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Elly -- did you get anything for anyone for Valentine's Day? You don't mention it in your letter, and in 30-odd years of strips, I can't find any evidence that you ever do such a thing. It's always John and the kids getting you stuff.

So maybe a decent form of exercise would be to walk down to the store and buy a gift for someone else for a change.

Chris P, Boston, MA

Elly -

One of the best ways to get moving is find an aerobics class that has music to it. I've read that music helps "shorten" the workout time, lets you put things to music, and just gets you motivated. And, if you're in a class with like-minded people, you'll enjoy the workout more.

Try to find a Jazzercise center, or see if there are some mom's in Michael's class you could meet up with. Even walking every day will help get the endorphins moving!

Stay well... I predict a long life for you!

Jim I, Bloomington, IN

I love your comic strip and have since I was a kid growing up right alongside Lizzie and Michael. I am now a new mom and appreciate the classics being published once again.

Thanks for creating a comic strip I can relate to and laugh with.

Sincerely,

Tracy, Ottawa, ON

Well, Elly, I can tell you exactly which types of exercise you will take up. Aerobics classes and jogging (though you call it "schlogging" because you really never become much of a jogger, let alone runner). Initially, you'll go for some jogs with Anne Nichols, but eventually you will switch to jogging with Connie Poirier, who will be your on-and-off jogging partner for decades to come.

Unfortunately, you will sometimes jog to the donut shop and undo the good you've just done.

I don't know if it's possible for you to change what I already know happens, but in case it is, I suggest two things:

1. Take a look in the mirror and realize YOU ARE NOT FAT! I look at pictures of you/me/us from the time you're in, and I think wistfully how THIN I was. Then I'm saddened because I never saw myself that way at the time.

2. Do some strength training in addition to whatever cardio you pick up. You can get some dumbbells and plates inexpensively. Do 20-30 minutes of strength training 2x a week. With more muscle mass, you will rev up your metabolism so you don't end up gaining.

Best wishes,

Future You, Future Milborough, Future Ontario

There's a simple form of exercise that would fit your budget and the time available: jogging. There is a catch, though. Just don't jog down to the doughnut shop and stuff yourself as a reward; that kind of defeats the purpose. Also, it would be a nifty idea to quit finishing of your kids' leftovers for them. Serve them sensible portions of foods you know they like and mealtime will be less stressful for everyone.

Paul J, Saint John, NB

Running comes to mind. The only investment is a good pair of shoes. Or instead of an expensive gym, try the local "Y". They usually have the same equipment without the outrageous expense.

No form of exercise, either at a gym or at home could really be called fun, but anything done with a friend can make it a lot more so. Invite Connie or Anne to join you in whatever you do.

Jan C, Victorville, CA

Sorry--I don't feel like playing "let's pretend." I know what the future brings.

Elly will always complain loudly about being "fat"--but never really do much about it. She might write a bit later in life, but never very well. Gosh--maybe she should have stuck with that class! (What will she advise Mike when he complains about a "ridiculous" amount of homework?)

And what's with the all the anachronisms in the new/old strip? Diapers stopped being pinned on long before Shania Twain began her career. Why does Liz look like a sturdy toddler in one strip & a whining infant the next?

And who puts a kid in daycare for one hour a day?

NB, Houston, Texas

Thanks for the recent strips with Elly and a fussy Liz, it brings a smile to my day as I'm going through the same thing right now with my almost 2 year old. She doesn't have enough words to tell me what's wrong but is inconsolable at night. It's a help to look at the strip and remember that this too is a common rite of motherhood. Thanks Lynn!

Tanya O, Nova Scotia

I just wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying the rewind because I have a new baby and it makes me laugh so much that I can identify with Elly! I have been following the strip for years and I enjoyed how you tied things up but now I can enjoy the history I missed when I was a child! Thanks for the smiles, tears and laughs!

Christine B, Cambridge, NS

Dear Elly,
It's too bad Valentine's Evening (&most of the night) was spent comforting Lizzie with her relapse of the flu. It looks like there might have been germs from the flu still viable in Farley's hair. I'm sure she was cuddling him as soon as she was up and around. I guess they stuck to her just like Farley's fur stuck to her after she had been licking the red heart lollipop.
I haven't heard of folks getting sick from germs in their pets' hair but you could check with your vet. If the vet thinks Farley should have a bath after members of the family are sick, maybe Michael could learn to give it to him. He did promise to take care of "his" dog when he begged
to have a puppy.
Regards,

Amy, D, Vienna, VA

The strip was back in the San Francisco yesterday. Yeaaaa!!

Nancy A, Sacramento

I have read this strip ever since I was a little girl. I grew up with Mike and Liz but I am no longer going to follow For Better or For Worse.

I found this strip: http://www.fborfw.com/strip_fix/archives/003593.php to be absolutely offensive.

Not only does it assume that a mother has no business concerning herself with the outside world, but she has no business seeing herself as anything other than a child rearing machine.

I feel betrayed that you have abandoned realistic characters in favor of cliched stereotypes.

Tracey, Michigan

I want to say that I love the fact that For Better or Worse's new comic strips have taken the Patterson family back to their early days. However, I get the sense that the new strips are set in 2009 rather than the late 70s early 80s which if fine with me.

Richard W, Sarnia, Ontario

I must say that this strip has taken an odd turn away from the gently hopeful, domestic saga it was prior to it's recent reinvention from its own beginnings.

Lately it is more than not funny: it's mean. It seems to be about a constantly plaintive, bossy and unhappy wife, and about a mean minded, unhappy dentist,who is too much work, a toddler who is too much work, and a neurotic, often mean, and isolated six year old, who is also too much work.

This is a ghoulish satire on what this strip once was, and suggests that artists, like athletes, need to know when the magic is gone.

Michael S, Boston

Here's a gift idea for John to get for Elly: a night-time moisturizer that does not drip off of her face like melting wax. There are plenty of good moisturizers that simply get absorbed into the skin and allow for a perfectly normal-looking face.

Katje, Albany, NY

Re: strip of 2/11/09

John can relax. The forn 104X; Amended return, may be firled anytime in the next three years to claim items originally forgotten. See IRS Pub 556 for details

Could you sneak in this information so that your fans will find out about this.

Former H & R Block teacher of the tax couse.

Deborah S, Portland, OR

"We still need people who can raise kids"? Really, seriously? Stay at home, Elly? Don't ever think about anything except raising those kids? Don't think about feminism or fighting poverty?

Really?

Karen, Illinois