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https://www.wikihow.com/Bathe-a-Bichon-Frise-Puppy | How to Bathe a Bichon Frise Puppy | To bathe a Bichon Frise puppy, you can use a deep sink, tub, or even a kiddie pool. Since Bichons have a lot of hair in their ears, which can act like sponges when wet, gently place a single cotton ball in each ear to prevent infection. You'll also want to use a Bichon-friendly shampoo and conditioner since the breed is prone to dry, sensitive skin, dense fur, and tangles. Once you have everything prepared, fill your tub with a few inches of lukewarm water, place your puppy in, and get its hair wet. Then, shampoo and condition its hair and rinse the products out completely before removing your Bichon from the bath. | Find the right tub and hose. Bichons are small so you can bath them in a deep sink. You can also use a regular bathtub or a kiddie pool if you prefer. Bichons have a lot of fur so make sure it's a surface you can easily clean afterwards. The maneuverability and water pressure of a hose will all you to more thoroughly saturate the pup's dense coat. It will be especially difficult to remove the shampoo and conditioner without it. Lay down a rubber mat. If you are using a tub with a slick surface like a sink, your bichon may slip and slide around during the bath. Since the pup will likely try to run away during the bath, they could slip and hurt themselves or end up inhaling water unless you have a rubber surface underneath that will prevent this. You can find a viable rubber mat at any Place cotton balls in the ears. Bichons have a lot of hair in their inner ears. It will act as a sponge during the bath and be difficult to dry afterwards. If water leaks into their ear canals, it could cause an infection. Gently place a single cotton ball in each ear before the bath begins and remove them after you dry the pup off. Use Bichon-friendly shampoo and conditioner. Bichons are prone to dry, sensitive skin so you'll want a shampoo that is specifically designed for dogs like this. Most shampoos will include a list of breeds that they are ideal for on the label. The dense fur on Bichons tends to get tangled and bristled so use a dog conditioner that moisturizes. You can find these shampoos and conditioners at any pet store and some major retailers like Walmart. Consider a professional groomer. A professional groomer will bathe your puppy for you. They will also offer services to trim its hair, pumice its paws, and brush its teeth. Professional groomers will vary widely in price but the bath will usually cost at least $30 for a small dog like a Bichon with additional charges for other services. Fill the tub. Lift the dog and place it in the tub. Fill the tub with lukewarm water. Fill it so that the water rises up to the top of the dog's legs. Wet all of its fur before you apply shampoo. Apply shampoo. Hold your dog with one hand so it doesn't jump out of the tub and apply the shampoo directly to the fur. Place a dollop on each side of the torso to start and rub it in so that it lathers and covers all of the dog's fur. Try to massage the shampoo deep into the fur. Apply more as needed. Rinse the shampoo out. Use either a hose or a jug to pour warm water over the pup. Do this several times until all of the suds are out. You may need to hold the dog tight as it may squirm and try to get away. You can wash your dog's fur a second time with shampoo as well. While the first shampoo will lift dirt out of the fur, shampooing again will make your dog's coat pop. Apply conditioner and dry the fur. Apply the conditioner the same way as the shampoo. Start with a small dollop and add more until you thoroughly saturate the fur. Leave it in the fur for about five minutes before rinsing it out thoroughly. Wrap the pup in a soft towel and rub it all over to dry the fur. You can also use a blow dryer on a low heat setting to create a puffy look. | Find the right tub and hose. Lay down a rubber mat. Place cotton balls in the ears. Use Bichon-friendly shampoo and conditioner. Consider a professional groomer. Fill the tub. Apply shampoo. Rinse the shampoo out. Apply conditioner and dry the fur. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-Speed | How to Find Speed | To identify speed, identify the total distance traveled then add up the total amount of time traveled for the entire trip. After that, divide the total distance by the total time and convert it to miles per hour if necessary. For example, if a trip was 14 miles and it took 30 minutes, divide 14 by 30. In this case, the speed would be.46 miles per minute or 28 miles per hour. | Define speed. The speed of an object is the total distance traveled divided by the time it took to travel that distance. Unlike a vector which is defined by having both a magnitude and direction, such as velocity, speed only has a magnitude. Magnitude is the size or amount of the term. Another way to think about magnitude is how far away the term is from zero. For example, if a car is moving at 15 miles per hour, it is 15 away from zero and therefore has a magnitude of 15. The formula to calculate speed is speed = total distance/total time Understand instantaneous speed. Instantaneous speed is the rate at which an object is moving in a given moment. Speed is expressed as the ratio of distance to time. When traveling in a car, your instantaneous speed is what the speedometer reads at any point in time. It is the rate you are traveling at that moment. Common units for speed include miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (kph). Understand average speed. Average speed is the total distance traveled for a given amount of time. The formula for both average and instantaneous speed is the same, but average speed takes into account the whole trip, while instantaneous speed is only for a specific moment of time. The example used in the following steps will calculate average speed. Write down the formula. The first step to solving any problem is writing down the formula needed to solve it. Start by writing the formula and determining the variables needed to solve it. speed = total distance/total time To solve, identify the total distance and the total time associated with the problem. Calculate the total distance traveled. Speed problems will usually give you the amount of distance someone travels over a period of time. Identify all the distances traveled in the problem. It can be helpful to circle the distances so you don't miss one. Add these distances together for total distance traveled. If you're calculating the average speed of a road trip, use an online tool to provide route information and mileage. Example: Keri travels 7 miles (11 km) in 10 minutes, takes a break, and then makes the return trip in 20 minutes. What was her average speed? The total distance traveled in this problem is 7 miles (11 km) + 7 miles (11 km) = 14 miles (23 km). Calculate the total amount of time traveled. The problem will also tell you the various times it took to travel each distance. Identify all of the times and add them together to find the total time it took to travel all of the distances. For our example, the first trip took 10 minutes and the second trip took 20 minutes, so 10 + 20 = 30 minutes total travel time. Divide the total distance by the total time traveled. In order to finish the calculation you will take the total distance traveled and divide it by the amount of time it took to travel that distance. Example: 14 miles/30 minutes = 0.46 miles/minute or 28 miles/hour. Make sure to include the appropriate units with your answer. Convert to miles per hour, if necessary. Sometimes you will be asked to convert your answer from the given units to miles per hour. To convert from miles per minute to miles per hour simply multiply by the conversion factor 60 min/1 hr. To convert from kilometers per hour to miles per hour, multiply by the conversion factor 0.62 miles/1 kilometer. For example: (0.46 miles/min) * (60 min/1hr) = 28 miles/hr For example: (10 km/1hr) * (0.62 miles/1 km) = 6.2 miles/hr | Define speed. Understand instantaneous speed. Understand average speed. Write down the formula. Calculate the total distance traveled. Calculate the total amount of time traveled. Divide the total distance by the total time traveled. Convert to miles per hour, if necessary. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Dry-a-Mattress | How to Dry a Mattress | If you need to dry a mattress, blot the area with a clean, dry towel as quickly as you can after the spill or leak occurs. Once the towel becomes wet, replace it with another until you've soaked up as much of the liquid as you can. If the mattress is stained, clean the spot with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and dish soap, or use an enzymatic cleaner if the stain is from bodily fluids. Once you've finished that, either blow dry the area if the stain is small, or use a wet/dry vacuum if the mattress is saturated. Let the mattress dry in a sunny spot with good air circulation. | Blot the area with clean, dry towels. Once a spill or leak has occurred, immediately press a clean, dry towel into the mattress to absorb the liquid. Replace your towel once it becomes soaked. Try to get as much of the liquid up as possible. Treat any stains. If your mattress is wet from bodily fluids, like urine or blood, you'll need to use an enzyme cleaner. Other stains can be treated with a mixture of 2 parts hydrogen peroxide to 1 part liquid dishwashing soap. Brush the stain remover into the mattress with a toothbrush, then wipe it up after 5 minutes with a cool, damp cloth. Dry small spots with a hairdryer. If only a small amount of liquid got on the mattress, like if you spilled a glass of water, you can quickly dry it with a hairdryer. Aim the hairdryer at the wet spot and use a warm, not hot, setting. Keep the hairdryer moving for best results. Use a wet/dry vacuum to soak up excess liquid. If rain blew in from the window, for example, a portion of your mattress may be soaked. Turn on a wet/dry vacuum and run the nozzle over the wet parts of the mattress in long, even strokes to suck up the liquid. Disinfect the vacuum nozzle first, as you don't want to touch your mattress with a nozzle that's been stuck into cobweb-filled corners of the garage. Simply wipe it with an antibacterial wipe, inside and out, and let it dry. Press clean kitty litter into the mattress to absorb liquid. If your mattress was moved during a rainstorm, for instance, it's bound to be pretty wet. Spread a layer of clean kitty litter over the wet areas of the mattress. Then, cover the kitty litter with a towel and firmly press the kitty litter into the mattress. Vacuum up the kitty litter with a wet/dry vacuum. If the mattress is still wet, spread a fresh layer of kitty litter on the mattress and allow it to sit for 1 to 2 hours. Then, vacuum it up. Dry a soaked mattress in direct sunlight, if possible. After you've soaked up as much of the liquid as possible, take the mattress outdoors and set it in the sunlight. Choose the hottest, sunniest spot on your property. Be sure to spread plastic sheeting or an old blanket beneath the mattress so it doesn't get dirty. Sunlight has the added benefit of killing bacteria in your mattress, as well. Provide plenty of air circulation if drying indoors. Open as many windows as possible to get the air moving around the mattress. If both sides are wet, stand it on one end or lean it against a solid surface so air can flow freely around it. Set up a fan and/or a dehumidifier, depending on what you have handy. Direct the fan at the mattress to increase the air circulation. Expect to wait a few hours. Unfortunately, time is essential for drying a mattress. If the mattress is soaked, like from a ceiling leak, it's best to make alternative sleeping arrangements for the night, as it may take up to 24 hours to fully dry. Covering the mattress with sheets and bedding when it's wet will lead to mold and mildew growth, which is hazardous to your health. Sprinkle baking soda over the mattress. Plain baking soda will absorb any lingering moisture as well as unpleasant odors from your mattress. Sprinkle your entire mattress with a light layer of baking soda. Ensure the whole mattress is evenly coated. Vacuum it up after at least 30 minutes. If you're in a hurry, wait at least 30 minutes before vacuuming up the baking soda. If you have more time, you can let the baking soda sit on the mattress for up to 24 hours. Use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum, if applicable, to vacuum up all the baking soda when you're ready. Repeat on the other side. If you have a double-sided mattress that you flip on occasion, be sure to repeat the process on the other side. Sprinkle baking soda over the mattress, let it sit for at least 30 minutes, then vacuum it up with an upholstery attachment. Air out your mattress every few months. If you'll be away from your home for a few days, use the opportunity to air out your mattress. Strip all the sheets and bedding and allow the mattress to air out while you're gone. Allowing sunlight into the room can kill bacteria in the mattress, so leave the shades open if possible. Use a waterproof mattress protector. Not only does a waterproof mattress protector keep spills from seeping through to your mattress, it also prevents the mattress from absorbing sweat, dirt, oil, and germs! Once your mattress is clean and dry, cover it with a nontoxic, hypoallergenic, waterproof mattress protector to ensure you don't have to worry about a wet mattress again. | Blot the area with clean, dry towels. Treat any stains. Dry small spots with a hairdryer. Use a wet/dry vacuum to soak up excess liquid. Press clean kitty litter into the mattress to absorb liquid. Dry a soaked mattress in direct sunlight, if possible. Provide plenty of air circulation if drying indoors. Expect to wait a few hours. Sprinkle baking soda over the mattress. Vacuum it up after at least 30 minutes. Repeat on the other side. Air out your mattress every few months. Use a waterproof mattress protector. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Bridle-a-Horse | How to Bridle a Horse | To bridle a horse with an English bridle, start by haltering the horse so you have more control over it. Make sure the main part of the bridle is around the horse's neck, with the nose band hanging, so it doesn't get in the way of the bridle. Then, drape the reins over the horse's neck, and push the bit against its teeth to make it bite on it. Next, place the crownpiece over your horse's ears, and make sure the brow band is resting on its brow a few inches below the ears. Finish by buckling the throat latch and removing the halter. | Check that you have the correct bridle size. If this is the first time you're using this bit on this particular horse you should be sure that you're using a proper sized bridle. If it's the wrong size it will make the horse uncomfortable. Bridles comes in three sizes: pony, cob or Arabian, and full. Measure your horse's head from the center of his poll to the corner of his mouth, and compare this measurement to the crown and cheek piece of the bridle. If the bit is too small it can pinch the horse's mouth. If the bit is too large it will slide around in the horse's mouth. Also an over-sized ported or jointed bit can cause pain or damage to the roof of the horse's mouth. Halter your horse so the main part is around the horse's neck. (Let the noseband hang.) This gives you something to keep the horse in check, but won't get in the way of the bridle. Do not have the horse tied when you do this. Pick up and position your bridle. Pick it up from its crownpiece (top part) in your left hand, letting the rest of it hang. Move any small straps to the outside of the cheekpieces, so they won't get tangled. Drape the reins over your horse's neck. Switch hands holding the bridle. Now hold it in your right hand. Hold the bridle so that the two sides are a good distance apart, with the crown up and the throatlatch straps hanging free and not tangled in any other straps. Make sure you take up all the reins so that you don't create loops for your horse to step in and keep all the straps off the ground. Have the horse drop his head for the bit. Once he does, hold the bit in the palm of your left hand, with your right forearm paralleling the horse's top of his neck (your hand should be right near his ears). Gently press the bit next to the horse's teeth, and insert your thumb back into the horse's mouth to make it open if you must. If your horse won't lower his head or accept the bit, stick your thumb in the back of its mouth this will get it open and is completely safe they have no teeth there! Or offer them a treat while offering the bit. Hold the bridle in your right arm with the crown of it near the horse's ears, and rest its bit and stick your thumb in the back of its mouth or a treat (a bit of apple or sugar cube) in your palm. Slip the bit into your horse's mouth (with the treat if you choose to do it this way). Hold the bit low where you've been holding the treats. Gently set it against your horse's teeth as close to where her top teeth meet her lower teeth as possible. Hold your sugar cube against the bit. Make sure that you're holding the crown up and ready to slip on before you put the bit in their mouth. Make sure you have the bit in before you put the bridle's crown over their ears. Slip the crown of the bridle over the horse’s ears. You want to maintain gentle pressure on the bit so the horse doesn't let it out of his mouth. Avoid crushing the horse's ears. It you have to slip one ear under the crown and then the other, do so gently. Give your horse a treat to reward them for being good. This is optional, and probably not needed for a calm, experienced horse. Adjust the brow band. The brow band should always rest against your horse's forehead smoothly. It should be set 1-2" below the base of the horse's ears. Check from the front to make sure it's straight and isn't pinching the horse's ears. While you're adjusting the brow band, adjust the headstall and cheek pieces to make sure everything is straight. Double check by looking at the bridle head-on. Buckle the throatlatch. The throatlatch isn't there to hold the bridle in place, and should be buckled with enough slack for 4 fingers to slide between it and the horse's neck. The throatlatch operates as an extra precaution to prevent the bridle from falling off. This means that the throatlatch needs to be loose enough to maintain slack, even if the horse drops his head. Make sure you can fit 4 fingers between the throatlatch and the horse, even when their head is bent downwards. To remember about how loose the throatlatch should be, imagine it as a necklace. Check the fit of the bridle. The brow band should be smooth and in the correct position (so it won't be pinching your horse's ears or head). Check that the bit sits evenly in your horse's mouth. There should be two wrinkles on either corner of your horse's mouth. Too few wrinkles and you need to shorten the cheek straps. Make sure it sits evenly on your horse's head. If you do have to adjust the cheek strap check that the rest of the headstall is still even. Remove the halter once you’re satisfied with the bridle’s positioning. Unsnap the halter from the remaining cross-tie. Untie the lead rope from your horse's neck and unbuckle and remove the halter. This is when you should check the length of your reins. The need to be long enough that you can take up contact with your horse's mouth. Hold your horse by sliding the reins from their neck and gathering them in your hand. Lead them on their left, at their cheek. Hold the reins in your right hand about six inches below the bit. Keep the bight in your left hand. Pick Western style riding for more informal riding. People tend to use Western style riding for rodeos and ranching and it is more common in the U.S. than in other countries, so you might have a harder time accessing Western equipment if you live somewhere that favors English style. One nice thing about the Western saddle is that it has the horn, where you can hold on, if you are concerned about falling off. It can also help you to feel balanced. Check that you have the correct bridle size. If this is the first time you're using this bit on this particular horse you definitely want to make sure that you're using the proper sized bridle. If it's the wrong size it will make the horse uncomfortable. Bridles comes in three sizes: pony, cob or Arabian, and full. Measure your horse's head from the center of his poll to the corner of his mouth, and compare this measurement to the crown and cheek piece of the bridle. If the bit is too small it can pinch the horse's mouth. If the bit is too big it will slide around in the horse's mouth. Make sure that both you and the horse are calm. A horse can sense your fear and this will make them nervous. Also, remember that it can be nerve-wracking for a horse to have someone putting something metallic in their mouth. Secure your horse. You need to make sure that your horse is secured. This means anticipating the moment when they are halter-free but you haven't yet buckle the bridle. You have to be able to control and keep hold of your horse. For a tie station, hold the bridle so that the front of the brow band faces forward (away from the horse). Drape the reins over their neck. Drop your left rein over the horse's neck so that it falls on the right. Drop the right rein so that it falls on the left. Allow the bridle to slip back on your arm. Lift the crown of the halter over the horse's ears and slip the halter's nose band down, off their face. Bring the crown up and lay it behind their ears. Refasten their halter so it hands around the horse's neck. If you don't have a tie station use the bridle reins to maintain hold of your horse. For split reins, tie them together and lift the reins over the horse's head, setting them just behind their ears. Lift the halter's crown over the horse's ears and slip the halter nose band off your horse's face. Have your horse drop their head. You can offer them a piece of apple or sugar cube to make them their head. Put your hand right below their nose with the treat in it. When they drop their head that's when you'll put the bit in. Make sure you're grasping the crown of the bridle in your right hand. Angle in line with your horse's left eye and right ear. Slip the bit into your horse’s mouth with the treat. Hold the bit low where you've been holding the treats. Gently set it against your horse's teeth as close to where her top teeth meet her lower teeth as possible. Hold your sugar cube against the bit. Make sure you put the bit in before you put the bridle's crown over their ears. Holding the crown of the bridle up in order to slip it on before you put the bit in their mouth. Hold the bridle so that the two sides are a good distance apart, with the crown up and the throatlatch straps hanging free and not tangled in any other straps.. Keep pressure on the crown while slipping it over their ears. You want to be careful that you don't crush your horse's ears. Lift the crown over your horse's left ear as you slip the crown to the poll. Gently slip the horse's right ear in front of the crown as well. Also gently push the horse's ears forward rather than backward. If the bridle has earloops rather than a brow band, position these around your horse's ears now. Give your horse a treat for being good. Always make sure that you reward your horse for their good behavior. This will encourage them to be good about accepting the bit and the bridle. Sugar also encourages them to play with the bit, so sugar cubes are a really good treat to have on hand for bridling. Remove the halter once the main part of the bridle is on the horse. Buckle the throatlatch. Remember that the throatlatch isn't there to hold the bridle in place. It operates as an extra precaution against the bridle coming off. This means that the throatlatch needs to be loose enough to maintain slack, even if the horse drops their head. Make sure you can fit your entire hand between the throatlatch and the horse, even when their head is bent towards their neck. Check the bridle's fit. The brow band should be smooth and in the correct position. This means it won't be pinching your horse's ears or head. Check that the bit sits evenly in your horse's mouth. There should be two wrinkles on either corner of your horse's mouth. Too fewer and you need to shorten the cheek straps. Make sure it sits evenly on your horse's head. If you do have to adjust the cheek strap check that the rest of the headstall is still even. Buckle curb chain or chin strap if that isn't fixed. This is when you should check the length of your reins. The need to be long enough that you can take up contact with your horse's mouth. Gather your reins in your right hand. Lead them on their left, at their cheek. Hold the reins in your right hand about six inches below the bit. Keep the bight in your left hand. Always hold about six inches below the bit. Keep the slack from the reins in your left hand. Deal with a horse that objects to the bit. Often the reason a horse objects to the bit is rooted in misunderstanding. They aren't usually trying to be naughty, but something about the bit is making them uncomfortable. The bit might have the wrong taste. Horses tend to prefer copper bits to other kinds of bits because of the taste. Unfortunately copper bits tend to degrade more quickly than other kinds so you should make sure to watch out for pits and sharp edges. The bit might be too cold. You wouldn't want someone to shove a bit of cold metal in your mouth. Neither does your horse. Try warming up the bit between your hands before you put it in their mouth. Train your horse to open their mouth for the bit. Sometimes your horse won't open their mouth, because the bit is too cold, or has the wrong taste, but often a little training can make it so they will do as you has. Just make sure that you reinforce the behavior you want to see from them. Teach your horse to be comfortable with the cue. Pick a cue to use to get your horse to open their mouth. Give your horse the cue by touching them. Say "yes" to them so that they associate that touch with good behavior. Give your horse a treat as you take your fingers away. Show your horse that they get a treat. Have your horse tied or secured. Approach the horse's head from the left side, and walk so that your horse can see you. Stay on an angle facing the same direction as your horse. Have a treat in your left hand. Give your horse the cue and say "Open," while gently pressing two fingers again their lower lip. Say "yes" and take your fingers away, giving your horse the treat. Repeat these steps about four or five times, or until it seems like your horse has gotten the picture. Now do as you did above, only this time maintain slight but consistent pressure, and place your fingers just under his upper lip. When your horse opens their mouth say "Yes" and give them the treat. Practice this until they get it. Have your horse let you put a bit in their mouth. Show your horse the bit (unattached to the bridle to begin with). Let your horse sniff it and lip it. Then do as you did above, giving your horse the cue. Place the bit in your horse's mouth when they open up. Remove the bit and give them a treat. Keep your horse from getting nervous. One of the keys to properly bridling your horse is to maintain calmness, both in yourself and in your horse. A nervous horse might try to bite, toss their heads, strike out with their hooves, or try to escape. If your horse is overly nervous, don't bridle them until they have calmed down. Avoid flicking her with the reins, especially around her eyes and ears, because this can cause a horse to become nervous or anxious. | Check that you have the correct bridle size. Halter your horse so the main part is around the horse's neck. Pick up and position your bridle. Drape the reins over your horse's neck. Switch hands holding the bridle. Have the horse drop his head for the bit. Slip the crown of the bridle over the horse’s ears. Adjust the brow band. Buckle the throatlatch. Check the fit of the bridle. Remove the halter once you’re satisfied with the bridle’s positioning. Hold your horse by sliding the reins from their neck and gathering them in your hand. Pick Western style riding for more informal riding. Check that you have the correct bridle size. Make sure that both you and the horse are calm. Secure your horse. Have your horse drop their head. Slip the bit into your horse’s mouth with the treat. Keep pressure on the crown while slipping it over their ears. Give your horse a treat for being good. Remove the halter once the main part of the bridle is on the horse. Buckle the throatlatch. Check the bridle's fit. Gather your reins in your right hand. Deal with a horse that objects to the bit. Train your horse to open their mouth for the bit. Keep your horse from getting nervous. |
https://www.wikihow.pet/Feed-a-Senior-Cat | How to Feed a Senior Cat | To feed your senior cat, get good-quality cat food that's high in protein and specifically designed for older cats so you can ensure it gets all its necessary vitamins and minerals. You may also want to choose soft, canned food, rather than hard kibble, that's easier for your cat to eat. If you're unsure of what cat food to buy, ask your vet for their suggestions. Since senior cats may have a harder time reaching for food bowls that are placed too high or too low, put your cat's dishes somewhere easily accessible and get a bowl stand if necessary. You should also give your cat somewhere calm to eat its food that's safe from other cats so it has enough time to eat properly. | Pick a high-quality cat food. As a cat ages, it's important that it gets good quality food that supports its health. A food that is high in good-quality animal protein and provides all necessary vitamins and minerals is key. You can assess the quality of a cat food by looking at the ingredient list and making sure that the first few ingredients are all animal tissue or animal byproducts. It's also a good idea to look for a certification stamp from a governing body, such as the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). This means that the food meets minimum nutritional standards. Select a texture that is easy for your cat to eat. Some senior cats have trouble eating hard kibble, especially if they suffer from dental disease. Try switching to a soft canned food, which is both easier to eat and more hydrating than kibble. Choose a food made for senior cats. There are special foods that are produced with the dietary needs of older cats in mind. They have different levels of nutrients than foods made for kittens or adult cats. If you have a senior cat, consider feeding it one of these special diets. Not all foods made for older cats are the same. Some are higher in calories and are made for cats that are not eating enough. Some are lower in calories and are made for cats that are eating too many calories in old age. Some have added vitamins and minerals that should help with age related health issues. Because of all of the variation in senior foods, it's important to know what your cat's health issues are and to look closely at the packaging of foods you are considering. Discuss food options with your veterinarian. One of the easiest ways to choose a new food for your senior cat is to ask your veterinarian for suggestions. The veterinarian knows your cat and its dietary needs, so they can steer you towards a food that will fulfill those needs. In some cases, your veterinary office will sell food for cats. If this is the case, and your veterinarian suggests the food they are selling, just double check with the veterinarian that your cat actually needs this food and make sure the price is within your budget. Feed small amounts often. If your cat is having a hard time finishing its meals, consider giving it smaller meals more often. These small meals will be easier to finish and they will be easier for the cat to digest. If your cat is not eating enough, you may want to consider letting it graze, meaning leaving food out for it all day. This will allow it to eat something whenever it gets the urge. Feed the cat more calories. A cat that is losing weight needs to be eating more calories every day. This can be accomplished by giving it more food, but not all cats will eat more than you are already giving them. If this is the case for your cat, you can switch it on to a food that is more calorie dense, meaning that it contains more nutrients than other food in every bite. Weight loss can be a symptom of a variety of health problems. If your cat is losing weight, you should have it looked at by a veterinarian. If the veterinarian doesn't find any specific health problems, they may be able to suggest a calorie-dense food to feed to your cat to get its weight up. Feed the cat in a calm area. Some older cats need a calm and safe space to eat their food. If you have a household full of cats and your older cat is not getting enough calories, try feeding it in a separate space away from the other cats. Giving a senior cat this safe space will allow it to have the time to eat what it needs. This separate feeding may require some extra effort on your part, especially if your cats are used to having open access to food. You may need to place your older cat in a separate room a few times a day. Make sure your cat's food is easy to reach. Older cats may have a hard time climbing up to reach food bowls that are placed on counters or cat furniture. Make sure your dishes are placed somewhere that is easily accessible for your cat. Dishes that are too low may also be a problem, if your cat has trouble bending down to eat. Get a bowl stand or elevated feeder if your cat is more comfortable eating while standing. Make the food smell enticing. Some cats that are underweight need special encouragement to eat. If this is the case for your cat, try making the food smell appetizing. Add the liquid from a tuna can or heat wet food to increase the aroma. If you heat the food in the microwave, heat it for no more than a few seconds and stir well to distribute heat evenly before offering it to your cat. Talk to your vet about appetite stimulants. If the weight loss is severe, you may want to consider putting your cat on appetite stimulants. Discuss this option with your veterinarian. Hand feed your cat, if necessary. If your cat is a poor eater, hand-feeding may be a good option. Talk to your vet about the safest and gentlest way to hand-feed a senior cat. Switch to wet food. If your senior cat is having a hard time staying hydrated or if it is not eating enough, consider giving it wet food instead of dry. Wet food can add to your cat's overall water intake and it is more appetizing to most cats than dry food is. If your cat already eats wet food, then keep giving it to your cat. Feed an overweight cat less food. As they age, some cats begin to put on weight because they are eating the same amount of calories but they are doing less physical activity. If this is the case for your cat, cut down on the amount of food you are giving it. In general, a cat should eat about 50 calories per kilogram (2.2 lbs) of weight every day. This should be adjusted to take your cat's specific health and activity level into consideration. You should gradually cut down the cat's food so that it doesn't notice the change. Make the cat expend energy to get to its meals. If your cat is in good health but needs to use more energy during the day, consider putting its food in a location where it has to expend some energy to get to it. Place food or treats in a puzzle feeder, so that the cat has to work to get the food. You could also hide small bowls of food around your house for your cat to find. Give foods that can help with health problems. If your cat has health issues that have limited its mobility or caused weight gain, these should be treated by a veterinarian. However, you can help by giving your cat a specially formulated food. There are some cat foods that are made specifically for cats with health issues that impact weight, such as diabetes or colitis. Foods for these conditions tend to have higher rates of dietary fiber and digestible nutrients. Discuss your cat's weight, what you are feeding it, and how much you are feeding it with your veterinarian. They may have some suggestions for how to change your cat's diet to improve its health. | Pick a high-quality cat food. Select a texture that is easy for your cat to eat. Choose a food made for senior cats. Discuss food options with your veterinarian. Feed small amounts often. Feed the cat more calories. Feed the cat in a calm area. Make sure your cat's food is easy to reach. Make the food smell enticing. Talk to your vet about appetite stimulants. Hand feed your cat, if necessary. Switch to wet food. Feed an overweight cat less food. Make the cat expend energy to get to its meals. Give foods that can help with health problems. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Heart-Conditions-in-Boxers | How to Treat Heart Conditions in Boxers | Boxers are playful dogs with fun-loving personalities, but they are unfortunately prone to the heart disease Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy, or ARVC. If you notice your boxer experiencing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, or exhaustion, take it to the vet to be checked for ARVC or another heart condition. To treat your boxer's condition, your vet will probably prescribe a tablet medication to control its heartbeat and heart rate. You should give the medication to your dog every day as directed, probably 2 to 3 times per day. Heart conditions can be worsened by exercise in some cases, so ask your vet if you should limit your dog's exercise at all. | Take your dog to a veterinarian if you suspect ARVC. It is important to get the dog looked at, so that you can lessen the risk of sudden death. Your veterinary office has the tools and know how to keep a dog in crisis alive. It's a good idea to call the veterinary office while you are on your way so that they can be prepared for your arrival. This will give them time to secure a space and supplied for your dogs treatment. Consent to emergency treatment. If the dog has a crisis while in veterinary care, the veterinarian will give emergency treatment to keep your dog alive. This usually includes intravenous administration of drugs, such as lidocaine or procainamide, to help get the heart back in a regular pattern. Follow your veterinarian's suggestions for treatment. Human patients with erratic heartbeats are often fitted with a cardio-converting defibrillator. However, these have not met with success in dogs and thus are not used. Instead, the mainstay of therapy is the use of drugs that control the heartbeat and heart rate. Boxers with ARVC take a tablet form of antiarrhythmic drugs. The drug most commonly used is sotalol, which is often combined with another drug called Mexiletine. Different drug cocktails seem to suit some dogs more than others. Thus, another possible combination is mexiletine with atenolol or procainamide. Give your dog its medicine regularly. It's important to keep your dog on its medicine for as long as the veterinarian deems it's necessary. This will require a commitment on your part to be consistent. For example, sotalol is usually given two or three times a day. This will clearly require quite a bit of your time to get it administered correctly. Discuss with your veterinarian whether the boxer needs to avoid exercise. Whether to rest a Boxer with ARVC or not is controversial. The extra demands placed on the heart by exercise could precipitate a heart attack in certain cases, but complete rest can lead to weight gain, which places a different stress on the heart. Indeed, it can be exceedingly difficult to get a Boxer to rest, as they are high energy dogs, so that option may be out of your control. Regularly assess the effectiveness of the treatment. Once treatment is started, success can be measured in terms of reduced fainting episodes. However, repeat Holter recordings are also advisable to assess the effectiveness of treatment. Regular assessment can tell you whether the irregular heartbeat is being managed or if you need to consider changing the medication your dog is on. Look for the general signs of a heart condition. While ARVC is by far the most common heart condition in boxers, these dogs can have other heart conditions, such as arrhythmias. Be sure that you know the signs that could signal a variety of heart conditions, or other illnesses, which include: Coughing Wheezing Heavy breathing Exhaustion and Lethargy Pay attention to fainting or dizziness. Dogs under 12 months of age rarely show any clinical signs of ARVC and the problem mainly affects young adult dogs. However, in several forms of ARVC, dizziness and fainting are usually seen. Three forms of ARVC exist, with different signs: Some dogs have ARVC but show no signs. The problem is only diagnosed when a 24-hour ECG monitor is fitted for screening purposes and irregular heart beats detected. There are dogs that show signs as a result of the irregular heartbeat not supplying enough blood to the brain. This includes dizziness, fainting, and sudden death. A rare form of ARVC leads to heart failure as a result of weakening of the muscle of the heart wall. This is also associated with fainting, but can be associated with more classic signs of heart disease, such as coughing (due to fluid retention in the lungs), liver enlargement, and fluid in the belly. Get your boxer screened for an irregular heartbeat. During routine vaccination visits, or if the dog is sick, the vet will listen to the Boxer's heart with a stethoscope to check for irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). However, a normal finding based on several minutes of listening does not guarantee the dog does not have ARVC. Should the vet hear an irregular beat then a Holter harness is advisable to assess the extent of the problem. Any Boxer with a history of fainting should be screened for ARVC. Screening programs of asymptomatic dogs advise testing once a year after the dog's second birthday. This involves fitting the dog with a 24-hour ECG device called a Holter harness. This is because the irregular heartbeats can be intermittent, and they can be missed if the sole screening is listening with a stethoscope. Additional screening, such as blood tests and a heart ultrasound exam, is necessary in order to exclude other health conditions that could cause an irregular heartbeat. Understand what ARVC entails. ARVC leads to the muscle of the wall of the right ventricle, one of the two main pumping chambers in the heart, becoming infiltrated with fat. This interferes with the ability of the conduction of electrical impulses through the heart wall which contraction. This leads, at the least, to an irregular heartbeat. If the beat is so poorly coordinated that the heart fails to push blood to the brain, the dog can collapse and die. Find out if there is a history of this problem in your dog's hereditary line. ARVC is a heart disease which is hereditary, meaning it is passed down from the parents. The actual prevalence is not known because some cases don't show symptoms and some cases don't lead to death. This means there are dogs that haven't been screened which have the disease. If you know there is a history of the problem in your dog's line, then you can be more proactive about guarding against the disease. | Take your dog to a veterinarian if you suspect ARVC. Consent to emergency treatment. Follow your veterinarian's suggestions for treatment. Give your dog its medicine regularly. Discuss with your veterinarian whether the boxer needs to avoid exercise. Regularly assess the effectiveness of the treatment. Look for the general signs of a heart condition. Pay attention to fainting or dizziness. Get your boxer screened for an irregular heartbeat. Understand what ARVC entails. Find out if there is a history of this problem in your dog's hereditary line. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Forge | How to Build a Forge | To build a coal forge, you'll need 2 stainless steel sinks to use as the base and 10 steel pipes to build a metal stand. When you have these supplies, use a power saw to make 4 legs of equal length out of the steel pipes as well as 4 pieces of steel to hold the legs together. Drill holes into the middle of each leg and in the ends of the other 4 pieces to create an “H” shape. Get a piece of PVC pipe and screw it into the bottom of one of the sink's drains so you can funnel air into the forge. To complete your forge, evenly spread refractory cement into one of the sinks so it can withstand the heat. Don't forget to wear gloves and goggles when working to stay safe! | Get 2 stainless steel sinks for the base. A popular base for coal forges is some kind of stainless steel, be it an old kitchen sink, air tank, or large pot. This acts as a burning chamber for the metal. Make sure to use 2 sinks, one filled with water and one covered in cement. The reason sinks are so useful is because they already have a hole in the bottom of them that act as the drain. Build a metal stand to hold the forge in place. Buy a set of steel pipes from your local hardware store or get some online. You should get 10 steel pipes that are each about 6 feet (1.8 m) long. The width of the steel pipes will be enough to support the 2 sinks. Cut the steel with a power saw so that you end up with 4 legs of equal length and 4 more pieces of steel to wrap around the legs and hold them together. Make each leg 2 feet (0.61 m) in length. Be sure to wear gloves and goggles when you do this, as you don't want the excess steel to get in your eyes. The legs should be high enough off the ground so that the forge itself is about hip-high. Drill holes into the middle of the 4 steel pipes used as legs. Use your power drill to make a hole in the middle of each steel pipe that will be used as a leg. Then, take the other 4 steel pipes and drill holes into each end of them. Place these steel pipes in between the legs to create an “H” shape and line up the holes you've drilled into these pipes. Run a 6 in (15 cm) screw through the legs and screw on an end cap to connect the legs with the support pipes. Wear gloves and goggles during this part of the process as well. Run a PVC pipe from the drain to the output port on a shop vacuum. PVC is a common substitute for metal piping due to its strength and durability. Use a Y joint to connect the PVC pipe and a separate plastic pipe. Then, screw the PVC pipe onto the bottom of the drain underneath one of the sinks so you can funnel air into the forge to feed the fire. Place the other pipe off to the side, as it is used to siphon smoke away from the work area. You can pick up a shop vacuum, which supplies the air for the fire, at any home improvement store or buy one online. Trowel refractory cement into one of the sinks to help it withstand heat. This is the same kind of cement used in furnaces and kilns, so it's perfect for a forge. Spread the cement across the surface of the sink, making sure to evenly coat the forge. Let the machine sit overnight to allow the cement to cure. You can pick up cement at a local home improvement store or order some online. Assemble the cast-iron pieces of your gas forge. Screw the cast-iron pipe onto a 1 in (2.5 cm) reducer. Then, screw a 9 in (23 cm) piece of ¾ pipe and attach a 1.5 in (3.8 cm) reducer onto the other end of the pipe. This forms the body of the burner. Finally, screw the end cap onto the 0.125 in (0.32 cm) pipe. You can use a wrench to tighten the fit. The two reducers can also be 0.75 inches (1.9 cm) in width. Punch a reference point into the 1.5 in (3.8 cm) reducer. The end cap and 0.125 in (0.32 cm) pipe will go through the hole you create. Place a center-punch on the reducer and hammer it into the reducer to make the hole. Repeat the same motion on the other side of the reducer to give you 2 references points for your end cap and pipe. Make sure the body of the burner is completely still when you hit it with the hammer. Otherwise, the hole is going to end up in the wrong place. Drill a 0.4 in (10 mm) hole into the burner. Use multiple drill bits until you get a hole that can fit the 0.125 in (0.32 cm) pipe. Increase the size of the drill bit you use until you have a hole big enough to fit the pipe and end cap. The drill should be able to enter through one hole and exit through the other. Put the pipe and end cap into the hole. Clear all the extra metal shaving off your work table before you move on to the next step. Mark the center line of the pipe when it’s in the burner. Take a pen and mark the middle of the pipe. This is where you'll be drilling the hole for the gas to exit. Make sure to remove the pipe from the burner before you drill the hole. The reason you put the pipe in the burner at first is to see if it fits tightly. Use a number 60 drill bit to make a hole in the pipe. These are small drill bits made of wire gauges that are thin enough to make a hole in the 0.125 in (0.32 cm) pipe without splitting it open. Apply light pressure to the pipe and work slowly, making sure not to bend the drill bit. Make sure to center-punch the hole on the pipe like you did for the burner. Put the pipe back in the burner so that the hole faces downward. The hole in the middle of the pipe should be facing down towards the 9 in (23 cm) pipe. This allows the gas to flow directly through the burner. If the pipe is spinning in the burner and doesn't fit tightly enough, you can add wrap some wire around the end cap to keep it from moving. Attach the ball valve and bushing to the pipe. Put the 0.25 in (0.64 cm) ball valve on one end of the pipe and use a wrench to screw it tightly onto the pipe. Then, attach the 0.25 in (0.64 cm) bushing to the other end of the pipe and screw it on tight. You can use a 0.125 in (0.32 cm) bushing if you'd like. | Get 2 stainless steel sinks for the base. Build a metal stand to hold the forge in place. Drill holes into the middle of the 4 steel pipes used as legs. Run a PVC pipe from the drain to the output port on a shop vacuum. Trowel refractory cement into one of the sinks to help it withstand heat. Assemble the cast-iron pieces of your gas forge. Punch a reference point into the 1.5 in (3.8 cm) reducer. Drill a 0.4 in (10 mm) hole into the burner. Mark the center line of the pipe when it’s in the burner. Use a number 60 drill bit to make a hole in the pipe. Put the pipe back in the burner so that the hole faces downward. Attach the ball valve and bushing to the pipe. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Have-an-Out-of-Body-Experience | How to Have an Out of Body Experience | To have an out of body experience, prepare your mind by repeatedly telling yourself that you will have an OBE. Try setting your alarm for 4 hours after you go to bed for your OBE since this is a time when your mind and body are relaxed and open to new experiences. When your alarm goes off, move to a new area so you don't simply fall back asleep. Then, sit quietly for 15 minutes while focusing on your desire to have an OBE. As you get comfortable, close your eyes and visualize yourself leaving your body and walking around your house. While visualizing, allow yourself to drift off to sleep again to hopefully enter an OBE state as you ride the line between sleeping and waking. | Set a firm, positive intention to have an OBE. Before you try to have an OBE, make a conscious decision that you will have one! Regularly remind yourself of your intention, and do so more frequently as you approach the time when you want to attempt the OBE. This is especially important in the last few hours before your designated time. You might try repeating a specific phrase or mantra to yourself, such as, “Tonight I will consciously leave my body and then return to it.” Designate a time and place for your OBE. Pick a specific time to attempt an OBE and designate a comfortable and familiar “practice area” outside of your regular bed where the OBE will take place. Your designated area should be a quiet and comfortable spot where you can focus without distraction. For example, you might decide, “I will have an OBE tomorrow night after I go to bed.” Then, designate your couch as the space where you intend to have the OBE. It's important to choose a spot other than your regular bed for this. Otherwise, you are more likely to simply fall asleep instead of entering an OBE state as you drift off! Look at this designated area as a space for personal exploration. You can even decorate the space ahead of time to make it feel more special. For example, you might hang crystals to create an otherworldly vibe. Set your alarm for 4 hours after your bedtime. Go to sleep in your regular bed at your usual bedtime. When you get ready for bed, set an alarm on your clock or phone to wake you up about 4 hours after you expect to fall asleep. You may need to adjust the time you choose for your alarm based on how long it takes you to fall asleep. The alarm should go off after you've had plenty of time to enter deep REM sleep. Fall asleep in your regular bed while thinking about your intention. As you're drifting off, try to focus your attention entirely on your intention to have an OBE. This should be the last thing you consciously think of before you fall asleep. If you find your thoughts wandering, gently direct your focus back to your intention. You may find it helpful to repeat your chosen phrase or mantra affirming your intention. Move to your “practice area” after the alarm goes off. Once the alarm wakes you, get out of bed. Sit quietly for about 15 minutes, then move to your couch or wherever you have chosen to have the OBE. Try to clear your mind of all thoughts outside of your intention to have an OBE. Mute your phone and make sure you won't be interrupted by pets or family members during your practice sessions. Lie down while focusing on your intention to have an OBE. Once you move to the designated spot, lie down on your back in a comfortable position. You can either rest with your arms at your sides or with your hands folded over your chest—whatever feels most relaxing to you. Silently repeat your intention to yourself. For example, you might say to yourself, “I am now leaving my body,” or “I will now have an OBE.” Imagine yourself leaving your body and exploring your home. As you get comfortable, close your eyes and visualize yourself moving away from where you are lying down. Walk around different rooms in your home, looking at familiar things and examining specific objects. Stay calm and open yourself up to the experience. For example, you might see yourself going over to look at a painting on the wall or picking up a favorite knick knack from the shelf. Avoid thinking about or focusing on your physical body. As you get more comfortable with this type of visualization, you can try exploring beyond your home. For example, try walking down the street outside your home or even visualize yourself floating above your neighborhood. Keep focusing on having an OBE as you fall asleep again. As you picture yourself exploring your home, keep repeating your intention to have an OBE. You should continue to consciously focus on these thoughts as you drift off to sleep. Ideally, you will enter an OBE state as you make the transition back into sleep. OBEs that occur as you are falling asleep may be a form of lucid dreaming. The goal is to stay conscious and able to control your experience as you re-enter REM sleep. Be patient and record your experiences in a journal. Don't be frustrated if you aren't successful the first time! You may need to practice this technique repeatedly before you get the results you want. Try to look at the process as relaxed meditation and avoid focusing only on results. After each practice session, record the details of your experience, no matter how small, in a dedicated journal. Journaling will help you process and understand your experiences. You can also track your progress more easily! Lie down on your back in a comfortable position. Find a quiet, comfortable spot where you can lie down without noise or distractions. You could lie down on a bed, your couch, a yoga mat, or even on the grass if you can find a cozy outdoor spot where you won't be disturbed. Try to clear your mind. Let your hands rest on your chest or by your sides—whatever is comfortable for you. Imagine yourself rising to float above the bed or floor. As you get comfortable, close your eyes. Try to picture your body gently floating upwards and hovering a short distance above whatever surface you're lying on. Try to focus entirely on the image and sensation of yourself floating. If your attention wanders, gently redirect it. Hold that position until you no longer feel the bed or floor. As you picture yourself floating there, try to feel it as well as visualize it. Imagine that there is only empty air beneath you. Keep focusing on these sensations until you can no longer feel whatever solid surface is under you. You may need to maintain your “floating” visualization for some time before you can achieve this loss of sensation. If you find yourself losing focus, take a few deep breaths and try again. Picture yourself moving around to explore the room. Once you feel like you're truly detached from the surface beneath you, imagine yourself slowly moving into an upright position. Visualize yourself walking or floating around the room, examining different objects and details of your surroundings. Try not to analyze what you're seeing or doing--just let the experience unfold. You may be tempted to turn around and look at your own body, but don't try it until you've gotten comfortable with the other stages of the process! Otherwise, you might disrupt the OBE—thinking about your physical body is likely to bring you back to it. Practice this technique daily until you can comfortably do each step. This visualization-based OBE technique can take a long time to master, so don't be discouraged if you're not able to do it successfully at first. Practice each stage of the process repeatedly over time until you can do it easily and comfortably. It may take a few months of practice to learn each stage of this technique. For example, you might need to focus at first on imagining yourself floating above your body, then reaching the point where you cannot feel the surface beneath you, and so on. | Set a firm, positive intention to have an OBE. Designate a time and place for your OBE. Set your alarm for 4 hours after your bedtime. Fall asleep in your regular bed while thinking about your intention. Move to your “practice area” after the alarm goes off. Lie down while focusing on your intention to have an OBE. Imagine yourself leaving your body and exploring your home. Keep focusing on having an OBE as you fall asleep again. Be patient and record your experiences in a journal. Lie down on your back in a comfortable position. Imagine yourself rising to float above the bed or floor. Hold that position until you no longer feel the bed or floor. Picture yourself moving around to explore the room. Practice this technique daily until you can comfortably do each step. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Win-at-the-Game-Risk | How to Win at the Game Risk | To win at the game of Risk, try to always choose continents with a high army bonus, like Europe and Africa, so you get more armies each turn. For example, Europe gives you a bonus of 5 armies, while Africa gives you 3 armies per turn. You should also try to keep most of your armies in your border territories to decrease your chances of being overtaken by an opponent. Additionally, surround your opponent's territory with your own territories whenever you have a chance so you can conquer that area without fear of immediate retaliation. | Conquer continents wisely. While it is good to try to conquer continents early in the game, you should be careful about which continents you decide to conquer. There are advantages and disadvantages to each continent, but the main thing to consider is the isolation of a continent. More isolated continents may be easier to maintain, but they are also more difficult to expand from. Therefore, you should choose a continent that is in line with your strategy. For example, Australia is easy to conquer and maintain because of how isolated it is, but it is also hard to expand from Australia and you may fall prey to more powerful plays later in the game. For these reasons, conquering Australia may offer you an advantage, but only if you feel capable of overcoming its disadvantage. Pay attention to the army bonus that you get for each continent. Some continents are much more beneficial to hold than others because you will get a better army bonus each turn. Before you begin trying to conquer a continent, find out how many armies you will get as a bonus for holding that continent. For example, Europe gives you a bonus of 5 armies per turn for holding the continent, while Africa gives you a bonus of 3 armies per turn. Keep in mind that Europe and North America are the most beneficial continents to hold because they give you the best army bonuses. Try to hold one of these continents if you can. Attack with the right amount of armies. Knowing how many armies to use in an attack on an opponent can be a big boost to your chances of winning. A good general rule in attacking an enemy territory is to use as many armies as you can to attack your opponent's territory. This will increase your chances of winning and overtaking the territory. Keep in mind that you will need to move these armies to an adjacent territory or a territory connected by a sea line before you begin your attack. For example, if an opponent has two armies on a territory that you want, then you should attack that territory with the maximum amount of armies you can attack with, three. Determine how many armies to keep on each territory. In most cases, you will benefit from having most of your armies on your border territories. Concentrating your armies in this way helps to reduce the chances that you will have a weak spot and be overtaken by an opponent. The territories within your borders can have fewer armies, but try to avoid having a single weak spot that an opponent may try to target. Count your opponents’ armies at the end of each turn. It is a good idea to keep track of how many armies your opponents have by counting them after every turn. Doing so will help you to determine who is the weakest and who is the strongest player at all times. Try not to count out loud or let your opponents see you counting their armies or they may become suspicious of you. Block opponent territories within your own territories. If you get the opportunity to surround an opponent's territory with your territories, take it. Doing so will allow you to conquer that territory without fear of immediate retaliation. Blocking in an opponent's territory will also prevent your other opponents from conquering a territory that you want. Nail neighboring contents to prevent them from becoming too powerful. If one of your opponents is becoming strong and/or is close to conquering an entire continent, then you may want to consider a nailing strategy to slow him or her down. Nailing is when you place a large force on an opponent's continent to disrupt his or her strategy. Doing so will slow the opponent down and prevent him or her from advancing too quickly, allowing you to stop them. Form an alliance with a player of equivalent strength. Alliances are very helpful in Risk. When you form an alliance with a fellow player, you can team up against other stronger opponents and have more success in your conquests. Just keep in mind that you may have to fight against each other if you both survive to the end of the game, so the alliance is a temporary measure. If your ally has taken more territory than you, consider a surprise attack on their territory as a betrayal in hopes of taking their territory over. Try to earn your fellow players’ trust. If you are deceptive or dishonest, your fellow players may target you more often or be reluctant to negotiate with you. Therefore, it is in your best interest to be honest and try to earn your fellow players' trust. Avoid lying or making and breaking promises, especially early on in the game. If you often play with the same people, keep in mind that they may remember past deceitful practices in future games that you play with them. Negotiate with your opponents whenever possible. If you and some other players are competing for a group of territories, then you may end up battling it out until one of you is out of the game. Instead of fighting with a neighboring player over land, try to negotiate with that player to reduce your chances of getting wiped out early in the game unless you are just too ruthless in Risk to want to negotiate. Try to make a treaty with another player. For example, if you have the majority of your armies on Africa and another player has the majority of his or her armies on South America, then you can agree to leave each other alone until you have both had a chance to expand your territories to the north. Make sure that you understand the rules. If you are new to Risk , then gaining a thorough understanding of the rules may help you to play a better game. Understanding the rules may also help you to catch your opponents is they try to cheat or bend the rules in their favor. Read the rulebook carefully to make sure that you have a good understanding of how to play Risk. Play often and with more experienced players. The more you play, the more you will be able to work on your game strategy, so play as often as you can. It is also a good idea to try to play with more experienced players who are willing to share their knowledge with you. Use the three basic strategies described in the Risk rulebook. The Risk rulebook offers three strategies for players that may help you when you are just getting familiar with the game. Try to use these strategies every time that you play the game and your game will improve. The three pieces of strategic advice given to players by the Risk rulebook include: Hold entire continents to earn bonus reinforcements. The more army reinforcements that you have, the more powerful you are. Therefore, you should try to get as main reinforcements as possible. Watch your borders for enemy armies. If one of your opponent's is going to attack you, he or she will probably start to gather forces along one of your borders. So send an equally or larger force to protect your territory. Fortify your borders against enemy attack. Make sure that you place reinforcements along your borders to make it harder for enemies to penetrate your territory. | Conquer continents wisely. Pay attention to the army bonus that you get for each continent. Attack with the right amount of armies. Determine how many armies to keep on each territory. Count your opponents’ armies at the end of each turn. Block opponent territories within your own territories. Nail neighboring contents to prevent them from becoming too powerful. Form an alliance with a player of equivalent strength. Try to earn your fellow players’ trust. Negotiate with your opponents whenever possible. Make sure that you understand the rules. Play often and with more experienced players. Use the three basic strategies described in the Risk rulebook. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Heal-a-Bitten-Tongue | How to Heal a Bitten Tongue | To heal your bitten tongue, rinse your mouth with a rinse made from 1 cup of warm water and 1 teaspoon of salt. Swish the mixture around for 15-20 seconds, then spit it out. Do this 3 times a day until your tongue is healed. To relieve the pain from a bite, apply a numbing antiseptic gel or aloe vera gel to your tongue, or place a few ice cubes in a plastic bag and place this on your tongue for a few minutes. | Wash your hands. Before you touch the inside of your mouth, take a minute to wash your hands with warm water and soap. If this is not available, use hand sanitizer. The goal is to prevent the germs on your hands from transferring to the now open wound on your tongue, possibly causing infection. Resistant viruses can also cause an infection if they come into contact with a bleeding wound. Apply pressure. Your tongue will most likely start bleeding the moment it is bitten because it is highly vascular. Applying pressure to the area will slow the blood flow and allow it to clot. It is important to take action immediately following the injury. If the tip of your tongue is injured, push it up against the roof of your mouth and hold for five second intervals. You can also press your tongue against the interior of your cheek. If you can reach the wound, grab a piece of ice and place it on the bitten area. You can even hold the ice cube using your hard palate and pressing on it with your tongue if it's not too painful. Move the ice on and off until it melts. You can also place a clean cloth or medical gauze on the area, pressing down a bit as you do so. Examine the wound. Open your mouth wide and use a mirror to look inside at your tongue. If the bleeding has stopped and the wound appears superficial, you can continue to treat it at home. If the bleeding continues or increases and the cut seems deep, call your dentist to see if sutures are necessary. It may also be an emergency if the bleeding is intense. In this case, you should call emergency services. Check for other injuries. Biting your tongue can often be the result of a sports injury or a falling accident. Feel the rest of your mouth to check for damaged or loose teeth, or bleeding gums which can be caused by a tooth fracture. Move your jaw up and down to see if you experience any additional pain. If you have one of these injuries, contact your doctor or dentist. Apply a cold pack. Your tongue will begin to swell right after the injury. This makes it easy to bite it again. Place something cold, such as ice wrapped in a clean cloth, to the wound site. Hold the pack in place for a minute until numbness begins to set in, then remove it. Repeat. You may want to do this several times over the next few days. If a child is the one injured, they may prefer that you use a frozen fruit bar to numb the area. Take a pain pill. Choose an anti-inflammatory medication that you tolerate well, such as Advil, and take the recommended dosage as soon as you can. This will help to reduce the swelling. It will also counter the onset of pain, which is likely to occur shortly after injury. Rinse with mouthwash. If you have mouthwash on hand, use it to quickly rinse out your mouth. This will help to clean the area and prevent infection. This is especially important if you were eating when you bit down. Spit out the mouthwash and repeat once more if blood is present. Do a saltwater rinse. Take 1 cup (250mL) of warm tap water. Add 1 tsp (5 g) of salt and mix with a spoon. Swish this mixture in your mouth for 15 to 20 seconds and then spit it out. You can repeat this process up to three times a day until healed. It is especially effective immediately after meals. The salt helps to kill off bad bacteria in the mouth. This makes the area cleaner and lowers the possibility of infection. It also has healing properties that may help the wound to heal faster. Swish hydrogen peroxide and water in your mouth. Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide (3%) and water in a glass. Swish this mixture in your mouth for 15 to 20 seconds and the spit it out. Be careful not to swallow. You can repeat this process up to four times daily. Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful antiseptic which will help to control bacterial activity in your wound. It will also act as a cleansing agent by removing debris from the cut and delivering a constant quantity of oxygen to the cells, which also helps to stop the bleeding. It also comes in a gel form that you can apply directly to your cut using a clean cotton swab. Hydrogen peroxide can also help whiten your teeth. However, it may cause some tooth sensitivity. Rinse with an antacid/antihistamine. Take one part diphenhydramine, like Benadryl allergy liquid, and one part of an antacid, like milk of magnesia, and mix it together. Swish this mixture in your mouth for a minute and then spit it out. You can do this once or twice a day. Antacids control the acid levels in the mouth which promotes healing. An antihistamine will lessen the inflammation. Combining these medicines creates what some people refer to as a “miracle mouthwash.” If you don't feel comfortable swishing the mixture, you can also make the solution a bit thicker and apply it as a paste. Use a traditional mouthwash. Benzydamine hydrochloride, 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate, or just your standard mouthwash are all good options. Take the suggested amount into your mouth and swish it around for 15 to 30 seconds. Spit the liquid out. Repeat this process after eating. This will help to keep your wound clear of food particles, which also promotes healing by preventing infection. Continue to use an ice pack or cold compress. Place a few ice cubes in a plastic bag and then put this on your tongue until the pain is lessened. You can also wrap the bag in a moist hand towel for additional comfort. Suck on a popsicle or drink cold liquids for relief, but nothing that is acidic. This will stop the bleeding if your cut reopens and it will reduce your pain during the healing process. Be patient—it can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks or longer for your tongue to heal, depending on how severely you bit it.During that time, avoid crunchy, spicy, hot, or cold foods that could irritate your tongue. Apply aloe vera. You can purchase aloe vera gel at the drug store. Or, you can cut an aloe vera leaf and squeeze out some of the jelly from the inside. Apply this substance to your wound a maximum of 3 times a day. For best results, apply after rinsing your mouth and before you go to sleep at night. Aloe vera is a natural plant-based remedy that has been shown to improve blood circulation. It also combats certain types of harmful bacteria. Just be careful not to swallow the gel directly. You can also apply the gel to a piece of sterile gauze and keep it on the wound. This may provide a longer lasting effect by preventing your saliva from diluting the gel. Apply a mouth gel. Purchase a numbing and antiseptic gel from your local pharmacy. Orajel, for example, comes in a small tube for easy application. Simply squeeze a bead of the gel onto a clean cotton swab and apply to the wound area. Repeat this application 2-4 times a day until healed. Try an oral adhesive paste. This works similarly to the mouth gels. Take a bead of the paste, put it on a swab, and apply it to the wound site. Repeat this method up to 4 times a day until healed. You can also apply the paste directly with your finger. Use baking soda. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with water until it forms a smooth consistency. Dip a cotton swab into the mixture and apply it to the bitten area. Baking soda lessens the produce of acids and bacteria. It is helpful in reducing swelling and inflammatory pain. Consume honey. Fill a teaspoon up with honey, lick the it off or drip it onto the wound area. Repeat this process twice a day. The honey will coat your mouth and prevent the accumulation of harmful bacteria. For even better results, add a dash of turmeric to the honey. Turmeric is antibacterial and will help in the bacteria fight, which will promote healing when it is combined with bee propolis. Apply milk of magnesia to your wound. Dip a cotton swab into a bottle of milk of magnesia. Apply the medicine to the wound area. You can do this three to four times a day. It is even more effective when used after a rinse. Milk of magnesia is an active antacid. It will make the environment of your mouth more hospitable for good bacteria. See your dentist. You need to visit your dentist at least twice a year for routine treatment. If you need additional care due to biting issues, you'll want to make more frequent appointments. Some people are particularly at risk for mouth injuries, such as those with sharp teeth or those who have lots of cavities that might cause fractures and leave sharp edges, so your dentist can suggest possible solutions. For example, if your teeth are not aligned properly, you might find yourself biting your tongue repeatedly. Your dentist or an orthodontist will be able to offer preventative suggestions. Check the fit of your dentures. Make sure that your dentures fit snugly against your gums and do not move overly much. Your dentures should not have sharp edges. See your dentist to make sure your dentures fit correctly if you are suffering from biting injuries. Avoid irritation from orthodontic appliances. If you wear orthodontic appliances, make sure that they fit in your mouth without too much movement. Ask your orthodontist about the level of movement that you should anticipate. This will help you to make corrections and avoid biting your tongue. Also, place a small ball of wax over any sharp brackets that may puncture your tongue. Wear protective gear. If you play a sport where you mouth could be at risk, wear a mouth guard and/or a helmet. These devices will stabilize your jaw in the event of an impact and lessen the possibility of tongue biting or other injuries. Manage your epilepsy safely. If you have epilepsy, provide careful instructions for those around you. Placing an item in your mouth during a seizure may do more harm than good and may lead to biting injuries. Instead, they should call for assistance and roll you onto your side until help arrives. | Wash your hands. Apply pressure. Examine the wound. Check for other injuries. Apply a cold pack. Take a pain pill. Rinse with mouthwash. Do a saltwater rinse. Swish hydrogen peroxide and water in your mouth. Rinse with an antacid/antihistamine. Use a traditional mouthwash. Continue to use an ice pack or cold compress. Apply aloe vera. Apply a mouth gel. Try an oral adhesive paste. Use baking soda. Consume honey. Apply milk of magnesia to your wound. See your dentist. Check the fit of your dentures. Avoid irritation from orthodontic appliances. Wear protective gear. Manage your epilepsy safely. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-a-Goatee | How to Grow a Goatee | To grow a goatee, start by letting your facial hair grow out for at least a week. Then, use a razor to shave the outline of your goatee, which should be the same width as your mustache and end about an inch above your Adam's apple. Make sure both sides of your goatee are the same. To keep your goatee looking fresh, shave the rest of your facial hair every day, and trim your goatee regularly. | Make sure you have the face for a goatee. A goatee is a good beard to grow if you have a weak chin, or a rounder face. It can help cover up and fill out that part of your face. A goatee is a versatile beard that can look good on many faces, though you may find another beard type that will look better on you. Consider the contrast between your skin tone and hair color. The starker the contrast, the more dramatic your goatee will appear. If the colors are close together, you may want to consider another kind of facial hair style if distinctive and noticeable is what you are going for. Look at different styles for your goatee. Traditionally, a goatee refers only to the hair that grows off your chin, which hangs down like that of a goat. There are other forms of beards that use hair on the chin, and are sometimes referred to as “goatees.” You'll want to choose the one that best enhances your face, and that you are best prepared to take care of. Look through magazines and websites for pictures of goatee variations that you might want to experiment with. Grow a Van Dyke. This is a goatee with a disconnected mustache. When wearing a Van Dyke, the rest of your cheeks should be completely shaved and smooth. If you grow a Van Dyke, you'll want to take special care that it stays trim, as it looks better when the beard is more defined. Grow a circle beard. This is a goatee connected to a mustache that grows in a circle around your mouth. This is a fuller beard, but not so much that it covers your whole face. A circle beard is a great choice for a man with a softer jaw line, or if you have a squarish face or jaw. Because it has a lot of hair, a circle beard can also help to cover up skin breakouts. Grow a Musketeer. This look combines a goatee with a Hungarian mustache. This is a more labor intensive beard, but definitely a distinctive one. With a Musketeer, you'll want to keep your goatee trim, but let it grow a little longer down your chin. Because of the thickness, you'll want to use some wax or conditioner to help the hair keep its shape. Let your facial hair grow out. Once you know what you want to try, stop shaving and let the facial hair below your chin, around your mouth, and below your nose grow out. It should be nice and bushy before you start shaving and shaping. After about one week, you should have some good growth. Itchy skin for a few days is a normal part of growing a beard. Don't let yourself feel self-conscious about scratching your face often. If you find it's particularly irritating, you can use moisturizing lotion to sooth the skin a bit. You can grow out the rest of your facial hair as well, though you don't have to. Having the extra hair can give you a little more flexibility when determining the size of your goatee. Shave the outline. Start from your neck by making small cuts with a trimmer blade. Work your way around your chin and up your cheeks until you have the basic outline of what you want your goatee to look like. You'll probably want the outline to start about an inch above your Adam's apple on your throat. This may feel a bit long, but you will always be able to shorten it slightly if you don't like the way it looks. If you shave too close too soon, you will have to wait to grow that back. Shape your goatee. Now that you have an outline, you can shape the edges of your goatee to get it to the size and shape you want. Make sure you have a clean, sharp razor to get the shaping accurate. If you use a manual razor, a new razor will give a cleaner shave. If you use an electric shaver, you will find the trimming tool handier to use. Before trimming, run a comb through your beard to straighten out curled hair. This will make your hair easier to trim, and will give you a better sense of how long your goatee will be. Make sharp, clean corners at the jawline. Get the right width. A typical goatee will be about the same width as your mouth. You can help to define this width by smiling. Use the creases from your dimples to better judge where the edges of your goatee should be. No matter what kind of goatee you're shaping, make sure that both sides match symmetrically. Every few minutes, stop what you are doing and check in the mirror to make sure things are even on every side. Trim your goatee regularly. Even if you want your goatee to grow out, it should still look clean around the edges. Shave every day, and don't let the edges of your goatee grow out in every direction. Using an electric trimmer ensures that your goatee is symmetrical and neat. Also, the built-in length selector enables you to select the length of the hair rather than guessing with a pair of scissors. Most trimmers give you several different length choices. A nose hair trimmer can be a useful tool for giving the edges a finer shape. Trimming the part of the goatee where your chin meets your neck can be quite awkward, so position your mirror below head height, and pull your chin into your neck to get a better idea of how it looks. If you are including a moustache with your goatee, trim the top to make sure those hairs don't connect with your nose hairs. That is not a look you want to have. Keep the rest of your face shaved. A goatee generally looks best when the rest of your face is clean-shaven, so make sure you get the rest of your face clear. Clear shaving gel is better because it allows you to see the edge of your goatee more clearly when shaving. When you are shaving near your goatee, make sure to move your razor away from the goatee. You don't want to accidentally move too close to the goatee and shave part of it off. Wash your beard. Wash your goatee on a regular basis with shampoo and conditioner. You want to help prevent your beard from becoming oily or unruly. This allows oils to get trapped in it, causing acne and other skin problems. Use shampoo instead of bar soap, as it will help keep your skin and beard moisturized. Remember to dry off after washing. Gently pat and wipe your beard dry with a clean towel. Consider using beard oil as well. These oils can be better than moisturizer because they are specially designed for cleaning beards and protect the skin underneath. Rubbing in a few drops of oil daily while your beard is still a bit damp should be enough to keep your beard clean and prevent acne forming under the hair. Be mindful of the fact that when you eat, food can and will get lodged in your beard. Make sure you brush and wash any food out of your goatee. To help prevent this, take smaller bites when you eat, and wipe off your face after each bite. Stay healthy to keep your hair strong. A goatee, like any other beard, will grow nice and thick by taking care of your body. Eating well, sleeping regularly, and exercise are all good ways to help your beard hair grow in nicely. Eat well. A balanced, healthy diet is good for skin and hair, though you can supplement that. Foods high in protein, iron, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and E are all good for growing and protecting hair. You can also include a B vitamin called biotin, which is found in whole grains, liver, egg yolk, soy flour, and yeast. Regular exercise is another good way to boost testosterone, which helps in hair growth. Weight lifting and high intensity interval training are both good exercise programs for increasing your body's testosterone levels. Get regular sleep. A good 7-8 hours, depending on your needs, will keep you fresh and healthy, and help aid in regular hair growth. | Make sure you have the face for a goatee. Consider the contrast between your skin tone and hair color. Look at different styles for your goatee. Grow a Van Dyke. Grow a circle beard. Grow a Musketeer. Let your facial hair grow out. Shave the outline. Shape your goatee. Trim your goatee regularly. Keep the rest of your face shaved. Wash your beard. Stay healthy to keep your hair strong. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Preserve-Eucalyptus | How to Preserve Eucalyptus | To preserve eucalyptus, start by boiling 1 part glycerin and 2 parts water in a pot. Then, pour the mixture into a vase and place your eucalyptus branches in it so the cut ends are in the mixture. Make sure the liquid reaches about 3 inches up the length of the branches in the vase. Next, put the eucalyptus in a cool spot out of direct sunlight for 4 weeks. Finally, remove the branches, cut off the ends, and lay them in a warm, dry location for 2-3 weeks or until they're completely dry. | Collect eucalyptus when it is in peak condition. To ensure you preserve only the finest eucalyptus, harvest the branches when they are at their healthiest. This will reduce the time and effort you need to spend pruning the branches later. There are over 700 species of eucalyptus trees and plants, so it can be difficult to know what branches in peak condition look like. Generalizing about their properties at their peak is impossible. For instance, one species (E. dundasii) has shiny green leaves throughout its life. Another species (E. caesia) has shiny green leaves only when young. Identify the species of eucalyptus you wish to preserve and check a botanical reference guide to find out what the species you're dealing with looks like during its peak. Use your best judgment and preference to determine the right harvest time for you. Do not collect eucalyptus plants when they are damp. Avoid collecting plants right after it rains, or early in the morning when they might have dew on them. If possible, collect your eucalyptus after several days of dry weather. Collecting damp plants could encourage mold growth and will make it harder for the plant to circulate glycerin, the preserving agent that you will use later. Do not collect plants that are damaged. Stay away from eucalyptus plants whose flowers are brown or drooping. Healthy eucalyptus flowers are generally white, pink, or red. Healthy eucalyptus leaves should be free of holes and have an even green color. Create a preservation solution. To preserve eucalyptus, mix a solution of one part glycerin with two parts water. Heat the mixture to boiling or near-boiling. You can obtain glycerin at your local arts and crafts shop or big box store. Place the eucalyptus in the preservation solution. Once your glycerin and water solution is ready, pour the mixture into a stable, wide-bottomed vase. Place the eucalyptus branches in the vase with the cut end of the stem in the liquid. The liquid should reach about three inches (eight centimeters) up the length of the eucalyptus stem. To help your eucalyptus branches absorb the preservation solution more quickly, slice the bases of the stems a bit, or smash them once or twice with a hammer. Place your eucalyptus branches in a cool environment. Put the vase containing the eucalyptus somewhere with moderate humidity and a temperature of 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 24 degrees Celsius). Keep the branches out of direct sunlight as they absorb the preservation solution. Refill the liquid in the vase as need, since some will evaporate over time. Give your eucalyptus plant sufficient time to absorb the solution. Your eucalyptus branches will probably need to be in the preservation solution for about four weeks. However, the exact amount of time necessary for the eucalyptus branches to fully absorb the glycerin ranges from about three days to six weeks, depending on the size of your branches. Larger branches will take longer to absorb the glycerin than the shorter branches. Look for black or gold leaves. Once you've placed the eucalyptus in a proper location, it will take time for the branches to absorb the solution. Plants that are ready to be removed from the glycerin solution will change color to black or gold, depending on the species. When all the leaves have changed color, the plant is ready to be removed. Depending on the eucalyptus, some plants may not turn black or gold. Experiment with how long it takes to completely preserve your eucalyptus in the solution. Remove the eucalyptus branches from the vase. Cut the stems of the branches up to the point where they were covered by the preservation solution. Wipe away any excess liquid that might remain on the stems. If you plan on preserving more eucalyptus or other plants in the near future, refrigerate the preservation solution and use it again. Otherwise, discard it. Dry the eucalyptus plant. Lay the eucalyptus branches in a warm, sunny, dry location with good air circulation. After three to five days, hang the eucalyptus branches upside down by their stems in a warm, dry, dark room. After two to three weeks, your eucalyptus plants should be ready to use. If you don't intend to use your eucalyptus branches immediately, store them in a dry, cool, dark area. | Collect eucalyptus when it is in peak condition. Do not collect eucalyptus plants when they are damp. Do not collect plants that are damaged. Create a preservation solution. Place the eucalyptus in the preservation solution. Place your eucalyptus branches in a cool environment. Give your eucalyptus plant sufficient time to absorb the solution. Look for black or gold leaves. Remove the eucalyptus branches from the vase. Dry the eucalyptus plant. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Look-Sick | How to Look Sick | If you want to look sick, make sure to pick a single illness, like a migraine or diarrhea, and stick to it. To fake a migraine, pretend you're sensitive to light and avoid lights, sounds, and other people. Since migraines have no symptoms that can be seen, others will have to rely on your story to believe you. For diarrhea or other digestive issues, rub your stomach a few times and complain about feeling “off” before spending a lot of time in the bathroom. Throughout the night, go to the bathroom frequently, and don't forget to turn a fan on so people don't get suspicious when they don't hear any sounds coming from the bathroom. No matter the illness, wrap yourself in blankets and shiver or shake slightly, as sick people often feel hot and cold at the same time. | Choose a single illness to fake and stick to it. People most commonly imitate a heavy cold or a fever as you have likely had these illnesses before and can easily mock your symptoms. Faking a migraine, diarrhea, or a stomach ache are also great options because you don't have to go too in-depth into your symptoms — nobody wants to hear too much detail about your BMs, after all. The most important thing is not to get symptoms mixed up. If you want to fake having a migraine, don't complain about your stomach, and if you are faking having diarrhea, don't start sneezing. Think back on how you look when you are sick, and imitate your expressions. Think back to a time when you were sick with some illness, like a cold or the flu. Try to remember the physical sensations and symptoms and how you acted. Did you move more slowly, groan and moan, shiver, etc.? Repeat these actions as best you can. Ponder how you felt and acted the last time you really were sick to make your act more believable. Use concealer makeup or white flour to make your skin more pale. A little bit of green concealer makeup can make your skin look a little more sickly, whereas a sprinkle of white flower can make you look pale and nauseous. Concealer makeup is more effective, but a little white flour can do the job in place of makeup if you have none available. Wear baggy clothes or wrap yourself up in blankets. No matter the illness, sick people like to stay warm and surrounded by many layers. Wrap yourself up in blankets or warm clothes both the night before and the day of the fake illness. You can shiver or shake slightly to imitate symptoms of being cold, even under the blankets, as sick people often feel both hot and cold at the same time. Act slow and uncoordinated, bumping into things and walking slowly. Just about every illness comes with some reduction in coordination. Whether you are pretending to have a migraine or a bad cold, react slower to things and act unaware of your surroundings. Sniffle, cough, and complain about your fake symptoms often. To fully sell the act, you should act as sick as you can. If you want to pretend to have a cold or the flu, sniffle and cough every few minutes at the least, whereas for other issues be sure to complain about your fake symptoms and rub your belly or forehead, depending on what illness you want to imitate. Imitate a fever or the flu by faking a cough, congestion, and exhaustion. Breathe only through your mouth, which can indicate stuffy sinuses, and talk and react to things slower. You can fake a slight cough and sharp sniffs to appear more convincing. It is hard to fake your nose running, but you can make your eyes look like they are watering by consciously not blinking for longer than usual, which will naturally make your eyes water slightly. Do this just before talking to people for maximum effect. Fake a migraine by avoiding lights, sounds, and people. Migraines have no symptoms that can be seen, so others will have to rely on your story to understand your symptoms. Pretend that you are sensitive to light and sound and go to a dark, quiet room if possible. Common symptoms of a migraine are dizziness, harsh reactions to light and sound, loss of balance, and massive head pain, especially in the temples and back of the head. Imitate stomach issues by acting nauseous and going to the restroom frequently. Rub your stomach a few times the night before and complain about feeling "off" before you go to bed a little early without fully finishing your food. Fake having diarrhea by spending lots of time in the bathroom and imitating cramps. You can pretend to throw up making choking and guttural sounds, then pour a glass of water into the toilet. Flush it, take a few seconds to clean up, and leave the bathroom. Then, lay on the couch and avoid eating food. Throughout the night, continue to go to the bathroom quite often, but be sure to turn a fan on so people don't get suspicious when they hear no sounds coming out of the bathroom. Use lots of air freshener to cover the "smell", and keep running to the bathroom suddenly the next day. Don't raise suspicion by overacting your symptoms. Sick people generally understate their symptoms, only coughing when they need to and acting nauseous when waves of nausea hit. Practice your fake symptoms in the mirror and convince yourself first before you try to convince others of your illness. It is extremely easy to tell whether a sneeze is real or fake. Avoid faking a sneeze, but if you feel it would make you look more convincing, tickle the underside of your nose with a feather or something similar to trigger a sneezing reflex. Talk about your "symptoms" the day before you want to take off sick. The night before, start slowly exhibiting signs of illness. Talk about how you are feeling lightheaded, don't eat all of your dinner, and consider going to bed earlier than you usually do - although you don't have to go to sleep. Your goal is to implant the idea that you don't feel well into others' heads rather than outright say, "I feel sick." This helps to make your symptoms seem more convincing to others as you haven't brought up the fact that you might be ill yourself. Show symptoms of your chosen illness slowly over the course of a few hours. Nobody suddenly becomes sick, the symptoms slowly build until they become overwhelming to the afflicted person. Start off slow, with some light coughing or sniffling if you want to imitate a cold or the flu, or act more sluggish and react slower to things if you want to imitate nausea. Stay up late to give yourself bags under your eyes, as if you couldn't sleep. Most people who are badly sick have trouble sleeping (unless they've had a lot of drowsy medication). Stay up a few hours later than you usually would to give yourself noticeable bags under your eyes. This can be a physical indicator that you had trouble sleeping to others, when in fact you stayed up having a jolly old time to yourself. You can also use a small amount of eyeshadow to complete the effect, but be careful not to go overboard because if someone notices that you are wearing eyeshadow and aren't actually tired, your act will be shattered. Avoid making plans and being social as if you were sick. The number one things that get people caught faking an illness is getting caught doing something fun and exciting instead of staying home to recover. Take a day away from social media, cancel any plans you made with your friends, and stay at home the whole day. You don't want anybody finding out the truth about your ruse. | Choose a single illness to fake and stick to it. Think back on how you look when you are sick, and imitate your expressions. Use concealer makeup or white flour to make your skin more pale. Wear baggy clothes or wrap yourself up in blankets. Act slow and uncoordinated, bumping into things and walking slowly. Sniffle, cough, and complain about your fake symptoms often. Imitate a fever or the flu by faking a cough, congestion, and exhaustion. Fake a migraine by avoiding lights, sounds, and people. Imitate stomach issues by acting nauseous and going to the restroom frequently. Don't raise suspicion by overacting your symptoms. Talk about your "symptoms" the day before you want to take off sick. Show symptoms of your chosen illness slowly over the course of a few hours. Stay up late to give yourself bags under your eyes, as if you couldn't sleep. Avoid making plans and being social as if you were sick. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Have-Clear-Skin-Naturally | How to Have Clear Skin Naturally | If you want to have clear skin naturally, treat acne with tea tree oil or green tea extracts. You can also make a face mask by mashing a banana and adding some honey and plain yogurt to it. Apply the mask and let it set for 10-20 minutes before rinsing it off with cool water. Finally, stay hydrated by drinking about 9 cups of water a day if you're a girl, 13 if you're a guy, and eat as healthfully as you can, since what you put inside has a big impact on how you look outside. | Use noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic skincare products and makeup. When you're choosing a face wash, moisturizer, makeup, beard oil, or any other skincare product, check the label to make sure it says "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic." These terms mean that the product is free of ingredients that will block your pores and cause breakouts. To keep your skin healthy and clear, try to limit how many products you use each day. For instance, you might only wear makeup on special occasions. You may also want to research different brands to find products that are made with all-natural or organic ingredients. Don't use any product after its expiration date, or if the color or smell changes after you've had it for a while. If a product is expired, it could cause breakouts or skin infections. Wash your face in the morning and before bed. When you first wake up, wash your face with a gentle cleanser to remove any oils that may have built up on the surface of your skin while you slept. Then, wash your face again at night to get rid of any makeup, dirt, oil, and any other impurities you might have picked up throughout the day. Don't scrub your face when you wash it. Instead, gently rub the cleanser into your skin using your fingertips, and splash water onto your face to rinse the soap away. When you're finished, gently pat your face dry with a soft towel. Use a gentle, all-natural cleanser that's formulated for your skin type. For instance, if you have dry skin, you might use a lightweight, moisturizing cleanser. If you have oily skin, you might use a foaming deep cleanser. For acne breakouts, you might use a product containing salicylic acid. If you wear makeup, always take off your makeup before bed. Otherwise, it could cause you to break out. Use shaving cream and shave in the direction of your hair growth. If you shave your face, always use shaving cream, lotion, or soap to lubricate the blade so it will slide easily over your skin. Also, to minimize irritation, always use a clean, sharp razor, and shave in the direction that your hair grows, rather than pulling the razor against the grain. Shaving can be very irritating to your skin, and if you're not careful, you could end up with razor bumps, or even nicks or cuts that could potentially get infected. Opt for a shaving cream that's labeled either "moisturizing" or "for sensitive skin" for the gentlest shave. Moisturize your skin after you wash or shave. Since cleansing your skin or shaving your beard can strip moisture from the surface of your skin, it's important to always replenish it afterward. Find a moisturizer that works for your skin type, and apply it every time you wash your face or shave, or anytime your skin feels dry. Moisturizing your skin keeps it hydrated and more elastic. Avoid products with alcohol, as these can dry out your skin. If you have oily skin, opt for a lightweight, water-based moisturizer. If your skin is very dry, you might use a rich oil-based moisturizer. To help prevent fine lines and wrinkles, try a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally-occurring compound that can help keep your skin hydrated and firm. Other ingredients that may help keep your skin looking smooth and firm include copper peptide, alpha-lipoic acid, and DMAE, which is derived from fish. If you have combination skin, you might need to use separate products for the different areas of your face. For instance, if you only get dry skin on the sides of your nose, you might use a thicker moisturizer there, and a lightweight product on the rest of your face. Use warm water and mild soap in the shower. Taking care of the skin on your body is just as important as caring for your face. When you shower or bathe, avoid using very hot water or harsh soaps, as these can strip away the oils that your skin needs for a healthy, natural glow. Instead, opt for water that's comfortably warm, and use a mild body wash or soap. Avoid scrubbing your skin with rough washcloths or sponges, as this can irritate it and dry it out. When your skin is dry, it might look dull or ashen, and it might even begin to overproduce oil, which can lead to acne. Try using a moisturizing body wash to clean your skin gently without drying it out. Only wash the dirty parts of your body with soap, like your groin, your armpits, under your breasts, and between your toes. Exfoliate your skin gently once a week. Exfoliating means to gently scrub the surface of your skin to remove dead skin cells, dirt, and debris that accumulate over time. There are plenty of exfoliating products on the market, but if you want an all-natural option, try making your own at home ! For instance, you might mix 1 tbsp (12 g) of white or brown sugar with 2 US tbsp (30 ml) of olive or coconut oil. Gently rub the mixture into your skin in a circular motion, then rinse it away thoroughly. You can also use chemical exfoliators, like glycolic acid or lactic acid, to exfoliate your face without irritating it from scrubbing. Keep your hands away from your face. It can be hard to break the habit, but touching your face can spread dirt and bacteria to your skin, which can lead to inflammation and breakouts. In addition, touching your face can transfer germs to your eyes, nose, and mouth, which could make you sick. Regularly wash anything that touches your face, including your phone, glasses, sunglasses, and pillowcase, as they can also transfer dirt to your skin. Keep your hair clean to help prevent oil buildup that could lead to breakouts.. Resist the urge to pop your pimples. It can be really tempting, but if you get a breakout, keep your hands away from that blemish. If you pop your pimple, it can push the infection deeper into your skin, making it more difficult to treat. Popping your pimples can also increase the risk that you'll develop scarring at the blemish site. Talk to your doctor before you try any natural treatments. If you prefer to use at-home remedies over commercial treatments, talk to your doctor or dermatologist about which options are best for you. Let them know you're exploring all-natural solutions for your acne, and ask them about the pros and cons of the different treatments you're considering. There's a chance that your doctor will recommend an over-the-counter topical cream, because these are inexpensive and usually very effective at treating acne. However, if you want to avoid these, let your doctor know about your concerns, but be open to hearing what they have to say, too. Apply tea tree oil for a natural way to help treat breakouts. Find a natural product that contains at least 5% tea tree oil, and dab a little on your breakout once a day. It might not work as quickly as a commercial product, but it should help reduce the swelling and redness of your blemish over the course of a few days. Some people are sensitive to tea tree oil, so before you use it, dab just a little on the side of your jaw. If you experience any redness or itching, do not use the product anymore. Never use pure tea tree oil on your skin, as it may cause irritation. Although more information is needed to test their effectiveness, you may find some relief from acne by using products containing bovine cartilage, zinc, green tea extract, or aloe vera. Apply alpha hydroxy acid to your skin to fade blemishes. Alpha hydroxy acid is naturally found in foods like citrus fruits. It can help exfoliate your skin and unclog your pores. It can also help lighten dark spots on your face. If you use alpha hydroxy acid, you may notice that your skin gets red or slightly irritated, and you may have an increased sensitivity to sunlight. Ask your doctor about prescription-strength azelaic acid. Azelaic acid is naturally found in whole grains and some animal products. It's available over the counter in a 10% solution, but you'll likely see better results with the 20% strength that requires a doctor's prescription. To use azelaic acid, apply a thin layer to the affected area twice a day for at least 4 weeks. Take a brewer's yeast supplement for long-term improvement. A certain strain of brewer's yeast, known as Hansen CBS, may help improve acne when you take it as a supplement. Try adding 2 g of this yeast to your food or drinks 3 times a day until your skin clears up. Taking brewer's yeast can have some side effects, so talk to your doctor before you start taking it. For instance, it may cause digestive issues, including gas, and it could worsen Chron's disease. It may also raise your blood pressure if you're taking an MAOI. Drink plenty of water every day to keep your skin hydrated. When your skin is hydrated, it's more likely to look healthy and radiant, and less likely to become dry. To make sure you get all the water you need, try carrying around a refillable water bottle. That way, any time you feel a little thirsty, you'll have instant hydration on hand. You might be surprised how quickly your skin shows an improvement! Other fluids, including juice, broth, tea, and soda, count towards your daily fluid intake. However, water is the healthiest option for your skin. If you're a woman, you should drink about 11.5 cups (2.7 l) of fluids each day. If you're a man, try to drink about 15.5 cups (3.7 l) every day. Eat a healthy diet rich in amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Following a healthy diet comes with a ton of great benefits for your body and mind, but you might not realize the effect it can have on your skin, as well. There are a number of foods that contain vitamins and nutrients that are essential to having beautiful skin. For instance: Amino acids help your body produce collagen, the protein that primarily makes up your skin. Get amino acids in your diet by foods like chicken, fish, beef, eggs, dairy, and beans to get amino acids. Add vitamin C to your diet to help repair your skin naturally. You can find vitamin C in foods like citrus fruits, greens, broccoli, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Include skin-protecting minerals zinc and copper in your diet by eating meat and shellfish. If you prefer a plant-based diet, eat plenty of nuts, whole grains, and beans. To help fight acne, get plenty of omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines, as well as flaxseeds and walnuts. You can also take a supplement containing flax oil, flaxseeds, or fish oil. Protect yourself from the sun to avoid damaging your skin. Any time you're going to be outside, wear sunscreen that's at least SPF 30. For even more protection, cover as much exposed skin as possible with loose-fitting clothing, a hat, and sunglasses. Also, try to avoid going outside between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm, when the sun's rays are the strongest. If you're wearing normal clothing, use about 2 tsp (9.9 ml) of sunscreen to cover your head, neck, and arms. If you're wearing a swimsuit, it will take about 2 US tbsp (30 ml) to cover your whole body. Reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours, or more often if you're swimming, sweating, or if you think the sunscreen may have gotten rubbed away. Sun damage can lead to premature aging. Get a good night's sleep so you'll look refreshed. To make sure you get enough sleep each night, try to stick to the same bedtime and waking times, which can make it easier to fall asleep and wake up. In addition, create a cool, dark environment, with soft bedding and fluffy pillows, so you'll be comfortable while you rest. If you're an adult, you need about 7-8 hours of sleep a night. If you're a teen, try to get 9 hours of sleep every night. If you don't sleep well, you might notice that your skin looks dull and pale, and you might have dark circles under your eyes. Feeling fatigued can also make it harder to manage stress, which could potentially lead to more frequent breakouts. Try using a satin pillowcase to reduce the friction against your face while you sleep. Find ways to manage your stress levels to keep your skin looking bright. If you're overwhelmed by stress, it can start to show on your skin. For instance, you might notice that your skin is more sensitive than usual, and you might have more breakouts. To avoid this, try to avoid over-extending yourself, and set aside time each day for the things you really love. If you can't eliminate the source of your stress, try mindful meditation, deep breathing techniques, or yoga to help you manage it, instead. Take steps to quit if you're a smoker. Smoking is really bad for your health, including your skin. Not only does it contribute to premature aging and wrinkles, but it can also leave your skin looking dull and pale. It may even increase your risk of developing certain types of skin cancer. It can be really hard, but it's best for your health overall if you can quit. Try talking to your doctor about smoking cessation aids like gum or patches to help you quit. It's important to have a support system to rely on while you're quitting. If you aren't sure you can lean on your family and friends, try joining a support group while you quit. Avoid drinking alcohol in excess, as it can affect your skin's appearance. Having a drink once in a while is probably fine, but if you drink frequently or excessively, it can cause your body and skin to become dehydrated. This can cause your skin to look dull and dry. If you're a woman, try to stick to one serving of alcohol a day. If you're a man, try not to have more than 2 servings a day. A serving of alcohol is 12 fl oz (350 ml) of a beer with an ABV of about 5%, 5 fl oz (150 ml) of wine that's around 12% ABV, or a 1.5 fl oz (44 ml) shot of a 40% ABV (80 proof) liquor. See your doctor if you might have a skin condition. Symptoms like rash, redness, swelling, itching, and scaling may be a sign of a skin condition. There are several different skin conditions that have similar symptoms, so don't try to treat yourself. Instead, talk to your doctor to get a proper diagnosis. Then, work with your doctor to create a treatment plan that works for you. Tell your doctor that you want to try natural treatments. They can advise you on what's safe to try on your skin. For instance, you could have a condition like rosacea, eczema, or a fungal infection. Talk to your doctor if your skin isn't clear in 4-8 weeks. Most skin treatments take several weeks to work, including natural treatments. If your skin isn't improving after about 4-8 weeks, you may need to try a different treatment. See your doctor to get your skin checked. Then, ask them about other treatments you can try. Let them know that you've been using natural treatments and would like to continue to do so, if possible. Tell your doctor about all of the treatments you've tried so far. Check with your doctor if you have widespread acne. While natural treatments may help clear your acne, they don't work for everyone. You're more likely to need additional treatments if your acne is widespread. See your doctor to find out if you need a more serious treatment. For instance, you may need to take an antibiotic to treat your skin from the inside. If hormonal shifts are causing your acne, hormonal birth control may help clear your acne. See a dermatologist if you have cystic or nodule acne. Nodule and cystic acne may scar if you don't treat it. Additionally, it may not respond to topical treatments because it starts deep under your skin. Visit your doctor or a dermatologist to get your skin examined. Then, ask about your treatment options. Since the cystic or nodule acne starts deep under your skin, you'll likely need to take oral medications to help clear up your skin. This may include an antibiotic or hormonal birth control. Get immediate treatment for an allergic reaction to a topical treatment. While it's rare, you may have an allergic reaction to your skin care products, including cleansers, moisturizers, and essential oils. Try not to worry if this happens, but you do need to see a doctor. Visit your doctor, an urgent care center, or an emergency room if you have the following symptoms: Difficulty breathing Swelling of your eyes, lips, or face Tightness in your throat Feeling faint | Use noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic skincare products and makeup. Wash your face in the morning and before bed. Use shaving cream and shave in the direction of your hair growth. Moisturize your skin after you wash or shave. Use warm water and mild soap in the shower. Exfoliate your skin gently once a week. Keep your hands away from your face. Resist the urge to pop your pimples. Talk to your doctor before you try any natural treatments. Apply tea tree oil for a natural way to help treat breakouts. Apply alpha hydroxy acid to your skin to fade blemishes. Ask your doctor about prescription-strength azelaic acid. Take a brewer's yeast supplement for long-term improvement. Drink plenty of water every day to keep your skin hydrated. Eat a healthy diet rich in amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Protect yourself from the sun to avoid damaging your skin. Get a good night's sleep so you'll look refreshed. Find ways to manage your stress levels to keep your skin looking bright. Take steps to quit if you're a smoker. Avoid drinking alcohol in excess, as it can affect your skin's appearance. See your doctor if you might have a skin condition. Talk to your doctor if your skin isn't clear in 4-8 weeks. Check with your doctor if you have widespread acne. See a dermatologist if you have cystic or nodule acne. Get immediate treatment for an allergic reaction to a topical treatment. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Bed-Bug-Bites | How to Treat Bed Bug Bites | The first thing you should do once you notice a bed bug bite is wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. Combat itchy symptoms whenever necessary by covering the bite with natural solutions like lemon juice and aloe vera gel or professional remedies like 1% hydrocortisone cream and calamine lotion. If your skin starts to swell, take oral antihistamines, and use pain relievers like Tylenol to manage any discomfort. Visit your doctor if your bite hasn't cleared after 2 weeks. | Inspect the bite marks carefully. Bedbug bites commonly resemble other insect bites, including mosquito bites and flea bites. They typically involve a raised, reddish bump but can also appear as a blister. Bedbug bites are very difficult to distinguish from other insect bites; even a clinical physician cannot usually diagnose bites simply by looking at them. Bedbugs do, however, have a unique bite pattern. Although some bites may appear alone, most bites occur in a row of three to five bites (termed "breakfast, lunch, and dinner") or in a cluster of red bumps (a rash called bedbug dermatitis). The bites often appear in a zig-zag formation, but may appear in a straight line if the bugs bite you in the morning. Bites tend to occur on exposed areas of the body. Studies show that they have a preference of biting the skin around the eyelids, and such areas as the neck, face, feet, and arms. In contrast to mosquito bites, bedbug bites rarely occur on the back of the knees or in the folds of the skin. The bumps or the rash typically resolve themselves within one to two weeks. However, although an individual bite or set of bites may heal, if you have not eradicated the problem through pest extermination, then you may continue to get bitten. As long as there are bedbugs, they will try to get at you. Pay attention to when the bite marks occur. Consider, for example, if you notice the bites after waking up when previously you hadn't noticed them. However, this can also be difficult to determine because each person's reaction time can vary significantly. Symptoms that result from the bite can manifest at any point from a couple of hours to more than a week after the bite occurred. Bedbug bites can have a long incubation period. Visible signs of the bite (a red, itchy bump) can appear up to 10 days after you were initially bitten. Check your home for signs of a bedbug infestation. Start with where you sleep, as bedbugs love bed frames, box springs, and mattresses. Bedbugs want to be where people are so they can get the warm blood of humans. A telling sign is red spots on the sheets. These may come from a bedbug that was squashed after feeding, or from the bites left on you when the bug finished feeding on you. Inspect your mattress, box spring, bed frames, including the lining and seams. Look for sleeping adult bedbugs, carcasses, empty skins (their exoskeletons), and feces (this will look like little black spots or smudges). Check your sheets, pillowcases, and pillows as well. It is very difficult to see and catch a living bedbug. Adult bedbugs are tiny reddish-brown insects with broad, oval-shaped bodies. They are very good at hiding. However, finding adult bedbugs is the only way to confirm that a bedbug is what bit you. Bedbug infestations can be stressful. Try not to worry because this is a common, treatable problem. Visit a health-care provider. You can also see a doctor for a diagnosis if you do not find signs of bedbugs in your bed and cannot identify the source of the bites or rash. However, there is a very good chance that your physician will not be able to firmly diagnose that you have been bitten by a bedbug because the symptoms look so similar to those that result from other insect bites and skin conditions. Nevertheless, you may feel comforted by going to see your doctor, who can confirm for you that bedbugs pose little physical threat to humans. If you're going to the doctor, keep a close record of anything you've done to treat the bites, including what you've put on them and how often. Your doctor may prescribe a topical corticosteroid ointment to help relieve itching and inflammation. These ointments are stronger than the ones you can buy over the counter. Call a pest control company to check for a bedbug infestation. This is the surest way to confirm that you have been bitten by a bedbug. A pest control professional will search your home and be able to confirm whether or not you have a bedbug infestation on your hands. The pest control professional will know what to look for and can also then treat your home to remove the bedbugs and prevent future bites from occurring. Home foggers and bug sprays will not usually kill a bedbug infestation. To make sure you eradicate bedbugs from your home, go with a professional exterminator. Wash the bites with soap and water. Wash the area with mild soap and water; use a bar of soap and enough water to wet the surface of your hands. Work the soap in your hands into a thick, soapy lather. Rub the lather over the affected area liberally. Repeat until the entire area is covered. Leave on and do not rinse. Allow the soap lather to dry over the bitten areas. You should experience immediate relief from itching. Washing the bites with soapy water can help alleviate itchiness and prevent a skin infection. Use home remedies to relieve itching. You can try a number of the following remedies to relieve the itching associated with the bites. These all use products you probably already have on hand. Make a paste of baking soda and water. Slowly add small amounts of water to the baking soda and stir until you have a thick paste. Apply a thick coat of the paste to your bedbug bites. Allow the paste to dry and stay on the rash for an hour or more before washing it off with warm water. Saturate a cotton ball with lemon juice, St. John's Wort, or witch hazel, all of which are natural astringents. Dab at the rash with the cotton ball to help dry it out and control the itch. Apply the gel from an aloe plant to bedbug bites. Use pure 100% aloe vera gel. Aloe contains both antibiotic and anti-fungal properties, which can help prevent a secondary infection due to scratching. Apply a steroidal anti-itch over-the-counter (OTC) cream. A cream that contains hydrocortisone or cortisone, such as Cortaid, can reduce inflammation and itching. You can buy a 1% hydrocortisone cream from any drugstore or pharmacy. Your doctor can tell you which cream and brand is ideal for you. Follow the package's directions to apply the cream correctly. The cream is very mild and does not cause side effects if used for a short period of time, like a week. You can also get a stronger corticosteroid cream with a doctor's prescription. Use calamine lotion. When applied to the bites, calamine lotion may provide some symptomatic relief from the itching. It will also help to dry the rash and protect the skin as it heals. Take oral antihistamine. Oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), can help control the allergic reaction (the swelling and rash) associated with the bites. Follow package instructions for proper dosages. Be aware that Benadryl can cause drowsiness and you should avoid driving while taking it. You could also try an OTC antihistamine cream that you apply topically to the affected area. Get pain relief. If the bites are causing you any discomfort or pain, you can take OTC anti-inflammatory analgesic oral medication, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin. Discuss these options with your doctor if you have any doubt about their usage and whether these medications are right for you. Ibuprofen (Advil) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. It also reduces hormones that trigger fever. Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid)is a drug that works as an analgesic, relieving pain by inhibiting pain signals in the brain. It is also an antipyretic, a drug that reduces fever. Do not give to children, however. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is safer than aspirin for children and has many of the same effects as aspirin. It is not an NSAID, however, and will not reduce inflammation. Consult a health-care provider. See your doctor if your bite does not clear up within the natural course of a bedbug bite (one to two weeks). You should also see a doctor for treatment if you have any of the following: Multiple bites Blisters Signs of skin infection (tenderness or oozing discharge) An allergic skin reaction (reddened, swollen skin or hives). Bedbug bites, like all insect bites, can become infected through excessive scratching, as underneath the fingernails lies a host of bacterial pathogens. If your bites become infected, they will appear red and swollen, feel tender, and may drain pus. Typically there will not be a fever unless a substantial area of the skin is involved. If you experience any of these symptoms, you must seek medical attention as it points to a secondary infection. Your physician may prescribe antibiotic therapy or, if the infection is mild, an antiseptic medication that you can buy without a prescription. If you experience a severe allergic reaction, your doctor may want to give you an injection of an antihistamine, corticosteroid, or epinephrine (adrenaline). | Inspect the bite marks carefully. Pay attention to when the bite marks occur. Check your home for signs of a bedbug infestation. Visit a health-care provider. Call a pest control company to check for a bedbug infestation. Wash the bites with soap and water. Use home remedies to relieve itching. Apply a steroidal anti-itch over-the-counter (OTC) cream. Use calamine lotion. Take oral antihistamine. Get pain relief. Consult a health-care provider. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Pack-for-Swimming-(Girls) | How to Pack for Swimming (Girls) | If you need to pack for swimming as a girl, fill a waterproof bag with your flip-flops, bathing suit, and the clothes you'll wear after you swim. In addition, make sure you pack a few towels, some shampoo and conditioner to get the chlorine out of your hair as soon as you are done swimming, and some deodorant. If you are going to be swimming outside, bring a water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sunhat as well. | Find a bag large enough to hold all of your swimming supplies. This could be a backpack or tote bag. If you're thinking about bringing food or drinks, choosing an insulated bag is a good idea to keep everything nice and cold. It's a good idea to pick a bag that's waterproof or easily washed in case it gets wet or dirty. Pick out a bathing suit to wear swimming. Change into your bathing suit before you leave home, or stash it in your bag to change into at your destination. Wear a swim suit appropriate for the kind of swimming you'll be doing, making sure it fits you well. For example, if you're going to a swim meet, a one-piece bathing suit will work well, while a two-piece bathing suit is great for lounging by the pool or at the beach. Put together an outfit to wear over your bathing suit. This could be a pool cover up, shorts and a T-shirt, or a dress that's easy to slip on and off. Wear water-friendly shoes as well, like flip flops, sandals, or closed-toe pool shoes. Pick out clothes and shoes that you don't mind getting wet. Collect your phone, wallet, and keys. If you'll need your ID or any money, make sure you bring your wallet, placing it in a plastic bag to keep it from getting wet if desired. Bring your phone and home/car keys with you too. Place your cell phone in a plastic bag as well to keep it dry if it doesn't already have a waterproof case. Stash your valuables in a locker if one is available. If there isn't a safe spot to keep your things, hide them under a towel or at the very bottom of your bag. Carry sunscreen and bug spray if you'll be outdoors. Pick out sunscreen for your body and face, either in a spray or rub-on form. Check to make sure you have enough sunscreen to cover your entire body before leaving home. Bug spray is another good thing to have on-hand if you'll be in a buggy area. Remember to wait for the sunscreen to absorb into your skin before getting in the water if you're swimming outside. Pack a towel to lay on or help you dry off. Choose a towel that's big enough to lay out on or wrap around your body. Thin beach or pool towels are great to bring, as they're easier to fit in a bag and fold up easily. Towels designed specifically for the beach or pool are better at withstanding sand and sun. Bring sunglasses and a hat to shield yourself from the sun. Sunglasses are super important to keep harmful UV rays from your eyes, and a hat will protect your face from the sun while keeping it out of your eyes as well. Pack sunglasses and a hat that you don't mind getting wet. A baseball cap, sun hat, or bucket hat are all great options for keeping the sun off your face and neck. Add goggles or swim caps to your bag for more serious swimming. Pick out goggles that fit around your head without being too loose or tight. If you're going to a swim meet or want to practice swimming seriously, pack a swim cap in your bag to wear over your hair. You can purchase goggles or swim caps at your local big box store, sports equipment store, or online. Bring plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Pack bottled water or fill up a reusable water bottle to bring with you. If you want your water to stay cold, put it in an insulated cup or pack ice packs with it. You can also bring other drinks like lemonade or juice boxes. Bring at least two bottles of water with you if you'll be swimming for several hours. Include snacks in your bag for when you get hungry. Pick out snacks that will give you a boost of energy and travel well. If you're picking out snacks that are cold, pack them in a small cooler or place them in a small plastic bag with ice packs around them to keep them cool. Check to make sure wherever you're going allows food. Snacks like trail mix, granola bars, berries, or bananas are great snacks to bring with you. Peanut butter or cheese crackers and popcorn are also good food options. Pick out a change of clothes. If you're planning on changing into a new outfit after your swim, pack a dress or shorts and a shirt to change into. Don't forget any necessary undergarments, like a bra, underwear, or socks. Pack your change of clothes in a separate plastic bag that you place inside your large bag to be sure they don't get wet or dirty. Bring shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and a washcloth if you plan on showering. If the place where you're swimming has a shower, it's a good idea to rinse the chlorine or salt water off of you. Pack body wash, shampoo, and conditioner in your bag so you can rinse off easily. Use small travel size bottles of shampoo and soap to make carrying them easier. Pack a brush or comb to detangle your hair. It's likely that your hair will be a bit tangled after you swim. Bring a comb to brush out the tangles after you've showered or just dried off, keeping your hair nice and shiny. A comb works best on wet hair, though a regular brush will work too. Carry a waterproof bag with you for your wet things. This could be a special waterproof bag or just a plastic bag that zips. You can put your wet bathing suit in the bag, as well as your towel and any other things that are damp. Close the bag containing any wet things so that it doesn't get the rest of your belongings wet. Add an extra towel to your bag to help you dry off. Use this towel after you take a shower, or just as an extra towel in case your other one gets too wet to use. Choose a compact, thin towel so that it fits in your bag nicely. If you don't want to use a full-size towel, consider just bringing a smaller towel for your hair. Include any necessary toiletries in your bag. This includes things like lotion, deodorant, and lip balm. Bring tampons or pads to take care of any feminine hygiene needs while you're away from home. You can put these items in their own small bag, or just throw them in your larger swimming bag so that everything's together. Bring a small bottle of lotion to put on your legs or arms if they're feeling dried out. Lip balm is useful if your lips are feeling chapped from the sun. Pack makeup or makeup wipes to use before or after swimming if desired. Pack dive toys to play with in the pool. If you'll be swimming in a pool just for fun, bring toys in your bag that you can use to entertain yourself. Dive toys are fun to use to practice swimming to the bottom of the pool, and they come in lots of different shapes and sizes. Choose dive sticks that are shaped like thick markers with a weight that pulls them to the bottom of the pool. If you don't want to buy dive toys, throw pennies into the bottom of the pool to try to retrieve. Make sure you're allowed to use dive toys at the pool where you're swimming. Pick out a book to read next to the pool, beach, or lake. Reading is a great activity to do when you need a break from swimming. Pack a book or magazine in your bag to keep you entertained. While hopefully it won't happen, it's possible that your books might get wet being next to the pool, so bring ones that you don't mind getting splashed on a little. You might bring a journal and pen to write instead of reading. Bring headphones or a speaker to play music. Attach the headphones to your phone or portable music player to listen to the music by yourself, or sync the music with portable speakers so everyone can hear music. Remember that you'll be near water, so choose electronics that can withstand drops of water. Bring headphones to listen to music while you lay by a public pool, or bring a small speaker to listen to music at the beach. Be aware of others around you and don't play music loudly if you're in a public place. Include a float to lounge on in the water. This is a great thing to pack if you're going to hang out at a friend's pool. Bring a small float that will be easy to blow up, deflating it once you're done to pack it back in your bag. Some public pools don't allow floats, so be sure to ask before bringing one. Floats can be dangerous to use in the ocean or lake if the water is rough, so use caution. Add any other games or toys you think you might need. If you're at a long swim meet, you might want to bring a deck of cards or other small game to play while you're waiting. If you're spending time at the pool, you might bring pool toys, noodles, or fins. Find any other small activities you might like to do and pack them in your bag if desired. Avoid bringing more than one or two activities, as having extra things in your bag will weigh it down. Remember to only bring games or toys that are okay to use in or around water. Pack the items you'll need first on top. When you're packing your bag, think of the things you'll need immediately, like your sunscreen and towel. Pack these things last so they're on top, making it easy for you to get to them. Things you won't need until the end, like your change of clothes, can be packed at the bottom of the bag. Lay all of your items out before packing them so you can arrange them in the right order in your bag. | Find a bag large enough to hold all of your swimming supplies. Pick out a bathing suit to wear swimming. Put together an outfit to wear over your bathing suit. Collect your phone, wallet, and keys. Carry sunscreen and bug spray if you'll be outdoors. Pack a towel to lay on or help you dry off. Bring sunglasses and a hat to shield yourself from the sun. Add goggles or swim caps to your bag for more serious swimming. Bring plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Include snacks in your bag for when you get hungry. Pick out a change of clothes. Bring shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and a washcloth if you plan on showering. Pack a brush or comb to detangle your hair. Carry a waterproof bag with you for your wet things. Add an extra towel to your bag to help you dry off. Include any necessary toiletries in your bag. Pack dive toys to play with in the pool. Pick out a book to read next to the pool, beach, or lake. Bring headphones or a speaker to play music. Include a float to lounge on in the water. Add any other games or toys you think you might need. Pack the items you'll need first on top. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Lassi | How to Make Lassi | To make a traditional lassi, place the yogurt, cold water, and salt in a bowl or blender. If you want a super chilly drink, you can add ice to the mixture. Next, blend the ingredients until they're fully combined. Then, pour the lassi into individual glasses and serve it immediately, since it tastes best when it's cold. If you prefer a sweeter lassi, add sugar to the mixture before blending the ingredients! | Place all the ingredients in a bowl or blender. Add the yogurt, water, and salt to a bowl or blender. If you want to use ice for a colder, frothier drink be sure to use a blender. Mix the ingredients. Use a whisk to combine the ingredients in your bowl. Or use the blender to blitz the ingredients and ice till they're combined. Pour the lassi into glasses. Divide the lassi among glasses and serve them immediately. The lassi should be served cold, so mix it up right before you're ready to serve it. Mix the yogurt and sugar. Place the yogurt and sugar in a blender and blitz for a minute until it gets foamy. Or you can whisk the yogurt and sugar in a bowl. Add the milk, cardamom powder, and ice. Add the milk, cardamom powder, and ice to the blender and blitz until it's smooth. If using a bowl, whisk the milk and cardamom powder until they're smooth. Leave out the ice cubes. Pour into glasses. Divide the lassi into glasses and serve immediately. If you mixed the lassi by hand and didn't include ice cubes, you can place ice cubes in the glasses and pour the lassi over them. Prepare the mangoes. Peel the mango and the flesh of the mangoes away from the center pits. Set the mango flesh in a blender. Add the yogurt, sugar, milk, and ice to the blender. Once all the ingredients are in the blender, cover and blitz the mixture until it's smooth and frothy. If the mangoes are very sweet, you may not need as much sugar. You can always cut back on the sugar once you've prepared the mangoes. Pour into glasses. Divide the lassi into glasses and serve immediately. Consider garnishing each glass with little slivers of mango. Add a spice. For a savory flavor, mix in 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, ground turmeric, or masala powder. This works best when added to the traditional salty lassi. For a flavorful addition to the traditional sweet lassi, add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cardamom powder or ginger, for some kick. Blend in a fruit. Start with a traditional sweet lassi and blend in some of your favorite fruits. Consider mixing in strawberries, papaya, bananas, or coconut. Try chopping and freezing the fruit before blending it into the lassi. This will make your drink colder and frothier. Flavor with a syrup or milk. While most lassi drinks are yogurt based, you can swap out the yogurt and water or milk for coconut milk. This will give a slightly tropical flavor to the drink. Or you could flavor the lassi with rose water syrup, vanilla extract, or honey. Don't choose too many flavors or they could make the drink too sweet. If you stick to one or two flavors, they'll be more pronounced. Garnish. Top your lassi with any of the following for extra flavor and a more polished look: chopped pistachios sprigs of mint sprinkle of turmeric or cumin chopped almonds fruit sliver | Place all the ingredients in a bowl or blender. Mix the ingredients. Pour the lassi into glasses. Mix the yogurt and sugar. Add the milk, cardamom powder, and ice. Pour into glasses. Prepare the mangoes. Add the yogurt, sugar, milk, and ice to the blender. Pour into glasses. Add a spice. Blend in a fruit. Flavor with a syrup or milk. Garnish. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Draw-Superman | How to Draw Superman | To draw Superman, start by lightly sketching a stick figure, using pipes and circles to represent the volume of the muscles. Next, sketch the design of Superman's costume over the stick figure drawing. Then, draw in the finer details like his hairstyle, the Superman logo on his chest, the belt, boots, and cape. Lastly, add details to Superman's face, finalize your lines, and erase the unnecessary sketched lines to bring your drawing to life. | Draw a stick figure. Draw pipes and circles to represent volume to the muscles based on your stick figure. Lightly sketch the design of superman’s costume over your drawing. Take note on the details such as his hairstyle, logo on his chest, belt, the design of his boots and his cape. Now add details on his face, the hands and logo on the chest. Finalize your line art and erase unnecessary lines. Color your drawing. On the center of your paper lightly draw the outline of the face. Draw a large oblong to represent the chest and two circles on opposite sides for the shoulders. On the right shoulder add the outline of the right arm using two oblongs for the arm and forearm, a circle for the fist. Lightly sketch the details of superman’s costume. Add facial features and the details for the hand. Finalize your line art and erase unnecessary lines. Color your drawing. | Draw a stick figure. Draw pipes and circles to represent volume to the muscles based on your stick figure. Lightly sketch the design of superman’s costume over your drawing. Now add details on his face, the hands and logo on the chest. Finalize your line art and erase unnecessary lines. Color your drawing. On the center of your paper lightly draw the outline of the face. Draw a large oblong to represent the chest and two circles on opposite sides for the shoulders. On the right shoulder add the outline of the right arm using two oblongs for the arm and forearm, a circle for the fist. Lightly sketch the details of superman’s costume. Add facial features and the details for the hand. Finalize your line art and erase unnecessary lines. Color your drawing. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-Nail-Trimmers-for-Your-Cat | How to Choose Nail Trimmers for Your Cat | To choose nail trimmers for your cat, find a pair that fit your hand well and are comfortable to use. For example, you can choose between guillotine trimmers, which have a circular hole that you place your cat's nail through, or scissor clippers, which are better suited for people with smaller hands. Because of their shape, scissor clippers are also best suited to nails that have grown too long and are curling into the toe pad. You can also go for human nail clippers instead, which work almost as well. Whichever type you choose, make sure that you find trimmers with sharp blades, which make a clean cut. Only cut the tip of the nail, since cutting too far could cut the quick and injure your cat. | Consider the guillotine trimmer. Guillotine trimmers are trimmers that have a circular hole that you place the nail through. This is called the stationary ring. When you squeeze the handle, a cutting blade appears from the bottom of the stationary ring and slides upwards to snip the nail. Hold the clippers with the top side facing you. When you use a guillotine trimmer, you will hold the trimmer in your dominant hand. The top side is the flat side, and the underside is the side with the movable part you squeeze. When you trim your cat's nails, the flat, top side of the trimmer will be turned towards you. The side with the cutting blade will face you, and the screws will face the cat. Angle the handles either down towards the floor or up towards the ceiling. Squeeze the handles to clip the nail. When you use a guillotine clipper, hold it in your dominant hand. Place the cat's nail in the stationary ring, making sure that you don't go so far as to cut the quick. Then, squeeze the handles to move the cutting blade. It will snip off the tip of the nail. Make sure the nail is being cut on the top and bottom, not along the sides. The quick is the pink, living part of your cat's nail. You can clearly see it through the white nail. Only clip the dead, white part of the claw. Clipping the quick will cause bleeding. Apply styptic powder to stop the bleeding, or if you don't have it on hand you can use some tissue paper to apply pressure. If the bleeding persists for several minutes call your vet for advice. Use a human nail clipper. Another way you can clip your cat's nails is to use a regular pair of human nail clippers. These work almost just as well as guillotine clippers. Just make sure that the clippers are sharp enough to cut the nails. You should not use the nail clippers on yourself after using them on your cat. Instead, buy a different pair to use just for your cat. Slide the nail between the blades. To clip the claw with human nail clippers, place the clippers perpendicular to the claw. Don't cut the nail sideways because it will not cut as easily and may end up jagged and splintered. Slide the nail between the two blades and squeeze the clippers. Try scissor clippers. Scissor clippers look like scissors, except they have a curved edge on the blades. Many vets use scissor trimmers. Scissor clippers are generally smaller than guillotine trimmers. This means they may be difficult to use and hold if you have larger hands. Scissor clippers may be better for smaller hands. Because of the way the trimmers are shaped, scissor trimmers are helpful to clip nails that have grown so long they are curling and growing into the toe pad. Place the bottom of the nail against the blade. When using scissor clippers, make sure you place the nail into the blade the correct way. The scissors have a sharp curved edge. Place the bottom of the nail against the blade so you will cut the top and bottom. This prevents splintering and fraying. If you cut the nail side to side with the scissor blades, the nail will split. Use a nail file to smooth rough edges. Make sure to keep the nail clippers or scissor clippers sharp. Dull clippers can leave a rough, jagged edge. If the clippers leave a jagged edge, use a nail file to smooth out the rough edges. Choose clippers that are easy to use. It doesn't matter what type of clippers you use in the long run. Make sure you choose clippers that are easy for you to use. If you choose clippers that you can't handle or squeeze, then it is going to be more stressful for you and your cat. Many trimmers have soft padding on the handles, which may be easier for you to use. Consider the size of your hands. Some trimmers may be too large or small for your hands. This can make cutting your cat's nails very difficult. When you buy a trimmer, make sure the trimmers are a size that will be easy for you to clip the nails. Make sure the blade is sharp. No matter what type of trimmer you use, you need the blades to be sharp. Dull blades can make it harder for you to clip the nails, which can irritate and stress your cat. Dull blades can also leave jagged edges or splinter the nail. If you find the blades dull, you should sharpen them or replace them with a new pair. Clean your clippers after each use. Even if you usually do a good job trimming your cat's nails, the nail may split or you might accidentally hit the quick. Clean them with soap or rubbing alcohol to limit the chances of infection. Dry them well to prevent rust. Invest in high quality trimmers. Since the trimmers will be part of your frequent grooming routine, you want to make sure you buy a quality product. Make sure that the clippers are durable. Stainless steel is a common material used for blades. Durable trimmers will last a long time. You also should make sure the trimmers are safe. You can injure your cat and yourself if you buy unsafe trimmers. Ask your vet for recommendations or read product reviews online to get a sense of which products work well. | Consider the guillotine trimmer. Hold the clippers with the top side facing you. Squeeze the handles to clip the nail. Use a human nail clipper. Slide the nail between the blades. Try scissor clippers. Place the bottom of the nail against the blade. Use a nail file to smooth rough edges. Choose clippers that are easy to use. Consider the size of your hands. Make sure the blade is sharp. Clean your clippers after each use. Invest in high quality trimmers. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Not-Care-What-Others-Think-of-You | How to Not Care What Others Think of You | Learning not to care what other people think about you isn't easy, but there are small steps you can take to start building your confidence and focusing your energy on things that are more important to you. The more secure you are in yourself, the less you'll worry about what other people think of you. To build your self-confidence and feel more secure, make a list of your strengths and accomplishments and add to it every day. Whenever you catch yourself thinking negatively about yourself, try replacing those thoughts with more positive ones, like something you accomplished that you're proud of. In addition to working on your self-esteem, try to be more present and mindful so you're less caught up in what other people are thinking. Doing mindful meditation every day and keeping yourself busy with chores, hobbies, and activities you enjoy can help keep your mind off of what other people are thinking. | Make a list of your strengths and accomplishments. Realizing that your self-worth comes from within is an important part of learning not to care what others think. One way to boost your confidence and get a better sense of your self-worth is to list positive characteristics about yourself. Your strengths could be personality traits (e.g., kindness and patience) or skills that you have (such as being a good cook or a careful driver). Accomplishments might include things like making good grades, finishing a project, or getting a promotion at work. If you're having a hard time thinking of things to put on the list, ask a supportive friend or relative to help you. You could also take the VIA character strengths survey online to focus on what gives you good character. Replace negative thoughts with more realistic ones. If you're used to dwelling on the negative or taking every harsh criticism to heart, it can be hard to retrain yourself to think positively. When you notice your inner voice getting negative, stop and assess those thoughts. Do they really make sense? If not, replace the negative thought with something more neutral and realistic. For example, if you find yourself thinking, “Everyone is going to hate me at my new school,” instead tell yourself, “Probably not everyone is going to like me, and that's okay. Nobody can please everyone. If I make an effort to be kind and friendly, I'll likely find people I get along with.” Learn to accept the weaknesses you have so you can improve on them. Commit to improving on your weaknesses. All people have flaws, and that's okay. Acknowledging your weak areas is an important part of personal growth. If you identify flaws in yourself, look upon them as an opportunity to better yourself, rather than dwelling on what's “wrong” with you or what others will think. Taking action to improve will help you feel better about yourself and less worried about others' perceptions of you. For example, if you are out of shape and this bothers you, set some attainable fitness goals , even if they're small at first. You might start by planning to walk 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week. Practice kindness for its own sake. Focusing more on others—rather than yourself—can ultimately help you feel better about yourself. Make an effort to be kind and considerate to others every day, without worrying about pleasing people or being repaid for your kindness. You'll feel good, and even if others don't thank you or judge you unfairly, you'll know that you did the right thing. Try incorporating a few acts of kindness into your daily routine, even if they're small things like holding a door open or complimenting someone on their outfit. Establish appropriate boundaries with others. While it's important to be kind to others, that doesn't mean you should allow them to take advantage of you or mistreat you. If you're not used to setting boundaries, it can be difficult at first. Ultimately, however, you'll feel much better about yourself and more secure in your relationships with others once you've set some firm limits. Remember that it's okay to say “no” sometimes. Be clear and direct with others about what your boundaries are and let them know what the consequences will be if those boundaries are violated. For example, “Mom, I'll have to stop inviting you over if you're going to argue with me about how I'm raising my son every time you visit.” You may encounter disappointment, anger, or resistance at first, especially if other people in your life aren't used to you enforcing boundaries. However, people who really care about you should respect your boundaries, even if they aren't happy with them. If someone consistently refuses to respect your boundaries, you may need to limit contact with that person. Specify what you’re worried about. Fears about what other people think of you can feel unmanageable if they're big and vague. Try to hone in on what it is that you're really worried about. This will not only help your anxieties feel less overwhelming, but will also get you closer to developing a strategy for dealing with them. For example, you may have a general fear of people judging you at work. Try to pinpoint your concerns more specifically. Are you afraid your boss doesn't think you're being productive enough? Are you worried that your coworker might be gossiping about you? Do you feel like you need more training or support at your job? Determine what’s behind your specific fears. Once you've narrowed down what's bothering you, think about where that fear comes from. In some cases, you may find that your concerns are rational. It's also possible, however, that you're hung up on anxieties that you learned at some earlier point in your life. With a little reflection, you may decide those fears are unfounded. For example, maybe you're worried that people at your job will judge you because you have tattoos. If you're in the kind of workplace where tattoos are considered inappropriate (such as a conservative law office), that might be a legitimate concern. If you have a job in an easy-going coffee shop where everyone wears body art, it's probably okay if you have tattoos. Ask yourself if your anxiety comes from some other source, such as things you heard from your parents growing up (e.g., “If you get a tattoo, nobody will trust you!”). Practice mindfulness. Being mindful means being more aware of your surroundings, thoughts, and feelings at any given moment. Making an effort to be mindful can help you feel more grounded at the moment, rather than worrying about what might happen or what other people may be thinking. If you find yourself worrying about what other people are thinking, gently steer your thoughts back to the here and now. Think about what you are doing, how you are feeling, and what you are trying to accomplish at that moment. Recognize your feelings and thoughts without judgment. Simply being more aware of what's going on in your head can help you recognize and manage your anxiety more easily. Try doing mindful meditation to help you get used to being mindful all the time. Look for mindful meditation apps or find guided meditation exercises online. Develop a strategy for dealing with worst-case scenarios. A lot of anxiety about what others are thinking comes from getting hung up on what might happen. You can help relieve some of these fears by coming up with a solution or a plan of action in case the worst does come to pass. For example, maybe you keep thinking, “I'm going to mess up my part of this group project, and then the other students in my group will hate me.” Ask yourself, “What would I do if I did mess up? What would help me feel better? How could I prevent it from happening again?” Even if the only solution you can think of is something simple, like “I would apologize for messing up,” that's still a start. You will feel less helpless and anxious with even a basic plan in place. Distract yourself by taking action. One great way to take your mind off of what other people are thinking is to do something productive. Getting busy with an important task will keep you focused on what you are doing, rather than on how others are (or might be) judging you. For example, you might: Finish a chore or project you've been putting off. Volunteer for a cause you support. Go out of your way to do something kind for someone (e.g., help a neighbor mow their lawn). Work on a hobby or creative project you enjoy. Spend some quality time with someone you care about. Listen to criticism with an open mind. Criticism is often painful, but you may find it easier to deal with if you think of it as an opportunity for growth and improvement rather than something hurtful or discouraging. If someone says something critical to you, listen actively before you get defensive. You may actually find what they have to say helpful. Before getting upset or rejecting the criticism, consider: The source. Did the criticism come from someone generally supportive, whose opinions you respect? The content. Did the other person just say something vague or insulting (e.g., “You're a jerk!”), or did they actually make a specific point about your behavior and how it affects them (e.g., “When you come in late, I feel distracted and it disrupts my work.”)? The delivery. Did the person attempt to be tactful and constructive with their criticism, or were they unnecessarily rude and harsh? Reject criticism and judgments you know are unfounded. Just because someone has something critical to say to or about you, that doesn't mean they're right. Weigh their words carefully, but remember that you don't always have to take other people's opinions to heart. For example, if someone says that you're lazy, but you know you have been working as hard as you can, remind yourself of that. You might say to yourself, “I'm not lazy. I may not be able to do everything that they can do, but that's because everyone is different. I'm doing the best I can, and that's okay.” Take the high road when others judge or criticize you. If someone says something harsh to or about you, you may be tempted to lash out or get even. This is unlikely to accomplish much, however. Even if you don't feel good about what they have to say, you'll feel better (and others will be impressed!) if you can turn the other cheek and react with kindness and civility. Even if you don't agree with what the other person said, you can still respond in a way that validates the person (if not their words). For example, you might say, “Thanks for the advice. I'll think about that.” If the other person was trying to be rude or unkind, a kind response might unnerve them and make them think about how they are behaving. Even if it doesn't, you'll still come out of the encounter as the bigger person. Acknowledge that others’ perceptions of you come from them, not you. If someone says or thinks something unkind about you, that says more about them than it does about you. You cannot change what other people think of you—only they can do that. Remember that all you can do is work hard to be the best person you can be, and accept that you will never be able to please everyone. Spend time with supportive people. It's hard for anyone to feel good about themselves if they're surrounded by people who belittle them and bring them down all the time. If there is someone in your life who consistently puts you down, judges you, takes advantage of you, or violates your boundaries, you may need to cut ties with that person. Try to spend time with people who respect you and come from a place of love and support, even when they are being critical. If you're getting a lot of negativity from someone you can't avoid completely, like a coworker, try to minimize your time with that person as much as you can. Be civil or at least neutral when you have to be around them, but don't seek them out. | Make a list of your strengths and accomplishments. Replace negative thoughts with more realistic ones. Commit to improving on your weaknesses. Practice kindness for its own sake. Establish appropriate boundaries with others. Specify what you’re worried about. Determine what’s behind your specific fears. Practice mindfulness. Develop a strategy for dealing with worst-case scenarios. Distract yourself by taking action. Listen to criticism with an open mind. Reject criticism and judgments you know are unfounded. Take the high road when others judge or criticize you. Acknowledge that others’ perceptions of you come from them, not you. Spend time with supportive people. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Calm-an-Aggressive-Dog | How to Calm an Aggressive Dog | To calm an aggressive dog, try exercising it at least twice a day to allow it to burn off extra energy and be more calm in general. Additionally, socialize your dog as early as possible to allow it to get used to all sorts of encounters with humans and other animals. Alternatively, if your dog has had prior traumatic experiences, consider enrolling it in behavioral classes to give it the proper tools for handling aggression. | Exercise your dog. Many dogs that demonstrate aggressive behavior benefit from extensive exercise regimens. The more energy your dog burns the better their state of mind and the less likely they are to exhibit aggression. Take your dog for regular daily walks at least twice a day. Take your dog to the park to let them burn off excess energy. Socialize your dog. Socializing your dog as early as possible will help them get used to encounters and interactions with both humans and other dogs. Take your dog to a dog park or create one on one play dates with other dogs to give your dog the social interaction it needs. Consult your vet for recommendations for enrolling your dog in a socialization class. Enroll your dog in behavioral courses. Aggression training camps can help deal with past traumatic experiences as well as provide both you and your dog with tools for dealing with aggressive behavior. Consult your vet for aggression training camp or behavioral class recommendations. Know your dog's triggers. Knowing what your dogs triggers are will help you avoid aggressive behavior and address it appropriately. Consult your breeder or shelter about your dog's history to see if their aggression is learned or caused by trauma. Check the humane society to learn more about the causes and types of aggressive behavior to better understand what your dog's triggers might be. Bring your dog's triggers to the attention of your vet to see if their behavior can be treated with medication. Make your dog's triggers known to any trainer should you enroll in a aggression training camp or behavioral course. Surrender your dog to their breeder or shelter. If you do not have the time, money, or resources to deal with and prevent your dog's aggression you might consider surrendering you dog back to their breeder or shelter. Be honest about your concerns and the dog's behavior so that they have the possibility of being re-homed to another owner who may be able to deal with their aggressive behavior. Many shelters have a euthanasia policy in place for aggressive animals. Check with your shelter to discuss their aggressive animal policy. Consult an animal behaviorist, if necessary. If you cannot physically control your dog or cannot place safety equipment (like a muzzle) on it, you should seek help from a board-certified animal behaviorist. Do not attempt to deal with the dog's aggression on your own unless you feel safe and prepared to do so. Put a muzzle, gentle leader, or harness on your dog when leaving home. Using a muzzle, gentle leader, or harness will help you control your dog and protect other dogs as well. Your dog will need to get used to wearing a muzzle, gentle leader, or harness, so practice putting it on, leaving it on for 15 minutes or so, and taking it off several times. Reward your dog during these practice sessions. Make sure the muzzle, gentle leader, or harness fits properly! Be calm and decisive. Dogs are sensitive to the moods of others, especially when they are in a state of aggression. The more calm you are when other dogs are approaching the less likely your dog will be to exhibit aggressive behavior. Avoid tensing up the leash, forcing your dog to move quickly, or raising your voice if you anticipate a aggressive outburst. Instead, calmly lead your dog away from approaching dogs or if they are already displaying aggressive behavior. Remember, the calmer you are the calmer your dog will be. Create space. If you see another dog approaching, move to the other side of the road, walk to another side of the park, or take a safe distance and wait for the dog to pass. Creating space between your dog and the other dog will help you avoid any aggressive interaction. Try using a blockade, like a car or tree, when another dog is approaching. Avoid pulling back on the leash when pulling your dog away from other dogs. Instead, pull your dog to the side and calmly lead them away. Desensitize your dog to other dogs. The more frequently and consistently your dog interacts with other dogs the less likely they are to display aggressive behavior. Scheduling regular play dates with other dogs, walking calmly by other dogs, and have brief encounters with dogs at the dog park with help desensitize your dog. Keep a long distance when first desensitizing your dog to other dogs. Once they seem comfortable continue approaching at a steady rate and stop and wait once their aggression is triggered again. Get help from an animal behaviorist if you have safety concerns. If you cannot physically control the dog or if the dog weighs more than 50 pounds (23 kg), consult a board-certified animal behaviorist. Additionally, if the dog shows aggression toward children, shows food aggression (such as guarding its food bowl), or has ever snapped at you, seek help from a board-certified animal behaviorist instead of attempting to handle the animal yourself. Act calmly and quickly. Both dogs and people can be sensitive to the others moods. If you sense a potential outburst, or if your dog is already displaying aggressive behavior, stay calm and respond quickly. Restrain your dog on their leash or grab their collar and redirect them if they start displaying aggressive behavior. Ask the individual to slowly back away and re-approach once your dog has calmed down. Practicing blocking. Standing in front of your dog and blocking them from approaching others will keep their aggression at bay. Your dog's line of vision will also be blocked, which may relieve them of their trigger entirely. Remember, you know your dog better than anyone else so it is your responsibility to mediate for them. If you have enrolled in behavioral classes use some commands or directives to relive your dog of tension. Slowly introduce your dog to new people. Many dogs are aggressive toward new people. Introducing them slowly will help your dog gradually become used to their presence and curb aggressive behavior. If you are trying to introduce your dog to someone specifically set up regular play dates where your dog can continually get used to the individual. Have the individual slowly extend the back of their hand and offer it to your dog to smell. This will help them become familiar with the individual and will allow for them to approach your dog. | Exercise your dog. Socialize your dog. Enroll your dog in behavioral courses. Know your dog's triggers. Surrender your dog to their breeder or shelter. Consult an animal behaviorist, if necessary. Put a muzzle, gentle leader, or harness on your dog when leaving home. Be calm and decisive. Create space. Desensitize your dog to other dogs. Get help from an animal behaviorist if you have safety concerns. Act calmly and quickly. Practicing blocking. Slowly introduce your dog to new people. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-Your-Horse-Needs-Hock-Injections | How to Tell if Your Horse Needs Hock Injections | To tell if your horse needs hock injections, look for changes in behavior that might indicate that your horse has pain in its hock, or hindquarters. This might include refusing to jump fences, excessive bucking, trying to bite you, or general bad temper. Notice if your horse seems to be moving more slowly or is walking with its head lower to shift weight off of its hindquarters due to pain. Hock pain will also affect your horse's jumps, so notice if it has trouble clearing its hurdles or is landing in an unusual way. If you notice any of these problems, take your horse to the vet to be examined. | Check for behavioral signs of pain. Your horse may behave differently than they usually would if they're in pain. For example, a horse may become cranky when ridden, charge at jumps, refuse fences, or buck when they were previously mild-mannered. A change of character such as trying to bite an owner when grooming the back end, bucking, or general bad temper, can be a sign of pain. Your horse may also demonstrate pain during the tacking up process. Consider whether or not your horse is working as hard as normal. Another common presentation is that the horse does not work to its full potential. It attempts to limit the discomfort by not exerting itself, which could mean it: Doesn't move as quickly or easily. Doesn't reach normal height when jumping. Notice if your horse begins riding heavy on the forehand. This phrase means that your horse tries to take weight off its hind quarters and shifts its center of gravity forward. When it does this it places more weight on its front legs and moves in a more labored manner because it takes more effort to lift its front legs. When riding the horse have a friend stand parallel to it and video its movement. Look for the horse lowering its head to counterbalance the back end. Look to see if all the legs are taking equal length steps or if one leg is taking shorter strides than the others. When riding the horse have a friend stand a safe distance behind the horse and take a video. Look to see if the hips move up and down symmetrically. A horse with a sore back leg will try to protect that leg with the result that the hip moves less. Take note if your horse is not engaging its back end. For fluid movement, the horse uses the power in its back end and bunches its hind legs beneath it to move forward. If the horse associates pushing off on its hind legs with pain it will be reluctant to do this, and will most likely move more slowly than normal. You may be able to feel this easily when you are riding your horse. Keep track of your horse's ability to jump. Jumping requires the horse to shift its weight backwards and place a considerable extra load on its hind legs. If soreness or pain is present, it may try to avoid this discomfort by not fully using its muscles to propel itself upward. Your horse may lose height early, which means it will knock against jumps it used to take with ease. For example, you may notice that your horse knocks down fences during jumps. Note any challenges your horse has with landing after it jumps. Landing after a jump involves tucking the hind legs beneath the body. This provides spring to push the horse forward onto its next stride. When your horse has a painful hind leg, it may slip and land awkwardly. Look at the way your horse stands. Hock pain or general hind end discomfort alters the way a horse stands. It tends to shift its weight to minimize stress on the sore leg. Some things you might notice include: Resting one hind leg while standing. Standing with the sore leg tucked under its belly so that the hock is straight and the leg does not have any weight on it. Standing with one leg on a large mound of shavings to elevate it. Assess whether your horse's gait has changed. Pain alters the way the horse moves, which is referred to as its "gait." Hock and back end pain tends to make the horse "mince" or take shortened strides with its hind legs. It transfers weight onto his forelegs, which gives him a hunched silhouette with its hind quarters tucked under and head carriage low. Because it hurts to flex the joint, the horse may not pick its leg up cleanly, and may have a tendency to stumble. A useful tip is to walk and trot the horse on sand so that you can trace its hoof prints. The sore leg tends to move towards the midline, rather than following the line of the matching front leg. If your horse's hock is injured, it may have a hard time walking backwards in a straight line. This is because the sore leg takes shorter strides, so the horse naturally moves in a curve to the affected side. Watch for symptoms of disuse atrophy. If you notice that there is a loss of muscle mass over the thigh and hip of the affected leg, your horse may have a problem with its hock. This loss of muscle mass is a result of "disuse atrophy", which means that the horse has been protecting that leg and underusing it. When muscles do not get used, they can begin to waste away. Be aware that disuse atrophy can arise because of pain anywhere in the limb and does not localize the discomfort to the hock. Contact a veterinarian to further the assessment. If you're sure your horse has a mobility issue, it is a good idea to call the vet to give the horse a thorough check over. A veterinarian can perform tests to isolate the source of your horse's pain to the hock. They can do a thorough lameness exam including flexion tests, nerve blocks, and X-rays if needed. The veterinarian will also look for other tell-tale signs of discomfort such as head bobbing, unusual foot placement, shortened strides, and weight shifts. Look for signs of swelling. An injury to the hock, such as a sprain, causes the damaged tissues to release hormones such as histamine, prostaglandins, and bradykinin. These chemicals act on the blood vessels and make them leaky so that fluid pools in the area of the injury, causing swelling. This has a two-fold effect; the fluid helps isolate any harmful noxious substances from the general circulation, and the fluid is also rich in white cells to protect against infection. If in doubt that the hock is swollen, compare one back leg with the other. Look to see if the areas that normally 'go in' are puffy and baggy. Sometimes feeling the normal hock and then feeling the other side, can help you detect a difference in how they feel. Check to see if the hock is hot. The inflammation of the hock generates heat. Because of this, you should feel along the hock. If the area feels hotter than other surrounding parts of your horse, your horse may have sustained an injury in the hock. Check the temperature of the injured hock compared to that of the hock on the other leg. Ask your veterinarian to perform a flexion test. To perform this test, your horse's veterinarian will flex the hock joint and hold it in that position for about 1 minute. Then, they will release the joint and observe your horse's movement to see if their gait is different than before the test. Do not attempt to perform a flexion test yourself. Only a trained veterinarian should do this. Have a vet perform a regional nerve block test. The idea behind this test is that if the pain in the hock is temporarily removed a previously lame horse should become sound. Only a veterinarian can safely perform this test, so do not attempt to do it yourself. During the test: The veterinarian first sterilizes the skin with surgical scrub, where the needle is to be inserted. A 1.5-inch needle, 20 or 22 gauge is used to inject about 1 ml of local anesthetic just below the skin along the path of the cutaneous branch of the superficial and deep fibular nerve. After the local anesthetic is injected the flexion test is best performed within 15 minutes, because the local anesthetic can spread to the lower limb making the foot numb which can also alter gait. If the lower limb becomes overly numb the horse may drag the leg and scuff the back of the hoof. If this happens the veterinarian will bandage the lower limb to reduce the chance of abrasions. Consider getting a radiography exam done. If a flexion test and regional nerve block point to hock pain, then radiography is sometimes undertaken. Radiography is useful for detecting fractures, bony change (which occurs with arthritis), bone infections, bone cancer, and swelling of the joint capsule. To take the radiographs the vet will work with the horse in a standing position and use a portable x-ray machine. There are typically two images taken: an exposure at lateral view taken from the side (facing towards the horse), and an anterior-posterior view taken from in front of the hock joint facing towards the horse's tail. It is possible for x-rays to come back normal and yet there still be pain in the joint. This is because x-rays show bone damage, rather than inflammation of the joint lining. If the x-rays are clear but the hock is painful, this is a strong indication for giving a hock injections. Many veterinarians want to rule out chip fractures before giving hock injections, because the steroid could delay bone healing if this is the underlying reason for the lameness. | Check for behavioral signs of pain. Consider whether or not your horse is working as hard as normal. Notice if your horse begins riding heavy on the forehand. Take note if your horse is not engaging its back end. Keep track of your horse's ability to jump. Note any challenges your horse has with landing after it jumps. Look at the way your horse stands. Assess whether your horse's gait has changed. Watch for symptoms of disuse atrophy. Contact a veterinarian to further the assessment. Look for signs of swelling. Check to see if the hock is hot. Ask your veterinarian to perform a flexion test. Have a vet perform a regional nerve block test. Consider getting a radiography exam done. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Wash-Out-Hair-Dye | How to Wash Out Hair Dye | To wash out hair dye, try washing your hair with dish soap in place of your usual shampoo, which will help wash out the color faster. Make sure to follow up with a conditioner, since the dish soap can dry out your hair. Alternatively, apply lemon juice to your hair and cover it with a shower cap for a few minutes before rinsing out the lemon juice with warm water. For dark hair, mix 3 tablespoons of ground cinnamon into your conditioner and apply it to your damp hair. Then, put on a shower cap and leave the mixture on overnight before rinsing it out in the morning. | Fade your hair color with the Vitamin C method. This is widely reported to fade color quickly and without causing too much damage to your hair. Crush Vitamin C tablets with a pestle and mortar or in a plastic baggie with a rolling pin or hammer. Move the crushed tablets to a small bowl and add a tablespoon of water to make a paste. Apply the paste to your hair and leave in for about 30 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Alternatively, you can add the crushed Vitamin C to clarifying shampoo. Apply mixture to your hair and cover your head with a shower cap. Leave in for about 20 minutes, then rinse. Squeeze lemon juice onto your hair to lighten it. This is one of the safest ways you can lighten your hair, in terms of reducing chemical exposure. Squeeze fresh lemon juice into a container. Apply to your hair and cover with a shower cap for a few minutes. Then, wash hair as usual using warm water to rinse the lemon juice from your hair. You can also try creating a spray mixture with moisturizing agents like almond oil to lessen the drying effects of the acidity of the lemon juice. Spraying lemon juice on your hair and then spending a few minutes in sunlight before rinsing it out will also help lighten your hair color. Apply a cinnamon paste to remove hair color. This is a natural method that will not damage your hair follicle like some other methods, and it is best used on darker hair colors. Mix 3 tablespoons of ground cinnamon with your conditioner to make a paste. Apply to damp hair thoroughly, covering all roots and strands. Cover your head with a shower cap and leave in overnight. Rinse thoroughly the following morning. Alternatively, you can try applying conditioner to your hair and then applying a paste made of ground cinnamon and water on top of the conditioner. It is still recommended to leave on overnight. Massage in a sea salt paste to lighten you hair color. Here is another natural method that is less damaging to your hair and encourages you to get outside. Mix ½ cup sea salt with a small amount of water to make a paste. Apply to damp hair. Spend some time outside in the sunlight to allow the sunlight and sea salt paste take effect in lightening your hair color. Rinse thoroughly when done. Another method is to mix one part sea salt with five parts water. Saturate your hair with the mixture and let sit in your hair for about 15 minutes before rinsing. Try using honey to fade your hair color. This is one more natural method that will help to lighten your hair color. Mix 1/3 cup honey with ¼ cup of your conditioner. Apply thoroughly to damp hair and comb to ensure even coating. Cover hair with a shower cap and leave on for eight hours or overnight. Rinse thoroughly when done. You could also try a mixture of honey with other lightening agents such as cinnamon and vinegar with olive oil added in for moisturizing. It is best to leave this mixture in overnight, as well. Saturate your hair with chamomile tea. Chamomile tea brings out blonde undertones and works well on lighter hair colors. Brew a pot of chamomile tea and let it steep for at least an hour, making it strong. Saturate your hair with the chamomile tea and then spend some time out in the sunlight to dry your hair. Alternatively, add a few tablespoons of the brewed chamomile tea to your conditioner. Apply thoroughly to damp hair and leave in for several minutes before rinsing out. Lighten your hair color using dish soap. Dish soap has harsher chemicals than shampoo, so you will need to be sure to condition well afterward. Lather dish soap into your hair like you would with shampoo. Massage it into your scalp and rinse well. Repeat if necessary. You could also try mixing dish soap with baking soda for extra color-lightening power. Massage into hair thoroughly and then rinse well. Remove hair color by using laundry detergent. Be sure to choose a brand of laundry detergent that does not use bleach or bleaching agents, which will significantly harm your hair. Use one tablespoon of detergent to wash your hair. Lather and massage into your hair as if it were shampoo. Rinse thoroughly. Conditioning your hair will be necessary due to the harshness of the laundry detergent. Remove color and deep condition with a hot oil hair massage. This method plays double duty to achieve your mission and condition your hair. Massage hot oil into your hair from roots to tips. Wrap your hair in a clean towel and leave in for one hour. Rinse the oil out with hot water to thoroughly rinse the oil from your hair. This will help it return to its normal state and not leave it too greasy. Buy a hair color remover kit. Supermarkets and retail stores sell hair color removal kits that you can use to lighten your hair color. Follow the instructions on the kit for use. It may take a few rounds to get your hair to a lightened color that you prefer. Wash your hair with anti-dandruff shampoo. Anti-dandruff shampoo seems to work well on colors that are already slightly faded or are lingering from an old color job. It works best before the color has had time to fully set. Anti-dandruff shampoo is stronger than regular shampoo, so it has more of a cleansing or stripping effect. Wash your hair with it several times every couple of days to see results. Apply a baking soda paste to your hair. This is a natural alternative to bleach, but baking soda has a similar bleaching effect. Start by wetting your hair with warm water. Then, make the paste by mixing equal parts baking soda and shampoo. Massage the paste into your hair and leave on for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Another option is to mix baking soda with lemon juice at a ratio of two teaspoons to two tablespoons. Massage into hair and let sit for about five minutes, and then rinse thoroughly. Have a salon professional do a bleach bath. A bleach bath is best done by a salon professional because of the potential to damage your hair and affect your skin and/or clothing. A bleach bath is a mixture of shampoo and diluted bleach, which will lighten your hair. It can take anywhere from five to 30 minutes to work, depending on how much you want to lighten your hair color. Note that a bleach bath has the potential to affect your natural hair color, as well. Strip the color away by bleaching your hair. Keep in mind that this is a last-resort option, because bleaching severely damages your hair. Only attempt bleaching your hair when other methods have not worked to your satisfaction. Mix one part bleach with four parts warm water; the more diluted it is, the better. Put on rubber gloves, and massage or scrub the bleach into your hair. Leave in for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Be prepared to condition your hair deeply after bleaching. In most cases, you will probably want to dye your hair back to something closer to its natural color. It is best to give your hair some time to recover before doing so. Create mixture of baking soda and lemon juice. This is a natural method for removing hair dye from your skin during a dye job. Mix two teaspoons of baking soda with two tablespoons of lemon juice. Apply to area of skin where hair dye has stained it and scrub gently. Rinse off and repeat if necessary. Rub away hair dye stains with olive oil or baby oil on a wash cloth. Gently rub the affected area with the wash cloth to remove the stain. This method is best for individuals with sensitive skin. Clean up stained skin using vinegar. Simply dampen a cotton ball with vinegar and gently rub it on the stained area to lift the stain. Scrub away hair dye stains on skin with a baking soda-based toothpaste. A gel toothpaste will not work. Put the toothpaste on an old toothbrush and scrub the area stained with hair dye with the toothbrush to remove the stain. Apply a mixture of baking soda and dish soap. This method will create a paste that you can massage into your skin. Mix equal parts baking soda and dish soap to form the paste. Massage the paste into your skin where it is stained from hair dye. Rinse thoroughly to remove the stain and repeat if necessary. Lift hair dye stains on skin by spraying the stain with hairspray. Hairspray could work well in removing hair dye stains from your skin. Spray the hairspray on the stained area of skin and rub it gently. Then, wash the area with soap. Pick up a hair color stain remover kit. You can find these in the beauty aisles of most stores; simply follow the directions on the kit to remove the stains. Rub the area stained with hair dye with dish soap or laundry detergent on a wash cloth. Once the product is on the wash cloth, gently rub the area stained by hair dye to remove it. Rinse when done. Remove hair dye stains on skin by using hydrogen peroxide. Dampen a cotton ball with hydrogen peroxide and rub on the affected area, being careful not to touch your hair, because the peroxide will fade the color. Remove stains from hair dye on skin with nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol. Use caution when using nail polish remover in particular, because it is very harsh on the skin, and do not use it on your face. Wet a cotton ball with nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol, whichever you choose. Gently rub the cotton ball on the area of your skin where the hair dye is located to remove the dye. Be sure to moisturize the area well afterward. Try using WD-40 as a last resort. If nothing else has worked to remove the stain from your skin, then only use this as a last-ditch effort. Squirt a small amount of WD-40 onto a cotton ball. Gently dab at the section of skin stained by hair dye with the cotton ball. Rinse the area of skin well and wash it thoroughly with soap when done. Blot the hair dye stain on the clothes with rubbing alcohol if you cannot launder the clothing immediately. This helps to loosen the stain to increase the chances of it washing out later. Soak the clothing in an ammonia solution. This is an alternative method if the clothing cannot be bleached. Mix one cup of ammonia with one gallon of cool water in a bucket. Stretch the stained clothing over a second bucket, until it is taut, and secure it over the opening of the bucket with a large rubber band. Slowly pour the ammonia solution over the stained area, letting it soak through and drip into the second bucket. Rinse the clothing, and then was as usual. Another method is to mix ½ teaspoon of dishwashing detergent, one tablespoon of ammonia, and one quart of warm water. Soak the stained area of clothing in the solution for 30 seconds, then rinse with water immediately. Gently brush the stain with an old toothbrush and blot with rubbing alcohol for extra stain-removing power. Rinse again with water and wash as usual. Spray the stained area of clothing or fabric with hairspray immediately. Make sure the stain is damp with the hairspray. Then, wash as you normally would. Massage dish soap directly into the stain on the clothing. Dawn dish soap is the recommended brand for this method. Allow the dish soap to soak into the stain and then wash clothing immediately. Repeat if the stain did not come out after the first attempt. Soak the clothing in a solution of vinegar and laundry detergent. Fill a bucket or sink with warm water and add two tablespoons of laundry detergent and two cups of white vinegar. Let the clothing soak in this solution for several hours and then wash as usual. Determine if the stained clothing can be treated with chlorine bleach. If so, use the following method to remove the hair dye stains. Mix ¼ cup of chlorine bleach with one gallon of cool water in a bucket. When prepared, soak the stained clothing in the bucket for up to 30 minutes. Rinse the clothing, and then wash as usual. Note that the longer you keep the clothing in the bleach solution, the higher the risk of fading the color of the fabric or damaging the fibers. Clean upholstery or carpet using a vinegar solution. This is the most recommended method for removing hair dye stains from upholstery. Mix one tablespoon of white vinegar, one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid, and two cups of cool water. Using a clean sponge, blot the stain with the solution and rub in a small circular motion until bubbles form. Rinse the sponge clean and blot the area to soak up the liquid from the cleaning solution. Repeat rinsing the sponge and blotting until it is all absorbed. Pour two tablespoons of rubbing alcohol onto the area and rub with a clean and damp cloth or sponge for about five minutes. Then blot the area with a dry cloth or towel. Spray the stained section of carpet with cheap hairspray immediately. Cheap hairspray has a higher content of rubbing alcohol, which is why it is preferred. Spray the stained area and then blot it with an old towel to soak the dye into the towel. Repeat this process until the stain is lifted, and then clean your carpet with another cleaner to remove any sticky hairspray residue. Clean up the stain with a carpet cleaning solution. Follow the instructions for the carpet cleaning solution to use in this situation. This could be a carpet cleaning spray or a solution that you put in a carpet cleaner to deep clean the carpet. Mix up a cream of tartar paste to lift the stain from carpet. Mix ½ cup cream of tartar with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice in order to make a paste. Apply to the stained carpet, let sit for a few minutes, and then blot out. Use an ammonia solution to remove hair dye stains from carpet. Mix one teaspoon of dish soap with one tablespoon of ammonia and two cups of warm water. Using a clean sponge, blot the stain with the solution. Leave the solution on the stain for at least 30 minutes, blotting every five minutes with a clean cloth and more ammonia solution. When time is up, blot the area with a clean sponge and cold water, and then blot dry with a towel. Try a basic grease cleaner. Follow the instructions for using the cleaner on the carpet. Remove hair dye from bathtubs, tiles, and grout using diluted bleach. Using a chlorine bleach solution, such as one part bleach to four parts water, scrub the stained bathtub, tile, or grout with a sponge or cloth. It may be helpful to let the bleach soak into the stained area for up to 20 minutes before rinsing off with water. Use rubbing alcohol to clean hair dye stains off of counters. Simply rub down the counter with rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth or towel. Eliminate stains from most bathroom surfaces by using a magic eraser. Find magic erasers in your grocery store's household cleaning aisle. Follow the instructions on the box for best results. Wipe down the hair dye-stained surface using acetone. Rub down the area of the surface that is stained with a cloth saturated with acetone. Lift a stain from a bathroom surface by spraying it with hairspray. Spray the stained surface with hairspray, let it sit for several minutes, and then wipe clean with a clean towel or cloth. Scrub ceramic or acrylic surfaces with toothpaste to remove stains. Gently rub toothpaste into the stained area of the surface, let sit for a few minutes, and then wipe off with a clean cloth or towel. Create a baking soda paste to lift hair dye stains. Create a paste by mixing equal parts of baking soda and water. Rub the paste onto the stained area, let it soak in for several minutes, and then wipe away with a clean towel or cloth. Clean up hair dye stains using a vinegar solution. Dilute vinegar with water and scrub into the stained surface area. Let soak into the stain for 30 minutes, and then wipe away with a clean cloth or towel. | Fade your hair color with the Vitamin C method. Squeeze lemon juice onto your hair to lighten it. Apply a cinnamon paste to remove hair color. Massage in a sea salt paste to lighten you hair color. Try using honey to fade your hair color. Saturate your hair with chamomile tea. Lighten your hair color using dish soap. Remove hair color by using laundry detergent. Remove color and deep condition with a hot oil hair massage. Buy a hair color remover kit. Wash your hair with anti-dandruff shampoo. Apply a baking soda paste to your hair. Have a salon professional do a bleach bath. Strip the color away by bleaching your hair. Create mixture of baking soda and lemon juice. Rub away hair dye stains with olive oil or baby oil on a wash cloth. Clean up stained skin using vinegar. Scrub away hair dye stains on skin with a baking soda-based toothpaste. Apply a mixture of baking soda and dish soap. Lift hair dye stains on skin by spraying the stain with hairspray. Pick up a hair color stain remover kit. Rub the area stained with hair dye with dish soap or laundry detergent on a wash cloth. Remove hair dye stains on skin by using hydrogen peroxide. Remove stains from hair dye on skin with nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol. Try using WD-40 as a last resort. Blot the hair dye stain on the clothes with rubbing alcohol if you cannot launder the clothing immediately. Soak the clothing in an ammonia solution. Spray the stained area of clothing or fabric with hairspray immediately. Massage dish soap directly into the stain on the clothing. Soak the clothing in a solution of vinegar and laundry detergent. Determine if the stained clothing can be treated with chlorine bleach. Clean upholstery or carpet using a vinegar solution. Spray the stained section of carpet with cheap hairspray immediately. Clean up the stain with a carpet cleaning solution. Mix up a cream of tartar paste to lift the stain from carpet. Use an ammonia solution to remove hair dye stains from carpet. Try a basic grease cleaner. Remove hair dye from bathtubs, tiles, and grout using diluted bleach. Use rubbing alcohol to clean hair dye stains off of counters. Eliminate stains from most bathroom surfaces by using a magic eraser. Wipe down the hair dye-stained surface using acetone. Lift a stain from a bathroom surface by spraying it with hairspray. Scrub ceramic or acrylic surfaces with toothpaste to remove stains. Create a baking soda paste to lift hair dye stains. Clean up hair dye stains using a vinegar solution. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tweet-Someone | How to Tweet Someone | To tweet at someone directly, type their username (e.g., @wikihow) at the beginning of the tweet. To include someone in a tweet, type their username (e.g., @wikihow) anywhere EXCEPT at the beginning of the tweet. To reply to a tweet, click or tap the chat bubble icon. | Open Twitter. If you're using a computer, sign into https://www.twitter.com in a web browser. If you're using a phone or tablet, tap the Twitter app (a blue icon with a white bird) on the home screen or in the app drawer. To "mention" a Twitter user is to tag their username in a tweet. You can use mentions to: Direct a tweet toward one user. Link to one (or more) users in a tweet to your followers. Include one (or more) users in a reply or retweet. No matter how you use mentions, anyone you mention in a tweet will be notified--unless your account is private and they aren't following you. Click Tweet. It's at the top-right corner of the page if you're using a computer. If you're using the mobile app, tap the blue circle containing a feather at the bottom-right corner. Type your tweet's content. Tweets can be up to 280 characters in length, including tags, mentions, and links. Type the username of the person you want to tweet at. Include the "@" symbol at the beginning of the username (e.g., @wikiHow ). You'll get different results depending on where you place the mention: To tweet directly at one person, place the @username at the beginning of the tweet (before the rest of the text). For example, if you tweet @wikiHow Just saying hello! , the tweet will be sent directly to @wikiHow. Your followers won't it in their feeds unless they also follow @wikiHow. If you want to get a user's attention (or link to their profile), place the @username anywhere in the tweet except the beginning. For example, if your tweet says Hello @wikiHow! , the user @wikiHow will be notified that you've mentioned them in a tweet. The tweet will appear in your followers' feeds as normal. Attach media to the tweet (optional). Click the photo icon below the text box to insert up to 4 photos. If you're using the mobile app, you can take a new photo now by tapping the camera icon. Click the GIF icon to attach an animated.GIF file. Click the bar graph icon to add a poll. Click the pushpin icon to tag your location. Click or tap Tweet to send. All mentioned users will be notified that they were mentioned in a tweet (as long as your tweets are visible to them). To see a list of tweets that other users have mentioned you in, click or tap the bell icon (at the top on a computer, and the bottom on the mobile app), then select Mentions. Open Twitter. If you're using a computer, sign into https://www.twitter.com in a web browser. If you're using a phone or tablet, tap the Twitter app (a blue icon with a white bird) on the home screen or in the app drawer. Replying to someone's tweet directly not only sends the tweet directly to them, it also adds your response to an ongoing conversation. Your followers won't see your replies in their feeds unless they are also following the user you're replying to (or they visit the Tweets & Replies section of your profile). Go to the tweet you want to reply to. You can scroll to it in your feed, or you can search for the user by typing their username into the search box. Click or tap the chat bubble icon. It's below the bottom-left corner of the tweet. A pop-up containing a typing area will appear. If other users replied to this tweet, you can see their responses by clicking or tapping the date or time next to the original tweet. Type your response into the text box. You can type up to 280 characters of text. If you want to include another user in your reply, type that person's username (starting with the "@" symbol) somewhere in your reply. This notifies the user that you've included them in the conversation. Attach media to the tweet (optional). Click the photo icon below the text box to insert up to 4 photos. Click the GIF icon to attach an animated.GIF file. Click the bar graph icon to add a poll. Click the pushpin icon to tag your location. Click or tap Reply. This tweets your response to the user. The tweet will be added to the conversation thread, which you can view by clicking or tapping the date or time next to the original tweet. | Open Twitter. Click Tweet. Type your tweet's content. Type the username of the person you want to tweet at. Attach media to the tweet (optional). Click or tap Tweet to send. Open Twitter. Go to the tweet you want to reply to. Click or tap the chat bubble icon. Type your response into the text box. Attach media to the tweet (optional). Click or tap Reply. |
