Dear Annie: "Ashton," a popular boy from my child's elementary school class, moved away in the middle of last year. A couple of months later, his mom let me know they would be visiting. She asked if I would organize some of Ashton's classmates for a get-together, and I agreed. I sent out ...

Dear Heloise: Shoes can develop odors quickly, especially after long days. A simple solution helped in my house: I sprinkle baking soda inside each shoe before bedtime and let it sit overnight. Baking soda absorbs moisture and neutralizes odors. Shake it out in the morning, and the difference ...

Dear Heloise: For those who wear wigs, I always wear a thin cotton headband under the elastic perimeter of the wig. It absorbs most of the oil and perspiration, especially in warm weather. I rarely have to wash the wig, and when I do, I just wash the edges to avoid soaking the entire wig. In my ...

Dear Annie: I work in a small office where everyone is friendly, but one co-worker has taken "friendly" to a new level. Over the past year, she's begun confiding in me about deeply personal issues: her marriage troubles, financial stress, arguments she's had the night before. At first, I ...

Dear Heloise: Stale chips used to end up in the trash at my house far too often. Now I bring them back to life with a quick oven trick that really works: Spread the chips in a single layer on a baking sheet so that they heat evenly. Slide the pan into an oven set to 300 F for about 5 minutes. ...

Dear Annie: I was really excited when I landed my dream job a few months ago. It has great pay and a title that can really take me places. But now, just a few months in, I'm pulling my hair out. We're in our "busy season," which means lots of late nights and working weekends. Every time I ...