems interested, offer to take her to visit with you the next week. If she doesn't seem to want to then don't push it. But you go. Let mom know whats going on if you think she would like to hear.

People tend to get busy with their own lives. I know how it goes because I need to visit my own mom more often. We think about visiting & next thing we know another week has passed. Don't let
how other may feel about you visiting keep you from it. Life is awfully short. Time sure speeds by once you get older. Go see Grandma. :)



So I'm going to sound completely crazy, but stay with me. I hypothetically have a crush who didn't like me back. The chemical formula for love is as follows: dopamine, seratonin, and oxytocin. This could be created in a lab, though an overdose in the substance would result in insanity. So if I got a hold of these substances all together, and caused someone to drink it in the correct amount so they don't lose their head, could I potentially create the same effect as a love potion? If so, how may I go about doing this? I've thought about putting it in their drink or on their food perhaps, though it would look really creepy if I was caught pouring random substances onto someones things. Any responses? (link)
It would be really creepy alright. Not to mention that it could land you in jail. I don't advise you doing this with any substance.

I would imagine if there were a formula that could be made for love it would have been made by now. The REAL basic ingredients for love are as follows. You have to be friends. You have to have common interests. You have to have a common vision for the future. You have to communicate well with each other. You must really, really like each other.

Work on those things with your crush & love may find you.


It has to be a store. (link)
Lane Bryant & Target are good places to start. Almost all department stores now carry plus sizes.


I found out that my boyfriend was texting old women (late 40's to 50's) and other women who were at least 8 years older than him. He's 21 and I'm 20. So of course, he basically fucks them. It was indeed cheating.

But it never hurt me coz duh I'm much younger, smart, I'm a triathlete, top in our school, pretty and I'm quite popular in the city.

My concern is that, I felt really weird and disgusted that from all of the girls he could on me with, why with women much older than he is. Last night, I've snooped on his phone and saw a 56ish women messaged him asking to meet up again and little did I know he denied having a girlfriend. The women was oh my god, my grandma was far better-looking than her.

I also snooped on his search history on his laptop, I saw massive piled up search of "50 year old women fucking", "60 year old women fucking", "40 year old women fucking". It made me feel so horrible with myself. What's wrong with him?

Also, on his downloads, I've seen at least 20 porn videos of milfs, and old women aged 50s-60s.

I love my boyfriend and this hurts me so bad. I asked him for explanation and he said he didn't have to explain. I even nagged him but he never answered. Unlike before when I saw a girl (2 years older than me) texting him and I got furious, He could explain that. But this no.

Now we're okey and I get to see him after 26 coz we're both travelling. I need an explanation please. This is really bugging me. Please give me an explanation. (link)
I'm an "old woman", but I sure wouldn't want a younger man. LOL. I would suppose women my age who want a younger man are either looking for someone who wants taken care of, or someone with a little more pep than men their own age.

I do know that 2, yes 2, of my sons friends are married to women my age. Like you I think its kinda gross. The reasons they have given are actually different than those Adviceman would imagine....

They both have very nice mothers. They both stayed home & raised them along with siblings. They say it is hard to find women who want to stay home & raise a family these days.

Girls their age are all me, me, me. They are busy doing their own thing & don't have time to spend with them. When they do its all about the money.

Now that is just what they have told me. It may be the more experienced in bed thing too...but they claim the other things are more important to them.

So not to be discouraging, but perhaps he just likes older women. He will probably end up married to one some day. At 21 though he may be dating one his own age just for appearances, not a lot of us find that much of an age difference as anything but gross.



I’ve been working for a month. I handed my boss my direct deposit slip 3 weeks ago and I haven’t been paid. We’re supposed to get paid every 2 weeks. I haven’t gotten a paper check. My boss isn’t around when I’m at work, it’s just the assistant managers. He doesn’t answer his phone. (link)
I don't have much to add to Dragonfly's great answer. Just a couple of things.

Call, or better yet, go by your bank and see how long it takes them to set up direct deposit. I don't think it would take long but you never know. They may be able to tell you if its been set up yet at least.

You don't say when you started the job. Most jobs you have to work one pay period & get paid the next. So it is possible if you just started that you won't get paid until the fourth week, if that makes sense.

If your boss is just a manager & not the business owner then go over his head to a district supervisor. Look up your place of employment online & see if there are contact numbers. I guarantee someone will get back to you real quick.


any advice for someone who wants to start building muscle but also eats junk as well as healthy food. I will continue to eat whatever i want can i still gain muscle? (link)
I'm sure you will still gain muscle if you do a good workout. You may want to try to slow down a little on the junk food of course, but you will probably still gain muscle.


What is the hiring process like? Do you have to have experience? (link)
I found you a site that gives you some info. It is a good place to start anyway.

https://www.criminaljusticedegreehub.com/how-do-i-become-a-tsa-agent/

good luck!


