Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/101795
2B Daily News – Friday, January 4, 2013 FEATURES Sister-in-law can be difficult, ugly respond negatively to you. Dear Annie: My sisterLet your husband deal with in-law, ''Nina,'' is my hushis sister. Be as polite and band's only sibling. She is pleasant as you can manage, divorced with grown chilbut otherwise, ignore her. dren. You should not have to jump Nina appears to be sweet through hoops to please to most people, but she can someone who isn't interestget pretty ugly, especially ed. You have enough to deal when she drinks. She has ruined more than one occa- Annie's with. Dear Annie: My hussion with her offensive outband and I were raised to eat bursts, often directed at members of my family. She by Kathy Mitchell dinner with our families. We says these horrid things in and Marcy Sugar ate what Mom prepared, or we went without. We have front of my children, which continued this tradition with our makes them uncomfortable. Nina frequently pops in at our three children. With the exception home, so I make polite chitchat and of sauerkraut and Brussels sprouts, then proceed to go about what I was they will eat any food put in front of doing and let her visit with my hus- them. I believe that few children are band. I don't want to prevent him picky eaters. Rather, their parents from having a relationship with his have catered to their preferences sister. Apparently, this is the wrong because it is easier. We have many friends and famiapproach, because Nina now tells my husband she ''has no idea what ly with children the same as age as she ever did to me'' and doesn't ours, and I am appalled by what understand why I ''hate'' her. He they eat. And they wonder why sticks up for me, but it puts him in a their kids are often sick and grumpy. I don't say a word, but it tough spot. I should also mention that in the drives me nuts to see a kid eat nothpast three months, my sister died, ing for dinner but be the first in line my children left for college, and I for dessert. My question is this: When we are had to move my mother into a senior center and sell her house. I entertaining other people's children do not hate my sister-in-law, but and one of them says to me, ''I clearly, I have other priorities at this don't like that,'' is it OK for me to time. I realize I cannot control her say, ''The appropriate response is behavior, only my own. So, any 'No, thank you.''' And can I say that advice for me? — Trying To Fly telling the hostess you don't like her food is considered rude? Am I Under the Radar Dear Trying: We don't believe blowing this out of proportion? — there is a ''right'' approach to Nina. Midwest Cook Dear Midwest: These are things She is simply looking for reasons to Mailbox the parents should be teaching their children, but obviously, they are sleeping on the job. If the parents are not present, you may educate the children. If the children are your relatives, you may also correct them, provided the parents do not object. However, if they are other people's children and the parents are present, you may say the first part, but not the rest. Dear Annie: This is in response to ''Curled,'' whose ex-husband barely sees his older kids now that he's remarried and has a baby. I would highly recommend that the writer and any couples with similar issues look at family mediation programs. Many are low-cost or free. The presence of an unbiased mediator gives parents the chance to explain their perspectives while ensuring that the conversation is productive, centered on the needs of the children, and directed toward visitation and custody solutions. In addition, mediation can also allow parents an opportunity to understand how their behavior may be affecting the children. She can call her local family court to learn more. — Las Vegas Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. Cat that spent a week in Mass. tree found MARION, Mass. (AP) — A stray cat that spent at least a week stuck in a Massachusetts tree before plunging 80 feet to the ground and fleeing has been found, and all things considered, appears to be in good health. A Marion Animal Hospital veterinarian said Wednesday it's ''unbelievable'' that the cat dubbed Fortunate has just a couple of pulled muscles and a possible parasitic infection. The cat was spotted in a Rochester, Mass., tree on Christmas Eve. Several rescue attempts failed before firefighters cut the branch it was perched on Sunday. Cat shelter founder Pam Robinson finally trapped the skittish feline on Tuesday. Robinson tells The Standard Times (http://bit.ly/Wngz47 ) she will keep the cat for a few weeks so it can regain weight before putting it up for adoption. ——— Information from: The (New Bedford, Mass.) Standard-Times, http://www.southcoasttoday.com Beta-blockers are effective treatment Golden Pond"? I DEAR DOCcan't forget. TOR K: I've been Beta-blockers, diagnosed with particularly proessential tremor. pranolol (Inderal), Can this condition are the most effecimprove, or will it tive treatments for only get worse essential tremor. from here? Beta-blockers DEAR READER: This condition Dr. K usually improve the tremor so that definitely can by Anthony L. improve with Komaroff, M.D. it does not interfere with normal treatment. If you've been diagnosed activities. In some people, with this disorder, I the tremor disappears assume you have shaking completely. If you stop movements of your hands, taking the medication, the limbs, head or voice that tremor will return. Other drugs that may you can't control. If you're like most people with this help include: — The anti-seizure condition, it may come and go for reasons of its drug primidone (Myidone, Mysoline). own. — The anti-anxiety Essential tremor is a permanent condition. medicine lorazepam (AtiWithout treatment, the van). — Gabapentin (Neudegree of tremor typically worsens with age. It also rontin), a drug used prican expand from one part marily to treat chronic of the body to other parts pain. — For severe tremors over time. There are many differ- that don't respond to other ent neurological condi- therapies, doctors may use tions that can cause injections of botulinum tremor. Fortunately, essen- toxin (Botox). Many people find that tial tremor is one of the least serious and most eas- drinking small amounts of alcohol temporarily ily treated. The neurological con- relieves tremor. That's dition that most of my small amounts: It's wise patients worry about when for men to avoid drinking they develop essential more than two drinks a tremor is Parkinson's dis- day, and women one drink ease. But Parkinson's is a day. Stress, caffeine and cervery different from essential tremor: It is a serious tain medicines may make disease that affects a per- the tremor worse. If that's son's ability to move. The the case for you, learn tremors of Parkinson's dis- ways to reduce your stress ease are more noticeable at and cut down on caffeinatrest. In contrast, essential ed beverages such as coftremor is most noticeable fee, tea and soft drinks. Some medications, when your body is in action. Most important, including stimulants and having essential tremor antidepressants, may also does not mean that you affect your tremor. Ask will get Parkinson's dis- your doctor if you are takease — there's no connec- ing any medications that could be worsening your tion. Essential tremor often tremor. Essential tremor is begins in the dominant hand — usually the right something that many of hand, since most people my patients have learned are right-handers. You to live with, after treatmay have trouble with ment has lessened the things like writing, typing symptoms. It's one of the or pouring a beverage. infirmities of growing Essential tremor also can older. affect your head and cause Dr. Komaroff is a your speech to tremble. The actress Katherine physician and professor at Hepburn developed essen- Harvard Medical School. tial tremor of her head and To send questions, go to speech in her later years. AskDoctorK.com, or write: Despite that, she gave Ask Doctor K, 10 Shattuck some of her greatest per- St., Second Floor, Boston, formances in those years. MA 02115. Remember her in "On Education News? clerk@redbluffdailynews.com