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https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Cavity-Pain	How to Stop Cavity Pain	While cavity pain can be unpleasant, there are some home remedies you can use to relieve your aching mouth. Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water is one of the most effective ways to reduce mouth pain. Simply stir a tablespoon of salt into a glass of warm water until it's dissolved, then swish the solution around your sore gum and tooth. Another way to help cavity pain is to place some ice cubes or an ice pack on the tooth or on your face just over the painful area. Leave the ice on for 10 to 15 minutes, and repeat as necessary. If you feel pain after eating, it could be due to food in your cavity, so rinse your mouth with warm water and use a toothpick to gently get any food out of it.	See your dentist. One way to get rid of cavity pain is to go to the dentist. Your dentist will do an exam and get x-rays of your teeth to see where any cavities or other tooth or gum problems are. Then, your dentist will suggest the best course of treatment for your cavity. The most common treatment for cavities is a filling. If the tooth is infected or abscessed, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics first to clear up any infection, which is important to avoid any further complications. Take over-the-counter medication. If your tooth or gum aches because of a cavity, taking over-the-counter pain relievers may help reduce the pain. You can take ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), naproxen (Aleve), or aspirin. Follow the dosage instructions on the label. Make sure not to let aspirin dissolve on the tooth or gum. This may harm your mouth and teeth. Try numbing gels. You can try numbing gels around the area of the cavity to help stop the pain temporarily. Numbing gels contain benzocaine. You should spread the gel on your gums with either your finger or a cotton swab. Make sure you don't swallow the gel. Spit out the gel left in your mouth. Read and follow the instructions on the box or tube to know the amount of gel to apply and how often you should apply the gel. Keep in mind that if your saliva flow increases after you have applied the gel, that is absolutely normal. Your tongue may also go numb for a while, so you may want to avoid talking for a while or you may bite your tongue accidentally. Clean out the cavity. You may be experiencing pain in your cavity after you eat. This might be due to food being stuck in the cavity. To help relieve the pain, rinse your mouth with warm water. Then, use a toothpick to gently and carefully get any food out of the cavity. Make sure not to poke too deep into the cavity because you could cause more damage to the tooth or gums. Make a salt water rinse. Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water is one of the most effective ways to help reduce pain in the mouth. Saltwater can help reduce acids in your gums, which may be leading to irritation and pain. Stir in a tablespoon of salt into a glass of warm or lukewarm water until dissolved. Rinse with the solution, making sure to swish it around the sore gum and tooth. Use an ice pack. Another way to help cavity pain is to use an ice pack. Place some ice cubes or crushed ice into a towel, balloon, or the cut-off finger of a non-latex glove to make an ice pack. Place the ice pack on the tooth if it isn't sensitive to cold. You can also place the ice pack on your face just over the painful area. You can also use an ice pack that you buy in the store instead of making one yourself. Make sure that you wrap the ice pack in a cloth or paper towel before you use it. You can leave the ice pack on for about 10 to 15 minutes. Then, remove it and give your skin a chance to return to its normal temperature. Swish with hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide can help remove bacteria in the cavity and clean the area to help reduce infection. Swish your mouth with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide. Keep it in your mouth for up to a minute. Spit it out and make sure not to swallow this solution. Avoid using hydrogen peroxide solution for more than five days in a row or your teeth will get sensitive. Rub extracts on the tooth. One way to help relieve pain from a cavity is to use natural extracts. You can use vanilla, almond, peppermint or lemon extracts to relieve pain from a cavity. Soak a cotton ball in the extract, and then place the cotton ball on the tooth or gum where the ache is. Leave it there for around ten minutes. You may also choose to put the extract on a Q-tip. Try essential oils. Some essential oils have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can aid in pain relief. Try using sunflower oil, sesame oil, oregano oil, nutmeg oil, clove oil, or tea tree oil to stop cavity pain. You can place a few drops of the oil into a few tablespoons of the water and rinse your mouth out with the rinse. You can also put the oil on a cotton ball or Q-tip and rub the oil directly onto the sore gum or tooth. You may want to try packing a cotton ball soaked in one of the oils, particularly clove oil, into the cavity. Try not to get the oil anywhere else in your mouth because it could cause irritation. Make sure you don't swallow the essential oil. Always spit it out. Chew leaves. Plantain and peppermint leaves have anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve pain in your mouth. To use for tooth cavity pain, place the leaves in your mouth and chew for a few minutes to release the helpful juices. Then, move the leaves over to the sore gum or tooth and let it rest there for around 15 minutes. You may also choose to use dried peppermint leaves or peppermint tea. Plantains are backyard weeds that have healing properties. The plant is in almost every backyard. The leaves are easy to identify due to the long, vertical veins along the leaf. Cover the sore area with citrus. You may be able to relieve cavity pain using fruit from your refrigerator. Lemons and limes may be able to stop tooth pain because of the citric acid and vitamin C, which have antibacterial properties. Cut the lemon or lime into slices. Then, bite into the slice to release juice into your mouth. Place the juice and the slice over your sore gum or tooth. Make an apple cider vinegar rinse. Apple cider vinegar is used in many folk and home remedies for its antimicrobial properties. To make a rinse for your sore mouth, combine ¼ cup of warm water with two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Swish the solution in your mouth for 30 to 60 seconds. Make sure to swish it around the tooth with the cavity. Spit out the rinse and repeat two to three times. Rinse with warm water. You can do this three to four times a day, but do not swallow the water-vinegar mixture. Do not repeat the vinegar rinse for more than four days in a row. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which can erode the enamel surface, especially if you brush your teeth immediately after. Bite into garlic, onion, or ginger. Garlic, onion, and ginger are known for their antimicrobial properties, which can help with cavity pain. Place a small piece of garlic, onion, or ginger in your mouth, directly over your painful tooth or gum area. Slowly bite down on the sliver, which will release the juice inside. This will relieve the pain by numbing the gums. Try an asafetida paste. Asafetida is a plant known for its antimicrobial properties that is used in Middle Eastern traditional medicine. You can use this to make a paste to help with cavity pain. Combine ¼ teaspoon of asafetida powder with fresh lemon juice. Make sure to use enough lemon juice to make a thin, spreadable paste. Spread the paste on the cavity and around the gum. Leave it on for around five minutes. Rinse the paste from your mouth water. You can put the paste on your tooth two or three times each day.	See your dentist. Take over-the-counter medication. Try numbing gels. Clean out the cavity. Make a salt water rinse. Use an ice pack. Swish with hydrogen peroxide. Rub extracts on the tooth. Try essential oils. Chew leaves. Cover the sore area with citrus. Make an apple cider vinegar rinse. Bite into garlic, onion, or ginger. Try an asafetida paste.
https://www.wikihow.com/Insert-a-Tampon-Without-Pain	How to Insert a Tampon Without Pain	While there will probably be times that your tampon doesn't go in the right way, you can minimize the pain by familiarizing yourself with your vagina and finding tampons that work best for you. When you're ready to insert the tampon, put one foot up on a chair or the edge of a toilet, relax your muscles, and slowly insert the tampon into the opening of your vagina, making sure it's pointed at an angle toward your lower back. Consider trying tampons with plastic applicators first, as most women find the slickness makes it easier to insert than cardboard applicators. If you're just starting to use tampons, get a mirror and look at your vagina to get a good idea of the anatomy and how a tampon is inserted.	Familiarize yourself with your vagina. One way to make sure you are inserting your tampon correctly is to make sure you understand how the tampon goes into your vagina. You may be able to feel around and stick the tampon inside, but you may not completely understand the mechanics. When you start using tampons, or if you have never looked at how they work, take the time to look at your genital area to get a better picture of what goes on when you use a tampon. Get a mirror and look at your vagina so you have a good idea of the anatomy, where the tampon goes, and how it gets inserted before you start to insert a tampon. Use the applicator that is best for you. Tampons come with different kinds of applicators. You can get plastic applicators, cardboard applicators, or tampons without any applicator at all. You should try to figure out which is the best for you. For most women, a plastic applicator is easier to insert than others. A plastic applicator has a slicker surface that may be easier to slide into the vagina. A tampon with a cardboard applicator or without any applicator may not slide as easily and get stuck or stop before it is completely inserted. Choose the right tampon size. Because a woman's flow varies greatly, tampons come in different sizes and absorbencies. When choosing a tampon, you may want to go for a smaller tampon, especially if you are experiencing pain or having trouble inserting it properly. Try light or regular size tampons. Each box explains the difference between the different tampon sizes. Light tampons are the smallest and most slender. They don't absorb much blood, so if you are bleeding heavier, you may have to change your tampon more often. A regular tampon may also be a good option because it is still more slender but holds more menstrual blood. Super and super plus tampons may be too large to be comfortable. They are larger around because they are designed to hold blood from heavier flows. Make sure to use the absorbency that corresponds to your flow. Don't use a larger tampon made for a heavier flow if you don't need it. Wash your hands and gather the supplies. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before you insert your tampon. Dry your hands, making sure they are not damp. Unwrap the tampon and have it in a nearby, so it's easy to reach. Then, relax. To relax, you can try some Kegel exercises first just to remind yourself to release the muscles. Contract then release your vaginal muscles three or four times. If the tampon has a paper applicator, you can try lubricating it with some vaseline, KY jelly, or mineral oil before inserting. Get your body into position. Getting in the right position can help ease the process of inserting your tampon. One way you can position your body is to stand with your legs and knees apart. Another way that may help is to stand with one foot up on a stool, the edge of the toilet, or the edge of the bathtub or a chair. If none of these makes you comfortable, you can try to lay on your back with your knees bent and your feet about shoulder width apart. Position the tampon just outside the vagina. Hold the tampon in your dominant hand. Hold the tampon at the middle, where the smaller tube inserts into the larger tube. Use your other hand to spread apart the labia, which are the flaps of tissue on either side of the vagina. Make sure to relax. The string should be pointing away from your body because it will remain outside of the body and used to remove the tampon later. Remember, you can use a mirror to help guide you, especially the first few times. Insert the tampon. Place the top of the tampon applicator at the vaginal opening and gently push the tampon up to the point where you are touching your vagina. The tampon should be at an angle directed to the small of your back. Use the index finger of the hand holding the tampon to gently push on the smaller tube. Push gently until you feel a bit of resistance or the inner tube is completely in the outer tube. Use your thumb and middle finger to pull out both tubes without touching the string. Avoid touching the string while you are inserting the tampon because the string should be moving along with the tampon up into the vaginal canal. Throw away the applicator and wash your hands when you are done. You should not be able to feel the tampon once it is inserted. If you do, remove it by pulling straight out using the string and insert another tampon. You can also try pushing the tampon higher up into your vagina to see if you can get it into a comfortable position. If this does not work, then pull it out and start over. Determine if you still have an intact hymen. A hymen is perfectly normal and is usually a crescent piece of tissue that encircles part of the opening of the vagina. It may rip or tear during sexual intercourse, but also due to physical activity, injury or illness. If the hymen is intact, it can interfere with the insertion of a tampon and cause pain. Sometimes, the hymen completely or nearly completely covers the vaginal opening. Other times, there is a strand or band of tissue that runs across the vaginal opening. If this strand is there, it can interfere with the insertion of a tampon, causing pain. See a doctor to get this checked out and to ask about having it removed. Decide if you tense when you try to insert your tampon. Another common problem women have with inserting tampons is that they get nervous and tense up. This is especially common if the woman has had a bad experience. The vaginal wall is lined with muscles and, just like any other muscle, can get tense. This can make the insertion of a tampon very uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Doing Kegel exercises has helped a number of women with tense vaginal muscles. Kegel exercises are a series of exercises which contract and relax the vaginal muscles. You do them exactly as you would if you were stopping the flow of urine and then allowing it to flow again. You can do these exercises anytime and anywhere. Try for three sets of 10 contractions and releases every day. Replace the tampon often to prevent toxic shock syndrome (TSS). You should replace your tampon as needed. When you are awake, that may be every four to six hours, or more often depending on how heavy your flow is. However, don't leave a tampon in any longer than overnight. Tampons left in too long increase the risk of TSS. This is a rare infection that has been associated with tampon use. The symptoms of TSS include: Flu-like symptoms, such as muscle and joint aches or headache. Sudden high fever Dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness Vomiting A sunburn-like rash Diarrhea See your doctor. If the methods to help reduce the pain of inserting a tampon don't work, you can make an appointment with your physician or gynecologist to see if there is a problem. For example, the hymen can easily be perforated and removed to allow free flow of menstrual blood, allow the use of a tampon, and make sexual intercourse much more comfortable. It is considered minor surgery and can usually be done in the doctor's office. If tense vaginal muscles are the problem, the goal is to learn to control how tense the vaginal muscles are. If you need more help with this, talk to your physician about a treatment plan. If you have to have your doctor remove your hymen, this does not take away your virginity. Virginity is a state of experience, not a state of having an intact hymen. If you experience any of the symptoms of TSS, remove the tampon right away and get to your physician's office or an emergency room. TSS can progress quickly and is a serious infection that needs immediate medical attention.	Familiarize yourself with your vagina. Use the applicator that is best for you. Choose the right tampon size. Wash your hands and gather the supplies. Get your body into position. Position the tampon just outside the vagina. Insert the tampon. Determine if you still have an intact hymen. Decide if you tense when you try to insert your tampon. Replace the tampon often to prevent toxic shock syndrome (TSS). See your doctor.
https://www.wikihow.com/Camp	How to Camp	If you've never gone camping before, it can feel a little overwhelming to get started. However, if you plan ahead and bring the essential supplies, camping can be a fun and exciting adventure! Before you go, research potential camp sites near you or at your destination to find one that meets your needs. For example, if you're planning for an extended camping trip, search online for a campground that has supply stores nearby in case you need to restock. You can also look for sites that feature activities you're interested in, like fishing or hiking. Once you've found the perfect camp site, make sure to pack all the supplies you'll need, such as a tent, sleeping bag, food, survival kit, and clothes that are appropriate for the weather.	Look for campsites at national parks to get closer to nature. National parks offer a variety of campsites within the grounds that have different terrain and natural elements around them. Look for a site that has a little bit of tree cover if possible since you can stay protected from the sun or weather. Find a campsite large enough for the number of people you're camping with so you can accommodate them. Basic campsites usually come with a picnic table and a fire pit so you have somewhere to sit and cook. Many national park campsites don't have electricity, so you need to bring extra phone batteries or a portable charger. Find a campground with electricity if you want to stay connected. Many larger campgrounds have electrical boxes on each site so you can plug in and use anything that needs power. Check if the campsites you're looking at offer electricity if you still want to use some electronics, such as portable stoves or lights to decorate your site. However, campsites that offer electricity are usually more expensive than those without it. Campgrounds with electricity are great if you plan on staying in a trailer or RV since you'll be able to use your gear inside. Check if the campground has any facilities or amenities you can use. Campgrounds usually have bathrooms, supply stores, and fun activities that you can do during your stay. Some sites may even have a water supply so you have access to it for cooking and drinking. Check the website for the campgrounds you're interested in to see what they offer to help determine where you want to stay. Campgrounds that have multiple facilities may be more crowded that sites that don't offer them. Go camping in spring or autumn for milder conditions. Spring and autumn are usually the beginning and ends of the busiest seasons, so the campgrounds will be less crowded. However, there may be more storms and temperature changes in the spring and fall months, so be sure to pack clothes for different types of weather. Find a week or weekend that fits your schedule and reserve a spot at the campground. Camp in the summer for warmer days. Summer is the peak season for camping since the days are warmer and families are able to travel more. If you enjoy spending time outdoors in the sun, pick a time in the summer to take your camping trip. Be sure to make any reservations early since the campgrounds may get crowded and space may run out. You may have to deal with thunderstorms or mosquitoes if you camp in the summer. Reserve a campsite if the campgrounds let you. Check online for the campsite where you want to stay to see if you can reserve a spot. Pick a location on the campgrounds map and the duration that you plan on staying. Once you choose your site, make any down payments for the site if you need to finish your reservation. Campsite reservations may cost anywhere between $10-50 per day you're staying. Most campgrounds let you reserve sites a month or two in advance so you can easily plan the rest of your trip. You do not need to make a reservation if you don't want to, but you may risk not getting a campsite if it's busy. Bring a tent that’s large enough for you and your things. Find a tent that has about 30 square feet (2.8 m ) per person that's staying in them. Pick a tent that's lightweight and easy to transport so you don't have any hassle setting it up later on. Look at an outdoors store for different types of tents to see how you fit in them and purchase the one that best suits your needs. Get a tent with multiple “rooms” if you plan on camping with other people. If it's supposed to rain at all while you're camping, make sure your tent has a rain cover so you don't get wet while you're sleeping. Some campsites or outdoors stores may offer tent rentals if you don't have a tent you can use. Choose a sleeping bag that matches the climate of the area you’re staying. Sleeping bags have different ratings to determine what temperature they can still keep you warm and comfortable. Check the weather at the campgrounds and determine what the lowest temperatures are so you know which sleeping bag to bring along. If you're camping in the summer, you can use a thin sleeping bag, but you may need something thicker if you're camping in cooler months. If you don't want to lie directly on the floor of the tent, consider packing a sleeping pad or an air mattress as well so you have an extra layer of comfort. Don't forget to bring a pillow for yourself so you can stay comfortable. Pack food that’s easy to cook over an open fire. Many times, a campfire is your only heat source while you're camping, so some foods may not cook as easily as others. Look for foods that you can cook on a skewer, such as hot dogs, cubed vegetables, and meats, since they're the easiest to hold over a fire. Only bring as much food as you need so you don't take up too much room while you're packing. Transfer food that's in large containers into something small and compact so you can transport it easier. For example, you may crack multiple eggs into a plastic bag or container so you don't break any eggshells while you're packing. You may be able to use a portable grill rack that hangs over the fire to cook larger foods, like burgers and vegetables. Bring a cast iron skillet if you have one since you can hold it directly over the fire to cook things like eggs or soups. Use a cooler to help keep food and drinks cold. Pack an insulated cooler with ice and place any food or drinks you want to keep cold while you're camping. Bring enough water to last through your entire trip so you don't get dehydrated and so you can stay cool. Store foods in plastic containers and stack them in your cooler so you can use the space efficiently. Some campgrounds have ice on site so you can refill the cooler when the old ice melts. Bring a face mask for every person to protect against coronavirus. If you are going camping during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, you should bring face masks along with you just in case you have to get close to others while on your trip. Wear them whenever you are near someone who you are not camping with. Pack basic survival kits so you can set up your site easily. Basic survival kits include items like pocket knives, flashlights, first aid supplies, and multipurpose tools so you can stay safe while you're camping. You can either buy prepackaged camping kits or you can make your own and carry it in a toolbox. Make sure you have a kit of materials with you in case there's an emergency or if you need to do maintenance on site. Some basic things to include in your kit are knives, bandages, antiseptic wipes, lighters, and emergency flares. Check in with a park ranger or campground office if you need to. Once you arrive at the campground, check in with a park ranger or at the camp offices to confirm your campsite. Let them know you arrived and tell them if you made a reservation before you came. Ask about any special rules or restrictions they have on the grounds so you know what you're allowed to do. Once they check you in, they will help direct you to your campsite so you can start setting up. Look at the office or ranger hours listed when you check in so you know when you're able to contact them or get supplies if you need them. Place your tent on flat, dry ground. Once you arrive at your campsite, look for a level place that doesn't have large rocks or tree roots to set up your tent. Make sure there aren't any broken or dead tree limbs above the area since they could fall on your tent in severe weather. Clear the ground as much as you can from any sticks or small rocks so you don't feel them while you're sleeping. When you pitch your tent, make sure it's stretched out completely so it's open to its full size. During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, make sure to set up your campsite away from other groups so that you don't risk transmission. If you can't find any level ground for your tent, make sure you sleep with your head elevated or else you can get headaches or feel uncomfortable. Make sure to always keep your tent zipped so bugs or animals can't get inside. Store food in tightly sealed containers so animals don’t get into them. Animals have sensitive noses and they may smell your food while you're camping. Make sure all of your food is sealed in odor-proof containers while you aren't cooking to reduce the risk of animals coming onto your site. Place the food about 200 feet (61 m) from your sleeping area so animals don't interfere with your tent while you're asleep. Animals are usually afraid of humans, so they may not come onto your site while you're there. If you're in a location that has bears, you can also hang your food from a tree so they cannot access it. Collect firewood from the campgrounds or nearby sellers. Check for wood around your campsite and collect large pieces to burn during your stay. If there isn't any wood around you, you may be able to buy some from the campground offices for a small fee. Make sure to get enough firewood for your entire stay so you don't have to keep buying more. Don't transport foreign wood into the campsite since it could have invasive bugs or bacteria that could infect the local wildlife. Build a campfire underneath tree cover if possible. Light tree cover helps protect your fire from wind and rain if the weather starts getting worse. Set up your logs inside the fire pit either in a cone or box shape to help maintain a consistent burn. Fill in any gaps with smaller pieces of wood or paper to use as kindling to make starting the fire easier. Light the kindling underneath the logs to start the fire and let it burn. Only use a few logs at a time so your fire doesn't get out of control while it's burning. Make sure you start your fire inside of a pit so it doesn't spread. Put out your fire completely when you're finished using it so it doesn't keep burning while it's unattended. Go hiking if you want to explore the area where you’re staying. Check if there are any trails nearby that you can hike along so you can surround yourself with nature. Make sure the trails aren't too long before you leave, or else you may get too exhausted before you can finish them. When you go out for your hike, put on hiking boots so you can get around easily without hurting yourself. Take snacks and water along with you so you don't get exhausted or dehydrated while you're out. If you plan on going hiking off of a known trail, then make sure you have a map and a compass so you don't get lost. Don't litter or leave anything behind on the trails since it could affect local wildlife. Make s’mores around the campfire for a sweet treat. Break a graham cracker in half and place a piece of chocolate bar on top of one of the pieces. Roast a marshmallow over your campfire until it's golden brown, or until it feels gooey when you squeeze it. Put the roasted marshmallow on top of the chocolate and set the other half of the graham cracker on top to finish your treat. Try using different types of candy when you make your s'mores for different flavors. For example, use a peanut butter cup instead of a chocolate bar for a sweet and salty taste. Swim in nearby lakes to cool down on a hot day. Check if there are any nearby lakes or beaches that you can go to near your campsite. Make sure they're open to the public for swimming, or else you may not be able to stay there. Bring a small cooler with you with some food and water so you can enjoy a day on the lake and enjoy time away from your campsite. Be sure to wear sunscreen while you're swimming so you don't get any sunburn. Carefully read any warning signs near the lake or beach if there are any. Some campgrounds may have beaches with lifeguards on duty. If there isn't a lifeguard, make sure you're a strong swimmer and you stay at a depth where you feel comfortable. Check what activities are available at the campgrounds. Campgrounds may have special activities or amenities that are available to do during the day. Check if they have any rental equipment, such as fishing rods or kayaks, so you can try new experiences and get away from the campsite. You can also look for games or playgrounds if you want to have fun with the entire family while you're there. Check the map of the campgrounds to see where activities or different sites take place. Some campgrounds may have special events around holidays, such as fireworks for Independence Day.	Look for campsites at national parks to get closer to nature. Find a campground with electricity if you want to stay connected. Check if the campground has any facilities or amenities you can use. Go camping in spring or autumn for milder conditions. Camp in the summer for warmer days. Reserve a campsite if the campgrounds let you. Bring a tent that’s large enough for you and your things. Choose a sleeping bag that matches the climate of the area you’re staying. Pack food that’s easy to cook over an open fire. Use a cooler to help keep food and drinks cold. Bring a face mask for every person to protect against coronavirus. Pack basic survival kits so you can set up your site easily. Check in with a park ranger or campground office if you need to. Place your tent on flat, dry ground. Store food in tightly sealed containers so animals don’t get into them. Collect firewood from the campgrounds or nearby sellers. Build a campfire underneath tree cover if possible. Go hiking if you want to explore the area where you’re staying. Make s’mores around the campfire for a sweet treat. Swim in nearby lakes to cool down on a hot day. Check what activities are available at the campgrounds.
https://www.wikihow.com/Cover-Up-Stretch-Marks-on-Legs	How to Cover Up Stretch Marks on Legs	To cover up stretch marks on your legs, you can try applying a concealer that matches your skin tone, and layer the makeup in thin coats until your stretch marks are covered. Alternatively, you can use a leg self-tanner from a drugstore, which will help darken your skin without exposing you to harmful UV radiation. You should also try and take good care of your skin by applying a daily moisturizer, since blemishes look less obvious on healthy skin than dry, irritated skin.	Exfoliate your skin. Use a body scrub the morning before you want to cover up your stretch marks. Try a body scrub made with caffeine. This may make your skin appear tighter and smoother. Compare a few makeup products. Try a leg and body cover up cream. There are a number of cover ups on the market that will cover up stretch marks and other lines that detract from healthy-looking skin. No one has the exact same skin, so you may have to try a few products to see which is best for you. Choose a color that will match your skin tone. Remember that it may be lighter or darker than your face makeup. Choose a body cover up that includes sunscreen if you are regularly exposed to sunlight. Sunburns reduce the elasticity of your skin and make stretch marks more noticeable. If you don't have access to leg and body cover up, use a primer moisturizer or a waterproof concealer. Choose a concealer with green undertones to cover up red marks. Try out your cover up or concealer. Dip a flat foundation brush into the cover up product. Dab it gently onto the areas with stretch marks. Aim to use a very light layer of makeup. Assess the coverage that you get with a single layer. Layer the makeup in thin coats until you achieve the desired effect. It will quickly be obvious to you if it is working. If you are going to wear a swimsuit, put it on before you apply makeup on the leg. Use a powder brush to apply setting powder. Leave the powder a few minutes before changing into a short skirt or shorts. A spray-on makeup fixative will also work to set the cover up or concealer. Choose a leg self-tanner. Numerous drugstore brands make sunless tanning products designed for use on legs. These can help darken the skin without exposing your to harmful UV radiation from the sun or a tanning bed. Test the product on a small patch of skin to check for allergies. Ask your doctor or dermatologist for a recommended product if you have sensitive skin or you're prone to skin allergies. Choose a self-tanner that does not come in a spray bottle. You will need a lotion product that is labeled “streak free.” You could also consider booking a tanning treatment at a salon. They can airbrush you for a safe, quick, and even sunless tan. Be aware that regular tanning – whether in the sun or a tanning bed – isn't effective at covering stretch marks. This is because stretch marks are scar tissue, which doesn't tan. Actually, tanning might make them more visible. Prepare your legs for tanner. Exfoliate your legs with a body scrub the morning before you apply self-tanner. This will remove with your dead skin cells. Exfoliated skin will also stay tanner longer. Don't apply any other skin products the day you will apply the tanner. Apply the tanner. Squeeze some self-tanner onto a plate or in a bowl. The plate will be your makeup palette. Dab the self-tanner with a cotton swab. Wipe off excess on another portion of the plate. Apply along the line of the white stretch mark. Wipe off excess self-tanner with the clean end of the cotton swab. Next apply the tanner all over your arms and legs for an even, natural-looking tan. If you have difficulty reaching all your stretch marks, use a mirror or ask a friend to help you. Correct any mistakes. Let your skin dry to see how the tan came out. Streaks or dark spots can be fixed by scrubbing with a washcloth and water. An exfoliating scrub can erase streaks on large areas of skin. Note whether your stretch marks are red or white in color. Red stretch marks are fresh, and they can be minimized or reduced with certain products. White stretch marks are older and most creams will not change their appearance. However, good moisturizing routines will help your skin heal over time, and even white stretch marks should look less obvious. Tone your legs. Work your inner and outer thighs using walking, pilates, yoga, barre, running, lunges and squats. Seek the help of a personal trainer to develop a leg routine that will firm the muscles underneath your stretch marks. If you have gained weight, aerobic exercise may help you shed a few pounds and take the pressure off your skin. Although firm muscles will not get rid of stretch marks, they can reduce the appearance of cellulite, which often appears in the same areas that stretch marks appear. Minimal weight loss may cause some fresh stretch marks to heal and nearly disappear. Significant weight loss may lead to excess skin on some areas of the legs. Get a prescription for creams or makeup. Visit your dermatologist and ask about Retin-A cream. This is used to treat red stretch marks. The active ingredient is vitamin A, which has been proven effective in reducing scarring. Your dermatologist may also prescribe topical steroids to be used with Retin-A. Take good care of your skin. Healthy, moisturized skin shows blemishes less obviously than dry, irritated skin. This will also make other creams and makeups less harsh on your legs. Apply a moisturizer, such as cocoa butter, daily. If you have faint stretch marks, this might even make them virtually invisible by itself.	Exfoliate your skin. Compare a few makeup products. Try out your cover up or concealer. Choose a leg self-tanner. Prepare your legs for tanner. Apply the tanner. Correct any mistakes. Note whether your stretch marks are red or white in color. Tone your legs. Get a prescription for creams or makeup. Take good care of your skin.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Orange	How to Make Orange	To make orange paint, mix together equal parts red and yellow paint. For a lighter yellow-orange color, mix together 1 part red paint and 2 parts yellow paint. To make a darker red-orange color, combine 1 part yellow paint and 2 parts red paint. If you don't have yellow paint, mix together equal parts red and green paint to make yellow, then mix that with more red paint to make orange. To make orange food coloring, mix together equal parts red and yellow food coloring. Add more red food coloring to make the color darker, or add more yellow food coloring to make it lighter.	Mix red and yellow. Orange is a secondary color, which means that you can make it by combining two primary colors. The two primary colors needed for orange are red and yellow. "Primary" colors exist naturally and cannot be created by combining other colors. Red, yellow, and blue are the three primary colors, but you'll only need red and yellow to create orange. "Secondary" colors are made by combining two primary colors. Since you need to combine red and yellow to make orange, orange is considered a secondary color. The other two secondary colors are violet and green. Change the hue by altering proportions. Combining equal parts of pure yellow and pure red will create pure orange, but if you'd like a slightly different hue, you can add either more yellow or more red to change it. Yellow-orange and red-orange are the two simplest variations. These colors are also known as "tertiary" colors. Tertiary colors fall evenly between secondary and primary colors on the color wheel. Yellow-orange consists of two parts yellow and one part red, or one part orange and one part yellow. Red-orange consists of two parts red and one part yellow, or one part orange and one part red. Add black or white to change the value. You can lighten or darken orange without changing the hue by adding white or black, respectively. The amount of white or black you add will determine how much lighter or darker the orange hue becomes. Note that lighter values are typically referred to as "tints," while darker values are commonly referred to as "shades." Obtain several hues of clay. Ideally, you should have at least two red clays, two yellow clays, one white clay, one translucent clay, and one black clay. Try to include both one warm red clay (with a hint of orange) and one cool red clay (with a hint of violet). Likewise, grab one warm yellow clay (with a hint of orange) and one cool yellow clay (with a hint of green). Note that you can use more than two hues each of red and yellow, if desired, but using at least two should still allow you to observe the principle and understand how it works. Mix together one red clay with one yellow clay. Using your fingers, pinch off equal portions of warm red and warm yellow. Press the two pieces together and knead them between your fingers until evenly blended. When finished, you should see a solid orange color without streaks. This combination of red and yellow should produce a fairly vibrant orange since both starting clays leaned toward the orange portion of the color wheel. Work through the other red and yellow combinations. Make three more samples by combining equal parts of one red and one yellow clay. Follow the same procedure used to make the first orange sample. Warm red and cool yellow should create a medium-tone apricot color. Cool red and warm yellow should create a medium-tone melon color. Cool red and cool yellow should create a dull orange with hints of brown in it. Lighten the orange. Pick your favorite created hue of orange and duplicate the color twice more. You can lighten orange clay in two ways, and using two samples of the same hue will make it easier to compare results. Add a small pinch of white clay to one orange sample, blending until no streaks remain. The color should have a lighter tint while also looking less bright. Add a small pinch of translucent clay to the other orange sample, blending until no streaks remain. The color should look less bright but should not change value or tint. Note that adding too much translucent clay will create a semi-transparent wash instead of an opaque orange. Darken the orange. Create another sample of your favorite orange clay color. Pinch off a small piece of black clay and mix it into the sample, blending until no streaks remain. The resulting orange will have the same hue, but the black should give it a darker shade. As a result, the orange may look slightly brown. Black clay can have a dramatic effect on other clay colors, including orange, so you should work in very small amounts to avoid darkening the shade too much. Set up a few samples. Prepare at least four custard dishes or small bowls. Spoon about 1/4 cup (60 ml) of prepared white frosting into each dish. There are multiple ways to create orange frosting, but each one requires a base of white frosting. You'll need at least four samples of white frosting, but setting up six to twelve will allow you to experiment with more options. You should obtain at least four different food dyes: one orange, one red, one yellow, and one black. Consider getting additional hues of red and yellow for additional experiments. Ideally, you should use paste, powder, or gel food dyes that are designed for use with frosting. Avoid liquid food dyes since these tend to have a negative effect on frosting consistency. Mix orange food coloring into one sample. Dunk a clean toothpick into the container of orange food coloring. Transfer the coloring by dunking the newly-coated end into one sample dish of frosting. Stir until the food color is evenly distributed, leaving behind no visible streaks of color. Since you're mixing the food coloring with white icing, the final result won't be as dark as the hue of the dye. You'll always end up with a lighter shade, regardless of how much orange dye you use. Note, however, that adding very small amounts will create a very light orange while adding greater amounts will produce a stronger, brighter value. Combine red and yellow food coloring in another sample. Dunk separate, clean toothpicks into one container of red food coloring and one container of yellow food coloring. Mix both dyes into another sample of white frosting, continuing until no streaks remain. The combination should result in an orange frosting. This second sample may not look exactly the same as your first, of course, since the red and yellow you use may result in a slightly different hue. Create a darker shade of orange. Create another sample of orange frosting using the orange food dye or the combined red and yellow dyes. Mix a very small dot of black food coloring into the sample, as well. The black should darken the shade of the orange without changing the hue. Only use small amounts of black food coloring at a time, though, since even small amounts can have a dramatic impact on the color of the frosting. Try other combinations as desired. If you prepared any additional samples of white icing, you can use them to experiment with different combinations or food colorings. Take notes so you'll be able to duplicate the same orange hues and values later. Most food coloring manufacturers have recommendations for you to follow, but you can easily experiment on your own. Several ideas include: Combine nine parts red with ten parts yellow to create a rosy peach color. Mix two parts orange with one part golden yellow to make an apricot color. Create a rusty orange by mixing eight parts orange, two parts red, and one part brown.	Mix red and yellow. Change the hue by altering proportions. Add black or white to change the value. Obtain several hues of clay. Mix together one red clay with one yellow clay. Work through the other red and yellow combinations. Lighten the orange. Darken the orange. Set up a few samples. Mix orange food coloring into one sample. Combine red and yellow food coloring in another sample. Create a darker shade of orange. Try other combinations as desired.
https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Cinder-Block-Wall	How to Build a Cinder Block Wall	To build a cinder block wall, start by digging a hole for the foundation and reinforcing it by placing steel rebar into each corner. Next, fill the hole with concrete and let it dry overnight. Then, attach the first row of cinder blocks to the concrete with mortar to build the base of your wall. Continue stacking the blocks in rows, making sure to stagger them with each row to make the wall as sturdy as possible. Additionally, strike the joints of the blocks with a rubber mallet before laying a new row to help secure the blocks in place.	Determine the width of your wall. To determine the width of your future wall, decide how many cinder blocks you want to use for the wall width, then calculate the width using the block's measurements. For example, if your cinder blocks are 8x8 in (20x20 cm) and you want to use 2 blocks to make up the wall's width, your total wall width would be 16 in (40 cm). Measure the footing area. The footing is the foundational base of the cinder block wall. It should be at least two times wider than the width of your block. Start by measuring the width of your future wall, then calculate the footing area. Use a tape measure to find the dimensions of the footing area on the ground. For example, if your wall will be 3 feet (0.91 m) wide, your footing area should be between 6 feet (1.8 m) and 9 feet (2.7 m) wide. Footing helps to spread the weight of a load-bearing wall across an area of soil. The taller and heavier your wall is, the wider the footing should be. Your footers should be free any potential water seeping or pooling. Make sure that your planned footing areas are all set up to drain water away from the footing. Remember to check with local building codes to make sure you are in compliance, as well. Mark the footing area with 4 stakes. Place a stake in each corner of the footing area. This will help you contain your poured footing in the enclosed space. The length of the wall is up to you, just remember to mark 2-3 times the width of your wall so you can install the footing. Tie string along each stake to mark the perimeter of the footing area. The string will create a barrier and help you stay within the marked lines when pouring the footing. Tie string from stake to stake around the perimeter of the area. This creates 4 straight lines -- 1 for each side of your wall. Dig out the space between the lines. Use a shovel to remove dirt from the footing area. Dig out about as much depth as the cinder blocks are long, plus 3 inches (7.6 cm). For example, if your cinder blocks are 7 inches (18 cm) long, dig out the footing area about 10 inches (25 cm) deep, making sure that the footing is located below the frost line. If you are in the U.S., call the national Digline to request information for any local utilities that may run through your project area. Call at least 2 days in advance, and follow all guidelines and directions you receive. Place steel rebars into your trench. You'll have to use a rebar bender to form an “L” shape with your steel bars. One should be placed in each corner and be about half the width of your trench on each side. Once the rebar benders are in place, apply pressure until your 90 degree bend is completed. You will also want rebar placed vertically in every other masonry core, stabilized with coarse fill grout. If your wall will be load-bearing, the horizontal tie rods should be set at least 6 inches (15 cm) into the footing. Tap the block lightly with a rubber mallet to help the grout settle. Mix concrete in a wheelbarrow. Concrete mixes vary slightly from brand to brand, but most of them require adding water. Be sure to check the specific instructions for your concrete before doing any mixing. Follow the directions for mixing ratios and stir until the concrete mixture is fully combined. Pour the wet concrete mixture into your footing trench. Starting in 1 corner, tilt the wheelbarrow up by its handles and let the wet concrete drain out of it. Move slowly to the opposite end, continuing to pour. Repeat on the other side. Keep pouring until the trench is completely filled. Use a hoe or a flat nosed shovel if any concrete sticks to the wheelbarrow. Pour the concrete with great care. Kicking up dirt or debris could contaminate your mixture and create a non-binding or crumbling mix. Smooth the surface of the concrete with a float. After pouring wet concrete, it probably won't be perfectly flat or smooth. Use a float to smooth out any rough or spotty areas on the surface of your concrete. Let the concrete harden overnight before proceeding. Use a notched trowel can provide a little bit of texture in the top of your concrete. The notches it creates will help the first row of blocks better adhere to the footer than they would on flat, smooth concrete. Lay out the first layer of cinder blocks. Starting at one end of the wall, lay out the cinder blocks, end to end, until you reach the first turn in the wall. If your wall is straight, line up the first layer of cinder blocks from one end to the other end. Put ⁄ 8 inch (0.95 cm) plywood spacers in between the blocks. You will use spacers for straight walls and walls with turns. Trace around the edges of the bricks from end to end. Use a pencil to lightly trace around the entire chain of cinder blocks you set up. Trace around all 4 sides and mark where the spacers are, as well. Then pick the cinder blocks up and put them aside. Spread mortar on the footing inside the marked area of the first block. The mortar should completely cover the area where the first block will sit. Use a trowel to add mortar to the area between your traced lines. Spread the mortar to be about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. You can use premixed mortar or buy a bag of mortar mix and mix it yourself according to the package directions. Mixing it yourself is usually the cheaper option. Place the first cinder block on top of the mortar. Line the cinder block up right over the prepared area, then gently lower it onto the mortar. Push the cinder block into the mortar very gently until it's sitting ⁄ 8 inch (0.95 cm) above the footing. Butter the "ears" of the second block with mortar. The "ears" are the 2 protrusions (also called flanges) running from top to bottom on both ends of every cinder block. Buttering the ears simply means use your trowel to apply mortar directly on top of both flanges on 1 end of a cinder block. This connects the flanges of this block to the flanges of the 1 already in place. You only need to use enough mortar to thinly cover the surface of the ears. You only need to use mortar on the ears. Do not apply it to the space between the ears. Push the new block into the base block. Slide the block into the preceding block until their mortars meet. Keep pushing until there's only about ⁄ 8 inch (0.95 cm) of mortar between each block. Repeat the same process for the rest of the first layer of cinder blocks. Spread 1 inch (2.5 cm) of mortar on the footing within the lines you traced for the block. Line the new block directly over the area, then gently place it on top of the mortar. Push the block into the mortar until it's sitting ⁄ 8 inch (0.95 cm) above the footing. Butter the ears of the next block and continue. Wipe any excess mortar off periodically. Use your trowel to scrape any protruding mortar from the side of your wall. Do this every few blocks to make sure your mortar doesn't set before you have a chance to fix it. Grab a half block. Your brick set should have half blocks included. This will help to stagger the layout of your bricks and make your wall sturdier. You will also end each row with a half block. Half blocks are also known as corner blocks. Spread mortar on the footing and ear of the half block. Place it directly on top of your base block. Continue to build out along your base, spreading mortar on both the ears and footing of each cinder block. Check your base blocks often with a level. This will prevent you from building a crooked wall! Use a level often, every 10 minutes or so, so your mortar doesn't have a chance to harden before you can find and fix any issues. Be sure to check vertically as well as horizontally. Press the mortar with your thumb once in a while to check for hardness. Once you can just barely dent the mortar with your thumb, it means the mortar is close to being set. Use the same technique to build the wall up. Repeat the buttering and laying blocks technique to build out the wall's second layer. Start the third layer with a regular cinder block and build out. Start the fourth layer with a half block, and continue starting layers with half blocks every other layer until your wall has reached the desired height. Strike the joints with a rubber mallet or sledgehammer. This will help to solidify the bricks in place. Do this shortly after checking the mortar to make sure it has hardened somewhat, but not completely. If you choose to use a sledgehammer, be sure to use one that is 2 pounds (0.91 kg) or less. Rubber mallets tend to produce more consistent results with less chance of causing damage. Strike the horizontal joints first using gentle pressure. Then strike the vertical joints gently. Scrape off the excess mortar and strike both joints once more. Build up the corner with cinder blocks. Once your wall is 3-4 blocks high, you're ready to turn the corner of your wall. Do the same things listed above, but remember to use alternating half blocks in either direction to make sure your wall remains sturdy. Use a large level often to make sure the corners are plumb and square. Be sure that the joint line is staggered from block to block.	Determine the width of your wall. Measure the footing area. Mark the footing area with 4 stakes. Tie string along each stake to mark the perimeter of the footing area. Dig out the space between the lines. Place steel rebars into your trench. Mix concrete in a wheelbarrow. Pour the wet concrete mixture into your footing trench. Smooth the surface of the concrete with a float. Lay out the first layer of cinder blocks. Trace around the edges of the bricks from end to end. Spread mortar on the footing inside the marked area of the first block. Place the first cinder block on top of the mortar. Butter the "ears" of the second block with mortar. Push the new block into the base block. Repeat the same process for the rest of the first layer of cinder blocks. Wipe any excess mortar off periodically. Grab a half block. Spread mortar on the footing and ear of the half block. Check your base blocks often with a level. Use the same technique to build the wall up. Strike the joints with a rubber mallet or sledgehammer. Build up the corner with cinder blocks.
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Nonstick-Pan	How to Clean a Nonstick Pan	To clean a nonstick pan, wash it by hand after every use with mild, soft soap and a soft cloth or sponge. Rinse the pan with lukewarm water, since hot temperatures can shorten the life of your pan. If there is burnt food stuck to the pan, soak it in warm, soapy water for 10-20 minutes. Then, hand wash the pan. You can also treat stubborn burnt-on food by applying a paste made from baking soda and water. Dab the paste onto the area and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then, rinse it away.	Wash your pan by hand after every use. Don't wash your pan in the dishwasher, even if the manufacturer labels it as dishwasher-safe. Clean your pan with a mild, soft soap and a soft cloth or sponge. Rinse the pan with lukewarm, not hot, water. To best remove dirt and grime, use a nylon or microfiber cloth or sponge. You can find these at home goods stores or online. Dishwashing detergent and hot temperatures can shorten the life of your pan. If you merely wipe the pan down with a towel instead of washing it, stuck-on residue can cook and stain during the next use of your pan. Soak the pan in warm, soapy water. Squirt about a teaspoon of dish soap into the pan. Place the pan into a stopped-up sink. Fill the sink with warm water. Let the pan soak for ten to twenty minutes, then hand wash it again. Dish soap is made to remove bacteria as well as break up grease and residue. Scrub stubborn gunk with a baking soda paste, if needed. Mix equal parts water and baking soda to form a paste. Dip a non-metallic brush or sponge into the paste, and gently dab it onto the sides and interior of the pan. Allow the paste to sit for fifteen minutes. Rinse the pan thoroughly to remove the paste. Never use steel wool or any metallic sponge to scour your nonstick pan. Baking soda is abrasive, so don't rub or scrub the pan with it. Heat oil and salt in the pan. Pour two tablespoons of vegetable-based oil into the pan. Heat the pan over medium heat. Add three tablespoons of salt into the pan. Lift the pan from the heat and shake the pan until the oil and salt are evenly distributed. Once the pan has cooled, follow up with hand washing. Use sea salt, if you have it. If not, you can use table salt. Dry your pan immediately by hand. Don't put your pan away while it's still wet. Prevent rusting of your pan by ensuring that it's completely dry before storing it. Use paper towels or a soft dish rag. Protect your pan from heat. Coat your cold pan evenly with butter, oil or fat before switching on the heat. Don't use high heat for cooking with your nonstick pan. Use low or medium heat. A coating of fat both protects and aids the nonstick surface of your pan. High heat can ruin the surface of your pan, as well as potentially emit toxic fumes. Don’t use non-stick cooking sprays on your pan. Substitute this ingredient with oil, such as from an oil mister. Non-stick cooking sprays contain additives that build up on nonstick cookware, resulting in food that cooks unevenly. The buildup from nonstick spray won't burn off during the cooking process, and is difficult to remove. Prevent metal and sharp objects from coming in contact with the pan. Use cooking utensils that won't damage your nonstick pan. Don't use knives, metal cooking utensils, or steel wool on your pan. Never cut your food while it's still in the pan, or blend it with a metal whisk. For example, use materials that won't scratch your pan, such as plastic, nylon, silicone or wood. Season your pan with oil. Consult with the instructions that came with your pan to see how often, if at all, you should season your pan. Rinse and dry the pan completely. Rub a teaspoon of oil on the inside of the pan with a paper towel. Put the pan in an oven preheated at 300°F (149°C) for one hour. Once the pan has cooled, wipe off the oil with paper towels. If your pan has a nonstick coating, it may wear off with use over time. Seasoning your pan can make it last longer. For example, you may want to completely season your pan semiannually. Rub it with a small amount of oil every time before you use it. Don’t subject your pan to sudden temperature changes. Allow the pan to cool naturally after it's been heated. Don't run your pan under cold water while it's hot, or vice versa. Sudden temperature changes can cause nonstick cookware to warp, preventing heat from evenly distributing in the future. Store your pan with care. Hang your pans to store them, if possible, with decent space in between. If you must stack them, do so away from hard corners and sharp objects. Put a paper towel in between your pan and other cookware. Padding your pan with a paper towel will help you to take the pan out without scraping it against other cookware.	Wash your pan by hand after every use. Soak the pan in warm, soapy water. Scrub stubborn gunk with a baking soda paste, if needed. Heat oil and salt in the pan. Dry your pan immediately by hand. Protect your pan from heat. Don’t use non-stick cooking sprays on your pan. Prevent metal and sharp objects from coming in contact with the pan. Season your pan with oil. Don’t subject your pan to sudden temperature changes. Store your pan with care.
https://www.wikihow.com/Know-Emerald-Value	How to Know Emerald Value	If you want to know emerald value, you should determine at the quality of the gemstone by looking for inclusions, which are gas bubbles or tiny crystals inside the stone. Inclusions will impact the grade, and therefore the price, of an emerald. Then, evaluate the size and color of the stone. Emeralds come in different hues, or shades of green, and dark green and blue green are the most valuable. If you'd like to get a gem appraised, contact the American Society of Appraisers' website or find a reputable jeweler.	Look for inclusions. Inclusions are any materials (such as gas bubbles or tiny crystals) that became trapped inside a stone during its formation. Almost 99% of emeralds have inclusions that are visible with the naked eye or a loupe, a jeweler's magnifying glass. The prevalence of inclusions makes the emerald a Type 3 gemstone, which means that inclusions that can be seen with the naked eye are nearly always present. An emerald with excessive inclusions that lessen the stone's transparency or clarity is worth less than an emerald that has fewer inclusions. Be wary of inclusions that reach the gem's surface, as they may cause the gem to fracture. Examine the emerald’s cut. Emeralds can be difficult to cut because the prevalence of inclusions makes them vulnerable to fracturing during the cutting process. Emeralds are often cut in a rectangular shape (known as a "step cut" or an "emerald cut") that helps the stone's color appear consistent. An emerald's cut should help protect the stone from potential damage from everyday wear and tear. A quality emerald cut enhances the emerald's hue, tone, and saturation. A good cut will appear sparkly and have a desirable color, while a poor cut may have a nice color but appear dull. Understand that emeralds come in a variety of sizes. Like most gems, emeralds can come in a wide variety of sizes, from 0.02-0.5 carat (1mm-5mm) accent gems to 1-5 carat (7mm-12mm) center stones used in rings or necklaces. Do not equate size alone with value. It is true that larger stones are more valuable than smaller stones. However, quality is just as important as size, and large emeralds are more likely to have large or visible inclusions that may affect clarity. A smaller stone of higher quality is likely to hold more value than a larger stone with poorer quality. Additionally, a stone's color has a significant impact on its value Understand the importance of color. Emeralds come in a range of colors. Color is one of the most important factors in determining the value of an emerald. The variance of color in emeralds is due to differing amounts of chromium, vanadium, and iron in the environment in which the stones formed. Color can be subdivided into the categories of hue, tone, and saturation. Identify an emerald’s hue. Hue is probably what you think of when you hear the word “color.” An emerald's hue is its specific type of green. Emerald hues can range from bluish-green to a more yellow-green. For example, Zambian emeralds are characterized by deep bluish greens, while Brazilian and Colombian emeralds often take on a rich, pure green hue. Look at an emerald’s tone. Tone refers to how light or dark the color of an emerald is. Emeralds can range from very light green to very dark green in tone. The association of tone and value is somewhat complicated. Darker emeralds are often considered more valuable, but if an emerald becomes too dark, it becomes less valuable. Emeralds with medium to medium-dark tones are the most valuable emeralds in the market. Emeralds with pure green or blue-green tones are the most desirable, in part because blue-green emeralds are associated with a very famous and highly-regarded gem mine in Columbia called the Muzo Mine. Be aware that emeralds that are too yellow or too blue may not be considered real emeralds and are therefore far less valuable. Evaluate an emerald’s saturation. Saturation is tied to the gem's transparency. Emeralds with high saturation (which means that they are highly transparent) are more valuable than emeralds with low saturation. Saturation can be tied to both inclusion and tone; very included gems can appear less transparent. Similarly, very dark green emeralds do not absorb much light, so they appear duller than lighter emeralds. Use a reputable jeweler. Buy valuable gems from a trusted source. Be sure that the jeweler has an established reputation. It is best to find a jeweler with a return policy for products that are sold with inaccurate descriptions of clarity and quality. Have the gem appraised. It is a good idea to have very expensive gems (or gems that are three carats or larger) appraised by a third party. It is best to use an appraiser who holds membership in the American Society of Appraisers, one of the oldest appraisal societies in the United States. To find an appraiser, take the following steps: Search the American Society of Appraisers' website here. Click on “find an appraiser,” then enter your zip code. Type in “gems and jewelry” in the appraisal expertise section. Select an appraiser from among the search results. Request a report from a reputable gemological laboratory such as American Gemological Laboratories (AGL). In order to appropriately evaluate the value of an emerald that you are considering purchasing, you can request an AGL report, which identifies the type, size, cut, clarity, color, and origin of the emerald you are purchasing. This report will give you some degree of confidence as to the quality and value of your gem, even before getting a third-party appraisal. Understand pricing. Before purchasing an emerald, you should be sure that you are getting a good quality gem for the amount of money you are spending. An AGL report will give you a starting point, but the AGL may not represent accurate market value (AGL report prices are often inflated). To get a better feel for fair pricing, you may want to shop at different jewelers, taking notes about the color, cut, and quality of each gem that you are pricing. Keep in mind that pricing a stone is ultimately subjective, so you cannot necessarily come up with a specific “formula” for the exact value of a stone. Understand the process of oiling. Emeralds are often treated with oil or resin to improve the stones clarity. This is done because of the emeralds Type 3 nature which means its naturally included. Clarity enhancement is common practice and is considered an acceptable enhancement to the appearance of the gemstone unless it is treated with dyed oil. Emeralds treated using oil will require re-oiling every so often to maintain the stones appearance. Ask whether the emerald has undergone changes that are minor, moderate, or significant. Ask to verify this with an accredited laboratory certificate from GIA or AGL	Look for inclusions. Examine the emerald’s cut. Understand that emeralds come in a variety of sizes. Do not equate size alone with value. Understand the importance of color. Identify an emerald’s hue. Look at an emerald’s tone. Evaluate an emerald’s saturation. Use a reputable jeweler. Have the gem appraised. Request a report from a reputable gemological laboratory such as American Gemological Laboratories (AGL). Understand pricing. Understand the process of oiling.
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-a-Rack-of-Lamb	How to Cook a Rack of Lamb	To roast a rack of lamb with rosemary, start by placing the 2 racks of lamb on a baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Then, mince 1 1/2 tablespoons of salt, 2 tablespoons of rosemary leaves, and 3 garlic cloves in a blender. Mix in 1/2 cup of dijon mustard and 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, then spread the marinade over the lamb. Once both sides of the lamb are covered, let it rest for 1 hour at room temperature. When you're ready to roast the lamb, cook it in the oven at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 25 minutes. After roasting, cover the lamb and let it rest for 15 minutes before cutting and serving.For tips on how to grill a rack of lamb, keep reading!	Lay the lamb on a roasting sheet. Get out 2 racks of lamb and arrange them on a roasting sheet or pan so the ribs curve down. Leave about 1 in (2.5 cm) of space between the racks. Use racks that have been frenched so the meat is scraped from the tips of the ribs. It's important to remove that meat since it will burn before the rest of the rack of lamb has finished cooking. Mince the rosemary with the salt and garlic. Put 1 ⁄ 2 tablespoons (22.2 ml) (27 g) of kosher salt, 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) (3.5 g) of fresh rosemary leaves, and 3 garlic cloves into a blender or food processor. Put the lid on and pulse the mixture until the garlic and rosemary are finely minced. If you don't have a blender or food processor, mince the garlic and rosemary by hand. Then mix in the salt. Blend in the mustard and balsamic vinegar. Add 1/2 cup (125 g) of Dijon mustard and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of balsamic vinegar to the herb mixture. Turn the blender or food processor on and run it for 1 minute so the mixture is completely blended. If you're mixing the marinade by hand, whisk in the mustard and balsamic vinegar until it's incorporated. Spread the marinade over the racks of lamb. Divide the marinade between the 2 racks of lamb and use a pastry brush to spread the mixture evenly over the meat on the racks. Avoid spreading the marinade over the bones. Coat both sides of the racks with the sauce. Rest the lamb for 1 hour and preheat the oven to 450 °F (232 °C). Leave the lamb to rest for 1 hour at room temperature. This will develop the flavor. You can wait to turn on the oven until the lamb only has 30 minutes of resting time left. Roast the racks of lamb for 20 to 25 minutes. Put the roasting sheet in the preheated oven and cook the lamb until it's as done as you like. If you'd like rare lamb, begin checking it at 20 minutes. Touch the outside center of the lamb with a clean finger. If it feels soft, it's rare, but if it springs back, it's medium. Insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the thickest part of the lamb. Rare lamb should read 120 °F (49 °C) and medium-rare will be 125 °F (52 °C). Avoid cooking the lamb beyond 130 °F (54 °C) (medium) because the meat will become tough and dry. Cover and rest the lamb for 15 minutes. Turn off the oven and remove the racks of lamb. Cover the lamb loosely with aluminum foil and leave it to rest for 15 minutes. The lamb will finish cooking as it rests. Cut and serve the racks of lamb. Transfer the racks of lamb to a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to slice the lamb between each rib. Serve the lamb immediately along with your favorite sides such as roasted potatoes , boiled carrots , or spinach salad. Refrigerate leftover rack of lamb in an airtight container for up to 3 to 5 days. Heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat. If you're using a gas grill, turn the burner to medium-high. For a charcoal grill, heat a chimney full of briquettes. Once the briquettes are hot and lightly covered with ash, dump them on 1 side of the grill grate. If you're using a charcoal grill, putting the briquettes on 1 side will create a 2-zone fire. You'll need to use both the hotter and cooler sides of the grill when you cook the racks of lamb. Salt and pepper the racks of lamb and arrange them on the grill. Get out 2 racks of lamb and sprinkle salt and pepper over both sides of each rack. Lay the racks on the hot grill so the meat side is touching the grill. If you're using a charcoal grill, put the racks on the side that's directly above the coals. To french the racks, ask the butcher to trim the meat away from the tips of the bones. This will prevent the tough meat at the tips from burning as the rest of the lamb cooks. Sear the racks of lamb for 6 minutes. Put the lid on the grill and let the lamb cook. It should develop a browned crust once it's finished searing. Flip the lamb and cook the racks for 3 minutes. Use long-handled tongs to flip the racks of lamb over so the bones are pointing up. Put the lid back on the grill and cook the lamb for 3 more minutes. You'll need to prop the racks up against each other so they don't fall over. Lower the heat on the grill or move the rack of lamb. If you're using a gas grill, turn the burner down to low heat. If you're using a charcoal grill, use the tongs to move the lamb to the side of the grill that doesn't have the coals. Put the lid back on and grill the lamb so the centers are medium-rare. Grill the lamb for 20 minutes or until it reaches 130 °F (54 °C). Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of a rack of lamb. The temperature should reach 130 °F (54 °C) once the lamb is medium. While you can remove the lamb once it reaches between 120 and 130 F (50 and 55 C), avoid cooking the lamb past 130 °F (54 °C) because the meat will dry out and become tough. If you don't have a thermometer, touch the outside center of the lamb with a clean finger. The meat will feel soft if it's rare or springy if it's medium. Rest the racks of lamb for 10 minutes before you serve them. Transfer the racks of lamb to a cutting board. Cover the lamb loosely with a piece of aluminum foil and leave it to rest. Slice the lamb between the individual ribs and serve them immediately. The lamb will finish cooking as it rests. Consider serving grilled rack of lamb with rice pilaf , green salad, or potato salad. Store leftover rack of lamb in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days.	Lay the lamb on a roasting sheet. Mince the rosemary with the salt and garlic. Blend in the mustard and balsamic vinegar. Spread the marinade over the racks of lamb. Rest the lamb for 1 hour and preheat the oven to 450 °F (232 °C). Roast the racks of lamb for 20 to 25 minutes. Cover and rest the lamb for 15 minutes. Cut and serve the racks of lamb. Heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat. Salt and pepper the racks of lamb and arrange them on the grill. Sear the racks of lamb for 6 minutes. Flip the lamb and cook the racks for 3 minutes. Lower the heat on the grill or move the rack of lamb. Grill the lamb for 20 minutes or until it reaches 130 °F (54 °C). Rest the racks of lamb for 10 minutes before you serve them.
https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Score-in-Ping-Pong-or-Table-Tennis	How to Keep Score in Ping Pong or Table Tennis	To keep score in ping pong or table tennis, establish with your opponent whether you'll play to 11 or 21 points. When the game begins, give yourself 1 point for every time that your opponent misses a ball that you served or hit last. Remove a point from your score whenever you miss the ball, hit the ball into the net, miss the table when you hit the ball, hit the ball before it bounces on your side of the table, or let the ball bounce twice on your side of the table. Alternate turns serving until someone reaches 11 or 21 points with a 2-point lead.	Decide who serves first. In ping pong/table tennis, you should first decide who's going to serve the ball. The person who serves the ball is the person who first hits the ball to start up a game. You can flip a coin or play a game like rock, paper, scissors to decide who serves. Whoever serves gets to choose which side of the table they want to play on. Learn the rules for serving. If you're chosen to serve, you will have to do so. There are some specific rules for how to serve a ball that you will need to follow in table tennis. For starters, hold the ball in the palm of your hand with your hand opened flat. Keep this hand level with the table. You should toss the ball upward and hit it when it's hovering above the table. You need to hit the ball so it bounces once in your court and then once again in your opponent's court. You can replay a serve under certain conditions only. You can replay a serve if the ball hits the net before your opponent's court, if your opponent hits the ball before it touches the court on his end, or if your opponent was not ready when you served the ball. Determine the number of rounds you'll play. In ping pong, you always play an odd number of rounds. The winner is the person who wins the majority of rounds. For example, if you're playing 7 rounds, the winner would need to win at least 5 of those rounds to win the game. Decide if you're playing to 11 or 21 points in each round. In each round, you'll play until one player reaches a certain number of points. Most games are played to 11 points, but you can also play to 21. If you want a longer game, 21 may be a better option. Whoever gains 11 or 21 points first, with at least a 2 point lead, wins the round. For example, a score of 9 to 11 would win an 11-point round, but a score of 10 to 11 would not. In the event a round becomes tied at 10 to 10 or 20 to 20, you will have to play into overtime. In overtime, continue playing until one player gains a lead of 2 points. Whoever gains the 2 point lead first would win. Figure out how to tell if a ball is in or out. An important thing to understand if you want to score table tennis is whether a ball is in or out. Often, a point is awarded based on whether a player hits a ball in or out of the field. If a ball touches the surface of a table, it's in. If a ball touches the side of the table, or falls off the table, it's out. Record when you win a point. As you begin playing ping pong, record when each player scores a point. Essentially, you score a point by keeping the ball in play longer than your opponent. If your opponent fails to hit a ping pong ball that you served or hit last, you get one point for the game. Remember, in ping pong you have to hit your ball so it bounces off your end of the table, and then off your opponent's end of the table. If your opponent misses the ball, but the ball does not bounce on his or her side of the table, you do not get a point. Record when you lose a point. You can also lose points in ping pong. Make sure to record when you lose a point. Under the following conditions, you would subtract one point from your total score. If you miss the ball, you'll lose a point. If you hit the ball into the net and it falls back onto your side of the table, you'll lose a point. If you hit the ball too hard, and it falls off the table, you lose a point. You cannot hit the ball before it bounces off of your side of the table. If you do so, you'll lose a point. If your ball bounces twice on your side of the table, you'll lose a point. If you accidentally move the table during play, you'll lose a point. Switch up who serves. Each time you or your opponent misses the ball, you will have to serve the ball again. In ping pong, service changes every two points. For example, you serve the ball to begin a game. You score one point, after your opponent fails to hit the ball. It would be your responsibility to serve again. Then, your opponent scores a point on you. Once again, you serve the ball. You have reached two total points in the game, one for you and one for your opponent. The next time a point is scored, it's your opponent's turn to serve. He or she will keep serving until another two points are scored. Then, it's your turn again. Keep playing until one player hits 11 or 21 points with a 2 point lead. Continue to play the game, keeping track of scores. The round will continue until one player has at least 11 or 21 points, depending on the rules you set. You need at least a 2 point lead in order to win a round, so a score of 10 to 11 or 20 to 21 will not result in you winning. Settle a close game. Remember, in the event of 10 to 10 or 20 to 20 tie, the round goes into overtime. Continue to play until one player gains at least a two point lead. For example, a score of 10 to 12 could settle a tie in an overtime round. Play an odd number of rounds. You play for an odd number of rounds in ping pong. The player who wins the most rounds wins the game. For example, say you're playing for 5 rounds. The winning player must win at least 3 out of 5 of the rounds.	Decide who serves first. Learn the rules for serving. Determine the number of rounds you'll play. Decide if you're playing to 11 or 21 points in each round. Figure out how to tell if a ball is in or out. Record when you win a point. Record when you lose a point. Switch up who serves. Keep playing until one player hits 11 or 21 points with a 2 point lead. Settle a close game. Play an odd number of rounds.
https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-an-Oreo-Cookie	How to Eat an Oreo Cookie	One delicious way to eat an Oreo cookie is to dunk it in cold milk before taking a bite. You can also use an Oreo cookie as a spoon to eat ice cream with. If you love chocolate, try melting some chocolate in the microwave and then dipping an Oreo cookie in it. To add Oreo cookies to your favorite desserts, crush some up in a plastic bag and then sprinkle them over cakes, sundaes, cookies, and other yummy sweets.	Properly grip the Oreo. Grasp each half of the Oreo cookie softly but firmly with the fingertips of both of your hands. Being smooth and stable is the key here. Don't grasp the Oreo too tight, and definitely don't wiggle the cookie back and forth. Grasping too tight or wiggling may lead to the filling failing to separate cleanly. Make sure that both the Oreo and your hands aren't too warm. Warm hands will warm the Oreo and soften its filling, making it more gooey and sticky. A warm Oreo is harder to separate. Don't grip the Oreo for too long. The longer you hold the Oreo without starting the next step, the more likely it is to start to warm up. Begin to turn the Oreo. With each half of the Oreo in your fingertips, begin to smoothly rotate your hands in opposite directions. Most Oreo experts rotate the half that is in their dominant hand towards them, while gently rotating their non-dominant hand away from their body. Separate the Oreo. As you gently rotate you will feel a gentle pop come from the Oreo. This is your signal to separate the Oreo by moving your hands apart from each other. It is best to gently pull away so that the filling-covered half of the Oreo and the non filling-covered half of the Oreo don't accidentally bump. Admire your Oreo. With proper technique and a little luck, you should have one half of the Oreo that is completely clear of filling and one half with all of the filling. If so, success! If not, don't worry. This only means that you need to practice by separating (and eating!) more Oreo cookies. Eat Your Oreo. There is no 100% correct way to eat an Oreo, but there aren't any incorrect ways either. Now that your Oreo is ready, you are free to do as you choose. You could even put the Oreo back together, knowing that you were successful. Regardless of what you choose, enjoy the pairing of the sweet taste of victory and the delightful crunch of Oreo cookie. Some people enjoy saving the filling-covered side for last, enjoying it in one delicious bite. Another popular eating method is to scrape the filling from the covered side off of the cookie with your teeth. Enjoy your Oreo with cold milk. This is a very popular way of eating Oreo cookies. Dipping an Oreo in milk will soften it and will make the milk taste like an Oreo. If you are dipping, be careful not to leave the Oreo in the milk too long, which will cause it to crumble. Some people love to properly dunk an Oreo cookie. You can also drop an Oreo cookie in a glass of milk to flavor your milk and leave yourself a sweet treat at the bottom of the glass. Enjoy your Oreo with ice cream. It isn't as if either Oreo cookies or ice cream needed to be any better, but combining the two allows for the creation of some truly unique delights. Here are a few suggestions to get started with. You can use Oreo cookies as edible spoons for ice cream. Simple scoop ice cream with an Oreo cookie and enjoy two treats in one bite. You can also crush or crumble Oreo cookies and sprinkle them on top of ice cream to add a tasty crunch. You can mix Oreo cookies, ice cream, milk, and a banana in a blender to create a delicious Oreo milkshake. Batter and deep fry your Oreo. Believe it or not, deep fried Oreo cookies are a favorite at some fairs and carnivals. If you have a favorite batter, are a big Oreo fan, and have experience deep frying, this might be worth trying out. Dip Oreo cookies in melted chocolate or whipped cream. For those with a sweet tooth, an Oreo can be even better when dipped in warm melted chocolate or cold whipped cream. Incorporate crumbled Oreo cookies into other recipes. Some bakers make pie crusts or cheesecakes using crumbled Oreo cookies. To make Oreo crumbles that you can incorporate into your own baking simply break Oreo cookies into two or three pieces each and place them in a resealable plastic bag. Roll over the bag several times with a rolling pin and viola, Oreo crumbles! An alternate way of making Oreo crumbles would be to crumble them in a food processor. Just be careful not to over-blend them. Most recipes look for Oreo crumbles, not Oreo flour!	Properly grip the Oreo. Begin to turn the Oreo. Separate the Oreo. Admire your Oreo. Eat Your Oreo. Enjoy your Oreo with cold milk. Enjoy your Oreo with ice cream. Batter and deep fry your Oreo. Dip Oreo cookies in melted chocolate or whipped cream. Incorporate crumbled Oreo cookies into other recipes.
https://www.wikihow.com/Know-if-You-Have-an-Infected-Tooth	How to Know if You Have an Infected Tooth	To know if you have an infected tooth, check for sustained and stabbing pain from the affected area. You may also have sensitivity to hot and cold, as well as sweet, sugary foods. Along with pain and sensitivity, you may notice swollen gums, and bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth. If you have any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your dentist to get the infection treated.	Monitor any toothache that you feel. An infected tooth can cause mild to severe pain in that area, depending on how infected the tooth is. The pain is generally continuous and sharp. Some dentists describe it as a shooting, throbbing, or gnawing type of pain. This pain will radiate upwards and downwards along the side of your face to places like your ear, jaw or head. Keep in mind that in many cases, dental infections are asymptomatic, so you may not experience any tooth pain even if you do have an infection. However, if the infection gets really bad, you might have extreme pain, swelling, or pus. Your dentist will tap your teeth with a dental probe. If you have an abscess, you will feel pain when the infected tooth is tapped — what the Merck Manual describes as “exquisite” sensitivity. — or when you bite down. Keep in mind that if your infection is severe, you will most likely be unable to pinpoint the exact tooth causing the pain because the whole area around the tooth will also feel painful. Your dentist will need to take x-rays to identify which tooth is infected. If the infection destroys the pulp at the root of the tooth — the "heart" of the tooth — the pain may stop because your tooth has died; however, this does not mean that the infection will stop. It will continue to spread and destroy other tissue and bone. Pay attention to dental sensitivity. Some amount of sensitivity to hot and cold is normal in teeth. This is caused by small holes in the enamel called “caries” and often doesn't require special treatment; however, an infected tooth becomes very sensitive to hot and cold substances. For instance, you will most likely experience severe pain if you eat a hot bowl of soup — a shooting pain that lingers after you have stopped eating. Aside from hot and cold, you might also experience pain when you eat sweet products, as the sugar can irritate the infected tooth and create pain. All of these repeated sensations may affect the pulp and inflame the entire system of vessels and nerves. In most cases this damage is irreversible and you will need to have a root canal. Watch for pain while eating. Chewing may also be painful when you have an abscessed tooth, particularly with solid foods. Biting or chewing applies pressure to your tooth and jaw and can cause pain. This pain may linger even after you stop eating. Keep in mind that there can be other causes of pain in the teeth or jaw while chewing. It does not always mean that you have a tooth infection. For example, sometimes people internalize stress and clench their jaw muscles, which can lead to very similar kinds of pain. This is a “Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorder.” Some people also grind or clench their teeth when they sleep, which is known as bruxism. Sinus or ear infections may also cause discomfort like a toothache, but these usually feature a headache. One symptom of heart disease, as well, is tooth and jaw pain. No matter what it turns out to be, you should take the pain seriously and see a dentist. Look for swelling or discharge of pus. Check to see if the gums around your tooth have become red, swollen, and sensitive. You may notice a gum boil, a pimple-like formation on the gum near the infected tooth and up to the root. You may also be able to see white pus in the sore or around the tooth — the pus is actually what causes the pain because it puts pressure on your tooth and gums. When the pus begins to drain, your pain will subside some. Bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth is another give away. This is directly related to the build-up of pus. If your tooth is severely infected, pus may begin to drain from the tooth or from a gum-boil into your mouth. It may happen suddenly, in a rupture of the abscess, and it will taste metallic or sour. It will also smell bad. Avoid swallowing the pus. Note any tooth discoloration. An infected tooth can change in color from a yellow to a dark brown or grey color. This change is caused by the death of the pulp inside of your tooth, namely a “bruising” from dying blood cells. The dead pulp will emit toxic products, like anything that decays, that will reach up to the surface of your tooth through the porous passageways in your tooth. Check for swollen neck glands. A tooth infection may well spread to adjoining areas of the body, especially if you have let it go untreated. For example, the infection can affect your jaw, sinuses, or the lymph glands under your jaw or in your neck. These latter may swell, feel tender, or be too painful to touch. While any tooth abscess is serious and needs treatment, please seek medical attention immediately if you have an infection that spreads. Because it is close to vital organs — notably your brain — such an infection can easily become life-threatening. Beware of fever. Your body can react to an infection by raising your internal body temperature, causing you to run a fever. Normal body temperature can range from 97 to 99°F (36.1 to 37.2°C). A fever is usually a reading over 100.4°F (38°C). Along with fever, you may also develop chills, headache, or a feeling of nausea. You may feel weak and become dehydrated, so be sure to drink water. Seek medical attention if your fever continues to rise or does not respond to medication, or if you run a temperature of over 103°F (39.4°C) for several days.	Monitor any toothache that you feel. Pay attention to dental sensitivity. Watch for pain while eating. Look for swelling or discharge of pus. Note any tooth discoloration. Check for swollen neck glands. Beware of fever.
https://www.wikihow.com/Contact-Jackson-Galaxy	How to Contact Jackson Galaxy	While Jackson Galaxy is a busy guy and can't respond to all his fans, sending him a message is fairly simple! You can reply to his Facebook posts, leave a comment on one of his Youtube videos, or comment on his Instagram posts. Alternatively, you can send him an email at [email protected]. Make sure to use a catchy subject line and keep your email brief, since Jackson gets a ton of fan fail. If you want to spend a little extra money, purchase a Meet and Greet ticket for when Jackson Galaxy is in your city.	Tweet his handle @JacksonGalaxy to respond publicly to him. Write a tweet that's 280 characters or less with your message. Keep in mind that your tweet will be public and viewable by anyone on Twitter. Tag Jackson in the tweet by including his handle, @JacksonGalaxy, so he gets notified of the mention. Another option is to retweet one of Jackson's tweets and include your message in the retweet. This shows you care about the content he's putting out, too. A sample tweet would be: “Loved your latest 'My Cat From Hell' episode @JacksonGalaxy! Can't wait for next week's!” Jackson occasionally pulls fan tweets from his feed to read and answer in a YouTube video. Comment on his Facebook posts to share your message with everyone. Visit Jackson Galaxy's public Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/JacksonGalaxy. Leave a comment containing your message on a photo, post, or video that's relevant to what you have to say. Keep it short and sweet with no more than 3 sentences. For example, if you're leaving a note about how much you learned from his most recent Facebook Live event, find the video of it and leave your comment there. Everyone who visits his page will be able to see your comment so post accordingly. Due to privacy settings, you cannot send Jackson a private message on Facebook. Start a conversation with Jackson and other fans on YouTube. Jackson has quite the presence on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCatDaddy66. Click “Subscribe” on his main channel page to be updated whenever he posts a new video. Then, leave your message in a comment on the most recent video. These comments are public and other fans may respond to you, too. If your post gets enough attention, it may catch Jackson's eye, too! Jackson doesn't often comment back on YouTube videos so it isn't the best platform if you're looking for a response. Contact him publicly or privately on his Instagram, @thecatdaddy. Open the Instagram app on your phone and type “@thecatdaddy” into the search bar. On his page, tap a picture to open it and post a comment. To send a direct message, click the ellipses in the top right corner of his page and select “Send Message” from the drop-down menu. A comment will be public whereas a direct message will just be between you and Jackson. If Jackson doesn't follow you on Instagram, your direct message will be sent to a hidden folder known as “Message Requests.” This means he won't get notified of your message so it will only be seen if he deliberately goes to his request folder. Write a creative subject line so Jackson will want to open your email. Jackson probably gets hundreds, if not thousands, of emails in his inbox every day. One way to make yours stand out is by writing an intriguing subject line. That's what he will see in his inbox and what will determine whether or not he opens your email or simply deletes it. Write a subject line that describes your email but in a more interesting way. For example, your subject line could be “Help! I have the next cat from hell” instead of “Problem with cat.” Avoid using too many exclamation points, special characters, or all caps. These increase the chances that your email will be caught by a spam filter and not even delivered. Describe your reason for emailing Jackson in 4 to 6 sentences. Since Jackson is a busy man, keep your email brief and to the point. Start by introducing yourself and summarizing your main point, similar to a topic sentence in a book report. Then take 2 to 3 sentences to expand on your point. End it with a call to action if you have one, like requesting that he reply to your email or consider your suggestion for his next YouTube video. Remember to stay professional and polite with your tone and language. Run your email through spell check or an online grammar check service before you send it to catch any mistakes. Include all relevant contact information like your email address, phone number, or mailing address at the end of the email below your sign-off if you're asking for a response. Send your completed email to [email protected]. This is the general email provided on Jackson's website. Make sure you fill out all of the necessary sections like subject line, email address, and the body prior to hitting “Send.” You may receive an auto-confirmation email within 15 minutes of sending it letting you know that your email was received. You do not need to reply to the auto-confirmation email. The “Contact Us” page on Jackson's website also has a contact form that you can fill out with all of the information you'd include in a regular email. Check Jackson’s website or social media accounts to find the next event. Jackson does everything from book signings to talks at state fairs. There's a page containing the schedule of events on Jackson's website and his Facebook page also lists upcoming events. Both his website and Facebook include a brief description of the event. Follow him on Twitter, too, as he occasionally will tweet about where he's headed and when. If you don't see an event near you or one that you're able to attend, sign up for his email newsletter on his website. You'll receive email notifications whenever there's a new event added to the schedule. Sign up for the event or purchase tickets if necessary. On Jackson's website, each event has a button next to it that either says “Free Admission” or “Buy Tickets.” If it says “Free Admission,” click the button to go to the individual event's page to see if you need to sign up and other details. If it says “Buy Tickets,” you'll be taken to the vendor selling the tickets. Purchase these as far in advance as possible in case it sells out. The price of tickets will depend on the type of event and how good your seats are. For example, tickets for one of Jackson's individual speaking events range from $20 to $60. Raise your hand if Jackson asks for questions from the audience. Occasionally, performers will ask if anyone in the audience has a story to share or a question for them. If Jackson opens up the floor to the audience and his request is relevant to what you wanted to share, raise your hand or stand up to be chosen. If you're selected, speak clearly and concisely and don't ramble on and on. A VIP seat at his events will get you closer to the stage which could improve your chances of speaking with him if he accepts audience questions. Don't use up time during a show to ask personal questions or give irrelevant feedback. Be respectful of the other people in the audience and their time, as well. For example, if Jackson asks if anyone has a story about their cat scratching someone, don't share your story about your favorite Jackson Galaxy advice. Wait around after the event to potentially score one-on-one time. Particularly at smaller events, performers or celebrities sometimes come out from backstage to spend time close-up with their fans. Hang out for 15-20 minutes after the event ends in case he decides to do so. If he does, first ask him if it's okay for you to take a few minutes of his time. If he says yes, introduce yourself politely, say how much you enjoyed the show, and then ask your question or say what you're there to say. If Jackson is in a rush or clearly not interested in talking to fans, respect that. Don't force yourself on him or follow him. That's liable to get you kicked out of the venue.	Tweet his handle @JacksonGalaxy to respond publicly to him. Comment on his Facebook posts to share your message with everyone. Start a conversation with Jackson and other fans on YouTube. Contact him publicly or privately on his Instagram, @thecatdaddy. Write a creative subject line so Jackson will want to open your email. Describe your reason for emailing Jackson in 4 to 6 sentences. Send your completed email to [email protected]. Check Jackson’s website or social media accounts to find the next event. Sign up for the event or purchase tickets if necessary. Raise your hand if Jackson asks for questions from the audience. Wait around after the event to potentially score one-on-one time.
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Possums	How to Get Rid of Possums	To get rid of possums, eliminate food sources by keeping your garbage contained, feeding your pets inside, and picking up any fruit that drops from trees or bushes. Additionally, keep your grass mowed and the area around your house free of piles of wood, grass clippings, or other debris, which can provide cover for possums. You can scatter dog or cat fur around your property, since the smell of a potential predator can deter possums. Alternatively, try spreading ammonia, mothballs, or garlic around your house, as these are all smells possums dislike.	Set up motion-activated lights or sprinklers. Place a motion-activated device near the perimeter of your house, at the front of your property, around fruit trees, or on any other spots where possums frequent. Once the device is triggered on the animal several times, it won't want to come around again. Motion-activated devices are triggered once the possum crosses the sensor but they are also triggered by anything else that crosses the sensor. Motion-activated sprinklers tend to be slightly more effective than motion-activated lights. Lights are enough to frighten away skittish possums that are afraid of humans, but water sprinklers work better with possums that are a little more mature and a little harder to startle. Scatter dog or cat fur in the areas that possums frequent. Collect pet hair after brushing your dog or cat. Place the hair in small mesh bags and hang them or scatter them around areas at which possums frequently gather. The smell of a potential predator might be enough to deter many possums from hanging around. Spread something that smells potent. Ammonia and garlic are scents that possums tend to flee from. If using ammonia, pour a small amount of ammonia into a coffee can with a lid. Place a rag inside the ammonia and bring one end up through a hole cut into the lid. The rag will act as a wick to disperse the fumes. Place one of these containers in every area where possums gather. Place a clove of crushed garlic in any area that you want neighborhood possums to avoid. Crushed garlic is better than whole garlic since crushing it first allows more of the scent to escape. Apply a chemical repellent. Chemical repellents can be applied to gardens, flowerbeds, or the base of a structure. Purchase a product from your local home improvement or hardware store. Follow the instructions on the repellent to apply it safely. Most repellents consist of a powder that is sprinkled over the desired area. Different repellents use different ingredients, but predator urine is often one element of it. Do not intentionally provide food for the possums. Possums are attracted to yards and homes where food is plentiful, so feeding them your scraps will keep them around. By removing food sources, you will make your property dramatically less appealing. You may think that you are doing a good deed, but possums fed by humans gradually lose their fear of humans and are more likely to become aggressive when food is not given to them. Prevent possums from getting into your trash. Keep the lid of your garbage cans closed by securing it with bungee cords, chains, ropes, or weights. You could also buy garbage cans with lids that have clamps to keep them on. Securing side handles to stakes driven into the ground will prevent the trash bins from tipping over. Feed your pets indoors. Even if your pets eat their food rapidly, the smell of the food residue may lure possums to your yard. If feeding inside is not possible, feed your pets outdoors in the late morning or middle of the afternoon, so that the food is not around in the early morning or late at night, which is when possums are most active. Remove all sources of food and water before dusk settles in, and keep pet food away from pet doors or other openings to the house. Remove or secure any other sources of food. There are a wide variety of sources of food for possums. For example, do not use open compost piles and keep compost in secure containers, covered compost structures, or covered worm boxes. Other sources that need to be dealt with include: Barbecue grills: Clean grills and grease traps after you use them. Fruit: Pick up fruit that drops from trees or bushes. Birdseed: Avoid laying out birdseed. If you do provide birdseed, try to lay some out in the late morning or mid-afternoon and only spread enough to feed the birds for that single day. Alternatively, fill bird feeders with seed and transfer them inside each night at dusk. Get a live-holding cage trap. If you have possums in your crawlspaces, such as your roof or under your house, you may need to physically remove them. Get a live-holding trap from a big-box home improvement store or from an online retailer. Live-holding traps capture possums without hurting or killing them. They are preferable to quick-kill traps. Note that in many states and municipalities, using quick-kill traps to dispose of possums may be restricted or prohibited. Live-holding traps are rarely banned, however. Find out from your municipality if there are any restrictions on trapping. Some cities may require you to obtain a permit. Others may have specific demands about where to release the animal and who can do so. Set up the trap in the possum's path. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to bait and set the trap. Setting it near the suspected den is ideal, but any area that frequently suffers damage due to a possum is an acceptable location to choose. Set the trap on soft ground or place it on plywood if setting it on a hard surface. The trapped possum may attempt to dig its way out, and placing the trap on a protective surface will prevent it from damaging its paws. Set the trap at dusk to increase your odds of catching a possum, which is a nocturnal animal. Close an empty trap at dawn to prevent the accidental trapping of a diurnal animal. Each cage trap is set in a slightly different manner, but most have a trigger rod or knob that must be pulled or twisted out when opening the door of the cage. When the animal steps inside, it triggers this rod and snaps the door closed. Follow the specific manufacturer's instructions that come with your cage trap for more specific directions. Use appropriate bait. Fruit, berries, vegetables, raw egg, peanut butter, and sardines are attractive bait options for possums. Monitor the trap. Watch the trap continually so that you will know as soon as possible if a possum gets trapped in it. Once the possum is captured, move the trap to a quiet spot and cover it with a tarp until you are ready to release it. Use thick gloves or a long pole to prevent yourself from getting scratched through the cage. Release the animal from the trap. Exercise caution when releasing the animal or call a wildlife professional. When releasing the animal, point the opening in the direction you want the animal to run off in. Stand at the opposite end of the door and tap the trap with your foot or a long pole until the animal runs out. Exercise extreme caution when releasing a trapped animal. When trapped, animals often lash out in fear, and you may be scratched or bitten if you are not careful. Know your local laws concerning releasing possums and other trapped animals. Some areas may have few, if any, restrictions, in which case, you should drive the possum several miles away from your property before releasing it into a wooded area. Other areas may require that you release the possum on your property or hire a professional to release the possum. Cover your foundation vents. One of the easiest ways for possums to sneak into your home is through the dryer vent or other vents along the foundation. Block possums from sneaking in through these openings by covering them with slotted metal vent covers. These covers are screwed onto the vent and have just enough room for steam and smoke to escape but not enough for possums to sneak through. Trim tree branches. Possums can sneak onto your roof if tree branches or other tall plants are positioned nearby. Tree branches should be trimmed a minimum of 5 feet (1.5 m) away from the roof. Do not place climbing plants near or on the house, especially not near the eaves areas. Protect the underside of low decks. Possums often hide out under low decks, so these should also be protected with some form of metal barrier. Use ⁄ 4 inch (6.4 mm) grid screening or solid metal flashing all around the base to build a barrier: Dig a trench around the perimeter of the deck. The hole should be at least 12 inches (30.5 cm) deep. Place the screening or flashing in the trench. The barrier should extend from the bottom of the hole to the bottom or underside of the deck. Fill the trench in with dirt, packing it down in place to prevent the screening from being jolted or wiggled around. Attach the top of the screening to the deck. Nails or fence post staples usually work best. Create a temporary one-way exit for any trapped possums. If you suspect that possums might be trapped below your deck, provide them with a temporary means of escape. Instead of sealing up the final section of screening, use ⁄ 4 inch (6.4 mm) grid screening to form door or a funnel that the possum can get out of but can't get back in through. To use a one-way exit funnel, the large end should be big enough for a possum to fit through and should be attached to the barrier using nails or fence post staples. The small end should extend away from the building and should have a hole roughly 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) in diameter. This will allow possums to squeeze their way out but not squeeze their way in. Keep this passage open for a few days to one week before sealing up the hole. Seal any other open spaces. Your home may have other open spaces that will appear inviting to a possum looking for a warm home or a free meal. Attic vents and chimneys should be covered with 1/4-inch (6.35-mm) grid screening. You could also use insect screening over the vents or you should have a chimney cap installed. Repair any holes in deck lattices, window screens, or door screens. Lock or cover pet doors at night.	Set up motion-activated lights or sprinklers. Scatter dog or cat fur in the areas that possums frequent. Spread something that smells potent. Apply a chemical repellent. Do not intentionally provide food for the possums. Prevent possums from getting into your trash. Feed your pets indoors. Remove or secure any other sources of food. Get a live-holding cage trap. Set up the trap in the possum's path. Monitor the trap. Release the animal from the trap. Cover your foundation vents. Trim tree branches. Protect the underside of low decks. Create a temporary one-way exit for any trapped possums. Seal any other open spaces.
