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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: 576533


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Ok so theres this boy in my class and he always make fun of me saying something about how my chest is small or w/e, i wouldnt care but he ytell it to all his friend that are boy , there are 20 ppl in my class soo that not alot if yo think about it, its really embarssing and even if I say sotp he doesnt!! Please I feel relaly uncomforatble. (link)
Ask him daddy has enough money to pay you off when you sue him for sexual harrassment. That might shut his mouth for him. :)


ok so my friend says shes not obbsessed with this guy but she is and he is the only thing she ever talks about it is soo annoying!!! she is always talking about how rich he is and how his parents might rent a limo to take them to a formal dance im not jelous at all b/c he is like my brother but ever other word that comes out of her mouth is his name! and so this has gone on for about 2 weeks and about a day or two ago i have been saying loser a lot and i dono y and she is getting mad at me for that and i dono y b/c she has said his name about 50 times today and i have only said loser about 10 ugh! its making me so mad! can someone please tell me why she is doing this? (link)
You said it yourself she is obsessed with the guy. Talk to her and tell it is driving you batty if you haven't yet. she may not realize she's being annoying. :)


I always get sidetracked and daydream in class. like i dont pay attention [i still get A's and B's somehow]. sometimes i will space out when people talk to me and they get mad sometimes. My friend always says "pay attention" or "i think u have ADD" .. this is botherin me now that someone pointed it out to me. Is this ADD.. if it matters 13/f (link)
Since you say it only happens sometimes I'm going to say probably not ADD. Especially since your grades are good. ADD kids usually have lousy grades. I think you just occasionally become a teenage space cadet...which is pretty normal. :)


My friend was raped by a bunch of guys. Now she's pregnant and she also has AIDS because of them. She's anemic which means she's already really tired all the time and gets short of breathe really easily. Well lately she's been really tired, like more than usual and it's really scaring me. Her parents don't know about what happened to her, they really don't care about her she's basically living with me. My parents take care of her and we give her a place to stay. She has a job but lately she's been skipping it and she just seems really tired. It's like she's a completely different person. She'll usually try to do things and not let the fact that she's anemic stop her but she hasn't been doing anything lately and she seems really sick. She says that it's just her anemia but I'm not really sure. My question is could she just be like this because of the anemia or could it be something else? I don't know that much about AIDS so could she be dying from it and that's why she seems so exhausted and sick all the time?
Please help me I'm really worried about her.

Sarah (link)
Is she not seeing a doctor? If she isn't she should be. Most towns have free clinics so she can't use that as an excuse. There are many types of anemia. Most are treatable. Aids can cause fatigue as well. Most people with aids die of pneumonia. There are a lot of good web sites where you can find the info you need. Just punch either into your web browser and read up on both. Encourage her to see a doctor if she isn't. :)


My brother died a week ago and at first I didn't do anything it was like I couldn't think or function at all. Then I just cried for like a day. Now it's like he's all I can think about. I lived with him. My parents died when I was really little and my brother basically raised me. I've always cut but not as bad as I have been lately. It's like I can't stop everday when I get home from school I cut all day in school I think about my brother and it makes me want to cut. My friend knows about my brother but she doesn't know about the cutting. I'm scared to tell her because I dont' want to be put somewhere or have to go to a shrink. I really like cutting. I've heard some bad stuff about it but I just don't see why it's so bad. I know that she'll see the bad side of it and try to stop me or get me "help" but I don't need it or want it. I know my friend and I feel about not telling her the truth so should I tell my friend what I've been doing or should I just keep it a secret? (link)
Sorry to hear about your brother. I am sure it is going to take a while to get over losing him.
I don't think that cutting is going to help. I do think you should tell your friend and talk to her. I also believe you need to get medical help with the problem if you can't overcome it on your own. You need to think about how your brother would react if he knew what you were doing. I really don't think he would like you using his death as a reason to do it. :)


well, my bf and i go to diffrent schools so we try to hang out as much as we can inbetween my soccer and work for both of us. during the week i try to go over his house every night i dont have soccer adn she always fights with me about it...

