FEATURES
6A
Tomorrow’s horoscope
Sis dating ex causes trouble
Dear Annie: My ex-husband,
the father of my kids, decided to date
my younger sister, who is in the early
stages of recovery from heroin addic-
tion. When she wants to see her four
children, she has to have a supervisor
present for visitation.
My mother and stepfather sup-
port this relationship and think it will
be good for her. My older sister and I
do not approve. Because of this, my
mother decided to disown me and
my sister. We have not spoken for six
months.
What I don’t understand is that
my mother mentioned this whole
dating thing about four years ago.
She asked whether I would be OK
with them seeing each other and I
strongly replied that I would NOT,
and that it was unethical for the two
of them to even think about it. Now
it’s happening.
How do I carry on with no con-
tact with my family due to this? I
have been married to my second hus-
band for 11 years. I have no feelings
for my ex. My kids seem to be OK
with everything, but I just can’t do it.
It makes everything uncomfortable.
Now my older sister and I are cut off
from the rest of the family. What can I
do? — Disturbed Middle Sister
Dear Sister: Obviously, this
attraction has been going on for at
I’d like to suggest another.
3DUHQWV¶GD\VDUH¿OOHGZLWKPHHW-
ing the needs of their growing chil-
dren, in addition to maintaining a
Creators
home and keeping up with career
Syndicate Inc.
responsibilities. This may be the bus-
iest and most stressful time of their
Kathy
lives. They have less time to think
Mitchell and
about their parents, yet they need
Marcy Sugar
their parents’ love and support more
than ever.
$IWHU RXU ¿UVW ZDV ERUQ P\
least four years (and probably lon-
ger). We agree that dating the sib- father-in-law would call to say that
ling (or best friend) of an ex can be he would be grilling that weekend
problematic and we don’t recom- and wondered if the baby would
mend it. But you don’t get to con- like some prime rib. My mother-in-
trol who other people date, and that law was happy to bake and deco-
includes both your ex and your sister. rate cookies with my second-grader
Expressing your opinion about it is for a school activity. I would sug-
¿QH&UHDWLQJXOWLPDWXPVRQO\IRUFHV JHVW WKDW ³&U\LQJ 0RWKHU´ VWHS LQWR
a more supportive role. Does she
an estrangement.
Your decision now is whether or invite the family over for a meal and
not to accept your sister’s relationship fun activity? Does she offer to take
(you don’t have to approve), in order the children so the parents can have
to remain close to the rest of the fam- time alone? Does she inquire about
ily. If the two of them split up, you’ve the children’s activities and attend
lost nothing. If they marry, you will when possible? Grandparents can be
be stuck with this, so be sure you very important to families, and such
make a choice that you can live with. efforts are greatly appreciated. —
Dear Annie: I am writing about Been There on Both Sides
Dear Been There: There are
³&U\LQJ0RWKHU´ZKRYLHZVKHUIRU-
merly loving and involved daugh- always two sides to every story
WHULQODZDV³FROGDQGGLVWDQW´QRZ VRPHWLPHVWKUHH:HKRSH³&U\LQJ
that the children are older. You gave 0RWKHU´ZLOOJLYH\RXUJUHDWVXJJHV-
her some possible explanations. tions a try.
Annie’s
Mailbox
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2016
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). The hardest
kind of criticism to take is honest criticism.
Only the strong (that means you) can handle
it, and handle it you will — because there’s
something just beyond your usual awareness
that will be incredibly helpful for you to know.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Those mo-
ments in which you feel happy, healthy,
safe and protected from all harm — those
shouldn’t be rare. If those moments are not
abundant for you, why not? Today is a fine
time to turn the trend around.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Life will make
you change for the better, and there’s noth-
ing you need to do about that now. Just relax
and believe. If you can’t believe, that’s fine,
too, but you’ll be more comfortable if you at
least relax.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Those who
know you well are expecting you to succeed,
and so are those who don’t know you. That’s
because success is your vibe these days!
Anyone who isn’t rooting for you in an obvi-
ous way doesn’t belong on your team.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your perfect blend
is out there. When the music of your thoughts
mixes with the music of a compatible individ-
ual’s thoughts, the result will be a beautiful,
layered symphony you both can dance to.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Stressful mo-
ments have a way of constricting your cre-
ativity and thought processes. Laughter is
an experience of opening up and getting ev-
erything flowing again. You’ll be at your best
when you keep looking for the humor.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Maybe it sounds
a little harsh, but the fact is that some people
in your life nourish you while others deplete
you. Recognize this reality and plan your day
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
accordingly to stay buoyant.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Take a mo-
ment to gently acknowledge the feeling
you’re having; it’s human. You’re not the only
one. Whatever you feel, it’s acceptable. Does
that help you soften into the moment instead
of resisting it?
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Address
the concerns you have about your image. It’s
not selfish to want to put your best foot for-
ward. This is the moment to nip a problem in
the bud or make an easy improvement.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You get to
decide just how close you want people to be
to you. Sure, they may have their own ideas,
and there is a bit of negotiating to do (most of
it informal and implied), but ultimately you’re
in charge. Don’t forget that!
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). For mo-
ments it will be as though your ordinary mind
and sense of personal identity have dissolved
into a dream. The question is: How much of
this dream are you able to influence? Test it
out. Assert yourself and see.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You didn’t go
wrong; you went right. Anyway, it’s best not to
think about it now. This is different from the
original plan, but assume that it’s different in a
good way and move forward.
TUESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (April 12). You’ve
a talent for finding helpful people. The most
attractive aren’t always the best for you. Wish-
ing to be a bright light in the world, you keep
asking what would yield the highest good for
the most people. You’ll be at the center of the
social swirl in May and June. August brings
different work for excellent pay. Scorpio and
Capricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers
are: 6, 41, 49, 22 and 48.