Hints from Heloise: Notebook includes last instructions to kids

Dear Heloise: As an older, single woman, I wanted to make my final wishes known and help my children through the process of taking care of things when I am gone. I have a notebook that includes all they will need. It encompasses everything from my birth certificate, marriage license, will, advance directive, medical directive, bank accounts, insurance papers, house papers and auto ownership to my wishes concerning the disposal of my remains and the memorial service I would like to have. They know where the notebook is, and everything they need is in it. — Jan H., San Antonio

Jan, how thoughtful you are, but I hope your children will NOT be using this anytime soon. — Heloise

Dear Readers: Don't toss those empty yogurt cups. Here are some re-use ideas:

 On-the-go drinking cup for the car.

 Toothpick holder.

 Cover with pretty paper and use as a vase for a single small flower.

 Spare-change receptacle.

— Heloise

Dear Heloise: Beach days are almost here! Sometimes there is no clean water available to rinse young kids, or the water is so cold coming out of the free shower.

I take a gallon milk jug, clean it out, fill it with tap water, put a squirt of hair conditioner in and mix it up. I leave the jug in the car to warm while we swim. (Be very careful that it isn't too hot when you use it.) At the car, I rinse my little one in the warm water, and the conditioner instantly releases the sticky sand. I change him into clean clothes for the ride home. I use what's left in the jug on my own feet, too.

One more tip: If you need a little bathtub, use a plastic storage container for all your beach toys. Before putting everything back into it after your beach trip, use the container to bathe a toddler. It's great for camping, too, and my little boy loved his "hot tub under the stars." — Kathy Tomasic, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I have discovered a new use for those little plastic slides that go on the backs of fishhook earrings. I use them to secure a brooch on jackets. Just put the pin through, apply the slide and then put the pin through the other side. I lost more than one brooch before I discovered this. — Audrey, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I would like to say that it is laziness when people do not take a couple of seconds to move shopping carts to designated areas and out of parking-space areas. Some just leave them behind other cars. — Roxanne, Bakersfield, Calif.

I agree! If you see a misplaced shopping cart, why not grab it and take it with you to the store? — Heloise

Send a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; fax: 1-210-HELOISE; e-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com © King Features Syndicate Inc.