Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/545955
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman PHOEBEANDHERUNICORN DanaSimpson ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Myfiance is wonderful, but I feel I said "yes" to marriage, when sometimes it feels like a "no." I don't feel a sense of intimacy — he communi- cates on one level and I'd like to experience it on another. Also, I don't have as much of a sexual appe- tite as I used to. I dread having sex sometimes. I am scared of calling off what is a really good thing, but I am also scared of settling for something that doesn't provide me a deeper feel- ing of being "home." Do you believe inti- macy, sexual and expe- riential, can grow after more than two years of being together? Maybe I just need to work on my- self and things between us will improve? —RealistorRomantic DEAR REALIST » I do believe that intimacy can (and should) grow after years together. But marriage does not automatically confer a state of grace whereby these qualities magically appear. You alone cannot make your marriage work for a lifetime. If you are scared of "settling," then you must not settle. What lies behind your doubts? A counselor can help you to decode what is going on and after you gain some insight you must choose to act. You will be doing your fiance a disservice by trying to power through this. DEAR AMY » My colleague is getting married in February 2016. She's very excited about it. Last January, she invit- ed me to her bachelorette party — a full two nights/ three days out of town. I was flattered that she asked since we don't hang out often, and said yes, but I was just put on the spot and didn't want to hurt her feelings. A few days later she asked me if I would pay a $40 dep osit o n the e vent. I did so, to buy some time. This week, I got an email from her maid of honor with a payment plan of installments, $60 at the end of every month until Christmas. First of all, it's too much money for me, especially for something I have no interest in. I HATE bachelorette par- ties. I don't drink, and I don't know anyone else in the group. I'm a homebody. The thought of spending the week- end away with a rowdy group of drunken women doesn't appeal to me. The event is so far in the future that I'm having trouble coming up with a plan to get out of it. Do I tell her the truth? — Helpless Homebody DEAR HELPLESS » First of all — whoa. This isn't a party, it's a festival. I don't blame you for trying to escape it. Don't overthink this, and get ahead of it now. Say to your colleague: "I'm very flattered to be invited to your bachelor- ette party but as the time gets closer I can tell that this is something I'm not going to be able to do. Please keep the $40 deposit and put it toward the expenses for the group. I know you'll have a blast." Woman has second thoughts about agreeing to marriage 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 Leo(July23-Aug.22)— Your home environment will face trouble due to someone's unexpected poor behavior. Get out with old friends and concen- trate on having a good time. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Not everyone will share your vision. Rather than try to push your point, back off and let mat- ters settle. You will win out in the end if you are patient. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Don't allow anyone to treat you badly. Being with someone who is short-tempered will put a damper on your day. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Being precise and clear about what you want and what you expect will bring you the results you are after. Finish off last- minute details. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Take great pride in doing things that will help others. When you need assis- tance, you will be able to call in favors. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Your moneymaking ideas may interest you, but don't bore oth- ers with the details. Separate your work from your personal life to avoid a rift with someone you deem special. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Stubbornness will be your downfall. Don't hide your true feelings. Avoid dishonesty and let others know what is going on with you. The response you get will be surprising. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Make changes to your lifestyle. There are a lot of adjustments you can put into play that won't blow the budget. Money is coming your way from an unexpected source. Aries (March 21-April 19) — A change in your personal status is apparent. Others may be speculating about your ideas, but keep them under wraps for the time being. Money is in the stars. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Love is in a high cycle. You will be asked to mediate a friend's conflict. Avoid placing blame or taking sides, and do what you can to open the lines of communication. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — A former flame will resurface. There are lots of changes going on around you, so just go with the flow and make adjustments that won't jeopardize what's important to you. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Younger family members or friends will need your help. Be patient and attentively listen to others' concerns. Lecturing or complaining will cause you to lose touch or be left out. Horoscope By Eugenia Last FRIDAY, JULY 24 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015 4 B