LITTLE ROCK — DEAR HELOISE: When I’m having a dinner party, some of the guests invariably ask, “What can I do to help?” I’ve found that it’s good to take them up on the offer. I have small tasks listed on sticky notes and have thenotes attached to a cupboard door. Those offering to help can choose wh a t t h ey ’d like to do. They pull the note off the cupboard, complete the task and throw away the note.
Here are some examples:
Put ice in the water glasses.
Pour water into glasses.
Put rolls in the oven and watch them.
Open the wine.
Place butter on table.
The possibilities are endless. The hostess is sure the details aren’t forgotten, and those offering to help really do help.
- Peggy D., via e-mail
DEAR READER: We love this hint. I brought it back from my recent trip to Naples, Fla., where I spoke to a lovely group of women at the Friends of the Salvation Army Bonita Springs/Estero Annual Winter Luncheon.
One message from my speech was that everyone has a skill or talent that charities need, so call around, the right charity is waiting.
DEAR HELOISE: Here is the greatest gift that you can give people in a nursing home: Plan a weekly or occasional visit to the home. You need not know even one resident. Go from room to room with a smile and say “Hello” to each patient as though each were the one you came to visit. All you need to take is your smile. The vast majority of nursing-home patients are the forgotten ones.
- Arlene S., Tamarac, Fla.
DEAR READER: This is a very nice thought, and you are right, it can make a tremendous difference in someone’s life. However, most nursing homes and assistedliving facilities require you to sign in and note who you are visiting. If you checked with the staff first, they would probably welcome a friendly visit.
DEAR HELOISE: When my son left for college, knowing that laundry would be hard enough for him to take care of, I couldn’t imagine what would happen with his towels. I bought navy towels to match his jeans and told him this would take the guesswork out of washing these two items.
- Judy K. in Ohio Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or e-mail
Weekend, Pages 32 on 03/29/2012