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https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Walk-In-Closet
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How to Build a Walk In Closet
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To build a walk-in closet, start by choosing a square or rectangular room, since rounded angles are harder to work with. In addition, pick a room without many windows, which could fade your clothes with sun exposure. Once you've cleaned your chosen room, measure it and create a rough floor plan for your closet. For example, you may want to put dress shirts in one area and shoes in another. When you're happy with your layout, you can begin adding storage space, such as expandable closet shelves, which also contain a bar for hangers. If you need more shelf space, install bracket shelves or add storage cubes, which are great for storing shoes and jewelry. You should also invest in some storage drawers for holding your less-used items, undergarments, and other personal objects.
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Choose a square or rectangular room for your walk-in closet. If possible, select a room adjacent to your bedroom. Always try to select rooms with square or rectangular dimensions, as different angles are much trickier to work with. Avoid rooms with too many windows, as they decrease wall space. In addition, they can lead to excessive sun exposure and fade your clothes. If you don't have a spare room, consider a square or rectangular section of a large room to use as a space. Remove and organize everything from your spare room. Start removing all of the contents of the room you want to turn into a walk-in closet. As you clear the room out, sort items into piles of what you want to keep and what you want to donate or throw out. If you have some clothes in the room, organize them by type (shirts, pants, accessories). If you find items that are in good condition but you don't need them, donate them to a local charity. Throw away old items that are in poor condition. Clean your room's floor using a vacuum, broom, and scrub. Use a broom or vacuum to remove any dust and dirt that has accumulated in your spare room. Keep an eye out for any dirt marks that aren't picked up by the vacuum or broom and scrub them away with a microfiber cloth and soap solution. Create a cleaning solution by adding 1 drop of dishwashing soap with 1 cup (240 mL) of vinegar to a small bucket of water. Measure the dimensions of your spare room. Start by using a measuring tape to determine the exact amount of room you have to work with. Be sure to write down the length and width of the primary walls as well as any corners. Calculate the square footage by multiplying the length and width of your room. Estimate how much space you need for each type of clothing. Before you start creating a specific design, you need to answer some questions to help determine the needs of your closet. Ask things like: Do I want more hanging storage or drawers? Do I want storage for suits, dresses, and long winter coats? How long should my hanging storage space be? Do I want to hang my belts or roll them? Do I want drawers or open shelving? Write your answers to each question onto a piece of paper. To give you a better idea of the space you have to work with, calculate the rough area you need for each piece of clothing. For example, if you want a 6 by 6 foot (1.8 by 1.8 m) space for shoes, the area is 6 x 6, or 36 square feet (3.3 m ). Create a rough floor plan for your closet. Sketch a pencil outline of the room with its measurements and start marking off doors, windows, air vents, light switches, and anything else that's on the walls, floor, or ceiling. Now, start designating certain portions of the room for your clothing pieces by filling blank space with words like "tops," "shoes," and "pants." Include all the areas of each space in your sketch. Ask yourself what's most convenient for you and don't be afraid to scrap your plan for a new one or make changes as you create it. Insert specific content placement into your floor plan. Start breaking down each space into smaller, more specific sections. For example, break down "shirts" into "dress shirts" and "everyday shirts." Try coming up with as many different placements as possible. Focus on placing the go-to items that you use most often into the most easily accessible areas. Create at least 5 different floor plans and narrow them down to the 2 to 3 that fit your specific needs the most. Remember the professional stylist rule of thumb: if you can't see it, you won't wear it. Start designing each section one by one. After you have 2 to 3 floor plans that you like, start examining the needs of each specific section. For example, if your shirts section is going to be on the wall directly across from the entrance to the room, ask yourself how you're going to divide them. Do you want drawers on the bottom to hold dress-shirts for special occasions and a hanging bar on top for everyday shirts? Maybe you want a rack in between the drawers and bar for belt rolls. Or maybe you'd prefer to hang your belts along with your everyday shirts—whatever feels most comfortable! Imagine yourself walking into your closet and approaching the section and ask yourself what would make it the easiest to use. Optimize your space! After giving each section proper function, start asking yourself what makes it look good without compromising this function. Give yourself 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) of space above each hanging bar to make sure you can take the hangers on and off with ease. Put up 1 or more expandable closet shelves. Expandable closet shelves connect 2 parallel walls in any given room. They act as a shelf and also contain a bar for hangers. For example, you can install an expandable shelf along the wall that you face when you enter the closet. In terms of storage, you can place shoes on top and use the hanging bar for everyday shirts you want immediate access to. Always start by measuring and marking the height of the shelf between the 2 sidewalls you want to connect. Use your level to make sure that both the tube receiver and tube are perfectly horizontal. If you hang 2 shelves on top of each other, install the lower shelf and rod about 40 to 42 inches (100 to 110 cm) above the floor and the top shelf and rod about 80 to 84 inches (200 to 210 cm) from the floor. Install bracket shelves for shelves shorter than the wall width. Bracket shelves are great for small sections of the room. For example, install 2 bracket shelves on a side wall with a small space in between them and use one for dark shirts and one for light shirts. Place a shoe rack or storage drawer between them underneath the empty space. Be sure to use a level to ensure that the template for the shelf is perfectly horizontal and mark the anchor locations on the wall with a pencil. Bracket shelves work best for small selections of clothing, such as a shelf for jeans beneath a collection of hanging shirts or dress pants beneath a large selection of dress shirts. Add storage cubes and shoe racks for shoes and accessories. Head to a home hardware or big-box store and purchase some small storage cubes or shoe racks to accommodate shoes and other smaller items. Cubes in particular work great for folded shirts and pants that you aren't planning to use often. Select colors that match the theme of your room and racks. Invest in storage drawers for less-used items. Storage drawers come in all shapes and sizes and are great for folded shirts, pants, and anything you don't need immediate access to every day. They also work great for undergarments and personal items. Position your drawers in between two wall-shelves to connect them in the design. Decorate your closet to make it more personal. Once your walk-on closet is functional, it's time to make it your own unique retreat. Consider a full-length mirror on the door to help you get a look at yourself or some wicker baskets on high shelves to store accessories you won't be using for a while. Purchase an expandable shoe rack and place it in an open floor space so you can access footwear at any time. Install LED strip lighting in various colors to liven things up. LED lighting is also efficient because it produces less heat and electricity than standard lights.
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Choose a square or rectangular room for your walk-in closet. Remove and organize everything from your spare room. Clean your room's floor using a vacuum, broom, and scrub. Measure the dimensions of your spare room. Estimate how much space you need for each type of clothing. Create a rough floor plan for your closet. Insert specific content placement into your floor plan. Start designing each section one by one. Put up 1 or more expandable closet shelves. Install bracket shelves for shelves shorter than the wall width. Add storage cubes and shoe racks for shoes and accessories. Invest in storage drawers for less-used items. Decorate your closet to make it more personal.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Guinea-Pig-Comfortable-in-Its-Cage
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How to Make Your Guinea Pig Comfortable in Its Cage
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To keep your guinea pig comfortable in its cage, it needs peace and quiet and a variety of toys to keep it entertained. Place your guinea pig's cage in a quiet room, away from other pets and electronic distractions. Line the cage with a soft paper or straw bedding, which guinea pigs love to burrow under. Put some toys, like wooden blocks, toilet rolls, and hammocks, in the cage for it to play with. Long tubes or tunnels that your guinea pig can hide inside are a great option. You should also interact with your guinea pig a few times a day while it's in its cage so it feels safe and comfortable.
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Consider the size of the cage. The Humane Society of the United States has noted that most cages available on the market for guinea pigs are simply too small. In fact, most cages are instead meant to house smaller animals like hamsters and gerbils. Unlike other animals, guineas pigs need floor space, not vertical space. They need ample room to move around and exercise in order to stay healthy. A cage that is too small for a guinea pig can cause the animal to become bored and depressed. Imagine if you had to spend your entire life living in a closet with little room for activity and stimulation. Guinea pig cages that are too small have also been linked to the development of certain medical conditions. They are more likely to get pododermatitis (the equivalent of bed sores, but on their hocks) as a result of sitting still on soiled bedding. Larger cages are also better if you have more than one guinea pig so that each pet can have its own personal space. Larger cages also have benefits for you as well! They're easier to clean because they enable guinea pigs to separate their "bathroom" space from their other living areas. Follow the appropriate size guidelines. Typically, the recommended standard cage size is about 2 square feet per guinea pig. However, this is insufficient, as there is not enough room for everything a guinea pig needs, including food, water dish, nest, and bathroom area. Guinea Pigs need more room than other animals, because they cannot use the running wheels. Instead, they need space to exercise. Consider the following guidelines, which provide more space and consider the number of pigs in the cage: 1 guinea pig - 7.5 square feet (0.75m ) minimum size. More is advised. Aim for a cage that is 30" x 36" (75cm x 100cm) 2 guinea pigs - 7.5 square feet (0.75m ) cage (minimum). However, 10.5 square feet (1m ) is advised. Aim for a cage that is 30" x 60” (75cm x 150cm). 3 guinea pigs - 10.5 square feet (1m ) cage (minimum). However, 13 square feet (1.25m ) feet is advised. Look for a cage that is 30" x 76” (75cm x 190cm). 4 guinea pigs - 13 square feet (1.25m ) cage (minimum). However, more space is advisable and you should look for a cage about 30" x 90” (75cm x 225cm). Think about the location of the cage in your home. Where you place the cage in your home is very important. For sanitary reasons, avoid keeping the cage in or very near to the kitchen. You'll need to consider several factors in order to determine the right spot, including: Temperature - Make sure to keep your guinea pig cage away from extreme temperatures because the animals don't like very cold, warm and humid temperatures and can become ill. The ideal temperature for a guinea pig cage is about 65-75℉ (18-24℃). Keep the cage away from drafty spaces like doors and windows and place it on an elevated surface. Activity - Guinea pigs enjoy being near family activity and benefit from more attention when they're easy to see and hear. A family room or living room works well, but make sure your pigs have a place to retreat if they need some quiet time. Noise - Guinea pigs have very sensitive hearing and their cages should not be placed next to stereos, televisions or other loud noises. Keep the cage safe from children and other pets. Put the cage in an area in your home where you can supervise interactions between your children and the guinea pig so that your guinea pig does not escape or get injured. Similarly, keep your pig safe from any pets (especially cats and dogs) by keeping the cage inaccessible to curious pets. Choose a safe spot either inside or outside. Some people choose to keep guinea pigs indoors, where they are safe from extreme weather and predatory animals, while others prefer to keep them in outdoor hutches. If you choose to keep your guinea pig indoors, attempt to get your pet out into the sunshine regularly to aid Vitamin D synthesis for healthy bones and teeth. If you have an outdoor hutch, the guinea pig requires daily attention from the owner. Bring your pet inside in extremes of weather. In addition, guinea pigs are social animals and thrive when they are able to interact with humans. Keeping them outdoors limits opportunities for daily socialization. Put some bedding in the cage. Do not use cedar or pine shavings as bedding, even though these are widely available as bedding for small pets. These materials have phenol, which can be harmful to guinea pigs. Instead, buy bedding made of paper or straw, as it retains heat and keeps the pig warm. Guinea pigs like to burrow into their bedding and make tunnels. Make sure to provide about 2-3 inches worth of bedding, so that there is sufficient absorption. Change bedding weekly and spot clean daily if it becomes wet or sodden. Guinea pigs prefer clean, dry bedding. Provide water. To keep your guinea pig healthy and happy, make sure to provide it with clean, fresh water. In general, a sipper bottle is a better option than a water dish because it doesn't spill as easily or become soiled with other material in the cage (such as food bedding, etc.). Look for a 32 ounce glass water bottle. You can also purchase a plastic bottle, which is more easily available in most pet stores. Place the bottle so that it hangs off the side of the cage and it easily in reach of your guinea pig. Provide your guinea pig with fresh water every day (even if the bottle hasn't been drained). Wash the bottle each week when you clean the cage. You might want to use a bottle brush to scrub the bottle in case there are any hard-to-remove particles or substances. You can also use a Q-Tip to clean the nozzle of the water bottle to make sure that the sipper works properly and is not blocked. Put a food bowl in the cage. Like all animals, guinea pigs need sustenance to survive. Try to choose a ceramic food bowl, rather than a plastic bowl. Ceramic dishes are harder to topple and are chew-resistant. They're also more durable than plastic bowls. Choose a wide and shallow bowl that will allow the guinea pig to put its front feet on the rim of the bowl. This is typically how guinea pigs like to eat. Make sure the food bowl is placed far away from its bathroom area for sanitary reasons. Clean the bowl as needed if your pet kicks bedding or droppings into it. Put food in the cage. Though guinea pigs rarely overeat, you need to provide them with the right balance of pellets, hay, and fresh vegetables. Hay - Hay is key to your guinea pig's diet. Hay provides a key source of fiber and serves both serves as food and bedding. It also aids the digestive systems of guinea pigs. Choose fresh bags of timothy hay, although orchard hay is also an option. Pellets - To make sure that your guinea pig gets all of the nutrients it needs, provide it with a commercial feed specifically for guinea pigs. Give a small amount of extruded pellets (all the nuggets look the same) about a teaspoon a day. Pellets should come second to hay, which they need to chew to keep their teeth from growing out of control. Getting all of their calories from pellets will lead to overgrown teeth, or cause them to become obese. Purchase pellets made from timothy hay, rather than alfalfa hay. These pellets will be fortified with vitamin C, but since it degrades once the package is opened, it's important to supplement with vegetables high in vitamin C. Vegetables - Veggies are a key source of vitamin C for guinea pigs and give them additional nutrients. They also help vary your pet's meal choices and make eating more exciting. Try to choose leafy greens like kale, mustard greens, spinach, and romaine lettuce, because these are high in vitamin C. Other fresh veggie options include bell peppers, brussel sprouts, carrots, cucumbers, peas, and tomatoes, among others. Try experimenting and seeing what your guinea pig likes! Note that some vegetables can cause gas build-up guinea pigs' digestive system and should be fed only in small quantities and from time to time. These include bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and collard greens. Fruits - Guinea pigs love fruit! Try to choose fruits high in vitamin C, like cantaloupe, strawberries, kiwi, and papaya. However, because fruit is high in sugar, provide it only in limited quantities and just a few times per week. Fruit should never amount to more than 10% of your guinea pig's diet. Use caution when feeding your guinea pig apples as the acid in apples can sometimes cause allergic reactions (look for sores and scabs around your pig's mouth). Keep the food fresh. Because a guinea pig's diet includes a large amount of fresh produce means that you have to be checking the cage constantly and removing anything that is uneaten and can perish or decompose. A good rule of thumb is to check for unfinished food about an hour after you've put them in the cage. Be sure to supplement the pellets with produce high in vitamin C. Once the bag of food is opened the vitamin C starts to degrade, so it's important not to rely solely on formulated food to provide vitamin C. Similarly, make sure to check the milling date of guinea pig pellets. Dispose of any remaining pellets after three months past this date. Avoid feeding your guinea other foods. Certain foods can cause digestive problems in guinea pigs. One way to tell if a food is adversely affecting your guinea pig is if you notice it producing soft stools or even diarrhea. In general, avoid feeding your guinea pig dairy products, beans, garlic, raw and dried lentils, onions, potatoes, and rhubarb. Avoid chewy and sticky foods, such as peanut butter, which can cause your guinea pig to choke. Other choking hazards include nuts and seeds. Avoid foods with sharp edges, like crackers or chips, because these can puncture your guinea pig's mouth. Avoid feeding your guinea pig all processed and junk foods, including chocolate and candy. Commercial treats aren't needed if you're feeding your guinea pig the right mix of pellets, hay, and fruits and vegetables. If you want to give your pig a special treat, you could mix some rolled oats into the pellets. Clean the cage regularly. Cages should be spot-cleaned everyday and completely cleaned once a week. Everyday make sure your remove any uneaten food and provide fresh water. Clean out any food pellets or droppings that aren't where they should be. Once a week you should replace the dirty bedding and thoroughly clean out the cage. Remove everything inside and scrub the bottom of the cage with warm water. Make sure to dry everything before adding fresh bedding. Clean the cage completely once a week by replacing dirty bedding and scrubbing the bottom of the cage with warm water. Be sure everything's dry before adding fresh bedding. Put some toys in the cage. Wooden blocks or cardboard boxes are good choices because guinea pigs like to gnaw on things; guinea pigs' teeth never stop growing, meaning that chew toys can help keep the teeth at a comfortable length. You can easily find wooden blocks at pet stores like Petsmart. Be sure to avoid purchasing wooden blocks or other toys with any paint on them. You can also make homemade toys using items around the house, including paper bags, boxes, toilet rolls, etc. Make sure to only add large toys into the cage. Small toys can be choking hazards if swallowed by your animal. Add a hammock. Another bonus addition to outfit a guinea pig cage is a hammock, which can be found at stores like Petsmart. Though hammocks are mainly for ferrets, they can also be used for guinea pigs. However, be sure to observe your guinea pig once you install the hammock to make sure it is safe. Provide privacy. Put a little hut or tunnel in your guinea pig's cage. Each guinea pig needs its own hide to shelter in and have privacy.Guinea pigs can be extremely shy and they love to hide under things and get a little privacy. Again, these are things that you can either purchase at any main pet supply retailer or make inexpensively at home. For example, you could buy a tube/tunnel from a pet store, but for a lot less money, you can make your at home using an empty Quaker Oats container. Be sure to remove the plastic and metal lips from both ends and all labels. To make a little "house" where your pig can hide, use an old, plain (i.e., no dyes) shoe box. Your pig will love the little house and it's totally safe for chewing. Provide love and attention. Even when your guinea pig is inside the cage, show it attention. Guinea pigs love to interact with humans. Showering your pet with love and attention is one way to help your animal settle into the cage and feel comfortable. Interact with your guinea pig several times every day. It's important that you handle your guinea pig daily, touching and cuddling him as often as you can. You can also let him out of the cage and let him get additional exercise by running around a small room or other enclosed space; this is also something you should try to incorporate into your pig's daily routine. Make sure to only let your guinea pig out in rooms that have no small openings through which the guinea pig could escape or become lost. You'll also need to keep a close eye on your pig because guinea pigs will chew on anything they can, including dangerous items like electrical wires and cords. Because of their social nature, guinea pigs are happier when living with another guinea pig (or more). So if you want your pig to have even more companionship, consider getting another one!
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Consider the size of the cage. Follow the appropriate size guidelines. Think about the location of the cage in your home. Keep the cage safe from children and other pets. Choose a safe spot either inside or outside. Put some bedding in the cage. Provide water. Put a food bowl in the cage. Put food in the cage. Keep the food fresh. Avoid feeding your guinea other foods. Clean the cage regularly. Put some toys in the cage. Provide privacy. Provide love and attention.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Switch-Tabs-in-Chrome
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How to Switch Tabs in Chrome
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On a computer, click the tab you want to open at the the top of the Chrome browser window, or press either Ctrl + Tab ↹ (Windows) or ⌘ Command + Tab ↹ (Mac) to cycle through the open tabs. On the Chrome mobile app, tap the square with a number in it in the upper-right side of the screen, then tap the tab you want to open.
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Switch to the next tab. Press Ctrl + Tab to change to the next tab in the window. This will move you to the tab to the right of your current tab. If you are already on the furthest right tab, this will send you to the one on the far left. This works on Windows, Mac, Chromebook, or Linux, but some operating systems have additional options: You also have the option to use Ctrl + PgDn. On a MacBook, that can be typed as Fn + Control + Down Arrow. On Mac, you can additionally use Command + Option + Right Arrow. Also, for the universal shortcuts above, note that the Mac keyboard button is usually written control instead of ctrl. Switch to the previous tab. Press Ctrl + Shift + Tab to switch to the previous tab in the window, meaning the one to the left of your current tab. If you are on the leftmost tab, this will send you to the rightmost tab next. You can also use Ctrl + PgUp. On a MacBook, that can be typed as Fn + Control + Up Arrow. On Mac, you can additionally use Command + Option + Left Arrow. Switch to a specific tab. This shortcut is dependent on your operating system: On Windows, Chromebook, or Linux, use Ctrl+1 to switch to the first (leftmost) tab in your window. Ctrl + 2 will switch to the second tab, and so on, all the way to Ctrl + 8. On Mac, use Command + 1 through Command + 8 instead. Switch to the last tab. To get to the last (rightmost) tab in a window, no matter how many tabs you have open, press Ctrl + 9. If you are on a Mac, use Command + 9 instead. Switch tabs on a phone. To switch tabs on any phone running Android or iOS and using the Chrome mobile browser, follow these steps: Touch the tab overview icon. This looks like a square on Android 5+, or two overlapping squares on iPhone. Android 4 or below may display either a square or two overlapping rectangles. Scroll vertically through the tabs. Press the one you want to use. Use swipe commands instead. The Chrome browser on most Android or iOS phones can switch tabs with finger gestures instead: On Android, swipe horizontally across the top toolbar to switch tabs quickly. Alternatively, drag vertically down from the toolbar to open the tab overview. On iOS, place your finger on the left or right edge of the screen and swipe inward. Switch tabs on a tablet or iPad. A tablet should display all the open tabs along the top of the screen, just like a computer browser. Touch the tab you want to switch to. To reorder tabs, press and hold on a tab name, then drag to a different position. Reopen a closed tab. On Windows, Chromebook, or Linux, press Ctrl + Shift + T to open the most recently closed tab. On Mac, use Command + Shift + T instead. You can keep repeating this command to open as many as ten recently closed tabs. Open links in a new background tab. On most operating systems, hold Ctrl while you click a link to open it in a new tab, without navigating to that tab. On Mac, hold Command instead. You can instead hold Shift to open it in a new window. Hold Ctrl + Shift, or Command + Shift on Mac, to open the link in a new tab and navigate to it. Pin tabs to save space. Right-click a tab name and select "Pin tab." This will shrink the tab to the size of the icon and keep it on the left side of your tabs, until you right-click it again and select "Unpin Tab." If you don't have a two-button mouse, hold Control while clicking, or enable two-finger clicking on a trackpad. Close multiple tabs at once. Right-click a tab name and select "Close Other Tabs" to close everything except the tab you're looking at. Select "Close Tabs to the Right" to close all tabs to the right of the currently active tab. Making this a habit can save a lot of time if you tend to end up with a couple of dozen tabs slowing down your browsing.
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Switch to the next tab. Switch to the previous tab. Switch to a specific tab. Switch to the last tab. Switch tabs on a phone. Use swipe commands instead. Switch tabs on a tablet or iPad. Reopen a closed tab. Open links in a new background tab. Pin tabs to save space. Close multiple tabs at once.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Spider-Man-Costume
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How to Make a Spider Man Costume
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You can easily make a base for a Spider-Man costume with a few basic wardrobe staples and some fabric paint. You'll need a long-sleeved blue shirt and some blue sweatpants for the body suit, as well as a red T-shirt that you can layer over the blue shirt. Cut the sides out of the red shirt to let the blue shirt show through underneath. Accessorize with some red socks and elbow-length red gloves. Complete the look of your bodysuit by drawing on the Spider-Man emblem and webbing with black fabric markers or puffy fabric paint.
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Start with a long-sleeved blue shirt and a pair of blue sweatpants. These items will serve as the base for your costume. You can often find plain garments with no distracting logos, graphics, or patterns at places like thrift stores and consignment shops for just a few bucks. To make your costume more accurate to the comics and movies, pick out your shirt and pants in a form-fitting fabric like spandex or stretch cotton, or buy them a size down so that they'll fit nice and snug. If you've got a little money to spend, sturdier materials like neoprene will lend your costume a high-quality, realistic appearance. Keep in mind, however, that you'll be cutting these items up. Cut the sides out of a red t-shirt and layer it over the blue shirt. Start each cut 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) above the bottom hem of the shirt and guide your scissors inwards about 3–5 inches (7.6–12.7 cm) on either side. Then, turn and snip upwards towards the neckline, tapering your cuts so that they get wider as they reach the sleeves. Leave the sleeves themselves intact. To replicate the look of Spider-Man's original costume more faithfully, use a long-sleeved red shirt instead and leave a 2 in (5.1 cm) strip of fabric running down the top of each arm. If you don't want to go to the trouble of piecing together 2 shirts, you also have the option of simply buying a Spider-Man logo shirt or hoodie from a store that sells officially licensed Marvel merchandise. Pull on some plain red socks. Look for a pair that comes up just below your knees, as these will mimic the look of boots. Try to match the shade of your outer shirt and other red accessories as best you can. If you're planning on wearing your costume outside, put on a pair of all-red sneakers that won't take away from its overall effect. Crocs, Keds, and Vans slip-ons are all good choices. Find a pair of elbow-length red gloves. You can score these types of gloves at any craft store or costume supply shop. Like the socks, they'll cover your extremities and complete the bodysuit portion of your costume. Be sure to buy gloves in a material that you can draw on easily if you want to add a webbing pattern later on. "Flat" fabrics like cotton and polyester will provide the best results. Draw a spider emblem onto the chest of the red shirt. Use a black permanent marker or black fabric paint pen to trace and fill in a small circle roughly the same size as a quarter. Make a black oval or diamond shape right below it. Finally, draw 2 legs at the top and bottom of each side of the oval or diamond to complete your design. You can play around with the size of your emblem, if you like. A bigger spider will look more impressive, reminiscent of the original costume, while a smaller one will be more subtle and modern. Craft your spider emblem from other materials to really make it pop. If you want your spider emblem to be more prominent, another option is to make it out of black felt, craft foam, construction paper, or poster board. Trace your spider design onto your material of choice, then cut it out and attach it to your shirt using hot glue. If your emblem is on the small side, it may be easier to cut out and attach the legs separately than to try to cut out the entire design in one piece. Use fabric glue in place of hot glue if you decide to make your emblem out of felt. Free-hand a webbing pattern on your red costume components (optional). Using a black permanent marker or fabric paint pen, carefully draw a series of parallel vertical lines down the length of each piece. Then, connect the vertical lines with short horizontal arcing lines. Continue this pattern until each of your red items is covered. Make sure that all of the arcs in your web pattern are curved in the same direction. They should point downwards like frowns, not upwards like smiles. Drawing a web pattern onto all of your components by hand can be a painstaking, time-consuming task. It's okay if you don't want to bother with it—your finished costume will look just as good without it. Use puffy fabric paint to lend your webbing some added texture. Instead of ordinary fabric paint, pick up a bottle of black puffy fabric paint. This type of paint is designed to expand slightly as it dries, which will give the webbing pattern on your spider suit a dynamic 3D effect. Heat-set the paint by lightly steaming it with an iron (just don't actually touch it) before you don your costume for the first time. Depending on the size of your costume and webbing pattern, it may be a good idea to grab a backup bottle of puffy paint in case you run out before you've finished detailing the whole suit. If you opt for puffy paint, you'll need to be extra careful while wearing your costume. The paint may be prone to chipping or peeling if you rough it up or get it snagged on something. Put together a simple mask using a red ski mask and a pair of goggles. For a quick, easy, and functional mask just like the one seen in the 2019 film Spider-Man: Far From Home , all you need is a solid red ski mask and a cheap pair of welding goggles, both of which you can buy online for just a few dollars. Just put on the goggles and slip the mask on over your head! A ski mask made from smooth, stretchy lycra will be more form-fitting than an ordinary knit ski mask. Make your own mask from scratch using a spandex facemask. Sketch the shape of the eyepieces onto the mask and cut out the excess material to create the eyeholes. Then, place a thin piece of white mesh over each eyehole and cut strips of black craft foam to outline them. Hot-glue the craft foam into place with the mesh sandwiched in between. This will hide your eyes while allowing you to see out of the mask. Make sure the facemask you get is completely blank, with no pre-cut openings for the eyes or mouth. If you just can't get the mask right, you can always buy a cheap spandex replica mask separately. Mock up your own pair of web shooters. Trace the wrist pieces of your web shooters onto a sheet of black or gray craft foam, along with 12-16 3 centimetres (1.2 in) x 2 centimetres (0.79 in) rectangles, which will serve as the wrist straps. Cut out the pieces and put them all together using hot glue. Attach Velcro strips to the last rectangle piece on either end so you can fasten your web shooters around your wrists. To really go above and beyond in terms of detail, snip 2 1 in (2.5 cm) sections from a plastic straw and glue them to the end of each wrist piece to make nozzles for the webbing to escape. If you're looking for a slightly simpler web shooter design, cut a length of 1 in (2.5 cm) PVC pipe into 3-8 5.7 cm (2.2 in) segments (depending on whether you want to make 1 or 2 web shooters), spray paint them silver and arrange them around a pair of Velcro wrist straps. Buy costume components that you can’t create yourself. If you don't have the time, materials, or crafting expertise to fashion tricky pieces like the mask or web shooters, there's no shame in purchasing them from a costume shop or ordering them online from sites like eBay or Amazon. Your costume will still qualify as handmade even if you throw in a few pre-fab pieces to provide the finishing touches. Many costume shops sell things like replica masks, gloves, special clothing items, and accessories individually, so you can pick up only the pieces that you need. Use different colored clothing to make your favorite version of the spider suit. Spider-Man has had a lot of different looks over the years. If you want to bring to life one of the wallcrawler's alternate costumes, it will usually be as easy as picking out your base items in a different color scheme. You may also need to cut your accessories slightly differently, depending on the exact style you're going for. If you're working on a budget, study many different costume designs and go with one that you think you could pull off using items you already have lying around. Some versions of the Spider-Man costume are even easier to create than the classic red-and-blue getup. You could pull off Spider-Man's symbiote suit with nothing but some black clothes and white fabric paint! Recreate one of Spider-Man’s homemade costumes to avoid cutting altogether. Most of the costumes Spider-Man donned early on in his crime-fighting career were cobbled together from ordinary clothing items and other everyday accessories. If you want to look the part but don't like the idea of destroying your wardrobe, consider taking the same DIY approach. As an added bonus, your costume will stand out from the many regular spider suits you see at cons and cosplay events. "Vigilante Spider-Man" from the film Spider-Man: Homecoming wears only a blue shirt, blue pants, a sleeveless red hoodie, red sneakers, fingerless gloves, and a red balaclava with welding goggles. Similarly, Scarlet Spider's costume is comprised of only a red bodysuit and a sleeveless blue hoodie.
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Start with a long-sleeved blue shirt and a pair of blue sweatpants. Cut the sides out of a red t-shirt and layer it over the blue shirt. Pull on some plain red socks. Find a pair of elbow-length red gloves. Draw a spider emblem onto the chest of the red shirt. Craft your spider emblem from other materials to really make it pop. Free-hand a webbing pattern on your red costume components (optional). Use puffy fabric paint to lend your webbing some added texture. Put together a simple mask using a red ski mask and a pair of goggles. Make your own mask from scratch using a spandex facemask. Mock up your own pair of web shooters. Buy costume components that you can’t create yourself. Use different colored clothing to make your favorite version of the spider suit. Recreate one of Spider-Man’s homemade costumes to avoid cutting altogether.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Charcoal-Instead-of-Coal-in-Minecraft
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How to Get Charcoal Instead of Coal in Minecraft
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To get charcoal instead of coal in Minecraft, start by mining 4 blocks of wood. Then, use 3 of the blocks of wood to create 12 planks in the crafting menu. Once you've created the planks, make 4 sticks and a crafting table. Next, put the crafting table on the ground and use it to create a pickaxe. Then, take the pickaxe and mine 8 cobblestone blocks and use them to create a furnace with your crafting table. Finally, put the furnace on the ground, open it, and use a block of wood and a plank to create charcoal.
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Mine at least four blocks of wood. Find a tree, then click and hold your mouse over the tree's trunk until a block of wood breaks. Repeat this for each block of wood you mine. Open the crafting menu. Press the E key on your keyboard to open your inventory, which has a small crafting section in the top-right corner of the window. Create twelve planks. Right-click your stack of four wood blocks to select half of them, click a box in the crafting section, right-click the stack in your inventory again to select one more block, place it in the "Crafting" box with the other planks, and then click and drag the planks on the right side of the window into your inventory. Be careful to leave at least one wooden block intact. Create four sticks. Place one block of planks in the top-left box in the "Crafting" section, then place another block of planks in the box below it, and click and drag the resulting sticks into your inventory. Create a crafting table. Place one block of planks in each of the four "Crafting" boxes, then move the resulting crafting table into your quick-access bar. This is the row of boxes at the bottom of your inventory. Exit the inventory. Press Esc to exit. Place your crafting table on the ground. Click on the crafting table, then right-click the ground. Open the crafting table. Right-click the crafting table to do so. Craft a pickaxe, then exit the menu. Place a stick each in the bottom-middle and the center boxes in the "Crafting" section, then place a block of planks in the top-left, top-middle, and top-right boxes. A pickaxe will appear; click and drag it into the quick-access bar. Mine eight cobblestone blocks. Select your pickaxe to equip it, then find and mine at least eight blocks of cobblestone. Cobblestone is represented by a light-grey block. Return to your crafting table and open it. The "Crafting" window will pop back up. Create a furnace, then exit the menu. Place your cobblestone in every "Crafting" box except for the center one, then click and drag the furnace into your quick-access bar. Place your furnace on the ground, then open it. Select your furnace, right-click the ground, and then right-click the furnace. Add the ingredients for charcoal. To do so: Click your remaining wood block, then click the top box in the furnace. Click your sticks or the stack of planks, then click the bottom box in the furnace. Add the charcoal to your inventory. Select the charcoal when it appears, then click your inventory. Mine at least four blocks of wood. Find a tree, then tap and hold a block of wood below it until it breaks. You'll need at least four blocks to create all of the materials you need in order to craft coal. Tap ⋯. It's in the bottom-right corner of your screen. Tap the crafting table tab. You'll see this tab just above the bottom-left corner of the screen. This will open the crafting window. Tap the "Wood Planks" icon. It resembles a box with lines across it. Doing so will open the planks on the right side of the screen. Tap 4 x three times. It's on the right side of the screen. This will create 12 planks. Make sure you leave at least one block of wood in non-plank form. Open the crafting window again, then tap the "Crafting Table" icon. It's identical to the icon on the crafting window tab. Tap 1 x. It's on the right side of the screen. This will create a crafting table and place it in your inventory. Place the crafting table on the ground. Select the crafting table in your inventory bar at the bottom of the screen, then tap the ground in front of you. Tap the crafting table. Doing so will open the crafting table. Craft sticks. Tap the "Stick" icon, then tap 4 x once. This will create four sticks. Create a pickaxe. Tap the "Pickaxe" icon, then tap 1 x. This will create a single wooden pickaxe with which you can mine cobblestone. Mine eight blocks of cobblestone. Cobblestone is light-grey rock found throughout the Minecraft world. You will need to have your pickaxe equipped to do this. You can "mine" your crafting table to place it back in your inventory so that you don't lose it. Return to your crafting table and tap it. This will re-open the table's interface. If you placed your crafting table in your inventory, place it back on the ground first. Create a furnace. Tap the "Furnace" icon, then tap 1 x. Place your furnace on the ground, then tap it. Doing so opens the furnace. Select your furnace's material. Tap the Input box, then tap a wooden block. You cannot use a wooden plank here. Select your furnace's fuel. Tap the Fuel box, then tap sticks or planks. The furnace will begin creating charcoal. This will create one coal per wooden block. If you came across any coal while mining cobblestone, you can use that as fuel instead. Double-tap the "Charcoal" icon. It's in the Result box. Doing so will move it to your inventory. You have successfully created charcoal. You can use the crafting window to create torches as long as you have at least one stick left. Mine at least four blocks of wood. Find a tree, then aim at a block of wood below it and press the right trigger on your controller. You'll need at least four blocks of wood to craft the tools you'll use to create coal. Open the crafting menu. Press your Xbox's X button or your PlayStation's circle button. Create twelve planks. Select the "Wooden Planks" icon, then press A (Xbox) or X (PS) three times. Be careful to leave at least one wooden block intact. Create four sticks. Scroll right one slot in the crafting menu to select sticks, then press A (Xbox) or X (PS) once. Create a crafting table. Scroll right three more times to select the "Crafting Table" icon, then press A (Xbox) or X (PS). Exit the crafting menu. Press B (Xbox) or the circle button (PS). Place the crafting table on the ground. Select your crafting table using your controller's RB or R1 button, then press the left trigger while facing the ground. Open the crafting table. Point your cursor at the crafting table, then press the left trigger. Craft a pickaxe, then exit the menu. Open the "Tools" tab by pressing RB (Xbox) or R1 (PS), select the pickaxe, and press A or X. Press B or the circle button to exit. Mine eight cobblestone blocks. Select your pickaxe to equip it, then find and mine at least eight blocks of cobblestone. Cobblestone is represented by a light-grey block. Return to your crafting table and open it. Press the left trigger button while facing the crafting table. Create a furnace, then exit the menu. Scroll over to the crafting table icon, scroll down one space to select the furnace, and press A or X. Place your furnace on the ground, then open it. This will open a window with two boxes on the left side and one big one on the right. Add the ingredients for charcoal. To do so: Select a block of wood (not planks), then press Y or the triangle button. Select a stick or a plank, then press Y or the triangle button. Add the charcoal to your inventory. Select the charcoal when it appears, then press Y or the triangle button.
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Mine at least four blocks of wood. Open the crafting menu. Create twelve planks. Create four sticks. Create a crafting table. Exit the inventory. Place your crafting table on the ground. Open the crafting table. Craft a pickaxe, then exit the menu. Mine eight cobblestone blocks. Return to your crafting table and open it. Create a furnace, then exit the menu. Place your furnace on the ground, then open it. Add the ingredients for charcoal. Add the charcoal to your inventory. Mine at least four blocks of wood. Tap ⋯. Tap the crafting table tab. Tap the "Wood Planks" icon. Tap 4 x three times. Open the crafting window again, then tap the "Crafting Table" icon. Tap 1 x. Place the crafting table on the ground. Tap the crafting table. Craft sticks. Create a pickaxe. Mine eight blocks of cobblestone. Return to your crafting table and tap it. Create a furnace. Place your furnace on the ground, then tap it. Select your furnace's material. Select your furnace's fuel. Double-tap the "Charcoal" icon. Mine at least four blocks of wood. Open the crafting menu. Create twelve planks. Create four sticks. Create a crafting table. Exit the crafting menu. Place the crafting table on the ground. Open the crafting table. Craft a pickaxe, then exit the menu. Mine eight cobblestone blocks. Return to your crafting table and open it. Create a furnace, then exit the menu. Place your furnace on the ground, then open it. Add the ingredients for charcoal. Add the charcoal to your inventory.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Take-a-Navy-Shower
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How to Take a Navy Shower
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Taking a navy shower is a great way to save you time and water. First, step into your shower when it gets warm and wet your hair and body. Then, shut it off. Shampoo your hair and wash your body, and try to do it quickly so the water doesn't go cold again. Turn the water back on and rinse your hair and body. If you need to condition your hair, shut the water off again, condition your hair, turn the water back on, then rinse it out. To save even more water, use a bucket to collect the cold water as your shower first warms up. Then, use the water to shave or water your plants.
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Measure the flow rate of your shower. You can do this simply by taking a one gallon bucket and gauging the length of time it takes for the bucket to fill. If your one gallon bucket fills in one minute, and you take a 15 minute shower, you will use an estimated 15 gallons of water (15 minutes x 1 gallon/minute = 15 gallons) The goal of a navy shower is to reduce the amount of water you use to about 10-11 gallons. To reach this goal you must first understand your average water consumption. Calculate your average water usage per shower. Using the information you have gathered about the flow rate of your shower, determine the amount of water on average you use. You can do this by multiplying the amount of water used in a minute by the total minutes on average you shower. The typical flow rate of a shower is approximately four gallons per minute. If you have difficulty measuring your flow rate for some reason, use this number to predict the total gallons used. Improve the flow rate of your shower. You can install a "flow controller" from a local hardware store to make your navy shower even more efficient. If conservation is your goal, this option is a worthy addition. Turn on the water and let it warm up. If you are truly doing this for the environment or for utility bills, make use of the cool water by collecting it in a bucket to water your plants. You can also use it to shave. Wet your body and hair. Step into the shower and quickly get yourself fully wet before turning the shower off. Use your hands or a washcloth to fully douse your body before turning off the water. Shampoo your hair and wash yourself with soap. Perform this while your shower is off by using a loofah, washcloth, or your hands. It's a good idea for you to scrub yourself firmly. You will not have the benefit of running water and its additional cleansing effect. Perform your washing quickly, especially if you have an inefficient water heater. Waiting too long can create unpleasant variances in the temperature. Rinse out your shampoo and soap. Now that you've finished washing yourself thoroughly, rinse yourself off with a short blast from the shower. Use conditioner, if applicable. Using a short blast to ensure your hair is clear of shampoo and sufficiently wet, turn the shower off while lathering your hair. When you're finished applying your conditioner, turn the water on and quickly rinse off.
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Measure the flow rate of your shower. Calculate your average water usage per shower. Improve the flow rate of your shower. Turn on the water and let it warm up. Wet your body and hair. Shampoo your hair and wash yourself with soap. Rinse out your shampoo and soap. Use conditioner, if applicable.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Tutor
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How to Become a Tutor
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To become a tutor, start by identifying the subjects and grade levels you feel comfortable teaching. If you need to, brush up on those subjects so you'll be fully prepared to help your students. Next, advertise your services in your community, online, and at local schools, and be sure to include contact information so you can answer inquiries and schedule appointments with your prospects! Try to be flexible about where the tutoring will take place, since some parents may want you to come to their home.
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Determine which age or grade level/range you want to tutor. Think about what age of students you enjoy working with. Perhaps you love teaching young children, or maybe you enjoy assisting young adults with the learning process. Figuring out what age you want to teach is the first step in starting to expand your tutoring business because that will be your target audience. Choose the subjects you want to tutor. Think about in which subjects you feel you have the most skills, qualifications, and comfort level teaching to others. Consider which classes you got the best grades in or a subject related to your major in college if you have trouble deciding on a subject to tutor. You should have at least some formal education in the subject you intend to tutor – the level depends on what kind of tutoring you do. You may only need a bachelor's degree to tutor in some situations, while others might require a more advanced degree in the field. Understand the curriculum. Make sure you know and understand the subject or exam the student needs help with so you can maximize the effectiveness of the tutoring sessions. This may require reviewing old class notes, doing some refresher research on the Internet, or rereading an old textbook. Make some general topic outlines that you can refer to easily if you need help remembering something during a tutoring session. For certain classes that require structure for something like a national exam, make sure you are completely comfortable with the required syllabus. Solidify your teaching methods. Create engaging lessons using PowerPoint presentations, fun projects, or interactive activities. Make learning and studies fun by adding educational games, activities, and stories. This will make students focus more and actually enjoy their studies. Compliment the student on their strengths and help them see their growth. If a student is struggling, ask them what they can do to find a solution, rather than showing them how to do the problem yourself. This will allow them to learn how to solve diverse problems on their own. Listen to your students. A good tutor knows how to listen to their students and respond to their specific needs. This kind of attention to detail will help you retain existing clients. Tailor your lessons to each student – targeting their specific weaknesses and areas that need improvement. For example, if a student seems to already have a good understanding of part of a topic that you intended to cover, feel free to skim through that topic instead of going as in-depth as you had planned and move on to other parts of the lesson. This way, you can focus on the aspects that the student needs the most help with to maximize the benefit for them. Make your lessons interesting and interactive for repeat customers. In a good lesson, the students will do much of the work – you will simply guide them through the process. Get a tutoring certification if possible. It helps to attain recognition of your qualifications by being actively involved in the knowledge or discipline you are representing, by degree or other official documentation, or by both. Many non-profit organizations look to fill volunteer tutoring positions (and sometimes will offer tutor training for free or at a low cost) which can help you gain experience as a tutor. For example, the National Tutoring Association has a program that allow you to become an NTA-certified tutor. For the NTA certification, you must maintain membership in the organization, complete a certification application, submit proof of previous tutoring experience, complete a background check, and pay the required fees (about $25 USD). Then you'll be a certified tutor once the application has been processed. Go to the student's home if they request this. In many cases, the parents or students may request that you come to their home for tutoring sessions. If they live a reasonable distance from you, this can work well. If they live far away, however, you may want to charge extra for gas money or ask that they meet you at a different location. Tutor students in your home if you have the space and privacy. Sometimes, the parents or students may expect you to provide a location for tutoring. You can invite them to come to your home for convenience and to save yourself the commute. However, you will need to create a designated tutoring area and keep the space tidy. Also, if the student's parents are late to pick them up, you may have to entertain them. Work in a public location if you don't want to tutor in your home. If you aren't comfortable or don't have the space to bring students to your home, you can tutor them in a public location like a library or cafe. However, these locations could be crowded or noisy. Talk to teachers you know. Contact teachers and school counselors at local schools, especially those that teach the subject you are planning to tutor in. Ask them if they can tell students who currently need help about your services. It helps to discuss this with former teachers of yours, so that they already know you are a good student and will make a good tutor. Advertise in your community. Try to post advertisements for your tutoring services in places that parents will see them. Consider posting your ads on bulletin boards at local schools, the public library, daycare centers, or even recreational places where kids often hang out. You can even submit an advertisement to your local newspaper – the print version or the online one. Make sure that you always get permission from the property owner before posting an advertisement. Advertise online. There are many ways to advertise your tutoring skills online. You can create your own website – like an online résumé you can refer potential clients to. You can post on social media about your availability as a tutor. Or you can post advertisements on various website platforms to garner more interest in your budding business. Consider advertising on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or Bing. But be careful if you choose to advertise on Craigslist. The website is a great way to connect with local people, but it is notorious for scams. If you find a potential client from Craigslist, make sure that you meet in public for the first few meetings. Register for online tutoring directories. Many parents or students looking for a tutor will do an online search. Registering for online directories, like care.com or wyzant, can direct people looking for a tutor right to you. These sites are usually free, and you need only provide your basic information, education, experience, and skills. Ask for referrals. When you get a tutoring client, ask them to recommend you to their classmates, friends, and family after you've spent a few weeks working together. Word of mouth recommendations are a great way to increase your client list when you first start tutoring. Speak with your friends, parents, or siblings about your tutoring services, and offer a discount for friends they refer to you. You might even consider volunteering to tutor for a little while so that your acquaintances can test you out and help you build a reputation. Start working for a tutoring company. If you are nervous about being able to find your own clients, you may want to consider working at a professional tutoring company at first. There are plenty of online and in-person tutoring companies that will employ tutors and pay them. This can also be a great way to gain some tutoring experience with a reputable company. This will look good on your résumé if you try to branch out on your own later. Of course, the company will take part of the profit from your tutoring sessions, so you'll probably make less money per hour going this route. Identify the going rate. In order to be taken seriously and viewed as a professional, you should charge a competitive price for your services. Charging too little or too much will make you seem outside of the competitive pool, and therefore hinder your ability to find work. Depending on your levels of experience and education, a pretty standard going rate for in-person tutoring is $25 to $85 per hour. If you are a high school student, you'll probably need to charge on the lower end of that spectrum. If you are highly qualified (with a master's degree, for example), you could charge at the upper end of the spectrum, possibly even more. Ask other tutors you know how much they charge for their services. Do an online search to gather information about how much other tutors in your area charge. Sign up for online payment options. If you go into business for yourself, you should consider opening an online payment account to make it easy for your clients to pay you in whatever way is most convenient for them. Being able to offer credit card acceptance could make the difference between getting a client or not. There are several options for this, including PayPal and Venmo. Cash can be such a hassle for parents to remember for every session. If you have a PayPal option, this might make things much easier for the parents. This often translates to repeat customers. Insist on payment after each tutoring session. Be sure that your clients stay up-to-date on their payments. You should get paid for each session at the beginning or end of that session. If a student (or their parents) don't pay you for a session, you should not give them another session until the balance is paid. It can be all too easy for people to get behind and then it could turn into money you'll never receive for services you already supplied. You can consider creating payment invoices for each lesson to help the students/parents stay on top of the financial end of your arrangement.
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Determine which age or grade level/range you want to tutor. Choose the subjects you want to tutor. Understand the curriculum. Solidify your teaching methods. Listen to your students. Get a tutoring certification if possible. Go to the student's home if they request this. Tutor students in your home if you have the space and privacy. Work in a public location if you don't want to tutor in your home. Talk to teachers you know. Advertise in your community. Advertise online. Register for online tutoring directories. Ask for referrals. Start working for a tutoring company. Identify the going rate. Sign up for online payment options. Insist on payment after each tutoring session.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-Alcohol-for-Your-Party
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How to Buy Alcohol for Your Party
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When you're throwing a party, you'll want to ensure you have a variety of alcohol and plenty to go round. First, work out roughly how many people will come, accounting for plus ones. Buy enough alcohol for each person to have a drink per hour, then add one more for a welcome drink. Get a mix of beer, wine, and spirits so people have a good selection. If you're having a formal dinner party, you might want more wine. If you're expecting a lot of young people, you might want more spirits and beer. Don't forget to buy soft drinks and mixers, like club soda, cola, lemonade, tonic, and fruit juices. Look for offers and buy in bulk when you can to save a little extra cash.
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Set a budget. Before you can think about who to invite and how much alcohol to buy, it's important to set a budget for your party. This can help you not overspend and guide you what types of alcohol may be best for your party. Let how much money you want to spend overall guide you. For example, if you can spend $150, you may want half to go to alcohol and the other half to food. However, if you're having friends over for a wine tasting, you may want to spend more on a few bottles of quality wine and offer 2-3 small appetizers. Consider whether you are going to ask guests to bring a bottle of wine, beer, or another spirit. This will allow you to focus on a couple of types of alcohol. Figure out what you want to offer at the party. If you're having alcohol, chances are that you may want to offer snacks or other food like pizza or burgers. Determine the size and type of party you'll be throwing. The larger the party you throw, the more alcohol you'll need to supply. However, different types of parties will require different amounts of alcohol. For example, a simple lunch party won't require as much alcohol as a cocktail party or a wedding reception. Decide how long the party will last. The longer your party is, the more alcohol you'll need to supply to your guests. A good rule of thumb for parties is to provide enough alcohol so that each guest has 2 drinks for the first hour of the party, followed by 1 drink for every additional hour of the party. Make a guest list for the party. If you're having a formal or slightly formal party, you'll need to send out invitations. The list can guide you for the amount and types of alcohol you should get. If it's not a formal, invite-only party, then estimate the number of people that you think may show up. Even a rough figure can help you estimate how much alcohol to buy. Write a note next to each guest's name to remind yourself how much and what the person drinks. You can categorize guests by “light drinker, average drinker, heavy drinker.” Add a note of “wine,” “liquor,” or “beer” to help guide you on what specific alcohol and quantities you may need to buy. Make sure to throw away the list before the party so you don't offend anyone. Make final calculations on alcohol quantities. Once you have your guest list or estimate of how many people will attend and what they will drink, you can put together a shopping list. Make sure to overestimate a bit so that you don't run out of alcohol during the party. You can always save extra for yourself or the next party. Feel free to play with the ratios of beer, wine, and liquor depending on your audience and occasion. For example, you might want more beer than liquor for a World Cup party. A formal dinner might serve more wine. For a crowd under 35, get more vodka, rum, and beer. Select as wide a variety of alcoholic beverages as you can. If you know for sure that none of your guests will drink a beverage of a certain type, then don't buy it. Otherwise, try to offer a combination of beer, wine, and several liquors. For reference, a 750-ml bottle of wine has about 5 servings and the same size bottle of liquor will have about 16 drinks. For beer, if you have having a larger group, you may want to get a keg or half keg. If you serve beer in 10-ounce cups, a keg will have about 200 servings and a half-keg 100 servings. For smaller parties, get cans or bottles of beer. Purchase your alcohol. There are a wide variety of places that sell alcohol. You can get what you need for your party at both online and in person at liquor stores, beer distributors, grocery stores, and some large retailers. Save money on your alcohol by comparing prices. Often, online retailers or wholesale stores have lower price points. Liquor stores and beer distributors may have more of a selection, but they may also be significantly more expensive. Cut costs where you can and splurge a bit on something special like a premium liquor or wine. Ask store personnel if they are willing to give you a deal. Explain that you will be buying a larger quantity of alcohol and were hoping to help the local economy by supporting the business. Find out if the vendor will refund you for unopened bottles. However, don't be too push negotiating prices or you might offend the store owner. Bring some friends or family members to help you carry your purchases. Get non-alcoholic beverages. You may have people who don't consume alcohol and many guests may want something non-alcoholic in between drinks. Make sure to have either tap or bottled water available to your guests and an assortment of other options such as soda, juice, or tea. Recognize that you can use many non-alcoholic drinks as mixers with liquor. Remember that alcohol causes the body to dehydrate, which means that your guests need to drink water to replenish lost fluids. Encourage your guests to drink more than only alcohol. Provide mixers. In addition to your non-alcoholic beverage drinkers, those guests having liquor may want something with which to make a mixed drink. Having a wide variety of mixer options will keep your guests happy and can also help save on alcohol. You may also want extras such as grenadine or Angostura bitters. Consider all or some of the following mixers for your party: Club soda or seltzer Tonic Ginger ale Cola Diet cola Lemon-lime soda Tomato juice Grapefruit juice Orange juice Cranberry juice Have plenty of garnishes. Some people like a garnish with their mixed drinks and some guests drinking non-alcoholic beverages may also like them in their beverages. Garnishes are relatively cheap, so you can buy extras and use leftovers for other occasions. Figure on ½ lemon, ½ lime, and two each of following for each guest: olives, cherries, cocktail or Gibson onions. Cool off drinks with ice. Every person has different tastes when it comes to alcohol. Some people like warm beer, while others like ice-cold beer. Some of your guests may like their mixed drinks on the rocks or non-alcoholic beverages with a few ice cubes. Plan on buying or making 1.5 pounds of ice per person. This will ensure that you have plenty of ice for drinks and any ice baths for wine or beer. Offer different foods. Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach can result in sick guests. As host of a party with alcohol, serve food—a meal or finger foods-- alongside the alcohol. Have 5-6 choices of finger foods if your party takes place outside of a mealtime. Calculate 1-2 of each choice per guest. If it is during a mealtime, you'll need 8-10 foods. You'll need to figure on 2-3 of each choice per guest in this case. Think of the type of drinks you're serving to guide your food selections. For example, things like chicken wings, sliders, and pizza go well with beer. You could do cheese and arugula toasts with herb oil or tomato mozzarella skewers with wine. For liquors, you could do deviled eggs or a guacamole. Consider other options such as soups, tiny sandwiches, fruit squares, cut vegetables and dip, or meats such as salami. Make sure to add extras for hungry or larger men. Get cups and utensils. Your guests won't be able to enjoy the drinks and food spread you provide if they don't have anything to drink them out of or off which to eat. Make sure you get plenty of cups, plates, utensils, and napkins for your guests. If you're using disposable or plastic utensils, plan to get extra in case people throw them away. For cups, have guests write their names on the cups so that they can continue to use them throughout the evening. Buy disposable bamboo utensils if you want to watch out for the environment. Often, bamboo options look nice than their plastic counterparts, though they may be more expensive. Make sure to have paper towels or cloth dishtowels on hand to clean up any spills or messes. You may also want to get tablecloths to protect any tables or other furniture from spills.
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Set a budget. Determine the size and type of party you'll be throwing. Make a guest list for the party. Make final calculations on alcohol quantities. Purchase your alcohol. Get non-alcoholic beverages. Provide mixers. Have plenty of garnishes. Cool off drinks with ice. Offer different foods. Get cups and utensils.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-Between-Getting-a-Kitten-or-Adult-Cat
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How to Choose Between Getting a Kitten or Adult Cat
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If you're trying to decide whether or not you should get a kitten or adult cat, consider how much free time you have available to care for it. Because kittens require a lot of attention, an adult cat might be a better choice for you if everyone in your household works during the day, for example. However, if you already have an adult cat, you may be better off getting a kitten, since adult cats sometimes feel threatened by other adult cats. You should also consider whether you'd want a chance to shape the development and personality of a kitten, or know what you're getting into on day one by choosing an adult cat.
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Think about the fun factor. Although an adult cat is in many ways easier than a kitten, there is nothing that beats the level of playfulness and entertainment value offered by a new kitten. Tumbling, rollicking, silly kittens may offer you and your family hours of entertainment. If you decide on a kitten, remember that they should be between nine and twelve weeks of age before you adopt them. In order to socialize properly, kittens need lots of time with their mother. Take maturity into account. When you buy or adopt an adult cat, what you see on day one is more or less the cat you will end up with. In contrast, kittens may change in any number of ways, such as hair color, temperament and level of sociability. With an adult cat, you at least know what you are getting. On the other hand, with a kitten, you have a chance to witness and help shape their development and personality. Take mischievousness into account. Kittens can be playfully annoying. They often knock over cups of juice or wine and otherwise make a mess. Although kittens can be adorable, this kind of behavior can get really annoying. On the other hand, an adult cat will be more calm and collected. Review kitten-proofing your home. If you take a look at your home from a kitten's perspective, you may notice all kinds of things that could hurt them, such as electrical cords. You may also notice things they could easily break, such as fragile pots. If the thought of kitten-proofing your home is formidable, you may want to get an adult cat instead. Choose an adult cat if you are a working family. If everyone in your family is away from home during the day, it may be difficult to devote enough time and energy towards training a kitten. As such, an adult cat may be a better choice if you are a working family. Look at a kitten if you already own an adult cat. By pairing a kitten with your adult cat, your adult cat may feel less threatened by the new pet in your home. Whereas adult cats can get quite threatened and territorial with the introduction of a new adult cat into the household, they are often more accepting of kittens, who are less of a threat. If you really want a second adult cat, choose a second adult cat that is very laid back and similar in personality and physical stature. Consider your toddlers in your decision-making. Toddlers tend to be a bit hard on kittens, often grabbing their tale or fur in a rough manner. In this sense, it might make more sense to get an adult cat. Regardless of your decision, you should teach your toddler how to safely and respectfully play with the cat or kitten. If you have children and want a kitten, you can train your kids to interact in a respectful manner with the kitten. Choose a kitten if you have the time. There are few better ways of spending your time than with a kitten, whose love and affection will continue to pay dividends for many years to come. It is important to keep in mind that kittens are at a crucial stage of learning that will shape their entire adult lives. As such, you need to devote time to teaching your new kitten how to be well-behaved and sociable around other animals and humans in your home. Pick an adult cat if you have a busy schedule. Your schedule may be a factor in this decision, since adult cats require less of a time commitment. If you are very busy at work or with other personal commitments, an adult cat may be a wise choice. Also, keep in mind that adult cats are hard to find homes for, so you may even be saving a life by choosing an adult cat over a kitten. You will either be saving that cat from being put to sleep or you will be opening up a spot for another cat to come into the shelter. Consider veterinary care. Veterinary care can be expensive for the first year, if you choose a kitten. On the other hand, if you choose an adult cat, they may have their vaccinations done and already be declawed. If it is an older cat, however, veterinary costs could get expensive. Kittens need several vaccinations and examinations during their first year, such as fecal exams and calicivirus vaccinations. If you get a kitten, consider the expensive first-year veterinary costs, which range from $491, on the low end, to $3,125, on the high end. If you get an adult cat, yearly veterinary costs range from $310, on the low end, to $1,169, on the high end.
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Think about the fun factor. Take maturity into account. Take mischievousness into account. Review kitten-proofing your home. Choose an adult cat if you are a working family. Look at a kitten if you already own an adult cat. Consider your toddlers in your decision-making. Choose a kitten if you have the time. Pick an adult cat if you have a busy schedule. Consider veterinary care.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Propagate-Bamboo
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How to Propagate Bamboo
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If you want to propagate bamboo, use a sharp knife or a handsaw to cut a 10-inch piece of bamboo at a 45° angle. Each piece should contain at least 3-4 nodes. Apply soft wax to the rim of one end, but do not cover the center hole with wax. Bury the other end of the cutting in potting soil, ensuring at least 1 node is covered with dirt. Mist the soil thoroughly with a spray bottle, and fill the center of the cutting with water. Keep the pots in a warm area out of direct sunlight and water them daily, then transplant the bamboo after 4 months.
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Pick and sterilize the correct tool to cut the bamboo. The tool you use will depend on how thick and hearty your bamboo is. If you have thin bamboo, you may be able to use a sharp knife. If your bamboo is heartier, you may have to use a handsaw. Whatever tool you end up using, sterilize it first with household disinfectants, such as diluted bleach or rubbing alcohol. If you are using bleach to sterilize your tool, dilute it with water first. Use 1 part bleach for every 32 parts water. For example, use 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of bleach for every 1/2 liter (0.13 US liquid Gallon) of water or 4 fluid ounces per US Gallon. Cut a 10 inches (25 cm) piece of bamboo at a 45° angle. Each piece you cut from the bamboo should contain at least 3 or 4 nodes, the rings that wrap around the stalk. The bamboo should be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter if you want to successfully grow from a cutting. Apply a rooting hormone to one end of the cutting. The rooting hormone will help the roots develop faster once you replant the cutting. Dip the end of the bamboo into the hormone and shake off any excess. Root growth hormone can be purchased in a powder form at any gardening store. Apply 1⁄8 inch (3.2 mm) of soft wax around the rim of the exposed end. Use a soft wax, like soy wax or beeswax. The wax will help prevent the stalk from rotting or drying. Make sure you do not cover the center hole with wax. Bury the cutting 1 node deep into a pot filled with potting soil. A small nursery pot will work fine for each cutting. Push the bamboo into the potting soil until 1 node is completely buried. Press the soil firmly around the bamboo to eliminate any air pockets present. Mist the soil thoroughly with a spray bottle. The soil should feel damp to the touch and should be saturated, but not muddy. Stick your finger into the soil to the first knuckle to make sure the soil is wet. Fill the center of the cutting with water. While the roots will develop with moist soil, pouring water into the center of the stalk will give extra water to your cutting. Check the water level every 2 days and keep the center mostly filled with water as it grows. Keep the pots in a warm area out of direct sunlight and water them daily. The bamboo cuttings should be kept in mostly shade while it grows, but a little light throughout the day is okay. Check the soil daily to keep it moist. Don't let water sit on top of the soil. Too much water will put any developing roots at risk of rotting. You can place a plastic bag over the cutting to help the plant retain moisture, though this is not necessary for it to grow. Transplant the bamboo after 4 months. Within 3 to 4 weeks, you should notice your cutting growing in height and more branches appearing from the nodes. After it's been in the pot for 4 months, you can transplant the cutting into the ground. Gently loosen the soil in the pot with a hand shovel or trowel so it can be easily removed. Place the bamboo into a hole slightly larger than the bamboo root system. Replace the soil around the bamboo and water it thoroughly. Take 10 inches (25 cm) cuttings off new bamboo growth. The cuttings you take should have at least 2 nodes and 2 culms, the areas between the nodes. Cut the bamboo at a 45° angle as best you can with a sharp knife. Sterilize the knife with household disinfectants, such as diluted bleach or rubbing alcohol, before cutting the bamboo stalk. Submerge the bottom node in a pot of water in a well-lit area. The bottom node should be completely underwater so that it has the maximum area for roots to develop. Keep the bamboo in an area where it gets indirect sunlight for 6 hours and is above 55 °F (13 °C). If possible, use a clear container so you can see the roots develop. Change the water every 2 days. Standing water will lose oxygen quickly, especially as you try to grow bamboo. Changing the water ensures that your plant will continue getting the nutrients it needs to keep growing. Move the cutting to a pot once the roots are 2 inches (5.1 cm) long. It will take several weeks for the roots to develop from your cutting. Once the roots are 2 inches (5.1 cm) in length, you can move the cutting into a pot or the ground to continue growing. Plant the cutting 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep. Cut off a portion of rhizome with 2-3 growth buds using a gardening knife. Carefully remove the dirt away from the root system of your bamboo plant. Find a portion of the rhizome that has 2 or 3 growth buds, or the areas where stalks grow from. You may have to trim the stalks down to collect the rhizome. Use a sharp knife to remove the portion. Don't use any rhizomes that have a dark or patchy appearance. These are signs of disease or pests. Thus, such rhizomes will not grow as well. Only collect rhizomes from an established bamboo clump, or else you put your existing bamboo at risk. Lay the rhizome horizontally in a pot with the buds facing up. Have a layer of potting soil in the pot. Place the side where the stalks of bamboo grow face-up. If you left some of the stalk attached to the rhizome, keep those ends out of the soil. Cover the rhizome with 3 inches (7.6 cm) of potting soil. Bury the rhizome so it can start to develop and grow. Press on the soil firmly so it has complete contact with the rhizome. Water the soil with a watering can. The soil should be deeply moist, but there should not be any muddy water on the surface. Stick your finger into the soil down to the second knuckle to make sure that the soil is damp. Check the moistness of your soil every other day with your finger. If it feels dry, water the rhizome until the soil is damp, but not drenched. Too much water will cause the rhizome to rot. Do not overwater the soil. Keep the pots in the shade for 4-6 weeks. Keep the pot out of direct sunlight. The best place to keep it is next to a shady exterior wall or under the cover of a large tree. It will take 4 to 6 weeks before your bamboo sprouts and grows through the soil again. Bamboo grown from rhizomes can be put back into the soil when nighttime temperatures are consistently above 55 °F (13 °C).
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Pick and sterilize the correct tool to cut the bamboo. Cut a 10 inches (25 cm) piece of bamboo at a 45° angle. Apply a rooting hormone to one end of the cutting. Apply 1⁄8 inch (3.2 mm) of soft wax around the rim of the exposed end. Bury the cutting 1 node deep into a pot filled with potting soil. Mist the soil thoroughly with a spray bottle. Fill the center of the cutting with water. Keep the pots in a warm area out of direct sunlight and water them daily. Transplant the bamboo after 4 months. Take 10 inches (25 cm) cuttings off new bamboo growth. Submerge the bottom node in a pot of water in a well-lit area. Change the water every 2 days. Move the cutting to a pot once the roots are 2 inches (5.1 cm) long. Cut off a portion of rhizome with 2-3 growth buds using a gardening knife. Lay the rhizome horizontally in a pot with the buds facing up. Cover the rhizome with 3 inches (7.6 cm) of potting soil. Water the soil with a watering can. Keep the pots in the shade for 4-6 weeks.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Celebrate-Valentine%27s-Day
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How to Celebrate Valentine's Day
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To celebrate Valentine's Day with your significant other, you can plan a fun activity that you both have always talked about doing like skydiving or going on a road trip. For dinner, you can make reservations at a romantic restaurant. Alternatively, you can cook an intimate meal at home and set the table with candles and fresh flowers to make it feel more special. When it comes to giving your significant other a gift, you don't need to spend tons of money. You can go for classic presents like flowers and chocolate. If you have a little bigger budget, consider getting them a piece of jewelry or that special item they've been eyeing. Instead of a present, you can also plan a surprise like attaching little love notes to balloons.
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Surprise your significant other with a special breakfast in bed. Cook an assortment of your loved one's favorite breakfast foods, like bacon , pancakes , waffles , or scrambled eggs. Serve the meal on a tray with a glass of juice or coffee. Your loved one will appreciate the thoughtfulness. Consider filling a plastic bag or squeeze bottle with pancake batter and draw the pancakes into the shape of a heart on the hot skillet. Do not forget to make a tray or food for yourself. Snuggle back in bed with your loved one, and enjoy the meal together. This is a great way for the two of you to chat and hang out. Plan a fun activity to experience something new and exciting together. Instead of adhering to Valentine's Day traditions, take some time to plan a fun and bold adventure with your significant other. Figure out something that you both have always wanted to do, and enjoy experiencing the activity together. Go skydiving or bungee jumping and enjoy the thrill of the extreme sport together. Pack up the car with snacks and take a day-trip across your state. Plan to visit specific sites, or be spontaneous and stop at random places along the way. Visit a local national park and immerse yourself in nature. Find a romantic spot within the park, and enjoy watching the sunset together. Snuggle on the couch with your significant other and have a movie marathon. Grab some cozy blankets and some snacks, like popcorn , chips, or candy, and enjoy a relaxing evening with your significant other. Decide on a collection of movies or a television series that you both will enjoy. If you and your significant other both have busy schedules on Valentine's Day, this is a great way for the two of you to relax, chat, and share some laughs. To make the simple movie-night more romantic, purchase some Valentine's Day sweets, like decorated chocolates or chocolate covered strawberries. Make reservations at a fancy restaurant to celebrate the evening in public. Treat you and your loved one to a romantic dinner at a local restaurant. Pick a couple of restaurants that are within your budget, and call to see if they have Valentine's Day reservations open. The fancy food and atmosphere of the restaurant will be a special memory for you and your loved one to have. Just make sure to make the reservations well in advance to Valentine's Day. Otherwise, you may not be able to eat at that particular restaurant. Continue to enjoy the evening by taking a stroll around town or a walk through the park. This will give both of you time to enjoy each other's company. Plan a romantic dinner at home to make the evening more intimate. Select foods that you both will enjoy, and try to only tackle recipes that you can realistically make. The meal does not have to be elaborate to be special or romantic. Dress up the dining area with a nice red tablecloth, candles, and fresh flowers to make the setting more intimate. Consider making a simple spaghetti a meatball dish with homemade meatballs and a homemade tomato sauce or dress up a simple oven roasted chicken by stuffing it with sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese. Make cooking the dinner part of the date and have your significant other help you prepare the meal. Not only will this speed up the cooking process, but it will also give both of your time to bond and chat. Alternatively, take some of the date-night pressure off and plan a romantic picnic in the park. This will not only eliminate some stress, but it will also give you a chance to spend some quality time with your loved one. Make a homemade card tailored for a special someone in your life. Skip buying a standard card from the store, and instead, opt for making a personalized one. Use a piece of cardstock to create a sturdy base for the card. Then, decorate it with humorous or poetic words and images that will let your significant other know that you love them. Feel free to also make Valentine's Day cards for your friends and family as well! The holiday goes beyond your significant other. Make sure that your friends and family know that you love and care for them as well. For large groups of people, like a classroom of students or peers, consider attaching simple notes to pieces of candy like lollipops. Tie special notes to a bundle of balloons for your significant other to read. Fill a dozen or more red, pink, or white balloons with helium. Write the notes on simple cardstock with a pen or marker. Use a hole-punch to create a hole in the note, and attach it to the knot of the balloon with a piece of string or ribbon. Leave the bundle of balloons in a place for your significant other to see. Include reasons why you love your significant other on the notes or recall a series of special moments you shared together to create a timeline of your relationship. Maybe even accompany the memory with a photo to make the display visual. If you have a low ceiling in your home, allow the balloons to float to the ceiling and scatter them around the room. The different colored balloons will help decorate the room for the special occasion. Alternatively, inflate the balloons normally and scatter them around the floor of your bedroom or living room. Slip a special note into each balloon before tying them off, and have your significant other pop the balloons to find the message. Design a coupon book that your loved can use beyond Valentine’s Day. Create a little booklet out of colored paper or cardstock, and decorate each page with doodles or stickers to make each coupon unique looking. Fill the coupon book with favor tokens that will make your loved one laugh and feel special. Some coupon ideas could include: Treat your loved one to a day of pampering and write, “Good for a back massage and a bubble bath.” Then, draw bubbles around the coupon or the outlines of hands to make the visual theme match the message. Let your loved one choose the film for a movie date night and write something like, “Pick a movie and I will make the popcorn.” Design the coupon to look like a movie ticket, popcorn bucket, or television. Design a coupon to look like a chef's hat and write something like, “Good for a home cooked meal of your choice.” Stash love notes around your home for your loved one to find. Write little messages on colored cardstock, listing reasons why you love your significant other or recalling memories you shared together. Then, place the notes around your home where your significant other can easily find them. Your loved one will not only enjoy reading the notes but will be surprised each time they find one. Hide the notes in creative spots, like on your loved one's favorite coffee mug, in their jacket pocket, or on the television remote. Just make sure to pick spots or items that your loved one frequently uses; otherwise, your message may go unfound. Alternatively, place the notes all in one spot, like on your loved one's bathroom mirror. Write the messages on pink sticky notes, and arrange the notes in the shape of a heart on the mirror. Give your significant other a classic gift of flowers and chocolate. Purchase a bouquet of your loved one's favorite flowers, or choose classic red roses to mark the holiday. Pair the flowers with a box of chocolates or other sweets. Then, either give the gift to your loved one in person or surprise them by having the gift delivered to their home. This gift is perfect if you and your significant other have only just started dating , and you are unsure what gift to give. If you don't mind spending more money, accompany the flowers and chocolate with a special gift to mark the occasion. This could be a nice piece of jewelry like a watch or necklace, or this could be something more personal, like the latest book or video game your significant other has been eyeing. Invite your friends over to your place for a potluck dinner. Ask each of your friends to bring a prepared dish. Arrange the food on a long table or counter, and then enjoy an evening filled with a variety of warm foods and great friends. Simplify the evening further by ordering take-out food from a favorite restaurant. This is a great alternative for last-minute get-togethers. Unite your family and friends by hosting a Valentine’s Day party. Give your favorite people an excuse to mingle during the holiday and plan a Valentine's Day party. Decorate your home with red, pink, and white balloons, streamers, and cutout hearts. Line a table with an assortment of sweets and finger-foods, and create a fun ambiance with some bouncy music. Valentine's Day is not everyone's favorite holiday. Instead of a Valentine's Day themed party, pick a different theme to eliminate any Valentine's Day reservations your friends might have. Make the party “Anti-Valentine's Day” themed, or choose a random theme that all of your friends will enjoy. Enjoy a night at home playing games with a close group of friends. Ask each friend to bring a favorite board game, card game, or snack. Then, spend the evening chatting with your friends and playing a variety of games. Some fun games that will support a range of players are Charades , Pictionary , and Cards Against Humanity. Treat yourself to a day at the spa or fill a bubble bath at home. Take this holiday to pamper yourself. Sometimes, you can be so swept up in the hustle of life that you forget to take the time to take care of yourself. Schedule an appointment at a local spa, or create a calming atmosphere at home with a bubble bath and scented candles. If going to the spa is not your ideal way to pamper yourself, then choose an activity that is. Maybe you find yoga to be relaxing and you normally don't have time for it, or maybe you want to hike a mountain trail that you have been thinking about. Find something that will give you time to relax. Take the time to dress up even if you are spending the holiday alone. Throw on a pressed button-up shirt or slimming dress and take a stroll around town. There is no need to hide in your pajamas on Valentine's Day if you don't want to. Dress up for yourself and no one else. The fancy clothes will give you a round of confidence that will carry you through the rest of the day. Purchase your favorite Valentine’s Day sweets and enjoy the indulgence. Just because you want to celebrate the holiday alone , does not mean that you cannot partake in some of the festivities. Purchase your favorite Valentine's Day sweets and enjoy shamelessly eating them throughout the holiday. Pair your sweets with your favorite form of entertainment. Grab a good book or movie and spend the evening relaxing in your pajamas.
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Surprise your significant other with a special breakfast in bed. Plan a fun activity to experience something new and exciting together. Snuggle on the couch with your significant other and have a movie marathon. Make reservations at a fancy restaurant to celebrate the evening in public. Plan a romantic dinner at home to make the evening more intimate. Make a homemade card tailored for a special someone in your life. Tie special notes to a bundle of balloons for your significant other to read. Design a coupon book that your loved can use beyond Valentine’s Day. Stash love notes around your home for your loved one to find. Give your significant other a classic gift of flowers and chocolate. Invite your friends over to your place for a potluck dinner. Unite your family and friends by hosting a Valentine’s Day party. Enjoy a night at home playing games with a close group of friends. Treat yourself to a day at the spa or fill a bubble bath at home. Take the time to dress up even if you are spending the holiday alone. Purchase your favorite Valentine’s Day sweets and enjoy the indulgence.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Frostbite
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How to Prevent Frostbite
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To prevent frostbite, always wear lots of warm layers when you plan on being outside in cold weather. As you're getting dressed, make sure you tuck your undershirt into your pants, your pants into your socks, and your sleeves into your gloves so there aren't any gaps for cold air to get in. Also, take extra care to protect your head, hands, and feet since these are the areas that are most susceptible to frostbite. If you'll be in extremely cold temperatures, you should also protect your face by wearing a ski mask.
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Check the weather before you go out. Take time to look at the weather forecast and decide what you need to wear today. Preventing frostbite is all about being as prepared as possible. If you're going to be outside all day, whether you're hiking or standing in line for concert tickets, frostbite is a real possibility. Make sure you have enough clothing to face dropping temperatures. Winter weather can be very unpredictable. While you might be well-equipped for a the afternoon high, you should also think ahead about the night's low, just in case you get delayed. Be prepared in case of unexpected snowstorms or high winds. Exposure to wet snow and cold winds increases the chance that you could end up with frostbite. Wear layers. People who spend a lot of time outside have developed a sort of system for dressing for winter weather. No matter how warm your winter coat is, it's not going to be as effective as an outfit composed of more than one layer. A good winter weather getup includes the following basics: Wear a wicking fabric close to the skin. This is a type of synthetic fabric that keeps your skin from staying damp. Wear a warm fabric over that. Wool is a good choice. Never wear cotton, since it doesn't dry fast enough and doesn't provide good insulation. Wear a weather-appropriate fabric as the top layer. Your winter coat, a rain jacket, or a combination of the two should be on top to protect you from the elements. Examine your clothing for gaps. Make sure there's not an area where cold air is hitting your skin. The place where your pants and shirt meet, your wrists, ankles and neck are all susceptible to frostbite. Even those these aren't the most common places to get frostbite, you should take every precaution just in case. Make sure your undershirt is tucked tightly into your pants. Tuck your socks over the bottoms of your pants. Tuck the tops of your mittens over your sleeves. Take extra care to protect your head, hands and feet. These are the parts that most often end up frost-bitten. They're the outer parts of your body that don't benefit from your warm layers. That means you have to take extra care to clothe these parts of your body properly so they stay as warm as possible. Wear a warm hat with ear flaps. Protect your eyes and nose in very cold temperatures. You might want to get a ski mask. Wear mittens instead of gloves; they’re warmer. Wear appropriate footwear and socks. If you anticipate getting wet, wear waterproof boots. Bring children inside every hour to warm up. Children are more susceptible to frostbite, since they're not as aware when of the warning signs. A child might lose a mitten and end up with numb fingers without giving it a moment's notice. Bring your children inside often, especially in very cold temperatures, to make sure they stay safe. Seek shelter if you encounter a serious storm or extreme cold. Frostbite can start to occur very quickly at low temperatures or when there are high winds or precipitation. If the weather conditions change, it's important to seek shelter as soon as possible. Change or go in immediately if you get wet. Wet clothing against the skin increases the risk of frostbite. Keep clothes dry, especially socks and gloves or mittens. Bring extras or go inside to dry them off if they become wet. Check your skin for frostbite every half hour. This is especially important when you're in very cold temperatures. Look at your skin, press it to feel how firm it is, and wiggle your fingers and toes. Early signs of frostbite include: Frostnip: This is the earliest stage. It involves painful sensations and red skin that responds normally to pressure. Superficial frostbite: The second stage is characterized by numbness and white or grayish-yellow skin that still feels soft. Deep frostbite: This type of frostbite is very dangerous, and requires immediate medical attention. See if there's numbness and white or grayish-yellow skin that feels waxy and unusually firm. Dizziness, confusion and fever may also be present. Get to a warm place immediately. If you have any of the early signs of frostbite, go inside and start getting warm. Take off wet clothes and change into dry ones or use a warm blanket to warm up. Have a warm drink like tea, hot chocolate or just warm water to start bringing your body temperature back up. Don't attempt to go back outside after warming up. The affected area will be susceptible to further damage if you go outside. Don't risk it just because you want to get back to skiing or hiking. If you can't find a warm place or are too far away from the closest heated building, seek shelter out of the wind and call for help. Immerse the affected area in warm water. Fill a bowl or pot with warm water and completely submerge the affected area. Do not use hot water, as it will heat the skin too quickly and damage the tissue. Soak the area for 30 to 40 minutes. Have someone not affected by frostbite test the water to make sure it's warm, but not hot. The person with frostbite may not be able to sense the temperature accurately. After about 30 or 40 minutes, full sensation should be regained, and the color should begin returning to normal. As the tissue begins to warm, it's common to feel severe pain. Don’t warm the area using other methods. Handling the tissue roughly could result in a lot of damage. Warm water should be the only warming mechanism you use to restore the body part to the correct temperature. Avoid doing the following: Don’t rub the skin, either with your hands or with a towel. Don’t use dry heat, since the numb skin will easily burn
Call for medical assistance or see a doctor to assess the injuries. Frostnip may be treatable at home without need for further assistance, but anything beyond that could cause long-term damage. If you experience these symptoms, it's important to get medical attention: Blistering
Loss of sensation
Pale or discolored skin
Discharge from the affected area
Fever, confusion or dizziness
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Check the weather before you go out. Make sure you have enough clothing to face dropping temperatures. Be prepared in case of unexpected snowstorms or high winds. Wear layers. Wear a wicking fabric close to the skin. Wear a warm fabric over that. Wear a weather-appropriate fabric as the top layer. Examine your clothing for gaps. Make sure your undershirt is tucked tightly into your pants. Tuck your socks over the bottoms of your pants. Tuck the tops of your mittens over your sleeves. Take extra care to protect your head, hands and feet. Wear a warm hat with ear flaps. Protect your eyes and nose in very cold temperatures. Wear mittens instead of gloves; they’re warmer. Wear appropriate footwear and socks. Bring children inside every hour to warm up. Seek shelter if you encounter a serious storm or extreme cold. Change or go in immediately if you get wet. Check your skin for frostbite every half hour. Frostnip: Superficial frostbite: Deep frostbite: Get to a warm place immediately. Don't attempt to go back outside after warming up. If you can't find a warm place or are too far away from the closest heated building, seek shelter out of the wind and call for help. Immerse the affected area in warm water. Have someone not affected by frostbite test the water to make sure it's warm, but not hot. After about 30 or 40 minutes, full sensation should be regained, and the color should begin returning to normal. Don’t warm the area using other methods. Don’t rub the skin, either with your hands or with a towel. Don’t use dry heat, since the numb skin will easily burn
Call for medical assistance or see a doctor to assess the injuries. Blistering
Loss of sensation
Pale or discolored skin
Discharge from the affected area
Fever, confusion or dizziness
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https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Socialite
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How to Become a Socialite
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To become a socialite, use the connections you have to broaden your social circle and gain invitations to important social events. Next, find ways to interact with known socialites by chatting them up at a party or engaging with them on social media. You can also create a popular social media presence of your own, which can help you get your foot in the door with exclusive social rings. It's important to look the part, so remember to groom yourself impeccably, dress in designer brands, and look your best at all times!
