DEAR HELOISE: I take one of those single socks ...

... (preferably cotton) and an old plastic pill bottle and add some pebbles and close it up. I tie the bottle up in the sock tightly. My dog loves it — it even smells like me. We have fun and use up those lone socks. Shake, rattle and roll! - Judee H. in Ventura, Calif. Hey, Judee! Great sustainability hint! Repurpose, reuse and recycle. Readers, do you make toys for your pets from repurposed items around your home? Let us know! - Heloise DEAR HELOISE: If you have a new puppy, gently pull at his ears and tail. He will get used to it, and when he comes in contact will little children he will be less likely to nip. - Joan in Port Charlotte, Fla. DEAR HELOISE: Three parts baking soda to one part regular FOAM — not gel — shaving cream mixed together by hand makes fun snow!Kids love to do this, and it will make the house smell fresh and clean! - Mary J. in Tennessee Mary, snow much fun! A couple of caveats: supervise young kids. The "snow" will smell fresh and minty, but it DOES NOT go in the mouth! And clear off the breakfast table and pack your patience — things are about to get messy. DEAR HELOISE: Because I have "mature skin" (I'm old, haha), I've found that a cream blush works great, and not just on my cheeks.A smear goes on my lips, where I can blend it out for a light lip color. A darker cream can work as a cheek contour to give the face more dimension. To highlight the browbone, I daub a lighter shade here. The bridge of my nose gets a light shade too, blended in well. And if we go out fancy, a highlight on my collarbone and decolletage looks pretty. As for cheek placement: on my natural cheek, right below my irises. Cream blush is a versatile tool in my makeup bag. I recommend it to your readers! - Elizabeth G. in New Jersey Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com.