Husband and wife have unforgettable date

Dear Heloise: My husband and I have several monthly chores at our home, such as changing the air-conditioner filter, giving our dog her monthly medication for heartworms and taking my monthly medicine. We do it on the first day of the month. No more wondering if we are up to speed on a monthly task. Florence Miner, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Dear Heloise: For my quilting friends, I wrap their gift in pretty fabric with a 3-inch strip of companion fabric to use as a bow. They love it and can turn it into something creative, plus it looks really pretty as a package. Linda South, Portland, Maine

Dear Heloise: I bought a top to wear to a party. It has glitter on it that tends to get on everything. Is there a way to keep the glitter in place and not all over my face and hands? T.L.M., via e-mail

Glittery blouses or dresses are real eye-catchers, but leaving behind a trail of shiny flecks can be pretty embarrassing. So, what can you do? Unfortunately, not much. Spraying it with lacquer or silicone won’t work, so take it back to where you bought it and be sure that the seller informs the manufacturer of the defect.

And the next time you’re shopping for a party outfit and all that glitter catches your eye, give the garment a good shake. If the sparkles stay put, it’s a keeper. Heloise

Dear Readers: Want to cut down on money spent for paper towels? Grab a serrated knife and cut the roll in half, almost to the cardboard core. You will be amazed how many times half a paper towel will do the job! Also, save all the napkins from fast-food restaurants and takeout to use for messy cleanups. A few pennies here and there will add up! Heloise

Dear Heloise: I am glad to learn that I am not the only one who forgets to bring the reusable grocery bags into the store. Eventually, it will become a habit. Meanwhile, I have addressed the problem by putting “bags” at the top of my list. Sometimes, I am in the store before I see it on the list, but I can go back out to the car. It’s much better than remembering at checkout. Parrish, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I now have a new use for an old ironing board. I place it outside on the side of my patio deck and use it to keep me organized as I store and use my garden pruners, different sizes of pots and different kinds of soil for different kinds of vegetables, flowers and fruits. Anna Victoria Reich, Stafford, Va.

Dear Heloise: Uniformly chopping up a boiled egg is hard, but I used a potato masher, and it was a cinch! Ruth McFarland, via e-mail

X 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