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Dress simply and tastefully. Stick to classic, tried-and-true styles as you start making your way into the socialite scene. For women, you can't go wrong with dark wash jeans or a “little black dress.” Men should stick with dark, fitted suits. Buy clothes that fit and flatter your shape. Gone are the days when you have to be stick-skinny to make your mark on high society! Dress to your body shape, avoiding shapeless dresses and T-shirts or jeans that cut off circulation or leave imprints on your hips. Choose clothes that fit your body and visit a tailor to ensure that your clothes fit to perfection. Invest in a few key accessories. A strand of pearls adds instant elegance to a woman's style, while a well-chosen pocket square will add a classy dash of color to a man's suit. A nice watch is always a solid addition to any outfit. Avoid gaudy, chunky, or flashy jewelry that calls attention to itself. As a socialite, you're going for a tasteful, but understated look. Choose stylish shoes. Your clothes will matter right down to the tips of your toes, so make sure they match your look. For women, heels are a must if you're out and about. Men should invest in a few pairs of high-quality brown and black leather shoes. Style your hair neatly and fashionably. Your hair should be clean and well-cut at all times. Women should try to apply heat; go for a sleek, straight look that can adapt to day and nighttime looks, or choose wavy curls or even a blowout for a style that's both classy and relaxed. For men, go for a styling mousse that won't leave your hair looking greasy or too slick. Facial hair should be neatly trimmed. Ask a hairstylist for their recommendations. What hair color will look best with your skin, or what cut will flatter your features? Wear natural makeup. Neon eyeshadows and caked-on foundation won't fly in elite socialite circles. Accentuate one feature, like a bold lip or smoky eyeshadow, and keep the rest natural. Fit your makeup to your outfit. Pairing a red lip with a black dress is always a good move, but dark, heavy eye makeup won't fit well with a light sundress. Wear designer brands. As you work your way up the social ladder, start paying attention to the “names” you're wearing. Even if you're a ways off from the red carpet, stay up to date on fashion trends and designers-to-watch. Be knowledgeable about the fashion industry even though you may not be able to wear the big brands just yet. Subscribe to fashion magazines or follow style blogs to stay up to date on the current trends. Look your best at all times. You never know when you'll run into an acquaintance or even a photographer, so always dress to impress. Avoid “athleisure” clothing, like leggings or sweatpants, unless you're working out. Never leave your house with messy hair or smeared makeup. Create social media accounts. Becoming well-known on social media today can help you get your name into exclusive social rings. You'll still have to do the face-to-face work, but having a popular online presence might help get your foot in the door. Make a Facebook, Instagram and Twitter account. Set them to public so that you can start gathering followers and post regularly, at least once a week. Promote yourself in creative ways. Have a friend take pictures of you dressed well and walking around the city, at a work function, or out doing things you love, like reading, painting, or exercising. Be authentic and share things from your life that make you unique. Avoid blurry selfies and opt for high-quality pictures with short, succinct captions. Take examples from the “professionals. ” Study the feeds of celebrities and established socialites to get a feel for what works and what doesn't. Don't copy their content, but use it as inspiration to create your own unique online persona and attract the attention of other social elites. Interact with the people you want to be friends with. Follow posts from people in the social circle you'd like to be in. Comment on them regularly with short, positive notes, such as, “Love what you're doing with this charity!” or “Beautiful, classy picture of you.” Even if the poster doesn't notice your comment, other commenters will, and may start following your own feed. Avoid unflattering and inappropriate photos. Keep your language clean with no curse words and your clothing fashionable and appropriate, with nothing too revealing. Only post pictures that are flattering and high-quality. Your social media should be just as stylish and sophisticated as you are. Never post photos or statuses referencing alcohol or drugs. Keep your opinions to a minimum. You're just starting to climb the social ladder, so now is not the best time to inadvertently offend people. Remember that people of different backgrounds and beliefs will be interacting with you on social media and that your online profile is probably not the place to try to convert people to your political and religious beliefs. Spread positivity instead of inviting hurt feelings or drama. Have impeccable manners. If you're invited to a dinner party, bring a gift or a dish, like wine or a dessert, and pay close attention to your table manners. Stay away from your phone during conversation and be friendly and cordial to everyone you meet. Avoid drama with others in the social scene. Talking behind other people's backs and dumping friends to move up the social ladder is the worst socialite stereotype. Avoid behaving this way yourself by remembering that a truly confident socialite doesn't need to put others down to feel strong. When others try to involve you in gossip, simply say, “From my experience, he's a wonderful person,” or, “I don't know her very well, but she seems sweet.” Keep your comments positive and don't say anything bad about anyone--it may come back to hurt you if you do! Be charming and memorable in conversation. Strive to make one good connection with each person you meet: maybe you both scuba dive, enjoy baseball, or frequently visit art museums. These similarities will help people remember and like you. Connect with people who can broaden your social circle. First, utilize the connections you do have, from work, school, or family. Keep in touch with them regularly and attend social events with them, asking them to introduce you to their friends and acquaintances. Get contact information for new acquaintances and treat them to lunch or coffee. When they plan a guest list for their next party, you'll be at the front of their mind. Make a few good friends and stick with them. As your circle of acquaintances grows larger, remember to keep stay close to your best friends. You'll need someone who understands your ambition to be a socialite, who will have your back no matter what, and who you can trust and confide in. Date someone who understands your ambition. Conventional wisdom says that you should date--and, eventually, marry--into a rich family. Sure, it's a bonus if your spouse or partner has connections in the world of old money, but it's definitely not what you should look for in a life partner. Instead, date someone you care about and who is interested in at least being social by coming with you to parties, meeting new people, enjoying the challenges and excitement of working your way up in society together. Take pictures with other socialites. Post them to your own social media or pose for a photographer at an event--the photos may even end up in the society section of a newspaper or magazine. Be relaxed and confident. Say, “We both look amazing tonight. This needs to be documented,” or “I told myself I'd get one more picture tonight. Are you in?” Be confident. The last thing you want is to come off as desperate to established socialites, and the best way to prevent this is to exude confidence. Sit up straight, walk tall, and act like you belong. If you believe it, so will everyone else. Earn a degree. Aim for a well-respected private institution if you can, but study hard regardless of where you end up. Get a well-rounded education, especially in the arts and languages. As a socialite, you'll be expected to be able to comment on everything from the news of the day to fundraising strategies to the art world. Make friends and connections at your college or university. You'll cross paths with many interesting and well-connected people at school, and those friendships will help you when you start working your way into the social elite. If higher education isn't a possibility, educate yourself with books, the Internet and through conversation. Information and self-education is easily accessible if you're persistent. Find a profession in the public eye. Aim for a career in the entertainment, fashion, or fine arts industry if you can, but above all make sure you're choosing a field that you're passionate about. Talking about your work with others and showing them authentic passion will be more engaging and memorable than forcing yourself to chat about a job you don't like. Find a charity you’re passionate about. The biggest socialites have a charity to champion, so pick one of your own. Think about how you truly want to help your community, whether it's by helping the homeless or the environment, or raising money for animal shelters. Research charities in your area and get in touch with them to see how you can help. Attract other socialites to your charity. Let people know what you're involved in through social media and word of mouth. Say, “I've just started working with this amazing charity. I think they could really benefit from your help, too.” Attend charity functions, and throw your own. Many larger charities will throw elegant fundraising events to thank their big donors and attract more. Donate money to score an invite for yourself and talk to as many people as you can at the event. Take pictures to post online, and throw in a couple good poses for the event photographers, too.
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Dress simply and tastefully. Buy clothes that fit and flatter your shape. Invest in a few key accessories. Choose stylish shoes. Style your hair neatly and fashionably. Wear natural makeup. Wear designer brands. Look your best at all times. Create social media accounts. Promote yourself in creative ways. Take examples from the “professionals. Interact with the people you want to be friends with. Avoid unflattering and inappropriate photos. Keep your opinions to a minimum. Have impeccable manners. Avoid drama with others in the social scene. Be charming and memorable in conversation. Connect with people who can broaden your social circle. Make a few good friends and stick with them. Date someone who understands your ambition. Take pictures with other socialites. Be confident. Earn a degree. Find a profession in the public eye. Find a charity you’re passionate about. Attract other socialites to your charity. Attend charity functions, and throw your own.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Crutches-More-Comfortable
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How to Make Your Crutches More Comfortable
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To make your crutches more comfortable, roll up pieces of fabric into loose rolls and tape them to the top of your crutches for extra support and cushioning. If your crutches come with removable foam pads, take them off, stuff them with cushioning material, and put them back in place. You can also purchase commercial crutch pads made out of foam or gel for a more comfortable fit. Additionally, cushion the grip areas with pads, towels, or rags to keep your hands from hurting.
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Use rolled-up towels or blankets as cushions. One of the oldest, simplest, and most effective ways to make a pair of crutches more comfortable is to make improvised cushions from spare pieces of fabric. There's no "right" fabric for the job—you can use towels, pieces of an old blanket, or even small pillows. Below is an example of how you might do this for a pair of crutches: Cut out 2 3 feet (0.91 m) by 3 feet (0.9 m) pieces of an old blanket. Roll both pieces of fabric into loose rolls that are slightly wider than the top portions of the crutches. Use a sturdy tape (like packing tape or duct tape) to tape each roll over the top of one of the crutches. Tape the fabric in place tightly—if it slides around while you move, it can affect your posture and lead to further discomfort. Put cushioning underneath the current crutch pads, if present. Many crutches come with a removable foam pad on top that's meant to fit under your arm. Another way to add cushioning to an uncomfortable set of crutches is to take these pads off, stuff them with cushioning material, and put them back on. This may be difficult or impossible for some crutches, so be careful not to damage your crutches by forcing the pads off or on. You can use wadded-up fabric to cushion your crutches in this way, or other materials like cotton, stuffing from an old comforter, and so on. Invest in a set of commercial crutch pads for greater comfort. It's no secret in the medical community that crutches can be uncomfortable. Because of this, there is a small market for cushioning devices that can be used to make crutches more comfortable. These are usually made from foam, gel, or a breathable fabric material and are reasonably affordable—a complete set often goes for about $30. You can purchase basic crutch accessories at many pharmacies, but for a better selection of products, it may be wiser to go online, where you have access to a huge variety of materials, sizes, patterns, and so on. Shopping online, you can even buy high-fashion crutch pads, like sets made from faux fur. Cushion the grip areas as well, if needed. Your underarms aren't the only parts of your body that can get sore when you're using crutches. Since you're supporting much of your weight on your palms, it's also common for the hands to start hurting during crutch use. Luckily, cushioning the grip bars can reduce this discomfort somewhat. You can use improvised cushions (taped towels or rags) or commercial pads for this. However, the latter may be the be the better choice, since it's important that you're able to have a firm grip on your crutches to avoid a fall. Many commercial crutch pads feature ergonomic materials and shapes designed to give you a better grip on the crutches. Cushioning the grip area can be even more important on forearm crutches, since these put more of your weight on your hands. Adjust your crutches to the correct height. Even cushioned crutches can be a pain to use if they don't fit you properly. Luckily, nearly all modern crutches have easy-to-use telescoping portions that allow you to adjust the height. The proper height for your crutches depends on how tall you are and what kind of crutches you use. For example: Underarm crutches: Wear the shoes that you use for day-to-day life and stand upright. Slide the crutches under your arms and put the tips a few inches or centimeters in front of your feet. Adjust the crutches so that they rest just an inch or 2 (2.5 to 5 cm) beneath your armpits. A friend can help here. The crutches should not jut up into your armpits. Forearm crutches: Wear the shoes that you use for day-to-day life and stand upright. Slide the crutches onto your arms and grasp the handles. Flex your elbow so that the inside of your wrist is level with your hip at about a 30° angle. Adjust the crutch so that it touches the floor in this position. The armrest should support the largest part of your forearm and the handle should be level with your wrist. Make sure you're holding the crutches correctly. Wrist or hand pain can be a sign that you're holding the crutches in a way that puts unnecessary stress on these parts of your body. Using proper grip form should minimize this pain. When using either underarm or forearm crutches: You should maintain a slight bend in your elbows while you use your crutches. Your forearms should be straight from the elbow through the wrist. Don't curl your wrists as you use the crutches. Pay attention to your gait. Having an off-kilter gait when walking normally can be a sign of other underlying problems and can lead to persistent, long-lasting pain. These problems are exacerbated when using crutches, which modify your normal gait by design. Maintaining proper posture throughout the walking motion is crucial to your ongoing comfort. While there are some differences in proper gait depending on the type of crutches you use, similar rules apply for the most common types. For example: Underarm crutches: Grasp the crutches securely. Stand on your uninjured leg and set the crutches 1 step ahead. Lean forward as you use the crutches to swing yourself forward. Land on your uninjured leg about a step ahead of where your crutches touch the ground. Swing the crutches forward and repeat. Keep your injured leg off of the ground at all times. Forearm crutches: Grasp the crutches securely. Stand on your uninjured leg and set the crutches 1 step ahead. Lean forward, put your weight onto the crutches, and swing your body forward. Use your forearms to maintain your balance and control during the swinging motion. Land on your uninjured leg about a step ahead of where your crutches touch the ground. As with underarm crutches, keep your injured leg off of the ground at all times. Let your body "follow through" with each step. Taking steps with a set of crutches can take some getting used to before you're able to do it in a way that doesn't put any unnecessary stress on your joints. As you make contact with the ground, landing on your uninjured foot, try to keep your joints (especially your elbows and the knee on your uninjured leg) "loose" without collapsing your posture. Allowing your joints to bend slightly with each step will take some of the stress of walking off of them, preventing discomfort. You don't want to have stiff or locked joints when you make contact with the ground. This increases the physical impact your joints feel with each step and will quickly cause soreness. Take extra care on stairs. It's no wonder that certain everyday tasks become extra-hard when you're using crutches. Knowing the proper way to go about doing these tasks won't just keep you more comfortable—it will also minimize the chance for injuries. For instance, climbing a set of stairs can be harrowing on crutches, so use the following mnemonics to help you remember how to accomplish this task: Step on the GAS going up. First, step with your G ood leg, then lift your A ffected leg, then move your S ticks Let yourself SAG going down. First, move your S ticks, then move your A ffected leg, then step with your G ood leg.
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Use rolled-up towels or blankets as cushions. Put cushioning underneath the current crutch pads, if present. Invest in a set of commercial crutch pads for greater comfort. Cushion the grip areas as well, if needed. Adjust your crutches to the correct height. Make sure you're holding the crutches correctly. Pay attention to your gait. Let your body "follow through" with each step. Take extra care on stairs.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Install-a-Hot-Tub
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How to Install a Hot Tub
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To install a hot tub, first, check your area's building code to see if you need a permit to have one. Additionally, make sure you have a space on your property where your hot tub can fit while still being the necessary distance away from your house according to the building code. Once you have a spot for your hot tub, prep the site with a 3 to 4 inch thick pad of concrete as a foundation. Consider hiring an electrical contractor to help route power to your hot tub and install the electrical circuit, since many warranties will be voided if you do it yourself. After your hot tub is delivered, clean the interior, open the air valves, and fill it with water from a garden hose.
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Check to see if you need a building permit. Many cities will require building permits for installing hot tubs outdoors. Check with yours to see if you need to as well. Choose a location for your hot tub. Make sure the spot you choose is large enough for the hot tub as well as some extra leeway for getting in and out and performing maintenance. A safe amount to allot is approximately 10 feet (3.0 m) by 10 feet (3 m by 3 m), but it depends on the size of your hot tub. Examine your city's building code to ascertain how far away from your home you must place your hot tub. Many codes require at least 5 feet (1.5 m) of clearance between your home and your property line. Two other regulations you need to consider when finding a place for the hot tub. The hot tub should be at least 10 feet (3 m) away from any overhead power lines, as well as 5 feet (1.5 m) removed from the spa panel. Water and electricity do not mix. Prep the site, if necessary. Hot tubs, when full, can weigh as much as 3,000 pounds (1,361 kg). For this reason, you will need a firm foundation on which the hot tub can rest. If you don't have a firm foundation, you risk damaging the tub voiding any warranty it comes with. Pouring concrete into a 3 to 4 inch thick (7.62 to 10.16 cm) pad is a common method of creating a solid foundation. Concrete provides a very strong foundation. At the same time, it may not be aesthetically pleasing and will be permanently anchored into place if you ever choose to move the hot tub. Another option is prefabricated spa pads. These pads have interlocking grids that make installation easy, and they can be removed if you ever decide to relocate your tub. At the same time, spa pads may be less supportive than concrete. Make sure you have a solid base to work with, and you choose the strongest pads if you use this option. Call a general contractor if you decide to place your tub on a deck or build a deck to accommodate the tub. If you want to place your tub onto a deck, check first with a contractor. They should be uniquely suited to tell you whether the deck will be able to withstand a ton or more of weight bearing down on it like a continuous hammer. The last thing you want to have happen is to break your deck, and then your tub, upon installation. Create a route for the power to reach the hot tub. Most modern tubs are self-contained, meaning you won't have to run any plumbing in order to get the tub up and running. But electrical wiring is another matter. Cities usually have codes for using certain types of conduits, so make sure you talk with your local building department. When you have, decide if you'd like the conduit to run under or above ground. Most pumps will require an extra hard-wired circuit, one that's entirely dedicated to the electrical on the tub. A 240V, 50-amp GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) should be sufficient on many tubs. Multiple-pump tubs may require a 60-amp circuit. If you don't have familiarity wiring this kind of circuit, it's best to call an electrician to do it for you. Plan your delivery route of the tub from the curb to the foundation. An unfilled hot tub can weigh upwards of 800 pounds (363 kg), so it's important to know how you will get it from the delivery van to your backyard. Make sure that the width of the tub will pass through any gates, foliage, or structures with enough leeway. Some delivery drivers will help you with this step. If you find that the tub is bigger than certain obstacles in your path will allow, you may need to improvise. Cutting a branch or removing a part of a fence, although it appears drastic, is sometimes the only thing that you can do. Assemble the hot tub and hook up the electricity. The voltage of a hot tub is higher (usually around 240 volts) than regular home outlets, so you will need to install a breaker to your electrical control box. If you are not familiar with electrical systems, it is best to hire an electrician to assist you in this aspect of installation. See the section below for more information on electrical wiring and help. Prepare the hot tub for use. You're almost ready to start enjoying your brand new tub, without having broken the bank by paying someone else to install it. To complete the installation, you'll want to: Turn off the electricity. Clean the interior of the hot tub and make sure all jets and knobs are in place. Open the air valves. Fill the hot tub with water from a garden hose or using buckets of water from inside. No special water is necessarily required. Turn the electricity back on and begin heating the tub. Mix in the proper chemicals to ensure sanitation. Know that some warranties will be voided if the electrical circuit isn't installed by an electrical contractor. In some cases, unless the circuit has been installed by a licensed contractor and then approved by a local building/electrical inspector, the manufacturer won't recognize the warranty. If you decide to do the wiring yourself, keep the power on a single dedicated circuit. The power that runs the hot tub must be given a dedicated circuit because of its electrical demands. No other appliances or electrical demands should share the power. If wiring on your own, make sure your specs are right. Again, if there is any doubt about how to wire the circuit responsible for the hot tub, use a licensed electrician. Otherwise, here is some important information about wiring that you should know: The size of the wire you use must be approved by the National Electrical Code (NEC) and/or local codes. The size of the wire you use should be based on the length of run from the breaker box to the hot tub. The maximum current draw should also play a role in determining wire size. Copper wire is recommended with THHN (thermoplastic nylon) insulation. In fact, all wiring should be copper; aluminum wire should be avoided. If using wire larger than #6 (10mm ), be sure to put a junction box close the hot tub. Then, reduce the wire to short lengths of #6 (10mm ) in between the junction box and the hot tub. If you have any doubts, use the services of a professional. When it comes down to it, saving a few hundred extra bucks isn't worth the potential disaster of voiding the warranty or causing serious bodily harm or death. Please see a professional if you no experience wiring electrical circuits.
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Check to see if you need a building permit. Choose a location for your hot tub. Prep the site, if necessary. Call a general contractor if you decide to place your tub on a deck or build a deck to accommodate the tub. Create a route for the power to reach the hot tub. Plan your delivery route of the tub from the curb to the foundation. Assemble the hot tub and hook up the electricity. Prepare the hot tub for use. Know that some warranties will be voided if the electrical circuit isn't installed by an electrical contractor. If you decide to do the wiring yourself, keep the power on a single dedicated circuit. If wiring on your own, make sure your specs are right. If you have any doubts, use the services of a professional.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Check-the-Status-of-a-Passport-Application
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How to Check the Status of a Passport Application
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To check the status of your U.S. passport application, either call the National Passport Information Center or visit their website. To speak with a customer service representative, call 1-877-487-2778 or 1-888-874-7793. You'll need to provide your name, date of birth, and the last 4 digits of your social security number to get any information. You can also visit the U.S. Passport Application Status website at passportstatus.gov. If your passport has been mailed but you don't get it within 10 days, call the National Passport Information Center so they can help you fill out Form DS-86.
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Call. You can speak to a customer service representative at the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 or 1-888-874-7793 (TTY). The hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 10:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. On Saturdays, the hours are 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. You will need to provide your name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number. Check online. Visit the U.S. Passport Application Status website here: https://passportstatus.state.gov/opss/OPSS_Status_ip.asp. Read the disclaimers and indicate that you have read them. You will then enter your date of birth, last name, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number. You need to wait 7-10 business days after you apply before you can track your application online. If you want automatic email updates, you can enter your email address after you locate your application. Complete Form DS-86 if you don’t receive the passport. If your passport has been mailed but you don't receive it within 10 days, then you should call the National Passport Information Center. They will help you complete Form DS-86. Don't delay. If you wait more than 90 days from the date the passport was issued, then you'll need to reapply and pay the full fee again. Wait five or ten days. You can't check the status immediately after you apply. Instead, you must wait at least five days if you applied in person at a Passport Canada Office or after 10 days in all other situations. Provide information online. Provide the requested information, such as the following: where you submitted your application date of submission mail tracking number your name date of birth city of birth home phone email address date of travel (optional) Receive your results. It typically takes three business days for a passport status request to be processed. Status requests are processed Mondays through Fridays. Track the status if you applied online and uploaded a digital photo. You'll know you applied this way if your reference number begins with PEX. Visit this website: https://www.passport.service.gov.uk/track/. You can track the status immediately. Check the status if you applied online and posted your form. You can check at the passport application service: https://passportapplication.service.gov.uk/ips-olc/. Log back into your account using the same username and password you used when you applied. If you forgot your password, you can reset it. You can track your application as soon as you have made it. Track the status if you applied using a paper form. You must wait at least three weeks before you can check the status. Visit this website: https://passportofficeforms.service.gov.uk/_/track-application.ofml. You will need one of the following: the 10-digit barcode number from the front of your application the 9-digit number on your receipt if you applied at the Post Office. Receive your passport. Generally, your passport will be delivered by courier between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, Monday through Saturday. You typically do not need to sign for the passport. Find your form number. This number should be printed on your receipt after you lodge your application. You will need it to track the progress of your passport application. Check the status online. Visit https://ppol.passports.gov.au/Web/Appl/ApplEntryPoint.aspx and read the disclosure statement at the bottom of the page. If you have a PIN, then you can use it to track the passport application, but you can also track the progress using your form number. Call if your passport doesn’t arrive. You should receive an email notifying you when your passport is ready to be mailed to you. Wait a week, and if you don't receive it by then, call the Australian Passport Information Service (APIS) at 131 232.
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Call. Check online. Complete Form DS-86 if you don’t receive the passport. Wait five or ten days. Provide information online. Receive your results. Track the status if you applied online and uploaded a digital photo. Check the status if you applied online and posted your form. Track the status if you applied using a paper form. Receive your passport. Find your form number. Check the status online. Call if your passport doesn’t arrive.
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https://www.wikihow.life/Wash-Jeans
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How to Wash Jeans
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To wash jeans, start by selecting a gentle or delicate cycle on your washing machine and filling it with cold water. Before placing your jeans in the water, turn them inside out so they don't fade or get damaged. For best results, only wash jeans with other jeans and similarly-colored clothing. Then, when they're finished washing, hang your jeans up to air dry so they don't shrink. Alternatively, if you'd prefer to dry your jeans in a dryer, tumble them on a delicate cycle on low heat. Avoid washing your jeans too frequently – aim to wash them every 4 to 6 wears.
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Set your washing machine to the gentle or delicate cycle. To keep your jeans looking the same way they did when you purchased them, wash the jeans on the gentle cycle. This reduces the wear and tear on your jeans, allowing the colors and design to stay intact. Use an environmentally friendly, mild detergent (such as Woolite) when you wash your jeans. Never use bleach or use detergents with bleach. You can use a mild fabric softener if you want your jeans a bit softer. Fill the washing machine with cold water. Never wash the jeans in hot water. Lukewarm water can also be used when washing your jeans. Hot water can cause color loss in jeans, especially darker jeans. Hot water can also shrink the fabric. Turn your jeans inside out. Washing jeans can be abrasive to fabrics. Not only do clothes rub against one another, but the detergent, along with zippers, buttons, and snaps, can be damaging to the color and fabric. Read the label on your jeans to see if there are any specific jean washing tips that you need to follow. Some jeans should be washed alone on the first wash, or washed very rarely. Make sure to follow the recommended care instructions. Put your jeans in the washing machine with only other jeans or clothing of similar colors. One of the major factors to consider while washing jeans is the bleeding of the indigo. Washing too often can make your jeans lose their color or pre-fade. If you wash your jeans with other, lighter colored jeans or clothing, you could dye everything in your wash. To be on the safe side, wash all your jeans separately. Line dry the jeans. Do not tumble your jeans in a dryer. Avoid over-drying your jeans to prevent shrinkage and the loss of color to the fabric. If you want to dry your jeans in a dryer for time, tumble them on a delicate cycle with low heat. Take them out while still slightly damp and let them finish drying on a rack or a line. Before you place the jeans on the line, stretch the seams to help avoid shrinkage. Fold your jeans once at the knee level and hang them on a clothes hanger or rack to dry. Over-folding while the jeans are drying can cause wrinkles and creases. Wash your jeans in the sink or a tub. Washing denim by hand can preserve the colors and diminish the wear obtained from the abrasive action of machine washing. Fill a tub with a few inches of cold or lukewarm water. Mix in a gentle, color preserving detergent. Turn the jeans inside out, then lay flat in the tub. Don't bunch them or wrinkle them. Let them soak for about 45 minutes. Run them under the water to rinse. Hang up to dry. Only wash your jeans when necessary. Many people, including the CEO of Levi Strauss and designer Tommy Hilfiger, recommend only washing your jeans a few times a year. Washing can cause unnecessary wear on denim. Casual wear of denim shouldn't get the jeans dirty enough to wash with every wear. Many expensive, designer jeans are raw denim, meaning they haven't been pre-washed or faded and the indigo dye has not been set. The every day wear helps raw denim conform to your body, and achieves an individualized fade on the jeans. Jeans that have been pre-washed or faded by the manufacturer can be washed by just about any means. Wash denim every 2 to 6 months, depending on your level of wear, the type of jeans you own, and personal preferences. The wash schedule of denim depends on their use. Jeans used to work outside will be cared for differently than designer jeans worn for a night out. Spot clean stains. Use water and a rag to remove any spillage on your jeans instead of tossing them into the washing machine. Be careful using any kind of soap to spot clean. If your indigo dye is not set, it can cause fading in the spot where you are cleaning, which messes up the look of your jeans. Air them out if they smell. If you're trying not to wash your jeans often, but they start to smell, try putting them on a line or clothing rack outside for at least 24 hours. You can also use a deodorizing fabric spray on your jeans to remove any smells. Freeze your jeans. One trick to prolonging the life of your jeans between washes is to freeze them when they start to smell. One major reason denim starts to smell is because of bacteria that are transferred from our bodies to the material during wear. These bacteria cause odor. Freezing your jeans can kill a large percentage of these bacteria, helping to reduce the odors. You can put the jeans in the freezer unprotected. However, this might allow things from your freezer to transfer to the jeans. Try a canvas clothing bag, or any bag that breathes (unlike plastic bags). Allow the jeans to warm up before you put them on. Know when it's time to wash your jeans. Wearing them once or twice doesn't mean it's time to toss them in with the rest of your clothes. Jeans have a very different lifespan. Wait until the denim starts to sag in the seat, the knees are stretched or the fabric is creased behind the knees, and the waist is extremely loose. These details mean it might be time to wash your jeans.
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Set your washing machine to the gentle or delicate cycle. Fill the washing machine with cold water. Turn your jeans inside out. Put your jeans in the washing machine with only other jeans or clothing of similar colors. Line dry the jeans. Wash your jeans in the sink or a tub. Only wash your jeans when necessary. Spot clean stains. Air them out if they smell. Freeze your jeans. Know when it's time to wash your jeans.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Adopt-a-Family-Member
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How to Adopt a Family Member
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To adopt a family member, you may want to consult a family law attorney, since kinship adoptions can be complicated. If you can't afford an attorney, find out if you can apply for a legal aid program. You should ask the attorney to institute an adoption proceeding with a court. Additionally, speak to the other family members to see if they're willing to consent to the adoption so that the court doesn't have to impose a decision. Next, contact the relevant social worker to get their support for the adoption, which will prove helpful in court. Then, attend all court hearings before signing a document at the last hearing to confirm the adoption.
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Consider the effect on your family. Many placements with relatives are a result of the parents being unable to care for the child. There may have been neglect, even abuse of the child, and the situation may be very emotionally charged in the family. Grandparents may especially be torn between loyalty to their birth child and concern for their grandchild. Aunts and uncles are usually closer in age to the birth parent, but taking in a niece or nephew can change the dynamic in marriages and existing families. If the child is old enough to have a relationship with her birth parents, there may be issues of separation and abandonment. Prospective kinship parents should consider family counseling sessions before committing to an adoption. If the child came to your family via a court case, discuss kinship adoption with the child's social worker. Make sure you understand the state's role in the adoption. Evaluate your options and make sure an adoption is right for your family. A kinship adoption is different than other types because it requires people that you know personally, the natural parents, both consent, die, or be declared unfit. There may be competing interests between maternal and paternal grandparents and other factions of the family. The state child welfare agency is almost always involved. There are several options for placing the child and you should speak with an attorney or social worker to do what is best for the child and your family. Custody and legal placement. To keep the child out of the foster care system, the court will look to blood relatives first. If you are fit and have the resources to care for the child, the state will often take legal custody of the child and place her in your home. You handle all the day-to-day activities of a parent under the supervision of the court. This is always a temporary situation, usually lasting less than a year. Guardianship. This can be a good option for kinship placements. The court issues an order that gives you legal custody of the child and all legal rights to act as her parent. The difference between a guardianship and an adoption is that the rights of the birth parents are not severed. However, if the birth parents want to be involved in the child's life, they must go to court. In a guardianship, you may be eligible to receive child support payments from the birth parents. Adoption completely severs of the birth parents' legal rights to the child. As the kinship adopter, you become the child's parent in all facets of the law. You have the same rights and responsibilities of any other parent. Know your rights in court cases. Generally, under the law, blood relatives have a special status in court cases involving the care and placement of minor children. These cases include when the child is in the custody of the state, when the child survives both of her parents and there is no guardianship in place, or in an adoption proceedings. Federal law requires agencies to make reasonable efforts to keep siblings together in one home, offering services as needed to make the placement work. If there is a case involving a child who is your blood relative and you can show you have a relationship with the child, you can ask the court for "interested party" status. This means you have a right to receive documents and reports as well as notice of court hearings. Ten states have laws requiring agencies to give preference to blood relatives when evaluating adoption placements. In most states, if the parent purposely sent the child to live with relatives and consents to the adoption, the laws are set up to streamline the procedure. Typically, if the child has been living with the relative for some time, the home study will be cursory or waived all together. Research benefits and adoption assistance. Even though protecting your grandchild or niece may be the most important thing in your mind and heart, you also have to cope with the financial realities of raising a child. Most states offer some sort of assistance for adoptive parents. If the child has special needs, most states will offer support, access to services, and in some cases, financial stipends. As the adoptive parent, you will also be eligible to add the child to your employer health insurance or apply for insurance through the state. Confer with a family law attorney. A kinship adoption is often the most complicated of all adoption proceedings. In a stranger adoption, the parents' rights have been severed and custody transferred to the state before you are even considered. In a stepchild adoption, one of the birth parents is actively involved. However, in a kinship adoption, the issues with the birth parents may be unresolved, there may be resentment in the family, the state child welfare agency may have a custody interest, and the child may be ambivalent about being adopted. As a result, it is not recommended that you attempt to do a kinship adoption on your own as a pro se party. If you have the financial resources, you can retain a family law attorney to act on your behalf. Write a letter to the court hearing the child welfare case and ask if you qualify for court-appointed counsel. Speak with your local Legal Aid office. There is a Legal Aid office for every county in the United States and, if you meet their income guidelines, you may qualify for representation. Contact the local bar association. Most bar associations have attorneys who are willing to assist with this type of case for a reduced fee or pro bono. Institute an adoption proceeding. If the state is not involved, your attorney will file the adoption in the appropriate court on your behalf. A preliminary hearing will be scheduled to give the birth parents an opportunity to file a response to the petition. If the birth parents both consent, they will sign notarized forms surrendering their parental rights. At this stage, the family of the other parent may request the right to intervene or contest the adoption. Seek agency cooperation. If a state agency is involved, you will need their cooperation and approval for a kinship adoption. A supportive social worker can be your biggest asset. The agency should have the documents needed for the adoption, such as certified birth certificates and parental death certificates. They also have access to records that can help locate absentee parents for service and consent. Cooperate fully with requested home visits, interviews, and criminal background checks. Most states have laws in place to streamline these procedures and give preference to blood relatives, but your cooperation is essential. Be open and honest. After the state becomes involved, there is no "private family business." Grandparents may be asked to submit to physical examinations to determine if they are healthy enough to be adoptive parents for young children. Discuss consent to the adoption. If you are looking to adopt a grandchild or the child of your sibling, talk with the family member birth parent about consenting to the adoption. You should also talk to the rest of the immediate family about their feelings. Forcing the court to sever parental rights can cause dissent in the family that is not good for the child. Work with your attorney. You may need to provide your own birth certificates, marriage and divorce documents, and employment records. Don't keep any secrets from your lawyer. If there is something in your past that may be an issue, such as a former drug problem, health issue, or criminal conviction, be honest about it before it becomes an issue in the adoption. If your attorney is court-appointed, Legal Aid, or working pro bono , you will likely be able to get the court filing fees waived. Speak with your attorney about the records you will have to provide. If there is a child welfare case, the state will handle the severance of the birth parents' rights. If the case goes to trial, you may be called to testify about anything you witnessed and about how you have been caring for the child. If you receive a subpoena or other notice from the state, contact your attorney immediately. Attend all court hearings. Your attorney will give you notice and discuss what he believes may happen at the hearings. The first court date will be after all parties have been served and their time to respond has expired. If the birth parents have consented or had their rights severed by the state, they are not required to attend. If the family of the other birth parent or other family members want to object to the adoption or intervene, they may appear. Don't be hostile, no matter how angry or disappointed you may be. Direct all communication to your attorney. Do not bring the children unless instructed to do so by your attorney. Some judges have rules against children in the courtroom and you cannot leave them unattended in the hallway. If you are working with the social welfare agency, they may have a playroom at their offices where the children can wait while you are in court. Anticipate a trial. Most kinship adoptions are uncontested. The family understands, agrees, and cooperates to do what is best for the child. However, until the final order is issued, a trial is a possibility. A birth parent can rescind their consent or another family member can interfere. Your best bet is to comport yourself as if the case was going to go to trial. Do not discuss the details of the case with the child. If you get questions that can't be answered with generalities, consider a family counseling session. Do not disrespect the birth parents to the child. Do not discuss the details of the case with other family except in very general terms. If their input or cooperation is needed, let your attorney handle the communication. Do not be hostile toward the family of the other birth parent. Even though rights have been surrendered or severed, they are the child's family as much as you are. The child may have significant affection for their other grandparents and aunts, uncles, and cousins. Discuss the issue with your attorney and social worker how to allow contact with the child, especially around the holidays. Attend the final court hearing. At this hearing, whether or not there was a trial, the court will review the documents and ask if you want to adopt the child. The state agency will likely attend and give their approval for the final adoption. If the children attend, the judge may talk to them. The judge with either acknowledge that the birth parents consented or that there rights have been previously severed. If not, the judge will make a finding of fact that the parents are unfit and enter an order of severance. Upon signing of the order, you become the child's legal parent. Update the child's birth certificate. When you receive the file-stamped copy of the final adoption, you can file for a new birth certificate. Depending on your relationship to the child, for example you are the maternal grandparents, you may change the child's last name to match yours. Create a safety plan. Kinship adoptions are unique in that one or more of the birth parents may still be in the picture. It is up to you to decide how much, if any, contact you will allow between the birth parents and the child. Most kinship adoptions are successful and happy. However, depending on the family situation, you should be aware of the residual danger of a kinship adoption. If the parents' rights were forcibly severed, there may be hostility and danger to the child. Update the family information with the child's school and caregivers. Inform them who can and can't pick the child up from school and who can access school records. If the parents' rights were severed because of substance abuse or physical abuse, use your judgment in allowing contact. Protect the child like you would with anyone you felt might be a danger. If a birth parent or other family becomes threatening, consider taking out a restraining order to protect you, your child, and your home. If a birth parent or other family member leaves with the child or will not return the child after a visit, take the adoption papers and new birth certificate to law enforcement. This will help make them understand the situation and get them to help you retrieve the child.
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Consider the effect on your family. Evaluate your options and make sure an adoption is right for your family. Know your rights in court cases. Research benefits and adoption assistance. Confer with a family law attorney. Institute an adoption proceeding. Seek agency cooperation. Discuss consent to the adoption. Work with your attorney. Attend all court hearings. Anticipate a trial. Attend the final court hearing. Update the child's birth certificate. Create a safety plan.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Stuck-Contact-Lenses
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How to Remove Stuck Contact Lenses
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To remove stuck soft contact lenses, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water to prevent an infection, and try to stay calm by taking a few deep breaths. Then, locate the lens in your eye by closing your eye and relaxing your eyelids to see where the lens has moved to. Add a few drops of saline to your eye in case the lens is dry, and then massage your eyelid to move the lens back into a more accessible place for removal. If the lens becomes stuck under your eyelid, lift the eyelid by pinching it, and then use the tip of your finger to remove the lens.
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Wash your hands. Your hands should always be clean whenever inserting or removing your contact lenses. Your hands carry around thousands of bacteria, including fecal bacteria, just from the things you touch every day. Wash your hands with soap and warm water before touching your eyes to prevent infection. For stuck lenses, washing your hands is even more important, because you'll likely be touching your eye area for a longer period of time. The more time your fingers spend in contact with your eyes, the more likely you are to spread contamination. Do not dry the palm or fingertips of the hand that is going to touch your eye. Otherwise, you might get towel fibers or lint in your eye. Stay calm. Panicking or getting overly anxious about the situation will just make it more difficult to remove the lenses. If you feel anxious, take a few deep breaths before you continue. Don't worry! Your contact lens cannot get stuck behind your eyeball. The conjunctiva, a mucous membrane in front of your eye, and muscles around your eye called the rectus muscles make this impossible. Getting a soft contact lens stuck in your eye is not a serious health risk, unless you leave it for a long period of time. While it may be irritating, it is unlikely to damage your eye. However, a rigid lens can cause a cornea abrasion if it is broken and that can lead to an infection. If you've made several unsuccessful attempts to remove the lens, take a break from trying for a bit. Sit down for a while and relax. Locate the lens. In many cases, contact lenses get stuck because they have slid out of their proper place over the cornea. If this is the case for you, you'll need to find the lens before you can remove it. Close your eyes and relax your eyelids. You should be able to feel where the lens has gone. If you can't feel it under your eyelid, gently touch the lid with your fingers and see if you can locate it. If the lens has moved to the corner of your eye, you may be able find it just by looking in the mirror. Try looking in the opposite direction of the lens. For example, if the lens feels like it's in the right corner of your eye, look left. Or, if the lens feels like it's stuck in the bottom part of your eye, look up. The lens may become visible. If you can't feel or see the lens, it is possible it has fallen out of your eye. Put your finger at the top of your eyelid (near your eyebrow) and pull up to hold your eyelid open. This may help you see the contact lens better. Keep in mind that if you look down with your eyes while pulling up on the eyelid, it paralyzes the orbicularis oculi muscle and you can't squeeze it shut until you look up again. Moisten the lens. Lenses can get stuck because they have dried out. Moisten the lens with saline solution. Apply the saline solution directly to the lens, if possible. Wait for a few minutes to allow the lens to hydrate and soften. If the lens is stuck under your eyelid or in the corner of your eye, the added moisture may help it float back into its proper place, where it will be easier to remove. Often, moistening the lens will allow you to remove it through conventional methods. Blink several times or close your eyes for a few seconds, then try to remove the lens again. Massage your eyelid. If the lens remains stuck or trapped under the eyelid, close your eyes and gently massage the lids with your fingertips. If the lens is still out of place, try to push it over the cornea. If your lens is stuck under your eyelid, it may help to look down while massaging the eyelid. Change your approach. If the lens is in its proper place but still won't come out, try using a different method of removing your contact lens. Most people pinch their lenses out, but you can also try removing them by placing a finger on each eyelid and applying gentle pressure as you blink. You can use either the index finger or the middle finger of each hand. With the finger on your upper lid, press straight down. With the finger on your lower lid, press straight up. The lens should pull away from the eye and be easy to remove. Lift your eyelid. If the lens is still stuck and you think it may be lodged under your eyelid, try gently lifting the lid away from your eye and turning it inside out. To do this, use a cotton tip and press down on the middle of the eyelid while pulling the eyelashes forward away from the eye. Tip your head backward. You should be able to see the contact lens if it is stuck under the lid. Carefully pull it out from underneath your eyelid. You may need the help of a friend or family member to do this. See your eye doctor. If all else fails, or if your eye becomes extremely red or irritated, go to your local doctor, optometrist, or hospital. They can remove the lens without causing further damage to your eye. If you believe you have scratched or otherwise damaged your eye in attempting to remove the lens, contact your eye doctor immediately. You should see a doctor about possible damage whether you have successfully removed the lens or not. Wash your hands. Thoroughly clean your hands with soap and water. Don't dry the fingers that are touching the eye to avoid getting lint in the eye. Your hands should always be clean whenever inserting or removing your contact lenses. Thorough washing is especially important if you are touching your eye for a longer period of time, such as when trying to remove a stuck lens. Stay calm. A stuck lens is not an emergency, and anxiety will only make it harder to locate and remove the lens. Your contact lens cannot get stuck behind your eyeball. The conjunctiva, a mucous membrane in front of your eye, and muscles around your eye called the rectus muscles make this impossible. Getting a contact lens stuck in your eye is not a serious health risk, unless you leave it for a long period of time. While it may be irritating, it is unlikely to damage your eye. If the contact lens is broken it may be painful. Locate the lens. In most cases, rigid contact lenses get stuck because they have slid out of their proper place over the cornea. If this is the case, you'll need to determine where in your eye the lens has moved before you can remove it. Close your eyes and relax your eyelids. You should be able to feel the lens in your eye. If you can't feel it under your eyelid, gently touch the lid with your fingers and see if you can locate it. If the lens has moved to the corner of your eye, you may be able locate it just by looking in the mirror. Try looking in the opposite direction of the lens. For example, if the lens feels like it's in the right corner of your eye, look left. Or, if the lens feels like it's stuck in the bottom part of your eye, look up. The lens may become visible. If you can't see or feel where the lens has gone, it is possible it has fallen out of your eye. Break the seal. If the lens has moved to the white of your eye, you can often dislodge it by breaking the suction between the lens and eyeball. To do this, use your fingertip to gently press your eye just outside the edge of the lens. Do not massage the eyeball as you would with soft lenses. This may cause the edge of the lens to scratch the surface of your eye as it moves. Use a suction cup. If the lens remains stuck, you can purchase a small suction cup tool in the eye-care section of many drug stores which will allow you to remove the lens. Ideally, your optometrist will have taught you this technique before prescribing the lens. First, wash the suction cup with contact lens cleaner. Moisten the suction cup with saline solution. Use your thumb and forefinger to separate your eyelids. Apply the suction cup to the center of the lens and pull it out, being careful not to touch your eye with the suction cup. The lens can be removed from the suction cup by sliding it gently sideways. Consider seeing a medical professional before choosing this method. Using a suction cup device to remove rigid lenses on your own can cause trauma to your eye. Get to a doctor if necessary. If you cannot remove the lens, go to your local doctor, optometrist, or hospital to have them remove the lens for you. You should also seek medical assistance if your eye becomes very red or irritated. If you believe you have scratched or otherwise damaged your eye in attempting to remove the lens, contact your eye doctor immediately. You should seek medical assistance whether you have successfully removed the lens or not. Avoid touching your eyes without washing your hands first. Your hands carry thousands of germs from the everyday objects you touch. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before ever touching your eyes. If you touch your eyes with dirty fingers and hands, you could cause eye infections or scratches. Keep your eyes lubricated. Use contact lens eye drops or lubricating drops to keep your eyes moist throughout the day. This will help keep your lenses from getting stuck. If you develop itchiness or redness after using drops, try to find a product marked “preservative-free.” Keep contact lens cases clean. Clean your lens case every day. After you've put in your contacts, wash the case with sterile solution or hot (preferably distilled) water. and soap. Do not leave the case full of tap water. That causes fungal and bacterial infections. Allow the case to air dry. Replace your lens case every three months. Even with daily cleaning, bacteria and other nasty stuff will eventually get into your case. Replace the solution in your contacts case every day. After you've cleaned your case and let it air dry, put fresh, clean contact solution into the case. The solution loses its potency after awhile, so keeping it fresh every day will help your lenses stay disinfected and clean. Follow the directions to clean and sanitize your type of lens. Different types of lenses require different care products. Use the correct type of solution for your type of lenses. Follow your eye care professional's recommendations for cleaning and sanitizing your lenses. Use only commercially prepared solutions, eye drops, and cleaners to reduce your risk of infection. Wear your lenses only as recommended by your eye care professional. Your eye care professional should give you a range of how long it is safe to wear your lenses each day. Use your lenses in accordance with these professional recommendations. Do not sleep with lenses in unless you've been prescribed “extended wear” contact lenses. Even then, professionals don't recommend sleeping in these lenses, as it can increase your risk of eye infections. Remove your lenses before contact with water. If you're going swimming, taking a bath or shower, or getting in the hot tub, take your lenses out first. This will help minimize your risk of infection. Keep hydrated. Your contacts can get stuck to your eyes when the lenses dry out. One way to help avoid this is to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Drinking enough fluids will help your eyes stay moist. The recommended daily intake for men is at least 13 cups (3 liters) a day. The recommended intake for women is at least 9 cups (2.2 liters) a day. If you routinely have dry eyes, try to stay away from alcohol and excessive caffeine when possible. These substances dehydrate your body. Water is best for you, but other good options include fruit juices, milk, and unsweetened, non-caffeinated teas like Rooibos and many herbal teas. Stop smoking. Studies have shown that smoking makes dry eyes worse. “Dry eye” can result in your contact lenses getting stuck. Smokers who wear contact lenses have more problems with their lenses than non-smokers. Even passive (second-hand) exposure to cigarette smoke can cause issues for contact-lens wearers. Stay healthy. You can help prevent eye issues by eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep, and reducing eye strain. Green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, collards, kale, and other greens are excellent for eye health. Salmon, tuna, and other fatty fish contain omega-3 fatty acids that can help prevent some eye issues. Studies have shown that people who exercise regularly have better eye health overall. They are also less likely to develop serious eye diseases such as glaucoma. If you don't get enough sleep, it can have effects on your eyesight. The most common side effect is dry eyes. You might also experience eye twitches or spasms. Try to reduce eye strain when you can. You can do this by reducing glare from your electronics, setting up an ergonomically correct workstation, and taking frequent breaks from working that involves your eyes. Have your eyes examined regularly. Seeing an eye care professional regularly can help keep you from developing issues. Regular professional exams can also detect eye diseases such as glaucoma. If you have existing eye issues or you are in your late 30s, you should see an eye doctor yearly. Adults between the age of 20-30 should have an eye exam at least every two years. Talk to your doctor about any problems. If your lenses continue to get stuck to your eyes, see an eye doctor. You may have a more serious issue. You can also ask your doctor about prevention methods. See a doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms: Sudden loss of vision Blurred vision Flashes of light or “halos” (bright fields around objects) Eye pain, irritation, swelling, or redness
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Wash your hands. Stay calm. Locate the lens. Moisten the lens. Massage your eyelid. Change your approach. Lift your eyelid. See your eye doctor. Wash your hands. Stay calm. Locate the lens. Break the seal. Use a suction cup. Get to a doctor if necessary. Avoid touching your eyes without washing your hands first. Keep your eyes lubricated. Keep contact lens cases clean. Replace the solution in your contacts case every day. Follow the directions to clean and sanitize your type of lens. Wear your lenses only as recommended by your eye care professional. Remove your lenses before contact with water. Keep hydrated. Stop smoking. Stay healthy. Have your eyes examined regularly. Talk to your doctor about any problems.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor
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How to Put an Epoxy Coating on a Garage Floor
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To put an epoxy coating on a garage floor, first prepare the floor by removing any previous coatings, stains, or residues so that the epoxy will be able to tightly bond to the surface. Then, etch the floor with muriatic acid or a masonry cleaner and allow the floor to dry completely for 7 to 10 days. When you're ready to apply the epoxy coating, begin at a back corner and apply the epoxy material with a nap roller on an extension handle. Work the roller as quickly as possible since most epoxies must be used in less than 1 hour.
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Determine if the floor has a coating on it. Epoxy coatings will react with other, previously installed coatings, so realize polyurethane and latex floor paints do not make a suitable substrate for epoxy products. If you have one of these coatings on your garage floor, it will require stripping prior to applying the epoxy. Look for oil or grease stains. If you have spilled lubricants, or your automobile has leaked on the floor, it will have left a residue that must also be removed before beginning the application. An industrial degreaser or solvent based cleaner will be required for this purpose, and care should be used to prevent asphyxiation or combustion while this step is undertaken. Once you've cleaned the floor, it's now time to remove any formation of grease or oil. The cheapest and quickest way to remove grease and oil residue is by using a concrete degreaser. You can buy this in the hardware store. Pour the solution on your floor and start scrubbing away. The next step is a bit unorthodox. Let the degreaser soak in for a number of minutes and pour cat litter over the areas that have stains. Proceed by grinding it using your shoe. Let it stay there for 24 hours and sweep it. Look for rubber residue from tire scuffing. This material will need to be sanded or ground off, as ordinary solvents do not effectively remove it. Test random areas for other, undetected sealers or coatings. Take a small cup of muriatic acid mixed at a ratio of four parts water to one part acid. Drip small amounts of the acid solution to various areas of the floor. Pay close attention to those areas that appear different in color, texture, or shininess. The solution should fizz slightly yellow if there is no coating present. If a coating exists, it will have to be removed, depending on the size of the area: {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-1Bullet5.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-1Bullet5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-1Bullet5.jpg\/aid515197-v4-728px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-1Bullet5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Small isolated areas: a surface grinder or aggressive sander with 50 grit or coarser sandpaper may do the trick, and then repeat step one. If most or all of the floor will not return a fizz, then this suggests that you may want to rent or purchase a floor grinder, to remove that coating. Repeat the previous step to test again. Get a cleaner for etching. Etch the floor with muriatic acid or a masonry cleaner, such as SureClean 600. Most kits provide etching products that you can use. You need to follow the instructions found in your kit. Use your scrub brush so that it can be agitated really well. A home local improvement center can provide you with an etching product if the kit does not have one. Etching is an important process as it opens up the pores of the concrete so that epoxy paint can properly stick. The lack of etching will contribute to an epoxy-coated floor with a lot of imperfections. Etching the floor involves applying muriatic acid or phosphoric acid and neutralize the floor afterward by using a high pressure nozzle. Presoak the floor. Use a garden hose to wet the entire floor just enough so that the floor is moist. Mix one gallon of mixed acid/water solution (four parts water to one part acid). Evenly pour out the gallon onto the floor. This amount of solution will cover 70 to 100 square feet. Try working in 'squares' as much as possible. Use a stiff bristled 18 to 24" shop broom. Apply the solution. Use a scrubbing motion to scrub each area. You should get a 'foamy' white reaction. Once this area is fully scrubbed, move to the next area and repeat. Rinse entire floor well. Once all areas have been completed using above steps, rinse the entire floor well with water. Broom out any excessive water. Allow the floor to dry completely. Any residual moisture will be trapped beneath the finished epoxy coating, causing the bond to weaken or fail between the coating and the concrete surface. Depending on humidity and temperature, thorough drying should take about a week to ten days. Test the floor's dryness by placing a flat, moisture proof object on it, and allowing it to stay overnight. A vinyl floor tile is perfect for this purpose, and single tiles can often be purchased at your local home center or building supply company. After leaving the tile in place overnight, remove it and look for evidence of condensed water or a darkened appearance of the concrete surface indicating the presence of moisture. First, you have to check to see if there is any sign of moisture on the floor. You can do this by putting duct tape on a plastic that is laid out on the floor. Make sure that all of its edges are sealed properly. You can use 1 gallon (3.8 L) zip lock bag for this testing. Leave it there for 24 hours and check it the next day. It has to be dry because a wet floor means that you can't paint on it. The paint will repel from a floor that is wet. Some manufacturers recommend using a dry method for scouring the concrete because muriatic acid can damage the coating if it is not completely rinsed off. Select the product you will use to coat your garage floor. Epoxies vary, depending on the product manufacturer, but most are comprised of three ingredients. These are: The epoxy resin. This is the main ingredient of the epoxy coating, and is generally a clear, or amber viscous liquid. It is available in quart, gallon, and five gallon containers. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet1.jpg\/aid515197-v4-728px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} The catalyst. This is the component of a multi-part epoxy system that causes the resin to harden, and is usually a part B of the package you will be purchasing. Buying your epoxy in a two part package insures the compatibility of the components. Read the mixing directions carefully to insure the proper proportions are mixed. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet2.jpg\/aid515197-v4-728px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Pigment. Since epoxy is a semitransparent or colorless material, a pigment is used to give it its final color. Pre-pigmented packages are the best bet for home installers, but separate pigments can be purchased for your project if you wish to do so. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet3.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet3.jpg\/aid515197-v4-728px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Texturing materials. It may be desirable to texture the floor with an aggregate material so the finish is not too slippery. Numerous materials are used for this purpose, from sandblasting sand to PVC plastic granules, giving different textures and degrees of traction. When in doubt, visit a paint retailer and look at samples of the products they offer, and read the manufacturer's literature for recommended products and procedures. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1b\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet4.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1b\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet4.jpg\/aid515197-v4-728px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Calculate the amount of material required to do your project. Epoxies do not cover as much surface area as other coatings and paints, so check the application (or coverage)rate for the product you choose. Basically, for a 5 to 6 mil application rate, one gallon of combined material will cover 200 square feet, or a small, one car garage. Because you will want a seamless, one-step application of each coat, be sure to allow for waste and purchase significantly more than you will need.#Install the coating. The rest is install the coatings per the manufacturers instructions. The basic steps will be these: Mix the pigment, if used, with the resin in a clean metal container with twice the capacity of the total amount you will use for each application. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b5\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b5\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet1.jpg\/aid515197-v4-728px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Add the hardener (catalyst) and mix again. Thorough mixing is essential for best results, so consider using a paint mixing paddle in a power drill, but avoid mixing at a speed so high it creates bubbles in the material. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet2.jpg\/aid515197-v4-728px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Using a ⁄ 4 inch (1.9 cm) nap roller on an extension handle, apply the material to the floor. Begin at a back corner , so you can work your way toward the exit as you roll, and overlap each roller path by one half its width with each successive roll. Keep plenty of material in the roller, and if it begins tacking , dip it again in your mixing bucket. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet3.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet3.jpg\/aid515197-v4-728px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Work the roller as quickly as possible, as the epoxy has a short working time. Most epoxies, mixed according to manufacturer's directions, must be used in less than one hour, excessive hardener will reduce the working time considerably. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e7\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet4.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e7\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet4.jpg\/aid515197-v4-728px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Design it, if desired. If you wish to add paint chips, you should paint a measly 6'x6' section at a time and put the chips afterward. When you're placing them, make sure that you toss them in the air so that they will fall back to your fresh paint. You'll have a more random spread if you do this compared to throwing them directly on the paint. Dispose of your used materials. Dispose of your paint roller cover when you have finished applying a complete coat over the entire garage floor. The solvents used for epoxy cleanup are dangerous, and expensive, so cleaning your tools is simply not practicable. Allow the epoxy to cure completely. Again, read and follow the manufacturer's directions for the product you select, as this time may vary significantly. Observe the re-coat times carefully. It's best that you put an extra coating to your floor. It will have a more glossy shine that can lock in the chips and ensuring the your floor will last longer. Remember, re-coating after waiting too long can be just as bad as not waiting long enough.
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Determine if the floor has a coating on it. Look for oil or grease stains. Look for rubber residue from tire scuffing. Test random areas for other, undetected sealers or coatings. Get a cleaner for etching. Presoak the floor. Mix one gallon of mixed acid/water solution (four parts water to one part acid). Rinse entire floor well. Allow the floor to dry completely. Select the product you will use to coat your garage floor. Calculate the amount of material required to do your project. Design it, if desired. Dispose of your used materials. Allow the epoxy to cure completely. Observe the re-coat times carefully.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Wear-Turtleneck-Sweaters
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How to Wear Turtleneck Sweaters
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To wear a turtleneck sweater, first decide whether your outfit will be casual or dressy. Thicker turtlenecks are usually more casual, while thinner materials usually look dressier. For a casual look, wear a chunky turtleneck with a pair of distressed jeans and sneakers. To dress your look up, try wearing your turtleneck under a blazer or a dress, or tucked into a pair of slacks.
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Choose a chunky or boxy turtleneck for a more casual look. A thick, cozy turtleneck sweater and a pair of distressed jeans is the perfect way to stay warm on a cold weekend. Straight leg or tapered jeans will elongate your silhouette more than baggy jeans will when you are wearing a bulky turtleneck. Cropped jeans and a pair of sneakers will make your turtleneck seem more athletic. Pair a slim-fitting turtleneck with slacks for a business-ready look. A turtleneck is more casual than a button-down shirt, but it's still perfectly appropriate for work. You can wear a turtleneck in a neutral or dark color, or go for a bright shade to bring a pop of color to your outfit. Finish this look with a pair of sensible shoes, like loafers or ballet flats. To make your look even more professional, tuck in the turtleneck and wear a belt. Tuck a thin-knit turtleneck into an A-line skirt for a feminine look. A flared skirt with tight waist paired with a close-fitting turtleneck is a classic look that looks great on almost any figure. A pair of flats and a messy bun are the perfect complement to this simple style. Wear a turtleneck tucked into skinny jeans for a casual, versatile outfit. You can go almost anywhere with this look, whether you're getting a cup of coffee at a local cafe, visiting the library, or meeting someone for a lunch date. Canvas sneakers are the perfect shoes for this casual look. Wear a tight-fitting turtleneck with a miniskirt for a night out. Just because the weather is cool doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your going-out style. A tight-fitting turtleneck with a miniskirt, tights, and ankle boots will show off your figure while still keeping you warm. Choose a simple black turtleneck for a sleek, sexy look. For a more daring look, opt for a turtleneck in a bold print, like leopard or a bright floral. Layer your turtleneck under a long vest for a look that’s instantly chic. Long vests are glamorous already, but when you wear one over a turtleneck, you get a look that's both sophisticated and effortless. Since the focus should be on the top of this outfit, opt for a pair of straight-legged trousers and simple dress shoes. Wear a cropped turtleneck over a longer shirt to show off your layers. A long button-down shirt is the perfect layer to wear under a short turtleneck sweater. The buttons will add visual interest and will help to balance out the heavy neck of the turtleneck. Make this look even more interesting by choosing a button-down shirt featuring a print. Layer a thin turtleneck under a blazer for a look that’s chic and dressy. When you're layering under thicker pieces like a blazer, look for the thinnest turtlenecks you can find. This will keep you comfortable, but it will also create a more flattering silhouette. This look works best when worn with a blazer with a tailored fit. You can dress up your blazer-turtleneck combo by wearing it with a pair of dressy slacks and heels or leather dress shoes. Dress this look down by wearing a pair of baggy jeans and sneakers. Wear your turtleneck under a dress to make it more weather-appropriate. If the temperature is cold but you want to wear your favorite shirt-dress to work or school, you can slip on a thin turtleneck beneath the dress to add an instant layer of warmth. Use a sleeveless turtleneck as a layer under a jacket or cardigan. Sleeveless turtlenecks make great layering pieces. Wear it the same way you would wear a tank top or a t-shirt, opting for neutrals or pops of color depending on your style. You can pick a traditional white cardigan or mix things up with another neutral or a brighter color. Show off your rebellious side by wearing your turtleneck under a leather jacket. This look was originally popularized by James Dean, and it's all about being cool. Wear your thin turtleneck under a leather jacket the same way you would wear a plain white t-shirt — with plenty of attitude! Slim-fitting jeans and motorcycle boots are the perfect way to finish off this look. Go for a preppy look by pairing a turtleneck with a pea coat. Pea coats look great on pretty much everyone, and wearing one with a turtleneck will give you a posh, polished appearance without much effort. Make this look more stylish by choosing contrasting colors for a color blocking effect. Wear your hair up if you have long hair. Turtlenecks frame your face, and you can make the most out of this effect by wearing long hair in a bun. Opt for a sleek, smooth bun for dressier occasions. Try a messy bun for a more casual style. Wear a scruffy beard with your turtleneck if you have facial hair. A thick, cable-knit turtleneck and a couple of days' worth of beard growth gives off a rugged, casual vibe. A slightly disheveled beard is the masculine version of a messy bun, so don't be afraid to rock the stubble! Wear a scarf with your turtleneck. The focus is already around your neck, so you don't want to wrap your scarf too tightly, but a loosely draped scarf can be the perfect accompaniment to a turtleneck sweater. Tie a silk scarf around your neck when the weather is mild. Choose a heavy scarf for an extra layer of warmth in very cold weather. Pair a black-and-white striped turtleneck with a scarf for a Parisian look. Choose a long necklace to wear with your turtleneck. Long necklaces have the effect of elongating your body. This is especially helpful if you have a round face and you're concerned a turtleneck makes it look rounder. Opt for statement earrings for a glamorous look. Since a turtleneck is already all about showing off your face, it's the perfect time to show off a pair of dramatic statement earrings. Longer earrings look great when worn with a turtleneck sweater. If you don't have your ears pierced, you can wear a fun pair of clip-on earrings. Toss on a cross-body bag for an easy, practical accessory. A crossbody bag helps break up the appearance of your sweater, which can have a flattering effect. For the best results, look for a bag with an embellished strap, like one made from chain. Pin a brooch to your turtleneck for a classic, elegant accessory. Brooches aren't worn as commonly as they used to be, but they're a pretty way to add sparkle to your look. If you have a brooch you never wear, try incorporating into your outfit the next time you wear a turtleneck.
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Choose a chunky or boxy turtleneck for a more casual look. Pair a slim-fitting turtleneck with slacks for a business-ready look. Tuck a thin-knit turtleneck into an A-line skirt for a feminine look. Wear a turtleneck tucked into skinny jeans for a casual, versatile outfit. Wear a tight-fitting turtleneck with a miniskirt for a night out. Layer your turtleneck under a long vest for a look that’s instantly chic. Wear a cropped turtleneck over a longer shirt to show off your layers. Layer a thin turtleneck under a blazer for a look that’s chic and dressy. Wear your turtleneck under a dress to make it more weather-appropriate. Use a sleeveless turtleneck as a layer under a jacket or cardigan. Show off your rebellious side by wearing your turtleneck under a leather jacket. Go for a preppy look by pairing a turtleneck with a pea coat. Wear your hair up if you have long hair. Wear a scruffy beard with your turtleneck if you have facial hair. Wear a scarf with your turtleneck. Choose a long necklace to wear with your turtleneck. Opt for statement earrings for a glamorous look. Toss on a cross-body bag for an easy, practical accessory. Pin a brooch to your turtleneck for a classic, elegant accessory.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Drums
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How to Play Drums
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If you want to play drums, practice playing basic rhythms with your hands, and use a metronome to help keep yourself in tempo. When you're ready to practice with drumsticks, hold the sticks between your thumb and index fingers, with the rest of your fingers wrapped around the stick and the backs of your hands facing upwards, which is called a matched grip. Play the snare drum and the cymbals with your drumsticks, and use your feet to play the bass drum and the hi-hat. Gradually practice more complicated drum beats as you get comfortable.
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Get familiar with the basic drum kit. Each kit is different, using different kinds of drums that make up a set. There are different brands, sizes, sticks used, and different tunings among other slighter modifications that will affect the overall sound of each instrument. Still, many drum kits employ basically the same fundamental pieces. Most basic kits include: A bass drum , which makes the low-pitched booming sound when struck by a weighted mallet operated by a foot pedal. A snare drum , usually located to the non-dominant side of the drummer and played with the drummer's non-dominant stick. The snare is a tight, bright drum with a band of rattling metal beads under the drum head. Typically, the snare is known for its crisp "click" sound followed by the "resonating shuffle" of the beads. There are many types of tom-tom drums , but the most common three are the Floor Tom (the deepest of the three), the Mid-Tom (the medium of the three), and the High-Tom (the most high-pitched of the three). A very basic kit may only have the floor tom, while others may have many. They're tuned differently to create an array of different deeper noises for fills. Learn the different kinds of cymbals. There are many different kinds of cymbals, varying in type, shape, and sound. A cymbal is a round, metal object that resonates when struck. The four most commonly used types of cymbals are the hi-hat, the ride, the splash, and the crash. The hi-hat is a pair of cymbals mounted on a foot pedal. The foot pedal is usually played by the left foot and controls the cymbals, bringing them together when pressed and bringing them apart when released. You can strike the cymbal when it is apart or closed, and you can shut the cymbals with your feet at different rates of speed, each creating a different sound. The ride cymbal creates a more subtle and deeper sound than the other cymbals because it is used to play very repetitively throughout most music. The cymbal will usually resonate from one strike to another, featuring a very long reverberating "finish" to the sound. The splash is a cymbal that creates a metallic "splashing" sound, similar to the sound a water splash makes. It dies quickly after peaking and is typically used in basic fills to ornament your beat. The crash is similar to the splash, but usually generates a loud and long, sustained sound. Listen for the crash at the end of measures in pop music or especially in periods of heightened drama in orchestral music. Get comfortable holding the drum sticks. There are two main ways to hold drum sticks, called the matched grip and the traditional grip. In the matched grip , you hold the sticks between your thumb and index finger a few inches from the bottom of the sticks. Wrap your remaining fingers around the sticks. Be sure the back side of your hands are facing up rather than facing to the side. This method is the most common way of holding sticks, allowing you plenty of wrist control and comfort. In the traditional grip , you'll hold the stick in your non-dominant hand by resting the stick in the cradle between your thumb and index finger and on top of your ring finger. Wrap your thumb, index and middle fingers around the stick. Hold the other stick using a matched grip. Some jazz drummers use a traditional grip to offer a different kind of control on the snare drum, playing intricate rhythms on it as part of fills. . Research starter kits If you are interested in drumming, price many different new and used options before you spend the money on a set. Talk to the people at the stores and they should steer you in the right direction. Start out with a cheap, new set or a used set until you finally decide if you are going to stick with it. You can also consider joining your school band to have access to the equipment and lessons to help you learn. You might even ask in your band department if you'd be allowed to practice a few times on a kit because you're interested in the drums. The music folk are generally friendly people, and it can't hurt to ask. Try a variety of drumsticks. There are a lot out there, but there is no right or wrong stick. 5A is a good stick weight for beginners. Have your drum teacher or the people at the store give you some pointers on how to hold the sticks, how to hit the drum properly, how to adjust the drums to fit your stature, and how to set up your kit at home. You can also find a lot of this information for free on the internet. Learn to sit at the kit with the proper posture. Good posture will make you more comfortable during practice and help you reach the drums more easily. You'll sound better and enjoy playing more by improving your posture. Sit up straight and keep your elbows in. Stay in tight to the kit, keeping the floor pedals at a comfortable distance from you. Start learning to drum with your hands. You don't have to have a monstrous kit with a gong like Neil Peart from Rush to get started drumming. You don't even have to have a kit at all. To get started on the basics, use your hands and tops of your thighs in a seated position to learn basic drum-kit rhythms. Listen to music with obvious rhythms and try to mock the rhythm with your hands. Many beginners can get frustrated upon plopping down behind a kit and not being able to play a simple rhythm yet. It's a good idea to start getting some sense of rhythm before dropping the cash on a big drum kit to practice on, or before giving yourself an opportunity to get frustrated. Learn to count quarter notes. There are many ways to break down a a musical bar, but for the purposes of getting started, we'll discuss 4/4 time signature, meaning that there are 4 beats in a measure. Tap out 4 equal beats with one hand. These are quarter notes. Count out loud when you're just getting started. It's important to keep track of the rhythm and learn what you're playing, allowing you to develop more complex awareness of beat. It's a good idea to use a metronome or a click track to practice rhythms. They're easy to find online, in GarageBand, or on your phone, or by playing along to songs. Learn to count eighth notes. Each quarter note is made up of two eighth notes. Keep tapping that simple quarter note beat with one hand and then try eighth notes at the same beat. These are counted "1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and..." Try your best to say it steadily and beat it with your hand. Work in your other hand. Continue with your first hand, counting out eighth notes. Now, whenever you say "Two" and "Four," tap the table or the top of your thigh with your other hand. This fills in where you'll be hitting the snare when you sit behind a kit. Work in the downbeat. Continue tapping with both hands, but now whenever you say "One" or "Three", tap your right (or left) foot. This is called the downbeat, and is what you'll tap out on the bass drum. You're playing a simple rock-style drum beat! Learning drums is broken into two big categories of things you need to learn: rhythm and technique. You can't learn technique without a drum kit, but you can learn about rhythm. By learning everything you can about rhythms and developing your sense of keeping a beat and counting before you ever sit behind a drum kit, you'll be a better drummer and be able to learn more quickly. Buy a metronome. This can't be stressed enough: you need to learn to play a steady, even tempo and the easiest way to beat that into your brain is by practicing with a metronome. If you can't afford a metronome, you can find a click track somewhere which is a recorded metronome that you can play in your stereo, on your Walkman, or on your computer while you practice. Play your simple hand beat on the kit. Play the 8th notes on the hi-hat, hitting the snare drum on 2 and 4, and pressing the bass drum pedal with your foot on the 1 and 3. Make sure you count out loud when you are playing. Eventually you won't have to, but do it while you are learning and when you are practicing. To mix it up and get familiar with the kit, hit something else on the "Two" and on the "Four" instead of the snare drum, hit everywhere else. Try to develop a groove and get used to playing evenly, while counting out loud and while playing with the click. Work in the hi-hat foot pedal. Learn how to close the hi-hat with the left foot when you strike it with your hands. It makes a different, shorter sound. This is the position at which most drummers use the hi-hat most frequently. Play straight eighth notes with the right hand. Use the left hand and hit the snare on "Two" and "Four". Lift your foot off of the hi-hat here and there to get used to the sounds you are making. You can open it all the way, open it a little and hit the hi-hat in different places such as the outside rim, or the bell at the top to get different sounds. Develop your footwork. At the same time you hit the hi-hat, learn to work in bass drum rhythms to help develop the muscles. Try to play with the right hand and foot at the same time, left hand free styling, or with all limbs at the same time to really get your muscles used to moving. Start switching it up. Play the same thing above, but instead of hitting the snare on the "Two" and "Four" hit the hi-hat. When you are lifting your right hand off the hi-hat move your left hand down to hit the snare. Now you are basically playing the snare drum in between each hit of the hi-hat. While you are doing this count out loud "One e and a Two e and a Three e and a Four e and a" continuing to hit the hi-hat with the right hand on the "One and Two and Three and Four and" but hitting the snare on the "es and as." Relax during practice. If you notice any tension, or you're struggling to keep up with the beats at the RPM you've set the metronome at, slow down the metronome until you feel relaxed. Learn your snare drum rudiments. The basic "single" stroke and a "double" stroke are absolutely essential to developing your limb independence and drum complexity. If you strike the drum with one beat from each alternating hand, you have a single stroke pattern. However, if you strike the drum with one downward movement from each alternating hand and let the stick bounce on each alternating stroke to get two hits per stroke, you have a double stroke pattern. This is what enables a drummer to perform very fast rolls and patterns. By studying and practicing the 26 American drum rudiments, you will be well on your way to mastering single, double, triple and quadruple stroke patterns. Incorporate both feet. It can be a bit like rubbing your belly and patting your head, but learning drums means that you've eventually got to do more complicated things all at once. Instead of making one movement up and one movement down you may have to double or triple or even quadruple one movement with a limb while the other limbs do something else in another direction. Count the same beat you've been using so far with eighth notes, and on every beat close the hi-hat with your left foot and open it on the offbeats, or "ands". Hit the snare drum on the twos and fours to make a basic rock beat. With your right hand keep 8th note time (one and two and three and four and) on the rim of the snare or on a ride cymbal if you have one. Try to play the kick drum with the right foot. Experiment with various beats with the right foot while keeping the rest of the limbs locked in the main pattern. This is where it starts to get tricky. Don't worry though, it gets easier the more you play. You have to get your limbs used to making movements that are independent of each other. There is no quick way to do this. Just take your time and think about what you are doing. If you break it down into one beat at a time it makes things a lot easier. Learn triplets. For quarter note triplets you must think in terms of half notes. Count 1-la-le evenly in the space of the half note. For eighth note triplets it's the same, but with three notes split in the space of a quarter note. Triplets are not used that much in rock beats but you will find them in drum fills and used in percussion lines found in school bands. Basically a triplet is where you play 3 notes in the time you usually play 2. you can have quarter note triplets, 8th note triplets, 16th note triplets, 32nd note triplets. We have a cool sounding beat with 8th note triplets. They are counted "[One-Trip-Let][Two-Trip-Let][Three-Trip-Let][Four-Trip-Let]" or any three syllable word. Play this along with the metronome each click on the metronome is a beat and each beat is subdivided. Learn 16th notes. 16th notes are basically what you played earlier when you were learning to move your hands in opposite directions. These are counted "[1 e + a] [2 e + a] [3 e + a] [4 e + a]" 16th note triplets are counted [1 trip let and trip let] [2 trip let and trip let] [3 trip let and trip let] [4 trip let and trip let] Learn 32nds. 32nd notes should be counted "[1 e + a + e + a] [2 e + a + e + a] [3 e + a + e + a] [4 e + a + e + a} There are 32nd note triplets that require a lot of subdivision to count and are pretty much too fast to say out loud, but if you want to hear some 32nd notes and 32nd not triplets, then listen to the song "Hey Joe" by Jimi Hendrix. These notes are hard to play correctly because you need to be able to play them evenly, making the same sound on the drums with each hand and be able to move around the drum kit playing these notes in time with the rest of the song. Remember that each of the subdivisions has to fit in time with the metronome. Each click will be quarter beat and easy to keep time by the time you get to the higher subdivisions you will be counting faster or playing faster but the numbers you say will always land on the clicks of the metronome. Use rests within the song where no sound is made during the note. Listen to some of your favorite songs and use a small subdivision such as the 8th or 16th note count and you will see that during a lot of the fills you will hear spaces where there is silence when you are counting. These are the rests. Learn how to subdivide beats and rests through practice with just the snare drum. Your goal is to be able to make even sounds with both hands. When you play an accented note with the right hand it should sound the same when you play with the left and when you make a normal stroke with the right it will sound the same as the left and vice versa and so on. An accented stroke is when you strike the drum harder than the other strokes (usually on the rim of the drum, also known as a rimshot). Accents give a very dynamic effect to the music. In music notation, accents are shown by the mathematical "greater than" sign (>). Use fills to add to the song you're playing. The purpose of a drum fill is to add a little flair to a song. A guitar player plays a hot little lick and a singer might shout and dance about, and the drummer plays fills. These happen in time between the beats, usually on the toms and the cymbals. Listen to John Bonham to hear the master of drum fills. Start with the basic beat. Play "1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +" and play as you did before with right hand on the hi-hat and left on the snare. Use the right foot on the kick. Repeat as you warm up. Now continue counting out loud and just play "1 + 2 +" and then stop playing with your limbs and just finish counting out loud "3 + 4 +"repeat. It should sound like "Boom tic Pap tic" now on the "3 + 4 +" do anything else for example start with moving every limb at the same time on the "3 + 4 +" you can hit the crash (if you have one) on the one on the following bar and you will have pulled off your first fill. Be creative. Do every combination and variation on this basic theme, while counting the "3 + 4 +". Some will sound good to you some won't. Some basic ones can be all snare alternating hands. Two kick and then two snares. Two snares and two kicks. As long as you keep the time it doesn't matter what you pick as long as the time stays even. Play more complex fills. Continue to play the "1 + 2 +" as you did above. Now pick a couple subdivisions of the beat as written out between the brackets above for the "3" beat and the "4" beat" such as "[3 trip let] [4 e + a} play note while counting out loud and use all limbs at the same time as you did above. Now pick other subdivisions for the "3" and 4" beat you can go "[3 +] [4]" or "[3 +] [4 trip let]" or "[3 e + a] [4 +]" or whatever. Is it starting to get easier yet? As long as the notes are played evenly and within the time you have lots and lots of possible combinations for the fills. You don't have to just play the [3] beat and [4] beat as fills. You can play the whole bar as a fill picking any of the subdivisions for each beat and combining them such as "[1 e + a] [2 trip let] [3 +] [4 trip let]" or whatever you picked. Say the subdivisions out loud then play with all limbs and then play around with using different sounds and sound combinations for the subdivisions. Use your fills wisely. Learn to hold back on fills, even if you're a killer drummer. AC/DC songs feature extremely simple fills or no fills at all, which fits in perfectly with their no-frills reputation as a band. It would sound ridiculous if "Back in Black" featured a drum solo. You don't have to start a fill at the beginning of a beat. Count " One and Two" and play it like you did before with the right hand on the hi-hat and the left on the snare but when you get to the "and three and four and" play the fill starting on that and instead of waiting for the "three" beat.
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Get familiar with the basic drum kit. Learn the different kinds of cymbals. Get comfortable holding the drum sticks. . Try a variety of drumsticks. Learn to sit at the kit with the proper posture. Start learning to drum with your hands. Learn to count quarter notes. Learn to count eighth notes. Work in your other hand. Work in the downbeat. Buy a metronome. Play your simple hand beat on the kit. Work in the hi-hat foot pedal. Develop your footwork. Start switching it up. Relax during practice. Learn your snare drum rudiments. Incorporate both feet. Try to play the kick drum with the right foot. Learn triplets. Learn 16th notes. Learn 32nds. Remember that each of the subdivisions has to fit in time with the metronome. Use rests within the song where no sound is made during the note. Learn how to subdivide beats and rests through practice with just the snare drum. Use fills to add to the song you're playing. Start with the basic beat. Be creative. Play more complex fills. Use your fills wisely.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Chocolate-Dipped-Strawberries
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How to Make Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
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To make chocolate strawberries, wash the strawberries and skewer them with toothpicks so they're easier to handle. Then, melt 8 ounces of your choice of chocolate in a double boiler. If you don't own a double boiler, you can either make one by placing a heat-safe bowl over a pot or you can microwave the chocolate in 30-second intervals until it's melted. Once the chocolate has cooled, spin the strawberries in the chocolate. As you pull the strawberries out, gently shake them to remove excess chocolate before laying them on wax paper.
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Throw away damaged strawberries. Discard any strawberries that show signs of damage: Mushy or leaking juice Large white or green areas Dry, brown caps instead of green You can use strawberries with missing caps and stems, but they won't last as long. Wash the strawberries. Fill a colander with the strawberries. Rinse under cool, running water. Gently shake the colander to clean all sides of the strawberries. Don't wash the strawberries more than an hour in advance. They spoil quickly once washed. Pat dry with paper towels. Even a drop of water can make the chocolate grainy and unpleasant. Pat dry, then space the strawberries out on dry paper towels to finish air drying. Leave them at room temperature to avoid condensation from the fridge. Skewer the strawberries (optional). Push a toothpick into each strawberry cap. You can skip this if the stems are still attached. Cover a baking sheet with wax paper. Parchment paper will work as well. Aluminum foil will prevent sticking just as well, but may leave a pattern on the chocolate strawberries. Choose high-quality chocolate. Besides the taste, cheap chocolate may not melt and harden evenly. Semisweet, bittersweet, or dark chocolate is easier to melt than milk and white chocolate. Use chocolate chips, or chop bars into even, ¼ inch (6 mm) pieces. "Candy melts" are extra-easy to use, but usually don't taste as good as real chocolate. If using a candy melt, follow the instructions on the label. Add butter (optional). This makes the chocolate smoother and easier to use as a dip. Mix in 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) unsalted butter for every 8 ounces (225 grams) chocolate. Never use more than this, or the water in the butter could ruin the chocolate's texture. Shortening has no liquid, so it will never ruin the chocolate. However, it should only be added after the chocolate has melted. Melt in a double boiler. You can make one of these at home by placing a stainless steel or heat-safe glass bowl over an ordinary pan. Fill the pan with an inch or two (2.5–5 cm) of water, but make sure it doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl. Bring the water to a simmer, then add chocolate to the bowl and stir until melted. Use the lowest heat setting possible to keep the water simmering. Chocolate melts at low temperatures, and can separate if heated too high. Use a microwave instead. Be aware that this method comes with a high risk of damaged chocolate. It should only be used for small amounts of dark or bittersweet chocolate. Set the microwave to defrost or the lowest power setting. Microwave the bowl of chocolate for 30 seconds, then take out and stir. Repeat in 15–30 second intervals until fully melted. Let stand 30 seconds, then stir one last time. Melted chocolate may still look shiny and hard, and will not feel hot. You'll have to give it a stir to test for melting. Let the chocolate cool slightly. Leave the chocolate at room temperature for a couple minutes. It's easiest to dip strawberries in chocolate that's at around 100ºF (38ºC). This is roughly human body temperature, so it will feel tepid. Dip the strawberries. Hold each strawberry by the stem or using a toothpick. Dip it into the melted chocolate, nearly up to the green cap. As you pull it out, give it a small shake. This fills in gaps in the chocolate and leaves a smooth line. Finish by rotating the strawberry to let excess chocolate drip off. Lay on the prepared sheet. Place the dipped strawberries upside-down on the baking sheet covered in wax paper. Space them so they don't touch, or they'll stick together. Decorate the strawberries (optional). Sprinkle chopped nuts or sprinkles over the chocolate while it is still soft. Or, if you'd like to add a classic white chocolate drizzle, refrigerate the strawberries first. Melt the white chocolate the same way as before, then drizzle it over the hardened chocolate using a fork. Refrigerate for 15–30 minutes. Leave them in the refrigerator until the chocolate hardens completely. This should minimize the chance of white fat "blooming" to the surface. The chocolate is still safe to eat if it does bloom. You may wish to decorate it as described above, in order to hide the white surface. or serve immediately. Store These are best served the same day they are made. If storing them longer term, you have a few options: Room temperature: Hold flavor best, but only lasts 2–3 days. Keep covered but not in airtight container. May become limp. Hot temperatures will cause white fat blooms. Refrigerator: Keeps for 5–7 days. Lay a paper towel at the base of a container and sprinkle with baking soda, then add berries and cover. This absorbs moisture, preventing sugar in the chocolate from forming white crystals. Freezer: Best within 3 months, but keeps indefinitely. Chocolate must cover 100% of the strawberry to lock in juices. Freeze separated on a flat sheet first, to prevent sticking together.
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Throw away damaged strawberries. Wash the strawberries. Pat dry with paper towels. Skewer the strawberries (optional). Cover a baking sheet with wax paper. Choose high-quality chocolate. Add butter (optional). Melt in a double boiler. Use a microwave instead. Let the chocolate cool slightly. Dip the strawberries. Lay on the prepared sheet. Decorate the strawberries (optional). Refrigerate for 15–30 minutes. or serve immediately.