https://www.wikihow.com/Cut-Yourself-off-from-Society	How to Cut Yourself off from Society	Cutting yourself off from society is a drastic move which requires careful thought, but it is possible to achieve. Get rid of your phone so that your whereabouts aren't tracked. You may need to contact the carrier so that you can be fully disconnected from the service. You'll also need to remove yourself from social media completely. Shut down all of your accounts on platforms that promote social interaction between people. Try to stop communicating with anyone as much as possible. Keep your communication at the minimum level necessary by avoiding speaking, emailing, and making conversation wherever possible.	Decide if political or environmental reasons are motivating you. Some people want to cut themselves off from society for political or environmental reasons. They want to live off the grid, for instance. Living off the grid is a way to cut yourself off from society. This way, you are not dependent on the municipal and social services many of us simply take for granted, such as water, electricity, cell phone service and garbage removal. Most people living off the grid are also concerned with consumerism and the idea that modern society used too much of the earth's natural resources. Determine if you have depression or anxiety. Some people want to leave society because they are suffering from depression or social anxiety disorder. Depression or feelings of loneliness can cause people to isolate themselves from others. Research has shown that social isolation can be dangerous to your health, as it impairs immune function and increases inflammation. These symptoms are precursors to diabetes and heart disease. If you think your reasons for wanting to cut yourself off from society are due to your own feelings of sadness or loneliness, consider seeing your doctor or a mental health professional. Ask yourself if you’re avoiding the law. Another reason people cut themselves off from society is to avoid the law. It's not recommended that you run from the police. If you have committed a crime or if there is a warrant for your arrest, turn yourself in to your local police station. If you think you've been wrongly accused, hire a lawyer and fight the charge. You will likely still need to report to the police. Assess whether you want to avoid the grind of daily life. People may choose to cut themselves off from society for less strenuous reasons, such as simply wishing to avoid the grind of daily life. Working from home is certainly more possible these days than in the past. Know that humans are social beings. As you determine your reasons for cutting yourself off from society, it's important to understand that humans are naturally social. We benefit, both physically and psychologically, from being in relation or in connection with each other. Determine to what level you wish to cut yourself off from society. Do you want to stay away from family, friends, business associates, or all of these? If you have a profession or job that takes you outside of your home, cutting yourself entirely from society will be quite difficult. By nature of it, you will be required at the very least, to interact with those you work with. Determine your limits. If you cut yourself off from society, will you make any exceptions? Who will you allow yourself to communicate and interact with? Think about the types of circumstances that would warrant getting back in touch with society. Think about how long you’ll be away from society. If things are tough right now, it can seem like a good idea to cut yourself off from society. But think about how this will play out over the long haul. Do you want to stay away for a week, a month, or longer? Your time frame will determine your actions. For example, if you want to cut yourself off for a year, think about moving somewhere remote. Get rid of your phone. Current technology, such as cell phones and computers can automatically track a user's whereabouts without the user even realizing it. If you want to disconnect your mobile phone, you may need to contact the carrier (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, etc.) and tell them to disable your service. Many carriers require their users to sign a contract for coverage. Breaking this contract before the agreed coverage date has been reached may involve paying a fee. Remove yourself from social media. Close down all accounts that you have on social media platforms. This includes Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest, and all other programs and applications that encourage social exchange between people. Disable your email accounts. Most email service providers have a link to email settings with an option to deactivate the account. This prevents additional email from piling up in an account that you are no longer using. If you think you might eventually use the account again, you can simply log out and not log back in. Keep in mind, though, that incoming email will continue to be stored in your account. Consider cutting off your internet. When you use the internet, you send and receive information through an internet protocol (IP) address. This IP is linked to your router. Your online movements can still be tracked through this information. If you want to cut yourself off from society, think about how your online actions might allow others to find you. Stop watching television or reading the newspaper. Don't bother staying up-to-date on the latest news or TV shows. If you want to truly be removed from society, stop following what happens. Avoid speaking or communicating to anyone at all. Keep communication with others to the barest minimum. This involves any kind of social exchange, including speaking, email, texting or sign language. If you frequent a business, such as a shop or a restaurant, ask for what you need and nothing more. Do not make small talk with the shopkeeper or waitperson. Do not engage in conversation with others while waiting for the bus. Halt contact with people you see regularly. Normally, people have contact with various individuals throughout their day, whether these are work colleagues, coffee shop employees, postal workers, or passing neighbors. In order to cut yourself off, stop talking with these various people. Stop answering the phone or opening your door to callers. Complete isolation may be difficult if you still need to go to work and communicate with co-workers and supervisors. This will be somewhat easier if you live alone. You can use your home as a sanctuary where you can isolate yourself. Stop hanging out with your friends. Remove yourself from your friends' lives by not spending time with them anymore. You can take one of several approaches to accomplish this. These approaches can be: Ruthless: You can cut people out ruthlessly by telling them you don't want to hang out anymore. You will likely come across as mean and rude. Honest: In this approach, you can be honest by telling your friends that you are in the process of cutting yourself off from society. Expect resistance from people who care about you. Avoiding: You can just stop talking to the people in your life. Avoid their calls, avoid making eye contact if they're talking to you. Passive: Decline invitations and let your friends get tired of asking you to hang out. It's healthy for you to cut negative people from your life. These people can restrict your growth and stability. Establish boundaries for your own well-being by refusing to have these people in your life. Explain your motivations to your loved ones. It is up to you whether or not to tell the people in your life that you intend to cut yourself off from them. But if you're in a relationship, your partner may be hurt, angry, or confused by your decision. In most cases, you owe it to your partner to explain why you're isolating yourself. Be compassionate with your loved ones. It can be devastating for parents to have a child cut himself off from them. They may undergo the same sorts of feelings associated with the death of a child. Don’t leave your responsibilities. If you have responsibilities such as caring for children, it's not recommended that you cut yourself off from society. You need to provide good, stable, healthy care for your children. If you have children that you care for, this is probably not a good time to cut yourself off from society. Pay off your debts. If you don't want to have contact with the outside world, you'll need to eliminate the reasons why people might want to contact you. Paying off your debts is important, so that you won't be harassed for not paying your bills. Determine if you want to receive mail. It may be important to continue receiving mail, in order to receive important notices or other unexpected communications. You might also choose to receive supplies through the mail. If you're living off the grid, get a post office box in a nearby town. You can check this periodically without needing to talk with anyone. Have an emergency contact. It's a good idea to have at least one person as an emergency contact. This person might periodically check up on you. He might also be someone you feel comfortable contacting if you need help. Make sure to ask this person if he will be your emergency contact. Find a location with adequate resources. When you go off the grid , you are removing yourself from mainstream society. You will be fending for yourself, gathering food and water and providing your own shelter. You won't have access to public utilities and other services that you get living in a regular community. Find a place that can offer you enough resources, including food supply, water supply, and shelter. You may be able to adapt a cabin for your own purposes, or you might want to build yourself a new house or cabin. You might choose a location that is a couple of hours' drive from the nearest gas station or grocery store. There may be no hospital within many miles. If this is the case, you might not have access to medical services. Get your energy sources squared away. You no longer have electricity from the local power company, so if you want electricity, you will need to find a way to produce your own. Solar and water power will allow you to use lights, refrigerator, washing machine, music player, and other machines. Look into purchasing additional solar panels as you can afford them. While you might adjust to life with less electricity, there are certain conveniences that you will probably want. Get rechargeable batteries. Make sure they are never less than 50% charged to ensure that you will always have enough power. Have access to a filtered water supply. If you do not have access to town water, you may need to sink a well in order to meet your water needs. If you choose to build your own well, you might need a permit, depending on your state. Be sure to stay at least 50 feet away from any septic tank, marshy areas and any other areas with potential contamination. Use a water-testing kit. This kit will help you determine whether your water has safe or unsafe levels of certain chemicals in it. These kits are readily available online or at home improvement stores. Some counties offer free water testing as well. Be sure to filter your water to avoid sickness. For example, if your water is high in lime, you may get a stomach ache if you drink it unfiltered. Have medical supplies handy. If your location is so remote that the nearest hospital is more than an hour or two away, you should consider becoming knowledgeable of simple medical procedures. Assemble a medical kit with supplies such as bandages, antibiotics, penicillin, thread and needle for doing stitches, and other supplies. Start a garden. While you might have food occasionally delivered to your off-grid location, you also need to provide food for yourself. Plant a large garden with a variety of vegetables. Learn what plants can grow in different seasons so that you constantly have fresh food growing in your garden. Store vegetables over the winter. Potatoes, onions, carrots and other root vegetables are especially well-suited to long-term storage in a cool place. Get a few livestock animals. If you have cows or goats of both sexes, you can be provided with meat and milk, depending on the breed. Chickens and ducks can provide meat and eggs. Figure out if you need to generate income. If you have a lot of savings, you might be able to go off the grid without needing to continue working. But if you don't have substantial savings, you will probably still need to generate income in some way. Think about sources for income, including selling vegetables or artisan craft items at a nearby farmer's market. If you're off the grid, your internet access may be limited or nonexistent. This might make telecommuting a difficult proposition. Express lonely feelings. If you are starting to feel lonely after cutting yourself off, don't bottle up those feelings. Express them through creative outlets, such as journaling, painting, dancing or singing. Get a pet. Research shows that pets can improve your mood and your overall health. A person with a pet will likely have lower blood pressure and lower indicators of heart disease, such as triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Having a companion such as a cat or dog can ease loneliness as well. Take up a hobby. Keep your mind busy with a stimulating activity. Hobbies keep you moving forward. They can also help you with focus and concentration. Find a hobby that you like, such as knitting, playing music, gardening or woodworking. Participate in a solo sport. Just because you've cut yourself off from society doesn't mean you have to spend your time holed up in your house. Get outside and get some exercise by participating in a solo sport, like cycling, hiking, running, or yoga. Go on adventures. Now that you have cut yourself off from your friends and family, you can do exactly what you want. Go hiking, take a cross-country bike ride, or go canoeing. You can enjoy your solitude with a great adventure.	Decide if political or environmental reasons are motivating you. Determine if you have depression or anxiety. Ask yourself if you’re avoiding the law. Assess whether you want to avoid the grind of daily life. Know that humans are social beings. Determine to what level you wish to cut yourself off from society. Determine your limits. Think about how long you’ll be away from society. Get rid of your phone. Remove yourself from social media. Disable your email accounts. Consider cutting off your internet. Stop watching television or reading the newspaper. Avoid speaking or communicating to anyone at all. Halt contact with people you see regularly. Stop hanging out with your friends. Explain your motivations to your loved ones. Don’t leave your responsibilities. Pay off your debts. Determine if you want to receive mail. Have an emergency contact. Find a location with adequate resources. Get your energy sources squared away. Have access to a filtered water supply. Have medical supplies handy. Start a garden. Get a few livestock animals. Figure out if you need to generate income. Express lonely feelings. Get a pet. Take up a hobby. Participate in a solo sport. Go on adventures.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Pancakes-Without-Eggs-or-Milk	How to Make Pancakes Without Eggs or Milk	To make pancakes without eggs or milk, add 1 cup of flour, 2 teaspoons each of baking powder and sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt in a mixing bowl. Whisk the ingredients together and add enough liquid to get a consistency similar to a very thick gravy. Then, mix the batter again so it's all the same consistency, pour enough into a pan to form a pancake 4 to 6 inches wide, and cook it until bubbles pop and stay open. Flip the pancake with a spatula and cook until golden brown. Serve immediately.	Whisk the dry ingredients together. Tip the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Add the liquid of choice. Most fluids of a watery consistency, such as water, fruit juice, cream, and yes, even milk (including non-dairy milk), etc., will work equally well to combine with these ingredients, to make the pancakes. However, there are a few caveats depending on whether you're making pancakes, crepes or waffles: Since crepes, pancakes, waffles, and an even a thicker batter for coating thin precooked meat pieces (ham, sausage, salami, etc.), will each require different amounts of fluid, giving a specific measurement is not possible. If you've never made pancakes, start by making the batter as if you were making a very thick gravy. Test to see if it's of the consistency that you want, then add dry mixture or fluid to adjust it to be thicker or thinner. Be prepared to experiment a little. For example: For a single deep Belgian waffle, you'd start with about 1/2 cup of fluid and add 3 to 4 level tablespoons of the dry mix while mixing and add dry mix or fluid until it gets to the thickness you want. Mix to combine. The batter is ready when it is suitably pourable. As already noted, you'll be wanting a thick, pourable batter for waffles, with it being a little thinner for pancakes, and very thin for crepes. Cobbler recipes can use this batter. If you mix fresh fruit, sugar, and a thickener (your own recipe) for a fruit cobbler you can use this recipe for the topping. Just use less fluid to make a very thick paste that you can spread with a wet spoon or spatula. I like to add about twice the sugar to sweeten the final topping. If you want to flavor the pancakes, see Tips below for ideas. Pour the batter into the hot pan. Tip the pan to help the batter spread evenly, if needed. Cook on a hot pan until bubbles pop and stay open. Turn over with a spatula. Cook until golden brown. A little oil, butter, or cooking spray will make it easier to handle. Remove from the stove. Serve immediately. Add toppings such as banana, whipped cream, berries, maple syrup, etc. Pancakes are often served flat, but you may decide to roll or fold crepes around the toppings.	Whisk the dry ingredients together. Add the liquid of choice. Mix to combine. Pour the batter into the hot pan. Cook on a hot pan until bubbles pop and stay open. Turn over with a spatula. Remove from the stove.
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Kitchen-Cabinets	How to Clean Kitchen Cabinets	To clean kitchen cabinets, start by removing everything inside of them and wiping down the interior with a cleanser, like soap and water or a spray cleaner. Next, clean the outside of the cabinets with the right products. If you have stained cabinets, mix oil soap and water and wipe the surface with a sponge. For painted surfaces, wipe the cabinet with a lint-free cloth before cleaning them with soap and water.	Open the cabinet doors. Empty out the contents and set them aside. Mix some mild soap and water together in a small bucket. Wash the insides of the cabinet using the soap solution and a sponge, and dry off the soap and water with a towel. Close the cabinet doors. Place some oil soap in a container and dilute it with warm water. Then, test the oil soap on an inconspicuous part of the cabinet's surface to make sure that it does not harm the finish. Dip a sponge into the oil soap. The sponge should have both a soft side and a scouring side for best results. Wipe the surface of the cabinets with the sponge. If you have a layer of grease or other material that is stuck to the surface, then scrub the material with the scouring side of your sponge. Rinse your sponge frequently so that you don't reapply dirt that you've already removed. Dry the cabinets with a clean, lint-free cloth after cleaning them. Doing this will remove any moisture or residue. Reapply wax finish if desired. Oil soap will eliminate your wax finish, so you should apply furniture wax or furniture polish to restore the cabinets' shine. Return the contents of your cabinets to their original location. Empty out your kitchen cabinets. Clean the interior with soap and water. Dust the exterior of your cabinets using a lint-free cloth. Use the same soap and water mixture to scrub your cabinets after you dust them. Test an inconspicuous surface first to ensure that the soap doesn't harm your paint. Dry the surface that you washed with a soft towel. Allow the cabinets to dry completely before putting the contents back. Empty your kitchen cabinets and clean the interior with a household spray cleaner. Close the cabinets and spray the exterior with spray cleaner. Wipe the cabinets clean and then dry them with a lint-free towel. Return your cabinet contents to their original location.	Open the cabinet doors. Mix some mild soap and water together in a small bucket. Close the cabinet doors. Dip a sponge into the oil soap. Wipe the surface of the cabinets with the sponge. Rinse your sponge frequently so that you don't reapply dirt that you've already removed. Dry the cabinets with a clean, lint-free cloth after cleaning them. Reapply wax finish if desired. Return the contents of your cabinets to their original location. Empty out your kitchen cabinets. Dust the exterior of your cabinets using a lint-free cloth. Use the same soap and water mixture to scrub your cabinets after you dust them. Dry the surface that you washed with a soft towel. Empty your kitchen cabinets and clean the interior with a household spray cleaner. Close the cabinets and spray the exterior with spray cleaner. Return your cabinet contents to their original location.
https://www.wikihow.com/Overcome-an-Addiction-to-Fast-Food	How to Overcome an Addiction to Fast Food	Fast food can be really addicting, especially if you use it as a coping mechanism when you're dissatisfied. Overcoming your addiction can seem like a daunting task, but it all starts with baby steps. Try setting small goals for yourself every day or week. For example, if you normally have takeout 3 nights a week, aim to only have 2 for the first week. You can also plan your meals ahead so you won't be so tempted to eat fast food when you get hungry. Stock your cupboards with healthier food so it'll be harder for you to get hold of junk food. If your cravings start to feel overwhelming, try to distract yourself by going for a walk, playing a game, or watching your favorite TV show. Overcoming your addiction won't happen overnight, but if you take it day by day, you'll be on your way to a better lifestyle!	Gather food addiction resources. If you truly feel like you have a food addiction, it'll be helpful to fully understand what food addiction it is and how it affects your life. Food addiction can be a serious problem. High sugar and high-fat foods are extremely palatable. When eaten, they trigger the release of dopamine to the brain's reward center. This triggers the desire to eat more of that food and to return to it again. People with Binge-eating Disorder feel a compulsion to eat unusually large amounts of food in a short period of time. They may feel disgusted by their eating habits but are unable to control them. If you feel compelled to eat large quantities of fast food, even if you feel bad afterward, consider seeing a mental health professional about the possibility of Binge-eating Disorder. It's highly treatable. Spend some time researching food addiction online. There are a variety of sources online that may be able to help you learn more about your eating habits. Purchase or check out a library book on food addiction. Spend some time reading and researching about food addictions. Write down your problems with food. Seeing your food addiction issues written down can make them more real to you. Include how often you eat fast food, your feelings or cravings around fast food and how hard you think it'll be to give it up. To help you understand the severity of your food addiction, ask yourself if you are powerless around fast food or what emotions or situations make you crave fast food. Also rate your feelings of addiction from 1 to 10 (one being weak and 10 being immensely strong). The rating may change with your emotions but it can give you insight into times, events or people that influence your rating. Write down all the specific types of food that you feel addicted to. Is it only fast food? Or does your addiction include "junk foods" like candy, potato chips or soda? Make a lifestyle change, don't start a diet. Diets, in the traditional sense, are not sustainable long term plans, especially not for food addiction. People give up, stop purchasing the diet products or get bored and stop. Aim to make a lifestyle change around your food addiction and don't just adopt a diet. Write up a food plan that does not include fast food or junk food. Make sure you plan for appropriate portion sizes and snacks so you do not become too hungry at any point during the day. Remove "trigger" foods from your home if your addiction includes other junk foods in addition to fast food. If you are still eating a lot of fat and sugar (key ingredients in fast food) at home, it will be harder to break your addiction to fast food. Pack healthy meals and snacks. Having a healthy meal or snack available is a great way to decrease the amount of fast food you consume. Instead of going out to eat, you already have your healthy meal prepared and ready-to-go. Purchase a small lunch box or cooler if necessary. This is a great way to avoid a stop at a fast food place. Keeping it stocked with healthy options like yogurt, fresh fruits or carrots and hummus can help you stick to your planned meal or to control your hunger until you are able to get home for your meal. Keep healthy, convenient snacks such as portioned nuts or fruit in your purse, briefcase or car. Make sure to eat throughout the day. Don't skip meals. Grab a healthy snack if you're feeling hungry. When you are very hungry, you're more likely to make bad food choices. Stop drinking soda. For many individuals, this may prove to be the biggest challenge. Try to avoid all sodas. Even diet sodas should be minimized in your diet. Diet sodas may confuse your body into feeling hungry even when you don't need to eat. Aim for 64 oz of clear, sugar-free liquids daily. You can try water, water flavored with herbs and fruit, unsweetened iced tea or unsweetened decaf coffee. If this step proves to be difficult, start off slowly. Begin decreasing the amount of soda you consume by replacing a few drinks here and there with a healthier option (like water or unsweetened tea). Continue substituting other drinks for your soda until you are able to eliminate soda entirely. Drive a different route. Sometimes just driving past (or knowing you'll pass) your favorite fast food place is enough to make you pull over. Driving a different route to work or on your way home may help get you out of the routine of stopping for fast food. Check out an online map. Many programs allow you to put in your starting and ending location and give you a variety of route options. If you can't bypass a fast food place, try putting up a note in your car with an optimistic sentence. "You can do it!" or "Focus on your goal!" are great phrases that can keep you driving right on by. Write out the advantages of eliminating fast food. Giving up fast food might not be easy. However, having a list of positive thoughts to review when a strong craving hits, can be a helpful resource to help you overcome the drive-through lane. Take an hour (this could be part of your exercises in a journal) and write out a list of all the advantages of giving up fast food. Positive thoughts could include weight loss, saving money, increased energy or better health. Keep a copy of your positive thoughts in your purse or wallet, car or at work. Refer to it whenever you have a desire for a fast food meal. As you continue to stay away from fast food, write about your progress and add the positive events you've noticed about your lifestyle, health, and diet. This will help expand that list. Go to healthier restaurants. Going out for lunch is a common workplace activity. You can take a break and enjoy 30 to 60 minutes away from your desk. If you and your coworkers typically stop by a fast food restaurant, suggest something healthier. Research restaurants that are close to your workplace. Check out their menus and see if these would be a better option for you and your colleagues. Let your coworkers know you're trying to drop your fast food habit. You never know, they may want to join you! Letting people around you know about your goals allows them to support you, rather than be a bad influence. Agree to a lunch out just one time a week. If friends are unwilling to budge on lunchtime options, only go out once a week. This can help minimize your temptations. Write out realistic goals. Giving yourself a long-term goal to work towards can help ease you out of your fast food habit. Make sure you set a realistic and specific goal that you can achieve over time. Set smaller goals along the way to your long-term one. Maybe you start by skipping the drive through on Mondays or plan to eat breakfast at home. Trying to tackle multiple goals at once can be difficult. Being realistic with goal setting is important. If you feel that never having fast food again is not realistic, set a limit to how much you can have. Maybe you allow yourself a fast food meal once a month. Track the progress of your goal over time. This can help motivate you and keep you on track towards your long-term goal. Purchase a journal or notebook. Use your journal to note your meals and snacks for a few days (ideally a few weekdays and a few weekends). This will give you insight into how much and how often you're consuming fast food. Also note situations that cause you to choose fast food most often. For example, do you go through the drive-through on the way to work for breakfast? Or do you have a long commute home and stop by for a quick and easy dinner? Take note of any moods or emotions that may trigger you to eat or crave fast food. You may notice many days you don't consume fast food. It might occur more often when you're stressed, angry or frustrated. Understanding your connection between food and mood can help give you some insight into your fast food habit. Don't have time to journal? Download a food journal app for an on-the-go version of your food journal. Having the app accessible on your phone can make it a little bit easier. Think about why you make the fast food stops. Trying to identify the underlying cause for your fast food addiction is an important step in breaking the habit. Note how you feel after eating fast food. You may feel regretful, guilty, or ashamed. If you notice negative feelings and write them down, you can reference them in the future before deciding to get fast food. Remembering how bad you feel after eating may help you avoid it. Count the calories. If you haven't accounted for the calories you're consuming in fast food meals, you might be surprised at how much you're actually consuming. Take a day and tally up all the calories of your typical fast food meal. The number might be enough to give you the motivation to drop the habit. Try figuring out how far you'd have to run or bike to burn off that meal. It usually takes a considerable amount of exercise to burn off the calories from a fast food meal. For example, you have to bike a full hour at a high speed to burn about 800 calories, that's half a pizza... Compare the calories in your fast food meal to similar meals that you could make yourself at home. It'll help you realize how many more calories you get from fast food. Track the costs of your fast food habit. One of the benefits of fast food is that it can be pretty cheap - especially with menu items that are $1.00 or less. Even with these low prices, fast food can still add up. Keep your receipts and add up how much money you spend in one week. It might be more than you think. Give yourself $10 or $20 in cash and see how long that lasts you throughout the week. It's easy to swipe a credit or debit card. Cash is sometimes harder to part with. Write out a weekly meal plan. Having a set meal plan in place may help keep you to stay organized and focused throughout the week. You won't be wondering what you're making for dinner or bringing for lunch - it's been determined already! Take an hour or two during your free time to write out your meal plan. Make sure to include breakfast and snacks for each day too. Consider including recipes or meal ideas for quick, easy-to-prepare meals to help you with your busy lifestyle. After your meal plan is finished, write up the corresponding grocery list. You'll be able to buy only what you need. Go grocery shopping. Having healthy food on hand is key to giving up fast food. Shop weekly for meals and snacks so you always have another, healthier option ready-to-go. Stock up on lean protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. Purchase ready-to-eat products that require little to no cooking and can be eaten on-the-go. Examples include whole fruits (like an apple or banana), individual yogurts, washed and cut salads or vegetables or precooked lean protein (like grilled chicken strips). Build a support network. Any change in diet can be difficult - especially if you're giving up a habit that feels like food addiction. Having a support group can help motivate you and encourage you as you make difficult changes. Studies have shown that many people stick with positive changes longer if they have a support group. Ask family members, friends or coworkers to support you. In addition, you can see if anyone would like to join you on your journey to give up fast food. Research online support groups and forums that you can log on throughout the day. It's a great way to have support at any time of the day. Talk to a registered dietitian and a licensed therapist. These health and nutrition experts can play a key role in helping you understand and overcome your fast food habit. They have the training to help you drop the fast food habit, help you plan healthier meals in addition to giving you coping mechanisms to deal with your food addiction. Ask a dietitian for help with meal planning, cooking skills or basic nutrition knowledge so that you have the skills necessary to drop your fast food habit. Discuss with a licensed therapist about your food addiction and any emotional eating issues that have come up. Check with your primary care or another doctor for a referral to a registered dietitian or licensed therapist. They may know or work with someone locally. Check out EatRight.org and use the "Find an Expert" button to search for dietitians in your local area. Write out a list of self-soothing activities. When you're stressed or a fast food craving hits hard, it's important to have a list of activities that you can do to distract yourself and calm down. Have these handy when a craving hits. Try engaging in mentally and physically active things. For example: taking a walk, cleaning out your junk drawer, calling a friend or family member, keeping a journal or reading a good book. Sleeping longer or getting lost in TV may not make you feel better. You're not addressing the issue at hand. Instead, it's being ignored or slept through. Try to stay away from drinking alcoholic beverages. Drinking alcohol is never an appropriate coping mechanism for addiction. Write down your feelings. Get that notebook or journal out and write down your feelings and how they are affecting your cravings or feelings of hunger. Keeping a journal can help you clearly identify your situation and make the difference between emotional eating and physical hunger. A journal can also act like a mental release allowing you to pour out all your emotions and feelings onto paper. Meditate. Studies have shown that even a few minutes of meditation can calm your mind, help you feel more centered and assist you in overcoming addiction. This can be an easy way to help ease your mind. Start with just 5 to 10 minutes a day - especially if you've never tried meditation before. Check online for free audio guided meditations. These can help you ease yourself into meditation by following the gentle commands of a guide. Try active meditation which allows you to focus on a small object - a stone, a fruit or a jewel. This can help give your mind some occupation while you try to stay in the present. Stock your pantry, refrigerator and freezer with healthy foods. Always keep a stock of healthy items at home. This will allow you to cook nutritious meals without having to stop at the store on your way home. Having a well-stocked home may help alleviate the stress around cooking or getting a meal on the table. You'll already be prepared with the basics of a meal. Pantry staples can include beans, canned vegetables with no salt added, canned fish, whole grains (like brown rice or whole wheat pasta) and nuts. Freezer staples can include frozen protein (like chicken or fish), frozen vegetables and fruit, frozen cooked whole grains (like brown rice or quinoa) and low-calorie frozen meals (for a night that cooking isn't an option). Refrigerator staples can include washed and cut fruits and vegetables, low-fat dressings and sauces, eggs, low-fat yogurt and cheese and cooked proteins (like grilled chicken breasts). Prepare new recipes. Whether you're in a recipe rut or need some help coming up with healthy meals, trying new recipes is a great way to explore a variety of different healthy foods. Try one or two new recipes each week. Need recipe ideas? Try purchasing a healthy eating cookbook, looking up healthy eating blogs online or asking friends or family for new recipes to try. If you're short on time, search for recipes that require minimal cooking and preparation. Many times, you can just assemble your meal instead of preparing everything from scratch. Recreate your fast food favorites at home. Burgers and fries or chicken nuggets are delicious - that's why it's hard to break a fast food habit. Try making your favorites at home with healthier cooking techniques. This will help you to "indulge" but with a much healthier option. If you love fries, try baking them at home. Sliced sweet potatoes also make a great french fry alternative. Plus they have a lot of vitamins and minerals! Bread chicken with crushed cornflakes or crackers and bake for a crunchy, low-calorie version of fried chicken or chicken nuggets. Research some recipes online for your favorites. You'll find some great ideas and a variety of recipes for healthier versions of common fast food meals. Try searching for "fast food swaps" to find healthier substitutes for your favorite fast food options. Read online menus. Any restaurant with over 20 locations is legally required to have an online menu and a menu in the store that contains all of the nutrition information. Review the menu for options that are lower in calorie and lower in fat. Plan your meal option before going out to eat. This will help keep you from temptations by reviewing the menu or hearing what others are ordering. Some places even have "meal calculators" that will allow you to choose different options for your meal and provides the calorie and other nutrition information for you. Choose grilled options over fried. Fried foods typically contain more calories and fat compared to grilled items. Go for a grilled chicken sandwich or grilled chicken nuggets instead of fried chicken. Avoid combo meals. The calorie count can get pretty high when you get a combination meal - fries, sandwich, and drink. Just purchase the sandwich instead for a lower calorie count. Choose items from the "à la carte" menu (one after another) to avoid the option of the combination meal. Refuse the upgrade for a "super-size" or bigger portion. Purchase a healthier option. Many fast food restaurants have been responding to consumers desires for healthier options. They even have special "healthier" menus that can guide you toward a lower calorie meal. Try a salad with grilled chicken or a grilled chicken wrap. Use a small portion of light dressing or dipping sauce to help keep the calories lower. If you're stopping by for breakfast, try oatmeal, yogurt with fruit or a breakfast sandwich with an egg white and cheese. Choose a sandwich with a side of fruit or a vegetable side instead of the typical french fries.	Gather food addiction resources. Write down your problems with food. Make a lifestyle change, don't start a diet. Pack healthy meals and snacks. Stop drinking soda. Drive a different route. Write out the advantages of eliminating fast food. Go to healthier restaurants. Write out realistic goals. Purchase a journal or notebook. Count the calories. Track the costs of your fast food habit. Write out a weekly meal plan. Go grocery shopping. Build a support network. Talk to a registered dietitian and a licensed therapist. Write out a list of self-soothing activities. Meditate. Stock your pantry, refrigerator and freezer with healthy foods. Prepare new recipes. Recreate your fast food favorites at home. Read online menus. Choose grilled options over fried. Avoid combo meals. Purchase a healthier option.
