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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 26, 2015)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2015 FEATURES 5A Husband’s daughter makes life hard Tomorrow’s horoscope Dear Annie: My husband, “Ben,” and I each lost a spouse and then found each other. We live in the same house with one of his daughters and a granddaughter. Ben is quite attached to this house. The two daughters are the owners now, but their father bought it originally and has always maintained it. The daughter who lives here has a neurological disorder, which keeps her from accepting me. She has only spoken to me by name two or three times, although she knows how to blow up at us when something makes her angry. I try to greet her every morning with a family nickname that she likes, but she still only grunts in reply. It seems that she has inÀuenced the granddaughter to resent me, as well. I have tried to put my foot down on occasion, but mostly, I just meekly defend myself from her crit- icism. My husband feels sorry for her and she fawns over him, so he believes that she can do no wrong. He cannot hear well, so he is un- aware of how she speaks to me. I’ve asked Ben about moving to a place of our own, but he won’t do it. He also doesn’t like the idea of paying rent when he has a place to live for free. And his daughter wants him to stay because he does Annie’s Mailbox Creators Syndicate Inc. Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar all of the upkeep and pays the bills. Annie, I cringe when I hear one of these girls coming, and I hide if I can. I have prayed about my an- ger and tried to overcome the fear I feel at an encounter. Ben would not condone my going for coun- seling, as he is a minister himself. Is there anything I can do? — Coming In Third Dear Third: You do not need Ben’s permission to get counsel- ing to help you deal with an un- fair and unpleasant situation that he is perpetuating. Was the living situation discussed in advance? Did you agree to live with his daughter forever? Your minis- ter husband should be aware that spouses promise to put each other first when they marry. He has not done this. Please get counseling with or without Ben. You also may need to get a place of your own to find peace, and if Ben refuses to relocate with you, suggest that he visit often. Dear Annie: Some close friends of ours have become lazy hosts. When we have a party at our home, we provide the food and other items. If we have a potluck, each guest brings a dish and we provide the main course and the drinks. For these friends, the last few birthday parties have been at restaurants where we paid for our own meals. The “hosts” might bring a cake, but the rest of us are expected to bring a gift to the hon- oree. This seems cheap to me. We en- joy getting together, but would ap- preciate a little more effort. Other- wise, they aren’t hosting the party at all. We are. — Not So Social in Louisville, Ky. Dear Not So: If you are pay- ing your own way, then they are not hosting the event. However, it is not uncommon for a bunch of friends to get together to cel- ebrate someone’s birthday, in which case, there is no host at all. We hope they reciprocate for your lovely home hospitality in some other way. FRANK AND ERNEST BLONDIE THATABABY SALLY FORTH STONE SOUP B.C. LOLA DILBERT SIX CHIX BIZARRO MUTTS NON SEQUITUR BABY BLUES WIZARD OF ID ZITS ROSE IS ROSE By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’ll enter a fluid time zone, outside of the bounds of sec- onds and hours. The elasticity of time can al- low you to stretch beyond your limits, or it can snap back at you with a painful sting. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The best in- ventions were originally conceived to solve a problem. Money-saving tip: if you must first be convinced of the problem, it probably nev- er existed. Save your money for something that’s really worth it. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You could say this is a backward day as far as relationships go. Flirting comes in the form of arguing, and love comes in the form of saying “no” to someone you adore. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Tempted to put all of your energy into charming the one you admire? It’s not your only option, nor is it your best one. You’re better off cultivating a high self-approval rating that’s independent of the opinion of others. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You may mix with a group of people who already know one an- other very well. Being the new one has its ad- vantages. Follow your instincts about making alliances, because once you set a pattern, it will be very hard to break it. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You have to purposely get out of your element in order to expand your realm of influence. When you find yourself among strangers, this means you’re doing it right. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You may not be in a very social mood, and if you don’t have any clear reason for showing up (something to sell), you’ll be tempted to forgo certain events. Go anyway. You’ll sell yourself and gather more supporters for Team You. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). It’s easy to be loving and cheerful when you’re in a good mood. To be just as pleasant when you don’t feel like it takes maturity. You’ll be rewarded for the effort to project your best and highest self. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Work- ing too hard at being attractive is the antithe- sis of attractive. You’ve already given enough effort to the situation, and now it’s time to for- get about it. There’s great charisma in your nonchalance. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’re in a mood to be extremely selective as to how you spend your time and with whom. If you bring that warm smile to every interaction, no one will suspect you’re sizing up oppor- tunities. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). A friend will reach out to you. The weird part is that you will be able to feel this before it happens. It’s because you are connected at a deep level, working through some joint karma. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Assume the best will happen, because when you adopt the assumption, it absolutely will. People will be nice and say yes. They will accept and admire you. THURSDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 27). The complexities of a past relationship are no more — this year brings a new page and a fresh simplicity to the realm of love. Sep- tember shows you dancing as you learn that your hard work has paid off. November will bring family bonding, travel and a business opportunity that will up your income in 2016. Scorpio and Aquarius people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 14, 39, 22, 28 and 47.