Remember how excited you were in June with the prospect of the long, summer vacation stretching out ahead of you?
Maybe you couldn't wait to make plans to go swimming with your friends, on a vacation near the ocean with your family, camping and hiking to remote regions, or just chilling and relaxing for a few days with absolutely nothing important to do.
It probably seems like yesterday, but a quick check of the calendar will show you that a new school year is right around the corner. If you are fortunate, there are new school clothes and shoes to buy. Then, there is the annual trip to the store to purchase the necessary school supplies you'll need in the near future.
Even if you aren't willing to trade in your carefree summer vacation just yet, the reality is, you will soon need to get ready for school.
Rather than dreading the start of the school year and loss of your freedom, get excited about the opportunities the school year will bring. Think of your classes as new challenges. When you conquer new skills, it gives you new confidence that will help make you shine.
One of the best ways to get prepared is to make a list of things you need to accomplish before the first day of school. Get organized by compiling a list of the items you need for classes and check them off as you pack them away into organizers, book bags and backpacks.
With all the dozens of things you have to remember each day, forgetting your lunch money would be one of the worst. Going hungry may seriously hinder your ability to learn.
In just a few minutes, you can turn a metal mint container into a lunch money locket so you can keep your cash close while looking pretty cool at the same time. I made these lunch lockets with instructions I found at familyfun.go.com/crafts/lunch-money-locket-667122/ online.
Supplies you will need:
—Small metal mint container with a hinged lid.
—Acrylic paint.
—Paintbrush.
—3-foot long piece of string or metallic craft cord. Be sure it's thin enough to fit around or through the tin's hinge so the lid can still close.
—White craft glue.
—Small plastic animals or fake jewels, stickers, etc.
Clean the inside of the tin.
Paint the top and let it dry.
Thread the string or metallic cord around or through (depending on the type of tin) the tin's hinges.
Pull both ends of the string tight, so that they fit snugly around the hinge, and then knot the strings together near the ends to form a loop.
Glue plastic animals and/or jewels or place stickers on the top of the tin.
If you used glue, allow time for it to dry before you fill it with coins.
(If you have a craft idea or question, contact Kathy Antoniotti, Akron Beacon Journal, P.O. Box 640, Akron, OH 44309-0640; 330-996-3565; or via e-mail at kantoniottithebeaconjournal.com.) (c) 2010, Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio). Visit Akron Beacon Journal Online at www.ohio.com/. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.