FEATURES
6A
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015
Say bye to workaholic partner Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: My boyfriend and I are
in our 60s and have been together for
12 years. We recently had a disagree-
ment, and he walked away. I emailed
him and he said he has feelings for me
and always will, but he can’t make me
happy. He said I need someone who is
am. He has no pension, no savings and
a business that is barely surviving. He
also told me that his health problems
are why we haven’t had sex in four
years.
worked out. He used to phone me ev-
ery night and I miss that. After previous
disagreements, he always came back.
He said he doesn’t want to be in a rela-
tionship now and needs to look after his
business. He claims to be a workaholic.
Should I contact him again? — J.
Dear J.: How much do you want
to suffer? There are reasons this man
is incapable of being in a perma-
nent relationship. If he wants that to
change, he would likely need coun-
seling to understand his motivations
better. But you cannot make that
happen. You can only decide what is
best for YOU. Unless this man gets
help and makes major changes to his
life, he cannot give you any type of
commitment, nor does he want to. He
prefers to leave the relationship. We
think you should let him.
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy Mitchell
and
Marcy Sugar
Dear Annie: When our relatives
come for a visit, as they do every win-
ter without fail, why do they expect to
be treated to free accommodations and
free meals, which we provide year after
year, while they never offer a coffee-
cake or pizza or, better yet, to prepare
one of the many meals expected during
their visit? An offer to treat us to a meal
at a restaurant, even breakfast, would be
welcomed.
From my perspective, these “guests”
freely take our time, our generosity and
our kindness at a most stressful time of
year, and their only form of apprecia-
tion is the blanket invitation to “come
on down” offered at their departure.
Why don’t they mention possible dates
for a future visit to make the invitation
seem genuine?
These guests do not suggest or pay
for activities while visiting us. They
think that since they paid to travel to
us, we should be willing to cover all ex-
penses while they are here. And since
it is their vacation, they treat us as their
employees.
We love our family members. We
are happy to see them at every oppor-
tunity. But we feel taken advantage of,
especially when they notify us of the
dates for their next visit. — Planning
Now
Dear Planning: You are being too
accommodating, and they are clueless.
You need to set some ground rules.
This is family. They visit every year.
It’s OK to tell them what you expect.
Ask them to pitch in for groceries and
to help in the kitchen. Once they under-
stand that even guests have obligations,
these visits will run more smoothly for
everyone.
Dear Annie: This is in regards to
“Outvoted,” who is debating with her
siblings about replacing the batteries in
Mom’s pacemaker.
My family had the same problem.
Dad was 92. My sister and I wanted to
let him go peacefully, but my mom and
brother wanted the batteries changed.
We are now living a nightmare. Dad
has full-blown dementia. My sister and
I are the caregivers, as my brother lives
three hours away and Mom is too frail
to care for him.
Dad is ornery and hits on every
woman he sees. I change his soiled dia-
pers and give
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
STONE SOUP
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’re al-
lowed to make lists that you have no in-
tention of ever executing, and it’s a good
exercise for today. A list can be like a play-
ground for your mind, a mental way of try-
ing things on for size.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’re still
trying to break yourself of a certain habit
that no longer serves you well. You’ll have
more success when you think of replacing
the habit with a better one.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Before you
let yourself fall for the thing that is out of
reach, be sure it’s worth falling for. Make
sure that “unobtainable” isn’t the most ap-
pealing thing about it.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Hold on,
because today’s atmosphere may turn
wild, hectic and unsupportive. It’s why you
need to give yourself a good breakfast
and leave plenty of time for getting from
place to place.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). No one can be
exactly like you, though a few will try! Take
it as a compliment. You’re the big sibling of
the zodiac now, and the others are learn-
ing from the way you manage things.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The ones
who try to eliminate the competition
through negative press are clearly inse-
cure about what they have to offer. The
only legitimate way to eliminate the com-
petition is to do it better, faster or cheaper.
Maybe all three!
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Today
features high stakes and intense com-
petition. Keep in mind that an obliging
attitude will gain you more respect than
any fine trapping you could drive around
in or throw on your back.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You give
smiles, help and many other things be-
sides money. It just doesn’t quite feel right
to hand over cash. Tighten those purse
strings. Hold back until you’re sure where
your money will do the most good.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21).
Change is natural, but it’s not always easy.
In order to become who you want to be,
you have to sacrifice something about the
person you are now.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Happi-
ness is simple today. You put your whole
self into mundane tasks like paying bills or
making dinner. Consequently, your good
fortune will continue.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Without
an injection of fantasy, things could get
very dull indeed. Today is for imagining
something different for your life. Draw it
or write about it to flesh out the delightful
details.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The social
basics will apply: no whispering or telling
secrets about others. If everyone would
keep these rules, the world would be a
much happier place.
WEDNESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 14).
What makes this year’s story so great is
that whatever comes, love and persever-
ance will win out in the end. The next six
weeks bring a lucky break. Just don’t try
to grow too quickly, and save your money.
March is a happy song for your love life,
and many people will be happy to share
your joy. Aries and Gemini people adore
you. Your lucky numbers are: 5, 23, 4, 11
and 14.