Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/277609
DILBERT Scott Adams PEARLS BEFORE SWINE Stephan Pastis PICKLES Brian Crane BABY BLUES Jerry Scott & Rick Kirkman GET FUZZY Darby Conley ZITS Jerry Scott & Jim Borgman SHERMAN'S LAGOON Jim Toomey ARGYLE SWEATER Scott Hilburn BIZARRO Dan Piraro DEAR CAROLYN » My boyfriend's parents are against our relationship. My boyfriend (31) and I (26) have been on and off for three years, but have remained best friends since we met. He is from England, and they have a real problem with him settling in the Mid- west. They also say he "needs to travel more," "Your 30s are the new 20s," stuff like that. Also, he hasn't had the best history with women; they usually walk all over him. I don't think they will ever be OK with any woman he chooses. Awhile back, I wrote a letter to his mother, most- ly to break the ice, but she didn't even respond. We are moving in to- gether in a couple of weeks and plan to marry some- time soon after. I want to start a family with this man. We are head-over- heels in love. I can't walk away (we've tried), but it's very difficult for me to imagine my children's grandparents hating me. What do we do? — A. DEAR A. » First on your to-do list: Understand. Ap- preciate their position. Imagine your someday child, imagine spending 31 years with vaguely pleasant hopes of a close relationship with that child and his family as an adult, imagine imagining what it will be like to hold your grandchild and watch him or her grow up. Now imagine putting all of that an eight-plus-hour, $1,000-plus flight away. Not everyone travels well or can afford it, and those ranks thin further as people age. It is not unreasonable for your boy- friend's parents to grieve their son's decision to put down roots overseas. It's his life, though, ob- viously, and of course they have the option of accept- ing this development with gratification from their son's happiness. Appar- ently they've declined this option. But it's also not over, and that brings us to to-do list Item 2: Be patient. You may have been in this relationship for years, but the off-and-on nature of it allowed his parents to tell themselves it might not last — thus allowing them to postpone facing the reality of you. Now that you're moving in and plan- ning to marry, that starts the clock on their abso- lutely having to deal with it. Give them a chance to. And, Item 3: Get out of the hyperbole busi- ness. Maybe you've left out something crucial, but I don't see how we got from "30 is the new 20" to their "hating" you. From now on, adopt the mantra, "They don't hate me, they hate the distance" — and dedicate yourself to not being the wedge between them. Their relationship is for them to work out, but you can help that cause (as well as your own and any future children's) by making a long-term com- mitment to patience and understanding. And travel: Be the woman who encour- ages their son to stay close to them. Boyfriend's parents don't support plans to settle down Carolyn Hax Ask Carolyn Email Carolyn Hax at tellme@washpost.com, follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ carolyn.hax or chat with her online at noon Eastern time each Friday at www.washingtonpost.com. Sudoku Instructions: The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the number only once. Answer to Previous Puzzle Celebrity Cipher By Luis Campos Instructions: Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another. NEA Crossword Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — You'll risk your reputation if you rely on secondhand infor- mation. Someone may pass off fabrication as fact just to put you in an awkward position. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Community get-togethers and special-interest gatherings are great places to meet new friends. Informal events will en- able you to share your enthusi- asms with like-minded people. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — A colleague may try to present your ideas as his own. Ensure that you are given credit for your accomplishments. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Don't let stress get you down. Surround yourself with the people and comforts that make you happy. Take time to relax. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Strategize how you can make personal improvements. Proper nutrition, regular exercise and plenty of enjoyable activities are all vital to your success. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — You'll be extremely convincing today. Make sure you don't harbor any ulterior motives and that you have thought matters through. You will accomplish a lot if you are a team player. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — You may be a little short-tem- pered. Just because someone has a different viewpoint, it doesn't mean you can't get along. To avoid embarrassment, cool down before you say some- thing you'll regret. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Take a moment to do something you enjoy. Perhaps there is a hobby or new friendship you'd like to pursue. Indulge in some- thing that is motivating and inspirational; you deserve it. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Be considerate of others today. Avoid criticizing others and focus on the positive mes- sage you want to convey. If you are pushy, you will put a wedge between yourself and someone you care about. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Travel delays and other unforeseen problems will plague you. Don't get frustrated over circumstances you cannot control. Keep a positive attitude and overcome setbacks. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — A partnership will face pressure if you encounter a stalemate. If you're willing to compromise, you will find it easier to reach an agreement. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You won't feel too sociable today. Take a closer look at your current situation and establish the steps you need to take to advance. Backtracking may be necessary. Horoscope By Bernice Bede Osol FRIDAY, MARCH 14 Friday, March 14, 2014 rEdBLUFFdaiLyNEWS.cOM | YOUR DAILY BREAK | 3 B