Dear Annie: My granddaughter allows her son to order mocktails -- drinks that sound like the adult version but don't have liquor in them. Even though they are virgin drinks, I'm afraid this will lead him to drinking real alcohol at a young age. What do you think? — Concerned About the ...

Dear Heloise: Mothballs might seem like an easy way to scare away animals, but they cause more trouble than they're worth. They're full of strong chemicals that can hurt your family, your pets, and the land around your home. The strong smell does more than just scare off pests — it can cause ...

Dear Annie: For years, I've made it a point to remember every birthday in my extended family — my nieces, nephews and now their children — by sending cards with a little money tucked inside. It's been my way of staying connected since I don't see them often. Now I'm retired and living on a ...

Dear Heloise: I've had a lot of trouble opening bottles of nail polish. Some bottles have tops with a smooth surface or a shape that's not easily grasped. And don't forget bottles that have partially dried shut! My quick fix is to wrap a rubber band around the bottle cap. It's so much easier to ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm 67 and in decent shape. I run 3-4 miles three times a week and lift weights three days a week. I take 20 mg of rosuvastatin daily. My LDL cholestrol is 85 mg/dL, and my HDL is over 80 mg/dL. I have controlled blood pressure at 125-130/80 mmHg with an angiotensin II receptor ...

Dear Annie: My dad is turning 73 next month, and my mom is throwing this big party for him. She is begging me to come, but my parents live across the country — a six-hour plane ride. I work full time and have two kids under 5. My family only takes a trip like this once or twice a year, and if ...