Summarize the following:
Measure the length and width of the space with a measuring tape. Use these numbers to determine how big of a piece of laminate countertop you need to purchase to cut to size.  Laminate countertops come in a standard width of 25 in (64 cm). You can get pieces of different lengths that you can cut down to the exact size you need. This method will work for cutting all types of laminate countertops, including Formica. You can also use the same method to cut solid wood countertops, such as butcher block countertops. Laminate countertop comes in standard sizes from 4–12 ft (1.2–3.7 m) long. They come in lengths of 2 ft (0.61 m) intervals. Get some matching laminate strips if there will be any exposed edges of the countertop after you cut it. You can buy both the countertop and matching laminate strips at a home improvement center or kitchen showroom. Place the piece of stock laminate countertop that you purchased on a stable workbench so it won’t move while you cut it. Make sure to leave the part you will be cutting off hanging off the end of the bench. Clamp the countertop to the workbench with C clamps to hold it in place. Use a measuring tape to measure in from the end you are going to cut off and place a strip of masking tape across the counter widthwise approximately where your cut line will be. This will keep the laminate from chipping during cutting. You can use masking tape or blue painter’s tape that is about 2–4 in (5.1–10.2 cm) wide for this so you don’t have to be super precise when placing it. Measure in from the end to the piece of tape and make a small mark exactly where your cut will go. Do this in 2-3 places on the tape and then draw a line through the marks with a ruler or carpenter’s square. If you have a large carpenter’s square, you can just use that to measure in from the edge of the countertop and draw your cut line along it in one go. Measure the distance between the saw blade and the outside edge of the metal guard on the saw, then measure this distance in from the cut line. Clamp a piece of wood that is at least 1 in × 2 in (2.5 cm × 5.1 cm) (thickness x width) perpendicular to the cut line here so that the edge creates a guide rail.  You will need to use a circular saw for this that has a metal guard rail. If the distance between the blade of the saw and the outside edge of the guard rail is 4 in (10 cm), then clamp the wood so the edge is 4 in (10 cm) away from the cut line. Clamp the wood to the part of the counter that is secured to the workbench. For example, if you are cutting off the right-hand end of the countertop, then clamp the guide in from the left-hand side of the line. Measure the thickness of the countertop in a few different places. Set the depth of the saw blade to 1⁄8 in (0.32 cm) deeper than the thickest point you found. This will ensure the saw cuts through the whole countertop. Press down the power button of your circular saw to get the blade up to full speed first. Place the blade carefully against the start of the cut line and the outside edge of  the saw guard up against the wooden guide fence. Push the saw along the line through to the end.  Always wear proper protective gear when cutting countertops. Wear safety goggles, a face mask, and ear protection. You want to get your circular saw up to full speed before you cut so that you get a smooth cut. Practice cutting into the scrap piece of the countertop that you are going to cut off if you want to get a feel for cutting into the countertop with the circular saw. Use fine-grit sandpaper of about 120-grit. Sand rough spots or spots with saw marks using downward strokes to avoid chipping the laminate. Keep the masking tape on until you are done sanding. Remove the masking tape after the edge is smooth and you are happy with the results. Trace the outline of the sink (upside down) onto the counter where you want it to go, then place masking tape and draw cut lines slightly in from the outline. Drill a pilot hole in a corner of the cut lines, insert the blade of a jigsaw, turn it on, and cut around the whole outline.  To decide how far to mark the cut lines in from the outline, measure the distance from the sink’s mounting lip to the basin of the sink. Mark the cut lines approximately this far in from the outline to allow the sink to rest on top of the counter supported by its mounting lip. Many sinks will also come with a template for making the perfect cutout. In this case, you can just trace the template and cut along those lines.

summary: Measure the area of the counter space you need to cut a top for. Buy a piece of laminate countertop that will cover the counter area. Put the countertop on a workbench with the edge you will cut hanging off. Place a strip of masking tape where you will cut the countertop. Draw your cut line onto the masking tape with a straight edge. Secure a piece of wood to the countertop with C clamps for a saw guide. Set the depth of your saw blade to 1⁄8 in (0.32 cm) deeper than the countertop. Use your saw to cut slowly along the whole line to cut the countertop. Sand the edge you cut to remove any rough parts or saw marks. Use a jigsaw to cut out a hole for a sink in the countertop if you need one.


Summarize the following:
It is important to have a single, large diaper bag that can hold everything for both of the twins instead of carrying separate bags for each. Having a single bag for both babies will make life easier and reduce your chances of forgetting something important. You already have two children to keep track of, why make it harder with two diaper bags to keep track of as well?   The set-up of the diaper bag is more of a personal choice. Some parents like to have diaper bags with lots of separate compartments for things like wipes or bottles, while other parents are content with something that has one large compartment and maybe a pocket or two. The diaper bag needs strong handles or straps that can support the weight of its contents. The handles or straps also need to be padded so they are comfortable when the parent has to carry it for an extended period of time. Usually parents have a general idea of how often their babies will need to have a fresh diaper and they can use this information to calculate how many diapers to take on an outing.  However, the babies might have off days, and use fewer or more diapers than expected.  A good general rule to follow is to pack one diaper per child, for every hour of the outing, plus a few extras just in case. Make sure to replace the diapers after each outing, so you have the same number of diapers each time. There's nothing worse than a diaper bag with no diapers! Even though you have two babies, you only need to include one large packet of wipes. This ensures that the wipes do not become dried out before you get to the end of the packet. Something that many parents forget to include in their diaper bags is plastic bags. These have many uses, including:  To store dirty diapers if you have nowhere to dispose of them at the moment. To hold any dirty clothes and keep them separate from everything else until they can be properly taken care of at home. To store any sterilized items like spoons or bowls. Keep approximately ten plastic zip bags in the diaper bag at any given time. Carrying a small first aid kit that contains a few essentials (for both parent and babies) is always a good idea.  Include the most necessary first aid items, such as adhesive bandages, children's painkillers like Tylenol or Advil and anti-rash cream. You should also keep a small scissors in the first aid kit - this can come in useful when you least expect it!
summary: Choose the right diaper bag. Pack a large supply of diapers. Include one large packet of wipes. Consider packing some plastic zip bags. Carry a first aid kit in the diaper bag.