HELOISE: Cell-phone mishaps are bound to happen

Dear Readers: Cell phones are almost a necessity today, but some have the potential to be lost because they are just too small. Cell-phone catastrophes are bound to happen. Here are just a few of the many sent in from my readers.

Tom G. of Abilene, Texas, says: “While painting walls with a spray gun attached to a 5-gallon bucket of white paint, I couldn’t find my cell phone to make a call. I asked my helper to call the phone, and from the bottom of the bucket came the ring from the cell phone!”

Linda M. of Lowell, Ind., says: “At my daughter’s softball game, there were only portable toilets. Well, I had my cell phone in my back pocket, and when I pulled my pants down, Plop! Needless to say, that is still a topic of conversation at the softball fields.”

Ken H. of Fountain, Minn., says: “My father-in-law was on a four-wheeler ride with a group of neighboring friends, traveling through cow pastures and wooded areas on a scenic ride. He lost his cell phone as it ‘jiggled’ out of his belt holster. One year later, while again riding in the same area, he looked down, and there it was! He took the cell phone home, cleaned the shell and charged it — it still works. The cell phone has been reactivated and is being used today.”

Debbie of League City, Texas, says: “While relaxing and reading a magazine during my pedicure, I placed my cell phone on top of another magazine that I had on my lap. (Bad idea, slick surface.) You can only imagine how surprised the nail tech was when my phone splashed in the water! Thankfully, the nail tech was able to retrieve my phone quickly. Everyone in the salon had a good laugh! My face was as red as my new nail polish.”

A Reader, via e-mail, says: “My father, the avid sportsman, has lost his cell phone while playing with the fish three times. He leans over to grab the fish, and splash! He finally got a little smarter and started putting his phone in his pants pocket. I bet all those fish are having a party line!”

We had so many more funny cell-phone stories that we are going to run a bunch more as the second installment, to be printed next Thursday. So, keep an eye out, as you won’t want to miss this!

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I had a frayed shoelace that needed to be put back through its hole, and I was dreading the struggle. I saw some paper fasteners in the junk drawer (those little brass heads that have two legs for inserting through paper) and tried one. I put it through the shoelace hole from the outside toward the inside, placed the frayed shoelace between the legs, and pulled. Voil °, instantly through!

Sarah, via e-mail

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