Thanks for all the help/tips, everyone! oddie, I checked that site and it's very interesting. I'll do some more research to find out what E6000 is and where to get it. rmtonelzey and grandma_bonnie: I think that my glue gun might be low-temp. My sister bought it for me and I remember how she hated getting burned with her hot one. :) So it probably wouldn't hold as well as real hot glue anyway. If I were only gluing small metal pieces the glue gun would probably work fine, but some of this metal is quite heavy so I think I will need something stronger after hearing what you all have to say. I haven't ruled out using wire in conjunction with the glue gun either. lol! Thanks again, everyone!

Just a little eye rolling left! Second floor is important should guide your decision. Some units vibrate less than others due to the type of suspension - someone help me out here, but I believe a washer with a "hanging" type suspension will vibrate less. Also, with a second floor you have to worry about leaks destroying your house. Two things will help you never have to deal with this. Have your plumber install "Burstbuster" valves and use Floodchek hoses (google both to find them). Do not use hoses that come with the machine or that you can buy at the home center. They are inferior. Burst washing machine hoses can release hundreds of gallons of water and are the second top reason for home insurance claims (first - leaking fridge ice maker plumbing). You don't want to turn your stairs into a water fall. Please whatever washer you buy, be smart with a few ounces of prevention. The Floodchek hoses are superior and the likelihood of them leaking or bursting is far less than standard hoses. If they ever do leak, the Burstbuster will detect the water and shut off the valves thereby saving your house and thousands and thousands in damage.

Petra, here Grade B is darker and has a more intense flavor than Grade A. Some like it, some don't. Grandpa told me that the light (grade A) syrup was from the first sap of the season and that the dark (grade B) was from later in the season when there was less sugar in the sap and so it had to be boiled longer to become syrup. I love maple syrup, the real stuff. Right now I have a 64 ounce jug of grade B in the fridge. Yes, it will mold if kept in the cupboard unrefrigerated for too long. I never, ever eat the fake stuff, it's just too icky. My Grandkids love Mrs. Butterworth's though, and don't want the real maple. That's fine, it just leaves more for me, LOL. I like the local maple syrup and when I can't get it locally I order from Cook's Sugarbush, in southern Michigan. I think it's somewhere around Sherry's and I can get a 64 ounce jug for $26 plus shipping but it lasts me a long, long time. I love waffles and pancakes, and if I make a batch, I put some in the freezer so I can just grab a package and have them whenever I want them. Annie Here is a link that might be useful: Cook's Sugar bush

This just hits home with me too hard, for some reason. I guess I'm a bull-headed person with people, but have such a soft spot for the critters. There's a responsibility that comes with having a pet and you just took the ultimate responsibility and it's SO tough to do. I'm just all misty-eyed knowing how tough it is. They're still worth it though. And I hope you found comfort to be able to provide comfort to Spider in the last hours. Best wishes to you both.