Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/714066
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman THEDUPLEX GlennMcCoy ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Iamcur- rently dating/living with my boyfriend of three years. He has a daugh- ter (9 years old) from a previous marriage that we have with us every other weekend. My boyfriend's ex- wife has a son (age 14) from a previ- ous relation- ship, whom my boy- friend will occasion- ally refer to as his "stepson," although for as long as we have been together he has never spent any time with him, nor had any con- tact with him, with the exception of occasionally seeing the "stepson" when he drops off/picks up his daughter. We have a vacation coming up, and my boy- friend's daughter invited her brother (the "step- son") to go without our permission. My boyfriend seems comfortable with the "stepson" going, but I'm not comfortable with it. To me the past should stay in the past, and there is no reason to try and co-mingle families (with the exception of my boy- friend's daughter). I should also mention that my boyfriend and his ex-wife were only togeth- er for three years. What are your thoughts on this? Am I overreacting? —Torn DEAR TORN » I don't know if you are overreact- ing, but you are definit- ely guilty of over- punctuating. Your insistence on referring to your guy's stepson as a "stepson" — as if this is debatable — is revealing. Your boyfriend was married to the boy's mother, correct? Then the boy is the man's stepson. I know many, many stepparents who stay close to their stepchild- r e n a f te r th e ma rr ia ge has ended. This is ideal but not always possible, especially if the steppar- ent's next partner has firm feelings about the "past staying in the past," and not "co-mingling families." Your guy's daughter shouldn't have invited this teen on your vaca- tion, but — she's 9. He's her brother. She probably made some assumptions about what constitutes a "family vaca- tion" that simply don't seem to apply in this case. If this teen lives with his sister and their mother, then he is in the girl's life 10 times more often than you are. It would be great if your guy spent more time with him than just waving across the driveway. A 9-year-old shouldn't be making final choices about your vacation, but you should talk with your partner about it privately and decide between you what to do. If you two choose not to include the boy, you can explain it like this: "We're not going to include him this time, but you've remind- ed me that I don't know him that well. Maybe he would like to hang out with us sometime on one of the weekends you're here. Would you like that?" Girlfriend wonders about a 'stepson' family relationship 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 Leo(July23-Aug.22)— You will feel able to pamper yourself without guilt once you have taken care of your responsibilities. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Speak up. You may not like the response you get, but it will help you put things in perspective. If someone is being pushy or forceful with you, back away. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Don't rely on others to take on your responsibilities. Expect to be questioned if you aren't forthcoming about your inten- tions and motives. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Make choices that will encourage a happy home life. Getting along with the people you deal with regularly will enhance your life. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Avoid emotional situa- tions. Don't let anyone back you into a corner. Walk away from anyone putting pressure on you or trying to coax you into doing something that doesn't feel right. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — You will have a bird's-eye view of a situation that could help or hinder your plans. Use this opportunity to maneuver your way to success. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Don't lose sight of the things in life that make you happy. Regroup and set your priorities straight. Where there is a will, there is a way. Use your imagi- nation and experiment. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Keep your emotions under control. If you are too verbal or aggressive, you will end up be- ing isolated. If you want to get ahead, you'll have to be a team player. Aries (March 21-April 19) — You'll gain valuable information if you discuss your financial, legal or medical concerns with an expert. It's best to know your rights before stepping into battle. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Share your thoughts with people who can contribute to your plans. Don't offer too much in return. Size up your situa- tion, delegate tasks and stay in control. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Limitations and frustration will set in if you give some- one the benefit of the doubt. Don't believe everything you hear. You are best off playing it safe. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Move forward with confidence. Trust in your ideas and bring about subtle changes that will position you for a brighter future at home and work. Horoscope By Eugenia Last THURSDAY, AUG. 11 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016 4 B