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DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman PHOEBEANDHERUNICORN DanaSimpson ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Iamastay- at-home mom, married to a Marine. I have made many friends who also have small children. How- ever, I am frustrated be- cause most of the moms I know are flakes. I get it — motherhood is hard, especially when your spouse often is not available to help. But I've found that moms use lots of excuses for canceling, even when they extended the invita- tion, and almost always at the last minute. I've been canceled on because people say they have made other plans, they are stressed out from taking care of their kids and even because they want to catch up on housework. Do you have any advice for dealing with unreliable people? —Frustrated DEAR FRUSTRATED » I completely sympathize with you. The best remedy for a burned-out parent is not to stay home, but to con- nect with other parents. If your friends are also mar- ried to the military, you all would be wise to share duties, caretaking, kid wrangling and fun with one another. A collective is much more efficient and much less lonely than going it solo. You may not be able to change these other parents' flakiness, but you really should give them a nudge about how their behavior affects you. This approach won't work if you react with anger. Reliability is an under- recognized quality, but it is vital in high-function- ing relationships. DEAR AMY » I am the only family member who knows that a dying relative has had a secret romantic relationship for more than a decade. This relative has been divorced for almost 20 years. My relative does not know that I know, and I've had no contact with the significant other. My relative is suffering from a terminal illness and lives in my house- hold. I believe this person would find great comfort in the physical presence of this significant other but is forgoing that com- fort out of fear that the family will not be supportive. My relative can only consistently muster the energy to open letters that come every few days from this person. Energy and motivation to leave home have rap- idly deteriorated for this relative, who is fighting depression in addition to the diagnosis. Precious time is pass- ing by and I just can't decide if the possibility of comfort outweighs the potential devastation of having this carefully guarded secret revealed. — Worried Family Member DEAR WORRIED » I believe you are overthinking this. Your family member is spending his or her final days in your home. You can — and should — offer anything to help. "Do you want me to contact anyone, say or do anything on your behalf?" Be there; be open; be loving and generous. Don't make assumptions. Stay-at-home mom frustrated by consistently flaky friends 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)— Be proactive. Professional and financial gains are likely if you share your creative ideas and enlist people who can help you make your dreams reality. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Stubbornness will be your downfall. Go the extra mile required to keep the peace with family members and colleagues. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Love and romance are in the air. The person who holds a special place in your heart could be looking for a solid commitment. Candidly share your feelings. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Work independently today. Try- ing to explain yourself to others will slow down your progress and lead to frustration. Protect your position and possessions. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Envision the future you desire. Make personal or professional changes that will bring you closer to your goals. Improve- ments to your education will lead to greater prosperity. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Lighten up and do your best to have fun. If you are feeling unhappy or bored, get together with someone who makes you smile. Dwelling on regrets will lead to depression. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Make the most of your vivid imagination and delve into a new creative project. Family members may be extra sensi- tive, so find a quiet corner and busy yourself doing something. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Despite your high energy level, it's important that you don't take on more than you can reasonably handle. Say no to anyone putting too many demands on your time. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — The opposition will have trouble keeping up with you if you take action and follow through on the ideas that you've been harboring. The time is right to forge ahead. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Make deals or form partner- ships that will improve your fi- nancial position or status. Solid long-term investments will help add more stability to your life and future. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You will make new friends and connect with influential people if you get involved in ed- ucational or business pursuits. Sign up for seminars that offer networking opportunities. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — If your skills are not being put to the best use, consider work- ing for yourself or applying for higher positions. The activities that inspire you the most will improve your financial position. Horoscope By Eugenia Last TUESDAY, MARCH 31 TUESDAY,MARCH31,2015 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 3 B