Split (3)

train · 35.8k rows

Subsets and Splits

No saved queries yet

Save your SQL queries to embed, download, and access them later. Queries will appear here once saved.

url stringlengths 27 124	title stringlengths 10 107	summary stringlengths 15 6.15k	article stringlengths 0 117k	step_headers stringlengths 0 5.75k
https://www.wikihow.com/End-a-Long-Term-Relationship	How to End a Long Term Relationship	If you've decided to end your long-term relationship, you should tell your partner face to face as soon as you feel certain about your decision, since delaying the breakup won't be good for anyone. When you have an opportunity to talk to your partner in private, express your feelings to them honesty. While you should be firm in your decision, you shouldn't be harsh or bring up things from the past, since that will only add salt to the wounds and make the breakup harder. Furthermore, show consideration for your partner's feelings and keep your affairs private by not talking about them publicly or posting about them on social media.	Tell your partner as soon as possible. You may want to delay the breakup because of how hard you know it will be, but this is not going to help the situation. Staying with your partner after you know you want to leave them is not helpful to you or your partner or considerate of either of your feelings. Just drum up enough courage to end your relationship. It will be better for everyone. This doesn't mean that you should not take your time in thinking about your decision. You cannot undo a breakup easily once it is gone. Do it face to face. Although it may seem appealing to end your relationship where you don't have to see your partner's face, this is a childish and harmful way to end a relationship, especially a long term one. It will be hard to tell your partner in person, but given how long the two of you have been together, your relationship deserves more respect than that. Don't leave a voicemail, write them a letter, tell them over the phone, or tell them through email or social media. These are cowardly and hurtful. Pick the right time. There is never a good time to end a relationship, but there are better times than others to break the news. Avoid telling your partner right before leaving the house, before you or your partner has to go to work, or at other busy times. This will not give you and your partner adequate time to deal with the situation and give the breakup the attention it deserves. You should also avoid telling them in public. Be firm in your decision. You made the decision to end your long term relationship for a reason. When you tell your partner, you need to stand firm in your decision to end it. Let them know that you are unhappy and that you are not interested in trying to make it work. If you know that your relationship will not last, make sure you don't give in to any pleas made by your partner. You are just delaying the inevitable ending to your relationship. Practice your delivery beforehand. You are going to be emotional in the moment when you break up with your partner. Practicing what you are going to say before you talk to your partner will help you feel more prepared. You will be able to think through everything you want to say so it will come out right. You can even write it down or type it out first so you can get your thoughts in order. Be honest. When you end your relationship with your partner, make sure you are honest. Don't avoid telling your partner exactly why you feel you need to move on and end the relationship. This will only cause problems for you and your partner in the long run. This doesn't mean you have to be harsh. Honesty does not have to be damaging to your partner's feelings. Stay calm. One of the worse things you can do is get riled up and tense when you are getting ready to breakup with your long term partner. This will make the situations even more stressful for you. The process is not going to be easy, but stressing about it is not going to change it. Take time to relax as you decide the best way to tell your partner. You want to explain your reasons for breaking up with a clear head and calm demeanor. This may be difficult, but it is possible. If you are extremely stressed, do something that relaxes you, such as reading or listening to music. Focus on the present. There is no reason to bring up the past when you are breaking up with your long term partner. The reasons that you want to break it off are current and about how your relationship is now. Don't bring up how your relationship used to be or any old fights while telling your partner it's over. This will just add salt to wounds and make the breakup that much harder. Don't be passive aggressive. Avoid changing your behavior in order to get your partner to end the relationship first. This will end up making the breakup nastier than it needs to be. Approach the situation like an adult and be honest with your partner instead of trying to make them break up with you. Avoid being overly aggressive or petty towards your partner and don't make life miserable for both of you. This will help no one in the long run. Avoid blaming your partner. You don't want your breakup to turn ugly, so avoid placing blame on anyone in the relationship for its failure. Relationships are complicated and never black and white, so try to focus on breaking up with them in a way that does not place blame or sound accusatory. If there is a reason for you breaking up with your partner that is not your fault, such as your partner cheating on you, still try to take the high road. Blame and bitterness will only make the breakup harder. Keep your private affairs to yourself. In the modern technology age, people have a tendency to overshare. When you are going through your breakup, avoid slamming your partner on any social media platform. This will only make the breakup get ugly. You want to give your partner and your relationship its due respect. You can talk to your friends about your breakup, but do so on the phone or text message instead of public social media accounts. Know it will take time. A breakup, especially of a long term relationship, will not happen over night. Considering that your lives have been intertwined for so long, there is no easy break from them. You and your partner will probably have mutual friends, possessions, and routines that will make it tense and awkward for awhile. Your routines and life will change when your relationship is no longer a factor. This will take time to adjust to. You will also have lingering feelings, even if you are no longer in love with your partner. You may be emotional for awhile after the breakup as you cope with these lingering feelings. Focus on other things. One of the best ways to move on is by focusing your attention on new things. This way, you are doing things that can't remind you of your partner or your breakup. This will help you heal, with the added bonus of enriching your life. Trying new things will help you to heal. Start a new project, join a yoga class, or take an art class. Just find something you enjoy that you can focus on. Rely on your family and friends. After a breakup, you will need to lean on those around you. Even when you are the one who broke off the relationship, it will be emotional. Lean on your family and friends when you're feeling down or upset about your breakup. This will give you the support system you need to heal. Spend more time with your friends and family, go out more, or talk to them on the phone. This will help you feel connected and loved when you're feeling down. Go easy on yourself. You will likely not go back to being 100% happy and healthy right after a breakup, especially a long term one. When you're feeling down or stressed because of the breakup, don't beat yourself up or try to snap out of it right away. It will take time to heal. You need to give yourself time to grieve your relationship in healthy ways so you can move on. If you push down your feelings, you may have some issues later on. Your friends and family will understand that you need time to regroup and heal. Take care of yourself. As you cope with your breakup, you need to take care of yourself. Take time to cope and process your life without your partner. Your feelings will likely be complicated and intense, even if you are the one who ended things. Make sure you pay attention to your own mental and physical health while you heal. Don't let go of your healthy lifestyle just because you had a breakup. Keep eating healthy and exercising like your normally would. If you didn't exercise or eat right before, consider changing your routine to include healthier habits so you can be healthier after your breakup.	Tell your partner as soon as possible. Do it face to face. Pick the right time. Be firm in your decision. Practice your delivery beforehand. Be honest. Stay calm. Focus on the present. Don't be passive aggressive. Avoid blaming your partner. Keep your private affairs to yourself. Know it will take time. Focus on other things. Rely on your family and friends. Go easy on yourself. Take care of yourself.
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Boneless-Turkey-Breast	How to Cook Boneless Turkey Breast	The easiest and most popular way to cook boneless turkey breast is by roasting it in the oven. Start by preheating your oven to 325°F, then calculate the roast time by adding 25 minutes of cooking time per pound of turkey. Season your turkey according to your taste and pop it in the oven for the calculated amount of time. Once it's cooked through, let it rest for 20 minutes before slicing into it for the juiciest results!	Buy it by the pound. Boneless turkey breast can be bought fresh or frozen by the pound. Turkey breasts are much larger than chicken breasts, so you'll want to factor that in when you decide how much to buy. A serving size of turkey breast comes out to 1/4 to 1/2 pound per person. Since cooked turkey keeps well in the refrigerator, you may want to buy extra so you'll have leftovers for sandwiches. If you're buying fresh turkey, look for tender pink breasts with no spots of discoloration. If you're buying fresh turkey that comes prepackaged, make sure to use or freeze it before the expiration date. Choose frozen turkey breast with no signs of freezer burn. Uncooked turkey breast can be kept in the freezer for up to nine months. Thaw it if it's frozen. If you try to cook your turkey from a frozen state, it will take an incredibly long time. Using a refrigerator to thaw slowly is the recommended method. The night or so before you plan to cook the turkey breast, place it in the refrigerator so it can slowly thaw. You'll need to allot 24 hours of thawing for every 4 to 5 pounds of weight. Leave frozen breast, still in its packaging, in the refrigerator for as long as necessary to thaw it out. Put the breast on a plate or tray to catch any juices that might drip out of the packaging as the meat thaws. If you're pressed for time, thaw the turkey in cold water bath. Submerge the still-wrapped turkey in a large bowl or sink of cold tap water. Replace the water every half hour with fresh cold tap water.Allot half an hour of thawing time per pound of weight using this method. Use a microwave for the fastest thawing alternative. Remove all packaging from the turkey breast. Place it on a microwave-safe dish to catch any juices. Use the power setting and cooking time recommended for thawing or defrosting meat in the user's manual. Remove the packaging. Once the breast has thawed, remove any packaging it came in. Fresh or frozen turkey breast often comes wrapped in plastic netting, and you want to be sure to remove this before cooking the turkey. If your breast came rolled up like a roast, unroll it before cooking. Consider marinating the turkey breast. While using a marinade isn't required, it results in tender, flavorful meat. Make your marinade at least an hour before you plan to cook the turkey. Choose any store-bought marinade to flavor your turkey, or make your own. Place the turkey in a large food storage container and pour the marinade over it. Use one-fourth cup of marinade into the container for every pound of turkey meat. Let it marinate for one to three hours before cooking. You can whip up a quick marinade by mixing 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup olive oil, 4 teaspoons minced garlic, 1 teaspoon pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt for every four pounds of turkey. Be sure to place the meat back into the refrigerator for the duration of the marination. Because thawing at high temperatures (cold water bath and microwave) can encourage bacteria growth, it's recommended that you cook fast-thawed meat immediately. Therefore, you must slow-thaw your turkey breast in the refrigerator if you plan to marinate it for a few hours before cooking. Preheat the oven to 325 °F (163 °C). Calculate the cooking time. The larger your turkey breast, the longer it will take to cook. When roasted at 325 °F (163 °C), turkey breast requires approximately 25 minutes cooking time per pound. For a smaller four to six pound turkey breast, set aside between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 hours. For a larger six to eight pound turkey breast, set aside between 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 hours. If you're cooking at an altitude of 5,000 or more feet, you'll need to add five to ten extra minutes' cooking time per pound. Season the turkey. Rub the turkey breast with olive oil, and sprinkle the skin with a few pinches of salt and pepper. If you wish, sprinkle dried thyme, oregano, sage or basil on the turkey. If you want to use fresh herbs, chop them roughly and insert them under the skin of the turkey, so they'll cook right against the meat to flavor it. If you like the taste of lemon with poultry, try slicing a lemon and inserting the slices under the skin, to be removed after baking. Place the turkey in a roasting pan. Spray an oven-safe roasting pan with non-stick spray or vegetable oil to prevent the turkey from sticking to it. Place the turkey breast in the roasting pan skin-side up. Cook the turkey. Roast the turkey until the internal temperature is 155 °F (68 °C) as measured by a meat thermometer. Cooking the turkey at a lower heat (325°F) helps make sure that the breast doesn't dry out. If you want to make sure the breast stays moist, you can baste the top of the breast periodically throughout the cooking process. Use either a large spoon or a turkey baster to pour the pan liquid over the surface of the breast. For crispy skin, turn on your broiler and broil for five minutes after it has been brought up to an internal temperature of 155 °F (68 °C). Let the turkey rest at room temperature for 20 minutes. Cover the turkey with foil and let it rest on a countertop for several minutes. During this time, juices from the turkey will reabsorb into the meat. Skipping this step will result in drier meat. Slice the turkey breast. Use a carving knife to cut it into portion-sized slices. Place them on a large plate for serving. Calculate your cooking time. Since a slow cooker operates at a much lower temperature than an oven, it takes much longer for the turkey breast to reach an internal temperature of 155 °F (68 °C). This enables you to turn it on and forget about it for several hours as you go about your day. Using the "low" setting, a smaller four to six pound turkey breast will take five to six hours to cook in a slow cooker. A larger six to ten pound breast will require eight to nine hours. Using the "high" setting will result in lower cooking time, equivalent to that of a conventional oven. Place the turkey breast in the slow cooker. Remember that it must be thawed and unwrapped before cooking. It's also a good idea to remove the skin. You can't crisp the skin in the slow cooker, so you may as well discard it before cooking. Add seasonings. Anything you add to the slow cooker will simmer with the turkey breast all day, creating an amazingly flavorful final product. You can make your own seasoning mix or use a mix bought from the store. Try one of these: Make your own by combining 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic, 1 teaspoon seasoned salt, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and 1 teaspoon pepper. If you don't have the right spices, you can use a packet of onion soup mix or a bouillon cube or packet. Dissolve one cube/packet in a cup of hot water and add it to the slow cooker. Consider adding vegetables and herbs. The great thing about a slow cooker is that it's one-pot cooking that can't be messed up, so go ahead and throw whatever vegetables and herbs you have in the fridge in there, so long as they make sense with turkey. Potatoes, carrots, and onions are all great options for vegetables, as are parsley, sage, and oregano for herbs. Chop vegetables into larger chunks to prevent them from breaking down too much over a long cooking time. If you don't have fresh herbs in your fridge or garden, you can replace them with dried herbs from your spice rack. Cover everything with water. Add enough water to cover the top of the turkey, so it won't dry out as it cooks. You can also use chicken broth in place of water. Set the power level on your slow cooker. Depending on how much time you have, you'll set it to either high or low. Remember that if you set the slow cooker to low heat, it will take somewhere between five and eight hours to cook; if you set it to high heat, it will take much less time. Check the internal temperature to make sure it's cooked through. Make sure the internal temperature of the turkey reaches at least 155 °F (68 °C) by using a meat thermometer. Insert the end of the thermometer into the thickest portion of the breast, being careful not to poke the thermometer all the way through the breast. Wait for the display to stabilize before reading the temperature. Remove the turkey from the slow cooker to carve. Place it on a cutting board and use a carving knife to cut it into slices. Finished.	Buy it by the pound. Thaw it if it's frozen. Remove the packaging. Consider marinating the turkey breast. Preheat the oven to 325 °F (163 °C). Calculate the cooking time. Season the turkey. Place the turkey in a roasting pan. Cook the turkey. Let the turkey rest at room temperature for 20 minutes. Slice the turkey breast. Calculate your cooking time. Place the turkey breast in the slow cooker. Add seasonings. Consider adding vegetables and herbs. Cover everything with water. Set the power level on your slow cooker. Check the internal temperature to make sure it's cooked through. Remove the turkey from the slow cooker to carve. Finished.
https://www.wikihow.com/Increase-Your-Chances-of-Winning-a-Lottery	How to Increase Your Chances of Winning a Lottery	To increase your chances of winning the lottery, play small lottery games that have fewer numbers to choose from, since they're not as hard to win as big lotteries like the Powerball and Mega Millions. You can also try playing scratch-off lottery tickets, which have better odds than lottery games that involve choosing numbers. If you do decide to play a big lottery game, try organizing a lottery pool with your friends where everyone buys tickets and agrees to split the money if someone wins. That way, you'll have a better chance of winning since you'll have more tickets.	Choose a wide range from the numbers available in the lottery. Most people play common numbers like their birth or anniversary date. Picking those “lucky” numbers limits your ability to win since many lotteries include higher numbers other players tend to ignore. There are only 12 months and 31 days to pick from! You're better off picking a mixed bag of low and high numbers instead of a few that are close together. For example, a Mega Millions ticket starts with 5 numbers between 1 and 70. You might play 1, 15, 36, 48, and 63. It is a unique ticket that not a lot of people are likely to pick. Think of the odds as well. Many people go for numbers that seem meaningful. Even if you win, you might end up having to share the prize with them. Pick different numbers without following a pattern. If you're working hard to come up with a clever number pattern, you're playing yourself out of a potential winner. Since lotteries pull from a range of numbers, those patterns aren't likely to show up on the winning ticket. Instead, come up with a range of numbers you like. If they look random on paper, then you're on the right track. A winning ticket is unlikely to consist of a pattern like 3, 13, 23, 33, 43. It also isn't likely to be a short range of numbers like 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25. Mix up your ticket with both odd and even numbers. Although the winning numbers could be all odd, for instance, it is unlikely. Play the same numbers every time you buy a ticket. So your first ticket doesn't win you any money. The next time you go back to buy a ticket, you may feel tempted to switch to “luckier” numbers, but don't do it! The odds of you predicting the winning numbers in a game is very low. Instead, stick to the same numbers in case they show up. In theory, your numbers will eventually get picked. Number combinations that were picked in the past are unlikely to come up again. There are too many possible combinations to make this a guarantee, however. You can't predict the winning numbers, so don't stress yourself out by trying to. Each drawing is its own random event. Don't even bother looking at past winners for “lucky” numbers. Use quick picks if you’re uncertain what numbers to play. Quick picks usually aren't recommended, but they can serve as a starting point when you're new to a game. With a quick pick, the lottery machine selects numbers for you. Many people win this way, although the odds aren't any different than when you pick your own numbers. Quick picks are random, so you know you will end up with a unique set of numbers no one else is likely to have. It has as much of a chance of winning a single drawing as a ticket you picked yourself. Quick picks save you time, but keep in mind that it's all chance. Randomly picking numbers that match randomly-picked winning numbers is extra unlikely. These numbers are also harder to remember than ones you play all the time. Purchase a single ticket if you’re looking to get started playing. All you need is a single ticket to play. While you can always buy more, the extra tickets often do not increase your odds of winning by a significant amount. Since your chance of winning is so low on the most popular games, you don't need to go out of your way to spend lots of money playing. You're better off setting aside a part of your budget for tickets when you have some money to spare. Some people buy hundreds of tickets and lose. Don't get caught up by the hype of a big jackpot! The biggest lotteries have the ability to print an unlimited number of tickets for every possible number combination. That is why the extra tickets usually don't pay off. Play weekly if you have money to set aside for a ticket. You can't win if you don't play! Since winning is all about luck, increase your chances by getting in the game as often as possible. Many lotteries have a drawing each week. Purchase a ticket before each new drawing in order to give yourself a shot at the jackpot. The week you don't play could be the week where your numbers come up. If you really want to win, play as often as you can. Having patience and dedication helps. Join a lottery pool to purchase multiple tickets as a group. Organize a group at your office, school, church, or anywhere else you can find people willing to play. In a pool, everyone who joins agrees to buy at least one ticket. If someone wins, they split the money evenly with everyone else in the pool. Depending on how many people join the pool, you could accumulate a bunch of tickets without shelling out a lot of your own money. Keep in mind that the odds of a big jackpot are still very remote and, if you do win, you will have to share the payout with everyone in the pool. Make sure someone trustworthy handles the money and tickets. Keep a photocopy of your ticket and receipt to ensure you have proof in case you win. Play less often if you wish to chase a big jackpot. Instead of getting a ticket for every single drawing, save up to play for the big prize. If you're accustomed to playing a game weekly, you could set aside your money until the payout gets bigger. That way, you get to have fun without spending more than you normally would. The extra tickets bump up your chances of winning very slightly. The odds of winning are still low no matter how many tickets you get, but this strategy could be fun for you if you're only in it for the big payout. Many lotteries, including big ones like Powerball, have a cumulative jackpot that gets bigger when no one wins. For the best chance of winning money, do this for a smaller game such as a state pick-3. With bigger games like EuroMillions, your odds will still be very low. Invest in smaller lottery games with less numbers to choose from. When the jackpot climbs for the world's biggest lotteries, most people forget about the smaller games. These games often have better odds and are more likely to pay out. Look for games that pick from a smaller set of numbers or fewer balls. On the downside, these games pay less in prize money than the most popular games. Regional lottery games have better odds than big games like Powerball and Mega Millions. For example, try a state pick-3 game. You only have to pick 3 numbers to win instead of 5 or 6. Purchase scratchcards for a quicker and simpler way to play. Many regional lotteries offer scratch-off games. These cards are instant and have better odds of awarding money than big lottery drawings. That means the payouts tend to be very low as well, but you could still win a big cash prize if you're lucky. Scratchcards are quick and accessible. Most lottery commissions have a number of different games to play. You could get cheap cards or play pricier games with bigger prizes. A typical scratchcard offers 1:5 odds at best, meaning that 1 in every 5 cards is a winner. This could mean winning a prize of $1 USD or a big jackpot. It depends on the game. Check your tickets for alternative ways to win. Everyone has their eyes on the jackpot, but many lottery games offer smaller prizes as well. Read up about the rules of the game. They are typically posted on your ticket or on the lottery's website. Don't assume you lost until you have had a chance to double-check your ticket. For example, Powerball offers 9 ways to win. You can win a small prize by picking the number on the red ball. You could also win by picking 3 or more white ball numbers.	Choose a wide range from the numbers available in the lottery. Pick different numbers without following a pattern. Play the same numbers every time you buy a ticket. Use quick picks if you’re uncertain what numbers to play. Purchase a single ticket if you’re looking to get started playing. Play weekly if you have money to set aside for a ticket. Join a lottery pool to purchase multiple tickets as a group. Play less often if you wish to chase a big jackpot. Invest in smaller lottery games with less numbers to choose from. Purchase scratchcards for a quicker and simpler way to play. Check your tickets for alternative ways to win.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Purse	How to Make a Purse	To make a purse, start by cutting out 4 cardboard rectangles so you have a front, back, bottom, and top panel. Then, tape the panels together, and trace the outline of all the panels onto some poster paper. Next, glue the back of the panels to a piece of fabric, and cut out the fabric around the edges. Once you've done that, cut 2 rectangles out of some fabric to make the side panels, and glue them to the side edges of the front and back panels. Finally, glue fabric to the outside of your purse.	Cut 2 rectangles out of cardboard for the front and back panels. Use a pen and ruler to draw 2 identical rectangles on a sheet of cardboard. Next, use a metal ruler and a craft blade to cut them out. The size of the rectangles does not matter, but something around 7 by 5.5 inches (18 by 14 cm) would work just fine. For a more unique purse, make the panels trapezoids instead, where the bottom edge is longer than the top, and the side edges slant upwards. You can use regular cardboard for this, but thin cardboard, like what you'd get from a cereal box, would give you a neater finish. Cut a skinny rectangle from cardboard for the bottom panel. The length of the rectangle needs to be the same as the front and back panels. The width is up to you, but something around 2 ⁄ 4 inches (7.0 cm) would be good. For example, if your front and back panels are 7 inches (18 cm) long, then your bottom panel should be 7 by 2 ⁄ 4 inches (17.8 by 7.0 cm). Use a pen and ruler to draw this rectangle, and a metal ruler and craft blade to cut it out. Cut a third rectangle out of cardboard for the flap. Here is where you can get a little creative. The top edge of the rectangle needs to match the top edge of your front panel. It can be whatever height you want it to be, but something around 2/3 the height of the front panel would be good. For example, you could make your front flap 18.5 by 10 centimetres (7.3 by 3.9 in). The shape of the bottom edge is up to you. You can make it rectangular, rounded, pointed, etc. Line the panels up, side by side, to create a rectangle. Arrange the panels in this order: back, bottom, front, and flap. Make sure that the long edges are parallel to each other, and that they have about ⁄ 4 inch (0.64 cm) of space between them. You'll end up with a rectangular shape. If you made the front flap pointed or rounded, position the shaped edge on the outside of your rectangle. Tape the edges of the panels together. Cut 3 strips of tape that are the same length as your panels. Lay each strip of tape across the gaps between the panels. You only need to do this for the front of the rectangle; not the back. Use masking tape or duct tape; it sticks the best to cardboard. Don't use clear tape or scotch tape because it doesn't stick as well. Trace the purse onto poster paper, cut it out, then set it aside. You will be using this to secure the outer fabric to the purse. Use white poster paper for light fabrics and black poster paper for dark. It is easier to trace a flat, unassembled purse than a 3D, assembled purse. Cover the back of the taped panels with glue. Flip the panels over so that you can't see the tape. Use a wide, flat paintbrush to coat the panels with liquid glue. White school glue or tacky glue will work just fine here, but you can also use a decoupaging glue, such as Mod Podge. Don't use hot glue for this because it will create too much bulk. Press the panels, glue-side-down onto your desired lining. Cotton will work just fine for this, but you can also try silk or satin. A darker color will work the best for this; otherwise, the cardboard may show through. If you really want a lighter-colored lining, then consider linen or thick satin. This way, the cardboard won't show through as much. Cut the lining out, leaving a 1 in (2.5 cm) seam allowance. If you rounded the corners on your front flap, cut slits into the seam allowance all the way down to the cardboard. This will help reduce bulk when you fold and glue the seams down. You won't be doing any actual sewing here, but you still need the seam allowances so that you can hem them nicely. Fold and glue the edges of the lining down. You can apply your liquid glue again with a paintbrush, or you can use a thin layer of fabric glue instead. Apply the glue directly onto the fabric, then wrap it around the edge of the cardboard and onto the front. The fabric may peel away from the cardboard as you glue. If that happens, just clip it in place with clothespins. You can also tape it down temporarily. Don't use binder clips to hold the edges of the fabric down. They are too strong and will create dents. Let the glue dry before you move on. How long this takes depends on the type of glue that you used. It shouldn't take more than 15 to 20 minutes, however. Weigh the cardboard down with a couple of heavy books. This will help the lining dry nice and flat. Choose a material for your side panels. It can match your lining, or it can match your outer fabric. You can even choose a different fabric altogether. Cut 2 rectangles out of your desired side panel material. They need to be about 2 inches (5.1 cm) taller and thicker than your purse. For example, if your purse is 5.5 inches (14 cm) tall and 2 ⁄ 4 inches (7.0 cm) thick, your side panels should be 7.5 by 4 ⁄ 4 inches (19 by 12 cm). The side panels won't have any lining. If you want lined panels, repeat this step with the lining material. Fuse the lining to the outer material, if desired. Cut some fusible interfacing to the same size as your side panels. Set your first outer panel down, wrong-side-up and place the interfacing on top. Place your lining panel on top, wrong-side-down, then iron the panels following the instructions on the interfacing package. Repeat this step for the second set of panels. The wrong side of the fabric is the same as the back. It's the side without any prints on it. If you're using satin, then it's the dull side. You only need to do this if you are lining the side panels. If you aren't lining the side panels, skip this step. You can also fuse the lining panels to the outer panels with spray adhesive. Hem the top edge of your side panels by 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm). Turn your first panel so that the wrong side (or lining side) is facing you. Fold the top edge down by ⁄ 4 inch (0.64 cm) and secure it with hot glue or fabric glue. Repeat this step for the other panel. For a nicer finish, fold the hem over a second time and glue it down as well. You can sew this portion of the purse. Fold and iron the hem twice by ⁄ 4 inch (0.64 cm), then sew it using a straight stitch on your sewing machine. Glue the side panels to the side edges of the back panel. Turn your purse and side panels so that the wrong/lining side is flat against the table. Overlap the side edges of the back and side panels by 1 inch (2.5 cm), then glue them down. The hemmed top edge of the side panel needs to be level with the top edge of the back panel. Hot glue will work the best for this, but you can use fabric glue too. Don't use regular liquid glue; it doesn't dry fast enough. Overlap and glue the side panels onto the front panel by 1 inch (2.5 cm). Fold the front and back panels together so that the lining is on the inside. Coat the left and right side edges of the front panel with glue. Overlap the side panels onto the front panel by 1 inch (2.5 cm) and press them down. You need to be able to open the purse by 2 ⁄ 4 inches (7.0 cm) or whatever the width of the bottom panel is. The side panels should look like rectangles, not triangles. If they look like triangles, you won't be able to open your purse. Fold and glue the bottom edges of the side panels down. Turn your purse over so that you can see the bottom panel. Coat the left and right side edges with hot glue or fabric glue, then press the bottom edges of the side panel into it. The bottom edges of the side panels will develop little flaps or wings. Fold and glue these down onto the bottom panel as well. Glue the poster paper tracing to your desired outer fabric. Take your purse tracing from before and coat it with liquid glue. Press it onto the wrong side of your desired outer fabric. Cut the fabric out, leaving a 1 in (2.5 cm) seam allowance. If you added curves to the front flap, cut slits into the seam in those areas as well—just like you did for the lining. Fold and glue the seams down, then let the fabric dry. Apply liquid glue to the seams with a brush, then fold the seams over onto the poster paper. Allow the fabric to dry beneath a stack of books. This is just like how you did the lining. Be a little more careful here, however; poster paper is more flexible than cardboard, and you don't want to warp it. Glue the poster paper to the outside of the purse. Apply hot glue or fabric glue to the cardboard portion of your purse, then press the poster paper into the glue so that the fabric is showing. Work 1 panel at a time, starting from the front flap and finishing with the front panel. After the front flap, do the back panel. Move onto the bottom panel, then do the front panel last. Focus the glue on the edges of each panel. This will prevent peeling and unsightly gaps. Don't apply any glue to the seams between the panels. Glue a trim to the edges of the purse. Starting from the top-left corner of the front panel, hot glue your desired trim to the left side. Work your way down to the bottom panel, up the back panel, and around the front flap. Continue down the back panel, and finish on the right side of the front panel. You don't have to do this, but it will help conceal the gap between the lining and the outer fabric. Thin cording and ribbon work the best for this. Use a contrasting color to make the trim stand out. If your purse has a print on it, match the trim to the print. Add a Velcro closure to the front flap, if desired. Open the front flap, and find the center of the top edge. Hot glue a Velcro dot or square. Find the coordinating spot on the front panel, and hot glue the matching Velcro dot or square. Use white Velcro for light-colored fabrics and black Velcro for dark. You should still glue self-adhessive Velcro. The glue on that kind of Velcro is not very strong. Embellish the purse further, if desired. This is completely optional, but it's a great way to give your purse more character. Choose embellishments that match the color and theme of your purse, and secure them with hot glue or fabric glue. For example: Add a ribbon bow to the top corner of your purse for a cute touch. Mimic a closure by adding a large rhinestone or button to the center of the flap. Outline prints with puffy paint or glitter glue. Create your own pattern with stencils and fabric paint or fabric markers. Glue a ribbon to the top of the purse to make a handle. Cut a piece of ribbon twice the length you want it, then fold it in half and glue it together; this will make it thicker. Next, hot glue the ends of your ribbon to the top edge of your purse. Make the ends of the handle 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) away from the edges of the purse. You can make a shoulder strap instead. Just make the ribbon longer, wider, and glue it to the top edges of the side panels instead.	Cut 2 rectangles out of cardboard for the front and back panels. Cut a skinny rectangle from cardboard for the bottom panel. Cut a third rectangle out of cardboard for the flap. Line the panels up, side by side, to create a rectangle. Tape the edges of the panels together. Trace the purse onto poster paper, cut it out, then set it aside. Cover the back of the taped panels with glue. Press the panels, glue-side-down onto your desired lining. Cut the lining out, leaving a 1 in (2.5 cm) seam allowance. Fold and glue the edges of the lining down. Let the glue dry before you move on. Choose a material for your side panels. Cut 2 rectangles out of your desired side panel material. Fuse the lining to the outer material, if desired. Hem the top edge of your side panels by 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm). Glue the side panels to the side edges of the back panel. Overlap and glue the side panels onto the front panel by 1 inch (2.5 cm). Fold and glue the bottom edges of the side panels down. Glue the poster paper tracing to your desired outer fabric. Cut the fabric out, leaving a 1 in (2.5 cm) seam allowance. Fold and glue the seams down, then let the fabric dry. Glue the poster paper to the outside of the purse. Glue a trim to the edges of the purse. Add a Velcro closure to the front flap, if desired. Embellish the purse further, if desired. Glue a ribbon to the top of the purse to make a handle.
https://www.wikihow.com/Research-the-Market-Before-Launching-a-Product-or-Service	How to Research the Market Before Launching a Product or Service	Researching the market before releasing a new product or service can be intimidating, but by focusing on your target customers and getting to know your chosen industry, you can prepare a strong launch. Use government agencies and trade publications to gather demographic information about your customers, like age, gender, and location, so you can tailor your advertising to their interests. You could also release a short survey to find out how consumers buy products or services like yours. Since you'll be competing with other businesses, find out how they operate and how much they charge for their products so you can offer an attractive alternative. Additionally, research their advertising strategies to help you come up with ways to stand out from the crowd.	Gather demographic information about your consumer base. Learn about your likely audience's age, location, gender, income level, and other details. Gather data from reliable sources, such as government agencies, universities, industry organizations, and trade publications. For instance, you can find plenty of useful demographic information on your government's census website. Demographic information can help you figure out who your consumer base is and how to appeal to them. If you want to open a coffee shop, for example, researching prospective locations' median income and foot traffic can help you choose the right spot for your business. Design surveys to learn about consumers' needs. Study how consumers buy products or services similar to your own and what factors go into their decision-making process. Keep your surveys short, simple, and straightforward. If possible, offer an incentive for completing the survey, such as a coupon for your product or service. Good survey questions include “When choosing which product to buy, which is more important: price or quality,” and “Rank the following list of product features in order of importance, where 1 is most important and 5 is least important.” You can use an inexpensive survey hosting website to conduct the survey, hire a market research firm, or administer it yourself. If you choose to administer it yourself, you can post it on your social media pages. If you already operate an existing business, conduct the survey through its social media accounts and mailing lists. Find out what kind of messaging resonates with your audience. Investigate where and how you should advertise your product or service. You'll need to learn details like the websites your target customer browses and whether your marketing materials should appeal to logic or emotion, this is also known as Interest Based targeting. Either ask potential customers directly through surveys or look online for published market research. Try searching online for university research studies and trade publications on marketing trends related to your product or service. Suppose you're a pet groomer and are launching a new boarding service. You'd want to place your ads at strategic spots like pet-related websites or a billboard that overlooks a dog park. Your ads also need to convince your audience that your product or service is worth their trust and money. To resonate with your consumer base, for instance, your pet boarding ads need to showcase expertise, reliability, and safe, clean facilities. This can be done with one of the best online marketing ad tool which is known as Remarketing. Conduct focus groups and trials to refine your product or service. Recruit participants to test your product or service at a focus group or on a trial basis at their home. Have them offer feedback on their experiences, and use that information to make any necessary improvements. Testing your product or service can help you prevent hiccups when you actually launch it. You can hire an outside party to conduct focus groups, or recruit participants through social media or your business's network, if you already operate one. Research businesses competing for your target customers. Find out which other businesses sell products or services similar to your own. Figure out how saturated your market is and how many options consumers have at their disposal. Use that information to decide whether there's enough demand for you to enter the market. For instance, if you're opening a hair salon and there are already 4 salons in a neighborhood, it may be hard for you to be competitive in that location. Investigate pricing and profit margins in your industry. Look into price ranges for products or services of comparable quality as your own. Accounting for parts, supplies, labor, and other costs, make sure you can price your product or service competitively and still make a profit. For example, suppose you make jewelry and want to sell it online. If parts for a piece of jewelry cost $15, you spent 4 hours making it, and you set your hourly wage at $15, the item's price needs to be at least $75 ($15 times 4 hours is $60, plus $15 for parts). If similar products are significantly less expensive, you could find ways to make your parts cheaper, such as buying in bulk. You could also market your work as exceptional or unique (perhaps your jewelry is made of sea glass from the Amalfi coast), or settle for a lower wage or profit margin. Study your competitors' brands to differentiate your business. Review your competitors' branding, and look for ways you can stand out from the crowd. Establish who your business is, what promises you're making to consumers, and how you're different from other brands. Suppose you want to open a brewery. To set your business apart, you could include a pub and bottle shop that sells a wide variety of beer and wine. While all the neighboring breweries just offer tours and tastings, you could market your brand as a destination that offers something consumers can't find elsewhere. A company's brand tells a consumer base who it is and what it offers. A branding strategy communicates that identity through marketing materials, from hashtags to billboards. Identify your industry's key performance indicators. You'll need measurable, objective standards in order to track your business's progress. These standards are called key performance indicators, and they vary by industry. Learn about how businesses in your industry measure their success by tracking factors such as unique website clicks, profit margins, cost of goods sold, and customer retention rates. For example, a restaurant's beer, wine, and spirits cost should be about 20% of its beverage sales ($20 of product should generate $100 in sales). If your bistro's alcohol costs are 29%, you'll need to take steps to improve your performance, such as adjusting your pricing or conducting thorough inventory checks. Search online, check trade publications, or talk to an experienced business owner in your network about your industry's specific performance measurements. Evaluate the reliability of your suppliers and distributors. Identify where you'll source any parts or supplies you'll need and how you'll deliver your product or service to consumers. Make sure you'll have a consistent supply chain, and try to anticipate any problems that could arise. Come up with back-up plans ahead of time in case you need to deal with unforeseen supply chain issues. Suppose you're launching a new hot sauce and your recipe depends on a specific dried chili pepper. You'll need to know where to source that specialty product, where you can get it if your primary source falls through, how long it takes to order and receive it, the pepper's shelf life, and how you'll store back stock. Look up the laws and regulations related to your business. Inevitably, your business will need to comply with one regulation or another, so familiarize yourself with all laws that govern your industry. Additionally, use your research to create contingency plans in the event you run into a compliance issue. For example, your hot sauce could get recalled due to faulty packaging, or your pub could fail a health inspection. Knowing packaging standards or health codes in advance can help you prevent issues and promptly resolve any accidents that happen along the way. Create a list of outside forces and events that could affect your industry. Thinking about what could go wrong isn't fun, but it's important to be realistic about risk. From weather and natural disasters to economic downturn, research the likelihood of forces beyond your control that could threaten your business. Do your best to create strategies to minimize your risk and respond to any outside threats. For example, tense political conditions in the country where your hot sauce's chili peppers grow could threaten your production. Say your state's legislature has been debating a bill that would raise taxes on the product you're launching. Consider how that would affect your bottom line and whether you could afford to stay in business if it passed.	Gather demographic information about your consumer base. Design surveys to learn about consumers' needs. Find out what kind of messaging resonates with your audience. Conduct focus groups and trials to refine your product or service. Research businesses competing for your target customers. Investigate pricing and profit margins in your industry. Study your competitors' brands to differentiate your business. Identify your industry's key performance indicators. Evaluate the reliability of your suppliers and distributors. Look up the laws and regulations related to your business. Create a list of outside forces and events that could affect your industry.
