HELOISE Suggestions reduce problems with processing pictures

Dear Heloise: Just a comment on the letter from the reader who was living out of the country for two years and had all her photos lost when she sent them in for processing. I am a semiprofessional photographer, and from experience, I would make the following recommendations:
UWhy would you save rolls of exposed film for two years? She should have had them developed a few at a time. Possibly the film was no longer good by the time she sent it in.
UYou should never send all your photos from a vacation, wedding, etc., in at the same time. If there is a problem at the developer, you at least haven't lost all of your pictures. Another choice: Send half of them to a different developer.
UPutting a label on the canister of film does very little good, because the first thing that is done to a roll of film is to remove it from the canister.
I do hope these suggestions will help your readers. It is very disappointing to lose anticipated photos. Audrey Hildebrand, Leaf River, Ill.
Audrey, thanks so much for sending in these great film hints. Photos can be a real treasure. The companies that put the photos on a CD are great, too! Heloise
Fast facts
Dear Heloise: I have found that a cigar box is handy for a multitude of things. Here are some of my ideas:
UKeep craft supplies in it.
UKeep thread bobbins in it.
UUse as a button box.
UUse to store crochet hooks, tapestry needles, etc. Barb P., Schertz, Texas
If you don't have a cigar box, you can check with neighborhood stores and ask them to save a couple for you. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Once you have removed a bumper sticker, you can remove the remaining glue stuck to your car using either a commercial product or just about any kind of cooking oil, like vegetable or even olive. No need for scrubbing -- just work the oil across the glue with your finger, and it loosens and comes off. Then just light soap and water removes the oil. Christi in Canada
And here's a comment on bumper-sticker removal from Sharon Shipley of Fort Myers, Fla.:
"For easy removal, use aerosol lubricating oil. Spray on, wait a few minutes and wipe off. It will take the sticker and the residue off. Be sure the oil has a chance to penetrate the glue."
Sound off
Dear Heloise: I'm sick of my husband yelling at other cars, the television and the radio. Doesn't he realize they can't hear him? I hope he can hear me now and stops this annoying habit! R.P. in Texas
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate