Your Birthday today: Express your feelings, be open to new ideas, and prepare to expand your interests, friendships and life- DEAR ABBY style. It’s time to put an end to living in the past or dwelling on something you Advice written by cannot change. Embrace the future with optimism, self-control and a posi- Jeanne Phillips tive attitude. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) - Consider what you want to do and DEAR ABBY: I live in , and my family lives four make changes that will allow you to hours south. My brother travels here often to visit his girlfriend head in that direction. Refuse to let and their son. I never know he’s in town unless another family negativity or demanding people come member mentions it or he posts a photo of himself at a local between you and success. landmark. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) - Show interest in others and be My parents and brother came here to attend my nephew’s friendly, but don’t be too forgiving or school band concert. No one mentioned that they were com- revealing. Refuse to let an emotional ing or contacted me during their visit. I learned about it after incident lead to a premature decision speaking with my grandmother the following day. Since then, I Hagar The Horrible or unnecessary action. Observe and have spoken to my parents once briefly, and they still haven’t learn. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. mentioned it. Apparently, judging from the group text I just 21) - Play to win. Handle matters and received, my brother is back in town again today for another concerns aggressively. Refuse to let event. anyone take charge or meddle in your I don’t want to make this about me, but I feel left out. Do I affairs. Be diplomatic, but don’t under- have the right to have hurt feelings? - FORGOTTEN SISTER estimate a rival. Romance is featured. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. IN GEORGIA 19) - If you don’t make up your mind, DEAR SISTER: You have the right to feel however you someone will do it for you. If you feel. But I have to wonder how close you and your brother are confused, ask questions, and if really are, and whether you get along with the girlfriend. I you want closure, confront whatever situation you face and embrace new suspect this may be why you are not included during these beginnings. visits. Your parents may not have told you they were in town AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) - because they were asked not to or didn’t want to hurt your Pay closer attention to your personal feelings. I think it’s time for a family discussion, don’t you? finances, investments, health and DEAR ABBY: I’ve always been very independent and Shoe legal matters. An opportunity to get ahead will depend on you having your haven’t had many serious relationships in my 34 years of life. documentation in order. Contracts For the last two years, I have been in a healthy relationship look promising. with a man who is kind, smart and makes me feel like I can PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) - be myself. Keep your life simple, live moderately On our first anniversary, although we had never talked and channel your energy into some- thing constructive. Excessive behavior about marriage, he surprised me with a proposal. I didn’t feel will be your downfall. Make lifestyle the excitement and joy that I had always pictured myself feel- changes that allow you to live within ing when this moment finally happened to me. We haven’t set your means. a wedding date, nor am I thrilled about getting married. ARIES (March 21-April 19) - Don’t I love this person and appreciate him, but I feel like I burn bridges. It’s best to be on good terms with everyone, regardless of should be over-the-moon about spending forever with him. Do how you feel at the moment. Charm these blase feelings mean this isn’t the right person for me, or and diplomacy will lead to respect as that I’m simply not ready for the next step? - BEWILDERED well as future opportunities. MOUNTAIN GIRL TAURUS (April 20-May 20) - Look DEAR GIRL: Real life isn’t like it is portrayed in the movies at the possibilities, but don’t count on Garfield anything until you have verified the and on television. There is no cookie-cutter reaction to receiv- facts and put everything in place legal- ing a proposal. Many women would be thrilled to receive a ly. Acting on impulse or an emotional proposal of marriage from a man who is kind, smart and with whim will lead to backtracking. whom they can be themselves. (I am not implying that this GEMINI (May 21-June 20) - Take should be you.) care of your needs. Update your look, plan a social evening with friends or My recommendation is that you two have a LONG co-workers and show interest in what engagement as well as premarital counseling, so you can others are doing. both determine what’s important to you and if you are on the CANCER (June 21-July 22) same page. Frankly, these discussions should have started - Finish what you start. You’ll face well before a proposal. criticism if you speak out of turn. Offer only information you have verified and DEAR ABBY: I have been married for five years and make only promises you know you together with my husband for 15. I love him, and I try to look can keep. Put health, exercise and attractive for him. proper diet first. I recently got a shorter haircut that I thought looks nice. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) - Enjoying When my husband saw it, his reaction was, “It doesn’t look a getaway or spending time with a loved one should be a priority. Don’t bad,” and, “If you like it, that’s all that matters.” I can’t help but Frank and Ernest give in to someone putting pressure feel slighted and a little hurt. Am I being too sensitive? - HURT on you. Ease your stress, don’t add IN WASHINGTON to it. DEAR HURT: Maybe. Your husband is entitled to VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) - his reaction, and he was honest with you. Would you have Challenge yourself to learn, try harder and make a difference. How you deal preferred that he lie? If you like the new hairstyle, keep it. If with past problems will determine your you are having second thoughts, remember it’s not an arm or success. Know when to walk away. a leg; it’s only hair, and it will grow. Cul De Sac

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