https://www.wikihow.com/Caricature	How to Caricature	To draw a caricature of someone, start by sketching the general shape of their head on a piece of paper. Then, look at the person, and choose one or two features that immediately jump out at you, like their nose, their lips, or their eyes. Once you've chosen one or two features, exaggerate them in your drawing. For example, if the person has particularly plump lips, you could draw their lips bigger than everything else on their face. Or, if the person has big ears, you could draw their ears sticking far out from the sides of their head. When you're finished, shade in your drawing to give it some dimension.	Choose a high-quality photo if you're working from reference. If you aren't caricaturing a live subject, pick a large photograph of your subject. Ensure that the reference photo is crisp and has good lighting. You should be able to easily see the definition in your subject's face. If you're caricaturing yourself, ask someone to take a photo of you instead of taking a selfie. Holding the camera close to your face for a selfie will cause distortion which makes it hard to see your actual likeness. Draw the big shapes of your subject. Take your favorite drawing pencil and begin sketching the basic head shape of your subject on a large piece of paper. Then fill in the other shapes that form your subject's face, such as their eyes, nose, and mouth. Work quickly and keep the drawing basic. Creating a rough outline for your thumbnail sketch will make it easier for you to emphasize some shapes and fill in details. Add some detail to the subject to make it recognizable. You may already know which elements you want to exaggerate as you sketch or you might not know yet. Observe the things that make your subject unique and sketch them onto the basic head shape you created. Fill in basic outlines such as the hair and jawline. Choose which features you want to exaggerate. Look at your subject and pick 1 or 2 features that immediately jump out at you. For example, a person's eyes might droop down noticeably or their lips might be incredibly plump. Once you know the features to exaggerate, make them a little more extreme so they really stand out. For example, if you're caricaturing Barack Obama, you might choose to exaggerate his ears, chin, or forehead. Sketch the exaggerated features. See how far you can push the exaggeration when you sketch the 1 or 2 features you're going to emphasize. Keep in mind that you'll probably have to downplay other features so the exaggerated features fit. Don't be afraid to erase or start over if things aren't working out. For example, for your Barack Obama sketch, start by drawing a large forehead. Then, instead of making the eyes higher and larger near the forehead, keep them small and lower on the face. This will make the forehead stand out even more. Go back and sketch glasses or accessories after you've finished drawing the features. Make several thumbnail sketches. Create more than 1 sketch even if you really like how the first thumbnail sketch turned out. Try exaggerating different features on the other sketches or draw your subject from different angles or sizes. This can help you see what really works for your specific subject. Sketch your subject showing different moods to see which captures the likeness you're going for. For example, you might sketch comedian Jim Carrey looking serious or thoughtful, but a sketch of Carrey with a wacky expression will be more recognizable. Choose your favorite thumbnail sketch. Look over all of the quick thumbnail sketches you made of your subject and pick the one you like the best. It might be the one with the best exaggeration or likeness to your subject. Keep the other sketches close by to use as references for the rough sketch. You should also have the reference photo at your work station so you can glance at it as you sketch. Outline the head shape and structure of the features. Use a pencil to carefully draw the shape of the head, exaggerating it as much as you like. Then sketch where the big features, such as ears or nose, are placed. Refer back to your thumbnail sketch to see what exaggerations you liked. Take more time doing the rough sketch. This is your chance to improve and expand on the thumbnail sketches you made. Use the reference photo to fill in main features. Once you've made the basic outline for your subject, look at the reference photo as you draw in details of the face. Go slowly to ensure that you're placing the details where you want them. You can sketch as lightly or as firmly as you like when you work. Include all of the facial features in your rough sketch. At this point, the subject should be completely recognizable with exaggerated features. Add shading to fill in the dimensions of your subject. Take your pencil or charcoal and fill in or cross-hatch parts of the face. Try to create shadows and depth so your subject's features stand out and look three dimensional. It may be tempting to add small details, but try to focus just on quickly finishing the rough sketch before moving on to your final caricature drawing. Once you've finished your rough sketch, decide if you're happy with it and want to move on or if you'd like to try another rough sketch. Trace an abstract version of the rough sketch onto tracing paper. Tape a piece of tracing paper over your rough sketch. Then take a pencil and lightly draw over the outlines of the subject. You should now have a basic drawing that looks like a coloring page without any detail. Drawing the abstraction will help you catch any drawing errors. For example, you might find that the eyes were too far apart when you made your rough sketch or maybe you see that you want to exaggerate a person's chin even more. Choose the medium you want to use for the final drawing. While you've probably been working in pencil up to this point, decide what medium you'd like to work with to make the final caricature. For example, use a blunt marker, charcoal, or fine-point pen. Trace over the abstract sketch and add contouring lines. Now tape the piece of paper you'd like to use for your final drawing over the abstract version you just made. Take your chosen medium and draw the subject's outline. Continue to add lines that give your caricature depth. There's no right or wrong way to finish your caricature. Some artists prefer to work on facial features, such as the eyes or mouth, before moving on to hair or ears. Draw in any order you like. Finish rendering your subject. Be as detailed as you like when you add shading and features to your caricature. Some artists keep their caricatures minimal and cartoon-like while others want them to be as realistic as possible. Spend as much time as you want when drawing your final caricature. Finished.	Choose a high-quality photo if you're working from reference. Draw the big shapes of your subject. Add some detail to the subject to make it recognizable. Choose which features you want to exaggerate. Sketch the exaggerated features. Make several thumbnail sketches. Choose your favorite thumbnail sketch. Outline the head shape and structure of the features. Use the reference photo to fill in main features. Add shading to fill in the dimensions of your subject. Trace an abstract version of the rough sketch onto tracing paper. Choose the medium you want to use for the final drawing. Trace over the abstract sketch and add contouring lines. Finish rendering your subject. Finished.
https://www.wikihow.com/Solve-Square-Root-Problems	How to Solve Square Root Problems	To solve square root problems, understand that you are finding the number that, when multiplied by itself, equals the number in the square root. For quick recall, memorize the first 10-12 perfect squares, so that you recognize the square root of numbers like 9, 25, 49, or 121. If possible, break the number under the square root into individual perfect squares. For example, √(900) can be broken into √(9) × √(100), and √(100) can be broken into √(25) × √(4), reducing the problem to √(9) × √(25) × √(4), or 3 x 5 x 2 for an answer of 30.	Square a number by multiplying it by itself. To understand square roots, it's best to start with squares. Squares are easy — taking the square of a number is just multiplying it by itself. For instance, 3 squared is the same as 3 × 3 = 9 and 9 squared is the same as 9 × 9 = 81. Squares are written by marking a small "2" above and to the right of the number being squared — like this: 3 , 9 , 100 , and so on. Try squaring a few more numbers on your own to test this concept out. Remember, squaring a number is just multiplying it by itself. You can even do this for negative numbers. If you do, the answer will always be positive. For example, -8 = -8 × -8 = 64. For square roots, find the "reverse" of a square. The square root symbol (√, also called a "radical" symbol) means basically the "opposite" of the symbol. When you see a radical, you want to ask yourself, "what number can multiply by itself to give the number under the radical?" For instance, if you see √(9), you want to find the number that can be squared to make nine. In this case, the answer is three , because 3 = 9. As another example, let's find the square root of 25 (√(25)). This means we want to find the number that squares to make 25. Since 5 = 5 × 5 = 25, we can say that √(25) = 5. You can also think of this as "undoing" a square. For example, if we want to find √(64), the square root of 64, let's start by thinking of 64 as 8. Since a square root symbol basically "cancels out" a square, we can say that √(64) = √(8 ) = 8. Know the difference between perfect and imperfect squares. Up until now, the answers to our square root problems have been nice, round numbers. This isn't always the case — in fact, square root problems can sometimes have answers that are very long, inconvenient decimals. Numbers that have square roots that are whole numbers (in other words, numbers that aren't fractions or decimals) are called perfect squares. All of the examples listed above (9, 25, and 64) are perfect squares because when we take their square roots, we get whole numbers (3, 5, and 8). On the other hand, numbers that don't give whole numbers when you take their square roots are called imperfect squares. When you take one of these numbers' square roots, you usually get a decimal or fraction. Sometimes, the decimals involved can be quite messy. For instance, √(13) = 3.605551275464... Memorize the first 10-12 perfect squares. As you've probably noticed, taking the square root of perfect squares can be quite easy! Because these problems are so simple, it's worth your time to memorize the square roots of the first dozen or so perfect squares. You'll come across these numbers a lot, so taking the time to learn them early can save you lots of time in the long run. The first 12 perfect squares are: 1 = 1 × 1 = 1 2 = 2 × 2 = 4 3 = 3 × 3 = 9 4 = 4 × 4 = 16 5 = 5 × 5 = 25 6 = 6 × 6 = 36 7 = 7 × 7 = 49 8 = 8 × 8 = 64 9 = 9 × 9 = 81 10 = 10 × 10 = 100 11 = 11 × 11 = 121 12 = 12 × 12 = 144 Simplify square roots by removing perfect squares when possible. Finding the square roots of imperfect squares can sometimes be a bit of a pain — especially if you're not using a calculator (in the sections below, you'll find tricks for making this process easier). However, it's often possible to simplify the numbers in square roots to make them easier to work with. To do this, you simply need to separate the number under the radical into its factors, then take the square root of any factors that are perfect squares and write the answer outside the radical. This is easier than it sounds — read on for more information! Let's say that we want to find the square root of 900. At first glance, this looks very difficult! However, it's not hard if we separate 900 into its factors. Factors are the numbers that can multiply together to make another number. For instance, since you can make 6 by multiplying 1 × 6 and 2 × 3, the factors of 6 are 1, 2, 3, and 6. Instead of working with the number 900, which is somewhat awkward, let's instead write 900 as 9 × 100. Now, since 9, which is a perfect square, is separated from 100, we can take its square root on its own. √(9 × 100) = √(9) × √(100) = 3 × √(100). In other words, √(900) = 3√(100). We can even simplify this two steps further by dividing 100 into the factors 25 and 4. √(100) = √(25 × 4) = √(25) × √(4) = 5 × 2 = 10. So, we can say that √(900) = 3(10) = 30. Use imaginary numbers for the square roots of negative numbers. Think — what number times itself equals -16? It's not 4 or -4 — squaring either of these gives positive 16. Give up? In fact, there isn't a way to write the square root of -16 or any other negative number with ordinary numbers. In these cases, we have to substitute imaginary numbers (usually in the form of letters or symbols) to take the place of the negative number's square root. For example, the variable "i" is usually used for the square root of -1. As a general rule, the square root of a negative number will always be an imaginary number (or include one). Note that although imaginary numbers can't be represented with ordinary digits, they can still be treated like ordinary numbers in many ways. For instance, the square roots of negative numbers can be squared to give those negative numbers, just like any other square root. For example, i = -1 Arrange your square root problem like a long division problem. Though it can be a little time-consuming, it's possible to solve for the square roots of difficult imperfect squares without a calculator. To do this, we'll use a solving method (or algorithm ) that's similar — but not exactly the same — as basic long division. Start by writing out your square root problem in the same from as a long division problem. For example, let's say that we want to find the square root of 6.45, which is definitely not a convenient perfect square. First, we'd write an ordinary radical symbol (√), then we'd write our number underneath it. Next, we'd make a line above our number so that it's in a little "box" — just like in long division. When we're done, we should have a long-tailed "√" symbol with 6.45 written under it. We'll be writing numbers above our problem, so be sure to leave space. Group digits into pairs. To start solving your problem, group the digits of the number under the radical sign into pairs, starting at the decimal point. You may want to make small marks (like dots, slashes, commas, etc.) between your pairs to keep track of them. In our example, we would divide 6.45 into pairs like this: 6-.45-00. Note that there is a "leftover" digit on the left — this is OK. Find the biggest number whose square is less than or equal to the first "group". Start with the first number or pair on the left. Pick the biggest number with a square that is less than or equal to the "group". For instance, if the group was 37, you would pick 6, because 6 = 36 < 37 but 7 = 49 > 37. Write this number above the first group. This is the first digit of your answer. In our example, the first group in 6-.45-00 is 6. The biggest number that is less than or equal to 6 when squared is 2 — 2 = 4. Write a "2" above the 6 under the radical. Double the number you just wrote down, then drop it down and subtract it. Take the first digit of your answer (the number you just found) and double it. Write this underneath your first group and subtract to find the difference. Drop the next pair of numbers down beside the answer. Finally, write the last digit of the double of the first digit of your answer to the left and leave a space next to it. In our example, we would start by taking the double of 2, the first digit of our answer. 2 × 2 = 4. Next, we would subtract 4 from 6 (our first "group"), getting 2 as our answer. Next, we would drop down the next group (45) to get 245. Finally, we would write 4 once more to the left, leaving a small space to add onto the end, like this: 4_. Fill the empty space. Next, you want to add a digit to the right side of the number you've written off to the left. Pick the digit that multiplies with your new number to be as large as possible, yet still less than or equal to the "dropped down" number. For example, if your "dropped down" number is 1700 and your number to the left is 40_, you would fill in the blank with "4" because 404 × 4 = 1616 < 1700, while 405 × 5 = 2025. The number you find in this step is the second digit of your answer, so you can add it above the radical sign. In our example, we want to find the number to fill in the blank in 4_ × _ that makes the answer as large as possible but still less than or equal to 245. In this case, the answer is 5. 45 × 5 = 225, while 46 × 6 = 276. Continue, using your "blank" numbers for your answer. Continue performing this modified long division pattern until you start getting zeroes when you subtract from your "dropped-down" number or you reach your desired level of accuracy. When you're done, the numbers you used to fill the blanks at each step (plus the very first number you used) make up the digits in your answer. Continuing from our example, we would subtract 225 from 245 to get 20. Next, we would drop down the next pair of digits, 00, to make 2000. Doubling the numbers above the radical sign, we get 25 × 2 = 50. Solving for the blank in 50_ × _ =/< 2,000, we get 3. At this point, we have "253" above the radical sign — repeating this process once again, we get a 9 as our next digit. Move the decimal point up from your original "dividend". To finalize your answer, you need to put its decimal point in the right place. Luckily, this is easy — all you need to do is line it up with the decimal point in your original number. For example, if the number under the radical sign is 49.8, you would simply move the point up between the two numbers above the 9 and the 8. In our example, the number under the radical sign is 6.45, so we would simply slide the point up and place it between the 2 and 5 digits of our answer, giving us 2.539. Find non-perfect squares by estimating. Once you've memorized your perfect squares, finding the square roots of imperfect squares becomes much easier. Since you already know a dozen or so perfect squares, any number that falls between two of these perfect squares can be found by "whittling away" at an estimate between these values. To start, find the two perfect squares your number is between. Next, determine which of these two numbers it is the closest to. For example, let's say we need to find the square root of 40. Since we've memorized our perfect squares, we can say that 40 is in between 6 and 7 , or 36 and 49. Since 40 is greater than 6 , its square root will be greater than 6, and since it is less than 7 , its square root will be less than 7. 40 is a little closer to 36 than it is to 49, so the answer will probably be a little closer to 6. In the next few steps, we'll narrow our answer down. Estimate the square root to one decimal point. Once you've picked out two perfect squares that your number is between, it's simply a matter of whittling away at your estimate until you reach an answer you're satisfied with — the farther you go, the more accurate your answer is. To start, pick a "tenth place" decimal point for your answer — it doesn't have to be correct, but you'll save time if you use common sense to pick one that's close to the right answer. In our example problem, a reasonable estimate for the square root of 40 might be 6.4 , since we know from above that the answer is probably a little closer to 6 than it is to 7. Multiply your estimate by itself. Next, square your estimate. Unless you're lucky, you probably won't get your original number — you'll either be a little higher than it or a little lower. If your answer is too high, try again with a slightly smaller estimate (and vice versa if it is too low). Multiply 6.4 by itself to get 6.4 × 6.4 = 40.96 , which is slightly higher than original number. Next, since we over-shot our answer, we'll multiply the number one tenth less than our estimate above by itself and to get 6.3 × 6.3 = 39.69. This is slightly lower than our original number. This means that the square root of 40 is somewhere between 6.3 and 6.4. Additionally, since 39.69 is closer to 40 than 40.96, you know the square root will be closer to 6.3 than 6.4. Continue estimating as needed. At this point, if you're happy with your answers, you may want to simply use one of your first guesses as an estimate. However, if you'd like a more accurate answer, all you need to do is pick an estimate for your "hundredths place" that puts this estimate between your first two. Continuing with this pattern, you can get three decimal places for your answer, four, and so on — it just depends how far you want to go. In our example, let's pick 6.33 for our two-decimal point estimate. Multiply 6.33 by itself to get 6.33 × 6.33 = 40.0689. Since this is slightly above our original number, we'll try a slightly lower number, like 6.32. 6.32 × 6.32 = 39.9424. This is slightly below our original number, so we know that the exact square root is between 6.33 and 6.32. If we wanted to continue, we would keep using this same approach to get an answer that's continually more and more accurate.	Square a number by multiplying it by itself. For square roots, find the "reverse" of a square. Know the difference between perfect and imperfect squares. Memorize the first 10-12 perfect squares. Simplify square roots by removing perfect squares when possible. Use imaginary numbers for the square roots of negative numbers. Arrange your square root problem like a long division problem. Group digits into pairs. Find the biggest number whose square is less than or equal to the first "group". Double the number you just wrote down, then drop it down and subtract it. Fill the empty space. Continue, using your "blank" numbers for your answer. Move the decimal point up from your original "dividend". Find non-perfect squares by estimating. Estimate the square root to one decimal point. Multiply your estimate by itself. Continue estimating as needed.
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Legal-Permanent-Resident-of-the-United-States	How to Become a Legal Permanent Resident of the United States	To become a legal permanent resident of the United States, meet with an immigration attorney to confirm your eligibility and help you prepare forms and documents. Next, have your sponsor file your immigrant petition unless you qualify to file for yourself. Then, fill out Form I-485 and submit it, along with the filing fee, to USCIS. After you file, USCIS will schedule a biometrics services appointment with you to get your fingerprints, photograph, and signature. After that, attend the scheduled interview to receive your Green Card.	Determine if you are eligible by having a family member sponsor you. One of the most common forms of eligibility are sponsorships from a family member. If you have a family member who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent U.S. resident and is at least 21-years-old, you may be eligible to apply. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) defines family member as: The spouse of a U.S. citizen or legal resident The unmarried child of a U.S. citizen or legal resident The married child of a U.S. citizen The parent of a U.S. citizen or legal resident The brother or sister of a U.S. citizen The fiancé of a U.S. citizen (under special immigration admission) The widow or widower of a U.S. citizen Seek sponsorship through your employer. Some employers are willing to sponsor an immigrant for permanent residency. This is required if you possess an exceptional skill or ability that is not commonly found in the general working population. You must do a test with the labor market to illustrate that there are no available individuals for the job in the US, which is why you'd be eligible for a green card. Preference is typically given to immigrant workers that have extraordinary abilities in the sciences, art, education, business, or athletics, exceptional researchers and professors, and multinational managers. Secondary preference is given to those whose profession requires an advanced degree, those who have exceptional abilities in the arts, sciences, or business, and those who are seeking a national interest waiver. Third preference is given if you are a skilled worker, professional, or other worker. Skilled workers require 2 years of training or experience, while professionals must hold a U.S. baccalaureate degree or an equivalent, plus work in the field. Other workers may be unskilled but are not temporary or seasonal employees. Physicians who agree to work full-time in clinical practices in a designated underserved area for a set period of time may also apply under the Physician National Interest Waiver. Immigrant investors who are actively in the process of investing at least $1 million in non-rural areas or $500,000 in a rural area in new commercial enterprises in the U.S. which will create at least 10 full-time positions for qualifying employees may also be eligible for employment sponsorship. Check to see if you qualify as a special immigrant. Certain categories of immigrants may qualify for special immigrant status. Those employed as religious workers or international broadcasters, and those employed by an international organization or NATO-6 may qualify for this status. Additionally, the following groups may qualify: Afghanistan or Iraqi nationals who worked as a translator for the U.S. government, who were employed by the U.S. government in Iraq for at least 1 year, or who were employed by the International Security Assistance Force. Family members of people employed by an international organization or NATO-6. Children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by their parent(s), and who qualify for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status. Qualify for legal residency through extraordinary circumstances. There are a number of legal resident qualifications that may apply if you experienced harsh or extraordinary circumstances in your homeland or upon your entry into the U.S. You may qualify for legal residency status under these terms if: You were granted asylum for refugee status at least 1 year ago. You are the victim of human trafficking or another crime and have a T or U nonimmigrant visa. You are the abused spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen, or lawful permanent resident. You have resided continuously in the U.S. since before January 1, 1972. You meet any of the terms outlined for sponsorship under non-common circumstances as outlined by USCIS. Meet with an immigration attorney. Prior to filing for lawful permanent resident status, you may want to meet with a U.S. Immigration Attorney. They can not only help make sure you are completely eligible, they can also help you prepare your forms and documents and assist with any complications that may arise. You can check U.S. Justice Department's List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers to see if there are attorneys or legal resources in your area to help you prepare for your immigration filings free of charge. Have your sponsor file your immigrant petition. If someone, such as a relative or your employer, is sponsoring your immigration, they will need to file an immigrant petition for you. If you qualify to file for yourself, you need to file your petition. The exact petition and documentation you need will depend on how you qualify for lawful permanent resident status. All forms are available from the USCIS website. If you are unsure what forms you need, talk to your immigration attorney or an immigration services office in your area. You may also be able to receive advice over-the-phone if you cannot get to an office. If you already have an approved immigrant petition and visa, you may just need to file the I-485 application form. Fill out Form I-485 and submit it to USCIS. Form I-485 - Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status is essentially the application form for your green card. The form is about 18 pages in length and requires you to provide details about yourself, your family, your employment, and your eligibility. Once fully completed, the form will need to be submitted to the correct office. The office you will submit to depends on how you qualify for your status. Check the USCIS website to find the correct filing address for your eligibility category: https://www.uscis.gov/i-485-addresses. Pay the filing fee. You will need to submit your filing fee along with your I-485. You may submit a check along with your application, or pay online using a credit card. The fee structure for filing your I-485 is: $750 for children under 14 filing with the I-485 of at least 1 parent $1,140 for children under 14 not filing with at least 1 parent $1,225 for those age 14-78 $1,140 for those age 79 and older $0 for those admitted to the U.S. as a refugee Schedule your biometrics services appointment. After you file your application, USCIS will help you schedule a biometrics services appointment at a local Application Support Center. Show up to your local center at the date and time listed on your appointment notice to provide biometrics including your fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature. These appointments will help USCIS confirm your identity and run background and security checks. If USCIS requests an appointment, be sure to bring your appointment notice and a valid form of photo ID. Attend your Green Card interview. After your petition and application have been processed along with all background and security checks, you will be scheduled for an interview with someone from USCIS. The nature of the interview will vary somewhat depending on your application and qualifying circumstances. In general, it is important to be honest, polite, and calm throughout your interview. If any part of your application or status changes between when you file your application and your interview, be prepared to address that change and provide all necessary evidence. If you are not confident in your spoken English abilities and cannot arrange an interview with someone who speaks your native language, arrange to have someone you trust with you help with translation issues. Avoid traveling abroad while your application is pending. In many cases, you will be restricted from traveling outside of the U.S. while your lawful permanent resident application is pending. If you do need to leave the country for any reason, you may need to apply for an advance parole document prior to leaving the country. Carry your Green Card with you at all times. Once you become a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., you are advised to carry your Green Card with you at all times. This serves as your proof that you are authorized to live and work in the U.S. It also functions as a photo ID, much like a driver's license or passport. Do not travel outside of the U.S. for more than 12 months at a time. Remaining outside of the U.S. for more than 12 months could result in the loss of lawful permanent resident status. If you need to be outside of the U.S. for longer than 12 months, you may need to apply for a re-entry permit prior to leaving the country. Renew your Green Card 6 months prior to expiration. Green cards typically expire every 10 years. Plan to begin your green card renewal process 6 months prior to when your green card's expiration date. If you have a conditional green card, such as one based on a spouse or family member, you can apply to have the condition removed after 2 years.	Determine if you are eligible by having a family member sponsor you. Seek sponsorship through your employer. Check to see if you qualify as a special immigrant. Qualify for legal residency through extraordinary circumstances. Meet with an immigration attorney. Have your sponsor file your immigrant petition. Fill out Form I-485 and submit it to USCIS. Pay the filing fee. Schedule your biometrics services appointment. Attend your Green Card interview. Avoid traveling abroad while your application is pending. Carry your Green Card with you at all times. Do not travel outside of the U.S. Renew your Green Card 6 months prior to expiration.
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-an-AirPods-Case	How to Clean an AirPods Case	To clean an AirPods case, all you need is rubbing alcohol and a microfiber cloth. First, wipe it down with a scratch-free microfiber cloth to remove any lint, dirt, or wax. For more difficult grime, use a small amount of water or isopropyl alcohol. For the inside of the case, use a cotton swab or cotton ball to clean the charging ports. You'll also want to clean the grooves at the top of the case with a swab dampened with water or alcohol. If you notice more stubborn grime in the cracks or fissures of the case, especially around the lid, use a toothpick to gently dig it out.	Give the case general cleaning. Start by using a scratch-free microfiber cloth for a general rub-down and preliminary cleaning. Wipe down the exterior of the case, and get rid of any easy-to-remove lint, dirt, and wax. Dampen the cloth with a little liquid if necessary. You may use a little distilled water to help you along in your task; for more difficult grime, dampen the cloth using a small amount of isopropyl alcohol. But only use a very small amount of liquid. Dry is best, if possible. Your AirPods and their storage case are not resistant to liquids, so be careful to not get any fluid in the charging ports, or on the AirPods themselves. Use cotton swabs to rub free any dirt or stains on the outside of the case. A swab gives you pinpoint accuracy, and lets you muscle through the gunk. If necessary, dampen the swab with distilled water to loosen dirt and wax. If you have really difficult-to-remove, caked-on dirt to contend with, moistening the end of a swab with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol should do the trick. Get inside the charging ports as well as you can. Use a cotton swab or cotton ball to clean the charging ports—where your AirPods sleep when they're not in your ears—and other nooks and crannies. You want to remove as much dust and lint as possible from the contacts to ensure that the case continues to charge quickly and to prevent shorting out. Get into the grooves on the top of the case. Keeping these grooves clean will keep your case looking new. Dampen your swab with a little water or alcohol, as necessary. But don't use enough to soak the cotton, as you do not want drips falling into the electronics of the case. You can gently work wax and dust from these difficult areas with a swab that is only lightly dampened. Use a toothpick to work on more stubborn grime. This is where bacteria can really get a foothold. A plastic or wooden toothpick should really help you to clean out the cracks and fissures in the case, especially around the lid. Be gentle and methodical, though. Patiently work the waxy buildup free gradually without applying too much force. Here are a few other useful tools that will help you keep your AirPods case hygienic, and looking and charging like new: Tape or 'tack. Use either one to pull dirt, lint, and wax buildup free; if you're using tape, use a good-quality product that will not leave behind adhesive. Press the piece of tape or lump of tack firmly into grooves to pull wax and general buildup from the cracks on the lid and top of the case. A soft eraser. Use it to rub stubborn stains and dirt away. A soft toothbrush. Only use soft or extra-soft, and put it to work gently scrubbing dirt, dust, and lint from crevices and the Lightning connector. Rub down the case again with a microfiber cloth. Your AirPods case should be looking almost new by now. The last step is a quick finishing polish using a dry microfiber cloth. Rub the case down gently and firmly, giving it a last going over to complete the cleaning process. Give your AirPods themselves a once-over. Wipe down each AirPod carefully. If there is gunk in the grilles, gently brush it away with a toothbrush. You can use a tiny amount of isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab for dried-on wax, but be very careful not to get it near the grilles and speaker elements. Place the AirPods back in their charging case. They'll be ready for their next usage.	Give the case general cleaning. Dampen the cloth with a little liquid if necessary. Use cotton swabs to rub free any dirt or stains on the outside of the case. Get inside the charging ports as well as you can. Get into the grooves on the top of the case. Use a toothpick to work on more stubborn grime. Rub down the case again with a microfiber cloth. Give your AirPods themselves a once-over. Place the AirPods back in their charging case.
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Rough-Draft	How to Write a Rough Draft	To write a rough draft, don't worry if you make minor mistakes or write sentences that aren't perfect. You can revise them later! Also, try not to read over what you're writing as you go, which will slow you down and mess up your flow. Instead, focus on getting all of your thoughts and ideas down on paper, even if you're not sure you'll keep them in the final draft. If you get stuck, refer to your outline or sources to help you come up with new ideas.	Do a freewrite about the topic or subject. Get your creative juices flowing by doing a freewrite that focuses on the topic or subject of your paper. You may use the essay question assigned to you by your teacher as the prompt for the freewrite. Or, you may focus on describing the subject or topic in the freewrite from the perspective of your main character if you are writing a creative piece. Freewrites are a great way to get your brain warmed up and ready to write. Freewrites often work best if you give yourself a time limit, such as five minutes or ten minutes. You should then try to not take your pen off the page as you write so you are forced to keep writing about the subject or topic for the set period of time. For example, if you were writing an essay about the death penalty, you may use the prompt: “What are the possible issues or problems with the death penalty?” and write about it freely for ten minutes. Often, freewrites are also a good way to generate content that you can use later in your rough draft. You may surprised at what you realize as you write freely about the topic. Make a cluster map about the topic or subject. A cluster map is another good brainstorming tactic as it allows you to identity keywords and phrases that you can then use in your rough draft. It can also help you to determine where you stand on a certain subject or topic, especially if you are writing a persuasive essay or paper. To use the clustering method, you will place a word that describes your topic or subject in the center of your paper. You will then write keywords and thoughts around the center word. Circle the center word and draw lines away from the center to other keywords and ideas. Then, circle each word as you group them around the central word. For example, if you were trying to write a short story around a theme like “anger”, you will write “anger” in the middle of the page. You may then write keywords around “anger”, like “volcano”, “heat”, “my mother”, and “rage”. Read writing about the topic or subject. If you are writing an academic essay, you will likely need to do some form of research by reading scholarly texts on the topic or subject. Reading these texts could also help you get inspired and prepared for your rough draft. You may also make notes as you read these texts, creating key points and themes that you may explore later in your rough draft. If you are writing a creative piece, you may look for texts written about a certain idea or theme that you want to explore in your own writing. You could look up texts by subject matter and read through several texts to get ideas for your story. You might have favorite writers that you return to often for inspiration or search for new writers who are doing interesting things with the topic. You could then borrow elements of the writer's approach and use it in your own rough draft. You can find additional resources and texts online and at your local library. Speak to the reference librarian at your local library for more information on resources and texts. Make a plot outline. If you are writing a creative piece, such as a novel or a short story, you should sit down and create a plot outline. This can be a basic outline and does not need to be very detailed. Having a plot outline to refer to can help you get organized for the rough draft. You may use the snowflake method to create the plot outline. In this method, you will write a one line summary of your story, followed by a one paragraph summary, and then character synopses. You will also create a spreadsheet of scenes. Alternatively, you can use a plot diagram. In this method, you will have six sections: the set up, the inciting incident, the rising action, the climax, the falling action, and the resolution. No matter which option you chose, you should make sure your outline contains at least the inciting incident, the climax, and the resolution. Having these three elements set in your mind will make writing your rough draft much easier. Try the three act structure. Another option for creative drafts is to use the three act structure. This structure is popular in screenwriting and playwriting, but it can be used for novels and longer stories as well. The three act structure can also be sketched out quickly and can work as a roadmap for your rough draft. The three act structure is: Act 1: In Act 1, your protagonist meets the other characters in the story. The central conflict of the story is also revealed. Your protagonist should also have a specific goal that will cause them to make a decision. For example, in Act 1, you may have your main character get bitten by a vampire after a one night stand. She may then go into hiding once she discovers she has become a vampire. Act 2: In Act 2, you introduce a complication that makes the central conflict even more of an issue. The complication can also make it more difficult for your protagonist to achieve their goal. For example, in Act 2, you may have your main character realize she has a wedding to go to next week for her best friend, despite the fact she has now become a vampire. The best friend may also call to confirm she is coming, making it more difficult for your protagonist to stay in hiding. Act 3: In Act 3, you present a resolution to the central conflict of the story. The resolution may have your protagonist achieve their goal or fail to achieve their goal. For example, in Act 3, you may have your protagonist show up to the wedding and try to pretend to not be a vampire. The best friend may then find out and accept your protagonist anyway. You may end your story by having your protagonist bite the groom, turning him into her vampire lover. Create an essay outline. If you are writing an academic essay or paper, you should create an essay outline, where you have three main sections: an introductory section, a body section, and a concluding section. Though traditionally essays are written in a five paragraph structure, you do not need to have use a paragraph breakdown. Having three sections will allow you to use as many paragraphs as you need to fill each section. Your outline may look like: Section 1: Introduction, including a hook opening line, a thesis statement , and three main discussion points. Most academic essays contain at least three key discussion points. Section 2: Body paragraphs, including a discussion of your three main points. You should also have supporting evidence for each main point, from outside sources and your own perspective. Section 3: Conclusion, including a summary of your three main points, a restatement of your thesis, and concluding statements or thoughts. Have a thesis statement. If you are creating a rough draft for an academic essay or paper, you should have a thesis statement. Your thesis statement should let readers know what you are going to argue or discuss in your paper. It should act as the road map for your essay, and illustrate how you are going to address the essay question or prompt. Thesis statements are one line long and should contain an assertion, where you state an argument for discussion. For example, maybe you are creating a rough draft for a paper on gluten-intolerance. A weak thesis statement for this paper would be, “There are some positives and negatives to gluten, and some people develop gluten-intolerance.” This thesis statement is vague and does not assert an argument for the paper. A stronger thesis statement for the paper would be, “Due to the use of GMO wheat in food sold in North America, a rising number of Americans are experiencing gluten-intolerance and gluten-related issues.” This thesis statement is specific and presents an argument that will be discussed in the paper. Include a list of sources. Your outline should also include a list of sources that you are going to use for your essay. You should have several sources that you read during your research that you can them list in a bibliography or list of references. This step is only necessary if you are writing an academic essay or paper. Your professor or teacher may require you to create a bibliography using MLA style or APA style. You will need to organize your sources based on either style. Find a quiet, focused environment for writing. Eliminate any distractions around you by finding a quiet spot at school, in the library, or at home. Turn off your cellphone or put it on mute. Switch off your wi-fi and opt for pen and paper if you tend to get distracted by games on your computer. Creating a quiet spot for writing will ensure you can focus on your rough draft. You may also make sure the room is set to an ideal temperature for sitting down and writing. You may also put on some classical or jazz music in the background to set the scene and bring a snack to your writing area so you have something to munch on as you write. Start in the middle. It can be intimidating to try to come up with a great opening paragraph or a killer first line. Instead, start in the middle of the essay or story. Maybe you begin by tackling the body sections of your essay first or maybe you start with the moment of complication for your protagonist. Starting in the middle can make it easier to get words down on the page. You may also write the ending of the essay or story before you write the beginning. Many writing guides advise writing your introductory paragraph last, as you will then be able to create a great introduction based on the piece as a whole. Do not worry about making mistakes. A rough draft is not the time to try being perfect. Get messy during the rough draft process and be okay if you make mistakes or if the draft is not completely there yet. Write through clunky phrases and awkward sentences until you get into a flow. You can then address these issues once you have finished the rough draft. You should also try not to read over what you are writing as you get into the flow. Do not examine every word before moving on to the next word or edit as you go. Instead, focus on moving forward with the rough draft and getting your ideas down on the page. Use the active voice. You should also try to get into the habit of always using the active voice in your writing, even in your rough drafts. Avoid passive voice , as passive voice can end up sounding bland and boring to your reader. Active voice allows you to be direct, clear, and concise in your writing, even at the drafting stages. For example, rather than write, “It was decided by my mother that I would learn violin when I was two,” go for the active voice by placing the subject of the sentence in front of the verb, “My mother decided I would learn violin when I turned two.” You should also avoid using the verb “to be” in your writing, as this is often a sign of passive voice. Removing “to be” and focusing on the active voice will ensure your writing is clear and effective. Refer to your outline when you get stuck. If you find you get stuck during the rough draft process, do not be afraid to lean on your outline and your brainstorming materials. Maybe you refer back to your outline to remember which content you are including in a certain point in the plot or in the body section of your essay. You may also review the brainstorming materials you created before you sat down to write, such as your clustering exercise or your freewrite. Reviewing these materials could help to guide you as you write and help you focus on finishing the rough draft. You may want to take breaks if you find you are getting writer's block. Going for a walk, taking a nap, or even doing the dishes can help you focus on something else and give your brain a rest. You can then start writing again with a fresh approach after your break. Read over your rough draft and revise it. Once you have finished your rough draft, you may want to step away from it and take a break. Maybe you go for a short walk or do another activity where you do not have to think about the draft. You can then come back to it with fresh eyes and read through it. You will likely notice issues or problems to fix in your rough draft much easier if you take some time away from it. You should also read the rough draft out loud to yourself. Listen for any sentences that sound unclear or confusing. Highlight or underline them so you know they need to be revised. Do not be afraid to revise whole sections or lines of the rough draft. It is a draft, after all, and will only improve with revision. You can also read the rough draft out loud to someone else. Be willing to accept feedback and constructive criticism on the draft from the person. Getting a different perspective on your writing will often make it that much better.	Do a freewrite about the topic or subject. Make a cluster map about the topic or subject. Read writing about the topic or subject. Make a plot outline. Try the three act structure. Create an essay outline. Have a thesis statement. Include a list of sources. Find a quiet, focused environment for writing. Start in the middle. Do not worry about making mistakes. Use the active voice. Refer to your outline when you get stuck. Read over your rough draft and revise it.
