Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/612741
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman PHOEBEANDHERUNICORN DanaSimpson ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Iam23and my boyfriend is 24. We have been living together for over a year. He is a wonderful boyfriend — he treats me right. We have talked about buying a house and I recently got off birth con- trol, because we feel we are ready for children. He and I hardly fight and all my friends love him. I just think that we have opposite personali- ties. I am very outgoing and he is shy and quiet. I have a strong craving to be a mother, and that's not the problem. I am the problem. Our sex life is not that great. I have talked to him about step- ping up his sexual game but have had no improve- ment. I have been sexting other men lately but I don't have it in me to physically cheat on him. I feel that I am fall- ing out of love with my boyfriend. I don't think I would be heartbroken if we broke up. Part of me wants to start a family and settle down, but an- other part of me says I'm young and in my prime and should be taking advantage of it. I am so confused. Any advice? —Conflicted DEAR CONFLICTED » You need to hop back on your birth control because you are not ready to have a child. If you think your boyfriend holds you back, wait until you have a baby on board. And — at 23 — you shouldn't have to be ready, because you are simply too young and immature to be a parent. I agree with you that you should have fun and be free. All of your actions indicate that this boy- friend — although kind — is not the guy for you. If you want to be fair to him, you should be brave enough to leave. DEAR AMY » Last January my mother passed away. I was at every doctor's appointment and chemo treatment — as well as doing the daily chores my folks needed. When my mother passed I made the ar- rangements. I have never been able to grieve, as I know that everyone carries such profound grief and I am always a shoulder to cry on. As the holidays ap- proac h I fe el sadne ss at the thought of our family without my mother. Of course I have to keep my own feelings of grief under wraps because ev- eryone else is so upset. How can I deal with this during the holidays? — Sad Daughter DEAR SAD » You took such good care of your mother. And now you need to take good care of yourself. Let it out. Allow your grief to happen. For someone like you, surrendering to your own grief is frightening. Crying with others is an intimate act, and once you do you will be giving others the opportunity to offer you comfort. Set a place for your beloved mother, but try to treat yourself as a guest of honor this year — be good and kind to yourself. Un- fortunately there are no shortcuts through grief, but it is important to feel it. Your grief will eventu- ally lead to wonderful memories. Girlfriend wants baby, might not want to keep boyfriend 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 Sagittarius(Nov.23-Dec. 21) — Use moderation in all that you do. Distance yourself from emotional melodramas. Help others, but don't make unrealis- tic promises. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — If you broaden your outlook, share your innovative ideas and step up to the plate, you should have no problem accomplishing what you set out to do. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Do your research and don't depend on others to come up with solutions. You must get your emotions under control. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Personal improvements will lift your spirits and help you gain the confidence needed to head in a direction that you only dreamed about in the past. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Save for a rainy day and do your best to put your financial affairs in order. Prepare to head into the upcoming year free from problems. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Spend time with the people you enjoy being with most. Lend a helping hand to groups in your community geared toward help- ing the elderly, abandoned pets or those in need. Your contribu- tion will be gratifying. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Don't meddle in other people's affairs. A change regarding your position may cause concern. Jump from one thing to another to ensure that you don't lose momentum financially. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Everything will work in your favor if you go about your business. Picking up items that will enhance your looks or make someone you love happy should be on your agenda. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Don't let anyone make you feel guilty. You know what's best for you, and anyone trying to curtail your freedom or your ability to advance must be put in his or her place. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Getting together with people who share the same concerns or interests will enable you to ex- plore new ventures or prospects. Anything is possible if you join forces with the right folks. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Scan the want ads or online job postings in order to discover something of interest. An ener- getic activity will help you ease stress. Accept the inevitable and keep moving forward. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Your insight is uncanny. Share your thoughts and follow through with a plan. Prepar- ing for the end of a year can be daunting if you leave everything to the last minute. Start now. Horoscope By Eugenia Last TUESDAY, DEC. 8 TUESDAY,DECEMBER8,2015 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 3 B