DEAR READERS: Today is Thanksgiving Day. Traditionally held after the harvest season, it's a time to reflect on everything we have to be grateful for.
I hope this day brings you peace, joy and a sense of contentment, and that you can enjoy the time with food, family, friends and football!
DEAR HELOISE: A hint I use to organize myself while shopping for Christmas presents is to use a red or green envelope to hold my shopping list and all my gift receipts in my purse. This keeps them all together and easy to access while out shopping and exchanging.
-- Dawn W., via email
DEAR READER: I love the holiday colors!
DEAR HELOISE: Recently, I had a problem with gray water in my washing machine. I used a generous amount of soap for my laundry and found out I was using too much soap! The result was a buildup of dingy residue on my clothes and towels. I'm very careful now to make certain this doesn't happen again, but do you have any suggestions on how to get the residue out of my towels without bleach?
-- Jeannette B., Texas
DEAR READER: Jeannette, yes! I use an old standby, vinegar! Just 1 cup of white vinegar added to the rinse water not only makes laundry soft and odor-free, it also helps to eliminate soapy buildup. It might take a couple of washings with white vinegar, but it's worth the time and effort.
DEAR HELOISE: Do you have a problem with the roof of your house and have to rely on a contractor? Have the contractor take pictures using a cellphone and show them to you. A contractor should have a smartphone and the ability to do that. The photo can even be emailed to you so you can enlarge it.
-- Marcie M., via email
DEAR HELOISE: Several years ago, my cousins and I came up with the idea to send each other pictures of Christmas gifts, rather than actual gifts. It's fun! We don't need more stuff, and shopping has become more difficult as we have gotten older.
We don't have to worry about the right size or color, we don't have to be practical, and we don't have to stand in line at the post office. No one feels bad if the gift is not quite right, and money is no object!
-- Barbara D., via email
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
Weekend on 11/23/2017