6A
FEATURES
Should I stay with deceiver?
Dear Annie: I’m torn and hop- to work things out between us. I
ing an objective voice will help me love her a lot, and I am really torn
up. I don’t feel ready to end things.
reach a decision.
I recently found out that my girl- Would I be nuts to stay with her? —
friend of three years has been see- Aching in My Chest
Dear Aching: I’ll answer
ing another guy behind my back
for the past couple of months. I had your question with another ques-
tion: Why do you want to
been growing suspicious
DEAR
stay? If you really see a
for some time; she has
future with this woman,
been distant and has not
ANNIE
then OK, give her another
been physical at all lately.
shot. You’d both have to
Then the other day, when
work together to build a
she was in the shower, I
strong foundation of hon-
snooped through her cell-
esty and trust. You’d need
phone. I found that she’d
to stop snooping on her;
been texting with some
she’d need to stop giving
guy the night before about
Lane
you reasons to feel as if
meeting up at a bar. She Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
you have to snoop. (And
had told me she was going
if she were to break your
out for a girls night.
I immediately confronted her. trust again, that would be it. I’m a
At first, she was furious with me big believer in second chances, but
for going through her phone, but not so much in third chances.)
But I’ve a feeling that the real
she finally broke down and admit-
ted that she’d been hanging out reason you’re avoiding a breakup is
with this guy from work. She says it you’re afraid to let go. If that’s the
wasn’t anything physical, although case, it’s time to end things so you
he’s been flirtatious with her. She can start the process of beginning
begged me to forgive her for keep- again. You cannot simply wish that
ing a secret from me, and she prom- pain in your chest away.
Dear Annie: I have actually
ises never to do so again. I don’t
know whether to believe the part found comfort in reading the letters
about them not being physical, but from grandparents and others who
I do believe she really regrets the have shared their dismay in never
relationship. She says she wants receiving thank-you notes.
I tried talking to the kids and
the parents, to no avail. The parents
even tried to “explain” that their
kids were too busy with activities.
I was appalled. So I went to plan
B. During one visit, when every-
one was at one dining room table,
I passed out thank-you cards to all
the grandkids. The envelopes were
pre-addressed to my husband and
me and stamped. I also gave them
an additional box of thank-you
notes to be used for other gift giv-
ers. I shared the importance of send-
ing thank-you notes whenever they
receive a gift. I then advised that
they were all on permanent pro-
bation. No “thank you” means no
future gifts — end of story. I give
them five days after receipt of a gift
to send a note. This has worked.
Of course, their mother thinks
I am a nag and old-fashioned. I
think I’m teaching my grandkids
an important life lesson, and shame
on their parents for not doing the
same. But now I enjoy notes from
my grandkids, and some of them
are even being more thoughtful and
giving in other ways. — C.A. in
Sarasota, Fla.
Dear C.A.: You are indeed
teaching them an important life les-
son, one they’ll thank you for when
they’re older.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2017
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Whatever you
do today, do it for you. If there’s nothing in
it for you that you can think of off the top of
your head, go deeper. What’s the real payoff?
You wouldn’t be doing it if there weren’t one.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your profession-
al life will not be the only thing that flourishes
as a result of your methodical, systematic
and businesslike approach. Such a method
will also improve relationships of all kinds.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). As for the person
who helps you handle the task better than
you could on your own — this person may
not be the ideal partner, but he or she is
certainly worthy of the props you’ll generous-
ly give today.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You know
what a person is like in a particular context.
Now change the context and find out more!
You’ll be different, too. This process of mutual
discovery is the stuff of life.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Do your detective
work today. It’s not about snooping so much
as it is about listening to what people tell you
about their pasts, their points of view and
their goals. Asking excellent questions will be
half the battle.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Usually, you
know right away whether an outcome is to
your liking or not. With today’s project, snap
judgments could hinder progress. If there’s
even a small shadow of a doubt, live with the
result for a few days, then decide.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). For a comforting
feeling of belonging, hang out with people
who are very much like you. But if it’s creativ-
ity or productivity you’re after, you’ll gain, give
and learn more in a diverse group.
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
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Because
you’re a child at heart, you want to play. You’ll
sense accurately who else wants to as well,
so make the play date and follow through.
This sudden need for fun will be very lucky
for you.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’ve
the sneaking suspicion that you can make
your life better and more interesting on your
own, but a certain charismatic character can
definitely put you on the fast track to this end.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The one
without direct experience in your problem will
be of little or no help and, in fact, could make
things worse. Don’t waste time: Go straight to
the expert.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). As you
search for the right person to fill a certain
opening in your life, consider that while
people can, technically, change, they often
don’t — especially not just because you want
them to. Go with current (not projected) stats.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The rest of
the world fades into the background as one
person attracts you and reins you in. This
feels at once like an exotic adventure and like
coming home.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (March 8).
There’s an angel over your shoulder,
whispering messages of encouragement
and nudging you toward opportunities to
grow your spirit. New ideas cross-pollinate
with what you already believe, and a special
project is born. May brings familial warmth;
colorful characters come in June. There’s a
win in September. Libra and Aquarius adore
you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 30, 22, 37
and 40.