April 18, 2026 Issue, Page 5 of 12

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ACTIVITIES The Elk City News SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026 • 5 In-Laws Make Themselves at Home Long Before Dinner DEAR ABBY: How should I han- Please don’t think me ungracious Another employee, “Natasha,” was department and unable to sell or dle in-laws who show up three or DEAR ABBY When I ask that you leave me hired to manage the fabric depart- demo any machines. It caught me more hours early for dinner and alone; ment. In crunch times, our duties by surprise. Did I do something the message across to his folks and just sit at the kitchen counter? I For my kitchen’s not any too spa- overlap. We are paid hourly as well wrong? — SALESPERSON IN siblings that you (BOTH) prefer have things to do; I don’t have time cious as a commission on the sewing ma- TEXAS they don’t show up early. Of course, to entertain them, and I can’t per- And my routine is strictly my chines. DEAR SALESPERSON: Yes, you the alternative would be for him to suade them to leave the kitchen. own. Yesterday, I had an outstanding did. Your boss told you so. It’s no entertain them while you prep. It really puts a damper on my fi- Tell you what: You stay out of my sales day. The store was packed wonder hearing you crow about There is a poem on this subject in nal prep and last-minute cleaning. my “Keepers” booklet. It was writ- kitchen with customers, and Natasha spent your good fortune upset Natasha I don’t want to be rude. They are ten years ago by a woman named With its sodden, hot, lackluster the entire day in the fabric depart- after a long, hard day. In the future, nice people, but I can’t handle this Susan Sawyer and has appeared in lures — ment. This allowed me to focus on keep your lip zipped (or someone anymore. — ON DISPLAY IN IL- my column. It is aptly titled “Stay When you’re here, stay out of my the sales floor. At the end of the may sew it shut for you). LINOIS Out of My Kitchen.” kitchen day, we were both exhausted, and I DEAR ON DISPLAY: Not every- Please stay away from my kitchen And I promise to stay out of remarked that I’d had a great sales Dear Abby is written by Abigail one likes to have company in their From my dishwashing, cooking yours! day, briefly listing the items that I Van Buren, also known as Jeanne kitchen while they are getting ready and such; sold. Phillips, and was founded by her to entertain. Does your husband You were kind to have offered to DEAR ABBY: I am a sales asso- Today, the boss mentioned that mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact know you feel so strongly about pitch in ciate at a business that sells sewing I should not have bragged about Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com this? If he doesn’t, let him know, be- But thanks, no, thank you so machines, vacuums and quilting my sales because Natasha was up- or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA cause you may need his help to get much! fabric. I was hired to sell machines. set that she was stuck in the fabric 90069. CROSSWORD Get Fuzzy CURRENT PUZZLE ANSWERS Drabble Dailies Pearls Before Swine Garfield