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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 20, 2017)
6A FEATURES Focused on mom’s finances Dear Annie: Our family is like con. He’s stolen from people out- most families — dysfunctional. side the family, too. I cannot seem Our father worked two jobs most to accept this decision. I have for- of his life to better himself for the given the crook, but I cannot forget. I am keeping my distance from good of his family. My mother was a spender, but my father controlled the situation and asking all other the money. When my father passed, family members to assist with our mother’s care. My family my mother was finally free DEAR has no idea of the stress to live as she wanted. this situation has put on Yet my eldest sibling, ANNIE me. I have lost some of “Dan,” suddenly controlled my hair; I constantly break all her money. Never out in rashes; and I hardly was there a family meet- ever sleep at night because ing to discuss finances. I worry about our mother’s Recently, we learned that finances. Dan has taken liberty I am wondering with our mother’s money. Lane whether I am wrong to Almost everything my Annie Creators Syndicate Inc. start thinking of myself father worked for is gone. and to stop worrying about Our mother needs assis- tance, and now she cannot afford our mother’s future. I know there it. I feel that Dan cheated not only are ways to get assistance for our my mother but also the rest of our mom, but without her pressing family, because now we have this charges against the person respon- added burden of her care. Dan has sible, it might be difficult. I would never shown remorse. Our mother like all of us to find peace with this could press charges for elder abuse situation so there will be a legacy but has chosen not to go that route. of love and kindness left by our The burden has mostly fallen mother. Can I just go on and pray upon me to care for our mother. I that my other siblings will see that I really enjoy our time together. But I need to separate myself from all of am struggling now because the rest it? — Heartbroken Dear Heartbroken: You might of the family wants to find peace and has let Dan back into the fold. want to consult an attorney about He is a bad person who is a real your situation, just to be sure you’ve exhausted every avenue regard- ing your mom’s finances and your brother’s mishandling of them. That said, the person I’m wor- ried most about is you. It is not wrong at all for you to start think- ing of yourself. In fact, it’s imper- ative that you do. The rashes, hair loss and lack of sleep are symp- toms of severe stress. Consider see- ing a therapist, as it could greatly improve your quality of life. If not therapy, at least take other steps to improve your mental health — whether that means planning a vacation, taking a fitness class or simply spending more time alone. Self-care is not self-indulgence. Dear Annie: I would like to make a public service announce- ment for all office workers. Please, for the love of all that is good, wear shoes! I don’t care how hot it is or that you chose to purchase uncom- fortable shoes; keep your feet cov- ered at work! Also, flip-flops are not appropriate footwear for an office. Please choose one or more of the thousands of other summer footwear options out there. — P.U. Dear P.U.: I’m printing your letter because summer is still going strong in a lot of the country. Unless you’re a yogi, keep your shoes on at work. THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017 TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). It’s said that words should be weighed, not counted. The tone of your messages today will be clearly felt and with the precise intensity level that you meant. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Can love really make impossible things happen? Extraordi- nary things, for sure. Love is your super fuel today. You apply yourself differently when you’re powered with love’s high octane. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Science tells us a lot these days. Just keep in mind that sci- ence thought it was telling us a lot 200 years ago, too, and we didn’t even know about germs then. Stick with what works for you, whether or not it’s scientifically sound. CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ve experi- enced injustice in your life so you know, when you see it happening to others, the gamut of emotions that are involved, especially the fear. This is why you help to right the wrongs. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). When you admire the way a person thinks, you want to be near the person to share your appreciation and to understand better, maybe even adopt, that manner of thinking. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Reasoning is option one; force is option two. Force can be effective, but it also produces an equal and opposite reaction. It will be better to walk away and do what it takes to recharge pow- ers of reason before deciding on option two. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Those close to you really don’t care how many of your per- sonal goals you reach. They love you beyond such things. You will be loved dearly whether or not you accomplish anything. But this isn’t about them; it’s about 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). Even the best conversations will eventually peter out if you don’t introduce new topics. Relationships are the same. New focus keeps them from going stale. Today’s introduction will keep things fresh. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Problems cause moods and moods cause problems. Regardless of the origin, foul vibes will be fixed. Exercise solves problems unrelated to health and so does inspirational reading, power posing and positive thinking. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your super talent today is that you’re thought provoking. People will ask for your evaluation and you’re likely to give a strong and truthful answer, different from the ones already on the table. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You don’t have to share a person’s belief system to understand, respect and apply it to helping the situation. Sometimes the mere act of accepting another person causes that person to bend a little in your direction. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). In the interest of tracking your learning process, identify milestones and celebrate those milestones. Keep this trend up and you’ll soon be a masterful expert. TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Sept. 21). You care deeply about others and now self- care — not selfishness! — will be the focus. Self-discovery allows you to give the best you to the world. Faulty learning of the past will be overwritten in October. Freer than ever, you’ll begin a new hobby. Your earnings mul- tiply in 2018, a reflection of your confidence. Gemini and Pisces adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 40, 27, 31, 26 and 5.