New house responsibilities put wife down in the dumps

Dear Abby: My husband decided to buy a house. I never wanted one and now I’m depressed.

I am thankful that my husband provides for the family and puts a roof over our heads, but now that we are in our house, my days are spent doing chores, yard work, and cleaning, cleaning and cleaning. This is why I never wanted the responsibility of a house. I don’t have time for my family because I’m so busy maintaining this house I never wanted.

I have been distant from my husband because I secretly despise him for putting me in this position when he knew it wasn’t what I wanted. Am I being selfish? — Don’t Want the Responsibility Dear Don’t: Selfish? No. Passive-aggressive, yes. The problem with passive aggression is that the problem never gets resolved. If you feel you have too much on your shoulders, tell your husband how you are feeling so he can either help you with the chores, or hire someone to do the yard work and some of the cleaning.

Dear Abby: I am tattooed. I started getting inked when I was 22. I am now 31.

Recently, I decided to get an extensive design on my left arm. It will take four sessions to complete. The first session is scheduled on a Tuesday, not normally my day off. I can use PTO hours to cover it, but what do I say when — and if — management notices my ink, puts two and two together, and realizes I took time off for this? — Inked in Indiana Dear Inked: If that happens, you should tell the truth — that you took PTO for a personal errand. That’s what personal/paid time off is for.