Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/717186
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman THEDUPLEX GlennMcCoy ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Myboyfriend and I have been together for seven years. He is a wonderful man who has a lot of good intentions, but he is a lot of talk and not a lot of action. We moved in together after talking about it for years. We would start to look for apartments together and then he would change his mind. Finally, I was about to go away and I mentioned that while I was gone it would be a good time for him to start moving some things in. When I got home a few days later he was there and he has spent every night since then in our apartment. It was a huge step. We are both over 30. I want to start having chil- dren and become more settled. We talk about getting a house, him proposing, etc., but again it's all talk. All of his friends are married, and I am at a loss. I don't understand why he won't propose! We have talked, and fought about it, and he says that he plans for us to get married, but I am concerned that it will never happen. I love him and want to spend my life with him, but I also don't want to spend another few years waiting for him. Friends and family have told me to give him an ultimatum. Knowing his personality, this will push him away. I don't feel able to walk away. I did say that if we were not engaged by the time his youngest brother gets married (this week- end) that I would need to re-evaluate what I'm doing. He has said that he thinks he will propose by the end of the year. How can I commu- nicate this to him in a di ff e r en t w ay s o t ha t he understands? —Waiting DEAR WAITING » If you are unwilling to leave this relationship, and also can't seem to manipulate your guy into propos- ing, then your remaining option is to propose to him. You successfully got him to move in with you, and that seems to have worked out the way you wanted. I assume you fear that if you proposed, he might say that he's not ready, but surely the certainty of that can't be worse than what you're currently ex- periencing. Are you brave enough to take this risk? Be prepared that un- less he changes radically, you may have to always force him toward momen- tous life events: having children, buying a home and retirement. DEAR AMY » I was con- cerned by your answer to "Worried," about the health and welfare of her husband's 94-year-old grandmother, "Jenny." Jenny has every right to live the way she wants to live, no matter what meddling family members think. — Advocate DEAR ADVOCATE » You are right. But there are many services and resources av ai la bl e to h el p pe op le like "Jenny" live alone, but more safely. "Wor- ried" needed to try harder to find them. Woman ties herself in knots to get man to tie the knot 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)—A joint venture will sound better than it is. Don't get roped into a bad deal just because someone puts pressure on you. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Take control and call the shots. If you let someone dictate what you can and cannot do, you will not reach your goals. Stay calm and avoid emotional indulgence. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Finish what's expected of you. Work alone in order to avoid interference. Abide by the rules and watch out for someone try- ing to take control. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Socializing and doing things with the people who touch you emotionally will bring greater meaning to your life. Romance is in the stars. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Overreacting will not help matters. Keep your thoughts to yourself until you gather enough information to make a rational choice. Talks will lead to arguments. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Emotions and money don't mix. Listen to proposals or to those looking for a donation, but don't make a decision to help based on emotional manipula- tion. Be blunt. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Follow your heart when it comes to work and how you want to move forward. Not everyone will approve of what you do, but it's your life and your choice. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — You will face delays when traveling, and you will be misinterpreted if you aren't explicit in the way you express your thoughts. A compassionate gesture is your best defense. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Your emotions will be difficult to control. Take care of per- sonal, financial or legal matters. Putting a problem behind you will make it easier to focus on new beginnings. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Don't be concerned with the actions of others. Stay focused on what matters to you and how you can con- tribute to a community that makes you feel comfortable and safe. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Make changes to your living quarters or arrangements. You can make your life better if your motives are clear and you do what's best for you. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Changes at home will bring you comfort and joy. Host a party or make plans to do something with a loved one. Try something new and explore different lifestyle choices. Horoscope By Eugenia Last SATURDAY, AUG. 20 SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2016 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 5 B