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Monday, June 6, 2011 – Daily News 5A FEATURES Spouse’s sister solicits sympathy Dear Annie: I have lived across the street from my husband’s sister for 20 years. She is super-compet- itive and nosy. She knows our every move — when we are home, who is visiting, etc. When she sees a car in our driveway, she will come over with some lame excuse to see who is visiting. If I buy a piece of furniture or paint a room, she comes over to spy on my decorat- ing. Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar My husband is aware of her nosi- ness but copes with it. I am on edge all the time. I’ve decided the next time she runs over to snoop, I will tell her how nosy she is and how sick and tired I am of it. Would that be wrong? Moving is out of the question. — Fed Up Dear Fed Up: So your insecure sister-in-law admires your decorat- ing and is so lonely that she spends her time envying your visitors. We feel sorry for her. And after 20 years, you’d cope much better with this intrusive woman if you could find it in your heart to feel sorry for her, too. We know she is difficult, but she’s family. Invite her for cof- fee once in a while. A reasonably cordial relationship with her would be better for everyone. Dear Annie: Two years ago, after my wife died, I moved to another state to live with my broth- er and his wife because they needed help. Since 2006, state law requires fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) to be prop- erly disposed of and not placed in the trash or recycle bin/cart due to mercury and other poten- tially harmful contami- nants. Mercury is an essential part of CFLs; it allows the bulb to be an energy efficient light source. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact (not broken) or in use. If fluorescent tubes and bulbs are broken, the mercury sealed within the glass tubing can escape to release a small amount of mercury. Large quantities of mercury threaten pub- lic health, and contami- I have three sons, all of whom now live far away. They call two or three times a year. I’d like to hear from them more often, so I call them when I want to talk. I have hinted strongly that I wish they would call more frequently, but the last time I did that, my oldest son asked if I was having a ‘‘pity party.’’ They do say they love me before hanging up, but I wonder if it’s true since they so rarely keep in touch on their own. I even bought an expensive comput- er with a camera so I could see my grandkids, but my son says he does- n’t have time to set it up. I don’t want to create a problem, but I am. — Feeling Dejected Dear Dejected: We agree that your sons don’t call as much as they should, but there is no rule that says children must be the ones to initiate contact. We suggest you call them once a week. Send e-mails. Text the grandkids. Be upbeat. Plan visits. And please look into activities to keep you socially active and engaged. It sounds as if you will need to be less focused on your chil- dren. Dear Annie: This is for ‘‘Con- cerned Wife,’’ whose husband was diagnosed with diabetes. Six years ago, that was me. I believed I could- n’t control what my husband ate, and then realized I did the cooking and shopping. When my husband nate drinking water and soil. The Tehama County Sanitary Landfill Agency provides its residents with an easy fluorescent light take-back program. Resi- dents of Tehama County can bring their used CFLs to the following locations for recycling free of charge: • GreenWaste, 1805 Airport Blvd. Red Bluff • Hatfields Ace Hard- ware, 2020 Solano St. Corning • Los Molinos Hard- ware, 7930 Highway 99E. Los Molinos • McCoy Hardware and Farm Supply, 2060 South Ave. Corning Up to fifteen T8 or T12 Nicole Richardson $50 off your 1st ✪ Auto Detailing ✪ Water Spot Removal Ask about visit 530.527.6160 915 Madison St., Red Bluff Salon Bella Dona Full Service Salon June Special 30% OFF Located next to any service. Bud’s Jolly Cone Call for appt. 527-4843 (exp. June 30, 2011) went to the doctor, I went along and asked to see a dietitian. I went to diabetes classes. My children were also at risk because diabetes runs in the family. We began with small, healthy changes. I quit buying soda and served water or low-fat milk. I cut back on the carbs and cooked more protein and vegetables. To reduce sodium and sugar, I cooked more from scratch. I learned how to make healthy substitutions, such as lean turkey for ground beef. I introduced a new vegetable a month, serving it the same way once a week for four weeks. It worked. I never once blamed the diabetes. I’d say, ‘‘We are trying new things.’’ Over time, we all began making bet- ter food choices. I began walking and invited my husband to come with me. As we walked, we talked about our day, the kids, our dreams, and it turned into a nighttime ritual. Tell ‘‘Concerned’’ not to make this ‘‘his’’ problem, but to create a team spirit. Be positive about changes. The whole family will benefit. — Been There Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please 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. Fluorescent light recycling in Tehama County fluorescent tubes (4’ or 8’ long) are accepted from residents at the following locations free of charge: • Red Bluff True Value Hardware, 330 S. Main St. Red Bluff. Accepts 5 tubes per resident per day • Los Molinos Hard- ware, 7930 Highway 99E. Los Molinos •Tehama County/Red Bluff Landfill Household, Hazardous Waste Facility, 19995 Plymire Rd. Red Bluff • Corning Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 3281 Highway 99W, Corning Small fees apply to businesses. Businesses must make an appoint- ment by calling 528-1103 for fluorescent drop-off. “PG&E strongly encourages using fluores- cent lights and bulbs as their efficiency reduces energy use and costs,” said Rex Bell, a manager of environmental services at PG&E. “We need to also stress the importance of properly recycling used fluorescent lights at proper locations so they don’t harm the environ- ment.” Do not place fluores- cents lights and CFL’s in your trash can, recycling bin/cart, or in orange bat- tery bags. The orange bat- tery bags are for alkaline batteries. For more information please call the Tehama County/ Red Bluff Land- fill at 528-1103 or visit www.tehamacountyland- fill.com. Celery may help symptoms of BPH DEAR DR. GOTT: I have had an enlarged prostate gland for a number of years and have found saw palmetto beneficial in reliev- ing the symptoms. I have also modified my diet and try to eat several stalks of raw celery every day. Much to my surprise, I can now sleep through the night without getting up for the usual bath- room break. It is also possi- ble to go for six to eight hours during the daytime without the urge to urinate. I am not sure why eating cel- ery alleviates the symptoms of BPH, but I think this dietary tip might be helpful to readers with a similar medical condition. Dr. Peter Gott “Compelling Home Remedies” by sending a self- addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order for each report to Peter H. Gott, M.D., P.O. Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039-0433. Be sure to mention the title(s) when writ- ing or print an order form off my website’s direct link at www.AskDrGottMD.com/o rder_form.pdf. DEAR DR. GOTT: What causes calcification of cells? I have calcified cells in my right breast. I just had my six-month mammogram to check them. I will go back to my doctor soon to hear the results but would appreciate your comments. DEAR READER: Saw palmetto has been used by millions of men for relief from the symptoms of BPH (benign prostatic hyperpla- sia), otherwise known as an enlarged prostate. When BPH occurs, and it happens to almost every man as he ages, pressure is placed on the urethra, causing prob- lems with urination. The condition is not cancerous, nor does it increase the risk for prostate cancer. Symptoms can include urinary retention, inconti- nence, pain with urination, a slowed start of the urinary stream, dribbling and the annoying need to urinate several times a night. I am unclear as to how celery is helping ease your symptoms of BPH. Perhaps the saw palmetto is the sub- stance responsible, and the celery is only incidental. Have you made any other dietary changes, such as reducing your caffeine or alcohol intake? They can act as diuretics and can worsen BPH symptoms. Thank you for sharing this useful tip that is sure to be tried by many men with the condition. Readers who are interested in receiving related information can order my Health Reports “The Prostate Gland” and DEAR READER: The calcifications to which you refer represent calcium deposits within the breast tis- sue that appear as flecks or white spots on a mammo- gram. They typically appear as tiny grains of salt and can- not be felt by palpation and are particularly prevalent fol- lowing menopause. While commonly benign, certain calcification patterns, such as clusters with irregular shapes, may indicate cancer. Should a radiologist or physician have any question, additional testing such as a follow-up mammogram, ultrasound or biopsy may be appropriate. Causes of benign calcifi- cations include cysts in the breasts, dermal or vascular calcifications, cell secretion, ectasia of the mammary duct, prior radiation treat- ment for cancer, fibroadeno- mas, mastitis, prior injury and more. Your physician will defi- nitely want to see you on a timely basis to be assured the calcifications remain stable and don’t change in appear- ance. Keep informed, and follow your doctor’s advice. If you are uncomfortable in either waiting and watching or having specific testing performed, request a second opinion. Support our classrooms, keep kids reading. DONATE YOUR VACATION newspaper dollars to the Newspaper In Education Program HELP OUR CHILDREN For more details call Circulation Department (530) 527-2151 D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 PHONE: (530) 527-2151 FAX: (530) 527-5774 545 Diamond Avenue • P.O. Box 220 • Red Bluff, CA 96080