HELOISE With some forethought, you can remember special occasions

Dear Readers: The friends in our lives are incredibly special. Sometimes our schedules are so hectic that we might forget special dates such as birthdays or anniversaries. To prevent this from happening, here are some hints to help you stay in touch with the special people in your life:
UAt the beginning of the year, write all the birthdays, etc., you need to remember on a calendar. Then check the calendar on the first of each month.
UPurchase your greeting cards for the month at one time. Write a note or greeting, then address and stamp them so they are ready to go. No more last-minute rush.
UBuy greeting or blank cards you like whenever you see them. Store them in your desk drawer, so you'll have one for whatever event or celebration.
UGet postcards in a pack and put them in the bag you carry around. Stamp them in advance. You can write short notes to friends while you are waiting at the salon or doctor's office.
UCall friends when you have a moment or two. Remember, the phone works both ways. Don't wait for them to call. Friends are too precious to ignore. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Sometimes when I'm traveling, I forget to bring my shoehorn. Not always a problem, but when I'm wearing expensive shoes that fit well, I'm reluctant to break down the backs of my shoes.
It turns out that the plastic "do not disturb" door hangers that most hotels and motels use work perfectly as a shoehorn. Just curl the sign to fit in your shoe and slide your foot in. No door hanger? Try a credit card, or, if you are afraid you might damage it, a frequent-flier card, etc., also works. Norm McMullen, Katy, Texas
Dear Heloise: I used to walk around the bed two or three times to get the top sheet even on both sides. Then I made a small mark on the center of my headboard above the mattress. Next, I folded the top sheet in half, pressed it in the middle and sewed a very tiny pleat. All I have to do now is align the pleat with the mark on the headboard, pull it straight down, and voil & aacute;, it hangs perfectly on both sides. No more guessing or walking around checking the sides. E. Frechette, via e-mail
Dear Heloise: After the long boxes that held a 12-pack of pop are empty, they make good disposable wastebaskets for my laundry, office and sewing rooms. Eva Segar, Hamilton, Mo.
Sound off
Dear Heloise: I'd like to see the paper companies that make toilet paper put their name on the roll inside the paper. With all the cheaper, multipack toilet papers, it would be nice to see who made it and know what to buy again if you know the manufacturer! Some of them are OK, but some are not so good. Marthajane Kirby, Saranac, Mich.
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate