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https://www.wikihow.com/Find-Someone-in-Jail | How to Find Someone in Jail | To find someone in jail, start by visiting the Federal Bureau of Prisons website if the person you're looking for is in a federal jail. Then, use the database search tool by entering the person's name or prison number. If you're looking for someone in a state prison, search for them on the VINELink website, which maintains a database of state prisoners nationwide. Alternatively, try searching for the prisoner on the state's Department of Corrections website. | Confirm the person's legal name. Even though you may know someone by a nickname, a prison record will have the person's full legal name. Most criminal records include listings of aliases or other known names, but typically are only searchable by a person's legal first and last name. Keep in mind you may think you have the person's full legal name when in fact you don't. If you hit a dead-end in your search and cannot find the person, this more than likely is because you don't have his or her legal name. For example, someone may go by his middle name instead of his first name. Collect additional information. Other identifying information, such as a birthdate, can help narrow your search results and enable you to find someone in jail more easily. Searching social media can help you learn some of these details. You also may want to ask friends or family of the person, if they are known and available to you. This is particularly important if the person you're trying to find has a relatively common name. For example, if you're looking for John Smith, your search of either a state or federal inmate database may turn up many inmates with that name. Additional details can help you find the correct entry more efficiently. The most efficient way to find someone in jail is to look them up by their inmate ID number, but chances are you won't have this information until after you've found them in an inmate database. Determine the court where the person was convicted. The name and location of the court may provide clues to the location and type of correctional facility where the person is serving time. As an initial matter, you must find out if the person was convicted of a state or federal crime. Anyone convicted of a crime in federal court will be in a federal prison, whereas someone convicted of a state crime may be in a state jail or prison. Typically a person convicted in a state court will be serving his or her sentence in a correctional facility in the same state. However, the person may have been transferred if, for example, she was a resident of one state but committed a crime in another. The location of the person within the state also may depend on the availability of space in nearby jails and prisons. Search criminal court records. Since where someone is serving time often depends on the type and degree of crime he or she was convicted of committing, criminal records can help you figure out where the inmate is located. Keep in mind that you may be charged a small fee to conduct full searches of criminal records, but you should be able to get basic information such as the crime for which the person was convicted for free. The National Center for State Courts has a directory of online criminal records available for each state. People convicted of less serious offenses typically are housed in county jails, while those convicted of more serious or violent offenses probably are in state prisons. Jails tend to hold non-violent offenders serving shorter sentences, while prisons have greater security and restrictions and are designed for violent offenders serving longer sentences. Visit the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) website. The Federal Bureau of Prisons maintains a database of all federal inmates incarcerated from 1982 to the present. If the person you're looking for was incarcerated prior to 1982, the online inmate locator may not have any record of him or her. To find those records, you must contact the National Archives Records Administration rather than the BOP. While the BOP occasionally houses some inmates convicted of state crimes or those convicted of felonies in the District of Columbia, the records primarily are of those convicted of federal crimes in a federal court. Conduct an inmate search. You can search either by the inmate's BOP Register Number or by name. Searching by BOP Register Number is the most efficient way to find someone in federal prison, but you typically won't know this information the first time you search. The BOP inmate locator searches by first and last name, but also includes fields for race, age, and sex that you can fill in to narrow your search results. Retrieve the correct listing from the search results. Depending on how much you narrowed your search, you may have to sift through several listings to find the right person. Each listing will include the inmate's name, BOP Register Number, age, sex, race, and release date or prison location. Clicking on the prison name will take you to that prison's website, where you can find an address or contact information for the prison itself. Register with VINELink. VINELink is provided by the National Victim Notification Network, and has information about the location and custody status of state prisoners nationwide. Keep in mind that to find an inmate on VINELink, you must first know the state in which he or she is incarcerated. Additionally, VINELink has information about state inmates only, not inmates housed in federal corrections facilities. http://thelawdictionary.org/article/best-way-to-find-someone-in-jail-for-free/ You can search for any inmate by entering his or her first and last name or inmate ID number. The search engine also has additional fields such as birthdate or age range that you can complete if you know that information to limit your search results and increase your chances of finding the right person. You don't have to register to conduct a search, but you must set up a user account if you want to save your search or receive notifications. Once you set up a user account, you can choose to receive an email or text message when the person's custody status changes or they are moved to a different location. Visit the state corrections department website. Each state's corrections department has a website that will provide you with information about the department and its network of jails and prisons. The home page of state or county corrections departments typically include links to information about each jail or prison and their populations, as well as FAQs and information on searching for particular inmates. Find the site's search engine. Most states have a searchable database listing all inmates currently housed in correction facilities. Be sure to read the information included on the initial search page regarding the accuracy of the records in the database and how often they're updated. This is particularly important if you're looking at a city or county's website rather than a whole state. Larger cities and counties may update the online database frequently, while more rural areas may only update every few days or once a week. Conduct an inmate search. You typically can search using the person's first and last name, or his or her inmate ID number. Keep in mind you must have the person's correct legal name as it appears on court records or government-issued identification. Some systems also allow you to limit your search by including optional information such as the inmate's birthdate, age, or race. Others allow you to search by other identification numbers such as the inmate's Social Security number. Retrieve the correct listing from the search results. Depending on how extensively you've been able to narrow your search results, as well as the size of the department you're searching, you may have to review several records before you find the correct person. Once you've found the correct person, the listing typically will provide you with additional information including the location where the inmate is housed and his or her inmate ID number. You may want to make note of that number so you can search more quickly if you need to find him or her again. | Confirm the person's legal name. Collect additional information. Determine the court where the person was convicted. Search criminal court records. Visit the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) website. Conduct an inmate search. Retrieve the correct listing from the search results. Register with VINELink. Visit the state corrections department website. Find the site's search engine. Conduct an inmate search. Retrieve the correct listing from the search results. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Sell-Scrap-Metal | How to Sell Scrap Metal | If you have some scrap metal that you want to sell, put on heavy gloves and carefully pile the metal onto a pickup truck or another vehicle, then drive to a scrap yard. When you get to the scrap yard, drive your vehicle onto the inbound scales to be weighed, then either allow the facility personnel to unload your vehicle or do it yourself. Afterward, drive back across the outbound scales. The difference in the weight of your vehicle is the weight of your scrap yard, and you will be paid based on the rate for scrap metal on the day you visit the scrapyard. | Examine household items. Many ordinary items around your home can be sold for the metals they contain. For example, old Christmas tree lights contain copper; old toasters contain copper wiring and a steel body. If the metal in the item is recyclable (as most industrial metals are), it can be sold for scrap. The things you are considering selling at a garage sale may actually be worth more money if you sell them for their scrap metal. This is especially true if the items no longer work properly. You can avoid waste and potentially get paid more for your metal if you take off any additional nonmetal materials (such as the bulbs of a Christmas light string) before taking them in as scrap. Scrap old or broken major appliances. If you have household appliances such as a washing machine or refrigerator that are not working, they can be sold as scrap metal. Check the government's Energy Star website to find locations near you that specialize in recycling old appliances. Some appliances (especially those with electronic components built in) might have metals inside them that are more valuable than their outer materials would suggest. Avoid being swindled by a scrap yard by disassembling appliances first to reveal internal materials. Don't forget about the copper in your appliance's power cord! This material is valuable and should be sold separate from the appliance itself to get the biggest bang for your buck. Scavenge discarded roadside items. You know that old range oven sitting in the drainage ditch that you drive past every day on your way to work? That can easily be sold as scrap metal! Even rusty, crushed items that seem like complete junk may have some value. Never take items from private property or from behind fences or gates; this constitutes trespassing and theft, and you can be prosecuted for it. Only take items that are clearly not on someone else's land. Be careful not to upset any creatures that may have turned the roadside junk into a home. Snakes, bees, spiders, or rodents could be inside the item, so inspect it before picking it up and putting it inside your vehicle. Salvage old auto parts. Car parts that are no longer usable for their original purpose can be particularly valuable because they tend to contain lots of metal. Many auto parts contain multiple metal types, so take them apart if you can. This will help you separate metals of different values when taking them to the scrap yard. Don't neglect bolts, nuts, screws, and other fasteners. These may not seem like much individually, but they can really add up and boost the weight of your metal if you are disassembling a large or complicated part. Save old plumbing fixtures and electrical wiring. If you are remodeling your home or refurbishing bathroom and kitchen fixtures, you might be planning to toss the old parts. Sell your old faucets, drains, pipes, and wiring at a scrap yard instead of discarding them -- you might be surprised how much some of these things can get you (especially copper pipes and wires!). You don't need to clean your materials before selling them to a scrap yard, but you should clear out any pipe blockages or thick buildup; these add to the weight of the metal, and many yards will pay you less by weight if there is extra material on the sale. Visit private sales. You may find valuable metal at yard/estate sales, home foreclosure sales, etc. Many people don't realize how much metal can be worth. You can often find large, heavy items for next to nothing at these sales and sell them as scrap for much more than you paid for them. At estate sales or other events where "everything must go," ask the owner whether there happen to be old pipes or other scraps of metal lying around that they intend to get rid of. If so, they'll probably let you have it for free. Focus on high-value metals. In order to get the biggest payout from your scrap metal, aim to obtain metals that fetch the highest price per pound. While the market price of a given metal depends on many things, one aspect of its value comes from its level of demand. Know which metals are the real cash cows by doing some research online. As with any commodity, metal's value fluctuates in the day-to-day market. Some metals are consistently highly valued (such as copper, owing to its lossless recycling process), but can still experience variable valuation. Geographical location can even factor into the going price per pound of a given type of metal. As such, when researching metal values, be sure to get information specific to your location. There are websites, updated daily, devoted specifically to scrap metal sales information. Identify the metals in your scrap. If you want to know what you can expect to be paid for your scrap metal (and if you want to be able to cherry pick your scrap for the highest profit), you'll need to learn how to identify the various metals you might encounter and can sell. Descriptions of some of the most common types are below: Steel: iron-chromium alloy that is commonly found in kitchen utensils, vehicle frames, hubcaps, beer kegs, etc. Brass: zinc-copper alloy found in decorative items, musical instruments, locks, and some plumbing materials. Copper: reddish metal (one of the most valuable scrap metals) found in household plumbing fixtures and wiring. Aluminum: lightweight metal of dull silver color found in beverage cans, some cabling, and modern vehicle bodies and parts. Iron: heavy, polished, magnetic metal found in pipes, construction beams, and many automobile parts. Check metal prices online. Many websites such as Kitco provide up to date market prices for a variety of industrial metals. Once you are ready to cash in on your scrap metal, check the going rate in your area for the metals you want to sell. This will help you identify and avoid facilities that might not offer as much money for your materials as you could get elsewhere. Print out the market reports you find online or save the web page(s) on your mobile phone so you can reference it when you go to a scrap yard to sell your materials. If you can find multiple online sources with similar metal prices, you can be that much more certain that the prices you see are realistic. Contact multiple yards for rate quotes. Different yards may offer different prices than others for scrap metal. Call around to the scrap metal yards in your area to ask about their going rates so you can find the facility that will pay you the most money. If you call a yard to ask about prices, they will likely ask you how much material you have. Be sure to have a general idea of this before making your calls. When selecting a scrap metal yard to sell your materials to, consider its distance from your home. You might find that an additional 30 minutes of driving for an extra $0.01 per pound isn't worth it, especially considering the extra gas you'll burn hauling around heavy scrap metal! Negotiate for a higher rate. Scrap metal yards usually have some wiggle room in their offering prices, but whether or not they can be convinced to give you a higher going rate than their competitors will depend partly upon how the facility sees you. Are you a repeat customer? Do you bring in a lot of material? Is your scrap well-organized? These things will influence your bargaining power. Establish a relationship with one scrap metal yard if you plan to sell scrap often. If you are recognized by the owner or manager as someone who offers repeat business, you will probably be offered better prices for your scrap. You can search for scrap yards online or in your local phonebook. Save your sales receipts and add up how much metal you bring in weekly, monthly, or annually to your chosen scrap yard. This information can be used to negotiate better rates if you have been going to the same yard for a while. Talk to the yard owner about higher prices; ultimately, your payout will depend upon his decision. If you can continue to offer a steady flow of scrap and you've built a relationship with the business, your chances of being paid more will increase. Accumulate a large volume of scrap before selling. Many scrap yards pay better prices for larger quantities of metal. If you can wait until you have as much metal as you can haul before selling it, you will maximize your profit. Don't wait so long that you have more metal than you can carry at once. The idea is to sell as much as possible in one transaction -- so unless you can trade in all your metal together, you won't benefit by waiting. This is another way to build a strong relationship with a scrap yard; the more materials you bring it at once, the more likely the yard will be to see you as a valuable customer and someone they are willing to pay top dollar. Separate your scrap by type. You will be paid more for your scrap metal if you keep it separated and well-organized. This means less work for the yard, so they will take this into consideration when making you an offer. If you can't completely separate each metal type, at least separate more valuable metals from less valuable ones. This way, your pricey copper won't get lumped in with your relatively low-priced aluminum, for example. Use buckets or barrels for individual types of metal to keep them separate and easily identifiable. Strip as much excess, non-metal materials as possible off of your scrap. If the yard operators can see that your metal doesn't have lots of extra weight attached to it, they will pay you more (and they will appreciate that they don't have to strip it down themselves). Keep seasonality in mind. In areas with cold climates, prices for scrap metal often increase in the winter because salvaging is more difficult and fewer people sell scrap during that time of year. Using this strategy might even fetch you more money than waiting until you have accumulated a large quantity of scrap metal. In markets where scrap prices fluctuate wildly from month to month, seasonality may not play much of a role; you should assess your local market patterns to get an idea of whether cashing in during winter is likely to be more lucrative. Obtain a vehicle for hauling scrap metal. Make sure you have access to a pickup truck or a vehicle with a large trunk or hatch for hauling your scrap. Salvaged scrap metal is often dirty, rusty, and jagged, so you probably won't want to carry it in the backseat of a passenger car. Flatbed trucks are ideal for hauling scrap metal (so long as you have a way to tie it down during transportation). With these, you don't have to worry about damaging the floor or wall of the truck bed during loading and unloading (which is often done by crane). If you will be hauling large scrap metal loads, take the weight of your cargo into consideration when choosing a vehicle. If you will be hauling multiple appliances at once, for example, you'll need a truck that can handle the added weight during transit. Weigh your vehicle. Scrap metal yards have inbound and outbound scales for vehicles bringing in recycling materials. In order to determine the weight of your scrap, you must weigh your loaded vehicle when you arrive and your empty vehicle when you have unloaded it. The difference in weight is the weight of your scrap metal. These vehicle scales are usually manned by a yard worker who will record your vehicle's weight and then give you a visual signal that you are cleared to continue on into the facility. The scrap yard may have additional scales inside the facility with which individual materials can be weighed. This is necessary if you have multiple types of metals that sell at widely different rates (such as copper and aluminum). Allow facility personnel to unload your vehicle. Scrap metal yards will unload your materials for you, but only if you have the right type of vehicle. If your materials are in the trunk of a sedan or in the back of an SUV, you will have to unload them yourself; yard workers are not allowed to unload scrap metal if the vehicle could become damaged in the process. If you haul your scrap in an open trailer or truck bed, the scrap yard will likely use a magnetic crane to separate ferrous material (that which contains iron and is magnetic) from other metals. If you have your material on a pallet, the scrap yard will unload it with a forklift. If the yard has to sort through your scrap by hand as they remove it (in cases when materials are not already separated), they might not pay you as much as you would receive otherwise. Consider lining the walls and tailgate of your pickup bed with thick blankets or padded mats to prevent potential damage from falling metal as the scrap is lifted out. Separating your materials before arriving at the yard will help to prevent falling materials from damaging your vehicle, as could happen if the magnetic crane were to pick up a jumbled pile of iron and aluminum -- the aluminum could fall out when it is lifted because it is not magnetic. Register with the facility. Most scrap yards require you to be at least 16 years of age and to have valid photo identification in order to sell scrap to them. Some may even photograph or fingerprint you for their records. Customer information is stored in order to identify individuals suspected of selling stolen scrap metal, which is of course illegal. Federal and local laws have mandated these record-keeping systems due to increasing issues with metal theft. You are legally responsible for anything you sell, so make sure it comes from a legitimate source! This is a good reason to keep receipts or signed, written statements from material donors whenever you receive scrap metal from a business or individual who is the legal owner of the material. It is illegal to take materials from someone else's property (like an abandoned building or lot) without their permission, so don't take this lightly! Get paid for your scrap metal. While scrap yards are not technically allowed to give you cash for your metal, many will provide you with a payment slip which you may then redeem at an onsite ATM to be paid in cash. Alternatively, some yards may write you a check that you will then have to cash or deposit at your bank. Regardless of how you are paid for your scrap, keep all your receipts from your sales transactions. In addition to being useful for tax purposes, you can use these records to show your local yard that you are a loyal client during your negotiations for good scrap rates. | Examine household items. Scrap old or broken major appliances. Scavenge discarded roadside items. Salvage old auto parts. Save old plumbing fixtures and electrical wiring. Visit private sales. Focus on high-value metals. Identify the metals in your scrap. Check metal prices online. Contact multiple yards for rate quotes. Negotiate for a higher rate. Accumulate a large volume of scrap before selling. Separate your scrap by type. Keep seasonality in mind. Obtain a vehicle for hauling scrap metal. Weigh your vehicle. Allow facility personnel to unload your vehicle. Register with the facility. Get paid for your scrap metal. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Felony-From-Your-Record | How to Remove a Felony From Your Record | To remove a felony from your record, look into getting your record sealed or expunged. If you want to get your record sealed, which means it's hidden from the general public but still exists, you'll have to wait at least a few years after your conviction. Then, go to the state court or probation office to fill out the appropriate forms. After you submit your documents, prepare to attend a hearing, if necessary. Alternatively, to have your record expunged, which means it's erased from public record, first see if your state offers this option. If it does, make sure you've waited long enough since your conviction, then go to the arresting police department to get copies of your criminal history and fingerprints. You'll also need to fill out a Motion or Petition for Expungement, file it with the court, and appear in court for your hearing. | Understand the difference between a sealed record and an expunged record. If a criminal record is sealed, it's hidden from the general public but still exists. Sealed records can actually be unsealed in some instances. Expungement, on the other hand, erases the record permanently. If your record is sealed, the felony typically will not appear when someone runs a criminal background check on you, as when you apply for a job or seek to rent an apartment. Some states (Illinois, for example) do not allow records of any felony convictions to be either expunged or sealed under any circumstances absent pardon from the governor. Make sure the required time has elapsed since your conviction. All states require you to wait a few years after you've served your sentence before you can get your record sealed. During that waiting period, you should go out of your way to avoid any further brushes with the law. The waiting period may differ depending on the severity of your crime. For example, Massachusetts requires you to wait ten years before applying to have a felony record sealed, compared to five years for a misdemeanor conviction. Know when the waiting period starts. In some states you must first complete any period of probation and pay all fines. In other states the waiting period begins the day you're convicted. Elsewhere it may begin on the day you leave jail. In many states, records may be sealed upon request after a certain period of time has elapsed without further review. However, you must maintain a clean record during that waiting period. Complete the state's forms. Documents for sealing your criminal record may be available at a state court or probation office. Legal aid offices may also have the appropriate forms. You may need to file other documents with the form, such as copies of your criminal record or the final order of conviction. File or mail the state forms. The forms will tell you how to direct them to the right person for review. In some states, petitions to seal records are reviewed by a judge. In others you can mail them to the probation office. If you have to file your forms with a clerk of the court, expect to pay filing fees ranging from less than a hundred dollars to a few hundred dollars. Attend your hearing, if necessary. Some states require a hearing before a judge or parole board in order to seal your record. In other states sealing a record is an administrative process requiring nothing from you apart from your signature on the petition. You generally don't have to do anything if your petition is granted. Your records will automatically be sealed, although it may take some time for that to happen. If your petition is denied, you'll be informed of the reasons for its denial, the steps you can take to address those reasons, and when you can reapply to have your record sealed. Find out if expungement is available in the state where you were convicted. Expungement acts to dismiss the felony, almost as though it never happened. Only 16 states allow expungement of a conviction. The general public may not know about your expunged felony, but law enforcement agencies and courts still have access to that part of your record. If you're convicted of another crime after having a prior conviction expunged, the expunged conviction may add to the severity of your sentence. Most states don't allow expungement of serious, violent felonies. Some states do not allow you to expunge felonies at all. If you live in a state where this is true, you will have to work to get your felony reduced to a misdemeanor, and then you could possibly get that misdemeanor expunged. Some states allow the expungement of arrests only. If you live in a state like this, you might not be able to expunge felony or misdemeanor convictions at all. Even if you're successful in getting your conviction expunged, you may still have to disclose it in some instances, such as if you're applying for a professional license or a job in law enforcement. Make sure the required time has elapsed since your conviction. Depending on the state, you might have to wait several years after your conviction before you can file to have your record expunged. The length of time you have to wait can depend on several factors, including your age and the severity of the crime. Those factors vary from state to state. The waiting period doesn't start until after you've finished all aspects of your sentence. This includes successfully completing any probation period and paying all fines. Gather your records. In many states you'll have to present police and court records about your felony when you file for expungement. You probably will have to pay fees for certified copies of those documents. You also will need copies of your criminal history and fingerprint records from the arresting police department. In some states, such as Florida, you also must have new fingerprints taken to submit with your expungement petition. Complete the required forms. States have a form, typically called a Motion or Petition for Expungement, to be filed with the court. All you have to do is fill in the blanks. You should consider talking to a criminal defense attorney if you find the forms or process difficult or have problems obtaining the documents or related information. You may be able to talk to someone in the public defender's office or even the attorney who handled your case originally. File and serve your expungement forms. After you've finished filling them out, you need to file your forms with the proper court clerk. Some states also require you to serve the form to district attorneys or law enforcement agencies. If the state requires you to serve your expungement papers to law enforcement officials, understand that you cannot do this yourself. The clerk's office will have a list of local process-serving companies, and you'll have to use one of those. You'll pay fees to file your expungement request, which usually amount to a few hundred dollars. If your state requires you to serve the forms, there will be fees for that service as well. These fees are nonrefundable. When the clerk stamps and files your petition, s/he will give you a docket number and schedule your hearing. Appear in court for your hearing. In some states judges hold expungement hearings, while others use parole boards. The hearing may be less formal than a trial, but you should treat it with the same respect. Dress neatly and conservatively, and arrive early with copies of all the documents you've filed. The judge or parole board must decide if you've been successfully rehabilitated, so you may be asked questions about your education, home and family life, financial health, physical well-being, and employment. Police officers and district attorneys may attend your hearing to object to the expungement of your record. If the judge grants your expungement, you need copies of the signed Expungement Order to deliver to law enforcement agencies. The clerk's office will let you know where to send them. If the judge denies your request for expungement, ask him/her to list the reasons for the denial and to explain what you can do in response. After a period of time, during which you resolve those issues, you may well be able to reapply for expungement. Learn if you are eligible for a Certificate of Actual Innocence. This is a more powerful form of expungement. It not only erases or seals a record but establishes that the record should never have existed in the first place. Generally you can file a petition for this certificate if you believe you are innocent of a crime for which you were convicted, and you've discovered new and exonerating evidence that wasn't available at the time of your conviction. Certificates of Actual Innocence serve to overturn wrongful convictions. For example, an accused person might be pressured to give a false confession after being unlawfully interrogated. Constitutional claims leading to Certificates of Actual Innocence often are brought by nonprofit legal-aid societies such as the Innocence Project or by clinics at law schools. Complete a petition. Forms and instructions should be available at your state appeals court. Legal aid societies also may have forms and information. Which form you need will depend on whether you're trying to prove your innocence using biological materials (such as DNA) or by other means. Unlike petitions for expungement or sealing of records, there is no waiting period to file an actual-innocence petition. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for the free assistance of one appointed by the court. Do not pursue a Certificate of Actual Innocence without legal representation. File the required documents with your petition. You'll pay a fee ($50 to $100) for the filing., Along with the petition, you must file copies of any court or police records regarding the conviction at issue. Required documents may include complete transcripts of the proceedings at trial or appeal and complete court records. You'll pay fees for these documents, which can be expensive, depending on the length and involvement of the trial. Have the petition served on the state attorney general. You cannot serve this document yourself. The sheriff's office or a private process-serving company of your choice will serve the document and file proof of service. Attend your trial. Unlike expungement or record-sealing hearings, getting a Certificate of Actual Innocence requires a formal trial at the appeals-court level, and you must be represented by counsel. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one to guide you through this process. Determine if you are eligible for a Certificate of Rehabilitation. This document certifies that, although you were convicted of an offense, you have since become a productive member of society and should not be penalized any further for your past. There are strict standards for proving you are rehabilitated, and these standards differ from state to state. Generally you cannot have had any further brushes with the law and must be a responsible and law-abiding member of the community. Not all convictions can be cleaned up with a Certificate of Rehabilitation. For example, in California those with convictions of certain felony sex offenses are not eligible. Gather any necessary records. You'll want to include with your petition any documents that support your claim that you've been rehabilitated. For example, if you've been working for the same employer since you were released or have earned an associate degree, documentation of these accomplishments should accompany your petition. Complete your petition. Answer all questions on the form completely and honestly. Provide supporting documents to corroborate the statements you make. Some states also require letters from witnesses testifying to your character and rehabilitation since your release. File your petition. Your petition for a Certificate of Rehabilitation should be filed at the court or parole board of the county where you live. In some states such as California you may be eligible for an appointed attorney if you can't afford to hire one to represent you during this process. Attend your hearing. You will have a hearing scheduled in front of a judge who will review your petition and ask you questions about your claim that you have been rehabilitated. At the hearing, the judge will hear testimony from witnesses about your conduct while incarcerated and while on parole, as well as your subsequent rehabilitation. In some states such as California, if you are granted a Certificate of Rehabilitation, it is automatically transmitted to the governor's office as an application for a pardon. Some states such as Ohio may revoke your certificate if you plead guilty or are convicted of a criminal offense after the certificate has been issued. Understand that pardons are rare. To get a pardon, you must request one from the governor of the state in which you were convicted. If you were convicted of a federal crime, the pardon would have to come from the President of the United States. If you are pardoned, the conviction will remain on your record. However, a notice will be added, stating that you've been pardoned (forgiven) for committing the crime. Your civil rights, including the chance to own a firearm and serve on a jury, will be restored. Rules and procedures for applying for a governor's pardon are different from one state to the next. Some require that you complete your sentence, including any probation, and establish that you've engaged in no criminal activity for a prescribed period of time since. Complete an application for a pardon. State parole boards, prisoner review boards, and governor's offices will normally provide fill-in-the-blank applications for you to complete. You can ask your local public defender's office for assistance, although you do not need an attorney to apply for a pardon. Send in your application for a pardon. Your parole board or local court clerk will have information on where to send the application and what documents should be included with it. There typically is no application fee, although you might have to pay for certified copies of orders or transcripts to accompany the application. In many states applications are first reviewed by the state's parole or prisoner review board. The board then submits its recommendations to the governor's office. Once you apply for a governor's pardon, you typically cannot follow up on or check the status of your application. You simply wait until you hear back, and that can take six months or more. There is no appeal if your application is denied, although you may be able to reapply after a few years. | Understand the difference between a sealed record and an expunged record. Make sure the required time has elapsed since your conviction. Complete the state's forms. File or mail the state forms. Attend your hearing, if necessary. Find out if expungement is available in the state where you were convicted. Make sure the required time has elapsed since your conviction. Gather your records. Complete the required forms. File and serve your expungement forms. Appear in court for your hearing. Learn if you are eligible for a Certificate of Actual Innocence. Complete a petition. File the required documents with your petition. Have the petition served on the state attorney general. Attend your trial. Determine if you are eligible for a Certificate of Rehabilitation. Gather any necessary records. Complete your petition. File your petition. Attend your hearing. Understand that pardons are rare. Complete an application for a pardon. Send in your application for a pardon. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Overcome-an-Infatuation | How to Overcome an Infatuation | Having an infatuation can take over your life, but grounding techniques and distraction can help you to overcome the obsession. Try to see the flaws in the person that you're infatuated with to remind yourself that they are only human. Although it can be difficult, knowing that they aren't perfect can help to ground yourself in reality. Think about someone else that you admire to take your mind off the person you're infatuated with. Pick a family member, friend, or your partner if you're in a relationship and think about their positive qualities to distract yourself. You can also distract yourself by doing activities you enjoy. Read a book, watch a television show, or go for a walk to replace some of your negative thoughts with positive ones. If you have trouble overcoming your infatuation, speak to a mental health professional for support. | Analyze the person's faults. It's difficult to see nothing else about a person you're infatuated with except for how amazing they are. However, no one is perfect and everyone has flaws--even them. Make a list of their negative qualities to bring you back down to reality. Finding these flaws will likely take some time. Engage with the person outside of your regular circumstances or spend more time with them than usual. Chances are, seeing them outside of your typical scenario will show you a different, and unflattering, side. If, after significant time and effort, you are unable to find any flaws, this could signal an especially problematic obsession. Seek professional help immediately. Look at patterns of infatuation. Have you been through this before? Chances are, if you're infatuated with someone now you have likely been in the same situation previously. If obsession is a common occurrence in your life, tell yourself so. For example, when your feelings get overwhelming, remind yourself that this is just something that you do. It's not indicative that you are completely in love with or can't live without this person, it's simply a tendency you have. Coming to terms with that may make you realize that your infatuation is just a habit. Try journaling. Journaling can help you organize your thoughts and better understand patterns of infatuation in your life. Give it time. The saying “time heals all wounds” is popular because it is true. Look back at other moments in your life when you were obsessed or infatuated with someone or something. Ask yourself how you feel about them today. Chances are you are completely over it and over time, this infatuation will be a distant memory, too. Think about someone else. Telling yourself to simply stop thinking about your infatuation won't work. In fact, there's proof that trying to stop these thoughts typically makes them worse. Instead, encourage your mind to think about something else: another person. Think about the person you are already in a relationship with if you are in one. Ponder a time when you felt really close and connected to the person. You'll likely find that experiencing these feelings kick the other person out of your head. If you aren't in a relationship, focus on someone else you admire, such as a close friend, a family member, or a respectable member of your community. Use your imagination. Play mind games with yourself whenever you start to obsess about the person. Occupying your brain with a clever trick can stop the thoughts and encourage you to think about something else. For instance, imagine your mind as a small room that has a person with a broom living in it. Think about the person sweeping away dust and dirt on the floor of that room whenever your infatuation enters your mind. Continue this game until the floor is completely clean and the thought leaves your brain. Snap out of it, literally. Pain is an excellent deterrent and can be used to stop obsessive thoughts. Wrap a rubber band around your wrist and snap it against your skin whenever you begin to think of your infatuation. Eventually, you'll likely associate the pain with these thoughts and stop. Don't snap the band too hard! The sensation should be mild. Combine the wrist snap with a visual aid, like a red light or a stop sign. Think of these images whenever the unwanted thoughts pop up. Distract yourself. Redirect your brain by engaging in an activity. You'll get your mind off of what you're infatuated with while enjoying yourself at the same time. For example, read a book, watch your favorite television show, exercise, or call someone. The positive feelings you generate from these activities will likely eventually replace the negative ones you feel over your infatuation. Talk to a professional. Patterns of infatuation are often indicative of a love addiction. You may have become dependent on the feelings you experience when you are infatuated with a person so you tend to repeat the same behaviors. A therapist may be able to help you break the cycle. Ask your friends, family members, or a doctor for recommendations. Look online for names if you don't feel comfortable asking those you know. Consider the underlying issue. Talk with a therapist about why you became infatuated with this person. They may help you realize insecurities you have about yourself that were temporarily resolved because of the obsession. They may also help you discover a psychological reason for your infatuation. For instance, you could have borderline personality disorder and may not know it. Repeated infatuation and obsession could be a sign that you are struggling with this condition. If you feel your obsession is getting out of control, you may be at heightened risk for self-harm. Communicate your feelings to your therapist. They will likely make a contract with you to eliminate self-harm. Confide in your loved ones. Talking about your infatuation may help you realize a few things you never did before. Those close to you may be able to help you identify the reasons why your infatuation is senseless, which may give you the encouragement to move on. They can also offer you support when you're feeling hopeless about the situation. Consider also asking your support system to help you get over the person by spending more time with you, helping to eliminate the person's presence in your life, and reminding you of how imperfect they are, when you're struggling. | Analyze the person's faults. Look at patterns of infatuation. Give it time. Think about someone else. Use your imagination. Snap out of it, literally. Distract yourself. Talk to a professional. Consider the underlying issue. Confide in your loved ones. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-Aquamarine-Gemstone | How to Buy Aquamarine Gemstone | To buy an aquamarine gemstone, look for a flawless stone with no marks, which looks nicer. Avoid gemstones called “Brazilian Aquamarine,” or “Nerchinsk Aquamarine,” since these are actually blue topaz stones that are often sold as imitations. Look for a high-quality cut that's highly reflective in the light. Darker shades of blue are generally more valuable than lighter ones, but find a shade that you like. Many people prefer silver and gold metals paired with aquamarine stones, but find a metal that complements it well. | Pick your desired gemstone shade. Deep sky blue stones are the most valuable and, in general, darker shades are more coveted than lighter shades. Choosing an intensity is mostly a matter of personal preference. Consider a heat-treated aquamarine for a more blue color. Heat treatment is a widely accepted practice used to enhance the blueness of a stone. Yellow-brown and yellow-green stones are heated to a temperature between 400 °C (752 °F) and 450 °C (842 °F) degrees and then cooled. This treatment is permanent and enhances the blueness of the stone without damaging it. Many aquamarine stones are more of a “sea-foam” color than a true blue color before they are heated. Heated aquamarines with a strong blue-green hue cost around $180 per carat. Determine the carat weight that you want. Large aquamarine gemstones are readily available and can be found easily up to 25 carats. Smaller aquamarine gemstones are usually darker in shade, and you will be able to find a higher quality stone at a lower price. Small aquamarines look nice in delicate pieces, but large aquamarines can make a striking statement. Since aquamarine is fairly common, you can usually find large carat stones for affordable prices. For most gemstones, the price per carat rises considerably with more carats, but the price per carat for a 30 carat aquamarine is only ⅓ percent higher than the price per carat of a 1 carat aquamarine. Decide what shape you want your aquamarine to be cut in. If you want to place your aquamarine into a piece of jewelry, find a gemstone cut into a typical emerald or oval cut. These cuts are usually a higher quality, since they expose more of the gemstone. If you want to display your aquamarine, you can find pieces that are cut into artistic or abstract shapes. Buy a rich, dark hue for a higher quality stone. Aquamarine comes in a variety of colors, from green to blue to gray. Gemstones that have a rich, blue color are typically more valuable than green hues, but most blue-green hues are more valuable than borderline-clear stones. Ultimately, however, the right hue is a matter of personal preference. No matter which color you are buying, look for an even color distribution throughout the gemstone. The most expensive unheated stones are medium to strong sky blue, and they can cost up to $600 per carat. Look for stones with no visible inclusions, or bubbles/marks. By nature, aquamarine is one of the cleanest gemstones available. Major inclusions are rare and often a sign of mistreatment. A quality aquamarine should not have inclusions that are visible to the naked eye, and any inclusions that are visible through magnification should be slight and interior. It is becoming fashionable lately to wear aquamarine jewelry that has inclusions in the stones. You can purchase aquamarine with inclusions for a lesser price. Low quality to mid-range aquamarines can range from $5 to $100 per carat. Past 10 carats, mid-range aquamarines can cost between $150 and $200 per carat. High quality aquamarines are much more expensive. An unheated light blue stone can cost you around $90 per carat, while a light blue-green stone can cost you anywhere between $180 to $240 per carat. Use a jeweler’s loupe to detect blue topaz. Blue topaz is considerably less valuable than aquamarine, but the two stones can look very similar. The only way to tell them apart is by using a jeweler's loupe and looking for 2 refraction lights, which is an indicator of blue topaz. Avoid gemstones labeled as "Brazilian Aquamarine" or "Nerchinsk Aquamarine," since both of these actually refer to blue topaz. Also avoid "Siam Aquamarine," which is actually blue zircon. Avoid synthetic stones by double-checking with your seller. Since natural aquamarines are prevalent and easy to mine, they often prove less costly than synthetic aquamarines. The person who sells you your aquamarine gemstone will tell you whether or not the stone is synthetic. Make sure your jeweler is certified. Ask for official certification from a nationally recognized gemological organization, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). National jeweler chains are a good place to start, as they want to keep up their reputation as reputable sellers. If you want a less expensive option, look at the selection offered by local jewelers and individual sellers. Shop in a store rather than online whenever possible. It is much easier to scam someone over the internet. Whenever it is possible, search for a reputable jeweler in your area that has a physical storefront that you can visit. You can visit a few stores before making a purchase to see if you are getting the best deal. Buy gemstones from reputable online jewelers. If you'd rather shop online, you can buy aquamarine gemstones from jewelers that are certified. Try to find online stores that will include a warranty and certificate of authentication with your gemstone. Be wary of sellers who are random individuals with no certifications. The color of the aquamarine can show up as more vibrant in photographs than in person. Evaluate the price closely to make sure you aren’t being scammed. If a price for a gemstone sounds too good to be true, look at where the gemstone is coming from and ask yourself if the seller can be trusted. Be wary of online retailers, since they can put up fake advertisements or embellish their ads with little repercussions. | Pick your desired gemstone shade. Consider a heat-treated aquamarine for a more blue color. Determine the carat weight that you want. Decide what shape you want your aquamarine to be cut in. Buy a rich, dark hue for a higher quality stone. Look for stones with no visible inclusions, or bubbles/marks. Use a jeweler’s loupe to detect blue topaz. Avoid synthetic stones by double-checking with your seller. Make sure your jeweler is certified. Shop in a store rather than online whenever possible. Buy gemstones from reputable online jewelers. Evaluate the price closely to make sure you aren’t being scammed. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-an-Offer-on-a-House | How to Make an Offer on a House | To make an offer on a house, start by researching comparable houses that have been sold using websites, like Zillow. Then, adjust your offer based on unique features in the home and how long the house has been on the market. Additionally, consider getting pre-approved for a mortgage with a bank, which will put you in a stronger bargaining position. Finally, get a copy of your local purchase offer forms and fill them in with the amount of the offer, contingencies, and how long the seller has to respond. | Look at comparable sales. A seller will expect to sell for a price similar to what comparable homes (“comps”) have sold for in the same market. Their asking price should be based on these sales, but do your own research. Check websites such as Zillow for market comps. A good comp should be a similar size and located in the same neighborhood. Because the market always changes, your comps should have sold in the last three or four months. Don't go past six months unless you absolutely have to. Account for unique features. No two homes are the same, so you should adjust your bid based on any unique features. For example, the home might have a swimming pool, which none of your comps have. Or the house might have a breathtaking view. Assess the market. If the market is hot, then the seller can probably get their asking price or a little more. However, if homes have been on the market a long time, you have more power as a buyer. Check how long homes are sitting on the market before selling. If most homes are sitting for four or more months, then the market is very slow. Also find data about the average sale price over the past year. In a cold market, the prices are probably falling or staying flat. Decide what you can afford. There's no reason to bid on a home if you can't afford it. Pull together a monthly budget and check how much it costs for you to live. You can use online calculators to estimate how much your mortgage will cost. Find out why the seller is moving. Some sellers might be particularly motivated to sell. When you walk through the home, ask the seller questions (if they are there). A real estate agent might be more tight-lipped, but still try to find out why the sellers are moving. If the person is moving across the country or looking to buy another house, then they might be super motivated to unload the property quickly. However, someone selling simply because they are retiring or downsizing can probably take their time. Discuss your offer with an agent. You might not know where to start or how to come up with a bid amount. Meet with an agent who is experienced in the market where you want to buy a home. You can find agents in the phone book or online. An agent can give you a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), which is an expert analysis of comparable sales. Review your credit history. You'll be in a stronger bargaining position if you get pre-approved for a mortgage. For this reason, you should check your credit history to see if there's any negative information that might trip you up. In the U.S., you are entitled to one free credit report a year from each of the three credit reporting agencies. Check for any errors and dispute them. Common errors include accounts that don't belong to you, accounts with the wrong credit limit, or accounts inaccurately listed as past-due. Look at your credit score. Your credit score will affect whether you can get a mortgage and the interest rates you'll pay. Generally, you'll need a score of 620 to qualify for a conventional mortgage. A score above 740 will qualify you for the best interest rates. You can often find your credit score on a credit card statement. Alternately, you can use a free service such as Credit.com or pay for your FICO score at myfico.com. Gather required information. You must give the lender quite a bit of personal information when you apply for pre-approval. Collect this information ahead of time: Recent pay stubs Tax returns for the past two years W-2 forms for the past two years Proof of other income, such as alimony, child support, retirement income, etc. Bank account statements for the past two months Investment account information Valid ID, such as a driver's license or passport Social Security number Apply. You can apply for pre-approval at a bank or credit union. You'll have to complete an application and provide copies of your supporting documentation. Ask how long it will take for the lender to analyze your information. Spend some time shopping around for the best rates before applying. If you want, you can consider online lenders, but you should thoroughly research them. Check with the Better Business Bureau and your state's Attorney General to see if complaints have been filed. Receive your pre-approval letter. If you're approved, then the lender should send you a letter stating the amount you have been approved for. This letter is not a mortgage commitment—the bank actually needs to appraise the house you intend to buy. However, the letter is solid proof you can financially qualify for a mortgage. The letter is usually only good for 90 days, so don't seek pre-approval until you are ready to seriously start house hunting. Avoid changing jobs or spending a large sum of money after you are pre-approved. Your request for a mortgage may still be denied if you change your financial situation too drastically. Read your jurisdiction’s laws. Every state and country has different laws that regulate how purchase offers are made. For example, in some U.S. states, only a lawyer can draft a legal offer. If you need to hire a lawyer, contact your local or state bar association and ask for a referral to a real estate lawyer. Look for purchase offer forms. Your jurisdiction might have a form local real estate agents use. You can get a copy by contacting your state's Department of Real Estate or by searching online. Because the law often changes, any form you find might be slightly dated. For this reason, you might want to have a lawyer review your purchase offer before you submit it to the seller. Include basic information in the purchase offer. A valid purchase offer should identify the address of the property and sometimes include the legal description, which you can find on a deed. Without this information, the contract will not be valid. You can get the description from the title company, and then both parties will need to sign it. Explain what you will pay. A purchase offer must also include details about what you will pay for the house and how. Include the following information: Your proposed purchase price. Whether it is an all-cash transaction or one that is subject to a mortgage. The amount of your earnest money deposit. Generally, this is 1-3% of the purchase price. Also explain how it will be returned to you if the seller rejects your offer. Include contingencies. Contingencies protect you. Include any of the following contingencies that apply to your situation: You might not be able to buy unless you get financing, so include that contingency if necessary. You'll definitely want a satisfactory home inspection soon after making your offer. You can back out if the inspection reveals problems. You'll want an appraisal and the right to back out if it comes in less than the purchase price. You might need to sell your home before you can make the purchase. If so, include that contingency. You may also want to have an insurance contingency, and certain repairs may need to be made before you can get insurance coverage. Be aware that all types of contingencies have deadlines, so you will need to know when they are to avoid defaulting. Set the duration of your offer. An offer isn't good forever. Instead, you get to decide how long it is good for. Talk with your agent and discuss what is typical for your area. For example, a bid might be good for a couple of days or only a few hours. In a hot market, a shorter deadline is best. This will prevent another buyer from sneaking in and making a competing offer. Add other necessary provisions. Purchase offers contain a lot of conditions meant to protect you in the sale. Make sure your purchase offer includes the following: Reserve the right to walk through the property before closing. Request that the seller provide clear title. Allocate who will pay for the survey, inspection, title insurance, etc. State the type of deed the seller will grant you. Divide up the real estate taxes, utility bills, fuel bills, etc. For example, if you close at the end of June, you might want the seller to pay half of the tax bill for the year. Include any other provision required by your state law. Review all information. If the seller accepts your offer, then the purchase offer becomes a binding contract (subject to your contingencies). Because of this, you need to thoroughly review all of the information you've included. Meet with a lawyer if you have questions. Write up a list of comps. If your initial offer is lower than the asking price, consider explaining your reasoning. Draw up a list of comps and explain why you used them to set your bid. The seller's agent must give the seller anything you submit. Consider writing a letter of interest. In a hot real estate market, you need to stand out. One way to do that is to tell the seller your story. Write a letter of interest in which you describe yourself, your family, and why you are interested in the house. Try to form a connection with the seller. Perform basic Internet research and find out where they went to school or work. Social media accounts should tell you whether they have family. Also explain what you loved about the house and the neighborhood. Sellers want to know that their buyers will love the home as much as they did. Submit your offer. Gather together your earnest money, purchase offer, letter of interest, and any description of the comps you used. You'll either submit the offer to the seller's real estate agent or to your own agent. Submit with full knowledge that you may need to negotiate with the seller. | Look at comparable sales. Account for unique features. Assess the market. Decide what you can afford. Find out why the seller is moving. Discuss your offer with an agent. Review your credit history. Look at your credit score. Gather required information. Apply. Receive your pre-approval letter. Read your jurisdiction’s laws. Look for purchase offer forms. Include basic information in the purchase offer. Explain what you will pay. Include contingencies. Set the duration of your offer. Add other necessary provisions. Review all information. Write up a list of comps. Consider writing a letter of interest. Submit your offer. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Black-Toenail | How to Treat a Black Toenail | To treat a black toenail caused by injury or running, avoid any activities that put pressure on your nail for a couple of weeks, like running or hiking. Apply an ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a cloth to your toe to numb the pain and reduce swelling. Once the swelling has died down, wrap your toe with a bandage or compress to minimize the amount of blood under your nail. After you've treated the initial swelling, keep your foot elevated above your chest as much as possible. For example, if you're watching TV, lie on the couch with your foot on the arm rest or a couple of pillows. If, at any time, you notice signs of infection, like weeping pus, increased swelling or pain, redness around your nail, or fever, contact your doctor immediately for treatment. | Look for signs of toenail injury. Consider whether your toe was recently injured in some way. Injury to the nail bed can cause blood to accumulate under the nail, creating a black or dark brown discoloration. This is called a subungual hematoma. You may also experience symptoms such as a feeling of pain or pressure under the nail. In some cases, it may be obvious that your black toenail was caused by an injury—for example, you may have dropped something on your foot or stubbed your toe. Black toenails can also develop gradually from repeated injury, such as pressure from overly tight shoes or trauma to the toes caused by frequent running, hiking, or sports. Use the RICE protocol to treat your nail at home. If your hematoma is minor and not causing you a lot of pain, you can likely manage it at home without medical help. Use Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation (RICE) immediately after an injury to minimize swelling and pain and encourage your toenail to heal: Rest: Rest the nail by minimizing the use of the injured foot as much as you can. For example, avoid running or hiking for a couple of weeks after the injury. Ice: Put an ice pack wrapped in cloth or plastic wrap on the injured toe to numb the pain and reduce swelling. You can safely use an ice pack up to once an hour, for 20-30 minutes at a time. Compress: Apply gentle pressure by wrapping a bandage around the injured toe. This can help minimize the amount of blood that pools under your nail. Elevation: Reduce swelling by elevating your foot above the level of your heart as much as possible. For example, you might lie down on your couch with your foot resting on the arm rest or lie in bed with your foot propped on a pair of pillows. Take over-the-counter pain relievers to manage pain. If your black toenail is painful, try an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as ibuprofen (Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), or acetaminophen (Tylenol). This can relieve your pain and reduce swelling and inflammation. Ask your doctor before using aspirin or products containing aspirin, since these could make any bleeding under the nail worse. See your doctor if you have severe symptoms. In some cases, home treatment for a subungual hematoma may not be enough. Make an appointment with your doctor if you have symptoms such as severe or unbearable pain, uncontrollable bleeding from the injured area, a deep cut to the toe or nail, or damage to the base of the nail. The doctor may make a small puncture in your toenail with a laser or a needle to allow blood and other fluids to drain from under the nail. If the injury to the nail is severe or there are signs of infection, they may need to remove the nail altogether. If you are caring for a baby or small child with an injured toenail, take them to the doctor right away instead of trying to treat it yourself. Get immediate medical help if you see signs of infection. Look for symptoms such as pus or other fluids seeping out from under the nail, increasing pain or swelling, redness around the injured nail, red streaks in your skin around the nail, or fever. The area around the nail may also feel hot to the touch. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately. Your nail may be more prone to infection if the toenail begins to come off, which is common with severe subungual hematomas. Protect your nail from further injury as it heals. After the initial injury, your toenail will need time and TLC to recover completely. Wear closed-toed shoes with plenty of space around the toes to keep your injured toe from getting bumped or squeezed. You can also keep your toe safe and healthy by: Keeping the nail clean, trimmed , and free of polish while it heals. Nail polish or false nails can slow down the healing process and make it harder to spot signs of infection or injury. Wearing comfortable, well-fitting shoes, especially while running. If you run, use shoes that are ½ a size larger than your regular shoes, and lace them tightly so they don't slip around on your feet. Wearing thick, moisture-wicking socks to keep your feet dry and cushioned. Putting protective toe caps or tape on the affected toe(s) while running or hiking. Allow several months for the injury to heal completely. The discoloration in your nail will not disappear until the old toenail has grown out all the way. For most people, this process takes around 6 to 9 months. Even if your doctor does not end up surgically removing the nail, there's a chance it will come off on its own. Typically, a new nail will grow in after several months. If your nail bed was severely damaged, there's a chance that the nail will not grow back or that it will grow back incorrectly. Check for symptoms of a fungal infection. If you have a fungal infection in your toenail, debris may build up under the nail, causing a dark discoloration. Look for additional evidence of a fungal infection, such as: Thickening or warping of the nail Whitish or yellowish-brown discoloration Crumbling or brittleness of the nail An unpleasant odor See your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Since fungal infections in the toes can mimic the symptoms of other conditions, it's important to get a diagnosis from your doctor so that you can treat the problem effectively. Make an appointment with your doctor so they can examine your nail and run lab tests to confirm or rule out a fungal infection. Your doctor may take some clippings from the nail or collect debris from under the nail with a scraper for lab testing. Tell your doctor about any symptoms you are having, as well as medications you are using or other health issues you may be dealing with. Try using over-the-counter antifungal medications. Before trying more aggressive approaches, your doctor might recommend using OTC treatments on your infected nail(s). Purchase an antifungal nail cream or ointment, such as Dr. Scholl's Fungal Nail Treatment or Lotrimin AF, and apply as directed on the package. These treatments may be more effective if you thin and soften the nail before applying the medication. Trim the affected nail and gently file down any thickened spots, taking care not to file through the nail. You can also help the medication penetrate deeper by applying a urea-based cream to the nail first, such as Urea 40+ or Urea Care. Ask your doctor about prescription topical antifungal medications. If your infection doesn't respond to OTC treatments, your doctor might prescribe a topical antifungal cream, ointment, or nail polish. These medications can also be used together with oral antifungals for hard-to-treat infections. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Commonly prescribed topical medications include amorolfine, ciclopirox, Efinaconazole, and Tavaborole. Some antifungal ointments may need to be applied daily, while others are only applied once a week. You will probably need several weeks of treatment for the medication to be effective. Some antifungal medications take the form of a medicated nail polish (Penlac) that is applied daily to the affected nail. Talk to your doctor about using oral antifungal medications. If you don't see an improvement after using OTC remedies or prescribed topical medications on your infected nail, see your doctor. They may prescribe a stronger oral antifungal. Common options include Lamisil and Sporanox. These medications help kill the fungus and allow a new, healthy nail to grow in place of the infected one. You may need to take these medications for 6 to 12 weeks before the infection is eliminated. It can also take several months for the damaged nail to grow out completely, so don't be discouraged if you don't see an obvious improvement right away. Oral antifungal medications may cause serious side effects. Check in with your doctor frequently to make sure you are tolerating the medication well. Tell them about other medications you are taking or other health concerns you may have. Discuss nail removal for hard-to-treat infections. If medicinal treatments aren't working or if the infection is very severe, your doctor may recommend removing the nail so they can treat the nail bed directly. They may do this by applying a chemical that causes the nail to come off, or they might remove the nail surgically. In most cases, the nail will eventually grow back after treatment. This may take several months or up to a year. If the fungal infection keeps returning and does not respond to treatment, your doctor or dermatologist may need to do a surgical procedure to permanently remove the nail. Examine your nail for melanoma symptoms. A melanoma under the toenail (called a subungual melanoma) can resemble the type of dark bruise that occurs when the nail has been injured. If you see a dark spot under your nail but there has been no injury to the toe, get it checked by a doctor right away. Other signs and symptoms of subungual melanoma include: Brown or black streaks under the nail that may grow over time—particularly streaks that extend from the tip of the nail to the base of the nail bed A bruise or dark spot under the nail that does not move up or disappear as the nail grows Separation between the nail and nail bed Darkening of the skin around the nail Cracking, thinning, or warping of the nail Bleeding from under the nail See your doctor right away for a diagnosis. If you suspect you have a melanoma under your toenail, don't wait—make an appointment with your doctor right away. Melanoma is much easier to treat effectively if it is caught early. Your doctor will likely order a biopsy, in which a small amount of tissue is taken from the nail bed and examined for cancerous cells. If the tissue tests positive for melanoma and your doctor suspects that the cancer has begun to spread, they may also perform a biopsy on some of the nearby lymph nodes. Have the melanoma surgically removed. The best treatment for melanoma is to remove the cancerous tissue. Depending on how thick the melanoma is and how far it has spread, your doctor may recommend removing the entire nail or part of the affected toe. If the melanoma has spread to the surrounding tissues or lymph nodes, it may be necessary to supplement surgery with chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Even if the extent of the melanoma is relatively limited, your doctor may still recommend additional therapies to prevent the melanoma from returning or to kill any remaining cancerous cells. Follow up regularly with your doctor after treatment and do routine self-checks in case the melanoma reoccurs. | Look for signs of toenail injury. Use the RICE protocol to treat your nail at home. Take over-the-counter pain relievers to manage pain. See your doctor if you have severe symptoms. Get immediate medical help if you see signs of infection. Protect your nail from further injury as it heals. Allow several months for the injury to heal completely. Check for symptoms of a fungal infection. See your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Try using over-the-counter antifungal medications. Ask your doctor about prescription topical antifungal medications. Talk to your doctor about using oral antifungal medications. Discuss nail removal for hard-to-treat infections. Examine your nail for melanoma symptoms. See your doctor right away for a diagnosis. Have the melanoma surgically removed. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Not-Be-Lame | How to Not Be Lame | Not being lame is all about being confident in yourself and not caring what other people think. If you're someone who always says no to things, try to get out of your comfort zone and do something new. Don't worry about what other people think about you, since most people are too busy thinking about themselves to notice what you're doing. Try to make eye contact with people when you talk and speak clearly and loudly, which will make you look and feel more confident. Wear clothes that make you feel good to bring out your unique style and leave any lameness far behind. | Stop complaining. Nobody likes to be around someone who complains about everything. It's lame and selfish to grab the floor of a group dinner, for example, by complaining loudly about your food. If you have to complain about something, do it in private later. In general, try your best to look for the positives in every situation and focus on having fun, not what's keeping you from having fun. If you're not having a good time doing something, hit the pause before you feel the need to complain. Why are you not having fun? Is complaining going to change it without hurting anyone's feelings or bringing everyone else down? Unless the answer is yes, keep your mouth closed. Avoid the ugly cousin of complaining, as well: the humblebrag. Don't use complaints as a way of secretly working in details that make you sound good. Instead of saying, "'I'm super-stressed that they really just made a mistake and I didn't actually get into Harvard" just be genuine. Say, "I'm feeling really fortunate. It's pretty unbelievable to get into a school like Harvard." Stop making a big deal out of little things. Remember how excited you were for that toy you got when you were five years old? How excited are you about it now? Lame people treat everything as if it were that toy. Try to pull back some and look at the bigger picture, so you don't sound out of touch with others. It's fine to get excited about things, and it's normal to get down in the dumps about other things. The difference in people who say lame things is that they're over-emphasizing the excitement or the negativity. Try to keep things in perspective. Lame statement: "I'm literally going to die if I don't get to go to the prom with someone this year. I feel like my life is going to end on prom night if I'm not there." Normal statement: "I hope I get to go to prom. It'd be fun to go." Do what you say you'll do. There's nothing more lame than flaky behavior. If you tell your friend that you're down for a lunch date, then cancel at the last minute, that's lame. If you promise your brother you'll hang out with him on Friday night and then ignore his texts and go on a date instead, that's lame. If you want to avoid being lame, make your words mean something by backing them up with action. Some people have a hard time saying no, and over-commit to people. If you already have plans with a friend and get asked on a date, it's not going to be the end of the world to find another time for dating. Be honest and have the bravery to tell the truth. Stop asking for reassurance. What we call "lame" is often the result of low self-esteem. People who need constant reassurance from others, or need to be complimented on a regular basis to keep their self-esteem levels up can come off as being somewhat lame to more confident people. Even if you're not confident, stop looking to others for reassurance and look to yourself. You don't have to the be the most confident person in the room to avoid being a needy friend. Nobody feels confident and assured all the time, but it's lame to constantly ask other people to reassure you that you're ok. For more on cultivating your own confidence, read the next section. Be honest with people. It's easy to tell the truth when things are going right for you, but what about when you're in the wrong? What about when you messed something up at work, and the boss is looking for someone to blame? What about when your parents are looking for an answer to how the car got scratched? Lying to escape trouble is lame. Sometimes teenagers develop a tendency to stretch the truth or embellish stories as a way of making themselves sound better. Instead of making up what you did last weekend, decide to make your next weekend exciting, so you'll have something better to say next time. Say "yes" to more things, but don't be afraid to say "no" either. If you're a stick in the mud, it'll be hard for others to think of you as being anything other than a lame-o. Lame people always come up with excuses to avoid doing things, rather than coming up with reasons to act, reasons to have fun, and reasons to take a risk. Instead of coming up with reasons you can't do something, come up with reasons that you can. Being more agreeable doesn't mean being reckless. It's lame to compromise your core values and become someone you aren't to impress others. Don't experiment with alcohol or drugs just because other kids at your school are, or get pushed into doing something you don't want to do. That's lame. Empathize. Learn to listen to others and to respect other people for who they are. Try being genuinely interested in what other people have going on in their lives. Ask them questions and pay attention to the answers. When you're listening, don't just wait for your turn to speak. Really listen to other people and learn everything that you can from them. Lame people are often self-obsessed and ego-centric. If you want to avoid this kind of behavior, learn to empathize. Stop making excuses. When you mess up, you can make a million excuses for why what you did was wrong, why you failed, or what you didn't have that would have helped you succeed. But that's lame. Even if the world is against you, even when the cards are stacked to favor others, you need to take responsibility for yourself and own up to your actions, and do the best that you can. Don't make excuses after you do things, and definitely don't come up with excuses beforehand. If you end up thinking that you're going to fail a test because you're not good enough at math, you're probably going to fail before you even start. It's lame to not even try. Speak clearly and loudly. You can display confidence, even if you're feeling lame and not especially confident, simply in the way that you speak. Use a room-appropriate volume, and speak loud enough so that everyone will be able to hear what you have to say. Speak as clearly and as succinctly as possible. Don't couch what you say in negating language. Never start a sentence with, "I mean, I don't really know what I'm saying, but..." or "This is dumb, but..." or "Sorry, but..." Speaking confidently has two effects. It makes you feel good, even if you're faking it, by taking a stand for yourself and making your voice heard. Other people will respect someone who speaks up for themselves, as well, meaning that they'll be more respectful of you in the future, which will make you more confidence in turn. Win-win. Speak only if you have something to say. Everyone's been in a meeting, a classroom, or a group conversation with someone who doesn't know when to button up, and feels the need to contribute constantly, every time there's an opening. It's lame to talk if you don't have anything to say. Learn to pipe down if you have nothing to contribute to a conversation and choose to listen instead. It's also important to recognize when it's time for you to contribute. Conversation needs to be a two-way street, and anyone who doesn't recognize the need to speak and the need to listen is being kind of lame. Stop comparing yourself to others. Aside from being an unhealthy way to spend your time, constantly putting yourself up against others will only have the effect of pushing your ship into lamer waters. If you don't have an inner sense of self and your own confident mindset, but choose to compare your accomplishments and skills to other people, you'll do everything you do for the wrong reasons. And that's lame. "They have more advantages than I had," is the mantra of the lame-o. Instead of focusing on what you don't have and what others do have, focus on overcoming your obstacles. Position yourself as a success story, not as a failure. Assume greatness. Be as capable as possible. Everybody needs some assistance sometimes, but if you constantly need to ask other people for help, it can make you feel incapable and lame. Make a goal of learning as much as you need to know to comfortably negotiate your world by yourself. If you want to know how to do something, learn to do it, then do it yourself. This especially applies to your parents. Do you need them to pay your phone bill for you, or might you take on a part-time job and take that responsibility for yourself? If you're capable of doing something, do it. It's also lame to try to do things you know you don't know how to do, because you're too proud to ask for help. Instead of stumbling into a car repair job you don't understand, just because you're too proud to admit you don't know how to do it, be brave enough to get the help you need, so you'll know how to do it next time. Use your body in ways that make you proud. If you want to feel proud in your own skin, start using your body in ways that make it work for you, and ways that make you feel proud. From the way you dress to the choices that you make, you want to treat your body as a thing that you have control over, not something that you're discouraged about or disappointed by. If you're using your body in ways that don't make you happy, ways that don't make you proud, be brave enough to make a change. If you want to get active, find a physical activity that you enjoy doing and get outside and start sweating. If you drink too much or abuse other substances, take the big step of stopping. You're bigger than your vices. Dress in a way that makes you feel good. Trends and styles change so often, that there's no one way you can dress to avoid being "lame" at all times. Styles might be cool one season and lame the next. But isn't it kind of lame to chase after fads? To hit up the mall every couple of weeks to make sure you're as "in" as possible? Better to position yourself above these kinds of concerns and wear the kinds of clothes that make you feel good. If it makes you feel good to wear what's in style, go for it. If you don't get how high-waisted pants or flat-brim caps could possibly be cool, then don't wear them. Stand up straight. Confident people walk through the halls like they feel comfortable in who they are, and like they belong. Lame people walk through like they'd rather be anywhere but there. Even if you're not feeling super-confident, train yourself to walk upright, like the humans were meant to walk. Keep your shoulders back and your chin up. Walking like it'll get better will help it get better. Be physically capable of doing the things you want to do. Everyone's body is different and capable of different things, but it's good to know your limits and shift your limits to where you want them to be. If you want to spend a long life playing video games and working on your computer, you probably don't need to be able to bench 475, but you do have to look after your diet, make sure you get enough exercise to live long enough to see the 50 year anniversary of the Sony Playstation. If you want to play sports, but don't want to run, you're going to be pretty lame (literally) come the sports season. Get in the kind of shape you need to be in to do what you want to do. There's no shame in wanting to avoid the pool if you're not comfortable in a bathing suit. But if you really want to go to the pool, have the courage to go as you are and be comfortable, or make the changes you want to see. Slow down. Any time you're nervous, you'll tend to rush. From public speaking to interpersonal interactions, people who are feeling unconfident are likely to want to get through the experience as quickly as possible. So, if you want to build confidence in yourself and get others to see you as a confident, cool person, fake it till you make it. Speak slowly and clearly, taking the time to enunciate all your words and to structure your words as accurately as possible. Breathe. Take a minute when you're talking to take a breath, to process what is being said, and think. Make eye contact. When was the last time you made eye contact with someone, and the other person broke it first? While it might seem incidental, training yourself to make more eye contact can alter people's perception of you and make you appear more confident in your one-on-one interactions. Don't be a shoe-gazer. Look people in the eye and have the confidence to keep your gaze locked. This helps to make you more confident and give other people the impression that you're a confident person. This can, of course, be taken to creepy levels. Which would be lame. Don't stare. Take pride in your appearance. Again, there's no one way to look that's cool, and one way that's lame. It's usually lame to spend either too much time or too little time cultivating your appearance, but it is important to take pride in the way you look, and use your appearance as a confidence building tool, rather than a weight that you're constantly grappling with. If you obsess over your wardrobe, your body, and your beauty routine, maybe you need to take a step back and build up your confidence in other areas of your life. Looks aren't everything. If you're not a clothes horse and can't remember the last time you had a hair cut, that's fine, but basic grooming and care are important. You need to make sure to groom yourself in basic ways, to take care of your body and keep yourself clean and confident. Brush your teeth twice a day and wash your clothes, shower a few times a week, and you'll be fine. | Stop complaining. Stop making a big deal out of little things. Do what you say you'll do. Stop asking for reassurance. Be honest with people. Say "yes" to more things, but don't be afraid to say "no" either. Empathize. Stop making excuses. Speak clearly and loudly. Speak only if you have something to say. Stop comparing yourself to others. Be as capable as possible. Use your body in ways that make you proud. Dress in a way that makes you feel good. Stand up straight. Be physically capable of doing the things you want to do. Slow down. Make eye contact. Take pride in your appearance. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Learn-English | How to Learn English | To learn English, try taking a class to learn the foundational skills from a trained professional that speaks your native language. There are even English classes you can take online, some of them for free. Practice every day by reviewing your notes from class and speaking the English words and phrases you're learning. Commit yourself to memorizing one new word a day, starting with the most commonly-used words, like “I,” “good,” “time,” and the verb “to be.” Work your way up to tougher words to build on your vocabulary. Once you have the basics down and understand some conversational English, start listening to English music or radio. Watch English shows and movies without the subtitles to fully immerse yourself in the language. While doing this, keep a pocket notebook to jot down words or phrases that you hear frequently and look them up later. If you know any English speakers, ask them to help you practice by talking with you in English. Remember, English is a tough language to learn, so try not to get discouraged if you find yourself struggling. Just keep practicing every day and you'll get better! | Attend an English class or discussion group. Another great way to incorporate some extra English conversation into your weekly routine is to sign up for a class of discussion group. Attending an English class is a great way to focus on some of the more formal aspects of speaking English. A class will teach you the grammatically correct way of speaking -- which includes proper sentence structure and verb conjugation and will generally provide a very structured approach to language learning. Attending a discussion group is a more informal and relaxed way of learning English, where the emphasis is more on communication and relationship building than on speaking "correct" English. Speaking English in this setting can help you to become more comfortable with speaking in front of other people. Both of these language-learning settings have their pros and cons, so it's best to do both if you can! Speak a little English every day. The absolute best way to learn any new language is just to speak it. It doesn't matter if you only know five English words or if you're practically fluent -- speaking English with another person is the fastest, most effective method of improving. Don't wait until you "feel more comfortable" speaking in English -- you probably won't reach that level for a long time, so push yourself outside of your comfort zone and start speaking English today. You' ll be amazed at how quickly your language skills improve. Find a native English speaker who is willing to spend some time speaking English with you -- you may be able to offer them a language exchange, where they spend 30 minutes speaking English with you and you spend 30 minutes speaking your native language with them. If you live in an English-speaking country, you can practice by starting simple conversations with the people you meet, whether it's saying "hello" to a shopkeeper or asking a stranger for directions. Work on your pronunciation. Even if you have an acceptable grasp of the English language, with good grammar and an extensive vocabulary, native English speakers may find you very difficult to understand if you don't work on your pronunciation. Correct, clear pronunciation is essential if you really want to improve your level of English. Listen closely to how native English speakers pronounce certain words and sounds and do your best to copy them. Pay particular attention to any sounds that you are unfamiliar with or that do not exist in your native tongue. For example, some people have difficulty pronouncing the "r" sound, as it does not exist in their native language, while other people have difficulty with certain consonant clusters, such as the "th" sound. Be aware that the pronunciation of certain English words varies greatly depending on the part of the world it's spoken in. For example, American English is very different from British English. If you intend to travel to or live in an English-speaking country, this is something you should take into account when learning how to pronounce certain words. Expand your vocabulary and use idiomatic phrases. The wider your vocabulary and the more English phrases you learn, the easier speaking English will become. Again, spending time with native English speakers will help you to pick up on common vocabulary and phrases in a natural way. Although reading, watching English TV and listening to the news is also beneficial. Once you have learned a new word or phrase, you should make an effort to use it in a sentence -- this is the best way to commit it to memory. Another easy way to commit new words to memory is to make labels for everyday household items and stick them around your house or apartment. Then every time you use the kettle or look in the mirror, you will see the English word for these items staring back at you. You should also start a notebook of idiomatic phrases that English speakers use all the time. Some examples include "it's raining cats and dogs" (raining heavily), to be on "cloud nine" (to be very happy) or saying something is a "piece of cake" (when something is very easy). Sprinkling these kinds of phrases into your conversation will bring your level of English up several notches. Carry a dictionary. Carrying an English dictionary with you at all times (whether it's an actual book or a phone app) can be very useful. Having a dictionary means that you will never be stuck for a word. It can save you a lot of embarrassment if you're having a conversation with an English-speaker and forget a word in the middle of the sentence -- all you have to do is take a second to look it up! Aside from saving you awkwardness, looking up the word you need then immediately using it in a sentence will actually help you to commit the new vocabulary to memory. It is also helpful to have a dictionary to peruse throughout the day during private moments, like when you're sitting on the train, waiting to cross the street or just having a cup of coffee. You could learn an extra 20 to 30 English words per day using this technique! As a beginner, you should start with an English dictionary that provides definitions in your native language. However, once your language skills improve, you should switch to using an English-English dictionary, which provides English definitions for English words. Listen to English radio or podcasts. One of the best ways to improve your English listening comprehension is to download English-language podcasts or radio apps on your phone or MP3 player. You should then make an effort to listen to the podcasts or radio shows for at least 30 minutes per day. Do it in the gym, on your commute to work, or while you're sitting at your computer. Make an effort to understand what's being said, don't just let the English wash over you. Even if you find it too fast, try to pick out key words and phrases to get a general idea of what the conversation is about. If you can, make a note of any words or phrases that you don't understand and look up the translation afterwards. Then listen to the podcast or show again to hear the new words or phrases in context. Watch English movies and TV shows. Another fun way to improve your listening comprehension is to watch English movies and TV shows. Try to pick movies or TV shows that you will enjoy -- this will make the exercise feel like less of a chore. If possible, choose movies or shows that you are already familiar with, such as children's cartoons or blockbuster films. If you already know the basic story you will find the language much easier to pick up on. However, you should avoid watching movies or television shows with subtitles in your native language -- they will only distract you and make you less inclined to focus on understanding the English, which is the whole point of the exercise. Read an English book, newspaper or magazine. Reading is an essential part of learning a new language, so don't forget to practice! Find something you are really interested in -- whether that's a famous English novel, The New York Times or a fashion magazine and start working your way through it. If you find the content boring, you will be less inclined to persevere with it. Again, make an active effort to actually understand what you're reading, don't just skim over it. Highlight any words or phrases that you don't understand, then look them up in the dictionary. If you're alone, you could also try reading aloud -- this will allow you to improve your reading comprehension while also working on your pronunciation. Keep a diary in English. Aside from reading and listening comprehension, you should also spend some time improving your written English skills. This may be one of the most difficult aspects of your language learning, but it is important nevertheless. Writing in English will help you to work on your sentence structure, grammar and spelling. Try keeping an English diary in which you write down a few sentences every day. It doesn't have to be deeply personal -- you could write about the weather, what you ate for dinner or what your plans are for the day. If you feel comfortable with it, get a native speaker to look over what you've written and check it for any errors. This will help you to avoid making the same mistakes over and over again. Find an English-speaking pen-pal. Once your written language skills have improved, you could consider getting an English-speaking pen-pal! Having an English-speaking pen-pal combines your English writing practice with the excitement of getting a letter or email! Your pen pal may be someone who is learning English like you, or they may be a native English speaker who wants to practice their foreign language skills by writing to you in your native tongue. Having a pen pal from an English-speaking country (such as the United States, Britain, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa, for example) will also allow you to learn more about the culture and what life is like in that part of the world. Stay motivated. When learning any new language, it is important to stay motivated and never give up on your goal of fluency. Stay committed to your language-learning goal by reminding yourself of how badly you want to achieve it. Think of all of the amazing experiences and opportunities that will be available to you once you've mastered the English language. You will be able to converse with English speakers from across the world and develop new and exciting relationships, you will be able to engage with English-speaking culture like never before and potentially further your career as a result of your new language skills. Practice every day. If you want to gain fluency quickly, you need to commit to practicing every day. Learning a new language is based on repetition, so if you wait too long between study sessions, you will forget everything you learned previously and have to start all over again, wasting valuable time. However, you shouldn't study so much that you grow sick of English -- try to keep things interesting by completing a different task each day - one day of reading, one day of listening comprehension, one day of writing practice, one day studying grammar, etc. However, you should never pass up an opportunity to practice speaking English, as this is the number one most important thing you can do to gain fluency. Train yourself to think in English. One way to make the transition from being very good at English to being fluent is to train your brain to actually think in the English language. Constantly translating from your native language into English and back again inside your head consumes time and energy. Every language has its own nuances and peculiarities, which makes it impossible to accurately translate from one language to another in certain instances. As a result, your spoken and written English will flow much more naturally and fluently if you can just train your brain to think in English. Think of it like a switch -- when it's time to communicate in English, you need to turn your English brain on and your mother language brain off! Make friends with English speakers. One of the greatest tests of a person's fluency in a second language is to put them in a room with a bunch of native speakers and see if they can follow and contribute to the conversation. The best way to achieve this level of fluency is to make some English-speaking friends and hang out with them in a social setting, like in a cafe or bar. This way, you will be forced to speak in English if you want to interact with your peers, but it won't feel like work or study because you'll be having so much fun! Don't be afraid to make mistakes. The biggest obstacle that stands in the way of learning a new language is the fear of making mistakes. This fear serves no purpose -- it is merely a hindrance that prevents you from reaching your goal of fluency. Don't be afraid of making a mistake and don't be shy! Of course you can't speak a new language perfectly at the start. Try to express yourself albeit with difficulty. Remember that everyone makes mistakes when they are learning a new language -- it's a rite of passage. You will almost certainly have your fair share of awkward or embarrassing moments when you accidentally say something rude or incorrect, but this is all part of the fun. Also remember that you are not aiming for perfection when learning to speak English, you are aiming for progress. Making mistakes is all part of the learning process, they will help you to become better, so embrace them! | Attend an English class or discussion group. Speak a little English every day. Work on your pronunciation. Expand your vocabulary and use idiomatic phrases. Carry a dictionary. Listen to English radio or podcasts. Watch English movies and TV shows. Read an English book, newspaper or magazine. Keep a diary in English. Find an English-speaking pen-pal. Stay motivated. Practice every day. Train yourself to think in English. Make friends with English speakers. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Help-Your-Busy-Mother-Out-Around-the-House | How to Help Your Busy Mother Out Around the House | If you want to help out your busy mother around the house, try taking over a task she usually does, like preparing lunch for your siblings. Another option could be to put your dishes in the dishwasher after eating or wash them up in the sink. If you'd rather help look after your pets, make sure they have food and water, and are walked regularly. Then, encourage your siblings to follow your example by planning a "Mom's day off" when all of you will take over the chores for a day to give your mom a break. | Keep your own room clean. Make sure your room is organized free of dirtiness. Clean up any messes as soon as possible. Launder your bedding (pillowcases, sheets , and blankets) at least once a week to keep everything fresh and clean and make your bed. If you have a trash can, empty it before it starts to overflow. If you have siblings, encourage and/or help them clean their rooms as well. Figure out what tasks you could do that your mother usually takes care of. Depending on your age and abilities, you may not be able to cook a big fancy dinner for your family, but you may be able to whip up a simple lunch for your siblings. Ask your mom what she could use help with. She probably has suggestions for things you could do for her. Keep in mind that you are "helping" the whole family, yourself included. Your mom will appreciate your help but it isn't just her job to keep the household running smoothly; it's the responsibility of each person in the household, right down to very basic chores for the toddlers. Organize a "Mom's Day Off" with your family. Gather the rest of your family and divide up the duties your mother would normally do on a certain day amongst everyone. On that day, have your family do the chores while your mother unwinds. Keep at it! Your mother is probably working hard for you every day, so she could use your help as often as you can give it. After everyone has participated in Mom's Day off, ask everyone to stick at their chosen tasks from that point on. Always help your mom, and she will be very happy. Help your mom if she asks for it. If your mother requests that you help her with the chores, don't complain—help out. She wouldn't be asking if she didn't need your help. Put the dishes in the sink after eating, and make sure you rinse or wash off whatever dishes you use. Alternatively, place them in the dishwasher. When you notice it is full, set it a-washing. Empty the dishwasher when it's complete. It's the task of whoever comes across it first. . Do laundry loads At the very least, do your own laundry. Children can begin to take care of their own washing from around the age of 8. If you don't know how to remove stains, ask to learn how. Provided the clothes are not stained, it's as easy as gathering your clothes, adding powder or liquid to the washing machine and setting it at the right wash cycle. The machine does most of the work, unlike 100 years ago when people did it all by hand ! Help out with making dinner. You never know, you may find you're a budding chef. If you are really good at one part of dinner or particular dishes, offer to be the person who makes this part or dish on a regular basis. Feed, water, walk and groom the household pets. Again, the pets are the responsibility of everyone in the household. As an added bonus, pets become more attached to and trusting of those who care for them in these ways, so spread the love around! Deal with the floors. Vacuuming and mopping are not hard. They are methodical and they are one of the few areas of household cleaning that make an instant and large difference to how a room looks, so enjoy your handiwork. | Keep your own room clean. Figure out what tasks you could do that your mother usually takes care of. Ask your mom what she could use help with. Organize a "Mom's Day Off" with your family. Keep at it! Always help your mom, and she will be very happy. Help your mom if she asks for it. Put the dishes in the sink after eating, and make sure you rinse or wash off whatever dishes you use. . Help out with making dinner. Feed, water, walk and groom the household pets. Deal with the floors. