Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/309663
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman GETFUZZY DarbyConley ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARCAROLYN»Mybroth- er's wife is pregnant and very difficult. First, she took weeks to even tell me that I was going to be an aunt. Then, she asked me not to tell anyone, includ- ing my own sons, until she was further along. It took a few more weeks until she would "let" my sons know, and then she told them herself! When I want- ed to take a picture of how she told them, "in a special way," she asked me not to put it on Facebook. What do I say to her to let her know how rude and selfish she's being? My boys are excited to be big cousins and I want my friends and family to know about their being cousins. —ExcludedFamily DEAR EXCLUDED FAMILY » Whose body is this? Whose fetus is this? Whose news is this? Whose decision is this on how, when and with whom the news will be shared? Whose job would it be to retract the good news far and wide if she miscar- ried after she "let" the news spread unchecked? I can't say I'm a fan of the highly controlled news release, but that prefer- ence applies to no one but me, and to no one's news but mine; your sister-in- law's comfort zone is what governs the release of her news. So, to identify the per- son who's being "very dif- ficult" (and self-centered, and, if you're pressuring her or complaining to others in the family circle, rude), you need a mir- ror. Your sister-in-law is not having a baby just to entertain your children or provide you with the perfect social-media mo- ment. Your place in this life event is squarely on the sidelines. DEAR CAROLYN » My cur- rent boyfriend and I have been dating for over a year and a half and we've de- cided he is going to move in with me next month. We've had our little ups and downs, and we work things out. As exciting as this is for us, I'm less excited about telling my mom, for fear of a negative reac- tion. I planned on telling her after he's been moved in for about a month. She may come to visit me this summer and I don't know if I should tell her before she arrives or after. — Cohabitating DEAR CAROLYN » Besides postponing your discom- fort, what exactly will you accomplish by delaying this talk with your mom? As far as I can tell, you'll merely add the insult of hiding something from her to her perceived injury of your making choices she'd rather you didn't make. Why use "current" to modify "boyfriend" when there's only one boyfriend being discussed? And why mention "our little ups and downs" to justify your in- vesting in this relationship when that's not even what this question is about? I wouldn't have thought twice if you didn't invite me to. Please ask yourself whether Mom's expecta- tions are the sole origin of your doubts. Mother-to-be controls how news of her baby will break 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 Aries(March21-April19) — Others will be hard-pressed to keep up, but if you maintain control, they will enthusiasti- cally align with you. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Social engagements will play a major role in your life if you let them. Make a fresh start. It's time to enhance your appear- ance and improve your image. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — You have to meet any obliga- tions you've made to family members before you help out- siders. Confrontations can be avoided. Do what's right. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Let someone else do the talking while you sit on the sidelines. You will learn valuable infor- mation by closely listening to people with experience. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Even if you feel like slacking off, push yourself to get things done. Moneymaking opportu- nities are apparent, but you must keep your career as a top priority. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Don't get caught up in an unfortunate battle of wills. Get all the information first and wait to take action. Time is on your side, and you don't need to make hasty mistakes. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Don't allow anyone to put you down. Your good judgment and sound decisions have served you well in the past, so continue doing what you're doing. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Avoid joint ventures. Review- ing your financial documents will help to alleviate any confu- sion you may have regarding in- vestments and money matters. Improve your personal surround- ings and relationships. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Your work may suffer if you dwell on your personal prob- lems. Keep your plans to your- self if you don't want someone to take credit for your ideas. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Let others know what's on your mind. You will gain valuable insight if you speak up. Round up close friends for some recreation and entertainment. Romance is on the rise. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Risky financial ventures will be your downfall. Your desire to help those less fortunate is admirable, but keep an eye on your pocketbook. Investigate an organization carefully before making a donation. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Relationships should be your focus. Pay extra attention to the way you present who you are and what your life goals are. Sharing common aims will bring you closer to someone special. Horoscope By Bernice Bede Osol FRIDAY, MAY 9 FRIDAY,MAY9,2014 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 5 B