Cut out two cardboard circles and then cut out a wedge and a small hole in the middle of each circle so that your disks look like they have keyholes. Remember, the bigger the circles, the bigger your pom pom will be (and vice versa). You can cut out a circle freehand or you can use a bowl or glass as a guide to trace the area you want to cut and then cut out the circle. You can now use your finish pom pom by attaching it to a knitting or crochet project. Use the yarn tails to attach it to a hat, scarf, sweater, or whatever you want.

Summary: Cut out two cardboard circles. Use your finished pom pom.


Although you will do your best to prevent your cat from getting spooked and running away during the moving process, she may still find a way to bolt. Proper identification will be very useful if someone finds her. Make sure that her ID tag has your mobile number on it, since your landline number will change after the move.  If your cat is not already microchipped, take her to the veterinarian to have that done. A microchip is a small device that is implanted just under the skin. If someone finds your cat, they can take her to a veterinarian’s office or animal shelter that can scan the microchip and identify you as her owner. Preparing ‘lost cat’ flyers is also useful. These flyers should contain a picture of your cat, your cat’s profile, the addresses of your veterinary clinic and local animal shelters, and your contact information. If your cat does run away, having the flyers already prepared will allow you to quickly start posting them in the area. Ensure that your cat is up to date on vaccinations and parasite control. Moving is a stressful process for your cat, so you will want to make sure that she is as healthy as possible. Your veterinarian can administer any necessary vaccinations and provide you with more parasite control.  While you are at the veterinarian's office, ask for a copy of your cat’s medical records. This is especially important if you will need to switch veterinary offices after you move. Having a copy of your cat’s medical records will make it easier for the new veterinarian to know your cat’s full medical history. Talk with your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medication. Depending on your cat’s temperament, she may need medication to reduce her anxiety during the move. Your veterinarian can discuss what medications are available and how you should administer them, if necessary. If you are traveling cross-country with your cat, you will probably need to spend the night at a hotel. Finding a hotel that accepts cats may be challenging, though, since not all pet-friendly hotels accept cats. Even if the hotel accepts cats, it may not have pet-friendly rooms available when you are moving. In addition, pet-friendly hotels could charge you an expensive convenience fee.  When you arrive at the hotel room, cat-proof the room as much as you can before letting your cat out of her carrier. The room will be unfamiliar to her, and she could easily find a place to hide or crawl under (under or behind the bed, under a chair).  It may be best to keep your cat in your hotel room's bathroom, and set up the room as you did when you moved out of your old home. Leave her carrier in the bathroom with her. Start getting your cat comfortable with her carrier several weeks prior to the move. You can use either a hard-top or soft-top carrier. The hard-top carrier is more sturdy, but you may need the soft-top carrier if you are flying to your new destination and plan to carry her with you on the plane.  Make the carrier look inviting by leaving its door open and placing her bed and some treats inside.  Encourage her to spend time in the crate by feeding her meals in the crate.  Place a blanket over the carrier to make it look like a safe hideaway to your cat, which will be helpful on moving day.  Reward her with a treat each time that she goes in the crate. Doing this creates a positive association with the crate.  Ride with her when she is in the carrier. Start with placing her in the car with you without driving. When you see that she can remain calm in the car when it's not moving, take her on short drives, then longer drives. Reward her with treats each time that she stays calm in her crate while she’s in the car with you. The sight of moving boxes may be enough to make your cat very anxious. In the weeks before the move, set out some empty moving boxes for her to explore and get comfortable with. If she seems extra wary of the boxes, try spraying some cat pheromones (available at your local pet store) on the corners of the boxes; the scent of these pheromones should encourage her to explore the boxes. Giving her time to explore the boxes can end up being play time for her, which will help reduce her anxiety with the move. Preparing to move means that you will be busy packing boxes and running errands. Even with these changes in your schedule, make sure that you keep your cat’s routine as consistent as you can to reduce her anxiety with the move. For example, continue to feed and play with her at the same time each day. If you see that she is getting increasingly anxious even with a consistent routine, you could try to increase your play time with her.

Summary: Check your cat’s ID tag. Take your cat to the veterinarian. Find a pet-friendly hotel. Get your cat comfortable with her carrier. Get your cat comfortable with the moving boxes. Keep your cat’s routine consistent.


Keep the gloves on at all times to protect your hands. They will protect you in case any of the tools slip when in use. Also, put on polycarbonate protective glasses or goggles to shield your eyes from metal fragments. Rotary tools have detachable heads. You can swap out the heads with 1 of many different accessories. For cutting screws, you want a flat wheel designed to cut through metal. Fit it onto the rotary tool according to the manufacturer's instructions. Test the wheel by turning on the rotary tool. The wheel should spin freely at a consistent speed. Keep your biggest flat blade screwdriver nearby to use as a point of comparison. Tip the rotary tool so the edge of the wheel is over the screw head. Lower the tool down to begin cutting into the screw. Work slowly and carefully to widen the cut to the size you need. An ideal slot creates a tight fit for the screwdriver so you can turn the screw with maximum force. Push the screwdriver head into the slot you made. Continue pushing down on the screw as you begin turning it counterclockwise. If the slot is effective, the screw will loosen and pop out.  If the slot is too small, you can widen it with the rotary tool. If the slot is too big, you may not be able to remove the screw this way unless you can find a larger screwdriver. Some screws will still be rusted in place even after you cut a perfect slot. Use heat to remove them.
Summary: Wear heavy leather gloves and protective goggles. Place a cutting wheel on a rotary tool. Cut a slot the size of your largest screwdriver into the screw head. Use the screwdriver to remove the screw.