monday, september 7, 2015 | west hawaii today
4B
Dear Annie:
I’ve
been at the same job for
eight years, but since
the boss’ wife died, it’s
become almost impossi-
ble to work for him. He
has started drinking at
work and making inap-
propriate comments to
customers. I’m at a loss
as to what I should do.
This is a small busi-
ness — it’s just the two
of us running the place,
so there is no one else
to turn to for help. His
children live in other
states, and contacting
them about this could
result in them shutting
the business down, put-
ting me out of a job. He
has some family here, but
they don’t see a problem
with his behavior. I feel
like I’m stuck between a
rock and a hard place.
Do I contact his chil-
dren? Do I let things
continue, letting him
destroy what remains
of his reputation and
mine in the process?
I enjoy helping the cus-
tomers. I was planning on
starting a similar business
when he retires, but it
feels like he’s dragging
me down with the ship.
— Concerned Employee
Dear Employee:
Your
boss is grieving and needs
help. First, try to speak
to him and suggest grief
counseling. His doctor,
local hospital or hospice
can offer referrals. But
you should also contact
his children. They need
to know that Dad is in
bad shape and spiraling
out of control. At the rate
he is going, there won’t
be a business left to close
down, so you have little to
lose. Please help him out.
Dear Annie:
My hus-
band and I are in our
mid-70s and slowing
down a bit. My problem
is Thanksgiving. For most
of our married life, I pro-
vided elaborate holiday
dinners. When the kids
grew up and left home,
the get-togethers took
place every other year, so
they could spend alter-
nating years with their
in-laws and other family.
This year it is our turn,
but frankly, I am tired
of doing this. I feel like
it is time for someone
else to step up to the
task and invite us to his
or her home. The family
will be together Labor
Day weekend, and I am
wondering if you have
any suggestions as to how
to approach this subject.
— Need Some Relief
Dear Need:
Yes.
Be direct. Say to your
children that you no
longer have the energy
to cook and host these
big meals. Ask whether
one of them would like
to take over the hosting
duties, or perhaps they
would do the cooking
and bring the food to
your place and help you
set up and clean up after.
Or go to a restaurant.
Even grown children
can continue to believe
their parents are inde-
structible, and unless you
tell them that you are
tired, they don’t realize it.
But kids can also be tre-
mendously helpful when
asked, and they may
have ideas of their own.
In fact, they may have
wanted to change the
holiday setup for a while,
but thought you might be
offended. Give them the
opportunity to step up.
Annie’s Snippet for
Labor Day (Credit
Martin Luther King Jr.):
“All labor that uplifts
humanity has dignity and
importance and should
be undertaken with
painstaking excellence.”
Annie’s Mailbox is
written by Kathy Mitchell
and Marcy Sugar, long-
time editors of the Ann
Landers column. Email
questions to anniesmail-
or
write to: Annie’s Mailbox,
c/o Creators Syndicate,
737 3rd St., Hermosa
Beach, CA 90254. You
can also find Annie at
facebook.com/askan-
nies. To find out more
about Annie’s Mailbox
and read features by
other Creators Syndicate
writers and cartoonists,
visit creators.com.
COPYRIGHT2015 CREATORS.COM
ACROSS
1
Sir’s counterpart
6
Cumberland ___
9
Talkative bird
14
Having the
mouth wide open
15
Down with
something
16
Great-
grandfather of
Noah
17
Seizes
18
Notable
23-Across feature
20
Bygone Russian
autocrats
21
Mr. ___
(Marquand
sleuth)
22
Item on a
custodian’s ring
23
Fictional
character who
“died” in 1975
27
News service
inits.
28
President born
Aug. 4, 1961
31
Sidebars of many
web pages
34
___ tide
38
Works hard
39
What 23-Across
thinks with (as
illustrated in this
grid?)
43
Vice president
Agnew
44
Southern-fried
vegetable
45
Movie filming
spot
46
Singer K. T. ___
47
Movie filming
spot
50
Notable
23-Across feature
58
Toward the back
of a ship
60
Hereditary unit
61
“House,” but not
“Full House”
62
23-Across’s
occupation
65
Consumed
66
Make up (for)
67
Foundation
leader: Abbr.
68
Biscuit with tea
69
En ___ (together)
70
They: Fr.
