THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2015
FEATURES
5A
Perplexed on wedding protocol Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: My son lives in Cal-
ifornia and is going to marry a local
girl in the fall. Our entire family
lives in the Midwest. My husband
and I, along with our daughter’s fam-
ily, will attend. But I know it is far
too expensive for any of my relatives
to be there.
Should they receive invitations
even though we know they can’t
come? I don’t want it to seem like a
gift grab. Do I have a “meet the bride
and groom” party in our hometown
after the wedding? What is the prop-
er procedure?
I have another question, too. My
husband and I are retired, but are
giving our son and future daughter-
in-law a large sum of money to help
with wedding costs. As the parents
of the groom, we will pay for the
rehearsal dinner, but what about the
rest? What are our responsibilities
when it comes to out-of-state guests?
— Don’t Want To Get Another Job
Dear Don’t Want: If these are
close relatives, they probably would
be hurt or offended to be excluded.
Please invite them. They may wish
to send a gift whether they attend or
not. But you can skip more distant
acquaintances, such as business as-
sociates or people you rarely contact.
And should you decide to have an
informal reception of your own after
Dear Annie: I want to respond to
the letters you’ve printed about re-
lationships between mothers-in-law
and their son’s wives.
Creators
:KHQ,¿UVWPDUULHGP\KXVEDQG
Syndicate Inc.
my MIL was great — shopping,
vacations and activities with the
Kathy Mitchell
grandchildren. When her parents ex-
and
perienced health problems, I helped
Marcy Sugar
care for them, including trips to the
ER in the middle of the night, check-
the wedding, that would be lovely ing in on them daily and managing
and much appreciated.
their health care needs for 15 years.
As for expenses, your son should Meanwhile, my mother-in-law con-
be covering most of them without tinued her traveling and active social
your assistance. These days, most life.
couples split the costs, perhaps with
When her parents died, they left
help from their parents. Traditional- me an inheritance that ticked off my
ly, the groom or his parents would MIL. (Mind you, had she paid some-
be responsible for his attendants’ one for the care I was giving, there
accommodations, along with the would have been no money left.) My
RI¿FLDQW¶VIHHDQGWUDYHOFRVWV2WK- MIL never calls anymore, and I only
er out-of-town guests, however, are see her on holidays, and she barely
on their own. They should be given acknowledges me. She has given her
information about available hotels in daughter a trip to Europe and her
the area, and you can supply a gift other son a home makeover, but my
basket to each room so the guests husband receives nothing. I am cor-
have something to nibble on should dial and polite, but things will never
WKH\ DUULYH WRR ODWH WR ¿QG DQ RSHQ be the same. — Fed-Up Daughter-
restaurant. (Some hosts provide a in-Law
hospitality suite or include all out-
Dear Fed Up: You became the
of-towners at the rehearsal dinner, daughter her parents needed. When
but this is optional and certainly not you were rewarded, it underscored
a requirement.) Our congratulations her guilt, and that made her angry.
on your upcoming special event.
We’re so sorry.
Annie’s
Mailbox
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). You may not
get the closure or epiphany you sought. In
fact, it is unlikely to happen. But you’ll get a
result you weren’t expecting, and that sur-
prise will be even more revelatory.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You were
once walking toward a goal, and now you’re
chasing it. There’s a point at which the
chase is exhilarating and another point at
which it’s exhausting. Pace yourself.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It’s said that
those who can’t take the bad will never see
the good. That’s not entirely true. It’s just that
no one can truly appreciate the good with-
out a contrasting experience.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Whatever
you want to do, hang out with others who do
it. Your instincts for making money, spread-
ing love and perpetuating human decency
will be strengthened in the company of
those who do the same.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Feeling deprived?
Declare it! Maybe it’s sleep, a creative outlet
or a supportive friendship that you’re lack-
ing. Get specific about your needs, and you
will easily get them met.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Tardy peo-
ple play on the insecurities of their waiting
victims. When people are late, everyone
wonders whether they ever wanted to show
up in the first place. Be prompt, win friends,
earn trust.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You inwardly
roll your eyes at people who work too hard
at being dominant. You prefer to let your
work speak for itself. If they need it enough,
they’ll pay the right price for it.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You haven’t
been able to act on a lot of your good ideas.
That’s just life. Think about the opportunities
you have been able to capitalize on. You’re
due for another bout of terrific luck, and it
happens when you stay positive.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21).
Whether or not you are a parent, someone
in need of comfort, protection and nurturing
will be drawn to you. You don’t have to know
how to help. Your willingness to help will be
enough.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The
group discussion will be comprised of a wide
array of opinions. Is there a way that every-
one can be right at the same time? No, but
there is rightness in each stance, and it will
bring you good fortune to look for it.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It’s not like
you have anything to hide. You’re not a spy
or a member of a secret society. You’re not
doing anything you shouldn’t be doing. But
privacy is a treasure. You appreciate those
who respect yours the best.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You may be
unsure because of your mighty company or
because this is all new to you, but let noth-
ing intimidate you. “Never bend your head.
Always hold it high. Look the world straight
in the eye.” — Helen Keller
THURSDAY’S BIRTHDAY (April 2). Bet-
ter organization will improve your life and
health this year. This month you’ll make a
special connection with clients and custom-
ers and amp up your earnings. May shows
you traveling in the name of love. Family
additions will come in June. A charitable
mood prevails in August, and your efforts
will change lives. Taurus and Gemini people
adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 18,
49, 25 and 14.