Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/412500
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman GETFUZZY DarbyConley ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Myhusband and I are discussing Christmas Eve plans. Nor- mally, his extended family comes to our home. It has been many years since I've had a decent relationship with his brother, but the last couple years have been especially bad. We haven't spo- ken to each other since he called me names during an argument I had with his wife. I apologized to his wife not long after the ar- gument, and we now have a polite relationship. He never apologized for sticking his nose in an argument that didn't in- volve him, and for saying horrible things about me. My husband doesn't like him much either. I have a lot of anger toward him, and I find it impossible to talk to him. I think he's sociopathic. I really don't want him in my house anymore, espe- cially at Christmas. My husband says it is rude to invite the rest of the fam- ily and not him. One option is for us to spend the evening with my family instead. I don't really want to do this, be- cause I know my husband would be sad not to spend Christmas Eve with his mother and siblings. I am tired of the stress all of this causes me. How can we spend this holiday without excluding the rest of my husband's family and without me feeling like I am hosting Satan? —Santa,notSatan,in Seattle DEAR SANTA » My idea for you is radical. It's a heavy lift, but it is the only solu- tion guaranteed to work. Change yourself. You had a disagree- ment with your sister- in-law. You two worked it out, and now you are cordial. I suggest you work very hard to muster the same spirit toward your brother-in-law, knowing that he will never recipro- cate or even participate. His personal abilities are limited. Yours are not. You won't feel any stress if you stop caring. DEAR AMY » My sig- nificant other and I have grown close enough that he has started wanting me to spend time with his boys, ages 9 and 11. These kids are being raised very differently than I was; they are loud and demanding, never say please or thank you and have awful table manners (they belch and get food all over their faces — on purpose). I am appalled. My guy is refined, conscientious and highly intelligent. I feel the kids should be expected to display ba- sic m ann ers. He an d their mother are divorced, so I understand their parent- ing is even more chal- lenging than usual. Am I justified in asking that they behave better around me and other adults? — Wincing DEAR WINCING » These are pre-adolescent boys. This inappropriate behavior is their way of expressing their power. I agree with you that it is uncalled for. It is also 100 percent their father's job to deal with it. You should speak with him and ask him to cor- rect them. Wife dreads Christmas with insufferable brother-in-law You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribune.com and follow her on Twitter @askingamy. Amy Dickinson Ask Amy Sudoku Instructions:Theobjectistoplacethe numbers1to9intheemptysquaresso thateachrow,eachcolumnandeach 3x3boxcontainsthenumberonlyonce. AnswertoPreviousPuzzle CelebrityCipher ByLuisCampos Instructions:CelebrityCiphercryptogramsarecreatedfromquotationsbyfamouspeople, pastandpresent.Eachletterinthecipherstandsforanother. NEACrossword Scorpio(Oct.24-Nov.22) — A last-minute deviation from your plans will have an amazing effect on your future. Go with the flow, and you will not be disappointed. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — You should stop agoniz- ing over what you've done in the past and look at the future with optimism. Unwise decisions will be the result of poor judgment. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Preoccupation with personal problems will interfere with your professional productivity. Make your career a priority to avoid further repercussions. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Don't dwell on negative events. Consider your objectives and put your best foot forward. Appreciate what you have. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Cultural influences will spur your creativity and spark new ideas. Music and art can be enjoyed with little or no cash via the Internet or at galleries and museums. Aries (March 21-April 19) — A falling out with someone will leave you feeling uneasy. If you overreact, you will have to make amends. Be honest and admit your mistake. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — A brief getaway will renew your faith in life. It's easy to lose sight of your goals if you've been running in circles and getting nowhere fast. An escape will put things in perspective. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Be generous with your time, not your money. Don't let negativity take a toll on your well-being. Volunteer for a worthy cause to make a difference. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — If an emotional partnership is in decline, you need to make some hard choices. Don't stay in a situation that is bringing you down. It's time to shake up your routine. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Act reserved when dealing with peers. Overfamiliarity with col- leagues or superiors will lead to a loss of respect and damage to your status and reputation. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Curb your anger around the young and old people in your life. You'll get a better response using encouragement. Focus inward and make personal changes instead of trying to alter others. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Business or legal negotiations will require your full attention. Don't rush while working out contracts or agreements. Time will be needed to do proper and thorough research. Horoscope By Eugenia Last FRIDAY, NOV. 7 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 3 B