AHHHH!! 😭Someone anyone make the decision for me I CANT I just can't I tried for a too long 😩😩😩 I love both nursing and occupational therapy but my heart has always been in occupational therapy, it's my dream career. Nursing-RN Qcc only 8 classes left still 1 1/2 years 3-11 5 days week then 1 1/2 more for the bachelors in nursing(BSN required to be a nurse now these days) OR Occupational therapy assistant 2 years, only 2-3 classes a semester (bc my bachelors degree) then 1 year of full time work then 2 year ONLINE program to get the masters in occupational therapy and can have a life and a family in the meantime whenever if I do the assistant program OR straight into the Masters of occupational therapy program (my dream career 🙏🏼) 1 1/2 years driving an hour and a half away in Springfield Mon-thurs 630 to 5 can't have a family until 2021 when I'm 30...anyyyy input is fine if not I'll drive myself crazy again with the 1000th pros and cons lists. I use to much emotion because I'm so passionate about helping people as both a nurse and OT im not using enough logic 🤷🏼‍♀️ (link)
I think you should go with your heart. If occupational therapy is your dream job, then go for it. Life is real short, be happy. :)


how do I support and help my boyfriend who is sad and depressed. he says he's very depressed because little things is not going right in his life. we've been together for few months but known for a year. he's a good boyfriend plus we normally talk everyday but in a few days certain things has failed so he says he don't feel like texting or talking and he hardly communicates with me and I'm his girlfriend instead I'd have to initiate the conversation but he barely talks considering he's chatty boy. how do I support him? should I stop texting him more often? we love each other very much. I just want him back like he used to. we're both in our early 30's. please could I have short and simple answers? thank you all (link)
The short & simple answer is just to be there for him. Let him know you care & are there to listen if he wants to talk about anything. Back off a bit if he doesn't feel like talking, it isn't you.

Next, is he seeing a doctor abut his depression? If not he should. They can put him on medication that with a little time can have him feeling a lot better.


Does wearing all black make me gothic if i wear it all the time? i like to wear black jeans with black dress shoes and black turtle neck with a black suit jacket People say i look like im going to a funeral when im not Im just embracing my darker side (link)
Dressing in all black is probably something one would do if they feel that is the gothic look for them. Dressing in all black doesn't necessarily make you goth though. Some people just like wearing black. :)

Those who consider themselves goth do wear color too. I think goth is a state of mind really. If you enjoy black though, go for it!


I know if you have the tv up too loudloud you can blow the speakers. We have a flat screen. No surround sound. I swear its like no matter how loud we turn it up you still cant hear it, the speakers on the tv (vents) arent blown. Ive jist noticed with flat screens audibility sucks. It goes up to a 100. My fiance tells me not to rurn it up to 90 and 100, but can yoi really blow yhe speakers even if it sounds like regular volume turned up that high? I believe not, only if it sounds like its blasted. But what are you alls opinion? (link)
We have had 2 flat screen TV's and the sound on both is lousy. We have to turn it way up just to hear it, and our room is small. We have come to the conclusion that flat screens just aren't made with good speakers. We are going to have to invest in some external speakers.

No blown speakers, on both we have had the sound quality sucked from day one. I have since read reviews on the TV's and found that most flat screens of all brands have a lot of complaints regarding sound quality.


I'm trying to stop drinking soda, but I always get a craving after a while and I drink it too much. I've been drinking water, but I don't like it that much. (link)
Boy can I relate. I need to stop drinking it too but am finding it impossible.

My daughter stopped drinking it & said it took a few days but then she didn't crave it any more. THEN, she decided to get a soda when she was out one day. She said just drinking that one soda made her crave sugar like crazy. So, I know its not good for me but I have cut down to one a day.

The only way I can drink water is if it is ice cold. Lots & lots of ice in it. So that's probably not real helpful but its what I do.

Good luck with it. Hope some of the others have something we might both use!


My wife was raped when she was 15 by a 25 year old construction worker. She made a date to go to his house. When she got there the guy ripped her clothes off and raped her vaginally and anally. On top of that his roommate was watching discreetly. Sounds horrible and in some ways I'm sure it was but she orgasm d intensely, went back the next day knowing what would happen. She thought about that every time she masturbated for years after that. She also liked to be dominated, treated like a slut, and does to this day. (link)
I don't see a question here. You may want to add one to get the best advise.

I think perhaps your wife needs to see a therapist if her feelings are upsetting. If this is something that is bothering you then maybe a marriage counselor could help.


So... I recently found this thing online, a kink called ddlg. If you're not familiar with it, it's short for daddy dom little girl. Of course, this isn't actual incest or pedophilia. If you need any more information, some quick googling will give you a good answer. I think I might be kind of into this. I love when my boyfriend tells me what to do, when he "punishes" me during sex, and when he calls me kitten, doll, baby girl, or other names like that. I like acting child-like with him, and he likes when I dress like a kid, like when I wear cat ears. He takes care of me, in a way, like he reminds me to do my homework and makes sure I'm responsible. I'm sure this isn't the best description. I'm wondering if I should bring this up to him. We're very open about sex and everything else, and I feel weird not talking to him about this. It doesn't seem like a serious thing to me, but I do want to know his opinion of it. I don't want us to actively participate in this kink, I'm very happy with our sexual relationship, but it feels weird not to know where he stands on this. I would really like him to know that it's a turn on for me to somewhat act out the child-like part of this kink, but I'm afraid to tell him. So, basically... do you think I should bring this up to my boyfriend? Would it be easier to maybe send him a link about the ddlg thing, or just to explain my particular interests to begin with and not mention the ddlg kink at all? I'm afraid either way he'll think it's odd that I want to be treated like a kid at times. I don't expect this kink to take over our lives and I don't want it to, so in a way I feel like I'm making too big of a deal of this. Should I tell him and how should I tell him?
(link)
Sounds like he may already know what you like. I don't think it would hurt anything to discuss it. He may be surprised that there is a name for it, but I think he knows you enjoy being treated like a little girl already.




read advice get advice make favorite read feedback advicenators

<<< Previous Advice Column
Next Advice Column >>>

eXTReMe Tracker