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Jaundice	How to Treat Jaundice	To treat jaundice, start by seeing your doctor immediately for a definitive diagnosis, since some types of jaundice don't need any treatment and other types may be caused by a serious underlying condition. If your doctor determines that an underlying condition isn't the cause of the jaundice, it will typically go away on its own in about 2 weeks. You can ask your doctor about the prescription medication cholestyramine if your jaundice is accompanied by severe itching, since it can provide some relief.	See your doctor. If you or your child develop any signs or symptoms of jaundice, see you doctor as soon as possible. You may not need treatment for the jaundice, but if there is an underlying condition causing it, this will require medical attention. Some symptoms of short-term jaundice in adults are: Fever Chills Abdominal pain Other flu-like symptoms A change in your skin color and whites of eyes to a more yellow pallor. Seek treatment for a child or infant with jaundice. Children and infants can also develop jaundice. Jaundice is common in infants and it often goes away on its own within two weeks. However, severe jaundice can cause serious complications for some infants. To check for jaundice, look for a yellowish skin tone and a yellowish tone to the whites of your infant or child's eyes. If your child or infant develops jaundice, then call your doctor right away. Receive a definitive diagnosis. In adults, jaundice is often caused by underlying conditions that require treatment. Your doctor man run tests to confirm a diagnosis of these conditions causing your jaundice and then formulate a treatment plan from there. You may need to have have to have blood work, an ultrasound, CT scan, or a even a liver biopsy to find the cause of your jaundice. Common conditions that can cause jaundice include: Hepatitis A Chronic Hepatitis B and C Epstein-Barr viral infection, or infectious mononucleosis Excessive alcohol consumption Autoimmune or genetic disorders Gallstones Gallbladder inflammation Gallbladder cancer Pancreatitis Certain medications such as acetaminophen, penicillin, oral contraceptives and steroids may also cause jaundice. Your doctor can diagnose jaundice by looking for signs of liver disease including bruising, spider angiomas, palmar erythema, and urinalysis that indicates the presence of bilirubin. Your doctor may also use imaging or liver biopsy to confirm a diagnosis. Treat underlying conditions. If your doctor discovers an underlying condition that are causing your jaundice, she will likely treat that to see if it clears up other related health issues. Treating causes and complications of underlying conditions may help relieve your jaundice. Allow jaundice to clear on its own. In most cases, jaundice will go away without treatment. Speak with your doctor to make sure that foregoing treatment is the best option for you, especially if you have underlying conditions causing jaundice. Take medication for itching. Some people with jaundice experience itching. If the itching becomes bothersome or affects your daily life, take a medication such as cholestyramine to relieve your symptoms. Cholestyramine works by controlling cholesterol in the liver. Side effects of this medication include abdominal discomfort, indigestion, nausea, flatulence, and constipation. Get treatment for your infant. Infant jaundice is very common and, like adult jaundice, often doesn't require any treatment. However, if your doctor diagnoses jaundice in your baby, she could call for one of the following treatments to help relieve the condition: Phototherapy, which uses light to help your baby excrete excess bilirubin Intravenous immunoglobulin, which can reduce antibodies in your baby that cause jaundice Exchange transfusion, which is a type of blood transfusion that removes small amounts of blood and dilutes bilirubin. Exchange transfusions are used only in severe cases of infant jaundice. Avoid hepatitis infections. Contracting the hepatitis virus is one of the main causes of jaundice in adults. Avoiding contact with the virus as much as you possibly can may minimize your risk for contracting not only hepatitis, but also jaundice. You can prevent Hepatitis A with a vaccine. Anyone can get this vaccine. Hepatitis A is spread when a person eats tiny amounts of fecal matter, most often in tainted foods. Be careful when traveling for food that hasn't been properly cooked or cleaned. You can also prevent Hepatitis B with a vaccine. Any person from newborns to adults can receive this vaccine. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. Hepatitis B and C are spread through the blood and bodily fluid of an infected individual, but not through casual contact. Avoid reusing any type of needles—from tattoos to recreational drugs—to help prevent the spread of these viruses. Stay within recommended alcohol consumption limits. Since your liver processes alcohol and is the source for jaundice, limit your alcohol consumption to daily recommended values. Not only can this help alleviate the symptoms of jaundice, but may also keep you from contracting alcohol-related liver diseases such as cirrhosis. The recommended daily limit for women is 2-3 units of alcohol. For men, the recommended daily limit is 3-4 units. As a reference point, one bottle of wine has 9-10 units of alcohol. Maintain a healthy weight. Keeping your weight at a within a stable and healthy range can promote your overall healthy. But this can also keep your liver healthy, and in turn prevent jaundice. Maintaining your is easy if you eat healthy, balanced, and regular meals. Food choices that are nutrient rich and contain moderate fat and complex carbohydrates, are best to promote your general health. Keep your daily calorie intake around 1,800-2,200, depending on how active you are. You should get your calories from nutrient-dense whole foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, dairy, and lean proteins. Exercise is important to maintaining your weight and promoting your overall health. Participate in low-impact, moderate intensity cardiovascular activities every day. Aim to exercise for least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Manage your cholesterol. Keeping your cholesterol in check can not only help prevent jaundice, but also help maintain your overall health. You can manage your cholesterol through healthy diet and exercise or, in other cases, with prescription medication. Eating more soluble fiber, healthy fats, and foods high in omega-3 fatty acids can help manage your cholesterol. Foods such as lean cuts of meat, low-fat dairy, olive oil, salmon, almonds, oats, lentils, and vegetables contains these three nutrients. Reduce or eliminate trans fats from your diet. Trans fats increase your bad, or LDL, cholesterol. Limiting or stopping your intake of foods such as fried foods and commercial products including baked goods, cookies, and crackers may help control your cholesterol. Thirty minutes of exercise a day can help increase the levels of good, or HDL, cholesterol, in your body. There is some evidence that quitting smoking will increase your HDL cholesterol levels. Ensure your infant is getting adequate feedings. Making sure that your baby is getting enough to eat throughout the day. This is the best prevention or jaundice in infants. If you breastfeed, your baby should get 8-12 feedings per day in the first week of life. If you are feeding your infant formula, she should get 1-2 ounces (30 to 60 milliliters) of formula every two to three hours during her first week of life.	See your doctor. Seek treatment for a child or infant with jaundice. Receive a definitive diagnosis. Treat underlying conditions. Allow jaundice to clear on its own. Take medication for itching. Get treatment for your infant. Avoid hepatitis infections. Stay within recommended alcohol consumption limits. Maintain a healthy weight. Manage your cholesterol. Ensure your infant is getting adequate feedings. If you breastfeed, your baby should get 8-12 feedings per day in the first week of life.
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Something-out-of-Your-Ear	How to Get Something out of Your Ear	If something gets stuck in your ear, don't panic—in most cases, you or a doctor can get the object out without any lasting harm. Before taking action, have someone take a look in your ear to try and identify the object. If something hazardous is in your ear, such as a sharp object or a button battery, get medical attention immediately. You should also see a doctor right away for symptoms like swelling, bleeding, fever, or hearing loss. Otherwise, you can try shaking the object out or having someone gently remove it with a pair of tweezers.	Identify what is stuck in the ear. We cannot always know how or why something ended up stuck in our ear, but treatment varies depending on what the foreign object is. If possible, identify the object before making any decisions regarding care. The majority of foreign objects lodged in ears are placed there intentionally, usually by young children and toddlers. These include food material, hair clips, beads, small toys, pencils, and q-tips. If you know what your child was doing before symptoms appeared, you may be able to determine what's stuck in his ear. Earwax can accumulate in the ear canal and harden. The buildup of earwax can also develop due to overuse or misuse of q-tips. Symptoms of an earwax buildup include a sense of fullness or pressure in one ear. Sometimes, this the buildup of earwax can cause dizziness and decreased hearing. An insect can be a particularly alarming and annoying foreign object to have in the ear, but also the easiest to detect. The insect's buzzing and movement can be heard and felt in the ear. Determine if you should seek immediate medical care. While annoying, the majority of the time a foreign object in the ear is not a medical emergency. If you cannot remove it yourself, it is typically all right to visit the doctor on the following day. However, in some cases you will need to visit the ER immediately to prevent greater physical harm. If the object in the ear is something sharp, seek medical care immediately as complications can arise quickly. Young children often place button-type batteries in the ear. These are the kind of small, circular batteries that often go in watches or small household gadgets. If a button battery is in the ear, seek immediate medical attention. The chemicals inside can leak and can cause severe damage to the ear canal. Seek urgent medical assistance if food or plant material is lodged in the ear. These swell when exposed to moisture, creating the possibility of damage to the ear. If you experience symptoms like swelling, fever, discharge, bleeding, hearing loss, dizziness, or rapidly increasing pain see a doctor right away. Know what not to do. Oftentimes, the irritation of a foreign body in the ear is so great we leap into action without considering the consequences. Many do-it-yourself treatment options available at pharmacies do more harm than good when a foreign object is lodged in your ear. Do not use Q-tips to remove a foreign object from the ear. Q-tips are often our go-to when coping with ear problems, but they do not work when attempting to remove a foreign object. In fact, they may actually push an object deeper into the ear canal. Do not attempt to irrigate the ear yourself. Many drug stores and pharmacies sell ear irrigation kits in the form of suction cups or syringes. While these DIY kits are helpful for day-to-day ear care, you should not attempt ear irrigation without a doctor's assistance if something is stuck in your ear. Do not use ear drops until you know what is causing your ear discomfort. Foreign objects in the ear can mimic symptoms of other ear conditions. Ear drops can make the problem worse, especially if the foreign object has caused a perforated eardrum. Shake it out. Your first recourse should be to tilt your head downward and use gravity to help get the object out. Tilt your head to the side so that the ear with the blockage is facing the ground. Sometimes, this will be enough to let the object drop out. To alter the shape of the ear canal, pull on the pinna, the outermost part of the ear (not the lobe, but the circle that begins at the top of the ear and stretches down to the lobe). Wiggling this can dislodge the object, after which, gravity will do the rest. Do not strike or hit the side of the head. You can gently shake it, but striking the head could cause further damage. Remove the object with tweezers. You should only use this method if part of the object is sticking out and you can easily remove it with a pair of tweezers. Do not reach into the ear canal with tweezers. It is not a good idea to try this with anything stuck in a child's ears. See your pediatrician or doctor instead. Clean the tweezers before hand with warm water and antibacterial soap. Foreign objects can sometimes cause perforated eardrums or bleeding and tearing inside the ear canal. This makes your ear extra susceptible to infection. Grasp the object with the tweezers and pull. Be gentle and go slowly in order to prevent the object from breaking before removal. Do not use this method to remove the object if it is so deep that you cannot see the tip of the tweezers while trying to remove it. Also, do not try this if the person in question will not be still. In such instances, it is preferable that you go to the doctor. Apply oils to kill insects. If there is an insect in your ear, it can cause a great deal of discomfort by flying around and buzzing. There's also a risk of getting stung. Killing the insect can make removal easier. Never try to remove an insect with your fingers as it may sting. Tilt your head to the side so the affected ear is pointing upwards towards the ceiling or sky. For an adult, pull the earlobe backward and upward. For a child, pull it backward and downward. Mineral oil, olive oil, or baby oil works best. Mineral oil is preferable if you have it. Make sure the oil is warm, but do not boil it or microwave it before hand as you don't want to burn your ear. Only a small drop is needed, about as much as you would use when applying ear drops. Ideally, the insect will drown or suffocate in the oil and float to the surface of the ear. You should only use oil if you are attempting to remove an insect. If there has been pain, bleeding, or any discharges from the ear, it is possible that you have a perforated eardrum. It is dangerous to use oil in such instances; do not use oil if you have any of these symptoms. See a doctor after using this method to make sure that all insect parts have been removed from the ear. Prevent future incidents. Inform children to keep small objects away from ears, mouth, and other orifices. Supervise closely children under the age of five when they are around small objects. Be particularly careful with disc and button batteries; keep them in a safe place, out of the reach of small children. Prepare for your appointment. If none of the home remedies suggested are viable, it is important to visit a doctor and seek professional assistance. Before doing so, you will want to collect necessary information. If the subject is a child, be sure to ask about all the details of the condition ahead of visiting the doctor. He might be more willing to share details with you than with a doctor. Most importantly, you should inform the doctor of what is in the ear and how long it has been in there. This will give the doctor some sense for how much of a threat the condition is. You will also want to tell the doctor about what has happened subsequent to the initial incident. Have there been any side effects? Did you try to remove the object? If so, how did you do so and what was the outcome? See if the ear needs to be irrigated. A doctor may suggest irrigating the ear canal with water or a saline solution to remove a foreign object. This is a relatively quick and simple procedure. Usually, a syringe filled with clean, warm water is squirted into the ear canal. If successful, any foreign materials will be flushed out during the irrigation process. You should never try to irrigate the ear canal at home. Leave this to medical professionals. Allow the doctor to remove the object with medical tweezers. Though tweezers might not have worked at home, your doctor should have special medical instruments more adept at removing foreign objects from your ear. An otoscope, a medical instrument used to illuminate and explore the ear canal, will be used in conjunction with medical tweezers. Your doctor can more easily monitor the tweezers inside the ear and avoid injuring any important or sensitive structures. Specialized tweezers, designed specifically for use on ears, or forceps will be used to gently remove the object from your ear. If the object is metal, your doctor can also use a long instrument that has been magnetized. This will make extraction much easier. See if the doctor wants to use suction to remove the object. Your doctor will hold a small catheter near the foreign object. Suction will then be applied to gently ease the object out of your ear. This is generally used to remove solid objects like buttons and beads rather than organic material like food or live objects like bugs. Be prepared for sedation. This is particularly common in cases involving young children and toddlers. Kids often struggle to stay calm and still during the above techniques. Doctors oftentimes recommend sedation to prevent movement that could result in an accident and injury to inner ear structures. Avoid eating or drinking 8 hours before going to the doctor's office if your doctor mentions sedation as a possibility. Follow through with any instructions the doctor gives you before you leave his office. The doctor might want you to monitor the child's behavior in the event of complications. Listen carefully and ask any questions you might have. Follow instructions in the event of a perforated eardrum. Occasionally, the eardrum might be punctured by a foreign object. If you have a perforated eardrum, the doctor will likely recommend treatment. Symptoms of a perforated eardrum include pain, discomfort, a feeling of fullness in the ear, dizziness, and fluid or blood draining from the ear. In general, perforated eardrums heal on their own within two months. But your doctor might recommend a round of antibiotics to prevent infection. She will also advise you to keep the ear clean and dry while healing. Talk to your doctor about healing. After you have seen the doctor, she will likely recommend that you avoid swimming or immersing your ear in water for 7-10 days. This will help reduce your chances of developing an infection. Cover your affected ear with petroleum jelly and cotton ball when you shower or bathe. Usually, doctors recommend a follow-up appointment within a week to make sure the ear is healing properly and there is no drainage, bleeding, or pain.	Identify what is stuck in the ear. Determine if you should seek immediate medical care. Know what not to do. Shake it out. Remove the object with tweezers. Apply oils to kill insects. Prevent future incidents. Prepare for your appointment. See if the ear needs to be irrigated. Allow the doctor to remove the object with medical tweezers. See if the doctor wants to use suction to remove the object. Be prepared for sedation. Follow instructions in the event of a perforated eardrum. Talk to your doctor about healing.
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Foreclosure	How to Stop Foreclosure	Foreclosure is stressful, but you can stop it by negotiating a payment plan with your lender. For example, you may ask for a repayment plan, meaning you'll make regular payments while slowly paying off missed payments. You could also ask for a modification plan, which allows you to lower payments permanently if your expenses have increased. Alternatively, if you recently lost your job, try asking for a forbearance plan, meaning the lender will suspend all your payments temporarily while you get back on your feet.	Negotiate with your lender. If you are behind on your mortgage and think that your lender may try to foreclose on your home, you should attempt to negotiate a new payment plan. Many lenders are willing to negotiate because they do not want to foreclose on the property. Instead, most lenders would prefer for you to keep your home and keep making payments on your mortgage. Two popular plans that lenders often offer to people who are behind on payments are “repayment” and “modification.” Repayment is a plan where the homeowner continues to make his regular monthly mortgage payments while paying back the amount that he is deficient over time. For example, if someone was 3 months behind on a $1,000 per month mortgage (for a total of $3,000), the lender could agree to let the homeowner continue to make the $1,000 per month payment, and pay back the $3,000 that is owed over time. Under this type of plan, the homeowner may pay $1,100 for 30 months or $1,500 for 6 months, depending on his financial situation. Modification allows a homeowner to lower his mortgage payment permanently, usually because his income has gone down or expenses have gone up. Under this plan, the homeowner would pay the lender back over a longer period of time, but the monthly payments would be lower. Keep in mind that lenders often will only offer a modification if you are not already behind on your mortgage. The sooner you tell your lender you are having problems staying current on your mortgage, the more options you will have. Therefore, you should tell your lender as soon as possible if you have having trouble making the payments. See if your lender will agree to a forbearance plan. If you “forbear” on your loans, your lender will suspend all payments for a certain amount of time, with the expectation that you will make the full payments plus any deficiency once the forbearance period is over. This plan works best for someone who has lost their job or has encountered an unusual circumstance that makes it difficult to make mortgage payments. During the forbearance period, the lender expects that the homeowner is getting his financial affairs in order so that he can resume paying off the loan. Keep in mind that a forbearance plan requires you to agree with your lender about missing payments ahead of time. You probably will not be able to get a forbearance for payments that you have already missed. Lenders typically will allow a homeowner to forbear for 3 to 6 months. A longer time is less common. Reinstate your loan. If you are behind on your loan payments, you can stop any impending foreclosure action by “reinstating” your loan, i.e., bringing the loan back to current status. To reinstate the loan, you must pay the entire delinquent amount plus any fees that the lender has had to incur as a result of your delinquency. You can also “redeem” your loan by paying it off in full. This is an option if you are able to refinance the loan. Sell your property. If you do not think that you will be able to afford to catch up on payments, and your lender will not agree to a modification plan, you can still stop a foreclosure. Although you will not be able to stay in the home, selling the property takes the control away from the lender, and will not hurt your credit score the way a foreclosure would. If you have equity in your home, you will also keep that for a future home purchase as long as you can sell your current home for enough to pay off the mortgage. File for bankruptcy. If a foreclosure action on your home has already been started and a sale has been scheduled, filing for bankruptcy will immediately pause the sale. When you file for bankruptcy, an “automatic stay” goes into effect, stopping creditors from attempting to collect debts owed to them. The automatic stay acts as an injunction preventing the lender from foreclosing on your home while you are in bankruptcy. However, whether you will ultimately be able to keep your home could depend on the type of bankruptcy you file: Chapter 13 bankruptcy: if you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, also known as “reorganization,” you may be able to keep your home. In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy you will “restructure” your debts over a period of three to five years and you will get to keep your home if you make the required payments under your plan. Essentially, filing for reorganization stops the foreclosure and allows you time to get current on your mortgage payments. Chapter 7 bankruptcy: if you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, also known as “liquidation,” your home will likely still be foreclosed on. Because a liquidation bankruptcy is premised on selling all of the filer's assets, you likely cannot keep your home. However, there are some advantages to filing a liquidation bankruptcy, including stalling the foreclosure sale for a couple of months (to allow you to save up for a rental) and eliminating your liability for the mortgage debt (so after the home is sold, you will no longer owe anything to the lender). If you think that filing for bankruptcy may be the right choice for you, make an appointment with a specialist at a consumer credit counseling agency to discuss the specifics of your case. Meeting with a specialist is a prerequisite for filing bankruptcy in the United States. Apply for a loan modification. In all states, lenders cannot foreclose on a home while a loan modification application is pending as long as the application is file at least 37 days before the foreclosure sale. Therefore, if you file an application for a modification, the foreclosure sale cannot be held while the application is pending or while you appeal a denial, and if you are approved, the foreclosure sale may never happen. There are various loan modification programs that are offered through private lenders and the federal government to help consumers who are behind on mortgage payments. Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP): This program is designed to lower monthly mortgage payments that you are having trouble staying current on due to financial hardship. Many different lenders participate in this program, to see if your mortgage company is participating, click here and follow the directions on the page. Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP): This program is available to people whose mortgage is owned by Fanny Mae or Freddy Mac. However, you will not be eligible unless you are current on your mortgage at the time you apply. Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA): Under this program, you will not be able to stay in your home, but you will not go through a foreclosure sale. Instead, you will give up your house to the mortgage company in exchange for them releasing the mortgage debt you owe. You can also receive $10,000 in relocation assistance. File a lawsuit. If your state allows lenders to foreclose on deficient mortgages without court supervision, you can stop or delay your foreclosure by filing a lawsuit challenging it. However, keep in mind that this will only work if your lender does not have prior court approval to foreclose. In order to stop a foreclosure with a lawsuit, you would need to prove that the lender should not be able to foreclose for some reason, such as they did not properly foreclose on the house or did not give you the required notice. Keep in mind that if you sue your lender, you must be able to prove your allegations or the foreclosure action will only be delayed while the case is decided. If you think that your lender did something that should stop the foreclosure action, speak with an experienced attorney. If you are worried about affording an attorney, contact your state's legal aid office to see if you are eligible to receive free or reduced cost legal help.	Negotiate with your lender. See if your lender will agree to a forbearance plan. Reinstate your loan. Sell your property. File for bankruptcy. Apply for a loan modification. File a lawsuit.
