HOROSCOPE Pregnant mom wants another princess, not a little boy

Mark Twain said, “An American has not seen the United States until he has seen Mardi Gras in New Orleans.” The appetite-driven Taurus moon is a perfect match for this Fat Tuesday’s parades, beads, picnics, music, dancing, floats, king cakes and costumes of purple, green and gold.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’re not trying merely to get ahead of the ball; you want to win the whole game! It’s a lot more work than you were expecting, but your energy is high today, so go for it.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You appreciate it when people are friendly and helpful, but not to the extent that you have to wonder whether they’re up to something. You’re quietly on guard, alert to all of the possible ways things could go wrong.

GEMINI (May 21June 21). Appearances will make a bigger than usual difference in the outcome of events. Dress to be respected, not to get attention. You’ll use your physical appearance to add constructively to the social and professional milieu.

CANCER (June 22July 22). You may wander far, and you’ll find what you’re looking for as you explore beyond your usual daily routines. Your comfortable state of mind makes you at home wherever you go.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Of course everyone treats their favorite people with special care, and life is easier for you when you are one of those special people. Because you’re so easygoing, people enjoy being nice to you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The things that rattle your nerves are not the same things that jangle the next person. Seek out people who can handle what bothers you, and do the same for them, and today’s problems will have a happy outcome.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ll have your choice of paths and will be drawn to the one with the most potential for romance and mystery. This won’t include anything very funny or too practical, at least not today.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 21). Your psychic sense is strong, and you can tell almost immediately whether or not a situation is going to work. The key is in bailing as soon as possible when you get that “not” feeling, even if you have to take a minor loss.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22Dec. 21). You’ll be the recipient of good fortune and surprise bonuses, but you’ll also pay a pretty penny for the services you receive. So in the end, everything shakes out fair and square.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You have a valuable talent you’re not using. Maybe you don’t even know what it is. It’s like you’re walking around with a diamond in your pocket that you forgot about or didn’t know was there.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). People like being nice to you, so let them. Practice being a gracious receiver. It may be more difficult than it sounds, because you prefer to be in the position of giving. But receiving well is also a kind of gift.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You are just trying to solve a problem and go on your merry way, but people are apt to confuse things by giving you too much information. Avoid this dynamic by asking people for the short version of the story.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (March 4). Your attention is a kind of warmth that people want to snuggle up to. Give loved ones the best of your focus, and you’ll have a happy year. In the next seven weeks, you’ll complete a special project. May livens up your personal life. You’ll be developing a talent through June, which leads to heart connections. Capricorn and Pisces people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 19, 4, 22, 7 and 15.

DEAR ABBY: I’m a single mother of a beautiful 2-year-old daughter. I have always pictured myself as a mom of four little princesses. When I fantasized about having children, I imagined fairy tales, ballet, cheerleading, dress-up, tea parties — all girl things.

Now I’m expecting a little boy and I feel heartbroken. When I learned my first was a girl, I couldn’t wait to meet her. I bought her everything pink and frilly. Here I am eight weeks from my due date, and I have yet to buy this baby a single thing. When I look at baby boy items, I become severely depressed.

I’m no longer with the baby’s father. He and his family are very excited about the baby, as he will be the only male grandchild for this generation. The truth is, the more I think about it, the more I am pulled in the direction of signing over my parental rights to my ex. At least he really wants him, whereas I don’t.

I know this sounds terrible and selfish. I feel like a monster, but I can’t help it. My family is totally against it. My dad says I shouldn’t even allow my ex to visit our son in the hospital after he’s born. No one will listen to how I feel. They keep saying my feelings will change after the baby is born, but I doubt it. I just need some guidance. — UNDESERVING TITLE OF MOMMY

DEAR MOMMY: I don’t think you are a monster. I DO think you are not thinking objectively right now. Let me point out that life doesn’t always go the way we fantasize. Because you imagined that you’d be the mother of four little princesses doesn’t guarantee that you WILL be.

I see no need to rush into signing any papers right now, regardless of how eager your boyfriend and his parents are about the baby. There will be time for that later, if you still want to. For now, ask your parents to help you select some baby boy outfits, and tell your doctor about all of your feelings because they may be hormonal.

You might benefit from some professional counseling right now — more than I can offer you — and I urge you to get it before doing anything you might later regret.

DEAR ABBY: I received a restaurant gift card from some friends. When I presented it at a restaurant, it was refused as “never having been activated through purchase.”

I called my friends to let them know, thinking it was a mistake on the part of the restaurant at the time it was purchased. They said they would come by and pick up the card. I have heard nothing from them since, and I haven’t written a thank-you note or made any further attempt to contact them.

Was I right in calling them? Do I now ignore the whole thing? — GIFT CARD DENIED

DEAR G.C.D.: You did nothing wrong in calling your friends to tell them what happened. They may not have picked it up because they were embarrassed, or because they really never intended to activate it. I don’t think it’s necessarily worth ending a relationship over — IF you want to continue a friendship with people whose credibility you question.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “What Every Teen Should Know.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)