THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015
FEATURES
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By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: I am expecting my
first child. My mother is a wonder-
ful, intelligent 68-year-old woman.
She is also bipolar and seems inca-
pable of keeping herself physically
healthy and her house clean. I know
her poor health almost certainly
stems from the fact that her living
conditions are filthy. She also has
a sour smell about her that makes
me worry that she is lax about her
personal hygiene.
I have tried many times over
the years to help her keep her
house clean, but inevitably it re-
turns to a state of extreme disar-
ray. The only visible floor is the
pathway through piles of junk.
The kitchen and bathroom are
moldy biohazards. Eventually, I
came to the realization that noth-
ing I say or do is going to make
her start taking care of herself. I
can’t afford to hire a caregiver to
help her, and I’m past the point of
trying to make a dent in the per-
petual filth myself.
My main problem is that when
my baby is born, I know Mom is
going to want to spend time with
her. I don’t feel comfortable allow-
ing my infant child to be exposed
to the unhealthy conditions of her
house. I am ashamed to say that I
also don’t feel comfortable placing
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy Mitchell
and
Marcy Sugar
my baby in the care of a woman
who seems incapable of caring for
herself.
How can I tell my mother, the
woman who raised me, how to
live? This is a conversation I never
wanted to have. Is there any way
I can avoid breaking her heart and
embarrassing her? — A Concerned
Daughter and Mom-to-Be
Dear Concerned: We sympa-
thize, but your child’s welfare will
soon become your first priority.
This will make it easier for you
to talk to Mom. Tell her you love
her and understand that her level
of cleanliness and hygiene is her
choice, but it is not appropriate
for your child. Explain that visits
with the baby will take place only
in your home, under your supervi-
sion. She will promise to do better,
but that is not a guarantee. So, also
say that you hope this will spur her
to seek professional help to make
her life healthier for herself and
everyone around her. Her doctor
can refer her. If she is heartbroken
and embarrassed, that should not
change the parameters you have set
up for the care of your child.
Dear Annie: “On the Outside
Looking In” complained that at
holiday gatherings, four of the fe-
male relatives go into another room
to laugh, excluding the other three
women and the men. The others
should plan something they can
enjoy together with or without the
other four.
Plan ahead, and make sure ev-
eryone knows you have a game to
play, a funny gift exchange, a skit
to perform or a tale to tell of holi-
days past in which each person is
expected to speak for one minute.
Have a bonfire and roast marsh-
mallows. Be silly and lightheart-
ed, forget your troubles and play
games with the children.
Turn these gatherings into a cel-
ebration for all of you, instead of a
party for the clique and a whining
session for the rest. Whether they
join in or not, you’ll have fun, and
your children will remember that
for a lifetime. — Been There
Dear Been There: We couldn’t
have said it better. Thank you.
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). There’s a
mood jumping off of you, and everyone
around you can see what it is. Is it what you
want to project? If not, make adjustments
accordingly. You have the power!
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You have
trepidation about what could happen today,
but that won’t stop you. The upside of fear is
that it gives you an adrenaline rush — just
what you need to be brave, which takes a
lot of energy.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your ambi-
tions of the day are social — they depend
on other people for their realization. That’s
why it’s important to understand what the
other people need and want before you
make your move.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). While try-
ing to understand and predict the behavior
of others, it’s natural to use shortcuts and
assumptions. But in order to truly know
someone, you must let go of preconceived
notions and see this person as though for
the first time.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Self-awareness
and introspection don’t always lead to figur-
ing out what you want to do and how to stay
motivated long enough to accomplish it. It’s
time to stop pondering and join a group.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). A competi-
tive mood prevails. Go over the rules of the
game in your head to make sure you stay in
line. If there are no rules (perhaps because
this is not officially a game), then make
some up for yourself.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You may
not be a part of the main action going on
around you, but your influence over what
happens will still be quite strong. Your opin-
ions and example will change how people
think and behave.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Because
you are able to work quietly and alone for
long periods of highly focused time, you are
perfectly suited to a certain well-paid job. Put
your name in the hat.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You
want to provide opportunity and guidance
for future generations, specifically the next
one behind you. Someone in this crew has
been watching your every move lately.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You pre-
fer your interactions to be purposeful and
cheerful. Nothing irritates you more than
people who seem to have no problem wast-
ing time or sharing their apathetic mood.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Don’t let
your support system weaken from disuse.
Let your team know you need them. Do
things together that will require help from all.
You’re not the only one who benefits from
uniting the group.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Social risks
will pay off, especially the hardest one: being
the first to approach a stranger and strike up
a conversation. The potential for new friend-
ship and/or romance is definitely there.
TUESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (April 7). In
your experience, the super-luck doesn’t
come to mild-mannered wishful thinkers,
and that’s why you work like crazy to make
your own opportunities this year, a strategy
that will make you happy, prosperous and
well-connected. You’ll sign a deal in May.
June shows you entertaining and rising in
political status. Aquarius and Taurus people
adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 6, 45,
13, 21 and 14.