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Faster-at-Running	How to Get Faster at Running	The best way to run faster is to build your speed and endurance through interval training. For example, sprint for 10 seconds, then rest by jogging for a minute, and repeat for 10 minutes. Challenge yourself by adding a few seconds to your sprinting time each week and shorten your breaks to get faster and longer over time. Additionally, make sure you use deep, steady breathing so that you're taking in enough oxygen and stay hydrated when you run.	Stretch before you run. Stretching is an important part of almost any exercise routine. Running is no exception. When you stretch, you're warming up the muscles in your body and getting them pumped up for the hard work that you're about to do. One good stretch is called "the Stork." Stand up straight. Bring one foot up behind you toward your bottom. Gently grab it with one hand (you can support yourself against a wall with your other hand if necessary). Put light tension on your leg until you feel a stretch in your quadriceps (the front of your thigh). Hold for 30 seconds, then repeat with the other leg. Focus on stretching your hips, hamstrings, quads, and calves. Give yourself a chance to warm up. Before you run, speed up your heartbeat and get your blood pumping by taking a two-minute jog. You'll get a slight boost of energy and it will be easier to focus on running quickly. As long as your warmup isn't too intense, you won't be too tired to give your run your best effort. Practice consistently. For most runners, going on a run every day or every other day is best. The key here is consistency. To see long-term results, you need to stick to your exercise schedule and slowly ramp up the difficulty over time. If you quit or fail to challenge yourself, your performance may plateau or even decrease. Use interval training to build speed and endurance. Take 10 minutes each day for an interval run. As you run, follow this pattern: sprint for 10 seconds, then rest by jogging for a minute. Repeat for 10 minutes. To challenge yourself, every week add a few seconds to your sprinting time and shorten your breaks. Over time, you will be able to run faster and longer. Invite friends to run with you. Try competing with a friend slightly faster than yourself. It will give you the motivation of winning, and it will be much more challenging than running by yourself or with someone slower than you. Don't run with someone much faster than you, or you might consider giving up. Use good running form. Adopt a proper running posture, keeping your back straight and swaying your arms held in a 90-degree angle at the elbow. Run on the balls of your feet, using them to spring off with every step. Try pushing your legs further back to give yourself a longer stride. You will get a better grip of the ground and allow yourself to bounce off the ground, and it gives you an extra boost in every step. If you ever watch Olympic sprinters, you'll notice that they almost always have very long strides. Your upper body is important too. Put a bend in your arms and pump them up and down sharply with each step. Leave your palms open, with fingers together as if you were stabbing the air. This should help you force yourself forward more easily. Use a sustainable breathing pattern. While you run, you want to be taking in enough oxygen that you can maintain a light conversation. If you can't, you're likely to run out of steam and you'll have to slow down. Deep, steady breathing will help you run more quickly in the long term. Some people breathe in through their noses for three seconds and exhale for two. See what you're comfortable with — one person's breathing style may not be best for everyone. Give yourself a time goal. Use a stopwatch to time yourself every running session. Each time, try to go just a little bit faster on the same route. The added incentive will help you push yourself to the max. Just before you reach your goal, even if it seems impossible, try to force as much power out of your body as you can and put out a burst of speed. You may be surprised by how fast you can actually go when you know you're about to reach your goal. This can improve your time drastically. Keep your eyes on the prize (literally). Even something as simple as changing the way you look ahead can make you a better runner. Try to focus your eyes on where you want to go, rather than on the area right in front of your feet. Keep focusing on new spots further down the path as you move — you won't ever feel like you're almost done, so you won't give up as easily. For example, if you're running on a straight track and you're coming to the end, try focusing on a spot far ahead of the finish line and push yourself to run there. This can help keep your motivation high until it's actually time to quit. Hydrate! If you're not meeting your biological needs, you'll have a harder time running as fast as you can. Taking a small drink of water before your run ensures your muscles have the water they need when it counts. It's also a good idea to carry a little water with you so you can take drinks as needed during your run. There is such a thing as too much water, however. Don't drink a ton of water right before running. Drink small amounts as you go, but try not to take big gulps. This will give you cramps.	Stretch before you run. Give yourself a chance to warm up. Practice consistently. Use interval training to build speed and endurance. Invite friends to run with you. Use good running form. Use a sustainable breathing pattern. Give yourself a time goal. Keep your eyes on the prize (literally). Hydrate!
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Letter-to-the-Mayor-of-Your-City	How to Write a Letter to the Mayor of Your City	To write a letter to the mayor of your city, start by addressing them using “Dear Mayor" followed by their last name. Then, use the first paragraph to briefly introduce yourself and explain how you relate to the issue you're writing about. Next, describe your issue, tell the mayor how you feel about it, and offer some suggestions for addressing it. Ask your mayor directly for help, and thank them in advance for trying to deal with your concerns. Finally, close your letter with “Sincerely,” followed by your full name.	Find the mayor's address. Look it up in your local phone book, or go to your city's website. You might also research if there's a specific committee that deals with your concern. Think about writing a separate letter to that council as well. Gather your writing materials. You'll need clean stationery and writing implements or a computer and printer. If using a computer, open a text-editing program. Fill out the envelope. Include your return address. Write this in the top left corner of the envelope: Your name Your street address Your city and zip code Include the mailing address of the mayor. Write this in the center of the envelope: Mayor J. Doe City of (your city) Street address City and zip code. Address the mayor: Dear Mayor Doe, This is the standard greeting for a mayor. For the rest of the letter, you'll want to keep a conversational and respectful tone. Don't worry about being too formal. Introduce yourself in the first paragraph. Spend three to five sentences telling them who you are in relation to the issue you'll be bringing up. For example: As a citizen/employee/member... of (city/company/organization...) Keep the intro brief. Don't provide irrelevant details about yourself. Instead, connect yourself to your concern. Describe the issue of your concern. You'll need to give specific details. Don't be afraid to use bullet points to provide facts. For example: It has come to my attention that... Only address one issue in your letter. If you have multiple concerns to bring up, write a separate letter for each issue. Tell them how you feel about the situation. Again, keep this brief, but be sure to connect yourself to the issue. For example: I am appalled by the decision to... Offer suggestions and solutions. Avoid simply complaining about a problem. Show the mayor that you've done your research. You could give examples of similar situations in other cities and effective solutions. Ask your mayor for help. Be honest with the mayor and don't feel as though you have to flatter them. Instead, be upfront about the changes you'd like to see. For example: As the Mayor of our great city, I ask that you consider other solutions. Make sure your letter is under a page, by this point. You'll want to keep it brief to ensure that it's completely read. Ideally, your letter should be between 3 and 5 paragraphs long. Thank them. Be sure to thank the mayor in advance for addressing the concern. Since your letter should be brief, offer to provide more information if needed. For example: Thank you for attention to this important issue. Sign the letter. Keep the closing address respectful and be sure to sign your name. Include your mailing address directly underneath your name so that the mayor is sure you live within their jurisdiction. For example: "Sincerely, (your name)" Proofread your letter. Look for simple spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. It can help to have someone else proofread the letter too. Make any proofreading corrections. Fix any mistakes from proofreading and then proofread again. You may catch something else as you read it another time. Print your letter. To make your letter look as professional as possible, only use black ink and print in a legible font and size, such as Times New Roman 12 point. Get or buy a stamp. Stick the stamp on the top right corner of the envelope. Be sure to use enough postage, or your letter will be returned to you. Mail your letter. After mailing your letter, you should receive some response from the mayor or their office. If you don't hear anything back after a few weeks of mailing the letter, call the office to make sure it was received.	Find the mayor's address. Gather your writing materials. Fill out the envelope. Include the mailing address of the mayor. Address the mayor: Introduce yourself in the first paragraph. Describe the issue of your concern. Tell them how you feel about the situation. Offer suggestions and solutions. Ask your mayor for help. Thank them. Sign the letter. Proofread your letter. Make any proofreading corrections. Print your letter. Get or buy a stamp. Mail your letter.
https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Smokey-Eyeshadow	How to Apply Smokey Eyeshadow	To apply smokey eyeshadow, start by choosing a dark color palette to work with. Next, apply a creamy pencil liner to your upper and lower lash line and smudge it with a small brush, your finger, or a cotton ball. Then, use a small, flat brush to sweep your eyeshadow across your lid. In order to avoid harsh lines and achieve a smokey effect, use a small, fluffy crease brush to blend the eyeshadow up into the crease of the lid using a circular motion. Finally, apply 1 to 2 coats of mascara to open up your eyes, since dark eye shadows can make your eyes look smaller.	Choose a dark color palette. To create a smokey eye, you will need to work with a dark palette. A traditional smokey eye uses blacks and grays, but you can use dark hues of almost any color. Browns, golds, purples, greens, and navy blues all also work well for smokey eyes. You will need a dark eyeliner, a medium-dark eyeshadow, and highlight shadow in the same color group to make your smokey eye. Look for colors and shades that match your skin tone. If you have very fair skin, a mid-tone shadow may be dark enough for a smokey eye with your complexion. If you have ebony skin, you'll need to use a very deep shade to create a smokey eye. Consider your eye color, as well. For instance, if you have brown eyes, you can make them stand out by creating a smokey eye with purple and golden brown tones. Think about how you want to wear your smokey eye. A lighter, more subtle look could be dressed up or down during the daytime, while a very dark, dramatic smokey eye can be a bold statement when you plan to go out for the night. Smudge eyeliner along your lash lines. A basic smokey eye usually starts with eyeliner. Use a creamy pencil liner, and run it along your upper and lower lash lines. You should keep the liner thinner on the lower lash line, but you can go a little thicker across the upper lash line. Next, smudge the liner with a small brush, your finger, or a cotton bud to soften it. Using your finger to smudge the liner will give your smokey eye a messier, grungier look if you prefer that type of makeup. Sweep a dark shade across your lid. The key to a smokey eye is using darker powder eyeshadows that give your eyes a sultry look. Use a small, flat brush to apply your chosen shade across your entire lid, even over the smudged liner. Concentrate more of the pigment on the outer corner of your eye, leaving the inner half of the lid lighter. Use a light hand as you're applying the eyeshadow. It's a lot easier to build up to the coverage you want, rather than trying to remove it if it's too dark. If you're worried about the dark shadow looking too harsh, use one that has a slightly shimmery finish. It will reflect light, and your eyes won't appear quite as dark. If you don't have a brush to apply the shadow, you can use the sponge-tip applicator that usually comes with eyeshadow to press the color onto your lid. Blend the shadow up to the crease. Once your shadow is on your lid, you'll need to blend it out to get rid of any harsh lines and create that smokey effect. Use a small, fluffy crease brush to blend the eyeshadow from the lid up into the crease using a circular, buffing motion. Take your time blending the shadow into your crease. You don't want any harsh lines or edges. If you can't diffuse enough color into the crease from your lid by blending with a bare brush, you can tap the crease brush against the shadow to pick up some additional product. Just be sure to tap off any excess so you don't apply too much. Highlight the brow bone and inner corner. Once you've finished blending the dark shadow across your eye, you want to use a light colored shadow to brighten up under your brow bone and the inner corner of your eye near the tear duct. Depending on your skin tone, apply an ivory, cream, or beige shade with a small brush to those areas. While you can use any light shade that you like to highlight, it's best to choose a shadow that doesn't have too much shimmer or glitter unless you use a metallic shadow for the lid. A matte shade is the best bet, but a satin or slight shimmer finish can also work well. Curl your lashes and add mascara. Because dark shadows can tend to make the eyes look smaller, you want to open them up as much as possible. Start by using an eyelash curler to curl and lift your lashes. Next, apply your favorite mascara to lengthen and thicken the look of your lashes so they can stand out against the dark eye makeup. You may need more than one coat of mascara to get help your lashes stand out with the darker makeup. Make sure not to apply too much, though, or lashes may start to clump. Use an eye primer. You always want your makeup to look fresh all day, but it's especially important with dark eyeshadows that fade and crease more noticeably. Before you apply any shadows to your eyes, dab on an eye primer. It will form a barrier between the oils in your lid and the shadow, so it stays looking fresh. Primer can also help intensify the shadows that you layer over it. If you don't have a specific eye primer on hand, apply a little concealer or foundation to your eyelids before using any eyeshadows. Next, dust the lids with translucent powder to create a smooth base. Use a light base shade over the entire lid. To begin your smokey eye look, choose a light shade of powdered eyeshadow that flatters your skin tone, such as a white, ivory, cream, beige, or tan. Use a brush or a sponge-tip applicator to apply it over the entire eyelid, from your upper lashline to under your brow. Dab a little in the inner corner of your eyes as well. It's best to use a matte shadow as your base shade. Press a medium dark shade over the base of your eyelid. Start to add depth to your eye look by applying a medium dark tone to your eyelid with a flat shader brush or a sponge-tip applicator. Keep the shadow on the lid and crease area, so your brow bone remains brightened by the base shade. You may want to apply multiple layers of the medium dark shade to get it to the depth and intensity that you prefer. The pigment should be darkest near your lashes and fade gradually in the crease so that it blends seamlessly with the lighter shade. Apply the darkest shade to the outer corner and crease. To really make your smokey eye look sultry and dramatic, you'll want to work in an even darker shade. Use a pointed crease brush to work the shade into the outer corner of the eye. Start at the outer edge of the lash line and create a diagonal line toward the end of your brow. When you reach the crease, drag the brush inward to darken up that area. You'll effectively create a “V” shape at the corner of your eye. Make sure to blend the dark shadow well, so there are no harsh lines or edges. You may want to switch to a clean, fluffy brush after you're done applying the shadow to soften it. If the dark shadow isn't as dark as you'd like, layer it until you build it up to the intensity that you prefer. Line your upper lashline. Use a creamy eyeliner pencil in black or another dark shade to add definition to your upper lashes, moving from the outer corner to the inner corner. The color should be at least as dark as your darkest shadow, if not darker. Smudge out the liner, and then press a powder shadow in a similar color to the liner over it with a small pencil brush to darken it up further. You can use a brush or a cotton swab to smudge the liner. It's best not to use your finger, though, because it can make the look seem a little messy. If you don't have a brush or cotton swab, a sponge tip applicator can work. Add liner to your lower lashline. With the same pencil that you used on your upper lashline, line your lower lashes. Keep the liner as close to your lashline as possible, though. Next, use a brush or cotton swab to soften the line to give it a smokier look. If you want a really sultry smokey eye, consider applying the dark eyeliner to your inside rim of your lower lash line, also known as the water line. Pull lightly on your lower lid to expose the area, and gently run the liner over it. Apply mascara or false lashes. Finish off your smokey eye by defining your lashes. Use an eyelash curler to curl your lashes, and apply several coats of your favorite black mascara. If you've used very dark shadows or just want a bolder look, though, you may want to Apply False Eyelashes to really add drama. Don't forget to apply a little mascara to your lower lashes too. Apply your eye makeup first. Many people start with their face makeup, and move onto the eyes later. However, when you apply eyeshadow, pigmented dust can fall onto your face. This is called fallout, and when you're using really dark shadows, it can be difficult to get rid of the specks on your face without ruining your foundation and concealer. That's why it's best to do your eye makeup first and then apply your face products. If you just prefer to do your face makeup first, apply a generous amount of loose translucent powder beneath your eyes before applying your shadow. The powder will catch any fallout, and you can just sweep it away with a brush when you're finished with your eyes. Keep the rest of your makeup subtle. When you're wearing a bold, smokey eye, it's usually best to tone down the rest of your look. That means wearing a bright red lip or super shimmery blush with a dramatic black smokey eye isn't always the best choice. Instead, opt for light, neutral shades, such as a nude lip color and a matte neutral blush, so your eyes are the star of your look. Keep in mind that they are no rules in makeup. If you feel like wearing a bold red lip with your smokey eye, go for it. However, if you're new to smokey eye looks, it's best to start slow with a soft pink or nude lip. Add color to your cheeks. While you typically don't want to go too bold with the rest of your makeup, it's important to add some color to your face with a smokey eye. That's because the dark eyeshadows can make you look pale and almost sickly. Apply a rosy or peachy blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend it back toward your hairline to liven up your skin. If you're not a fan of blush, swap it for your favorite bronzer. Dust it over the tops of your cheekbones to add warmth and color to your skin.	Choose a dark color palette. Smudge eyeliner along your lash lines. Sweep a dark shade across your lid. Blend the shadow up to the crease. Highlight the brow bone and inner corner. Curl your lashes and add mascara. Use an eye primer. Use a light base shade over the entire lid. Press a medium dark shade over the base of your eyelid. Apply the darkest shade to the outer corner and crease. Line your upper lashline. Add liner to your lower lashline. Apply mascara or false lashes. Apply your eye makeup first. Keep the rest of your makeup subtle. Add color to your cheeks.
https://www.wikihow.com/Wear-a-Black-Skirt	How to Wear a Black Skirt	Black skirts are a versatile and stylish addition to any wardrobe. For a more casual look, pair your black skirt with a solid colored t-shirt, graphic tee, or crop top. To finish the outfit, wear flats, sandals, or fashion sneakers and some fun costume jewelry. If you want a more professional look, tuck a button-up shirt into your black skirt. To mimic a skirt suit, wear a blazer over your blouse. To complete the look, pick classic dress shoes or booties and keep your accessories to a minimum.	Wear a t-shirt on top for a dressed down look. Pick a solid color t-shirt or a graphic tee, depending on the occasion. A plain t-shirt creates a casual chic look, while a graphic tee looks playful and edgy. For example, you could pair a pale pink t-shirt with a black maxi or a-line skirt for a breezy spring look. For a weekend or festival outfit, wear your favorite band's t-shirt with a black denim skirt. Pair a crop top with your black pencil or maxi skirt for a weekend look. Wearing a crop top gives your entire outfit a fun, summer vibe, even if you're wearing a classic black skirt. Both a cropped t-shirt and a tube top can work with a black skirt. Pick a neutral color to keep things down-to-earth, or choose a bold color or pattern for an eye-catching outfit. For example, you might wear a simple white crop top with a black pencil skirt while going out to brunch. If you were planning to go to a music festival, you might spice up your outfit by picking a leopard print crop top. Opt for a plaid or chambray shirt for a relaxed style. Both long-sleeved and short-sleeved button-up shirts work with black skirts. Wear your shirt buttoned for a casual chic look, or tie the ends together for a playful style. This type of shirt works best with a pencil or a-line skirt. There are 2 ways you can wear this look. Choose a flannel plaid for an edgy or punk look. Alternatively, pick a preppy plaid for a classic look. You might look like you're drowning in fabric if you wear this kind of top with a maxi skirt because both pieces are loose. Choose flats, sandals, or fashion sneakers for a casual look. Flats work great for a feminine or casual chic style. Similarly, sandals work great for spring and summer day and weekend looks. If you'd like to dress down your skirt, wear fashion sneakers like Converse or Keds to complete your outfit. For instance, you might wear a pair of Converse low tops with a black denim skirt and graphic tee. Alternatively, pair a white tube top and a black pencil skirt with leopard print ballet flats or shiny gold sandals. Accessorize with costume jewelry or simple pieces. Skip the diamonds and gemstones if you're going for a casual look. Instead, layer long necklaces, choose a chunky plastic bracelet or necklace, or stick to a simple chain. Minimal accessories will help you achieve the perfect day or weekend look! For instance, wear long beaded necklaces with a black maxi skirt and t-shirt to create a boho vibe. If you're wearing a crop top, you might pick a choker or chunky plastic beads. Pair a black skirt with a button-up shirt for an easy work outfit. A tailored button-up shirt pairs well with a black pencil skirt, a-line, or midi skirt for a simple office look. Choose a plain colored shirt or a simple pattern, like polka dots or stripes. Tuck the shirt into your skirt so it looks polished. Consider wearing a belt over the waist of your skirt to pull the look together. For instance, you might wear a wide belt with a button-up shirt and a-line skirt. Tuck a blouse into a pencil skirt for a classic look. Both short-sleeved and long-sleeved blouses look great with a pencil skirt. Choose a solid color blouse if you're going for a polished look, or wear a fun print if your office culture encourages creative expression. For example, you might wear a red silk blouse with your pencil skirt if you're going for a conservative look. As another option, you might wear a floral print or polka dot blouse for a professional look that's fun. Wear a blazer over your skirt to mimic a skirt suit. Pick a basic black blazer for a polished all-black look. As another option, choose a blazer in a bold color to get noticed. Wear your blazer over a camisole, silk blouse, or button-up shirt. For example, you might wear a black blazer over a white button-up shirt and a pencil skirt for a style that's both feminine and masculine. As another option, pair a pale blue blazer with a white camisole and black a-line skirt for a fresh look. Wear a pair of tights if you're concerned about showing off skin. You don't necessarily need to wear tights with a work look. However, you might decide to wear them if you don't like exposing your legs at work or your workplace culture is a bit conservative. Choose black or solid-color tights to complement a work outfit. During spring and summer, stick to sheer black or colored tights. During the fall and winter, pick opaque tights for more warmth. Pick classic dress shoes or booties to complete your look. Ballet flats, pumps, kitten heels, and ankle boots are all great for a work look. If your outfit features neutral colors, you might add a pop of color or a print with a fun shoe. However, stick to a neutral shoe if your top is a fun color or print. Additionally, pick shoes that are comfortable enough for you to wear them all day. For instance, bright pink or leopard print shoes might make a plain black and white outfit more playful. On the other hand, simple black flats might pull together a purple polka-dot blouse and black pencil skirt. Keep your accessories to a minimum. Generally, less is more when it comes to accessorizing a work look. Choose a simple pair of earrings, a plain necklace, or a thin bracelet if you want to wear accessories. However, it's totally okay if you don't want to accessorize. For instance, you might wear diamond studs or a sterling silver chain. Pair a pencil skirt with a peplum top to create an hourglass figure. A peplum top is fitted on the top part of the shirt and flowy at the bottom. When you pair it with a tight skirt, it creates a defined waist and emphasizes your hips. Wear a peplum top over your pencil skirt to create a classic hourglass shape. A peplum top looks great on all shapes and sizes, and it can hide a tummy if you have one. You can add a belt to a flowy top to mimic a peplum top. Choose a silky or sparkly top for a night out on the town. A silky, sequined or glittery top looks great for clubbing or special events. Pair your top with a black mini skirt if you want to show off some skin, or wear it with a long pencil or satin skirt for a more elegant look. If you're going to a club, pick a silky, sequined or glittery top that has thin straps or is a crop top. For an elegant event, choose a top that's sleeveless or long-sleeved. Pick a shiny, sparkly, or embellished black skirt for a more formal look. While you can dress up a basic black skirt, wearing a skirt that's formal on its own will add a layer of sophistication to your outfit. Look for a skirt that's silk or satin to mimic the look of a formal gown, or go with a sequined or glittery skirt for a special occasion look. As another option, look for skirts that are embellished with bows or lace for a classic feminine look. A billowy satin skirt will look nice at an evening formal, while a short silk skirt might work well for a cocktail party. A long sequined skirt makes for a great party look, while a short sequined skirt might work well for dancing. For a wedding or date night, you might pick a skirt with a bow or lace. Wear heels, ballet flats, or strappy sandals for an evening look. If you're showing off a lot of skin, strappy sandals might be your best choice. On the other hand, simple black pumps or ballet flats can complete an elegant look. For example, you might wear strappy gold sandals to the club, ballet flats on a date night, or black heels to a formal event. Complete your look with statement jewelry. Choose bold jewelry, like a statement necklace. Similarly, wear real gems if you have them. Pick pieces that are going to add some glamour to your look. For instance, wear a gold collar necklace over a silky top. If you're wearing a sparkly top, pair it with a chunky diamond bracelet or big diamond earrings. Keep your legs warm with a pair of tights. Choose thick, opaque tights to help you stay warm. For work, go with black or solid colored tights. For the weekend, you can also try patterned tights. Basic black tights can go with any outfit. If you want to try colors, pick a color that's part of your outfit or that complements the colors in your outfit. Wear high fashion boots to provide more warmth. Look for boots that are knee-high or thigh-high. Layer these boots over a pair of tights to stay warm on cold days. Ideally, the hem of your skirt should end at least 1 in (2.5 cm) above the top of your boots or should completely cover the top of your boots. Pair your skirt with a long-sleeved top or sweater. Your can layer your long-sleeved top under a sleeveless blouse or wear it alone. If you decide to wear a sweater, choose a form-fitting pullover or belt the sweater to create a defined waist. For instance, a tight cashmere sweater or turtle neck will look great with a pencil skirt. Alternatively, belting a chunky sweater over a slim maxi skirt will create a casual chic look. Choose an overcoat that's shorter than your skirt. An overcoat is essential for staying warm, but it can look weird if your skirt disappears below it. Instead, wear a coat that lets your skirt peer out from underneath it. For instance, a classic peacoat will look nice over your black skirt. Complete your outfit with cute accessories that keep you warm. Accessories like hats, scarves, wraps, gloves, and leg warmers help you avoid the winter chill. Choose accessories that fit the look you're trying to achieve. For instance, you might try the following: If you're going for a casual look, a beanie with a matching scarf and gloves will look cute. A wrap scarf helps you stay warm but fits well with a classic, formal, or feminine look. A faux fur stole looks nice for a holiday party or date night. A cashmere or faux fur hat are great options for a dressed up look. If you've styled your hair and don't want to wear a hat, a thicker scarf and furry earmuffs can help you stay warm while you're outside.	Wear a t-shirt on top for a dressed down look. Pair a crop top with your black pencil or maxi skirt for a weekend look. Opt for a plaid or chambray shirt for a relaxed style. Choose flats, sandals, or fashion sneakers for a casual look. Accessorize with costume jewelry or simple pieces. Pair a black skirt with a button-up shirt for an easy work outfit. Tuck a blouse into a pencil skirt for a classic look. Wear a blazer over your skirt to mimic a skirt suit. Wear a pair of tights if you're concerned about showing off skin. Pick classic dress shoes or booties to complete your look. Keep your accessories to a minimum. Pair a pencil skirt with a peplum top to create an hourglass figure. Choose a silky or sparkly top for a night out on the town. Pick a shiny, sparkly, or embellished black skirt for a more formal look. Wear heels, ballet flats, or strappy sandals for an evening look. Complete your look with statement jewelry. Keep your legs warm with a pair of tights. Wear high fashion boots to provide more warmth. Pair your skirt with a long-sleeved top or sweater. Choose an overcoat that's shorter than your skirt. Complete your outfit with cute accessories that keep you warm.
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Seven-Nation-Army-on-Guitar	How to Play Seven Nation Army on Guitar	The song “Seven Nation Army” is a great choice if you want to play something on guitar for your friends or family. To play the main riff, you'll start on “G,” followed by the 5th fret on “D,” the 7th fret on “A” 3 times, the 5th fret on “A,” the 3rd fret on “A,” the 2nd fret on “A,” and an open “E.” Turn your bass up to 8, and increase your “presence” setting to 8 as well if your amp has it. When you transition to the chorus, you'll need to play a “G” power chord followed by an “A” power chord. The chorus begins with an “E” power chord, which you should strum twice. Then, slide down to the 10th fret for a “G” power chord. After this, follow the same pattern for the riff but with power chords for the rest of the chorus.	Learn the bass note riff at the centre of the song to guide your playing. This is the iconic set of notes that the song begins with, played on the bass. The exact same riff is repeated through the verse and chorus, though Jack White plays the notes as power chords on the guitar. If you can learn the basic riff, however, you can add the chords in later with ease. The bass riff looks like: {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c5\/Play-Seven-Nation-Army-on-Guitar-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Play-Seven-Nation-Army-on-Guitar-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c5\/Play-Seven-Nation-Army-on-Guitar-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid2526834-v4-728px-Play-Seven-Nation-Army-on-Guitar-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} G\|-------------------------------------\| D\|----------5---------------------------\| A\|--7--7------7-5-3-2-----------------\| E\|--0-----------------------------------\| In the real song, this is only a bass guitar riff. But you can crank up the distortion or use an octave pedal to mimic the sound on an electric guitar. Use your index finger, sliding it around the neck, as much as possible. Get used to moving your whole hand fluidly across the guitar to master the above riff. Use your index finger to fret as much as possible instead of switching fingers -- you'll need your ring and pinkie free to make chords later on. Listen closely and you can hear Jack White sliding around the guitar. It is most pronounced right before he launches into the riff, sliding into that 7th fret note. Learn the implied guitar chords for the verse. If you were to play the song with just an acoustic guitar, for example, you'd need to know the chord melodies. But these chords could be used for any cover or version -- look at Marcus Collins version, which uses rhythm guitar in the verse where the original has none. To play chord melodies, simply play the following chords -- each chord times up to the same note in the bass riff above. E (7th fret, 5th string) G (5th fret, 4th string) D (5th fret, 5th string) C (3rd fret, 5th string B (2nd fret, 5th string These can be played as straight chords or powerchords. Fix up your amp. To get a real "White Stripes" sound from your guitar, your amp needs to be adjusted a little. Don't worry, you're not opening anything up, just change the settings a little. You'll need quite a bit of gain, try turning that up to 8. To even that out, keep your treble all the way up to 7 or 8 too. Keeps the mids at 5 while the bass should be pumped up to 8. If your amp has an effect called "Presence", turn that up to 8 too. Review you power chords if you've never used them. Power chords are simple 2-finger chords used for big, brash, and quick songs. If you've never made them, they are actually easy to build. Start with your index finger on any fret on the top two strings -- use the first note of the Seven Nation Army riff (7th fret, 5th string) to start. Now, simply place your ring finger one string and two frets down, on the 9th fret, 4th string. Only play these two strings -- this is your power chord For even bigger, better chords, add your pinky on the string and fret below your ring finger (9th fret, 3rd string), so your final chord has three notes. The note your index finger is on determines the chord. Since the note in the example is an E, this is an E power chord. Learn the two-chord bridge into the chorus. This is the section that begins with the words (in the first verse, at least) "and the message in my eyes..." As he says this you should: Hit a G power chord (3rd fret, 6th string) for one full measure. Switch to an A power chord (5th fret, 6th string) or an open A (2nd fret, 2nd-4th strings) for one full measure. Start the chorus with two strums of an E power chord. You want to start with one big strum, followed up by a shorter one. In case you've forgotten, an E power chord looks like this: e\|--X-- B\|--X-- G\|--X-- D\|-(9)- A\|--9-- E\|--7-- Slide your whole power chord down to the 10th fret to play a G. You want to practice keeping the same finger shape together as you move across the neck, since power chords all of the same shape. After the second, quicker strum, jump quickly up to the 10th fret and strum it once. This chord takes the place of the 5th fret, 3rd string shown in the bass riff above. e\|--XX-- B\|--XX-- G\|--XX-- D\|-(12)- A\|--12-- E\|--10-- Slide right back to the E chord for one quick strum. From here on out, you'll be repeating the bass riff, just with power chords. Hit the E one more time on you way back up the guitar. Hit the 5th fret, D power chord as you slide back up the neck. Your next chord is another power chord, the 5th fret on the 5th string. e\|--X-- B\|--X-- G\|--X-- D\|-(7)- A\|--7-- E\|--5-- Keep moving to the 3rd fret power chord. Keep on following the bass riff. The chord is still the same shape. This is a C power cord, sometimes called a C5. e\|--X-- B\|--X-- G\|--X-- D\|-(5)- A\|--5-- E\|--3-- Land the last power chord on the 2nd fret, then repeat the entire thing. The last chord is the B and is located on the 2nd fret of the 5th string. Once you've hit this, there is a brief pause before you simply repeat the chords once more for the chorus. e\|--X-- B\|--X-- G\|--X-- D\|-(4)- A\|--4-- E\|--2-- Listen to the song repeatedly to learn the rhythm and order of the song. "Seven Nation Army" is simple, and doesn't have any vigorous strumming. After learning all of the power chords, you need to learn the actual song. There are three parts: a verse, a chorus, and a bridge. Listen to the song to see how the music changes during these parts. The Verse is only bass and drums. You can, however, play the chords of the song, or play the bass riff on guitar. The bridge is simply your way in and out of the chorus. At the end of the verse, right before jumping into the power chords, play the two chord bridge. You also play it after the chorus, right before going into the verse again. The chorus is your power chord riff. This exact same riff is also played behind the guitar solo. Internalize the rhythm from the bass guitar, as it is the same one used in the solo. The guitar solo in "Seven Nation Army" isn't technically difficult. But rhythmically it is almost in perfect tune with the iconic bass riff from the beginning of the song. This this powerful, plodding, and deliberate rhythm is key to making the solo sound nice. If you need, review and learn the bass line before the solo. It is easy enough and will help immensely. All you're doing is taking the following sets of notes, and putting them through the same rhythm as the bass solo. Start part one of the solo on the 9th fret, 3rd string. The solo has two parts -- both of which follow the style of the bass riff. The first half starts on the 9th string, playing the 9th string repeatedly in place of the held root note in the bass riff. After leaving the 9th, keep playing the rest of the notes as if they were the bass guitar. Play this riff twice. \|G\|-----9~~--9-9-9-9/12b--11~---9~~-9-12-14-12--12-12/14-12-11----- Move down to the 12th fret on the 1st string to kick the solo up a notch. This riff is when the guitar really starts to squeal. Keep practising, playing along with the song, to get the feel for the bends. Note, as well, how much vibrato (when you "shake" a note, as indicated by the "~") is used to give the notes flavor and attitude. \|e\|-----12--12-15-12-12-15b--14~~----12--12-15-17-15--15-15/17-15-14~~----- Replay the last section, avoiding the high-pitched notes on the 17th fret, to end the solo. The last little section of the song sounds great if you play the B-string occasionally as well, barring both strings on the same fret. This can add some of the body and power to your solo as you're playing, helping you capture some of the attitude of the original. \|e\|-----12--12-14-12-12-15b-15~~----12--12-14-12-12-14-12. Use the bridge chords as your outro. Once the solo is over, quickly play the 13th and 12th frets on the B-string (2nd string). Then jump into a quiet rendition of your bridge -- the G and A power chords-- to transition back into the verse. If you know how, palm mute these last two chords for the best effect.	Learn the bass note riff at the centre of the song to guide your playing. Use your index finger, sliding it around the neck, as much as possible. Learn the implied guitar chords for the verse. Fix up your amp. Review you power chords if you've never used them. Learn the two-chord bridge into the chorus. Start the chorus with two strums of an E power chord. Slide your whole power chord down to the 10th fret to play a G. Slide right back to the E chord for one quick strum. Hit the 5th fret, D power chord as you slide back up the neck. Keep moving to the 3rd fret power chord. Land the last power chord on the 2nd fret, then repeat the entire thing. Listen to the song repeatedly to learn the rhythm and order of the song. Internalize the rhythm from the bass guitar, as it is the same one used in the solo. Move down to the 12th fret on the 1st string to kick the solo up a notch. Replay the last section, avoiding the high-pitched notes on the 17th fret, to end the solo. Use the bridge chords as your outro.