https://www.wikihow.life/Remove-Red-Wine-from-Carpet | How to Remove Red Wine from Carpet | To remove red wine from carpet, start by blotting up as much of the stain as you can with a cloth or paper towel if it's still wet. Don't scrub the stain or you could push it deeper into the carpet. Next, if you have a light-colored carpet, pour some hydrogen peroxide and baking soda over the stain. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then pour water over the stain. Blot the carpet with a cloth or paper towel until the stain is no longer visible. Since hydrogen peroxide can bleach dark-colored carpets, you can also use white vinegar and liquid dish soap instead. First, mix 2 cups (½ a liter) of water with 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) each of vinegar and dish soap. Then, saturate a sponge with the solution, and blot the stain until it disappears. | Blot up the spilled wine right away. The longer you let red wine sit in your carpet, the harder it will be to get rid of the stain. Do yourself a big favor by acting fast! As soon as you notice the spill, grab a paper towel or rag and blot the stain to pick up as much liquid as possible before it can set. Always use an up-and-down blotting motion, not a side-to-side rubbing one. Rubbing will pick up some of the wine but force the rest deeper into the carpet fibers, making it much harder to remove the stain. This can also make the stained area from the wine even larger by spreading the liquid to the sides. Work from the outside in, blotting the edges first and then moving to the center. This helps prevent the stain from getting any larger than it already is. Apply some cold water and keep blotting. Eventually, it will get difficult to blot more of the wine out. At this point, try getting the stain wet again with a small amount of cold water. This helps dilute the wine remaining in the carpet. Continue blotting (not rubbing) until the carpet is dry again. Pour salt over the stain while it's still wet. A good dabbing job will take most of the wine out of the carpet, but usually not all of it. To help get the rest out, try covering the stained spot with a generous portion of salt. The salt granules will gradually draw the moisture in the stain out of the carpet over the next few hours. Since the salt works by absorbing the stain's moisture, this is much less effective for dried stains. If your stain is getting dry, pour a little water on it first before adding the salt. Let the salt sit. As it absorbs the wine, the salt will gradually turn pinkish. You're ready to proceed when the stain seems almost completely dry. However, longer treatments aren't going to make things worse, so if you have time to spare, feel free to let the salt sit overnight. Discard the excess salt and vacuum up the carpet. Scoop away the loose salt with a spoon and throw it out. Use a vacuum to suck up the fine particles that remain and get your carpet looking brand-new again. The stain should be gone or at least greatly diminished. If a salty residue remains after the first vacuuming, just dampen the area with a little cool water and vacuum again to restore its natural texture. Make your cleaning solution. In a large bowl, mix 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of dishwashing liquid, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, and 2 cups (236 milliliters) of warm water. Stir to combine the three ingredients. Only use white vinegar for this method. Other vinegars (like apple cider or balsamic vinegar) can cause their own stains. Wet the stain with the mixture. Soak a clean rag in the vinegar mixture, then dab it on to the stained part of the carpet. The mixture will seep into the carpet fibers, loosening the stain. Use a second dry rag to blot up the liquid as you go. Alternate between dabbing on the vinegar solution and drying it up. Wet the whole stain with cold water. Now, soak a third rag in cold water and press it into to stain to dilute the wine. Alternatively, pour a little water directly onto the stain. Soak up the water by dabbing with your "drying" towel once again. Repeat as needed. For maximum effectiveness, you may need to run through the steps above several times. Alternatively, you can follow this method with one of the other tricks in this article. Mix a little dish soap with hydrogen peroxide. Add a generous squirt of soap to the peroxide and stir to combine. The exact amount you need will depend on the size of your stain, but you shouldn't need much more than a half cup (118 milliliters) or so for any stain. Note: Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleaching agent, so this method is best for light-colored fabrics. If you're worried about discoloring your fabric, try putting a small amount of the solution on part of the carpet that can't be seen. If the carpet lightens or you notice dye transfer when you sop up the peroxide with a paper towel, avoid this method. Lower concentrations of peroxide (like 3%) shouldn't affect most carpets. Blot the stain with the solution. Soak the corner of a clean rag in your peroxide solution. Dab the stain gently, allowing the mixture to seep into the carpet fibers. Repeat as needed until you've applied the solution to the entire stain. As always, don't rub — blot. When you're done, let the mixture sit for a few minutes. This allows it to penetrate the deeper fibers and reach deep stains. Spray with cold soapy water. Fill a clean spray bottle with cold water, then add a few drops of standard dish soap. Screw on the cap and shake to combine. Give the entire stain a light spritzing. Blot with a dry towel when you are done. If you don't have a spray bottle, you can repeat the blotting technique above with a fresh towel. Blot with lukewarm water to rinse. By now, the stain should be looking better. However, if you stop, you'll be left with a soapy, sticky residue from the cleaning solution. Soak a clean rag in room-temperature water (no soap), then blot the carpet to loosen up the cleaning materials. Finish by blotting with a dry towel. Pour a little white wine onto the stain. It may seem like the last thing you want to do is to pour more wine on your carpet, but clear-colored white wine can actually be a lifesaver if you don't have water handy. White wine dilutes the color of the red stain much like water, lessening the impact of the stain. Some sources recommend clear, plain vodka if you don't have white wine. Try to avoid moscato and sweet dessert wines, which can leave a sticky, sugary mess. Blot the stain with a sponge. As long as you do it lightly enough, this will soak up some of the color without pressing the stain into the carpet fibers. If your sponge is already wet, wring it out before using it. Apply a baking soda paste. Baking soda can remove a "loosened-up" stain similar to the way salt's used in the section above. Instead of using dry baking soda, most sources recommend making a watery paste, then spreading it generously over the stain. Three parts water to one part baking soda should work well. Cover the stain with a clean cloth overnight. Set a heavy weight (like a dictionary) on top of the cloth while it sits. This constant, gentle pressure pushes the baking soda down into the stain so that it can clean more deeply. The cloth you use will get a little damp, so you may not want to use a weight that's vulnerable to water damage. Vacuum up the baking soda once it dries. The baking soda should soak up the moisture from the stained area and form solid clumps on the surface. You can easily remove these clumps (and with them, the stain) using a vacuum. As with the salt method above, if your carpet still has a powdery residue after the first vacuuming, pour a little cold water on it to dissolve the baking soda, then vacuum again. | Blot up the spilled wine right away. Apply some cold water and keep blotting. Pour salt over the stain while it's still wet. Let the salt sit. Discard the excess salt and vacuum up the carpet. Make your cleaning solution. Wet the stain with the mixture. Wet the whole stain with cold water. Mix a little dish soap with hydrogen peroxide. Blot the stain with the solution. Spray with cold soapy water. Blot with lukewarm water to rinse. Pour a little white wine onto the stain. Blot the stain with a sponge. Apply a baking soda paste. Cover the stain with a clean cloth overnight. Vacuum up the baking soda once it dries. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Milkshake-Without-Ice-Cream | How to Make a Milkshake Without Ice Cream | To make a milkshake without ice cream, mix milk, vanilla, and chocolate syrup in your blender for 15-20 seconds. Add sugar and blend for an additional 5-10 seconds, then pour in your ice cubes and blend again until the milkshake is smooth. Be careful not to overblend the ice, though, or your milkshake will be runny. Pour the milkshake into a glass, topping it with whipped cream if you like, and drink it immediately. | Measure out 2 cups (475 ml) milk, 1 tsp (5 g) vanilla extract, and chocolate syrup (if desired). Put them into a blender and mix for 15-20 seconds. This circulates the air. The thicker the milk you use (2%, for example) the thicker your milkshake will be. Put 3/4 cup (100 g) sugar into the blender. Blend for 5 - 10 seconds more. Add the ice. This will work best with pre-crushed ice. Watch it as it blends -- if it blends too much, it will get quite runny. Serve and enjoy. Consume immediately -- it's best when cold and the ice still gives it texture. Take a small plastic bag and fill it with milk. It needs to be resealable above all else. Put a teaspoon of sugar in the milk. Lightly stir to combine. Add a few drops of vanilla extract/essence into the bag. Stir the vanilla in thoroughly. Fill the big bag up halfway with ice. It needs to be able to contain a smaller bag and be sealed. A gallon-sized resealable bag is ideal. Put the bag with the mixture in the bigger bag. The ice is simply to get the chemical reactions going -- you won't be consuming it. It will remain separate from the milk mixture. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt into the bigger bag. This has to do with exothermic reactions and is an imperative step to your mixture thickening! Shake for about 5-7 minutes, or until mushy like a milkshake. It requires vigorous shaking for the mixture to thicken. If 7 minutes have passed and it's not thick enough, shake it for a few more. Open up the small bag and pour it into a cup. Enjoy your shake! Add the ingredients to the blender. If using fruit, chop into small enough pieces. Blend until all the ingredients are well mixed. Add crushed ice. Blend again to mix thoroughly. Pour into the glass. The crushed ice will make the milkshake both cold and texturally thick. | Measure out 2 cups (475 ml) milk, 1 tsp (5 g) vanilla extract, and chocolate syrup (if desired). Put 3/4 cup (100 g) sugar into the blender. Add the ice. Serve and enjoy. Take a small plastic bag and fill it with milk. Put a teaspoon of sugar in the milk. Add a few drops of vanilla extract/essence into the bag. Fill the big bag up halfway with ice. Put the bag with the mixture in the bigger bag. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt into the bigger bag. Shake for about 5-7 minutes, or until mushy like a milkshake. Open up the small bag and pour it into a cup. Add the ingredients to the blender. Blend until all the ingredients are well mixed. Add crushed ice. Pour into the glass. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Letter-of-Request | How to Write a Letter of Request | To write a letter of request, start by greeting the recipient with “Dear,” followed by the person's last name and title, or “To Whom It May Concern.” Then, briefly explain who you are and why you're writing in the 1st paragraph. Next, provide additional context and details about your request in the 2nd paragraph. After that, use the 3rd paragraph to note any time constraints, and express your appreciation for their consideration. Finally, close with something like “Sincerely” or “Respectfully,” and your signature. | Brainstorm the big ideas. In order to write a clear, effective letter, it is crucial that you have a clear sense of your goals and the letter's purpose. A good way to make sure your thoughts about these topics are clear is to get three blank pieces of paper and label them "why I am writing this letter," "the purpose of this letter," and "other thoughts." Without worrying too much about details, take a few minutes and write down your thoughts about the letter on these three pieces of paper. Make lists and brainstorm the big picture ideas you have about the situation that has prompted you to write the letter, what you hope the letter will achieve, and any other important information you think may need to be included. Consider your audience. Essential to setting the right tone in your letter is understanding the audience you are writing for. After your initial brainstorm, on another piece of paper, write down what you know about the recipient of your letter. For example, what is this person's position, and how can he or she be of help? Will this person be making a final decision about your request, or making a decision about whether or not to pass your request on to a higher authority? It's also a good idea to consider the recipient's knowledge of the topic you are writing about. If your reader is not well versed in the topic you are writing about, this will necessitate a different type of writing (i.e. use of simpler language and the inclusion of more background information) than if your recipient is already an expert on the matter. Make an outline. Finally, before you begin actually composing the letter, create an outline to organize your thoughts into a logical, coherent order. Consider the main points you want to make, and the secondary points you will use to support those points. Make sure your ideas are organized in a way that will make sense to your reader. Use the proper format. Writing your letter in the proper, professional format of a business letter is a good way to make positive first impression. In the top left corner, you should include first, your full address, second, the date, and third, the full address of the sender. There should be a line of space between each of these. You may also include a subject line after the recipient's address, but this is optional. Start with a salutation. Begin the main text of your letter with a proper, respectful salutation. If you know the person you are writing to, you can use their first name, e.g. "Dear Tim." Otherwise, you should use the person's last name and the proper title, (eg. Dr., Mr., Ms. or Mrs.). If you do not know the name of the person you are writing to, use a salutation like "Dear Sir or Madam," or "To Whom It May Concern." Write an introductory paragraph. In the first paragraph of any letter of request, you will need to introduce yourself and clearly but briefly state the purpose of the letter, e.g. "I am writing in hopes that you will consider making a contribution to the Boston Citizen's Charity Fund. If you have had any previous interaction with the recipient of your letter, the opening paragraph is also a good place to remind them of the nature or your association or the contact you've had in the past. For example: "I am a student in your drama 101 class," or "I'm the president of the Boston Citizens Charity Fund, an organization you've generously donated to for the last 10 years," or "I contacted you last month about the possibility of a class trip to your amusement park." Establishing a connection is not only helpful to the recipient, but may also promote feelings of affinity with you that might increase the chances of your request being granted. Write a body paragraph. Your body paragraph (or paragraphs) should provide additional context and information and more specific details about your request. This your opportunity to spell out exactly what you are asking for and make your case for why your request should be granted. Be thorough but brief. You should clearly explain what it is you are requesting and why the matter is worthy of consideration, but your reader will not want to read your life story. Be straightforward and specific about what you are requesting. The receiver should be left with no doubt as to what you want. For example: "I'm hoping you'll consider repeating your generous contribution this year," or "I'd like to respectfully request an opportunity to resubmit this paper." Be courteous and use a tone that is appropriate for you reader. Be factual and keep your emotions in check. If you must discuss your feelings about a matter, state them factually rather than emotionally, e.g. "I was very disappointed when I saw my grade," not "I'm so mad about this grade!" Write a concluding paragraph. In your concluding paragraph, you should make your recipient aware of any relevant time constraints you face, and also express your gratitude for their consideration of your request. For example, if you are writing to request information or a meeting with someone that must occur before a certain date to be of any use to you, politely make that clear in the conclusion. Even if your recipient ultimately does not grant your request, the fact that they have taken the time to read your letter and consider your wishes is worthy of thanks. Add a closing. Finally, your letter needs an appropriate and polite closing. Good options include "Respectfully," "Sincerely," or "Best regards," followed by your name. If you are sending a physical letter, leave four lines of empty space between the closing and your typed name. In this space, sign your name with a pen. If you are enclosing any materials with your letter, this information should come after your closing, e.g. "Enclosures: 2." Cool off. After finishing the first draft of your letter, set it aside for a few days, if time permits. This will give you a different perspective on it when you return to it. Edit and rewrite the letter. Give the letter a close reading to make sure your writing is clear, flows well, and accomplishes the goals you set out to accomplish in part 1. Make any necessary revisions. A good way assess your writing is to read your letter out loud. This will help you to notice any missing words and generally get a sense of whether the language flows well and strikes the appropriate tone. Proofread the final draft. After you've made any substantive edits, give the letter one more look to catch any spelling and grammar mistakes that you might have missed the first time. It's a good idea to have someone else read your letter for this purpose as well. It is much easier to overlook your own errors. Send your letter. Send your letter to its recipient. If you are sending a physical letter, be sure to include a current and professional-looking stamp. In the top left of the envelope, put your name, title (if applicable), and return address. In the bottom middle, include the recipient's name and address. Make sure you keep a copy for your records until the matter is settled. | Brainstorm the big ideas. Consider your audience. Make an outline. Use the proper format. Start with a salutation. Write an introductory paragraph. Write a body paragraph. Write a concluding paragraph. Add a closing. Cool off. Edit and rewrite the letter. Proofread the final draft. Send your letter. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Fossils | How to Make Fossils | To make a fossil replica, start by making plaster by mixing flour, salt, and coffee grounds. Pour your plaster into a bowl, add 1 part water for every 2 parts plaster, then stir until your mixture becomes smooth. Grab the object you want to fossilize and rub a thin layer of petroleum jelly on it to prevent it from getting stuck. Next, fill a paper cup with plaster and push your object in about halfway. Once the mould has hardened completely, remove the object so you're left with an imprint. | Choose a mixture. Although rubber cement, cement and even flour can be used to make a fossil mould, plaster of Paris is the recommended choice of material, as it's cheap and designed to be easy to use. If you're planning on presenting your fossil outdoors however, cement will increase the durability. A 4.5lb box is approximately $5, and will offer you more plaster than you'll ever need for your fossilizing needs. Harder materials like cement aren't recommended for proper mixing bowls. Use a bowl you think is completely expendable. A combination of flour with other materials like salt and coffee grounds can be used as well to a similar effect. Pour plaster and water together. Regardless of the particular material you use, use two parts mixture to one part plaster. Get a mixing bowl and pour them in together. Although exact measurements are not necessary, you can use measuring cups from your kitchen for this step. For most fossils, two cups of plaster and one cup water should give you all the mould you need. Double this recipe if your fossil objects are bigger and need more space. If the plaster you purchased indicates it needs a different proportion of water, you should go with its recommendation. Certain brands and types of plaster may have individual preferences. Stir your mixture until it becomes consistent. Using a mixing spoon or a popsicle stick, stir in the mixing bowl until the water and plaster have become consistent throughout. By the end, the mixture should be thick and goopy without having excess plaster powder visible in the mix. This is your chance to troubleshoot your mixture if there are any problems. If the mixture doesn't seem semi-solid and thick, add more plaster. If some of the plaster isn't joining the mixture, add water. Collect objects to fossilize. There are countless different objects you can choose to fossilize. Shells and animal bones are best for their distinctive shapes. Plants and leaves can be scooped up from the backyard or nearby park and fossilized as well. For the sake of demonstrating the fossilization process, you should choose something organic. Plastic toys of bugs and animals should be used in lieu of the real thing. Apply petroleum jelly to your object. Petroleum jelly (or Vaseline) should be applied as a thin covering over the object you're going to fossilize. This will make it easier to dig out once you've let the mould settle. Wipe away any excess jelly. Having too much on the object will negatively affect the mixture's hardening process and muddle the imprint. Pour your mould mixture into a foam cup. Take a paper cup and pour in your mixture until it's 3/4 full. Don't fill it up all the way, as you'll soon be placing the object in and shouldn't risk the cup overflowing. If your fossil is bigger, a foam bowl or paper bag may be used as well. Cast the fossil. Once you have covered your object in petroleum jelly, push the object into the plaster mould. At this point, you have the option whether to imprint your specimen part way, or bury it completely. Imprinting it will create a mould to put on display, while a full bury will offer a chance to play archaeologist and dig it out. If you're making fossils in a group, you should start with imprinting. Imprint fossils are more cost-effective and can be enjoyed as a group. Allow time for the mould fossil to harden. Wait until the mould has solidified before you go any further. Using plaster of Paris, the mixture should dry completely within a couple of hours. Heating the mould at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour will speed up the process of solidification. Tear open the cup. The up is used to give the mould its shape. once it's hardened, you'll want to dispose of the cup entirely. Using scissors or a knife, cut the cup from top to bottom and tear it away from your mould. This should leave you with a plaster block. It is recommended you tear open the cup over a trash bin in order to trap excess sediment and limit the mess. Don't forget to put the paper cups in the compost when you're done using them. Remove the mould for an imprint. If you've pushed your object only partway into the mould, the petroleum jelly should allow you to pull it up without damaging the object. Be gentle and slowly pull it out with your fingers. If you're rough and fast with it, you may risk hurting the imprint or the object itself. Weather the mould for authenticity. If you've left an imprint for decoration's sake, chiselling at the mould itself will make it look like you recently dug it up. Take a hammer and chip away at the sides and corners of your block. Add small dents and imperfections. Although you shouldn't go overboard with your chiselling, the weather-worn look will add to the effect of your fossil display. Chisel out a buried fossil with a precision hammer. If you decided to bury the object completely in the mixture, you'll be able to play archaeologist. Take a chiselling hammer and tap away at the mould. Work your way around it and try to chisel out your fossil. Be careful not to accidentally chisel at the object itself. This experience reflects what it's like to dig up a real fossil. | Choose a mixture. Pour plaster and water together. Stir your mixture until it becomes consistent. Collect objects to fossilize. Apply petroleum jelly to your object. Pour your mould mixture into a foam cup. Cast the fossil. Allow time for the mould fossil to harden. Tear open the cup. Remove the mould for an imprint. Weather the mould for authenticity. Chisel out a buried fossil with a precision hammer. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Dogs-with-Distemper | How to Care for Dogs with Distemper | To care for a dog with distemper, separate your dog from your other pets and contact your vet as soon as you recognize the symptoms, such as eye discharge, vomiting, and lethargy. Then, keep your dog warm with extra blankets or a hot water bottle in its bedding. Additionally, provide plenty of drinking water, or give it water with a syringe if it refuses to drink, so that it doesn't become dehydrated. Alternatively, feed your dog chicken broth, which provides nutrients and keeps your dog hydrated at the same time. | Recognize the symptoms. The first sign of distemper in dogs is eye-discharge that can be watery to pus-like. Your dog may also develop a fever or a cough, have nasal discharge, become lethargic, vomit, have a reduced appetite, and diarrhea. Later symptoms may include neurological problems like seizures, twitching, and partial or complete paralysis. However, these symptoms may show up earlier in puppies. A dog's normal temperature ranges from 99.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The most common signs of a fever in dogs are red eyes, lack of energy, warm ears, warm, dry nose, shivering, loss of appetite, coughing, and vomiting. Separate your dog from other dogs and animals. If you suspect that your dog is either sick or coming down with distemper, make sure to separate your dog from any other pets you own. Distemper is very contagious, and dogs usually become infected through airborne exposure. Healthy dogs can also become infected through secondhand contact, such as contact with the infected dog's toys, water and food bowls, and bedding. Place your dog's bed, toys, food and water bowls in a separate room. While treating your dog, confine your dog to this room to decrease contact with other pets. If you need to let your dog out, make sure your other pets are in a separate room. Consult your veterinarian. If you identify early signs of distemper in your dog, contact your veterinarian immediately. Let the office know that you are worried your dog might be developing a case of distemper. This way, the vet can see your dog immediately. Your veterinarian will administer routine blood tests to rule out any other possibilities, and to confirm that it is distemper. Call the office and say, "Hi, this is Kristen. I am very worried that my dog might have distemper. My dog is showing signs of eye and nasal discharge, and I cannot get it to eat food or drink water. I would like to see the vet immediately. When can I come in?" Make sure your dog stays warm. When your dog is sick, it is important to keep it warm, especially if it has a fever and chills. Provide your dog with extra blankets to keep your dog warm. You can also fill a hot water bottle with hot water to provide extra warmth. Wrap the hot water bottle with a cloth and place it underneath your dog's blankets near its body. Know how your vet will treat distemper. Unfortunately, there is no cure for distemper. Therefore, treatment usually consists of supportive care, and efforts to control symptoms associated with distemper, such as dehydration, vomiting and diarrhea, and neurological problems. Your vet will prescribe medications that can control vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures, and administer fluids if your dog becomes severely dehydrated. Know the symptoms of dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration are reduced skin elasticity, pale and dry gums, sunken eyes, concentrated urine, lethargy, and increased heart rate. Check skin elasticity by lifting the skin between your dog's shoulder blades. If the skin slowly springs back or stays lifted, then your dog is dehydrated to severely dehydrated. If your dog is severely dehydrated, take it to the vet immediately. The vet can administer fluids intravenously. Monitor your dog’s water and food intake. If you notice that your dog's water bowl is still full after an hour or two, try placing the water bowl in front of your dog. If your dog refuses to drink, then you will need to administer fluids manually. A dog should be drinking one ounce of water for each pound of body weight. If your dog weighs 20 pounds (9.07 kg), then it should be drinking at least 20 ounces (567 grams) of water a day. A loss of appetite is another symptom of distemper. If your dog will not eat its regular, dry food, then try feeding your dog softer, canned food. Additionally, you can try feeding your dog baby food, particularly the meats. If the dog is vomiting, then do not feed him. Rehydrate your dog with a syringe. If your dog refuses to drink water, you will need to rehydrate your dog manually with a syringe. You can buy a syringe from a pet supply store. Fill the syringe with water. If your dog will not open its mouth, it is ok. Just lift your dog's lip and administer the water near the back part of the jaw and near the gums. Your dog will reflexively swallow the water. You will need to give your dog one cup of water per 40 pounds (18.14 kg) of body weight every two to three hours. If your dog is also vomiting, give the water gradually in the beginning, for example, one or two tablespoons every 15 minutes. Liquefy your dog’s meals. If your dog will not eat canned food, you will need to liquefy your dog's food and administer it with a syringe. You can liquefy canned food by blending it with water and/or milk. To make the food more appealing, you can add small amounts of smelly foods, such as liverwurst, or chicken and beef liver. You can also feed your dog nourishing liquids, like plain chicken broth (without onions and spices). Chicken broth not only provides nutrients, but it will also hydrate your dog. Administer appetite-stimulating medication. Appetite-stimulating medication will increase your dog's appetite. Consult your veterinarian before administering these medications. Your vet will be able to diagnose the severity of your dog's inappetence, and prescribe an appropriate medication. Recognize the symptoms of an oncoming seizure. After your dog has recovered from respiratory signs, sickness, and diarrhea, your dog might develop neurological problems like seizures, twitching, and paralysis. A common symptom of an oncoming seizure in your dog is an aura. If your dog is experiencing an aura, you will notice a change in your dog's behavior. This period can last for seconds or hours. For example, your dog may become more vocal, like whining or barking, shy away at nothing, become nervous, or salivate. Stay calm. If your dog is beginning to seize or experience auras, do not stress out. Instead, talk to your dog in a soothing, reassuring voice. This will comfort both you and your dog. You can say for example, “It's ok. I'm here. I won't let anything bad happen to you. I will be right next to you.” While you are saying this, reassure your dog by petting it. Move sharp objects away from your dog. Your dog will not be able to control its movements during a seizure. Therefore, remove potentially sharp or dangerous objects away from your dog to prevent it from hurting itself. Also, do not put your hand in your dog's mouth to hold down its tongue. Your dog could accidentally bite you if you do this. Time the duration of the seizure with a watch or your phone. This will be important information that you can report to your vet. If the seizures last a long time, this can be very dangerous. Offer your dog comfort when it is over. When the episode is over, comfort your dog immediately. Your dog will be confused and disoriented. Comfort your dog by petting it and talking to it in a soothing voice. Have your dog lie down in its bed to prevent it from walking and bumping into things. Say in a soothing voice, "You're ok. I am here for you. You'e a good girl. Everything will be ok. Don't worry." Contact your veterinarian. Tell your vet that your dog just had a seizure. They will most likely ask you to bring your dog into the office. Relate to your vet what happened during the seizure and how long it lasted. A long seizure is a seizure that lasts for one minute or longer. Your vet may prescribe a medication, or discuss other options to prevent any future seizures. You can say, "Hi, Janice. My dog had a seizure yesterday afternoon around 2:30 p.m. Before the actual seizure, my dog began to act frightened and confused. She was whimpering. By the time I went over to see what was up, she had collapsed on her side. While on her side, her feet were moving in a circular motion. This went on for about six to eight seconds. Afterwards, she seemed very confused." | Recognize the symptoms. Separate your dog from other dogs and animals. Consult your veterinarian. Make sure your dog stays warm. Know how your vet will treat distemper. Know the symptoms of dehydration. Monitor your dog’s water and food intake. Rehydrate your dog with a syringe. Liquefy your dog’s meals. Administer appetite-stimulating medication. Recognize the symptoms of an oncoming seizure. Stay calm. Move sharp objects away from your dog. Offer your dog comfort when it is over. Contact your veterinarian. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Bun | How to Make a Bun | To make a quick, easy bun, start with your hair in a ponytail. Then, grab the tip of your hair and start twisting it until your hair is twisted from the ends to the base. Take your hair and wrap it around the base of your ponytail in a spiral, then secure your bun with bobby pins. Voila! | Prep your hair. Brush your hair to remove any knots and tangles that may be present. Don't worry about parting your hair – pulling your hair back to create the bun will erase your part. Pull your hair back. Without brushing your hair, grab it all starting at the front near your face and collecting all your hair into one hand. Hold the hair at the location where you want to have your bun. If you like, you can let a few strands or your bangs/fringe hang loose to frame your face. To create a sophisticated mod look, pull your hair up very high near the top of your head. For a more professional look, your hair should be drawn to the center of the back of your head. To create an easy carefree messy bun, pull your hair to the nape of your neck. You can choose to make your bun off-center for a more playful look if you would like. This look works best if your bun is placed either very low or very high. Because you are going for a messy bun look, don't brush your hair or run your hands through it too much as you draw it back. Simply pick your hair up, resisting the temptation to finger brush it. Be sure to pick up any loose strands, and make sure that all of your hair has been included in your handful. Wrap a hair tie around the hair. Take an elastic and wrap it around your hair. It should take you about 3 wraps of the band total to get a tight fit. On the third wrap of the hair tie, don't pull your hair all the way through the band. Instead, leave ½-⅓ of your hair hanging out the bottom as a tail, while the remaining portion of your hair will create a loop in the upper part of the ponytail. Secure your hair with a hair bungee if you need to. If you have thick hair, it may be hard to get a hair elastic around the entire handful of hair. Try using a hair bungee or making your own. To make a hair bungee, slip two bobby pins onto a hair elastic. Slide one of the pins into your hair at the top of the ponytail, where the hair is gathered. Wrap the elastic around the handful of hair until there is no more slack. After a few wraps, slide the other bobby pin in toward the center of your ponytail to pin the elastic in place. Make sure to make a loop with your hair on the final wrap, instead of just letting it hang down in a regular ponytail. Create the messy bun. You should now be left with your hair in a large loop, with a tail of hair sticking out below it. Take the tail and wrap it around the base of the hair tie, covering the band. Use 2-3 bobby pins to secure the tail around the base. Then, part the loop down the center and pull the two sides to your scalp, and pin. You don't need to create a direct part through the loop, you are only trying to pin the body of it to your head so that it doesn't retain its ring-like shape. Feel free to pull out little pieces of your hair to let hang loose or to pin in other directions to enhance the messy look. You need to have fairly long hair in order to create this look. Finish the bun. Spritz your hair with a bit of hairspray to keep your bun long lasting, and add any decorative hair accessories you might have. A cute headband or small pin near the base of the bun is a great way to add a bit of extra interest to your bun. Prep your hair. Use a comb or brush to remove any knots or tangles in your hair. The topknot style does not use a part, so you can choose to brush your hair straight back for a smooth look, or use your hands to pull your hair back for a messier appearance. Pull your hair up high. Gather all of your hair starting at the front and then working your way towards the back, into a handful on the top of your head. Make sure that there are no loose strands and that all your hair has been gathered into your handful. Twist your hair into a knot. Take the entire handful of hair and twist it in the same direction, creating a rope-like piece. Then, wrap it onto itself to create a knot-like spiral. Add a hair tie. Wrap a hair tie around the topknot you have created, making sure that the elastic doesn't get caught on strands in the middle or top of the bun, but lays flat against your head at the base of the bun. Pull out strands of hair to give it a messy appearance, or leave it as-is. If you have very long hair, your knot might be a little too 'vertical' for you. In this case, you can lean it to one side and pin it. Otherwise, allow the knot to stand upright. If you have thick hair, you may wish to use a hair bungee instead of a regular hair elastic. Finish the look. Because this style sits on the top of your head, you may have hairs at the nape of your neck that didn't manage to be included in the look. Pin these into your hair with a clip, and then give your entire head a quick misting of hairspray. Add any hair accessories you may want. Prep your hair. Remove all tangles and make sure your hair is completely smooth by giving it a thorough brushing. The ballerina bun is created using hair that is totally slicked-back, so if your hair is frizzy or prone to fly-aways, mist your hair with water to dampen it slightly. Brush your hair into a ponytail. For this look it is necessary to use a brush to create the necessary smoothness. Comb your hair back into a ponytail at any location on your head. A classic ballerina bun is formed near the top of your head, but you can certainly place it at any location along your scalp. Make sure your hair is totally smooth before you add the elastic. This may require a few minutes of brushing, to verify that the hair from every part of your head is smooth and included. Once you are sure your hair has been smoothed, use a hair tie to wrap around your handful of hair to secure it tightly. Make sure that the hair tie is not too loose to allow for slippage over time. Create the bun. Without twisting your hair into a rope-like strand, wrap it in a spiral around the base of your ponytail. When you get to the ends, tuck them beneath the spiral and secure with bobby pins. Depending on the length and thickness of your hair, you will need to use anywhere from 3-7 bobby pins to keep your bun in place. Avoid using more than necessary though, as you will be able to see if there are many being used. Slide the bobby pins in under the bun, so that you can only partially see the very ends. They should slide under (not over or around) the elastic at the center of your bun. If you have layers in your hair, you may need to use additional pins to secure the layers to your scalp. If you have curly or wavy hair, you may need to use a hairdryer or straightening iron to straighten and smooth your hair before you wrap it. Finish the look. This style definitely needs hairspray in order to be set completely. Give your enter head of hair a go-over with a strong hairspray, and use your fingers to smooth out all of your strands. You're finished! Prep your hair. Brush your hair to remove all knots and tangles. You can choose to have a part or to have all your hair pulled straight back, so brush it accordingly. If your hair is very frizzy consider lightly misting it to dampen it. Pull your hair back. A braided bun can be placed at any location on your head. It can be created using a brush for a very professional and sophisticated look, or finger-pulled back for a more relaxed appearance. Use a hair tie to secure the location on your head. Braid your ponytail. Start at the base, and form a normal braid by splitting your hair into three sections and crossing them over each other. You should start by moving the section on the right over the center piece, and then taking the section on the left and moving it over the center piece. Continue this pattern until you reach the end of your ponytail. When you get to the end, simply hold onto it. You will pin it to your head, so there is no need to use an elastic. You can also keep your braid from unraveling by lightly teasing the ends, or sliding a pair of bobby pins over the ends in an X shape. If you feel that you absolutely must use an elastic with this style, try to use a small clear one to minimize its appearance. Otherwise, you will be able to see it inside your bun. Create your bun. Starting at the base of your braid, wrap it around into a spiral shape. When you get to the ends, tuck them beneath the base of the bun. Secure your hair with a few bobby pins, making sure that your hair will not fall out. Finish the look. If you want, you can pull a few strands of hair outside of your bun to create a messy look. Coat your hair with hairspray, and add any cute accessories you might like. A headband goes especially well with a braided bun for a more bohemian feel. Prep your hair. Brush your hair to remove any knots and tangles. Don't part your hair, as your part will not stay in when you make the ponytail. Pull your hair back. Select the place on your head you would like to create your sock bun. A popular trend now is to have it placed on the top of your head, similar to a topknot. You can have a more classic look by pulling your hair near the base of your neck though. Secure your handful of hair with an elastic. Ready your sock. Take an old (clean) sock, and cut the closed end near the toes off. It is best if you use a sock similar in color to your hair, but any color will do. You should be left with an empty sock-tube. Roll it up (similar to how you would with nylons) so that your sock is no longer a tube, but a donut shape. Put your sock on the ponytail. Take your sock and slide it onto your ponytail all the way to the base. This is to make sure that all of the strands are included. Then, hold your ponytail up and slide the sock all the way to the end of the ponytail. Start the bun. Wrap the ends of your hair around the sock donut, so that they form a loop and the ends are placed in the center hole of the sock. Roll the sock inwards towards the base of the ponytail. As you roll the sock towards the base, your hair will gather in loops around it. Move the hair around as you roll the sock, so that it doesn't all loop around the same section leaving the rest of the sock exposed. When you get to the base, adjust your bun so that it appears how you want it. You will probably need to use a few bobby pins to secure the bun to your scalp, especially if your hair is fine, silky, or has layers. Finish the look. Pull out a few strands if you want to create a messier sock-bun, and then spritz your hair with a bit of hairspray to set it. Include any cute hair accessories you might like, and you're finished! Brush out your hair. Starting with dry hair, brush out any knots or tangles. Don't worry about putting a part in your hair. Add hair gel. This step is optional, but if you are going to be moving around a lot, this could help give it some additional hold. Add a glob of hair gel to your hair and spread it around evenly. Brush it through. Pull your hair into a ponytail. Depending on where you would like the bun to be, you can make a low, mid-height, or high ponytail. For thick hair, you may wish to use a hair bungee instead of a regular hair elastic. Twist your hair. Once you have put your hair in a ponytail, grab the end of the ponytail and gently twist. Keep twisting until the ponytail is twisted from ends to base. Wrap your hair into a bun. Once you have twisted your ponytail, wrap it into a circle or spiral against your scalp. Tuck the ends of your hair under the bun. Secure the bun with bobby pins. Once you've wrapped the bun, slide a few bobby pins into the bun to keep it in place. You can make the pins extra secure by giving them a twist: slide the pin in toward your scalp, then turn it 180 degrees and push it toward the center of the bun. Add a hair net. This is also optional but can help keep the bun together. Add some accessories to your bun. If you like, you can spice up your bun with a fun ribbon or decorative hair clip. Unroll your bun for easy waves. If you leave your bun in for a few hours, you will end up with curly or wavy hair. For longer-lasting waves, put a little styling product in your hair when you make the bun, and give the bun a hairspray spritz once it's in place. | Prep your hair. Pull your hair back. Wrap a hair tie around the hair. Secure your hair with a hair bungee if you need to. Create the messy bun. Finish the bun. Prep your hair. Pull your hair up high. Twist your hair into a knot. Add a hair tie. Finish the look. Prep your hair. Brush your hair into a ponytail. Create the bun. Finish the look. Prep your hair. Pull your hair back. Braid your ponytail. Create your bun. Finish the look. Prep your hair. Pull your hair back. Ready your sock. Put your sock on the ponytail. Start the bun. Roll the sock inwards towards the base of the ponytail. When you get to the base, adjust your bun so that it appears how you want it. Finish the look. Brush out your hair. Pull your hair into a ponytail. Twist your hair. Wrap your hair into a bun. Secure the bun with bobby pins. Add a hair net. Add some accessories to your bun. Unroll your bun for easy waves. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Put-Both-of-Your-Legs-Behind-Your-Head | How to Put Both of Your Legs Behind Your Head | Being able to put both of your legs behind your head might seem impossible, but with a little training and patience, you can get there! You'll need to stretch for at least 10 minutes every day to improve your flexibility. Try some lunges, butterfly stretches, and splits. You can also join a yoga class or follow tutorials at home to improve your flexibility. Take it slow and don't push yourself beyond your comfort level so you don't hurt yourself. When your legs are flexible enough, you'll be able to stretch your legs up and behind your head from a sitting position. | Improve your leg flexibility. Stretch for at least 10 minutes each day – you can do this in one large chunk, or in several separate sections. Stretch after a physical activity like dancing or running. The more flexible you are, the easier it will be to put your legs behind your head. Start the first day with a 10-second front lunge on both feet. Put one foot out and kneel with your back leg out. Push your hips forward, switch legs, and repeat. Do a 10-second butterfly stretch. Sit on the floor or ground and bring both of your feet together. Then, pull your feet towards your body, and bring your head as close to your toes as possible. Perform a 20-second star-watching stretch. Kneel with your rear off of your feet. Reach upward and backward, and try to touch your toes. Push your torso up and look at the ceiling or sky. Increase your time 5 seconds everyday. Practice the splits. You don't strictly need to be able to do the splits to put your legs behind your head, but it can be a good way to increase your flexibility. Be patient. Don't try anything too drastic until your body is flexible and used to contorting. If you try to overextend, you may injure yourself, which will delay your progress even further. Eat well to stay trim. Maintain a healthy diet and try to stay away from junk foods. Try eating salads and raw foods, and stay away from unnecessary carbohydrates. Try going to a local yoga class. Yoga will help relax your body while stretching. If you can't go to a class, try looking up yoga routines that you can do at home. Practice the lotus pose. In the lotus pose, your legs are crossed with both of your feet resting on top of your legs. This is a difficult position, so you may need to build up to it over the course of days, weeks, or months. Once you can do this, you can do this, try it without using your hands. Bring your feet to your chest. Use your hands to bring your right foot, then your left foot, up to your chest. Practice until you can do it without feeling anything. Keep at it. Bring your feet higher and higher each day until you can bring them behind your head. You may need to put one leg behind your head, to start. Start by doing the "candlestick" position. First, lie supine on your back. Engage your core, and slowly raise your legs straight up into the air. Use your arms for support, if you have trouble. Move one foot closer to your head. When you can do the candlestick position well, without needing support from your arms, try moving one foot closer to your head. You should be able to do this with one foot on the floor near your head, both with a bent knee and a straight knee. When you can do this well with each leg separately, try with both legs at the same time. Make sure to bend your knees. Try putting one foot behind your head. While sitting up, try placing one foot behind your head or as close as you can manage. Doing this a couple of times every day, and it should become easier and easier. Remember to practice equally with each of your legs. Try putting both legs up. Do the same as the previous step just with both legs at the same time and you should succeed! This can take up to 3 weeks to master and may take beyond that as well so don't worry if you don't seem to be getting anywhere. | Improve your leg flexibility. Practice the splits. Be patient. Eat well to stay trim. Try going to a local yoga class. Practice the lotus pose. Bring your feet to your chest. Keep at it. Start by doing the "candlestick" position. Move one foot closer to your head. Try putting one foot behind your head. Try putting both legs up. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tie-a-Tie-on-Someone-Else | How to Tie a Tie on Someone Else | Tying a tie on someone else can be a little confusing if you're used to tying your own, but after you do it once, you'll get the hang of it. To do a simple four-in-hand knot, start by hanging the tie around their neck with the wide end on your left and the narrow end roughly 12 inches higher on the right. Then, cross the wide end over the narrow end and cross the wide end back underneath to your left side. Cross the wide end back over the narrow end one more time and fold it up through the loop at the person's collar. Once you've pulled it through the loop, tuck it through the smaller loop you made when you crossed the tie around itself, and pull it tight. To create the dimple, pinch the sides of the tie just below the front knot, pull the wide end to tighten the tie, and pinch the knot again to help the dimple stay in place. | Position the tie around the other person's shoulders. From your perspective facing the other person, the wide end of the tie should hang on your left, and the narrow end on your right. Adjust the tie until the tip of the wide end is roughly 12 inches (30 cm) below the narrow end. Cross the wide end over the narrow. The wide end should now be on your right (over the wearer's left side). Bring the wide end back under. Cross the wide end under the narrow end and back over to your left. Cross over one more time. Bring the wide end back over the narrow end as before. Pull up through the neck loop. Fold the wide tip under itself and pull it up through the loop at the wearer's collar. Bring it down through the front loop. The wearer should now have a horizontal loop at the front of his tie. Insert the wide end through this loop and pull through. Create the dimple. A dimple is fairly easy to create with the four-in-hand knot, and improves the appearance of the tie. Here's how to make one: Pinch the sides of the tie just below the front knot. The sides should curl upward and a dimple should appear in the center. Pull the wide end to tighten the tie. Give the knot a final pinch to help the dimple stay in place. Start with the seam side upward. Drape the tie around the other person's collar, so the underside of the tie faces you. Let the wide end fall on the left side (from your perspective), and the narrow end on your right. The wide end should reach about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) below the wearer's belt buckle, or about 12 inches (30 cm) below the tip of the narrow end. Cross the wide end beneath the narrow end. Bring the wide end of the tie over to your right side (the left side of the wearer's body). Bring the wide end up and through the neck loop. Raise the wide end up to the loop at the wearer's collar. Insert the tip from above and pull through completely. Keep the wide end on the same side, without crossing the narrow end. Cross the wide end over the narrow end. The wide end should now be back in front of your left hand, with the seamless front side facing you. Insert the wide end into your neck loop from below. Fold the tip under itself and pull through the neck loop. Pull through the front loop. Loosen the horizontal loop at the front of the tie with your finger. Bring the wide end through this loop and pull through. The wide end should end roughly at the top of the wearer's belt buckle, and completely cover the narrow end underneath. Tighten the tie. Pull down on the wide end and slide the knot upward to complete the look. Position the tie. Face the other person and drape the tie around his or her neck, so the front side of the fabric faces you. Keep the wide end on your left (the wearer's right), and about 12 inches (30 cm) below the tip of the narrow end on your right. The wearer may need a spread or wide spread collar to accommodate this knot, especially if you use a tie with thick fabric. Loop the wide end over and under the narrow end. Cross the wide end over the narrow end, then cross back under. The wide end should now be back on your left, with the seam side face up. Pull the wide end through the neck loop from above. Pull down through the loop at a diagonal, crossing underneath the narrow end. Fold the wide end across the narrow. The wide end should now be back on your left again. Insert into the neck loop from below. Bring the wide end up through the center of the neck loop. Finish in the front loop. Loosen the horizontal front knot and insert the wide end through it. Pull down to tighten and slide the front knot up near your collar. Position the wide end low on your left side. Stand in front of the person who will wear the tie. Drape the tie over the wearer's neck so the wide end is on your left (the wearer's right). Adjust the tie so the wide end is 14 inches (36 cm) lower than the narrow end. This very formal knot is also one of the largest in common use. Make sure the wearer pairs it with a spread or wide spread collar, and that the tie is long enough to accommodate the greater number of folds. Bring the wide end over the narrow end. Cross the wide end over the wearer's chest so it is on your right. Loop the wide end through the neck loop from below. Fold the wide end up through the neck loop from below. Loop it around and pull down over the front of the neck loop. Keep it on your right as you do this. Fold the wide end under the narrow. Cross the wide end back to your left. Loop around the neck loop from above. Bring the wide tip up to the front of the neck loop, and insert from above. Pull through so the wide end is back on your left, with the seam side facing you. Cross the ends one last time. Fold the wide end over the narrow end, so the front side is once again visible. Insert through the neck loop from below. Bring the wide end back up to the neck loop. Insert from below and pull through. Fasten the ends with the front loop. Tuck the wide end back down into the front loop near the top of the tie. Pinch the lower corners of the front knot and slide upward as you gently pull on the wide end. | Position the tie around the other person's shoulders. Cross the wide end over the narrow. Bring the wide end back under. Cross over one more time. Pull up through the neck loop. Bring it down through the front loop. Create the dimple. Start with the seam side upward. Cross the wide end beneath the narrow end. Bring the wide end up and through the neck loop. Cross the wide end over the narrow end. Insert the wide end into your neck loop from below. Pull through the front loop. Tighten the tie. Position the tie. Loop the wide end over and under the narrow end. Pull the wide end through the neck loop from above. Fold the wide end across the narrow. Insert into the neck loop from below. Finish in the front loop. Position the wide end low on your left side. Bring the wide end over the narrow end. Loop the wide end through the neck loop from below. Fold the wide end under the narrow. Loop around the neck loop from above. Cross the ends one last time. Insert through the neck loop from below. Fasten the ends with the front loop. |
https://www.wikihow.fitness/Get-Toned-Arms | How to Get Toned Arms | To get toned arms, start with body weight exercises before investing in equipment or a gym membership. For example, to work your entire upper body, do traditional pushups, planks, and side-planks. Then, to focus on opposing muscle groups like your triceps, place your hands on a bench with your body facing up, then bend your elbows directly back to drop your body as low as you can before pushing yourself up. Once you master a few body weight exercises, get some dumbbells or a resistance band to increase the workload. | . Do concentration curls Sit on a bench/chair with your legs slightly spread and a dumbbell in the hand of the arm you're working. Lean forward so that the arm you're holding the dumbbell in has the elbow aligned near the same knee (not resting on it). Swing your arm downwards slowly to the floor, and then back up to shoulder in a set of 10. Repeat the exercise on both sides. Do an upright row. Hold two dumbbells, one in each hand, while standing straight up. Keep the dumbbells in front of you, parallel to the front of your thighs. Bring the dumbbells up to your chest, bending your elbows outwards, and keeping them parallel similar to the motion of rowing a boat. Slowly drop the dumbbells back down to the front of your thighs, and repeat the exercise in a set of 10. . Do bicep curl resistance band exercises Stand with your feet spread shoulder-width apart and a resistance band under your feet. Hold each of the ends of the resistance band in your hands at your sides, and slowly bring them to your shoulders. Drop your hands from your shoulders to release the tension, and bring them back to your sides. Do dumbbell hammer curls. Stand upright holding a dumbbell in each hand. Hold the dumbbells like you would a hammer, with your arm bent to your shoulder and the two ends of the weights directed upwards/downwards. Slowly bend your arm downwards do your side (as if you were hitting a nail with a hammer in slow-motion), and then bring it back up to your shoulder. Do this exercise in a set of 10. Do a bench dip. This exercise places your hands on one bench and your feet on another, bridging the space between the two with your body. With the front of your body facing upward, use your arms to drop your body below the upper bench, and then push yourself back up. To increase the difficulty of the exercise, place a weight in your lap as you perform it. . Do a dumbbell kickback Kneel on a bench with a single leg and the arm from the same side of your body, while your opposite leg remains upright on the ground and you hold a weight in your opposite hand. Bend your elbow on the side with the weight to 90 degrees, and then extend your arm backwards. Slowly bring your arm back to the 90 degree angle starting position, and repeat the exercise 10 times. . Do close grip pushups Lay on the floor in the plank position, and hold your hands together so that your thumbs and index fingers form a diamond shape. Slowly lift yourself up using your arms, and drop yourself back down to the starting position. As you perform this modified pushup, keep your elbows close to your body to ensure that you are actually working the triceps and not the pectoral muscles. To lower the resistance, place your knees on the floor or place your hands on an elevated horizontal bar. . Do tricep extensions with exercise balls Lay on an exercise ball on your back, with your arms extended to your sides and a dumbbell in each. Slowly bring your weights up so that they are parallel with your forehead, and then drop them back down to the straightened position at your sides. Repeat this exercise 10 times. . Do a lateral raise This exercise works your rear deltoids and will improve the appearance of both your arms and your upper back. Stand upright with two dumbbells in each hand, at your sides. Bend slightly at the hips, turn your hands slightly so that your pinkies are the closest fingers to the ceiling, and bring your arms outwards and up (like wings). Slowly bring them back to your sides, and repeat the exercise. . Do cable upright rows Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and a resistance band underneath them. Hold the resistance band in front of you with both hands, and bring it to your chest by extending and bending your elbows outwards, similar to the motion of rowing a boat. Slowly drop your hands back to your sides and repeat the exercise. Do dumbbell upright rows. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and a dumbbell in each hand. Bend your elbows and bring your hands to your shoulders, and then push the weights directly upwards above your head. Slowly bring the weights back down to your shoulders, and then repeat the exercise. . Perform Arnold presses Sit on a bench holding a dumbbell in each hand. Without resting your elbows on your torso or thighs, bend your arms and bring the dumbbells to your shoulders. Slowly release the tension and drop your arms back down so that they are parallel with your lap. . Do an around-the-world exercise with an exercise ball This exercise requires you to use your hands to walk your body in a circle while you rest your shins on an exercise ball. In addition to challenging your upper body, this exercise will help you to build your core stability. . Do the side bender exercise in advanced Pilates Lay on your side so that your body is perpendicular to the ground. Slowly raise your body up into a sideways plank, and hold the position for as long as you can. Do this on each side of your body. In addition to building your arm and chest muscles, you will strengthen your abdominals and your back. Do traditional pushups. Pushups are great for toning your chest, arms, and shoulders all in a single exercise. Lay on your stomach, and use your arms to push yourself up onto your toes. Slowly lower yourself back to the ground so that your arms are at a 90 degree angle. Repeat the process; if you find it too difficult, bend your knees on the ground and work from there instead of your toes. Cut out processed sugars. As with all processed foods, processed sugars give you empty energy that lacks nutrients, leaving you only with calories. As a result, you gain fat, lose muscle tone, and feel lethargic. Whenever possible, avoid consuming processed sugars like those found in candy, junk food, and packaged baked goods and substitute in healthy sugars - like those found in fruit. Don't jump into a processed sugar-free lifestyle immediately, as you will be less likely to stick to your regime. Instead, slowly drop processed sugar from your daily consumption. Start with nixing one thing a day - such as the soda you drink at lunch or the candy you have for a snack. When you get a craving for processed sugar, try eating only a small amount in addition to some fresh fruit. Eventually, you'll be able to eat just the fruit as an alternative without feeling those pangs of desire for the bad sugars. Avoid saturated fats. Similar to processed sugars, saturated fats give you lots of calories with no nutritional benefit. Because of recent studies of saturated fats, many foods have clear labels marking whether or not they contain them. When you can, cut out saturated fats from your diet and substitute them for healthy fats like those found in coconut oil, walnuts, and avocados. If you eat a diet high in saturated fats, don't cut them all out at once. Instead, reduce your daily intake a small amount each week until they are nearly or completely removed from your diet. Take supplements such as fish oil to provide your body with omega-3 fatty acids - the type of fat your body needs to start building muscle. Reduce your sodium intake. A diet high in salt can cause water retention and high blood pressure among other things. Help give yourself more energy by looking for low-sodium foods and avoiding salty junk foods - the primary high sodium culprit. Increase the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables you consume. Although it may sound like a broken record, fresh fruits and veggies are the ultimate muscle-building/fat-burning foods out there. Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber and nutrients, making you feel fuller after consuming a complete serving than processed foods do. Aim to eat 1-2 servings of each as a minimum on a daily basis. Look for the most colorful fruits and veggies you can find, as these tend to have the most nutrients. Some of the best vegetables for fat loss/muscle building include kale, spinach, broccoli, carrots, and squash. Super fruits for toning your arms include blueberries, pomegranates, apples, bananas, and blackberries. | . Do an upright row. . Do dumbbell hammer curls. Do a bench dip. . . . . . Do dumbbell upright rows. . . . Do traditional pushups. Cut out processed sugars. Avoid saturated fats. Reduce your sodium intake. Increase the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables you consume. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Sunscreen | How to Apply Sunscreen | Apply your sunscreen at least 30 minutes before you go out into the sun to ensure it has time to bind to your skin. For adults, use about a shot glass full of sunscreen to ensure you get adequate coverage. Rub a thick layer of sunscreen onto any sun that will be exposed to the skin. If your sunscreen comes in spray form, move the bottle back and forth as you spray to ensure even coverage. If you need to, ask someone to help you apply the sunscreen onto hard-to-reach areas like your back. | Look at the SPF number. “SPF” refers to a sunscreen's “sun protective factor,” or how effectively it blocks UVB rays. The SPF number reflects the amount of time it takes to sunburn wearing the sunscreen vs. not wearing the sunscreen. For example, an SPF of 30 means that you can spend 30 times as long in the sun before burning compared to not wearing any sunscreen at all. So, if you would usually begin to burn after 5 minutes in the sun, an SPF of 30 would theoretically allow you to spend time outside for 150 minutes (30 x 5) before you burn. However, your unique skin, your activities, and the sun's intensity all cause variation in how effective sunscreen is, so you may need to use more than other people. The SPF number can be tricky, because its protection doesn't increase proportionally. Thus, SPF 60 is not twice as good as SPF 30. SPF 15 blocks about 94% of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks about 97%, and SPF 45 blocks about 98%. No sunscreen blocks 100% of UVB rays. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends an SPF of 30 or higher. The difference between extremely high SPFs is often negligible and not worth the extra money. Choose a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen. SPF refers only to the ability to block UVB rays, which cause sunburn. However, the sun also emits UVA rays. UVA rays cause skin damage, such as signs of aging, wrinkles and dark or light spots. Both increase your risk of skin cancer. A broad-spectrum sunscreen provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Some sunscreens may not say “broad-spectrum” on the packaging. However, they should always state whether they protect against UVB and UVA rays. Most broad-spectrum sunscreens contain “inorganic” components such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, as well as “organic” sunscreen components such as avobenzone, Cinoxate, oxybenzone, or octyl methoxycinnamate. Look for a water-resistant sunscreen. Because your body expels water through sweat, you should look for a water-resistant sunscreen. This is especially important if you are going to be very active, such as running or hiking, or if you'll be in the water. No sunscreen is “waterproof” or “sweat proof.” In the US, sunscreens cannot market themselves as “waterproof.” Even with water-resistant sunscreen, reapply every 40-80 minutes or as directed on the label. Decide what you like. Some people prefer spray sunscreens, while others prefer thick creams or gels. Whatever you decide, make sure you apply a thick, even coating. The application is as important as the SPF and other factors: if you don't apply it properly, the sunscreen won't do its job. Sprays may be best for hairy areas, while creams are usually best for dry skin. Alcohol or gel sunscreens are good for oily skin. You can also purchase wax sunscreen sticks, which are good for applying near the eyes. This is often a good choice for children, as it avoids getting the sunscreen in the eyes. They also have the benefit of not spilling (such as in a purse) and can be applied without getting lotion on your hands. Water resistant "sports type" sunscreens are often sticky, so they are not good choices for applying under makeup. For acne-prone individual, take care in selecting your sunscreen. Look for those that are designed specifically for your face and will not clog pores. These often have higher SPF (15 or higher), and are less likely to clog pores or increase acne breakouts. Many acne-prone individuals find that zinc oxide-based sunscreens tend to work best. Look for "non-comedogenic", "will not clog pores", "for sensitive skin", or "for acne-prone skin" on the labels. Go home and try a small portion around your wrist. If you see any allergic reaction or skin problem, buy a different sunscreen. Repeat the process until you find the right sunscreen, or talk to your doctor about recommended brands if you have sensitive skin or allergies. Itching, redness, burning, or blisters are all signs of an allergic reaction. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are less likely to cause allergic skin reactions. Check the expiration date. The FDA requires sunscreen to retain its protective power for at least three years from the date of manufacture. However, you should always note expiration dates. If the date has passed, ditch the old bottle and buy some new sunscreen. If your product doesn't have an expiration date when you purchase it, use a permanent marker or a label to write the purchase date on the bottle. This way you'll know how long you've had the product. Obvious changes in the product, such as color changes, separation, or different consistency, are signs that the sunscreen has expired. Apply before going out in the sun. The chemicals in sunscreen take time to bind to your skin and become fully protective. Apply your sunscreen before you go out. Sunscreen on the skin should be applied 30 minutes before you go out into the sun. Lip sunscreen should be applied 45-60 minutes before going into the sun. Sunscreen needs to :"cure" on the skin to be fully effective. This is especially important in the water-resistance factor. If you put on sunscreen and jump into the pool 5 minutes later, much of your protection will be lost. This is also very important for caring for children. Children are usually wriggly and impatient, and are usually doubly so when excited about an outdoor adventure; after all, who can stand still when the ocean is right there ? Instead, try to sunscreen before leaving the house, or in the parking lot, or waiting for the bus. Use enough. One of the biggest mistakes in using sunscreen is to not use enough. Adults usually need about one ounce -- a palm-ful, or about a shot glass full -- of sunscreen to cover exposed skin. To apply cream or gel sunscreen, squeeze a dollop into your palm. Spread it all over the skin that will be exposed to the sun. Rub the sunscreen into your skin until you can't see the white anymore. To apply spray sunscreen, hold the bottle upright and move the bottle back and forth across your skin. Apply an even, generous coating. Make sure the wind doesn't blow the sunscreen away before it contacts your skin. Don't inhale spray sunscreen. Be careful when applying spray sunscreens around the face, especially around children. Apply sunscreen to all skin. Remember areas like your ears, neck, the tops of your feet and hands, and even the part in your hair. Any skin that will be exposed to sunlight should be covered with sunscreen. It can be hard to fully cover hard-to-reach areas such as your back. Ask someone to help you apply sunscreen to these areas. Thin clothing often doesn't offer much sun protection. For example, a white t-shirt has an SPF of just 7. Wear clothing designed to block UV rays, or wear sunblock under your clothes. Don’t forget your face. Your face needs even more sunscreen than the rest of your body, as many skin cancers occur on the face, especially on or around the nose. Some cosmetics or lotions may contain sunscreen. However, if you're going to be outside for more than 20 minutes (total, not at a time) you'll want to apply a facial sunscreen too. Many facial sunscreens come in cream or lotion form. If you use a spray sunscreen, spray it into your hands first, then apply it to your face. It's best to avoid spray sunscreens on the face if possible. The Skin Cancer Foundation has a searchable list of recommended facial sunscreens. Use a lip balm or lip sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 on your lips. If you are bald or have thin hair, remember to apply sunscreen to your head, too. You can also wear a hat to help protect against sun damage. Reapply after 15-30 minutes. Studies have shown that re-applying your sunscreen after about 15-30 minutes after going into the sun is more protective than waiting 2 hours. Once you've done this initial reapplication, re-apply sunscreen every 2 hours or as directed on the label. Stay in the shade. Even when you're wearing sunscreen, you'll still be exposed to the sun's powerful rays. Staying in the shade or using a sun umbrella will help protect you from sun damage. Avoid “peak hours.” The sun is highest between 10AM and 2 PM. If you can, avoid sun exposure during this time. Seek shade if you're out and about during this time. Wear protective clothing. Not all clothing is created equal. However, long-sleeved shirts and long pants can help protect your skin from sun damage. Wear a hat to offer your face extra shade and protect your scalp. Look for tightly-woven fabric and dark colors, which offer the most protection. For people who are very active outdoors, there is special clothing with built-in sun-protection, available at specialty stores or online. Remember those sunglasses! The sun's UV rays can cause cataracts, so purchase a pair that block UVB and UVA rays. Keep young children out of the sun. Sun exposure, especially during the “peak” hours of 10 AM to 2 PM, is especially harmful to young children. Look for sunscreens specifically made for children and babies. Consult with your pediatrician to determine what is safe for your child. Infants under the age of 6 months should not wear sunscreen or be exposed to direct sunlight. Young babies' skin is not mature yet, so they may absorb more of the chemicals in sunscreen. If you must take young infants outside, keep them in the shade. If your baby is older than 6 months, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Be careful when applying sunscreen near the eyes. Dress young children in sun-protective clothing, such as hats, long-sleeved sun shirts or lightweight long pants. Get your child sunglasses with UV protection. | Look at the SPF number. Choose a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen. Look for a water-resistant sunscreen. Decide what you like. Go home and try a small portion around your wrist. Check the expiration date. Apply before going out in the sun. Use enough. Apply sunscreen to all skin. Don’t forget your face. Reapply after 15-30 minutes. Stay in the shade. Wear protective clothing. Keep young children out of the sun. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Newborn-Puppies-for-Their-First-Vet-Checkup | How to Take Newborn Puppies for Their First Vet Checkup | To take your newborn puppies to the vet for their first checkup, start by lining a dog carrier or sturdy box with towels or newspaper to make it warm and comfortable for the puppies. Staying calm and relaxed to avoid transferring anxiety to your puppies, gently place them and the mother dog into the carrier or box. Once you're in the vet's office, keep the puppies away from loud animals or people so they don't get frightened. For example, it can help to find a quiet corner and cover the carrier with a towel to darken the inside and muffle some of the noise. While the vet is examining each puppy and the mother dog, make sure the other puppies are safe inside the carrier so they don't accidentally fall out. | Budget for veterinary care. You will need to set aside significant funds for the veterinary care of your newborn puppies. The costs of veterinary care has been increasing. Costs tend to be slightly more expensive in urban areas so you should phone a few veterinary clinics to find out the average costs associated with owning a puppy. Average costs for some typical veterinary services for each dog include: Approximately $200-500 per year for flea and tick prevention. Approximately $60-150 per year for vaccinations. Annual physical exams cost $45-200 for the first year and $20-100 for subsequent years. Heartworm test and preventions cost between $0-35. Desexing (spaying and neutering) costs between $35-200. Get pet insurance. Pet insurance is worth considering for your new puppy. The costs of emergency medical treatment from an accident or a rare disease can be exorbitant. Similarly, dealing with poisoning or other unanticipated events can be prohibitive. To cope with these risks, you should look into the affordability and details of pet insurance policies. Typically, you will have to pay for the costs upfront and then the insurance company will reimburse you. However, there are some plans that will pay the veterinarian up front. The costs of pet insurance increase if you have particular breeds or for older dogs. Read the terms of the policy carefully to determine what is covered. Most plans are focused on accidents and illnesses, although some also cover routine care such as annual exams. Instead of pet insurance, you could start an emergency savings fund to deal with possible future accidents or emergencies. Large breeds such as Great Danes and Rottweilers cost the most to insure. Small dogs like shih tzus and poodles are the least expensive to insure. Shop around for a veterinarian. Veterinarian costs are rising so you should shop around for a reputable, honest and affordable veterinarian. Do a google search or look in your local phone book to find a few local veterinarians. Phone the veterinarians on your list and ask them about their area of expertise such as whether they focus on larger farm animals or on pets. Based on this information, choose a veterinarian that is suitable for you. Make an appointment and ask for estimates. Once you have chosen a veterinarian, give them a ring to make an appointment and ask for estimates. You might ask for the price of the following services that you will have to cover for your puppies: Annual physical exam. Flea and tick prevention. Preventing fleas and ticks will save you a lot of money in the long run. Vaccinations. Ask if it is possible to personalize your pet's vaccine costs. Some vaccines are required by law and some are optional and may be more or less effective for your dog. You might be able to save money on vaccinations. Heartworm test and preventions. Dental cleaning. Fecal exam. Neuter costs. Neutering your pet can save a lot of money in the long run. It can help you avoid health conditions like uterine, ovarian and testicular cancers. Follow the vet’s directions. Find out if you need to bring anything to the appointment such as medications, dietary information or a stool sample. Phone your veterinarian and find out if you need to bring anything. You may need to bring a stool sample. Many dogs have intestinal parasites when they are born. Your veterinarian will check for roundworms and potentially give you deworming medication at the check-up. Write down your concerns before the visit. Write down your main concerns in a notebook and bring this list of concerns to your first appointment. If you are nervous about any behavior or symptoms, write these concerns down so that you can discuss them with your vet. Transport the puppies to the vet. You should leave yourself plenty of time to get to the appointment. Put your puppies in a sturdy open top box lined with newspapers or in a carrier and take them to the appointment. Try to pack everything you need the night before the appointment to reduce any anxiety. You will need a large enough box or dog carrier to transport the newborn puppies to the vet with their mother. Find a carrier that is comfortable for the puppies and is easy to carry in your car or on the bus. You could try spraying your dog carrier with a pheromone such as Adaptil, which will calm them down. If you are driving to the vet's office, you could try playing relaxing music in the car. Check in at the vet’s office. You will need to give your name and your puppies' information to the receptionist. In the waiting room, take a few deep breathes to reduce any stress or anxiety. Keep your puppies away from any unruly animals. Get your puppies weighed. Your veterinarian should weigh your puppies. This will give them a baseline to see how fast they grow and gain weight in the first few months of their life. You could ask your veterinarian: “How much do my puppies weigh?” “What is a healthy weight for my puppies?” Make sure they take their temperature. Puppies can maintain a temperature of about 12º Fahrenheit (-11 Celsius) warmer than air temperature. The temperature of puppies rises every week until they are four weeks of age and reach a normal adult body temperature. In the meantime, they need to stay close to their mother and other bodies to keep warm.. Get your veterinarian to examine all body parts. Make sure the veterinarian does a complete examination of your new puppies. They will need to familiarize themselves with the features of your puppies so they can observe proper development over the years. In particular, make sure the examine the following: Get the eyes, ears, feet, nose, abdomen and genitalia examined. Get the abdomen and lymph nodes checked out. Make sure the skin and coat are examined. Ask them to check the teeth and mouth. Inquire about spaying and neutering. Neutering your puppies can save money down the line. You should find out what your veterinarian recommends in terms of neutering or spaying your puppy. Spaying your female dog will keep them healthy. In particular, it will help prevent infections and breast tumors. Neutering your male dog is a good way of preventing testicular cancer. Spaying and neutering your dog is a way to help stop more dogs from going homeless. Protect your puppies from fleas and ticks. You can start preventive flea and tick prevention on puppies beginning at eight weeks of age. It is important to do preventive care because fleas and ticks carry disease. Obtain directions for any medical treatments. If your veterinarian asks you to administer any medications to your puppies, you should ask for specific directions. You may have to put the medication in their food or directly in their mouth. Make sure you get the proper instructions. Find out about worm medications. Your veterinarian may ask for a stool sample to determine possible worms. Many new puppies have worms. However, it is easy to treat roundworms with a medication that can be given at home or at the veterinarian's office. Schedule a follow-up visit for vaccinations. Your veterinarian will begin vaccinations at around eight weeks of age. You should find out when you need to come back for vaccinations. You should also find out if it is possible to personalize the vaccination to suit your dog. Some of the vaccinations will be mandatory and some will be recommended. In addition to mandatory rabies vaccinations, you may be offered vaccinations to guard against the following: Hepatitis. Parvovirus. Canine Distemper. Leptospirosis. Ask about personalizing vaccines to save money. Talk to your vet about training. You should ask your vet for recommendations on dog training. If you have specific behavioral concerns, you should ask your veterinarian for advice on how to address your specific concerns. Search for classes based on the age and skill level of your dog. Watch for vomiting and diarrhea. Although vomiting and diarrhea are not necessarily cause for concern, you should take immediate action if they happen together or chronically. If a puppy starts vomiting and gets diarrhea at the same time, call your veterinarian. Notice any loss of appetite. Puppies typically love eating. If your puppies are not eating, then they may be ill. You should take them to the veterinarian. If you notice a puppy has not eaten for days, take them to the vet. Look for oozing eyes. Newborn puppies' eyes are closed, but pay attention to their eyes as they begin to open. If their eyes are oozing or have a strange discharge, they may have been injured. You should definitely see the veterinarian to get treatment. Observe the quality of the discharge: If the discharge is clear, it may be a symptom of allergies. If the discharge is watery, it may be caused by an eyelash or other foreign body. If the discharge is yellowish, green or purulent, your dog may have a bad infection. Pay attention to urination and stool. If one of your puppies is urinating often but only dribbles a small amount each time, they may have a urinary tract infection. Take them to the veterinarian to get diagnosed and treated. It may be a sign of a urinary tract infection or something more serious like bladder stones. Look for signs of irritability and pain. If a new puppy is always in a bad mood, it is a sign they may be experiencing some kind of pain. Take them to the veterinarian for a diagnosis and treatment. Take note of constant crying. If one of your newborn puppies is crying a lot, they may be in pain. You should listen to them and see a veterinarian. Notice poor weight gain. If a puppy is not gaining weight, there may be something wrong and you should see your veterinarian. If a puppy loses more than ten percent of their regular body weight, you should take them to see a veterinarian. Weight loss can be caused by any number of diseases such as Addison's disease, diabetes and hyperthyroidism. Check their nose. If the puppies have nasal discharge or breathe in a strange manner, it could be a symptom of a serious issue. Wheezing or difficulty breathing could be a sign of aspiration pneumonia or other illnesses. You should take them to see your veterinarian. If their nose is discharging something yellow, green or smelly, you should see your doctor. It could be a sign of an infection, allergy or other illness. | Budget for veterinary care. Get pet insurance. Shop around for a veterinarian. Make an appointment and ask for estimates. Follow the vet’s directions. Write down your concerns before the visit. Transport the puppies to the vet. Check in at the vet’s office. Get your puppies weighed. Make sure they take their temperature. Get your veterinarian to examine all body parts. Inquire about spaying and neutering. Protect your puppies from fleas and ticks. Obtain directions for any medical treatments. Schedule a follow-up visit for vaccinations. Talk to your vet about training. Watch for vomiting and diarrhea. Notice any loss of appetite. Look for oozing eyes. Pay attention to urination and stool. Look for signs of irritability and pain. Notice poor weight gain. Check their nose. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Name-Tags | How to Make Name Tags | To make name tags using Microsoft Word, start by opening a new document and clicking on the "Mailings" tab. Then, click on "Labels," followed by "Options" at the bottom of the window that pops up. Next, select the correct label brand in the "Label Vendors" drop-down menu, and choose the product number listed on the labels you're using before clicking the "OK" button. Finally, click "New Document," enter the information you want on the name tags, and print them. | Open a new document in Word. Locate Microsoft Word on your computer by either clicking the icon on your desktop or searching for “Word” in the search box. Once you have Word open, start a new, black document. Word might also be located in a Microsoft Office folder. In some versions of Word, you may have the option to choose “Labels” when you first open the program. If so, choose the label template that matches the size of labels you have. Click on the “Mailings” button. Word has many different toolbars and navigation options. The Mailings button is located in the toolbar that starts with “File.” The button should be located between “References” and “Review.” When you click the button, new options will appear. This is the process for versions of Word that have been created since 2007. If you are working with an older version, the process may be slightly different. Select “Labels” in the Mailings toolbar. The first two options that appear when you click on the Mailings button are “Envelopes” and “Labels.” Click on Labels. A box will open that allows you to make various adjustments. You'll also see a tab in this box for Envelopes. Find the “Options” button and click it. In the “Envelopes and Labels” dialogue box, there are many buttons and settings. The Options button is located near the bottom middle of the box. Click this button to make adjustments for the labels you'll be using. Locate the correct label brand in the “Label Vendors” dropdown box. In the Options box, you will see a small rectangle where you can select the brand of your labels. Click that box. Look at your label package and find the brand name. Find this brand name in the list of vendors and select it. For example, you may have Avery labels that are US Letter size. This is what you'd select in the Label Vendors box. Select the product number of the labels you’re using. After you choose the label brand, you must select the product number that is specific to your pack of labels. The product number should be a five digit code in large numbers on the label package. Find it on the package and then select it from the list on your computer. For example, you might have bought 15163 Shipping Labels. That's what you'd select in the product number box. Click the “OK” button to close the box. After entering the Label Vendor and Product Number, double check your selections. Make sure that what you selected matches the pack of labels you're using. If everything matches, click OK to close the box. If you want to print an entire sheet of the same name tag, choose this option before you close the box. Look for a check box labeled something like “Print entire sheet of same label.” Type what you want the label to say in the Address box. Click on the button labeled “New Document. ” After selecting the correct labels, it's time to get to work making your name tags. Clicking the New Document button will open a page that looks like your sheet of labels. This allows you to type whatever you want into each separate label box. Enter the names and information you want on the name tags. Once the label template is open on your computer, go through and type each name into a box. Use the available borders and designs to make them more interesting. Add small pictures or icons to enhance the name tags. You have almost unlimited options for how to create the name tags. Make them simple with Times New Roman font and black letters. Or make them silly with rainbow letters and Comic Sans font. Add job titles, like Senior Executive or Program Director. Include a department name, like Accounting or Human Resources. If you need to print more than one full sheet of name tags, continue entering names on the second page. Print the name tags. Open the label package if you haven't yet, and put one or more sheets of labels in the printer's feed tray. On your computer, click the print button if it is visible, or “File” on the toolbar and locate Print there. Make leaf name tags with a paint pen. Pull some leaves off a tree. It's up to you if you want to use live, green leaves or fake leaves off of a decorative plant. Don't use dead leaves because they are too brittle. Use a paint pen to write the names on the leaves. Use a safety pin to attach the leaves to clothing, backpacks, or other objects. If you use live leaves, the name tags will only last a day or two. Fake leaves will last indefinitely. Choose large leaves or small leaves depending on your preference. Craft mini-chalkboard name tags. Grab some thin rectangles of wood at a craft store or hardware store. Buy chalkboard paint from a craft store or home improvement store. Paint the wood pieces and let them dry. Once they dry, use white or multicolored chalk to write the names. Use hot glue to attach a safety pin to the back. For events, set chalk out so that people can write their own names on their name tag. If you can't find wood pieces, look for chalkboard paper that could be cut. Another option is to cut squares of sturdy plastic or cardstock and paint them with chalkboard paint. Use alphabet beads and safety pins for colorful name tags. Buy a bag of alphabet beads at a craft store or big-box store. Also get some safety pins with a single curve as opposed to a spiral-curved end. Place the letters on the pin in order and pin it to your shirt or other objects. | Open a new document in Word. Click on the “Mailings” button. Select “Labels” in the Mailings toolbar. Find the “Options” button and click it. Locate the correct label brand in the “Label Vendors” dropdown box. Select the product number of the labels you’re using. Click the “OK” button to close the box. Click on the button labeled “New Document. Enter the names and information you want on the name tags. Print the name tags. Make leaf name tags with a paint pen. Craft mini-chalkboard name tags. Use alphabet beads and safety pins for colorful name tags. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Handle-Mothball-Poisoning-in-Cats | How to Handle Mothball Poisoning in Cats | If you think your cat is suffering from mothball poisoning, look for common symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, trouble breathing, mothball-scented breath, and seizures. Then, if you notice any of these symptoms, take your cat to the vet immediately. Once you arrive at the vet, you should expect x-ray tests and blood work to determine if any damage has been done. If you have the package of remaining mothballs, take it along with you to the vet so the vet can determine which course of treatment to take. | Watch for vomiting. One of the most common reactions to mothball poisoning is vomiting. All cats vomit from time to time, and you'll know your cat's behavior best. But if you notice your cat vomiting more than usual, take it to the vet immediately. Smell for mothball-scented breath. If your cat is acting strange, check their breath. If you smell a mothball type scent - a sickly sweet smell - they've probably ingested mothballs. You should take your cat to the vet immediately if you smell this scent on your cat's breath. Check your cat’s mouth. If you notice that your cat has pale or brown gums, they may have mothball poisoning. Discolored gums can also be a symptom of other illnesses, so you should take your cat to the vet if you notice this. Pay attention to your cat’s breathing. If you notice your cat is having trouble breathing, they might have mothball poisoning. Signs of labored breathing include breathing with their neck fully extended or wheezing. These can also be symptoms of other serious illnesses and if you notice them, you should take your cat to the vet immediately. Pay attention to your cat's energy levels. If your cat is lethargic - playing less than it usually does, for example - it might have mothball poisoning. Lethargy can also indicate something else is wrong, so take your cat to the vet if you notice it is lethargic. Look for seizures. If your cat starts having seizures, take it to the vet immediately. It may be a sign of mothball poisoning, but it could also be a sign of serious neurological issues. Watch your cat’s liquid intake. If you notice that your cat is drinking a lot more water than usual, they might have mothball poisoning. It can cause your cat to become dehydrated, or to feel like they flush the toxins out. Take your cat to the vet immediately. If you suspect your cat has mothball poisoning, don't delay in getting it treatment. You should take your cat to the vet immediately. Take the package or remaining mothballs with you to the vet. If you have the original packaging of the mothballs, take it with you to the vet. This can tell your vet if they are made out of naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. While both types can harm your cat, they are treated differently. The packaging can help your vet decide which course of action to take. If you no longer have the packaging, take one of the mothballs with you instead. The vet can identify them by seeing if they float in salt water. Naphthalene balls will sink while paradichlorobenzene will float. Order x-rays. Your vet might recommend an x-ray for your cat. This allows them to make sure there are no other mothballs anywhere else in your cat's system. Order blood work. This allows your vet to check for any damage caused by the mothballs. This can include anemia, or liver or kidney damage. To fully cure your cat of mothball poisoning, your vet needs to know what other issues have been caused by it. Order a blood transfusion. In very serious cases, your cat might need a blood transfusion. This will more completely flush out the toxins in your cat's system. Your vet will recommend this if they believe it's necessary. Administer IV fluids to your cat. If the mothballs have done damage to your cat's kidneys, your vet might order a round of intravenous fluids. This treatment would need to take place in your vet's office. Administer other medications. Depending on the severity of your cat's poisoning, and how long it's been since it ingested the mothballs, your vet might prescribe medication. This can include anti-vomiting medication, anti-seizure medication, and medication to protect your cat's liver. Ask your vet to perform a gastric lavage. A gastric lavage is a medical procedure wherein your vet “washes” your cat's stomach. Your cat will need to be placed under anesthesia for this procedure, and it can be expensive. This is usually used in cases where the poisoning is severe. Schedule follow up blood work. After your cat has been treated, you might want to schedule additional blood work. This allows your vet to check that status of your cat's liver and kidneys and make sure there isn't lasting damage. | Watch for vomiting. Smell for mothball-scented breath. Check your cat’s mouth. Pay attention to your cat’s breathing. Pay attention to your cat's energy levels. Look for seizures. Watch your cat’s liquid intake. Take your cat to the vet immediately. Take the package or remaining mothballs with you to the vet. Order x-rays. Order blood work. Order a blood transfusion. Administer IV fluids to your cat. Administer other medications. Ask your vet to perform a gastric lavage. Schedule follow up blood work. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Swim-Underwater-Without-Holding-Your-Nose | How to Swim Underwater Without Holding Your Nose | To swim underwater without holding your nose, practice breathing correctly so you don't accidentally inhale water. Start by dunking your head while blowing air out through your nose. Once you're comfortable dunking, try pushing off the side of the pool and exhaling through your nose as you glide underwater. Then, advance to swimming underwater, coming up for air every 1 to 3 strokes or as needed. | Use a shallow pool or bathtub to practice. To get comfortable going underwater without holding your nose, it helps to practice in a shallow body of water. You can use the shallow end of a pool, a bathtub, or even fill a sink full of water to practice. A quiet part of a pool or a shallow pool designed for children can help make you feel more at ease in the water. Cup your hands and exhale into them through your nose. To keep water from getting into your nose, you have to learn how to control the flow of air out of your nostrils. Practice by cupping your hands, placing your nose into your cupped hands, taking a breath, and exhaling through your nose into your hands so you can feel the air. Try exhaling for 10-second increments 2-3 times. Put your hands in the water and exhale through your nose. Once you've gotten used to controlling the flow of air out of your nose by exhaling into your hands, you can try it out in the water. Lower your cupped hands in the water until they form a bowl filled with water. Then, take a breath, lower your face again into your hands, and exhale through your nose so you can feel the bubbles in your hands. Repeat the process until you feel comfortable putting your nose underwater. Exhale for about 10 seconds at first, then try to go for about 15 or 20 seconds to push your comfort zone. Move your hands 2 inches (5.1 cm) deeper into the water and exhale. After you've gotten a little more comfortable submerging your nose in the water, lower your cupped hands a little deeper. Then, take another breath, submerge your face into your hands, and breathe out through your nose. Notice if you find yourself getting more comfortable in the water. Great job! Do this exercise a few times and try exhaling for longer and longer increments. Put your whole head underwater and exhale through your nose. If you feel confident enough, try putting your head under the water without your hands. Take a big breath and stick your head underwater, then blow out air through your nose. Exhale for longer increments each time you submerge your head Hold your head underwater without exhaling for 10 seconds. Keep a small amount of air held in your nose to keep water from getting in. If you can hold your head underwater without exhaling through your nose, you're basically swimming! When you feel ready, take a big breath and go underwater. Try to not exhale through your nose and hold your head under the water for 10 seconds. Try to push yourself to hold your head under the water for longer and longer periods. If you feel really confident, try swimming around a little bit with your head underwater. Hold the side of the wall of the pool. When you're getting the hang of swimming underwater without holding your nose, it can help to hold onto the wall so you feel more secure and comfortable in the water. Find a quiet spot in the pool and grab hold of the edge of the pool. Choose a spot in the shallow end of the pool so you can also stand up easily if you need to. Submerge your head underwater and blow bubbles for 10 seconds. Take a big breath and lower your head into the water. Exhale through only your nose to blow bubbles and keep water from entering your sinuses. Try this exercise several times, and try to exhale with less force each time so you can practice controlling your breath. Work to submerge your head without exhaling through your nose. Once you get used to putting your head underwater and you've gotten better at controlling your breath by keeping air in your nose, practice holding your head underwater without blowing bubbles out of your nose. Take a big breath, keep a good grip on the wall, go underwater, and hold your breath for 10 seconds while keeping a small amount of air in your nose. Do this a few times and try to stay under the water for longer and longer periods of time. Let go of the wall when you feel comfortable and swim around. Once you've gotten better at control your breath and keeping water from getting in your nose, try submerging your head and letting go of the wall. Swim around a little bit and come back up for air whenever you need it. Practice swimming underwater for longer and longer distances. | Use a shallow pool or bathtub to practice. Cup your hands and exhale into them through your nose. Put your hands in the water and exhale through your nose. Move your hands 2 inches (5.1 cm) deeper into the water and exhale. Put your whole head underwater and exhale through your nose. Hold your head underwater without exhaling for 10 seconds. Hold the side of the wall of the pool. Submerge your head underwater and blow bubbles for 10 seconds. Work to submerge your head without exhaling through your nose. Let go of the wall when you feel comfortable and swim around. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-%22Never-Have-I-Ever%22 | How to Play "Never Have I Ever" | Never Have I Ever is a fun party game you can play with 3 or more players. To start the game, every player holds up five fingers. Then, one player states something that they've never done before starting with "Never have I ever..." If anyone has done that thing, they have to put a finger down. For example, if one player says "Never have I ever owned a dog," any player who has owned a dog puts down one finger. After one player goes, the player to their left goes next. The game continues until one player puts down all of their fingers and loses. If you're old enough to drink and you want to make it a drinking game, take a sip of your drink every time you put down a finger. Whoever puts down all of their fingers first finishes their drink. | Gather at least 5 players in a circle. At least five people are usually needed to play the game. You can use less than five, but it's usually not as much fun! You should sit in a circle so you can see everyone's hands. Each player holds 10 fingers in front of them. You can rest your hands on the floor or hold your hands up. Either way, everyone starts with 10 chances. The first player announces something they’ve never done. You can have someone volunteer to go first, or play rock, paper, scissors to decide. The first player says “Never have I ever....” and then announces something outrageous they haven't done. It's best if the player thinks it's likely something other people have done. For example, you can say something like "Never have I ever been to Europe," "Never have I ever been arrested," or "Never have I ever had detention." Put one finger down if you’ve done what the first player said. The players who also haven't done it should keep all of their fingers up. Move to the next player in the circle. Move clockwise through the circle, with the person on the first player's left taking the next turn.The next player comes up with a new thing they've never done. The players who have done it put a finger down, the players that haven't keep their fingers up. The person with fingers remaining up wins. The last person who has fingers up wins the game. You can repeat the game as many times as you like. Gather at least 5 players. Since there's drinking involved in this version of the game, all of the players need to be of legal drinking age. You can have as many players as you want, but if you have more than 10, break the large group into multiple groups of fewer players. Make sure everyone has the same amount to drink. It's up to each individual player what they want to drink. But to make the game more fair, everyone should have about the same amount in their cups. You can play with beer, wine, or mixed drinks. You can also play the drinking version of the game using shots of alcohol. Every time someone has done the thing the player says, they have to take a shot. You'll have to refill the shots as you go. Have the first player announce something they’ve never done. Someone can volunteer to go first, or you can choose someone playing rock, paper, scissors. In the drinking version of the game, the things players say tend to be a little more risqué. The first player says “Never have I ever...” and then follows it with something they've never done. Try coming up with things you've never done, but that you know other people playing have. This ensures you don't have to drink but they do, and can get players out of the game quicker. Have the players who have done what the first player said drink. If you've done what the first player has said they haven't, you have to take a drink of your drink. To make it fair, you can time it so all the players have to drink for the same amount of time. About 3 seconds is usually enough time. Move to the next player. The next player - the player to the immediate left of the first player - takes their turn. They say something they've never done, using the “Never have I ever...” construction. The players who have done that thing drink, the ones who have not don't drink. Have the first player drink if nobody else does. If the player can't get anyone to drink – meaning the player is the only person who's done the thing they said – the player has to drink. Repeat until only one person has alcohol left in their cup. The game ends when only person has any of their drink left. That person wins the game. You can repeat the game as many times as you like. | Gather at least 5 players in a circle. Each player holds 10 fingers in front of them. The first player announces something they’ve never done. Put one finger down if you’ve done what the first player said. Move to the next player in the circle. The person with fingers remaining up wins. Gather at least 5 players. Make sure everyone has the same amount to drink. Have the first player announce something they’ve never done. Have the players who have done what the first player said drink. Move to the next player. Have the first player drink if nobody else does. Repeat until only one person has alcohol left in their cup. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Smelly-Dishwasher | How to Clean a Smelly Dishwasher | To clean a smelly dishwasher, start by removing and washing the filter and racks with soap and hot water, then scrub out the dishwasher's interior before replacing the filter and racks. Next, place 1 cup of distilled white vinegar in the top rack and run the dishwasher for a full cycle. Then, neutralize any remaining odors by sprinkling 1 cup of baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and running an additional cycle! | Clean the drain filter. No part of your dishwasher is more likely to responsible for strange odors than the drain filter. Food particles can collect here, and over time in a warm, moist environment they can become disgusting. There will probably be a cylindrical, detachable filter through which all of the water drains. In order to access the filter, remove the bottom rack, then twist out the filter. Wash the filter with soap and hot water in your sink. It may be difficult to reach all of the interior sections of it with a rag, so you may want to use a bottle brush. Wash the inside of the door and the interior walls. Smells may also come from grime that has accumulated throughout the inside of the dishwasher. You must scrub out the entire unit. Remove all racks from the inside of the dishwasher. These will only get in your way when washing the interior of the dishwasher. Use a rag or brush and hot soapy water to scrub out the interior of the dishwasher. If grime has accumulated and is not easy to remove, consider also using some kitchen-safe household cleaners to help you scrub it out. Wash the door gasket. The seals of the dishwasher door can also accumulate moisture and grime and must be washed. Scrub the dishwasher racks in your sink. Though they are the unlikeliest cause of smell, you should make sure to rule out all of the simplest possibilities before you invest too much time and energy in the problem. Place 1 cup (240 mL) of distilled white vinegar in the top rack of the dishwasher. Despite its own smell, the acid in vinegar is one of the most potent smell-removing agents. Additionally, as it dries the smell of vinegar dissipates quickly. Make sure the dishwasher is empty when you attempt to clean it in this way. If you don't like the smell of vinegar, add a few drops of an essential oil to the vinegar. Run the dishwasher for a full cycle. The vinegar will be blasted all over the interior of the dishwasher, and that is precisely the intention. The acids in the vinegar will help break down any residues that remain in the interior of your dishwasher. Sprinkle a cup of baking soda over the bottom of the dishwasher. Baking soda is another well-known odor neutralizer, and following the vinegar shower with a rinse of baking soda has become a popular (and organically approved) solution to cleaning and smell-removal problems. Run an additional cycle. This time the dishwasher should be run one of the shortest cycles available, and in order to dissolve all of the baking soda the water should be the hottest it can be. After this, the dishwasher should be clean and fresh smelling. Check the troubleshooting section of your dishwasher's manual. Most dishwashers will come with manuals that include troubleshooting sections that include specific cleaning instructions in just this kind of situation. Many dishwasher manuals are also available online for free. Websites such as ManualsOnline.com and ManualsLib.com are just a few of the many sites that have downloadable manuals for a variety of home appliances. Check the drain hose for obstructions. Especially check into this if there is water in the bottom of your dishwasher at the end of a cycle. If the drain hose has become bent or restricted, the flow of water can be limited and built-up water can become musty in the hose. If the dishwasher can be pulled away from the wall, do so to check the hose. Most other dishwashers will be located next to the kitchen sink will have drain hoses that connect to the same kitchen drain pipe. You can detach the hose at whichever end is easier to access in order to inspect it. Make sure the dishwasher drain hose is installed at the correct point. Waste water from the sink can drain through the hose into the dishwasher if the drain hose is not looped up from the drain pipe before it is run to the dishwasher. The weight of a sink-full of water can push water back up through the dishwasher drain hose. If this appears to be a problem, raise the loop of the drain hose higher. Check the electrical connection. Examine the junction box behind the kick plate under the door of the dishwasher. A poor connection can produce an odor and is a fire hazard. Other problems can come from shorts in any of the electrical lines or a dysfunctional heater unit. If the dishwasher appears to have electrical problem, unplug it and call an electrician to fix the problem. | Clean the drain filter. Wash the inside of the door and the interior walls. Wash the door gasket. Scrub the dishwasher racks in your sink. Place 1 cup (240 mL) of distilled white vinegar in the top rack of the dishwasher. Run the dishwasher for a full cycle. Sprinkle a cup of baking soda over the bottom of the dishwasher. Run an additional cycle. Check the troubleshooting section of your dishwasher's manual. Check the drain hose for obstructions. Make sure the dishwasher drain hose is installed at the correct point. Check the electrical connection. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Fix-a-Slow-Toilet | How to Fix a Slow Toilet | To fix a slow toilet caused by a clogged drain, start by pouring a bucket of hot water into the toilet bowl. Next, pour a drain cleaning product into the toilet bowl. Add dish washing liquid to the toilet's overflow pipe, then leave everything to soak for about 10 minutes. After soaking, flush your toilet to dislodge any clogs and residue! | Find the source of the problem. “Slow toilet” can mean one of two things. Either the bowl isn't filling quickly, or it isn't draining quickly. If you're dealing with the latter, the drain is likely clogged. You'll need to unclog the toilet. If the bowl isn't filling quickly enough, it could be an issue with the tank, like a low water level. Lift the tank cover. The tank is the upright portion of the toilet, where you find the flushing handle. Lay the tank cover on the floor carefully; the heavy porcelain can potentially damage your floors. Check the chain connecting the flushing handle to the flapper. The flapper is a piece of plastic or rubber which sits over the valve at the bottom of the tank. Unless your toilet isn't flushing at all, there should be a chain connecting this to the trip lever, a small arm running from the flushing handle. The chain should have just enough slack for the flapper to rest over the valve, sealing it. But it should be tight enough to lift the flapper when the flushing handle is used. When you flush the toilet, the flapper should stay open for 2-3 seconds. Otherwise, the bowl won't be getting enough water. Adjust the chain if needed. Performing this adjustment is rather simple. The chain should run through a hole in the flushing handle. You can easily disconnect the chain, and place a different link through the hole to adjust the chain's overall length. The chain should be left with about half an inch of slack. Adjusting the chain means you may come into contact with the water in the toilet's tank. As long as you wash your hands afterwards, this is perfectly safe. Pour a gallon of hot water into the toilet. Use a bucket to pour the water into the bowl. The hot water will help dislodge the residue that might be slowing the flow of water out of the bowl. Let the hot water sit in the toilet, don't flush it. Warning, heating porcelain quickly or unevenly may crack the bowl. Pour drain cleaner into the toilet. Make sure to use a product suitable for a toilet. The product you choose should have instructions detailing the amount you should be using. Make sure to read the label carefully. Some products aren't meant for use on ceramics, and may require that you use protective equipment. Always follow the instructions listed on the product. Some drain cleaner may require immediate flushing, whereas others need time to work before being flushed. Put dishwashing liquid in the overflow pipe. You can find this upright pipe in the toilet's tank. It will usually have a small tube running into it. You should put a small amount of dishwashing liquid in, only about a tablespoon. If you have a lime or calcium remover, like CLR, you can use that instead of liquid dish soap. It may be more effective. Let the toilet sit for 10 minutes. This will give the dishwashing liquid time to seep down the overflow pipe. Additionally, the calcium and other deposits will slowly dislodge from the toilet's walls, making for an easy clean. Flush the toilet. This will send water through the tank's pipes, and out through the holes below the toilet rim. The dishwashing liquid will dislodge any residue in the tank. The drain cleaner will remove any clogs or mineral deposits in the drain, improving the toilet's flow. Take the necessary safety precautions. Make sure to wear gloves, mask and eye protection. You should also wear an apron and rubber boots to protect yourself. Muriatic acid is caustic and can cause burns. You should maximize ventilation by placing a running fan in the bathroom window to exhaust air. If you have a bathroom exhaust fan, turn that on too. Turn off the water to the toilet and flush. Use a sponge to remove the water left in bowl. This will ensure the acid will clean the bowl to the bottom, including the critical jet-hole. This is a smaller hole at the bottom of the toilet bowl; water is pushed out of it forcefully to help the toilet flush. You'll see it in action at the end of a flush, and buildup here may be responsible for a slow flush. Take off the tank cover and insert a plastic funnel into the overflow tube. If there is a fill tube on top of the overflow tube, carefully take that off first. The funnel's opening should be as large as possible, to facilitate pouring, but fit snugly in the overflow tube. Make sure not to use a metal funnel; the acid will corrode it. Rinse the funnel well after use and do not reuse it for food. Carefully pour diluted muriatic acid through the funnel. You should only pour a few ounces of diluted acid into the tube. You should pour fast enough that it begins to flow out of the holes in the toilet bowl rim but not so fast that the funnel overflows or falls out, as this would splash acid and be extremely dangerous. Pour the rest of the gallon into the toilet bowl; this will help clear the drain. Tape a clear piece of poly-film over the toilet bowl and tank opening. The tighter the seal the better. Just cover the bowl portion, do not include the seat. This will keep the acid's fumes from filling the bathroom. Alternatively you can use a clear trash bag to cover the toilet bowl. Let the acid sit in the toilet for 24 hours. If there are children or pets in your home, make sure the door to the bathroom is closed and locked. The acid will dislodge mineral deposits in the toilet bowl and the drain over time. Remove the poly-film and flush a few times. You'll have to make sure to turn on the water first. Extra flushes are advisable in older homes with iron drain pipes, as prolonged contact with concentrated acid will damage them. Check the rim holes for proper flow. You can find these holes under the toilet rim. They propel water to fill the bowl whenever you flush. Make sure that water flows freely from these holes whenever you flush. You can also use a coat hanger to check the holes for obstructions and other build ups. If you see any build up under the rim, use a baby bottle brush to scrub it off. Repeat the procedure if necessary. | Find the source of the problem. Lift the tank cover. Check the chain connecting the flushing handle to the flapper. Adjust the chain if needed. Pour a gallon of hot water into the toilet. Pour drain cleaner into the toilet. Put dishwashing liquid in the overflow pipe. Let the toilet sit for 10 minutes. Flush the toilet. Take the necessary safety precautions. Turn off the water to the toilet and flush. Take off the tank cover and insert a plastic funnel into the overflow tube. Carefully pour diluted muriatic acid through the funnel. Tape a clear piece of poly-film over the toilet bowl and tank opening. Let the acid sit in the toilet for 24 hours. Remove the poly-film and flush a few times. Check the rim holes for proper flow. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Bronchitis | How to Get Rid of Bronchitis | To get rid of bronchitis, drink 8 ounces of fluid every 1-2 hours to keep yourself properly hydrated and be sure to get plenty of rest so your immune system can recover. Sleeping with a humidifier nearby and taking an over-the-counter expectorant medication can really help if you're having trouble loosening and coughing up mucus. If your bronchitis symptoms last for more than 1 week without any sign of improvement, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. | Keep yourself hydrated. Staying properly hydrated while sick helps your body to continue functioning properly. You should drink 8-oz (250 ml) of fluid every one to two hours. Staying hydrated helps to loosen congestion and maintain proper bodily functions. If your doctor has restricted your fluid intake due to other medical complications, you should follow his or her instructions concerning hydration. Much of this fluid should be water or other low-calorie drinks to prevent yourself from taking in too many calories. Clear broth, diluted sports drinks, and warm lemon water with honey are other good options. Warm drinks have the additional benefit of soothing throats that are sore from excessive coughing. Do not consume drinks with caffeine or alcohol. These drinks are diuretics and cause dehydration. Get plenty of rest. Strive to get as much sleep as possible. You should aim to get at least seven hours of sleep per night, but if your illness prevents you from sleeping through the night, you should at least rest by lying with your head down or propped up. Sleep is a vital part of maintaining strong immune function. Without enough rest, your body will be unable to fight the virus. Limit the amount of physical activity you do while you have bronchitis. Basic tasks are usually fine, but you should avoid moderate or active exercise. This degree of activity can trigger coughing fits and wear away at your body's immune system. Use a humidifier. Turn the humidifier on at night and sleep with it running. Breathing in warm, moist air will loosen mucus in the airways, making it easier to breathe and reducing the severity of your coughs. Clean the humidifier based on the manufacturer's instructions. If you fail to clean the humidifier, bacteria and fungi can grow inside the water container and distribute itself in the air. Bacteria or fungi in the air can complicate the bronchitis. You could also sit in a closed bathroom with hot water running out of the shower for 30 minutes. The steam produced by the water will work in the same way as the vapor produced by the humidifier. Avoid irritants. Pollution and cold air can make the condition worse. While you probably can't eliminate exposure to all pollutants, there are some you can easily avoid. Stop smoking and do not place yourself around others who do smoke. Smoke is a major lung irritant, and smokers are the most likely to develop chronic bronchitis. Wear a mask when you anticipate being exposed to paint, household cleansers, perfume, or other strong, potent fumes. Wear a face mask outside. Cold air can restrict your airways, worsening your cough and making it difficult to breath. Wearing an outdoor face mask will warm the air before it reaches your airways. Take cough medicine only when needed. An over-the-counter cough syrup should only be used if the cough becomes so disruptive that it interferes with your daily life. Under ordinary circumstances, you want your cough to be as productive as possible to prevent excess mucus from sitting in your lungs and causing further infection. For that reason, cough syrups and similar suppressants should not be used consistently throughout the length of the illness. Cough syrups are usually suppressants. They suppress or restrict coughs, and as a result, you will cough less and produce less phlegm. If you cannot sleep due to a cough or if you are coughing so much that it becomes painful, you can alternate a cough suppressant with other medication to provide temporary relief. It is recommended that you consult with your doctor before taking a cough syrup, but these medicines can be obtained without a prescription. Use an expectorant. An over-the-counter expectorant will cause you to cough up more mucus. The risk of developing pneumonia or other severe infections is increased in patients with bronchitis due to the amount of excess mucus produced. Use of an expectorant is often recommended in order to expel this excess mucus, especially if you have non-productive coughs. Do some research on herbal remedies. Be sure to talk to your doctor prior to taking any. there is no scientific evidence that herbal remedies are effective treatments for acute bronchitis, but they have been shown to not be harmful; however, some preliminary studies have shown that South African geranium ( Pelargonium sidoides ) demonstrated positive results. One study has shown that people recover faster when taking this remedy as opposed to taking a placebo. Common colds can lead to bronchitis, so taking herbal remedies that help prevent colds can also help prevent bronchitis. Some herbals remedies that have been studied that have shown some promising results include; echinacea (300 mg three times daily), garlic, and ginseng (400 mg/day). Know when to see the doctor. If your bronchitis symptoms last for more than one week without any sign of improvement, make an appointment with your physician. Additionally, if your symptoms are getting progressively worse, consult your doctor. Schedule an appointment with your doctor if your cough persists for over one month. Call the doctor as soon as possible if you begin coughing up blood, having difficulty breathing, developing a fever, or feeling especially weak or ill. You should also schedule an appointment if your feet begin to swell, as congestive heart failure can cause backup of fluid into the lungs, resulting in a chronic cough. Sometimes people mistake this for bronchitis. Contact your doctor if you begin coughing up a bad-tasting fluid. This is usually caused by stomach acid coming up from the stomach and dripping down into the lungs during sleep. A doctor will prescribe an acid-reducing medication to deal with this particular type of bronchitis. Discuss antibiotics with your doctor. A doctor may prescribe an antibiotic if he or she suspects that a bacterial infection is setting in. Be aware that there is no concrete evidence that antibiotics are helpful in the resolution of acute bronchitis if it is viral, not bacterial. Under normal circumstances, a doctor will not prescribe an antibiotic. Bronchitis is most commonly caused by a virus and antibiotics only fight bacterial infections. If you begin coughing up more mucus or if that mucus becomes thicker, you may have a bacterial infection. This is when your doctor will usually prescribe an antibiotic as the appropriate treatment. These antibiotic treatments usually last anywhere from five to 10 days. Find out about prescription bronchodilators. These medications are usually used to treat asthma. They might be prescribed if your bronchitis makes it difficult to breathe. A bronchodilator generally comes in the form of an inhaler. The medicine is sprayed directly into the bronchial tubes, where it opens the tubes and clears out mucus. Consider checking into pulmonary rehabilitation. If you have chronic bronchitis, you may need long-term therapy to strengthen your weakened lungs. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a special breathing exercise program. A respiratory therapist works with you one-on-one, designing an exercise plan that will slowly build up your lung capacity while helping you to breathe more easily. Understand bronchitis. This condition can affect all ages and does not affect any gender more than the other. Bronchitis is characterized by inflammation of the bronchi and bronchioles due to an infection or chemical irritant. It results from either a bacterial, viral, or chemical catalyst. This article will deal with the more common acute bronchitis, as chronic bronchitis is a separate medical condition that usually requires professional medical treatment. Acute bronchitis is a very common disease, in fact most people have had experience with it at some point. Almost all acute bronchitis cases resolve on their own at home with proper care, rest, and time. Understand bronchitis treatment. This disease goes away on its own and requires no treatment with antibiotics, though a cough may linger for weeks beyond the disease. Treatment of acute bronchitis focuses on alleviating symptoms and resting in order to allow your body to take care of itself and to recover. There is no definitive test for identifying bronchitis. Doctors will usually diagnose bronchitis based on what symptoms you are presenting. Treatment and recovery from acute bronchitis usually occur at home completely unless further infections or complications set in. Know the symptoms of bronchitis. People presenting with acute bronchitis will usually describe a recent onset of cough. This occurs in the absence of other conditions such as asthma, COPD, pneumonia, or the common cold. The typical cough of bronchitis is initially dry and unproductive. This can progress to a productive cough as bronchitis progresses. Throat and lung pain can occur from constant and intensely forceful coughing to relieve irritation. In addition to a red throat (infected pharynx), most people present with additional symptoms: difficulty breathing (Dyspnea), inspiratory or expiratory wheezing, fever over 101.1°F (38.3°C), and fatigue. Know the risk factors for bronchitis. In addition to common symptoms, there are many risk factors involved that can increase the likelihood of bronchitis. These include: very young infants or very elderly people, air pollutants, smoking or secondhand smoke, environmental changes, chronic Sinusitis, bronchopulmonary allergy, HIV infection, alcoholism, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) In healthy individuals, bronchitis is a self-limiting disease (meaning that your body can recover on it's own without any specific treatment). In fact, most medical guidelines do not recommend antibiotics. If you have several lingering symptoms for more than a month and if you have any questions or concerns, consider visiting your doctor for a laboratory and/or imaging workup and professional treatment. | Keep yourself hydrated. Get plenty of rest. Limit the amount of physical activity you do while you have bronchitis. Use a humidifier. Avoid irritants. Take cough medicine only when needed. Use an expectorant. Do some research on herbal remedies. Know when to see the doctor. Discuss antibiotics with your doctor. Find out about prescription bronchodilators. Consider checking into pulmonary rehabilitation. Understand bronchitis. Understand bronchitis treatment. Know the symptoms of bronchitis. Know the risk factors for bronchitis. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-an-Agent-of-Western-Union | How to Become an Agent of Western Union | To become an agent of Western Union, start by owning an independent retail business that is eligible to become a qualified Western Union location, such as a convenience store or drug store. Next, obtain the equipment you need to complete transactions, such as a working computer, a reliable internet connection, and a printer. Then, complete Western Union's online application and if you're approved, Western Union will send you the software and a training starter pack so you can begin conducting transactions! | Own your own business. A prospective Western Union agent must own her own independent retail business, which is then deemed eligible to become a qualified Western Union location. Some of the most common retail businesses that become Western Union agents include, but are not limited to: convenience stores drug stores financial service providers liquor stores newsagents pawnbrokers supermarkets travel agencies Acquire the necessary equipment. Every Western Union agent must have certain basic office equipment and internet service in order to conduct financial transactions. The equipment typically required for Western Union transactions includes: a working computer a reliable internet connection a working printer (though not all locations require a printer at the business site - speak with a Western Union representative to determine whether your location requires a printer) Complete an application. If you meet all of the business requirements, you may be eligible to become a Western Union agent. To confirm your eligibility, you'll need to complete an online application, which will then be reviewed by Western Union. You can also call Western Union's customer service line at 1-800-325-6000 if you have any questions about the application process. The application asks for the following pieces of information: confirmation that you own your own business confirmation that you have a working computer with a reliable internet connection your name and personal contact information (phone number and email address) the name, address, and work number for your business the nature (by type/category) of your business how many locations your business operates how you heard about becoming a Western Union agent Receive job training and software. If your application to become a Western Union agent is approved, you will receive a free starter pack from Western Union. This starter pack includes all the necessary training information you'll need to begin making transactions, as well as marketing/promotional materials to advertise your new services to the public. You will also receive the necessary software to install on your computer so that you can begin making transactions at your business. Western Union agents also receive 24-hour customer support from the agency. A customer support representative will be able to answer any questions you have and guide you through any complications that may arise. Participate in anti-money laundering training. All money transfer services are required to provide Anti-Money Laundering (AML) training, in compliance with financial regulations. This training is intended to educate you as a new agent and to protect your business from any potential money laundering allegations in the future. Western Union's AML training is considered one of the industry-leading programs for agent training and support. Get your license. All money transfer services are required to have proper licensing, though the nature of this licensing may vary by location. Since Western Union has a worldwide network of money transfer agents, there is no single process that applies to all agents. However, Western Union facilitates all of the necessary licensing for their agents. You'll be in contact with a Western Union representative, who will inform you of the particular license you'll need and help you receive those credentials in a timely manner. Consider enrolling in Western Unions Agent Portal. The Agent Portal is Western Union's online resource for agents around the world. It's free to enroll in the AgentPortal, and being enrolled will make it easier for you to order supplies, access training and fraud-prevention information, report your money transfers, and access customer service assistance. To enroll, simply go to the Western Union AgentPortal website at https://agentportal.westernunion.com/ap/custregister.do. Then fill out your name, contact information, agent account number, and operator ID number. Earn money from Western Union. Customers are charged a transfer fee on every money transfer they make with Western Union. That money goes to Western Union, and it's how WU earns a profit. However, Western Union will pay you a commission on every transfer fee that is processed from each transaction your business sends or receives. The more money you earn for Western Union at your business, the more commissions you earn. Understand the benefits. There are many benefits to operating as a Western Union agent through your existing business. In addition to the monetary compensation you'll receive through regular commissions, you may even increase your store's business. Being a Western Union agent means that you will end up drawing in potential customers who need to transfer/receive money, and may end up buying goods or services from your business. In addition, your role as a WU agent gives you a competitive advantage over other businesses who offer the same goods and services that you do, as your store will become more of a one-stop-shop. Enjoy being part of a worldwide network. Western Union operates in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. As part of that network, you'll enjoy the benefits of sending and receiving money for customers to/from all parts of the world. In addition, because Western Union operates all around the world, you'll have access to training and customer service support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. | Own your own business. Acquire the necessary equipment. Complete an application. Receive job training and software. Participate in anti-money laundering training. Get your license. Consider enrolling in Western Unions Agent Portal. Earn money from Western Union. Understand the benefits. Enjoy being part of a worldwide network. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Check-and-Repair-a-Blown-Head-Gasket | How to Check and Repair a Blown Head Gasket | The head gasket is a mechanical seal that's fitted between the engine block and the piston cylinder head. If your engine often overheats, your head gasket may have blown. You can also check your coolant levels, since low levels may mean the head gasket has blown and coolant is leaking out. You can also tell that coolant's leaking if your oil is white or milky looking. To repair your head gasket, first, you'll need to disconnect the negative battery terminal on the car battery. Then, remove the intake hose airbox, and air conditioner compressor. Once the compressor is free, loosen the clamp on the water pump hose with a screwdriver until it's free. Then, remove the alternator, drain the radiator, and remove the radiator hoses. Now, you can remove the old blown head gasket and fit a new one in place. Make sure to use a torque wrench to tighten the bolts properly or else you could damage the new head gasket. | Look for a high engine temperature. High temperatures can cause your gasket to blow, and once this has occurred, your engine temperature will only continue to rise. If your car is constantly overheating, this could be a sign that your head gasket has blown. Check for lower coolant levels. If your head gasket is blown, coolant may be leaking from the cooling system. Look out for milky or frothy oil. Check the colour of your oil. If it's white and milky looking, or if your oil dipstick reveals a frothy substance, chances are your oil has mixed with the coolant and your head gasket has blown. Beware of light smoke emerging from the exhaust pipe. If you spot white smoke emerging from your exhaust pipe, this could mean that the coolant has leaked into the combustion chamber. Disconnect the negative battery terminal, located at the top of the car battery. Remove the intake hose and airbox. Take off the air conditioner compressor; this will require you to remove several bolts. Once the compressor is free, lay the device on its side in order to access the cylinder head. Disconnect the water pump hose, by using a screwdriver to loosen the clamp. Remove the alternator. You won't need to take off the entire alternator harness; simply remove the bolts. Drain the radiator and remove the radiator hoses. Disconnect all the lines running to the air conditioner. The head gasket should now be visible. Refer to your service manual and pay close attention to the tightening sequence for the head bolts that hold the head gasket in place, as these must be loosened in the correct reverse order. Remove the old blown head gasket. Be sure to thoroughly clean the cylinder head, so that the new head gasket sits correctly. Once you have fitted the new head gasket into the space, tighten the bolts again in the correct order. You'll need a torque wrench to do so, as the bolts must be torqued to a specific tightness, relevant to your particular vehicle. It's crucial that these bolts are torqued correctly, as otherwise you may cause damage to your new head gasket. Replace the components. Reconnect the hoses in the order in which you disconnected them, replace the alternator, and ensure that all necessary parts are once again in place. Fill the cooling system with fresh coolant and turn on the engine, allowing it to idle until it reaches operating temperature. Allow the engine to run for several minutes before switching it off and checking your new head gasket for any leaks. | Look for a high engine temperature. Check for lower coolant levels. Look out for milky or frothy oil. Beware of light smoke emerging from the exhaust pipe. Disconnect the negative battery terminal, located at the top of the car battery. Remove the intake hose and airbox. Take off the air conditioner compressor; this will require you to remove several bolts. Disconnect the water pump hose, by using a screwdriver to loosen the clamp. Remove the alternator. Drain the radiator and remove the radiator hoses. The head gasket should now be visible. Remove the old blown head gasket. Once you have fitted the new head gasket into the space, tighten the bolts again in the correct order. Replace the components. Fill the cooling system with fresh coolant and turn on the engine, allowing it to idle until it reaches operating temperature. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Act-Around-a-Girl-That-Likes-You | How to Act Around a Girl That Likes You | If you're unsure how to act around a girl who likes you, be friendly and strike up a conversation, which will show her you're interested too! Try starting a conversation about something you have in common to break the ice. For example, if you have class together, say something like, “I'm so glad that last chapter is over with.” You could also give her an honest compliment from time to time, such as telling her she's smart or has nice eyes. Remember to smile a lot when you're around her so she knows you enjoy hanging out with her. If she's talking, make eye contact and avoid getting distracted by your phone. | Strike up a conversation if you want to get to know her better. If you and the girl who likes you aren't close but it's clear that she likes you, start small and bring up a common interest. This will break the ice, make things less awkward, and establish a bond that you can progress from. If you're on the soccer team and she's on the volleyball team at school, consider starting a conversation about sports. Start a conversation about a class you have together by saying something like, “I'm so glad that last chapter is over with. What did you think about last night's reading?” Compliment her from time to time. A unique, tasteful compliment can go a long way. Whether you're referencing a physical characteristic or personality trait, giving a girl a compliment is a great way to express your affection, especially if you remain composed and relaxed when you do this. Complimenting her here and there is better because too often might make her annoyed or uneasy. If she tells you that she did well on a test that she got back today, you might say, “That's great! It doesn't surprise me at all; you're very smart and hard-working.” If she has particularly attractive blue eyes, you might say, “I really like your eyes. They're a very pretty blue.” Smile often and make eye contact. Smiling a lot and looking her in the eye at appropriate moments communicate that you're confident and interested. This is a good first step in beginning to flirt with her. Be careful not to stare, because excessive eye contact often seems creepy. Acknowledge her in the hallway by giving a casual wave, smiling, and making brief eye contact. Mirror her body language. Since she likes you, she might lean in closer when talking to you or turn her hips, torso, and feet to face your direction. Mirror movements like these to show her that you like her too. Be chivalrous, but don’t overdo it. Holding a door open for someone is always a nice gesture, but doing it every time seems a little over-the-top, even to someone who likes you. Avoid big gestures like giving her flowers because this might be off-putting and overwhelming. It isn't an appropriate time in your barely budding relationship to give a gift like this. Wait until you've been dating someone for a while. Communicate with less pressure via social media. If you're shy, liking one of her statuses on Facebook, leaving her a sweet comment on an Instagram photo, or even just friending or following her on social media are easier ways to show that you like her and are paying attention to her. Text her frequently, but not too eagerly. Especially since you like her back, it might be tough to not text her several times in a row, write long passages, or confront her about not responding. This usually comes off as clingy, so as a good rule of thumb, stay relaxed and text her as much as she texts you. Be bold and give her a call. In today's world, texting has become the norm and calling a love interest is seen by many women as an act of courage. If your conversations in person and via text are long, comfortable, and natural, calling is the next step to take. Ignore her advances if you aren’t interested. The best way to show that you don't like her as more than a friend is by acting like it isn't happening. If you just act normal while she's making her feelings obvious, she will probably eventually realize why. Drop hints before you tell her you don’t like her. Exhaust all other options before you tell a girl directly that you aren't interested in her. Since she has feelings for you, she will most likely be hurt and embarrassed if you reject her so harshly. Keep your conversations with her relatively brief and don't deviate too much from small talk. If this doesn't do the trick, try hinting in one or more of the following ways to insinuate that you aren't interested in a more subtle way: Be unreceptive when she tries to make plans to meet up in the future. Tell her that you're in a relationship with someone else. Tell her you're really busy and don't have time for a relationship right now. Counter her body language. She will probably make small movements and position her body in a way that is welcoming. To show that you don't feel the way she does, counter her movements. If she sits a little too close to you, scoot away from her a little bit. Also consider crossing your arms sometimes when she approaches you. This is a natural sign of resistance. Be honest, kind and clear if she’s not getting the hint. If you've tried to be clear in other ways and she's still being forward, it's probably time to be direct. Remember to speak to her the way you'd like to be spoken to if you were in her position. Try using “I” statements to keep the conversation more about you. Listing reasons why you don't like her is rude and will damage her confidence, so don't do that. Instead, try saying one of these statements: “I'm really sorry, but I don't see you that way.” “I think you're great, but I'm looking for something else right now.” “I've enjoyed talking with you, but I'm not really feeling a romantic connection between us.” Text her in a kind but minimal manner. Since you don't like her more than a friend, keep your texts friendly, but short and relatively infrequent. Texting her too much can give her the wrong idea, which could get her hopes up and make her feel more disappointed later on. | Strike up a conversation if you want to get to know her better. Compliment her from time to time. Smile often and make eye contact. Mirror her body language. Be chivalrous, but don’t overdo it. Communicate with less pressure via social media. Text her frequently, but not too eagerly. Be bold and give her a call. Ignore her advances if you aren’t interested. Drop hints before you tell her you don’t like her. Counter her body language. Be honest, kind and clear if she’s not getting the hint. Text her in a kind but minimal manner. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Effexor-Withdrawal | How to Deal With Effexor Withdrawal | If you're dealing with effexor withdrawal, you may be suffering from a wide variety of symptoms, including dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, and headaches. To manage your symptoms, drink a lot of water to flush the toxins from your system. Additionally, eat nutrient-dense foods, like fruits, vegetables, and nuts. You should also get as much sleep as you can, which will enable your body to heal faster. If you find it difficult to relax, try taking some long, deep breaths to reduce your anxiety. | Familiarize yourself with the symptoms. Symptoms of Effexor withdrawal may include dizziness, fatigue, agitation, anxiety, chills, nausea, headaches, irritability, twitches or shakes, hives, a clicking or buzzing sound in your head, sweating, feelings of unease, muscle pain, and insomnia. These can range from mild to severe. You may experience all of these symptoms or only a few. Drink water. If you are in the throes of a withdrawal from Effexor, there are a few simple ways that you can cope. First, you should drink a lot of water. The more quickly you can flush toxins from your system, the sooner you can begin to feel better. Eat nutrient-dense food. If you are experiencing Effexor withdrawal, chances are you will not want to eat; however, allowing yourself to get too hungry is a drain on your immune system, and will not help you to bounce back. Instead, try to nibble on nutrient-dense food, like fruits, vegetables, or nuts. Ask a friend to bring you a fruit smoothie made with strawberry, banana, almond milk, and coconut oil. Alternatively, eat a handful or trail mix or a couple pieces of beef jerky when you feel up to it. Get some rest. The best way to deal with an Effexor withdrawal is to sleep right through it. Do your best to clear your schedule and get as much sleep as you can. Even if you cannot fall asleep, simply taking it easy and getting some rest will enable your body to heal. This should only be done if you are well-hydrated. Drink water before and after doing any intense sweating. Do some deep breathing. Try to relax and take long, soothing breaths. This will help move oxygen through your bloodstream, lowering your heart rate and stabilizing your blood pressure. Deep breathing can reduce anxiety, panic, and even nausea. Deep breathing has also been shown to help with restlessness and headaches. Wait it out. Although the symptoms of an Effexor withdrawal may be uncomfortable or even painful, they won't last forever. In fact, most people report relief in as little as 24 hours (or 72 hours at the most). If detoxing from Effexor is your goal, you are on the right track. Your withdrawal symptoms will be gone in a few days or less. Talk with your doctor or psychiatrist. Before you decide to wean yourself off of Effexor, you really should speak to your doctor or psychiatrist. Effexor is a difficult medication to stop taking, and doing so can bring on intense emotional reactions, including suicidal thoughts. It is best to undergo this transition under advisement from a professional you trust. Switch from XR to IR. Most people are prescribed Effexor XR (extended release), however these pills are difficult to split for tapering. Effexor IR (immediate release) tablets come in 25mg, 37.5mg, 50mg, and 100mg doses, which makes the dose easier to control. Talk to your doctor about switching to IR tablets for a smoother tapering experience. With a pill splitter you can split your pills in half when necessary. Splitting tablets like this will enable you to have more control over your dosage. Create a timeline. Some doctors recommend cutting your dosage by 37.5 to 75 mg, taking that amount for one week, and then cutting the dose by another 37.5 to 75 mg. For a more gradual program, cut your dosage by just 10%, stay at this dosage for a week, and cut by 10% again. This method can take several months, but it is less likely to induce withdrawal. Introduce a different medication. If your goal is to stop using mood-altering medication, then this step will seem counterintuitive; however, many doctors recommend substituting a different antidepressant medication (usually 10 – 20 mg Prozac) to help you transition off of Effexor. Prozac is less likely to produce withdrawal symptoms, so introducing it (at your doctor's request) may help stabilize your mood and prevent withdrawal as you wean yourself from Effexor. Check in with your doctor regularly. Once again, it is important to stay in contact with your doctor when you are altering your dosage, medication, or treatment plan. Such changes have been shown to bring about sudden, dire mood swings, and may cause you to do something dangerous. Furthermore, staying in touch with your doctor will help keep you healthy and happy and you undergo this change. It may be a good idea to keep a log of how you feel and each stage of your tapering. Contact your pharmacy. If you find that you have unintentionally run out of Effexor, call your pharmacy and inquire as to whether you have any refills left. If you do, all you may need to do is go over and pick up your new pills. Contact your doctor. If you have no refills, contact your doctor or psychiatrist immediately and let them know that you need a new prescription. Make an appointment for as soon as possible. Go to a hospital emergency room. If you are unable to get an appointment with your doctor any sooner than 72 hours, it is advisable to go to the nearest emergency room. This may sound unnecessary, but Effexor's withdrawal symptoms can present as soon as 24 hours after a missed dose. Talk to a nurse. Once in triage, tell the nurse about your condition (what you are being treated for with Effexor), how long it has been since your last dose, and what dosage you are on. Some nurses are unaware of how serious Effexor withdrawals can be, so be patient and explain to them that missed doses of this medication can cause you to become very ill. Get a temporary prescription. Inform the doctor of when your next appointment with your doctor/psychiatrist is, and they may be able to write you a prescription for a small quantity that will hold you over until you can see your doctor. Fill the prescription right away. When you leave the emergency room, go straight to the pharmacy and fill the prescription. This way, you will not lose the prescription or forget to fill it. | Familiarize yourself with the symptoms. Drink water. Eat nutrient-dense food. Get some rest. Do some deep breathing. Wait it out. Talk with your doctor or psychiatrist. Switch from XR to IR. Create a timeline. Introduce a different medication. Check in with your doctor regularly. Contact your pharmacy. Contact your doctor. Go to a hospital emergency room. Talk to a nurse. Get a temporary prescription. Fill the prescription right away. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Spot-Fake-News-Sites | How to Spot Fake News Sites | To successfully spot fake news sites, search the name of the website followed by words like "legitimacy," "satire," or "fake" to see if it has a good reputation or is known for fictional stories. Check the website's URL for elements that don't seem right, like unnecessary words and letters or a “.co” at the end of the link. If it seems legit, look at the Contact Us page to see who owns the site and if there are multiple, trustworthy authors working for it. Stay away from websites that look poorly made or unprofessional. | See if the site is openly fictional. Some fake news sites clearly state that they are fake. However, this information may be hidden in the fine print at the bottom of an article. In these cases, fake news sites count on readers to be shocked by a sensational headline without reading through to the article's conclusion. For example, the fake news site “WTOE 5,” which published a fake news story about Pope Francis endorsing Donald Trump, openly states that it publishes “fantasy news.” Satirical articles can also be mistaken for factual news, although not by the intent of the site itself. Sites such as The Onion, the Daily Currant, Duffle Blog, and National Report publish satirical articles that are sometimes mistaken for actual news. If you think something may be satirical, search the website's name along with the word "satire" and see what comes up. Check the site’s URL. Fake news writers will often try to trick people by using a URL similar to that of an established news site. If you think a news site may be fake, check the URL for any extra suffixes or unexpected numbers or letters. Domains can be tricky as some will just add additional words or letters to the domain like “accurateABCnews.com”. For example, rushed readers may be fooled by the URLs of fake news sites “nbc.com.co” and “abcnews.com.co.” However, the extraneous “.co” is a clear giveaway that these are not the sites of the real NBC or ABC News, and that the sites likely generate fake news. Strange domain names usually mean that the content is also strange. Consider doing a google search by the organization's name to see if it matches the domain on the site with the article. If an article was shared by a news organization on Facebook, click the organization name and check for the blue verified mark that will indicate that this is the actual news site. Also, looking for copyright information that is accurate may help you determine if the site has obtained legitimate sources. Read the “Contact Us” page. A genuine news website should provide a method for readers to reach out with questions or concerns. The site should also offer detailed information about the individuals who work there. If a website does not have a “Contact Us” page, and no way to reach the author(s), the site is likely a fake. For example, the website of the Boston Tribune only lists an email address under the “Contact Us” section, which raises suspicion that the site may provide fake news. Also, if a purported news site only lists a single individual as the author of every article on the site, it is likely fake. Genuine news sites have many staff members in a variety of positions. Notice how professional the website looks. Official news sites are usually designed by professionals who know how to make sites look good. The format should be neat, and similar to how other news sites are formatted. Bad design often means the site is not legitimate. All caps is usually a sign that something is not professional. News websites always use plain fonts (usually sans serif), with black text on a white or whitish background. Look up the website itself. Search the website's name in a search engine and see what comes up. Read the "About Us" page, and descriptions of the site such as on Wikipedia and Snopes. Check their social media. Are they posting clickbait, and do the headlines match what the articles actually say? If you suspect an organization might be biased or controversial, try adding the word "controversy" to your search terms and see what comes up. Look into the article’s authors. Although fake news sites typically provide a byline at the top of the article and name an author, a little research on your part can help you tell if the individual exists and if the news site is genuine. If no other information about the author is given on the website, or if the article does not provide a byline, you're probably looking at fake news. For example, if the byline of a potentially fake news article gives an author's name, Google the author and see if they have written any journalism for other sites. Reputable journalists should have multiple publications, and often a personal website as well. Even if a news site provides a “biography” of the suspicious author, but provides suspicious or seemingly bogus information therein, the individual may not be real. Genuine news sites are scrupulous about documenting their writers' achievements and providing access to contact authors and journalists. Check out the sources. Look into the sources and citations that the article provides. Genuine news stories will quote interviews, provide statistics, and back up their claims with references to facts. Check out the credibility of the sources themselves—follow links given in the article—and make sure that these websites are factual as well. If the article does not provide any sources for its information and does not link to any corroborating news stories, it's likely providing fake news. If the article has no quotes, quotes from only one person, or quotes from people who don't exist, then it is likely fake. Be wary of fake quotes. If you see a sensationalist quote, try copying the quote and pasting it into a search bar. If it's real, then it's likely that other news outlets will have the same quote. Beware of sensationalism. Often, fake news sites try to pass off outlandish claims as being true, with the hope of shocking gullible readers. Read past the headline, and continue past the opening paragraph. If the logic of the article seems to fall apart as you continue, or if the article cites clearly inauthentic sources, you're dealing with a piece of fake news. News stories that are ridiculous or rage-inducing may be fake. In extreme cases, the content of the article may have nothing to do with the sensationalist, attention-grabbing headline. The previously mentioned fake news article about Pope Francis endorsing Donald Trump is a good example of a sensationalistic piece. The article is designed to create an emotional response in specific readers (Catholics and Republicans), although the basic premise is absurd. Try a reverse image search if you suspect a photo could be misused or taken out of context. Sometimes fake news sites will use stock images, or steal an image from someone else. Right-click on the image and you will have the option to search Google for it. (You can also search the URL and it will offer an image search option.) This way, you can see if other news outlets are using the image, and what they are saying about it. Sometimes it is normal to use stock images. For example, an article about healthy eating might have a stock image of food on it. However, if they are using a generic stock image and claiming that it is a specific person, it is likely that this person doesn't exist. Look at other articles published on the site. If a news article seems really great, double-check the other stories on the site to see if they publish other stories that may be outlandish. Looking at multiple articles will give you an idea of how accurate a news site is. Follow the history of the news. Fake news is often “recycled”; a popular fake-news story from five years ago may be resurrected by an unscrupulous site. Click through the links and sources in a potentially fake news article, and check the publication dates of every article. If a current article cites sources from a decade ago, the news is likely fake. Fake news can also circulate internationally. For example, a fake story could originate in the United States, die out over time, and be presented as “breaking news” in the UK three years later. Beware of explicitly partisan news. Especially during national elections, fake news sites will publish information that plays directly into the hands of one political party. Fake news sites often accomplish this by playing into the fears of a specific group or political party, and relying on individuals in that party to believe the fake news that confirms their fears without evaluating the source for authenticity. This phenomenon is known as “confirmation bias”: individuals with strong beliefs are eager to read news that affirms those beliefs, and hesitant to believe sources that they disagree with. Search keywords related to the event, and see what you find. When something groundbreaking or surprising happens, multiple news outlets will report on it. If only one website is reporting on a newsworthy event, then it is unlikely that it is real. Check fake-news debunking sites. Websites such as Snopes and FactCheck.org, The Washington Post Fact Checker, and politifact.com are sites dedicated to discovering if stories are fake or true. They fact-check bogus news stories and report on their authenticity. Before you believe a suspicious-looking news article, check a “debunking” site. These sites have the time and resources to investigate news articles and their sources, and provide unbiased evaluations of news authenticity. When evaluating news, it can help to be a skeptical reader. Doubt claims that seem engineered to anger or shock you, and turn to sites like Snopes when in doubt. Fake news is often engineered to appeal to irrational readers, so by methodically evaluating the news site and article, you can prevent yourself from believing falsities. | See if the site is openly fictional. Check the site’s URL. Read the “Contact Us” page. Notice how professional the website looks. Look up the website itself. Look into the article’s authors. Check out the sources. Beware of sensationalism. Try a reverse image search if you suspect a photo could be misused or taken out of context. Look at other articles published on the site. Follow the history of the news. Beware of explicitly partisan news. Search keywords related to the event, and see what you find. Check fake-news debunking sites. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Birth-Certificate-in-the-USA | How to Get a Birth Certificate in the USA | To get a birth certificate in the USA, you can use VitalChek, which is a fast, easy, government-approved electronic source. If you want to make a written request to a state agency, you will need the full name of the person whose record you are requesting, gender, parents' names, place and date of birth, and purpose for copy. For newborns, most hospitals will give you a birth certificate before you leave. Otherwise, you can receive one through the mail by going to the department of health's website. | Use an electronic service. There is a private company called VitalChek that is authorized by the US government to issue copies of vital records. Using the service may be more expensive than obtaining the record directly from the government office, but it is likely to be faster and possibly easier. Visit the VitalChek website for more information. Know the location of the birth. An official certificate of every birth should be on file in the state where the event occurred. The Federal Government does not maintain files or indexes of these records. These records are filed permanently in a state health or vital statistics office. A list of state health and vital statistics offices can be found here. Find out the requirements and fees. Many states have slightly different procedures for obtaining a replacement birth certificate. There are sometimes different options that you can select. For example, in Alaska you can chose between a regular birth certificate and one that is embellished by the work of a local artist. In Alabama, you have the option of getting either a certified or uncertified birth certificate. Also note that the fees vary from state to state. In Arkansas, the fee for a birth certificate is $12, while in California, the fee for a birth certificate is $25. Find out whether you are eligible to request a copy of an individual's birth certificate. Some states have an “informational” birth certificate with less information, which is available to a wider variety of people. Obtaining a certified birth certificate is usually restricted to the following parties: The person named on the certificate. That person's mother, father, or legal guardian. The husband or wife of person named on certificate. The son or daughter of person named on certificate. The sister or brother of person named on certificate. The legal representative of an authorized person. Some states also allow for registered genealogy groups or academics to access records. Write to or electronically submit a request to the appropriate state agency. Note that many states do not offer this service online due to the availability of other services such as VitalChek. In a written request provide the following information: Full name of person whose record is requested. Sex. Parents' names, including maiden name of mother. Month, day, and year of birth. Place of birth (city or town, county, and State; and name of hospital, if known). Purpose for which copy is needed. Relationship to person whose record is requested. Day-time telephone number with area code. Also, keep in mind that your state may have further identification requirements. They may require a copy of your social security card or a photo identification card. Wait for your new birth certificate. The waiting time for your new certificate will vary dramatically by state. If you have questions about the waiting time for your state, call the state office and ask. Most state websites will offer an idea of what your waiting time could be. Realize that it may be difficult to find birth records more than 100 years old. Keeping records was not in common practice until the end of the 19th century. Finding a birth certificate for someone who is over 100 years old may be difficult. You can check your individual state's website for information about how to find these older records. Fill out the proper forms. At most hospitals, these will be given to you automatically and required to leave. Oh, and you should make sure to already have a name picked out. Get a birth certificate for your baby at the hospital after having your baby there. At most hospitals, it is mandatory that you be given the birth certificate before you leave. If you weren't given one forthright, ask the hospital staff for a birth certificate form before leaving with the baby. If you have already left the hospital, you can receive one online or through the mail. Simply go to the website for the department of health for the state that your baby was born in. Many have a “birth section” that should explain how you can obtain a birth certificate. The website of the CDC has a list of all state health departments ( http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm ). Then, follow the directions to get a certificate online, or find the address and paperwork you need to get a certificate by mail. Complete the forms and return them to the appropriate department. The hospital will usually submit the forms for you. There are no fees due immediately. Make sure to give them your current permanent address, as you will be receiving the official certificate in the mail. If you do not have a name for your baby, you can finish the form later and submit it to your local county health department. Make sure you ask the hospital how long they maintain birth records. You need to choose a name before the hospital throws away the birth record. Hospitals usually keep birth records for at least a year, though some will keep them longer. Keep in mind that your baby will need a birth certificate to travel internationally and receive medical care. It is important to pick out a name as soon as you can. The hospital should also provide forms to request copies of the birth certificate later. Apply for other official documents for your baby. You may also want to obtain a Social Security number for your baby. Some states urge you to apply for your baby's SSN almost immediately. You can get a Social Security Number using the parent's vital information and a certified copy of the hospital's birth record. You can obtain a SSN for a baby before you have received the official birth certificate. The application for the Social Security Card can be found online ( http://www.socialsecurity.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf ). Some hospitals will provide Social Security Card application forms on site, but it is not standard practice. Ask if you can start the process there. Complete a legal adoption through the court system. When parents offer up their legal rights to their child, the original birth certificate becomes null and void. If you are seeking the original birth certificate, the adopted child may access this after the age of 18. Obtain the birth certificate forms from the court. The judge should usher this process on for you. The forms are typically completed at the same time as the certificate of adoption and honored immediately. In most cases, an amended birth certificate is issued that states the adoptive parents' names rather than the biological parents' names. This serves as the only legitimate birth certificate; the original is rendered illegitimate. Carry out a re-adoption after returning to the United States (if applicable). If your child entered the U.S. with an IR-3 visa (and the adoption was completed overseas), re-adoption is not required by Federal courts. In general, adoptions finalized abroad are recognized and legally binding in the U.S. That said, some individual states require you to "re-adopt." Research the area you live to find out what your state's policy is. A re-adoption makes it easier to obtain a U.S. birth certificate for your child. It also ensures that a certificate will be filed with your municipality's vital records department. A legal name change can also be filed simultaneously. Filing a re-adoption allows you to follow the same processes you would to obtain the birth certificate of your biological child. Once the re-adoption is completed, complete the steps above for obtaining a birth certificate for your child. Find your original birth certificate. If you were adopted but wish to find a copy of your original birth certificate, check the guidelines for the state in which you were born. Some states allow individuals over 18 to obtain these records. Some states allow for birth parents to have their names redacted from the records, so the records will only be partially available. | Use an electronic service. Know the location of the birth. Find out the requirements and fees. Find out whether you are eligible to request a copy of an individual's birth certificate. Write to or electronically submit a request to the appropriate state agency. Wait for your new birth certificate. Realize that it may be difficult to find birth records more than 100 years old. Fill out the proper forms. Complete the forms and return them to the appropriate department. Apply for other official documents for your baby. Complete a legal adoption through the court system. Obtain the birth certificate forms from the court. Carry out a re-adoption after returning to the United States (if applicable). Find your original birth certificate. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Jealousy-when-Your-Crush-is-Dating-Your-Enemy | How to Avoid Jealousy when Your Crush is Dating Your Enemy | It's natural to feel jealous when your crush is dating someone you dislike, but there are a few ways you can take your mind off it. Try to avoid comparing yourself with the person you don't like or thinking about their relationship. Them being together doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you. It just means the circumstances weren't right for you and your crush. Try to avoid the places where they hang out and unfollow them from social media so you're not reminded of them. Focus on the things you enjoy to distract yourself, like your favorite hobbies and hanging out with your friends. Consider joining a club, which will be a great way to meet new people and maybe even find a new crush. | Let it go. Jealousy is a destructive negative emotion. It will eat at you and make you miserable, while making you feel terrible about yourself. Holding on to your jealousy can make you feel bad, act angrily, and make decisions you wouldn't normally make. One way you can let go of jealousy is to stop comparing yourself to others. Accept that you can't change your crush's mind right now. Stop obsessing about your crush and focus on other things, like yourself, your friends, or your interests. You can repeat to yourself, "The negative energy of my jealousy is not worth my time. I am better than this." Your jealousy may cause you to talk bad about your enemy or your crush. You may confront your crush or your enemy because you are angry and jealous. This can cause a lot of problems. Letting go of the jealousy or ignoring it can help you avoid these situations. Accept that you and your crush may never work out. Your crush may be dating your enemy because the two of your will never work out. Just because you have a crush doesn't mean the person will like you back. This is just an unfortunate part of life. One way to avoid getting jealous is to accept that maybe it was just never meant to be with you and your crush. You can take the time to be sad and get over your crush. You won't be able to just let it go immediately. In the long run, it will be better for you if you accept this and move on. Notice other potential crushes. One way to avoid jealousy when your crush starts dating someone you don't like is to move on from the crush. Unfortunately, maybe your crush doesn't like you. That doesn't mean there is anything wrong with you, it just may mean you two are not compatible. Take this opportunity to look for other potential crushes that may work out better. If you spend your time being jealous of your crush and your enemy's relationship, you may miss an opportunity to start dating someone really great because of your jealousy. Look around at the people you interact with. Are there people that you have things in common with or find attractive? These people may be your next crush. Realize that your crush isn’t as great as you thought. If your crush starts dating your enemy, don't instantly feel jealous. Jealousy means you feel bad because someone has something you don't, which often makes you feel bad about yourself. Instead, take it as a reason to really look at your crush. Really look at them. Objectively think about whether they are as great as you thought. If your crush is dating your enemy, maybe your crush is someone you might not like. Why do you not like your enemy? Are they mean or a bully? Did they do something to hurt you? If your crush is dating them, maybe they are not a nice person like your enemy. Consider that there might be a reason your crush likes your enemy. Take a moment to step away from your jealousy and think about your crush. There is probably a reason they like your enemy. Maybe they find your enemy attractive, share similar interests, or have fun when together. Your crush is a person who has interests just like you. Just because your crush likes your enemy instead of you doesn't means there is anything wrong with you. You shouldn't feel jealous that your enemy got your crush when you couldn't. There is just not one person for you. Know the relationship won’t last forever. Just because your crush is dating your enemy now doesn't mean they will be dating your enemy next month or even next week. If you can't get over your crush, you should be patient while the two of them date. When your crush breaks up with your enemy, you will still be there with your crush. Even if your crush and your enemy date for a long time, that doesn't mean they will date forever. If you don't like your enemy, maybe your crush will realize they're not worth it, too. Avoid trying to sabotage the relationship. If you are thinking about trying to break up your crush and your enemy, you should get that thought out of your head. Interfering with the relationship, especially negatively, may cost you any chance of having a future relationship with your crush. Trying to sabotage the relationship makes you look petty and jealous, which is not something you want people - especially your enemy - to think about you. Refrain from badmouthing your enemy. Because your enemy is dating your crush, you may want to talk bad about them, complain about how awful they are, or even spread lies. You should avoid this. Being negative about your enemy means that you are stooping to their level and not being a nice person. You should take the high road and be nice, or just ignore your enemy all together. Avoid the temptation to go up to your crush and say, "You are dating the biggest jerk on the planet! You should date someone nice and sweet, like me." Doing something like this will only make your crush mad at you. Talking about your enemy to other people may get back around to them or your crush. Your crush might be mad if they find out you are badmouthing the person they are dating. Ignore any teasing by your enemy. Your enemy may know how you feel about your crush, and this may give them reason to tease you or rub their new relationship in your face. If your enemy is bullying you or being mean, just ignore it. Giving in to the teasing by reacting or getting upset just lets your enemy know you are jealous and upset. Don't give in to the urge to tease or make fun of your enemy in retaliation. This makes you seem petty and jealous, and brings you down to your enemy's level. Be happy for your enemy. Turn the negative jealous feelings into positive ones. Instead of being jealous that your enemy got your crush instead of them, be happy for them. Be nice to your enemy and your crush. Don't let your enemy know you are bothered by the relationship at all. This will eliminate any reason for your enemy to be mad at you, badmouth you to your crush, or make fun of you. Every time you get angry or upset that your enemy has your crush, try to think, "Good for them. I am happy they are dating someone." It may not always work, but it will help you start to train your brain away from negative, jealous thoughts. Another way to be happy for your enemy is to stop thinking about them as an enemy. Start calling them by name in your head. Refer to them "my acquaintance" or "that person I know." Changing the vocabulary in your head can help release negative thoughts and help you be happy for them. If you send positive vibes out into the world, you will be happier. Being jealous and angry isn't healthy. It's much easier to move on and let go of jealousy if you think positively about the situation. Focus on yourself. One way to get over jealousy is to stop dwelling on what you don't have. In this case, don't dwell on the fact that you aren't dating your crush. Instead, focus on yourself. Jealousy makes you feel bad about yourself because you feel like you're not good enough or that you are lacking something. You should take this time to do things to make yourself healthier in mind and spirit. Meditate if you feel overcome with jealous feelings. Sit in a quiet room and breathe deeply as you focus inward, on yourself. You may even think about your jealous feelings and then imagine that you are letting them go. Think about them swirling down the drain like water or floating away like wind. Spend time with other friends. Your jealousy might make you angry and upset. You may feel like sitting in your room, listening to music, and being sad that your crush is dating your enemy. Don't wallow in your jealousy. Instead, go out and spend time with your friends. Don't allow your crush or your jealousy to control what you do or your happiness. Hanging out with your friends can help get your mind off of your crush and your enemy. You can forget about any jealousy you feel by doing other, fun things. If you spend time with your friends, you probably won't even have time for any jealous feelings. Stay busy. A good way to avoid jealous feelings is not to dwell on them. Find things to occupy your time and stay busy. You can get caught up on things you've been putting off or do an activity you haven't done in a long time. Distract yourself from any jealousy by trying new things. For example, you may want to take up a new hobby, start playing a musical instrument, or take lessons. You may want to catch up on your reading or movie watching, or beat that new video game you've been meaning to. Doing things that make you happy will help decrease your jealousy and make you overall more content. Think about your good traits. Just because your crush is dating your enemy doesn't mean there is anything wrong with you or that they are better than you. People are attracted to others for different reasons. Don't feel jealous that your crush is dating your enemy and feel bad about yourself. Instead, remember that you are a good person with a lot of good traits. You may want to compare yourself to your enemy or think there is something wrong with you because your crush didn't choose to date you. Don't think that way. There is nothing wrong with you, even if your crush can't see how great you are. For example, you may want to write down a list of your good traits. You can keep this list around when you feel jealous. You may write down that you have nice hair, nice eyes, or dress well. You may be a good musician, artist, or athlete. Maybe you're funny, caring, or good at math. Whatever you think is good about yourself, write it down. | Let it go. Accept that you and your crush may never work out. Notice other potential crushes. Realize that your crush isn’t as great as you thought. Consider that there might be a reason your crush likes your enemy. Know the relationship won’t last forever. Avoid trying to sabotage the relationship. Refrain from badmouthing your enemy. Ignore any teasing by your enemy. Be happy for your enemy. Focus on yourself. Spend time with other friends. Stay busy. Think about your good traits. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-When-a-Guy-is-No-Longer-Interested-in-You | How to Tell When a Guy is No Longer Interested in You | To tell if a guy is no longer interested in you, see if he doesn't call or text you as much as he used to since this is usually one of the first signs that a guy is ready to move on. When you do talk, observe whether your conversations are shorter than normal. For example, maybe you used to talk on the phone for hours and now you only have 10-minute conversations. Another thing you should watch out for is him breaking plans and not making any effort to hang out. If you really want to know up front, you can be direct and ask him something like, “Are you still interested in hanging out together, or would you rather just be friends?” | Look for reduced communication. This can be one of the first signs that a guy is losing interest. Usually, you can safely assume that a guy will contact you if they want to talk to you. When a guy that usually calls and texts you frequently stops doing so, you should take note. More isolation and less verbal contact can be a sign of declining interest. But, it might also signal changes in his personal life – maybe he's very busy or has issues to deal with at home. It's always best to reach out and ask directly rather than just assume he's lost interest. Watch out for shorter conversations. This goes hand in hand with reduced communication. If you start to notice that when you do talk, it's only for very short periods of time you should be aware of that. For example, if you go from talking on the phone for hours at a time to only speaking for ten minutes at a time, this can be a sign that he's losing interest. He may try to shorten your conversations by ignoring your texts or calls for long periods of time before returning them, or saying that he has to stop talking but doesn't offer a clear reason why. Notice when his tone of voice towards you changes. This is a strong tell that he's not interested anymore. Many men will speak to people that they're interested in with a softer and more flirtatious tone than they would use with others. When his feelings change, his tone of voice becomes less affectionate and starts to sound like his normal tone. He may even speak unkindly towards you, or say unfriendly things. This is a clear sign that he is not interested in you. You do not deserve to be around someone who treats you poorly or says harsh or unfriendly things to you. If he ever starts to say disparaging things about your looks, the things you do, or how you act, you should end the conversation immediately. Listen to what he says. When you two are talking, does he ask you about meaningful things in your life or does he focus on himself? A guy that is interested in you will try to have deeper conversations and try to get to know the real you. When he speaks, notice when he tries to keep the conversation superficial or tries to cut it short. He may be trying to subtly hint to you whether he is interested or not. You should pay close attention to the things that he saying, as well as the way that he is saying things to you. Does he joke with you as much? A lack of humor might mean he's feeling low – maybe depressed – or just a loss of interest in general. Also note whether he talks about trivial things or goes into deeper subjects. Avoiding topics of substance or talking about his feelings may mean he's not interested. If he starts to talk about his relationships with other people, especially in a romantic way, he is letting you know that he sees you only as a friend. Notice when he breaks plans. When he consistently breaks plans that you two had made without rescheduling, you should take this as a sign that he doesn't want to hang out. He may also stop asking you to hang out, which is a major red flag. If you notice that you are the only one suggesting things to do and making plans, you should hold back and see if he will start to try to make plans. He will make plans and try to hang out with you if he's still interested. He may offer generic excuses to break plans, like that he has other things to do, without offering you specifics. You should be aware if he never gives you a clear answer about why he can't hang out. He may try to be evasive about breaking plans. He could say things like, "I have plans with someone else" or "I can't make it tonight" without offering a clear reason why he is breaking plans. Watch his behavior with others. You may be having trouble distinguishing whether he's treating you differently or if he treats you the same way that he treats his friends. Watch how he interacts with people you know are his platonic friends and ask yourself whether he treats you in the same way. If he is treating you like he would any other friend, he is probably just being friendly to you and is not interested romantically. If he's interested in you, he'll treat you differently than he does his friends. Some men have more flirtatious personalities, while others reserve their flirting for people that they do care about, so try to differentiate whether he is the former or the latter. Look at his body language. Body language offers clues about how someone is feeling. When someone is disinterested in or uncomfortable in a situation, they will try to subtly move away from you and avoid physical interactions. Look out for body language cues that signal that he is uncomfortable or disinterested in your interactions. He may try to move away from you, cross his arms in front of him, or turn away from you while you are talking. He may also try to avoid physical contact, like a hug or you touching his arm, he is not interested. If his eye contact is short and he breaks eye contact during conversations consistently, he may not be interested in what you're saying. However, some men are shy – this might just signal nervousness or shyness and not a lack of interest. Some body language cues that he is disinterested are: pointing his feet and body away from you, rubbing his neck, crossing his arms, looking at the floor, or angling his body away from yours. Notice if he stops all physical contact. Touch builds attraction and emphasizes physical closeness in any relationship. Look for any changes in the frequency of your physical contact and in the type of contact that you have together. For example, the two of you may normally hug whenever you see each other. If he is no longer interested in you, he may stop hugging you, or move away whenever you try to hug him. Even if you two do still have physical contact, the type of contact can change when he loses interest. He may tap you on the arm instead of hugging you, which is a non-romantic gesture that most men use with friends. See whether he pays attention. When guys are interested in someone, they will make an effort to remember important things about that person like their interests, their schedule, or facts about them. Guys will stop paying attention and remembering these things when they aren't interested anymore. For example, if he forgets your birthday even after you've been talking about it for a few weeks, he probably isn't interested anymore. If he consistently forgets things that you tell him, like that you have an interview coming up or that your family is coming in to town, he may no longer be interested in the things that are important in your life. He might also stop making surprising and meaningful gestures as he did in the past, such as surprising you with flowers or a random gift. Let him contact you first. If you've started to notice that he isn't communicating with you as much as he once was, you should take a step back from reaching out to him. When you're the only one who texts, calls, or tries to make plans without any reciprocity, it's clear that he isn't interested in seeing you. Try this for a week to see whether he begins to change. Do not contact him first and see whether he initiates conversations with you. He will either notice that the conversations have stopped and reach out, or he will not reach out and that will tell you that he isn't interested. Ask for advice. You may have mutual friends with the guy that you like. If you are able to, ask his friends if they know if he is interested in anyone or whether he is still interested in you. Vice versa, notice if he asks you for advice about his romantic relationships with other people. This is a clear sign that he is interested in someone else and that he sees you only as a friend. If he starts to ask things like, "How can I get this girl to notice me?" or "What kind of date should I plan for her?" it's clear that he has no interest in you romantically. Ask him. This is the single best way to know whether he is interested in you still. Speculation about his communication, his behavior, or his attitude can help you gain a good idea about how he is feeling, but you never know until you have a conversation with him. This can be scary and nerve wracking. No one wants to feel rejected and this is a vulnerable position to put yourself in. However, you may be reading his signals incorrectly or you may be missing signals that he thinks are clear. You can broach the subject indirectly or directly. You can ask him, “Are you still interested in hanging out together, or would you rather just be friends?” This gets to the heart of the issue and gives him the opportunity to share what he is feeling. Take care of yourself. This is very important since losing a guy that you're interested in can be an emotional time. Whether this guy who has lost interest is your boyfriend, a crush, or an ex you need to take care of yourself and be kind to yourself. Do things that make you happy. You can hang out with friends, cook your favorite meal, go for a walk outside, paint a picture, or watch a new movie. Keep your dignity. Accept that he may not be interested you anymore with dignity and grace. Keep your distance from him and try not to vent your frustrations or anger to mutual friends. It's natural to grieve the loss of this relationship and your idea of what your future might be together. After you're done grieving, move on from the situation by focusing on the other positive parts of your life. Keep the big picture in mind. It is hard for you, for sure, but there are many wonderful guys out there looking for relationships. | Look for reduced communication. Watch out for shorter conversations. Notice when his tone of voice towards you changes. Listen to what he says. Notice when he breaks plans. Watch his behavior with others. Look at his body language. Notice if he stops all physical contact. See whether he pays attention. Let him contact you first. Ask for advice. Ask him. Take care of yourself. Keep your dignity. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-London-Broil | How to Make London Broil | To make London Broil, marinate the meat overnight or apply a dry rub to give it a nice flavor. For the fastest cooking option, broil the meat for 4-6 minutes on each side using the top rack of your oven's broiler. If you prefer to grill, heat your grill to medium and cook the meat for 9-10 minutes on each side. No matter how you cook it, let the meat rest for 10 minutes before serving it so can retain its juices and finish cooking. | Mix ingredients in a large bowl. Using a whisk or fork, mix your salt, pepper, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and optional ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Incorporate all of the ingredients together and break up any large chunks of brown sugar. Pierce or score the London Broil with a fork. Pierce the top of the meat 3-6 times before putting it into the marinade. Use a fork or knife for this and be careful not to cut through the entire steak. Piercing your London Broil will also help tenderize it. Transfer marinade and meat to a large zip lock bag and place it in the refrigerator. Leave your marinade in the fridge for at least two hours. To enhance the taste of your meat you can let it sit overnight. Place your marinade bag in a bowl or a tray to ensure that the marinade does not leak out into your refrigerator. Flip your London Broil every 30 minutes in the fridge to ensure that both sides are marinated evenly. Remeber to take your London Broil out of the refrigerator at least two hours before you have to cook it so it can reach room temperature. You can discard your marinade or cook it down to make a sauce for your London Broil. Before cooking your London Broil, make sure to scrape off any pieces of garlic that may have stuck to your meat. If they are left intact while you cook it, they will burn. Mix your paprika, salt, pepper and optional ingredients together. Mix your ingredients together in a large bowl, ensuring to break up any large chunks of spices that have stuck together. Use a fork or mixing spoon to mix them together. Massage spices onto both sides of your London Broil. Rubbing spices into the meat to make sure that it will take on their taste. You can apply butter or oil onto your London Broil to help the spices stick. If you want to retain the taste of the meat, use fewer spices for your dry rub. Ingredients like garlic or chili powder can overwhelm the taste of meat. Let your London Broil stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Leaving a dry rub on for a longer period will make your rub more mushy like a paste or sauce. It may also help enhance the flavor of the meat, but has diminishing returns after one or two hours. Preheat your broiler and pan for 10 minutes. Make sure to remember also to heat the pan you plan to cook on. The broiler uses flames to cook the meat, so check your stove's manual before utilizing it for any safety warnings. Use oven mitts or a thick dry rag when handling hot objects. Place the London Broil in your broiler for 4-6 minutes on each side. Slide your grill out and place the London Broil in your preheated pan. Place the London Broil on the top rack, or 4-5 inches away from the open flame. Once it has cooked for 4-6 minutes, pull out your oven rack and flip the London Broil over with a large fork or tongs. Crack your oven door to prevent your London Broil from burning. Remove the London Broil from heat and let it sit for 10 minutes. Allowing your meat to rest before cutting it will retain its juices and enable it to finish cooking. You can use a meat thermometer to ensure that your London Broil is done before serving. It should have an internal temperature of 130-135 degrees Fahrenheit (54-57 degrees Celcius) for a rare steak and 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit (60-62 degrees Celcius) for a medium-rare steak. Carve your meat against the grain before serving. Slicing against the grain of the meat will allow you to have a more tender piece of meat. Find the direction in which the fibers are going, and cut along them rather than parallel with them. Preheat your grill and rack and apply a nonstick spray. Your grill should be hot before you place any meat on it. Using a nonstick spray will make it easier when you have to flip your London Broil. Place the London Broil on the grill and cook it for 9 to 10 minutes on each side. Set your grill to medium heat. You should cook your London Broil 4 inches above your coals. You know when one side of your meat is ready because of the dark caramelization that should form on each side. Don't move or flip your London Broil more than once, or it could cook unevenly and become tough. Remove your London Broil from the grill and let sit for 10 minutes. Move the London Broil to a separate plate and allow it to rest so it retains its juices and finishes cooking. Do not put your London Broil on the same plate that you used to hold the raw meat or you may get sick from cross contamination. Heat you cast iron skillet for three minutes. Set your oven to high to get your cast iron skillet very hot. This is essential for this method of cooking because the heat from the skillet will finish cooking your meat, not the heat from the stove's burners. Apply butter, oil, or spray to your skillet. Applying butter, oil, or cooking spray will prevent your meat from sticking to the bottom of your skillet, especially if you are using a dry rub. Make sure not to put butter or oil in the skillet for too long while you're preheating because it could burn and make your London Broil inedible. Cook your meat for three minutes on both sides. Briefly cook each side of meat, making sure that there is a dark black or brown caramelization on each side. Overcooking the meat in the skillet will make it overly chewy. Tent your skillet with tin foil and remove it from the heat for 5 minutes. Create a tent over your cast iron skillet with a large piece of tin foil. The heat from the skillet should finish cooking the meat. Once you wait 5-10 minutes, make sure to test the internal temperature of your London Broil with a meat thermometer. Finished. | Mix ingredients in a large bowl. Pierce or score the London Broil with a fork. Transfer marinade and meat to a large zip lock bag and place it in the refrigerator. Mix your paprika, salt, pepper and optional ingredients together. Massage spices onto both sides of your London Broil. Let your London Broil stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Preheat your broiler and pan for 10 minutes. Place the London Broil in your broiler for 4-6 minutes on each side. Remove the London Broil from heat and let it sit for 10 minutes. Carve your meat against the grain before serving. Preheat your grill and rack and apply a nonstick spray. Place the London Broil on the grill and cook it for 9 to 10 minutes on each side. Remove your London Broil from the grill and let sit for 10 minutes. Heat you cast iron skillet for three minutes. Apply butter, oil, or spray to your skillet. Cook your meat for three minutes on both sides. Tent your skillet with tin foil and remove it from the heat for 5 minutes. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Chewing-Gum | How to Make Chewing Gum | To make bubble gum, start by heating gum base, corn syrup, glycerine, citric acid, and bubble gum flavoring in a double boiler until the mixture is gooey. Next, pour powdered sugar into a pile, make a well in the middle, and pour the gooey mixture into the well. Cover your hands in powdered sugar, then knead the ingredients into a dough. Finish by rolling out the dough into a long rope and cutting it into bite-sized pieces with a knife. | Heat the ingredients. Place the gum base, corn syrup, glycerine, citric acid and bubble gum flavoring in the top part of a double boiler. Place the double boiler on the stove and turn the burner to medium high. Stirring occasionally with a spoon, heat the mixture until it becomes warm and gooey. You can find gum base, glycerine and citric acid at candy supply stores or online retailers. Choose a classic bubble gum flavor or go for something unique, like lemon lime. You can also add a few drops of food coloring to the mixture to color your gum. Make a double boiler if you don't already have one by finding two pots, one small and one large. Fill the larger pot with a few inches of water and place it on the stove. Put the smaller pot inside the larger pot so that it's floating on the water. Place all of the ingredients except the powdered sugar in the smaller pot and turn on the burner. Bring the mixture up to temperature, stirring well. Create a powdered sugar well. Set aside about a tablespoon of powdered sugar and pour the rest into a pile on a cutting board or another clean work surface. Use your fingers to create an indention in the powdered sugar pile. Pour the gum base into the well. Carefully pour the melted gum base directly from the double boiler into the powdered sugar well. Be careful not to get any water in the mixture. Make bubble gum dough. Dust your fingers with some powdered sugar and start kneading the gum base mixture and the powdered sugar together. Work the powdered sugar into the gum base until the base gets sticky, then add more powdered sugar and keep kneading. Knead for at least 15 minutes, until the dough is soft and pliable and no longer sticky. If you don't knead the dough enough, the gum will tend to fall apart, so don't skip this step. The dough should be smooth and stiff when you're finished. Roll out the dough. Place the dough in front of you, and place your hands palm-down on top of it. Roll the dough using your hands so that it becomes a long, thin rope. Try to roll it so that it's the same width down the length of the rope. Use a knife to cut the rope into bite-sized pieces. You can roll the dough flat using a rolling pin and cut it into neat squares if you'd like. Roll the pieces of dough into balls as an alternative. Finish the gum. Dust the gum pieces with powdered sugar to keep them from sticking to each other. Make small gum wrappers by cutting out squares of parchment paper, then wrap the gum pieces. Melt the wax. Place the wax in a double boiler. Put the double boiler on the stove and turn the burner to medium high. Melt the wax until it is soft and gooey. Add the honey. Place the honey in the pot and stir it into the melted wax. You can substitute corn syrup for honey if you prefer. Add flavorings. Beeswax gum goes well with peppermint flavoring. You could also try cinnamon, lemon or licorice. Squeeze about five drops of flavoring into the pot with the melted wax and honey, and stir well. You can add finely chopped herbs, such as rosemary or mint leaves, to the mixture. For a medicinal gum, add extra peppermint oil and a few drops of lemon juice. Add the sugar. Stir powdered sugar into the melted gum base. The mixture should begin to thicken a bit. Taste the gum mixture and add more flavorings or powdered sugar if you'd like to increase the flavor or sweetness. Pour the gum base into molds. Use candy molds, an ice cube tray, or other small molds for the gum. Pour an equal amount of the gum base into each mold. Place the molds in the refrigerator to give the gum time to harden, then pop out the pieces when you're ready to chew them. Locate a sweet gum tree. The sap from sweet gum trees has been used for medicinal purposes and to make chewing gum since ancient times. The sweetgum is a deciduous tree commonly found in North America. Find a place where sap exits the tree. Sweetgum sap flows under the bark. You may be able to find a spot where the bark has been torn off and the sap is accessible. If not, use a pocketknife to remove the bark from a small area. You'll see runny sap underneath. Don't remove too much bark, or you'll damage the tree. Choose a spot high off the ground so that the area isn't accessible to animals. Wait for the sap to harden. Over the course of a few days, the exposed sap will begin to harden into a gum. Come back to the spot after about 3 days to check it. If the sap is still runny, wait a few more days. If it's hard, it's ready to be made into gum. Scrape the hardened resin from the tree. A pocketknife is a good tool for this. Catch the pieces of resin in your hand or a small container. Chew the resin. Place the pieces in your mouth and enjoy your minimalist gum. | Heat the ingredients. Create a powdered sugar well. Pour the gum base into the well. Make bubble gum dough. Roll out the dough. Finish the gum. Melt the wax. Add the honey. Add flavorings. Add the sugar. Pour the gum base into molds. Locate a sweet gum tree. Find a place where sap exits the tree. Wait for the sap to harden. Scrape the hardened resin from the tree. Chew the resin. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Accrue-an-Expense | How to Accrue an Expense | Accrued expenses are those you've incurred but not yet paid for, and you need to record these on your balance sheet. For example, wages that have been earned but not paid should be recorded as accrued expenses. First, you'll need to prorate the portion of the total expense that falls into the current accounting period. For example, if the current pay period is split in half, you'd record half of the payroll this period and half next time. Then, record the accrued expense by debiting your expense account and crediting the relevant payable account. Don't forget to reverse the entry in your next accounting period so you don't count the expense twice. Many accounting software packages have options to do this automatically. | Understand what an accrued expense is. An accrued expense occurs when an accounting period is coming to a close and there are unpaid expenses and unrecorded liabilities. For example, wages that have been earned but not yet disbursed would represent an accrued expense. Companies handle accrued expenses by making adjusting entries to the general journal. Understand why you need to accrue expenses. The accrual basis of accounting states that you must record revenues and expenses in the period in which they are incurred, not when cash is received or paid. The principle relating to expenses is called the matching principle. The matching principle dictates that accountants record expenses in the period when they are incurred and that they are offset against their corresponding revenues. The implication of this principle is that you cannot always wait until cash changes hands to record an expense. Say, for example, a company has a biweekly payroll expense of $10,000, but the current pay period is split evenly in half between two accounting periods. That means half of those wages have already been earned at the end of the current accounting period. You must record half of the full amount—$5,000—during the current accounting period even if the employee paychecks won't be written until the following accounting period. Determine the expenses that require accrual. Following these principles, any incurred expenses that have not yet been paid require accrual on the balance sheet. The following are some of the most common: Accrued wages Accrued interest Accrued taxes Calculate the prorated accrual. Once you have identified the accrued expenses, you must calculate the amount of the accrual by prorating the portion of the total expense that falls into the current accounting period. Once the accrual accounts and the total dollar amount of the accrual have been determined, it is time to record them in the general ledger. In the example above, 50% of the payroll amount is recorded because half of the payroll falls within the reporting period. Make the appropriate adjusting entry. You accrue expenses by recording an adjusting entry to the general ledger. Adjusting entries occur at the end of the accounting period and affect one balance sheet account (an accrued liability) and one income statement account (an expense). The adjusting entry should be made as follows: debit the appropriate expense account, and credit the appropriate payable account. Remember, debits increase expense accounts, and credits increase liability accounts. Using the previous example, you would debit the expense account related to payroll by $5,000, and you would credit the payable account for the accrued wages by ($5,000). Remember that since this is a payable account, you're “crediting” a liability. You understate liabilities and overstate income by neglecting to make the adjusting entries in the appropriate accounting period. Reverse the entry in the next period. The invoice relating to the accrual will eventually arrive and will be processed in the ordinary course of business. Thus, in order to avoid double counting the expense, the initial accrual entry must be reversed in the following accounting period. Most computer accounting software packages allow the user to specify the reversal date for an adjusting entry. You can also reverse the adjustment manually. | Understand what an accrued expense is. Understand why you need to accrue expenses. Determine the expenses that require accrual. Calculate the prorated accrual. Make the appropriate adjusting entry. Reverse the entry in the next period. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-Instagram-Famous | How to Become Instagram Famous | To become Instagram famous, use a catchy, recognizable name that reflects your content. Next, choose a hobby, fascination, or desired aesthetic for your Instagram, and try to keep your content within that theme so that you'll appeal to a niche market or group. Then, post unique, quality photos and videos consistently, and be sure to use relevant and trending hashtags. Finally, follow and interact with other users to increase your visibility even more. | Choose an Instagram name that is catchy and easy to recognize. Consider the type of content you want to share with the world, then choose a name that embodies that theme. Having an Instagram name that reflects your personality is a great way to attract followers who share your interests. If you are having problems picking an Instagram name, try the name generator at spinxo.com/instagram-names. Don't be afraid to use underscores (_) or other symbols. They will often improve an Instagram name by making it easier to read. However, try to keep the symbols to 1 or 2, so someone can search for you by name. Upload an artful profile photo. If possible, make it a creative photo of yourself (instead of an object) so that people can put your face to the name. If you want to be famous, you should not mind putting a few personal things on Instagram. Choose a theme. Consider a hobby, fascination, or desired aesthetic, and aim to keep your Instagram content within that theme. Add engaging information about your theme to your Profile page, and be sure to post relevant captions when uploading new photos and videos. Are you a foodie? Then focus on food-related photos. Are you a fashion junkie? Focus on colors, styles, and trends. Do you like a certain game or book series? Take creative photos of it and post it on Instagram! Are you into a celebrity at the moment? Make your Instagram profile all about that person! You can also find other fans of that celebrity and make a community of your own. Do you love role playing? Instagram is a great place to do so. Role play as your favorite character and join other role play communities as well! For example, if you love Naruto, you can roleplay as him or other Naruto characters! Develop a niche market. What can you share with the world that nobody else is doing? Keeping your Instagram account unique ensures that your followers stick around---they won't be able to find your content anywhere else! Get to know the Instagram filters. Become a pro by taking different types of photos and using the filters. Notice the different ways filters can enhance dim lighting or increase the depth of certain colors. You may need to preview your photo in all of the available filters before finding the right one. Having uniform colors and effects on most of your photos is a great way to develop an aesthetic. Using too many different filters could make your profile look tacky. See the hashtag “#nofilter” for examples. Some Instagram users choose never to use filters as a way to highlight the natural beauty of their photos. Use a separate photo-editing app. Instagram's built-in filters are cool but somewhat limited. There are additional apps that can add even more depth to your content. Install a well-reviewed photo editor from the app store and breathe new life into your feed. Try Instagram's Boomerang to make short, engaging stop-motion videos. Also try Layout, which allows you to combine multiple photos in a single collage-style image. Try VSCO Cam, Prisma, Aviary, or Snapseed for high-quality photo editing. Take lots of photos, but only post the best. You won't always get a great shot the first time, so take several photos and choose the best one. Only post the best, most creative photos that will keep your followers interested and engaged. As with traditional photography, Instagram photography has an element of "practice makes perfect." You can only improve by using the app regularly and trying new things. Get artsy. Experiment and get creative with your photos. Try new angles, color combinations, and subjects in a variety of interesting settings. Tell an ongoing story. Use your Instagram account to create a story that is creative, original, and honest. Add “cliffhangers” to your photos to keep fans coming back for more. For example, document your travels to a new place, the countdown to a significant event, or your journey with a new pet. Stick to quality over quantity, once your photos start to improve. Spend more time making an individual photo exceptional instead of sharing several that are mediocre. Add clever, creative, and relevant captions to your photos and videos. Captions can be humorous or sincere. Be playful, but informative. Use the Instagram Stories feature to share moments. Inspired by Snapchat, Instagram now allows users to post photos and videos that disappear in 24 hours. Stories will not be stored in your Instagram feed, so use this feature to share all of the things that don't quite fit with the rest of your account. Your stories will appear at the top of your followers' feeds. Use hashtags. Pay attention to what is trending and use hashtags on all of your photos. Many Instagram users search for hashtags to find new users to follow—using the right hashtags ensures that people who are looking for your sort of content are able to find you. For example, someone who posts photos from hiking adventures in the Pacific Northwest may use tags like #hiking, #method, #exploregon, #camping, and #mtranier. Someone who shares their illustrations may use the hashtags #illustrators, #artistsofinstagram, #penandink, and #womanartists. Some popular hashtags are #nofilter (unfiltered photos), #flawless (when you're looking your best), #nochill (when life gets crazy), and #tbt (Throwback Thursday, a day when Instagrammers post old photos). Follow other Instagrams. Find Instagram users whose photos you enjoy and add them to your Follow list. Try to comment and like photos every time you go onto Instagram. It is very hard to become popular on Instagram without interacting with and trading likes with others. Link your Instagram account to Facebook. You most likely have a set number of friends who would be willing to follow you. Follow your Facebook friends on Instagram and they will surely follow back. Share photos from Instagram to your other social media accounts. When posting a new photo, tap your preferred social media option under “Share” and enter your username and password. This will post your Instagram photo, giving your followers on other platforms the chance to follow you on Instagram. Post content that’s only available on your Instagram. While sharing some Instagram photos on Facebook or your blog can attract new followers, keep some content exclusive to Instagram. Remind your Facebook or blog followers that they should follow your Instagram for different photos. Let your Instagram account be where people can get to know another side of you. Encourage your followers to tag their friends. If you post something funny, caption it with something like, “Tag three friends who would think this is funny.” When people tag their friends on your photos, their friends will view your photo and usually like it or start following you. Consider geotagging your location when posting photos. Geotagging adds a location link to the top of your Instagram photos, allowing people to see where you were and view other photos taken at that location. This is an excellent way to attract new followers, but remember that geotags share your location with the entire world. Avoid geotagging when you are home or anywhere else that you don't want to be found in person. Update consistently. According to the analytics firm Union Metrics, brands that decrease the frequency of their posts tend to lose followers quickly. Your followers followed you because they want to see your content. Be consistent with posting, but don't overdo it. If you post more than 2-3 photos or videos per day, use Instagram Stories so you don't clutter your followers' feeds. Start conversations. When posting photos, add a caption that contains a question for your followers. Make the question something thoughtful, or something funny. The more people that answer your question, the more popular your post will be. Respond to the people who comment on your photos. To respond to them directly, type the “@” symbol and type their Instagram name. This shows everyone that you're down to earth and willing to interact with your fans. It may also be helpful to like comments others have left for you, especially when you can't think of a written response to give. Mention other Instagram users in your captions. According to an Instagram study, posts that mentioned another Instagram account (e.g., @instagram) in the caption encouraged 56% more comments and likes than otherwise. For example, if you take a photo at a restaurant, mention the restaurant's Instagram name (e.g., @olivegarden) in the caption. If you see something that reminds you of another Instagram user, snap a photo and post it with a caption like, “I thought of you, @[user]!” Increase your interaction as you increase your fan base. Unless you are already a celebrity, you need to put time and energy into becoming an Instagram sensation. Increase your responses to comments, respond to Direct Messages, and like tons of photos! Organize a contest. If you have a creative idea and some fans, grow your community by giving away a prize in exchange for likes and follows. Choose a prize worth winning, share a photo of it on Instagram, and then encourage your followers to like the photo to enter. When the contest ends, choose a random follower to win the prize! Encourage your followers to tag their friends so they can also enter your contest. Track your rise to fame with a stats manager. Websites like Statigram, Websta.me, and Iconosquare provide statistics that help you track your Instagram success. If you find that you lost several followers over a particular period, look back at your feed and see what may have sent them running. If your views spiked when you shared a certain photo, share more like it. | Choose an Instagram name that is catchy and easy to recognize. Upload an artful profile photo. Choose a theme. Develop a niche market. Get to know the Instagram filters. Use a separate photo-editing app. Take lots of photos, but only post the best. Get artsy. Tell an ongoing story. Stick to quality over quantity, once your photos start to improve. Add clever, creative, and relevant captions to your photos and videos. Use the Instagram Stories feature to share moments. Use hashtags. Follow other Instagrams. Link your Instagram account to Facebook. Share photos from Instagram to your other social media accounts. Post content that’s only available on your Instagram. Encourage your followers to tag their friends. Consider geotagging your location when posting photos. Update consistently. Start conversations. Respond to the people who comment on your photos. Mention other Instagram users in your captions. Increase your interaction as you increase your fan base. Organize a contest. Track your rise to fame with a stats manager. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Address-Wedding-Invitations-to-a-Family | How to Address Wedding Invitations to a Family | When you're addressing a wedding invitation to a family, use the adults' titles, like “Mr and Mrs Smith” on the envelope. You can then use their first names on the invitation. If the couple aren't married, name the person you know best first. If you're inviting children under 18, you only need to name them on the invitation. If you're not inviting the children, just don't name them on the envelope or the invitation. To make it clear, mention on your wedding website that children aren't invited. For example, write, “We regret that we cannot invite children to the ceremony or reception as the venue will not accommodate them.” | Decide whether to do double-envelopes. If you are planning a more informal affair, it's okay to go with just one outer envelope. That way your invitees with open the envelope and see your invitation right away. If you prefer formality and tradition, opt for the double-envelope method. This means that your invitees will need to open two separate envelopes before seeing the event details. You can also consider the quality of the paper that you plan to use for your invitations. If the paper is high-quality and thicker, then a second envelope may not be necessary. And, it could add to the postage cost as well. Be more formal with the outer envelopes. If you go with the two envelope style, then you'll want to be consistently more formal with the outer ones and more casual with the inner ones. The outer envelope will contain titles and complete names. In contrast, the inner envelope can be addressed with simple first names and without accompanying titles. If you don't know the invitee that well, it's still okay to lean toward the more formal and include their full name on the inner envelope. Use complete formal names and no abbreviations in the address. The outer envelope is generally considered more formal than the inner one. For that reason, you'll want to use the full names of your invitees, not their simple initials. For the return and mailing addresses, spell out the full city and state names. Do the same thing with street locations. For example, in the addresses, you should put “Lane” instead of “Ln.” Try to include your invitees' middle names. However, if you don't have it, go with the initial or just use the first and last name. Use Mr. and Mrs. for a married couple on the outer envelope. You can refer to both members of the couple by “Mr. and Mrs.” followed by the husband's full name. However, this strikes some people as no longer appropriate for today's society. You could also refer to a couple as “Mr. John and Mrs. Emily Perkins.” For the inner envelope, go ahead and shorten your greeting to, “John and Emily” or “John and Emily Perkins.” Go with closeness if the couple has different last names. If you are inviting a married couple who go by their own last names, then the person who you feel closest to gets the first spot. If you are equally close to both people, then arrange them according to alphabetical order. For example, the outer envelope might look like, “Mr. Mike Smith and Mrs. Samantha Wise.” Put your closest friend first if a couple is unmarried and living together. The closeness rule also applies if you are sending an invite to an unmarried couple, except you use 2 lines. The first line is reserved for the person who you know best. The second line is for their partner. For example, the first line on the outer envelope might read, “Ms. Amanda Jones.” The second line might read, “Mr. Michael Adams.” Gather additional information if you are inviting a widow. Reach out to a family member of the widow and ask if she prefers to use her first name followed by her married last name or her husband's full name for events. If you can't get this information or are unsure, go with her full name, just to be careful. For example, the outer envelope might state, “Mrs. Nancy Stevens,” or, with the husband's full name, “Mrs. Charles Stevens.” For the inner envelope, shorten it to, “Mrs. Stevens,” or “Nancy.” Follow the same rules for a same-sex couple. None of the rules really change if you are inviting a same-sex couple. If they are married, then both names should appear on the same line. If they are living together but unmarried, then go with separate lines. Use honorifics if both parties are doctors. On the outer envelope, spell out the full “Doctors” before you list both of the names together. On the inner envelope, you can go with the “Dr.” abbreviation. Or, you can simply state “Doctors” and their last name. For example, the outer envelope will state, “Doctor Anne and Peter Thompson.” The inner envelope can show, “Doctors Thompson.” Go into the next line, if needed, for honorifics. Some titles are quite long, but formality on the outer envelope requires that you list them in full. It's okay to continue on to the line below if you need the space to write everything out. This usually isn't an issue in the inner envelope since abbreviations are okay. Include children under 18 on the inner envelope. Kids' names are not required on the outer envelope. However, for the inner one, list out the invited children on the second line in order of age. If you like, you can add “Miss” before each girl's name. The under 18 boys have no parallel title. For example, the second line of the inner envelope might look like, “Michael, Miss Rebecca, and Steven.” Send children over 18 their own invitation. For adult children living on their own or with their parents, send them a separate invitation. Use their full formal name on the outer envelope and the honorific “Mr.” or “Ms.” and their last name on the inner envelope. Don't name the children if they aren't invited. If you don't list the children on the inner envelope, your guests should understand that they are not invited. However, be warned that not everyone follows this idea and some people may incorrectly assume that their children are invited to the wedding. Mention that children are not invited on your wedding website. Include your reason if you think it will help parents' understand. You might say, "We regret that we cannot invite children to the ceremony or reception, as the venue will not accommodate them." Follow up with families that may not have gotten the memo to make sure that they understand. Give yourself plenty of time to assemble and mail. If you are sending out the invitations yourself, be warned that they may take a good amount of time to address, put together, and prepare for mailing. Set aside a few chunks of time where you will be able to devote your entire attention to this project. Consider which return and RSVP address to use. It's best to use 1 address on both the return and RSVP areas. Otherwise, your guests may get confused and could send their RSVPs to the wrong spot. This should be an address that you check regularly. Stuff the envelopes carefully. The inner envelope should remain unsealed and you should position it so that the flat side faces towards the flap of the outer envelope. Place the invitation so that the text faces the flap of the inner envelope. You want the invitee to open the inner envelope and instantly see the invite. Weigh your invitations before mailing. Before you put stamps on all of your invites, go to the post office and place a single completed invite on the postage scale. You'll see if you need extra postage in order to ensure that your invites will get to their destinations. | Decide whether to do double-envelopes. Be more formal with the outer envelopes. Use complete formal names and no abbreviations in the address. Use Mr. Go with closeness if the couple has different last names. Put your closest friend first if a couple is unmarried and living together. Gather additional information if you are inviting a widow. Follow the same rules for a same-sex couple. Use honorifics if both parties are doctors. Go into the next line, if needed, for honorifics. Include children under 18 on the inner envelope. Send children over 18 their own invitation. Don't name the children if they aren't invited. Give yourself plenty of time to assemble and mail. Consider which return and RSVP address to use. Stuff the envelopes carefully. Weigh your invitations before mailing. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-a-Sex-Toy-Under-the-Age-of-18 | How to Buy a Sex Toy Under the Age of 18 | If you're under 18 and interested in exploring your sexuality, there are ways to get hold of a sex toy without being embarrassed. One way you can buy a sex toy online is by using a prepaid credit card from a department store or pharmacy, since these can be used at any website that accepts credit cards. After buying a prepaid credit card, find a reputable site that sells the toy you're interested in and add it to your cart. As you check out, enter the information for the prepaid card as if it were a credit card. Make sure to order from a website that uses “discreet packaging” to avoid getting caught. Otherwise, you might need to carefully plan out the arrival date. | Decide which type of toy you want to try. You have several options when it comes to sex toys, so consider which one best fits your needs. If this is your first toy, you'll likely be most interested in a vibrator, dildo, or Fleshlight. Here is an overview of the most popular sex toys for beginners: Vibrators: Vibrators come in different shapes and sizes. Everyone can enjoy the sensation of a vibrator. You can hold it against your external genital area or insert it in your vagina or anus. Dildos: Dildos look like a penis and come in different sizes. You can use a dildo inside your vagina or anus. Some models also vibrate for added pleasure. Strap-on dildo: This toy looks like a belt with a dildo attached to it. You can wear it while having sex with someone. Fleshlight: A Fleshlight is a sleeve that resembles a vagina. You can insert your penis into it during masturbation. Penis ring: A penis ring goes around your penis. It can prolong an erection, but you can also get a vibrating ring that creates a pleasurable sensation. Anal beads: This toy looks like a strip of beads that come in different sizes. You insert the beads into your anus for a pleasurable sensation. Read reviews online to help you pick the best sex toy for your budget. Buying a sex toy can be tricky, especially if this is your first toy. Fortunately, most of the toys you'll find available for sale have been reviewed online. Do an online search for sex toy reviews and look for products that have good reviews. Pick 3-5 products that have good reviews so you'll have a few options as you shop for your toy. If your friends have sex toys, ask them what they like and don't like about their toy. They may be able to recommend a good option for you. Choose a toy that is smooth and unbreakable because they're the safest. Most sex toys are going to be safe for you to use. However, they can vary in quality. You don't want your sex toy to scratch up your vagina or anus or to break inside you. To be on the safe side, stick to toys that have a smooth surface and are made of sturdy materials, like silicone or plastic. If a toy has holes or edges, it may scratch you when you're using it. This might cause pain or irritation, so it's best to skip these toys. Make sure your sex toy has a flared end if you're inserting it. This is typically important for dildos or vibrators that you want to insert into your body. You'll need to be able to grip the end of your sex toy as you slide it into your vagina or anus. This helps you keep control of the toy so it doesn't go further than you like and so you can pull it in and out. Check the base on each sex toy that you look at to make sure it widens at the base. Similarly, anal beads will typically have a ring at the end that stays outside your anus and allows you to easily remove the beads. Don't worry about your toy getting stuck inside you. This is very, very unlikely to happen because the muscles surrounding your vagina or anus will help you push the toy back out. Purchase a water-based lubricant if you plan to insert your sex toy. You can use many sex toys, like dildos, anal beads, and vibrators, into your vagina or anus. The lube will help the toy slide comfortably inside. Without lube, it's normal for toys to feel a little uncomfortable if you insert them. Pick a water-based lubricant to help your toys easily slide in and out. Avoid lubes that are scented or warming because they can cause irritation. If you experience any pain when using your toy, try applying more lubricant to the toy. If you choose a plastic sex toy, you can use a silicone-based lube if you prefer. Get a prepaid debit or gift card if you want to shop online. Shopping online is typically the best option if you're a teen who wants more than just a basic dildo or vibrator. This allows you to buy any of the items you'd find in a sex shop despite your age. However, you can't shop online without a debit card, credit card, or gift card. Fortunately, anyone can buy a prepaid debit or gift card to use for online shopping. It's not illegal to buy a sex toy from a website as a teen. The only reason you can't go into a sex shop is that they tend to restrict their stores to 18 and up. Purchase a prepaid debit or gift card at a grocery or department store. Look for a rack of prepaid gift and debit cards at your local grocery or department store. Get a gift card if you see one for the store you plan to order from. Otherwise, get a prepaid debit card that you can use at any store. Keep in mind that prepaid debit cards typically carry an additional fee, which will be around $5. Visit a website that sells sex toys. You can find several shops online that sell sex toys. Check out each site and pick the one that you like best. Here are some examples: Babe land Adam and Eve My Pleasure Good Vibes Amazon Select the product you want and place it in your cart. Search for the type of product that you want or click the tab for that particular product. Then, scroll through the options and pick the one that you like best. Add that product to your online cart. Look for the items you selected when you were reading online reviews. They're likely the best option for you. Checkout using your prepaid debit or gift card. Click the button to check out, then fill out your shipping and billing information. For your payment option, select debit/credit card if you're using a prepaid debit card. If you're using a gift card, select gift card. Then, enter the card information and hit the button to submit your order. You may need to scratch off a strip on the back of your card to reveal the information you need to input your payment method. Wait for your package to arrive. Keep an eye out for your sex toy to arrive in the mail. It should come in a plain brown shipping container, which will protect your privacy. If you get a tracking code, check it every day to monitor your package's progress. That will help you make sure you get the package before your parents or guardians do. Look for a drug store or novelty shop that sells sex toys. These stores don't have age restrictions that will prevent you from entering, so they're a great option for buying a sex toy as a teen. At a drug store or department store, look for the sex toys near the family planning or condom section. If you're at a novelty store, search for a section that has adult-themed toys and gifts. You may find sex toys at the following retailers: Spencer's Gifts Walmart CVS pharmacy Walgreens Target Pick out the toy that you want. Most of these shops will have a few options. At a drug store or department store, you're most likely to find dildos, vibrators, and possibly penis rings. However, a novelty shop may also have other toys, like anal beads, Fleshlights, and strap-on penises. Select the toy that looks most interesting to you. You'll need to shop online if you want a wider array of options. Hide the toy under another product if you feel embarrassed. Being curious about your sexuality is totally normal, so there's no reason to feel embarrassed. However, it's okay to feel uncomfortable when you're buying a sex toy, so you may prefer to hide it under another product. Place the other product on top of the sex toy or drape it over it. This works best if your sex toy is in a shopping basket. However, you can definitely hide it in your hand, as well. Something soft like clothing will work best, but you can use any product. Pay for your sex toy at the register. Put your sex toy on the counter or conveyor belt when you reach the register. It's okay to put the product you're using to hide the toy on top of it. The cashier will scan both items. Finally, pay for your items with cash, a gift card, or another method of payment. Don't feel obligated to talk to the cashier about your purchase. They probably aren't even paying attention to what you're buying. | Decide which type of toy you want to try. Read reviews online to help you pick the best sex toy for your budget. Choose a toy that is smooth and unbreakable because they're the safest. Make sure your sex toy has a flared end if you're inserting it. Purchase a water-based lubricant if you plan to insert your sex toy. Get a prepaid debit or gift card if you want to shop online. Purchase a prepaid debit or gift card at a grocery or department store. Visit a website that sells sex toys. Select the product you want and place it in your cart. Checkout using your prepaid debit or gift card. Wait for your package to arrive. Look for a drug store or novelty shop that sells sex toys. Pick out the toy that you want. Hide the toy under another product if you feel embarrassed. Pay for your sex toy at the register. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Watch-TV-Without-Cable | How to Watch TV Without Cable | To watch TV without cable, choose a device replacement, such as an antenna to pick up local channels. Alternatively, if you have a good wireless network, you could purchase a Roku device or an Apple TV, which allow you to stream shows on your TV. For watching TV on your laptop, try subscribing to an online streaming service like Netflix, Hulu Plus, or Amazon Video, which charge a low monthly fee. If you have trouble deciding on a replacement, go to findinternettv.com to see which of your favorite shows are on which streaming services. | Make a list of the shows that you watch regularly. Do this for each family member, so that you can predict what you will put on T.V. Check if your favorite shows are available online. Go to findinternettv.com to see a list of popular shows usually shown on cable channels. Many channels are choosing to stream new episodes of popular shows on their website. Also, check Netflix, Hulu, iTunes and Amazon Video On Demand to see what shows are available using these services. Most shows on HBO, Showtime, AMC and similar channels are available for purchase by episode or the season on iTunes and Amazon. It is estimated that 90 percent of shows on ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox are available online. Decide if you are willing to wait for shows that are currently not available online. In most cases, this requires waiting approximately 6 months to 1 year to stream a full season of your show from Netflix for no extra charge. Some shows (often some of the more popular series) do not grant streaming rights to Netflix. In this case, you'll need to buy or rent the shows from Amazon, iTunes or another service. For movies, you can rent new movies on gaming consoles, Amazon and iTunes, if they are not available with your Netflix subscription. Research your Internet cost. Cable subscribers frequently bundle their Internet and cable service together. Call your cable provider to inquire about how much the Internet will cost without bundling, and research what other internet providers there are in your area. In some cases, you may not save money by cutting the cord. You may want to price out how many services you will need to subscribe to and compare the cost of cable minus the cost of Internet service. Get an antenna. If any of the shows you listed were local news channels or major series on major networks like ABC or NBC, the first step is to connect an indoor or outdoor antenna. Antennae are available for $20 to $60 online or in box stores. You may want to consider a small indoor antenna, like the Mohu Leaf, which is smaller and less imposing than other models. Antennae usually pick up channels that are broadcast from 35 miles (56 km) away or less. Availability and picture quality will depend upon your location. This is essential for fans of local news or sports broadcasts. Get an Internet TV. Before buying any new device, check to see if your TV is set up to receive Internet streaming from its main interface. If you have an Internet TV, you can stream movies and television shows through Netflix and Hulu Plus, although it will not extend to other televisions or specialty channels. If you are in the market for a new TV, you may as well purchase an Internet TV, to access movies and TV through these services. Buy a Roku. If you have a high quality wireless network , then the Roku streaming device is the cheapest and easiest option to set up streaming from regular TVs. Roku devices are between $50 and $100. The price depends upon the processing speed you require. Get a Roku if you want to stream sports. Apple TV and Roku are the first devices to support sports and movie streaming when new services are released. If you have more than 1 television in your home, you can buy a Roku for each set. The single purchase price of the Roku often equals one month's cable bill or less. Roku are best for homes that don't want to do any streaming on the computer or other devices. Older viewers find the Roku requires little set up, as well as a low learning curve. If you simply want to use Netflix and Hulu Plus for network shows, seasons of cable TV shows and movies, then this is the cheapest option with easy set up. A similar device to the Roku is the WD TV Play, created by Western Digital. The price is approximately $70 and supports Netflix and Hulu Plus. Buy an Apple TV, if you already own several Apple devices. Apple TV runs around $100. Although the Apple TV connects to your TV in a similar way to the Roku, it works with your Apple ID to help you stream content on all your Apple devices. If you own an iPad, iPod or have an Apple computer, the Apple TV is the best choice. Buy a Google Chromecast digital media streamer. If you are used to streaming content on your computer, then you can simply push the online content to your TV. Google's Chromecast costs only $35, making it the cheapest option on the market. It plugs directly into your HDTV via the HDMI port. Once you connect wireless Internet to the device, you can stream online content to your TV. Unlike the Roku and Apple TV that use “channels” to stream Hulu, Netflix and other services through the interface, the Chromecast simply uses your computer as a controller. It may be the best solution for teenagers or students who already access TV and movies using their computer. The Chromecast has advantages for sports fans as well. You can stream games after you subscribe to a website-based streaming service. Enable streaming on your gaming consoles. If you or your family member own an Xbox, PlayStation or Wii, then you can use the device to stream basic TV and movies. Gaming consoles cost between $200 and $400. It is only a smart buy if you are considering purchasing the console anyway. If you have a current model, you can access TV streaming through the interface. Ask your gamer to download TV and movie “channels” from the device's store. Then, you can connect the icon to your current account. The PlayStation 3 is the best gaming console for sports fans that want to pay to access NHL, NBA or MLB games. Invest in a streaming-enabled DVD player or video player. DVD and Blu Ray players run from $80 to $200. These devices can easily stream Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand and Hulu. They offer a limited selection of other channels. Buy an Amazon Fire TV. Yeah, it is new, but you can still watch Netflix, Hulu, etc. and play loads of apps and games from their app store. A Fire TV runs about $99, but the new Fire TV Stick, a Chromecast-reminiscent HDMI dongle with the same functionality of a Fire TV, costs only $39. Subscribe to Hulu Plus. Sign up for a one week free trial after you have purchased your device and before you officially cut off cable. Hulu Plus streams hundreds of cable TV and network TV shows, old movies, foreign TV series and more. Sign up for $7.99 per month after the trial. If you have chosen the Chromecast, you can simply use Hulu.com for some TV streaming, and upgrade to Hulu Plus if you want access to more shows. Start a Netflix account. All Netflix DVD accounts come with free access to online streaming. If you do not have a Netflix DVD account, you can add an online streaming account for $7.99 per month. Do a free trial before you commit. Netflix offers access to movies, TV series and new Netflix original series. Netflix service channels are available on all streaming devices. Netflix Profiles now allows you to create up to 4 separate profiles on 1 account, so that different family members can have tailored queues and suggestions. You can create children's profiles that block access to risque content. Download the Netflix channel from your device's app store. Type the activation code into your account from your computer, then sign in to access your Netflix account through the streaming device. Sign up for Amazon Video On Demand. If you have an Amazon Prime account, you may already have access to this service. Amazon's video service is a great place to watch TV shows and movies that are made by big networks like HBO, Showtime, Bravo, AMC and more. Amazon sells these shows by the episode and by the season. Movies are also available for rent for $3.99 and for purchase for $14.99 This service is best to gain access to premium, new movies and TV shows. Use iTunes. If you opted for the Apple TV, then you can purchase current seasons of TV shows and current movies. This service functions in much the same way as Amazon Video On Demand. It is a better option for people with many Apple devices. Download the Vudu app. If you have a PlayStation or Internet enabled TV or Blu Ray player, you can use Vudu to access new and old movies. Vudu is available on VUDU Spark™,PlayStation®3,Xbox360®, Roku®,Chromecast®,Blu-ray™ / TV,iPad®, and Android™. They offer $2 rentals, free content and reasonable prices on new films. Sign up for sports streaming online. MLB, NBA, NHL and NFL fans can sign up each season to stream the games. You can access your subscription through the Roku, Apple TV or Chromecast. Sports fans will need to pay between $60 and $150 each year to gain access. You should do a cost analysis, if sports channels are already included in your cable plan. Shop for specialty channels on your streaming device’s interface. You can sign up for TED Talks, News services, old movie channels for free or very low cost on many devices. Explore the list of channels before you purchase the device, if you are unsure what is available. If you adapt easily to the device, you may find you are able to tailor your TV and movie watching more readily than you did with cable TV. The choices of specialty channels will vary greatly depending upon your streaming device. Call your cable provider before you have decided to cut the cord. Threatening to quit cable usually encourages representatives to give you a discount for a few months. Make the call when you are watching free trial versions of Netflix, Hulu and more. Compare your favorite shows with what is available on these services. Get recommendations from others who have cut the cable cord. Ask your friends what devices they use, and ask to try them out. Experimenting with devices is the best way to make an educated decision. Cancel your cable, but retain your high-speed Internet. Streaming devices require high quality connections, so make sure you don't quit your entire package. Shop around for a better price for Internet, if you believe your cable provider is too expensive. Try streaming for at least 3 months before returning to cable. Understand there will be an adjustment period to get used to new media. Since cutting the cable requires an initial investment of a streaming device, you may not save money for 6 months to 1 year later. Keep track of the shows you cannot find and research new streaming channels. List the costs of all the services you are subscribing to and review it after 3 months. If it is the same or more than cable, it may be time to return to a cable subscription. Try a new cable provider if you go back. Take advantage of introductory offers, if you find that streaming doesn't work for you or your family. | Make a list of the shows that you watch regularly. Check if your favorite shows are available online. Decide if you are willing to wait for shows that are currently not available online. Research your Internet cost. Get an antenna. Get an Internet TV. Buy a Roku. Buy an Apple TV, if you already own several Apple devices. Buy a Google Chromecast digital media streamer. Enable streaming on your gaming consoles. Invest in a streaming-enabled DVD player or video player. Buy an Amazon Fire TV. Subscribe to Hulu Plus. Start a Netflix account. Sign up for Amazon Video On Demand. Use iTunes. Download the Vudu app. Sign up for sports streaming online. Shop for specialty channels on your streaming device’s interface. Call your cable provider before you have decided to cut the cord. Get recommendations from others who have cut the cable cord. Cancel your cable, but retain your high-speed Internet. Try streaming for at least 3 months before returning to cable. Try a new cable provider if you go back. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Wire-a-Car-Stereo | How to Wire a Car Stereo | To wire a car stereo, start by disconnecting your car battery to avoid electrocuting yourself. Then, match the colored wires of your radio and your car and twist the wires together. If your car requires an output converter, connect this as well so your radio will work with your car. Once you've connected your radio wires, secure them with solder or heat-shrink wrap. If you don't have either of those, you can wrap the wires with electrical tape. After you've secured your radio wires, connect your car battery and test the radio. If it works fine, tuck all the wiring into your dashboard and slide the stereo back into place. You may also need to screw the stereo into place if it doesn't use spring clips. | Purchase a wiring adaptor. Your new stereo will come with a diagram indicating what each wire is and what it needs to be connected to, but that process can be made much simpler by using a wiring harness clip adaptor. These adaptors are made to make it easy to connect your new stereo to the car's existing clip. Use the diagram provided with the stereo as well as the diagram provided with the clip, to loosely connect each of the wires to the new adaptor. You can order adaptors online or at most auto parts or electronics stores. Using the adaptor greatly reduces the chances that you will make a mistake wiring in your new stereo. Identify and connect loose wiring. If you are not using a wiring harness clip adaptor, you will need to identify the wires coming out of the stereo, as well as those coming out of the car. Without an adaptor, you will need to cut the wires on the back of the car's harness clip, but do so one at a time as you connect them to their corresponding wire on the stereo to prevent confusion. Use the repair manual for your car or locate a wiring diagram for your car online to aid in your efforts to identify each wire. Most car stereos will require the following connections: The power wire coming from the stereo is usually red, and likely will connect to a red wire from the car. The ground wire for the stereo will be black, as will its corresponding wire from the car. If there is no ground wire, you can secure the ground cable to bare metal in the body of the car to serve as a ground. The 12 volt constant power wire is usually yellow or blue, though it may be a number of colors coming from the car. The rest of the harness wires are for the speakers. Use the diagrams to properly match each with its appropriate wire from the car. The antenna wire is much thicker with a metal head and can be connected separately before you install the stereo. These wires are usually short and won't be reconnected until you are about to install the new stereo. Connect the output convertor if necessary. Some vehicles will require an output converter to make it work properly with components of the car that are not common industry wide. Some automakers use external amplifiers the stereo's signal will need to compensate for. Your stereo may have come with an output convertor, but it's more likely that you will need to order it from an auto parts or electronics store. Be sure you order an output converter designed specifically for your year, make and model vehicle. If you are unsure if your vehicle utilizes external amplifiers, refer to the owner's manual. Secure all connected wires. Once all of the wiring has been connected to their corresponding wires, you will need to make those connections permanent. There are a number of ways you can permanently bond two wires together and while some may be more resilient than others, most will work just fine for car stereo applications. Be sure there is no bare wire metal showing from any of the wire connections by wrapping them in electric tape or heat-shrink wrap. Soldering two wires together requires a soldering iron and solder. You melt the solder onto the wires to stick them together and as the solder cools it forms a permanent bond. Twisting wires together and then covering them with heat-shrink wrap or electric tape will suffice for car stereos. Connectors can be purchased that you simply slide both wires into and either crimp them together with pliers or twist them together with your fingers. Disconnect the battery. Because you will be working on the electrical system of your car, it's important to disconnect the battery before you get started. If you aren't sure where to locate the battery in your vehicle, refer to your owner's manual; most car batteries can be found under the hood, but some are kept in the trunk. Once you locate the battery, use a hand or socket wrench to loosen the black cable from the negative terminal on the battery. You will not need to remove the bolt entirely, instead simply loosen it enough to pull the cable off of the terminal. Tuck the cable down to the side of the battery so that it can't come back into contact with the terminal. You do not need to remove the battery or disconnect the cable from the positive terminal. To be sure the battery is disconnected, check to see if the lights come on in the cabin of the car. Nothing electronic should work with the battery disconnected. Disconnecting the battery will prevent you from doing damage to the electrical system as well as protect you from shocks. Remove any necessary pieces of trim. You will need to gain access to the sides of the stock head unit (or stereo) in your center console. In some cars, that will require the removal of some pieces of plastic trim. Be careful when removing trim pieces, as they may be brittle and subject to cracking. Whenever possible, try to pull the piece of trim out slightly to get a look at what kind of clip is used to attach it. You may need to slide the trim piece in a certain direction to separate it, you may need to hit a release with a screw driver, or you may need to simply pull on it hard enough. Checking first will prevent you from breaking off the clips and having to replace the piece of trim. Consult your car's repair manual if you want to determine the best way to remove pieces of trim that are in your way. Set the trim aside where you won't accidentally sit or step on it as you work. Determine how your head unit is mounted. Car stereos are all held in place using one of two methods: spring clips or bolts. Each method requires a different technique for removal. In order to determine what method your car uses to secure the stereo, you can consult your car's repair manual or look closely once you've gotten the trim out of the way. Spring clip mounts may not require the removal of any trim pieces and can be identified by the matching pairs of holes on either side of the stereo. Stereos that are bolted into place may require more trim removal, as you will need to gain access to the space behind the stereo. Look for two pairs of matching holes on the left and ride side of the stereo. If they are present, your stereo is held in place with spring clips. If there are no holes, remove the trim below, above or to the side of the stereo to gain access to the bolts. Use DIN tools to remove spring clipped stereos. If your stereo or head unit is held in place using spring clips, you will need to purchase a pair of DIN tools. DIN tools look like thin pieces of metal bent into the shape of the letter “U” with slightly hooked ends. Insert one DIN tool into the two holes on the left, and another into the two holes on the right. Press them both in until you hear the click of the spring releasing. Spread the tools apart slightly to grip the back of the stereo and pull the tools toward yourself. The stereo will slide out of the console of the car along with the tools. In a bind, you may be able to use pieces of a metal coat hanger to create your own DIN tools. If the stereo doesn't come out, it is likely stuck by a piece of trim. Don't force it out, instead look for any obstructions that may be preventing it from moving. Remove a bolted in stereo with wrenches. You will likely need to remove quite a bit more of the trim to access bolts that hold your stereo in place than you would have with spring clipped stereos. Once you are able to see the bolts, removing the stereo should be fairly self-explanatory: there will likely be four bolts, either attaching the stereo to a bracket at the back or on either side. Determine the size of the bolts, then use a hand wrench to remove them. Some brackets won't require that you remove the bolts completely, but may just need you to loosen them sufficiently to slide the stereo out. There may be a trim “faceplate” over the stereo that pops off, revealing bolts in the face of the stereo instead of behind it. Unscrew these bolts and slide the stereo out. Remember that the stereo is still connected to the car with wires, so be careful not to rip any out as you remove the stereo from the console. Disconnect the wiring. If you are removing a stock head unit, there will likely be at least one plastic clip with a number of wires going into it that you will need to disconnect. There may be a second clip and an antennae cable as well in some cars. These few clips consolidate all the wiring required to connect the stereo to the car's power source, the antennae and each of the speakers. If you are removing an aftermarket stereo, there is a possibility that there will be no clip and the previous stereo was wired loosely. If that is the case, you may have to cut the wires in order to connect them to the new head unit. Do not pull the wires out of the clip. If you are able to purchase a harness adaptor for your new stereo, it will plug directly into the car's existing clip. Be careful when removing the wire harness clip from the back of the stereo. It may have a plastic button or tab holding it in place. Test the stereo. Before you install the stereo in the center console of your vehicle, reconnect the battery and turn the car on to make sure it is functioning properly. With the stereo completely connected, turn it on and try a few functions. Make sure all speakers in your vehicle are working and that CDs or your MP3 player play properly. If you have been able to connect the antennae cable already, check to make sure the radio works. Checking the stereo's functions now will prevent you from having to take the console apart again to address any issues with the wiring. If something does not work properly, review the connections with the wiring diagrams that you have to make sure all of the wires are connected to their corresponding match. Remove the keys and disconnect the battery again after you've tested the stereo. Tuck all of the wiring into the dashboard. You may have noticed that most of the wires you connected to your stereo allowed for quite a bit of slack. Take the connected car stereo in one hand and use the other to tuck all of the extra wire back into the dashboard as you set the stereo in its opening. If you have not been able to connect the large antennae cable yet because it was too short, connect it now as you sit the stereo in its place. Be careful not to pull any wires out of the back of the stereo as you tuck them back into the dash board. Try not to let the wiring get in the way of the bracket you will need to bolt the stereo too (if your stereo requires being bolted into place). Slide the stereo back into place. Slowly slide the radio back into the opening in the center console of the vehicle while being careful not to apply too much pressure to the face of it. If you encounter resistance, do not force the stereo in any further. Instead remove the stereo and identify what was in the way, move it, and attempt to slide the stereo in again. As you slide the stereo into place, wires may snag or plastic brackets may come out of place. Forcing the stereo past a snag can break things and make the stereo fail to function or seat properly in the vehicle. Some vehicles may require an adaptor to properly fit the new stereo in the hole for the old one. These adaptors can be ordered at auto parts and electronics stores. Secure the new stereo. If your stereo utilizes spring clips, it will click as it locks in place and you will not need to take any further action to secure the stereo. If yours uses bolts and brackets, reuse the bolts you removed earlier to secure the new stereo in the same place. If you had to use an adaptor to properly fit the stereo in its space in the console, ensure the stereo is secured to the adaptor and that the adaptor is secured to the car. If you use bolts, make sure they are snugly tightened before reinstalling the trim. Once done, try to wiggle the stereo. It should hardly move at all when properly secured. Reinstall the trim. Being careful not to break any of the plastic clips that hold the trim in place, reinstall each piece in the opposite order you removed them. That means you should install the last piece you removed first, followed by the second to last, and so on. This will make sure overlapping pieces are layered properly. If you break a clip and the trim won't stay in place, you can use a hot glue gun to secure trim pieces to your car, but be aware that it will make it more difficult to remove those pieces again in the future. If you break an entire trim piece, you will likely need to special order a replacement from the dealership, as most auto parts stores don't carry trim components. | Purchase a wiring adaptor. Identify and connect loose wiring. Connect the output convertor if necessary. Secure all connected wires. Disconnect the battery. Remove any necessary pieces of trim. Determine how your head unit is mounted. Use DIN tools to remove spring clipped stereos. Remove a bolted in stereo with wrenches. Disconnect the wiring. Test the stereo. Tuck all of the wiring into the dashboard. Slide the stereo back into place. Secure the new stereo. Reinstall the trim. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Genital-Herpes | How to Treat Genital Herpes | To treat genital herpes, talk to your doctor so they can prescribe you an antiviral medication to help with outbreaks. They can also prescribe topical medication that can help with the burning and discomfort caused by an outbreak. In addition to taking prescription medications, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever, like ibuprofen, to help with the pain. Also, gently wash your sores with soap and warm water every day and wear loose cotton underwear to help them heal faster. | Assess your herpes risk. There are lots of viruses in the herpes family, but two strains cause what we think of herpes: HSV-1, or oral herpes, and HSV-2, or genital herpes. Both types of herpes are spread through skin-to-skin contact with the infected area. Typically, genital herpes comes from genital sexual contact with someone who has HSV-2. However, HSV-1 can be spread to the genitals through oral sex. Consider whether you have had any type of intimate contact with another person that could have transmitted herpes. Sex does not need to involve penetration for herpes to spread. Any intimate contact including rubbing or grinding genital areas could spread herpes. Look for herpes symptoms. Many people who get herpes experience no symptoms or outbreaks. When someone does experience symptoms, though, the most common are blisters around the genitals or rectum. These blisters break and create painful sores that can take over a week to heal. Other symptoms of an outbreak may include: Fever Body aches Swollen glands Tingling, burning, or itching sensations Unusual vaginal discharge Seek a medical diagnosis if you experience symptoms. If you think you are experiencing symptoms of genital herpes, schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. They will be able to help determine if your symptoms are because of herpes or another complication. Not only will your doctor be better equipped to diagnose herpes, they will be able to help you develop a comprehensive management plan. Your doctor can take a sample from any sores and in some cases may perform a blood test for herpes antibodies. Note that while a blood test can determine if you've been exposed to herpes before, it cannot tell you when you were infected or who gave it to you. Get an antiviral prescription from a doctor. Antiviral tablets are the most common and typically the most effective means of managing an HSV outbreak. Schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as you notice any potential symptoms. Let them know that you think you may be experiencing an outbreak, and that you are interested in a prescription for an antiviral. Common prescriptions for herpes include acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir. If you are not comfortable seeking help from your regular doctor, or if you cannot afford a traditional doctor's office visit, consider visiting a sexual wellness clinic. These clinics specialize in managing sexual health issues, and often have a sliding scale option. Use a topical cream to reduce discomfort. Acyclovir comes in a topical cream form that you can put on sores during the primary stages of an outbreak. It does not help manage the overall outbreak in the same manner as the antiviral tablets, but it can help treat some of the burning and discomfort. Wash your hands before and after applying any topical medication to your sores or cleaning them. Use an over-the-counter painkiller to manage discomfort. Over-the-counter painkillers like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin can be taken to help relieve some pain. Consult the packaging of your preferred pain killer for dosage recommendations and take it as advised by the packaging. For teenagers younger than 16, consult your doctor before taking aspirin. There is an increased risk of Reye's Syndrome. Apply a cool compress to sores to dull itching and pain. Apply a cool compress to the sore areas once every few hours to help temporarily dull the pain and itching. You can buy a cold compress at most drug stores and pharmacies, or you can make your own. To make your own compress, fill a plastic bag with ice. Wrap the bag in a paper towel or thin piece of cloth, and apply it to your skin. Apply the compress for no more than 20 minutes at a time, and be sure to give your skin at least 2-3 hours in between compress treatments to avoid frostbite. Clean your sores to help them heal. Wash your sores gently with soap and warm water during your daily shower, and pat them dry with a clean towel. Do not bandage the sores, but resist the urge to pick at them. Wear loose cotton underwear and clothes to let your sores breathe while they heal. Get a prescription for an antiviral as suppressive therapy. While some people with genital herpes choose to treat outbreaks as they occur, others choose to pursue continued therapy to help suppress the virus. The same medications used to treat outbreaks can be taken on a daily basis as suppressive therapy, so talk to your doctor about daily medication. Suppressive medication is especially helpful if you experience 6 or more outbreaks a year. Suppressive therapy does not completely eliminate outbreaks in most cases. However, it may help reduce the overall number of outbreaks and make outbreaks less severe. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. As with many other illnesses, a strong immune system will help reduce the risk of a herpes outbreak. Help keep your immune system strong by maintaining a healthy lifestyle composed of well-rounded meals and regular exercise. Try to eat a daily diet that contains carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Be sure to incorporate healthy fruits and veggies, and try to eat lean, complete proteins when possible. Aim to get at least 20-30 minutes of moderate physical activity 3-4 times a week. If you can get 45-60 minutes at least five times a week, that is even better. Practice self-care to minimize risks of outbreaks. Self-care helps keep you happy and healthy, which in turn helps reduce the risk of a future outbreak by keeping your immune system strong. Practice regular self-care daily by: Getting 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Meditating or using stress-management techniques to keep stress low. Make time each day to do something you enjoy. | Assess your herpes risk. Look for herpes symptoms. Seek a medical diagnosis if you experience symptoms. Get an antiviral prescription from a doctor. Use a topical cream to reduce discomfort. Use an over-the-counter painkiller to manage discomfort. Apply a cool compress to sores to dull itching and pain. Clean your sores to help them heal. Get a prescription for an antiviral as suppressive therapy. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Practice self-care to minimize risks of outbreaks. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Potty-Train-a-Guinea-Pig | How to Potty Train a Guinea Pig | To potty train a guinea pig, start by monitoring it to see which corner of its cage it likes to go to the bathroom in the most. Then, take some of the bedding that your guinea pig has gone to the bathroom on and put it in a litter box in that corner, which will encourage your guinea pig to relieve itself there. Whenever you see your guinea pig use the litter box, give it a treat to reinforce the behavior. If your guinea pig isn't using the litter box, try switching out the bedding inside and making sure the box isn't near the food and water in the cage. | Observe your guinea pig. Before you put a litter box in your guinea pig's cage, you need to watch her to see where she normally goes to the bathroom. Guinea pigs like to scent mark their territory, so your guinea pig will likely scope out a corner of her cage to pee and poop in regularly. Although there is one corner where she will go most often, this does not mean she will always go in this corner. Just pick the place she frequents the most. Buy a litter tray. Once you have figured out the best location for your guinea pig's litter box, you need to buy a tray that will fit nicely in that corner. Pick one that is the right size for the cage as well as one that will be comfortable for your guinea pig. You don't want it to be too small because then she won't have enough room to sit and go to the potty. You can buy small litter trays at your local pet store that are for small rodents. You also need to put in brand new bedding. Otherwise, she will smell her old pee and might want to go there. Prepare the litter tray. The litter tray needs to be filled with the same kind of bedding that you keep in your guinea pig cage. Although it is called a litter tray, the substance used for the tray is not what is typically considered litter but is just the same hay or straw that you keep in your guinea pig cage. You should take a handful or two from the cage where she has already pooped and peed and lay that in the litter tray at first. Then you should set the tray in the cage that you picked earlier. Using hay at first that has already been soiled will lead her to the tray because her scent will be all over it. The kinds of bedding that work great for guinea pigs are aspen, wood pulp, hay, and straw. There are also different varieties of litter pellets and bedding that have been vet recommended as well. Never buy cedar or corn cob for your guinea pig because they are toxic. Don't put her food and water near or in the litter box. She will not like to potty where she eats. You can also put a little bit of eating straw in her litter tray as well so she will feel comfortable in there and might be able to munch a little while she goes to the bathroom. Watch her behavior. Once you place the tray in her cage, watch to see if she uses it. Since it smells like her and is in a familiar location, she should use it most of the time. If you find that she doesn't use it, you might have to take it out and try again. There might be something wrong with the tray that is deterring her from using it. When you see her using her litter box, give her a treat. This will encourage her behavior and make her want to use it more so you will give her more treats. If the sides on the litter tray look too big for her, you should use sharp scissors or a small saw or knife and cut the excess edge off. This will make it short enough for her to get into the tray. Keep up the litter tray. You should only clean out the litter tray every three days or so. You can dump out what is in the litter tray and replenish it with new litter. You should only wash the tray every other week. This will make sure that her smell will remain on the tray and she will likely go back to it. You should use a litter that is best for guinea pigs. If you aren't sure what to use, ask at your local pet store or vet's office. Be patient. Although most guinea pigs will learn to use a litter tray most or all of the time, some guinea pigs might never learn to use it. Keep trying to get your guinea pig to use the tray, but even if she only uses it half the time, that is that much less you have to clean up out of her cage. Never punish your guinea pig or yell at her. She doesn't understand why she needs to go to the potty in the same place all the time. Encourage good behavior, but don't try punishment. It doesn't work on guinea pigs. Start small. Once you have trained your guinea pig in her cage, you may want to train your guinea pig outside of her cage during playtime. Start somewhere small. It needs to be an area that you can control easily and where you can keep an eye on her. You should make sure there aren't any small vents that she can run into without getting out. A bathroom or hallway is a great place to start. They are small, have few wires that are close to the ground, and have very few places for your guinea pig to hide. This will help keep her safe and help you keep track of her while still allowing her to exercise. Lay out her litter tray. You need to pick a dark, out of the way corner of the room to place her litter tray. This will encourage her to seek that corner out and use it to potty. Since this will be the only thing that has her smell on it, she will be able to find it, no matter which corner you put it in. Try to leave some litter in it that has already been used. This way it will feel like her territory. If you want, you can let her loose for a little while first to see which corner she prefers to go to the potty and then place her litter tray there. Cover up the remaining corners. Guinea pigs like to use the potty in dark corners away from other things, just like they do in their cages. To help persuade your guinea pig to use the corner where you placed her tray, you need to cover up the remaining corners so she cannot run there to potty. If she has no other dark corner to pee or poop in, she will be more likely to use her litter tray in the other corner. If you want to, you can also place a newspaper around the room in case she has an accident. This will make it easier to clean up. Expand the area. Once your guinea pig gets used to the area, you can expand it a little at a time. Since she should already know where her litter tray is, she should use it even though her play area is bigger. Just make sure you keep wires off the floor and hard to reach hiding spaces covered so you don't injure or lose your guinea pig. Just like with training in the cage, do not scold her if she uses the bathroom somewhere else. You can reward her when she goes in her litter tray, which will be a positive reminder to use the area. | Observe your guinea pig. Buy a litter tray. Prepare the litter tray. Watch her behavior. Keep up the litter tray. Be patient. Start small. Lay out her litter tray. Cover up the remaining corners. Expand the area. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Hair-Loss-Due-to-Hard-Water | How to Prevent Hair Loss Due to Hard Water | To prevent hair loss due to hard water, try rinsing your hair in the shower using bottled water so you're washing the hard water out of your hair. Or, you can install a shower filter that filters out hard water so you're not using it when you wash your hair. If a shower filter isn't an option, you can use a clarifying shampoo once a week to reduce mineral build-up. Also, use moisturizing or leave-in conditioners whenever you wash your hair so it doesn't get dry or brittle. | Soften your water. Although it is unlikely that hard water will lead directly to hair loss , softening the water you use to wash your hair can help you have a healthy and strong head of hair. The most comprehensive way to do this is by lowering the mineral content of the water. Water softener machines are specifically designed to solve this problem. Water softeners are typically kept in basements or garages, and they work to reduce calcium and magnesium (limescale) in the water. If your home or apartment does not already have a water softener, you might consider buying one. In some cases, you may also be able to rent a water softener in order to try it out before making the investment of buying one. Get a shower filter. A much more practical and affordable option is just to get a filter for your shower head. These work in much the same way as a regular water filter, by neutralizing pH levels. You will need to replace your existing shower head, but this is a lot cheaper and easier than buying a full water softening system. You may have to replace the actual filter inside the shower head every six months or so, but these are relatively inexpensive. You can expect to pay between $10 and $45 for a filter in the US. Try adding some alum to water. One way to get softer water is set aside a bucket of water from the shower or tap which you will use to rinse your hair. Before you rinse, add a spoonful of alum to the bucket of water. The alum will help the minerals in the water to settle at the bottom. You can then scoop up water from the surface to rinse your hair. This water will be less rich in minerals, and less hard. You can find alum powder at the spice section of your grocery store. Look for shampoos that fight hard water. There are shampoos available that are specifically designed for hard water that can help you lower the chances of hair loss. A "chelating" or "clarifying" shampoo is a good choice. These shampoos are designed to tackle and prevent mineral build-up in your hair, but they are harsh so should be used sparingly. Look for a shampoo with the ingredient EDTA. Only use this shampoo once a week. Use a moisturising conditioner after you use this shampoo. Use a conditioner. It's always a good idea to use a conditioner after you wash your hair in hard water. This will help to prevent your hair drying out and becoming brittle, which can contribute to hair loss. Look for a conditioner with natural ingredients that will moisturise your hair. Argon oil is an intensely moisturising ingredient to look out for. You can find conditioners especially designed for hard water areas. Consider a leave in conditioner. To condition your hair even more, you can use a leave in conditioner. This just means you lightly apply it to your hair after washing and let it soak in. Two or three drops of coconut or almond oil gently rubbed into the lower half of your hair will help you to lock in the moisture and prevent dryness. Don't apply more than this or you will end up with greasy hair. The importance of having a good hair care regime to prevent hair loss is heightened by being in a hard water area. Add vinegar to the water you use to rinse your hair. Mix one tablespoon of white vinegar with three cups of water. Take a shower, shampooing your hair as normal. The vinegar can remove built-up minerals from hard water, as well increasing shine and body. When it is time to rinse the shampoo from your hair, use the water and vinegar mixture you created. Carefully pour the concoction over your head, being sure to soak all strands of hair. Rinse it off after a couple of minutes. Some people prefer to use apple cider vinegar. Try a lemon or lime juice rinse. An alternative to vinegar, is a lemon or lime rinse. It works in a similar way to vinegar by breaking down residual salts and minerals in your hair. Lemon and lime juice also strips off excess oil, which makes it an especially good choice for those with greasier hair. Mix with the same measurements as the vinegar method, one tablespoon of lemon or lime juice to three cups of water. After shampooing, massage this solution into your hair and your scalp. Rinse it off after a couple of minutes. Use filtered water for the final rinse. To cut down on your use of hard water, you could use some filtered water for the last rinse when you are washing your hair. You will need about a litre of water for this. Simply pour it over your head a little at a time to wash out the shampoo and conditioner. For a short-term option you could use bottled mineral or spring water. Using bottled water regularly would get expensive and wouldn't be environmentally friendly. Use rainwater to wash your hair. Rainwater is also a good substitute to hard water when washing your hair, as it very soft and largely free of salts and minerals. Place a large bucket outside during rainfalls, collecting as much of the liquid as possible. When it is time to take a bath or shower, heat the water in batches in a large pot on the stove to medium heat, and use while bathing. If you don't use the water straight away, it needs to be kept properly, with a secure lid. You shouldn't assume rainwater is safe to drink. | Soften your water. Get a shower filter. Try adding some alum to water. Look for shampoos that fight hard water. Use a conditioner. Consider a leave in conditioner. Add vinegar to the water you use to rinse your hair. Try a lemon or lime juice rinse. Use filtered water for the final rinse. Use rainwater to wash your hair. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Dog-Urine-Out-of-Carpet | How to Get Dog Urine Out of Carpet | If you need to get dog urine out of carpet, use paper towels to blot up the urine as quickly as possible so the smell doesn't set in. Place a few drops of dish detergent over the area with a splash of water, then blot the water away with more paper towels. Spray the spot with an enzymatic cleaner to remove the odor. If you don't have an enzymatic cleaner, mix vinegar, water, and baking soda in a spray bottle and generously spray the carpeting. Leave the vinegar mixture on the carpet for about 5 minutes, then blot it up with paper towels. | Blot up the urine with towels and dish detergent. Just after an accident, clean up as much urine as possible. Place an old towel over the urine and blot up as much of it as possible. Then, place a few drops of dish detergent over the area, as well as a splash of water. Lay a few pieces of paper towel over the water and detergent and gently press it into the carpet. Absorb as much of the urine as you can this way. Make sure to test dish detergent on a small portion of your carpeting that's not clearly visible. You want to make sure dish detergent does not react poorly to your carpeting before applying it to a urine stain. Invest in enzymatic cleaners. After blotting up a stain, targeting the spot with an enzymatic cleaner is a good idea. These cleaners help disrupt the breakdown of bacteria that causes pet odor. This can help remove unwanted odor, which can encourage your dog to urinate in the same area again. Follow the instructions on your cleaner's bottle for use. Usually, you spray your cleaner over the stain and it then dissolves and dries. This process can take anywhere from two hours to two weeks. Make sure to test your cleaner on a small patch of carpet that's not visible before applying it to the stain. You want to make sure your cleaner does not stain your carpeting. Look for an enzymatic cleaner that's specifically designed to remove pet odor. These will be the most effective. Try a miniature wet vacuum. If a stain is set in, a miniature wet vac may be necessary to deep clean the carpeting. This can also be helpful if an animal is going in the same spot repetitively. Miniature wet vacuums can run between $150 and $200. If you do not already have one, see if you can borrow one from a friend or rent one from a local hardware store. You usually run a wet vacuum over the stain, using a specific cleaning solution. Many wet vacuums sell solutions specifically made for pet odors and stains. Each wet vacuum works slightly differently, so read over the instructions before using yours. Call in professionals if necessary. If a dog is continually urinating in the same spot, the stain and odor may be deeply set into the carpet. In this case, consider consulting the internet and finding professional carpet cleaners. Urine cannot always be removed by spot cleaning alone. It can often soak into the padding underneath, as well as the subfloor. In this case, professional cleaning may be necessary. Use newspaper and cold water for fresh stains. If you notice a fresh stain, you can blot it up quickly with old newspaper and cold water. First, place a few layers of paper towel over the stain and then cover them with newspaper. Press down on the newspapers for several minutes to soak up as much urine as possible. Then, remove the papers and rinse the area with cold water. When you're done, you should blot up any excess water with towels. Try a vinegar and baking soda spray. This can be used to remove excess odor or to clean set in stains. Mix two cups of distilled vinegar with two cups of lukewarm water in a bowl. Then, add four heaping tablespoons of baking soda and mix everything together. Add your mixture to a spray bottle. Blot up as much urine as possible using paper towels. Press down hard to squeeze excess urine out of the carpet. Generously spritz your carpeting with your baking soda and vinegar spray. Allow the spray to sit on for five minutes and then blot it up with paper towels. Apply hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda can also be used to break down urine and remove stains and odors. In a mixing bowl, mix half a cup of hydrogen peroxide with dish detergent and set aside. To start, blot up as much of the stain as you can with paper towel. Set paper towels over the stain and then press down on them to remove any excess urine. Then, sprinkle baking soda over the stain. Pour your dish soap and hydrogen peroxide mixture over the stain. Use a scrub brush to gently scrub the mixture into the carpet and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. After letting the mixture sit, vacuum the area completely. Remove the odor with baking soda. If an odor lingers after you have cleaned the stain, baking soda is great at neutralizing odor. Sprinkle baking soda over the area that smells. Work the baking soda into the carpeting using a scrub brush. Then, vacuum the baking soda out of the carpet. Try hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and baking soda. A mixture of hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and baking soda can be used to remove pet odors. In a spray bottle, add five ounces of hydrogen peroxide with a teaspoon of vinegar, a teaspoon of baking soda, and half a teaspoon of orange-scented dishwasher soap. Shake the bottle until everything mixes together completely. Spray your mixture over the area that smells. Get the carpeting very wet for the best effect. When the mixture dries, it becomes a powder. Once the mixture has become a powder, vacuum it up. Replace the carpeting if necessary. If you cannot get a smell out, it may have sunken deep into your carpeting. Dogs are attracted to the smell of urine and may continue to go in the same place. If a smell lingers despite your efforts, consider replacing the portion of carpeting that is causing the issue. This is sometimes the only way to deter dogs from urinating in inappropriate places. | Blot up the urine with towels and dish detergent. Invest in enzymatic cleaners. Try a miniature wet vacuum. Call in professionals if necessary. Use newspaper and cold water for fresh stains. Try a vinegar and baking soda spray. Apply hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Remove the odor with baking soda. Try hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and baking soda. Replace the carpeting if necessary. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Volleyball | How to Play Volleyball | To play volleyball, split your players into 2 teams and flip a coin to determine which team will serve first. Within each team, direct half of the players to stand close to the net, while the other players should stand farther back. If you're serving, stand behind the line in the back right corner of your side, then toss the ball up into the air, and hit it over the net. If you're on the returning team, hit the ball to keep it from hitting the ground or the net, but send it over the net after 3 hits or the other side will get a point. While you're playing, do not touch the net or hit the ball twice consecutively. | Choose your players. Ideally, you want at least 6 players per team for a competitive game. However, if you're playing with a group of friends, keep the same number of players on each side. You should have 2 rows of players, with the first row closest to the net and the back row closest to the rear boundary of the court. The player in the back right corner will serve the ball. You can rotate players around the court so that you will have a new server for each service game. If you are rotating players out , rotate clockwise -- looking at the net, the player closest to it on the right side would rotate out, allowing for many players to play. Determine which team will "serve" the ball first. Toss a coin or form an agreement to find out who will begin the game. Serve the ball from behind the line at the back of the court. If you serve from in front of the line it will be a point for the other team. This is known as a foot fault. The ball has to go over the net (but it can touch), and it has to land within the court for the serve to be good. The player on the right-hand side at the back of the court serves. Each player will only receive one service attempt per serve rotation; you may serve as many times as you can get the ball in the other teams court. The ball is good even if it lands on a line. Return the ball if you're on the receiving team. Thus the rally has begun! A typical play will be bump, set, spike -- but as long as it goes over within three hits, it's good. Technically, you can hit the ball with any part of your body so long as the ball does not come to a rest. Players may go over the lines, but the ball may not. If a player on your team hits it out of bounds, you may run to retrieve it -- successfully so if it doesn't touch the ground. Continue hitting the ball back and forth across the net until a fault happens. This could be because of any one of the following: The ball hits the ground. This can cause the serving team to score 1 point for their team. If the ball hits the ground on the side of the serving team, then the other team has the opportunity to serve. If the ball hits the ground on the side of the receiving team, then the serving team can serve again. The point is awarded to the team that did not allow the ball to hit the ground. The ball goes out of bounds. The team that hits the ball out of bounds loses the point. Someone touches the net. If a player on one team touches the net, then the opposing team picks up a point. Someone's foot goes under the net. When this happens, the opposing team receives the point. Someone hits the ball 2 consecutive times. Players can't strike the ball twice in a row, unless a strike is in the block. A block does not count as a touch. A team hits the ball 4 or more times without sending it over. 3 is the maximum. Catching the ball without bumping it on the acceptance from play. Letting the recipient team receive the ball bump from anything besides their arms or hands can cause the serving team to pick up a point. Returning the ball without allowing the ball to cross over the top of the net will score one point for the serving team. Serve the ball again. The team that won the last point gets to serve the ball. If you're rotating, rotate now. If your team has the ball, it's common for the rows to back up a bit. The idea here is to get ready for an attack. If you don't have the ball, move forward. The idea instead here is to make the attack. Teams who produce an error or send the ball out-of-play will automatically send the ball over to the other team to serve. No extra score must be added to the "new" serving team. NO penalty may be given in any situation where the ball touches the net then goes over to the other side to be played. The ball continues to be live and playable (unless it comes back towards the recipient team on the volley). Continue playing until you reach a threshold. You can decide how many points you will allow for each game. For instance, you can start a new game when a team earns 15 points. Recent rules state that regulation games go to 25 points, with the third game (in a set of three) going to 15. Sometimes, games may take the form of ending with a certain time limit but this must be agreed upon - generally, this time limit will be eight minutes, but may be longer or shorter dependent on situation for the game. A standard match is three games long. Each team should switch sides at the start of a new game. The loosing team during each service should have the chance to serve in the next game of the match. A game must be won by two points. 25-26 will not cut it; it must be 25-27. Because of this, close games can go on much longer. Learn the basic stance. When you're not serving, it's common to take on a basic volleyball stance. Your feet should be placed slightly wider than your shoulders, your weight should be forward on your toes, and your knees bent. Make sure your hands are palms-up and resting comfortably on your knees. Unlike the opinions of many, volleyball is an intense sport. During a match, players can go the equivalent of a couple of miles in distance. Practice your serve. A basic serve gets the ball over the net and into the other court to start the rally. This can be done anywhere behind the serve line. A serve that immediately scores a point (only touches the server's hands) is referred to as an "Ace." Most commonly, this is done by hand, fist or arm. More experienced players can try an overhand serve: Toss the ball in front of you. Raise your dominant hand in the air. Bend your elbow to bring your hand closer to your shoulder. Straighten your elbow and strike the ball with the outside of your hand. Less experienced players can serve underhanded. Hold the ball in your hand out in front of you. Make a fist and pull your dominant hand down and to the side. Your elbow should be slightly bent, and your thumb should be stretched across your fingers. Strike the ball at waist level using the front side of your fist. The ball should hit your fist against your bent thumb and index finger. "Bump" the ball. This is the most commonly used shot for returning a serve. Ideally, you would "pass" it to the setter on the team. The bump is the first in a 3-move play. Make a fist with your left hand and wrap your right hand around it. Both thumbs should be flat against the top of your hands with your thumbnail facing upward. Rotate your elbows until the flat side of your forearm is facing upward. Your arms should be straight out in front of you at a slightly downward angle, and your elbows should be locked. Move so that the ball is directly in front of you. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and wait until the ball is at the same level as your waist. Allow the ball to strike your forearms about 2 to 6" (5 to 15 cm) above your wrists. When the ball makes contact with your forearms, push up with your legs and angle your "platform" toward your target. Practice setting. Typically, you will not set the ball on the return of serve. Instead, you will use the set to get the ball into the air so that another player can bump it or spike it. Hold your hands in the air and make a triangle window you can see through. Place your feet shoulder-width apart, and bend your legs slightly. Hit the ball with your fingertips when the ball reaches eye level. Push upward with your legs as your strike the ball. If you slap it with the palm of your hand, in a real game, that will be called out for "lifting," like you actually caught the ball and just lifted it back up. Know how to spike. This is also known as the "attack." Approach the ball and lift your dominant hand. Your hand should be curved into the shape of the ball, and your elbow should be bent. Jump up and strike the ball with your palm. Reach as high as you can for maximum power. The ball should travel over the net but sharply downward so that it is difficult for the other team to return it. Be ready to block. For the (three) players at the net, this is used to stop an attack, or spike. There are two types of blocks: An offensive block aims to keep the ball on the opponent's side of the court. The timing must be exactly right to jump up, predict the trajectory of the ball, and slam it back onto the opponent's side. Ideally, it sends the ball straight to the floor. A defensive, or soft, block is used just to stop the power behind the ball to make it easier to send back. The ball hits the blocker's palm, rolls along their fingertips (losing power) and is received by another player. A block does not count as one of the three hits allotted to a side to get the ball over the net. Dig. This is mainly a term for a dive -- a spectacular play where the player saves the ball right before it hits the ground. It involves a great level of reflex and agility. In diving, players land on their chests with their arms stretched out. It is very important to do this safely as injury is likely if done wrong. Seasoned players employ a rolling technique to minimize the risk of injury. Have designated setters. Setting is a definite skill and maintains the offensive for the team. They must be able to operate in tandem with the hitters and place the ball exactly where it needs to be for the attacker to strike the ball effectively. They must be swift and agile in addition to having technical accuracy when it comes to launching the ball. With a bad set, the ball is going nowhere. Just be warned: setters have a lot of restrictions. When they are in the front row they can attack and hit the ball at their will, but, when they are back row, they may not attack any ball that is above the net. Use a "libero. " If you're getting up there in skill, using a libero may be a strategy your team wants to employ. This is not counted as a substitution -- this player wears a different color. This player receives the attack or serve and must have cat-like reflexes. They are a "defensive specialist." They usually replace the middle blocker or center when they are supposed to rotate into the back row. If you have a player that is great at receiving attacks, put 'em in as the libero. That literally means "free," as in they're free to sub in and out as often as they want. However, they cannot play in the front row. Employ middle, opposite and outside hitters. Each designation of hitter has their strong points. Look at your team and see who falls into what category: Middle hitters must perform fast attacks and be decent blockers. They are playing offense and defense constantly. Opposite hitters (or right-side hitters) are a back-up setter and primarily work on defense. They must provide a good block at all times because they are essentially blocking the opposing team's outside, or strong-side, hitter. Outside hitters should be the most consistent hitter on the team as that's generally where all the serves go. They are also often employed if a first pass goes astray from the middle. Substitute players. Though some leagues will allow unlimited substitutions, international rules say that you can have a maximum of 6 (not including the libero). You can also pull in a serving specialist or a defensive specialist (not the same thing has a libero) if your team is lacking in serving or defense skills. Consider different formations. We'll be assuming you're working with 6 players here. If you're not, adapt your number of players and their skills to other various formations. However, with six, there are generally three to choose from (the numbers refer to positions, not to number of players): 4-2 formation. This has four hitters and two setters. Generally speaking, the setters position themselves on the right; they are the two front attackers. This is generally only used in beginner's play. 6-2 formation. This is where a player comes up from the back and acts as a setter. The front row is all poised to attack. All players will be hitters at some point or another. 5-1 formation. This has only one player as a setter, regardless of where they are positioned in the rotation. Obviously then, there are sometimes 2 and sometimes 3 attackers in the front row. The setter can then change up their strategy as they rotate and even just dump the ball lightly over the net at times. It's very setter-centric! Always try to pay attention! The ball could come at you at any time! Purchase a volleyball. The best volleyballs are made of leather or synthetic leather. Also, the ball should have an inner bladder made of rubber. For indoor volleyball, choose a ball that is well-pressurized. Also, look for a ball that is a light uniform color. For outdoor or beach volleyball, choose a brightly colored volleyball that will be easy to see in the sunlight. Buy a net. Make sure that the supports for your net are made of galvanized metal or treated wood. Also, consider padding the poles to protect the players. An official net measures 32 feet (9.75 m) long and 39" (1 m) wide. For men, it comes in at 7 feet (2.1 m) 11 5/8 in (2.43 M) high and for women, it tops out at 7 feet (2.1 m) 4 1/8 in (2.24 m). If you're playing outdoors, dig a hole at least 3' (about 1 m) deep for the poles. If you want your court to be permanent, pour concrete into the holes before you install the poles. Measure your court. An official volleyball court is 29 feet (8.8 m) 6" (9 m) wide and 59 feet (18 m) (18 m) long. Use spray paint or bright nylon tape to mark the boundaries of your court. The lines should be approximately 2" (5 cm) wide. Alternatively, you can use the line markers that came with the net that you purchased. Your court should face north and south as opposed to east and west. This orientation ensures that no team is ever looking directly into the sun. If you're playing an informal game, you can simply mark the boundaries with some shoes or any other items that you have laying around. Don't worry about exact measurements; the point is to have fun while you're playing. Gather your friends. Now that you have all the necessary equipment, get a group together! Volleyball can be played with two people, but it's more fun with a dozen or so. Take the number that you have and figure out your formation -- how will you rotate (if you rotate at all) and account for skill? If you have an odd number, you can either have the odd man out rotate sides, join the weaker team, or rotate one individual acting as a referee or scorekeeper. Or they could be the designated libero and pop around at will! | Choose your players. Determine which team will "serve" the ball first. Serve the ball from behind the line at the back of the court. Return the ball if you're on the receiving team. Continue hitting the ball back and forth across the net until a fault happens. Serve the ball again. Continue playing until you reach a threshold. Learn the basic stance. Practice your serve. "Bump" the ball. Practice setting. Know how to spike. Be ready to block. Dig. Have designated setters. Use a "libero. Employ middle, opposite and outside hitters. Substitute players. Consider different formations. Always try to pay attention! Purchase a volleyball. Buy a net. Measure your court. Gather your friends. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Teach-Sex-Education | How to Teach Sex Education | It's important to teach children sex education throughout school so they can make sense of their changing bodies. To avoid overwhelming your students, teach them the parts of sex education that they can understand at their age. For example, you can teach elementary children about sexuality and masturbation, but it might be too early to confuse them with tips on safe sex. Check the requirements from your country, state, and school to see what you need to cover. You can also find resources online, like videos, diagrams, and hypothetical problems for your students to solve. | Familiarize yourself with your local sex education requirements. Every school, state, province, or country will have its own set of requirements on how sex education can be taught. In most cases, if you are a professional educator, you will most likely be required to follow a certain curriculum provided for you. For example: In the United States, the U.S, Department of Health & Human Service identifies 28 evidence-based curriculums that are eligible to be taught. Your school or program may provide you materials and information from these curriculums. The Public Health Agency of Canada provides Canadian Guidelines for Sexual Health Education. It is a guide that provides specific curricula and teaching strategies to teach sex education. Canadian sex education teaches key concepts like health, health promotion, health education, sexuality, sexual health, and sexual rights. In the United Kingdom, sex education is compulsory after age 11, and focuses on teaching children about reproduction, sexuality, and sexual health. Sex and relationship education (SRE) is part of the national curriculum and is based on the Personal, Social, and Health Education (PSHE) framework of knowledge. Guidelines can be found on the UK government website. Make sure teaching sex education is possible in your situation. In some countries, cultures, religions, and schools, sex education for children is not compulsory or mandatory. In these situations, teaching sex education to children can be difficult for many reasons. For example, sex education might not be welcomed and you may run into roadblocks before you are allowed to teach it. Before teaching sex education, you may have to: Speak to local officials about implementing sex education in your area. This might mean speaking to schools, your community, or members of your government. Prepare resources and evidence that sex education is needed. Join an organization or group that advocates for the implementation of sex education for the community. Plan your own sex education curriculum. You may be able to teach sex education but there are little resources available to you that provide tested and reputable sex education programs that can be taught in your area. In these cases, you may need to do extensive research, talk to sexual health professionals, and collaborate with institutions to come up with an effective sex education program. Understand the different approaches to sex education. In North America, most curriculums advocate the need for comprehensive sexual health education, where multiple topics are discussed and taught extensively. Issues taught include contraception, gender, sexuality, abstinence, abortion, sexually transmitted diseases, and much more. Comprehensive sex education is correlated with lower rates of teen pregnancies, and slightly lower rates of teens reporting having vaginal sex. Some other approaches include: Family life education: This program places emphasis on preparing children for family life and reproduction. Population education: This program focuses on the sociological, environmental and economic consequences of population growth. Medical/disease education: This program emphasizes on avoiding disease and provides medical information about sexual health. Fear-based approach: This program emphasizes the risks of sexually transmitted infections, diseases, and HIV. Abstinence-based education: This programs focuses on abstinence from sex a way to avoid pregnancy and does not provide much coverage on how to use contraceptives, how to have safe sex, and how STIs/HIV work. Research shows that it is not effective at preventing sex or teen pregnancies, and areas with abstinence-based education have higher teen birth rates. Sexuality education: This approach places more emphasis on the individual, sexual activity, sexology, biology and behaviour. It presents sexuality as a key part of life and includes the message that sexuality and sex can be pleasurable. Plan your own lessons or curriculum. Some sex education programs may already have detailed lesson plans for you to follow and some may only provide you with guidelines and will require you to come up with your own lessons. In the case that you will need to plan your own lessons, it is best to follow the established and accurate curriculums for sex education at your school, community, or sex health care provider. These programs have been tested for effectiveness and will provide helpful advice, approaches, and strategies to aid you in teaching sex education. Reach out to other educators who have already implemented or taught sex education. Ask them what was effective, what didn't work, and how they approached sex education with their learners. You may need to establish your own curriculum if you are teaching groups that need special attention, such as learners who have mental disabilities, LGBTQ+ learners, or if you are teaching in a community with specific beliefs and religious views. Educate yourself on sex and sexual health. To better prepare yourself to answer any questions a learner might ask, it's important you understand the material you will be teaching. You can go online, to your local library, or bookstore to find information about sex, sexual health, and sexuality. There are also many organizations that provide courses and materials to help educators teach sex education. Sex education is more than just teaching about sexual behaviours. This means you should also educate yourself on issues such as abstinence, body image, gender, sexuality, sexual development, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual health, and sexual pleasure. Use established, evaluated sex education sources and curriculums to aid in your research. There are many myths and misconceptions that surround sex education and sex in general. Knowing what the truth is and having accurate information about sex education can help you teach better and prevent you from relaying inaccurate or negative information to your learners. Educating yourself about sex can help increase your comfort level with talking about sex or certain topics related to it to others. Understand who you are educating. Age is an important factor that will shape how you educate sex to your learners. Some parents, guardians, and educators will be uncomfortable with sex being taught to children as young as kindergarten. But using age-appropriate information to teach sex education can help ease worries and discomforts about teaching such a sensitive topic like sex. Different issues or topics will be taught depending on a learner's age. Established curriculums will have versions that are tailored to the age of the learner. Knowing the stage of sexual development of your learners will aid you in answering questions and help you provide age-appropriate information and resources for your learners. This way, you can avoid situations where you overstep boundaries or teach beyond what is appropriate to your learners. Determine what your goals are when teaching sex education. Defining your goals or what you would like your learners to achieve after you teach is a helpful way to organize and teach your lessons. In general, most sex educators strive for these goals: To reduce negative outcomes from sexual behaviours, such as unwanted or unplanned pregnancies and infection from sexually transmitted diseases. To provide appropriate knowledge and skills for learners to make healthy decisions about their sex life and future. To build self-confidence in learners. To help learners develop positive relationships and experiences with their sexuality. To provide medically accurate information about concepts like abstinence, contraception, and other health concerns. To respect community, social, and individual values and beliefs regarding sex. Provide a safe environment when talking about sex. If you are a teacher or someone who works for the community or a sexual health organization, you will most likely be teaching in a classroom setting. Whether you're a teacher, parent, guardian, or a friend, it's important you set up a safe environment to talk about sex. A safe environment: Allows learners to feel positive and confident as they learn and ask questions. Is free of negative judgments. Discourages censorship and instead, promotes an open and honest environment. Can be in a classroom, at a community centre, or at home. Prepare to tackle complex issues like gender and sexuality. Gender, sex, and sexuality are different concepts that are often confused together. By differentiating them, you can help ease a learner's confusion about their identity, especially for those who are struggling with "non-normative" identities. These identities include people who may have gender identity issues like trans youth or those who may be questioning their sexuality. Reach out to the community to obtain a better understanding of these complex issues. There are many organizations within the LGBTQ+ community that can provide you with materials, resources, and even curriculums for you to follow. Advocate for safer policies regarding issues like homophobia or transphobia. Trans and LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to be harassed and abused verbally, physically and sexually. By educating or approaching the community with these issues, you help save lives of LGTBQ+ individuals and foster a more accepting environment. Partner with professionals that specialize in certain topics to ensure your curriculum covers everything accurately and effectively. For example, you may ask invite a member of the LGBTQ+ community to lead a lesson and talk about their experiences and share their knowledge about sexual health and well-being to your learners. Make sure your curriculum is age-appropriate, culturally sensitive, and respectful of the beliefs and values of differing groups. This may be difficult to do, but it's not impossible. By getting feedback from other educators, professionals, and parents or guardians of learners, you can help ensure your curriculum is appropriate. Practice talking about sexual health. This can be very beneficial if you find the topic of sex education uncomfortable to discuss. Try talking casually and openly to a peer or a close friend about sexual health. Or practice teaching your lesson to someone you're close with. This exercise can help you with become comfortable talking about sex and also provide you with feedback on how effective your teaching is. Practicing can help you avoid mistakes like being overly critical of someone else's opinion about sex, laughing in times of discomfort or embarrassment, and avoid lecturing or talking down to people when you're teaching. Contact your learners' parents or guardians with information about the content you'll be teaching. While teaching young learners, it's extremely important you keep parents and guardians involved in the process of sex education. Send parents and guardians a letter detailing the sexual health program you will be teaching to their children. This way, learners can choose to either opt out of the lesson or provide you with comments before you start teaching. Many sexual health organizations and curriculums can provide educators with a sample letter to use to send to parents and guardians. You can send simple outlines of each lesson or a detailed summary of the whole program. If you are teaching adult learners, it is also important to let them know what you plan to teach. Some learners may have differing beliefs and values and may choose to opt out of certain lessons or from the entire program you'll be teaching. Remind yourself that sex education for babies is not about acts of sex. The thought of teaching sex education for infants can be daunting and taboo, but most parents, guardians, and caregivers already teach infants sex education without even knowing it. From age 0 to 3, children will begin to explore their bodies, learn the differences between cisgender males and females, and start to form their own gender identities. Sex education for infants takes the form of teaching children about their bodies and helping them form healthy relationships and bonds with caregivers. If you are teaching infants about their sexual health, you are most likely their parent, guardian, or primary caregiver. Most institutions do acknowledge the importance of sex education for infants, but it is unlikely there are any formal educational programs out there for children that young. By making the conscious effort to teach infants about their bodies, about genders, and by promoting good relationships, you are creating a positive foundation for their future sexual well-being. Teach children the correct names of body parts, including their genitalia. Children start to learn body parts as infants and are often told to show caregivers their nose, eyes, and ears, for example. At this time, infants should also be taught the correct names of their genitalia. By teaching children early, they will become comfortable and familiar with their bodies and be more aware of sexual or reproductive health problems as they age and will be more likely to seek help. Use opportunities like bath time or diaper changes to teach infants about their bodies. It can be as simple as pointing to a child's genitals and saying, "That is your penis" or "That is your vulva". You can also start to make associations between sex and genitalia by saying, "Most females have vaginas" and "Most males have penises." This teaches facts, while also opening the door for helping your child understand and respect transgender classmates, friends, or family members. Tell children about the basic rules of privacy. Many children will develop curiosity about the body as young as 2 years old. They may start engaging in behaviours such as asking each other about their bodies, peeking at each other's bodies in bathrooms, or even showing private body parts to each other. Young children may also start to hug, kiss, and touch each other. At this point, it is important to talk to children about the basic rules of privacy, such as: Your body is your own. Children should learn that their body belongs to them and no one can touch it without their permission. They should be taught how to say "no" to kissing, hugging, and other types of physical contact they don't want, whether it is appropriate or not. Good touch versus bad touch. Children should be taught how to recognize appropriate and inappropriate touching. A good way to teach this is to use The Underwear Rule. This means touching anywhere that is covered by underwear is inappropriate. They should also be taught to consult with a trusted adult or family member when bad touches happen. Good secrets and bad secrets. Teaching children that there are bad secrets and good secrets helps prevent sexual abusers from manipulating children into keeping secrets like if they are being touched inappropriately or being abused. Observe young children's gender expressions. By two, a child will begin to understand what gender is, and even identify their own gender identity. However, it is common for children to experiment with their gender identity through role playing and dressing up. It's important to be aware of your child's gender expression so you can prepare for certain situations: Some children may start to show signs of being transgender. Children may ask questions or make assumptions about what is correct behaviour for a certain gender. Talk to them about stereotypes, if needed, and assure them that it's okay to break stereotypes (like a boy playing with dolls or a girl getting dirty playing sports). Other people or children may disagree with a child's gender expression and cause the child distress. If so, help the child deal with the problem, and reassure them that it's okay to be themselves. Teach the basics of reproduction. Children at this age will begin to ask questions about babies such as "Where did I come from?" or "Where do babies come from?" You can start to tell young children the basics of reproduction: Babies grow in one person's (almost always a woman's) uterus. You may use different language like, "You came from Mommy's belly" or "Mommy made you, and Daddy helped." Two people make babies. For example, "Mommy and Daddy made you, because we wanted to have a child." It is always recommended to use accurate and correct language to eliminate confusion in the future and allow children to be comfortable with talking about reproduction. Explain to children the process of puberty. Children as young as 8 may begin to experience puberty both physically and mentally. It is important to make children aware what changes may follow, such as: Physical changes like the growth of genitals, breast development and menstruation, and growth spurts. Sexual feelings that may lead to sexual attraction to others and masturbation. Emotional changes that affect how children see themselves, their self-image, and how they relate to others like their parents, family, and friends. Anticipate that children will start to explore behaviours that may be sexual in nature. Elementary-aged children may start to become physically intimate with each other and start dating, kissing, or touching. Some older children may even begin to explore the idea of being sexually intimate with someone. Talk about the importance of permission when it comes to touching each other. If you see a child trying to force touch on someone else (e.g. trying to kiss an unwilling kid), scold them and say it's not appropriate. For example, "He said no! You need to listen to him." Some education programs will start to educate elementary-aged children about protection and contraceptives when engaging in sex. As well as the effects of HIVs/AIDs and STIs/STDs. The continuation of teaching children that their bodies are their own will help them engage in safe and healthy relationships with others. Acknowledge children's struggles with body image, social skills, and sexuality. At this time, children will come across difficulties with expressing themselves, or have trouble understanding what is happening to them as puberty begins. It's important to address issues such as: Sexuality. Since children at this age will start to develop attraction towards one another, some may experience difficulty adjusting to their sexuality, especially if they identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, or anything other than what is assumed as "normal". Provide resources and comfort to help children adjust to their sexuality. Gender identity. Some children may be expressing their gender differently or identify as transgender. Validate these differences by providing children tools and resources to better navigate their gender, and also protect them from discrimination or bullying. Masturbation. In most sex education programs, masturbation is seen as a healthy and normal activity. Many may have questions about masturbation or about their sudden development of intense sexual feelings that might have lead to incidents like having "wet dreams". Family life. Family life may be affected since parents or family members may start to give more responsibilities to older children and even divide tasks based on gender. At this time, sex or gender discrimination is an important topic to cover. Body image. With all the physical changes happening, it's important to address healthy ways to deal with low self-esteem or issues with body image. Emphasize the importance of consent when engaging in sexual activities. Some children from 15 to 19 years old will be sexually active so it is important to talk about what consent is, what it looks like, and stress the importance of it. Teaching consent will decrease the likelihood of sexual violence and also promote healthier relationships and better overall sexual health. An overview of consent includes knowing that: Consent is a voluntary and enthusiastic "yes". It is not based on silence, previous sexual activities, or what the person is wearing. Consent needs to be asked and given freely. Both parties should ask each other if they would be willing to engage in a certain sexual activity and both parties should answer. Consent is not coercion. Pressuring someone into sex, threatening them, intimidating them, blackmailing then, or guilt-tripping them into sexual acts are all forms of coercion. Teach children how to use protection and contraceptives. Depending on your program or curriculum, you may need to teach children how to use protection or about contraception. You may need to provide them with demonstrations, resources, and discuss the benefits and effects of using protection and contraceptives. Be sure to talk about the wide variety of contraceptives available. For example, condoms can be used by both females and males. Teach children the effects of having unprotected sex. These include having an unwanted or unplanned pregnancy, and receiving and transmitting diseases. Learn the teaching strategies required of your program. If you are following a specific program or curriculum, it is most likely you will be given teaching strategies to learn and use. In most cases, these strategies were tested, researched, and judged as the best way to teach a certain sex education program. Some curriculums will be very specific, providing you with detailed lesson plans, activities, and strategies. Many educators will work with their school, community, or sexual health organization to figure out what the best approaches and strategies to teaching sex education are. If there are particular strategies or approaches that you believe are effective, you can always find a way to become involved with how sex education is taught to others. Join organizations, your school board, or speak to officials about ways to better sex education in your area. Choose activities that encourage students to work cooperatively. Most sexual health organizations encourage educators to adopt cooperative learning strategies. This means students or learners work with others in assignments, discussions, and projects. This gets students involved in their learning and helps them construct meaning from information on their own. Some examples of cooperative learning strategies include: Inquiry-based learning: This approach places students' questions, ideas, and observations in the centre of their learning experience. You will act as a "provocateur" or someone that introduces students to ideas or topics that is of interest to them or what matters to them. Students are guided to investigate and look for answers using critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and evidence-based reasoning. Problem-based learning: This approach begins by presenting a problem to students before they receive any knowledge about a topic. This method gives you more control of what topics or problems to focus on. After students are informed of the problem, they are encouraged to seek knowledge and solutions cooperatively together. For example, you could make up a hypothetical problem like "Sally doesn't want to have sex with her boyfriend. How can she tell her boyfriend this?" and then ask students to come up with a solution. Project-based learning: This approach has students working on a long term project that addresses and investigates complex questions, problems, or challenges in sex education. A popular project-based learning approach used in sex education is to simulate what having a baby is like. Students bring home a lifelike baby doll that cries, eats, poops, and pees, and are asked to care for it for an extended period of time. The project helps students realize that caring for a child can be difficult and teaches them responsibility. If you have had a baby, try caring for the doll yourself, and then tell them how it compares to caring for a real baby. (Is it easier? Harder?) Use visuals and media to aid your teaching. You can use pictures, diagrams, videos, or visual demonstrations to keep students engaged while you're teaching. Try these activities: Fill in the blank diagrams. This is especially helpful to demonstrate the human body and things related to it such as the menstrual cycle, genitalia, areas affected by puberty, or the reproduction cycle. Watch informative videos. In most sex education curriculums, videos will be provided to help you teach your students. Demonstrate how to do things. In many sex education courses, educators will demonstrate with objects how to put on a condom, how to use a menstrual pad or tampon, how contraceptives work, and how sexually transmitted diseases work. It's important these demonstrations only simulate the actual action. You may have seen educators put condoms on bananas or use small cups of water to demonstrate how a tampon works. Encourage students to reflect through journal writing. Journal-writing encourages students to record, reflect, and write about their health learning. Many health care providers encourage people of all ages and life stages to use journal writing to keep track of their health concerns. Having a health care journal can: Keep track of your health. It's easier to detect patterns if you record any concerns you have about your health the moment it happens. A constant ache or pain could indicate a bigger problem if it has been happening for days or weeks. An injury in the past might explain a new health concern today. Keep track of medications. A journal could help remind you to take medication, get tested regularly, or inform them of what medications they have used in the past. Provide an overall review of a person's health. Just by recording all things health-related, a health care journal can give a brief summary of your health. Evaluate and assess your students' learning. After teaching your students, it's important to evaluate how effective your teaching was. There are many ways you can assess your students: Do a comprehension check. You can simply ask students to reiterate what they learned after a lesson. Or give them a quiz or do a review exercise. Observe your students. You may notice a few disengaged students, or you may realize a certain topic makes everyone feel uncomfortable. By observing your students, you can assess how effective your lesson was. Assess projects and assignments according to a rubric. This is a more accurate way to measure the success of your lesson. Many curriculums provided by your school or a health care organization will have rubrics to help you assess students' learning. Establish the ground rules before starting the lesson. Rules help create a safe and open discussion during your lesson. Tell your learners to: Listen and speak appropriately during your lesson. This might mean raising their hand, speaking only when called, and using appropriate language when talking. Respect other students. Some students may be reluctant to share information or ask questions that might sound "silly" to others. Respecting each other means being non-judgmental towards one another. Maintain confidentiality during the lesson. Personal experiences and information might be shared during the lesson and students should be told not to share these stories or information to others outside of the class. Inform students that you will respect their privacy. Let your students know that you are here to discuss facts and opinions about sexual health—not to expose or push students to talk about their own or any sexual experiences or lack thereof. Refrain from talking about your own sexual experiences if it doesn't enrich or benefit the lesson and your learners. In some situations, especially if you have a very close or casual relationship with your learners, sharing stories and experiences can help relax students and even open them up to express their own opinions and questions. However, it's best to avoid this unless you have a very good and mutual understanding with your learners. In some situations, sharing explicit personal information about yourself can make learners feel uncomfortable. Actively promote critical thinking and open-mindedness. A great educator is not only someone who is able to relay information to their learners, but is also one who is able to listen and inspire their learners. There are many ways you can encourage your students: Refrain from taking a one-sided point of view on an issue. Instead, express an open attitude and willingness to listen and discuss any and all issues relating to sexual health. Show that you value a learner's opinion or what they have to say. Use validating responses or phrases like, "That's an interesting comment you've made" or "I think what you said is very important" or "I understand your concern". Ask for your learners' opinions on an issue. After explaining an issue or concept, open the discussion by asking if anyone has questions, concerns, or comments they'd like to make. Ask what they think about what you've just taught them. Be flexible when teaching your lesson. Sometimes learners will have burning questions that they can't keep until the end to ask. Encourage and allow students to ask questions or make comments whenever they arise, even if they might steer the discussion towards an unintended topic in your lesson plan. However, always use judgement: not every question is worth answering right then and there. Relate with your learners what they have learned in the past. Every learner will enter a sex education course or classroom with different ideas on how sex or sexual health works. A good way to ease into the beginning of a lesson is to ask your students to share what they know about a certain topic. This activity encourages students to actively participate in discussions. Knowing what the students already know can help give you an idea how to go about the lesson. You will have a better sense of what issues to focus more on and any misinformation you will need to correct. Allow learners to ask questions anonymously or privately with you. In any setting, there will be learners who are shy or feel uncomfortable asking their questions in front of a large group. Give opportunities to these learners by: Providing resources to them. Direct students to reputable resources where they can find their own answers to their questions such as websites, books, or information from sexual health organizations. Giving them a point of contact to discuss their concerns with their own sexual health. It can be a guidance counsellor, a sexual health professional or service, or even you. Let learners submit questions anonymously. A helpful activity to try in class is to have all your students write down their questions or concerns on a piece of paper and submit it to your anonymously. You can then answer these questions in front of the class, or incorporate the questions in a future lesson. Reinforce what is an appropriate or inappropriate question. Although you should encourage students to openly ask questions, you should also evaluate which questions are appropriate to answer and which are just asked to produce a reaction rather than to enhance learning. Tell your students: "If I don't answer a question, it's not because it's a bad question. It might be that I feel it isn't an interest to all students." "If you ask a question and I don't answer it, ask me again after class in private." Validate students' concerns. Even if you don't answer a question or come across an opinion or question you can't respond to, you can validate the student's comment. Some helpful ways to respond to students' comments is to: Give affirmation: "Thanks for asking", "That is a great question!", or "Please tell me more about what you'd like to know." Ask for clarification positively: "Sounds like you have a real concern. Can you please tell me more about what's on your mind?" or "That sounds like an important question. Could you explain it to me a bit more?" Address feelings: Some questions may be loaded with feelings such as embarrassment or disgust. Try prefacing your answer by saying, "We are all embarrassed sometimes, but it's important to discuss it". Normalize the question: "Many people ask that question!" or "That's something a lot of people have wondered about" but never use the word "normal". Normal is not a proper term to use as it has a heavy social meaning to it rather than a medical meaning. In one setting or culture, something "normal" might be "abnormal" in another. Answer questions as honestly and as best you can. If there is a question you don't know the answer to, let your students know. At the same time, validate their questions or concerns to let them know you understand them and will be working hard to answer their question eventually. If a question makes you uncomfortable, let your students know. You might not be able to control your reaction or feelings toward a question and letting your students know how you feel about a question can help clarify why you can't answer a question. Try saying, "I'm a bit uncomfortable with this question" and follow up with validation. Determine if you will be answering questions about personal behaviour. Students might ask questions about their own personal behaviours that you may or may not want to discuss with the class. You might be asked questions like, "Is it normal to...?" or "Did you... when you were growing up?" These questions might be religious or culturally loaded and may question morals rather than the facts you are teaching. Deal with these questions by: Reinforcing the ground rules. If you choose not to answer personal behaviour questions, tell students, "We won't be discussing personal behaviour questions during this class." Referring students to other resources. Other sexual health care professionals, parents, guardians, or religious organizations may be better equipped at answering questions about morals surrounding sexual health. Speak to them privately about their concern. A question about a personal behaviour might be better understood in context. You might find out a student's family is religious after they ask you if abortions are okay. You might then refer them to the appropriate person to speak to about such an issue. Diffuse questions asked to "shock" others. Some students may ask questions to shock others into a reaction. They might have a real concern but are too embarrassed to address it seriously, or they feel the need to divert attention away from the topic being discussed. Never assume these questions are silly or tell students that their question is silly. Instead, remind students of your ground rules and try to guide this question into a teachable topic. Reword any slang vocabulary to diffuse the question. A student might ask, "Why do balls hurt when they're hit?" You could respond by saying, "First, the proper term for balls is testicles. Testicles are very sensitive and do hurt when they're hit" and proceed to answer their question. Students may also criticize certain topics and say statements like, "Guys only want sex from girls!" You can respond by addressing the underlying concern in a question or statement. In this example, you can respond by saying, "It seems like you are concerned about respect in relationships." Follow the policies provided to you by the community. Each institution, community, and country will have different policies that dictate how sex education can be taught. These policies might come from the community or they could come from larger bodies of governance. In some cases, a conservative community will have certain views on how sex should be talked about and taught. However, that does not necessarily mean that is how sex education should be taught. And instead, the education system may have differing views and policies on how to teach certain sexual health topics. Discuss with community leaders, educators, and organizations on what sex education looks like in a conservative community. They may have advice or provide you with guidelines on how to communicate with learners and their families, and even how to manage controversy and criticism about sex education. Remember, the goal of sex education is promote sexual health to learners. Do what is best for your learners, but practice judgement. Prepare to respond to people who oppose sex education. People who oppose to sex education are not limited to conservative communities. The first thing to do if you come across someone who opposes sex education is to listen to their point of view and their reasoning. Do not belittle them or antagonize them by telling them they are misinformed or lack knowledge. Instead, respond to their concerns calmly and be as helpful as you can. There are many reasons why someone might oppose to sex education: They lack knowledge about your program, and don't know how you will implement sex education. Give them information about your program, the lessons you will be teaching, and your goals while teaching. If a whole community is opposed to sex education because of this reason, bring written material about your program to community meetings, to community members, and discuss your program with them. They fear they sex education will distress or corrupt young people. Let them know that sex education advocates for responsible sexual health and does not always primarily focus on sexual activities or behaviours. They believe talking about sex leads to sexual activity. There are many reputable and authoritative studies that show sex education does not increase sexual experimentation. Instead, sex education only changes the way sex is performed, usually meaning people who have had sex education are more likely to use contraceptives and get tested for STIs. Explain that your intent is to lower the rates of teen pregnancy, and that you'll be using research-approved methods to do this. Sex education opposes their moral, religious, or cultural beliefs. Let them know that it is perfectly okay to opt out of sex education. Or let them know when certain topics will be discussed and allow the option to opt out of classes that go against a certain belief. | Familiarize yourself with your local sex education requirements. Make sure teaching sex education is possible in your situation. Understand the different approaches to sex education. Plan your own lessons or curriculum. Educate yourself on sex and sexual health. Understand who you are educating. Determine what your goals are when teaching sex education. Provide a safe environment when talking about sex. Prepare to tackle complex issues like gender and sexuality. Practice talking about sexual health. Contact your learners' parents or guardians with information about the content you'll be teaching. Remind yourself that sex education for babies is not about acts of sex. Teach children the correct names of body parts, including their genitalia. Tell children about the basic rules of privacy. Observe young children's gender expressions. Teach the basics of reproduction. Explain to children the process of puberty. Anticipate that children will start to explore behaviours that may be sexual in nature. Acknowledge children's struggles with body image, social skills, and sexuality. Emphasize the importance of consent when engaging in sexual activities. Teach children how to use protection and contraceptives. Learn the teaching strategies required of your program. Choose activities that encourage students to work cooperatively. Use visuals and media to aid your teaching. Encourage students to reflect through journal writing. Evaluate and assess your students' learning. Establish the ground rules before starting the lesson. Inform students that you will respect their privacy. Actively promote critical thinking and open-mindedness. Relate with your learners what they have learned in the past. Allow learners to ask questions anonymously or privately with you. Reinforce what is an appropriate or inappropriate question. Validate students' concerns. Answer questions as honestly and as best you can. Determine if you will be answering questions about personal behaviour. Diffuse questions asked to "shock" others. Follow the policies provided to you by the community. Prepare to respond to people who oppose sex education. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Install-LED-Strip-Lighting | How to Install LED Strip Lighting | To install LED strip lighting, first run the strip across your chosen surface to work out how much you need. Then, cut the strip along the nearest dotted line to avoid damaging the components. Once you've got the right length, attach a quick connecter to the end of the LED strip if it doesn't already have an input cable. Before you attach the strip to your surface, give it a quick wipe down so the adhesive sticks properly. Then, remove the adhesive backing from the whole strip and press it firmly against the wall. Finally, connect your LED strip to its power supply using the quick connector or wire. If it doesn't work after connecting to the power supply, check that all of the plus and minus signs are lined up. | Measure the area where you plan on hanging the LEDs. Take a rough estimate of how much LED lighting you're going to need. If you're going to install LED lighting in different locations, measure each spot so you are able to cut the lighting to size later. Add the measurements together to estimate the total length of LED lighting you will need to purchase. Plan out the installation before doing anything else. Try making a sketch of the area, noting where you're going to place the lights and any nearby outlets you can connect them to. Be sure to account for the distance between the nearest outlet and the LED light location. Get a longer length of lighting or an extension cord as needed to fill in the gap. LED strips and other supplies are available online. Some department stores, home improvement centers, and light fixture retailers also carry them. Check the LEDs to see what kind of voltage they require. Look at the product label on the LED strips or on the website if you're purchasing them online. LEDs are either 12V or 24V. To keep your LEDs running long-term, you have to have a matching power supply. Otherwise, the LEDs won't have enough power to operate. If you're planning on using multiple strips or cutting LEDs into smaller strips, you can generally wire them to the same power source. The 12V lights are fit well in most locations and use less power. However, the 24V variety shines brighter and comes in longer lengths. Determine the maximum power consumption of the LED strips. Each LED light strip consumes a specific amount of wattage, or electrical power. It depends on how long the strip is. Check the product label to see how many watts per 1 ft (0.30 m) the lighting uses. Then, multiply the watts by the total distance of the strip you plan on installing. For example, if you're installing a 25 ft (7.6 m) length of lighting that requires 5.12 watts per foot: 25 watts x 3 ft = 128 watts total. Remember that the measurement will vary depending on where you live. Check carefully to see if it's watts per meter or watts per foot. If the product label lists the total wattage, divide it by the total number of feet or meters in the reel. For example, if the strip is 5 ft (1.5 m) long at 24-watts: 24 / 5 = 4.8 watts per foot. Multiply the power consumption by 1.2 to figure out the minimum power rating. The result will tell you how strong your power supply has to be in order to keep the LEDs powered. Since the LEDs may use a little more power than you anticipate, add an extra 20 percent to the total and treat it as your minimum. That way, the power available will never dip below what the LEDs require. For example, using a 25 ft (7.6 m) strip: 128 total watts x 1.2 = 153.6 watts. The power supply should offer at least 153.6 watts, or else the lights won't work. Add 20% to the estimate to ensure the lights stay on: 153.6 watts x 20% = 30.72 watts. Then, 153.6 watts + 30.72 watts = 184.32 total watts. Many online retailers have a handy calculator you can take advantage of to ensure you get a compatible power supply. Divide the power consumption by the voltage to get the minimum amperes. One last measurement is essential to powering your new LED strips. Amperes, or amps, measures how fast an electrical current travels. If the current doesn't travel fast enough through a long stretch of LED strips, then the lights will dim or shut off. The amp rating can be tested with a multimeter or estimated with a little math. For example, if you have 12V LEDs that use 128 watts of power: 128 / 12 = 10.66 amps. To test LED strips, touch the multimeter's leads to the LED's copper dots. Make sure it is set to A for amps. Purchase a power supply that matches your power requirements. You now have enough information to select the perfect power supply to light up the LEDs. Find a suitable power supply matching both the maximum power rating in watts and the amperage you calculated earlier. The most common type of power supply is a brick-style adapter, similar to the ones used to power laptops. It's very easy to use, since all you do is plug it into the wall after connecting it to the LED strip. Most modern adapters come with the parts needed to connect them to LED strips. If you're planning on powering different LED strips separately, get power supply adapters for each one. Remember to calculate each one's power requirement, since they may be different. If you have dimmable lights, select a power supply that is also dimmable. You could also place a dimmer switch between the power supply and the LEDs. Another option is to hardwire the LED strips to your existing electrical supply with a hardwire power supply. The installation is tough and potentially dangerous, so call a certified electrician for assistance. Use plug-in quick connectors if you need to join separate LED strips. Clip-on connectors fit over the copper dots at the end of the LED strip. These dots will be labeled with a plus or minus. Position the clip so the correct wire is over each dot. Fit the red wire over the dot marked as positive (+) and the black one over the dot marked as negative (-). Although you have to buy these connectors, they make setting up modern LEDs straightforward. They are very handy for joining LED strips or power sources. If you don't have the appropriate connectors or don't wish to use any, you could solder the strips together instead. Select screw-on connectors for a way to cover any loose wiring. Screw-on connecting terminals have open slots for the wires used to connect some LEDs or devices. Check the connector to see which terminals are marked positive and negative. Then, put the matching wire into each one. Use a Phillips screwdriver to turn the terminal screws clockwise, holding the wires in place. Screw-on connectors are often used in soldering, but they can also be helpful for wiring in a dimmer or connecting multiple LED strips to the same power supply. Connect the LED to your power source with a quick connector. Your power supply will have a long cable with a plug at one end. LED strips also have a similar adapter at one end. The power adapter plugs into the one on the LED strip. If you cut off the LED plug, you could get buy another quick connector that attaches to the end of the strip. If your LED strip doesn't already have a connector, use a clip-on connector first, then attach it to a screw-on connector. One way to connect multiple LED strips to a power supply is through a strip splitter. It has several plugs on one end for the LED strips. The opposite end fits on the power supply plug. Test your LED strips. If they don't light up right away, check that all of the positive and negative wires align. Select red and black power wires to solder to the LED contacts. LED lights usually have 2 contacts, each one requiring a separate wire. Try using wires from 0.025 to 0.04 in (0.064 to 0.102 cm) in diameter. Get separate black and red wires for each LED you wish to connect. If you're soldering a connector to the wire, check the connector first to see if it has wires attached. You won't have to buy separate wiring if it does. Some LED strips use up to 4 wires. The 24V variety frequently uses red, blue, green, and yellow wires instead of red and black, which you can figure out by looking at the labeled copper dots on the LEDs. Note that the wiring colors and sizes used may vary a little depending on where you live. However, black and red wires are typically used for power. Use wire strippers to remove 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) of casing from each wire. Measure from the end of a wire you plan on using. Then, clamp the wire between the tool's jaws. Press down until it breaks through the casing. After pulling off the casing, strip the remaining wires. If you're using fresh wires, strip both ends to prepare them for soldering. If the wires are already attached to a connector, you only have to strip the loose end. While you could also cut the casing off with a sharp knife, be careful to avoid puncturing the wires. Put on protective gear and ventilate the area. Soldering releases fumes that can be irritating if you happen to breathe them in. For protection, put on a dust mask and open up nearby doors and windows. Also, wear safety glasses to guard your eyes against heat, smoke, and splattered metal. You could also wear heat-resistant gloves, but they may affect your ability to operate the soldering iron. Keep other people and pets out of the area until you have cooled and put away the soldering iron. Wait about 30 seconds for the soldering iron to heat to 350 °F (177 °C). At this temperature, the soldering iron will be ready to melt copper without scorching it. The soldering iron gets hot, so handle it with caution. Set it in a heat-safe soldering iron holder, or just hang onto it until it warms up. Try using a soldering iron with a power rating between 30 to 60W. It will get hot enough to melt copper, but it likely won't burn it. The heat coming off the soldering iron will be noticeable when it warms up. Keep it away from flammable surfaces until it is cool again. Melt the ends of the wires onto the LED strip’s copper dots. Position the red wire over the dot marked as positive (+) and the black wire over the negative (-) dot. Work on them one at a time. Hold the soldering iron at a 45-degree angle beside the exposed wire. Then, lightly touch it to the wire until it melts and sticks in place. If you're having a hard time getting the wires to stick, you could get separate copper solder wire and melt it on over the exposed wire. The solder ensures that the wires are well-connected to the LED pads. Wait at least 30 seconds for the solder to cool. Soldered copper usually cools down at a fast rate. After the time is up, move your hand close to the LED strip. If you detect any heat coming off of it, give it more time to cool. Once it's done, you can plug in your LED lights to test them. While you're waiting for the LEDs to cool, take care of your soldering iron. Put it in a heat-safe holder until it cools, then unplug it for storage. If the lights don't work, check the connections. Make sure the wires are firmly attached to the LED and that they are connected to the correct copper dots. If they still don't work, try again with a fresh strip. Put a shrink tube over the exposed wires and heat it briefly. The shrink tube will encase the exposed wire to protect it and prevent electrical shock. Use a gentle source of heat, such as a hairdryer on a low heat setting. Hold it about 6 in (15 cm) from the tube and move it back and forth to avoid burning it. Once the tube is tight against the soldered joints, after about 15 to 30 minutes of heating, you can install the LEDs for use in your home. The exposed wires are vulnerable even if you did a good job soldering them. Cover them to ensure they last longer and are safe to use in your home! You can use a heat gun or another tool to heat shrink tubes. If you're using an open flame, be very careful to avoid burning or melting anything. Join the opposite ends of the solder wires to other LEDs or connectors. Soldering is often used to join separate LED strips together, and you can do this by soldering the wires to the copper dots on the nearest LED strips. The wires allow electricity to run through both LED strips. The wires may also be plugged into a screw-on quick connector that plugs into a power supply or another device. If you're using a connector, slot the wires into the connector's openings, then use a Phillips screwdriver to tighten the screw terminals holding them in place. Some types of quick connectors come with power wires already installed. To use the connector, all you have to do is solder the wires to the LED strip. Wash the installation point with warm water, then wipe it dry. Dampen a clean cloth in warm water, then scrub the surface to remove debris. Any grime left behind could prevent the LEDs from sticking, so thoroughly clean the surface until it's free of dirt and scuff marks. Remove any moisture left over with a clean, dry cloth or give the surface 30 minutes to air dry. Remove stubborn stains by dampening your cloth in isopropyl alcohol instead. You could also combine equal amounts of warm water and white vinegar for an alternative cleaner. If you're still having trouble taking care of stains, use a specialty cleaner matching the surface you're treating. For example, get a wood cleaner to deal with wood surfaces. Peel the adhesive backing off and press the LEDs in place. LED lights are like stickers, so wait until you're ready to put them on the wall before pulling the backing off. It's best to do this a little at a time. Start at one end of the surface, peeling the backing off of the initial LED light. Position it, press it flat by hand, then continue placing the rest of the strip. Take your time. Make sure the LEDs are in the right place so you don't have to move them later. If the strips won't adhere to the surface, you may need to clean it again. Otherwise, you could get mounting tape, velcro straps, mounting clips, or another tool to hold the lights in place. Cut the LEDs to size using the dotted guidelines on the strips. Unroll the length of LED lights you need from the reel, then find the dotted lines on each one. They are typically positioned between copper dots every 2 in (5.1 cm) along each light. Cut through the line to sever the strip from the reel without damaging it. Make sure the strip is long enough for your project. Cut only at the specified mark. If you cut anywhere else, the strip won't work. The copper dots are there so you can connect the strip to something else and still get it to work. Remember that each LED strip you cut has to be wired into the power supply or attached to a separate power supply. If you wish to make the process as simple as possible, don't cut the LEDs unless you absolutely need to. | Measure the area where you plan on hanging the LEDs. Check the LEDs to see what kind of voltage they require. Determine the maximum power consumption of the LED strips. Multiply the power consumption by 1.2 to figure out the minimum power rating. Divide the power consumption by the voltage to get the minimum amperes. Purchase a power supply that matches your power requirements. Use plug-in quick connectors if you need to join separate LED strips. Select screw-on connectors for a way to cover any loose wiring. Connect the LED to your power source with a quick connector. Select red and black power wires to solder to the LED contacts. Use wire strippers to remove 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) of casing from each wire. Put on protective gear and ventilate the area. Wait about 30 seconds for the soldering iron to heat to 350 °F (177 °C). Melt the ends of the wires onto the LED strip’s copper dots. Wait at least 30 seconds for the solder to cool. Put a shrink tube over the exposed wires and heat it briefly. Join the opposite ends of the solder wires to other LEDs or connectors. Wash the installation point with warm water, then wipe it dry. Peel the adhesive backing off and press the LEDs in place. Cut the LEDs to size using the dotted guidelines on the strips. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Breast-Feeding | How to Stop Breast Feeding | To stop breast feeding, start by feeding your baby with your chosen substitute, such as breast milk in a bottle, during a daytime feeding. You could also try doing this feeding in another room to help your baby adjust to the new way of eating. After a few days, replace another feeding with a cup or bottle. Then, begin offering your baby a bottle before every feeding, even the ones you're not planning to replace, as this will get your baby used to eating in the new way. | Decide on a breastfeeding replacement. When you're ready to stop breast feeding, you need a suitable substitute that is nutritious enough to meet the baby's needs. Seek guidance from your pediatrician about foods that will ease the baby's transition from breastfeeding to eating from a bottle or cup. These options are among those available to mothers who choose to stop breastfeeding: Continue feeding breast milk that has been pumped. Just because you no longer want to breast feed doesn't mean you have to stop feeding the baby breast milk. This is a good option for mothers who are unavailable to breastfeed the baby but aren't yet ready to stop feeding the baby breast milk. Replace the breast milk with formula. Ask your doctor about which fortified formula might be right for your baby. Replace the breast milk with solid food and cow's milk. If the baby is 4 to 6 months old, he or she may be ready to take solid food along with breast milk or formula. Babies over 1 year old may also have cow's milk. Decide whether to wean the baby from the bottle. In some cases, ending breast feeding is also a good time to wean the baby from the bottle and have him her or use a cup instead. Take the following factors into consideration: Babies need liquid nutrition in the form of breast milk or formula throughout their first year, but they can start drinking from a cup as early as 4 months. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ec\/Stop-Breast-Feeding-Step-2Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Breast-Feeding-Step-2Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ec\/Stop-Breast-Feeding-Step-2Bullet1.jpg\/aid1069191-v4-728px-Stop-Breast-Feeding-Step-2Bullet1.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>"} Babies who drink from the bottle after age 1 may develop tooth decay and other dental issues. Replace a daytime feeding. To wean the baby gradually choose a feeding that happens during a busy time of the day and replace it with your chosen substitute. Place either pumped breast milk or formula in a bottle or cup to feed the baby. Do the feeding in a new room in the house. Weaning a baby is both a physical and psychological transition. Doing it in a new room can help the baby ease away from associating a particular atmosphere with food. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/21\/Stop-Breast-Feeding-Step-3Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Breast-Feeding-Step-3Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/21\/Stop-Breast-Feeding-Step-3Bullet1.jpg\/aid1069191-v4-728px-Stop-Breast-Feeding-Step-3Bullet1.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>"} Give the baby extra comfort and hugs during the feeding to help the transition go more smoothly. Replace another feeding every few days. As the baby grows used to the new style of eating, keep replacing another feeding every two or three days. Don't rush the process too much, or the baby may grow confused and the weaning plan could backfire. Offer the baby milk or formula in a cup or bottle before every feeding, even those you don't plan to fully replace. Getting the baby used to these alternative feeding instruments is an essential transition step. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/Stop-Breast-Feeding-Step-4Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Breast-Feeding-Step-4Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/Stop-Breast-Feeding-Step-4Bullet1.jpg\/aid1069191-v4-728px-Stop-Breast-Feeding-Step-4Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Shorten the breastfeeding sessions you still have. Continue replacing and shortening feedings over the course of a few weeks until the baby has switched almost entirely to drinking from a bottle or cup, depending on which one you have chosen to provide. Help the baby get used to doing activities without breastfeeding. For example, many babies breastfeed right before they go to sleep. Start putting the baby to bed without first breastfeeding so that he or she will be able to sleep without this activity. Replacing breastfeeding with another ritual can help. For example, consider reading a story, playing a game or rocking in the rocking chair before the baby goes to sleep. Don't replace breastfeeding with an object, like a stuffed animal or pacifier. These items will make the weaning process more difficult for the baby. Provide extra comfort to make up for stopping breastfeeding. Babies need the skin contact they get while breastfeeding almost as much as they need the nourishment. It's important to provide extra cuddles during the weaning process. Stick with it. Weaning is a different process for every baby. It may take a few months before the baby is able to take a cup or bottle without complaint. In the meantime, don't give up; stick to the routine you've set up, and continue gradually replacing feedings for as long as it takes. Know that your baby may need extra comfort when he or she is sick. It's fine to revert to breastfeeding during times like these. Having the baby spend extra time with a father, older sibling, or another relative can help. As the baby's relationships with other people grow, he or she won't be as reliant on breastfeeding with you to be the sole source of comfort. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/75\/Stop-Breast-Feeding-Step-7Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Breast-Feeding-Step-7Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/75\/Stop-Breast-Feeding-Step-7Bullet2.jpg\/aid1069191-v4-728px-Stop-Breast-Feeding-Step-7Bullet2.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>"} Know when to take the baby to a doctor. Sometimes the transition from breastfeeding can result in medical complications. If you're not sure whether weaning is the healthiest choice for your child, it's best to see a doctor right away. Look for the following issues that commonly crop up during weaning: The baby refuses to eat solid food even though he or she is over 6 or 8 months of age. The baby develops dental cavities. The baby focuses only on you and breastfeeding, and doesn't seem interested in other people or activities. Don't forget to ease your own body's transition. As the baby drinks less breast milk, your breasts will start producing less. However, there may be times when your breasts become uncomfortably engorged or inflamed. Try the following techniques to make yourself more comfortable: Express a very small amount of milk, either by pump or manually, during missed feedings. Do not empty your breasts, or that will signal your body to make more milk. Apply a cold compress to your breast 3 or 4 times per day, for about 15 to 20 minutes at a time, if you need some additional relief. This helps relieve inflammation and constricts the milk-producing membranes. | Decide on a breastfeeding replacement. Decide whether to wean the baby from the bottle. Replace a daytime feeding. Replace another feeding every few days. Help the baby get used to doing activities without breastfeeding. Provide extra comfort to make up for stopping breastfeeding. Stick with it. Know when to take the baby to a doctor. Don't forget to ease your own body's transition. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Can-Carrots | How to Can Carrots | Before canning carrots using a pressure canner, wash, peel, and slice the carrots into pieces no thinner than ⅛ of an inch. Next, sterilize the jars by running them through the dishwasher, or placing them in a preheated 225 degree F oven for 20 minutes. As for the lids, sterilize them separately by placing them in simmering water for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, boil the carrots for 5 minutes, and pack them into the jars with enough boiling water to submerge the carrots. Finally, pressurize the jars in a pressure canner, then let them cool overnight. | Select your carrots. The best candidates for canning will be carrots that are crisp, tender, and fresh. You'll have the best results with those that are roughly 1 to 1¼ in (2.5 to 3.2 cm) thick at the base of the carrot. Larger carrots often have too high of fiber content to work well with canning. Trim your carrots. You can do this with a sharp paring knife. If your carrots still have leaves and/or a stem attached, you should trim these off so only the meat of the carrot remains. Also, if you notice discolored or decayed parts on your carrots, these should be removed. Cut roughly 1 in (2.5 cm) below the woody, stiff part of the stem to remove it from the meat of the carrot. Wash the carrots. Running cool water over your carrots should be enough to remove bacteria and dirt from your carrots, especially if they are relatively clean. If your carrots are fresh from the garden or quite dirty, a stiff bristle brush can help you remove dirt from their surface. Peel the carrots. You can do this either with a paring knife or a potato peeler. Take the knife or peeler and cut free the outer skin of the carrot. Once you are finished, you can throw away the peeled skin or compost it. Re-rinse and cut the carrots into smaller pieces. After peeling, you should rinse your carrots again in cool water before cutting them with a suitable knife, like a paring knife. Be careful not to cut your carrots no thinner than about / 8 of an inch (.32 cm) thin. They'll be cooked in your pressure canner, and smaller pieces can become mushy. Depending on the thickness and length of your carrots, you may only need to cut them lengthwise. Longer carrots might need to be cut lengthwise and then into parts widthwise. Sterilize your jars and lids. You can do this easily with your home dishwasher. Simply set it to "sanitize" and allow it to run through a cycle with your jars and lids inside. Once the cycle is finished, your jars will be ready for canning. If you do not have a dishwasher, you can preheat your oven to 225°F (107.2°C), put your jars in a roasting pan, and insert the jars into your oven for about 20 minutes. Use caution when removing the jars. They'll be very hot after sterilizing. You can also use a water bath canner to sterilize your jars. Place your jars onto the rack of the canner and fill it with enough water so the jars are filled. Boil the jars in the canner for 10 minutes, then use your jar lifter to remove the hot jars. Lids cannot be sterilized through the previously mentioned methods. Doing so can damage the sealing compound on them. Lids can be sterilized by submerging them in water and then simmer the water in a saucepan. Do not bring your water to a rolling boil. Simmer the lids for 5 to 10 minutes and then remove them with tongs. Boil a large pot of water. In a large pot on your stove top, bring water to a rolling boil. You might also want to add salt to your water, though this is not necessary. If you choose to do so, add ½ tsp of salt per pint (473 mL), and 1 tsp per quart (liter) of water. This method is referred to as "hot packing." However, you can also raw pack carrots. To do this, simply pack the raw carrots into your canning jars tightly, leaving about 1 in (2.5 cm) of headspace. Salt is often added to canned vegetables to add to the flavor of the vegetable. If you like your vegetables plain, you should skip adding salt to your water. Heat up the pressure canner. Different pressure canners will have different features, so you should always follow the directions that came with your pressure canner for best results. The altitude of the area you live will influence the setting you need to use with your pressure canner, so you should adjust your canner accordingly. Canner Adjustment Table Altitude in Feet Dial Gauge Canner Weighted Gauge Canner 0-1000 11 10 1001-2000 11 15 2001-4000 12 15 4001-6000 13 15 6001-8000 14 15 8000-10,000 15 15 Place the carrots in the boiling pot of water. Since your pressure canner will also cook the carrots, you don't need to boil them in the water for a long period of time. Five minutes will be enough to prepare your carrots for canning. Pack the jars with carrots. You should use the method that works best for you. In some cases, you might find that you can pour the hot water and carrots into the jar from the pot. For large quantities, this might not be feasible, in which case you might want to use tongs to remove the carrots. Carrots should be packed relatively tightly in the jars and each jar should have about 1 in (2.5 cm) of open space between the top of your carrots/water and the lip of the jar. If you removed your carrots with tongs, you'll need to pour the boiling water into the jars with the carrots. Put the lids on the jars. First wipe the lids with a piece of paper towel or a lint free cloth. Then, place the metal lids of your canning jars so that each lid is centered on the mouth of the jar. After that, screw the band of the lids of your jars until they are finger tight. Be careful while doing this. The jars will have likely become very hot with the heat of the carrots and the water. You may want to hold the jars in place with an oven mitt, pot holder, or several layers of cloth (like a folded dish towel) to protect your hand from heat and keep jars stationary while attaching the lids. Put the jars in the canner. Again, different canners may have slightly different procedures. Generally, you'll need to leave your jars in the canner for about 10 minutes, leaving the weight off but the lid on. At this point, the jars will likely be quite hot. You may need to use a pair of tongs or an oven mitt to move your jars from where they are to the pressure canner. Add the weight to your pressure canner. For most pressure canners, after 10 minutes have passed, you'll need to close all openings until the pressure gauge reaches 10. For most pressure canners, you'll want to maintain this level of pressure for about 25 minutes. Set a timer on your phone or use a kitchen timer so you don't forget about your carrots and end up with a big mess. Turn off the heat to let the jars cool down. Depending on factors like your altitude, climate, and equipment, this could take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. Before opening your canner but after it has cooled, open the pressure valves and wait until the valve gauge reaches 0. Remove the jars and let them cool overnight. Residual heat can remain in your jars for quite some time. Allow the jars to cool slowly and naturally by leaving them out in a safe place in your kitchen overnight. Be careful not to leave jars where children or family member might accidentally touch them. Check the jars for proper sealing. An improper seal can lead to dangerous bacteria growing in your jars. You can check the seal by gently poking the top of the jar with your finger and listening for a popping sound. If you hear this or feel the lid flex under your finger, the jar is improperly sealed. Improperly sealed jars can be stored in the refrigerator and eaten as you would normally. You can also repeat the process to reseal the jar, but in many cases, this can result in the carrots becoming overcooked. Enjoy your canned carrots throughout the year. Canned vegetables can last for up to two years and can last for 7 to 10 days after opening if you refrigerate them. You may want to store your carrots in cold storage or your basement so they are easily accessible but out of the way. | Select your carrots. Trim your carrots. Wash the carrots. Peel the carrots. Re-rinse and cut the carrots into smaller pieces. Sterilize your jars and lids. Boil a large pot of water. Heat up the pressure canner. Place the carrots in the boiling pot of water. Pack the jars with carrots. Put the lids on the jars. Put the jars in the canner. Add the weight to your pressure canner. Turn off the heat to let the jars cool down. Remove the jars and let them cool overnight. Check the jars for proper sealing. Enjoy your canned carrots throughout the year. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Reset-an-Xbox-360 | How to Reset an Xbox 360 | Before you reset your Xbox 360 to its factory settings, back up anything you want saved on a USB hard drive, since the reset will delete everything. Then, press the center button with the Xbox logo on your controller, select “Settings,” and choose “System Settings.” Next, select “Storage,” then find and highlight your Xbox hard drive and press the “Y” button to get into the “Device Options” menu. There, select “Format” and confirm that you want to erase everything. Finally, delete your user, then start the initial setup to complete your reset. | Reset your Xbox 360 to factory settings if you're selling it or experiencing major issues. This will delete everything on the Xbox 360, but it will not remove parental restrictions. To remove parental restrictions, you'll need to prove to Microsoft that you are authorized to remove them. See the next section for details. Back up anything you want to save. Resetting your Xbox 360 to factory settings will delete everything on it. Before proceeding, make sure you back up anything you want to keep. Connect a USB hard drive to your Xbox 360 so that it appears as a storage device. Press the Guide button on your controller and select the "Settings" tab. Choose "System Settings," select "Storage," and then select your Xbox 360 hard drive. Select "Transfer Content" and then select your external drive. Select what you want to transfer and then click "Start." You may have to wait a while for the transfer to complete. Press the Guide button on your Xbox controller. This is the center button that has the Xbox logo. Select "Settings" and then choose "System Settings." This will display the different categories of system settings. Select "Console Settings" and then "System Info." This will display a new window with various information about your console. Write down your "Console Serial Number." This is the serial number for your Xbox 360, and you may need it when resetting the system. You can also find your serial number next to the USB ports on the front of your Xbox 360, or on the back on the console above the A/V port. Return to "System Settings" and select the "Storage" option. This will display all of the storage devices connected to your Xbox 360. Highlight your Xbox 360 hard drive and press the yellow "Y" button. This will open the Device Options menu for the hard drive. Select "Format" from the Device Options menu. You'll be prompted to confirm that you want to erase everything on the hard drive. If you're sure that you've backed everything important up, you can proceed. Enter your serial number if prompted. You may be asked to enter your console serial number before you can begin the format. This is a safeguard to help prevent accidental formats. Enter in the serial number you wrote down earlier. This will not remove any parental controls that have been set. See the next section for details on removing parental controls. Delete your user. After the format, you'll be taken back to the Home menu. You'll be logged out of Xbox Live, and all of your games will be gone. Go to Settings, System, Storage, then the location of your user, and delete it. Start the Initial Setup. Go to Settings, System, and press [Initial Setup.] Confirm your choice. Press the Guide button on your Xbox controller. This button is in the center and looks like the Xbox logo. This will open the Guide menu. If you are trying to bypass parental controls set by your parents, you won't be able to. Microsoft will require proof that you're authorized to change the parental control password. Open the Settings menu and select "Family." This will open the parental controls section. Select "Content Controls." You'll be prompted to enter the current passcode. Enter the wrong passcode to force a reset. Since you don't know the passcode to access the Family menu, enter the wrong one so that you are prompted to reset the passcode. Select "Reset Pass Code" when prompted. This will display the security question to reset the passcode. Answer the question if you can. If you were the one that set up the passcode, answer your security question and you'll be able to create a new passcode. If you don't remember the answer to the passcode or a previous owner enabled parental controls, read on. Contact Xbox Support if you can't answer the security question. If the previous owner had a passcode enabled and didn't remove it before selling it, or you don't remember the answer to your security question, you'll need to call Xbox Support to get a master reset passcode. You can contact support at support.xbox.com , via online chat or telephone. You'll be asked some questions to verify that you are allowed to disable parental controls (Xbox Support won't disable parental controls if it was your parents that enabled them). Enter the passcode provided by Xbox Support. If Xbox Support approves your request to reset the parental controls, you'll be given a pass code you can use to bypass the current code. You can then disable parental controls or create a new pass code. Clear your cache if you have troubles with your Xbox 360. If you're experiencing worse-than-normal performance in games, or the system is sluggish when moving between menus, clearing the system cache may help. This will be most effective with older Xbox 360 games. Clearing the system cache will not delete any of your games, save files, or media. It will delete any installed game updates, so these will need to be downloaded again when you play the game next. Press the Guide button on your Xbox controller. This will open the Guide menu. Select "Settings" and then "System Settings." You'll see various settings categories. Select "Storage." You'll see all of your connected storage devices. Highlight any storage device and press the yellow "Y" button. This will open the "Device Options" menu. It doesn't matter which storage device you select, as you'll be clearing the entire system's cache. Select "Clear System Cache" and then confirm. The cache will be deleted, which should only take a few moments. | Reset your Xbox 360 to factory settings if you're selling it or experiencing major issues. Back up anything you want to save. Press the Guide button on your Xbox controller. Select "Settings" and then choose "System Settings." Select "Console Settings" and then "System Info." Write down your "Console Serial Number." Return to "System Settings" and select the "Storage" option. Highlight your Xbox 360 hard drive and press the yellow "Y" button. Select "Format" from the Device Options menu. Enter your serial number if prompted. Delete your user. Start the Initial Setup. Press the Guide button on your Xbox controller. Open the Settings menu and select "Family." Select "Content Controls." Enter the wrong passcode to force a reset. Select "Reset Pass Code" when prompted. Answer the question if you can. Contact Xbox Support if you can't answer the security question. Enter the passcode provided by Xbox Support. Clear your cache if you have troubles with your Xbox 360. Press the Guide button on your Xbox controller. Select "Settings" and then "System Settings." Select "Storage." Highlight any storage device and press the yellow "Y" button. Select "Clear System Cache" and then confirm. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-a-Compression-Test | How to Do a Compression Test | Before you can perform a compression test on your car's engine, you'll need to run it for 5 to 10 minutes to bring it up to its normal running temperature. Next, switch off the engine, remove the fuel pump, and disconnect the spark plugs. Attach the compression test adapter into the cylinder nearest the front of the engine, then connect the gauge to the other end of the adapter hose. To perform the test, crank the engine 4 times by turning the key in your car's ignition, then check the compression gauge for the result. After you get a result for the first cylinder, repeat the process for all of the other cylinders. | Bring the engine to its normal running temperature. If you haven't driven the car lately, the engine will be cold. Start your vehicle as usual and keep the engine running for 5 to 10 minutes. Be careful not to overheat the engine by letting it run too long before the test. You will be able to feel the heat radiating from the engine when you go near it. If you have taken your car for a long drive recently, give it at least 30 minutes to cool down. Make sure the engine feels warm instead of burning hot. You could also try doing a compression test on a cold engine. The test is more accurate when the engine is warm, but it may still alert you to problems that need to be fixed in order to keep your vehicle in good shape. Switch off the engine before opening the hood. Make sure it is all the way off without any electricity or fuel flowing to the engine. Remove the key from the ignition to ensure the components can be safely removed from the engine bay. If your car plugs into a wall, unplug the charging cable first before handling any components. Put on insulated gloves and safety glasses for protection. Since you're going to be near hot parts, wear heat-resistant gloves while reaching into the engine compartment. Always wear gloves to protect yourself from burns. The safety glasses are good protection against possible gas and oil spray when you're detaching engine components. In most cases, you won't get any gas or oil on you during the test, but you're still better off safe than sorry. Put on the safety glasses just in case. If you're performing the test on a cold engine, you won't need the gloves. Remove the fuel pump or injection fuse in your vehicle. Locate the fuse box, which is usually inside the engine compartment. Open the black case to expose the colorful plastic tops of the fuses plugged into various slots. The fuel pump fuses are often colored blue, although this can vary depending on your vehicle. Once you find the one you need, pull it out with a pair of tweezers to prevent gas from flowing to the engine during the compression test. The fuse box can be located somewhere else in your car, such as underneath the steering wheel or inside the passenger glove box. It differs depending on the vehicle. Refer to the owner's manual or look for a diagram on the fuse box case. It will show you the location of the fuse or fuses you need to remove. If you don't have the manual or a diagram, search for your car's make and model online to see if you can find one. Disconnect the ignition coil fuse in the fuse box. This will disable the ignition system so it can't send a spark of electricity to the engine's spark plugs. Use your owner's manual or fuse box diagram to locate it and remove it. Keep it separate from the fuel fuses so you know which one goes where after the test. If your vehicle doesn't have an ignition fuse, look for the big ignition coil in the engine compartment. It looks like a cylinder perched on top of the engine. Pull off the big wire plugged into the top part of the coil. Detach wires from each spark plug on the engine. Check the engine for a series of black cables coming out the top end. Grasp each wire at the end, then twist it while simultaneously pulling it up to detach detach it from the engine block. The opposite end of each wire will still be plugged in, so you won't be able to take them out of the vehicle. Instead, push them aside so they are off the engine. Label the wires so you know which spark plug each one connects to. The spark plug wires are generally well-routed to avoid confusion, but keep them separate anyway to reduce the possibility of switching them. You don't need to take the wires out to perform the test, but consider taking the opportunity to inspect them and replace worn-out ones. Some vehicles have ignition coils instead of spark plugs, but they can be removed the same way. Remove the spark plugs with a socket wrench. To make the removal process as easy as possible, fit the wrench with an extension handle and a spark plug socket. Fit the socket into the engine holes uncovered by the wires you removed. Once the wrench is onto the spark plug inside, turn it counterclockwise until you are able to lift it out of the engine. Each cylinder will have a spark plug for you to remove. Socket wrench kits, along with compression gauges and replacement parts, are available online or at most auto part stores. Label each spark plug with chalk or a piece of masking tape so you know which cylinder they belong to. Lay them out in a secure spot near your vehicle. Consider checking the spark plugs for damage while you have them out. If they look worn out, replace them. Burned oil or other debris could be a sign of an engine problem. Put the compression test adapter into the engine's first cylinder. Look down on the engine to figure out which cylinder is closest to the front of the engine. Note the circular cylinders and the timing belt on the engine's front. The first cylinder is on the rightmost ones in most engines. Once you have it, put the test compressor's hose into the spark plug slot, turning it clockwise by hand until it locks in place. Keep in mind that compression testing kits often come with multiple adapter hoses. Use one that fits well in your vehicle's engine. Check the sizing label on the hose and match it to the size of the spark plugs. Connect the compression gauge to the opposite end of the hose. If you're testing a diesel engine, make sure you're using a gauge designed for diesel since it will have a higher compression tolerance. Then, check the end of the gauge for a metal connector that fits on the end of the hose adapter. Your gauge may also have a ring on it that needs to be lifted as you fit it on the hose. Otherwise, it's as simple as plugging one into the other. Make sure the gauge is well-connected to the hose. If it feels loose, it will affect the test. Keep in mind that some compression gauges plug directly into the engine and don't require a hose. However, most gauges you will come across make use of a hose adapter. Crank the engine at least 4 times to complete the test. Turn the key as far as it will go in the ignition, then release it. Do this about 4 or 5 times without shutting off the vehicle at all. The engine will be running throughout the entire process. When you're done, check the compression gauge to get the test result. The needle on the gauge should stop moving and point to a number. If it doesn't stay in place, crank the engine for up to 10 seconds. Ask a friend to sit in the driver's seat and crank the engine for you. That way, you can keep an eye on the compression gauge. If your vehicle has a remote starter, you could also use it to avoid having to get behind the wheel. Move the compression gauge to repeat the test on the other cylinders. Unscrew the hose adapter by hand, then move it onto the second cylinder. Keep doing it until you have a result for all of the engine's cylinders. Be sure to record each number on a piece of paper so you can compare them when you're done. Test all of the cylinders in order, starting with the first one and working straight down the line to the engine's opposite end. On your paper, label it “1, 2, 3” and so on. Keep the test results orderly so you know which cylinders they correspond to. Once you're done testing, you can remove the compression gauge and hose adapter. Note pressure readouts between 125 and 175 PSI on a standard engine. Most engine cylinders fall in the middle of that range, usually around 125 PSI. However, the exact rating could vary due to a lot of factors, like the vehicle you have, the type of engine you're testing, and its overall condition. If you see a result that looks out of the ordinary, figure out what engine cylinder it corresponds to. For diesel engines, the optimal PSI is between 275 and 400. Low individual readings indicate cylinder-specific problems like worn-out piston rings. Make sure the test results are no more than 10% apart. The difference between the highest and lowest cylinder rating should be no more than 15 to 20 PSI. Big pressure differences are a sure sign of engine problems. Note which cylinder has the low reading to uncover the source of the problem. You may also see multiple cylinders with low readings, which could alert you to more serious issues. For example, a series of low readings could indicate that the valves between cylinders have worn out. It could also be a sign of overall engine failure. Retest cylinders below 100 PSI after adding engine oil to them. Pour about 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of fresh engine oil directly into the open cylinder. Then, hook the pressure gauge and hose adapter to it again. Repeat the test by turning over the ignition a few times. When you're done, check the readout again to see how it has changed. The PSI typically rises when you do a wet test instead of a dry one. The change can help you determine what is wrong with the cylinder. If the test worked, a large change could mean the piston rings have worn out. Fix the engine if it doesn’t appear to be functioning correctly. The engine is vital to your vehicle, so don't ignore poor readouts from the compression test. Identifying and fixing engine problems can be very tough to do on your own. If you need help, get the car to a qualified mechanic as soon as possible. If the low reading is from a single cylinder, check it for worn-out piston rings. If the test results were both the same, the cylinder could have a bad valve. If you notice 2 nearby pistons with low PSI readings, you most likely have a blown head gasket to replace. The gasket is between the 2 cylinders. Low compression in all cylinders could mean your engine needs a new timing belt. If that doesn't work, the engine may need a tune up. If the engine no longer runs very well, you may be better off replacing it with a new one. Fixing an engine can be expensive, so sometimes getting a new engine from a scrapyard is more cost-effective. | Bring the engine to its normal running temperature. Switch off the engine before opening the hood. Put on insulated gloves and safety glasses for protection. Remove the fuel pump or injection fuse in your vehicle. Disconnect the ignition coil fuse in the fuse box. Detach wires from each spark plug on the engine. Remove the spark plugs with a socket wrench. Put the compression test adapter into the engine's first cylinder. Connect the compression gauge to the opposite end of the hose. Crank the engine at least 4 times to complete the test. Move the compression gauge to repeat the test on the other cylinders. Note pressure readouts between 125 and 175 PSI on a standard engine. Make sure the test results are no more than 10% apart. Retest cylinders below 100 PSI after adding engine oil to them. Fix the engine if it doesn’t appear to be functioning correctly. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Lint-from-Black-Pants | How to Remove Lint from Black Pants | If you need to remove lint from black pants, lay the pants flat and run a lint roller over the fabric in long strokes. If you don't have a lint roller, fold a piece of tape over so it has 2 sticky sides, then place one of the sticky sides against your fingers and blot your pants with the other side of the tape. You can also rub a pumice stone over your clothing to remove lint, but this may damage delicate fabrics like nylon or silk. | Use scotch tape. You can use common household objects to remove lint, such as scotch tape or any other sticky, adhesive tape. Fold a piece of the tape over so it has two sticky sides and then put one sticky side on your finger. Use your finger to remove lint on your black clothing. If you are trying to remove lint on a large area of your clothing, you may try using sticky contact paper or adhesive drawer liners to remove the lint. Press and roll the paper on the clothing until the lint is removed. Try running a pumice stone over your clothing. You can also remove lint by using a pumice stone. Traditionally used to get rid of dead skin on your feet, pumice stones can also work to remove lint on clothing. You can find pumice stones at your local drugstore or online. You may want to try the pumice stone on a small area of your black clothing to make sure it will not damage the fabric in any way. Materials like black silk or thin nylon may get snagged if you use a pumice stone on them. Remove the lint with a damp dryer sheet. A damp dryer sheet can often be an effective way to remove lint on your black clothing. Rub the damp dryer sheet over your clothing until the lint is removed. Alternatively, you can use your dryer and a clean dryer sheet to remove lint on your clothing. Put the dryer on the “air only” setting and throw the clothing in the dryer with a clean dryer sheet. The clothing should come out lint-free. Run the clothing through the washing machine. You can also try running the black clothing through the washer to remove lint. If the clothing is prone to shedding when washed, turn it inside out and wash it that way. If the clothing is covered in lint already, wash it right side out to remove the lint. Buy a lint roller. You can remove lint effectively from black clothing by using a lint roller. A lint roller is a product designed to remove lint by running a sticky paper or adhesive pad over the clothing. You can find a lint roller at your local drugstore or online. You may decide to buy a large lint roller that will cover a large surface area of your clothing so you can remove a lot of lint at once. You may also invest in smaller lint rollers that you can use when you are on the go to remove any small patches of lint you notice on your clothing. Roll the lint roller over your black clothing. Once you have purchased a lint roller, you can use it on your clothing to get rid of any lint. Lay the black clothing on a flat, raised surface, such as a table. Then, roll the lint roller over the clothing in long strokes to remove the lint. Roll the lint roller over the clothing in sections so you can remove all the lint on the clothing. If there is a lot of lint on your black clothing, you may need to run the lint roller over your clothing several times. If the lint roller has a sticky paper on it, peel off the used paper so there is a fresh sticky paper on the roller that you can use to remove the lint. Store the lint roller in an easy to find place. If your black clothing often gets lint on it, you may want to store the lint roller in a place that is easy to find or access. You may pack a lint roller in your backpack or your purse. You may also store a lint roller in your desk at work or in your locker at school. This way, it is easy to grab and use. Wash your clothing less often. Washing your clothes too often can lead to more lint on your clothes, as each washing causes the threads on your clothing to loosen and build up. Try to wash clothing you know is prone to lint less often. Overwashing your clothing can damage it in other ways so less washing is best. For example, you may have a black sweater that you wear with a tank top underneath. You may try wearing the sweater one to two times before you wash it. However, if you notice you sweat when you wear it, you may need to wash it more often to get rid of the smell. You can also try hanging up your clothing to air out smells so you can wear it again without washing it. Allow your clothing to air dry. Putting your clothing through the dryer too often can cause it to become covered with lint. Try to hang and air dry your black clothing rather than try them in the dryer. This will minimize the amount of lint that accumulates on them. Clean lint out of your dryer before you use it. If you do use a dryer to dry your clothing, make sure you clean lint out of the machine before using it. You should check the lint trap in the dryer and empty it. You should also make sure there is no lint in any other parts of the inside of the dryer. Cleaning the lint out of the dryer will prevent your clothing from coming out of the dryer covered in lint. | Use scotch tape. Try running a pumice stone over your clothing. Remove the lint with a damp dryer sheet. Run the clothing through the washing machine. Buy a lint roller. Roll the lint roller over your black clothing. Store the lint roller in an easy to find place. Wash your clothing less often. Allow your clothing to air dry. Clean lint out of your dryer before you use it. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Calm-a-Rabbit | How to Calm a Rabbit | To calm a rabbit, try gently petting it on the top of its head near the bottom of its ears. As you do this, speak reassuringly to the rabbit. Alternatively, you could try giving it something to play with, such as a piece of rabbit wood it can chew on. Additionally, offer your rabbit its favorite food as a treat, such as a slice of apple or carrot. You should also be conscious of your behavior around the rabbit, including by avoiding screaming or making loud noises. | Understand the clues. Your pet might not know how to speak but it will give you important visual clues when upset. These clues are subtle and you will need to be observant and know your animal's usual behaviour to spot the signs of agitation or fear. Look for the following: Hiding in its den and refusing to get out. A sudden change of behaviour. Your rabbit becomes aggressive or wants to hide. Chewing the bars of its cage. Over-grooming or changing its toileting habits. Over-eating and over-drinking. Refusing to move or circling its cage. Stomping his/her hind legs Wide eyes Check for predators. Your rabbit is usually upset for a good reason. It doesn't want to be turned into a meal! Cats and dogs can kill a rabbit easily and should be kept away. There are many other animals, depending on where you live, which constitute a danger for your pet. The most common predators, aside cats and dogs, are foxes, ferrets and all birds of prey. Rabbits have an excellent sense of smell. They might identify a danger before you. If you're outside with your rabbit and (s)he looks afraid, don't take any chance. Take your rabbit in your arms and place him/her in a safe place. If your rabbit has been chased by another animal, bring him/her to safety and reassure him/her. Adjust their environment. Rabbits are herbivores and are not equipped to fight back hunters. Their strategy is to hide as quickly as possible in a dark and secured place. You need to make sure that they can access a safe place at all times. Have an artificial tunnel in the cage and/or in the room where the rabbit plays. You can find one in a good pet shop. A cardboard box that is larger than your rabbit makes a good hidey too. If they go out, make sure that they have a place to hide but don't let them escape. Adapt your behavior. Your rabbit is a fragile animal and is easily scared. Your voice or the screams of your children might be interpreted as a danger by the animal. Rapid movements are often mistaken for a predator's attack. Never scream at the rabbit. It will be terrified and may mistrust you in the future. Some rabbits liked to be carried, others hate it. If you can't make your animal relaxed in your arms, leave him/her alone. If it's essential to pick the rabbit up, such as to remove it from harm, then hold the rabbit in a towel to avoid getting your arms scratched and to help the rabbit feel safe. Rabbits are easily overwhelmed if there are too many people in the same room. Avoid loud music and flashing lights. Your rabbit needs peace and quiet. On the other hand, if your rabbit is scared, play some calming classical music. This will help them to calm down and feel more at rest. Offer physical reassurance. Gently hold your rabbit and pet it. Stroke the rabbit's head on the top, near the base of its ears. Keep your fingers at the top of the rabbit's head so it cannot nip you. Speak to the rabbit soothingly and kindly. Try to establish a regular routine of petting and talking to your rabbit. Remember that some rabbits dislike being stroked on the nose, belly or underneath their chin. Covering the rabbit's eyes can help reduce fear. While stroking the rabbit, gently cover its eyes with your hands. However, some rabbits don't like this. If your rabbit doesn't quiet down after a few minutes, slowly remove your hand. If your rabbit is scared from loud noises around you, cover your rabbit's ears with your hand while stroking him/her or covering his/her eyes. Entertain your rabbit. If your rabbit is nervous, give it its favourite toy and play hard. Agitation can be a sign of boredom or lack of intellectual stimulation. Give a piece of rabbit wood bought at the pet shop. Your animal will be very tempted to chew it and it's excellent for its teeth. If the rabbit doesn't show any interest for the game, stop after a few minutes and look for what's stressing it. Offer your rabbit a treat. Bunnies can rarely resist a piece of fruit or a slice of carrot. If your rabbit is scared, give him/her their favorite food to calm them. Don't do it too often to avoid obesity. Put a small piece of fruit on your hand and approach your rabbit gently. The rabbit will slowly understand that humans can be trusted. Never offer them sweets or bread. Avoid tomato leaves and potatoes. They are highly toxic for rabbits. Go to the veterinarian. If there is no apparent danger and you have tried everything to quiet your rabbit down, take him/her to a professional for help. Your rabbit might be ill and would benefit from a check-up. Ask your veterinarian to make a visit to your house. There is no need to add more stress to your rabbit with a car ride. Don't medicate your rabbit without having consulted a specialist. You might kill your animal. If you have more than one pet, quarantine the agitated rabbit to avoid contagion. Wash your hands and take care of your personal hygiene. If you haven't been vaccinated against rabies and have been bitten by your rabbit, immediately go to the hospital. Also wash your hands before handling the rabbit to get rid of the smell of cats, dogs, or other animals you have touched which predate on rabbits. | Understand the clues. Check for predators. Adjust their environment. Adapt your behavior. Offer physical reassurance. Entertain your rabbit. Offer your rabbit a treat. Go to the veterinarian. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Conserve-Soil | How to Conserve Soil | Losing soil around your home and garden can have a negative effect on your plants, but there are steps you can take to conserve your soil. A major part of conserving soil is preventing soil erosion. You can plant grass or trees in bare spots of your garden to secure the soil, plant a row of trees next to wide open spaces to prevent wind erosion, and spread mulch over the base of your growing plants to protect the soil. Controlling water runoff is also an important part of conserving soil. Try digging drainage channels to guide water runoff away from your plants, installing a rain barrel or catch basin to collect water runoff, and building a landscape terrace on any slopes in your garden so water and soil doesn't run down them. If your soil has already been affected by erosion, you can help restore it by introducing earthworms to aerate it or adding a soil amendment to restore nutrients, like fertilizer or peat. | Plant grass and trees to secure topsoil. Sow grass and plant trees, shrubs and other greenery in bare spots in your yard or garden. The foliage will absorb excess water and protect the topsoil from the impact of rain, heavy wind and foot traffic. The roots of the plants will also help anchor the soil once they take hold, safeguarding the soil beneath from water runoff. Grass and plant roots also serve to draw nutrients from deep in the soil closer to the surface, improving the healthiness of the topsoil. Ryegrass and clover make excellent choices for basic groundcover, as their roots spread deep and hold fast. Other useful anchoring plants include grains such as wheat, barley, and rye and crops of root vegetables like radishes. Grow windbreak cover for fields. If you have a field or flat, wide open space on your property, considering growing a row of trees to act as a barrier from the wind. This is known as a windbreak cover and is an efficient means of combating wind erosion often employed by landscapers. A windbreak cover will cut down on the amount of wind that sweeps an open area of land, keeping topsoil from being scattered and dried out. For best results, group trees or shrubs relatively close together so that little space exists between them for wind to penetrate. Choose tree species that develop thick foliage, like Eastern Red Cedar, Lombardy Poplar, and Red Pine. Avoid compacting soil. Look for areas where the ground is hard and bare. This is most often a symptom of compacted soil. Sew grass in these areas, and be sure to water and aerate the soil frequently. If not remedied, the soil below can become even more dense while the top layer erodes, making growing conditions inhospitable. When soil becomes compacted, its particles are pressed tightly together so that water cannot penetrate deep into its sublayers, causing the uppermost layers of soil to be worn away by runoff. In addition, soil compaction causes aeration problems within soil, meaning that it's less likely that you'll be able to get things to grow in places where the soil is badly compacted. Be careful about habitually walking in the same places if the soil in your yard or garden is compacted; this will just make the problem worse. Choose a new footpath to take, or stand on a broad, flat board when gardening to keep your body weight from contributing to soil compaction. Employ no-digging gardening techniques. Building a no-dig garden involves layering materials over the topsoil in which plants and crops can be planted so that there's no need to disturb the soil itself. When gardening is done above the soil instead of within it, the soil will not be exposed to lots of harsh digging and watering that can damage soil and lead to erosion. Create multiple no-dig plots to serve as flower beds or patches for growing crops that require similar soil conditions. A wealth of different planting schemes exist, but all make use of the same basic structure: multiple tiers of compostable matter are layered over a permeable surface like cardboard directly on top of the ground. Look into different ideas for constructing your own no-dig garden. Spread mulch over growing plants. During peak growing season, spread a thin layer of mulch around the base of thriving plants. The weight of the mulch will keep the soil from being exposed to wind and water while also preserving important nutrients and moisture in the soil at root-level. Mulch can be bought cheap at any gardening center, or you can easily make your own at home by feeding scrap wood, live foliage and decaying plant matter into a shredder to form a composite. Dig drainage channels to guide rainwater runoff. If you live on a hillside or in a valley where water might collect, create channels around the edges of your property to redirect runoff water. Drainage channels work much like gutters do for your roof. Reducing runoff keeps surges of water from carrying off soil or killing plants due to overwatering. Dig a simple paved irrigation ditch by hand, or embed PVC or drainage pipe into the channel to install what is known as a "French Drain," which conducts water away with greater efficiency. Till and contour your garden. Protect the soil in your garden by tilling it and shaping it to catch rainwater. Tilling is similar to aerating, except it's done before you plant in the soil. Tilling turns the soil to allow nutrients to spread through it evenly, while contouring (planting flowers and crops in long, linear depressions with mounds between each row) will ensure that water soaks into your crops instead of washing over the top and taking topsoil with it. Soil compaction can be avoided by tilling, as well. Tilling can be done using an automatic or push rototiller that makes use of a rotary wheel covered in small spikes that aerate the soil as they turn, or by hand, using a shovel or pitchfork to make shallow stabs into the soil and turn it over a few feet at a time. Build a terrace. Terracing involves constructing a series of short step-like platforms on which to grow plants and is a useful method when planting on sloped ground. Rather than simply running down the slope, water will soak into the flat soil of each platform, hydrating plants and keep soil from being swept away. Create a landscaping terrace by leveling the embankment of a slope and reinforcing the vertical walls with wood beams or stone. Constructing a terrace is also a good way of organizing flowering plants and crops, as each level of the terrace can be used to grow something different. Install a rain barrel or catch basin. If precipitation tends to cause flooding in your area, a rain barrel or catch basin can be implemented to collect excess water. As the name suggests, rainwater is “caught” in the basin, which is installed underground with a grated drainage opening, or stored in the barrel and saved for later use. These methods make it possible to repurpose extra water instead of simply letting it erode vulnerable topsoil. A rain barrel most often works in conjunction with a gutter or irrigation system so that water flow is directed straight into the barrel. Catch basins are easy to install yourself. The only require measuring the unit and digging a hole of the right dimensions to accommodate it at the bottom of a slope. Contact a soil expert. In many cases, professional landscapers and certain non-profit groups concerned with repairing the effects of soil erosion can come to you and assess the severity of the soil damage on your property. These experts will perform a detailed examination of your land and come up with solutions for restoring soil to its natural health. Check to see if any of your local landscaping businesses offer soil restoration services, or if there are other eco-related groups in your area that might work with you on rescuing badly eroded soil around your home. Ecological restoration groups sometimes operate out of farms and universities, and many will assist in repairing erosion damage voluntarily or for little cost. Even if your soil is healthy, you should consult with a professional landscaper once a year or so to inspect your property for potential problems and discuss preventative solutions. Introduce earthworms to damaged soil. Purchase live earthworms and add them to areas where soil is compacted, dry or barren — they'll dig through the soil and help aerate it. Earthworms are some of the world's greatest biological decomposers, feeding on decaying organic matter and returning vital nutrients to the soil through excretion. Earthworm activity is one of the best means of naturally recycling and reintroducing organic nutrients to soil. In addition to infusing soil with badly needed nutrients, the subterranean movement of earthworms also acts as a kind of hands-free aeration process, increasing nutrient mixture, moisture retention and room for new root growth in topsoil. Earthworms can be purchased at most gardening supply stores for this very purpose, or may be acquired locally from conservation groups. Consider soil amendment. Amendment is the process by which missing nutrients are added to eroded soil directly in order to restore the right chemical balance. Many different types of amendments can be used: compost is a common amendment used for gardening purposes, as are organic fertilizers, salt and peat. Soil amendment can be used in conjunction with aeration, earthworm introduction and meticulous watering to bring soil back to a healthy state. In order to select the right amendment for your soil, it is first necessary to identify the exact properties your soil lacks. You may be able to use erosion symptoms to diagnose various deficiencies, but it's probably wiser to work with a landscaper or other soil expert to find out what's missing from your soil and take the appropriate action. | Plant grass and trees to secure topsoil. Grow windbreak cover for fields. Avoid compacting soil. Employ no-digging gardening techniques. Spread mulch over growing plants. Dig drainage channels to guide rainwater runoff. Till and contour your garden. Build a terrace. Install a rain barrel or catch basin. Contact a soil expert. Introduce earthworms to damaged soil. Consider soil amendment. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tie-Dye | How to Tie Dye | To tie-dye, start by choosing a basic pattern like spirals, rope knots, electric bunching, rosettes, or stripes, then prepare your fabric as needed to reflect that design. Next, create a dye bath, then soak your fabric in it until you achieve the color richness you want. Rinse the fabric with cool water, then remove any fasteners. Finish up by washing the fabric in warm water and hanging it up to air-dry! | Make a basic spiral. The spiral pattern is a classic tie dye look. The basic spiral collects all your fabric together into a single coil. Using this method of tying, you'll create a design with your design that corkscrews out from the middle point of your spiral. Spread your material out on a flat surface. But before you do, make sure the surface is clean! If you are working on a commonly used surface, like a table you eat meals at, leftover food or oil can get on your fabric and ruin your consistency of the pattern made by your dye. Crumbs wound in your fabric could create light spots in your dye or flecks of white. Take a damp cloth and wipe off your surface before laying your fabric on it. You may want to protect the surface on which you are working by laying down a dye resistant mat or disposable cover to work on. Some common options include cardboard, plastic, and tarps. Pinch the center of the fabric with your thumb and two fingers. You only want to gather a very small amount of fabric between your fingers at this point. The fabric you grasp in your fingers will form the center point of your fabric. Gathering too much fabric can lead to a large, blob-like center of your spiral. Twist the fabric while holding it down with your fingers. Keep your spiral as tight and flat as possible. To help create a regular spiral, you should flatten your fabric against your surface with each full twist of your hand. As you continue to twist, the fabric should begin to form a spiral shape. You may want to use a tool to help you coil your fabric to give you the tightest spiral possible. A tighter spiral will result in more coils in the pattern, making it more elaborate. Some tools you might use to wind your spiral include a blunt fork or the eraser end of a sturdy pencil. Close your spiral with your free hand. Bring the loose end of your spiral and hold it to the main coiled part with the free hand you aren't using to twist the fabric. Pull the outside end of your coil tightly so that your spiral is wound as tightly as possible. Band your spiral together. Continuing to hold your spiral together with one hand, use your other hand to slide several large rubber bands around the fabric. You'll want to position them so that they cross at the center of the bundle, stretching from one end of the coil to the opposite side. Start with four rubber bands and increase the number as you find necessary. Larger pieces of fabric, fabric wound especially tight, or thicker fabric might need more rubber bands to maintain the spiral. Know the effect of knotting tie dye. An advantage of knotting your tie dye is that you can tie as many knots as you want. This is especially useful for long strips of fabric. Dyeing knotted fabric creates a design where fine lines of white, like the irregular shape of cracked glass, run throughout your dye colors in random directions. Twist the fabric into a long rope. Hold each end of your fabric in your hands so the length of it is stretched between. Then twist each hand in opposite directions in a wringing motion. Continue twisting until the fabric cannot be twisted any more. Tie the rope into a knot. You might want a large, central knot at the center of your fabric to create a focal point in your design. You could also tie many knots to create a series of burst-like points throughout your fabric. Be careful while twisting and knotting your fabric. You'll want it to be tight, but knotting it too tightly can cause the fabric to rip or warp. Hold the knots in place with rubber bands. After you tie each knot, pull it tight. Hold the tightened knot with one hand to keep it from loosening. Then, with your free hand, reinforce each knot by looping rubber bands over them. Understand the effect. The electric bunching technique is easy to form but hard to predict. After dyeing the fabric, you should be left with several "shocks" of color dispersed at random through the cloth. Bunch up the fabric. You'll want to do so in small, random portions. Use one hand to hold your bunch together so they do not come loose and then draw the entire piece of fabric together into the shape of a ball. Keep as much of the cloth "face," or outer side of the fabric, exposed as possible. Fasten your ball together. With one hand, hold the ball of fabric together. With your free hand, wrap several rubber bands around it to hold it together. You could also use twine or string to fasten your ball together, but in both cases, fasten your ball loosely. Fastening your ball too tightly can make it difficult for the dye to work its way into the core of the bunched fabric. This can create gaps in your dyed design. Use the minimum number of fasteners secured as loose as possible while still retaining the ball's shape. If you plan on using twine or string, it may be easiest to have a friend help you hold the bunched fabric while you tie, or vice versa. If no friends are available, lay of the string on the surface, set your ball atop the middle of the string while still holding the ball together with one hand, cross the ends of the string at the top of your ball, and use your free hand to tie a simple knot. Know the pattern rosettes will create. The rosette pattern creates a series of small, overlapping circles that can be linked together in a variety of patterns. You'll create this pattern by gathering together several points along your fabric and tying them together. Plot out the pattern for your rosettes. You might want an arc of rosettes beneath the top of your fabric, above its bottom hem, up and down its sides, or any number of other variations. When you've decided where you want your rosettes to be, use a piece of chalk to draw a dots along the fabric where the center of each rosette will be. You can even create more elaborate shapes with your rosettes. For example, you could make a circle of rosettes around the middle of your shirt or gather them into the shape of star. Your imagination is the limit! Gather the points together. Using your thumb and pointer finger, pinch each point and draw it together with its neighbor. Use one hand to hold your gathered points together and your free hand to continue adding points. Continue doing this until all your points are gathered together. Fasten your gathered rosettes. Wrap a string or rubber band about 2 inches (5 cm) below the topmost point, which should be where you first marked your dots. You'll want your rosettes fastened very tightly. This may require using more than one fastener. Gather and fasten the remaining fabric. Hold your fabric just below where you have fastened your rosettes and, with your other hand, draw together the loose end and hold it firmly. Pull the fabric so it is tight and then use rubber bands or string to fasten it at regular intervals. Understand the effect. This technique creates a series of white or lighter colored stripes vertically (top-to-bottom) through the color of your dye by rolling the fabric and tying it with fasteners. Horizontal stripes can also be made by rolling your fabric left-to-right instead of top to bottom. Roll your fabric into a long tube. To create vertical (top-to-bottom) stripes, you should roll your fabric from its bottom to the top in a loose tube. For horizontal (left-to-right) stripes, you should roll your fabric in a loose tube from the left to the right. Fasten your tube at regular intervals. Use rubber bands or string to tie the cloth tube off at even intervals. If the spacing between your fasteners is uneven, the distance between your stripes will also be uneven. Your stripes will form along the orientation of your rubber bands. To ensure even striping, you might want to measure the space between your fasteners with a ruler and adjust as necessary. You could also measure out and mark your spacing beforehand. Understanding how a fixative helps. Over time, your dye will fade and loose its vibrancy, but a fixative will help the dye to last longer. The kind of fixative you use will vary depending on the dye you are using, but by soaking your fabric in a fixative solution before dyeing, the color of your dyed shirt will stay brighter longer. Prepare a soda ash bath for most chemical dyes. Chemical dyes, even commercial ones that can be purchased at a craft store, will usually be most effective if you first soak your fabric in a solution made from soda ash and warm water. Take a large plastic bucket and: Combine 8 oz (250 ml) of soda ash fixer with 1 gallon (4 L) of warm water. Stir until it is evenly mixed. Wear a dust mask and rubber or plastic gloves when working with this solution. Soda ash can irritate your lungs and skin. Create a salt fixative for natural, berry-based dyes. If you plan on using a natural dye made with some type of berry, the generally recommended fixative is one made from salt and cold water. You can make this solution easily by combining in a large bucket: ½ cup (125 ml) table salt with 8 cups (2 L) cold water. Stir until dissolved. Prepare a vinegar fixative for other natural, plant-based dyes. If you plan to use a natural dye made from plant material other than berries, a solution made from water and vinegar will likely work better than one made from salt. To create your vinegar fixative solution, mix in a large bucket: 1 cup (250 ml) white distilled vinegar with 4 cups (1 L) cold water. Stir well to distribute the solution evenly. Soak the tied fabric in the corresponding solution. Immerse the bundle of tied-up fabric in the fixative solution long enough to soak thoroughly. When using soda ash, soak the fabric for 5 to 15 minutes. When using salt or vinegar, heat the liquid to a simmer and let the garment sit in the simmering liquid for 1 hour. Squeeze out excess moisture. You will need to wait for your fabric to cool before handling it if it has been soaking in a simmering solution. After the fabric has finished soaking/cooling, remove it from the fixative and wring it out so that it feels damp. If using vinegar or salt, rinse the material before squeezing out the excess moisture. A pair of tongs can be used to remove the fabric from the simmering solution so you can rinse the fabric immediately with cool water. This will save you time spent waiting for it to cool. Then, wring out the fabric until it is damp. Follow the package instructions to mix chemical dye. Different kinds of commercial dyes are made from different substances. This means that you'll need to follow the label instructions carefully in order to create the best color. Handle the dye using plastic or rubber gloves. This will prevent it from staining your hands and will limit your chances of spreading dye. Sometimes wet dye can remain in the cracks or folds of the skin on your hands and be transferred to clothing, furniture, or other things that way. Plastic or rubber gloves will prevent this. Use a large plastic bucket as your dye bath. The water should be hot, usually with a recommended temperature around 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius). For some dyes, hotter water produces stronger colors. For other dyes, extremely hot water can actually cause the color to fade. Verify which type you have before pressing forward. Stir the dye until completely and thoroughly dispersed. Usually, you will need one packet of powder dye or ½ cup (125 ml) liquid dye for every 2 to 3 gallons (7.6 to 11 L) water. More dye will create stronger colors. You can use a normal kitchen spoon or ladle to stir your dye. You may want to avoid using wooden spoons; your dye could stain these. Boil, simmer and strain plant material when mixing natural dyes. Many plants found in nature can be used to create a homemade, natural dye. You will need to follow the same basic procedure when separating the dye from the plant matter. To do so you should: Chop up the plant or dye material into small pieces using a kitchen knife. Place two parts water and one part dye material in a large pot and boil it over high heat. Reduce the heat and let simmer for 1 hour. Strain the plant material out and pour the now colored liquid into a large bowl for you dye bath. Boil and strain berry-based material to make natural dyes. Berries also carry rich pigments that give them color. These pigments can be separated from the fruit of the berry to create a potent, natural dye. To create your dye from berries you should: Boil the berries for approximately 15 minutes or until the color of the berries mixed in with water. Separate the berry chunks by using a strainer and pour the colored liquid into a large bowl. Discard the berry chunks leaving only the colored solution to be used in dyeing the fabric. Choosing the right natural substance to make your dye. Using different plant materials, you can extract different color dyes. The following list is by no means exhaustive, but some popular colors and the plants they are made from include: Orange: Onion skin and carrot roots Brown: Coffee, tea, walnuts, and dandelion roots Pink: Red raspberries, cherries, and strawberries Blue/purple: Red cabbage, mulberries, elderberries, blueberries, purple grapes, cornflower petals, and purple irises Red: Beets, rose hips, and St. John's Wort soaked in alcohol Black: Iris roots Green: Artichokes, spinach leaves, sorrel roots, lilac flowers, snapdragon flowers, black-eyed Susans, and grass Yellow: Celery leaves, turmeric, willow leaves, marigold blossoms, paprika, peach leaves, yarrow, and alfalfa seeds Soak the fabric for the appropriate amount of time. Every dye is different, so the exact amount of time you need to soak your fabric in the dye will vary. For commercial products, you should always follow the listed instructions. Generally you can expect: A chemical dye will usually require you to soak your fabric for 4 to 10 minutes. Soaking your fabric too long could result in the color becoming too dark. A natural dye will yield the best and brightest color when simmering. Soak your fabric in the heated water for roughly one hour. For a stronger, more vibrant color, soak the fabric overnight. Dye from the lightest color to the darkest. If you plan on dyeing your fabric multiple colors, soak your fabric in the lightest color first. You can do this by dipping the part of your fabric you want dyed in a shallow bowl so only that part of the collected fabric takes on that particular color. Then immerse the fabric in progressively darker shades until all your colors have been used. Rinse with cool water after each dye application. Use cool, running water after applying each dye application. This will remove excess dye and seal the color in the fabric. Excess dye could splash or bleed to other parts of your shirt where you don't want it! Rinse thoroughly to prevent this. Understand the difference in effect. Perhaps the easiest way of tie dyeing is to soak your fabric in a single colored solution called a dye bath. If you want multi-colored designs to create a rainbow, swirl effect, or some other kind of colorful pattern, squirt bottles are the way to go! Prepare your dye in the bottles. You should always follow the directions that come with your dye or dye bottle kit for best results.However, generally you can expect that for every packet of powdered dye or ½ cup liquid dye you'll need to add two cups of warm to hot tap water to your squirt bottle. You can improve the dyeing process by adding salt to your dye solution. You should use the amount of salt recommended on the packaging of your dye, but typically you can expect to need one tablespoon of salt per squirt bottle. Stir or shake the solution until it is consistent throughout. Lay your fabric on a protected surface. If your dye soaks through the fabric, it could cause a stain to form on the surface on which you're dyeing. There are many ways you can protect your work area. You might use overlapping pieces plastic wrap, a tarp, thick cardboard, or many other kinds of material. After protecting the area you'll be dyeing, lay your fabric on top of the protected surface. Apply your dye. Take your squirt bottles and, in whatever pattern you desire, apply the dye to the fabric. You might want to put primary colors, like red, yellow, and blue, next to each other to create sharper contrast. It's a good idea to keep some paper towel on hand during this process. If you apply too much dye, it could puddle on the fabric and run, creating a runny design! You can prevent this by blotting excess dye with paper towel. Read directions carefully before finishing. Some dyes may require you to seal your fabric in a plastic baggie and then heat it in your microwave. When doing this, you should put down a layer of paper towel on the bottom of your microwave in case your plastic baggie leaks. When removing your fabric from the microwave, be careful you don't burn yourself. A pair of gloves or tongs can protect you from burns. Watch your fabric carefully when it is in the microwave. If you notice the plastic baggie inflate, this is completely normal. However, microwaving your bagged fabric for too long could melt the plastic and ruin your fabric. Rinse your fabric again in cool water. When you have finished all of your dye applications to your fabric and rinsed each part individually, rinse the whole thing one more time thoroughly under cool, running water. To ensure you've done this completely, you should: Continue rinsing the fabric until the water runs clear. Be thorough; you don't want dye to spread to other clothing. This process could take several minutes. Remove your fasteners. Use a pair of scissors to carefully cut the string or rubber bands from the fabric. You should cut carefully to avoid damaging your newly tie dyed fabric. After that, you can unravel the fabric to reveal the pattern. Alternatively, you could save your fasteners for later use by untying your string or unwrap the rubber bands. Wash the fabric in warm water. Use warm water and a mild, dye-free detergent to wash the fabric. You could do this in your washing machine or you could hand wash it in a tub or bucket. Once you are finished washing, rinse the fabric will cool water. If you decide on using a washing machine, you may want to run your tie dyed fabric through a cycle alone. This way, dye you might have missed won't transfer to other clothes. Gently squeeze out extra water after the rinse. Wring any extra water from your fabric, but be careful not to wring too hard, as this can stretch out and deform your fabric. To prevent your fabric from deforming from excess wringing, you can: Lay your dyed fabric flat in an old towel that is larger than it. Roll up your fabric inside the towel, and then wring out the towel along with the fabric inside. Dry as desired. You can machine dry or hang dry the fabric. The best method for drying will depend on the kind of fabric you have dyed. Follow the tag instructions on the tag for best results, or, if there is no tag, allow your shirt to hang dry. Enjoy your finished tie dye. You might want to try each of the three kinds of dye, plant, berry, and chemical, to find which you like best. Additionally, there are many differences depending on which plant/berry/chemical you choose to dye your fabric. You may find you enjoy some natural methods more than chemical, but other instances might be best suited for chemical dye. | Make a basic spiral. Spread your material out on a flat surface. Pinch the center of the fabric with your thumb and two fingers. Twist the fabric while holding it down with your fingers. Close your spiral with your free hand. Band your spiral together. Know the effect of knotting tie dye. Twist the fabric into a long rope. Tie the rope into a knot. Hold the knots in place with rubber bands. Understand the effect. Bunch up the fabric. Fasten your ball together. Know the pattern rosettes will create. Plot out the pattern for your rosettes. Gather the points together. Fasten your gathered rosettes. Gather and fasten the remaining fabric. Understand the effect. Roll your fabric into a long tube. Fasten your tube at regular intervals. Understanding how a fixative helps. Prepare a soda ash bath for most chemical dyes. Create a salt fixative for natural, berry-based dyes. Prepare a vinegar fixative for other natural, plant-based dyes. Soak the tied fabric in the corresponding solution. Squeeze out excess moisture. Follow the package instructions to mix chemical dye. Handle the dye using plastic or rubber gloves. Use a large plastic bucket as your dye bath. Stir the dye until completely and thoroughly dispersed. Boil, simmer and strain plant material when mixing natural dyes. Boil and strain berry-based material to make natural dyes. Choosing the right natural substance to make your dye. Soak the fabric for the appropriate amount of time. Dye from the lightest color to the darkest. Rinse with cool water after each dye application. Understand the difference in effect. Prepare your dye in the bottles. Lay your fabric on a protected surface. Apply your dye. Read directions carefully before finishing. Rinse your fabric again in cool water. Remove your fasteners. Wash the fabric in warm water. Gently squeeze out extra water after the rinse. Dry as desired. Enjoy your finished tie dye. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Certified-Public-Accountant-(CPA) | How to Become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | To become a certified public accountant, you first need to graduate from high school and earn a bachelor's degree, preferably in accounting or finance, if you haven't already. Then, get certified to be an accountant in your state by taking the four-part Uniform Certified Public Accountant Exam. The exam covers extensive, complex material, so prepare beforehand by taking a CPA course at a reputable university or college. Additionally, you will need a minimum of 1800 hours of physical experience under an authorized accountant. | Graduate from high school. Alternatively, you can take the General Education Development (GED) examination. You will need to do one of these things in order to apply to a four-year institution. Take the SATs, the standardized test that is required for college admission, your junior year and apply to more than one school in order to keep your options open. Get a bachelor's degree. Most states, with a few exceptions, require that CPAs have at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance. These programs typically take four years to complete, and tuition and coursework will vary depending on the school. Students take courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, business, auditing, and marketing. Certain companies also require that a CPA have a master's degree. Increase your job prospects by getting a master's in either finance or accounting. These programs typically take one or two years to complete. Some states allow prospective candidates to substitute relevant work experience for a bachelor's degree. Get certified in your state. You will need to take the four-part Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and meet additional certification requirements for your state in order to work as a public accountant. Some states also require prior accounting experience as a pre-requisite for licensure. The Unified CPA examination is composed of the following four sections: Auditing and Attestation (AUD). Subsections include internal controls and obtaining and documenting information. Business Environment and Concepts (BEC). Subsections include business structure, economic concepts, financial management, and information technology. Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR). Subsections include concepts and standards for financial statements, typical items in financial statements, and accounting and reporting for government entities. Regulation (REG). Subsections include ethics and professional responsibility, business law, and federal taxation. Find a job as an accountant. CPAs can work in a variety of settings, including businesses, corporations, government institutions, and schools. Job opportunities for CPAs and other accountant/auditor occupations are expected to increase by 22% between 2008 and 2018 to meet increased demand due to new financial regulations. Public accountants can choose to specialize in certain fields like forensic accounting, tax advising, and medical care compensation. CPAs may be hired by businesses or government agencies, or can be self-employed through their own practice. Certified CPAs must complete continuing education requirements in order to keep their license current. Pass the CPA exam. To qualify as a CPA, exams the following parts must be passed: Audit and Attestation Financial Accounting & Reporting Regulations Environment & Concepts Realize what is expected. The CPA course is quite complex to understand. Here is a list of what measures you must take. In every quarter of the year, you can sit for CPA exams in the first two months of the following quarter. Students can choose which part they want to attempt. Remember, once you've attempted a part, in following one and half year you must have to attempt other three parts as well as successfully passing them to complete the course. This part makes CPA a complicated course and many students fail CPA due to the same reason. Finally, the candidate should acquire minimum 1800 hours physical experience under an Authorized CPA holder. Enroll in a CPA course at a reputed university or college. Consider taking physical or online courses. Many universities and colleges offer both physical and online course. The institutes are providing a proper guideline so students a can pass in their first attempt. Study while continuing your working career. Job holders can also keep their CPA preparations on while continuing their jobs. So, in the same time, if they're working under a licensed CPA holder, they're actually keeping them one step ahead. Later they don't need to give an extra 1800 hours according to the CPA passing requirements. It will be a great idea to save your time and start a career as early possible as CPA. This only became possible because of online CPA courses. Where students can pick a suitable time to attend live classes online either they can download and prepare themselves for CPA exams. | Graduate from high school. Get a bachelor's degree. Get certified in your state. Find a job as an accountant. Pass the CPA exam. Realize what is expected. Enroll in a CPA course at a reputed university or college. Consider taking physical or online courses. Study while continuing your working career. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cut-an-Avocado | How to Cut an Avocado | To cut an avocado, use a sharp knife to slice the avocado in half vertically, and twist the two sides of the avocado until one side detaches from the pit. Then, if you're planning to eat the entire avocado, hack the knife into the pit on an angle and remove it by pulling it out on the knife. Once the pit is out, you can cube the avocado by cutting lengthwise and widthwise at even intervals, or you can slice the avocado lengthwise only to use as a garnish. To serve, simply separate the contents of the avocado from the skin by peeling it with a spoon or knife. | With a large knife, cut the avocado in half vertically. Twist the two halves of the avocado until one side breaks off from the pit. If you're planning on using only half of an avocado, keep the pit. Pitted avocado will turn off-colors faster than avocados with their pits still intact. Take out the pit, if desired, by gently hacking your knife into the pit and pulling out. You may also use a spoon if the process turns out to be difficult to do it with a knife. Then, when you've removed the pit, you can either discard it or plant an avocado tree. Cube the avocado. Cut into the avocado lengthwise at even intervals. Next, cut into the avocado at a 90 degree angle using even intervals to create a crosshatch pattern. Simply scoop the contents of the avocado out using a large spoon. This process will give you avocado cubes that are great for cooking or for using as condiments. Most recipes that call for avocado will expect you to cube it. Alternately, slice the avocado. Using lengthwise cuts, cut into the avocado at even intervals. This process will create avocado slices that are beautiful as garnish. Slice the skin along with the avocado fruit if you only want several slices from you avocado half. Alternately, slice only lengthwise through the fruit, avoiding puncturing the skin. Then, when you've finished cutting the avocado in even intervals, take a spoon and carefully remove the whole outside of the avocado. Splay the even strips of avocado onto your dish for nice presentation. Make guacamole. Guacamole is arguably the king of dips and a really fine way to use up avocados that would otherwise go bad. You can't go wrong with guacamole. Use avocado in salad. Avocado's silky smooth texture goes great in most any salad, especially if it's being offset by the crunchiness of lettuce or nuts. If you really in the mood, you can try to make avocado dressing. Make an avocado dessert. Because of its smooth texture, avocado is used as the essential ingredient in dessert in culinary traditions across the world. This particular recipe with chilled avocado and condensed milk is sure to please the avocado aficionado. Make ceviche with avocado. Ceviche is shorthand for any fish that is "cooked" using only citric acid from a lime or lemon. Popular in Mexico along seaside resorts, this dish takes the delicate taste of fish and elevates it to a new level. Make avocado juice or an avocado shake. Similar but distinct, either drink capitalizes on the unmistakable taste and texture of avocado and transforms it into a somewhat sweeter treat. | With a large knife, cut the avocado in half vertically. Twist the two halves of the avocado until one side breaks off from the pit. Take out the pit, if desired, by gently hacking your knife into the pit and pulling out. Cube the avocado. Alternately, slice the avocado. Make guacamole. Use avocado in salad. Make an avocado dessert. Make ceviche with avocado. Make avocado juice or an avocado shake. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Fluffy-Dog-Bed | How to Make a Fluffy Dog Bed | To make a fluffy dog bed, start by cutting out 2 fleece rectangles that are about 1-2 yards long. Then, stack the 2 pieces so the rougher sides are facing inward, and cut off the rough edges of the fleece. Next, pin the pieces of fleece together, cut out the corners, and cut 1-inch thick strips along all of the edges. Finally, fill the bed with stuffing and tie the fleece strips together to keep the filling inside of the bed. | Pick a covering fabric. You can mix and match different prints, colors, and textures of fabric in order to create a comfortable bed that matches your home décor. Make sure the fabric is easy to clean and/or able to be put in the washer. Faux fur, fleece, terry cloth, and cotton are good choices. You can also use old curtains. Decide on a fluffy insert. You can use pillows, old cotton clothes torn into strips, polyester stuffing, chopped foam, egg crate mattress toppers, or even scraps of different types of fabric you might have lying around the house. Make sure to use non-toxic material that won't harm your dog if s/he chews up the bed. Make an easy fleece tie dog bed simply by adding stuffing to the inside of a fleece tie blanket. This is the fastest way to make a dog bed and does not require any sewing. Start off with two rectangles of fleece material. The size will depend on the size of your dog. You will want to err on the side of extra fabric in order to leave enough room for the stuffing. For a small dog, two one-yard pieces of fabric will be enough. For a medium to big dog, two, two-yard pieces of fabric will do the trick. Fleece tie blankets are extremely easy to make because they don't require any sewing and fleece is a relatively cheap material. You can buy yards of patterned or solid colored fleece at any craft store. You can mix and match patterns and solids by using a single color on one side of the blanket and a patterned print on the other. Lay your first piece of fleece with the rougher side facing up and then lay the second yard of fleece on top, soft side facing up. In other words, the rougher sides of the fabric will be touching one another. Slide your self healing mat under the fleece and cut off the rough selvage edges of the fleece using scissors or a rotary cutter. Make sure to use the lines on your template for a straight cut. You do not need to cut the other edges unless they are uneven or you are using a rotary cutter with a patterned cut. Pin your four-inch by four-inch square template to any corner of your fleece and cut around it so that there is an outward facing right angle chunk cut out. Repeat for the remaining three sides of the fleece. Take your tape measure and lay it across the fleece from the top of one right angle to the other so that there is a four-inch strip of fleece below the tape measure. It's helpful to pin the tape measure down so that it doesn't move. Keep the tape measure in place and use your scissors or rotary cutter to cut strips of fleece one-inch thick all along the four-inch section. Only cut to just below the tape measure line. Repeat for the remaining three sides of the fleece, making sure to pin the tape measure in place. You should now have fringes along all sides of the fleece that are one-inch thick and four-inches long. Separate the top layer of fleece from the bottom layer of fleece just enough to stuff the blanket with stuffing of your choice. For this style dog bed, a lightweight stuffing made of polyester or egg crate foam works best. Stuff the blanket evenly with your stuffing, making sure that the stuffing reaches each corner of the blanket. Match up the top and bottom fleece layers and begin to tie the fringes together in double knots. Continue to tie each fringe together until you have made your way around the entire bed. Make sure that each tie is securely tied, and you're finished! Take two large pillows and overlap them about four to six inches lengthwise. You may need to use a third pillow if you are making a bed for a large dog. Sew the pillows together along the overlap where the seam of the pillow meets the other pillow. You will probably need to sew by hand to avoid jamming the pillow into your sewing machine. Repeat along the second (and third, if necessary) seam. Depending on the strength of your sewing, you may want to sew the pillows together on top where they meet in little valleys. This will help the pillows stay together and also create a more consistent shape. Choose a fabric and cut out two shapes large enough to cover the pillows. It helps to measure the pillows with a tape measure or yardstick and then transfer the necessary dimensions to a piece of fabric before cutting. Make sure to account for the height of the pillows by adding about four to six inches of extra fabric to each side of the cutout. You can also lay the fabric over the pillows and mark where the fabric meets the pillow edges using a pen. Alternately, you can use old curtains instead of purchasing new fabric to save money and recycle your old things. Cut out the fabric using scissors. Drape one piece over the pillow and place the other piece underneath the pillow. Make sure that the edges of the fabric match up. Individually fold the edge of the each piece of fabric inward before sewing to create a soft, rounded outside edge. You can either fold as you sew or pre-pin all four sides of the bed before sewing using safety pins or sewing pins. Sew three edges of the bed together using either a sewing machine or sewing by hand. Make sure to leave one side open in order to stuff the pillows inside. Once three sides are sewn, stuff the pillows into the shell. Make sure that the bed is evenly stuffed corner to corner. Sew the remaining side of the bed together. Snip any loose threads. If you are seasoned at sewing, consider attaching a zipper to the fourth side of the bed. This makes it easier to wash the covering without having to wash the pillows as well. The bed can sit alone on the floor of your home, or you can place the bed in an adequately shaped box or basket for extra support and a more polished look. If using a box or basket, you can also sew strips of fabric onto the side of the bed to act as ties. You can then tie the pieces of fabric to the box or basket to prevent the bed from sliding. Decide on the diameter you want your dog bed to be. You can either cut your dog bed insert to the desired size if it is cuttable (like egg crate for instance), or simply draw up a template. Add one inch to your plans for seam allowances. Plan out a circular pattern of fabric that will consist of square pieces of fabric. You will probably want to use cotton for this project. Use this formula to determine how many 3 1/4-inch by 5 1/2-inch rectangles you'll need to complete your circle: pet bed diameter in inches x 3.14 divided by 2.75 inches (7.0 cm). Round up to the nearest whole number to make computation easier. Once you've determined how many squares you need, begin to cut out the squares from your fabric. You can also cut out triangular-shaped hourglass blocks to create a varied pattern. Use a combination of solid and print fabrics to spice up your quilted dog bed. For a simpler variation, use an old quilt instead of fashioning a new one. Assemble the pieces together into a large square using either a sewing machine or sewing by hand. Next, assemble the pieces together for the second side of the bed using the same sewing technique. Measure the desired diameter of your pet bed onto each of the two square fabric pieces that you created. Cut out each circle using scissors and lay the two quilts on top of one another with the rough sides touching. If using a pre-made circular insert or an egg crate, place the insert between the two pieces of fabric before beginning to sew. Sew most of the two quilts together with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, using a sewing machine or sewing by hand. Remember to fold each edge of the quilt inward in order to form a thicker, smoother edge. Make sure to leave a section of the edge open large enough to fit the stuffing through. Stuff the dog bed with the stuffing of your choice into the remaining open section. Once again, you can use polyester stuffing, old clothes, pillows, etc. to stuff your dog bed. Because the quilted covering is more sturdy than, say, a flannel tie covering, you can use heavier stuffing with this method. Sew the rest of the two quilts together. If you are advanced at sewing, you can incorporate a zipper along the sewn edge of the bed in order to remove the stuffing for washing if desired. | Pick a covering fabric. Decide on a fluffy insert. Make an easy fleece tie dog bed simply by adding stuffing to the inside of a fleece tie blanket. Start off with two rectangles of fleece material. Lay your first piece of fleece with the rougher side facing up and then lay the second yard of fleece on top, soft side facing up. Slide your self healing mat under the fleece and cut off the rough selvage edges of the fleece using scissors or a rotary cutter. Pin your four-inch by four-inch square template to any corner of your fleece and cut around it so that there is an outward facing right angle chunk cut out. Take your tape measure and lay it across the fleece from the top of one right angle to the other so that there is a four-inch strip of fleece below the tape measure. Keep the tape measure in place and use your scissors or rotary cutter to cut strips of fleece one-inch thick all along the four-inch section. Repeat for the remaining three sides of the fleece, making sure to pin the tape measure in place. Separate the top layer of fleece from the bottom layer of fleece just enough to stuff the blanket with stuffing of your choice. Stuff the blanket evenly with your stuffing, making sure that the stuffing reaches each corner of the blanket. Match up the top and bottom fleece layers and begin to tie the fringes together in double knots. Make sure that each tie is securely tied, and you're finished! Take two large pillows and overlap them about four to six inches lengthwise. Sew the pillows together along the overlap where the seam of the pillow meets the other pillow. Repeat along the second (and third, if necessary) seam. Choose a fabric and cut out two shapes large enough to cover the pillows. Cut out the fabric using scissors. Individually fold the edge of the each piece of fabric inward before sewing to create a soft, rounded outside edge. Sew three edges of the bed together using either a sewing machine or sewing by hand. Once three sides are sewn, stuff the pillows into the shell. Sew the remaining side of the bed together. Decide on the diameter you want your dog bed to be. Plan out a circular pattern of fabric that will consist of square pieces of fabric. Use this formula to determine how many 3 1/4-inch by 5 1/2-inch rectangles you'll need to complete your circle: Once you've determined how many squares you need, begin to cut out the squares from your fabric. Assemble the pieces together into a large square using either a sewing machine or sewing by hand. Next, assemble the pieces together for the second side of the bed using the same sewing technique. Measure the desired diameter of your pet bed onto each of the two square fabric pieces that you created. Sew most of the two quilts together with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, using a sewing machine or sewing by hand. Stuff the dog bed with the stuffing of your choice into the remaining open section. Sew the rest of the two quilts together. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Identify-a-Sycamore-Tree | How to Identify a Sycamore Tree | To identify a sycamore tree, look for peeling, brittle bark. Also, search for camouflage colors since the mix of older and newer bark will give the tree patches of green, tan, and white. You can also identify a sycamore by its massive, dome-shaped canopy and its trunk's large diameter. Finally, seek out leaves that have 3-5 distinct lobes, each with its own vein running through it, and with a ragged edge that looks slightly serrated. | Look for peeling bark. The bark of a sycamore tree is brittle and can't withstand the rapid growth that sycamores experience. So the bark peels off frequently, and this results in a patchy, flaky appearance. Search for “camouflage” colors in the bark. Because the older bark peels off and reveals younger bark beneath, the bark of sycamores will be a variety of colors – brown, green, tan, and white. This gives the tree a distinctive pattern that resembles army camouflage. Look for a massive, dome-shaped canopy. The crown, or canopy, of a sycamore tree can grow to over 60 feet (18 meters) wide and 80 feet (24 meters) tall. The branches and leaves fill out this space so that it creates a wide dome. Inspect the width of the trunk. While not the tallest tree, the sycamore grows to a larger diameter than any other tree in the eastern United States, so look for a trunk diameter of 3-8 feet (1-2.5 meters). Find zig-zagging twigs. The twigs that grow off the branches will go in one direction, and then switch directions just after a bud pops out. This creates a zig-zig shape that looks a little like a lightening bolt. Count five distinct lobes. A lobe is a separate section of the leaf that radiates off the central point, kind of like the fingers on your hand. Most sycamore leaves will have five large lobes, each with its own distinct vein running along it. Some sycamore leaves may only have three lobes, but five is more common. From the tip of one lobe to the to the tip of the one across from it, sycamore leaves are often well over 4 inches (10 centimeters) wide. Search for a single leaf attached at one location. Sycamores have alternate leaves, which means a single leaf attaches to the stem in one spot, and the leaves alternate from side to side as you move along the stem. This is opposed to two leaves attaching at the same location on a stem, which is referred to as having opposite leaves. Feel for a somewhat ragged edge. The leaves will have many rounded “teeth” along the edges and will look slightly serrated. Look for a dark green or yellow color. In spring and summer, the leaves will be dark green. Then in the autumn they turn yellow before falling off for the winter. Inspect the tree for small, woody balls. In autumn, the sycamore produces a small, woody ball on a long stem, which is its fruit. The American sycamore produces these as single, pendulum-like growths, while non-native hybrid relatives may have two or three of these hanging from one stalk. Search for “helicopter” seeds. Sycamore seeds are arranged in V-shaped pairs that are often nicknamed helicopters because of the way they swirl and spin when they fall from the tree. This allows the tree a larger area of seed dispersal since they can flutter farther away. Look for them in clusters at the end of twigs, or on the ground beneath the tree. Look for small, yellow-green flowers. Sycamores have both male and female flowers on the same tree, though they grow on different stalks. They have a white stamen and very small, thin petals, which are a light green or yellow. | Look for peeling bark. Search for “camouflage” colors in the bark. Look for a massive, dome-shaped canopy. Inspect the width of the trunk. Find zig-zagging twigs. Count five distinct lobes. Search for a single leaf attached at one location. Feel for a somewhat ragged edge. Look for a dark green or yellow color. Inspect the tree for small, woody balls. Search for “helicopter” seeds. Look for small, yellow-green flowers. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Started-Writing-a-Book | How to Get Started Writing a Book | To get started writing a book, first develop a rough story outline that includes a summary of what will happen in each chapter or section of your book. Then, once you have a general idea of what the plot will be, start writing the first few chapters. Start off right away with conflict or action to hook your readers, and try to avoid writing a long prologue so your readers don't get bored. Don't worry about editing until you've finished the first three chapters and instead just focus on getting your story down onto paper. | Determine what you want to write about. Think about the story that only you can write, or that you feel most passionate about. This could be a how to book on urban beekeeping, or a memoir about your complicated family background. The best way to get a good start on writing a book is to choose a story idea that you feel committed to and willing to spend a significant amount of time on. Take out a piece of paper and make a list of things you are knowledgeable about or an idea you feel strongly about and are interested in delving into deeper in long form. You may already have a story idea in mind. If that's the case, consider if the story idea is engaging enough to sustain 80,000 words. Choose your genre. There are many types of writing, from fiction to non-fiction to self-help to memoir. Some writers begin with a story idea or a character first, rather than a genre. But it can help to pick your genre before outlining your story idea. In fact, there are over 70 genres of writing. Your book on urban bee keeping, for example, might fall in the genre of craft and hobby books, while an autobiographical book on your family history could fit in the memoir genre. Read three to four examples that are similar to your story idea. Head to your local library and look for titles that relate to your story idea. Try to pick newer titles so you can see what the market is like for your story idea. This will also factor in later to your book proposal, as your book should be competing against current titles in order to be relevant to the current market. This will show potential publishers that your story idea is in demand and similar current titles are being read and bought. For a book on urban bee keeping, look for titles in the craft and hobby section that discuss bee keeping for the average person living in a city or urban area. For books that relate to your memoir, look in the historical fiction section as well as the memoir section for titles that seem similar to your family background. Analyze the examples. Read through three to five books that relate to your story idea and look closely at several details: What genre does the book fall into, and why? Consider why the publisher decided to place the book in a certain genre or category. You may be surprised, for example, to find a book on urban bee keeping in the Economics section of the library. You may then think about how you can integrate the economical benefits of urban bee keeping into your book. Who is the book's intended audience? Think of the ideal reader for the book, and who the ideal reader might be for your book. For your book on urban bee keeping, this could be young professionals seeking a unique hobby, or older retired folks looking to make some extra money and improve the environment. Is there a positive message, theme, or moral in the book? Morals and themes are more common in fiction books, but non-fiction and self-help books can also carry a positive message. Consider how the message, theme, or moral of your book comes through in the example books. Does the author state the theme upfront or is it woven into the chapters and sections of the book? Is the moral or theme clear in the book, or hard to figure out? How does the writer make the main character interesting and engaging for readers? This is a big concern in fiction books, as the main character or protagonist acts as the driving force in the story. Do you feel the main character is relatable or enjoyable? Did you find yourself getting bored by character cliches or flowery descriptions of character in the book? How does the author balance the main character with supporting characters in the book? Is there an unexpected twist or payoff at the end of the book? This is a key element in fiction books, especially thrillers and mysteries, as well as some self-help books. An unexpected twist or payoff is what keeps readers engaged in the story and motivated to finish the book. Consider how the author builds up tension in each chapter to create suspense. Did the twist seem obvious from the beginning or were you surprised and entertained by the twist as a reader? Determine the setting of the story. Often, when writing fiction or non-fiction, the setting of your story will inform the details of your main character and the genre you are writing for. Think about an area you know well, such as your town or city, or a geographical area you would like to learn more about. You will then need to research certain elements of the setting to ensure it seems believable and clear to your reader. If you are writing historical fiction set in a certain time period, you will need to do some research about that time period. If you are writing dystopian fiction or a folktale, you can use your imagination to create a unique and slightly futuristic or supernatural setting. In fiction, there is no limit to setting. From a spaceship on Mars to a pirate ship in the Caribbean, all these settings can be used for your story. Write a one sentence summary of your book. This sentence will act as your ten-second selling tool for publishers. It should be a statement of the big picture of your book. When you later write a book proposal, this sentence should appear very early in the proposal. Writing a one sentence summary can be difficult, and is almost an artform of its own, so take your time and revise the sentence until it feels right. Go short, no more than 15 words. Avoid character names. Instead, use a short vivid description of your character. Link the big picture and the personal picture in the book. Which character has the most to lose in your story? For example, a one sentence summary of your book on urban bee keeping could be: “An exploration of the economical benefits and the environmental benefits of urban bee keeping for the under 30 hobbyist.” A one sentence summary of your memoir could be: “A young, mixed race woman searches for the mother she never knew and battles her own addictions in British Columbia, Canada.” Come up with a working title. Creating a working title will help you answer the reader's questions about the book and provide a good sense of the book's overall goal or theme. Try to match the title to the tone of the book. For example, a working title for your book on urban bee keeping could be: “Sweetness in the City: A Simple Guide to Urban Bee Keeping”, and a working title for your memoir could be: “Autobiography of a Mixed Child” or simply, “Searching for My Mother.” Create a table of contents for the book. If you are writing non-fiction, your table of contents will help you organize your thoughts and act as a guide to writing the book. Make a bulleted list, with the main topic and then sub topics or headings underneath the main topic. For example, for a book on urban bee keeping, the main topic might be Urban Bee Keeping and the sub topics could be: Origins of Bee Keeping, Development of Bee Keeping, Supplies for Bee Keeping, Hazards of Bee Keeping. You can also use this tactic with fiction books, where the main topic might be My Life Story, and the sub topics could be: My Birth, My Childhood, My Adolescence, My Adulthood. Develop a rough story outline. For fiction books, you should create an outline of your chapters or sections. You may start with three distinct sections, broken down by time periods, or twelve chapters, based on each year of a character's life. Though you may want to simply begin with Chapter 1 and see where your writing takes you, having a rough outline of the chapter breaks or section breaks can help to focus your writing. Start a folder on your Desktop for each part of your book, one for your introduction, another for your index or resource section. For a fiction book, you could start a folder for each chapter of the book, or each section. Create an engaging main character. If you are writing a fiction book, your protagonist, or main character, is going to act as a guide for your reader as they read your story. Your main character should be interesting and endearing enough that your reader cares what happens to her. To develop your main character, write a summary sheet that covers: The character's name. A one-sentence summary of the character's storyline. The character's motivation, or what the character wants in the story in an abstract or big picture way. For example, your character may be looking for redemption and reconciliation with her heritage. The character's goal, or what the character wants in the story in a concrete way. For example, your character may be searching for her missing mother, or a missing family member. The character's conflict, or what prevents the character for reaching her goal. For example, maybe the character is battling addiction and other demons that get in the way of her search. The character's epiphany, or what the character learns or how she changes. For example, a reconciliation with her missing mother and an attempt to get sober. A one-paragraph summary of the character's storyline. This should cover all of the above points in further detail. Dive right into the conflict. Make those first several sentences count. Begin with action, dialogue, or a description that sets the mood of the story. Start as close as possible to the story's catalyst, or the aha moment for the main character. This is the moment where your main character's life shifts from ordinary to extraordinary and the plot of the story takes off. Avoid creating false beginnings, like the character wakes up from a dream or the main character dies in the first chapter. You want to make your reader feel surprised and engaged, rather than cheated or disappointed. Skip the prologue and start right in the action of the first chapter. Most prologues are unnecessary to the main story or act as a way to stall getting into the nitty gritty of the story. Start with a hook paragraph. In non-fiction books, it helps to draw your reader in if start with an attention grabbing first paragraph. Some ideas for generating a hook paragraph include: An interesting or surprising example: This could be a personal experience, such as your childhood memories of urban bee keeping with a family member, or your failed first attempts at bee keeping. A provocative quotation: Look through your research materials for a quotation that sums up your book. For example, a quotation on the environmental benefits of honey bees or on the relationship between a bee keeper and her bees. A vivid anecdote: An anecdote is a very short story that carries moral or symbolic weight. Think of an anecdote that might be a poetic or powerful way to start your book. You can also look through your research for your essay for any note worthy anecdotes. A thought provoking question: This could be a question that will get your reader thinking and engaged in your topic. For example: “Did you ever wonder how honey is made?” Avoid editing your writing until you finish the first three chapters. Focus on getting through the first three chapters, using your rough outline and your one sentence book summary as guides. Avoid stopping to revise or edit your writing, especially in the early stages of drafting. Only move forward in your writing, as this will allow you to work through your ideas. Save editing for further down the road. Note how long it takes you to finish the first three chapters of the book, and use this number (3 months, 2 weeks, 1 year) to gauge how long it will take for you to finish the rest of the book. | Determine what you want to write about. Choose your genre. Read three to four examples that are similar to your story idea. Analyze the examples. Determine the setting of the story. Write a one sentence summary of your book. Come up with a working title. Create a table of contents for the book. Develop a rough story outline. Create an engaging main character. Dive right into the conflict. Start with a hook paragraph. Avoid editing your writing until you finish the first three chapters. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Read-the-Periodic-Table | How to Read the Periodic Table | To read the periodic table, start at the top left with the elements with the lowest atomic numbers, which tells you how many protons each atom has. Then, as you move right across the chart, make note that the atomic weight, shown at the bottom of the square, also increases. Next, notice that groups of elements that have similar properties are found in the vertical columns and are usually the same color squares. Finally, look for “families” of elements, such as Alkali Metals and Noble Gases, to be grouped together. | Read the periodic table from top left to bottom right. The elements are ordered by their atomic numbers, which increase as you move across and down the periodic table. The atomic number is how many protons the element's atom possesses. You'll also notice that each element's atomic mass increases as you move across the table. This means you can recognize a lot about an element's weight by just looking at its place on the table. The atomic mass increases as you move across or down the table because the mass is calculated by adding up the protons and neutrons in each element's atom. The number of protons increases with each element, which means the weight goes up, as well. Electrons are not included in the atomic mass, as they contribute much less to the atom's weight than protons and neutrons. Observe that each element contains 1 more proton than its predecessor. You can tell this by looking at the atomic number. Atomic numbers are ordered from left to right. Since the elements are also arranged by group, you will see gaps on the table. For example, the first row contains Hydrogen, which has an atomic number of 1, and Helium, which has an atomic number of 2. However, they are at opposite ends of the table, as they are in different groups. Recognize groups, which share physical and chemical properties. Groups, also known as families, fall in a vertical column. In most cases, groups will share the same color, as well. This helps you identify which elements have similar physical and chemical properties to each other, which allows you to predict how they'll behave. Each element in a particular group has the same number of electrons in its outer orbital. Most elements fall into 1 group, but Hydrogen can be placed with the Halogen family or the Alkali Metals. On some charts, it will appear with both. In most cases, the columns will be numbered 1-18, either above or below the table. The numbers may be shown in Roman numerals (IA), Arabic numerals (1A), or numerals (1). When you go down a group from top to bottom, it's called “reading down a group.” Notice why gaps exist in the table. Although elements are ordered based on their atomic number, they're also arranged into groups and families that share the same physical and chemical properties. This helps you better understand how each element behaves. Since elements don't always fall neatly into groupings as they increase in number, the periodic table contains gaps. For example, the first 3 rows have gaps, as the Transition Metals don't appear on the table until atomic number 21. Similarly, elements 57 through 102, which are the Rare Earth Elements, are usually pictured as a subset at the bottom right of the table. Notice that each row is called a period. All of the elements in a period have the same number of atomic orbitals, which is where their electrons go. The number of orbitals will match the number of the period. There are 7 rows, meaning that there are 7 periods. For example, the elements in the period 1 have 1 orbital, while the elements in period 7 have 7 orbitals. In most cases, they're numbered 1-7 down the left hand side of the table. When you move across a row from left to right, it's called “reading across a period.” Distinguish between metals, semi-metals, and non-metals. You can better understand the properties of an element by recognizing what type of element it is. Fortunately, most periodic tables use color to indicate whether the element is a metal, semi-metal, or non-metal. You'll notice that metals occur to the left of the table, while non-metals fall on the right. Semi-metals are sandwiched between them. Keep in mind that hydrogen can be grouped with either the Halogens or the Alkali Metals because of its properties, so it may appear on either side of the table or may be colored differently. Elements are labeled as a metal if they have luster, are solid at room temperature, conduct heat and electricity, and are malleable and ductile. Elements are considered a non-metal if they lack luster, don't conduct heat or electricity, and are non-malleable. These elements are usually gases at room temperature but may also become a solid or liquid at certain temperatures. Elements are labeled as semi-metals if they have a mixture of properties of both metals and non-metals. Recognize the element’s 1 to 2-letter symbol. It most often appears in the center of the box in a large font. The symbol abbreviates the element's name, which is standardized across different languages. When you're doing experiments or working with elemental equations, you'll likely use the elements' symbols, so it's important to familiarize yourself with them. This symbol is usually derived from the Latin form of the element's name, but it may be derived from the widely accepted common name, especially for newer elements. For example, the symbol for Helium is He, which closely resembles the common name. However, the symbol for Iron is Fe, which is harder to recognize at first. Look for the full name of the element, if it’s present. This is the name of the element that you will use when writing it out. For example, “Helium” and “Carbon” are the names of elements. In most cases, this will appear just below the symbol, but its placement can vary. Some periodic tables may omit the full name, using just the symbol. Find the atomic number. The atomic number is often located at the top of the box, either in the center or the corner. However, it could be located under the element symbol or name. Atomic numbers run sequentially from 1-118. The atomic number will be a whole number, not a decimal. Recognize the atomic number is the number of protons in an atom. All of an element's atoms contain the same number of protons. Unlike with electrons, an atom cannot gain or lose protons. Otherwise, the element would change! You'll use the atomic number to find the number of electrons and neutrons as well! Know elements contain the same number of electrons as protons. There is an exception if they're ionized. Protons have a positive charge, and electrons have a negative charge. Since regular atoms don't have an electrical charge, that means electrons and protons are equal. However, an atom can lose or gain electrons, which makes it ionized. Ions are electrically charged. If an ion has more protons, it is positive, which is indicated with a positive sign next to the ion's symbol. If it has more electrons, the ion is negative, which is indicated with a negative symbol. You will not see a plus or minus symbol if the element is not an ion. Find the atomic weight. The atomic weight usually appears at the bottom of the box, below the element symbol. The atomic weight represents the combined weight of the particles in the nucleus, which includes protons and neutrons. However, ions complicate the calculation, so the atomic weight represents an average of the atomic mass of the element and the atomic mass of its ions. Because the weights are averaged, most elements will have atomic weights that include decimals. Although it may appear as though the atomic weight increases in number from top left to bottom right, this is not true in all cases. Determine the mass number of the element you’re studying. You can find the mass number by rounding the atomic mass to the nearest whole number. This accounts for the fact that the atomic weight is an average of all possible atomic masses for that element, including ions. For example, the atomic weight of Carbon is 12.011, which rounds to 12. Similarly, the weight of Iron is 55.847, which rounds to 56. Subtract the atomic number from the mass number to find the neutrons. The mass number is calculated by adding together the number of protons and neutrons. This allows you to easily find the number of neutrons in an atom by subtracting the number or protons from the mass number! Use this formula: Neutrons = Mass Number - Protons For example, Carbon's mass number is 12, and it has 6 protons. Since 12 - 6 = 6, you know Carbon has 6 neutrons. For another example, Iron's mass number is 56, and it has 26 protons. Since 56 - 26 = 30, you know Iron has 30 neutrons. An atom's isotopes will contain a different number of neutrons, which changes the atom's weight. | Read the periodic table from top left to bottom right. Observe that each element contains 1 more proton than its predecessor. Recognize groups, which share physical and chemical properties. Notice why gaps exist in the table. Notice that each row is called a period. Distinguish between metals, semi-metals, and non-metals. Recognize the element’s 1 to 2-letter symbol. Look for the full name of the element, if it’s present. Find the atomic number. Recognize the atomic number is the number of protons in an atom. Know elements contain the same number of electrons as protons. Find the atomic weight. Determine the mass number of the element you’re studying. Subtract the atomic number from the mass number to find the neutrons. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Fire | How to Build a Fire | To build a fire, start by finding a clear, dry surface. Choose a spot that is at least 6 feet (1.8 meters) away from any trees or bushes. Next, clear the area of dry leaves, twigs, or other items that could ignite and cause the fire to spread. Before you build the fire, make sure you have a plan to put the fire out with water, dirt, or sand. To build a fire, first gather three types of materials: tinder (dry material like shredded bark, leaves, and grass), kindling (small sticks and branches), and fuel wood (larger logs). Make a ball of the tinder material and place it in the center of the area you want to make a fire. Then, stack your kindling around it in the form of a teepee. Alternatively, you can stack the kindling on top of the tinder in a criss-cross pattern. Leave a gap on one side so you're able to easily light the tinder. Once you've made the basic structure, lean pieces of fuel wood against each other over the tinder and kindling. Now you're ready to light your fire. Use a lighter or matches to light the tinder. The tinder should light quickly, but it might help to light it on multiple sides so your fire burns evenly. If the fire isn't catching, try gently blowing on it to help it spread, since fire needs oxygen to burn. Once the tinder is lit, it should light the kindling, which should burn for long enough that the fuel wood will catch as well. | Buy pre-cut firewood to play it safe, if possible. Pre-cut firewood is the ideal option for making a fire at home, and it is also a wise bet for starting a fire outdoors. Having ready-to-use firewood will spare you the time, effort, and uncertainty of searching for usable firewood in the woods. Pre-cut wood logs can be purchased at hardware stores, or from merchants near campsites. Use manufactured fire logs for a purely decorative fire. Manufactured logs combine sawdust and paraffin wax for an easy-to-light, clean-burning fire. These logs have the benefit of lighting without any starting material and leaving little mess, but they do not create the same heat as a regular, wood-burning fire would. To make an easy fire when you are not in need of warmth, purchase manufactured logs at hardware stores. Find small, dry materials to use as tinder for a natural fire. Tinder is easy-to-light materials that help to start your fire. Find small, dry items such as grass, leaves, shredded tree bark or newspaper are ideal choices. In a pinch, tortilla chips make great tinder if you are willing to spare the snack. Find dry, medium-sized items to serve as kindling. Kindling is material that burns easily when it comes in contact with lit tinder, but is difficult to light its own. Look for small sticks, twigs, and large pieces of bark. Make sure that the items are completely dry. Cut large pieces of wood with an axe or knife to create kindling. Collect a variety of fuel wood. Fuel wood should consist of logs that will burn for an extended time and keep your fire alive. Look for dry, brittle wood in a range of different sizes to top off your fire as needed as it burns. Different types of wood burn differently, so keep in mind that: Hardwood, like oak and maple, will take longer to start burning but burn for a long time. Softwood, like pine and cedar, burns fast and crack and pops while burning due to resins. Build a fire on a clear, dry surface. Choose a spot that is at least 6 feet (1.8 m) away from trees, bushes, and low hanging branches. Clear the area of dry leaves, twigs, or other items that could ignite and cause the fire to spread. Make sure the fire spot is on dry ground, or build a bed of rocks. Build a circle of large rocks measuring about 3 feet (0.91 m) or 4 feet (1.2 m) in diameter to mark where you are building the fire. Never build a fire anywhere within 6 feet (1.8 m) of your shelter or tent if you are sleeping outdoors. Build a cross fire structure to keep things simple. Place the tinder material at the center of your fire bed. Next, place kindling on top of it in a crisscross patter. Repeat the pattern with the fuelwood. Make a teepee structure for an easy-to-light option. Bunch your tinder material into a ball that is approximately 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter. Stack pieces of kindling together in a teepee-like shape around the tinder, with an opening on one side. Lean pieces of fuelwood against each other to form a frame around the tinder and kindling, leaving a gap in the same spot that you did for the kindling. Set up a "log cabin" fire structure for easy building. Place tinder material in the middle of your fire site, then build a tinder "teepee" around the tinder material. Place two pieces of fuel wood on either side of the teepee, then lay two more pieces across them, perpendicularly. Repeat the pattern 2 to 3 times to build a "log cabin." Again, this is an alternative to a cross fire or teepee structure. Use a lighter or matches, if you have them. The simplest way to light your fire is by using simple fire starters like matches or a lighter. Carefully light matches or strike your lighter and hold the flame to piece of tinder until it starts to burn. Gently blow on the lit tinder to help build the fire. For the best results, light the tinder from several sides to ensure that it burns properly. Spark a fire with flint and steel, as a weather-proof alternative. Flint and steel sets are an excellent, lasting, and weather-proof alternative to lighters and matches. Hold the steel and flint close to the tinder pile at the center of your fire bed. Strike the steel against the flint several times to send sparks towards the tinder until it ignites. Flint and steel sets are available at hardware stores, sports stores, wilderness supply stores, or online. Create a fire plough for a makeshift fire starter. Dig a groove into a flat piece of softwood with a pocket knife or another sharp tool. Using a stick or small branch, plough up and down the groove to create friction and heat. After a few minutes, the heat will intensify and ignite the wood particles created by the ploughing motion. Other sharp tools that you can use instead of pocket knives include pens, metal skewers, and nails. Start putting the fire out 20 minutes in advance. It take a while to fully extinguish a fire and it is dangerous to abandon it before you do. Plan when you want your fire to be out to give yourself enough time to achieve this. Sprinkle water over the fire site. Tilt a bucket of water over the fire and distribute drops and small splashes of water onto the embers. Do this gently and gradually. A watering can, large water bottle, or other vessel will also serve to distribute water slowly over your fire site. Stir the embers with a stick or shovel while you sprinkle water. Make sure that all the embers in your fireplace get wet by turning them over as you sprinkle water on them. Use a stick or metal shovel to stir them. Be thorough and continue stirring until the fire is extinguished completely. Make sure that there is no steam, heat, or noise emerging from your fire site. Place your hand near the base of your fire site to make sure it feels cool. If you do not feel any heat emerging from the ground, it is likely to be fully extinguished. Also check for signs of steam and listen for any hissing noises, which are signs of remaining burning embers. If you do not see evidence of these things, it is safe to leave your fire site. If you see evidence of any of these things, repeat the above steps to extinguish the fire. If you don't plan on using the fire site again, dump water over it. | Buy pre-cut firewood to play it safe, if possible. Use manufactured fire logs for a purely decorative fire. Find small, dry materials to use as tinder for a natural fire. Find dry, medium-sized items to serve as kindling. Collect a variety of fuel wood. Build a fire on a clear, dry surface. Build a cross fire structure to keep things simple. Make a teepee structure for an easy-to-light option. Set up a "log cabin" fire structure for easy building. Use a lighter or matches, if you have them. Spark a fire with flint and steel, as a weather-proof alternative. Create a fire plough for a makeshift fire starter. Start putting the fire out 20 minutes in advance. Sprinkle water over the fire site. Stir the embers with a stick or shovel while you sprinkle water. Make sure that there is no steam, heat, or noise emerging from your fire site. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Shave-Your-Neck-when-Growing-a-Beard | How to Shave Your Neck when Growing a Beard | There are a few ways you can shave your neck when growing a beard. For a clean look, imagine a curved line going from one ear to the other and shave everything outside the line. For a more faded neck line, set your trimmers to half the length of your regular setting and shave the inch outside the curved line. Then, shave the rest of your neck bare. For an even more tapered look, set your trimmers to quarter the length of your regular setting and shave the next inch after that. | Visualize a line from one ear to the other. Imagine a line that loops from the back edge of each ear down and around the top of your neck. Envision the lines meeting in the center of your neck (below your jaw). Visualize two lines extending down from your sideburns. Find the rear edges of your sideburns. Imagine a straight line extending down from each. If you don't have any sideburns, allow them to grow in a bit so you can better identify where the rear edges of your sideburns are. Identify the intersection of the two lines. Everything above the first line you visualized and in front of the second line you visualized should be allowed to grow in. Anything below or otherwise outside those lines should be shaved. Another way you can find your neck line is to look up, then locate the deepest curve of your neck. Shave everything below that line, gradually angling up toward your jawline. Give yourself a clean neck. If you want a “hard stop” between your beard and your neck, simply shave away everything outside the neck line you've identified. Use short quick strokes to remove all the stubble or beard growth that is not inside the neck line. Give yourself a faded neck line. Instead of having a “hard stop” on your beard, you could have a neck line that gradually tapers down in beard thickness to smooth skin. To shave your neck into a fade while growing a beard, set your clippers at half the length of your regular setting. Using the clippers, trim the base of your neck line in a perimeter of about one inch (two centimeters) out from your neck line. Shave everything outside this perimeter bare. Add more gradation to the faded neck line. If you wish, you could create even more gradation within the fade by shaving the outer half inch (one centimeter) of the perimeter you've already shaved using an even shorter setting for your clippers. For instance, you could set the clippers to one-quarter of the standard length you use, then shave the outer portion of your one-inch fade. Use warm water to wet your neck area. Shaving your neck while growing a beard will be easier if your neck is wet. Shaving after a shower is a good option. Alternately, wipe a towel dampened with hot water over your neck before you shave. This will help open up your pores. For an even smoother shave, apply shaving lather to your neck before shaving. Use a straight razor. A straight razor will allow you to get a closer, smoother shave than a disposable razor. Set the blade at a 30-degree angle to your skin. Change hands as you move from one side of your face to the other. Shave using long, slow strokes. Don't rush the process. Razors are sharp, and shaving too fast could cause you to injure yourself. Use long, slow strokes to shave your neck when growing a beard. Splash cold water on cuts. If you accidentally cut your neck while shaving, splash cold water on the cut. This will tighten the capillaries and should reduce bleeding. If your neck continues to bleed after a few minutes, place a piece of toilet paper over the cut, or dab a styptic pencil on the cut to clot it. Apply aftershave to the neck. Aftershave is a liquid, gel, or lotion that cools and soothes freshly-shaved skin. Moisten your neck and hands a bit, then apply a few drops of the aftershave to the palm of one hand. Rub your palms together briefly. Massage the aftershave into your neck. Conduct maintenance when you feel it is necessary. There is no firm schedule according to which you must shave your neck while growing a beard. Different people have different rates of neck hair growth. Additionally, the urge to shave one's neck while growing a beard also varies in intensity. Therefore, shave your neck as often as you like. Some folks will shave their neck every other day, while others will shave just once per week. | Visualize a line from one ear to the other. Visualize two lines extending down from your sideburns. Identify the intersection of the two lines. Give yourself a clean neck. Give yourself a faded neck line. Add more gradation to the faded neck line. Use warm water to wet your neck area. Use a straight razor. Shave using long, slow strokes. Splash cold water on cuts. Apply aftershave to the neck. Conduct maintenance when you feel it is necessary. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Old-Carpeting | How to Remove Old Carpeting | To remove old carpeting, start by putting on a pair of thick gloves to protect your hands from the tacks and removing all the furniture from the floor. Next, grip one corner of the carpet with pliers and pull it firmly off the floor. Once you get a good chunk off the floor, use a pry bar along the edges to pull up the rest of the carpet and remove any carpet tacks as you find them. Continue pulling up the carpet along an edge, then fold it back on itself and cut it into strips so it's easier to manage and carry out. | Get the necessary tools for the job. Before you start ripping up that carpet with nothing but elbow grease and ambition, it's best to get prepared for the job by getting all the tools you'll need to do it right. There's nothing expensive required, and everything should be available at any hardware store: Heavy duty leather gloves with a padded palm are essential to keeping you hands safe. You might encounter sharp nails or tacks while pulling up carpet, and a good pair of gloves will also help you grip the carpet. A dust-mask is also a good protective barrier to use, especially if you have asthma or other respiratory problems. To pry up the carpet and tacks, you'll need a pry bar, pliers, and a hammer. While you can start ripping the carpet up with your hands, getting it started and tearing it free will require some help. To keep the job clean, it's also good to have a roll of duct tape to roll up the carpet and move it after you've cut it loose, as well as a utility knife to cut strips of carpet. Remove all furniture from the floor. Obviously, you'll need to move everything on top of the carpet out of the room and off the carpet before you start pulling it up. This can actually be more time-intensive of a process than pulling the carpet up, which shouldn't take more than 45 minutes or an hour to remove with the right technique. Find temporary homes for beds, chairs, bookcases, and other furniture in the room that's having carpet replaced. Move the furniture carefully into the new space. Don't worry about pushing it over the old carpet and ruining it, since it's coming up anyway. Remove the molding and other wall finishing. You need to get anything out of the way that will keep the corners of the carpet from coming up easily. Take off any molding or other edging that might be found between the wall and the floor. For the most part, carpet shouldn't be caught beneath the molding or the baseboard, because it's not usually installed that way. If you're replacing it you should probably remove it anyway, before you start with the carpet, but if you're going to keep it, it's best to leave it on. Schedule this project for last. If you're remodeling an entire room, it'd be silly to put in brand new carpet before you paint the walls. Using the old carpet as a drop cloth to collect all the paint drippings before you move forward can be a real time saver. In most remodeling projects, it's best to replace the carpet as the final step in the job. Vacuum the carpet. Old carpet can be a real dust trap, and you'll make it a lot easier on yourself by cleaning it up a bit before you tear it out. Don't wrestle with damp, dusty, or super-dirty Pick a corner to start. For most jobs, it's recommended that you start in the back corner and move toward the door, but anywhere is fine. Corners are the easiest places to work the carpet up, because you've got a nice little edge to grab onto. If the carpet is already coming up anywhere, start there. Sometimes carpet will start to peel at the edges, or pets will dig at it and make your job a whole lot easier. Start wherever makes your job the most convenient. Grab one corner of the carpet and pull it up from the floor. When you've selected your starting point, grip onto the carpet with your pliers and tug upward firmly. Don't jerk too hard, or you may rip the carpet and have to start over. Once you get a good chunk of it up, you can use your hands to start pulling backward. Use the pry bar to work under the carpet. From the corner, work the pry bar along both edges, helping to ease the carpeting up and away from the floor. There will likely be carpet tacks that will be quite sticky, making it a lot easier to use the pry bar. Continue pulling and using the bar to separate the carpet from the floor as evenly as possible. Remove the carpet tacks as you find them. Look for tacks that might be attached to the bottom of the carpet. Use a pry bar and run it across the bottom of the carpet to ensure they come off before you roll it up. Fold it back. Follow the carpet down one wall and then another until the carpet has been pulled up and is loose in a large, flag-shaped portion. Keep pulling and folding the carpet back on itself until you've got a big manageable strip that you can carry. Don't try to pull all the carpet up at once, or you'll have a mess on your hands. To keep it clean, it's best to take off substantial, but manageable pieces at a time. A good eyeball estimate is no more than two or three feet deep, when the carpet is folded over. In other words, pull up six feet of carpet, times the width of the room. That'll be plenty heavy for you and a helper. Cut off a strip. When you fold the carpet back, use the utility knife to cut that section of carpet away and roll it up as evenly as possible. Even if it's a misshapen section of carpet, try to roll it up into a little bundle so it will be easier to carry. Use duct tape to secure the end of the roll, then have an assistant take one end and you take the other end, and discard the carpet. Eventually, you'll work through the entire carpet in this basic way. Pull up a section, cut it into a strip using a utility knife, and roll it up. This will make it easier to remove from the room and dispose of. Pull up the carpet pad using the same technique. Carpet pads are vapor barriers that are installed under some types of carpeting. Some floors might not have any carpet pad at all. If there is a pad, it should be lighter and easier to remove than the actual carpet, but you can use the same basic technique if necessary. Start at one corner, pull up the pad, and cut it into manageable strips. Dispose of old carpeting properly. For the most part, you can dispose of old ratty carpet at any garbage drop site in your town. Different areas have different rules about putting carpet out on the curb, though, so you'll want to check with the local authorities to find out about garbage pick-up where you live. Carpet American Recovery Effort (CARE) is an organization that collects old carpeting to recycle and use as the foundation for a variety of products, including new carpet padding and even lumber. It's available in 26 states in the US and makes for a good alternative to throwing it out. When you replace your carpeting, consider purchasing from Mohawk, Shaw, Miliken, or Flor, which are all carpet dealers that incorporate recycled materials into their new products. Remove any tackstrips that have been left on the floor. If you're not going to reinstall carpet on the new floor, pull up the tackstrips by hand. They should come up relatively easily, as long as you're wearing your heavy gloves. Use the pry-bar if necessary. If you are going to reinstall carpeting, inspect the tackstrips for wear and determine whether or not they're reusable. If they're dull, loose, or otherwise worn out, consider pulling them up and replacing them anyway. It's also a good idea to keep an eye out for any extra carpet nails, screws, or tacks that might be on the floor after removing the carpet. Sweep them or gather them up by hand and throw them out. Sometimes there'll be a lot of staples, which can be a pain to remove. Use your pliers to pull them up, and make sure you get them all. Scrape the glue off the subfloor with your prybar or knife. Carpeting uses different types of adhesives, and some require a simple scraping while others will require a more thorough cleaning. Clean up the sub-floor as best as possible. Look for a floor cleaner that removes adhesives, if scraping doesn't the glue off like you want. You can find it in your local hardware store. Check the condition of the subfloor. It's very important, regardless of what you want to do with the room next, that you inspect the condition of the subfloor and make any repairs necessary while you've got the carpet off. It'd be a shame to install $800 worth of new carpet over a squeaky floor, or a floor showing signs of mold. Walk around the sub-floor and bounce on it. Subfloor panels should be attached to the wood joists with screws or nails, and if you find some panels that squeak, you can secure it to the joist with ring shank nails. These are grooved nails with more secure gripping power, decreasing the chances that this squeaky area will ever squeak again. About two or three inches from the previous nail or screw, hammer in a shank nail and you'll be set. If your carpeting was damaged or wet, it might have impacted the subfloor. Look for signs of rot or mold. If you see any signs of serious damage or rot, you need to have these panels replaced before installing new flooring. Vacuum up the rest of the debris. Once you're done making your repairs, sweep or shop-vac up the remaining debris and glue-scrapings from the job before moving forward with installation. Once you've removed old carpet, you can install new carpet , laminate , or other types of flooring. | Get the necessary tools for the job. Remove all furniture from the floor. Remove the molding and other wall finishing. Schedule this project for last. Vacuum the carpet. Pick a corner to start. Grab one corner of the carpet and pull it up from the floor. Use the pry bar to work under the carpet. Fold it back. Cut off a strip. Pull up the carpet pad using the same technique. Dispose of old carpeting properly. Remove any tackstrips that have been left on the floor. Scrape the glue off the subfloor with your prybar or knife. Check the condition of the subfloor. Vacuum up the rest of the debris. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-to-Newark-Liberty-International-Airport-(EWR)-from-Manhattan | How to Get to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) from Manhattan | The fastest and most convenient way to get to Newark Liberty International Airport is to take the Newark Airport Express bus from Penn Station or another Manhattan location to the airport. If you want a cheaper option, take the NJ Transit train from New York's Penn Station to Newark's Penn Station, then get on the #62 bus, which goes to the airport. You can also take the train from Penn Station to the airport on the Northeast Amtrak Corridor line, or on the New Jersey Transit Northeast Corridor or North Jersey Corridor Line. | Board the Newark Airport Express across the Hudson. This is arguably the most convenient way to get to the airport, although it is somewhat more expensive than other methods. The bus travels between Newark Airport and five stops throughout Manhattan. It leaves every 15 to 30 minutes from 4 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., so you should have little trouble finding a bus to match your schedule. A one-way trip will take 45 to 60 minutes. A one-way ticket costs $16. Round-trip is $24. Children under 5 ride free. Check the website for other discounts. Choose the nearest stop. In Manhattan, the express bus arrives and departs from Grand Central Terminal, Penn Station, Port Authority Bus Station, Chinatown, and Lower Manhattan. Walk, taxi, or take public transportation to the closest Airport Express stop. If you're staying at a hotel in midtown, then you can book a hotel shuttle for an additional $4 fee. Call the express line for details. Get off at Newark Airport. The Airport Express should take you directly from Manhattan to your terminal. Make your way to Penn Station. If you're going to take the train to Newark Airport, then you'll need to buy your ticket and board at Penn Station – the main intercity railway junction for Manhattan. The station is located on Eighth Avenue between 31st and 34th streets. Walk, taxi, or take public transit, depending on your proximity and preference. Penn Station is notoriously crowded and difficult to navigate, especially at "rush hour." Arrive early so that you have plenty of time. Take a subway or bus transit to Penn Station. Between Penn Station's many subway lines and few bus lines, there's no way you can miss getting there from Manhattan. The A, C, E, and 1, 2, and 3 subway trains will all get you directly to Penn Station. Find a bus or subway map on the MTA website for more information.. If you don't feel like navigating the system, you can always take a taxi or an Uber to the station. Walk to Penn Station. If you're already nearby, you can simply walk to the train station. The official address is 234 West 31st Street, Pennsylvania Station-8 Av & W 31 St, New York, NY 10001. You can also just find it on Eighth Avenue, between 31st and 34th streets. Find directions using a map app if you aren't sure. On the side that faces Seventh Avenue, you will see a big sign that says "Madison Square Garden." Enter the station here, but for Amtrak, enter the station on Eighth Avenue. Pick the appropriate line. Look at the times listed, and pick the train that next leaves for Newark Airport. Aim for either the Amtrak Northeast Corridor, the New Jersey Transit (NJT) Northeast Corridor, or the NJT North Jersey Corridor Line. Some Amtrak Northeast Corridor tickets stop at the Newark Airport center, while others arrive at the Newark station, which is a good car-ride away and will still cost a pretty penny if you plan on taking a taxi from one location to the other. Buy a ticket. You can either buy a ticket at an automated machine or talk to a teller. If you're buying an NJ Transit ticket, then you should go to the NJ Transit area to make your purchase. If you're using the machine, then you'll need to type in the station code for Newark Airport. Indicate whether you're buying a round-trip or one-way ticket, and whether you're a child or an adult. One way to find the NJ Transit area is to take the escalator down from the MSG side of the station, then veer left. Board the train. Look out on the screens by the NJ Transit to await the arrival of your NJ Transit train. Normally the trains arrive at the station approximately 20 minutes before they depart. The trains on each train line run about twice an hour, except in the late hours (after 10 pm or so). If you're taking the Northeast Corridor line to the airport, then look out for the "NEC" sign on the screen when you search for your train. Double-check that the train stops at Newark Airport. As you board the train, there will be a screen on the wall before you head down the stairs: it lists all of the stops that the train will take. The train will usually stop at Secaucus and then Newark Penn Station before your stop. Do not make the mistake of getting off at Newark Penn Station instead of Newark Liberty Airport. Cross over the bridge to the AirTrain Newark station. Once you make it to the Newark Airport stop, you'll need to take the Airtrain to complete your journey. This elevated monorail ride is your transport between the Newark Airport train stop and the airport. Don't bother calling a cab. You'll need to wait around for more than a few minutes. Furthermore, the mess of one-way streets can be confusing to navigate to the airport via the train station. Get out at the proper terminal. Check your plane ticket or reservation for your airline and terminal number. The Airtrain cars and station will have a map of the terminals, so make sure you get off at the right spot. You'll need to walk a bit further to get to the terminal and to begin checking in for your flight. Try the #62 bus. This is arguably the cheapest way to get from Manhattan to Newark Airport. You'll need to take a train from New York Penn Station to Newark Penn Station, then catch the bus to the airport. The total cost should be about $5 for adults. Take NJ Transit from New York Penn Station to Newark Penn Station. The ride takes about 15 minutes and costs $3.75. Catch the #62 bus. It should stop along the Penn Station Bus Lanes. Get the bus headed toward Newark Airport Terminals. Buses run every 20 minutes or so, and they take about 25 minutes to arrive at the airport. The fare is $1.25. Consider driving, if you have a car. This is the costliest option, and it may take much more time than the other methods – especially if traffic is bad. The upside is that you won't need to take any public transportation, and you won't need to navigate the complexities of a multi-leg journey. Call a cab or an Uber, but only if you must. In most cases, this will be much more expensive than public transportation. Enter New Jersey through the Lincoln Tunnel. If you have a car, you can drive through the Lincoln Tunnel, then get on I-95 South toward Newark. You will need to stop for a toll booth several miles after entering New Jersey. Get onto I-78 West. Take the right ramp from I-95 onto I-78W toward Clinton/Newark Airport. You'll need to stop for another toll booth. Take Exit 57 for Newark Liberty International Airport / Terminals A B C. Follow the signs to get to the airport. Be aware that some taxis will not take you across state lines. | Board the Newark Airport Express across the Hudson. Choose the nearest stop. Get off at Newark Airport. Make your way to Penn Station. Pick the appropriate line. Buy a ticket. Board the train. Cross over the bridge to the AirTrain Newark station. Get out at the proper terminal. Try the #62 bus. Take NJ Transit from New York Penn Station to Newark Penn Station. Catch the #62 bus. Consider driving, if you have a car. Enter New Jersey through the Lincoln Tunnel. Get onto I-78 West. Take Exit 57 for Newark Liberty International Airport / Terminals A B C. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Google-Voice | How to Use Google Voice | If you're interested in exploring Google Voice, which allows you to make cheap long distance calls, connect all of your phones to one number, and receive transcripts of your voicemails, you'll need to open a Google Voice account. First make sure you meet the basic requirements, which includes living in the US since Google Voice isn't currently available in other countries. Additionally, you'll need a touchtone phone with specific programs, including Adobe Flash Player. Once you check your specifications, go to the Google Voice site and choose your type of account, like Google Voice Lite to have the same voicemail for all of your mobile phones. After picking your account type, follow the prompts to get signed up. | Meet the basic requirements. The first requirement for getting Google Voice is living in the US -- it is not currently available in other countries. You'll also need a touch-tone phone along with these programs: A Windows XP or Vista, Mac, or Linux operating system An IE6 and above, Firefox 3 and above, Safari 3 and above, or Google Chrome web browser Adobe Flash Player 8 or above Go to the Google Voice site
Choose your type of account. There are a few different types of Google Voice accounts that you may open depending on what services you want and the type of phone providers you have. Carefully read the information about the different types of accounts before choosing one that is relevant to you. Here are the basic different types of accounts: Google Voice. With this option, you can get a new customized number that anyone can use to connect to your home, work, and cell phone number at once. Google Voice Lite. For this option, you can have the same voicemail for all of your mobile phones only. Google Voice on Sprint. This feature allows you to either use your Sprint phone number as your Google Voice number, or to change your Sprint phone number to your Google Voice number. Number porting. With this feature, you can port your mobile phone number into Google Voice to use it as your Google Voice number, but you will have to pay a fee. Follow the prompts. Your sign-up method will vary depending on which account type you've chosen. Once you select the account of your choice, just follow the prompts to get signed up to Google Voice. Make an international call from the website. To do this, click the "Call" button at the top left of the page. Then, enter "+country code" or "+1country code," depending on where you're calling from. After this, type in the international phone number. Once you've typed in the number, press "Connect." This will call your cell phone. When you answer the phone, the call will be initiated. Make an international call from the Google Voice phone system. To access the phone system, call your Google number if you're using regular Google Voice, and call your access number from a phone registered to your account if you're using Google Lite. Once you're in the system, press 2. To dial the international number, enter 011, the country code, and then the number. Check your account balance. Remember that you do have to pay to make international calls through Google Voice, though often at very low rates. Check out the box on the bottom left of your account to see your balance -- it will be written in green. You can also use this box to add credit, check rates, and view your history. Find the number of the unwanted caller from the website. The website will list all of your past calls and you should be able to find it there. Click "More. " This is the third option on the bottom left of the screen with the person's number on it. Select "Block Caller. " This will bring up a confirmation box that asks you if you're sure you want to block the caller. Select "Block. " You're done blocking the caller. The next time that person calls you, he will hear a message that states that your number has been disconnected. Answer the phone during the call. Screening will be enabled, so you won't have picked up the phone even after you answer the call. Instead, you will be given a list of options of what to do: pressing 1 will answer the call and pressing 2 will send it to voicemail. Press 2. Listen to the voicemail. Press * if you want to answer the phone at any time. If you hear part of the voicemail and see that you should answer it, just press * and you'll be connected to the person on the other end of the line. Make sure to listen to your phone's prompts at the beginning -- some systems will require you to press * to pick up the call while others will say that you should press 1 + 4. Have the participants call your Google Voice number. Answer the first call. Answer the first call as you normally would answer the phone. Add the next caller to the call. As the next person calls, the person will pop up on your phone. Just accept the call and then press 5 to add the person to the call. Continue adding callers until everyone is in the conference call. Repeat the process of adding the next caller by answering the phone and pressing 5 until you've added everyone to the call. Go to "Contacts. " This option is on the left-hand side of your Google website. Select the contact. Click on the box next to the contact's name. Select "Edit Google Voice Settings. " Select a greeting. Choose from your pre-recorded greetings or click on "Special greeting" and select "Record greeting." This will call your mobile phone and will allow you to record a greeting until you end the call. Click "Save. " This will save the personalized greeting for that contact. Read the transcription on your phone or website. If you're in a position where you can't take the time to listen to a voicemail but want to know what it says, you can just read the transcription on your phone or website. This feature will be automatically set up with your account. Search the transcription. If you want to find a message with some important information, just type the word in the search box on your web site, and press "Search." This will allow you to easily locate the message instead of listening to all of your voicemails. Go to "Settings. " This menu can be found on the top right of the web site. Click "Voicemail and SMS. " Check the box that says "Forward SMS messages to my email. " Read a text message through your email. When this feature is activated, you'll be able to read text messages through your email. Reply to the message through email. This feature will also allow you to respond to the text message through email. Google Voice will convert the message into text form so that your message is sent as a text. | Meet the basic requirements. Go to the Google Voice site
