DEAR ABBY: I’m a 64-year-old woman, divorced for 27 years. A nice guy I’ll call “Ronnie” has taken me out to lunch and dinner several times. He really likes me and I really like him, but I’m skeptical about getting into a serious relationship because I don’t feel like doing a lot of the “wife duties” anymore, such as cooking.

I know this may sound terrible, but I don’t cook. My kitchen stays clean, and all I have to do is sweep the floor. Ronnie hasn’t said anything about my not wanting to cook, but I don’t want it to come up later as a problem. What should I do? — OUT OF THE KITCHEN

DEAR OUT: Healthy relationships are based on honest communication. Talk to Ronnie about your concerns. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that he likes to cook and would be willing to do it. Some men enjoy it so much it’s hard to pull them away, especially from a barbecue grill. Cross your fingers, speak up and hope Ronnie is one of them.

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been happily married for seven years. He recently graduated from his final residency, and after 11 years of post-high school education, he is finally out practicing.

During all those years, I supported us financially. Once he graduated, I asked that eventually I get a nice piece of jewelry to commemorate our accomplishment (and his nice new salary).

He bought me a lovely pearl ring, but it isn’t real. It doesn’t have natural diamonds, and it isn’t white gold. To me, it doesn’t commemorate the accomplishment as much as a real one. We could have afforded a nice costume ring years ago. I wanted to be spoiled a bit. Am I allowed to say something, or should I “appreciate the thought?” — SPOIL ME, PLEASE, IN OHIO

DEAR SPOIL: Your husband, the doctor, may be a jewel, but after supporting him for 11 years, you deserve better than what you were given. Explain to him that when you asked for “a nice piece of jewelry,” you meant the real thing and not a costume piece. Then suggest the two of you go shopping for it together.

DEAR ABBY: I have been married to my husband for 16 years. His brother died suddenly, and he was devastated. We dropped everything and drove 1,000 miles to attend the funeral. When we arrived and went to be seated, he asked me to sit four rows back because the front row was “immediate family only.” I felt I was immediate family, but didn’t want to cause a scene, so I did as he asked. When I sat down, I received odd looks and sad looks. I’m not angry, but my feelings are hurt. Am I wrong? — LEFT OUT IN THE EAST

DEAR LEFT OUT: If the spouses of your husband’s other siblings — and children, if there are any — were also asked to sit elsewhere, then you should not feel hurt. However, if you were the only one told to sit in “Siberia,” your feelings are justified.

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DEAR ABBY: My younger sister is planning a destination wedding this summer. Recently she had a courthouse wedding for health insurance purposes because she’s going back to school full-time.

I am the matron of honor and she also has a maid of honor (which I am confused about; can you have both?). She is still planning her destination wedding because she won’t consider herself “really married” until the formal ceremony. Save-the-date notices were already sent.

I told her I didn’t feel comfortable throwing a bachelorette party since she’s already married. She was fine with it, and mentioned the maid of honor may have a bonfire with their friends.

I thought a lingerie bridal shower would be nice since they have been living together for some time and don’t need household items. Is a bridal shower appropriate after a wedding? I feel it should be lightheartedly disclosed on the bridal shower invitation that they are already married. Is this OK? — JESSICA, MATRON OF HONOR

DEAR JESSICA: If you wish to throw a lingerie shower, I think it would be sweet, although showers are technically not supposed to be hosted by family members. Her friends would probably enjoy it. But to disclose on the invitation that your sister is already married — lightheartedly or not — would be in poor taste.

DEAR ABBY: I have never had a good relationship with my father. He was extremely abusive and controlling when I was growing up. Regardless, I have tried to maintain a relationship with him — albeit a superficial one — now that I’m an adult.

For the past few years, Dad has been seeing a woman my age. I have tried my best to maintain a relationship with her as well. The problem is, they are extremely touchy-feely when they’re together, and it makes me very uncomfortable. For example, they’re always rubbing each other, hanging on each other, or she sits on his lap when we’re out for drinks.

I tried to talk to my father about it. He became extremely angry when I asked if they could keep it to a minimum around me. Moreover, they recently let it slip that they started dating before she was 18. I don’t feel comfortable with their relationship at all. Am I wrong to feel this way? — UNCOMFORTABLE IN THE WEST

DEAR UNCOMFORTABLE: I don’t think so. Your feelings are your feelings, and you are entitled to them. Because being around your father and this young lady makes you uncomfortable, consider seeing him one-on-one, apart from her, if he can manage to separate from her for a half-hour or an hour.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.