Heloise

Dear Heloise: I just read the letter about not wearing strong scents as they can really bother people. I agree and would even ask: Why wear it at all?! In olden days, it was worn to mask bad body odor before people bathed regularly. And going even further, a multitude of body products today are scented — deodorant, shampoo, body lotion, soap, hairspray, and more.

So, with such a mix of scents, what do you even end up smelling like? Can your perfume even smell as it was meant to? And especially for women, do men really care about perfume? — Judith Sullivan, in Lake George, New York

WASHING APRONS

Dear Heloise: When I wash aprons, I put them in a mesh bag. They come out clean, and I don’t have to worry about tangled apron ties. — Carol Badgley, via email

MEDICINE ORGANIZATION

Dear Heloise: When I get a new medicine, I write “a.m.” or “p.m. “on the top right side of the container with a permanent marker. (Sometimes I write “a.m./p.m.” for medicine I need to take twice daily.) This way, when I fill the individual-day container, I don’t have to read what each med is for.

This method has saved me considerable time when preparing my meds. I read your column in the Roanoke Times. Thanks for all the tips. — Shirley McNeil, via email

PLANNED-OVERS

Dear Heloise: Regarding leftovers. I had an aunt who called them “planned-overs,” and this is what I call them today because I plan on having leftovers! It sure cuts down on how often I have to prepare a meal. — Joyce Space, in Hubbardton, Vermont

NOT AN EMERGENCY

Dear Heloise: As a dispatcher for the police department, we get a lot of 911 calls that are not an emergency. It’s not uncommon for someone to call to inquire about the weather and road conditions or a store that refuses to accept a returned item. We receive many other nuisance calls that are not an emergency. So, what are nuisance calls?

— A noisy party or gathering.

— When your power is not working.

— Asking about paying a ticket or asking us to fix a ticket.

— Minor cuts, falls or injuries.

Calling with something foolish can delay a response when there might be a real emergency somewhere. — A Reader, in California

PUBLIC RESTROOMS

Dear Heloise: Not all public restrooms provide paper seat covers, so I carry several individually wrapped antibacterial hand wipes in my purse. These take up very little room. I wipe down the toilet seat with one or more of these wipes. Then I use toilet paper to dry the seat. I don’t flush the wipes. — Lois U., in Colby, Kansas

PET PAL

Dear Heloise: I enjoy drawing, mainly faces. But I occasionally try to do pets. My friends are especially appreciative when I do their pets, especially if it turns out well. — A Reader, via email

Readers, to see this reader’s pet portrait, as well as our other Pet Pals, go to Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.”

Do you have a furry friend to share with our readers? Send a photo and a brief description to Heloise@Heloise.com. — Heloise

Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.