https://www.wikihow.com/Control-Erosion	How to Control Erosion	To control erosion, start by planting grasses or groundcover plants that grow quickly and put down thick roots, which help hold soil together. Then, add a layer of mulch or brush to help your soil retain moisture and promote a good growing environment. When your groundcover has grown, plant structural trees, like willow or black locust, to stabilize the land and prevent further erosion. After several seasons with limited or no erosion, plant the grasses, trees, and shrubs that you want permanently on your land.	Know about erosion. Erosion is a natural process that loosens and sweeps away soil and rock material. It is caused either by geological or man-made factors. The process of erosion happens through natural forces including water, wind, and ice. Geological erosion and man-made erosion are the two major classifications of erosion. There are two major classifications of erosion: (1) geological erosion, and (2) man-made erosion. Geological erosion occurs naturally when the distribution of soils is disturbed in some manner, either through soil formation or soil removal. Man-made erosion happens when humans alter the land and it can accelerate the natural erosion process. This is a common type of erosion at construction sites. Understand what makes erosion worse. There are many factors than can contribute to erosion including climate and topography. Knowing about the factors that cause erosion will help you identify the source of your erosion and develop the best plan to control it. Factors than can contribute to erosion include soil characteristics, climate, rainfall intensity and duration, vegetation or other surface cover, and topography. Understanding the factors that affect erosion makes it possible to predict the extent and consequences of onsite erosion. When people remove vegetation, disturb the soil, change natural drainage patterns, or cover the ground with surfaces such as buildings or pavement, this can also cause erosion. Know the risk for erosion on your land. Before you cultivate your land or undertake any construction projects, assess your land for erosion potential. Checking vegetation, drainage, and considering climate will all help you avoid any problems with erosion later on. If you are comfortable that you know enough about erosion, you can make the assessment yourself. You can also hire a professional to assess your land and identify any areas that might be prone to erosion. If there are any areas on your land about which you're unsure, consult a professional so that you don't have any problems down the road. It's best to control erosion when you notice it. Early action will ensure that a small problem doesn't become a big issue. Check your land often. By checking your land often, you will be able to see the early signs of erosion and act accordingly before the problem occurs or deteriorates. Look for signs of erosion. Erosion appears differently depending on the natural features in your region, but there are a few fairly universal telltale signs. Look near areas where the land has been disturbed by construction or natural occurrences that might have washed away the soil. You'll often find erosion near culverts, pipes that move water under a trail or road. The best time to check for erosion is after heavy rains or other forms of extreme weather such as tornadoes or ice storms. Check for spots without vegetation. Hillsides and slopes often have places where no trees or plants grow. You might see a buildup of soil below them. Look for exposed plant roots. The soil might be washing or blowing off the top of roots that aren't normally exposed to the elements. Look for exposed rock. If you notice new boulders that seem to be getting bigger each year, the soil might be receding around them. Look for channels and gullies. These are areas where water and wind have been able to cut through the soil, forming shallow channels or deeper gullies. This is a major sign of erosion that can lead to big problems if left unaddressed. Look for muddy or dirty water. This is a sign that soil is running off and likely eroding. Go outside when it's raining. A heavy rain will indicate where the water is forming channels and washing away the topsoil. You need this information in order to know how to best protect your land from further erosion. Here's what to look for: Watch where the water runs. On healthy land, the blow of each raindrop is absorbed by a plant before it hits the ground, where it is then quickly absorbed. In problem areas, where there's no groundcover, it pounds the ground and breaks up the soil, then washes it away. Watch which direction it seems to be running and where it collects. Look for standing puddles that are muddy or dirty. Muddy puddles where the water isn't being absorbed correctly could be a sign of erosion in that area. Look at the color of the water in streams. In a healthy area, rainwater should be quickly absorbed into the ground and surrounding streams should run clear. In areas with erosion, you might see the streams get very muddy from soil runoff during a rainstorm. Make a plan. The only real remedy for erosion is stabilizing the soil and returning it to its natural state. The process by which you go about this task will be different depending on the state of your land and the location of the erosion. If you have light sheet erosion, which occurs on relatively flat areas of land, you can plant vegetation right away. You'll start with temporary groundcover to hold the soil together, then gradually move on to adding native plants that will restore the land to its naturally healthy state. You may want to protect certain areas from further erosion by erecting barriers, such as rock piles. If you have channels on your land, they'll need to be broken up in order to prevent them from creating gullies. If you have gullies, it will be necessary to use structures and digging techniques to support the soil before you can plant anything. If you try to plant seeds in a gully, they'll just wash away in the rain. Call the Soil Conservation Service to ask for advice. If you're not sure how to proceed, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can be a great resource for developing an erosion control plan. You can use the NCRS website at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/national/home/. You can also call the NRCS local service centers for your area to discuss your erosion problem. The NCRS website has a list of all local service centers at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/contact/local/. You may also ask them to dispatch an expert to help you determine the best way to control your erosion. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/ Plant emergency cover. You can plant emergency cover immediately on bare soil that is relatively flat and doesn't have deep channels or gullies. Emergency cover plants are usually grasses or other groundcover plants that grow very quickly, putting down thick roots that will hold the soil together so it doesn't wash away during the next rain. Check with your local nursery to figure out which fast-growing ground covers work well in your region. It's best to plant a mix of plants, rather than just one, so that you have backups in case one type doesn't take hold. Use a hoe or garden rake to work compost or manure into the soil. You can also use a light fertilizer if you want. This will help nourish the seeds and give them the best chance of growing. Add a layer of mulch or brush mats. Mulches and mats will add a layer to your soil and help it retain moisture. They also promote an environment for starting and growing plants. Mulches can be made out of grass clippings, leaves, straw, sawdust, bark chips and straw. For hillsides and places where you fear the mulch will wash away, lay a brush mat over the area to protect the seeds. Here's how to make one: Lay out long pieces of brush in a vertical pattern. Lay more brush pieces horizontally across the vertical pieces. You can attach them with small pieces of thin wire or twine or even use an organic glue or wood fiber. Plant structural trees. Once the groundcover has grown, you can plant structural trees to further stabilize the land. This will also help prevent further erosion. Make sure to plant trees native to your area to ensure that they can survive in the climate. In general, willow trees, black locust trees and elderberries are good selections for this purpose. Space them so that the entire area under threat will be served by the tree root system. You don't want to choose trees that require digging a big hole and disturbing the soil, because it's still too fragile for that. Rather, choose a type of tree that roots easily from a cutting and grows quickly. Growing a line of trees around a farm, if possible, can be a good idea for preventing most mechanical methods of erosion. A special modification of this is the riparian vegetation that is grown at the interface of any land and water line. The intention is to prevent the soils from migrating into the water line, or to prevent the water from seeping onto the land and carrying the soils away with it. Plant permanent vegetation. After several seasons, when you're confident the area is stable, plant more permanent vegetation. Make sure to plant native species in the area or that will thrive in your climate. Talk with an expert at your local nursery to find out which plants and trees grow well in your region. It's important to stick with native species, since they'll have the best chance of surviving and preventing further erosion from occurring. Trees, grasses, and shrubs are all excellent types of permanent vegetation that will help stabilize the land. You can also speak to the NCRS about the most optimal vegetation to plant. Know that barriers are best left to professionals. If the erosion on your land is serious, you may consider using barriers to control erosion. But this can be a risky measure that further damages your property or that of your neighbors. It's best to consult with professionals on that matter. The NCRS local service office can suggest a professional to help you deal with the erosion on your land. Choose the appropriate kind of barrier. If you decide to erect your own barriers without the help of a professional, you need to choose the appropriate kind of barrier for your land. Erosion controls often involve the creation of a physical barrier, such as vegetation or rock, to absorb some of the energy of the wind or water that is causing the erosion. On construction sites they're often implemented in conjunction with sediment controls such as sediment basins and silt fences. Other types of barriers are: dikes, dams, rock lining, sediment traps, and storm drain outlet protection. Use rubble or riprap. Rock lining, also called riprap, will protect channel or waterway banks from water flow that erodes it. Use riprap to stabilize stream banks or below concentrated flows of water. You can also use it on slopes. Riprap is made of from different kinds of rock including granite or limestone. Some places may also use concrete as riprap. Consider digging contour trenches. This technique is useful if you're worried that water runoff will wash the seeds and mulch away down a hillside. A contour trench is a shallow trench dug along the contour of a hillside so that it runs perpendicular to the flow of water. The purpose is to catch the water and give it time to sink into the soil before it runs off the hill. Dig a few short trenches around the side of the hill. Each one should be 6 inches (15.2 cm) deep and 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 m) apart. Groundcover can be planted below the trenches and this will protect them from being washed out. Break up channels. A channel is a spot where running water cuts into the soil and forms a rut. By filling the channel with compost or manure, you will help prevent further erosion. If a channel increases in size with each rain, it can eventually form a gully, which is harder to address. Stop a channel before it turns into a gully by using a hoe to break it up. Fill it in with compost or manure and rake the area so that it's flat and smooth. After breaking up a channel, replant it with vegetation according to the system outlined above. Reduce the flow of water into gullies. Gullies are channels that have cut deep into the earth. By reducing gullies, you'll not only control erosion, but also allow the surrounding vegetation to thrive. Once enough topsoil and subsoil has been washed away, there's no barrier to keep heavy rains from washing away soil. When a gully cuts below the water table, it sucks away the water from the surrounding area, killing trees and vegetation on either side. Reduce the amount of water pouring into gullies by addressing the situation at the top of the gully. There are probably bare spots and other signs of sheet erosion that you can work to fix by planting groundcover immediately. This will help the water absorb into the soil instead of flowing into the gully. While some people recommend building diversion channels to make the water flow elsewhere, this usually just creates a new problem - namely, a new channel that could become a new gully. It's better to work on fixing the gully once and for all. Build a check dam or dike to stabilize the soil or gully bottom. In addition to controlling water, it's important to stabilize the land, including the bottom of a gully, to keep it from getting any deeper. To do that, build a check dam, which is a small series of dikes that slow water flow so that the ground can recover. Choose your dam material. You can use rocks, poles, planks, or another sturdy material. You can pack holes with straw or brush. Each dam will be about 2 feet (0.6 m) high. Dig the first dam into the sides of the gully. Construct your dam by placing material across the gully so that it touches the bottom and digs into the walls on either side, so that the water can't flow around it. Make a notch in the middle. The middle of the dam should have a space where water can get through; otherwise it'll just find a way around the dam. Make a rock apron on the other side. The water needs a place to land on the other side so that its impact is reduced. Put a bed of rocks in front of the dam. Construct more small dams or dikes to form a series. Depending on the size of the gully, put in several more dams. The system works most effectively if the dams are close together, so the water can't pick up much speed in between them. Grade the slopes on the sides of the gully. Once your check dam is in place, level out the gully. The aim is to gradually level the gully by grading the sides so that the bottom fills in over time. Use a shovel, a pick axe or another appropriate tool to begin knocking dirt from the sides of the gully into the bottom. It can take weeks or even months to finish the job, because each new rain is a bit of a setback. Monitor the progress of your work after bad weather. Any time there is bad weather, check your work to make sure it is holding and not causing more erosion. If more dirt slides down the sides of the gully, keep working to level them to a gentler angle. Make sure the check dams are working sufficiently. You might need to add more small dams, adjust the length of the sides, replace the aprons, and so on to ensure that water isn't still cutting the gully deeper when it rains. Plant the area. When your dam and leveling work has sufficiently slowed the gully's growing cycle, you can plant it using the process above. Start with groundcover, use fast-growing trees to stabilize the area, and after a few seasons of healthy growth, plant native species that will return the land to its natural state. Minimize land disturbance. As much as possible, try not to disturb the soil in the area under concern. Removing trees and plants, driving heavy equipment over the area, clearing an area larger than you need, and many other practices used on construction sites can lead to erosion. Don't till. The predominant technique agriculturists use for erosion control is the no till method. This method, also known as conservation tillage, is farming practiced with a minimum amount of tilling. The tillage process, while enriching for the crop, also displaces the soil layers and makes it loose. Such a loose soil layer is more prone to erosion. Agricultural practices that can produce a good crop without necessitating tilling are being put into use as a measure for erosion control. Consider contour farming. Contour farming is very commonly practiced on sloping land areas. This form of agriculture is effective at controlling erosion because it slows the runoff of rainwater considerably. In contour farming, planes of land are constructed by cutting off the land according to its contours. Small plane walls, called bunds, are erected along the contours of the land. Agriculture is practiced in the areas that these contours create. The effectiveness of this form of agriculture lies in the fact that the horizontally flat lands, together with the bunds, slow the runoff of rainwater considerably. Enrich the soil. Erosion control is not just about preventing the soil from getting washed or swept away. Methods to enrich whatever soil is present are also covered under erosion control practices. One example is keeping the land fallow. Here, after three or four successive seasons of farming, the land is planted with a cover crop for one season. During this time, the soil can regenerate, gaining back some of the nutrients lost in the previous seasons. Another method is to grow a single crop before the main cropping season in order to provide nutrients to the soil. Growing a leguminous crop can provide nitrogen to the soil because these crops can harbor the beneficial nitrogen-fixing Rhizome in their root nodules. Use mulch and compost. Methods like adding mulch, fertilizers, etc., all contribute to increasing the productivity of the soil, and are also covered under erosion control.	Know about erosion. Understand what makes erosion worse. Know the risk for erosion on your land. Check your land often. Look for signs of erosion. Go outside when it's raining. Make a plan. Call the Soil Conservation Service to ask for advice. Plant emergency cover. Add a layer of mulch or brush mats. Plant structural trees. Plant permanent vegetation. Know that barriers are best left to professionals. Choose the appropriate kind of barrier. Use rubble or riprap. Consider digging contour trenches. Break up channels. Reduce the flow of water into gullies. Build a check dam or dike to stabilize the soil or gully bottom. Grade the slopes on the sides of the gully. Monitor the progress of your work after bad weather. Plant the area. Minimize land disturbance. Don't till. Consider contour farming. Enrich the soil. Use mulch and compost.
https://www.wikihow.com/Groom-a-Hyper-Dog	How to Groom a Hyper Dog	Before you groom your hyper dog, take it for a long walk to work off its excess energy so it will be calmer during grooming. Once your dog is calm, set up your grooming supplies in an area where it can't run away, like a bathroom with the door closed. When you're ready to start grooming, place your dog in the tub and rinse it with lukewarm water to wet its fur. It can be helpful to have a friend hold the dog around the midsection during this process to keep it still while you focus on grooming it. After your dog is wet, lather dog shampoo into its fur, then rinse it thoroughly. If you're still having trouble calming your dog, ask your vet about using a sedative to help it settle down before grooming.	Identify the source of your dog’s energy. Some dogs naturally have more energy than others. Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Jack Russell terriers, and Chihuahuas are all high-energy dogs that can become destructive and hyper when they're bored. Before you begin grooming your dog, try to assess why they are full of energy. Your dog may be naturally high-energy, or their hyperactivity could be because they need to be exercised or they are stressed. They may need to be exercised so they can burn off their excess energy. They may be wound up because they are very excited for grooming or for another reason. Exercise your hyper dog. A tired dog is much more easily groomed than a hyper dog. This is especially true with working breed dogs, since they naturally have higher levels of energy and need a significant amount of exercise to keep them relatively calm. An hour or two before you groom your dog, make sure they get plenty of exercise. Depending on your dog's preferences, you could play a rigorous game of fetch, go for a run, or take them to the dog park. Let hyper dogs wear themselves out with exercise. This is a great way to calm your dog if you do not want to use a sedative or calming medication. Talk to your veterinarian about calming medications. There are a number of different medications available that can help calm down hyper dogs. These medicines can help calm a dog's anxiety and stress levels, and act as a mild sedative. You should always consult your veterinarian before giving your dog any over-the-counter or herbal remedies. They are able to identify any potential side effects or risks associated with the medicine. You can also talk to them about herbal and natural remedies. Ask about products that contain valerian root, chamomile, and ginger root. Never give your dog an herbal calming product without consulting your veterinarian. Use a sedative to calm the dog. Exercise should be helpful in calming your dog down before grooming. However, some extremely hyper dogs may need a sedative or calming medication to settle them down enough that you can safely groom them. After talking to your veterinarian, you may use an over-the-counter medication in the prescribed amount. One of the most common medications that they prescribe is Benadryl. This is an over the counter antihistamine that is also known as diphenhydramine. Your veterinarian may recommend melatonin, which has a mild sedative effect that is safe for dogs. Acepromazine is usually recommended if melatonin and Benadryl don't work since it is a sedative. Administer an alternative calming aid. Beyond over the counter medication, there are several other products available that may help to soothe your dog. The most commonly used product is the Thundershirt. The shirt helps to reduce anxiety in your dog by making them feel more secure and comfortable in stressful situations, like grooming. Thundershirts are essentially compression shirts that are used to ease anxiety and hyperactivity in dogs. While the shirt cannot be used during bathing, you may use them while you're clipping your dog's nails, cleaning their ears, or brushing their teeth. There are also DAP collars that release a calming “Dog Appeasing Pheromone” that some owners find helpful in calming their hyper pets. Administer any medication prior to grooming. You want to administer the sedative or calming medication prior to grooming so the active ingredients have a chance to become effective. You should read the manufacturer's directions about the length of time these medications take to become effective, but in general you should expect to give it to them at least thirty to sixty minutes prior to grooming. You can hide the pill in a smelly and tasty food that your dog loves, like peanut butter, canned food, or liverwurst. Keep the grooming session short. Long grooming sessions will only exacerbate your dog's hyper energy. Try to keep them as short as you can, whether it's ten or fifteen minutes. You can also give your dog breaks during the grooming process to calm them down. Prevent your dog from escaping the grooming area. During a bath or brushing, a hyper dog might try to bolt away from you and escape. They may think that grooming is a game, or they may be anxious and stressed about the process. Either way, you want to make sure that your dog is unable to escape. If you are grooming them in your bathroom indoors, make sure you securely close the door. When you are grooming your dog outdoors, make sure you are in an enclosed area. You can also put your dog on a leash and tie it to something, like a tree, to prevent them from running. Or, you can enlist the help of another person to hold your dog while you're grooming them. Restrain your dog, if needed. You may need to restrain your dog while you are grooming them. You can enlist the help of another person to hold the dog in place while you're grooming them, or you can hold them with one hand while you work with the other. You can loop one arm around your dog's midsection to hold them still. Do not respond if they begin to struggle while they're being restrained, and do not let them wriggle out of your hold. Keep your voice steady and calm. Don't use a sympathetic or baby voice during the process, since this can teach the dog that grooming is something to be feared. Groom in a calm environment. Hyper dogs can become even more energetic if they become overstimulated. Try to keep the grooming environment as calm and quiet as you can. For example, don't have music blaring from a stereo when you're outside and avoid grooming outdoors when the neighbors are cutting their grass or throwing a party. Indoors, try to make sure members of the household are staying relatively quiet. Get your dog ready for their bath. After they have been exercised and any medication has had a chance to take effect, your hyper dog should be somewhat calmed down. If they are still high energy, take this time to try to soothe them by petting them, and talking to them in a calming voice. If you are using a leash to keep your dog close to you, you do not need to take their collar off. Otherwise, remove their collar. When you are bathing them in your bathroom, place them in the bathtub. The bathroom should be secured and the door should be closed. When they are being bathed outdoors, you should have the hose ready. You will either need to hold on to them while they are being washed, have their leash tied to something immovable nearby, or have another person hold them. Thoroughly wet their fur. Make sure the water is warm, but not hot. You can use your hands, a hose, a shower head attachment, or a bucket to wet their fur. Their fur should be completely wet so you can begin to wash them. Avoid getting water in their ears, since this can cause an infection. Massage shampoo into their coat. Using a shampoo that is specially designed for dogs, put a small amount of shampoo into your hands and start to lather it into their coat. You want to use shampoo on their entire body, and pay special attention to areas that are dirtier, like their paws. Be careful washing their faces. Shampoo can irritate their eyes, and you want to avoid getting water and shampoo into their ears. It may be helpful to have another person hold your dog's head. Rinse your dog thoroughly. It's important that you thoroughly rinse your dog to remove all traces of shampoo from their coat. Leftover shampoo can really irritate your dog's skin, so keep rinsing for another minute after the water runs clear to be sure all the residue is gone. Dry your dog. Use a cotton towel to dry your dog off. While a blow dryer is a popular option to dry your dog off, a hyper dog is unlikely to sit patiently in the time it takes to blow dry their coats. Use a towel instead and cut down on the time it takes to dry their coat. If you want to prevent your dog from shaking water all over your bathroom, try this trick. Gently take hold of their muzzle with your hand, using your thumb and forefinger. When dogs can't shake and rotate their head, their body also won't shake. This way, you can towel dry them and limit the amount of mess they'll make. Use a soft cotton cloth to wipe the inside of the dog's ears. Restrain your dog for the rest of grooming. You may want to clip their nails, brush their fur, trim their fur, or brush their teeth. Bathing is typically more difficult with a hyper dog, since water is involved. During the rest of these grooming acts, you can hold your dog still by either putting them on your lap or wrapping your arm around their midsection and holding on to their collar. You can also ask someone else to hold onto your dog while you are working on them. Reward your dog for their good behavior. While you're grooming, be sure to praise and reward your dog for their good behavior. You want grooming to be an enjoyable process for both you and your dog. Positive reinforcement teaches your dog that when they obey your commands and behave well, they'll be rewarded. This encourages good behavior and can help make grooming a smoother process in the future. Praise them for being a good dog and for listening to you. You can also give them their favorite treat or take them out to play a game that they love.	Identify the source of your dog’s energy. Exercise your hyper dog. Talk to your veterinarian about calming medications. Use a sedative to calm the dog. Administer an alternative calming aid. Administer any medication prior to grooming. Keep the grooming session short. Prevent your dog from escaping the grooming area. Restrain your dog, if needed. Groom in a calm environment. Get your dog ready for their bath. Thoroughly wet their fur. Massage shampoo into their coat. Rinse your dog thoroughly. Dry your dog. Restrain your dog for the rest of grooming. Reward your dog for their good behavior.
https://www.wikihow.com/Evaluate-a-Speech	How to Evaluate a Speech	To evaluate a speech, start by listening attentively to the speaker and taking notes to help you identify the main arguments they are trying to make. Then, determine if the content of the speech was clear and supported by examples. Additionally, consider whether the information was organized so that it was easy to follow. Next, identify strengths and weakness in the delivery of the speech, including the tone and style of the speaker. Finally, write down your feedback, focusing on 3 areas to improve on and at least 1 thing the speaker did well.	Give the speaker your undivided attention. You can't give someone feedback on a speech unless you hear it. Whether you're evaluating a speech for class, or you're helping someone else prepare for a public speaking engagement, sit quietly and listen to the speech as its given. Listen closely and engage with the speaker. Turn off all electronic devices and put away any distractions. Look at the speaker while the speech is being given. You shouldn't have anything in your hands but maybe a notepad for taking notes. Don't ever evaluate a speech based on the text alone. In other words, don't read the speech and offer feedback. Have the speaker perform the speech. If something is designed to be spoken, it needs to be heard if it is to be appropriately evaluated. Identify the main idea of the speech. The first thing you want to pick up on in any speech is the main idea that's trying to be communicated. If you're listening to a persuasive speech, especially, learning the thesis or the main idea that the speaker is trying to prove with the speech is the best place to start. It's the speaker's job to make the main idea obvious, so you should be able to recognize the main point relatively quickly. If you can't find the main idea of the speech, try to guess what you think the speaker is trying to prove. Write it down. When you're evaluating the speech later, this will be helpful feedback. For some speeches, like a toast, a tribute, or a thank you, the main idea might be obvious, but play dumb. Is the speaker getting across the idea clearly? Or is the occasion doing too much of the work? Could the speaker do more to make the point of the speech obvious? Try to follow the supporting argument of the speaker. The main point of the speech is like a tabletop: it's useless unless it's held up by the table legs of the examples, supporting points, argument, logic, and any research that holds up the main idea. How does the speaker prove to the audience that their main point is true? If you're listening to a persuasive speech, try to come up with responses, questions, and retorts that you might use for feedback later. What was confusing? Were there any supporting points that could be made more clear? Did you find any holes in the argument? If you're listening to an informal speech, like a toast or a congratulatory speech, focus on the organization of the information that we're getting. Does it make sense? Does it follow? Does it seem to jump around? Be willing to be convinced. Going into a speech with a closed mind is a bad way to evaluate it. Even if you're going to listen to someone give a speech at the Flat Earth Society, try your best to go into it with an objective mind, willing to listen to the content and the presentation of anyone's speech. If and when you disagree with it, you'll be disagreeing with the product, not letting your preconceptions offer your criticism. Take notes. Identify the key points and argument that the speaker is trying to make and keep track of them in a list. You don't need to come out of the speech with a formal outline, but keeping a short list of notes is an important way of generating material for feedback later. Take close notes and your evaluation will be much easier. Write down particularly memorable quotes or moments from the speech to praise. Write down any time the speaker gets a good crowd reaction, or a negative response. Evaluate the content of the speech. The most important part of the speech isn't the speaking style or the charisma of the speaker, it's the content of what is said. Giving a speech is hard because it has all the challenges of writing an essay, with the added difficulty of having to make it easy to listen to out loud. The most important thing to focus on in your evaluation is the content of the speech. If it's a persuasive speech, or an argument speech, the content will likely include a lot of research, real-world examples, and main points. In an informal speech, the content will likely involve anecdotes, stories, and jokes. When you're evaluating, keep in mind the following questions and answer them as a way of giving feedback: What was the main argument of the speech? Was the content clear and well-articulated? Was the argument supported with research? Good examples? Was the content made clear to the audience? Did the speaker prove their point? Evaluate the organization of the speech. In order to make the content of a speech clear and easy to digest, it needs to be organized well. Formal or informal, public speaking needs to be easy to listen to. If the speech jumps around or moves from point to point like a tennis match, it might need to be reorganized. To help you evaluate the organization of the speech, keep in mind the following questions to generate feedback for the speaker: Was the supporting argument logically structured? Was the speech easy to follow? Difficult? Why? Do the speaker's points flow logically from one to the next? What could be included to clear up the speech for you? Evaluate the style of the speech. If the content of the speech refers to what is spoken, the style refers to how it is spoken. A good speech should match the style to the content: it's unlikely a serious paper about dolphin populations would involve "getting to know the audience" games or audience participation. Whether or not a speaker chooses to use jokes, how much the speaker engages with the audience, and other personal elements to the speech will all play into the style. How a speech is written will affect the style, but also how it is performed. Are the jokes told like they are jokes? Is research presented accurately and clearly? Keep in mind the following questions: How would you describe the style of the speech and the speaker? Did the style of the speech work for the content, or against it? Why? How convincing was the speaker? How was the timing of the speech? Was it easy to follow? Evaluate the tone of the speech. The tone of the speech refers to the overall impact of the content and the style. A tone might be light, or serious, or playful, and there's no right or wrong tone for any content. It might be appropriate to tell light stories and jokes at a eulogy, or it might be disastrous. It might be appropriate to tell a heartwarming story about your boss at his retirement, but maybe not if it's a drunken roast. The tone needs to match the speech itself and the occasion. Who is the audience for the speech? What are their expectations of the speech and the speaker? How would you describe the tone of the speech? Did it match the content? How? If not, how might the tone be improved? How well will the tone match the audience for the speech? Write your feedback down. Whatever the occasion and the reason you're giving feedback, for school or informally, it's better to write down your criticisms, praise, and comments, so the speaker will have some document of your feedback. If you have some suggestions, it'll be too easy for the speaker to forget, especially immediately following the speech. It's best to write a short note, no more than 250 or 300 words, to accompany your evaluation of the speech. For some speech classes, you may have to fill out a rubric or assign a grade to a speech. Follow the specific class instructions regarding this and assign a grade appropriate. Summarize the speech as you understood it. Starting feedback with a summary of what you took from the speech is the most helpful way of letting the speaker know whether or not what they were trying to say was communicated accurately. Don't worry about whether or not your summary is perfectly accurate or not. If you were listening closely and trying your best to follow it, any failure on your part should be instructive for the speaker. That's something they need to make more clear in the speech. Try to start your response with things like, “What I heard you saying is…” or “What I got from this speech was…” A good summary should be several sentences in the evaluation, perhaps slightly less than half of your feedback. Identify the main idea and the main supporting points of the speech. The summary should focus on content only. Focus your feedback primarily on the content of the speech. Not everyone can or should be Martin Luther King Jr. Focusing your feedback primarily on the oratorical skills of the speaker isn't usually going to be that helpful, especially if we're talking about a class speech, a wedding speech, or some kind of business presentation. If the speaker is mostly a wet blanket, focus on how the content could better match the speaking style and how the tone might be changed to match. These are changeable things. Telling a speaker to be "more dynamic" or "funny" isn't good feedback. Always find something to praise. Even if you just watched your best friend struggle through the lamest best-man speech of all time, it's important to find something good to say. Start your feedback with some praise and start off the evaluation with good will. Make all feedback constructive criticism, not destructive. Starting off by telling someone how nervous they look while delivering the speech, or how flat the speech was will only make those elements worse. If you thought the speech was boring, instead learn to say something like, "It was subdued, which I think works well for the occasion." If the speaker seemed nervous, try to reassure them with some compliments, "You seemed confident up there. The material really speaks for itself." Focus your feedback on revision of the speech. Aim all feedback at making specific changes that will improve the speech, not identifying what is wrong with the speech, or what seems to be not working for you about it. This will give the speaker something constructive and will work to make the speech better, rather than simply tearing it down. Don't say, “I didn't like the jokes you used,” say, “Next time, I think you could leave the jokes out and the speech would move a little quicker.” Try to focus on no more than three key areas of improvement. Overburdening someone with fifty different things to fix and work on can make the job seem hopeless. As an evaluator, it's important to focus on three major areas of improvement and worry less about more secondary things. Focus first on content corrections, the organization of the speech, and the tone before you focus on anything else in the speech. These are the most important categories for improvement, and the best ways to quickly improve the speech. Think of these as the highest order of concern. Worry about the specifics of the delivery later. Whether or not the timing of the joke at the end of the speech works should be one of the last things a speaker worries about. If the speech is already very good, feel free to move onto these secondary concerns.	Give the speaker your undivided attention. Identify the main idea of the speech. Try to follow the supporting argument of the speaker. Be willing to be convinced. Take notes. Evaluate the content of the speech. Evaluate the organization of the speech. Evaluate the style of the speech. Evaluate the tone of the speech. Write your feedback down. Summarize the speech as you understood it. Focus your feedback primarily on the content of the speech. Always find something to praise. Focus your feedback on revision of the speech. Try to focus on no more than three key areas of improvement.
https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-with-an-Alcoholic-Husband	How to Deal with an Alcoholic Husband	Dealing with an alcoholic husband can put a lot of stress on your marriage, but prioritizing your own needs and talking to him calmly about it will be the best way to help. Set clear boundaries with your husband, such as not being aggressive or not being drunk around your children, to protect yourself. If he oversteps your boundaries, walk away from him until he sobers up. If he becomes violent or abusive with you, go somewhere safe and call a hotline like the National Domestic Violence Hotline for support. When you talk about his alcoholism, wait until he's calm and sober and gently tell him you think he has an issue and that you want to help him. Encourage him to get support from Alcoholics Anonymous or a therapist. You should also take the time to look after your needs and get some time away from your husband so you can breathe and get some perspective.	Report any abuse. Sometimes alcoholics can become violent, as alcohol is often related to violence. If your husband hits you, threatens you, or harms you in any way, find safety and report the abuse. Don't protect your husband by keeping the abuse a secret. Tell your mother or father, sister, neighbor, friend, or spiritual mentor. Make sure you prioritize your safety. You can get help by calling a domestic abuse hotline. United States: Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE). UK: Call Women's Aid at 0808 2000 247. Australia: Call 1800RESPECT at 1800 737 732. Worldwide: visit http://www.hotpeachpages.net/ for a global list of helplines and crisis centers. Approach him in a non-threatening way. Use a calm tone of voice and speak to him without using harsh or derogatory words. For instance, avoid calling him “drunk” or an alcoholic in the moment. Avoid arguing with him and instead deflect the statements in a calm and assertive way. If he starts to become angry or wanting to fight, calmly respond that now is not a good time, and that you can talk about it later. Avoid arguing with him at all costs. He may become physical. Don't respond back in anger, no matter how hard it is. Offer him non-alcoholic drinks and food. Instead of deterring him away from alcohol, steer him toward food and non-alcoholic drinks. Encourage him to eat or to hydrate with water. Distract him with these things so that he is less focused on the alcohol. When he asks for alcohol, deflect by offering him soda. Find compromise. If he insists on having something or going somewhere, find a compromise. It isn't worth arguing with him because he isn't thinking clearly, yet you don't want to escalate the agitation. Find something that will make him happy without making you unhappy. If he really wants to eat ice cream but you have none, offer him candy or another sweet treat. If he wants to go outside in the pouring rain, tell him firmly that it's raining and perhaps he can bring an umbrella or stand under an awning. Set limits. If the alcoholism is negatively affecting you, set limits with your husband. Be clear that no discussions about you as a couple can happen when he drinks, and you refuse to try to solve problems while he's under the influence. Tell him he cannot drink in the home or around the children. You can choose not to spend time with him when he is drinking, or that you refuse to argue when he has been drinking. Set limits based off of your own needs. When you set limits, communicate them with your husband and make sure he understands them. Have an escape plan. If your husband is drunk, acting aggressively, and you fear for your safety, have an escape plan. Have someone you can call late at night that can offer you a safe place to stay. If you are scared to leave with the car, ask your friend or family member to pick you up at your home. Calmly let your husband know that you are seeking a safe place for the night and will return the next day. If your husband becomes angry, say that you can have the discussion later. Right now, you are prioritizing your safety. Be okay with feeling uncomfortable. Chances are, you'll feel uneasy bringing up this topic and talking it over with your husband. Don't let the fear of discomfort dissuade you from expressing what you need to say. Remember that your current situation also makes you uncomfortable. Accept that discussing your husband's alcoholism is going to feel uncomfortable, no matter what. Be brave and take the step. Choose a time to talk. Don't try to have this conversation when he is drinking or about to drink. Instead, choose a time when both of you are sober. Make time to have this discussion and not have things to rush off to afterward. Don't try to talk about the alcoholism when you are angry or upset. If you become frustrated when he opens a can of beer, now is not the time to have this discussion. Wait until both of you are in a calm and neutral state before opening the discussion. You may need to schedule time to talk. Approach him in compassion, not judgment. While it may be way easier to come from a place of judgment, anger, and disappointment, be compassionate. You are not chastising your husband, you are asking him to get help, for the betterment of himself and his family. Communicate your love, concern, and support to your husband. Tell him how his drinking affects you. You may feel second best to alcohol when your husband turns to drinking before turning to you. You may even feel like you cannot compete with the relationship your husband has with alcohol. While your husband may support your family financially, tell him if you feel like you feel under-supported emotionally or with the family. If you feel difficulty in emotionally connected, tell him this, too. Be honest with your feelings and disappointments. Say how the drinking not only affects you, but others as well, like kids, friends, or family. Avoid placing blame. Instead of blaming onto your husband for his drinking, state your feelings. Keep statements focused on you and your feelings, not on him. Instead of saying, “Drinking makes you distant and detached” say, “It hurts me that you feel so far from me, and I miss the connection we shared.” Instead of saying, “You don't spend any time with the kids” say, “I'm struggling to give the kids all the attention they need on my own and I'd like your help.” Ask your husband to get treatment. Let your husband know that you love and support him, and want to see him healthy and happy. Ask him to seek treatment for his alcoholism. You can say that alcoholism is difficult to treat alone, and that seeking treatment will help both him and you deal with the alcoholism. Benefits of treatment include addressing psychological problems and addiction behaviors that interfere with living a happy, fulfilling life. You may want to do some research ahead of time to discuss different treatment options. Call your insurance and see what treatment programs are available. Check into an individual or family therapist, inpatient, and outpatient programs so that you can discuss all options with your husband. You can stage a formal intervention, including friends, family, and other people that care about your husband. You can seek the support of an interventionist if need be. Be careful, however, as interventions can send your husband into anger or defensiveness. Avoid creating an action plan right away. You may want to hear how he will stop drinking, that his harmful action will never happen again, and that he wants to change. This may all be true, but it also can be a way to escape an uncomfortable conversation. Create a plan after both of you have had time to digest the discussion and reflect. After your initial conversation, plan a time to discuss things further, once you've both had time to reflect on the first discussion. You can meet back up and discuss action steps to take as a couple, such as ridding the house of alcohol. Don’t expect overnight changes. If you're upset after trying to talk to your husband only to get nowhere, take heart. See your words, actions, and support as stepping stones to your husband acknowledging his addiction and seeking recovery. However, keep in mind that you cannot control his actions and he is ultimately responsible for his decisions. Stand up against his denial. It's common for alcoholics (especially high functioning alcoholics) to have loads of excuses for their behavior suggesting that there is no problem with alcohol. Instead of trying to fight the denial with rationality, approach your husband by compassionately opening a dialog of your concerns. If he denies having a problem , gently tell him how he disrupts your (or the kids') sleeping at night, is aggressive or mean, or any other ways that his alcoholism affects you. Express that the drinking is creating distance. If your husband continues to drink even when he knows it causes you harm, tell him that is drinking is interfering with your relationship. His relationship with alcohol affects your ability to have a relationship with him. If you tell your husband clearly that the drinking creates distance in the relationship, it may impact him and you. Have your own support network. Make sure you take care of yourself. Have people in your life you can talk to and that support you. Don't keep your husband's alcoholism a secret; make sure you have at least person you can talk to about your struggles. Having emotional support is important when dealing with life's difficulties. Talk to your parents, siblings, friends, or in-laws. Don't just focus on the alcoholism, but make sure you have people to talk to about whatever you may need to talk about. Consider whether the marriage is in your best interest. If your husband refuses to get help and you have serious doubts that things will get better, you may want to consider your relationship and ask yourself if staying with him is in your best interest. If you feel like you're married more to the alcohol than to a man, it's time to consider your options. You may want to consider your quality of life, your safety and the safety of your children when making this decision, and ask yourself “what is my best option in which I respect myself and my family?” If your husband is abusive, prioritize your safety. You deserve to be treated with respect at all times, and abusers rarely stop the abuse, as the abuse can become cyclical. Avoid drinking around your husband. When you drink around your husband, it may make it much more difficult for him to quit. Avoid consuming alcohol in the presence of your husband at all costs. Instead, attend non-alcoholic social events. Request family or friend get-togethers to be sober occasions. You may need to change social plans or social groups a bit. Instead of going to bars or sipping on wine with friends, have more game nights or movie nights. Engage in activities that don't typically serve alcohol. Ask him to check out local support groups. Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) exist to help support people struggling with alcoholism. Members stress the importance of senior members supporting the newer people to the group by providing support and mentorship. Check out http://www.aa.org to see if there is a chapter near you. Go to a family support group for yourself. You more than anyone else know how hard it is to live with an alcoholic husband. It can be hard to feel like you have to keep the house and family together on your own with little or no help of your husband. It can be a relief to share your frustrations with other people who know exactly what it feels like. They can also support you and give you advice on how to cope, and how they got through the tough times. Al-Anon ( http://al-anon.org/ ) is a nationally recognized support group that offers family support to those who have a family member who is an alcoholic. Consider therapy together. If your husband is hesitant to get his own therapy, mention that getting therapy together would be helpful to both of you, or that you want family therapy. A therapist can help with treatment and recovery, and provide support to both you and your husband throughout the process. You can obtain a referral through your primary care physician or through your insurance provider. You may want to seek out a therapist who specializes in addiction or alcoholism. Therapy may include dealing with underlying causes of addiction, working through stressors in a more positive way, and may also include medication. Ask him to check out a treatment center. A treatment center is beneficial for more intense alcoholism or when alcoholism is coupled with a psychiatric diagnosis (such as depression or anxiety) or a medical diagnosis. Programs exist through inpatient and outpatient treatment, which may vary based on your insurance coverage. Choose the level of care most appropriate for your your family and your husband. If your husband has experienced severe stress or trauma or has a psychiatric illness, a treatment center may be better suited than outpatient weekly therapy. Prepare for him to relapse. Enact a plan to handle any potential relapse. It's common for someone who struggles with alcoholism to feel tempted or to relapse during recovery. Agree upon a plan with your husband and/our his treatment team to have a plan ready to go if your husband relapses. This may include removing him from the situation or calling his therapist or mentor. Be supportive to your husband. When your husband does engage in treatment and makes growth, acknowledge each step that is taken. If you see him making an effort, praise it. Find all the good things he is doing and make sure he knows that you recognize the good work he is doing. Celebrate even the smallest steps forward. Be your husband's cheerleader and let him know you're behind him all the way.	Report any abuse. Approach him in a non-threatening way. Offer him non-alcoholic drinks and food. Find compromise. Set limits. Have an escape plan. Be okay with feeling uncomfortable. Choose a time to talk. Approach him in compassion, not judgment. Tell him how his drinking affects you. Avoid placing blame. Ask your husband to get treatment. Avoid creating an action plan right away. Don’t expect overnight changes. Stand up against his denial. Express that the drinking is creating distance. Have your own support network. Consider whether the marriage is in your best interest. Avoid drinking around your husband. Ask him to check out local support groups. Go to a family support group for yourself. Consider therapy together. Ask him to check out a treatment center. Prepare for him to relapse. Be supportive to your husband.
