6A
FEATURES
She’s missing intimacy
Dear Annie: My husband ing alone scares me, but I can’t
and I have been married for over continue living in limbo. — Sad
30 years. In many ways, we and Fed Up
are very compatible and have
Dear Sad: Your concerns
shared interests in music, books don’t make you a narcissist;
and movies. However, we no they make you normal. Ten
longer have a sex life or any years is not part of the nor-
form of intimacy. It has
mal intimacy ebb-and-
DEAR
been almost 10 years
flow all couples expe-
since he expressed an
rience. A fulfilling
ANNIE
interest in being with
sex life is part of any
me. He also refuses to
healthy marriage —
discuss the issue.
and so is communica-
tion. Your husband is
In the past few
shutting you down on
years, whenever I try
both fronts. Rather than
to talk about my unhap-
talk about the problem,
piness, he maintains
Lane
he blames you for even
that I am narcissistic Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
caring. He’s using the
and asks me not to nag
tired old defense mech-
him about it. I know he
has performance problems, and anism called deflection. Don’t
it doesn’t help that he drinks fall for it.
It sounds as if your hus-
every night. He has also told me
that although he loves me, he is band is suffering from depres-
not in love with me and consid- sion. Tell him that whether he
wants to recognize that there is
ers us companions.
I have gone for counseling, a problem or not, his refusal to
but I feel as if I say the same get help is hurting you. Implore
things over and over with no him to seek counseling.
It also may be that he is an
resolution. I think my husband
hopes I’ll forget about sex and alcoholic. At the very least, his
learn to be content with the situ- drinking bothers you. That’s
ation. Because I am near retire- reason enough for you to attend
ment age and used to living an Alcoholics Anonymous
with a family, the idea of liv- meeting (by yourself), where
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2016
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
you will find a roomful of peo-
ple who can relate to what
you’re going through. I wish
you all the best.
Dear Annie: I just read the
letter from “Hopeless,” whose
son turned against her and sided
with his grandparents (who
were abusive to his mom when
she was growing up).
I had a similar situation.
My daughter’s father and step-
mother tried (and succeeded for
several years) to cause separa-
tion between my daughter and
me. I fought it. I tried to stick
up for myself. I tried to explain
things to her. (I left out the parts
about her father’s abusing me.)
Nothing mattered. I was just the
awful person who left the mar-
riage and broke up the family.
Eventually, I had to just let
go and let God take control.
Once they no longer had to fight
with me to keep convincing her
of how awful I was, their true
colors showed. My daugh-
ter and I have a relationship,
and she sees her father and his
wife for who they are. Please
let Hopeless know to keep her
head up and just be patient. My
thoughts and prayers are with
her. — Vindicated in Indiana
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Like a pair of
vintage shoes that perfectly completes an
ensemble, your past makes the you-of-the-
moment more interesting, authentic and
comfortably worn-in.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There are
compromises to be made, and you won’t be
a lesser person for making them, much to
the contrary: You’ll be (SET ITAL) more (END
ITAL) of a person. More empathetic, wise,
experienced — and wealthier, too.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’re a unique
individual. The more you realize your quirks,
figure out your preferences and honor your
dislikes, too, the happier you’ll be. The thing
to do is to stop seeking societal rewards and
replace them with personal rewards.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Take pride in
your progress. Maybe you still don’t know
what you want, but you know what you don’t
want, and that’s even more important at this
point. You’ll use this information to make a
new plan.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The obvious route is
too easy for you. Besides, people are starting
to expect you to do something different. Also,
you’ll probably find that the main road is
blocked. Everything is aligned to get you to
take the road less traveled.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’re so relaxed
today that you’re practically unexcitable, which
makes you a rock for your loved ones. That
doesn’t mean you lack enthusiasm. It just
means that you administer it in measured
doses.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). There’s a thrill
in being a beginner — starting at the very
bottom and working your way through each
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
stage. Use the distinct advantages of the
starting line. It is a place where everything is
still possible.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You don’t have
to be in an elite group to feel special. You
purposely distance yourself from involvement
in cliques who enjoy judging others from a
“superior” position.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You don’t
seek trouble. But if it culminates like storm
clouds above your head, you won’t run from
it, either. Adversity, when faced head-on, is
precisely what will make you strong.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Deconstruct
a situation to understand it better. Cause
problems on purpose to test your skill at fixing
them. Like a child learning the world, you are
naturally inclined to experiment.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’re in
charge of you. Others might be bossy today,
because you’ve attracted people want to be a
part of your next move. Get distance from the
crowd. Let your next move be all you.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Here’s one thing
certain about your future: You can and will
rise to the occasion. Part of the reason is that
you’re practicing for it: You are practicing for it,
aren’t you? If not, this is a fine time to start.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 27). This
year represents a clear “before-and-after” sce-
nario. Your year will be the bass note of the
chord of your life. In the future, you’ll rever-
berate against it, resonate with the memories,
speculate on the implied trajectories. Love
is the focus of the first quarter. Business is
the focus of the next. When in doubt, go with
less. Leo and Taurus adore you. Your lucky
numbers are: 1, 3, 28, 44 and 6.