THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015
FEATURES
5A
Disrespectful daughters-in-law Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: I have two daugh-
ters-in-law who seem disrespect-
ful to me. The first one only visits
on Christmas day. Yet she has no
problem calling when she wants
me to take her kids to a doctor’s
appointment or pick them up from
school. The other one does the
same, but her excuse is that they
are too busy to see me because
they are spending time with her
side of the family or they are hav-
ing friends over.
I don’t want to waste any more
of my time on people who have no
other use for me, and this upsets
my husband no end. But, Annie,
it’s simply not fair. I am entitled
to some respect. Why do these
women think I owe them every-
thing, but they never reciprocate?
— Mother-in-Law from Hell
Dear Mother-in-Law: Respect
has to be earned, no matter who
you are. A relationship with an in-
law takes time and effort from both
sides. Apparently, you get to see the
grandchildren. Some parents would
be thrilled to have that much.
Do you see your sons without
their wives? If not, you should
speak directly to them about it.
Never denigrate or criticize their
wives. Instead, we urge you to do
what you can to warm up these re-
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy Mitchell
and
Marcy Sugar
lationships. Let your daughters-in-
law know how much you appreciate
them for being supportive wives to
your sons and good parents to the
children (we hope they are). Find
something to like about them if it
kills you. Invite all of them over
for dinner or bring dinner to them.
Have a “girls’ day out” and take the
daughters-in-law for brunch and
bonding. If you can keep your side
positive and friendly, they are more
likely to respond in kind.
Dear Annie: Every year, my
four closest friends and I host
birthday parties for one another.
We call ourselves “soul sisters.”
Because we are all settled with
homes and families, we decided
that it would be fun to create an
individual wish list prior to our
birthday party. It makes it easier
to shop, and we won’t receive un-
needed items.
One of our “soul sisters” creates
an extensive and very detailed wish
list. However, when it comes to
gifts for others, she disregards our
lists entirely, ignoring our sugges-
tions and buying things we can’t
use, don’t want and often cannot
return. I end up donating these
items to our local thrift store.
I know that these are gifts and
we should be grateful, but this
has really begun to bother me.
Her birthday is coming up, and I
would like to buy her something
that isn’t on her list to see how she
responds. What do you think? —
Soulless
Dear Soulless: We understand
your frustration, and you certainly
could try turning the tables to see
whether it makes a difference. You
also can ask her directly why she
never gets things on the list. She
may, in fact, resent having to pur-
chase things that you are asking
for. These are your “soul sisters”
and such a conversation should
not be that difficult. Your group
of friends could also decide not
to buy each other gifts altogether.
And, of course, you can simply
consider these gifts to be unex-
pected bonuses (instead of expect-
ed obligations) and keep donating
them to worthy causes.
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). The saying
is that “no news is good news,” and yet
more often “no news” is neither good nor
bad; it just doesn’t involve you. Go where
the communication naturally flows back to
you.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You have
many friends, but sometimes it seems like
you lack that one who gets you. That’s why
it’s wonderful today when you tell your sto-
ry and it is met with the response you were
going for.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’re not a
shallow thinker, but it’s often more efficient
to make assumptions based on the surface
evidence. Make an effort to doing some re-
search that you believe will be a waste of
time. Tonight, it won’t be.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You can’t
be everywhere, and even if you could be,
it wouldn’t do you any good. As the Roman
philosopher Seneca said, “To be every-
where is to be nowhere.”
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Think about what
you are creating. When you find yourself fo-
cusing on what you need and want instead,
correct your brain by gently telling your mind
to go back to building on what you have.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The confu-
sion is strong, and it comes from having too
many choices. What would please you the
most? What would do the most good for
those around you? What feels right? Trust
your answers.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You started
at your goal and planned backward. Now
you’re finding that several of the steps took
longer and cost more than expected. Adjust
the plan; don’t abandon it. This will still work.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You don’t
have to whack your way through the weeds,
because there’s a path. Ask around to find
out where it is. Someone would love to
guide you.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). When
you say “yes” to one thing, you are closing
yourself off to all the other options. It’s scary,
but it’s right. Make a commitment. Instead of
restricting you, the decision will liberate you.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Usually,
you get a better perspective by backing off
of your problem. Today is different. Getting
closer will help you more. Bring your emo-
tional magnifying glass to the situation and
figure out what’s really going on.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The peo-
ple some consider to be lost souls look
more like free spirits to you. You’ve always
been drawn to nontraditional thinkers, and
that’s why you’ve amassed such an eclectic
group of friends.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Don’t be
fooled into thinking you’re getting the inside
scoop. What you’ll hear is the world accord-
ing to the person speaking. There are many
different truths to a situation. Listen without
judgment.
TUESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (June 16). De-
cisiveness is your cosmic b-day gift. You
know what you want, so decide how and
move toward your goals. Friendships are
the gold of July and August, and shared ex-
periences will bond you for years to come.
September brings a daring personal risk.
Make sure you can trust someone before
you give your heart. Pisces and Virgo peo-
ple adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 1,
28, 33, 19 and 5.