Nicky

I need help. My boyfriend and I have been together for 7 years (yes... a long time, I know), living together for a large portion of that. We're at that stage where we are ready to get hitched. Mainly because it's been long enough, and because of the legal reasons as well. The biggest problem I have is we don't have many friends, both are introverts, and don't want to make a big deal over it, let alone spend all our savings. I've thought about just immediate family, and that's probably what we'll do, but a big part of me also wants just a simple elopement. My brother had a courthouse without even telling the family until afterwards, so I know an elopement would break my parent's hearts! What do I do!?

I've got a '94 Chevy Cavalier with over 225K miles on her. The fuel gauge has always been iffy, but it's really gotten worse. History: In the last month the starter and fuel pump have both been replaced, so wiring and fuel problems don't surprise me. It was at half a tank yesterday, and when I went home, it was bouncing between empty and 1/4 tank. At rest it showed 1/4 tank. I filled it today at lunch ($42 worth- so it should be FULL). When I got back to work it showed it at the 5/8 mark (half way between 1/2 and 3/4). I don't know what's wrong, and obviously can't take it to the mechanic until after the holidays. Can anyone help me, or even give me some instructions on what to look for? Thank you!!! This ol' girl really wants to die, I can tell, but I won't let her!

So background story is my boyfriend and I have been together for 6.5 years. We've discussed marriage and kids, but feel we're still too young for both. Well, I think I'm pregnant. I'm going to test tonight. I'm late and haven't had a real period for a few months but that's normal with the BC I'm on. But this is too long and I've got symptoms. He really doesn't want kids until later in life. I want to break it to him in a fun, lighthearted way. How can I do that? I know he wouldn't leave or anything. Help! I'm freaking out!

We found a cat hanging around our house this past weekend. She stayed there until dark when I opened the door and she came right in. I didn't feel right leaving her out at night (I live where there are plenty of wild animals and lots of stories of cats being eaten). We put up signs around town the next day, and I still haven't gotten a call. I plan on bringing her to the vet this weekend to check for a microchip, but I know that's uncommon in cats. How long should I wait before taking the signs down? We really like her, but I also don't want to give up if she does have a home. I live in California if there are laws pertaining to this.

Thanks!

I'm moving into a rental shortly, and the bathrooms have mirrors that are about 1' x 1'. Sorry, I like to see a little more than just my face. Any ideas for a replacement or even a cover that would not damage the walls, and wouldn't be permanent, but give me bigger real estate than there is now? I'll be putting a full length mirror on the door (using adhesive velcro), something I've done before without any problems. Thanks for any advice!!

I'm adopting a 2 year old cat from a friend, and I'm concerned about the timing. We're normally ALWAYS home, so she wouldn't be alone for long, but the next few weekends we do have plans to be out of the house for about 8-10 hours one day each weekend. Otherwise, she'd have someone around all the time except for an hour or two a few days a week. Should I ask my friend to hold on to her until after this, or will that be alright, considering it's a new home and everything? Any advice would be so helpful!

I have owned several cats previously, so I'm used to all the "new routines", but leaving a brand new cat home alone for that long concerns me a bit, that's all.

THANK YOU!

I purchased 2 pairs of shoes at the beginning of March (so about 2 1/2 months ago) and they both seem to have issues with them. One pair, a wedge, has the sole starting to peel up at the back. One of the shoes on the other pair has the inside fabric peeling up around the toes area, causing discomfort when worn. They both have been worn, and do show signs of wear. I'm wondering if Payless will do anything about this, or should I just find some glue? Thank you!!

I'm moving to a house/apartment with limited space. The only place I can store firewood is on a deck in the front, with full access to the street. I really need to find something that is inexpensive, but will keep about a cord of wood secure from theft, and safe from the weather. I know, a lot to expect, but it's imperative. Thank you!

I woke up this morning with severe sharp, shooting pain on the pinky side of my right hand. It was slightly swollen. I have since taken Aleve to reduce the pain, but it does still hurt, and as I am right handed, and my job involves a lot of typing and handwritting, it's not helpful. I can still type, just slowly as it hurts. Could it be broken? I didn't do anything aside from cleaning and scrubbing floors yesterday. I can move my fingers, but gripping is excrutiating. Any advice? Please, I'd really like to hear good news and not have to go to my doctor!