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Payment-Agreement	How to Write a Payment Agreement	A payment agreement is an agreement that sets the terms of your loan and its repayment. If you're going to lend someone money, it's a good idea to write a payment agreement to cover yourself legally in case they don't pay you back. A payment agreement doesn't need to be complicated. Just include the conditions of the loan, the interest rate, the parties involved, and when the money is due. You could even just find a sample payment agreement online and use that as a template. You might be required to get your payment agreement notarized, so remember to check your state's requirements.	Find a sample on the Internet and use it as a guide. You should search the Internet for a sample payment agreement that you could use as a guide as you draft your own. Each industry has its own standard payment agreements which might differ from the information in this article. For example, if you are drafting a student loan repayment agreement, then its contents would differ substantially from the information provided here. Format your document. You can begin drafting your payment agreement by opening a blank word processing document and setting the font to a readable size and style. The exact font and size does not really matter, as long as it is readable and looks professional. Times New Roman 12 or 14 point works for most people. Avoid fonts that are smaller than 10 point, as they may be too hard to read. Avoid fonts that are larger than 14 point; it is unnecessary and will waste paper. Choose a professional-looking font face, such as Times New Roman or Arial. Skip the handwritten fonts, such as Comic Sans. Although legible, they look unprofessional. Add a title. Put the title in bold and in all caps, so that it stands out, but use the same font face. Center the title between the left- and right-hand margins. You can do this by highlighting the title, then choosing the center-alignment option in your program. Consider making the title slightly bigger than the rest of your font. For example, if you used 12 point font throughout your document, try 14 point for the title. Keep the title simple. You can title the note “Payment Agreement” or “Loan Agreement.” Identify the parties. You need to identify the person making the loan, who is the “lender,” and the person borrowing the loan, who is the “borrower.” You should also include information about the date of the loan here. For example, you could write: “This loan agreement ('Agreement') dated this 12th day of August, 2015, made between Michael Smith, of Chicago, IL ('Lender') and Amy Jones of Detroit, MI ('Borrower').” Include your consideration. You don't have a valid loan until both the borrower and the lender agree to do something in exchange for the other person doing something in return. You should state what each side agrees to do. For example, you can write: “In consideration of Lender loaning money (the 'Loan') to Borrower, and Borrower repaying the Loan to Lender, both parties agree as follows.” Identify the loan amount and interest. The first thing you should include is the amount of the loan and the interest rate. Your state has probably set a maximum interest rate you can charge as well, which you can find online. If you want to charge interest, research your state and federal laws. For example, the IRS requires that you charge a minimum interest rate, otherwise, they may interpret the loan as a “gift” for tax purposes. Sample language could read: “Lender promises to loan $5,000 USD to Borrower. Borrower promises to pay back this amount to Lender, with interest payable on the unpaid principal at a rate of 4% per annum, calculated yearly not in advance.” Explain the schedule of payments. You should include the date the loan will be paid in full. You also might want to attach to your payment agreement a schedule listing when monthly payments are due. On your schedule, list the day of each payment and the amount that the borrower should pay. If you aren't charging interest, then divide the amount by the number of monthly payments. Sample language could read: “Borrower will make payments as set forth on Schedule I. The Loan will be repaid in full on August 12, 2016.” Grant a right to prepayment. The borrower might find that he or she can pay off the loan early. You should explain in the payment agreement whether this is allowed. Generally, prepayment is a good deal for the lender because he or she will get the money paid back early; however, the lender would lose out on some interest. A sample prepayment provision could read: “Borrower has the right to make payments of principal before they are due. Borrower may make a full prepayment or partial prepayments without penalty, provided Borrower gives advance notice of its intent to prepay. Lender will use prepayments to reduce the amount of principal. If Borrower makes a partial prepayment, there will be no change to the due date or in the amount of the monthly payment unless Lender agrees.” Explain any late charges. The seller might want to charge a penalty or additional interest if the borrower is late with payment. You should explain what the late charge will be and how you will calculate it. For example, if you want to charge a percentage penalty, you could write: “If Lender has not received full amount of any monthly payment within 15 calendar days after the date it is due, Lender may assess a late charge to Borrower of 1% of any overdue payment.” Identify default. “Default” occurs when the borrower does not follow the terms of the payment agreement. Typically, the borrower will default when he or she misses a payment. However, the lender usually reserves the right to declare a default. The lender usually reserves the right to immediately demand payment of all outstanding principal and interest. Sample language: “If Borrower defaults in the performance of any obligation under this Agreement, Lender may declare the principal amount owing and any interest due immediately due and payable.” With this provision, the lender doesn't have to declare a default, but he or she has the option if payment is missed. Identify how to modify the agreement. You might decide to change the terms of the loan after signing. In this situation, you will need to modify the payment agreement. You should include a provision that explains how you can modify the agreement. Sample language could read: “No modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless executed in a writing signed by both parties.” Explain that this represents the entire agreement. You don't want one party claiming at a later date that there were oral side agreements. For this reason, include a provision stating that the written payment agreement represents the entire agreement. For example, you could write: “This Agreement contains all terms agreed to by the parties relating to its subject matter. It replaces all previous discussions, understandings, and agreements, whether oral or in writing.” Add a severability clause. If there is a lawsuit, then the judge might find that one provision of your payment agreement is illegal. The judge could potentially then strike down the entire payment agreement. To prevent this from happening, you should include a “severability provision.” A sample severability provision could read: “If any part of this agreement is declared invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall continue to be valid and enforceable.” State the governing law. If a lawsuit breaks out, then the judge will need to interpret the contract according to some state's law. You can decide which state's law to apply. Generally, the lender decides to use the law of the state where they are located. You could write: “This Agreement shall be construed according to the laws of Illinois.” Insert signature blocks. Both the borrower and the lender should sign the agreement. Include signature lines for both. Under each line, include the following: Name Title Date Include a notary block, if necessary. Your state might require that payment agreements be signed in front of a notary public. If so, you should search the Internet and find an acceptable notary block to insert beneath the signature lines. You can find notaries at most large banks, court houses, and city manager's offices. As an alternative, you can also use the Locator feature at the website for the American Association of Notaries. You should take sufficient personal identification to show the notary. Generally, a valid driver's license or passport should be sufficient. Analyze whether you can afford to lend. Many people decide to lend to family or friends in times of need. However, before you agree to lend money, you should check whether you can afford to. Ask yourself the following: Do you need to save additional money for retirement? If so, then lending might not be the best idea. Do you have debts yourself that you need to pay off? You could pay off your loans earlier if you don't loan to friends or family. How important is it for you to be repaid and can you afford to make the loan? Loaning money to someone you know can put a serious strain on your relationship. If they are unable or refuse to repay the loan, you will have to weigh the importance of the relationship against your need or desire for repayment. Ask why the borrower needs the money. Some loans never get repaid, and one important piece of information you should find out is why the borrower needs the loan. For example, the borrower might have unforeseen medical expenses or be struggling to pay off student loan debt. Even people who are careful with their money can rack up these debts. However, other people might be taking a loan to cover other loans. This is a sign that the person is in financial distress. Instead of making a loan, you should recommend that they see a credit counselor. Consider non-loan alternatives. There might be ways you could help family and friends without giving them a loan. For example, you could let them borrow your car, if they have unmet transportation needs. You could also suggest that someone move in with you for a period of time. These might not sound like ideal situations, but they are less risky than giving a monetary loan, which might not be repaid. Discuss the parameters of the loan. Once you have decided to loan or borrow money, you need to sit down with the other party to the agreement and discuss the terms of the loan. If you are borrowing money, be honest about your financial situation and when you can reasonably expect to begin repaying the loan. If you are lending money, set a hard limit on the amount that you are willing to lend and decide when you need the money repaid. If both parties state their needs and concerns, it is less likely that either party will resent the other party to the agreement. Establish a repayment schedule. It is very important to agree to a repayment schedule that works for both parties. This will minimize resentment and tension regarding the borrowed money. By coming to an agreement on repayment, both the lender and the borrower should feel comfortable that the loan will be repaid. If you are borrowing money, do not overestimate how quickly you can repay the loan. Create a budget and plan how and when you can reasonably make the loan repayments. If you are lending money, determine how quickly you need the money back and whether you can make an extended loan so that the borrower has an easier time repaying you. You can calculate repayment schedules and interest using loan calculators online.	Find a sample on the Internet and use it as a guide. Format your document. Add a title. Identify the parties. Include your consideration. Identify the loan amount and interest. Explain the schedule of payments. Grant a right to prepayment. Explain any late charges. Identify default. Identify how to modify the agreement. Explain that this represents the entire agreement. Add a severability clause. State the governing law. Insert signature blocks. Include a notary block, if necessary. Analyze whether you can afford to lend. Ask why the borrower needs the money. Consider non-loan alternatives. Discuss the parameters of the loan. Establish a repayment schedule.
https://www.wikihow.com/Price-Your-Product	How to Price Your Product	To price a product you're selling, start by calculating the cost of running your business, which should include the cost of labor, marketing, manufacturing, and any indirect costs. Then, determine how much money you'd need to earn to make a profit and be successful. Once you know how much money you need to earn, use that number to help you set a reasonable price for your product. You can also look at your competition's prices to get an idea of what people are willing to pay. If your product is in high demand, try setting your prices a little higher.	Calculate the cost of running your business. A basic pricing method requires that you determine the full cost of running your business and price your product in such a way as to keep your business in the black. So, the first thing you need to do is calculate how much it costs to run your business. These costs can be further divided into direct and indirect costs. Add up your: Direct costs are those which are immediately associated with doing business. These costs get directly assigned to your products and services you provide. Labor costs Marketing costs Manufacturing costs (cost of raw materials, equipment, etc.) Indirect costs are things associated with keeping things running, and the day to day. These are sometimes thought of as the hidden or even “true cost” of running a business. Operating expenses (including rent on your building, utilities, etc.) Debt service costs Return on any investment capital Cleaning and office supplies Your own salary Set a "success point. " The only reason to start a business is to make money, and specifically to make enough money to keep the venture a successful enterprise. For this reason, you need to set a point at which you would consider the business successful, your success point, and add that figure to your expenses to determine how much revenue you need to generate from sales. Once you know how much money you need to make for the business to be successful, then you can start getting some sense of what a successful price would be for your product. It may take some number of years to master your market. Anticipate your customer's desires. Another major figure that you need to determine is how much merchandise you might reliably sell in a given period. This will be determined by your customers' buying tendencies. Identify your customer base and their buying tendencies. How much do they desire your particular product? Is there a demand for it? Be as specific as possible in your discussion of numbers. How much is it possible to sell, given your current resources? How much do you need to sell to maintain the visibility and success of your current model? What might need to be changed? Divide your success point by the number of units you think might be reliably sold to determine a price guideline, per unit. This isn't necessarily to say that this should be the price, but this is a good number to start experimenting with and seeing how your customers will respond. Provide genuine customer service, not just lip service. Study your competition. If you sell custom-made iPhone cases, are there other companies that provide similar services? Where? How much do their products cost? How is their company run? You need to learn everything you can about your competition so you can learn to differentiate yourself from their model to get your share of the common market. Say you're one of two frozen yogurt stands in your town, and you can't figure out why your $7 a cup (cheap for the ingredients!) organic coconut rosemary kefir isn't bringing in the masses, while the "Dairy Queen" across town sells regular chocolate cones like they're going out of style. You need to be familiar with their prices and their customer base so you can stay competitive and stay relevant. Do you share the same customer base? Is there another customer base you might tap into and market to, to make your business more viable? Is anyone ever going to be willing to pay your prices? These are important questions for a successful business to consider when pricing. Use a search engine to research your competition. Social media and the internet have changed the ways customers find business. Understand the effects of over and under pricing. Setting the price inefficiently will have marked and measurable effects on your numbers. You need to learn to recognize the symptoms of having either a low or high price point. This can indicate that you may need to make a change. Underpricing is often done by companies who want to sell a higher volume, expecting that the customer will assume they're getting a deal, especially in a down economy. Doing this, however, can give the impression that the product is "cheap," not that they're getting their money's worth. Overpricing may drive your customers elsewhere. Especially when you're trying to get your feet on the ground as your business gets started, it can be tempting to set the price too high. The investment of starting a business can be scary and you'll probably want to start covering costs right away, but consider the customer's point of view. Setting it at a point you'll make money will only work if people are willing to pay for it. Keep a close eye on your pricing and your budget. Monitor your profits and prices at least monthly. Break down the cost/gains of every product so that you know how each contributes to your overall profitability month-to-month. This can give a clear picture of your money flow. Talk to your customers and listen to their feedback. Take it to heart. If they enjoy your product but complain about the price, you might consider making a change. Develop a budget plan. Try to focus on a long term strategy that will result in making the business profitable. This might not involve making drastic changes right away, but slowly moving toward an overall goal of profitability. Raise prices slowly and incrementally. Jumping from selling an iPhone case for $5 to selling one for $12 will undoubtedly lose you customers, even if the price change is right for the business and a smart move. Instead, raise it incrementally and spend time advertising the product's benefits and advantages, as opposed to apologizing for the increase. Treat it as a benefit, rather than an inconvenience. Sudden increases will look like desperate moves made by a struggling business, which may or may not be true. You want to avoid the impression that you're raising the prices because you need to make more money. Rather, you need to make it seem as if you're raising prices because the product is just that good. Watch your sales volume immediately after making the change. If the move was too sudden, you'll see a negative change, suggesting that you need to do more to sell the new variation on the product and justify its price. Use promotions to lower prices and get people in the store. Unless your competition is lowering their price, or you're just not getting the kind of traffic in your business that you need in order to make it profitable, you generally want to avoid lowering prices. Lowering the price may suggest another kind of desperation--that people are avoiding your store. Using promotions for limited periods of time, or coupons that expire, you can help drive customers toward a particular product or service. Use discount tactics and promotions rather than lowering the price all at once. You can even alter the amount that someone gets for the same price. For example, November is a month of diabetes awareness. During November, you may charge more for sugary drinks and to recoup the cost of charging less on healthy foods. Make sure to the customers about this, as it can help to drive their choices, as well as make them feel better about paying more for something. They will also know that the price changes are limited. Avoid seeming desperate. For example, an empty restaurant may give the impression that the food is not delicious. Especially if it suddenly becomes very cheap, people may feel the product is of inferior quality. Use creative promotions to get people in the door. Pricing in order to promote a product is a very common application. This gives the consumer the impression that your business is a place to go to get deals, even if you're not always giving them deals. Try letting your pricing strategies advertise for you. Use a Buy One, Get One Free promotion to get people interested in your product and ensure that they'll be struck by the deals they're getting. If you can keep them coming back, even when you're not holding promotions, they'll be hooked. Often sellers will bundle several products in the same package, moving old or unwanted stock by creating killer deals. Dated DVDs, CDs, and video games are often sold using the bundle approach. Quantity discounts (20% off $150 or more!) and rebates ($399.95 after rebate!) can also help to get people to purchase more. Appeal to your customer's emotions and rationality. Promotional pricing strategies can't just be informational campaigns, they have to connect with your target market. In order to do this, take time to appeal to their emotions or pragmatism. A common business strategy involves pricing items in.99 cent increments, rather than dollar increments. At a glance, the difference in savings seems huge (even though it's non-existent, practically). Pricing judiciously will help you keep sales high without changing your strategy considerably. Consider creating a "Premium" package to up-sell customers on moderately "improved" versions of the basically the same product, but with more sophistication (i.e., more marketing). Consider establishing a "line" of products, with varying levels at which the customer can engage. Car washes will often use this pricing strategy: A basic wash could be $2, wash and wax $4, and the whole package $6. Try to up-sell promotions to move more merchandise. In Optional Product pricing, companies will attempt to increase the amount customers spend once they start to buy. Optional 'extras' increase the overall price of the product or service. For example, airlines will charge for optional extras such as guaranteeing a window seat or reserving a row of seats next to each other. Historically, promotions have proven to be a better driver than advertising. One drawback to promotions is that they tend to be followed by lower levels of purchasing of that same product or service directly following the promotion. Avoid the appearance of price gouging. Gouging involves raising your product to a high price because you have a substantial competitive advantage of some kind, or a corner of the market. This advantage is not sustainable. The high price tends to attract new competitors into the market, and the price inevitably falls due to increased supply. Captive Product Pricing is used when products have complements. Companies will charge a premium price where the consumer is captured. For example, a razor manufacturer will charge a low price and recoup its margin (and more) from the sale of the only design of blades which fit the razor. In some places or under certain circumstances, price gouging is unlawful.	Calculate the cost of running your business. Set a "success point. Anticipate your customer's desires. Study your competition. Understand the effects of over and under pricing. Keep a close eye on your pricing and your budget. Raise prices slowly and incrementally. Use promotions to lower prices and get people in the store. Use creative promotions to get people in the door. Appeal to your customer's emotions and rationality. Try to up-sell promotions to move more merchandise. Avoid the appearance of price gouging.
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Last-Minute-Passing-Grade-on-a-Mathematics-Exam	How to Get a Last Minute Passing Grade on a Mathematics Exam	To get a last minute passing grade on a math exam, try to memorize key information and read the exam paper carefully before you start. First, write down the most important formulas and concepts on 1 sheet of paper and try to memorize them. You should also look over the problems in your homework assignments, since they're likely to come up in the test. When you get your paper, slowly read through the directions for each problem so you're sure you understand what you're being asked to do. Solve the problems you know how to do first so you don't end up running out of time trying to figure out a question you can't answer. Then, use any available time left to tackle the more challenging problems. If you have time left at the end, double check your answers to see if you made any obvious mistakes.	Create a relaxing and distraction-free study space. Keep your computer, phone, TVs, and gaming systems in another room. Make sure you have a comfortable chair. Clear the desk or table at which you'll be studying of everything except your class notes and math textbook. Your local library would be a great distraction-free place to study. Let friends and family know you'll be unavailable to talk during your study session. Change study spaces during your review session to improve retention. When studying, the brain makes associations between what you're studying and your physical surroundings. Moving to a different room during your study session can allow your brain to make more associations. Before settling on a new study spot, make sure it is also free of distractions. Rework problems from homework assignments and other tests. Look over the types of problems on these assignments and tests and try to rework ones that you solved and ones that you got wrong. As you try to solve the problems, write down all the steps and don't look at the solutions. Also, take note of what mistakes you made and what corrections your instructor wrote down. Make a list of important concepts and formulas. Go through your math textbook, class notes, homework assignments, and past exams, and write down the concepts and formulas that come up. Mark down which ones you know how to use and which ones you're still struggling to master. Try your best to memorize the concepts and formulas you write down. Use study methods that suit your learning style. If you are a visual learner, draw pictures, charts, and diagrams to help yourself remember the test material. If you are an auditory learner, look for video-taped lectures on the material on YouTube and other websites. Use whatever study methods work best for you. It might also be helpful to try to teach the material to someone else, like a friend or family member. Take a practice exam to see what you need to work on. Taking a practice exam is one of the most effective studying strategies. Put together a list of problems from graded homework assignments, other tests, and your textbook that are like the kinds of problems that will be on the exam. Set a timer and try to answer the questions within the time limit. If you don't know already, ask your instructor what format the exam will be in. Make the length and format of your practice exam as similar to the real exam as possible. Ask for help from your instructor or other students. Don't be afraid to reach out to your math instructor. Their main goal is to help you learn the material, so if you don't understand something, it's never too late to send your instructor an email or ask a question after class. Your fellow classmates may also be able to answer some of your questions. Try to ask your instructor questions that are specific, so that they can give you concrete and helpful answers. Take a short 5 – 10-minute break every 20 – 50 minutes while you’re studying. Breaking your study session into smaller segments with breaks in between will help increase your retention of the material you're studying. During your break, stand up, stretch , walk around, or make yourself a cup of tea. Try not to use your phone, check the internet, or watch TV when you take your break. That way, you'll be able to stay focused on your study session. Exercise to boost your concentration and memory. Going for a short walk or jog outside will also help you recharge your batteries and make your study session more effective. Just 20 minutes of exercise can greatly improve your concentration and memory. Take a short, 20-minute exercise break once every 2 hours or so. Exercising outside is best because the fresh air can also help reenergize you. Eat healthy, well-balanced meals before the exam. Eating a healthy breakfast the day of your exam is very important. Eating a high-carb, high-fiber food like oatmeal would be best. During the week leading up to your exam, you should also eat a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fruit, vegetables, and protein. Eating healthy snacks like almonds, fruit, or yogurt while you study can also help keep you refreshed and energized. Get at least 8 hours of sleep the night before your exam. If you're cramming for a math test, you may be tempted to stay up all night to study. However, this may do more harm than good. If you're exhausted, you may even have trouble recalling information that you know. Your brain will be at its best when you are well rested. If you have to wake up at 6:00 a.m., try to be in your bed with the lights out by around 9:30 p.m. That way, you'll still get a full 8 hours of sleep, even if you can't fall right asleep. Carefully read the directions given for each problem. Many students lose points on math exams because they read over the directions too fast and don't do exactly what is required. Read the instructions over slowly and more than once to keep yourself from making simple, avoidable errors. Pay attention to keywords in the instructions, like “solve” or “show your work.” Solve the problems you know first. Since your math exam will likely be timed, it is important to manage your time well. If you come across a difficult problem that you don't know how to solve, skip over it and save it for later. Once you answer all the easy questions, you can come back to the more difficult ones. If you spend too much time trying to solve a difficult problem, you may not have time to answer problems later in the exam that you can solve. Use all the time allowed for the exam. Whatever you do, don't turn in the exam until your instructor says that time is up. If you finish answering all the questions before the end of the exam period, double-check all your answers, and reread all the directions. Make sure you didn't make any simple, avoidable mistakes. As you double-check your answers, you may even recall other information that didn't initially come to mind.	Create a relaxing and distraction-free study space. Change study spaces during your review session to improve retention. Rework problems from homework assignments and other tests. Make a list of important concepts and formulas. Use study methods that suit your learning style. Take a practice exam to see what you need to work on. Ask for help from your instructor or other students. Take a short 5 – 10-minute break every 20 – 50 minutes while you’re studying. Exercise to boost your concentration and memory. Eat healthy, well-balanced meals before the exam. Get at least 8 hours of sleep the night before your exam. Carefully read the directions given for each problem. Solve the problems you know first. Use all the time allowed for the exam.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Spaghetti-with-Italian-Style-Sauce	How to Make Spaghetti with Italian Style Sauce	To make spaghetti with Italian-style sauce, start by bringing a pot of water to a boil and heating some olive oil in a separate pot over medium heat. Then, saute sausage or ground beef in the pot with the oil until it's brown all the way through. Next, add mushrooms, onions, garlic, peppers, and canned tomatoes to the pot with the meat and simmer everything for 15-20 minutes. Finally, while the sauce is simmering, cook some spaghetti in the boiling water for 7-10 minutes.	Put on a pot of water to boil with 8-12 cups of water. While it is heating, cook your sauce: Heat up 2 table spoons of olive oil in a separate pot heat on medium heat. Sauté your sausage or ground beef until browned (drain and return to pot), then add bell peppers and mushrooms and cook until lightly cooked. Add onions into the pot, continue sauteing until edges are browned. Then add fresh diced garlic and cook another minute (overcooked garlic is bitter and loses its flavor). Add canned tomato and spices, stir and let it simmer for 15 to 20 min. Add the spaghetti pasta to water in the first pot when it is boiling. Add 1 tsp of salt. Stir gently and constantly to keep it from sticking together. Let the spaghetti boil for 7-10 min or until it is firm but cooked to your liking. Fresh spaghetti will cook quicker than dried pasta strands. Once the spaghetti is done, drain it. Mix with sauce and serve immediately.	Put on a pot of water to boil with 8-12 cups of water. Heat up 2 table spoons of olive oil in a separate pot heat on medium heat. Sauté your sausage or ground beef until browned (drain and return to pot), then add bell peppers and mushrooms and cook until lightly cooked. Add onions into the pot, continue sauteing until edges are browned. Add canned tomato and spices, stir and let it simmer for 15 to 20 min. Add the spaghetti pasta to water in the first pot when it is boiling. Stir gently and constantly to keep it from sticking together. Let the spaghetti boil for 7-10 min or until it is firm but cooked to your liking. Mix with sauce and serve immediately.
https://www.wikihow.com/Respect-Your-Elders	How to Respect Your Elders	Even though older people might seem very different to you, it's important to show them respect and kindness. If you see an older person struggling with something, like opening a door, crossing the road, or carrying their shopping, lend them a helping hand. Always be polite with your elders and avoid using slang they might not understand. A lot of older people live at a slower pace due to their health and lifestyle, so try not to rush them or talk too fast. Don't take it personally if they have outdated views. Instead, try to understand their perspective and calmly ask them why they think those things. If you have elderly family, keep in touch with them to see how they're doing and show them you care.	Offer to provide support. Elders often need some kind of support with simple day to day tasks. They may need help reading their mail, or they may need almost constant care due to health concerns. Begin by letting the elder in your life know that you would like to provide help. Don't make assumptions about what the person needs or wants. Always ask before providing any kind of help. If you don't, the person may feel that you think they're incompetent or don't respect them. You can say something like, “Grandmother, I know you may not need it, but if you'd like some help around the house or running errands, I'd love to do that for you.” Take on the responsibilities that you can. You might not be able to provide all of the care that the person needs. For example, if someone needs nursing around the clock, it's unlikely that you'll be able to provide that. However, you can take on the responsibility of hiring and paying a nurse, or arranging for a rotation of family members to provide the necessary care. In some cultures, it's considered disrespectful or a failure to hire someone outside the family to care for an elder. Don't overextend yourself. Taking care of an elder may create some change in your life, but it shouldn't cause you to lose your job or abandon your other obligations. Help them stay healthy. Elders may have a hard time staying active and eating healthy meals. They may be less mobile than they used to be. Shopping and cooking may be difficult for them. Do what you can to make sure they're eating right and getting gentle exercise. Visit the person regularly and go for a walk with them. Even a short walk provides fresh air and movement. Bring them food when you come for a visit. You can bring food you've prepared ahead of time, or groceries they can easily make use of. That way, they won't need to expend a lot of energy to get a nutritious meal. If you can't bring them food, look into programs such as Meals on Wheels that deliver food to the elderly. Let them know you respect their autonomy. Losing the ability to take care of oneself can be difficult and sometimes embarrassing for people. Make sure that the elder knows that you still respect them and don't think of them as infirm. You can say things like, “I know you can cook for yourself, but I enjoy making meals that I can share with you.” You can also say, “Please let me know if there's anything you need. I'm happy to help, but I can respect that you like to do things on your own.” Visit them. Life can be lonely for elders. If they don't have a spouse or family living with them, they may not see very many people on a regular basis. Try to visit them whenever you can make the time. If you can't visit regularly because of distance, make a point of calling to talk to them on the phone. Try to make visits or calls on a regular schedule. Sometimes surprise visits or irregular schedules can be disorienting for an elder. Visiting every Wednesday afternoon, for example, can be a regular activity that the person can look forward to. Slow down. As people age, they process things and move more slowly. Your elder may need you to walk more slowly or repeat things that you say. Avoid showing impatience and remember that they're doing all they can to keep up. Elders may have a particularly difficult time using or understanding newer technology. You may need to go very slowly when showing them how to use it, or you may choose to not introduce new technologies into their lives. Let the elder set the pace for things like walking or preparing meals. Be polite. Most elders will have a strong sense of propriety and etiquette. Their expectations for how people talk to each other are likely very different than yours. Don't use the same kinds of slang and casual manners that you would use around your peers. If the elder is not a member of your family, refer to them as Mr., Miss, or Mrs. If they tell you to call them by their first name, you can then feel free to do so. In some cultures, elders expect to be referred to as “sir,” “ma'am,” or something equivalent. Always make sure that they have food before you serve yourself, and that they have a place to sit before you or other younger people are seated. Avoid paying attention to your phone or computer when you're with an elder. Try to keep your focus on them and your quality time together. Ask them about their life. Asking an elder about themselves is one of the best ways to show respect. It indicates that you are interested in who they are and that you respect the fact that they've lived a long life and have things to teach you. You can ask them to tell stories from their life. You can ask something like, “Do you remember anything from your time in the war?” or, “Where did your family move after they sold the business?” If they're a member of your family, you can ask them about your family tree. This is a great way to learn about your own history. You can say something like, “Where did your mother's family come from?” or “Did you know any of the people on Grandfather's side?” Accept generational differences. This may be the most difficult thing for people of all ages to do. However, it's important to remember that cultural norms and expectations change across generations. Things that seem perfectly normal to you may seem unthinkable to someone two generations older than you and vice versa. If matters of politics or social norms become a wedge between you and your elder, try to let it go. You can say something like, “I understand where you're coming from, but I think we might just disagree,” or, “We can do things that way here, if you want. But at home I'll probably still do things the way that works for me.” You can also ask the person to talk about where they're coming from. Be sure to do so in a way that doesn't convey judgement, though. For example, you can say something like, “Tell me more about why you don't believe in divorce. That sounds really interesting to me,” or, “I'd love to know more about what you like about your church.” Ask about their heritage. Many elders today grew up in a time when cultural and religious traditions were a more central part of daily life. No matter their heritage, chances are that someone who's your elder has some connection to traditions that may be lost in a generation or two if they're not passed down. Ask about traditional or culturally specific foods. Your elder may be able to teach you the most authentic way to prepare homemade tortillas, matzo balls, or tzatziki. Your elder may have a different first language than you. Ask if they could teach you some important phrases. This is especially welcome when the elder speaks a language or dialect that's declined in its usage, such as Native American languages. If the elder is someone in your family, this is a great way to learn about your own history and heritage. If they're not of your heritage, it can be a great way to learn about another culture. Invite them to engage in cultural or religious practices. Your elder may have grown up attending religious services regularly, or community events such as parades and dances. Let them know you'd like to attend something like that with them. Look for relevant events in your town. For example, your British grandmother may enjoy attending an evening of English country dancing. Even if you don't personally practice a religion, going with an elder to a religious event they connect to can be very meaningful for them. Celebrate life’s milestones. In some cultures, reaching specific ages, such as 60 or 70, is celebrated with big parties. Make sure to mark milestones in the elder's life. This honors the fact that good things are still happening in their life and they're still active. You can celebrate an elder's retirement or the anniversary of an accomplishment in their life. An elder may not have the energy or will to gather many people for a party. Take on that responsibility yourself to show them how many people love and care about them. Absorb and adapt traditional practices. You may not agree with everything your elder has to say. Still, there may be kernels of wisdom that you can adapt to your own life. Let them know how what they've taught you is useful to you. If there's a specific proverb from your culture that's resonant to you, share that with your elder. Let them know what it means to you. Find a way to express your heritage that is authentic to you. For example, it may not make sense for you to go about your life in your culture's traditional clothing, but you can wear some jewelry or other accessories that represent your culture.	Offer to provide support. Take on the responsibilities that you can. Help them stay healthy. Let them know you respect their autonomy. Visit them. Slow down. Be polite. Ask them about their life. Accept generational differences. Ask about their heritage. Invite them to engage in cultural or religious practices. Celebrate life’s milestones. Absorb and adapt traditional practices.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Bread-Flour	How to Make Bread Flour	To make your own bread flour, start by measuring out all-purpose flour according to your recipe. Next, add 1 teaspoon of vital wheat gluten for every 1 cup of flour to give the bread a firmer texture. For example, if your recipe calls for 2½ cups of flour, you would use 2½ teaspoons of vital wheat gluten. You can also add ½ teaspoon of whole wheat flour for every 1 cup of flour if you want your bread to have a subtle, nutty flavor. Then, sift the ingredients together into a bowl and use the flour mixture to bake your bread.	Buy or order vital wheat gluten. For this recipe, you'll need only two ingredients: all-purpose flour and vital wheat gluten. All-purpose flour can be purchased at nearly any grocery store. However, you may need to make a trip to a health food store or a baking supply store to find vital wheat gluten. Alternatively, if you can stand to wait, vital wheat gluten is easily available for order online. Either way, it is not especially expensive — a small bag should cost less than $10. You won't need more than a few teaspoons of vital wheat gluten for most bread recipes. Measure out the all-purpose flour for your recipe. Look at the recipe to see how much bread flour is required. Measure out this much all-purpose flour instead. Pour this flour into a mixing bowl separate from the other ingredients. Add one teaspoon vital wheat gluten per cup of flour. This converts all-purpose flour to a form that can be used just like bread flour. This ratio scales proportionally. For instance, if your recipe calls for 2 1/2 cups of bread flour, you would add 2 1/2 teaspoons vital wheat gluten to 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour. Add a small amount of whole wheat flour. This step isn't essential, but a little wheat flour works well as a binding agent and gives the bread a subtle "nutty" flavor. Add no more than 1/2 teaspoon per cup of all-purpose flour so as not to affect the total volume of your dry ingredients. Mix well. Sift the ingredients above together in the bowl. Once they are well incorporated, you will be left with a substance you can use in place of bread flour. The gluten in the new flour substitute will give the final product a denser, "stronger" bread than you would have otherwise. Don't be alarmed if your bread turns out with a slightly different texture than it had before. Measure out wholewheat flour for your recipe. The basic process for converting wholewheat flour to bread flour is basically the same as above. However, a few qualities of wholewheat flour make some minor differences necessary. To start, add the wheat flour to a mixing bowl. Again, this is a one-to-one substitution for the bread flour in your recipe. If your recipe calls for three cups of bread flour, start with three cups of wholewheat flour (and so on). Add two teaspoons of vital wheat gluten per cup flour. Wholewheat flour contains a substance called bran which weakens the effects of gluten. This means that it's necessary to add more gluten artificially than you would with all-purpose flour. This scales proportionally in the same way as in the section above. For instance, if you have three cups of wholewheat flour, you would add six teaspoons of vital wheat gluten. Mix well. Sift the ingredients together in the mixing bowl. When they are well combined, the substance you have in the bowl will substitute well for bread flour. However, for the best possible results, a few more precautions are necessary. See the next steps. Add extra water to the wet ingredients. The bran and protein content of wholewheat flour tend to make it slightly more absorbent than normal flour. To compensate, add a little extra to the wet ingredients you're using for your bread. About two and a half tablespoons of water per cup of wholewheat flour should be plenty. To be clear, you'll want to add this water to the bowl where you're mixing the eggs, oil, milk, and so on. Don't add it directly to the flour or it will incorporate unevenly. Let the bread rise less than normal. When making bread, normally, you allow the dough to rise to about double its normal size. However, with wholewheat flour, you'll only want to allow it to rise to about 1 1/2 times its normal size. This is because wholewheat flour tends to make dough a little less flexible. If you let the dough rise all the way, it won't be able to support its full size and will "deflate" somewhat during baking.	Buy or order vital wheat gluten. Measure out the all-purpose flour for your recipe. Add one teaspoon vital wheat gluten per cup of flour. Add a small amount of whole wheat flour. Mix well. Measure out wholewheat flour for your recipe. Add two teaspoons of vital wheat gluten per cup flour. Mix well. Add extra water to the wet ingredients. Let the bread rise less than normal.
https://www.wikihow.com/Give-a-Positive-Reference-for-an-Employee	How to Give a Positive Reference for an Employee	To give a positive reference for an employee, be honest and avoid exaggerating so that your reference is believable. Try to use positive and actionable language as much as possible, like "reliable," "team-player," and "collaborate," which will create a positive image of the candidate in the employer's mind. Also, look over the employee's performance reviews and talk to them beforehand so you can include any important accomplishments and contributions they've made.	Offer to write a positive letter. If someone approaches you about providing them a reference, first consider their request. If you have had a good experience with the person and can positively support their candidacy for a position, then offer to write them a positive letter. However, it's important that you are honest, as your reputation could be damaged if the person doesn't act in the manner you described at their new job. Don't offer to write a letter if you cannot write anything truthfully positive. You don't want to hurt the person's chances of getting a job. Only accept providing a reference if you've worked with the person for a longer period of time. It's hard to get a sense of someone's capabilities and working style in a few months. Make sure that you are the appropriate person to provide the reference. This may require checking your company's policies on references. Find out the position and details for the job. Ask the person to give you information on the job for which they're applying and any other relevant data you should know including her resume. You should also collect any information pertinent to the person's job for you such as performance reviews. Ask the person for whom you will write a reference letter to tell you about the job for which you will be recommending her, an updated resume, and other information such as how she thinks she contributed to your company or projects and how she could benefit her new workplace. Consider reading through your correspondence with the person to get an assessment of their professionalism and how they work. You can also use performance reviews for this purpose. Draft a preliminary letter. Before you provide the person a positive reference for your former employee or colleague, use the information you gathered to draft a preliminary letter. This will help you ensure that your reference is positive and comprehensive. A reference letter should be between one and two pages in length. If you write anything longer, the potential employer may not read the entire text and could miss vital information about the candidate. A brief introduction should state the person's name, the job for which they're applying, and if you recommend them for the position. For example, you could write “It is with pleasure that I recommend Christopher Smith for the position of brand manager. Christopher has made a significant contribution to my work/ this company, and I think he could be a great asset to your team.” The body of the letter can be 1-3 paragraphs and should discuss how long you've known the person, in what capacity you've worked together, discuss and highlight their skills, and address how the person could benefit the potential employer. You want to provide actionable evidence of why the person is the best candidate for the job. You can also discuss the person's character in the main body of the letter, though you should be careful to not include personal information, which may not only prejudice a potential employer, but could also be illegal. You should close with a brief summary paragraph noting that you highly recommend the person, and offering to make yourself available should the potential employer have questions. For example, “Based on my experiences with Christopher Smith, I would recommend him for the position of brand manager with Brand Management, Inc. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me via email or by telephone.” Use positive and actionable words. When you're drafting and later revising your reference letter, you want to make sure to use both positive and actionable language when describing the candidate. This can help the potential employer get a better sense of the candidate and may also present a more positive image of her. Use verbs such as collaborate, cooperate, and promote. Use nouns such as team-player, asset, and responsibility. Use adjectives such as reliable, intelligent, good-natured, diligent. You can put these words together in phrases such as “Christopher and I collaborated on a marketing project and he was a significant asset in our gaining several new clients. He is a responsible and friendly team-player who will make a positive impact on your company.” Be honest and don’t exaggerate. You want to sell the candidate as best as possible while being honest about their qualifications. There is a fine line between honesty and exaggeration and you want to avoid this so that potential employers don't find your letter disingenuous. You don't necessarily need to say the person is the best or the greatest unless they actually are. Instead, consider writing something like “Christopher is one of the most responsible and collegial co-workers with whom I've had the pleasure to work.” When assessing someone's technical skills and abilities, you can write something along the lines of “Christopher is among the top 5% of brand managers with whom I have worked.” Revise and copy edit your letter. Once you've drafted a preliminary letter, revise the text to strengthen it and iron out any areas that need additional development. This will also allow you to copy edit the letter for any spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors. Make sure you're revised draft has the appropriate components of an introduction, body, and closing that are honest, incorporate positive vocabulary and present the best picture of the candidate possible. Consider reading the letter aloud to hear possible mistakes and help ensure that it sounds professional. Make sure that the information you provide in the letter is tailored to the new job. Format your letter. Before you can send out a reference letter, you need to format it properly. This can help ensure that the potential employer takes your reference letter seriously. Make sure the letter is on company letterhead. On the first line of text, write in the date of the reference letter. Immediately underneath the date, put the address of the potential employer. Address it either to the candidate's possible supervisor or the human resources department. Include your contact address underneath the potential employer's information. After your greeting, make sure to sign your name in black ink and have your name printed underneath it. You can include your title, email, and phone number if you like. Proofread one final time. Before you send the reference letter, read over the text one final time. This can help ensure that you haven't made any mistakes or omitted important information. Check your company's policy regarding verbal references. Some companies only allow employees to release basic information such as employment tenure. Some may only allow for written references. Confirming your company's reference policy can help ensure that you provide the best possible verbal reference. Agree to provide a verbal reference. If an employee or colleague asks you to give her a reference, make sure you can positively accept the request. If you have had a good experience with the person and can support her application, then offer to provide a reference with the potential employer. Don't offer to serve as a reference if you cannot say something positive about the person. You don't want to subvert her chances of getting the job. Only agree to speak to a potential employer if you've worked with the person for a while. It may be difficult to answer questions about a person or her skills in a few months. Make sure that you are the appropriate person to provide the reference, which may require checking with your boss or the company's policies on references. Ask the person information to use for your reference. You'll need some basic information from the person about the job for which they're applying and any other relevant data that you should know. Request information about the candidate's potential job and an updated resume. You may even want an assessment of how she thinks she contributed to your company or projects and how she could benefit her new workplace. You should also collect any information pertinent to the person's job for you such as performance reviews. Consider reading through your correspondence with the person to get an assessment of their professionalism and how they work. You can also use performance reviews for this purpose. Schedule a phone conversation. Most verbal references are provided by phone and you'll want to schedule a time to speak with the candidate's potential employer. Setting aside a specific time to discuss the candidate can help ensure that you are able to give a comprehensive, professional, and positive reference. Either have the candidate give your contact information to the potential employer or ask the candidate for the appropriate data at the new company. Make sure you schedule the appointment for a time when you are relaxed and not pressed to make a meeting. Compose notes for the phone reference. Once you've had a chance to schedule a meeting and gather some pertinent information, sketch some notes about the candidate. This can help ensure that you don't forget important information about the candidate's skills or behavior during the conversation. Since you will not know what questions the potential employer may ask, make sure to write notes on various aspects of the candidate including how you know them and for how long, in what capacity you worked together, and an assessment of their skills. Answer questions thoroughly and honestly. A verbal reference will often require you to answer questions a potential employer has about the candidate. Having notes and answer the questions as detailed and honestly as possible may help the candidate land the job. Make sure that you don't exaggerate the person's qualifications. You don't necessarily have to say “he's the greatest ever”, but can objectively say “He's one of the best colleagues/ employees I've ever had.” Remember that hesitating on an answer may make it seem like you're being dishonest. Incorporate positive and descriptive words and phrases. When you're answering the potential employer's questions, make sure to incorporate words that make the candidate attractive. This can give the candidate the edge over other people for the job. You can use a variety of verbs, nouns and adjectives to describe the person. The more descriptive you can be, the more helpful it is to the potential employer. For example, you can says things such as “Christopher is a very creative problem-solver,” or “she communicates her ideas clearly.” Make sure to use language that also incorporates skills the person will need in their new position. Avoid personal subjects. Only talk about things relevant to the person's job performance, such as his superior leadership skills or ability to resolve disputes among colleagues. Don't talk about his personal life because it may make him—and you-- seem less professional in the eyes of prospective employers. Don't discuss anything personal including religion, marital status, age or health. Providing personal information could jeopardize the candidate's chances of getting hired. It may also be illegal depending on the type of information you divulge. Finish the reference conversation. Conclude the phone reference once you've answered the potential employer's questions. You may ask questions if you think it is necessary or will shed further light on the person. Make sure to thank the potential employer and offer to provide further information if necessary.	Offer to write a positive letter. Find out the position and details for the job. Draft a preliminary letter. Use positive and actionable words. Be honest and don’t exaggerate. Revise and copy edit your letter. Format your letter. Proofread one final time. Check your company's policy regarding verbal references. Agree to provide a verbal reference. Ask the person information to use for your reference. Schedule a phone conversation. Compose notes for the phone reference. Answer questions thoroughly and honestly. Incorporate positive and descriptive words and phrases. Avoid personal subjects. Finish the reference conversation.