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Ripen-an-Unripe-Pineapple | How to Ripen an Unripe Pineapple | Since pineapples gain all of their sweetness from their stems, they will not become any sweeter after they are picked, but you can soften an unripe pineapple to make it easier to eat. Store the pineapple upside-down for 1-2 days, which may help the sugars already in the pineapple to travel throughout the flesh. When the pineapple is soft enough to eat, cut off the leaves and the tough outside rind and the eyes. If the pineapple is very young and unripe, do not eat it, as it may be toxic. | Smell to test the ripeness. Most of the usual signs of ripe fruit don't mean much on a pineapple. Sniff the base of the pineapple instead: a strong scent means the pineapple is ripe. If you can barely smell it, it's probably not. Cold pineapples never smell strong, so leave them at room temperature for a while before you try this. A yellow-skinned pineapple is a safer choice than a green one, but this isn't a perfect test. Some pineapples are ripe when completely green. Others have golden or red skins, but are still hard and unpleasant to eat. Expect the pineapple to soften, but not sweeten. Pineapples do not ripen properly after they are picked. On your kitchen counter, the pineapple will become softer and juicier, but it will not become sweet. All of a pineapple's sugar comes from the starches in the stem of the plant. Once that source is cut off, the pineapple cannot make more sugar on its own. Green pineapples will usually change color as well. It's possible that the pineapple will become even more acidic if stored too long. Prop it upside down (optional). If the pineapple does have a little starch left to convert to sugar, this will be in the base of the fruit. In theory, the sugar might spread better if you keep the pineapple upside down. In practice, the effect is hard to notice, but it might be worth a try. The skin color also travels from the base upward, although this isn't relevant to the ripeness after picking. If it's difficult to prop up your pineapple, twist off the top and place the exposed end on a damp paper towel. Leave it at room temperature. The pineapple should soften within a day or two. Most pineapples will quickly ferment if stored for much longer than this. If the pineapple was picked unripe, it will still be unpleasant to eat. Keep reading to find out how to improve the taste of an unripe pineapple. If you're not ready to eat the pineapple yet, move it to the fridge for another 2–4 days. Be cautious with unripe pineapples. Very young, unripe pineapples may be toxic. Eating them can irritate your throat and have a severe laxative effect. That said, most pineapples sold commercially should be at least partially ripe, even if they look green. Even ripe pineapple can hurt your mouth or cause it to bleed. The techniques below will help prevent this as well. Cut the pineapple. Cut off the stem and crown of the pineapple, then stand the rest flat on a cutting board. Cut off the rind and eyes, then slice into rounds or chunks. . Grill the pineapple Grilling will caramelize the sugars in the pineapple, adding flavor to a bland, partially unripe fruit. The heat will also neutralize bromelain, the enzyme that can cause pain and bleeding in your mouth. . Heat pineapple slices in the oven This has the same results as grilling: a delicious, sweet pineapple. If the pineapple is quite tart and unripe, sprinkle brown sugar over it before heating. Simmer the pineapple. Although this won't caramelize the sugar, simmering will neutralize all of the bromelain. Try this if raw pineapple hurts your mouth: Add pineapple chunks to a saucepan along with all juice collected while cutting. Add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to a simmer and heat for 10 minutes. Drain and let cool. Sprinkle sugar over cut pineapple. If your pineapple doesn't taste sweet, sprinkle the chunks or rounds with sugar. Eat right away, or store covered in the fridge. | Smell to test the ripeness. Expect the pineapple to soften, but not sweeten. Prop it upside down (optional). Leave it at room temperature. Be cautious with unripe pineapples. Cut the pineapple. . . Simmer the pineapple. Sprinkle sugar over cut pineapple. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-Striped-Marsh-Frog | How to Care for a Striped Marsh Frog | To care for a striped marsh frog, keep it in a tall glass tank that has 1 elevated side. Line the bottom of the elevated side with a substrate, and fill the non-elevated side with dechlorinated water for your frog to swim in. You should also add some live plants and shelters to the tank to help your frog feel more comfortable and secure. To feed your frog, give it 12-15 insects 2 or 3 times a week, depending on its appetite. | Select a glass tank with a divided base for your marsh frog. A 30 × 12 × 12 in (76 × 30 × 30 cm) aquarium will easily hold up to 4 of these frogs. If you're only keeping 1 marsh frog, you can use a smaller tank that's about 24 × 13 × 13 in (61 × 33 × 33 cm). The enclosure must be waterproof, escape-proof, and non-toxic. Make sure that the tank has 1 elevated side to create 2 sections: a higher section for substrate and a lower section for water. These 2 sections are typically the same size, with the substrate half elevated by 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm). In most divided tanks, the substrate will taper down as it approaches the low side of the tank. A 30 × 12 × 12 in (76 × 30 × 30 cm) long tank is a standard medium-sized aquarium. The size is referred to as a “30 long,” and pet-store owners will know what you're referring to if you use that term. To keep frogs from getting out (and unwanted insects from getting in), pick up a steel or aluminum flyscreen to rest on top of the tank. Striped marsh frogs can jump quite high. To prevent frog escapes, tape down any loose, non-locking lids. Although striped marsh frogs get along well with other frogs of the same species, it's unwise to keep them in the same tank as frogs of different species. Also avoid keeping fish in the water half of the frog tank, since the frogs will eat them. Cover half the bottom of the tank in 3 in (7.6 cm) of substrate. On the elevated side of the bottom of the tank, lay down a layer of well-draining substrate like peat or rain forest bedding to provide a moist land area for your frog. Lay the substrate only on the elevated side of the divided cage. This will more or less replicate the type of soil they'd be walking on in their natural environment. The land area should be well-drained and kept moist. Purchase palm peat at your local pet store, or in large, dried-out blocks from the gardening section of a plant nursery. Plant 3–4 humidity-tolerant plants in the substrate. Plants will improve the look of the tank and will help your marsh frog feel comfortable and at home. Visit a nursery or pet store and search for plants that are native to humid regions and do well with relatively low light. Plants that typically thrive in these conditions include orchids, bromeliads, ficus, Mondo grass, and types of moss. Avoid planting calla lilies or oleander, as these plants are poisonous to frogs. If you prefer not to have to care for and water the plants in the frog terrarium, purchase plastic plants from a pet store instead. Provide dechlorinated water so the frog can swim in its tank. Frogs are amphibious animals and need constant access to a body of water. Fill the lower side of the divided tank with room-temperature, dechlorinated water. The water should be at least 2 in (5.1 cm) deep. Change this water at least twice a week by siphoning out old water and adding new water. Replace 100% of the water each time you change it. Striped marsh frogs do not like currents in the water that they lay in, so don't install a water filter. Set 3-4 stones and other resting places in the water and a ramp up to the land area of the tank. You can purchase plastic resting decorations and a plastic ramp at any large pet store. Install 3-6 small hiding places for your frog to conceal itself behind. Frogs like hiding places, so set half a dozen small rocks, leaf litter, and logs across the substrate. Purchase objects in a variety of sizes so your frog can hide near those it likes best. For example, choose a 2 in × 4 in (5.1 cm × 10.2 cm) log and a 5 in × 5 in (13 cm × 13 cm) rock. These objects will help recreate the frog's natural habitat and will give it places to sleep, digest its food, and get out of the light if it begins to overheat. You can purchase plastic versions of all of these objects at a large pet store. They'll most likely be in the aquarium section. Locate the frog tank in a cool part of your home. Marsh frogs can tolerate a range of temperatures and, in most cases, don't need to be heated. The temperature in the tank should not drop below 46 °F (8 °C) and not go above 77 °F (25 °C). Ideally, the temperature in the tank should hover around 59–68 °F (15–20 °C). If the temperature in the tank slips below 46 °F (8 °C) in the winter, clip a heat lamp on to the side of the tank. Direct the heat towards a patch of substrate so the frog can lie there and warm up. It's unlikely that the water will reach a temperature that's too high or too low for the frogs, even when the tank is heated. However, to avoid the risk of overheating, don't set the tank in an area that receives direct sunlight for more than 1-2 hours. Light the frog tank for at least 6–8 hours a day. When setting up the tank, purchase a fluorescent light that either clips on to the top of the tank or rests over the enclosure as part of an add-on roof. Keep the fluorescent light on for at least 6–8 hours of the day. If you'd rather not have to remember to regularly turn the light on and off, purchase a timer and set it so that the light is on during regular daylight hours. Unlike various other types of frogs and amphibians kept in captivity, striped marsh frogs do not need special UV lighting. Rinse the substrate 2-3 times per week to keep it clean and moist. If the substrate is left for too long, unhealthy bacteria will build up. To keep the substrate clean, pour 1 litre (0.26 US gal) of water over it 2-3 times a week. You don't need to remove the substrate from the tank in order to do this, since the water will drain through the substrate. If you maintain the substrate, you won't need to replace it more than 2 times a year. Plan to change the substrate, for example, once in spring and once in fall, even if you don't note any visual differences at these times. Spray the plants and substrate with water 3–4 times weekly. In order to keep the humidity high in the frog's tank and to prevent the soil from drying out, spray water over the interior of the tank using an ordinary spray bottle. Spritz the substrate and plants half a dozen times with dechlorinated water, but avoid spraying water directly onto the frog. Also take the time to spray the substrate in your tank each time that you change out the water. Clean the tank twice each month with warm tap water. Remove all of the items from your frog's tank—including any plastic plants and objects, stones, etc.—and run them under warm tap water. Scrub the items with a sponge to remove bacteria and residue. Then use the same sponge to wipe down the inner walls of the frog's tank. Avoid using cleaning products—even mild ones—as they can irritate the frog's sensitive skin. If you're concerned that your frog may try to escape as you clean its tank, place it into a smaller backup tank (without substrate and water). The frog will be fine in this tank during the 20-30 minutes it'll take you to clean the main tank. Dust insects with a vitamin mixture before feeding your frog. When kept in captivity, frogs aren't able to produce calcium and other healthy compounds on their own. So, before feeding your frog each day, place 5–10 insects in a plastic bag. Dump in 1 small spoonful each of multivitamin powder and calcium powder. Then, shake the bag for 30 seconds until the insects are fully coated. Purchase live insects, calcium powder, and multivitamin powder at a local pet store. Most pet stores sell mixtures of vitamins that have been specifically designed to provide the nutrients that frogs need, since their dietary needs may be different than those of reptiles and other amphibians. If you'd rather not dust the insects yourself, most pet stores will have a bin of live insects that have already been dusted with a powder containing calcium and other vitamins and nutrients. Keep food constantly available for juvenile marsh frogs. Juvenile marsh frogs eat frequently and have large appetites since their bodies are still growing. So, keep insects constantly available for a juvenile frog to eat. Check the tank 4–5 times daily to make sure that there are insects inside from the previous feeding and, if there are not, deposit 6-7 insects on the substrate. Suitable foods for young frogs include small insects like crickets, house flies, and fruit flies. Marsh frogs are considered juvenile until they reach sexual maturity at 5 months of age. Make sure to always dust the insects with calcium and vitamin powders before feeding your juvenile frogs! Feed a mature marsh frog insects 2 or 3 times a week. Frogs older than 5 months will eat large meals every 3 or 4 days. So, each time you feed your marsh frog, give it 12-15 insects and adjust the amount you feed once you get a sense of the frog's appetite. Do this 2–3 times a week. Older frogs have a habit of eating anything they can fit in their mouths, so you can give them fairly large insects (e.g., grasshoppers or cockroaches) to eat. You can purchase live insects and other frog-friendly foods at a local pet store. At the end of each day, remember to remove all dead food from the tank! Otherwise, it will begin to decay or may attract unwanted insects. Use a pair of tweezers to feed insects to a mature frog. To feed a mature marsh frog, pick up each individual insect with a pair of tweezers. Take the top off of the frog enclosure, and lower the insect towards the waiting frog. Try placing each insect directly into the frog's mouth or onto the ground 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) away. Since they'll be preoccupied with eating the insects, your marsh frogs shouldn't try to escape the tank while you're feeding them. You can try to feed your juvenile frogs in the same way. However, since they need a constant food supply, it may be more practical to deposit 6-7 insects in the tank all at once. | Select a glass tank with a divided base for your marsh frog. Cover half the bottom of the tank in 3 in (7.6 cm) of substrate. Plant 3–4 humidity-tolerant plants in the substrate. Provide dechlorinated water so the frog can swim in its tank. Install 3-6 small hiding places for your frog to conceal itself behind. Locate the frog tank in a cool part of your home. Light the frog tank for at least 6–8 hours a day. Rinse the substrate 2-3 times per week to keep it clean and moist. Spray the plants and substrate with water 3–4 times weekly. Clean the tank twice each month with warm tap water. Dust insects with a vitamin mixture before feeding your frog. Keep food constantly available for juvenile marsh frogs. Feed a mature marsh frog insects 2 or 3 times a week. Use a pair of tweezers to feed insects to a mature frog. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Hydrofluoric-Acid-Burn | How to Treat a Hydrofluoric Acid Burn | If you are burned with hydrofluoric acid, remove any contaminated clothing immediately to prevent further burning. Flush the affected skin with cool water for 15 minutes or more while someone else calls for medical attention. If you have calcium gluconate gel, apply it generously to the burn. Otherwise, Magnesium hydroxide-containing antacids, such as Mylanta, can be applied as well. | Recognize the effects of hydrofluoric acid. Hydrofluoric acid (HF) contact with skin can cause severe chemical burns. Direct contact with HF can cause major damage to your skin tissue, as HF is a corrosive substance that burns. It can also penetrate the skin and cause even further damage under the skin. This can be even worse, depending on the concentration of the acid and the length of exposure. No matter the concentration, however, the burns may cause a deeper penetration of the underlying skin tissue after a longer time of detection. Any increased time can allow for a burn to become more severe. Distinguish the categories of burn. There are 3 categories of HF burns. A burn that is grade 1 appears with white burn mark and has surrounding painful redness along the skin. A burn that is grade 2 appears with a white burn mark and surrounding painful redness, but also demonstrates blistering and edema, which is leakage of intra-cellular fluids outside of damaged cellular tissue. A burn that is grade 3 appears in the same way as grade 2, with the addition of blistering, and necrosis, which is cell tissue death. Cell tissue death is seen as discolored blue or black tissue around the burn. Remove all contaminated clothing immediately. If there is any part of your clothing that has been saturated with HF, remove it immediately from your body or any portion of your skin. This will prevent more acid from touching the skin, as well as stop continued exposure that may cause more serious burning. Make sure that the clothing comes into contact with as little skin as possible as it is removed. Do not touch clothing directly with bare skin if you believe it has also been contaminated with HF. Use gloves, masks, and gowns, if possible. Flush the burned area. If you come into contact with HF, flush the burned area under a safety shower or suitable hose. Orient the burned area so that water runs down and off your skin. Make sure that the water coming into contact with the affected area does not come into contact with any other part of your body. This constant flow of cool water should not overly cold but cool enough to soothe the burn. Continue flushing the area for fifteen or more minutes. Have another person call for medical assistance. HF burns are very serious and can lead to many systemic issues and even death. You need to get help as soon as possible because HF burns require expert medical attention regardless of how you feel or what you believe is necessary. Have someone else call for you while you deal with preventing continued exposure to the acid. Seek medical attention as soon as possible from the time of exposure to reduce the time the acid can continue to linger and cause damage. Treat the wound after flushing it. You can do a few things after flushing your burn. Massage a generous amount of calcium gluconate gel into and around the burn. Keep applying gel for at least twenty minutes. This should be the first line of care if available after extensive rinsing with water. You can also use hexafluorine, which is a chemical compound that has also been used extensively for HF burns. However, some studies have not found it to be any more effective in reducing electrolyte disturbances than proper rinsing with water. Magnesium hydroxide-containing antacids can also be used with some benefit if calcium gluconate is not available. Look for common antacid brands such as Mylanta. Get treated. Seeking medical care from professionals will help assess long-term side effects of the burn. The goal of treatment is reduce the effects of HF burns while simultaneously controlling the pain from exposure. Prior to discharge, your doctor will assess your electrolyte balances with a blood test, test for any heart palpitations and arrhythmias, and review your Echocardiogram (ECG) to make sure it is normal. Your doctor may continue with similar tests during follow-up to make sure that long-term symptoms do not develop after you have been discharged. If exposure to HF is only on the fingers, you will likely be discharged with calcium gluconate gel and instructed to wear a latex glove after applying the gel. This will help to maximize the efficacy of the gel by increasing absorption. Your doctor should follow-up with you at least once after 24 hours from the time you are discharged. This follow-up may be in person or over the telephone, depending on the severity of your exposure and the doctor's judgment. Recognize the symptoms. If your eyes are exposed to HF, they will experience rapid symptoms. If your eyes only have mild exposure, expect rapid irritation and possibly pain. This may be followed by a clouding of the cornea of the eye, which may be reversible. If severe exposure occurs, expect a rapid onset of pain and damage to the cornea. The cornea may degrade and the eye may swell. Clouding of the eye may become permanent as well as any other visual defects in the eye. Flush the eyes with water. As soon as your eyes are exposed to HF, flush them with large amounts of cool, running water for at least thirty minutes. This will flush out the acid and help prevent continued damage to the eyes. If only one eye has been contaminated, be sure to not wash acid into the other eye. Keep your eyelids apart and away from the eyeballs while washing. Tilt your head to the side so that water runs off your eye from the side closest to your nose towards your temples. This will prevent the contaminated water from rinsing back into your eye, nose, mouth, or other vital areas on the face. Seek medical attention. Once you wash your eyes out, seek medical attention immediately. Ideally, you should see an eye specialist so he or she will know the best way to treat you. This cannot be reiterated enough. HF is a highly reactive substance and can cause severe damage, visual defects, and blindness. Apply an ice pack. On your way to the emergency room, you should apply an ice pack to your eyes. Applying an ice pack to the affected area may lessen the effects of the HF, while also helping to alleviate the painful symptoms. Get treated by an eye doctor. Once you get to the emergency room or eye doctor, he or she will assess the damage in order to limit the long-term effects to your eyes. You will most likely continue to receive flushing of the eye, as well as topical tetracaine ointment and a 1% calcium gluconate flush. The goal of immediate treatment is to reduce your pain, neutralize the effects of burns, and then to assess and come up with a treatment plan based on the outcome. Have tests done. Prior to discharge, your doctor will assess your electrolyte balances with a blood test, test for any heart palpitations and arrhythmias, and review your Echocardiogram (ECG) to make sure it is normal. Your doctor may continue with similar tests during any follow-up to make sure that long-term symptoms do not develop after you have been discharged. Just like with a skin burn, your doctor should follow-up with you at least once after 24 hours from the time you are discharged, which can be over the phone or in person depending on the severity of your case. Recognize the symptoms. The symptoms for inhalation of HF can be complication because the symptoms for mild and severe inhalation will overlap. The symptoms for mild exposure may be include irritation of the mucous membranes in the nose and throat, coughing, burns on the passageways, and narrowing of airways, which will cause difficulty breathing. Symptoms for severe exposure include all of the above as well as an immediate narrowing of the airways, along with pulmonary edema, which is a build-up of fluid in the lungs. Lung collapse can also occur. Immediately remove the person from the HF source. You will likely not be able to check yourself for inhalation of HF because of the symptoms. However, if you come upon someone who has or might have inhaled HF, check the affected person's vital signs. Check for a pulse and respiratory breathing on him and make sure his airway is open so that he can breathe. Continue to monitor the individual for any observable symptoms and do your best to alleviate those symptoms as professional medical attention is obtained. If the person looks as though they are having a hard time breathing, administer oxygen if available. Artificial respiration such as CPR is necessary and should be administered by trained professionals if breathing has stopped. Seek medical attention immediately. Inhalation exposure is rapidly lethal, which means you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Inhalation of HF can cause serious damage and treatment should be done in a medical setting because there is little to no effective treatment outside of a clinical setting. While there is a lot of literature and research available about HF exposure to the skin, inhalation exposure has had relatively little research completed. The process of treating HF inhalation injury is highly complex, and more experimental research is still needed to learn proper care techniques. Get treatment at the hospital. If inhalation HF is suspected, time is of the essence and medical attention must begin as soon as possible. Your doctor may do imaging scans and spirometry to assess any damage or decreased functioning of your respiratory system. Spirometry aims to determine your ability to utilize your expected lung capacity and will involve blowing into a tube to measure your effective lung capacity. You will be tested on your ability to inhale, exhale, and the rate at which you can achieve these actions. Just as with other HF exposure, your doctor will take a blood test to check your electrolyte balances, look for any arrhythmias or heart palpitations, and will review your Echocardiogram (ECG) to check for any abnormalities. Your doctor will also follow up within 24 hours of discharge by phone or in person, depending on your case. Recognize symptoms of ingestion. Ingestion can lead to many symptoms, and it can be complicated since symptoms based on systemic exposure cannot be ruled out. Exposure through ingestion can lead to nausea, vomiting, burns to the mouth and airways, and abdominal pain. You may also experience necrosis of areas of the stomach and digestive tract, which can cause severe pain due to localized tissue death. You may also suffer gastric bleeding, which is accompanied by an inflammation of the stomach. Pancreatitis can also be a symptom, which is an inflammation of pancreas that results from internal digestive tract exposure to HF. Drink a lot of water. If you ingested HF, you need to drink a large quantity of water right away. This will help dilute the acid in your system and ease the severity of the damage. Do not induce vomiting. You can also drink some milk. If exposed person is alert, give them 4-8 ounces of milk or water. Give no more than 4 ounces of either liquid to a child. Be very careful with this kind of exposure. Death has occurred within 90 minutes of ingestion of HF contained in rust remover. Seek medical attention immediately. Ingestional exposure is life threatening and can cause a lot of permanent damage to organs. Always seek immediate medical attention as soon as you suspect HF exposure. You will likely be started on a treatment regime that will help neutralize the acid, even if you have done it yourself on the way to emergency care. You will be carefully monitored for increased effects of the burn over time, as HF burns can damage your body on a varying time scale depending on the concentration and exposure level. Neutralize the acid. After drinking milk or water and calling for help, it is necessary to attempt to bind certain substances in HF with a neutralizing substance. Take some Tums, which are chewable calcium tablets that can help during HF ingestion. The calcium can help bind the HF in your system. If you don't have Tums, try milk of magnesia, Maalox, or other liquid antacid. Drink 4 to 8 ounces of these liquids to help. Don't overdo it with the liquids by trying multiple methods. You don't want to induce vomiting. Vomiting can cause the acid to further damage unexposed areas that are undamaged. Get additional tests. Your doctor will perform additional blood tests to assess any large decreases in calcium due to binding with the ingested HF. This can lead to cardiac problems, including cardiac arrest. A urinalysis will also be done in order to assess your fluid levels. This will help to guide fluid management and help with replenishing of any depleted electrolytes. Your doctor will run the same test as with other forms of exposure, which check for electrolyte balance, heart complications, and other lasting issues. | Recognize the effects of hydrofluoric acid. Distinguish the categories of burn. Remove all contaminated clothing immediately. Flush the burned area. Have another person call for medical assistance. Treat the wound after flushing it. Get treated. Recognize the symptoms. Flush the eyes with water. Seek medical attention. Apply an ice pack. Get treated by an eye doctor. Have tests done. Recognize the symptoms. Immediately remove the person from the HF source. Seek medical attention immediately. Get treatment at the hospital. Recognize symptoms of ingestion. Drink a lot of water. Seek medical attention immediately. Neutralize the acid. Get additional tests. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Adjust-Action-on-a-Bass | How to Adjust Action on a Bass | Adjusting the action on your bass is important when you have a new bass or when the instrument's been exposed to temperature or humidity changes. To start, use an electronic tuner to tune your bass as you normally would. This will ensure the strings are at the proper tension when you adjust the action. Once you've tuned it, wait 30 minutes for the strings to settle. Then, inspect the neck of your base to see how much relief it has. A bass neck should normally have a slight bow. Too much bow or too little bow means you need to adjust the truss rod on the bottom of the headstock. Once you've done this, raise or lower the bridge or the individual string saddles on the bridge with an Allen wrench. Test your action adjustments by playing your bass at each fret. If you hear buzzing, you've lowered the action too much and need to adjust it. | Tune the bass as you normally play it. Use an electronic tuner to achieve accurate tuning. This will assure that the strings are at the proper tension when adjusting the action. Wait at least 30 minutes after any significant change in string tension before inspecting or adjusting the neck of your bass. It takes time for the neck of a bass to settle into its final position after significant changes have been made to the forces applied to it. Waiting longer periods will increase the accuracy of your adjustments. Determine the relief, or bow, in the neck. The neck of your bass must have a slight bow to play properly. If the neck were straight, you would get fret buzz, especially on notes played on the first 5 frets. If you have a capo, attach it at the first fret; otherwise, hold down the E-string (or B-string on a 5-string bass) at the 1st fret with your left index finger. Hold the string down at the 12th fret with your right thumb or right elbow. Use a feeler gauge to determine the largest gap between the string and the tops of the 4th through 8th frets. If the string is touching any of these frets, the neck needs more relief. If the gap between the string and any of these frets is greater than 0.020 inch (0.5 mm), then the neck needs less relief. Alternatively, attach a capo at the first fret or hold down the G-string at the 1st fret with your left index finger. Press the G-string down at the end of the neck with your elbow. Use a feeler gauge to measure the gap between the bottom of the string and the top of the 8th fret. If the gap exceeds 0.012 inch (0.3 mm), the neck needs less relief. If there is no gap, the neck needs more relief. The truss rod needs to be adjusted if inspection of the neck indicates that it needs either more or less relief. Remove the truss rod cover on the headstock, just beyond the nut. Depending on the model of your bass, you will need a small Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws securing the truss rod cover or a small flat-blade screwdriver to "pop" or pry off the truss rod cover. Use an appropriately sized allen wrench to adjust the truss rod. If the neck needs less relief, you will tighten the truss rod by turning the truss rod nut clockwise. If the neck needs more relief, you will turn the truss rod nut counterclockwise. Adjust the truss rod a 1/8-turn at a time. After a 1/8-turn, tune the strings again and remeasure the string height. Make additional truss rod adjustments with no more that a 1/8-turn at a time, retuning and remeasuring after each adjustment. Test your truss rod adjustment by fretting each string of the bass at each fret. If there is fret buzz when playing at any of the first 5 frets, the neck is too straight and the truss rod needs to be loosened. If there is fret buzz only above the 12th fret, there is too much relief in the neck and the truss rod needs to be tightened. If there is fret buzz consistently up the neck, the truss rod is likely set properly and the bridge needs to be raised to adjust the action. Raise or lower the bridge or the individual string saddles on the bridge. If your bass does not have individual saddle height adjusting screws, you must adjust the action by raising or lowering the entire bridge. There are many bridge designs, each with its own specific adjustment features. Select the proper tool for the adjustment hardware on your bass. Typically, tightening (turning clockwise) bridge height adjusters will raise the action and loosening (turning counterclockwise) bridge adjustment adjusters will lower the action. If your bass has individual saddle height adjusting screws, make general action adjustments by raising or lowering the entire bridge, then make your final adjustments by changing the height of the individual string saddles. Individual string saddles are generally adjusted with allen wrenches. Test your action adjustments by playing your bass at each fret. You have lowered the action too much if you hear fret buzz. | Tune the bass as you normally play it. Wait at least 30 minutes after any significant change in string tension before inspecting or adjusting the neck of your bass. Determine the relief, or bow, in the neck. Remove the truss rod cover on the headstock, just beyond the nut. Use an appropriately sized allen wrench to adjust the truss rod. Adjust the truss rod a 1/8-turn at a time. Make additional truss rod adjustments with no more that a 1/8-turn at a time, retuning and remeasuring after each adjustment. Test your truss rod adjustment by fretting each string of the bass at each fret. Raise or lower the bridge or the individual string saddles on the bridge. Test your action adjustments by playing your bass at each fret. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Fight-a-Red-Light-Ticket-in-California | How to Fight a Red Light Ticket in California | To fight a red light ticket in California, you'll need to plead not guilty at your arraignment and provide evidence to support your case. Your ticket should include a link to a photo or video of you running the red light. If this isn't available, you can request proof from the law enforcement agency that issued your ticket. If it wasn't you driving the car, fill out the affidavit form that came with your ticket and provide details of the driver. If there was no warning sign within 200 feet of the photo enforced red light, you might be able to use this as a defense against your ticket. Or, if the yellow light interval is unusually short, this might also give you a valid defense. When you go to your arraignment, plead not guilty. Then, you'll have to appear in court and present your case and evidence. | Read the citation carefully. If your vehicle triggers a red-light camera, a citation will be mailed to your address within 15 days of the incident. This citation provides information about the incident as well as instructions on how to pay the fine or contest the ticket. Check the date and time of the incident, and review your own schedule. This can help you place the incident and figure out if you were driving your car. Citations are sent to the registered owner of the car. However, if you weren't driving your car when it triggered the camera, you aren't responsible for paying the ticket. Request photographs or videos of the incident. The cameras produce photos of your license tag as you are passing through the intersection, and may also have video of your car passing through the intersection. Typically you can view these online. Your citation will have information on what website to visit if you want to view the photos or videos of the incident. If the photos or videos aren't available online, you can request them from the law enforcement agency that issued your citation. The name and address of that agency will be listed on the citation. Submit an affidavit if you weren't driving. Your citation includes an affidavit form you can use if you weren't driving your vehicle when the incident occurred. You must provide the name and address of the person who was driving so the citation can be sent to them instead. You also must provide the driver's license number of the person who was driving. If you don't have this information, fill out as much as you can and leave the rest blank. The law enforcement agency will be able to look it up. Time the yellow light interval. California law requires lights to stay yellow for a specified period of time before the light turns red. If you recall the yellow light being unusually short, you can return to the intersection and time it yourself. Take a stop watch and time several cycles, then average the result you get. Compare your result to the required time listed in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. You can download a copy of that manual at http://www.dot.ca.gov/trafficops/camutcd/. If the yellow light interval is shorter than the minimum required time, you have a defense against your red light ticket. Check for warning signs. While you're at the intersection where the incident occurred, make sure there is a warning sign posted within 200 feet of the intersection. This sign should be visible to oncoming traffic, and clearly state that an automatic enforcement system is being used. If there are not any warning signs, or if the warning signs aren't clearly visible, you may have a defense against your red light ticket. For example, the sign may have fallen down, or may be obscured by a tree branch. Visit the city or county law enforcement website. Many law enforcement agencies provide information on the maintenance of their automatic enforcement systems to the public on their websites. You might also find information about the locations of the red light cameras and the official timing for the yellow light intervals. If this information is available, you can use it as a starting point. However, if you want to fight your red light ticket you should still go to the intersection and check the information for yourself. Things might have changed since those readings were taken. Request information on the maintenance of the system. California state law requires automatic enforcement systems to be calibrated and inspected regularly. If this information is not available online, you can request it directly from the department. Law enforcement agencies are required to provide this information to the public if it is requested. If you run into any problems, you may want to consult a traffic attorney. They can help you get the information you need. Enter a plea of "not guilty" at arraignment. Your citation will have a date listed on it for you to appear in court. This date is your arraignment. You must appear at the courthouse listed and enter your plea of "not guilty" at that time if you want to fight the ticket. Some cities and counties may also allow you to enter a "not guilty" plea online. Others only allow you to pay the fine online – if you want to fight the ticket, you have to appear in court. If you need an interpreter at the trial, request one at your arraignment. Organize your documents and evidence for trial. At your trial, you'll be able to tell the judge why you shouldn't have to pay your red light ticket. You can introduce physical evidence, and even call witnesses. For example, suppose you are arguing that the yellow light was too short. If you had a passenger in the car with you and they recall the yellow light being short, you might bring them with you to testify on your behalf. If you're citing any laws or regulations, bring copies of them with you. For example, if your argument is based on the yellow light interval, you should bring a copy of the relevant portion of the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Pay your deposit. In some counties, you may be required to make a deposit with the court in the amount of your bail for the citation. The deposit will never be more than the amount of your bail. If you are found not guilty, your deposit will be returned. Contact the court ahead of time to find out what methods of payment are accepted. Generally, you can pay with a certified check or money order. Most courts don't take personal checks, and some may not take credit or debit cards. Appear in court for your trial. When you plead not guilty, your case will be set for trial. Arrive at the courthouse at least a half hour early. This will give you time to go through security and find the right court room. Treat the occasion seriously. Keep your documents and evidence neat, and dress as though you are going to a job interview or attending a religious service. Take a seat in the gallery, as traffic courts typically hear many cases in one session. You can move to the front of the courtroom when your name is called. Present your case in court. Once your name is called, the judge will give you an opportunity to explain why you shouldn't have to pay the fine for the red light ticket. Speak loudly and clearly, and tell your story in a logical, coherent manner. Stick to the facts, and avoid any emotional pleas. The judge has likely heard them all, and it won't help you – it might even work against you. Treat the judge with respect, and refer to them as "your honor." Using "sir" or "ma'am" may also be appropriate. Never interrupt the judge. If they start talking, stop and wait until they're finished. If they ask you a question, it's polite to ask if you can continue before you start your presentation again. Request a trial by written declaration if you don't want to go to court. In some cities and counties you may have the option of doing a trial by written declaration rather than appearing in court. This may be a better option for you if you get nervous or flustered speaking in public. If you use the trial by written declaration procedure, you may be required to pay the full bail amount when you submit your declaration. It will be refunded if the judge rules in your favor. Receive the court's decision. After you're done presenting your case, the judge will decide whether you are guilty or not guilty. If the judge decides you are guilty, typically you must be prepared to pay the fine immediately. If you plan to appeal the judge's decision, you can ask for a stay of judgment pending appeal. This means you don't have to pay the fine until after the appeals court hears your case. However, the judge may decline your request. If you had a trial by written declaration, you can request a new trial in court if you are dissatisfied with the judge's decision. You must make this request within 20 days of the date on the judgment. Consult an attorney. It isn't necessary to have an attorney to file an appeal. However, if you've gotten to this point and you still want to fight your red light ticket, it may be worth it to have an attorney on your side. Your conviction will only be overturned if the judge made a legal error in your case. If you aren't extremely familiar with the law, this can get complicated. Look for an attorney who specializes in traffic law. Preferably, you want someone who has experience getting red light ticket convictions overturned. Most attorneys offer a free initial consultation. Use that opportunity to interview 2 or 3 different attorneys so you can choose the best one to represent you. File your notice of appeal. The notice of appeal is a court document you must file to initiate the appeals process. It must be filed no later than 30 days after the judge hands down the decision in your case. There is no fee to file a notice of appeal. If you are representing yourself or have not yet hired an attorney before the deadline, you can download a form to use at http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/cr142.pdf. Request a record of the oral proceedings. In some situations you'll need to send a record of the oral proceedings up to the appeals court. If you're not sure, go ahead and request it to err on the side of caution. For example, you may be arguing that there was insufficient evidence to convict you of the infraction. This is a common reason red light ticket convictions are appealed. In that case you do need a record of the oral proceedings, so the appeals court can evaluate the evidence presented. Prepare your proposed statement on appeal. This court document must be completed and filed with the court within 20 days after you file your notice. It tells the court why you are filing your appeal and how you think the appeals court should rule. If you're representing yourself, you can download a copy of a form to use at http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/cr143.pdf. File and serve your statement on appeal. When you've completed your statement, you must file it with the clerk of the court and have the prosecutor in your case served. If you don't know the name of the prosecutor, it may be listed on the judge's decision. To have the prosecutor served, you typically want to send a file-stamped copy of your statement using certified mail with return receipt requested. When you get the green card back, that serves as your proof of service. You'll need to fill out a proof of service form to file with the court. Present your oral argument. If you've requested oral argument, you must appear in court before the appeals court judge and explain the legal errors that require your conviction to be overturned. You can waive oral argument if you prefer, and the judge will make their decision based on the statements you and the prosecutor filed with the court. Both you and the prosecutor must waive oral argument. Typically, if you waive oral argument the prosecutor will not insist on it. Make sure the fact that you want to waive oral argument is included on your statement of appeal. Receive the appellate court's decision. After the date set for oral argument, the judge has 90 days to enter a written decision in your case. This date remains the same regardless of whether you've waived oral argument. The appeals court clerk will mail you a copy of the written decision when it is entered. You may also be notified by phone. | Read the citation carefully. Request photographs or videos of the incident. Submit an affidavit if you weren't driving. Time the yellow light interval. Check for warning signs. Visit the city or county law enforcement website. Request information on the maintenance of the system. Enter a plea of "not guilty" at arraignment. Organize your documents and evidence for trial. Pay your deposit. Appear in court for your trial. Present your case in court. Request a trial by written declaration if you don't want to go to court. Receive the court's decision. Consult an attorney. File your notice of appeal. Request a record of the oral proceedings. Prepare your proposed statement on appeal. File and serve your statement on appeal. Present your oral argument. Receive the appellate court's decision. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-%22Horse-Whisperer%22 | How to Become a "Horse Whisperer" | A horse whisperer is someone who deeply understands and respects horses, which allows them to work with horses that are normally difficult. If you're interested in becoming a horse whisperer, you'll want to spend as much time as possible around horses so you can get to know them better. You can join a club that works with horses, pick up a sport that involves horseback riding, or even sign up for an apprenticeship with an established horse whisperer. Additionally, if you're serious about being a horse whisperer, you can look into getting a degree in horse training. Eventually, once you're experienced enough, you can set up your own business as a professional horse whisperer. | Respect that horses are powerful and complex animals. If you do not take the time to properly respect horses, you should not attempt to become a horse whisperer. This means putting the needs of the horse before your own desires. You have to be able to respect the emotions and desires of the horse. This is an attitude and it inflects each interaction you have with the horse. Learn respect for horses by spending time with them. Horse whisperers astounded the horse training world in the mid 1900s. People had a hard time accepting it could be so easy to work with a horse. Because people did not understand horses very well, previous methods of training horses were brutal and abusive. Horse whispering is a gentle response to this out-dated and ignorant way to break and train a horse. Learn how a horse works and thinks. Study up on horses' perspective and horses' idea of what is the most important in life. Study how the horses' senses work. Know the places in their field of vision they can't see you, and that these blind spots can make a horse nervous. Cognition and vision in horses has been often underestimated. Their blind spots are directly in front of and behind them. Horses are herd animals, and they seek leaders and validation from their leaders. Horses are prey animals and they are easily frightened, their primary natural defense being to run. Horses have very complex communication. Consider getting a specialized two or four year degree. Many universities have programs that are designed to help people work with horses. Check with your local two year and four year colleges to see what types of programs they have available. Look into programs that emphasize horse training. Some schools also offer certificates in horse training, colt starting, and horsemanship that you can earn in just a year or two. Consider getting a degree in business if you are already an experienced horse trainer. A business degree can help you to understand how to manage and grow your business. Look for an apprenticeship to help you learn how to become a horse whisperer. Apprenticeships allow you to shadow someone who works as a horse whisperer and learn from his or her experience. Check with horse whisperers in your area to see if any apprenticeships are available. Keep in mind that an apprenticeship may or may not be paid. You may receive a small stipend for your assistance or you may be working in exchange for the knowledge and experience you receive. Join a club. Farm or horse clubs, such as 4H, can give you the opportunity to work with horses. Contact local farming clubs and organizations near you, to find out if you can join. Many times you can ask about volunteering opportunities as well. These groups are a great way to get hands on experience. Riding clubs are also a great way to get involved with horses. Take up a sport with horses. There are many horse related sports. Polo, racing, rodeos, and trick competitions are all competitive ways to get involved with horses. Sometimes schools, such as colleges, will have these clubs or groups. In other cases, it may take some research online to find a local group that plays sports with horses. Feed horses. You have to start somewhere. This is a simple first attempt to work with a horse. Horses like apples, carrots, and oats among other foods. Make sure you give the horse the right feed! Feed the horse sugar cubes only as a treat. This interaction will help you to bond with ad understand horses. Groom and pet horses. Get a horse grooming kit and take good care of it. Gently slide your hand down your horse's body to let him know that he can trust you. This action is a crucial part of understanding and developing strong bonds with horses. It should be a habit. After the horse has been mildly tamed enough to let you pet and groom him, don't expect to just hop right on and ride. You will need to get the horse to trust you first. Make sure to clean up after the horse as well. This is so you have a full understanding of the animal. Buy your own horse. Horse ownership can be an important part of taking your dedication to horses to the next level. He will require that you work with your horse all the time. He will need care every day. Through this constant dedication, you will come to understand the communication styles of your animal. You will want to see the animal's home life, interact with him, and take him to the vet before you buy it. Spend time around horses. Remember that a hyperactive horse or a wild horse can be dangerous. Do not get too close to the horse before it is comfortable with your presence - doing so could ruin the trust you have already earned and may put your safety in jeopardy. Do not attempt to calm a frightened horse if you have not been properly trained to do so. Be careful when approaching horses, as they can be skittish when approached from the behind. Remember that though their hind legs can be dangerous, their front legs are more so. Observe horses while they are in their paddock. Stand with the horse and talk to him, gently. See how the horse interacts with other humans and horses. Listen to horses. Pay attention to the noises a horse makes, and what they signify. Pay close attention to its body language as well. If you are careful enough, it may tell you things that only "Horse Whisperers" can understand. Soon, you may understand the horse and it will understand you. The goal of this is establishing a kind of communication. Watch for the horse to drop its head in submission. Good chewing and licking are a sign that the horse is ready to be submissive as well. Teach your horse that you are the leader. Horses read body language and use physical language as well to express themselves. Horses will also read your body language to determine whether or not you are in charge. Little things like crowding your space or chewing on your shirt can indicate that a horse does not see you as a leader. It is important to teach your horse that you are in charge. You can use gentle pressure to correct a horse if he is in your personal space. For example, if your horse encroaches on your space when you are brushing him, then lean into his side until he moves back to where he was standing before. Consider learning how to “join up” with a horse. Joining up with a horse is a specific training method developed by Monty Roberts that uses a round pen to confine a horse. While the horse is confined, the trainer stands in the center and using hand motions and/or the movement of a whip or lead line, makes the horse run in circles around the pen. After a little while, the trainer reduces the "noise" or "pressure" and then stands still with head down, waiting for the horse to approach. This introduction is called the “join up.” This method of training seems to be very effective, but some veterinary science researchers have warned that this method may be traumatic for the horse. The horse, being a herd animal, is seeking solace in the person in the pen. Instead it is told to "go away." This is the same method used by herds when they do not want a horse to be a part of it, or are punishing it - they frighten it off to the edges of the herd's space. Hence, the potential trauma, which is then turned to acceptance when the horse "joins up" with the trainer. Advertise your business. Horse whisperers get clients by word of mouth primarily, but you may also want to consider running some ads when you first get started. You can advertise in horse magazines, in the local newspaper, or through any classes or stables near your home. If you plan to run advertisements, then you will need to develop a budget for how much you are willing to spend on ads as well. Make sure to set aside money to pay your taxes. By selling your services as a horse whisperer, you will need to save a sizable portion of your income for taxes. This can often be 30% of your income or more. Don't get yourself in hot water by not setting aside enough money to pay your taxes. Some other things you may want to consider include: Get a tax accountant. Preparing taxes for your business can be difficult and time consuming. You may be better off paying someone else to do so. Use purchases to deduct from your tax payment. You may be able to deduct some of your business expenses to reduce your tax payment. Keep in mind that you will have to save your receipts to do this and in case you get audited. Charge extra to cover the cost of taxes. To make sure that your earnings will not be cut short, you will need to charge your clients enough to cover your taxes. Call veterinarians in your area to provide your contact information. One great way to advertise your business is to share your contact information with the horse veterinarians in your area. Horse owners will often ask veterinarians for recommendations on horse trainers, so sharing your information with veterinarians may lead to some phone calls from prospective clients. Attend trade shows to network with other professionals. Trade shows are great places to meet other professionals and learn about new products, techniques, and research in your field. Ask other horse whisperers in your area about the trade shows that they attend and begin going to a few trade shows per year. Set up a simple website. A website can help you to market your business because the internet is often the first place that people look to find out about a product or service. Include in your website information about your services, your credentials, and contact information. Some nice photos of you working with horses might also be a nice touch. | Respect that horses are powerful and complex animals. Learn how a horse works and thinks. Consider getting a specialized two or four year degree. Look for an apprenticeship to help you learn how to become a horse whisperer. Join a club. Take up a sport with horses. Feed horses. Groom and pet horses. Buy your own horse. Spend time around horses. Listen to horses. Teach your horse that you are the leader. Consider learning how to “join up” with a horse. Advertise your business. Make sure to set aside money to pay your taxes. Call veterinarians in your area to provide your contact information. Attend trade shows to network with other professionals. Set up a simple website. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Eyes-Red | How to Make Your Eyes Red | If you want to make your eyes red so it looks like you've been crying or you're ill, hold your eyes open for as long as you can without blinking. You can also gently rub your eyes with your fingers. If you want to make your eyes red and watery, try rubbing a small piece of onion or a dab of peppermint oil beneath your eye. Be sure not to get either substance in your eye, though, as it could be painful. | Peel an onion and rub a small piece below your eye. What cheap, widely-available item can make someone's eyes teary and red in a matter of minutes? It's not a Hallmark card — it's an ordinary onion! Onions produce syn-propanethial-S-oxide, a chemical irritant that causes the eyes to produce tears and turn red. Peeling or chopping and onion normally will usually cause your eyes to water, but you may need prolonged exposure to make your eyes water enough to turn red. Try keeping the center portion or a section of the peel and running it beneath your eyes a few times when your eyes need to appear red. Try to avoid using so-called "sweet" onions (like, for instance, Vidalia onions), as these generally don't produce as much irritation and tearing. For best results, use a strong-flavored white or yellow onion. For a gentler approach, place a few pieces of the onion into a tissue or handkerchief and rub the handkerchief beneath your eyes. The barrier will protect your eye itself from coming into direct contact with the onions, but the irritant should still have an effect as long as the material in the tissue is not too thick. If you're trying to fake the appearance of crying, for an added effect, try rubbing a little inside the bottom of your nostrils to encourage a runny nose. Alternatively, try peppermint oil. One method that's virtually identical to the menthol method above involves products that contain peppermint oil. Simply use the exact same steps — rubbing a small dab below each eye — to produce a very similar effect as the fumes from the oil irritate the eyes. As above, avoid getting the oil into your eyes, as this can cause stinging and prolonged discomfort. Peppermint oil can be found at most high-end grocers, specialty food retailers, and health food stores. However, if you don't already have any, it may be more cost-effective to use menthol or an onion, as peppermint oil is usually more expensive by volume. Resist the urge to blink. If you need red eyes right away , don't worry — you can get them without any sort of special materials at all. Simply hold your eyes open for as long as you can, fighting the urge to blink until it's too painful not to do so. Since frequent blinking is the body's way of keeping the eyeballs well-lubricated, without this, the eyeballs will begin to dry out. When this happens, the eyes should become irritated, puffy, red, and often watery. Note that this can feel quite unpleasant! For added effect, try looking at a light while you hold your eyes open. Do not use a very bright light or the sun, however, as this can cause lasting eye damage and even blindness. Gently rub the area below your eyes. One method for inducing red eyes that's frequently used on TV and in movies is balling the hands into fists and rubbing the area around the eyes. This mild form of physical irritation can cause the same sorts of symptoms that onions and other chemical irritants do — namely, red, watery eyes. If you're attempting this method, be sure to use gentle pressure. Crucial parts of the eye like the iris and cornea can be quite delicate, so don't damage your vision simply to make your eyes red. In addition, be sure to keep your eyes closed and to avoid touching the eye directly. Doing this can transfer bacteria from your hands (which can pick up millions of bacteria from ordinary daily activities) to your eyeball, potentially leading to a painful infection. Spend time at the pool. Chlorine is a great pool-sanitizer, but it's also thought to be an eye irritant, though some sources suggest other chemical culprits. What is clear is that going for a dip in a chlorinate pool without goggles can leave your eyes puffy and inflamed (though the damage is not ordinarily serious or long-lasting.) The effect is increased if you hold your eyes open underwater for an extended length of time. Make sure you do not wear goggles, since the goggles will shield your eyes and prevent the pool from having an effect. Salt water pools also work well for this purpose. However, some eye health resources claim that saltwater is less irritating than chlorine, so the effect may be lessened. Get less sleep. Though this isn't an ideal solution for many (especially people who need to be fully "sharp" and focused for any reason the following day), skipping sleep will usually turn your eyes red and bloodshot in the morning. As long as you do not make a habit of it, missing one full night's sleep will usually not have a dramatic impact on your health. However, missing out on sleep repeatedly is something you'll never want to do, as this can have major consequences for your health, including: reduced cognitive ability, decreased sex drive, depression, and increased risk for serious ailments like stroke and heart disease. Remember never to drive when you're severely tired or groggy. Because sleep deprivation dulls your reflexes and impairs your split-second decision-making ability, it can make you a major danger on the road. One Australian study found that people who have been awake for 24 hours have a level of impairment equal to someone with a blood alcohol concentration of.10 (the legal limit in most countries is generally about.08). Put yourself in a sad or depressed mindset. Learning how to make your eyes red and teary on command for the purpose of "fake crying" can be seriously challenging — even professional actors often struggle with it. Though there's no "right" way to do this, certain psychological tricks can be a major help. One useful strategy is to focus on memories and ideas that make you sad, like a close relative who has passed away, a humiliating event you experienced, or a major worry or fear in your life. As unpleasant as it may feel to experience them, the more dark and depressing your thoughts, the more they can help you get into a crying mindset. Just a few more examples of things you might want to think about are: romantic breakups, recent arguments, troubles at work, times when friends or family betrayed you, people that have drifted out of your life, and times when you've been very fearful for yourself or someone close to you. It can be especially helpful to try to convince yourself that all the people you know "have their lives together" except for you. Try to evoke feelings of hopefulness and despair — think to yourself, "This is it — I'll never be successful and happy." However, be sure not to let yourself wallow in this mindset after you need to fake being sad. The last thing you want to do is to make yourself genuinely depressed. Focus on personal pain. In the words of one New York University acting teacher, an actor trying to fake cry should “particularize the moment or text with something specific and personal to the performer, so that it becomes less about what is demanded of them and more about an inner secret, desire, fear.” In other words, the best way to get yourself sad enough to cry is to lose yourself in thoughts about your deepest, darkest inner fears and demons. Try to mentally convince yourself that the task you need to fake cry for is all about you being judged as a person even if it's not. Be prepared to dig up and confront your worst personal demons. One critically acclaimed actor, Bryan Cranston of Breaking Bad fame, has revealed in interviews how his most intense inner fears have helped him give a convincing performance of someone in a tortured mindset. Speaking of a scene in which his character witnesses the death of a younger female actor's character, Cranston said: "My real daughter's face took her place, so it just hits me... She's just a girl — she could be my daughter." Make yourself angry or frustrated. Red, teary eyes aren't always the result of sadness. Sometimes, these symptoms are brought about by intense feelings of rage or frustration, especially when they're caused by someone close to you. If you're having a hard time crying from purely sad thoughts, try mixing in a healthy dose of anger to get results. For instance, you may want to try to think about a current difficulty in your life that's very frustrating to you, like a relative with self-destructive behavior who won't listen to your advice. Just a few more examples of things you may want to think about are: times when you've been "passed over" for an award or promotion, times when your enemies have succeeded over you, times when you've been treated unfairly by someone with power over you, and times when you've witnessed or experienced social injustices. Use moving media to help you. The motivation to tear up doesn't have to come 100% from within — sometimes, using outside sources can be a huge help. This is a strategy that's often used by actors both to get in the proper mindset for an emotional scene and to help assume the appearance of someone who's experiencing these intense emotions. Movies, books, songs, and other forms of art that inspire deep sadness or frustration can be very effective here — below are just a few ideas to get you started, but there are many, many more. Movies: The Notebook , The Green Mile , The Fault In Our Stars , Titanic , Dumbo , Up , Come and See (Russian film) Books: ' The Kite Runner , The Giver , Wuthering Heights , The Idiot , any of the later Harry Potter installments, any books that the movies above are based on. Songs: Yesterday (Beatles), The Needle and the Damage Done (Neil Young), Brenda's Got a Baby (Tupac Shakur), Bad Religion (Frank Ocean), virtually any Elliott Smith song. Keep your expectations in check. It's important to remember that the strategies in this section may be even harder to get to work than the other tricks in this article, even if you're someone who easily cries when sad. It can be very difficult to make yourself feel sad enough to cry, just like it's difficult to tickle yourself. Even A-list actors often have a hard time "willing" themselves to cry, so be ready and willing to use another method if these psychological strategies don't work for you. Consider using makeup. If you can't make it, fake it! With the right tricks, it's possible to use aesthetic tricks to make your eyes appear red and puffy as if you've just been crying, even if you feel perfectly fine. Because these tricks don't actually irritate your eyes, they're vastly more comfortable than some of the methods listed above. For example, try this makeup strategy to give yourself red eyes: Apply small dots of red eyeliner around the outline of your eye. You can also use a red eye shadow or red lip liner, but make sure that any lip liner you use is mild enough to use near your eyes before applying it. Place the dots along the entire bottom lid. For an even stronger red effect, you can also apply the dots along the upper lid. Smudge the liner over your skin using a cotton swab or makeup smudge stick. In order to make your eyes look red, you will need to cast a somewhat muted red "shadow" around their lids. None of the original lines or dots should be visible, so continue smudging until you can no longer see the original dots. This will take 2-3 minutes. Consider using colored contacts. Another easy way to give your eyes a "reddened" effect is to wear specially-made contacts with a reddish tinge or with veins drawn on them. With these, however, it's important to choose a contact that makes the whites of your eye red, not the iris (the portion that's normally blue, green, or brown.) If you give yourself red irises, you'll look like a vampire or a demon, not someone who's just cried. Some theatrical supply companies make custom-crafted contact lenses for movies and stage productions, so you may want to shop here if you're looking for a high-quality product. However, these aren't likely to come cheap — professional-quality lenses can easily cost over $100. Enhance the effect with a "tear stick. " If you're faking your red eyes for a stage or film production, it can be a good idea to accompany the tricks above with some actual tears to make the effect look more realistic. In this case, you may want to consider buying a "tear stick," which is a tool used by some actors that basically amounts to a stick of semisolid gel or wax containing menthol. The tear stick usually comes in a tube resembling lipstick and is applied by rubbing it beneath the eyes, where the vapors from the menthol stimulate the eyes to produce tears. Note that since the "active ingredient" in a tear stick is menthol, this method works exactly like the menthol suggestion in the section above. Don't use strong irritants like pepper, mace, etc. It's never a good idea to seriously risk the health of your eyes in the name of getting convincing redness. Never put anything in your eyes that's likely to cause serious irritation, including intense chemical irritants like "mace" (pepper spray) and natural substances like hot pepper products. In sufficient quantities, these substances can cause permanent damage and even blindness. Don't irritate the eyeball directly. If you're using a method that involves rubbing the skin around the eyes to induce redness, be sure not to touch the naked eyeball itself. Even if you manage to avoid injuring it, this runs the risk of transferring bacteria from your hands to the eyeball, which can lead to infections (as noted in the section above.) This risk is amplified if you've just touched something with lots of bacteria on it (like a doorknob.) In addition, since your eyeballs are so delicate, touching them directly can sometimes cause physical injuries. Even the smallest scratches can be quite uncomfortable when they're on your eye, while more serious injuries (like an irritated cornea) can require medical attention. Don't consume marijuana specifically for red eyes. We've all heard it before — marijuana use causes comically red eyes. While this is true, it's not a good idea to smoke (or eat) marijuana products as a way of getting your eyes red. If you're creating the red eye effect for acting purposes, the cognitive impairment that can result from a marijuana high can make it difficult to give an appropriate, convincing performance. Additionally, marijuana intoxication is often punishable by law, with punishments ranging from minor to severe depending on the local jurisdiction. | Peel an onion and rub a small piece below your eye. Alternatively, try peppermint oil. Resist the urge to blink. Gently rub the area below your eyes. Spend time at the pool. Get less sleep. Put yourself in a sad or depressed mindset. Focus on personal pain. Make yourself angry or frustrated. Use moving media to help you. Keep your expectations in check. Consider using makeup. Consider using colored contacts. Enhance the effect with a "tear stick. Don't use strong irritants like pepper, mace, etc. Don't irritate the eyeball directly. Don't consume marijuana specifically for red eyes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Prayer-Letter-to-God | How to Write a Prayer Letter to God | If you want to write a prayer letter to God, spend some time meditating to think about what you want your prayer to say. Open your letter by thanking God for the things you have in your life, followed by praise for him. When you reach the purpose of your prayer, focus on one topic at a time, expressing exactly what you want to say to God before you move on to the next subject. Remember, praying is a very personal experience, and there is no one right way to write a prayer letter.` | Decide why you are writing this prayer. What is the purpose of your prayer? Are you asking God to forgive you, to praise him, or to thank him for something? Whatever the reason, knowing your motivation will help you know what to include in your prayer letter. For example, if you are writing your prayer letter to ask God to guide you about a big decision at work, you can focus on that specific request when you have acknowledged that this is your main source of concern. Approach your letter with a sincere heart. Praying is our way of communicating with the Lord. When you talk to God, you need to pray with your heart and your deepest sincerity. If you have ulterior motives or if you are not fully invested in your prayer, then there is little reason to pray in the first place. Manage your expectations. Praying to God doesn't mean that you will automatically receive what you ask for. Sometimes God's plan is bigger than our comprehension and only He can see that what we are asking for isn't really what we need. God always answers our prayers, but sometimes it is just not in the way we expected. Jot down some notes. Think about what you want to say in your prayer letter and quickly take a few notes. This will help you stay on track while you're writing your letter to God. Make a short outline regarding the topics you want to cover in your letter. The act of writing in itself can be very cathartic and cleansing. Keeping your thoughts organized by taking a few notes ahead of time will ensure that you remember to discuss all of the pressing issues in your life. Focus on one thing at a time. When we pray, it can often be easy to lose our train of thought or get sidetracked by some other idea that crosses your mind. When you write a prayer letter to God, you are able to focus on the task at hand and keep your thoughts organized. Think about one prayer item at a time and write about it in your letter. Don't move on to the next topic until you've said what you want to say about each thing. The Bible tells us that we should pray ceaselessly every day. This means that we should always be talking to God throughout the day. But writing a prayer letter is a great way to spend some focused time on one particular issue rather than thinking about all the things that happen in your life. Focus on getting clarity on this one issue instead of trying to resolve too many things at once. Avoid feeling pressured. Praying to God is a very personal experience. In this moment, you are free to converse with your Lord however you want to. You can discuss anything you want in any way that you want. Don't feel pressure to do it a certain way. The important thing is to remember that there isn't one right way to pray to God. This also applies to writing a prayer letter. Begin with gratitude. No matter what is going on in your life, you always have something to be thankful for. Start your prayer letter by acknowledging God for all of the many blessings He has given you in your life. When you are thanking God in your prayer letter, you should start it off as “Dear Lord, I would like to thank you for ____________” and then write down whatever you would like to thank God for. Praise God in your letter. The next step in your prayer letter is to praise God and acknowledge his love. You should tell Him that you love and respect Him. Try writing something such as, “Lord, you are perfect in every way. I will always follow your rules and try to be the best servant to you that I can be.” Tell God your problems. Now is the time to write why you are ultimately praying to God in this letter. Tell him what is troubling you or share your joy with him. Whatever is on your heart, give it to God in this prayer letter. If you are praying to thank God, try writing something like this: “I am thanking you because _________________ and I am grateful, Lord.” If you are praying to ask for forgiveness, write something like this: “I come to you humbled and subservient, asking for your forgiveness. I am a sinner, but you have saved me by your grace and offered me your love even though I am not worthy.” If you are praying for guidance, briefly explain the situation that is troubling you and ask for His help. For example: “I am struggling with the decision about whether or not to take this new job offer. It is a great opportunity for me, but I am worried about how it will affect my family. Please guide me to the right path and let me know what is Your will for my life.” End the letter. Once you have completed your purpose for writing the prayer letter and said everything you wanted to say, it is time to close your prayer. Bring the prayer to an end with a simple “Amen.” You can sign your name at the end of the letter if you want. But it is not necessary since God will know who you are anyways. Send the letter to God. Of course you don't have to do anything with your letter once you are finished writing it. However, if you want to mail your letter to God, you can send it to him in the mail! Address the envelope as “To God, Jerusalem” and it will eventually be delivered to the famous Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, the holy site where Jews from around the world go to in order to pray to God. | Decide why you are writing this prayer. Approach your letter with a sincere heart. Manage your expectations. Jot down some notes. Focus on one thing at a time. Avoid feeling pressured. Begin with gratitude. Praise God in your letter. Tell God your problems. End the letter. Send the letter to God. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Build-Window-Seats | How to Build Window Seats | To build a window seat, first get 2 floating cabinet units to use as the base. Once you have these, prepare the area by removing the baseboards from the wall section. When that's done, create a frame around the front of the window using 2 by 4 or 2 by 6 boards. Fit your cabinets inside this frame and screw them in place. After you've fastened the cabinets, install molding along the bottom of the seat base to hide the frame. If you want to give your seat base a more attractive finish, you can paint it using interior latex primer and then a couple of coats of interior latex paint. To add some final decorative touches, lay down 1 to 2 long cushions to cover the bench and throw on some pillows. | Select a window in an unobstructed area to use as your window seat. Ideally, the window you choose should be recessed, as this will provide a perfect nook for the seat itself. Any window can work, however, as long as there's ample space in front of it. If you go with a non-recessed window, your bench will project outward from the window a couple of feet. Keep this in mind while deciding on a location. Purchase two 15 in (38 cm) floating cabinet units to use as the seat base. Over-the-refrigerator cabinets will work best, as they're shorter and easier to maneuver than full-sized cabinets. For an average-sized window nook around 6 feet (1.8 m) in length, you'll need a pair of cabinets. Consider buying more units if you think you might want to add more storage. Measure your window to the nearest ⁄ 2 in (1.3 cm) and, if possible, shop around for cabinets that will fit this space exactly. Alternatively, you could find an open-faced bookshelf or vertical cabinet and turn it on its side to function as both base and bench. Remove the baseboards from the wall around the window. Wedge the tip of a crowbar or trim puller into the space between the baseboard and the wall. Pull up gently on the handle of the tool to loosen the baseboard. Finish pulling the baseboard free by hand to avoid damaging the drywall. You may also want to remove the molded stools from the bottom of the window if you think they might interfere with your space or clash with the look of your new seat. Arrange 2x4 or 2x6 boards into a frame around the front of the window. Fit the boards together into a rectangular shape the length and depth of the window space you've chosen. This type of frame is known as a “toekick.” When it comes time to assemble your window seat, you'll simply side your cabinets right inside your frame. Use a circular saw to trim your boards to the necessary size. If you want, you can extend your frame enough on either side to make room for additional cabinets or bookshelves for extra storage space. Be sure to measure your cabinets or shelves in advance to guarantee a proper fit. Fasten the toe kick using 3 in (7.6 cm) wood screws. Use 2 screws for each joint where the boards connect to ensure that your frame is secure. Once you've done that, anchor the toe kick to the floor by driving a screw into the floor or wall stud at each corner of the frame. To save yourself some time and work more precisely, use a cordless power drill to drive your screws. When anchoring a toe kick to a concrete floor, you'll need to use a powder-actuated nailer or plastic screws instead of ordinary screws. Fit your cabinets into place beside one another inside the toekick. Assuming you measured correctly, they should slip right inside without difficulty. Take a moment to make sure the units are centered and sitting perfectly flush with both the surrounding walls and one another. Use a level to check the orientation of your cabinets before proceeding. If necessary, fill in any small gaps between the cabinets and the toe kick with wooden spacers cut from leftover boards. Attach the cabinets using two 2.5 in (6.4 cm) drywall screws. Sink the first screw through the edge of the face frame at the top of one unit into the neighboring unit. Drive your next screw in the opposite direction through the face frame at the bottom of the other unit. By sinking your screws in opposite directions, you'll increase the strength of the connection site, which is a good idea since you'll be putting weight on the cabinets. It may help to clamp the face frames of the cabinets together to hold them flush until you're ready to begin drilling. Install side cabinets or shelves and fasten them to the seat cabinets. As an optional step, you can put in 1-2 more floating cabinet units in the same dimensions on one or both sides of your bench. Fit these cabinets into your frame alongside your seat cabinets, then fasten them to their face frames using 2.5 in (6.4 cm) drywall screws. Make sure you've measured and constructed your toe kick to accommodate any other cabinets you want to add on. Install molding along the bottom of the seat base to hide the toekick. Cut your molding to match the dimensions of the frame, then attach it using 1.5 in (3.8 cm) finishing nails. Space your nails 1–2 feet (0.30–0.61 m) apart and fill the holes with wood putty if desired. Consider adding a thinner trim along the contour where your bench meets the wall as well to help the eye transition more easily. Once in place, the trim will cover the toekick and lend some decorative flair to the lower edge of your window seat. Use matching plywood skins to conceal the joints in stacked cabinets. If you opted to incorporate both cabinets and vertical shelves, you may want to cover their outer faces to give them a more seamless appearance. To do this, use a utility knife and straight edge to trim plywood skins so that they'll fit over the entire surface. Glue the skins directly to the cabinet using contact cement. Plywood skins are available at any hardware store or home improvement center. You can also get them from the same company who manufactured your cabinet or shelving units to make sure they're a match. Contact cement dries and holds fast, so you'll need to work quickly and make sure your skin is lined up properly the first time. Paint your completed seat base if desired. Brush the bench top, cabinet doors, and surrounding molding with a coat of interior latex primer, then follow that up with 2-3 coats of interior latex paint. Allow each coat to dry completely before applying subsequent coats. When you're done, your new window seat will be one uniform color. Most water-based interior latex paints dry to the touch within an hour, and can be painted over in 4-6. Use strips of painter's tape to protect any nearby areas you don't paint to get on. You may elect not to apply paint if you picked out cabinets and molding with a natural wood finish. Bring in cushions and pillows to provide the finishing touches. Lay down 1 or 2 long cushions to cover the bench from end to end. Place a few decorative throw pillows on top, along with any other accessories you wish to include. All that's left to do now is sit down, kick your feet up, and enjoy the fruits of your labor! A cozy blanket or quilt can also be a good to have around for both comfort and presentation. If you don't want your bench cushion to slide around, cover it with length of durable fabric and staple the edges to the lip inside the top of the cabinets. | Select a window in an unobstructed area to use as your window seat. Purchase two 15 in (38 cm) floating cabinet units to use as the seat base. Remove the baseboards from the wall around the window. Arrange 2x4 or 2x6 boards into a frame around the front of the window. Fasten the toe kick using 3 in (7.6 cm) wood screws. Fit your cabinets into place beside one another inside the toekick. Attach the cabinets using two 2.5 in (6.4 cm) drywall screws. Install side cabinets or shelves and fasten them to the seat cabinets. Install molding along the bottom of the seat base to hide the toekick. Use matching plywood skins to conceal the joints in stacked cabinets. Paint your completed seat base if desired. Bring in cushions and pillows to provide the finishing touches. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Green | How to Make Green | To make green, combine equal amounts the primary colors of pure blue and pure yellow. For a warmer, lighter hue to the green, add more yellow. Alternatively, add more blue to get a cooler, but deeper green. Then, lighten the green by adding white or make it a darker shade by adding black. | Blend together yellow and blue paint. Pour equal amounts of pure blue and pure yellow into a paint dish or onto a paint palette. Use a palette knife to thoroughly mix the colors together. When mixed, the original colors should produce a pure green. To get a more accurate idea of how this green looks, use a paint brush to apply a small amount to some scrap practice paper. Vary the proportions. Depending on what you want to paint, pure green may not be the best green for your purposes. The simplest way to change the hue will be to add more yellow or more blue. Adding more yellow will create a warmer green, and adding more blue will produce a cooler green. When attempting to change the hue, make small changes until you find the hue you want. Gradually building the correct hue is easier and less wasteful than overcompensating and needing to work back toward the center from the extreme. Experiment with different yellows and blues. Clear room on your palette and try mixing together several different hues of yellow and blue. Doing so should produce different hues of green. Pure yellow and pure blue will create pure green, but if these starting colors have been altered prior to being mixed, the resulting color will also change. For instance, combining golden yellow with a standard blue may result in a more muted, brownish green. On the other hand, mixing standard yellow with a light blue could produce a light green. The best way learn which blues and yellows produce which greens is through experimentation. Pick a few different hues of yellow and blue. Combine equal parts of one yellow and one blue hue, working through each possible combination. Mark down your results for future reference. Try mixing different greens. If you have two hues of green that are close to the color you need but don't quite match it, you can try mixing the two hues together to achieve the desired color. Since all greens contain elements of blue and yellow, mixing them should result in new hues of green. You can also mix green together with different yellows or different blues to change the hue more dramatically. Change the value using black or white. Once you find the right hue, you can alter the value without changing the hue itself using black or white paint. Add white paint to create a lighter tint or black paint to create a darker shade. Regardless of which value you desire, you should add the white or black paint in small amounts. If you add too much, you can easily create a value that is far too light or far too dark. Set up several sample dishes. There's more than one way to create green icing, and there's also more than one hue of green you can create. Experimenting with several options at once will allow you to learn more about the process. You need at least four sample dishes, but the experiment will be more effective if you set up six to twelve dishes. Place 1/4 to 1/2 cup (60 to 125 ml) of white icing in each dish. Keep track of how much icing you use since it has an impact on the amount of food coloring you'll need. Obtain at least four food dye colors: one green, one yellow, one blue, and one black. You can also get other hues of green, yellow, or blue to experiment with. Paste, powder, and gel food dyes are designed for coloring frosting, so work with these types of dyes when possible since they should not alter the consistency of the frosting. Liquid dyes only work when you need very light tints; otherwise, the amount of liquid food coloring you'll need to create a vibrant hue will change the consistency of the frosting. Add green food dye to one dish. Dip a toothpick into the green food coloring, then dunk the same toothpick into one dish of white frosting to transfer the dye. Mix until evenly blended. To get an accurate idea of the color you've created, you'll need to continue mixing until you can no longer see any remaining green streaks in the frosting. The type of green dye you use will affect the color of the icing. For instance, using "moss green" dye will create a warmer color than "kelly green" dye or "leaf green" dye. The amount of food coloring will affect the shade. Since the icing is white, using small amounts of green dye will produce very light, pastel greens. More dye will create more vibrant values. Mix equal parts of blue and yellow in another dish. Use separate, clean toothpicks to transfer equal parts of blue food dye and yellow food dye to the second dish of white icing. Mix until evenly combined. After mixing the blue and yellow food coloring, you should produce green frosting. The exact hue will vary based on the hues of yellow and blue you start with. Similarly, the value will vary based on how much food coloring you use. Combine green and black in another dish. Create a third dish of green icing by mixing in green dye or equal amounts of blue and yellow dyes, following the same procedure used for the other samples. Add a very small amount of black to this third sample. After thoroughly mixing in the black food coloring, you should see a darker shade of the original green. The actual hue should remain the same, though. Since black can have a dramatic impact on the appearance of the color, you should only work with very small amounts of it. Experiment with other combinations. Use the remaining samples of white icing to experiment with different combinations. Record the dye hues and amounts used in each sample for later reference. Use guidelines from the dye manufacturer to create different hues or experiment on your own. Some ideas include: Mix equal parts sky blue and leaf green to create an aqua color. Create chartreuse using nine parts lemon yellow and one part leaf green. Combine equal parts leaf green and royal blue, then add a touch of black. This should create a deep jade color. Mix various amounts of lemon yellow and sky blue to produce a teal or turquoise color. Gather several samples of clay. At minimum, you should have two blue clays, two yellow clays, one white clay, one transparent clay, and one black clay. One blue should be slightly warm (with a hint of green) while the other should be slightly cool (with a hint of purple). Similarly, one yellow should be slightly warm (with a hint of orange) and the other should be slightly cool (with a hint of green). You can use more variations of blue and yellow clay, but starting with two each should provide you with a fairly accurate understanding of how to make your desired hue of green. Combine one blue clay with one yellow clay. Pinch off equal amounts of the warm blue and the cool yellow. Smash the two pieces together and knead the resulting ball until evenly blended. Roll, stretch, and knead the ball continuously to blend the colors. When finished, you should no longer see any streaks of blue or yellow in the sample. The finished color should be a relatively bright green since both the blue and yellow already leaned toward the color green. Work through the remaining combinations. Combine equal portions of the blue and yellow clays, following the same procedure used to create the first sample of green. Continue until you've worked through all possible combinations. The warm yellow and cool blue should create a dull green with hints of brown in it. The warm yellow and warm blue should create a medium-tone, warm green with strong yellow undertones. The cool yellow and cool blue should create a medium-tone, cool green with strong blue undertones. Add white to one sample. Pick your favorite green hue and duplicate the sample as before. After mixing the green, mix in a small pinch of white. Blend the white into the green until no streaks remain. The color should look less bright and should also gain a lighter tint. The more white you add, the lighter the tint will be. Add translucent clay to another sample. Duplicate the same green used in the previous sample, but do not add any white to it. Instead, mix in a small amount of translucent clay. Once blended, the translucent clay should make the green appear much less bright without changing the value or hue of the resulting sample. If you use more translucent clay than green, however, you'll end up with a semi-transparent wash of green instead of an opaque color. Add black to a final sample. Create the same green used as the base in your white and translucent experiments. This time, thoroughly mix a very small pinch of black into the green. After blending the black into the green, the sample should develop a darker shade while remaining the same hue. In most cases, it won't take much black to dramatically darken the green, so you should only work in very small amounts. Mix yellow and blue. Green is a secondary color. To create it, you'll need to combine equal parts of blue and yellow, both of which are primary colors. "Primary" colors exist on their own and cannot be created by mixing other colors. The three primary colors are red, blue, and yellow, but you only need blue and yellow to create green. "Secondary" colors are colors obtained through the mixture of two primary colors. Green is a secondary color because it's made from blue and yellow. The other two secondary colors are orange and violet. Vary the proportions to change the hue. Pure green is a mixture of pure yellow and pure blue, but if you add more blue or more yellow, you'll create a different slightly different hue of green. The two most basic variations are "blue green" and "yellow green," which are also referred to as "tertiary" colors since they fall between secondary and primary colors on the color wheel. Blue green is made with two parts blue and one part yellow. You could also create it by mixing equal parts of green and blue. Yellow green is made with two parts yellow and one part blue. You could also create it by mixing equal parts of green and yellow. Change the value with black or white. If you want to lighten green without changing its hue, you'll need to add white. If you want to darken green, you need to add black. Light shades are referred to as "tints" and dark shades are called "shades." | Blend together yellow and blue paint. Vary the proportions. Experiment with different yellows and blues. Try mixing different greens. Change the value using black or white. Set up several sample dishes. Add green food dye to one dish. Mix equal parts of blue and yellow in another dish. Combine green and black in another dish. Experiment with other combinations. Gather several samples of clay. Combine one blue clay with one yellow clay. Work through the remaining combinations. Add white to one sample. Add translucent clay to another sample. Add black to a final sample. Mix yellow and blue. Vary the proportions to change the hue. Change the value with black or white. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-the-D-Chord-for-Guitar | How to Play the D Chord for Guitar | To play the D chord on a guitar, place your index finger on the third string from the bottom in the second fret. Place your ring finger in the third fret on the second string, so your index and ring fingers should be diagonal to each other. Place your middle finger in the second fret on the first string. Your fingers should make a triangle shape across the bottom 3 strings. Strum all of the strings except the top 2, the A and low E, to play the chord. | Start on the 2nd fret of the guitar. An open D chord is bright, high-pitched, and expansive. It is one of the most commonly used chords, and works well with other common open chords like E, A, and G. Remember that frets count from the head down. If you're right-handed, the first fret is all the way to your left. Place your index finger on the 2nd fret, 3rd string. Remember that the strings count from the bottom up, so the thinnest string is the 1st and the thickest is the 6th. Place you index finger down on the 2nd fret, 3rd string. Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret, 2nd string. Your two fingers will be diagonal to each other. Put your middle finger on the 2rd fret of the 1st string. When you're done, you should have a triangle shape across the bottom three strings. This is your finished D chord! Strum every string except A and low E strings. Ignore the top two thickest strings on the guitar -- they are not used for the chord and will muck up the sound. Know that you can move this shape up and down the neck to make other chords. This simply three-fingered shape can be slide up and down the bottom three strings to make more chords. Practice playing moving up and down the neck, searching out other chords. Note: Your ring finger determines the root of the chord. If it is on a B, then the chord is a B. Go to the fifth fret of the guitar. This is a slightly "thicker," higher-pitched D chord. It is also much easier to get to when you're further down the neck, and easily transitions into other barre chords. If you already know it, this is simply an A-major barre chord located on the 5th fret, 5th string. This note is a D. Bar the 5th fret with your index finger, getting all but the top string. Barre from the 1st to the 5th string with your index finger. Strum once to ensure that all of the strings are properly pressed down. Use your ring finger to barre the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th strings at the 7th fret. You can also place your pinkie on the 2nd string, seventh fret, your ring finger on the 3rd string, 7th fret and your middle finger on the 4th string, 7th fret. Most people find it easier to just barre the string, but you will get a cleaner sound with individual fingers. If you slid the entire thing up the neck, using open strings instead of a barred index finger, you'd have an open A chord. Leave the bottom string barred, or simply don't play it. The top and bottom strings are the least essential for your chord. If you can strum just the middle four strings, you'll have a better-sounding chord, but you can also strum the high-e string for a little more noise. Do not strum the top string. Slide all the way down to the 10th fret. This is a very high and bright sounding D-chord, and isn't used too often unless you're playing all of your chords that far down the neck. Still, knowing how to form this chord is a lot of fun, and can give your songs a breath of fresh air when thrown in for a normal D. This chord is melodically identical to those before it, just at a different "octave." Barre the entire 10th fret with your index finger. This is simply an E-form barre chord, meaning you form an E-major chord with your pinky, ring, and middle finger, then barre two frets up with the index. The result is the same shape as a normal E chord, just with barred notes instead of open notes. Place your ring finger on the 12th fret, 5th string. This note is an A. The first note, the one on the 10th fret, 6th string, is a D. Place your pinky on the 12th fret, 4th string. This is another D. Place your middle finger on the 11th fret, 3rd string. This note is an F#, and is needed for a full D chord. Leave the other strings barred, then strum all six at once. This chord uses every single string on the guitar, though you can stick just to the top ones for a thicker, slightly deeper chord. | Start on the 2nd fret of the guitar. Place your index finger on the 2nd fret, 3rd string. Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret, 2nd string. Put your middle finger on the 2rd fret of the 1st string. Strum every string except A and low E strings. Know that you can move this shape up and down the neck to make other chords. Go to the fifth fret of the guitar. Bar the 5th fret with your index finger, getting all but the top string. Use your ring finger to barre the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th strings at the 7th fret. Leave the bottom string barred, or simply don't play it. Slide all the way down to the 10th fret. Barre the entire 10th fret with your index finger. Place your ring finger on the 12th fret, 5th string. Place your pinky on the 12th fret, 4th string. Place your middle finger on the 11th fret, 3rd string. Leave the other strings barred, then strum all six at once. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Emperor-Scorpions | How to Care for Emperor Scorpions | To care for emperor scorpions, start by setting them up in a 15-20 gallon terrarium or fish tank with a lid that latches shut to keep the scorpions from getting out. Make sure to install a heat mat under the tank, since scorpions can't generate their own heat. Then, feed your scorpions 2-3 live insects, like crickets, locusts, or mealworms, at least twice a week, and provide them with fresh water every day. Try to refrain from handling your scorpions, or use tongs to pick them up if necessary, to avoid being pinched or stung. | House your scorpion in a terrarium or a fish tank. The tank can be made of either glass or plastic, but needs to be sturdy and well-ventilated, and should have a secure lid that latches shut. Emperor scorpions are strong and can lift a lid if it's not secured. The tank should not be smaller than 10 gallons. If you plan to ever have two or three Emperor scorpions in the same tank, opt for a tank that's 15 or 20 gallons. You should be able to purchase a tank at any local pet store. You can also order glass or plastic terrariums online at pet-specific retail sites, or large retailers such as Amazon. Install a heat mat beneath the scorpion’s tank. Scorpions do not generate their own heat, and so need to be kept warm by their environment. You can provide heat for your scorpion by installing a heat mat under the tank. This mat will regulate the enclosure's temperature and keep the scorpion from becoming too cold. Emperor scorpions need a day time temperature of around 29ºC/85ºF and a night time low of 23ºC/75ºF. If you live in a cold environment, you may choose to hang a thermometer in the tank to measure the temperature. Cover the floor with 3-5 inches of substrate. Substrate gives the scorpion a loose ground layer to burrow in, and preserves relatively high humidity in the tank. Cover the floor with a thick layer of substrate, common materials for which include sterilized potting soil, cocoa fiber, peat, peat/vermiculite, or cork bark. The substrate should be kept moist by daily spraying with a water bottle. Spray the substrate until it is slightly damp, not wet or saturated. Moss can also be added to the substrate, as it will retain moisture and humidity. Don't cover all of the substrate with moss, however, as it will impede the scorpion from digging down into the substrate. Provide obstacles in the terrarium. Scorpions like to engage and interact with their environment, so provide objects like bark and rocks for your scorpion to climb, burrow, and hide beneath. Suitable shelters include cork bark, a partial log, driftwood, or a flower pot. Having these objects in the cage will also make the scorpion a more enjoyable pet for you, as you can watch it interact with its environment. Emperor scorpions love to climb, so you can place some short branches in the terrarium to stimulate interest. Do not place bright or warm lights around the cage. Since scorpions are nocturnal animals, they don't like bright lights. Keep the tank out of direct sunlight and away from radiators and other sources of heat. This species is especially vulnerable to UV light, and too much exposure will stress the scorpion, which in severe cases will lead to its death. If you'd like the cage to be well lit so that you can see your pet scorpion, place the enclosure near a window or near a fluorescent light. Clean your scorpion’s enclosure regularly. Scorpions don't make much mess, but any food remains should be removed daily. Change the substrate and clean and disinfect the tank every 3 or 4 months using an arachnid-friendly disinfectant. Once your scorpion molts, you'll also need to remove the shed skin. Prepare an insect-based diet for your scorpion. Just as they would in the wild, captive Emperor scorpions need to eat live insects. Feed your scorpion live crickets, locusts, and mealworms. The insects themselves should be fed beforehand with a nutrient rich mixture available from pet shops (this is known as “gut-loading”). You can purchase gut-loaded crickets and mealworms at any local pet shop that sells arachnids and reptiles. Gut-loaded insects are also available online at any major pet retail site. If you're caring for a baby or juvenile Emperor scorpion, feed it small insects, including pinhead crickets. Feed your scorpion at least twice a week. Scorpions do not need to eat every day, but should be fed somewhat frequently. If you scorpion is very hungry during its weekly feeding, you can start feeding it every few days. On the other hand, if you're feeding it every three days and it often eats only a single cricket, you can feed it less frequently Adult scorpions molt once or twice a year and don't eat before and after molting. Don't be alarmed if you notice this behavior. Feed your scorpion two to three insects per feeding. Don't overwhelm your scorpion by throwing a handful of live crickets or mealworms into its enclosure. Instead, place 2 or 3 insects on the substrate near the scorpion, and let it eat them at its leisure. Scorpions can be temperamental eaters, and sometimes may refuse food altogether. It's okay if you leave uneaten crickets in the cage with the scorpion. Keeping live crickets in the tank will never hurt your scorpions. Provide your scorpion with water. Scorpions drink a lot of water, so make sure it is available every day. It's best to provide water in a shallow, sturdy dish that the scorpion can't knock over. The Emperor scorpion may want to crawl in the water dish to help it cool down. Give your scorpion fresh water daily, and wash the water dish every week or two. Do not soak cotton wool in bottled water and place it in a small dish for your scorpion to drink from. This can be very harmful for your scorpion, and may even result in its death. Avoid handling your scorpion. Although Emperor scorpions are generally docile, they can still sting or pinch. The pinch will hurt, since Emperor scorpions have large and powerful claws. Emperor scorpion's stings can feel similar to a bee's or a hornet's sting: its poison is mild, but the sting will hurt. It's very unlikely that you'll be allergic to the scorpion's venom, although venom allergies do exist. If you notice swelling or experience substantial pain after a sting, consult your doctor. Move your scorpion by coaxing it into a plastic container. If you need to move the scorpion for any reason, avoid using your hands to pick up and move the pet. Instead, coax it into a ventilated box—such as a clean plastic margarine container—that can be closed easily once the scorpion enters it. Ensure that the container has holes poked in the lid and sides for air ventilation. Alternately, you can pick the scorpion up using a pair of tongs or forceps. Do this gently, so that you don't accidentally crush its shell. Keep multiple Emperor scorpions in separate tanks. Emperor scorpions are not social animals; they prefer to live alone rather than living in groups. Scorpions may eat one another if housed together. It's also not uncommon for multiple scorpions to fight over the same piece of food or insect if they're housed in the same enclosure. (However, keeping an adequate amount of food in their tank should prevent that from happening. ) Emperor scorpions can be housed together, but they enjoy their personal space and merely tolerate each other. If you feel that you need multiple scorpions, make sure there are plenty of hiding places, as the animals may become territorial. Allow your scorpion to move freely around its enclosure. Scorpions will get any exercise they need from within their enclosure. If your scorpion appears to not be exercising, or is moving around too much, contact your local vet or the animal store from where you obtained your scorpion. Don't be alarmed if your scorpion hides or remains motionless for most of the day. Emperor scorpions are nocturnal and will emerge and move around at night. Take your scorpion to the vet for any health concerns. Emperor scorpions are generally healthy pets, and should have few health concerns if kept in the right conditions. The most common health problems relate to the terrarium's and scorpion's temperature. If the scorpion is overheated, it will become very active, may appear to sting itself, and finally roll over on its back. If the animal is too cold, it will burrow into the substrate lining the bottom of the enclosure. The animal also may not eat. | House your scorpion in a terrarium or a fish tank. Install a heat mat beneath the scorpion’s tank. Cover the floor with 3-5 inches of substrate. Provide obstacles in the terrarium. Do not place bright or warm lights around the cage. Clean your scorpion’s enclosure regularly. Prepare an insect-based diet for your scorpion. Feed your scorpion at least twice a week. Feed your scorpion two to three insects per feeding. Provide your scorpion with water. Avoid handling your scorpion. Move your scorpion by coaxing it into a plastic container. Keep multiple Emperor scorpions in separate tanks. Allow your scorpion to move freely around its enclosure. Take your scorpion to the vet for any health concerns. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Maintain-a-Spray-Tan | How to Maintain a Spray Tan | To maintain a spray tan, make sure that you use lukewarm water and a soap without a lot of additives for your first shower after tanning. Then, use moisturizers that contain cocoa butter or coconut oil, since they help extend your tan. Additionally, apply baby powder anywhere you tend to get sweaty, like your armpits or cleavage, because sweat can make your tan fade. You should also wear water-based sunscreen when you're outdoors and avoid chlorinated pools to keep your tan from fading as long as possible. | Exfoliate your skin every day for the three days before your spray tan is applied. Imagine your skin is like a wall in your home and a spray tan is like a can of paint. Sure, you can apply the paint directly to the wall without any preparation, but it might not look very good. Instead, taking the time to prepare the wall for paint (e.g. filling holes, sanding rough spots, using primer, etc.) will ensure the new layer of paint you apply will look its best. You want to do the exact same type of preparation to your skin before applying a spray tan in order to help it look great and last as long as possible. Use a body scrub and washcloth to exfoliate your skin in the shower every day for at least 3 days before your spray tan is applied. Complete any waxing you need at least 24 hours before your spray tan is applied. Arrive at your spray tan appointment with clean skin. Ideally, you should shower and exfoliate about 8 hours before your spray tan appointment. If needed, you can apply a light body moisturizer after your shower, but don't use anything heavy or thick the day of your appointment. By showering and exfoliating 8 hours before your appointment, you're allowing your skin to reach the best pH level for taking a spray tan. Be careful what clothes and shoes you wear to your spray tan appointment. The clothes and shoes you put on immediately following your appointment can cause all sorts of problems with your tan if you're not careful. You'll want to avoid anything with straps (including a bra) so as not to create lines in your tan. Light cotton clothing that is loose fitting and without straps is your best option for wearing home from your appointment. Sandals are also the best footwear option, but be careful that the straps on your sandals don't cause lines in the tan on your feet. If you do get strap lines on your feet, you can exfoliate the skin on your feet until the various coloured areas blend together. Avoid deodorant, foundation, and lotion. The day of your spray tan appointment you may want to avoid using products such as deodorant, foundation, and thick or heavy lotions. If you have no choice but to wear these items that day, make sure the technician at the spray tan clinic provides you with wipes to remove them before the spray tan is applied. These products form a layer on top of your skin that the spray tan product won't be able to penetrate. That means when you wash these products off, the skin where they use to be will be lighter than the surrounding skin. Wearing eye makeup to your appointment should be okay, and won't need to be removed before the spray tan is applied. Wear the paper underwear you're given for a few hours after your appointment. Yes, the paper underwear isn't fun, but wearing them is worth the effort if you want your tan to look great. Putting on regular underwear may cause lines to form where the elastics touch your skin. The purpose of a spray tan is not to have any lines, so this completely defeats the purpose! Ask the technician what you need to do immediately after the tan is applied. Not every spray tan product is the same. Some require more time than others to set. It's important to ask the technician who applied the spray tan what specific instructions you need to follow for the specific tan you had applied. Once you know what your instructions are, make sure you following them precisely. If you need to time something, set a reminder alarm on your phone so you don't forget. Shower properly after your spray tan is applied. Depending on the spray tan product you had applied, you may need to shower within a few hours of your appointment, or you may need to wait until the next day. Either way, your first shower after your spray tan is applied should be lukewarm, not hot. You'll also want to use really light and natural products on your skin to help prolong the tan as long as possible. Use the most basic type of soap you have to wash your skin during this first shower. Avoid any soap products that have a lot of added items (like moisturizers) as they'll leave residue on your skin. Moisturize after your shower with a light water-based moisturizer. As with the soap, don't use a moisturizer with added oils or other products. Use baby powder to help reduce sweat immediately after you get a spray tan applied. The last thing you want to do is spend money on a good spray tan and then get really sweaty immediately after and watch the tan disappear. One good way to help control sweat after you've had a spray tan applied is to use baby powder. The baby powder will not only help reduce the sweat, it'll help keep the spray tan product in place. Ideally you should apply the baby powder to your cleavage, underarms, knees, and the back of your legs to reduce immediate fading due to sweat. Shower in cool or cold water when possible. The cooler the water in your shower, the better. Your spray tan will not only last longer with cooler water, it'll prevent your spray tan from being uneven. It is also a good idea to have short showers rather than baths while you have a spray tan. When drying off after a shower, use a blotting motion with your towel rather than a rubbing motion. Exfoliate specific parts of your skin every couple of days. Some parts of your body will naturally shed skin faster than other parts, specifically areas that rub against skin or clothing. As these areas shed skin faster, your spray tan will also fade faster. Exfoliate these areas gently every couple of days in order to balance the colour out and make the tan look more even. Use only gentle products and tools to exfoliate your skin. A washcloth or a gentle body scrub will both work well. Moisturize your skin with a produce that won't fade your tan. Unfortunately not all moisturizers will help keep your tan glowing. You do need to make sure to use the right type of moisturizer in order to prolong your spray tan as long as possible. Good options are cocoa butter, aloe vera body butter, or coconut oil. You'll want to avoid products that contain citrus extracts. At the very least you should moisturize your whole body after you shower or bathe every day. You can also moisturize your skin before you go to bed. Continue to use sunscreen when outside. Even though you have a spray tan on your skin, you still need to protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. This means you still need to apply sunscreen to every piece of exposed skin while you're outside, including your face. In order to protect your spray tan, however, use water-based sunscreen lotions rather than oil-based. Wait to shave or get a wax until just before your next tanning session. The act of rubbing against your skin with a shaver, or pulling at your skin with a wax, will make your spray tan fade faster. Since most spray tans only last up to 10 days, try to avoid shaving or waxing until the last couple of days in the 10 day period. But make sure to shave or get a wax at least 24 hours before a new spray tan session. Detox your spray tan at least once a month. When you have a spray tan, you want to avoid putting newer and newer layers of the tan product on top of older layers. Not only can this make your tan look very uneven, it isn't good for your skin. Instead, you should do a complete spray tan detox at least once a month to remove as much of the previous layer of product as possible before getting a new tan applied. Mix baby oil with a small amount of lemon juice and apply the mixture to your whole body. Sit with the mixture on your skin for about 10 minutes and then have a shower. While in the shower, use a body scrub to remove the mixture and the outer layers of dead skin cells. This mixture helps make your skin more pliable, which in turn will help you remove more of the outer layer and the old tan. Apply a self tanner in-between spray tans. Because different parts of your tan are going to fade faster than others, it's beneficial to use a self tanning product at home in-between spray tan applications. One place this will be particularly important is your face, as the tan on your face is likely to fade approximately 3 days after you get the tan applied. Another good spot to use a self tanner is on your legs. If you suffer from acne on your face, you'll want to make sure the self tanning product you buy is non-comedogenic. This type of product won't clog your pores and cause more acne. You'll likely want to use a lighter coloured product in-between spray tans, so you don't cause the tan to look uneven. Avoid chlorinated water if possible. Summer is a typical time for lots of swimming. Unfortunately the chlorine in a pool will cause your spray tan to fade faster. Ideally, try to avoid chlorinated pools as much as possible, especially within the first week or so after you've had your spray tan applied. If you're near the end of a spray tan period (and going to get a new one in a few days), swimming in chlorinated water will actually help you remove more dead skin and old tan before your new tan is applied. | Exfoliate your skin every day for the three days before your spray tan is applied. Arrive at your spray tan appointment with clean skin. Be careful what clothes and shoes you wear to your spray tan appointment. Avoid deodorant, foundation, and lotion. Wear the paper underwear you're given for a few hours after your appointment. Ask the technician what you need to do immediately after the tan is applied. Shower properly after your spray tan is applied. Use baby powder to help reduce sweat immediately after you get a spray tan applied. Shower in cool or cold water when possible. Exfoliate specific parts of your skin every couple of days. Moisturize your skin with a produce that won't fade your tan. Continue to use sunscreen when outside. Wait to shave or get a wax until just before your next tanning session. Detox your spray tan at least once a month. Apply a self tanner in-between spray tans. Avoid chlorinated water if possible. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Butterfly-Wings | How to Make Butterfly Wings | To make butterfly wings, bend 2 wire coat hangers into the shape of butterfly wings and pull each of the hooks in to make a loop on each hanger. Next, stretch the legs of a pair of stockings or pantyhose over each hanger and tie the ends of the stockings into a knot. Once you've done that, connect the metal loops in in between the wings with heavy-duty tape. Finally, decorate the wings with paint before attaching elastic so you can wear them around your shoulders. | Draw the outline of butterfly wings onto a large piece of cardstock. Try to make your wing as symmetrical as possible, as this helps them to look realistic. Draw the wings as little or as big as you like! If you don't feel very confident drawing butterfly wings, search online for a template and then print it out. If you prefer, you can use paper instead of cardstock. These wings aren't as sturdy but they look very similar. The amount of cardstock that you will need will depend on what sized wings you want. However, a 1 metre (39 in) square will most likely be more than enough. Use a craft knife to cut out the butterfly wings. Place the cardstock onto a cutting board and carefully cut out the butterfly wings with a craft knife. Try to cut just inside the lines, as this means that you won't see the pen marks on the butterfly wings. Ask a parent to help you to cut out the butterfly wings, as craft knives can be dangerous. Cut four 1 centimetre (0.39 in) holes into the middle of the butterfly wings. Use a craft knife to cut 2 holes side-by-side, approximately 2 centimetres (0.79 in) apart. Then cut 2 more holes 2 centimetres (0.79 in) underneath. These holes allow you to attach the straps to the butterfly wings. It doesn't matter if the holes aren't perfectly in the middle of the butterfly, just use your best judgement. Paint the front of the butterfly wings, if desired. Place the butterfly wings onto scrap paper to protect your work surface from paint. Paint the butterfly wings a solid colour or give it stripes or spots. Be creative and use your imagination! Water-based paints are a great option as they can easily be washed out of clothes; however, oil paints and acrylic paints will also work. Wait 2 hours for the paint to dry and then paint the other side. Place your painting in a safe, dry spot away from animals or children. Once it is dry, turn it over and paint the other side so that the back-facing side of the wings doesn't look bare when you wear them. If you want to add extra decoration to your butterfly wings, stick on sequins, glitter, tissue paper, stickers, or beads. If the paint is still wet after 2 hours, allow it to dry for another hour or until it feels dry to touch. Thread the tips of a 2 m (79 in) rope through the 2 top holes. Thread the rope through the side of the wings that you painted first (the side that will face outward from your back). Pull the rope so that it is even on both sides. This creates a loop through the forward-facing side of the butterfly wings. If the rope won't fit through the holes, burn the ends of the rope to make the tips pointier. Ask an adult to help you with this. This rope creates straps that allow the wings to be easily worn. Push the tips back to the forward-facing side through the bottom holes. This helps to create straps that look similar to those on a backpack. Push the right end of the rope through the bottom right hole and the left end of the rope through the bottom left hole. Tuck the tips of the rope under the top loop of rope. This helps to secure the rope in place and makes your butterfly look like it has antennas. If the rope is too long, simply cut it to your desired length with a pair of scissors. The pressure of the holes against the rope will likely keep the rope in place; however, if the straps come undone, try tying the ends of the rope into a double knot. Bend 2 wire hangers into the shape of butterfly wings. Leave the hook portion of the hanger intact and then use your fingers to push and pull the rest of the wire into the shape of a wing. Try to make the 2 wings as similar as possible, as this helps them to look more realistic. If you are having trouble bending the wire, use a pair of pliers to help you. Pull each of the hooks into a circle shape. This helps to stop the wire from poking out and hurting the person wearing the wings. If there is enough wire, wrap it around the base of the hook to secure it in place. If you are struggling to bend the wire, use pliers to help shape it. Push each wing into the leg of a stocking. Push the wings into the stockings very slowly to help prevent them ripped. If the stocking gets stuck on a bump in the wire, simply pull the stocking up and over the bump to stop it from getting torn. Keep pushing until the entire wing is inside the stocking. In some countries, stockings are called pantyhose. Knot each end of the stocking close to the hanger. Tie a knot in 1 end of the stocking and then pull the stocking tight and knot the other end as close to the hanger as you can. This pulls the stockings taut over the wire and makes them look like wings. Trim off any excess stocking with a pair of scissors. Repeat this process on both wings. Wrap the hooks of the wings together to form the middle of the wings. Place 1 hook on top of the other. Then, completely cover the wire with heavy-duty sticky tape. This helps to prevent the wire on the hooks from digging into your back when you wear the wings. Place elastic loops over each wing. Knot 2 lengths of 50 centimetres (20 in) elastic to form an elastic loop. Stretch each loop of elastic over the wings of the butterfly so that they sit in the middle section of the butterfly. These elastic loops act as armbands for the wings. Put the elastic loops on the same way that you would put on backpack straps. It doesn't matter where exactly the elastic loops sit, as the extruding wings will keep them in the middle of the butterfly. Paint the butterfly wings, if desired. This is a great way to make your butterfly wings look unique. Consider painting stripes, dots, or patterns on your wings to make them stand out. Leave the wings to dry for about 2 hours before wearing them. Paint your wings orange and black to make them look like a Monarch butterfly. Fabric paint works best for this method; however, water-based paints and acrylic paints will also work. | Draw the outline of butterfly wings onto a large piece of cardstock. Use a craft knife to cut out the butterfly wings. Cut four 1 centimetre (0.39 in) holes into the middle of the butterfly wings. Paint the front of the butterfly wings, if desired. Wait 2 hours for the paint to dry and then paint the other side. Thread the tips of a 2 m (79 in) rope through the 2 top holes. Push the tips back to the forward-facing side through the bottom holes. Tuck the tips of the rope under the top loop of rope. Bend 2 wire hangers into the shape of butterfly wings. Pull each of the hooks into a circle shape. Push each wing into the leg of a stocking. Knot each end of the stocking close to the hanger. Wrap the hooks of the wings together to form the middle of the wings. Place elastic loops over each wing. Paint the butterfly wings, if desired. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Feed-Your-Shih-Tzu | How to Feed Your Shih Tzu | To feed your Shih Tzu, try to find food with whole meat ingredients, such as chicken, beef, or fish, which are higher quality protein sources. You should also look for food with 15 to 25 percent protein, or 20 to 25 percent protein for puppies, since this will provide your Shih Tzu with the energy and nutrients it needs. Once you've found a healthy dog food for your Shih Tzu, try to feed it once every morning and once every evening. Also, try to avoid leaving food out between meal times, since this can encourage overeating. | Determine your Shih Tzu’s weight. It's always best to have your veterinarian or groomer weigh the dog, since they have scales specifically created for this task. However, you can weigh your Shih Tzu at home with a method that is only slightly less accurate. Start by standing on a scale while holding your dog. Then, put the dog down, and weigh yourself again. The difference in these two weights should be your dog's weight. Feed your Shih Tzu the appropriate amount of food. This breed is prone to obesity, so it's especially important to count calories. On average, older Shih Tzus and puppies need about 280 calories a day, adults need about 340 calories, and very active dogs need about 540 calories. You should be able to find the calorie information on the pet food bag. In most cases, this information is found either as part of the nutritional information or within the feeding guide. If you cannot find caloric information on the packaging, you may want to reconsider your choice of pet food, or contact the supplier directly. A good equation to determine how much to feed your specific Shih Tzu is 35 times each pound of body weight equals the total number of daily calories. For example, a 9-pound Shih Tzu would need to consume 315 calories a day: 9 X 35 = 315. Older dogs and puppies need to consume about 30 calories per pound of body weight. The same 9-pound Shih Tzu from the sample above would need 270 calories a day as a puppy and in their old age: 9 X 30 = 270. Use these calculations as a good starting point or guideline, but they may not be quite right for your dog. Each week feel for your dog's ribs — they should be easy to feel without applying pressure, but they also shouldn't be jutting out of their fur. If you can't find the ribs, then cut the amount of food by 10%. Dogs are considered senior after the age of seven, and should be considered puppies until they are one year old. Give your Shih Tzu food in the morning and evening. Some Shih Tzus will thrive with one large meal, but typically, splitting their daily calorie allotment between a morning and evening meal is preferred. This keeps your pup's belly full and minimizes the amount of blood sugar peaks and valleys, offering more consistent energy levels. Until three months old, you can let puppies free feed. Provide them food equivalent to 30 calories per pound of weight, and let them graze throughout the day, unless they show signs of gorging. If your pup eats all of the food at once and is sick, you may need to split their meals up. Between three months and one year old, feed your Shih Tzu three times each day. After the pup reaches one year of age, you can begin feeding them one or two meals a day. Avoid leaving large amounts of food out for your pet. This is called free feeding, and after your Shih Tzu reaches three months of age, this may encourage overeating. As a breed, Shih Tzus are prone to being overweight, so it's especially important to avoid overfeeding. Instead, portion out their food to split calories into two smaller meals spaced throughout the meal. Adjust the feeding schedule for older or less active Shih Tzus. Once your pup reaches the age of seven it's considered a senior. At this age, you'll need to reduce their caloric intake. As they age, some dogs will not be able to eat very much at one time. Monitor their food consumption, and if you notice they just eat a few bites within 20 or 45 minutes, you can probably revert to free feeding. If you have a less active dog, you will need to reduce intake to 30 calories per pound, but you should continue to feed them at regular intervals to avoid weight gain. Determine the nutrients necessary for optimal health. Your pup needs to consume a variety of foods to achieve the optimal levels of health and vitality. The American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFO) sets appropriate nutritional minimums and maximums for each necessary nutrient, but basically, you should ensure your pet has appropriate levels of protein, fatty acids, and vitamins and minerals. Fatty acids are essential to ensure your dog has adequate energy. These can be derived from animal products; oils like cod liver, fish, and olive oil; and from seeds and nuts. Carbohydrates provide an easily burned energy source for your pup, and should comprise a significant portion of your dog's daily intake, especially if you have a very active Shih Tzu. Vitamins and minerals are necessary in very small quantities, but you should make sure your Shih Tzu is receiving adequate levels of vitamins K and B, folic acid, and choline. Talk to your veterinarian to ensure you are including adequate sources of these vitamins or to get supplements to make up the difference. Prepare and freeze homemade dog food to preserve it. There are numerous recipes available online free of charge as well as pet cookbooks and other resources available to help you make healthy foods for your Shih Tzu. Regardless of what recipe you choose, you may want to consider making large batches of one or two recipes and storing them in the freezer to extend the shelf life. Prepare a month or more worth of food with two recipes at a time, and stagger your Shih Tzu's meals each week. Include supplements in your Shih Tzu’s meal. The American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFO) recommends supplements be used sparingly as a well-balanced diet already includes many of these key nutrients. However, if you're preparing your own foods, you need to make sure your Shih Tzu has adequate levels of vitamins B and K, folic acid, choline, and fatty acids. Take into account those vitamins and minerals present in the meats, grains, and vegetables you use to make your dog's food. Then, add in supplements as necessary to ensure your pup is receiving appropriate levels of each. Always consult your veterinarian before giving your Shih Tzu any supplements. Read nutrition labels. The key information you're looking for is a label that lists a protein source derived from a quality source as the main ingredient. Quality is determined by sources of whole meat rather than meat by-products or plant-derived protein sources. Once you have determined the percentage of each key nutrient in your pet food (protein, fiber, fat, etc.), you should compare these to the standards set forth by the AAFO, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), and other organizations that assess the quality of foods. Check for labels that indicate the food has been certified by the AAFO. Make sure the pet food does not include large amounts of sodium, sugar, or chemicals. If you don't recognize the foods in the ingredient list, chances are the food is not of adequate nutritional quality. Look for high-quality ingredients. The main difference between dog foods, besides price, is typically the quality of protein sources. You want to find ingredient lists that include whole meat sources. For other nutrient sources, avoid anything that uses modifiers in the description like derivatives, additives, or byproducts. For grains and other additions that provide carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, look for sources like oats, seaweed, and rice rather than cereals or wheat. Ensure your Shih Tzu's food has adequate protein. This nutrient is essential in providing your dog with adequate energy and muscle and immune system sustaining amino acids. Puppies need foods that contain at least 20 to 25% protein, and adult dogs need between 15 and 20% protein foods. You should look for foods with high quality protein sources like chicken, beef, or fish. Find foods with appropriate fat content. This is essential to ensuring your pup's ongoing health. While fat may sound unhealthy, it actually helps with the development of healthy brain tissue and provides an energy source for your pup. Puppies need between 5 and 10% crude fat in their diets, and adult Shih Tzus need foods that are about 5% fat. Fat can be derived from the meat source or from a supplement like fish oil. Feed your Shih Tzu the right amounts of bone health nutrients. You'll need to ensure your pet receives calcium, phosphorous, and potassium from their foods. These nutrients aid in a number of health functions, but they are most essential in the development and maintenance of strong, healthy bones. These nutrients make up less than 5% of your pet's meals, but it's very important to make sure your pet food includes adequate amounts to meet your dog's needs. Typically, you'll need between half and one percent of each of these nutrients. | Determine your Shih Tzu’s weight. Feed your Shih Tzu the appropriate amount of food. Give your Shih Tzu food in the morning and evening. Avoid leaving large amounts of food out for your pet. Adjust the feeding schedule for older or less active Shih Tzus. Determine the nutrients necessary for optimal health. Prepare and freeze homemade dog food to preserve it. Include supplements in your Shih Tzu’s meal. Read nutrition labels. Look for high-quality ingredients. Ensure your Shih Tzu's food has adequate protein. Find foods with appropriate fat content. Feed your Shih Tzu the right amounts of bone health nutrients. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-Electron-Configurations-for-Atoms-of-Any-Element | How to Write Electron Configurations for Atoms of Any Element | If you need to write the electron configurations for atoms of any element, find the atom's atomic number. If you're working with a charged atom, add one electron for each negative charge and subtract one for each positive charge. Write the electron configuration to display the number of electrons in the atom, divided into orbital sets. The orbital sets go in a predetermined order and have a set number of electrons per set, so fill in the orbitals according to the number of electrons in your atom. | Find your atom's atomic number. Each atom has a specific number of electrons associated with it. Locate your atom's chemical symbol on the periodic table. The atomic number is a positive integer beginning at 1 (for hydrogen) and increasing by 1 for each subsequent atom. The atom's atomic number is the number of protons of the atom – thus, it is also the number of electrons in an atom with 0 charge. Determine the charge of the atom. Uncharged atoms will have exactly the number of electrons as is represented on the periodic table. However, charged atoms (ions) will have a higher or lower number of electrons based on the magnitude of their charge. If you're working with a charged atom, add or subtract electrons accordingly: add 1 electron for each negative charge and subtract 1 for each positive charge. For instance, a sodium atom with a +1 charge would have an electron taken away from its basic atomic number of 11. So, the sodium atom would have 10 electrons in total. A sodium atom with a -1 charge would have 1 electron added to its basic atomic number of 11. The sodium atom would then have a total of 12 electrons. Memorize the basic list of orbitals. As an atom gains electrons, they fill different orbitals sets according to a specific order. Each set of orbitals, when full, contains an even number of electrons. The orbital sets are: The s orbital set (any number in the electron configuration followed by an "s") contains a single orbital, and by Pauli's Exclusion Principle , a single orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, so each s orbital set can hold 2 electrons. The p orbital set contains 3 orbitals, and thus can hold a total of 6 electrons. The d orbital set contains 5 orbitals, so it can hold 10 electrons. The f orbital set contains 7 orbitals, so it can hold 14 electrons. The g, h, i and k orbital sets are theoretical. No known atoms have electrons in any of these orbitals. The g set has 9 orbitals, so it could theoretically contain 18 electrons. The h set would have 11 orbitals and a maximum of 22 electrons, the i set would have 13 orbitals and a maximum of 26 electrons, and the k set would have 15 orbitals and a maximum of 30 electrons. Remember the order of the letters with this mnemonic: S ober P hysicists D on't F ind G iraffes H iding I n K itchens. Understand electron configuration notation. Electron configurations are written so as to clearly display the number of electrons in the atom as well as the number of electrons in each orbital. Each orbital is written in sequence, with the number of electrons in each orbital written in superscript to the right of the orbital name. The final electron configuration is a single string of orbital names and superscripts. For example, here is a simple electron configuration: 1s 2s 2p. This configuration shows that there are 2 electrons in the 1s orbital set, 2 electrons in the 2s orbital set, and 6 electrons in the 2p orbital set. 2 + 2 + 6 = 10 electrons total. This electron configuration is for an uncharged neon atom (neon's atomic number is 10.) Memorize the order of the orbitals. Note that orbital sets are numbered by electron shell, but ordered in terms of energy. For instance, a filled 4s is lower energy (or less potentially volatile) than a partially-filled or filled 3d , so the 4s shell is listed first. Once you know the order of orbitals, you can simply fill them according to the number of electrons in the atom. The order for filling orbitals is as follows: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d, 7p, 8s. An electron configuration for an atom with every orbital completely filled would be written: 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p 5s 4d 5p 6s 4f 5d 6p 7s 5f 6d 7p Note that the above list, if all the shells were filled, would be the electron configuration for Og (Oganesson), 118, the highest-numbered atom on the periodic table – so this electron configuration contains every currently known electron shell for a neutrally charged atom. Fill in the orbitals according to the number of electrons in your atom. For instance, if we want to write an electron configuration for an uncharged calcium atom, we'll begin by finding its atomic number on the periodic table. Its atomic number is 20, so we'll write a configuration for an atom with 20 electrons according to the order above. Fill up orbitals according to the order above until you reach 20 total electrons. The 1s orbital gets 2 electrons, the 2s gets 2, the 2p gets 6, the 3s gets 2, the 3p gets 6, and the 4s gets 2 (2 + 2 + 6 +2 +6 + 2 = 20.) Thus, the electron configuration for calcium is: 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s. Note: Energy level changes as you go up. For example, when you are about to go up to the 4th energy level, it becomes 4s first, then 3d. After the 4th energy level, you'll move onto the 5th where it follows the order once again (5s, then 4d). This only happens after the 3rd energy level. Use the periodic table as a visual shortcut. You may have already noticed that the shape of the periodic table corresponds to the order of orbital sets in electron configurations. For example, atoms in the second column from the left always end in "s ", atoms at the far right of the skinny middle portion always end in "d ," etc. Use the periodic table as a visual guide to write configurations – the order that you add electrons to orbitals corresponds to your position in the table. Specifically, the 2 leftmost columns represent atoms whose electron configurations end in s orbitals, the right block of the table represents atoms whose configurations end in p orbitals, the middle portion, atoms that end in d orbital, and the bottom portion, atoms that end in f orbitals. For example, when writing an electron configuration for Chlorine, think: "This atom is in third row (or "period") of the periodic table. It's also in the fifth column of the periodic table's p orbital block. Thus, its electron configuration will end...3p Caution – the d and f orbital regions of the table correspond to energy levels that are different from the period they're located in. For instance, the first row of the d orbital block corresponds to the 3d orbital even though it's in period 4, while the first row of the f orbital corresponds to the 4f orbital even though it's in period 6. Learn shorthand for writing long electron configurations. The atoms along the right edge of the periodic table are called noble gases. These elements are very chemically stable. To shorten the process of writing a long electron configuration, simply write the chemical symbol of the nearest chemical gas with fewer electrons than your atom in brackets, then continue with the electron configuration for the following orbital sets. To understand this concept, it's useful to write an example configuration. Let's write a configuration for zinc (atomic number 30) using noble gas shorthand. Zinc's full electron configuration is: 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d. However, notice that 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p is the configuration for Argon, a noble gas. Just replace this portion of zinc's electron notation with Argon's chemical symbol in brackets ([Ar].) So, zinc's electron configuration written in shorthand is [Ar]4s 3d. Note that if you are doing noble gas notation for, say, argon, you cannot write [Ar]! You have to use the noble gas that comes before that element; for argon, that would be neon ([Ne]). Understand the ADOMAH Periodic Table. This method of writing electron configurations doesn't require memorization. However, it does require a rearranged periodic table, because in a traditional periodic table, beginning with 4th row, period numbers do not correspond to the electron shells. Find an ADOMAH Periodic Table, a special type of periodic table designed by scientist Valery Tsimmerman. It's easily found via a quick online search. In the ADOMAH Periodic Table, horizontal rows represent groups of elements, such as halogens, inert gases, alkali metals, alkaline earths, etc. Vertical columns correspond to electron shells and so called “cascades” (diagonal lines connecting s,p,d and f blocks) correspond to periods. Helium is moved next to Hydrogen, since both of them are characterized by the 1s orbital. Blocks of periods (s,p,d and f) are shown on the right side and shell numbers are shown at the base. Elements are presented in rectangular boxes that are numbered from 1 to 120. These numbers are normal atomic numbers that represent total number of electrons in a neutral atom. Find your atom in the ADOMAH table. To write electron configuration of an element, locate its symbol in ADOMAH Periodic Table and cross out all elements that have higher atomic numbers. For example, if you need to write electron configuration of Erbium (68), cross out elements 69 through 120. Notice numbers 1 through 8 at the base of the table. These are electron shell numbers, or column numbers. Ignore columns which contain only crossed out elements. For Erbium, remaining columns are 1,2,3,4,5 and 6. Count orbital sets up to your atom. Looking at the block symbols shown on the right side of the table (s, p, d, and f) and at the column numbers shown at the base and ignoring diagonal lines between the blocks, break up columns into column-blocks and list them in order from the bottom up. Again, ignore column blocks where all elements are crossed out. Write down the column-blocks beginning with the column number followed by the block symbol, like this: 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 3d 4s 4p 4d 4f 5s 5p 6s (in case of Erbium). Note: The above electron configuration of Er is written in the order of ascending shell numbers. It could also be written in the order of orbital filling. Just follow cascades from top to bottom instead of columns when you write down the column-blocks: 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p 5s 4d 5p 6s 4f. Count electrons for each orbital set. Count elements that were not crossed out in each block-column, assigning 1 electron per element, and write down their quantity next to the block symbols for each block-column, like this: 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 3d 4s 4p 4d 4f 5s 5p 6s. In our example, this is the electron configuration of Erbium. Know irregular electron configurations. There are eighteen common exceptions to electron configurations for atoms in the lowest energy state, also called the ground state. They deviate from the general rule only by last 2 to 3 electron positions. In these cases, the actual electron configuration keeps the electrons in a lower-energy state than in a standard configuration for the atom. The irregular atoms are: Cr (..., 3d5, 4s1); Cu (..., 3d10, 4s1); Nb (..., 4d4, 5s1); Mo (..., 4d5, 5s1); Ru (..., 4d7, 5s1); Rh (..., 4d8, 5s1); Pd (..., 4d10, 5s0); Ag (..., 4d10, 5s1); La (..., 5d1, 6s2); Ce (..., 4f1, 5d1, 6s2); Gd (..., 4f7, 5d1, 6s2); Au (..., 5d10, 6s1); Ac (..., 6d1, 7s2); Th (..., 6d2, 7s2); Pa (..., 5f2, 6d1, 7s2); U (..., 5f3, 6d1, 7s2); Np (..., 5f4, 6d1, 7s2) and Cm (..., 5f7, 6d1, 7s2). | Find your atom's atomic number. Determine the charge of the atom. Memorize the basic list of orbitals. Understand electron configuration notation. Memorize the order of the orbitals. Fill in the orbitals according to the number of electrons in your atom. Use the periodic table as a visual shortcut. Learn shorthand for writing long electron configurations. Understand the ADOMAH Periodic Table. Find your atom in the ADOMAH table. Count orbital sets up to your atom. Count electrons for each orbital set. Know irregular electron configurations. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-a-Stand-Up-Paddle-Board | How to Buy a Stand Up Paddle Board | If you want to buy a stand up paddle board, choose a size based for your weight. If you weigh less than 175 lbs., get a board that is 10.5–11.5 feet long. If you weigh more than 175 lbs, you should get a board that is 11.5-12.5 feet long. Then, decide what you will use the paddle board for. If you want a multipurpose use paddle board or aren't sure what you will use it for, start with a fiberglass recreational or touring board. If you want to surf, consider a narrower and lighter surfing board instead. | Get an all-around, recreational, or touring board for multipurpose use. Multipurpose SUPs are the standard boards chosen by beginners, and they're typically used for flat-water paddling on lakes, bays, and slow rivers. These boards are longer, wider, and have more volume than surfing or racing boards. These boards are typically made of fiberglass, which makes them light and easy to carry. Occasionally you will find plastic ones that are less expensive, but are also much heavier. Choose a surfing board to ride waves. Surfing paddleboards are usually shorter, narrower, and lighter than the other types of boards and they have a narrow nose and tail. They are designed for doing quick turns and specifically meant for use in the surf zone. Get this type of board only if you're going to use it for surfing. They are less stable than longer boards and don't work well on long-distance paddles. Buy a racing board if you’re an experienced paddle-boarder. Race boards are longer and narrower than standard or surfing boards, and they're meant for fast wave-riding competition. They can be pretty unstable unless they're moving forward at a high speed, and should only be used by more advanced paddle-boarders. Get a whitewater board for fast river use. Whitewater SUPs are typically short to make them more easily maneuverable. They contain a rocker, or curve in the board, to allow the boards to ride over waves. These boards often are inflatable, making them light and more buoyant on the water. Choose a yoga or fitness board to practice yoga on the water. Yoga and fitness boards are wider and longer than wave or multipurpose boards. They also typically have a softer top, and include places to clip on various exercise tools. These boards often come with ways to anchor the boards so that you can stop drifting while exercising. Look into anchoring capabilities if you find a fitness board that doesn't already come with an anchor. Look for an inflatable board if storage is an issue. If you live in an apartment, or have a small car that makes transporting a large board a problem, an inflatable board may be the right answer for you. Inflatable boards work well for both flatwater and river use. As they are thicker and bigger than regular boards, inflatable paddle boards are often better for beginners at Stand Up Paddling. These boards typically aren't stable enough for wave riding, so avoid getting one if you plan to surf. However technology is improving and inflatable boards especially for the purpose of wave riding are becoming more common. Inflatable boards generally have a shorter life-span of about 2 years than their non-inflatable counterparts. Get a 10.5–11.5 feet (3.2–3.5 m) board if you weigh under 175 pounds (79 kg). In general, people buy certain SUP lengths dependent on how much weight the board will carry. The lighter you are, the safer a shorter board will be for you. If you will be sharing your SUP with anyone on the water, like your kids or other family members, go with a longer board to make sure it can hold the extra weight. If you're very light, or 50–125 pounds (23–57 kg), and will be riding alone, you can also opt for the shortest all-around boards, which are 9–10.5 feet (2.7–3.2 m). Use a 11.5–12.5 feet (3.5–3.8 m) board if you weigh 150–225 pounds (68–102 kg). The medium weight class will need a medium length board in most cases. Many all-around boards come in this size. This size is often the easiest to find for multipurpose use. Choose a board that’s longer than 12.5 feet (3.8 m) if you weigh 200–275 pounds (91–125 kg). These longest boards are often wider as well, making them safer to balance more weight. If your weight or your combined family weight is 200–275 pounds (91–125 kg), plan on going with the largest available board. Follow a volume recommendation if you plan to surf. The surfing SUP sizing often goes by volume recommendations instead of length, since they are all shorter boards. This system has you multiply your body weight by a certain decimal depending on your experience level, to get a volume recommendation number. For example, beginners would multiply their body weight in pounds by 1 to 1.4. Intermediates would multiply their body weight by 0.8 to 1. Advanced surfers would multiply theirs by 0.6 to 0.8. The resulting number gives you a board volume recommendation in liters. Choose a board with a thick, high-traction deck pad for safety. The deck pad is one of the most important SUP features for new riders. Some boards come with full-length deck pads, but you don't necessarily need this. What matters most is that it's relatively thick and has a good traction pattern. Spend some time comparing deck pad thicknesses between boards you're looking at, and go with the thicker padding. Thicker padding is much more comfortable for longer paddles. Find a board with a built-in carry handle for convenience. Trying to carry your board without a built-in carry handle, located in the center and typically made of similar material as the deck pad, can be a major hassle. The centralized carry handle allows you to carry the board against your hip with its weight distributed evenly. Most boards come with the centralized carry handle, but if you happen to buy one that doesn't, you can wrap your arms around your board or try to carry it over your head. There are also special paddle board carriers available on the market to carry the paddle board along with you easily. Get a leash depending for distance paddling or surfing. A board with a leash attachment allows you to clip a leash to a recessed crossbar located toward the tail of the board. Leashes are great for long-distance paddling or surfing, but they're not recommended for whitewater SUPs unless there is a quick-release mechanism. Make sure you get a coiled leash, which only extends when you actually fall off. Some boards also come with tie-down attachments, which can be great for long-distance paddling if you're bringing a dry pack or other gear. Get a board with more than 1 fin for surfing. SUPs come with anywhere from 1 to 5 fins. For boards used on flatwater like lakes and ponds, 1 fin works well. The more fins your board has, the more specialized and surf-oriented it is. Some boards have a versatile tri-fin setup, which allows you to choose between 1 large center fin for calm water or 2 side fins for the surf. Get a fiberglass board for a practical option. The most common material for SUPs is fiberglass because it is strong for its weight and easy to shape. Most fiberglass boards are only 25–35 pounds (11–16 kg), making them manageable to carry. The material of these boards can still crack, so avoid using a fiberglass board around rocks or dropping it on pavement. Fiberglass boards cost more than plastic boards, but are worth the money if you're pretty serious about paddleboarding as a regular hobby. Choose a plastic board to save money. If you're a beginner and are just trying out stand-up paddleboarding, but aren't yet sure if it's the activity for you, you can save some cash by going with a plastic board. These boards are heavier at around 65 pounds (29 kg), making them more inconvenient to carry and slower on the water. Another plus side to these boards, aside from the lower price, is that they're virtually indestructible. Go with all carbon fiber if you’re a serious paddleboarder. If you're an experienced surf or race paddleboarder, consider going with an all carbon fiber board. These are by far the lightest boards, and also the most expensive. However, the light weight will help increase your speed in races, so it can be worth it if you're at the advanced competitor level. Pay attention to included accessories. Get the most for the spent money and look at the accessories that come together with the board itself. The most basic package would consist of the SUP board and paddle or in the worst case, only the board. But you could save quite a bit if you pick a package with multiple accessories like a paddle (if not included), backpack, pump (if inflatable), SUP leash, and repair kit. Paddle - aluminum or carbon fiber. Consists of multiple pieces or a single one. Backpack - if it feels sturdy and does it sit comfy on your back. Pump - is it single action or dual action (inflates board also when pulling up). Fins - detachable or not. Leash - standard or coiled. Choose a single-piece carbon fiber paddle for maximum performance. Most boards come with a three-piece adjustable paddle. The cheaper priced board will come with an aluminum paddle, while higher priced ones will be made of carbon fiber. Carbon fiber paddle will be lighter than an aluminum one, and you'll be able to paddle more efficiently. Solid single piece paddle will feel more sturdy and will not have any unwanted movement. Whereas with an adjustable paddle, you'd lose minimal power in each stroke, which over thousands of strokes would add up. Check if all the fins are removable. Some boards come with non-detachable fins, which is be bad if they are damaged and can't be removed. Check if the board has universal fin installs. Those will allow replacing required one with a wide variety of fins. Some board manufacturers allow using only their fins. Pick a dual-action pump. If you want to inflate your SUP board with as little effort as possible, get the best available pump. The dual-action pump will inflate your board both when pushing down and pulling up. It will be way faster than with a standard single action pump. For more convenience, try to get an electric pump as inflating the SUP board with a good hand pump still takes effort. | Get an all-around, recreational, or touring board for multipurpose use. Choose a surfing board to ride waves. Buy a racing board if you’re an experienced paddle-boarder. Get a whitewater board for fast river use. Choose a yoga or fitness board to practice yoga on the water. Look for an inflatable board if storage is an issue. Get a 10.5–11.5 feet (3.2–3.5 m) board if you weigh under 175 pounds (79 kg). Use a 11.5–12.5 feet (3.5–3.8 m) board if you weigh 150–225 pounds (68–102 kg). Choose a board that’s longer than 12.5 feet (3.8 m) if you weigh 200–275 pounds (91–125 kg). Follow a volume recommendation if you plan to surf. Choose a board with a thick, high-traction deck pad for safety. Find a board with a built-in carry handle for convenience. Get a leash depending for distance paddling or surfing. Get a board with more than 1 fin for surfing. Get a fiberglass board for a practical option. Choose a plastic board to save money. Go with all carbon fiber if you’re a serious paddleboarder. Pay attention to included accessories. Choose a single-piece carbon fiber paddle for maximum performance. Check if all the fins are removable. Pick a dual-action pump. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Feel-Better-After-a-Breakup | How to Feel Better After a Breakup | Breakups can be hard to deal with, and you might feel like you'll never be happy again. However, you can start to feel better by exercising for 30 minutes a day. While exercising won't take away the emotional pain, it releases endorphins, which are hormones that make you feel good and make it easier to get through the day. You may instinctively want to reach for junk food to distract yourself from the bad feelings, but try to nourish your body with fruits, veggies, and other wholesome foods instead. Avoid alcohol, drugs, and smoking as well, as these will only be a temporary solution to negative feelings. While these methods can help you feel better, it may take a long time until you're back to normal, so be sure to give yourself time to grieve and reflect on your emotions. | Give yourself time to grieve and work through your emotions. Don't force yourself to move on if you don't feel ready. It is perfectly fine to take your time and allow yourself to feel bad for a while. It may only take you a couple of weeks to feel better or you may need months or longer to work through your emotions. Don't rush it! The longer the relationship was, the longer it may take to work through your emotions. For example, you will likely recover from a 2-month relationship much more quickly than a 2-year relationship. Accept your feelings as a normal part of the process. After a breakup, you will likely go through a gamut of emotions, such as sadness, anger, and anxiety. While it may seem like you will never feel better, these feelings are temporary and they will pass. Remind yourself of this any time you start to feel overwhelmed or hopeless. Try saying or writing something like, “I am angry that my relationship ended, and that is totally normal. Everyone who has been through a breakup has experienced something similar. They survived and so will I.” Feeling unmoored and foggy-headed are natural and normal reactions to being apart from someone when you're used to having them around all the time. It takes time for your brain to adjust to the absence of the other person. Acknowledge and react to your feelings. Name the feeling, accept it, and let the feelings take over for a little while. Take a moment to say to yourself, “I feel sad right now,” and then allow yourself to feel sad. This is a great way to work through your feelings. Do what feels natural to you in these moments, such as crying, writing about how you feel, or talking about your feelings with someone you trust. Try writing in a journal as a way to acknowledge and express your feelings. Spend 15 minutes or longer daily writing about your feelings. If you wish you could speak directly to your ex, then write them letter that you don't send. Say everything you want to say to them, and then tear up the letter and throw it away. Keep in mind that even if you deny how you feel, you will still feel that way. It is better to acknowledge what you are feeling, and then let the feelings wash over you like a wave. This may be intense for a few minutes, but you will likely feel better afterwards. Talk to people you trust about what you are going through. Sharing with a close friend, loved one, or someone else who you trust is an excellent way to vent and work through your emotions. You may even look into a support group or therapist if you are struggling to feel better. If you don't have a close friend or family member to talk to, reach out to an acquaintance. Ask the coworker or classmate that you have chatted with a few times if they would like to join you for lunch. You can begin a friendship by opening up to someone new. Take a break from work or other responsibilities if possible. If you were in a serious, long-term, relationship, the end of that relationship can be a devastating blow. You may not be able to perform your usual work responsibilities as efficiently as you normally would, so taking a break from work may be necessary. If you feel comfortable, talk to your supervisor about what you are going through. Otherwise, look into sick time or vacation time that you may be able to use. If you are in high school or college, consider telling your teacher what you are going through. Keep in mind that you will still need to submit the required work, but your teacher may be willing to give you an extension if you have fallen behind. Exercise for 30 minutes daily. Exercise causes your brain to release endorphins, which are feel-good hormones. By getting regular exercise, you can help yourself to feel better on a daily basis. Start slow if you have not exercised in a while, such as by going for a walk around your neighborhood, swimming, or riding a bike on flat terrain. Find a type of exercise that you enjoy to make it easier to stick with it. Try dancing, kickboxing, or spinning for some fun class options. You can find lots of free workout videos on Youtube. Check out fitness channels with workouts that are at your physical fitness level, such as beginner if you are new to exercise or advanced if you are an exercise enthusiast. Nourish your body with healthy foods and beverages. The old trope of eating a pint of full-fat ice cream after a breakup exists for a reason. People tend to reach for junk food as a quick distraction from negative emotions. However, this will make you feel worse in the long run. Instead of reaching for junk, eat whole foods that will nourish your body, such as fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains. Drink lots of water, too! Avoid drinking alcohol, using drugs, and smoking. These will only produce a temporary change in your emotional state. You will feel much worse after the substance wears off. Get plenty of rest to feel alert during the day. Being well-rested will help to make you feel better overall as you go through your day. Aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. If you have a habit of staying up late, start turning in 30 to 60 minutes earlier than usual to ensure that you are getting enough sleep. Make sure that your bedroom is a relaxing place that you only use for sleep! Invest in some nice sheets and blankets to make your bed feel cozy. Block out outside noise with a fan or white noise machine. Make your bedroom dark and cool to promote deep sleep. Use relaxation techniques to help yourself feel calmer and happier. Relaxation techniques can also help to improve your mood and promote a higher quality of life. Devote at least 15 minutes daily to relaxation. Some techniques you might try include: Meditation Deep breathing Progressive muscle relaxation Yoga Work on your favorite hobby or learn something new. Doing something you love or finding a new favorite hobby is a great way to get your mind off of your breakup and start feeling happier. Whether you like to read, cook, sew, dance, or paint miniatures, take some time out for yourself every day to engage in this hobby. If you don't have a hobby, then look into something that you can learn how to do and get into right away. Some great options include: Knitting or crocheting Gardening Cooking or baking Painting Watch or listen to something funny to make yourself happy. Even if laughing is the furthest thing from your mind, watching something funny or listening to a comedy podcast can help you to laugh a little and feel a little better as a result. Turn on a favorite comedy movie or show, watch some standup, or download a comedy podcast and immerse yourself in it. See what comedies are available to watch on Netflix or on another streaming service that you have. Check Youtube for short clips and full standup routines. Search for comedy podcasts online or ask friends for recommendations. Focus on other areas of your life to improve. While you may be tempted to dissect your relationship, try to revive it, or seek out a new relationship, now is a great time to focus on other areas of your life. Consider what you might do to improve your career or grades, physical fitness, spirituality, or other relationships, such as with your friends and family. Meet with a supervisor or teacher and ask for feedback on your performance to find out what you can do to excel. Join a gym or get involved with an inter-mural sports team to develop your physical strength and endurance. Look into churches, meditation centers, or other spiritual resources in your community. Call up a friend or family member who you haven't seen in a while and invite them to coffee or lunch. Do activities that boost your self-esteem. When you've been close with someone for a while, it's easy to start linking your sense of self-worth with the relationship. After the breakup, take time to remind yourself of who you are as a person and seek out other ways to find validation. For example, you might: Make a list of your strengths and accomplishments Challenge yourself to learn a new skill Do activities that help you feel good about yourself (e.g., a sport or a creative activity in which you excel) Surround yourself with positive people who respect and uplift you | Give yourself time to grieve and work through your emotions. Accept your feelings as a normal part of the process. Acknowledge and react to your feelings. Talk to people you trust about what you are going through. Take a break from work or other responsibilities if possible. Exercise for 30 minutes daily. Nourish your body with healthy foods and beverages. Get plenty of rest to feel alert during the day. Use relaxation techniques to help yourself feel calmer and happier. Work on your favorite hobby or learn something new. Watch or listen to something funny to make yourself happy. Focus on other areas of your life to improve. Do activities that boost your self-esteem. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Magazine | How to Make a Magazine | To make a magazine, start by writing some articles, columns, or stories that are all related to an overall theme that you want your magazine to have. Then, take some photos or draw your own pictures to go along with your written content. You'll also want to choose one of your images to be the cover of your magazine. Once you have all of your content, organize it on a computer using a design program, print it out, and then bind all the pages together to finish your magazine! | Create a theme or focus. What is the primary topic of your magazine? Keep in mind that most magazines are niche publications that target a highly-specific audience (for instance, people who are interested in quilting or brides looking for wedding ideas). Ask yourself: Will this be a standalone publication or one in a series? If it's part of a series, what's your larger theme? Try to draw the title of your magazine out of this overarching theme. Note that most magazines have one- or two-word titles (such as TIME , National Geographic , Seventeen , Rolling Stone , and Forbes ). Not only can a short title sum up your theme nicely, it's also easier to deal with from a design standpoint. What's the focus of this one publication? How can you use it to tie all your content together? (It's not for nothing that a single publication of a magazine is called an “issue.”) A good example of themed issues are the prom editions of teen magazines, or the Swimsuit Issue of Sports Illustrated. All of the content inside that issue ties back to the primary focus. What's the title of this issue? If necessary, what's the title of the entire series? Annual examples of titling an issue include the Swimsuit Issue of Sports Illustrated , the Hollywood Issue of Vanity Fair , and the September Issue of Vogue. Decide how you will assemble your magazine. The method you choose for putting your magazine together can determine how you gather and incorporate content. Here are some points to consider: Though the glossy, software-enhanced look is a magazine standard, making one without the use of computers can give your magazine an art-house feel. However, this will require lots of extra time and talent and is best suited for people who have already done similar projects. InDesign is the standard (though expensive) designer tool for digitally-designed magazines. The type is often written out and edited in InCopy, which meshes with InDesign. Alternately, some publications use Quark. If these options aren't in your price range, Office Publisher might be an effective alternative. Establish a deadline. When do you plan to have the magazine finished? Ask yourself if you're setting reasonable expectations, and if you can feasibly have the magazine finished and in the hands of your readers by the deadline. A deadline is more important if you're dealing with topical issues (such as news or humor), or if you're building the issue around an annual event (such as fall fashion). Write articles, columns and stories. What do you want to say to your readers? Whether your magazine is built around humorous anecdotes, arty fiction, news reports, high-brow interviews, or any combination or genres, you'll need textual content. Here are some possibilities to consider: Write articles about topics you or your collaborators care about. Do they tackle humanitarian issues? Are they related to current events? Do they offer advice or interview interesting people? Write short stories to give your magazine a more personal touch. These can be fiction or nonfiction depending on how they relate to your topic. Dig up old poems, or ask friends if you can publish their work in your magazine. These would give a magazine an artistic flair. Collaborating with friends to get different perspectives would be a great way to approach this aspect of the magazine. Gather images. Even if your focus will be written content, magazines are a visual medium. Great images will keep your readers interested and add another dimension to your articles. Take photographs that relate to your content. Be sure to include photos with empty, neutral spaces; these make great backgrounds over which to place written content. Make a photojournalism project. This means exploring one topic in-depth and guiding the reader along with a series of photos. This is a good option for people with strong photography skills. Search for images licensed with the Creative Commons license online. While all of these photos will be free, be sure to read up on whether or not you need to attribute the photo, have permission to alter the photo, or can only use the photo for noncommercial purposes. Purchase stock images from a stock photography database. While this is a slightly more expensive route, stock photos are taken with exactly this kind of project in mind, making it easy for you to find images that correspond with your content. Draw your own pictures, or join forces with someone who does. This is recommended for an art-house-style magazine. Design a cover. The cover of your magazine should give readers a tantalizing taste of everything that's inside, without giving away too much. Here are some ways to accomplish that: Make sure your magazine's title is prominent. Though many magazines will change the color of their title from issue to issue, the font is almost always the same. Settle on one that's easy to read, recognizable, and has an aesthetic that matches your content. Most magazines put this at the top of the cover, in order to make the brand prominent. For some interesting examples of how you can play with the interplay between the title and what's on your cover, look up cover images for Harper's Bazaar. Decide what's going to be on the cover for this issue. Fashion magazines often use cover models, while gossip magazines use paparazzi or staged photos, and news magazines might use portraits. Whatever image you use, it should look compelling and be connected to your magazine's main story. Write blurbs (optional). Some magazines will only write a blurb or a title for the main story (such as TIME or Newsweek ), while others will tease several stories on the cover (such as Cosmopolitan or People.) If you choose the second option, try to make sure your cover doesn't start to look cluttered. Choose a final aesthetic for your magazine. How your magazine looks will define its brand almost as much as the content itself. Consider: The font: Are you using fonts inside the magazine that are easy to read and fit with your theme? Do they call back to the font you used for your magazine's title, on the cover? The paper: Are you going to print your magazine on glossy or matte paper? The color: Some magazines, such as People , used to be half color, half black and white to save on ink costs. Many literary magazines are printed in black and white, though most mainstream titles have moved to color. Consider what you can afford to spend on ink per issue, and how you can incorporate that into your magazine's look and feel. Decide how to order your content. How you organize your content inside the magazine dictates how the reader will flip through it. Here are some basic guidelines: Usually the table of contents goes first. If your magazine has many ads, there can be several pages of them before the table of contents. A colophon follows the table of contents. The colophon should list the title, the volume and issue of the magazine (both will be 1 if this is the first), the place of publication, and the personnel who worked on it (such as editors, writers and photographers). Order your articles so that the main piece is somewhere in the middle, or even toward the back. Consider doing a whimsical "back page". Many magazines, such as TIME or Vanity Fair use the last page of the magazine for fun, skimmable content, such as an engaging infographic or a silly interview. Produce the layout of your magazine. Once you know where you're going to put your content, it's time to lay it out. Exactly how you choose to do this will depend on what software you decide to use (or not), but there are certain elements to remember: Keep your formatting consistent. Use the same borders, styles, numbering, and font or fonts throughout; the last thing you want is to create a Frankenzine that looks patched together by twelve different people. Number your pages, especially if you've provided a table of contents. Make sure your final product is even-numbered (counting the cover). If you try to make an odd-numbered magazine, you'll have at least one blank page. If you're making your magazine by hand, now is the time to figure out how you'll transfer your content to the page. Will you print it out? Write it directly onto the pages? Paste on photos? Publish your magazine. You can do this the old-fashioned way by having it printed, or you can publish it online. Research your options to see what makes the most sense for your budget. Bind your magazine (handmade only). When your pages are finished, you can bind the magazine so it will stay together. Consider some of the steps in Make a Homemade Book. | Create a theme or focus. Decide how you will assemble your magazine. Establish a deadline. Write articles, columns and stories. Gather images. Design a cover. Choose a final aesthetic for your magazine. Decide how to order your content. Produce the layout of your magazine. Publish your magazine. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prune-a-Bird-of-Paradise-Plant | How to Prune a Bird of Paradise Plant | The Bird of Paradise flower is brightly colored and can grow extremely large as long as you prune it after it has finished blooming. Look for brown, dead flowers, and cut the stem of these growths as close as possible to the base of the plant. These plants also have large green leaves that can die and brown once blooming is over, so cut or pull any excess brown foliage. If your plant is simply growing too large, remove the outer edges of the plant by cutting the stem and leaf to the base. For dense plants, use a pruning saw to cut the entire plant to about 1 foot off the ground. This will give you the space to clear out old foliage and let new growth begin. | Begin pruning Yellow and Mexican varieties in late winter and early spring. After cold winter weather ends, you can start assessing your Yellow and Mexican Bird of Paradise flowers to prune them. Pruning at this point will encourage new growth in the plant later in the season. Both Yellow and Mexican Bird of Paradise flowers should be pruned sparingly when flowers and stems begin to die. Prune Strelitzia variety blooms sparingly in the spring. Strelitzia Bird of Paradise flowers don't require as much pruning, but you can remove dead blooms and foliage in the springtime. Only remove the stems and leaves that have died and are brown. If the plant isn't growing well throughout the year, prune at least half of the stems to the ground to allow the plant to grow healthy blooms. Tend to Red varieties in the early spring and midsummer. Once the weather turns warmer and there's no more threat of frost, trim Red Bird of Paradise plants to 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) from the ground. Depending on the level of growth throughout the spring and summer, trim the flowers again in the middle of summer. Red Bird of Paradise flowers are very hardy and can handle heavy pruning two times per year if the plant is healthy. Look for brown, dead flowers. Dead flowers are pretty easy to spot in the bush because the natural color of the plant is so vibrant. Once the orange blooms and blue base of the flower begin to fade to brown, it's time to deadhead (remove dead flower heads). It's okay to begin pruning before all of the blooms on the plant have died. If you have even 2 or 3 dead blooms, removing them can help the remaining flowers live longer. Cut the stem of the dead flower as close as possible to the base of the plant. Follow the stem of the dead flower to the base of the plant, then use your pruning shears to snip as close as possible to the base of the plant. This will prevent the long stem from browning and rotting after you remove the flower. Bird of Paradise flowers won't naturally shed dead stems after the flower is removed, so it's important to remove as much of the stem as possible. This helps your plant to look clean and colorful year round! Always wear thick gardening gloves when pruning. Cut or pull any excess brown foliage. The Bird of Paradise also has large green leaves that can die and begin to brown once blooming is over. Normally, you can pull these using just your hands. You can also use the pruning shears to remove any stubborn leaves that won't come out. Always try to remove any dead foliage as close to the stump of the plant as possible to maintain the trimmed appearance of the plant. Failure to remove dead leaves can result in rotting and fungal infections that can kill the plant completely, so make sure you dispose of the dead foliage completely! Cover the plant with a tarp during deep freezes. If you live in an area that can get the occasional freezing night, you should cover your plant with a tarp to protect its blooms. One freeze can cause numerous dead flowers and leaves. If your plant is in a pot, bring it indoors during very cold temperatures to prevent freezing of the leaves and flowers. Trim the outer ring of growth using your pruning shears. If you have a plant that is growing out of control and is wider than you'd like, you can remove the outer edges of the plant by cutting the stems and leaves to the base. This will control the area taken up by the plant and allow you to access interior growth more easily. Try to maintain the shape of the flower in a circle to ensure easy access to all sides of the flower. These plants can easily grow to be up to 5 feet (1.5 m) in diameter, so refrain from planting other flowers in the surrounding area. Use a ladder to access tall stems on more mature plants. Bird of Paradise flowers can grow to be extremely tall. If you have very tall shoots, use a ladder placed on stable ground to cut the dead stems in half. Once they've been halved, climb down from the ladder and cut the stems to the base of the plant. Always be careful on the ladder! You might need a friend or neighbor to hold it steady while you're trimming to avoid getting hurt with the shears. Tame an out-of-control Bird of Paradise using a pruning saw. If your plant is too dense and crowded with dead foliage and growth for you to reach the center, use a large pruning saw to cut the entire plant about 1 foot (0.30 m) off of the ground. This will give you space to clear out the foliage and allow for new growth. When using the saw, work slowly. If you hit a particularly dense area, use your pruning shears to pre-cut some of the stems to make the area a little easier to cut through. A Bird of Paradise that is trimmed in this way will normally grow back within 1-2 blooming seasons if treated with water and fertilizer. | Begin pruning Yellow and Mexican varieties in late winter and early spring. Prune Strelitzia variety blooms sparingly in the spring. Tend to Red varieties in the early spring and midsummer. Look for brown, dead flowers. Cut the stem of the dead flower as close as possible to the base of the plant. Cut or pull any excess brown foliage. Cover the plant with a tarp during deep freezes. Trim the outer ring of growth using your pruning shears. Use a ladder to access tall stems on more mature plants. Tame an out-of-control Bird of Paradise using a pruning saw. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Soccer-Toe | How to Treat Soccer Toe | If you've got a bruised or sore toe from playing soccer, you can usually treat it at home. Apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel to your toe for 15-20 minutes. Repeat this a few times a day to reduce the pain and swelling. Keep your toe elevated above chest-height while you apply ice to moderate your blood flow. You should also wrap your foot in a bandage or athletic tape to reduce swelling and strain on your toe. Make sure you rest as much as possible so you don't put any extra pressure on your toe. It will take around 3 weeks for your toe to heal on its own, but if you experience severe pain or you heard a cracking sound when you injured your toe, visit your doctor so they can take a look at it. | Rest after the injury. If you have soccer toe, the first symptoms the injured player will notice will be pain, swelling, and limited movement in the injured foot and toe. It's important for the player to rest the injured area so that the injury is not worsened and the body can begin to heal. Once the player is at home resting, they should elevate the injured foot (at least while ice packs are applied), to moderate blood flow to the foot. Put ice packs on the injured toe. Ice should be applied immediately to reduce swelling in the injured area. Soccer toe is not only painful, but it also is usually accompanied by swelling. Ice will help minimize the swelling by constricting the blood vessels. Apply ice to the injured area for 15–20 minutes, several times a day. The injured player should be completely off the foot for at least 3–4 days. Use crutches if necessary. Apply a heat wrap to the injured toe. After the initial ice pack, switch to a warm heat pack. The warm heat pack will dilate the blood vessels, rushing blood into the area, which promotes the healing process. After about 20 minutes, return to an ice pack to prevent swelling. Repeat the ice-heat therapy for a couple of hours. This step is optional, as the application of heat is less important than icing the injury. The application of heat to the injured toe/foot can also reduce pain. Bind or tape the injured foot. Adhesive athletic tape exists for this purpose, and can be easily found in a pharmacy or athletic-equipment store. Tightly wrap the tape around the injured area of the player's foot, but be careful not to wrap so tightly as to cause pain or restrict bloodflow. Compression is an important step when treating soccer toe; it limits further swelling and supports the injured toe and ligament, so that further strain will not be put on them. If the injured player is suffering from a more severe type of turf toe, a doctor may tape the injured toe to the adjacent toe, to further restrict the injured toe's movement. Administer an over-the-counter oral painkiller. A painkiller such as ibuprofen will reduce swelling and combat the pain that the injured player will be experiencing. If over-the-counter medications do not provide enough pain relief, or do not adequately combat the swelling, your doctor may order a prescription-strength painkiller. Wear a boot or other stiff-soled shoe after the injury. While you're recovering from soccer toe, it's important to keep the ligaments behind your big toe relatively immobile during daily life. Find a hard soled boot, or even a hard-soled shoe with a Morton's Extension under the toe and ligament. This prevents the toe from bending unnecessarily until it is completely healed. It's also common practice to tape the injured toe. This will restrict mobility and prevent the ligaments from being over-extended while healing. Taping a player's toe can also be done before a soccer game, as a preventative measure against turf toe. Plan to spend at least three weeks recovering. Ligaments heal slowly, and a player can easily reinjure the area by returning to the field too quickly after sustaining an injury. Taking three weeks to recover will keep you from experiencing further pain while playing, and will let your joint capsule heal. To speed up your recovery, you can try the Tennis Ball Massage: sit in a chair with a tennis ball on the ground in front of you. Place your injured foot on top of the ball, and roll your foot back and forth. Do this for 5 minutes, once or twice a day, to keep your ligaments flexible and encourage healing. Visit a doctor for a full diagnosis. There are several stages of soccer toe, and the injury gets progressively worse as you move up through the stages. Only a doctor will be able to accurately diagnose the extent of the damage. Turf toe is not particularly difficult to diagnose, but it's important to find out quickly how serious your case of turf toe is. Soccer toe, type 1: The ligament that attaches the big toe to the foot and its joint capsule has been stretched too far. Soccer toe, type 2: The ligament that attaches the big toe to the foot and its joint capsule is partially torn. This will take more than the standard week to heal. This is more serious and more painful. Soccer toe, type 3: The ligament and the joint capsule have been completely torn. This is very severe, very painful and will take weeks to heal. This can wreak havoc on a player's season because it is the kind of nagging injury that doesn't seem to ever go away. Describe to your doctor what you felt and heard when you injured your toe. This will help with a proper diagnosis. An audible and painful “pop” or “crack” is usually heard and felt when a player suffers the soccer toe injury. When talking to your doctor, say something like: “I was turning quickly to run for the ball, and heard a sound like a 'snap' from near my big toe.” “I kicked the ball wrong and hit it with my toe. It bent back too far, and I heard a sound like a crunch from my toe.” Your doctor will also likely ask for a patient medical history, to find out if the feet or toes have been injured previously (including prior cases of turf toe). Comply with your doctor’s directions for x-rays or surgery. These are uncommon, but in severe cases of soccer toe, you may need to sit for an x-ray or have surgery performed. If the doctor suspects that your toe may be broken—a more serious injury than turf toe—they will take an x-ray to examine the bone. Surgery is only performed in rare cases when the ligament has completely torn and needs to be repaired. Surgery may also be needed to remove any bone spurs that have developed from repeated injuries to the area. Wear athletic shoes that fit properly. Soccer toe is usually caused from an ill-fitting soccer shoe: either a shoe is too small and does not absorb shocks to the player's feet and toes, or the shoe is too large, and the player's foot slides in the shoe, slamming the toes into the front of the shoe. Wearing an athletic shoe with a stiff sole can prevent ligament hyperextension and cushion the player's toes from contact with the soccer ball. Soft, flexible athletic shoes increase a player's risk for turf toe, as the shoes do very little to limit the movement of the player's big toe. Use extra caution when playing on artificial turf. Artificial turf on soccer fields is made of a harder substance than grass, and consequently, players' cleats are more likely to stick in the artificial turf. This will place extra strain on the players' feet and tendons. Even if cleats don't stick in the turf, the added friction from the artificial turf will cause players to use more force when running and will increase the likelihood of ligament hyperextension. Avoid repeated instances of soccer toe. Although a single occurrence of soccer toe is not considered medically serious, if a player contracts soccer toe multiple times, the ligaments and soft tissue in the player's foot are at risk of serious damage. Under these circumstances, turf toe can become a chronic condition, leading to joint pain and permanent loss of movement. Players who suffer from chronic turf toe are also at a higher risk for arthritis in the area. | Rest after the injury. Put ice packs on the injured toe. Apply a heat wrap to the injured toe. Bind or tape the injured foot. Administer an over-the-counter oral painkiller. Wear a boot or other stiff-soled shoe after the injury. Plan to spend at least three weeks recovering. Visit a doctor for a full diagnosis. Describe to your doctor what you felt and heard when you injured your toe. Comply with your doctor’s directions for x-rays or surgery. Wear athletic shoes that fit properly. Use extra caution when playing on artificial turf. Avoid repeated instances of soccer toe. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Braid-Extensions | How to Braid Extensions | If you want to box braid extensions into your hair, start by washing your hair, since small braids tend to remain in place for a long time. Then, separate a small section of your natural hair and wrap the middle of a hair extension around it. Once the extension is secured, you should be holding three strands which you can braid together. Repeat that process with more extensions until your whole head is braided. | Shampoo and condition your hair before braiding it. Extensions braided into small braids are usually in place for a long period, so you want to start with clean hair and scalp. Make sure your hair is dry before braiding. You may also want to cut the extensions to the length you prefer before braiding. If you are going to use the full length of the extensions, you can leave them as they are. Separate your hair into small, even sections. For box braids , you are going to be braiding numerous strands into tiny, long braids. Start the process by separating your hair into small, even, box-shaped sections. Then, use a small elastic to secure each section in a bun. Use a comb for best results and make sure your hair is untangled before you begin. Wrap the hair extension around the natural hair strand. Hold the piece of natural hair in one hand. Take the hair extension and loop it around the natural hair; essentially, you are wrapping the extension around the natural hair in half. You will have two strands of hair extension in one hand, and one natural strand in the other hand. Make sure the extension is looped evenly around the strand so the ends meet; this will ensure that way your braid is even. Twist the extension around your natural hair. Hold your natural hair taut as you twist the two strands of the extension around the natural hair strand. If you can't quite get it by twisting, just cross the extension strands under the natural hair. You will now have three distinct strands of equal size. Start the base braid. Take the natural strand, which is one of the outside strands, and cross it over the middle strand. Pull the extension strand to the side, making it an outside strand while the natural hair strand becomes the middle strand. This makes your three strands. Spray the hair extension and natural hair with water to keep stray hairs in place while you are working with it. Braid a few strands. Using these 3 initial strands, braid a few strands to get the braid going. Then, slide the extension upwards towards the scalp to secure it. Make sure not to braid the hair too tightly. This can cause severe scalp and hair damage. Blend the natural hair into the extensions. Split the natural hair into 2 strands. Do the same to 1 of the extension strands. Combine 1 of each of the strands together into 2 new strands. Now, 2 of your strands should be a combined natural hair and extension strand. You should still have 3 separate sections of hair at this point. Continue braiding. Now that you have the braid started and blended, continue braiding until you get to the end of your hair. When you get to the ends of your natural hair, use some hair spray or water to smooth them down as they combine with your extensions. Secure the ends. When you reach the end of the extensions, secure the ends with a small hair tie or whatever other method you choose. Section off a line of hair. Start your cornrow by sectioning off a long, narrow section of hair. This section should be in a straight line from your scalp to your nape. Make sure to separate the edges as crisply as possible. Use rubber bands, clips, bobby pins, or another styling tool to secure the hair not in the cornrow section. You want to make sure hair from the rest of your head doesn't get integrated into the cornrow. Make sure to comb the hair in the tract straight back before you begin. Separate a thin section near the scalp. To start your cornrow, you need to make the base for the braid. Begin by taking a thin, even section from the very front of the section - right next to the scalp. Add the extension hair. Position the hair extension around the natural hair so the natural hair rests in the direct middle of the extension. This will produce 3 strands to braid - the extension on the right, the natural hair in the middle, and the extension to the left. Prepare these strands to braid by placing the 3 strands between your fingers on 1 hand. One strand should be between your thumb and index finger, the middle between your index and middle finger, the last between your middle and ring finger. Begin the braid. Get your fingers as close to the scalp as possible. Start with the strand of hair resting between ring finger and middle finger. Take that strand between your thumb and index finger on your free hand. Wrap the strand around the base of the hair in the direction of the hand you are wrapping with. Keep the hair tightly close to the scalp. Keeping that strand secure between your thumb and index finger, place the middle strand between the index and middle finger, while the outside strand is between your middle and ring finger. The strands have now shifted position. The hair that started in the back is now in front, the original middle strand (your natural hair) is in the back, and the original front strand is in the middle. Repeat this on the other side. Now with the other hand, repeat the same steps, wrapping around the other side of the strand. Take the strand currently between your ring and middle finger and wrap it around the hair using the thumb and index finger on your free hand. Make sure you wrap it around a different side than in the previous step; you are wrapping it around towards your free hand. Now place the middle and outside strands between the index and middle and middle and ring finger, respectively. If you are wrapping with your left hand, the hair will be wrapped on the left side of the strand. If you are wrapping with your right hand, the hair will be wrapped on the right side of the strand. Continue for three or four turns. Continue braiding the hair this way for 3 to 4 more turns. You want to establish a tight, secure base braid for the rest of your cornrow. Add hair to the braid. Now that the base braid is ready, start adding hair to the braid. Pick up a small amount of hair from the tract and add it to the strand between your thumb and index finger. Make sure that you add hair from both sides of the section you are braiding. Continue adding small sections of hair from directly below where the braid is, braiding complete turns each time. Continue the braid to the end of your hair. When you have incorporated all the hair from your scalp into your braid, keep braiding but transition to a box braid and continue until you get to the end of your hair. Secure your hair with a small rubber band. After you finish the first section, go back through the process for the other rows. Braid cornrows into your hair. To prepare your hair for crochet braids, braid your hair into cornrows. You can do 5-6 large cornrows, or you can do smaller ones. The amount of cornrows you braid into your hair might depend on the kind of extensions you are braiding into your hair. If you are braiding bulky extensions, you can braid less cornrows into your hair. Crochet braids are braids where you first cornrow your hair, then attach the extensions into the cornrows by a latch hook method. Sew your tails to your cornrows. If your hair is long enough to extend beyond the nape of your neck, fold them up so they are directly alongside the cornrow. Push a threaded needle through the cornrow and the braided tail, then out and through a loop on the end of the thread. Pull tight to secure the thread around the hair. Repeat a few times along the cornrow. Attach the extension with a latch hook. Fold the extension in half so the ends meet evenly. The center of the extension should make a little loop. Carefully slide the latch hook under the cornrow. Hook the loop of the extension into the latch hook, then close it. Buy a latch hook tool. This tool closes the hook so that it doesn't tear, break, or snag on your hair. If you use a regular crochet needle, you might damage your hair. Alternately, you can use a bobby pin. Slide the bobby pin under your cornrow until just the looped end is sticking out on the other side. Slide your extension through the looped end of the bobby pin. Make sure to pull the hair through until both strands are even. Slide the bobby pin and extension under the cornrow. Pull the extension through. Carefully pull the extension underneath the cornrow until the loop of the extension is below the cornrow. Take the strands of the extension and pull them through the loop. Tighten the loop until it is snug against the cornrow, and therefore, attached to your hair. Repeat the same latch hook process. Once you have secured 1 extension, repeat the same process all the way down the cornrow. Place them as closely together as you please, depending on the look you are going for. You can put the extensions into twists or braids after you finish attaching them. | Shampoo and condition your hair before braiding it. Separate your hair into small, even sections. Wrap the hair extension around the natural hair strand. Twist the extension around your natural hair. Start the base braid. Braid a few strands. Blend the natural hair into the extensions. Continue braiding. Secure the ends. Section off a line of hair. Separate a thin section near the scalp. Add the extension hair. Begin the braid. Repeat this on the other side. Continue for three or four turns. Add hair to the braid. Continue the braid to the end of your hair. Braid cornrows into your hair. Sew your tails to your cornrows. Attach the extension with a latch hook. Pull the extension through. Repeat the same latch hook process. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Post-Cards-in-Word | How to Make Post Cards in Word | To make a postcard in Microsoft Word, all you need to do is use a postcard template when you create a new document. Word has dozens of different postcards to choose from. Then, you're free to change the images and text to anything you want. Alternatively, you can create a postcard using Word's label feature. To do this, first open a blank document and paste the image you want on your postcard. After that, click on the “Mailings” tab, then “Label,” then “Options.” Select the “Postcards” label, then “New document.” This will create 4 copies of your picture on the page. | Create a blank Word Document and paste in the picture you'd like to use. Simply right click anywhere on the blank space and select "Paste." Click on the picture to select it. Your picture doesn't have to have typical postcard dimensions (six inches long and four inches high) to work. Navigate to the "Mailings" tab. Mailings will be between "References" and "Review" in all recent versions of Word (2007, 2010, 2013). Select the "Labels" icon. This icon will appear on the leftmost section of the toolbar next to "Envelopes." Click on "Options. " Selecting Labels will bring you to the "Envelopes and Labels" window. From there, click the button labeled "Options..." towards the bottom right of the window. This will bring up the "Label Options" window. Select the "Postcards" label. Make sure the "Label vendors:" is set to "Microsoft." If not, click the arrow and find Microsoft in the vendor drop down menu. Scroll through the "Product number:" menu until you find "Postcard." Click "Postcard" to highlight it before pressing "OK" at the bottom right. If you've purchased blank postcards, check to see if their manufacturer has a special template to use instead. Look for the manufacturer under "Label vendors:" and the template labeled with the correct product number. Click "New Document. " A new page should now display with four copies of your picture in a grid. Each of the four sections is the front of its own postcard. You can resize and move the picture within its section or add text. Save this document when you're finished. Create a new Word Document. Instead of creating a blank document, you will be working from a template. In Word 2007, click the Office icon at the top left of the screen and select "New." In Word 2010 and 2013, click "File" and then "New." Find the postcard template you'd like to use. You will have dozens of different ready-made postcards to choose from. Select the one that's closest to what you want. In Word 2007, the easiest method will be to type "postcards" into the search bar at the top of the new document window. This will pull up templates for you to download. In Word 2010 and 2013, there are special sections for postcard templates. Click "Cards" and then select "Postcards." If you purchased blank postcards, search for their manufacturer. If you cannot locate a pre-installed template, check the manufacturer's website for available downloads. Edit the postcard. Many postcard templates will be easy to edit with each picture and textbox as its own discrete object. Move objects to different areas of your postcard or delete them entirely. If you want to use a custom picture, right click a picture on the template and replace it. Change the text by clicking the textbox. The text's font, size, and color can also be altered using the Font toolbox, just like in a normal Word document. Save your document once you're finished to avoid losing your work. Print out your cards. Make sure your home printer can print on cardstock. Load a sheet of cardstock (or blank postcards) into your printer's paper tray. Print out however many copies of your postcard that you want. If you are printing both the front and back of your postcards, print a page of "fronts" first. Then, load the cardstock back into your printer's paper tray before printing the "backs." If you're unsure which side your printer prints to, try doing this using a test page on normal printer paper first. Cut out each card. Unless your postcard takes up the entire sheet of paper, you will need to cut your printout into separate cards. If you have a paper cutter, use that to quickly make consistent cuts into multiple copies at once. Otherwise, hand cut them one at a time with a pair of scissors. Some blank postcards are perforated so that all you will need to do is tear where necessary. Ready your cards for mailing. If your Word document didn't include addresses, write them in. You can also add a handwritten message to any available blank space. Affix a stamp to the top right corner of the addressed side, and your card is ready to post. | Create a blank Word Document and paste in the picture you'd like to use. Navigate to the "Mailings" tab. Click on "Options. Select the "Postcards" label. Click "New Document. Create a new Word Document. Find the postcard template you'd like to use. Edit the postcard. Print out your cards. Cut out each card. Ready your cards for mailing. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Contractor-License | How to Get a Contractor License | To get a contractor license, start by deciding if you want to be classified as a general contractor or as a specialty contractor, which may include concrete, demolition, or electrical. Next, decide on a name for your business and officially register your company. You'll also need to pass the contractor's exam in order to legally practice. After your exam, purchase special insurance to practice as a contractor. Additionally, you'll need to pass a criminal background check before you can receive your contractor's license. | Decide on your license class. In many areas, you must apply for a contractor's license of a certain class. Usually, the class is determined by the monetary value of projects contractors will undertake. For example, Class C contractors might be limited to working on projects of $10,000 or less, Class B contractors on projects up to $200,000, and Class A contractors may be able to work on projects of any value. Fees and insurance requirements may vary by contracting class. Working on projects outside of the limits of a contracting class is a violation of regulations. Disciplinary or legal action can result. Seek the contracting class that suits the types of project you want to do, as well as your company's financial and physical abilities. Choose a specialty, if desired. In many locations, you may be classified either as a “general contractor” or a “specialty contractor." General contractors, as the name implies, oversee many aspects of a project, while specialty contractors focus on a specific area. Common specialties include: Appliances Awnings, coverings, and screens Boiler, steam, and process piping Cabinetry and finish carpentry Closets Concrete Demolition Drywall Electrical Excavation Fire protection Flooring Glass and glazing Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) Landscaping Masonry Plumbing Roofing Name and register your company. If you want to practice as a contractor, you will need to officially register a company with your state and/or local authorities. Your contractor's license will then certify that this company can operate. You must first determine that your intended company name is not already taken. Many states will have a name availability form you can fill out, or an online database you can check to see if a company name is not yet taken. You also need to decide on your contracting business' structure (sole proprietorship, limited liability corporation, etc.). If you plan on hiring employees other than yourself, you should also request an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. Make sure to pay any fees that are required to register your business and/or its name. In some states, you must also designate people to serve as your contracting business' management and qualified individuals (those with the appropriate training/experience in the contracting field). These may or may not be the same people, depending on how your business is structured. Pass the contractor's examination. Each state will have a required examination or set of examinations that contractors must pass in order to legally practice. These exams might be composed of multiple topics, some dealing with business aspects and others with technical and trade practices. Contact the International Code Council (ICC) for information about contracting examinations that are applicable in your area. Purchase insurance and a bond, if required. In many locales, you must purchase special insurance in order to practice as a contractor. Since contracting work is often dangerous and involves large amounts of money, this insurance protects you against liabilities and covers any losses. In addition to or instead of insurance, you may be required to purchase a surety bond. This is essentially protection against loss in case you are unable to finish a project or complete it satisfactorily. The amount of insurance or bond that you must purchase will vary depending on your location and the type of projects you will do. However, expect it to be substantial. You will need to show proof that you have purchased the insurance or bond in order to receive your contractor's license. Pass a background check. In many states, you must pass a criminal background check before you can receive your contractor's license. Complete the background check according to the instructions provided by your state. Make sure to keep a copy of the certificate showing you have passed the background check—you will need this later when submitting your license application. Fill out the application and gather required documents. Once you have all of the preliminary steps taken care of, you will need to complete the formal application for your contractor's license. The exact application form and instructions will vary depending on your location. Contact your local planning and development board, registrar of contractors, or other relevant agency about where to find the application form and instructions. Common information and documents included with contracting license applications include: Your company's name, EIN, and address Your contracting class and specialty, if applicable Copies of your company's incorporation papers A summary of your education, training, and experience Proof of your insurance and/or bond Certification from the ICC or other approved agency that you have passed any required contracting examinations Copies of personal identification A statement of citizenship Information about any prior contracting licenses you have had (including in another state) Proof that you have passed a background check Submit the application and pay any required fees. When your application is filled out and you have included all documents, you are ready to submit it to the relevant agency. Deliver the application (by mail, online, in person, by fax, etc.) according to the instructions provided on the application form or by the relevant agency. Make sure to include any required fees with your application. Make sure to get your application notarized, if required, before submitting it. Wait for your application to be approved. Most likely, there will be a small waiting period before your application is approved or rejected. Ask the relevant agency if there is a confirmation number or letter you should expect to receive once you submit your application, and how you will receive notice that your application has been approved or rejected. Get a license for each state you want to operate in. Each state has its own regulations for contracting. You must be approved for each state you want to work in, even if you already have a contracting license that is valid in another state. In some cases, you may be able to get a special temporary license (which may have a lower fee or streamlined application process) if you do already have a license that is valid in another state. Note that contractors must follow any local or municipal contracting regulations in addition to ones enforced by the state. | Decide on your license class. Choose a specialty, if desired. Name and register your company. Pass the contractor's examination. Purchase insurance and a bond, if required. Pass a background check. Fill out the application and gather required documents. Submit the application and pay any required fees. Wait for your application to be approved. Get a license for each state you want to operate in. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Simple-Paper-Airplane | How to Make a Simple Paper Airplane | To make a simple paper airplane, first fold a piece of paper in half lengthwise. Then, unfold it and fold the top 2 corners to the center. Next, fold the angled edges that you just created in towards the center, leaving about 1 cm of space between the bottom of the angled edges and the crease. Fold along your original center-line, revealing a small inverted triangle. Now, fold the small inverted triangle up, to lock the angled edges in place. Then, turn your plane over and fold down the top 2 flaps to create wings. Hold it by the bottom edge, and let it fly! | Fold a letter size sheet of paper in half. Use an 8.5 by 11 in (22 by 28 cm) piece of paper. Make a vertical (hotdog) fold down the middle of the sheet to create a long, thin rectangle. Check that the corners of the paper match up exactly. Use your thumb or a flat-edged tool, like a butter knife or a wooden tongue depressor, to create a sharp crease. This will help your plane fly once it's finished. Unfold the paper and bend the top corners toward the crease. Fold the left corner first, then fold the right corner to meet it in the center. Make sure the outer edges of the paper are touching each other at the crease line. This will form triangular flaps on each side of the paper and will turn the top of your paper plane into a point. The bottom edge of the flap should be a straight line. Bend each of the triangular flaps toward the middle to sharpen the point. Carefully fold the left triangular flap in toward the middle crease, then press it down to create a smooth crease. Next, fold the right triangular flap toward the middle. Press along the crease to make it sharp. Once this is finished, you should have a sharp, narrow point at the end of your plane. The paper should look like a dart. Most of the paper now will be in the shape of a triangle, with a point at the top. Fold the paper in half along the vertical crease. Re-fold the paper along the vertical crease you made in the first step. Check that both sides line up evenly. Then, run your finger or a blunt-edged tool along the crease to make it sharp. Make wings on each side by folding down the edges. Lay the paper on a flat surface with the crease facing your body. Fold down 1 side of the paper to about 1 in (2.5 cm) above the bottom crease. Check that the edge of the flap is parallel to the bottom crease, then press down on it to create a wing. Next, flip the paper over and repeat on the other side to create the second wing. You should have a finished dart plane. Test it out to see if it flies! Fold a letter size paper in half. Use an 8.5 by 11 in (22 by 28 cm) sheet of paper to craft your dart. Make a vertical (hotdog) fold by bringing the long sides together. Make sure the edges line up exactly. Then, use your finger to flatten out the crease. When making creases, make sure they are sharp and crisp. Use your thumb or a straight-edged tool, like a wooden depressor or a butterknife. Unfold the paper and bend the top corners toward the crease. To make the dart point, fold each of the top corners down toward the center crease. Fold in the left corner first, then fold in the right corner to meet it. Make sure the edges of the folds meet in the center, then press down on the creases to make them sharp. The flaps should make two triangles, and the tip should be in a point. Flip the paper over and fold the outer edges in toward the center crease. Turn your paper onto the other side with the triangular flaps facing down. Take the outer pointed edge and fold that corner to the center crease. Repeat on both sides. At this stage, you will have three layers of triangular folds. The bottom corners of the top triangular layer should meet at the center crease. The edges of the paper should be mostly in the shape of a triangle, with the bottom edge still flat. Fold the tip down toward the base of the paper to make a flat tip. Bend the tip and line it up with the folds in the triangular flaps. Then, press down on the fold to create a sharp crease. At this point, your plane should have a flat tip where the point used to be. Fold the paper in half along the center crease. Match the edges of the paper exactly to create a symmetrical fold along the center crease. The folds done in steps 3 and 4 should be on the inside of the paper. Press down on the crease to make it sharp again. Fold the back edges into wings. Place your dart plane on a flat surface with the crease facing you. Then, take the back edge of the paper and fold it down toward the crease. Line the edge with the crease, then press down on the fold to create a wing. Flip the paper over and repeat to create the other wing. This plane flies better at a slower speed. The nose will cause it to fall if you throw it too fast. Make 8 1 in (2.5 cm) folds from the top of your paper down. Use an 8.5 by 11 in (22 by 28 cm) piece of paper that's positioned vertically on your work surface. Fold the top 1 in (2.5 cm) of the paper down. Make sure the edges line up evenly, then press down to create a fold. Repeat this 8 times, folding each time on top of the previous fold, for eight folds. When you're finished, the paper will be half its original size. Make sure the folds are lined up exactly on top of one another and tightly folded. The creases should be sharp and crisp. To achieve a sharp crease, use your thumb or a blunt-edged tool, like a wooden depressor or a butterknife. Flip the paper over and fold it in half. Turn your paper over so that the folded edge is facing toward your work surface. Check that the folded edge is pointed up. Next, take the left side of your sheet and fold it over. Make sure that the edges are lined up evenly, then press down to create a sharp crease. You should now be able to see the folds. Make wings by folding the sides down over the crease. Turn the paper so that the bottom of the crease is facing you. About.5 to 1 in (1.3 to 2.5 cm) from the crease, fold your paper flap down to create a long wing. Then, flip the paper over and bend the other side in the exact same spot. Use your finger to press down on the folds and make them sharp. The folds should be on the bottom of the plane. The kite plane is capable of great distance and accuracy. | Fold a letter size sheet of paper in half. Unfold the paper and bend the top corners toward the crease. Bend each of the triangular flaps toward the middle to sharpen the point. Fold the paper in half along the vertical crease. Make wings on each side by folding down the edges. Fold a letter size paper in half. Unfold the paper and bend the top corners toward the crease. Flip the paper over and fold the outer edges in toward the center crease. Fold the tip down toward the base of the paper to make a flat tip. Fold the paper in half along the center crease. Fold the back edges into wings. Make 8 1 in (2.5 cm) folds from the top of your paper down. Flip the paper over and fold it in half. Make wings by folding the sides down over the crease. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Dye-Ginger-Hair | How to Dye Ginger Hair | If you want to dye your ginger hair, you'll need to first bleach your hair so the dye will hold. Before bleaching, avoid washing your hair for 48 hours, which will allow your scalp to build up enough natural oils to protect your skin from the bleach. When you're ready to bleach, mix the bleach with a developer that matches the darkness of your natural shade. Apply the mixture to your hair in sections and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing it out with cold water. Then, mix your dye with the developer in a separate bowl and apply it to your hair in sections. After waiting 20 to 45 minutes for the color to develop, rinse out the dye with cold water. | Avoid washing your hair for 48 hours before you bleach. Bleach is a strong chemical; it can irritate and even burn your scalp and skin. The natural oils that build up when you do not wash your hair will protect your scalp from these harsh irritants. Give your hair at least a 48-hour break from shampooing before you begin the bleaching process. Deep-condition your hair a week before you plan to bleach. This can help minimize hair damage and breakage associated with bleaching. Choose a developer strength. Unless you were born with very light red hair, you will probably have to bleach first to achieve a true color change. Developer is the chemical that lifts color from your hair. The strength you need depends on how many shades you have to lift. Dark red hair will need a stronger developer than lighter red shades. Volume 40 is the strongest developer. Because it lifts your hair more quickly than lower volumes, is also harsher on your hair. If you are concerned about using a volume 40 developer, you can use repeated treatments of a volume 20 or 30 developer over the course of a few weeks. Mix the developer and bleach powder together. Pick up the developer strength you need and bleach powder at a beauty supply store. Grab an applicator and a pair of plastic gloves, too. Put on the protective gloves and pour equal parts bleach powder and developer in a large plastic bowl. Stir until they are fully incorporated. Drape a towel around your shoulders to protect them from the bleach right before you begin. Use a plastic comb to divide your hair into four sections. Bleaching is an easier process if you start by dividing your hair up into four manageable sections. Part your hair down the middle, from crown to nape. Then divide those sections in half horizontally, from one ear to the other. Use plastic hair clips to secure each section on top of your head. Working in sections also helps you get the most even coverage and results. Paint bleach onto the first section using the applicator. Bleach the bottom sections first. Remove the hair clip from one of the bottom sections of hair. Apply the bleach mixture to that section of hair with the applicator, working from root to tip. Get as close to the roots as you can, but do not get the bleach on your scalp. Completely saturate that section of hair, then carefully clip it back up. Apply the bleach mixture to the other three sections of hair. Remove the clip from the next section and apply the bleach in the exact same way. Clip it back up and repeat until you have finished saturating all four sections of hair with the mixture. Paint the mixture on in thin layers to make sure you get full and even coverage. If you like, you can wrap your hair up with saran wrap or place a shower cap over it to prevent dripping, but you do not have to. Wait 30 minutes. The exact time frame depends on the current color of your hair and the specific products you are using, but 30-45 minutes is the typical range. Never leave bleach on your hair longer than 60 minutes. If it helps, set a timer so you will not lose track of time. Check your hair every ten minutes or so to gauge progress. Rinse out the bleach mixture thoroughly with cold water. Cold water reacts with the bleach chemicals and causes them to stop processing your hair immediately. Rinse the bleach mixture out carefully and thoroughly. Follow up the rinse by shampooing twice to ensure you have completely removed all of the bleach mixture. If the bleach left yellow or brassy shades in your hair, use a purple shampoo to tone it. Divide your hair into four even sections. Use a plastic comb to divide your hair into four manageable sections. Part your hair down the center, from the crown of your head to the nape of your neck. Then divide those sections in half, horizontally, from ear to ear. Use a plastic clip to secure each section of your hair up and out of the way so you can concentrate on one at a time. Mix your chosen dye with volume 10 developer. Put on protective gloves. Pour the dye components and developer into a large bowl, then mix it up until until fully incorporated. Check the instructions that came with your products to make sure there are not any additional directions. Release one section of hair. Drape a towel around your shoulder. Start with one of the top sections and work your way down to the bottom two. Unclip one of the top sections of hair. Use an applicator to saturate the section with the dye mixture. Use thin coats to ensure even application. Once saturated, clip it back up. Release the next section of hair. Take out the clip and use the applicator to thoroughly apply the dye mixture to your hair. Once saturated, clip it back up out of the way. Continue in this fashion until you have saturated all of your hair with the dye. Wait 20 to 45 minutes to allow the color to develop. Different products and brands will vary in exact time frames for color development, but in general, you will be waiting anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes. Check the instructions that came with yours and follow those specific directions. Rinse out the dye with cold water. Rinse thoroughly while gently massaging your scalp. Continue to rinse until the water runs completely clear. Once rinsed you can proceed to style your hair right away. Keep shampooing to a minimum. Purchase a shampoo and conditioner formulated for color-treated hair to help the color from fading so quickly. Try to go a few days between shampoos, since your hair color will fade slightly with every wash. Use cold water when shampooing, which is easier on color-treated hair. Try out dry shampoo, which can help you prolong the time between washings. Try a color-refreshing shampoo product. These products, which you can pick up at beauty supply stores, can help you keep your newly-dyed locks looking vibrant. Pick up one or two brands and give them a try. There are easy-to-apply semi-permanent dye products you can look into to help preserve your color, as well. Deep-condition your hair weekly. Bleaching and dyeing chemicals can be tough on hair. You may experience damage and breakage after going through the process. This is normal! To combat this, deep-condition at least once per week to restore much needed nutrients and moisture. Apply a rich and moisturizing hair mask every couple of weeks, as well. Avoid heat styling as much as possible. Heat styling tools can fade your hair color. Whenever possible, forego the blow dryer and let your hair air-dry. Use flat irons and curling irons as minimally as possible. When you do use them, apply a protective heat serum to your hair before proceeding. Use the lowest heat setting your styling tools will allow. | Avoid washing your hair for 48 hours before you bleach. Choose a developer strength. Mix the developer and bleach powder together. Use a plastic comb to divide your hair into four sections. Paint bleach onto the first section using the applicator. Apply the bleach mixture to the other three sections of hair. Wait 30 minutes. Rinse out the bleach mixture thoroughly with cold water. Divide your hair into four even sections. Mix your chosen dye with volume 10 developer. Release one section of hair. Release the next section of hair. Wait 20 to 45 minutes to allow the color to develop. Rinse out the dye with cold water. Keep shampooing to a minimum. Try a color-refreshing shampoo product. Deep-condition your hair weekly. Avoid heat styling as much as possible. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Install-Carpet-on-Concrete-(Basement) | How to Install Carpet on Concrete (Basement) | To install carpet on concrete, choose a carpet that is constructed of synthetic products only as natural fibers are often too absorbent. Before you install the carpet, make sure to check the concrete for any moisture issues that need to be addressed. Then, lay tack strips around the perimeter of the room and install your strips of padding. After that, lay your carpet, starting at the center of the room and tightening the carpet with a rented knee kicker as you move toward the walls. Finally, finish with your edges. | Measure the room to be carpeted. Take these measurements to your carpet dealer to make sure you get an ample amount of carpet for your job. Be sure to tell them that you are carpeting over concrete since that requires different carpet material as well as slightly different tools than carpeting over wooden surfaces. Bring any drape or paint samples to the carpet dealer for comparison. If you've already painted the walls or planned for any other decorating in the room, take in some samples of the colors so you can make an informed choice at the store. Prepare for the dealer's questions. Typically, you'll be asked some basic questions about the room and your intended use for the room. These questions are designed to help you pick the most appropriate carpet, and are good questions to ask yourself anyway. It helps to give some thought beforehand so you don't have to make a hasty decision. A dealer may ask: Are there a lot of windows in the room? Will there be heavy or light traffic in the room? Do you have kids or pets? Is there direct access from outside? How large is the room? Dealers will also typically try to sell you on Stainmaster, Teflon, and Anti-Static technology at various levels of expense to you. Remember, the decision's up to you. Get something that'll serve your purpose, but don't get pushed into expensive options you don't want. Select a carpet that will stand up to the concrete. Make sure the entire carpet is constructed of synthetic products only. Some carpet is backed with jute, which is too absorbent to use on concrete. If you're not going to install your carpet on a subfloor, you'll need to make sure that you're picking a kind of fiber that will stand up to concrete's tendency to collect moisture. Consider carpet made from olefin face fiber. A chemical-resistant fiber that will stand up to aggressive cleaning solutions like bleach, this might not be the softest or most attractive carpet, but it will last. Decide on a style of carpet. You can choose between patterned or solid carpet, as well as a light or dark color. You can also choose tight or loose fiber loops and pick between a solid or mesh subsurface. Typically, the carpet rule of thumb is that light carpet can seem to create more space in a smaller room, while a darker shade of carpet can add coziness to a bigger space. Completely empty the room. Remove all furniture as well as anything else that rests on the carpet. Check the room for moisture problems. Any drainage issues in the room you're planning to carpet need to be addressed before carpeting. Ignoring the problem now could result in a costly and expensive project down the road, especially if you end up with harmful mold and end up having to tear out the carpet and repeat all your hard work. Rent or buy a moisture reader to test the humidity yourself. You should do this a week or more prior to carpet installation day to allow plenty of time for the waterproofing to be done. Air out the carpet out before installation. Carpeting is a chemical soup full of solvents. Allowing it some time to air out will cut down on fumes when you install it. Remove any doors for ease of installation. You might have to sand down, or use a saw to undercut, the bottom of the doors and trim door jambs to ensure smooth closing after the carpet installation. Lift any baseboards. You may need to remove the baseboards in order to install your carpet. Alternatively, the carpet may fit under the baseboards; in that case you can leave them in place. Fill in any cracks or imperfections in the surface. Before the surface dries, fill in any holes or cracks, making sure the top of the repair is level with the rest of the concrete surface. Small cracks and fractures can be fixed using a cement based, waterproof filler (e.g., Armstrong 501). Use a leveling product to flatten any low spots in the slab. Be sure to let the product dry, then sand and smooth the surface. Clean the concrete thoroughly, using the appropriate cleaner for the stains you find. Follow the washing with a mold and bacteria killing solution of 1 part household bleach to 15 parts water. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Control the temperature in the room. For about 48 hours prior to and after installation, the temperature should stay between 65°F and 95°F (18°C and 35°C) and humidity between 10% and 65%. By observing these conditions, your carpet installation should go smoothly. Lay the tack strip. Cut a piece of tack strip the length of one wall, and attach it to the floor with masonry nails. The tack points should be facing the wall. You should also use a liquid nail glue along with the nails for a secure fit. Leave a gap the thickness of the carpet's pile between the gripper strip and the wall. This is where you will tuck the edges of the carpet during installation. Tack strip is also known as gripper rod (UK), carpet gripper, Smooth edge (Can), tack strip, and gripper edge. Alternatively, you can use glue-down carpet, rather than tack strips. Lay padding strips. Cut padding strips the length of the room, and place them side by side across the room. Keep your rows abutted, and cover seams with duct tape. Trim any excess with a utility knife. Apply glue to the corners as well as to various spots throughout the body of the padding. Cut carpet to size, allowing approximately 6 inches (15.2 cm) excess all around. Patterns have to match in length to hide seams. Place seam tape, adhesive side up, where pieces abut. Use a steam iron to activate the adhesive and join the pieces together. Lay carpet out and use a rented knee kicker to force the carpet into the far corner. Using the power stretcher, stretch the carpet across the room to the opposite wall. Hook the carpet onto the tack strip. Continue this until the carpeting is smooth and flat. Generally, you'll work from the centers of each wall toward the corners. As a novice, you might want to avoid using a power stretcher, since they can overstretch or even rip carpet. They are hydraulic, heavy, and very expensive. Finish the edges. Cut off excess carpet, and push carpet behind tack strip, using a wide blade putty knife if necessary. Cover edge of carpeting at doorways with metal door jambs and replace doors. Finish off with baseboards of your choice. | Measure the room to be carpeted. Bring any drape or paint samples to the carpet dealer for comparison. Prepare for the dealer's questions. Select a carpet that will stand up to the concrete. Decide on a style of carpet. Completely empty the room. Check the room for moisture problems. Air out the carpet out before installation. Remove any doors for ease of installation. Lift any baseboards. Fill in any cracks or imperfections in the surface. Use a leveling product to flatten any low spots in the slab. Clean the concrete thoroughly, using the appropriate cleaner for the stains you find. Control the temperature in the room. Lay the tack strip. Lay padding strips. Cut carpet to size, allowing approximately 6 inches (15.2 cm) excess all around. Lay carpet out and use a rented knee kicker to force the carpet into the far corner. Finish the edges. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Fix-Nicotine-Stained-Teeth | How to Fix Nicotine Stained Teeth | To fix nicotine stained teeth at home, try rinsing your mouth once a day with a solution of lemon juice and water, since lemon is a natural bleaching agent. You can also make a rinse with by mixing 1 tbsp of hydrogen peroxide into a glass of water. Alternatively, mash 2 strawberries with ¼ tsp of baking powder, cover your teeth with the paste, and rinse out your mouth with water after 5 minutes. | Use a whitening toothpaste. Head to the drugstore and look for a toothpaste that specifically advertises whitening properties. These toothpastes can lessen the appearance of surface stains, such as those caused by smoking. Often, they contain chemicals that break down the stains. Ask your dentist for his recommended brand. Be aware that certain toothpastes can heighten the sensitivity of your teeth. Consider using strips and rinses. In addition to toothpastes, there are other over-the-counter products that can help reduce the appearance of nicotine stains on your teeth. Purchase whitestrips, and follow the directions on the package. You can choose from those that dissolve in your mouth or strips that you remove after a specific period of time. Strips are an effective and inexpensive way to brighten your teeth. Use natural ingredients. There are many items in your home — especially your kitchen —which are natural whitening agents. Lemon juice acts as a natural bleaching agent and can make your teeth appear shiny and clean. Mix some lemon juice with water, and rinse your mouth with this solution. You can also make a paste using baking powder and strawberries. Just mash two to three berries together with 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder. Use a toothbrush to cover your teeth with the paste. After five minutes, rinse your mouth with water. These ingredients will help to brighten the appearance of your yellow teeth. There are also certain foods to avoid. Too much coffee, cola, and red wine can increase the discoloration that occurs with nicotine use. Try to avoid them. Rinse with hydrogen peroxide. Another common household product that can brighten your teeth is hydrogen peroxide. Dilute a small amount (less than an ounce) of hydrogen peroxide with water and rinse your mouth. After several seconds, spit it out, and thoroughly rinse with water. This solution is an easy way to lighten yellow stains. Another way to create a shiny look to your teeth can be achieved by holding mouthwash in your mouth and then start brushing your teeth, pushing the brush in past your closed lips. In short, you brush your teeth with the mouthwash. The final result can be surprising. Be patient. Nicotine stains are often more difficult to treat than discoloration caused by food or other factors like medication or discoloration following a root canal. Because nicotine stains are so stubborn, it can take longer to reduce their appearance. Be aware that it may take two to three months to see results. Don't give up if you can't see an immediate impact. Choose your dentist carefully. For many people, going to the dentist can be an unpleasant experience. But it you do your research and find a dentist who makes you feel comfortable, you'll likely feel much more at ease. Ask your friends and relatives for recommendations. You can also read online reviews from previous patients. Make sure to choose a dentist who listens carefully and thoroughly explains all of your options. Have a laser treatment. Your dentist might recommend laser whitening to help eradicate the nicotine stains on your teeth. This process involves painting your teeth with a peroxide solution and exposing your teeth to very strong light. This is a painless procedure that takes anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour. Try chemical whitening. With this option, your dentist will use a bleaching agent to whiten your teeth. Sometimes, you might be sent home with a mouth tray and a supply of bleaching gel. Your dentist will instruct you to wear the tray for a certain amount of time each day. Other times, she might do the entire bleaching procedure in the office. Either way, it is painless. Be aware of risks. One of the most common side effects is increased sensitivity in your teeth. Ask your dentist about this possibility. In addition, in some cases, depending on the bite or the concentration of the whitening substance, tooth structure becomes weak and teeth may experience small cracks or even chip. Consider veneers. Porcelain laminate veneers are paper thin "shells" made from porcelain that are used to create the appearance of bright, healthy teeth. The dentist will remove some of your tooth enamel, then apply a layer of adhesive, followed by the veneer. Veneers are considered one of the most effective ways to whiten and brighten your smile. Plus, they are stain-resistant. Ask your dentist if they are an option for you. There is also an option for "no-prep" veneers, which does not require the dentist to remove enamel before applying the veneer. This is not appropriate for everyone, however, so talk to your dentist to see if you are a candidate. There are also composite veneers, which are less expensive than porcelain veneers. They are made of composite resin, which is a tooth-colored filling material. Prepare a budget. Any trip to the dentist can be pricey. Even if you have dental insurance, many plans to not cover whitening, as it is considered a cosmetic procedure. Contact your insurance company to find out the details of your coverage. Then, contact your dentist to inquire about pricing for the procedure that interests you. Once you know how much money you need to spend to reduce the appearance of nicotine stains, start planning your budget. It is possible that your dentist accepts payment plans. If not, come up with some ways to pinch your pennies. Learn about discoloration. Nicotine can quickly cause yellowing of your teeth. This occurs whether you smoke cigarettes or use chewing tobacco. Nicotine and tar settle into the very small cracks in the enamel of your teeth, and cause discoloration. It has been shown that nicotine helps the process of plaque formation, which leads to a faster deposit of tartar and can cause bad breath. Know the risks of disease. In addition to discoloration, nicotine use can cause other physical problems for your teeth and gums. You may be prone to increased cavities, gum disease, and certain types of oral cancer. All of these ailments can decrease the healthy appearance of your teeth. Practice good oral hygiene. One way to prevent the yellowing of teeth is to make sure that you are taking excellent care of your mouth. Good oral hygiene includes brushing your teeth twice a day. You should use a whitening toothpaste in combination with a soft-bristled tooth brush. Brush firmly but gently at least twice a day. Flossing is also important. You should make sure to use dental floss once a day. This can remove buildup of foreign material between your teeth. Try to quit. The best way to put a stop to the yellowing of your teeth is to quit using nicotine. Quitting is a very difficult process, but there are many methods you can try. Consider using cessation aids, such as chewing gum or nicotine patches. There are also prescription medications to help with your addition. Ask your doctor for help in choosing a safe and effective method. | Use a whitening toothpaste. Consider using strips and rinses. Use natural ingredients. Rinse with hydrogen peroxide. Be patient. Choose your dentist carefully. Have a laser treatment. Try chemical whitening. Consider veneers. Prepare a budget. Learn about discoloration. Know the risks of disease. Practice good oral hygiene. Try to quit. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tighten-Skateboard-Trucks | How to Tighten Skateboard Trucks | To tighten your skateboard trucks, start by flipping your board upside down and finding the big nut in the middle of the truck. Then, decide how tight you want your trucks, keeping in mind that tighter is better for high-speed skating, but means more resistance on turns. Next, use a skate tool or wrench to turn the nut clockwise until the trucks are as tight as you'd like. Once you've made the adjustment, noodle around on your board to figure out if you've hit your sweet spot or need to make additional adjustments. | Know that truck tightness is a matter of personal preference. At the end of the day, there is no "perfect" amount to tighten your trucks. The tighter you turn the trucks, the more difficult the board is to turn. Too loose and you won't feel like you're stable, and your turns will be wide and difficult to control.The spot right in the middle of these extremes, your perfect tightness, is based on your own style and preference. Luckily, there is a large range of rideable tightness -- this isn't rocket science! Generally, tighter pins provide more resistance on turns, key for high-speed skating. Looser pins have a more forgiving feel on turns and landings. If your trucks are looser, you can turn simply by leaning on your toes or heels. Grab a board you like, flip it over, and test the trucks by tilting them back and forth. The amount the wheels tilt back and forth depends on how tight the trucks are. If you have a board (or a friend's board) that you like, test the tightness on them and try to replicate it in your own board. The amount they wobble right and left relates to how tight they are. Use a skate tool or other useful tool to tighten or loosen the big nut in the center of the truck. This single bolt controls the tightness of the trucks. It points directly to the ground when you're skating, and is found between the wheels. Turn it clockwise to tighten the trucks, getting tighter turning. Turn it counter-clockwise to loosen the trucks, getting a softer turning feel. Make sure you tighten the trucks in very small increments (perhaps a quarter of a turn at a time before checking the board again), because a little bit of turning can affect it a lot. Go out for a ride to test your trucks. Don't just tighten the trucks and hit the skate park. After tightening, ride around a bit, trying a some turns, some ollies, and basic skating. Remember that there is no "right" tightness-- you need to find out what works for you. Bring your tool with you on your first few rides to make simple adjustments after testing. A hard day of riding will show you all the pros and cons of your new truck set-up. But that doesn't mean you need to be stuck with your set-up all day. A skate tool is small and easy to carry. Bring it along and make adjustments as needed. The nut that holds the trucks is called the kingpin. It has a strip of nylon on top called a locking nylon, which should always be at least flush. Otherwise, if the nut rises above the kingpin, the locking nylon won't be attached and the trucks will eventually loosen and fall apart while you're riding. Re-pack your bushings to fit your skate style. The bushings can be tightly packed or loosely packed, with the former decreasing turning and the later increasing it. When tightening your trucks, you are actually compressing the bushings, so you can get similar results by changing the bushings altogether. While not difficult, many skaters have this done at a local skate shop for the convenience. Try a new brand of trucks. Not all trucks are created equally, and each company has different specs and styles. A lot of it comes down to testing different boards out and finding out what you want, but there are some things to consider for all trucks: High or Low Kingpin: Higher pins are best for grinds, manuals, and other tricks. A lowered kingpin is best for popping ollies and kickflips. Wider Wheels: Most wheels are standard, but heavier riders might want wider trucks, as they distribute the added weight better for smoother control. Add risers to get the board higher and reduce vibrations. Risers are attached between your trucks and your board, providing lift for tricks. Furthermore, risers you will dampen landing vibrations, though the higher board will take some getting used. Higher trucks can make it harder, however, to grind. | Know that truck tightness is a matter of personal preference. Grab a board you like, flip it over, and test the trucks by tilting them back and forth. Use a skate tool or other useful tool to tighten or loosen the big nut in the center of the truck. Go out for a ride to test your trucks. Bring your tool with you on your first few rides to make simple adjustments after testing. Re-pack your bushings to fit your skate style. Try a new brand of trucks. Add risers to get the board higher and reduce vibrations. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Lay-Brick | How to Lay Brick | Before you can lay brick, lay a concrete foundation that is at least 1 foot deep, and below ground level so it won't be visible when the wall is finished. After the cement has cured, spread a 1 inch thick layer of mortar large enough to fit a brick, and tap a brick into it with the handle of your trowel until it is level. Then, add 3/8 inch of mortar to one end of another brick and attach it to the one you already laid. Repeat that process until the wall is complete. | Plan out your wall. Using string, a level, and a tape measure, plot out the exact dimensions of your wall, enclosure, structure, etc. Having a solid blueprint in place will help your purchase the correct amount of bricks and help you design guidelines that ensure your bricks are laid level. When buying bricks, remember to account for the mortar. Add roughly 1/2" to the size of your bricks to make sure you get the right measurement. However, if the bricks you are buying has a "nominal size," this means that the manufacturer has already added room for mortar. Always buy 10-15 more bricks than you'll need -- some will inevitably break while you're working. Pour a concrete foundation if you do not have an existing slab, brick ledge, or footing to work on. This must be level and below the grade of the finished ground so that the brick is all you see when your wall is finished. Once it is set, lay a row of bricks out on a "dry run" to ensure that the foundation is the right size. The foundation should be the exact length and height of your brick structure. In general, your foundation should be roughly 1 foot deep before you add the concrete. The concrete needs 2-3 days to set, so you can use this time to set up your guides and round up supplies. Make your guideposts. This is most important if you are building a wall, but you'll need to create guideposts no matter what you're making to ensure that evenly lay the bricks. To make them, take 2 long wooden boards and drive them into the ground right at the ends of your structure. Starting with the surface of your foundation, mark the height of each brick, as well as the space for the mortar, using a tape measure. Make sure that the two boards are marked equally so that you have a straight line to guide you as you lay the bricks. The architectural standard for brick is ⁄ 8 inch (1.0 cm) mortar joint thickness on all sides. There are exceptions, of course, for queen, old Chicago, and custom brick. Gather all the materials you need to start your project. Once you have mixed the masonry cement and started laying brick, you have to use all the mortar and strike your joints before quitting. Mortar will harden overnight, so only mix as much as you can manage. Once you're concrete foundation has set and you're ready to begin, you should place the following supplies close by so you can work efficiently: String and clamps/nails (to create guidelines). Mortar and a mixing bucket. Level. Brick jointer. Club hammer (to break bricks in half) Tape Measure. Lay out the first row of brick dry to get an idea of adjustments that need to be made. If you do not lay out the first row of bricks dry, small adjustments will be difficult or impossible to do later, and may cause some noticeable imperfections. You can also make marks on the foundation with a permanent marker and it will make laying down the first course of bricks and centering the bricks much easier. If you purchase new bricks that are 8 inches in length, make marks on the foundation every 22 centimeters. If you are re-using old bricks that are 8 1/4 inches in length, make marks on the foundation every 22.5 centimeters. Mix your masonry cement, or mortar. This can be done in a wheelbarrow for small projects, or a mortar box if you don't have access to a mortar mixer or cement mixer. Basically, to mix the mortar, you will use a ratio of three parts masonry sand (builders sand, if it is very clean), to one part masonry cement. Add water to the dry materials and mix to a consistency like pudding. Too dry, and it will be difficult to "set" the brick in the mortar bed, too wet and the brick will sag. If you are starting, you might find it easier to mix a small amount of mortar for just a few bricks; this way, you can add mortar or water, as you go to get the right consistency. If you put a small spatula in the bag of mortar, you can use it to add some mortar, mix, check consistency, then add some more, mix and check consistency. This way you can avoid a watery mix of mortar that lets the bricks sag unevenly. Place bricks and "mortar boards" along your foundation so that you can reach easily them your work area. Place some mixed mortar on plywood so that that it can be reached easily. This will allow you to grab mortar with your trowel as you work, and not have to move around too much. If you've planned correctly, you can also place stacks of bricks at regular intervals so that you can keep working smoothly. However, if you're only working on a small project, you may be fine with one pile of bricks and a bucket of mortar. Place a few shovels of mortar on each board, splashing the board first with water so the mortar "keeps", or stays wet enough to use. Start at a corner and, using the trowel, scoop up mortar and place a 4 to 6 inch (10.2 to 15.2 cm) wide band on the foundation about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Set a brick down in this "bed" of mortar, and tap it down with the handle of your trowel, until it is level, parallel to the line of your wall, and the edge is plumb. Repeat with 6 or 8 bricks, using the edge of the trowel to cut away the excess mortar that is shoved out from under the brick as you go. You can put the mortar on about an inch and a half thick, and then press it down to about a finger's width. Then wipe off the excess with your finger, giving it the classic indention look that you see on brick houses. In masonry, a course is a row of bricks. Add 3/8" of mortar to the end of the brick and attach another. Keep placing your bricks down on the foundation, joining them with a slab of mortar on the ends. Use the trowel, or your fingers, to wipe up any excess and use it to start the next row. Use a spirit level to ensure that the first row is evenly placed. You can make small adjustments while the mortar is still wet, so carefully use a level to make sure that you have a good, even base to your structure. Check every 4-5 bricks for the best results. A good, even wall comes from good, even mortar. Checking quickly will help you correct your work as you go, getting better results each time. Set your guidelines along the first course. Once you've finished the first row, clamp or nail a string between your guideposts telling you the height of the next row of bricks. You may have to adjust your guideposts slightly so that they start with your first row of bricks, but every other measurement after that should be the same. Make sure your line is tight. You can use a level to check it's straightness. You'll be moving this line after every course of bricks. Place down several courses on each end of the wall. These are the "leads." You can then attach a piece of builder's line at the top of each brick as you lay up the remaining brick in this wall, keeping them aligned and level. As you work, your wall will look like a shallow "U," moving up 2-3 courses on either side before filling in the middle with bricks. This ensures that you keep each course level. Stagger the bricks on each course by starting with a half or turned brick. If you are turning the corner you began at, you will set each course half a brick back from the previous course, so that each course is staggered half a brick. If you are turning the corner where you began, put the first brick in the first course so that it is square, and lay a few brick in this direction also. You don't want the joints of your wall to be even or the wall will be weak. You can either break a brick in half and start with a half brick, or turn a brick sideways (if you're structure is two bricks thick) and start with that. Keep the height of the brick the same using a spirit or carpenter's level, and keep the end joints (head joints) equal as you build up. The standard bed and head joints are ⁄ 8 inch (1.0 cm), but this can be adjusted to your preference, up to ⁄ 4 inch (1.9 cm) or even more. Strike the head and bed joints with a "jointer" or "joint striker" when the mortar has begun to set. The jointer is a piece of tubing whose diameter is the same or slightly larger than your joint spacing, bent in an "S" shape. Hold the tool on one end, and rub it along the mortar joint between your brick with the curved portion of the tool to smooth out the mortar joint. You can also use a wood dowel or a piece of 1/2 inch copper pipe. Both will give you a rounded pattern. Brush the face of the brick with a "foxtail" brush to wipe away excess mortar and finish smoothing the joint. It takes a lot of practice to be able to tell when the mortar is set properly to strike and brush the joints, but basically, when it is hard enough to touch with your finger and not leave an impression, it is ready. Continue laying the brick until you are level with the leads you laid up, then begin at the ends or corners laying either in another direction, or straight up with another lead. Once you have this rhythm down, you should be able to move quickly, no matter what structure or shape you're making. The same basic pattern is used the entire time. Move the guidelines. Set the mortar. Stagger your first brick. Wipe away excess mortar. Build up the outsides, or leads, of the wall before filling in the middle. | Plan out your wall. Pour a concrete foundation if you do not have an existing slab, brick ledge, or footing to work on. Make your guideposts. Gather all the materials you need to start your project. Lay out the first row of brick dry to get an idea of adjustments that need to be made. Mix your masonry cement, or mortar. Place bricks and "mortar boards" along your foundation so that you can reach easily them your work area. Start at a corner and, using the trowel, scoop up mortar and place a 4 to 6 inch (10.2 to 15.2 cm) wide band on the foundation about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Add 3/8" of mortar to the end of the brick and attach another. Use a spirit level to ensure that the first row is evenly placed. Set your guidelines along the first course. Place down several courses on each end of the wall. Stagger the bricks on each course by starting with a half or turned brick. Keep the height of the brick the same using a spirit or carpenter's level, and keep the end joints (head joints) equal as you build up. Strike the head and bed joints with a "jointer" or "joint striker" when the mortar has begun to set. Brush the face of the brick with a "foxtail" brush to wipe away excess mortar and finish smoothing the joint. Continue laying the brick until you are level with the leads you laid up, then begin at the ends or corners laying either in another direction, or straight up with another lead. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Recover-a-Gmail-Password | How to Recover a Gmail Password | To recover your Gmail password, start by going to the Gmail website. Then, type your email or phone number into the text box, and hit “Forgot password?” On the next screen, enter the last password you remember and click “Next.” If you don't remember any of your passwords, click on “Try a different question” and type in your answer. After that, choose to have a verification code sent to your phone or a secondary email address. Once you receive the code, type it into the text box to confirm your identity. Then, enter your new password into the two boxes and click “Change password.” | Go to https://mail.google.com. Use the link or type the URL in a web browser. If your email or phone number isn't filled in automatically, type it into the labeled field and click on Next. Click on Forgot password? below the password field. Enter the last password you remember and click on Next. If you don't remember any of the passwords you've used before, click on Try a different question at the bottom of the gray box. Continue clicking on Try a different question until you come across one that you can answer, answer it, then click on Next. Follow the on-screen instructions. You'll be asked to do one of the following: Confirm a text to the phone number associated with your Gmail account; Confirm a message to the email associated with your Gmail account; Confirm the email of your recovery email account if you've set one up; or Enter an email that you can check immediately. Open the applicable email or text message from Google. Enter the verification code in the message in the field on the screen. Enter a new password and confirm it in the labeled fields. Click on Change password. Click on Continue. Your password has been recovered and you can sign into Gmail with it. If you were unable to enter a previous password or receive a message at your associated phone number, email, or recovery email, you'll be asked to "briefly tell us why you can't access your account." Enter a reason and click on Submit. Google will get back to you in 3-5 business days. Open the Gmail app. It's a red and white icon shaped like a sealed envelope. Tap + Add an Account. Tap Google. Enter the email or phone or phone number associated with your Gmail account in the labeled field. Tap Next in the lower-right corner. Tap Forgot password? below the password field. Enter the last password you remember and tap Next. If you don't remember any of the passwords you've used before, tap Try another way to sign in below the password field. Continue tapping Try another way to sign in until you come across one that you can answer, answer it, then tap Next. Follow the on-screen instructions. You'll be asked to do one of the following: Confirm a text to the phone number associated with your Gmail account; Confirm a message to the email associated with your Gmail account; Confirm an email to a recovery email account if you've set one up; or Enter an email that you can check immediately. Open the applicable email or text message from Google. Enter the verification code in the message in the field on the screen. Enter a new password and confirm it in the labeled fields. Tap Next. Tap Accept. Your password has been recovered and you can sign into Gmail with it. If you were unable to enter a previous password or receive a message at your associated phone number, email, or recovery email, you'll be asked to "briefly tell us why you can't access your account." Enter a reason and tap Submit. Google will get back to you in 3-5 business days. | Go to https://mail.google.com. Click on Forgot password? below the password field. Enter the last password you remember and click on Next. Follow the on-screen instructions. Open the applicable email or text message from Google. Enter the verification code in the message in the field on the screen. Enter a new password and confirm it in the labeled fields. Click on Change password. Click on Continue. Open the Gmail app. Tap + Add an Account. Tap Google. Enter the email or phone or phone number associated with your Gmail account in the labeled field. Tap Next in the lower-right corner. Tap Forgot password? below the password field. Enter the last password you remember and tap Next. Follow the on-screen instructions. Open the applicable email or text message from Google. Enter the verification code in the message in the field on the screen. Enter a new password and confirm it in the labeled fields. Tap Next. Tap Accept. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-CBD-Edibles | How to Get CBD Edibles | CBD edibles usually come in the form of gummies, candies, and baked goods, and there's some evidence that they have therapeutic benefits. If you're interested in trying CBD edibles, visit a reputable CBD shop, vaping store, or marijuana dispensary. Depending on where you live, you may be able to find CBD edibles in a vitamin store. You can also order CBD edibles online. When you're shopping for CBD edibles, check the label to see how much CBD is in each dose. If it's not listed, divide the total number of milligrams in the package by the number of servings to find out how much CBD is in each serving. Start out taking a smaller dose, like 10 mg, and gradually increase your dosage if needed. CBD edibles usually take around 2 to 3 hours to kick in, and the effects can last from 4 to 6 hours. | Select a CBD-infused edible for the most discrete option. There are many types of food you can buy that are infused with CBD, so pick something that you enjoy eating. If you have a sweet tooth, try using CBD cookies, brownies, or chocolates. For something fruity, try gummies, drink mixes, or hard candies. If you want to use CBD for more savory flavors, opt for infused peanut butter or honey to use in your recipes. CBD naturally has a slightly earthy or herby flavor, but many products try to mask it with sugar and other natural ingredients. While you can split up doses of edibles, the actual size of the doses may vary from batch to batch. Pick an oil tincture if you want to add CBD to your own food. CBD oil tinctures are flavorless and come with droppers so you can easily mix it into foods or drinks. Choosing a tincture also allows you to control the size of your doses more accurately so you can use as much or as little as you want each time. You can also buy flavored tinctures if you want. Check the product label to find the CBD concentration. The product will either list the total amount of CBD in the package or it will specify by serving size. Pay attention to the size of 1 dose so you know how strong the CBD will be. Aim to take 1–6 mg of CBD per 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of bodyweight when you first begin taking it so you can get used to the effects. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds (68 kg), divide it by 10 so 150/10=15. The low end of the CBD to take is 15 x 1 = 15 mg, while the high end of the range is 15 x 6 = 90 mg. If you don't see the concentration information listed anywhere, avoid taking the CBD edible since it may have too much or too little of a concentration to work. Many CBD edibles range from 10–20 mg per dose, but it may vary. See if the CBD was extracted with CO2. Some CBD manufacturers use toxic chemicals like butane, which can contaminate the purity and make it harmful to consume. Search on the label or on the brand's website for a CO2 extraction process since its the cleanest method to use. If you don't see an extraction process listed or it says something other than CO2, then it may not be safe to consume. Look for CBD products that have been tested by a third-party lab. CBD manufacturers have their CBD tested for purity and concentration so users know that it's safe to consume. Check the package or website for a seal that states they've been tested by a third-party lab. If you don't see a seal, check for a batch number on the bottom or side of the product. Look up the batch number and the product to pull up lab reports to see the information on the CBD. Don't get CBD edibles if they haven't been tested by a third-party lab since they may not be safe. Go to a CBD specialty store or dispensary if you want the edibles right away. Check online to see if there are any stores in your area that sell CBD products. Check the store's website to find out what brands they carry or where they source their products from so you can tell if they're reputable. If you live in an area that has legalized marijuana, then you can also find CBD edibles in many dispensaries as well. Call ahead and ask what they have available so you know your options. Many areas require you to be above 18 or 21 in order to enter a dispensary. Use a cannabis delivery service for a convenient alternative. If you live in an area where marijuana is legal, check online to see if there are any delivery services that specialize in CBD or cannabis products. Browse through the selection on the delivery site and add the edibles you want into your cart. When you place your order, a driver will bring the CBD edibles right to your door. There may not be a cannabis delivery service in your area. You need to be older than 21 and have a valid ID to use a cannabis delivery service. Don't forget to tip the delivery driver when you receive your order. Order directly from established brands using their websites. Look up popular brands for the type of CBD edible you want, and read reviews to find out if other people liked them. Go directly to the brand's website and see if they have an online store with their products. Add the products you want to the cart before submitting your order through them. Some brands won't have online stores, so you may need to find them in a dispensary instead. Get drops of CBD added to your meals at restaurants if they offer it. Some cafes or restaurants will have CBD-infused items on their menu, where they add a few drops of tincture to their regular product. If you notice a CBD option on the menu, ask the employee about how much you get and the price. If you want to add it to your meal, let them add the CBD directly to your food. Ask to see the bottle of CBD if you're able to make sure they're using a high-quality product. Some areas have regulations against adding CBD to food or drink products. Use 1 dose at a time when you first start CBD edibles. Check the size of a single dose on the package before you open the edible so you know how much to take. Break off a piece of the edible or remove a serving before sealing the package again. If you don't want a full dose, break or cut the serving in half instead. Keep the remaining edibles in a place that's out of children's reach so no one else can get into it. As you get more comfortable taking CBD, you can increase your dose size to see how it affects your body. Avoid taking too much CBD at first since it could cause adverse reactions. Take the edible 1–2 hours before you want to start feeling the effects. The CBD in edibles absorbs into your body as it digests, so it takes a little longer for it to work than other delivery methods. Take the edible and chew it as well as you can so some of the CBD can absorb through your mouth. Swallow the edible when you're finished chewing it so the rest of the CBD can absorb. You may start feeling the CBD as soon as 30 minutes from taking the edible. Suck on CBD hard candies or mints for as long as you can to help feel the effects faster. Try another partial dose if you don’t feel the CBD within 2 hours. As the CBD digests in your body, you may begin feeling relaxed or less stressed. If you don't feel the edible after waiting for it to take effect, try cutting another half or quarter serving to take as well. While it won't speed up the process, it may add to the concentration and give you more noticeable effects. Don't take multiple full doses of CBD if you don't feel the effects immediately since you start having negative side effects, such as heightened anxiety and drowsiness. | Select a CBD-infused edible for the most discrete option. Pick an oil tincture if you want to add CBD to your own food. Check the product label to find the CBD concentration. See if the CBD was extracted with CO2. Look for CBD products that have been tested by a third-party lab. Go to a CBD specialty store or dispensary if you want the edibles right away. Use a cannabis delivery service for a convenient alternative. Order directly from established brands using their websites. Get drops of CBD added to your meals at restaurants if they offer it. Use 1 dose at a time when you first start CBD edibles. Take the edible 1–2 hours before you want to start feeling the effects. Try another partial dose if you don’t feel the CBD within 2 hours. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Plant-an-Avocado-Tree | How to Plant an Avocado Tree | To plant an avocado tree, start by filling a pot with an even blend of topsoil and coconut fiber. Then, take the seed out of a fresh avocado and plant it in the pot so the thin end is sticking up above the soil. After you plant the avocado seed, water it thoroughly so the soil is moist. Avoid fertilizing the avocado seed until it sprouts or you could hurt the roots. While you wait for your avocado tree to sprout, water it every day or whenever the soil looks dry so it gets enough moisture. | Remove the pit. Cut into the avocado carefully, so as not to injure the pit, which is in the fruit's center. You can do this by scoring the skin/fruit about ½ an inch (1.3 cm) deep all the way around the outside, and then twisting the two halves in opposite directions to open it. Carefully remove the pit and set it aside. So that you don't waste the fruit, use the avocado meat to create the tasty dip/topping known as guacamole. Clean the pit. Wash the avocado pit gently to remove all the flesh. Use warm water and your hands, and avoid using soap. Be careful not to remove the seed cover which is light brown, as this may destroy the pit and make it less likely to grow. Insert toothpicks into the pit. Holding the pit "narrow" (pointed) side up, stick four toothpicks into the middle section at even intervals, just enough to give a firm hold. This will allow you to balance the pit on the inside of a cup, without completely inserting it into the cup. The pit should sit in about 1 inch of water, so keep this in mind when inserting your toothpicks. Fill a cup/jar with water. Add some water to a small, slender container (preferably glass) until it reaches the top rim. Your container's opening should be wide enough to accommodate the full width of the avocado pit easily; however, make sure that it is not too wide, otherwise the toothpicks will not be able to reach and the pit will fall in. Set your avocado pit (with inserted toothpicks) on the top rim of the container. The toothpicks should sit on the rim of the container, leaving 1 inch of the pit only submerged in the water. Make sure the pointed end is up and the rounded end is in the water, otherwise your avocado will not grow. Wait for the pit to sprout. Set the avocado-topped container in a temperate, undisturbed place — near a window or any other well-lit area to begin rooting and the growth process. Change the water every one to two days. Do this to ensure that contaminants (i.e. mold, bacteria, fermentation, etc.) do not hinder the avocado's sprouting process. Ensure the base of the avocado always remains moist and submerged in water. Wait patiently for the pit to sprout roots. Over the next two to three weeks, the avocado's brown outer layer will begin to dry out and wrinkle, eventually sloughing off. Soon after, the pit should begin to split open at the top and bottom. After three to four weeks, a taproot should begin to emerge at the base of the pit. Continue to water the plant accordingly. Take care not to disturb or injure the taproot. Continue to allow the avocado pit time to establish its roots. Soon, the avocado will sprout at the top, releasing an unfolding leaf-bud that will open and begin to grow a shoot bearing leaves. Select a location. Avocado trees are very particular in terms of their ideal climate and growing conditions. Most of the time, avocado trees should be planted in a pot, and moved around to meet the changing weather. Avocado trees prefer a temperature of 60 – 85°F (15.6 – 29.4°C), and established trees can handle temps as low as 28°F (-2.2°C). Prepare the soil. Avocado trees can grow in soil at almost any pH level, but it must be low in saline and have plenty of drainage. The soil does not need to be heavily fertilized until after the tree is about 1 year old. At that point, you should conduct a soil test to find out what nutrients are available/lacking in your soil. You can then get fertility recommendations based on the nutrients found in your soil. You may want to use a 10-10-10 fertilizer twice a year to help the tree out. In general, you can use regular potting soil and add some rocks to the bottom of the pot to aid in draining excess water. Prepare your plot. Use a 20 – 25 cm (7.8 – 9.8 inches) terracotta pot filled with enriched soil to 2 cm (.8 inches) below the top. A 50/50 blend of topsoil and coir (coconut fibre) usually works best, but make sure you check the soil where you're planting to ensure this is the right blend. Smooth and slightly pack the soil, adding more soil as needed. Once the soil is prepared, dig a narrow hole deep enough to accommodate your avocado's roots and pit. Get the seed ready. When the tree reaches 6-7 inches in height, prune it back to 3 inches. When leaves have re-grown, you are ready to plant. Remove the sprouted pit from the water container, and gently remove each of the toothpicks. Plant the avocado seed. Carefully bury the avocado pit in the soil such the top-half of pit shows above the surface of the soil. This ensures the base of the seedling trunk doesn't rot under the soil. Pack the soil lightly around the pit. Keep the tree hydrated. Water your plant daily or enough to keep the soil moist. Avoid over-watering to the point the soil becomes muddy. If the leaves turn brown at the tips, the tree needs more water, while if the leaves turn yellow, the tree is getting too much water and needs to be permitted to dry out for a day or two. Maintain your avocado tree. Continue to tend to your avocado plant regularly, and in a few years you will have an attractive and low-maintenance tree. Your family and friends will be impressed to know that you cultivated and grew your own tree from an avocado pit salvaged from your guacamole recipe. Obtain a good quality avocado fruit. Cut the fruit flesh away from the seed. It is easiest to cut it the long way around. Twist the seed to remove it. Whack it with a knife, then twist, and the seed will come out. Find the pointed end of the seed. this is the top of the seed. Choose a planting locale. See the above method for plant positioning suggestions. Clear the sod or whatever else is there, in readiness for planting. If possible, plant two trees, as these plants like company. Place the flat end down in the soil. Use your hands to mound up the loose soil around the seed. Do not stomp the dirt down with your foot as you may damage the seed this way. Follow the growing suggestions above. Fertilize after you see the plant above the ground. Do not do so sooner or the root system will fail to form properly. In about three to four years, expect fruit. Harvest fruit when the avocados look big and fat. They will not ripen on the tree. Remove and place inside a brown bag to ripen. They're ready to eat when soft. | Remove the pit. Clean the pit. Insert toothpicks into the pit. Fill a cup/jar with water. Set your avocado pit (with inserted toothpicks) on the top rim of the container. Wait for the pit to sprout. Change the water every one to two days. Wait patiently for the pit to sprout roots. Continue to water the plant accordingly. Select a location. Prepare the soil. Prepare your plot. Get the seed ready. Plant the avocado seed. Keep the tree hydrated. Maintain your avocado tree. Obtain a good quality avocado fruit. Twist the seed to remove it. Find the pointed end of the seed. Choose a planting locale. Place the flat end down in the soil. Follow the growing suggestions above. Harvest fruit when the avocados look big and fat. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Settle-Into-Your-First-Apartment | How to Settle Into Your First Apartment | To settle into your first apartment, start by unpacking your things one room at a time, starting with the rooms you use most, like the bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom. As you set up each room, make a list of things you need, such as bathroom products, kitchen appliances, and lighting supplies. After you set up your apartment, take some time to explore the neighborhood and introduce yourself to the neighbors. | Inspect the empty apartment space. Before moving in your belongings, inspect the apartment. You don't want to be held responsible for damages or taken by surprise if something doesn't work the day you move. Check every part of the apartment including light fixtures, plumbing, and electrical outlets to ensure that everything is in working order. Make sure to test all of the security features, including locks, bolts, or alarm systems. You may want to research local crime to know about potential security issues. Make sure to check window locks, fire escapes, and entrance doors. If anything isn't working properly or the apartment isn't up to your cleanliness standards, report it to your landlord or apartment management company and request that he fix any problem areas. Set up your utilities. You want to make sure that your new apartment is ready the day you move in, so set up your utilities at least a few days in advance. This will help ensure there is no delay in your being able to move in and live in your space. Get electricity, gas, and water accounts set up as necessary. Some landlords will include all of these in rent price, while others will include some utilities and not others. Your landlord should provide you with information the best companies to contact as well as the average typical monthly costs for electricity and gas. Set up your internet. and cable TV if you want them. It's a good idea to contact several different providers to find one that will meet your needs and your budget. Clean the apartment before unpacking your belongings. Your landlord should make sure the space is properly cleaned and painted before you move in, but take the opportunity to deep clean it while it is empty. This will help you get to know the space better and may also help you identify problems inside the space. Vacuum, dust, clean mirrors and windows, and disinfect the bathroom and kitchen. Make sure to note if you find any problems or any cosmetic items that you'd like to fix. Unpack your belongings in their designated rooms. Once your belongings are delivered, you can unpack them and arrange your apartment. Unpack and arrange one room at a time from the rooms you will use the most to those you will use the least. Consider starting with the bathroom, the kitchen, and bedroom(s). The most important spaces for you to finish first are the bathroom and your bedroom since you will be using both rooms as soon as you move. If you plan on cooking in your first week, then you'll need to unpack and arrange the kitchen as well. Pack priority boxes so that you can access anything you will need immediately without any hindrances. It can take a while to complete each room, but unpack your belongings completely so that you can see what you have and figure out what you may need. Officially change your personal information. Make sure to file necessary paperwork for having mail and bills forwarded to your new address. If you are moving to a different area, you may need a new driver's license or car registration. Create a list of things you need or want. As you unpack and arrange each room, make a list of items you need to complete it. Think about not only how you would like the room to look, but also how that fits within your budget. Include kitchen utensils such as dishes, glassware, silverware, cookware, appliances such as a toaster or blender, a garbage can, and dishwashing products. Ask family members if they have any of these items that they're willing to give away to help you defray costs. You may also want to write down simple food items including spices, oils, vinegar, and noodles or canned goods to be sure you have these items as soon as you want to cook. You'll need office and lighting supplies including paper, light bulbs, and lamps and basics such as toilet paper and light bulbs. Make sure that you list bathroom products as well. Don't forget basics such as toilet paper, body wash or soap, hand soap, a plunger for clogs, towels, a bath mat, and a shower curtain. Prioritize the list according to what you absolutely need and what you want. For example, do you need more picture frames or do you have enough until you can save some money? Remember to measure your available space carefully to make sure that any furniture you buy will fit into your new apartment. Set a strict budget for yourself. Moving is an inherently expensive process and you don't want to go overboard. Be very aware of what you can afford and set a strict budget for yourself according to this. Stick to the list you made. It's easy to buy more than you need and go over budget very quickly. Furnish your apartment within your budget. Every apartment requires basic pieces of furniture for you to live comfortably. Buying furniture at a discount or getting it for free will help you stay within the budget you set. Shop at sales and look in thrift or second hand stores for cheap, good quality furniture or lamps. Remember to inspect furniture carefully for rips and insects, especially when buying secondhand. Try to spend a little bit more on furniture if you will use it every day. Getting a good or decent quality bed or sofa will save you money in the long run because you won't have to replace shoddy merchandise. Ask family members or friends if they have any furniture they'd like to give away or which you can purchase inexpensively. You don't have to buy every piece of furniture you need immediately. Think about what you will use most like a bed or sofa and purchase those pieces first. Add to your furniture as you can afford. Put up decorations as you have time and money. Give yourself plenty of time to decorate your new apartment. Moving is stressful and taking the time to make your place cozy and familiar will help relax you and make you feel settled. Create a timeline for yourself if you like. Tackling one room at a time is a good strategy and finishing two rooms per week should suffice. One of the easiest and least expensive ways to decorate a new apartment and add some atmosphere is to paint. Make sure you're allowed to paint inside your apartment, and then use color on one wall or a couple of walls to accent your home. Hang familiar paintings, photographs and decorations. These will make you feel more at home and are an inexpensive way to jazz up your space. Carpets and rugs can enlarge or make a space feel more cozy, and can also dampen noise. Add small touches such as plants or candles. For example, placing a row of candles across a table or buying a few inexpensive plants and plant pots can add a lot of atmosphere to your apartment. Remember that everything doesn't have to match. It often looks much cooler and homier to have furniture and decorations that complement one another but don't match exactly. Get to know your landlord or security personnel. Take the time to get to know your landlord and introduce yourself to any security personnel that may work in your building. If these people know you and where you live, they can watch for security issues or other problems. Introduce yourself to your neighbors. Meet your neighbors as soon as you can so that they know who you are and everyone feels as comfortable as possible. You can introduce yourself in different ways such as a letter to other tenants, a housewarming party, or going from door to door. If you live in a large apartment building, it may be advisable to just get to know people on your floor. Introduce yourself as you meet people in the elevator, lobby, or in other common spaces. If you live in a smaller building or house, consider a more personal approach. You could have a simple housewarming party or introduce yourself to each neighbor by going door to door. Take a walk around your neighborhood. Going for a leisurely walk around your neighborhood will help you become better acquainted with everything the area offers. Knowing what's available can help you feel more settled in your new space. Check out parks, public gardens, and playgrounds. These kinds of spaces will give you and your family members a place to relax and unwind. Look for nearby restaurants and shops to get a feeling for what is close by, especially when you're in a pinch. It might be worth it to build up a relationship with the businesses in your area. This may also give you the chance to meet your neighbors. Locate nearby schools and other community centers. You'll want to be aware of schools, grocery stores, and community buildings. Locating these places may be important to helping you and your family get settled. Make sure to register your children for school if you haven't done so already. Libraries, churches, fitness clubs, and community centers may offer activities that can help you meet people and get to know your new neighborhood better. Go grocery shopping. Once you're unpacked and know the neighborhood a bit, you may want to cook for yourself. Plan out some meals and stock your kitchen by shopping at a local grocery or specialty food store. You may meet some new neighbors or discover other hidden gems while grocery shopping. Sign up for a shopping card to take advantage of any savings the store may offer. | Inspect the empty apartment space. Set up your utilities. Clean the apartment before unpacking your belongings. Unpack your belongings in their designated rooms. Officially change your personal information. Create a list of things you need or want. Set a strict budget for yourself. Furnish your apartment within your budget. Put up decorations as you have time and money. Get to know your landlord or security personnel. Introduce yourself to your neighbors. Take a walk around your neighborhood. Locate nearby schools and other community centers. Go grocery shopping. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-Mental-Help-During-the-Coronavirus-Outbreak | How to Find Mental Help During the Coronavirus Outbreak | Dealing with a crisis like the coronavirus pandemic can be very stressful, and it's even more of a challenge if you already struggle with mental health issues. Fortunately, there are lots of resources that you can turn to for help. If you're in crisis and you need immediate help, reach out to the National Alliance on Mental Illness hotline at 1-800-950-6261, or text NAMI to 741741. A trained counselor can give you advice or help you connect with mental health resources in your area or online, including sources of free or inexpensive help. If you already see a counselor or psychiatrist, talk to them about doing telehealth visits so you can still get the help you need even while you're in lockdown. | Reach out to 1-800-273-TALK if you’re contemplating suicide. This current outbreak has left countless people feeling alone and isolated, which is completely normal. Before acting on any of these negative thoughts and feelings, dial an emergency counselor for help. Through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline hotline, a trained professional can help talk you through some of your struggles and remind you that there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Check this site for a hotline in your country: http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html. There are countless people who you've positively impacted that care about you and would miss you if you chose to end your life. Call 800-950-NAMI for free mental health resources. With all of the sickness in the world right now, it may be difficult to get in-person help for your mental health needs. Dial this number to reach the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and see if you can speak to a volunteer or counselor about what's on your mind. If you don't feel like talking, you can also email [email protected] and ask for some digital mental health resources you can use. This hotline is available between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM EST. If you're in immediate danger or having a crisis, you may want to call a crisis hotline instead. Send the word “NAMI” or “MHA” to 741741 if you’re having a crisis. If your phone plan allows it, save “741741” in your phone as a contact. This is a basic platform that a lot of health and local government organizations use to handle immediate crises and offer assistance. Text “NAMI” or “MHA” to get in contact with a counselor from the National Alliance on Mental Illness or the Mental Health America organization, who can talk you through your feelings and offer constant support. Check your local government's website to see if they have a specific text hotline. Some areas have an abbreviation you can text to 741741, which will connect you with local support. Go to this site for international crisis texting options: https://www.crisistextline.org/about-us/where-we-are/#where-we-are2. Dial 1-866-488-7386 if you’re an LGBTQ+ individual struggling during the outbreak. This period of quarantine can feel really isolating and lonely if you're a member of the LGBTQ+ community, especially if you haven't come out to your friends and family. You're not alone in your struggles, and there are counselors available who would love to help you. Contact the Trevor Project hotline, which will connect you to a kind and caring listening ear. If you don't want to speak with someone, you can text “START” to 678678 to speak with someone via text. The Trevor Project website has a live chat feature where you can talk to someone right away. You can find it here: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now/ The TrevorSpace website is an international website where LGBTQ+ individuals all over the world can connect and provide solace to one another. You can join here: https://www.trevorspace.org. Contact 1-800-985-5990 if you’re having trouble coping with the outbreak. It can be really overwhelming to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak on a day-to-day basis, especially if you know affected people or live in a hotspot. Your feelings are completely normal, and are nothing to be ashamed of. Call the Disaster Distress Helpline—they'll be happy to connect you with a counselor who can help you work through your concerns and fears. You can also text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 if you don't want to talk on the phone. Call 1-800-985-5990 to discuss any struggles with substance abuse. Don't be ashamed if you've picked up a few bad habits during the outbreak. Many people are struggling with isolation and quarantining in different ways, and you're not alone in your coping mechanisms. Dial a substance abuse hotline to get advice on some steps you can take to guide yourself in a happier and healthier direction. Alcoholism and drug use are really common issues during a big crisis like the COVID-19 outbreak. Once the quarantining and stay-at-home orders are lifted, you can always join an Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous group to help you transition back to normal life. Reach out to 1-800-799-SAFE if you’re suffering from abuse during the outbreak. If you're dealing with abuse at home, you deserve to be heard. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can offer comfort and advice, and help guide you in a more positive direction. Try to be as open with the counselor or operator as you can, so they can help you take action in moving you to a safe place. There are also hotlines for more specific issues, like elder abuse. Check out this site for more info: https://www.domesticshelters.org/resources/national-global-organizations. Dial a “warmline” for advice if you aren’t in any immediate danger. Call up a warmline if you're not having a crisis, but would still like a listening ear. Many communities and towns have specific numbers where you can call and speak with a friendly peer or counselor. For a directory of warmlines in the United States, check here: https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/BlogImageArchive/2020/NAMI-National-HelpLine-WarmLine-Directory-3-11-20.pdf. Schedule an appointment with a psychologist to talk about your troubles. Check your local area to see if there are any therapists in your area who are taking new patients. Set up an appointment in your free time where you can be open about your personal struggles during the outbreak. Some local governments offer mental health support, which you can find on their official website. Some therapists will take insurance, while others may not. It usually depends on the practice. Seek help from a psychiatrist if you are interested in medication. There's absolutely nothing wrong with considering antidepressants or similar medications for your mental health. Check online and schedule a telephone or virtual appointment with a psychiatrist, who can help you figure out your options. Ask the psychiatrist's office about different payment options, and if they accept insurance or not. You may want to sign up for 90-day refills instead of 30-day refills, if you're given the option. Schedule telehealth visits or talk over the phone. Because of the social distancing rules in place in many areas, you may not be able to go into a mental health professional's office to see them. However, that doesn't mean you can't get help! You can talk to someone over the phone, do a video chat, or even text or email your provider. Speak to them to see what communication method they prefer and arrange an appointment. Some organizations are dedicated to providing help over the phone, like this one: https://screening.mhanational.org/content/e-psychiatry-telepsych. Online groups like 7 Cups of Tea, BetterHelp, and TalkSpace offer online therapy sessions. Most of these organizations charge weekly, with rates starting at $35 per week. Some groups, like 7 Cups of Tea, also offer a few free services. Join an online support group where you can meet like-minded individuals. Register on a digital support website, where you can go into more detail on some of the mental health issues you've been struggling with. Being open about your mental health can be really daunting, but you're not alone! Once you join one of these communities, you can see how many people are going through something really similar. You're never alone in your feelings of anxiety, isolation, and depression. Countless people suffer from mental health issues all over the world, and really understand what you're going through. Some sites you can visit are: SupportGroups.com, For Like Minds, 18percent, 7cups, Emotions Anonymous, Support Group Central, and Psych Central. Read over some encouraging spiritual articles if you’re religious. Spirituality and religion aren't for everyone, but they may be able to offer you some peace of mind as you cope with the COVID-19 outbreak. You may find comfort in connecting with other spiritual people online, or digitally attending spiritual services and gatherings. Check the website of your local church, synagogue, mosque, or other place of worship to see if they're live-streaming their services. For instance, this article offers a lot of insight on how to take care of yourself and those around you in a spiritual way: https://hds.harvard.edu/life-at-hds/religious-and-spiritual-life/caring-self-others-times-trouble-spiritual-tools-tips. Visit websites that offer access to anxiety screenings, articles, and other tips. You're definitely not alone in feeling anxious or depressed during the outbreak. Thankfully, there are easy ways to manage your negative emotions and thoughts. Take advantage of websites that offer a lot of free resources, along with articles and tips on managing your mental health and living life to the fullest. Dealing with severe emotions and thoughts can be debilitating. The American Psychological Association offers a step-by-step guide in helping you get out of this mental rut: https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience. Access Mental Health America's screening tools at https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools. The National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse offers a lot of free aid and resources to people suffering from mental illness: http://www.cdsdirectory.org. The VirusAnxiety site helps to target and address any fears you have regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. You can find it here: https://www.virusanxiety.com. Download a meditation app to calm your mind anywhere. Search the app store on your phone and look for a meditation app that's right for you. A lot of these programs are free, and can guide you through deep breathing and other exercises that help clear your mind. Try to get in the habit of using this type of app at least once a day. Some great apps to consider are: Calm, Headspace, Intimind, Liberate, Box Breathing, and Diaphragmatic. Use interactive websites to manage your stress. Visit “Vibrant,” a website that offers audio distractions, coping tools, and other exercises that you can use to keep your busy. You can also use a digital “Hope Box” on this site, which encourages you to look to the future in a positive way. Your anxiety, depression, and other negative feelings won't go away overnight, which is completely normal. Instead of focusing on these feelings, it may help to distract yourself instead. You can access the Vibrant website here: https://www.vibrant.org/safespace. Encourage yourself with stories from survivors. Remind yourself that this outbreak won't last forever, and that there's a lot of good, positive energy in the world that outweighs the bad. Visit the “Strength After Disaster” website to read the accounts of people who are dealing with COVID-19, as well as people who have lived through all kinds of natural disasters and bad times. Anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues can feel really isolating, but positive stories can help remind you that you're not alone. Check out Mental Health America's road to recovery resources here: https://mhanational.org/recovery-support. Voice how you’re feeling to your household. If you feel safe and comfortable, ask a trusted loved one or roommate if you can speak to them privately. Mention your concerns and any negative feelings you've been having, along with any negative changes in your mental health. In-person conversations can be invaluable to helping you cope and get through the coronavirus outbreak. You may not feel safe or comfortable sharing your feelings with a family member, which is completely normal. If you don't feel comfortable talking about your feelings, consider keeping a journal instead. Dial a close friend or relative and see if they’re willing to talk. Take a moment to catch up with some more distant friends and relatives. Talk about how you've been coping throughout the outbreak, and be honest about any changes in your mental health. It takes a lot of courage to be open about your personal struggles, but these kinds of conversations may help you feel less isolated. There's a good chance that your friends and family members are dealing with the same thoughts and feelings that you are. Talk to distant friends and families via video chat. Check and see if your distant friends and relatives have access to Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, or some other form of video chat. Schedule a time to talk and spend time with your loved ones, even if you aren't physically with them. Talk about how you're feeling—you may find a lot of solace in sharing and lifting your concerns to others. If you don't have time to video chat, social media is a great alternative for keeping in touch. | Reach out to 1-800-273-TALK if you’re contemplating suicide. Call 800-950-NAMI for free mental health resources. Send the word “NAMI” or “MHA” to 741741 if you’re having a crisis. Dial 1-866-488-7386 if you’re an LGBTQ+ individual struggling during the outbreak. Contact 1-800-985-5990 if you’re having trouble coping with the outbreak. Call 1-800-985-5990 to discuss any struggles with substance abuse. Reach out to 1-800-799-SAFE if you’re suffering from abuse during the outbreak. Dial a “warmline” for advice if you aren’t in any immediate danger. Schedule an appointment with a psychologist to talk about your troubles. Seek help from a psychiatrist if you are interested in medication. Schedule telehealth visits or talk over the phone. Join an online support group where you can meet like-minded individuals. Read over some encouraging spiritual articles if you’re religious. Visit websites that offer access to anxiety screenings, articles, and other tips. Download a meditation app to calm your mind anywhere. Use interactive websites to manage your stress. Encourage yourself with stories from survivors. Voice how you’re feeling to your household. Dial a close friend or relative and see if they’re willing to talk. Talk to distant friends and families via video chat. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-a-Bengal-Cat-Happy | How to Keep a Bengal Cat Happy | To keep a Bengal cat happy, play with it for 10-15 minutes several times a day, which is important with Bengal cats since they have so much energy. Also, make sure your cat has plenty of interactive toys, climbing perches, and scratching posts so it doesn't get bored or lonely when you're not at home. You should also feed your Bengal cat a healthy, balanced diet and provide it with plenty of fresh water so it stays healthy and happy for years to come. | Spend as much quality time with your cat as possible. Bengal cats crave attention, and your pet will misbehave if you don't interact with it. From playtime to regular cuddle sessions, spend plenty of time together to show your cat how much you love it. As intelligent as they are, mischievous Bengal cats can figure out how to open drawers, take things apart, and hide jewelry and other valuables. Giving your cat positive attention and keeping it from getting bored can spare you lots of frustration. Play with your cat regularly so it can burn off energy. When you play together, encourage your cat to pounce, hide, and chase as it would in the wild. Play with an assortment of stimulating toys, such as feathers on wands, laser pointers, balls, and fake mice. Objects like cardboard boxes and paper can also entertain cats, provided your pet doesn't try to eat them. In addition to strengthening your bond, playing together will help keep your cat out of trouble. Since Bengals are so energetic, they tend to become destructive if they don't get enough exercise. Teach your Bengal how to do tricks. Bengals are highly intelligent and can be trained to do tricks, such as sit, lie down, fetch, and high five. To teach your cat to sit, for instance, hold a pea-sized treat near its face and say “Sit.” Gently guide its body into a sitting position, and give it the treat as soon as it sits. Train your cat for 10 or 15 minutes at a time, and take a break if it loses interest or gets frustrated. Offer tiny tidbits during training to help prevent your cat from gaining weight. Sleep with your cat to deepen your bond. Most Bengals love to cuddle and sleep with their owners. For cats, sleeping together communicates trust, so it's one of the best ways to bond with your best bud. Keep in mind cats are active at night, so it'll probably leave the bed at some point. It's a good idea to leave your bedroom door open or cracked so it can explore the rest of the home. Give your cat space when it wants to be left alone. While Bengals love spending time with their owners, all cats need their space. Don't try to play with your cat if it's not interested, wake it up if it's sleeping, or force it to cuddle if it doesn't want to be held. Notice if your cat's tail is wagging, ears are pinned back, or back is hunched, which indicate stress. If it displays these behaviors, hisses, or growls, give it some space. Additionally, never try to startle your cat or grab it by surprise. Teach your kids how to safely play with a cat, if you have any. Bengals do well with school-age kids who know how to handle pets carefully. Show your child how to get the cat comfortable by letting it sniff their finger. Demonstrate how to play with your pet by waving around feathers on wands and other interactive toys. Explain that they should never forcefully pet or grab the cat, and teach them how to gently scratch a cat's head, ears, and neck. Remind them to give the cat space if it hisses, growls, or otherwise seems stressed. If you have a toddler, always supervise them when they interact with any pet. Young children may be too rough for a fragile kitten or aggressive adult cat. Get your cat a companion if you don't spend much time at home. If you have a busy schedule, a pair of cats can keep each other entertained and out of trouble. If you already have a Bengal and it seems to be bored, consider getting another cat to keep it company. Keep in mind you should make sure you have the time to offer proper care before committing to a pet. Generally, Bengal cats get along with other pets. They love to play, so they do better with other Bengals and active small or medium dogs. Energetic Bengals tend to agitate pets that aren't into playtime. Give your cat interactive toys to keep it occupied. When you're not around to play with your Bengal, keep it busy with puzzles, activity centers, and other interactive toys. Bengals tend to get mischievous when they're bored, so you'll need to make sure your pet entertained when you're away from home. Cat activity centers are products with moving parts, textured surfaces, and noisemakers designed to keep a cat entertained. Keep multiple climbing perches in your home. Invest in a cat tower or tree, or set up a wall of cat shelves for your Bengal. Installing a perch on a window sill can also give your furry friend a nice, high place to sunbathe. Bengals love to climb and survey their turf. Providing safe towers, shelves, and perches can help keep your cat from knocking things over or getting hurt by climbing where it shouldn't. Provide your Bengal with scratching posts. All cats need scratching posts to keep their claws healthy. Keeping a scratching post in your pet's play area will also help keep it entertained when you're not nearby. A scratching post can also prevent your cat from damaging your furniture. If it does have issues with scratching the sofa, try spraying your cat lightly with water to deter the behavior. Trimming its nails every 1 to 2 weeks can also help minimize the damage caused by scratching. Never declaw a cat; most vets and animal organizations advise that declawing is unhealthy and lowers a cat's quality of life. Let your cat play in a tub or kiddie pool once or twice a month. Believe it or not, most Bengals love playing in water. If your cat is fond of the water, let it go for a swim in the tub or in a kiddie (or kitty!) pool at least once or twice a month. To make tub time even more fun, place toys in the water for your cat to hunt. To keep your pet safe, fill a tub or pool with just 3 or 4 inches (7.6 or 10.2 cm) of lukewarm water. Avoid letting your cat jump in the tub or shower with you, as the hot water could burn it. Your cat's behavior will help you gauge how often to let it play in water. If it constantly tries to get in sinks, tubs, or toilets, supervised swimming sessions every 1 to 2 weeks can help keep it out of trouble. If it doesn't like water, on the other hand, don't force it to swim. Use caution if you choose to let your cat outside. If you choose to let your cat outside, it's best to keep it in an enclosure, like a patio or cat run. Otherwise, train it come back inside when it's called, microchip it, and place a collar on its neck with your contact information just in case it gets lost. To train your cat to come, let it outside for about 10 minutes before a meal, then call it and offer it food. If its regular meal doesn't get its attention, go with a treat with a strong odor, such as tuna. Vaccinate your cat according to your local laws and vet's advice. At a minimum, make sure your pet receives legally required core vaccinations, such as against rabies. Additionally, consult your cat's vet about vaccines that aren't legally required but may be needed for your location and cat's lifestyle. In addition to vaccinating your cat, it's wise to give it regular flea and tick preventative treatments. Take your cat to the vet at least once a year. To find an experienced vet, check with your local Bengal cat club, get a referral from your cat's breeder, or search online. Regular checkups are an essential part of keeping your feline friend happy and healthy. Feed your cat a healthy, balanced diet. Bengals are prone to obesity-related issues, so it's best to offer scheduled meals instead of free-feeding your pet. To meet its needs, give your cat a commercial cat food labeled for its age range. As a rule of thumb, feed your Bengal 24 to 35 calories per pound of weight (about 11 to 16 calories per kilogram) each day. Calorie contents vary, so check food labels to calculate the amount to feed your cat. For example, an average Bengal weighs 10 lb (4.5 kg) and needs 240 to 350 calories per day. A 5.5 oz (156 g) can of wet cat food usually contains 130 to 175 calories, so 2 cans per day would meet your cat's needs. Avoid giving your cat table scraps, and don't give your cat too many treats. Treats should make up no more than 10% of its diet. Additionally, make sure your cat has access to clean water at all times. Comb your cat’s fur weekly. Bengals are relatively low-maintenance; simply brush its coat once a week to remove dead fur. Regular brushing will also cut down on shedding and hairballs. In addition to keeping its coat healthy, grooming your cat will help reinforce your bond. When you brush your cat, check its eyes, nose, and ears for redness or discharges, feel its body for unusual lumps, and look through its fur for fleas and ticks. Scoop up soiled litter daily and deep clean the litter box weekly. Cats are clean animals, and a messy litter box will stress out your pet. Scoop up solid waste and soiled litter every day, and deep clean the box once a week. To deep clean it, dump everything out of it, wash it with a mild soap, and thoroughly rinse it with hot water. After cleaning it, dry the box with paper towels or let it air dry, then refill it with litter. If your home has more than 1 floor, keep a litter box on each level. Be sure to clean each of your cat's litter boxes regularly. | Spend as much quality time with your cat as possible. Play with your cat regularly so it can burn off energy. Teach your Bengal how to do tricks. Sleep with your cat to deepen your bond. Give your cat space when it wants to be left alone. Teach your kids how to safely play with a cat, if you have any. Get your cat a companion if you don't spend much time at home. Give your cat interactive toys to keep it occupied. Keep multiple climbing perches in your home. Provide your Bengal with scratching posts. Let your cat play in a tub or kiddie pool once or twice a month. Use caution if you choose to let your cat outside. Vaccinate your cat according to your local laws and vet's advice. Take your cat to the vet at least once a year. Feed your cat a healthy, balanced diet. Comb your cat’s fur weekly. Scoop up soiled litter daily and deep clean the litter box weekly. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-Raw-Garlic | How to Eat Raw Garlic | To eat raw garlic, try combining it with basil, toasted pine nuts, and grated parmesan in a food processor to make pesto. Alternatively, make aioli by crushing garlic with a pestle. Then, gradually add olive oil while continuing to grind the garlic for about 20 minutes with the mortar and pestle until it forms a thick paste. If you want to avoid garlic breath, try eating thinly sliced garlic in between slices of raw apple. | Make pesto. Chop garlic and fresh basil. Combine in a food processor with toasted pine nuts , and grated Parmesan or pecorino, pouring in olive oil as you blend. Spread on rustic bread or toss it onto freshly cooked pasta — the residual heat from the noodles won't affect the properties of raw garlic. This recipe is very easy to adjust by taste as you go. Start with one clove of garlic for a large bowl of pesto and increase if desired. Two cloves may overpower other flavors. Whip up some aioli. Another Mediterranean sauce that understand the value of garlic, aioli can add flavor to sandwiches, chicken salad, and many other dishes. You can make the mayonnaise style recipe in a blender, or labor over this handmade Spanish recipe that uses only garlic and olive oil: Place peeled garlic cloves in a mortar with a pinch of salt. Crush the garlic to a smooth paste with a pestle. Pour olive oil drop by drop into the garlic paste as you continue grinding it with a smooth motion. Keep this up for at least twenty minutes, as the garlic slowly absorbs oil. The finished aioli should be so thick you can turn the mortar upside-down. Go Mexican. Every Mexican dish needs salsa, every salsa needs spice, and garlic is a great way to fill that need. Try these recipes for jalapeño salsa , chipotle salsa , or cooked salsa (with raw garlic added after cooking). If avocados are in season, make guacamole. If your usual recipe doesn't use garlic, try adding one clove. Any more and you may need to reduce the amount of onion or peppers to compensate. Add to a vinaigrette. A basic vinaigrette is the easiest salad dressing you can make. One or two cloves of garlic, very finely minced, makes an excellent addition to a small bottle of the dressing. You can also use it in more complex variations, such as this tart recipe: Chop one large garlic clove and two or three leaves fresh basil Whisk together 3 tbsp (45 mL) olive oil and 1 tbsp (15 mL) raspberry vinegar Stir in garlic and basil along with 2 tsp (10 mL) brown sugar, ½ tsp (2.5 mL) Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Eat it on toast. Better hold your next meeting over the phone — this will leave its mark on your breath. Mince the garlic extra fine, mash it into a pat of butter, and spread it on toast for an eye-opening breakfast. This works best with tangy, cultured butter, often sold as European-style butter in the United States. Add garlic to mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes can hide anything, right? Well, raw garlic might test its limits. If you're eating raw garlic purely for health benefits, mince it as finely as you can and stir it into your potatoes once they've cooled down a little. You'll still taste it, but the cream and starch should help spare your sinuses. Munch on apple and garlic. This may sound like a strange combination, but the goal is to hide the garlic, not to create a new favorite snack. Ohio State researches discovered that raw apple can break down the compounds that cause garlic breath. Place thinly sliced garlic between two slices of apple and you may manage to hide the flavor as well as the evidence. The compounds that cause garlic breath are part of the same group of compounds that are often credited with health benefits. The exact link is unclear, but it is possible this method could undermine your goals. Parsley, spinach, and mint had the same effect in this study, making them good choices for a post-garlic breath freshener. Pickle the garlic in a home canner. This garlic isn't exactly raw; the pickling process does reduce the amount of beneficial compounds, but not as much as prolonged cooking does. Pickled garlic is less intense than raw garlic, so you can add several cloves to sautéed vegetables, salad dressings, and other recipes without overpowering other flavors. The easiest way to peel large numbers of garlic cloves for canning is to blanch them. Keep them in the water for less than five minutes to minimize the effect on nutrition. Make gazpacho. This chilled soup is a blend of several raw vegetables, usually with tomatoes and stale bread as the base. Although the linked recipe blanches the garlic for three minutes, this is probably not long enough to break down the raw nutrients. If you'd like to keep it 100% raw, simply blend raw garlic along with the rest of the vegetables. | Make pesto. Whip up some aioli. Go Mexican. Add to a vinaigrette. Eat it on toast. Add garlic to mashed potatoes. Munch on apple and garlic. Pickle the garlic in a home canner. Make gazpacho. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Conceal-Bags-Under-Your-Eyes | How to Conceal Bags Under Your Eyes | To conceal bags under your eyes, start by applying a small amount of orange or peach colored concealer just below your bags to cancel out the blue-grey color. Wait a few seconds for the concealer to set, then blend it in with your finger or a makeup sponge. Next, apply a concealer that matches your skin tone on top, and blend it in. If you'd like, you can also use a pale, pink colored highlighter on your lids to brighten your eyes. | Choose your concealer. To combat the blue and gray color under your eyes, choose an orange or peach colored concealer. Orange is the complementary color to blue, which means when orange is applied to a blue area, the colors "cancel" one another out. Pick a color that is only one or two shades darker than your skin – otherwise, the concealer will be visible against the normal color of your skin. Concealers come in liquid and stick form. If your skin is very fair, opt for a peachy-colored concealer to cover dark circles. If your skin is darker, choose a deeper orange tone. Liquid concealers are good for light coverage, while sticks are great for smaller or narrower areas. Any type of concealer will work, though remember that liquid makeup may appear glossy, whereas powder makeup can give a matte appearance. Choose a makeup based on your skin type – oily skin is more likely to be “shiny” with certain liquid makeup, for example. Prepare your skin. Apply an eye cream to both eyes to make sure your under-eye area is well-moisturized. If there's any hint of dryness, the concealer will turn chalky and become very noticeable to others. Try keeping the eye cream in the fridge prior to application. The cold temperature of the cream contracts the skin, allowing for a tighter appearance. Try using an eye cream with caffeine to help with puffiness and dark circles. If you wear foundation, put it on before applying concealer. However, any powder-based makeup, including foundation should, go on last, after the concealer. Apply the concealer. Use either a small nylon concealer brush, sponge, or your fingers to apply concealer below the shadows of your eye bags. Dab the concealer on to provide an even, blended coverage, without smearing. You want to apply just below the crease of your bags and blend downward, toward your cheek bones, in a triangular fashion. Aim for the top of your cheeks, just below the bags and shadows. Don't apply makeup directly to the puffiness! The area under your eyes will wrinkle under heavy makeup, causing the bags to stand out even more. Applying the concealer below the bags draws attention to that area, instead of your puffy eyes. When it comes to concealer, less is more – too much can give a “caked” appearance. When you're finished, set the concealer with a thin layer of translucent powder. If you use powder foundation, remember to apply the concealer before applying the foundation. Assess the application. Take a moment to let the concealer set. If there's still darkness under your eye, you may add a bit more concealer, but keep it light. If the concealer is too bright, you will need to blend the makeup out. If the concealer is too dark, balance it out with a concealer that is one shade lighter than your skin tone. This will help highlight the area below the puffiness. Pat under the eyes to blend. Use a concealer or foundation of your natural skin tone to blend the previous application of concealer with the rest of your skin. This helps create a more natural appearance and remove a “caked” or overly-bright look. Patting the concealer rather than rubbing help avoid smearing the makeup, and creates a more even blend. If using your fingers to blend the concealer, use your ring finger. The ring finger tends to be the weakest finger, and provides a gentler touch. Brighten around your eyes. Use a pale, pink colored highlighter to add some color to the inner and outer corners of your eyes. This helps draw attention to your eyes, and away from the bags and shadows. Avoid eye liner or shadow in darker colors. Such colors can draw attention back to the bags you're trying to hide. Don't forget the inner area of the eye, near the bridge of the nose. Adding just a small amount of concealer or highlighter here can help brighten your whole face. Set the makeup. Use a face powder to set the makeup on your face, keeping it locked in and looking good all day. Take care to apply just a thin layer to avoid too much buildup of makeup. No need to apply powder to your entire face. Just lightly dab the powder in the areas where you have applied makeup. You can opt to use a bit more powder in areas prone to shininess – powder provides a matte look. Cut back on salty foods. The bags under our eyes are caused by fluid retention. Overconsumption of salt leads to this retention, meaning cutting back on the amount of salt in your food can help reduce the puffiness in your eyes. Lay off the foods that are high in sodium, such as pickles, olives, soup, and fast food. Eat more foods that are high in potassium, such as bananas, avocados, and celery. These foods help balance the sodium in your body. Drink more water. The body holds on to water when you are dehydrated, leading to fluid retention. Upping your water intake can reduce this retention, reducing the bags under your eyes. Aim for eight glasses of water a day (8 ounces each) to keep a healthy hydration level. Water is gained through food as well. Try upping the amount of fruit and vegetables you eat to supplement your water intake. You can also stay hydrated by drinking beverages like tea and coffee, which are mostly water. Get enough sleep. A lack of good rest causes fluid retention and dark shadows under our eyes. Make sure you get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night, depending on your individual needs. Though a lack of sleep contributes to eye bags, sleeping more is not necessarily a cure. If you already get plenty of sleep and still have eye bags, forcing yourself to sleep more will not reduce the puffiness. Remove your makeup at night. Leaving face and eye makeup on at night can clog pores, cause acne, and generally prevent your skin from restoring itself overnight. Make sure to wipe off any makeup prior to sleeping for the night to reduce damage to the eyes. Use a moisturizing eye cream overnight to help remove wrinkles and lines associated with puffy bags. Get your allergies in check. Seasonal allergies and sinus problems cause swelling, which can lead to those pesky eye bags and shadows. Talk to your doctor to discuss your allergies and see if there is a treatment option that can help combat the problem. Over-the-counter decongestant or neti pots can help keep things moving in your sinuses, without the need for a prescription. Stay hydrated! Water will keep those dark circles from appearing, but also keeps your nasal passages and sinuses well lubricated. | Choose your concealer. Prepare your skin. Apply the concealer. Assess the application. Pat under the eyes to blend. Brighten around your eyes. Set the makeup. Cut back on salty foods. Drink more water. Get enough sleep. Remove your makeup at night. Get your allergies in check. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Drive-a-Car-in-Winter-Weather | How to Drive a Car in Winter Weather | Before you drive a car in winter weather, make sure you brush off any snow on your car and scrape the ice off of your windshield. When you start driving, go slowly, especially if it icy out. When you go and stop, press the gas and brake pedals gently to avoid skidding or sliding. When stopping, give yourself plenty of room and leave big gaps between your car and the car in front of you. If you start to skid, release the gas slightly and gently turn the steering wheel in the direction you want to go. | Clean off your car before driving. When you walk outside to find a car covered in ice and snow, you should remove everything from the car before driving. This helps you see when you drive. Don't just clean off a hole that you can see out of. This can significantly decrease your visibility. Clean off all windows and mirrors before leaving your home. You should also clean the snow off lights so other drivers can see your headlights, blinkers, and brake lights. Brush off your hood, trunk, doors, and roof. Snow can slide onto your windows and block your view, which won't be good when you're driving! It can also sling off and hit another car. Many states require by law that you remove all snow before getting on the road. Drive slowly. You may be stressed and running behind, but your safety comes first! No matter how long you have been driving, you should drive slowly in winter weather. Even if you have winterized your car, you may still lose control of your car. By driving slowly and paying attention, you not only keep control of your car, but can be aware of those around you who many not be as careful as you. Press the gas and brake pedals gently. Speed up and slow down slowly and take it easy as you turn. Make sure to start braking early to avoid sudden stops. Leave plenty of space for stopping. Stopping on wintry roads is very different than dry roads. You should not try to stop the same way you do on normal roads. That may cause an accident! Leave at least eight to ten seconds to stop. Gently press the brake with the ball of your foot and avoid slamming on brakes. If possible, take your foot off the gas pedal to slow down at red lights and try to roll to it until it turns green so you don't have to stop. Keep a safe distance from the vehicles in front of you. You should double the distance you normally would between you and the vehicle in front of you. Keep scanning the vehicles in front of you and look out for brake lights. If you've kept your distance, you should be able to bring your vehicle to a stop with distance to spare instead of having to slam on your brakes and sliding into the vehicles in front of you. Avoid speeding up hills. When you approach a hill, don't press the gas pedal hard to try to get up the hill. This can cause you to spin. Instead, try to use inertia to get up the hill. Don't stop on the hill because it can be difficult to get going again. If you have to press the gas pedal, do it gently and slowly. Learn to deal with skidding. Skidding can be extremely scary! To correct for any skid, release the gas slightly and turn your wheels in the direction you want to go, very gently. Be careful not to over correct and do not press the gas until you are headed in the direction you want to go again. If the car does not seem to turn, or turns too wide, easing off of the gas lightly might do. If that doesn't work, tap the brakes lightly and steer just slightly tighter into the corner. Simply panicking and steering sharply into the corner will only reduce control. If the car is hydroplaning, gently ease off of the gas without lifting off of it completely. If necessary, ease off completely. Avoid using cruise control. Cruise control can be a relaxing way to drive. However, during winter weather, you shouldn't use the cruise control on your car. This takes the acceleration and deceleration out of your control. On slippery surfaces that have snow, ice, or sand, this may cause you to slide or lose control of your car. Have your car serviced. You want to make sure your car is in the best shape possible during the winter. You don't want to break down when it's snowing or below zero. That can be stressful! Take your car to the mechanic for a checkup, or do your own maintenance on your car. Common things that break during the winter include hoses, belts, water pumps, and spark plug wires. You should also check the tire pressure. Check your battery. Dead batteries are not a good thing to wake up to on a cold morning. Another thing that you should check at the start of the winter is your battery. Old batteries may give out in the cold, or the charging system may not be working correctly. While you are checking the other parts of the car, you should check your battery. If you need to get a new battery, make sure it is powerful enough to start your car in the winter. During the winter, your car will have more difficulty starting than in the summer. Check the antifreeze. Antifreeze is important to keep your car running during the winter. Most cars will do best with a mixture of water and antifreeze. For most winter weather, 60 percent antifreeze and 40 perfect water will be fine. In extreme winter conditions, use 70 percent antifreeze and 30 percent water. This helps keep the engine cool while having a low freezing point. Check your manual for specific antifreeze type recommendations. Replace your wipers. Having your wipers going out while on the road is no fun. If you live in an area with a lot of ice and snow, you should put winter wipers on your car. These wipers are heavy and are specially made to keep ice from collecting on the wipers. Before you turn off the car, make sure to turn off the wipers. Your blades can freeze on the windshield, which can mess up the motor of the wipers when you try to use them again. Buy snow tires. If you live in an area where it snows often every year, you put snow tires on your car. Snow tires can be difficult to put on your car, so permanently mount them on steel rims that a tire shop can easily put on your car in winter. You can store the tires during the winter, or many tire shops will store the tires and rims for you. Fill up your windshield washer fluid. Snow and icy conditions can make seeing out of your windshield difficult. If you drive behind a car, you may also get salt and road grime sprayed on your windshield. You need to put washer fluid in your car that is made for snow and below freezing temperatures. Winter formulas of washer fluid help remove snow and ice and doesn't freeze. Keep your gas tank filled. One of the most important things you can do during the winter is keep enough gas in your car. If your car happens to break down, you will need to keep it running to stay warm. Doing this requires gas, so make sure you have a full tank for emergencies. When you idle your car to stay warm, the gas will last a long time. Keeping your tank full also helps you not to run out of gas if you get too low. Place sand in the back of your rear-wheel-drive vehicle. Rear-wheel-drive cars may slide more than other cars on snowy or slick roads. Placing a couple of bags of sand in your trunk can help stabilize your car. Place the bags in your trunk behind the rear axle. The bags should be around the middle of your trunk. Avoid placing too much weight in the back of your car since that can lift up the front of your car. Try starting with around 20 pounds. Place a winter supplies in your car. You should stock a few helpful basic supplies in your car during the winter. Keep a snowbrush and ice scraper in your car to deal with windows. You should also place some extra washer fluid in case you run out while you are driving. You may also want to keep a shovel and bag of sand in the trunk to help in case you get stuck or can't get traction. Put an emergency kit in your car. In case you break down, you have an emergency kit full of items to help you stay warm. Gather blankets, gloves, hats, food, water, and any medication you may need in your vehicle. Refrain from driving when you’re tired. Driving when you're tired slows your response times. Your focus and concentration is also compromised. During wintry conditions, this can be extremely dangerous. Try not to drive in snow or ice when you are tired or haven't had proper rest. Check the weather reports. Before you go somewhere, especially a long distance away, you should check the weather. You should also do this if you are going to isolated areas. This helps you know what to expect. If the weather is very bad, you should postpone your trip. When you travel in winter conditions, let someone know where you are going and what time you should arrive. Keep your cell phone charged. Make sure your cell phone has a full battery whenever you leave the house. You may also carry a cell phone charger in your car and keep your phone plugged up so you always have a full battery. If you break down or have any problems, you will be able to call for help. Practice driving in winter weather. Practice makes perfect! If you're unfamiliar with driving in snowy and icy weather conditions, practice after a storm in a large, empty parking lot with a seasoned driver. Practice how to brake safely, how to get out of a skid, and how your car handles in winter weather. This can actually be a lot of fun! Stay home if possible. Use winter weather as an excuse for a night in. Even if you can drive in winter weather, you are putting yourself at risk by going out. Other drivers pose a danger to you. Slick roads and black ice are also risks even to an experienced driver. Unless you have to go out, stay off the roads. | Clean off your car before driving. Drive slowly. Leave plenty of space for stopping. Keep a safe distance from the vehicles in front of you. Avoid speeding up hills. Learn to deal with skidding. Avoid using cruise control. Have your car serviced. Check your battery. Check the antifreeze. Replace your wipers. Buy snow tires. Fill up your windshield washer fluid. Keep your gas tank filled. Place sand in the back of your rear-wheel-drive vehicle. Place a winter supplies in your car. Put an emergency kit in your car. Refrain from driving when you’re tired. Check the weather reports. Keep your cell phone charged. Practice driving in winter weather. Stay home if possible. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Fallout-Shelter | How to Build a Fallout Shelter | To start building the perfect fallout shelter, dig a deep hole in the ground far away from any flammable objects. Place logs or poles across the trench, then cover them with a cloth tarp and at least 18 inches of soil. In case a fire breaks out, build at least 2 entrances to your shelter so you can escape from either end. Make sure to put beds, cots, or mats in your shelter, as well as a bathroom separated by a blanket or cloth. | Choose a building area on stable ground away from obstructions. When a nuclear weapon detonates, it creates a thermal pulse which can set things 20 mi (32 km) away on fire. You can often build a shelter in your backyard if you can position it so that both rainwater and water behind dams runs away from it. You will also need to consider where the utility lines are in your area so you don't disturb them. Try to select stable ground where trees and buildings won't fall on your shelter. If you're in a city, you can build a reinforced shelter in a basement. The concrete can protect you from fallout and falling debris. Research the topography of your area. Your government's local land survey office will have them available. Also, check with the emergency response office. Avoid positioning your shelter downhill from bodies of water or below steep slopes. Keep it clear of flammable buildings. Print out a blueprint for the shelter you want to make. Having a clear blueprint will help you construct a stable, effective shelter. You can find some basic plans simply by searching for fallout shelter blueprints online. Some plans may even include a step by step overview for building the shelter. You can also get blueprints by consulting an architect or drafter. They can provide guidance on what shelter best suits your needs. Most building construction companies can build a shelter for you. Even if you don't want to hire someone to design a shelter, sketch your own plans before beginning construction. You can try using a computer program like SketchUp. Stake out and clear the building area for construction. Plot out the shelter's perimeter according to your blueprint. Plant a series of wooden stakes in the ground to outline the shelter's perimeter. Then, use shovels, axes, and other tools to dig up grass, trees, rocks, and other debris in the area. Clear the land about 10 ft (3.0 m) beyond the shelter's perimeter so you have plenty of space to work with. The shelter's size is up to you. Expect to add about 3 ft (0.91 m) to the shelter's length for every person who will hide there. A basic 4-person shelter is about 10 × 10 × 10 ft (3.0 × 3.0 × 3.0 m) in size. Dig a trench and move the dirt out of the excavation area. Begin digging out soil to form the basic outline of your shelter. You can do this with shovels, although it takes a lot of time and labor. Move the excavated dirt 10 ft (3.0 m) beyond the stakes. You will need to keep the dirt away so it doesn't fall back into the trench. For quicker work, rent a backhoe from an equipment company near you. This can get pricey, but speeding up the excavation process is often worth it. Digging a deeper trench means more space and blast protection for your shelter. Create an emergency exit at the far end of the trench. The emergency exit will also serve as extra ventilation. At the end of the trench, dig a crawl space about 2 ft (0.61 m) wide and 3 ⁄ 2 ft (1.1 m) deep. The crawl space will be right below the soil's surface. Create an exit at the end by digging a small trench to connect the crawl space to the outside world. You can build dirt steps as needed to reach the surface. Pile dirt near the entryway, then begin digging into it with a shovel. Shape the dirt into small steps. Lay threshold boards over each steps, connecting them to side boards with 10 in (25 cm) lag bolts. Always have a second exit in your shelter to guard against emergencies. Make a second crawl-way for the entrance. Create the main entryway the same way you built the emergency exit. This time, dig on the opposite end of the shelter. You can make this entryway a little wider so you have an easier time entering the shelter. Keep the entryway below ground, emerging away from the shelter's main living quarters. The main entrance will not have air pumps or ventilation pipes running through it, so it may appear larger by default. Lay wooden roofing poles side by side over the trench. Get poles that overhang the trench by at least 2 ft (0.61 m) so they are less likely to collapse. Lay them across the trench's width. Push the logs as close together as possible to reduce the gaps in the shelter's roof. For example, try using 9 ft (2.7 m) poles over a trench 5 ft (1.5 m) wide. Roofing poles are basically long, uncut pieces of timber. You can get them from lumber yards. Roofing suppliers and home improvement stores may also be able to help. Stack poles in front of the entryways to keep dirt out of them. Lay a few 6 ft (1.8 m) wooden roofing poles between the trench and the edge of each entryway. Use about 3 or 4 logs on each side. Tie them together with strong rope or wire, also binding them to the closest poles hanging over the trench. These entryway poles hold back the dirt you will use to create the shelter ceiling. If you don't have them in place, the dirt can slide into the entryways, blocking them. Waterproof the logs with a tarp or another plastic material. Make sure you cover any gaps between the logs so water and dirt can't fall into the shelter. You can do this easily by purchasing a tarp large enough to fit over the trench. Also try overlapping a few smaller tarps. You can also fill the gaps with cloth, leaves, clay, or other alternative materials. Cover the logs with an 18 in (46 cm) earth dome. Begin moving the excavated dirt back on top of the logs. Make sure the dirt is unable to leak into the living space below the logs. As you pile up the dirt, shape it into a rounded mound ending right before the shelter's entrances. The mound shape will give your shelter's roof plenty of stability to prevent it from caving in. For extra radiation protection, make the dome deeper. Try placing a second plastic tarp layer over the dome, then pile up another 18 in (46 cm) of dirt. Pack the earth around the entryways to seal out water. Stack a few shorter roofing poles or sandbags around each entrance. Tie them down tightly with rope or wire. Then, build up the earth around the poles into slopes 6 in (15 cm) deep to drive water away from the entryways. Make the slopes on all sides of each entryway to ensure that rainwater never enters the shelter. Hang plastic canopies over the entryways to protect them from water. Extend a plastic tarp from the roof dome over the entryway. Sink a few stakes in the dome, then tie the tarp in place with strong cords or wires. Secure the other end of the tarp to the logs or sandbags stacked in front of the entryway to further waterproof your shelter. Make sure the tarps form a tent shape. They need to form a consistent slope so water rolls away from your shelter. Install a hand-operated ventilation pump in the emergency exit. Choose a ventilation pump with a pipe about 20 in (51 cm) wide and 36 in (91 cm) tall. Place the filter on the floor next to the emergency exit. Then, run the pipe along the crawl space, letting it emerge preferably above the plastic canopy. Always use a pump with an option for manual operation. The pump will run on its own most of the time, but in case of an emergency, you can operate it to keep the shelter's air clean. Set up a toilet in a separate area of the shelter. You have several options for installing toilets. The most efficient way is a composting toilet, similar to what you would see in an RV. You will need to install a ventilation pipe, running it from the toilet to the surface. A good location for the toilet is near the exit furthest from your sleeping quarters. To install the ventilation pipe, run it through the nearest entryway, if possible. You may need to dig through the dirt so the pipe exits above the plastic canopy over the entryway. You can also try joining the pipe to the air pump's ventilation pipe. Many shelters do not feature running water, so a regular toilet isn't usually an option. You may not be able to get clean, running water in an emergency, so you may need to install an expensive system of tanks, pipes, and filters if you want more comfort. Another option is to use small plastic toilets or buckets. It isn't ideal, but it is an effective way to keep your shelter safe and sanitary. Seal the buckets and carry them to the surface as needed. Make beds and other furniture for the shelter. With a pole-covered trench shelter, the best way to set up furniture is to make hammocks. Loop strong rope or wire around the ceiling poles. Connect the rope or wire to cloth to create strong but lightweight hammocks. You can also try assembling poles and boards together to create bunk beds. You do not have to buy bulky furniture. Get creative and craft your own furniture or assemble makeshift bedding. For example, you can make a “bed” by piling blankets. Even packing together leaves, pine needle, or hay is a fast, inexpensive way to create a bed. Pack food, water, and other necessities. Food and water are the most important supplies, so keep them in abundance. Plan on having at least 1 US gal (3.8 L) of water per person per day. Keep a supply of dry food that will last you about 2 weeks. Also bring along medical supplies, disposal bins, and extra clothing. You will generally need to be in the shelter for around 3 days, but plan on staying up to a month in case of a serious emergency. Get a good first-aid kit that includes bandages, tape, splints, scissors, rubbing alcohol, and any medication you need. For food, bring things that don't require a lot of preparation, such as lentils, jerky, and military MREs. Find a room made out of concrete. The best shelter rooms are underground, although you can convert any concrete room into a shelter. A basement is often a great place for a shelter. Also look for concrete office buildings or other protected structures unlikely to collapse during an event. If you have to make an indoors shelter, try to choose a room closer to the middle of the building. This will put as much space between you and the fallout as possible. You can also build a separate concrete room or shelter outside. Shield the walls with heavy materials like sandbags. If you have time, stack sandbags near windows and other spots where radiation can leak in. The more you cover the walls, the more protection you have against radiation. Makeshift materials like mattresses, tables, books, and even bags of clothes help during an emergency. Stock the shelter with food and other necessities. Plan on keeping enough supplies for at least 3 days. Fill it with clean, bottled water and snacks that don't require much preparation. Be sure to include medical supplies and prescription medication. You will also need a sanitation bucket. A radio is handy, and you can use it to listen to updates. It may help you decide when leaving the shelter is safe. Leave small vents for air at the entrances. Seal up the entrances with sandbags or other resistant material. Leave a small gap so that everyone in the shelter has enough air to breathe. Also consider installing an air ventilation pump. You may be able to connect it to ventilation pipes already installed in the building. | Choose a building area on stable ground away from obstructions. Print out a blueprint for the shelter you want to make. Stake out and clear the building area for construction. Dig a trench and move the dirt out of the excavation area. Create an emergency exit at the far end of the trench. Make a second crawl-way for the entrance. Lay wooden roofing poles side by side over the trench. Stack poles in front of the entryways to keep dirt out of them. Waterproof the logs with a tarp or another plastic material. Cover the logs with an 18 in (46 cm) earth dome. Pack the earth around the entryways to seal out water. Hang plastic canopies over the entryways to protect them from water. Install a hand-operated ventilation pump in the emergency exit. Set up a toilet in a separate area of the shelter. Make beds and other furniture for the shelter. Pack food, water, and other necessities. Find a room made out of concrete. Shield the walls with heavy materials like sandbags. Stock the shelter with food and other necessities. Leave small vents for air at the entrances. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Broken-Screw | How to Remove a Broken Screw | To extract a screw with a broken head, grip the shank with pliers, turn the screw counter-clockwise to release it from the material, and pull it out. If the head is stripped, try laying a rubber band across the head to give the screwdriver more grip. Then, use the screwdriver as normal to pull out the screw. When you're trying to remove a rusted screw, pour liquid wrench or oven cleaner over it to loosen it up. If you're still having no luck after trying these methods, buy a screw extractor from a home improvement store and follow the instructions. | Find a screw extractor. Screw extractors are designed to help you remove broken screws. You can find them at home improvement stores for relatively cheap, and they will make the process easier. Screw extractors work best on screws with stripped threads and/or broken heads. Drill a hole in the screw. Pick a bit smaller than the screw. Drill a hole down the center. If it won't drill, try using a smaller bit instead, such as a ⁄ 16 inch (1.6 mm) bit. Be gentle and go slowly, as you don't want to break the bit off in the screw head. Tap the extractor in with a hammer. Push the extractor into the hole you've just drilled. Push down on it as hard as you can, and then use a hammer to tap it fully into the hole. Turn the extractor counterclockwise to remove the screw. As you push down on the extractor, use your drill or a screwdriver to turn the extractor counterclockwise. The threads of the extractor should catch in the screw, allowing you to twist it out. If it doesn't work, try tapping the extractor in harder, or apply a lubricant like Liquid Wrench to the screw. Let the lubricant sit for 30 minutes before trying to remove the screw. Grasp the screw shank with pliers as an alternative. To remove a screw without a head, you can simply grasp the end of the shank with pliers. Turn the pliers to release the screw from the material, and pull out the screw. Use a different size screwdriver to see if it catches as an easy fix. Sometimes, if you go up or down a size in your screwdriver, you can get the screw head to catch, even if it is mostly stripped. You can also switch to a flat head instead of a Phillips. If it doesn't turn on the first try, move on to the next size. You don't want to further damage the screw head. Place a rubber band over the screw to increase the grip of the screwdriver. Cut a large rubber band so you have a flat long piece instead of a circle. Lay the rubber band over the screw head, and then try to take the screw out with a screwdriver. The rubber gives it extra grip, helping you remove the screw. Pour chemicals on rusted screws to help release them. Sometimes, a rusted screw will bond with nearby materials. Spraying or pouring a chemical over the screw, such as liquid wrench, oven cleaner, soda (like Coke or Pepsi), or even lemon juice can dissolve those bonds. Spray or pour it in, and let it sit for 10 minutes before checking it. You may need to reapply it several times or even wait a day for the chemical to do its magic. Glue the screwdriver or bit to the screw head for screws that won't catch. Drip a bit of superglue on the screw head. Place the bit or screwdriver on the head. Let the glue dry, then try removing the screw by pressing down on the screw and twisting it out. Cut a new slit in the top of the screw with a rotary cutter if other methods fail. If the screw top is completely stripped, use a rotary cutter to slice a small strip across the top. Pull the screw out with a flat head screwdriver or bit. Destroy the screw with a drill bit for particularly stubborn screws. If nothing seems to work, use bits to demolish the screw. For instance, you can use a large bit to drill down into the screw, essentially destroying it. You can also use a bit to take the head of the screw off and then pull the shank out with pliers. | Find a screw extractor. Drill a hole in the screw. Tap the extractor in with a hammer. Turn the extractor counterclockwise to remove the screw. Grasp the screw shank with pliers as an alternative. Use a different size screwdriver to see if it catches as an easy fix. Place a rubber band over the screw to increase the grip of the screwdriver. Pour chemicals on rusted screws to help release them. Glue the screwdriver or bit to the screw head for screws that won't catch. Cut a new slit in the top of the screw with a rotary cutter if other methods fail. Destroy the screw with a drill bit for particularly stubborn screws. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Chocolate-Frosting | How to Make Chocolate Frosting | To make a basic chocolate frosting, whisk room-temperature butter until it is fluffy. Then, mix in the dry ingredients and milk and beat it until it is a good spreading consistency. Next, add vanilla extract and sugar to finish the frosting, then spread it onto your cake or refrigerate it for 2 or 3 days. | Gather the ingredients. You'll need: 1 cup of superfine sugar 6 tablespoons of butter or margarine (softened) 1/2 cup of cocoa powder 1 cup of powdered sugar 1/3 cup of milk (whole or 2%—not skim) 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. Cream the butter. In a large bowl, whip room-temperature butter at medium speed with an electric mixer, or with a whisk, until it is fluffy. Beating the butter with an electric mixer will be quicker than beating it by hand with a whisk. Either way, using room temperature butter will make it easier to whip to the right consistency while minimizing the risk of lumps. Similarly, use butter over margarine when possible. When opting for margarine, use softened stick margarine over soft spreadable margarine, since both butter and stick margarine will hold their form better, resulting in a thicker frosting. Blend dry ingredients. In a small bowl, sift and whisk to combine the cocoa powder and granulated sugar. Sifting the ingredients should help break up and eliminated lumps that may negatively impact the consistency of your frosting. Superfine sugar is actually preferable since granulated sugar can give the frosting a grainy taste, but granulated sugar can be used if you are unable to find superfine sugar. You can also substitute additional powdered sugar, but only use 1 cup (250 ml) during this step, and be aware that it will make the frosting much sweeter. Combine the ingredients. Add the cocoa/sugar mixture to the creamed butter alternately with the milk. Do not add too much milk, or the mixture will become too thin. Add the milk about 1 to 2 Tbsp (15 to 30 ml) at a time, mixing well after each addition, and stop once the mixture seems thoroughly moist. Beat until the mixture is spreading consistency. If it's too thick, add more milk, 1 tsp (5 ml) at a time. If it's too thin, add more cocoa/sugar mixture, 1 tsp (5 ml) at a time. Additional cocoa/sugar mixture should be prepared in a ratio of 2 parts granulated sugar to 1 part cocoa powder. The mixture should be spreadable, but still somewhat thin at this point. Add 1 Tbsp (15 ml) vanilla. Once the frosting has reached the right consistency, add the vanilla extract. Blend well to combine. Add powdered sugar. Whisk in the powdered sugar, 2 Tbsp (30 ml) at a time, blending well so there aren't any clumps. The powdered sugar should make the frosting even thicker, allowing it to hold its form better. Use the finished frosting. You can spread this frosting on your cake or cupcakes, or refrigerate it in an airtight container for two or three days before use. Gather the ingredients. You'll need: 6 tablespoons butter, softened 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 2-3/4 cups powdered sugar 5 tablespoons evaporated milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Blend the dry ingredients. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together cocoa and powdered sugar with a sifter, whisk, or fork. Continue mixing until evenly combined. Cream the butter. In a large bowl, whip the butter with electric mixer or whisk until fluffy and smooth. Using the electric mixer will take quicker than using a whisk, but either will work as long as the butter is softened to room temperature. Combine the ingredients. Slowly add the cocoa/sugar blend to the whipped butter, alternating with the evaporated milk, and blend with the electric mixer until everything is combined and smooth. Add the vanilla, and continue beating until fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, add more milk, 1 tsp (5 ml) at a time. If the frosting is too thin, add more sugar, 1 tsp (5 ml) at a time. Use the frosting as desired. You can spread the frosting on cakes, cookies, cupcakes, etc. If not using immediately, store it in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to three days. Gather the ingredients. You'll need: 3 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup milk 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Blend the dry ingredients. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together cocoa and powdered sugar with a sifter, whisk, or fork. Continue until the mixture looks evenly combined, breaking up any lumps as you go along. Mix the wet ingredients. Add the vanilla to the milk in a separate medium bowl, and stir until evenly blended. Cream the butter. In a separate large bowl, whip the butter with electric mixer or whisk until fluffy and smooth. Using an electric mixer is highly recommend since it'll make the process quicker and result in even fluffier butter, but you can use a whisk of an electric mixer is not available. Use room temperature, softened butter regardless. Combine the ingredients. Add the vanilla/milk mixture and the cocoa-sugar to the butter, alternating between one and the other. Beat until well-blended and fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, add more milk, 1 tsp (5 ml) at a time. If the frosting is too thin, add more sugar, 1 tsp (5 ml) at a time. Use the finished frosting. Spread it on the cake or cupcakes, or save it in an airtight container in your refrigerator for two or three days. Gather the ingredients. If you cannot consume dairy for any reason, this is a great frosting to use. You'll need: 125g soy or olive spread 500g icing sugar/confectioners sugar 80g cocoa powder 100ml soy, almond or rice milk 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or essence. Add the spread to a mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until it turns creamy. Because the consistency of soy/olive spread is thinner than that of butter or stick margarine, you don't want to over-beat the spread. Doing so could thin it out too severely, causing your frosting to become too runny. Add the sugar and non-dairy milk. Add half of the icing or confectioners sugar to the creamed spread. Add 2 tablespoons of the non-dairy milk. Beat again, until the mixture turns light and the volume grows. Mix in the remaining ingredients. Add the rest of the icing or confectioners sugar, the cocoa powder, the remaining non-dairy milk and the vanilla. Beat more, until well combined. The resulting mixture should have a velvety, creamy texture. Add a bit more non-dairy milk, 2 tsp (10 ml) at a time, if it's a little stiff. Similarly, add more sugar, 2 tsp (10 ml) at a time, if the frosting seems too thin. Spread on the cake or cupcakes. This frosting is suitable for those pursuing a dairy-free diet. | Gather the ingredients. Cream the butter. Blend dry ingredients. Combine the ingredients. Beat until the mixture is spreading consistency. Add 1 Tbsp (15 ml) vanilla. Add powdered sugar. Use the finished frosting. Gather the ingredients. Blend the dry ingredients. Cream the butter. Combine the ingredients. Use the frosting as desired. Gather the ingredients. Blend the dry ingredients. Mix the wet ingredients. Cream the butter. Combine the ingredients. Use the finished frosting. Gather the ingredients. Add the spread to a mixing bowl. Add the sugar and non-dairy milk. Mix in the remaining ingredients. Spread on the cake or cupcakes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Blanch-Cauliflower | How to Blanch Cauliflower | To blanch cauliflower, first bring a large pot of water to a boil and fill a bowl with water and ice. Cut the cauliflower up into florets, then add the florets to the boiling water. Let the florets cook for 3 minutes. Drain the florets in a colander and immediately transfer them to the bowl of ice water so they stop cooking. Finally, drain the cauliflower in the colander and dry the florets with a dish owel. You can store your blanched cauliflower in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. | Bring a large pot of water to boil. Fill a large pot about 3/4 full of water and set it on the stove. Put the lid on the pot and turn the burner to high. The water should come to a vigorous boil before you add the cauliflower. Since the cauliflower will float to the top of the water, ensure that whatever pot you use is large enough to comfortably hold as much cauliflower as you like. Then fill the pot 3/4 full of water. Cut the cauliflower into 1 in (2.5 cm) florets. While the water comes to a boil, rinse your fresh cauliflower. Take a sharp knife and cut evenly-sized florets. Cutting even pieces will ensure that the cauliflower blanches in a uniform way. Boil the cauliflower florets for 3 minutes. Carefully lift off the lid from the pot and add the cauliflower florets. Leave the lid off of the pot as the cauliflower cooks. Keep in mind that the cauliflower will not become completely soft. It should just become a little tender after it's boiled for 3 minutes. Drain the cauliflower through a strainer. Set a strainer or cauliflower in a sink. Turn off the burner and pour the cauliflower through the strainer so the hot water drains. Use caution when you lift the pot of hot water. Make an ice bath. Fill a large bowl with ice and pour in enough cold water to come about 3/4 of the way up the sides. You'll need the extra space at the top of the bowl to allow for the cauliflower. Put the cauliflower in the ice bath for for 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cauliflower to the ice water. Push down on the cauliflower so it's submerged in the ice water and chill it for 3 minutes. Putting the cauliflower in the ice bath stops the florets from cooking. Place the blanched cauliflower in a strainer to drain. Lift the cauliflower out of the ice water and put it in a fine mesh strainer. The water should drain from the cauliflower. Use the cauliflower or dry it before you store it. Place a steamer basket in a pot with 1 in (2.5 cm) of water. Set an expandable metal steamer basket into a pot and pour the water down the side of the pot. Put the lid on the pan. The steamer basket should be about 1 in (2.5 cm) above the water. Ensure that the basket doesn't touch the water. Trim the cauliflower and bring the water to a boil. Turn the burner to high so the water begins to boil. While you're waiting for the water to heat, rinse as much cauliflower as you'd like to blanch. Use a sharp knife to trim the cauliflower into 1 in (2.5 cm) florets. If you'd like to blanch a few heads of cauliflower, you may need to steam them in batches. Add the cauliflower to the basket and steam it for 4 1/2 minutes. Once the water boils, lift up the lid from the pot and place the cauliflower florets in the steamer basket. Put the lid back on the pot and set a timer for 4 1/2 minutes. Fill a bowl with ice water. While the cauliflower steams, fill a large bowl with ice. Pour enough cold water into the bowl to come about 3/4 of the way up the sides. While there's no set amount of ice water per pound of cauliflower, you do need to use enough ice water so that the cauliflower can be completely submerged. Transfer the cauliflower to the ice bath and chill it for 4 1/2 minutes. After the cauliflower has steamed, turn off the burner. Carefully lift the steamer basket up and out of the pot. Put the cauliflower into the ice water so the florets are covered and leave them to chill completely. The ice water will stop the cauliflower from cooking further. Use caution when you lift the hot steamer basket out of the pot. Drain the blanched cauliflower. Use a slotted spoon to lift the cold cauliflower out of the ice water. Place it in a fine mesh strainer so excess water drips out of the cauliflower. Then you can use or store the blanched cauliflower. Dry the blanched cauliflower before you store it. Lay paper towels on a plate or baking sheet and transfer the drained cauliflower florets onto it. Use the paper towels to pat the florets completely dry. The paper towels will absorb excess moisture that could cause the cauliflower to spoil. Refrigerate blanched cauliflower for up to 3 to 5 days. Transfer the cooled cauliflower to a shallow airtight storage container. Put the container in the refrigerator and chill the cauliflower for up to 3 to 5 days. Freeze the blanched cauliflower for up to 6 months. Spread the blanched cauliflower in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Place the sheet in the freezer and leave the cauliflower to freeze completely. This should take about 1 hour. Transfer the frozen cauliflower to airtight containers and freeze them for up to 6 months. Remember to label and date the containers of cauliflower. To use the frozen cauliflower, roast them directly from the freezer, add the frozen florets to soups, or boil the cauliflower and mash it until it's smooth. Roast the blanched cauliflower. Arrange the cauliflower on a rimmed baking sheet so the florets are in a single layer. Toss the cauliflower with a few spoon-fulls of vegetable or olive oil and salt and pepper according to your taste. Bake the cauliflower in a 425 °F (218 °C) oven for 30 minutes. The roasted cauliflower should become browned and very tender once it's finished cooking. Use your favorite spices or herbs such as Italian seasoning, za'atar, or curry. Puree blanched cauliflower to make soup. Sauté your onions, garlic, or shallots in a little butter and add blanched cauliflower to the pot. Cover the vegetables with vegetable broth, chicken broth, or half-and-half. Then use an immersion blender to puree the ingredients until they're smooth. Season the soup with spices, herbs, or fragrant cheese such as Parmesan or Stilton. | Bring a large pot of water to boil. Cut the cauliflower into 1 in (2.5 cm) florets. Boil the cauliflower florets for 3 minutes. Drain the cauliflower through a strainer. Make an ice bath. Put the cauliflower in the ice bath for for 3 minutes. Place the blanched cauliflower in a strainer to drain. Place a steamer basket in a pot with 1 in (2.5 cm) of water. Trim the cauliflower and bring the water to a boil. Add the cauliflower to the basket and steam it for 4 1/2 minutes. Fill a bowl with ice water. Transfer the cauliflower to the ice bath and chill it for 4 1/2 minutes. Drain the blanched cauliflower. Dry the blanched cauliflower before you store it. Refrigerate blanched cauliflower for up to 3 to 5 days. Freeze the blanched cauliflower for up to 6 months. Roast the blanched cauliflower. Puree blanched cauliflower to make soup. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Good-Cup-of-Tea | How to Make a Good Cup of Tea | "To make a good cup of tea, start by putting 1 teaspoon of loose tea leaves into your cup. If you don't have loose tea leaves, you can also use 1 bag of tea. Then, pour hot water over the tea until the cup is four-fifths of the way full. You can also add a splash of milk to enhance the flavor of your tea. If you're making green tea, let the tea steep for 1 minute. If you're making black tea, let the tea steep for 3-6 minutes. For herbal tea, let the tea steep for 8-12 minutes. After you've steeped your tea, remove the tea leaves or tea bag and enjoy! " | Start with the water. Whether you use bags or loose tea, water is the second most important ingredient. Off tastes in your water, such as chlorine, iron, or sulfur will make your tea noxious to smell and drink. Fill an empty kettle with 1 cup (250ml) fresh, cold water. Tap water is acceptable for most purposes, but a truly great cup of tea starts with filtered water or spring water. Never use distilled water, or previously-boiled water. The more oxygen in your water, the better the tea will taste. Plug in the kettle and turn it on. If you don't have an electric kettle, you can use a stovetop tea kettle—as long as it lets you get the water hot, it's good. Bring the water to a boil. Wait until the kettle switches off automatically or your tea kettle whistles. Optional: Wait for the water to cool off. Some teas are steeped with boiling water, while some are steeped in water that's slightly cooler. Experiment with your tea to find what works best. Rinse out the cup with boiling water. Place the tea bag or loose tea into the cup. If using loose tea, spoon in 1 teaspoon per cup. You can also use a tea ball, or an infuser, but use the same amount of tea. If milk is desired, add into the cup. Some believe adding milk before the hot water is best, others feel tea brews best in hot water, and don't add milk until the tea is done steeping. Add water. Pour water from the kettle into the cup until 4/5th full. Leave room for milk, if you wish to add that. Let steep. Wait for three to five minutes to let tea steep—more or less depending on the type of tea you are making, and the recommended brewing time. About one minute for green tea. Three to six minutes for black tea. Six to eight minutes for Oolong teas Eight to twelve minutes for herbal teas. Note: if you like stronger tea, don't steep longer—add more tea, instead. Use a teaspoon to remove the tea bag. Discard it, or recycle it, as desired. If sweetener is desired, place a spoon of sugar or honey into the cup and stir thoroughly. Drink the contents of the cup at a leisurely pace and enjoy the goodness that is tea. You might like to add some biscuits or a piece of cake on a plate with your tea. Finished. | Start with the water. Plug in the kettle and turn it on. Bring the water to a boil. Rinse out the cup with boiling water. Place the tea bag or loose tea into the cup. Add water. Let steep. Use a teaspoon to remove the tea bag. Drink the contents of the cup at a leisurely pace and enjoy the goodness that is tea. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Gel-Nail-Polish-Brushes | How to Clean Gel Nail Polish Brushes | To clean your gel nail polish brushes, first saturate a cotton pad with rubbing alcohol. Then, use the pad to wipe down the handle on your brush. Set the pad down and gently wipe the bristles on it to clean them. For stubborn pigments, dip the bristles in clear nail gel, then wipe the bristles on the cotton pad again. The clear nail gel will help push the pigment out of the bristles. To keep your brushes clean, always wipe off the bristles with a lint-free cloth after each use. | Saturate a cotton pad in isopropyl alcohol. Dab a small amount of alcohol onto a cotton pad and wait about 30 seconds for it to soak in. Only use a small amount so that your cotton pad isn't dripping wet. You can find isopropyl alcohol at most grocery and home goods stores. If you don't have a cotton pad, you can also use a nail wrap. Wipe the cotton pad over the handle of your brush. Gently swipe the pad from the end of the handle to just above the bristles. Don't use the cotton pad on the bristles of your brush just yet. Wiping down the handle will get rid of any sticky residue that could get on your hands the next time you use your brush. Set the cotton pad down and wipe the bristles on it. Lay your cotton pad soaked in alcohol flat on a table or countertop, then gently swipe the bristles of your brush over it. Go back and forth about 10 times until the majority of the gel is gone. Be gentle as you clean your bristles so you don't damage your brush. Add clear nail gel to your brush if you are having trouble getting the color out. Dab a small amount of clear gel onto a flat surface and pick it up with your brush by swiping it back and forth over the gel. The colored gel that is stuck in the bristles will start to pull out toward the surface. Don't let the clear gel dry on your brush, or you will just have more to clean up later. Wipe your brush back and forth over the cotton pad. With your cotton pad sitting on a flat surface, gently swipe the bristles back and forth over it. Do this 9 or 10 times until there isn't any color left on your brush and it looks clean. Brush the excess gel onto a towel after each use. Lay down a lint-free towel and brush any leftover gel off the brush. Make sure you wipe off as much of the gel as you can to make cleaning easier. Wipe the bristles with a lint-free cloth after you use them. Pick up a clean towel that doesn't have any lint or hair on it and gently swipe your brush through it. Go from bristles to the end of the handle to take off any residual gel on the brush. Make sure your towel is super clean so that you don't get anything stuck to the gel on your brush. Get any stickiness off the handle with isopropyl alcohol. Pour some alcohol onto a cotton pad and let it soak in for about 30 seconds. Gently swipe the pad onto the handle of your brush so you can use it again without getting gel on your hands. The bristles of your brush don't need to be cleaned with alcohol every time you use them. Using alcohol less will make your brush last longer. Keep your brush away from UV light. Since you aren't cleaning your gel brush off all the way, it will still have residual gel in the bristles. If it is exposed to UV light, the bristles will harden and be super hard to unstick. Make sure you keep your gel brush away from any UV lights as you work on your nails. | Saturate a cotton pad in isopropyl alcohol. Wipe the cotton pad over the handle of your brush. Set the cotton pad down and wipe the bristles on it. Add clear nail gel to your brush if you are having trouble getting the color out. Wipe your brush back and forth over the cotton pad. Brush the excess gel onto a towel after each use. Wipe the bristles with a lint-free cloth after you use them. Get any stickiness off the handle with isopropyl alcohol. Keep your brush away from UV light. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Dietician | How to Become a Dietician | To become a dietician, start by getting a bachelor's degree in dietetics, food science, nutrition, or another related field like biology. Next, complete at least 1200 hours of an accredited internship at a healthcare facility, community agency, or foodservice corporation. Then, pass the national certification exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Once you're certified, you can pursue a job as a registered dietitian. | Know about the benefits and demands dietitian. Being a food and nutrition expert can be an extremely rewarding job. Although it can be a competitive industry that comes with some demands, there are many benefits to working as a dietitian. It requires an incredible amount of knowledge. You'll need to know about everything from biochemistry to anatomy to food preparation. Helping someone get healthy or make proper food choices can be incredibly rewarding for you and them. It comes with some emotional demands. You'll have to positively navigate all kinds of personal dynamics from patients to family members and other healthcare providers. There are many avenues a dietitian can go down once she is registered. Once you have completed an internship, you will have a better idea of in which avenue you feel most comfortable. Consider your skills and education. Before you begin taking steps to become a registered dietitian, you first need to assess your abilities and education. Taking an objective view of what you have to offer can help you decide if being a dietitian is the right for you. An excellent way to consider your ability to be a dietitian is to think about an experience you've had with one. You could also contact a dietitian and see if you could discuss it as a career or even shadow her for a day to get a better sense of the work. You will need at least a bachelor's degree, possibly a graduate degree, as well as at least 1200 hours of supervised practice and successful passing of a national exam. This might be too much of a time commitment for some people, or may not be the right choice if you aren't a strong student. Learn about how long it takes to be successful. It can take years to get the education and experience to become a registered dietitian. It may also take years to build up a client base or find a good job. Knowing the commitment up front can help you relax and make the process of becoming a dietitian more easy and enjoyable. You need at least a bachelor's degree and course through an accredited dietetics program. This will require courses in biochemistry, anatomy, human nutrition, psychology, and biology. You need to complete at least 1200 hours of supervised practice under an accredited dietitian or dietetic organization. Think about how being a dietitian will fit into your lifestyle. Consider how being a dietitian will affect your lifestyle and even that of your family. Knowing whether or not the time, emotional, and physical aspects fit in with your lifestyle is important if you want to become a dietitian and be successful at it. Are you able to handle the physical demands? Depending on where you work, you may need to stand or sit for long hours. Does dietary work fit your personality? Working with patients and other people is a significant part of the job. If you like working with and helping people, being a dietitian may be an excellent choice for you. Examine if being a dietician meets your financial needs. Dietitians earn on average about $55,000 per year. This amount can change depending on your experience and location. Proceed with your plans to be a registered dietician if the average pay meets your financial requirements. The average salary for a registered dietitian works out to $26.56 per hour, which is significantly above the minimum wage. Private practice dietitians tend to make the most money as they are in business for themselves, control their schedules and keep all of the revenue for their services. Remember that you will have to pay taxes and other fees for your salary, but that you will also get health benefits and vacation and sick time. There is significant growth in the field of dietetics. Current projects forecast a growth rate of 20% between 2010 and 2020, which means there should be ample opportunities to find a job. Obtain a bachelor’s degree. At a bare minimum, you need a bachelor's degree to work as a registered dietitian. Consider a degree in dietetics, food science, nutrition, or another related field such as biology. This can help ensure you not only understand the various aspects of being a dietitian, but may also expedite furthering your education. The coursework should be approved by the Accreditation Counsel for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The curriculum will vary between schools, but most cover the following subjects to some degree: Food and Nutrition Sciences Biochemistry Culinary Arts Foodservice Systems Management Business Microbiology Sociology Physiology Psychology If you have a bachelor's degree in a related field, you may want to get a master's degree or PhD to be a dietitian. Complete an accredited internship. Irrespective of education, every person who wants to work as dietitian must complete an internship. Your supervised practice must be accredited by the ACEND and meet certain time requirements. You must do at least 1200 hours of internship, which is the equivalent of about six to 12 months. You can do your internship a healthcare facility, community agency, or at a foodservice corporation. If you want to specialize in a specific type of dietetics, such as for obese patients, you may want to consider this for your internship. There are over 250 accredited programs in North America and opportunities through the world. You can find a list of professionals with whom to intern at the website of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Keep in mind that dietetic internships are very competitive and selective. You'll want to be armed with three internships that you'd like and be prepared to write extensive applications/essays/projects for each one. Pass the national examination. Before you can work as a registered dietitian, you must pass the national exam. The exam is administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and you may only take it once you have successfully completed an undergraduate degree program and a supervised internship. The program director of your internship will give you details on preparing for the test and application process. You may want to purchase study aids or join a study group to improve your chances of passing. If you fail the exam, you may retest only 45 days after your unsuccessful exam. Find a job. Dietetics is a wide field and there are many institutions in which you can find a job as a registered dietitian. Finding a job as a Dietitian can be tricky, but there are usually a host of jobs available at any given time. Most dietitians start in the clinical field (hospitals). You may also consider starting your own private practice. Sending out applications to different kinds of places can help you find your dream job. Dietitians can work in a variety of industries including food service management, government, education, research, and the private sector. Look for jobs at universities, hospitals, cafeterias, nursing homes, and schools. You can also work as a private contractor, which will allow you to get experience in a bunch of different areas as well as let you pick and choose when and for whom you work. Consider starting your own private practice once you have some experience. You should build up a client base before taking this step, but it can offer you even more freedom. Maintain your credentials as a Registered Dietitian (RD). In order to maintain your certification, you must complete continuing education throughout the time that you are a dietetic practitioner. This can help you stay on top of new research and trends in your field. It is mandatory to complete 75 credit hours of continuing professional education (CPE) every five years in order to maintain your RD status. You can take a wide variety of continuing education courses or participate in workshops that will help you improve on and update your skills and knowledge over time. | Know about the benefits and demands dietitian. Consider your skills and education. Think about how being a dietitian will fit into your lifestyle. Examine if being a dietician meets your financial needs. Obtain a bachelor’s degree. Complete an accredited internship. Pass the national examination. Find a job. Maintain your credentials as a Registered Dietitian (RD). |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-for-Death-of-Spouse | How to Prepare for Death of Spouse | Preparing for your spouse's death can be really hard and emotional, but it can also help bring you closure and ease you into the grieving process. During these emotional times, try your best to be present with your spouse and make them feel as comfortable and peaceful as possible. Spend time reminisicing about your lives together and doing the little things that your spouse enjoys most. You may never feel completely ready for your spouse to pass, but consider saying your goodbyes now so you can both feel a sense of closure and comfort. Remember that it's completely normal to feel overwhelmed by your emotions during a time like this, so don't be afraid to talk to someone else about how you're feeling, like a close friend, family member, or counselor. It might not seem like it now, but you can get through this. | Seek guidance from healthcare professionals about end-of-life care. In facing the death of a spouse or loved one, you may feel overwhelmed about what to do in caring for your spouse. If your spouse has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, and no further treatments are being done, talk with your doctor or healthcare providers about options through hospice and palliative care. Often the hospital's social work department is most helpful in this situation. Consider contacting hospice agencies directly about what they may offer. Hospice is a Medicare benefit that will generally pay 100% of medical expenses related to your spouse's primary diagnosis. Hospice benefits are often offered through private insurance too. Be present and provide reassurance. Provide a loving hand, and a soothing voice, to your spouse. Let them know that that they have permission to go, as it may provide them a sense of peace and comfort. Also, really focus on how you can be present for them. For instance, you might work together to complete a task from their bucket list, or you might just be as attentive to their needs as possible. Ask the person what they need to be comfortable. They may want items from home, etc. They may want more jolly music or to look through old photos, etc. Respect what they do or do not want to do — if you think they might like something, and they say no, then respect their wishes and don't force it on them. Create a peaceful atmosphere with soft lighting and soothing music. Reduce noise where possible. If appropriate, engage in prayer for your loved one in this time of need. Read a poem, book, or spiritual passage to your loved one. You might also gently massage their hands or feet, or simply hold hands. Find ways to say goodbye. Saying goodbye to a loved one is heart-breaking, but can be a great comfort for the loved one who is dying. While you may have many feelings of sadness, fear, or loneliness, avoid burdening your loved one with these feelings in their final moments. Allow family and friends to be share their good-byes, and give them an opportunity to visit or say a few words. Often the ability to hear is the last of the five senses to go, so while your loved one may seem unaware, they may be listening. Allow them to reminisce and reflect on their life. Check in with your spouse regularly to see if they need some quiet time. Recognize the signs and symptoms when death is near. Your healthcare providers may help provide education about signs and symptoms for a person's end-of-life care, depending on the diagnosis. In general, a person who is at end-of-life will often sleep more, eat and drink less, become more withdrawn, and communicate less during the final one to three months before death. In the final weeks, the loved one will likely become bed-bound and may experience the following: Continued loss of appetite and thirst, with difficulty in swallowing Increased pain, that can be treated, and fatigue Changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing Congested breathing due to secretions that build up in the throat, which sound like gurgling Changes in body temperature and skin Possible disorientation or hallucinations such as talking to people who aren't there Slowing of urine and bowel output Changes in sleeping patterns Engage in a family discussion about your spouse's end-of-life wishes. By having an open and honest conversation early, this may reduce stress in the long run. In terms of medical care and treatment, work with your spouse and family on completing an advanced directive and medical treatment preferences regarding their care. Often you want to have this conversation, then break for a while to let everyone process and think about it. This helps you and your family not be ruled by your emotions when making decisions. Reconnect later to hash out the official decisions. These can include the following: Appointing a "health care agent" or Medical Power of Attorney. You are the default decision-maker regarding your spouse's care, unless another family member is appointed via the advance directive; or if you are unable to mentally or physically assist with decisions. Determining medical treatment preferences, such as Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Status if no heart rate, or unable to breathe independently. Deciding if you wish to donate your organs or body for medical purposes. Make a living will and get your finances in order. Talk with a lawyer about estate planning, and how to address any financial assets that may change ownership if your spouse passes. Obtain current information about your spouse's financial holdings, debts, and assets, in order to avoid headaches and surprises after your loved one passes. If seeking legal advice is too costly, look into lower cost options through your state's legal aid program, or if you or your spouse are over 60, there may be a senior legal aid hotline through your state. Discuss funeral preferences and ways to memorialize. Depending on your family's spiritual background, there may be specific wishes, such as burial versus cremation. There may also be preferences about location of the burial, or where to scatter the ashes. By understanding your loved one's specific wishes, you can honor their choices. You or other family members may have differences of opinion about how to memorialize a loved one, but the best way is to respect those choices made by your spouse. Consider calling various funeral homes, before your loved one is near death, in order to understand the varying costs and options available. By understanding your budget for funeral expenses, you can be better prepared when the time comes, and not face additional financial burdens. Keep a list of your spouse's personal contacts and financial information. In our modern age, your spouse may have many online accounts for email, banking, retirement, insurance, and bill paying. Collect the passwords and account details of all these accounts that need to be monitored, paid, and closed. As the spouse, you will likely become the primary person responsible for handling the bills, and closing accounts, in your loved one's name. Consider making a "Lifebox" folder with all the various details of the spouse's medical, financial, and personal contacts. In an emergency, it will be easier to reference this folder, than to rummage through files, or piles of paper. Honor your spouse's memory and legacy. Discuss with your spouse and family if there are ways to honor your spouse after he or she has passed. Depending on what your spouse loved most, these actions could be big or small, and they can either be very personal or very public, depending on what feels the most authentic to you and your spouse. Plant a tree Dedicate something in your spouse's name Give or donate personal possessions, or your time, to the community Create a scrapbook of happy memories Set up a charitable fund in your spouse's name Reduce caregiver burnout. If your spouse has a terminal illness, you may be overwhelmed by the level of care needed. Reach out to healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, and social workers to identify ways to reduce your physical and emotional stressors. Respite options may be available through in-home care, or care at a facility. Ask friends or family to sit with your loved one, so that you can run errands, or have a short break. Be sure to take really good care of yourself during this time. It might be hard to reach outward, but it's important to proactively seek support from your friends, family, or a support group, so you're not taking everything on yourself. You appetite may be down, but try to eat something a few times per day. Also, nap when you feel like you could sleep, even if that's not during the night. Find other ways for family to be useful in helping with your spouse's care. If someone offers to help, say yes. Most of the time our instinct is to say thank you, I'm fine. Then later we regret it when we are overwhelmed with things to do. Challenge yourself to find something they can do to lighten your load. Saying yes along the way can keep things from snowballing out of control. Give yourself permission to feel your emotions. Be open with people who you trust about your feelings. It is natural to be sad, upset, anxious, afraid, and lonely when your spouse is near death or has passed away. This is one of the most difficult transitions you may ever experience. Here are some ways to get help: Talk one-on-one with trusted family and friends about what you're feeling. If appropriate, talk with a chaplain or other religious support system about your feelings of loss. Engage in activities that help you cope effectively and positively with your emotions. Avoid alcohol and other substances as a means to cope. Join a grief and loss support group, and share with those who have had similar experiences. Talk one-on-one with a grief counselor. Recognize that there may be both emotional and financial challenges after a spouse has passed. If your spouse was the primary breadwinner, you may face financial turmoil about how to manage bills, or possibly taking on the care of children or family members without your spouse's support. This can be a shock. It is important to discuss with friends and family about the options available, and if adjustments to living situations need to be made. See if your spouse has life insurance to help with bills in the short term. You may even be able to withdraw your spouse's life insurance policy earlier without penalty, when a terminal illness has been diagnosed. Life insurance policies may also have a cash value component, but this may be less than if used upon death. If you or your spouse are over retirement age, you may have access to spousal benefits via Social Security. A reduction in income may change your standard of living, or you may need to find work. Put the word out that you need help finding employment. You will generally have an army of people looking for some way to help. Recognize that your time to heal is your journey, and no one else's. Each person's experience with grief and loss is his or hers alone, and cannot be determined by family or social pressures. Family and friends often want to help, but may not always know how. Be mindful that their hearts are often in the right place. Be open to accepting hope, love, and peace for the future. Family and friends may encourage you to "move on" before you are ready, so kindly ask them to support you and respect your time frame. They will often say these things out of their own discomfort because they don't know what to do when you are grieving. Remember that is about them, not you. Forgive yourself, and don't let regrets about what should have been, or what you could have done, stand in the way of remembering the good things that you and your spouse share. Your spouse will someday pass away, but you can still continue to honor his or her memories — past, present, and future. Remember that it is never too early to talk about the above-mentioned arrangements — even if all parties are healthy. Take action now to avoid having to deal with that stress while trying to grieve. | Seek guidance from healthcare professionals about end-of-life care. Be present and provide reassurance. Find ways to say goodbye. Recognize the signs and symptoms when death is near. Engage in a family discussion about your spouse's end-of-life wishes. Make a living will and get your finances in order. Discuss funeral preferences and ways to memorialize. Keep a list of your spouse's personal contacts and financial information. Honor your spouse's memory and legacy. Reduce caregiver burnout. Give yourself permission to feel your emotions. Recognize that there may be both emotional and financial challenges after a spouse has passed. Recognize that your time to heal is your journey, and no one else's. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Bumper-Stickers | How to Remove Bumper Stickers | If you want to remove a bumper sticker from your car, start by holding a hairdryer 6 inches from the sticker and blowing hot air on it for 1 minute. As you blow air onto the sticker, keep the hairdryer moving so the entire sticker heats up evenly and so you don't cause damage by bubbling the paint. Then, peel back a corner of the sticker using your fingernail or a razor blade. As you pull the corner back, continue to apply heat as required. When you've removed the sticker, clean off any remaining adhesive with WD-40. | Wipe the bumper sticker with a clean cloth to remove surface dirt. The cloth can be dry or damp depending on how much dirt you're trying to remove and how long it's been there. Removing dirt and grime from the bumper sticker will let the heat source penetrate faster. If you're using a damp rag, dip it in lukewarm water before wringing it out to remove excess water. Blow hot air onto the bumper sticker for a quick fix. A hair dryer is the easiest heat tool to use, though you can also use a heat gun. Put the hair dryer on the hottest setting and hold it roughly 6 inches (15 cm) from the bumper sticker, heating up the middle section of the sticker before the edges. Move the hair dryer back and forth instead of keeping it in one place to avoid damaging the surface. Holding the hair dryer too close to the bumper sticker may cause the paint to melt. If you choose to use a heat gun (which is hotter than a hair dryer), hold it roughly 1 foot (0.30 m) away from the sticker for 1-3 seconds until the sticker bubbles slightly. Heat the bumper sticker using a hair dryer for about a minute—if you see the edges of the sticker starting to lift, it's ready. Apply steam to the sticker to loosen the adhesive gently. If you have a clothes steamer, you can steam the bumper sticker for about 30 seconds to a minute. Hold the steamer 6 inches (15 cm) from the sticker to avoid damaging the surface. Move the steamer over each part of the sticker slowly, making sure all the edges are loose. Pour boiled water over the sticker if you don’t have a heat tool. Bring water to a boil on a stovetop or in the microwave, and carefully pour it directly over the bumper sticker to loosen the glue. Make sure you pour it over the edges of the bumper sticker as well as the middle to make peeling it off easier. Though it will depend on the size of your bumper sticker, 2–3 cups (470–710 ml) of water should work well. You can also dip a rag in boiled water and hold the rag on the sticker for a few minutes, though it's important to wear gloves or an oven mitt to ensure you don't burn yourself. Use a credit card or plastic scraper to peel away the sticker. Whether you used a hair dryer, steam, or boiled water to loosen the bumper sticker's adhesive, the next step is slipping a plastic scraper tool under an edge of the sticker and scraping it off gently. Peel up the sticker slowly to make sure you don't damage the surface, and apply more heat if necessary. Plastic putty knives work well, and you can get them from any big box, home improvement, or art store. Don't worry if the sticker rips while you're peeling it off—just continue using your heat method and slowly scraping from the edges first. Continue using the scraper to peel up the sticker until it's completely removed. Avoid pulling the bumper sticker directly up as you remove it to avoid damaging the surface. Clean off any residue using rubbing alcohol. If the sticker left some stickiness behind, dampen a microfiber towel with rubbing alcohol and wipe the spot with the towel. This should remove all the remnants of the bumper sticker, leaving the surface looking fresh and clean! You can also use a detailing spray or other car cleaner instead of rubbing alcohol if desired. Apply white vinegar to the sticker for an at-home fix. You can dip a paper towel in white vinegar and saturate the bumper sticker with it, or you can pour white vinegar in a spray bottle and spray the bumper sticker with the liquid. Make sure the sticker is adequately covered with the vinegar before letting it sit. You can also apply the white vinegar using a paintbrush. Spray WD-40 on the bumper sticker to remove the edges easily. After reading the instructions on the can, aim the spray at each of the bumper sticker's edges, spraying the recommended amount. This will loosen up the edges enough to make removing the sticker much easier. Though you can use WD-40 in addition to white vinegar if the vinegar didn't work well, WD-40 is primarily used as an alternative to other adhesive removers. Use an adhesive remover spray for trickier bumper stickers. You can find an adhesive remover spray from your local big box store or hardware store that's specifically designed to help take off pesky adhesives. Read the instructions to find out how much to spray on the bumper sticker, and feel free to use the spray several times if needed. Goo Gone is a popular option for adhesive removers that works well on bumper stickers. Let the adhesive remover sit for roughly five minutes. Once the bumper sticker is saturated with your chosen adhesive remover, set a timer for five minutes to allow the remover to seep into the sticker's adhesive. If you're using a specific type of adhesive remover, look at the directions to make sure you wait the proper amount of time. Peel away the sticker using a plastic putty knife or your fingers. After the adhesive remover works its way into the sticker, start removing the sticker by lifting up a corner and pulling it off slowly. If you find that the sticker isn't coming up easily, apply more of your chosen adhesive remover and let it sit for a few minutes before trying again. Use an old credit card instead of a plastic putty knife, if desired. Spray specific stuck spots to help loosen them up. Wipe away any extra residue using rubbing alcohol. Dampen a microfiber towel or old cloth with rubbing alcohol and gently wipe off any sticky spots left from your sticker removal. The alcohol should take away any residue that's left, leaving you with a clean surface. | Wipe the bumper sticker with a clean cloth to remove surface dirt. Blow hot air onto the bumper sticker for a quick fix. Apply steam to the sticker to loosen the adhesive gently. Pour boiled water over the sticker if you don’t have a heat tool. Use a credit card or plastic scraper to peel away the sticker. Clean off any residue using rubbing alcohol. Apply white vinegar to the sticker for an at-home fix. Spray WD-40 on the bumper sticker to remove the edges easily. Use an adhesive remover spray for trickier bumper stickers. Let the adhesive remover sit for roughly five minutes. Peel away the sticker using a plastic putty knife or your fingers. Wipe away any extra residue using rubbing alcohol. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Process-Server | How to Become a Process Server | If you're thinking of becoming a process server, make sure that you're ready for the demands of the job, such as walking for long periods and dealing with belligerent people. You'll also need to pass a background check in order to be bonded and licensed as a process server. If you think the job is right for you, start by attending college classes on process serving so that you understand the relevant laws. Then, contact the National Process Servers Association to find out how to establish yourself as a legal entity before working as a process server. | Learn about being a process server. Before you begin seriously considering if you want to be a process server, acquaint yourself with what the job entails. This can help you make an informed decision about whether or not this is the right kind of work for you. The market for process servers is potentially very large because service of process is required by law. The success rate of an individual process server depends on having both education and professional experience in the law. Figure out your abilities to serve process and run a business. Before you begin pursue becoming a process server, you first need to honestly assess your abilities. Taking honest stock of your skills can help you decide if process serving is the right option for you. Having practical experience with the law or criminal justice can help you be a successful process server. You may need to get further education in the law and criminal justice as well as some practical experience before you can start. This can help your business be more successful. Think about how being a process server will fit into your lifestyle. Knowing whether or not the time, emotional, and physical demands of being a business owner and service of process professional fit in with your lifestyle is important if you want to run a successful business. Consider the following questions to see if being a process server is the right choice for you. Are you able to handle the physical demands? Having a business might require you to sit, walk, or stand on your feet for long periods of time. Are you able to handle the emotional demands? Having to serve legal documents to another person can be draining. You may have to interact with people who are belligerent or aggressive, or who may have an emotional breakdown when you serve the papers. Think about if being a process server fits your personality. Client management is a significant part of the job and if you don't like working with people, especially in difficult circumstances, this may not be the right choice for you. Are you able to meet state requirements to be a process server? Most states have specific laws on background checks, bonding, licensing and registration that you must meet in order to work as a process server. Examine if process serving meets your financial needs. Process servers can earn on $70,000 per year or more, depending on experience and the number of jobs they get. This amount can change depending on your clients and if you work for a firm or independently. Only proceed with your plans if the average pay or below meets your financial needs. Most individual process serving jobs pay between $20 and $80. Remember that you will have to pay taxes and other fees for your business. These expenses should include annual overhead such as bonding and insurance, payroll, and office supplies. Learn laws relevant to service of process. Before you can start your business or work for a law firm or court, it's important to learn federal and state laws on service of process. These regulate aspects such as how you can serve legal papers and the form in which they come. You may want to consult an attorney on what laws and regulations you need to know become a process server. Consider attending classes on process serving from professional associations or at a local university to help you understand regulations as well as running a business. Consider your short- and long-term plans. Write detailed short- and long- term plans to guide yourself in the process of being a process server. This is important to help develop your business and accommodate for any contingency such as an illness or a lawsuit. It may also be important to show to any local authorities or financers. Be as detailed in your plan as possible, considering every aspect of being a process server. Create a working list of services and fees that you can tailor to demand. Finally, make sure to calculate any costs you may have to take on for supplies and payroll. Create specific plans for serving legal papers. Creating a specific plan for how you will provide service of process is an integral part of your general business plan. These plans can help you think about every aspect of your day-to-day business, but also may help attract clients and legitimize you to law firms and courts. For example, you'll need to include information on how you monitor activity on papers served, such as with a computer system that displays information when you write or deliver a defendant. You should have a system that can give you information on jobs referred to you by each firm or court. This can help you see what clients are actually generating profit for your agency. You will also need information on how you're going to store sensitive data or papers. Start your business. You need to found a legal entity before you can begin working as a process server. Start your business as a legal entity with the appropriate local and state authorities. Having the proper licenses, registrations, and billing and fee structure, can help show potential clients that you are a serious businessperson. If you have any questions, consult the Small Business Administration, which was set up to help smaller companies. You can also consult the National Process Servers Association at http://www.processserversassociation.com. Make sure to register your business with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or other tax authorities. You may want to hire a local accountant to help you navigate the financial side of your business, from registering with the IRS to budgeting. Obtain correct licenses, bonding surety, and insurance. State laws govern process serving and you will require specific licenses and insurance to start your business. Check with local authorities before you start your business and then obtain any licenses, certificates, and insurance required by law. You will likely have to get fingerprinted at a local police station to ensure that you don't have a criminal record or outstanding legal warrants or summons. There are specific laws in each state under which you will be subject. Regulations vary from state to state. Most states have laws that require process servers to have specific licensing and bonding before they can begin working. Not having the proper licenses, bonding, or trust accountability can open you and your business up to considerable liability, or disqualify you from work. The Small Business Administration can help if you have any questions. You can also consult the National Association of Professional Process Servers. Purchase insurance that will cover your assets and general liability. Consult a mentor. Seek an experienced mentor who understands the law or being a process server. She will help grow your business and guide you through difficult times or situations. A mentor can offer invaluable advice on everything from fee structuring to dealing with difficult clients or continuing your education. Set up or rent a space for your business. You will need a designated space from which to run your business. Either setting up a home space or renting a retail space will allow you to buy supplies and make profits. If you want a space outside of your home but don't want an entire office, consider renting a cubicle in a larger retail space. Make sure the space is quiet so that you can conduct business in a professional manner and hear clients when you speak to them. Acquire equipment, services, and supplies. You should have listed the various equipment, services, and supplies you may need in your business plan. Once you've established your company, purchase these items to start serving legal paperwork as quickly as possible. Devise a fee structure. Decide on fee structure for your services. Knowing how much you want to charge in advance can make you appear more professional when you meet with potential clients. You may want to set base rates and tailor them according to each client. Be aware that other individuals, law firms or courts may offer the same services for a lower fee, so consider if and how you want to compete with them. Make sure your fees are commensurate with your experience. Check what local process servers charge. You can either call and inquire or ask law firms or courts what they typically pay their process servers based on experience. Develop an invoicing and payment system. Once you know your fee structure, install an invoicing and payment system. Consider the types of payment you will accept and how you will write receipts, which will help legitimize your business and make it easier to report income. Make sure to have a separate bank account for your business than you do for personal finances. Likewise, have separate credit lines for your business than you do for yourself. Make sure every aspect of your fees is transparent to clients. Maintaining fair business practices is vital to your success. Market yourself and your business. You may need to avoid traditional marketing strategies such as media advertising for your business because of local laws. Nevertheless, hooking potential customers and keeping your message simple and concise can help attract clients. You'll need business cards, letterhead, and may want to consider flyers or brochures. Research other process servers to see how they attract customers. You want your brand to be simple, distinctive, and attractive to potential customers. Consider law firms or courts with which you would like to work. Businesses often rely on word-of-mouth advertising. Build clientele through referrals and maintaining strong business relationships with your clients. Recruit a stable client base. Recruit potential clients to start working as a process server. It's advisable to have enough business to cover you for six months to ensure that you have capital as you grow your business. You'll need to present potential clients with your business plan, your resume, and any other information they may need or want to know. Consider writing professional letters to local businesses to help attract clients. Set up meeting with local businesses to discuss the possibility of working together. Inform yourself continuously about service of process laws and regulations. Process serving can be a lucrative business. In order to be successful, you'll need to continue your education in the field, including staying on top of changing laws and regulations. This can help you maintain a successful and healthy business and minimize your risk for liability. Read trade publications, attend continuing education, and network with other process servers and legal professionals to help you stay current in your skills, services, and trends. | Learn about being a process server. Figure out your abilities to serve process and run a business. Think about how being a process server will fit into your lifestyle. Examine if process serving meets your financial needs. Learn laws relevant to service of process. Consider your short- and long-term plans. Start your business. Obtain correct licenses, bonding surety, and insurance. Consult a mentor. Set up or rent a space for your business. Acquire equipment, services, and supplies. Devise a fee structure. Develop an invoicing and payment system. Market yourself and your business. Recruit a stable client base. Inform yourself continuously about service of process laws and regulations. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Convert-Pierced-Earrings-to-Clip-On-Earrings | How to Convert Pierced Earrings to Clip On Earrings | If you don't have your ears pierced, there are a couple of easy ways to convert pierced earrings into clip-on earrings. The easiest way is to purchase an earring converter, which can be found in the jewelry section of your local craft store. Once you have your supplies, simply slide the post of the earring into the barrel of the converter. Then, slowly bend the post about 90 degrees, so the earring will have a more natural position to your ear. Just keep in mind that once the earrings have been converted, they can't be used on pierced ears again. If you want to convert dangling earrings, purchase fish hook converters. Then, use pliers to remove the fish hook part on the earring. Once you've removed it, open the small hoop on the earring and use pliers to close it around the small hoop on the converter. | Purchase earring converters. You can buy earring converters online or your local craft store. The converters are usually located in the jewelry making area. Look for a converter that has a small tube/barrel on the back. Most posts will fit into the barrel of the converter, but check the size of your posts just to be sure. Insert the post into the barrel. Slide the post into the barrel of the converter. Then bend the post about 90°. Bending the post will make your earrings have a more natural position on your ear. Use a slow steady motion to bend the posts. If the posts are kind of thick, bend them with pliers before you insert them into the barrel. Once you bend the posts, the earrings cannot be used as pierced earrings anymore. Try a no bend converter. If you do not want to bend the post or would still like the option of wearing them as a pierced earring, you can use a no bend converter. Simply place the post in the barrel and then put the earrings on. The earrings will sit below your earlobe. Pierced stud earrings usually sit around the middle of your earlobe so it may look a little weird if you use this type of converter. Drop and dangle earrings with posts are better suited for no bend converters. Purchase fish hook converters. Go online or visit the jewelry section of your local craft store. Look for converters that are made for fish hook earrings. These converters replace the pierced earring hook instead of working in conjunction with the pierced earring. These converters will have a small extra hoop in the front that will be used to attach the earring. Remove the fish hook. Use jewelry pliers to gently remove the piece that goes through your ear. Open the small hoop on the converter and place it around the hole on the pierced earring. Use the pliers to close the loop. Your earrings are now ready to wear. If you do not want to remove the fish hook, you can use a hoop converter instead. Use a hoop converter. A hoop converter is a thin metal hoop that you attach to the pierced earring. If you use this with a fish hook earing, use your pliers to close the opening of the pierced earring first. Once the fish hook is closed, hang it on the hoop converter. This method is one of the quickest. The pierced earring remains intact because you do not have to remove any pieces. Keep in mind that this type of converter will add extra length to your earrings. If the pierced earrings are heavy, you may want to use a fish hook converter instead. Use clip-on cushions. Go to a jewelry store or to any store that sells jewelry and purchase clip-on earring cushions. Some of the cushions use adhesive to stick to the clips. Other cushions slide over the clips to create some extra padding for your ears. If using adhesive pads, the foam should be placed on the part of the clip that touches the back of your ear lobe. Most of these cushions are reusable. You can also use adhesive backed foam pads from the hardware or craft store. Cut the pads to whatever size you need. Loosen the tongue. The most common types of clip on converters are paddle-back clip-ons. These clip-ons have a metal tongue that makes your clip-ons fit nice and tight. If your ears are hurting, use a pair of tweezers, a thin screw driver, or a clip-on comfort key to gently lift the tongue. Lift the tongue a little bit and then try your earrings on to see how they feel. Continue to do this until you find a fit that is snug yet comfortable . If you loosen the tongue too much, your earrings will not stay on your ear. Lifting the tongue too quickly can cause the tongue to break off. A comfort key is a special tool used for adjusting clip-on earrings. You should be able to find one wherever you bought your other supplies. Wear for short periods of time. If cushions and/or loosening the tongue does not help, you may need to limit the amount of time you wear your earrings. Your earrings may feel fine for the first few hours that you wear them and begin to hurt later. Also, you may be able to wear some earrings all day and others for only a few hours. It may be helpful to wear your clips-ons around the house first to see how your ears feel over time. Then you will know your limits for each pair of earrings that you have. Clean your ears and earrings. To clean your earrings, mix one drop of baby shampoo with water and use a Q-Tip or soft toothbrush to clean. Quickly rinse with cool water and use a hairdryer on cool setting or a soft hand towel to dry. There is no hard and fast rule for cleaning earrings, but the earrings you wear more should be cleaned more frequently. Avoid using anything acidic like vinegar or baking soda to clean. If you notice any green stuff on your earrings, use a toothpick, soft toothbrush, or Q-Tip to remove it. Put rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball or pad to clean your ears. This will remove any germs. | Purchase earring converters. Insert the post into the barrel. Try a no bend converter. Purchase fish hook converters. Remove the fish hook. Use a hoop converter. Use clip-on cushions. Loosen the tongue. Wear for short periods of time. Clean your ears and earrings. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Give-a-Rabbit-Medication | How to Give a Rabbit Medication | To give a rabbit medication in pill form, try hiding the pill inside of some food, like a banana or a spoonful of peanut butter, so your rabbit is more likely to eat it. Alternatively, if your vet says it's OK to crush up the medication, try crushing the pill into a fine powder and mixing it into some soft food, like applesauce or mashed banana. However, if you can't crush up the pill and your rabbit won't eat the food you've hidden it in, you may need to open its mouth and place the pill in the back of it. Then, once your rabbit closes its mouth, gently massage its throat with your hand so it swallows the pill. | Hide whole pills in food. Your rabbit may have an easier time consuming medication if you conceal it within their food. You can try sticking a whole pill inside of a banana, or coating it with peanut butter. Then present this food to your rabbit the way you normally would, and watch to make sure they finish it. Peanut butter should not be a staple in your rabbit's diet, but a small amount used to occasionally to administer medicine is OK. Find out if you can crush the medication. Some medications are designed to be given whole, while others can be crushed. Check any packaging or directions for labels like “Do not crush” or “Administer whole.” If you are not sure, contact your veterinarian to ask. Crush the pill. Using a mortar and pestle (or a spoon and a ceramic mug) grind the pill into a fine powder. Press the end of the pestle (or the back of the spoon) into the pill until it becomes a powder. You can also buy a commercial pill crusher at most pharmacies. Add the crushed pill to food. Once the pill is crushed to a powder, add it to soft food like applesauce, peanut butter, or mashed banana. Use as little as possible to disguise the medicine. Offer this food to your rabbit, and make sure they consume all of it. Dissolve a crushed pill in liquid. Another option is to crush a pill or tablet and dissolve this in a small amount of water or juice. (The amount will vary according to the size of the pill, and is not specific. Simply use enough liquid to create a solution.) Then administer the solution using a syringe, just like you would for any liquid medication. Locate a needleless syringe. To administer liquid medication to your rabbit, you are going to need to a needleless syringe. One of these can be obtained at your veterinarian's office, or at most pharmacies. If you do not have a needleless syringe, a plastic dropper can be used as well. Prepare the right dosage. Place the tip of the syringe into the liquid medication and pull back the plunger until the correct dosage is in the tube. (Follow dosage instructions on medication packaging.) Try to ensure that there are no air bubbles. If you get air bubbles in the syringe, simply eject the liquid and start over. Be sure that the syringe opening is totally submerged in the liquid. (This will help prevent bubbles.) Hold your rabbit. Sit down with your rabbit on your lap. Gently hold your rabbit still under your non-dominant arm, like you would a football. Do this gently and try to keep your rabbit calm. Be aware that your rabbit might squirm, so hold on tight. Insert the syringe. Wiggle the syringe into the rabbit's mouth. It should be inserted right through the large gap between the incisors and cheek teeth, and directed toward the back corner of the mouth. Dispense liquid. Once you have inserted the syringe, press down on the plunger to slowly dispense the liquid medication. Once again, be sure to aim toward the back corner of the mouth, and not down the throat. It is very important you don't do this too forcefully. Give the rabbit a chance to swallow and avoid flooding the mouth with liquid. There is a risk if liquids are squirted in too quickly that the rabbit will inhale the medicine, which can cause pneumonia. Praise your rabbit. Once your rabbit has taken the medicine, give them some gentle pats and words of praise. You may even want to play with them a bit, or offer a favorite treat. Hold your rabbit still. In order to give your rabbit a pill, start by holding the rabbit still. It is a good idea to begin when your rabbit is calm. Simply pick up your rabbit, and cradle them under your non-dominant arm, almost like a football, with their face away from you. Part the lips. Holding the rabbit with your non-dominant arm, use that same hand to gently part the rabbit's lips. Use two fingers to carefully pry their lips apart. Be ready with the pill in your other hand. Place the pill in the back of their mouth. Once the rabbit's lips are parted, swiftly place the whole pill in the back of the rabbit's mouth. The pill can be inserted through the gap between the incisors and cheek teeth. Massage the throat. Allow the rabbit's mouth to close, while keeping them under your arm. Use your free hand to lean the rabbit's head back a bit, and gently massage their throat to encourage swallowing. Praise your rabbit. Once you are sure the rabbit has swallowed the pill, be sure to praise them! Pet your rabbit, play with them, say some nice words, and perhaps offer a treat. Hold your rabbit. Sit down with your rabbit on your lap, facing away from you. Using your non-dominant arm, hold your rabbit under your arm like a football. Your rabbit is likely to stir, so be ready. Open the eye. While maintaining pressure on the rabbit (to keep them still) with your arm, use that same hand (your non-dominant hand) to hold the eye open. Apply ointment. Apply a line of ointment along the edge of the eyelid with the other hand (your dominant hand). You may need someone to help you the first time you try this. Be sure to review the medication's packaging to know exactly how much to use, and how often to reapply. Repeat on the other side, if necessary. Insert eye drops. To insert eye drops, hold your rabbit in the same way, and open the eye. Place the drops inside the rabbit's bottom eyelid. Once again, review the medication's packaging to know how many drops you need, and how often. Repeat on the other side, if necessary. Hold your rabbit. Sit down with your rabbit on your lap. Position the rabbit so they are facing away from you. Then, using your non-dominant arm, hold the rabbit under your arm like a football. Be sure to keep the ear upright. Insert the applicator. Your ear drops or ointment should have come with a plastic applicator. Some applicators will already have the medication inside them, and others will not. If your does not, insert the applicator into the medication and pull-back the plunger until you have the right amount. Then, gently insert the applicator tip into the ear canal. Don't push the applicator too far down, or you could risk damaging the middle ear. As always, check the medication packaging for information on proper dosages. Administer the medications. Keep a firm grasp on your rabbit, as they are likely to squirm. Then depress the plunger on your applicator and administer the medication into your rabbit's ear. Massage the ear. Finally, rub your rabbit's ears for a few seconds. This will allow the medication to reach inside the ear. Repeat this process on the other side, if necessary. Clean the wound. If your rabbit has incurred an injury, you may need to apply cream (or gel) to the wound. Before you apply a cream or gel medication to a wound, the area must be cleaned. Wash your hands with soap and water. Hold rabbit still with your non-dominant hand (it may help if someone is there to assist you.) #*Clean the area using a cotton pad and antiseptic. Clip fur, if necessary. If the rabbit's fur is getting into the wound, you may need to trim a bit of it away. This reduces irritation and helps the wound to remain free of bacteria. Use a pair of sharp scissors to carefully remove any excess fur. Wash your hands, if you haven't already. Hold rabbit still with your non-dominant hand. (Once again, have someone help you , if possible.) Use sharp scissors to trim away the fur around the wound. Read the instructions. Locate instructions on the bottle of cream, on the packaging, or on any materials you received from the vet. This should tell you exactly how much cream you should apply, as well as how often. Apply the cream. Administer the cream, moving from the center of the wound to the edge of wound. This helps avoid bringing germs from the fur to the wound. Once again, you will need to help the rabbit still with your non-dominant arm. Use your other hand to apply the cream. | Hide whole pills in food. Find out if you can crush the medication. Crush the pill. Add the crushed pill to food. Dissolve a crushed pill in liquid. Locate a needleless syringe. Prepare the right dosage. Hold your rabbit. Insert the syringe. Dispense liquid. Praise your rabbit. Hold your rabbit still. Part the lips. Place the pill in the back of their mouth. Massage the throat. Praise your rabbit. Hold your rabbit. Open the eye. Apply ointment. Insert eye drops. Hold your rabbit. Insert the applicator. Administer the medications. Massage the ear. Clean the wound. Clip fur, if necessary. Read the instructions. Apply the cream. