Save art on computer to lessen clutter

Dear Heloise: As the mother of a kindergartner, our home has been inundated with school papers. Being an older mom and the second time around (my girls are 18 years apart), I’ve become more sentimental about my younger daughter’s papers and find it hard to throw them away.

Recently, I had an “aha moment.” Now when I want to keep special pictures she has colored or drawn, I simply scan them and store them on the computer. Less paper clutter! You can categorize them by child, grade in school, holidays, etc. It doesn’t get rid of all the paper, as there are still sentimental things your children make that can never be scanned. However, it does help with the paper clutter. I also used some of her Thanksgiving pictures to make place cards for our Thanksgiving table by scanning and reducing the sizes. Grandparents can also save these special drawings if they wish. Lori Pinion, Herrin, Ill.

Lori, children’s artwork is precious, but the amount of it can be overwhelming. This is a perfect way to preserve it and share with others, too. Heloise

Dear Heloise: If you are hard of hearing or have a loud voice, please be aware that your cell-phone conversation is probably being heard by (and annoying) people sitting near and not so near you. I’ve just spent 30 minutes in a doctor’s waiting room being bombarded by several loud, long conversations. M. Evans in Texas

Cell phones are a part of life, and they are handy. But, to be involuntarily subjected to a nonstop, loud, verbal one-sided play is not fair. Folks, take a moment to consider other people when talking on your cell phone. Heloise

Dear Heloise: Being a senior citizen and trying to spray perfume, I found it difficult to find the hole where the spray comes out, so I marked above the hole with typewriter correction fluid. Works great! Mary R., Molino, Fla.

Dear Heloise: I hate dusting, and I’ve found a way to make it a little easier. I put on a pair of cotton gloves and spray them lightly with furniture polish. I then pick up or slide my hands over items that need dusting. When the gloves are full of dust, I open an outside door or window and clap my hands to get the dust off, then continue on. When I’m done, they go right into the laundry. Linda Lee, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I have four daughters, and we meet every year at a beach in Florida. When we come in from the outdoors, five pairs of sunglasses are left on the table. I have lost my sunglasses for the last time! I now cut my name off of a small address label and put it inside my sunglasses. I now can find mine easily! Diane LeJeune, Baton Rouge, La.

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