Sent you an email. Heidi

I love those electric scissors! But, they won't help you make drainage holes. On 2L bottles, I find that a drill bit slides off and is dangerous. Knives, too. I do use a large drill bit, though--1/4". Starting with a small bit and then using the large one might work ok. I use a sharp pair of scissors, snip the bulges on the bottom, then poke the scissors in and twist a nice big hole. I think it's much easier to do this with milk jugs, you could start the slit in the side and let the kids cut around, and maybe put slits on the bottom that the kids will turn into holes. Or, maybe cottage-cheese containers or orange-juice cartons would be easier for the students to deal with. The cottage ch. containers can be stacked and drilled several at a time. For the juice cartons, I would use a utility knife to start a slit and let the kids finish the cutting. (I use the utility knife to start 2L bottles, too, then use the electric scissors to make the hemispherical cut) My junior high had a woodshop. When I was in 7th grade, every student alternated between gym and either sewing, cooking, or woodshop--and we had to take all of them. Then the state mandated daily gym, and those classes became elective. Too bad, but I'm sure the gym thing was important--although we only had 1 obese kid in the school back then. What does it look like now, Ashley? And, do jr highs still teach hands-on stuff?

I suggest you consider ways to move the following items OFF the desktop. printers, scanner, camera dock. The more you put on that desktop, the less working space you'll have. And working space is actually at a premium. We have our scanner on a shelf You could wall-mount the camera dock, perhaps (or install a shallow shelf on the "backsplash" area of the desk to set it on). A wall mount might be a good way to handle some future gizmo's, too--back-up external hard drive, PDA dock, etc. The smallish ones. Lots of times printers are shown on low carts that roll under--if you can find a way to preserve some "roll it under" space w/ that desk, that might be really useful. I wish I could suggest how to brace that corner without blocking it up completely.

Well, we live on a lake and the usual morning is Breakfast Man (Grandpa) makes breakfast then by 10 am we are down at the dock catching minnows and using some dish tubs to turn into homes for them. Using rocks, leaves, seaweed, etc. but they must release all minnows so they can grow big. When hungry, it is time for lunch. Back up to the house and maybe a craft time or off to climb 300 stairs or the lighthouse. I was thinking of getting 2 rug hooking kits, I know the 9 year old will love them. I have Clue, Monopoly Deal, Racko, Left, Right, Center, Perfection, Abandon Ship, Zombie Dice, Lie Detector, Uno and a few others I can't remember the names of. Yes, we are card players, so solitaire will be played and maybe even some poker with Grandma's money! Nickel, thanks for the website. Fun 2, Juice box boats look like fun and the 7 year old would like that, for sure. Home Depot is too far to go to, but they have one by their house and have done those projects many times. I think most of our time will be spent outside. Grandpa says we will go to the Dairy Queen and then walk the 2 blocks to Lake Huron to wash off, just remember to bring towels! Socks, making the puzzle piece is a good idea, I have lots of cardboard boxes. Plus, the little pizzas, great, they can make their own lunch. DGD told me today she does not eat meat. Asked her steaks, no, hot dogs, just a little, hamburgers, no. I will see what I can come up with. I'm sure she will not starve! We always have plenty of carrots, celery and fruit in the house. Thanks all for helping.