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https://www.wikihow.fitness/Increase-Grip-Strength
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How to Increase Grip Strength
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To increase grip strength, start by getting a hand exerciser online or at an exercise supply store. Next, keeping your arm straight, do 1-2 warm up sets of 4-6 squeezes per hand with the exerciser set on a low resistance. After you have warmed up your hands, increase the resistance and do 5-6 sets of 8-10 squeezes per hand, resting for 1-2 minutes between each set. Then, continue to do these exercises 2 to 3 times a week, increasing the resistance as you feel your grip getting stronger.
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Buy a hand exerciser at an exercise supply store or online. Hand exercisers help you to train your crush grip, which is how strong your hand is when you hold or grip objects. Build strength in your hands, fingers, wrists, and forearms with a hand exerciser. Some hand exercisers allow you to train each finger or your entire hand at once. Look for a hand exerciser that feels comfortable in your hand and that you can grip firmly. Start with a lower amount of resistance first, such as 60 pounds (27 kg). Then, work your way up to more resistance. Squeeze the hand exerciser fully with your arm straight. Do not twist your arm or body when you squeeze the exerciser. Keep your arm straight, with your arm raised at your side. Do this exercise standing with your legs slightly apart or sitting down with your feet on the floor. You may find doing this exercise in front of a mirror can be helpful to ensure your form is correct. Do 1-2 warm up sets of 4-6 squeezes per hand. Begin with a lower amount of resistance for your warm up. This will help to prepare your muscles for heavier weight. Perform heavy sets, resting between sets. Once you have warmed up, increase the resistance on the hand exerciser. Then, do 5-6 sets of 8-10 squeezes per hand. Allow 1-2 minutes between each set to rest. Add in squeeze and hold reps to your sets for an additional challenge. Squeeze the hand exerciser and hold it closed for 10-20 seconds. Do hand exercises 2 to 3 times a week. Start with a small amount of weight and gradually increase the resistance over time. As you feel your grip getting stronger, increase the resistance by 5 to 7 pounds (2.3 to 3.2 kg) at a time. Get in the habit of using the hand exerciser as part of your weekly workout to increase your grip strength. Do hex holds with a dumbbell. Use a dumbbell that has a hexagon shaped end. Stand with your legs slightly apart and your arms at your sides. Grip the head of the dumbbell with your hand, wrapping your fingers around the head. Then, lift and hold it so it is above the ground for 30 seconds. Repeat this exercise for 2-3 sets on each hand. Perform “farmer’s carries. ” You can use 2 dumbbells or kettlebells for this exercise. Stand up with the weights in either hand, gripping them tightly with your fingers. Then, walk 20 feet (6.1 m) in front of you, carrying the weight in your hands. After 1-2 sets, try walking 40 feet (12 m) in front of you for 1-2 sets in the same workout. Try “pinches” with weight plates. Pinches are a great exercise for increasing your grip strength. Use 2 weight plates that are 2.5 pounds (1.1 kg) each. Place them on top of each other and raise them on the rounded edge. Then take 1 hand and place it on top of the weight plates, pinch the plates together, lift them up, and hold them either in front of you or at your sides. Do this for 30 seconds. Repeat this exercise on both hands for 2-3 sets. If you have very large hands with strong fingers, and you find the pinch exercise too easy, add another weight plate and try to pinch 3 weight plates together. Practice “bottoms up” with a kettlebell. Stand with your feet hip distance apart. Hold the kettlebell in 1 hand—with the heavy part of the bell up above the back of the hand and with your fingers tightly gripping the top of the kettlebell. Raise your elbow to shoulder height and hold the kettlebell in place. Your upper arm should be 90 degrees from your torso, and your forearm should be bent upwards 90 degrees from your upper arm. The kettlebell should be about as far away from your face as your upper arm's length. Lift it up above your head and hold for 1-2 seconds and then slowly bring it back down to the ground. Repeat this exercise for 2-3 sets on each hand. This is a good exercise for improving your grip strength and muscle control in your hands. When this exercise becomes easy for you, try walking while holding the kettlebell up. Do deadlift holds with a barbell. This is a good option if you have done deadlifts before and are comfortable holding the barbell. Place your hands shoulder width apart on the barbell. Hold the barbell with your hands over the bar. Stand tall in a deadlift lockout stance with your legs hip width apart and your knees slightly bent. Hold the barbell a few inches off the ground for 5-10 seconds. Do 3-5 sets to improve your grip strength. Over time, challenge yourself to hold more weight on the barbell. Start small so you do not overwhelm or damage your muscles. Then, work your way up to heavier holds over a period of 1-2 weeks, once your grip starts to feel stronger. Do these exercises 1-2 times a week. Practice doing 1 to 2 of these grip strength exercises regularly as part of your workout routine. You may do them once you have warmed up with light cardio like a 10 minute run, jumping jacks, or sprinting. Focus on increasing your weight and resistance in these exercises so you can build up your grip strength over time. Do pull ups with different grips. Pull ups are a great way to strengthen your grip and make your arm muscles stronger. Start with a neutral grip, where your hands are wrapped around the pull up bar. Use 2 bars that are perpendicular to the horizontal bar. Do a several pulls ups with this grip, lifting your chest above the bar. Another option is to try the overhand grip, where your palms are facing away from you and your hands are gripping over the bar. Keep your thumbs raised off the bar in this grip. Use a horizontal bar for this grip. For a real challenge, try a 3 finger or 2 finger grip, where you are only holding the pull up bar with 2 or 3 fingers on each hand. Try doing pull ups with towels or ropes. Another option is to drape 2 small towels or short ropes over the pull up bar. Then, grip 1 in each hand and try doing a pull up, holding tight to the towels or ropes. Challenge yourself to do 5-10 pull ups. You can also simply hang off the towels or ropes for 30 seconds at a time to improve your grip strength. Over time, you may work your way up to doing pull ups. Perform bar hangs with a wide bar. Use a wide or thick bar at the gym or use a wide bar at a local playground. Grip the bar with your hands and hang off of it for 30 seconds at a time, with your feet off the ground. This will improve your grip strength and your overall body strength. Over time, try hanging off of the bar with only 1 hand. Alternate your hands, hanging off the bar for 30 seconds at a time. Your legs can be bent when you are hanging off the bar. Do fingertip push ups. This exercise will help to strengthen your extensors, which are the muscles that open your fingers. Get in a push up position with your feet hip distance apart and your hips in line with your shoulders. Then, raise your fingers until you are balancing on your fingertips. Try doing 1-2 sets of 5-10 fingertip push ups. This exercise is also a great counter movement to grabbing and squeezing weights. You may end your workout with fingertip push ups so you strengthen your hands using a variety of movements. Practice these exercises 1-2 times a week. Add these exercises to your workout routine so you can get better at them. Do them after you have warmed up with light cardio like a 10 minute run, jumping jacks, or sprints. Work on increasing the amount of sets you can do for each exercise so you can increase your grip strength.
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Buy a hand exerciser at an exercise supply store or online. Squeeze the hand exerciser fully with your arm straight. Do 1-2 warm up sets of 4-6 squeezes per hand. Perform heavy sets, resting between sets. Do hand exercises 2 to 3 times a week. Do hex holds with a dumbbell. Perform “farmer’s carries. Try “pinches” with weight plates. Practice “bottoms up” with a kettlebell. Do deadlift holds with a barbell. Do these exercises 1-2 times a week. Do pull ups with different grips. Try doing pull ups with towels or ropes. Perform bar hangs with a wide bar. Do fingertip push ups. Practice these exercises 1-2 times a week.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Carry-a-Hamster
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How to Carry a Hamster
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To carry your hamster, start by washing your hands, since hamsters are territorial and may be put off by other scents. Then, pick up the hamster with one hand underneath it, and use your other hand to keep it from falling. While you hold your hamster, keep your hands close to a surface, like a table or the floor, so that it won't be injured if it does fall. Alternatively, consider putting your hamster in a plastic cup while carrying it around your home.
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Allow the hamster to adjust to a new home. If you have just brought home a hamster, you should not rush to handle it right away. Your hamster may be confused or frightened by its new home. Wait a few days to let your hamster adjust to its surroundings. Do not handle baby hamsters before two weeks of age. Allow your hamster to investigate your hand. It can be disorienting for a hamster to be lifted up out of its cage. To help reduce its anxiety, lower you hand into the cage, and allow it to investigate your hand. It may sniff or lick your hand, or it may even walk right into it. Let it explore your hand for a few minutes. If your hamster isn't interested at first, keep trying every day. You can help this process by offering the hamster treats in your hand. Place the treat in the palm of your hand, and allow the hamster to come pick it up. Do this for a few days before you try taking it out of the cage. Do not place your hand on or in your hamster's bed. It may become territorial and bite. Wait for the hamster to wake up. When your hamster has adjusted to its new home, you should wait until it is awake and moving around. Waking up a sleeping hamster will cause your hamster to be frightened or grumpy, both of which can increase your chances of getting bitten. Furthermore, you might startle your new friend. Wait for a time when it is already awake and active. Hamsters are nocturnal, so they are more active at night. Wait until the evening until you try to remove your hamster from its cage. Avoid sneaking up on your hamster. Your hamster should be fully aware of you when you try to pick it up. Do not reach for your hamster without first letting it see or investigate your hand for a few seconds. If you grab your hamster without doing this, you risk startling it. You may even be bitten. Wash your hands. Hamsters are territorial. If you have the scent of other hamsters or pets on your hands, it may try to bite you. It is a good practice to wash your hands before handling your hamster. Even if you have no other pets, any smell on your hand might upset your hamster. Put gloves on. If your hamster bites, you may choose to wear gloves to prevent injury. Gloves can stop your hamster from biting you, which will ensure that you do not drop it out of surprise. If your hamster is acclimated to you or if it is not prone to biting, you may not need gloves. If you do wear gloves, make sure that they are rubber ones, as hamsters like chewing on the leather gloves. Scoop under your hamster with two hands. Make sure that one hand is beneath it supporting its bottom. The other should be lightly enclosed around it so that it cannot fall. Before you lift the hamster out of the cage, face the hamster towards you. This will help prevent the hamster from jumping off your hand out of fear. Place the hamster gently back in the cage. Once you are done playing with your hamster, lower it back into the cage using the same method you lifted it out with. Have one hand beneath it, and one hand over it. Wait until your hand is close to the bottom of the cage before you let it crawl off. Your hamster should not jump off your hand, or else you risk injuring it. Hold the hamster close to a surface. As you carry your hamster, you should make sure that your hands are always close to a surface, such as the cage, table, or floor. If your hamster does tumble out, this ensures that it will not fall far. If you are carrying the hamster across the room, you might want to keep the hamster close to your body to keep it secure. Carry the hamster in a cup. If you are transporting your hamster a short distance inside your house, you might want to put it in a cup instead. You can use a small paper or plastic cup. Gently scoop the hamster into the cup. As you carry it, keep a hand on top to prevent it from climbing out. You should keep your fingers slightly spaced so that it has air to breathe. Hamsters will chew paper products, such as paper cups or cardboard boxes. Be aware that the hamster may start chewing these if it is in there too long. Only use paper products for transporting hamsters short distances. Use a hamster carrier. A clear, plastic pet carrier is the best option for transporting your hamster long distances. If you are taking your hamster to the vet or if you are cleaning its cage, you can move the hamster from its cage to the carrier. You should fill this carrier with the same bedding you use in its cage. You may also want to put a few chew toys or treats inside to keep it occupied as you carry it. Walk slowly. When carrying your hamster, you should move slowly. You should not jostle your hamster, or you might accidentally injure it. You also run the risk of dropping it. Be extremely careful as you walk with your hamster. If you are simply taking your hamster out to play, you might consider moving its cage down next to the play area so that there is less room to fall.
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Allow the hamster to adjust to a new home. Allow your hamster to investigate your hand. Wait for the hamster to wake up. Avoid sneaking up on your hamster. Wash your hands. Put gloves on. Scoop under your hamster with two hands. Place the hamster gently back in the cage. Hold the hamster close to a surface. Carry the hamster in a cup. Use a hamster carrier. Walk slowly.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Sims%27s-Need-Full
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How to Make Your Sims's Need Full
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To make your Sims' need full, first open the cheat console by pressing control, shift, C on a Windows computer, or Command, Shift, C on a Mac. Then, type in “Testingcheats on” and press Enter, which will enable cheats. Once cheats are enabled, select a Sim and note which of their needs require filling up. After you've decided which need you want to fill up, type “fillmotive motive_” followed by the need into the cheat console. For example, enter “fillmotive motive_social” to fill up your Sim's social bar. You can also fill up all of their needs by holding down Shift when you click on a Sim, selecting Cheat needs from the pop-up menu, and clicking on “Make happy.” Remember that you'll have to re-enter your chosen cheat periodically, since your Sims will still use up their needs over time.
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Open the cheat console. Press Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + C on a Windows computer or ⌘ Command + ⇧ Shift + C on a Mac. You should see a text box appear at the top of the screen. Enable cheats. Type in testingcheats on and press ↵ Enter to do so. You'll receive a "Cheats are enabled" confirmation message on the left side of the window. Go to a Sim. Find the Sim for whom you want to raise at least one need bar. Review the Sim's needs. Select your Sim to view their needs and make a note of the ones which are low. Fill up a Sim's needs. Once you've determined which needs have to be filled up, open the cheat console again, then type in fillmotive motive_ need —making sure to replace need with a need's name—and press ↵ Enter. For example, to fill you Sim's "Social" bar, you would enter fillmotive motive_social here. Fill all of your Sim's needs at once. If you want to fill up more than one need at a time, you can use the "Make Happy" cheat: Hold down ⇧ Shift while clicking a Sim. Click Cheat Need... in the resulting pop-up options. Click Make Happy Fill your whole world's needs. If you want to set every Sim's needs to maximum, you can do so by using your Sims' world's mailbox: Go to the mailbox. Hold down ⇧ Shift while clicking the mailbox. Click Alter Needs Click Fill Needs (world) Remember to refill your Sims' needs periodically. Your Sims will still consume their needs at a regular rate, meaning that you'll need to re-enter your chosen cheat every once in a while in order to ensure that your Sims' needs are still full. Open the cheat console. Press the A and B (Xbox One) or X and O (PlayStation 4) buttons at the same time to do so. A text box will appear. You may instead need to press RT , RB , LT , and LB (or R1 , R2 , L1 , and L2 on a PS4) all together. Enable cheats. Type in testingcheats true into the textbox, then press the confirmation button. Select OK when prompted. This confirms your decision to enable cheats. Go to a Sim. Find the Sim for whom you want to raise at least one need bar. Open the cheat menu. Hover over the Sim to select them, then press A and B (Xbox One) or X and O (PS4) to open the cheat menu. You should see several options appear. Select Cheat Need. It's in the menu. Select Make Happy. This will increase all of the selected Sim's needs to 100 percent. Fill your whole world's needs. If you want to set every Sim's needs to maximum, you can do so by using your Sims' world's mailbox: Go to the mailbox and hover over it. Press A and B or X and O Select Alter Needs Select Fill Needs (world) Remember to refill your Sims' needs periodically. Your Sims will still consume their needs at a regular rate, meaning that you'll need to re-enter your chosen cheat every once in a while in order to ensure that your Sims' needs are still full. Press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+C. This will open the cheat menu. Enable testingcheats. Depending on what game you have, you'll enable this with a different code: Sims 3: testingcheatsenabled true Sims 2: boolprop testingcheatsenabled true Press ↵ Enter. Go to the preferred Sim's Needs panel. Drag the bar up until it is full. Done! Open the cheat box with Ctrl+⇧ Shift+C. Type in maxmotives. Press ↵ Enter. Check your Sim's motives. All of their motives (with the exception of Environment) should fill up immediately.
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Open the cheat console. Enable cheats. Go to a Sim. Review the Sim's needs. Fill up a Sim's needs. Fill all of your Sim's needs at once. Fill your whole world's needs. Remember to refill your Sims' needs periodically. Open the cheat console. Enable cheats. Select OK when prompted. Go to a Sim. Open the cheat menu. Select Cheat Need. Select Make Happy. Fill your whole world's needs. Remember to refill your Sims' needs periodically. Press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+C. Enable testingcheats. Press ↵ Enter. Go to the preferred Sim's Needs panel. Drag the bar up until it is full. Open the cheat box with Ctrl+⇧ Shift+C. Type in maxmotives. Check your Sim's motives.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-No-Sew-Curtains
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How to Make No Sew Curtains
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The easiest way to make no-sew curtains is to use twin-sized bed sheets with a wide top hem so you can easily slide a curtain rod through it. Start by washing, drying, and ironing the sheets to get rid of any wrinkles and fold lines. Next, pull out the seam on both sides of the top hem with a seam ripper. Then, tuck the ripped seam back inside the hem and press them flat with an iron for a cleaner finish. Finally, slide a curtain rod through the top seam to hang the panel.
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Find a flat bed sheet with a wide top hem. Depending on what look you want, you will need one twin-sized sheet, two twin-sized sheets, or one full-sized sheet. A twin-sized sheet will measure 66 by 96 inches (167.64 by 243.84 centimeters). A full-sized sheet will measure 81 by 96 inches (205.74 by 243.84 centimeters). Listed below are some options to get you started: Get two twin-sized sheets (one per panel) if you want very full curtains. Cut a twin-sized sheet in half to make two panels, if you want skinny curtains. Cut a full-sized sheet in half to make two panels if you want standard curtains. Wash, dry, and iron the sheets to get rid of any shrinking, wrinkles, and fold lines. Be sure to wash the sheets according to the directions on the package or tag. If you lost the package and can't find the tag, use a cool wash cycle, and a normal dry cycle. Iron the sheets once they are dry. Cut the sheet in half lengthwise, if needed. If you want to turn one bed sheet into two thinner panels, fold the sheet in half and line up the edges. Press the fold with an iron, then cut along the fold. Consider hemming the cut edges for a cleaner finish. Most sheets won't fray after you cut them, but you will get a nicer finish if you hem it. Fold both raw edges inward, towards the wrong side of the fabric, twice by ½ inch (1.27 centimeters). Press the fold flat with an iron, then insert some iron-on hem tape inside the hem. Following the instructions on the package, press the hem flat again to seal it. Because of the length you are working with, you might find it easier to insert and iron 10 inch (25.4 centimeters) long sections of iron-on hem tape at a time. When you are done, flip the curtain over so that the right side is facing you, and press the hems flat for 3 to 5 seconds. This helps seal the iron-on hem tape further. Using a seam ripper, open both ends of the top hem on each side of the sheet. This will create the holes through which the curtain rod will slide––do not unpick any other part of the hem's seam, just the sides. Consider leaving the top hem alone, and using clip-on curtain rings to hang the sheets onto the curtain rod instead. Tuck the ripped seams inside the hem for a cleaner finish. Press flat with an iron, but do not use any iron-on hem tape. Pass the curtain rod through the hems and hang your instant curtains. If you decided to use curtain rings, simply clip them onto the top hem, and pass the curtain rod through the rings. Place the curtains to either side of the window. If you have a very high ceiling, hang the curtains higher up, and pull them to the outer edges of the window (as opposed to the inner edges). Use matching ribbons as tiebacks. To prevent fraying of the ribbons, cut each end diagonally. Measure your windows to decide how large your want each curtain panel to be. The curtains can fall just past the bottom of the window, or they can fall all the way down to the floor. Choose your fabric, then wash, dry, and iron it, if necessary, to get rid of any shrinking and wrinkles. Some fabric types cannot be washed, so read the side of the bolt when buying your fabric; it will tell you how to wash the fabric. Cut each panel 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) longer and 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) wider than you want them to be. You will need this extra fabric for the seam allowances. Fold the bottom hem up by ½ inch (1.27) centimeters, and press it flat with an iron. Make sure that you are folding towards the wrong side of the fabric. For extra support, insert some iron-on hem tape inside the hem before you iron it. Fold the bottom hem up again, this time by 5 inches (12.7 centimeters). Insert a strip of iron-on hem tape before you press the hem down, then follow the instructions on the package when ironing it. Make sure that the top edge of the tape aligns with the folded edge of the hem. Folding the hem twice like this gives you a cleaner finish, and you won't have to worry about any fraying edges showing. You might find it easier to insert and iron 10 inch (25.4 centimeters) long sections of iron-on hem tape at a time. Fold each side hem over twice by ½ inch (1.27 centimeters), and press flat with an iron. Once again, make sure that you are folding towards the wrong side of the fabric. Insert a piece of iron-on hem tape inside the second set of hems you are folding. For extra support, you can insert some iron-on hem tape inside the first set of hems as well. Fold the top hem down by ½ inch (1.27 centimeters), and press flat with an iron. Once again, make sure that you are folding towards the wrong side of the fabric. For extra support, insert some iron-on hem tape inside the hem before you press it with an iron. Fold the top hem down again, but this time by 6 inches (15.24 centimeters), and press flat with an iron. Insert a strip of iron-on hem tape before you press the hem down. Make sure that the top edge of the tape aligns with the top, folded edge of the hem. Flip the curtain so that the right side is facing you, and press the hems flat for 3 to 5 seconds. This will help fuse the iron-on hem tape inside the hems further. Leave the top hem alone if you want to slide it onto the curtain rod, or use clip-on curtain rings. This is the easiest and simplest way of hanging curtains. Consider attaching some tabs to make a self-pleating curtain. Flip the curtain so that the back is facing you. Cut 3½ inch (8.89 centimeters) long strips of 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) wide ribbon. Space the ribbons 4 inches (10.16 centimeters) apart. Glue the top of each ribbon strip to the top of the curtain. Glue the bottom of each ribbon 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) from the top of the curtain, creating a bulge. Slide the panels onto the curtain rod. Choose a ribbon color that matches your curtain color. Hang your curtains. Take the curtain rod off the wall, and attach the curtains. When you are done, place the rod back onto the wall. Position the panels to either side of the window, and tie them back with pieces of matching ribbon, if desired. If you have a very high ceiling, you may want to hang the curtains higher up, and pull them to the outer edges of the window (as opposed to the inner edges) instead. If you are using curtain rings, clip them onto the top hem, and pass the curtain rod through the rings. If you are using ribbon tabs, pass the curtain rod through the tabs. If you are using just the hem, pass the curtain rod through the wide, top hem.
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Find a flat bed sheet with a wide top hem. Wash, dry, and iron the sheets to get rid of any shrinking, wrinkles, and fold lines. Cut the sheet in half lengthwise, if needed. Consider hemming the cut edges for a cleaner finish. Using a seam ripper, open both ends of the top hem on each side of the sheet. Tuck the ripped seams inside the hem for a cleaner finish. Pass the curtain rod through the hems and hang your instant curtains. Place the curtains to either side of the window. Use matching ribbons as tiebacks. Measure your windows to decide how large your want each curtain panel to be. Choose your fabric, then wash, dry, and iron it, if necessary, to get rid of any shrinking and wrinkles. Cut each panel 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) longer and 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) wider than you want them to be. Fold the bottom hem up by ½ inch (1.27) centimeters, and press it flat with an iron. Fold the bottom hem up again, this time by 5 inches (12.7 centimeters). Fold each side hem over twice by ½ inch (1.27 centimeters), and press flat with an iron. Fold the top hem down by ½ inch (1.27 centimeters), and press flat with an iron. Fold the top hem down again, but this time by 6 inches (15.24 centimeters), and press flat with an iron. Flip the curtain so that the right side is facing you, and press the hems flat for 3 to 5 seconds. Leave the top hem alone if you want to slide it onto the curtain rod, or use clip-on curtain rings. Consider attaching some tabs to make a self-pleating curtain. Hang your curtains.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Catch-Sunfish
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How to Catch Sunfish
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To catch sunfish, start by heading to a nearby lake, pond, or river on a sunny day, which is when sunfish are most active. When you get there, stake out a spot near a shallow area that has brush, weeds, or other cover, which sunfish like. Then, bait a small hook in the number 6-10 range with a fly or spinner, because artificial bait works best in dense areas. Alternatively, try drifting across a lake in a boat, trailing your line behind you. However, make sure to use worms, crickets, or other live bait, which are better for attracting sunfish in open areas.
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Use simple, light tackle. You don't need anything special or fancy to catch sunfish. Cane poles, fiberglass poles, flycasting tackle, and ultralight spinning tackle can all be used to fish for sunfish. A 4-pound line and small hook is also good for catching sunfish. You may also attach a float and sinker weight. Use a small hook. Sunfish are typically small fish. You won't catch a sunfish with a large hook because it will be too large for their mouth to close around it. To ensure that you catch your fish, use a small hook. Hook sizes number six to ten work well. Use worms and small insects for bait. Sunfish are not picky and will bite just about anything. The easiest and most common types of bait used to catch sunfish are crickets, earthworms, red wigglers, and grubs. Though you can use dead or thawed bait, live bait is better. You can also use other species of worms or even balls of bread. When using worms, only use part of the worm because you only need a small amount on the hook. Too much of the worm on the hook can make it difficult to catch the fish. They may nibble part of the worm and avoid the hook. Try artificial bait around dense areas. When you are fishing around brush, weeds, or rocks, you shouldn't use live bait. Instead, use small flies or other artificial bait. You can also try small spinners, spinnerbaits, and jig-spinners. Sunfish are usually caught on small lures because they are small fish with small mouths. Try lakes and rivers. Sunfish can be found around the United States in most lakes, ponds, and rivers. One isn't necessarily better than the other for catching sunfish. Many people prefer to lake fish, but rivers can yield some great catches, too. Fish around different bodies of water in your area to figure out where you can find the most sunfish. Fish during the day. Most sunfish are more active during the day than at night. They also feed by sight and get curious about things they see in the water, and they can see in the water more easily during the day. For the best chances at catching sunfish, fish while the sun is out. During the summer, morning and evening fishing is most effective. During the fall, fish in the middle of the day. Fish in shallow water with cover. Sunfish can be found just about anywhere, but they tend to really like shallow areas that have some kind of cover. Look for sunfish around brush, weeds, and rocks. For example, lake coves are a common place to find sunfish. In the winter, you can also find sunfish in deeper waters. Place the bait under a cork. Sunfish don't like to chase their food. Try placing the bait on a hook under a cork. Make sure the float is small because if the cork is too large and heavy, the sunfish will detect it and avoid the bait. Keep the line still because they like motionless bait. Put one to three feet between the cork and the hook. Try different depths if you are having trouble catching anything. Fish without a cork in clean areas. Your line doesn't have to have a cork if the bottom of the body of water doesn't have a lot of cover. You can let the hook sink to the bottom of a gravel or sandy bottom, especially when you are bed fishing in early spring or after a cold snap. After a few minutes, recast the line. Make sure that you use light weight so the bait can fall to the bottom slowly. Drift across the lake in a boat. Another way to catch sunfish, especially in late summer when they are more readily found in open water, is to drift the bait through the water with a boat. The hook should be suspended around 10 to 15 feet down into the water. Drift across the lake, dragging the bait through the water. You may want to try drifting in areas where you know fish have been before. Wait about five minutes after you cast. If the line doesn't tug or the bobber move by then, reel in about a foot and repeat the process. Try a different bait and cast again. Then, cast in a different place. If there are no bites where you cast and you use the right bait, then there may not be any hungry fish in the area. Hook the fish. When the sunfish bites, you will see ripples and the cork might go under then up over the water with a loud plop. Don't move your rod. This is difficult and infuriating, but the fish is probably just nibbling and smelling the bait. When they bite, the bobber will go under and to the side. Jerk your rod up lightly in the opposite direction of the bobber to set the hook. If the bobber moves to one side but not down, then the sunfish hasn't bitten the hook.
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Use simple, light tackle. Use a small hook. Use worms and small insects for bait. Try artificial bait around dense areas. Try lakes and rivers. Fish during the day. Fish in shallow water with cover. Place the bait under a cork. Fish without a cork in clean areas. Drift across the lake in a boat. Wait about five minutes after you cast. Hook the fish.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Ghost-Story
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How to Write a Ghost Story
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To write a ghost story, start by thinking about what you find scary about ghosts. Additionally, since atmosphere plays a large part in ghost stories, imagine the creepiest location you can think of for the setting. Next, work on your story's arc, which includes the introduction, the climactic moment, and the resolution. As you draft your story, think about what you want to show your reader and what you want to leave up to their imagination, since readers will automatically fill in details with their own mind.
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Get inspired by your own fears. It can be helpful when writing a ghost story to begin by thinking about what you find scary about ghosts. Imagine a situation where you come face to face with a ghost and take note of what you think would make you feel the most fear. Knowing what you find to be terrifying about ghosts can help you get inspired when writing your ghost story. Think about which situations meeting a ghost would be most terrifying. Imagine the details of the ghost and how it haunts you, noting what scares you the most. Try watching your favorite horror films or reading other ghost stories to get inspired. Think about the atmosphere. A large part of your story will be the setting. While you may be able to create a scary ghost, putting in the wrong setting can make it seem less frightening. Imagine some of the creepiest locations you can think of to use for a setting in your ghost story. What locations do you find disturbing or discomforting? Your setting should have a feeling of isolation, cutting the main characters off from help. Brainstorm story ideas. Chances are you already have some ideas about your characters, the setting and the plot. Although you may have a picture of what you to have happen during your story it can still be helpful to imagine many possibilities of what might actually occur. Take some time and write down every idea you might have about your story. Think about any details of your story and ask yourself more about them. Imagine other settings or characters and see how these change the feel of your story. Think about multiple endings for your story and see which ones you enjoy the most. Plan your story arc. Every story has some basic components in regards to its story arc. Some models differ and not all stories are bound to the same arc. However, the eight-point story arc is commonly used when writing fiction and can result in consistently good structures for your story to follow. Review the following basic outline of the eight point story arc: Stasis. This is the introduction to your story and it demonstrates the normal life of your characters. Trigger. This event is something that pushes your character out of their normal life. Quest. This is where your character is given a goal or something they must do. Surprise. This will take up the middle section of your story and will be the events along the way towards your heroes goal. Critical choice. Your protagonist will need to make a hard choice that demonstrates their character. Climax. This is the moment your story was building up to and the most dramatic moment of the story. Reversal. This should be the consequence to your character's critical choice or the main challenge. Resolution. This point is where your characters return to everyday life but are changed from the ordeal. Create an outline. Once you have a basic understanding of what is going to happen during the course of your story you will want to build an outline. An outline will help you visualize the course of your story and let you examine it for any potential problems or things you might want to change. Write your outline in a chronological ordering of events. Don't leave any gaps in the narrative for your outline. Try to think about each scene and examine how they work together. Build the sense of dread slowly. Ghost stories usually build up slowly over the course of the story. By gradually increasing the amount of strange happenings, you reinforce the idea that something even larger is on the horizon. The reader should notice this exponential increase, becoming more and more anxious while awaiting the climax of your story. Don't rush to reveal the confrontation or climax of your ghost story. Building the tension of the story slowly can make the climax even more intense. Think about your protagonist. Every story has its focus and it will generally be on the main character or protagonist. This character will be the link into the world of your ghost story, giving your readers a direct vantage point to relate to within the story. Think about the qualities, motivations, history, and other details about your main character. Try to think of why your character is in the situation they are. Imagine how your character would react to the events in your story. Try to get a clear mental picture of what your character looks like. Create your antagonist. The antagonist in a story is most easily understood to be the “bad guy”. This character will be the one who comes in conflict with your protagonist or hero. In this case, your antagonist will likely be your ghost. Think about some of the following aspects that ghosts in horror stories usually have: Your ghost will need a reason or motive for existing and doing what they do. Ghosts come in different forms, being more or less physical or having different powers. Consider working on foils or additional characters. Other characters in your story should be there to give the reader further insight into either the main character or the antagonist. These characters are called foils and although they have their own motivations and structure they are often used to punctuate aspects of main characters. Foils usually have different personalities than the main characters in order to highlight the individual characteristics. Your supporting characters should also have their own unique qualities and personalities. Ask yourself what relationships these characters might have with the main characters of your ghost story. Avoid telling the reader what's happening. The goal of any ghost or horror story is to engage the reader and make them feel what the characters are feeling. Simply telling the reader what's happening can be less effective than showing them. Whenever possible try to describe the characters reaction to something scary instead of telling the reader that they were scared. ”The ghost appeared and I was frightened” is an example of telling the reader what's happening. ”The ghost appeared and my stomach tightened up in knots. I could feel my face break out in a sweat and my heart trying to leap out from my chest.” is an example of showing the reader what's happening. Make your readers fill in the details. Although you may have a perfect idea of exactly what happens in your story, using less details can make your story even more chilling. Readers will automatically fill in details with their own mind, creating an image that is uniquely terrifying to them. Try to keep descriptions to a minimum and allow your readers to scare themselves. For example, “The ghost was ten feet tall and exactly as wide as the door that it came through.” is probably too direct. Try saying something like “The ghost was enormous, making the room suddenly feel claustrophobic and tight.” End things quickly. The pace of your story should start slowly, build up speed and then end even faster. A sudden and abrupt ending can really leave your readers shocked, making a long-lasting impression. When you are thinking of how your story ends, make sure the final moment can be described quickly. Consider ending your story in a single sentence. Offering too much explanation at the end of your ghost story can lessen the impact of your ending.
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Get inspired by your own fears. Think about the atmosphere. Brainstorm story ideas. Plan your story arc. Create an outline. Build the sense of dread slowly. Think about your protagonist. Create your antagonist. Consider working on foils or additional characters. Avoid telling the reader what's happening. Make your readers fill in the details. End things quickly.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Soak-an-Ingrown-Toenail
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How to Soak an Ingrown Toenail
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To soak an ingrown toenail, start by filling a container or tub that's big enough to hold your foot with warm water. You can also add some Epsom salts, which will help with any pain and swelling. Next, soak your foot in the bath for 15-20 minutes, massaging your toe every once in a while to help reduce inflammation. Finally, after 15-20 minutes dry your foot off thoroughly with a clean towel.
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Prepare a warm foot bath. The purpose of soaking your affected toe/foot in a warm bath is essentially two-fold: to reduce the discomfort and to soften the toenail in efforts to either trim it or put something under it to relieve the pressure. Grab a container that's big enough for your entire foot and fill it with very warm water. Consider adding some Epsom salt, as it can significantly reduce pain and swelling. The magnesium in the salt will also help the foot muscles relax. Salt acts as a natural antibacterial, but other ingredients you can add to the water to deter a potential infection include white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, bleach, and iodine solution. The warmer you make a salt bath, the more fluid you'll pull out of your toe, which is good for reducing the swelling. If you can find on, borrow or buy a little foot jacuzzi, then use that for the bath because the jets will provide better water circulation and a gentle foot massage. You can use table salt instead of Epsom salt if you don't have any Epsom salt at home. Soak your foot and affected toe. Once you have the bath water warm enough and you've added Epsom salt and/or any natural antiseptic compounds, submerge you entire foot and let it soak for about 15 minutes. Depending on results, you can repeat the foot bath three to five times daily, so don't throw out the water if that's your plan. If you use Epsom salt, you'll notice that your feet look quite "pruned" after 15 minutes — it's a sign fluid was sucked out of your feet/toes. Flexing your toes repeatedly while in the bath will help with blood circulation. If swelling is a particular problem in your toe, then follow the warm salt bath with cold therapy (ice wrapped in a thin towel) until your toe feels numb (about 10 minutes). Ice helps reduce acute inflammation and dull the pain. Massage your toe in the bath. While your toe is soaking in the warm bath, periodically massage the inflamed tissue gently in order to help reduce the inflammation. With the massage, you might notice a little pus or blood release from your toe into the water, which is fine, and it will likely reduce the pressure and pain in your toe. Use your thumb and forefinger to lightly massage the most inflamed part of your toe, starting from the most distal part and pushing towards your ankle. Spend only about five minutes or so of the bath time massaging your toe, as much longer might actually irritate it. Dry your entire foot thoroughly. Once you're finished with the warm foot bath and remove your foot from it, make sure to thoroughly dry it with a clean towel. Keeping your toe dry is important because bacteria and other potential pathogens, such as fungus, prefer moist, warm conditions in which they can flourish and reproduce. After you've dried your toe/foot, elevate your leg on a few cushions while you sit in order to promote blood drainage out of your foot, which helps combat inflammation. You repeat this entire process whenever it feels like the nail is causing you pain. Apply antibiotic cream. Over the course of a day, apply antibiotic cream, lotion or ointment to your affected toe at least a couple of times, particularly just before you go to bed in the evening. After the cream has absorbed into the soft tissue surrounding the inflamed toe, apply a sanitized bandage. Make sure to change the bandage each time you apply antibiotic. Some compounds around the house that have antibiotic properties include Clorox bleach, hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, baking soda dissolved in water, iodine solution and fresh lemon juice. Be warned that most home remedies that act as antiseptics will sting if the skin has already been cut by a sharp ingrown toenail. Colloidal silver is a powerful antibiotic, antiviral, and anti-fungal that doesn't sting or irritate the skin when applied. It can be found at most health food or nutritional supplement stores. Slip some cotton or dental floss under the toenail. After soaking your foot in the warm bath, the ingrown toenail will soften up and allow you to slip a small piece of cotton, gauze, or bunched up dental floss (clean of course) underneath the nail, which will provide some padding for the sensitive soft tissue near the nail bed. Carefully pull back the inflamed skin and lift up the toenail with a nail file, or something similar, and tenderly push the cotton material underneath it. Change the cotton material daily. It may take one to two weeks for the ingrown toenail to grow enough so that it doesn't poke into the skin any longer. Avoid attempting “do-it-yourself" surgery by cutting into the toenail in an attempt to provide pain relief, because it can actually cause the condition to worsen. Trim the toenail properly. Once the toenail has grown and is long enough to clip, then don't make the same mistakes again. Instead, trim the toenail straight across and don't taper the edges or clip them at angles. Also, refrain from cutting them too short as it will further agitate the injured toe. If you have your toenails done by a pedicurist, tell them to trim your nails straight across and not too close to the skin. As a guideline, you should be able to fit your fingernail under the sides and end of the toenail. If home care and changing your trimming technique doesn't help or prevent your ingrown toenail issue, then see your family physician or a foot specialist (podiatrist) for advice and/or treatment. Determine the cause of the pain. If one of your big toes (or any other toe) gets inflamed and starts to hurt, take off your socks or nylons and take a closer look at it in order to determine the cause of the pain. If the condition develops slowly, getting worse over the course of many days, and you have a history of trimming your toenails short and/or wearing tight or narrow shoes, then you're likely dealing with an ingrown toenail. In most cases, it's easy to see where the toenail is digging into or piercing the soft tissue surrounding the nail bed. In addition to pain and swelling, other signs to look for include redness and tender to touch, along one or both sides of the nail. Ingrown toenails are more common in adolescence and among athletes, especially males. Look for signs of infection. The most serious consequence of an ingrown toenail is a bacterial infection stemming from a breach in the skin surrounding the nail bed. An infected ingrown toenail will get even more swollen and tender, quite firm and warm to touch, and eventually discharge pus that smells foul. Because of the warmth and swelling, usually some skin will peel off and look like a blister. An infection swells because your immune system sends white blood cells to kill any bacteria within the injury (which is good), but sometimes the bacteria proliferate faster than the immune cells can contain them. If an infected toe doesn't go away within a week and/or seems to be spreading beyond the affected toe, then see your doctor about it. Your doctor may remove the ingrown nail wedge surgically. If you trim your toenails by tapering the corners such that they're curved with the shape of your toe, you're encouraging the toenail to grow into the skin on the sides. Rule out other common causes of toe pain. There are a number of other painful conditions that appear similar to an ingrown toenail that you should be familiar with. Relevant examples include gout (an inflammatory type of arthritis), bunions (chronic toe sprain leading to deformity), broken or dislocated toes, rheumatoid arthritis, necrosis (tissue death due to lack of blood supply), neuropathy related to diabetes, neuromas (benign tumors in the small nerves of the feet), fungal infection. A gout attack comes on quickly, usually within hours, and creates intense pain and inflammation in the big toe. Gout is dietary related — from eating too many purine-rich foods such as seafood and organ meats. A bunion also affects the big toe and is caused mainly by wearing narrow shoes over many years. It's essentially a chronic joint sprain. The tell-tale signs are a crooked toe and achy, arthritic-like pain. Stubbing your toe or other foot injuries can trigger ingrown toenails.
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Prepare a warm foot bath. Soak your foot and affected toe. Massage your toe in the bath. Dry your entire foot thoroughly. Apply antibiotic cream. Slip some cotton or dental floss under the toenail. Trim the toenail properly. Determine the cause of the pain. Look for signs of infection. Rule out other common causes of toe pain.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Car-Dealer-License-to-Sell-Cars
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How to Get a Car Dealer License to Sell Cars
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To get a car dealer license so you're able to sell cars, start by obtaining a business license from the U.S. Small Business Administration office near you. Then, apply for a surety bond with a bond company and sign a credit release agreement with them. Next, find a retail location and sign a rental lease or purchase the property. Finally, submit the license application to the state and expect to wait up to 120 days to hear back about your license.
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Know who requires a license. Before you begin making inquiries about obtaining a license you need to be sure that you know precisely who needs a license to operate. If you are just selling your old car, you don't need one. But, if you intend to sell cars as a business in any way, you do. As an indicator, note that if you don't have a license, it is illegal to do any of the following: Sell more than a certain number of vehicles registered to you in any 12 month period, depending on the state. Sell any vehicles at all that are not registered to you. Buy and sell any vehicles simply for the purpose of making a profit. If you are in any doubt about your status, contact your local DMV. Recognize the different licenses. Depending on what kind of cars you plan on selling, there are a few different types of licenses that you can apply for. This may affect the requirements for the license so be sure that you are clear about the nature of your business. There are dealer wholesale only licenses if you are seeking to only sell to other car dealers. There are auto broker (non-retail) licenses if you want to help retail customer's find cars from other dealerships. There are also separate licenses for new vehicle dealerships, and old vehicle dealerships. Contact your state authority. Each state has certain requirements for becoming a car dealer, and you will need to become familiar with yours if you want to do this right. The requirements can vary significantly, so there's no shortcut to investigating the rules and application procedures for your state. For example, if you applying for a license in Pennsylvania you will need to complete at least five different applications, but if you applying in North Dakota you only need to do one. Start by looking on the DMV website where you can easily access the information for each state. Get hold of all the application forms. Once you have accessed the appropriate forms, you can download them and begin the progress of reading through them and planning out your responses to all the questions. Before you actually start filling in the form you will need to have a very solid understanding of your proposed car dealership. Depending on the license, the forms will require you to give detailed information about aspects of the business, such as lot size, phone lines, office requirements, business hours, and filing systems. Use the forms as a tool to help in the construction of a business plan that responds to the key points. Pass the background check. Before you do too much work on the application process, it's a good idea to be confident that you pass the background check that most states and most bonding companies will require. The tests will seek to determine whether you have not only a solid financial history, but also have no crimes in your past that might be a problem. The check isn't only concerned with past crimes, but also looks for examples of what the DMV call "moral turpitude" that might indicate somebody who wouldn't run an ethical dealership. In California it's possible to file an abbreviated application in the first instance. Speak to your local DMV and consider doing this before going ahead with a full application if you think you may have trouble passing the check. Prepare a business plan. Writing up a business plan is an essential element in every business. If you are starting a new car dealership, it's crucial that you have a clear and well thought out business plan. You will need this to show your creditors and licensing authorities that you are serious and committed, and have good business sense. Your business plan should lay out your vision, goals and objectives for the company. It should be a product of detailed research into the market which has informed your business strategy. Be sure to include plenty of detail financial information about your projected returns and costs. To get you started you can look-up basic car dealership business plans online. Obtain a business license. Before you can be a business of any kind, you will need to get your business license. Visit the U.S. Small Business Administration where you access information on rules and regulations, as well as on everything from how to name your business to how to get funding. Apply for a surety bond. You can usually get a quote from bond companies for free or for a small fee. You will have to have a good credit history, and your financial paperwork must be in order to be successful. If the quote is favorable, you can apply for a bond using the bonding company's form. You will have to provide information about your business and specify the amount of bonding needed. You will also have to sign a credit release agreement. Depending on your locality and circumstances, it may be possible to submit cash, a certificate of deposit made payable to the DMV, or a passport account assigned to the DMV, in lieu of a surety bond. Secure your retail location. An essential aspect of the application process is securing your retail site. You will need to submit a copy of a fully signed and authorized rental lease or proof of ownership. There are a number of requirements for the site itself which will vary according to your location. But your site will need to comply to all the relevant local building codes, zoning and land-use ordinances depending on your dealership type. In general, you will need an exterior sign attached to the land or the building which clearly indicates the name and nature of the business. You will also need working telecommunications systems and a listed phone number. You will need adequate space to carry out all administrative and financial work. You will likely have to include photographs of your site with your application. You should be prepare to get the location approved by the DMV inspector. Complete your DBA name statement. A DBA (doing business as) name is any name that is different from your own. For example, if you are called Sally Rose and you want to name your dealership "Sally Rose's Autos", you are not using a DBA name. But if you want to call it basically anything else, you are. "Big Car Shop", "7th Street Autos", anything that isn't your actual name is a DBA name. You need to register a fictitious name to get the fictitious name statement, and this can take a couple of weeks. This statement is required to be submitted along with your application. Determine if you need to file incorporation papers. In some cases you will be required to submit various incorporation papers together with your other application materials. In general, this will only apply if you are filing as a Corporation, Limited Liability Company, or a Limited Liability Partnership owned business. If you are in any doubt, speak to an advisor at your local DMV who will be able to provide you with information specific to your case. The kind of documents you will be asked to submit include Articles of Incorporation, Corporate minutes, or other documents which identify the share holders, managers and officers. Gather all the documentation. Once you have gone through all of the requirements you need to gather up your materials and make sure you haven't left anything out. Your state's DMV will most likely be able to provide you with a checklist so you can ensure that you haven't missed anything before you go ahead with the application. Don't skip through final checks which could save you time and money in the long run. You can download some checklists online, but be sure you have information that is specific to your locality. Complete the forms. Once you have all the information and all the additional documentations you need to complete all the original application forms. It may be easier to do this after you have fulfilled all the other requirements as that process would have helped you gain a very clear picture of your business. Learning through gathering all the extra information will help demystify some of the application form questions which may be a bit baffling if you go into them immediately. Note that some forms will need be to notarized, or will require you to pay a fee. Be sure you have checked this out and fulfilled all the requirements in order to avoid wasting time. Now wait. Once you have submitted everything it is a waiting game. There is unfortunately no fixed amount of time it takes to process your application and again this is likely to vary from state to state. In California it is stated that the processing can take up to 120 days, so you have to be prepared for a bit of a wait.
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Know who requires a license. Recognize the different licenses. Contact your state authority. Get hold of all the application forms. Pass the background check. Prepare a business plan. Obtain a business license. Apply for a surety bond. Secure your retail location. Complete your DBA name statement. Determine if you need to file incorporation papers. Gather all the documentation. Complete the forms. Now wait.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Freezer-Crystals
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How to Prevent Freezer Crystals
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Freezer crystals can reduce the space in your freezer and make it less efficient. They're caused by excess air in your freezer. To prevent freezer crystals, avoid leaving the door open for more than a few seconds, since this lets warm air inside. You can also squeeze the air out of any bags you keep in the freezer. Keep your freezer relatively full, since empty space can cause more freezer crystals to form. If your freezer's too warm or cold, this can also lead to crystals forming. Make sure your freezer's set to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're still getting freezer crystals, check the seal around the door to make sure there's no air getting in that way.
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Make sure your freezer is functioning properly. If you are noticing a lot of ice build up in your freezer, it may be a sign that something isn't functioning correctly. One potential problem is is blocked airflow. Freezers need to have proper airflow around the cooling coils and vents. If any of the freezer's vents or coils are dirty, blocked or clogged, this could cause an issue with ice build up. Condenser coils are usually located in the back of the freezer, towards the bottom of the refrigerator. You'll likely need to remove a panel to access them. Some refrigerators will have condenser coils that run up and down the entire back of the fridge. Use a soft brush to gently remove dust and dirt from the coils. Check the vents inside the freezer itself. Make sure there is no ice or food items clogging them up. Your freezer may be too close to a wall to allow for proper ventilation. Try moving your freezer away from any walls or tight spaces. Check the seal on your freezer door. Your freezer door should create an airtight seal when it's closed. However, if the seal itself is old or warped, it may be allowing air to flow in and out of the freezer. Airflow will cause ice to build up rapidly in your freezer. Check your freezer door's seal to make sure there are no spaces where air is escaping. Make sure something in the freezer isn't holding the door open a bit. There may be a tiny space where air is entering the freezer. Run your hand along the edge of the seal to feel for any loose or cold areas. You may need to replace older magnetic seals if they are no longer functioning. You can try wiping the seal down to remove any buildup that may be preventing an airtight lock. Set your freezer to the right temperature. Setting your freezer's temperature either too high or too low can cause excess ice to build up. In order to prevent these freezer crystals from accumulating, it can be a good idea to take a look at your freezer's thermometer. Try to adjust the thermometer to an ideal temperature to reduce the amount of ice that is forming in your freezer. Your freezer should be set to 0°F or -18°C. Make sure you don't change the temperature by opening the door too often or by not closing it all the way. Don't leave the door open for long. Anytime you open the door on your freezer, warm air will come rushing in. When this warm, moist air enters the freezer it will immediately freeze onto any surface it touches. Always open and close your freezer door quickly to avoid any unnecessary ice build up in your freezer. Only open the door when you need to put something in or take something out. Avoid looking too long for something in the freezer. Only open the door when you are ready to take it out. Always make sure the door is fully and completely shut when you close it. Take the air out of any bags. Much of the ice that forms in a freezer comes from the moisture in the food. In order to help cut down on the amount of ice in your freezer, it can be helpful to take air out of any freezer storage bags. Removing the air will trap the moisture in the food, instead of allowing it to escape and turn into ice elsewhere in your freezer. Squeeze the air out of any plastic freezer bags that you store food in. You can use a drinking straw to suck most of the air out of a bag, creating a near vacuum seal. Any resealed bags should be closed tightly, leaving little room for air. Solid containers should be full of food to avoid leaving much space for air. Make sure any containers with lids are securely shut. Try to use storage bags that are specifically designed for freezers. Keep your freezer full. More air in your freezer will mean more ice build up. Freezers that are full of food will usually have slower rates of ice buildup than empty ones. Whenever possible, try to keep your freezer well stocked to cut down on the amount of empty space. Keeping your freezer full will help reduce the amount of freezer crystals you have to contend with. Don't store food for too long. Storing food in your freezer can be a great way to keep perishable food items safe. However, storing food too long can cause it to lose its moisture, resulting in freezer burn. The lost moisture will accumulate inside your freezer and create more ice crystals. Try to remove food that has been stored for a long time to help prevent the buildup of freezer crystals. Write the date on something you are adding to your freezer. This will help you track how long it's been stored. Freezer burn will take months to occur. Try to use or remove items that have been stored for more than a few months. Learn if your freezer has an auto-defrost feature. Most modern freezers will have an automatic defrosting function. This feature will automatically remove any freezer crystals that might have built up. However, older freezers will not have this feature and will require you to manually defrost it. Check with your freezer's instruction manual to learn more about its features. Remove all the food from the freezer and unplug it. Before you defrost your freezer, you will need to remove all items from it. Place your frozen items in another freezer or cold place. This will give you room to work with and will prevent frozen items from defrosting. After everything is removed, including the shelves, you can unplug the freezer. You may need to use a friend or family member's freezer while you defrost. You could also store your food in a cooler while your work to defrost your freezer. Get ready to deal with melt water. Once your food has been removed from your freezer, you'll be ready to defrost. However, it's a good idea to get ready for the melting ice. You'll want something to catch the water as it comes out of the freezer. Having a good way to catch the melt water can help prevent a big mess. Get some old rags ready to lay along the front of the freezer. These will help soak up ice water as it melts. Having a bucket handy can help you store the melt water before dumping it. Keep a mop ready for any water that spills onto the floor. Hold the door open and allow ice to melt. Once everything is removed from the freezer and it has been unplugged, you can begin defrosting. Find something to hold the door open with, allowing warm air into the freezer to melt the ice. The goal is to wait for all of the ice to melt or get to a point where it can be removed by gently scraping it away with a spatula. You can add a pot of hot water to the freezer to help speed up the defrosting process. You might try using a fan to move air in and out of the freezer. Avoid using a hairdryer as this can be a safety hazard as the ice melts. Never use anything sharp to break up ice. Clean your freezer. Now that the ice has been removed from your freezer and it is completely empty, you can give it a good cleaning. Take a cloth and some gentle cleaning solution and wipe down the inside of the freezer. Take your time and make your freezer as clean as you can before adding your food back in. Any mild detergent will work fine for cleaning your freezer. You can make a simple cleaner by mixing 3 tablespoons of baking soda into 1 quart of water. Put the food back in and turn the freezer on again. Now that your freezer has been defrosted, cleaned and dried, you can put your food back in and turn it on again. Your freezer should run much more efficiently and all of the ice crystals will be gone for a while. Keep an eye on the build up of ice and defrost again whenever necessary. The more you let ice build up in your freezer, the longer the defrosting process will take. Make sure your freezer is totally dry before putting food back in. Any moisture will refreeze and cause ice to quickly build up again.
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Make sure your freezer is functioning properly. Check the seal on your freezer door. Set your freezer to the right temperature. Don't leave the door open for long. Take the air out of any bags. Keep your freezer full. Don't store food for too long. Learn if your freezer has an auto-defrost feature. Remove all the food from the freezer and unplug it. Get ready to deal with melt water. Hold the door open and allow ice to melt. Clean your freezer. Put the food back in and turn the freezer on again.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Feed-Greens-to-Your-Rabbit
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How to Feed Greens to Your Rabbit
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To feed your rabbit fresh greens, first wait until it is at least 8 weeks old and able to digest fresh vegetables before starting it on grass hay. After two weeks of eating grass hay, your rabbit's gut will be able to easily process greens, and you should start giving it one cup of greens per every 2 pounds of body weight each day. When it comes to vegetables, give your bunny a variety of fresh, organic greens low in calcium and high in oxalic acid. For example, it might enjoy red leaf lettuce, cilantro, watercress, or wheatgrass, just make sure to thoroughly wash them in water before feeding your rabbit.
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Ensure your veggies are fresh. Spoiled veggies are bad for rabbits. In fact, rabbit stomachs are even more sensitive than human stomachs to rotting food. Check the texture and smell of your greens before feeding them to your hopping friend. If they feel excessively soft or spongy, or smell spoiled, do not feed them to your rabbit. Red leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, raspberry leaves, cilantro, dill leaves, bok choy, watercress, and wheatgrass are just some of the fresh greens your rabbit might enjoy. You can try giving your rabbit other veggies as well. Just make sure to feed them a small amount one day and then offer a different veggie the next day. Never feed the same veggies two days in a row. Choose organic when possible. Organic vegetables are grown without pesticides and harmful chemicals that can hurt your bunny. Buy organic greens when shopping to keep your rabbit healthy. Keep the calcium content to a minimum. A high-calcium diet can cause bladder stones, urinary tract issues, kidney stones, and other digestive problems in bunnies. Greens that are high in calcium like kale, mustard greens, and collard greens should be fed sparingly to your rabbit. If your pet seems exhausted, loses its appetite, assumes a crouched stance when urinating, urinates only in small trickles, or seems to be in pain while urinating, contact your vet. These are signs your pet might have consumed excess calcium. Broccoli, while not technically a green, is also relatively high in calcium and should also be fed in minimal amounts. Look out for greens with high levels of oxalic acid. Oxalic acid can be consumed by rabbits in small amounts, but in high levels it can be toxic. Avoid giving your rabbit plants that are high in oxalic acid like parsley, mustard greens, and spinach. Try feeding your rabbit a green with high oxalic content like parsley for one week, then leave it out of the diet the next week. Avoid iceberg lettuce. This variety of lettuce contains a laudanum-like compound that can hurt your rabbit when consumed in excess. Choose dark, leafy lettuce types like red leaf and romaine to ensure your rabbit stays healthy. Know your rabbit’s likes and dislikes. Each rabbit has a personality and its own unique preferences. While dandelion greens, for instance, might not bother one rabbit, they could cause another to have gas. Some rabbits like kale, while others do not. Always shape your rabbit's diet in accord with what you know it likes. Wait until your rabbit is old enough to eat greens. Because young rabbits have sensitive and developing gastrointestinal tracts, they cannot eat fresh veggies for a little while after being born. Wait until your rabbit is about two months (8 weeks) old before introducing greens into its diet. Keep in mind that rabbits are programmed to eat grass, shoots, and leaves, so don't worry about giving them greens and veggies starting at 8 weeks old. Feed your rabbit grass hay. Before introducing greens or any other fresh food to your rabbit, it should eat some grass hay (as opposed to alfalfa hay) for at least two weeks. With at least two weeks of grass hay in its system, your rabbit's gut will more easily process and absorb the new greens. Decide what volume of greens your rabbit should eat. Rabbits should eat one cup of greens per every two pounds of its body weight each day. For instance, if your rabbit weighs ten pounds, it should eat five cups of greens per day. Wash your veggies. Vegetables often ship with pesticides coated on them. Even when you're buying organic, your veggies might have been in contact with something yucky. Rinse your veggies in cool water over a colander before serving them to your rabbit. Do not use soap or other cleaning products to wash your greens. Introduce fresh greens slowly. Don't introduce a variety of new greens to your rabbit's diet all at once. Instead, add one new type of green every two to three days. This way, if your rabbit has trouble digesting one or another of the greens, you'll be able to easily identify which caused the problem. Serve your rabbit’s greens wet. After rinsing them off, there's no need to wait for your greens to dry before feeding them to your rabbit. The extra moisture will help hydrate your bunny. Feed half the greens in the morning and the other half in the evening. This is the best way to feed your rabbit. You could choose to feed all the greens at once and allow your rabbit to nibble on them throughout the day, but adding the greens to the rabbit hutch in two batches will keep the second batch fresh. Look for potential problems. Observe your rabbit and take note of anything out of the ordinary that could be a sign of health problems. For instance, if excessive or soft stool accompanies your rabbit's consumption of a certain green, remove it from the diet and replace it with an alternative. If a certain green is disagreeable to your rabbit, soft stools will develop within 24 hours of feeding your rabbit the new green. Check your rabbit’s urine after feeding a new green. Many greens (swiss chard, for instance) dye your rabbit's urine red due to natural pigments in the plant. This is not harmful to the rabbit and should not be cause for concern. However, if you see sludgy or bloody urine, contact a vet immediately. Try to feed a variety of greens. Like people, rabbits will tire quickly of eating the same thing all the time. A mixture of greens will also ensure your rabbit gets a good balance of nutrients and vitamins. Ideally, each meal should have two or three different types of fresh greens. Remove uneaten veggies. At the end of the day, remove any greens your rabbit did not eat. This will keep your cage clean and prevent bugs from gathering to consume the rotting produce.
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Ensure your veggies are fresh. Choose organic when possible. Keep the calcium content to a minimum. Look out for greens with high levels of oxalic acid. Avoid iceberg lettuce. Know your rabbit’s likes and dislikes. Wait until your rabbit is old enough to eat greens. Feed your rabbit grass hay. Decide what volume of greens your rabbit should eat. Wash your veggies. Introduce fresh greens slowly. Serve your rabbit’s greens wet. Feed half the greens in the morning and the other half in the evening. Look for potential problems. Check your rabbit’s urine after feeding a new green. Try to feed a variety of greens. Remove uneaten veggies.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Train-Climbing-Roses
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How to Train Climbing Roses
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To train climbing roses during their first year, hold each cane against the support and then loosely attach them to the support using pantyhose or a similar stretchy material. Do this about every 15 inches, but make sure the rose canes are not tied too tightly, which could harm them. The second year, use 8–12 inch strips of pantyhose to loosely tie these healthiest canes so that they are horizontally attached to the support structure. As they grow, continue tying them so that they lie horizontally against the support.
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Tie the canes to the support without training the first year. When your rose plant starts to grow canes, or stems, long enough to reach your support, tie each of them to it with 8–12 in (20–30 cm) strips of a stretchy material, such as pantyhose. Hold each cane against the support naturally and make loose ties with 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) of “give” so that the plant has enough airflow to grow properly. Continue tying the canes every 15 inches (38 cm) during the first year. After tying each cane to your support, tend to the plant as is until it grows another 15 inches (38 cm). Once you think the canes have grown about this far from the initial ties, measure the growth with measuring tape to be sure. Then, tie each cane as you did before, loosely to the support without forcing them in any specific direction. Continue tying the canes each time they've grown 15 inches (38 cm) past their most recent tie. Train the canes to grow horizontally during the second year. After your rose plant has had at least 1 year to establish itself and begin to grow naturally over the support, select the 4 or 5 most healthy, strong canes on the plant. Use 8–12 in (20–30 cm) strips of pantyhose to loosely tie these healthiest canes to the support, but this time tie them so that they're positioned as horizontally as possible across the support. As they grow, continue tying the canes horizontally at evenly spaced intervals. Positioning climbing roses horizontally encourages the growth of side shoots, or laterals, that extend from the main canes. This allows the plant to produce more flowers. Prune your roses each spring. Once your rose plant is about 3 years old, you'll need to start pruning off old canes to promote growth. Each spring, after the first main flush of blooms, remove the ties on the old, gray, woody-looking canes and cut them off at the base with pruning shears. This is healthy for your plant because it helps to improve airflow and direct future growth. In addition to removing dead, damaged, and diseased canes, you may also need to remove canes that cross and suckers that grow from below the graft union. Don't prune your plant at all during its first 3 years of life. Train the remaining healthy canes. After removing all of the unhealthy canes, you should ideally have about 3 or 4 of the healthiest canes left. Once you've done this annual pruning, tie the remaining canes to the support loosely with strips of pantyhose. As the canes grow, continue tying them to the support horizontally at evenly spaced intervals. Decide on a location that’s sunny, sheltered, and has good drainage. Roses grow best when they're exposed to 6 hours of sun daily and are protected from harsh elements, such as wind. They also need to be planted in soil that drains well, or else rotting may occur. Choose a location in your yard to install your support that meets these needs. Select a support. Choose a trellis or other similar structure that your roses can climb on. The support must be large enough and sturdy enough to hold the climbing rose in wet and windy conditions at its mature height. Choose a support that encourages horizontal growth, such as a fence, over a support that allows vertical growth, such as a rose tower. Also, consider ease of access for pruning. A smaller climbing rose will do fine with a support that's 2–5 feet (0.61–1.52 m) tall. A larger climber will require a large arbor, pergola, or other sturdy structure. Once a climbing rose is established, you won't be able to replace the support without severely damaging the plant. Try to purchase or build a support that will last for several decades. Install your support. Once you've decided on a support and a location, it's important that you secure your support to the ground. Anchor the base of the support with stakes to enhance its stability. If you're leaning your support against a wall, be sure to place the base at least 1–2 feet (0.30–0.61 m) away from the wall to allow proper airflow, and so that you'll be able to access the plant when doing necessary maintenance. Dig a hole that’s 2 feet (0.61 m) deep. Use measuring tape to measure 18–30 inches (46–76 cm) away from the base of your support. Use a shovel to dig a hole that's 2 feet (0.61 m) deep and twice as wide as the plant's root spread. This is where you'll plant your roses. Position the graft union below the soil line in cold climates. If you're planting in an area that has a cold winter climate, put the plant in the hole and position the graft union of the plant, or the bulge where the top and bottom of the plant meet, about 2–6 inches (5.1–15.2 cm) below the soil level. Then, fill in the rest of the hole with soil. This should help to protect the plant from frost. Place the graft union above the soil line in warm climates. If you're planting in an area that has a warmer climate, there's little risk of frost damage. Because of this, you can plant your rose plant with the bulging graft union slightly exposed. Fill your hole with some soil and place the plant in the hole so that the graft union is positioned just above the soil level. Add mulch to the surface. Spread wood chips or cocoa bean hulls around the base of the rose plant, but be careful not to heap the mulch around the plant's trunk. This should help the plant to retain water and also protect it from weeds. Water the root zone heavily twice a week. Roses respond much better to less frequent soakings than frequent sprinklings. Soak the soil around the base of your rose plant with water at least twice a week during the warm summer months and at most twice a week during the rest of the year. While roses love water, they may die if they sit in it. Remember that good drainage is crucial for growth. Wrap your support in burlap during the winter. Your roses will be at risk throughout the winter if you don't do anything to protect them from the cold weather. To ensure that your roses have the best chance at staying alive and healthy, wrap the plant and the support in burlap and stuff the inside with straw.
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Tie the canes to the support without training the first year. Continue tying the canes every 15 inches (38 cm) during the first year. Train the canes to grow horizontally during the second year. Prune your roses each spring. Train the remaining healthy canes. Decide on a location that’s sunny, sheltered, and has good drainage. Select a support. Install your support. Dig a hole that’s 2 feet (0.61 m) deep. Position the graft union below the soil line in cold climates. Place the graft union above the soil line in warm climates. Add mulch to the surface. Water the root zone heavily twice a week. Wrap your support in burlap during the winter.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-a-Betta-Fish
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How to Take Care of a Betta Fish
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To take care of a betta fish, feed it a diet that's made up of mostly pellet food designed specifically for bettas. To prevent overeating, give your betta fish around 3 pellets in the morning and 3 pellets at night. You can also supplement its diet with frozen or live brine shrimp and bloodworms. On top of feeding your betta fish a healthy diet, make sure you're cleaning your betta's tank regularly so it doesn't get too dirty.
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Do some initial background research. There is a lot to know about betta fish, even beyond the basics just outlined. In general, large box stores aren't in the business of providing detailed information, unless you happen to strike a betta enthusiast salesperson. As well as having the basic understanding of betta outlined above, you might consider researching more details about betta fish online at specialist sites. These sites will remain useful for you after purchase too, as you'll be able to ask questions, check up health and nutrition notes and find like-minded betta fans to share stories with. Understand the care requirements. Please be aware of what you are getting into before you buy a betta fish. Know that these fish can live up to five years under the proper care, so do your research before buying. The minimum size tank for a betta fish is 2.5 gallons with a heater and filter, although if you have a bigger tank, you don't have to do as many water changes. Despite the recent fad of keeping bettas in small vases or bowls please do not keep a betta fish in a tank or bowl that holds less than 2 gallons; it is terrible for their health and is very small! Remember that even though these fish may look like flowery decorations, they are live animals that need room to swim around and space on the surface of the water to breathe and eat. Your betta fish will not be happy or live as long if kept in these small places. Understand the proper environment for a betta. The best room for a betta tank is one that is calm, quiet, and off-limits to pets that are a risk to bettas, such as dogs or cats. The tank should be placed on a sturdy, level surface to prevent the tank from spilling over, and there should be outlets nearby to plug the heaters and filters into. The tank should be away from things like windows, vents, doors, or humidifiers, as the temperature fluctuations and UV exposure can pose a danger to the health of your betta, and encourage harmful algae growth in your tank. Prepare your betta's home. Have a proper set up ready before bringing home your new pet. This prevents possible mishaps. Lots of people skip this step, but it might be a good idea, if you find a fish, to ask a store employee to put it in the back or tuck it out of sight so you can come back for it a few days later. It's also advisable to cycle your tank at least a month beforehand, especially if you have live plants in your tank. Don't place a male betta fish with another male, and don't place a female with a female. Contrary to popular belief, placing girls together, called sororities, are not at all safe and in fact very dangerous and stressful for the fish involved. If you want two bettas, don't put them together under any circumstances. They have been selectively bred to have an instinct to fight another individual of their species to death, hence getting the name Siamese fighting fish. Female betta fish will fight males and vice versa. Don't put them in together. Read up on breeding them if you think you want to try it, but remember that breeding bettas is a huge commitment, and not something to be taken lightly. Choose a suitable home. In the wild, bettas inhabit Thai rice paddies. Hence, they are suited to living in relatively shallow, but very large environments. To meet the spacious need, consider giving your betta a decently sized tank. This will help prolong its life. Pick a tank of 5 gallons (19 liters) or more for your betta to thrive. It may seem like a lot, but it's what your fish deserves. Add the necessary equipment. Various equipment is required for the successful keeping of Betta fish: Purchase a heater with a thermostat––Betta fish like water temperatures between 78-82ºF/24-27ºC. Bettas need a heater in all cases (they are tropical fish) ––for example, if you live in a cold country or if you have an aquarium below room temperature, then a heater is required. During the winter, you may want to add another heater or place your aquarium close to a radiator (1 meter/3.2 feet away), to prevent your betta from becoming too cold. Filters are always necessary but make sure the current is not too strong for your betta. Bear in mind that the long-finned varieties do best with as little current as possible, while still having filtration. Some experts recommend the use of sponge filters, to protect the fins. Avoid jagged rocks or decorations. Such decorations can easily tear sensitive betta fins. It's recommended that you check once a day that there are no tears in the betta's fins. If there are tears, first check the water quality, as fin rot, often mistaken for tearing, are typically caused by poor water maintenance. Avoid adding any hard-plastic plants. Again, these can be rough on the fins. Use the 'pantyhose test': If a plastic plant will snag a pair of pantyhose when rubbed against it, then it will damage your betta's fins. Be safe and buy silk plants or live plants instead. Live plants are a great idea. They give a more natural look to your tank than fake ones, and betta fish love lounging on the leaves and hiding in them to sleep. Live plants also help to oxygenate the water and keep the water cleaner for longer periods of time by absorbing nitrates, which can be harmful to your fish. Do research if you are considering adding tank-mates. Betta fish tend to prefer being alone and may kill other fish and even invertebrates if added to the tank. Some calm-tempered fish can coexist with peaceful bottom dwellers like snails or corydoras. Shrimp tend to not be suitable tank-mates because bettas see them as food, and fish with bright colors and long tails can be bullied by your betta. Before adding any sort of tank-mate, do thorough research on both bettas and the other species to make sure the water parameters and size of your tank are suitable for both species. The article Buy Fish for an Aggressive Freshwater Aquarium can assist with choosing a tank-mate for your betta. If in doubt, leave the tank-mate out. Prepare the water. Use a quality water conditioner such as Seachem Prime before putting fresh tap water in the tank. The chlorine and chloramines in standard tap water can harm bettas, as well as kill off all that beneficial bacteria housed in the filter. Older sources may suggest aging the water (standing it for a time) but it's best to use a water conditioner, as aged water removes chlorine but not chloramine and heavy metals. Use a master freshwater test kit to ensure that your tank is completely cycled before adding your betta! The parameters should be: ammonia 0 ppm, nitrite 0ppm, nitrate <20 ppm, and around 7 pH. It is a not a good idea to use distilled bottled water because this deprives your betta of necessary minerals and is not fish 'safe'. Treated tap water is both a cheaper and better alternative. Fill the betta's tank. If the tank is without a top cover, fill it about 80% high to ensure your fish won't leap out. Bettas are very active and can jump over 3 inches/7.5cm when motivated! However, bettas usually won't be trying to escape if they're comfortable in their home. Pick your betta fish. Here are some things to look for. Look at the color. Is the betta's color bright and vivid, or is it very dull? Even if the betta's color is a little pale, it should shine nicely. Bettas come in a variety of colors, but blues and reds (dark colors in general) are most common, although sometimes they can be white with a pink or blue tint. Does the betta respond to your movement at all? Does it swim around rapidly when seeing you, or does it merely sit at the bottom and sulk? Don't repeatedly tap the container, as doing so agitates the fish. Instead, try moving your finger back and forth in front of the Betta without aggravating it. Don't be afraid to buy a somewhat docile betta though; they generally have many encounters with other people during their day, and may simply be resting. The average betta bought in a pet store has been bred to withstand a lot of the hassles of a pet's lifestyle. Are its fins in good condition, or are they torn or otherwise damaged? Keep in mind that some breeds have intricate fins, so they might look slightly torn. Crowntails are one variety that naturally appear to be torn, so watch out. Are the betta's eyes in good shape? Do you see any odd lumps (parasites) on its body? If you see anything highly out of the ordinary, consider another betta. (it would also be helpful to talk to a store employee) Sometimes, the fish will choose you, not the other way around. If there is one betta that you are drawn back to it repeatedly, unless it is sick or unhealthy, consider buying it. Add your betta. First, slowly and carefully add some of your tank water to the container in which you received your betta. Allowing the new water and old water to mix will make the water easier for your fish to adjust to––if the habitat water has different water chemistry than of its old container, mixing waters will help allay any shock for the fish. Float the cup in the tank to let the temperature adjust. Leave it like this for fifteen minutes. You may want to repeat the process to be safe. Then tip the cup into your aquarium, but try to add as little water as possible from the container to the new home, since sometimes water from the pet store can carry diseases and other things that you don't want in your tank. Be gentle as you tip in the betta! Avoid netting a betta if possible, as this can damage the delicate fins. If you need to pick up a betta, try to use a small cup to scoop him/her up with care. Pick the proper diet for your betta. Bettas are carnivores. Your betta's diet should consist of pellets specifically made for feeding betta, as well as a variety of other carnivorous foods. Frozen or live brine shrimp or blood worms are good options. Check the ingredients of betta specific pellets and flakes. The first three should be protein based. Experts say that protein in the pellets should be no less than 40%. Feed your betta regularly. Betta fish vary in eating habits from each other, so experiment to see how much food your Betta eats. Set up routine feeding times, for example, once in the morning and once at night. If you stick to this routine, you may even find that your betta will be waiting for you when it's time to eat! Take care not to overfeed the fish. A betta's stomach is only about the size of their eye. Overfeeding can be a problem in some betta fish, as some fish will eat as long as you feed them (which can be fatal). A good feeding schedule is 3 pellets in the morning, and 3 at night. Soaking the pellets in water for a few minutes before feeding is recommended since the pellets will otherwise expand inside your betta's stomach, which can cause unhealthy bloating and digestive blockage. Overfeeding can cause bloating and bladder problems which can be fatal, although this is not as serious as a similar condition referred to as dropsy. Clean up any extra food that your betta does not eat. Similarly, watch your betta to see if he/she spits up any food. This could be a sign that your betta is a picky eater, or it could also mean that the pellets are too big for the betta's mouth. Ironically, most big fish food companies don't realize that Betta fish have smaller mouths than, say, goldfish or others. You can cut the pellets in half with a small razor blade or such to allow it to fit in the betta's mouth easier. If it still refuses to eat, try another brand of pellets or dried food. Turn feeding time into a little enrichment exercise. Put a straw in the tank and watch your betta to see if he/she gets used to it. If he/she does, and you have leftover betta food he/she won't eat, place one of the leftover pellets in the tank. Place the straw over it so that it is inside the straw. Hold the straw over the fish and wait for him/her to find it. After your betta finds it, he/she will follow it. You can then slowly lift the straw up to the top of the tank until the food pops out and your betta will eat it. Ensure your betta is properly acclimated. Betta fish are only hardy to a particular water type, such as a certain water hardness and pH. It takes them a while to acclimate to a new environment and this process is stressful for the betta. Allow your betta to fully acclimate before making any changes to their new home. Clean your Betta's tank. Betta's thrive best in an already cycled tank with a filter, unless you are doing extremely frequent large water changes (but this can be stressful for the betta). Slow flow or sponge filters are recommended due to the betta's fragile fins. Vacuum the bottom of the filtered tank gently when doing routine small water changes. There are many symptoms of dirty water, such as fin rot. Not to worry, the problem is easily treatable. Be sure to always add a dechlorinator when adding new water. Be sure that the water you are changing is the same temperature as the old water the betta was in to avoid temperature shock. Use an in-tank thermometer to check the water temperatures. Test the water weekly. In order to test water parameters each week, you will need a master freshwater test kit. This will allow you to monitor your aquarium and take readings. Follow the instructions for testing provided by the manufacturer. Place notes in your calendar or diary to remind yourself that it's time to test and change the water. Have fun with your new friend. Betta fish come to recognize their owners. They will actually learn faces and even simple games. Keep your betta company and say "hi" once in a while, so he learns who you are! Betta fish are very curious and often develop a strong bond with their caretaker. They can "beg" for food by swimming up and down in the front of the tank when you come near. Play with your betta fish. Betta fish are enjoyable to watch and spend time with. You can play with your fish by moving your finger back and forth along the tank edge (never bang the tank or poke the water). Watch your betta follow you. And above all, don't forget to name your fish! Never tap the glass of the tank. This action easily agitates the fish and can cause the fish to go into shock. To interact through movement, simply slowly rest your finger on the glass and slide it along to see if your betta will follow it. If he/she backs away and seems frightened, then stop immediately. You can eventually try again once you the betta is more accustomed and less afraid of you. Avoid having a mirror as a permanent fixture in the tank, as it will make your betta believe there is another betta constantly in their territory and can cause stress. Using a mirror in moderation (once in a while for less than five minutes), however, can help a constipated betta defecate. Tank walls can sometimes be naturally mirrored as well, so consider purchasing underwater "wallpaper" to cover this up. Enjoy some facts about betta fish: Betta fish are members of the Anabantoid family (gouramis are also in this family), also called labyrinthian fish. They have a back-up breathing system that allows them to breathe surface air; however, they still require a filtration system in their tanks. Female betta fish are typically smaller than male betta fish. They usually lack the long finnage that males possess. However, they can still be equally as beautiful in their own way—–and feisty! Don't keep them together though, as females still tend to be as aggressive as the males. Bubble nests (foamy bubbles on the surface of the water) mean that they are getting ready to spawn. It does not automatically mean that they are happy or healthy. If a male likes a female, he flares his gills, twists his body, and spreads his fins. If a female likes a male, she wriggles back and front. "Betta" is actually a genus of fish. The typical betta found at pet stores is the Betta splendens species. There are actually many more species mainly found in the wild, and they can look like a totally different type of fish! Don't be afraid to choose a female betta fish! Although you may not be planning to breed them, a female is always less expensive and less aggressive. Therefore, you can always buy a female if you are inexperienced at keeping bettas, it is better to choose a female.
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Do some initial background research. Understand the care requirements. Understand the proper environment for a betta. Prepare your betta's home. Choose a suitable home. Add the necessary equipment. Do research if you are considering adding tank-mates. Prepare the water. Fill the betta's tank. Pick your betta fish. Add your betta. Pick the proper diet for your betta. Feed your betta regularly. Clean up any extra food that your betta does not eat. Turn feeding time into a little enrichment exercise. Ensure your betta is properly acclimated. Test the water weekly. Have fun with your new friend. Play with your betta fish. Enjoy some facts about betta fish:
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https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Your-Skin-Silky,-Smooth,-Soft,-Shining-and-Healthy
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How to Get Your Skin Silky, Smooth, Soft, Shining and Healthy
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To get your skin silky, smooth, soft, shining, and healthy, start a daily skin care regimen that includes a cool shower to prevent drying out your skin with excess heat. Don't use too much soap in the shower, either, as it can dry your skin and leave a residue that makes it look dull. Use a natural, oil-based soap instead, or use no soap at all. In case your skin dries out anyway, use a moisturizer every day after your shower to seal in the moisture. For a natural option, try coconut oil or aloe vera gel as a moisturizer.
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Start each day with dry brushing. Dry brushing is an ancient exfoliation technique designed to slough off dead skin and stimulate your body's circulation. Dry brushing once or twice a week makes your skin look brighter, and if you keep up the routine your skin will begin to glow. Choose a dry brush made from natural fibers, rather than plastic bristles. Natural bristles aren't as rough on your skin. Brush your body using short, firm strokes from your outer extremities toward your heart. Brush your legs, torso and arms. Use a softer, smaller brush for your face. Always start with dry skin and a dry brush. Brushing your skin while wet won't achieve the same effect. Avoid dry brushing if you have sensitive skin or a skin condition, like eczema or psoriasis, since the practice can irritate your skin. Even if you don't have any of these conditions, you should also stop or decrease how often you dry brush if you notice any redness, pain, or sensitivity afterward. Take a cool shower. Rinse off your skin with cool, not hot, water. Hot water is hard on your skin and causes it to dry out and toughen. Use warm water at the beginning of your shower to gently wash away dirt. At the end, switch to cool water to tighten and tone your skin. Generally, you should only shower once a day for about ten minutes. Longer showers can dry out your skin. When you wash your face, splash it with cool water instead of hot water. Save hot baths for special occasions. They're good for the soul, but not necessarily for the skin. Exfoliate in the shower if you didn't dry brush. You can use a loofah, wash cloth, or exfoliating mitts to scrub your skin while showering. You also use a body scrub. Gently rub the cloth over your skin. You may want to use a separate wash cloth for your body and your face. Make sure to clean these tools regularly to prevent the build-up of bacteria. Bacteria can cause blemishes and make your skin texture appear rough. Don't use too much soap. Commercial body washes and scrubs, as well as many bar soaps, contain detergents that dry out your skin and leave a residue that causes it to look dull. Use a natural, oil-based soap, or forego soap and use plain water. Try only washing areas of your body that regularly become dirty or sweaty, such as feet, genitals, and armpits. For dry areas of your skin, such as elbows, shins, and forearms, you just need water. Moisturize your skin. Dry your skin by patting yourself dry thoroughly. Do not leave your skin damp. Then apply lotion or another healing moisturizer to your skin to seal in the moisture and protect your skin from dry air throughout the day. Try these moisturizers for shining, healthy skin Coconut oil. This sweet-smelling substance melts into your skin and gives it a beautiful glow. Shea butter. This moisturizer is especially good for use on your fragile facial skin. You can also apply it to your lips. Lanolin. Sheep produce lanolin to keep their wool soft and dry, and it acts as an excellent defense against cold winter air. Olive oil. For those occasions when your skin needs a deep-conditioning treatment, smooth olive oil over your body and let it seep in for 10 minutes. Rinse it off with lukewarm water and pat dry. Lactic acid lotion is available from drugstores. It leaves dry, scaly skin feeling pliable and soft. Aloe vera gel is a natural option that is perfect for sensitive or sun-damaged skin. Cater to your skin type. Some people have dry, flaky skin, others have oily skin, and many have some combination of the two. Know what parts of your body need special care, and make sure your daily routine takes them into account. Treat acne, whether on your face or body, with extra care. Avoid dry brushing over acne, and don't use harsh soaps or chemicals that might exacerbate it. Eczema, rosacea and other issues associated with dry skin must be handled with care. Use products that don't irritate your condition further, and talk to your doctor about getting a prescription to treat your skin if necessary. Start an exercise routine. Exercise tones your skin and improves your circulation. It also improves your overall health, which shines through in your skin. Sweat is actually helpful for cleansing dead skin cells and oil from your skin. Incorporate the following types of exercises into your routine three or more times per week: Cardio exercises like power walking, running, biking, or swimming. These exercises get your blood pumping and give your skin a healthy hue. Weight training exercises with dumbbells. Strengthening your muscles improves your skin tone, making it look smoother. Yoga and flexibility exercises. These types of exercises tone your muscles and make your skin look tighter. Eat a balanced diet. When you aren't getting the nutrients you need, it shows in your skin. Get your glow back by eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. Incorporate foods that are especially healthy for skin, including the following: Avocados and nuts. These contain healthy fats that your skin needs to retain its elasticity. Nutrient-rich plants. Focus on produce that contains vitamin A, E, and C, like sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, spinach, broccoli, mangoes and blueberries. Drink a lot of water. Water plumps up your skin cells and makes your skin look fresh and bright. When you're dehydrated, your skin starts to dry out. Drink enough water (based on your sex, age, and lifestyle) to keep your skin healthy. If you don't enjoy drinking glass after glass of water, these choices will also keep you hydrated: Watery fruits and vegetables, like cucumbers, lettuce, apples, and berries. Herbal tea and other tea that isn't caffeinated. Try a glass of soda water with a squeeze of lemon for a refreshing alternative. If plain water isn't your thing, you can make flavored water by letting fruit or herbs soak in the water before drinking. Avoid substances that are hard on skin. No matter how religiously you stick to your daily skin care routine, using certain substances will set you back on your quest for beautiful skin. Limit or completely cut out these skin-harming substances: Tobacco. Tobacco stains skin and causes premature wrinkles. When it comes to damaging skin, tobacco is one of the worst culprits. Alcohol. Too much alcohol can stretch skin out, especially around and under the eyes, because it causes the body to retain water. It also reduces Vitamin A in the skin and can cause broken blood vessels. Limit alcohol to one or two drinks a few times a week. Caffeine. Drinking a lot of caffeine dehydrates your body, which has an adverse effect on your skin. Limit your coffee to one cup a day, and follow it with a big glass of water. Dairy. Studies show that consuming dairy, such as cheese and milk, can further aggravate your skin. Acne, for example, is a problem with the inflamed oil glands and the fat from the milk and cheese can further inflame the oil gland. Use sunscreen every day. Sun exposure can temporarily brighten skin by giving you a tan, but in the long term it is extremely damaging. Letting your skin burn or get tan all summer long can lead to wrinkles, spots, and the possibility of skin cancer. Apply sunscreen to your face before you leave the house, even during the winter. Use sunscreen on your neck, shoulders, chest, arms, and everywhere else that tends to get more exposure. When you're wearing shorts or going to the beach, make sure you cover your legs, too. Don't wear makeup to bed. Leaving makeup on your face overnight is hard on your skin, because you're allowing chemicals to seep in all night. By morning your skin has completely absorbed the makeup, and it's probably the worse for wear. Use makeup remover and rinse off the traces with cool or lukewarm water every night before you go to bed. Don't scrub makeup off your face, since this can cause it to get irritated and damage the skin. Use a good makeup remover and dab it with a towel instead. Try this trick for removing eye makeup: dab a cotton swab soaked in makeup remover on your eyelashes and around your eyes. The makeup will wipe right off. Protect your skin from harsh elements. Skin toughens in response to exposure to chemicals, extreme temperatures, and abrasive materials. Keep your skin soft and sensitive by taking these precautions: Wear gloves during the winter to keep your hands from getting chapped. Protect the rest of your body with appropriately warm clothing. Wear gloves when you're cleaning with strong chemicals. Protect yourself from callouses by using knee pads, thick work clothes, and the proper safety equipment when you're working under harsh conditions.
