6A
FEATURES
Drowning in responsibility
Dear Annie: I am over- to bed to get a good night’s
whelmed by life right now, rest. I find it hard to do chores
and I’m hoping you can help. during that time because I
My wife and I have want to decompress — have
demanding jobs and two a drink and watch TV.
I fantasize about being
small children. We are ded-
icated to our jobs and to our able to afford a personal
assistant, but that’s
children, and we
DEAR
excel in our careers
not an option. Can
and in parenting.
you help? — Trying
ANNIE
to Stay Afloat
Because almost all
Dear Trying to
of our time is spent
Stay Afloat: Tech-
working or paying
nology can be a life-
attention to our kids,
saver for young par-
all of life’s other
ents on the go, and
responsibilities have
anyone else who is
started adding up. For
Lane
feeling overwhelmed.
example, though we Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Try a finance-man-
have plenty of money,
agement app, such as
sometimes we get
behind on bills because we Mint, which can remind you
file them away for when we of upcoming bills or be set up
have a minute to take care of to automatically pay them. As
them, and then forget about for healthful meals, you might
paying them. Things that consider trying a meal-kit
need to get fixed go unfixed delivery service, such as Blue
for long periods of time. We Apron or Green Chef. These
would like to cook healthful companies will deliver a
meals for the family, but it’s cooler to you each week con-
very hard to find the time to taining ingredients and rec-
ipes for delicious, healthful
do so.
We have about an hour dinners. They subtract a lot of
and a half each night between time and stress from cooking,
the time the kids go to sleep and you’ll feel proud of hav-
and the time we should go ing prepared a gourmet meal.
Dear Annie: I’m hav-
ing a hard time. My soon-
to-be husband’s family hates
me. Well, it’s actually just
his aunt. I don’t understand
what I have done to her, but
she treats me like dirt. She
spreads lies about me. I’ve
done everything in my power
to get her to like me and treat
me with respect, and I can’t
think of anything else to do.
She is pushing me away, and
I’ve not done anything to her.
— Confused
Dear Confused: I’m will-
ing to bet your fiancé’s aunt
had that mean streak in her
long before you ever arrived
on the scene. If she weren’t
chewing you out, it would
be something or somebody
else. Talk to your fiancé and
let him know how his aunt’s
behavior has hurt your feel-
ings. He can (and should) talk
to her on your behalf. Perhaps
he can get clarity on what, if
anything, sparked this ani-
mosity. But at the end of the
day, she might never like you
— and that’s OK. She doesn’t
have to. What matters is that
you and your fiancé love each
other.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2017
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). The old adage
says loving does not require thought, only
emotion. And yet the thoughts align like a
magic combination to open the safe that
holds those emotions. Click, click, click, and
it’s open.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Cheap thrills
are still thrilling. Meaningful, lasting rewards
are better, though not as acutely felt, as they
lay into the foundation of who you are and
become a given to your character.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The extremes of
thought aren’t so helpful now, especially when
they’re taken to a negative place. All is not
lost. All is never lost when there’s a future.
Count the blessings and avoid those who are
too focused on problems.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Learning is a
process. You may see the lesson many times
before it clicks in. If you don’t understand right
away, don’t give up. Keep coming at the puz-
zle from different directions and in different
hours.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). If you don’t know
what enough is, how will you know if you have
enough? And when you do know what enough
is, you pretty much always have it. So much of
this existence falls into the category of “extra.”
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your feelings are
valid and important, though sometimes only to
you. The others might prefer you to be always
content, and you tend to put on that face for
them. Note the difference between caring and
caretaking.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Those who freely
offer advice without being asked are actually
imposing. As a sign of honor and respect,
hold back on telling others what to do unless
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
it’s asked directly of you.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). With your
intuitive and empathetic gifts it is sometimes
difficult to separate your feelings from the
feelings of others. Do not try to leech any-
one’s pain (or joy, for that matter). Feel only
your own.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). To be
craved is flattering; to be needed is validating.
It’s better, however, just to be loved. Healthy
relationships are built on equality, intimacy
and balance.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Putting your
wishes aside is easy for you. It is much harder
for you to consider your own interests and
hobbies before you agree to other people’s
plans, but that’s what the day calls for.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Other people
could compliment you from here to tomorrow,
but that doesn’t change how you see yourself.
Your standards are high and now you’ll work
hard to meet them.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Many of your
life rituals are not your own but have been
handed down by society, religion, family and
friends. It’s the rituals that you create or per-
sonalize that will bring meaning and signifi-
cance to your life.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 4). You
don’t have all the hard resources you need
to bring your plan to life, but with moxie and
determination you’ll make it happen anyway.
Your supporters are important but not key.
This year is about you reaching down to the
depths of your soul to release your true pow-
er. Jackpot time: October and May. Gemini
and Libra adore you. Your lucky numbers are:
9, 39, 22, 47 and 45.