Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/571555
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman PHOEBEANDHERUNICORN DanaSimpson ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Iamacon- tracted legal assistant for an attorney who never pays me on time. I have worked for her par t tim e for over 10 years, and the contract SHE drafted states that I turn in my hours from the previous month on the first of each month and she will pay me by the fifth. Typically she says, "I'll leave a check for you," and then she doesn't. Some- times I won't be paid until the 10th. If I remind her that she's supposed to pay me by the fifth, she will get snippy. She is not always easy to work with. I continue to work for her because I love the job and the schedule allows me to volunteer at my children's school. I haven't had a raise in eight years, receive no health insurance, no COLA, no paid vaca- tion and, because I am a contract worker, I pay my own taxes. My husband's job pro- vides health insurance. Even though he makes a decent living, this is money that I have earned. When she doesn't pay me in a timely fashion, I feel like I am not a valued em- ployee, and I would like to tell her that when she doesn't pay me on time, it makes me feel that way. My husband says I shouldn't address it. —Waitingforthe Dough DEAR WAITING » Y our boss's excuses are unac- ceptable. She could very easily pay you with one click from her bank's website. You should suggest au- tomatic online bill paying. The best response, however, is for you to stop waiting for your checks and stop discuss- ing this with her. Parlay your extensive experience into getting a new legal assistant job with another attorney who respects people — and contracts. Everything you report about your boss — the lack of a raise, the lack of payment and her attitude toward you — reflects her lack of respect for you. Document everything. DEAR AMY » My boyfriend and I have been together for three years. I am 24 and he is 27. We have enjoyable careers and own our home. We have had a number of friends get engaged within the last year. Almost all of these cou- ples feel that because they are engaged, we should be engaged too. Every time I am with any of them, they ask when we are getting married, when he is buy- ing me a ring, etc. Neither of us is in a rush to be married. Our lifestyle is very different than that of our engaged friends. We can still do all the things we want to do without signing a mar- riage certificate. What do I say to these people to get them to stop asking? I don't feel I owe them a huge explanation. I just want something that may stop the repetition. — Wondering DEAR WONDERING » How about saying with a sigh, "Please stop asking me about this. If we ever get engaged, you'll be the first to know." Legal assistant has legitimate gripe about her paycheck You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribpub.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 Virgo(Aug.23-Sept.22)— If your budget is shrinking, you'll have to concentrate on increas- ing your income or freeing up some cash. Working overtime will solve your problem. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Inject some excitement into your itinerary. Facing new chal- lenges will put you in contact with people who have similar tastes and desires. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Keep your opinions to yourself. Trying to mediate a quarrel between friends or neighbors will have negative repercussions. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Be assertive. Unless you showcase your talent or express your interests and ideas, you won't generate any help. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Don't mix business with pleasure. Before you take ac- tion, make sure you have the applicable information. Taking action based on false premises will cause a setback. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — In your rush to complete a project, you will neglect an important detail or step neces- sary for success. Double-check your efforts in order to ease your stress. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Stick to the facts. Getting locked in emotional battles will not help your cause. De- cide if you want to call the shots or follow someone else's lead. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Love is on the rise, and so is the possibility of a conflict of interest. Carefully pick and choose what you do and say to avoid sending the wrong signal. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Don't leave yourself defense- less. One of your opponents may be trying to derail your plans. Consider the motives of anyone who is pressing you for informa- tion regarding your plans. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Devote yourself to your career plans. If you have unresolved issues in your personal life, keep them separate from your work life. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — The same tried-and-true meth- ods that have been successful in the past have relevance to the issues you are facing now. A change of scenery will provide a spark in your romantic relationship. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Stop taking things too seriously. Get out and have some fun with friends, family members or col- leagues. A few good laughs will brighten your mood and improve your relationships. Horoscope By Eugenia Last WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 16 WEDNESDAY,SEPTEMBER16,2015 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 3 B