I drive an older Subaru Legacy and lately, it's been very hot out, around 100 every day. In the mornings and late afternoons, the A/C runs fine, low idle or highway/freeway. On cooler days, it runs fine as well. However, during the middle of the day (when it's most needed) it seems only to run while the car is in a higher speed, such as freeway. Driving around town, stopping at lights and stop signs, it just blows hot air. I'd really like to get it fixed, but can't afford much right now. Any advice or help would be appreciated! Thanks!

My boyfriend and I are taking a week long trip from LA area to Seattle, and want to drive PCH (mostly) all the way up. We'll be taking the 5 back, and would like the trip up only to last about 2-3 days. What are the best sites to see along the way? How long should each be spend, within reason? Thanks! Want to plan a decent itinerary.

So my little brother just got his license, and is now driving his friends all over the place. He's still underage and our parent's don't care. I want to know how I can get him caught, so he learns a lesson! This isn't sibling rivalry (mostly), it's me as his older sister seriously concerned that he's headed down a very distructive path. He's out well after the 11:00 curfew and is disrespectful to everyone around. What can I do to stop him? Talking doesn't work. Cops may. But I fear they wouldn't be able to just come to my house and catch him. Plus, I don't really want to get pinned as the person involved. Please help. It's getting really out of hand, I need serious help!

My boyfriend and I are both in our 20's (true numbers left out for privacy) and would like to move into our own place, buy or rent. However, so many of the well priced places are in a 55+ community. In California, what is the flexiblity of owners in allowing for people our age in? We are VERY quiet, hate loud noise, and NEVER party. Pretty much, we are old souls... My biggest reason for posing this question is because of how many places are half full (such as my grandmother's apartment complex- who are allowing young couples to move in). Any information would be helpful.

Obviously, the best answer would be to ask the community myself- I get that. Please don't state the obvious. Thanks!

So I've had my betta fish for about 2 months now, and for the first month and a half, he was fine. Loved his home, swam around all the time, and was very active and happy. I did a light cleaning on the tank, and a few days after he stopped swimming around all the time and began sleeping a bunch. Now he sleeps almost all day except for a few seconds when he is fed. I'm very concerned about him and have noticed his fins seem torn, all of them. He's in a 3.5 gallon tank alone, with a big rock formation and a plastic plant. There is a bubbler and a filter. I've noticed him trapped behind the filter a few times, but he seemed fine after. It wasn't until I cleaned it that he started acting weird. I don't change the water out all the time because of the filter.

What should I do? Is he sick? Is he bored? I really care about him and want to take care of him, but he seems to just be getting worse. Please help me! He deserves it!

I've played Sims 3 since it came out, but don't use the store much. I was playing around online today and noticed a lot of stuff that I would love to buy say "No longer available for purchase". Why is that? Will they be available at a later date, or should I just get over them? Thanks!

My brother will be shipping off to boot camp by December, and will be too far to visit. We are doing Christmas, Thanksgiving, and his birthday all before he leaves and since he can't take anything, we have no clue what to give him. Once he's out, we'd love to provide something for him to communicate with home, or keep himself entertained. He's very tech savy and also has a really great laptop, so can't do that. Any ideas would be much appreciated.

I signed my sim up with daycare, right as she had her baby... oops. So she had a bunch of days off, and now she's ready to start, but none of the kids are being dropped off. What's wrong? All I can think of to do is quit and restart the profession. Any ideas?

I've had cats, a few dogs, and have never had a hamster. I'm moving out into another apartment soon with only a betta fish for a pet and my hubby. I really want a hamster and have no clue what to expect and what breed I should get. I'm looking for advice, any tips, and suggestions on what breeds and what to do that could keep the hamster happy without spending too much money. I want a breed that I can handle a lot, that likes the hamster ball, things like that, and yet not too much commotion, we are quiet people who keep to ourselves. Thanks a million!

I have lived in California my entire life, mostly in Southern California, and my hubby in SoCal his whole life. We are both really getting sick of the rules, regulations, difficulties finding jobs, and the people here. We aren't partiers, we are quiet people who love the outdoors. I've been considering different places in the US but lately have thought about Canada. What tips, advice, and other stuff would you recommend about moving from California to Canada? What about keeping my US citizenship, is that challenging or should I just switch to Canadian citizenship? What kind of laws should I learn? Just want some info, no pressure for the whole thing. Thank you so much!!!

I'm playing Sims 3. And I had a man move in, who turns out he's about to age up, and he's nasty, and I don't want him anymore. I keep trying to kill him, and the dang grim reaper keeps bringing him back. I've starved him, I've drowned him, and I've burned him... nothing will keep this man alive. Aging is off, as is free will. How can I kill him?