Dear Abby | Spouse eager to put foot down on shoes in home

DEAR ABBY: My wife continually dirties the floors in our home because she refuses to stop wearing shoes in the house. She’ll be out all day — at work, running errands, etc. — and then come home and keep her same shoes on. She has even done yard work and then come inside wearing those same shoes!

It’s a family trait for her — her mother does the same thing in her house. We recently visited her aunt and uncle — both of whom were wearing outdoor shoes indoors! How do I convince my wife that our house is dirty specifically because of this?

— IN MY SLIPPERS

DEAR SLIPPERS: According to the August 2024 issue of Consumer Reports, half of household dust is tracked or carried into homes from outside. The soles of our shoes can also carry viruses as well as other unhealthy and unpleasant substances. Instituting an indoor/outdoor policy might help to keep your house cleaner, but the habits of a lifetime are hard to break, and your wife may have trouble changing. A workable compromise might be to have a doormat outside for scraping dust and debris off shoes. Suggest it to her as a possible solution.

** ** **

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I are drafting our wills. Our sticking point is my son’s wife. She has had affairs and spends money like crazy that they don’t have. Is there any way we can shelter from her any inheritance he might receive from us? We considered hiring a private investigator but wouldn’t know what we’d do should a current affair be discovered. We couldn’t tell our son. Please help us decide.

— TACTFUL IN TEXAS

DEAR TACTFUL: Because the laws vary from state to state, the person who should answer this question would be your attorney or your CPA. They can advise you on how to word your wills and estate plans.

P.S. Because your daughter-in-law has a history of infidelity, if you hire a P.I. and he or she finds evidence that she’s cheating again, you should let your son know and the context in which the discovery was made.

** ** **

DEAR ABBY: My stepson has invited my husband and me to his home for Thanksgiving this year. After agreeing to go, I found out that the meal will consist of vegetarian lasagna. I feel this is inconsiderate of my stepson and his wife because they know my husband and I have always enjoyed traditional Thanksgiving (including the Thanksgiving meal of roasted turkey). Please, what is your opinion? I feel like it’s just not Thanksgiving without the turkey.

— WANTING A FEAST IN THE SOUTH

DEAR WANTING: I’m so glad you asked. The Thanksgiving celebration is a tradition in which families and friends join together to give thanks for being together and enjoy food, friendship and the freedoms we are privileged to have in this country. If you need protein, have some before you go.