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DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman GETFUZZY DarbyConley ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Imakeno secret that I'm not a fan of kids. I don't want to baby-sit. I don't want kids of my own. I don't think kids of any age are cute. I definitely don't want to hold them. Those last two items are causing me trouble. See, many of my friends and relatives are spawn- ing. Inevita- bly I wind up looking at pictures of their offspring and/or going to see the newborn critter. I can usually put on a smile and pretend I'm en- joying myself for a short time, but people often ask two questions I have no idea how to answer. The first question is some variation of, "Isn't little (insert name of child) cute?" The second is, "Do you want to hold (insert gender of child)?" I don't find their kids cute and I don't want to hold them. But how do I say that gently? I may not like kids, but I'm not about to say, "Your off- spring looks like a cross between Elmer Fudd and Winston Churchill." So how do I respond when someone asks, "Isn't (child's name) cute?" without lying? And what's a good excuse I can give for turning down an offer to hold the baby? —HappilyChild-Free DEAR CHILD FREE » If the worst happens and you are confronted with a baby, here's how you respond to the cuteness question. Q: Isn't baby Sophie cute? A: I've never seen any- thing like her! When someone asks if you want to hold a baby, you can say, "No, I don't think so. I have some idea of where that baby has been." DEAR AMY » I'm having trouble telling my mother that I applied to attend university halfway across the country. I told my father I applied, and he wasn't very supportive at first but came around. I had to make him prom- ise not to tell my mother until it's confirmed that I am accepted. I did not want her rubbing my face in it if I was rejected, or trying to sabotage my attempts at improving myself and my life. I have never had a good relationship with this woman. It's not like I never tried, but my mother has issues that she takes out on me and my sisters instead of get- ting help. I'm just so tired of all the abuse. Accepted to college or not, I'm leav- ing this house. My question: Is it wrong of me to want to keep this news from her? Is it wrong that I feel the need to move so far away from her to be happy, to have my own life that will cater to me instead of her? Why can't my mother be happy for me? — Prospective Grad DEAR GRAD » Going far away for college is one good and effective way to begin separating from a degrading, challenging parent. Your instincts are good. However — and this is a big one — you will find that your relation- ship issues tend to follow you wherever you go. You will still need to do the hard personal work Baby-loathing man gets advice on responding politely 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 Aries(March21-April19)— Social situations and events will go as planned. Spend your time going over fine details that will separate you from the crowd. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Intelligent and creative people will stimulate and motivate you. A romantic connection will be enhanced if you attend a cul- tural event and are open. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Career advancement is ap- parent. Keep your credentials up-to-date and review job post- ings. A timely move will have a positive effect on your future. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You will feel especially sensitive today. Stop and consider the consequences before you rush headlong into a confrontation. Think before you say something. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — You will be missing out on a golden opportunity if you sit at home. Be alert to what is happening around you. You will uncover some valuable informa- tion regarding an investment. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — You will form a special bond with a special someone if you spend a romantic evening together. If you are single, it's a favorable time to fall in love. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Being too outspoken will have its drawbacks. Get all the facts in order before you enter into a debate. Your credibility will be questioned if you are missing key information. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — It's a good day to mix busi- ness with pleasure. Stimulating conversations with compatible people will sustain your interest and give you an opportunity to examine your own feelings, beliefs and future goals. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Ask for advice before you end up making a costly mistake. Do your research before you get involved in a questionable situation. Without the proper information, you are likely to lose out. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — You will need to improvise if things don't go as planned. Don't get annoyed; get moving. Flexibility will allow you to make the most of any situation that arises. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You can get ahead if you maintain your high work stan- dard. Playing fast and loose with the rules or doing less than your best will harm your reputation. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Artistic and creative pursuits should be your focus. Let your imagination lead the way to a rewarding project or pastime. Don't be afraid to try something unusual. Horoscope By Eugenia Last FRIDAY, MARCH 27 FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 5 B