Dear Abby: How do I tell my elderly, gambling-addicted aunt that she can’t move?

Dear ABBY: How to treat an elderly aunt who has a gambling problem? I live in a casino town. She lives in another state four hours away. She calls me often to ask to stay with me, and if I’m traveling she asks to use my house, etc.

A year ago, he called me to help him get banned from gambling in his state because he was out of control. She can no longer gamble where she lives, can’t afford a hotel to go to cities with a casino and sees me as her gambling escape.

I explained that I have a roommate, and my place is small. I have no interest in someone who spends hours at a carp table coming to my house (I’m health conscious), and I can’t host her as a guest. She will not give up! Is my only option to end communication with him? – I DON’T BET WITH HIM

DEAR NO BET: Screening her calls is an option. The other is to keep repeating your mantra that you can’t accommodate him because you have a roommate and your place is too small. Then encourage him to find another hobby. If you do, she may stop looking and look for another opportunity.

Dear ABBY: I’m in high school and I’m part of a great group of friends. I have a friend, “Kaleigh,” who completely changed last year because of another girl’s influence. Kaleigh started saying inappropriate things and only talking about boys. She never did before she became “best friends” with the other girl. It has ruined both of their reputations.

I can’t decide if I should confront them and, if I did, what to say. I don’t want any of them to be mad at me. We’ve had arguments before, and it ends badly for the group when someone gets into an argument with them. They also often argue with each other and somehow the whole group gets involved.

This has been going on for a year and has loaded the band. I don’t know if I can take any more of this. I’m not sure it will be easy to reason with if I face them. What should I do? – MORE DRAMA IN TENSEE

LOVE MORE DRAMA: You stated that you are part of a large group of friends. You can’t “save” or change Kaleigh, and telling her you’re ruining her reputation might come across as jealousy. Instead of confronting them, start focusing on friendships with the other girls in the group. One thing I’ve realized over the years is that you can never have enough friends.

DEAR READERS: Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and no Thanksgiving would be complete without sharing the traditional prayer written by my dear, late mother:

O Heavenly Father,

We give thanks for the food and remember the hungry.

We thank you for your health and remember the sick.

We give thanks for our friends and remember those who are friends.

We give thanks for freedom and remember the captives.

Let these memories spur us to service.

That Your gifts to us may be used for others.

Amen

Happy and safe holiday everyone! – Love, ABBY

Dear Abby was written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at http://www.DearAbby.com or PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.