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Mao	How to Play Mao	Mao is part card game and part prank, and is best played with 4-5 players. The objective is to get rid of all your cards, but new players can't be told any rules. Instead, they have to figure out the rules as they go! To start, pick a dealer to enforce the rules. Deal each player 6 cards and place the remainder of the deck in the center of the playing area to be used as penalty cards. Next, flip one card face-up next to the deck. The first player can play any card matching the suit or value of the top card, thus replacing the current top card. If they have no matching cards, they draw a card from the penalty stack. Then the next player to their right tries to match the top card. Play continues like this around the circle. Other common rules include no talking except when required by another rule, thanking the dealer when given a penalty card, and calling out Mao when you have one card left. If a rule is broken, anybody can award a penalty card by stating what was done to deserve the penalty. For example, somebody might say “Failure to say 'have a nice day'” after awarding a penalty card. To resolve a dispute over penalties, any player can announce a “point of order.” Then, all players must put down their cards to discuss the penalty. Players cannot talk about the rules directly during a point of order, or even touch their cards. When somebody calls “point of disorder,” play resumes. Other common optional rules include reversing play when an 8 is played, playing an Ace to skip the next player's turn, and calling out a new suit of your choice when you play a Jack. Once a round is over, the winner makes up a new secret rule and tells it to the dealer. Then a new round begins.	Choose 1 player to deal 3 cards to each player. Shuffle a regular deck of playing cards, allowing 1 player to evenly distribute 3 cards face-down to each player. Don't touch any of your cards until the dealer officially states that the round has started, or else you'll be charged with a penalty. You can deal 7 cards per player if you'd like to make the game a little easier. Place the remaining cards face-down and flip over the top card from the pile. Keep the rest of the cards in the center of the table so all the players can draw from the pile throughout the game. Take the top card and flip it over next to the deck so you can start gameplay. If you run out of cards in the draw pile, shuffle the discarded cards and place them in the center of the play area. Once again, flip over the top card and place it face-up. Say “The name of the game is Mao” if you’re the dealer. The game of Mao follows a lot of strict rules, including when gameplay can actually start. Wait for the dealer to say “the name of the game is Mao,” and then the player to the left can start the game. Play a card from your hand that matches the suit or rank of the center card. Look through your hand and see if any of your cards match the face-up card in the center of the table. Pick out a card that matches either the suit or face/number on the card that's face-up. Place your designated card in the pile so that gameplay can continue. For instance, if the center card is a red 10 of hearts, you can put down a card that's part of the heart suit, or another 10 card. You can place a Joker card on top of any face card, but not on top of any numerical cards. The gameplay will follow the suit of the card that's under the Joker. Draw a new card if you’re unable to play. Look through your deck and see if you have any numerical or suit matches in your hand. If you don't have any playable cards, pick up an additional card from the center pile and add it to your hand. This will count as your play for the turn. Continue gameplay in a clockwise direction. Keep going around the circle of players in a consistent, clockwise direction unless the gameplay changes. Keep in mind that there are certain rules that may cause a player to lose their turn, or that may cause the order of play to be reversed. Decide on a set of rules to follow before starting the game. Keep in mind that the rules of Mao differ between different players, and there's no singular, official version of the game. If no one is familiar with the game, let 1 player review the rules before the game starts. If needed, players can call a point of order to clarify anything confusing. If you're playing with an experienced Mao player, you can follow the rules that they're familiar with. Skip over the next player if someone puts down an ace. Keep a close eye on the different cards as they're put down. In most games, an ace signifies that the next player's turn will be skipped. If the next player doesn't abide by this rule, you can charge them with a penalty for continuing to play. Take an extra turn if you put down a 2. Place down a second card if you play a 2. However, the second card has to match the suit or numerical/face value of the previous card. For instance, if a player puts down a 2 but doesn't have any other playable cards, then their turn ends. Face value refers to a Jack, Queen, or King. Pick up a card if the previous player puts down a 7. Note that a 7 card in Mao is similar to the “plus 2” cards in Uno. If you fail to draw a card, then other players have the right to penalize you. The only exception to this rule is if you have a 7 in your hand. You can play this 7, and the penalty will be transferred to the next player, who then has to pick up 2 cards. The player who puts down the 7 should say “have a nice day” before ending their turn. If you put down a second 7, you should say “have a very nice day” to the next player. Play in the opposite direction if someone puts down an 8. Note that the 8 card is equivalent to the Uno reverse card. If gameplay is going clockwise when an 8 is put down, switch so the game is played counterclockwise. If a player doesn't reverse after an 8 is put down, then they qualify for a penalty. Declare a new suit if you put down a Jack. Compare the Jack card to a wild card in Uno. The player who puts down the Jack can declare a new suit for gameplay, and then the game continues as usual. If the original player doesn't declare a suit, another player can call out a new suit instead. State the exact card you’re putting down if your card is a spade. Say the name of the card with the suit, like “Queen of Spades” or “3 of spades.” If you don't list out the full name of the card, you can be penalized. Say “one card” if you only have a single card left in your hand. Similar to Uno, you have to declare when you have a single card left in your deck. If you don't say “one card” out loud before your turn ends, then another player can declare a penalty. Keep an eye on how many cards each player has left in their hand. If it looks like they're getting low, they may be saying “one card” soon. Discard identical cards at any point in the game. Participate in “two-it,” a rule that allows you to put an identical card down on the pile, even if it's not your turn. Don't use a “two-it” to get rid of your last card, or else you'll qualify for a 5-card penalty. For example, if a player puts down a 9 of clubs, you can also put down a 9 of clubs, even if it's not your turn. Keep in mind that if you're only playing with 1 deck, you won't have any identical cards. Thank any player who penalizes you. In the name of sportsmanship, the game of Mao requires that all players thank one another once they're given penalties. Let the penalizing player in question know that you graciously accept their penalty. If you don't, you'll have to pick up an additional card. For instance, you can say “Thank you for the penalty” or something similar. State “penalty for” if another player breaks the rules. Keep a close eye on the other players to make sure they aren't breaking any of the unspoken rules. If you notice a rule being broken, interrupt the game by saying “penalty for” and then list the penalty that the player did. Don't state the rule that was broken—just let the other player know that their move was illegal. For instance, if someone puts down an 8, the gameplay needs to reverse immediately. If the next player continues to play in the same direction, you can say “penalty for putting down a card.” This helps keep the rules anonymous to new players while enforcing the parameters of the game. Take 1 card from the deck if you’re penalized. Grab a new card and add it to your hand anytime you're called out for breaking a rule. Keep in mind that 1 card is the standard penalty, but certain penalties can require you to draw more cards. Place your cards down if someone says “point of order. ” Call a point of order as a sort of “time-out” for the game. At this point, all players need to put their cards face-down in the play area. No one is allowed to touch their cards until the “end point of order” is stated by the original player. If you touch your cards during a point of order, you need to draw a card as a penalty. Any player can call a point of order, which will pause the game and temporarily suspend the rules. Use a point of order if you need to clarify part of the game to another player, or if you need to take a break for some reason. State “Mao” or “Mao Mao” when playing the final card in your hand. When you're putting down the last numerical card, Joker, Ace, King, or Queen in your hand, say “Mao” as you get rid of your last card. If you're getting rid of a Jack as your final card, say “Mao Mao” instead. If you forget to say “Mao” or “Mao Mao,” you'll be charged with a penalty and have to draw a new card. If you say “Mao” or “Mao Mao” when it's not your turn, you have to pick up 5 cards. Add 3 cards to your hand if you put a Jack on top of another Jack. Avoid putting another Jack on top of a Jack, if you can. Though Jacks represent wild cards, you'll invoke a 3-card penalty if you play 2 Jacks in a row. Pick up an extra card if you curse during the game. Do your best to keep things clean, even if you're feeling frustrated. While it's perfectly normal to feel irritated during a game of Mao, express your annoyance in a clean way. If you curse at any point, you need to pick up an extra card. This is a preset rule, not an unspoken one. Remind all players to keep it clean before the game starts! Take a card if you discuss or explain the game rules. Don't ask about any of the rules or try to help another player out, no matter how frustrating the game may seem. If you do this, you'll have to add an extra card to your hand. Mao may be a frustrating game at first, but it'll get easier as you play more games! If you really need to explain the game, call a point of order before doing so.	Choose 1 player to deal 3 cards to each player. Place the remaining cards face-down and flip over the top card from the pile. Say “The name of the game is Mao” if you’re the dealer. Play a card from your hand that matches the suit or rank of the center card. Draw a new card if you’re unable to play. Continue gameplay in a clockwise direction. Decide on a set of rules to follow before starting the game. Skip over the next player if someone puts down an ace. Take an extra turn if you put down a 2. Pick up a card if the previous player puts down a 7. Play in the opposite direction if someone puts down an 8. Declare a new suit if you put down a Jack. State the exact card you’re putting down if your card is a spade. Say “one card” if you only have a single card left in your hand. Discard identical cards at any point in the game. Thank any player who penalizes you. State “penalty for” if another player breaks the rules. Take 1 card from the deck if you’re penalized. Place your cards down if someone says “point of order. State “Mao” or “Mao Mao” when playing the final card in your hand. Add 3 cards to your hand if you put a Jack on top of another Jack. Pick up an extra card if you curse during the game. Take a card if you discuss or explain the game rules.
https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Earned-Value	How to Calculate Earned Value	To calculate earned value, start by determining the actual cost accrued on the project up through the project status date. Then, calculate the planned value, which is the budgeted cost of the project to the project status date. Next, estimate the percent completed for each of the project tasks that have been started, using 100 percent for tasks that have been finished. Finally, multiply the planned value of each task by the percentage completed for that task and total those numbers to get the earned value.	Prepare a project schedule. To take advantage of the power of Earned Value Analysis, your schedule must define when each project task should be done and how much each task should cost. Begin by creating a space to fill out a project schedule, either on paper or in a spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel. List the tasks required to complete the project. All tasks should be included. Identify the resources required to perform each task. Include labor and materials. For example, imagine that a security company is bidding on a government contract. This requires two separate tasks: compiling and writing the bid document, and checking it for compliance with government standards. These two tasks would be listed separately, along with the employees (resources) and any other equipment needed to complete them. Determine the amount of each resource that will be required for each task. Generally, this will be an amount of hours needed to complete the task, separated by resource (by employee in the example). For our example, the first task requires 20 hours of Employee A's time, and the second requires 30 hours of Employee B's time. Each employee only works on one task in this case. Ascertain the unit cost for each resource which, for labor, will be an hourly rate. This can be hourly wages for employees or the cost of running necessary machinery or equipment for a given amount of time. For our example, Employee A earn $25 per hour but Employee B earns $50 per hour. Determine the expected cost to perform each task. You'll need to perform some basic math for this step. Multiply the hourly rate for each required labor resource by the number of hours required. Total this product for all required labor resources. Calculate the total cost of materials required to complete the task. Add any additional costs for such items as equipment rental, insurance, transportation, government fees, etc. The total is the budgeted cost for the task. For example, imagine that the expected cost of completing the security contract bid is the cost of the employees' wages and materials used plus a government submission fee. Multiply and add the wage rates of each employee by the number of hours each one works. In this case, this is $500 for employee A ($25/hr * 20 hours) and $1500 for employee B ($50/hr * 30 hours). In addition, you estimate that the employees will use $200 worth of materials over the course of the project and there is a one time, $300 government submission fee paid at the end. When split into separate tasks, this means that the cost for the first task, completed by employee A, will be $750 ($500 wage to employee A and half of both the cost of supplies and the government fee). The cost of second task will be the cost of employee B's wages plus the other half of the projected materials cost and the government fee, so $1750 ($1500+$100+$150). Estimate the length of time each task will take. This is the elapsed time to complete the task, not the amount of labor (applied time) needed to complete the task. In the example, employees A and B are working on other tasks at the same time as this project is being completed. You estimate that the total length of time required will be two weeks (10 business days). Identify the prerequisites for each task. The prerequisites are the tasks that must be completed before the given task can be started. For example, one task that will have to be done before employee A can begin compiling a bid document is to analyze the government contract offer and come up with a list of what is required in the company's submission. Schedule your project and tasks. Use project scheduling software or manually determine start and finish dates for each task. Spreadsheet software is often used for small projects. For example, the security company would create a start and end date for the government contract project that allows for the expected two week timeframe. This allows, for simplicity, one week for the first task and one for the second. Determine the actual costs accrued on the project up through the project status date. The total is referred to as the Actual Cost (AC) or Actual Cost of Work Performed (ACWP). This figure will be useful later when calculating earned value measurements. Imagine that, at this point, the security company is a week and one day into their government contract project. At this point, the company has recorded $1600 in expenses for this project (including the half of the government fee recorded as an expense for the first task, even though it hasn't been paid yet). This is the actual cost. Calculate planned value. Planned value is essentially the budgeted cost of the project to the project status date (the date at which you are calculating earned value). It is also known as total Budgeted Cost of Work Scheduled (BCWS). In the example, the planned value of the project is the budgeted cost of the two tasks at this point, so $750 for the completed task 1 (completed in the first week) and one-fifth of task 2 (as we are one day into the five day duration of task 2). This means that task 2 has a planned value of $350 (1/5 * $1750) and the total planned value is $750 + $350, or $1,100. Figure out the project percent completion. Identify tasks that have been started, but not yet completed. Estimate the percent completed for each of these tasks. Tasks that have already been completed will be recorded as 100% complete. Imagine that task one was completed ahead of schedule in four days and task 2 was started at the end of of week 1 instead of the scheduled week 2 start. You estimate that task 2 is 40% complete. Calculate earned value. Multiply the planned value of each task by the percentage completed.The total is the Earned Value (EV) or Budgeted Cost of Work Performed (BCWP). Multiply task 1's completion percentage of 100% by its planned value of $750 to get an earned value of $750. Then, multiply task 2's completion percentage of 40% by it's planned value of $1750 to get an earned value of $700. Total these to get an earned value of $750 + $700, or $1,450. Calculated the Schedule Variance (SV). Subtract the Budgeted Cost of Work Scheduled (planned value) from the Budgeted Cost of Work Performed (earned value). SV = BCWP - BCWS or SV = EV - PV A positive Schedule Variance indicates that the project is ahead of schedule. Negative means it is behind. In the example, this would be the earned value of $1,450 minus the planned value of $1,100. This gives $350, a positive result which indicates that the project is ahead of schedule. Calculate the Schedule Performance Index (SPI). Divide the Budgeted Cost of Work Performed by the Budgeted Cost of Work Scheduled. SPI = BCWP / BCWS or SPI = EV/PV If the SPI is greater than 1, the project is ahead of schedule. If it is less than 1, the project is behind schedule. In the example, this would be the earned value of $1,450 divided by the planned value of $1,100, which gives an SPI of 1.32. This result is greater than 1, indicating that the project is ahead of schedule. Calculate the Cost Variance (CV). Subtract the Actual Cost of Work Performed from the Budgeted Cost of Work Performed. CV = BCWP - ACWP or CV = EV - AC A positive Cost Variance indicates that the project is under budget. In the example, this would be the earned value of $1,450 minus the actual cost of $1,600. This gives -$150. The negative result means that the project is running over budget and the company may be overspending in some area. Calculate the Cost Performance Index (CPI). Divide the Budgeted Cost of Work Performed by the Actual Cost of Work Performed. CPI = BCWP / ACWP or CPI = EV/AC If the CPI is greater than 1, the project is under budget. If it is less than 1, the project is over budget. For the security company, their earned value of $1,450 divided by the actual cost of $1,600 yields a CPI of 0.91, meaning that the project is over budget. Compute the budgeted cost for the entire project by adding the BCWS or PV for all project tasks. The resulting total is known as the "Budget at Completion" (BAC). This is simply the combined budgeted costs of the two tasks which is $750 (task one) plus $1,750 (task two) for a total of $2,500. Calculate the Estimate at Completion (EAC). There are two different ways to calculate this measurement. You should use the method more appropriate for the specific circumstances of your project. If the current cost variance is the result of something that occurred that is not likely to continue, then the BCWS for the remainder of the project is likely still valid. Subtract the Cost Variance from the Budget at Completion to get the estimated actual cost: EAC = BAC - CV. In the example, this would be $2,500 - (-$150), which with the negative sign canceling out the subtraction sign, gives $2,500 + $150, or $2,650. If the current cost variance is the result of circumstances that are likely to continue (such as a higher than expected cost of labor), then divide the Budget at Completion by the Cost Performance Index to estimate the total project cost: EAC = BAC / CPI. In the example this would be $2,500/0.91, which gives about $2,750.	Prepare a project schedule. Determine the amount of each resource that will be required for each task. Ascertain the unit cost for each resource which, for labor, will be an hourly rate. Determine the expected cost to perform each task. Estimate the length of time each task will take. Identify the prerequisites for each task. Schedule your project and tasks. Determine the actual costs accrued on the project up through the project status date. Calculate planned value. Figure out the project percent completion. Calculate earned value. Calculated the Schedule Variance (SV). Calculate the Schedule Performance Index (SPI). Calculate the Cost Variance (CV). Calculate the Cost Performance Index (CPI). Compute the budgeted cost for the entire project by adding the BCWS or PV for all project tasks. Calculate the Estimate at Completion (EAC).
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Skinny-Arms	How to Get Skinny Arms	The best way to get skinny arms is by doing arm-toning exercises like bicep curls, hammer curls, tricep dips, and pushups. Since your goal is to lose fat without bulking up your arm muscles too much, use light weights and do at least 15-20 reps per exercise, resting for 30 to 60 seconds between sets. It's also important to do at least 150 minutes of cardio exercise every week, which helps you burn additional fat and achieve a nice, toned look.	Work your biceps. This is the 2-part muscle at the top of your upper arm connecting your shoulder to your elbow joint. Your biceps help you curl your foreman towards your body and upwards. Toning this muscle gives a toned look on the front of your arm. Try the following exercises: Bicep curls. Stand straight with a dumbbell in each hand. Keep elbows close to your body and keep your palms facing forward. Keeping the upper arms stationary, lift the weights towards your body while contracting your biceps. Continue to raise the weights until the dumbbells are at shoulder level. Slowly release your arms back down until hands are by your sides. Hammer curls. Stand up straight with a dumbbell in each hand. Your palms should be facing your body. Lift the weight forward until the the weight is at shoulder level. Slowly release your arms back down to your sides. Strengthen your triceps. This 3-part muscle at the back of your upper arm connects the back of the shoulder to your elbow joint. The tricep helps your arm extend overhead or in backwards motion. Toning the triceps helps prevent the look of "flabby arms". Try the following exercises: Tricep push ups. This exercise is similar to a regular push up except for the position of the elbows. Start by getting down into a plank position, with arms straightened underneath your shoulders. Lower your body until your chest is a few inches from the floor. Your elbows and arms should be flush with the side of your body. Push your body back up towards the starting position in a quick motion. Keep your abs and back muscles tight throughout this exercise. Push-ups. Get down into a plank position, with arms straightened underneath your shoulders. Lower your body until your chest is a few inches from the floor. Your elbows should be pointing outward away from your body. Push your body back up towards the starting position in a quick motion. Keep your abs and back muscles tight throughout this exercise. Tricep dips. With your back facing a bench or stable chair, place your hands on the edge of the chair/bench with fingers facing away from the chair/bench. Arms should be straight and locked in place. Slowly lower yourself downward until your upper arm is parallel to the floor. Your elbows should stay close to your body. Push your body back up using your triceps to straighten your arms as they were in the starting position. Tricep extensions. Lie on a bench or floor while holding two dumbbells directly in front of you. Your arms should be fully extended and perpendicular to the floor. Your palms should be facing your shoulders and the elbows should be tucked in close to your body. Slowly lower the weight until the dumbbells are near your ears. Bring the weight back up until your arms are fully extended. Tone your deltoids. This muscle attaches to the top of your shoulder and to the middle of your upper arm bone (the humerus). It helps you raise your arm out to the side, forward and back. Toning this muscle helps provide a very defined looked to the upper part of your arm. Try the following exercises: Lateral raises. Hold a dumbbell in each had with your palms facing your body. Lift the dumbbells to your side making sure there is a slight bend at your elbows. Lift the weights up, making sure your arms are aligned, until your arms are parallel to the floor. Slowly lower the dumbbells back down to your sides. Front rows. Grab a dumbbell in each hand with palms facing your body. Lifting the dumbbells up to your chin - elbows should end up pointing away from your body. Keep the dumbbells close to your body as you move. Slowly release and return to starting position. Push-ups. Include chest exercises. Doing plenty of push ups and planks can do wonders for the area near your underarms next to your chest. Toning all the muscles around your arms will give you a more thorough workout and the most defined look. Try exercises like these: Chest-press. Lay flat on your back holding a dumbbell in each hand. Raise arms up at shoulder length and keep arms straight and locked. Slowly lower the weights down to your chest, with your palms turned to face your feet and your elbows pointing away from your body. Then lift weights back up until arms are completely straight. Chest flys. Lay flat on your back holding a dumbbell in each hand. Keep arms flat out to the sides with your palms facing the ceiling. While keeping your arms mostly straight (with a slight bend in the elbow), bring your arms together until your hands meet in front of you with arms full extended. Slowly lower your arms back down to your sides. Do push ups Perform many reps with light weights. Since your goal is to lose fat without bulking up your arm muscles too much, it's best to start with fairly light weights. You should be able to perform an exercise for at least 15 to 20 reps without gasping for air or feeling your muscles burn excessively. This trains your endurance, so you stay fit but do not develop large muscles. Rest for 30 to 60 seconds between sets. Your goal is strong but skinny, so you shouldn't be pushing your limits. If you feel the need to rest for more than a minute, move down to lighter weights. Perform two or three sets for each muscle group. For pure endurance training, you could do 2 sets of 20 bicep curls, then move on to 2 sets of 20 tricep dips. If you wouldn't mind building up a little arm muscle, try 2 sets of 15 or 3 sets of 12 with somewhat heavier weights. Divide your time between each muscle group. For best results, exercise each muscle group in two different sessions per week. For example, exercise your biceps and triceps on Monday; your triceps and deltoids on Wednesday; and your deltoids and biceps on Friday. Sign up for a beginners weight lifting class or a session with a personal trainer. Learning proper form is essential to lifting weights. If you're unsure of the proper form or exercises to help build and tone muscle, learning from an expert may be helpful. Many gyms offer free classes to members. Try attending an intro to weight lifting class. These classes are geared towards beginners and will have a fitness professional there to provide hands on coaching. Your gym may also offer sessions with a personal trainer. You may even be able to get a few free when you first sign up for a gym membership. However, there are many personal trainers that work on a consultant basis and can offer individual help at a local gym, your home or other facility. Include adequate cardio exercises each week. Spot-training or losing weight in one specific area of your body is impossible. However, including regular cardio can help you lose weight, decrease body fat and achieve thinner or smaller arms. It's recommended to include at least 150 minutes or 2.5 hours of cardiovascular activity each week. To burn more fat or to lose more weight include more exercise or increase the intensity. Include exercises such as: walking, jogging/running, using the elliptical, swimming or aerobic classes. Find cardio exercises that you enjoy doing, such as running, swimming, biking, or doing HIIT routines in your home. The best way to stay motivated and become fit is by choosing exercises that you want to do. Consider doing body weight exercises that tone and burn fat at the same time. Intervals with dynamic exercises that work your entire body can reduce inches on arms, waist, hips, legs and more. In addition, intervals help burn calories which can decrease body fat and support the look of smaller arms. The following are good exercises to do in intervals of 1 to 2 minutes with 15 to 30 seconds of rest in between: Jump rope. High impact exercise like jumping and using your arms to turn the jump rope mean that this exercise burns a lot of calories. Start with 20 seconds and work your way up to 1 minute or more. Rest and repeat 3 times. Do burpees. Stand with your arms high in the air. Place your arms by your feet and jump back into a plank position. Jump back to a squat and stand, raising your arms. Do this for 30 seconds, rest and repeat 3 times. For added benefit, do a push up when you land in the plank position. Watch calories or portions. If you feel that weight loss will help aid in toning your arms and helping them get smaller, you will need to watch calories or portion sizes of foods to help you reach your goal. Losing weight will require eating a little less or watching your total calorie intake each day. Safe weight loss is considered 1-2 pounds per week. You'll need to cut out or burn off about 500 calories a day to reach this goal. To cut back on portions, try using smaller plates, bowls or serving utensils. You may also find it handy to purchase measuring cups or a food scale to help make sure your portions are accurate. Eat a well-balanced diet. Healthy weight loss depends on a well-balanced diet. Including all five food groups into most of your meals throughout the week is a key component of a healthy and well-balanced diet. Consume lean protein at each meal and snack. One serving of lean protein (like poultry, pork, seafood, dairy or tofu) is about 3-4 ounces or 1/2 cup. Include a 5-9 servings of a variety of fruits and vegetables. One serving of fruit is 1/2 cup or 1 small piece of fruit and one serving of vegetables is 1 cup or 2 cups of leafy green vegetables. Also try to consume whole grains when choosing a grain food in your diet. All grains can be part of a healthy diet, but whole grains provide more nutrients than refined grains. Include 2-3 1 ounce or 1/2 cup portions each day. Choose healthy snacks. Snacks can be a part of a healthy diet, but should be monitored - especially when your goal is weight loss. Snacks should be between 100-150 calories per snack if your ultimate goal is weight loss. Snack only if you need to. For example, it's before a workout or you're starving and your next meal isn't for another 3 hours. Examples of healthy snacks include: 1/4 cup of nuts, 1 ounce whole grain crackers and peanut butter or 1/2 cup cottage cheese and fruit. Drink adequate water. Fluids are important for a healthy diet, weight loss and exercise. Being dehydrated can lead to weight gain and impede athletic performance. Everyone's fluid needs are different, but a good rule of thumb to follow is 64 oz or 8 glasses of water daily. Ideally you shouldn't feel thirsty throughout the day and your urine should be clear by late afternoon or evening.	Work your biceps. Strengthen your triceps. Tone your deltoids. Include chest exercises. Perform many reps with light weights. Rest for 30 to 60 seconds between sets. Perform two or three sets for each muscle group. Divide your time between each muscle group. Sign up for a beginners weight lifting class or a session with a personal trainer. Include adequate cardio exercises each week. Consider doing body weight exercises that tone and burn fat at the same time. Watch calories or portions. Eat a well-balanced diet. Choose healthy snacks. Drink adequate water.
