When it comes to kitchen countertops, laminate used to be the least-desirable choice. But it is a very eco-friendly option, and new designs mimic the look of pricey granite, stone and marble options. Laminate deserves a second look; new technologies use a special stamping process that gives laminate a soft, cool touch that mimics the feel of marble, and a white core means there’s no dark-brown edge, so it also looks just like marble. Unlike stone, marble and granite, which are mined deep out of the Earth, laminate is made with paper (often recycled).

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Spring weather means winter supplies soon will need to be stashed away for the rest of the year. If you have leftover de-icing salt, be sure to store it in a place where humidity and moisture won’t get to it. De-icing salt absorbs moisture, and if it gets too wet, it’ll turn into a giant, useless block of salt. You can store it in airtight containers or put the bag inside a plastic trash bag and put it somewhere dry, like the garage. Any salt you want to throw out should be disposed of as if it’s household hazardous waste.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Some of the hardest animals to adopt out of shelters are cats who are shy or are in need of socialization with humans. To help cats come out of their shell, you can donate time at your local animal shelter to spend an hour or more petting cats. Just playing with them and showing them that humans can be fun and trusted companions can help shy cats adjust and become more desirable candidates (cat-idates?) for adoption.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION