HELOISE Let experts do the work

Dear Heloise: Here's a suggestion for assembling a computer desk: At many places, an employee of the store will assemble it for you, especially at larger stores where 30 to 40 pieces of assembled furniture are already on the showroom floor.
Someone assembled that furniture and is very knowledgeable about the assembly. Some stores will charge $10 to $25, and some stores will do it for free.
I had the experience of assembling a desk, and it was a disaster. I couldn't do it, packed it all up, took it back to the store and got my money back. Next time, I'll ask an employee with experience and expertise to do it. It will save me time, energy and my nerves. Ted Allebach from Arkansas
Ted, have you been reading my mind? My husband and I recently bought a complete small-office set, and the first words out of David's mouth were: "I am not going to put it together. I've been there and do not want to go there again" -- and this from a man who can build anything. Your advice is well-taken.
We also got a letter from Phyllis I. Doty of Minneapolis. She said: "My daughter and I have done a lot of furniture assembling and consider ourselves very much the experts. When you get everything out of the carton, get an ice-cube tray or an empty egg carton and sort all of the hardware into that. You can count all the pieces and make sure you have everything before you start. Also, nothing rolls away or gets lost." Heloise
Dear Heloise: On a recent trip to England, I had room to pack an empty carry-on bag for "just in case" extra bring-home items.
It worked out well, as I had made a few souvenir purchases that I didn't have room for in my luggage. I was able to use that extra bag as a carry-on for the plane trip home. Donna, Springfield
Dear Heloise: My hint is very low-tech: After filling a cup of soda pop from a fountain machine, stick the straw through the cup top before putting the top on the drink. This prevents the soda from bubbling around the hole if you have to push the straw hard because the perforations for the straw don't give. This makes for no mess. Lucille, via e-mail
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