FEATURES
8A
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015
Mom’s ‘cuddle time’ goes too far Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: I am concerned about
my grandson’s well-being. My daugh-
ter has always had “cuddle time” with
“Joey.” It was OK when he was little, but
now that he is turning 7, it seems worse.
Now she is talking about getting him a
new bedroom set that will be big enough
for the both of them.
She says she sleeps better when she
sleeps with Joey. I can only assume that
means she doesn’t sleep much with her
husband. I think this is getting a little bit
out of hand. Joey is old enough to sleep
by himself.
What do you think of this? And what
should we do, if anything? — Con-
cerned Grandparents
Dear Grandparents: It worries us
when parents put their own needs above
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vince themselves there’s nothing wrong
with it. But there is.
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only 7. But your daughter should not be
sleeping with the boy or, worse, giving
him the impression that they share a bed-
room. This is not only terrible for Joey,
but for her marriage. Most young boys
adore their mothers, so the message she
is sending Joey is confusing and dam-
aging and sets up a rivalry with his fa-
ther. Unless she wants Joey to spend his
adulthood in therapy, tell her to stop this
immediately. We hope she loves Joey
enough to do what’s right.
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy Mitchell
and
Marcy Sugar
Dear Annie: I live in a Southern city,
and many Northerners have moved here
and attend our church. Most are delight-
ful, and we love having them. But we
are having a problem with one of the
women.
“Doris” is an eager volunteer and
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anxious to take on more responsibili-
ties. Unfortunately, she also can be rude,
aggressive, condescending and almost
combative. We suspect she doesn’t in-
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unfortunately follows the old-fashioned
stereotypical “New York pushy” attitude.
We want Doris to feel welcome and
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ourselves making excuses to stay out of
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her attitude is obnoxious? We don’t want
to offend her. She has many good qual-
ities, but needs to tone it down a whole
lot to make herself more pleasant to be
around. — Southern Sally
Dear Sally: Some of Doris’ aggres-
sive attitude may diminish over time,
simply by being around others who
are less so. But it’s certainly OK to say
gently, “Doris, your enthusiasm is won-
derful, but could you tone it down just
a wee bit?” Say it with a genuine smile,
and perhaps ask for her opinion on a
different matter. She cannot modify her
behavior if she is unaware that it needs
work. Surely she would want the oppor-
tunity to be less annoying rather than be
isolated and rejected.
Dear Annie: I would like to reach
out to “Distraught,” who recently found
out that his eldest son molested his sib-
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son had been abused by a parish priest.
I am greatly saddened by his loss
and the pain endured by his family. I
would like him to know that there is
great hope for healing and that he and
his family don’t have to struggle with
this alone.
Every Roman Catholic diocese in the
United States has at least one individual
who serves as a victim assistance coordi-
nator. These coordinators are caring and
compassionate people whose calling
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hope and healing after abuse. Please en-
courage “Distraught” to contact a victim
assistance coordinator through the U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops at http://
bit.ly/18gelRJ — Grand Island, Neb.
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
ARIES (March 21-April 19). What does
it matter that others have had greater chal-
lenges than you in life? It doesn’t change
the fact that your challenges, whatever size
they may be, exist.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Opportunity
will knock in the morning, and if you don’t
answer, it disproves the cliche by coming
back at lunchtime and again in the evening.
Opportunity just really wants to connect
with you.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your wel-
coming attitude will attract both good and
bad, so you might want to add a screen to
that open-door policy. In other words, you’re
better off employing a certain amount of
psychic protection.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Maybe you
felt like “less” right after certain events, but
feelings can lie, too. The truth is that you
are more because of what has happened
to you in your life, and you’ll continue to
build on your experiences.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You are loving
and caring and creative. It doesn’t mean you
have to embrace everyone and everything.
When you’re not feeling it, just walk away so
you can find something you are “feeling.”
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There’s a
point at which your brain gets tired of work-
ing on a problem. You’ll be tempted to work
beyond that point in the name of being a
productive person, but doing so would in
actuality be counterproductive, so just stop!
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Grocery mer-
chandisers put the milk in the back of the
store so you’ll first have to pass a number
of enticing items that aren’t on your list. You’ll
use this principle to your benefit today.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Right after
you resolve not to accidentally embarrass
yourself (like the last time), you’ll learn that
the last time was actually quite effective.
Your offbeat instincts may be in perfect
rhythm, after all.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). In the
physical world, two objects cannot occupy
the same space at the same time. In the
emotional world, it feels possible. Maybe it
is, maybe not. It’s something you’ll work on,
though.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). What’s
missing from a transaction is your person-
al touch. Add that to the logic and balance
of it, and things will swing in a direction
that is best for all.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Many
explorers have been wrongly credited with
discovering new lands. It’s not a discov-
ery if there are already people there. This
is a time to be very careful and respectful
about making claims.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You have
a team, and things will work better when
you first make sure that they are all on the
same page. When everyone is working
together, you’ll turn out a result that’s a
source of pride for all.
WEDNESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 25).
This year you work fast so you can play slow
and lavish your loved ones with the attention
and affection that makes you feel so fulfilled
to give. A discovery in March will help you
determine where to go with your career.
Your values change to support lifestyle im-
provements in June. Travel is featured in
August. Aries and Virgo people adore you.
Your lucky numbers are: 1, 4, 44, 39 and 17.