Albany Times Union (Sunday)

Stay in touch when traveling alone

- HINTS FROM HELOISE —Colette S., Summerfiel­d, Fla. Write to P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000.

DEAR HELOISE: I read your column in The News Herald in Morganton, N.C. I just read Laurie’s tips for when traveling alone and thought of something that my family always does when any of us travels alone.

Anytime I make a stop for gas, food or to use the restroom, I always call someone at home and let them know I am stopping, where I am and why I am stopping. Then when my stop is complete and I am safely back in the car, I call that same family member to let them know that I am locked in my car and on my way down the road. That way, if something were to happen to me, and the time before I make my second phone call is too long, that family member will know to start checking on me!

—Kimberly S., Morganton, N.C.

DEAR HELOISE: We have all been to baby showers where the expectant mom received dozens of newborn onesies or other items that will only be useful for

a short time and may not be used at all because there are so many of them. I like to buy a gift card for a store that is open late that carries baby supplies, such as Walgreens or CVS.

Every new parent experience­s that emergency where the pacifier is lost, they just used the last diaper, the baby needs tummy gas drops or some other emergency. Often, they can be short on cash at the same time. I put a note in the card explaining my thoughts. I have gotten feedback more than once regarding how they used that gift card.

—Becky B., via email

DEAR HELOISE: An alternativ­e for the person collecting wine labels is to take a picture and print it. Also, using a cellphone camera, one can create an album and save pictures there. On an iPhone, the Notes section would be another good place to keep records. They would be close at hand when shopping for wine.

— Judi V., via email

DEAR HELOISE: If one buys a large-capacity washer, as I did, and has difficulty reaching the wet, spun items at the bottom, I’ve found that it’s a good idea to buy a large set of salad tongs to grip and lift the last items. I found a decorative hook and installed it next to my washer, then ran a round key ring through the end to hold the tongs on the hook.

—Bobbie Michaels, via email DEAR HELOISE: While playing pinochle one day, I noticed the cards were quite Between games, I inadverten­tly grabbed a small decorative snowman soap from a holiday arrangemen­t to check out the detail. The texture was soothing to my dry fingertips and thumbs. When play resumed, the cards felt like new after a few hands and were easier to shuffle, deal and sort. Wow! A real game-saver!

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