More destination wedding woes

Today's Sound Off focuses on destination weddings.

DEAR HELOISE >> My niece decided to have a destination wedding in Hawaii in late July. We all live in Ohio, so naturally, Hawaii is a long way off for everyone in her family. She sent out 112 invitations, and only seven people responded that they would be attending. Of the seven who said they'd go, two have backed out already.

Yes, my niece is very disappointed, but I think destination weddings are absurd. If the bride and groom want to get married in Hawaii, that's fine, but she seems selfish and inconsiderate to expect other people to pay for tickets, hotels, meals, wedding gifts and other items.

When the three girls my niece wanted as bridesmaids said that they couldn't afford it, she told them to put the trip and bridesmaid gowns on a credit card or take out a loan! Then, she pitched a fit when they refused, but now, her three closest friends aren't even speaking to her. The groom's parents aren't going because they are helping two of their other children with college tuition and can't afford the trip. My husband and I are not going for health reasons.

What is it with destination weddings? I don't care if the bride and groom want to get married on surfboards in Bora Bora! Just don't expect other people to pay for an expensive trip to see your wedding.

— Patsy and Earl, Findley, Ohio

DEAR PATSY AND EARL >> Maybe the couple getting married should go to Hawaii and have their wedding, then come back and have a big party where people can get together and help them celebrate.

Destination weddings are a trend right now, but it will be interesting to see if it continues.

DEAR READERS >> Got a bag of sand? Here are some uses for it:

• Use it to soak up spills in your garage.

• Mix the sand with potting soil to help young plants get an easier start.

• Use the sand on slippery steps and walkways in winter.

DEAR HELOISE >> I read your column daily in the Ventura Star Newspaper and have for many years. I believe I have a hint that I've never seen in your column before.

If you find that your mascara is almost empty when you need to use it, add a couple drops of water or eye-drop solution inside the container and stir with the brush applicator. You can get several more uses out of your tube of mascara.

— Aleta T., Camarillo

DEAR HELOISE >> I was told by my husband (now deceased) that distilled water was not good for human consumption.

Is that correct?

— Rose H., The Villages, Florida

DEAR ROSE >> It's safe to drink distilled water. In fact, distillation purifies water by means of evaporation. It removes many contaminants and organic compounds within the water.

Write to Heloise at P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; Fax 210-HELOISE; or email Heloise@Heloise.com.