Kisses and Misses By Tanya Bricking Leach Advertiser Staff Writer

No-nonsense advice from the Islands

Who needs old-school advice when you're looking for real-life answers?

We thought there was room in Hawai'i for a little more common sense, so The Advertiser launched an advice column that took on your troubles with no-nonsense advice instead of psycho-babble.

Below is Tanya's last advice column. She is leaving The Advertiser as she welcomes her Army husband home from Afghanistan and they prepare to move to his next duty station. She bids her readers heartfelt thanks and aloha.

Read all her columns here.

March 18, 2005
•	In the end, no relief for lovelorn This column is ending where it started: with some of the most Frequently Asked Questions. For Tanya, reading through her stash of mail is like watching the spin cycle on the washing machine. The same things just keep coming around.
	Poll: The FAQ file Let's open up the reader mailbag one more time and share some other Frequently Asked Questions. Vote for your favorite in the last "Kisses & Misses" relationships poll.
March 11, 2005
•	Lately, not much to smile about A woman and her husband have been fighting a lot lately, and she needs advice on what to do. Tanya tells her not to give up and suggests a couple of resources that may help.
	Poll: Does marriage mean forever? How long do you expect your marriage to last, and how seriously do you take the words "till death do us part?" Take our poll and weigh in with your answer.
March 4, 2005
•	She got dumped; she hurts A reader is still head over heels about her last boyfriend, and she's wondering how she can get over him. While Tanya admits there's no magic to getting over an ex, she has advice on how to take back control.
	Poll: Private e-mail? What do you think about checking the e-mail of your significant other? Is sharing passwords OK? Do you spy on the sly? Vote in our weekly relationships poll.
February 24, 2005
•	Solving the tricky latex problem A woman who finds herself in the dating world after a long marriage has developed an allegic reaction to latex. She wants to know how she can give herself to that special someone without "freaking him out". Read Tanya's advice.
	Poll: Doggone it? Would you date someone who didn't like your pet? If there was an ultimatum between your pet and your partner, who would go? Vote in our weekly poll.
February 18, 2005
•	He's just not that into his newbie A guy who is still in love with his ex is now seeing somebody new, and he's wondering if this is fair to the newbie. Read Tanya's advice.
	Poll: Keep pictures of your ex? Is it OK with you if your significant other keeps photos of an old flame? Or should all old albums be destroyed? Vote in our weekly poll.
February 11, 2005
•	Unrequited love can be agonizing A 15-year-old girl is in love with a boy and wants him to love her back, but he's going out with another girl. Tanya has advice.
	Poll: Valentine's Day Monday is Valentine's Day. So at least a card would be nice. But what will you do if your lover forgets? Is it grounds for a breakup? Tell us by voting in our poll.
February 4, 2005
•	Buddy must decide for himself A reader asks Tanya about a friend's unfortunate situation, and is told that just being a friend — without trying to solve the problem — is the best thing to do.
	Poll: Like a Virgin Do you wish you had lost your virginity to someone else? If you could, would you take back that moment and change it? Take our poll.
January 28, 2005
•	Married but hooked on a friend A married woman is attracted to another man, and she is asking Tanya for advice.
	Poll: Married and looking? Are Internet date seekers really available? Have you ever run a personal ad when you were already married? 'Fess up in our weekly relationships poll.
January 21, 2005
•	Friendship becoming exhausting A woman feels like she doesn't have a home life anymore because her friends, who are going through a difficult time, are asking to spend a lot of time with her and her family. See what advice Tanya has for her.
	Poll: What age is OK for dating? At what age would you allow your son or daughter to begin dating? Is it sweet 16, or is earlier all right with you? Have your say in our weekly poll.
January 14, 2005
•	Come out of corner to live life This week, Tanya gives advice to a 43-year-old man who doesn't have a love life and tries to make up for it by staying occupied with fitness and hobbies.
	Poll: In the pitts? Insiders following the breakup of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston seem to think the stars were at odds over starting a family. Has that ever come between you and your significant other? Take our poll.
January 7, 2005
•	Perplexed by status of friendship A reader is wondering whether a friendship is coming to an end, and wants to know if there's such a thing as a "normal" ending to friendship.
	Poll: Living together? Do you think it's a good idea to live together before getting married? Vote in our weekly poll.
>> More advice columns, 2004