https://www.wikihow.com/Bathe-Your-Pet-Rabbit	How to Bathe Your Pet Rabbit	To clean your rabbit, start by using a brush to rub dirt off its fur. If this proves insufficient, try applying corn starch to the dirty area before rubbing it with a fur comb. For an indoor rabbit, be sure to cut its nails regularly as it won't have the chance to wear them down by digging outside. You should also clean its scent glands by rubbing the area around the anus with a cotton swab dipped in warm water. Then, blow dry the fur rather than allowing it to air dry, because rabbits with wet fur are at greater risk of going into shock.	Brush the rabbit to remove bits of dirt. Many rabbits loved to be brushed, and it's a great way to help them keep their fur clean. Buy a brush made specifically for rabbit fur (often finer-toothed than brushes intended for dogs). Every few days, gently hold your rabbit while brushing its fur. Focus on areas that have bits of bedding or dirt. When you're finished, wash the brush and dry it. Be sure to handle the rabbit very gently. Not all rabbits enjoy the experience of being brushed. If yours seems startled or upset by brushing, stop the process and try again later. Long-haired rabbits require a little extra fur care. Keep your rabbit's fur trimmed to an inch or so so that it won't become tangled. This will help cut back on shedding and keep the fur clean. Spot clean the rabbit when necessary. If your rabbit hops into a mud puddle, you might want to help it get clean by doing a little spot cleaning. Luckily you can spot clean your rabbit without using water. This is highly advisable, since many rabbits go into shock when they get wet. Sprinkle some cornstarch over the dirty spot and use a fur comb to work out the dirt. Keep going until the fur is clean. Even if your rabbit is completely covered in mud, it's better to use this dry cleaning method than to dip your rabbit in water. Working section by section, carefully break up the mud clumps, comb out the fur, and use cornstarch to work out the smaller bits of dirt. If absolutely necessary, use water to clean small areas of fur. Dampen a washcloth with warm water and use it to moisten the fur; try not to let the water reach the rabbit's skin. When the patch of fur is clean, use a hair dryer on the coolest setting to gently blow the fur dry. Normal rabbit body temperature ranges from 101F – 103F. Because rabbit skin is very delicate, and rabbits are sensitive to heat, never use a blow dryer on a setting higher than “warm,” and constantly monitor the temperature of the air on the bunny's skin by placing your hand in its path. Use a mat splitter for clumped fur. If your rabbit has mats in its fur, the best tool for the job is a mat splitter. This breaks up the mat gently without harming the rabbit. Avoid using a scissors; rabbits are jumpy, and it would be easily to accidentally cut your rabbit while you work. Trim your rabbit's nails. This grooming task is necessary for rabbits that spend most of their time indoors. When rabbits don't have the chance to wear down their nails by digging around outside, the nails can grow long and sharp. Use a rabbit nail trimmer to take care of your rabbit's nails, or ask your veterinarian to do it for you at your next appointment. Do not have your rabbit declawed. Rabbits are highly prone to infection, and declawing leaves their paws open to bacteria. Make sure the rabbit's living space is always kept clean and dry to promote good foot health. Do not submerge the rabbit in water. It bears repeating that dousing a rabbit with water can cause it to get hypothermia or go into shock, both of which can be fatal. Some unique rabbits don't mind getting wet; a few rabbit owners have even been surprised that their beloved bunnies like to swim. However, if your rabbit has not exhibited an affinity for water, it's best not to risk getting it wet. Rabbits are very sensitive and even one water bath can cause permanent damage. Cleanse around the anus with a cotton ball dipped in water. Rabbits have scent glands around their anus, and the excretion can build up and begin to smell after awhile. To clean this area, simply dip a cotton ball or cotton swab into warm water. Swab the area to remove all traces of excretion. If you repeat this often enough, no further cleansing should be necessary. Your rabbit may grow nervous and jumpy while you clean this area. Have a partner help you by holding and stroking the rabbit while you cleanse the scent gland area. Rabbits also have scent glands under their chins, but these do not produce a bad smell and do not need to be cleaned. Purchase a rabbit-safe shampoo at a pet store. These are safe for rabbits and is much safer than using regular soap. Use soap only if absolutely necessary. If the excretion has been left to build up for a long time, you may need more than water to clean it. Fill a small bowl with warm water and add a few drops of gentle baby shampoo or castile soap. Dip a cotton ball in the solution and gently cleanse around the rabbit's anus, taking care to wet only the area that needs to be cleaned. Repeat until the area no longer has traces of excretion. Make sure you don't leave any traces of soap on the rabbit. This can cause skin irritation. Do not use cold water; make sure it is sufficiently warm. Otherwise the rabbit may get cold and go into shock. Blow dry the fur on the lowest setting. It's not a good idea to let the rabbit's body air dry, since the longer the rabbit is wet, the higher the risk of a problem developing. Use a hair dryer on a warm, low setting (not the cool or hot setting) and make a few passes over the wet part of the rabbit's behind. Continue until the fur there is completely dry. Realize that your rabbit may get scared very easily of the sound of a blow dryer. If this is the case, make sure you have a super absorbent towel on hand that is soft. Rub your rabbit until s/he is dry. Use this method for cleansing dried urine (urine scald) as well. Some rabbits experience incontinence, the inability to hold their urine properly. Older rabbits or rabbits with an underlying medical problem commonly experience this issue. Dried urine can build up on the fur, causing a bad smell and leaving the rabbit uncomfortable. If this happens to your rabbit, Clean the area using a cotton ball dipped into water. Dry the area thoroughly with a hair dryer on a warm, low setting. Again, your rabbit may get frightened. Use a super soft towel or blanket instead if necessary. Take your rabbit to the vet to seek treatment for the underlying problem causing incontinence. Keep fur trimmed short so the rabbit won't get damp. Long hair around the anus and underside of the rabbit can trap moisture close to the rabbit's body. Keeping the fur in these areas shaved or trimmed short helps the skin underneath dry faster and keeps the area clean. Ask your vet how to best maintain the fur on your particular breed of rabbit. Choose a flea solution formulated for rabbits. If you notice that your rabbit has fleas, talk to your vet about using a flea solution made for rabbits. Advantage, Program and Revolution are all designed specifically to get rid of fleas on rabbits without damaging their delicate skin or otherwise impacting their system. Do not use a solution made for cats or dogs, even if it says it is also safe for use on rabbits. It's better to use one of the formulas made just for rabbits. Never submerge your rabbit in a flea dip of any kind, even if the packaging suggests it's safe to do so. Apply the suggested dosage between the rabbit's shoulder blades. Follow the instructions from your vet or on the packaging to apply a small amount of the liquid solution to the area between your rabbit's shoulder blades. This is the safest spot to apply it since the rabbit can't reach back and scratch or lick it away. Most flea solutions require multiple applications over the course of a month. If you're not sure how much to apply, talk to your vet before taking action. Use a flea comb to remove fleas and nits. If you prefer a natural solution, an old-fashioned flea comb does the job. In order to use this method, it's important to have a good relationship with your rabbit, since combing out fleas and nits can be quite time consuming. Have a partner hold your rabbit while you meticulously comb through its fur to pick out fleas and nits. Be sure to cover the rabbit's entire body. Check the rabbit again after a few days. In most cases you'll need to repeat the process two or three times to account for new nits hatching. After a few weeks, the fleas and their nits should be gone. In between cleanings, sanitize the flea comb by boiling it in water for five minutes. Clean the rabbit's living area thoroughly. If you found fleas on your rabbit, they have probably infested its living space (and yours) as well. Sanitize the rabbit's cage and change the bedding several times during the treatment period. Boil the rabbit's dishes and toys for five minutes to get rid of all traces of fleas, and wash blankets in very hot water. If fleas have infested your carpeting, do the following: Cover the carpet with a layer of diatomaceous earth or baking soda. Let it sit there for eight hours or overnight. This dries out the fleas' eggs. Vacuum the powder and dispose of the vacuum bag. Repeat the process every few days until all traces of fleas are gone. When your rabbit is safely in its cage, you can also catch live fleas by plugging in nightlights close to the floor. Place a bowl of soapy water under each light, and the fleas will jump in. Remove the bowls before letting your rabbit out to play. Do not use flea bombs or other external chemicals. Rabbits are quite sensitive to chemicals, and the heavy pesticides used in flea bombs are no exception. Avoid using any type of chemical solution around your rabbit. If you feel using a flea bomb or spray is the only way to get rid of the fleas, keep your rabbit in a safe location during the application process. Clean the room thoroughly with water and white vinegar to get rid of traces of the pesticides before reintroducing your rabbit to the area.	Brush the rabbit to remove bits of dirt. Spot clean the rabbit when necessary. Use a mat splitter for clumped fur. Trim your rabbit's nails. Do not submerge the rabbit in water. Cleanse around the anus with a cotton ball dipped in water. Purchase a rabbit-safe shampoo at a pet store. Use soap only if absolutely necessary. Blow dry the fur on the lowest setting. Use this method for cleansing dried urine (urine scald) as well. Keep fur trimmed short so the rabbit won't get damp. Choose a flea solution formulated for rabbits. Apply the suggested dosage between the rabbit's shoulder blades. Use a flea comb to remove fleas and nits. Clean the rabbit's living area thoroughly. Do not use flea bombs or other external chemicals.
https://www.wikihow.com/Read-Piano-Chords	How to Read Piano Chords	To read piano chords, start by looking at the first capital letter for the name of the chord to determine what note you should play first. Then, check to see if there's a lowercase "m" after the capital letter, which means you're looking at a minor chord and should lower the middle note. Also, look for a "#" in the chord name to see if it's sharp or a "b" to see if it's flat. Finally, once you've read the name of the chord, you'll need to look up the right notes to play for that chord until you've memorized them.	Find the chord chart. Normal sheet music would have the exact notes of the chord symbolized on the staff. With a chord chart, you just have a series of letters and numbers that represents each chord. The name of the chord tells you how to build the chord on the piano. It gives you information about which keys to put your fingers on to play that chord. Identify the root note of a chord. On a chord chart, the root note is the first capital letter for the name of the chord. The root note is the first note you play, and the note upon which the rest of the chord is built. All the other notes in a chord are typically named in relation to the root note. For example, a seventh chord is named because the last note in the chord is the seventh note away from the root note. Hear the difference between major and minor chords. Major and minor chords are some of the most basic chords and make up the vast majority of songs you would play on piano. A minor chord is, essentially, a major chord turned upside down. Major chords and minor chords are both three-note chords. Major chords typically are notated simply by the capital letter of the root note. However, seventh chords are the exception to this rule. If you see "C7" on a chord chart, that refers to a C Seventh chord, which is different from a C Major Seventh chord. For seventh chords, you'll see "major" abbreviated either with a "M" or "maj" after the root note. For minor chords, there will be a lower-case "m" after the capital letter. When you play a minor chord, the middle note is lowered by half a step relative to the major chord, but the other two notes remain the same. This gives a minor chord a sadder, more serious tone. Find sharps and flats. Many keys have sharps or flats in their names, usually represented in the chord name as a "#" for a sharp or a "b" for a flat. These correspond to the black keys on your piano. The black key to the right of, or above, a white key is that key's sharp. For example, the black key immediately to the right of C is C sharp. The black key immediately to the left of, or below, a white key, on the other hand, is that key's flat. Black keys are both to the right and to the left of different white keys. So the same black key that could be considered C sharp could also be considered D flat. Keep this in mind when you're trying to find notes on the piano keyboard. Start with simple chords. There are 6 basic chords that can be played on piano using only the white keys – 3 major chords and 3 minor chords. You can play songs using these chords without having to worry about sharps and flats. The three major chords are C, G, and F. The three minor chords are A minor, D minor, and E minor. These chords are a good place to start if you're new to piano. Read the next part of the notation to build the chord. Following the root note and whether the chord is major or minor, the name of the chord will list other information you'll need to play the chord on the piano. Different types of chords are built in different ways. To understand this from the name of the chord, you'll need to learn a little vocabulary. For example, if you see "Caug" on a chord chart, you need to play an augmented C chord. When you augment a chord, you take the major chord and raise the last note a half step. Since a C Major chord would be C-E-G, and a "Caug" chord would be C-E-G sharp. A diminished chord is created in nearly the opposite way, by lowering the middle and last notes a half step. For example, if you saw the name "Cdim" on a chord chart, you would play C-E flat-G flat. You can also think of Cdim as a minor C chord with the fifth lowered by half a step. Memorize common chords. Check the chord charts for some of your favorite songs to see what chords show up the most often. Write them down and memorize the notes that you play. Whenever you see that notation, you'll know what chord to play without having to get bogged down in music theory. Search online for fingering charts that will show you where to place your fingers for certain chords. You can identify "chord shapes" that will remain the same no matter what the root note. You must place your first finger on the key that corresponds to the root note. Identify whole and half steps. If you look at the keyboard on a piano, you'll see white keys with black keys between them. Black keys are grouped in pairs and in groups of 3 with a space between. The pattern repeats up and down the entire keyboard. The distance between a white key and the black key right next to it is a half step. The distance between 2 white keys that have a black key between them is a whole step. Practice making whole and half steps up and down the keyboard to get a hands-on understanding of how they work and how the notes relate to one another. Play the scale for different keys. The scale for a key starts at the root note for that key. All scales follow the "whole-whole-half whole-whole-whole-half" pattern. Once you find the root note, you can play the entire scale by following that pattern. You can find the scales on your own without worrying about any sheet music. Start with C and play each white key until you get to the next C on the keyboard. You've just played the C Major scale, which uses only white keys. Move over to the D and follow the same "whole-whole-half whole-whole-whole-half" step pattern to find the D Major scale. By following the same pattern one key over, you now have to use 2 black keys – F sharp and C sharp. You can follow this pattern from any key on the piano to get the scale for that note. Once your fingers get used to playing the pattern, you may find that you can play a scale without even looking at the keys. Look for chords within the scale. Once you know the scale, you can find all the major chords by stacking notes in relation to the root note. Form a chord by playing 3 or 4 notes of the scale, starting with the root note. The major chord is the main chord formed by the first, third, and fifth notes in the root note's scale. For example, since the first 5 notes of the C scale are C-D-E-F-G, the C Major chord is C-E-G. To make a minor chord, the third note is lowered by a half-step. For example, C minor would be C-E flat-G. If you play the major chord followed by the minor chord for the same root note, you can hear the difference between the 2 types of chords. Compare chord names to notes of the scale. Once you know the scale, you can figure out how to play the chord by looking at the name of the chord. The chord name tells you how that particular chord differs from the major chord. For example, with a seventh chord, you play 4 notes instead of 3; the fourth being the seventh note in the scale lowered a half-step. So if you see "C7," you know to play C-E-G-B flat. Find the key signature. The symbols at the beginning of the staff lines on a piece of sheet music show you how to play the song. Following the clef symbol to identify the treble or bass clef, you'll see the key signature and time signature. The key signature indicates the key in which the song is played. If it's a key signature other than C major, it will contain sharps or flats somewhere. Those sharps or flats are noted at the beginning of the piece of music. The key signature means that every time you play that note throughout the piece, you'll play the sharp or flat indicated rather than the non-accidental note. For example, the G Major scale includes an F sharp, so for the G Major key signature you'd see a sharp sign (#) over the staff line that represents the F note. Build a major chord. A major chord is the simplest type of chord you can play. It's a 3-note chord made up of the first, third, and fifth notes on the scale of the root note. Other chords involve making a change to the major chord. You can start with a C major chord, since it's perhaps the easiest. Find the C key on your piano, then skip a white key and place another finger on the third key. Skip another white key and place a third finger on the fifth key. Play these 3 notes at the same time and you have a C Major chord. Applying the same theory, keep your hand in the same position but slide over one key to the D key on the piano. Notice where your fingers now fall. They should be positioned over the D, the F sharp, and the A. If you play these 3 notes together, you're playing a D Major chord. Build a minor chord. A minor chord is played the same as a major chord, except that instead of playing the middle note, or third note of the scale, you play the key to its immediate left, or one half-step lower. All minor chords are built the same way. For example, for a C Major chord, you would play C, E, G, but for C minor you would play C, E-flat, G. You can follow this theory to form all the minor chords the same way you formed all the major chords. Apply chord theory to seventh chords. Seventh chords get their name from the fact that you're playing 4 notes in the chord, with the fourth note being the seventh note in the root note's scale. For the major seventh chord, you simply play the first, third, fifth, and seventh notes of the major scale. For C Major Seventh, for example, notated as "CM7" or "Cmaj7," you would play C-E-G-B. For any seventh chord that isn't a major seventh, you want to lower the seventh note a half-step. For example, C7 would be C-E-G-B flat. C minor 7, abbreviated "Cm7," is a C-minor chord plus the lowered seventh note: C-E flat-G-B flat. Move on to suspended chords. A suspended chord has an unfinished sound, because you replace the third note of the major scale with the fourth note. To remember this, think of suspending your finger over the third note and dropping it further over on the fourth. Ultimately, you're playing a regular major chord, except instead of playing the first, third, and fifth notes of the scale, you're playing the first, fourth , and fifth notes. Suspended chords may be represented on chord charts with the abbreviation "sus" (short for "suspended") or with the number 4 following the root note (to indicate you play the major chord with the fourth note instead of the third). Use chord theory to make sense of more complex chords. Once you understand the theory behind the different chords and how they relate to the major chords, you can combine different variations to create more complex chords. For example, you can create a suspended seventh chord by combining a suspended chord with a seventh chord. Play the fourth note of the major scale instead of the third, and then play the lowered seventh note. All 4 notes played together will be a suspended seventh chord. While these complex chords are used rarely in popular music, if you understand chord theory you'll have no problem playing them when you see them on chord charts or in sheet music.	Find the chord chart. Identify the root note of a chord. Hear the difference between major and minor chords. Find sharps and flats. Start with simple chords. Read the next part of the notation to build the chord. Memorize common chords. Identify whole and half steps. Play the scale for different keys. Look for chords within the scale. Compare chord names to notes of the scale. Find the key signature. Build a major chord. Build a minor chord. Apply chord theory to seventh chords. Move on to suspended chords. Use chord theory to make sense of more complex chords.
https://www.wikihow.com/Blanch-Asparagus	How to Blanch Asparagus	To blanch asparagus, put it into a pot of boiling water and let it cook for 2-4 minutes, depending on how big it is. Once the asparagus is done boiling, transfer it to a bowl of ice water and let it cool. Then, pat the asparagus dry with a paper towel and you're done!	Wash your asparagus in cool water to remove superficial dirt. Before you blanch your asparagus, make sure it is clean. Hold the stalks underneath cool water from your sink for 10-30 seconds. Trim the ends off of your asparagus. To easily chop off the ends, place the asparagus on a cutting board so all of their ends are aligned. Then, use a large, sharp knife to slice off the bottom fourth of the asparagus stems. Remove the white, thick end from the green, slim stalk. Make 1 chop across all of your ends to easily remove it. The ends are less flavorful and chewier, making them undesirable to eat. Bring a large pot of water to a boil using a high heat setting. To blanch your asparagus, fill a large pot about halfway full with water from your sink. Then, place the pot on your stovetop and select a high heat setting. Your water should come to a boil in about 5 minutes. Add salt to your water if you want to enhance the flavor. Sprinkle your salt into the water as soon as you turn on the heat. Use about 2 tablespoons (29.6 grams) per 6 cups (1,400 millilitres) of water. While adding salt is optional, it helps season the asparagus and help it retain nutrients. Put your asparagus in the water once it starts to boil. After you see bubbles brewing from your pot, place your clean, trimmed asparagus into the water using your hands. Then, use a slotted spoon or pair of tongs to submerge the asparagus completely in the water. As you do this, be careful not to burn yourself on the hot pot or from the steam. Let the asparagus cook for 2-4 minutes. Your asparagus will be fully cooked in roughly 3 minutes. As they cook, keep an eye on the color of the asparagus. Your asparagus is ready when the stalks are bright green. Prepare an ice bath as the asparagus is cooking. After you place the asparagus in boiling water, grab a large bowl and fill it with ice. Then, cover the ice in cold water from your sink. Place the bowl next to the stovetop so you can easily transfer the asparagus. Transfer the asparagus to an ice bath immediately after it cooks. After about 3 minutes or so, grab your tongs and pinch your asparagus with them. Ensure the asparagus is a bright green color before you take it out of the boiling water. As soon as you lift the asparagus out of the water, drop it into your bowl of ice water. Soak the asparagus for about 1-3 minutes until it is cooled down completely. If you overcook your asparagus, it will get soggy and turn a shade of dark green. The cold water stops the cooking process and softens your asparagus. Set the asparagus on a clean towel after about 3 minutes. After the asparagus cools down, remove it from the ice water and place it on a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Pat the stalks dry to remove the excess water. Eat your blanched asparagus plain if you want a healthy snack or side. After your asparagus is dry, you can simply grab a fork and dig in! Sprinkle a little salt and pepper on top if you'd like some extra flavor. For example, you can serve your plain asparagus with a veggie tray for a yummy appetizer. Add fresh carrots, celery, broccoli, and cauliflower for a full spread. Don't forget the veggie dip! Chop up your asparagus if you want to put it in a salad. Take your sharp knife, and chop your asparagus into bite-sized pieces. Then, toss the bits with chopped romaine and/or spinach. Add toppings like dried cranberries and goat cheese for a yummy, healthy dish. You can add asparagus to any salad you'd like! Cover your asparagus with balsamic vinegar if you want a tasty sauce. To do this, place your asparagus on a serving platter or onto individual serving plates. Whisk up 3 tablespoons (44.4 millilitres) of balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons (29.6 grams) minced of red onion, 2 tablespoons (29.6 millilitres) of olive oil, 1 clove of minced garlic, and a sprinkling of black pepper. Then, pour the mixture over top of your asparagus. This makes a delicious side dish or appetizer. This mixture is great for 4 servings of asparagus. To serve your asparagus warm, throw the mixture into a medium-sized skillet and heat it up for 2-3 minutes. Serve the asparagus with olive oil and Parmesan for a yummy topping. Put your asparagus into a bowl, and mix in 2 tablespoons (29.6 millilitres) of olive oil, 2 tablespoons (29.6 grams) of grated Parmesan cheese, and 1 teaspoon (4.9 grams) of lemon zest. Sprinkle in salt and pepper to taste, if you'd like. Mix the ingredients all together thoroughly, then serve it in a platter or individual plates. If you'd like to serve your asparagus warm, you can skip the ice bath and mix the ingredients while the asparagus is still hot. Refrigerate your blanched asparagus for up to 3-5 days. For best results, refrigerate your asparagus within 2 hours of blanching it. Wrap the asparagus securely in plastic wrap, and place it in an airtight container, such as Tupperware. Secure the lid, and place the container inside your fridge. Eat or freeze your asparagus within about 3 days. Freeze your asparagus if you want to store it long-term. Line your baking tray with parchment paper, and spread the asparagus stalks across the tray. Place the tray in your freezer for 1-3 hours until the asparagus is completely frozen. Then, take the tray out of the freezer. Pack the freezer bag full of your frozen asparagus. Then, squeeze out as much air as you can. Place the bag in your freezer, and store your asparagus for 8-12 months. When you line the tray, leave a bit of room in between the stalks. Alternatively, place your frozen asparagus in a freezer-safe container, like a Tupperware bin. You can use a marker to label the bag or container with the date you froze it, if you'd like. To cook with frozen asparagus, remove the stalks as needed.	Wash your asparagus in cool water to remove superficial dirt. Trim the ends off of your asparagus. Bring a large pot of water to a boil using a high heat setting. Add salt to your water if you want to enhance the flavor. Put your asparagus in the water once it starts to boil. Let the asparagus cook for 2-4 minutes. Prepare an ice bath as the asparagus is cooking. Transfer the asparagus to an ice bath immediately after it cooks. Set the asparagus on a clean towel after about 3 minutes. Eat your blanched asparagus plain if you want a healthy snack or side. Chop up your asparagus if you want to put it in a salad. Cover your asparagus with balsamic vinegar if you want a tasty sauce. Serve the asparagus with olive oil and Parmesan for a yummy topping. Refrigerate your blanched asparagus for up to 3-5 days. Freeze your asparagus if you want to store it long-term.
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-the-Area-of-Regular-Polygons	How to Find the Area of Regular Polygons	To find the area of regular polygons, use the formula: area = (ap)/2 , where a is the apothem and p is the perimeter. To find the apothem, divide the length of one side by 2 times the tangent of 180 degrees divided by the number of sides. To find the perimeter, multiply the length of one side by the total number of sides. Once you've found the apothem and the perimeter, plug them into the formula for area and solve.	Calculate the perimeter. The perimeter is the combined length of the outline of any two-dimensional figure. For a regular polygon, it can be calculated by multiplying the length of one side by the number of sides ( n ). Determine the apothem. The apothem of a regular polygon is the shortest distance from the center point to one of the sides, creating a right angle. This is a little trickier to calculate than the perimeter. The formula for calculating the length of the apothem is this: the length of the side ( s ) divided by 2 times the tangent (tan) of 180 degrees divided by the number of sides ( n ). Know the correct formula. The area of any regular polygon is given by the formula: Area = ( a x p )/2 , where a is the length of the apothem and p is the perimeter of the polygon. Plug the values of a and p in the formula and get the area. As an example, let's use a hexagon (6 sides) with a side ( s ) length of 10. The perimeter is 6 x 10 ( n x s ), equal to 60 (so p = 60). The apothem is calculated by its own formula, by plugging in 6 and 10 for n and s. The result of 2tan(180/6) is 1.1547, and then 10 divided by 1.1547 is equal to 8.66. The area of the polygon is Area = a x p / 2, or 8.66 multiplied by 60 divided by 2. The solution is an area of 259.8 units. Note as well, there are no parenthesis in the "Area" equation, so 8.66 divided by 2 multiplied by 60, will give you the same result, just as 60 divided by 2 multiplied by 8.66 will give you the same result. Understand that a regular polygon can be thought of as a collection of triangles. Each side represents the base of a triangle, and there are as many triangles in the polygon as there are sides. Each of the triangles are equal in base length, height, and area. Remember the formula for the area of a triangle. The area of any triangle is 1/2 times the length of the base (which, in the polygon, is the length of a side) multiplied by the height (which is the same as the apothem in regular polygon). See the similarities. Again, the formula for a regular polygon is 1/2 times the apothem multiplied by the perimeter. The perimeter is just the length of one side multiplied the by the number of sides ( n ); for a regular polygon, n also represents the number of triangles that make up the figure. The formula, then, is nothing more than the area of a triangle multiplied by the number of triangles in the polygon.	Calculate the perimeter. Determine the apothem. Know the correct formula. Plug the values of a and p in the formula and get the area. Understand that a regular polygon can be thought of as a collection of triangles. Remember the formula for the area of a triangle. See the similarities.
