HELOISE Letters were source of wonderful memories

Dear Heloise: When I was a new mom, we lived quite a distance from my parents. I wrote to them through the years, telling them of all the wonderful things our children were doing while growing up. I sent them photos and tapes of the children singing, especially on their birthdays.
I was thrilled that when the children grew up, my mother gave me all of the letters and tapes she had saved to give to our children. It was the best gift we could have ever received from her -- it was better than any diary I could have written through the years.
Thanks, Mom! Alicia L., Omaha, Neb.
What a day-brightener! I try to save all of the Christmas cards that include a family photo. It's so much fun to see the changes through the years. Heloise
Fast facts: Do you have a lot of wicker baskets just stored in closets because you don't know what to do with them? Here are a few reasons to dust them off and use them again:
U Put one on the bathroom counter to hold soaps, hand towels, washcloths, etc.
U Put a small one on the kitchen table to hold napkins.
U Large baskets are perfect in children's rooms to store toys -- the baskets can fit under a crib.
U During the holidays, they make decorative holders for pretty Christmas ornaments.
U A wicker basket makes a great puppy bed - just add a cushion.
Dear Heloise: My method of conserving water is to place a thoroughly rinsed large plastic jug (liquid laundry detergent, etc.) on the end of the bathtub. I fill this jug with cold water before it gets warm enough to shower with.
Then I pour this in the flower bed outside my kitchen door. This doesn't lower my water bill, but it makes me feel that I am doing my part to conserve water. Mary, Dallas
Dear Heloise: If you're building a new home, have your cabinetmaker save the cutouts (from the countertop you've chosen) from your double-wide kitchen sink.
I have found that these countertop pieces come in so handy in many different ways. Place them near your sink for an extra cutting board. Pat, Madison, Ala.
Dear Heloise: Instead of buying the more expensive trash bags with elastic to hold them around the lip of the kitchen trash can, I cut and tie a strip of sewing elastic to serve the same purpose. It is used over and over again. Barbara Sweeney, Statesville, N.C.
Dear Heloise: Recently, when I was on a cruise, we attended a Broadway-type show every evening. Before the show started, we were told that seats cannot be saved, but there were people saving rows of seats for their friends and turning away others who couldn't find any.
Next time, I'm going straight to the people in charge and have them admonish anyone holding rows of seats to give them up. A Reader, Via E-mail
King Features Syndicate