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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (March 26, 2015)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015 FEATURES 5A She’s concerned about nieces Tomorrow’s horoscope By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. Dear Annie: I am very con- cerned about my brother’s daugh- ters, ages 18 and 20. My brother and his wife divorced when the girls were young. He and his ex do not get along and communicate poorly. She often berates him, and he remains silent. Their daughters were shuttled back and forth between their par- ents’ homes, but they lived mainly with their mother. Last fall, she an- nounced that she had had enough and the girls would now live with their father while they attend col- lege nearby. The girls have been with my brother and his wife for several months, and they are miserable. They have no friends there. They communicate very little with their father and stepmother and remain in their bedrooms most of the day. My brother’s wife has reached out to them, to no avail. The old- er girl is doing well in school, but the younger one dropped out. She promised to get a job, but hasn’t found one yet. I don’t think she is very motivated. My brother buys his daughters whatever they want, but they have little respect for him. He buries his head in the sand when it comes to the problems in his home. My Annie’s Mailbox Creators Syndicate Inc. Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar nieces have no direction and lit- tle self-esteem. The atmosphere in their house is toxic, and I can’t stand by and do nothing. What do you suggest? — Concerned Aunt Dear Aunt: We can tell that you care a great deal about your nieces, but they are both adults. They do not need to live with their father unless they choose to. Dad seems quite willing to sup- port them financially, and their stepmother has tried to help. If the atmosphere is as toxic as you say, both girls would be eager to relocate. We think a lot of this is the girls’ choice and unconnected to Dad’s home. If you truly want to help, please spend more time with your nieces, either in person or online. See what’s going on. Per- haps you could give the younger one pointers on finding a job. She may be unmotivated because Dad doesn’t demand that she find employment, which he should. At the very least, you would be an- other source of emotional support for them. Dear Annie: When my hus- band and I married, his family let me know they didn’t like me. He already had an ex-wife, and their two children were the only ones who counted. My husband and I adopted sev- eral children of various races and nationalities. It amazed me that my in-laws acted as though I had adopted them by myself, “burden- ing” my husband, when, in fact, he loved them unconditionally. We loved all of the children, including the kids from his first marriage. Our children picked up on the fact that the grandparents cared little for them. My husband seldom visited them because of it. When he died, I found his mother’s obituary, which he had hidden from me. I was hurt all over again when it list- ed by name two surviving grand- children and “five step-grandchil- dren.” — Over It Now Dear Over: In situations like this, it is always the grandparents who lose out. How sad for every- one. 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). Stop worry- ing about whether you’re original enough. You can’t help but be original — there is no other you. Deliver and let the others do the analyzing. They will anyway! TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Ultimately, planning will save you time. Work on your blueprint before you start to build. When you take the time to map out your main objectives, you’ll be successful. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Someone is working hard to make you proud. May- be your opinion shouldn’t matter so much to this person, but it does. Your sensitivity in this matter will contribute to harmony in your environment. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Acknowl- edge human fallibility and accept your own. No one is expecting you to be any- thing other than who you are. If you don’t allow yourself to make mistakes, you’re not allowing yourself to grow. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Friends get the benefit of your generosity. While they may not be able to repay you monetarily, their appreciation will make you rich in ways you were not expecting. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Feel that financial squeeze? You might say it’s an invitation to do what it takes to become more solvent. Review expenditures. A few adjustments, and you’ll be better off than before. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your envi- ronment and your emotions are linked to- gether. You’ll be at your best in a cheerful place filled with natural light and happy music. Take yourself there! SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your nu- tritional needs change from day to day, year to year. Check in with yourself to be sure you’re changing with them. Also be honest with yourself. Are you using food for sustenance or for another purpose? SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). This game you’re playing has many rounds, and the scoring is overly complicated. Instead of waiting for the judgment, rate yourself as you go. Your self-assessment is what will matter most anyhow. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’re too talented to waste time in groups that operate way below your skill level. You are not running a charity, after all. It will take extra effort to find a worthy group, but it’s an effort you should make. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You have something important to say. You may even be bold enough to mention what others wouldn’t dare voice. Yours isn’t the only perspective, but it is honest and thought-provoking. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Too much introspection will get tedious. Throw the attention off of yourself and onto a proj- ect. You’ll still learn about yourself, but you’ll have more fun doing it. FRIDAY’S BIRTHDAY (March 27). You’re strong, but next month, when the stars send you someone to help you car- ry your load, don’t turn down the assist. Give up some baggage, and you’ll be in a position for a May adventure. Family business is favored in June. July brings competition, romance and an investment in your education. Virgo and Pisces peo- ple adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 20, 11, 7, 45 and 39.
