Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/598320
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman PHOEBEANDHERUNICORN DanaSimpson ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Mydaughter has a group of girlfriends I don't particularly care for, but I try to stay out of it and work with her on values to gently move her away from this group. My problem is that the parents of these friends keep asking me to go out with them. I'm sure they may be trying to be nice, but I have been out with them a couple of times, and I don't enjoy it at all. They are gossipy, listen to only one side of a situ- ation and believe it, are impressed by people who have and wear expensive things and need you to agree with their political views, which they have no problem voicing. I don't want to be a snob, but it feels like high school all over again! Some of the kids in the group seem to be a lot like their parents. Obviously mine is too (or is a follower), which is why I have work to do with her. I keep coming up with excuses not to participate, and I can tell one mother is ticked at me. I want to know what to do until I can get my daughter to move away from these girls and to a more genu- ine friendship group. If I point-blank tell her she can't hang with them, or if my lack of participation gets her thrown out of the group, I know she will be very upset with me. —SickofHighSchool DEAR SICK » You don't say how old your daughter is, but one lesson for you to convey to her is that — although family members influence one another — you don't choose her friends. She does. And she needs to choose wisely. But she doesn't choose your friends either. You obviously have a low opinion of these girls and their parents, but you should do your best to continue to be polite towa rd p eopl e w ho are making a real effort to get to know you. You are not obligated to spend time with them, how- ever. Be honest with your daughter about your own choices. If this upsets her, talk about it. If the mean girls retaliate and toss your daughter from the group, then you will both see the reality of this sort of high- stakes socializing. Author Rosalind Wise- man (literally) wrote the book on this dynamic: Read "Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and the New Realities of Girl World" (2009, Harmony). DEAR AMY » "Sad Wife" wrote to you about infidelity. A sentence of hers jumped out at me: "We are approaching retire- ment age, so neither of us has a lot of time to re- build a life with someone else." I believe this is utter nonsense. There is no expiration date on find- ing a partner. As long as she thinks this way, she is limiting her options. She needs to change her attitude. — Optimism Inc. DEAR OPTIMISM » I com- pletely agree. Mom doesn't want to wade through 'mean girl' waters 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 Scorpio(Oct.24-Nov.22) — An outdoor hike or sightsee- ing adventure will get you back in touch with nature and it won't stretch your budget. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Being diligent about your work habits will bring favorable results and comments from your colleagues and employer. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Make sure your loved ones know they are important to you by reserving some qual- ity time free from professional distractions. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Lucrative rewards are in store if you can present your ideas in a favorable light to the right audience. You will outwit the competition if you research your topic carefully. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — An impulsive decision will be your downfall. Reconsider any investment or banking notions until you have all the facts re- quired to make a good decision. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Don't let critics prevent you from making a good impression. Put your best foot forward and have faith in your abilities. Avoid exaggerating or making prom- ises you cannot keep. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Participate in activi- ties that hold special meaning for you. Sports or intellectual challenges will be invigorating. Spending time with the younger generation will give you a new perspective. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Play host to friends and neighbors and you will find out what is going on in your com- munity as well as make mutually rewarding connections. Don't overspend. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Don't let anyone compel you to spend time or money. Learn to identify those who are sincere and those who are just out to take advantage of you or use you to get ahead. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — A creative outlet will lead to new friendships. Joining a theater group, art class or cultural club will lead to contact with inter- esting individuals. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Be prepared to defend yourself if someone makes unreasonable demands or accusations. Hold your ground. As long as you have been playing by the rules, you have nothing to fear. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Unforeseen household expenses will eat into your savings. Be cautious when performing delicate tasks or working with machinery. You are likely to en- counter someone who has hurt you in the past. Horoscope By Eugenia Last SATURDAY, NOV. 7 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2015 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 5 B