Dear Readers:

Today’s SOUND OFF is about spouses who forget important occasions:

“Dear Heloise: For the fifth year in a row, my husband has forgotten our wedding anniversary. A year after we were married, he stopped taking me out for my birthday. Many men, like him, work hard, don’t abuse their wives and love their kids, but they alienate their wives by missing special occasions. I grew up in a house where Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries and more were to be celebrated and enjoyed. To me and many women like me, ignoring these occasions is the same as saying, ‘You don’t matter to me anymore.’ I wish men would remember the old saying, ‘Happy wife means a happy life.'” — Betty R., Tulsa, Okla.

Betty, I hope your husband reads this column, as well as all the other men who forget or ignore the things that strengthen the bonds between husband and wife. — Heloise

FAST FACTS

Dear Readers: Here are some uses for leftover wallpaper:

* Use as shelf liners or to wrap around smooth canisters.

* Take to a copier store and have custom place mats made by having the desired size encased in plastic to match your kitchen decor.

* Use to make book covers.

— Heloise

LEFTOVER HINT

Dear Heloise: In response to Betsy M., who said her husband refuses to eat leftovers, I said the same thing to my wife about three weeks after we were married. She handed me an apron and pointed toward the kitchen. If I wanted original meals every night, she said I should get busy and start cooking. That was 46 years ago, and I’ve been a good boy ever since. By the way, I eat leftovers! — Stanley H., Leesburg, Va.

The following letter has another hint about leftovers.

— Heloise

CALL IT A’PLANNED OVER’

Dear Heloise: To help the new bride whose hubby won’t eat leftovers, I suggest she call them “planned-overs.” That’s what I have called them for years, and it goes over much better with my family. I enjoy reading your column in The (Martinsburg, W.Va.) Journal.

— Lisa R., Cayce, S.C.

COFFEE FUND

Dear Heloise: My daughter was recently hospitalized. Several nurses and support staff did an excellent job of caring for her.

Instead of buying a bouquet of fresh flowers that will eventually die, I bought a container of live plants and suggested that the staff auction it off after seven days. The proceeds went to the staff’s coffee fund. I was told that it worked out very well.

— Luetta S., via email

SEND A GREAT HINT TO:

Heloise

P.O. Box 795000

San Antonio, TX 78279-5000

Fax: 1-210-HELOISE

Email: Heloise(at)Heloise.com