A6 THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TuESDAY, JANuARY 22, 2019 The big coffee addiction Dear Annie: Just recently, kickstart your metabolism I started drinking coffee most and, of course, rehydrate you. mornings. I’d say that over Dehydration causes fatigue. the past four months, I’ve (And incidentally, coffee had coffee an average of four causes dehydration — so in the long run, drink- days a week. In the DEAR ing too much coffee past month or so, I’ve ANNIE will slow you down noticed that I get head- more than speed you aches when I skip up.) If you’re crav- coffee for a day. I’m ing something other guessing these head- than water — some- aches are a result of thing with a more my body’s missing the distinctive taste — caffeine it’s used to getting. (This is really ANNIE LANE try naturally caf- Creators feine-free herbal unfortunate, because Syndicate Inc. teas, such as ginger I love the taste of cof- tea. fee. But I guess I could So the good news is you’re always drink decaf.) Since I noticed these headaches, I’ve over the hump. Symptoms started weaning myself off of of withdrawal from caffeine coffee, but I need something dependency typically are at else to get me alert (and keep their worst in the first two days me that way) throughout the after stopping consumption workday. What healthy sub- and will fade within nine days. Dear Annie: I have to stitute(s) could I turn to as I work to kick my coffee habit? respond to the letter from “Stingy Dad and Proud of — Clinging to Caffeine Dear Clinging to Caf- It,” about his battles with his feine: The absolute best ex-wife over finances and thing you could drink when issues with the children. I you wake up for an ener- agree that he should do what gized morning is a big glass is in the best interests of his of water. And then another. children, and it sounds as if Water will flush out toxins, he has been making an effort to do just that all along. Love is not displayed through mon- etary means. A bat mitzvah for a 13-year-old that costs five figures? Maybe I’m old-fash- ioned, but I cannot imagine spending that kind of money on a party. Making this mile- stone special does not equal $10,000-plus. If I were this dad, I would explain this to my ex and give my daughter my time instead of my money. The daughter may be difficult to get through to right now, but “Stingy Dad and Proud of It” owes it to her and to himself to use his energy to improve his relation- ship with her. When all is said and done, she won’t remem- ber the amount of money spent on her when she was 13. She’ll remember who fought for her, took the time to knock down her walls and loved her unconditionally. She will also remember who roped her into her parents’ messy financial issues and who took the high road. — Anti-Material Girl Dear Anti-Material Girl: You are very wise, and your advice is spot on. Thank you for writing. TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). This plan you had is working, mostly because you steered it well, without imposing total control. Because you don’t have to be in control of absolutely everything for things to go right. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You may think that someone has “arrived” but that is a perception based on a criteria of success that is subjective. The important thing is not to act weird when people achieve things and other people don’t. Be cool. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). A dream isn’t a dream unless it’s a little off. Bigger than life. Smaller. Stranger. You’ll head into the day reasonably enough, but it’s when you introduce the dreamy element that things start to get really interesting. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The hard work is coming up next. But don’t worry; you’re ready. In fact, on some level, you’ve been looking forward to this. Bonus: You’re about to find out which of your colleagues is the worthiest. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You tell yourself to do something, and then you do the opposite. Why? The complexities of will are confounding! But you can be certain there’s a rebel child in you who doesn’t trust authority, even if that authority is you. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Good relation- ships are built on mutual trust. Right now, you’re reaping the benefits of doing something as simple as showing up when you say you will and doing what’s expected. CANCER (June 22-July 22). The way to power is not taking more and more; that’s the way to destruction. True power is knowing what you can influence and accepting what you can’t. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Even though you don’t have a ledger telling you how much you owe and are owed, in some way you’re keeping track. You’re noticing an imbalance in the give and take department. Start thinking about how it might be rectified. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). There’s no such thing as a mediocre goal. Is it beyond where you are now by an inch? Half an inch? A foot? It’s progress. Count everything. It’s the kind of day when you need every win you can get. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). How do you know if you’re being arrogant? You don’t. That’s the disease of arrogance. You’re checking yourself, so you’re probably in the clear. People who are truly arrogant usually forget that step. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Remember when sleep- ing seemed like a luxury, money was scarce and you weren’t sure where you were getting the extra energy to forge forward but you did it anyway? It was a test that made you strong. Appreciate it. 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 PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’ll be dealt a wild- card. Think carefully about how you want to play it. Much depends on the others at the table. Make your best guess about their hand. TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 23). It starts innocently enough. First you make someone’s day, and then you get addicted to seeing that kind of smile. So you do more and more, making the world better and brighter. Interesting new hobbies and friends are part of the package. A carefully researched investment will make life a bit easier. Capricorn and Cancer adore you. Your lucky num- bers are: 6, 3, 33, 21 and 40.