Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/310107
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman GETFUZZY DarbyConley ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARCAROLYN»WhenI got engaged a few years ago, my now-husband gave me a beautiful, expensive diamond ring from a well-known jewelry chain. I didn't ask for it, but I absolutely love it. Since then, many of my close friends have also got- ten engaged and married, and either by coincidence or through social influence or because of changes in trends, most have either no ring or an unconventional ring. Every time a friend announces her engagement and brags about not having wasted money on a diamond, I feel a little stung. Is there a socially responsible way I can keep wearing my ring? Do I need to engrave "I know this was an unnecessary expense" in the band? —RegrettingtheRing DEAR REGRETTING » I think every time there's a sea change, there's an accom- panying period of over- explaining as people settle in — especially when it's a change from One Expected Way to Anything Goes. Keep loving your ring for what it means to you, and ride it out. DEAR CAROLYN » To: Regretting the ring: This applies to almost any kind of personal choice. There are people who want to brag about uniqueness, size or sentimentality. There are people who are self-righteous and want to make a stink about how everyone else fails to mea- sure up to their personal moral standards. Every- thing from cars to kids to grocery shopping to your shoes could be viewed this way. Relax. — Anonymous DEAR ANONYMOUS » Love this, thanks. DEAR CAROLYN » I am be- ing asked to postpone my wedding date for over a year so my pregnant sister can attend. She became pregnant soon after I got engaged, and her due date is only a month after our tentative wedding date. She will not allow the baby on a plane until he is a year old and refuses to travel "if he is excluded." The wedding is a destination wedding by necessity, not by choice. How far do couples really need to go to ensure that all the family is there? — Family DEAR FAMILY » "How far" fits the classic definition of obscenity: I know it when I see it. Asking a couple to post- pone the start of their lives as a married couple by a full year is too far. A sister who is so invested in being part of your life celebra- tion surely can respect that you'd like to get on with that life. Any chance you could move the wedding date up to accommodate her? Or bring her in by video? Oth- erwise, with all due dismay for her absence, you're just as free to draw your arbi- trary line (what happens at the one-year mark, babies sprout wings?) as she was to draw hers. Well, more so, since it's your party and you really can have it if you want to. Let the diamond ring keep shining in spite of remarks 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)— Keep your emotions out of the equation when doing business or making an investment or medical decision. Mull over the options available. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Concentrate on career matters. You could suggest some benefi- cial alterations at work and at home. Collaborating with others will lead to positive changes. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Make changes to your ap- pearance and your image. Social activities look inviting and favorable. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You will have to count on your own skills and intellectual ex- pertise. Your excellent memory will help you put the finishing touches on a project. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Be prepared to jump into the spotlight. An idea you have been considering shows potential. Your enthusiasm and creativity will persuade others to join in your plans. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Climb the ladder of success instead of helping and watching others get ahead. Start making the moves that will ensure your prosperity. Put your innovative ideas in motion. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Follow your dreams and unleash your creative talent. Take time to reflect on what you really want. Own your destiny by mak- ing the moves that will carry you to your goals. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Stay in control of your emo- tions, and pay attention to your intuition. You will benefit from a friend's objective advice. Some- one may be out to undermine your position or reputation. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Partnerships will baffle you today. Strive for greater compatibility. Communication will be the key to obtaining better relationships with people who count personally and professionally. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Don't expend too much energy or too many dollars on an unreliable get-rich-quick scheme. Research an invest- ment and the people involved before you decide to take part. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Exciting new opportunities will become available as a result of new and valuable connec- tions. Research and travel will come into play as you continue your quest for knowledge. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — An older family member may resist some changes you are considering making. If you deal with the problem diplomatically, you will learn something. Horoscope By Bernice Bede Osol SATURDAY, MAY 10 SATURDAY,MAY10,2014 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 5 B