Keep family records safe, accessible

DEAR READERS: Make certain you have one or two places where all family records are kept. This could be in a safe deposit box, a secure drawer at home, on your computer or in the cloud. Make sure they are accessible to family members in case of an emergency. Here’s what to include in your family records list:

A Will and trust agreements, along with insurance policies and funeral plans.

A Safe deposit box key and information (make a list of what’s in the box).

A Bank and brokerage accounts, pension plans and business records.

A Credit card and Social Security numbers.

A Doctor, family lawyer and hospital data.

DEAR READERS: When your younger girls gather for a slumber party, here’s a fun idea for them. Get a box or two of macaroni and have them make pasta jewelry with the uncooked noodles. Provide them with different color felt-tip pens or paint pens and colorful string. They can draw designs on the noodles and then run string through them to make necklaces and bracelets, which they can take home.

DEAR READERS: It’s easy to get these marks that mar the surface on shoes and purses. Here’s how to remove them: Use a terry-cloth towel, microfiber cloth or pencil eraser to rub off the scuff marks. If this does not work, use a cotton swab. Dip it into rubbing alcohol and rub over the mark. Wipe off with a clean cloth. To keep patent leather clean, dampen a cloth with a mild soap and water and then wipe over the marks. Buff with a soft cloth.

DEAR READERS: With all the use they get, throw pillows on your couch or bed can get dusty or stale. Here’s an easy way to freshen them: Put several pillows in the dryer on air or fluff only. Then toss in a scented fabric softener sheet. Run the dryer for just a few minutes.

DEAR READERS: When you cook steak, it can be hard to know when it is done or cooked to the degree family members want. If you don’t have any fancy gadgets for this, simply use your finger! Here’s how to tell:

1. If the steak is soft, it’s rare or undercooked.

2. If it’s firm and bounces back a bit, it’s medium rare.

3. If the steak is really firm, it’s well done.

DEAR READERS: If you notice chair legs on furniture are damaging floors, here’s how to lessen the damage or prevent it: Fill existing dents with clear nail polish or shellac. To prevent more, put adhesive-backed moleskin on the bottom of the chair legs.

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