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Start each day with dry brushing. Take a cool shower. Exfoliate in the shower if you didn't dry brush. Don't use too much soap. Moisturize your skin. Cater to your skin type. Start an exercise routine. Eat a balanced diet. Drink a lot of water. Avoid substances that are hard on skin. Use sunscreen every day. Don't wear makeup to bed. Protect your skin from harsh elements.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Burnt-Popcorn-Smell-out-of-the-Microwave
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How to Get Burnt Popcorn Smell out of the Microwave
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To get the burnt popcorn smell out of the microwave, squeeze 2 halves of a lemon into a bowl of water, then drop the halves into the bowl. Microwave the lemon water on high for 3 minutes, keep the door shut for 5 minutes after that, then open the door and wipe down the inside. If that doesn't work, pour 1/2 tbsp of vinegar and 1 tsp of baking soda on a sponge. Heat the sponge in the microwave for 20-30 seconds, then scrub the inside with the sponge once it's cool enough to touch.
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Put water and lemon into a microwave-safe bowl. Pour a half a cup of water into a ceramic or microwave-safe bowl. Then take one lemon and cut it in half. Squeeze each half of the lemon into the water. Drop the halves into the bowl after squeezing. Put the bowl into the microwave. Microwave the bowl for three minutes. Microwave the bowl with the lemon and water on high for three minutes. This will produce a steam that will pervade the microwave and make it easier to clean. Keep the microwave door closed for five minutes after the cycle is complete to let the steam do its work. Wipe the microwave. After the five minutes are over, open up the microwave. Carefully with an oven mitt or towel, remove the bowl and set it aside. Use a sponge or wet cloth and wipe down the inside of the microwave. If the microwave has a turning tray, you can take this out and clean it individually to make the process easier. Scrub any stubborn food remnants. Use a scrub brush to scrub away any drips or stains in the microwave. The stains are probably not from the popcorn, but the popcorn odor can stick to these stains. If the scrub brush isn't working, try dipping a cloth into the lemon and water mixture and rubbing at the stains. Dry the inside with a dry cloth. After you have removed the stain, do a final wipe down of the microwave with a dry cloth. This will remove the moisture from the inside of the microwave. You should notice that the odor of the popcorn is gone and is replaced with a nice citrus smell. If not, there are a couple more measures you can take. Do a steam-clean process with vinegar. Fill a bowl with equal parts water and white vinegar. Put the bowl in the microwave for three minutes on high. Leave the microwave door shut for a few minutes after the steam, then take out the bowl. Rub the interior of the microwave with a clean towel or cloth. Vinegar is a powerful cleaning agent, and the steam should have eliminated the smell of the burnt popcorn. Vinegar will leave a vinegary scent behind that will dissipate after a couple days. Pour vinegar and baking soda on a sponge and clean the microwave. If the steam-treatment doesn't work, you may want to be more direct with the vinegar treatment. Pour about half a tablespoon of vinegar and a teaspoon of baking soda on a damp sponge. Heat the sponge in the microwave for 20-30 seconds, and then scrub the inside of the microwave with the sponge. Use a scrub brush. A scrub brush is a more aggressive tool than a sponge, and its bristles may be able to get into the nooks and crannies that a sponge can't. Dip the scrub brush into the water-vinegar mixture, then scrub the inside of the microwave. Combine water and ground coffee in a cup. Coffee is a very effective at absorbing odors. If you have not had luck in getting the burnt popcorn smell out of your microwave, pour about 2 tablespoons of ground coffee along with ½ cup of water into a microwavable cup or bowl. Microwave the coffee and water mixture. Put the cup or bowl with the coffee and water into the microwave. Then microwave the coffee on high for 3 minutes. Leave the coffee in the microwave for a minute or two after the cycle is over. Take the coffee out of the microwave. Carefully remove the cup or bowl with the coffee from the microwave. You should notice that the smell of burnt popcorn is gone. Coffee is not only very good at absorbing smells, it also masks bad smells as well. Place an open box of baking soda in the microwave. If the coffee didn't work to entirely absorb the smell, leave an open container of baking soda in the microwave overnight. Baking soda also has strong absorbing capabilities and can once and for all fix your problem. Use vanilla to mask the smell. If you cannot fully remove the smell of burnt popcorn, there are several ways you can cover the smell until it fades away. Pour one tablespoon of vanilla extract into a coffee cup, then put it in the oven. Leave it in the oven at 300 degrees for an hour. The smell of vanilla is strong and very pleasant, and will mask the smell of burnt popcorn by spreading the vanilla scent all around your kitchen. Use dryer sheets. Sometimes the smell of popcorn can get stuck in the vents of the microwave. There is no easy way to clean these, but taping dryer sheets to the vents can absorb bad and unpleasant scents. Take the sheets off the vents when you are using the microwave, and then reattach after you're done. Cook other things in the microwave. Cook other strong-smelling foods in the microwave. These can mask and cancel out the unpleasant smell of burnt popcorn. Any food like pizza that has high amounts of cheese is a good option for masking the smell. Other foods include bacon, soups, or sweet-smelling pastries like cinnamon rolls. Burn candles. Burning candles is a good way of neutralizing burnt popcorn smell. Buy candles in scents that you enjoy, and leave them burning whenever you are in the kitchen. Make sure to blow them out before leaving the house or going to sleep.
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Put water and lemon into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the bowl for three minutes. Wipe the microwave. Scrub any stubborn food remnants. Dry the inside with a dry cloth. Do a steam-clean process with vinegar. Pour vinegar and baking soda on a sponge and clean the microwave. Use a scrub brush. Combine water and ground coffee in a cup. Microwave the coffee and water mixture. Take the coffee out of the microwave. Place an open box of baking soda in the microwave. Use vanilla to mask the smell. Use dryer sheets. Cook other things in the microwave. Burn candles.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Burn-Wii-Games-to-Disc
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How to Burn Wii Games to Disc
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To burn Wii games to disc, start by downloading the game image files from a torrent site. If you ripped games using your Wii and copied the files to your computer, the files will need to be converted to ISO, so visit wbfstoiso.com and download their free program. Next, visit imgburn.com and download ImgBurn to burn the ISO file to a blank DVD. Once the installation is done, launch ImgBurn from the desktop shortcut, and select “Write image file to disc” from the menu. Insert a blank DVD, select your Wii ISO file as the source, pick a low write speed, and click the “Burn” button.
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Install the Homebrew Channel to rip and play games. Whether you plan on ripping games using your Wii or ripping them with your PC, your Wii will still need to be modded in order to play ripped games. You can install the Homebrew Channel using a special exploit called "Letterbomb." Update your Wii to the latest available version. You'll need to be running the final version of the Wii software (4.3) that was released in September 2010. This is required in order for the exploit to work. Select the "Wii" button from the Wii main menu. Select "Wii Settings" and then "Wii System Settings." Select "Wii System Update" from the third page. Select "Yes" and then "I Accept" to begin downloading and installing the system update. Get an SD card that is 2 GB or smaller. You'll need an SD card that is 2 GB or smaller in order to successfully mod your Wii. The card should be a standard SD card, not SDHC or SDXC. Check the list at wiibrew.org/wiki/SD/SDHC_Card_Compatibility_Tests if you aren't sure if your card is compatible. Format your SD card on your computer. Insert your SD card into your computer's card reader. If your computer doesn't have a card reader, you'll need a USB reader. Format the card in FAT32 format by doing the following: Windows - Open Windows Explorer ( ⊞ Win + E ). Right-click on your SD card and select "Format." Choose "FAT32" from the "File system" menu and click "Format." Mac - Open the Disk Utility from the Utilities folder. Select your SD card, then click the "Erase" button. Select "FAT" from the "Format" menu. Determine your Wii's MAC address. This is the address that is unique to your Wii. You can find out the MAC address from the Wii's Settings menu: Click the "Wii" button on your Wii's main menu. This will open the Wii Options menu. Select "Wii Settings" and then select "Internet" from the second page. Select "Console Details" and then write down the MAC address. Visit . please.hackmii.com on your computer's browser. This is the website that will generate a letterbomb exploit specifically for your Wii. Enter your Wii's MAC address into the fields. Each field will get two characters for the MAC address. Select your region in the "System Menu Version" section. If you aren't sure, you can see which version you're running by opening the "Wii Settings" menu again and looking in the upper-right corner. Click "I'm not a robot" and then click one of the download buttons. It doesn't matter if you "Cut the red wire" or "Cut the blue wire," both will download the ZIP file. Double-click the downloaded ZIP file. This will display the contents. You should see a "private" folder and a "boot.elf" file. Copy the folder and file from the ZIP file to your SD card. Drag and drop the "private" folder and the "boot.elf" file directly into your SD card. This will place them in the correct locations on the card. Remove your SD card from your computer and insert it in the Wii. You'll find the SD card port on the front of the Wii, behind the panel that folds down. Click the Messages button on the Wii's main menu. You should see a red envelope with a bomb tucked in it. You may need to press the "-" button to go back a day or two to find it. Double-check that the "private" folder and the "boot.elf" file are in the root of the SD card if the letterbomb does not appear. Select the red letter to launch the letterbomb exploit. You'll see a black screen with text appear, much like the Command Prompt in Windows. Press "1" and then "A" on your Wii remote to continue when prompted. This will start the installation process. If your Wii remote turns off when the HackMii installation begins, your Wii remote might be too new. Newer remotes will turn off when the hack is detected. You'll need to find a Wii remote made before 2009. Select "BootMii" and press "A." This will let your configure BootMii, which allows the Homebrew Channel to load. Select "Prepare an SD card" and then "Yes, continue." This will add files to your SD card for the BootMii software. Select "Install BootMii as IOS." Select "Yes, continue" twice to confirm. This will install the BootMii software. Return to the main menu and select "Install The Homebrew Channel." Select "Yes, continue" to confirm. Select "Exit" after installation to load the Homebrew Channel. If the Homebrew Channel loads after a few moments, you've successfully modded your Wii. Next up you'll be installing the software necessary to rip games and play backups from your USB drive or from a burned DVD. Format an external drive or flash drive as FAT32. This format will allow you to save Wii and GameCube games. The games you rip or download will be stored on this drive. Windows - Download FAT32 Format from ridgecrop.demon.co.uk/index.htm?guiformat.htm. While you can use the Windows system formatting tools, they won't be able to format drives larger than 32 GB. If you have a larger drive, the FAT32 Format tool will allow you to format the disk. Run the utility, select your external drive, and click "Start." This will erase everything on the drive. Mac - Plug your external drive in and open the Disk Utility. You can find this in your Utilities folder. Select your external drive and click the "Erase" button. Select "FAT32" from the "Format" menu. Download the IOS236 v6 installer. This is a homebrew application that will install the necessary system software to install other homebrew system software (IOS files). You can find the installer in various locations online. Perform a Google search for "ios236 v6 installer." The installer will download as a ZIP file. Download the d2x cIOS installer. This program installs system software that changes the way your Wii access storage, allowing you to use USB loader programs. Download the latest available version from code.google.com/archive/p/d2x-cios-installer/downloads Download the Configurable USB Loader (CFG) installer. This is the homebrew program that manages your game backups and allows you to rip games from discs. You can use it to rip Wii games and GameCube games. Download the Cfg_USB_Loader_70.zip file from code.google.com/archive/p/cfg-loader/downloads. Extract the CFG files onto your SD card. Extract these files to your card first to create the folder structure that the other two ZIP files will use. Insert the SD card from your Wii into your computer. Double-click the Cfg_USB_Loader_70.zip and navigate to the "inSDroot" folder. You'll see two folders: "apps" and "usb-loader." Drag both of these folders into the root of your SD card. Extract the iOS236 v6 and d2x cIOS installers into the new "apps" folder. Once you've copied your CFG loader files, you can double-click each of the other ZIP files you downloaded and drag the folders inside to the new "apps" folder on the SD card. Download the replacement XML file for CFG loader. Visit gwht.wdfiles.com/local--files/usb-loader/meta.xml in your browser. Press Ctrl / ⌘ Cmd + S and save the file as "meta.xml." Replace the meta.xml file in your SD card's apps\USBLoader directory. Open this directory on your SD card and drag your new meta.xml file into it. Confirm that you want to Overwrite or Replace the existing file. Open the "sample_config.txt" file. This will open the file in your browser. Add the following two lines to the bottom of the file. Enter these two options, each on a new line at the bottom: ntfs_write = 1 fat_split_size = 0 Click the File menu, select "Save As," and rename the file to "config.txt." This will activate the configuration file and ensure that the USB loader uses your new settings. Insert the SD card back into your Wii and start the Homebrew Channel. This will read your SD card and show the installers in the Homebrew Channel. Make sure any GameCube memory cards you may have inserted have been removed. Make sure your Wii is connected to the internet so that it will be able to download the necessary files. Select the "IOS236 Installer v6" option and click "Load." This will start the installer and a bunch of text will appear on the screen. Press "1" on the Wii remote to begin the installation. IOS236 will begin installing. Select "<Download IOS from NUS>" when prompted. This will download the essential files. Press "A" when prompted to begin installation. Files will begin installing, which should just take a few moments. Press "2" to finish the installation. Regardless of what you're planning on using the custom firmware for, do not press "1." Return to the Homebrew Channel and select "D2X cIOS Installer." Press "Launch" to start it up. Press any button on the disclaimer screen to continue. Set your installer menus. Use the text menus at the top of the screen to set your installation preferences: Select "<d2x v6>" from the "Select cIOS" menu. Select "<56>" from the "Select cIOS base" menu. Select "<248>" from the "Select cIOS slot" menu. Select <21006>" from the "Select cIOS revision" menu. Press "A" to begin the installation, then highlight Slot 248 and press "A" again. This will install d2x using the settings you entered. The installation may take a little while to complete. Load "D2X cIOS Installer" from the Homebrew Channel again. You'll need to install it again with slightly different settings. Set your installer menus again. Enter the following, slightly different installer settings: Select "<d2x v6>" from the "Select cIOS" menu. Select "<57>" from the "Select cIOS base" menu. Select "<247>" from the "Select cIOS slot" menu. Select <21006>" from the "Select cIOS revision" menu. Press "A" to begin the installation, then highlight Slot 247 and press "A" again. This will install d2x again in Slot 247. You'll need it installed in both slots before you can use the USB Loader. Plug your formatted external drive or USB drive into your Wii. Plug this in before you launch CFG USB loader for the first time. Use the bottom USB port on the back of the Wii. If you're prompted by your Wii to format the drive, select "Cancel." If you click "Format," you'll need to go back and format it as FAT32 again. Open the Homebrew Channel and select "Configurable USB Loader." Select "Load" to start the program. Select "USB" when prompted. This will set CFG to load backups from your USB drive. When prompted to select your partition, you should only have one available. Select it to continue. Ensure IOS 248 is selected and start the program. This will launch the USB loader with your settings. Save your settings. You'll want to save your device and IOS settings so you're not prompted for them each time you start: Point at the bottom of the screen to open the menu. Select "Settings" and then "System." Select "Save Settings." Insert a disc that you want to copy into your Wii. You can copy any Wii or GameCube game by using the CFG USB Loader. Insert the disc and it will appear in the Loader program. Open Configurable USB Loader if it isn't already. You'll be using this homebrew program to rip the games from your Wii and GameCube discs to your USB drive. Press "+" in the CFG main menu. This will open the installation screen for the game that is inserted. Click "Install." This will begin copying the game files to your USB drive. This may take a while to complete, especially for newer, larger games. Select an installed game in CFG Loader. Once you have some games installed, they'll appear in the main CFG Loader window. Select one to view details and launch it. Press "A" to launch the game. With the game selected, press "A" to start playing. You'll see some text as the game loads, and then it will start. Continue installing games. You can keep installing games from any disc, legitimate or burned. All of the games will be added to your USB drive, and you won't need the discs to play them. Consider using the USB Loader instead of burning your games. Besides the convenience that a USB Loader and external drive provide, newer Wii models cannot read DVD-R discs. This means that a burned disc is useless on Wiis that were made in 2008 or later. If you download games, you can copy them to the USB drive that your USB Loader uses and they will appear in your CFG Loader program library. You don't need to burn them just to rip them onto your Wii. Obtain some Wii game image files. If you do want to burn games to disc instead of using your USB Loader, you'll need the game image files. There are a couple of ways you can obtain these: Wii and GameCube ISO files can be downloaded from many different torrent sites. See Download Torrents for details on finding and downloading torrents. It is illegal in most areas to download games you do not own. If you followed the above methods, you can use games that you've installed to your USB drive with CFG Loader. Plug the USB drive into your computer and open the "games" directory. Games will be named by their GAMEID, so perform a quick Google search if you're not sure which is which. Drag the file you want to your computer. It may take a while to copy. Convert image files copied from your USB drive. If you ripped games using your Wii and copied the files to your computer, you'll likely notice that the files are in WBFS format. This will need to be converted to ISO before you can burn it: Visit wbfstoiso.com and download the free program. Run the installer after downloading it and follow the prompts. No adware will be installed. Open WBFS to ISO and select your WBFS file. You can click the "Open" button to browse for it. Click "Convert" to begin converting the file. This may take a while to complete. You'll find the ISO file in the same location as your WBFS file. Visit imgburn.com and download ImgBurn. This disc burning utility will allow you to burn the ISO file to a blank DVD-/+R. Download the latest version from the ImgBurn website. Start the ImgBurn installation process. Double-click the installer to begin the installation. Uncheck the Ask Toolbar ads while installing. After you select the location to install ImgBurn, you'll see a screen for the Ask Toolbar. Make sure to uncheck all of the boxes before proceeding. Launch ImgBurn after installing. Once the installation is finished, launch ImgBurn from the shortcut on your desktop. Select "Write image file to disc" from the ImgBurn menu. This will open the disc writer tool. Insert a blank DVD+/-R disc into your DVD burner. You'll need to have a DVD burner installed for ImgBurn to work. Be aware that if your Wii is newer than 2008, the burned discs will not work. Select your Wii ISO file as the Source. Click the Browse button to navigate to it, or drag it into the window. Select a low write speed. To help ensure that the burn process works, select a slow writing speed such as 1X. This will result in a longer burn but will increase your chances of the disc working. Click the Burn button in the lower-left corner. This will begin writing the file to your disc. Wait for the burn to complete. This may take a while, especially for larger games. The disc will eject when it is finished. Load the game in your USB Loader. Once the disc is finished burning, you can load it in your USB Loader. This will allow you to play it without having to install any additional hacks. See the previous section for details.
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Install the Homebrew Channel to rip and play games. Update your Wii to the latest available version. Get an SD card that is 2 GB or smaller. Format your SD card on your computer. Determine your Wii's MAC address. Visit . Enter your Wii's MAC address into the fields. Select your region in the "System Menu Version" section. Click "I'm not a robot" and then click one of the download buttons. Double-click the downloaded ZIP file. Copy the folder and file from the ZIP file to your SD card. Remove your SD card from your computer and insert it in the Wii. Click the Messages button on the Wii's main menu. Select the red letter to launch the letterbomb exploit. Press "1" and then "A" on your Wii remote to continue when prompted. Select "BootMii" and press "A." Select "Prepare an SD card" and then "Yes, continue." Select "Install BootMii as IOS." Return to the main menu and select "Install The Homebrew Channel." Select "Exit" after installation to load the Homebrew Channel. Format an external drive or flash drive as FAT32. Download the IOS236 v6 installer. Download the d2x cIOS installer. Download the Configurable USB Loader (CFG) installer. Extract the CFG files onto your SD card. Extract the iOS236 v6 and d2x cIOS installers into the new "apps" folder. Download the replacement XML file for CFG loader. Replace the meta.xml file in your SD card's apps\USBLoader directory. Open the "sample_config.txt" file. Add the following two lines to the bottom of the file. Click the File menu, select "Save As," and rename the file to "config.txt." Insert the SD card back into your Wii and start the Homebrew Channel. Select the "IOS236 Installer v6" option and click "Load." Press "1" on the Wii remote to begin the installation. Select "<Download IOS from NUS>" when prompted. Press "A" when prompted to begin installation. Press "2" to finish the installation. Return to the Homebrew Channel and select "D2X cIOS Installer." Set your installer menus. Press "A" to begin the installation, then highlight Slot 248 and press "A" again. Load "D2X cIOS Installer" from the Homebrew Channel again. Set your installer menus again. Press "A" to begin the installation, then highlight Slot 247 and press "A" again. Plug your formatted external drive or USB drive into your Wii. Open the Homebrew Channel and select "Configurable USB Loader." Select "USB" when prompted. Ensure IOS 248 is selected and start the program. Save your settings. Insert a disc that you want to copy into your Wii. Open Configurable USB Loader if it isn't already. Press "+" in the CFG main menu. Click "Install." Select an installed game in CFG Loader. Press "A" to launch the game. Continue installing games. Consider using the USB Loader instead of burning your games. Obtain some Wii game image files. Convert image files copied from your USB drive. Visit imgburn.com and download ImgBurn. Start the ImgBurn installation process. Uncheck the Ask Toolbar ads while installing. Launch ImgBurn after installing. Select "Write image file to disc" from the ImgBurn menu. Insert a blank DVD+/-R disc into your DVD burner. Select your Wii ISO file as the Source. Select a low write speed. Click the Burn button in the lower-left corner. Wait for the burn to complete. Load the game in your USB Loader.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Algae-from-Growing-in-Bird-Bath
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How to Keep Algae from Growing in Bird Bath
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To keep algae from growing in a birdbath, change the water daily to keep it fresh and prevent algae from spreading. You can also add a pump or dripper to the water to keep the water moving around and make it harder for algae to grow. If you're still finding algae in your birdbath, try adding enzymes to the pool each month or using a high-quality bird bath cleaner when you wash it.
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Remove algae when you see it. Algae will grow unchecked if you don't remove it promptly. Spot treat algae when you see it to prevent an infestation. If you see green algae at the bottom of a bird bath, immediately empty the water. From there, wipe off the algae. Then, add fresh water. Try a biodegradable ball in large ponds. If you have a large pond or bird bath, you can purchase a biodegradable ball online or at a local hardware or gardening store. These balls are designed to keep algae out of your pond. You simply need to place the ball in your large bird bath or pond after purchase. Then, you can throw the ball into your pond. It should keep algae in check for about 30 days. Dispense enzymes. Enzymes can work better as a treatment for a smaller bird baths. If you notice algae in your pool, you can purchase a disposable container of enzymes which you can place in your bird bath. This should keep your bird bath algae free for about 30 days. Use a quality bird bath cleaner. Specialized bird bath cleaners can come in the form of cleansers or powders. Cleaners can be a great way to clean out your bird bath and keep it algae free. When cleaning your bird bath, consider a specialty cleaner if algae is a major problem. Keep in mind, you can clean your bird bath with a mild detergent if algae is not a major problem. Remove the existing water. Regular cleaning can remove existing algae from your birdbath and prevent the build up of new algae. To clean your bird bath, start by removing all the water and discarding it. You will need to replace it with new water when you're done. Clean the birdbath with a small scrub brush. You will need a small scrub brush to clean out your bird bath. In most cases, it is unnecessary to use cleaner. However, if your birdbath is very soiled or dirty, use a mild detergent. Clean the bottom of the bird bath and the sides, scrubbing off any dirt, debris, or visible algae. Rinse your bird bath. It's best to use a hose to rinse off your birdbath, especially if you used detergent. Hose down the inside of your bird bath until all soap residue is gone. It is very important to be thorough about rinsing a bird bath. Birds are very vulnerable to detergents and it can be harmful for birds if there's detergent left in the bird bath. Refill the bird bath with fresh water. Once you're done, you can refill your birdbath. Use fresh, clean water to refill the bath. Keep the bird bath in shade. Algae spores transfer to your birdbath from objects that fall out of nearby trees and will grow at a faster rate when exposed to direct sunlight. To prevent the build up of algae, it's best to store your bird bath in a shaded area of your hard. You should also keep the bird bath away from shrubs and bird feeders to prevent contamination. Change the water daily. This will help keep the water fresh and prevent algae growth from spreading within the birdbath. If you have the time to do so, add fresh water every day. Remove any visible algae when changing water in your birdbath. Use running water, if possible. Pumps, drippers, and heaters that run on solar power or electric batteries are a good idea for a birdbath. Running water is less likely to become contaminated with algae. If your birdbath is not already equipped with such a device, purchase one at a local hardware store and follow package instructions for set up.
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Remove algae when you see it. Try a biodegradable ball in large ponds. Dispense enzymes. Use a quality bird bath cleaner. Remove the existing water. Clean the birdbath with a small scrub brush. Rinse your bird bath. Refill the bird bath with fresh water. Keep the bird bath in shade. Change the water daily. Use running water, if possible.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Waffles-with-Pancake-Mix
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How to Make Waffles with Pancake Mix
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If you want to make waffles with pancake mix, combine the pancake mix in a bowl with the water, sugar, oil, and egg yoke. Whisk the mixture until it's fully combined, then set it aside and beat the egg whites until they develop stiff peaks. Next, fold the egg whites into the batter. If you want to make dessert waffles, add chocolate chips or nuts at this point. When everything is fully combined, scoop the batter into your waffle iron and lower the lid.
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Preheat the waffle iron. Plug your waffle iron in and heat it for at least ten minutes. The iron can heat while you prepare the waffle batter. Measure the pancake mix, water, oil, egg yolk, and sugar into a bowl. You'll need to add other ingredients to your pancake mix to improve the texture of your waffles. Measure 1 cup (250 g) pf pancake mix, 3/4 cup (180 ml) of water, 1/4 cup (60 ml) of oil, 2 tablespoons (25 g) of sugar, and 1 large egg yolk into a mixing bowl. Extra water, oil, and sugar will ensure that the waffle becomes crisp and brown on the outside while it stays fluffy on the inside. If you'd like to double the recipe (to make one dozen waffles), just double all of the ingredients. Whisk the batter. Use a wire whisk to combine the batter ingredients in the mixing bowl. Stop whisking as soon as the mixture is combined and set it aside. Don't worry if the batter is still a little lumpy. You want to avoid over beating it or the waffles will be tough. Beat the egg whites to stiff peaks. Get out another mixing bowl and place the two large egg whites into it. Use a stand or hand mixer to whisk the whites on high speed. Keep whisking until they form stiff peaks when you lift the whisk out of the bowl. Fold the egg whites into the batter. Transfer the egg whites to the bowl with the batter and gently fold them in until they're just combined. Take a metal spoon and twist your wrist as you lift the batter up and over the egg whites. Keep lifting and turning the batter until the egg whites are incorporated. Pour the batter into the hot waffle iron. Once the waffle iron is hot, scoop 1/2 cup (about 120 g) of the batter into the center of the waffle iron. Slowly lower the lid on the batter. Cook and remove the waffle. Cook the waffle for a few minutes or until steam isn't coming out of the waffle iron anymore. Carefully lift up the lid use a fork to lift the waffle out. Cooking time will depend on your specific waffle iron. Most waffles will cook within two to four minutes. Create dessert waffles. Mix up the pancake mix that's been converted for waffles. Stir in some of your favorite sweeteners and cook the waffles on the iron. Top the dessert waffles with syrup or whipped cream. Consider adding: Mini-chocolate chips Toasted nuts Shredded coconut Peanut butter or chocolate hazelnut spread Include your favorite fruit. Add nutrients and flavor by putting fresh, dried, or pureed fruit into the prepared batter. Keep in mind that most fruits will add moisture to the batter, so choose just one or two to add or the batter will become watery. You can stir in: Mashed bananas Pureed, spiced pumpkin Grated apples Fresh or frozen berries Mix up savory waffles. Stir savory ingredients directly into the prepared batter. Add your favorite crumbled or shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, fresh herbs, or spices. You can also top the savory waffles with meat, eggs, or cheese to make a complete meal. For example, make cheesy waffles and top them with fried chicken. Or make a crumbled bacon and herb waffle that you top with a fried egg. Make buttermilk lemon waffles. To make really rich, fluffy waffles, replace the water in the batter with buttermilk. You can also stir in a little lemon curd and some mascarpone cheese for flavor. Cook the buttermilk lemon waffles on a hot waffle iron and serve them right away.
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Preheat the waffle iron. Measure the pancake mix, water, oil, egg yolk, and sugar into a bowl. Whisk the batter. Beat the egg whites to stiff peaks. Fold the egg whites into the batter. Pour the batter into the hot waffle iron. Cook and remove the waffle. Create dessert waffles. Include your favorite fruit. Mix up savory waffles. Make buttermilk lemon waffles.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Ship-a-Dog
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How to Ship a Dog
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If you need to ship a dog by plane, purchase a shipping crate that allows the dog to comfortably stand up, turn around, and lie down. Make your reservations with the airline at least a month in advance, and take the dog to the vet for a pre-flight medical exam within 10 days of your flight. Before you go to the airport, label the dog's shipping container with the words “Live Animal” in big, clear letters. Place comfortable bedding in the crate, and make sure the dog has water it can drink during the flight. Get to the airport early and alert the staff that the dog will be traveling on the plane, then try to relax until the flight is over!
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Research your transport options carefully. The two most common ways to ship a dog are by air and by automobile. The method you choose will depend on the length and timing of the journey, the size and variety of the dog, and the funds you have available to ship your dog. Note that both the U.S. Humane Society and the ASPCA caution pet owners to avoid shipping animals as cargo on commercial airlines whenever possible. Check the laws before planning to ship your dog. Some countries and states strictly regulate the importation of dogs. Check the laws for your destination early to ensure you can get any health documentation and permits you may need in time for your trip, and that you understand any quarantine rules that may apply upon your pet's arrival. Consider hiring a professional animal transport agency. There are many agencies worldwide that can facilitate and/or provide transportation for your pet, by land, or by air. Given the complexities of shipping a dog, it might be worth it to work with one of these companies. The International Pet and Animal Transportation Association maintains listings for both air and ground pet transportation services. Consider the dog's size when thinking about air travel. On most commercial airlines, dogs can only ride in the cabin with you if they are small enough to travel in a carrier that fits under the seat. The exact specifications vary by airline, but the space allowed is generally 8–9 inches (20.3–22.9 cm) tall by 12-13 inches wide, by 15–23 inches (38.1–58.4 cm) wide. If the dog's carrier doesn't fit under the seat, it will have to travel in the cargo hold of the plane. Chartered private flights generally allow larger animals in the cabin, but this is a very expensive option. Think about the animal's health and breed. Talk with your vet before your trip to find out if your dog's health or breed will require any special shipping considerations. Note that brachycephalic or "snub-nosed" breeds of dogs, including pugs, bulldogs, chows, etc. are at greater risk from the dangers of air travel. It is strongly recommended that these animals never be shipped in the cargo holds of planes, and many airlines refuse to transport them. Think about the timing of your trip. While airplane cargo holds are pressurized and have some climate-control, animals in the hold will be subject to outdoor temperatures whenever the plane is being loaded and unloaded. For this reason, airlines restrict the transport of animals when extreme temperatures are expected at any of the plane's stopping points. Some airlines won't transport animals during the winter at all, and all companies take into account daily temperatures when deciding whether or not to permit animals in the cargo hold. If you must ship your dog during periods of extreme heat or cold, automobile transport may be your safest and most reliable option. Research various airline policies before making your reservations. Some airlines offer specific advice (e.g. only ship animals on daytime flights in winter, etc.) that can help alleviate temperature concerns. Some airlines will also allow you to present an acclimation certificate from a certified veterinarian stating that your animal can handle extreme temperatures (usually cold) and should be allowed to fly even if the airline cannot guarantee recommended temperatures. Buy a suitable shipping crate. Whether you ship your dog by air or automobile, you should secure a shipping crate for the dog that is well-ventilated and large enough for the dog to comfortably stand up, turn around, and lie down in. Be advised that some airlines have additional crate requirements. If you will be travelling by car, look for a crate that is crash-tested, and is designed to be secured with car restraints. It is best to acquire your crate in advance so that you can get your dog used to it before you travel. Acclimate your dog to the crate. Begin getting the dog used to its crate several weeks in advance. Begin by simply placing the dog in the crate for some time every day. Then try driving the dog around town in the crate for increasingly longer periods of time to get it used to the sensation of travelling. If you find your dog is extremely anxious when travelling in the crate, speak to your veterinarian to determine if sedation would be helpful or necessary. Make your reservations well in advance. Try to book direct flights to minimize the amount of time your dog is left unattended in the cargo hold. It is best to make reservations for your dog by calling the airline directly to speak to a booking agent. Let the agent know that you are shipping a dog, and ask if there are specific guidelines and accommodations that the airline can provide. Travel with your animal, whenever possible. Take the dog in for a pre-flight medical examination. Within 10 days of your flight, you will need to obtain a health certificate from your veterinarian confirming that your dog is healthy enough to fly, and that all of its vaccinations are up to date. Some destinations may require a separate certification that your dog is up-to-date on rabies vaccinations. Your vet can provide this at the time of the exam. Label the dog's shipping container carefully. Make sure that your shipping container has the words "Live Animal" written in letters at least one-inch tall on the top and at least one side of the crate, along with arrows indicating which way is up. Also write the dog's name, along with the contact name, address, and telephone number of your pet's destination on the crate, and indicate whether or not you are accompanying the animal on the flight. It may also be helpful to affix a photo of your dog to the outside of the crate for identification purposes. If your dog is on any medication, also include this information when labeling of the crate. Label the dog's collar. It is also helpful to carefully label your dog's collar with name, flight, contact, and health information, in the event that your dog escapes the crate.</ref> Place appropriate bedding in the crate. If you know your dog won't eat paper, put a piece of clean cardboard at the bottom of the crate to help prevent sliding during transport. You can also add a low-sided dog bed, blanket or towel to the bottom of the crate for your dog to lay on. Provide water for the dog during travel. Affix one or two water bowls inside the crate with zip ties. Freeze some water the night before travel, and at the airport, place the ice into each water dish so that it will thaw during the journey and give your dog something to drink. It is not advisable to give the dog food during the flight to prevent air sickness, but you may attach a packet of the dog's food outside the crate that airline personnel may be able to give the dog in case of delays or other emergencies. Exercise your dog before the flight. Make sure that the dog has time to urinate and defecate before you place it in the crate. Once the dog is checked in at the airport, it will not be able to get out of the crate until you pick it up at baggage claim. Feed your dog four hours before the flight. A dog with a full stomach is more likely to experience air sickness, so be sure your pet gets to eat well before the flight. Avoid tranquilizing your dog. This can cause the dog to have breathing problems on the flight, and is not recommended unless absolutely necessary. Check with your veterinarian for specific advice. Arrive at the airport early. Most airlines restrict the number of pets that can be in the cabin on each flight, and spots are allotted on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you plan to take your dog in the cabin with you, be sure to check in for your flight early to guarantee a place. Also, give yourself and your dog extra time to get through airport security. Alert the cabin staff that your dog is travelling in the cargo hold. They will most likely have been appraised of this before boarding, but it can't hurt to make a human connection with the staff on your plane. Relax, and know that tens of thousands of dogs successfully travel by air every year. Although accidents do occasionally happen, with proper preparation, your dog will almost certainly arrive at your destination happy and safe. Choose a reliable transport company. If you choose to have your dog transported by someone else, be sure to do your research and look for a company with good reviews. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation, or for guidance in selecting the best carrier. Pet transportation can be expensive, but is considered to be the safest, most reliable way to ship your dog. Different transporters offer different levels of service, but most ensure that your dog will be closely monitored throughout the trip, and get out routinely for monitored exercise and rest. Be sure to alert the transporter of any medical conditions or special needs your dog may have before the trip. Bring a buddy. If you plan to drive your dog across country yourself, bring an extra person along to help with the driving, and to keep an eye on your canine passenger when you need to use the restroom, go into stores, etc. Plan your trip carefully. Be sure to factor in time for exercise and bathroom breaks for both you and your dog every day. And be sure to book rooms with pet-friendly hotels, which are available in most areas. Never let your dog out of the car without his collar, ID tag, and leash. Secure the dog while you drive. It is not safe to allow your dog to ride in your lap or the front seat, and in some states, it is even illegal. The safest place for your dog in the car is in a crash-rated travel crate. It is also possible to buy car harnesses for dogs that snap into the car's seatbelt or LATCH system. Get the dog used to the car before your trip. As with air travel, it is best to acclimate your dog to travelling before attempting a long trip. Begin with short trips around the neighborhood, then slowly increase the time the dog spends in the car. Label your dog well. Make sure your dog wears a collar and ID tag throughout your trip. Include a label on the collar with emergency contact information for yourself, and for someone at your intended destination. Carry a current picture of your dog, as well, in case it escapes and you need assistance locating it. For added peace of mind, microchip your dog before your trip so that it can be quickly identified should it escape. Bring adequate food, water, and medication for the trip. Be sure that you have everything your dog will need to stay comfortable in the car as you travel. Bring along enough food and medication for a few extra days, in case you are delayed. Keep the car cool and well-ventilated. Keep the windows cracked if it is hot outside, and remember that you should never leave a dog alone in a hot car. Do not transport your dog in the back of a moving truck! Secure the contents of your vehicle. If you are shipping your dog in a vehicle crowded with boxes, luggage, or other belongings, be sure that everything is well-secured so that a sudden stop or turn will not cause heavy objects to fall on your dog. Keep your dog's medical records handy. In case your dog falls ill during the trip, it will be helpful if you have a copy of its medical records with you at all times.
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Research your transport options carefully. Check the laws before planning to ship your dog. Consider hiring a professional animal transport agency. Consider the dog's size when thinking about air travel. Think about the animal's health and breed. Think about the timing of your trip. Buy a suitable shipping crate. Acclimate your dog to the crate. Make your reservations well in advance. Take the dog in for a pre-flight medical examination. Label the dog's shipping container carefully. Label the dog's collar. Place appropriate bedding in the crate. Provide water for the dog during travel. Exercise your dog before the flight. Feed your dog four hours before the flight. Avoid tranquilizing your dog. Arrive at the airport early. Alert the cabin staff that your dog is travelling in the cargo hold. Relax, and know that tens of thousands of dogs successfully travel by air every year. Choose a reliable transport company. Bring a buddy. Plan your trip carefully. Secure the dog while you drive. Get the dog used to the car before your trip. Label your dog well. Bring adequate food, water, and medication for the trip. Keep the car cool and well-ventilated. Secure the contents of your vehicle. Keep your dog's medical records handy.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Paint-on-Hardwood-Floors
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How to Remove Paint on Hardwood Floors
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To remove paint on hardwood floors, start by adding a drop of dish soap to a damp paper towel and rubbing the paint stain. If that doesn't take the paint off, use a rag to blot denatured alcohol on the stain, let it soak in for a few minutes, then scrub it with a brush. After that, rub the paint off with your rag, and wipe away any excess alcohol with a paper towel. Alternatively, pick up a paint removal product, like Goof-Off or OOPS!, and apply it to the paint for the recommended amount of time. Then, use paper towels to wipe away any residue.
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Check to see if the paint on the floor is water based. You can read the label on the can or look it up online. If the paint is water based, you should be able to lift it from the floor using soap and water. If you're not sure what kind of paint it is, try using soap and water first before moving on to a harsher removal method. Add a drop of dish soap to a damp paper towel and rub the paint stain. Get every part of the stain wet using the paper towel. Continue rubbing back and forth over the stain for a few minutes. Wipe off the paint stain using a dry rag. The paint should be wet from the soapy water and lift off easily. If the paint is still too dry, add more soapy water to the stain using a paper towel. Scrape off the remaining paint using a dull knife. Angle the knife and gently apply pressure to lift and peel the paint off the hardwood floor. If you don't have a dull knife, try using the edge of a credit card. Pick up a paint removal product. There are many products on the market designed to remove paint from surfaces. Visit your local hardware or home improvement store and select a product like Goof-Off Paint Remover or OOPS! Apply the paint remover to the stain. Use a cotton ball or swab to apply the product directly onto the stain. Try not to get the product on unstained areas of the hardwood. Let the product soak for the recommended amount of time. Leave the solvent on the painted area for around 15 minutes to give it time to break down the paint. Wipe away the residue. Use a rag or paper towels to clean up the paint and paint remover. If the area is greasy or slippery, clean it with mild soap and water to eliminate slip hazards. Blot denatured alcohol onto the stain using a rag. You can find denatured alcohol at your local hardware store or online. Let the denatured alcohol soak into the paint stain for several minutes. Give the alcohol time to absorb into the paint and break it up so it's easier to remove. Use a scrub brush to scrub the paint off the hardwood floor. Apply pressure to the brush and scrub in a back and forth motion, bringing the bristles of the brush over the entire surface of the stain. Rub off the remaining paint using the rag with denatured alcohol on it. Dispose of the rag when you're finished. Wipe off any excess denatured alcohol with a paper towel. Make sure the area of hardwood floor is dry when you're finished. Find alcohol-based cleansing pads at your local drug store. Look for cleansing pads designed to fight acne, as they'll have acids in them that will help break down the paint stain. Scrub the paint stain on the floor using one of the cleansing pads. Hold the cleansing pad with your fingers and apply pressure as you rub it over the surface of the stain. Use more cleansing pads until the paint has been lifted from the floor. Whenever a cleansing pad dries out or gets covered in paint, dispose of it and use a fresh one. Opt to use paint thinner as a last resort. Paint thinner is a harsh solvent and should only be used if other cleaning methods were ineffective. Don't apply paint thinner to water-based paint. Use caution when applying paint thinner to hardwood floors, as it may damage the finish. Open any windows in the area you'll be working in. Place a box fan near one of the open windows to help keep the area well ventilated. Soak a small section of a rag with paint thinner. You can find paint thinner at your local hardware or paint store. If you want to avoid the smell of paint thinner, you can use mineral spirits instead. Rub the paint stain with the part of the rag soaked in thinner. Apply pressure to the rag while repeatedly rubbing it back and forth over the stain. Continue rubbing the stain until all of the paint is gone. Apply more paint thinner if the rag dries out and there's still more paint to be removed. Wipe off any excess paint thinner once the paint stain is gone.
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Check to see if the paint on the floor is water based. Add a drop of dish soap to a damp paper towel and rub the paint stain. Wipe off the paint stain using a dry rag. Scrape off the remaining paint using a dull knife. Pick up a paint removal product. Apply the paint remover to the stain. Let the product soak for the recommended amount of time. Wipe away the residue. Blot denatured alcohol onto the stain using a rag. Let the denatured alcohol soak into the paint stain for several minutes. Use a scrub brush to scrub the paint off the hardwood floor. Rub off the remaining paint using the rag with denatured alcohol on it. Wipe off any excess denatured alcohol with a paper towel. Find alcohol-based cleansing pads at your local drug store. Scrub the paint stain on the floor using one of the cleansing pads. Use more cleansing pads until the paint has been lifted from the floor. Opt to use paint thinner as a last resort. Open any windows in the area you'll be working in. Soak a small section of a rag with paint thinner. Rub the paint stain with the part of the rag soaked in thinner. Continue rubbing the stain until all of the paint is gone.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Cat-Allergies
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How to Prevent Cat Allergies
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To prevent cat allergies, don't touch or hold cats unless you can wash the allergens off of your hands immediately afterward. You should also talk to your doctor about the severity of your symptoms. In some cases, you can make lifestyle changes and take antihistamines to manage your allergies. However, in extreme cases, you may need to give up your cat or stay away from cats completely. If you want to try managing your allergy symptoms on a day-to-day basis, consider using a decongestant, like Sudafed, or ask your doctor about steroid nasal sprays to further reduce inflammation. Although they don't always work, anti-allergy injections might also be a good option, especially if you're looking for a more long-term solution to your cat allergies.
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Consult your doctor. When you suffer from cat allergies, talk to your doctor about the severity of your symptoms. If the allergy is severe, your doctor may recommend moving your pet to a new home. If the symptoms are mild, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes or medications. The type of drug and the dosage for you by your doctor will vary depending on your particular case, so always follow your doctor's and the manufacturer's instructions for each medication. Take antihistamines. Your allergic reaction causes your body to create excess histamine. An antihistamine works by blocking the receptors that the excess histamine would normally bind to, thereby negating the cellular effect of higher histamine in your blood. This means is will help alleviate your allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny nose. Generally, first-generation antihistamines, like Benadryl, cause more drowsiness, so you may choose to avoid those. Other side effects of these medications include dizziness, dry mouth, headache, and GI upset. You may need to experiment with different ones to find the one that works best for you. Some common brands of antihistamines include Allegra, Astelin, Benadryl, and Claritin. Long term use of antihistamines generally is safe. However, it can cause side effects and liver issues, especially for people who are at risk of these. Use decongestants. Decongestants can be used to treat the symptoms of congestion caused by allergies. This includes nasal and throat congestion. It also helps with other common allergy symptoms, so it may be a better option if you suffer from other cat allergy symptoms along with your congestion. The most popular brand of decongestant is Sudafed. However, decongestants are sometimes combined with antihistamine, which can be found in Allegra-D and Dimetapp Decongestant. Ask your doctor about steroids. Steroids work by suppressing your immune system, thereby reducing inflammation. These medications work best when used on a regular basis instead of an as-needed basis and are only available by prescription. They can take longer to start working, so give at least two weeks before deciding if it works for you. Steroids for allergies usually include nasal sprays such as Flonase and Nasonex. Although long term oral steroid usage is not recommended, intranasal steroids do not show the same long-term side effects. Because of this, long-term usage is generally acceptable of intranasal steroids as long as you use a low dose and use it only during allergy season. Discuss allergy-reducing injections. If your symptoms are hard to control, having a series of anti-allergy injections, also known as immunotherapy, can help reduce your allergic reactions to cats. These shots introduce a small amount of the cat allergen into your system. Every one to two weeks, you will get another shot that increases the dose of the cat allergen, which goes on typically for three to six months. It works to help train your immune system to tolerate the cat allergen. These injections can take years to achieve their full effect. Maintenance shots are needed every four weeks for five years. This option may be desirable if you really want to have or love cats but can't fight your allergy any other way. It doesn't always work. It also should not be undertaken if the patient is elderly, under five years old, or is immunocompromised. Be aware that allergy shots can be very expensive and may not be covered by insurance. Avoid visiting households that own cats. If your allergy is severe, ask the people in advance if they own cats. If you find they do, let them know that you won't be able to come because you are allergic. To still spend time with these friends, ask to meet them at a different place or invite them over instead. If they are really good friends or you can't avoid going to visit, ask if they have a cat-free zone. If not, see if they can create one for you by keeping the cat in another room, vacuuming, and changing linens to reduce the cat dander. Take care being around people who own cats. Once you visit a place that has a cat, the cat dander left on your clothing can cause a continued allergic reaction. When you return home, wash your clothes on in hot water in order to remove the dander from your clothes. This is true of people who own cats. Their clothes likely have dander on then, especially if you can see visible cat hair. Without making a big deal out of it, simply let such people know that you have a bad allergy to cats and that you will have to keep your distance. In the workplace, this may mean sitting away from cat owners. However, don't be rude about it. You may have an allergy but the cat owner also has feelings. Explain things kindly, in the spirit of compromise. Avoid holding cats. This may seem like common sense, but even if you love cats, avoid direct contact with any cat. This will minimize the chances of setting off your allergy because your allergies can be triggered by the allergens left on your hands. There is a protein in the saliva of cats (Fel D1) that seems to trigger allergic reactions. By not stroking the cat, you avoid picking up this allergen. If you must pet the cat, wash your hands immediately with soap and warm water. You should also avoid bringing a cat close to your face or kissing a cat. Keep the cat out of the house. If you can't bring yourself to get rid of your cat, try making him an outside cat. This will limit your exposure to him. You can keep your cat in a cattery or cat house, located in the garden. This allows him the freedom to roam outdoors during the day. Designate cat-free zones. A reduction in the cat dander in the areas of the house where you spend most of your time will aid your allergies. Don't allow the cat to enter your bedroom at any time. Since you sleep here, you will breathe in cat dander all night if he/she is hanging around in there. Keep the doors shut to any rooms you don't want cats to enter. You have to keep this up at all times. Any cat dander can aggravate your allergies. Plus, the more everyone does it, the more it'll become an ingrained habit. Try a separation period. To test if your cat is really causing your allergies, send him away to stay with someone else for a month or two. Clean your house very well when he leaves to get rid of all the dander and clean it at least once a week in case any dander remains. Track your allergy symptoms over this time period, noting how they change. If he is really the problem, you should see a change in your allergies pretty quickly. Have the cat bathed weekly. Although your cat will likely not enjoy it, you should have him bathed once a week. This can be done by a household member who isn't allergic. If you live by yourself, look into paying for a cat groomer to do it. Try to wash your cat a maximum of twice a week as washing them creates tangles in their fur and dries out their skin. Also consider using allergen reducing shampoos. These help cut down on how much dander your cat will shed on a daily basis. Groom the cat daily. To cut down on shedding, brush or comb your cat's fur thoroughly each day for 10 to 15 minutes. Make sure you discard the fur after each grooming. To avoid spreading allergens inside your home, do this outside. If possible, have a non-allergic member of your household do this for you. Grooming will improve the texture of the cat's coat, which will help remove all sources of allergens from the cat's spittle, any outdoor pollen and dirt, and anything else the cat has brushed up against. Although this doesn't reduce the allergens, it may reduce the spread of them by reducing the amount your cat sheds. Clean your home frequently. When you have a cat, try to clean often. Dust, wash linens, and brush off sofa surfaces at least once a week. Use brushes that attract pet hair, duct tape around your hand, or a lint roller to collect hairs from areas where your cat hangs out. Discard all hair immediately. You can also: Use damp dusting to help keep down the number of allergens blown into the air. On a daily basis, sweep the floors where pets frequents. Allergens on the floor will blow into the air if walked or sat on. If you can, replace your carpeting with tile or wood flooring. If you do have carpet, always use HEPA filters in your vacuum. Wash all cat toys, bedding, and your own bedding often in hot water. This will also reduce the allergens floating around your home. Wear an air filter mask when cleaning. If you own a cat, always wear a mask when you clean, especially in areas where the cat spends most of his time. The mask will keep out any allergens from your breathing canals, which will reduce any allergic reactions you may have. If you have a significant other or roommate, ask him or her to clean the areas frequented by the cat. If not, think about hiring help to clean for you. Use a HEPA filter. In order to remove some of the allergens from the air in your home, use a HEPA filter in your heating and cooling system. You should also use one in your vacuum as well. This kind of filter is finer quality, so it collects airborne allergens to help prevent your cat allergies. You can also add a HEPA air purifier to the room where the cat spends most of his time. To help this, you should vacuum daily or at least once a week. If you can find one, buy a vacuum cleaner that is guaranteed to collect pet hair and dander.
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Consult your doctor. Take antihistamines. Use decongestants. Ask your doctor about steroids. Discuss allergy-reducing injections. Avoid visiting households that own cats. Take care being around people who own cats. Avoid holding cats. Keep the cat out of the house. Designate cat-free zones. Try a separation period. Have the cat bathed weekly. Groom the cat daily. Clean your home frequently. Wear an air filter mask when cleaning. Use a HEPA filter.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Face-Your-Fears
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How to Face Your Fears
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Although it can be scary, you can face your fears by making a fear ladder where you write one fear at the top of the ladder. Then, write the least scary action you could take at the bottom, and with each rung, choose one action that will slowly expose you to your fear. For example, if you're terrified of public speaking, you could start by saying “hi” to a checkout clerk. Then, repeat that step until you feel comfortable enough to move on to the next rung up on the ladder.
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Realize that you're not alone. There are thousands -- maybe even millions -- of people who are probably afraid of very similar things. For example, more than 50 percent of Americans are afraid of creepy crawlies (snakes, spiders, bugs)! Shaming yourself or feeling embarrassed by your fear won't help you overcome it, but acknowledging that fear is a normal human emotion can help you find the strength to face yours. You can also look online for support groups for your specific fear. How have others handled their fears and overcome them? What can you learn from them? And, of course, there's always wikiHow. Does one of these articles speak to you? How to Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking How to Overcome Your Fear of Clowns How to Overcome Your Fear of Needles How to Overcome Your Fear of Strangers How to Overcome Your Fear of Spiders How to Overcome Your Fear of Flying Make a list of your fears. In order to fight your fears, you've got to know what scares you. Sit down and draw up a list of things you're afraid of. What are they? Where do they come from? What are their origins? When do they seem to crop up? When do they seem not so bad? How do they make you feel? Getting away from the fear and away from yourself -- looking at yourself on paper -- will help you be a bit more logical, a bit more objective about your fear. You may want to group similar fears together, especially if you're afraid of a lot of different things. It's a good idea to start a fear journal. Whenever you feel overcome with the fear, grab your handy dandy notebook and get to journaling. Not only is it a good outlet, but it can ground you and help you realize that you do have a grip on the situation after all. It can also help you get some distance from the things you're afraid of. Differentiate between rational and irrational fears. In some situations, it's perfectly natural to feel some level of fear. A healthy fear response is an evolutionary advantage that's helped humans survive in a hostile world for thousands of years. However, other fears are more irrational, and it's often these fears that can cause the most difficulty and distress. For example, if you were hiking and came across a bear, feeling afraid would be a perfectly normal and healthy response, because you're in a dangerous situation. On the other hand, if you refuse to travel on airplanes because you're afraid the plane will crash, this fear is largely irrational. Flying is statistically much safer than driving your own car. Understanding when fear makes sense and when it doesn't can help you conquer your responses. Make a fear ladder. Choose one fear that you want to face. At the top of the ladder, write the fear. Then, break the fear up into steps. Begin by writing the least scary action you could take to face this fear at the bottom of the ladder. With each subsequent "rung," choose one action that takes you a bit closer to the top, facing it head on. Break your ladder up into as many rungs as necessary, and don't try to jump between steps too quickly. Include a wide range of steps you can take. For example: imagine that you're afraid of flying, and even getting near planes makes you nervous. At the bottom of your ladder, have studying the mechanics behind flying as your step (no more "the wings are just supported by magic!"). Next, have "going to the airport." This is slightly more advanced, but still not too scary: you're just going to go the airport, not actually take a flight. Then, you could book a short, 30-minute flight with a friend. At the very top rung, you'd take a longer flight by yourself. It's a good idea to start with something fairly small. Some people make the mistake of jumping straight into fighting the one thing they fear the most, but exposure works best when it's gradual. Anxiety BC has a sample fear ladder form, if you aren't sure what it should look like. Face your thinking. Now that you've got your brain wrapped around the fear -- you know where it comes from, you have it broken down into steps -- it's time to wrap your brain around, well, your brain. Remember that your fear is just a way of thinking -- one that you can control. Changing your “internal dialogue,” or how you think about a situation, can change how you respond to your fears. One way to do this is to switch from thinking about the absolute worst-case scenario to the best-case scenario. For example, imagine that you really want to scuba dive but are focused on the worst-case scenarios: you get eaten by a shark, your oxygen cuts out, you drown. While these are possibilities, they're pretty slim: for example, you have a 1 in 3,700,000 chance of being killed by a shark. (By way of comparison, you have a 1 in 2600 chance of being injured by an air freshener. ) In contrast, your chances of having an incredible experience doing this thing you're afraid of are very high. Why resist doing something that could bring you so much joy and beauty? Arming yourself with statistics can help. While irrational fears are, well, irrational, you can help combat a tendency to catastrophize -- or immediately jump to the absolute worst-case scenario -- by learning some facts about what you're afraid of. For example, if you learn that out of the 7,000,000 North American flights between 1992-2001, only 30 crashed, your fear of flying may become slightly harder to justify to yourself. See a mental health professional. Some fears don't cause a lot of distress in daily life, especially if you can manage to avoid the source of that fear (like staying away from places where you'd find snakes if you have ophidiophobia, or afraid of snakes). However, other fears,such as social phobia, can devastate you on a daily basis. If your fear is routinely causing you distress, or it's causing a lot of dysfunction in your daily life, see a mental health professional. They can help you figure out why you're afraid and assist you in taking steps to conquer your fear. There are several different treatment techniques a mental health professional might suggest for you. Prescription medications such as beta blockers and antidepressants can help you manage the anxiety and stress caused by your fear, while cognitive behavioral therapy can help you rewire your thinking so you eventually feel in control of your emotions. Exposure therapy, which is what many of the steps in this article involve, also has a good track record for combating specific fears, especially ones linked to a particular object or experience (riding in elevators, seeing sharks, etc.). Realize fear is learned. Almost all fears have to be learned. When we're young, we don't know to be afraid. Then we become adults, and we learn that we should be afraid of some things. We're afraid to talk to others. We're afraid to give a big speech. We're afraid to go on that roller coaster. At one time, we weren't. The trick to conquering fear is remembering that it's learned -- and it can be unlearned, too. This is particularly apt for social fears, which often stem from a fear of being rejected and a lack of self-compassion. If you wouldn't reject someone you loved for doing something, chances are that most people won't reject you either. (And if they do, that says much more about them than it does about you.) Visualize success. Visualize yourself confident and utterly lacking fear. Confidence itself doesn't guarantee success, but approaching a situation with confidence can help you try harder. So picture yourself in the situation. Work out the sights, the smells, how you feel, what you can touch. Now take control of it. This can take practice. At the beginning, start with just 5 minutes of visualization. When it becomes easy, move it to 10. Then, spend as much time as you need to get in the zone. Relax your body. Practicing progressive muscle relaxation can help rid your body of anxiety, which will help you feel comfortable when it comes time to face your fear. Lie down in a comfortable, quiet place. Focus on tensing the muscles in one muscle group, such as your hand or forehead. Maintain the tension for 5 seconds. Relax. Feel the relaxation spreading throughout that muscle group. Repeat this process with major muscle groups, such as your facial muscles, hands, upper arms, back, stomach, hips and buttocks, thighs, calves, and feet. Breathe. The sympathetic nervous system is activated when you feel afraid, and this causes physical symptoms like an elevated heart rate and rapid, shallow breathing. Counteract these symptoms by focusing on deep, even, relaxing breathing exercises. Lie on your back and place your hand on your stomach. As you breathe in through your nose, you should feel your stomach expanding. Then, slowly release your breath through your mouth. Repeat this at least 10 times. Live in the moment. Many fears are about the uncontrollable future. Winston Churchill once said, “When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened.” Practicing mindfulness through meditation can help you stay in the moment and not obsess over things you can't control anyway. Mindfulness can also improve your concentration and create a deeper sense of well-being and acceptance. Turn your jitters into energy. Being afraid of something can produce a lot of nervous energy, thanks to the working of our sympathetic nervous system (the system responsible for our “flight-or-fight” response). But while you may never be entirely relaxed and calm about doing something you're afraid of, you may be able to transform how you think about that jittery jolt. Envision your fear energy as enthusiasm instead -- your body can't actually tell the difference. For example, if you're terrified of traveling but love going to see your family who lives far away from you, try transforming the nervous energy you feel about getting on the plane or train into excitement about your ultimate goal. You may be a little uncomfortable for a few moments, but you will be so happy when you've refused to let your fear keep you from your visit. Think about your past accomplishments. Thinking about your successes can boost your self-confidence, and that can help you feel strong enough to conquer your fear. What are the awesome things you've done in the face of adversity? What have you done that you weren't sure you'd be able to do? What didn't kill you and only made you better? Don't belittle your own accomplishments. You've probably had more successes than you realize, even if they aren't gigantic things like being President of the United States. Did you graduate from high school? File your taxes on time? Cook your own dinner? These are all successes. Think of the next 20 seconds. Just the next 20 seconds. When you're about to face your fears, think only of the next 20 seconds. That's it. It's not the rest of your life at stake, not even the rest of the afternoon. All you need is the next 20 seconds. 20 seconds of embarrassing bravery. 20 seconds of insatiable gusto. 20 seconds of irrepressible awesome. You can manage that, right? You can fake it for 1/3 of ONE minute? Because after that first 20 seconds is over, it's all downhill from there. Expose yourself to your fear. Starting at the very bottom rung of your fear ladder, repeatedly take that step until you begin to feel comfortable doing it. For example, if you're terrified of public speaking, you could start by simply saying “hi” to the checkout worker at the grocery store. Plan these steps in advance so that you feel in control of the situation. If you're afraid of a static experience, such as a fear of heights, try to stick with exposure for as long as you can handle it (e.g., looking over the railing from the second floor of the mall). If you're afraid of an action or object, repeat the action as many times as you can until you feel less anxiety while doing it (e.g., saying hello to everyone you encounter in the supermarket). The longer you face the situation or thing you're afraid of, the more likely you are to break the fear cycle. However, if your distress becomes unbearable, don't feel bad! It's okay to take a break and begin again another day. Practice taking the next step, and then the next. Don't rush yourself, but do push yourself. Once you find yourself able to handle the first rung on your fear ladder with less anxiety, move to the next one. Once you begin to get comfortable with facing your fears, don't stop! You don't want to lose the progress you've made. Keep challenging yourself. Participate in a support network. Chances are, there are other people in your area who are afraid of the same things you are. By supporting each other, you increase your likelihood of success. There is no shame in asking for help. If you can't find a formal support group, share your fears with a friend and ask them for help. Tell your family and friends your plan for facing your fears and ask them to be there with you as you experience it. Let them know how you'll probably react and what you need from them. They will probably be glad to support you. Talk about your fears. Talking with others about your fears can help you realize you're not alone, and can also make them seem more manageable. Your friends may be able to come up with solutions to help you overcome what's making you afraid. You may even be able to poke some gentle fun at your fears, which can help you feel brave enough to face them. For example, if you have a big speech to make and it scares you, talk with a friend about it. You could even practice giving your speech to a few close people who love you. Practicing in front of people you feel comfortable with several times first may give you the confidence you need to succeed when you give the speech for real. Fake it. “Fake it till you make it” is advice for a reason. Many studies have shown that you can actually become more confident by just appearing to be. If you have a fear of something like public speaking, you are probably far more aware of your shortcomings than anyone else. Approach the situation with confidence, even fake confidence, and you'll usually find that it isn't as scary as you thought it would be. You'd be surprised at how easily you can trick your own mind. For example, did you know that making yourself smile can actually make you happier? It's the same principle behind pretending that you're confident when you might be feeling really scared inside. Reward yourself. Every time you have faced a mini-fear, worked your way up that ladder, reward yourself. Rewarding yourself after you've faced a challenge is an example of “operant conditioning,” or presenting a pleasant reward as a consequence of an action, and it's very effective in changing your behavior. When you hit the end-all-be-all of fears, reward yourself with the end-all-be-all of rewards. The bigger the fear, the bigger your reward. Plan it out for something to look forward to! Everyone needs motivation. When you have rewards, when you have other people who know about your progress, you'll be more pressured to succeed. And if you think positively, you will.
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Realize that you're not alone. Make a list of your fears. Differentiate between rational and irrational fears. Make a fear ladder. Face your thinking. See a mental health professional. Realize fear is learned. Visualize success. Relax your body. Breathe. Live in the moment. Turn your jitters into energy. Think about your past accomplishments. Think of the next 20 seconds. Expose yourself to your fear. Practice taking the next step, and then the next. Participate in a support network. Talk about your fears. Fake it. Reward yourself.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Position-Your-Fingers-on-Guitar-Strings
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How to Position Your Fingers on Guitar Strings
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One of the trickiest skills for a beginner guitarist is positioning their fingers on the strings, but with a little patience and a few simple tricks, you can improve your playing quickly. Relax your wrist as you grip the neck of the guitar, and make sure that all of your fingers can easily hit a fret on every string. Whenever you're playing a note, curl your fingers so you press on the fret with your fingertips. Use your thumb pushing on the back of the neck to add more power and stability. You'll also want to keep your fingers close to the fretboard to improve your speed and precision.
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Relax your wrist, gripping the neck of the guitar in the "C" formed between thumb and fingers. Your wrist should feel relaxed and free to move. Many guitarists angle their fingers slightly towards their body, instead of trying to hold their wrist at a rigid 90-degree angle. All of your fingers should be able to easily hit a fret on every string. If your hands are too small for this reach at first, that is okay. They make smaller guitars for smaller hands, but you'll also learn to pivot your wrist to make all the frets accessible. Curl your fingers whenever you're playing a note. You want to be able to press down on a fret with your fingertips. So set yourself up so you can effectively bend your fingers to keep unplayed strings exposed. You want your fingertip on the string, leaving the rest of your finger curling away from the strings. This is essential for effective chords, as well as a lot of lead playing. Keep your fingers close to the fretboard to improve speed and precision. While inadvertent, many beginners let their fingers relax away from the neck when they aren't using them. But watch a professional guitarist and you see that their fingers, even ones they aren't using, are always nice and close to the strings, ready to fret. This is a habit worth training early on. Use your thumb pushing on the back of the neck to provide power and stability. You don't want to be clamping down too hard on the neck, but you also don't want to leave it loose. A firm grip allowing you to "pinch" the strings down on the neck will help you hold notes, chords, and manipulate the strings for bends and slides. Roll or rotate your wrist to help get up and down the fretboard. As you play, your thumb will be sliding up and down, almost hooking over the top of the neck when you're on the low strings and sliding down as you reach up for the top strings. If your keep your wrist relaxed and mobile you'll find finger positioning much, much easier. Angle your fingertips in towards the fret to position precisely. The hard little part of your fingertip, just to the sides of the nail, is a small, precise location to fret with. The fleshy part of your finger will work, but it will be harder to get a clean note and it is much easier to accidentally mute other strings. Angle your hand and fingers slightly so this hard part of your fingertips is hitting the strings. Always position your finger as close to the fret as possible. If you're playing a note on the 3rd fret, get your finger as close to the 3rd fret as you possibly can. This allows the cleanest, sharpest tone. You don't want to be on the actual fret, just right behind it. Remember, if you're playing the 3rd fret you want to be between the 2nd and 3rd frets, you finger as close to the 3rd as possible. Use your non-fretting fingers to dampen or mute unused strings. This is a slightly more advanced technique, but is a key way to position your fingers. You can minimize mistakes by letting unused fingers rest lightly on the strings, which prevents them from sounding out if they accidentally get picked. Frequently this involves lightly draping your index finger behind the frets you're using. Experiment with different heights for your barring fingers. When playing a barre chord, when one finger covers multiple strings and frets, is often the bane of new players. If some of the notes in your bar won't stay down, and always buzz when played, adjust how high you set your finger. Most people start with the tip of their finger on the top string of the barre. But this doesn't always work. Place your bar so that your finger joints don't leave any strings exposed. Practice shifting back and forth between two chords to practice quick positioning. If there is a chord you struggle to fret with speed, work on shifting to it from a chord you are already comfortable with. Slowly, waiting until you can comfortably play each chord with no bum notes, strum along and switch back and forth between the two chords to build up finger strength, speed, and precision.
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Relax your wrist, gripping the neck of the guitar in the "C" formed between thumb and fingers. Curl your fingers whenever you're playing a note. Keep your fingers close to the fretboard to improve speed and precision. Use your thumb pushing on the back of the neck to provide power and stability. Roll or rotate your wrist to help get up and down the fretboard. Angle your fingertips in towards the fret to position precisely. Always position your finger as close to the fret as possible. Use your non-fretting fingers to dampen or mute unused strings. Experiment with different heights for your barring fingers. Practice shifting back and forth between two chords to practice quick positioning.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Hydroplaning
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How to Stop Hydroplaning
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To stop hydroplaning, try to stay calm and wait for the skid to stop. Keep in mind that most hydroplane-related skids only last for a split second, and slamming on the brakes or yanking the steering wheel will only cause you to lose control of the vehicle. If you start to hydroplane, ease your foot off of the gas or brake pedal since accelerating or braking quickly will make things worse. Then, steer the car in the direction you want it to go, being careful not to overcorrect and jerk the wheel back and forth.
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Be careful during the first few minutes of rainfall. Those first ten or so minutes after it starts to rain can be the most dangerous. This is because when rain first begins to fall, it stirs up oil and other substances that have dried on the road. The mixture or oil and water forms a film on the road that makes it extra slippery. During those first few minutes, drive more slowly and be on high alert for other drivers skidding. Heavy downpour over an extended period of time will eventually wash the roads clean, so conditions might be a little less dangerous at that point. Slow down in wet conditions. The faster you're going, the harder it is for your car to maintain traction in wet conditions. If your tires connect with a puddle of standing water, instead of maintaining contact with the road, they'll be more likely to skid. That's why it's important to slow down in wet conditions, even if visibility is fine. It's fine to go under the speed limit if the roads are wet. Don't go slower than the flow of traffic, but don't feel you have to go 70 mph (110 km/h) on the highway during a downpour. It's especially important to go slowly if you see standing water. Avoid driving through puddles and standing water. These are the spots where you'll be most likely to hydroplane, since your tires will have difficulty maintaining traction. They aren't always easy to see, so be extra cautious (and drive a little slower) when enough rain has fallen to start collecting in puddles. Puddles are most likely to form along the sides of the road, so try to stay in the center of the lane. Try to drive in the tire tracks left by the cars in front of you. This decreases the chance that water will build up in front of your tires and cause you to lose control of your car. Make sure your windshield wipers are working properly. Poor visibility during rainfall leads to more accidents in part because it's difficult to see puddles through a wet windshield. Turn off cruise control. If you're driving on the highway and using cruise control, turn it off when it starts to rain. You'll be more in tune with the conditions around you when it's off. You may need to reduce your speed quickly, and that's easier to do when your foot is already on the brake and you're paying careful attention to the road conditions and your speed. Consider driving in a lower gear. This enables you to maintain traction more easily and will prevent you from going too fast. While it's not necessarily possible to do if you're on a highway, if you're on a road with a lower speed limit driving in a lower gear can help you safely take treacherous turns or drive down hills without hydroplaning. Drive slowly and carefully to avoid skids, and maintain a mild pressure on your brake and gas. If you have to brake, do so in gentle pumps; if your car has anti-lock brakes, then you can brake normally. Make sure that you don't lock the wheels, which will throw your car into a skid. Avoid sudden acceleration and braking. Don't make sudden turns, as these could throw your car off-course. Be extra cautious on curvy roads, taking care to steer smoothly and to drive slowly. Understand what's happening when you skid. When you hydroplane, so much water has built up in your tires that they lose contact with the road. Your car will behave differently depending on how you've been driving and which tires are hydroplaning. If your vehicle has been driving straight, it will most likely feel loose and begin veering in either direction. If the drive wheels hydroplane, there might be an increase in your speedometer and engine RPM (revolutions per minute) as your tires begin to spin. If the front wheels hydroplane, the car will start to slip towards the outside of the bend. If the back wheels hydroplane, the car's rear end will begin to veer sideways into a skid. If all four wheels hydroplane, the car will slide forward in a straight line, as though it were a large sled. Stay calm and wait for the skid to stop. When you first start to skid, it can be panic-inducing. The car feels out of control and your impulse might be to do something rash. Try not to panic or lose your concentration. You just have to wait for the skid to stop, and stay alert so you can regain control of the car. No matter how your car reacts to hydroplaning, you can take the same steps to regain control. Bear in mind that most hydroplane-related skids last for just a split second before your car regains traction. Waiting it out is the best way to handle the situation. Don't slam on the brakes or yank the steering wheel, since these actions will cause you to further lose control of the vehicle. Ease your foot off the gas. Accelerating into a skid can cause you to lose control of the car and make matters worse. Don't try to accelerate out of the skid; instead, slowly ease up, and wait a moment or to until you regain control before you accelerate again. If you were braking when you entered the skid, ease up on the brake until it's over. If you're driving a manual transmission car, disengage the clutch as well. Steer in the direction you want the car to go. Maintain a firm grip and carefully point the car in the right direction. This technique is known as "steering into the skid," and it's the best way to get your car back on track after skidding. You may need to correct the car's course a few times with light counter-steering as you're regaining traction. Don't turn too sharply or you'll overcorrect. Jerking the wheel back and forth could cause the car to spin out of control. Keep a steady hand on the wheel and steer with small movements to correct your course. Brake carefully. Never slam on your brakes when you're hydroplaning, since it will make your car do unpredictable things. If you can wait until the skid is over to brake, that's ideal. If you need to break during the skid, pump your brakes gently until you regain contact with the road. If you have anti-lock brakes, brake normally, since your car's automated brakes will do the pumping for you. Make sure your tires have good tread. Tires that are bald or have inadequate tread are unable to maintain good traction with the road, especially in slippery conditions. Having balding tires makes you much more prone to hydroplaning (as well as other tire-related problems like skidding on ice and getting flats). No matter where you live, you're sure to experience wet conditions every once in a while, so be prepared by making sure your tires are in good condition. Worn tires are more prone to hydroplaning because they have shallow tread depth. A tire with treads that are worn halfway will hydroplane 3–4 mph (4.8–6.4 km/h) slower than fresh tires. A new tire has a tread depth of around 10/32", and over time this gets worn down. When it reaches 2/32", the tires are considered unsafe to drive on. You can determine whether your tires have enough tread by checking the wear bars. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards require tire manufacturers to make tires with wear bars to indicate how much tread is left. When the tread of the tire is even with the wear bars, it's time for new tires. Try the penny trick to see if you have enough tread. If you can't find the wear bars, stick a penny into the tire's tread with Lincoln's head pointing down. If you can see the top of his head, it's time for new tires. If part of his head is buried in the tread, you can wait to get new tires. Rotate tires when necessary. Tire rotation is an important way to save the treads on your tires. The type of car you have as well as your driving style can cause some tires to get worn out faster than others. Switching the tires to different wheels periodically prevents tires from wearing down too much on one side. Take your car to a mechanic or tire center and have the tires checked to see if they need to be rotated. It's customary to rotate tires every 3,000 miles (4,800 km) or so. If you're not sure if your tires have ever been rotated, there's no harm in getting it done just in case. Front wheel drive vehicles need more frequent tire rotation, since this causes the front tires to wear out differently from the back tires. Make sure your tires are inflated properly. Underinflated tires can make you more likely to hydroplane, since they have more difficulty maintaining good traction with the road. They can also deflect inwards, which makes the tire center higher and traps water easier. Changes in temperature can cause the pressure in your tires to rise and fall, so it's important to check your tires regularly. Every few months, check the air pressure in your tires to make sure they're properly inflated. Each car is a little different, so consult the owner's manual to find out exactly how your tires should be inflated. If necessary, inflate your tires according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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Be careful during the first few minutes of rainfall. Slow down in wet conditions. Avoid driving through puddles and standing water. Turn off cruise control. Consider driving in a lower gear. Drive slowly and carefully to avoid skids, and maintain a mild pressure on your brake and gas. Understand what's happening when you skid. Stay calm and wait for the skid to stop. Ease your foot off the gas. Steer in the direction you want the car to go. Brake carefully. Make sure your tires have good tread. Rotate tires when necessary. Make sure your tires are inflated properly.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Flower-Food
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How to Make Flower Food
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To make flower food, start by filling a container with a quart of warm water. Then, add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon of bleach to the water and stir it until the sugar dissolves. Alternatively, substitute lemon-lime soda for the lemon juice and sugar in the mixture. Finally, pour the flower food into a vase and add your flowers.
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Gather your ingredients. You can always buy some plant/vase preservative at your local florist or the home and gardening section of some hardware stores, but making your own is relatively simple. You only need: Lemon juice Sugar Household bleach Select your vase or container. There are many varieties of vases to choose from depending on how many and what kind of cut-flowers you have. If you have a single flower you want to display, a bud vase will work perfectly. Bouquets can be accommodated by larger, cylindrical shaped containers. For glass containers, think about using marbles, cranberries, or some other object inside it. Some experts believe that by hiding the stems in your vase, you restore the focus of attention to your beautiful blooms. If you lack a vase, you might re-purpose a decanter, ornamental glass, or pitcher. Clean your flower container. A dirty vase can severely shorten the lifespan of your cut flowers. Using a mild soap and hot water, be sure you rinse and scrub free any grime or dust from your flower container. Once you are satisfied, use a clean towel to wipe it dry. Mix your flower food. Put a quart of warm water into your flower container, or in a separate container if yours does not have enough space for a full quart of liquid. In the warm water, add two tablespoons of lemon juice, one tablespoon of sugar, and ¼ teaspoon of bleach to your water. Stir the solution until it appears the ingredients have blended together. Pour your solution into the container and insert your flowers. If your container was too small for you to mix your vase preservative in, after it is blended, add it to your clean, empty container until it is ½ to ¾ full. If you were able to prepare your preservative in-vase, simply add your flowers. Keep your water clear and free of bacteria. Plants are easily harmed by the bacteria that can build up in your vase. By adding a ¼ teaspoon of bleach to your solution every four days, you will help protect your flowers while keeping the water from becoming cloudy. You can also protect against bacteria buildup by changing the water in your container every three to four days. Consider making plant food with soda pop. If you don't have lemon juice on hand, you may find it a little more convenient to create a vase preservative with lemon-lime soda. Be sure you do not use any brands that are diet or have cola as an ingredient; these can harm your flowers. Simply: Mix one part lemon-lime soda with three parts water and add ¼ teaspoon of household bleach. For example, you might use one cup lemon-lime soda mixed with three cups of water and ¼ teaspoon of bleach. Cut your flowers under water. You should cut the stems at an angle while submerged in either a basin of water or running water. Exposing the cut end of your flower to open air can be damaging, especially since this is one of the points when flower tissue is most hungry for water. Additionally, you should try to cut your flowers in the early morning or late evening, as these are the best times to cut flowers. Boil the stems of flowers with sap. If you notice that your flowers, when cut, exude a milky liquid, you can prolong the life of these with a quick boil in water. Soak the bottom two inches of your cut stems in boiling water for ten seconds before putting into a vase. Two common flowers that can benefit from boiling are poinsettias and poppies. Prune leaves below the water line. If your flowers have leaves all the way down the stem, these can rot in your water and cause mold to grow. Remove all leaves on your stems that will be below the waterline. Use demineralized water if you have hard water. You can determine whether your water is hard or not by noting mineral deposits on facets and kettles. These will often look like a white, scaly film when dry. If this is the case at your home, your plants will fare better with demineralized water, to which you can add vase preservative. Demineralized water is sold at most supermarkets and should be used in your vase solutions as well if you have hard water. Add a commercial vase preservative to your water. Your homemade plant preservative will likely work even more effectively than commercial recipes, but these are an easy to use and inexpensive substitute if you lack the ingredients for the DIY recipe. Many times, a commercial preservative requires only a clean vase and warm water, though you should always follow the directions on the packet. Take care when using arranging aids. If you plan on using florist foam to give your arrangement a little more stability, allow it to soak in water until it sinks on its own accord. Forcing your foam to the bottom of your container can trap air bubbles in it, which can lead to wilting and flower death. Never reuse foam; holes from a previous arrangement may harmfully expose the cut end of your stems to air. Do not pull up on a flower inserted into your foam. This could cause an air pocket to form beneath the foam, which can cause wilting or flower death. Display flowers in a cool location. You'll want your flowers to be kept cool and out of the sun. Avoid placing your flowers on top of or near televisions, heaters, or fireplaces. Heat will leach moisture from your flowers, causing wilting to occur more quickly. Store your flowers overnight. A cool place out of the sunlight will prevent your flowers from drying out due to heat. Light from the sun will trigger a maturation response in your flowers that will cause early decay. Avoid vinegar and aspirin. Some claim that these work to help prolong the life of cut flowers, however, many experts insist that aspirin and vinegar rarely increase the longevity of flower life. You are much better off making your own flower preservative or using a commercial one. Replenish your water daily and completely change it regularly. Cut flowers can drink a surprising amount of water in a short period of time; make sure you are adding a little fresh water to your container every day. If you have hard water, you'll want to top off your vase with demineralized water. On every second or third day, you should change your water entirely and replenish your preservative at that time as well.
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Gather your ingredients. Select your vase or container. Clean your flower container. Mix your flower food. Pour your solution into the container and insert your flowers. Keep your water clear and free of bacteria. Consider making plant food with soda pop. Cut your flowers under water. Boil the stems of flowers with sap. Prune leaves below the water line. Use demineralized water if you have hard water. Add a commercial vase preservative to your water. Take care when using arranging aids. Display flowers in a cool location. Store your flowers overnight. Avoid vinegar and aspirin. Replenish your water daily and completely change it regularly.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Arrange-Three-Pictures-on-a-Wall
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How to Arrange Three Pictures on a Wall
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There are many ways you can arrange 3 pictures on a wall, depending on their sizes and your personal preferences. If the pictures are all of equal size, hang them horizontally. If you have a narrow space that could use some attention, hang them vertically there. Hang your favorite picture in the middle, since the eye will naturally be drawn to this one first. For a more creative option, arrange the pictures in a triangle formation with 2 arranged vertically and the other to the left or right. If one picture is bigger than the others, hang them in an L-shape with the biggest on the bottom left.
