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Reprogramming car functions

Dear Heloise: A suggestion was made to have your car key fob reprogrammed by a mechanic to only unlock the driver's door so that it's safer when refueling at a gas station. A mechanic isn't necessary. The doors are programmed through the car itself in the vehicle's utility menu. Each make of ...

My children's stepmom may be overstepping

Dear Annie: I have been divorced for three years and share custody of my two children, ages 10 and 13. My ex-husband remarried about a year ago, and his wife is kind, involved and genuinely seems to care about my children. I know that is something to be grateful for. The problem is that ...

Reducing clutter in a junk drawer

Dear Heloise: My 12-year-old son came up with a clever hint, and it proved to be very easy and helpful to us (and maybe other people, too). He saved all the toilet paper rolls and painted them white. Then he wrapped charging cords around individual rolls and labeled each one. At one end, he ...

Co-worker takes all the credit

Dear Annie: I have a close friend I have known for more than 20 years. We have been through marriages, children, job changes and plenty of ups and downs together. I love her and consider her almost like family. Lately, though, I have started to notice that our friendship feels very one-sided. ...

Explaining an adverse drug reaction called DRESS syndrome

DEAR DR. ROACH: Could you explain what happened to me with a condition called DRESS syndrome? I had back-to-back urinary tract infections (UTIs) that were about six weeks apart. For the first one, I was treated with three days of an antibiotic, and it went away. For the second, I was given ...

When watering orchids

Dear Heloise: I've seen a few of your columns regarding watering orchids with ice. According to Arthur Chadwick of Chadwick & Son Orchids, orchids are tropical and can be damaged by ice water. Regular watering with room-temperature water is best. -- Steve L., via email Steve, I think people ...