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Dear Abby 6/11
Wife disappoints husband only when she speaks
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    DEAR ABBY: I am happily married to the most wonderful woman in the world. I feel blessed to have her in my life and to be a part of hers.
    I am not an elitist; I like to think I am a humble person. But I do believe in correct grammar, proper pronunciation and the eloquent employment of words in conversation. My wife did not have the benefit of an upbringing in which these were practiced. She comes from the "ain't got no" school of speaking.
    I can accept this at home, but in business as a corporate executive, I am embarrassed by her low verbal skills.
    I would never hurt or shame my wife by correcting her in front of anyone. The obvious answer is to bring it up in private. I did that, but she is not inclined to improve her word skills. She has mentioned a friend who tried to help her in this endeavor, but it went nowhere. I wish I could do something. Any ideas on how I can help? -- WORDSMITH IN ILLINOIS
    DEAR WORDSMITH: The most important line in your letter is the one in which you say you have spoken to your wife about the problem, "but she is not inclined to improve her word skills." You might try one more time, and tell her you're afraid her poor English will affect your chances for promotion and you would appreciate it if she would take some courses in English grammar and literature. But you can't force her.
    You say you have a happy marriage and your wife is the most wonderful woman in the world. Nobody has everything. Love her for who she is and stop worrying about how others perceive her.

    DEAR ABBY: I have a friend I'll call "Rose" who lives in a senior complex. Somehow she discovered that her key will fit random apartments in the complex, and she goes in when her neighbors are not present. I have told Rose that what she's doing isn't right, but she says "they all rent from the same person," so she's doing nothing wrong. She does not go in for any reason other than to nose around. Sometimes she asks a friend to go with her on these little trips. What do you think about this? -- PUZZLED IN CONNECTICUT
    DEAR PUZZLED: Because everyone rents from the same person does not give ANYONE — including the landlord — the right to enter someone's apartment without permission. Rose is trespassing, and it's against the law.
    It doesn't make sense that her key fits "random apartments" unless she has somehow gotten hold of a pass key. Management should be informed that their security system has been breached because the tenants have a right to privacy.

    DEAR ABBY: I have had terrible luck lately at fast-food drive-through restaurants. I eat on a budget, and I'm getting tired of pulling away only to find my order is incomplete — or worse, inedible.
    My husband says I should check the order before I pull away, but I'm afraid it would be rude because it holds up the line. What do you recommend? -- STALE BURGER BUNS IN ILLINOIS
    DEAR S.B.B.: Fast-food restaurants do not always have experienced help. That's why it makes sense to check your order before you leave as your husband suggested — and doing so is not "rude." However, there is no excuse for a customer being served stale or improperly cooked food. If that happened to me, I would complain to the manager, and if it wasn't corrected, I'd take my business to another establishment.
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Astrograph 11/7
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    Organization and proper planning will greatly strengthen your possibilities for success in the year ahead, and they will be the major reasons for you making such leaps and bounds in both your personal and work-related life.
    SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Make plans to engage in a recreational activity with friends or family. Getting your mind off all the serious things in life will do wonders for your outlook.
    SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) This is an excellent day to gather the information you need on a matter of importance, whether it is work-related, personal or homework. You'll have an easier time doing so than usual.
    CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Quality, not flamboyance, is what you should be looking for in companions. A comfortable, compatible friendship will be more enjoyable and fulfilling than spending time with garish, flashy people.
    AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) If you have to make a choice between profit and pride of accomplishment, choose the latter. Acquiring self-esteem will be more valuable and long lasting than procuring material wealth.
    PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) One of your better assets is your ability to communicate effectively. You're not only good at gathering facts but also at disseminating them to those who will put them to fruitful uses.
    ARIES (March 21-April 19) By remaining optimistic and keeping your expectations within realistic bounds, you will gradually gain ground on your goals. Because you don't expect more than you should, you won't give up.
    TAURUS (April 20-May 20) One of your best assets is being a good listener, and this will prove to be an advantageous trait. You will learn about something that you'll put to good use at this time.
    GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Keep your goals and desires in proportion to your abilities, and you will have more possibilities for success than most people do, regardless of your field of endeavor.
    CANCER (June 21-July 22) You have what it takes to accomplish your goals. You'll not only be an efficient worker; you'll also know how to interact with others to make them effective as well.
    LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Handling small details could be more significant than usual, particularly in domestic matters. Paying attention to even meaningless family activities will greatly please your loved ones.
    VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Associates, friends and family will be more willing to listen to what you have to say if you keep your conversations brief. The absence of boring small talk will make what you say far more interesting.
    LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Even a small, minor development can turn out to be profitable if done in conjunction with what is already on the table. You will have many good things going for you at this time.
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