Going on vacation? Keep medication with you

Dear Heloise: If you are going on a trip, please be sure to take all your medications with you on your person. We went to visit a relative, planning on staying three days, and ended up staying about a week, because of the relative ending up in the hospital. We had to contact our doctor to get more medicine, and also had to work with our insurance company to get that medication paid for. It turned out to be a mess, with long-distance calls, etc.
So, never take a small supply along with you on a trip -- always take the full bottle. I understand this is definitely needed when flying. Georgia M. Elberson, Marshall, Ark.
This is good advice, particularly for people who are on "must have" medications. If you're traveling far from home, you should carry the medications in original bottles or have all of the prescription numbers and your pharmacy's telephone number handy. Heloise
And here's another hint from Georgia:
I couldn't find any wrapping paper at a local grocery store and didn't want to stop elsewhere. I live in a very small town, eight miles out in the country. When I got home, I took two brand-new, large, white dish towels and wrapped the presents in them, and finished them off with some ribbon I had on hand. They turned out very nice, and Mom will have an extra two gifts.
Dear Heloise: Please give your advice on how to dust a silk-flower centerpiece arrangement. Thank you. Lydia, via e-mail
There are a few methods to try when cleaning silk flowers. The first is to remove dust by using a blow-dryer (on cool) or a clean brush (makeup, paint, etc.). Next, put 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup table salt in a plastic or brown paper bag. Put the flowers in, stem up, hold the bag closed and give it several shakes.
You might also try giving the flowers a bath. Because most silk-type flower fabric is usually made of a nylon or a polyester and the stems are made of plastic, water shouldn't damage them. Fill a sink up with cool water and add a few drops of mild dishwashing detergent. Dip the flowers (just the heads) in the water and gently move them around for a little while, rinse and let air-dry.
Some do well, but others look a little droopy, so test just one flower first, then do the rest. Heloise
Dear Heloise: When I changed the bag in my upright vacuum last week, it occurred to me to put a fresh fabric-softener sheet inside the new bag before attaching it to the cleaner. Now I have a fresh scent (instead of an old, dusty smell) to enjoy as I clean my house. Wendy Hardin, Pekin, Ill.
Send 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