Promotional toys have been a popular form of advertising for a long time. General Electric had many advertising toys, including the Hotpoint doll and a circus set. The doll Bandy promoted their radios; his name comes from the "big band" jazz music that was popular at the time, even if his ...

Dear Annie: Am I being too sensitive? My niece's son is getting married this year. I always believed I was close to her family, but when the "save the date" and shower invitations went out, my daughter was not included — although all the other cousins were. My daughter rarely attends family ...

Dear Heloise: To Susan L., as a retired registered dietitian who specialized in pediatrics, I absolutely do not recommend popsicles as a snack. They are high in simple sugars and can be high in added sugar, with limited vitamins and minerals and no fiber. There are numerous other healthy snacks ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: In 2016, I was fortunate to survive a saddle pulmonary embolism (PE). I was sent home from the hospital with an Eliquis prescription. My medical providers ran several blood tests, but no known reason was found to have caused the PE. My cardiologist recommended staying on Eliquis ...

Dear Annie: My husband and I are at a full-blown spring break standoff and the kids are watching it like it's a sport. He wants to take our two kids skiing. He's already talking about "fresh powder," early lift tickets and how this is the perfect chance to make "core memories." He grew up ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 80-year-old woman in good health with low blood pressure, and the only medication I take is levothyroxine. A 6-by-5.5-mm aneurysm was discovered in my brain, and the scan shows one lobular protrusion that may be of con- cern for rupture. I am trying to decide if I ...