DEAR READERS: My mother, the original Heloise (1919-1977), was every housekeeper's helper, friend and cheerleader. She really championed her "housewifes" as she called her readers, because yes, they were housewives back then. She tried to tell her readers that there is more to life than just housework. But don't forget: cleaning, laundry and dusting go on and on and on.
She also would say that maintaining a schedule is important to running a household, but don't worry if you fall behind a day or two. You always can catch up. Life is too short to worry about all the little what-ifs and what-would-have-beens. Sound advice, I'd say.
Today, the entire family should be involved in caring for your home. But, as she would say, be yourself and do only what your energy allows for that day.
P.S. Dust will always be there but your family may not.
DEAR HELOISE: This hint has always helped me put on the right amount of perfume. I dab a tiny bit of unscented body lotion or baby oil on my wrist and behind my ears, and then spray those areas with the scent. The fragrance lasts longer this way.
-- Tina C., Nashville, Tenn.
DEAR READER: Thanks for the reminder. If you can smell your fragrance, then you probably have put on too much. Heloise hint: Don't spray the scent in the air, then walk through it because you only get perfume on your clothes that way.
DEAR HELOISE: We try to compost as much as we can -- yard clippings, vegetable trimmings, eggshells, coffee grounds and even torn-up newspapers (no meat or fat).
For a small compost pile, we use a bin to keep critters out. Sprinkling the compost with water encourages breakdown of the materials.
We share this with our grandchildren when they come to visit. When the compost has been there for a few weeks, it gets hot inside the pile. I have the little ones put their hands over the compost to feel the heat. This means it's time to turn the compost and add air to it.
-- Chuck and Esther,
Round Rock, Texas
DEAR READERS: Who wants a smashed finger? A classic Heloise hint: To keep a nail upright, hold it between the teeth of a comb while hammering.
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
HomeStyle on 03/25/2017