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cope-with-Nightmares | How to Cope with Nightmares | When you have a nightmare, turn on the lights and plant your feet on the floor. Use your senses to identify things in the room, like the sound of the TV, which can help remind you that the nightmare wasn't real. If your nightmares are extremely disturbing, talk with a friend or family member to get your fears off of your mind. If you can't talk to anyone, try making a dream journal where you can write about your nightmares to forget about them. | Calm down quickly. When you wake up from a nightmare, chances are you will be in somewhat of a panic. Take the following steps quickly to help you break this panic and start to ground yourself: Sit up quickly after awaking from your nightmare. Sit on the edge of the bed, with your feet on the floor. Focus on your surroundings. Start naming the things in your room. Calmly reassure yourself. Tell yourself you are safe and fully awake. Try to sleep again. If you can't after fifteen minutes, do something relaxing until tired. Ground your senses. While you can reassure your mind that you are awake and safe, it is also important to reassure your senses and body as well. Ground each sense by taking the following steps: Taste. Try eating something strong, like a mint. Avoid sugar as it will affect sleep. Touch. Touch something with a rough texture or cold temperature like an ice cube. Smell. Keep a comforting and strong smell next to your bed such as coffee or cloves. Sound. Choose a comforting sound or listen to gentle music. Learn how to breathe calmly. Calm breathing can help lower heart rate and reduce any state of panic or stress that a nightmare can have on you. By following the steps of this technique, you can greatly improve the speed at which you recover after a nightmare: Breathe in through your nose, with mouth closed, and hold for five seconds. Exhale slowly. Mentally think of a word such as “relax” or “calm” as you exhale. Hold for five seconds and then inhale again. Practice this breathing throughout the day, before bed, and after any nightmare. Don't dwell on your nightmares. Right after you wake up from a nightmare, try not to think about what it was you experienced. Sitting in bed dwelling on the nightmare will only increase anxiety, which will make it difficult to fall back asleep, as well as increase the likelihood of another nightmare. Wait until the morning to analyze and examine your nightmares. Get out of bed and ground yourself immediately. Try making a cup of tea and reading a calming book in low, soothing lighting. Reassure yourself that you are safe, check that the doors and windows of your house are locked. Remind yourself that although frightening, the nightmare is over, and it was only a dream. Journal your nightmares. When you are awake, during the day, write your nightmares down in a journal. Keeping a good record of the details, themes, images, and dialogues of your nightmares will help you examine them and possibly find any causes in your waking life. Get as much detail as you can when you write your nightmares down. Look for any relation to your waking life. For instance, having nightmares about someone yelling at you or hurting you might be related to a hostile work environment. Writing down feelings, even if you cannot remember why you felt that way in the dream. Knowing that in your dreams you are feeling lost is important. Talk with trusted friends and family. Tell anyone you trust about your nightmares. The support of your friends and family can also help bring comfort to you and reduce the likelihood of nightmares occurring. Talking with others about your nightmares can help you recall details and come to better examine your dreams for any links to your waking life. Only speak to people you trust and feel safe describing your nightmares with. Look for any causes of your nightmare. Nightmares can be caused by a number of activities and removing or altering these behaviors can put an end to the nightmares. Examine your daily actions and look for anything that might be causing your nightmares, which may include: Extreme stress in your life. Any source of stress in your life can carry over into your dream life and cause nightmares. Look at your daily routine and see if any part of it is overly stressful. Try to improve that situation, making it less stressful, and see if your nightmares are reduced. A traumatic event or PTSD. If you have experienced a traumatic event in the past, this may be responsible for your nightmares. Generally, nightmares stemming from trauma will have elements of that trauma within them and are often repetitive. Stopping or starting a new medication. Talk with your doctor to learn more about any prescriptions you may have been given, or ordered to end, to learn if they might cause nightmares as a side-effect. Abusing alcohol or drugs. Alcohol and drugs can interrupt sleep mechanisms and patterns, resulting in nightmares. Examine your consumption of substances such as these and their possible relation to your nightmares. Speak with your doctor for help ending substance abuse. Visit your doctor. If nightmares persist more than once a week or are preventing you from getting good sleep, call your doctor and schedule an appointment. Prepare yourself by expecting the following questions and procedures during your visit. When and how often do your nightmares occur? How well are you sleeping? Do you often awake suddenly and have difficulty returning to sleep? Does the nightmare cause intense fear and anxiety? Have you recently been ill or under a great deal of stress? Which medications are you currently taking? Do you use any drugs or alcohol? How often and how much? Do you use any alternative medicines or therapies? You may be given a physical and a neurological/psychological examination. Try approaching your nightmares with art. This may not be the best approach for people with severe trauma, such as PTSD without professional guidance. But for many, examining dreams through expressive art can help you examine, understand it, and express it enough to let it go. This includes: Expressive art: Painting, sketching, sculpture Music: Composing, music Performing art: movies, dance, theater Creative writing: poems, short story, novel, blog. Learn what Imagery Rehearsal Therapy is. If you have nightmares as a result of trauma or reoccurring nightmares, you may want to employ imagery rehearsal therapy. Imagery rehearsal therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing the frequency of nightmares. Imagery rehearsal therapy involves the active rewriting of your nightmare. Imagery rehearsal therapy has been proven effective and is a simple technique. Talk with your doctor or therapist to learn how imagery rehearsal therapy can work best for you. Write your nightmare down. Recall your nightmare while you are awake and write it down as if it were a story. Try to capture the narrative of the nightmare and any details you feel are relevant. Don't be afraid to recall your nightmare. Remember why you are revisiting it. Be as honest and accurate as you can in your recollection. Make your changes. Take charge of your nightmare and rewrite any part of it you want. The main idea here is to transform the negative aspects of your nightmare into positive aspects. By restructuring your nightmare, you eliminate the original mental cause of the nightmare. Try changing the following aspects: Change the ending to a positive one. Change the overall theme. Change the story line to take the dream to a better place. Change any details you would like. Mentally rehearse your new script. Actively imagine the nightmare during the day, this time with the changes you have made. Rehearsing your nightmare in this way will help tell your mind that the positive new narrative you have crafted is to replace the old nightmare. Do this for at least once a day, for a few minutes. Repetition of this re-imagining can help the effect. | Calm down quickly. Ground your senses. Learn how to breathe calmly. Don't dwell on your nightmares. Journal your nightmares. Talk with trusted friends and family. Look for any causes of your nightmare. Visit your doctor. Try approaching your nightmares with art. Learn what Imagery Rehearsal Therapy is. Write your nightmare down. Make your changes. Mentally rehearse your new script. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Caterpillars | How to Get Rid of Caterpillars | To get rid of caterpillars, try putting out a couple of bird feeders or houses to attract birds to your yard, which like to eat caterpillars. You can also mix 2 tablespoons of liquid soap and 1 quart of water and then spray the caterpillars with it to get rid of them. To prevent more caterpillars from appearing, try covering your plants with an insect barrier fabric so that moths and butterflies aren't able to lay eggs on them. | Try using Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (BTk). BTk is a bacteria that naturally occurs on dead or decaying material in the soil. This bacteria is good for controlling caterpillars because it interacts badly with the digestive system of caterpillars. Furthermore, it is considered to be safe because it doesn't harm pets or people, and the dead caterpillars will not harm other animals (such as birds) that might eat the caterpillar. It is important that you apply BTk to leaves of affected plants or trees at the right time because it must be eaten by the caterpillar. You should follow the instructions that come with the BTk, but generally, it should be applied twice. The first time will be about ten days after caterpillar eggs have hatched, and the second time about two weeks later, while the caterpillars are still small. BTk is available commercially, so you can probably get it at your local home improvement or gardening store. It is usually sold in powder form, which is then mixed with water and sprayed onto infested plants. Make the area attractive to birds. Birds are perhaps the best at controlling caterpillars naturally. Thus, it is a good idea to make your garden appealing to them. Try placing a birdbath, some bird feeders, and even a bird house or two into the garden to elicit interest. If you have cats that go into the yard, make sure that they wear a collar with a bell on it. This alerts birds when a cat is in the area. If you have space, chickens also offer a great way to get rid of caterpillars. Chickens will eat the caterpillars, so you won't have to worry about dealing with them yourself. However, you will need to prepare your yard properly to keep chickens healthy and safe, so this shouldn't be seen as a quick and easy fix. Use burlap to catch caterpillars living in a tree. If you are having a problem with caterpillars in a tree, you can wrap the trunk with burlap. Caterpillars like to hide during the heat of the day, and the burlap offers an ideal place to get out of the sun. Once they've crawled in, you can smash many caterpillars quickly. This may work especially well for gypsy moth caterpillars , which tend to live in trees. Drown the caterpillars. If you aren't afraid of touching the caterpillars, then this is one way to get rid of caterpillars without spraying chemicals or other substances on your leaves. Fill a bucket about halfway with water. The size of the bucket depends on how many caterpillars you are dealing with. If it is just a few, a coffee can might do. If you have a lot of caterpillars, you might need a 5-gallon pail. Add dish soap. If you are using a relatively small-sized bucket, a quarter of a cup should do. Add more if you are using a large bucket. This is not an exact science, so don't worry about getting the measurements exactly right. Pick the caterpillars up and throw them in the water, where they will die. Wear gloves if you want to. Collect the caterpillars and move them elsewhere. Caterpillars eventually turn into moths and butterflies, which play an important role in pollination. Thus, you might want to consider moving the caterpillars elsewhere (e.g. a nearby wooded area) where they can live without harming your plants. You can do this by collecting the caterpillars in a bucket or a jar. Take them to the area you want them, and then gently dump them onto a leaf or tree branch. Try pyrethrins. Pyrethrins are a natural pesticide that is made from plants, specifically chrysanthemums. They are toxic to many pests, including caterpillars. Generally, it is safe for humans and pets, but it could be toxic if ingested in huge amounts. These are typically sold in garden and home improvement stores. The product is typically sprayed directly on infested plants, and is degraded within a few days by sunlight. If you go shopping for pyrethrin pesticides, you will likely come across products that contain “pyrethroids,” these are simply synthetically produced versions of pyrethrum. You can protect beneficial insects from being harmed by this product by applying it to the affected plants early in the morning, and then cover the plant with an old sheet for 24 hours. Make an insecticidal soap spray. This type of spray should be applied directly to the caterpillars. It works because the soap destroys the skin of the caterpillar. In order to make this spray, simply mix two tablespoons of soap into one quart of water into a spray bottle. Shake the mixture well, and then spray it directly on any caterpillars you find. Make sure the soap is biodegradable and plant based in order to avoid harming plants, animals, and bugs that don't harm your plants. Purchase a commercial garden pesticide. This should be considered a last resort given the harmful effects pesticides can have on beneficial insects and the environment, but if you must use a pesticide, make sure that it is designed to work against caterpillars. You can find all of this information on the label. Remember that if you have pets or small children, using a pesticide may harm them if they come in contact with the pesticide. It is not a good idea to use pesticides in gardens where there are plants that will be eaten. Add some plants that attract beneficial insects to your garden. Planting flowers such as aster and yarrow, or cilantro, fennel, or dill may attract beneficial insects (insects that eat other insects), which eat caterpillars. Be sure to have these plants growing throughout the season to keep the beneficial insects coming. Planting these types of plants provides a source of alternative food for the beneficial insects, and will keep them coming back even after they've taken care of any caterpillars. Use an insect barrier. An insect barrier is a type of fabric that you can use to cover your plants. This barrier will prevent moths and butterflies from laying eggs on your plants, which then hatch to become caterpillars. This may be ideal for plants that grow fall vegetables. In this case, pollination does not play a huge role so covering the plants will not reduce the amount of vegetables grown by the plant. Identify caterpillars. Caterpillars come in many different shapes and sizes. Some are large, some are small, some are hairy, and some look like worms. If you haven't seen any caterpillars, but notice that the leaves of your plants are covered in holes, then you likely have caterpillars in your garden. Almost all caterpillars can be taken care of using one of the above-mentioned methods. However, tent caterpillars, which usually live in trees. These caterpillars usually live in webs. These types of caterpillars can be controlled in the same way, but you can also try to remove the branches of the tree where the nest is, and then burn the web nest. Although caterpillars are generally harmless to humans and cannot bite, there are several species of caterpillars that can give a painful sting. There are many different types of stinging caterpillars that all look very different; therefore, you should generally assume that if a caterpillar has a furry appearance or barbs that it will sting you if you touch it. The sting may not be fatal, but it will be very painful, so it's best to avoid touching a caterpillar if you aren't sure what kind it is. | Try using Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (BTk). Make the area attractive to birds. Use burlap to catch caterpillars living in a tree. Drown the caterpillars. Collect the caterpillars and move them elsewhere. Try pyrethrins. Make an insecticidal soap spray. Purchase a commercial garden pesticide. Add some plants that attract beneficial insects to your garden. Use an insect barrier. Identify caterpillars. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Outgoing | How to Be Outgoing | To be outgoing, start by being polite to others, which can include saying "thank you," making eye contact, and introducing yourself to strangers. In conversation, ask open-ended questions and give sincere compliments to other people about things that you like. When you're talking to someone you just met, search for a common interest, like a favorite movie, musical genre, or book, which can help open up conversation. If you want to be outgoing and meet new people, try joining clubs or picking up a new hobby. | Say thank you in public. You might see some of the same people every day, but never acknowledge them. To become outgoing, it is important to start acknowledging the people around you more often. The next time you order a coffee or check out at the grocery store, smile at the person helping you. Make eye contact and say, "thank you." This small gesture will help you become more comfortable interacting with others, and it will probably make the other person's day a little brighter. A little compliment can also go a long way, especially in service situations. Remember that your grocery clerk or barista serves hundreds of people a day, many of whom probably either ignore them or are rude. Say something like, "Wow, thanks for getting that to me so quickly" to show your appreciation. Make eye contact. If you're in a social situation, such as at a party, try to make eye contact with the other people there. Once you've established eye contact, give the other person a friendly smile. If the other person holds your gaze, then go over to them and introduce yourself. If the person smiles back at you, then that is also a good sign. If the person does not respond, let them go their way. There's a difference between being "outgoing" and "pushy." You don't want to force interaction on someone who isn't interested. Keep in mind that this approach doesn't work well in situations where people do not expect to be approached, such as while riding public transit. Part of being outgoing is knowing when and where to approach others and when to keep to yourself. Introduce yourself. You don't have to be a suave charmer to be friendly and outgoing. Maybe try introducing yourself by saying you're new to the area, or offering a compliment to the other person. Look for other “wallflowers.” You may not be comfortable jumping straight from “shy” to “social butterfly.” If you're at a social function, try looking for other people who appear to be shy or holding back. Chances are, they feel as uncomfortable as you do. They'll probably be happy that you made the first move to say “hello.” Be friendly, but not pushy. Once you've introduced yourself and asked a question or two, move on if the other person seems disinterested. Ask open-ended questions. One way to be more outgoing in your conversations with others is to ask them open-ended questions. These questions invite others to respond with more than a “yes” or “no.” It's easier to start up a chat with someone new if you invite them to share about themselves. If you've already exchanged eye contact and smiles with someone, and you're close by, start off with a question. Here are some ideas: How do you like that book/magazine? What is your favorite thing to do around here? Where did you find that awesome T-shirt? Give compliments. If you're interested in people, you're bound to notice little things that you like or appreciate. You can acknowledge these things with a compliment. Just make sure that your compliments are genuine. People can tell when compliments are not sincere. Think of something like: I've read that book. Great choice! I love those shoes. They go great with that skirt. Is that a hazelnut latte? Nice -- that's my go-to every Monday morning. Search for a common interest. First conversations between people are all about what the two parties have in common. In order to find out what you can talk about, you may have to probe for things you have in common. If you work together or have mutual friends or have anything that links you together, it should be a bit easier. Talking about work, your mutual friend, or your common interest will open up further topics of discussion. If this person is a stranger, you could use the situation to help you come up with something to talk about. For example, if you're in a bookstore, you could ask someone for a favorite reading recommendation. If you're both stuck in a long line, you could make a joke about it. Be careful to avoid comments that sound judgmental. For example, you could say you love the person's haircut and then ask where s/he got it done. Or you could say that you've been looking for a pair of sneakers like the ones the other person's wearing, and ask where s/he got them. Avoid things that are likely to seem offensive, such as comments on the person's size, skin color, or physical attractiveness. Pay attention to what excites people. If person A is dead set on talking about thermodynamics and person B is dead set on talking about Italian coffee, then the conversation isn't going to go anywhere. One of these people has to latch on to the other person's interests. Take the initiative and be that person. When you're making small talk, try to notice when the other person perks up. You'll be able to hear it and see it. Their face will be more expressive (and so will their voice) and you'll probably see movement in their body. Chat up your coworkers. If you have a job, chances are you have an environment with built-in social contact if you make a little effort. Find a place where people tend to congregate, such as the break room or a coworker's cubicle. The water cooler isn't the place for heated topics, like religion or politics. Instead, try engaging people by remarking on popular culture or sports. While people often have strong opinions about these subjects too, they're a safer bet to keep a conversation friendly. Being outgoing at work can be important. By being more outgoing, people will perceive you as more friendly and positive. Networking and chatting at work can also help you get the recognition at work that you deserve. End on a high note. Leave the other person wanting more. A good way to accomplish this is by leaving the door open for future interaction. Be gracious in exiting the conversation, so that the other person doesn't feel as though you've ditched them. For example, if you've been talking about your dogs together, ask about a good local dog park. If the other person responds positively, you could invite them to bring their dog to the park too: “Have you ever been to the dog park off Baxter Road? I haven't. What would you think of going together next Saturday?” Making a specific invitation is more effective than “let's get together sometime” because it shows that you're not just being polite. Once you've finished the conversation, wrap up by restating a main point you discussed. This will help the other person feel like you were listening to them. For example: “Good luck with that marathon on Sunday! I'd love to hear all about it next week.” End by affirming that you enjoyed the conversation. “It was really nice talking with you” or “It was so nice to meet you” help the other person feel valued. Talk to anyone and everyone. After you become a bit more comfortable talking to people you know, try talking to new people as you go through your day. At first you might feel uncomfortable talking with people you don't know and who you might not normally approach. But the more you approach people and get comfortable with making conversation, the easier it will become. Set specific, reasonable goals. Being outgoing is a tough goal to reach because it includes a lot of small behaviors. That is why it is a good idea to break this large goal down into smaller ones. Instead of telling yourself to be outgoing, set goals to have at least one conversation with a new person each day or to smile at five people every day. Try to make small talk (or if that's too much, just smiling) with one stranger or acquaintance every day, say "hi" to someone on the street, or ask your barista's name. These little victories will keep you going and make you feel ready for loftier challenges. Join a club. If you aren't sure how to approach others in social settings, try joining a club for a particular interest. This gives you the opportunity to interact, usually in small-scale settings, with others who share an interest of yours. Look for a club that encourages socializing, such as a book club or cooking class. You can ask questions and get into discussions, but the focus won't be entirely on you. These situations can be great for shy people. Shared experiences can be a powerful bonding technique. Joining a club where you'll share experiences with others gives you a head start -- you'll already have common ground established. Invite people over. You don't even have to leave your house to be outgoing. Invite people to come over for a movie night or dinner party. If you're welcoming and inviting, others will be more likely to feel as though you value them (and they're more likely to have fun). Try creating events that will foster conversation. You could host a BYOB wine tasting, where everyone has to sip and compare notes. Or, you could hold a potluck dinner, where everyone has to bring their favorite dish of their grandmother's (and a copy of the recipe). Having a reason to talk with each other helps a party stay lively and enjoyable (and, let's be honest, food and wine never hurt). Master a hobby. A hobby can help you feel more in control, which may help you to be more outgoing. If you master a hobby, then you may feel proud and confident as well, which can give you even more social confidence. Hobbies also give you something to chat about with new acquaintances. They often give you a way to meet new people. And they have health benefits, such as a lower risk of depression. Dress for success. The way that you dress affects the way that you feel about yourself. Dressing in a way that expresses your personality and values can help you feel confident, and that will help you be more outgoing. If you're a little nervous about socializing, wear something that makes you feel powerful and attractive. This will help you to carry that confidence into your interactions. Clothes can also be great conversation-starters. Wearing a fun tie or a statement bracelet can be a way for others to break the ice with you. You can also compliment something someone else is wearing as a way to get acquainted. Be careful not to let judgments slip into these compliments, such as "That dress makes you look so thin!" That type of comment focuses on social standards of beauty rather than the person you're talking with. Instead, try something positive but nonjudgmental like "I love the design of that tie, it's so intricate" or "I've been looking for a pair of shoes like that, where did you get them?" Work on your existing friendships. Make sure to improve friendships with existing friends and the people you meet. Not only will you be more connected, but you'll be growing and gaining new experiences to share with both these groups of people. Old friends are good practice. They can introduce you to new people or accompany you to places you would never go alone. Don't ignore them! They're probably going through similar things, too. Introduce people to each other. Part of being outgoing is helping others feel comfortable. As you become more comfortable introducing yourself, spread the love by introducing other people to each other. Introducing people to each other helps ease social awkwardness. Think about what you know about each person -- what do they have in common? When you're talking to Janice from the yarn shop, take a moment to call out, "Hey, Steve! This is Janice. We were just talking about that new band at the Factory last night. What'd you think?" Examine your body language. Your nonverbal communication, such as body language and eye contact, can say as much about you as your actual words. The way that you hold your body sends messages about you to others. People judge others as attractive, likeable, competent, trustworthy, or aggressive in a fraction of a second, so you may have only 1/10 of a second to make a first impression. For example, making yourself “smaller” by crossing your legs, hunching, holding your arms, etc., communicates that you are not comfortable in a situation. It can send a message that you don't want to interact with others. On the other hand, you can express confidence and power by opening yourself up. You don't have to take more room than you need or intrude on others' space, but establish space for yourself. Plant your feet firmly when you stand or sit. Stand with your chest out and shoulders back. Avoid fidgeting, pointing, or shifting your weight. Your body language also affects how you feel about yourself. People who use “low power” body language, such as making yourself smaller or closing yourself off by crossing your legs or arms, actually experience increased cortisol, a stress hormone related to feelings of insecurity. Make eye contact. You can be more outgoing just by making eye contact with others. For example, if you look directly at a person, this is commonly interpreted as an invitation. The other person returning your gaze acts as an acceptance of that invitation. People who make eye contact while speaking are often considered more friendly, open, and believable. Extroverts and socially confident people look more often, and for longer, at people they are speaking or interacting with. Eye contact produces a feeling of connection between people, even when the eyes are in photographs or even sketched. Aim to maintain eye contact with the other person for about 50% of the time while you're speaking, and for about 70% of the time while you're listening. Hold your gaze for between 4-5 seconds before you break it again. Express interest through body language cues. In addition to how you stand and sit when you're on your own, you can communicate by using body language when interacting with others. “Open” body language communicates that you're available and interested in the other person. Open body language includes uncrossed arms and legs, smiling, and looking up and around the room. Once you've established contact with someone, communicate your interest in them. For example, leaning in and tilting your head when they talk are ways to show that you're engaged in the conversation and interested in the other person's ideas. Many of these body language cues work to communicate romantic attraction, but they communicate non-romantic interest too. Be an active listener. When you're listening to someone, show them that you're engaged in the conversation. Focus on what they're saying. Look at them while they speak. Nodding, using brief expressions such as “uh huh” or “mm hmm,” and smiling are all ways to show that you're following the conversation. Avoid looking over the person's head or at another area of the room for more than a few seconds. This indicates that you're bored or not paying attention. Repeat central ideas, or use them as part of your response. For example, if you're talking with someone new at a bar who's been telling you about her fly-fishing hobby, mention that when you respond: “Wow, I've never been fly-fishing. The way you describe it makes it sound like it would be fun, though.” This lets the other person know you really were listening, rather than mentally checking your shopping list or something else. Allow the other person to finish speaking before you respond. As you listen, don't be planning your response to give as soon as they're finished. Focus on the other person's communication. Practice your smile. People can distinguish a “real” smile from a fake smile. A real smile activates the muscles around your mouth and around your eyes. This is called a “Duchenne” smile. Duchenne smiles have been shown to lower stress and produce feelings of happiness in the people who are smiling. Try practicing a Duchenne smile. Imagine a situation in which you want to show a positive emotion, such as joy or love. Practice smiling to communicate that in front of a mirror. Check to see whether your eyes are crinkling at the corners -- a hallmark of the “real” smile. Push yourself past your “comfort zone. ” You have a natural zone of “optimal anxiety,” or “productive discomfort,” that's just outside your normal comfort zone. When you're in this zone, you're more productive because you're willing to take risks, but you're not so far outside your “safe space” that anxiety shuts you down. For example, when you start a new job, go on a first date, or start at a new school, you probably try harder at first because the situation is new to you. This increased attention and effort improves your performance. Take this process slowly. Pushing yourself too far or too fast can actually damage your ability to perform because your anxiety will move past the “optimal” level to “freak-out mode.” Try small steps outside your comfort zone at first. As you become more comfortable with the risks you take to achieve extroversion, you can take bigger ones. Recast "failures" as learning experiences. With risk comes the possibility that the risk won't work out for you as you'd hoped. It can be tempting to view these situations as "failures." The problem with this way of thinking is that it's totalizing. Even in what looks like the worst possible outcome, there's something you can learn from to use the next time around. Consider how you approached the situation. What did you plan for? Is there anything you didn't plan for? With the benefit of experience now, what do you think you could do differently next time? What did you do to support your chances of success? For example, if your goal was to "socialize more," consider what actions you took. Did you go to a place where you knew a few people? Did you bring a buddy? Did you look for a place to hang out where you might find others who share interests with you? Did you expect to be a social butterfly immediately, or did you set your initial goals small and achievable? Scaffold for your success next time with the knowledge you have now. Focus on what you can control. Experiencing failure may make you feel powerless, as though you will never succeed no matter what. While some things are certainly beyond your control, some aren't. Think about what you do have the power to change, and consider how you can work those things to your advantage next time. You might tie their self-worth directly to your ability to perform. Learn to focus on your effort rather than its outcomes (which you may not be able to control all of the time). Practice self-compassion when you stumble. These techniques can be used as a way to do better next time. Challenge your inner critic. Changing your behaviors is hard, especially when what you're trying to do doesn't come naturally. You may hear that little voice that tells you things like “She doesn't want to be your friend. You have nothing to add to the conversation. Anything you say will be stupid.” These thoughts are based on fear, not fact. Challenge them by reminding yourself that you have thoughts and ideas that others want to hear. See if you can find evidence for these “scripts” when they run through your mind. For example, if your coworker walks by your desk and doesn't say hello, your automatic response might be to think, “Wow, she's really angry with me. I wonder what I did. I knew she didn't want to be friends with me.” Challenge that thought by looking for evidence to support it; chances are, you won't find much. Ask yourself: Has that person told you when they were angry before? If so, they'd probably have told you this time too. Have you actually done something to that person that might upset them? Is it possible they're just having a bad day? You may be naturally shy and this might cause you to overestimate how your mistakes appear to others. Keep in mind that as long as you are open, honest, and friendly, most people won't reject you for an occasional stumble. Beating yourself up over your mistakes can mean your anxiety keeps you from learning and growing. Be outgoing on your own terms. There is nothing wrong with being an introvert and being shy. Decide what you want to change about yourself, but do it for you, not because someone else suggested you should do so. Think about why being shy bothers you. Maybe it's just something that coming to terms with could solve. Or maybe you just want to be able to get more comfortable with talking with people around you. Being yourself as an introvert is much better than not being you and forcing extroversion. Think about when you find yourself in situations that rev up your shyness. How does your body respond? What are your inclinations? Figuring out how you operate is the first step to taking charge of your reactions. Start when you can. If you wait until you feel like doing something to do it, the chances are slim that you'll actually make the changes you want to see. You can increase your self-efficacy by acting the way you want to act -- regardless of whether you believe it at first. Your expectations are often enough to make something happen. That is why faking it till you make it works. Set realistic goals. Remember that changing yourself takes time. Set realistic goals for yourself, and don't beat yourself up if you stumble now and then. This is normal. Decide what challenges you. Realistic goals about being more outgoing might look different for you than for someone else. For example, making eye contact with one person each day might be a big victory for you. Choose goals that are realistic for you. Acknowledge that being outgoing is a skill. Even though it might seem like being outgoing comes easy for some people, that behavior was learned over time and you can learn it too. By setting goals and continuing to work on being more outgoing, you can change how you react to situations and people. If you know some outgoing people, ask them questions. Were they always that way? Do they ever feel like they have to try to be outgoing? Do they have their own versions of social phobia? The answers will probably be no, yes, and yes. It's just something they've decided to take control of. Think of past successes. When you're at a party, that familiar anxiety might overtake you as you think about interacting with the other people there. You might have some negative thoughts about your ability to successfully interact with other people at the party. In this situation, think about situations where you successfully interact with people and feel comfortable. You're probably outgoing around family and friends, at least sometimes. Carry that success over to this situation. Thinking of all the times we did what we're currently afraid to do shows us that we are capable and makes us more confident. | Say thank you in public. Make eye contact. Introduce yourself. Ask open-ended questions. Give compliments. Search for a common interest. Pay attention to what excites people. Chat up your coworkers. End on a high note. Talk to anyone and everyone. Set specific, reasonable goals. Join a club. Invite people over. Master a hobby. Dress for success. Work on your existing friendships. Introduce people to each other. Examine your body language. Make eye contact. Express interest through body language cues. Be an active listener. Practice your smile. Push yourself past your “comfort zone. Recast "failures" as learning experiences. Challenge your inner critic. Be outgoing on your own terms. Start when you can. Set realistic goals. Acknowledge that being outgoing is a skill. Think of past successes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Fix-Swim-Bladder-Disease-in-Goldfish | How to Fix Swim Bladder Disease in Goldfish | If you believe your goldfish has swim bladder disease, raise the water in the tank to 70–80 °F (21–27 °C). The warmer water may help with digestion if constipation is causing the problem. Once you've raised the temperature in the tank, don't feed the fish for 3 days. If your fish still seems to be affected after that, feed it 1-2 cooked green peas a day for several days. The symptoms should subside after that, but if not, your fish may have an untreatable problem, like an organ deformity. | Look for common symptoms of swim bladder disorder. Swim bladder disorder occurs when a fish's swim bladder, which normally inflates and helps the fish stay properly afloat, becomes compromised. No matter what's causing the problem, the symptoms are usually the same. When you see your fish belly-up, don't assume it's dead; if it's still breathing, it probably has swim bladder disorder. Here are symptoms to look for: The fish keeps floating to the top, upside-down The fish keeps sinking to the bottom of the tank The fish swims with its tail higher than its head (note: this is normal for head standing fish species) The fish has a swollen belly Know which fish are most likely to be affected. Goldfish, especially fancy goldfish, and betta fish are most commonly affected by swim bladder disorder. These types of fish have round, short bodies, which causes their organs to become compressed. The fish's internal organs can press against the swim bladder and make it difficult for it to function properly. If you have a fancy goldfish or a betta fish, you'll need to monitor it carefully for signs of swim bladder disorder. Left untreated it can lead to death. Natural goldfish varieties with longer bodies are less prone to getting swim bladder disorder, since their organs are not packed tightly together. Understand what causes swim bladder disorder. When a fish's tiny organs become enlarged, they can press against the swim bladder and cause it to malfunction. The stomach, intestines and liver are especially prone to becoming enlarged due to the fish's eating habits. Any of the following can cause swim bladder disorder: Gulping too much air while eating, causing the stomach to become enlarged Eating low quality or air-filled food, causing constipation in the intestine Eating too much, causing fatty deposits to enlarge the liver The development of cysts in the kidney, causing it to become enlarged Deformity of an internal organ Look for signs of infection. Sometimes swim bladder disorder is a symptom of infection, and you won't be able to solve that by changing your fish's eating habits. If you believe that your fish has an infection, it's important to treat that separately to help your fish get healthy again. If your fish has an infection, it will exhibit clamped fins, shaking, and lack of appetite in addition to other symptoms of swim bladder disorder. Start by cleaning the tank to reduce bacteria levels; in many cases, this will kill the bacteria causing the infection. If symptoms persist, consider treating the fish with a broad spectrum antibiotic to cure the infection. Antibiotics are available at your pet store in the form of water treatment drops or medicated fish food flakes. Be sure to follow the instructions so as not to over medicate your fish. Raise the water temperature in the tank. A cold water temperature can slow digestion and lead to constipation. While you're treating your goldfish's swim bladder disorder, keep the water temperature between 70 and 80 degrees F to help aid in faster digestion. Let the fish fast for three days. Since swim bladder disorder is commonly caused by eating problems, start by letting your fish fast for three days. When fish overeat they can end up with enlarged internal organs, causing the swim bladder to be compromised. Give the fish a chance to digest the food that it has already eaten and allow its stomach, intestines and other organs to shrink back to normal size. Fasting for three days should not negatively affect your fish. However, do not continue the fast for more than three days. During the fast, observe your fish to see whether the swim bladder disorder seems to have gone away. If the fish is still exhibiting symptoms, move on to the next step. Prepare cooked peas for the fish. Peas are high in fiber as well as being dense, so they help ease a fish's constipation problems. Buy a package of frozen peas and cook them until soft (either in the microwave or on the stove). Remove the peel from a pea and drop a bit of pea into the water to feed your fish. The fish should eat no more than a pea or two per day. Try not to overcook the peas; if they're too mushy, they'll fall apart before the fish can eat them. When fish eat flake food, they often gulp too much air, causing indigestion and organ enlargement. Feeding them dense peas remedies this problem. Feed the fish by hand if necessary. When you drop a bit of pea into the water, it will be dense enough to sink to the bottom of the tank. Fish with swim bladder disorder may have trouble swimming to the bottom to reach the food. If necessary, hold the pea near the surface of the water until the fish is able to move close enough to eat it. You can also skewer a pea on a toothpick and hold it within close range of the fish. Lowering the water level so the fish can reach the peas is also effective. Monitor the fish's symptoms. After a few days on a peas-only diet, the fish's digestion should begin to get back to normal, and you should see it begin swimming without problems again. At this point you can begin feeding the fish regular fish food again. If symptoms persist, the fish may have an untreatable problem, such as an organ deformity or internal damage. Give it a few more days to see if the symptoms of swim bladder disorder go away. If your fish never regains the ability to swim and eat properly, euthanasia may be the most humane solution. Soak food before feeding. Flaky fish food floats at the top of the water, so when fish take a bite they also gulp down some air. This can cause their organs to become enlarged, leading to swim bladder disorder. Try soaking fish food before adding it to the tank so that it will sink into the water, allowing fish to eat it without taking in air. You can also buy sinking fish food that automatically sinks to the bottom of the tank without needing to be soaked. If you feed the fish anything besides flakes or pellets, make sure it's nutrient dense and fully thawed before feeding. Do not over feed. When fish eat too much they can become constipated, leading to intestine or stomach enlargement and swim bladder problems. Fish should only be fed a small amount of food once per day. Even if your fish seems like it's always hungry, it only needs a small amount of food to function healthily. Keep the tank clean. A dirty tank harbors bacteria and parasites, putting strain on a fish's symptom and sometimes leading to infection. Make sure to clean the tank frequently so that your fish is taking in clean water, rather than swimming around in waste. Use a water test kit to check pH, ammonia, and nitrite levels. Changing the water doesn't guarantee proper levels, especially if you have never tested your water since starting your tank. Goldfish do best with a pH level of 7.2 - 7.6, as little ammonia as possible and a nitrate level of between 0 and.25 ppm. Try adding aquarium salt made for freshwater tanks. Aquarium salt is good for helping to fight disease and boosts the goldfish's immune system. Keep the water temperature appropriately warm. Check the temperature every so often to make sure it is about 70 °F (21 °C). Goldfish don't function well in cold water; keeping them at a lower temperature can strain their systems and slow digestion. | Look for common symptoms of swim bladder disorder. Know which fish are most likely to be affected. Understand what causes swim bladder disorder. Look for signs of infection. Raise the water temperature in the tank. Let the fish fast for three days. Prepare cooked peas for the fish. Feed the fish by hand if necessary. Monitor the fish's symptoms. Soak food before feeding. Do not over feed. Keep the tank clean. Keep the water temperature appropriately warm. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Henna-on-Gray-Hair | How to Use Henna on Gray Hair | Using henna is a great way to dye gray hair without the use of chemicals. Henna comes in a few different shades, but red henna is usually the best for covering up gray hair. To dye your whole head, you'll need to mix the henna dye into a paste with water, apply the dye to damp hair, then leave it in for 1-2 hours before rinsing it out. You can leave it in for as long as you'd like, since henna dye won't damage your hair. Make sure to wear gloves during this process since the henna dye can stain your skin. | Choose red henna. Henna comes in many different colors. Red henna may work best on gray hair, as it provides heavy coverage. When applied to gray hair, henna will give your hair a natural reddish shade with a few hints of orange. Mix a paste with henna. You'll need to mix henna into a paste to use. The paste is made with henna and warm water. Henna comes in packs and the number of packs you'll need to use depends on your hair type. Shoulder length hair only requires a single pack. If your hair goes down to your mid-back, go for two packs. If your hair goes down to your waist, go for 3 packs. Use a quart size bowl and pour in your pack or packs of henna. Henna stains surfaces easily, so make sure to wear old clothing and cover the surface you're working on. Add hot tap water of approximately 120 °F (48.9 °C). Add water in small amounts while mixing the henna. There is no precise amount of water to use. Just use enough that the henna mixture forms a paste. Wash your hair. You'll want to make sure your hair is clean before adding henna. This assures that no dirt or debris will get trapped in the mixture. Wash your hair as normal before applying henna. Towel dry your hair. After you've washed your hair, towel dry it. There is no need to dry your hair completely with a blow dryer before applying henna. In fact, as henna dries out hair itself, it's a good idea to apply henna to damp hair. Section your hair. You'll need to section your hair, which means dividing it into roughly equal sections and securing them with clips. You'll apply the paste to one section at a time. How many sections you need depends on your hair length. With shorter hair, you may be able to get by with only two sections. Longer hair may need four or five sections. Remember, henna can stain. It's a good idea to use cheap clips you're not attached to when sectioning your hair. You could also use plastic hair clips, which can easily be washed later. Apply henna directly with gloved hands. Unclip one section and begin to work. You will apply the henna directly to your scalp one section at a time. For best results, put on a pair of plastic gloves and use these to apply henna. Scoop up some paste and work it into each section of hair. Go from root to tip. Make sure each section is saturated in the henna mixture. When you're done with one section, re-clip that hair. Touch up around the roots with a bit of henna. Then, move on to the next section and repeat the process. Leave in for one to two hours. You should leave the mixture in for one to two hours. One hour is usually sufficient, but color may deepen slightly if you leave the mixture in for two hours. Hair is unlikely to deepen further after two hours, so do not leave the henna in longer than this. Rinse and blow dry your hair. After letting the henna set, rinse your hair. Do not use shampoo. Make sure you get all the mixture out of your hair, which may take awhile. Once done, blow dry your hair for 10 to 15 minutes. You should see a noticeable difference in color. Do not shampoo for 24 hours. You need to let the color set. If you shampoo prematurely, your color may fade. Do not shampoo your hair for at least 24 hours after applying the henna. Make a paste with a quarter pack of henna. Henna fades with time and eventually gray roots will develop. You'll need to color the roots and touch up the rest of your head. You'll need to make more henna paste. You should be able to get by with a quarter of a pack of henna. As with the first mixture, use hot tap water that's roughly 120 degrees. There is no exact amount. Simply add tap water until you form a thick paste with the henna powder. Apply directly to your roots. First, use gloved hands to apply a layer of henna directly to your roots. Work from the root of the grayed hair to the end of the gray section. Make sure to saturate the gray hair. You should have a bit of paste left over after touching up your roots. Wait one hour and rinse with water. Let the mixture sit for an hour to let the color set. Then, rinse out your hair with water. Do not use shampoo. Make sure to get all the henna out of your head Apply the remaining paste to the rest of your hair. From here, add a light covering of the henna powder to the rest of your hair. Once again, use gloves to work in the paste. You will not have as thick coverage, as you're using less paste. You're not changing your hair color completely, but just darkening the existing color to match the roots. Rinse. Once you're done, rinse out your scalp. Do not use shampoo. Your hair should now be a reddish shade again. It's a good idea to wait to shampoo for 24 hours again. Test a small strand first. It's a good idea to test the henna paste on a small strand of hair before dyeing all your hair. This way, you'll get a chance to see if you like the color. Some hair may also react poorly to henna dye, so you want to make sure your hair does not dry out too much. Choose a stand from the back of your head, which you can easily cover up with other hair, and dye this with the henna paste. As you would when dyeing your whole scalp, leave the paste in for one to two hours. Then, rinse out your hair. Make sure you don't have a skin allergy. Henna can cause skin allergies for some, so you want to make sure your skin can tolerate henna before use. Pour some paste on a small patch of skin and rinse off. Wait a day. If you notice any adverse reactions, like redness or swelling, it's probably a bad idea to dye your hair using henna. Wait a month to use henna if you've recently used commercial hair dyes. Henna can react poorly with commercial dyes. If you've recently dyed your hair with a chemical product, wait at least a month before using henna paste in your hair. Be careful not to get henna in your eyes and mouth. Henna should not be ingested and it should not get in your eyes. Make sure you keep henna away from your eyes and mouth when dyeing your hair. In the event henna gets into your eyes, flush with cool water. If irritation continues after flushing your eye, make an appointment with a physician. | Choose red henna. Mix a paste with henna. Wash your hair. Towel dry your hair. Section your hair. Apply henna directly with gloved hands. Leave in for one to two hours. Rinse and blow dry your hair. Do not shampoo for 24 hours. Make a paste with a quarter pack of henna. Apply directly to your roots. Wait one hour and rinse with water. Apply the remaining paste to the rest of your hair. Rinse. Test a small strand first. Make sure you don't have a skin allergy. Wait a month to use henna if you've recently used commercial hair dyes. Be careful not to get henna in your eyes and mouth. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Jacob%27s-Ladder-out-of-String | How to Make Jacob's Ladder out of String | All you need to make Jacob's Ladder out of string is a piece of string that is approximately twice as long as the distance between your shoulders. First, make the Open A position with the string. To do this, tie the ends of the string together in a square knot. Place the string across your open palm and loop it around your thumb and pinky. Then, hook your right and left index fingers through the string. Drop the string from your thumbs so that it looks like an “X” shape between your hands to maneuver the string into the Cat's Whiskers position. Finally, complete Jacob's Ladder by hooking your thumbs over the third strings and placing your thumbs into the loops over your index fingers. | Cut a length of string or yarn. The string should be twice as long as the distance between your shoulders. Another way to measure is by wrapping the string around your elbow and hand about two times. Tie the string ends together. Secure the string in a square knot so it won't pull loose. Use a square knot and cut off the excess when the string is tight. Position your thumb and pinky. Start with the string across your palm in an open position. Your thumb and pinky should be looped by the string. Your three middle fingers should stay out. Hook your right index finger. Guide your finger through the string in front of your three left fingers. Return your right hand to its original position. Hook your left index finger. Guide your finger through the string directly under your right index finger. Return your left hand to its original position. Hold the string taut between your two hands. Drop the thumb strings. There should now be four strings running between your hands. There will only be one “X” between your hands. Hook your thumbs under the farthest string. You'll need to be careful only to hook the last string away from you under the rest of the strings. Bring your hands back to the original position. Hook another string with your thumbs. Move your thumbs over the first string on your index finger, and hook them beneath the second string on your index fingers. Return to the original position. Drop the pinky strings. Make sure only to drop the strings wrapped around your pinkies. Hook a string with your pinkies. Move your pinkies over the last string and under the adjacent string. Return your hands to the original position. Drop the thumb strings. This creates the Cat's Whiskers position. You should only have the string looped around your pinky and index fingers. Hook your thumb under the third string. Put your thumbs over the two strings on your index fingers. Then carefully position them under the first string on your pinky fingers. You should now have loops around your pinkies, index fingers and thumbs. Try not to pull too tight. You want a little tension but not too much. Use your left hand. Take the loop on your right index finger and place it over your thumb. The top loop should be on both your right thumb and right index finger. Pull up the "bottom" loop. On your right thumb, use your same hand to position the bottom string on your thumb over your thumb. You should see a small triangle form between your right index finger and thumb. Repeat this on your opposite hand. Now use your left hand to pull your index loop over your thumb. Then take the bottom string on your thumb over your thumb. You should now have one string over each thumb. Complete the ladder. You'll need to do a complex move to finish the ladder. This part trips people up, so take it slowly. You're going turn your hands so they face away from you while doing two things. Put your index fingers through the two small triangles next to your index and thumb. As you flip your hands 180 degrees around, take your pinkies out of their loops. The second loop around your index fingers should go away, as well. You now have Jacob's Ladder! | Cut a length of string or yarn. Tie the string ends together. Position your thumb and pinky. Hook your right index finger. Hook your left index finger. Drop the thumb strings. Hook your thumbs under the farthest string. Hook another string with your thumbs. Drop the pinky strings. Hook a string with your pinkies. Drop the thumb strings. Hook your thumb under the third string. Use your left hand. Pull up the "bottom" loop. Repeat this on your opposite hand. Complete the ladder. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Medical-Assistant | How to Become a Medical Assistant | To become a medical assistant, start by graduating from high school or getting your GED, since having a high school diploma is the only prerequisite for training. Next, find a doctor willing to train you on-site, or enroll in a medical assisting program to receive a certificate or degree. You can also take an exam to get certification through an accredited provider, and while this isn't required, it looks great on a resume. Once you're fully trained, start applying for MA positions! | Be sure that you are a good multi-tasker. A medical assistant is able to do multiple things at once. This means that you should to be a competent multi-tasker in order to produce a really good fit. The best MAs are fleet-footed, resourceful, and pick up things very quickly. Be sure that you care about helping people. The essence of your job, aside from the occasional administrative duties, is helping other people. You should receive satisfaction from the idea that your help makes a difference in other people's lives. If you don't care about the impact your work has on other people's lives, you probably aren't an ideal fit. Be sure that you can stomach uncomfortable medical situations. Although they aren't common, serious medical interventions do occur around medical assistants. MAs occasionally need to push past the discomfort of wounds, blood, and obvious patient pain in order to do their jobs effectively. Depending on what kind of clinic you work in, you may have to deal with blood, urine, and other bodily fluids daily. Not displaying disgust or dislike is important in making the patient feel comfortable. Understand that your path to being a medical assistant may take time. It's not uncommon for the process of becoming a medical assistant to take several years. If you want to become a medical assistant right away, it's possible — but difficult. Get your GED or its equivalent. The only real qualification for the job is that you have a high-school diploma or its equivalent. If you haven't already completed your high-school education, enlist in GED training course and eventually take the GED, a competency test that measures the skills you were supposed to learn in high school. Find a doctor to train you as a Medical Assistant. Given that there are no legal requirements to becoming a Medical Assistant, this is the easiest, cheapest and fastest way. If you are hired as a medical assistant without prior experience, you will receive substantial on-site training. The added benefit, of course, is that you're being paid to learn on the job. Many people pay in order to receive the training that doctors and other medical orderlies give them. Once you have enough work experience you may be eligible for taking a nationally accredited certification exam without having to go back to school. Organizations like National Healthcareer Association, NCCT, and AMT offer some kind of work experience eligibility for their NCCA accredited MA exams. Attend a school to receive a degree as a medical assistant. Getting a degree from a school will confer prestige and help your chances of getting hired. If you do decide to go to school for a medical assisting program, you can take either of the following tracks: Medical Assistant Certificate/Diploma. This takes about 9 months to a year for most applicants to complete. Medical Assistant Associate Degree. This takes about 2 years for most applicants to complete. Get certified (optional). You don't need to be certified as a medical assistant in order to find a job as one, but it really helps. Some jobs may require certification. You will need to choose a certification provider that is nationally accredited by the NCCA. Different certification providers have different eligibility requirements, costs, recertification requirements, and testing methods. Nationally accredited exams include those awarded by American Medical Technologists (AMT), National Healthcareer Association (NHA), and the American Association of Medical Assistants. After passing the certification exam, apply for an MA position. It is now time for you to apply for your first MA position! Make sure that your resume and cover letter are specifically tailored to each office in which you are applying. | Be sure that you are a good multi-tasker. Be sure that you care about helping people. Be sure that you can stomach uncomfortable medical situations. Understand that your path to being a medical assistant may take time. Get your GED or its equivalent. Find a doctor to train you as a Medical Assistant. Once you have enough work experience you may be eligible for taking a nationally accredited certification exam without having to go back to school. Attend a school to receive a degree as a medical assistant. Get certified (optional). After passing the certification exam, apply for an MA position. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Spot-Signs-of-Illness-in-Parrotlets | How to Spot Signs of Illness in Parrotlets | To tell if your parrotlet is sick, keep an eye out for discolored droppings that are red, green, yellow, or black, which is a common sign that something is wrong. Check the feathers on your bird's chest and vent too, since they'll often be stained, wet, or matted if your bird is suffering from diarrhea or vomiting. While you're examining your parrotlet's feathers, see if any of them look thin, patchy, or dull, which could be a sign that it's sick. You should also look for any discharge around its eyes, mouth, or beak, since clear, yellow, or white discharge is a common symptom of several different illnesses. If you're worried that your parrotlet is sick, take it to see the vet so they can help you figure out what's going on. | Check the quality of the feathers. Ruffled, thin, patchy, or dull feathers can be a sign that there is something wrong. A disease or parasite may cause the feathers to fall out or the bird may be plucking them from stress. If they live alone and pluck their feathers, they may be lonely, not sick! You should still take your parrotlet to the vet, but consider getting them a companion. Examine their skin for swelling or lesions. Check your parrotlet's skin for any sign of scabs, crusts, rashes, or flaking skin. You may need to brush aside their feathers to see. Swelling around their eyes, feet, vent, and beak can also be a sign of trouble. Squinting may mean that their eyes are sore or swollen. This may be caused by many diseases, including parrot fever. Parrot fever is very serious and can be passed to humans. See a vet immediately. To prevent getting it yourself, wear gloves and a face mask when cleaning the cage. If it looks as if the area around their eyes is crinkled, they may be suffering from dehydration. Look for any discharge. Discharge around the nares (the nostrils on the beak), eyes, or mouth can be a sign of many different conditions. This discharge may be a clear film or have a distinct coloration, such as white or yellow. Watery clear discharge from the nares may be normal, but watery eyes are not. Find any matted feathers on the chest or vent. Stained, wet, or matted feathers may mean that the parrotlet is either vomiting or has diarrhea. These stains often appear on the chest of the bird or on the vent under the bird. Listen for fast or labored breathing. If your parrotlet sounds as if they are wheezing or if they are breathing very quickly, they may have a respiratory problem. This could be a simple cold or something more serious. If the parrotlet is breathing quickly and holding their wings out from their body, they may be overheated. Cool down the room, and give them some fresh water. Watch for excessive sleeping or laziness. A sick parrotlet will often become lethargic. They may be taking long naps during the day. If they are awake, they may be resting on their perch or on the bottom of their cage instead of playing or flying. A normal parrotlet is alert and interacts with its surroundings. If your parrotlet seems lethargic, un-alert, and doesn't interact with other birds, it may be sick. A sick or lethargic parrotlet may appear hunched, trembling, or puffed up. Puffed up feathers are normal while the parrotlet is asleep, but if they're puffing up while they are awake, they may be feeling ill. Measure how much they are eating. Any change in eating or drinking habits can signal a problem. Check their cage for any uncracked seed or uneaten pellets. These might mean that the parrotlet is not eating. Frequently empty water or food bowls may be a sign that they are eating more than usual. Drinking more water than usual can be a sign of dehydration. Eating more than normal may indicate that they are struggling to digest their food. This could be caused by avian gastric yeast or macaw wasting disease. If your parrotlet abruptly stops eating or drinking, this is a serious sign that something is wrong and that the bird could be very ill. Observe any stumbling. If your normally graceful parrotlet is stumbling or jerking, it may mean that they are disoriented. They may fall off perches or walk around in circles. These symptoms may signal a neurological condition. Take note of any unusual screaming or silence. Some squawking is normal for parrotlets, but if they are screaming more than usual, they may be trying to tell you something. Similarly, if the parrotlet is extremely quiet, they may not be feeling well. Changes in parrotlet vocalization may be very hard to pick up. Still, if you notice changes, keep a close eye on the bird for other signs. Examine their droppings. Your parrotlet's droppings can tell you how they're feeling. Normal droppings should have dark brown feces with white tips. Any yellow, green, red, or black discoloration should be checked out by a vet. Red and black feces are a sign of internal bleeding. Call your vet immediately. If there is undigested food in their droppings, they may have internal parasites. If their droppings are green, it may be a sign that they are not eating. Changes in the frequency or amount of droppings can also be a sign of sickness. Take your bird to an avian vet. For birds like parrotlets, many diseases and conditions share the same symptoms. An avian vet will be able to diagnose your parrotlet's exact condition by doing X-rays, bloodwork, fecal tests, crop washes, and other tests. Try to find a vet that has experience working with birds. Experienced vets will be more familiar with the diseases and problems that affect birds, and can save you time, money, and stress. Call your vet if you find blood. If you find any sign of blood in the feathers, beak, vent, or droppings, call your vet immediately. These may be caused by an injury, parasites, or a serious disease. Call the vet ahead of time in an emergency if you can, and let them know you are coming in. Ask what you should do to help the bird in the meanwhile, too, while driving to the clinic. Put the parrotlet in an empty cage if they have a seizure. A seizure is marked by a short period of disorientation and stumbling followed by about twenty seconds of shaking. Call your vet immediately if you observe it. In the meantime, place the bird in an empty cage with soft bedding in it to prevent injury. Take fecal samples if they are vomiting or regurgitating food. Vomiting can be dangerous for parrotlets. Your vet may need to test their feces to see if they have a digestive problem. Scrape some of their droppings into a plastic bag, and take them with you to the vet so that the vet can test them. Wear gloves and a surgical mask when taking these samples to avoid picking up an infection yourself. Always wash your hands after handling bird feces. Label the bag with your name, the bird's name, and the date you collected the sample. This will help your vet process the sample. Some possible conditions that may be causing it include candidiasis or avian gastric yeast. | Check the quality of the feathers. Examine their skin for swelling or lesions. Look for any discharge. Find any matted feathers on the chest or vent. Listen for fast or labored breathing. Watch for excessive sleeping or laziness. Measure how much they are eating. Observe any stumbling. Take note of any unusual screaming or silence. Examine their droppings. Take your bird to an avian vet. Call your vet if you find blood. Put the parrotlet in an empty cage if they have a seizure. Take fecal samples if they are vomiting or regurgitating food. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Female-Hair-Loss | How to Treat Female Hair Loss | To treat female hair loss, keep in mind that hair loss can be caused by a variety of things, like hormonal and dietary changes, genetics, age, and underlying medical conditions, so it's important to talk to your doctor so they can help you figure out the best treatment plan. You may want to consider using a product that contains minoxidil, like Rogaine, which can help your hair grow back and prevent further hair loss. You can also take vitamins or supplements if you have any nutritional deficiencies, which may help your hair grow. | See your doctor to rule out a medical condition. Several medical conditions can either temporarily or permanently interfere with normal hair growth and development. Some of these medical conditions include the following: Iron deficiency anemia. Thyroid conditions. Deficiencies in zinc, vitamin D, and possibly the B vitamin group. Hormonal level alterations of androgen, testosterone, and estrogen-derived hormones. Autoimmune disease. Major psychological stress. Physical trauma. Scalp infections and skin disorders. Diabetes. Lupus. Trichotillomania. Stress Postpartum hair loss Extreme weight loss, or extreme change in diet. Severe infection accompanied by a high fever. Treat the medical condition. Medical conditions can lead to either temporary or permanent problems with hair loss. With the help of your doctor, and possibly healthcare professionals that practice in specialty areas, treating the underlying medical condition may resolve your hair loss problem. Your doctor will need as much information as possible about your hair loss problem, so be prepared to discuss this issue in depth. Be prepared to describe when it began, any significant life events that occurred just prior to the problem, steps you have taken to resolve it, and how much distress the hair loss is causing you. If an underlying medical condition is discovered, specialists that may be part of your treatment may include endocrinologists, dermatologists, nutritionists, and psychiatrists. Understand how your hair grows. Many of the medical conditions listed interfere with one of the three phases of hair growth. The anagen phase is the period when your hair is actively growing. About 85% of your hair is in the anagen, or growing phase, at any given time. The catagen phase is a short period of time, about two weeks in durations, that allows the follicle to regenerate. Hair growth is halted during the catagen phase. The telogen phase is considered the resting phase of hair growth, and lasts for two to four months. At the end of this phase the hair falls out. Most people normally lose about 100 hairs each day due to the hair that is in the telogen phase. Many medical conditions encourage hair to enter the telogen phase. This may cause as many as 300 hairs to be lost each day. The medical term for excessive hair loss during this phase is telogen effluvium. Realize that telogen effluvium is often temporary. Many medical conditions that cause hair to move into the telogen phase can be treated. Since your hair remains in the telogen phase for several months, your hair loss may not occur immediately after the event that triggered it. This would include physical trauma and severe emotional stressors. Review your medications with your doctor. Many medications can cause temporary hair loss. Do not alter your medications for any reason. Talk with your doctor about your concerns. If you feel a medication is causing your hair loss, your doctor may be able to help by either adjusting the dose or prescribing a similar medication to take its place. Some medications that are known to contribute to hair loss include lithium, warfarin, heparin, and levodopa. Drugs that are classed as beta-blockers can also cause hair loss. Examples of medications in this class include propranolol, atenolol, and metoprolol. Amphetamine derivatives can cause hair loss. Examples of amphetamine medications include amphetamine salts, most commonly recognized by the brand name Adderall®, dextroamphetamine, and lisdexamfetamine. Chemotherapy medications, such as doxorubicin, commonly cause sudden and complete hair loss, as does radiation therapy associated with cancer treatment. Consider the role of genetics. Having family members that developed hair loss are an indicator that you may also be susceptible. The most common pattern of genetically-induced hair loss involves losing hair at any earlier than normal age, losing hair more quickly than normal, and an overall thinning of hair in women. There is an incidence of about 21% of hair loss in women that is passed on genetically. Recognize hair loss from hormonal changes. Some situations that cause fluctuations in hormones result in temporary hair loss, and others a gradual but permanent change in hair growth. A good example of temporary hair loss is from pregnancy and childbirth. The onset of menopause is often accompanied by a noticeable loss of hair. Menopause is part of the normal aging process, and the associated changes in hormone levels lead to a gradual thinning of hair. Some women with hair loss at an earlier than normal age, or excessive loss, have been tested for alterations in levels of male hormones including androgens like testosterone. The results of these studies are inconclusive as to the role those hormones may play in causing hair loss in women. Your doctor can help to determine the role of hormones in your situation by performing blood work. Severe hormonal imbalances may be treatable in some cases. Evaluate your diet. Sudden changes in your diet, and sudden weight loss, can contribute to hair loss. In most cases, hair loss related to nutrition or diet falls in the category of telogen effluvium, meaning it is often temporary. Talk to your doctor or work with a nutritionist. Your doctor can perform physical exams and lab work that can provide evidence of vitamin or nutrient deficiencies. Working with a nutritionist can help to incorporate foods into your regular diet that will correct any vitamin or nutrient deficiencies identified, and help to resolve the problem of hair loss. Realize the changes that occur with age. The normal aging process causes follicles to gradually reduce their size. Reduced follicle size means that the area of your scalp that supports hair roots becomes smaller, but the number of follicles are basically the same. The overall reduction in the size of hair follicles still allows for hair to grow and develop as always, only the hairs are much finer, leading to thinning of the hair as opposed to areas of baldness. Studies done in women that experience FPHL indicate that the normal aging process includes thinning of hair. This usually begins somewhere around age 40, with the greatest impact in women 70 years of age or older. Try applications of products containing minoxidil. Various brand names are manufactured that contained minoxidil. The most familiar branded product is called Rogaine.® Monixodil is available without a prescription in 2% and 5% strengths. The products are made in a topical solution or topical foam. The 2 % product is recommended for use in women Product directions recommend applying the solution or foam no more often that twice daily. Results show that using minoxidil helps hair to grow in about 20% to 25% of women, but stops further hair loss in most women that try the product. Once you begin using the product, it is necessary to maintain long term use in order to continue to see the positive results. Once the product is no longer used, its effects wear off. The most common side effects of minoxidil include scalp irritation and unwanted hair growth on areas of the face or hands. Sometimes systemic absorption can cause tachycardia, or a rapid heart rate. Talk to your doctor about finasteride. Finasteride is the only other approved medication for the treatment of hair loss, however it is only approved for use in men. The use of finasteride has been shown to improve hair growth and slow the process of hair loss in men, however research studies are ongoing for the use of finasteride in women. Studies using finasteride in women are currently ongoing and are showing promising results. Your doctor may consider using finasteride, or a similar agent, depending on your individual presentation, other medications you are using, your age, and other medical conditions you may have. The use of finasteride in women is not FDA approved, so your doctor would be prescribing this to you in a manner called off-label prescribing. Women of child-bearing age should not even touch tablets that contain finasteride due to the documented risk of birth defects. The most common side effects of finasteride use in men include decreased sex drive and sexual function. Other common side effects include dizziness or faintness when getting up from a seated or resting position, chills, and sweats. Ask your doctor about other possible medications. Some drugs have secondary effects that lead to hair growth. In some cases, these medications may be appropriate for use in women to treat hair loss. These drugs are not approved for use in treating hair loss by the FDA. Some drugs that may be helpful include spironolactone, cimetidine, other drugs that fall in the same class as finasteride, birth control pills, and ketoconazole. While these, or similar agents, may prove helpful in treating your hair loss, they have other effects for which they are FDA approved to treat. Talk with your doctor about using these medications. Your doctor will consider your other medications and any existing medical conditions in treating your hair loss. Consult a hair transplant surgeon. The process of transplanting hair involves removing healthy hair follicles from areas on your scalp where your hair is thick, and transplanting those into areas where the hair is thinning, or where hair loss is most evident. This type of procedure involves removing hundreds of hair follicles and grafting them into areas where they are needed. While hair transplant surgery is expensive, the results are very good and are permanent. Ask your doctor about low-level light therapy. The process of low-level light therapy, or LLLT, was discovered in the 1960s and found to be helpful in promoting wound healing. Several products are available, and approved by the FDA, that use LLLT technology. While the documented results of this form of treatment do not meet scientific measures of efficacy, many individual patients did see positive results. The underlying mechanism of action for LLLT is not completely understood, but studies have indicated that a change occurs at the cellular level, improving hair growth in many people. More work is needed to develop products that work more efficiently. Take vitamins and nutrients. Work with a nutritionist to establish a diet that is rich in any vitamins or nutrients you may not routinely consume, or that your doctor may have identified as deficient. Take vitamins or supplements that may provide additional doses beyond what you consume in diet. Take products that contain omega 3 and omega 6. The use of omega 3 and omega 6 products are not approved for use in the treatment of hair loss. However, one study done in women with FPHL showed good results when they took products contain omega 3 and omega 6 for six months. Another study done in women resulted in positive results when products containing the B vitamins and L-cysteine were taken for a four month duration. There is only substantial scientific evidence that taking vitamins for hair loss will have a significant, positive effect if you have an underlying nutritional disorder. Ask your doctor about taking melatonin. One research study done in a small group of women showed positive results in treating hair loss when melatonin was used. The women that participated in this study showed an increase in the anagen phase of hair growth, and resulted in improvement in hair thinning. The women in the study used a 0.1% topical solution of melatonin applied to the scalp area for six months. This was the first clinical trial using melatonin in this manner. More research is needed to determine any risks that may be involved in using melatonin in this manner. Consider using topical lavender. One small study showed positive results using lavender. There is very little evidence to support the use of herbal remedies in treating hair loss, however one preliminary study showed good results when using lavender combined with other herbal oils, in treating some forms of hair loss. Lavender should not be taken orally. Scalp or skin irritation may occur when lavender is applied topically. | See your doctor to rule out a medical condition. Treat the medical condition. Understand how your hair grows. Realize that telogen effluvium is often temporary. Review your medications with your doctor. Consider the role of genetics. Recognize hair loss from hormonal changes. Evaluate your diet. Realize the changes that occur with age. Try applications of products containing minoxidil. Talk to your doctor about finasteride. Ask your doctor about other possible medications. Consult a hair transplant surgeon. Ask your doctor about low-level light therapy. Take vitamins and nutrients. Ask your doctor about taking melatonin. Consider using topical lavender. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Nurse-a-Baby-Rabbit | How to Nurse a Baby Rabbit | To nurse a baby rabbit, first hold it in a clean hand with its body upright and head slightly lifted. In your other hand, hold a syringe filled with warm goat milk or kitten milk replacer. Next, insert the syringe into the mouth, pointing it toward the side, and slowly press down on the plunger. Be patient, since bunnies nurse slowly and it might resist at first. If it spits out the syringe, wet the baby rabbit's lips with milk and try again. You'll know its time to stop feeding when the bunny's stomach gets slightly rounded. | Choose the correct formula. The best things to feed your baby bunny are kitten milk replacer (KMR) or goat milk. You can get these items from a veterinarian's office or from a pet store. Rabbit's milk has a higher calorie count than other milks, so you need to add calories to the formula. Add 100% heavy whipping cream that has no added sugar. Give them warm formula. When you feed the bunny, you want to make sure that you heat the formula. The formula should be warm, but not hot. It should be around the same temperature as what you would give to an infant. Avoid microwaving the formula. Instead, place the formula in the syringe. Then, put hot water into a bowl and place the syringe in the bowl until it reaches a warm temperature. Protect the formula from contamination. It is very important that you don't feed your bunny contaminated formula. One good way to avoid this is to throw away all formula after using it instead of saving what is left. If you make up formula ahead of time, check it each time to make sure it hasn't gone bad. Look for lumps, a skin on top of it, or a change in color. Use a syringe to give the formula. The best way to give the bunny the formula is with a syringe. This method helps get the formula directly into the mouth. Make sure the needle has been removed from the syringe. Try a 1cc syringe when the bunny is first born. Use a 3mL syringe when the bunny grows older. You can get these from your vet, online, or from pet stores. You can also use an eyedropper. Hold the syringe correctly. When using the syringe or eyedropper, you want to hold it properly to avoid suffocating the bunny. To get the syringe in the mouth, move it side to side at first to insert it. Then move it to the front of the mouth. Make sure the syringe is pointed towards the side or bottom of the mouth, not the throat. This protects the bunny from getting choked if too much formula comes out. Position the bunny properly. When you feed the bunny, don't hold them so they are upside or on their backs. This is not how they would naturally nurse. It may also cause them to suffocate on the milk. Instead, keep them in an upright position. Move their head to where it's slightly higher than their body. Make sure you have a good hold on the bunny, but don't grip them too tight. This can make it hard for them to breathe and nurse. Feed the bunny so they're close to the floor. This is safer in case the bunny jumps out of your hand. Know bunnies nurse slowly. Most bunnies will nurse slowly and take their time as they eat. This is normal. Don't rush the bunny and try to make them eat faster than they want. Instead, set aside enough time for the bunny to nurse at their own pace. Make sure to go slow with the plunger on the syringe. Let the bunny get all the formula and swallow before pushing any more formula. Avoid force feeding the bunny. Babies often resist being fed at first, so you'll need to be patient. If the rabbit spits out the syringe, wet the baby's lips with milk and gently try again. Be patient and keep repeating the process until the bunny willingly takes the milk. If you get frustrated or the baby becomes upset, take a break and try again later. Make sure to feed the bunny enough times throughout the day. When you nurse a baby rabbit, make sure that you feed them the proper amount of times throughout the day. Only feeding them once or twice a day can make them too hungry, so they may overeat when they get access to food. Feed the bunny multiple times throughout the day. When they are first born, feed them small meals every couple of hours while you are awake. Once they are into their second week, reduce that to around every three to four hours while you are awake. By the time they are at their fourth week, you may be able to spread out the feedings again. Check with a vet or a rabbit expert to make sure that you feed the bunny at the correct frequency and in the correct amount for the rabbit's age. You may need to feed the bunnies less. It sometimes depends on the bunny or the breed. As long as the babies are gaining weight steadily, you are probably fine. Watch the cues to know when to stop feeding. When you feed the bunny, don't feed them more than they want. You may think they need to keep eating, but the bunny will let you know when they are full. Watch the cues from the bunny. If they stop eagerly trying to get the formula, it's time to stop. Watch the bunny's tummy. Once it starts to get slightly rounded in shape, you can stop. They've had enough for now. If they start crying, it is time to feed them again. Feed the correct amount. Each time you feed your bunny, you want to make sure you are feeding them the right amount. While watching the cues of the bunny is the best way, you can also have a general idea of the amount of formula needed each day, spread out over your feedings. Each week, you should increase how much you feed the bunnies. Newborns should get around four to five cc of formula. In week two, you should feed them around 10 to 15 cc. In week three, shoot for 15 to 30 cc, and after that, give 30 cc. Wash your hands. To avoid spreading bacteria to baby bunnies or yourself, make sure to wash your hands before and after feeding the bunnies. Use disinfectant soap and wash with hot water. After washing your hands, consider rubbing your hands on fresh hay to make them be more appealing to the baby bunny. Help the bunny eliminate waste. If the bunny is a newborn, they need help to urinate and defecate. This should be done after you nurse them. Take a damp cloth or cotton ball and stroke it over the bunny's genital area. The bunny should start urinating and defecating. Continue to stroke the bunny until the bunny is finished. You should only have to do this until their eyes open, so for around two weeks. Add in pellets and hay. When the baby opens their eyes, you can start adding in pellets and hay to their food options. Place the hay and pellets in the corner of their box or nest so the baby bunny can get them if they want them. Don't give the bunny any fruit and vegetables just yet. Use plain pellets that don't have any additives, like seeds or banana chips. The pellets should high in fiber. For hay, try timothy, orchard, or alfalfa hay. Determine if the bunny needs to be nursed. If your baby bunnies have access to their mother, chances are they are being nursed. You may not see her nurse them, however. This is because rabbits will only nurse their babies a few times each day. Healthy babies will have pink skin, be warm, and appear active. Check for neglect by seeing if the babies are cold, if they are crying throughout the day, if they are a bluish color, if their skin looks unhealthy and shriveled, and if they are not gaining weight or have a sunken stomach. Try not to disturb wild nests of baby bunnies, even if you don't see the mother. Mother rabbits don't stay with their babies in the wild to protect the nest. If you have an orphaned bunny or a neglected, unhealthy bunny, you may need to nurse them. | Choose the correct formula. Give them warm formula. Protect the formula from contamination. Use a syringe to give the formula. Hold the syringe correctly. Position the bunny properly. Know bunnies nurse slowly. Avoid force feeding the bunny. Make sure to feed the bunny enough times throughout the day. Watch the cues to know when to stop feeding. Feed the correct amount. Wash your hands. Help the bunny eliminate waste. Add in pellets and hay. Determine if the bunny needs to be nursed. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-Cheap-Flights-Online | How to Find Cheap Flights Online | To find cheap flights online, research using a variety of tools like online travel agencies, airline websites, and metasearch engines to compare pricing and options across platforms. Look for flights that depart in the middle of the week rather than on the weekend for the cheapest prices. Also, check out the prices for early morning and late evening flights, which tend to be much cheaper than midday fares. | Use an online travel agency. Online travel agencies (OTA) are online booking resources that allow you to conveniently compare airline offerings in one central location just by entering your travel dates and destination. Most OTA's have access to the flight inventory from various airlines which provides a way to view numerous flight options in one location. Because of the large volume of business conducted by the OTA's they are able to offer you the ability to search for flights without charging you a fee. One of the major benefits of OTAs is that the traveler is often exposed to more options than they knew they had, such as different flights, different routes, or different locations. Perks include low rates on last minute tickets as well as packaged deals that include drastically reduced rates on hotel or car rentals. It's important to consider all of your needs and all of your savings options when considering using an OTA. You should never pay more for a ticket on an OTA site than you would from the airline's direct website. In fact, many airlines guarantee the lowest rate possible. Popular OTA sites include makemytrip.com, Expedia.com, and Booking.com. Compare your results to a supplier website. A supplier website is a website that is owned directly by the airline, such as American Airlines or Delta. The decrease in use of OTAs over the past few years has seen a resurgence in people booking flights directly through the airline website. The primary advantage is cost, with more airlines offering special packages or resort credits that are otherwise not offered on third-party sites. Many airlines have spent millions of dollars updating their websites to allow for customization of flight options such as priority boarding or Wi-Fi access. However, these luxuries are often offered at an additional cost. One of the drawbacks to utilizing a supplier website is that comparing prices can be time consuming and cumbersome. Try a metasearch engine. Metasearch engines are search engines that pull indices (or the databases of relevant sites) from many search engines such as Google or Bing. This allows the traveler to access a variety of information regarding airlines, flights, and costs all in one central location. The user can then take advantage of any specials, sales, or promotions being offered by an airline. The traveler is routed to the airline website when they are prepared to book their flight. Popular metasearch engines include Google Flight Search, Hipmunk, and Hopper. One disadvantage is that not all airlines (especially smaller ones) are part of the metasearch engine's database. For example, Southwest Airlines has opted out of having their prices displayed on such search engines. Another disadvantage is that certain airlines pay to have their information listed at the top of the page, so sometimes the information provided by a metasearch engine may appear biased. Use various search tools. Though it may be time consuming, it may be worth it to compare prices among OTAs, airline websites, and metasearch engines. By comparing each search, you'll be able to see if any provider is adding additional fees or if a provider is offering a special promotion. This works well if your travel plans (date/time) are firm. Otherwise, you could get overwhelmed by all of the options presented. Search using incognito or private browsing. When you visit a website to check flight prices, the information is transmitted to the airline website in the form of a cookie. If a particular flight is repeatedly searched, sites will increase the price of the flight to scare you into booking a flight. Use private browsing to avoid a hike in price. If using Google Chrome or Safari, enable incognito by hitting Command (Control if using a PC), Shift, “N.” For Firefox or Explorer, active private browsing by hitting Command (Control if using a PC), Shift, “P.” Start with a clean slate for each flight search by closing out the incognito window. Your cookies reset each time your incognito window is closed. Book your flight 6-8 weeks in advance. The best window for booking a flight is 6-8 weeks before your departure. If booking during peak seasons, purchase your flight about 3 months in advance. Avoid booking too early because airlines will often lower fares based on lack of demand. Likewise, avoid purchasing tickets too late because fares typically rise as the departure date approaches. International flights differ slightly. They typically open up for sale about 335 days prior to departure and the price remains relatively the same for a few months. The price slowly begins to increase until about the 90 day mark when prices jump rapidly. Research has found that Tuesday around midnight is the cheapest time to purchase your ticket, with the average savings being about 6%. However, it's only applicable to 1.6% of the US market. The “always book at midnight” advice is a myth. Prices actually increase on days that fall later in the week. Avoid booking later at night and later in the week when the price of tickets has been known to increase. This spike in cost is most likely due to airlines' sales weeks ending right before the weekend. Use flight points. Sign up for an airline rewards program that allows you to collect points and rewards as you travel. You can cash in your rewards for free flights, free upgrades, and free companion tickets. Even if you don't fly often, you can earn rewards by shopping at partner stores, watching for special offers, or getting a credit card which offers rewards. US based airlines usually partner with other international carriers. For example, a flight on Singapore Airlines could earn you rewards with United Airlines because they are partners. Airlines partner with major companies to offer rewards based on dollars spent. Amazon, Apple, Best Buy, and Target offer anywhere from 2-4 points per dollar spent and even offer bonuses for monthly totals. Newsletters often advertise special offers that aren't noted on an airline's website. For example, you may earn points just by installing a search tool bar or double points by flying a particular route. Some credit cards offer travel rewards already. If not, try applying for a travel rewards credit card. Instead of paying cash for bills and other expenses, charge everything to the card to receive rewards for paying bills as usual. Search for discounts. Take advantage of discounts offered by clubs or organizations of which you may be a member. For example, there are many discounts codes for students. Never be afraid to ask an agent if discounts are available or to use search engines to find promotional (promo) codes. Mailing lists are a great way to get “members only” benefits. Because cheap flight deals are usually only advertised for 24 hours, mailing lists help to ensure that you will be aware of all specials. Pick the cheapest day to fly. Airline ticket prices vary based on the day of the week, time of the year, and approaching holidays. If your arrival and departure dates aren't rigid, try flying out during the middle of the week versus weekends. Additionally, try to book early morning or late night flights which are typically much cheaper because few prefer to travel during these times. Even one day of travel can make a difference. Sometimes the cost of an extra night in a hotel is cheaper than the difference in the cost of flights. Sites like Skyscanner allow you to get a quick visual of prices for the entire month so you can search for the cheapest during any given month. Try a budget airline. A few years ago, if you wanted to travel between continents you were forced to choose a “major” airline like Delta or American Airlines. The last few years have seen the emergence of budget airlines that offer long-haul routes between continents. In America, there are only a few budget airlines, but in Europe and Asia there are many (the competition has helped to keep prices low). Try budget companies such as WOW air or Air Asia X to find rates as low as $30 one way. These airlines tend to offer fewer perks but what you save in price can more than make up for the lack of extras. Be very careful to avoid fees. This is how these smaller airlines make money so be sure to follow the rules to avoid gigantic fees. Take alternative routes. There are many so many budget airlines around the world that sometimes it's more economical to take a low-cost flight to a nearby city, and then take a budget flight to your destination. For example, instead of choosing a direct flight to Amsterdam, try taking a cheaper flight to London, and an even cheaper budget flight from London to Amsterdam. This option does take more work than others as you have to review many different routes and airlines. Additionally, this option can increase your total travel time, but many believe the savings are worth it. Be flexible on your destination. This option only works for travelers who are looking to go “anywhere but home.” If you are open to various destinations, you can choose a country or city based on great deals. There are always airline deals on wonderful and exotic destinations around the world; if you're flexible about your destination, you can always score a great deal. Kayak and Google Flights have features that will show you the cheapest routes and fares based on your airport of departure. | Use an online travel agency. Compare your results to a supplier website. Try a metasearch engine. Use various search tools. Search using incognito or private browsing. Book your flight 6-8 weeks in advance. Use flight points. Search for discounts. Pick the cheapest day to fly. Try a budget airline. Take alternative routes. Be flexible on your destination. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Eyebrow-Tint | How to Remove Eyebrow Tint | To remove eyebrow tint on your face, soak a cotton ball in a silicone or oil-based makeup remover and gently wipe it over your skin. You can also try a gentle exfoliant to get rid of stubborn tint from your face. If the tint has stained other parts of your body, like your hands or arms, dip a cotton ball in nail polish remover or isopropyl alcohol and gently swipe your skin to remove the color. Be sure to wash the area with warm water and soap after the tint comes off. | Scrub your brows with a clarifying shampoo. A clarifying shampoo is designed to strip residue from your hair, so you can use it to strip color from your brows. Be very careful not to get the shampoo in your eyes, though! Use an eyebrow brush or a new toothbrush to brush a clarifying shampoo onto your eyebrows. After 60 seconds, wipe it off, then wash your face as usual to remove any residue. Apply a paste made of equal parts baking soda and shampoo. Combine 1 part baking soda and 1 part of your usual shampoo in a small bowl. Stir the mixture until it forms a thick paste. Use a foundation brush to apply this paste to your eyebrows. After a couple of minutes, carefully rinse the paste off, making sure not to get it in your eyes. You can repeat this process, if necessary. Put lemon juice on your brows. In the morning, squeeze a little lemon juice onto a cotton pad and wipe it onto your brows. Be careful not to get the lemon juice into your eyes! Let the lemon juice stay on your eyebrows until you cleanse your face that night. Spend some time outside while the lemon juice is on your brows, as the sun will increase the lightening effect. Swipe your brows with a facial toner. Pick up a facial toner, like witch hazel, from your supermarket or beauty shop. Squirt a little bit of the toner on a cotton pad, then gently wipe your brows with the cotton pad to lighten the tint. You can repeat this process as many times as is necessary, but keep in mind that if your toner contains alcohol, it may dry out your skin. Try brow gel to lighten their appearance. Choose a colored brow gel at least one shade lighter than the tint. Use an eyebrow brush to lightly sweep the gel over your eyebrows. Make sure you comb through the entire brow so they get an even coloring. Allow the gel to dry, then repeat if you'd like to further lighten the appearance of your brows. Use facial bleach as a last resort. It's best to have an expert do this for you, rather than trying it yourself. Go to a beauty or hair salon and ask a stylist to apply facial bleach, which is first-aid-strength hydrogen peroxide, to your brows in order to lighten them. Your stylist will likely put a few drops of the bleach on a cotton pad, then lightly wipe your eyebrows with the pad to remove the tint. Make sure the bleach does not come in contact with your eyes. Use makeup remover on your face. Sometimes, your eyebrows may look too dark because the dye has soaked into your skin, instead of just your eyebrow hairs. Choose a silicone- or oil-based makeup remover to remove the color from your skin. Dip a cotton ball in the remover, then gently wipe it over your eyebrows. You may be able to see the color transferring from your skin to the cotton ball. Take care not to get the makeup remover in your eyes. Try a tint remover on your hands. Some eyebrow tinting kits come with tint remover in case you get the color on your hands. Read the directions carefully, as this product is usually not intended to be used on your eyebrows or face. Soak a cotton pad in the tint remover, then use it to scrub the stained area. Wash the area with soap and warm water once the color is gone to get rid of any residue from the tint remover. Scrub the stained skin with toothpaste. If you got eyebrow tint on your skin, it may come off with toothpaste. Squeeze a small amount of non-gel toothpaste on a new toothbrush. Scrub the stained area with the toothbrush to remove the color. Repeat, if necessary. Then, rinse off the paste and wash the area with warm soap and water. Try an exfoliator on your face or body. Exfoliators, like lava soap or face or body scrub, will help remove the tint from your skin. Wet your skin, then add a small amount of the lava soap or exfoliator to the area. Scrub your stained skin, rinse, and repeat until the color comes off. If you're using this method on your face, make sure to use an exfoliator designed for facial skin and ensure the product doesn't get in your eyes. Use nail polish remover on your hands or arms. If the tint is on your hands, arms, or another area away from your face, you can get rid of it with nail polish remover. Dip a cotton ball in nail polish remover or isopropyl alcohol. Gently rub the cotton ball over your skin where the color has stained it. You may need to repeat this process several times to remove all the dye. Wash the area with warm water and soap after using nail polish remover or alcohol. Apply WD-40 to areas other than your face. Do not use WD-40 on your face, only use it on your hands, arms, etc. Spray a small amount of WD-40 onto a cotton ball. Rub the cotton ball over the stained skin to remove the color. Make sure to thoroughly wash and rinse the area after using the WD-40 to remove any residue and keep it from irritating your skin. | Scrub your brows with a clarifying shampoo. Apply a paste made of equal parts baking soda and shampoo. Put lemon juice on your brows. Swipe your brows with a facial toner. Try brow gel to lighten their appearance. Use facial bleach as a last resort. Use makeup remover on your face. Try a tint remover on your hands. Scrub the stained skin with toothpaste. Try an exfoliator on your face or body. Use nail polish remover on your hands or arms. Apply WD-40 to areas other than your face. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Go-on-Google-in-China | How to Go on Google in China | To go on Google in China, start by downloading a virtual private network (VPN) protocol. Once it's downloaded, search for things like, “download ExpressVPN,” to find a VPN on the VPN protocol website. Choose a VPN and then download and install it on your computer or device. Then, pick the country you want to connect from to mask your Chinese IP address. After picking a country, you are ready to use Google, just avoid sensitive keywords! | Download a VPN to disguise your IP address. A virtual private network (VPN) obscures the content you are accessing by routing it through a private (and usually encrypted) connection. Many free VPNs will have limits on either bandwidth or total dataflow per day. You can subscribe to higher-volume VPNs for about $10 a month, which may be worth the investment if you know you'll be using them a lot. Consider sharing one VPN account with a few friends to split up the cost. Visit https://en.greatfire.org/ to check whether a given website is blocked or otherwise restricted in China. Understand that the Chinese Internet will not return Western search results. Most Chinese internet users don't need to worry about this, because they generally prefer using sites hosted inside of China that the Chinese government does not block. Baidu, for instance, is a search engine that is more popular in China than Google, and it is not blocked by the government. The broader issue is that Baidu only turns up search results from China – and blocks the rest of the world. Many say that the Chinese government has banned Google and other websites largely for the purpose of keeping Chinese citizens out of the global loop. When you use Baidu instead of Google, you will find what Chinese people search. When you search Google, you will find data from around the world. The same goes for videos: when you search Youku instead of Youtube, you will find what Chinese people search and post. You may find some foreign videos put online by Chinese people, but the service still has its limits. Know that it is technically legal to use a VPN. The Chinese government has never stated that it is illegal to use a VPN to circumvent the "Great Firewall", and nobody has been prosecuted for using a VPN. Despite this, China blocks the websites of most major VPNs. If you access websites that operate in China, remember that they've agreed to disclose information about where you're accessing the site from— and what you're doing on them— upon request from the Chinese government. Explore this list of popular VPNs. Know that any of these providers may or not have been disabled by the Chinese government by the time you read this. Do your research before you download a VPN, and make sure that it hasn't been banned. Upnet: Works well for all devices; it can be used in China and is very stable. fqrouter: Works well for Android. It is free, and it works best if your phone is rooted. If you use a USB to tether your phone to your laptop, you can get access to unblocked Internet on both devices. This VPN has a stable proxy and a wide range of functions. SuperVPN: Works with Android. The first 30 days are free. After the trial, you can get one free hour, but you must connect again after every hour. ExpressVPN: Made to run quickly and stably in China. You can use various apps. The service hosts servers in Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and the west coast of the US. You can get your money back within 30 days, no questions asked. ExpressVPN takes PayPal, most major credit cards, Bitcoin, Unionpay, Alipay, Webmoney, and CashU. VyprVPN: Works with Windows or Linux. You get 500 MB free each month, but you have to pay for more. Works well when configured with OpenVPN. Use the Chameleon Protocol they offer which was developed to get around the Great Firewall. VyprVPN also accepts Alipay and has recently reduced its price points. 12VPN: Headquartered in Hong Kong, and they have experience with the Great Firewall, many Chinese customers. 7-day money-back policy. But no P2P downloading/torrenting. VPN.AC: Various features for Chinese users, including the ability to make OpenVPN traffic look like regular SSL traffic. There are servers in Hong Kong, Singapore, the west coast of the US. The service also features peering with China Telecom and China Unicom. Understand that VPNs come and go. The Chinese government occasionally shuts down some VPN providers, mostly because they crossed some political or other lines, but this has no effect on you if you've already downloaded the software. Currently, China is blocking all VPNs at the protocol level (including corporate VPNs). However, there are other VPN providers that stealth techniques to hide their VPN traffic. Ask locals for up-to-date advice on VPN choices. Most people living there will be able to point you to their favorite, free VPNs. It's rare that already-downloaded VPNs are rendered useless. However, if you find that your VPN provider of choice has been shut down and has become inaccessible to newer users, don't worry – there's always another VPN out there. Bear in mind that VPNs might make some domestic Chinese websites inaccessible. For example, many shopping sites will list Chinese prices— which are typically much cheaper than foreign prices— only when your IP address indicates that you've accessed the site from within China. This means that when you're using your VPN, the site will hide these prices from you because it thinks you're accessing it from outside China – say the US. Use a VPN protocol. You will need to download a VPN protocol— a host, of sorts— to set up most of the VPN providers. OpenVPN: This is currently a less stable protocol/client, although it has been reliable in the past. Know that most ports are blocked – connection reset. The primary cause seems to be spoofed RST packets. L2TP: This is a quick protocol for China. At the time of posting, it functions well. PPTP: Only use this if L2TP isn't working. PPTP is generally slower and less predictable than L2TP. SSTP: Use SSTP to connect over secure HTTPS (Port 443). This lets clients access networks securely behind NAT routers, firewalls, and web proxies. You won't need to worry about the usual port-blocking problems. Download and install the VPN. Simply run a web search for the VPN client that you plan to use. For instance, "download ExpressVPN". You should find a link to the VPN protocol website. If you can't find a website, try downloading a program on a torrent site. Run the VPN program. The interface will be slightly different for each VPN, but you will almost always be prompted to choose a country. This country (e.g. South Korea or Canada) is the country from which you will be pretending to access Google. The VPN will scramble your IP address so that it looks like you're accessing the site from X foreign country. If the VPN has not been restricted by the Chinese government, you should be able to circumvent the Great Firewall. Choose which country you want to mask your IP address. Once the VPN is downloaded, select the country that you want to connect to – for instance, the United States or South Korea. Once you've connected, you should be able to visit any site that's blocked in China: Google, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Netflix, etc. When in China, try to connect to a VPN server in Asia (e.g. in China, Hong Kong, Bangkok). The next-best option is to connect to a server on the west coast of the US (e.g. Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco). Chinese users are often visiting websites based in Mainland China, so the VPN server must be based near the country to keep speeds fast. Westerners, on the other hand, need a server-based as close as possible to the web server's country of origin – for instance, choose a US IP address to access a US website. Western websites will always load much faster through a VPN closer to the home country than to China. On the flip side, Chinese websites will load very slowly with a western IP, because you're routing the web traffic to the other side of the world, then back again. Make sure that you have a solid broadband connection. Working through a VPN requires much more bandwidth than a standard internet connection. Thus, it cannot be done easily on slower internet connections – especially public networks in places like cafes, airport terminals, and hotels. Be careful using Google in China, even with a VPN. When you're using Google services, don't try to search for sensitive keywords that might catch the attention of the Chinese government. Your connection will be reset, meaning that you'll be shut off of the Internet for about 90 seconds. You should be able to get back on when you can see the website's logo again. | Download a VPN to disguise your IP address. Understand that the Chinese Internet will not return Western search results. Know that it is technically legal to use a VPN. Explore this list of popular VPNs. Understand that VPNs come and go. Bear in mind that VPNs might make some domestic Chinese websites inaccessible. Use a VPN protocol. Download and install the VPN. Run the VPN program. Choose which country you want to mask your IP address. Make sure that you have a solid broadband connection. Be careful using Google in China, even with a VPN. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Gravy-Without-Drippings | How to Make Gravy Without Drippings | To make gravy without drippings, start by melting butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Next, slowly whisk in flour, and gradually add broth or stock as you stir the ingredients together. Continue to cook the gravy until the mixture bubbles and thickens to the right consistency. Finally, add black pepper, chopped parsley, or any other herbs you'd like to season the gravy with. | Melt the butter. Place the butter in a large saucepan and set it over medium heat. Allow the butter to melt completely. To help the butter melt faster, cut it into six to eight chunks before tossing it into the saucepan. Rotate the saucepan as needed to spread the butter evenly across the bottom. Whisk in the flour. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the melted butter, then quickly and continually whisk the two ingredients together. Add the flour gradually to prevent any of it from burning or clumping together. After combining all of the flour and butter, continue whisking for another 1 or 2 minutes. Prolonged exposure to heat should "cook out" the raw flour taste and give the resulting gravy better flavor. Gradually add the broth. Pour the broth or stock into the saucepan, whisking well and continually after each addition. Use chicken or turkey broth to create a gravy for poultry dishes, or beef broth to create a classic beef gravy. For a generic brown gravy, consider using two parts beef broth and one part chicken broth. Continue cooking the gravy until the mixture bubbles. Once it bubbles, it should also thicken to the right consistency. Season the gravy. Sprinkle the gravy with black pepper and chopped parsley, if desired. Mix well to combine. Adjust the amount of each seasoning to taste. Since canned broth is usually quite salty, extra salt usually isn't needed. You can add some to the gravy if desired, however. Serve. Remove the pan from the stove and serve the gravy while it's still hot. If you aren't ready to serve it yet but plan to do so soon, keep the pan on the stove over very low heat until the rest of the meal is ready. Stir the gravy occasionally. If you won't be ready to use the gravy soon, pour it into an airtight container and refrigerate it. Simmer it on the stove until heated through prior to serving. Melt the butter. Add the butter to a large saucepan and set it over medium-low heat. Allow the butter to completely melt. Cutting the butter into smaller chunks can help it melt faster. Occasionally turn the saucepan as the butter melts. Doing so should spread the butter over the bottom of the pan more evenly. Cook the onion. Add the chopped onion to the melted butter. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 12 to 15 minutes or until the onions are lightly browned. If you're in a hurry, you can increase the heat to medium and shorten the cook time to about 5 to 8 minutes. You should not increase the heat beyond that, however, since doing so may burn the onions. Adding onions to the gravy base will add more flavor, which is especially important when you aren't working with pan drippings. Whisk in the flour. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and butter. Quickly and completely whisk it into the contents of the pan. After the flour has absorbed the remaining butter, continue cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes so that the heat can remove the raw flour taste. Pour in the broth. Gradually pour the broth into the saucepan, whisking continuously to combine. Cook for another 4 to 5 minutes, or until the gravy bubbles and thickens. If you haven't done so already, increase the heat to medium. Note that you can use any broth for this recipe. You can even combine broths to create a more complex flavor. For instance, using two parts beef broth and one part chicken broth can create an appetizing brown gravy suitable for potatoes and other side dishes. Whisk in the brandy, if desired. If you want to further deepen the flavor profile of the gravy, add the brandy. Stir well to combine and cook for another 2 or 3 minutes. The heat should break down the alcohol while you cook it, leaving only the flavor behind. Add the cream. Remove the gravy from the heat and pour in the cream or milk. Whisk well to combine. It's best to use room temperature or slightly warmed dairy to prevent it from curdling once it touches the hot gravy. Continue whisking until the gravy takes on an even coloration. Season the gravy. Sprinkle the gravy with ground black pepper, to taste, then stir to combine. Since most broths are already quite salty, you probably won't need to add any salt, but you may still do so if you prefer gravies with stronger, saltier tastes. Strain, if necessary. You can serve the gravy as it is, but if you don't want chunks of onion in it, strain out the onions by pouring the gravy through a strainer. Choose a strainer with medium holes. Fine mesh strainers will also work, but you may need to force the thick liquid gravy through these tiny holes using a spatula. Serve. Enjoy the gravy while it's still hot. If you need to keep it warm, set the saucepan back on the stove over very low heat and whisk it occasionally until you're ready to use it. You can refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container, but you'll need to heat them on the stove again prior to use. Combine the water and cornstarch. Whisk the two ingredients together in a small bowl until the cornstarch dissolves, forming a thick slurry. Set the dish aside. Cornstarch and flour are both thickeners, but cornstarch also gives thickened liquids a mild gloss, while flour alone can leave gravies looking dull. Since cornstarch is sensitive to prolonged cooking, however, you'll need to use both cornstarch and flour as thickeners in this recipe. Melt the butter. Toss the butter into a large saucepan and set it over medium to medium-high heat. Let the butter melt completely. Cutting the butter into smaller pieces prior to adding it may help the butter melt faster. Spread the melted butter over the entire bottom of the pan by shifting the pan as it melts. Add the shallot. Toss the chopped shallots into the melted butter. Cook, stirring frequently, for 30 to 60 seconds or until the shallots become notably fragrant. Shallots have a mild, sweet onion taste that is also somewhat reminiscent of garlic. If you don't have any, you can use 1/4 cup (60 ml) chopped sweet onion or 2 large, minced garlic cloves. You may also omit the ingredient completely, but doing so will result in less flavorful gravy. Whisk in the flour. Sprinkle the flour over the contents of the pan. Cook, whisking continually, for about 5 minutes or until the roux looks golden brown. You need to cook the flour roux for at least 1 minute after the flour absorbs the remaining butter; otherwise, the gravy may retain some bitterness from the taste of raw flour. Gradually pour in the broth. Pour the broth into the seasoned roux, whisking constantly to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil while you continue whisking. You can use nearly any broth for this recipe, including beef, chicken, or turkey. To create a generic brown gravy, consider using two parts beef gravy and one part chicken gravy. Whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Once the gravy is at a boil, pour in the cornstarch slurry and whisk well. Continue simmering the gravy for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until it thickens. Note that the water and cornstarch may separate as the slurry sits, so you may need to quickly stir the slurry before mixing it into the gravy. Season the gravy. Sprinkle the gravy with black pepper, as desired, and mix to combine. Most commercial broths are fairly salty, so you probably won't need to add any extra salt. If you choose to do so anyway, add the salt in small amounts and taste the gravy in between each addition. Serve. For the best flavor and texture, serve the gravy immediately, while it's still hot. You can keep the gravy warm by setting it on the stove over very low heat, but try to use it within the next 15 to 20 minutes. Cornstarch can break down when exposed to prolonged heat, and if that happens, the gravy will become thinner. Refrigerate any leftovers and reheat them on the stove prior to use. Whisk the gravy well to work out any congealed lumps. | Melt the butter. Whisk in the flour. Gradually add the broth. Season the gravy. Serve. Melt the butter. Cook the onion. Whisk in the flour. Pour in the broth. Whisk in the brandy, if desired. Add the cream. Season the gravy. Strain, if necessary. Serve. Combine the water and cornstarch. Melt the butter. Add the shallot. Whisk in the flour. Gradually pour in the broth. Whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Season the gravy. Serve. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-Butterfly-with-a-Broken-Wing | How to Care for a Butterfly with a Broken Wing | If you find a butterfly with a broken wing, gently grab the butterfly by the wings just above the body, then carefully transfer it to a glass jar. Loosely cover the jar, then place it into the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to calm the butterfly. If less than 1/3 of the wing is damaged, you can carefully trim the other wing so they both match, which won't hurt the butterfly and will still allow it to fly. For more severe damage, make a splint out of cardstock and contact adhesive. | Grasp the butterfly. Before touching the butterfly, make sure your hands are clean and dry. With the wings closed, grab the butterfly by the wings just above the body. You don't need to hold it very hard, just tight enough to keep it from wriggling free. Contrary to popular belief, you won't harm the butterfly simply by touching it. A butterfly can lose some scales and still fly just fine. The real hazard comes from the fact that the wings are very thin and delicate. Holding it upside down can calm it down. Place the butterfly in the refrigerator. While this step may seem cruel, it can calm the butterfly enough so that you can work on it. You're not trying to kill the butterfly. You're just trying to sedate it a bit. Stick it in a smooth container. A glass works well for this step. You may need to partially cover it if the butterfly is still able to flutter. However, make sure to leave room for air flow. Don't leave the butterfly in the refrigerator for longer than 10 minutes, as it could eventually kill the butterfly. Get your supplies ready. You'll need a towel, as well as a wire clothing hanger. You'll also need tape or contact adhesive (found at auto part stores), scissors, and maybe tweezers. Toothpicks, cotton swabs, baby powder, and lightweight card stock (the kind that has different colors on each side is best) can also be helpful. You may also need extra butterfly wings if the butterfly is missing much of its wing. You can find broken pieces in places where butterflies congregate, or you can use a wing from a dead butterfly. The contact adhesive is the type that you paint on both surfaces. You then give it a chance to dry before pushing it together. Bend the hook on the wire clothing hanger. It should form a loop that will just fit over the butterfly's main body (not the wings). Cut to make wings even. One way to do a minor repair is to simply cut the butterfly's wings to make them even. They need to be even for the butterfly to fly, so cutting them to be even can work if one wing only has minor damage. Grasp the butterfly just above the body with the wings closed. Cut the undamaged wing to match the damaged wing. Only use this method if less than 1/3 of the wing is missing. The butterfly is not hurt when you cut the wing. It's like getting a haircut. This option is also a good one if you're not willing to repair the wing with glue or splints. In other words, taking off damaged wings, even both of them, can help the butterfly more than just leaving it with damaged wings. It may not be able to fly, but it may still be able to lay eggs. Immobilize the butterfly for more severe damage. Lay out a towel on a table. Place the butterfly flat on the table with its legs facing down. Place the loop of the clothes hanger over the butterfly. It should go around the body, but press down lightly on the wings. You can even lightly weigh down the other end of the hanger to hold it in place. Keep the lighting dim, as that can help calm the butterfly. You can also use tweezers to press down around the butterfly's body, holding it down. However, that only gives you one hand to work with. Extend the wings by grasping one edge and pulling out gently. Prepare a splint for a bent wing. Cut a tiny piece of card stock. It only needs to be a few millimeters wide. For length, it needs to be long enough to go across the break in the wing (once you line it up), but that's it. In other words, you need a very small piece of card stock. Use a toothpick to add glue to one side of the card stock. Also, paint a small line of contact adhesive across the bend in the wing. Take off any extra adhesive. Let both sets of glue dry. Note that contact adhesive is not just regular glue. It is a special type of adhesive that sticks to itself when dry. Line up the wing perfectly. Press the card stock, glue-side down, across the crack. It's easiest to use tweezers for this step. After a moment, release the butterfly. Gently lift the butterfly's wing from the towel if the glue stuck it down. Also, sprinkle a light dusting of baby powder over the glued area so it doesn't stick to the other wing as the final step of this repair. You can use a cotton swab to help spread the powder out. Another option for a torn wing is simply a piece of scotch or duct tape. Once you immobilize the butterfly, use a small piece of tape across the bend or tear. However, this method won't provide as much structure as the small splint. Replace a significantly damaged wing. If the wing is missing a significant part or is badly damaged, you can either reattach the missing part or put on a new wing. Start by cutting off the wing if it is badly damaged, leaving some at the bottom as a place to attach a new wing. Make sure the butterfly is laid out on the towel for this whole step. Line up the wing. Whether you are adding a new wing or using a part of the wing that has fallen off, it's important to line it up as close as you can to the old veins. If you are adding a new wing, try to pick one as close in size to the other wing as possible. Trim it so only a small bit overlaps. Add glue. Use a toothpick to apply contact adhesive to both edges off the wing, the parts that will slightly overlap and stick together. Take off any extra adhesive, and let it dry. While it dries, make sure to keep the butterfly immobilized, as you don't want it to glue its wings together. Once the glue dries, press the two edges of the wing together. You can add a small strip of card stock with the same gluing technique to help bridge the gap. Once you've glued everything in place, sprinkle baby powder over the glued area to keep it from sticking to the other wing. Check for any mistakes before releasing the butterfly. For instance, make sure the other wing doesn't stick to the glue. Also, make sure all parts are moving. Research your particular butterfly. Different butterflies have different needs. Some butterflies do not eat at all as adults. These butterflies only eat as caterpillars. However, most do eat some type of food, usually nectar that you can substitute a sugary solution for. Try using a butterfly book or an online database of butterflies to find your butterfly, which will have more information about what the butterfly eats. In addition, if you find the specific butterfly you have in captivity, you can learn what kind of flowers they usually visit. That way, you can provide them with those flowers instead of a sugar solution. Monarchs, for instance, often visit milkweed flowers, among others. Provide a food source. Since your butterfly had a damaged wing, it hasn't been able to get to food very well. Therefore, it may be pretty weak once you finish. Providing a food source gives the butterfly the energy it needs to move onward. One solution is to find flowers that your butterfly normally eats. Use your research to find wildflowers in your area for your butterfly. Set them near your butterfly, then set the butterfly on the flower so it can drink the nectar. Create "nectar. " You can create a nectar substitute for your butterfly with things you have in your pantry. This solution will be enough to get the butterfly going again, letting it find it's own food source. In a small cup, add about half a cup of room temperature water. Add a tablespoon of sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves. If it doesn't dissolve, you can heat up the water to help it dissolve. Just make sure it cools before you give it to your butterfly. Add paper towel wicks. Roll up a 5-inch-by-7-inch piece of paper towel. Put one end in the water, and drape the other end over the edge of a the cup. This wick will bring the solution up to the edge of the cup, making it easier for your butter fly to drink. Set your butterfly on the edge of the cup at the wick so it can drink. Some butterflies, especially male butterflies, can eat fresh fruit such as peaches, plums, cherries, or oranges. Break the fruit open so that the butterfly can get to the flesh. Release the butterfly. Hold out your hand so the butterfly crawls onto your finger. If it won't crawl up, grasp it with the wings closed just above the body. You can let the butterfly loose as soon as it has regained its strength with some sugar water or nectar. You don't need to wait for it to "heal." Let the butterfly sit on your finger for a minute. Take it outside. Let it sit on your finger until it is ready to fly away. The butterfly will gather warmth from your body before moving on, which is important if you chilled it. It needs to be at least 55 °F (13 °C) outside for the butterfly to survive. | Grasp the butterfly. Place the butterfly in the refrigerator. Get your supplies ready. Cut to make wings even. Immobilize the butterfly for more severe damage. Prepare a splint for a bent wing. Replace a significantly damaged wing. Research your particular butterfly. Provide a food source. Create "nectar. Release the butterfly. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-Ducks | How to Take Care of Ducks | To take care of ducks, start by keeping them in a secure pen or other safe enclosure that provides plenty of space for them to move around. Next, provide your ducks with plenty of high quality, non-medicated poultry food so they can graze on it frequently throughout the day and make sure they have constant access to fresh water. Since ducks are very social creatures, it's also important to give them plenty of time during the day to socialize, eat, and play together. | House your ducks in a secure pen. Ducks require a safe structure to live in. An enclosure or pen will keep them from wandering (or flying) away from your house and allow them a measure of safety. You can erect a suitable enclosure using chicken wire or another fencing material. If the ducks will be spending their days in this pen, it should provide 1.5 square meters (16 square feet) of space per duck. Most commercially grown ducks are too heavy to fly far, and will stay near sources of food and water. To be on the safe side, however, be sure to put a layer of fencing material over the top of the duck pen, so that they don't fly away. Placing a layer of fencing material over the top of the pen will also keep birds of prey like hawks and eagles from entering the pen and taking away a duck. If you don't already have an erected enclosure, you should be able to find all of the necessary components (at minimum: chicken wire and fence posts) at your local hardware or home-supply store. In areas where predators like raccoons, skunks, and coyotes are common, the pen must be sturdy enough to keep them out. Raccoons can tear through flimsy material, so you need to use a strong, heavy gauge wire. These animals can also dig, so the wire should be buried at least 6 inches (15.24 centimeters) underground around the entire perimeter of the pen. Provide your ducks with a small shed. This shed should be located inside of the pen or enclosure, and should be stable enough to provide ducks with protection from wind and inclement elements. Make sure that the shed has firm, stable walls which are opaque and can provide the ducks with shade on sunny days. If the ducks will be sleeping in the shed, it should provide 0.5 square meters (5 square feet) of space per duck. Since ducks defecate frequently, the housing shed needs to be well ventilated. Lay rice hulls or straw inside of the ducks' shed. Good care is required in this area if you would like your ducks to remain healthy. Be sure to give them new hay or straw at least once a week. This material will serve as your ducks' bedding and also as a surface for them to walk on. You should be able to purchase rice hulls or straw at a farm-supply store. Lock the door to your ducks' house. Be sure that the ducks will not be able to open the lock and get out of their house. Also, be sure that other animals won't be able to get into their home and eat the ducks or their eggs. However, make sure that the lock is easy to open and close when you enter and exit their house. If you prefer not to purchase a lock for the door of the ducks' shed, try pushing a heavy stone at the bottom of the door. If your area has a heavy predator population, the shed and its door should be strong and sturdy. In this case a good lock is imperative to lock the ducks in at night when predators are active. Provide your ducks with non-medicated poultry food. Ducks will eat frequently throughout the day. Rather than establishing a specific feeding time, allow them constant access to food. Domesticated ducks typically eat pellet mash. You can also feed your ducks chopped vegetables and worms (of any variety) as the occasional treat. You should be able to buy a good-quality poultry feed at your local pet store or farm-supply store. Do not give your ducks medicated food. This type of poultry food is engineered to be given to hens in a poultry farm to stop the spread of disease. Feeding medicated food to your ducks could harm their health. Read the labels on your feed carefully to make sure it's suitable for ducks. Typically, non-medicated chicken feed is suitable for adult ducks. Keep fresh drinking water out at all times. Ducks need constant access to water. Not only do they drink about 1 liter (0.25 gallons) of water a day, but they also need water to help them swallow and digest their food. Provide the ducks with water in a metal dish, and place this next to a similar dish containing the ducks' pellet mash food. If the ducks have immediate access to a pond or lake in their enclosure, they will be less reliant on you to provide them with drinking water. Clean out the duck shed daily. Ducks are messy, unclean animals; they defecate frequently and, unlike cats and dogs, cannot be trained to use one specific area for their bathroom. In order to keep the ducks' shed clean and to maintain their good health, you'll need to scoop out all of the duck feces from the floor of their living area. Also, change their food and water and wash the shed walls as necessary. Cleaning the shed is even more important in the winter, since ducks will be spending more time inside of the shed and less time outside. You may need to clean the shed multiple times a day. The more ducks you have, the more often you will need to clean the shed. By providing a roomy shed with plenty of bedding material, you will be able to keep your ducks reasonably clean and comfortable. Allow your ducks to socialize. Ducks are highly social animals, and will become lonely, sad, and unhealthy if deprived of other ducks' company. Give your ducks plenty of time during the day to socialize, eat, and (if they're juveniles) play together. If you're acquiring ducks for the first time, never adopt just one. Always buy or adopt at least two ducks so they can keep one another company. If you're adopting the ducks as young ducklings, it will be challenging to identify the gender of the ducks. If you're hoping for a male and female pairing, you may be disappointed. Give your ducks daily access to a body of water. While ducks do need water to drink and eat their food with, they also need a deeper body of water to groom themselves in. Ducks love to swim and it keeps them clean. If the ducks don't already have a small pond or lake within their enclosure, you can shepherd them to a nearby pond on your property. You can also fill a bath with water for the ducks to swim in. Ducks will also groom themselves in available water in order to keep their feathers, bills, eyes, and other body parts clean. Consequently, the water set out needs to be deep enough for them to fully submerge themselves in. The pond or body of water should be at least 8 inches (20 cm) deep. While a small plastic “kiddie” pool will technically fulfill the ducks' needs, they will be able to exercise more if given a larger pool or actual pond to swim in. If you don't want them in your actual swimming pool, check out the wikiHow: How to Keep Ducks Out of a Pool. Allow your ducks to forage in a garden. If you have a garden near your house, you can let your ducks freely roam through it. Ducks enjoy eating grass found in gardens, and will also root around in your mulch to find worms and insect larvae. This will supplement the ducks' diet, satisfy their natural curiosity, and provide them with entertainment. On the other hand, if you don't want ducks to get into your garden and eat greens and vegetables, you may need to erect a fence around the garden to keep inquisitive ducks out. Provide your ducks with toys to play with. Ducks are intelligent and naturally curious, and will be interested in playing with small objects. Set a small stuffed animal or a ball inside the ducks' enclosure, and over time, they'll start to pick up and play with the toy. If you want to play with the ducks, try rolling a toy ball towards them. Make sure that any toys you provide are safe for the ducks to play with. Don't give them any toys that have small parts that the ducks may swallow. Talk to a veterinarian about worming your ducks. Ducks tend to be healthy pets and have relatively few medical problems. However, ducks may contract various forms of internal (intestinal) and external worms. On average, domestic ducks need to go through a de-worming procedure once every 6 months. Speak with your veterinarian, and ask if they recommend a specific product that you can use at home. Regular swimming can help keep ducks healthy by allowing them to wash mites and other parasites out of their feathers. If your ducks do not have access to adequate water, they will be more likely to contract mites or worms. Inspect your ducks' feet for injuries or ulcers. Ducks' feet are sensitive and tender, and can be damaged from walking on rough surfaces. Look at your ducks' feet every couple of weeks—if you notice any “ulcers” (which cause sores, swelling, or limping), take your duck to the veterinarian. To help protect your ducks' feet, cover the floor of their shed with a generous layer of straw or rice hulls. Avoid letting your ducks walk on bare concrete or cement. Watch for wing injuries. Ducks tend to be clumsy animals, and can easily damage their wings by running or flying into an immovable object in their environment. Regularly look for any ducks that seem to be favoring one wing, or that have a wing sticking away from their body at an odd angle. If you find that a duck has injured or broken a wing, take the animal to the vet immediately. Juvenile ducklings can easily damage their wings while learning to fly, since juveniles are unsteady and inexperienced flyers. | House your ducks in a secure pen. Provide your ducks with a small shed. Lay rice hulls or straw inside of the ducks' shed. Lock the door to your ducks' house. Provide your ducks with non-medicated poultry food. Keep fresh drinking water out at all times. Clean out the duck shed daily. Allow your ducks to socialize. Give your ducks daily access to a body of water. Allow your ducks to forage in a garden. Provide your ducks with toys to play with. Talk to a veterinarian about worming your ducks. Inspect your ducks' feet for injuries or ulcers. Watch for wing injuries. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Chicory-Coffee | How to Make Chicory Coffee | To make chicory coffee, start by slicing the chicory root into thin pieces and cooking them in your oven at 350 degrees F until they're golden brown. Once they're cool, grind the pieces to a fine powder in a coffee grinder, or by using a mortar and pestle. Then, mix 1 part ground chicory with 4 parts ground coffee and brew your chicory coffee as you normally would in your coffee maker. If you're trying to reduce your coffee consumption, gradually increase the amount of chicory until your grounds are equal parts chicory and coffee. | Get some chicory root. You can buy the root whole from a local grocery store or spice market, or you can also dig up the plant in the wild. Chicory is a beautiful purple flower that grows in empty lots and beside the road in North America. You can also purchase ground chicory root that has already been mixed with coffee grounds. Chicory coffee is a New Orleans specialty, so you may need to order online if you aren't in the area. Find chicory in the wild. Learn how to identify it so that you don't dig up the wrong plant. Chicory is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows in gravel or weedy fields, often beside roadways, across most of Canada and the U.S. The flowers are light blue or lavender and slightly ruffled at the ends of their petals. Dig up the plant carefully to preserve the roots. To prepare for coffee, wash the roots until all the dirt is off. Dry the whole root on a towel in the sun. The chicory plant flowers from July to October. The flowers only open on sunny days. The roots, however, are best to pick between fall and spring. The leaves and root of the plant are the bits that most people eat. The flower itself is technically edible, but it has a bitter taste. Mince the roots with a sharp knife. The bits should be no longer than one inch each. Make sure that they are small enough that they will roast quickly, but not so small that they will burn through. You don't need to worry about peeling the root. Toast the chicory root. Arrange the root pieces on a baking sheet, then cook at 350 degrees until golden brown. You should smell a rich, coffee-like aroma. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the chicory cool. Grind the chicory root. Use a coffee grinder to reduce the root to a fine powder. If you intend to mix the chicory root with coffee grounds, then you should try to grind your chicory to about the same coarseness as your coffee. If you don't have a coffee grinder, try mincing the root very finely. Try using a mortar and pestle to crush the toasted root. Mix ground chicory with ground coffee. The ratio is completely up to you. Coffee is caffeinated, and chicory is not. Chicory is usually somewhat more acidic than coffee, although some prefer the taste. Experiment with various ratios of chicory to coffee until you find a combination that suits you. Perhaps you only want to "cut" your coffee for the taste of the chicory. You may want to stretch your coffee supply so that it lasts a bit longer. Try a 1:4 or 1:5 ratio of chicory to coffee. If you are trying to seriously reduce your coffee consumption, try a 1:2 or a 2:3 ratio of chicory to coffee. Consider drinking a mostly-chicory blend. Perhaps you want the warmth and the taste of coffee, but not the stimulating effects. Try a 4:1 or 5:1 blend of chicory to coffee. Brew chicory coffee. Make coffee as you normally would, using a french press, a coffee machine, a pour-over, or a pot of boiling water. Use the mixed chicory-and-coffee grounds in place of straight coffee grounds. The brew time and the other logistics should be the same as making regular coffee. Consider using chicory as a way to wean yourself off of coffee. Over the course of several weeks, gradually increase the ratio of chicory to coffee until you are drinking mostly non-caffeinated chicory. Boil chicory coffee. Bring one cup of water to a boil, then add two tablespoons of the minced and toasted chicory root. Cover and let simmer for 10-15 minutes. Double or triple the recipe depending on the volume that you want. Alternately, grind the chicory root and brew the powder. Brew chicory coffee however you usually brew coffee. Use a french press, a coffee machine, a pour-over, or any other method of your choosing. You may also boil and simmer the powder as you would with the minced root. Drink chicory coffee. Strain the brew into a cup and enjoy! Chicory is caffeine-free, which is part of why so many people favor it as a coffee substitute. Chicory is also touted for a bevy of health benefits, including digestive and immunity support, high antioxidant levels, reduced inflammation, and a lowered heart rate. Try adding honey and milk, or molasses, or a sweetener of your choice. Chicory can be somewhat more acidic than regular coffee, so it may taste better if you cut it. | Get some chicory root. Find chicory in the wild. Mince the roots with a sharp knife. Toast the chicory root. Grind the chicory root. Mix ground chicory with ground coffee. Brew chicory coffee. Boil chicory coffee. Alternately, grind the chicory root and brew the powder. Drink chicory coffee. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Your-Ex-Back-Fast | How to Get Your Ex Back Fast | To get your ex back fast, start by admitting to any mistakes you made and apologizing for them to show you understand where your relationship went wrong. For example, say something like, “I know I should have paid more attention to your feelings and I'm really sorry.” After you've apologized for anything you did wrong, tell your partner how your relationship makes you a better person and how much you love them so they can see how important they are to you. You can also remind them of good memories you've shared so they remember how happy you were together. If you want to make a romantic gesture, consider sending your partner flowers or writing a love letter to show them how much you care. | Get in touch. If you want to get someone back quickly, your first task is getting them to talk to you again. That can sometimes be the toughest part. You want to be sincere and swift, without trying to come off as desperate or needy. If you were dumped, give your partner at least 24 hours to cool down before you go back. They need some time to cool down. If you did the dumping, get in touch as quickly as possible to let your partner know how you messed up. Call them now and apologize. If you send a text message, make it short and keep it simple. A short "thinking of you" is better than a paragraph expressing your deep, passionate love. Only do this once or twice a day, at the most. Be careful about just showing up at someone's door. This isn't usually advisable, and can come off as stalking behavior. If you're not welcome, don't just show up at an ex's door. Admit your mistake(s). Tell your ex that you messed up. Say that you know what went wrong in the relationship, specifically focusing on your role. It's not the time to call out your partner or try to be blunt about the challenges you face. If you want them back fast, just say it: "I was wrong, and I'm sorry". If your ex messed up, let them know you forgive them. Be willing to work it out. Be genuine and be honest. If you're not actually sorry, why are you trying to get your ex back anyway? Make sure you're not wasting your time. Show your ability to change. Knowing where you went wrong isn't enough. Let your ex see you take the first steps toward a positive change. Start taking those steps, now. Be willing to commit. Some serious problems may not have easy solution. Instead of focusing on these issues, show that you can change by working on the things that can be fixed immediately. If you were a heavy smoker and your ex hated it, try to quit. Let your ex witness the attempt. Show them that you've already changed. Explain how important your partner is to you. Explain to your ex how much better your life is when it involves them. Describe how much you love your ex. Be open and honest, without straying into fake flattery. Tell your partner how the relationship changed you for the better. Tell them about the things your relationship taught you and the faults your relationship had started to correct. Don't get desperate. Telling your ex that you can't live without her or that no other man will ever compare to him is too dramatic. It'll sound fake. Focus on good memories. Remind your ex of the positives in your relationship. You can't ignore the problems you had, but try to rekindle the good memories. Discuss the things about your relationship that did work. What was strong about the relationship? What was deserving of attention? Do something romantic. Kindhearted gestures are a good idea. You want your ex to see your thoughtful side. It's a simple way to show how much you care and how serious you are about getting back together. Send flowers, candy, or cook a favorite meal. Write a love letter. Put pen to paper and write out your feelings in the most honest way possible. An old-fashioned love letter is much more personal than a text or e-mail. Put your ex's needs first. Throughout the entire process, you need to put your ex's needs and desires above your own. Be sincere. Make time for your ex. Let your partner know that continuing your relationship is a high priority on your list of things to do. Listen when your ex speaks. Be excited for your ex when he or she tells you about something great that happened. Let your ex talk without interrupting or changing the topic. Make sure getting back together is a good idea. Be honest with yourself. If your desire to get back together is about pride or blind emotion, you might want to rethink the decision. Is this relationship worth saving? Don't rush. As a general rule, you should give yourself a full two weeks to think things through. If your ex moves on during that time, there wasn't much of a relationship to save, anyway. Look at things from your ex's perspective. If you've gotten your ex to at least speak to you again, there's still probably a lot more work to do with the relationship. Start working it out and try to understand how your ex felt, and feels. There are two sides to every dispute. You know your own side of the story well enough, but if you want to convince your ex to get back together with you, you'll need to understand their side of things, too. If you lied to your ex and it led to your breakup, ask yourself how you would feel if it happened to you. Put yourself in your partner's shoes. Give your partner some space. Don't force your way into your ex's life when they want you to stay away. Move at their speed. While you might think that space will slow the relationship down, it can actually bring your ex around faster when all is said and done. By giving your ex time and space to breathe, you allow them to calm down and think things through sooner. Stalking includes both physical stalking and cyber stalking. Your ex will let you know about things they want you to know about. Going out of your way to learn more can seem desperate and creepy. Stay positive. When you talk to your ex about getting back together, do so calmly and in a positive tone. Never try to push your ex back into a relationship if he or she really doesn't want it. A better option is to have a serious yet relaxed attitude. You need to make sure that your ex knows you're serious in your intentions, but speaking to you should be easy and free of pressure. Try not to slip into the friend zone. Staying friends with your ex is great if you can manage it, but if you want to get back together, you need to offer your partner more than just friendship. It's okay to be a friend to your ex. Listen to his or her concerns and support your ex as a friend would. The strongest relationships are usually built on a deep sense of friendship. Don't stop with being just a friend, though. You won't win your ex back simply by being friends with him or her. You need to make an effort at rekindling the romance, too. Never beg. Even if you feel desperate, you shouldn't let your ex think you are. Keep your dignity throughout the process, and don't make it seem as though your ex will be doing you a favor by agreeing to get together again. Emotional strength and maturity are naturally attractive to both sexes. Begging either comes across as being weak or manipulative, and neither attribute is an especially alluring one. Don't be a doormat. You need to let your ex know that their needs come first, but if your ex becomes too demanding and unreasonable, you need to know when to walk away. Remember your own self-worth. Even if you messed up before, it doesn't give your ex the right to take advantage of you. An ex who treats you like a doormat will usually only use you and eventually throw you away. Even if your ex does come back to you under these conditions, he or she won't respect you, and the relationship won't be a healthy one. Don't make yourself seem too pitiful. Don't make it seem as though your ex was the only good thing in your life. It's okay to feel upset about the breakup and to let your ex see it, but you also need to show your ex that you are capable of surviving without them. Don't continually post sad updates to all of your social media accounts or make a show out of letting everyone around you know that you feel miserable. It's better to show your ex that you're getting your life back together after the destruction of the breakup. Remember that emotional strength and resilience are attractive qualities. Don't freak out if your ex starts dating someone else. You might think that things are permanently over when your ex starts seeing someone new, but this isn't necessarily true. Panicking over the change in your ex's relationship status and attacking him or her for it will drive your ex further away, though. If your ex starts to date someone else immediately after your breakup, that relationship is probably a rebound and usually won't last for very long. On the other hand, it's also possible that your ex ended things with you to be together with this other person. In this case, getting back together with your ex is probably a bad idea, anyway. | Get in touch. Admit your mistake(s). Show your ability to change. Explain how important your partner is to you. Focus on good memories. Do something romantic. Put your ex's needs first. Make sure getting back together is a good idea. Look at things from your ex's perspective. Give your partner some space. Stay positive. Try not to slip into the friend zone. Never beg. Don't be a doormat. Don't make yourself seem too pitiful. Don't freak out if your ex starts dating someone else. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Rumors | How to Stop Rumors | It can be very frustrating when a rumor about you is going around, but try to stay calm so you can take action to defend yourself. Let others know that you're aware of the rumor, since you'll only encourage it to spread further if you try to act like you've never heard it. However, try to stay relaxed when you talk about it, since getting overly defensive might make people think the rumor is true. You should also tell your side of the story whenever you get a chance so everyone can see you standing up for yourself. If there's something you're doing that feeds the rumor, such as hanging out with someone who everyone thinks you have a crush on, try to stop the behavior. For example, try doing something with the person in a larger group or spending less time with them. | Don't play dumb. Don't act like you have no idea about what people are saying about you. Acting clueless will only make people think the rumors are true. There's no point in acting like you haven't heard the rumors if everyone else in your school or workplace has. Acknowledging that you know a rumor is going around about you is the first step to tackling it. If someone mentions the rumor, you can say, "I've heard that that's been going around" or "I know what people are saying about me." Better yet, beat the rumormongers to the punch. If you know a vicious rumor is spreading about you (and fast!) then you can even tell other people who haven't heard yet about it. They'd be more likely to be on your side if they heard it from you, than if they heard it from the rumor mill. Don't let them see how much you care. Avoid acting openly angry, upset, or hurt about the rumors. Even if they really were very mean and painful, if you let yourself get upset publicly, then you'll be letting the other side win. If you really are upset about them, talking to some close friends will help much more than letting the world see you get upset. So keep a stiff upper lip, keep your head high, and don't let them get to you. The other thing is, if you act very upset because of the rumors, everyone will be convinced that they are true. Don't fight fire with fire. Though it may be tempting to fight the rumor with a different rumor, you should take the high road and not fall into the low-life business of spreading rumors. Sure, you can spread a rumor about the person who started it, or spread a completely different rumor just to make people stop talking about you, but if you do this, chances are you'll only make things worse and will look desperate and like you aren't any better than the person or people who spread the rumor to begin with. Remember that in the end, you want to come out on top. You want people to respect you and to think that you're a worthy person. If you want to maintain a level of respect even after the vicious rumor is spread, then you have to continue to keep your head high, instead of thinking, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em," which will get you nowhere. Talk to an adult or authority figure if you have to. Sure, talking to an adult or your boss about vicious rumors may not be fun, but it can get the person who spread them in trouble and can make you feel better about the situation. If the rumors are being spread at school, for example, and you know exactly who started them, then talking to an authority figure can give the rumor-spreader a good scare and can get the rumors to stop as quickly as possible. This is a tricky one. It's up to you to determine whether you need to talk to an adult or if you can handle this on your own. Stand up for yourself. Don't confuse taking a stand for integrity with "being defensive". Find a platform where you can communicate your side of the story. Since silence is not always so golden, it is good to have some things you can be prepared to say: "I do not believe that is true." or "This appears to be an unfounded (or vicious) rumor. Such things can do a lot of harm." Look people in the eye when you say that.Make sure your side of the story prevails. If people ask you about the rumor, you should stand up for yourself no matter what. If you brush it off or act like you don't want to talk about it, then people will believe it's true. Determine what lends credibility to the rumor, and stop it. People are more likely to tell rumors that are plausible, and that hinge on the existence of suggestive evidence. For instance, a rumor about a workplace affair will take off if the two people involved flirt in the office, or sit together every day at lunch. Once you determine what is feeding the rumor, take steps to remove it, if you can. Don't bother thinking "Well, they shouldn't assume that" or "I should be able to do what I want without them thinking such and such." The point is, they do, and as long as you continue the behavior, the rumor will continue to spread. Of course, if you're doing absolutely nothing to fuel the rumor, then there's nothing to change. And even if you are doing something to potentially cause the rumor, don't be hard on yourself if that's the case! Prove that it's not true if you can. If you have evidence that can prove that the rumor isn't true, then you should put it forth. For example, if people are saying your boyfriend isn't real, bring him to the next party. If people are gossiping that you don't know how to swim, throw a pool party. If you can produce a document that can prove the rumor false once and for all, don't think it's beneath your dignity to do so. Of course, one of the problems with rumors is that they are so hard to disprove. Don't scramble for evidence to the contrary if you simply can't get it. Broadcast the rumor. Yes, that's right. Verbalize or post the rumor in a prominent way. By acknowledging the rumor, you're taking away some of its momentum. Rumors spread like wildfire because the people who spread them do so in order to gain social status , and that depends on them having the "inside scoop." If you broadcast their "inside information" then they won't have any motivation to spread the rumor. Everybody will already know! Of course, if it's deeply painful, then you may not want the world to know. But if you think talking about it to everyone is the easiest way to prove it's ridiculous and to make it go away, then go for it. Confront the source. If you know who spread the rumor, then you may want to talk to the person who did it. Be civil and keep your head high and talk to the person honestly about why he or she spread the rumor and acknowledge the trouble it's caused without looking too upset. Say something like, "I know we're not exactly best friends, but spreading false rumors about me is not the way to resolve our issues." If you don't want to face the source alone, bring a few friends. Of course, don't put yourself in a dangerous or uncomfortable situation if you know that talking to the person in question will simply do you no good. Take care of yourself. Rumors can make people upset, angry, or even depressed. No matter what people are saying about you, keep your head high and remember who you are. Don't let other people determine your value in this life and stay strong, no matter what people are saying about you. Make sure to spend time with good friends, get enough sleep, and to maintain your self-esteem in spite of what people are saying about you. You may be so busy worrying about how to convince people the rumors aren't true that you haven't spent time taking care of yourself. Well, you've got to focus on yourself -- instead of the meaningless hurt caused by others -- if you want to go back to having a happy, healthy life. | Don't play dumb. Don't let them see how much you care. Don't fight fire with fire. Talk to an adult or authority figure if you have to. Stand up for yourself. Determine what lends credibility to the rumor, and stop it. Prove that it's not true if you can. Broadcast the rumor. Confront the source. Take care of yourself. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-Average-Acceleration | How to Find Average Acceleration | To find average acceleration, start by remembering that acceleration means how quickly something is speeding up or slowing down. You can write this as a formula like this: a av = (Δv/Δt), where delta represents change. Next, use the information you know to work out the average acceleration. For example, if a car accelerated to 500 m/s over 10 seconds, divide 500 by 10 to get the average acceleration. | Understand acceleration. Acceleration describes how quickly something is speeding up or slowing down. The concept really is that simple, although your math textbook might describe it as the "change in velocity over time." Acceleration also describes the direction something is moving, which you can include as a written description or as part of the math: Usually, if an object is accelerating right , up , or forward , people write it as a positive (+) number. If an object accelerates left , down , or backward , use a negative (-) number for acceleration instead. Write the definition as a formula. As mentioned above, acceleration is the change in velocity over the change in time. There are two ways to write this as a math formula: a av = / Δt (The symbol Δ or "delta" just means "change.") a av = / (t f - t i ) In this equation, v f is the final velocity, and v i is the initial, or starting, velocity Find the initial and final velocity of the object. For example, if a car goes from parked on the sidewalk to moving at a velocity of 500 meters/second to the right, the initial velocity is 0 m/s, and the final velocity is 500 m/s right. From now on, we'll use positive numbers to describe motion to the right, so we don't have to specify the direction every time. If the car starts out going forward and ends up going backward, make sure to write the final velocity as a negative number. Note the change in time. For instance, the car might take 10 seconds to reach the final velocity. Unless the problem says otherwise, this usually means t f = 10 seconds and t i = 0 seconds. Make sure your velocities and times are written in consistent units. For instance, if your velocity is written in miles per hour, the time should be written in hours as well. Use these numbers to calculate average acceleration. Put the velocities and time into the formula to find the average acceleration. In our example: a av = / (10s - 0s) a av = / (10 s) a av = 50 m / s / s This can also be written as 50 m/s. Understand the result. The average acceleration describes how rapidly the velocity changed during the time we're examining, on average. In the example above, the car was speeding up to the right, and each second it sped up by an average of 50 m/s. Note that the details of the exact movement can change, as long as the car ends up with the same total change in velocity and change in time: The car could start at 0 m/s and accelerates at a constant rate for 10 seconds, until it reaches 500 m/s. The car could start at 0 m/s, accelerate rapidly to 900 m/s, then slow down to 500 m/s by the 10th second. The car could start at 0 m/s, stay still for 9 seconds, then jump to 500 m/s very rapidly in the 10th second. Know what positive and negative velocity represents. Although velocity always specifies a direction, it can be tedious to keep writing "up" or "north" or "toward the wall." Instead, most math problems will assume the object is moving along a straight line. Moving in one direction on this line gets described as a positive (+) velocity, and movement in the other direction is negative (-) velocity. For example, a blue train is moving east at 500 m/s. A red train is moving west equally fast, but since it is in the opposite direction, it is traveling at -500 m/s instead. Use the definition of acceleration to determine + or - signs. Acceleration is the change in velocity over time. If you're confused about whether to write acceleration as positive or negative, check the change in velocity and see what comes out: v final - v initial = + or - ? Understand speeding up in each direction. Let's say a blue train and a red train move away from each other with a speed of 5 m/s. We can picture these on a number line, with the blue train moving at +5 m/s along the positive side of the number line, and the red train moving at -5 m/s along the negative side. If each train starts to accelerate until it reaches 2 m/s faster in the direction it is moving, does each train have positive or negative acceleration? Let's check: The blue train is moving faster along the positive side, so it's increasing from +5 m/s to +7 m/s. The final velocity minus the initial velocity is 7 - 5 = +2. Since the change in velocity is positive, so is the acceleration. The red train is moving faster along the negative side, so it starts out -5 m/s but ends up going -7 m/s. The final velocity minus the initial velocity is -7 - (-5) = -7 + 5 = -2 m/s. Since the change in velocity is negative, so is the acceleration. Understand slowing down. Let's say a plane starts out traveling at 500 miles per hour, but then slows down to 400 miles per hour. Although it's still moving in a positive or forward direction, the plane's acceleration was negative, because it's moving less quickly forward than before. You can check this the same way as the examples above: 400 - 500 = -100, so the acceleration is negative. Meanwhile, if a helicopter is moving -100 miles per hour and accelerates to -50 miles per hour, it has experienced positive acceleration. This is because the change in velocity was in the positive direction: -50 - (-100) = +50, even though the change was not enough to reverse the helicopter's direction. | Understand acceleration. Write the definition as a formula. Find the initial and final velocity of the object. Note the change in time. Use these numbers to calculate average acceleration. Understand the result. Know what positive and negative velocity represents. Use the definition of acceleration to determine + or - signs. Understand speeding up in each direction. Understand slowing down. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Scratch | How to Scratch | If you have an itch that you need to scratch, place your fingertips on the itchy area and gently press down, rubbing in steady circular movements. If you use your fingernails to scratch, be sure not to press too hard, because you don't want to break the skin. Since itching is often due to dry skin, it may help to apply a moisturizer to the area if scratching doesn't make the itch go away. | Keep your fingernails clean. Before you even think about scratching anywhere, you should make sure your nails themselves are clean. Scratching with dirty fingernails will only serve to spread bad dirt and bacteria around. Soak your hands in water. Soaking your hands regularly in hot water for a couple of minutes at a time will help open up the pores, releasing any excess dirt from your skin. The less bacteria you're tracking around, the better. Clean any dirt from underneath your fingernails. Particularly when you're scratching, it's very important to take a close lens to the dirt trapped underneath your fingernails. Most often, this muck is difficult to see, so it's important that you give it a good look and proper scrubbing over. This is especially true if you like to keep your nails fashionably long. Make a point every day of cleaning the buildup muck from underneath your fingernails. It will alleviate a lot of future hassle. File your nails. Even if you like to keep your nails long, it is best to keep them filed. Uneven nails can feel rough against your skin, and might even risk snapping, given pressure. Make a habit of filing them once every few days; not only will they feel smoother, they'll look quite a bit nicer as well. Trimming your nails is also recommended. While some people prefer longer nails as part of their style, it can add undue complications when it comes to scratching. Longer nails carry more bacteria, and may even run the risk of breaking apart if too much pressure is applied. Don't bit your nails. While it may seem like a nice alternative compared to trimming them with clippers, your nails will look nicer if you go the extra mile. Identify the itching spot. In the broad majority of cases, it will be very easy to figure out where you need to scratch. Other times, it may actually take some time before you're able to pinpoint. If you're having trouble figuring out where the itch is on your body, take a few seconds to relax and get in touch with your body. Scratching lightly in big circles should help you find the spot quickly enough. Try a moisturizer or an alternative to scratching. While some occasional light scratching isn't usually a problem, it's still preferable to try other things first. An itch is most often the symptom of an underlying problem, most often dry skin. Moisturizing your skin with an emollient may remove the need for scratching to begin with. Give the itchy area some moisture, and see if the itching stops. It may well be that your skin was simply trying to tell you something all along! Use a wet compress if you have an irritated area. Put a clean hand towel in a bowl of warm water and several drops of essential oils. Wring it out and apply to the afflicted area. You should feel a sensation of pleasant relief within several seconds. Other mild itching may go away within seconds if left unattended. As a general rule, drinking a lot of water throughout the day will help to keep the rest of your body hydrated. Scratch in slow, circular motions. When it comes time to actually scratch, it's important to keep your scratching limited to small, slow and steady circular movements. Keep your touch light and gentle. Scratch on and around the itchy area. Within a few seconds, the itch should go away. As with most things, it's best to keep your scratching within moderation. Anything more than a light scratch could actually exacerbate the scratch you're trying to solve! Limit yourself to scratching sessions of 30 seconds maximum. Maintain open communication. If you're going to try to scratch someone else's itch for them, the most important way to ensure success to keep talking to them. Understand exactly where they want to be scratched, and how. Everyone's skin tolerance is a bit different, so it's best to start gentle and adjust depending on the way they respond. Find the itchy spot. As with itching yourself, this is usually a straightforward step. However, when you're scratching someone else, it again requires some communication to find where you should be itching. This will arguably require more effort on the part of your partner, who will need to cautiously direct your movements. If you're having any difficulty with finding the spot, you can play the 'hot/cold' game; the person will say 'hotter' if you're getting closer to the afflicted area. Likewise, the person will say 'colder' if you're getting further away from it. Scratch in a very gentle, circular motion. Unless you already know your partner's scratching preferences, it's best to stay as gentle as you can at first. Much as if you were scratching yourself, you should stick to a slow and concentrated scratch. While you're scratching the person, you should remain just as alert regarding their signs. Are they enjoying it? Are they in pain? It is always better to be too gentle than too rough, so be safe at first and increase the intensity at the partner's discretion. At the same time, don't be afraid to get more intense! Your partner's skin could very well be tougher than yours, so you shouldn't be shy about digging in slightly more than you normally would. | Keep your fingernails clean. Soak your hands in water. Clean any dirt from underneath your fingernails. File your nails. Identify the itching spot. Try a moisturizer or an alternative to scratching. Scratch in slow, circular motions. Maintain open communication. Find the itchy spot. Scratch in a very gentle, circular motion. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Restraining-Order | How to Get a Restraining Order | If you need to get a restraining order against someone who is threatening or abusing you, first visit your county courthouse to obtain the correct forms. Bring any medical records or police reports of abuse with you as evidence. Then, fill in the form, detailing your history with the abuser. You can hire a lawyer to help with the process or ask the court staff for help if you can't afford one. When you've filed your forms, you'll need to attend a court hearing and give a testimony to support your request. If the judge grants your request, you'll be issued with a restraining order for up to 5 years. | Identify threats or abuse. A restraining order may be filed to protect you and your children from an abuser or stalker. You should get a restraining order if your abuser has caused either physical or mental harm in the past or if they pose a possible threat in the future. There are many actions that can be considered threats. It is abuse if they threaten to or do inflict physical harm through attacks, strikes, or rough physical contact to you or your children. It is abuse if they commit sexual assault or molestation against you or your children. It is also a threat to you if they harass or stalk you or your children. The destruction of personal property is also considered a threat to you and your children's life. For example, a woman and her children are being bothered by the woman's previous boyfriend. One day he breaks into the woman's house or car window. When this happens, the woman can file for a restraining order on behalf of herself and her children. Even if the boyfriend still lives in the home, she can get a restraining order if he has acted violently toward her and her children. Ask for help. Getting a restraining order is a fairly straightforward process, but legal documents are often tricky. Don't be afraid to consult an attorney for help with filing the order; this can ensure that it is done correctly the first time. An attorney can also guide you to include details relevant to your order that might make it more likely to be granted by the court. In addition to legal help, remember to rely on emotional support. Contact friends or family members to help you through this difficult time. Consider seeing a therapist or going to a support group for victims of abuse or stalking. If you have children, allow them to see a therapist, too. Call 911 any time you feel that you are in danger. Before or after you get a restraining order, you should always call 911 if you feel that you or your children are in imminent danger. A restraining order can only protect you to a certain point, as having one does not guarantee that your abuser will respect the terms of the order. You safety is important and the restraining order can only help if the abuser follows it. If you believe that you or your children are in danger from the abuser, even with the restraining order in effect, call 911. Do not rely on the restraining order for complete protection. It is possible that your abuser will violate the order and cause you serious harm. Remember that abuse is never your fault. Many victims of abuse hesitate to take legal action against abusers because they feel that they have brought the abuse upon themselves. Regardless of your own words and actions, abuse is not your fault. You deserve to live a happy life, free from threats and fear. Obtain the proper forms. You need to visit the courthouse in your county. You may also need one from the other party's county or the county where the abuse took place. You need to ask the clerk at the courthouse for a request form for the type of restraining order you wish to file. Some areas have these forms on the state website. In this case, you can print the forms out and have them ready when you go to the courthouse. Get a lawyer involved. Though a lawyer is not required to file a restraining order, you may want to talk with one if you have extra questions about your situation. You should also talk with a lawyer if you find the whole process very confusing. The lawyer can help you fill out the required forms and advise you on what type is needed. You may have questions but don't want to or can't afford a lawyer. In this case, ask for help from your local court staff or an advocate. They may be able to answer your questions. You can call a domestic violence hotline to ask about your options. In some cases, the organization connected with the hotline, such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline, can get a lawyer for you. Complete the forms. You will have to fill out a petition for a restraining order. You will also have an affidavit that explains the events that caused you to file the order. This includes all abusive or threatening behavior acted against you or your children. You will need to provide information about the other party's looks and his home and work address. You will also need to bring medical records or police reports that detail any abuse the abuser inflicted on you or your children. Receive a court hearing. After filing, you will get information about your court hearing. This usually takes one to two days, depending on your state. The hearing is usually scheduled within two weeks of you filing the paperwork. If you asked for an emergency restraining order, the hearing will take place as soon as possible. This is usually within a week. In some states you may request not to have a hearing. A judge can still order one and you have to attend. If you don't wish to have a hearing, your order can be limited. In these cases, the judge can order an abuser to leave the home if you live together. The judge can also ask the abuser to cease threatening their spouse or children. In this situation, the order can require little else. Serve the court order to the abuser. The restraining order is not in effect until the abuser is handed the restraining order papers. You may not give the abuser the papers yourself. If you don't know where the abuser is, special forms must be filled out to explain. You can choose to ask someone over eighteen who is not protected under the order to give your abuser the papers. You can also hire a courier service to do it. You can find a process server by looking in the phone book or an online phone directory. If personal service is required in your state, you will need to have the County Sheriff or a process server give the abuser the papers. When giving the papers this way, the Clerk's Office or the Court will take care the situation. There may be a fee. Call the County Clerk or the Sheriff's Office in your area for more details. In many states, you can give papers to someone by publication. This is only when you cannot locate them. You publish something specified by the court in the newspaper for a certain amount of time. Even if the defendant does not see it, they have been served. Attend the court hearing. You will need to give testimony supporting your request in front of a judge. You may ask for specific protections at the hearing depending on your situation. Bring evidence to support your claims. This includes any medical or police records and pictures. The abuser is also offered the opportunity to give their side of the story. If the abuser does not show up to the hearing, the restraining order is usually granted. When you attend your hearing, dress nicely and remain calm. Do not yell or show any anger, even if you are angry or upset. This will not help you get a restraining order. Pay attention to how you talk to the judge. You have to go to the hearing or the process will be delayed. You may have a lawyer present at your hearing, but it isn't mandatory. Receive the judge's decision. The judge will usually decide whether to issue the restraining order the same day as the hearing. If your request is granted, the judge will issue a restraining order that can last up to five years. It describes the rights your receive with the order. It also explains the limitations imposed upon the other person. Keep a copy of the order. To protect yourself, you need to have a copy of the restraining order with you at all times. This will help you use it in case the abuser ignores it and tries to contact you. If you have to call the police, the papers will help them understand your situation faster. If you lose your restraining order papers, contact the court for another copy. Know the violations. If the abuser makes contact or breaks any other rule, they can be picked up by the police. In some states, restraining orders are given by civil courts. These courts handle family matters and problems with property. Normally someone cannot go to prison based upon the rulings of a civil court. In some cases, going against the restraining order can cause the situation to be taken over by the state. In these states, people who go against the rules of a restraining order are brought up on charges for contempt. This causes the case to move from civil court to criminal court. If the order is never broken, the case stays in civil court and does not show up on the abuser's record. Contact the court. Violations of restraining orders should be reported to the court. The restraining order should clearly state exactly what the other party is not allowed to do. If these rules are violated, they can be arrested and charged with a crime. If the other party fails to return your property, pay child support, or act according to similar orders laid out by the judge, call the court to report them. Extend or dismiss the order. You can contact the County Clerk to extend or dismiss a restraining order. You will be asked to explain your reasons for wanting to extend or dismiss the order. Each restraining order has an expiration date. It can be renewed, even if a new incident of abuse does not occur. If you wish to live with the person against whom you filed the restraining order, be sure to have it dismissed first. If not, they can get in trouble. Understand the protections. If you file a restraining order, a judge will decide how you will be protected. She bases this on her understanding of the situation. Abusers or stalkers can be ordered to avoid any contact with you and your children. This is in person, by phone, by email or any other medium. Abusers or stalkers can also be ordered not to come within a certain distance of you and your children. This distance is typically 100 yards (91.4 m), but it can be extended well beyond that. If you live with the abuser, they can be ordered to move out. The judge can order that a police escort be there during any needed contact with the abuser. This can be when they return to a shared living space to collect their things. Know the requirements. There are few requirements that must be fulfilled in order to be eligible for a restraining order. You must be an adult or a minor of a certain age. This age varies by state. You need to show a judge that the person you want the restraining order against is a threat to your physical or mental health. Parents can file restraining orders for minors. Any minor who legally lives on their own can receive a restraining order. The youngest age you can be granted a restraining order is different from state to state. In most states, the minimum age is somewhere between 14 and 18. In California, you can get one by the age of 12. Get the ex parte restraining order. There are many court orders that are commonly called restraining orders. They are all very different. An ex parte restraining order is also known as an emergency restraining order or emergency protective order. It is a temporary order that is issued by the court without the named abuser or stalker there to defend themselves. If you think that someone poses an immediate threat, you can obtain an ex parte restraining order to keep them away. This order can be signed the same day you apply. This means you will be protected before the date of your hearing. Another hearing is necessary to maintain the restraining order. At this hearing, the accused can defend themselves. Investigate the orders in your state. There are different types of restraining orders that are used by various states. The difference typically depends on which court files the order. It will also vary depending on the person who you are filing the order against. You can file against someone to whom you are related or have a relationship. This can be a spouse, domestic partner, boyfriend, girlfriend, an ex, or the father or mother of one of your children. You can also file an order against a stranger. Make sure you check your state laws to see what kind of orders you can get and with which court you need to file. In California, the Civil Court gives two types of orders, the Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs) and the Civil Harassment Orders (CHOs). The DVROs are filed against someone you have a relationship with. CHOs are filed against a person you do not know. In New York state, you can get a civil Order of Protection from civil or family court. You can also get a criminal Order of Protection from the criminal courts. The main difference is that you can only get a criminal order the person you are filing against is charged with a crime. The district attorney can must get the order for you. The civil Order of Protection is filed against someone you know. In Georgia, there are also criminal and civil Protective Orders. Family Protective Orders are used specifically for people with whom you have a relationship. This type of order is obtained in family or civil court. Criminal Protective Orders are used to stop those you don't know. This type of order is obtained through the criminal courts. | Identify threats or abuse. Ask for help. Call 911 any time you feel that you are in danger. Remember that abuse is never your fault. Obtain the proper forms. Get a lawyer involved. Complete the forms. Receive a court hearing. Serve the court order to the abuser. Attend the court hearing. Receive the judge's decision. Keep a copy of the order. Know the violations. Contact the court. Extend or dismiss the order. Understand the protections. Know the requirements. Get the ex parte restraining order. Investigate the orders in your state. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Know-when-Your-Period-Is-Coming | How to Know when Your Period Is Coming | While there's no certain way to know when your period is coming, you can get a good estimate by keeping track of your menstrual cycle with a calendar or phone app. When your period comes, mark down the date and count the days until the beginning of your next period. This range is the length of your cycle. For most women, a cycle is 28 days, but that number can be longer for young women and shorter for women in their 30s and above. Also, take note of physical symptoms like irritability, cramps, acne outbreaks, and breast tenderness, as these are common signs that your period is about to begin. | Know what's normal. The menstrual flow itself can last anywhere from two days to a week, with the average being four days. Spotting that occurs before your period generally does not count as part of the menstrual flow; only actual bleeding counts. It's normal for women in their teens and 20s to have slightly longer cycles, for women in their 30s to have shorter cycles, and for women in their mid-40s to 50s to have shorter cycles still. If yours varies wildly from month to month and you've had your period for longer than two or three years, it would be a good idea to see a doctor to make sure that you're not suffering from hormonal imbalances. Count the days. Count up the number of days between the first day of your period and the first day of the subsequent period. That number is your cycle length. For most women, it's 28 days, but a normal cycle can range from 25 to 35 days. Keep a record. Note the first and last days of your period on a calendar. This way, you can estimate when your next period might come. Most women's periods come every 28 days, but if you keep track of your periods, you can determine what length your own cycle is. Use an app. Consider using an online application like MyMonthlyCycles , MyMenstrualCalendar , or an app on your phone like Period Tracker. This kind of technology is great for helping your keep track of your period from the ease of your mobile phone. Use an online calendar/planning tool. Set up a Google calendar event and send yourself a reminder around the time your next period is scheduled. That way, you can write it down in the calendar when your period actually comes and compare the two dates. This will help you learn your body's normal cycle variances, as well as reminding you to be on the lookout for your period when it is scheduled to come. Know the symptoms. Learn what symptoms are normal for women to experience during and just before their periods start. The following symptoms are experienced by many women during their menstrual cycle: Irritability Mood swings Minor headaches Stomach aches Cramping in stomach, legs, or back Changes in appetite Cravings for particular tastes or foods Acne outbreaks Tender breasts Feeling tired or sleepy Back or shoulder pains Record your own symptoms. Every woman's cycle is unique. Record the symptoms you experience before and during each period to help you predict an upcoming period. Recognize the warning symptoms that frequently precede your period. Write down the symptom(s) you experience and their severity on each day. Talk to your doctor about any irregularities in your menstrual cycle. Irregular periods can be a symptom of many conditions that need medical attention. Some of the most common medical problems that cause irregular periods include: Pelvic organ problems like imperforate hymen or polycystic ovary syndrome Irritable bowel syndrome Liver disease Diabetes Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia Obesity Tuberculosis Take steps to regulate your period. If your period is irregular, you should see your doctor. Make sure you find a doctor you are comfortable talking to, as this can feel like a sensitive subject for some. Sometimes, there may be an underlying health issue causing irregularity; other times, irregular periods can be regulated with lifestyle changes such as weight loss or changing your type of birth control. | Know what's normal. Count the days. Keep a record. Use an app. Use an online calendar/planning tool. Know the symptoms. Record your own symptoms. Talk to your doctor about any irregularities in your menstrual cycle. Take steps to regulate your period. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Free-Clothing | How to Get Free Clothing | If you want some free clothing, try looking at garage sales and thrift stores for free sections where the owner wants to unload some clothes they can't sell. Even if you can't find anything for free at these places, you can usually get clothes for really low prices. At a garage sale, you can even try to swap with the owner or negotiate to bring the price down. There are plenty of websites where you can find free clothes, as well. Check out the free section of Craigslist and look for listings of people giving away their clothes. When you find some clothes you like, message the poster and arrange to meet in a public place to pick up your haul. Another easy way to get free clothes is by asking friends and family for hand me downs or clothes they don't want anymore. | Trade clothing with someone on a clothing swap website. Clothing swap websites allow you to trade pieces of clothing with someone else. This is a great way of getting free clothes while getting rid of something that doesn't fit or that you don't wear anymore. Create a profile on a clothing swap website and browse what other users have to offer. When you find something that you like, make an offer to the person and see what they have to say. Popular clothing swap websites include SwapStyle, Rehash, and Swapdom. If you want to trade clothes, you'll have to take photographs of them. Try to trade something that is equal in value to what is being offered. Look for free clothes on Craigslist. Visit Craigslist.org and click on the free section of the website. Scroll through the pages and look for listings of people giving away free clothes. Message the poster and arrange to meet them to pick up the clothes. To be safe, meet them in a public place and bring a friend with you when you pick up the clothes. Use websites like Freecycle and Freegle as an alternative to Craigslist. Freecycle and Freegle are websites that allow people to post things that they want to give away. Visit the websites and type in your location. Then, browse the listings and find someone that's giving away clothing. You can also post a wanted ad that people can respond to. Make your post something like "Need adult-sized clothes." Use cash-back points from websites and apps. There are rebate apps and websites you can use to get cash-back offers when you shop at select stores. Visit the websites and sign up for an account. Then, scroll through the different offers to see how you can get cash-back on purchases that you make or gift cards for completing different offers or tasks. Then, use the cash or credit that you receive to buy clothing at a discounted rate or for free. Popular rebate websites include Ibotta, Swagbucks, and Ebates Search for coupon codes to save money. Search online for coupon codes for the brand of clothing that you're purchasing. You may even find cash-back rewards that you can use for your next purchase. While the clothes won't typically be free, you can save a lot of money which you can use to buy more clothes in the future. For example, if you were shopping on https://www.gap.com/ , you'd type “coupon codes gap” in Google or another search engine. Input the coupon code before you check out to see how much money you'll save. Find free things at garage sales. Some garage sales may have a free section that includes items and clothing that the person wants to give away. Look online for upcoming garage sales near you and give them a visit. Look for a table or section that says “free” when you get there. You may also be able to find articles of clothing for cheap at a garage sale. Try to negotiate with the person holding the sale to get lower prices. Search for clothing closets in your area if you're low income. Nonprofits, like Coats for Kids, run programs that are known as clothing closets. These programs provide free clothing to the needy. If you or your household doesn't make a lot of money, this may be a great way to get free clothes. Contact the nonprofit and fill out any required forms before picking up the free clothing at the center. Find free clothes at a thrift store. Thrift stores will also sometimes have free clothing. Look for racks or a section in the thrift store that says “free.” If you can't find any free section, ask an employee if there is anything for free at the store. Even if you can't find free clothes at a thrift store, you may be able to find decent used clothing at an affordable price. Ask friends and family for hand me downs. Email, text, or call friends and family members to ask if they have any clothes they don't want anymore. This is a great way to free up space in your friend's closet while getting something for free. Remember to thank the person and let them know how much you appreciate it. You can say something like, “Hey sis, I don't have anything to wear to Saturday's party. Do you have any blouses you don't want that I can have?” Ask people who are close to your size so the clothes fit. Trade old clothes at a consignment shop to get store credit. If you don't have money, you may be able to trade in your old clothes at a consignment shop for cash or credit. Find old clothes that are in good condition and take them to the consignment shop. Ask how much cash or credit you can get for the clothes and use the funds to buy new clothing. You can typically get more in store credit than you can in cash at a consignment shop. Use coupons to save money on clothes. Seasonal catalogs, magazines, and coupon books will sometimes contain coupons for certain stores. Read the fine print on the coupon to see how long the offer is valid and if you can use the coupon in conjunction with other sales. Sometimes, certain clothing items will be close to free if you can use a coupon at the right time. For instance, if you buy a $10 item that is 20% off and you have a $7 coupon, your item would only cost $1 if you can use the coupon during the sale. | Trade clothing with someone on a clothing swap website. Look for free clothes on Craigslist. Use websites like Freecycle and Freegle as an alternative to Craigslist. Use cash-back points from websites and apps. Search for coupon codes to save money. Find free things at garage sales. Search for clothing closets in your area if you're low income. Find free clothes at a thrift store. Ask friends and family for hand me downs. Trade old clothes at a consignment shop to get store credit. Use coupons to save money on clothes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Ribs-in-the-Oven | How to Cook Ribs in the Oven | To cook pork ribs in the oven, line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and put a wire rack on top. Next, use a knife to pull off the rib membranes and place the ribs face up on the baking sheet. To flavor the ribs, brush them with Dijon mustard and liquid smoke, then apply the dry spice rub of your choice. Broil the ribs for 5 minutes before changing the oven temperature to 300 °F. If you used baby back ribs, bake them at 300 °F for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, and for spareribs, aim for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Once the ribs are done, remove them from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes before you serve them. | Line a baking sheet with foil and put a wire rack on top. It's important to use a rimmed baking sheet so juices from the meat don't run over the side of the sheet. The wire rack should easily fit in the foil-lined sheet. Remove the membrane from the ribs and lay them on the wire rack so the meaty side faces up. Get out 4 to 5 pounds (1.8 to 2.3 kg) of pork spareribs or baby back ribs. To remove the tough membrane, slide the tip of a knife under the thin membrane between the bones and turn the knife vertically to loosen the membrane a little. You can remove the knife and then pull the membrane away while your other hand holds the ribs in place. Arrange the ribs in a single layer on the wire rack. Discard the membrane once you pull it off the ribs. Brush the ribs with Dijon mustard and liquid smoke. Pour 1 to 2 teaspoons (4.9 to 9.9 ml) of liquid smoke into a small bowl and add 1/4 cup (60 g) of Dijon mustard. Stir the mixture until the liquid smoke is incorporated. Then, dip a barbecue brush in the mixture and spread it over both sides of the ribs. This wet seasoning will help the dry rub stick to the ribs. Coat the ribs with a dry spice rub. Buy or make 1 cup (145 g) of barbecue spice rub and sprinkle it evenly over both sides of the ribs. Use your fingers to gently massage the spice into the rib meat. You can prep the ribs and season them up to 1 day before baking them. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook them. Broil the ribs for 5 minutes. Turn your broiler on and heat it for a few minutes before you place the sheet of ribs about 3 inches (7.6 cm) below the heating element. Broil them so the sugar in your barbecue spice rub begins to bubble and the meat begins to look brown. If your broiler has a high or low setting, turn it to high. Bake the ribs at 300 °F (149 °C) for 1 1/2 to 3 hours depending on the type. There's no need to preheat the oven before you put the sheet of ribs in it because they're baking for so long. If you used baby back ribs, bake them for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. If you're making spareribs, cook them for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. You can also make this with country-style ribs and cook them for 2 to 3 hours. Brush the ribs with sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking. If you'd like saucy ribs, pour 1 cup (288 g) of your favorite barbecue sauce into a bowl and brush the ribs with it. Cover the ribs with foil and let them finish cooking. If you'd only like to dry season the ribs, you can skip this step. Remove the ribs and rest them for 10 minutes. To tell if the ribs are finished cooking, insert a knife into the thickest part of some rib meat. The knife should slide in easily if the ribs are done. If they aren't, cook them for another 15 minutes and check them again. Take the finished ribs out of the oven and leave them covered for 10 minutes before serving them. The ribs should reach at least 145 °F (63 °C) with an instant-read meat thermometer once they're done. The juices will redistribute within the meat while the ribs rest. Cut the ribs between the bones and serve them with extra sauce. Take off the aluminum foil and move the ribs to a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut between each bone so you have individual ribs to serve. Refrigerate the leftover ribs in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep in mind that the ribs will become more flavorful the longer they're stored. Pull the membrane from the ribs set the ribs aside. Get out 2 to 3 pounds (0.91 to 1.36 kg) of beef ribs and slip a knife under the thin membrane that covers the ribs. Then, turn the knife and wiggle it so the membrane loosens and you can grip it with 1 hand. Pull the membrane away while you hold the ribs in place with your other hand. You can throw away the membrane once you've pulled it off the ribs. Combine the spices with oil in a small bowl. Put all of the dry spices into a bowl and stir them until they're well mixed. Then, stir in 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of oil to create a crumbly spice rub. For the spice mix, you'll need: 1 tablespoon (10 g) of onion powder 1 tablespoon (10 g) of garlic powder 2 tablespoons (25 g) of brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of cumin 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) of salt 1 teaspoon (2 g) of chili powder 1 teaspoon (2 g) of smoked paprika Cover the ribs with the rub. Scatter all of the dry rub over the ribs and use your hands to massage the spices into the meat. Remember to season both sides of the ribs. If you find this too messy, try wearing food-safe gloves while you season the ribs. Rest the ribs for up to 2 hours at room temperature. Set the ribs aside so they tenderize and become flavorful before you begin cooking them. If you'd like to prep them more than 2 hours in advance, refrigerate the ribs in an airtight container and chill them overnight. Keep in mind that 2 hours at room temperature is the maximum you can leave the ribs out before bacteria starts growing. If you're in a hot climate, you shouldn't leave them at room temperature for more than 1 hour. Wrap the ribs in aluminum foil and put them on a baking sheet. Tear off several large pieces of aluminum foil and lay a rack of ribs on each piece so the meaty side faces up. If the foil is large enough, you can wrap the ribs with the same piece of foil. If not, lay another piece of foil over the ribs so you can completely enclose them. Place the wrapped ribs on a baking sheet. Use a rimmed baking sheet which will catch juices that might leak out of the ribs. Keep the ribs in a single layer when you wrap them and place them on the sheet. Cook the ribs at 250 °F (121 °C) for 3 to 4 hours. Put the sheet with the foil-wrapped ribs in the middle of the oven and bake them until the meat is completely tender. To check if the ribs are done, insert a fork or knife into the meat. The ribs are done if the fork or knife slides in and out easily or they reach at least 145 °F (63 °C) with an instant-read meat thermometer. Since the meat will be cooking for so long, there's no need to wait for the oven to preheat before you add the ribs. You might even see the meat falling off the bone once the ribs have finished cooking. Unwrap the ribs and broil them for 5 minutes. Preheat the broiler to high for a few minutes while you remove the ribs from the oven and carefully open the foil packets. Keep the ribs on the baking sheet and put them about 3 inches (7.6 cm) below your broiler's heating element. Then, broil the ribs for about 5 minutes so they brown a little. Cut the ribs and serve them with barbecue sauce. Transfer the ribs to a cutting board and use a sharp knife to carefully cut the meat in between each bone. Put the ribs on a serving plate and set out plenty of barbecue sauce and napkins! You can refrigerate leftover ribs in an airtight container for up to 4 days. | Line a baking sheet with foil and put a wire rack on top. Remove the membrane from the ribs and lay them on the wire rack so the meaty side faces up. Brush the ribs with Dijon mustard and liquid smoke. Coat the ribs with a dry spice rub. Broil the ribs for 5 minutes. Bake the ribs at 300 °F (149 °C) for 1 1/2 to 3 hours depending on the type. Brush the ribs with sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Remove the ribs and rest them for 10 minutes. Cut the ribs between the bones and serve them with extra sauce. Pull the membrane from the ribs set the ribs aside. Combine the spices with oil in a small bowl. Cover the ribs with the rub. Rest the ribs for up to 2 hours at room temperature. Wrap the ribs in aluminum foil and put them on a baking sheet. Cook the ribs at 250 °F (121 °C) for 3 to 4 hours. Unwrap the ribs and broil them for 5 minutes. Cut the ribs and serve them with barbecue sauce. