THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015
FEATURES
She’s trying to leave abuser
Dear Annie: For four years, I have been
trying to leave an abusive marriage. I’ve
been working with various agencies that are
budget strapped and overwhelmed with cli-
ents. I finally found a friend who offered to
let me stay with her, but she lives four hours
away, and I cannot afford a rental car. Then
my husband tells his boss that he needs time
off because I have a disability. That part is
true, but I know now that he is using it as an
excuse to be home and control the situation.
Worse, my husband brought home
a dog, knowing I would never leave the
poor thing with him. Taking the dog makes
things more difficult.
Our local abuse shelter is crowded right
now. In a perfect world, I would grab what I
could and leave, taking the dog. I tried once,
and he caught up with me. Any sugges-
tions? — Gloria
Dear Gloria: You need a better plan.
First, please don’t tell your husband you are
leaving. He will use whatever means neces-
sary to stop you. Would your friend offer to
pick you up? Is there a bus or train you can
afford?
Please call the National Domestic Vio-
lence Hotline (thehotline.org) at 1-800-799-
SAFE and ask them to help you find a safe
way out.
Dear Annie: A year ago, I fell ill with
diabetes. Due to financial problems, I have
had lots of complications in treating it. I also
have a troubled past, but I turned it around
a few years ago, and I’m proud of myself.
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy Mitchell
and
Marcy Sugar
I was so ill that I had to quit my job.
Now I have problems affording the medica-
tion, and it depresses me. My parents seem
to believe that I am simply back to my old
habits and say I should be working. But I
have documentation saying I cannot work
due to diabetes complications.
I have asked both of my parents to go
with me to see the doctor, but they refuse. I
am so lost right now, I don’t know what to
do. Please help. — Confused in Northwest
Illinois
Dear Confused: You may be eligible
for reduced-cost medical care, including
medications, which would help you get
back on your feet. Right now, your health is
the most important thing, and you’ll feel bet-
ter if you can be proactive about your care.
Please contact the American Diabetes Asso-
ciation (diabetes.org) at 1-800-DIABETES.
You also can try Partnership for Prescription
Assistance (pparx.org) for low-cost medica-
tions. And you may be eligible for low-cost
hospitalization and clinic care through the
Health Resources and Services Administra-
tion (http://1.usa.gov/1NQaRFA).
Dear Annie: I am responding to
“Growing Up Way Too Fast,” whose young
son likes to play with the neighbor boy who
plays adult video games and is allowed to
watch frightening, sexually suggestive adult
TV shows.
Our three kids sometimes had friends
from homes with questionable parenting
skills. Our kids were allowed to play only at
our house with those friends. The first time
they acted inappropriately, I explained that
their behavior was rude and unkind and not
permitted in our house, and the consequence
was that they would be sent home. The sec-
ond time, they were sent home. That usu-
ally solved the problem. But if it happened
again, they were sent home and not allowed
to return for several days. Of course, I
phoned the parents to let them know their
child would be coming home, but unless the
parent asked, I gave no reason.
Our kids didn’t like this rule, but that is
where parenting comes in. Watchful super-
vision was always on high alert when these
kids came over. — Mean Mother Award
Winner
Dear Mother: Congratulations on un-
derstanding what it takes to be an effective
parent and not letting an unpopular rule de-
ter you.
Annie’s Snippet for St. Patrick’s Day: As
you slide down the banister of life, may the
splinters never point in the wrong direction.
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
5A
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Finding the
blessing in each circumstance is like hunt-
ing for ancient buried treasure. You don’t
even know what you’re looking for, but what-
ever object you strike, it will pay to mentally
dust it off and investigate further.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). What you
want to happen will require vitality, bravery
and honesty. You have it in you, and you’re
ready to do the work it takes, mainly because
you see the worthiness of realizing this goal.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You can’t air-
brush the present, but the past and the fu-
ture can get as many touchups as you want
to put on them. It’s not a bad idea, either. A
little glamorization won’t hurt things.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Set down
the weapons you use against yourself, as
they will not be required today. Neither will
the weapons you use on the rest of the
world. The events will unfold peaceably if
you let them.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The socialites
and the dilettantes can be good friends to
have, but you also need a few people in
your mix who are ready to get their hands
dirty and go to the deeper level of an interest
that will take work. This is what inspires you.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). When you’re
not given the advantage you would prefer,
what you are given instead is the chance for
an up-by-the-bootstraps story that will show
you (and the world) just how resourceful you
are.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Disinterest
can be mighty effective in making others
try harder for your attention. That’s why you
sometimes choose to deal reluctantly with
something or someone you secretly can’t
wait to get involved with.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Unpre-
pared? It’s to your benefit. Today you’re the
perfect candidate to try a relaxed approach.
Stay ready to use whatever resources show
up in the moment (including your charm).
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The
pursuit of pleasure won’t result in pleasure.
This is because you don’t yet know what
will bring you the most delight — it’s not
the common or conventional thing. Today’s
pleasure will come out of service to another.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). When
the teller has to say “it’s a joke,” it’s not a
joke. You’ll see right through lame humor
and into the heart of a message. This is an
opportunity for truth, and you’ll use it to set
things right.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’ll be in
a contemplative mood. When you have to
speak, you’ll do so with brevity and sincer-
ity. Don’t be surprised if this makes you the
most interesting person in the room.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The reason
you’re not moving as fast as you want to is
because your mind is burdened. The mental
ball and chain strapped to your ankle has
physical consequences. You also hold the
key, though, so free yourself.
WEDNESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (March
18). Adventure, financial bonus and exciting
relationships are featured through the next
three months. You’re prompt, and you prefer
life events to meet you in that spirit. That’s
why the waiting you do in August and Sep-
tember may baffle you, but will ultimately
turn out to be your biggest blessing of the
year. Love signs are Gemini and Sagittarius.
Your lucky numbers are: 5,1, 3, 16 and 42.