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Opening pesky plastic bags

Dear Heloise: I’ve never seen this hint before, so I thought I’d share. My hands no longer work the way they should, and getting flimsy poo bags open was a real chore until I came up with this: When you tear them off the roll, don’t try to open them. First, cup the top of the bag loosely in your hand with about an inch of the top showing, then blow sharply down into the bag to expose the edges of the bag. Do this about five or six times, and this will open up the bag. Works like a charm for me! I read you everyday in the Spokesman-Review. -- Herb L., in Spokane, ...

Sisterhood on shaky ground

Dear Annie: I’ve been struggling with my relationship with my older sister for some time now. Unfortunately, I have little time to pursue counseling, and finding an available, competent therapist in my area is difficult. My older sister hosts the annual holiday dinners, which I used to enjoy and even help out with. But over the last few years, her husband has invited more and more of his relatives -- he has something of a savior complex -- and the gatherings have become unnecessarily crowded with unpalatable acoustics. I don’t really like his relatives. Long story short, I have no ...

Saving spray-paint nozzles

Dear Heloise: I save unclogged spray nozzles to replace the ones that are clogged. Not all spray cans use the same nozzle, so you have to be careful to match them. Be very careful that the nozzle is pointed away from you when you put it back on. Trust me, you’ll only make this mistake only once. Another way to keep the nozzle clean is when you’re done with the project, turn the can upside down and spray until no more paint comes out. This wastes a lot of paint, but it works. You can also do this with empty cans if you’re going to save the nozzle. -- L., in Aurora, Colorado HAIR ...

Promises made, promises broken

Dear Annie: My husband had a period of infidelity. He met a co-worker, and I was sick with mold poisoning. I wasn’t giving him the attention I normally did. He said he found in her what I wasn’t giving him. He told me about her but refused to stop seeing her, swearing they were only friends. I tried to be friends with her only to find that every interaction I saw between them hurt me and made me more insecure and uncomfortable with their relationship. Then I found out that one drunken night, before I moved into my apartment, they slept in the same bed together. My husband had lied ...

Self-defense classes are important

Dear Heloise: Two years ago, a friend asked me to attend a self-defense class with her because she felt uncomfortable going alone. So, I agreed, and it was the smartest thing I’ve ever done. This past Christmas while I was out shopping one evening, I was busy placing packages in the trunk of my car. A man came up behind me, grabbed my hair, and said I’d better give him money or else. He had a small gun aimed at my neck. I said that I had no cash and usually shopped with my credit cards. I figured this would work to get rid of him. It didn’t. He took my car keys and told me to ...

Caught between parents

Dear Annie: My parents have been in a rocky marriage for as long as I can remember. I’m 16, and my brother is 20 and away at college. My dad has left and come back a few times, and now he’s telling my mom again that he’s done and wants her to move out. She’s heartbroken, and it’s really hard to watch. I’ve seen her cry more in the past few weeks than in my whole life. I don’t really know how to talk to my dad about it. He says he still loves us but doesn’t want to be with Mom anymore. I feel stuck in the middle. How am I supposed to handle this without picking sides or ...