Hints From Heloise

Dear Heloise: On the eve of elective surgery, my friends had a dinner party. Not only did that distract me from the operation, but at the end of the evening there was an insulated cooler full of frozen casseroles! Each guest had “showered” me with a delicious dish my husband and I are now enjoying as I recuperate.

My friends are so clever and generous, I just wanted to share their idea with your readers. - Linda Richter, Manhattan, Kan.

Dear Heloise: My pet peeve: all those heavy paper inserts/ads in magazines.

When I get a new magazine in the mail, I sit down and immediately go through and tear out every single one! Then I can read at my leisure and not be distracted or have to search for page numbers. - Liz Garrett, Irving, Texas

Dear Heloise: My daughter had already informed me that she would be using disposable diapers, so I was wondering what she would use for the ever useful and necessary burp cloth.

I purchased an inexpensive package of cloth diapers. I washed, dried, folded and pressed them, then used embroidery floss (or baby yarn) to trim each one. These colorful cloths have proven to be useful for burp pads, lap pads and bibs. - Nancy Lukunich, Simi Valley, Calif.