Small bathroom makes it hard to hide messes
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
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, N.D.
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
Dear Heloise: We love having people over, but for some reason I’m always rushed at the last minute.
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.
Heloise
Dear Heloise: I retired about two years ago, but a I have closet filled to the brim with beautiful, expensive suits that I no longer wear. Where can I donate some of these suits before they become unfashionable?
Meg S., Chicago
Meg, did you try your local battered women’s shelter? Many women need suits to interview for jobs but don’t have the resources to go out and buy something new to look professional and ready for work. There are also various charities that help women find work.
Heloise
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or Email: heloise@heloise.com.