FEATURES
6A
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015
Should graduate pay for party? Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: I had my high
school graduation party at a local
restaurant (because our house is
too small). My father claimed he
was unable to pay for it, and insist-
ed I cover the bill, close to $1,100,
saying he will pay me back later.
I realize that my parents’ busi-
ness sometimes goes through hard
times, but Dad still manages to eat
out frequently. He’s terrible with
money, and I am not sure he will
ever pay me back. I told him that
I expect complete repayment by
the middle of August and if I don’t
get it, I’ll start selling his vast col-
lection of unused musical instru-
ments. He doesn’t believe me.
I am paying for my first year
of college through grants, scholar-
ships, my savings and the money
I earn from my job. I never ex-
pected anything from my parents
because I know they can’t afford
much. But I had no idea I was go-
ing to get stuck with the bill for
the party. What do I do? — Farm-
er’s Daughter
Dear Daughter: Let’s not turn
this into a major conflagration.
Dad should not have stuck you
with a bill for a party neither of
you could afford. But selling his
musical instruments isn’t the an-
swer, either. Try to remain calm
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy Mitchell
and
Marcy Sugar
and work out a payment plan with
Dad, in writing, with the amount
he needs to pay each week until
an agreed-upon total is reached. It
may take longer than mid-August,
and you might also consider pay-
ing for part of the bill because the
party was for you. But it’s better
than the all-out war you are con-
templating. We also suggest you
involve your mother in this trans-
action since she, too, has a say in
the family finances and may bring
a more level head to the discus-
sion.
Dear Annie: My husband’s
parents live several states away.
They are both in poor health, one
worse than the other. I fear that
when one passes away, my hus-
band will want us to move and
take care of the other one.
We have two young children
and this would involve us leaving
our jobs. When we visit, I am mis-
erable the entire time and have no
desire to move. We could not ask
the remaining parent to move, ei-
ther, because they both have jobs,
as well.
Our marriage is struggling right
now, so living in separate states
would not help us repair our prob-
lems. And then there’s the fact
that I would want my husband to
do this for my parents. So how can
I deny him this? — Unhappy Wife
Dear Unhappy: In all fairness,
you cannot. Taking care of one set
of parents means a willingness to
take care of both. But it doesn’t
necessarily mean moving across
the country. If the parents are near
retirement age, it makes just as
much sense for them to relocate
where your jobs are, instead of vice
versa, and where family is already
established to help in their care.
You and your husband should
have this conversation now and
talk about realistic alternatives,
including retirement or assisted
living communities nearby, and
the type of medical facilities and
senior assistance in the area. If the
two of you cannot reach agree-
ment, we recommend asking an
unbiased, third party to act as a
mediator.
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 don’t
need to be confident to be effective. Some
days you’re unsure of yourself, and it’s ac-
tually appropriate for the situation. A lack of
confidence can help you learn all you can
from the situation.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Though a
cynical view may be more intelligent and
snark can be hilarious, kindness cannot be
overrated. It’s connected to compassion,
patience and, ultimately, love.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Some
believe weakness should be rejected,
stomped out, eliminated. Others think
weakness can be turned into strength.
You believe weakness must be turned into
strength. It’s the only way to greatness.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). There
was a time when you didn’t feel you had a
right to express yourself. Now you see that
speaking your mind and asking for what
you need are ultimately better for everyone.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Like oxygen fu-
els a fire, what you lack fuels your ambition.
Therefore, when you’re sad or angry about
what you lack, it’s your choice. You could
also apply another emotional tone to the
situation — for instance, determination.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Most of the
time you don’t find yourself in a horrible sit-
uation you must endure. That’s why bore-
dom is a bigger threat than any other these
days and one you’ll stave off with the help
of an Aquarius.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). When you
look at something long enough, you start
to unsee it. It’s the primary reason people
don’t constantly celebrate the beauty of
their hometown and family members take
one another for granted.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The bigger
obstacles need to be handled with a lever.
Look around. What can you use to dis-
lodge this? “Give me a lever long enough
and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I
shall move the world.” — Archimedes
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The day
favors good habits. There’s one that’s quickly
becoming part of your regular routine. Soon
this will be deeply ingrained in your manner,
and people will see it as “so you.”
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’ll
soon make the effort to see someone, and
that intention, plus the scheduling, travel,
parking, etc., will be, in and of itself, a gift.
And yet, you still need to bring a gift. You’ll
find the perfect one today.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Usually,
you’re the one who has to come up with a
plan. Today, someone you trust will present
you with ideas you would be wise to ac-
cept. Excellent!
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You like to
be liked, but you don’t need it. That’s why,
when you catch yourself subconsciously
working for the approval of an authority fig-
ure, it bothers you on a deep level. Remem-
ber that, ultimately, you are the boss of you.
FRIDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 7). Go for
the long shot! Your bravery will be rewarded
in many ways, starting with the companion-
ship of a much-admired friend. September
brings a landmark acquisition. You’ll sparkle
and inspire others to be resourceful and cre-
ative in October, a financial high. You’ll ink a
new deal in January. Sagittarius and Virgo
people adore you. Your lucky numbers are:
4, 24, 41, 10 and 19.