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Choose a common element for the three pictures to share. The pictures that you are arranging should have similar tones, patterns, or contexts, but don't necessarily have to match exactly. Black and white photographs, deep blue tones, or floral patterns would all make great themed groupings. Pictures that don't share anything in common can look mismatched and misplaced. Split one image across three canvases to make the most of your favourite picture. This could be a favorite family photo or an artwork print. Head to your local photo printing or department store, and get your favorite image split into three equally sized canvases. This can work just as well for photographs in frames. Beach scenes and landscapes work especially well split across three canvases. Choose pieces with the same dimensions to create a sense of balance. These can be canvases of the same size, or frames of the same dimensions. Pieces that are the same size have a balanced and calm look. Try using frames that are identical in both size and appearance for an even greater sense of balance and homogeneity. Pick a large, medium, and small picture to make a creative grouping. When you have selected a group of pictures that share a common element, pick three of different sizes for one arrangement on the wall. This creates an interesting small gallery on your own wall. A grouping of three different sizes will create interest and energy. Trace each picture onto craft paper and cut it out. Place each picture face down onto craft paper, pencil around the frame, and then cut out each shape. You will end up with one piece of paper per picture, which you can use to create the arrangement on the wall easily before hanging up the actual pictures. Write on each piece of paper the picture that it represents (e.g. “family photo”, or “zebra print”) if they are all similar sizes. Use masking tape to stick the pieces of paper to the wall while you are trying different arrangements. Create a horizontal grouping for a versatile look. Horizontal groupings work best for pictures of equal size. Arrange the three pictures horizontally side by side, either on their own or above a piece of furniture such as a couch. Make sure that the space between each picture is even for a horizontal grouping. Around 5 in (12.7 cm) is a good place to start, and you can adjust the spacing according to what you prefer. Form a vertical grouping for a narrow space. Make sure that all of the pictures are of the same size, and arrange them in a vertical line with equal spacing between each. Vertical groupings look good on a tall, narrow wall, or in between windows. A spacing of 8 in (20.3 cm) between each frame works well. This arrangement will help the ceiling to look higher than it actually is, making your space look larger and more open. Hang your favourite picture in the center. The piece that is in the center of a horizontal or vertical grouping will be noticed first. It will also receive the most attention. The center picture could be either you favorite or the most bold piece. Choose a creative grouping for a compact and creative look. Arrange the three pictures close together in a triangle formation, with two on the left side and one of the right side in the center. A creative grouping is ideal for pictures that aren't the same size too. For a creative grouping, 2 in (5 cm) works well between each picture. Place the largest picture in the bottom left of a creative grouping. If the pictures aren't the same size, the largest piece should be in the bottom left of the space. The middle sized picture needs to be in the top right, and then the smallest picture in the bottom right. This will create a sideways triangle appearance, with the largest picture representing the base, and the other two pictures representing the point. Place the middle of the creative grouping approximately 57 in (145 cm) high. If the creative grouping isn't above a fireplace or tall furniture, then this is the best height above the ground to work with. This is the height that many galleries hang their work at, because it's the average height of the human eye, and the pictures look the best this way. Hang square frames diagonally along a staircase. Hang the first picture in the center of the staircase, two thirds up from the stair. Measure an equal distance of one hand width apart, and place another image on either side of the center picture, again two thirds up from the stair. Two thirds up from the stair base will ensure that the picture is at the correct angle with the staircase. Staircase arrangements work best for equally sized, square pictures.
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Choose a common element for the three pictures to share. Split one image across three canvases to make the most of your favourite picture. Choose pieces with the same dimensions to create a sense of balance. Pick a large, medium, and small picture to make a creative grouping. Trace each picture onto craft paper and cut it out. Create a horizontal grouping for a versatile look. Form a vertical grouping for a narrow space. Hang your favourite picture in the center. Choose a creative grouping for a compact and creative look. Place the largest picture in the bottom left of a creative grouping. Place the middle of the creative grouping approximately 57 in (145 cm) high. Hang square frames diagonally along a staircase.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Litterbox-Train-Your-Rat
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How to Litterbox Train Your Rat
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To litterbox train your rat, start by purchasing a litterbox that attaches to the side of the cage so the rat can't knock it over. Then, fill it with a different bedding material than what you use for the rest of the cage to help your rat realize what the box is for. Additionally, gather up droppings from the cage and place them in the box so your rat can smell them, which will encourage it to use the litterbox. Whenever you see your rat use the litterbox, reward it with a treat to help it develop a positive association with the box.
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Select the proper container for a litter box. You want to make sure your rat can comfortably climb in and out of a litter box. Pick a container fairly low to the ground. It should also be wide enough that your rat can fit inside easily. It's best to purchase a litter box that can attach to the side of the cage. This way, the rat can't move the box around. You can buy one online or at a local pet store. If you don't want to purchase a box, you can use something like a small Tupperware container instead. Place the box in the right location. Observe where your rat typically goes to the bathroom. Rats usually urinate and defecate in a particular corner. Place the box near this space, as this encourages the rat to use the box. If you have multiple rats, you may find urine and droppings in multiple places in the cage. Use more than one litter box, setting each box near the places you typically find urine and droppings. Select a material to use in the litter box. You want a material different from the rat's regular bedding. This will signify the box is to be used for something different than day-to-day activity. At a local pet store, browse the variety of rat bedding. Choose a type of bedding you do not use in your rat's main cage. Fill the litter box with this bedding. Make the litter box dirty. Rats may be initially confused and standoffish about the litter box. To make sure they know what it's for, collect droppings from the cage. Put them in the litter box. The rats will smell the droppings and go towards the litter box when they need to eliminate. Make sure to wear gloves when handling rat droppings. Wash your hands afterwards. Praise your rats for using the litter box. While you can't watch your rat all the time, observe it when you can. When you see your rat using the litter box, offer praise. You can also offer a small treat as a reward. Be as consistent as you can. Reward the rat each time you see it using the litter box. With time, you should find less and less droppings outside the box. Discourage the rats from eliminating outside the litter box. You do not want to yell at or punish a rat for eliminating outside the litter box. The rat will not understand why it's being scolded and this will only create tension. However, correct the rat gently when you see it going outside the box. Do something to distract the rat. Simply try something like clapping your hands and saying "No" in a firm voice. Make sure not to raise your voice when saying "No." Be vigilant about keeping the rest of the cage clean. Your rat needs to understand there is a clear difference between its living space and its bathroom space. This way, it is less likely to eliminate outside the litter box. Make sure to clean up droppings and wet spots as soon as you see them. When first litter training your rat, spot clean the cage a few times a day. As your rat gets more used to using the litter box, you can go back to a regular cleaning schedule. Place some droppings in the litter box. If your rat is really struggling to learn, remind it what the litter box is for. When spot cleaning, dump some of the waste you collect into the litter. This will help your rat understand he should eliminate inside of the box. Maintain a clean litter box. Once your rat is eliminating in the box consistently, keep it clean. Like cats, rats may stop using a dirty litter box. Once a day, dump out the litter box and put down a fresh layer of bedding. Use multiple litter boxes for a cage with many levels. Some rat cages are very large and have multiple levels. If your rat has this kind of cage, it's unlikely to go up or down stairs when it needs to use the bathroom. Therefore, keep a litter box on each level of the cage. Change the litter box size as needed. If you started litter training your rat when it was a baby, it will eventually grow out of its box. A litter box needs to be big enough that your rat can comfortably fit inside. As your rat grows, swap out the litter box as needed.
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Select the proper container for a litter box. Place the box in the right location. Select a material to use in the litter box. Make the litter box dirty. Praise your rats for using the litter box. Discourage the rats from eliminating outside the litter box. Be vigilant about keeping the rest of the cage clean. Place some droppings in the litter box. Maintain a clean litter box. Use multiple litter boxes for a cage with many levels. Change the litter box size as needed.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Kadai-Paneer
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How to Make Kadai Paneer
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To make kadai paneer, start by mixing coriander seeds and dried chilies and grinding them into a fine powder. Next, sauté ginger-garlic paste first before frying some veggies. Add the kadai masala, fry for one minute, and then add pureed tomato, stirring continuously for at least 2 minutes. Next, add spices to your desired taste. Then, in a separate pan, fry paneer with butter, and pour the cubes into the gravy, letting it simmer for 3 to 4 minutes. Finally, garnish with coriander leaves and serve with naan.
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Mix the coriander seeds and dried chilies together. Grind it into a fine powder. Alternatively, you could first roast the coriander seeds and chilies until they become a bit red and grind them into a fine powder. You can use a spice grinder or a mixer. Set this aside. Place a pan on the stove and heat it. Add 2-3 teaspoons of oil or ghee and let it heat. Put in the ginger-garlic paste and sauté. Fry the veggies. Add the onions and fry until the raw aroma goes away or until they turn a bit brown. Add the tomatoes and capsicum and sauté until they become soft. Add the kadai masala and fry for a minute. Add the pureed tomato and stir continuously. Let it fry for at least 2 minutes or until the puree becomes a bit thicker. Add the spices. Add the garam masala, chicken masala, daniya powder, and salt to get the desired taste. If you want a bit more gravy, then you can add a bit of water. Make sure to adjust the spices after adding water. Fry the paneer in a pan with butter until it turns golden brown. Add these paneer cubes to the gravy and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Make any final adjustments. If you feel your gravy is a bit too spicy, you can add ½ teaspoon of butter or cream. Add the coriander leaves or kasoori methi leaves at the end for garnish. Serve hot with naan or roti! Mix the coriander seeds and dried chilies together. Grind it into a fine powder. Alternatively, you could first roast the coriander seeds and chilies until they become a bit red and grind them into a fine powder. You can use a spice grinder or a mixer. Set this aside. Place a pan and heat 2-3 teaspoons of oil/ghee in it. Add the ginger garlic paste and sauté. Fry the veggies. Add the onions and fry until they turn golden brown or until the raw aroma fades away. Add the capsicum and fry until they become soft. Add the kadai masala. Stir well and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and fry until they become soft. Use a spatula or the back of your spoon to mash the mixture. Add a bit of water along with salt, garam masala, chicken masala and daniya powder. Cook for 6-7 minutes. Keep stirring so that it does not burn underneath. Add the paneer and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add coriander leaves or kasoori methi for garnish.
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Mix the coriander seeds and dried chilies together. Place a pan on the stove and heat it. Fry the veggies. Add the kadai masala and fry for a minute. Add the pureed tomato and stir continuously. Add the spices. Fry the paneer in a pan with butter until it turns golden brown. Make any final adjustments. Add the coriander leaves or kasoori methi leaves at the end for garnish. Mix the coriander seeds and dried chilies together. Place a pan and heat 2-3 teaspoons of oil/ghee in it. Fry the veggies. Add the capsicum and fry until they become soft. Add the tomatoes and fry until they become soft. Add a bit of water along with salt, garam masala, chicken masala and daniya powder. Add the paneer and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add coriander leaves or kasoori methi for garnish.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Understand-Men
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How to Understand Men
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To understand men, realize that they tend to be more competitive than women, so support the kinds of activities that can bring him satisfaction. Men are also more visually driven, so expect him to want to see a map rather than listen to directions. Since men tend to bond over shared activities rather than conversations, you may have to tell him that you need to discuss an important topic with him to get him to listen. When you're done talking, you might have to explain to your man that you're more interested in being comforted than hearing a solution since his natural inclination will be to fix the problem. While men may be less comfortable talking about their feelings, don't assume that they're completely insensitive or else you could wind up hurting your man.
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Realize that men tend to be more competitive. Research has shown that men are more likely than women to take jobs in which pay is dependent on outperforming their peers, and you probably know from personal experience that men tend to be more interested in sports (playing or watching). A lot of men act this way because they thrive on competition, and take satisfaction in having skills or traits that dominate others. If you're playing against him in a game, don't be surprised if his mood suddenly turns intense and merciless if he starts losing. Accept it with good humor and move on. Encourage his competitive hobbies. You'll notice that a lot of stereotypical men's activities - such as video gaming, watching or playing sports, and extreme sports - are focused on some element of competition. Because succeeding in competition can be more important to men, support the activities that can bring your guy this sort of satisfaction in a relatively safe way. Be aware that men are more visually-driven. Eyesight is one of the strongest senses, and processing all the things you may see takes up a large portion of day-to-day cerebral processing. Men, however, are even more apt than women to respond to visual cues. As a result, you might find that men prefer to view a map to understand directions over hearing the directions read, or they might insist that they need to see a problem in order to fix it. Try not to be annoyed at this tendency, and accept it as an inborn trait he may not know how to control. Don't be too offended if he looks at other women. Being more attentive to visual stimulus means that a guy might be more inclined to look - or even stare - at attractive people. But don't get bent out of shape - just because he looks at a woman in a low-cut shirt doesn't mean he automatically wants to have sex with her. These small glances are generally harmless, and are more of a reflex than an indication of a doomed relationship. Learn that men and women don't value the same parts of a conversation. Research indicates that this difference begins in childhood, when little girls form bonds by sharing secrets and discussing problems, while boys bond over shared activities and interests.. If you expect your boyfriend or husband to be like your best female conversation partner, only better, you might be surprised - men tend not to build strong relationships through conversation, and they switch topics more frequently than women do. In addition to this, men also don't make as much eye contact when they're talking to someone. Instead, their gazes usually wander to other objects in the immediate area as they talk. Instead of punishing him for this difference and complaining that he never listens to you, choose your battles. If you really want to discuss an important topic with a man, frame it in a way that doesn't leave him guessing. Say, "It's important to me that we talk about this, and it would mean a lot to me if you could listen closely." If he cares about you, he'll make the extra effort to up his participation to your level. Expect to hear a solution. Another side effect to the way men have conversations is that they tend to focus on how to fix a problem. If you just want a man to offer you comfort and reassurance instead of instructing you on what to do, tell him that at the beginning of the conversation. Remember that he's trying to help you find a solution because he cares, and that's what he thinks caring people do in a conversation, not because he wants to boss you around. Understand that men can't always identify emotions as quickly as women can. Think of the old stereotype of a husband who has no idea what he's done to enrage his wife. It's possible that he's not just being deliberately clueless - he might genuinely have no idea why she's upset, or whether she's upset at all. Because women have more developed limbic systems, they're better at classifying and reading emotions, a skill that was useful when women were primarily in charge of maintaining social connections in ancient cultures. Men, on the other hand, lag behind women in studies of how the sexes identify and control emotions. Don't expect him to read your mind. If you're upset at a man, tell him in a way that's as calm and reasonable as possible. Once he's aware of how you feel, he can take measures to remedy the problem. If you don't tell him, though, you can't necessarily count on him to pick up your cues. Give him space. Because men aren't accustomed to discussing their personal problems at length with a friend, you might find that they tend to process such problems independently. If a man shuts down when you try to discuss his personal issues, back off gracefully and give him space to get over it. Most men will let you know if they want to talk about it. Know that it's harder for men to be "just friends" with women. Studies show that men in seemingly platonic relationships with women are more likely to be attracted to their female friends, and also more likely to have the misguided belief that the women harbor sexual feelings for them. Though women have also shown signs of having sexual feelings for their male friends, they are more likely to back off when they know the men are in relationships; men are less deterred when their female friends have boyfriends and still show signs of wanting to pursue them. This doesn't always mean that every male friend you have has a crush on you. After all, he may have a crush on another girl and might ask for a female friends' advice. Understand that men and women can operate differently in the workplace. Though men and women may be completing the same task or inhabiting the same office, men and women take a different approach to getting work done. Men tend to be more focused on completing a specific task while women are more focused about the process used to get the job done; women tend to ask more questions while men have a harder time listening. Both sexes, however, do feel that the opposite sex is not as sensitive to their needs in the workplace. Men and women tend to react differently in the workplace in terms of stress, too. While women may openly express concern about a failed project, men may retreat and seek solitude in the face of failure. Women and men also seek appreciation differently. Women are happier when they are complimented on a group task, while men like to be singled out. Don't think that all men want to sleep with all women. Though you may be convinced that your boyfriend, male friend, or male co-worker would want to sleep with every woman on the planet in an ideal world, that is not the case. Though men may look at the women around them and can have wandering eyes, they are still selective when the time comes to actually sleep with someone. If you're convinced that your boyfriend really wants to sleep with all women, then why are you together? If this is really a problem in your relationship because of who he is, then it's one thing, but if it's because you think it's because he's a man, then you have to rethink your ideas. Sure, you may have the occasional sleazy male friend. But remember that men may want to brag about how many women they like to sleep with to look tough; that doesn't mean they are interested in following through. Don't think that men really hate chick flicks and "girly" dates. You may think that your boyfriend hates it when it's your turn to pick the location and event for date night, but that's not actually true. Sure, your boyfriend may moan and groan when you make him watch Love Actually for the tenth time, but the truth is, he likes doing what you want to do because, well, it's what makes you happy. Remind yourself that if your boyfriend really didn't want to do something, he just wouldn't do it. And the same goes for you. Don't think that men are completely insensitive. Think of Tony Soprano: a tough guy on the outside and a big, soft, sensitive bear on the inside. It's true that women may like to be more open with their feelings and to talk more, but that doesn't mean that men aren't sensitive, don't have the ability to get hurt, and don't know how to sympathize or empathize. Men may be more resistant to showing emotion, but that doesn't mean that they don't have feelings that are just as big as yours. Men are not cavemen who are only obsessed with the basic necessities: food, sex, and sleep. Get this thought out of your mind. Don't think that men are always thinking about sex. Sure, men may be more likely to think often about sex than women, especially if they're teenagers, but that doesn't mean that they only have one thing on their minds at all times. Just like anyone else, men spend time thinking about their friends, family, hopes and dreams, and career prospects. If a hot woman in heels walks by, then sure, they may be momentarily distracted, but that doesn't mean that the inside of his mind looks like the XXX section of your local video store. Don't think that all men only care about looks. When it comes to looks, men and women can both be superficial. You may think that men only care about what a girl's body looks like, adding bonus points if she actually has a nice face, but that is not the case when men get serious about a girl. Don't think that all you have to do to impress a man is to hit the gym, put on the eyeliner, and wear tight pants. You have to impress him with your charm, your brains, and your ability to have a good conversation. Sure, some men are more obsessed with looks than they should be. But you can say the same for women. Don't think that men are much more likely to be unfaithful than women. You may think that men are known for being cheaters; and who can forget the Tiger Woods scandal? However, both men and women are capable of cheating, even if women tend to look for more of an emotional connection while men look for the physical connection. Don't think that your guy is likely to cheat on you just because he's a guy; if he does, it's because he's looking for a connection outside the relationship. That doesn't mean that there aren't some real scumbags out there. But women could be scumbags, too. Don't think that men don't like to commit. You may think that any man you meet is terrified of commitment and wants to run for the hills as soon as you say the phrase, "I think you should meet my parents." In reality, men are just as likely to commit as women. You're just thinking of the 20% of men who are true commitment-phobes. Just remember that there are plenty of women who are equally afraid of getting serious with someone. If your current love interest is afraid to commit to you, then don't tell yourself it's just because he's "a typical man." There are lots of other reasons for why a man may not want to commit, such as a lack of experience or the pain he suffered in a past relationship. Don't think that all men are intimidated by strong women. Sure, men might be intimidated by strong women -- if you're Michelle Obama or Oprah Winfrey. But in general, men are actually attracted to assertive women who know what they want and are comfortable with going after it. Don't try to act girly, clueless, or giggly just to impress a guy. If you want a man to take you seriously, then you have to show him your full potential. Being strong means being confident. And everyone is attracted to confidence. Learn how to understand the male ego. If you want to understand men on an even deeper level, then you should try to understand the male ego. Get better at allowing him to have some space. Mastering this process could improve your relationship in the long run. Learn more about how men behave in long-term relationships. This can help you understand the thought process of a man who is in it for the long haul. Figure out how to help your boyfriend get through depression. This is a challenging aspect of understanding men. Improve your relationship with your boyfriend. If you have a better sense of how to improve your relationship with your boyfriend, you'll have a better understanding of men.
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Realize that men tend to be more competitive. Be aware that men are more visually-driven. Learn that men and women don't value the same parts of a conversation. Understand that men can't always identify emotions as quickly as women can. Know that it's harder for men to be "just friends" with women. Understand that men and women can operate differently in the workplace. Don't think that all men want to sleep with all women. Don't think that men really hate chick flicks and "girly" dates. Don't think that men are completely insensitive. Don't think that men are always thinking about sex. Don't think that all men only care about looks. Don't think that men are much more likely to be unfaithful than women. Don't think that men don't like to commit. Don't think that all men are intimidated by strong women. Learn how to understand the male ego. Get better at allowing him to have some space. Learn more about how men behave in long-term relationships. Figure out how to help your boyfriend get through depression. Improve your relationship with your boyfriend.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Attract-Squirrels
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How to Attract Squirrels
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To attract squirrels with a squirrel call, face slightly away from where you think the squirrels are hiding to avoid scaring them off. Hold the call by the wooden end and tap the rubber end against your side or the palm of your other hand. Since each tap makes a squirrel noise, squirrels will come out of their hiding places to investigate. To make your own squirrel call, rub the threads of 2 bolts together to mimic the sound of a squirrel eating. You can also roll 2 coins together for a similar effect.
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Fill a squirrel feeder with corn, sunflower seeds, and nuts. You can use either a feeder specifically made for squirrels or a bird feeder. To fill the feeder, take the top off of the feeder and fill the container up to the top. You can buy feeders at garden or hardware stores. You can sometimes find squirrel food mixes at pet stores or outdoor stores. The food will automatically dispense as squirrels eat it. Do not buy a “squirrel-proof” bird feeder. These feeders are designed to prevent squirrels from eating from them. Refill the feeders once a week or when they are empty. Scatter corn, nuts, or seeds at the bottom of trees. If you don't have a feeder, you can still attract squirrels by scattering food that they enjoy at the base of trees and shrubs. Feeding squirrels in this manner may encourage squirrels to nest in your yard. Place corn cobs and nut balls up in trees. Stick these on high branches or near hollows where squirrels may like to nest. This will bring squirrels into your trees. You can buy corn cobs and nut balls at pet stores and garden supply stores. Put out bowls and fountains to provide water. Water is just as important as food to squirrels. Make sure that the squirrels have a clean source of water somewhere in your yard. Natural sources of water are ideal, but you can also put out basins of water. A bowl, basin, or bird bath is a cheap and easy way to give water, but you must change the water everyday. Fountains will provide a constant stream of fresh, running water. They may be more difficult and expensive to install, however. Plant trees near feeding areas. Squirrels use trees to travel safely between areas. The more trees you have, the more likely you are to attract squirrels. Furthermore, squirrels will nest in trees, which means that you may have squirrels for generations to come. Visit a local nursery or tree farm to find already grown trees. Choose trees that are suited to your climate. Squirrels especially like trees that produce nuts and develop hollows for them to nest in. Good trees include willows, aspens, spruces, and pine trees. Plant shrubs and other ground cover. In addition to trees, squirrels like having shrubs and bushes to hide in if they get scared. Shrubs that produce nuts or berries are especially attractive. This may be an easier and cheaper option than planting trees. Some good bushes and shrubs for squirrels include hazelnut plants, hedgerows, and any berry bush, including mulberry, elderberry, blueberry, and raspberry. Allow dying trees to remain on your property. If you have a tree that is dying or already dead, let it naturally decay on your land. Squirrels like nesting and hiding food in dead trees. Just make sure that the tree is not in danger of falling on people or buildings. If you're worried about whether keeping a dead tree is safe or not, contact an arborist in your area. They can evaluate the tree for you. Install nesting boxes on trees and fences. Nesting boxes give squirrels a place to live and store their nuts. You can get special nesting boxes for squirrels online. You can also use bird nesting boxes or houses. Mount the box to a tree, fence, or pole. Alternatively, you can hang boxes from branches. To entice squirrels to use the nesting boxes, you can place nuts or sunflower seeds inside. Just remember that you might attract birds and other rodents instead. Keep pets inside as much as possible. Dogs and cats can frighten or even hunt squirrels. Try to keep pets out of any areas where you want squirrels. If you have animals that go out into your yard often, try to section off an area just for the squirrels. Outdoor cats can kill large numbers of squirrels and other wildlife. Consider keeping your cat inside to keep the wildlife safe outside. If you have a large yard, try fencing off part of it for your dogs. Make sure the dogs can't get into the area where you want to attract squirrels. Buy a squirrel call at a hunting store or outdoor store. Squirrel calls will typically have a wooden or metal end and a rubber end. Most squirrel calls will fit into the palm of your hand. They may cost between $10 and $30 USD. Face slightly away from where you think the squirrels are hiding. Look towards trees, bushes, shrubs, and other woody plants. These are popular places for squirrels to hide. Stand facing slightly away from that direction to avoid scaring the squirrels off. Tap the squirrel call against your side with 1 hand. Hold the call by the wooden end and tap the rubber end against your side. You can also tap the rubber end against the palm of your other hand. Each tap will make a squirrel noise. Tap it repeatedly to make a series of noises. Squirrels usually make a series of noises that start off loud and fast and become quieter towards the end. You can use the squirrel call to make a similar noise. Squirrel calls will not bring squirrels out to you, but they can make squirrels come out of their hiding places. The squirrels may think it is safe to come out if they hear another squirrel. Rub 2 bolts together to make your own squirrel call. Hold the bolts by the top or head. Rub the threads (or the grooved ends) together. This will make a sound like a squirrel eating a nut. Other squirrels may hear it and think that there is food nearby. You can also roll 2 coins together for a similar effect.
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Fill a squirrel feeder with corn, sunflower seeds, and nuts. Scatter corn, nuts, or seeds at the bottom of trees. Place corn cobs and nut balls up in trees. Put out bowls and fountains to provide water. Plant trees near feeding areas. Plant shrubs and other ground cover. Allow dying trees to remain on your property. Install nesting boxes on trees and fences. Keep pets inside as much as possible. Buy a squirrel call at a hunting store or outdoor store. Face slightly away from where you think the squirrels are hiding. Tap the squirrel call against your side with 1 hand. Rub 2 bolts together to make your own squirrel call.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Draw-a-Lily
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How to Draw a Lily
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To draw a lily, start by sketching a small circle with a long, curved line coming down from the 5 o'clock position for the flower's bud and stem. Then, draw 7 short, slightly curved lines extending outward from the circle at fairly even intervals. Next, draw an outline around each of the 7 lines to form the petals, letting these lines meet and overlap near the circle. After you draw the petals, erase the initial petal lines and sketch 5-8 leaves coming off the stem in random spots. Finally, draw a cluster of short, narrow stems in the center for the stamen.
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Draw a circle attached to a line. Sketch a small circle, then draw a long, slightly curved line extending down from the 5-o'clock position of the circle. The circle will become the bud of the lily and the line will become the stem. Connect the line directly to the outline of the circle and make it roughly five to seven times longer than the circle diameter. Arrange seven short lines in the center of the circle. Draw seven short, slightly curved lines extending outward from the center of the circle. These lines will set the direction of the lily petals. The curve of each line should open slightly downward. The lines do not need to be even in size, but they should range from one-fourth to one-half the size of the stem. Note that the lines pointing opposite the stem should be longer than those directly next to it. The lines do not need to be symmetrical, either, but they should be spaced apart at relatively even intervals. Surround the petal lines with contours. Draw an outline around each petal line, allowing the contours to meet and overlap near the center of the flower. These contours will become the petals. Center the petal line within each contour, keeping an even amount of space on either side of each line. Note that the amount of space between center lines and contours may vary from petal to petal. The contours should touch without intersecting one another. If you do cross some of the contours, you'll need to erase the intersecting segment later. Flesh out the necessary lines. Erase the initial petal lines, leaving the contours in place. Correct the petal contours as needed to make each one look more realistic. Some contours may not need any adjustments, while others will. In particular, you should try to narrow the tips of the contours to prevent them from looking like perfect ovals. Add detail to the stem during this step, as well. Make the bend appear sharper, and draw a parallel line to one side of the original line to give the stem width. Add leaves to the stems. Sketch several leaves on both sides of the stem. You'll only need roughly five to eight. Vary the direction and size of each leaf. Each should look like narrow, curved teardrops. Some should curve upward while others should curve downward. Do not draw the leaves in even pairs. Space them apart at random intervals. Create more detail within the blossom. Draw the stamen in the center of the lily and lightly sketch line markings inside each petal. The stamen will look like a cluster of short, narrow stems, and each stem should have a small rounded block at the tip. Place five to eight of these shapes within the center of the lily, making it no higher than the largest, most upright petal. For the petal lines, lightly sketch two to three lines in each petal that highlight the direction of the petal. these lines should only occupy part of the petal interior, though, and should not extend from the base to the tip. Shade or color the lily as desired. By this point, you should already have a completed lily form. You can add shading or colors to the picture to make it even more realistic. To add shading, try to visualize which areas of the lily would receive direct light if it were real. Any area that would not get hit with light should be shaded, with the darkest areas being those hidden by other parts of the flower. If you want to add color, use lighter shades on the areas that would receive direct sunlight and darker shades on those that would be hidden in shadow. Draw a circle. Sketch a circle in the center of your paper, making the diameter approximately one-third as large as you wish to make the finished lily. This circle will become a hidden bud or base for the lily petals. You'll need to draw over it, so keep the pencil lines light enough to erase later. Add two petals to the right of the circle. Draw two trumpet-shaped petals, placing them on the right side of the circle. Trumpet-shaped contours are similar to teardrop-shaped contours, but the outlines should be curvier. Both petals should be roughly twice as large as the circle. The wide portion of one petal should point upward with the tip pointing down. Place this petal directly over the right side of the circle, allowing it to slightly overlap the circle itself. The wide portion of the other petal should point down with the tip pointing up. It should touch the side of the circle and the side of the other petal. Place two more petals on the opposite side. Draw two more trumpet-shaped petals, placing them on the left side of the circle. Draw the top petal first, followed by the bottom one. Both petals should be attached to the contours of the first two, and the base of each one should be hidden beneath the existing petals. The size of these petals should roughly match the size of the original two, and they should completely cover the remaining width and height of the circle. Angle these petals in the same general direction as the first two petals. Sketch out two more petals. Place two small, pointed petals in between some of the other pairs. The first should go in between the top two petals. The second should go in between the two left petals. These petals should be slightly curved but slightly straighter than the others. Only draw the tips of each petal. Doing so makes it appear as though the lower portions are hidden by the upper petal layers. Draw center lines down each petal. Carefully draw a smooth line down the center of each existing petal contour. Keep each line in the center of its respective petal and curve the line along the curve of the petal. Extend it from base to tip, too. Create the stamen. Draw five to seven lines sticking out from the center of the lily. Draw small, flat ovals at the end of each line to finish the stamen. Each of these lines should be no longer than half the length of the longest petal. Position the stamen so that they point out to the left. Let the top few curve upward, but give the bottom few a slight curve downward. Attach the horn-shaped stem. Draw a horn shape coming from the base of the flower, then sketch a downward pointing stem at the base of this horn. The horn should look like a "V" tips on its side. Point the wide portion toward the original circle and hide it beneath the petals. Angle the narrow portion away from the petals and do not close off the tip. From the narrow tip, draw two parallel, curves lines. Both lines should point down. These will be the stem of the flower. Clean up the drawing. Erase your starting circle and any other stray lines. Leave the lily as it is or add other details as desired. Consider adding long, slivered leaves extending upward from the base of the stem. Add shading or coloring to the picture, if desired. Use lighter shading or colors on the areas receiving direct light, but use heavier shading or darker colors on any area hidden by shadow. Draw a ring of ovals. Lightly sketch six ovals, arranging them into the form of a ring. These ovals will become the petals of the lily. The narrow ends of each oval should point toward the center, rather than lying against the perimeter of the ring. Allow the ovals to slightly overlap at the center of the ring. Define the shape of each petal. Go back over each oval, altering the outline slightly to define the petal shape. For each petal, you'll need to make the blunt, rounded tip a little more pointed. You should also curve the sides of each petal slightly. Each petal should curve in toward the right. While defining each petal outline, you should also decide how the petals fall. The petals on the right are "closer" to the viewer, so the full outlines should be visible. As the petals progress toward the left, the overlapping sections will be "hidden" beneath the closer petals. Sketch the stamen. Draw four curved line pairs (eight lines total), starting each set in the center of the lily. Top each pair with a small oval. These will be the stamen of the lily. Keep the lines within each pair close together. The oval at the top of each pair should close off the lines, making the resulting shape appear solid. Each stamen should curve slightly downward. Try to make them about half as long as the lily petals, and keep them relatively even in length. Connect two lines to the base of the lily. Draw two slightly curved lines at the bottom of the lily. These lines should both fall in between the same two petals on the bottom right side. These lines will create the stem of the lily. Both lines should curve away from the blossom. The space in between the lines should be slightly wider at the top and narrower toward the bottom. Detail each petal. Draw a single line down the length of each petal. Position each of these lines in the center of its respective petal. The lines should span most of the length without actually touching the bottom or top of each petal. Each line should follow the curve of its respective petal. Erase any stray marks. Darken the lines you wish to keep by tracing over them again in pencil. Erase any lines you do not wish to keep, working carefully to avoid the permanent lines. If you do erase one of your permanent lines by accident, redraw the line as soon as you notice the mistake. Shade or color the lily as desired. the shape of the lily is already done. If you want to make it more realistic, though, you could shade it with pencil or color it in. Regardless of which option you choose, try to visualize how the lily would look in natural light. Any area that would come into direct contact with a light source should be kept lighter, but any area that would be hidden in shadow should be made darker.
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Draw a circle attached to a line. Arrange seven short lines in the center of the circle. Surround the petal lines with contours. Flesh out the necessary lines. Add leaves to the stems. Create more detail within the blossom. Shade or color the lily as desired. Draw a circle. Add two petals to the right of the circle. Place two more petals on the opposite side. Sketch out two more petals. Draw center lines down each petal. Create the stamen. Attach the horn-shaped stem. Clean up the drawing. Draw a ring of ovals. Define the shape of each petal. Sketch the stamen. Connect two lines to the base of the lily. Detail each petal. Erase any stray marks. Shade or color the lily as desired.
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https://www.wikihow.health/Know-if-Your-Child-Is-Allergic-to-Gluten
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How to Know if Your Child Is Allergic to Gluten
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Your child might be allergic to gluten if you notice them showing symptoms of anaphylaxis, like sudden wheezing, swelling of the tongue and throat, a warm temperature, rashes, vomiting, and a weak and rapid pulse. If your child can't breathe, call 911 for an ambulance, even if they seem to be getting better, since there could be a second wave of worse symptoms coming. You should also keep track of your child's reactions by regularly tracking any ingredients they consume and how they react to it, keeping in mind that symptoms could appear minutes after they've eaten gluten, or hours later. To confirm your child has an allergy to gluten, make an appointment with an allergist and talk to your pediatrician.
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Know the risk factors. If your child has relatives with allergies, your child is more likely to develop an allergy. If both your child's biological parents have food or pollen allergies, chances are especially high. Age is another factor. Your child is more likely to develop a wheat allergy when she is an infant or toddler. Track reactions after meals. If your child is allergic to wheat, he could exhibit symptoms of allergic reaction during a meal, or up to two hours after. Serious symptoms such as anaphylaxis are most likely to appear within a few minutes of your child eating an allergen, but can appear hours later. Recognize anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can interfere with your child's breathing. Symptoms include sudden wheezing, swelling of the tongue and throat, a warm temperature, rash, vomiting, and a weak and rapid pulse. If your child experiences anaphylaxis, take her to the emergency room or call an ambulance. Call 911 for an ambulance if your child is turning blue, having difficulty breathing, or if you live more than five to 10 minutes from a hospital or ER. If your child seems to be recovering from the worst of the anaphylactic reaction, take her to the emergency room anyway. There could be a second wave of worse symptoms. If you think your child may have experienced anaphylaxis previously, get her tested for a wheat allergy or other allergens to prevent future occurrences. Check for respiratory symptoms. If your child grows hoarse, wheezes, or has any difficulty breathing, he might be having an allergic respiratory response. If your child complains of swelling in his throat or mouth, that could point to an allergy. Other milder respiratory symptoms include a stuffy or runny nose, or sneezing. Serious trouble breathing can be a sign of anaphylaxis. Immediately take your child to the emergency room or call an ambulance. If your child cannot breathe or has a blue tint to his skin, dial 911 for an ambulance immediately. Check your child's skin. A child who is allergic to wheat might develop hives, red spots, or a rash after ingesting gluten. Check your child's body for clusters of welts, or hives, of varying sizes. Check for eczema: dry patches or blisters that resemble pimples. Any rash that develops after eating could be an indication that your child has a wheat gluten allergy. Also look for swelling of the eyes, lips, or tongue. Try to prevent your child from scratching. The rashes will worsen if further irritated. Rashes and blisters can also be a sign of possible celiac disease. Investigate your child's discomfort. A child who is allergic to gluten might have invisible reactions, such as a stomachache after eating gluten. If your child is scratching, she might have itching and burning skin that does not develop a rash. If your child is too young to explain her symptoms, pay attention to unusual crying or fussing after a meal. Vomiting and diarrhea can also be signs. Read food labels. You might notice that your child has trouble with some gluten and not others. Ask for a wheat allergy test if your child reacts poorly to wheat but is able to eat rye, barley, or other glutinous grains. Roughly a fifth of people with a wheat allergy are also allergic to other grains. Track allergic reactions to non-food items. Wheat can be found in products such as Play-doh and bath products. If your child is showing signs of allergic reactions between meals, check the content of the objects he is handling. If those objects contain wheat, get your child tested for a wheat allergy. Consider your child's age. Wheat allergies are common in young children. Most children with a wheat allergy outgrow it before age five. This does not mean you should wait for your child to outgrow it without a diagnosis! Children with wheat allergies are in danger of anaphylaxis, and need to be near medication at all times. Make an appointment with an allergist. An allergist is a physician who specializes in allergy detection and management. You may need a referral to visit an allergist. Call your insurance and ask, then make the appointment. If you need a referral, make an appointment with your child's doctor first. Prepare your child for testing. In the days or weeks before the appointment, feed your child an ordinary diet, and record his reactions throughout the day if possible. However, don't give your child foods that you know cause allergic symptoms. You don't want to trigger a serious allergic reaction. If possible, try not eliminate gluten from your child's diet before testing them for a wheat allergy. Doing so could interfere with the diagnosis. Your doctor might test your child for celiac disease at the same time. Follow the same steps for a celiac disease test. Gather information for the pediatrician. Before your child's appointment, gather information about any diagnosed allergies, sensitivities, and instances of celiac disease or gluten sensitivity among your child's relatives. In the weeks or days before the appointment, take note of what your child eats, and any symptoms of discomfort or irritation she exhibits. Bring a list of any medicines, supplements, or vitamins your child is taking. Get your child tested for a wheat allergy. Your child will probably be given the skin test, during which the skin is pricked with a needle containing a drop of purified wheat protein. If your child develops an itchy red bump after 15 minutes, he may be diagnosed with a wheat allergy. If your child has a pre-existing skin condition, or takes a medication that could interfere with the skin test, a blood test will be ordered. Have your child tested for a wheat allergy, especially if you suspect he has experienced anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can endanger your child's life. If your child is found to be allergic to wheat, your doctor will talk to you about how to avoid wheat and if any other treatments are needed. You may be given an injectable epinephrine pen to use in an emergency. Test your child for celiac disease. If your child is exhibiting sensitivity to wheat, you may want to get her tested for celiac disease as well. Your child will be given a blood test to start. If the tests detect antibodies prevalent in the blood of those with celiac disease, your child will be given an endoscopy or capsule endoscopy. The doctor will examine images of the small intestine for signs of celiac disease, and collect a small tissue sample for analysis. It is urgent that your child be tested if you suspect they have celiac disease. Children do not "grow out" of celiac disease. It is a lifelong condition, and leaving it untreated could lead to malnutrition, loss of bone density, or reproductive issues including infertility. People with untreated celiac have a higher chance of contracting certain kinds of cancer, such as intestinal lymphoma or small bowel cancer. Put your child on a controlled elimination diet. After testing, the doctor may ask you to gradually or immediately eliminate wheat or all gluten-containing products from your child's diet. This is one way to check for wheat allergy. Keep a food diary for your child. You may have already been keeping track of what your child eats, but your doctor may ask you to continue to do so after testing for celiac disease and wheat allergy. This may be a key part of your child's elimination diet. Consider the possibility of celiac disease. Celiac disease can appear at any time in a person's life, and can affect anyone. Children who have relatives with celiac disease have a higher likelihood of having it themselves. Celiac disease is also likely to appear in children who have type 1 diabetes (juvenile diabetes), Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, autoimmune thyroid disease, or microscopic colitis. Other risk factors include early childhood infections. If your child had any sort of infection in the first months of his life and symptoms suspicious for celiac disease, it may be worth talking to your doctor about testing for celiac disease. If your child has any close relatives with celiac disease, talk to your doctor about having him tested even if he shows no symptoms. Asymptomatic celiac disease can harm your child if untreated. Consider the possibility of non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Many of the symptoms of non-celiac gluten sensitivity, otherwise known as gluten intolerance, mimic those of celiac disease. Unlike celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity is not an autoimmune disorder. Temporarily untreated non-celiac gluten sensitivity will cause your child discomfort, but will not damage the small intestine or cause other permanent problems. Symptoms of non-celiac gluten sensitivity sometimes occur hours or days after the consumption of gluten. This can be a sign that your child has gluten intolerance rather than celiacs disease. The only treatment for gluten insensitivity is to follow a gluten-free diet. Check for non-allergy symptoms. Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity can cause many symptoms similar to wheat allergy symptoms, including blistering rashes. However, children suffering from celiac disease may exhibit distinct symptoms, such as stunted growth, neurological disorders, and cavities. Children with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity might complain of joint pain, and seem to be constantly tired and confused. If your child shows any of these symptoms, she might have celiac disease or gluten intolerance rather than a wheat gluten allergy. Test for celiac disease. Children who exhibit signs of gluten allergy or sensitivity should be tested for celiac disease. Untreated celiac disease can stunt a child's growth, damage the small intestine, and increase the risk of certain cancers. Do not eliminate gluten from your child's diet before you have him tested for celiac disease and wheat allergy, as this could interfere with the diagnosis.
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Know the risk factors. Track reactions after meals. Recognize anaphylaxis. Check for respiratory symptoms. Check your child's skin. Investigate your child's discomfort. Read food labels. Track allergic reactions to non-food items. Consider your child's age. Make an appointment with an allergist. Prepare your child for testing. Gather information for the pediatrician. Get your child tested for a wheat allergy. Test your child for celiac disease. Put your child on a controlled elimination diet. Consider the possibility of celiac disease. Consider the possibility of non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Check for non-allergy symptoms. Test for celiac disease.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-a-Guitar-for-a-Child
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How to Buy a Guitar for a Child
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To buy a guitar for your child, consider what type and size instrument will work best. For a true beginner, pick a classical guitar since the strings will be softer and easier to move. Classical guitars are also typically more lightweight, making them easier for a child to hold. If your child has some experience playing, an acoustic guitar might be a popular choice since it has a fuller sound, but the steel strings will be more difficult to work with. For a young child who's between 4 and 6, look for a ¼ guitar, which is about 20 percent smaller than an adult-sized guitar. You can also look at a ½ size guitar if your child is between 6 and 9 years old, or a ¾ size guitar for a child who's between 9 and 12 years old. Before deciding, though, you'll want to have your child hold the guitar to make sure they can reach all of the strings.
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Pick a classical guitar for a true beginner because the strings are softer. A classical guitar has nylon strings, which are softer and easier for a child to manipulate. These strings are less likely to hurt your child's fingers, which means they're great for complete beginners. Choose a classical guitar when your child is first learning to play so that they can slowly get used to the strings. It's common for metal guitar strings to cause calluses on your fingertips, but children are often sensitive to pain. Your child may not want to play as often if it hurts to do so. Classical guitars are typically lightweight, which makes them easier for a child to hold. Acoustic guitars are a bit heavier than a classical guitar, while electric guitars are the heaviest option. Your child may find that an electric guitar is too heavy for them, so have them try it out first. Get an acoustic guitar if your child has some playing experience. An acoustic guitar has steel strings, which often cause discomfort when your first start playing them. However, acoustic guitars are a popular choice for musicians and have a fuller sound than classical guitars. Let your child transition to an acoustic guitar once they're used to manipulating the strings on a classical guitar. Talk to your child about their progress. Ask them if their fingers are hurting, as well as well as how they're playing their guitar. Ask your child's music teacher if they think it's time for your child to upgrade to an acoustic guitar. Select an electric guitar for an experienced child who wants to rock. Electric guitars typically use steel strings, but the strings aren't as taut as an acoustic guitar's strings. This makes it easier for a child to play. Consider an electric guitar if your child has experience with a classical guitar but prefers the sound of an electric guitar. You can find electric guitars in child sizes, but you may have to look online because some music shops don't carry them. You'll need to buy cables and amps to go with an electric guitar because otherwise it's hard to hear them. This typically drives up the price of the guitar. Plus, your child will need to learn how to plug up their instrument. Pick a 30 in (76 cm) guitar for a 4- to 6-year-old. This is a 1/4 size guitar, which makes it small enough for a young child. It's about 20% smaller than an adult-sized guitar, making it easier for a child to hold. Look for a 30 in (76 cm) guitar at your local music store or online. While this size is made for children, it's usually not safe to give it to children younger than age 4 because the strings are too sharp. Get your child a toy guitar if they're too small to hold a 30 in (76 cm) guitar comfortably. They aren't ready for a real guitar, but a toy guitar can spark their interest. Get a 34 in (86 cm) guitar if your child is aged 6 to 9. This is a 1/2 size guitar, so it's still a bit smaller than an adult guitar. These guitars are also popular for travel because they're so compact. Purchase a 34 in (86 cm) at your local music shop or online. This is typically the hardest age group to buy for because they can range in height. If your child is very tall for their age, you may decide to go up to the next size. Have your child hold the guitar to make sure the size feels right. Buy a 36 in (91 cm) guitar for a 9- to 12-year-old child. This is a 3/4 size guitar, and you'll find a wide range of options because it's the most commonly sold child size. Pick a 36 in (91 cm) guitar if your child is almost ready for a full-size guitar but is still too small to comfortably play it. You can find these guitars at your local music shop or online. This size is the most popular child size because most kids start playing guitar when old enough to play a 3/4 size guitar. Purchase a full-size guitar if your child is older than 12. Unless your child is very small for their age, they're ready for a full-size guitar once they reach the age of 12. Let your child hold an adult guitar to make sure they feel comfortable. If they do, go ahead and get the full-size version. If your child is small for their age, don't buy a full-size guitar hoping your child will grow into it. They'll have a hard time learning to play an instrument that's too big, which may discourage them from playing. Let your child hold the guitar to check the size before you buy it. Your child should be able to comfortably hold the guitar and reach around to play it. Have them sit down and hold the guitar on their lap in the store, if possible. Ask them how they feel and if it's easy to reach all of the strings. Purchase the size that your child feels most comfortable using. Ask the store's sales staff if the guitar looks to be the right size for your child. If you're buying the guitar as a gift, ask for a gift receipt. Also, check the store's return policy to make sure you can take it back if it's the wrong size. Buy the best guitar you can afford. Poor quality guitars are often hard to keep tuned and don't produce good sound. This can make them challenging to a beginner because the songs they play won't sound right. To avoid this, don't buy the cheapest guitar you can find. Instead, look for the highest quality guitar that fits within your budget. While guitars can get really pricey, you can buy a decent guitar for around $100. Typically, new guitars priced less than $75 aren't worth purchasing because they'll produce poor sound. Factor in the quality of the brand. Your child doesn't need the fanciest guitar you can find when they're first starting out. However, a quality guitar will be easier to tune and will produce a good sound, which can motivate your child to stick with it. Look for guitars manufactured by notable brands. These include recognizable names like Gibson, Guild, Seagull, Yamaha, Ovation, Fender, and Taylor. Research popular brands before you go so you know what you're looking for. Talk to the music store staff if you're purchasing a guitar in person. Look for a used guitar for a budget-friendly option. Used instruments are more affordable while still being of high quality. Visit a local dealer for guitars that have been checked and tested by professional musicians, or check your local classifieds. Before you purchase a used guitar, test it out to make sure it plays well and doesn't have signs of damage. If you don't know a lot about guitars, ask your child's music teacher or a knowledgeable friend to help you examine the guitar. Avoid buying shiny or decorated guitars if sound is important. Kids are often drawn to decorated guitars, but paint and rhinestones can dull the sound of an acoustic or classical guitar. It's best to purchase a solid wood guitar. Pick a guitar that looks nice but isn't covered in paint or veneer. An electric guitar is different. If your child is ready for an electric guitar, it's okay to get one that's decorated. Purchase the right accessories for the guitar you chose. Your guitar purchase likely won't be complete without accessories. Make sure you get everything your child needs in order to use their guitar. The type of accessories you need will depend on the type of guitar you're purchasing. Here are some accessories you may need: An extra set of strings. Guitar picks. A guitar tuner. A guitar case or bag. A guitar strap. An amp and a cable for an electric guitar.
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Pick a classical guitar for a true beginner because the strings are softer. Get an acoustic guitar if your child has some playing experience. Select an electric guitar for an experienced child who wants to rock. Pick a 30 in (76 cm) guitar for a 4- to 6-year-old. Get a 34 in (86 cm) guitar if your child is aged 6 to 9. Buy a 36 in (91 cm) guitar for a 9- to 12-year-old child. Purchase a full-size guitar if your child is older than 12. Let your child hold the guitar to check the size before you buy it. Buy the best guitar you can afford. Factor in the quality of the brand. Look for a used guitar for a budget-friendly option. Avoid buying shiny or decorated guitars if sound is important. Purchase the right accessories for the guitar you chose.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Calendula-Oil
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How to Make Calendula Oil
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To make calendula oil, start by picking or buying calendula flowers. Next, dry your calendula with a dehydrator or by laying the flowers in direct sunlight for 1-2 weeks. Then, pick a neutral oil, like safflower or grapeseed oil, for your infusion. Once you have your supplies ready, place the dried flowers in a glass container and pour the oil over the petals until they are completely covered. After the flowers are immersed in oil, put the lid on, and place the container in direct sunlight. Finally, after 2 weeks, strain the oil, which is now ready for use.
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Pick or buy calendula. While you can buy dried calendula flowers at a herb store or online, many people making calendula oil make it with flowers they grow themselves. Pick the flowers when they bloom, when these blooms are at their peak, but wait until mid day so that the dew has evaporated from the petals. Calendula oil is made with just the flower of the plant. Pick the flowers right under the bloom, below the base of the flower which holds the petals. You should pick calendula flowers as they bloom, collecting them over the course of a week or two. This will assure that the blooms are picked when they are in the best condition. You can make the oil with a few or a lot of calendula flowers. As long as you have at least a quarter cup, you can infuse them into oil. Dry your calendula. Calendula flowers need to be dried slowly, at a low temperature. If you have a dehydrator, it will be great for this job. Keep the heat at or below 90 degrees fahrenheit. If you don't have a dehydrator, simply lay the flowers out on a clean kitchen towel, place them in a spot out of direct sunlight, and let them dry for a week or two. Calendula oil can be made with fresh flowers. However, the risk of mold growing as the calendula infuses in oil is greater with fresh flowers because they contain so much moisture. This is why using dried flowers is suggested. Pick an oil. Calendula oil can be made with a wide variety of neutral oils. Many people use a very light oil, such as safflower or grapeseed oil, while others prefer olive oil to make their infusion. Jojoba oil can also be added to the infusion, although it is usually used in combination with another less expensive oil. Gather supplies needed for infusion. Making Calendula oil requires very few supplies. You only need a glass container with a lid and something to stir the mixture, such as a spoon. The size of your glass container will depend on the amount of calendula flowers you want to use to make oil. Pick a container that fits all of your flowers with room to spare. A see through glass container works well because the sunlight can get into the container and you can easily keep an eye on the mixture while it steeps. Place the flowers into the glass container. The amount of flowers you use varies depending on the size jar you use and how much Calendula oil you want to make. For example, if you are using a pint jar, you will want to use no more than a cup and a half of Calendula flowers so that there is plenty of room for the oil to cover them all completely. This will make between a cup and two cups of Calendula oil, depending on how much oil you add. You do not want to pack the flowers into the container tightly, as you want the flowers to be totally encased in oil. On the other hand, you don't want just a few flowers and a ton of oil. This will make a very, very weak calendula oil. Pour the oil into the glass container. The goal is to completely cover the calendula petals with the oil. Keep pouring oil into the container until the flowers are totally covered, shaking the jar slightly to get rid of large air bubbles. It is a good idea to have at least one inch of oil above the flower petals, so that it is assured that they stay covered. You can also stir the mixture a little bit to make sure the flowers are covered with oil and that there are no big air bubbles. With your spoon, finish by pushing all flowers into the oil so they are all submerged. There should not be any pieces popping out. If there are, push them down or add more oil. Place the container in direct sunlight. The mixture needs the slow and steady heat of the sun to really infuse. To get the heat it needs, you can put it outside or inside, depending on where you live. Usually a south facing window is best. This should get a lot of sun during the summer. If you live in an area where there are animals that might knock it over or mess with it for some reason, put it inside by a window. If you can safely put it outside where no one or no animal will take it, putting it outside would be better. Ideally, oil making should be done in summer, so when the oil is set in a window it heats up. If you are making the oil at any other time of year, gently heating up the oil and herbs and stewing it for 10 minutes on a very low heat is a good idea. This will approximate the heating that the sun does to the mixture. Leave the mixture for a minimum of two weeks. Gently shake the mixture daily for a moment or two to mix it up and make sure all the flowers are submerged. The mixture needs this time to gently combine. If you leave your mixture in the window for more time, you will get a stronger oil. Once you get some practice at making the oil, you can decide how long is perfect for your desired strength of oil. Strain the oil. Place the oil mixture into a coffee filter, a piece of muslin, or in cheese cloth over another glass container. Once strained, the macerated oil is now ready for use. You can use different strainers to get different purities of oil. For example, a cheese cloth will filter the oil less than a coffee filter. Apply directly to the skin. Calendula oil can be applied straight on the skin is said to heal certain ailments. In Ayurveda practice, an ancient holistic healing practice, calendula oil is used to cure athlete's foot, varicose veins, eczema, and skin infections. To apply to the skin, simply put a small amount of the oil on a cotton ball and wipe it onto your skin. The oil should absorb into your skin relatively quickly, especially if your skin is dry. Use oil to make lotion, salve, and lip balms. Calendula oil can be used as is on dry, cracked skin or it can be added to other carrier oils, creams, and lotions. However, usually it is made into an ointment. To make an ointment, also known as a salve, combine 3/4 cup of your calendula oil with 1/4 cup of coconut oil and 1 ounce of beeswax in a pan over a double boiler. Heat the mixture until it is completely melted and thoroughly combined. Then pour it into a container, such as several glass jars, and allow to cool. Once cool, it's ready to use. Use calendula oil for other purposes. There are a wide variety of uses for calendula oil. For instance, you can use it to calm an ear ache. Simply put a few drops into the affected ear and this will ease moderate inflammation. You can also apply calendula oil to your dog's ears to stop ear mites. Rub a few drops in the visible part of the ear to deter mites.
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Pick or buy calendula. Dry your calendula. Pick an oil. Gather supplies needed for infusion. Place the flowers into the glass container. Pour the oil into the glass container. Place the container in direct sunlight. Leave the mixture for a minimum of two weeks. Strain the oil. Apply directly to the skin. Use oil to make lotion, salve, and lip balms. Use calendula oil for other purposes.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Rubber-Band-Bracelet
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How to Make a Rubber Band Bracelet
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To make a rubber band bracelet with your fingers, first place an orange band around your middle finger. Then, twist it into a figure 8 and place 1 of the loops on your ring finger. Wrap 2 purple bands around your ring and middle fingers, above the orange band. Now, pull the loops of the orange band over your fingers so they rest in the middle of the purple bands. Wrap another purple band around your 2 fingers. Then, take the bottom-most purple band over the top of your fingers so it rests in the middle with the orange band. Continue this process until your bracelet is the length you want. Just make sure you have 3 elastics around your fingers at any given time!
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Place your loom down with the red arrow facing away from you. After placing down your loom, the curved sides of the pins should be facing you. The pins are used to hold your bands in place as you attach them. Purchase a loom kit from a crafts store or online supplier. Wrap a red band from the first middle pin to the outside pin. Place the band around the middle pin closest to you. Now, stretch it outward to the right outside pin closest to you. Afterward, push the band down so it's firmly wrapped around each pin. Check that your band creates a diagonal line pointing to the upper-right. Connect a yellow band from the right outside pin to the closest middle pin. Wrap the band around the right outside pin closest to you, which is the one with the last red band connected to it. Now, pull it over the middle pin to the left that's closest to it. Press the band down after connecting the 2 pins. Stretch a red band from the middle pin to the closest right outside pin. Connect a red band to the middle pin that you just wrapped the yellow band around. Now, pull it to the closest outside pin on the right. Check that you have 2 parallel red bands pointing to the right. Connect the right outside pin to the closest middle pin with a yellow band. Wrap a yellow band around the right outside pin that you just connected the last red band to. Afterward, pull it over the closest middle pin on the left. Press the yellow band down after you're done. Continue attaching your bands in a zigzag pattern while alternating colors. Take care not to twist the bands as you place them on the pins. Afterward, you should have a vertical row of 13 red colored bands pointing to the upper right and 12 yellow colored bands pointing to the upper left. Check that all of the bands are pressed down and untwisted. Turn the loom so that the red arrow points toward you. After turning the loom, the pattern of red and yellow bands should remain the same—the former pointing to the upper right and the latter to the upper left. But now the bands should be covering the 2 leftmost rows of vertical pins. Press down any rubber bands that aren't firmly wrapped around the pins. Loop the yellow band on the middle pin over the closest pin on the left. Start from the middle pin, which is the one closest to you with both a red and yellow band on it. Now, use the back of your hook to pull the red band back toward you. Afterward, grab the yellow band with your hook and pull it over the red band and around the closest pin to the left. Notice how the yellow band forms a teardrop shape. Always hold the hook with the open side facing away from you and use the flat part to pull the bands back as you loop them. Loop the red band on the left pin over the closet middle pin to the right. Place your hook in the channel of the pin you just looped the yellow band over. Press the yellow and red band back toward you using the flat part of the hook. Now, grab the red band with the hook, lift it up and over the yellow band, and loop it over the closest middle pin to the right. Tilt the hook forward and lift it up after wrapping the red band to release it. Continue looping your bands until you've done them all. Repeat the looping process to connect all of your bands. Always grab the bottom band of the pin, lift it up and over the last band you wrapped, and wrap it over the closest diagonal pin in the appropriate direction. Be sure that all of the yellow loops are on the left and all of the red loops are on the right. Remove the bracelet from the loom and connect each free end with a c-clip. Slide your hook down through the channel of the last pin, which should be the topmost center pin. Now, pull the band out to the closest pin on the right and wrap it around it. Attach your c-clip to the top-right of the elastic with the open side facing toward you. Afterward, lift your bracelet from the loom. Finally, connect each free end of your band with the c-clip. Repeat this process for as many bracelets as you want! Wrap an orange band around your ring and middle fingers. Hold your dominant hand in front of you with your ring and middle fingers extended horizontally. Now, wrap your band around them both so that it runs vertically between them. If you're using your right hand, your fingers should be pointing left. If you're using your left hand, they should be pointing right. Use whatever rubber band colors you like, but be sure to keep track of them throughout the weaving process! Twist 1 side of the band to make an 8. Place the index finger of your non-dominant hand against the band closest to you and push it outward. Now, twist it 180 degrees and place it back onto your finger. After turning the band, you should have an 8-shaped band with each loop of the 8 attached to your ring and middle fingers. Wrap 2 purple bands around your ring and middle fingers. If you'd like, switch purple to another color. Extend the middle and ring fingers of your dominant hand horizontally and wrap the bands around them to connect your fingers vertically. Check that your 2 purple bands are closest to the tips of your fingers and the orange is closest to your hand. Pull the loops of the 8-shaped orange band over the 2 purple bands. Start by placing your finger into the bottom loop of the orange band with your index finger and pull it outward to make it bigger. Now, pull it over your ring finger and wrap it around the 2 purple bands. Repeat the same with the top loop: pull it over your middle finger and wrap it around the 2 purple bands. Check that you have 1 orange band wrapped around 2 purple bands. Wrap another purple band along the tips of your fingers. Make sure the purple band connects your ring and middle fingers horizontally. Keep this band closest to the tips of your ring and middle fingers. Don't twist this elastic into an 8-shaped pattern. Pull the loops of the bottom band over bands above it. Start by grabbing the lowest loop of the band closest to your hand, pull it over your ring finger, and wrap it around all the other bands. Now, pull the topmost loop over your middle finger and over the other bands. Check that you have 2 looped bands between your ring and middle fingers—1 orange and 1 purple. Continue this process until you have the right length bracelet. You should have 3 elastics of 1 color around your fingers at any given time—use this to determine what the next color should be. For example, at this point, you should have 3 purple bands and 1 orange band, so the next 2 elastics should be orange. Keep pulling each loop of the band lowest on your fingers—closest to your hand—over your middle and ring fingers and wrapping the band over the other bands above it. Periodically pull your bands down your fingers and closer to your hand as your progress. Connect the free ends of your band with a c-clip. Wrap a c-clip around one free end of your band. Now, wrap it around the remaining free end and press it together. You can also bend a paperclip around the free ends to connect them or tie each end together with a small piece of string.
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Place your loom down with the red arrow facing away from you. Wrap a red band from the first middle pin to the outside pin. Connect a yellow band from the right outside pin to the closest middle pin. Stretch a red band from the middle pin to the closest right outside pin. Connect the right outside pin to the closest middle pin with a yellow band. Continue attaching your bands in a zigzag pattern while alternating colors. Turn the loom so that the red arrow points toward you. Loop the yellow band on the middle pin over the closest pin on the left. Loop the red band on the left pin over the closet middle pin to the right. Continue looping your bands until you've done them all. Remove the bracelet from the loom and connect each free end with a c-clip. Wrap an orange band around your ring and middle fingers. Twist 1 side of the band to make an 8. Wrap 2 purple bands around your ring and middle fingers. Pull the loops of the 8-shaped orange band over the 2 purple bands. Wrap another purple band along the tips of your fingers. Pull the loops of the bottom band over bands above it. Continue this process until you have the right length bracelet. Connect the free ends of your band with a c-clip.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Girl-to-Like-You-when-She-Has-No-Interest-in-Relationships
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How to Get a Girl to Like You when She Has No Interest in Relationships
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The best thing you can do when a girl you like has no interest in relationships is to respect her feelings and be a good friend. While it's tempting, try to avoid fixing her problems, and instead, be a good listener. Make sure to include her in group plans and perform simple acts of kindness, like giving her a ride or paying for her coffee. Later in the relationship, if you still want her to like you, be upfront about your feelings and ask her out on a casual date, like a picnic or dinner and a movie. While being a good friend is a good way to lead into a relationship, it shouldn't be your ultimate goal. Enjoy having a good friend and if it doesn't lead into anything, stay committed to being a confidant.
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Consider why you want this girl to like you. Ask yourself why you are attracted to girl. For example, she might sense that your interest is purely physical or superficial, and avoid you. If this is the only type of attention she receives from guys, then she might be jaded or feel under-appreciated. Before approaching her, step back and determine what you look for in a relationship. Next, ask yourself if she is good relationship material based on these qualities: Integrity: is she honest with both herself and others, trustworthy, and dependable. Can you be upfront with each other about your thoughts and fears. Emotional maturity and self-esteem: no one is perfect, but a willingness to reflect on and learn from the past (and demonstrate what you've learned) is a key feature of emotionally mature people. Emotionally immature girls are those that are dependent on others for their self-esteem and well-being, and let their emotions control their actions. Supportive and committed to personal growth: she has her own interests and actively pursues them, has a general positive attitude about life (even when faced with difficult circumstances), and she maintains good relationships with family and friends and encourages those around her. However, someone that constantly puts their own interests above others, and are overly competitive or judgmental do not make good partners. Make yourself more attractive to women. One of the ways to get a girl to notice you is to make yourself more attractive in how you look and act. By making small changes, you can not only make yourself more attractive to women, but also improve your self-confidence. It is often the little things that will make you stand out, such as practicing good hygiene and doing something nice for others (even when she isn't around). Clean-up your appearance: this shows you have self-respect and take care of yourself. Make sure you wear clean and unwrinkled clothing, shower everyday, keep your hair combed and groomed, and your beard shaved or trimmed short. Practice good oral hygiene, brushing your teeth twice a day and avoiding foods that cause bad breath (such as coffee or garlic). Avoid wearing too much cologne or body spray – instead, stick with a neutral aftershave or deodorant. Relax and be confident: don't let your fear of being turned down overcome your ability to talk to your crush, even if it seems she is at first not interested in you. Girls don't like being around or interacting with men who lack confidence. Also, girls find laid-back and less stressed men more attractive and enjoyable to be around. Talk to a girl you like, even if she seems uninterested. Let her know you exist by initiating conversation and establishing a friendly relationship with her. Put yourself out there in a way that shows you are interested without seeming too pushy or aggressive. Ask her a question about herself or a topic you are both interested in, such as: "hey, I just started watching (name of TV show). Who is your favorite character or what was your favorite season". Make a general statement about the weather, school, or something you are eating. Break the ice by asking them a favor, such as help with a project or your homework. Avoid talking about politics, religion, past relationships, or traumatic events. Catch her attention by making eye contact and smile when talking. Avoid speaking too fast or in a high pitch – this will make you look nervous. If walking next to one another, slow down. This will make you appear more laid-back and approachable – good qualities in both a friend and boyfriend. Remember to be respectful. Respect her decision to stay single. Move on without questioning her decision. It is important to realize some people are not compatible. Don't send mixed signals about your feelings. The term mixed feelings refers to the difference between how others perceive you and how you see yourself. One of the reasons she may be uninterested in having a relationship with you is you send mixed signals. For example, you constantly brag about going on dates or being interested in other women, or you regularly blow off friends. Talk yourself up without bragging. Mention accomplishments you are proud of, or goals you had and how you achieved them. For example: "That English assignment or math test was rough, but my studying paid off" or "my months of training paid off in the half-marathon, maybe I will run the full marathon next year". Be more upfront and open about your feelings. One of the mixed messages you may be sending is that you are cold or pessimistic. Make a goal of saying one positive thing a day about someone else. Be a good friend. If she is truly uninterested in a relationship, or there is something going on in her life (family, school, work, health issues, etc.) preventing her from having a relationship, do not pressure her. The only, and best thing, you can be right now is a good friend and confidant. You want to be supportive, but not overbearing. This is especially important if she is facing a personal problem, such as a death or illness in the family. Create space and respect her privacy. Do not try to fix her problems or constantly offer advice. Simply let her know you are there and are willing to listen. Be a good listener. Do not jump in with your opinion and resist the urge to fix everything. Let them talk things out and come to terms with things on their own. Make plans as a group and include her. Offer to pick her up or pay for her. Simple acts of kindness, as long as there are no strings attached, can go a long way. Get to know her in an informal setting. If you are already friends and want to take things to the next level, then ignore this step. However, if you just met or are only casual acquaintances, spend time together in a group or ask her out indirectly. This might require you to have a good opener or conversation starter. Start with a pre-opener: whenever you see her, make eye contact, smile, and say “hi”. Next, start a general conversation. Compliment her on her achievements, or ask about her interests (music, movies, books, hobbies, etc.). Use this general conversation as a starting point for developing a closer relationship based on common interests and/or shared goals. Be patient. Some girls are naturally more open about themselves and talkative, whereas others might be more shy or hesitant at first. Never use cheesy pick-up lines. Not only does this set a bad impression, but it can also be offensive. Ask a girl out on a date. You can be upfront and ask her out directly, or use a more indirect approach such as asking what she is doing this weekend and if she has any plans. Which approach you choose depends on the situation and personalities. Other indirect examples include: asking whether she's been to a certain restaurant, and wondering if she wants to check it out with you; or phrase it as an opportunity, such as “we are both free this weekend and the weather looks nice, so why don't we do something together”. Remember, at this stage you are only asking her to go on a date (to a movie, concert, dinner, etc.), not if she wants to be your girlfriend. Make it clear you just want to hang out. Don't talk about relationships or ask her to be your girlfriend. Do not corner a girl or make her feel trapped (physically) when asking her out. She might say no because she feels uncomfortable and intimidated. If she seems reluctant to go on a date with you, invite her to do something with a group of friends. Organize a picnic or go to a dinner and a movie with a couple friends. Make a good first date impression. On your first date (or first time you hang out), your goals should be to make sure she has a good time, you express your feelings in a way that are clear but not over the top, and you do not try anything too extravagant, expensive, or romantic. Go on a group date or do something in a public place rather than inviting her to spend time with you alone. Take the lead in deciding what you will do and where you will go on the date. Do your homework – ask her if she has any food preferences, make reservations if necessary, and avoid places that are upscale and pricey. Make an effort with your appearance – wash and comb your hair, brush your teeth, do not wear too much cologne, and wear clean, unwrinkled clothes. Do not overindulge in alcohol, be considerate, and practice good manners. These involve not dominating the conversation, turning off your phone and giving her your full attention, and be kind to others. Avoid discussing controversial topics, such as politics, old relationships, complaining about your job, or sex. Instead, focus on good topics such as the news (and her opinion on current events), family, travel (either places you've been or want to go in the future), or your thoughts on love and what makes a good relationship. Become a better friend to both her and her friends. Friendships are the foundation of good relationships. The first step to being a good friend is paying attention to what her and her friends say. Avoid talking only about yourself and your interests. Give her your fill attention by not looking bored or distracted. Put your phone away and make eye-contact when you talk. While being a good friend can backfire and get you “friend zoned”, more often it is a way to show you are kind, caring, and committed. Joke around and tease one another. When done affectionately, light teasing is a subtle way to show you are interested. For example, make-up a funny story about travelling to a different country or pretend your house is haunted. Lightheartedly tease her about her taste in music, or a weird food she likes, and then follow it up with a compliment. Other examples of teasing include light tickling, placing your hands over someone eyes and saying “guess who”, or giving them a light shove or nudge on the back or arm. Show you are teasing by using an exaggerated tone of voice, facial expressions, or a smile. Try to flirt with her. When flirting, you want to start with something subtle, such as making eye contact, smiling, and then quickly looking away. You can also compliment her or act like an old-fashioned gentleman by holding doors, offering to buy her coffee, or carrying her books. If you know one another and are comfortable around each other, try brushing a strand of hair off her face, give her a hug, or sit next to her. If she is interested in you, she will start flirting back. Play hard to get. One way to get a girl not to like you is to come off as too needy, clingy, or desperate. If your relationship has stalled, consider giving her some space. Start talking to other girls, and playing hard to get. By creating a challenge, you make yourself look more desirable. Hold back some of your feelings in the beginning of the relationship. Maintaining a sense of mystery and uncertainty helps keeps things interesting – and perhaps kindle romantic feelings. For example, don't tell her how much you like her and talk about your "future" together the first time you hang out. Give her some space. While you do not want to stand her up if you've made plans, don't text or call her every day. Your absence may lead her to realize how much she actually cares for you. Consider keeping things casual. If you like her and she likes you, but is afraid or nervous of commitment, you can always decide to maintain a casual relationship. Casual relationships are non-exclusive romantic relationships. While you might see each other on a semi-regular basis, you are open to flirt with or go out with others. Especially if you are between the ages of 18 to 24, having an open, casual relationship can help you grow emotionally and become more comfortable interacting with the opposite sex. In a casual relationship, it is important to establish ground rules to minimize the risk of someone getting hurt: Is it okay to go out in public? Is it okay if others know, or should the relationship be kept secret? What happens when one person becomes romantic with someone else? Will you tell each other if this happens? How often do you want to see each other? When is it okay to call or text? Do not ask questions that are condescending or accusing, such as: how many people are you seeing? Where were you last night? Why didn't you return my calls? Can I add you on Facebook? If you cannot agree to these terms, than you probably should not pursue a casual relationship. Tell her your feelings and let her know you're interested, but that you should remain friends if she feels she can't commit to something more serious.
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Consider why you want this girl to like you. Make yourself more attractive to women. Talk to a girl you like, even if she seems uninterested. Don't send mixed signals about your feelings. Be a good friend. Get to know her in an informal setting. Ask a girl out on a date. Make a good first date impression. Become a better friend to both her and her friends. Joke around and tease one another. Try to flirt with her. Play hard to get. Consider keeping things casual.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Crying-when-Someone-Yells-at-You
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How to Stop Crying when Someone Yells at You
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Crying can be a natural response when someone yells at you, but if you want to stop the tears, focus on something else to distract yourself. Try taking some deep breaths and concentrating on the sensation of breathing, which can help distract you from your emotions. Look away from the person yelling at you, like at your desk, your hands, or the floor, so you're not looking at their angry face. If that doesn't work, pinch yourself somewhere sensitive, like the skin between your fingers or the inside of your arm. The pain can distract you from crying. If you can leave the situation after they've yelled at you, head to a restroom or outside so you can calm down.
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Pinch the skin between your forefinger and thumb. Give the web of your hand a good, hard pinch. Squeeze hard enough that it hurts, but not hard enough to bruise. The pain will distract you, and you'll be less likely to cry. You can also pinch the bridge of your nose. This can help block tears from escaping your tear ducts. Take some deep breaths. When you feel yourself getting worked up, take a few long, slow breaths. This forces your body to calm down and distracts you a little from whoever is yelling at you, which might be enough to avert a crying session. Look away. Look at something other than the person who's yelling at you. Focus on your desk, your hands, or some other object in front of you. Breaking eye contact with the angry person will help you regain your composure. Take a step back. Get some distance from the person who's yelling at you by taking a step backwards or scooting back in your chair. Taking control of your physical space can make you feel less helpless and cut back on your urge to cry. Excuse yourself from the situation. If you're not going to be able to stop yourself from crying, step away from the situation. Make an excuse if you can, such as not feeling well. You can also just tell the person you're getting too upset to keep talking to them. Go somewhere private to calm down. Say something like, “I'm getting too worked up to have a productive conversation with you. I need to step away for a minute, but we can keep talking later.” The restroom is usually a safe place to escape to. Taking a walk to clear your head is also a good option. Getting a little exercise will help you feel more in control of yourself. Get some privacy. Go to your car, your office, a restroom, or somewhere else you won't be bothered. If you need to cry, let it out. Give yourself all the time you need until you feel calm again. If you try to stop a crying session halfway through, you'll be more likely to start up again later. Combat eye swelling. Dab cold water underneath your eyes to cut down on redness and puffiness. You can also use an ice cube wrapped in a napkin. If you're at home and not in a hurry, wrap a bag of frozen peas in a kitchen towel and put it on your face, or rest cold green tea bags on your eyes. Put in eye drops. Use eye drops like Visine to get rid of any lingering eye redness. Put one or two drops in each eye. Your eyes should look clear in 10 to 15 minutes. If you're a frequent crier, don't use eye drops too often. They can actually make your eyes redder if you overuse them. A couple of times a week should be fine. Make sure your eye drops are safe to use with contacts, if you wear them. Fix your makeup. If you wear makeup, take a minute to touch it up. Wipe off runny eye makeup and any other areas on your face that have gotten smeared. Use foundation or concealer to hide red or blotchy areas. Finish by touching up your mascara, blush, or anything else that didn't make it through your cry. If you cry often, you might want to keep a small emergency makeup stash in your desk or purse. Let people know you cry easily. If you're prone to tearing up all the time, do some preemptive damage control by telling your boss, coworkers, family, and friends. Emphasize that it's not a big deal, and tell them about the best way to react if it happens. For example, you could say, “I tend to cry easily, so don't worry if I get upset – that's normal for me. I try to keep it under control, but if it happens, I just need a few minutes to calm down.” Talk to the person who yelled at you. After you've calmed down, ask the person who yelled at you if they can talk to you privately. Address the problem and apologize if you did something wrong. Then tell them how their yelling made you feel, and politely ask them to talk to you more calmly in the future. Say something like, “I get pretty flustered when people shout at me, so it was hard for me to come up with a good solution to our problem earlier. Next time we run into an issue like this, can we talk about it when we're both calm?” Think about why conflict makes you cry. Ask yourself what you feel when someone yells at you. If you can identify where your tears are coming from, you might be able to figure out some alternate coping strategies. For instance, if you get overwhelmed by sheer adrenaline, you could squeeze a stress ball to release tension instead. If being yelled at makes you feel small and inferior, you could try remembering that the other person is a human who makes mistakes too, and they might not even be in the right for yelling at you. Consider if you cried often as a child. It may be a trait you've carried into adulthood. Come up with some alternate strategies. Think about what you can do or say next time someone gets angry at you. Visualize yourself staying calm and collected as you use your new strategies. For example, if your boss tends to yell a lot, imagine saying something like, “I'm sorry you're not happy with this, and I'll work on finding a solution. In the meantime, though, I find it hard to focus on what you're saying when you yell. Can we discuss this more calmly later?” If this does not work, and your boss repeatedly yells, you might consider consulting the HR department at work. No one should be subjected to abuse in the workplace. Find healthy ways to cope with stress. If you are faced with chronic stress, you may be more likely to cry in tense situations. Getting your stress under control could stop this from happening as much. Think about some relaxing activities you can do on most days to keep stress at bay. For example, some healthy ways to deal with stress may include doing yoga, meditating , calling a friend, going for a walk outdoors, or listening to soothing music. Try these activities when you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed. Talk to a counselor. If your crying is affecting your relationships or getting in the way of your work or school performance, it's worth seeing a mental health professional to find out what's going on. A counselor or therapist can help you discover why you cry so much and find ways to stop. You could also try to talk to a friend if you don't feel comfortable talking to a counselor. If you explain your issue with someone close to you, you should be able to open up to them, and then be able to open up to yourself. If you don't share your issue then you may not be able to see the problem yourself. You can express how you feel about that situation and explain how you can avoid that in future events. If your friends are true friends they will try to comfort and console you, rather than just sit back and watch you suffer.
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Pinch the skin between your forefinger and thumb. Take some deep breaths. Look away. Take a step back. Excuse yourself from the situation. Get some privacy. Combat eye swelling. Put in eye drops. Fix your makeup. Let people know you cry easily. Talk to the person who yelled at you. Think about why conflict makes you cry. Come up with some alternate strategies. Find healthy ways to cope with stress. Talk to a counselor. You could also try to talk to a friend if you don't feel comfortable talking to a counselor.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Paper-Hat
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How to Make a Paper Hat
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To make a paper hat, first fold an 8 by 11 inch (20 by 28 cm) piece of paper in half lengthwise and unfold. Then, fold the paper in half again from top to bottom. Next, fold the top left corner down to the middle crease. Repeat with the top right corner. Now, fold up the top flap along the bottom edge. Flip the paper over, and do the same thing on the other side. Finally, pull the bottom edges apart to open up your hat. To make a paper cone hat for parties, first draw a half circle that's between 6 and 8 inches (15 - 18 centimeters) across on a piece of construction paper using a compass. Then, cut out the half circle, and bring the ends together to form the cone. The more you overlap the ends, the smaller your cone hat will be. Finally, adjust the cone so it fits your head, then staple or tape the ends together at the base.
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Crease a rectangular sheet of paper down the middle. Fold the paper lengthwise (hotdog style). Run your fingernail along the crease, then unfold the paper. You will use this crease as a guide later on. A sheet of newspaper around 29 ⁄ 2 by 23 ⁄ 2 inches (75 by 60 cm) will work the best, but you can use a sheet of printer paper to make a smaller doll-sized hat too. Fold the paper in half widthwise. Bring the narrow ends together, then flatten the paper (hamburger style). Run your fingernail along the crease to sharpen it. Do not unfold the paper. Fold the top corners to the center crease. Rotate the paper so that the folded edge is along the top of the paper. Fold the top left and right corners to the vertical crease running down the middle of your paper. You will end up with a house shape. Fold 1 of the flaps along the bottom edge up. There are 2 layers or "flaps" of paper along the bottom edge of your house shape. Take the top flap and fold it upwards. The new crease along the bottom edge of the paper should be flush with the bottom edges of the triangles. Fold the brim inwards if it is too wide for you. Unfold the brim to reveal a crease. Fold the bottom edge up to this crease, then fold the brim back up, like in the previous step. How wide you make the brim is entirely up to you and your personal tastes. Most people like theirs between 1 and 2 inches (2.5 and 5.1 cm). Flip the paper over and fold the second flap up too. If you folded the brim twice earlier, you should fold it twice this time around too. Tape the corners of the brim, if desired. You don't have to do this, but it will give your hat a nicer finish. Wrap pieces of tape around both of the side edges of the brim to hold them together. You can also use glue instead, but let the glue dry. To make an alpine hat, fold the corners of the brim down behind the band so that your hat looks like a triangle. Glue the edges of the brim to the hat. Open the base of the hat to put it on. For an alpine or Peter Pan look, wear the hat with the triangle parts over your ears. For a bicorn or pirate look, wear the hat with the triangle parts over your forehead instead. Choose paper that is twice as tall as the hat you want to make. For example, if you want your hat to be 12 inches (30 cm) tall, the paper should be at least 24 inches (61 cm) tall. Pick a color that works with the type of hat you are making. For example, pink would work well for a cone-shaped medieval princess hat while black would work for a witch hat. Construction paper and scrapbooking paper will work well for smaller hats. If you want to make something big, like a princess or witch hat, use poster paper instead. Draw a semicircle on the paper. You can do this with a plate, compass, or a pencil tied to a piece of string. The circle needs to be twice as tall as you want the hat to be. For example, if you want a 12-inch (30-cm) tall princess hat, the circle should be 24 inches (61 cm) wide. Draw the circle along 1 of the edges of the paper. This way, the straight edge will be even. Cut the semicircle out with scissors. If your paper is plain, now would be a great time to decorate it with paint, markers, stamps, or stickers. Do not put anything too bulky on the paper just yet. If you used paint, be sure to give it time to dry. Roll the paper into a cone, then secure the seam. Curl the straight edges of the paper together until they meet, then overlap them until you get a cone. The more you overlap the edges, the narrower the cone will be. Once you are happy with the size, tape, staple, or glue the seam together. Cut a brim and glue it on if you are making a witch's hat. Stand the cone up on a sheet of paper and trace around the base. Set the cone aside, and trace around the circle to make a wider brim. Cut the bigger circle out, then cut the smaller circle out. Tape or glue the brim to the bottom of your cone. Hot glue will work, but you can use tape as well--put the tape on the inside of the cone so that you can't see it on the outside. Skip this step if you are making a different kind of hat. Staple a thin elastic cord to the bottom of the hat, if desired. Cut an elastic long enough to wrap under your chin while you are wearing the hat, plus 2 inches (5.1 cm). Tie a knot in each end of the elastic, then staple it to the bottom of the hat. Place the knot above the staple. Decorate your hat to give it more character. The possibilities are endless here. You can give your hat a different look just by gluing different items to it. Hot glue will work the best here, but you can use tacky glue instead if you have nothing else. Here are some ideas to get you started: Clown: paint polka dots on the hat, then hot glue a large pompom to the tip. Santa: glue a white pompom to the top of the hat, then more white pompoms around the brim. Party hat: cut a fringe from crepe paper, then glue it to the inside of your hat's brim. Hot glue a pompom to the top. Princess: add strips of tulle, crepe paper, or tissue paper to the tip. Hot glue a skinny white boa around the base. Witch: wrap a Halloween-colored ribbon around the base of the hat. Cut a buckle shape from paper, and glue it over the ribbon. Wizard: draw stars and moons using gold or silver glitter glue. Let the hat dry before you wear it. How long this takes depends on the type of glue you used. Hot glue dries within minutes, but tacky glue can take several hours. Once the glue is dry, your hat is ready to wear! Fold a large paper plate in half. Choose a thin paper plate that is around 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) and fold it in half. Make sure that the plate is blank on both sides. Avoid paper plates made from stiff cardboard. Cut away the rim part way. Turn the plate so that the folded edge is running vertically. Start cutting at the top of the folded edge and stop cutting when you are 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from the bottom of the folded edge. Cut closer to the rim for a larger hat, and further from the brim for a smaller hat. Do not cut the entire center out. If you want to make a crown, cut the inside of the plate into wedges like a pizza. Start at the folded edge and stop inside the rim. Do not cut past the rim. Draw a half-shape along the fold, starting at the 1-inch (2.5-cm) gap. Use a pencil to sketch out half of a shape along the fold, such as a semi-heart, semi-star, or semi-shamrock. Make sure that the bottom of your shape connects to the 1-inch (2.5-cm) gap. It is important that your shape connects to that 1-inch (2.5-cm) gap, or it will fall out. Skip this step if you are making a crown. Cut along the lines that you drew. The extra material between the symmetrical shape and the rim of the plate will fall away. Discard this extra material. Unfold the plate and decorate your hat. When you unfold your plate, you will be left with a ring shape that has a symmetrical shape in the middle. Decorate your hat as desired, then let it dry. Paint your hat with acrylic, poster, or tempera paint. Draw designs on it with glitter glue. Glue rhinestones or sequins to the hat for extra sparkle. Decorate the hat with other items, such as stickers, pompoms, or buttons. Fold the shape up so that it is perpendicular to the hat. Find the spot where your shape connects to the hat. Fold the shape along this gap upwards so that it stands straight up. If you made a crown, simply fold all of the triangles upwards until they stick up. Wear the hat. If the hat is too small, cut around the inside rim to make it bigger. If the hat is too big, cut the brim apart in the back. Overlap the 2 ends until the hat fits, then glue, tape, or staple them together.