i mean id have him over my house but she doesnt like people over??

what can i do to make things better between my mom and i? (link)
You need to talk to mom and explain to her that since you want this relationship to work out you need to see each other. If she would only allow you to have him over to your house a couple of days a week she would see more of you. Try talking to her as you would one of your friends. That may help. :)


I am a 23yr old female, just starting out my career in nyc, just graduated from top university- ranked No. 16 in the country and I think I have a bright future. However, one thing really bothers me. My serious boyfriend five years my senior, although he is loving, talented, ambitious, sensitive etc. shows no evidence of financial responsibility. He lives at home and struggles to pay his car payments and car insurance every month, often making them late. He has no health insurance, and he is in debt $15,000 because of a misused Discover card he foolishily ran up during his college years and some student loans he never payed back. I don't want you to get the wrong idea, he works hard at his dancing career, and understands that he messed up. He intends to pay it all back, but it's impossible now because he is what you would call a "starving artist". His debt began many years before I met him last year, but what really bothers me is for the past few years he has completely ignored his debt while it is accruing interest at a high rate, he is not even in contact with Discover or his student loan company. He claims he is waiting for the "big break", a coveted position to be a waiter and a five star restaurant in NYC before attempting to pay back his debt. I have doubts about this "plan". I personally have no debt, and had the priviledge of having my school tuition payed for by my parents, who also had the foresight to teach me financial responsibility. (it helped that I didn't come from a poor family) So, knowing nothing about debt, how to get out of it, and how its affects you beyond your credit (his is shot to hell), should I be concerned since we often talk about having a future together? I hope to achieve financial stability by the time I am 30 and would like to have children some time too. Please let me know if it is a mistake to think he can overcome this problem, since it read it was very common amoung people in their twenties. Every time I try to talk to him about his problem he gets upset and defensive and claims he's got everything figured out. Thank you for taking the time to read this your repsonses would be greatly appreciated! (link)
It is possible for him to get out of debt but, he won't get out waiting for his "big break". He needs to be working on it today because it will just grow way out of control.

I would certainly wait until he puts a lot of effort into paying it off before you plan a future with him. I believe if you marry that you will take on his debt as well.

I think you need to seriously look at your relationship. You seem to have a definite plan for your life and are very responsible. He on the other hand is the complete opposite. I think that may cause a lot of problems in the future. :)


Hey my name is Chad im 21. I met this girl last october online and we have been talking since then. I called her a few times but her sister ratted her out and since then I havent been able to call. By the way shes 18 and her name is Emily. In march I asked her out and we have been close since then but its come that time we really want to meet. Thing is they are are christians and her mom thinks I only wanna take her virginity. Her step dad just left sunday so its only the mom, her and her sister. I really want this relationship to work and so does she but, I need to know some ways to prove to her mom that I really just want to be with her daughter for a serious relationship and not for sex. Any ideals? (link)
Actions speak louder than words. You will just have to show her that you are polite and will treat her daughter with respect. Of course you will have to meet her in order for that to work.

You can't really blame mom for being skeptical of an online relationship. She wouldn't be a very good mom if she weren't. Hopefully when you meet them...and I would ask to meet them as a group first, she will see that you are sincere. :)


My name is "Katheine" and I am 17 years old (about to turn 18 in November). I have a ..friend?.. a friend named "Jeff". We dated almost three and a half years ago. We only dated for a few months.. but I fell in love. I know it might sound stupid to you, like "Oh, how cute, she thinks she's in love." Two words: Bite me. :)In all honesty, "Jeff" was and still is (whether I will admit it or not) is my love. We've been through a lot over these three years, in our own personal lives and what we've put each other through. We've also grown up. But the fact is, He loves me. He honestly loves me. We've been friends and a little bit more for the past three and a half years. Recently (as in the past 5 months) he has bluntly thrown in my face and said to me, "I love you,Katherine." I want to date him again. I want to try this for real, he's matured greatly (which was needed for me to ever date him again). There is just one problem, He's joined the Navy.

