Get busy while wife’s on ice to stay warmer

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My wife has gotten into women’s ice hockey and she’s quite good at it. I hate the cold, but I don’t want to stay home by the fire. They play outdoors a fair bit and I don’t think I could manage being in the stands with the hockey husbands cheering their wives for a full game! I’m a skinny guy and would freeze.

Still, I can’t help but feel a little jealous and left out. What can I do?

— Pouting, St. James

Dear Pouting: You could appoint yourself the team’s social photographer. That way, rather than being sedentary in the cold you could flit around taking photos of her team on the ice playing, goofing around or warming up inside. You could also then make pit stops in the warm clubhouse on the excuse you need to edit and post photos of the action, ASAP.

With this plan you can at least avoid being out rink-side for three full periods, but you’ll really get to know everybody and become a part of the crew. That’ll be a warm feeling, even when your toes are freezing.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I found out from my sister what my boyfriend is secretly buying me for Christmas — jewelry he knows I love and want, from my favourite store!

But everybody knows it costs big bucks to shop there, so now I feel embarrassed because I stuck to the low budget he and I had originally decided on. He must have at least tripled what we were supposed to spend!

I only bought him a special game I know he wants. It wasn’t cheap, but it really doesn’t compare, and I’m going to look like a tightwad. Help!

— Not a Cheapskate, Fort Richmond

Dear Not a Cheapskate: Consider yourself lucky you know the situation ahead of time. Why not just buy your man a simple jewelry gift to go along with the game?

You really don’t have to worry so much about matching values of gifts. Let your sweetheart continue to shine with the more expensive jewelry gift to you, but get in on the feeling of importance you both attach to your relationship.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: The witch is back! My new husband’s ex-wife has just moved back to our town (my husband grew up here).

I really don’t want her interfering in my life with her ex. They have no kids together, but he and I are expecting a child in the spring. This is the last thing I need during my pregnancy in this town. What can I do?

— Nervously Pregnant, southeastern Manitoba

Dear Nervous: Do not start avoiding social functions because your husband’s ex-wife is back in town. There’s room for both of you.

In small towns, people tend to really know what’s going on socially. So, you and your man should appear at social functions and let the town know by your presence you’re a very happy couple and expecting a bambino together.

You will start to feel more at ease as a newbie in town when people start congratulating you and wishing you well.

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6.