End of year re-cap with holiday Carols

'Tis the season to begin all columns with "'Tis the season." Even when the column is actually a collection of holiday songs recalling 2010 in all its splendor:

Keeping a stepdad at a comfortable distance

Dear Annie: My mother passed away two years ago. She had been with "Biff" for about 13 years. Biff is a jerk. Most of the family discontinued all contact with my mother because no one could stand him. I tolerated him, but he made me uncomfortable. When I was a teenager, he made sexual comments to me, and I moved out of the house as soon as I could. He was also verbally abusive of ...

Bringing the War Home

Dear Annie: My husband, "Bill," and I have been married for almost two years. Bill was in the U.S. Army and served in Iraq. When he got back, we were married, but, Annie, he has totally changed.

Father develops ulcer from stressful family relations

Dear Annie: Three years ago, my father had a big fight with his sister, my "Aunt Joan." Aunt Joan did some things that were truly selfish and hurtful, and all of the family agrees that her actions were inexcusable. She has since cut off all contact with the family.

Teacher faces unusual problem in the classroom

Dear Annie: I'm a public school teacher with 20 years of experience, but this one has me shaken.

Letting adult children live at home

Dear Annie: My 20-year-old son from a previous marriage lives with my husband and me. "Jacob" is in his second year of college and maintains a B average. He has worked the same part-time job since he turned 16 and pays all of his own bills, including car insurance, cell phone and basic necessities. Student loans cover his tuition. He is a terrific kid, never disrespectful, and is loved by everyone.

Nosy neighbors cause tension

Dear Annie: My neighbors are kind, caring and amazingly nosy. I recently began working from home in order to take care of my partner. I'm grateful that my company allows me to do this. But these well-intentioned neighbors just won't believe I am employed. They insist that since I am at home all day, I am simply too proud to admit I lost my job. Every time we meet, they ask, "So, you still looking for work?"

Stepmother struggles with relationships after husband passes

Dear Annie: I've known my 26-year-old stepdaughter, "Monica," since she was 5. She never spent much time with her father, but when the first grandchild was born, she came by more often because she wanted a babysitter. Her dad and I were together 21 years before he passed away six months ago.

Husband treats wife with indifference, she wonders what action to take

Dear Annie: How do I deal with being married to someone I simply do not like? After 15 years, I realize that I don't enjoy being around my husband. I look forward to him leaving the house. It is hard for me to do anything for someone I feel nothing for. I am just going through the motions. Is this what marriage is supposed to be?

Encouraging adult children to take responsibility

Dear Annie: My relationship with my 22-year-old daughter, "Lana," has become impossible. She is a total slob. She lived here over the summer and did exactly one load of laundry. It was not uncommon to come home and find dishes in the sink because she "didn't have time" to empty the dishwasher. Her clothes and shoes were everywhere. My husband paid rent on her college apartment so she could keep it while she worked here ...

Woman deals with sister and roommate dropping in for vacation

Dear Annie: My husband and I are victims of a "home invasion." My 60-year-old sister, one of 13 siblings, recently arrived at our house, unannounced, with her roommate and her large dog. (We have a cat.)

Sister becomes unwelcome roomie

Dear Annie: My sister, "Didi," has been living with my husband and me for several months. Didi pays a modest amount of rent based on her income -- but we set it up before she started working more consistently. She now has a part-time job and still doesn't contribute anything more. If she were saving her money, I would understand, but she's spending it on clothes and expensive makeup. She rarely helps around the house with cleaning or cooking.

Dear Annie for Oct. 18, 2010

Dear Annie: I am 26 years old and happily married. We recently moved into our first home, next door to "Tom and Sophie," a childless 45-year-old couple. My wife likes Sophie, and I enjoyed Tom's company until he asked me to join him on a fishing trip.

Roommate’s boyfriend makes living conditions unbearable

Dear Annie: My roommate, "Trish," and I are good friends, and we are both attending the same college. Last spring, her boyfriend spent a lot of time at our apartment. He stayed overnight several times, which made me uncomfortable. I spoke with both of them about it and offered to spend one night a week at my parents' house so they could have the apartment to themselves. Trish agreed, but her boyfriend didn't. He continued ...

Nephew causes strained family relations

Dear Annie: I don't have the best relationship with my nephew, "Bob." He has asked for a number of favors from me in the past and has gotten very nasty when things didn't go his way. He has also bragged about abusing people and pets, and he enjoys making people angry, violating laws and bucking authority.

Dog’s human mom experiences drama at local dog park

Dear Annie: I have an 8-month-old puppy, and I take her to a local dog park so she can run off leash and play with the other dogs, which she loves. In the three months I have been taking her, "Phoebe" has never been attacked or fought with another dog. That was until last night, when Phoebe approached another dog that was on a leash and that dog attacked her.

Mother unsure how to handle ex’s girlfriend

Dating success not equal in open-marriage

Dear Annie: My husband and I have been happily married for 15 years and recently decided to try an open-marriage lifestyle. We are doing this with full honesty and respect for each other. The main problem is that the dating success is not equal. I found it easier to get a date. Whereas, my husband is having a tremendous degree of difficulty. He has online dating profiles, but no luck.