He joined in early March. He told me of course, but I kept my mouth shut on the subject. Hes being deployed in October. He now has about 5 to 6 months left to stay here.

The problem is, should I start dating him? I know it will take a lot of effort on my part. But whether I am dating him or not, when he leaves for the Navy I will miss him just as badly. He's one of my best friends, and hell, I love him. Letting him go won't be the hard part, trying to hide my longing and worry for him will. What can I say? I will miss him! And I won't know how long it might be before I see him again. This question has been on my mind for about a month now, and I don't know what to do. I'm scared to make the wrong move, especially when I don't even have all the facts (I mean about service in the Navy).

If anyone could please give me some helpful adivce, I would be very thankful. If anyone who has a boyfriend or girlfriend in the military could write me back, that would be even more helpful. Thank you. (link)
I don't see any reason not to date him if you really want to. You have 5-6 months to figure out if you think it will work out for longer. If you think that it will, then you will just have to write to him and wait along with hundreds of other girlfriends and wives! You should know before he leaves whether or not you want to wait for him. Good luck to you both. :)


Well I like this guy and he has a g/f but he secretly likes me and when he is not with his g/f he talks to me and hugs me and jokes around with me but when he is with her he never looks at me. His aunt tells me he likes me and I like him secretly too. He always trys to stare at me when his gf is not looking but his g/f is one of my good friends. What should I do? (link)
You should leave him alone. If he cares for you that much then why does he have the other girlfriend? He obviously isn't breaking up with her to go out with you. He wants to have his cake and eat it to...just doesn't work that way. Sorry. :)


i'm in 10th grade/female and theres this boy i was talking to for about 4 months then we suddenly just stopped talking because of people making up all these rumors about us so he ended it cause he thought i was the one saying it all. for awhile i was ok with it but then i got the feeling i was never really over him. and now i can't stop thinking about him were sitll friends and i tried talking to him about it but he says things are just different now. how can i get over him, please help its been soo long since we stopped talking and i'm still not over him. like wtf? (link)
I think rumors and gossip just naturally come up when people start spending time together. Isn't to much can be done about it really because people love to talk.

If the rumors are bad ones...you just hope that your friends know you well enough that they don't believe them. Nobody else is important.

If he feels that strongly about it then all you can do is assure him that you didn't start the rumors (I mean really, why would you?) and find another guy. Hard I know but its the best way to get over him. :)


Ok, I just wanted to thank me ppl for their advice. I found out the she is having a relationship behind my back. This is the new one. I just went to our senior prom and met this girl. She is the bomb, I mean everything about her is perfect in my eyes. I almost hooked up with her and found out that one of my friends like her,but she doesn't like him that way. I'm in some trouble on this one. LOL. What should I do on this one. Arrrrgh, why do my friends and i like the same girl.
(link)
Well, your friend really can't make her like him, and since he isn't dating her I think you should be free to ask her out.

If he were dating her it would be one thing...you don't take girls away from each other. Friends often like the same things...that's why they are friends. :)


ok well i liked this boy for a really long time, and my friend told him i wanted to talk to him. Turns out he has a girlfriend but what got me was what he said. "I have a girlfriend now, but maybe when we break up." ok who says that? am i overreacting or something cause now i dont even wanna talk to him. Who thinks about when theyre gonna break up with the person they're with? does he think hes a pimp or something? ugh.. i jus wanna see someone elses view. thannks! (link)
No, I don't think you're overreacting. Sounds like he just kind of uses girls doesn't it? Go with your instincts and leave him alone. :)


I recently started dating a guy with a very very close family. I am 22, he is 24, and still living with his parents while he saves up to buy a house. The problem is that I'm starting to see signs of his parents making too many decisions for his life.

