DEAR READERS: Here is this week's Sound Off, about lighting in hotel bathrooms:
"I travel frequently and find that most hotels have terrible lighting over the bathroom sinks. It makes it very difficult to apply makeup. How much could it cost to install a makeup mirror with some magnification? It certainly would be helpful."
-- E.H.
Have you been my shadow, in an almost dark hotel/motel bathroom?
I don't know what they were thinking ... oh, they weren't! I defy a man to try to shave, pluck a few eyebrow hairs or floss in that dark space. I've complained about this for years. I used to have to sit on the sink (yes, readers, many women do this) until my dear husband pointed out that I should check how well the counter is secured. Luckily, I never had an accident. But now I take my makeup and mirror to the window.
DEAR READERS: Other uses for plastic applesauce cups:
• Hold individual gelatin servings.
• Start seedlings.
• Hold buttons and thumbtacks.
• Scoop birdseed.
• Hold baking soda for brushing teeth.
DEAR HELOISE: My 3-year-old daughter decided to draw on a painted wall. Can you help me get the crayon off?
-- Lucy
DEAR READER: First, get a brown paper grocery bag and your iron. Set the iron on Low, hold the paper bag over the marks and carefully press until the wax comes up.
Another hint? Use a lightly damp sponge and baking soda. Gently scrub the marks until they are gone.
Baking soda to the rescue again. This is why it is one of my all-time favorites. If your daughter's stuffed toys get a little musty, just sprinkle some baking soda on them, then brush off to freshen.
DEAR HELOISE: I store matches in a small, waterproof container when I go camping. Because I didn't have a striking surface, it was hard to light the match. I put a small piece of sandpaper in the container. Now I have a striking surface but still keep my matches dry.
-- L.E.
DEAR HELOISE: I keep my kitchen towels in a drawer. I remember you always say to roll clothing when packing a suitcase, so I rolled my towels. They fit neatly, I can see them all, and it makes the drawer look more organized.
-- S.C.
DEAR HELOISE: If you are a hiker, keep an old compact disc in your backpack. It can be used in an emergency as a reflector, should you get lost or someone is injured.
-- M.M.
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 09/15/2014