Darcy

Since school started, staff have been banging down my door in the mornings wanting to cut through my classroom. Door is metal and loud. How do I nicely let these staff know that I will not be stopping what I am doing every other minute to open it when they can just go in their own door or main door? And I don't even get a thank you. Any ideas?

My friend in another state is having her twins 1st birthday party at the beginning of June. I would like to get her some diapers (cash is tight, husband is tight-wad). I don't know what size they would need. I don't believe they were premature by much, and are both girls. I've never met them and am embarrassed to ask my friend.

Any ideas? Or if not the size, someplace where I can pay and she can order them on her own?

I have an extra deep 17" mattress. I need to get a memory foam topper, 3", to go on top of this for a bad back. My question is, what in the world would I do for fitted sheets?

The deep-pocket sheets are already rather expensive/ I don't sew. Any ideas how to make this work?

Clean (sheet) answers only, please.

I just purchased a wonderful battleship compass taken from a ship commissioned during WW1 and finally decomissioned during Vietnam. It is from the E.S. Ritchie & Sons Inc. company out of Boston. The number on it is 107374. If you know what ship this came from, please let me know.

I just purchased a wonderful battleship compass taken from a ship commissioned during WW1 and finally decomissioned during Vietnam. It is from the E.S. Ritchie & Sons Inc. company out of Boston. The number on it is 107374. If you know what ship this came from, please let me know.

My new place has non-standard toilet seat sizes. I've tried putting the oblong toilet seat covers on the lids, but they are just to big. Not a joke. I have tried all the major stores to find a smaller size (Target, Walmart, etc.) but have not had any luck finding them. The lids are more round than oblong. Does anyone know where to buy them on or off line?

I would like to find some useful articles or research that explains why having to many center manipulative's (ex. why do I need to have 30 different container of multi-piece manipulative's out in table toys, instead of 10 not including puzzles) does not encourage greater learning in the classroom. To many options, social issues, behavior problems associated with over-stimulated children, etc.

My classroom looks like a freaking Lakeshore store and it's not good enough. Professional articles, website, anything that can help me justify not having to put such stuff out at once. Level is pre-k.

I'm moving using a moving company/truck. I've always had them come in the morning, but would it be better to have them come later to get last minute things done?

Morning or early afternoon? Pro, Con, Why?

I have had so many job interviews, in education (school districts), where they are legally required to advertise a position. I get an interview, spend hours preparing and day off work, etc., to go to these interviews. I have the qualifications that meet or exceed the job descriptions in my specialized field. I always end up with just the initial interview and the "we found someone who better meets out needs" letter of doom.

On the last interview, the interviewee before me was greeted by name with a hug (yup, a teacher/staff in the district already). Guess who they're going to pick?

I would like to know if you think it is bad interview etiquette to ask if they are looking to hire for this position internally before I put my time in and get my hopes up?

I am making my yearly manhattan clam chowder. I wasn't really thinking and bought cherrystones. I love them raw, but will they be an ok substitute for chowder clams in my soup?

Please give me your best advice. I don't have pets. I have tried every remedy otc (even dynametious earth and Steri-Fab). I've had the pesticide company come and spray 3 times! I've followed the directions, cleaned washed, vacuumed every inch of carpet and upholstery (every day) and removed cup and washed out. Bug guy even sprayed vacuum All my curtains are still down and furniture off the floor for the last month.

I need anything any other advice. I wake up with 2-4 severely itchy red welts on my legs. Nothing helps itching (including RX and tea tree oil).

I am ready to fall apart. Does anyone know any other itch remedies? Ideas to get rid of the fleas?

I've been trying to find out some basic info about eSchoolbooks for student grades, etc. I can not find a homepage for the company, or even a youtube video. Can you help?

I have my grandfathers scrapbook from WW 2. It's glued on black think construction like paper. I can't fit in on my scanner and it is very delicate. Any ideas how to scan individual pics without taking the photos off. It belongs to a family member.

I bought an antique/vintage milk bottle carrier today and would like to know how to clean it without making it look like a reproduction or destroying it. It is made of some metal, steel most likely, and has a wooden half-handle underneath the metal handle. Any ideas?

I love the industrial look of the old two-long drawer file cabinet that I bought at a thrift store. It's gun metal gray and the type you would put index size cards in. It's rectangle.

I do not need it for anything for office materials that size, but would like to repurpose it. Any ideas what I can do with it? The more creative, the better.

I rent and have drafty windows. The winterizing plastic shrink-wrap kit seems to need to be put up directly to the window. Can't remove the blinds. Can you put over them without damage?

I found this great antique metal milk can with a eagle over the American Flag painted on the side. The can is off white. It is heavy and rusted inside. I need ideas about what to put in it (to be seen over the top) or a use for it.

I want to use reclaimed "antiques" and architectural materials to make my own desk for my computer. I've been looking in quirky restoration & antique stores, but for those prices, I can buy a new car.

I need ideas about what I could use that is sturdy enough to support all-in-one desktop Mac and a printer. Materials?

Oh, I live in an apartment, so I can't be driving nails, etc. to much.

Please don't post that you want me to send them to you (even as a joke). It won't happen.

I'm moving in a month and I am at a loss to figure out which room and which items I should pack first. I have the boxes, but not a clue.