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Crease a rectangular sheet of paper down the middle. Fold the paper in half widthwise. Fold the top corners to the center crease. Fold 1 of the flaps along the bottom edge up. Fold the brim inwards if it is too wide for you. Flip the paper over and fold the second flap up too. Tape the corners of the brim, if desired. Open the base of the hat to put it on. Choose paper that is twice as tall as the hat you want to make. Draw a semicircle on the paper. Cut the semicircle out with scissors. Roll the paper into a cone, then secure the seam. Cut a brim and glue it on if you are making a witch's hat. Staple a thin elastic cord to the bottom of the hat, if desired. Decorate your hat to give it more character. Let the hat dry before you wear it. Fold a large paper plate in half. Cut away the rim part way. Draw a half-shape along the fold, starting at the 1-inch (2.5-cm) gap. Cut along the lines that you drew. Unfold the plate and decorate your hat. Fold the shape up so that it is perpendicular to the hat. Wear the hat.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Dress-Like-a-Stripper
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How to Dress Like a Stripper
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Dressing like a stripper is all about wearing sexy, glamorous clothing. Choose a flattering outfit, like a tight-fitting dress or a low-cut top and a mini skirt with heels to show off some skin. Strippers also often wear neon or brightly-colored items that make a statement. You'll also want to wear plenty of accessories, like hair extensions, choker necklaces, garter belts, or fishnet stockings. If you want to wear makeup, try doing a dark smoky eye with fake eyelashes, penciled eyebrows, and a glossy lip.
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Wear the right shoes. The most important thing is to pick heels a minimum of 3 inches, preferably 6. These will be the most flattering for your legs and stomach. If you really plan to wear these for stripping, look for shoes with plastic 1-piece soles and heels, as these will be most durable and forgiving. Sticking no-slip pads on the bottom is also a good idea. Don't overstep yourself. If you're not comfortable walking in heels, work your way up to them, rather than going straight to 6-inch heels. Use a blow drier to mold plastic shoes to the shape of your feet. Soften the plastic with the warm air, and slip the shoe on when it is pliable but not hot. Use your hands to gently mold it to your foot, and let it cool. Look for the most comfortable heels you can find. Heels are by nature not the most comfortable shoes in the world, but your feet will thank you if you keep comfort in mind as you shop. Wear the right underwear. Many strippers purchase dancing bottoms designed specifically for that purpose, instead of normal underwear or bikini bottoms. If you are just dressing up for fun or fashion, though, a thong will work just fine. Neon colors and lace are always good choices. Not many real strippers wear G-strings, because many state laws require a certain amount of skin to be covered. Of course, no one is going to call you on that if you're just dressing up for fun. Erotic dancewear, which is more durable and flexible than underwear or bathing suit bottoms, can be purchased from websites like Spurst, BodyKandi, or Yandy. Incorporate your personal taste—wear what makes you feel sexy! Wear the right clothes. There are lots of ways you can go with this, and as always, the most important part is to pick something that makes you feel hot. There are a number of other factors to consider, however. Fit: The biggest priority is to pick something flattering. Tight-fitting things are great, as are low-cut tops, and short bottoms. Color: Neon colors are always popular, and black or red can be very dramatic. You should of course take into consideration which colors look best with your skin tone and hair color. If you really plan on stripping in a club, avoid white. Most strip clubs have black lights, and white clothing can be problematic. Fabric: Distressed denim is a classic, whether you're wearing Daisy Dukes or a denim miniskirt. Jersey, lycra, or other fabrics that allow you to move without restriction will make dancing easier. You might also consider wearing something see-through. Style: Dresses are the most natural choice, as they are easiest to remove quickly. You might also consider wearing a low-cut shirt with a miniskirt, leggings and a crop top, shorts and a bikini top, or a leotard with a garter belt and garters, if you're looking for a more burlesque look. Wear the right accessories. Many genuine strippers don't wear much in the way of jewelry, as it tends to get in the way or create a distraction. There are some options to consider, however. Piercings can be fun, as long as they don't get in the way. Consider getting one in your navel or nose. Studs or very small hoops will be the least likely to get caught on things. Glitter adds sparkle to you look without adding clunky jewelry. Hair extensions will let you flip your hair around in a sexy way. A garter belt can give you that old-school pinup girl look. A collar or leather choker could be a good choice if you are going for a kinky, bondage vibe. Fishnet stockings are a sexy classic. Wear the right makeup. Of course, there is no one way strippers make themselves up, and the most important thing is to find a style that makes you feel sexy. There are thousands of makeup tutorial videos available to watch online if you want to improve your makeup game. If you're already a makeup pro, there are some simple ideas to consider. Dark, smoky eyeshadow Cat eyes Thick mascara, or fake eyelashes Thin, highly arched, penciled eyebrows Glossy lips Liberal layers of foundation and concealer to hide any flaws in your skin (consider applying these to your body as well as your face—one thing that sets strippers' beauty routine apart from that of other women is the extent to which they apply makeup to their bodies) Wear briefs. Boxers are not form-fitting enough, and for whatever reason, many people are not particularly attracted to men in thongs. Buy contoured, well-fitting briefs that accentuate your body. Wear short, tight clothes. There are fewer clothing options out there for men, and this tends to be a less important part of male strippers' lives. The most important thing to remember is to show a lot of skin, and to wear clothes tight enough to show off the muscles underneath. Invest in some tear-off clothes. This is one of the defining qualities of the clothes worn by male strippers. While you can buy pre-made tear-off clothes, any clothes can be turned into tear-off clothes. Purchase clothing 3 or 4 sizes too big, and install Velcro along the outer seams. If you are crafty you can do this yourself, but if not a tailor will easily be able to help. Think twice about body hair. Some strippers cultivate a persona for which facial or body hair is appropriate, but as a general rule most strippers are pretty hairless. Consider keeping your face shaved clean and getting your chest waxed. Consider makeup. Not all male strippers use makeup, but if you are performing in a club you may find the stage lights wash out the definition in your facial features. If so, one way to increase your tips might be to start applying a little stage makeup. If done right, this should enhance your features, rather than making it immediately apparent that you are wearing makeup. If you do have facial hair, use an eyebrow pencil to give it definition. Apply a neutral foundation under your cheekbones to exaggerate their shape. Line your lips with a neutral foundation. You may also want to apply some lip balm to keep them from drying out. Brown eyeliner can make your eyelashes appear thicker. Stop before you get to the corners of your eyes—if the lines meet, the effect will be too obvious. Lightly mist yourself with a glitter spray to draw eyes to your muscles. Shave with oil. This will help prevent red bumps, and will help keep your skin moisturized. Coconut oil works especially well, and will make you smell good too. If it is solid, rub it between your hands to warm it up before applying it to your legs. To get extra smooth skin, exfoliate your body before shaving. Remember, when shaving your legs, shave against the grain; when shaving your bikini zone, shave with the grain. You will probably want to keep your bikini zone close to hairless, so it may be better to skip shaving and get it professionally waxed. A little oil goes a long way. Don't use too much. Wash your face well. Washing your face is an important part of anyone's routine if you want to avoid breakouts or oily skin. It is especially important, however, if you tend to wear a lot of makeup. Wash your hands first. You can't get your face clean with dirty fingers. Use makeup remover to ensure you skin is totally clear. Exfoliate gently. Scrubbing aggressively can damage your skin, rather than cleaning it. Rinse with warm water. Dry your face with a clean towel. Use a cotton ball to apply toner to problem areas. Smell good. You want your presence to be alluring and intoxicating. People should want to be near you. That means you have to smell good. Wear perfume. Find something subtle and sweet. Most importantly, it should be something you like. You'll be inhaling more of it than anyone else, after all. That said, pay attention to people's responses. If you get a lot of wrinkled noses, retire that perfume. If you are allergic to perfume, or just plain don't like it, moisturizing with coconut oil and washing your face with a fragrant soap will give you a more subtle sweet smell. Make sure not to overdo it with the scents, as this can be incredibly off-putting. Take care of your nails. This is a surprisingly important part of your overall presentation, and it can make a big difference. A stripper with sloppy nails will seem much cheaper than one with well-manicured nails. Leave it to a professional. Unless you are very good at doing your own, go out and have a professional work on your nails. Remember your feet. This is especially important if you wear open-toe shoes. Treat yourself to a pedicure every so often. If you are a real stripper, however, make sure not to let them remove the callouses on your feet—you need them! You don't need to go crazy; you don't want your nails to be a distraction. A neutral color with French tips will do just fine.
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Wear the right shoes. Wear the right underwear. Wear the right clothes. Wear the right accessories. Wear the right makeup. Wear briefs. Wear short, tight clothes. Invest in some tear-off clothes. Think twice about body hair. Consider makeup. Shave with oil. Wash your face well. Smell good. Take care of your nails.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Money-at-Home-With-Your-Computer
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How to Make Money at Home With Your Computer
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If you want to make money at home with your computer, all you need is reliable internet and a plan. As you look for work-from-home opportunities, avoid scams, like anything that asks for an initial investment. Instead, look into working remotely for the company that already employs you. If you want to make a little side money, get paid to be on mock juries or take part in focus groups. Being a good writer can also lead to jobs in blogging, copywriting, editing, and freelance writing. You can even develop a content-based website about something you have a lot of knowledge about. Once you have a lot of traffic, advertise related products and services for a commission.
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Take stock. Before pursuing from-home employment, evaluate your expertise, work experience, and goals. Ask yourself, “What skills do I have? What kind of work am I willing to do? How much money do I want to make? How much time am I willing to commit?” Be honest with yourself – this information will help you narrow down your options. Start thinking about your transferable skills. Then update your resume. If you have a family, make sure that your work-from-home goals align with the family's priorities. Acquire skills. If you have no experience or are looking to start a new career from home, some of the best fields to consider are IT, accounting, and marketing. These are somewhat technical fields, so you'll need formal training. The good news is that you can earn an affordable associate's degree in each field at your local community college or through online programs. If you don't have the time, money, or motivation to pursue a degree, don't worry. There are plenty of ways to make money from home. Avoid scams. Work-from-home scams were the top Internet crime in 2011, and very little has changed since then. If an employment opportunity sounds too good to be true, well, you know the rest. Legitimate online work opportunities require no initial “investments,” and they certainly do not come in bulk emails. Get set up. To maximize your efficiency, update your computer's operating system and acquire a high-speed internet service. Find a suitable work space in your home and demand that others treat it with respect – this is your new office! Become a virtual assistant. Virtual assistants are independent contractors who perform administrative services for small-business owners, medical and legal offices, and executives. Among other things, virtual assistants plan events, make travel arrangements, correspond with clients, and manage data, and they do all of this from home. If you decide to become a virtual assistant, consider joining the International Virtual Assistants Association to gain access to networking opportunities and potential employers. Higher-paying virtual assistant jobs usually require administrative experience. If you have no administrative experience, you may have to start with a lower-paying position. Don't let this discourage you. You have to start somewhere. The IVAA offers certification programs that can make you a more marketable candidate. In addition to the IVAA website, you can look for jobs at www.virtualassistantjobs.com. Develop a content-based website. A content-based website provides information on a specific subject such as baking pies, designing kitchens, or repairing bicycles. You don't need a product or service to get started - just a good idea. If you know a lot about a particular subject, consider sharing your knowledge with the rest of the world. And while you're at it, why not make a few bucks? To make money, your website will need to attract a lot of traffic. If you have no technical expertise, hire a professional who specializes in web design and search engine optimization (SEO). SEO improves your site's interaction with users and search engines. You'll have to decide on a domain name and hosting service…and pay for each. Fortunately, this will cost you less than $10 per month. Once your website is set up, start adding content. You can then advertise related products and services from other companies and receive a commission for sales or leads. Programs such as Google AdSense make this process quite simple. Give your opinion. If you only want to make a little bit of money from, you can get paid to take part in mock juries and focus groups. Attorneys use these “juries” to survey public opinion and help prepare for actual trials. To participate, you'll have to join a site and meet some basic juror qualifications. You can then review and respond to case materials at your convenience. Always read disclaimers. Work remotely. If you already have a job, and you work at a computer, ask your employer about working from home. Depending on your profession, you may have to continue working during normal business hours. Your employer may also ask you to take part in conference calls from time to time, but at least you'll be at home. You should have a good reason for wanting to work at home before asking your employer about working remotely. If working remotely full-time is not an option, ask about working a few days per week at home and the other days in the office. Keep in mind that if you choose to work from home on a full-time basis, your status may change from full-time employee to independent contractor, and you could lose your benefits. If you do become an independent contractor, and your employer cannot supply you with work materials, your computer, internet service, and office supplies are tax deductible. Teach. If you have language expertise or an advanced degree (Master's or PhD) with teaching experience, you can teach online courses for colleges and universities as a part-time adjunct. HigherEdJobs.com maintains an extensive list of online teaching opportunities. Most positions will require you to fill out an online application and submit a CV. If teaching courses is too much of a commitment, you could also tutor online. Companies such as www.tutor.com are always looking for help. To teach or tutor online, you may need additional audio-visual equipment for your computer. Write. Quality writing is always in demand. If you are a good writer and have experience blogging, copywriting, or editing, you could become a freelance writer. Assemble a portfolio of your writing (or update the one you have) and start looking for work. A great place to start is within your existing networks. You could also look for opportunities to write newsletters, blogs, or advertisements for local clients. One caution: with little writing experience, it can be difficult to find your first paying client. You may have to start by writing “pro bono” to gain experience and build your portfolio. Spend some time exploring www.allindiewriters.com if you're unacquainted with the world of freelance writing. There you'll tips and resources for building a successful freelance career and an extensive job board. You can also look for jobs at www.journalismjobs.com.
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Take stock. Acquire skills. Avoid scams. Get set up. Become a virtual assistant. Develop a content-based website. Give your opinion. Work remotely. Teach. Write.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Liquid-Lipstick
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How to Apply Liquid Lipstick
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To apply liquid lipstick, apply lip balm and dab a little concealer around your lips to prevent the lipstick from bleeding. Next, outline your lips with a matching lip liner and use the liquid lipstick brush to fill in your bottom lip first. Then, press your lips lightly together to transfer some of the color to your upper lip. Finally, line the outer edge of your cupid's bow with lipstick and then move to the outer edges of your upper lip before filling in the rest.
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Prep your lips with moisturizing lip balm. Liquid lipstick stays on for a long time and this can dry out your lips. To keep your lips moisturized, apply some moisturizing lip balm to your lips before you apply the liquid lipstick. Look for a lip balm that is wax based for extra protection, such as a beeswax lip balm. Apply some highlighter around your lip line. To accentuate your cupid's bow, take a moment to apply a little highlighter to this area and along other areas around your lips if desired. Your cupid's bow is the curved area right above your upper lip. You only need to apply a small amount of highlighter to your cupid's bow. Highlighter is meant to reflect the light and look natural. Adding too much may make your lips look a little odd. Use concealer around your lips. Liquid lipstick can bleed onto the areas around your lips if you get sweaty or in hot or humid weather. To prevent liquid lipstick from bleeding onto the skin around your lips, apply some concealer to the skin around your lip line using a makeup sponge. Line your lips if desired. Lining your lips is not necessary, but it may help you to ensure better definition to your lips. If you want to use lip liner, then apply it at this time. You may even want to just line your cupid's bow to make sure that it is well-defined. To line your lips, start at your cupid's bow and draw a line going in towards the center of your lip. Then do the same thing for the other side of your cupid's bow. Then use small strokes to line the outer edges of the rest of your lips. Fill in your bottom lip first. To begin applying your liquid lipstick, take your liquid lipstick and use the brush to apply it first to the outer corners of your lower lip. Then, then move downwards towards the bottom edge of your lower lip and line your lower lip with the liquid lipstick. You can then fill in your lower lip with a few swipes of liquid lipstick. Press your lips together. Before you move on to your upper lip, press your lower lip against your upper lip to transfer some of the color. You will not be able to cover your entire upper lip this way, but pressing your lips together will start to even out the color and distribute it to your upper lip. Move to your upper lip. Next, line the outer edge of your cupid's bow and then move to the outer edges of your upper lip. Line and fill in these areas and then press your lips together some more. Only one coat of liquid lipstick is necessary since it often provides full coverage in one coat. However, you may want to apply more liquid lipstick to some areas or do an extra coat for a more intense look. Blot your lips on some tissue paper for a matte look. Liquid lipstick may appear glossy when you first apply it, but by blotting your lips on a piece of tissue or a paper towel, you can achieve a matte look instead. Take a tissue or a paper towel and hold it up to your lips. Then wrap your lips around it as if you are biting it with your teeth. Use a cotton swab dipped in cold cream to correct any mistakes. Liquid lipstick can be hard to remove and it can stain your skin pretty quickly if you make a mistake. Make sure that you fix any mistakes right away by using a cotton swab dipped in some cold cream to wipe the area clean. Remove the lipstick with a textured makeup wipe. If you do not like the color or if you are just ready to take it off, then you will need to use some makeup remover. Try using a textured makeup remover wipe to take off the color and then follow up by rinsing off your lips. Make sure that you apply some more lip balm after you have removed the liquid lipstick to restore any lost moisture.
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Prep your lips with moisturizing lip balm. Apply some highlighter around your lip line. Use concealer around your lips. Line your lips if desired. Fill in your bottom lip first. Press your lips together. Move to your upper lip. Blot your lips on some tissue paper for a matte look. Use a cotton swab dipped in cold cream to correct any mistakes. Remove the lipstick with a textured makeup wipe.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Top-Hat
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How to Make a Top Hat
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To make a top hat, start by cutting out two large circles of sturdy, stiff fabric for the brim, two rectangles for the sides, and a smaller circle for the top of the hat. Then, stack the large circles on top of each other, sew them together around the edges, and cut out the center so that the hole fits the top of your head. Next, sew the rectangles together along the short sides to form a cylinder. After turning all the pieces inside-out, sew the brim to one end of the cylinder and the small circle on to the other end. Finally, trim off any excess fabric and flip the hat right side-out.
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Draw out a 15 in (38 cm) cardboard circle to make your brim. Place a sturdy, large piece of cardboard on your workspace. Adjust a compass so the pencil is about 7 ⁄ 2 in (19 cm) away from the center spoke, then trace a circle onto the cardboard. Any type of sturdy cardboard will work well for this, like a flattened cardboard box or a leftover cereal box. If you're confident in your own sketching and tracing skills, you can draw the circle freehand as well. You can also trace a round object with a 15 in (38 cm) diameter, like a flower pot. The overall size of your hat may depend on who you're making it for. For instance, a 13 or 14 in (33 or 36 cm) wide hat may work better for a child. Trace an 8 in (20 cm) inside of the larger circle. Readjust your compass so the pencil is 4 in (10 cm) away from the spoke. Arrange your compass in the center of the previously traced circle, then sketch out another circle in the center. You can tweak this measurement depending on the circumference of your own head. For instance, if you're making a hat for a child, a 7 in (18 cm) opening might fit better. Cut out both cardboard circles. Take a pair of scissors or a box cutter and begin cutting out the central circle first. Set the small piece of cardboard aside, then repeat the process by cutting out the larger circle. Try to keep these edges as smooth as possible so your top hat can look polished and professional. The smaller circle will serve as the top of your top hat, while the larger circle will serve as the brim. Measure and trace 2 rectangles on a sheet of cardboard. Think about how tall you'd like your top hat to be. Use a soft measuring tape to measure around the smaller circle—once you have a rough measurement, divide it in half so you know how wide each rectangle needs to be. After deciding how tall you'd like your hat to be, sketch out the dimensions on a piece of flexible cardboard. Trace these rectangles on flexible cardboard, like a cereal box, as you'll need to bend them as you make the hat. For instance, you can cut out 2 rectangles that are 12.5 by 6 in (32 by 15 cm). If you want to save time, you can also make a large rectangle that's 25 by 6 in (64 by 15 cm), then bend and curve it into a cylindrical shape later on. A 5 to 6 in (13 to 15 cm) tall hat may look good on an adult, while a child may look better in a 3 to 4 in (7.6 to 10.2 cm) top hat. Cut out the cardboard rectangles to build the barrel of your hat. Use a box cutter or pair of scissors to cut out the 2 even rectangles, which will make up the center barrel of your top hat. Try to cut these rectangles so they're a few millimeters wider around the edges of the sketched template, since you'll be overlapping these rectangles to create the barrel of your hat. Set both rectangles next to one another to make sure that they're around the same size. Trace felt shapes that match the dimensions of your hat. Place your cardboard templates on a large piece of dark felt. Outline the shapes on the felt with a white colored pencil so you know where to cut. Instead of tracing 2 rectangular sections of felt for the barrel of your hat, trace around both cardboard pieces to create a large felt rectangle. You only need 1 felt rectangle for the barrel of your top hat, as this will make your finished hat look more sleek and cohesive. To save time, you can trace around the outer and inner rim of your donut-shaped piece of cardboard. This will yield the 2 circular felt shapes that you need! You may want to cut out 2 donut-shaped pieces of felt to cover the top and bottom of the brim. Cut out the individual felt pieces. Take a pair of fabric scissors and cut out the felt pieces you just traced. Set each felt piece aside so you can keep track of them. Try to make these pieces a few millimeters larger than the original cardboard sections of the hat, so it's easier to make adjustments. Tape the 2 cardboard rectangles together to form a cylinder. Hold and bend both rectangles next to one another so the edges overlap. Keep both pieces of cardboard steady, then apply strips of tape along the sides so the cardboard holds a cylindrical shape. As a precaution, measure the circumference of the cylinder to ensure that it fits in the brim. It may be easier to have a friend or family member hold the cardboard in place while you tape the pieces together. Any kind of durable tape works for this, though clear tape looks less obvious. The edges only need to overlap by a few millimeters, so the barrel of the hat fits snugly into the brim. Fit and tape the cylinder into the brim hole of the larger circle. Center the cardboard cylinder over the open brim circle of the hat. Slide the cylinder into the opening so it fits snugly. For extra support, apply a few pieces of tape along the edges to hold both pieces of cardboard together. At this point, your cardboard will start to look like a top hat. Tape the small circle on top of your assembled hat. Place the small cardboard circle on top of the cylinder, where it should fit exactly. Place a few strips of clear, durable tape along the edges of this small circle to hold it in place. With this piece in place, the base of your top hat is now in place. Hot glue the felt to your assembled hat. Arrange a donut-shaped piece of felt over the hat's brim, the large, rectangular section of felt around the hat's barrel, and the circular piece of felt on top of the hat. Work with 1 piece at a time, applying the glue in small sections to the bottom of the felt. Press the felt into place over the brim, barrel, and top of the hat. Fold and glue the felt over the edge of the brim to make the hat look more cohesive, and to cover the cardboard edge completely. Try to use small amounts of glue so it doesn't look obvious on your finished hat. If you cut out a section piece of donut-shaped felt to cover the bottom of your hat's brim, glue it into place at this time. Glue extra decorations to the hat as a finishing touch. Add a long stretch of ribbon around the base of your hat to serve as a band, or glue some feathers as an accent. Play around with rhinestones, ribbons, and other decorations until you're happy with how your hat looks! For example, you can glue a red ribbon band around the base of your hat to serve as a classy accent. For a more exotic touch, glue several feathers in 1 spot along the front or side of your hat.
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Draw out a 15 in (38 cm) cardboard circle to make your brim. Trace an 8 in (20 cm) inside of the larger circle. Cut out both cardboard circles. Measure and trace 2 rectangles on a sheet of cardboard. Cut out the cardboard rectangles to build the barrel of your hat. Trace felt shapes that match the dimensions of your hat. Cut out the individual felt pieces. Tape the 2 cardboard rectangles together to form a cylinder. Fit and tape the cylinder into the brim hole of the larger circle. Tape the small circle on top of your assembled hat. Hot glue the felt to your assembled hat. Glue extra decorations to the hat as a finishing touch.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Address-to-a-PO-Box
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How to Address to a PO Box
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When addressing a letter to a PO Box, write the recipient's full name on the first line. On the next line, if applicable, note the company or organization name. Under this information, on its own line, write “PO Box” and the individual number of the box, which is typically 2-5 numbers in length. Finally, on the last line specify the city, state, and zip code. Make sure to write legibly, note a return address, and affix the proper postage amount.
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Start the delivery address in the center of the envelope. The name and address of the person or entity that the letter is intended for should go front and center. Putting these important pieces of information in plain sight will make the letter easier to sort and deliver. If the delivery address is unclear or incorrectly placed, it's possible that the letter could be mishandled. Write the recipient’s first and last name on the first line. In most cases, this will be enough to get the letter into the right hands. You can also include the person's middle initial, if you happen to know it. If there's any confusion about who the letter is intended for, it's a good idea to use their full name. A letter addressed to “John Alexander Smith” is less likely to be intercepted by the wrong person than one addressed to just “John Smith.” To be as specific as possible, identify the recipient by a formal title, such as “Mrs.”, “Dr.”, or “Jr.”, where needed. Note the company or organization. If you're writing to a representative of a group, the name of this group should come directly after the individual's name. For example, the first 2 lines of the delivery address of a letter being sent to a business should look something like—“John A. Smith/ACME Innovations Inc.” There's no need to include any additional identifying information, such as the person's official title or job description. Provide the PO Box number. Post office box addresses always begin with the words “PO Box” followed by the individual box number, usually a 2-5 digit number. The US Postal Service requests that senders leave out all punctuation when filling in PO Box addresses. For instance, write “PO Box,” not “P.O. Box.” Many businesses (and some individuals) receive their mail at post office boxes rather than traditional street addresses, which means you'll only ever address your mail to 1 or the other, never both. PO Boxes work a little differently in every country. As a result, you might not have the same number of shipping options available to you when sending a letter or package internationally. Add the city, state, and postal code to the last line. Finally, specify the general area where the letter will be delivered. Separate the city and state or province with a comma, and leave a space between the state and postal code. In some regions, like France and parts of Canada, the postal code may come before the name of the city. Use the 2-letter abbreviation for your state or territory as outlined by your local postal authority, such as “Los Angeles, CA” or “New York, NY.” If you're mailing to an international address, include the name of the country on the line directly below the city and postal code. Look up unknown PO Box numbers. You should be able to uncover the physical address of the person or entity you're trying to reach with a quick internet search. It may also be printed somewhere on the packaging of products you've purchased. The address will be displayed just as it should appear on your letter, so if there's any doubt, just copy it down exactly as you see it. If you're responding to a letter, you can find the PO Box in first or second line of the return address in the upper lefthand corner of the envelope. Call Directory Assistance or submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request form to get ahold of a PO Box number that isn't listed publicly. Write legibly. When you're finished addressing your letter, examine your handwriting and see whether it's clear. Keep in mind that your mail is being handled, sorted, and delivered by another person, who will need to be able to read it at a glance. Always print handwritten info. Cursive and other fancy scripts can be difficult to make out. It may help to write in all capital letters if your penmanship tends to be rushed or messy. If you're unsure whether your address will be legible to an unfamiliar eye, start over with a fresh envelope just to be on the safe side. Provide a return address. Write your own address in the upper lefthand corner of the envelope or package. The return address should be the about the same size of the delivery address or slightly smaller. Otherwise, it may be mistaken for the delivery address. Include the address where it's most convenient to reach you. Affix the proper postage. Slap a stamp or prepaid shipping label somewhere near the upper righthand corner to cover the cost of delivery. Make sure the stamp or label isn't hiding either address, or any other delivery info. Use a postage calculator to add up the cost of postage, or ask a clerk for assistance. International mail may also require additional postage or customs forms. These forms must be completed and submitted online prior to shipping. Check for mistakes. Before you mail your letter, look back over the information you've provided and confirm that it's correct. It's especially important that you get numerical details right. When you're satisfied with your letter, slip it in the mailbox or take it down to the post office for delivery. The mail carrier may know what you meant if you make a typo like “Indianapolis, IN,” but if the PO Box number or zip code is off, the letter could end up somewhere else or fail to be delivered at all.
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Start the delivery address in the center of the envelope. Write the recipient’s first and last name on the first line. Note the company or organization. Provide the PO Box number. Add the city, state, and postal code to the last line. Look up unknown PO Box numbers. Write legibly. Provide a return address. Affix the proper postage. Check for mistakes.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Buff-Your-Nails
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How to Buff Your Nails
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If you want to buff your nails, start by cutting and filing your nails until they are the shape you prefer. When you're ready to buff them, hold the buffer parallel to your nail with the large grit side facing down. Gently buff your nails in an X shape, but make sure each stroke goes only downwards or only upwards. Over-buffing can damage your nails, so each nail only needs 6-8 strokes. Repeat for each nail, then repeat the process with the finer-grit side to polish them. Each nail only needs 4-6 strokes for polishing.
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Remove old nail polish. Clean, polish-free nails are essential before you begin filing. Dip a cotton swab in nail polish remover. Rub each nail until all of the polish is removed. You may need to go over each nail again with a clean cotton swab to remove traces of polish around your nail and on your skin. Re-dip the cotton swab as needed. Trim your nails. If you are starting with nails that go past your fingertip, trim them first before you begin filing. This will make filing your nails much easier. Use a nail clipper to cut your nails straight across. Don't worry about clipping sharp corners. You can use the nail file to smooth out sharp corners. Place a nail file at the corner of your nail. Gently slide the file from the corner of your nail to the middle of your nail in one direction. Lift the nail file, place it at the corner of your nail again, and repeat the motion. Do this to both sides of your nail until you reach your desired shape. Try to avoid filing your nail in a rough back and forth motion. After filing your nail, there may be rough pieces of nail still attached to the tip of your nail. If there are, place the nail file under the tip and use a flicking motion to remove the nail filings to create a smoother edge. File an oval shape. Hold the nail file at an angle at the corner of your nail. Slide the file from the corner of your nail to the middle and round it off. Repeat this on the other side of your nail until you achieve the oval shape. Repeat this process for each nail. The oval nail shape looks great on people who have short fingers and/or wide nail beds. Do a square shape. Hold the nail file perpendicular to your nail. Gently slide the file straight across your nail. Lift the nail file and repeat the motion until the tip of your nail is a straight line. Smooth out the edges by lightly filing them. Repeat this process for each nail. The square nail shape looks great on people who have long fingers with a wide nail bed. File a round shape. Place the nail file perpendicular to your nail. Then angle the nail file slightly. Following the curve of your finger, slide the nail file from one corner of your nail to the other in a single direction. Lift the nail file and slide the nail file back to the starting point. Do this until you have achieved your desired shape. Repeat this process for each nail. Because the round nail shape is low maintenance, it works great for people who work with their hands a lot and need to keep their nails short. It also looks great on people who have long fingers or people who have large hands. Use the large grit side of the buffer to buff your nails. Hold the buffer parallel to your nail. Place the large grit side of the buffer on your nail. Using unidirectional strokes, buff your nail in an X shape. Make sure to buff your nails gently. Buffing will help smooth out any ridges or rough patches on your nails. Since over-buffing can damage your nails, use only six to eight strokes to buff them. Repeat this process for each nail. Use the finer grit side of the buffer to polish your nails. Hold the buffer parallel to your nail. Place the finer grit side on your nail. Similar to buffing your nails, use unidirectional strokes to polish your nail. Polish your nail in an X shape to smooth it. Polishing helps to brighten your nails after buffing them. Try not to over polish your nail; four to six strokes should do the job. Repeat this process for each nail. Use the smooth side of the buffer to shine your nails. Place the smooth side of the buffer on your nail. Using light pressure, move the nail buffer in tiny circular motions. Move it in tiny circular motions over the entire surface of your nail until you achieve a glossy look, about four to five buffs. Shining your nails will add a final shine to them without having to use nail polish. Repeat this process for each nail. Apply cuticle oil. To give your nails added shine, as well as moisture, apply cuticle oil after you finish buffing them. Apply the oil on the skin that borders each nail. After you have applied oil to each nail, use your fingers to massage the oil into your cuticles. Add fresh nail polish to give your nails a pop of color. If you just applied cuticle oil, first remove any excess oil from your nail. Dip a cotton swab in alcohol. Rub your nails to remove the excess oil. Apply a clear coat to each nail and let it dry completely. Then apply two coats of your favorite nail polish. Removing excess cuticle oil from your nail will help the nail polish adhere to it. Make sure the first coat dries completely before painting on the second coat.
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Remove old nail polish. Trim your nails. Place a nail file at the corner of your nail. File an oval shape. Do a square shape. File a round shape. Use the large grit side of the buffer to buff your nails. Use the finer grit side of the buffer to polish your nails. Use the smooth side of the buffer to shine your nails. Apply cuticle oil. Add fresh nail polish to give your nails a pop of color.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Start-Your-Own-Sports-Team
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How to Start Your Own Sports Team
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To start your own sports team, you'll need to research local league guidelines and secure the resources you need to train and compete. Find out what criteria you need to meet to compete in local leagues so you can structure your team around them. For example, your local league might require a certain age range, skill level, and location. You'll also need to secure things like a venue to train at, equipment, and a van to transport your team to games. Then, you can do the fun parts, like choosing a name and designing the logo and uniform. Once you've set up your team, you'll need to let local players know about your team so they can join.
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Write down a list of your goals, interests, and skills. There are plenty of different reasons to start a sports team. You might, for example, want to be a teacher and positive role model for kids, or you might want to play a particular sport with other adults. To narrow down your own reasons, take some time to consider the following: Your goals. Are you hoping to get in shape? Learn more about a sport? Give local kids a recreation option? Hang out with your buddies? Your interests. Are you a fan of sports in general, or of a particular sport? Would you like to play, coach, do both, or do neither? How high on your list of priorities would your sports team be? Your skills. Do you have playing experience in particular sports? Are you a good teacher, leader, motivator, and/or communicator? Or are you better at organizing and doing behind-the-scenes work? Pick a sport that suits your preferences as well as practical realities. You might, for instance, wish to start an adult rec-league baseball team, yet find that there isn't a league or much player interest in your area. You may, however, be able to start an adult rec-league basketball team, or form a youth-league baseball team. Think about which sports are most popular in your area and which sports you enjoy and know the most about. It will be easier to start a team in a sport that's in both of these categories. Identify local sports leagues that meet your criteria. If you've decided you want to start a youth-league baseball team, for example, start researching existing leagues in your area. There may be only one league, but if there are several, take into account things like age range, skill level, locations, and costs. If your local government has a recreation authority, contact it to see if they operate or support any sports leagues. Or, see if any nearby companies operate or support teams or leagues. Be willing to expand your horizons a bit as well. The only youth baseball league in the area might involve more travel than you're able to commit to, but maybe there is a youth softball league that requires far less travel. It's possible to start up your own league, of course, but keep in mind that this will involve significantly more time, effort, and money than starting a team. Tally up the costs for starting a team. The more players needed and the more equipment required, the more expensive a sport tends to be. A basketball team, for instance, is usually less expensive to operate than an ice hockey team. Work with the league you've elected to join to come up with a solid estimate of the startup and operational costs. Factor in costs for things like uniforms and equipment, practice and playing field rentals and/or maintenance, team travel, league registration and entry fees, game officials (referees, umpires, etc.), injury insurance, and training and/or safety clearances for coaches. The league may be able to help you connect with local businesses or organizations for sponsorships, or it may be up to you to seek out sponsorships to help defray your team's operating costs. Create a catchy team name, logo, and uniform. You might think these things can wait until you've actually assembled a team. However, “branding” your team right away makes it easier to draw in players. Take into account your prospective player pool and think about what will appeal to them. Use an online random sports team name generator for a unique name, or grab a dictionary and a thesaurus for some creative inspiration. Rely on your own artistic skills to create a simple team logo, or search online for logo creation sites—you may be able to get a custom design for as little as $50 USD. Choose a team color scheme and uniform style that you think will appeal to your target pool of players. For example, you might choose a name and color pattern that is reminiscent of a popular college or professional sports team in your area. If, for instance, the local college team is the Bears, you might call your youth team the Cubs. Spread the word about your team online and in person. Use all methods at your disposal to let potential players (and parents, if it's a youth team) know about your new team. Utilize your team name, logo, and color scheme as you spread the word. Use social media to inform potential players and/or parents. Use your personal accounts, but also consider creating “official” team accounts. You may even want to create a team website. Don't ignore low-tech methods like posting flyers in spots where potential players will see them. For example, you might post flyers for a youth team at the local library and ice cream shop. Collect required info and payments from your players. As you start to sign up interested players, make sure you have good systems in place for collecting key things like contact information and payments (such as registration fees). Set up a spreadsheet, for instance, to keep track of things such as: Names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of interested players. For youth teams, you'll need information from parents or guardians as well. Completion of registration forms and collection of registration fees. Signups for insurance or insurance waivers (if required by your league). Relevant measurements for uniforms and equipment. Schedule practices that suit your team’s needs. As your team roster fills out with players who have signed up, ask for any preferences or restrictions regarding practice times and locations. Accommodate the players as best you can, but also make sure that the practice schedule works well for you. For a youth team, for example, don't schedule late evening or night practices. You may also have to arrange for carpools with parents. Make sure you're also aware of any league rules regarding practice times or locations. Take a positive leadership role that benefits your players. As the founder, it's up to you to set the tone for the team. It doesn't matter if you're the on-field coach or if you delegate that role to someone else—make sure that the team reflects the encouraging and supportive leadership style that you ought to provide. If you're coaching a baseball team for younger kids, for example, then your leadership focus may be on teaching essential baseball skills and promoting teamwork in a fun atmosphere. Learn and adhere to league rules and requirements. It's your ultimate responsibility to make sure that your team knows and follows the rules. No matter if you have a team of kids or adults, emphasize the importance of fairness and good sportsmanship. Make it clear that rule-breaking won't be tolerated. Set up a clearly-defined procedure of progressive discipline for anyone caught breaking the rules. Go over your team and league rules and spell out the consequences. For instance, it may be a league rule that arguing with an umpire, referee, or game official results in an automatic ejection and 1-game suspension. Lead fundraising activities to support your team. Unless you've fully opened your wallet to bankroll the team, you'll likely have to rely at least in part on fundraising efforts. Don't treat fundraising like a chore that the players have to deal with. Instead, play a leading role yourself and make it part of your team-building efforts. If your team is fundraising by selling coupon books for the local sandwich shop, get out there and sell along with the players! Don't emphasize which players have raised more and which have raised less. Instead, focus on the amount raised by the entire team and encourage them to support each other in raising more. Remember to have fun! Starting and running a sports team is a lot of work, but it should be enjoyable work. Don't let the inevitable hassles and unexpected problems make you forget why you got involved in the first place. It can be even harder to have fun if your team loses a lot, but look for moments of fun and joy in the midst of losing. Also make sure to praise players when they give good efforts and display good teamwork and sportsmanship.
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Write down a list of your goals, interests, and skills. Pick a sport that suits your preferences as well as practical realities. Identify local sports leagues that meet your criteria. Tally up the costs for starting a team. Create a catchy team name, logo, and uniform. Spread the word about your team online and in person. Collect required info and payments from your players. Schedule practices that suit your team’s needs. Take a positive leadership role that benefits your players. Learn and adhere to league rules and requirements. Lead fundraising activities to support your team. Remember to have fun!
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https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Guy-Who-Has-a-Girlfriend
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How to Get a Guy Who Has a Girlfriend
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To get a guy who has a girlfriend, get to know him better by asking for help with your homework or a work task. You could also try to show your interest by looking at him until he notices you and then turning away, since this has the added bonus of making him think about you. After you've made contact, ask him questions about himself and his interests, which will show him you're interested in who he is. When he has a bad day or gets a poor grade, offer him emotional support by listening to his problems to show him you care. During your conversations, gently touch his arm or shoulder to flirt with him. If you've already exchanged numbers, send him fun texts about the movie you saw, your homework, or anything else you've been doing, since this is a good way to flirt with him. Make sure you give the guy space to break up with his girlfriend if it comes to that, since breaking up with someone is a big decision that takes time.
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Become friends with him. The first thing you have to do to try to get this guy to like you is to establish contact with him. if you become friends you have a higher chance to be his girlfriend. Ask him for help on your homework or a work item, advice on something, or to borrow something. Just come up with a good way to make contact. Whatever the reason, go up and talk to him! Use this initial interaction to start getting to know him and becoming friends. Are you both taking the same history class? Do you work in the same office? Find ways to talk to him, ask him questions, and get to know him. Be sure when you ask him for something to make it something where he will be helping you, but also something he won't have to go out of his way to do. If it's a major inconvenience for him, he may say no. Listen to him. As you get to know him, let him do the talking. A lot of girls can dominate the conversation, so instead of doing that, let him do the talking. Show him how much you enjoy listening to him. Build and foster the platonic aspects of the relationship. Ask him questions about himself. This serves two purposes: you are able to find out more about him while remaining interested in him. Paying attention to him helps fuel his ego by putting him at the center of attention. This can help him start to view you as someone he wants to be around. Be emotionally supportive. As your friendship develops, be there for him. This means listening and sympathizing when he gets a bad grade on a paper, a bad evaluation at work, or has a bad day. Be ready to listen to him talk about all his problems, especially relationship problems. Let him know you are there to listen to him anytime he needs it. Show him you are dependable and someone he can rely on. Have serious conversations with him. As you build your relationship, move from light conversations to more serious topics. Show him how smart you are through these conversations. Men are attracted to women who are intelligent and have something worthwhile to say. Try talking about books. This is a good, neutral way to get into deep conversations. Movies, TV shows, and music also provide great conversation starters. Talk about current events. Politics and religion can be touchy categories, but there are plenty of things on the news or that you've read online that can showcase your intelligence. If you're into history, start a conversation by telling him something you recently read about the Middle Ages. If you're into science, tell him about the documentary on sharks you watched the night before. Text him. If you get to the point where you've exchanged numbers, use texting as a platform to flirt. Send funny texts about things that happen, complain about homework or work, or comment on the new movie you just saw. Using texts to showcase the fun things you do in your life helps him see how interesting you are. This is a good way to start gauging his interest level in you. Does he respond to your texts? Or does he ignore them? If he ignores them, you might not have a chance. Get to know his friends. One way to get closer to the guy and start to win his attention is to become friends with his friends. Get on their good side. Flirt with them so that he sees it. You want to make a good impression with his friends so that they will talk positively about you if you're mentioned or you walk by. Don't be sleazy with his friends. You don't want him to think you are interested in his friends. You want to keep it light and fun when you flirt with them. Men are competitive creatures who are always vying to be the Alpha male. Being friends with his friends will please him because his buddies like you, but it may also make him jealous, which may result in him trying to steal your attention from them. Arrange an outing with him. Spend some time with him away from work, school, and other people. This can be the two of you catching a game or a movie. Try suggesting coffee after class or going for lunch during your lunch hour. You can also suggest a study date at the library or one of your houses. You want to get the two of you together and alone. Wait and see what happens. If you don't feel like intentionally breaking up your crush and his girlfriend, then remain friends with him. Build that friendship, get to know him, and enjoy his company. This keeps you on his good side, so if he ever breaks up with the girlfriend, you are in a great position to get him. Just remember that if you want to stay friends, that you actually stay friends. Don't pretend to be friends and still try to break them up. Be genuine with him. If you're going to just stay friends with him, then don't wait on him. Meet new people, find other guys you might like, and date. You don't want to be pathetic by waiting around and pining for him. Dress to impress. Whenever you're around him, wear your best outfits. Dress in your most flattering clothes and get yourself feeling sexy. He'll begin to see you in a different light. Wearing your best outfits doesn't mean wearing skimpy tops and short skirts. Your best outfit could be a pair of great fitting jeans, boots, and a t-shirt. It might be leggings, an oversized sweater, and a scarf. It might be a cute sundress and sandals. Not only do you want to look your best to impress him, but you also want to feel your best. Accentuate your natural beauty. Don't try to go over the top to attract the guy. You don't want to wear too much make up or dress like you're going to a formal event or a club. Use your natural beauty to attract him. Subtle will work better than being obvious. Get a haircut or try a new hairstyle. Start wearing makeup. Get a facial, paint your nails, get a pedicure, or get your eyebrows waxed. He won't know that you've gotten your hair cut or started wearing a different shade of lip gloss, but he will notice that something is different and pleasing. This helps catch his attention, even if he's not sure what exactly has changed. Be confident. This is one of the most important tips for attracting a guy. Sexiness isn't necessarily how you dress or how pretty you may or may not be. Confidence is sexy and attractive. Whenever you're around him, dress in clothes that make you feel great, and then project confidence. This confidence will read as sexiness. That is more helpful than the tightest outfit or perfect hair. It is especially important to be confident when you are around him and his girlfriend. Don't let the fact that he's not with you destroy your confidence. Instead, hold your head up high and show him what he's missing. If the girlfriend sees him staring at you, it might cause some problems with them that would work to your benefit. Don't be someone who is just there, pining after him, and waiting around for him. You are an awesome person with a full life, friends, family, interests, and other activities. Being yourself is sexy and confident, and remembering that you and your life is fabulous helps you be desirable. Catch his eye. One of the ways to let on that there is some attraction is to let him catch you staring at him. Don't be overt or creepy; be coy. Smile shyly at him before glancing away quickly. This helps him notice you. You want him to start thinking about you. After a few days of doing this, stop. You want to keep playing coy and be hard to get. Make him miss your stares and your smiles. Find reasons to walk by his desk. Think of a reason to call him. Do these things sparingly. You want to make him interested and then pull back. Don't make yourself too available to him. You want to tease him and then make him want to see you more. Become what he wants. If you're friends with the guy, find out what he likes in a girl. More importantly, find out what he doesn't like in girls, especially in his girlfriend. Whatever quality he mentions he resents in her, become the opposite. You want to attract him by sharing interests and representing the things that he wants in a woman. Does he think she shops too much? Tell him you hate shopping. Is he upset she doesn't like him watching football? Ask him to come to a game with you. Does he think she's too uptight? Engage in childlike pranks with him. Don't change yourself too much because he should always like you for who you are. If he is going to leave his girlfriend for you, he should be leaving her for a good reason rather than for a false personality. Touch him. Find ways to touch him in subtle, light ways. Don't throw yourself all over him; keep it coy and fun. Be flirty. The touches should be simple and not cross any personal boundaries. When he says something funny, gently touch his arm or leg as you laugh. Touch his shoulder or back when you greet him. Try putting him into the protective role when you touch him. Use him to hold on to as you adjust the strap of your shoe. Find another guy. Don't ignore other guys as you work up to getting your man. Dating other guys shows the guy you're interested in that you are attractive and desirable to other people. As he is beginning to see you in a new way, this will make him jealous. Make sure he knows that you are dating this new guy. Mention the new guy when you are around him. Bring the guy to group outings so he can see the two of you together. Don't go overboard with the displays of affection. Make sure you act interested in the guy you are dating, but don't be overly sexual or affectionate. You want to make him jealous, not turn him off or push him away. Dating other guys also gives you the opportunity to meet new guys. One of these guys might be better than the guy you're trying to win - and the best part? He's single and already into you. Give him time to break up with his girlfriend. Give the guy space to figure out his feelings, clear his head, and make important decisions. Breaking up with his girlfriend is a huge decision for him. Don't rush him, don't crowd him, and let it happen as he needs it to. If he does have feelings for you, give him time to break it off with her. If you rush or crowd him, it could sabotage everything for you. Don't give in until he's broken things off with his girlfriend. If he keeps telling you he'll do it soon but never does, you're getting played.
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Become friends with him. Listen to him. Be emotionally supportive. Have serious conversations with him. Text him. Get to know his friends. Arrange an outing with him. Wait and see what happens. Dress to impress. Accentuate your natural beauty. Be confident. Catch his eye. Become what he wants. Touch him. Find another guy. Give him time to break up with his girlfriend.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Have-a-Great-Smile
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How to Have a Great Smile
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If you're unhappy with your smile, try out different smiles in the mirror - a closed-mouth one; a slightly-parted-mouth one; a big toothy one - until you find a smile you like. Then, take a selfie of this smile so that you don't forget how to do it. You can also experiment with positioning either your face or the camera at different angles to find the most flattering one for you. Additionally, make sure that you achieve a natural smile by smiling with your eyes, as well as with your mouth.
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Brush your teeth correctly. The single most important thing you can do to keep your teeth healthy is to brush them every day, using the proper technique. A lot of people fall short in this area, so make sure you understand exactly how you should be brushing your teeth. Each time you brush your teeth, you should brush for approximately two minutes. Try using a timer to help you get the timing right. Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle and brush in short, up-down strokes, making sure to brush the backs and fronts of all your teeth, even the hard to reach ones. Apply gentle pressure as you brush. Brushing too hard can actually damage your teeth and gums, so ease up if it feels uncomfortable. Don't brush more than three times a day, or you may end up causing more harm to your teeth. Wait at least thirty minutes after eating before brushing your teeth to avoid spreading acid around your mouth and wearing down your enamel. Buy the right toothbrush. There are a lot of options for toothbrushes these days, but luckily choosing the right one for you is rather simple. Look for a brush that is comfortable for you and makes it easy to clean your teeth thoroughly. Make sure the head of your toothbrush is small enough that you are able to reach all of the surfaces of your teeth, even the back ones. Soft bristles are best for most people. Your gums should not feel irritated when you are brushing. An electric toothbrush may make it easier for you to brush correctly, but you can achieve the same results if you commit yourself to using your manual brush the right way. It really comes down to personal preference. Don't forget to replace your manual toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every three to four months. Buy the right toothpaste. Plain fluoride toothpastes are best. Tartar fighting and whitening toothpastes can damage your enamel and the structure of your teeth. If you do use these products, it's a good idea to use them for only short periods of time. Floss your teeth at least once per day. It's best to floss in the evening to remove all of the food particles that accumulated during the day. Just like with brushing, there is a proper technique. Use about 18 inches of floss and wrap the ends around the middle fingers on both hands. Then hold the center of the floss taut between your thumbs and index fingers. As you floss between each tooth, gently work the floss up and down, reaching up to the gum line and all the way around each tooth. Use a clean section of floss for each tooth. Different teeth require different types of floss. Make sure you get a floss that fits snuggly in the gaps between your teeth without causing pain. Interdental brushes, floss threaders, and water picks also work nicely for some people. Consider using a fluoride mouthwash. Fluoride mouthwashes can help strengthen weak enamel. It is best, however, to wait at least an hour after brushing your teeth to use your mouthwash, as it may deactivate the active ingredients in your toothpaste. Avoid mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine gluconate, which can cause staining on your teeth. Also avoid mouthwashes containing alcohol, which can dry out your mouth and lead to bad breath. Avoid foods and drinks that are bad for your teeth. Many common foods, especially those high in sugar or acid, can eat away at the enamel on your teeth. Other substances, like coffee, tea, and red wine, can stain your teeth. Avoid these substances if possible, and consider rinsing your mouth out with water right after you enjoy them. If you're concerned about staining, try drinking dark liquids with a straw. This can also be helpful with acidic beverages, as it keeps much of the acid away from your teeth. Common sources of acid include energy drinks, sports drinks, sodas, citric fruit, sour candies, and vinegar. You should also avoid sticky candies, like caramels, as it can be very hard to remove all of the particles from between your teeth. Smoking is particularly bad for your teeth. Quit smoking or don't start in the first place if you want to keep your teeth healthy and clean. Go to the dentist regularly. Most dentists recommend checkups every six months, but some studies suggest that adults can stretch that to once every 18 to 24 months. If you have tooth decay, cavities, staining, or other dental problems, you should go to the dentist more often than someone who has no dental issues. Even if you don't have any obvious dental issues, go to the dentist regularly, as they can catch cavities and other problems, such as gum disease and oral cancer early. Whiten your teeth. If your teeth are discolored, you might consider whitening them at home with store-bought whitening toothpastes or gel. Your dentist can also professionally whiten your teeth, which will most likely give you better results. If whitening products cause you to experience sensitivity in your teeth, stop using them. If you have stains beyond the surface of your teeth, you will probably need to visit a dentist for a professional whitening service. Consult your dentist about possible dental work. If you are really uncomfortable with your teeth, consider getting dental work. There are lots of different treatment options to deal with different concerns. If your teeth are crooked or you have a misaligned bite, braces or clear aligners can help correct this. The type of treatment you receive will depend upon the recommendation of the orthodontist you see. If you don't like the shape of your teeth, you can consider having your natural teeth contoured by a dental professional. If you have chipped or damaged teeth, you may want to ask your dentist about veneers, which are thin layers of porcelain that bond to your existing teeth. These can also help if you want to change the shape of your teeth. If you are missing teeth, you might consider getting tooth implants, dentures or bridges. If you have excess gum tissue, you can undergo a surgical procedure called crown lengthening, which will expose more of your teeth. Drink enough water. Staying hydrated will help prevent your lips from getting chapped. The amount of water you need will depend upon your body, your lifestyle, and where you live, but it is commonly recommended to drink eight eight-ounce glasses of water each day. If you exercise often or live in a hot climate, you'll need to drink more than eight glasses of water each day. Avoid licking your lips. Your saliva contains acids that will irritate your lips. In addition, licking your lips regularly will remove your lips' natural oils that keep them moisturized. Avoid smoking. Smoking can darken lips, thin them, and cause wrinkles. If you're open to quitting , consider using a nicotine patch or an electronic cigarette. Note that if you are getting nicotine from a patch or e-cigarette, you need to ensure that you are not still smoking regular cigarettes, too, as this can be dangerous. If you don't want to give up smoking cigarettes, try massaging almond and coconut oil on your lips each day, which may help reduce the discoloration of your lips. Moisturize your lips. If your lips are dry or chapped, use a lip balm regularly. Ensure that whatever lip balm you choose includes SPF, regardless of the season, as your lips can burn even during winter months. Beeswax lip balms are popular, but in general, waxes are too heavy to moisturize your lips. If your lips are chapped, avoid waxes. Look for nourishing ingredients like shea butter, vitamin E, and macadamia oil. You can also try using a gentle lip exfoliator. If you don't have one on hand, use a toothbrush to gently exfoliate your lips , or massage a mixture of honey and sugar into your lips. Color your lips. Lipstick and lip gloss can give your smile some extra pizzazz. Try out different shades and find a few that make you feel confident. Make sure to choose a shade that complements your skin tone. If you are concerned about your teeth looking yellow, steer clear of orangey shades. Darker lipsticks can make lips look thinner, so stick to lighter shades if you have thin lips. Matte lipsticks and stains can be more drying to your lips, so stick with moisturizing, creamy lipsticks or glosses if you have chapped lips. Although it's more common for women to use lipstick, men with pale lips might find it useful to use a tinted lip balm. If you're unhappy with the shape of your lips, you can try experimenting with lip plumping glosses. Lip liner can also help you achieve a fuller look, but make sure it matches your lipstick or is a natural tone that matches your lips. Smile with your eyes. When you're genuinely smiling, the corners of your mouth push upward into the corners of your eyes. Your eyes relax and squint slightly at the corners and your lower eyelids will tighten slightly. Your upper eyelids might lower a little bit too. Pay attention to what happens to your face the next time you are genuinely happy and smiling. Remember how that feels. Doing it enough will commit it to your muscle memory. You can also look at photos of yourself where you were genuinely happy to see how your eyes and mouth look. If you smile only with your mouth and not with your eyes, your smile will look fake. Relax the rest of your face. A tense smile will look forced and uncomfortable. Try to relax the muscles in your cheeks and refrain from pulling the sides of your mouth up too high. Put your tongue behind your upper front teeth. This is a handy trick that will help you achieve a smile that is not too big and not too small. If you look at photos of models, you might notice that many of them use this trick! Don't say "cheese. " To achieve a more flattering mouth shape, try saying a word that ends with an "uh" sounds, like "toga." Practice smiling in the mirror. Try out different types of smiles: a smaller, closed-mouth one; one with your mouth slightly parted; a huge smile with all of your teeth showing. Pay attention to both your mouth and your eyes here. Pick the versions of your smile that you like the best. When you perfect a smile you really like, take a selfie. This will help you remember the ones you like best once you're done experimenting. While taking selfies you might also consider trying out different angles (both in the camera position and how you position your face), which will help you better control how you look in photographs. Channel positive thoughts. When you need to smile for a photograph, think about a happy memory or funny story. This will help you achieve a genuine smile, even if you weren't feeling much like smiling before.
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Brush your teeth correctly. Buy the right toothbrush. Buy the right toothpaste. Floss your teeth at least once per day. Consider using a fluoride mouthwash. Avoid foods and drinks that are bad for your teeth. Go to the dentist regularly. Whiten your teeth. Consult your dentist about possible dental work. Drink enough water. Avoid licking your lips. Avoid smoking. Moisturize your lips. Color your lips. Smile with your eyes. Relax the rest of your face. Put your tongue behind your upper front teeth. Don't say "cheese. Practice smiling in the mirror. Channel positive thoughts.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Pray-to-God-for-a-Miracle-(Christianity)
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How to Pray to God for a Miracle (Christianity)
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To pray to God for a miracle, ask him in clear and simple language to grant you your specific desires. While you're praying, channel any emotions that arise to help you express yourself to God. Have faith that He will answer your prayer to remove the burden of doubt from your heart and give you strength. After you've asked God to fulfil your prayer, thank Him for his eternal love and guidance. You can also sing a prayerful song or do a kind act for someone else to show him your gratitude. Keep praying as much as you can and be patient, since God will answer your prayer when the time is right.
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Pray passionately. As you pray, allow yourself to be moved by God's power and grace. Pray with an open and receptive heart. Don't subdue your emotions—let them out! When you feel moved to tears, allow yourself to cry. When you feel the need to shout, yell! When the spirit calls you to sing, belt out a psalm! Allow your emotions to wash over you.Express how you feel to God and don't hold back. Pray for your miracle with blind, passionate faith. Pray takes many forms. You may feel more connected to God when you're singing or reading and studying the Bible. Allow your times of worship to become prayers to God. Find what works for you! Everyone is at a different point in their spiritual journey. There is more than one way to connect to God. Pray positively. Place your faith in God and trust that God will answer your prayers. Remain positive throughout your prayer. Avoid negative phrases including “I know this is a long shot…” and negative thoughts. When you don't trust in God's capabilities, you are praying with a doubtful heart. Confess your fears and doubts to God. Allow your passionate faith and blind trust in God remove the burden of doubt from your heart. Remain focused on what God is capable of accomplishing. Be comforted by the knowledge that God is a loving, all-powerful being. When a doubt or fear arises, don't wallow in it. Let it go! Do not allow yourself to worry over whether or not your desire will come true. Simply trust that you've done everything you can to make it happen. Turn to God in prayer and ask that God alleviate you from the doubt or fear. Pray with praise for a miracle. Find a meaningful way to personally thank God. Praise God in prayer, thought, and deed. Thank God with a prayerful song, a thought of thanksgiving, or with a kind act. Praise God for His guidance and wisdom. Thank God for calming your fears, for alleviating your self-doubt, and for giving you hope. Praise God for his faithfulness and commitment to you. Sing his praises when your life is at its highest of highs and its lowest of lows. Be grateful to God in all that you do. Thank God for what He has done in the lives of others. Pray persistently. Come to God in prayer until something happens! Pray constantly. Ask God for guidance and healing around the clock, not just when it is convenient for you to do so. Pray on your commute, for five minutes at your desk, and at recess or lunch. Asking persistently for a miracle demonstrates your commitment. When you pray, be persistent about listening to God too. Listen for God's guidance. Actively seek His advice. Devote an entire morning, day, or week to persistent prayer. Free yourself from distractions. Go to a park, sit by a lake, sit in a sanctuary, or retire to your bedroom. Make sure to listen to God's will and directions too! Pray precisely. Don't be afraid to state what you want in clear and simple language. Ask God for the miracle. It is acceptable to be direct and to the point. Precise prayer requires focus and dedication. To avoid a wandering mind, avoid filling your prayers with irrelevant statements or flowery language—this won't earn you any extra points! Repeat simple and direct phrases as part of your prayer. To help you focus, repeat the Catholic “Miracle Prayer.” The prayer goes as follows: “Lord Jesus, I come before Thee, just as I am, I am sorry for my sins, I repent of my sins, please forgive me. In Thy Name, I forgive all others for what they have done against me. I renounce Satan, the evil spirits and all their works. I give Thee my entire self, Lord Jesus, I accept Thee as my Lord God and Savior. Heal me, change me, strengthen me in body, soul, and spirit. Come Lord Jesus, cover me with Thy Precious Blood, and fill me with Thy Holy Spirit , I love Thee Lord Jesus, I praise Thee Lord Jesus, I thank Thee Jesus, I shall follow Thee every day of my life. Amen. Mary, My Mother, Queen of Peace, all the Angels and Saints, please help me. Amen.” Pray with Patience. Waiting for a miracle to happen is frustrating. You may feel helpless, hopeless, and lost. You may want to wrangle control of your life from God. Take a deep, calming breath. Don't lose faith in God. Your prayers are not being ignored. God works on His own timeline and in his own way. While you wait for your prayers to be answered, remain patient and lean on God and others for support.
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Pray passionately. Pray positively. Pray with praise for a miracle. Pray persistently. Pray precisely. Pray with Patience.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Learn-French
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How to Learn French
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The easiest way to get started learning French, is to use online technology like mobile apps that help with word memorization, YouTube classes for beginners, and iTunes 24/7 French radio stations. Once you've got the basics, try labeling objects in your home with flashcards, which will help cement the vocabulary in your long-term memory. Additionally, taking a class at your local community college or language school will give you the opportunity to practice your skills with others and keep you accountable. Finally, practice daily to maintain and improve your skills.
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Buy a dictionary. This is the first step to starting a new language. Whenever you run into a problem, you'll be able to get back on the right path within seconds. The Collins Robert French Unabridged Dictionary or the Larousse Concise French-English Dictionary are both good standards. Of course, if you're not thinking to get too heavily involved, a pocket dictionary will suffice. For a more concise approach, consider investing in a frequency dictionary. A frequency dictionary contains the most common words in a language, allowing you to quickly gain the core vocabulary you need, without wasting time learning uncommon vocabulary. There are tons of websites out there that act as dictionaries. Be careful! They're not always correct. Wordreference.com is a good place to start. Always exercise caution when translating complete sentences. Take advantage of technology. With all les options out there, this is easier than ever. Of course, your local library is a sturdy option, but you can find resources in the comfort of your own home. iTunes offers free 24/7 radio stations and podcasts that are in French (some for beginners!) and most cable packages will have at least occasional French programming. There are many mobile apps that can help you memorize words - the most popular one is LingLing based on spaced repetition - you can spend 20 minutes per day to memorize 750 words monthly. YouTube has dozens upon dozens of resources for French beginners. Amélie isn't the only French movie out there. Go to your local video store or do some research on the net--sometimes more obscure ones (or documentaries) can be found for free. View your favorite English movies with French voiceovers or subtitles. Even if you don't know French at all, picking a movie you're familiar with will help establish context for the language. Watch the "French in Action" program on your local public broadcasting station. Label objects in your home. Sure, you sat down to memorize words like "chair," "window," and "bed," but a week later they escaped you. Labeling the objects in your home creates long-term memories that can't be easily forgotten. Either create your own or buy an off-the-shelf product - FlashSticks. They produce colored flashcards (blue - masculine; pink - feminine). Recently, they have launched FlashAcademy, an app that brings effective language learning and fun, together. Scan, recognize and then translate the items. Such an app is FlashAcademy. Remember to include the pronouns! Commonly used: masculine et feminine (French is also gender neutral). This will be handy when you want to refer to it by the pronoun later. It's "la chaise," "la fenêtre," and "le lit," by the way. Go grab your pen now! Include the pronunciation on the side, if you need help remembering. l'ordinateur - lor-dee-nah-tur - Computer la chaine hi fi - shen-hi-fi - Stereo la télévision - tay-lay-vee-zee-ohn - Television le réfrigérateur - ray-free-zhay-rah-tir - Refrigerator le congélateur - kon-zhay-lah-tur - Freezer la cuisinière - kwee-zeen-yehr - Stove Use an app that it will scan, recognize and then translate the items. Such an app is FlashAcademy. They have a built-in object translator. Just point your camera at an object, take a picture and it will recognize then translate the object into any language. A good way to go around this is to scan the objects in your room because you know them very well and just try to randomly remember. This is a great tool to enhance your vocabulary. Amazing tool to have when traveling. Just go out and scan everything! Buy a learning tool. Some require a hefty fee, some do not. Ask around for une opinion or if a friend has a set of CDs or a program you can borrow. Popular options are Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur, or Michele Thomas. Every program is best for a different type of learner. Pimsleur does not give you a book. It's a set of CDs--good for aural learners and those with long commutes. It does use English and allows you to translate. It utilizes backchaining, as in, "porte," "la porte," "-ez la porte," "Fermez la porte," to practice pronunciation. Rosetta Stone is a computer program and does not allow any English and relies heavily on pictures. It plays memory games and is ideal for visual and sensory learners. Michele Thomas (on CD and YouTube) advocates a slightly different style of teaching. He emphasizes patterns in language and utilizing cognates. You start with one basic sentence, such as, "Je vais au restaurant," (I am going to the restaurant.) and he leads you to, "Je vais au restaurant ce soir parce que c'est mon anniversaire." (I am going to the restaurant tonight because it's my birthday.) Your vocabulary expands as you build on the blocks you already have. Duolingo.com is another site which trains you in French: memorizing by training to translate (English-to-French; and French-to-English), listening comprehension and more. Take a class. The best way to learn a language (apart from living in the country, of course) is to practice every day with others. Taking a class forces learning into your schedule, holds you accountable, and gives you resources in others that you wouldn't otherwise have. Check out your local community college or university. Though the class might be more expensive, the perks of being a student and having access to the facilities lessen the blow to your wallet. Find a language school. These classes are often much cheaper, smaller, and offered on nights or weekends. If you live in a fairly diverse area, one shouldn't be too far away. Get a tutor. The internet is a beautiful thing. Loads of people are looking for an easy way to make an extra $50 a week. You can cater the learning to your schedule and develop your own curriculum. Don't let just anyone be your tutor. Just because you can speak the language does not mean you can teach it. Aim for someone who has done it before, not someone with four years of high school French. Join a group. Odds are there are loads of people just like you of all demographics and ages. Visit your local area colleges or language institutes for information. Practice with someone. You can find a penpal online or you can visit your local chapter of the Alliance Française. Delve deep into your online contacts for anyone who might be able to move you forward--that friend from high school who studied abroad? Your cousin Alberta who moved to Vancouver? Do whatever you can to guarantee success. Practice every day. Learning a language is unlike learning any other subject. Your knowledge must build and become as intrinsic as possible. Practicing every day is the only way you'll be able to maintain and improve your skills. Incorporate review in your learning until it's solid. You cannot build complex sentences if you've forgotten how to structure simple ones. Even if it's just for half an hour, it's worth it. Get your mind thinking in French. Developing habits makes it harder to quit. Learn cognates. Depending on your source, about 30% of all English words originate from French. If you're just beginning, an easy way to dive in is to familiarize yourself with the concepts. Often, the "fancier" verb is French and the "normal" verb is German. Think "start" versus "commence"; "help" versus "aid"; "understand" versus "comprehend." The French for those verbs is, respectively, in their infinitive form, "commencer," "aider," and "comprendre." Certain word endings are giveaways that they're French. Think words with "-ion," "-ance," or "ite." Television, billion, religion, nuance, endurance, granite, opposite -- those are all French words. Not English. French. Well, English, too. Memorize new phrases. Never let your vocabulary stagnate. As your knowledge grows, take time to incorporate new phrases into your phrasal pool. Think of a new topic. If you're lacking in time vocabulary, zero-in on that department. If you need to learn the names of food, concentrate on that. Expand yourself. Quelle heure est-il? (What time is it?) Bon, heu, je ne sais pas... (Uhh, I don't know...) Oh, non ! Il est déjà 17 h ! Je dois étudier mon vocabulaire de français ! (Oh no! It's already 5:00! I have to study my French vocabulary!) Review verb conjugations. The biggest difference between English and French is that French conjugates their verbs to match the tense and subject. Generally speaking, verb charts go in "I, you, he/she/it, we, you (plural), they" order. Start with the simple present of -er verbs (manger - to eat ): Je mange - tu manges - il/elle/on mange - nous mangeons - vous mangez - ils/elles mangent Simple present of -ir verbs (choisir - to choose ): Je choisis - tu choisis - il/elle/on choisit - nous choisissons - vous choisissez - ils/elles choisissent Simple present of -re verbs (vendre - to sell ): Je vends - tu vends - il/elle/on vend - nous vendons - vous vendez - ils/elles vendent Often, the ending of words is not pronounced. "Je choisis" sounds more like "Zhuh schwazee," and "ils mangent" sounds like, "eel monge." Learn the other tenses later. Once you've mastered the simple present, continue onto the passé composé (past tense). Think out loud. If you're around others, they might get irritated, but it's worth it! They don't have to understand you, only you have to understand you. It's a bonne idée , isn't it? French is a language that's highly encorporated into English. In addition to using simple phrases like, "Bonjour !", "Merci beaucoup," or "Je ne sais pas" that some people know, use slightly more difficult ones when talking to yourself -- or let your roommates catch on! Où est mon sac? - Where is my bag? Je veux boire du vin. - I want to drink some wine. Je t'aime. - I love you. If you say to yourself, "Oh, I see an apple!" translate it to French - " Oh, je vois une pomme ". Practice this whenever you get a chance - in the car, in bed, in the bathroom, everywhere. Travel to a French-speaking country. If living there isn't an option, then visiting is the second-best. If you have the finances and ability to take des vacances , bring your books and CDs with you! Talk to the locals and experience the culture. Sitting at the McDonald's next to the Louvre (or the Starbucks, for that matter) won't exactly get you the educational or cultural experience you're looking for. You don't have to go to France to find a wealth of French speakers. However, know what dialect you're looking to mirror; going to Quebec will expose you to a French culture, but you'll hear Quebecois down the street--and it may be hard to understand!
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Buy a dictionary. Take advantage of technology. Label objects in your home. Use an app that it will scan, recognize and then translate the items. Buy a learning tool. Take a class. Get a tutor. Join a group. Practice every day. Learn cognates. Memorize new phrases. Review verb conjugations. Think out loud. Travel to a French-speaking country.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Without-a-Food-Processor
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How to Cook Without a Food Processor
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To prepare a recipe without a food processor, use a knife to finely chop foods that are supposed to be minced. If your recipe calls for shredded vegetables, run the vegetables across a grater or microplaner instead. You can also puree food without a food processor by boiling the food until it's soft and then mashing it with a fork or potato masher. For foods that need to be crushed, simply place them in a plastic bag and go over them with a rolling pin.
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Use a blender to mince, chop, or puree foods. Your blender is more versatile than just making smoothies. If your recipe calls for a finely minced or chopped ingredient, pulse the blender a few times until it reaches the right consistency. For pureed foods, leave the blender on a little longer. Try pulsing carrots, garlic, and herbs in the blender to chop them. Puree your vegetables in the blender before adding them to a soup or a sauce for a perfectly smooth texture. If you're having a hard time blending firmer foods, like nuts, or fibrous foods like celery, make sure your blender blades are sharp. If you're not sure how to sharpen them, read the manufacturer's instructions. Combine liquids and solids in a mixer. Whether you're using a hand mixer , a stand mixer , or an immersion blender , your mixer can function as a useful substitute for a food processor. Just place the food into a large, durable bowl and lower in the mixer, then turn it on. A mixer is especially helpful when you're combining a liquid mixture with a dry mixture, like for baked goods. You can also use a mixer to whip meringues, mayo, and homemade whipped cream. A hand-held immersion blender is perfect for blending homemade mayo or pesto , and its compact design will take up a lot less space in your kitchen than a food processor would. If you have a hook attachment, you can use your stand mixer to mix dough for bread, pies, and cookies. Chop nuts and spices in a coffee grinder if you have one. If you love a freshly-brewed cup of coffee in the morning, you may already have a coffee grinder. Just measure out the ingredients you need and pulse the grinder for a few seconds, or until everything's broken down. This is a great option if you want to add chopped nuts to a delicious dessert. If you have whole spices like allspice or cardamom seeds, grind them to release their fragrance before you use them in a dish! Grind softer food in a ricer or a food mill. If you need to turn an ingredient into a rice- or flour-like consistency, a manual grinder can make quick work of the job. Just place the food into the bowl on the grinder, then turn it on if it's electric, or crank the handle if it's manual. The result you'll get will depend on the size of the holes in your grinder and the type of food that you're grinding. This is a great way to make riced cauliflower, a popular low-carb alternative to traditional rice. You can also use your food mill to quickly process cooked potatoes for a creamy mash. Chop most of your food with a good chef's knife. Most of the time, when a recipe calls for a food processor, it's because the food needs to be chopped or minced finely. While it may take a little longer, you can do the same work with a sharp chef's knife. Just place the food on a cutting board and carefully cut it into small pieces. The size of the pieces will depend on what you're chopping and what the recipe calls for. Garlic, onions, and celery can all be finely minced by hand, for instance. Of course, always remember to be careful when you're cutting anything with a knife. Hold the knife firmly in your dominant hand. With your other hand, curl your fingers in so they look like a bear claw, then use that claw to hold the food you're cutting. This way, even if the knife slips, it will just brush against the back of your knuckles. Use a grater to finely shred firm vegetables. Instead of using a food processor to shred hard veggies like carrots or potatoes, you can instead run the food across a box grater or a microplaner. Press down slightly as you slide the food back and forth over the holes in the grater. If you're using a microplaner, always use the handle on the tool so you don't accidentally cut yourself. Graters are perfect when you're making a slaw, salad, or hash. This is also a good option if you need grated ginger for a sauce, stir-fry, or drink. Be sure to keep your fingers free of the grater, or you could get a nasty scrape! Puree food by cooking it until it's soft, then mashing it. One of the most popular uses for a food processor is to puree food, but you can do it by hand if you need to. To start, simmer, boil, or stew the food until it's soft and almost falling apart. Then, mash the food with a fork or a potato masher until it takes on a smooth, even consistency. For an even finer texture, pour the puree through a sieve and push it through with the back of a spoon. This is perfect for creating fruit toppings for ice cream or your own homemade tomato sauce! Crush foods by using a rolling pin and plastic bag. If you need to quickly break down food into small pieces, place the ingredient in a resealable plastic bag and place it on a sturdy cutting board. Then, roll back and forth over the bag with a rolling pin to crush the food. If you have stubborn pieces, you can even hit them with the flat side of the rolling pin to break them up. This is a great way to break up chips or cookies for a crunchy topping for casseroles and desserts! You can also use this method to crush chickpeas for homemade hummus. Knead bread dough or pie dough with your hands. While many bread recipes call for a food processor, you can almost always knead the dough with your hands instead. Turn the dough out onto a floured or oiled surface, then use your hands to knead together the ingredients until they're completely mixed. If you have a very wet dough, like cookie batter, mix it with a wooden spoon instead.
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Use a blender to mince, chop, or puree foods. Combine liquids and solids in a mixer. Chop nuts and spices in a coffee grinder if you have one. Grind softer food in a ricer or a food mill. Chop most of your food with a good chef's knife. Use a grater to finely shred firm vegetables. Puree food by cooking it until it's soft, then mashing it. Crush foods by using a rolling pin and plastic bag. Knead bread dough or pie dough with your hands.
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https://www.wikihow.life/Make-Your-Own-Salt-Scrubs
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How to Make Your Own Salt Scrubs
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To make your own salt scrub, start by getting some finely ground salt, which is better at exfoliating than coarse salt. Any kind will work, including table salt, sea salt, and Epsom salt. Once you have your salt, put it in a sealable glass container with a carrier oil, like coconut oil, olive oil, or jojoba oil. You can also add some essential oils to give your scrub a fragrance. Finally, stir everything together and store your scrub in a cool, dry location.
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Select your salt. In a salt scrub, the salt is used as an exfoliant that scrubs away dead skin and leaves your skin soft and smooth. There are a number of different salt types you can use, including table salt, sea salt, Himalayan salt, Dead Sea salt, kosher salt, or Epsom salt. Sea salt and Epsom salt are some of the most common salts used in these scrubs. The type of salt you use isn't as important as the grind. For a salt scrub, choose finely ground salt over coarse salt, because fine salt is better at exfoliating. You can also combine different types of salts together in one scrub. You can also substitute white sugar, brown sugar, coffee, oatmeal, or ground nut shells for all or part of the salt called for in the recipe. Choose a carrier oil. The carrier oil is the base that will keep the salt scrub together, but it will also moisturize your skin. You can use specialty oils or oil you have on hand in the pantry. To prevent slips in the shower, choose a thin- or medium-consistency oil that will be washed away easily: Grape seed and jojoba oils are thin and have very faint aromas Sweet almond oil has a medium consistency and a mild aroma Vegetable, olive, and canola oils are medium and have little aroma Coconut oil is medium and has a very strong, sweet aroma Peanut, walnut, and hazelnut oils are thin to medium and have nutty aromas Castor oil is thick and difficult to wash off Customize the scrub with fragrances. A salt scrub doesn't need anything other than salt and an oil, but you can add fragrances and essential oils if you want to change the aroma of your scrub. You can pick fragrances that you like, that suit different seasons, or that are holiday-specific. Be sure they are suitable for use on the skin. Citrus oils like lemon, orange, and grapefruit are fresh, energizing, and great for spring- and summer-themed scrubs. Flower oils like ylang-ylang, rose, and geranium are sweet and summery. Peppermint and cinnamon are invigorating oils that are also great for Christmas and winter scrubs. Lavender, vanilla, chamomile, and frankincense can be very calming fragrances. Combine your ingredients. Find a glass jar with an airtight lid to store your scrub. Pour the salt into the container, followed by the carrier oil. Finally, add some drops of essential oils or fragrances until you achieve an aroma and strength you like. Stir the mixture well before using. Store leftover salt scrub. When you've finished with your salt scrub, put on the airtight lid. Store the scrub in a cool, dry location, such as a bathroom cupboard. Because salt is a preservative, the scrub could last anywhere from one to two years without going rancid. Sugar is also a preservative, but a sugar-based scrub will only last for a few months. Try a zesty citrus scrub. Citrus scrubs are great for the morning because they're fresh and invigorating. They're also nice for after a workout or nap. To make a citrus scrub, combine in a glass jar: The fine sea salt Sweet almond or jojoba oil Zest from an orange, lemon, lime, or grapefruit, or a combination Whip up a luxurious coconut oil salt scrub. Coconut oil is cooling and moisturizing for the skin, so it makes a nourishing oil to use in salt scrubs. Combine the coconut oil, Epsom salts, and 8 to 10 drops of essential oils in a glass jar and stir until you achieve a smooth consistency. Good essential oil pairings for this include: Vanilla Patchouli Orange Rose Geranium Make a degreasing salt scrub. A degreasing salt scrub is great for washing your hands after cooking, working in the yard, or doing maintenance in the garage. The liquid castile soap in the recipe eliminates the need to use soap, and the salt works to scrub away dirt and grime. Combine the salt, grapeseed oil, and soap in a glass jar. Add 12 drops of essential oils. Stir to combine, and store the degreasing salt scrub at kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and utility room sinks. Wake up with a coffee salt scrub. A coffee salt scrub is another great way to start your morning, and is an alternative to the citrus scrubs that people often use. To make this scrub: Mix together the salt and coffee. Add in room temperature coconut oil (it will be soft and easy to stir) Stir to combine. Create a festive candy cane peppermint scrub. This multicolored salt scrub is great for the holidays, and makes an excellent gift. To make this scrub, combine the salts, oil, and six drops of peppermint oil in a mixing bowl. Stir to combine, and then divide the mixture in half, pouring one half into a second mixing bowl. Use the red food coloring to color one batch red. Stir to distribute the coloring evenly throughout the mixture. Use a spoon to add a layer of the red scrub to the bottom of a glass jar. Pack the layer down. Spoon a layer of white over top of the red. Continue alternating like this until the jar is full or you run out of salt scrub. Other colorants you can use to dye salt scrubs include FD&C water-based liquid dyes for vibrant colors, or pearlescent mica powders for shimmery and pale colors. Wet your skin. Draw a bath or run a shower. Hop in for a few minutes and get your skin nice and wet. This will make it easier to spread the salt scrub over your skin. To scrub just your feet or hands, fill a bucket or bowl with water and soak your feet or hands for a few minutes. You can also use a salt scrub on your face, but be very gentle, and avoid your eyes. Fill a sink with some water and use your hands or a face cloth to wet your face. Rub the salt scrub into your skin. Open the jar of salt scrub and use a spoon to stir the mixture. Spoon out a tablespoon (15 g) of salt scrub and place it in your palm. Gently rub the salt scrub into dry or rough areas of skin, such as your hands, feet, and elbows. Rub in a circular motion for one to two minutes to exfoliate and remove dead skin. If you use a salt scrub on your face, be very gentle when rubbing your skin. Do not get the salt scrub in your eyes. It's important to use a spoon for the scrub, otherwise bacteria, soap, and water from your hands may contaminate the mixture. Rinse the scrub. After gently rubbing the scrub into your skin, rinse the salt scrub off under running water. If you're in the bath, dip the scrubbed area under the water and rinse the salt away. For normal skin types, don't use a salt scrub or exfoliate your skin more than twice per week. Over-exfoliating can lead to dry, red, itchy, and sensitive skin. For oily skin, use a salt scrub two or three times per week. For dry skin, only use a salt scrub once weekly, or as needed to remove dry skin.
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Select your salt. Choose a carrier oil. Customize the scrub with fragrances. Combine your ingredients. Store leftover salt scrub. Try a zesty citrus scrub. Whip up a luxurious coconut oil salt scrub. Make a degreasing salt scrub. Wake up with a coffee salt scrub. Create a festive candy cane peppermint scrub. Wet your skin. Rub the salt scrub into your skin. Rinse the scrub.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Your-Paranoia
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How to Deal With Your Paranoia
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Living with paranoia can be challenging, but there are ways to take control of your world. Think about what causes you to feel paranoid and reduce your exposure to these triggers. For example, if seeing certain people or being in specific places cause you to feel paranoid, then avoid these situations. Try distracting yourself whenever you start to feel paranoid. You can watch a movie, call a friend, or do anything else that keeps your mind busy. If you're obsessing to the point that it interferes with your daily life or are having thoughts about harming yourself or others, talk to a mental health professional so they can help you figure out what's going on and recommend the best treatment for you.
