It’s wise to keep a medical notebook on yourself

Dear Heloise: While waiting for my brother-in-law to come out of surgery, my sister showed me a notebook that contains all of his very important medications and test results. Each time a test is done, she asks for a copy for her records. By keeping this book, she has no problem trying to remember if or when a certain procedure was done.

As people get older, they see more doctors than just a general practitioner, and having a book like this is a must. There were dividers in it, just like a kid has in school. Each section holds a specific item (like tests and lab results).

I am in the process of making a book for my husband and one for myself. Great idea, isn’t it? Susan, East Brunswick, N.J.

Dear Heloise: On my computer, I make a list of vegetables and meats that I use regularly. I do bulk shopping every two weeks, and check off the vegetables and meat I buy. All the meat is rewrapped, marked and dated. When I take the meat out to defrost, I look at my list to see what I want to make and erase the check mark. Before I go shopping again, I double-check my freezer to see what is left, and update after shopping.

This way, I have a handy reference. Marion Manocchio, Manchester, N.J.

Dear Heloise: I, too, keep my indoor extension cords in toilet-paper tubes. I used to write the length of the cord on the tube. However, when I removed several cords from the tubes, I couldn’t remember what length the cords were. So, I went a step further. I now label the cords and write the length on a piece of masking tape with a fine-tipped marker and place the tape on the larger end of the cord. Sharon Roland, Montana

Dear Heloise: I bought long swimming tubes to put inside pillow shams to keep them standing up. Works like a charm! Dolores Mei, The Villages, Fla.

Great hint! Those swimming “noodles” also can be cut to fit the sham you’re using. Heloise

Dear Heloise: I have a lot of movies on DVD. When friends and relatives borrow one, I write it down in a small notebook that I keep in the DVD cabinet. This way, I can keep track of who has what movie.

If they borrow another movie, they can look through the book to see what they have already viewed. Deidre R., San Antonio

Dear Heloise: Here’s an update on the reminder to “feed” the printer: The colored sheet of paper used to indicate you are nearing the end of the paper supply should be inserted well before the bottom of the stack loaded into the printer, as today’s printers are fast. The colored page and remaining papers can zip through the printer before being noticed. Ken Sangrey, West Palm Beach, Fla.

King Features Syndicate