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Payment-Reminder	How to Write a Payment Reminder	It can be stressful if your customer hasn't paid you, but if you're both polite and professional, your payment reminder will be more effective. Start your message by firmly reminding your customer that they are overdue and let them know whether or not any late charges will be applied. For instance, you could say, “As of today we have not received your payment, although we sent you notice on April 13. If we don't receive payment in full within 7 days, we may add a late penalty of $50 to your account.” Finish up your letter by letting them know where they can make their payment. Although you can send a notice by email, it's best to send it by mail and get a return receipt so you can prove that you sent them a reminder.	Format your letter. Your letter should be set up like a standard business letter. Set the font to something readable—usually Times New Roman 12 point works for most readers. Remember to include the date that you are sending the letter. If you don't use company letterhead, then you need to include your business address at the top. Request payment. You should mail out an initial reminder the first day that payment is due. You want to use a friendly tone. After all, the customer may have simply forgotten that payment was due or a check might even be in the mail. Make sure to give the customer a deadline for paying. You could write: “This letter is to remind you that payment on your account #45667 was due on April 12, 2016. As of today, we have not received payment from you. Kindly submit your payment within seven days.” You might be willing to offer a payment plan. If so, then mention that in the letter. For example, you might accept half of the amount due this month and the other half a month later. Identify acceptable payment methods. You don't want the customer to send you payment using a method you don't accept. To protect yourself, explicitly state what payment methods you accept—personal check, money order, cash, or credit card (such as Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, etc.) If credit card payment is an option, include lines at the bottom of your letter for the card number, expiration date, cardholder name, signature, and the amount to be charged. For example, you could write: “You may pay by check or money order, made payable to [insert your name]. As a courtesy to our clients, we also accept payment with Visa, Master Card, or American Express. If you choose to pay your balance with a credit card, complete the form at the bottom, sign, and return this letter to our office. Alternately, you could call to set up credit card payment.” Conclude the letter. You should tell the customer what attachments you have included. Also make sure to tell them to disregard the letter if payment has already been sent. If your letterhead doesn't contain a phone number or email address, then you should provide that information as well. For example, you could write, “I have enclosed a copy of the invoice I sent. Also enclosed is a stamped, addressed envelope you can use. If you have already sent your payment, then please ignore this letter.” Remember to sign your letter. Also include your title, e.g., Patient Account Coordinator. Send the notice to the customer. You can send the letter using email or by mail. If you send by mail, then it's best to send certified mail, return receipt requested. This will show that the customer has received your reminder. Don't forget to include any enclosures, such as a copy of the invoice or an envelope. If you send this notice by email, then send attachments as PDFs. Remind the customer that they are overdue. Prepare a second letter using the same format as the first. Remember to mention that you have already sent a first notice but you haven't heard anything. If you've added late fees, charges, or interest, make sure to mention that. Adopt a serious tone. Your first reminder was friendly, but now you need to start being serious. For example, you could write, “As of today, we have not yet received payment from you although we sent you notice on April 13. As a result, your account is overdue. We have not yet applied any late payment or interest charges.” Provide another deadline. Give the customer another seven days or so to send payment. Also remind them of the consequences if they don't pay up. For example, you might add late fees or other charges. Sample language could read: “If we don't receive payment in full within the next seven days, we may add a late penalty of $50 to your account.” You can remind the customer of your acceptable payment methods, using the same language that you used in your first notice. Conclude the letter. You can tell the customer what will happen if they don't pay up. For example, you might have a policy of no longer doing business with someone if they are late with their payments. For example, you could write: “Please note that we have a policy of refusing service to any individual who has an account more than 14 days overdue. We trust it will not be necessary to stop doing business and look forward to your payment. If you have already sent payment, then please ignore this letter.” You shouldn't email this notice. Instead, mail it certified mail, return receipt requested. Always keep a copy for your own records. Identify the letter as your final demand. Set up the letter as a standard business letter. However, also include a heading, such as the words “Final Demand.” Put the words in bold and underline them. You want the recipient to know that this is their last chance to pay up before you take additional action. Explain late fees. You should tell the customer that they are now in breach of your agreement and that you have added interest or a penalty for being late. Then tell them the new total amount they need to pay. Sample language could read: “Despite previous reminders, your account remains delinquent. Because you are now in breach of our payment terms, we are adding a $50 late payment penalty per our 'Late Payment of Debts Terms of Agreement.' The total outstanding debt is now $225.00.” Give a deadline. You should tell the customer how much time they have to make final payment. You should not give them too much time. For example, you could set a 72-hour deadline. Explain what will happen if the customer doesn't meet the deadline. For example, you might pass the account onto collections or sue the customer in court. Sample language could read: “It is now crucial that you pay your outstanding bill in full within the next seventy-two hours. If you don't, then we will have little choice but to pass this account to our debt collection agency, who will add more charges to the account.” You can bold the “seventy-two hours” to make those words stand out. Conclude your letter. Emphasize that the client should take this final demand letter seriously and pay up. For example, you could write, “We therefore suggest that you take this matter seriously and pay your balance in full as soon as possible.” Mail the letter. You should send this one through the post, using certified mail, return receipt requested. If you don't hear back from the customer, then go ahead and send the account to collections or sue—whichever you threatened in the letter.	Format your letter. Request payment. Identify acceptable payment methods. Conclude the letter. Send the notice to the customer. Remind the customer that they are overdue. Provide another deadline. Conclude the letter. Identify the letter as your final demand. Explain late fees. Give a deadline. Conclude your letter. Mail the letter.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Wig	How to Make a Wig	To make a wig, start by measuring the wearer's head and using their measurements to create a cap out of damp cotton lace. Once you've made the cap, run pieces of hair through a heckle to detangle and straighten the strands. Next, pull pieces of hair through loops in the lace and knot it so that it stays in place, starting at the neck and working your way up to the crown. Then, sew in steel springs to add lift to the hair at the scalp. Finally, style the wig with heat or products before wearing it.	Measure around the head at the hairline. Use a cloth tape measure to measure along the hairline. The tape measure should extend from the base of your hairline at your neck to the top of your hairline at the forehead. The tape measure should wrap just above the ears on either side of your head. Do not pull the tape measure. It should lie flat against flattened hair, but it should not be taut. Measure down the center top of your head. Place the end of a cloth tape measure at the center of your forehead, matching the end of the tape measure to the beginning of your natural hairline. Drape the tape measure over the crown of your head and down to the middle of the nape, where you natural hairline ends. As before, do not pull the tape measure. It should lie flat against flattened hair without being taut. Measure from one ear to the other. Bring the end of the cloth tape measure to the uppermost point at which your ear connects to the rest of your head. Drape the tape measure over the crown of your head and back down to the same position of the opposite ear. The tape measure should rest on both ears along the point at which eyeglasses or sunglasses would sit. Once again, the tape measure should lie flat against flattened hair but should not be pulled tight. Transfer your measurements to a wig block. Draw a rough sketch of the perimeter of your head based on the measurements you took. Use your cloth tape measure to measure out the same distances for the perimeter of your head, the crown of your head, and the distance between your ears. Alternatively, you could find a cotton lace cap or other fine net cap that will fit your head and place that over the wig block. It will not be a custom fit, but doing this can be easier than trying to form and apply strips of cotton lace. Nail cotton ribbons to the block. Line cotton ribbon along the perimeter of your wig outline, as drawn previously. Gently hammer this ribbon onto the wig block using small nails. If you decide to use a Styrofoam head instead of a wooden wig block, you can use sewing pins instead of nails to attach the ribbons. Make sure that the ribbons are as flat as possible on the wig block. Apply wet cotton lace. Moisten strips of cotton lace by quickly spritzing them with water from a spray bottle. Drape the strips of cotton lace over the wig block and stitch them to the ribbon. Note that the strips of cotton lace must be at least as long as the measurement you took for the crown of your head. They can, however, be a little longer at this point. Use as few strips as possible, opting for larger pieces rather than many smaller ones. Pin the lace in place before sewing it onto the ribbon. You can find cotton lace in a variety of colors, but avoid lace with patterns already embroidered into it. Wetting the lace beforehand makes it easier to form and shape. Try the foundation on. Remove the nails from the ribbon and take the wig foundation off the wig block. Try it on to determine if it fits correctly. If the wig foundation does not fit correctly, determine why not. Return the foundation to the wig block and make any adjustments you need to make in order to fix the fit. When everything fits the right way, trim off any excess cotton lace that hangs past the ribbon border of the wig foundation Choose real or synthetic hair. Both options have advantages and disadvantages. Generally, for a wig that will be worn every day, you would want to use real hair. For a wig only worn on occasion, you might be able to use synthetic hair. Natural hair look more realistic, tends to be more durable, and can tolerate heat and other styling products better. On the other hand, wigs made from real hair must be restyled after washes, the color can fade with light exposure, and the wigs can become damaged more easily. Synthetic hair does not look as realistic and can be damaged by heat and hair dye. On the other hand, wigs made from synthetic hair tend to be lighter, do not need to be restyled after washes, and do not fade as quickly. Sort and pull the hair. Run handfuls of hair through a hair heckle to detangle, straighten, and sort the hair. Pull and tie it into sections using hair elastics. A hair heckle consists of a sturdy base with five rows of pointed needles. It can straighten hair and blend multiple shades together. Bolt the heckle down before using it. Place the hair in between drawing mats. Lay one end of each hair section onto one drawing mat. Place the other drawing mat on top of the hair so that the pointed sides of both mats meet. Drawing mats are leather rectangles with short wires or needles along one side. They are used to keep hair straight and organized. Pick out the right ventilating needle. The right size depends on the number of strands you want in a single knot. For more strands, choose a larger needle. For fewer strands, choose a smaller one. If you have lace with very fine gaps, you might need to use fewer strands per gap, so you would choose a smaller needle. For lace with larger gaps, the number of strands will influence the fullness of the wig. More strands will create a fuller, fluffier wig, while fewer strands will create a flatter style. Pull the hair through in a loop and knot it onto the lace. You will need to single-knot or double-knot sections of hair made from only a few strands onto the individual gaps in the lace foundation using your ventilating tool. Fold the end of a thin section of hair to form a loop. Hook this loop with your ventilating needle and push it through one of the gaps in the lace foundation. Maneuver the needle so that you can grab the hair at the base of the loop with the hook, pulling it back through the gap of the lace. This should give you a new loop of hair that wraps around the edge of the gap. Knot the strands of hair once or twice onto the cotton edge of the gap. Make sure that the knot is fully tightened and closed so that the hair stays in place. You will need to pull the entire length of the section through the knot as you tighten it. Note also that you should be using your free hand to hold the other side of the hair taut as you work throughout this entire process. Work from the neck up. You should always start knotting the wig onto the lace from the bottom of the neckline. Work your way up along the back before moving to the sides. After reaching the sides, work your way over the crown of the head. The hair on the sides should be tied with double knots. The hair on the top of the wig, or on the crown, should be tied on using single knots. This prevents the hair from looking too thick. Vary the direction. Once you reach the crown of the wig, you should mentally separate the top into six separate directions and tie the strands off evenly in each of those directions. Do not merely tie the strands so that they fall in one single direction, since this will not look natural. You should have two sections that extend straight down from either side of the wig, and the other four sections should be evenly spaced between these initial two. Cover the ribbons. Turn the wig inside out and stitch hair along the inside edge of the ribbons to prevent them from showing from the front. Sew in steel springs. Use a needle and thread to sew a few short steel springs around the temples, neck, and forehead of the wig. This will help the hair lift in a natural, pleasant manner. The springs should only be a few loops wide and should not be visible from under the hair. Make the part and style the wig. With all the hair sewn in place, part the wig as you would do with a normal head of hair and cut the hair into your desired style. If you are anxious about cutting the hair into a good or flattering style, you might want to ask a hair stylist for some tips or ask if he or she will cut the wig for you. Make the final fit. Try the wig on. It should now be complete, but if anything looks off, you should still be able to adjust it. . Make an easy costume wig You can make a quick, inexpensive wig for a costume using a balloon, hair net, wefts of hair, and glue. Inflate the balloon and use it as a dummy head. Place the hair net over the balloon and glue the hair onto it. Trim away unwanted portions when done. Create a jellicle cat wig. You can create a wig to mimic the appearance of a jellicle cat from the Cats musical using sheets of faux fur. Measure your head for the correct shape and size. Create a pattern using your measurements and cut the faux fur out according to this pattern. Create and attach fake cat ears. Learn how to make doll wigs. Doll wigs can be made out of yarn. You can create one with or without a sewing machine. Make a ragdoll wig for yourself. You can make a large wig in the ragdoll style for a costume. Use yarn, and either sew or glue the wig into shape. . Create an easy wig from a mop Another way to make a costume wig is with a clean mop. Color the mop as desired and glue the individual mop strands to a hat.	Measure around the head at the hairline. Measure down the center top of your head. Measure from one ear to the other. Transfer your measurements to a wig block. Nail cotton ribbons to the block. Apply wet cotton lace. Try the foundation on. Choose real or synthetic hair. Sort and pull the hair. Place the hair in between drawing mats. Pick out the right ventilating needle. Pull the hair through in a loop and knot it onto the lace. Work from the neck up. Vary the direction. Cover the ribbons. Sew in steel springs. Make the part and style the wig. Make the final fit. . Create a jellicle cat wig. Learn how to make doll wigs. Make a ragdoll wig for yourself. .
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Eye-Irritations-in-Chinchillas	How to Treat Eye Irritations in Chinchillas	If you're not sure if your chinchilla has irritated eyes, look for common symptoms, like watery eyes, pink and irritated skin under the eyes, matted fur around the eyes, squinting, or holding one eye shut. Then, if you think your chinchilla's eyes are irritated, take it to see a vet so they can diagnose the problem and prescribe medication. The vet might prescribe a topical ointment, eye drops, or powder to treat your chinchilla's eye problems. Additionally, if there's an infection, they'll likely prescribe antibiotics. In addition to giving your chinchilla the medication the vet prescribes, you should avoid giving it a dust bath until it's feeling better, since the dust could cause further irritation.	Look for watery eyes. Look at your chinchilla's eyes for signs of tearing. Watery eyes can be a sign of irritation, but they can also indicate a cold, infection, or early onset pneumonia. Contact your doctor immediately if your chinchilla is running a fever or demonstrates other serious symptoms of illness (e.g., lethargy). If there is a thicker discharge coming from your chinchilla's eyes, it may be a sign of an upper respiratory infection or tooth problems, especially if the discharge is yellow or green. Check for matted fur around the eyes. A healthy chinchilla should have clean, dry eyes. Check your pet's eyes every day to make sure that they are in good condition. Matted fur around the eyes can signify that they have been watering, producing discharge, or simply causing your chinchilla enough discomfort for it to rub and scratch them. Spot pink, irritated skin under the eyes. Fungal infections are common in chinchillas and usually affect their eyes, nose, and genitals. Look for a loss of fur under the eyes that reveals pink, irritated skin. Contact your vet immediately, as an anti-fungal powder will be necessary to treat the fungus. Observe your chinchilla’s behaviour. Observe your chinchilla's behaviour throughout the day to see if it shows signs of discomfort. Pawing at its eyes repeatedly is a definite indication of an eye problem. You should also note if your chinchilla is squinting or holding one eye shut, which will be easier to recognize as you observe it for an extended period of time. Look for signs of injury. Because of their dense fur, it can be difficult to spot an injury on a chinchilla. Pick up your chinchilla so that you can examine its eyes closely and look for skin wounds, swelling, or the presence of foreign material around its eyes (e.g., a wood splinter.) Injury to the area may cause irritation and discomfort to its eye area. Injury can occur from an accident due to an object in your chinchilla's habitat, or from a fight with another chinchilla or household pet. Try to deduce the cause of your chinchilla's injury to prevent it in the future. Visit your vet to avoid an infection and to ensure that the injury is treated properly. Consult your veterinarian. If your chinchilla shows signs of eye irritation, contact your veterinarian immediately to rule out serious medical issues (e.g., a respiratory infection or serious injury.) Your vet will be able to diagnose the issue by doing a physical examination of your pet, and by testing its blood or eye discharge if necessary. They may prescribe a topical ointment, drops, or powder for your chinchilla, or prescribe antibiotics to treat an infection. Administer eye drops. With one hand, brace your chinchilla's head and neck firmly but gently. Use your thumb to gently secure your pet's eyelid, holding the eye open. Quickly squeeze the drops into your pet's eye, then repeat with the other eye if needed. Be sure to follow your veterinarian's instructions carefully when administering the treatment. If you have to apply eye ointment to your chinchilla's eye area, brace its head the same way and dab on the ointment as instructed by your veterinarian. Comfort your pet and give it a treat afterwards to prevent negative associations with the experience, which you will likely have to repeat once or twice a day while treating the irritation. Give your chinchilla medicine. Brace your chinchilla's head and neck and place the syringe or eyedropper you are using to administer medicine just behind your pet's front teeth. Slowly administer the medication into its mouth. Your chinchilla will likely chew on the syringe or eyedropper while you do this, which will keep its mouth open and allow you to give it the medicine. If your chinchilla was prescribed tablet medication, crush it and mix it with a small amount of a liquid dietary supplement (like Ensure). Administer it the same way you would administer liquid medication. Apply a warm compress to remove eye crust. Tearing and eye discharge will produce an uncomfortable crust around your chinchilla's eyes. Wet a clean cloth with warm water and very gently dab away this buildup from the eye area. Gently brace your chinchilla's head with your other hand while you do this to hold it steady. Do not give your chinchilla a dust bath until the irritation clears. While your chinchilla's eyes are healing, avoid giving it a dust bath. The dust could cause further irritation to your pet's hypersensitive eyes, especially if it clings to moisture or discharge around the eye area. Wait until your chinchilla's eyes look clean, dry, and clear, or ask your vet for advice about how long to wait before giving your chinchilla another bath. Clean and disinfect your chinchilla’s cage. To prevent the spread of fungus spores and bacteria, disinfect your chinchilla's cage. Purchase a pet-safe disinfectant from a pet store or online to ensure that you do not cause your chinchilla any harm. Wipe down the cage from top to bottom with the cleaner and rinse it thoroughly. Allow the cage to dry completely before placing anything inside of it. Disinfect your chinchilla's cage at least once a week to keep it clean. Keep your chinchilla’s cage dry. Chinchilla's have thick coats of fur that should not get wet, as they do not dry easily. Moisture can cause the growth of fungus on your pet's skin and fur, which may lead to eye irritation. Change the bedding in its cage every day or two to ensure that it is dry and prevent fungus. Give your chinchilla regular dust baths. Chinchillas keep clean by bathing vigorously in dust, which removes oil and dirt from their fur. Purchase a dust bath kit from a pet store or online to make sure that you provide your pet with the right kind of dust. Providing your chinchilla with another kind of dust to bathe in is likely to result in an eye irritation or infection. Give your chinchilla a dust bath every two or three days. Place the container in its cage for ten to twenty minutes, then remove it. Monitor the bath to prevent your chinchilla from tipping the container over or spreading dust to the rest of its cage. The container for the dust bath should be large enough for your chinchilla to move around in and shake off excess dust, and heavy enough that it is difficult to tip over. Bring your chinchilla for regular veterinary checkups. Bring your chinchilla for a full veterinary checkup at least once a year to ensure its health. A vet will be able to diagnose medical conditions that may contribute to eye irritations (e.g., pneumonia) and offer advice for keeping your pet healthy. Your pet's yearly checkup should also include a dental exam, which will reveal any tooth problems that might cause eye irritations.	Look for watery eyes. Check for matted fur around the eyes. Spot pink, irritated skin under the eyes. Observe your chinchilla’s behaviour. Look for signs of injury. Consult your veterinarian. Administer eye drops. Give your chinchilla medicine. Apply a warm compress to remove eye crust. Do not give your chinchilla a dust bath until the irritation clears. Clean and disinfect your chinchilla’s cage. Keep your chinchilla’s cage dry. Give your chinchilla regular dust baths. Bring your chinchilla for regular veterinary checkups.
https://www.wikihow.com/Fight-Off-a-Cold-or-Flu	How to Fight Off a Cold or Flu	If you feel a cold or flu coming on, fight it off by getting plenty of rest, which will direct more energy to your immune system. Don't try to work through any sleepiness, since you might feel a lot better after a nap. In addition to rest, your body will need plenty of fluids to replace the water it loses during a fever, so drink water, juice, or clear broth to stay hydrated. A simple way to avoid dehydration is by drinking frequently so you don't get thirsty. As for your room, keep it warm and moist with a humidifier to help you sleep better when you're coughing or congested.	Get plenty of rest. A healthy adult should get about eight hours of sleep at night. If you have a cold or the flu; however, you might find that you need a lot more. Give in to the urge to take a nap. You might find that you wake up feeling much better. Sleeping allows your body to direct more energy to your immune system, which will help you fight the infection faster. Stay hydrated. Your body loses water during a fever or when producing mucus. Be sure to drink enough so that you are replacing your fluids. Good drinks include water, juice, clear broth, or warm lemon water. The juice, broth, and lemon water will also help replenish your electrolytes. Don't drink alcohol or coffee because they are dehydrating. The best way to avoid dehydration is to drink enough so that you do not become thirsty. If your urine is dark or cloudy, you need to drink more. Eat chicken soup. This age-old remedy helps because it has anti-inflammatory properties and reduces congestion. The nourishment will also help you keep your strength for combating the infection. The salt in the soup will top up your electrolytes. Stay warm. If you have a fever, even a low one, it may make you feel cold. This happens because your body temperature is higher relative to the temperature around you. Put extra blankets on your bed or use a hot water bottle. However, don't overdo it with blankets. Over bundling, especially for babies, can actually increase your temperature and make you feel worse. Keeping warm will reduce shivering and let your body direct more energy to your immune system. Keep the air moist. Using a cool-mist humidifier or a vaporizer will make it easier to breathe. Using it at night may help you sleep better because you may be less congested and may cough less. If you don't have a commercial humidifier, you can make one by putting a pot of water on the radiator or handing a wet towel on a clothing dryer. The water will evaporate slowly into the air. Reduce the stuffiness in your nose with saline drops. Because it is just salt water, it's safe, even for children. Using a dropper, squeeze a few drops into each nostril. This will help reduce mucus and dry it out. Saline drops are available without a prescription and can be made at home. Gargle with warm saltwater. This will reduce throat discomfort. Dissolve up to a half teaspoon of salt in a glass of water and gargle. Spit the water out when you are done. Because salt water is safe, you can do it as often as you want. Reduce congestion with over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays or drops. These medications should only be used for a few days. When used for longer, they can cause inflammation of the tissues in your nose, which will make your symptoms worse. Insert the dropper into the stuffy nostril and release a few drops or spray. You should get relief almost instantly. Do not give them to children. Treat a fever or pain with over-the-counter pain medications. This will help ease a fever, headache, sore throat, or joint pain. Common medications contain acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen or aspirin. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and consult a doctor before giving medications to children. Many over-the-counter medications should not be given to young children. Children and teenagers should not take aspirin. It can cause a serious condition called Reye's syndrome. Loosen phlegm or mucus with expectorants. Cough and cold medicines use an expectorant called guaifenesin. It helps to loosen phlegm or mucus in your lungs. Drinking lots of water will also help to loosen phlegm. Suppress dry coughing with a cough syrup. This will only reduce coughing, it won't actually make the infection go away. But if coughing keeps you awake, a cough syrup with the ingredient dextromethorphan might help you sleep. When you cough, that is your body trying to expel the pathogens and irritants. By suppressing the cough, you are preventing that from happening. Talk to your doctor to find out whether cough syrups are right for you. Do not give cough syrups to children younger than four. For older children, follow the instructions on the bottle. If there are no instructions specific to your child's age, consult a doctor. Some cough syrups have acetaminophen or other cold or fever/pain reducers in them. This means that it is important not to take them and other medications with acetaminophen at the same time. You could accidentally overdose. Get antiviral medications. If you are severely ill with the flu, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral. Common antivirals are oseltamivir ( Tamiflu ) and zanamivir (Relenza). These drugs don't actually shorten the duration of the infection by very long. Usually it's only about a day or two shorter. The side effects may be more serious than the original flu. Oseltamivir may rarely cause delirium and self-harm in teenagers. Zanamivir cannot be taken by people with respiratory conditions. They may also cause vomiting. Some flu strains are becoming resistant. For people with certain medical conditions such as asthma, taking antiviral medications for the flu may be more beneficial. See a doctor if you are showing signs of a severe infection. If you are an adult with the following symptoms or if your symptoms are getting worse or are not getting better by 5-7 days, you should be checked: A fever that is 103°F (39.4°C) or greater A fever with sweating and chills Coughing up colored phlegm or phlegm with blood Swollen glands Bad sinus pain Trouble breathing Chest pain or a stiff neck Being unable to drink enough fluids or vomiting frequently Worsening of any chronic medical conditions such as asthma, cancer or diabetes Are elderly Take your child to the doctor if necessary. Children have weaker immune systems and are more likely to have complications. Bring your child to be checked if they have: A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher when three months old or younger A fever of 104°F (40°C) or higher Signs of dehydration such as being listless or very sleepy, urinating less than 3 times a day, not drinking enough fluids, or dry eyes and mouth A fever for over 24 hours for a child younger than two A fever for over three days in a child over two Vomiting more than once or twice Abdominal pain Extreme sleepiness Severe headaches A stiff neck Problems breathing Crying for a long time. Especially in children that are too young to say what's wrong. Earaches A cough that doesn't go away Get a flu vaccine every year. It will boost your immune system against the strains that doctors expect to be the most common in the coming year. It isn't perfect, but it can really reduce how often you are sick. You can get the vaccine as an injection or as a nasal spray. Wash your hands frequently. This will prevent you from infecting yourself with viruses that you may have gotten from shaking hands, touching handrails, etc. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective. Reduce your exposure by staying away from crowds. If you are in a small, confined space with lots of people, you are increasing the chances that at least one person near you will be carrying something. This includes: Schools Offices Public transportation Auditoriums Boost your immune system with a healthy diet. By eating well, you can give your immune system the energy it needs to quickly fight infections. Get enough vitamins by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. Excellent sources of vitamins include apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, broccoli, peas, beans, spinach, cauliflower, squash, and asparagus. Get enough fiber with whole-grain breads and grains like bran, oatmeal, and whole-wheat. Supply your body with protein through lean meats, poultry, beans, fish and eggs. Avoid fatty meats. Avoid pre-packaged processed foods. They are more likely to be high in sugar, salt, and fat. They will give you calories, without also providing the nutrients you need. Manage stress. Stress can lower your immune system and make you more susceptible to infections. You can reduce stress by: Exercising. Try to exercise at least five times per week. This will cause your body to release endorphins and help you relax. Getting enough sleep. Most adults need about eight hours a night. Some people need as many as nine or 10 hours. Meditation Yoga Massage Having close relationships that provide social support. Talking will make you feel less alone. Try natural remedies. The effectiveness of these methods is controversial. Some studies say they help, others say they don't; however, these are some frequently used remedies: Taking vitamin C when you first start getting symptoms may shorten the length of time that you are sick. Echinacea may help the immune system. It is available in multiple forms, including tablets, liquids, and teas. Discuss it with your doctor if you are taking prescription medications. Zinc may help if it is taken right when symptoms start. But do not use zinc nasal sprays. They can damage your sense of smell. Avoid smoking or exposure to smoke. Smoking weakens your body's ability to fight off illnesses including the flu and the common cold. By quitting smoking or avoiding smoke exposure, you will help to keep your body healthy.	Get plenty of rest. Stay hydrated. Eat chicken soup. Stay warm. Keep the air moist. Reduce the stuffiness in your nose with saline drops. Gargle with warm saltwater. Reduce congestion with over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays or drops. Treat a fever or pain with over-the-counter pain medications. Loosen phlegm or mucus with expectorants. Suppress dry coughing with a cough syrup. Get antiviral medications. See a doctor if you are showing signs of a severe infection. Take your child to the doctor if necessary. Get a flu vaccine every year. Wash your hands frequently. Reduce your exposure by staying away from crowds. Boost your immune system with a healthy diet. Manage stress. Try natural remedies. Avoid smoking or exposure to smoke.
https://www.wikihow.com/Train-a-Stubborn-Dog	How to Train a Stubborn Dog	To train a stubborn dog, use special, high-reward treats to reward it when it does something you want, like boiled chicken, string cheese, or a chicken hot dog. For example, if your dog is usually stubborn on walks, bring the high-reward treats on your walks and give them to your dog whenever it listens to you. You should also teach your dog that you're in charge by being assertive, but without force. You can do this by using a serious tone when your dog does something wrong and keeping it on a tight leash during your walks.	Reward the dog with a highly desirable treat when it behaves. Give your dog the treat as soon as you see the positive behavior. It's helpful to use a clicker to train your dog. That way, you can click the clicker when your dog behaves correctly, then give it a treat. This gives you a little bit of time to get the treat ready, while still reinforcing the good behavior you want to see from your dog. Timing is very important when it comes to training your dog. It's important to click the clicker or give your dog its treat immediately after the good behavior. Make sure the treat is something your dog loves. The most common reward is a treat. Try boiled chicken, string cheese, or chicken hot dogs. You could try a bone or dog treat. You want to reward the dog when it responds to your command and behaves. If the dog ignores or rejects your command, no treat. If treats are the preferred item, keep them handy so that you can practice throughout the day, such as anytime you get up for a drink/snack or bathroom break. You could toss the treat on the ground so the dog has to get up. Then, wait again until the dog chooses to sit, without any encouragement from you. When the dog does, say, "Yes!" in a happy tone, and deliver a super yummy treat. Repeat this 5 or 6 times. Try using other positive reinforcements instead of treats. Sometimes a dog is not food driven, so consider whether they are into a ball or a tug toy. Other dogs just love attention. You have to figure out what makes your dog happiest, and then use that as their reward. Praise is simply a happy, excited voice and gentle touching. This is the cheapest and easiest reward to offer. You could also use a favorite toy as a reward. Touch is another great way to reward a dog. Some dogs respond to being petted or their tummies being rubbed. A brisk 10-minute walk can also be a reward if you are able. Repeat training exercises and commands several times in a day. Be very consistent and repetitive. A solid training program takes a minimum of two years of consistent and organized training. You will get as much out of your dog as you put into them. If we say our dogs are "stubborn," we are basically making excuses for not learning how to teach our dogs to understand us. Ensure everyone around the dog has the same rules and expectations. Everyone in the household should use the same commands for tricks and set out the same limitations. Don't feel sorry for the dog and violate your own rules at times. The dog will learn the wrong lesson. Be assertive with the dog to establish control, but don’t use force. Convincing the dog that you are in control is vital. This shouldn't be done through cruelty, such as beating or hitting the dog. It is done by simply stepping in front of the dog, and making it back up and allowing you to go through a doorway first. It is done by taking a bone/toy away from the dog when you want it. Don't play when your dog wants you to; play when you want to, and stop when you want to. Use your voice, but understand that dogs respond to tone and emotion as much as words. Change the tone of your voice appropriately - for example, lighthearted and higher to say well done, and serious and deeper for commands and when the dog isn't doing as it should. A firm no or nope is as important as praising a puppy or dog for doing things properly. Train your dog while walking him or her. You can establish control with a dog while walking the dog with a leash. Don't let the dog take the lead or go off leash. Take the dog for long walks. Make sure you are either walking ahead of the dog or side-to-side. A stubborn dog always thinks he is the leader, and not you. Whenever you train a dog, she or he is training you. People running after their dog on a long leash is an example of a well-trained human to a dog. It is a game of patience, and the more patient one wins, and the less patient one loses. A tired dog, though, might be easier to train at home when you get back. Start with the easiest commands. The easiest command to teach is "sit." Once they learn a command, the others will come a little easier. They will start to realize that will get praise and a treat if they can figure out what you are trying to tell them. Use audible and visual commands. Say "sit" and make some sort of hand gesture. Make sure to do the same thing every time or you will confuse the dog and make the process longer. In the beginning, reward the dog if it gets close to sitting. Eventually you can work your way to a full sit. However, once they execute a full sit, you should not reward them for a half-hearted sit. Think of ways to break up a trick or command to make it easier for the dog to learn. Don't make the dog roll over for the first trick or it will be too complicated. Be patient, and teach your dog patience. Teach the dog to wait for the reward. Don't let them sit for a split-second, and then bounce around like a hooligan. The reward only occurs while they are calm and obeying. Do not show emotion or frustration, as the dog will pick up on this, and it won't help. Keep calm and remember your dog is doing their best. Show the dog love. Dogs will never obey an unstable person. If you are scared, your dog might get dominant towards you and, if you are excited, he or she will not take you seriously. If you are aggressive, he or she will be confused about what to do and won't follow this kind of energy. Train the dog in a place with low distraction. What is competing for your dog's attention? Is it a squirrel? Is it a vacuum cleaner? A particular tempting pile to roll in? When you are first introducing a behavior, start in a familiar, low distraction place, like your house. Keep your lessons short (5 minutes or less). Your dog has a small brain and won't be able to concentrate for very long. Never train more than one dog at a time. Dogs are easily distracted, and another dog in the area doesn't help your efforts. Dogs always display different behavior when they are around other dogs (whether they are a familiar dog to them or not). They might end up playing with the other dog more than they are listening to you. Enroll the dog in obedience classes. Another option (if available) is enrolling the dog in “fun” classes, where dog training experts will help you with a stubborn dog. You could also hire a dog trainer to come to your home. Check with your local veterinarian for references. Try using a clicker with the dog. You need to associate your clicker with a treat, so your dog knows that a reward is waiting when you use the clicker and say a command. Try to figure out why the dog is remaining stubborn. Maybe the dog feels like he is being bullied and has shut himself away from any input (this is especially common in sensitive dogs, and dog breeds that are usually sensitive). Maybe the dog is slower by nature (some dogs are just not as active as some other dogs; if you have a dog that usually moves slowly, don't expect him to do fast tricks.) Consider whether the dog is lazy or sick (dogs, like people, will be less motivated to do things on hot days, for example, or when they are not feeling well). Be honest about whether the dog simply does not understand what the owner wants (some things, like sentences, can seem very clear to humans but are not understandable to a dog despite a dog's best intentions). Maybe there is nothing in it for the dog (dogs, like humans, do things because there is something to be gained from it; dogs expect less - a treat, ball or a pat is to them what a whole salary is to a human).	Reward the dog with a highly desirable treat when it behaves. Try using other positive reinforcements instead of treats. Repeat training exercises and commands several times in a day. Be assertive with the dog to establish control, but don’t use force. Train your dog while walking him or her. Start with the easiest commands. Be patient, and teach your dog patience. Train the dog in a place with low distraction. Enroll the dog in obedience classes. Try to figure out why the dog is remaining stubborn.
https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-for-a-Career-in-Politics	How to Prepare for a Career in Politics	If you want to prepare for a career in politics, pay attention to your history and civics classes in high school so you become familiar with the legislative process. When you get to university, choose to major in a subject like political science, public administration, or international relations. Make sure to focus on developing your communication and research skills during school. For example, you can get a job at your campus newspaper or ask if any of your professors need a research assistant. You should also start looking for volunteer opportunities, like at a local campaign office during an election cycle.	Learn about the legislative process. Before you can begin a career in politics, you should strive to know the ins and outs of the legislative process. Pay attention in school. In high school, and even in early middle school, history and civics classes explain the basics of the three branches of power in the US government: legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislative branch is comprised of Congress, that is the Senate and the House of Representatives. They're responsible for making the laws. The executive branch, the president, vice president, and cabinet, carry out the laws. The judicial branch is the Supreme Court, made up of 9 justices appointed by the president and approved by congress. The Supreme Court evaluates the laws. Do not just learn about the basics of national politics. Familiarize yourself with your own state's congressional system. Oftentimes, politicians start by running for positions in the state or local government. If possible, get involved in your local political scene. Volunteer for a campaign or political party in your area. Choose a field of study related to politics. When you reach university, your field of study is important. There are a variety of majors that help you prepare for a career in politics. A political science degree is one of the most popular degree paths for those interested in a career in politics. You build knowledge of political philosophy, learn how public policies are formed, and study how government bodies operate in the United States and other nations. You also learn about social issues such as warfare, poverty, and global inequality. A degree in public administration may provide more hands-on skills. You learn about public policy, fundraising, budgeting, government decision making, and community analysis. If you're seeking to work in a local community, or work directly with a specific community, this could be a great major for you. International relations might be a good major if you hope to get involved in politics on a global scale. You will get a detailed introduction on the basics of law, world history, international relations, and how these issues come into play in negotiations and partnerships between countries. Warfare, trade, diplomacy, and poverty will be issued discussed while you pursue an international relations degree. Communications could also be a good degree path and could serve you well as a minor if you're interested in a political career. Communications degrees focus on public speaking, marketing, journalism, and rhetoric. A degree or minor in communications can give you specialized skills you can use to become politically involved in the world of journalism or news. Develop skills related to politics. As you pursue your education, work to develop certain skills that are vital to a political career. Communication, both written and spoken, is an important skill to have if you work in politics. You will have to communicate with a variety of other people in any political office and also write or proofread legislation and draft proposals, press releases, and more. Taking English classes or getting a job on a campus newspaper in college can help with your communication skills. The ability to collect and analyze information is important, so make sure you're an excellent researcher before launching a political career. If you're a student, many professors may need research assistants for their own work. E-mail around and see if anyone is willing or able to hire you. You can also stock up on coursework where research papers are required to complete a class. You can also look for a summer job or internship where you would be responsible for researching certain topics for an organization, politician, or professor. Gain computer skills. In an increasingly digital world, proficiency with a variety of computer programs is vital to success in the political field. Take computer classes in college and build your computer skill set so it contains a wide range of computer programs. Look for internships and jobs that require you to build upon existing computer skills. Download certain softwares and teach yourself the basics by using online tutorials. Volunteer. The easiest route to begin a political career is to start by volunteering. The connections you make as a volunteer could lead to bigger opportunities down the road. Get involved locally. Find a grassroots organization or non-profit that shares your passions and political interests. Such organizations are almost always seeking volunteers and even small office tasks can help you further your career. A willingness to work hard will reflect well on you down the road, and you may eventually be offered a job or an internship. Volunteer each election cycle. Political campaigns are always need volunteers during election cycles. You can go door-to-door spreading information about a candidate, call supporters asking for donations, and help register people to vote in the upcoming election. Simple office tasks in local campaign offices or headquarters are also much appreciated during this time. Election seasons get very busy in the political world, so this is the easiest time to find meaningful work as a volunteer. Stay in touch with anyone you meet while volunteering. Someone who supervised your fundraising work during a presidential election can be a reference you use while applying for a job or internship. Network. Networking is vital to the political world. When it comes to finding jobs, it often comes down to who you know. Strive to network as much as possible during your political career. Try to work in an area where you can interact with major political players. Work in your state's capital, where you'll have a chance to meet state senators and representatives. If you want to work in D.C, try to get involved in the area so you can make connections to people who work there as well. Keep regular correspondences with anyone you've worked with professionally. Many people send out a bi-monthly professional newsletter or e-mail updating contacts about their involvement in the political world. This is something you can look into as it's an easy, impressive way to stay in touch. You can also join a variety of e-mail newsletters so you can keep track of what's going on with a variety of politicians and political workers. If you've interned or volunteered with anyone, stay in touch with them periodically. If you use your social media responsibly, adding contacts on Facebook could be a good way to stay in contact. You can also send out occasional e-mails. Keep them as a contact on LinkedIn and like and comment on any new skills, jobs, publications, or other honors they post about. You want these people to remember you down the road as your connections with them could help you land a job. Look for internships. Internships are an important stepping stone into any career path, but especially one in politics. If you're a college student, you can ask an adviser or counselor about where to best apply for internships. A good adviser should be able to direct you to websites that list internship opportunities based on your interests and areas and may even have a few personal connections to share with you. There are also intern opportunities in Washington D.C. where you can earn college credit and take classes while gaining real world experience. If this is something you're interested in, ask your college adviser about how to integrate such an experience into your education. If your college or university has a career center, pay a visit and have your resume critiqued. A strong resume is vital to landing a good internship. If you've recently graduated, some internships may still be available to you. Such internships may even pay or offer a small stipend. Keep your eyes out for good internships on job forums and LinkedIn. Join Twitter. Twitter is a social media platform used heavily by politicians. If you want a career in politics, it's important that you have a Twitter account. Many politicians use Twitter to make political statements and interact with voters. Following a politician you admire on Twitter might allow you to interact with that person without having actually met him or her. Forming connections on Twitter is a new form of networking. As Twitter is such an important marketing tool for politicians, potential employees may ask for your Twitter handle on a job application. It's important to maintain a clean, profanity free Twitter page and post appropriate content. Good content for a political job would include tweeting about issues important to you and sharing news articles, op-eds, and essays about current events and politics. Learn about the different political career paths. Once you've gained some experience in the field, familiarize yourself with a variety of different political career paths. Paid positions for those starting out in politics include the following: Campaign staffers manage political campaigns and perform duties like writing speeches, conducting research, preparing candidates for public speaking events, forming media strategies, and supervising volunteers. Field representatives are staff members that work in district offices monitoring meetings, coordinating events, and acting as a liaison between city, council, and district officials. You will be the voice of a politician or organization as a field representative, so it's important to have excellent communication skills. Legislative aides are aides assigned to cover specific issues or areas for a politician or political party. You will write memos and press releases, meet with lobbyists to discuss the issues you're assigned to, and track legislation. This job is research and analysis heavy. Legislative corespondents work mostly in the media. You would manage all media, such as press releases, op-eds, speeches, and newsletters, related to a candidate or political party. Run for local office. Getting some kind of position in a local office is a great way to kickstart a political career. While you will likely not land a position in the state senate the moment you graduate college, something small like being on city council can help with a resume when you begin looking for jobs. Getting your name on the ballot, and the rules for campaigning, vary from state-to-state and district-to-district. Figuring out how to do so is where you'll put the research skills you've developed over the years to test. Carefully consider the position you want to run for, based on your career goals. If you're passionate about reforming the education system, for example, consider running for local school board. Prepare for a lot of time and money. Running a campaign is timely and costly, but can be worth it as being an elected official is a great stepping stone for a political career. You may need to do a great deal of fundraising in order to successfully launch a campaign, so plan well ahead of time. Clean up your social media and be aware of any potentially damaging information about yourself. Even minor infractions, like getting caught drinking underage, can come up in a campaign, especially if it's competitive. Be prepared to address any issues that might upset your voters and supporters. Land an entry-level job. Politics is a competitive field. It might be hard to find that first job, but there are things you can do to increase your likelihood of getting hired. Start a professional blog. In an increasingly digital world, having a blog you can link prospective employers to that you update regularly is a huge plus. You don't have to have a huge following. Just show employees you're a self starter who's committed to the field of politics. You can include your opinions on different political causes, link to relevant articles, and respond to current events. Be specific about what you want. Oftentimes, a resume includes too much experience and is not focused in on one area. If you want to work in political journalism, stock your resume with any experience related to writing, copy editing, and communications. Leave out campaign work or put it towards the bottom under "additional experience." Use your alumni status. If you graduated from, say, James Madison College at Michigan State University, find James Madison alumni organizations. People who automatically know and respect your educational background are more likely to give you a chance that someone who went to a school in a different part of the country. Go back to old connections. If you volunteered at a grass roots organization throughout college, contact them. Even if they're not hiring at the moment, they could keep your resume on file and call you back later. They also might know similar organizations that could use someone with your skill set. Be prepared to move. Politics is a dynamic field and if you're serious about working in the industry, you need to prepare to move around if necessary. If you want a higher paying job, you may have to switch locations. Washington D.C is the primary location if you want to work in US politics. If you want to rise in ranks, start saving money to move to DC as you gain experience in the local political scene. You might also have to relocate frequently if you get a campaign job. Oftentimes, working on a political campaign means following a candidate from place to place. You might have to change locations every few months, which means you'll have to make certain sacrifices. It can be hard to keep pets and having roommates, a spouse, or a significant other who lives with you can be difficult during campaign years.	Learn about the legislative process. Choose a field of study related to politics. Develop skills related to politics. Volunteer. Network. Look for internships. Join Twitter. Learn about the different political career paths. Run for local office. Land an entry-level job. Be prepared to move.
https://www.wikihow.com/Pull-Out-a-Loose-Tooth	How to Pull Out a Loose Tooth	If you're ready to pull out a loose baby tooth, make sure it wiggles easily back and forth without much pain. Move it back and forth with your tongue as much as possible and chomp on hard foods like apples and carrots to loosen it. To remove the tooth by hand, grasp it with a tissue and pull it out with a gentle tug. Afterwards, hold a cotton ball to the gum to stem the bleeding. If you're dealing with a loose adult tooth, don't try to pull it out on your own—this could cause serious injury. Instead, visit a dentist to see if it needs to be extracted.	Watch for wide movement. Before anyone tries to pull a baby tooth out, it should be moving quite a bit. That is, your child should be able to move it back and forth and side to side without much pain. Lots of movement means the tooth is about ready to come out. As noted, it's always best to let the baby tooth fall out on its own if possible. Wiggle it often. Wiggling it is a great way to start getting that tooth out. Have your child wiggle it around with their tongue. They can do this movement throughout the day until the tooth falls out. Tell your child to only wiggle it as much as they can without discomfort. Have the child chomp on hard foods. To speed up the loosening process, offer carrots, apples, or other crunchy foods to help loosen the tooth gradually. It might even come out on its own with the child barely noticing. Pull it out with a tissue. The best way to pull out a kid's tooth is to grasp it with tissue or gauze. Try to pull the tooth out with a gentle tug. If the tooth is especially resistant or the child cries out, it's best to wait a few days. However, the tooth will often come right out. Some kids won't like you touching their teeth at all, and in that case, it's best to leave it alone. You can also let the child try to pull it out themselves. Consult the dentist. Try to be sure that the tooth is naturally loose, rather than from an accident, decay, or another reason. Talk to your doctor if you have doubts. If it takes more than two to three months to come out, it's also a good idea to see the dentist. Ask whether or not the tooth should be removed or left to fall out on its own. After consulting the dentist, be sure to follow their advice exactly. Care for the gums. If the area is bloody after the tooth falls out, hold a cotton ball gently to the gum. You can also have the child bite on it. You may need to hold it on as long as 30 minutes, as gums take longer to clot than other parts of the body. Visit a dentist. If at all possible, you should go to a dentist to extract an adult tooth. Your adult teeth have longer roots, making it much more painful to remove an adult tooth. Plus, you'll likely have infection underneath that the dentist will need to deal with. Tooth extraction is a serious medical procedure. Apart from being painful, you can lose a lot of blood and develop an infection without proper care. If you can't afford a regular dentist, look for a dental school in your area that may do it cheaper. Also, many cities have free or cheap temporary dental clinics from time to time, which may make it affordable for you. Don’t attempt to remove the tooth. Never try to remove an adult tooth on your own. It's a job that should only be left to licensed dentists. Trying to extract a tooth on your own – or with the help of an unlicensed dentist – could put you at risk of serious medical complications. Be aware that there are many things that could wrong. The tooth could be improperly removed, causing infection or nerve and tissue damage. Also know that practicing dentistry without a license is illegal. Depending on where you live, it can be either a misdemeanor or a felony and lead to fines, probation, or even imprisonment. Take pain medications. Having a tooth removed can be a painful procedure. Try an NSAID like ibuprofen or naproxen sodium for pain. Acetaminophen is also okay. Skip aspirin, as it could make the bleeding worse. Taking vitamin C may also help the healing process. Be especially gentle for the first 24 hours. Don't rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours. You can eat and drink lukewarm food, though not in the area where you removed the tooth. Make sure you're eating on the other side. You need to leave the hole alone as much as possible. Avoid alcohol for the first 24 hours. Alcohol may seem logical since it can help you avoid the pain. However, it can keep the wound from healing properly. In addition, it can make it bleed more, which you definitely don't want. Brush your teeth after the first 24 hours. You will need to brush your teeth, but you should wait a day. When you do brush your teeth, be especially gentle around the extraction site. You don't want to pull up the clot accidentally. Use a saltwater rinse. It can also help to rinse with saltwater after the first 24 hours, which can remove some bacteria. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water. Swish it around in your mouth for 20 to 30 seconds, particularly near the clot, and then spit it out.	Watch for wide movement. Wiggle it often. Have the child chomp on hard foods. Pull it out with a tissue. Consult the dentist. Care for the gums. Visit a dentist. Don’t attempt to remove the tooth. Take pain medications. Be especially gentle for the first 24 hours. Avoid alcohol for the first 24 hours. Brush your teeth after the first 24 hours. Use a saltwater rinse.
