DEAR ABBY: My relationship with my mother-in-law has been rocky for the nine years I've been married to her daughter. She has been very hurtful at times, saying things like, "You're not welcome [in her house]." She has never accepted me.

She was recently unable to stay within the boundaries my wife and I set with her when she visited us. We had asked her to keep it light and just enjoy lunch together, but she started telling us my wife should apologize to her niece over a trivial misunderstanding. When I asked her to leave, she started crying and said, "I'm so disappointed that my first-born married such an awful human being." Advice? -- DISRESPECTED IN RHODE ISLAND

DEAR DISRESPECTED: Clearly, you do not like your mother-in-law, and the feelings are mutual. She was wrong to cross the boundary by criticizing your wife during that lunch, but you may have overstepped by ordering her to leave. Depending upon how close a relationship your wife would like to have with her mother, some sessions with a licensed family therapist may be in order if the three of you are willing.

DEAR ABBY: When I was invited to see the birth of my great-grandchild, I said yes. I was told if my granddaughter didn't give birth by the 14th of the month at the latest, the doctor would induce on that day. I forgot it could happen on any day. I went out of town on Friday the 11th, which is when my granddaughter called to let me know she was on her way to the hospital.

I missed the birth of my great-granddaughter! I know it's my fault, and I am heartbroken because I can never get that back. Also, my granddaughter is no longer speaking to me. I've tried calling her, but she won't answer. I feel so horribly sad, like I've made the mistake of a lifetime. Please advise. -- TRIPPED UP IN COLORADO

DEAR TRIPPED UP: While your absence at your great-grandchild's birth was unfortunate, it is not the mistake of a lifetime. You are human, and human beings make mistakes. That your granddaughter won't speak to you is regrettable, but hopefully she'll mellow after she receives your large bouquet of flowers and abject letter of apology.

DEAR ABBY: My son-in-law says I am lazy and antisocial because I use the drive-up grocery option. I told him that when I use the drive-up, I do less impulse buying and save time and money. Am I wrong? -- INSULTED IN WISCONSIN

DEAR INSULTED: Of course you are not wrong. What you are doing works for you, and you shouldn't be criticized for it. Ask yourself why your passive-aggressive son-in-law feels the need to put you down. Is there something else going on in your relationship with him ... or in his head?

DEAR ABBY: I have a group of wonderful women friends I have known for decades. We get together monthly for dinner and drinks at a local restaurant. The location is generally left up to whoever has a birthday that month, and usually varies among three choices.

Occasionally, I bow out if they choose a restaurant that caters to a local creep. This man, "Bob," has never been charged with an offense, but I was one of his victims 20 years ago, weeks after my first husband's death. Bob broke into my home and stole items from my husband's office. I was there at the time, and he came into my bedroom while I was dressing. I screamed at him, and he responded that I hadn't heard him knocking at the door and "he wanted to make sure I was all right."

I have no ties to Bob, but my friends do. All of them are aware of his actions and reputation. So is the owner of his nightly hangout, but Bob is a jolly bar guy and buys drinks, so everyone (except me) is OK with it. I get PTSD at the thought of attending one of our dinners when this particular establishment is chosen, so I usually skip those nights.

A few of the women in my friend's group have told me I need to just "get over it," but I can't. Any advice on how to handle this? -- VICTIM IN WISCONSIN

DEAR VICTIM: I am sorry for what happened that day. Although Bob didn't touch you, the terror was real. I do have a couple of suggestions regarding how to handle this. The first is to continue refusing to attend birthday celebrations that might expose you to the man who broke into your home. (Did you file a police report?) Also, think twice about how "wonderful" a woman friend is who would choose that restaurant for her party. If your PTSD continues, consider consulting a licensed mental health professional who specializes in it.

DEAR ABBY: I've been engaged three times, and each time something happened and caused the engagements to be broken. I'm 38 now. I'm not sure if marriage is ever going to happen, but it's something I have looked forward to and is a dream of mine. However, the more I think about it and how things are these days, I can't help but wonder if it will ever happen for me. What do you think I should do -- keep hoping, or put marriage on the back burner? -- HOPING AGAINST HOPE IN INDIANA

DEAR HOPING: Sit down and ask yourself what went wrong with each of your engagements so it won't be repeated. Then begin plotting out a different life for yourself, an interesting one filled with activities, adventures and the pursuit of subjects that interest you. This can become your gratifying reality. If you do, it will expose you to people you might not otherwise meet. Of course you can keep "hoping" for marriage, but your chances of finding what you're looking for will be better if you become more active than if you preoccupy yourself with this "dream."

DEAR ABBY: My neighbor is 80. She's my political opposite. She's known me since I was 13. Her husband died 10 or so years ago. All she does all day is stay inside her house (even when it's sunny) and watch TV news. I try to be nice to her because she's alone and probably depressed, but sometimes I want to curse her to high heaven.

I borrowed $40 from her and told her I'd give it back the next day. Well, I didn't get paid until two days later. I saw her in the driveway the next day, and she angrily asked, "Where's my money?" I told her the story and got it back to her promptly.

We want to check on elderly folks, but sometimes they're nasty and cranky, and I just want to leave her alone. My mom died at 89, and she was NEVER like that. What gives with some of these older people? -- NEIGHBOR IN NEW JERSEY

DEAR NEIGHBOR: I'll give you a clue about "what gives" with your neighbor. You asked to borrow $40 from a retired senior, promising to return the money in 24 hours. When the money wasn't forthcoming, she became annoyed and concerned. Stop blaming all seniors for the way one of them reacted when you didn't keep your word, and you will have fewer problems with them.

DEAR ABBY: I'm a middle-aged adult with a dilemma about a friend who lacks social awareness. I had told her in the past that I had a problem with a mutual friend, "Michelle," whom I found toxic and disrespectful of my family. She responded that it was my issue, not Michelle's, so I distanced myself from both of them for a few months.

Later, she suddenly texted me for a lunch she wanted to have with the three of us. At the time, I was burying my mother-in-law and didn't respond immediately. The next day, she insisted on an answer as the lunch was in a few days. I responded that I was "unavailable for the foreseeable future," and for them to enjoy.

How do I sever this relationship with these clueless women of luxury? If I keep saying I'm unavailable, they'll ask when I will be available. To make matters worse, they like to get together for traditional holiday luncheons and dinners with their spouses. I feel drained of energy after I've been in their company. Please help. -- PULLING AWAY IN PENNSYLVANIA

DEAR PULLING AWAY: You have two choices regarding how to handle this. The first is to continue being "busy," and when asked when you will be available, tell them you don't know. The other would be to bite the bullet and tell them that you no longer enjoy those get-togethers and don't want to participate in them anymore.

DEAR READERS: Time really flies! Daylight saving ends at 2 a.m. Sunday for most folks. If you are one of them, don't forget to turn your clocks back one hour tonight at bedtime. And while you're at it, be sure to put fresh batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. -- LOVE, ABBY