Last word on astrology Both giving and receiving bring trouble
Saturday, MAY 7, 2022
Happy Birthday: Declutter your life and doors will open. Look for interesting ways to transform what you have into something that can benefit you moving forward. Adjust to the changing times by showing versatility. Your dedication will inspire others to respect and value what you have to offer. Explore the possibilities, and it will lead you to personal growth and a better future. Your numbers are 5, 16, 23,
32, 34, 44, 49.
Aries (March 21-April 19): Narrow vision will hold you back. Be receptive, not gullible. Listen, question and come up with a plan. A lifestyle change will resolve sensitive issues. Don’t reveal what you plan to do until everything is in place. Personal gain is within reach. ★★
Taurus (April 20-May 20): Go over details and documents to ensure you don’t miss something important. Put everything in order, and prepare to make moves that will free you from situations standing in the way of progress. Present your plans with pizazz. ★★★★
Gemini (May 21-June 20): Look at what’s happening around you, and you’ll see that you have decisions to make that determine which direction is best for you. Choose what you like to do most, and you’ll find the success and satisfaction you desire. ★★★
Cancer (June 21-July 22): Don’t drift from one thing to another. Consistency and sustainability will help you get things done on time. Keep an open mind, but don’t put your health or money at risk. Look for ways to use your skills to your advantage. ★★★
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): Share information, and develop a closer relationship with someone you can relate to. You’ll feel a sense of security and belonging. Work toward what you envision as the perfect lifestyle, and someone special will pitch in and help. ★★★
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Tweak an idea you have, and it will flourish. The changes that occur due to the connections you make will help expand your vision and offer insight into the possibilities. Don’t underestimate someone eager to outdo you. ★★★
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Don’t hold back. The push you put on others will help you get what you want. A healthy attitude, friendly demeanor and generous proposal will help you get everything you want and more. Make romance a priority. ★★★★
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Choose to sparkle, enlighten others and expand your awareness and passion for life, love and happiness. Look on the bright side and do what pleases you. Don’t feel the need to make a move or change because of someone. ★★
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You can make some money if you sell some of the stuff you’ve accumulated that you no longer use. Get your house in order, and you’ll feel better about your future and reaching your objective. Get together with someone you love. ★★★★★
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan.
19): You’ll have sound ideas when it comes to money, domestic changes, responsibilities and how best to use your energy. A proposal or suggestion someone makes will intrigue you. Put a unique spin on everything you do and call it your own. ★★★
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Learn from the past, but don’t get stuck there. Using what you discover to help you move forward will help you uncover the best route to take. Selfimprovement and using common sense to make your home your safe space are encouraged. ★★★
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): Get involved in creative projects or use curiosity and imagination to develop a plan that motivates you and those who cross your path. A healthy dialogue at a gathering will drum up enthusiasm and positive input. Personal gain is favored. ★★★★★
Dear Amy: After many years of exchanging gifts with my brother-in-law and his wife, my husband and I decided we didn’t want to do it anymore.
We are trying to get rid of things. We have too much stuff.
The gifts were getting more extravagant and some we didn’t even like or use (and gifts we had given them ended up in their garage sale, so this was mutual). It was sucking the joy out of the holidays.
After politely telling them we no longer wanted to exchange gifts for holidays or birthdays, they ignored our request.
The first year, we were given Christmas presents and had nothing for them. I was embarrassed and reiterated that we didn’t want to do this anymore and that their gifts made me uncomfortable.
The next time my birthday gift arrived with a card that said it was from their dog, so technically it wasn’t from them. Ha-ha.
And still it continues. I even stopped writing thank you notes.
How should we handle this?
Dear Not: The negative spin on this is that your inlaws are being deliberately disrespectful.
Another way to see this is that they are as filled with anxiety about gift-giving as you are about receiving — and they can’t seem to find a way to stop.
The clue that they have received and understand your message and intent — but may not be able to stop themselves — is when they sent a gift “from” their dog. That’s just sad.
Because your very reasonable and direct communication has not been respected, you might get some headway by giving them a specific directive: “We understand your desire to be generous gift givers, even though as we’ve said, we really don’t want to continue to receive. So, in the future, can we ask you to direct your giving to [a favorite local charity] on our behalf? That would mean a lot to us.”
If — despite all this — you continue to receive material gifts, very quickly donate them and … let it go.
Dear Amy: My kids are now in their 40s and have children of their own.
In the past, I’ve enjoyed selecting “just the right gift” for each grandchild and mailing it. I liked to visualize delight in the child’s eyes receiving a wrapped gift in the mail from their grandparents.
On occasion, we’ll get a thank you note back, but more often than not — nothing.
Before Christmas last year, we received a formal letter typed on my son’s business letterhead telling us that their child “doesn’t need any more of your toys and clothes.” This letter demanded instead that we send money directly to the child’s new bank account. Deposit slips were enclosed.
We were shocked. While perhaps they should get points for being practical, the kids are very young, and I find this directive offensive. What to do?
Dear Grandma: This letter regarding your gift-giving was particularly cold and unkind.
That having been said, many young and prosperous families do complain about their children receiving an overabundance of gifts.
You might choose to accept their directive, with a slight twist.
You could let this family know that for future gift-giving occasions, you will send the child a card, and if you choose to give money to the child, you will place the funds into an account that you will set up, turning the money over to the child at some future date.