Hints From Heloise

FAST FACTS Some uses for used gift cards and old credit cards:

-- Scrape ice off windshield.

-- Clean mud or snow off your shoes.

-- Use as a straight edge when designing something.

-- Use the corner to turn a screw or tighten a bolt. PICTURE THIS! Dear Heloise: I sent my husband to the grocery store to pick up a few items. He called and asked which brand of butter I wanted, as well as coffee and vanilla. I took pictures of the brands we use and sent them by way of my cellphone, which made shopping easier for him. -- Carrie G., Atlanta JOURNALS

Dear Heloise: My mother passed away a couple of months ago, and while cleaning out her personal belongings, my sister and I came across her journals. We didn't know she had even kept a journal, much less a set of 12 journals. It was such a delight to read about her life and discover things we never knew about her. She won her state spelling bee while in her teens, met my dad at a dance and turned down his first six requests for a date. She wrote of their first Christmas together, the day she found out she was going to be a mother and the sad day her own mother died.

It was so nice to hear her voice in written words and to read about the stories we never knew. It's encouraged me to keep a journal and to let my own children one day hear my thoughts. -- Debbie N., Reno, Nevada COLLEGE DORM Dear Heloise: My husband and I recently made a day trip to our son's college, and I phoned the day before to see if there was anything he needed. I was surprised to find he wanted more socks, towels, underwear and six cans of his favorite brand of chili. While I don't care about the chili, I'd sure love to know what became of his socks, underwear and towels! Is this a common occurrence in college? -- Anne W., San Antonio, Texas

Anne, apparently your son has a hard time keeping track of his clothing, or at least some of it. Supply him with what he needs, but try to find out what is at the root of the problem. -- Heloise