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Mussels	How to Cook Mussels	Before cooking mussels, buy the freshest mussels you can and clean them by rinsing them and pulling off the stringy “beard” using a firm side to side tug. Then, in a large stockpot, simmer white wine, chicken stock, sautéed shallots, garlic, and thyme, then add the mussels and cover the pot. Cook them for 6-8 minutes, or until most of the mussels have opened up. Make sure to discard any mussels that didn't open. Put the mussels in a dish, then strain the remaining liquid, pour it over the top, and enjoy!	Buy the freshest mussels. Purchase mussels from a market you trust. You must only buy live mussels; look for shells that are tightly closed. Discard any mussels that have opened upon taking them out at home, or any mussels with cracked shells. Remember that any mussels that do not open after you cook them should be discarded -- this means that they were already dead before you started cooking them. If you need to store your mussels make sure you do so properly. Rinse them under cold running water. Scrub the shells to remove any seaweed, dirt or other particles lodged on the shell. Rinse each shell individually, trying to remove as many of the stringy parts as you can. Pull out the stringy beard. To debeard each mussel, just pinch the beard with your thumb and index finder and use a side to side motion to firmly tug it out. The beard isn't harmful and it is edible, just not particularly tasty, so don't fret if you can't debeard all of the mussels. Some of the mussels may have already had their beards removed, so don't worry if not every mussel has a beard. You can also use a knife to cut off the beard. Gather your ingredients. Here's what you need to make steamed mussels: 4 lbs. mussels 2 tbsp. olive oil 1 minced shallot 2 cloves shaved garlic 4 springs fresh thyme 1/2 cup dry white wine 1 juiced lemon 1 cup chicken broth Pour the stock and spices into a large stock pot. Pour 1/2 cup of dry white wine, 2 and 1 cup of chicken stock into the pot. Sauté 1 minced shallot, 2 shaved garlic cloves, and 4 sprigs of fresh thyme in 2 tbsp. of olive oil in a separate pan for 2-3 minutes and then add them to the pot. Add the mussels to the liquid and steam them over medium heat for 6-8 minutes. Add 4 lbs. of mussels to the pot and steam them until most of them have opened up. Remove any of the mussels that remained closed. Strain and reserve the liquid. Serve. Serve the steamed mussels with a lemon wedge and pour as much of the liquid over them as you like. You can also pair them with some french fries or crusty bread. Gather your ingredients. Here's what you need to make grilled mussels: 3 lbs. mussels, rinsed and scrubbed 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter 3 tbsp. chopped parsley 2 halved lemons Salt to taste Pepper to taste Heat a grill over medium high heat. Clean and lightly oil the grill. Melt the butter over medium heat in small pot. Heat and then remove 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) of unsalted butter from the heat and stir in 3 tbsp. of chopped parsley. Set the butter and parsley mixture aside. Place 3 lbs. of rinsed and scrubbed muscles on the grill in a single layer. Complete this process in batches if you can't fit all of the mussels on the grill in a single layer. Place 2 halved and lightly oiled lemons on the grill. Place them on the grill cut-side down. Grill the mussels for about 5 minutes, until they open. At this point, the lemons should be warmed and browned. Transfer the opened mussels to a large platter. Use tongs to do this. Throw away any mussels that don't open -- that means they weren't alive when they started cooking. Pour the herb butter over the mussels. Then, sprinkle them with salt and pepper to taste. Serve. Serve these delicious grilled mussels with the lemons and enjoy them while they're warm. Gather your ingredients. Here's what you need to make roasted mussels: 2 lbs. fresh blue mussels, debearded and rinsed 2 oz. whole almonds 3 1/2 tbsp. unsalted butter 1 1/2 tbsp. minced shallots 2 minced garlic cloves 6 tbsp. dry white wine 1 tbsp. lemon juice 1 1/2 tbsp. chopped parsley 1/4 tsp. chopped thyme leaves 1 tbsp. chopped chervil leaves Sea salt to taste Pepper to taste Crusty bread for serving Preheat your oven to 400ºF (204ºC). Roast the whole almonds. Spread 2 oz. of whole almonds evenly on a baking sheet. Transfer the sheet to the oven and roast the almonds until they're fragrant, for about five minutes. Chop the almonds. Let them cool and them chop them by hand or use a food processor to chop them. Place a 5 1/4 quart nonreactive cast-iron roasting pan over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp. of butter to the pan and cook until it's melted, for at least 30 seconds. Add the shallots and garlic. Add 1 1/2 tbsp. of minced shallots and 2 minced garlic cloves to the butter and cook them until they're translucent, for 2-3 minutes. Add the wine and lemon juice and bring them to a boil. Add 6 tbsp. of dry white wine and 1 tbsp. of lemon juice to the pan and remove it from heat as soon as they boil. Add the herbs and almonds to the pan. Add 1 1/2 tbsp. of chopped parsley, 1/4 tsp. of chopped thyme leaves, and 1 tbsp. chopped chervil leaves to the pan along with salt and pepper to taste. Increase the oven temperature to 450ºF (232ºC). Arrange the mussels in the roasting pan. Arrange 2 lbs. of fresh blue mussels that have been de-bearded and rinsed in no more than two even layers in the roasting pan. Place the remaining 2.5 tbsp. of butter over the mussels. Cut the butter into several pieces to spread it out evenly over the mussels. Roast the mussels until they've opened. Toss the mussels to coat every 3-4 minutes, until the mussels have opened up and the sauce is nice and creamy. Serve. Serve these roasted mussels immediately on their own or with some bread for dipping. Gather your ingredients. Here's what you'll need to make sauteéd mussels: 3 lbs. small mussels 5 minced cloves garlic 2 tbsp. olive oil 2 oz. chopped mint 2 oz. basil 3/4 oz. scallions 1 diced red bell pepper 1 tbsp. Asian fish sauce 1 tbsp. sugar 1 tbsp. canola oil Pepper to taste Scrub, wash, and debeard the mussels. Drain them well after washing them. Cut 3/4 oz. of scallions into 1-inch slices. Julienne 1 red bell pepper. Cut the pepper into thin strips. Mix the fish sauce, sugar, and peppercorns together. Mix 1 tbsp. of Asian fish sauce, 1 tbsp. of sugar, and black pepper to taste. Sauté 5 minced cloves of garlic in 2 tbsp. of olive oil in a large skillet for 30 seconds over high heat. Add 3 lbs. of small mussels to the skillet and stir-fry them for 3-5 minutes, until the shells start to open. Stir in the fish sauce mixture and continue cooking until all of the mussels have opened. If any mussels did not open, throw them out. Add the mint, basil, scallions, and red pepper strips and continue to stir fry for 1-2 minutes. Stir fry 2 oz. of chopped mint, 2 oz. of basil, 3/4 oz. of scallions, and 1 diced red bell pepper long enough to combine the ingredients with the mussels. Serve. Serve the mussels over jasmine rice or enjoy them on their own.	Buy the freshest mussels. Rinse them under cold running water. Pull out the stringy beard. Gather your ingredients. Pour the stock and spices into a large stock pot. Add the mussels to the liquid and steam them over medium heat for 6-8 minutes. Strain and reserve the liquid. Serve. Gather your ingredients. Heat a grill over medium high heat. Melt the butter over medium heat in small pot. Place 3 lbs. Place 2 halved and lightly oiled lemons on the grill. Grill the mussels for about 5 minutes, until they open. Transfer the opened mussels to a large platter. Pour the herb butter over the mussels. Serve. Gather your ingredients. Preheat your oven to 400ºF (204ºC). Roast the whole almonds. Chop the almonds. Place a 5 1/4 quart nonreactive cast-iron roasting pan over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic. Add the wine and lemon juice and bring them to a boil. Add the herbs and almonds to the pan. Increase the oven temperature to 450ºF (232ºC). Arrange the mussels in the roasting pan. Place the remaining 2.5 tbsp. Roast the mussels until they've opened. Serve. Gather your ingredients. Scrub, wash, and debeard the mussels. Cut 3/4 oz. Julienne 1 red bell pepper. Mix the fish sauce, sugar, and peppercorns together. Sauté 5 minced cloves of garlic in 2 tbsp. Add 3 lbs. Stir in the fish sauce mixture and continue cooking until all of the mussels have opened. Add the mint, basil, scallions, and red pepper strips and continue to stir fry for 1-2 minutes. Serve.
https://www.wikihow.com/Determine-Solubility	How to Determine Solubility	To easily determine solubility, memorize the most popular soluble chemicals and compounds. Remember that elements, such as lithium, sodium, potassium, or other alkali metals, as well as chloride, bromide, and iodide, are all soluble. Additionally, any compounds that contain nitrate, acetate, nitrite, chlorate, or perchlorate are soluble. If a compound in the mixture contains sulfide, hydroxide, carbonate, or phosphate, it is generally insoluble.	Learn about ionic compounds. Each atom normally has a certain number of electrons, but sometimes they pick up an extra electron or lose one through a process known as electron transfer. The result is an ion , which has an electric charge. When an ion with a negative charge (an extra electron) meets an ion with a positive charge (missing an electron), they bond together just like the negative and positive ends of 2 magnets. The result is an ionic compound. Ions with negative charges are called anions , while ions with positive charges are cations. Normally, the number of electrons in an atom is equal to the number of protons, canceling out the electrical charges. Understand solubility. Water molecules (H 2 O) have an unusual structure, which makes them similar to a magnet: one end has a positive charge, while the other has a negative. When you drop an ionic compound in water, these water "magnets" will gather around it, trying to pull the positive and negative ions apart. Some ionic compounds aren't stuck together very well; these are soluble since the water will pull them apart and dissolve them. Other compounds are bonded more strongly, and are insoluble since they can stick together despite the water molecules. Some compounds have internal bonds that are similar in strength to the pull of the water. These are called slightly soluble , since a significant amount of compounds will be pulled apart, but the rest will stay together. Study the rules of solubility. Because the interactions between atoms are quite complex, it's not always intuitive which compounds are soluble and which are insoluble. Look up the first ion in the compound on the list below to find out how it usually behaves, then check the exceptions to make sure the second ion doesn't have an unusual interaction. For example, to check Strontium Chloride (SrCl 2 ), look for Sr or Cl in the bold steps below. Cl is "usually soluble," so check underneath it for exceptions. Sr is not listed as an exception, so SrCl 2 must be soluble. The most common exceptions to each rule are written beneath it. There are other exceptions, but you are unlikely to encounter them in a typical chemistry class or laboratory. Recognize that compounds are soluble if they contain alkali metals. Alkali metals include Li , Na , K , Rb , and Cs. These are also called the Group IA elements: lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium. Almost every single compound that includes one of these ions is soluble. Exception: Li 3 PO 4 is insoluble. Understand that some other compounds are soluble. These include compounds of NO 3 , C 2 H 3 O 2 , NO 2 , ClO 3 , and ClO 4. Respectively, these are the nitrate, acetate, nitrite, chlorate, and perchlorate ions. Note that acetate is often abbreviated OAC. Exceptions: Ag(OAc) (silver acetate) and Hg(OAc) 2 (mercury acetate) are insoluble. AgNO 2 and KClO 4 are only "slightly soluble." Note that compounds of Cl-, Br-, and I- are usually soluble. The chloride, bromide, and iodide ions almost always make soluble compounds, called halogen salts. Exception: If any of these pair with the ions silver Ag , mercury Hg 2 , or lead Pb , the result is insoluble. The same is true of less common compounds made from pairing with copper Cu and thallium Tl. Realize that compounds containing SO42- are usually soluble. The sulfate ion generally forms soluble compounds, but there are several exceptions. Exceptions: The sulfate ion forms insoluble compounds with the following ions: strontium Sr , barium Ba , lead Pb , silver Ag , calcium Ca , radium Ra , and diatomic silver Ag 2. Note that silver sulfate and calcium sulfate dissolve just enough that some people call them slightly soluble. Know that compounds containing OH- or S2- are insoluble. These are the hydroxide and sulfide ions, respectively. Exceptions: Remember the alkali metals (Group I-A) and how they love forming soluble compounds? Li , Na , K , Rb , and Cs all form soluble compounds with the hydroxide or sulfide ions. In addition, hydroxide forms soluble salts with the alkali earth (Group II-A) ions: calcium Ca , strontium Sr , and barium Ba. Note that the compounds resulting from hydroxide and an alkali earth do have just enough molecules that stay bonded to sometimes be considered "slightly soluble." Understand that compounds containing CO32- or PO43- are insoluble. One last check for carbonate and phosphate ions, and you should know what to expect from your compound. Exceptions: These ions form soluble compounds with the usual suspects, the alkali metals Li , Na , K , Rb , and Cs , as well as with ammonium NH 4. Look up the product solubility constant (Ksp). This constant is different for each compound, so you'll need to look it up on a chart in your textbook. Because these values are determined experimentally, they can vary widely between charts, so it's best to go with your textbook's chart if it has one. Unless otherwise specified, most charts assume you are working at 25ºC (77ºF). For example, if you're dissolving lead iodide, or PbI 2 , write down its product solubility constant. Write the chemical equation. First, determine how the compound splits apart into ions when it dissolves. Next, write an equation with the K sp on one side and the constituent ions on the other. For example, a molecule of PbI 2 splits into the ions Pb , I , and a second I. (You only need to know or look up the charge on 1 ion, since you know the total compound will always have a neutral charge.) Write the equation 7.1×10 = [Pb ][I ] The equation is the product solubility constant, which can be found for the 2 ions in a solubility chart. Since there are 2 I ions, I is to the second power. Modify the equation to use variables. Rewrite the equation as a simple algebra problem, using what you know about the number of molecules and ions. Set x equal to the amount of the compound that will dissolve, and rewrite the variables representing the numbers of each ion in terms of x. In our example, we need to rewrite 7.1×10 = [Pb ][I ] Since there is 1 lead ion (Pb ) in the compound, the number of dissolved compound molecules will be equal to the number of free lead ions. So we can set [Pb ] to x. Since there are 2 iodine ions (I ) for each lead ion, we can set the number of iodine atoms equal to 2x squared. The equation is now 7.1×10 = (x)(2x) Account for common ions, if present. Skip this step if you are dissolving the compound in pure water. If the compound is being dissolved into a solution that already contains one or more of the constituent ions (a "common ion"), however, the solubility is significantly decreased. The common ion effect is most notable in compounds that are mostly insoluble, and in these cases you can assume that the vast majority of the ions at equilibrium come from the ion already present in the solution. Rewrite the equation to include the known molar concentration (moles per liter, or M) of the ions already in the solution, replacing the value of x you used for that ion. For example, if our lead iodide compound was being dissolved in a solution with 0.2 M lead chloride (PbCl 2 ), we would rewrite our equation as 7.1×10 = (0.2M+x)(2x). Then, since 0.2M is such a higher concentration than x, we can safely rewrite it as 7.1×10 = (0.2M)(2x). Solve the equation. Solve for x, and you'll know how soluble the compound is. Because of how the solubility constant is defined, your answer will be in terms of moles of the compound dissolved, per liter of water. You may need a calculator to find the final answer. The following is for solubility in pure water, not with any common ions. 7.1×10 = (x)(2x) 7.1×10 = (x)(4x ) 7.1×10 = 4x (7.1×10 ) ÷ 4 = x x = ∛((7.1×10 ) ÷ 4) x = 1.2 x 10 moles per liter will dissolve. This is a very small amount, so you know this compound is essentially insoluble.	Learn about ionic compounds. Understand solubility. Study the rules of solubility. Recognize that compounds are soluble if they contain alkali metals. Understand that some other compounds are soluble. Note that compounds of Cl-, Br-, and I- are usually soluble. Realize that compounds containing SO42- are usually soluble. Know that compounds containing OH- or S2- are insoluble. Understand that compounds containing CO32- or PO43- are insoluble. Look up the product solubility constant (Ksp). Write the chemical equation. Modify the equation to use variables. Account for common ions, if present. Solve the equation.
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Good-Story	How to Write a Good Story	To write a good story, make sure the plot has a conflict and that there's something at stake, which will keep readers hooked. For example, you could write about two men fighting over the same person. You should also come up with characters that are relatable so your readers get invested in them. Also, avoid explaining everything to readers, and instead try to show them through the dialogue and actions of the characters. For example, instead of telling readers that your main character is grumpy and bitter, you could include a scene where they lash out at another character for no reason.	Brainstorm to find an interesting character or plot. The spark from your story might come from a character you think would be interesting, an interesting place, or a concept for a plot. Write down your thoughts or make a mind map to help you generate ideas. Then, pick 1 to develop into a story. Here are some inspirations you might use for a story: Your life experiences A story you heard A family story A “what if” scenario A news story A dream An interesting person you saw Photographs Art Develop your characters by making character sheets. Characters are the most essential element of your story. Your reader should relate to your characters, and your characters should be driving your story. Make profiles for your characters by writing their name, personal details, description, traits, habits, desires, and most interesting quirks. Provide as much detail as you can. Do the sheet for your protagonist first. Then, make character sheets for your other main characters, like the antagonist. Characters are considered main characters if they play a major role in the story, such as influencing your main character or affecting the plot. Figure out what your characters want or what their motivation is. Then, base your plot around your character either getting what they want or being denied it. You can create your own character sheets or find templates online. Choose a setting for your story. The setting is when and where your story takes place. Your setting should influence your story in some way, so pick a setting that adds to your plot. Consider how this setting would impact your characters and their relationships. For example, a story about a girl who wants to become a doctor would go much differently if it were told in the 1920s instead of 2019. The character would need to overcome additional obstacles, like sexism, due to the setting. However, you might use this setting if your theme is perseverance because it allows you to show your character pursuing her dreams against societal norms. As another example, setting a story about camping deep in an unfamiliar forest will create a different mood than putting it in the main character's backyard. The forest setting might focus on the character surviving in nature, while the backyard setting may focus on the character's family relationships. Create an outline for your plot. Making a plot outline will help you know what to write next. Additionally, it helps you fill in any plot holes before you begin. Use your brainstorming exercise and character sheets to plot out your story. Here are some ways you can make your outline: Create a plot diagram consisting of an exposition, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Make a traditional outline with the main points being individual scenes. Summarize each plot and turn it into a bullet list. Choose a first person or third person point-of-view (POV). POV can change the entire perspective of the story, so choose wisely. Choose 1st person POV to get really close to the story. Use 3rd person limited POV if you want to focus on 1 character but want enough distance from the story to add your own interpretations to events. As another option, pick 3rd person omniscient if you want to share everything that's happening in the story. 1st person POV - A single character tells the story from their perspective. Because the story is the truth according to this 1 character, their account of events could be unreliable. For instance, “I tiptoed across the floor, hoping not to disturb him.” 3rd person limited - A narrator recounts the events of the story but limits the perspective to 1 character. When using this POV, you can't provide the thoughts or feelings of other characters, but you can add your interpretation of the setting or events. For example, “She tiptoed across the floor, her entire body tense as she fought to stay quiet.” 3rd person omniscient - An all-seeing narrator tells everything that happens in the story, including the thoughts and actions of each character. As an example, “As she tiptoed across the room, he pretended to be asleep. She thought her quiet steps weren't disturbing him, but she was wrong. Beneath the covers, he clenched his fists.” Set the scene and introduce your characters in the beginning. Spend the first 2-3 paragraphs immersing your reader in the setting. First, place your character in the setting. Then, give a basic description of the place, and incorporate details to show the era. Give just enough information for your reader to paint a picture in their mind. You might start your story like this: “Esther pulled her medical text from the mud, carefully wiping the cover clean on the hem of her dress. The laughing boys sped away on bicycles, leaving her to walk the last mile to the hospital alone. The sun beat down on the rain-soaked landscape, turning the morning's puddles into a dank afternoon haze. The heat made her want to rest, but she knew her instructor would use tardiness as an excuse to kick her out of the program.” Introduce a problem in the first few paragraphs. Your problem will act as an inciting incident that triggers your plot and keeps your character reading. Think about what your character wants, and why they can't have it. Then, create a scene that shows them encountering this problem. For example, let's say that Esther's class is going to get the opportunity to work with real patients, and she wants to be chosen as 1 of the students who gets to do it. However, when she gets to the hospital, she's told she can only go in as a nurse. This sets up a plot where Esther tries to earn her spot as a doctor-in-training. Fill the middle of your story with rising action. Show your character working on their problem. To make your story more interesting, incorporate 2-3 challenges they face as they move toward the climax of your story. This builds the reader's suspense before you reveal what happens. For example, Esther might go into the hospital as a nurse, look for her peers, switch her clothes, almost get caught, and then meet a patient who needs her help. Provide a climax that resolves the problem. The climax is the peak of your story. Create an event that forces your character to fight for what they want. Then, show your character either winning or losing. In Esther's story, the climax might occur when she's caught trying to treat a patient who's collapsed. As the hospital tries to remove her, she shouts out a correct diagnosis, causing the senior doctor to demand her release. Use falling action to move the reader toward your conclusion. Keep your falling action brief because your reader won't be as motivated to keep reading after the climax. Use the final couple of paragraphs to wrap up the plot and summarize what happened after the resolution of the problem. For instance, the senior doctor at the hospital might compliment Esther and offer to be her mentor. Write an ending that gives the reader something to think about. In your first draft, don't worry about making your ending good. Instead, focus on presenting your theme and suggesting what your character might do next. This will leave the reader thinking about the story. Esther's story might end with her starting rounds with her new mentor. She might reflect on what she would have lost if she hadn't defied the rules to pursue her goal. Begin your story as close to the end as you can. Your reader doesn't need to read about every event that lead to the problem your character is dealing with. They only want to see a snapshot of your character's life. Pick an inciting incident that gets the reader into the plot quickly. This will help you ensure your story doesn't move too slowly. For example, starting with Esther walking to the hospital is a better place to start than when she enrolled in medical school. However, it might be even better to start when she arrives at the hospital. Incorporate dialogue that reveals something about your characters. Dialogue breaks up your paragraphs, which helps your reader's eyes move down the page. Additionally, dialogue lets you present what your characters are thinking in their own words without having to include a lot of internal monologue. Use dialogue throughout your story to convey your character's thoughts. However, make sure each piece of dialogue is driving the plot. For example, this piece of dialogue shows us that Esther is frustrated: “But I'm the top student in my class,” Esther pleaded. “Why should they get to examine patients but not me?” Build tension by having bad things happen to your characters. It's hard to do mean things to your characters, but your story will be boring if you don't. Give your characters obstacles or hardships that keep them away from what they want. That way, you'll have something to resolve in order for them to reach their desires. For example, Esther being denied entry to the hospital as a doctor is a horrible experience for her. Similarly, being grabbed by security would be frightening. Stimulate the 5 senses by including sensual details. Use the senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste to bring your reader into the story. Make your setting more dynamic by showing your reader what sounds they would hear, the smells they would notice, and the sensations they'd feel. This will make your story more engaging. For example, Esther could react to the smell of the hospital or the sound of beeping machines. Use emotion to help the reader relate to your story. Try to make your readers feel what your character is feeling. Do this by connecting what your character is going through to something universal. The emotions will draw readers into your story. For instance, Esther has worked really hard for something only to be denied it based on a technicality. Most people have experienced a failure like this before. Set your story aside for at least a day before revising it. It's difficult to revise your story right away because you won't be able to notice your errors and plot holes yet. Leave it alone for a day or longer so that you can look at it with fresh eyes. Printing out your story may help you see it from a different perspective, so you might try that when you go back to revise it. Setting your work aside for a little while is a good move, but don't set it aside for so long that you lose interest in it. Read your story aloud to listen for areas that need improvement. When you read your story aloud, you get a different perspective on it. This will help you identify passages that don't flow well or sentences that sound choppy. Read your story to yourself and make notes where you need to revise it. You can also read your story to other people and ask them for advice. Get feedback from other writers or people who read often. When you're ready, show your story to a fellow writer, instructor, classmate, or friend. If you can, take it to a writing critique or workshop. Ask your readers to provide their honest feedback so you can improve your story. The people closest to you, like your parents or best friend, may not provide the best feedback because they care about your feelings too much. However, you may be able to find a writing critique group on Meetup.com or at your local library. For feedback to be helpful, you have to be receptive to it. If you think you've written the most perfect story in the world, then you won't actually hear a word anyone says. Make sure you're giving your story to the right readers. If you're writing science fiction but have handed your story to your writer friend who enjoys literary fiction, you may not get the best feedback. Eliminate anything that doesn’t reveal character details or advance the plot. This may mean cutting passages that you think are well-written. However, your reader is only interested in details that are important for the story. As you revise your work, make sure every sentence you save shows something about your character or pushes the plot forward. Cut any sentence that doesn't. For instance, let's say there's a passage where Esther sees a girl in the hospital who reminds her of her sister. While this detail might seem interesting, it doesn't advance the plot or show something meaningful about Esther, so it's best to cut it.	Brainstorm to find an interesting character or plot. Develop your characters by making character sheets. Choose a setting for your story. Create an outline for your plot. Choose a first person or third person point-of-view (POV). Set the scene and introduce your characters in the beginning. Introduce a problem in the first few paragraphs. Fill the middle of your story with rising action. Provide a climax that resolves the problem. Use falling action to move the reader toward your conclusion. Write an ending that gives the reader something to think about. Begin your story as close to the end as you can. Incorporate dialogue that reveals something about your characters. Build tension by having bad things happen to your characters. Stimulate the 5 senses by including sensual details. Use emotion to help the reader relate to your story. Set your story aside for at least a day before revising it. Read your story aloud to listen for areas that need improvement. Get feedback from other writers or people who read often. Eliminate anything that doesn’t reveal character details or advance the plot.
https://www.wikihow.com/Prune-Knockout-Roses	How to Prune Knockout Roses	To prune knockout roses, choose a sharp pair of bypass pruners, and wear heavy gloves and long sleeves to protect yourself from thorns. Prune your roses as soon as buds start forming along the stems of the plant, but wait until the second or third growing season before you prune at all. When you're pruning, make your cuts roughly 1/4 inch above an outward-facing bud, and cut at a 45° angle, with the slant pointing away from the bud. Trim away overlapping canes, and cut back the plant by about 1/3 to 1/2 of its original size.	Grab a pair of sharp bypass pruners. Bypass pruners cut like scissors, making them preferable to anvil-type pruners, which have a tendency to crush the stems as they cut. Nice, clean cuts are essential to maintaining the health of the plant. If you don't have a pair of pruners handy, you could also use full-sized hedge clippers or trimmers. Whatever tool you use should be nice and sharp and able to make clean cuts. When you need to cut canes larger than about ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) in diameter, switch to a set of larger loppers. Disinfect pruners with rubbing alcohol or bleach diluted with water to sterilize them. Wear gloves to protect your hands and arms. In order to prune your knockout roses safely and effectively, you'll need to pull on a pair of rugged elbow-length gardening gloves. Your gloves should be thick enough to safeguard your skin from any thorns growing on the bushes. Don't attempt to prune your knockout roses without some kind of protective covering—a pair of standard wrist-length gardening gloves is better than nothing. Disinfect your pruners before you get started. While you're pruning your roses, stop periodically to dip them into a container filled with cleaning solution. Any all-purpose household cleaner will do the trick. Making sure your cutting blades are properly sanitized lowers your chances of accidentally spreading disease from one plant to another. Get in the habit of disinfecting your pruners regularly, whether you're trimming a little or a lot. Alternatively, you can use a solution made up of 70% rubbing alcohol diluted in water. Cut the canes at a 45-degree angle. Make your cuts roughly ⁄ 4 inch (0.64 cm) above an outward facing bud, with the slant pointing away from the bud. This helps promote new growths to grow outward rather than inward. This technique should be used regardless of the time of year or size of the growth you're pruning. Angled cuts help water run off the stem and reduces the chance of fungal rot. Cutting too close to the bud could shock it, while cutting too far away might leave too much old growth behind, forcing the plant to direct valuable resources to canes that are no longer able to produce new buds. Wait until the second or third season of growth to cut back your roses. By holding off until your roses have neared their full size, you can ensure that they'll be able to withstand having whole sections removed. A mature knockout rose should be about 4 feet (1.2 m) tall by 4 feet (1.2 m) wide before you begin hacking at it. A fully-grown knockout rose will require the most pruning around mid-February to early March. Young roses, by contrast, only need to be touched up throughout the growing period to remove dead or dying growth. Knockout roses can often go as long as 2-3 years between major prunings, depending on how rapidly they grow and how big or small you like to keep your plant. Prune your roses as soon as the buds break dormancy. Look for small buds to begin forming along the stems of the plant. If the existing buds have swelled up but no new growth has appeared, it means the roses are ready to prune. The main pruning period for knockout roses is in late winter or early spring, just as the plant prepares for another season of growth. You can still prune your roses even if new growth has already begun. Buds might start forming early if the winter was especially mild. In this case, snip the growth back to the first dormant bud. Start by cutting away overlapping canes. Clip one or both canes as needed to get the plant's interior structure growing straight and vertical. Creating some separation between the canes prevents them from rubbing against one other, making the plant look neater and promoting stronger, more lasting growth. By reducing the density of your rose bushes early in the season, you can make sure they continue putting out neat, attractive growth all year long. Thinning out overlapping canes and stems also promotes better air circulation through your rose bushes, making them less vulnerable to fungal diseases. Remove one-third to one-half of the plant’s overall size. You can cut healthy shoots back considerably without worrying about harming the plant. Doing so will prevent your roses from putting too much energy into maintaining an overabundance of foliage. As a result, it will produce more flowers. Keep in mind that your knockout roses will grow vigorously after being pruned. As a general rule, you'll want to cut them 1–2 feet (0.30–0.61 m) shorter than you would ultimately like them to end up. Be careful not to get too overzealous with your pruning. Trimming more than half of the healthy, mature canes could cause the plant to struggle to regrow lost foliage, stunting its growth. Trim your bushes to the desired height and width. Maintain the appearance of your knockout roses by giving them a gently rounded, dome-like shape. Be sure to snip any stems or offshoots that extend far enough beyond the foliage on the outer edges of the bush to stand out. To improve air circulation and control the spread of diseases in warmer weather, try trimming your bushes into a rough 'V' shape, leaving them open in the middle. Do some corrective pruning throughout the peak growing season. Shaping up your rose bushes sporadically as they fill out will encourage them to put more of their resources toward producing beautiful new buds. With a little attention here and there, you'll begin to see more dramatic flower production by the time the days start getting shorter. Avoid heavy prunings during the heat of the summer. Your roses will already be somewhat stressed due to the heat, so losing too much healthy growth only weakens them further. Remove damaged and diseased wood. Any sections of the plant showing signs of disease should be dealt with immediately to prevent the condition from spreading. Similarly, old, brittle wood invites harmful pests, fungi, and bacteria to attack the plant, and should also be cut back as soon as possible. Throughout the growing season, the primary purpose of pruning is to keep your roses healthy and active. This can be achieved by removing any unhealthy-looking parts of the plant that could become an issue if left alone. Deadhead dead and dying blooms to extend the bloom season. Deadheading is the practice of snipping off spent or failing flowers in order to make room for new ones. Snip the stem down to first group of five leaflets below the flower cluster. In a few short weeks, another round of blooms will appear in their place. In most cases, you'll be making your cuts approximately 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) below the flowers themselves. During extreme heat, only cut back to the first set of leaves rather than going further down the stem. Deadheading is essential for improving both the health and aesthetic quality of your knockout roses. Aim for a uniform appearance. If a few fast-growing shoots exceed the length of the surrounding shoots, trim the longer sections to restore the plant to an even length. Repeat this process on all visible sides of the bush. Otherwise, it can quickly overtake its surroundings and begin looking unruly. In addition to vertical growth, new growth will also expand outward and below the plant in the spring and summer. This "leggy" undergrowth should also be kept short. Prune 1 final time if desired before the first frost of the year. Ideally, you should aim to have your pruning done by the end of summer or the first couple weeks of fall, when the weather is still warm. Once it gets cold, new growth will begin to taper off as the plant prepares to enter dormancy. Stop pruning your knockout roses in early fall at the latest. Any new growth they put out after this time may not harden off in time for winter. Your roses will benefit from getting a little rest before the next growing season. Clear away dead wood. Just like you did in the summer, inspect your knockout roses carefully once more to identify and cull weak, sick, or dying canes. Otherwise, disease could spread throughout the bush unchecked, kill it off completely by the time winter sets in. At this point, it's advisable to remove as little of the plant's overall size as necessary. Avoid disturbing younger canes. You don't want to accidentally stimulate new growth that will just die off and weaken the plant. Reduce the overall height of your rose bushes. Just before your roses retire for the season, you can trim up to one-third off their total height. Focus on excess growth that doesn't contribute to the general shape of the bush. If there are any long, non-flowering stems sticking out from the top or sides, be sure to see to these as well. If your roses just barely managed to reach their ideal height during the peak growing season, a little light corrective pruning will be best. Fall pruning is not a major ordeal, and many gardeners even choose to skip it altogether.	Grab a pair of sharp bypass pruners. Wear gloves to protect your hands and arms. Disinfect your pruners before you get started. Cut the canes at a 45-degree angle. Wait until the second or third season of growth to cut back your roses. Prune your roses as soon as the buds break dormancy. Start by cutting away overlapping canes. Remove one-third to one-half of the plant’s overall size. Trim your bushes to the desired height and width. Do some corrective pruning throughout the peak growing season. Remove damaged and diseased wood. Deadhead dead and dying blooms to extend the bloom season. Aim for a uniform appearance. Prune 1 final time if desired before the first frost of the year. Clear away dead wood. Reduce the overall height of your rose bushes.