View job opportunity as a win and a fresh start

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This article was published 15/05/2025 (479 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My wife left me to go back to her first husband, who finally quit drinking. She told someone I know that she is now back with the guy who won her heart in high school.

Apparently she vowed she would love him forever when they were teenagers and I guess she does, but my uncles are laying bets on how long they’ll last. The urge to drink doesn’t just go away for an alcoholic.

Now, I wonder if I was just the stand-in for her high school flame until he straightened out. She was married to me for six years and said she didn’t want any children, but the real love of her life is now sober and I have also learned she’s already pregnant by him.

Now she wants a speedy divorce from me.

What am I supposed to do? We live in a big town, but I still bump into her far too often and some people are speculating as to whether she’s carrying his child or mine. It’s too much for me.

Then last week, out of the blue, I got a job offer from a competitor of my workplace, but they’re located a half-hour commute away. I could move there, but then it would look like I ran away.

— Never a Loser, southeastern Manitoba

Dear Never a Loser: If you take the new job offer it could look like you got a better opportunity because the competition stole you away for more money. So why not give this new job and new town a real try? You would finally be free from hearing hometown gossip, though you’ll be the subject of it for a little while yet.

You’ll also be free to date in a new place without your ex and the rest of the town monitoring your moves. If you do accept the job offer, stop in at your new workplace to find out what recreation, leisure and summer festival options are coming up. The trick is to over-participate in activities and quickly meet the town’s movers and shakers, who will introduce you around.

It won’t be long before you settle in to your job and start enjoying new people in your new world.

You could really use a fresh start.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I desperately need to find and rent a big cottage this year and I don’t know how to find one in a hurry. I want to make memories of summer 2025 for my family, but I’m pulling my hair out already.

I have cruised around the lakes we like best, and there aren’t many signs left up, except for little places. (I want a place for three generations of us.) I really want to make this a golden summer for the whole family to remember forever.

— Summer Dream, North Winnipeg

Dear Summer Dream: To find something suitable for your specific needs this summer, you’ll have to expand your search. Get online and check out all the short-term rental apps such as Airbnb and Vrbo, as well Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace.

If you want to do the legwork, you could visit general stores in areas where you would like to rent and see if they have a board advertising local goods and services, and you may find some options that are not listed online.

Also make sure to ask the staff at local shops and restaurants, as they may know someone who is looking to rent.

When you do make contact with a cottage owner, even if their place doesn’t suit you, they may know someone else who has a place that could accommodate your needs. All the best in your cottage hunt.

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

Maureen Scurfield
Advice columnist

Maureen Scurfield writes the Miss Lonelyhearts advice column.

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