First of all, he is christian, and quite religious. Me and him have made the decision to wait to have sex, at least for now. I think this is a personal decision that is between me and him.
He stays at my house sometimes, and has already slept in the same bed at me while staying at my mothers house, at my house, and at my sisters house. There is not a problem with this because we are both adults, and are very capable of making out own decisions.
But, recently he told me that he doesn't think he should stay at my house anymore because his parents are already getting suspicious. He has already told him that we're not having sex, but, apparently, they don't believe him, and are trying to stop anything from happening.

Another thing is that I'm planning a trip to Florida, and he really wants to go. He is allowed two weeks vacation from work, and would only need one week. The problem is that he works for his father. I would not see a problem if his father told him "I don't think I can give you the time off, because I need your help here" But, instead, he said "I don't think you should go because you need to save your money"
This guy is 24 and is capable of making his own decisions on where he sleeps at night and what he spends his own money on.

I'm wondering how I could make this clear to him, that it bothers me, without making it uncomfortable. I do not want to make things uncomfortable for me and his parents, him and his paretns, or me and him. Any advice would be much appreciated. (link)
You say he is quite religious...are you not as zealous as he is about it? I ask this because some people go all out and a little overboard (in my personal opinion).I mean it literally controls every aspect of their lives. They are good people but very difficult to deal with if you don't feel the same. I have relatives who are this way...you can do absolutely nothing to change their opinions and all yours are wrong.

You are absolutely correct when you say that he should be making his own decisions. BUT, he is 24 and he hasn't begun yet...I'm sorry to say that he probably never will, not the way you'd like him to anyway. All decisions will probably be discussed with his parents beforehand.Including who he marries etc.

Storage was right when he said buying a house isn't really something that you save the money for. A down payment maybe, but not the entire cost. I think this may be an excuse for the parents to keep him at home, and he must be agreeable.

I think he probably really likes you, but I also think that his parents have the upper hand. I think that since he hasn't changed that by the age of 24 you may want to do some serious thinking about whether or not you want to pursue the relationship further. I really don't see it lasting much longer unless you are willing to go along with his parents (and his) way of thinking. :)


I NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!!!i am in love w/ this guy named Travis...we have been "Friends With Benefits" 4 quite a while now...he knows that i luv him...We say "I Love U" EVERYTIME that we r on the fone together...he treats me like a PRINCESS...last nite he told me that i was like a sister 2 him.....i was CRUSHED....i cried myself 2 sleep.....he is my EVERYTHING!!!!!....i dunno what 2 do....i feel like giving up on EVERYTHING...including life....I NEED ANYBODIES HELP!!!!!!
*~*~*~*Emmy*~*~*~* (link)
Friends with benefits yet you are like a sister to him? Sounds like you better knock off the benefits part of the relationship...thats just wrong. :)


How many years older should a guy be for a girl to date?

How many years younger should a girl be for a guy to date? (link)
What about the guy being younger? Thats a possibility too. Couple of years either way probably until you turn 18. :)


a guy at my school i knw him pretty well...not like BFF but like okay friend way you knw what i mean...well anywho he really likes me and i dont have the heart to say no...he wants to sit by me at lunch! i dont knw what to do im makin my friends surround me....i dont knw if i like him im not sure...how can i keep him away untill i deside (link)
I think the best way to decide would be to get to know him better. What better way than to talk to him at lunch. Just let him know you haven't decided yet. :)


