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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 23, 2015)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 FEATURES Volatile son worries mom Dear Annie: I took early re- tirement and moved in with my son and daughter-in-law in order WR KHOS FDUH IRU P\ ¿YH JUDQG- kids. At the time, my daughter-in- law was attending college and my son asked me to move in. I help pay the household expenses and also do the daily work around the house. All my son and his wife do LV ¿JKW DQG PDNH XS UHSHDWHGO\ Their constant battles make the kids nervous. It has been horrible. Sometimes, it turns violent and someone gets hurt. My son con- stantly bullies the kids, his wife and me. I stand up to him, but my grandchildren are too young to do the same. My son came home drunk one evening and told me to get out of his house. He has no appreciation for how much I contribute both ¿QDQFLDOO\ DQG SK\VLFDOO\ WR WKH care of his home and his children. I love my grandchildren and fear that without my presence, per- manent damage will occur. I can ¿QGDQRWKHUSODFHWROLYHEXW,DP concerned about the grandkids. — Out of Options Dear Options: If your son and his wife are likely to hurt the chil- dren or become drunk and abu- ered that they have not sent out thank-you cards to any of the guests, many of whom traveled a great distance to attend the Creators wedding. Syndicate Inc. Is there anything that can be done at his point to make amends? Kathy Mitchell — Conundrum in Canada and Dear Canada: While thank- Marcy Sugar you notes should be written as soon as possible, it is never too sive, you need to call the police late to make amends. Your son and Child Protective Services to and his wife should write each investigate. You can do so anon- one by starting out, “We apolo- \PRXVO\ ,I WKH DXWKRULWLHV ¿QG gize for the tardiness of this note, there is a danger to the children, but we wanted to let you know then the kids will be removed how much we appreciated your from the home. If you have al- wedding gift.” And then they ready established another place VKRXOG ZULWH VRPHWKLQJ VSHFL¿F of residence, then it’s possible the about each present they received. children will be placed with you Rest assured, the recipients of or another relative who can take these notes will be glad to get them in. In the meantime, offer to them, no matter how late. take the kids as often as your son Many parents decide to take on is willing to let you. It will give this responsibility themselves, be- the parents time to cool off and cause their children are not only de-stress, and allow the grand- delinquent, but also unlikely to children to be in a more stable send any thank-you notes at all. environment. Please don’t hesi- While it is not the parents’ job to tate to put the children’s welfare do this, we understand those who ¿UVW<RXPD\EHWKHLUODVWOLQHRI DUHPRUWL¿HGWKDWWKHLUIDPLO\DQG defense. friends have not had their gifts Dear Annie: My son and acknowledged and wish to take daughter-in-law were married on the burden themselves. That is a year ago. I recently discov- entirely up to you. Annie’s Mailbox 5A Tomorrow’s horoscope By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’re not in the mood for a lecture about listening to your heart, making empowered choices, yada, yada, and so let’s get to the point. Just say no. Why vacillate and waste everyone’s time, especially yours? A fast no is best. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). If you com- pete with a partner, you’ll either lose for winning, or lose for losing. Take your com- petitive spirit elsewhere, however, and you’ll enjoy a good game. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Saying the right thing at the right time is child’s play for you. Here’s the real challenge: Can you say nothing in the moment that tempts you to state the juicy truth of the matter? You can! (But it takes superhuman good taste.) CANCER (June 22-July 22). You have su- perpowers of recollection. Your imagination provides the booster that fuels your journey to a pleasant past moment. This journey will impact your decisions going forward. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your resistance to an idea could be a sign that the idea is one to explore further. You wouldn’t have such a strong reaction if there weren’t something to dispel or embrace in this. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You feel an urgent need to do more than you have done in the past. Perhaps this is because someone needs proof that you care. More likely it has to do with gathering evidence of improvement. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It’s nice that someone cares enough to present things to you in a positive light. However, right now you want the straight story. The one who can cut to the chase — or even better, the capture — will win your vote. 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 SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Don’t con- cern yourself with the secret thoughts of another. You’ll never really know. Also, it doesn’t matter as much as you fear. Thoughts are like tumbleweeds drifting by. Another moment, and they’re gone. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). A prob- lem shared should be a problem halved, not a problem doubled. Much depends on with whom you’re sharing it. If you team with someone prone to drama, you’ll get what you signed up for. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). No expe- rience on the matter? No worries. Your very loosely related experiences will be close enough. The important thing is that you have the confidence to confront things head-on. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’re so observant. Who needs to know what you’ve observed? Not everyone. Be strategic. There are things that people around you aren’t quite ready for. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There’s a good chance the situation at hand isn’t as complicated as you’re making it. There are challenges out there, but this isn’t one of them. Solve it fast, and a much more worthy endeavor will present itself. THURSDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Sept. 24). You’ll celebrate happy news in the next six weeks and be on the receiving end of love- ly attention all through this season. You’ll decide on a new and very effective way of navigating your love life. Stellar invites come in November. In January, a new goal will ring you like a bell, and you’ll work until it’s finished in May. Aquarius and Aries people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 30, 45, 28, 4 and 15.