Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/329418
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman GETFUZZY DarbyConley ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARCAROLYN»My husband and I have been together 12 years. His mother is mentally, emotionally and verbally abusive. We now have a daugh- ter, and after years of silence, I can't take the abuse anymore. I don't want our child grow- ing up near it. My hus- band agrees but wants his mom to know our girl. I'd love for that to happen but I fear putting our child in a situation where I have to try to explain why "grandma" was so mean to her. My nephews, now old enough to under- stand her words, all want nothing to do with their grandmother. Where do I go from here? —Stuck DEAR STUCK » To a very firm line, and no further: His mother sees her granddaughter only with rock-solid supervision. Any abuse and the visits end. Your parental duty to protect trumps any duty he has to his mom. DEAR CAROLYN » My girlfriend is a health professional who can work extra hours for extra in- come. Unfortunately, those hours usually are week- ends, which cut into our time together. We have had several discussions about this, and some of the extra work is for her to take care of all expenses as they arise. Admirable, but again, it comes at "our" expense. She is very independent and I have asked her to lean on me a little to take some pressure off. It is also a good way to prepare for a life together, which we agree is our mutual goal. How do I address this without just complaining and revisiting a few prior discussions? How much complaining is too much complaining? — Togetherness DEAR TOGETHERNESS » Any complaining that occurs when you know you've made your prefer- ence clear, and after you have given the other per- son a chance to act on that knowledge, is too much complaining. She wants to work weekends. Why? Only she can say, and certainly she owes you transparency — but financial indepen- dence is plenty persuasive to me. It's common to go into a relationship, then com- mitment, with an image of how a shared life should look. Please don't do that to either of you. Instead, look at what you have. Look at who you are, and who she is, look at what you create in com- bination. Decide if that's a life you'll commit to. Meaning, instead of taking another run at the idea of clearing her weekends, see her. She's independent. She works a lot. You gave her a chance to do weekends your way, or compromise on them, and she stuck to her way. This isn't right or wrong, it's just who she is. Accepting that is a "good way to prepare for a life together" — or for breaking up, if that's what makes sense. Limit children's exposure to a verbally abusive grandparent 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 Gemini(May21-June20) — Taking note of advice from an older relative or friend will enrich your life and add to your prosperity. You will benefit from the experience others have. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Partnerships look promising in this current cycle. Consider get- ting in touch with a friend from your past. Make plans to travel or meet each other. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Stop avoiding your duties so that you can enjoy a little down- time with friends or family. The rewards will be worth the effort. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Your inner spirit will be stifled if you give in to negative com- ments. Shake off old-fashioned or outdated attitudes and ideas and allow yourself room to grow. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Depending on someone else will not get you anywhere today. Rely on your own attri- butes and finish whatever job you are given in order to avoid complaints and personal dissatisfaction. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Get to know the people who live in your neighborhood. Your talents will be put to good use if you get involved in local issues. Join a group or volunteer for community events. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — You should make time to participate in a work- related event. The information you receive will keep you in the know and ahead of the competition. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — You will have to go it alone if someone unexpectedly has a change of plans. Boost your at- titude and update your look with a new hairdo or outfit. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — An irresistible offer will come your way. A social gathering with friends and neighbors will open your eyes to new op- portunities. Make your home a welcoming place for family and friends. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Someone you respect and admire will want to form a partnership. Don't make any hasty commitments. Put your cards on the table and see what develops. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Don't get exasperated with people who are having trouble keeping up. You have a lot of energy and stamina, so deploy a little patience to gain respect. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Improve your self-esteem by enhancing your appearance or getting in better shape. A ro- mantic liaison will help motivate you. Love is in the stars. Horoscope By Bernice Bede Osol FRIDAY, JUNE 13 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014 4 B