She loves mornings, but they don't love her

DEAR ABBY: I love the mornings, and even get up early so I can enjoy sitting with my coffee and relax before heading out the door. But as soon as I get out into traffic, I'm immediately in a bad mood. Then, sitting down at work and facing all the emails that come in from my global associates - usually about some emergency that is plopped in my lap - puts me in more of a foul mood.

I actually like my job, despite what it sounds like. I just hate starting off every day like this. Telecommuting is not an option for me. What can I do?

- Ms. Grump in Denver

DEAR MS. GRUMP: OK, so you're fine until you leave the house. Many people who find morning rush hour to be nerve-wracking find it calming to listen to audio books or music during their commute. If that doesn't help you, and it is feasible, consider using another form of transportation that's less stressful.

And when you arrive at work, take a little time to decompress before turning on your computer, whether it is with meditation or deep-breathing exercises for the first 10 or 15 minutes. Both can do wonders for a person's outlook.

DEAR ABBY: A cute little girl lives up the street from my husband and me. A few years ago we taught her in a Sunday school class. At the time, she developed a crush on my husband. We both laughed and thought it was sweet.

Fast-forward three years, and it's not so sweet anymore. Last Sunday, she turned to me and announced, "He's mine!"

It felt like I was fighting over my husband with an 8-year-old. He is aware of her crush and how I feel about it, but he doesn't want to hurt her feelings. What can I do? - No Longer Amused in Ogden, Utah

DEAR NO LONGER AMUSED: Three years is a long time for a child to hang onto a crush. Because her behavior bothers you, tell her mother you find it excessive at this point and ask her to tell her daughter she's getting too old to act that way. It's the truth, and your husband should back you up.