HELPFUL HINTS
DEAR HELOISE: Between the food, fun, family, friends and football, let’s take a moment to really be thankful for everything we have. Isn’t that what Thanksgiving is all about?
I’m a teacher, and one fun Thanksgiving holiday tradition my class participates in is the Thanksgiving Tree. What is it? A large branch, propped up in a coffee can and weighted with rocks and sand.
My kiddos make sparkly pine cones, paper turkeys made from a traced hand, small plastic pumpkins, colored ribbons, popcorn strands and notes we’ve written to show our thanks.
A great Thanksgiving experience!
— A Teacher in Texas DEAR TEACHER: May this forthcoming Thanksgiving Day find you and your students, and all my readers, full of the blessings of family and friends!
DEAR HELOISE: In addition to using a dishwasher-soap tablet, I use ½ cup of white vinegar each time I run the dishwasher. Glassware, silverware and dishes shine, and the stainless interior of my dishwasher looks shiny and new — no more scummy residue!
— Elaine W., Mission
Viejo, Calif. DEAR ELAINE: You’re a gal after my own heart! Vinegar is a workhorse around the house. Cheap, safe and readily available, I use it all the time.
DEAR HELOISE: I have thin, light hair and sensitive skin, and for years I tried dandruff shampoos and conditioners (many different kinds). I don’t know why, but I started using baby shampoo, and I’ve never had a problem since.
Soft hair and no flakes all winter, when I used to have a blizzard coming off my head. It’s just too simple a solution. — Allen P., Nashua, Iowa DEAR ALLEN: Check with your doctor to see if the dandruff is a symptom of a larger problem — you don’t want to mask anything going on with your health. Baby shampoo should be fine, and safe.
DEAR HELOISE: I wish the people who dream up seven cup holders in a car would make something to hold a small umbrella or two. My husband and I have come up with an alternative: We use two cups, tall ones, placed in the cup holders in the console of our car.
— Pauline L., via email Heloise@Heloise.com