Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/811830
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman THEDUPLEX GlennMcCoy ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Iammarried to a beautiful woman who is pregnant with our second child. Over eight years of marriage, our ability to communicate has deteriorated. We are opposites. I am the driven worka- holic, and she prefers the house- wife role. I've always encour- aged her to pursue something beyond that, but to no avail. All of our problems began early in our relationship when she revealed a problem with jealousy. She could not even stomach watching a lingerie commercial with me sitting beside her. I don't have a jealous bone in my body. She has got- ten better over the years, but I feel like the fighting killed my passion for her. I almost left my wife. I told her that we had no future together and offered her any and all support she would need. When I found out she was pregnant, we changed our plan. I love this woman. But I feel like being with her is a second job. I don't find joy, I find anxiety and the desire to escape. I feel like I rush to sleep every night in hopes that a new day will bring something better, but all I see is my life passing by. I know I fathered two children and it is my responsibility to be there for them. I would gladly take custody of them. I'm just afraid that if I continue like this, my children will grow up with a father who is an empty shell. My wife loves me. She does not want to give up. What should I do? —ReadytoFlee DEAR READY » If your abil- ity to communicate has deteriorated over time, this means that it can improve. Because of the high-stakes nature of your situation, you should try. I assume you enjoyed your wife's temperament at one time, but now you would like her to change. You also don't seem to have the capacity to imag- ine how she is feeling. She is pregnant and caring for a child. She also has an uncommuni- cative partner. I'd imag- ine she's frustrated too. Guess what? Some- times it takes a heroic ef- fort to be in a functioning family. The b est way to be a great father to your son is to figure out how to love his mother. Hoping that a solution will come to you in your sleep is not going to resolve issues. You sound depressed, but it's time to engage instead of shutting down. You and your wife should read, "Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples, 20th Anniversary Edition," by Harville Hendrix (2007, Henry Holt & Co). A couples counselor could help you to communicate and possibly stay together — or part peacefully. DEAR READERS » Some- times people who dispense advice run out of answers. If you've ever been curious about the life behind my advice, read my new book, "Strangers Tend to Tell Me Things: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Coming Home" (2017, Hachette). Checked-out husband wants out of his eight-year marriage You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson. 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 Aries(March21-April19) — You've got what it takes to make a difference. Do whatever is necessary to ensure that you reach your goals. Take care of personal business. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Someone will withhold personal information that could mislead you. Don't donate your money unless you have all the neces- sary information. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Emotional deception and disil- lusionment are apparent. You'll have to sort the negatives and positives, and eliminate what isn't working for you. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Take a step back and consider the source of any information you are given. Deception will lead to an unfortunate mistake. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Don't do what works for some- one else. Fine-tune your life to suit your needs. Be the driving force of your own life in order to gain success. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — You will misinterpret or mis- judge what someone is trying to convey. Don't let this turn into a major problem that could affect domestic changes you are trying to bring about. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Check out travel possibilities or get together with someone you find entertaining and inspiring. You will gain knowledge and confidence if you observe how others manage to get things done. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Don't share personal informa- tion with just anyone. Getting together with someone who shares your views will encour- age you to establish a support system that will help you both. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Don't rely on anyone but yourself to fulfill responsi- bilities that have been assigned to you. Make sure your motives are virtuous if you want good results. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Someone will feed you false information and play on your sympathy as he or she tries to guilt you into offering help. Devote your time wisely and avoid loss. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Telling the truth will make a difference to the outcome of a situation concerning money or contractual promises. Make your position clear and avoid being misinterpreted by someone try- ing to undermine you. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Keep an open mind if you get wind of information that is confusing. Bide your time and wait until you have all the facts before you make a move. Horoscope By Eugenia Last SATURDAY, APRIL 15 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2017 6 B