Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/465892
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman GETFUZZY DarbyConley ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Iamafather of 17-year-old twin daugh- ters graduating soon from high school. I divorced seven years ago. My ex- wife re married imm edi - ately; I have not. My daughters live pri- marily with their mother and stepfather. My re- lationships with my wonderful daughters could not be better. My daughters' relationships with their mother and her husband are poor. My daughters' stepfa- ther is manipulative and controlling. Their mother enables and joins in this behavior. She is no longer the woman I married 27 years ago. Things were OK until I was finally forced to stand up to her husband 18 months ago on behalf of my daughters when their mother would not. My ex-wife and her hus- band dislike me intensely. My ex-wife anticipates hosting a graduation par- ty at their house to which I will not be invited. This does not sit well with my daughters. One daughter wants to say that if I am not invited, the girls and I will rent a facility, throw a party, and that nei- ther my ex-wife nor her husband will be invited (I wouldn't care if they were invited or not). What should my daughters do, and how can I help them? —AllAbouttheKids DEAR ALL ABOUT » Y ou sound like a laid-back but very proactive and protec- tive father. Good for you! Though I think you should be proud of your kids for advocating for you, I don't think they should be encouraged to throw a competing gradu- ation party that is basi- cally the mirror image of the party being hosted at home — complete with the exclusion of parents. You should convey that, though you would like to be included in this party, you can't control their mother and step- father. The parents can plan whatever party they want; the girls can then decide whether to attend. I believe that if you do choose to host a gradua- tion party, you should not hold it the same day. DEAR AMY » I recently left a difficult living situation, sharing a house with two roommates. About two months before I moved out, one of my roommates asked if I would like a lamp that her friend was giving away. She had her eye on another lamp. Shortly thereafter I moved out, taking my things (including the lamp) with me. Said roommate contacted me a month later. She said she never intended to give me the lamp and that she would like to have it back. — Between a Lamp and a Hard Place DEAR BETWEEN » Ask her a question: "Don't you remember giving it to me? You brought the two lamps home and gave one to me, right?" If your former room- mate disputes this, you will have to decide wheth- er the lamp is worth the price of the relationship. I say keep the lamp, ditch the person. Twins come up with solution that doubles the trouble 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) — You can achieve financial security. If you set up a sav- ings plan, you will gain benefits. Break bad habits and replace them with positive alternatives. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Put the brakes on the emotional roller coaster. Find something encouraging in every situation you face. Get details before making a commitment. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Check out domestic services that could reduce your workload or increase your comfort level. Purge unwanted items and give them to the needy. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Accept an unexpected invitation to a social event if you want to meet someone who could influ- ence your future. Offer insight. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Don't get stressed out over trivial matters. Pay close atten- tion when operating machinery or hazardous equipment. A lack of focus will lead to an injury or mishap. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Find out more about your family background or community. Visit a Library, scan social media or talk with people who have knowledge regarding your past. Get out and participate. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — It's easy to fall into bad habits for the sake of convenience. You are what you eat, so put more effort into nutrition and diet if you want to look and feel great. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — A close confidant will help provide you with a different perspective on a troubling issue. Family members will be over- sensitive, so be encouraging and gentle to avoid discord. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Don't overlook the importance of getting along with your peers. Tension will be manage- able if you are respectful and diplomatic. A tense atmosphere causes stress. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — You have been working too hard. Take time out and visit friends, or venture somewhere out of the ordinary. A new locale will offer the push you need to further your goals. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Someone will be upset or offended by something you say or do. Proceed with caution and choose your words wisely to avoid a scene. Keeping the peace is in your best interest. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — You are viewed as a val- ued friend and important ally. Partnerships and collaborative efforts will go smoothly today, due to your special insights and unique ideas. Horoscope By Eugenia Last THURSDAY, FEB. 19 THURSDAY,FEBRUARY19,2015 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 3 B