DEAR ABBY: When we bought our home up north 30 years ago, this motto was tacked to the frame of the entrance. We thought it was appropriate then, and still is now.

I thought you might want to share it with your readers. -- A.M.T. IN FLORIDA

GO TO WORK AND SAVE $$

If you are poor -- work.

If you are rich -- continue to work.

If you are happy -- keep right on working.

Idleness gives you room for doubts and fears.

If disappointments come -- work.

If sorrow overwhelms you, and loved ones seem not true -- work.

When faith falters and reason fails -- just work.

When dreams are shattered and hope seems dead -- work.

Work as if your life was in peril. It really is.

Whatever happens or matters -- work.

Work faithfully -- work with faith.

Work is the greatest material remedy available.

Work will cure both mental and physical afflictions.

-- From the "Silent Partner"

DEAR A.M.T.: Thanks for a worthwhile addition to this space. But how about all those people who are willing and eager to work, but cannot find a job?

DEAR ABBY: This letter is for all of those frustrated housewives who wonder if they've gone off their rockers when they find only one sock in the washing machine. You dealt with this problem some time ago by stating that washers and dryers do not eat socks.

Sorry, Abby, but the washer is, in fact, the culprit. I have worked in customer service for General Electric Major Home Appliance Repairs for many years, and we were instructed to tell our customers that the washing action of the water will sometimes push a lighter item, i.e. a sock or washcloth, over the top of the inner tub into the space between the inner and outer tub -- and during the pumping cycle it can be washed down the sewer.

I have scheduled hundreds of service calls for socks to be removed from the pump of a washing machine. So, women, take heart, and tell your husbands to go yell at the washer! -- NEW ORLEANS WOMAN

DEAR NEW ORLEANS WOMAN: I'm sure that many who have thought they were going crazy after discovering an odd number of socks in their washing machines will appreciate your explanation. Here's suds in your eye!

DEAR ABBY: My husband thinks I'm some kind of cleanliness nut because I shower every night before going to bed. I believe it's just good personal hygiene. Please comment. -- SHOWER FREAK (HIS NAME FOR ME)

DEAR SHOWER FREAK: I'm with you. Cleanliness is next to godliness.

Everything you'll need to know about planning a wedding can be found in Abby's booklet, "How to Have a Lovely Wedding." To order, send a long, business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $3.95 ($4.50 in Canada) to: Dear Abby, Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, Ill. 61054. (Postage is included.)

DEAR ABBY: I have a telephone answering machine. It is very handy, but sometimes it's a source of great frustration when someone dials a wrong number and leaves a message.

For example, the following message was left on my machine: "Your daughter, Judy, was in a minor automobile accident. P1ease pick her up at the suburban police station."

Well, I do not have a daughter named Judy, so I called the suburban police station and suggested that they call Judy's parents and dial carefully next time.

Last week, an elderly woman left the following message: "Doctor, I'm sorry I have to cancel my appointment ..." Then she went on and on, describing all her symptoms and medications until my entire tape ran out.

I also got this message from a young man in a hurry: "Hi, Joe, dis is Pete. We're gonna have football practice at Baldwin Park. Call da udder guys and tell em!"

Last night I received the following message: "Hi, Gloria! We're leaving right now. Please be ready for a change, OK?" Bang! (I hope Gloria was ready for a change.)

Abby, inform your readers that before they leave a message on an answering machine, they should be sure they dialed the right number. -- WRONG GUY IN CLEVELAND

DEAR WRONG GUY: Thanks for reminding all the folks out there to dial very carefully.

DEAR ABBY: Some time ago, you had an article in your column titled "Only in America." It poked fun at Americans who buy everything they wear and use from some foreign country. I think Americans need to be reminded to BUY AMERICAN. Thanks. -- PATRIOTIC IN MAINE

DEAR PATRIOTIC: Once my readers have seen the following, I'm sure many of them will agree with you.

ONLY IN AMERICA

"He drove his German car made of Swedish steel and interior of Argentine leather to a gasoline station, where he filled up with Arab oil shipped in a Liberian tanker and bought two French tires, composed of rubber from Sri Lanka.

"At home, he dropped his Moroccan briefcase, hung up his Scottish tweed wool coat, removed his Italian shoes and Egyptian cotton shirt, then donned a Hong Kong robe and matching slippers from Taiwan.

"More comfortable now, he poured a cup of hot Brazilian coffee into an English coffee mug, set a Mexican placemat on an Irish linen tablecloth atop a Danish table varnished with linseed oil from India. Then he filled his Austrian pipe with Turkish tobacco, lit it, and picked up a Japanese ballpoint pen with which he wrote a letter to his congressman demanding to know why the United States has an unfavorable balance of trade."

Want your phone to ring? Get Abby's booklet, "How to Be Popular" -- for people of all ages. To order, send a long, business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $3.95 ($4.50 in Canada) to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, Ill. 61054. (Postage is included.

DEAR ABBY: I have recently seen two letters in your column regarding the use of medicines by older people and the problems that medicines may cause, especially in the elderly.

People should consider themselves "consumers," not "patients," when it comes to health care, particularly when it comes to the use of medications. Many older people believe that "M.D." stands for Minor Deity, and they don't ask questions of their doctors (or pharmacists) when they should!

Asking questions means taking some responsibility for one's own health care. It helps to know what to expect from a medicine. For example, ask:

1. Exactly what is this medication being used for?

2. How will I feel after I start taking it?

3. How will I know if the medicine is working?

4. What are the most common side effects I can expect?

5. Can I do anything to prevent any of these side effects?

6. How long will I have to keep taking this medicine?

7. Will this medicine be very expensive? About how much?

You are doing a major service to older adults and their care-givers by calling attention to this issue, Abby. I hope this letter is helpful to your readers. -- MADELINE FEINBERG, DIRECTOR, ELDER HEALTH PROGRAM, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF PHARMACY

DEAR MS. FEINBERG: Since overmedication can be such a serious problem for senior citizens, I am sure your letter will be of more than passing interest to many. Other valuable tips for using medicines are available, free. Send a stamped (29 cents), self-addressed, business-sized envelope to: Information Officer, School of Pharmacy, 20 N. Pine St., Room 352, Baltimore, Md. 21201.

DEAR ABBY: I am praying that you can give me some guidance. My husband of many years uses credit cards constantly. He has no pension and has never believed in life insurance or having a savings account. Social Security is his only income.

I have learned that he owes approximately $8,000. I believe he pays his monthly dues from each of his credit cards, in turn. I have no idea how many cards he holds, and I have never signed for any of his credit cards.

We each have our own checking accounts at different banks. I am forced to work full-time because of the many times I have had to come to his financial aid. He is now past 80. I am 69. My concern is that in the event that he should die before I do, would I be held responsible for his debts? -- WORRIED IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR WORRIED: Because you are living in a community property state, you are indeed responsible for your husband's debts if he predeceases you. You would be wise to consult an attorney.

Most teen-agers do not know the facts about drugs, AIDS and how to prevent unwanted pregnancy. It's all in Abby's updated, expanded booklet, "What Every Teen Should Know." To order, send a business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $3.95 ($4.50 in Canada) to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, Ill. 61054. (Postage is included.)