DEAR ANT:  A few months ago I began to notice my internet connection was significantly slower than it had been. I called my service provider to trouble shoot the problem, but there seemed to be nothing wrong with the line or my equipment. Come to find out, one of my neighbors cancelled his internet service and, even though I have a secure network, he has been getting online by freeloading off my connection. I suspect my neighbor was able to figure out my password because prior to cancelling his service, he used the same internet provider as me. Apparently this provider uses the same formula …

DEAR ANT: My wife asked me to get her a tattoo for her 40th birthday. I told her no. I will get her anything else, but not a tattoo. I think tattoos on women are a turn-off. She says she plans to have it put in a private area and claims it will be artful not trashy.   I asked her why she suddenly wants a tattoo. She said to make her feel attractive and desirable again. Even though I told my wife I don’t like tattoos and I find her as attractive and desirable as the day we met, she insists she wants one. She thinks I’m being stubborn, insensitive and unreasonable. It’s gotten so bad that she’s…

DEAR ANT: My nephew is graduating from college in December. We have received neither a party invitation nor a formal announcement. Is a gift required? I think I should mention that we are not very close with this nephew. He rarely speaks to us and can even be rude at times. He has also chosen a lifestyle that we do not approve of. I am certain that he knows we don’t approve of his lifestyle and this is why he rarely acknowledges our presence at family functions. I am quite sure my brother will be surprised and perhaps a little hurt if we don’t send a gift and this may end up causing a family …

DEAR ANT: Every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving the people who live across the street from me put up their Christmas lights and fully decorate their tree. As dusk approaches they invite friends and family to assemble in the street for a ceremonial “first lighting.” I’m as festive as the next person, but it’s not even December yet. It’s bad enough with retail establishments rushing the holiday season. Now it’s in my own backyard. I’m barely finishing off my leftover Halloween candy and my neighbors are busy decking the halls. Whatever happened to the Twelve Days of Christmas? How can I …

DEAR ANT: My next-door neighbor walks around her house in the nude. I know because I have seen her. She has curtains on her windows, but when the lights are on at night, you can see EVERYTHING. The other night I heard my 10-year-old son and some of his friends giggling and found them spying on her with a pair of binoculars. I’m sure she does not know she can be seen through her curtains. I know we’re not the only ones who have seen her either. Neighbors are talking. I think I should tell her, but I don’t know her very well. How do I do it without embarrassing her and me? NEXT-DOOR TO A NUDIST…

DEAR ANT: My son plays very competitive tournament baseball. I need your advice on how to handle parents who make rude comments about other players on the team. These parents chronically gripe and complain about their sons’ playing time, make negative comparisons, grumble about coaching decisions, etc. while sitting in the bleachers and with little regard for how their comments offend others. How do I handle this situation with grace when all I want to do is scream? I’m sick of listening to these people whine and degrade players (my son included). Please help before I say something I will …

DEAR ANT: I live in a very nice neighborhood in Marietta. I like all my neighbors, but there’s this guy who drives me crazy. He walks his dog by my house and for some reason he likes to poop in my yard. This would not be a problem except that he doesn’t pick it up. I don’t know this guy except to say hello. I’ve dropped subtle hints when I’ve seen him around and nothing has changed. I think our neighborhood has a pooper-scooper rule. I want to report him. What should I do? -POOP HATING DOG LOVER   DEAR “PHDL”: First of all, when you say, "he likes to poop in my yard,” I assume you mean the …

DEAR ANT:  I’m engaged and my wedding is supposed to be in three weeks. I say, “supposed to be” because my fiancé is threatening to call the whole thing off. He thinks I’m being unreasonable with a request I have for the best man (I’ll call him Jim). The problem is Jim has long hair (down to his shoulders) and facial hair, which makes him look like a slob most of the time.   Jim told my fiancé he’s planning to pull his hair back into a neat ponytail and trim his beard for the wedding, but I think he should get a proper haircut and shave. I also think my fiancé should be the one to tell him to…

DEAR ANT: I’m having a problem with my yard service. Two areas of my yard are chronically neglected. I’ve addressed this with the owner of the company several times, but nothing changes. Incidentally, the owner is on the maintenance crew and he is a native English speaker so it’s not a communication problem. I want to fire him, but I feel guilty. On one hand it’s a new company and he is just learning the business, but on the other hand I’m paying him to do a job that’s not getting done. Should I talk to him again and give him another chance or am I justified in firing him? What would you do…

DEAR ANT:  I am soooo glad to find you. I have an issue I need advice on. I have a rental property that I rented to a lady back in May. This is September and she still hasn't moved in. She's waiting to get kicked out of her home when it goes into foreclosure. In the meantime she wants me to sublet the place until she gets kicked out! My rental agreement is month to month so I decided to rent to someone else instead of her. Now I'm feeling guilty.  Was I wrong?  ---GEORGIA LANDLORD DEAR GEORGIA LANDLORD:  I'm soooo glad you found me too! As long as you did not violate the terms of your lease …