Don’t forget the need to obtain a valid passport

Dear Readers: With the holidays quickly approaching, here’s an important reminder for anyone who has relatives living outside the U.S. Even our friends crossing our borders (Mexico and Canada) need a valid passport.

Most consulates and passport agencies need two to three months to process your application. Heloise

Dear Heloise: A few weeks ago, I discovered how easy it is to break a bone in your foot while doing the laundry.

I scooped up a bunch of towels from the dryer and took them to fold on my kitchen island. I didn’t notice, but a hand towel dropped in front of me. I stepped on it and fell to the floor, breaking a bone in my foot.

From that point on, when I am carrying laundry, I carry it to my side, rather than in front of me. Emily, via e-mail

Yikes! Who knew laundry could be hazardous to your health? Thanks for warning my readers. Heloise

Fast facts

Dear Readers: Here’s what you can do with mismatched socks:

• Sew on buttons for eyes and make into hand puppets for kids.

• Fill with crunchy cellophane and a bit of catnip and knot the end for a cat toy.

• Cut off the foot and use the tube part to protect cups and glasses when packing.

• Place on the end of a broom handle for dusting cobwebs. Heloise

Dear Heloise: When taking a long soaking bath, I put a well-sealed bottle of lotion in the tub with me. When I get out and pat dry, that warm lotion soaks right into my skin.

My dermatologist tells me that baths are more drying to the skin than showers, so I limit myself to one soak a week. In the winter, when I shower, I put the lotion in a sink full of hot water to warm it. Emily, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: For a lifetime supply of plant markers, look for miniblinds tossed out with the garbage or at garage sales. Bill Wallace, Brandon, Miss.

Dear Heloise: Even when your car was washed just a couple of days earlier, you take it out and notice in the bright sunlight that the dash and surrounding area are dusty and linty.

I keep a magnetic hand duster in a plastic sleeve from the daily newspaper and stow it under either the driver’s or passenger’s seat. When stopped at a traffic light, I can quickly dust the dashboard and anything else within reach. June Doerr, San Angelo, Texas

Sound Off

Dear Heloise: Why don’t the companies that make the very expensive perfumes make them in a small size? Here are three reasons that I think this would be a good idea:

1. They would be more affordable, and more people would buy them.

2. They could be carried in a purse.

3. You could purchase and try different scents. Helen V., Kihei, Hawaii

SBlt 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