DEAR HELOISE: Before I put a screw anchor in the wall, I add a little glue to it. Then I put the anchor in the drywall and the screw in. The glue helps the whole thing be a little more secure.
-- D.B., Stamps
DEAR READERS: Here is this week's Sound Off, about cluttered television screens:
"My Sound Off is cluttered-up TV screens. Why do stations run messages across the bottom of the screen, such as forthcoming shows, viewer comments, etc.? If it is not a national disaster, I don't want to know about it. Also, the station logo runs continuously in the corner, as though I don't know what channel I'm watching. I have missed things that were important to the program I was watching (such as quiz-show answers). Does this annoy others as well?"
-- Gloria R., Highland, Ind.
Yes, it does! I understand the need for some of it, but unfortunately, it's the way things are now. My hint? I "record" the show and watch it a few minutes "behind" the live broadcast so I can dismiss that stuff and go back if I missed something.
DEAR READERS: A few Heloise hints to fix clothing in an emergency:
• A stapler can fix a hem or seam that comes undone.
• Safety pins can pin buttons back on or close a small hole.
• Use a rubber band looped through buttonholes to extend a waistband.
• Clear nail polish on snagged panty hose will keep it from running more.
DEAR HELOISE: I enjoy watching the robins take their bath every day, but they really muddy up the water. I find that the best thing to use to scrub out the birdbath every day is an old toilet brush. Then the water is clean, and I can watch the birds have their drink.
-- Irene in Glendive, Mont.
DEAR READER: This is a great hint to keep the birdbath clean, which is important. Please be sure that the brush is absolutely clean of any cleaning products. To give the birdbath a little deeper clean, try sprinkling some baking soda in it, and add a little water. Scrub with the brush and rinse very well. Do this once or twice a week, and you will have a sparkling birdbath. Baking soda is a wonderful, nontoxic product that can be used in many ways. When doing any work outdoors, sprinkle a little baking soda on your feet before putting your socks and shoes on to keep them fresh.
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email
Heloise@Heloise.com
ActiveStyle on 07/07/2014