Choose your type of account. Follow the prompts. Make an international call from the website. Make an international call from the Google Voice phone system. Check your account balance. Find the number of the unwanted caller from the website. Click "More. Select "Block Caller. Select "Block. Answer the phone during the call. Press 2. Listen to the voicemail. Press * if you want to answer the phone at any time. Have the participants call your Google Voice number. Answer the first call. Add the next caller to the call. Continue adding callers until everyone is in the conference call. Go to "Contacts. Select the contact. Select "Edit Google Voice Settings. Select a greeting. Click "Save. Read the transcription on your phone or website. Search the transcription. Go to "Settings. Click "Voicemail and SMS. Check the box that says "Forward SMS messages to my email. Read a text message through your email. Reply to the message through email. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Xanax-Out-of-Your-System | How to Clean Xanax Out of Your System | There are a few ways to help clean Xanax out of your system for a drug test. For a urine test, drink plenty of water for 24 hours before, which can help dilute the Xanax in your urine. You can also get commercial products that may be able to clear drugs from your system for drug tests. For a saliva test, use mouthwash and brush your teeth, gums, and tongue a few times with toothpaste on the day of your test. This will help to reduce the amount of Xanax in your saliva. If you can't brush your teeth, chew a piece of gum before your test instead. | See your doctor for help to quit using Xanax. Whether you are taking Xanax for anxiety or recreationally, it can be highly addictive and difficult to stop using on your own. Withdrawal symptoms can also be severe when you stop taking Xanax, so it's important to be under medical supervision. Make an appointment to see your doctor and ask about your options for paring down your doses and eventually stopping Xanax. Never stop taking Xanax abruptly! You may experience withdrawal symptoms, which can be life-threatening in some cases. Expect to wait up to 90 days depending on the type of test. You will test positive for Xanax for a different length of time depending on the type of test you need to take. Xanax may remain in your system for up to: 36 hours for a blood test 48 hours for a saliva test 1 week for a urine test 90 days for a hair test Call in sick if possible to delay the test. If you have to take a blood, urine, or saliva test, your best bet for passing the test may be to buy yourself more time. This is because no method of cleaning Xanax out of your system is foolproof except for giving your body the time it needs to process the medication. If possible, call in to work the day of the test if you don't think the drug has cleared your system and claim that you are sick. For example, you could say something like, “I barely slept last night because I was so sick, so I won't be able to come in to work today.” Drink a reasonable amount of water leading up to a urine test. Drinking water will dilute your urine, and it may help to dilute the amount of Xanax in your urine. This might help you pass a urine drug test. However, you do not need to over consume water to dilute the Xanax in your system. The amount of water a person needs varies widely based on weight, sex, and activity level. A common recommendation is to drink eight 8 fl oz (240 mL) glasses of water daily. Do not drink large volumes of water leading up to your test in an effort to pass. Drinking too much water in an effort to pass a drug test can lead to acute water intoxication, which can lead to severe headaches, swelling of your brain, seizures, and even death. Use mouthwash and brush your teeth a few times on the day of the test. Frequent brushing and using mouthwash may help to reduce the amount of detectable Xanax in a saliva test. Brush your teeth, tongue, and gums with toothpaste, and follow it with 30 seconds of swishing 2 fluid ounces (59 mL) of an alcohol-based mouthwash. Repeat this 2 to 3 times before your test, including 1 time 10 to 15 minutes before the test. If you are unable to brush your teeth right before the test, chew a piece of gum instead. This may help to dilute the Xanax in your saliva. Look into commercial detox products for a urine test. There are many different drinks and pills that claim to clear drugs from your system to help you pass a drug test. There is no guarantee that these will work because they are no regulated by any sort of third party organization or government entity. However, if you want to try a commercial detox product, this is an option. These products are available online. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for how to use the product. Keep in mind that these products can be expensive. Beware of potentially dangerous techniques. You may come across various suggestions for passing a drug test that are unverified and in many cases unsafe. Do not try these techniques! They are unlikely to work and you may end up injuring yourself as a result. For example, some people try to take large quantities of niacin in an effort to pass drug tests, which can lead to hepatotoxicity (poisoned liver). There is also a method for clearing Xanax and other drugs from hair follicles that involves washing your hair in vinegar, acne-fighting face cleanser, shampoo, and then laundry detergent. This will burn your scalp. Do not do this! | See your doctor for help to quit using Xanax. Expect to wait up to 90 days depending on the type of test. Call in sick if possible to delay the test. Drink a reasonable amount of water leading up to a urine test. Use mouthwash and brush your teeth a few times on the day of the test. Look into commercial detox products for a urine test. Beware of potentially dangerous techniques. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Hide-a-Nose-Piercing-from-your-Parents | How to Hide a Nose Piercing from your Parents | To hide your nose piercing from your parents, use a blister bandage to cover the spot. Or, apply concealer over the piercing, then put foundation and powder over it, as well as the rest of your face so everything blends in. You can also buy a flesh-colored acrylic retainer, which is specifically designed to conceal nose rings. Insert the ball end of the retainer straight into your piercing, and it will look like a tiny bump or mole on your skin. | Buy a retainer used for nose piercings. These are high-tech plastic pieces that are specifically designed to conceal a nose ring. Conceal the piercing with a flesh-colored acrylic retainer. There are small domes or balls of flesh colored acrylic that you can buy to cover up a nose piercing. They are sometimes made with clear Lucite. You can also cover the piercing with a tiny flat disc that you've painted with skin-tone nail polish. Clear glass and quartz nostril screws are also made to conceal nose rings. The acrylic containers can also be better for people with sensitive skin. Put in the retainer. Nose piercing retainers are designed to hide the nose piercing completely. It may look like a mole or pimple. Some may even be invisible, though, and, of course, that's the goal. You insert the ball end straight into the piercing, so the clear cone remains on the outside of the piercing. The clear cone will look like a tiny bump on your skin. Some of these retainers are very comfortable. They are also small so you might want to buy a few so if you lose one, you have another back up. You can also find retainers that will work for curved nose studs or nose screws. Some retainers come with a decorative ending that you can use when you are not trying to camouflage the piercing. Tuck the piercing into the nose. Wet the piercing with a little bit water. Put your hands into the piercing, and push it up. Do this for a horseshoe piercing that's worn in the septum. Don't do this with a piercing that you just got because it will need to heal. Obviously, you don't want the tucking process with a nose ring, but it does work to conceal the ring in the septum. Apply your regular foundation. You should also put powder on your face. Use a highly concentrated concealer with a concealer brush. Brush the concealer over the piercing. Work the product into the area. Choose a color that is closely matched to your skin. Take a sponge to blend the makeup into the area so that it looks natural Use blister bandages. Use the outside of the bandage. Cut it into a small strip with a pair of scissors. Put the tiny strip on your face over the nose ring. Then, hold it down with tweezers as you stick it back on, and then cut around it so that it covers the nose ring. Cut the edges to make it almost look like a circle. Then take liquid bandage and put two coats on the small piece. You should be able to buy this at many department stores. It will smell like nail polish. Apply it over the small bandage over the piercing. Put on two or three coats, and let it dry. Complete the process by placing makeup foundation over the piercing with a makeup sponge. Make sure you don’t cause harm to yourself. Nose piercings can take longer to heal than ear piercing. That's because the ears are made of softer tissue than the nose. Don't use a stud or a ring that's too big to fit your nose or you could develop some scar tissue. Leave the piercing alone. Don't tug on it, or you could also cause scar tissue. You can also wear the retainer while the nose is healing. Make sure that you use sterile procedures – keeping the piercing clean – when you change nose piercings. Get a fake nose ring. If you're worried about getting in trouble for having a nose ring or your parents won't let you get one, how about trying a fake one? A piercing is a serious decision. A fake nose piecing can allow you to test out the look with no regrets. Nose piercings are painful. Why go through the pain when you can fake it, and still get the look! Try a magnetic or spring hoop ring. These look real, but they don't require an actual puncture. Another positive is that you don't risk having a scar. Choose your fake nose ring variety. You have a lot of options when picking a fake nose ring, so play around with the look and feel. Some fake nose rings are actually clip-ons that use small magnets that are placed on the inside of the nose. The nose ring itself shows as a small stud or bone that is attracted by the magnet. Fake nose hoop rings work differently. They come with a small spring that looks like a disc. The spring clips the nose ring onto the nose. These fake nose rings look real to most people. Buy clear nose rings. You can get these at common accessory stores. Take a hair straightener, and melt the little ball at the end so it's flat and sets against your skin. Take out your regular nose ring. Take petroleum jelly. It will make it easier for the clear nose ring to insert into your nose. Put it on the spot where you have the nose piercing. Put some of the jelly on the actual nose ring. Stick it into the nose. Wipe off the extra petroleum jelly. | Buy a retainer used for nose piercings. Put in the retainer. Tuck the piercing into the nose. Apply your regular foundation. Use blister bandages. Make sure you don’t cause harm to yourself. Get a fake nose ring. Choose your fake nose ring variety. Buy clear nose rings. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Scare-People | How to Scare People | If you want to scare people, dress yourself up in a creepy way, like covering your face with fake blood or putting on a scary clown mask. If you like, you can add creepy props, like a fake knife or a broken baby doll. Wait until one of your friends or family members is alone, then hide somewhere nearby, like behind a door, in a closet, or under the bed. When the person walks by, jump out and scream as loud as you can, then laugh and enjoy their reaction! But beware, some of your bravest friends might instinctively try to hit you! | Make yourself look creepy. Popping out and scaring someone can come off as goofy if you just look like yourself, but if you're dressed all in black with your face covered in fake blood and creepy clown makeup, you'll be scary. If you know your target well, you can exploit their biggest fear by dressing up as whatever will scare that person the most, whether it's the dentist, a giant spider, or a ghost. Though the quick scare will still be effective if you just look like your regular self, you will frighten your victim at a whole new level if you dress up as someone scary. For more specific costume suggestions, skip to the next section for tips. Wait until your friend is alone. Being in a group helps to bolster your bravery, so it'll be easier if you wait to freak someone out until they're alone. The fright will be much stronger and more real. There are a variety of ways to make this happen, but here are some easy ones: Text your friend to meet you somewhere at a specific time, but have your creepy surprise waiting for them instead. This will give you the chance to set up beforehand. Wait until you know your friend or sibling will be alone and distracted. Alone in their room playing video games, or focusing hard on homework? Perfect. If you want to scare your sibling, set up your frightening scene while they're asleep and let them wake up to it. Super terrifying. Find a good hiding place. The best scares combine a moment of your victim thinking, "Wait a minute, that looks creepy" right before you pop out screaming to terrify them. Wherever you're planning your scare, and whatever it will include, it's a good idea to hide somewhere and wait for your opportunity to jump out and add a last-minute scare. Good hiding places include: Under beds Behind doors Behind trees or cars Under staircases In the dark basement In the attic In plain sight, but in the dark Add some creepy props. Find out what gives your friend nightmares and use it to your advantage. This will vary, depending on your friend and what scares them the most, but it's a good idea to do a little digging and find out what will freak them out the most. Think about the following little freaky props: Fake snakes, wetted with Vaseline to look really creepy Rusty knives Fake blood Raw meat Worms or cockroaches Static noise on television or radio Broken baby dolls Scream and howl like a maniac. After you set your trap, let your victim walk into it, and let it spring into action. Scream, growl, grab the person's arms, and laugh maniacally while enjoying the person's sheer terror. Then, run off into the night, all the while cackling with your head thrown back. You can hide in the distance to watch complete fear overwhelm your victim until he realizes he has been fooled. Alternatively, you can also leave a recording of creepy noises to startle your friend instead. Set up an old boombox to play a recording of you coughing and wheezing creepily, timed to set off when they walk in. When your victim is thoroughly frightened, it's a good idea to start backing off. You don't want to freak them out too much, or risk getting the cops called. Once they scream once, you got your fun, and now know when to call it quits. . Make yourself look dead Everyone's scared of dead people. They're dead. That's scary. If you want to exploit this fear, you can learn to make yourself look like a zombie using basic make-up and safe products. Try out the following tactic: Wash your face thoroughly, then apply some really pale foundation make up all over your face. You could also use some baby powder to dust your face gently and make it appear paler. The pallor of death. Use dark blue or black eye shadow under your eyes to give them that sunken, fresh out of the grave look. Blend it gently to make it look more natural. Nice. Make up some fake blood using food coloring and corn syrup, then draw a fake "wound" on your body somewhere visible with marker and bloody it up with the fake blood. Dress up like a creepy surgeon. For lots of us, the blood will curdle at the thought of visiting a deranged surgeon or dentist. It's time to have some fun with this fear. Dress up in rubber gloves, some blue scrubs, and cover your mouth like a real surgeon, so only your eyes are exposed. You can get most of these things at most drug stores. You can even go all out and get some surgical equipment to make it as realistic as possible, or at least your dad's power drill from the garage. Unplug it, of course. Splatter some ketchup or fake blood all over your scrubs and carry a knife and fork. You'll look super creepy. Go with a classic monster costume. The classics are classics for a reason. They're scary. Dress up as a zombie , vampire , ghost , or mummy. You could also invent your own monster costume and be even more unique. Look to famous horror-movie characters like Michael Myers, Jason, Freddy Krueger, or Ghost Face from Scream," and see if you can get your hands on a realistic looking mask. Wearing a mask over your regular clothes can look somewhat creepy, but if you're wearing what you wore to school that day, it'll probably be a quick tip that it's you. Don't dress up at all, but act creepy. If you don't have the time or energy to put together a creepy costume, you can use your acting skills to make up for it. It can be even creepier if you look the same, but seem off in some scary way. Try out the following: Just sit in a dark room with the TV blasting static, rocking back and forth, mumbling the sentence, "They told me this would happen..." over and over. When your friend starts looking concerned, scream at the top of your lungs. Walk into your sibling's room in the middle of the night and just stand over their bed with your mouth open, drooling fake blood and breathing raggedly. Stand facing the corner in a dark room. Do nothing. When you turn around, have fake blood all over your face. Pick a venue. While it takes more time and work, creating a scary environment, such as a haunted house , will build a lingering dread in people's hearts and minds while they expect the worst to happen at any moment. When creating a haunted house or other spooky scene, location is key. A house or structure with scary elements—like narrow hallways, squeaky steps or dark basements—is a good place to start. Make a map for yourself. Make sure people can easily move from room to room without difficulty. Pick a theme. A theme will help you decide how to decorate and what elements to include. For true authenticity, come up with a story for why the house is haunted. Is it haunted by an old lady whose husband disappeared into thin air? Is it haunted by a family that was brutally murdered in the basement? Make it at least a little bit believable. Abandoned insane asylum Torture chamber Vampire's lair Zombie invasion Evil scientist's lab Get some friends to help. Creating a haunting house on your own can be a challenge. Instead, have your trusted friends dress up as eerie characters and help you decorate the house and spook the guests as they walk through the house. They can leap out at people, hide in closets, or spring out of fake coffins. You can station some guests on the porch, having them "play dead" until the guests get close enough. Then, they can jump out at your guests, scaring them before they even set foot in the house. Decorate accordingly. Create spaces that build tension, which is essential for a good scare. A long, dark hallway that must be followed will have people expecting the worst at any moment. People who are tense and anxious are easier to scare. Each room should have its own spooky theme so your guests are always on their toes and never know what to expect. Station a volunteer in each room to help create the spooky environment and direct the guests. Each room can have differently creepy effects, such as a bowl of cold noodles meant to be worms, or a jar of peeled grapes that are supposed to be eyeballs. Create "specimen jars" by placing broken toys or bent utensils in cloudy water that is dyed green. Create scary sound effects. Sound effects can go a long way in completely scaring a person out of his wits. There are a few things you can do to truly scare your guests with just a few key sounds. Here are some things to try: Have your volunteers scamper from one side of an empty room to the other, wearing heavy boots. Place a few coins in an empty soda can and tie it to a string. Have your volunteers shake the can to create a "rattling" sound. Play a recording of spooky sounds in every room, from the sound of a woman screaming, wind wildly blowing, or the sounds of chainsaw. Make the most of silence. Make the house absolutely silent from time to time so the fear factor goes up during the next spooky sound. Create spooky lighting. The lighting can also go a long way in scaring the living day "lights" out of people. You can build areas of complete darkness, incorporate disorienting strobe lights into one room, or pump in fog in front of a light for an eerie effect, all of which will confuse a person's senses and make him more susceptible to scares. Here are some other ways to create spooky lighting: Designate a hallway where the guests have to wear blindfolds -- just make sure they're comfortable with this. Light a spotlight under fake creepy insects or a spiderweb to create a spooky shadow on the wall. Drape black plastic bags around the furniture to catch a little bit of eerie light. Commit to the mood. Always stay in character in the haunted house to maintain the illusion. Don't stop and say hi to your friends. Keep the haunted house completely scary and believable. Don't break character, not even when you escort your guests out of the house. Later, when the guests tell you they had a great time at your haunted house, act like you have no idea what they're talking about. Concoct a premise. Whether you're making a movie , writing a horror novel or just telling a story , a solid premise is key. Whether it's caused by a spider or a dark room with a sense of dread, fear lives in the brain. Horror movies, suspense novels, or scary campfire stories are all good ways to give people a fright. Watch a scare movie or read a spooky tale for inspiration. Don't just create your story on the spot. Though you can surely improvise, it's important to have your story set before you begin. If you hesitate while you're telling the story, then you will lose your audience. Say it's a true story. Even if your story is wildly untrue, just say it's a true story -- that it happened in your town many years ago, that it happened to your cousin, or that you actually saw it happen. Saying something is actually true will get people to pay attention and will make your story sound more probable. You can even tell people that it's so secret that you can't even read about it online. Say you read about it on microfilm at the local library. Tell people they can do the same to confirm that the story is true -- obviously, no one would do that, but it'll lend more credibility to your tale. Before you jump into the story, you can ask, "Are you sure you want to hear this?" Act like the story is so scary that you don't know if you should proceed. Build suspense. From the long walk up the attic stairs to the slow opening of a door, a good scare needs to be built up and anticipated. Don't just give it all away, or your audience won't be interested. Build anticipation by acting like you're telling a normal story, and let the creepy details slowly make their way into the story. Keep your readers on their toes by saying things like, "But that's nothing compared to what happened later." Or, "She thought that was the worst pain in the world, but that was only the beginning." Talk slowly and carefully. Don't just rush to the scariest parts of the story. Make every word count. Use visual aids. Show people your appendectomy scar and say it was where you were stabbed by the killer in question. Bring some old grainy photos of your grandparents and say they're pictures of the victims. If you've brought any other visual aids, just pass them around casually, like you always keep them with you. The fake blood-stained clothes of the victim are also a nice touch. You can even use something ordinary, like the baseball card collection of a little boy who disappeared. Create spooky sound effects. The effects can be simple. If you're talking about something knocking on a door in the middle of the night, knock on the floor. Have a friend help out by creating other spooky sounds, like a creaking opened door, raindrops falling on the ceiling, or the wind blowing through the trees. You can also crumple a plastic bag, which creates a great rustling effect. Embellish the details. Just like the spooky atmosphere of a haunted house, the details of a scary story help set the scene. Describe the sounds of the abandoned warehouse or show the decaying teeth of the murderous clown. The more specific your scary story is, the better. For example, a man whose hand was severed is scary enough, but a man with a severed hand whose veins leave a trail of blood wherever he walks is even more frightening. Ground the story in history. If it was before World War II, casually mention who the president was, or bring up a detail from that period to make the story sound more realistic. Keep it surprising. Don't reveal the ordinary details that people would expect to hear in any scary story. Sure, everyone has heard the story of a ghost who haunts the woods late at night, but how about the story of a ghost who makes people eat their own eyeballs, or a ghost who inhabits the body of a little girl's pet rabbit? Tease the ending. When the story gets really scary, slow down or even clam up, like you can't bear to finish the story. Take a deep breath and wait for people to ask what happened next. Finally, make your voice absolutely calm as you reveal the gruesome ending. The spookiest endings are unresolved. Don't solve the mystery. Leave your audience to wonder if the ghost or scary person in question is still alive -- maybe even wandering in the woods nearby. When the story's over, go absolutely silent, like you were so overwhelmed by the ending that you can't possibly go on. | Make yourself look creepy. Wait until your friend is alone. Find a good hiding place. Add some creepy props. Scream and howl like a maniac. . Dress up like a creepy surgeon. Go with a classic monster costume. Don't dress up at all, but act creepy. Pick a venue. Pick a theme. Get some friends to help. Decorate accordingly. Create scary sound effects. Create spooky lighting. Commit to the mood. Concoct a premise. Say it's a true story. Build suspense. Use visual aids. Create spooky sound effects. Embellish the details. Keep it surprising. Tease the ending. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-for-a-Night-of-Drinking | How to Prepare for a Night of Drinking | To prepare for a night of drinking, start by getting plenty of rest and eating a good, protein-rich meal beforehand, since you definitely don't want to drink on an empty stomach. Alcohol can impair decision-making abilities, so it's a good idea to agree on a plan for the night with your friends before going out. Then, choose a designated driver or arrange to use a taxi or public transportation to get around safely. | Get plenty of rest beforehand. You probably won't be getting much sleep the night you go out. You could end up at an after-party with the band or doing karaoke with the DJ's aunt. Either way, you are probably not going to sleep early. Drinking also interferes with your ability to get R.E.M. sleep, so you probably won't rest well when you finally do get to bed. Getting plenty of rest before going out drinking is essential. If you know you're going to go big this weekend, make sure you get adequate sleep during the weekdays to prepare. Plan to go at the right time. A night of drinking can disrupt your ability to stay focused, solve problems, and do complex tasks long afterwards. For example, drinking five or more drinks in a night can affect your brain and body for up to three days. If you're planning to go out drinking, it's best not to choose a night that's right before a test, major work project, etc. Taking a break now and then from drinking as an activity can also be a good idea. For example, designating one weekend a month as an alcohol-free period can help you rest and recover. Eat well beforehand. If you drink on an empty stomach, you will feel the effects of alcohol much faster, which can mean your night ends too soon. If you eat well and drink plenty of water before going out drinking, your body will slow its absorption of the alcohol you drink. Eating beforehand stops you from feeling drunk as fast, but your body will still metabolize all of the alcohol eventually. In other words, you will still be affected by the alcohol, but you will not feel it as quickly. Good choices of foods and drink to consume beforehand include bread, meat, cheese, pasta, milk, etc. (all foods which will be digested slowly and/or are high in protein). Continuing to eat protein-rich foods while drinking will also slow your body's absorption of alcohol. If you can, carry healthy snacks in your backpack, purse, or close by incase you need a snack to slow down alcohol absorption. Have a plan. Alcohol can impair your decision-making abilities, so it is a good idea to agree upon a plan for the night before going out. Make sure you and any friends joining you agree on where and when to go, and when to return. Make sure that everyone will have a safe way home at the end of the night. Sticking to a plan like this will help keep anyone from getting lost or separated and from winding up in a dangerous place or situation. Arrange transportation. If anyone will need a vehicle during the night, make sure that someone serves as the designated driver, or that a taxi or public transportation can be arranged. Protect yourself and others. Don't drink and drive. Leave valuables at home. It can be easy to lose things when you are drinking, since alcohol can impair your judgment and short-term memory. Bars, clubs, and other locations can also be crowded, increasing the risk of loss or theft. To prevent this, leave unnecessary valuables at home and keep a close eye on personal items such as a wallet or purse. Pace yourself. Drinking too fast is one way to ruin a night. If you have too many drinks in a short period of time, you may not realize how much alcohol you've had and end up sick or worse. Drinking no more than one drink an hour gives your body some time to metabolize the alcohol so that you don't become too drunk too fast. Remember that all drinks aren't the same. 12 ounces of beer, 8 or 9 ounces of malt liquor, 5 ounces of wine, and 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor generally have roughly the same amount of alcohol. When keeping track of the number of drinks you've had, however, remember that the alcohol content of individual drinks can vary widely. A high-gravity ale, for instance, could have nearly twice as much alcohol as the same amount of a light beer. If you are having mixed drinks, make sure that someone you trust is doing the mixing, and not making them too strong. Drinking water in between alcoholic drinks helps you to stay hydrated and from getting to drunk too fast. Just remember “Spacers, not chasers!” Don’t drink too much. Going out drinking with friends can be a way of having fun if everyone is safe. It might even seem funny if someone winds up passed out on a stranger's lawn wearing someone else's clothes. It's important to realize, however, that drinking too much can be dangerous and even deadly. Females are recommended to drink no more than four drinks at a time, and males no more than five. If you are drinking at high altitudes, remember that your body's tolerance for alcohol may be lower. Avoid binge drinking, keg stands, and drinking games. These activities can cause you to drink too fast, lose control, become sick, or even experience alcohol poisoning, which can be deadly. If you are worried about drinking too much, or drinking too quickly, you can try showing up late to the bar, party, club, etc. That way, you'll have less time to drink. You can also try starting with or switching to a soft drink at some point so that you drink less alcohol. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after a night of drinking alcohol. This helps to space out your alcohol consumption so that you don't drink too quickly. Alcohol dehydrates you as it is absorbed and metabolized, and this can cause a hangover. Replacing that water as you drink and when you wake up will help to ward off the dreaded hung-over feeling. Many bars have pitchers or containers of water out so you can help yourself. Make sure you locate this early in the night and visit often. If you are at home or at a house party, keep a bottle of water with you so you can hydrate throughout the night. Use the buddy system. If you drink with friends you trust, you can help each other stay safe. Make sure that everyone knows the plan for the night, stays together, and makes good choices. Even if no one will be driving, you might want to designate someone to stay sober for the night. This person can help make sure everyone stays together and safe. If at least two people stay sober for the night (to be the DD or otherwise), it can be more fun for them, since one person won't be left alone not drinking. You and your friends can take turns being the DD/sober person on different nights. Stay away from trouble. Before going out for a night of drinking, make sure that you and your friends have a plan in place for where you will go, who will be there, and how everyone will get home safely. If you see anything or anyone that looks suspicious during the night, stay away. Things to watch out and stay away from include: Bar fights Suspicious people Dark, isolated places Know what you are drinking. Don't leave your drink unattended or accept drinks from strangers. This will ensure that you do not have a drink that has been “spiked” with a drug or other substance. Don’t mix alcohol and drugs or medications. Alcohol's effects can be intensified when combined with other substances, including prescription medications. You may also not know how the combination of alcohol and another substance will affect you, making it more difficult to stay in control of your actions and stay safe. Be wary of the “beer goggles effect. ” Alcohol can lower your inhibitions and also impair your ability to make good judgments. Make sure that you can trust the people you are with and avoid making decisions you'll regret later. Be prepared to practice safe sex if you think it might be part of your plans for the night. Contact the police or other authorities if something goes wrong. Even if you are drunk, or drinking underage, seek help if someone becomes injured, unresponsive, violent, or seems in danger of harming him/herself or someone else. Sensible authorities are more concerned with making sure that people stay safe and protected than with who's drinking what. | Get plenty of rest beforehand. Plan to go at the right time. Eat well beforehand. Have a plan. Arrange transportation. Leave valuables at home. Pace yourself. Don’t drink too much. Stay hydrated. Use the buddy system. Stay away from trouble. Know what you are drinking. Don’t mix alcohol and drugs or medications. Be wary of the “beer goggles effect. Contact the police or other authorities if something goes wrong. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Chit-Potatoes | How to Chit Potatoes | To chit potatoes, start by purchasing seed potatoes and arranging them in an upright position in an empty egg carton. Then, store the carton of potatoes in a cool, light room for 4-6 weeks. Once the potatoes sprout strong, green shoots that are 2-3 centimeters long, rub off the smaller shoots so you have 3-4 long shoots left. When the soil is consistently 50 degrees Fahrenheit, plant the seed potatoes shoot-side up in 1-3 inches of soil. | Decide when to chit the potatoes. The potatoes will need 4 to 6 weeks after chitting before they're ready to plant. This will give them a chance to sprout and start putting on growth. At this point, you can plant the seed potatoes in warm soil. Most people chit their potatoes in January or February so they can plant in March or April, when soil temperature's reach about 50 degrees F (10 degrees C). Check an almanac or ask an expert at your local nursery to find out when the soil will be warm enough for planting the potatoes. Buy seed potatoes. Seed potatoes are potatoes specifically sold for planting, rather than cooking and eating. You can buy them by the sackful from a nursery or order the type you like online. Unlike grocery store potatoes, seed potatoes aren't sprayed with chemicals and they're guaranteed to be free of viruses. If you want to chit organic potatoes or potatoes from a farmer's market, keep in mind that these may carry viruses that will prevent your potatoes from growing well. Gather potatoes from your last crop (optional). If you have potatoes left over from your last year's crop, you can chit them for this season's crop. If you don't have potatoes left over, remember to set aside a bin full of this season's potatoes to use for next year's crop. Arrange the seed potatoes in an upright position. Get out an empty egg carton and place one seed potato in each hole of the carton. The eyes (little indentations where the potato sprouts) should be facing the top and the heel of the potato should be sitting in the carton. The heel is the narrow end of the potato where it was cut from the vine. If you don't have an empty egg carton, you can use any container with dividers that give the potatoes a little space. It's important to let some air circulate between the seed potatoes. Store the carton of potatoes in a cool, light room. Place the container of seed potatoes in a space that is cool, but has plenty of light. Try to choose a space that's around 50 degrees F (10 degrees C) which will force the seed potatoes to sprout. You might place the seed potatoes on a porch or in a garage that gets lots of light. Avoid storing the seed potatoes in a dark or frosty space since these could prevent the seed potatoes from sprouting. Wait 4 to 6 weeks for the potatoes to sprout. Give the seed potatoes a chance to sprout little shoots. You should see strong, green shoots on each of the potatoes after 4 to 6 weeks. Once these shoots are about 2 to 3 centimeters long, the seed potatoes are ready to plant. The sprouts should be coming from each eye on the potatoes. Rub off excess shoots from the potatoes. If you'd like to grow large potatoes, take a seed potato and rub off most of the shoots. Leave 3 or 4 of the largest, strongest shoots. Each of these will grow to be a large potato. If you'd prefer to have a crop of smaller potatoes, you don't need to rub off the excess shoots. Plant the seeds shoot-side up. Once the soil is consistently 50 degrees F (10 degrees C), you can plant the seed potatoes. You can plant the seed potatoes whole or cut them into pieces so each piece has a shoot. Plant each potato or shoot about 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 cm) deep with the shoot facing up. They should be spaced 12 to 18 inches (30.5 to 45 cm) apart. If you'd like to space the potatoes out in your garden to cover a large space, you should cut the seed potatoes into pieces. This will maximize your coverage. | Decide when to chit the potatoes. Buy seed potatoes. Gather potatoes from your last crop (optional). Arrange the seed potatoes in an upright position. Store the carton of potatoes in a cool, light room. Wait 4 to 6 weeks for the potatoes to sprout. Rub off excess shoots from the potatoes. Plant the seeds shoot-side up. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Chocolate-Covered-Almonds | How to Make Chocolate Covered Almonds | To make chocolate covered almonds, melt chocolate in a double boiler, then stir in the almonds. Next, place the almonds on a parchment lined baking sheet, making sure to leave some space in between to keep them from sticking to each other. Then, sprinkle the tops with raw sugar and/or sea salt, and chill them in the refrigerator until the chocolate is completely hard. If you like, coat the almonds with cocoa powder after the chocolate sets. | Toast almonds (optional). You can dip raw almonds in chocolate just as well, but toasting them creates extra flavor and a crisper texture. Preheat your oven to 325ºF (160ºC). Toast your almonds on a lined baking sheet for 6–8 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and release a strong aroma. Let them cool while you move on to the next step. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will hold your chocolate-covered almonds later, while they harden in the fridge. For a perfect presentation, place a fine mesh cooling rack on top of the sheet. This will leave a more even coating of chocolate, without the impression where the almond rests on the sheet. Melt the chocolate. Chop 6 oz (170g) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate into small, roughly equal pieces (~¼ in / 6mm) and add to a double boiler. Heat over low heat, stirring slowly with a rubber spatula, until the chocolate is fully melted. Keep it away from moisture and high heat, which can cause chocolate to seize and turn grainy. You can use other types of chocolate, but lighter chocolate burns more easily. Prevent this by taking the chocolate off the heat when there are only small lumps left, then stirring until it finishes melting. If you want the chocolate to look glossy on the almonds, temper it instead or follow the ganache recipe in the "Variations" section below. Stir the almonds into the chocolate. Mix in a large bowl until the almonds are covered in melted chocolate. Transfer the almonds to the baking sheet. Scrape the almonds onto the baking sheet (or mesh cooling rack), then quickly separate them with a fork so they don't get stuck together. For a professional look, get finicky: lift the almonds out one or two at a time with a fork or dipping tool, tap gently against the bowl to remove excess chocolate, and place on the baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and/or sugar. A generous sprinkle of sea salt is an excellent complement to dark chocolate. Large grains of raw sugar are another great addition, especially if the chocolate is very dark. Let set in the refrigerator. Un-tempered chocolate will "bloom" if left to solidify at room temperature, forming a layer of white fat solids on the surface. To prevent this, let it set in the refrigerator until the chocolate is completely hard. Cover the tray with plastic wrap if there are any strong scents in your fridge. Condensation may gather on the chocolate after you remove it from the refrigerator, causing a "sweating" appearance. You can reduce this effect by covering it, so most of the condensation gathers on the lid of the container instead. If you tempered your chocolate, you can let it set at room temperature. Coat with cocoa powder (optional). Some people prefer the cocoa powder look to the sometimes dull appearance of once-melted chocolate. This is particularly useful if your chocolate has "bloomed" — it's still good to eat, so dust it thoroughly and serve it without shame. Make ganache for a glossy, even coating. Ganache is an emulsification of melted chocolate and heavy cream that hardens into a glossy, attractive coating. Ganache will also coat the almonds more evenly, adding to the visual presentation. Chop the chocolate into small pieces. Chop 4.2 oz (120g) bittersweet chocolate into even pieces less than ¼ inch (6 mm) across. Place it in a large, heatproof mixing bowl. You may use milk chocolate or white chocolate instead, but the ganache will be too soft unless you increase the amount of chocolate. Try 5.25 oz (150g) of milk or semisweet chocolate, or 6.3 oz (180g) of white chocolate. Bring heavy cream to a boil. Pour 3½ tbsp (50 mL) heavy cream into a pot and heat until it just begins to boil. This ratio of 1 part cream to 3 parts chocolate will create a thick ganache that sets into a hard shell. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate. Let it cool undisturbed for about a minute. Stir in slow, circular motions. Beating too fast can make a grainy, "broken" ganache. Stir at a steady pace until the mixture is smooth. Do not pause, as you can only form smooth ganache in a limited temperature range. Coat almonds in ganache. Toss 1.5 cups (360mL) almonds in ganache and transfer them to mesh cooling racks. The storage life depends on the type of chocolate and many other factors, but it's generally safe to leave ganache at room temperature for two days. Combine all ingredients besides chocolate in a medium saucepan. Classic pastel Jordan almonds require a more specialized approach, but this rougher riff on the sweet only requires basic supplies: 1.5 cups (360mL) toasted almonds 10 tbsp (150mL) granulated sugar 2 tbsp (30mL) water ½ tsp (2.5mL) salt ½ tsp (2.5mL) cinnamon Stir constantly over medium heat. The almonds are done when the coating starts to look dry and sandy, about 8–10 minutes. Transfer to the fridge. Let cool on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Coat the sugared almonds in melted chocolate. Melt 6 oz (180g) chocolate in a double boiler over low heat, stirring constantly. Once smooth, pour over the almonds and stir until well-coated. Let set in the fridge. Place the almonds back on the baking sheet. Spread them out with a fork so they don't end up stuck together. Store in the fridge until ready to eat. | Toast almonds (optional). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt the chocolate. Stir the almonds into the chocolate. Transfer the almonds to the baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and/or sugar. Let set in the refrigerator. Coat with cocoa powder (optional). Make ganache for a glossy, even coating. Chop the chocolate into small pieces. Bring heavy cream to a boil. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate. Stir in slow, circular motions. Coat almonds in ganache. Combine all ingredients besides chocolate in a medium saucepan. Stir constantly over medium heat. Transfer to the fridge. Coat the sugared almonds in melted chocolate. Let set in the fridge. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Meatballs-in-a-Crockpot | How to Make Meatballs in a Crockpot | To make meatballs in a crockpot, start by mixing ground beef, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, parsley, chopped onion, and a beaten egg in a bowl using a wooden spoon or your hands. Then, roll spoonfuls of the mixture between your palms to form it into 20 balls. Next, heat olive oil in a skillet and fry the meatballs until they're brown on all sides. When they're done, place the meatballs in the slow cooker and pour a can of crushed tomatoes, a can of tomato puree, and a can of tomato sauce over them. Finally, cook the meatballs on the low setting for 8 hours. | Place 1.5 lbs. (680g) of ground beef in a bowl. Instead of using only beef, you can mix substitute ground pork, ground turkey, ground chicken or a combination of these meats. Spanish-style meatballs are often made with only pork. Swedish meatballs are often only ground beef. Italian recipes frequently feature a combination of beef and pork. Ground turkey serves to make traditional meatball recipes healthier. Add 1.25 cups (135g) of breadcrumbs. For a more intense flavor, sprinkle Italian seasoning atop the breadcrumbs. Place them on a baking sheet with some olive oil and toast for up 5 to 10 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit (149 degrees Celsius). Instead of using breadcrumbs, you can substitute boxed stuffing mix. This is a fast way to improve the flavor, but it will contain added salt and sugar. Mince 2 cloves of garlic. Place them in the meat mixture. Add 1/4 cup (15g) of chopped fresh parsley. Chop up 1 medium-sized white onion. The pieces should be small to incorporate better into the meatball. Place the chopped onion in the meat mix. For Spanish crockpot meatballs, combine 1.5 tsp. (6.3g) ground cumin and 1.5 tsp. (6.3g) of smoked paprika in addition to the parsley and onion. Withhold the garlic and Italian seasoning. For Swedish crockpot meatballs, combine 1/2 cup (54g) of plain bread crumbs, 1/4 cup (59ml) of milk or beef stock, 1 tsp. (6g) salt, 1/4 tsp. (0.5g) pepper, 1/8 tsp. (0.6g) allspice and a dash of nutmeg into the ground beef, instead of parsley and garlic. Beat an egg. Add it to the meat mixture bowl. Combine the mixture with a wooden spoon. If it is not mixing well, you may need to use your hands. Stop mixing when it looks uniform. You can opt to wear plastic food handling gloves if you are uncomfortable mixing with your hands. Form the mixture into approximately 16 to 20 meat balls. For a uniform shape, use a small ice cream scoop to form each ball. Roll it in the palm of your hands to make it more round. Meatball size can be based on preference. However, you may want to make them at least 1.5 inches (3.8cm) in diameter in order to ensure they don't cook too fast in a slow cooker. Heat a skillet to medium high temperature. Add 1.5 tbsp. (22ml) of olive oil to the skillet. Brown all sides of the meatballs. You will need to do this in 2 batches. Transfer your first batch to the slow cooker, and then add another 1.5 tbsp. (22ml) of olive oil to the skillet for the next batch. If you are making Swedish meatballs, use 3 tbsp. (43g) of butter to brown the meatballs, instead of olive oil. Place all the meatballs in the slow cooker in 1 layer. Mix together a 16 oz. (473ml) can of crushed tomatoes, a 14.25 oz. (421ml) can of tomato puree and a 28 oz. (828ml) can of tomato sauce. Pour it over the meatballs in the crockpot. This recipe will make a lot of tomato sauce so it can be served over spaghetti. For Spanish meatballs, add 1 28 oz. (828ml) can of diced tomatoes to the crockpot. For Swedish meatballs, whisk 2 tbsp. (16g) of flour into the skillet after browning the meatballs. It should combine with the leftover butter. Wait until it is browned, and then add 2 cups (473ml) of beef broth. Pour the gravy mixture over the meatballs. Cover the slow cooker. Place it on the "low" setting. Set the meatballs to cook for 6 to 8 hours, depending upon how hot your crockpot tends to be. Serve Italian meatballs over spaghetti. Serve Spanish meatballs with crusty French bread. Serve Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes. | Place 1.5 lbs. Add 1.25 cups (135g) of breadcrumbs. Mince 2 cloves of garlic. Add 1/4 cup (15g) of chopped fresh parsley. Chop up 1 medium-sized white onion. Beat an egg. Combine the mixture with a wooden spoon. Form the mixture into approximately 16 to 20 meat balls. Heat a skillet to medium high temperature. Brown all sides of the meatballs. Place all the meatballs in the slow cooker in 1 layer. Mix together a 16 oz. Cover the slow cooker. Set the meatballs to cook for 6 to 8 hours, depending upon how hot your crockpot tends to be. Serve Italian meatballs over spaghetti. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Cheap-Cake | How to Make a Cheap Cake | If you want to make a cheap yellow cake, mix together flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together the butter and sugar, then stir in milk, an egg, and vanilla. Gently fold the flour mixture into the batter, then pour the batter into a greased 9x13-inch baking pan. Bake the mixture in a 375°F oven for 25-30 minutes. Let the cake cool, then frost it as desired. | Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F/176 degrees C. Grease a 9" x 13" baking pan. You could also use two 8-inch cake pans or a cupcake tin. Rub the pan with either butter or a light oil to keep the cake from sticking. Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl. Measure out the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cocoa, water, vegetable oil and vinegar into the same bowl. For this easy one-bowl recipe it's not necessary to separate the dry ingredients from the wet. The vegetable oil is a cheap ingredient that produces a very moist cake. If you prefer, you can substitute the same amount of butter. Use milk instead of water if you want a richer flavor. Beat the mixture until it forms a smooth batter. Use either a whisk or an electric mixer to beat the batter well. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to scrape the batter from the sides of the bowl into the pan. Bake the cake for 25 to 30 minutes. After 25 minutes, test to see if the cake is done by poking a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready. If it's wet, bake the cake for another five minutes and test again. Cool the cake before frosting it. This chocolate cake would be great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and any kind of frosting you like. Try one of the following cheap frosting recipes to create a delicious, inexpensive cake: Vanilla frosting Cream cheese frosting Chocolate chip frosting Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F/190 degrees C. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Use butter or a light vegetable oil to grease the bottom and sides of the pan to keep the cake from sticking. If you'd rather make a round layer cake, use two 8-inch cake pans instead of one larger rectangular pan. You could also use this recipe to make a dozen cupcakes. Mix the dry ingredients. Mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. These inexpensive ingredients can all be found in the baking aisle of your grocery store. Use a fork or whisk to make sure they're well incorporated. Mix the sugar and butter in a separate bowl. Beat the mixture well, until the sugar and butter are completely combined. The mixture will look crumbly. Margarine may substituted for butter if you're looking for an even cheaper option. Or try replacing butter with the same amount of canola or vegetable oil. Beat 1/3 cup milk into the mix. Scrape the sides of the bowl and keep mixing. Add an egg and the vanilla. Beat the mixture until the ingredients are fully incorporated. Fold in the flour mixture. Use a spatula to gently stir the flour into the batter. Take care not to stir too vigorously at this stage to keep your cake tender. If you over mix the flour, the cake will turn out dense. Pour the batter into the greased 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Use a spatula to scrape the sides of the mixing bowl. Bake 25 to 30 minutes. After 25 minutes, insert a toothpick, wooden skewer or cake tester into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with only a few small crumbs on it, the cake is done. If it's wet, put the cake back in the oven for another 4-5 minutes. Cool the cake and frost as desired. Yellow cake makes a great snack on its own, but it's also nice to eat with frosting. Try one of the following inexpensive frosting recipes to finish your cake: Simple five minute frosting Chocolate frosting Strawberry frosting Finished. You can also put whipped cream on the cake as a topping, it's up to you! Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F/176 degrees C. Grease a 9" cake pan. A round or square baking pan both work fine. You can also bake this cake in a deep cast iron skillet. Mix the flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Use a whisk or a fork to make sure the ingredients are well incorporated. Cream the butter and sugar in a separate bowl. Place them in a mixing bowl and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Keep the mixer going until all of the wet ingredients are well incorporated. Stir in the flour mixture. Use a spatula to stir the flour mixture into the batter until you no longer see dry bits of flour. Be careful not to overmix. Stir in the fruit. Pour the fruit you're using, whether it's blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, or chopped apples, into the bowl. Stir it into the batter until just incorporated. Fresh fruit tastes great in this recipe, but frozen fruit is a great substitution that's often cheaper than fresh options. Or try using canned fruit; just make sure to drain the syrup it's packed in before using. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to scrape the batter from the sides of the bowl. Bake the cake for 40 to 45 minutes. After 40 minutes, test to see if the cake is done by inserting a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready. If it's wet, bake the cake for five more minutes. Cool the cake for 10 minutes before serving. It's delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or sprinkled with powdered sugar. | Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F/176 degrees C. Grease a 9" x 13" baking pan. Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl. Beat the mixture until it forms a smooth batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake the cake for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool the cake before frosting it. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F/190 degrees C. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Mix the dry ingredients. Mix the sugar and butter in a separate bowl. Beat 1/3 cup milk into the mix. Add an egg and the vanilla. Fold in the flour mixture. Pour the batter into the greased 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes. Cool the cake and frost as desired. Finished. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F/176 degrees C. Grease a 9" cake pan. Mix the flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Cream the butter and sugar in a separate bowl. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour mixture. Stir in the fruit. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake the cake for 40 to 45 minutes. Cool the cake for 10 minutes before serving. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-a-Dog-Is-in-Pain | How to Tell if a Dog Is in Pain | To tell if a dog is in pain, look for physical changes like limping, rapid breathing, and unusual postures. Take note of any shifts in your dog's eating and sleeping habits, and watch out for uncharacteristic behavior like biting or avoiding interaction. Unusual vocalizations like moaning, groaning, whimpering, yipping, and growling are other signs that your dog may be in pain. | Watch for limping. One of the most obvious signs of pain is limping. Limping occurs when it hurts to put weight on a leg. If a leg is causing pain, they are less likely to use it, and sometimes may rely on the other three legs. Dogs in pain will also typically move around less. Keep an eye out for other mobility issues. Aside from limping, you may see other mobility changes. For example, your dog may have trouble getting up or down. It might also move around more slowly than usual, or show a reluctance to do certain activities. Hesitance to go up or down stairs, run, or jump can be a sign of pain. Observe changes in posture. Note the position that your dog holds its head or tail. Any change from normal posture, such as a hanging or tucked tail in a dog that normally has an active tail, can be evidence of pain. If your dog is holding a leg differently than it normally does, it could be a sign that it is in pain. Pain may also cause your dog to stand with its back arched or to be very stiff when standing or moving. Take note of your dog's breathing. If your dog is in pain, you may see an increase in their respiratory rate or heavy panting. A dog that pants persistently, especially in cool weather, may be in pain. Check your dog's eyes. Your dog's eyes can tell you a lot about any pain it might be experiencing. If there is pain in the eye area, you may see squinting, redness, cloudiness, or a discharge. Your dog also may be rubbing at the area that hurts. If your dog rubs around its eyes frequently, this could be a sign of discomfort in this area. The eyes can also give you a clue about pain in other areas. Squinting can be a sign of pain in the eye area, but some dogs will also squint when they are experiencing pain elsewhere. Dilated pupils can also be a sign that your dog is in pain. Beware of biting. Pain can change a dog's behavior. Even a friendly dog in great pain will be more likely to bite. Even a dog that has never bitten before may bite when approached if it is experiencing significant pain. A dog in pain may also bite if you touch or move a painful area. The natural response, when a painful area is touched, is to turn toward that area. The dog may try to bite out of instinct. You may first see warning signs such as growling. A dog on the verge of biting may pin its ears back or show its teeth. This is a natural protection mechanism that a dog may use to try to prevent further pain. Monitor your dog's eating. A dog in pain may decrease its food consumption. If your dog suddenly has a decreased appetite, this may be a sign of pain or illness. In that case, it's important to take it to the vet right away to rule out a serious issue. A dog with mouth pain may also drop food when it eats. If the vet determines that nothing's wrong, try replacing their food with a new bag. Due to the high fat content in dog food, sometimes it can spoil. Watch for signs of restlessness. A dog in pain may experience restlessness or an inability to get comfortable. Your dog may show this by pacing, repeatedly readjusting its position, or getting up and down frequently. Notice sleep changes. A dog in pain may experience changes in its normal sleep schedule. A dog in pain may either sleep more than usual, or have difficulty sleeping. Listen for changes in the dog's vocalization. Unusual vocalizations including moaning, groaning, whimpering, yipping, and even growling can all be signs of pain. These sounds may be associated with particular movements, such as when first getting up. That can help to give you a clue about the nature of the pain. A dog that is normally vocal may also suddenly become quiet. Look for avoidance behaviors. Avoidance behaviors, such as hiding or shying away from contact with people or other animals are common when a dog is in pain. These behaviors are efforts to avoid potentially painful situations. If your dog moves its head away when you try to pet it or makes other moves to avoid touch, this can be a sign it is in pain. Take note of such behaviors if your dog normally likes being touched. These behaviors can go along with a dog being more withdrawn and less interactive than normal. You may also notice an attitude of depression or mental dullness if your dog is experiencing pain. Note that some dogs may seek more attention, rather than avoiding it, if they are in pain. You should take note of either avoidance or unusually high levels of attention-seeking behaviors. Pay attention to your dog's potty habits. Being aware of your dog's normal bathroom habits can help you recognize many different problems. When a dog is in pain you may notice that it exhibits a different posture when it urinates or defecates. For example, a male dog that normally lifts his leg to urinate might not. You may also see a change in how often your dog needs to do its business. Or, your dog may have accidents if it is painful for them to get to the area where they usually go. Pain can also change the consistency of a dog's stool, due to the related stress. It can also lead to constipation. | Watch for limping. Keep an eye out for other mobility issues. Observe changes in posture. Take note of your dog's breathing. Check your dog's eyes. Beware of biting. Monitor your dog's eating. Watch for signs of restlessness. Notice sleep changes. Listen for changes in the dog's vocalization. Look for avoidance behaviors. Pay attention to your dog's potty habits. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Peel-a-Butternut-Squash | How to Peel a Butternut Squash | Before peeling your butternut squash, wash it to remove any dirt. Pat the squash dry and chop about a quarter inch off each end. Then, microwave the squash for 3 minutes and 30 seconds to soften the skin and make it easier to peel. Remove the squash from the microwave, and hold it steady on a cutting board as you peel it lengthwise with a vegetable peeler. When all of the skin is removed, cut the squash in half lengthwise, then remove the seeds and pulp. | Wash the butternut squash. This will assure your squash is free of any contaminants before you consume it. The washing process is simple. Run your squash under tap water, making sure to clean off all sides. Do not use any kind of soap to wash your squash. Cut the ends off the squash. You should cut about 1/4 of an inch from either end of the squash. Use a sharp knife to get a good, clean cut. Hold the squash in your hand to keep it steady as you cut. Microwave the squash. Peeling a squash can be difficult, as a squash's skin is so thick. Microwaving the squash can help soften the skin, making the peeling process easier later. Take a fork and poke holes along the surface of the squash. Place the squash in the microwave, on a microwave safe plate. Microwave the squash for three and a half minutes. If the squash's skin still feels thick, you can microwave it for another 30 seconds. Select a sharp knife and peeler. Squashes can be tough, so choose strong tools. Select a large, sharp knife, like a butcher's knife, over something smaller, like a steak knife. You should also have a high quality vegetable peeler, designed to tackle tough skins. It's very important that your knife is sharp. A dull knife may slip out of your hand during the cutting process, causing injury. If a knife's blade is dull, select a different knife. A recently sharpened or purchased knife would work well. Use a sturdy cutting board. Your squash should remain still throughout the peeling process. It needs to be held firmly against a sturdy cutting board. Use one hand to press the squash against the board. You can use your other hand to peel. Peel the squash length-wise. Run the peeler along the length of the squash. Move from one end to another, pressing down firmly enough on the squash to remove its skin. Use long strokes. Turn the squash as necessary to peel all sides. Remember to keep the squash still as you peel. Examine the squash when you finish. Check to make sure all the skin is removed. If you missed a spot, place the squash back on the board and peel off that skin. Cut the squash lengthwise. This means you should cut the squash along the middle. Make a long cut running from the top of the squash to the bottom. Be careful how you hold the squash when cutting. Make sure the knife's blade does not face the hand holding your squash. If you slip up, you could end up cutting your hand. Scoop out the seeds. You will find two circular crevices inside the squash. These crevices will be filled with seeds, which should be removed prior to eating the squash. Take a metal spoon and scoop out the seeds, as well as any pulp. Seeds and pulp may be sticky or watery. You may have to scrape the surface of the squash with the spoon to remove leftover residue. Slice the two pieces of squash in half. Cut them in half width-wise rather than length wise. You should be left with four somewhat square-like pieces of squash. Two of the pieces with be slightly smaller. Two of the pieces will be rounder and larger. Cut the squash into cubes. Work with one piece of squash at a time. Cutting lengthwise, cut the cube into six even slices. These should look something like carrot sticks. Stack the slices on top of each other on your cutting board. Make a series of cuts across the length of the stacked slices, making cuts in roughly even intervals. You should be left with a pile of several small cubes of squash. Repeat this process with the remaining three pieces of squash. | Wash the butternut squash. Cut the ends off the squash. Microwave the squash. Select a sharp knife and peeler. Use a sturdy cutting board. Peel the squash length-wise. Cut the squash lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds. Slice the two pieces of squash in half. Cut the squash into cubes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cut-a-Watermelon | How to Cut a Watermelon | To cut a watermelon, start by slicing off the ends with a sharp knife. Then, stand the watermelon up on one end. Slice down through the middle to cut it in half. Next, cut each half of the watermelon into 2 sections lengthwise. Once you have 4 pieces of watermelon, use the knife to cut off the rinds. Finally, cut each piece up into even, triangle-shaped slices. As always, be sure to exercise caution when handling a knife to avoid injury. | Wash the rind of a watermelon. Use a fruit wash if you have one, or rinse the watermelon under the faucet to remove dirt, germs, and pesticides from the watermelon rind. It's important to wash the rind because everything the knife touches on the outside of the melon will end up in contact with the watermelon flesh as it slices through. Slice off the top and the bottom of the watermelon. A serrated knife works best for items that have a softer interior and tougher exterior like melons, tomatoes, and breads. Knives must be longer than the fruit you're going to cut. Slice down through the center of the watermelon. Stand the melon on end before slicing through the middle. Note that if you cut along the dark stripes on the outside of the watermelon, then the watermelon seeds will end up on the outside of the pieces of watermelon, making them easier to remove. Cut each half into sections. You can cut each half into two, three, or four sections, depending on how small you'd like your pieces to be. Remove the melon from its rind. Hold the section in one hand while you slowly cut the flesh away from the rind. Slice down from the top to the rind. You'll want to cut even slices through the fruit, about 2-3 in (5.1-7.6 cm) apart. Repeat to remove the fruit from each section. Slice the watermelon cross-wise. You can turn your watermelon into rounds by carefully cutting through the watermelon, crosswise, at 1 in (2.5 cm) intervals. Cut off the rind. Carefully slide your knife along the outside of the flesh to cut off the rind. You may also want to remove any seeds at this point. Cut into pieces. You can either slice the rounds into sticks or triangles, or even use a cookie cutter to cut out fun shapes, like stars. Cut the watermelon in half. Find the center of the watermelon and cut through the fruit at the mid-point. Cut the halves in half. Set the fruit on your cutting board so the rind faces up and the flesh faces down, then cut each piece in half again. Slice the fruit into wedges. Take one of the quarters and slice into ½ in (1.3 cm) wedges. Repeat until all the fruit is cut up. Quarter the watermelon. Carefully cut your watermelon in half. Then place each piece flesh-side down and cut each in half again. Slice the watermelon into wedges. Make slices 1-2 in (2.5-5.1 cm) wide across the melon, just down to the rind. Do not cut through the rind. Cut a lengthwise slice into the melon. Start on the side of the watermelon, about 1 in (2.5 cm) below the peak. Make a lengthwise slice into the melon, cutting down so that the tip of the knife runs along the rind. Continue slicing the melon. Make a lengthwise slice 1-2 in (2.5-5.1 cm) below your first cut. Don't cut all the way through the bottom. Turn the melon and repeat this process on the other side. Remove the flesh from the rind. Use your knife to slice along the bottom of the rind, using a sweeping motion. You can then pour the watermelon into a bowl or onto a serving platter. Cut the watermelon in quarters. Find the midpoint of the watermelon and cut through it to separate your melon into halves. Then place each half on your cutting board with the rind facing up. Cut each half in half, lengthwise or crosswise. Scoop out the fruit. Use a melon baller or an ice cream scoop to scoop out the flesh of the watermelon. Place it into a bowl or Tupperware container. A seedless watermelon is best for this method, so you don't end up with seeds inside your melon balls. Alternatively, you can remove the seeds as you scoop out the fruit. Serve chilled. Chilled melon balls are a wonderfully refreshing treat that the whole family is sure to enjoy. | Wash the rind of a watermelon. Slice off the top and the bottom of the watermelon. Slice down through the center of the watermelon. Cut each half into sections. Remove the melon from its rind. Slice down from the top to the rind. Slice the watermelon cross-wise. Cut off the rind. Cut into pieces. Cut the watermelon in half. Cut the halves in half. Slice the fruit into wedges. Quarter the watermelon. Slice the watermelon into wedges. Cut a lengthwise slice into the melon. Continue slicing the melon. Remove the flesh from the rind. Cut the watermelon in quarters. Scoop out the fruit. Serve chilled. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-an-Underwater-Welder | How to Become an Underwater Welder | To become an underwater welder, start by getting certified as a topside welder through an accredited welding school and work for a few years welding topside to gain experience. Next, enroll in a commercial diving academy and become a certified commercial diver. Then, attend an underwater welding school to combine your welding and diving skills. Once you complete your underwater welding training, start looking for open positions! | Be prepared to spend a considerable amount of money. Tuition and certification fees often differ by institution. That being said, collecting the various professional credentials needed to lock down high-paying positions will typically cost a few thousand dollars minimum. A state-funded technical school, such as Santa Barbara City College or South Central Louisiana Technical College, may be the least expensive option for many people. You may need to begin saving up some money if you don't have the means to pay for your education and certifications at present. Receive your high school diploma or GED. The first step along the path to becoming an underwater welder is to complete your base level of education. Most employers will expect to see at least a high school diploma, but you can also get your GED if you're returning to school after an absence. Having a college degree is not necessary to work as an underwater welder, but it could help you stand out from other professionals once it comes time to start looking for a job. After taking care of your education requirements, securing employment will largely be a matter of racking up the relevant credentials and experience. Get certified as a topside welder. Seek formal training in one of several individualized welding processes through an accredited welding school. If you live in the U.S., you also have the option of completing the Certified Welder program offered by the American Welding Society (AWS). You'll be awarded your certification after passing both a written and hands-on practical exam. Run a quick search online to find welding schools or training programs in your area. It may take 7-24 months to complete your welding training and certification, depending on the school or program you choose. Gain a few years of experience working as a topside welder. While it's technically possible to get a job as an underwater welder right out of the gate, having 2 or more years of direct experience will greatly improve your chances. This will prove to employers that you're proficient in welding techniques and safety procedures on dry land, and are ready to apply them in an aquatic setting. The more surface welding experience you have under your belt, the more likely you are to be considered for underwater jobs in the future. Take and pass a preliminary dive physical. In most cases, you can sign up for a physical with the same institution offering the commercial diver certification you're seeking. Along with a head-to-toe examination, you'll also be tested on your swimming abilities and cardiovascular conditioning. Having drugs, alcohol, or an infectious illness in your system can be enough to temporarily disqualify you from receiving a commercial diver certification. In this case, you'll need to retake the physical once you're clear of the offending substance. If you exhibit symptoms of asthma, claustrophobia, severe motion sickness, collapsed lung, cardiac arrhythmia, or congestive heart failure, you may be denied certification permanently. It's recommended that you submit to a dive physical before going any further, even if the dive school you plan on attending doesn't require one. You may discover that you have some type of limitation that won't allow you to pursue a career as an underwater welder. Become a certified commercial diver. Enroll in a commercial diving academy in your state or territory and work your way through their training program. The duration of these programs vary, but most are set up to be finished in 5-6 months, or around 900 training hours. Upon completing the program, you'll be receive a valid and industry-recognized commercial diver certification. A few of the more notable commercial diving academies include the American National Standards Institute Association of Commercial Diving Educator (ANSI/ACDE), the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI), and Diver's Academy International. Some commercial diving academies make it mandatory for applicants to pass a written entrance exam and a dive physical before they're accepted into a specific program. Attend an underwater welding school. This is where you'll bring your 2 newly-acquired skills, welding and commercial diving, together. The course content and length of underwater welding programs can vary greatly, but most consist of both traditional study and hands-on training in wet welding skills, and may range from 6 months to 2 years. In addition to classroom curriculum, most programs will require you to clock a certain number of dive hours (usually 20-50) in order to be approved for certification. Underwater welding schools tend to be located in cities bordering major bodies of water that have thriving fishing, transportation, and drilling industries. Apply for a dive tender position to continue your training on the job. Most underwater welders don't start off in high-profile positions. Instead, they begin as “dive tenders,” apprentices that provide assistance to experienced professionals during dives. Submit your resume, complete with your new credentials, to the company of your choice to add your name to the fold of potential hires. Coastal construction companies, engineering firms, shipbuilders, and underwater salvage teams are just a few of the contractors that work with underwater welders. Research the policies and procedures unique to the underwater welding firm you want to work for and train to these specifications. This will enable you to perform at your peak level as a dive tender. Continue improving your skills to advance in your field. The tools you'll need to excel as an underwater welder will depend on the company employing you, the nature of the work they do, and the specific industry regulations in place in your area. Some of the most important skills to possess include cutting, rigging, and fitting metal components, drafting design plans and standards, and testing and inspecting finished projects. Some wet-welders also train extensively in underwater videography and still photography to document the progress of important projects. Qualifications for underwater welders can vary not only from company to company, but from one project to the next. | Be prepared to spend a considerable amount of money. Receive your high school diploma or GED. Get certified as a topside welder. Gain a few years of experience working as a topside welder. Take and pass a preliminary dive physical. Become a certified commercial diver. Attend an underwater welding school. Apply for a dive tender position to continue your training on the job. Continue improving your skills to advance in your field. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-a-Basic-Wheelie-on-a-Motorcycle | How to Do a Basic Wheelie on a Motorcycle | To do a basic wheelie on a motorcycle, start by putting your motorcycle into first gear. Then, bring it to 10-20 kilometers per hour, which is a good speed to practice wheelies at. When you're ready, let off the gas a little bit and then hit the throttle hard. As you're cranking the gas, pull the front of your motorcycle up. Lean back slightly on your bike so the front of the bike stays in the air. When you're ready to come back down, gently press on the rear brake. | Wear your protective gear. You won't need the same level of protection when practicing on a bike, but it's always good to practice safely. Make sure you're wearing a helmet, at the bare minimum, and knee and elbow pads if you want to be really careful. While starting wheelies on a bike may seem totally harmless, you can still take some bad spills and hurt yourself. Practice while riding uphill. Start at an easy gear. Two or three is probably best, so there won't be too much excessive pedaling. The hill shouldn't be too steep, but learning on a nice, gradual slope can help you maintain your balance and keep your front wheel in the air.When you're learning to wheelie, your pedaling may become spastic, causing you to fall off the bike. The resistance of pedaling uphill will counteract those forces. That way, when you practice on flat ground, you'll maintain a straighter trajectory of motion. It's not necessary, but it is easier to practice on a mountain bike, rather than a BMX bike. Their back wheels are much more stable, and the front of the bike will come up more easily. The large wheel base will also make you feel more powerful. Maintain a comfortable speed on flat ground. This speed will vary on a case-by-case basis, but you can aim for somewhere between 5-10 MPH. Moving too quickly might cause you to lose control when you're only on one wheel. If you go too slowly, however, you may not have the momentum to properly lift the front into the air. Pull your front wheel into the air. This will require some brute force from your upper body, as well as some powerful pedaling. Crouch over your front handlebars to prepare to pull up, and don't forget to look forward. Once you have the handlebars in the air, lean your weight back and continue pedaling. You may lose balance or not keep it up for long, but eventually, you'll feel yourself sinking into the wheelie for a longer period of time. Maintain your motion in the wheelie. Once you've gotten the front wheel in the air a few times successfully, you'll want to start riding the wheelie for longer. When you're in the air, soften your grip and extend your arms. You also want to use your rear brake to adjust your leverage while in your wheelie. Some people keep the rear brake held for the duration of the wheelie, while others simply tighten their grip on it when they feel the front wheel coming too high into the air. The harder you push on the brake, the harder you'll have to pedal to keep your front tire in the air. Wear protective clothing. You never want to get onto a motorcycle without the proper gear. This includes a thick motorcycle helmet, leather gloves, jeans or leather pants, and a strong leather jacket. You also want some strong boots, preferable leather, with some proper grip. When you're first getting started, it's also not a bad idea to wear elbow, ankle or knee guards, as you'll be going down a lot. Find a secluded street or road. Remember that learning this will take you quite some time, and you'll probably take a couple bad spills. You don't want to harm any pedestrians around you or crash your bike into any cars, either mobile or parked. Your constant attempts are also going to make a lot of noise, so you don't want to disrupt those around you. It's illegal to wheelie on a street bike, so finding a secluded place to practice will also help you evade any trouble from law enforcement. Learn on a bike with enough power. If you're attempting to learn the power wheelie on a sport bike, you'll probably want a 500 cc motorcycle, at the minimum. You'll be lifting the front wheel solely with your acceleration, so you want to make sure that your bike has the power to pull that off. You can also learn the power wheelie on a dirtbike. If you have access to one or want something a little more comfortable, this could be a smart idea. A 100 or 150 cc bike should have enough power to practice this stunt. Check your rear tire for any damage. You'll be spending a significant amount of time on this back tire when you're practicing wheelies, so make sure that your tire is in good shape. You don't want any wobbling on that end. It's also ideal to run your tire pressure a little bit lower than you might normally, as it will make the wheelie more stable. Remove a tip-over sensor if your bike has one. This sensor might cause your bike to shut off if you tip too far backward. You will be tipping backward, and because you're just learning, may tip even further back than totally comfortable. Make sure your bike doesn't give out on you mid-wheelie by removing this sensor. Your back exhaust may also hit the ground, depending on where it's located on your bike, so make sure that it won't tap the ground while you're on one wheel. If it does, you may grind the road and fall off of the bike. Put yourself into first gear. You can practice in any gear that you'd like, but first is generally the easiest for beginners. If you ever graduate to learning clutch wheelies, you'll have to know how to shift gears within the wheelie. Because power wheelies are simply about using your acceleration to pull the bike's front upward, you won't have to worry about shifting. Your back brake, much like the handbrake on a bicycle, will help you if you ever begin to tip too far backward. While riders often don't use the rear brake regularly, it's very helpful in your first steps of learning the wheelie. If you feel yourself moving dangerously far back, you can put some power on the rear brake, stopping your back wheel. This will quickly bring your front wheel down. Be careful when it's coming down, however, as you'll get some pressure in your direction upon impact. Bring your bike to a good speed. It's recommended that you start learning wheelies at a speed somewhere between 10-20 KPH. If you're moving too quickly, you may lose some control, causing you to crank the gas in an unsafe way. When practicing too slowly, however, you won't be able to pull the front wheel up with enough force. Let off the gas while still maintaining your speed. You don't want to slow down too much, but it's useful to lower your speed right before you accelerate into your wheelie. This will give you more of a kick when you hit the gas, and this extra power will bring your front wheel up more smoothly. Crank the gas to accelerate and bring the front wheel up. Once you've dropped your speed a little, hit the throttle hard. As you're doing this, you'll pull the front of your bike up, like you're doing a wheelie on a bicycle. At first, these elevations will feel very slight, almost like bunny hops. As you become more comfortable lifting the front up, however, they will gradually become longer and longer. When you lift the bike off the ground and come back down too suddenly, your front tire is going to shake on impact. If you don't land straight, you'll flip off the bike over the front, otherwise known as a highside. This may happen when you're first getting started, so just make sure that you're bringing your wheelies as straight down as possible to avoid it. Maintain your balance in the wheelie. When finding your balance point, lean back on the rear side of the bike, making sure that the center of gravity of your system (you and the bike) sits in the center. This will help you ride the wheelie for a longer period of time. Any tipping forward or backward will mess with the center of your system, causing you to tip. When getting started, beginners might try to hug the tank with their knees, helping them hold on when the front wheel of the bike sticks up. This will actually prevent you from sliding backward against the seat. If you're stuck hugging the tank while your bike is going backward, then the gravity of the system won't be in balance. Reduce your throttle when you settle into a comfortable balance. When you feel yourself easing into the balance of your wheelie, you can reduce the throttle, just slightly, so you don't lose control when holding its motion. Reducing it too much, however, will cause your bike to lose all its momentum. Step on the rear brake to guide yourself down. When you want to come out of your wheelie, you'll use the rear brake to bring the front end of the bike back onto the street. If you crank this too harshly, however, the front end is likely to crash down too quickly, and you may wobble or fall. To remedy this, you can increase the throttle as the front is coming down, balancing out your movement. | Wear your protective gear. Practice while riding uphill. Maintain a comfortable speed on flat ground. Pull your front wheel into the air. Maintain your motion in the wheelie. Wear protective clothing. Find a secluded street or road. Learn on a bike with enough power. Check your rear tire for any damage. Remove a tip-over sensor if your bike has one. Put yourself into first gear. Bring your bike to a good speed. Let off the gas while still maintaining your speed. Crank the gas to accelerate and bring the front wheel up. Maintain your balance in the wheelie. Reduce your throttle when you settle into a comfortable balance. Step on the rear brake to guide yourself down. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Coconut-Lip-Balm | How to Make Coconut Lip Balm | To make coconut lip balm, microwave a teaspoon of petroleum jelly for two minutes to melt it. Then, add a teaspoon of coconut oil, 4 drops of vanilla extract, and 5 drops of almond extract. Finally, pour the mixture into a lip balm container and freeze it for 20 minutes. After solidifying in the freezer, your lip balm is ready to apply! | Put the petroleum jelly in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 2 minutes, or until melted. Mix in the coconut oil, vanilla extract and almond extract. Pour into lip balm container, and freeze for 20 minutes. If there is more lip balm left over, pour it into another lip balm container. Pour a packet of Kool-Aid into a little bowl. Some good flavors/colors to try are strawberry, pink lemonade, tropical punch, cherry. You can mix flavors if you would like to create your own color. Add a little water to form a paste. You will probably need to add a little more later but this amount is so that you can see the color. If you want, add in a different color so it is closer to the color you want to achieve. Add a some sugar (optional). The Kool-Aid itself will be very sour so it does taste better if you add a little sugar. Roughly 1 or 2 spoons should be enough. Put more water in to create a loose paste. Try to crush all of the sugar and Kool-Aid. If you miss a little that's okay, but if you miss a lot of the sugar grains, the final product will look grainy on your lips. Add 2 to 3 spoonfuls of coconut oil to the colored paste. Place the paste and oil into the microwave. Microwave it for a few seconds to melt it. Remove from the oven. Pour the resulting mixture into the container you're using to keep the balm in. Use a container that has been thoroughly cleaned and sterilized beforehand. Mix for a few minutes to try and combine the ingredients as smoothly as possible. The oil and Kool-Aid paste don't blend very well, so it takes lots of stirring. Watch some TV or listen to a podcast while doing this. Put the container of balm solution in the fridge. Let it chill for 2 minutes. This will help the coconut oil re-solidify so that it won't be a liquid. Repeat the mixing and chilling process until the balm is mostly hardened. That will probably require about three rounds of mixing and chilling, but it depends on how much your stirring it and how cold the fridge is. Allow to set. Once it is thickened, just leave it in the fridge for 30 minutes to set completely. Finished. | Put the petroleum jelly in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 2 minutes, or until melted. Mix in the coconut oil, vanilla extract and almond extract. Pour into lip balm container, and freeze for 20 minutes. Pour a packet of Kool-Aid into a little bowl. Add a little water to form a paste. Add a some sugar (optional). Put more water in to create a loose paste. Add 2 to 3 spoonfuls of coconut oil to the colored paste. Place the paste and oil into the microwave. Pour the resulting mixture into the container you're using to keep the balm in. Mix for a few minutes to try and combine the ingredients as smoothly as possible. Put the container of balm solution in the fridge. Repeat the mixing and chilling process until the balm is mostly hardened. Allow to set. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Spider-Web | How to Make a Spider Web | With a few pipe cleaners and a little patience, you can make your own decorative spider web for halloween. Start by twisting 2 pipe cleaners together at the center to form an X. Then, twist a 3rd pipe cleaner down the center of the "X", to create a snowflake shape. To make the rings of your spider web, get a new pipe cleaner and weave it around the spokes of the snowflake in the center of the spider web. Once you've finished the circle, cut off any excess pipe cleaner. Keep making larger circles as you move out to the edges of the spider web. | Prepare your materials. Determine and measure where you will be placing your spider web so you know what size yarn to cut. Remember the wider the point, the larger your web. Any color will do but white or silver are more traditional colors. Cut pieces of yarn and secure the frame. Cut two pieces to form one vertical length of yarn and one horizontal length which will meet in the center to become the frame of your web. The length of each piece of string will depend on where you will be hanging it, so measure the string based on the location. For example, if you want to hang the web from one tree to another, the area between the trees will define the length of the frame of the web. Alternatively, if your web is being hung on the front door, the width of the door is your limit. You can tape to the wall or tie off to nails in the wall to secure the framework. Add more framework strands. Tie a string from one corner of the frame to the middle of the circle. Complete this for each corner, then the web will have eight spokes (framework threads). Eight spokes should be sufficient but you can always add more at a later time if needed. Weave the strands of the web. Start from the center (where the vertical and horizontal pieces criss-cross) and weave the yarn around in a spiral shape. Each time you come to a supporting string, tie your yarn into an overhand knot to secure the shape of the web. Leave plenty of space between each capture thread layer to give the effect of the space that you see on a real web. If you run out of a length of string, simply tie it off, tie on a new piece, and keep weaving. Make sure the strings are taut to avoid drooping. Clean up loose ends. Cut off or tighten loose pieces and generally tidy up the web as needed. The web is complete when you've finished weaving enough of the spiral to reach the edge of the frame. If you need to strengthen parts of the web that might be affected by cutting off loose ends or knots, use hot glue. Hot glue is not only fast but it works well on fabrics and woods. Add spiders. Use store-bought plastic or furry spider toys, or make your own from pipe cleaners or similar items. Gather three white or black pipe cleaners for each web. Pipe cleaners are pliable wires that are covered in fluffy fabric. You can try other colors if you're feeling adventurous. Pipe cleaners can be found at local arts and crafts stores like Michael's or Hobby Lobby. Form the frame of your web. Twist two pipe cleaners together at the exact center of each stick to form an "X". Twist the third pipe cleaner down the center of the "X", creating what looks like a snowflake shape. The sticks should be spread out in a circle, leaving even gaps between each stick. This forms the web framework. If you are having trouble twisting the pipe cleaners together, you can use hot glue instead. Create the strands of your web. Twist on a new pipe cleaner about an inch (2.5cm) from where the sticks all join. This starts the capture web which you'll be weaving around the framework. Weave the pipe cleaner around the framework of the web. Each time you reach a framework thread, twist or loop the capture thread around it once to secure it. Avoid pulling on the pipe cleaners as it can remove some of the tuft surrounding the wire. Continue weaving in this manner to create the spiral. Each time a capture thread runs out, simply wind on a new thread in the spot where the last thread left off and keep weaving. Finish the web. After winding the last strand, trim loose ends using sharp scissors. There are two choices for finishing the web: Leave a bit of the threads from the framework extending beyond the capture thread spiral––this looks jagged and is typical of the cartoon style caricature of spider webs. Weave a capture thread as a border on the edge of the framework. This looks neat and finished, like a tidy spider worked there. Choose suitable doilies. Doilies are crocheted cotton put into round patterns with a lot of open space--just like spiderwebs. If it's possible to be picky, choose ones that look more web-like but don't fuss too much. You can find doilies among old belongings, at your local thrift store, and at your local arts and crafts store. Wash and dry the doilies if they are used or old. Spray paint the doilies black (if not black already). Lay the doilies flat and spray with the black paint, passing over several times for complete color. Allow to dry, then repeat on the other side. Hang to dry when complete. Choose a spot with open ventilation and cover the work surface with cardboard or newspaper to prevent staining the surface underneath. Attach doilies to a backdrop such as a transparent curtain or piece of cloth like a sheet. Space the doilies at an acceptable distance from each other to give the impression of different spiders weaving their webs. Tack in place with black thread or hot glue. Apply as many as will fit nicely. Add the illusion of loose web strands. Tie one end of black embroidery thread to the back of one doily. Thread this on the curtain from one web to the next. Don't overdo this--just a few strands here and there will give the effect of loose webs. Hang the curtain. Use some of the embroidery thread to hold the curtain in place as if spiders have tied up the curtain while they were weaving. Hang over a good light source, like a window or anyplace like a skylight or a screen with a light behind it. Obtain cheesecloth. Cheesecloth is a very loose cotton that resembles gauze. You can find it in craft stores like Jo-Ann Fabric or Bed Bath and Beyond. Measure and secure the cheesecloth. Measure the area where you will be hanging the web and measure and cut the cheesecloth accordingly. Secure the cheesecloth in place with pins or glue. Cut vertical strips in the cloth. Remember, the web is meant to look old and unfinished so vary the lengths and spacing of the vertical strips. Cut from the bottom up. Tear the fabric. Create a messy web by snipping, tearing, and making holes in each vertical strip. The more it unravels, the better. Put on the finishing touches. Rub the ends of the cloth between your hands to fray the edges and glue in fake spiders as needed. | Prepare your materials. Cut pieces of yarn and secure the frame. Add more framework strands. Weave the strands of the web. Clean up loose ends. Add spiders. Gather three white or black pipe cleaners for each web. Form the frame of your web. Create the strands of your web. Weave the pipe cleaner around the framework of the web. Finish the web. Choose suitable doilies. Spray paint the doilies black (if not black already). Attach doilies to a backdrop such as a transparent curtain or piece of cloth like a sheet. Add the illusion of loose web strands. Hang the curtain. Obtain cheesecloth. Measure and secure the cheesecloth. Cut vertical strips in the cloth. Tear the fabric. Put on the finishing touches. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Personal-Financial-Plan | How to Write a Personal Financial Plan | To write a personal financial plan, start by making a list of your assets, such as money in the bank or real estate. Then, write a list of any liabilities you have, such as credit card debt or a student loan. Next, subtract your liabilities from your total assets to calculate your net worth. Once you know your net worth, create specific goals for your money, such as the ability to buy a house or take a European vacation. Then, decide how you'll set aside money towards these goals, like spending $80 less per month and putting that money in a savings account. | Develop a list of your current assets and liabilities. Assets are things you own that have value, while liabilities are the values of the things you owe. Assets may include cash or cash equivalents, such as checking and savings accounts; personal property, including equity in a home and/or a car; and invested assets, including stocks, bonds, and pensions. Liabilities might include current bills and debts such as car loans, home loans, medical debt, credit card debt, or student loans. See How to Get Out of Debt. Calculate your current net worth. Total your assets, then subtract your total liabilities from this figure. The resulting number is your current net worth. Your current net worth represents the starting point for your personal financial plan. A positive net worth means that you have more assets than liabilities, a negative net worth means the opposite. Organize your financial records. Create a filing system of your tax returns, bank account statements, insurance policy information, contracts, receipts, wills, deeds, titles, bills, investment plan statements, retirement account statements, pay stubs, employee benefits statements, mortgages and any other type of document that is related to your financial life. Track your income and expenditures, or cash flows. Doing so will enable you to more carefully study how you currently spend your money — the habits that have led to your current net worth. Set short-, intermediate-, and long-term goals. Personal financial planning revolves around goals. Consider what you want your lifestyle to be like in the present, near future and distant future, then create an outline of your goals that is comprehensive enough to cover every facet of your life: You may find that your short-, intermediate-, and long-term goals build upon each other — saving $100 a month, for example, toward a house fund may lead toward your long-term goal of purchasing a home. Use a "SMART" goal-setting process. Make sure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-based. Doing so will ensure your goals can move past the "dream" stage into actual implementation. Think about your financial values. How do you feel about money, and why? Why is money important to you? Answering these questions will help you formulate your financial goals. You may find, for example, that money is important to you because you want to have time and resources to pursue your dream of international travel. Knowing this about yourself will help you develop and prioritize your goals. Bring your family into the conversation. If you have a partner or a family, make your "personal" financial plan a "family" plan. Doing so will ensure that you share your values and goals with each other and make financial decisions with these shared ideas in mind. You may find that your priorities differ. Engage in careful discussion to reach agreement on compromises that will help you both feel comfortable with your financial future. Recognize that some people are more financially minded than others. Determine who will be in charge of a household budget, or consider ways to provide for each partner's need to feel some degree of control. Consider all your goals, even if some seem less "financial" than others. A goal of backpacking through Europe, for example, might not initially seem financial, but you'll need to acquire resources to make such a trip possible. Intellectual goals might include furthering your education, participating in leadership retreats, sending your children to college and attending seminars. Think carefully about the ways in which you plan to produce income, whether this involves continuing or advancing in your current line of work or switching careers altogether. Lifestyle goals encompass the things you do for fun and entertainment, as well as the things you feel are necessary to the quality of life for which you aim. Residence goals might include renting, purchasing a home, or relocation. Consider the lifestyle you want when you retire, and set personal financial planning goals that will provide for a retirement that meets your standards. Study the options available to you to meet your financial goals. Generally, your options will resolve into two categories: utilizing existing resources in new ways, or generating new income. For each goal, consider whether you should: Continue the same course of action. Expand your current situation. Change your current situation. Take a new course of action. Remember that the same goal may be met in a multitude of ways. To save money for that backpacking trip to Europe, for example, you might replace your coffee shop stops with home-brewed coffee and save $20 per week. Alternatively, you might provide child care for a friend one afternoon a week and apply your earnings toward the trip. Determine whether one goal will impact another. In addition to identifying alternative courses of action within your financial goals, you should consider how your goals interact. You might consider travel a "lifestyle" goal, for example, but after careful consideration realize that pursuing the educational goal of studying a foreign language will enable you to travel more cheaply — or even pursue a career as a translator or businessperson working in a foreign country. Select which strategies you'll employ to complete your financial plan. Take your life situation, personal values, and current economic conditions into account. Consider how you feel about where you're currently positioned financially versus where your goals would take you in each of the categories you've considered. Do you see particular deficiencies in one area? Perhaps you should give this area special consideration. Remain practical. Step-by-step plans will move you toward your goals without leaving you feeling frustrated or defeated by the scope of your agenda. Remember that all choices involve opportunity costs. An opportunity cost is what you give up when you make a choice. Saving for that backpacking trip by giving up coffee shop visits might include sacrifices of time, planning, and the conversation you enjoy with your favorite barista. Research potential decisions like a scientist. Gather as much research as you can, and carefully evaluate your data. If you are considering an investment, for example, you should pay special attention to the correlation between risk and reward — how risky is the investment, and how much reward will you receive if it is successful? Are the benefits worth the risks? Recognize that uncertainty will always be part of the picture. Even once you've carefully completed your research, the parameters of your situation may change. The economy may dip, lowering investment concerns. The new job you opt to pursue may leave you personally or professionally unsatisfied. Do your best and remember that you retain the ability to adjust your decisions later. Look at the big picture. Now that you've developed goals, identified alternatives, and evaluated those alternatives, create a list of the strategies you've identified. Consider your current situation and then start thinking about which goals might be most realistic. Take your current net worth into account. If your liabilities approach or outweigh your current net assets, you'll want to take steps to change that ratio. While you may opt to focus on developing your net assets, don't forget that paying off debt can be a great investment. Interest charges mean that even paltry debts can become overwhelming over time. Allocating some resources toward debt reduction now may prevent serious problems from developing later. Decide which goals you'll pursue now. Strive for a balanced approach toward short-, intermediate-, and long-term goals that will enable you to plan for a few months and a few years down the line. Focus upon incremental growth. By doing so you will create a road map that will take you toward your goals. Be realistic. You won't be able to adopt all the great strategies you've evaluated at once, but selecting a balanced range of goals will help you meet the goals you do choose and grow toward a point when you can take on additional projects. Develop a budget that incorporates your financial planning goals. You already know your net assets and liabilities from your analysis of your current net worth; set these into a framework that includes the decisions you've made. Then hold yourself accountable for these decisions. If you've committed to spending $80 less per month on coffee and placing that money in a savings account, list that in your budget. Goals such as obtaining a new job may not fit neatly into a budget, but should be listed in an easy-to-reference location as part of your working financial plan. Consider hiring a professional financial adviser. You may be fully capable of making financial decisions, but a professional adviser has the advantage of emotional detachment from your financial situation. Think of your financial plan as a working document. Personal financial planning is a process. Life changes, and you'll need to update your plan over time as your circumstances and goals change. Plan to review your financial goals on a regular basis. If you find your life circumstances change quickly (as a college student, for example), you may opt to review these goals every 6 months. If your life tends to be more stable (as an adult empty-nester, for example), you might plan on an annual review. Discuss your personal financial plan with your partner. If you're already in a committed relationship, hopefully you've pursued this process as a couple. When making a relationship commitment, financial discussions should be part of the conversation about your values, goals, and plans for reaching those goals. | Develop a list of your current assets and liabilities. Calculate your current net worth. Organize your financial records. Track your income and expenditures, or cash flows. Set short-, intermediate-, and long-term goals. Use a "SMART" goal-setting process. Think about your financial values. Bring your family into the conversation. Consider all your goals, even if some seem less "financial" than others. Study the options available to you to meet your financial goals. Remember that the same goal may be met in a multitude of ways. Determine whether one goal will impact another. Select which strategies you'll employ to complete your financial plan. Remember that all choices involve opportunity costs. Research potential decisions like a scientist. Recognize that uncertainty will always be part of the picture. Look at the big picture. Decide which goals you'll pursue now. Develop a budget that incorporates your financial planning goals. Consider hiring a professional financial adviser. Think of your financial plan as a working document. Plan to review your financial goals on a regular basis. Discuss your personal financial plan with your partner. |
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