Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/246352
Wednesday, January 22, 2014 – Daily News This foursome of friends find themselves at a crossroads DEAR CAROLYN » Four great friends do a lot together, "Jeanne," "Sophie," "Kaylie" and "Penny." Over time, Sophie constantly "finds faults" with Jeanne and begins to alienate her from the group. Sophie doesn't share this with Jeanne and doesn't want her to know. Penny and Kaylie tell Jeanne the "faults" Sophie sees. Feelings Carolyn are that Hax good friends Ask Carolyn should be able to let you know what "faults" are upsetting you so that you can correct them. Sophie leaves the group. No longer wants anything to do with any of the friends. Now Sophie wants to be friends with Penny and Kaylie, but refuses to be around Jeanne. This puts Penny and Kaylie in an awkward situation. What would you recommend for Jeanne? — Friends on Sophie's Terms Penny and Kaylie are not in an "awkward situation," DEAR FRIENDS » they're in a decency test — and failing it with flying colors. Here's the answer to Sophie that prevents a snake pit: "Join us all, or don't. Up to you." It's their second F, actually. They earned the first by reporting the "faults" to Jeanne via back-channel, justifying it with a mealy, "Good friends should [blank]." The A+ answer was, to Sophie: "Whatever problems you have with Jeanne, take up with Jeanne. Stop trashing her to us." As for Jeanne, it's her call whether any of these friends is worth keeping. My husband's parents are divorced and both remarried. My mother-in-law's husband is wonderful, but my father-in-law's wife is overbearing. She is also very critical of my husband, me, my sister-in-law and her husband. When my sister-in-law had a baby, my fatherin-law's wife suddenly became even MORE overbearing toward her. What irks me most is that the wife insists on referring to herself as grandma. I don't want my future child to call her grandma, nor DEAR CAROLYN » do I want her referring to herself that way. My child will have two wonderful grandmothers — this woman is not going to be one of them. How can I politely ask her not to expect to be called grandma? — HELP DEAR HELP » You have no business trying to shove The Wife off the grandma shelf. Even if she's every bit as negative as you say, her grandma spot is secured by marriage. Deal with it. The more you push her away, the more overbearing and critical you can expect her to get. Why? Because those two traits are classic selfpromotion. They're the tools of people desperate to assert their value. Grit out some pleasant engagement instead — including, when she gets mean, "I'd appreciate your support, not criticism." Email Carolyn Hax at tellme@washpost.com, follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ carolyn.hax or chat with her online at noon Eastern time each Friday at www.washingtonpost.com. 3B BABY BLUES Jerry Scott & Rick Kirkman ZITS Jerry Scott & Jim Borgman Brian Crane PICKLES Darby Conley GET FUZZY Sudoku Instructions: The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the number only once. SHERMAN'S LAGOON Jim Toomey Answer to Previous Puzzle PEARLS BEFORE SWINE Stephan Pastis Celebrity Cipher By Luis Campos Instructions: Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another. Scott Adams DILBERT BIZARRO Horoscope By Bernice Bede Osol WEDNESDAY, JAN. 22 Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Implement a clear system to prepare yourself to meet your goals. Traveling may be the best way to find the information you need to move forward. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — You will be bogged down with added responsibilities today. You may have to handle someone else's financial matters or estate. Get informed before making any big decisions. Aries (March 21-April 19) — You will tend to react prematurely and get into trouble if you don't listen to what others have to say. Nothing will be as it first appears. It's best to wait and let others approach you. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — The harder you are willing to work, the better off you'll Dan Piraro ARGYLE SWEATER be. Your eagerness to take on responsibility will impress someone who is searching for the right person to do a job. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Plan to go out and have a fun and social evening. You are likely to have interactions with children, and you will be surprised what they can teach you. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Family matters will probably require some damage control. Awkwardness may result from your current limitations. Make use of your resources, even though family members may not be eager to follow orders. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — While you are busy defending yourself, you are likely to uncover some extremely valuable information. Find an opportunity to take a little trip. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Don't let anyone impede your progress. Remain aware of past mistakes to avoid falling into Scott Hilburn the same patterns. Financial strategies should be presented carefully. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Don't be overtaken by your emotions. You will do well today if you can present a stable front. Take the time to further develop your creative ideas. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — You will have good ideas for improving your finances. If you stay grounded, you will make all the right decisions. Trust your instincts. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Restlessness will lead to personal changes. If you communicate your differences, reforms can be made fairly easily. Like-minded individuals will offer you their support. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Don't be aggravated if things don't turn out your way. Putting in extra time and energy will be necessary. Change is upon you, so accept the inevitable. NEA Crossword