https://www.wikihow.com/Plant-Hydrangeas	How to Plant Hydrangeas	Before you plant hydrangeas, find an area in your yard that gets a mix of sun and shade and that has rich, porous soil. You'll also want to leave enough space for the bushes since they can grow to 4 feet by 4 feet. In the spring, dig a hole as deep as the root ball and 2-3 times as wide, and, once the bush is in place, fill the hole halfway with soil. After you water the hole and allow it to drain for 15 minutes, fill the rest of the hole with soil.	Check your species' hardiness zone. One of the most popular hydrangea species, Hydrangea macrophylla , does best in hardiness zones 6–9, with minimum winter temperatures of -10 to +25ºF (-23 to -7ºC). A few species can tolerate zone 4 conditions (-30ºF/-34ºC), including H. arborescens and H. paniculata. Know the safest times to plant. Hydrangeas may suffer when planted in hot temperatures or frost. Container-grown hydrangeas are best planted in the garden during spring or fall. Bare root hydrangeas without soil should be planted in early to mid-spring so they have time to adapt to their new location. Choose a place in your yard that gets a mixture of sun and shade. Ideally, the hydrangea should get several hours of sun each day, but be protected from the hottest afternoon sun by a wall or other barrier. If this is not possible in your yard, select a location with bright partial shade throughout the day. Allow enough space for it to grow substantially. Hydrangeas can grow to become 4' by 4' bushes (1.2m x 1.2m). Research your species and variety online if you want a more accurate idea of how large your hydrangeas will grow. Prepare rich, porous soil. Mix compost into your soil if it is low in nutrients. If your soil is dense or mostly clay, mix in pine bark or other mulch material in order to prevent water from forming pools around the plant. Loosen the roots. Roots can become tangled or clustered together, which makes it harder for them to grow out into the soil once they're planted. This can limit the amount of nutrients the plant absorbs. To loosen your roots, cut a few of the outside roots, then gently shake the roots apart. Once the inner roots are free, they will be able to spread out into the soil. Plant the hydrangeas in a spacious hole carefully. Dig a hole about as deep as the root ball or potting container, and two or three times as wide. Carefully lift the hydrangea and place it in the hole. Be careful not to scrape or break the roots while moving the plant. Fill the hole halfway with soil, a little at a time. Press the soil gently together as you fill the hole to remove air pockets and provide support to hold up the plant. Stop when the hold is approximately halfway filled. Water the hole, let drain, then fill the rest of the hole with soil. Water the half-filled hole thoroughly, then leave it to drain for at least 15 minutes or until there is no standing water. Fill in the rest of the hole in the same way you were filling it before, pressing down small portions of soil at a time. Stop when the roots are covered. Do not bury any more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the trunk or stem. Water the plant frequently for the first few days. Newly transplanted plants may not yet have roots functioning at full capacity, so it's important to water them well. Water once more when you're finished filling the hole, then water daily for the first few days after planting. Reduce the watering but keep the soil damp. Once the hydrangea is established in its new location, water whenever the soil is about to dry out. Make sure that you give it a deep watering each time, not just a sprinkling of water. The soil should be kept somewhat moist, but not soggy. Hydrangeas do not usually require additional care, and often grow or bloom without difficulty. If your hydrangeas wilt or dry out, construct a shade to block the sun during the afternoon. You can also try using mulch. If the winter forecast predicts unusually cold or prolonged frost, or if you are planting in a lower than recommended hardiness zone (see above), you may need to provide winter protection for your hydrangeas. Check whether your species and variety produces different colors. Some varieties of hydrangea can bloom pink or blue depending on the soil's aluminum content and acidity. Most cultivated hydrangeas of this type belong to the species Hydrangea macrophylla , but some members of this species only produce white blooms, or favor the pink or blue side too heavily for easy adjustment. Ask the previous owner of the hydrangeas to identify your hydrangea variety if you are not aware of its name. The varieties named Enziandom, Kasteln, Merritt's Supreme, Red Star, and Rose Supreme all have the ability to be grown as pink or blue blossoms, although they vary in intensity. Test soil pH. Most garden supply stores sell a pH test kit for measuring the pH, or acidity, of your soil. Because acidity affects the hydrangea's ability to take in aluminum, which in turn affects the flower color, you can get a rough prediction of the flower color by measuring the soil pH. As a rule of thumb, a soil pH below 5.5 will likely result in blue flowers, and a soil pH of 7 and up will likely result in pink or red flowers. The effects of soil pH levels between 5.5 and 7 are difficult to predict. They may result in blue, pink, or purple flowers , or in a blotched blue and pink pattern. Turn blooms blue. To encourage a blue color during the growing season, mix 1 tbsp (15 mL) aluminum sulfate into a gallon of water. This both adds aluminum to the soil and increases the acidity (lowering pH), making it easier for the plant to use the aluminum. Once every 10–14 days, Apply as much of this water as you would in a normal watering. Continue to measure the pH of the soil, and stop applying once it drops below 5.5 pH. Alternatively, you can also create blue blossoms by applying a fertilizer that is low in phosphorus and high in potassium. Look for a 25/5/30 fertilizer blend. You'll also want to avoid superphosphates and bone meal. Encourage pink blooms. If the hydrangea is already blue, it is hard to make it pink due to the existing presence of aluminum causing a blue color. However, you can take precautions in advance to encourage pink blooms, or you can grow your plants in a pot. Avoid planting near driveways or walls, as some concrete mixes or mortars can leach aluminum into the soil. Apply a fertilizer that contains no aluminum, but high levels of phosphorus, which inhibits aluminum uptake. Look for a fertilizer that contains a 25-10-10 blend. Consider raising the pH by adding wood ash or crushed limestone to the soil, as this also makes aluminum uptake difficult. Avoid raising the pH higher than 6.4, or the plant may develop health problems.	Check your species' hardiness zone. Know the safest times to plant. Choose a place in your yard that gets a mixture of sun and shade. Allow enough space for it to grow substantially. Prepare rich, porous soil. Loosen the roots. Plant the hydrangeas in a spacious hole carefully. Fill the hole halfway with soil, a little at a time. Water the hole, let drain, then fill the rest of the hole with soil. Water the plant frequently for the first few days. Reduce the watering but keep the soil damp. Check whether your species and variety produces different colors. Test soil pH. Turn blooms blue. Encourage pink blooms.
https://www.wikihow.com/Transfer-Images-from-Computer-to-Mobile-Phone	How to Transfer Images from Computer to Mobile Phone	To transfer an image from your computer to your Android phone, start by connecting your phone to your computer with a USB cable. Then, open File Explorer and click on your Pictures folder or wherever your images are stored. Once you've selected the pictures you want to copy, click “Copy to” in the toolbar and select your phone from the pop-up menu. Choose the folder you want to copy your images to, and click “Copy.” Alternatively, upload your photos to a cloud storage service, like Google Photos. Then, open the app on your phone, navigate to “Settings” and make sure “Backup and Sync” is checked to sync your photos to your phone.	Connect your iPhone to your computer. Use the iPhone's charging cable to connect it to one of your computer's USB ports. If you're on a Mac that doesn't have a USB port, you will need to purchase a USB-C to USB-3.0 adapter. Open iTunes. If iTunes doesn't open automatically, double-click the iTunes program icon to open it. iTunes resembles a multicolored musical note on a white background. Click the iPhone icon. This iPhone-shaped icon is at the top of the iTunes window. Doing so opens the iPhone's page. Click Photos. This tab is in the left-hand sidebar below the "Settings" heading. Check the "Sync Photos" box. It's at the top of the Sync Photos page. Doing so will allow you to add photos from your computer to your iPhone. Click the "Copy photos from:" drop-down box. You'll find this option near the top of the Sync Photos page. Clicking it prompts a drop-down menu. Click Choose folder…. It's at the top of the drop-down menu. Select a folder. Click the folder from which you want to upload photos, then click Select Folder. Select subfolders if necessary. If the picture folder you selected has one or more folders in it that you don't want photos from, check the "Selected folders" radio button and then check each folder you want to use to upload photos. Determine whether or not you want to include videos. Check the "Include videos" box in the middle of the page to upload videos in your selected folder, or leave the box unchecked to upload only pictures. Click Apply. Your selected photos will begin uploading to your iPhone. Once the photos finish uploading, they will appear on your iPhone. Connect your phone to your computer. Attach one end of the charger cable to your Android and the other to your computer's USB port. This method will only work with an Android phone, since iPhones require iTunes to transfer photos over a USB cable. Tap Media device (MTP) on your Android's screen if prompted. Open Start . Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen. Open File Explorer . Click the folder-shaped icon in the lower-left side of the Start window. Click your pictures' folder. This will normally be the Pictures folder in the left-hand sidebar, but if you're transferring images from a different location, click that folder in the sidebar instead. Select pictures to move. Click and drag your mouse across a group of pictures you want to select, or hold down Ctrl and click each picture you want to select individually. Click Home. This tab is in the upper-left corner of the window. A toolbar will appear below the Home tab area. Click Copy to. It's a folder-shaped icon in the "Organize" section of the toolbar. Doing so prompts a drop-down menu. Click Choose location…. This option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu. A pop-up window will appear. Click your Android's name. You'll find it in the middle of the window, though you may have to scroll down first. Click the DCIM folder. It's below the Android's name. Doing so expands the DCIM folder to show its contents. Click the Camera folder. This is below the DCIM folder. Click it selects the Camera folder as the copied images' destination. Click Copy. It's a button in the bottom-right corner of the pop-up window. Doing so will begin transferring the selected photos to your Android's internal storage; once there, they will be viewable from your Android's Photos app. Connect your Android to your Mac. Use the Android's charging cable to connect your Android to one of your computer's USB ports. If your Mac doesn't have a USB port, you will need to purchase a USB-C to USB-3.0 adapter. If your Android prompts you to select a connection type, tap Media device (MTP) on its screen before continuing. Download and install Android File Transfer. To do so: Go to http://www.android.com/filetransfer/ Click DOWNLOAD NOW Install Android File Transfer Open the Finder. This blue-faced icon is in your Mac's Dock. Select your pictures' location. Click the pictures' folder in the left-hand column of folders. This will open the folder in the Finder window. Select pictures to transfer. Click and drag your mouse across a group of pictures you want to select, or hold down ⌘ Command and click each picture you want to select individually. Copy the pictures. Click the Edit menu item, then click Copy in the resulting drop-down menu. Open Android File Transfer. If Android File Transfer doesn't automatically open, click the Launchpad spaceship icon, then click the Android File Transfer icon, which resembles a green Android mascot. You can also click Spotlight {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/e\/ea\/Macspotlight.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ea\/Macspotlight.png\/30px-Macspotlight.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":"30","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of a Mac icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} in the top-right corner of the screen, type in android file transfer , and then click the Android File Transfer icon. Double-click the Internal storage or SD card folder. Depending on where you want to store your photos, this step will vary. Double-click the DCIM folder. This will open to another folder. Double-click the Camera folder. It's where your Android's photos are stored. Paste the pictures into this folder. Click anywhere in the folder, then click Edit and click Paste Items in the drop-down menu. Your copied photos will begin transferring over to your Android. Once they finish doing so, you'll be able to view them in your Android's Photos app. Open the iCloud site. Go to https://www.icloud.com/ on your computer. Log into iCloud. Enter your Apple ID and password that you use for your iPhone, then click →. This will log you into your iCloud account. If you're already logged in, skip this step. Click Photos. It's a multicolored pinwheel icon on a white background. Doing so will open your iCloud Photos app. Click the "Upload" button. This icon resembles a cloud with an upward-facing arrow. Clicking it prompts a File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) window to open. Click the photos' storage folder. Click the folder in which your photos are stored. You'll find a list of folders on the left side of the window, so look for the pertinent folder there. Select photos to upload. Click and drag your mouse across a group of pictures you want to select, or hold down Ctrl (Windows) or ⌘ Command (Mac) and click each picture you want to select individually. Click Open. It's in the bottom-right corner of the window. Doing so will prompt your photos to begin uploading to iCloud. Wait for your photos to finish uploading. This will take some time depending on how many photos you're uploading. Once the upload is complete, your photos should be accessible on your iPhone. In order for the photos to show up on your iPhone, you must have iCloud Photo Library enabled on your iPhone. Open the Google Photos website on a computer. Go to https://photos.google.com/. This will open a page with your Android's photos if they are backed up. You may first have to sign into your Google account with your email address and password if this is your first time opening Google Photos. Click UPLOAD. This blue button is in the top-right side of the page. Clicking it prompts a File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) window to open. Click your photos' location. Click a folder with photos in it on the left side of the File Explorer or Finder window. Select photos to upload. Click and drag your mouse across a group of pictures you want to select, or hold down Ctrl (Windows) or ⌘ Command (Mac) and click each picture you want to select individually. Click Open. It's in the bottom-right corner of the window. Select an upload quality. Check one of the following options: High quality - Uploads the photo(s) in high quality resolution at a reduced file size. This does not count against your Google Drive storage limit. Original - Uploads the photo(s) in the original resolution, which may be higher than the "High quality" option. This counts against your Google Drive storage limit. Click CONTINUE. This option is in the bottom-right corner of the quality window. Doing so will prompt the photo(s) to begin uploading to your Google Photos account. Open Google Photos on your Android. This app resembles a red, yellow, green, and blue four-point star. If you aren't signed into Google Photos, you'll first enter your email address and password when prompted. Tap ☰. It's in the top-left corner of the screen. A pop-out menu will appear. Tap Settings. It's near the bottom of the pop-out menu. Tap Back up & sync. This is near the top of the Settings menu. Make sure the switch is set to "On" . If it isn't, tap the switch to turn on backup for your photos. This will enable synchronization between your Google Photos account and the Google Photos app, which will put the photo(s) you just uploaded to Google Photos on your Android. Download the Xender app to your phone. Xender is available on different app markets like Google Play Store, Apple App Store, Huawei AppGallery, and Apkpure. On the Xender app, tap on the Connect to PC shortcut at the top right corner of the screen. On the top right corner, there is a laptop icon and a plus icon. The laptop icon is the shortcut to the Connect to PC feature. You can also tap on the plus icon and a list will show up. You can also tap on Connect to PC there. Accept the permissions the Xender app requests like access to storage and location. On Android, apps need permission to access files on the device. Location information is important in detecting the Wi-Fi hotspot your device is connected to. Connect your devices at the same Wi-Fi hotspot. If there is a Wi-Fi hotspot already available, just connect your phone and computer to that Wi-Fi hotspot. You can also use your phone or computer to create a Wi-Fi hotspot. If you cannot create a Wi-Fi link between your devices, you can still transfer files over the internet however this will be slower so using Google Photos or other cloud services is a much better option. Open your web browser and visit the IP address as shown on the Xender app. The IP address shown in the app is the IP address of your phone on the Wi-Fi hotspot. The app automatically finds it for you and you just need to type the address in your browser to connect your browser to your phone. You can also go to web.xender.com and connect your phone using QR code by swiping up the web mode at the bottom of the app and tapping the scan button to scan the QR code. On your computer, click on the Image/Photos icon and you will see an interface where you can download your images directly using Wi-Fi and without the need of a cable or internet. You can also tap specific images on the phone screen and swipe up to automatically download them to your computer.	Connect your iPhone to your computer. Open iTunes. Click the iPhone icon. Click Photos. Check the "Sync Photos" box. Click the "Copy photos from:" drop-down box. Click Choose folder…. Select a folder. Select subfolders if necessary. Determine whether or not you want to include videos. Click Apply. Connect your phone to your computer. Open Start . Open File Explorer . Click your pictures' folder. Select pictures to move. Click Home. Click Copy to. Click Choose location…. Click your Android's name. Click the DCIM folder. Click the Camera folder. Click Copy. Connect your Android to your Mac. Download and install Android File Transfer. Open the Finder. Select your pictures' location. Select pictures to transfer. Copy the pictures. Open Android File Transfer. Double-click the Internal storage or SD card folder. Double-click the DCIM folder. Double-click the Camera folder. Paste the pictures into this folder. Open the iCloud site. Log into iCloud. Click Photos. Click the "Upload" button. Click the photos' storage folder. Select photos to upload. Click Open. Wait for your photos to finish uploading. Open the Google Photos website on a computer. Click UPLOAD. Click your photos' location. Select photos to upload. Click Open. Select an upload quality. Click CONTINUE. Open Google Photos on your Android. Tap ☰. Tap Settings. Tap Back up & sync. Make sure the switch is set to "On" . Download the Xender app to your phone. On the Xender app, tap on the Connect to PC shortcut at the top right corner of the screen. Accept the permissions the Xender app requests like access to storage and location. Connect your devices at the same Wi-Fi hotspot. Open your web browser and visit the IP address as shown on the Xender app. On your computer, click on the Image/Photos icon and you will see an interface where you can download your images directly using Wi-Fi and without the need of a cable or internet.
https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-for-a-Best-Buy-Credit-Card	How to Apply for a Best Buy Credit Card	A Best Buy credit card allows you to save money through store discounts. To get one, you'll need to be 18 years of age, have a Social Security number, and a form of photo ID. Apply on the Best Buy website or in your local store. In addition to your personal details, you'll need to provide financial information like your annual income and monthly mortgage or rent payments. If you're eligible, you can choose between the Best Buy credit card or the Visa card, which offers additional rewards on other everyday purchases outside of Best Buy. You'll receive your new card in the mail within 7 to 14 days.	Meet the minimum qualifications. Before you apply for a Best Buy credit card, you should know in advance that you need to be at least 18 years of age in the United States (at least 21 years of age in Puerto Rico). You must also have a Social Security Number and a driver's license or government-issued photo ID. You must also have at least a 128-bit security encrypted enabled browser and a printer or storage drive to view and keep a copy of the Best Buy terms and conditions, disclosures, and privacy notice. If you do not have access to a printer or storage device, you can request a hard copy of the disclosures and privacy policy by writing to Credit Program, P.O. Box 6403 Sioux Falls, SD 57117-6403. Please note that meeting these minimum qualifications does not guarantee that your application will be approved. It simply means that you are able to move forward and begin the application process. Create a BestBuy.com account. The first step to applying for a store credit card is to go to BestBuy.com and create a Best Buy account. If you've already created a BestBuy.com account, you can simply sign in through the store's website. If this is your first time creating an account, you'll need to include personal information to create the account and determine your eligibility, including: first and last name email address phone number the password of your choosing My Best Buy member ID (if you already have one) Complete the application. Once you've created an account through the Best Buy website, you can proceed to the application. You will be redirected to the form through Citigroup Inc., or you can navigate to the application by going to BestBuy.com, clicking the "credit cards" tab at the top of the page, and selecting "apply now." The form will ask you for personal, financial, and security information, including: your email address your full name your home address (no P.O. boxes permitted) your phone number your annual income your monthly mortgage or rent payments your date of birth your social security number your driver's license or government-issued photo ID number the expiration date of your photo ID Choose your type of card. Once you've completed the application, you will either be approved or denied. If you are approved, then you will be asked to choose which type of card you want: the My Best Buy credit card (store card), or the My Best Buy Visa card. Both cards offer the same in-store rewards and promotional financing offers. The Best Buy Visa Card offers additional rewards on other everyday purchases outside of Best Buy. Agree to interest rates and fees. Once you've finalized your application and chosen your desired card, you'll need to agree to the Best Buy interest rates, charges, and fees. The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) on purchases will vary somewhat depending on the current market rate, but will generally be around 25.49%. Interest charges are a minimum of $2, though they may be much higher. Interest is applied whenever payments are overdue. The due date for payments is at least 25 days after each billing cycle ends. Late fees and fees for returned payments can be up to $37. Await your new card. If your application is approved, your card will be sent through the mail. It should arrive within 7 to 14 days of your application's approval. Approval online is fairly quick. You should know within a minute whether or not you've been approved. Find a Best Buy near you. If you want to apply in-store but don't know where the nearest location is, you can find out online. Simply go to the Best Buy website and navigate your cursor to the upper right-hand corner of the web page. Click on the Store Locator tab and enter your ZIP code or city and state to find locations near you. Fill out an application. The in-store application will ask for the same information as the online application. You'll need to provide your name and address, contact information, and basic financial information for the store to determine whether you will qualify for a credit card. The in-store application may take a bit longer, as the store will have to cross-check your paper application with online credit reports and confirm your identity. Otherwise, the two applications will be essentially the same. It's mostly a matter of preference between applying online or in store. Choose your type of card. As part of the application, you'll be asked to choose which type of card you are interested in. Just as with the online application, both the My Best Buy credit card (store card) and the Best Buy Visa card offer the same in-store rewards. Receive your new card. If you are approved for a Best Buy credit card, it will be sent through the mail. Just like the online application process, a card offered after an in-store application will most likely arrive within seven to 14 days of the application's approval.	Meet the minimum qualifications. Create a BestBuy.com account. Complete the application. Choose your type of card. Agree to interest rates and fees. Await your new card. Find a Best Buy near you. Fill out an application. Choose your type of card. Receive your new card.
https://www.wikihow.com/Cure-Dry-Mouth	How to Cure Dry Mouth	To cure dry mouth, carry a water bottle around with you all day so you can sip on it and keep your mouth moistened. You can also try chewing or sucking on sugar-free gum and candy, which can trigger your mouth to produce more saliva. Additionally, try to avoid things that can make dry mouth worse, like foods that are acidic, spicy, or salty. Toast, crackers, and other dry foods can make dry mouth worse too, so try to cut back on how often you eat those as well.	Stay hydrated. Drinking fluids regularly is a vital way to keep your mouth moist. Carry a bottle of water with you and sip it throughout the day to keep your mouth moistened. Sugarless drinks can work as well, but avoid anything that contains sugar or caffeine. Try eating yogurt because it can create a protective layer over the mucosa that can fight dryness. If your mouth is driest after waking up, run a humidifier while you sleep. This keeps the air moist. You could also drink a glass of water or non-caffeinated tea before going to bed. Chew or suck sugarless candy. Chewing and sucking both stimulate saliva production. Use sugarless gum or candy, since people with dry mouth are at high risk of developing cavities. One clinical trial showed that green tea lozenges may be more effective than other hard lozenges. It's not certain which component of green tea causes this effect, so you may wish to try several brands. If you don't have either of these at home, try sucking on a piece of hard, uncooked pasta. Avoid certain foods. There are several types of foods that can cause pain or mouth infections if you have dry mouth. Reduce the following food types to a minimum, and only eat them with plenty of water: Acidic foods such as tomatoes or citrus juice. These are especially bad, as they promote tooth decay as well as causing pain. Some people also have an increased saliva flow when they taste or see lemons. Salty and spicy foods, which can cause pain. Toast, crackers, and other dry foods should only be eaten when moistened with sauce or soup. Sugar has a high risk of causing tooth decay. Minimize your intake, and don't brush teeth right away after eating sugary foods. The sugar carries on attacking your teeth for 40 mins-1 hour. If you brush your teeth immediately after eating any meal you are brushing away thin layers of the enamel, leading to highly sensitive teeth. This means when you drink freezing cold water or eat freezing cold food or if you eat sugary sweets, your teeth will hurt. Only brush teeth 40 mins to 1 hour after your meals. Try artificial saliva. There are many types of artificial saliva, including over-the-counter and prescription products. The extra moisture can make you more comfortable, but it will not treat the underlying problem, which has a vast origin. Ask a doctor first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Some people are allergic to the ingredients in some artificial saliva. Call an emergency medical number if you feel shortness of breath, swelling of your tongue, lips, or neck area, or itching. Ask for prescription medication. There are a variety of prescription-strength drugs that increase saliva production. If over the counter remedies don't work, make an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor will know which medicine is best for you based on your medical condition and other drugs you are taking. Check the side effects of your medication. Many medications can cause dry mouth, including drugs for pain management, depression or physical disorders in general, allergies, urinary incontinence, and high blood pressure. If you are on the medication long-term, ask a doctor about alternatives or a lower dosage. Your label may use the medical term for dry mouth: xerostomia. Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine. Try to go without these substances for a day or two and see if your symptoms improve. If you only have these occasionally, there is probably another cause for your symptoms. Still, lowering your intake may make your condition less severe. Follow these links to get advice on how to quit smoking , stop drinking , or stay away from caffeine. Treat dehydration. If you think you might be dehydrated , start drinking plenty of water or any other liquid even when you are not thirsty. Drink sports drinks as well to ensure you have enough electrolytes, which are vital for healthy fluid levels. If your dehydration is caused by vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss, severe burns, or excessive sweating, visit a doctor. Prevent snoring. If your dry mouth is worse when you wake up, it could be caused by snoring. A humidifier may help by keeping the air moist at night, but consider talking to a doctor to find the cause of the snoring. Keep in mind that only an otolaryngologist will be able to examine in detail any potential cause, so you may want to ask your doctor for a referral to a specialist. If you wake up feeling irritable or tired after a full night's rest, you may have sleep apnea. This is characterized by a long pause in your breathing, followed by a gasp or snore. Visit a doctor if you can't find the cause. If none of the lifestyle changes above improve your condition, visit a doctor. Dry mouth can be a symptom of a serious medical condition. If you have dry eyes as well, you may have Sjögren's Syndrome, a serious condition. Ask for medical tests to confirm this or find a different diagnosis. Let your doctor know if you are at risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, anemia, cystic fibrosis, arthritis, any head injury that might have caused nerve damage, or HIV/AIDS. Ask about gene therapy for serious conditions. Sjögren's Syndrome or radiation therapy for cancer in your head or neck can damage the cellular structure and functioning of the salivary glands. Scientists have managed to insert new genes into these glands, improving their function. This treatment needs more study and may not be widely available. Ask your doctor whether there are any clinical trials you can join, or other options that may improve the flow of saliva, such as medication. Take care of your teeth. Too little saliva makes your mouth vulnerable to tooth decay. Take the following steps to prevent more serious and painful oral problems: Floss and brush your teeth with recommended techniques , twice a day. Consider a daily rinse and spit with fluoride mouthwash. Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol, which can dry out the mouth. Be gentle when brushing your gums. Without saliva, the soft tissues of your mouth are at risk for pain and damage. Keep them moist and healthy: If brushing your teeth hurts, use a soft-bristled brush and replace toothpaste with 1 tsp (5 mL) salt stirred in 4 cups (1 L) water. Look for over-the-counter mouthwashes and moisturizing gels designed to treat dry mouth, such as glycerin. Ask your doctor or dentist for recommendations. Treat dry lips. Use moisturizing lip balm, preferably from a pot and not a waxy tube. Avoid balms that contain eucalyptus, menthol, camphor, phenol, or alcohol, as these may cause drying in the long run irritating the mucosa. Visit the dentist. A checkup every six months is recommended to keep your teeth clean and catch problems early. A dentist can also give you more advice on how to deal with your condition. Before any dental work begins, ask your dentist to make your experience more comfortable: Ask to have control over the suction device, so you only use it when you need it. Ask your dentist to spray a little water on your tongue during each rinse. Arrange a hand signal in advance, so you can let your dentist know when you need a hydration break. Treat pain around your ears. Damaged salivary glands can cause pain if mucus or small calculi (tiny rocks) blocks the area around them. Try massaging the area just below your earlobes, then over the top jawbone area. A warm pack may help as well. This could be a sign of a serious condition, such as Sjögren's Syndrome. Visit a doctor.	Stay hydrated. Chew or suck sugarless candy. Avoid certain foods. Try artificial saliva. Ask for prescription medication. Check the side effects of your medication. Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine. Treat dehydration. Prevent snoring. Visit a doctor if you can't find the cause. Ask about gene therapy for serious conditions. Take care of your teeth. Be gentle when brushing your gums. Treat dry lips. Visit the dentist. Treat pain around your ears.
