Dear Heloise: I read a recent column of yours, and it reminded me of this story:
Two older women who were friends for a long time ran into each other at the grocery store. They hadn't seen each other for several months. The first woman told her friend that she was so disappointed with her grandchildren. Every year for their birthdays and Christmas, she sends cards and checks but never hears back from them. Her friend said that she does exactly the same with cards and checks, but her grandchildren usually show up at her front door within a week to visit.
The first woman says, "You are so lucky." Her friend says, "Luck has nothing to do with it. I just don't sign the checks." Best wishes! -- Dr. Patrick Fell, via email
THIN BLANKET DILEMMA
Dear Heloise: While in bed, sometimes a thin blanket is needed because of air conditioning or a chill in the room. After looking everywhere for a very lightweight 100% cotton blanket, I realized that a flannel top sheet would work perfectly. Buy a top sheet separately in some stores, just use one you already have, or get one from a thrift shop. -- Jackie Quast, via email
TALKING TO A TEENAGER
Dear Heloise: One of the best hints I've ever heard concerns how to deal with an emotional teenager. I'm quick to offer my opinion, or if I'm lacking one, my rote response is: "I don't know what to tell you!" Both responses never went over well with my daughter.
Now I say, "Would you like me to listen? Or would you like my advice?" My daughter has expressed relief that she can ask me to simply listen to her and keep my opinions to myself!
I love your hints and read you daily in the Orange County Register! -- Bobbie Carey, San Clemente, California
SAVE TIME AND MONEY WHEN DRYING CLOTHES
Dear Heloise: In graduate school, I didn't have a washer or dryer, so I went to the laundromat. I made sure I had enough clothes so that I only had to go every two weeks. This also ensured that the washers would be mostly full, so I wasn't paying to wash small loads.
I saved time and money when drying clothes by using a dryer that someone had just finished using, when available. Often the dryer still had some heat in it and maybe some unused time. Another way I saved time and money was by putting everything in one dryer, if possible, and removing permanent press items while they were still damp.
Dress shirts went on hangers with the top buttons buttoned to help keep the shape of the shirt, and dress pants were hung upside down on hangers with clips for pants. This kept the crease in the pants. I hung them up at home to finish drying, and they looked great! No wrinkles and no ironing.
I'm much older and retired now, but my wife and I still dry shirts, slacks and dresses this way. Plus, we hang them outside to dry in good weather, and we don't use dryer sheets. There's no static electricity if the clothes are damp when they come out of the dryer. And nothing makes clothing smell better than drying them in fresh air! We run our dryer less, which saves money, and our clothes smell great! -- Steve Colburn, North Port, Florida
Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to HeloiseHeloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
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