Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/346601
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman GETFUZZY DarbyConley ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Iamacollege student. My mother and I have a great relationship, but there is one problem that has become increas- ingly frustrating. If I give her the name of a guy I would maybe consider dating, she insists on con- ducting extensive Internet searches until she has found his home- town, his high school activities, his parents' professions, his past girlfriends — everything. This has been happen- ing since I was in high school, but it grew worse last year, when I showed interest in someone who we later found out was keeping some pretty significant information from me. I have no problem with looking through Facebook and Twitter profiles myself, and I've turned down prospects with no regrets. However, the threat of a profile check has made me somewhat unsure of myself because I'm ulti- mately worried that my mother won't approve. I've brought this up, but she has continued searching anyway; her reasoning is that since everything is on the Inter- net, she might as well use it to her advantage. Should I limit what I tell her? —DistressedinDallas DEAR DISTRESSED » This outrageous behavior doesn't seem to bother you enough. I can only as- sume that this is because your mother has success- fully gaslighted you into thinking her behavior is acceptable. It is not. She might be a great private investigator, but her par- enting skills leave a lot to be desired. The obvious answer is for you not to tell her anything relating to your intimate dating life. Call a complete moratorium. This will interfere with your mother-daughter closeness, but that is a consequence of her being so untrustworthy. DEAR AMY» Is there an effective reply to my hus- band's comment: "It does not bother me; if it both- ers you, then you clean it up, pick it up, put it away, fix it, move it, etc."? End of discussion. He is retired, I am still working, and I come home to an incredible mess. He is a good man, but I cannot seem to make him understand that this refusal to be helpful is tearing up a 30-year marriage. Suggestions? — Frustrated DEAR FRUSTRATED » I'm going to assume that you are griping about major household nightmares. The at-home partner should at the minimum ensure that the working partner doesn't return home after work to a house that is markedly worse than she left it. That's the minimum. A counselor could help you to mediate this. Mother oversteps daughter's dating privacy with Internet (You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribune.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook. Amy Dickinson's mem- oir, "The Mighty Queens of Freeville: A Mother, a Daughter and the Town that Raised Them" (Hyperion), is available in bookstores.) Amy Dickinson Ask Amy Sudoku Instructions:Theobjectistoplacethe numbers1to9intheemptysquaresso thateachrow,eachcolumnandeach 3x3boxcontainsthenumberonlyonce. AnswertoPreviousPuzzle CelebrityCipher ByLuisCampos Instructions:CelebrityCiphercryptogramsarecreatedfromquotationsbyfamouspeople, pastandpresent.Eachletterinthecipherstandsforanother. NEACrossword Cancer(June21-July22) — Good fortune is within reach, and opportunities will be offered to you. Take charge of your life, your future and money. It's up to you to control your destiny. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — It's a favorable time to move house or fix up your surroundings. Listen to advice offered you, as well as to the concerns of those affected by your decisions. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — You will experience friction with a friend, relative or neighbor. If you stick to a set budget, you will be able to afford something you've wanted for some time. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Successful relationships depend on honest communication. Share your goals. Talk to your superior about your ideas. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Consider other people's points of view. Overdramatizing your problems will not help your situation or persuade others to see things your way. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — You will become inter- ested in something or someone that isn't good for you. Don't risk your position by being too aggressive or demanding. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Worrying about older family members will cause you stress. Keep a positive attitude in order to put everyone around you at ease. Do what you can to uncomplainingly make life more comfortable for others. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Don't brag. You will be ques- tioned if you pretend to know more than you do. Listening to others can help you gain valu- able information, enabling you to appear interested, concerned and easy to talk to. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — It's time to focus on your career. Trying to change the way others think or do things will be a waste of time. Do your own thing, and you'll have no regrets. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Reach out to those with experience in your chosen field. You can turn your dreams into reality with the right network of people around you for support. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Success is the best revenge. Now is not the time to labor over what's happened in the past. Stand tall and do what you do best, and you will have the last laugh. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Quench your thirst for knowl- edge by learning more about interesting subjects. Some time devoted to doing research at the Library or on the Internet will be well-spent. Horoscope By Bernice Bede Osol TUESDAY, JULY 15 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2014 4 B