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DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman THEDUPLEX GlennMcCoy ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Ihavebeen with my boyfriend for two years now, and we are both in our mid-20s. One of the things that I am increasingly bothered by is our differing attitudes toward gift-giving. I grew up in a family that threw huge Christ- mases that centered on the exchange of gifts. Though that sounds su- perficial, the exchange of gifts is a very mean- ingful tradition to me. My siblings and I spend months scoping out (and making) the per- fect gifts for each other for Christmas. When the day comes, the best part is not opening your own gifts, but watching with glee as the others open the gifts you gave them! On the other hand, my boyfriend grew up with very stingy parents who sometimes do not even acknowledge his birthday. Needless to say, he doesn't understand my desire to exchange gifts. In our relationship, I have not once received so much as a birthday card. I was a little heartbroken to realize that, when we got together to exchange Christmas gifts this year, the gift that I spent weeks making for him was coun- tered with, "Your present is that you're getting re- ally good sex tonight!" I'm not asking for any- thing fancy. I would cher- ish something as simple as a handwritten letter. Am I being too materialis- tic? Should I let it go? —ALittleHurtin Houston DEAR HURT » Speaking of Christmas, at this past year's celebration in my family, the young adults were talking about the book, "The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts," by Gary Chapman (2015, Northfield Publishing), which had been making the rounds through the family. This book, first published in 1992 and updated with many differ- ent editions, outlines how people perceive ways to give and receive love. Chapman says an in- dividual's "love language" is based on temperament, and also how the person was raised. You and your boy- friend are giving each other the gifts you would most like to receive. If you received anything handmade from him, your "love tank" would be full. (His gift idea also indicates how you might fill his love tank.) If he wants you to be happy in your relation- ship, he will have to fig- ure out how to make the simple gestures that you treasure, and vice versa. DEAR AMY » I was really angry when I read the question from "In a Quan- dary," whose mother- in-law pressured him to use a handicap parking permit that wasn't hers. I am wheelchair- bound. I have had to can- cel plans when I arrived at a venue and couldn't enter because I didn't have a parking spot. — Seethin g DEAR SEETHING » I re- ceived a huge volume of responses to this ques- tion, all from people who want to respect your right to use a designated park- ing spot. Young woman doesn't feel valued by her boyfriend You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson. com and follow her on Twitter @askingamy. Amy Dickinson Ask Amy Sudoku Instructions:Theobjectistoplacethe numbers1to9intheemptysquaresso thateachrow,eachcolumnandeach 3x3boxcontainsthenumberonlyonce. AnswertoPreviousPuzzle CelebrityCipher ByLuisCampos Instructions:CelebrityCiphercryptogramsarecreatedfromquotationsbyfamouspeople, pastandpresent.Eachletterinthecipherstandsforanother. NEACrossword Aquarius(Jan.20-Feb.19) — Keeping a steady pace will ensure that you don't lose sight of your goals, even if someone puts an emotional block in front of you. Be strong. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Do what needs to be done. Connect with someone from your past who has the knowl- edge and experience to help you reach your goals. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Don't leap before you look. Your desire to get things done quickly needs to be handled correctly and channeled efficiently. Know your boundaries. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Delve into a project that will keep you occupied and help you avoid a showdown with some- one trying to disrupt your plans. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Listen to what's being said or offered, but don't assume you are being told the whole truth. Dig deep and make your own as- sessment before you take action or respond. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Let your imagination take charge when it comes to creative projects, but not when it comes to dealing with others. Making an assumption will lead to trouble. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — A problem will surface if you are too open. Closely observe what's going on around you and learn from what others say and do. Information will give you the power to excel. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Meet new people. Get involved in pursuits that lead to greater self-awareness and personal growth. Open discussions will provide you with information that will influence your future. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — You need to pay more attention to what's going on at home. Review your personal papers and finances, and discuss is- sues with anyone who will be affected by the cutbacks. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Live your life your way. Don't fear being different. It's your unique nature and mysterious ways that make you so attrac- tive. You should embrace who you are and aspire to reach your goals. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Call in a favor or recon- nect with someone you have enjoyed working with in the past. An opportunity to meld the past with the present will result in a brighter future. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Tender, loving care will be valuable when it comes to home and family. Make amends with anyone who has been disgrun- tled or is feeling left out. Horoscope By Eugenia Last FRIDAY, FEB. 3 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017 6 B