Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/306519
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman GETFUZZY DarbyConley ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARCAROLYN»I'mthe last of my friends and family to be married and have kids — I'm currently single and navigating the dating world. While I'm very happy for the people around me, I can't help but feel so out of sync with everyone else. Every wed- ding, baby shower, engagement announce- ment, new house, etc., just makes me feel bad about my own life, even though I'm living in a city I love, taking new/fun classes, playing in sports leagues and getting to enjoy some travel. I've noticed I'm starting to pull back emotionally from these big life events and I've even removed my Facebook profile since signing on ends up just making me sad, mad and, yes, jealous. How do you deal with these feelings? —Jealousy DEAR JEALOUSY » It sounds as if you're already dealing with your feelings in many productive ways, and they just haven't deliv- ered results. Yet. That doesn't mean they won't. It can take time for the dividends of your choices to become clear to you. For one, I think they're being obscured by the newness of this phase of life for your peers — and the fact that each is traditionally launched with a party. When you're in the flurry of weddings, showers, housewarmings, etc. — and it is typically a flurry — you're seeing many people who are at the height of their joy with these milestones. I don't mean to sound cynical, just realistic — some of these marriages will unravel; some of these houses will be money pits; some of these kids will be difficult and wear out their parents, who will love them nonetheless but who will give up a lot of other valued things to make it all work. The highs and com- forts inherent in marriage/ house/kiddos are real and significant, but so are the lows, and the mehs. This will become steadi- ly more apparent to you as your friends and family get beyond the cake-and- gifts phase, and celebra- tion mode gives way to the rigors of daily life. This will happen, possibly, as your "new/ fun" activities and travels evolve into deeper commit- ments and pleasures. This is a very long way to say "hang in there," but, hang in there. DEAR CAROLYN » To: Jealousy: I'm you. Except I am married, have a house, and a baby. But I want another baby so I'm jealous of my friends who are now pregnant with No. 2. I wish I were like my friends who got the baby weight off im- mediately, but I still have 20 miserable pounds to go. My point is that no matter where you are in life, it's hard not to covet things. It doesn't go away once you reach those milestones. All you can do is live your life to the fullest with where you are right now, and find a way to make peace with what you do have. — Anonymous DEAR ANONYMOUS » Amen. Battling green-eyed monster by disconnecting from Facebook 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:Theobjectistoplacethe numbers1to9intheemptysquaresso thateachrow,eachcolumnandeach 3x3boxcontainsthenumberonlyonce. AnswertoPreviousPuzzle CelebrityCipher ByLuisCampos Instructions:CelebrityCiphercryptogramsarecreatedfromquotationsbyfamouspeople, pastandpresent.Eachletterinthecipherstandsforanother. NEACrossword Taurus(April20-May20) — You will meet with someone who could have a positive effect on your future. Your thinking will enable you to find a solution that will spark a proposal. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Consider what you need to do to reach your target. An apprenticeship or educational course can help lead the way to a brighter future. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Surround yourself with children or entertaining, creative individuals. You will be very sen- sitive today, making it a must to think before you react. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — You may not be seeing the whole picture regarding a work situation. Be careful not to offer suggestions until you are sure. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — You can make a difference if you try. Don't be afraid to speak up. Your colleagues will be very interested in your suggestions and will want to help you reach your goals. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Don't get caught up in someone else's issues. It's unlikely that you can change his or her mind. Keep a hold on your dreams, and you will come out ahead. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — You shouldn't let your creative ideas go to waste. Put your innovations on paper and share them with others. Some lucrative partnerships will develop. Romance will heighten your personal life. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Positive financial changes are apparent. If you make money matters a priority, you will benefit from your creativity and resourcefulness. Changes at home will add to your comfort. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — A business or personal partner may try to discredit you. Listen carefully to the whole story before you take a stand. Don't let your emotions cause you to jump to conclusions. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Enjoy fraternizing with clients and colleagues today. You will find that you have a lot in common with your peers, and socializing will make your workplace more inviting. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — You are in the right frame of mind to learn something new. Discover different cultures, traditions and beliefs by read- ing about or visiting a different geographical location. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Changes happening around you may be confusing. Don't feel pressured into making altera- tions of your own. Take stock of what you have and what you need before you make a move. Horoscope By Bernice Bede Osol SATURDAY, MAY 3 SATURDAY,MAY3,2014 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 5 B