HELOISE: Basket is easier to carry than bags

Dear Heloise: I love to read your column. I wanted to share an easier way to shop when shopping at a “load your own” grocery store. I find it useful, instead of purchasing bags or taking my own inside the store, to keep a laundry basket in the trunk of my car. It makes it quicker to put the groceries in the basket, rather than taking time to sort items and put into individual bags.

When I return home, I can either take the basket in one trip or, if things are too heavy, I simply take off some of the weight and make two trips. This is still much quicker than carrying several bags in, and I don’t have to worry about the bag breaking or tearing.

Another plus is, if I happen to turn a corner too sharply, the basket doesn’t tip over and spill the contents. I can’t take full credit for the idea, though — this actually was my husband’s.

Kathy M., via e-mail

Give that man a hug and a Heloise well-done!

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I have found many uses for sturdy wax-paper cereal bags:

Use for crushing crackers for crumbs.

Cut into strips and place between cold cuts, hamburgers or anything separated and frozen in individual servings.

Use them to dispose of messy garbage items.

Use to pound chicken on.

Debbi, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: Before pressure-washing a dirty driveway or sidewalk, lay out a fun hopscotch pattern using duct tape (use your imagination for design). Remove duct tape after pressure washing. Provides months of free fun for kids. Maya, via e-mail

Love this, and what kid wouldn’t?

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I have an aunt who is primarily housebound. Gifts can be a difficult decision. Here are a couple of ideas she really loved: a roll of stamps with a dispenser, a box of assorted cards with envelopes, and self-sticking address labels. These may sound trivial to those who can shop or get out, but to someone who cannot leave home or is in a nursing home, these come in handy.

Joy, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I had multicolored, iridescent icicle tinsel on my Christmas tree. It was just too pretty to throw away. So, I saved it, and I use it in gift bags instead of tissue paper. It looks really nice, and every gift recipient thought it was a great recycling idea.

Ginger in Texas

Dear Heloise: To the reader who complained about women putting their handbags on a bathroom floor, then on a dining table: It disgusts me when I see parents plop their children in diapers on the counter of a fast-food restaurant with absolutely no thought of how unsanitary that is. Please, people! Food is served from that counter.

Jeanette L., Pasadena, Texas

King Features Syndicate