The Shadow
Dear Heloise: To organizations sending ADDRESS LABELS for a requested donation, please do not put “Ms.,” “Miss” or “Mrs.” on the labels. “Ms.” alerts anyone handling the mail legally or otherwise that the person at that address could be or probably is a single female, thereby making us susceptible to several types of crime. — Beverly in West Virginia
Beverly, you’re right.
But the Direct Marketing Association said it cannot remove prefixes, only whole names.
You can contact the mailer directly and give it a try. — Heloise
P.S.: And when signing up for anything new, use the title you prefer, or none at all.
DRESS DO’S
Dear Heloise: I am starting to look at dresses for my upcoming wedding. Do you have any helpful hints on what to look for when buying a wedding dress? — Adeline, via email
Sure do, and just a few simple things to keep in mind will help save you stress and money.
Don’t rule out a dress because of what it looks like on the hanger — it may be perfect for you.
Check the extra touches. Glitter and sequins often are glued on and will not withstand the test of time or cleaning. Beading should be sewn on.
Ask for detailed instructions on how to care for the dress, and read the care label.
For other great hints for weddings and how to store your dress, send for my pamphlet Heloise’s Bridal Gown Hints and More.
To order, send $3 with a long, self-addressed, stamped (65 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Bridal, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Want to know how your dress will look in photographs? Take someone with you to the fittings to take photographs so you can see. — Heloise
CAUTION
Dear Heloise: I thought it prudent to relay an experience regarding putting your handbag in the trunk of your car.
I had done this and, on returning to my car, found a young man standing by my open trunk. I asked what he was doing.
He explained that he had hit the button on the key fob for his car and my trunk popped open.
He was going to close my trunk and walk away when I appeared.
So be very cautious of leaving anything of value in your car. The young man and I experimented and found that his key fob also opened the car door, but his key would not start my motor. — A Reader in West Virginia
Wow, what a scary situation! The original hint was to NOT do this in public. My thought is that this young man was a thief and was going to check your trunk. However, the majority of Heloise Central felt he was legitimate.
Readers? What is your take? — Heloise
FAST FACTS
Dear Readers: Other uses for plastic wading pools:
* Put under a highchair to catch food spills.
* Contain a litter of puppies or kittens in one.
* At a party, fill with ice and drinks.
* Use as a planter for flowers.
* Use as an outside “bathtub” for dogs.
— Heloise
BROCCOLI BANDS
Dear Heloise: Like most people, I save the wide rubber bands from broccoli and cauliflower and throw them into a kitchen drawer. They are perfect for wrapping around your thumb when slicing veggies by hand. Protects your thumb much better than an adhesive bandage. — Ronnie in West Virginia
POWER OUT
Dear Readers: If an electrical outlet in your home is not working, try this hint. Before going to the breaker box, plug an appliance that makes noise into the outlet you’re wondering about, such as a hair dryer, razor or blender.
Once you flip the switch, you will know you flipped the right one when you hear the appliance running. — Heloise
(c)2012 by King Features Syndicate Inc.