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Control-Breathing-While-Running | How to Control Breathing While Running | To control your breathing while running, start by breathing in and out through your mouth rather than your nose, so more oxygen gets to your lungs faster. Then, get up to the speed you want to run, and start counting each step as a beat. Next, synchronize your breathing to your pace, adjusting for speed and intensity. For example, on a moderate run, try inhaling for 2 beats, then exhaling for 2 beats. Alternatively, if your run is more difficult, you can take in more oxygen by inhaling for 3 beats before exhaling for 2 beats. | Determine the intensity of your run. Since you won't always be running at the same speed, you should implement breathing techniques that suit the intensity of your workout. Think about whether you're going on a quick jog or training for a marathon. Your breathing might be slower and more natural for an easy session, whereas you'll have to take a more structured approach for harder runs to make sure you don't get exhausted too quickly. It will be especially important to keep your breathing under control during tougher runs. For easy runs and light jogging, you may be comfortable continuing to breathe normally. Develop a tempo in your steps. Once you're in motion, count the steps you're taking and see what kind of rhythm develops. Your aim should be to synchronize your breathing to your running tempo. Think of each step as a “beat” and then decide how many beats each inhale and exhale should be. That way, as long as you keep running, you'll keep breathing. Group your steps together in sets of four beats to help you mentally keep track of your rhythm. 1-2-3-4 translates to left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot. Keep your breathing in time with your steps. Now that you've singled out your running rhythm, use your steps to keep time with your breathing. Many running coaches suggest a “2-2” pace for moderate-intensity runs, meaning that you'll inhale to the count of two (one step with the left foot, one step with the right) then exhale to the count of two. For more difficult runs, you may feel better trying a 3-2 pace (to take in more oxygen), or quickening the entire tempo of your breathing with a rapid 2-1 (inhale on left, right, exhale on left) pattern. Experts sometimes disagree on whether it's better to have a longer inhale or exhale. Do what feels more natural for you. Faster tempos like 2-1 may work better for high-intensity bursts such as sprint intervals. Adjust your breathing as your intensity changes. Change your breathing to be consistent with your pace. As you begin to tire and slow down, so should your breaths, ramping down to a deeper, more controlled cadence. Likewise, when you speed up or go out for more intense training sessions, you should adopt a breathing tempo that allows you to get as much oxygen as you need to keep performing at an optimal level. Don't let your breathing slacken too much. It's important to keep new air moving in and out to maintain your stamina. Breathe through your mouth. Unlike when you're respiring normally, you should always breathe in and out through your mouth while you're running. The reason for this is that it allows more oxygen to reach the lungs at a faster rate. Purse your lips slightly and keep your breaths tight and controlled. Try not to pant or let your mouth hang open as you get tired. If you catch yourself panting, you should either slow down or switch to a breathing pattern that you can more easily regulate. Panting is a symptom of exhaustion and is usually a sign of poor breath control. You should be breathing forcefully enough to be able to hear yourself while running. Expand your belly, not your chest. When most people breathe, they raise and lower their chests as their lungs expand and contract. Chest breathing restricts how much your lungs can fill up because they are caged in by the ribs and breastbone. Instead, imagine that you're breathing through your stomach and let your belly protrude with each breath. This is known as “diaphragmatic breathing,” because it flexes your diaphragm and helps it move out of the way, letting you take fuller breaths. To get the hang of diaphragmatic breathing, act like you're pushing your belly out to make yourself look fat. Diaphragmatic breathing gives the lungs more room to expand out and downwards. Get the most out of each breath. Your breathing should be part of your running technique, not a byproduct of fatigue. Concentrate on pulling in good, revitalizing oxygen every time you inhale. Force out the spent carbon dioxide before you take your next breath. Oxygen fuels your body as you run, so make sure you're getting as much of it as you can. Breathing too shallowly can cause you to lose steam because you're gradually putting your body into an oxygen deficit. Don’t hold your breath. It's easy to forget to breathe when you're worn out, but holding your breath will just make things harder for you. Remind yourself to breathe constantly and try to find the right rhythm to match your running pace. If you need to, slow down and give your lungs a chance to catch up. The worst thing you can do as a runner is burn through oxygen without replenishing it. If you're breathing audibly, it can help remind you not to hold your breath. Breath control is a more advanced skill for the average runner. Inexperienced runners tend to hold their breath because they're focused on running with proper technique. Warm up thoroughly. The better warmed up you are, the more easily oxygen will be able to travel through your bloodstream. Always perform a satisfactory warm up before setting out on a run. Move your thighs, hips knees and ankles through their full ranges of motion, continuously for five minutes or more. Move around enough to get your heart beating faster and your blood pumping. Do some slow, deep breathing as you warm up to prepare your lungs to meet the demands of exertion. Warming up loosens up the muscles and improves circulation, which means oxygen can be carried more efficiently to different parts of the body. A proper warm up will also help you ease soreness and avoid injury. Run more frequently. If you often find yourself short of breath while you're running, it might just mean that you're out of shape. Schedule a couple more running sessions throughout the week and supplement these sessions with weight training, stretching or another form of exercise. Don't push yourself to do too much too soon. Build up your cardiovascular conditioning gradually until you're ready for longer, more intense runs. If you're a new runner, start small and work your way up. Try walking and jogging first and increase your speed little by little until you can handle the stress of running long distances. You'll find that as you run more, your breathing will get better naturally. Pay attention to your breathing. When you're first learning how to breathe while running, it can help to stay mindful of the tempo and quality of your breathing. Focus on taking deep, regular breaths. Consciously thinking about your breathing might be a little distracting at first, but in time it will become second nature and your performance will improve dramatically. Efficient breathing is paramount to becoming a good runner. Take note of how you feel after completing a run of a certain length or intensity, and how different breathing methods affect your performance. Do what feels natural. If a certain breathing technique or tempo isn't working for you, try to find one that does. Matching your breathing to your pace can be a helpful trick, but the exact timing will depend mostly on your specific attributes as a runner. Keep your individual capabilities, limitations, running style, and level of fitness in mind. Listen to your body. If something feels particularly difficult or uncomfortable, it probably means that you should find a better way. | Determine the intensity of your run. Develop a tempo in your steps. Keep your breathing in time with your steps. Adjust your breathing as your intensity changes. Breathe through your mouth. Expand your belly, not your chest. Get the most out of each breath. Don’t hold your breath. Warm up thoroughly. Run more frequently. Pay attention to your breathing. Do what feels natural. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-a-Ragamuffin-Cat | How to Take Care of a Ragamuffin Cat | To take care of a ragamuffin cat, feed it a healthy wet cat food so you can keep it from getting overweight, which is a common problem with the breed. Avoid foods that list a meat “byproduct” or “meal” as the first ingredient, and instead opt for one that lists specific meats to give your cat with the nutrients it needs. While wet food will help keep your cat hydrated, you should also provide it with several sources of fresh drinking water around the house. Ragamuffins are playful cats, so buy some feather toys or balls for your cat to play with and get some exercise. To keep your cat healthy and up to date on its vaccinations, make sure to schedule annual check-ups with your veterinarian. | Provide food dishes. Your Ragamuffin cat will need access to food and water. You should purchase two ceramic or metal food dishes – one for food and one for water. For the food, you can purchase a regular bowl, or a more complex food dispenser that allows your cat to self-feed. However, keep in mind that Ragamuffin cats are a bit prone to fat bellies, so you may need to quit allowing your cat to self-feed if the cat becomes too overweight. Make sure you clean the food and water dishes regularly so that you Ragamuffin cat has a healthy place to eat and drink. Get rid of hazardous materials. Due to the Ragamuffin's inquisitive nature, you'll want to make sure there is nothing harmful lying around your house that could hurt your cat. This means that you should keep all cleaning supplies and pesticides in a place that is locked away or totally inaccessible to the cat. Try keeping these materials in the garage or in a separate closet that has a door you can keep closed at all times. Purchase cat toys. Ragamuffin cats are playful, but have a fairly calm temperament. This means that they are happy to play and be played with, while also being fairly easily trainable. Try purchasing some cat toys that you can teach your Ragamuffin to play fetch with. This will help your cat get exercise while they are also spending time with you. You can also try purchasing some balls to play with, some feather toys, or anything with catnip in it. Chasing a laser pointer can be another great way for your cat to get exercise. Avoid toys made of potentially harmful or ingestible materials like rubber bands, ribbons, or pieces of plastic (like plastic eyes on a toy). Ragamuffin cats are also great with kids and other pets. If you have young children, they will probably end up carrying your Ragamuffin around and enjoying hours of fun playtime together. Get a collar and identification tag. To ensure that your beloved Ragamuffin cat doesn't get lost, you should purchase a collar and an ID tag for your cat. You can even get a leash to add an extra level of safety if you ever need to take your cat outside. Only purchase cat-safe, breakaway collars. Cats can become caught and strangled while wearing a regular collar. On the ID tag, you should include your cat's name and your phone number. You can also list your home address if you wish. Because a collar can become lost or removed, consider having your cat microchipped. You should also try to keep your Ragamuffin as an indoor-only cat to prevent your cat from getting lost or stolen while it's outside your home. Choose a healthy food. Ragamuffin cats are often naturally prone to weight problems, so it is usually better to choose a healthy wet food that you can easily regulate for your cat rather than allowing it to self-feed. Choose a wet food that contains natural ingredients and lists a meat item as the first main ingredient. Anything with a “byproduct” or “meal” first ingredient won't give your Ragamuffin cat the healthy nutrients it needs. A wet cat food will also provide another source of hydration for your cat. If you prefer to feed your cat dry food, you should look up the calorie content and measure meals so that you only feed the amount that your cat needs. If you are unsure how much to feed your cat, consult your veterinarian. Provide water. Your Ragamuffin cat needs to stay hydrated, so make sure you provide it with constant access to fresh drinking water. Try to leave the water near your Ragamuffin's food so that it is easy for your cat to locate. Consider making several sources of water available in case your cat spills one of them. This is especially important when you are going to be away from the house for several hours at a time. Cuddle your cat. Ragamuffin cats are especially cuddly. They will often turn into limp dolls on your lap, hence the name. Be sure to spend lots of quality time cuddling with your Ragamuffin cat so that it feels loved and cared for. Let your cat sit on your lap and take naps next to you. This will help strengthen the bond between the two of you. Get your cat vaccinated. Ragamuffin cats, as with all other cat breeds, need to be vaccinated as kittens to protect them from getting potentially harmful diseases. Your veterinarian will vaccinate your Ragamuffin kitten for you starting at around six weeks and then every three to four weeks until your kitten is 16 to 20 weeks old. If your Ragamuffin is an adult cat, you will need to get it vaccinated annually at the cat's yearly vet checkup. Spay or neuter your Ragamuffin. Ragamuffin cats actually don't reach sexual maturity until around four years of age, but they should still be spayed or neutered in the first year of their life. Consult with your veterinarian about when the right time will be to spay or neuter your Ragamuffin cat. De-sexing cats helps control cat populations, prevents unwanted kittens that may be hard to take care of or place in appropriate homes, and helps you take better care of your existing cat. Schedule annual vet visits. Just like any other cat, your Ragamuffin kitty will need to get regular veterinarian checkups every year. These visits help make sure your cat is healthy and happy. It will also help ensure that your cat lives a long life by giving the vet an opportunity to catch any problems that may be developing over time. You should also consider asking your vet to clean your cat's teeth during their annual vet visit since Ragamuffin cats can sometimes be prone to periodontal disease. Ask your vet if your Ragamuffin cat is at an appropriate and healthy weight. Ask your vet if your cat seems to be getting enough exercise. Ask if your Ragamuffin seems to need additional dental care to prevent periodontal disease. | Provide food dishes. Get rid of hazardous materials. Purchase cat toys. Get a collar and identification tag. Choose a healthy food. Provide water. Cuddle your cat. Get your cat vaccinated. Spay or neuter your Ragamuffin. Schedule annual vet visits. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Determine-if-a-Sapphire-is-Real | How to Determine if a Sapphire is Real | To determine if a sapphire is real, hold it up to your mouth and breathe on it so it fogs up. Then, count how long it takes for the fog to fade. If it takes longer than 1-2 seconds, the stone probably isn't a real sapphire. You can also tell if a sapphire is real by shining a light on it. If it reflects any color other than blue when you shine the light on it, the sapphire isn't real. | Look for flaws and inclusions. Use a jeweler's magnifying glass, at least 10x magnification, to inspect the sapphire closely. Natural sapphires form with tiny bits of other matter in them, so look for small specks and blemishes. These flaws are a good indication that a sapphire is real. Lab-created (fake) sapphires do not have inclusions of this nature, and some natural sapphires don't have flaws either, but if you find flaws it is real. Perform the breath test. Take your sapphire and breathe on it to fog it up. Count how long it takes for the fog to start fading and how long until the fog is totally gone. Natural gems should clear up in just one or two seconds, but created sapphires may take closer to five seconds to clear up. Get your sapphire certified. Gemologists can examine a sapphire with refractometers and magnification Polaris scopes to determine what kind of gem it is. They will give you a report on what they decide about the sapphire once they have analyzed it. They can tell you if it is natural or synthetic, treated or not, as well as many other attributes. Once the gemologists have fully examined the gem, they will give you an official statement. If you have an old family sapphire that you are sure is natural and valuable, it is good to have it certified to ensure that you get the best value if you sell it. A certified sapphire will be easier to sell for a good price. Jewelers are not qualified to tell you if a sapphire is real or not. Check the gem for air bubbles. Lab-created sapphires are essentially glass that is put through a process similar to the one that forms natural sapphires. Since they are glass, tiny air bubbles remain in them after they form. If you see any bubbles inside of the sapphire then it is not real. Be sure to turn the sapphire over and inspect it from every angle. It's possible that air bubbles will only be visible from one angle. Use the scratch test. If you have two sapphires and you know for sure one is real, use it to scratch the second one. Gems of equal hardness can't scratch each other, so if both are real sapphires then nothing will happen. If the real sapphire leaves a scratch on the second sapphire, then the second one is not real, or is at least of lower quality. This test can damage a synthetic sapphire, so be wary of ruining the inferior gem. Watch how light reflects from the sapphire. Turn the lights off in a room and shine a flashlight on the sapphire. If the sapphire is real, it will only reflect light that is the same color as the sapphire. If it is fake, meaning it is made of glass, it will reflect other colors besides the color of the gem. Look for intersecting lines in the sapphire. Some natural sapphires are of such poor quality that they can't be sold. One way that sellers make up for this is filling the sapphire with lead-glass which masks the poor quality of the sapphire. If you see criss-crossing lines, you may have a real sapphire but it is most likely of low quality. Ask the jeweler if the gem is natural. If you are considering buying a sapphire from a jeweler, you should always ask whether the gem is natural or synthetic. The FTC requires that jeweler's disclose information about any gems that they sell. Don't be afraid that you will sound critical or uninformed if you ask about a sapphire. It's your money to spend and you want to know for sure what kind of product you are buying. Ask the jeweler if a natural sapphire has been treated. There are various treatments that are done to sapphires to enhance their color or clarity. While this may make the sapphire look better, you may feel it reduces the natural quality. Treatments are not permanent, so it is good to ask about treatments and how long they will last on the gem. Treatments can be removed to return the gem to its natural look. | Look for flaws and inclusions. Perform the breath test. Get your sapphire certified. Check the gem for air bubbles. Use the scratch test. Watch how light reflects from the sapphire. Look for intersecting lines in the sapphire. Ask the jeweler if the gem is natural. Ask the jeweler if a natural sapphire has been treated. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises | How to Concentrate While There Are Background Noises | If you have a hard time concentrating when there's background noise, try a few simple tricks to cancel out the distractions! Use earplugs or noise-canceling headphones to block out any noises that might disturb your ability to concentrate. Another option is to play some classical or ambient music just loud enough to cover the background noise. If you know that the noise will be loudest at certain times of the day or weak, save your easier tasks for these moments. You can also try to move away from the noise by going to the library, a conference room, a different cubicle, or a study space. | Use earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones. Earplugs are great to cancel outside noises and cheap to buy. Noise-cancelling headphones are more expensive, but may be useful as a substitute or in addition to your earplugs. If you are in an office, social or studying environment, you may want to explain why you are using earplugs or headphones. Assure people that they can still talk to you and encourage them to tap you on the shoulder, step next to you, or otherwise get your attention. Of course, make sure that your boss has agreed to this arrangement beforehand. There are different types of earplugs, headphone, and noise-cancelling devices. Experiment on what feel good to you; everyone has a different preference. Organize your work differently. Identify when the noise is the loudest and reserve the easiest tasks for that moment. If you are at work, see if you can move to the library, a different cubicle or a conference room if you require greater concentration. It might not always be possible to move from your desk. If there is really nothing you can do about the noise, acceptance and adaptation is sometimes the best solution. Listen to music. If you are able to think clearly , concentrate, and study when listening to music, this technique can be an excellent way to cancel background noises. Lyrics-free music, such as classical, trance, or ambient music, is often the best choice for concentration. Think about the volume. If the music is too loud, you won't be able to concentrate and you might bother your colleagues. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-3Bullet1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-3Bullet1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-3Bullet1-Version-3.jpg\/aid1663883-v4-728px-Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-3Bullet1-Version-3.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>"} As an alternative, use white noise. White noise is a static sound used to block background noise. It is commonly used with babies. If white noise doesn't suit you, try pink noise, grey noise, or brown noise. You can easily find these on the internet or download an application for your phone. Put on headphones, but do not listen to anything. For some individuals, simply putting on headphones muffles sound enough to concentrate without any enhancement. You could also use earmuffs. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/18\/Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-3Bullet3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-3Bullet3-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/18\/Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-3Bullet3-Version-3.jpg\/aid1663883-v4-728px-Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-3Bullet3-Version-3.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>"} Take breaks from the noise and relax. Background noises can be extremely stressful and detrimental to your health. A good way to regain your concentration is to take a short break and go for a walk or to the toilets. You can also try different techniques to calm yourself : Sit comfortably, breathe deeply and slowly. Once your body get used to this, close your eyes and focus on something relaxing. Do this for at least ten minutes. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d4\/Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-4Bullet1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-4Bullet1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d4\/Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-4Bullet1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1663883-v4-728px-Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-4Bullet1-Version-2.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>"} You can also try to relax the muscles of your body. Sit comfortably and stretch the muscles of your face. Gently rotate your head and move your shoulders. Stretch your arms and your legs and rotate your wrists and ankles. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2b\/Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-4Bullet2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-4Bullet2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2b\/Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-4Bullet2-Version-2.jpg\/aid1663883-v4-728px-Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-4Bullet2-Version-2.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>"} Address the problem. If you cannot get away from a noise, such as a radio playing at work, consider raising the matter politely with everyone involved. It is important that everyone in a workplace or study environment feels comfortable. You may find out that you are not the only one who has an issue! If your colleagues refuse to keep the noise level to a minimum, consider talking with the HR department. If you have to deal with noisy neighbors, always stay calm and polite. Disputes between neighbors can become ugly quickly. Arrange the room to block external sounds. This is a short-term strategy to isolate the room you are working in. Make sure that your windows and your doors are closed. Sounds usually penetrate through holes and gaps. The following ideas can help you reduce the level of background noise: Various barriers can mute distracting sounds. Place a few pillows against the wall to absorb the sound from the other side of the wall when in bed. Buy thermal drapes for your windows. They stop outside sounds as well as the flow of heat. Place a carpet on the floor to block the sound from downstairs. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-6Bullet3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-6Bullet3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-6Bullet3-Version-2.jpg\/aid1663883-v4-728px-Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-6Bullet3-Version-2.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>"} Call a professional. If you work at home and own the place, you can call a professional to soundproof your room. This solution will be expensive but will also give you more freedom and long-term satisfaction. There are several ways to soundproof your house. Soundstop panels can be installed on the walls and rubber mats placed on the floor. Always ask for a quote and call a few professionals to compare. Don't pick the first one and try to bargain. Move out. Moving out of your rented house or flat might seem like a drastic solution but if you are poisoned by background noises and are working at home, this might be the simplest long-term option. You need to take care of your health and your stress level. Plan your move correctly. Ideally, you should research different area and investigate the noise level. You don't want to move in another noisy place! If you find a place you like, visit it at different times to be sure that the noise level is acceptable. Identify potential problems. Do not move next to a football stadium or a nightclub. Avoid bars and places where there are high concentrations of students. Make sure you're not hungry or thirsty. Being hungry or thirsty will decrease your ability to concentrate and will make you more vulnerable to external stimuli like noise. Try to eat healthily. A high blood sugar level is proven to have an impact on your concentration. Junk food is also linked to a decreased attention span. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/28\/Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-9Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-9Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/28\/Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-9Bullet1.jpg\/aid1663883-v4-728px-Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-9Bullet1.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>"} Drink plenty of water. It's good for your body and research has demonstrated that it boosts your brain's ability to concentrate. Avoid stimulants such as coffee, energy drinks, sugar, and tea. While caffeine can give you an energy boost immediately after consumption, the benefit can be short-lived. The consumption of caffeine can trigger withdrawal effects which include headache and a difficulty to concentrate. Sleep well. Being sleep deprived is bad for your concentration and will make you more sensitive to background noises. If you work in a noisy environment, try to come rested. Relax outside of work. If you're over-stressed by the noise, try to relax at home. You could try aromatherapy or go for a massage. Your global well-being will inevitably have an impact on your ability to resist external noises. Sport is a great way to relax your muscles and body. Meet your friends and try to forget about your working environment. Don't become obsessed with the noise. If you cannot relax anymore, talk to your doctor. Stress and noise can lead to a burnout and it might be time to take a break. | Use earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones. Organize your work differently. Listen to music. Take breaks from the noise and relax. Address the problem. Arrange the room to block external sounds. Call a professional. Move out. Make sure you're not hungry or thirsty. Avoid stimulants such as coffee, energy drinks, sugar, and tea. Sleep well. Relax outside of work. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Screen-Print | How to Make a Screen Print | If you're screen printing onto a t-shirt, first lay a newspaper inside the shirt so the paint does not seep through. Then, make a stencil of your design and lay it on your fabric. Next, lay the screen over the stencil, and spoon out paint onto the screen. Make sure it's enough paint to fully cover the stencil. Use a squeegee to spread the paint, covering the whole design in as few strokes as possible. Finally, lift everything off the material to reveal your design. | Design your print. Think of something interesting and draw it on to a piece of paper. Don't worry about coloring or shading it -- you'll be cutting it out and using the rest of it as a stencil. Keep it simple at first. Geometrical shapes and circles in an uneven pattern are easiest and never clichéd. Space them far enough apart if you're a beginner -- you don't want the paper to tear when being cut. Use a craft knife to cut out all the coloured parts of your design. Keep the surrounding blank paper in tact. You have now made your stencil. Unfortunately, if it rips, you'll probably need to start over. Exercise care and precision. Make sure your stencil fits appropriately on your shirt. If it doesn't, you'll have to resize or otherwise adjust it. Put your stencil on top of your material (paper or t-shirt) and the screen on top of the stencil. Place the stencil so the mesh is directly on top (the two should be touching) and the handles are facing up. If there is space between the edges of your stencil and the edges of your screen, put masking tape on the underside. You don't want paint leaking where it shouldn't leak. If you use the taping method, make sure not to tape the stencil to the mesh! Otherwise the stencil might move around when you're squeegee-ing it. Spoon out some paint. Make a line at the top of the screen (the part furthest away from you). You don't want paint on top of the stencil at the moment. Try to spoon out as much paint as you think would cover the stencil. It's a little difficult to use more than one color with this method. If you do try it, know that at some point or other, the colors will mix. If you're okay with that, go for it! Use the squeegee to spread the paint over the mesh. Try to do it with one downwards movement -- or the least number of strokes possible. This makes it look as smooth and professional as can be. Always make vertical strokes. If you make both horizontal and vertical strokes, the paint will clump and be harder to dry and finish. Once you reach the bottom, keep going and scoop the excess paint up the handle to be reused. Lift everything up off your material. Be careful! If you drag it at all, the paint may smear. It's best to do it layer by layer, lifting up and then off. Leave to dry. The longer, the better. If you printed onto clothing, then once it is dry you need to put a sheet of greasing or tracing paper over your design and iron it. This seals it, making it wearable and washable. Print off your design on your computer. A big, dark, simple design is easiest to work with. Print in black and white or dark colors -- you need to see the pattern through the screen. It also has to fit inside your embroidery hoop. If you don't want to use your computer's imaging program, you can draw one yourself. Just make sure it's the right size, is dark enough, and won't transfer to your screen. Place your sheer fabric material in an embroidery hoop. Unscrew the hoop that opens it and pull your fabric taut across the base of the hoop. Replace the top and twist the screw back in. It doesn't matter if it's centered; you'll only be using the material within the circumference of the hoop. Sheer curtain material works well as your screen. Pick a fabric that's meshy and not quite translucent. Place the hoop on top of the pattern and start tracing. The fabric should be directly touching the pattern. Use a pencil to trace your image; if you mess up, you can always go back and erase. Only trace an outline. Flip the hoop fabric side up. Cover the outside of your pattern (where your tracing lines are) in a layer of glue. This should not be on your pattern; it should be surrounding it. This glue acts as a shield when you apply the paint -- if you go outside the lines, it won't show on the fabric; it'll just be left on the glue. The glue can go as crazy as it wants outside the pattern -- just make sure it doesn't go inside. When you're finished, wait for it to dry completely. 15 minutes should do the trick. Position the screen in place. The sheer fabric should be away from the material, separated by the width of the embroidery hoop. Smooth out the fabric underneath the screen to create an even pattern. If you have an ink squeegee, use it to apply your paint to the material. If you don't, use a sponge paintbrush and hold the screen firmly. Pull off the screen and allow your material to dry. Be careful that you don't incur any smudges when you lift it off! If it hasn't dried thoroughly, the paint may run. Give it a solid 15 minutes to dry completely. Iron your fabric, following the directions on the bottle of ink or paint you used. Wear away! | Design your print. Use a craft knife to cut out all the coloured parts of your design. Put your stencil on top of your material (paper or t-shirt) and the screen on top of the stencil. Spoon out some paint. Use the squeegee to spread the paint over the mesh. Lift everything up off your material. Print off your design on your computer. Place your sheer fabric material in an embroidery hoop. Place the hoop on top of the pattern and start tracing. Flip the hoop fabric side up. Position the screen in place. Pull off the screen and allow your material to dry. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Design-a-Patio | How to Design a Patio | To design a patio, plan on making it about as long as your house is tall and as wide as your house's length. Also, choose a location near the kitchen if you plan to use it for entertaining or dining. Then, pick a smooth material like concrete or tile if you plan on having tables and chairs since this will prevent them from wobbling. Once you decide on the bigger picture, then you can add accessories, like awnings and umbrellas if your patio is in the sunny part of your yard. | Research the rules and permissions needed for building a patio. Different cities and in the United States require different permissions for adding on to your home. If you rent your home, you must ask permission from your landlord if you wish to add anything onto the property. Visit your city's official website for a list of permits needed to build a patio on your property. If you belong to a Homeowners Association, you may have to lobby for permission to build your patio. Contact your HOA to find out about the permissions they require for building in order to avoid fines. Decide how you will use the patio. Choosing what you'll use your patio for is the first step in creating a dynamic and complementary outdoor space. Maybe you want a space for parties, or maybe you simply want a private place to sit and people-watch. Most patios are built for a mixture of personal and social uses, so you might want to design with a versatile patio in mind. Choose the location of your space. Designing a patio that's close to your kitchen is best if you plan to do any entertaining. Building a patio close to your kitchen is advisable for easy access to the house and to refreshments. Quick kitchen access is also important if you are thinking of using the space for a lot of dining. Size the space and draw a plan. Sizing and measuring the space is key to understanding what you have and what you can do with it. Knowing the size of the space and how many people it will accommodate is essential. You can do a dimensioned drawing of the space, or simply mark the outlines of the space with chalk to visually plan how much space you have to work with. There is no set rule about how large or small your patio should be. One expert suggests that a patio with a fire pit surrounded by 4 or 5 chairs should at least be fourteen feet in diameter. If you have the space for it, a good rule of thumb is to build your patio proportionately to your house - make it as long as your house is tall, and as wide as your house's length. A simple way to get a general view of the space is to place chairs and tables around the lawn where you would like them to be on your patio. Think about what materials you want to use. For the patio itself, you can use concrete, tile, brick, flagstone, tile, or pavers. These materials all come in many colors and can be customized to fit your needs. Visit your local hardware store for styles and pricing. If you want tables and chairs for the space, be sure to choose a material that won't cause the furniture to wobble. Go with concrete, tile, or any consistently flat material if you want to minimize furniture wobbling, and avoid gravel. Be aware of your budget. Certain materials cost more than others, while some are cheaper but will take more time to install. Concrete is likely the least expensive option, but can be very labor-intensive. Stone will probably be the most expensive option, especially if you choose natural stone. Decide whether you want to hire someone to lay your patio or if you want to do it yourself. If you plan on pouring concrete or laying a more complex foundation, you might want to hire a professional. Some materials, like certain tiles, bricks, and Pavers can be installed without hiring a professional. Most cities have professional, local patio builders. Do some research and call different businesses to get estimates and find out if this is the option for you. Consider waterproofing your patio. Inclement weather is inevitable, and your patio will likely come into contact with rain at some point. There are several products on the market specifically made to waterproof your patio. The product you use will largely depend on the materials you are using to build. A concrete patio can often be easily waterproofed by a beginner using one product. A stone patio may need to be sealed and then waterproofed, and may require more time and experience. Plan if and where you want plants and landscaping. Greenery can be aesthetically pleasing, and it can also offer shade and privacy. If you are unsure about what plant life you want, you can simply lay the patio foundation first to see what you're working with. You can always add greenery later if you choose to do so. Think about whether you have a green thumb or prefer plants that don't need as much care. Being honest about your ability to manage plants will help you know which ones and how many to buy. Consider the furniture and accessories you want to add. Picking versatile, affordable, and durable furniture will help you create a dynamic and custom space. Look for a great set of patio furniture that will be sustainable and affordable. Buy or borrow a stack of interior design magazines to get a feel for the different approaches to design that home accessories companies provide. Most hardware stores have many different styles of patio furniture available. Visit various stores to see what types of furniture are available to help you decide what you do and don't want. Pay attention to whether your patio will be in a shady part of your yard or a sunny one. Depending on how the sun hits your space, you may want an umbrella, gazebo, or awning. Plants can also be a good source of shade. You can plant trees or shrubbery to help block the sun. Think about the usage of the space. Choosing the right furniture depends largely on how you plan to utilize your space. If your patio will be used as a private outdoor area for you and your family, perhaps a few chairs, ottomans and side tables will do the trick. However, if you image lavish garden parties and elegant patio affairs, large-scale seating as well as table surfaces may be best. | Research the rules and permissions needed for building a patio. Decide how you will use the patio. Choose the location of your space. Size the space and draw a plan. Think about what materials you want to use. Be aware of your budget. Decide whether you want to hire someone to lay your patio or if you want to do it yourself. Consider waterproofing your patio. Plan if and where you want plants and landscaping. Consider the furniture and accessories you want to add. Pay attention to whether your patio will be in a shady part of your yard or a sunny one. Think about the usage of the space. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Cricut-Mat | How to Clean a Cricut Mat | To lightly clean a cricut mat, start by scraping any dirt off with a plastic scraper. Then, wipe an alcohol-free baby wipe or roll a lint roller over it to remove any debris stuck to the surface. If you use the mat repeatedly and it's lacking stickiness, put a small amount of dish soap and warm water over the surface, and scrub it lightly with a soft brush. For a mat that is very dirty and has lost all stickiness, spray a degreaser on it to cut through the grime, then clean it well with soap and water. Once clean, dry the mat by hanging it up or placing it on a drying rack. | Give your mat a light cleaning when it loses some of its stickiness. In order to keep your mat sticky for as long as possible, it's a good idea to clean it regularly. First scrape it off with a plastic scraper, either Cricut brand or any other type of hard plastic scraper. Then wipe an alcohol-free baby wipe or roll a lint roller over the surface. A lint roller is usually stickier than the mat, so it's able to remove any debris that is stuck to the mat. The baby wipes are able to gently wet down the surface and remove debris without damaging the mat. Rub the surface with soap and water. If you have used your mat repeatedly and it is really lacking stickiness, the surface may need a light scrub. Put a small amount of dish soap and warm water over the surface and scrub it lightly with a soft brush. Then rinse the surface off with warm water. If you want to use a sponge on the surface, try a Magic Eraser. This type of sponge will be gentle enough on the surface and it is good at removing residue. Spray a degreaser on the mat. If your mat is very dirty and has no stickiness left, you will need to use a stronger cleaner. Degreasers will cut through whatever is on the surface and remove it. However, they can leave a residue, so the mat needs to be cleaned with soap and water after using a degreaser. Using a strong degreaser may diminish the stickiness of the mat. However, you can replenish the stickiness after it is clean and dry. Let the mat air dry. Once clean, put the mat on a drying rack or hang it up so that both sides of it are able to dry completely. Whatever type of cleaning you do, it's important to let the mat dry before using it in the machine again. Any remaining moisture will minimize its stickiness and could damage the machine. Do not use a towel to dry the mat. Rubbing a towel over the sticky surface will cover it with fibers, minimizing its effectiveness. Remove all frosting, fondant, or gum paste. There are some Cricut machines that are made specifically to cut decorative pieces out of gum paste, frosting sheets, and fondant. Once the decorative pieces have been cut and pulled off the mat, you will need to remove all excess gum paste, frosting, or fondant by pulling it off the mat with your fingers. In some cases, the excess can be reconstituted and reused. Scrape off excess shortening with a plastic scraper. The decorative food sheets cut with these special Cricut machines are held on to the cutting mat with a thick layer of shortening, not a sticky mat. Once you are done cutting a sheet, scrape as much of this shortening off as possible. Cricut sells plastic scrapers that can be used on their mats. However, any small plastic scraper, such as those sold for cleaning dishes, will work. Use warm soapy water to clean the mat. Once you cover the mat in dish soap and warm water, scrub it to remove the excess shortening. You may need to scrub the surface of the mat a bit with a normal dish sponge or brush to remove any excess shortening. You should only use cleaners on it that are non-toxic and safe for contact with kitchen equipment, so using warm water and dish soap works well on these mats. Let the mat air dry. Like all other Cricut mats, the Cricut Cake mats should be left out to dry after they are washed. Once completely dry, they can be used again in your machine. Don't use a towel to dry your mat. This can leave fibers on the surface of the mat, which will be transferred to the frosting, fondant, or gum paste you cut. Remove the original sticky layer with rubbing alcohol or stickiness remover. To get new adhesive to stick to your mat, it's a good idea to remove the layer that has lost its stickiness. You can do this by covering the surface with rubbing alcohol or a stickiness removing product, such as Goo Gone. You may need to use a scrapper, such as the one included in the Cricut tools pack, to get the old surface to come off. Tape off the edges of the mat. The edges of a Cricut mat need to be free of stickiness, as this is the part of the mat that is pulled through the machine's rollers. To ensure that you don't get any adhesive on these areas, you should tape them off with painter's tape or masking tape. The area that you need to tape off is clearly marked on the mat with color. The colored areas are on all 4 edges outside of the grid pattern. Cover the surface with a repositionable adhesive. There are a variety of adhesive products that people use to rejuvenate their mats. They are available at craft stores and from online retailers. Some can be sprayed over the surface and some need to be brushed on, but all should be applied in 2-3 coats. Some adhesives that work well include: Repositionable scrapbooking glue Repositionable glue sticks Quilt basting spray Tacky glue thinned out with an equal part of water Repositionable spray adhesive Let the adhesive dry thoroughly. This will ensure that the adhesive is bonded to the mat properly and that it doesn't stick too much to the paper you are cutting. Once the mat is dry, remove the tape and use the mat. | Give your mat a light cleaning when it loses some of its stickiness. Rub the surface with soap and water. Spray a degreaser on the mat. Let the mat air dry. Remove all frosting, fondant, or gum paste. Scrape off excess shortening with a plastic scraper. Use warm soapy water to clean the mat. Let the mat air dry. Remove the original sticky layer with rubbing alcohol or stickiness remover. Tape off the edges of the mat. Cover the surface with a repositionable adhesive. Let the adhesive dry thoroughly. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Amortization | How to Calculate Amortization | To calculate amortization, start by dividing the loan's interest rate by 12 to find the monthly interest rate. Then, multiply the monthly interest rate by the principal amount to find the first month's interest. Next, subtract the first month's interest from the monthly payment to find the principal payment amount. Once you've done that, repeat the process for the second-month loan payment. Finally, subtract the principal amount paid in the first month from the principal amount paid in the second month to calculate the amortization. | Gather the information you need to calculate the loan’s amortization. You'll need the principal amount and the interest rate. To calculate amortization, you also need the term of the loan and the payment amount each period. In this case, you will calculate monthly amortization. The principal is the current loan amount. For example, say you are paying off a 30-year mortgage. If your loan has a balance outstanding of $100,000 (not counting any accrued interest), that is the principal. Your interest rate (6%) is the annual rate on the loan. To calculate amortization, you will convert the annual interest rate into a monthly rate. The term of the loan is 360 months (30 years). Since amortization is a monthly calculation in this example, the term is stated in months, not years. Your monthly payment is $599.55. The dollar amount of the payment stays constant. However, the portion of the payment that is principal or interest will change. You will mostly be paying off the interest when you start making payments, and then your payments will start to go to the balance. Set up a spreadsheet. This calculation has a few moving parts and would best be accomplished in a spreadsheet where you've pre-loaded all your relevant info into column headings like: Principal, Interest Payment, Principal Payment, and Ending Principal. The total number of rows below those headings would be 360 to account for each monthly payment. A spreadsheet makes the calculations significantly quicker because, if done correctly, you only have to enter a given equation once (or twice, as when you are using the previous month's calculation to fuel all subsequent calculations). Once entered correctly, simply drag your equation(s) down through the remaining cells to compute amortization over the life of the loan. Even better is to set aside a separate set of columns and input your main loan variables (e.g. monthly payment, interest rate) as this will allow you to quickly visualize how changes will affect each other over the life of the loan. You can also try an online amortization calculator. Calculate the interest portion of the monthly payment for month one. This calculation requires several steps. You need to convert the interest rate to a monthly amount. The monthly rate is used to compute how much interest you will pay for the month. Loans that amortize, such as your home mortgage or car loan, require a monthly payment. As a result, you need to compute the interest and principal portion of each payment on a monthly basis. Convert the interest rate to a monthly rate. That amount is: (6% divided by 12 = 0.005 monthly rate). Multiply the principal amount by the monthly interest rate: ($100,000 principal multiplied by 0.005 = $500 month's interest). You can use the equation: I=P*r*t, where I=Interest, P=principal, r=rate, and t=time. Compute the principal portion of the payment for month one. Subtract the interest for the month from the first payment to compute the principal payment amount. Subtract the month's interest from the payment amount to calculate the principal payment: ($599.55 payment - $500 interest = $99.55 principal payment). As more principal is repaid, the interest due on your principal balance each month will decline. A larger portion of each monthly payment will go toward principal repayment. Use the new principal amount at the end of month one to calculate amortization for month two. Each time you calculate amortization, you subtract the principal amount repaid in the prior month. Calculate the principal amount for month two: ($100,000 principal - $99.55 principal payment = $99,900.45). Compute the interest for month two: ($99,900.45 principal X 0.005 = $499.50). Determine the principal repayment for month two. Just as you did in month one, your interest for the month is subtracted from the total monthly loan payment. The remaining amount is your principal repayment for the month. Calculate the principal payment in month two: ($599.55 - $499.50 = $100.05). The principal repayment in month two ($100.05) is larger than month one ($99.55). Since the total principal balance declines each month, you pay less interest in the balance. In month one the interest was $500. In month two, the interest was only $499.50. As the required interest payment declines, the portion of the payment that goes toward principal increases. Analyze the trend that occurs over time. You can see that the loan's principal is reduced each month. Because the principal amount declines, the interest computed on the lower principal amount also goes down. Over time, a growing amount of each monthly payment goes toward principal. Calculate the new principal balance for month three's interest calculation: ($99,900.45 - $100.05 = $99,800.40). Compute interest for month three: ($99,800.40 X 0.005 monthly interest = $499). Calculate the principal payment in month three: ($599.55 monthly payment - $499 interest in month three = $100.55). Consider the impact of amortization at the end of the loan’s term. You'll see that, over time, the amount of interest charged each month declines. The principal portion of each payment increases over time as your remaining balance gets smaller. Interest payments decline to nearly zero. In the last month of the loan's term, the interest payment is $2.98. By the last period of the term, the principal portion of the payment ($596.37) is close to the entire payment amount. The principal amount still owed is $0 at the end of the term. Use the concept of amortization to make smart choices about your finances. Since your mortgage loan and many car loans use amortization, you need to understand this concept. You can use your knowledge of amortization to manage your personal debts. Whenever possible, make extra payments to reduce the principal amount of your loan faster. The faster you're able to reduce principal, the less total interest you will pay over the loan term. Consider the interest rate on the debts you have outstanding. Your extra payment will have the biggest impact on the loan with the highest interest rate. You want to reduce the principal amount for the debt with the highest interest rate. You can find loan amortization calculators on the Internet. Use a calculator to compute the interest you will save if you make extra payments. Say, for example, that your extra payment reduces your principal from $10,000 to $9,900. Use the $10,000 figure and calculate your amortization over the remaining term of the loan. Change the principal from $10,000 to $9,900 and run the calculation again. Take a look at the total interest paid over the life of the loan. You'll see a difference, based on the extra $100 principal payment. | Gather the information you need to calculate the loan’s amortization. Set up a spreadsheet. Calculate the interest portion of the monthly payment for month one. Compute the principal portion of the payment for month one. Use the new principal amount at the end of month one to calculate amortization for month two. Determine the principal repayment for month two. Analyze the trend that occurs over time. Consider the impact of amortization at the end of the loan’s term. Use the concept of amortization to make smart choices about your finances. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Knit-Ribbing | How to Knit Ribbing | Before you start knitting, dangle about a foot of yarn over your thumb and hang the end attached to the ball over your index finger. Hold the two strands together to create a triangle. Then, push a needle under the yarn between your thumb and index finger before securing the yarn on it. Add the number of stitches you want on your needle, and then hold it in your left hand. To start knitting, put your bare needle through the stitch nearest the point and wrap the yarn clockwise around the empty needle, then, move the stitched needle over the end of the empty needle before transferring the first stitch to the empty needle. | Make a triangular shape with the yarn using your fingers. Use your left hand. Pull a bit of yarn out of your ball. Hang the yarn over your thumb and index finger, with the tail end dangling off your thumb and the end attached to the yarn ball hanging over your index finger. Make sure you have at least a foot of extra yarn hanging from your thumb. Use your remaining fingers to grasp the two strands of yarn and hold them together. The yarn should make a triangular shape with points at your thumb, your index finger, and the remaining fingers holding the strands of yarn together. Cast on. Take a needle. Using your right hand, put the needle under the string held between your thumb and index finger. Secure the yarn to the needle by pressing down on it with your right index finger. Pull the yarn downward, away from your left thumb and index finger. This should make a slight indent in your triangle. Pass the needle over the strand of thread between your thumb and index finger, slightly looping this strand onto the needle. It's very important you move your needle over this strand of yarn and not under it. From here, move the tip of the needle towards your thumb. Keep pulling the needle and thread downward towards the base of your thumb. A loop of yarn should form around your thumb. Another loop should form around your index finger. Push the tip of the needle through the thumb loop. The tip of the needle should pass underneath the yarn, and not over the yarn. Now, move the needle towards the loop of yarn on your index finger. Pass the tip of the needle over the loop on your index finger. It's important the needle goes over this loop, and not under it. Remember, your needle goes under the loop on your thumb, and then over the loop on your index finger. Once you've passed the needle over the loop on your index finger, move the needle back towards your thumb. Continue moving the needle forward until it passes underneath the thumb loop. Release the thumb loop. Pull down on the yarn released from the thumb loop to tighten the stitch you've created. You should now have one stitch securely wrapped around your needle. Add your desired number of stitches to your needle. You'll add stitches by creating a triangle similar to the one you began with. The tail end of the yarn will hang over your thumb. The end attached to the ball of yarn will hang over your index finger. However, you do not need to grasp the ends together this time. They are attached by the needle. The needle takes the place held by your remaining fingers when you were casting on. Move the needle downward. A loop of yarn should form around your thumb and index finger. Pass the needle underneath the thumb loop. Then, move the needle towards the index finger loop. Pass it over this loop and, once again, move the needle back towards the thumb until it passes under the thumb loop. Release the thumb loop and pull the yarn released to tighten. You have added one stitch. Repeat this process until you've added as many stitches as you want. It's a good idea to use an even number of stitches when knitting ribbing. Identify the working yarn versus the tail yarn. The working yarn refers to the yarn still attached to the ball. The tail yarn is the end of the yarn, unattached to the ball. When knitting or purling, only use the the working yarn as you add to the project. The tail yarn will be tied into a knot when you finish knitting and the tail end of it will be snipped off. Grasp your needles. To start, hold your needles. One needle should contain all the stitches. The other needle should be bare. Hold the bare needle in your right hand. Hold the stitched needle in your left hand. Place the bare needle through the first stitch on the stitched needle. You'll start by working with the stitch nearest the tip of stitched needle. The stitches form tiny circular loops around the needle. You will want to pass the bare needle through the bottom of this loop. To knit, you will want to enter the stitch from the front. This means, you should enter the stitch on the side of the needle facing you. You also want to put the tip of bare the needle between the front stitch and the stitch just behind the front stitch. Do not place the bare needle's tip between the front stitch and the tip of the stitched needle. Once you have the positioning correct, push the tip of the needle through this stitch. Move about a half an inch's worth of the bare needle through the stitch and then stop. Wrap the working yarn clockwise around the bare needle. Now, grab your working yarn with your right hand. You're going to wrap the working yarn around the tip of the bare needle. Wrap the yarn around the bare needle and over the stitched needle. Make sure to wrap the working yarn clockwise. Do not wrap the yarn counter clockwise. The loop should form around the back of the bare needle. Move the stitched needle over the bare needle. The two needles should now be somewhat secured together with the working yarn, forming a roughly ninety degree angle. One loop of yarn should be formed around the bare needle. Use your right hand to pull down on the working yarn, preventing this loop from coming undone. Use your left hand to slowly move the stitched needle upward. Pass it over the tip of the bare needle. As you do this, simultaneously pass the tip of the bare needle through the first stitch on the stitched needle. Make sure you point the bare needle inward. The bare needle's tip should be pointing towards the other stitches as it passes through the first stitch. Transfer the stitch to the bare needle. Now, you'll be transferring the stitch from the stitched needle to the bare needle. Hold the other stitches in place with your left index finger. Gently slide the bare needle forward, taking the first stitch with you. Keep sliding until the needles separate again, with one stitch now on the bare needle. If you're new to knitting, you'll have to move slowly throughout this process. As you become more adept at knitting, you'll find you can move through it swiftly. Get ahold of your needles. To purl, pick up your needles again. You should hold the stitched needle in your left hand and the bare needle in your right hand. Place the bare needle through the back of the first stitch on the stitched needle. Purling is essentially the opposite of knitting. To start, you'll be pushing the bare needle through the back of the first stitch rather than through the front. Take the tip of the bare needle and place it behind the stitched needle. The bare needle should enter the first stitch on the side of the stitches not facing you. You will also enter the stitch differently. Place the bare needle's tip between the front stitch and the tip of the stitched needle. Do not put the tip of bare the needle between the front stitch and the stitch just behind the front stitch. Once the positioning is correct, push the tip of the bare needle through the loop formed by the first stitch. Push about half an inch of the bare needle through the stitch. Wrap the working yarn counter clockwise around the bare needle. Take the working yarn with your right hand. Move the yarn around the bare needle and over the stitched needle. The yarn should be pulled counter clockwise this time, looping the yarn around the front of the bare needle rather than the back. Move the stitched needle over the bare needle. The process from here is similar to knitting. Secure the loop on the bare needle by using your right hand to hold the working thread down. Slowly move the stitched needle over the tip of the bare needle. Once again, make sure to pass the bare needle through the loop formed by the first stitch as you pass the needles over one another. Transfer the stitch to the bare needle. Holding the remaining stitches down with your left hand, gently slide the bare needle forward. Keep sliding until the first stitch transfers to the bare needle. The needles should be separated now, with one stitch on the bare needle. Knit one stitch. Ribbing creates a pattern by alternating between knitting and purling. To start ribbing, knit one stitch. If you're new to knitting, go slowly. You want to make sure you knit the stitch correctly as not to mess up your pattern. Loop your yarn over the needle. As purling requires a different starting point than knitting, you'll have to adjust your yarn after you knit the first stitch. To do so, take the working yarn with your right hand. The working yarn should be on the right side of the bare needle. Take the working yarn and pass it behind the bare needle to transfer it to the left side. Make sure to transfer the thread every time. Otherwise, you will be unable to purl correctly. Purl one stitch. From here, purl one stitch. Work slowly if you're new to purling to avoid screwing up the pattern. You'll have to move the thread again when you finish purling. You can move the thread from the left to the right side, passing it behind the bare needle. Alternate between knitting and purling until you reach the end of your row. To knit ribbing, you'll knit one, purl one, until you reach the end of your row. Then, switch which hands are holding the needles and begin the knit one, purl one pattern again. Continue in this pattern until you've knit as much as ribbing as you need for a given project. Do not forget to transfer the thread before each new stitch. For some projects, you may be required to knit two, purl two. Go slowly at first. It takes awhile to find your rhythm in knitting. Eventually, you'll feel comfortable with the flow of it. | Make a triangular shape with the yarn using your fingers. Cast on. Add your desired number of stitches to your needle. Identify the working yarn versus the tail yarn. Grasp your needles. Place the bare needle through the first stitch on the stitched needle. Wrap the working yarn clockwise around the bare needle. Move the stitched needle over the bare needle. Transfer the stitch to the bare needle. Get ahold of your needles. Place the bare needle through the back of the first stitch on the stitched needle. Wrap the working yarn counter clockwise around the bare needle. Move the stitched needle over the bare needle. Transfer the stitch to the bare needle. Knit one stitch. Loop your yarn over the needle. Purl one stitch. Alternate between knitting and purling until you reach the end of your row. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Your-Step-Mom | How to Deal With Your Step Mom | Having a new step mom can make you feel sad and confused at first, but with time, you can build a better relationship with her. It might help to talk about your feelings with your friends and other family members. If you know someone who has a stepparent, they might understand how you feel. If you don't get along with your step mom, have some space away from her and focus on things you do for fun. When you have to be around her, try to stay calm and polite, which will reduce the chances of arguments. You can also talk to your dad and ask him for help dealing with your feelings. | Talk to a counselor or therapist. Many people find talking to professionals about hard things can be helpful. Professionals have seen many different kinds of stepparent situations before. They'll likely have practical suggestions on how to cope. A counselor or therapist that focuses specifically on children and teenagers can be a great resource for you. Professionals are people who aren't personally involved with your situation, and who have years of expertise in helping people get through hard times. They are outside the relationships that bind your family and can often help you understand your situation in a new way. Confide in your friends and family. The advantages of talking to your friends and family members about your stepmom is that you're likely spending time and talking to them anyway - you don't have to schedule a special time or go out of your way. Your friends and family will have a personal investment in your happiness. Because your friends and family won't be neutral about the situation with your stepmom, their advice might not be as helpful. The best advice often comes from people without a personal connection to the situation. It's best to have a combination of people, including friends, families, and professional counselors to help you. If you are part of a faith community, consider asking an adult in this community for support. Many times priests, rabbis, ministers and others have training in counseling in addition to their religious education. Talk to your dad. If you are unsure how to relate to your stepmom, ask your dad if you can sit down and discuss it with him. It's best if you explain your frustrations clearly, without getting angry. Most likely, your father will have some good ideas. You might need to talk to your counselor or friend about the best ways to approach him. Consider the following: ”Dad, I'm feeling confused and sad. It's a lot harder to adjust to having a stepmom than I thought. Do you have any good ideas?” ”I'm not sure how to treat my stepmom. She's not my real mom, but she's also not just your girlfriend anymore. What do you think I should do?” ”I wanted to talk to you about some of the changes that are going on in our family. I'm feeling uncomfortable with my stepmom and I'm not sure what to do about it.” Remind yourself that you are valuable. Everything you say and do has value. When you understand that you are an important member of your family, you're more likely to realize that your opinions matter. If you are feeling unappreciated or undervalued, then speak up and let your parent and stepmom know. It's natural to desire a sense of safety and security. This comes when you have a feeling that you are seen and valued. Most people want to feel like their emotions and ideas are important to the people in their household. If you don't feel like this is true for you, find someone you trust to talk to. Be aware of your attitude. Are you making things worse in the household by being antagonistic towards your stepmom? It's natural to get defensive when you're struggling to accept your new family dynamic. If you're making rude comments, or being disrespectful, you might be making the problem worse. When you are sad, frustrated or angry, it is easy to get caught up in these types of behaviors.. Picking fights and being angry makes it harder to focus on homework or fun things, like activities with friends and family members. Arguing with your stepmom won't bring your father closer to you. It may actually make things worse between you. You don't always need to agree with your stepmom, but try to keep your opinions as respectful as you would like hers to be towards you. Try to accept the situation. Although having a hard time letting go is a natural reaction, continuing to dwell on the past will only cause more pain and prolong the adjustment period. Instead of thinking about what you're leaving behind, focus on accepting this situation you're in right now and creating a positive future. One way to practice acceptance is to refocus your attention on something positive. Instead of dwelling on the trouble you're having with your stepmom, find ways you can get more involved with your school or community even as your family is changing. Try a new activity – drama, rock climbing, volunteering at a soup kitchen, whatever sounds interesting to you. Getting out of the house, meeting new people and having new experiences will help keep you from resenting your stepmom all the time. Try writing in a journal. Journaling helps you reflect on things that happen during the day. It's a great self-teaching tool, because it often shows you new things about yourself. If you're struggling with your stepmom, setting aside at least 20 minutes every day to write in a journal will likely help you handle your feelings. Journaling allows you to consider how changing your thoughts or behaviors might have brought about a different outcome. Some people find that once they've written down the day's events, they also spend a few minutes writing about about the lessons of the day, and brainstorming alternative ways to react to stress, handle relationships and recognize and appreciate life's positive moments. It's a healthy practice to always write down at least 3 things in your daily journal that you're grateful for. This helps your attention from becoming overly negative. Get involved in exercise. Clinical studies show that people who exercise at least an hour per day are more likely to feel positive and respond well to life's stresses. Moderately intense exercise is one of the highest recommended forms of coping. Moderate exercise means that your breath should be quicker than normal. Running, brisk walking, swimming laps, or hiking are ways that you can exercise on your own. Playing team sports like basketball, soccer, volleyball or other sports all are great ways to include social exercise in your daily life. Try to include strength-based training several times per week. Strength training includes weightlifting, gymnastics, push-ups and other resistance exercises. Cultivate a positive outlook. When you notice yourself complaining, try to balance this with a positive statement. Try to pay your stepmom a compliment every day, no matter how small it is. Even if you feel worried or upset, you can try to find something good to focus your attention on. Try to notice what you're saying to yourself. For example, if your internal dialogue with yourself (“self-talk”) is filled with negative statements about yourself or other people, you might want to try and change this. Negative thought patterns are easy to fall into, and hard to remove. If you're struggling with negative feelings, talking to someone you trust, such as your dad, a counselor or another adult, may help. Talk to other kids with stepparents. It's not unusual to have a stepmom. You probably even have a friend or two with a stepparent. Getting advice from someone your age who is in a similar situation can prove to be very valuable. Feeling as though you aren't the only one adjusting to a stepparent will make you feel less anxious about the situation. Try to identify with another kid's situation, rather than focus on what's different about your families. Even if your friend's situation is different from yours, she's likely to be sympathetic to what you have to say. Talk to your stepmom directly. Starting a conversation about what is bothering you will help you get to know each other better. Sometimes resolving a problem together can make people feel closer to each other. This can help ease the tension and resolve the problems between you. Approach her with your concerns in an honest and nonjudgmental way. Some suggestions for starting the conversation are: ”I'm sad and angry about how things are going. Can we talk about it?” ”I want us to have a better relationship. Can we discuss how we could maybe do that?” ”I know you're different than my mom, but it really bothers me when _____ happens. How can we fix this?” ”I'm not used to your way of doing things yet. I was wondering if we could talk about what you think house rules should be.” Learn how to cope if your concerns are ignored. Unfortunately, not all parents listen to and respect the fact that their children have valid opinions. This is known as an authoritarian parenting style, in which "it's my way or the highway." Feeling unheard and being told to fall in line and simply accept your new situation "because I said so" can be extremely frustrating. If your dad and stepmom aren't listening when you say you're struggling, you may need to take other steps to deal with your stepmom. Talk to the school counselor about your feelings. Consider asking a mediator to be present when you talk to your dad and/or stepmom. A trusted grandparent, aunt or uncle, counselor, or family friend can help you communicate and compromise. Your dad and stepmom might be more willing to listen if there is another trusted adult present. Choose your battles carefully. Try to be as agreeable and helpful as possible. However, when you really need to get your point across strongly, do so with honesty and conviction. Your opinions do matter. While you may wish things could go back to the way they were, your family's dynamics have changed considerably. Be aware that some things must be different. Try your best not to fight every small change. When you feel you need to speak up, you absolutely should. Try to be direct and leave out any sarcasm, and you will have a better chance of being heard. Start fresh. It's never too late to try to resolve things with your stepmom. Let her know that you don't like how things have evolved and you'd like to start again. If necessary, apologize to her, and mean it. This might be the start of a whole new relationship. "I'm sorry for the way I acted. Can we try to start over?" ”I don't like how our relationship has worked out. Can we try something new?” ”I know you're not my mom, and you aren't ever going to be, but sometimes I just get mad about the whole situation. Can you work with me to try and move past it?” Offer your help. Sometimes actions speak louder than words. Ask your stepmom if you can help her with chores or grocery shopping. Offering your help is a great way of letting her know you'd like to make things work. If you can tell she's had a difficult day, offer to help her around the house, or take the initiative and start folding the laundry. If you drive, offer to go grocery shopping for the family. Collect the laundry baskets and do the laundry, or take the trash out when you notice that the can is full. Feed the family pets, or clean out the cat's litter box even if it's not your turn. You could offer to make dinner for the whole family once a week. Spend time with your stepmom. Going to a movie together or taking a walk will encourage conversation and help build a closer bond between you. If she asks you to join her in an activity, say yes. Often, getting out of the house and into a new environment will have a way of dispelling tension and offer a new perspective. Try to relax and be open-minded. You might find that you have areas of interest in common that will help your relationship. Even doing little things like watching television together or playing video games with her can help your relationship improve. If you're uncertain how to do this, consider doing activities with a larger group of people. For example, going on a rafting trip or taking a class together might be fun. Be patient with the progress. A new family is being created and it takes time for everyone to get used to it – stepfamilies have their own dynamics and are different from a biological family. Blending a family successfully doesn't happen overnight. It takes time, and sometimes it never happens as you hope. Everyone is adjusting and it will continue to evolve. Clear, open, and honest communication is vital for success. Your dad may be eager for you to get along with and accept your stepmom, or become one "big, happy family," but this is probably unrealistic. If you feel your dad is pushing you, tell him you are open to the idea of a relationship with your stepmom, but it needs to happen slowly. Consider the possibility that you may never like her. Sometimes people are just so different from each other that it makes it difficult to build a relationship. When personalities clash it can make it almost impossible to find common ground to get to know each other. If you do your best to be kind and respectful, you won't be making the situation worse. In the meantime, look for any common interests you might have as a way to improve your relationship. It's okay if you want to spend more time with friends or other family members right now. If you are invited to do things with your stepmom, it's okay to say you don't want to. Just try to do so in a respectful way. Keep your calm. If your stepmom is difficult, rude, or bossy and continues to behave the same way after repeated attempts to keep the peace, it might be best to ignore her. Focus on yourself and what you can change within yourself to better adapt to her. If your stepmom is rude to you, try not to take it personally. Take the power out of her rudeness by choosing to treat it as her problem, not your problem.Try to remember that you have a choice in how you react. Don't let your stepmom's mood disrupt your day. The best way to diffuse difficult behavior is to stay friendly and helpful, rather than getting angry. Joining in the drama will escalate the situation. Don't try to force a change. Remember that you can't change someone's behavior. In fact, trying to get someone to change their behavior can often make things worse. Sometimes, you just need to accept that their negative attitude is not your fault. You might try to giving your stepmom some space and put your focus elsewhere. If you need to, spend time playing sports or doing activities that get you out of the house. Hang out at your friends' houses and minimize your contact with your stepmom. | Talk to a counselor or therapist. Confide in your friends and family. Talk to your dad. Remind yourself that you are valuable. Be aware of your attitude. Try to accept the situation. Try writing in a journal. Get involved in exercise. Cultivate a positive outlook. Talk to other kids with stepparents. Talk to your stepmom directly. Learn how to cope if your concerns are ignored. Choose your battles carefully. Start fresh. Offer your help. Spend time with your stepmom. Be patient with the progress. Consider the possibility that you may never like her. Keep your calm. Don't try to force a change. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Insert-Elastic-Into-Pant-Legs | How to Insert Elastic Into Pant Legs | If you want to add an elastic band to the bottom of your pant legs, it's easier than you may think! Fold over the bottom of your pants twice, making sure the area you fold over is wide enough for your elastic to fit into. Sew along the edge of the hem to secure the casing, leaving a small gap in the opening so you can insert the elastic into it. When the casing is complete, attach a safety pin to the end of the elastic strip and work it into the hem. Work the elastic all the way around until the safety pin comes out the other side. Then remove the safety pin and sew the ends of your elastic together. Finally, sew up the opening that you inserted the elastic through. | Fold over the bottom of the pants twice. To create a casing for your elastic, you will need to hem your pants so that the elastic will have somewhere to go through. Start by folding over the bottom of your pants twice. Make sure that the area you fold over is wide enough for your elastic to fit into. Hold your elastic up against it to be sure. Sew along the edge of the hem. Next, sew along the edge of the hem to secure the casing. Make sure to leave a small gap in the opening that you can insert the elastic into when you are done. If you are inserting elastic into a pair of pants that has already been completed and has a wide enough hem to fit elastic into, then you will need to cut a small hole into the inside of the hem. Use a pair of scissors to snip a small slit across the inner layer of the hem and use this opening to insert your elastic into. Attach a safety pin to the elastic. When your casing is complete, attach a safety pin to the end of the elastic strip and secure it. Attaching a safety pin to the end of the elastic strip will provide an anchor for your elastic and make it easier to work it through your pant legs. Make sure that you attach the safety pin far enough away from the end of the elastic so that it will not slip out. You may even want to insert the pin through a couple of places in the elastic to be certain that it is secure. Work the elastic into the hem. To work the elastic into the hem, insert the closed safety pin into the opening in your pant leg hem. Then, begin to work the elastic through the hem using the safety pin to move it along. You will have to work slowly and move the safety pin through the hem just a little at a time. This may be easier or harder depending on the size of your casing and the material of your pants. Sew the elastic ends together and close the gap. When you get to the end, pull the safety pin out the other side and then remove it. Sew the two ends of your elastic band together by hand or using a sewing machine. Then, use the sewing machine or a needle and thread to close up the opening that you inserted the elastic through. Repeat the same process for the other pant leg. Measure the elastic around your ankle. To determine how much elastic to insert into your pant leg, try measuring the elastic around your ankle or around the ankle of the person who will wear the pants. This will help to ensure that your elastic pant leg hem will be a good fit. Wrap the elastic around the ankle without stretching it and then cut it about an inch past the area where the two ends meet. Keep in mind that you do not want to make your elastic bands too tight or too loose. Aim for a comfortable fit. Make sure the elastic stays straight. As you work the elastic through the hem, make sure that the elastic does not get twisted. This could affect the look of your finished project. If the elastic does get twisted, then try to untwist it. If you cannot get it untwisted, then you may need to start over and try again. Use the right size safety pin. Using a larger safety pin may make your work go faster, but you cannot always use a large safety pin. The size of your casing will determine what size safety pin you can use. If you have wide casing, then you can go with a larger safety pin. If you have a small casing, then go with a small safety pin. Keep the safety pin secured. Make sure that the safety pin does not open while you are working it through the casing. If it does, try to fasten it again without snagging the fabric. If you cannot get it fastened again, then pull the elastic out and start over. Finished. | Fold over the bottom of the pants twice. Sew along the edge of the hem. Attach a safety pin to the elastic. Work the elastic into the hem. Sew the elastic ends together and close the gap. Measure the elastic around your ankle. Make sure the elastic stays straight. Use the right size safety pin. Keep the safety pin secured. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Stew | How to Make Stew | To make stew, start by sautéing chopped celery, carrots, and onion in a skillet and setting them aside. Next, dredge cubes of meat in flour, brown them in a hot, greased skillet, and set them aside. Then, heat wine or stock in the pan, using a wooden spoon to loosen any stuck-on bits. After 5 minutes, add the vegetables and meat back to the pan with more stock and seasoning, and cook it for 4 hours. Finally, add any root vegetables, like potatoes or turnips, during the last 30 minutes of cooking. | Chop up 1 celery stalk, 1 carrot and 2 onions. You may also choose to add fennel, shallots or leaks into this mixture. Heat a Dutch oven or a skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 tbsp. (30 ml) of oil to coat it. If you plan to cook your stew in a Dutch oven, you may want to Sauté the aromatics before browning your meat and use the same pot. Sauté the vegetables for approximately 5 minutes until softened. Place them in a bowl to be added back in later on. Decide upon a meat, such as chicken, pork or beef. If you plan to use seafood, it should be added near the end because it cooks more quickly. Stew meats are generally less expensive, tougher cuts of meat. The braising process breaks down the fats in the meat, tenderizing them. Choose meats like pork shoulder, chicken thighs, chuck roast, bottom round, or even meats labeled "stew meat." Defrost the meat in a refrigerator overnight. Defrosting in the microwave right before can change some of the stew flavors because it may cook some of the meat too quickly. Cube the meat. Cut 1 to 2-inch (2.5 to 5cm) pieces of meat. The size will depend upon your preference. Generally, the longer the cooking time, the bigger your pieces of meat should be. You do not want your meat to overcook. Not all meat needs to be cut before adding it to a stew. Chicken thighs, chicken wings and short ribs can be cooked with the bone in and removed while eating. Pour a cup of flour into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Dredge your meat pieces in flour. This will give them a crispy edge and give the stew a more complex flavor. Heat your skillet or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Pour 1 to 2 tbsp. (15 to 30ml) of oil into the bottom of the pan to coat it. Pour the meat into the skillet. Brown it on all sides. This should take approximately 5 to 8 minutes with 2 lbs. (0.9kg) of meat. Remove the meat from the skillet and place it in a bowl. Place a towel or foil over the top to keep it warm. Keep the skillet/Dutch oven that you've used to Sauté and brown your ingredients on medium high heat. Pour 1 cup (236ml) of wine (white or red), beef or chicken stock or cider into the bottom of the pan. Make sure it covers the entire bottom, adding more if necessary. Allow the acidic liquid to heat for 2 to 5 minutes. Loosen the browned ingredients on the bottom of the ban with a wooden spoon. Make sure you loosen and incorporate as many as possible of those bits. It will strengthen the flavor. Pour the browned meat and aromatics back into the Dutch oven. If you are using a slow cooker, you should add the deglazed sauce, meat and aromatics to the crock pot now. Pour enough stock or stock and water to cover the ingredients. If you are using a slow cooker, you should only cover approximately half of the volume of the ingredients with your liquid. The cooker will concentrate all the steam and juices inside the pot. Add spices to the mix. Bay leaves, salt, pepper and thyme are frequently used with stews, but you should adjust your spices according to the flavors you prefer. Bring the ingredients to a boil, if you are using a Dutch oven. Turn the heat to low just as it begins to boil. You do not want to cook the meat too fast, just bring the temperature up so that it can stew. Cover the pot or slow cooker. Simmer the ingredients for 1 to 4 hours, depending upon the volume of the stew and the amount of meat you have used. If you are cooking a stew in a slow cooker, it will need to cook for 4 hours on the high setting or 6 to 8 hours on the low setting. Cut up root vegetables, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, parsnips, rutabaga or carrots. Add them during the last 20 to 30 minutes of your simmering. If you add the root vegetables too soon, they will be mushy. Test the meat and root vegetables with a fork. If they are tender enough to break away with only a fork, the stew is ready to serve. Remove the stew from the heat and serve immediately. Finished. | Chop up 1 celery stalk, 1 carrot and 2 onions. Heat a Dutch oven or a skillet over medium high heat. Sauté the vegetables for approximately 5 minutes until softened. Place them in a bowl to be added back in later on. Decide upon a meat, such as chicken, pork or beef. Defrost the meat in a refrigerator overnight. Cube the meat. Pour a cup of flour into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Heat your skillet or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Pour the meat into the skillet. Remove the meat from the skillet and place it in a bowl. Keep the skillet/Dutch oven that you've used to Sauté and brown your ingredients on medium high heat. Pour 1 cup (236ml) of wine (white or red), beef or chicken stock or cider into the bottom of the pan. Allow the acidic liquid to heat for 2 to 5 minutes. Loosen the browned ingredients on the bottom of the ban with a wooden spoon. Pour the browned meat and aromatics back into the Dutch oven. Pour enough stock or stock and water to cover the ingredients. Add spices to the mix. Bring the ingredients to a boil, if you are using a Dutch oven. Turn the heat to low just as it begins to boil. Cover the pot or slow cooker. Cut up root vegetables, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, parsnips, rutabaga or carrots. Test the meat and root vegetables with a fork. Remove the stew from the heat and serve immediately. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cite-a-Newspaper-Article | How to Cite a Newspaper Article | To cite a newspaper article in MLA format, start by writing the author's last and first name, separated by a comma. Next, add the title of the article, ending with a period, and put the entire title in quotation marks. Then, include the name of the newspaper in italics and place a comma after it. If the city isn't part of the newspaper's name, put it in brackets before the comma. After the comma, write the date of publication and the page number. Additionally, for articles found online, provide a link to the article, starting with “ http://“ and ending with a period. | Start with the name of the author. If there is a by-line for the article you want to cite, your bibliographic citation should begin with the author's last name. Place a comma after the last name, then add the author's first name. End this portion of your citation with a period. Example: Kent, Clark. If there's no author, skip to the next element in the citation. Type the title of the article in quotation marks. After the name of the author, provide the full title of the article along with any subtitle. Separate the title and the subtitle (if any) with a semicolon. Use title-case, capitalizing nouns and verbs. Place a period after the end of the title, inside the quotation marks. Example: Kent, Clark. "Villains Take Over Gotham; Superman Stays Away." Provide the name of the newspaper in italics. After the name of the article, identify the newspaper in which the article appeared. Even if you found the article online, use the name of the newspaper itself, not the name of the website. If the city isn't included in the name of the newspaper, include it in square brackets after the name of the newspaper. Place a comma after this part of your citation. If you include the city in italics, it isn't italicized. Example: Kent, Clark. "Villains Take Over Gotham; Superman Stays Away." The Daily Planet [Metropolis], Include the date the article was published and the page number. After the name of the newspaper, type the date the article was published using day-month-year format. Place a comma, then type the page number on which the article appears. If there's no page number, place a period after the date. Example: Kent, Clark. "Villains Take Over Gotham; Superman Stays Away." The Daily Planet [Metropolis], 17 July 2017, p. A1. If the article appears online without a page number, simply place a period after the date of publication. [5] List the database or website for online articles. If you found the article on an online newspaper database, italicize the name of the database. If you found the article on the newspaper's website, provide a direct permalink to the article without the "http://" part of the URL. End your citation with a period. Database example: Kent, Clark. "Villains Take Over Gotham; Superman Stays Away." The Daily Planet [Metropolis], 17 July 2017, p. A1. DC News. URL example: Kent, Clark. "Villains Take Over Gotham; Superman Stays Away." The Daily Planet [Metropolis], 17 July 2017, p. A1. www.dailyplanet.com/superman_spurns_gotham. Use the author's name and page number for in-text citations. Generally, MLA uses parenthetical citations within the text of your paper or presentation to refer your reader to the full citation in your Works Cited page. Example: (Kent, A1) If there's no author listed, place the first word or words of the title in quotation marks for your parenthetical. If there's no page number, simply leave that part out. Start with the author's last name and first initial. If the newspaper article has more than one author, list them in the order they appear in the by-line, separated by commas. Type an "and" before the last author's name. The period after the initial also constitutes the closing period at the end of this section. Example: Clark, K. If the article has no author, start your bibliographic entry with the title of the article in sentence-case. Capitalize only the initial word and any proper nouns. Place the publication date in parentheses after the author's name. Put the year the article was published first, then type a comma. Provide the name of the month in unabbreviated form followed by the day. Close the parentheses and place a period immediately after. Example: Clark, K. (2017, July 17). For articles with new author, put the date in parentheses after the title of the article. Provide the title of the article using sentence-case. After the date, type the title of the article along with any subtitle. Only capitalize the first word and any proper nouns. Place a period at the end, or other punctuation as necessary. Example: Clark, K. (2017, July 17). Villains take over Gotham; Superman stays away. Type the name of the newspaper in italics with the page number. For print newspapers, include the section and page number after the name of the newspaper. The page number is not italicized. Place a period after the page number. If there is no page number, such as if you found the article online, place a period after the name of the newspaper. Example: Clark, K. (2017, July 17). Villains take over Gotham; Superman stays away. The Daily Planet , p. A1. Add the website URL or database, if applicable. Starting with the words "Retrieved from," let your readers know where you found the article. APA style only requires a URL for the newspaper itself, not a direct permalink to the article itself. Database example: Villains take over Gotham; Superman stays away. The Daily Planet , p. A1. Retrieved from Collected DC News. URL example: Villains take over Gotham; Superman stays away. The Daily Planet , p. A1. Retrieved from http://www.dailyplanet.com Use the author's last name and the year for in-text citations. In addition to a bibliography, APA style calls for parenthetical citations within your text whenever you either paraphrase or quote a source. If quoting directly, include the page number if possible. Paraphrase example: (Kent, 2017) Direct quote example: (Kent, 2017, p. A1) Start your bibliography entry with the name of the author. If an author is listed for the article, type their last name first, followed by a comma and their first name. Place a period after the author's name. Example: Kent, Clark. If no author is listed, start with the name of the newspaper in italics, followed by a comma. For example: The Daily Planet , Provide the title of the article in quotation marks. Using title-case, capitalize all nouns and verbs in the title. Include any sub-title by placing a colon after the title and then typing the sub-title. Place a period or other punctuation mark at the end of the title, inside the quotation marks. Example: Kent, Clark. "Villains Take Over Gotham; Superman Stays Away." Include the name of the newspaper in italics. The name of the newspaper that published the article follows immediately after the title. Place a period at the end of the name of the newspaper. Example: Kent, Clark. "Villains Take Over Gotham; Superman Stays Away." The Daily Planet. List the date the article was published. Start with the full name of the month, then the day followed by a comma. End with the year the article was published, then place a period after the year. Just provide the year if the month and day aren't given. For online articles, include the date the article was most recently updated, if applicable. Example: Kent, Clark. "Villains Take Over Gotham; Superman Stays Away." The Daily Planet. July 17, 2017. Copy the URL and date of access for online newspapers. If you accessed the article online, include a full permalink for the article. After the link, open parentheses and type the word "accessed" followed by the month, day, and year you accessed the article. Place a period after the closing parentheses. Example: Kent, Clark. "Villains Take Over Gotham; Superman Stays Away." The Daily Planet. July 17, 2017. www.dailyplanet.com/superman_spurns_gotham (accessed July 19, 2017). Reverse the order of the author's name and use commas for footnotes. Chicago Style normally requires you to place a footnote in your text when you paraphrase or directly quote a source. The format is similar to the bibliographic format, except you type the author's name with their first name first. You also place commas rather than periods between the elements of the citation. Example: Clark Kent, "Villains Take Over Gotham; Superman Stays Away," The Daily Planet , July 17, 2017. www.dailyplanet.com/superman_spurns_gotham (accessed July 19, 2017). After citing the article in a footnote once in your paper, use a shortened form in subsequent footnotes. The shortened form is the author's last name followed by a shortened version of the title in quotation marks. For example: Kent, "Villains Take Over." | Start with the name of the author. Type the title of the article in quotation marks. Provide the name of the newspaper in italics. Include the date the article was published and the page number. [5] Use the author's name and page number for in-text citations. Start with the author's last name and first initial. Place the publication date in parentheses after the author's name. Provide the title of the article using sentence-case. Type the name of the newspaper in italics with the page number. Add the website URL or database, if applicable. Use the author's last name and the year for in-text citations. Start your bibliography entry with the name of the author. Provide the title of the article in quotation marks. Include the name of the newspaper in italics. List the date the article was published. Copy the URL and date of access for online newspapers. Reverse the order of the author's name and use commas for footnotes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Popcorn-Ceiling | How to Remove a Popcorn Ceiling | If your ceiling was built before 1979, seek professional help as it may contain asbestos. If it was built after 1979, clear everything out of the room, lay down a dust sheet, then spray a 3 by 3 foot area of the ceiling with a gardener's portable hand sprayer. After a few minutes, scrape off the ceiling with a putty knife. Repeat this process until you've cleared the entire ceiling, then sand the ceiling down. To finish, put the debris in heavy duty garbage bags and vacuum the room. | Clear out the room entirely. Imagine your floor looking like what your ceiling looks like now. Now imagine tiny little pellets of paint in every crack and cranny of your sofas, chairs, and rugs. It's not a pretty sight. To avoid having to do more work later on, remove any and all furniture or household items from the room completely. It should look completely bare before moving on to the next step. If some furniture is going to remain in the room because it is large or heavy, ensure you cover it completely in plastic to avoid getting it dirty. Completely cover the floor with plastic covering or a drop cloth. Although a canvas drop cloth is the professional gold standard, several pieces of overlapped plastic covering will also do the trick. Take care because plastic can be slippery underfoot. Remember that any plastic covering that isn't taped together has a chance of leaking. If you want to be absolutely sure that your clean-up job will only require throwing away the plastic covering, tape it together for added protection. Put a fan in the room and turn it on for added ventilation. Don't turn it up toward the ceiling; just have it on and blowing in an inconspicuous place near the ground. It's probably best to put this on low, so you don't blow debris around the room. If your popcorn ceiling is pre-1979, get it tested for asbestos. Seek professional help for a diagnosis. Asbestos was widely used in construction, for its insulation and fire resistance, before 1979. Using a gardener's portable hand sprayer (also called a Hudson sprayer) to spray down portions of the wall. Spray a 3' x 3' area of the ceiling. Let it soak in for a minute, and then spray it again. The popcorn material is very dry and porous, so it will easily soak in the water you spray on it. Don't be afraid to soak it well. After a few more minutes, get up on a stepladder and scrape the popcorn off with a ceiling texture scraper. If you don't have a ceiling texture scraper, a large putty knife or drywall knife (4" or 6" is good). It should come off very easily. If not, soak it some more, but be careful not to soak the ceiling too much. Too much water can cause damage to the drywall tape and underlying drywall that you will find behind the popcorn stubble. If using a ceiling texture scraper, attach the refuse bag to the scraper. (Most scrapers will come with this functionality.) This way, you can throw the popcorn stubble from the catch right into the garbage instead of having to wipe it all up again on your floor. If your room is tall, use a scrapers with an extension pole so you can reach better. Move onto the next 3' x 3' squares of ceiling area while repeating steps 1 and 2. When all the popcorn is scraped off, sand the entire ceiling with a sanding pole & screen. Gather any of the scraped-off popcorn that's on the drop cloth and put it in heavy duty garbage bags. Vacuum up any remaining dirt or debris. . Apply any needed joint compound, if necessary At this point, you will probably see that your ceiling has only been "fired taped," meaning that the drywall installer only did a very crude job with the drywall tape, putting up only one coat of mud. So be prepared to have to put on a couple of coats of drywall mud. For the best finish of all, do a "skim coat." A skim coat involves topping compound applied to the entire ceiling with a 12" or 14" drywall knife. Sand this skim coat for a flawless finish before you apply the primer and paint. It may be helpful to have a professional do this step. Add more texture to your ceiling, if desired. So the popcorn finish didn't work out for you in the end. So what? There are plenty of other texture finishes that you can try out on your ceiling to make it pop and better stand out. Prime and paint your ceiling. Once you've mudded, sanded, and textured, you prime and paint. This is the fun part, giving you a beautiful new ceiling. The amount of work involved was definitely worth it. | Clear out the room entirely. Completely cover the floor with plastic covering or a drop cloth. Put a fan in the room and turn it on for added ventilation. If your popcorn ceiling is pre-1979, get it tested for asbestos. Using a gardener's portable hand sprayer (also called a Hudson sprayer) to spray down portions of the wall. After a few more minutes, get up on a stepladder and scrape the popcorn off with a ceiling texture scraper. Move onto the next 3' x 3' squares of ceiling area while repeating steps 1 and 2. When all the popcorn is scraped off, sand the entire ceiling with a sanding pole & screen. . For the best finish of all, do a "skim coat." Add more texture to your ceiling, if desired. Prime and paint your ceiling. |
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