Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/456595
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 have been friends with "Alice" and "Jim" for many years. Our daugh- ters are the same age, so we have spent a lot of family time together, sharing celebrations, car trips, barbecues, etc. Our kids were best friends too. Now both families' daugh- ters are in college but rarely interact, even though they still like each other. When they're on break and we invite Alice, Jim and their kids to our house, their daughters never come. When Alice and Jim invite us over, they never invite our kids. This both- ers us (and our kids), but are we being unreason- able? Clearly, these young people are adults and should not be expected to see their parents' friends, but I still feel that Alice and Jim are being impolite by never includ- ing our children in their invitation — and by their daughters always refusing ours. Is it really too much to expect that our friends' kids would be willing to spend a couple of hours once or twice a year socializing with us and their old friends — and that their parents would encourage this? —FeelingSlighted DEAR SLIGHTED » It is obvious that you would prefer these young adults to stay personally con- nected, but you cannot control this. I agree that it would be nice if your old friends included your daughters in invitations, as you do theirs, but they don't seem to treasure this generational connec- tion as much as you do, and they are simply not being as socially thought- ful as you are. DEAR AMY » I am a 56- year-old woman stuck in a once-good relationship that has turned stale and neglectful. My partner "Steve" and I met 14 years ago during a rough time for both of us. We seemed to have so much in common and got along so well. Now he seems aloof and disinterested, sometimes spending nights away from home with no explanation. I get so depressed about this I could spend an entire day home in bed just thinking about it. How can I get him to stay? How can I get him to stop walking away? Any advice? — Neglected DEAR NEGLECTED » What you call "stale and ne- glectful," I might call "so very over." Rather than spending the day in bed, mooning over this very flawed re- lationship, why don't you confront him? Instead of gathering ideas on how to get your partner to stay, you should take his absences as a sign that he is trying to communicate with you. And what is he trying to say? Let's start with, "I don't want to be home." I have news for you: He is NOT a good pro- vider. He may financially support your household, but he is not willing to be intimate, truthful and abiding. You should value him a little less — and value yourself a lot more. Old friends hurt that children are not included in invitation 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 Aquarius(Jan.20-Feb.19) — Streamline your efforts and concentrate on one project. The more you take on, the harder it will be to remain in control and reach your destination. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Success is in the cards. Be secretive about your ideas to avoid someone intervening and throwing you off your game. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Slow and steady will win the race. Mistakes are likely if you have too many irons in the fire. There is someone who wants to collaborate with you. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Spend time on your own. Research something or someone you find intriguing. Studying and honing your skills will keep you from getting into a debate. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — You will have a chance to try something out of the ordi- nary. If you participate in every- thing that is going on, you will have an eye-opening experience. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You can get what you want if you are patient. Let things unfold naturally. Don't rush into new ventures. If you want to take advantage of new pos- sibilities, you must pay close attention. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Compromise will be a neces- sity. Don't fall for an offer that sounds too good to be true. Keep your valuables under close surveillance. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Keep an eye out for a job opportunity. A chance to pick up additional skills should not be missed. Give whatever you do your best shot in order to succeed. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — You will end up paying the price if you have been overspending or overindulging. Make an effort to get back on track and stick to your budget. Love is apparent. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Career advancement should be your first concern. You can increase your cash flow by mar- keting a unique idea to the right people. A personal relationship needs to be nurtured. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — If you are feeling down and out, take time to rejuvenate. Find a relaxing way to soothe your nerves. Get plenty of rest and prepare to take on the world. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Love and romance are highlighted. If you plan a fun activity with someone special, you will discover how much you have in common. An impromptu trip will result in improved living arrangements. Horoscope By Eugenia Last TUESDAY, FEB. 3 TUESDAY,FEBRUARY3,2015 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 3 B