Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/614502
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman PHOEBEANDHERUNICORN DanaSimpson ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Mymother- in-law recently passed away. In my opinion, she was a hoarder. She would buy things just because they were on sale or because she liked them, even though she didn't have the money or room to store the items. Her kids threw away a lot and divided the rest after her death. My husband brought home a lot of her stuff, and it occupies the walls of our sun room. The stuff is a complete mess (a pile of junk, in my opinion). I am a stay-at-home mom and I look at this stuff all day long. I am frustrated that it has been sitting there for over five months and he hasn't touched a thing. He works full time. He doesn't have to look at it all day, and the few hours that he is home with our kids at night, he wants to spend with them and not cleaning up. My husband is some- what like his mother. His garage is full of stuff. He cleans it only once a year. Unfortunately there is no room in the garage to put all of his mother's stuff. I hate living with all this junk sitting around. Much of what is here is sentimental to him and he plans to keep every- thing, which we don't have room for. Should I be more sympathetic, or demand a cleanup? He says he will get to it eventually. —SurroundedbyJunk DEAR SURROUNDED » You should start "organizing" this on your own. Sepa- rate the possessions into categories and put things into labeled bins. Keep some smaller keepsakes out so your husband can see them. People irrationally at- tach feelings to all sorts of objects. Your husband is grieving and it is impor- tant for you to recognize his feelings and to be re- spectful. If you take steps that are helpful, rather than punitive, it might help him cope with the prospect of dealing with these things himself. DEAR AMY » Several months ago I sent my 32-year-old grandson a check for $5,000 as a wedding gift. I have heard nothing from him since, although he deposited my check right after receiving it. I have been informed that the new protocol is that a newly married couple have one year to acknowledge wedding gifts. Is this correct? — Patient in Pittsburgh DEAR PATIENT » Gulp. What an extremely generous gift! There is no protocol stating that people have up to a year to thank people — though many people seem to take a year and then stretch it. Judging from the letters sent to me, the lack of acknowledgment of gifts is widespread. If a groom receives $5,000 as a gift from his grandma, the protocol should be: an immedi- ate phone call when the envelope is opened, a note signed by both bride and groom, and flowers sent to you for the rest of your life. Husband deals with his loss by taking in mother's stuff 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) — Keep everyone guessing until you are fully prepared to share your position or opinion or the details of a project. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — If you want to share, do so in an expressive and entertaining manner. It's how you present what you believe or do that will capture your audience. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Look for the best way to bring about positive change, and make it happen. Don't exhaust yourself because you are too proud to ask for help. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Prepare for the year's end by ensuring that all your personal papers are in order. Money or a gift will come to you from an unexpected source. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Taking a trip or signing up for a retreat, educational course or anything that will broaden your outlook or enlighten you will lead to a positive and welcome change. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Take a close look at your situation and figure out what is doable and what isn't. As long as you take a practical approach to whatever you do, success will follow. Romance is encouraged. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — A make-it-or-break-it situation will arise between you and someone you have shared personal information with. Be careful what you say and how you handle others. Diplomacy will be required. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Size up your situation and speak out about how you see things unfolding. Your progressive ac- tion will attract attention and enhance a personal relationship. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Your go-getting attitude will inspire those around you to pitch in and help. Plan a small trip with a special someone. A shopping trip will lead to some great buys. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Listen to complaints instead of making them. Keeping a steady, consistent attitude will help you cope with the unpredict- able nature of those around you. Common sense and caution are favored. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — You are best off keeping moving until you are satisfied that you have everything in its place. Idle time will lead to conflicts, mishaps and setbacks. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Let your imagination run wild. Engage in activities and events that encourage you to try new things, and gain depth through the experience you encounter. Romance is on the rise. Horoscope By Eugenia Last FRIDAY, DEC. 11 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015 8 B