DEAR READERS: Every few years, I run a column devoted to "restroom etiquette," so here we go. This topic seems to really hit a nerve! The last time I ran this, the discussion was "Does the toilet paper go out and over, so the tissue is hanging there for you to grab? Or do you place the roll on the holder with the tissue in the back?" My, oh my, the email and letters that came in almost overwhelmed my office.
The topic today is: Should the toilet seat and lid be put down after use?
Many households do this, and everyone knows to put the seat and lid down. Some people do this because they don't like to see the water in the bowl. Others have curious cats and some dogs that use the toilet bowl to play with the water. Oh, yes, there are some dogs that drink from the same.
Flushing the toilet can release tiny, tiny water drops into the air. Depending on where the toilet is in relationship to the bathroom counters, some of the drops or mist may land on the counter.
My 2 cents on this topic is based on an old Texas saying about gates on a ranch or farm. If you found it open, leave it open. If you found it closed, then close it after you go through.
Lid up or lid down? I look forward to seeing how y'all vote.
DEAR READERS: Elizabeth in Texas emailed a picture of her Chihuahua, Oliver, curled up tightly on the dog bed next to his dog sister, beagle Lex, along with evidence of some shenanigans: a stolen sock! To see Oliver, Lex, the stolen sock and our other Pet Pals, visit Heloise.com and click on "Pets."
DEAR HELOISE: When doing sizable paint projects, the need for a break always resulted in the paintbrush drying out. Rather than clean the brush each time, I combat this by sealing the brush in a plastic bag until I am ready to get back to my painting project. This has been a timesaver for me.
-- Scott in New York
DEAR HELOISE: I am 75 years old, and I have never made a New Year's resolution in my life until this year. For 2015, my goal is to do something for somebody every day, be it something large or something small. It can be for family, friend, neighbor or a total stranger.
This makes you feel sooooo good. So far, 2015 has been pretty darn good to me.
-- Joe Fisher, via email
DEAR HELOISE: On long car trips, I fill a plastic tackle box with small portions of trail mix, pretzels, dried fruits and crackers -- a variety of snacks for my toddler son. And in the car, a cookie sheet serves as a tray to control the crumbs!
-- Janet in Pennsylvania
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email
HomeStyle on 03/21/2015