If you smell gas in your home
DEAR READERS: Natural gas leaks can happen. Your house could be affected by underground pipelines or damaged outdoor service lines, which can cause a leak. Here’s how to recognize a leak and what to do.
If you smell an awful rotten egg odor, hear a hiss or see a flare, you probably have a leak. Get your family and pets together right away and leave your house ASAP. Don’t call from inside your home or go back inside for any reason until the gas company gives the OK. — Heloise
WAX STUCK IN CANDLESTICKS
DEAR HELOISE: We had a lovely dinner party with beautiful candlesticks and the wax dripped outside the holders. How can I get it off the outside and inside of the holders without damaging the candlesticks? — Maureen in New York
DEAR MAUREEN: Use this chilling hint to do the job. Place the candleholders into the freezer for a couple of hours. Remove and put them on newspaper and gently tap the bottoms to loosen the wax. Then flick off the hardened wax with your fingernails or a plastic knife. Don’t try to use anything that could scratch the candleholder. — Heloise
CLEANING LAMINATE FLOORS
DEAR HELOISE: What is the best way to clean laminate flooring? Mine seem sticky after I clean them. — Deborah in Louisiana
DEAR DEBORAH:
This could be caused by the cleaner or wax you might be using on your floor, which leaves a sticky residue. Use an electric sweeper or dust-mop often to get rid of dirt and grit. Then just use a damp mop occasionally. Be careful of the amount of water you use, because too much can warp the laminate. After you have mopped, go over the floor with a clean, dry cloth to remove any leftover water. Do not use wax, polish or anything that can scratch the floor, such as a scouring pad. Check with your manufacturer for what they recommend for cleaning. — Heloise
JELLIES, JAMS OR PRESERVES?
DEAR READERS: You might be wondering what’s the difference between your favorite jellies, jams, preserves and fruit butters. Here are a few sweet hints to help you buy the one that’s right for you.
■ JELLIES: Made from fruit juice, and when cooked, it gels.
■ JAM: Created from a blend of crushed, pureed fruit. It is usually thicker than jelly.
■ PRESERVES: These can contain large chunks of fruit or whole fruit. This makes them thicker with fruit than jelly or jam.
■ FRUIT BUTTER: This is made when fruit pulp and sugar are cooked together. It is usually smooth, but there is NO butter in fruit butter! — Heloise
EASY-TO MAKE CANDY TREAT
DEAR READERS: A reader sent this chewy dessert to me years ago chocolate caramel pecan pretzel bites. Place a caramel-filled chocolate candy on top of a square pretzel. Then put a whole pecan on top of this. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes. Take out of the oven and push the pecan into the candy. Place in the refrigerator for a while to left them harden. — Heloise
Dear Abby: I am a stayat-home mom to three wonderful little girls. I appreciate my husband working so I can do this, but I’m very lonely. I have no real friends.
I help my mom with all her medical needs, making appointments and getting her to them. I also help my brother with his three kids. I help everyone with everything.
In addition to running my home and taking care of our three children, I do everything for my husband. All he has to do when he comes home from work is eat and take a shower.
I haven’t been anywhere by myself in a very long time. We haven’t had a date night, either. Finding a baby sitter isn’t easy. Mom can’t watch the kids, and my grandparents do it only when I need to take her to the doctor’s without the baby. I take the baby everywhere with me.
Please give me some