Dear Tim,
I have gotten in the habit of getting really close to my girlfriends’ parents. I always end up cutting ties with the girl but manage to keep in touch with her parents. I don’t want to make my ex-girlfriends feel awkward but I would feel like I was being rude if I just stopped talking to my exs’ parentals. — “WHO’S YOUR DADDY”
Dear “DADDY,”
Weird. I mean I guess it is okay that you keep in touch with your ex-girlfriend’s parents. I just wonder to what extent. If you and your ex hate each other and never see or talk to one another, you are probably making things very difficult for her by chumming with her units. If you simply are nice to them and they are pleasant to you, I think you’re fine. But, if you are taking her dad to the golf course every weekend and helping her mother weed her prized rose bushes, then you have a problem. In situations like this, I think of movies. Let’s take Meet the Parents. Everybody hated that guy that had the big house and still hung out with the parents even though he was totally out of the picture. Literally, don’t be that guy. He sucks and he never gets the girl in the long run. Plus, the second you try to get another girl in your life, try telling her you are going to a wine and cheese tasting with your ex’s parents.
Dear Tim,
I hate the way my room looks. I have nice furniture but I am sick of my room looking like a high schoolers. I don’t have a lot of money but I want an update. — “DECORATING DISASTER”
Dear “DISASTER,”
Okay. First, you gotta start watching “Queer Eye.” They have some pretty good ideas for making over a room without spending a fortune. Plus, it can give you some good ideas. Other than “Queer Eye,” here are a few suggestions for you. Buy some art. Art is a way to customize your space to fit your needs and makes you look like a real big boy. Ditch the Belushi “College” poster for some original prints that you find in some art store. You will feel the difference in no time. Next, put a rug down. Anyone can tell you, a rug makes a room more inviting and gives you the opportunity to add color and depth to your room. Go all out on a really nice rug. Get a rug you can bring with you for a few years. It will be worth it. Last, paint the walls — not one color. Don’t just pick a cool color and slap it on and expect a whole new room. Get some painter’s tape and get creative. Paint a darker color about 75 percent of the way up your wall and then paint a lighter, complimentary color the rest of the way up. It will make the room look taller and will make you bare walls a little more bearable. Anyway, just a few things to try out. Look online for more ideas. There are tons of sites out there that answer this question a million different ways. You are bound to find something that works for you.