71
Cares for, as a
garden
DOWN
1
___.com (dating
site)
2
Staring intently
3
Capital of
Senegal
4
Cursory glance
5
Err
6
No-sweat shot
7
Knock for ___
8
Former planet
9
Was introduced
to
10
Tennis star
Ivanovic
11
Drinks before
dinner, maybe
12
Pine (for)
13
Curds’ partner in
a nursery rhyme
19
Words before
“gather” or “see”
24
Queue
25
College military
org.
26
Double-reed
instrument
29
French miss:
Abbr.
30
No. 2
31
In addition
32
Salsa and
guacamole, for
two
33
Pointy heels
35
Big feature for
Donald Trump or
Kanye West
36
Vessel landing on
Mount Ararat
37
___ capita
40
Pre-calc course
41
Pine (for)
42
Alma mater
for five U.S.
presidents
48
Least normal
49
Ancient land on
the Aegean
51
The Beatles’
___ Pepper
52
Supermodel
Klum
53
Ironworker’s
block
54
Jury of one’s ___
55
Stationery
brand
56
Change, as the
Constitution
57
Copenhageners,
e.g.
58
Eve’s man
59
Salad cheese
63
Nav. rank
64
Letter in a
copyright symbol
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annie’s mailbox |
advice
Boss hits bottle after his wife dies, embarrasses employee
Monday, Sept. 7, 2015
CELEBRITIES BORN ON
THIS DAY:
Evan Rachel Wood,
28; Devon Sawa, 37; Oliver
Hudson, 39; Michael Emerson,
61.
Happy Birthday:
An inno-
vative approach to work and
personal projects will help you
stand out. Think outside the box,
but remain within your budget.
Compromise and creativity will
lead to solutions that will out-
perform any competition you
encounter. You should aim to
please, but not at the expense of
falling behind. Put your priori-
ties in order and your goals first.
Your numbers are 4, 11, 17, 29,
33, 35, 47.
ARIES (March 21-April 19):
Don’t get worked up over noth-
ing. Focus on fun, entertainment
and personal improvement and
you will avoid letting your emo-
tions get the better of you. Say lit-
tle, do a lot and strive for self-per-
fection. Romance will enhance
your day. 2 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20):
Use your energy wisely. Ask for
help, but have incentives ready
to ensure that the assistance you
receive is top-notch. Keep an
open mind and learn as you go. A
visit to a friend or relative will be
enlightening. 4 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
Make positive changes, work on
your personal relationships and
be realistic when it comes to your
goals and the promises you make.
Let your charm and intellect lead
you to overall improvements.
Love is on the rise. 3 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22):
Your emotions will be exaggerat-
ed. Offer compassion in all your
dealings. Refuse to let what oth-
ers do daunt you, and don’t be
afraid to do your own thing. Say
little and you’ll avoid opposition.
3 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Put
yourself in situations that are
unfamiliar and will add a lit-
tle adventure to your life. Trying
something new and sharing your
experience with someone you
enjoy being around will result in
future plans and commitments.
3 stars
VIRGO
(Aug.
23-Sept.
22): Do your best to get along
with everyone you encounter.
Acceptance and recognition will
be the key to reaching your goals.
Be prepared to share. What you
are willing to do for others will
ensure that you get the same in
return. 4 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
Don’t push or allow anyone to
push you. It’s important that
you size up whatever situation
you face and deal with matters
rationally. Don’t let an emotion-
al matter interfere with your
responsibilities. Don’t make any
impulsive moves. 2 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
Interact with your peers and
make a point to meet new people
by participating in an interest
you want to pursue. A proposal
you make will be well received by
most, but someone who is jealous
will oppose you. 5 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec.
21): Don’t let someone else take
over your projects. Jump into
action and make things happen.
You will make an impression and
be complimented for your contri-
butions. Your charm will spark a
romantic evening with someone
special. 3 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan.
19): Personal issues will perplex
you. Confusion will set in while
traveling or communicating with
people who don’t think the same
way you do. Make your point
clear to avoid being misinterpret-
ed. Money will come from an
unusual source. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb.
18): Put personal improvements
at the top of your list. Spending
time with peers, pets or family
members will bring about chang-
es that can influence your financ-
es. Planning interesting projects
with children will change your
life and your attitude. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
An optimistic outlook will go
a long way. Information will
be offered that can help you
advance. Don’t fear taking an
unfamiliar route in order to
reach your goals. Let your intu-
ition and past experience guide
you. Explore different lifestyles.
5 stars
Birthday Baby:
You are
tasteful, gracious and accommo-
dating. You are respectful and
compassionate.
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City, MO 64106; 816-581-7500
