THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016
FEATURES
Shower guest appalled at demands
5A
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: I just received a
baby shower invitation that makes
me feel more like a fundraising tar-
get than a loving family member.
I have hosted or attended at
least 20 baby showers. There have
always been games and prizes.
This shower will include a dia-
per rafle, so that means an “entry
fee.” Attendees are excluded from
the game if they don’t pony up a
package of diapers. They have also
asked for a book instead of a card.
I am an artist. I always create per-
sonal drawings on handmade paper
tags as my card, but now I have to
get a book. And then, of course,
a gift from the baby registry is
expected.
This mother-to-be is inancially
better off than my husband and I, so
it’s not as though they can’t afford
diapers. It just seems greedy, rude
and tacky. If I choose not to partic-
ipate in the pay-per-play events, I
will not only feel left out, but will
be viewed as a cheapskate.
I might add that we never
received a thank-you note for the
$400 wedding gift we sent sev-
eral years ago. When did it become
acceptable for a celebration of new
life to become a crowdfunding
event? — Appalled Invitee
Dear Appalled: It has never
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy
Mitchell and
Marcy Sugar
been acceptable, but it hasn’t
stopped people from trying.
And this one seems particularly
demanding — books, diapers and
gifts. Diaper showers have become
popular as a way to help the new
parents stock up on this particular
necessity, especially since the cost
is minimal and often considered
the shower gift, as well. You are
not obligated to do everything that
is asked of you. And should you
decide to bring a book and diapers,
consider the cost of those items to
be part of your overall budget for
the shower and choose the gift
accordingly.
Not receiving a thank-you note
for your wedding gift is, sad to say,
not uncommon for those brides and
grooms who lack consideration for
others.
Dear Annie: I read the let-
ter from “Save Your Feet for the
Beach,” whose co-worker likes to
walk around the ofice barefoot and
the managers don’t comment. You
said the reader should point out
that she could pick up all kinds of
germs or step on a staple.
The managers would likely
have something to say if their
workers’ compensation insur-
ance or liability insurance com-
pany was aware that anyone, at
any time, was without shoes in the
ofice. This is an avoidable hazard
and if the co-worker were injured
due to being barefoot, the manag-
ers would care plenty.
Of course, the reason she goes
barefoot is a separate subject. If she
needs a second pair of comfortable
shoes at the ofice, she should keep
them there and stop putting herself
at risk. — V.
Dear V: Thanks for the input.
Other readers pointed out that this
could be a board of health viola-
tion, leading to ines. When you
hit the owners or managers in the
pocketbook, they tend to pay more
attention. No matter how uncom-
fortable your shoes may be, it is
completely inappropriate, unpro-
fessional and dangerous to walk
around barefoot in the ofice. It is
not your home. Bring something
else to put on your feet.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’ll have
power over the situation this afternoon. Given
the choice, the others will opt for the status
quo. If you don’t like the status quo, then don’t
even give them that choice.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You will place
an order that waits in line with a whole lot of
other orders. You’re not the priority, and yet
you’ll move quickly up the queue when you
say the magic words. Those words will have
to do with making that person feel better
about his job.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). When greeted
with questionable stimuli, your first response
will be not to respond. This will buy you time.
And ultimately, never responding will be one
respectable way to go.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). There’s
something in the way you communicate with
your loved ones that cannot be duplicated by
any other person. You’re special. Know this,
and expect your people to keep coming back
for what only you can deliver.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Progress doesn’t
always look like stepping forward. Some
steps backward are inevitable in the whole
pattern of a journey, and therefore they are to
be considered progress as well.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Chances are
that you’ll dig your heels in. You’re still get-
ting used to where you are. You’ll move when
you’re good and ready and send the signals
that tell people to proceed with caution.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You throw out
proposals and ideas, asking the others not
to get too attached, which of course makes
them all the more interested. You take the
pressure off of them and they respond by put-
ting some on you.
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
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The affirma-
tions you give yourself will have special power.
Touch back on your intention. Rid yourself of
any cross-purposing activity or even thought.
Once you decide what to do, tell yourself that
it’s as good as done.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The con-
trol freak in your life is just trying to do some
good in the best way that he or she knows
how. What? Is that control freak you today?
Well, who would blame you? The world hasn’t
been entirely supportive after all.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Less try-
ing and more doing — that’s the order of the
day. In fact, anyone who is “trying” will go on
your radar as being a potential problem for
you down the line, whereas those of pure in-
tention make things happen.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You will ben-
efit from solitude. It will, in fact, fill up your heart
and feed your soul. The only trouble is, it’s hard
to get. If you’re thinking about others, it doesn’t
count as having a moment to yourself.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). “No judging”
is usually your policy, so it’s interesting when
you get put in a position where judgment is
your job and the best way of helping those
around you. You’ll take this responsibility seri-
ously and be quite fair.
THURSDAY’S BIRTHDAY (June 9). The
first six weeks of this solar return will have to
do with helping someone dear to you. In the
end, the benefits of your benevolence will be
so much greater than you ever could have
imagined, though it will be a long time before
this boomerang comes back to you. A change
at work will push you higher in September.
Aquarius and Leo adore you. Your lucky num-
bers are: 5, 20, 1, 11 and 15.