Claire

I've been dating a guy for 3 months. We're both adults, doing well in our careers, and in life in general. He opens doors for me. He pays when we go out. He's the perfect gentleman.

He even invited me to go on a 10-day vacation to Europe where we'll be staying in the same rooms, so you gotta think the man likes me! Likes me, likes me!

But he always always always waits for me to make the first move when it comes to affection. I've flirted and I've flirted, but he doesn't do anything without my verbal permission. I really like him a lot. He's adorable in every way, but I suspect he's quite inexperienced. I actually wonder if I'm dating a 40-year-old virgin.

How can I help him be more comfortable with taking some initiative? I'm a very attractive and charming woman and have not had this issue before.

Any *delicate* ways to approach this? It's a touchy subject, so to speak.

At the risk of sounding paranoid:

For the last 4-5months, I've been getting phone calls on my cell phone from phone numbers I don't recognize. When I do a reverse look up of the phone numbers on the Internet, they're always from somewhere in the middle of nowhere, miles away from any city. The phone calls have come from what appear to be residences in Alabama, Michigan, Illinois, among other states. I don't call the numbers back because I'm concerned that it's my ex being disruptive.

Any insights into why people in the middle of nowhere are calling my cell phone? (Wasn't sure how to categorize this...)

I'm talking about men people, here, not the little ones.

Just something I always wanted to know.

Please help solve the debate in my office.

My spouse (whom I've not seen since February because I left the state after fearing he would become violent toward me) and I are going to meet with our lawyers tomorrow.

Any tips for getting through mediation with someone who has been emotionally and economically abusive to me?

I print a lot of text and occassionally color documents with a few photos. I don't print my personal photos.

Sometimes I need to print 100 pages at a time. I need the fax/copier/scanner every once in a while.

Also, if you could give me info about the cost of ink, that would be a help.

Thanks.

I'm employeed full-time with a company in North Carolina. Because of family issues, I had to move to Texas. My employer is letting me work from home right now (which works great for my position). They've been really happy with the work that I've done and want to set up a permanent solution since I will be remaining in Texas. They asked me to think about ideas on how to make my position permanent, but I'm really not sure what they mean.

What legal implications or other issues do you think they're concerned about? Do you have any ideas about how I should approach their request to come up with a permanent solution?

I know I want to keep working for them, and they want me to keep working for them. Is it a problem legally to live in Texas and work for a company in NC? Just wondering what issues might come up.

Thanks!

I have a great job in North Carolina. I love my job.

Unfortunately, I had some family circumstances that have required me to move home to Texas. The company I work for has been great in letting me work from TX. However, I don't know how long this can last? It seems too good to be true.

My job lends itself well to working at home, and I think I've shown them that I can be as or more productive than when I was working in the office.

My question: If I wanted to approach them about becoming an independent contractor, what selling points can I offer them? I'm sure it would save them money and would actually allow me to do more work for them.

What would be they're bottom line savings as far as taxes, insurance, etc. goes? How can I pitch the idea so that they get the same service from me with less money out of their pocket and more money in mine.

Any ideas for a proposal would be great!

North Carolina divorce law requires that a couple be separated a year before they can divorce. I'm living in Texas now and have several months before I can divorce. Our separation agreement isn't done yet but we have established our "separation date" which like a time stamp on everything that happens from here on out for us.

Does Texas lawy allow me to buy a home in Texas even though my out-of-state divorce won't be final till early next year? (Seems a waste to rent for a year when I know where I'm going to be.)

What are some good online forums for people getting ready to start a career in computer programming?

Thanks!

I've applied for a job at a University (100+year old, brick and mortar style). How long does it typically take for the hiring process to take at a University? Everything seems to be taking a lot long than with other businesses I've worked for in the past.

I have a Master's in Education (taught middle school for a decade) and a B.A. in English. Now I'm thinking about pursuing a paralegal at Duke (classroom, not online).

I'm hoping to move to Dallas, Tx or stay in Durham.

What do you think my income and job satisfaction potentials are?

Still debating about taking that step....

Thanks!

I'd really like to live in a residence hall. I work full-time, am going to grad school part-time, and would like the simplicity of dorm life. Have you heard of 30-somethings living in a dorm?

(The school is Meredith College in Raleigh, NC.)

Thanks!

I'm in a situation where my stepkids' mom keeps talking bad about the dad/me. The mom tells the kids to keep secrets from the dad and makes fun of us so much that they've begun making fun of us when we're around. The kids have started telling lies to their dad and me. We try to make a happy home, but I feel like we can't win. We love each other deeply, and work hard on our marriage and try to stay spiritually grounded.

We have the kids every other week, and the beginning of the week is always rough. We have to earn their trust again every time they come back.

I don't think it's a good arrangement for the health of the children, but I don't think it will change.

How does one peacefully counteract the negative effects of parental alienation?

Can I get an MBA private loan without applying for Stafford or other b-school loans?

Are women's figure skates always one size smaller than shoe size (US)?

For example, if I wear a size 9 shoe, should I look for a size 8 figure skate?

Thanks!

Have you used one? How did it work out for you? Any advice? Good websites to locate VAs?

but now I'm starting to wonder. Ever since my husband and I married 2 years ago, we've had a string of difficulties. For example, 2 totalled cars, open heart surgery, broken teeth, needing to make extensive house repairs and the like. We exercise, eat right, pray every day, are positive do and everything a person is 'supposed' to do, but we can't get a break. Amazingly, we're closer than ever and have a very strong marriage.

I consulted a 'psychic' yesterday and was told that his ex-wife cursed us because we've been so happy together.

What do you think about this? If you think it's a curse, how can we break it?

Would you consider using Buy Owner?

We have a big, expensive house but don't want to pay realtor fees. I think it'll sell if we put signs/ads in strategic places; my husband thinks people who are looking for a big, expensive house don't use Buy Owner or look at the paper.

How do you think it compares to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Duke University business schools?