Dear Heloise: I became a grandmother for the first time at almost 70 years of age and have had white hair since my own kids were born. I’m pretty thick-skinned. My daughters-in-law dress my granddaughters in layers of ruffles, which I made loving fun of every day.

When I was changing the diaper of my eldest granddaughter, who was 2.5 years of age (don’t judge), she pointed to my quite prominent jowls and said, “Ma-maw, you have ruffles!” Yes, I don’t have wrinkles; I have ruffles! I have never referred to my many wrinkles as anything but ruffles since. I’m blessed to have them and my three lovely grandchildren.

— J.D., in St. Louis

FUN FUNDS

Dear Heloise: Our family found a wonderful solution to giving gifts to someone who has everything. We started a “fun fund” for Nana at her local bank and provided deposit slips to everyone interested in giving her a gift. The cash rolled in as the family put her gifts into this account. They would send her a text to tell her what they had done, and she could check her balance anytime she wished.

She bought frivolous items, tickets to things that interested her, and even took some short trips. She loved it, and it took a lot of pressure off of us! Try it!

— Dawn Smith, via email

REPLACE THE TOP

Dear Heloise: You can never get the last bit of lotion out of plastic pump bottles. So, I save screw tops from various other bottles. When the pump has done all it can do, I discard the pump and replace it with one of the screw tops. Then I just turn the bottle upside down, and eventually I get every last drop! I enjoy your column and all of the great tips I have read there.

— Hannelore Rogers, via email

SHARING FAMILY RECIPES

Dear Heloise: I read your column every day and appreciate the tips from you and your readers. I just wanted to give my own take on the response to “Meatloaf Like Mama’s.” (I didn’t read the original “meatloaf” letter, but I read the response letter, in which the writer objected to a son asking his future bride to get a meatloaf recipe from his mother.)

I have four sons who did do the cooking, cleaning and laundry when growing up in our home. We also had a special cookie recipe that is used for birthdays, and we all enjoyed making the recipe together. However, I counted it an honor that my sons wanted to share this recipe with their wives. And if a daughter-in-law chose to make it by herself, I appreciate that she wanted to treat her loved ones to a special family tradition!

— Mary Doria, via email

OH, SHEET!

Dear Heloise: I, too, have had a problem with flat sheets not being wide enough to tuck in on both sides of the mattress. This has been very aggravating.

I suggest that instead of going to the lengths that D.Z. has done, we should all write or call the companies that manufacture both the fitted and flat sheets and ask them to increase the size of the flat sheets. This way, they’ll get tucked in properly. Thanks.

— Judy G., in Richmond, Virginia

Send a great hint to Heloise@Heloise.com.