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Distinguish between paranoia and anxiety. Anxiety is not the same thing as paranoia, but these conditions have some similarities. People with anxiety are serious worriers. They might think "My parents will die in a car crash." People who are paranoid might think, "Someone will kill my parents to hurt me." If you think anxiety might be your issue, consider reading wikiHow's How to Deal With Anxiety article to start. There is also a difference between occasional anxiety about a specific event, such as stressing out over an exam, and persistent anxiety that follows you around. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders. If your anxiety seems generalized or “all the time” rather than located around a specific event or situation, you should see a mental health professional. You may have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety is much more common than clinical paranoia. The average age of onset for anxiety disorders is 31, though it can occur at any age. The symptoms of anxiety, or GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), mainly involve the inability to relax, startling easily, and having difficulty concentrating, amongst a plethora of physical symptoms. The good news is that it's highly treatable. Get a jury. It may be hard to believe, but a certain level of paranoia is pretty common. All of us have insecurities and all of us know what embarrassment feels like. About a third of people have paranoid thoughts at some point. Before you jump to conclusions and assume you're paranoid, get 4 or 5 friends together and ask them if your thought processes are understandable or, well, delusional. It's a good way to determine if you are really paranoid or not. There are 5 levels to paranoia. Most of us have general feelings of vulnerability and suspicious thoughts ("I could get murdered down this dark alley!" or "They're talking about me behind my back, aren't they?"). But when you hit mild ("They're tapping their foot to annoy me"), moderate ("My phone calls are being tracked"), or severe ("The FBI is in my TV, watching me") personal threat, it's a sign you may be paranoid. Look at how your thoughts impact your life. You may have the occasional paranoid thought, but if your life is not significantly impacted by them, you are probably not clinically paranoid. Decide whether you’re actually paranoid or just listening to previous life experience. Sometimes, your friends or loved ones may label thoughts as “paranoid” if you are suspicious of something, but suspicion is not always a bad trait. Sometimes, your life experiences may have taught you to view a certain way of behaving as suspicious. Being suspicious, for example that someone could hurt you, isn't necessarily paranoia. It could just be that you have difficulty trusting people. This is particularly common after you've experienced a trauma or a very negative experience. For example, you may be suspicious of a new romantic interest who seems “too good to be true.” If you have a history of heartbreak in your relationships, you may well just be listening to your what your previous experiences have taught you. On the other hand, if you suspect your new romantic interest is a secret assassin who has been sent to kill you, this is probably paranoia talking. As another example, you may be picking up on something that doesn't seem “right” about a situation or person that causes suspicion. These reactions are not always paranoid. While you should examine your reactions, you don't have to immediately discredit them. Take time to evaluate your reactions and suspicions. You may react with immediate responses, such as fear or anxiety. Slow down and attempt to determine where these responses are coming from. Do you have a basis, such as a past experience or traumatic event, that would possibly provoke these reactions? Do a little fact-checking. No, this doesn't mean run a background check on your new boyfriend or girlfriend. Sit down with a piece of paper and write out what's going on. Say what the situation is, what you feel about it, how strong those feelings are, what you believe about the situation, whether those beliefs are rational and have facts that support them, and whether you can change your beliefs based on those facts. Consider your use of alcohol, drugs, and other substances. Paranoia is a common side effect of substance abuse. Alcohol can cause hallucinations and paranoia in chronic heavy drinkers. Stimulants, including caffeine (yes, caffeine!), Adderall, or Ritalin, can cause paranoia and trouble sleeping. Combining stimulants with antidepressants or over-the-counter decongestant cold medicines can increase these side effects. Hallucinogens, such as LSD, PCP (angel dust), and other mind-altering drugs can cause hallucinations, aggression, and paranoia. Most other illegal drugs, including cocaine and meth, can also cause paranoia. Up to 84% of cocaine users have cocaine-induced paranoia. Even marijuana may induce paranoia in some users. Most prescription drugs will not cause paranoia if taken as prescribed. However, some prescriptions to treat Parkinson's disease by stimulating the production of dopamine may cause hallucinations and paranoia. If you're on prescription drugs and you think they might be causing your paranoia, talk to your doctor about possible alternatives. Do not stop taking your medications without talking to your doctor first. Think about your situation. A recent traumatic event or loss can also cause some people to become paranoid. If you've lost someone recently or you're going through a particularly stressful situation, the paranoia could be your mind's way of coping. If your paranoia seems to stem from a fairly recent situation (at least within the past 6 months), it's probably not chronic. It still deserves your attention and you should still deal with it, but it may be easier to deal with if it is recent. Start a journal to track your thoughts and feelings. Journaling can help you to understand what may have caused you to feel paranoid and it is also a great way to relieve stress. It can also help you identify your triggers, or people, places, and situations that seem to inspire your paranoia. To get started with journaling, choose a comfortable place and plan to devote about 20 minutes per day to writing. Think about situations in which you feel paranoid. For example: When do you feel the most paranoid? At night? Early in the morning? What is it about that time of day that makes you feel paranoid? Who do you feel paranoid around? Is there a person or group of people who make you feel more paranoid? Why do you think those people make you feel more paranoid than usual? Where do you feel the most paranoid? Is there a place where your paranoia peaks? What is it about that place that makes you feel paranoid? In what situations do you experience paranoia? Social situations? Is there something about your surroundings? What memories come to you when you experience these feelings? Make a plan to avoid or reduce exposure to your triggers. Once you have identified the situations and people that seem to be contributing to your paranoia, you can make a plan to reduce your exposure to these triggers. While some people, places, and situations may be unavoidable, such as work or school, being aware of what triggers your paranoia may help you to minimize your exposure to other things that you can avoid. For example, if a certain route home from school makes you feel paranoid, take a different route, or ask a friend to accompany you. Learn how to question your thought process. In the case of triggers that you cannot avoid, learning to question the rationality of your paranoid thoughts may help you to reduce or eliminate the way that you feel about these people and situations. The next time that you find yourself thinking paranoid thoughts about a person, place, or situation, ask yourself the following questions. What is the thought? When did I have it? Who was there? When was it? What happened? Am I having a thought that is based on fact or opinion? How can I tell? What am I assuming or believing about the thought? Is my assumption or belief realistic? Why or why not? What would it mean if the thought were real? How do I feel—physically and emotionally? What did/could I do to deal with the thought in a positive way? Distract yourself from the paranoid thoughts. If you cannot defuse your paranoia by examining its content, try to distract yourself. Call up a friend, go for a walk, or watch a movie. Find a way to get your mind off of the paranoid thoughts so that you do not begin to dwell on them. Distraction can help you avoid rumination, the obsessive pattern of thinking where you think about the same thing over and over again, like a broken record. Rumination is associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression. However, distraction on its own is usually not enough to fully address these thoughts. Distraction is a type of avoidance, which means you will need to take other steps to work on your paranoia too. Avoid punishing yourself. You may feel embarrassed by your thoughts, and this could lead to you feeling guilty or judging yourself harshly for them. Studies have shown that this type of technique, or “punishment,” is not effective at addressing paranoid thoughts. Instead, try reappraisal (examining your thought process), social control (seeking advice from others), or distraction, as described elsewhere in this article. Determine if you might need professional help. Mild paranoia may be manageable on your own, but you will likely need professional help if your paranoia is moderate to severe. If you are frequently having paranoid thoughts, consider the following questions: Are you considering acting on potentially harmful thoughts? Are you considering hurting yourself or others? Are you thinking and planning on how to go about hurting someone with the intent of doing it? Are you hearing voices telling you to hurt yourself or others? Are your obsessive thoughts or behaviors affecting your home or work life? Are you reliving a traumatic experience over and over again? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should seek help from a mental health care professional as soon as possible. Define “paranoia” properly. A lot of us use the term "paranoia" quite loosely. However, clinical paranoia involves persistent feelings of persecution and an inflated sense of self-importance. Unlike everyday suspicion, paranoia does not have a rational basis. There are several medical or mental health conditions that can cause paranoia, but they are not common. You cannot and should not attempt to diagnose yourself with any of these conditions. If you display any of their symptoms, see your physician or a mental health professional such as a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. Only a trained medical professional can diagnose mental illnesses. Look for characteristic symptoms of Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD). PPD affects somewhere between 0.5% and 2.5% of the population. People with PPD are so suspicious of others that it causes dysfunction in their daily lives, such as extreme social withdrawal. Its symptoms include: Suspicion, without grounds, of others, especially that you may be harmed, exploited, or deceived by them Suspicion of others' trustworthiness, even friends and family Difficulty confiding in or working with others Reading hidden or threatening meanings into harmless remarks or events Grudge-bearing Social withdrawal or hostility Rapid anger reactions Watch for signs of paranoid schizophrenia. People with paranoid schizophrenia are usually convinced that others are out to harm them or their loved ones. They may also believe that they are extremely important (delusions of grandeur). Only about 1% of people have schizophrenia. Other common signs of paranoid schizophrenia include: Social isolation or withdrawal Suspicion of others Guarded or reserved behavior Delusional jealousy Auditory hallucinations (“hearing things”) Look for signs of Delusional Disorder. Delusional Disorder is the belief in one or more very specific paranoias (e.g., "The FBI is in my TV watching my every move"). It's pinpointed and not necessarily global, and the person is otherwise able to function without any obviously bizarre behavior. This disorder is extremely rare; only about 0.02% of people have delusional disorder. Common symptoms of Delusional Disorder include: High levels of self-reference. This means that the person sees references to themselves in everything, even when this could not possibly be true (e.g., believing that an actor in a movie is talking directly to them). Irritability Depressive mood Aggressiveness Consider whether you may have PTSD. Paranoia may accompany post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental health condition that may develop after a person has experienced a trauma. Traumatic experiences can even cause hallucinations as well as paranoia. If you have experienced trauma in the past, such as abuse, it is possible that you have developed what is known as “persecutory ideation,” or the belief that others are out to harm you. This belief can cause you to suspect others or worry about being harmed, even in situations that most people would not see as suspicious or harmful. Unlike most other paranoias, this type of fear has a basis in that it is a reaction to the trauma. Working with a mental health professional who is experienced in handling trauma can help you overcome PTSD and this type of paranoia. The most common treatment for PTSD is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on learning how your trauma has affected your thinking and behavior. You can learn new ways to think about yourself and the world that will help reduce your symptoms. Other treatments include exposure therapy and EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing). Consider talking to a therapist about how you have been feeling. Without help, it may be hard to figure out why you feel paranoid and determine the best way to deal with those feelings. A licensed mental health professional can help you begin to understand these feelings and help you work through them. Keep in mind that feeling paranoid may be part of an underlying mental health condition that requires treatment. Talking to a therapist can help you understand what is going on and decide on the best course of action. Seeing a therapist is very common. People do it all the time to get better and improve their lives. You can feel good about your decision to seek help: it's brave and shows that you care about yourself. Feel free to switch therapists! Many people feel stuck with whichever one they start with. If you're not jiving, find a new one. Find one that makes you feel comfortable and that you can see yourself trusting. It'll be the quickest path to progress. Know that your therapist is required by law to keep the information you share confidential. People with paranoia tend to be afraid to share their problems, but therapists are legally and ethically bound to keep your secrets safe. The only exceptions to this rule is if you share plans to harm yourself or others, abuse or neglect is involved in your situation, or if a court orders your therapist to reveal information because you are on trial.
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Distinguish between paranoia and anxiety. Get a jury. Decide whether you’re actually paranoid or just listening to previous life experience. Consider your use of alcohol, drugs, and other substances. Think about your situation. Start a journal to track your thoughts and feelings. Make a plan to avoid or reduce exposure to your triggers. Learn how to question your thought process. Distract yourself from the paranoid thoughts. Avoid punishing yourself. Determine if you might need professional help. Define “paranoia” properly. Look for characteristic symptoms of Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD). Watch for signs of paranoid schizophrenia. Look for signs of Delusional Disorder. Consider whether you may have PTSD. Consider talking to a therapist about how you have been feeling.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Good-Care-of-Yourself-(for-Girls)
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How to Take Good Care of Yourself (for Girls)
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To take care of yourself if you're a girl, it's important to nurture yourself physically and emotionally. You can do this by eating well, practicing good hygiene, and being kind to yourself. Instead of eating junk food when you're hungry, eat plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins, which will give you more energy throughout the day. Take a shower every day to keep your body clean, and brush your teeth twice a day to keep your mouth fresh! Besides taking care of your body, you should take care of your mind with positive thinking. For example, if you get a bad grade on a test, instead of thinking “I am so stupid!” tell yourself, “It's okay! It's just 1 grade. You did your best.” Additionally, if you're feeling stressed, talk to a trusted friend or family member, which will help you feel better.
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Nourish your body with healthy foods. Instead of reaching for junk foods when you're hungry, go for more fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins. These foods will nourish your body, keep you feeling full for longer, and help you to have more energy every day. For example, you could have apple slices with 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 g) of peanut butter for a snack. Or, make a healthy turkey sandwich for your lunch with whole wheat bread, a few slices of turkey, lettuce, tomato, and mustard. Sleep for at least 8 hours every night. Being well rested will help you to feel your best the following day, so go to bed early enough each night to get this amount of sleep. Turn off your phone, tablet, computer, and TV at least 30 minutes before you turn in and do something relaxing to wind yourself down. Try taking a warm shower or bath before you put on your pajamas. Have a cup of caffeine-free herbal tea, such as chamomile or peppermint. Listen to some relaxing music or read a book in bed. Exercise for 30 to 60 minutes on most days of the week. Getting regular exercise is an important way to take good care of your health. Make sure to choose an activity that you like so that you will actually want to do it! For example, if you like dancing, try taking dance classes or dancing along to music in your bedroom. If you enjoy ice skating, hit the rink a few times per week. If you're a fan of running, join a runner's club in your area. Relax every day for at least 15 minutes. Relaxation is important for your physical and mental health, so make it a priority! Plan to spend at least 15 minutes every day doing something that you find relaxing. Some activities you might try include: Deep breathing , which is a quick and easy way to experience a sense of calm. Meditation , which can help to quiet your mind and relieve stress. Yoga , which is an effective form of exercise and a great way to relax. Progressive muscle relaxation , which can help reduce everything from headaches to anxiety. Steer clear of cigarettes and drugs. These substances are bad for you and you will not be taking good care of your body if you use them. Cigarettes put you at a higher risk of all kinds of diseases, from cancer to heart disease to asthma. Drugs lower your inhibitions and put you at risk of injury and death from risky behaviors or overdose. Just say “no” if someone offers you drugs! If you are of the legal drinking age and decide to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For women, this means no more than 1 drink per day. Drink plenty of water to stay well-hydrated. Water is the best thing to drink since it hydrates your body without added sugar. However, there's no specific amount of water that you should drink every day. Drink water whenever you're thirsty or sweaty to stay hydrated. Keep a water bottle on hand and take sips of it throughout the day any time you feel thirsty or after getting sweaty, such as from exercising. Refill your water bottle as needed. Practice safe sex if you’re sexually active. If you've recently started having sex, then it's important to keep yourself safe whenever you do so. Insist that your partner wears a condom every time. Keep some in your purse or backpack so that you're always prepared. If they refuse to wear a condom, do not have sex with them! Sexually transmitted diseases are common and anyone can get one. You can visit a local clinic to get free condoms and contraceptives. Wash your hands after using the bathroom and before eating. Hand hygiene is important for protecting yourself from germs and bacteria that collect on your hands throughout the day. Hold your hands under warm, running water and lather hand soap between them for 20 seconds to get them clean. Then, rinse your hands thoroughly and pat them dry with a clean, dry towel. Shower or bathe every day. This will help you to stay clean and fresh. Wash your body thoroughly with soap or a body wash. Pay more attention to your armpits, vagina, and under your breasts. Allow the water to run over these areas a little longer than others to ensure that they are clean. Then, dry yourself off with a clean, dry towel. You can also shave your legs and underarms while you're in the shower or bath if you want to remove excess body hair. However, this is totally optional! If you don't want to shave, then don't worry about it. Apply lotion to your body after you shower if your skin seems dry. Shampoo and condition every other day, or more often if needed. How often you need to shampoo your hair will depend on whether or not it is oily. If your scalp produces a lot of oil, then you may need to wash it every day. However, if you have a normal or dry scalp, then you can wash your hair once every other day or possibly even every 3 days. Focus on washing your scalp when you shampoo your hair and then apply conditioner to the ends of your hair to moisturize it. If you have dandruff, use a dandruff-fighting shampoo. Avoid heat styling tools. If you do use them, apply a heat protector product to your hair first. Wash your face at least 2 times daily. Wash your face after you wake up in the morning and before going to bed at night. Use a gentle skin cleanser and warm water to wash your face. You can use your fingertips to apply the skin cleanser or use a soft washcloth. Work the cleanser into wet skin and then splash your face with water 3 or more times to rinse away the soap. Pat your skin dry and apply moisturizer to your face and neck. If you have acne, choose an acne-fighting skin cleanser to wash your face. Then follow it up with a non-comedogenic moisturizer, which won't clog your pores and is less likely to cause acne. Brush your teeth 2 to 3 times daily. Ideally, brush your teeth after every meal to keep them clean and fresh. However, if this isn't possible, brushing your teeth after you wake up in the morning and before bed at night may be more realistic. Use a fluoride toothpaste and brush the tops, backs, sides of all of your teeth. Spend about 2 minutes brushing and then rinse your mouth with water. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months as well. Change your pad, cup, or tampon every 4 hours if you’re on your period. It's important to change your pad, cup, or tampon regularly when you are on your period, so check it every time you go to the bathroom. If it seems full, change it. This will help to prevent odors and infection. Tampons also carry the risk of toxic shock syndrome if you wear them for too long, so never wear a tampon for more than 8 hours and always go with the lowest level of absorption that you need. Trim, clean, and file your nails every week. You don't need to go for a manicure every week, but taking a few minutes to trim, file down, and clean your nails can help to improve your overall hygiene. Use a nail brush to scrub under your nails with soap and water if you like them long since long nails can harbor bacteria. Don't bite your nails or cuticles! This can damage your fingernails and lead to an infection. You can apply nail polish to your nails if desired. Choose a color that you like and apply 2 coats. Let each coat dry completely after applying it. Wear clean clothing that fits you well and makes you feel good. When you dress yourself, make sure to choose items that have been laundered since you last wore them to ensure that they smell good. Also, select items that fit your body well and that you like to wear. Don't wear clothing that makes you feel uncomfortable or that is painfully tight. Opt for comfortable items that are also practical for what you'll be doing. For example, if you have school, then a comfortable pair of jeans and a t-shirt or sweater might be the perfect choice. Don't worry about dressing in clothes that fit a certain trend. Wear items that make you feel good! Contradict negative self-talk with positive thinking. Negative self-talk is when you put yourself down or criticize yourself. Everyone does it sometimes, but it's not good for your self-esteem. Pay attention to when you do this and correct yourself when it happens. To correct negative self-talk, simply contradict the negative thought or statement. For example, if you get a bad grade on a test and catch yourself thinking, “I am so stupid!” stop yourself, take a deep breath, and revise the thought. Try telling yourself something that you might tell a friend who has just gotten a bad grade, such as, “It's okay! It's just one grade. You did your best. You can learn from this experience and do even better next time.” Practice mindfulness to stay engaged with your surroundings. Mindfulness is when you pay closer attention to what is happening right now by using your 5 senses. You can use sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch to help you connect with the world around you, feel more present, and keep yourself feeling calm and happy. The next time you feel overwhelmed or stressed, take a moment to look at the situation using all 5 senses. For example, if you're feeling stressed while at home studying for a big test, you might stop and notice the feeling of the carpet between your toes, the smell of an air freshener in your bedroom, the taste of your mint chewing gum, the soft glow of a flameless candle on your desk, and the sound of the wind blowing outside. Reach out to people you trust when you’re stressed or feeling down. Talking with someone who cares about you can help you to feel better when things are difficult. Call a trusted friend or family member when you're struggling with something and tell them how you're feeling. For example, if you've been having a hard time making friends at school, you might tell a friend or family member about this and how it's made you feel. Try saying something like, “I'm struggling with making friends right now and I'm not sure what to do.” Set and enforce healthy boundaries with friends and family members. Your boundaries are what you will and will not accept in terms of how people treat you. Identify what behaviors you will not tolerate from other people and make it clear to them. Let them know how you will respond if they cross a boundary. For example, if you have a friend who sometimes yells at you when they are mad, then let them know this is unacceptable. Try saying something like, “I understand that you get frustrated sometimes, but it's not okay to take it out on me by yelling at me. If you do that, I will have to walk away or hang up.” Be sure to follow through with whatever consequences you set. For example, if your friend yells at you, walk away or hang up on them. Don't give them a second warning. It's important to stick to your boundaries to show people that you will enforce them. Meditate or pray daily, if you want to develop your spiritual life. Prayer or meditation can be a soothing way to begin or end your day. It's also a great way to take care of your spiritual needs if you want to develop a spiritual life. Try doing a guided meditation or simply sit in silence for 10 to 15 minutes each day and focus on a mantra or quote that you like. You might also consider joining a church or going to a meditation center once or twice per week. Keep your personal spaces clean and inviting. Taking care of your possessions and the areas that belong to you, such as your bedroom and locker, is important for your emotional well-being. If these areas are messy and not well-kept, you may feel overwhelmed whenever you look at them. But if you keep them neat and tidy, seeing these areas will be a relaxing experience. Take 15 minutes each day to tidy your personal spaces. Use shelves and organizers to make things look neat and tidy.
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Nourish your body with healthy foods. Sleep for at least 8 hours every night. Exercise for 30 to 60 minutes on most days of the week. Relax every day for at least 15 minutes. Steer clear of cigarettes and drugs. Drink plenty of water to stay well-hydrated. Practice safe sex if you’re sexually active. Wash your hands after using the bathroom and before eating. Shower or bathe every day. Shampoo and condition every other day, or more often if needed. Wash your face at least 2 times daily. Brush your teeth 2 to 3 times daily. Change your pad, cup, or tampon every 4 hours if you’re on your period. Trim, clean, and file your nails every week. Wear clean clothing that fits you well and makes you feel good. Contradict negative self-talk with positive thinking. Practice mindfulness to stay engaged with your surroundings. Reach out to people you trust when you’re stressed or feeling down. Set and enforce healthy boundaries with friends and family members. Meditate or pray daily, if you want to develop your spiritual life. Keep your personal spaces clean and inviting.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Yellow-Toenails
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How to Get Rid of Yellow Toenails
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To get rid of yellow toenails, start by mixing 3 parts water with 1 part vinegar in a large bowl and soaking your feet in it for 5 minutes each day to fight the fungus that causes yellowing. Alternatively, try scrubbing your toenails with a nail brush and whitening toothpaste to remove surface stains. If you think your nails are yellow because of a more severe fungal infection, make an anti-fungal paste with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and apply it to your toenails for 5 minutes each day.
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Know that yellow toenails are usually the result of a fungal infection. Fungus thrives in humid environments with a high pH, making a sweaty sock the perfect place to start a colony. Fungal infections usually come with other symptoms as well, such as thicker or brittle nails, as well as crumbling and flaking. Less common, but alternate reasons for yellow toenails include: Frequent use of nail polishes, which leave some dye on your toenails. Diabetes. Yellow Toenail Syndrome, which is genetic. Lymphedema (chronic leg swelling). Try anti-fungal creams for mild cases. If you nail is not brittle or chipping, you may be able to fight the infection with an over-the-counter cream. Two of the most popular are Mycocide NS and Nonyx Nail Gel, which require you to apply the product twice a day for several weeks. See your doctor or podiatrist for prescription medicine. While there are some over-the-counter anti-fungal creams, you will usually need to see a professional to get a cream strong enough to fight the fungus under your toenail. Common drugs include: Cicloprox (generic name), Zetaclear, Sporanox, and Lamisil. Know that treating a fungal infection takes time. You need to kill the entire colony to get rid of the infection or it will simply come back. Keep up treatment until you are sure the infection is gone, and be patient. It may take several months. If your toenails are still yellow or flaky after several weeks, make another appointment with a podiatrist. Have the toenail surgically removed if you can no longer walk without pain. This should be used as a last resort, as it can take up to a year for a new nail to grow back. However, if you cannot comfortably live your life it may be best to remove the nail and move on. Quit smoking. Smoking causes discoloration of skin, nails, and hair and cutting smoking may be the fastest way to return your nails to their original color. Use less nail polish. Nail polish will stain your nails and prevent them from getting oxygen, which can lead to an infection later on. Take a few days a week to leave your nails bare. This will keep them healthy. Change out of wet, dirty socks. This is a breeding ground for fungus. If you are sitting around in damp and nasty socks you are asking for an infection, so take the time to put on dry, clean socks whenever you can. Wear breathable shoes. Sneakers, open-toed shoes, and most exercises shoes are made of mesh or breathable material that allows airflow around your toes, which is essential for healthy toenails. Clean your toes and feet when you shower. Don't forget to scrub your toes and toenails whenever you wash up to remove bacteria, fungus, and dirt. Make a conscious effort to remember your feet in your hygiene routines. Make a homemade anti-fungal spread. Pour 2 ½ tbsp. baking soda into a small bowl and add 1 tbsp. hydrogen peroxide. Mix well then use a cotton ball to dip into your mixture. Apply to your toenails. Let it set for 5 minutes, then rinse well. Repeat daily. You can also use baking soda or hydrogen peroxide separately if you only have one. Simply mix it in with a small bowl of warm water and then apply. Use a vinegar bath. Mix 3 parts water with 1 part vinegar in a large bowl. Soak your feet in the bath for 4-5 minutes once a day to lower the pH in your toes and fight fungus. Use lemon juice to fight discoloration. Soaking your nails in lemon juice will get rid of yellow stains. Soak your nails for 10-15 minutes each day until you are happy with the results. Try whitening toothpaste. In order to get rid of immediate nail stains, like pink nails from red nail polish, try scrubbing a whitening toothpaste on your nails using a nail brush. This, however, is not for long-term stains. Try buffing your nails lightly for a temporary solution. The top layer of your nails is where the yellow stains are. By buffing your nails with a light sandpaper you will get rid of the top layers, removing some of the stains. However, buffing your nails is not recommended because it can lead to weaker nails. If you choose to buff your nails, try using a clear strengthening polish after.
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Know that yellow toenails are usually the result of a fungal infection. Try anti-fungal creams for mild cases. See your doctor or podiatrist for prescription medicine. Know that treating a fungal infection takes time. Have the toenail surgically removed if you can no longer walk without pain. Quit smoking. Use less nail polish. Change out of wet, dirty socks. Wear breathable shoes. Clean your toes and feet when you shower. Make a homemade anti-fungal spread. Use a vinegar bath. Use lemon juice to fight discoloration. Try whitening toothpaste. Try buffing your nails lightly for a temporary solution.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Wasps
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How to Get Rid of Wasps
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To get rid of wasps in your home or around your house, start by physically removing them. If there's a wasp within a few inches of you, try using a flyswatter to smack and kill it. You can also use a vacuum to suck up slow-moving wasps that are crawling on the ground, or brush them away with a broom. For wasps that have built nests, consider placing bait traps, glue traps, or drinking traps outside to kill them. If the wasps won't go away, consider using insecticides or hiring an exterminator to get rid of them.
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Apply a mixture of 1 tablespoon (15 mL) peppermint oil with 16 ounces (473 mL) of water. Pour the water into a spray bottle and mix your peppermint oil in. Spray this solution on wasps and nests. Be sure to apply enough to soak the wasps and nests completely.. Consider mixing 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of shampoo or dish soap in to help the peppermint stick to the application area and suffocate the wasps. Shoot a mixture of 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of dish soap per 1 cup (240 mL) of water. Pour hot water into a spray bottle and add your dish soap. Locate the wasps and spray them until they stop moving. If possible, use a hose-end sprayer for a more direct application. For larger nests, mix dish soap into your garden sprayer. Only spray nests at night and cover your light source with a cloth or use amber or red bulbs to prevent the wasps from attacking you. Apply WD-40 around deck railings, window sills, and eaves. Wasps don't like the smell of WD-40, which makes it a great repellent. Apply 2 to 3 sprays around areas that you see wasps frequent, especially crevices or small areas that wasps would likely build a nest in. For nests, spray about 5 to 6 times or until its entire surface is covered. Never spray near candles or a lit grill. Avoid burning the nest after spraying WD-40—this is extremely risky if you cannot control the flame. Apply insecticides on the nest, wasps, or areas where wasps frequent. Read the label to determine the application rate, which will tell you how many gallons you need per acre or square foot. Mix 1 ounce (28 g) of product for every 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water. Spray the insecticide onto affected areas as early in summer as possible. Focus on enclosed spaces with closed windows and doors. Apply insecticides directly to any individual wasps or to the entire nest, as directed. Work fast and try and apply the insecticide at night when the wasps are less active. Call a professional exterminator. If you're not confident using chemical insecticides or are having trouble getting rid of wasps on your own, professional exterminators might be a safer alternative. If you have a wasp nest in the walls of your home, an exterminator can drill a hole in the window frame, floor, or wall near the nest's location, and then pump insecticides through this hole to reach the nest. Hire a professional exterminator if you are on a limited timeframe—they have access to stronger chemicals, so the wasps might die more quickly. Swat wasps using a flyswatter. The simplest, most direct way to kill a wasp is to smack it with a flyswatter. Wait until the wasp lands on a surface to rest. Swat it when it's motionless and continue to do so until it's dead. Only use a swatter if you are trying to get rid of one wasp or a small group in a concentrated area. Don't attempt to swat wasps if you have slow reflexes or haven't practiced swatting, as you are likely to get stung when the wasp flies away and tries to defend itself. Suck the wasps up using a powerful lightweight vacuum. Turn on the vacuum and place it about 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) from the wasps. After you have vacuumed all the wasps, suck up 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of cornstarch to incapacitate them. Open the vacuum canister while it is still running, tape the opening of the bag, and then turn the vacuum off. Remove the bag and put it in a freezer overnight before throwing it away. Choose a vacuum that has a removable bag. Vacuum wasps as spring arrives, right when they start coming out of hibernation. They tend to be slow and sluggish, making it easier to catch them and sweep them away. Hide appealing food sources. Flowers, food, and drinks can all attract wasps. Move flowers to the far side of your yard and be sure to clean up all food and drinks. At the end of the summer, wasps are most attracted to sugary drinks and foods. At the beginning and middle of the summer, they are more drawn to meat. Cover your food with resealable silicone lids, and avoid plastic and cling film. Move potted flowers away from your house and avoid using sweet or floral perfumes, shampoos, lotions, or soaps. Do not let food linger outside, especially in the heat. Hang a lure trap along your property line within 1⁄4 mile (0.40 km) of wasps. Hang a commercially-bought lure trap in an area the wasps frequent. Be sure to place it along your property line as far away from patios and protected areas as possible. Check every few days and replace it as needed once the trap begins to fill or after the time designated on the instructions. Lure traps can be purchased from department stores, big-box stores, and online suppliers. Create a water trap using a 0.528 gallon (2.00 L) plastic bottle. Cut the neck off the plastic bottle. Remove the cap, turn the neck upside-down, and let it rest inside the opening. Place duct tape or packing tape horizontally along the connection point between the 2 bottle pieces. Afterward, fill the bottle with sugar water, soda, or pieces of meat and other protein. Hang it by taping strings to it or screwing a hole into it to affix it into wood. Wipe a layer of cooking oil around the edges of the trap so that it becomes too slippery for the wasps to stand on. Before emptying the trap, freeze it or pour boiling water into it to kill any remaining living wasps. Attach a bait station onto a close by post or tree trunk. A bait station is an enclosed trap that lures wandering wasps inside, at which point the wasps are killed with a chemical insecticide. Align button head self-tapping screws into the openings of each bait station. Place them against a tree or post near a wasps nest. Afterward, hammer the screws through the holes to affix them to the selected surface. Bait stations can be purchased form big-box stores or online suppliers. Set glue traps near wasp nests and entryways to the nests. Hang glue traps near wasp nests along clotheslines using clothespins. Glue traps can also be placed on flat surfaces in areas that wasps frequently crawl around. Use glue traps during the early stages of nest development, when the wasp population is smaller at this point and more easily controlled. Purchase glue traps from big-box stores and online suppliers. Make a drinking station bait with water and pyrethroid powder. Place a plant pot into a tray and fill the tray up with water. Put the pot in a sunny position and the wasps will eventually learn to drink there. Add a powder containing a pyrethroid such as permethrin (a natural product extracted from chrysanthemums). Mix the powder to a paste and stir water into it. Use drinking stations early in the summer for best results. Keep adding fresh water every 1 to 2 days to attract more wasps, and repeat the whole process every 3 to 5 days. Hang a fake nest within 200 feet (61 m) of each new nest. Early on in the summer, you might be able to chase wasps away at their first appearance by hanging a fake nest around your home or around any area you want wasps to stay away from. However, this solution isn't always effective and doesn't work late in the summer. Purchase fake wasp nests from big-box stores and online suppliers. You can also use a paper lantern or brown paper bag. Knock the nest down after applying insecticide or early in the season. If you have applied insecticide or the season is early and the nest is still small, consider knocking the it down with a broom, rake, or other long-handled tools. When the wasps are alive, you must knock the nest down on a regular basis to discourage the wasps. Expect to knock the nest down several times before the wasps give up and find somewhere else to build. If you have applied in insecticide and most of the wasps are dead, saturate it with insecticide spray after knocking it down and then break it apart. Drown underground nests with boiling water at night. Keep an eye on wasp behavior for 2 to 3 days and find the most frequented nest entrances and exits. Afterward, head over to these spots at night when the wasps are asleep and pour a pot of boiling water down. Stuff some soil into the holes after you have flooded the hive (unless the wasps begin to ascend from the nest). Always wear protection and be careful—this method can trigger a mass attack. Capture and seal the nest in the fall. Wait until the coolest time of night and approach the nest as quietly as possible. Quickly slip a plastic bag over the nest while continuing to make as little noise as possible. Afterward, close the bag around the limb directly above the nest, tie the bag shut, and then cut or break the limb from the tree. Place the nest into the freezer for about a day or into a bucket of water to drown the wasps. Only attempt to capture wasps in late October or after the first hard freeze, which is at least 4 hours in a row of air temperatures lower than 25 °F (−4 °C). Make sure the plastic has an airtight seal.
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Apply a mixture of 1 tablespoon (15 mL) peppermint oil with 16 ounces (473 mL) of water. Shoot a mixture of 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of dish soap per 1 cup (240 mL) of water. Apply WD-40 around deck railings, window sills, and eaves. Apply insecticides on the nest, wasps, or areas where wasps frequent. Call a professional exterminator. Swat wasps using a flyswatter. Suck the wasps up using a powerful lightweight vacuum. Hide appealing food sources. Hang a lure trap along your property line within 1⁄4 mile (0.40 km) of wasps. Create a water trap using a 0.528 gallon (2.00 L) plastic bottle. Attach a bait station onto a close by post or tree trunk. Set glue traps near wasp nests and entryways to the nests. Make a drinking station bait with water and pyrethroid powder. Hang a fake nest within 200 feet (61 m) of each new nest. Knock the nest down after applying insecticide or early in the season. Drown underground nests with boiling water at night. Capture and seal the nest in the fall.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Lose-Weight-with-Yoga
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How to Lose Weight with Yoga
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To lose weight with yoga, aim for 90 minute sessions so you can burn more calories. Additionally, do poses that are designed to build muscle, like the downward dog or half push-ups. You could also try taking a hybrid yoga class, which incorporates aerobics with yoga to burn more calories. Alternatively, incorporate other exercises into your daily routine, like cycling or swimming, to burn additional calories.
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Look into hybrid yoga classes. Yoga in and of itself does not burn a lot of calories. However, hybrid yoga classes often combine yoga with forms of aerobics. This may result in a higher caloric burn, allowing you to burn more calories and possibly lose weight with yoga. Koga classes combine yoga with kickboxing. The fast-paced nature of kickboxing may burn more calories than yoga alone. Yoga classes that combine with dance and cardio, with names such as "Yoga Booty Ballet," encourage fast-paced movements. If you can find classes like these, you may be able to lose weight with yoga. Look into classes at a local YMCA or health center. See if you can find anything relevant to your interests, and that combines yoga with more vigorous fitness routines. Try power yoga. Power yoga is a form of yoga that encourages complicated athletic poses. You focus on muscle groups you need to use for activities like cycling, running, and weight lifting. If you do power yoga a few times a week, you can increase your strength and stamina when you engage in aerobic activities. This could lead to a higher calorie burn during other forms of exercise, and when you move throughout the day. Enroll in an acro-yoga course. Acro-yoga is a form of yoga that combines yoga with acrobatic moves. It's a more intense form of yoga than other practices, and calls for more demanding moves. It may burn more calories than regular yoga, so it may work well for weight loss. See if you can find a yoga studio in your area that offers acro-yoga courses. Be careful if you're new to yoga, however. The moves can be very demanding, and you don't want to strain yourself if you've never tried yoga before. You may want to start with a more basic class and work your way up to acro-yoga. Try hot yoga. Hot yoga may help with quick weight loss. This type of yoga is typically done in a classroom setting in a room heated to 105 °F (40.6 °C) with increased humidity. Hot yoga can help you shed some unwanted water weight. However, evidence is mixed as to whether or not hot yoga helps with weight loss long term. Hot yoga sessions are long, typically 90 minutes in length. Longer sessions make for more weight loss, as more calories will be burned. Hot classes are intense. Typically, there are 26 poses which you must go through twice. You hold the poses for 20 seconds the first time, and 10 seconds the next time. Look for a hot yoga class near you. See if the enrollment fee is affordable for you. Regular hot yoga could eventually lead to weight loss. Aim for 90 minute sessions. Yoga poses are often slow-moving, so the weight loss tends to be less overall. You'll burn more calories during 20 minutes of aerobics than 20 minutes of yoga. This is why 90 minute sessions are key if you want yoga to be a major component of your weight loss strategy. You need longer sessions to burn more calories and achieve your goals. You should also go for fast-paced yoga. Opt for continual, flowing yoga moves that encourage you to stay in motion throughout the session. You can find yoga routines online, or enroll in a yoga class. Go for poses that encourage muscle building. While yoga is not necessarily a primary form of aerobic exercise, it can help with weight training. Building your muscles and core can help you strengthen your body. This can provide you with more endurance during aerobic exercise, so your body is able to go longer during aerobic routines. The downward dog position can help you build muscle, and you can move from this position to other similar poses. Stand with your feet together and move forward, bending at your hips, until your fingertips or palms are at either side of your feet. Bend your knees and then place your palms flat on your yoga mat, keeping them shoulder width apart. Then move your feet back slightly and raise your tailbone in the air. Get on all fours. Your knees should align with your hips, and your hands should be under your shoulders. Pull in your abs and bend your elbows 45 degrees, doing a half pushup. Rise back up and repeat a series of half push-ups until you feel tired. Straighten your arms and bring your tailbone down towards your heels, allowing the backs of your thighs to rest on your calves. Hold for a few breaths, and return to downward dog. Add a quick circuit of poses at the end of an aerobics routine. You can add a series of quick circuit yoga poses at the end of an aerobics routine. This can add some muscle building and additional cardio to a workout. Choose a series of 4 or 5 poses that work for you and do them in a certain order after working out. You could start in mountain pose. This means standing up tall and straight with your feet held together and your hands stretched over your head. Breathe in and out as you reach upward. From here, move your arms to the ground until your palms or fingertips are in front of your feet. Exhale as you lean forward. Tilt your head down and stretch your calves upward. Look forward, lift your torso up, and keep your back flat. Push your hips back and transition into downward dog. Then, repeat the circuit. Start slow if you are new to yoga. Yoga is not easy and can cause a lot of strain to various muscle groups. Certain positions may not be appropriate for beginners. If you've never done yoga before, it's best to start in a class. A qualified instructor can help you determine your present fitness level and give you advice and feedback on what moves are safe for you. Check your local yellow pages, or browse the internet, to find yoga instructors and classes in your area. Embrace mindfulness when you eat. Yoga helps you foster a sense of awareness about yourself and your body. This can help you become more mindful when you eat, allowing you to be more aware of when you're feeling full and satisfied. Remember how to be in the present moment when you eat, and work on practicing mindful eating. First, work on making meal time a priority. Put away your cell phone and turn off the television set. Set the table, even if you're eating alone, so you can focus solely on the food. Eat slowly. You want to make sure you savor each bite and enjoy the texture and flavor of the food. Try to chew each bite very slowly and pay attention to how the food tastes in your mouth, as well as the textures. Try taking smaller bites and pausing between bites to think. Think about the food you're eating. Try to be aware of where it came from. Who grew these vegetables? Think about the farms from which animal products came. Try to think about food as sustaining and nourishing rather than a convenience or a splurge. Become more aware of your body. Yoga also teaches you to become more aware of your body. This can help you be more aware of when you want food, and be more aware of the kinds of food you need to feel fulfilled. Many people who diet strive to be in control of their body or their eating habits. However, yoga preaches that your body should control you. Yoga courses encourage you to listen to your body and its needs. As you begin engaging in yoga regularly, you'll find you're more aware of what you want and need on a daily basis. You may find yourself eating when you're hungry instead of when you're bored, as you're paying attention to your body's signs. You may also go for healthier foods, as you'll be longing for nourishment over taste and convenience. Before you eat, stop and think to yourself, "Why am I eating? Do I feel hungry?" If you're eating for a reason other than hunger, such as stress, try to find a different way to cope. Eat only when you feel you need food to sustain yourself. Reduce the stress in your life. Stress can cause weight gain for a variety of reasons. People who are stressed tend to eat emotionally, and may eat unhealthy foods they would otherwise avoid. Doing yoga regularly can help you reduce your overall stress, as yoga encourages you to stay in the present moment and be aware and accepting of yourself. Practice yoga regularly with the aim of reducing stress to help you lose weight. In addition to yoga, consider incorporating regular meditation into your day-to-day life. You can find meditation routines online, or take a meditation class at a local community center. Meditation can also help you reduce life stress, resulting in a better chance at weight loss. Add regular aerobic activity to your routine. It's hard to lose weight doing only yoga, as it does not burn as many calories as other traditional forms of exercise. If you weigh 150 pounds, you'll burn 170 calories for an hour of yoga. However, if you do an hour of aerobics, you'll burn 340 calories. While yoga has many benefits for weight loss, such as increasing the strength of core muscles and potentially preventing emotional eating, you should supplement yoga with regular cardio and aerobic activity. Pick an activity you like to do, as you'll be more likely to stick to it. If you've never enjoyed running, you probably won't go for a jog every morning. However, if you love riding your bike, you'll be more likely to stick to your routine. Always warm up and cool down before and after exercise. Eat a healthy diet. Diet is one of the main factors when it comes to weight loss. In fact, diet may have a bigger impact on weight loss than exercise. Strive for a healthy, low-calorie diet, that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. Opt for variety. This will provide you with a range of nutrients, and prevent boredom. Go for many different kinds of fruits and vegetable, striving for a colorful shopping basket. Whole-grains are always better over processed carbs. Strive to get your protein from lean meats, legumes, and nuts over fattier meats. Stick to low-fat dairy over full fat varieties. Consult a doctor before making any major lifestyle changes. If you're going to be making any lifestyle changes to lose weight, talk to a doctor first. You want to make sure your body is ready for a change given your medical history and current health. Make an appointment with your regular physician to talk over your diet and exercise plan. He or she can help you craft a diet that suits your particular needs.
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Look into hybrid yoga classes. Try power yoga. Enroll in an acro-yoga course. Try hot yoga. Aim for 90 minute sessions. Go for poses that encourage muscle building. Add a quick circuit of poses at the end of an aerobics routine. Start slow if you are new to yoga. Embrace mindfulness when you eat. Become more aware of your body. Reduce the stress in your life. Add regular aerobic activity to your routine. Eat a healthy diet. Consult a doctor before making any major lifestyle changes.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Hiccups-When-You-Are-Drunk
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How to Get Rid of Hiccups When You Are Drunk
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To get rid of hiccups when you're drunk, try holding your breath for as long as you can. Then, take a few deep breaths. This will restrict your diaphragm and will help stop hiccups. You might need to try it a few times before they stop. Alternatively, sit with your knees pulled into your chest to compress your diaphragm. You can also drink a glass of water quickly, which will engage your abdominal muscles and can help stop your hiccups. Another thing you can try is pinching the top of your nose. This puts pressure on your blood vessels and can help stop your hiccups.
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Hold your breath. When you hold your breath, you stop your diaphragm from moving normally. Since hiccups seem to be associated with a reflex movement of the diaphragm, halting it can help to end them. After holding your breath for a few seconds, swallow large breaths of air a few times. Repeat this process a few times to see if it can stop your hiccups. Change your body position. Sit while pulling your knees up to your chest or bending over will compress your diaphragm. Hiccups are related to diaphragm spasms, and compressing the diaphragm may reduce the spasms. Be careful getting up and down--remember that your coordination and sense of balance might be impaired when you are drinking. Drink a glass of water quickly. When you drink quickly and without stopping, your abdominal muscles are put to work and your hiccups might end in the process. You can use a straw or two to help you drink the water more quickly. Make sure that is only water that you are drinking and not alcohol, which can cause hiccups. Try coughing. Coughing forcefully uses a lot of abdominal muscle power, and the action might halt the hiccup reflex. Even if you don't actually have to cough, just make yourself do it. Put pressure on the bridge of your nose. Place your finger on the bridge of your nose and press as hard as you can. It's not clear why this technique works, but putting pressure put on a nerve or blood vessel often seems to help. Make yourself sneeze. Sneezing puts abdominal muscles to work, which can break up the hiccupping action and hopefully end it. To make yourself sneeze, try sniffing a little pepper, breathing in a dusty area, or walking out into bright sunshine. Gargle with water. Gargling requires you to concentrate, and the action can disrupt the way you are breathing and using your abdominal muscles. All of this together can help end a bout of hiccups. Drink a shot of vinegar. Strong substances like vinegar or pickle juice can “shock” your body into a bout of hiccups. However, if you already have them, they may also “shock” your body into ending them. If this method does not work the first time, it is probably best not to try it again, since drinking too much vinegar can irritate your stomach and esophagus. If it doesn't work, just try a different method. Ice the problem. Take a small bag of ice and place it on the skin of your upper stomach, which is near your diaphragm. The cold can cause changes in your circulation and muscle activity in the area, which might stop the hiccups. If your hiccups do not go away within twenty minutes, remove the ice and try a different method. Leaving the ice on too long can cause soreness. Stimulate the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is related to a number of bodily functions, and stimulating it can help end your hiccups. Try one of these tricks: Let a spoonful of sugar slowly dissolve on your tongue. Eat a spoonful of honey. Tickle the roof of your mouth with a cotton swab. Stick your fingers in your ear. Sip water (or some other non-alcoholic, non-carbonated beverage) slowly, letting it hit the roof of your mouth. Seek medical treatment if your hiccups last more than 48 hours. Typically, you can cure hiccups with home remedies. However, if your hiccups last longer than two consecutive days and you've tried treating them at home already, it's time to see your doctor. Try counting or other rote activities. If you have your brain concentrate on a moderately difficult activity, it might stop causing the hiccups. If you have been drinking, you might have to concentrate a little harder, but in this case that might actually help. Try one of these tasks: Count backwards from 100. Say or sing the alphabet backwards Do multiplication problems (4 x 2 = 8; 4 x 5 = 20; 4 x 6 = 24; etc.) Say each letter of the alphabet and a word that begins with that letter Focus on breathing. Normally, we don't think about breathing. If you concentrate on it, however, it might help end the hiccups. Try holding your breath and slowly counting to 10. Try inhaling through your nose as slowly and as deeply as you can, then exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat this several times. Increase the amount of carbon dioxide in your bloodstream. If there is an abnormally high level of carbon dioxide in your blood, your brain will focus on this, and the hiccups may stop. You can increase your bloodstream's carbon dioxide level by breathing abnormally: Hold your breath as long as you can Breathe deeply and slowly Blow up a balloon Breathe into a paper bag Drink water in an uncomfortable position. You might try bending over as you drink, or drinking from the far side of the glass. Since this is an unusual way to drink, you will have to concentrate not to spill the water. The distraction might help end the hiccups. Make sure that is only water that you are drinking and not alcohol, which can cause hiccups. Have someone scare you. Being frightened is a good way to take you mind off of something, including hiccups. If you are really scared by something, your brain might focus on that rather than the hiccup reflex. For this to work, you will need a friend to help—ask them to leap out of the darkness or jump around a corner when you least expect it.
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Hold your breath. Change your body position. Drink a glass of water quickly. Try coughing. Put pressure on the bridge of your nose. Make yourself sneeze. Gargle with water. Drink a shot of vinegar. Ice the problem. Stimulate the vagus nerve. Seek medical treatment if your hiccups last more than 48 hours. Try counting or other rote activities. Focus on breathing. Increase the amount of carbon dioxide in your bloodstream. Drink water in an uncomfortable position. Have someone scare you.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Coconut-Flour-With-Flaked-Coconut
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How to Make Coconut Flour With Flaked Coconut
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To make coconut flour with flaked coconut, start by mixing 4 parts water and 1 part coconut flakes and letting the flakes soak for 4 hours. Then, transfer the mixture to a food processor and blend it until its smooth. Next, put the mixture in a cheesecloth and squeeze out as much of the water as you can. Once you've squeezed out most of the water, spread the remaining pulp on a baking sheet and bake it at 200 degrees Fahrenheit until its dry. Finally, crush the dried pulp using a mortar and pestle or a food processor.
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Soak the unsweetened coconut flakes for four hours. The ratio of water to coconut flakes needs to be 4:1. Example: Four cups of water to one cup of flakes. Using a food processor, process the coconut until it is smooth. Put all of the coconut mixture into the cheesecloth and squeeze as much as you can. Get all of the water out of it. This fluid is the coconut milk. Refrigerate the coconut milk for use. Spread the pulp in the cheesecloth onto a baking sheet. Bake in a 200 degree Fahrenheit oven until dry. Process in the food processor, or something similar, until you have the flour that you need. A low energy alternative to the food processor is a mortar and pestle !
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Soak the unsweetened coconut flakes for four hours. Using a food processor, process the coconut until it is smooth. Put all of the coconut mixture into the cheesecloth and squeeze as much as you can. Spread the pulp in the cheesecloth onto a baking sheet. Bake in a 200 degree Fahrenheit oven until dry. Process in the food processor, or something similar, until you have the flour that you need.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Be-One-of-the-Best-Students-in-Your-School
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How to Be One of the Best Students in Your School
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If you want to be one of the best students in your school, keep a planner where you write down all of your upcoming homework and assignments. This will keep you organized so you always know what you should be working on. Set aside time to study and do your homework each night, and get help from your teacher or a tutor if you're having trouble with a particular subject. In addition, get involved in extracurricular activities like a sport, club, or volunteer organization in your free time.
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Attend class every day unless you’re sick. Going to class will help you learn the coursework. Plus, it gives you a chance to impress your teacher with your thoughts and questions. Go to school everyday so you can stay on top of your coursework. Be on time for class so your teacher sees that you're taking school seriously. It's important to stay home if you're ill. Contact your teacher to get your assignments and ask a classmate for a copy of their notes. Additionally, do any assignments that you miss. Bring all of the materials you need for class. Being prepared for class is super important because it ensures you have the tools for success. Additionally, it shows your teacher that you're ready to learn, which helps you have a great reputation. Read your syllabus or talk to your teacher to make sure you have the items you need every day. For instance, always have a writing utensil, something to write on, and your text. If your school allows electronics, bring your laptop or tablet for note taking. If you can't afford your class materials, that's okay! Talk to your teacher to find out how you can get help getting the supplies you need to be successful. Read the texts your teacher assigns before class. You probably have a ton of stuff to do, so you might be tempted to skip the readings your teacher assigns. However, this can make it hard for you to learn the material. Always do your assigned readings before the day of class so you're fully prepared to discuss the subject matter. Reading the text ahead of time also allows you to figure out what you don't understand so you can ask questions in class. Make notes on the reading to use during class discussions. If you're allowed to mark up your book, highlight important passages and make notes. If you can't write in your book or have a digital book, write your notes in your notebook. Review your notes before class so that you have something to say during the class discussion. As an example, you might write, “The weather seems to represent the main character's mood,” or “The two generals could have won the battle if they'd worked together instead of against each other.” It's also helpful to write down questions that you want to ask. For instance, you might plan to ask, “Is the star in this story a symbol? What does it symbolize?” Ask questions about material you don’t understand. You may feel embarrassed when you don't understand something, but it's normal to have questions. In fact, it shows everyone that you're a good student who wants to learn! If you have a question, ask it during class or talk to your teacher after class. It's best to ask questions during class. You might even be helping your classmates who have the same question. If you're too shy to ask, stay for a few minutes after class, talk to your teacher after school, or send your teacher an email. Take good notes during class lectures or discussions. Class discussions and lectures have a lot of important information that will help you understand your coursework. Write down the topics your teacher highlights in class. Additionally, note the important details they focus on during the class discussion. As an example, write down important names, dates, and concepts in history class. When studying literature, take notes about topics like theme and literary devices that the author uses, such as symbolism or metaphor. Your teacher will likely pull a lot of their test questions from the class discussion, so good notes can help you ace your exams. Schedule time for homework and studying into your routine. It's important that you take time to study and do your homework daily so that it's a habit. Pick a time that works best for you, such as right after school, during study hall, or in the morning before school. Then, dedicate this time to your homework or study sessions. For instance, you might set aside 30 minutes before school and 1 hour every evening after dinner. You might have days when you have less homework. Use these days to review your notes, make flashcards, or start preparing for a test. Create a distraction-free study environment. Pick a spot that feels comfortable and serves as a good workspace, like a desk in your bedroom or your kitchen table. Turn off your electronics or remove them from your study space, and get rid of other distractions, as well. Then, put the items that you need for studying nearby. For instance, place writing utensils and paper in your workspace so you always have them. Do your homework and study every day. You'll be more academically successful if you consistently study. Use your study time every day, even if you don't have assignments due. Read your texts, review your notes, use flashcards, or work on future assignments. This will help you absorb the material better so that you can remember it for your exams. Additionally, it'll help you avoid getting behind when you're having a busy week. Break bigger assignments into smaller chunks so they’re easier to do. It's normal to feel overwhelmed by major assignments, like essays, projects, and tests. To make them easier, break them up into smaller, easy-to-accomplish steps. Then, check off each step so that it's easier to get your assignment done. Start working on your assignment as soon as you get it instead of waiting until right before it's due. For instance, let's say your teacher assigns a research paper that's due in 3 weeks. You might pick your topic on the day you get the assignment. Then, spend 2-3 days doing initial research before writing your thesis statement. Next, you could give yourself a week to do more research and write a first draft, then another week to do revisions. This leaves you 2-3 days to proofread and finalize your paper. As another example, let's say you have a week to build a molecule for science class. You might spend the first day researching the molecule you plan to build. On day 2, you might sketch the molecule and buy your supplies. Then, you could build the model over the next 5 days. Use a planner to keep track of assignment due dates. Your workload will likely increase as the school year progresses, and it's easy to lose track of when assignments are due. Write down every assignment that you receive and its due date. Additionally, add study and homework goals to your planner. This will help you stay on top of your school work. You can buy a planner or make your own. Organize your class materials in a binder, folder, or notebook. Keep your handouts, assignments, and notes in a 3-ring binder or folder. Additionally, store your digital files on your computer, in a Google Drive, or on a flash drive. If you prefer, write your class notes in a spiral notebook. Sort through these items weekly to make sure they stay organized. If you work on different computers, use a flash drive or Google Drive to make it easier to access your files from any computer. Don't throw away your classwork until the end of the year. Instead, leave your work in your class folder or in a folder that you keep at home. This way you can go back and study it if you need to do so. Turn in your assignments on time so you get full credit. You work hard on your school work, so you want to get the credit you deserve. Make sure you always turn in your assignments on time so you don't lose points for being late. This includes both homework and major assignments, like essays or projects. Sometimes you might have a legitimate excuse for being late, such as a major illness. If this happens, talk to your teacher before the assignment is due so you can get an extension. This way you can still get full credit for your work. Join a study group to share knowledge and ideas. Studying with your peers allows you all to learn better. You can share your knowledge and get tips from your classmates. Look for a study group at your school or form one by inviting your classmates to a study session. Stay on task during your study group sessions. Don't talk about anything other than your school work. Attend tutoring if you need help understanding a topic. Don't worry if you're having trouble understanding your coursework because that's a common problem. Instead, attend after-school tutoring with your teacher or go to peer tutoring. This will help you better understand so you can do well on your assignments. It's likely that the information you're going to learn next will build on what you're learning now, so it's essential that you understand. Your teacher is there to help, so don't be afraid to ask questions. Join student council to take an active role in your school. The student council is your school's student leadership body, so being a member shows everyone that you're involved in your school. Run for student office each year to show your school pride and try for a leadership position. If you lose the election, join student council as a student body member. For instance, you might run for student body president, secretary, or treasurer. If you aren't elected, don't despair! You can still participate in student council, typically as a student body member. Talk to a member of student council or the faculty adviser to find out more information. Take part in clubs or organizations that interest you. Look for clubs or organizations that are related to your interests or hobbies. Then, attend their meetings to figure out if you want to participate in them. Pick a few clubs that feel like a good fit for you. As an example, you might join the art club if you enjoy making art or the Spanish club if you're interested in learning Spanish or participating in cultural events. Try out for a sport if you enjoy athletics. Playing sports is a great way to participate in your school's culture! Attend tryouts for the sports you enjoy so you can play on a team. You could play one or more sports, depending on your interests. If you like sports but don't want to play, ask about being a team manager or athletic trainer so you can still be part of the team.
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Attend class every day unless you’re sick. Bring all of the materials you need for class. Read the texts your teacher assigns before class. Make notes on the reading to use during class discussions. Ask questions about material you don’t understand. Take good notes during class lectures or discussions. Schedule time for homework and studying into your routine. Create a distraction-free study environment. Do your homework and study every day. Break bigger assignments into smaller chunks so they’re easier to do. Use a planner to keep track of assignment due dates. Organize your class materials in a binder, folder, or notebook. Turn in your assignments on time so you get full credit. Join a study group to share knowledge and ideas. Attend tutoring if you need help understanding a topic. Join student council to take an active role in your school. Take part in clubs or organizations that interest you. Try out for a sport if you enjoy athletics.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-an-Ice-Cream-Sandwich
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How to Make an Ice Cream Sandwich
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To make an easy ice cream sandwich, put whipped cream between 2 graham crackers, and freeze the sandwich overnight. Or, if you don't feel like waiting for your ice cream sandwich to freeze, you can just sandwich a scoop of ice cream in between 2 cookies and dig in. Alternatively, you can place a scoop of ice cream in between 2 waffles for an extra-sweet treat.
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Break the graham crackers in half. Put the whipped cream all on top of 1/2 of the cracker. Put the other cracker on top and onto a plate. Freeze the sandwiches overnight. Take them out the next day and enjoy! Grab two cookies of your choice. Also get any kind of ice cream. Set out a plate and put one cookie down. Add a generous scoop of ice cream on the first cookie. Stack the other cookie on top of the ice cream layer. Add extras, as desired. For a bonus you can get mini chocolate chips (regular ones work just as well) and put them around the outside of the ice cream. You can put any kind of chip on it, white chocolate, dark chocolate, butterscotch, etc. Serve or freeze. If you are not going to eat it right away, put it on the plate and in a freezer. On the other hand if you can't resist put back on the plate and enjoy this tasty treat! Pour almost liquid ice cream into a tray. Place in a freezer and wait to freeze. Take out the frozen ice cream and using a knife cut waffle shaped rectangles. Get the first waffle and place the ice-ream rectangle on to it. Place the second waffle on top. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or use a silicone sheet). Place the saucepan onto the stove top. Add the milk, water, salt, sugar and butter. Warm over a medium to hot heat. Stir to combine. When the butter melts, bring to a boil. Remove from the heat once it reaches a boil. Pour in the vanilla extract and stir. Add the flour to the liquid mixture. Stir with a spatula to create a smooth dough. Select a star tip for the piping bag. Place the dough into the piping bag. Pipe long lengths of the dough onto the parchment paper lined baking sheet. Let sit for quarter of an hour to 20 minutes. Create the churros sandwich shape. Roll each length of long dough into a little circle. The circle should be sized according to how large you'd like the ice cream sandwich to be. Realize that this will be bite-size, not huge. Make the topping for the churros. Mix the sugars and cinnamon until combined. Place this in a small bowl but ensure it is wide enough for dipping the churros into, for coating. Prepare the deep fryer. Heat to 360ºF (182ºC). These can be fried in a pot with high sides and a heavy base, using medium heat, if you don't have a deep fryer. Fry the churros. Only do two at a time, to avoid crowding the churros and to ensure the best texture. They should fr on one side for around 3 to 3.5 minutes, until golden brown. Then turn them over with tongs, slotted spoon or similar, and fry the other side for around the same time, or until golden brown. Using the tongs, a wire skimmer or slotted spoon, remove the fried churros. Lay them down on a plate lined with kitchen paper towel, to drain the oil. Continue to make more churros, as required. Dip the churros into the cinnamon sugar mix. Do this while they are still hot. Create the ice cream sandwiches. To assemble, place one churros onto the serving plate, add the ice cream, then top with another churros. The churros should be quite warm still, as this adds to the deliciousness. Serve immediately. These are best when still warm and fresh.
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Break the graham crackers in half. Put the whipped cream all on top of 1/2 of the cracker. Put the other cracker on top and onto a plate. Freeze the sandwiches overnight. Take them out the next day and enjoy! Grab two cookies of your choice. Set out a plate and put one cookie down. Add a generous scoop of ice cream on the first cookie. Stack the other cookie on top of the ice cream layer. Add extras, as desired. Serve or freeze. Pour almost liquid ice cream into a tray. Place in a freezer and wait to freeze. Take out the frozen ice cream and using a knife cut waffle shaped rectangles. Get the first waffle and place the ice-ream rectangle on to it. Place the second waffle on top. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or use a silicone sheet). Place the saucepan onto the stove top. Stir to combine. Add the flour to the liquid mixture. Select a star tip for the piping bag. Pipe long lengths of the dough onto the parchment paper lined baking sheet. Create the churros sandwich shape. Make the topping for the churros. Prepare the deep fryer. Fry the churros. Using the tongs, a wire skimmer or slotted spoon, remove the fried churros. Dip the churros into the cinnamon sugar mix. Create the ice cream sandwiches. Serve immediately.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Air-Sickness-on-a-Plane
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How to Prevent Air Sickness on a Plane
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To prevent airsickness on a plane, try to choose a seat near the middle of the plane and next to a window if you can, where you'll experience less motion and have something to focus on so you don't get as nauseous. Also, turn on the air vent above you so there's fresh air blowing on your face, and lean back in your seat and take slow, deep breaths. Right before your trip and while you're in the air, avoid drinking alcohol or caffeine since they can make airsickness worse.
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Avoid heavy meals. Pay attention to what you eat for at least 24 hours before your trip. Try not to eat fatty, greasy, or heavily spiced or salted meals. Instead, try eating smaller, but more frequent meals or snacks, prior to your flight. Avoid eating a heavy meal just before traveling. Do not eat foods that make you aware of your stomach. For example, avoid foods that cause a feeling of heartburn or reflux. The less you concentrate on your stomach, the better. Try not to eat anything immediately before flying, but don't board the plane with an empty stomach either. Limit your alcohol consumption. Alcohol intake prior to traveling can be a trigger for airsickness in many people. Try to avoid consuming alcohol, and also be sure to drink plenty of water. Choose your seat carefully. Most of the time, you can choose your seat as you purchase your plane ticket. Take care to choose a seat over the wing, and by the window. The seats over the wings will feel the least amount of motion during flight. Having a window seat will allow you to focus your gaze on the horizon, or another fixed object in the distance. If those seats are not available, then choose a seat very near the front of the plane, and by the window. The front of the plane is another section that feels less motion while in flight. Get plenty of rest. Being well rested as you begin your flight can help your body to maintain a more relaxed state. Use motion sickness medications. Preventing airsickness is better than trying to treat it once the symptoms have started. Your doctor may be able to help by prescribing medications used to prevent motion sickness. Several classes of medications are available to help with motion sickness. Some are available over-the-counter, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), and meclizine. More effective agents are available with a prescription, such as scopolamine products. Scopolamine is most often prescribed in a patch form that you place behind your ear about 30 minutes before flying. Other drug options are available, but many have side effects that may not be right for you. Examples include promethazine and benzodiazepines. Promethazine is commonly used to treat nausea and vomiting symptoms caused by an illness, but also causes sedation which can last for several hours. Benzodiazepines are also useful in preventing airsickness, but they work primarily by controlling anxiety problems. Benzodiazepines also can cause heavy sedation. Some examples of drugs in this group include alprazolam, lorazepam, and clonazepam. Your doctor will know what drug is best for you. Ask your doctor about your existing medications. Some routine medications can make you more susceptible to feeling nauseous than others. Your doctor may be able to help you temporarily adjust your medications for your upcoming trip. Never change your medication regimen on your own. Doing so can also cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other problems that you do not want happening while you are in the air. Plus, you may be putting yourself at risk of worsening your medical condition. Wear an acupressure wristband or take ginger. Although the evidence surrounding the effectiveness of acupressure or ginger is not entirely conclusive, some people believe that these options are effective. The bands apply pressure on the wrist to stimulate acupressure points, believed to help with controlling nausea and vomiting. Avoid reading or playing hand-held games. Focusing on something closer to your face and eyes, worsens the confused motion signals in your brain. Try using headphones to listen to music, listen to a recorded book or work-related topic, or watch an in-flight movie to help pass the time. Focus on the horizon. Gazing far off at a fixed point, such as focusing on the horizon, helps to reassure your brain and stabilize your equilibrium. Taking that seat by the window can help you to look at a fixed point far away, like the horizon. Adjust the air vents. Make sure you have fresh air blowing around your face. Breathing fresh, cool, air can help you to relax, and keep you from becoming too hot. Personal mini-fans may also help to keep the air cool, and moving around you. Control your breathing. Rapid and shallow breathing makes your symptoms worse. Taking slow and deep breaths has been shown to help manage motion sickness symptoms better than breathing normally. Using techniques that encourage slow and deeper breathing helps you to engage a part of your nervous system, called the parasympathetic nervous system, that works to calm things down. This type of breathing helps you to relax and create a calmer state throughout your body. Use the head rest on the seat. This can help you to relax, but it also helps to stabilize the movements of your head. Use a neck pillow if that makes you feel more comfortable. Eat lightly and avoid alcohol and caffeine during your flight. Avoid ingesting anything that could be an irritant to your stomach. Consider eating dry crackers and drinking cool water over ice during your flight. Drink plenty of water during your flight to stay hydrated. Stand up. If you begin to feel queasy, stand up. Lying back or lying over in the seat is not helpful. Standing up can help your body to establish a sense of balance, and hopefully counteract the feeling of nausea. Ask the flight attendant to move you if people around you are airsick. Smelling and hearing others around you that are airsick is a big trigger, causing your own airsick feelings to escalate. Changing seats on a plane is not always easy, but it may be worth the asking. Focus on other things. Try to stay positive, as relaxed as possible, stay cool, and focus on other things. If you are traveling for business, think about the presentation you will be giving. If you are traveling for fun, then anticipate the relaxing vacation you are about to enjoy. Listen to music. Listening to music with headphones can help you to focus on the music, relax your mind and body, and block out any noises around you that may heighten your stress and anxiety, like crying babies, or other people that may be airsick. Get help from a trained therapist. Anxiety is a trigger for getting airsick. By using cognitive behavioral therapy methods, you can learn to control feelings of anxiety and fear, and overcome getting airsick. Try progressive muscle relaxation. This technique teaches you to focus your thoughts and energy on controlling your muscles, and helps you to become more aware of different physical sensations. Progress your way up or down your body, starting with your toes for example. Focus on tensing a muscle group and holding it for about five seconds, relax the muscles for 30 seconds, repeat a few times, then move on to the next muscle group. Consider habituation training. Even some pilots are susceptible to getting airsick. To overcome this problem, many pilots, as well as people that have jobs that require frequent air travel, will try habituation training. This involves repeated exposure to the thing that makes you sick, like taking short trips in airplanes often, especially just before a long flight. Explore biofeedback techniques. Studies involving pilots who have trouble with motion sickness have shown promising results. By using biofeedback combined with relaxation techniques, they have overcome problems with motion sickness. In one study, pilots learned to overcome their motion sickness by being placed in a tilted, revolving, chair that caused them to get sick. They were monitored for changes in areas such as body temperature, and muscle tension. By using biofeedback instruments and relaxation methods, the group learned to control their motion sickness. Talk to your doctor. If your airsickness gets progressively worse or is severe, you should ask your doctor for a recommendation for a doctor who specializes in diseases of the ear, nose, throat, equilibrium, and neurological systems.
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Avoid heavy meals. Limit your alcohol consumption. Choose your seat carefully. Get plenty of rest. Use motion sickness medications. Ask your doctor about your existing medications. Wear an acupressure wristband or take ginger. Avoid reading or playing hand-held games. Focus on the horizon. Adjust the air vents. Control your breathing. Use the head rest on the seat. Eat lightly and avoid alcohol and caffeine during your flight. Stand up. Ask the flight attendant to move you if people around you are airsick. Focus on other things. Listen to music. Get help from a trained therapist. Try progressive muscle relaxation. Consider habituation training. Explore biofeedback techniques. Talk to your doctor.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Fillet-a-Fish
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How to Fillet a Fish
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To fillet a fish, lay the fish horizontally on a cutting board. Hold a long, sharp fillet knife directly behind the fish's gills and cut down toward the fish's head, then flip the fish over and repeat the cut to remove its head. Cut off the tail as well, then run the knife along the fish's ribcage near its backbone to separate the meat from the ribs. Continue cutting along the bones until the fillet ends at the tail, then pull the fillet away from the ribcage and slice it off. Turn the fish over and repeat the process to get the second fillet.
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Bleed out the fish, if it is a fresh catch, to preserve the meat. Make a shallow incision with your knife or scissors under the fish's gills, and snap its head backwards to break the spinal cord. Thread a rope through the fish's mouth and out of its gills and let it bleed out into the water for a few minutes. Bleeding a freshly caught fish is vital to preserving its taste and texture. A fish that is caught but not bled out will be much messier on the cutting board and, in its final moments, the stress and struggle of death can make the meat taste acidic. Put the fresh catch on ice after you have thoroughly bled it out, to further preserve its freshness. You should keep it on ice until you are ready to scale and clean the fish. Descale the fish with the back of a knife. You can scrape the scales off of a whole fish by using long strokes from the tail to the head of the fish with the back of a knife. Alternatively, skinning the fish also removes its scales, and can be done after you have successfully filleted it. You can also ask your fishmonger to descale the fish for you upon purchase. Descaling the fish is recommended but not essential — if you like scales with your fish fillet, leave them on! Cut the fish's stomach open to remove its guts. Starting from the tail, run your knife all the way along the fish's body towards the head and open the fish up. Remove the guts with your hands, wearing gloves, and use cold water to rinse out any left over insides. You should have a completely clean fish at this point, save for the skin. This can also be done with fresh fish at the body of water you caught it at, making it much easier to handle its guts and stomach contents. The smell of the guts can attract bears, eagles, and other fish-loving animals, though, so be aware of the wildlife in the area and take the necessary precautions, such as bringing a gun and having a place to retreat to. Gutting can be a nasty process, so be sure to have a trash bin nearby that you can throw them into if not at the riverside. Be sure to wipe down your counter afterwards, as the risk of cross-contamination is high when removing guts. Chop off the head at the gills. Lay the fish on one of its sides, and cut the head off with a chef's knife right where it meets the gills. Cut through the fish's spine, which can take a little extra pressure, and follow through to sever the head from the body. You can discard the head, or keep it on ice to use in making fish stock. Cut away fins along the sides, top, and underside with scissors. This should be done before you make cuts to make your work more precise and remove parts of the fish that might get in the way. This can be done at the same time as de-scaling, but must be done before you begin to cut away the fillet. Run your fillet knife down the fish's spine from tail to head. Start your cut at the base of the tail, and use the fish's backbone to guide your cut. Don't cut roughly or saw it away; instead, use a smooth and gentle slicing motion. As you slice the fillet from the fish, lift the flesh to make sure your cut is still moving in a straight line across the backbone. Run your fillet knife over the rib cage rather than through it. Delicately work with the shape of the rib cage instead of sawing through the bones. You can remove these bones with tweezers at a later time. Repeat the cut for the other side of the fish. Turn the fish over so the spine is touching the cutting board, and run your knife once again down the backbone from the tail to the head. Because the fish is lighter and does not have as much to grasp onto as before, the second side can be much trickier than the first. You should have two large fillets at this point. Watch out for the fish slipping off of the cutting board, as it may be more slick after the first fillet is cut away. Consider cutting each fillet into "steaks" for grilling. If you plan on grilling or barbecuing your fish, it is much easier to work with if it is cut into steaks. Measure out slices about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) thick on each fillet, and cut with your chef knife. Keep the leftover meat for smaller steaks for kids or to use in fish stock. This is especially effective with large fish such a salmon. If you decide to turn your fillet into steaks, do not remove the bones or the skin, as it maintains the structure of the flesh on the grill or barbeque. De-bone the filets with a large set of tweezers or boning knife. There is no way to totally avoid getting bones in your fillet, but you can remove them once the flesh is cut away from the spine. Feel along the middle of your fillet from the head to the tail end for bones, and use your tweezers to carefully remove them. Skin the fillet with a fillet knife. Place the fillet skin-side down and make a cut where the skin meets the flesh. Slowly move your knife towards the opposite end, being sure to firmly grasp the skin and pull it away as you slice. Similarly to de-scaling the fish, it is recommended to remove the skin before preparing a fillet to eat, but if you like skin on your fish, go ahead and leave it on. The chewy skin is unappealing to some, but it does contain additional nutrients and vitamins. Trim away excess belly fat and other fat. Depending on the type of fish you have, it may have a lot or hardly any belly fat. Salmon, lake trout, and mackerel are known for being high in fat content. Using your fillet knife carefully cut this away as you would with a steak — after all, these fillets are essentially fish steaks! If you like fat on your food, by all means leave it on, but generally fish fillets are served as lean as possible. Rinse the fillet with water, then store it on ice for later use. Run water over the fillet then dry it with a paper towel, being careful not to leave any fibers on the flesh. If you won't eat the fish within two days, you should wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, put it into a ziplock bag, and keep it in the freezer. The fish will stay good for 2 to 3 months in the freezer. If you plan on eating it within two days, fill a container large enough to hold the fish halfway with crushed ice, place the fish on top, cover the container and store it in the fridge. You should rotate ice if it melts before you eat the fish. Keep in mind that fish will rot in the refrigerator if not kept on ice.
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Bleed out the fish, if it is a fresh catch, to preserve the meat. Descale the fish with the back of a knife. Cut the fish's stomach open to remove its guts. Chop off the head at the gills. Cut away fins along the sides, top, and underside with scissors. Run your fillet knife down the fish's spine from tail to head. Run your fillet knife over the rib cage rather than through it. Repeat the cut for the other side of the fish. Consider cutting each fillet into "steaks" for grilling. De-bone the filets with a large set of tweezers or boning knife. Skin the fillet with a fillet knife. Trim away excess belly fat and other fat. Rinse the fillet with water, then store it on ice for later use.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Help-a-Disoriented-Cat
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How to Help a Disoriented Cat
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If you notice your cat walking aimlessly, staring blankly, or struggling to navigate through the house, it may be disoriented and need to be taken to the vet. Your vet will most likely do a physical exam and ask you questions about your cat's day-to-day behavior to make sure the disorientation isn't a symptom of a more serious medical problem. While disorientation usually occurs with age, it can also be caused by medication, so also check your cat's medicine for side effects like dizziness, disorientation, or confusion. If you have an older cat that's experiencing mental disorientation, you can help it out by letting it know where you are, leaving lights on, and keeping it on a sleep schedule and regular daily routine.
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Notice if your cat gets lost. Aging cats or cats with medical problems may get confused and disoriented in familiar places. They may look around like they're not sure where they are, or not know where they are going, even though the place is very familiar to them. Watch for aimless walking. Another symptom of disorientation in cats is walking without a purpose. Your cat may wander around the house or yard without any direction. You may find them pacing around rooms. Monitor for blank staring. Cats who are disoriented may stare off into space without really looking at anything. This is different than actively watching out the window. The cat may also just stare at an object without moving. Watch for any difficulty getting through the house. Cats who are disoriented may end up being unable to navigate their way past things in their way. They may stand in front of a chair or wall and not be able to figure out how to move past or over it. Notice any other signs of disorientation. Your cat may also become disoriented in other ways. They may not be able to do normal tasks, like find their food bowl and eat or use the litter box. They may eliminate in the wrong area. Some disoriented cats may start meowing more than usual or at unusual times. Determine if your cat's medication causes disorientation. Some medications may cause disorientation in your cat. Some antibiotics used to treat ear infections may lead to disorientation. Some anti-vomiting medications may cause dizziness and disorientation. Some anxiety medications can also lead to confusion in cats. If your cat takes any medication, read the side effects to check if disorientation is a side effect. If your cat is experiencing side effects, contact your vet immediately to see if another medication is available, or if they have suggestions for symptom management. Take your cat to the vet. Disorientation can be a sign of a potential medical problem. If your cat appears more disoriented than usual, they should be evaluated by a vet as soon as possible. The vet will give your cat a physical examination to check for any conditions, such as blindness brought on by high blood pressure, that may affect their cognitive function. You will probably have to provide a detailed history, including information on how long this behavior has been going on. The vet may ask for specific examples of how your cat acts disoriented. Let your cat know where you are. If your cat gets disoriented and doesn't know where you are, they may start meowing loudly. They may pace around a room or become confused. To help your cat, you can come into the room to let them know you are still there. You can also just talk to them from another room so they can hear you and know that you are near. Leave on lights at night. Some cats may become disoriented in the dark. They may not know where they are, or become disoriented because everything is so quiet. To help your cat figure out where they are in the dark, quiet house, leave lights on or get some nightlights. Make sure to put nightlights near the litter box so your cat can easily find it. You may also want to put lights near the cat's food and any cat furniture. Keep furniture in place. Rearranging furniture can cause disorientation for cats that cannot see well and use touch and memory to navigate their environment. Keep furniture as consistent as possible. If it must be rearranged, do so while your cat is in another room. Then, introduce them to the rearranged room and help them navigate as they learn the new layout. Keep the cat near you. If your cat gets really disoriented during the day, or especially at night, keep them near you. You can take the cat with you as move from room to room during the day. At night, take the cat into the bedroom and provide a comfortable place to sleep. If you put the cat in your room at night, make sure there is a litter box in there, too. Play with your cat. Keeping your cat active can help their brains and may lessen some of the disorientation. Buy your cat new toys or try to engage them with their favorite toys. Play with them around the house by encouraging them to chase, climb, or move. Don't change what you do too much. Extreme changes to your cat's everyday life can cause them to become even more disoriented. Talk to the vet about changing the cat’s diet. You may be able to help your cat's cognitive function by giving them different food. Foods that contain antioxidants, omega-3s, and certain vitamins may help improve your cat's memory and brain function. Don't change your cat's diet without discussing it with your vet first. Get recommendations about new foods from them. Limit their access to the house. Keeping your cat in a smaller area of the house can help if they are disoriented. Giving the cat a few rooms to roam around can help keep the areas familiar and keep them from getting confused. Block off stairs so the cat can't go upstairs or into basements. If you have a very large house, consider blocking hallways or doorways into other parts of the house. Try to keep the cat on a sleep schedule. Some disoriented cats may get nights and days confused, especially when they are older. This can lead to disorientation for the cat because they are sleeping all day and staying awake at night. Help the cat by keeping them awake during the day. If you see the cat sleeping, gently wake them up. Interact with them throughout the day, carry them from room to room with you, and talk to them so they will stay awake during the day. Keep a constant routine. Cats who get easily disoriented benefit from routine. This includes feeding and sleeping schedules, along with play times. Try to do these activities around the same time each day. Make sure to keep the litter box in the same place, even if you place multiple ones around the house. Keep the main litter box in the same place so your cat always knows where it is. Determine if your cat has escaped outside. Some cats become disoriented when they escape from their territory. This may be an indoor-only cat who has gotten outside, or an outdoor cat who has escaped from their owner when not in their territory. Being out of their territory can make them scared and disoriented. Look for your cat near to the house. Cats who get out from their home generally are very close to their territory instead of far away. They generally find somewhere to hide as soon as they exit their territory. This means they may be very close to your home, but don't realize it because they are disoriented. Start looking for your cat by making your search radius near to your home. Check in places the cat can hide. Out of their territory, cats will hide in places where predators cannot find them. The disorientation will lead your cat to find somewhere safe to hide. Start by looking for the cat under decks, porches, houses, and cars. You also may want to look in thick wooded areas or areas with plants that will conceal the cat. Check any hole, corner, or crevice your cat can fit. The cat probably won't meow to protect itself, so you will have to look for them. Use wildlife cameras and humane traps. A good way to help your disoriented cat return home is to recapture them with a humane trap. Humane traps are tripped when the cat enters it, and a door closes that contains the cat so you can bring it home. You can place bait in the trap to entice the cat into the trap. Wildlife cameras can be purchased online, at outdoor retailers, or some pet stores. Humane traps can be found online, through local shelters, or at pet stores. Wait for a few days. Some disoriented cats may come out of hiding after a few hours, but others may stay well hidden for days. If your cat is a skittish cat, it will take them longer to come out. This means that even if you set up a humane trap or wildlife cameras, you may not get any activity for a few days. Try to find the owner if you find a disoriented cat that isn't yours. You may come across a scared, disoriented cat in your yard. If this occurs, try asking around the neighborhood about any lost cats. Most cats stay close to their home when they have become disoriented. If no one in your neighborhood or a nearby neighborhood has lost a cat, contact the local Humane Society and animal shelters. Owners with missing pets often contact shelters to see if someone has reported any found pets. Look for missing pet signs. Many people put up signs about their missing pets. Check around your area for any fliers or posters. Post on social media. Most towns and communities have Facebook discussion pages, so check if your area has one where you can post the information about the found cat.
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Notice if your cat gets lost. Watch for aimless walking. Monitor for blank staring. Watch for any difficulty getting through the house. Notice any other signs of disorientation. Determine if your cat's medication causes disorientation. Take your cat to the vet. Let your cat know where you are. Leave on lights at night. Keep furniture in place. Keep the cat near you. Play with your cat. Talk to the vet about changing the cat’s diet. Limit their access to the house. Try to keep the cat on a sleep schedule. Keep a constant routine. Determine if your cat has escaped outside. Look for your cat near to the house. Check in places the cat can hide. Use wildlife cameras and humane traps. Wait for a few days. Try to find the owner if you find a disoriented cat that isn't yours.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Grill-Tomatoes
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How to Grill Tomatoes
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If you'd like to grill tomatoes, start by setting your grill to high and cutting your tomatoes in half. Season the tomatoes by drizzling them in olive oil. Then, place them cut side facing downwards on the grill. To cook, grill the tomatoes for 5-10 minutes. Remove the tomatoes from the grill when the skin appears lightly charred and has a few black spots.
