Marked plugs save fumbling; buy extra wedding fabric for christening gown

Dear Heloise: Most electrical devices now come with polarized plugs—one plug is wider than the other. To quickly tell which side goes up, I mark the top side of the plug. I use a white dot of paint or correction fluid on dark plugs, or a black dot on light-colored plugs. Now I can quickly tell which side goes up when plugging in a device, even in low light.—Scott R., Rockville, Md.

SAFE TRANSPORT

Dear Readers: On a recent business trip to Washington D.C., I stopped in to see friends at The Washington Post, which runs my column. One of the reporters had an interesting plant on top of a file cabinet. I had never seen this plant before and was amazed that it did so well with only fluorescent lighting in the newsroom. She told me she had actually saved the plant from the DEAD PLANT file! Meaning, the previous owner had given up on it: “It’s going to die.” She let me snip off a few pieces to take home.

At my hotel, I placed the trimmings in an empty coffee packet that is like foil, along with some wet tissues. I wrapped a rubber band around this, and then put it into a plastic shopping bag. Amazingly, it made it home still alive! I’ll keep you filled in on the progress of the “WASHPOST” plant, as I now call it.—Heloise

WEDDING DRESS

Dear Heloise: Our daughter is getting married. She always wanted to have a wedding dress made based on her design ideas. She also preplanned and bought extra material to save. She hopes to use the material one day to have a christening gown made for her first child.—Betsy W., Knoxville, Tenn.

This certainly is planning ahead, and it does seem that young girls can plan a wedding for years even before there is a groom in the picture! This hint is actually one of many I have in my Heloise’s Bridal Gown Hints and More pamphlet. You can order it online Heloise. com, or by sending $3 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (70 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Bridal, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 782795001.—Heloise