Hi Karen!
Well, after I sent the text asking how he was feeling I got one back saying he had a really bad hangover, it went 'Oh my god, in a world of pain right now-had a pretty hectic night, had a mate that had a massive car crash while under the influence, how u feeling?'. I waited about half an hour before texting back (I didn't want to seem too keen!) and I wrote 'feeling fine! was up til about 4 working and I've just been to get the papers-it's such a nice day! Will your friend be ok?'. I got one back immediately going 'have to wait and see, pretty scary. Yeh the suns amazing-have put a mattress out in the front of our house and am making the most of the rays, feel free to join in, bikinis only'
Eeek! I didn't know what to say to that so I left it about an hour. The thing is I didn't want to go round to his flat because he lives with 3 other guys who I just knew would know exactly what was going on and if I did meet up with him i would have wanted it just to be me and him. I waited about an hour and texted back going 'you work on your tan and i might pop round later but no bikini though! x' I got nothing back (bastard!) and even if i did go over there i had loads of work to do so i probably wouldn't have had the time. i texted back about 45 mins later going 'Hey, can't make it round i'm afraid but am working on the grass in the village so feel free to come and say hi if ur passing!'
Nothing back.It's now the next morning and still nothing. i had a massive chat with my flatmate and i think we might have come to a conclusion about him. I think he might only be after one thing. I do think he fancies me but wants to keep it simple so that perhaps he won't have any feelings by the time he leaves??? The fact that he has been texting every time saying oh come over if you want etc means he does want to see me but that he is still only after one thing. My faltmate thinks that the other night when he texted at 3, he wanted to find out whether i was out that night and therefore if i wanted to meet up. We are definitely playing games with eachother (aren't we?) by him being nice and flirty with me when we go to the bar he works, when he hit me on the head and wanted to find out who the guy was who i was with. but by inviting me round he doesn't have to make any effort and i want him to as i don't want to make all the effort. by asking me round and then i always say no is playing i suppose in his eyes but truthfully i didn't want to go round there-if anything i want ed to meet up on our own. but he's never suggested that. i'm going out on Thursday and will text him then asking what he's up to. i don't want to have a one night stand with him i just want to have some fun and hopefully this will happen! what do you think? Do you think he just wants some fun so he won't get too attached? is that why he hasn't asked me out for a drink?
Thanks Karen!:) (link)
You know Daisy, I really don't know. He doesn't really seem to be seeing anyone else does he? I mean you did see him with that girl the one time. I'd let him know that you aren't comfortable seeing him at his place amongst the roomies. I'd text him soon and just ask him to meet you for a drink. Even if only a quick one and see what he says. Maybe he could meet you before he goes to work...like an hour before so you have an escape if things don't go well but, you can make a date for Thursday if it does. I wouldn't go for a one night stand either. Let him know that if your able and see if he's still interested. That will tell you!
PS. A little flirty game playing is okay I think, Keeps you interested and he is definitely intrigued as you are I think. :)


theres this guy in my drama class who is really fat and is like 350 pounds and has a billion pimples all over his face that is not able to be cured. hes telling ppl that i'm his girlfriend and i'm not. plus he stalks me becasue he knows where my house is. today he went to my house and tried attacking me becuase i don't want to be with him. lately hes attacked 3 of my friends cuz hes really violent. one of them that hes had a crush on he stalked her by breaking into her house by breaking her window and bringing flowers and a boom box so he can sing to her. he tried kissing my other friend but then she refused and then he bruised her. he also ruined the birthday present that i spent alot of my time making for my best friend and so it got destroyed. he also started moving over on where i was sitting and tried to touch me and put his arm around me but then thank god before he was able to do that my friend susana yelled move outta my way!!! and i don't know what do becuse today i have to meet up with the drama group to finish a project and hes in my group and itz too late to kick him out of the group because the project is due tomorrow. and i'm just scared on what he'll do to me. hes nasty and doesn't even have a good personality. (link)
Tell your parents. They need to call the cops on this character. I don't know why a restraining order wasn't successful the first time but, if enough girls start complaining he will eventually get in trouble.


i have heard a or that one of my close friends doesnt really like me, but we still hang out every day. but i heard this from a lying "friend", who doesnt really like the i first started talking about. would she make it up?? what should i do??? (link)
If she doesn't like the other friend then yes she could be trying to stir up some trouble. If you still hang out with the one who didn't say anything and all seems well then you can probably assume she was lying to you. I don't think I'd like her as a friend anymore if she is going be causing trouble. :)




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