Overcoming an always-messy bathroom

Dear Heloise: My small bathroom always seems so messy. There’s stuff all over the counter, no one puts things away and I’m always embarrassed when someone has to use our facilities. Have you got any hints for me?

— Stacy K., New York Stacy, first everyone has to be on board with keeping the bathroom tidy. Nothing left on the floor; caps put back on products. All towels hung up, wipe mirror and sink after use and throw out old cosmetics. Use a shower caddy for bath and shower time; throw away expired medicine. Get rid of soap slivers, nearly empty bottles and dried up nail polish. Use drawer dividers to keep things tidy and easy to find; use a shoe bag as extra storage and hang it on the back of the bathroom door.

— Heloise

The wrong medication

Dear Heloise: I have to take several medications, but I’ve gotten confused at times and taken the wrong meds. I took a sleeping pill before I went to work and nodded off at my desk. How can I keep these meds straight?

— Laura W., Valley City, North Dakota Laura, take the bottles containing the nighttime meds, and with a red marker, draw a crescent moon on the label. Place those bottles together in a cabinet or drawer. Take your daytime meds, and with the red marker, draw a smiley face, but place them in another cabinet, separate from the nighttime meds.

— Heloise

Entertainment made easy

Dear Heloise: We love having people over for a party or dinner, but for some reason I’m always rushed at the last minute, and I’m often a bit frazzled by the time the guests arrive.

— Linda Q., San Antonio,

Texas Linda, I have a simple plan you can do with a S-M-I-L-E.

S: Set the table early. M: Menu. Select a good one. Try “make-it-now, bake-it-later” dishes.

I: Invite interesting people and welcome newcomers.

L: Lists. Write it all down. Plan your schedule ahead of time and put it in a place for all to see, and if you stick to it, all will go as planned.

E: Enjoy. Have a good time. Entertaining can be lots of fun if you’re at peace.

— Heloise

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.