Show j: '4 i The Herald Journal lrogan‘Utah Wednesday December 24 2003- -- C3 ImiviecBassDess By Kathy Mitchell A Mercy Creators Syndicate: Inc Sugar - X FOR BETTER OR WORSE ule even when it means giving up my weekends Our divorce decree states that we alter- nate weekends with the children but I have ' spent three weekends in a row with the kids : DEAR ANNIE: I was bircauseof hisjob recently invited to a baby One recent Sunday Jeff gave me all of three shower and was floored hours’ notice that he would hive to work until when the invitation stated that guests should give midnight When I expressed exasperation at hbw much I sacrifice for the sake of his job he cash or a gift certificate to flew off the handle and promptly called my a specific store ’ I used to think this couparents to tell them what I said My mother : ' immediately phoned chastising me for being ple had class but appar-entl- y unwilling to care for my own children I ended they don’t know the first thing about ample etiquette If I decide to up staying with the girls that night Only to be riot this shower to to greeted by my irate ex at 2:45 am shouting going I’mcertainly 'go filthy names in my face give such a crass gift I wan my present to be Don't get me wrong Annie I love the time personal arid I also don’t think it’s appropriate with my kids but I'm exhausted and I need to for the recipients to know the exact cash value : r— Anonym of your gift Aril I recharge my batteries Just because I left my marriage doesn't mean v-- ' mous Gift Giver DEAR GIFT GIVER: No There are sensible Heft my girlsalthough my family seems to V ' believe otherwise I am a great mother This reasons for most etiquette rules It is in poor ' taste to insist mi any specific gift or to demand was the first complaint I’ve made in 18 to know the cash vajue of a present This is - : ' months and I was raked across the coals I'm v especially true for a shower where part of the ' sick and tired of being blamed for my divorce fun is opening each item with “oohs” and and having to make endless concessions - “aahs” We say get the new mother whatever ' because of it How do I deal with my ex and you want my family without causing another fight? — DEAR ANNIE: I am the mother of two girls Virginia Gal : DEAR VA: It is helpful when parents accom- -' ages 3 and 7 1 am divorced from the children's ' father and we have joint custody I work days modate eaich other’s schedules but there is no and '‘Jeff” works nights When he has the kids reason for you to be the baby sitter because ‘ I stay overnight at his house while he’s at Jeff works until 2 &m You are suffering from a is using it to work When he returns I go to my own place lot of guilt and your and sleep for five hours his advantage Set some boundaries' Jeff needs In the last twomonths Jeff’s job has to be responsible for the girls’care when his- " ' Overtime work him of deal to a required great job demands weekends and late hours If that ' and also go oh occasional business trips I have means bringing them to your house or hiring a bent over backward to accommodate his sched- - V sitter so be it Tell your parents to butt out-: " ’ v ‘w ’ V DILBERT 1 4 r I SCHEDULED YOUR 'GOODBYE LUNCH FOR TUES- IT DOWNSIZED ONE ALREADY BOUGHT YOUR GAG GIFTS ON TUESDAY DAY d? 1 CANT MAKE GIFTS?? I M‘ NOT RETIRING I GOT GAG LATE TO ITS CHANGE IT EVERY- TOO I CONGRATULAi TIONS ALICE !v - I HEE-HE- I - PYv " : ' ARLOANDJANIS nd : ' - of overmedication Symptoms r By Peter H Gott MD Newspaper Enterprise Association thing about them Memory loss is what bothers me the most I don't know what to do next DEAR READER: I cannot diagnose your However '1 condition without examining-yoyou should consider the possibility that you are overmedicaledYour blood pressure may actually be too low' This situation is far from rare In fact many patients consistently show higher blood pressures in doctors’ offices than they do at other times Show your doctor my response to your question and ask him to authorize a home blood:pressiire' monitoring device These units are readily available at reasonable prices ip many pharmacies Once you learn how fo take your own blood pressure you'll be amazied at how easy the procedure is This way you will be more in control of your health If he is unsympathetic to your plight askTcx1 a second opinion— r or change physicians ' GRIZZWELLS HON DEAR DR- - GOTT: I'm ' on medication for high blood pressure: Two years ago I had triple-bypasurgery and didn’t take my blood pressure tried- : ication for several months Then my doctor ’ insisted on placing me on' Lopressor based on my' : blood pressure reading in his office - For the past six months 1’ve ndticed light- headedness my hearing and eyesight are failing I’m foigetful and have no energy Although I’ve mentioned these symptoms to ' my doctor several times he hasn't done any- -: : ' ss ' : Horoscope ! ' : ©pffBcCiY ZITS ’ IUWSHTTWSW0F TAURUS (April - 20) 20-M- ay Don’t turn ‘down any invitations you might receive today ' Orie is likely to giveyou opportunities to meet O new people Dec 24 For Wednesday GEMINI (May 2003 20) — Instead of Your birthday being upset by changing conditions today V In all circumstances embrace them CANCER (June 21 - July 22 ) — Today holds where you endeavor to far more promise for you than early signals improve the quality of life not only or yourself might have Indicated Your competent LEO (July for love but those you I happy-go-lucattitude will win you the admiyou’ll be extremely for- ' tunate in the year ahead ration of all those you encounter n l 9) — SomeThiiik in CAPRICORN (Dec 22) iVIRGOtAug where far removed from where you are located ' terms of being helpful and of service to others ' good things could be happening that wduld : today and this could turn out to be a very sue- : V-cessful day foryoit ultinudely benefit you personally Your innermost LIBRA (Sept 19)— A positive AQUARItlSfJari 23) gesture you made in the past to an associate feelings will dictate the outcome of your affairs ' may be" repaid at this time in fair greater mea- - : today so it behooves you to adopt a winning attitude when it comes to the more important V sure than you were able to give A friend who issues in your life : PISCES (Feb 20) ' is in the positioir to do so will happily SCORPIO (Oct 24-N22) — Strive to be help you achieve something today that you can’t do on ’optimistic regarding the outdome of your rela-' i friends own associates alike and with your tionships ARIES (March 19)— What adif: ' SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23:Dec 2 U — Yoii ference a day ’makes You are now likely to' couldn’t pick a better day to focus yoiir total areas in success where plans efforts on career objectives that are truly mean- -' experience your v ' ingful v! 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