FEATURES
6A
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015
Mom wants wedding decisions Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: Our daughter re-
cently became engaged and we
couldn’t be happier. She is our only
child and is marrying a great guy.
While we are excited about all of
the planning for the big event, it ap-
pears that the groom’s mother, “Do-
lores,” is trying to take control.
For nearly every detail that my
daughter and I agree upon, Dolores
steps in and wants to make chang-
es. While I appreciate her enthusi-
asm, is this the way that things are
supposed to be? She is putting my
daughter in the middle and making
the situation terribly uncomfortable,
especially since the groom is in the
military and the wedding won’t take
place for another 18 months.
I’m not sure how long this can
go on before we have words. My
husband and I have given the bridal
couple what we considered to be a
generous budget, but Dolores keeps
offering to pay for any additional
expenses so she can make it be the
day she wants. While we can afford
to give our daughter more mon-
ey for the wedding, we would like
them to spend wisely for this one-
day celebration.
Dolores has already married off
a daughter. I’m only going to be the
mother of the bride once in my life.
Is it too much to ask that this day
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy Mitchell
and
Marcy Sugar
belong to me? How do I keep peace
with my daughter and make this the
day that we have dreamed of with-
out constant conÀict with her moth-
er-in-law? — Once in My Life
Dear Once: These days, the
bride’s family doesn’t get to con-
trol every aspect of the wedding.
Grooms also get a say. And many
families split the costs right down
the middle, giving each an equal
voice in the planning.
This day does not belong to
you. Your daughter is the one who
decides how to handle her future
mother-in-law and what compro-
mises she is willing to make. For
your sake, as well as hers, please
take one step back and be as gra-
cious and accommodating as possi-
ble. It’s a good lesson to teach your
daughter. It may not be the wedding
you dreamed of, but it could ease
the way for your daughter to have
the marriage she wants and a better
relationship with her in-laws. Isn’t
that what counts?
Dear Annie: Recently a reader
complained that you never write
about the good stories. Here’s one I
hope you will share.
I want to publicly thank my
husband’s ex-wife for being a dear
and special person. For the ¿rst 1
years of my marriage, I experienced
the animosity that many ex-wives
inÀict on the new wife and vice
versa). Then I extended an olive
branch, and we both put away our
resentful and angry feelings and
found out we had a lot in common,
in addition to the man we both had
married.
We “grew up,” and our relation-
ship Àourished over the next 1
years as we shared birthdays, gradu-
ations, marriage, a grandchild, hol-
idays at each other’s homes, even
family vacations. We recognized
that jealousy and hate only destroy
one’s self, and that harmony brings
peace and contentment to the soul.
It’s a wonderful feeling to have such
a treasured friend. — Truly Grateful
Friend
Dear Grateful: We love this.
Please make a copy to show your
husband’s ex-wife. It will make her
day.
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). When a
warrior like you is moved by the wonder of
unconditional love, the result is positively
life changing. A transgression will be irre-
vocably wiped from your mental hard drive.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The Zen
masters and the farmers agree: The way to
control your cow is to give it more pasture.
Like the sacred bovine, you’ll be better be-
haved when you have room to roam.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Some folks
are so impressed with their family of origin
that they hope to create the same dynamic.
Those people are few and far between. To-
day is for considering the emotional atmo-
sphere you’d like to create going forward.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’d like
to invite good fortune for a visit, but you’re
not sure where to direct the invitation, es-
pecially these days, when good fortune
could come from absolutely anywhere!
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). In the aftermath
of the full moon, you may wake up in a lazy,
unfocused mood. Write a concrete plan first
thing to put you back in the frame of mind
for major productivity.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’re not in
it for the applause, but it’s still wise to put
your energy where it would best be utilized
and appreciated. You’ll put out your feelers
and do some research to avoid wasting
anyone’s time (including your own).
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Today’s pre-
vailing sensation is a mix of relief and grate-
fulness akin to picking up your cellphone at
the lost and found. The part of your mind
that was searching can finally rest easy.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). It’s funny
how you can legitimately wish someone
well and yet not want to see that person
ever again. Nothing is straightforward to
you now, and you can blame that on your
compassionate heart and high intelligence.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21).
Breaking the rules you didn’t know were
rules in the first place is uncool. Get a
guide, learn all the rules, master them ...
and then break them. Suddenly you’ll be
undeniably chic.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). If you
don’t have an expectation about what’s
going to happen, what (SET ITAL) does
(END ITAL) happen will be magical for you.
Things will work out, and all you have to do
is smile and watch.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Do your
successes and improvement efforts seem
to annoy the people around you? That’s
because you threaten their status quo.
Share with only your most supportive loved
ones.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Water
doesn’t stop for boulders or buildings or
anything else in its path. Water finds a way
around. As you obey the intuitive gifts of
your sign, you will flow with liquid ease to
the best possible outcome.
SATURDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 1). Your
cat nature shines this year, and you go
into the first three weeks as a fierce hunter
stalking a juicy goal, which you close in on
in September. You have the freedom to car-
ry out adventurous plans at the end of the
year. You’ll shift gears at the start of 2016,
seeking different means of support, both
emotional and financial. Scorpio and Aries
people adore you. Your lucky numbers are:
5, 17, 22, 31 and 16.