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Choose tomatoes. Thick-skinned tomatoes are less likely to burst on the grill. These include Roma tomatoes, plum tomatoes, and crack resistant tomatoes. Avoid overripe, oozing tomatoes, which will drop juice and flesh through the grate. Drain tomatoes (optional). Remove excess water to shorten the grilling time and keep your tomatoes firm. Cut the tomatoes in half, then sprinkle salt on the cut sides. Place face down on a paper towel or cooking rack for 30 minutes. Even if you don't wait the full 30 minutes, drain them while the grill is warming up. Don't try this with small tomatoes. You'll lose too many flavorful juices just cutting them open. Preheat the grill. Tomatoes grill best over high heat. Set a gas grill to high at least 15 minutes before grilling. For a charcoal grill, wait until the coals are covered in ash and you can only keep your hand near the grate for three seconds or less. Place the grate 4–5 inches (10–13cm) above the heat source. Close the lid of the gas grill on cool or windy days. Make the marinade (optional). Tomatoes taste great with just a drizzle of olive oil, but extra flavor is useful if they're the centerpiece of a dish. Here are a few delicious options: Olive oil, salt, black pepper (or lemon pepper), garlic powder, ground habanero pepper. Go easy on the salt and pepper, to avoid overpowering the tomato flavor. 1 cup (240 mL) olive oil, ¼ cup (60 mL) white vinegar, ¼ cup (60 mL) sugar, and 1 tbsp (15 mL) anchovy paste. Add parsley once cooled, and top the tomatoes with feta. To turn a marinade into a crust, mash breadcrumbs into it until soggy. Top the tomato with blue cheese and cover with the breadcrumb marinade mixture. Fresh basil, minced garlic, chopped fresh basil, and a pinch each of black pepper and salt. Decide how to cut the tomatoes. The best approach depends on the size and juiciness of your tomatoes. The goal is to stop the pulp from dripping out, and to make the tomatoes easy to handle. Here are your options: Cut medium to large tomatoes in half for easy handling with a spatula. If you're using the "cheese crust" mentioned above, cut the top ¼ off medium or large tomatoes. Skewer small tomatoes whole on two parallel skewers, for easy turning. Place small tomatoes in a grill basket. Preheat the basket on the grill for a few minutes. Wrap a mound of juicy tomatoes in aluminum foil, crimping tightly to seal in juices. (Brush with marinade first.) Let soak in marinade. For best results, let the tomatoes soak in the marinade for at least twenty minutes. If you're planning ahead, they can soak in the fridge overnight. If you're in a hurry, just brush the marinade onto the cut side of the tomatoes, or onto the whole surface if the tomatoes are uncut. You'll still get some flavor, and the oil will help prevent sticking on the grate. For extra flavor, let the tomatoes soak in the marinade for a couple hours, or even overnight. Position the tomatoes. Place halved tomatoes cut side down on the grill, and leave them in place until ready. When grilling whole tomatoes, rotate whenever they start to drip. Keep a close eye on the tomatoes the whole time. Move them to a cooler spot on the grill if one of them bursts. Use a metal spatula instead of tongs, to avoid mashing the tomatoes. For the "cheese crust" method, grill with the cheese on top instead. Grill until lightly charred. Grill until the tomatoes shrivel and develop a few black spots. This usually takes 5–10 minutes, depending on tomato size and grill temperature. When grilling foil-wrapped tomatoes, you can wait until they burst into a hot, caramelized mess. This takes about 18 minutes. Optionally, paint on more marinade halfway through. Eat by themselves. These are plenty delicious as their own dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan or Asiago right away, so it melts over the tomatoes. Top with sprigs of fresh basil, Italian parsley, or pine nuts toasted for five minutes in a dry pan. Serve with other fruits of the grill. Tomatoes are close comrades with steak , mushrooms , chicken , and other grilled vegetables. Lay out a platter, or skewer onto kabobs. Decorate entrees and appetizers. Grilled tomatoes turn even simple dishes into smoky, caramelized love. They make a perfect crostini topping, or you could try them on Italian pasta salad or mushroom risotto. Turn it into a salad. Chop grilled tomatoes coarsely. Complement the caramelized sugars with salty ingredients, such as capers and feta. Mix with grilled asparagus and red onion, or add a fresh taste with arugula and snap peas. Make a salsa. Roast jalapeño peppers with the tomatoes, then remove the stem and seeds. Coarsely chop peppers and tomatoes alongside garlic, cilantro, and white onion. Toss in apple cider vinegar, a sprinkle of salt, and a pinch of cumin. . Turn them into a sauce Squeeze off the skins, then boil them down to a sauce that packs caramelized tomato flavor. Include garlic, basil, and/or fresh Italian parsley. For a fresher flavor, grill halved tomatoes on the skin side, for just a minute or two. The tomatoes will roast further as they boil down. Using fully grilled tomatoes can lead to a burnt or over-sweet sauce. Puree the tomatoes. Squeeze off the skins and puree. Store this simple paste and use it as a base for sauces, salsas, and soups.
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Choose tomatoes. Drain tomatoes (optional). Preheat the grill. Make the marinade (optional). Decide how to cut the tomatoes. Let soak in marinade. Position the tomatoes. Grill until lightly charred. Eat by themselves. Serve with other fruits of the grill. Decorate entrees and appetizers. Turn it into a salad. Make a salsa. . Puree the tomatoes.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Needle-Threader
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How to Use a Needle Threader
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To use a needle threader, start by holding the threader in your dominant hand and a needle in your other hand. Then, insert the wire loop on the threader through the eye of the needle. Next, pass the end of some thread through the loop, and bring it back down over the loop so it's wrapped around it. Finally, slide the eye of the needle over the thread, pull the loose end through, and tie a knot.
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Hold the threader in one hand and the needle in the other. For most people, it will probably be easiest to have the needle threader in your dominant hand. If you're right-handed, for instance, you'll hold the tool in your right hand, while left-handed sewers will use their left. You'll have much more coordination that way, which will allow you to focus on manipulating the small items you'll be working with. Make sure you're gripping the needle so that the eye is pointing upwards. Those with unsteady hands may find it helpful to stabilize the needle using a pincushion or piece of cork. The larger object will hold the needle in place while you're threading so that you won't have to. Insert the wire threader loop through the eye of the needle. It may take a few attempts to get the two pieces lined up correctly. Push the threader until the needle rests in the shallow groove next to the base. This will keep it from accidentally slipping out. If you're having trouble getting the threader loop through, turn the needle slightly so you can see the opening a little better. You may need to push the threader gently to force it through the eye of a smaller-sized needle. Guide the end of the thread through the threader loop. The wire threader loop will give you a much larger target to aim at. Once you've got the thread inside, pull the loose end to continue feeding it through. Needle threaders take the imprecision out of threading by working in reverse. Instead of guiding the thread straight through, the threader allows you to anchor it in place, then pull the needle around it. Double the thread over on itself. Pull the loose end back on itself so that it runs alongside the length of the thread. Gather up both ends between the thumb and forefinger of your free hand. Be sure to create enough length to keep a secure grip on the folded thread. You'll load the threader the same way whether you want to work with single or double thread. Slide the needle over the thread. Pull the needle out of the groove at the base of the wire loop and fit it over the double thread. Continue moving it along until it clears the folded end. At the same time, pinch the ends of the thread together tightly. At this point, it may help to set the threader down on the tabletop or your lap so you can get a better grip on the needle. Be careful not to let the needle slip back off the thread. Pull the loose end of the thread free. Give the thread a gentle tug to work it out of the wire loop the same way it went in. Work the loose end out with your fingers if needed. The thread should now be running straight through the eye of the needle. Once you've successfully threaded the needle, unwind the spool to make the thread as long as you need it. Knot the thread around the eye of the needle. If you're content with using single thread, simply tie off the loose end. You can then begin sewing as usual. That's all there is to it! Tie off the knot two to three times to make sure it's secure enough to hold. When you're done, snip the thread off the spool. This will get the excess material out of the way while you're stitching. Leave the thread folded for stronger stitches. If you'd prefer to work with double thread, keep pulling the loose end back on itself to add more length. You can then tie the thread off when you're finished making your stitches. Using twice the amount of thread creates a more durable seam , which is good for reinforcing items like torn clothing, buttons, pillows, and stuffed animals that see a lot of hard wear. Doubling up your thread is particularly useful when you're working with thread that's thin or old. Keep practicing until you get the hang of it. Needle threaders are handy little devices, but they can take a little while to get used to. Don't worry if your first couple of attempts feel a little awkward. After a few passes, you'll be threading like a pro! By using a needle threader, even crafters who know their way around a needle and thread can cut down dramatically on overall project time.
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Hold the threader in one hand and the needle in the other. Insert the wire threader loop through the eye of the needle. Guide the end of the thread through the threader loop. Double the thread over on itself. Slide the needle over the thread. Pull the loose end of the thread free. Knot the thread around the eye of the needle. Leave the thread folded for stronger stitches. Keep practicing until you get the hang of it.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Rivet-Leather
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How to Rivet Leather
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To rivet leather, measure out where the rivet holes should be and mark those spots with a marker or pen. Next, use an awl or leather punch to punch the first hole, taking care to create a hole big enough to fit the rivet post. Then, push the rivet post up through the underside of the leather, put the leather on an anvil, and place the rivet cap on top of the post. Place your rivet setter over the cap and tap it lightly with a small hammer to finish the rivet!
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Match the length of your rivet to the thickness of your materials. The rivet should be long enough to get through the material you're using with about 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) to spare. Stack your materials together and measure their height, then add the additional 1/8 inch to find out how long your rivet should be. Choose single cap rivets for one-sided projects. If your rivets will only be visible from one side – like if you're decorating on a leather bag no one will see the inside of – you can use a single cap rivet. This will give your project a finished look. Use a double cap rivets for two-sided projects. If you're making something that you can see the front and back of – like the strap of a purse, for example – use double-sided rivets. You install these the same way as single cap rivets – they just give your project a more finished look. Select copper rivets for a sturdier finish. Copper rivets are stronger than regular, silver, “quick” rivets. They're great for using on any leather work that needs some extra strength. Mark where you want your hole. This is especially important if you're creating a design that you want to look professional. Make sure you measure out where your holes should be in the leather, and then mark the spot with a marker or pen. Don't make the mark too big – you want it small enough to disappear when you punch a hole through the leather at that spot. Punch a hole in your leather. You can do this by hand with an awl or with a leather punch. The hole just needs to be big enough for you to get the post of the rivet through. Push the rivet post up through the underside of the leather. The underside of the leather is usually less finished and will often be a lighter color. Make sure you push your rivet up through the leather from this side, or it will end up upside down. Your rivet post should only extend about 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) above the surface of the leather. Place your leather piece on an anvil. You can buy pretty small anvils from most leather working supply stores. You only need an anvil big enough to accommodate the size of the leather you're working on. Place it on the anvil with the bottom of the leather facing down and the post sticking up. Put the rivet cap on top of the post. Some rivet caps will make a clicking or snapping noise when you place it over the top of the post. The rivet cap is the part that looks “finished” – it's usually brass or copper and has a convex top. Place your rivet setter over the cap. The rivet setter looks like a small metal cylinder, and it has a concave end that allows that cap to fit snugly against it. Place the setter over the cap so that the cap is flush against the setter. Tap the setter with a soft mallet or small hammer. You don't want to hit the setter too hard, because that can dent the rivet. Instead, give the setter a few short taps with a soft mallet or hammer. Check that the rivet is set. If the rivet has been set, you should be able to pick up the piece of leather without the rivet post or cap falling off. If they do, reset them and give the setter a little bit of a harder bang. Punch a hole in the leather. Copper rivets with washers tend to be larger than your everyday rivets. Make sure when you punch the hole that it's big enough for a wider rivet post to get through. It should be big enough that you can push the rivet post through the leather but not so big that it slips right through. Push your rivet through the leather. You should have at least 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) of rivet post above the surface of your leather. Push the rivet up from the bottom of the leather. Set the washer. Flip your leather over so you can see where the post sticks up through the leather. Set the washer over the post so that it's flat against the leather. Set the leather and rivet on an anvil. The anvil should be big enough to accommodate the piece of leather you're working on. You should be able to work on the rivet on a flat surface. Set up a copper rivet setter. A copper rivet setter is silver, and is almost shaped like a lighter. On one end, you'll see a concave circle, with a smaller, hollow circle next to it. Place the setter over the rivet post and on top of the washer, making sure the post goes into the hollow circle on the setter. Tap on the setter with a mallet or hammer. You might need two or three taps to make sure everything is set. Don't pound too hard, as this can ruin the rivet. When you're done, the washer should be completely flat against the leather. If you notice that the washer seems to be higher on one side of the post than the other, give it another bang to make sure it's set all the way around. Set the concave section of the setter over the post. With the same mallet or hammer, pound down on the post a few times. You should hit the setter fairly hard for this step, because what you're doing is getting the post to expand and flatten out. This will keep the washer in place and your rivet secure.
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Match the length of your rivet to the thickness of your materials. Choose single cap rivets for one-sided projects. Use a double cap rivets for two-sided projects. Select copper rivets for a sturdier finish. Mark where you want your hole. Punch a hole in your leather. Push the rivet post up through the underside of the leather. Place your leather piece on an anvil. Put the rivet cap on top of the post. Place your rivet setter over the cap. Tap the setter with a soft mallet or small hammer. Check that the rivet is set. Punch a hole in the leather. Push your rivet through the leather. Set the washer. Set the leather and rivet on an anvil. Set up a copper rivet setter. Tap on the setter with a mallet or hammer. Set the concave section of the setter over the post.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Raccoons-Out-of-a-Trash-Can
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How to Keep Raccoons Out of a Trash Can
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Keep raccoons out of your trash can by ensuring your can lid is fixed in place or weighing it down with a rock or heavy object. If this doesn't work, try spraying ammonia around your can, since it's a raccoon repellant. Alternatively, you can spray household products like mint or mustard oil around the base. To prevent raccoons from finding your trash, make sure your bags are tightly sealed before you put them in the trash can. Finally, consider securing your can in place by tying it to stakes so raccoons can't knock it over.
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Weigh down your lid. For an easy solution, simply place a heavy rock or cinder block on top of your lid. Just make sure everyone who needs access to the can is strong enough to lift it (besides raccoons, of course)! Pick a locking metal trash can. A flimsy or loose can won't stand up to a cunning raccoon. Choose a metal trash can with a locking lid. While some plastic cans can lock, raccoons are often able to chew through plastic. Install an extra lock (or two). Attaching clamps, a chain-and-padlock combo, bungee cords, or specially designed garbage-lid straps are all good strategies to keep your lid secure from intruders. Don't hesitate to use multiple locking mechanisms. Seal each trash bag. Tightly sealing trash bags before putting them in your can will help prevent tempting scents from escaping. If a trash bag contains an especially smelly item--such as a piece of meat--try sealing it with an extra bag. Secure your can upright with stakes. Oftentimes, raccoons open trash cans by tipping them and spilling their contents. Tie the handles of your trash can to a metal or wooden stake secured in the ground to keep raccoons from tipping them over. Sprinkle a raccoon repellent around your trash cans. Specifically designed commercial repellents can ward off raccoons from even entering the vicinity of your can. Try granular products such as Havahart Critter Ridder, or liquids such as Just Scentsational synthetic wolf urine. Avoid using naphthalene (the active ingredient in mothballs), as it has been identified as a possible carcinogen by the EPA. Use ammonia. Ammonia smells like raccoon urine, making it a highly offensive--and highly effective--repellent. Try spraying ammonia or placing ammonia-soaked cloths in and around your trash can. Additionally, you can spray other areas of your property where raccoons seem to congregate to discourage them from entering your yard in the first place. Use natural raccoon-repellant spices and oils. Racoons hate the smell of many commonly available spices and oils, including mint, cayenne pepper , and oil of mustard. Try spraying or sprinkling any (or all) of these items in and around your can for additional protection. Put your bin behind closed doors. Keeping your trash cans in a shed, garage, basement or other enclosure will surely prevent overnight pillages; racoons simply cannot open doors. If you need to leave trash out for pickup, wait until the morning to remove your cans from their haven; raccoons tend only to strike at night. Turn up the radio. Keeping a radio on constantly around your cans will help deter raccoons. The noise of human voices (such as though from a news or talk station) will scare off the furry burglars. Try a low volume at first, and turn it up if your raccoon problems persist. Turn on the lights. Install motion-detection lighting around the area where you keep your trash cans. Raccoons prefer darkness and might be deterred by a sudden bright light. For an easier solution, simply install a strand of blinking Christmas lights over the trashcan. Bolster your fences. If you have a fenced yard, consider adding mesh wire to the bottom of the fence and extending it several inches underground to deter raccoons from burrowing under and getting to your trash cans.
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Weigh down your lid. Pick a locking metal trash can. Install an extra lock (or two). Seal each trash bag. Secure your can upright with stakes. Sprinkle a raccoon repellent around your trash cans. Use ammonia. Use natural raccoon-repellant spices and oils. Put your bin behind closed doors. Turn up the radio. Turn on the lights. Bolster your fences.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Jacks
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How to Play Jacks
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The goal of jacks is to scoop up the correct number of jacks with one hand and catch the ball before it bounces twice. To play, you'll need a small bouncy ball, 10 jacks, and a flat surface to play on. First, scatter the jacks on your playing surface. Then, toss the ball into the air. Grab a single jack and catch the ball after it bounces once, all using the same hand. If you succeeded, you've concluded the "onesies" round. Rescatter the jacks and toss the ball. Now, you must scoop up two jacks before catching the ball. If you're playing with multiple people, your turn is over if you foul. This happens if you miss the ball or let it bounce more than once. A foul also occurs if you pick up an incorrect number of jacks or move jacks that you didn't scoop up. In that case, you would rescatter all the jacks and let the next player have their turn. If your turn comes again, you resume playing in the same round you fouled out of. For example, if you fouled in the "sixsies" round, you will try to pick up six jacks before the ball bounces twice. Play continues until somebody sucessfully completes the "tensies" round.
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Gather your jacks and a ball. All you need is a small bouncy ball and a set of jacks, which are six-pronged metal pieces. The number of jacks you need depends on which variation of the game you're playing, though most sets will have ten jacks. Jacks sets, which include a ball, a set of jacks, and a pouch to hold them in, can be found at most toy stores. The ancient form of jacks was called knucklebones, because instead of today's modern metal jacks, the knucklebones of sheep or goats were used. Play on a hard surface. Jacks requires a hard, flat, smooth surface for the ball to bounce on. If you're playing outdoors, a wooden porch or a paved surface like a sidewalk or a blacktop is ideal. If you're playing indoors, a hardwood or a linoleum floor works best. It's possible to play on a table, but standing is better than sitting in a chair, because it gives you more mobility. Gather your players if desired. While it's possible to play jacks by yourself, it's more fun to play with an opponent. Jacks is usually played one on one, but you can have more players for a more fun game. There is no hard rule concerning the maximum amount of players, but keep in mind the game will last longer the more players there are. You can play in teams of two for games with six or more players. Decide who goes first. The most traditional way is called flipping. Place the jacks in your two cupped hands, throw them into the air, and then catch as many as you can on the backs of your two hands, linked together with your thumbs. Toss them back in the air, and then catch as many as you can again, this time with your palms cupped again. The player who catches the most jacks goes first. You can use a simpler method to decide who goes first, such as flipping a coin or playing rock paper scissors. Scatter the jacks onto the playing surface. Whoever goes first throws the jacks directly in front of them. Try to scatter them evenly, not too close together and not too far apart. If two jacks are touching, you can pick them up and throw them again to scatter them. Toss the ball into the air. Throw the ball straight up, giving it enough height to give you time to pick up your jacks but not so high that it veers off beyond your reach. Pick up a single jack. Scoop the jack into your hand before the ball has a chance to bounce. Let the ball bounce once and catch it. The ball can only bounce one time - if you let it bounce more than once, your turn is over. Use the same hand you used to pick up the jack to catch the ball. The jack must stay in your hand while you grab the ball. Once you've caught the ball, transfer the jack to your opposite hand. Throw the ball again and pick up a single jack. Use the same hand you threw the ball with to scoop up another jack. Catch the ball after it's bounced one time. Transfer the jack to your other hand and repeat the process until you've scooped up each jack one at a time or you foul. This first round is called "onesies." The jacks you've collected needs to stay in your hand as you scoop up another. Move on to the next player after a foul. Your turn ends and goes to the next player counterclockwise to you once you foul. When your turn ends, return any jacks you picked up, scattering them. Pass the ball to the next player. There are a number of different ways to foul. Missing the ball, or letting it bounce more than once. Failing to pick up the correct number of jacks. Picking up the wrong number of jacks. Dropping a jack that you've picked up. Accidentally moving a jack from its placement on the ground (this is called "tipping"). Continue on to the next rounds. After picking up all jacks one by one, scatter them again. Follow the same sequence, throwing the ball, picking up jacks and catching the ball. Only this time pick up two jacks each time. This is called the "twosies" round. After all jacks have been picked up in twos, pick up three each round, then four, then five, and on to ten. Pick up where you left off. When your turn is reached again, start from where you were before your foul. For example, if you fouled during the “twosies” round, you would start your turn by throwing the ball and picking up two jacks. If you succeed, you keep going until you've picked up all the jacks in twos, then move on to the “threesies” round. Play until you have a winner. The winner is usually the first person to complete the "tensies" round. For more skilled players, the winner can be the first person to complete "tensies" and then work their way back down to "onesies." Play no bouncies. Play the game following the usual steps, only cut out the ball bounce. You need to scoop the jacks up before the ball has a chance to hit the ground. An easier variation involves letting the ball bounce twice while you scoop up the jacks. Switch hands. Use your weak hand to throw the ball and scoop up the jacks. Use your strong hand to hold the jacks while you scoop up more. Play Black Widow. You must go from "onesies" to "tensies" without making a foul. If you do, you have to start over at "onesies" at your next turn. This is a more challenging variation for skilled players. Play Around the World. After you throw the ball, make a circle in the air around it with your hand before it bounces. Use different materials. Try using a wooden ball, like earlier forms of the game did, or a set of small, similar-sized stones instead of metal jacks. The earliest forms of jacks used small bones in place of metal jacks; the possibilities of materials you can use are endless.
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Gather your jacks and a ball. Play on a hard surface. Gather your players if desired. Decide who goes first. Scatter the jacks onto the playing surface. Toss the ball into the air. Pick up a single jack. Let the ball bounce once and catch it. Throw the ball again and pick up a single jack. Move on to the next player after a foul. Continue on to the next rounds. Pick up where you left off. Play until you have a winner. Play no bouncies. Switch hands. Play Black Widow. Play Around the World. Use different materials.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Sort-Laundry-by-Colors
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How to Sort Laundry by Colors
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Sorting your laundry by color will prevent dyes from bleeding in the wash and ruining your clothes. It's best to sort your laundry into whites, brights, and darks. Wash white or light-colored clothing in warm water and dry on a warm setting. Wash bright-colored clothing together in cold water so they don't bleed, then dry them on a low temperature. Dark-colored clothing should also be washed in cold water and dried at a low temperature. Besides these categories, you may also want to wash denim items on their own since they can sometimes bleed dye.
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Designate laundry containers. You'll want three to six laundry baskets, bags, or hampers. The number will depend on the colors in your wardrobe: separating by whites, lights, and darks is a must, but you could also add one for bright colors such as reds and oranges, one for delicate items, or even one for just denim items. Put items in their designated container as soon as you remove them. Choose one for whites. This basket or container will be for white clothing only. This means clothing that is pure white; it should not contain any designs, labels, insignias, or patterns. These items can be bleached with chlorine bleach since they do not contain any other colors. Wash white clothing in hot water, and dry at a high temperature. Pick one for lights. Add light-colored clothing only to this basket. Put white items with labels or designs in this container, as well as other light-colored items such as khakis or pastel items. Wash light-colored clothing in warm water, and dry them at a warm temperature. Select one for darks. Dark clothing includes jeans as well as black, dark gray, blue, and purple items. Depending on the colors in your wardrobe and the way you choose to sort, red and orange items could be added to the dark container as well. Dark-colored laundry should be washed in cold water, and dried at a low temperature. Use a separate container for brights. Bright colored clothing includes reds, pinks, and oranges. These items are the most likely to bleed when washing, so it is a good idea to wash them separately from other items. Bright-colored laundry should be washed in cold water, and dried at a low temperature. Separate your jeans. Denim often bleeds when washing it, especially the first few times. The fabric is also heavier than many other clothing items. You can wash denim items separately from your other clothing to ensure there is no dye transfer, and dry them together to prevent other items from being heated too long. Washing your jeans inside out also helps preserve the color as well as clean the dirtiest part: the inside. Set aside delicates. Delicate items may include clothing with special trim, beading, sequins, or lace, as well as underwear, bras, or nightgowns. These items should be washed separately from your other clothes, and be sure to check the labels before putting them in the washer or dryer. You may need to hand wash these items and hang them up or lay them flat to dry. Isolate cotton fabrics. Cotton is thinner than many other fabrics, meaning it does not need to dry as long. Washing and drying cotton items together will prevent the fabric from being over-stressed, as all your items should be dry at the same time. Cotton can also withstand higher temperatures than other fabrics, and can be washed in hot water and dried at a high temperature. Separate linens. Linen fabric is often more absorbent as well as more delicate than other kinds of clothing. Washing linen items together will ensure your clothing stays in good condition. Wash and dry linen fabrics at low temperatures to avoid shrinkage. Keep acrylic, polyester, and nylon together. These fabrics are synthetic and can be washed and dried together. Synthetic fabrics such as acrylic, polyester, and nylon are pretty durable and can be washed and dried at high temperatures. Remember to turn the temp down if these items are dark in color though, as lower heat helps keep the color from fading.
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Designate laundry containers. Choose one for whites. Pick one for lights. Select one for darks. Use a separate container for brights. Separate your jeans. Set aside delicates. Isolate cotton fabrics. Separate linens. Keep acrylic, polyester, and nylon together.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Bait-and-Use-a-Minnow-Trap
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How to Bait and Use a Minnow Trap
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To bait and use a minnow trap, start by closing 1 end of your trap so only a single entrance for the fish is left. Then, hang a glow stick inside the trap, since light is attractive to fish. Place some snacks in the trap too, like peanut butter, bread, or live insects. Once you're ready to set the trap, find a spot with clear, shallow water, which is where minnows usually live. Place the trap near debris, such as rocks or tree roots. Make sure to attach a piece of string to it and fix the string to a wooden stake, which will make it easier for you to pull the trap out afterwards. Finally, leave the trap for several hours so the minnows can take the bait.
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Close one end of the trap. Many commercial traps come in a torpedo shape. These traps have funnel openings at each end. You can modify the trap by using pliers or string or plastic ties to close one end so there's only one entrance and exit for the minnows and their bait. Open the trap. Your trap will likely have a door you can slide open or a latch that hooks together two sides of the trap. Undo the latch and separate the halves for easy access while placing bait and attractants. Add a glow stick. Light is attractive to fish and can be used to bring more minnows to your trap. Use plastic ties or a length of string to suspend the glowstick from the inside of the trap. Be sure to knot the string around the cage and the glow stick to keep it in place. Suspend the glow stick over your bait. Many commercial traps now come in a silver color. These help attract minnows, making the glow stick all the more optional. Place food in the trap. Various household items serve as good bait for minnows. Peanut butter, bread, crackers, live insects, and cat and dog food are all examples of cheap bait that spread from the trap. The food can be stuffed through one of the funnel ends, laid in the trap, or wrapped in a porous material first such as pantyhose or cheese cloth so it doesn't float away. A can of tuna with holes poked in it works too and can be used a couple of times. If you are going to position your trap in a current, you can pack the outside of the funnel end you closed with a bait such as cat food. The minnows will come upstream when they smell the food and swim into the trap's open end. Find clear, shallow water. Remember that minnows live near the surface. They congregate near the shore under debris such as rocks and tree roots and feed during the day. Search your fishing area for minnows swimming in shallow streams or other areas where you'll be able to leave your trap for a couple of hours at the very least. Choosing an area with a current can help since minnows downstream will smell the bait, but minnow trapping can be done in still water. Tie the trap. Attach several feet of string to the trap, long enough so that you can secure the trap while it is submerged. Knot the rope or string around an object such as a dock, a rock, or a wooden stake. Later on, you'll be able to pull up the trap without having to wade in after it. Choose inconspicuous black wire so no one finds and steals your catch. Rocks can also be placed inside the trap to help weigh it down. Place the trap near debris. In still water, it's necessary to orient the trap to where the minnows live. Once you've found debris, move the trap as close as you can to the shaded area. Point the open end towards the shore, rocks, and tree roots. When the minnows smell the bait, they'll go into the trap. Traps in a current also benefit from being near the shore. Orient the trap to the current. If your location has a current, face the open end of the trap downstream instead of to the shore. Whether you have spread your bait on the outside or placed it in the cage, the current will carry the smell away, causing the minnows to swim towards the inside of the trap. Leave the trap for several hours. Often you'll see minnows going into your trap right away. Come back in several hours though when the bait has gone and the trap has filled. When using more protected bait such as tuna in a can, you can come back in a day or two since the minnows won't be able to eat it. Empty the trap into a bucket of water. Now that you have minnows in your trap, bring the trap back to the shore. Open the trap. Dump the minnows in a bucket of water, making sure you keep the water aerated if you plan on keeping them there for longer amounts of time. Release baby minnows. Consider releasing young, small minnows along with any other minnows you don't plan on using. Keep the minnow population sustainable so that not only others fishing can catch minnows, but other fish have minnows to eat. Live fish should only be released where you caught them. Moving fish impacts ecosystems by depleting fish populations and introducing invasive species.
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Close one end of the trap. Open the trap. Add a glow stick. Place food in the trap. Find clear, shallow water. Tie the trap. Place the trap near debris. Orient the trap to the current. Leave the trap for several hours. Empty the trap into a bucket of water. Release baby minnows.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Interview-for-a-Job
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How to Interview for a Job
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To interview for a job, arrive 5 to 10 minutes early, since turning up late indicates a lack of interest. During the interview, maintain positive body language by smiling and making eye contact when appropriate to show you have a good attitude. Additionally, give focused, relevant answers to the questions you're asked. For example, mention 1 or 2 relevant examples from your professional experience, instead of talking about your entire resume. You should also ask questions at the end of the interview, like “How would you describe the work culture here?” to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job.
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Confirm your interview ahead of time. Once you know that you're interviewing for a job, you should quickly confirm your attendance. Double-check the time and place of the interview, and express how thankful you are for the opportunity. If you have received a letter or email asking you to interview, look for instructions on confirming your attendance, as well as any contact details for your interviewer. Try to do this the day before, so you can be sure that everything's in order. You can do this via email, but it can be nice to call so you can have a brief chat and ask any immediate questions you might have. If you need any accommodations, such as disabled access, you should let them know as soon as possible. This call or email will likely be to somebody who works in Human Resources or recruitment. Research the company before attending your interview. Take some time to review the history and background of the organisation you are interviewing for. This is vital for a number of reasons, especially for conveying your enthusiasm and initiative to the interviewers. The level of research that is possible will vary massively depending on the company and the position you are applying for, but there are some common areas to research before the interview. Figure out if the business is in the private or public sector, or somewhere in between. Try to get an idea of the company's values and overall mission, as well as their usual client base. Check the news to see if the company has done anything noteworthy lately. Review the format of the interview before you arrive. Wait for specific instructions from the interviewer about how the actual interview will go down. Some businesses may have a straight question and answer process, while other companies may expect you to give a presentation. Feel free to ask any questions ahead of time, so you can prepare and adjust for your interview as needed. Double-check all the details of your interview ahead of time. If you're presenting something, confirm how long your presentation needs to be, along with any other elements of the interview. If you need any IT, such as a laptop and projector with Powerpoint, communicate this to the organisation as soon as possible so they can be prepared. Read through the job description again. Look over the job listing so you can refresh yourself on the particulars of the position. Re-reading this section can give you a good idea of what the interviewers may ask you in the interview. For instance, if the job asks for 5 years of experience, the interviewer may ask you to describe some of that experience. Practice answering potential interview questions. Note that every interview will be different, and that it's impossible to entirely predict what questions you will be asked. Brainstorm some sample questions that could come up in the interview, as well as how you plan on answering them. Additionally, brainstorm some anecdotes you can share at the interview that really showcase your past experience and knowledge. For example, if your interviewer asks you why you want the job, you can say something like: “I want to be a Public Relations Coordinator so I can make a positive difference in the world around me.” If you're asked about your strengths and weaknesses, you can say something like: “I'm great at staying focused and prioritizing tasks. Unfortunately, I'm such a perfectionist that I can get caught up in the details instead of the big picture sometimes.” Ask a friend or family member to help you conduct a practice interview as you get ready. This can help you improve your on-the-spot thinking skills, and also help you prepare possible answers ahead of time. Dress to impress your potential employer. Pick out a sleek, professional outfit that fits you well, like a dress shirt and blazer, or a blouse with a pencil skirt. Finish off your outfit with a polished pair of shoes, so you look as professional as possible. For instance, a dress shirt with matching slacks and a nice coat is a great outfit to consider. A pants suit or skirted suit are other good options to consider for your interview. You should dress professionally for any interview, even if it's a virtual one. This lets your potential employer know that you really take the job seriously. Provide a professional email address to potential employers. Give your potential employer a professional email address, like a combination of your first and last name. If you have to sign up for a conferencing service, choose a simple and professional username that clearly states who you are. Try not to use hobbies or other nonsense words in your usernames, or else the interview might not take you as seriously. For instance, [email protected] is a much better email to use than [email protected]. Proofread your resume and cover letter ahead of time. Check that your biggest accomplishments are clearly listed, so your potential employer can get a clear understanding of your capabilities. Additionally, double-check for any grammar or spelling errors, just to be safe. Bring copies of your resume, cover letter, and any other important documents. Ask your interviewer if you need to bring any documents aside from your resume and cover letter. Depending on the job, they may want you to bring in certificates or other documentation that they can scan or photocopy. You may need some form of official ID, a reference sheet, recommendation letters, a fact sheet, and a portfolio of your past work. Always bring a pen and some scrap paper in case you have to write anything down. Arrive 15-20 minutes early to your interview. If you arrive late to an interview, you'll look like you aren't committed or invested in the job. You may also look disorganized, and like you don't have a lot of initiative. Traffic delays are common, so give yourself plenty of time to get there. Be courteous to the office staff when you arrive. It's important to make good first impressions with everyone you meet, not just the people conducting the interview. Test out your technology the night before to make sure everything’s working. Boot up your computer, laptop, tablet, or whatever piece of tech you're using to attend your interview. Double-check that you have a secure, stable internet connection, and that your conferencing program works correctly. As an extra precaution, conduct a test call to make sure your microphone and video camera work. Ask a friend or family member if they'd be willing to call you on the designated video platform so you can make sure everything works. Sit in a private, quiet area during your virtual interview. Find a low-traffic area of your home where you aren't likely to be disturbed. Check that the space has good internet connection, and that there isn't a lot of background noise that can leak over into the call. You can make yourself look extra professional by setting up a nice backdrop behind your seat, like a white sheet. For instance, a home office or well-lit portion of your basement are both possible options for your interview. Avoid sitting in a cluttered area, as this might make you look unprofessional. Ask your roommates or family not to disturb you during the interview. Let the people you live with know when your interview is happening and where your base of operations will be. Politely ask if they can stay in another part of the home during the interview, or if they can leave for an hour so you aren't disturbed. For instance, you can say something like: “Hey! My interview is tomorrow at 2:00 PM. I'll be doing the interview in my bedroom, so would you be okay with hanging downstairs until I'm done?” Maintain polite and professional body language throughout the interview. Sit up with your back and shoulders straightened. Plaster on a professional smile throughout your interview, and do your best to make firm eye contact with your webcam. Since you can't shake hands or sit with the interviewer in person, you want to look and act as professional as possible. Display positive body language throughout the interview. Make an effort to smile and look the interviewer in the eye. As a polite precaution, wait to sit down until the interviewer asks you. When you are seated, do your best to sit up straight and keep your hands, arms, and feet still. You can display a positive attitude through both your words and actions, so keep this in mind during the interview. The initial stages of the interview are crucial and the impression you make in the first twenty minutes count for a lot. Listen to the interviewer to show that you’re attentive. The interview is a conversation, not just you giving a monologue. Focus on listening intently so your interviewer knows that you're a team player. Remember—part of communicating well is listening well. Listening well will also help to get a good picture of the culture of the place you are interviewing for. Repeating what the interviewer says in different words can make you look really attentive. For instance, if the interviewer mentions that the company has a positive work environment, you can say something like: “It sounds like everyone in the office really cares about one another.” Answer the questions you are asked honestly. Try to answer each question as directly as possible. If you are being asked if you have a particular skill or experience provide some clear evidence of this with an example. Use each question as an opportunity to showcase your skills, talents, and experience to the interviewer. For example, if you are asked about your organisational skills, you might say that you are highly organized but follow this up by describing an event you organised in the past. If you are asked about meeting deadlines, you could reference college or school assignments that you always turned in on time. If you are asked about the ability to handle competing priorities, you can talk about juggling work and study. If you can use evidence from outside work and education, you will also present a more rounded picture of yourself and your outside interests. Strike a professional and confident tone in your interview. Be professional, but relaxed and confident throughout the interview. If you pay close attention to the interviewers, you may notice the style and tone they use and you can try to adapt to that and show that you can work well in such an environment. Tell a story of your progression and development. Mention your past accomplishments, as well as the road you've traveled to get to where you are today. Describe where you started out and how you got experience, so the interviewer gets a full sense of your professional identity. Don't get carried away—a little personal information can go a long way. Avoid using negative language. Keep your language positive and optimistic, even if you don't completely understand or know the answer to a question. Express that you're willing to learn, and that you're a team player. Instead of just saying “no,” change the emphasis to a positive by highlighting other things you have done which are relevant, while indicating that you are keen to develop in this area. For example, if you are asked if you have ever organised an event at work, don't say “no, never.” Instead, say something like, “I have not been the lead in organizing events, but I have been part of a team who did this and learned a lot from it.” You could also give an example of something you have organised outside of work, like a sports tournament or charity event. Be positive, and show how you want to develop your skills and experience. Ask questions so you sound engaged. Brainstorm questions about the company and potential position throughout the interview. Let the interviewer know that you've not only been listening to them, but that you're engaged enough to ask and find out more. You should ask questions both about the employer and about the job. Ask about different training and career development opportunities, or what your interviewer likes and dislikes about the job. Send a thank you note to the interviewer. You can do this with a handwritten note, or by email, but you should do it within the first 24 hours after the interview. In this note, thank them for the opportunity to interview. Additionally, include some further information about you that follows up in something touched upon in the interview. You can follow a basic template of thanking the interviewer and briefly reiterating why you should be selected for the job, then finish by saying that you are looking forward to the next step. You can include additional information and follow-up on something specific, but try to make it sound as natural and unforced as possible. Contact the interviewer if you don’t hear back right away. If you were told you would hear on Monday morning and you haven't heard a few days later, it's okay for you to contact the employer and politely ask if a decision has been made yet. A brief phone call or email to HR should suffice. The key thing to remember is to be positive and don't sound impatient or annoyed. Say something like: “It was great to meet you! I enjoyed talking to you and I was just wondering where you are in the decision process.” Prepare yourself for the best and worst possible scenarios. Keep in mind that some recruitment procedures include more than one round of interviews. If this is the case with the position you have applied for, stay sharp in case you're called back for a second interview. Don't be discouraged if you end up getting passed over for the job—this is completely normal, and has happened to countless people during the interview process. Instead, put your best foot forward and continue looking for new job openings! At the second interview you will want to be even better than at the first, so make sure you prepare thoroughly and have information about the company and the industry that you can talk about to demonstrate your knowledge. If you don't get the job, you can ask your interviewer for feedback or ways you can improve for future interviews.
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Confirm your interview ahead of time. Research the company before attending your interview. Review the format of the interview before you arrive. Read through the job description again. Practice answering potential interview questions. Dress to impress your potential employer. Provide a professional email address to potential employers. Proofread your resume and cover letter ahead of time. Bring copies of your resume, cover letter, and any other important documents. Arrive 15-20 minutes early to your interview. Test out your technology the night before to make sure everything’s working. Sit in a private, quiet area during your virtual interview. Ask your roommates or family not to disturb you during the interview. Maintain polite and professional body language throughout the interview. Display positive body language throughout the interview. Listen to the interviewer to show that you’re attentive. Answer the questions you are asked honestly. Strike a professional and confident tone in your interview. Tell a story of your progression and development. Avoid using negative language. Ask questions so you sound engaged. Send a thank you note to the interviewer. Contact the interviewer if you don’t hear back right away. Prepare yourself for the best and worst possible scenarios.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Protect-Your-Cherry-Trees-from-Birds
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How to Protect Your Cherry Trees from Birds
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If you're worried about birds eating your cherry trees, there are a few things you can do to keep them away. Try hanging shiny items on the outside of your trees, like old CDs, aluminum pie tins, and scrunched up sheets of tin foil. Hang them from string about 5 feet apart to keep birds away. Keep in mind that after a few weeks, the birds might realize the objects aren't a threat and start to eat your cherry trees again. To combat this, replace the objects on your tree every few weeks. Alternatively, if your trees are small or medium-sized, cover them with fine-mesh netting. You'll need someone to help you cover the tree and secure the base of the net to the tree, but this can keep birds away indefinitely.
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Start when birds begin to show. Keep track of bird sightings in your garden or orchard, either with a formal count or by intuition. Once the number of birds starts to grow, and the fruit shows the first hint of color, it's time to protect the trees. These scare tactics are very effective, but only last a few weeks. Starting too early may leave your trees vulnerable later, once the birds are used to your tactics. Choose shiny objects. Pick exactly one of these proven ideas, or another bright object: Aluminum pie tins Scrunched up sheets of tin foil, coiled into a spring shape Old CDs or DVDs Strips of white cloth Mylar streamers "Scare eye" balloons Tie them onto strings. Tie a string about 6 inches (15.2 cm) long to each object. If using CDs/DVDs, slip a second CD onto the string to sit on top of the first one. This will sit at an angle, reflecting light upward. Hang them up around your tree. Tie the shiny objects onto the trees. Space them about 5 feet (1.5 m) apart, or just enough to be visible from every angle. Five or six should work for a small tree, but a large tree may need many more. Switch to other shiny objects periodically. Once birds learn that the objects are harmless, they'll start to eat your cherries again. The repellent tends to work longer for tart cherries or yellow cherries — sometimes a full season, if you're lucky. Birds will spend more effort for sweet red cherries. To protect them, change the repellent every week or two. For instance, put up CDs. When bird activity increases, replace them with foil springs. Replace again with aluminum pie tins, then return to CDs. Add noisemakers if necessary. Commercial orchards often add scary noisemakers as well. This is more effective than visual repellents alone, but birds still get used to them. When birds start to approach again, replace either the visual repellent or the noisemaker. If you only have a couple trees, just hang aluminum cans or other clusters of noisy objects. Anything louder may not be worth the annoyance in a home garden. The cheapest commercial devices are handheld noisemakers that fire a small, loud explosive. These require frequent patrols. To save labor, buy a stationary gas cannon or electric distress signal. Place these above the canopy, one for every 5 acres (2000 square meters). Try this for small to medium trees only. Before you buy your netting, make sure you can drape it over the tree. Trees more than 8 feet (2.4m) tall are impractical to cover. For trees near this height, use ladders and/or a device that can lift the netting on a tall pole, then drape it outward. Buy fine mesh netting. You can buy bird netting, but ordinary garden fabric (row cover) will work as well. The mesh should be fine enough to avoid tangling the birds.. A ¼ to ½" (6–12mm) mesh should work even for small birds. Cover the entire tree. This part can be a pain, and requires at least two people for most trees. Wait until your cherries have formed, then cover the tree once you see them starting to take on green color. The netting will catch against the branches, so hold the netting flat above the tree and lower it. It should cover the entire tree, and hang fairly loosely, since cherries tight against the netting will still get eaten. To protect fruit at the edges, plant stakes around the tree to lift it above the cherries. Top the stakes with upside down milk jugs, which won't tear the netting. Valuable or important fruit can be protected by a full frame around the tree. Secure the netting at the base. Birds can fly underneath the netting and get trapped. To prevent this, tie the base of the netting securely to the base of the tree with twine or hog rings. You can also stake the netting down to the ground around the drip line of the tree. Plant mulberry trees. Fruit-eating birds love mulberry trees. Plant a female mulberry tree nearby, from a variety that fruits just before the cherry trees. The birds should flock to the mulberry tree much more than the cherries, as long as the tree still has fruit. Avoid the mulberry variety Illinois Everbearing, which have slow-ripening fruit too large for many birds. Get approval for shooting or trapping. Some orchard growers shoot larger cherry thieves such as jays and magpies, and/or trap starlings and other small birds. You may need government approval. In the US, contact the Department of Fish and Game or the local Agriculture Commissioner. In the UK, contact Wildlife Management. Local university agriculture extensions can teach you how to choose and set traps. Traps are much more effective when matched to your bird population and set by an expert.
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Start when birds begin to show. Choose shiny objects. Tie them onto strings. Hang them up around your tree. Switch to other shiny objects periodically. Add noisemakers if necessary. Try this for small to medium trees only. Buy fine mesh netting. Cover the entire tree. Secure the netting at the base. Plant mulberry trees. Get approval for shooting or trapping.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Factor-a-Number
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How to Factor a Number
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To factor a number, first find 2 numbers that multiply to make that number. For example, if you want to factor 12, you could use 4 and 3 since they multiply to make 12. Next, determine whether those 2 numbers can be factored again. In this example, 3 can't be factored again because it's a prime number, but 4 can be since 2 multiplied by 2 equals 4. Repeat this process until all of the numbers are prime numbers, and then write your answer like 12 = 2 × 2 × 3.
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Write your number. To begin factoring, all you need is a number - any number will do, but, for our purposes, let's start with a simple integer. Integers are numbers without fractional or decimal components (all positive and negative whole numbers are integers). Let's choose the number 12. Write this number down on a piece of scratch paper. Find two more numbers that multiply to make your first number. Any integer can be written as the product of two other integers. Even prime numbers can be written as the product of 1 and the number itself. Thinking of a number as the product of two factors can require "backwards" thinking - you essentially must ask yourself, "what multiplication problem equals this number?" In our example, 12 has multiple factors - 12 × 1, 6 × 2, and 3 × 4 all equal 12. So, we can say that 12's factors are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12. For our purposes, let's work with the factors 6 and 2. Even numbers are especially easy to factor because every even number has 2 as a factor. 4 = 2 × 2, 26 = 13 × 2, etc. Determine whether any of your factors can be factored again. Lots of numbers - especially large ones - can be factored multiple times. When you've found two of a number's factors, if one has its own set of factors, you can reduce this number to its factors as well. Depending on the situation, it may or may not be beneficial to do this. For instance, in our example, we have reduced 12 to 2 × 6. Notice that 6 has its own factors - 3 × 2 = 6. Thus, we can say that 12 = 2 × (3 × 2). Stop factoring when you reach prime numbers. Prime numbers are numbers greater than 1 that are evenly divisible only by themselves and 1. For instance, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, and 17 are all prime numbers. When you've factored a number so that it's the product of exclusively prime numbers, further factoring is superfluous. It does you no good to reduce each factor to itself times one, so you may stop. In our example, we've reduced 12 to 2 × (2 × 3). 2, 2, and 3 are all prime numbers. If we were to factor further, we'd have to factor to (2 × 1) × ((2 × 1)(3 × 1)), which isn't typically useful, so it's usually avoided. Factor negative numbers in the same way. Negative numbers can be factored nearly identically to how positive numbers are factored. The sole difference is that the factors must multiply together to make a negative number as their product, so an odd number of the factors must be negative. For example, let's factor -60. See below: -60 = -10 × 6 -60 = (-5 × 2) × 6 -60 = (-5 × 2) × (3 × 2) -60 = -5 × 2 × 3 × 2. Note that having an odd number of negative numbers besides one will give the same product. For example, -5 × 2 × -3 × -2 also equals 60. Write your number above a 2-column table. While it's usually fairly easy to factor small integers, larger numbers can be daunting. Most of us would be hard-pressed to break a 4 or 5-digit number into its prime factors using nothing but mental math. Luckily, using a table, the process becomes much easier. Write your number above a t-shaped table with two columns - you'll use this table to keep track of your growing list of factors. For the purpose of our example, let's choose a 4-digit number to factor - 6,552. Divide your number by the smallest possible prime factor. Divide your number by the smallest prime factor (besides 1) that divides into it evenly with no remainder. Write the prime factor in the left column and write your answer across from it in the right column. As noted above, even numbers are especially easy to start factoring because their smallest prime factor will always be 2. Odd numbers, on the other hand, will have smallest prime factors that differ. In our example, since 6,552 is even, we know that 2 is its smallest prime factor. 6,552 ÷ 2 = 3,276. In the left column, we'll write 2 , and in the right column, write 3,276. Continue to factor in this fashion. Next, factor the number in the right column by its smallest prime factor, rather than the number at the top of the table. Write the prime factor in the left column and the new number in the right column. Continue to repeat this process - with each repetition, the number in the right column should decrease. Let's continue with our process. 3,276 ÷ 2 = 1,638, so att the bottom of the left column, we'll write another 2 , and at the bottom of the right column, we'll write 1,638. 1,638 ÷ 2 = 819, so we'll write 2 and 819 at the bottom of the two columns as before. Deal with odd numbers by trying small prime factors. Odd numbers are more difficult to find the smallest prime factor of than even numbers because they don't automatically have 2 as their smallest prime factor. When you reach an odd number, try dividing by small prime numbers other than 2 - 3, 5, 7, 11, and so on - until you find one that divides evenly with no remainder. This is the number's smallest prime factor. In our example, we've reached 819. 819 is odd, so 2 is not a factor of 819. Instead of writing down another 2, we'll try the next prime number: 3. 819 ÷ 3 = 273 with no remainder, so we'll write down 3 and 273. When guessing factors, you should try all prime numbers up to the square root of the largest factor found so far. If none of the factors you try up to this point divide evenly, you're probably trying to factor a prime number and thus are finished with the factoring process. Continue until you reach 1. Continue dividing the numbers in the right column by their smallest prime factor until you obtain a prime number in the right column. Divide this number by itself - this will put the number in the left column and "1" in the right column. Let's finish factoring our number. See below for a detailed breakdown: Divide by 3 again: 273 ÷ 3 = 91, no remainder, so we'll write down 3 and 91. Let's try 3 again: 91 doesn't have 3 as a factor, nor does it have the next lowest prime (5) as a factor, but 91 ÷ 7 = 13, with no remainder, so we'll write down 7 and 13. Let's try 7 again: 13 doesn't have 7 as a factor, or 11 (the next prime), but it does have itself as a factor: 13 ÷ 13 = 1. So, to finish our table, we'll write down 13 and 1. We can finally stop factoring. Use the numbers in the left-hand column as your original number's factors. Once you reach 1 in the right-hand column, you're done. The numbers listed on the left side of the table are your factors. In other words, the product when you multiply all of these numbers together will be the number at the top of the table. If the same factor appears multiple times, you can use exponent notation to save space. For instance, if your list of factors has four 2's, you can write 2 rather than 2 × 2 × 2 × 2. In our example 6,552 = 2 × 3 × 7 × 13. This is the complete factorization of 6,552 into prime numbers. No matter what order these numbers are multiplied in, the product will be 6,552.
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Write your number. Find two more numbers that multiply to make your first number. Determine whether any of your factors can be factored again. Stop factoring when you reach prime numbers. Factor negative numbers in the same way. Write your number above a 2-column table. Divide your number by the smallest possible prime factor. Continue to factor in this fashion. Deal with odd numbers by trying small prime factors. Continue until you reach 1. Use the numbers in the left-hand column as your original number's factors.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Flipbook
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How to Make a Flipbook
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If you want to make a flipbook by hand, get a small, thick stack of paper, then use a pencil to draw an image on the bottom sheet of paper in the stack. Keep the image in the bottom right corner of the sheet so it's visible when you're flipping through the book. Draw the same image on each page, but vary it slightly so the image will appear to move. For instance, you could draw a ball bouncing. Flip through the pages from top to bottom to see the movement.
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Get a small, thick stack of paper to make your flipbook with. You can use a notebook or pad of sticky notes, or bind your own stack of paper using glue, staples, or a paper clip. Look for paper that is around 3 x 5 inches (7.6 x 12.7 cm). Something slightly smaller or larger will also work. Use lightweight paper for your flipbook so the pages are easy to flip. Use a pencil to draw an image on the bottom sheet of paper in the stack. This image will be the first sequence of your flipbook animation, so draw whatever you want to be the starting point. Draw the image toward the bottom right corner of the sheet of paper so it's visible when you're flipping through the book later on. Draw in pencil so you can erase any mistakes you make along the way. Go over the pencil with ink once you're finished with your animation. Draw the same image on the next sheet of paper, varying it slightly. Draw the image around the same spot on the page as the first image you drew. This image will be the second sequence in your animation, so it should display a minor shift from the first image. You can use a lightbox under your sheets of paper in order to create an "onion skin" to be able to see the image on the previous sheet. For example, if you were trying to create an animation of a stick-figure person waving their hand, you would start by drawing the figure with their hands down at their sides on the last page of the stack. On the next page up, you would draw the same stick-figure person in the same spot on the page, but this time one of his hands would be slightly moved upward. Continue drawing slightly varied images on each subsequent sheet of paper. Always draw the next image or sequence of animation on the page that's on top of the previous image you drew. These slightly varied images will create the animation when you flip through your book. For example, in the waving stick-figure person animation, you would continue to draw the stick-figure person on each subsequent page, with his hand gradually moving higher up in each drawing. Once his hand is fully in the air in an image you draw, you would then start to draw images of his hand moving back down to his side. This would create the look that he's waving his hand up and down in the final animation. Use color to make your flipbook animation more interesting. Try using a marker or colored pencils to fill in the images you draw. Use the same colors in each sequence of your animation so your animation looks fluid and continuous when you flip through your flipbook. Create elaborate drawings so your flipbook is more complex. Once you've mastered the basics, move on from drawing stick figures and start drawing interesting scenes and characters with dimension. Use shading and perspective to make your animation look more realistic. Keep background shading consistent. If the moving item itself is casting a shadow, like a bouncing ball, then move the shadow with the item. Flip through your flipbook to watch your animation once it’s finished. Hold your thumb on the bottom-right edge of the stack and slowly pull upward, flipping through each page of the book. Flip through the pages fast enough that your animation looks fluid, but not so fast that you accidentally skip over pages in the sequence. If the pages are slipping too much, secure them along the top edge with a binder clip or a staple. Also be sure that no pages are sticking together so your flipbook can be as fluid as possible. Choose a video you want to convert into a flipbook. The video can be anything: a clip from your wedding, a video from a birthday party, a shot of you hanging out with your friends, etc. The longer video you use, the longer your flipbook will be. Use a video that is around 15-30 seconds for the best results. Upload your video to an online flipbook maker. Search “video flipbook maker” or “turn my video into a flipbook” online. There are several websites, like http://www.flipclips.com/ and http://www.myflipps.com/ , that let you design a custom flipbook made from your own video. Individual flipbooks generally cost between $15 to $30 USD, depending on the size of the book. Customize your flipbook. Follow the instructions on whichever website you're building your flipbook on. Create the cover of your flipbook and choose which size flipbook you want. Decide what points in the video you want your flipbook to begin and end at. Keep in mind that some customizations may increase the price of the flipbook. Order your flipbook. Many flipbook websites let you buy flipbooks in bulk or with package deals, so choose the option that makes the most sense for you. If you're making flipbooks to pass out as gifts or favors, like at a wedding, ordering your flipbooks in bulk might save you money. Wait for your flipbook to be delivered. It could take up to 4 weeks for your flipbook to be delivered. When it arrives, flip through it to see your video transformed into an animation. If you ordered in bulk, pass them out to friends and family as a nice memento. Alternatively, you can sell your flipbook online or at conventions.
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Get a small, thick stack of paper to make your flipbook with. Use a pencil to draw an image on the bottom sheet of paper in the stack. Draw the same image on the next sheet of paper, varying it slightly. Continue drawing slightly varied images on each subsequent sheet of paper. Use color to make your flipbook animation more interesting. Create elaborate drawings so your flipbook is more complex. Flip through your flipbook to watch your animation once it’s finished. Choose a video you want to convert into a flipbook. Upload your video to an online flipbook maker. Customize your flipbook. Order your flipbook. Wait for your flipbook to be delivered.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Place-Your-Fingers-Properly-on-Piano-Keys
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How to Place Your Fingers Properly on Piano Keys
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To place your fingers properly on piano keys, find the Middle C, which is a white key in the middle of the keyboard, just to the left of two black keys. Put your right thumb on the middle C and let the rest of your fingers fall naturally on the white keys to the right of them. Your left thumb usually starts in the same place, but move it one key to the left if you are playing with two hands. Make sure you are playing with the tips of your fingers by arching your fingers as if you were holding a ball. Use good posture to relax and move more fluidly.
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Sit on the edge of the piano bench. The piano bench should be far enough away from the piano to allow you to sit on the front edge with your feet flat on the floor. Ideally, your legs will extend out from the piano bench with your knees at right angles. Your thighs shouldn't rest on the bench. If they are, you're seated too far back. Eventually you may be using the pedals, so your legs should be free to move forward enough to reach them. For now, rest your feet flat on the floor. Align your head and shoulders. Proper posture will give you greater ability to reach all the keys as you play and keep you from developing back problems later on. Roll your shoulders back so that your shoulder blades fall in line alongside your spine. Relax your neck and look straight forward. Hunching over the keys will limit the mobility of your hands as you play. Keep your elbows in front of you. If your arms are in the correct position, your elbows are in front of your body. Your elbows should be bent slightly, with the inner elbow creases facing upward toward the ceiling. Move the piano bench back a little if your elbows are by your sides. On the other hand, if you find that you're reaching straight out without any bend in your elbows, move the piano bench closer to the piano. Avoid sticking your elbows out. This can cause wrist problems as you start playing more often. Your forearms should be perpendicular to the piano keyboard. Arch your fingers over the keys. You want to play the piano with the tips of your fingers. While your thumb should be straight, the rest of your fingers should curve loosely over the keys, as though you're holding a ball. If necessary, you can practice the correct position by holding a tennis ball in your hand. The way your fingers curl around the ball is the way they should curve over the keys. Relax your arms and shoulders. Tensing your arms or shoulders can cause strain. You may want to shake out your arms a bit and do basic stretches for your arms and back to loosen up your muscles before you sit down to play. As you play, check your posture periodically and release any tension in your arms or shoulders. After some time, a relaxed posture will become automatic. Let your arms follow your fingers. As you move your hands up and down the keyboard, keep your arms more or less perpendicular to your hands. This avoids twisting and excessive strain on your wrists. Think about using the bigger muscles in your arms, and even in your back, to press the keys, rather than simply your fingers. Keep your fingernails trimmed short. If you plan to play piano frequently, long nails will get in the way of proper hand position. Long nails also click on the keys, which can ruin the song you're playing. Number your fingers. All sheet music uses the same universal numbering for the fingers and thumb on each hand. If you memorize the number for each finger, you'll be able to read finger positioning notations. The numbering starts with your thumb at number 1 and goes to your pinky finger at number 5. The left hand is a mirror image of the right hand, using the same numbers for the same fingers. Start at middle C. To play the piano, place finger 1 of your right hand on middle C. The other fingers of your right hand naturally fall on the white keys to the right of your thumb. This is the natural five-finger placement for the right hand. Your left thumb technically sits on middle C as well. However, if you're playing with both hands, you'll move your left hand over a key rather than trying to play middle C with both thumbs. Pass your thumb under your other fingers to move upward. You'll be using more than 5 keys when you play the piano. To move your hand upward, you want to cross your thumb under your other fingers to rest on the next key. Practice this movement with scales until it becomes habit. Since you only use your pinky to start or end a scale, you're generally passing your thumb under your 3 middle fingers. To move your hand downward, pass your ring finger over your other fingers and place it to the left of your thumb. Play longer keys with your shorter fingers. If you look at the keyboard, you'll see longer white keys and shorter black keys. Your shortest fingers are your thumb and your pinky, and typically they will only play white keys. Play the shorter keys with your longer fingers. If you're playing music with sharps or flats, you'll need to play the shorter black keys. Generally, you'll use your index, middle, and ring fingers to play these keys. As you're playing the shorter keys, you'll want to flatten your fingers out a little more so that you can reach them more easily. This way you don't have to keep moving your hands forward and back over the keys. Instead, you can keep them in the same place they would be when you were playing the white keys. Keep your left and right hand symmetrical. Your left and right hands are mirror images of each other, even if they're moving in different directions or playing different patterns. Try to arrange your fingering so that you're using the same fingers at the same time. It will become easier to play more complex pieces of music if you can maintain this symmetry in your fingering. When your hands are in sync, the music will flow more naturally. Learn all the scales with proper fingering. Scales are one of the basic building blocks of music, and if you practice scales with proper fingering, your fingers will automatically know where to go when you see parts of a scale in a piece of music. Keep in mind that fingers are not notes. For example, just because you start playing middle C with your right thumb doesn't mean your right thumb will always play middle C. There may be pieces of music where this is awkward or unnatural. Use your fifth finger only for starting or ending a scale. Generally, your pinky is weakest and will be the least used finger on your hand. As you play a scale, you'll pass your thumb under your middle fingers to slide your hand over and play the next notes, only playing the last note with your pinky. Likewise, if you're playing a downward scale rather than an upward scale, you'll start with your pinky. Find the best fingering for arpeggios. Arpeggios, or broken chords, typically have standard fingerings. Depending on the notes in the chord, that standard fingering may not work for you. If it's more comfortable for you to use different fingers, do so – just make sure you're consistently using the same fingers every time and that the arpeggios sound even. Practicing arpeggios is a good way to memorize basic chords up and down the keyboard. Adapt standard fingerings for your own hands. You may find fingering notations on sheet music, and this can be a good place to start when you're learning a new song. However, standard fingerings don't necessarily work for all hands. For example, if you have small hands, you may find it's easier to pass your thumb under just your index and middle finger when you need to move your hand up. If you change the standard fingering, make sure you keep it consistent. If you switch up the fingering within the same piece, you won't develop muscle memory for that song and may find yourself making more errors. Write your fingerings on your sheet music. Especially when you're just starting to learn piano, writing down the number of the finger that will play each note enables you to progress more quickly. After you've played for a while, writing down fingerings may start to feel like a waste of time. If it's not helping you anymore, don't do it. However, keep this practice in mind for extremely complex pieces.
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Sit on the edge of the piano bench. Align your head and shoulders. Keep your elbows in front of you. Arch your fingers over the keys. Relax your arms and shoulders. Let your arms follow your fingers. Keep your fingernails trimmed short. Number your fingers. Start at middle C. Pass your thumb under your other fingers to move upward. Play longer keys with your shorter fingers. Play the shorter keys with your longer fingers. Keep your left and right hand symmetrical. Learn all the scales with proper fingering. Use your fifth finger only for starting or ending a scale. Find the best fingering for arpeggios. Adapt standard fingerings for your own hands. Write your fingerings on your sheet music.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Open-a-Pomegranate
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How to Open a Pomegranate
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To open a pomegranate, first you'll need to prepare your work space. Since pomegranate juice can stain, put on some gloves and cover your cutting board with a cloth. Next, place your pomegranate on the cutting board and cut off the crown of the fruit, removing it like a lid. Then slice the skin along the white ridges visible on the inside of the fruit, being careful not to slice into the seeds. Once you've cut along each ridge, pull the sections apart. You can eat the seeds, or arils, straight from the sections or you can separate them gently in a bowl of water to prevent making a mess with the juice.
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Roll the pomegranate on your cutting board to loosen the seeds. Flatten your hand and press it over the top of the fruit. Use a firm pressure to push down on the pomegranate as you roll it over the surface of the cutting board. This will make it much easier to remove the seeds. Position your pomegranate in the middle of the cutting board. Use a plastic or wooden cutting board when opening a pomegranate. Since pomegranate juice stains pretty much everything, you may want to protect your cutting board with a cloth. Additionally, it's helpful to wear rubber gloves while you're cutting a pomegranate, as your fingers might get stained. Cut the top (flower) off of the pomegranate. The top is also called the flower. Use a knife to remove the top of the pomegranate, where the nub from the stem remains. Then, pop it off like a lid. Discard it in your compost or trash. You might also remove the bottom of the pomegranate, but this is completely optional. Slice the pomegranate in half, along the ridges. Look inside your pomegranate and find the natural boundaries that separate the seeds, which will be white. These are the ridges. Align your knife with the centermost ridge, then slice through. You don't want to cut through the seeds of the pomegranate, only the white parts that make up the ridge. Cut each of the ridges to create 5 slices for easy eating. Slice your knife through each white barrier inside the pomegranate, which separates the seeds. This should create 5 slices, which will be connected at the bottom. Pull off each piece to eat the seeds. You can scoop the seeds out with a spoon or pick them out. The white part is bitter and fibrous, so it's best to avoid eating it. The open pomegranate will look like a flower or star. Tear the pomegranate apart if you just want to remove the seeds. Use your hands to gently rip the pomegranate into 2 halves. They may not be even halves, depending on where the ridge was located inside the pomegranate. Roll your pomegranate on the cutting board to loosen the seeds. With a flat palm, apply gentle pressure along the side of the pomegranate. Continue to press firmly against it as you roll the pomegranate over your clean cutting board. This will make it much easier to remove the seeds. Put your pomegranate on its side on a cutting board. Place the pomegranate so that the fleshy side is facing the cutting board. The ends of the pomegranate should be sticking out. You may want to place a towel under the pomegranate, as the juice stains. It's a good idea to wear rubber gloves, as pomegranates can stain your fingers. Make 3 shallow slices down the middle, at the top, and at the bottom. Slice the center first, then make 2 cuts approximately.25 inches (0.64 cm) from both the top and bottom. Cut just into the skin of the pomegranate, careful not to cut down into the seeds. The fruit should still be in one piece after you make the cuts. Tear or cut off the top and bottom of the fruit. You should be able to pop the top and bottom off like a lid. Then, discard them in your compost or trash bin. You should be able to see the seeds. If not, pull away any flesh that's still covering the seeds. On the top, a bit of the calyx, which is the name of the stem or crown, may still be lodged into the fruit. If it is, remove it gently. Turn the pomegranate so the cut sides face out, then slice again. Make the same shallow cuts that you did before. Be sure that you don't cut all the way through the fruit, as you don't want to cut the seeds. This will make it easier to pull your pomegranate apart to eat it. Roll the pomegranate to the other side, then make a shallow cut. Just like before, your cut should only pierce the skin. Don't push your knife all the way through the fruit. At this point, your pomegranate will be exposed on the top and bottom. Additionally, it will have 5 shallow cuts along its skin. Use your thumbs to pull the pomegranate apart. Stick your thumbs into the center cut, then tear the pomegranate into 2 halves. Next, push your thumbs into the other 2 shallow cuts you made and tear apart the slices. This will create several small chunks of pomegranate, which you can eat. You should see lots of tasty seeds inside your pomegranate pieces. Fill a large bowl with fresh, cool water. Use clean water, as you'll be consuming the pomegranate seeds. Add enough water to the bowl to cover both halves of the pomegranate. Make a shallow cut down the side of your pomegranate. There's no need to cut off the top or bottom if you're just removing the seeds. Just make a thin cut through the skin of the pomegranate. Don't cut deeply, as you don't want to cut the seeds. Use your thumbs to tear the pomegranate into 2 halves. Dig your thumbs into the side of the pomegranate, then gently pull the fruit apart. The sides should be roughly even, but it's okay if they're not. Removing the seeds will be easier if the pieces are even. Place the 2 halves in the water. After it's been in the water for a few minutes, you'll start to see the white parts, called the pith, floating away from the pomegranate. As it does, the seeds will come out. Use your fingers to nudge the seeds free, if they're stuck. The white pith will float and the seeds will sink. When most of the seeds are out, you'll be able to invert the skin to get out the remaining seeds. When you're finished, you'll be left with the skeleton of the pomegranate, like two inverted caps. You may need to pull some seeds out of the pith, if they're stuck. Strain the pomegranate seeds into a bowl. Take out the skin, then skim off the white pith. Throw these in your compost or trash bin. Then, slowly pour the water and pomegranate seeds over a kitchen strainer. This will collect the seeds, which you can place in a bowl for use. Make a shallow slice in the side of your pomegranate. Use a knife to just cut through the skin itself. Don't cut through the pomegranate, as you don't want to slice through the seeds. Use your thumbs to pull your pomegranate into 2 halves. Stick your thumbs through the slice, then tear the pomegranate apart. This should leave 2 separate slices that are nearly even. If the slices are uneven, that's okay. However, if one slice is very big, then it's best to pull it apart again. Simply slice through the skin, then tear it into 2 slices. This will make it easier to get the seeds out. Place one half, seed side down, over a bowl. Hold the pomegranate by the side or place it in your splayed palm. Position the fruit over a medium to large bowl that's big enough to catch the seeds as they fall. Hit the skin of the pomegranate with a wooden spoon. This will knock the seeds out of the pomegranate and into the bowl. Continue to hit the pomegranate until all of the seeds come out. Once you finish with one half, repeat the process to de-seed the other side.
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Roll the pomegranate on your cutting board to loosen the seeds. Position your pomegranate in the middle of the cutting board. Cut the top (flower) off of the pomegranate. Slice the pomegranate in half, along the ridges. Cut each of the ridges to create 5 slices for easy eating. Tear the pomegranate apart if you just want to remove the seeds. Roll your pomegranate on the cutting board to loosen the seeds. Put your pomegranate on its side on a cutting board. Make 3 shallow slices down the middle, at the top, and at the bottom. Tear or cut off the top and bottom of the fruit. Turn the pomegranate so the cut sides face out, then slice again. Roll the pomegranate to the other side, then make a shallow cut. Use your thumbs to pull the pomegranate apart. Fill a large bowl with fresh, cool water. Make a shallow cut down the side of your pomegranate. Use your thumbs to tear the pomegranate into 2 halves. Place the 2 halves in the water. Use your fingers to nudge the seeds free, if they're stuck. Strain the pomegranate seeds into a bowl. Make a shallow slice in the side of your pomegranate. Use your thumbs to pull your pomegranate into 2 halves. Place one half, seed side down, over a bowl. Hit the skin of the pomegranate with a wooden spoon.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Throw-a-Curveball
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How to Throw a Curveball
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To throw a curveball, start by holding the ball between your thumb and middle finger. Then, as you wind up and throw the ball, snap it on the release by rotating your thumb and middle finger down, almost like you're trying to snap with them. Try to release the ball as close to your body as possible, which will make it spin and curve more. Don't worry if the ball doesn't curve at first. Keep practicing the snapping motion when you release the ball and over time you'll get better.
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Grip the ball between your thumb and middle finger. Place your middle finger along the bottom seam of the baseball and your thumb along the back seam. Leave your index finger off the ball. Instead of using it to grip the ball, you'll be using it to point at where you want the ball to go. Hold the baseball such that the curves of the seams are close to your palm, with one on top and one on the bottom of your palm. For right-handed people, place your middle finger on the right seam on top, and your thumb on the left seam on bottom. Lefties should do the opposite. Keep your grip hidden. If the hitter knows you're about to throw a curveball, they'll be prepared for the change in speed and drop. It's important to hide your pitch until you wind up to throw it. Make sure your glove is covering your hand gripping the ball, so no one on the other team will be able to see that you're gripping for a curveball. The basic curveball grip is easy for experienced hitters to spot even during the windup. Practice hiding your grip so your curveballs are harder to read. Wind up and throw the pitch. Place your dominant foot on the rubber. Lift your opposite knee and rotate your hips forward as you throw the ball. Your elbow should be level with or above your arm, and bent at a 90-degree angle. Complete the first part of your curveball pitch as you would a fastball. A basic, four seam fastball will have your middle and pointer fingers on top of the ball on the seam that runs left and right across the ball when the ball is facing you. Your thumb should be directly on the smooth leather of the bottom of the ball, in between the seams. Snap the release. Keep your palm facing inward towards your body, and release the ball as your arm extends and you step forward with the opposite foot. As your arm comes down from the throw, it should be headed toward the opposite hip. Snap quickly from top to bottom, rather than moving your hand in an arc across your body. When you release the ball, rotate your thumb up and your middle finger down, as though you were going to snap your thumb and middle finger together. The ball will move in the direction your middle finger is pointing. You'll want to release the ball as close to your body as you can. This is called "short arming," and will create more resistance between your middle finger and seam, increasing spin and curve. Practice. Master a basic curveball before you move on to more complicated forms. Remember, the spinning action of the throw is achieved by gripping the ball without pressure from the index finger and snapping as the ball is released. Keep this movement in mind as you throw. Grip the ball between your thumb, forefinger, and middle finger. This is the classic curveball grip. Grip the ball with the bottom seam between your index and middle fingers, and place your thumb along the back seam. Hold the baseball such that the curves of the seams are close to your palm, with one on top front and one on bottom rear of the ball. The "front" of the ball refers to the part that will be traveling away from you when thrown, while "rear" refers to the part of the ball facing you after the ball is thrown. For right-handed people, place your middle finger on the right seam on top, and your thumb on the left seam on bottom. Lefties should do the opposite. Use your index finger to point at the target. As with the basic curve, you should be using your index finger to point at where you wish to throw the ball. This time, though, it'll also be steadying your middle finger. Keep your hand position hidden. Same as with most pitches, you'll want to make sure your grip isn't visible to the other team by hiding it behind your glove until you wind up to throw the pitch. Otherwise, the hitter will be warned that you're about to throw a curveball, and you aren't likely to get the results you want. If you have difficulty hiding your pitch before the wind up, you may want to position your ball as deeply in your mitt as possible before taking your grip on the ball. Wind up and throw. Put dominant foot on the rubber, in a parallel position. Lift your opposite knee and rotate your hips forward as you throw the ball. Your elbow should be level with or above your arm, and bent at a 90-degree angle. This windup is exactly the same as that you'd use when throwing a fastball. Release the ball with a snap. Keep your palm facing inward toward your body, and release the ball as you step forward with the opposite foot. As your arm comes down from the throw, snap it toward the opposite hip. As you release the ball, rotate your thumb upward and your middle finger downward, as though you were snapping your thumb and middle finger together. Try modifying your grip. If you slightly change the positioning of your fingers, you can change the way the ball breaks, confusing the hitter even more. Regular curve balls are known as 11-5 throws because the ball breaks in the angle formed by the 11 and 5 numbers on a clock. Try these variations to make your throw break differently: A 12-6 curve ball will break downward more sharply. Place your index and middle fingers between the seams, and your thumb on the bottom of the ball. Do an abbreviated snap as you throw, or release the ball as your hand passes your head instead of following the arm motion all the way through. To account for the sharp break, throw a 12-6 a bit higher than you would a normal curve ball. A 10-4 curve ball will start up and close to the hitter, then break low and away. Start your grip as you would for a traditional curve ball then slide your index and middle fingers downward a bit, toward your thumb. Place the majority of the pressure on your middle finger, and turn your wrist outward from your body as you throw. Grip the ball. The knuckle curveball is similar to other grips, but the variable this time will be your index finger. Grip the ball with your middle finger along the bottom seam, and your thumb along the back seam. Hold the baseball such that the curves of the seams are close to your palm, with one on top and one on the bottom of your palm. Bend your index finger inward before laying it on the ball so that your nail and top knuckle are resting on the ball and your middle knuckle is pointing at the target. For right-handed people, place your middle finger on the right seam on top, and your thumb on the left seam on bottom. Lefties should do the opposite. Getting comfortable with a knuckle curve ball grip can take practice. Acclimate yourself to how it feels by practicing the grip, without throwing, when you have downtime. This kind of curveball is considered more advanced than other kinds. Don't be discouraged if it takes some time to master. Use your index knuckle to point at your target. As with the straight curve, your index finger will be both pointing to the target and steadying your middle finger, but has the added benefit of adding more torque through the bending of your knuckle. Keep your grip hidden in your baseball glove. This is extra important with a knuckle curve ball, since your finger placement will make it obvious at a glance. Make sure the ball is deep in your glove before taking hold of it with the knuckle curveball grip. Wind up and throw. Your dominant foot should be on the rubber, in a parallel position. Lift your opposite knee and rotate your hips forward as you throw the ball. Your elbow should be level with or above your arm, and bent at a 90-degree angle, same as a normal fastball pitch. Snap the release. Keep your palm facing inward to your body, and release the ball as you step forward with the opposite foot. The ball should be out of your hand shortly after it passes your head. As your arm comes down from the throw, snap it toward the opposite hip. Twist your thumb upward and your middle finger downward to put a spin on the ball.
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Grip the ball between your thumb and middle finger. Keep your grip hidden. Wind up and throw the pitch. Snap the release. Practice. Grip the ball between your thumb, forefinger, and middle finger. Keep your hand position hidden. Wind up and throw. Release the ball with a snap. Try modifying your grip. Grip the ball. Use your index knuckle to point at your target. Keep your grip hidden in your baseball glove. Wind up and throw. Snap the release.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Date-a-Leo
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How to Date a Leo
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To date a leo, you'll want to woo them with your natural charm. Leo's respond well to flirting, so compliment them, lightly tease them, and make lots of eye contact with them. They also appreciate romance, so try buying them a cute gift or setting the mood for the evening with candles and rose petals. Try to keep the romance strong even after you've been dating for a while. Leos make natural leaders so don't be afraid to let them take the lead sometimes. You should also share your thoughts and feelings with them regularly and ask them how they're feeling to keep communication open.
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Be aware that Leos come in all shapes and sizes. Ultimately, the key to courtship is to get to know your particular Leo--to calibrate your courtship to his or her specific needs and quirks. Astrology describes certain personality archetypes, but archetypes will only take you so far. Take anything you read with a grain of salt. Astrology is no hard, fast science, and interpretations may vary widely depending on who happens to be writing a horoscope. Use horoscopes as a touch-point for your relationship with a person--not as the only resource. There are many other personality type indices that may give you insight into a lover's mind, including the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator , the Keirsey Temperament Sorter , and the Five Love Languages. There are also zodiac signs to take into consideration besides their sun sign, like their moon, rising, and Venus signs. Flirt. Leos can be passionate, physical creatures, and the quickest way to build their desire is to flirt with their attention. Catch your crush's eye from the room, and give him a quick, seductive smile. Look away, wait a while, and catch his eye again. Eye contact can signal that you are interested, and your Leo may take it as a wordless invitation to come strike up a conversation. Find excuses to touch your crush. Brush her arm when you're helping her with something; touch her shoulder, gently, when you get her attention; shake her hand warmly but firmly when the two of you meet. Build physical intimacy with your Leo, and her desire for you may grow. Don't overdo it. Subtlety is king, where flirting is concerned. Don't make anyone feel uncomfortable; if your crush doesn't return your advances, don't force it. Woo your Leo. Leos are known for being passionate, romantic lovers, and they may long to be swept up in a passionate romance. Leos often appreciate romantic gestures. Do something sweet and considerate that you know your crush will appreciate. Buy her flowers; buy him tickets to see his favorite sports team. Something as simple as a handwritten note may show your crush that you care. Don't be afraid to be forward. If your Leo takes the lead, then let it happen and play along. If your Leo does not take the lead at first, he or she may be impressed by your courage if you make a move. Consider simply telling a Leo how she makes you feel. Tell her that she is beautiful and radiant; that she makes your heart beat faster; that you want to take her out this Friday. Love favors the bold. Try to keep up. Leos often lead active, exciting lives, and active people tend to look for mates that can keep up with their pace. If your Leo is into physical activities or sports, show him or her your own athletic prowess. If you go for a hike or a run with your Leo, it is important that you can keep up. Consider letting your Leo win. Don't be afraid to get competitive, but consider playing to your crush's pride by letting him or her take first place. Make it a close race, however, and you'll earn the Leo's respect and attention. Compliment your crush. Leos love attention, and they love to be appreciated for what for they do. Be genuine, but don't be afraid to dial up the flattery. If your crush is creative, compliment him on the things that he creates: songs, paintings, poems, crafts. Make him feel appreciated. For example: "I love your new song! I've had it stuck in my head since the show last Saturday." If your crush is an athlete, compliment her on her athletic feats: tell her how impressed you were to see her win that race or to score that goal. Play to her prideful side. For example: "Great job at the game on Friday. Those three goals you scored carried the team!" If your crush is well-dressed or otherwise good-looking, compliment her on her appearance. Leos like to feel attractive, and verbal validation is one of the best ways to make a Leo feel appreciated. For example: "I like your new hair. Blue really brings out your eyes!" Get your Leo to open up. Leos may present a confident, self-assured public face, but they often harbor secret doubts. If you can establish trust between your crush and yourself, he or she may begin to share these doubts with you--and this intimacy may lead to something more. Do not pry. Be respectful of your crush and her inner world. Remember that trust begets trust: if you begin to share your inner thoughts with your crush, then they are much more likely to reciprocate. Take it slow. Emotional intimacy takes time to build, and you don't want to overwhelm your crush too early in the relationship. Leos can be wary of commitment, and they may not be so quick to dive into a serious relationship. Understand that Leos tend to be natural leaders. Stand up for yourself, but be prepared to handle a strong personality. Leos often like to be needed. Don't let yourself become completely dependent upon your Leo, but give him or her opportunities to help out. For example: "I can't decide what to order--this all looks so good! Can you recommend anything?" Ask your crush for help with something--help with homework or a project, help carrying something heavy, help deciding something. This will give you an excuse to spend time with your Leo, and it will give him or her a chance to lead. Never stop wooing your Leo. Leos are often driven by passion and a zest for life. Don't grow complacent in your relationship, and don't stop making romantic gestures. Consider giving your Leo flowers, a favorite food item, or a handwritten note to show that you are thinking of them. It's important to show that you care, and frequent romantic gestures will help keep the Leo's "attention tank" full. Be spontaneous, and keep trying new things with your Leo. You may be more likely to keep him or her if you can keep the relationship exciting. Grow together. Keep the relationship going by making it a constant process of improvement. If you become complacent, your Leo may get bored and begin to dream of new horizons. Be attentive. Leos like to be the center of attention, although they may be happy to let you stand in the spotlight with them. Make sure that your Leo knows that you are listening to what he or she says. Consider putting away the cell phone or closing your laptop screen when you're talking with your Leo. If you are present, engaged, and listening to what she has to say, you will demonstrate that there is worth to her words. Offer feedback. Leos may like to lead, but they also like to play and interact with their partners. If you can keep up with your Leo, you will be more likely to earn her respect. Be secure. Leos can be very attractive, sociable people, and they will often divide their attention into many different projects. If you want to keep your Leo, you will need to be secure enough in your relationship to let him or her explore. Be empathetic, but do not let anyone take advantage of you. It is one thing to accept that your mate keeps a wide range of friends from both sexes, but it is another thing to overlook a cheating partner when you've agreed upon a monogamous relationship. Be loyal and true. Leos respond well to loyalty and honesty. Continually show your Leo that they are the object of your desire. Be clear about your intentions when it comes to friends and acquaintances. Leos may become jealous if they sense that another person is taking their attention away. Communicate. Be clear about your expectations, but be willing to compromise. Leos may be straightforward communicators, but they can also be prideful and headstrong. Stand up for what really matters to you. If you aren't comfortable with something, speak up as soon as possible. Address the issue and do not let it fester. Be tactful. A Leo's prideful nature may lead him or her to flare up with rash emotion during an argument. Leos may not handle criticism well. Empathize. Temper criticism with empathy; show your Leo that you understand where they're coming from, and make them feel validated. For example: "You make a really good point--I wouldn't have thought of that approach. I'll definitely give it a shot."
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Be aware that Leos come in all shapes and sizes. Flirt. Woo your Leo. Try to keep up. Compliment your crush. Get your Leo to open up. Understand that Leos tend to be natural leaders. Never stop wooing your Leo. Be attentive. Be secure. Be loyal and true. Communicate.
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