https://www.wikihow.com/Report-Workplace-Bullying	How to Report Workplace Bullying	Workplace bullying is any pattern of behavior that involves intimidation, harassment, or humiliation. It can come from anyone at work, whether that's your supervisor or peers, and it's never okay. If you feel you're being bullied at work, check your company policy to see how to file a complaint. Likely, you'll need to fill out a form or contact your Human Resources department. Before you file the complaint, it's helpful to document the bullying, including any emails, voicemails, or face-to-face encounters. This way, you'll be able to relay important details like when and where the bullying occurred and who participated.	Identify physical intimidation. Bullying can be any abusive conduct that is threatening, humiliating, or intimidating. Though physical intimidation is an uncommon form of workplace bullying, it is usually illegal. If a coworker punches, slaps, or assaults you, then they have also committed a criminal act. Pay attention to verbal bullying. Verbal bullying may be harder to detect since most workplaces have some amount of occasional verbal conflict. Nevertheless you should try to recognize the different varieties of verbal bullying: Shouting or swearing at an employee when you do not shout at all employees Singling out an employee for unjustified criticism or blame Excluding an employee from company activities or ignoring their contribution to work projects Practical jokes that repeatedly target one person or a small group Identify early warning signs. You may be the victim of bullying without necessarily knowing it. There are some warning signs that you should be aware of. These warning signs include: You feel like vomiting the night before you start your work week. You use all of your paid time off for “mental health breaks.” You feel physically and emotional exhausted all of the time. You begin to believe that you have provoked the workplace cruelty. Your boss calls surprise meetings that serve no other purpose than to humiliate you. People at work have been told to stop working or socializing with you. Human Resources tells you the harassment isn't illegal but something for you and your tormentor to work out yourselves. Also, other coworkers and supervisors recognize the bullying but do nothing about it. You are accused of harassment yourself when you confront your tormentor. Understand why bullying is serious. Bullying can have harmful effects on its victims which can last for years. Victims experience stress and depression, financial problems from missed work, and sleep disorders. According to the Workplace Bullying Institute, workplace bullying is like domestic violence, except that it takes place at work. Workplace bullying also has negative consequences for organizations, which can suffer lost productivity, high employee turnover, and potential lawsuits or investigations. If you are a supervisor and you observe your employees bullying each other, then you will want to deal with the problem swiftly. Review company policies. Your company may have policies that spell out how you may lodge a complaint about bullying. Look in your company manuals or handbook or review your employment contract. If you can't find anything, then contact Human Resources and ask what the current policy is. Read your collective bargaining agreement. If you belong to a union, then your collective bargaining agreement should outline a grievance procedure. You should read the agreement and find the appropriate procedure to follow. You should also contact your union representative and fill them in on the details of the bullying. Document the bullying. Before reporting the bullying, you should try to document as best you can the offending behavior. If you have emails or voicemails, then preserve those. If the bullying happened face-to-face, then try to remember the important details: when and where the bullying occurred who participated in the bullying the substance of the bullying the names of any witnesses Report the bullying to the appropriate person. You should not hesitate to report bullying. Often bullies don't even realize how others perceive them; once their behavior is brought to their attention, many are willing to change. Accordingly, you should follow your company's procedures for reporting harassment or bullying. If your company has no policy, then you should nevertheless speak to your supervisor, unless the supervisor is the offender, in which case you should contact Human Resources. Understand federal anti-discrimination laws. If bullying is based on a person's race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, or disability, then it constitutes illegal discrimination. Age discrimination is also illegal if the person is over 40. The federal agency tasked with enforcing the federal anti-discrimination laws is the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). To read up on federal anti-discrimination law, visit the EEOC website at http://www.eeoc.gov. According to one estimate, about 20% of workplace bullying also involves illegal discrimination. Find state or local anti-discrimination laws. Your state or county may have anti-discrimination laws that are much broader than the federal laws. You should find all applicable laws by performing a web search. Type “your state” and “discrimination” or “anti-discrimination” into a search engine. If you can't find anything, then contact your state's Department of Labor and ask about state-specific anti-discrimination laws. Use the EEOC’s online assessment. The EEOC has created an online assessment tool that will tell you if the EEOC is the correct agency to contact. To use the tool, visit the EEOC website at https://egov.eeoc.gov/eas/. Locate the appropriate EEOC or similar state agency. Although the EEOC is the federal agency tasked with investigating claims of illegal discrimination, states may also create their own agencies. If you live in a state with its own agency, then you will have the option of contacting either the federal EEOC or your state agency. Frequently, state agencies provide workers greater rights, so it makes sense to go with your state agency if that is the case. To find the EEOC office nearest you, use the EEOC's locator at http://www.eeoc.gov/field/. Enter your zip code. Visit a field office to file a complaint. You cannot file a complaint (called a “charge”) online. You must either visit the field office or send a charge by writing. Depending on the office, you may have to schedule an appointment or you might be able to meet with someone by walking in. Call ahead of time to check if you need to schedule an appointment. File a charge through the mail. You must make sure that your letter contains sufficient information to allow the EEOC to investigate your charge. Make sure that the letter contains the following: your contact information (name, address, and telephone number) your employer's contact information (name, address, and telephone number) the number of employees employed at your worksite a short description of the events you believe were discriminatory when the events happened why you believe you were discriminated against (e.g., race, religion, etc.) your signature Speak to an attorney. The EEOC or a state agency will investigate your charge by contacting your employer. If you want to bring a subsequent lawsuit, then you will probably want an attorney. To find an experienced employment lawyer, visit your state's bar association, which should run a referral service. Employment law attorneys can charge hourly rates between $250 and $600. They may also be open to representing you on contingency. Under this arrangement, the attorney will only collect a fee if you win your case. The fee will be a percentage of your damages award (typically 35-40%). You would still be responsible for court costs, such as filing fees. If you want someone just to talk to, then you might want to see if a legal aid organization exists in your area. Legal aid organizations provide low cost or free legal services to those in financial need. To locate a legal aid organization, use the Legal Services Corporation's locator at http://www.lsc.gov/what-legal-aid/find-legal-aid.	Identify physical intimidation. Pay attention to verbal bullying. Identify early warning signs. Understand why bullying is serious. Review company policies. Read your collective bargaining agreement. Document the bullying. Report the bullying to the appropriate person. Understand federal anti-discrimination laws. Find state or local anti-discrimination laws. Use the EEOC’s online assessment. Locate the appropriate EEOC or similar state agency. Visit a field office to file a complaint. File a charge through the mail. Speak to an attorney.
https://www.wikihow.com/Improve-Your-Relationships	How to Improve Your Relationships	If you want to improve your relationship, try vocalizing your appreciation for your friends and family by reminding them that you care about them on a regular basis. Practice calmly expressing your feelings when you become frustrated or upset instead of raising your voice or being curt. You can also try doing nice things for the people around you as a token of your appreciation.	Ask the person questions. Asking questions will get the other person to open up and will make them feel like you're invested in them. If you can't think of anything to talk about, ask the person questions about anything from family and friends to what they ate for lunch or if how their job is going. You can say something like, “So I remember last month you were telling me you wanted to quit your job. How do you feel about it now?” You can follow up statements with questions like “Oh yeah? How does that make you feel” or “Nice. Was that fun for you?” Actively listen to the other person. Active listening entails understanding and being empathetic to what the other person has to say. Concentrate on what they are saying so that you can comprehend their true opinion. Do not focus on what you plan on saying next, instead, actually listen to what the person has to say. You can show that you're listening by nodding your head, mirroring the expressions on their face, and maintaining eye contact. One way to show that you're listening is by paraphrasing something they said. An example would be, “So what you're saying is that you think it's disrespectful when I'm not looking at you while talking to you. I totally get that. I'm sorry, it's a very bad habit.” Or you can say something like, “So what you mean is that Kendrick isn't pulling his weight on the project? That's not fair.” Be understanding and compassionate. Try to understand where the other person is coming from even if you don't agree with their opinion. Have empathy for how they feel and try to be understanding. If you disagree with something they did or said, talk to them and don't yell or berate them. You can say something like, “I totally get why you'd be upset after talking to you, and I understand why you yelled.” If someone told you something that was deeply personal or difficult, you might say something like, "I know this must have been hard for you to say. I really appreciate that you felt as though you could trust me." Vocalize your appreciation for the person. People often like to be complimented for achievements and feel underappreciated when things go unnoticed. Notice the positive things that the person is doing and go out of your way to show your appreciation for them. You can also show your appreciation by remembering important events like anniversaries or birthdays. You can say something like, “Hey I noticed that you got a new hat. It looks really good on you.” Or you can say something like, “Whoa, you totally blew that art project out of the water. Great job!” Do nice things for the person. Making the person breakfast, helping them with homework, or purchasing the person a gift is a great way to show your appreciation. In this way, gift-giving can help strengthen your bonds. Think of what the person enjoys and try to do something nice for them. Spend more time with the person. If you hardly see each other or talk to each other, it can be difficult to maintain a relationship. Take extra time out of your day and dedicate it to the person that you want to improve relations with. Try to work around the other person's schedule so that you can spend the time together. You can share a meal, watch a show, play a game, listen to music, or go shopping with them. Make sure to have a conversation while you spend time with them. Excuse yourself and walk away if you’re getting angry or upset. If you notice that you often get mad over the same topic, you can prepare for your emotions and manage them better. Think about topics that make you feel angry or uncomfortable and avoid them when interacting with the person. Perform coping mechanisms like breathing deeply or excusing yourself from the situation when you know you're going to get upset or mad. Turn off distractions. Distractions like a cell phone, social media, or video games can create a rift in between you and another person. If you notice that you aren't talking to one another because one or both of you are always distracted, you should turn off your cell phone or computer and talk to them. If they are the one that is always distracted, ask them if they can turn off their cell phone, computer, or game while you're spending time together. Seek therapy if you can’t get along. You can use therapy to fix or improve family relationships or relationships with your significant other. If you notice that you and the person are always arguing over the same kinds of things, and nothing has worked, you should consider seeking therapy with them. A certified counselor may be able to sort out your problems and can help solve long-term issues that keep reoccurring in the relationship. Family therapy may be able to restore bonds between family members. Go to bed at the same time. If you don't get to spend any alone time with your partner and you live together, try to go to bed at the same time. Even if your sleep schedules don't coincide, you can lay down with each other until one of you falls asleep. This will foster a closer connection between you. Plan time to be intimate. Couples who are intimate more often are usually happier. Intimacy can come in many forms, from cuddling on the couch to sexual relations. If you're both very busy, schedule at least one time per week to be close to one another. Keep things interesting. Falling into the same routine every week can make the relationship feel stale. Spontaneously do something romantic and plan days throughout the month for date nights. Encourage family members to share their feelings. Regardless of the age, a healthy family will encourage a healthy dialogue about their thoughts and feelings. Encourage open and honest dialogue about any issue so that you can work together to resolve them. Don't make it a habit of lying or hiding things from your family members because it can hurt the relationship. Take time to connect with your child if you’re the parent. Children need even more interaction and attention to keep them happy and keep the bond strong. Think of ways that you can interact with them on a higher level, like talking to them before they go to bed or reading a book together. You should also make an effort to go to things that they are participating in to support them. Schedule times that the entire family gets together. Sitting down together can improve family bonds and gives people the chance to spend time with people they may not be able to normally. Things like barbecues, sitting down for dinner, or watching a game or show together are all great ways to get everyone in the same room. Don’t pick favorites. Being unfair or showing preferential treatment to one family member over the other is an easy way for conflict to form. Avoid taking the side of one person too often and make sure to hear everyone out. Being supportive of all family members will help you build relationships with the different people in your family.	Ask the person questions. Actively listen to the other person. Be understanding and compassionate. Vocalize your appreciation for the person. Do nice things for the person. Spend more time with the person. Excuse yourself and walk away if you’re getting angry or upset. Turn off distractions. Seek therapy if you can’t get along. Go to bed at the same time. Plan time to be intimate. Keep things interesting. Encourage family members to share their feelings. Take time to connect with your child if you’re the parent. Schedule times that the entire family gets together. Don’t pick favorites.
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Ruler	How to Use a Ruler	To use a ruler, place the end of the ruler so the very first line, marked zero, is lined up with the end of your object. Look to the opposite end of the object you're measuring and find the last number on your ruler that is alongside the object. Then, count the number of fraction marks beyond the last whole number and add that to the whole number to get the length of the object. If you're measuring in inches, the fraction marks will be in eighths. If you're measuring with a metric ruler, the fractions will be tenths.	Understand what a ruler is. A ruler is a measuring stick marked with units for measuring along its edge. These can be made of plastic, cardboard, metal, or fabric. marked units for measuring length along its edge. These can be for either English (inches) or metric (millimeters or centimeters) units of measurement. In the U.S. and the UK, a student's rule is from 12 to 36 inches (30.48 to 91.44 cm), or from one to three feet long. Some typical fractions of inches used to make measurements more accurate are halves and quarters. Some typical fractions of centimeters are thin marks for every tenth of a centimeter (every one millimeter), and thick marks for every half centimeter (every five millimeters). Learn what a seamstress' tape is. This is a soft fabric tape, also marked with numbers representing inches or centimeters. This can be wrapped around a person's torso, to measure chest, waist, neck, and other sizes for sewing clothing. It may be used for measuring length, such as inseams and sleeves of garments. Using these to measure 3-dimensional objects that are curved is best. Know what a carpenters ruler is. These are about 6 feet (1.8288 meters) long in the U.S., and can be folded to fit into a tool pouch or pocket. Carpenters rulers used internationally are usually 2 meters long. These are also called "stick rules". They are often scaled in both metric units (mm, cm and m) and foot and inch measures.. Typically, the inch segments are made up of 8 inches, and fractions are marked to 1/16 inch. Find a tape measure and look at it. Also called measuring tapes, these are flexible metal or fiberglass tapes. These have a spring to rewind them into a case. They are also rolled on a spool in lengths of 100 meters (or 330 feet) and longer. Most measuring tapes have one side for U.S. Customary and one side for metric units, or both on the same side. Know what an architect's scale is. These are not actual lengths of measurement but will give distances to scale from a size ratio. These are "scale" rulers, with special marks representing a size ratio. For example "1 inch equals 1 foot" (1:12 ratio), "1 mm equals 1 cm" (1:10) or "1 cm equals 1 meter" (1:100). These are used for drawing precisely scaled blueprints and building plans. Learn how U.S. Customary units work. U.S. Customary units, sometimes called "Standard Units" in the U.S, are based on feet and inches. The inch is the basic unit in U.S. standard measurement. There are 12 inches in a foot. Most rulers are 12 inches long. Longer rulers, which are 3 feet long (or 36 inches long, equal to one yard) are called yardsticks. Most countries don't use this unit of measurement any longer, preferring the metric system. Find the inches unit on your ruler. These are larger lines next to large numbers on your ruler. The distance between one of these larger lines and the next is one inch. Most student rulers can measure up to 12 inches at a time. You will want to measure accurately, so you will have to know more than just where the inch markers are. Find the fraction of an inch markers. These delineate different fractions of an inch to help you measure as accurately as possible. The smallest lines in between inch markers on a ruler represent 1/16 of an inch. The next largest lines represent 1/8 of an inch. The next largest lines show 1/4 inches. The longest line between inch markers shows 1/2 an inch. You will want to measure as closely an accurately to a fraction of an inch to get a true measurement of an object. Understand what SI-units are. The International System of Units (SI) is sometimes called the metric system. These are the units of measurement used in the metric system. The base unit of measurement in the metric system is the meter. This is close in size, but not exactly, a yard, with one yard being 0.9144 meters. The main units of measurement in the metric system are millimeters and centimeters. There are 100 centimeters in a meter, or 1000 millimeters. Find the centimeter lines on a ruler. These are the lines that have a long line with a number beside it. Centimeters are smaller than inches. There are 2.54 centimeters per inch. The distance between two centimeter lines is one centimeter. Most standard rulers are either 20, 25 or 30 centimeters long. Meter sticks have 100 centimeters. The abbreviation for centimeters is cm. Learn to read the smaller units. The smaller units on a metric ruler are called millimeters. The abbreviation for millimeters is mm. There are 10 mm in a centimeter. Therefore, 5 mm is half of a centimeter. Remember that all measurements in metric are in units of 10. This is an easy trick to remember for measuring in metric. There are 100 cm in a meter. There are 10 mm in a cm. The millimeter is the smallest unit of measurement on most metric rulers. Measure with a ruler or tape measure. Find an object or distance between two points you want to measure. This can be a length of wood, string, or cloth, or a line on a sheet of paper. Rulers and yardsticks are better to use on hard flat surfaces. If you are measuring a person for clothing it is best to use a flexible tool like a seamstress' tape. Long distances can be measured using a measuring tape. Place the zero end of your rule at the end of your object. This will usually be on the left side. Make sure the end of the ruler is flush with your object. Use your left hand to hold it in place. Use your right hand to adjust the other end of the ruler. Move to the opposite side of the object you are measuring. You will now read the ruler to see how long the object is. Read the last number on your ruler that is alongside the object. This will indicate the "whole unit" length of the object, example: 8 inches. Count the number of fraction marks (dashes) the object you are measuring goes beyond the last whole number. If your ruler is marked in 1/8 inch increments, and you are 5 marks past the last whole unit number, you will be 5/8 inches beyond the 8, and your length will be read "8 and 5/8 inches'. Simplify fractions if you are able. For example, 4/16 of an inch is the same as 1/4 inch. Use a metric or decimal rule with a metric ruler. You will be reading measurements in units of 10, following the metric system. Read the larger hashmarks as centimeters. Go to the nearest centimeter line. That will indicate the "whole unit" length. For example, 10 centimeters. In the case of a metric rule marked in centimeters (cm), read the intermediate marks as millimeters (mm). Read how many intermediate marks go past your whole unit measurement to the edge of the object. For example, if you measured an object that was 10cm plus 8mm, your measurement would be 10.8cm. Use a tape measure to measure between objects, for instance, walls. A retractable steel measuring tape would work best for this. Slide the zero end of the tape against one wall, or have a helper hold it, then pull out enough tape to reach the opposite wall. Here, you should have two sizes of numbers, the larger for feet (or meters), the smaller, for inches (or centimeters). Read the feet (or meters) first, inches (or cm), then fractions thereof. Example, a distance may read "12 feet, 5 and 1/2 inches". Use your 12 inch rule (or similar instrument, like a yardstick) to draw a straight line. You can also use rulers as straight edges in art or geometry. Lay it down on the surface you are drawing on, and lay your pencil point along the edge of the rule. Use your ruler as a guide for a straight edge. Keep holding the ruler steady to get the straightest line possible.	Understand what a ruler is. Learn what a seamstress' tape is. Know what a carpenters ruler is. Find a tape measure and look at it. Know what an architect's scale is. Learn how U.S. Find the inches unit on your ruler. Find the fraction of an inch markers. Understand what SI-units are. Find the centimeter lines on a ruler. Learn to read the smaller units. Remember that all measurements in metric are in units of 10. Measure with a ruler or tape measure. Place the zero end of your rule at the end of your object. Move to the opposite side of the object you are measuring. Use a metric or decimal rule with a metric ruler. Use a tape measure to measure between objects, for instance, walls. Use your 12 inch rule (or similar instrument, like a yardstick) to draw a straight line.
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Long-Hair-As-a-Guy	How to Grow Long Hair As a Guy	To grow long hair as a guy, massage warm olive oil or coconut oil into your scalp and leave it on for 30 minutes, which can help stimulate hair growth. You can also use aloe vera mixed with egg whites as a mask to help your hair grow out. If you want your hair to grow out even faster, take Biotin or fish oil supplements, which are good for your hair. While you're waiting for your hair to grow, avoid using heat styling tools or brushing your hair while it's wet so you don't damage it.	Give yourself a hot oil massage. Growing hair starts from the roots - which means that taking care of your scalp and the roots of your hair can stimulate growth. Oil, which conditions hair, warmed and massaged onto your scalp will help to prompt hair growth. Heat up a bit of olive, coconut, or argon oil until warm to the touch. Gently rub this into your scalp for 5-10 minutes, and allow the oil to soak into your hair for an additional 30 minutes. Rinse out the oil with warm water when you're finished. Try an apple cider vinegar rinse. Apple cider vinegar is one of those 'jack of all trades' products; it works wonders on hair, skin, and many health ailments. Among its many abilities is the power to help stimulate hair growth. Mix three parts apple cider vinegar with one part water, and put it in a spray bottle. Every time you shower, spritz your hair with the vinegar mixture post-shampoo. Wait 1-2 minutes, and then rinse it out. You should notice a change in growth rate after several weeks of use. Use a deep conditioner. Damaged hair doesn't grow as well as healthy hair; using a deep conditioner to repair your hair follicles will increase hair growth over time. Choose a deep conditioner for your hair type (available at most drug stores and hair salons), and follow the box directions for application. Normally, the conditioner is left in your hair for 20-30 minutes prior to being rinsed out with cold water. Make an egg white and aloe mask. Egg whites and aloe vera have been used in hair for centuries. They add moisture to hair, giving it a healthier appearance, and also help to stimulate hair growth. Mix an egg white with fresh aloe vera (or 100% bottled aloe) and cover your hair and scalp in the mixture. Let the mask set for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse it out with cool water. Allow your hair to air-dry when finished. Try an onion rinse. Boil a cut onion in water for 10-15 minutes to form an onion broth. Allow this to cool, and then coat your head and scalp in it. The onion provides nutrients that help with hair growth while adding shine to the strands. Rinse it out with cold water, and allow your hair to air dry. And don't worry - the onion won't leave a smell in your hair as long as you rinse it all out. Know when to brush your hair. Brushing your hair is good for increasing hair growth, because it stimulates the scalp and spreads the natural oils throughout the shaft of each strand of hair. However, there are do's and don't's when it comes to brushing your hair. Aim to brush your hair 1-2 times a day (when you wake up and at night, for example). However, be cautious of brushing your hair too much, as this can pull out hair that you're trying to grow. Additionally, never brush your hair when it's wet, because it is most fragile and easy to break in this state. Avoid hot tools and chemicals. Although it is typically more of an issue for women than men, using hot tools (like blow dryers and flat irons) and chemicals (such as hair dyes and relaxers) will significantly damage your hair. Not only will it make your hair appear frizzy and dull, it will cause your hair to take longer to grow. When at all possible, allow your hair to air-dry and avoid styling it with any tools. Change your shower routine. Although it may not make your hair look the greatest, the natural oil your scalp produces are imperative for improving hair health and speeding the rate of growth. Washing your hair every day removes these oils, slowing your growth rate. Wash your hair as few times a week as you're able, spacing washings to be at least every-other day. Take supplements for hair growth. There are certain vitamins and supplements on the market which help increase hair growth. Taken regularly, you should notice an increase in growth each month. Look for Biotin, folic acid, vitamin E and fish oil, all of which increase hair and nail health and growth. You should also make sure that you're caught up with all your regular vitamins and minerals, taking a multivitamin as a supplement if necessary. Use the right shampoo. There are dozens of hair shampoos on the market, each tailored for a different hair type or ultimate style. However, the one consistent ingredient that you should avoid in shampoo is silicone. Although it is advertised as beneficial, silicone will block out moisture and nutrients, hindering hair growth. Look for hair products (shampoo or otherwise) which use natural ingredients and are silicone-free. In addition, you should only shampoo once every 2 to 3 days. This allows the natural oils in your scalp to moisturize and protect your hair, which will keep it healthy. Use the right conditioner. As said, silicone blocks out moisture and nutrients, so look for a conditioner with natural ingredients. Another option is just to use a leave in conditioner (don't rinse leave in conditioners off). Wash your hair with cold water. Hot showers may be the most comfortable, but the heat from the water opens the hair shaft of each strand of hair, letting out valuable moisture, making your hair more brittle and prone to damage. When you wash your hair, use the coldest water you can stand. The cool temperature will close the hair shaft and help to trap in the moisture that you would otherwise let out. Maintain good health. There's a reason people remark on 'losing hair' when they're stressed; stress, poor diet, and lack of exercise can all lead to hair thinning and slowing the growth of hair. Make necessary lifestyle changes to promote good eating and exercise habits, and cut out stress whenever possible. Keep hydrated. Water is important for good health in general, but drinking lots of water can help provide your scalp and hair follicles with necessary moisture for increasing growth. Drink 8-10 glasses of water throughout the course of the day to supply your body with adequate moisture. Know when to cut your hair. There tend to be two major parties when it comes to hair growth: those who promote regular trims, and those who vow against any hair cutting at all. While they seem to be opposing views, both are right. The reason you trim hair is to either remove length or to remove damage. Since you're trying to grow your hair out, you don't want to trim your hair for the former reason. Instead, hair should be trimmed semi-regularly to cut off damaged ends. This doesn't promote hair growth, but it promotes hair health; long hair that is frizzy and brittle won't look good. Therefore, aim to cut your hair between 1-3 times a year to keep it looking good. When your hair is in that awkward mid-length phase, find ways to style it properly until it grows out more. Use satin pillowcases. This might sound strange, but the fabric from most pillowcases (cotton or other low thread-count cases) causes your hair to fall out. The reason being that the “rough” fabric causes friction with your hair, pulling out strands as you sleep. In order to avoid this, swap out your regular pillowcases for satin pillowcases, which are smooth enough to let your hair slide without tugging.	Give yourself a hot oil massage. Try an apple cider vinegar rinse. Use a deep conditioner. Make an egg white and aloe mask. Try an onion rinse. Know when to brush your hair. Avoid hot tools and chemicals. Change your shower routine. Take supplements for hair growth. Use the right shampoo. Use the right conditioner. Wash your hair with cold water. Maintain good health. Keep hydrated. Know when to cut your hair. Use satin pillowcases.
https://www.wikihow.com/Sell-a-Business	How to Sell a Business	To sell your business, start by preparing documents that potential buyers will want to see, like past financial statements and tax returns. Next,, write a blind profile, which is a 1-page summary of your business, to use for advertising. Then, use online sites, such as BizBuySell or BizQuest, if you want to sell your business yourself. Alternatively, pay for a broker to organize the sale. Additionally, make sure buyers are serious before giving out information about your business, and ask them to sign a confidentiality agreement to protect your information.	Decide why you are selling. When facing potential buyers, their first question will usually be 'why are you selling?' You need a good answer, not just to help sell your business, but to be sure you are selling to for the right reasons. Some common reasons include: retirement; partnership disputes; illness; overwork; and a desire to move on to something new. Get your documents in order. Potential buyers will want to see evidence of profit and actual or potential growth, but at the very least, they will want to know the precise state of your finances. It is best to review the following materials with an accountant: Internal financial statements for the past 3 to 5 years, including profit-and-loss statements and balance sheets. Year-to-date financial information. Tax returns for the past 3 to 5 years. A list of inventories and furniture, fixtures and equipment being sold with the business. A commercial property appraisal (if you own the property) or the lease (if renting). Determine the value of your business. Before you decide to sell, you will want to estimate the value of your business to decide if it is worth it. Once you have decided to sell, you will want to have an appraiser do a business valuation, as this will allow you to establish a credible asking price. The most common formula for determining value is a multiple of the seller's discretionary earnings. This type of market-based valuation involves first recasting financial statements: adding back the sort of expenses – owner's salary, perks, steering profits into capital improvements – that may have been employed to keep the company's profits low for tax purposes. Comparable data for businesses of the same size and in the same industry and area are then used to come up with an appropriate multiple. Other key numbers that buyers may use in valuing your company include a market-based multiple of Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA), growth in revenue, and EBITDA margin (EBITDA divided by revenue). Takes steps to increase the value of your business. As when selling a home, you can greatly increase value by taking simple steps to make your business more attractive. Fix anything that is broken or run-down. Keep records on operating procedure and create a business succession plan. The less reliant your business is on you, the easier it will be to sell. Maximize revenues and minimize operating expenses in order to show higher profits. Consider trimming staff, tightening up any operating problems such as excessive inventory, and tightening credit offered to customers. Protect your intellectual property by filing for patents, trademarks, copyrights, etc. Create a blind profile and selling memorandum. These are the materials that you will use to attract potential buyers. The blind profile is a one-page document that provides highlights of your business without revealing its identity. The selling memorandum is a more comprehensive prospectus sent to serious buyers. You should have them first sign a confidentiality agreement, as the memorandum might otherwise disclose valuable business details that competitors could profit from. It should include: A history of when you started the business, hired employees and secured patents (if applicable). A roster of employees with job descriptions, levels of experience, and salaries. A description of the customer base, including each customer's size, location, and the amount of business you conduct with them. A review of your location, such as whether you own or lease the space. A list of all owned or leased equipment, with a description of its condition. Minutes of board meeting and annual meetings (if your business is a corporation). A business operating manual. Decide if you will use a broker or sell your business yourself. Selling a business yourself saves money by avoiding a broker commission, but involves a lot of work and may not result in the highest possible sale price. As when selling your home, consider hiring an agent: a business broker (for businesses with annual revenue less than $1 million) or a mergers and acquisitions specialist (for multi-million dollar businesses). A broker can put together sales materials, find buyers, get the highest asking price, and help keep the sale quiet, which is important to keep employees, vendors, and customers from taking flight. All this will leave you more time to run your business. When hiring an advisor, be sure to study past transactions he or she has negotiated. Individuals who specialize in your industry are the most attractive. Your broker can usually suggest legal and accounting professionals to assist with business disposal related advice. Consider selling online if not using a broker. Major online sellers like BizBuySell and BizQuest charge a monthly fee to advertise on their sites. In return, they allow you to reach a large market and provide tools to help you value your business. When advertising, provide as much information as possible without giving away the identity of your business. Don't give your street address or phone number. Acquire a separate phone number and email for buyers to contact you. Make sure potential buyers are serious before giving out information about your business. So as not to waste your time or theirs, you'll want to know the following: The potential buyer's name and all contact information. Their previous employment and business ownership. The reason for their interest in your business and how long they have planned on buying. Whether they have pre-qualified for financing. If not, ask how they will finance the business and how much money they have for a down payment. Their intended timeframe for completing a transaction. Find multiple prospective buyers. It is best to have two or three potential buyers in case one of them falls through. Be sure to stay in regular contact with each potential buyer and respond promptly to their inquiries. Failure to do so may cost you a deal. Be patient. The typical business sale takes between six months and two years according to SCORE, a non-profit for entrepreneurs an partner of the US Small Business Administration. Don’t keep secrets. Reveal litigation or regulatory issues to prospective buyers upfront. Otherwise, these details may scuttle a deal or worse yet, lead to litigation after a sale. Know what buyers are looking for. Research buyers who show serious interest. The more value your company will provide for them – access to new markets, products, brands, services, favorable customers, etc. – the more they should be willing to pay. Look for cultural compatibility. If you want your business to continue to be operated in the way you want it run, then you will want to look for buyers who share your same business philosophy. Allow room to negotiate the price. It is best to set an initial price that is higher than the one you are looking for. For instance, restaurants typically sell for 85% of the initial asking price, so you would need to ask for 117% of the price you want to achieve. A broker or online service can advise you on how high to set the price. Also, be sure to set a price floor that you will not go beneath. Be flexible regarding the terms of the sale. Being open to alternate arrangements beyond a simple full sale of your company can help you get a higher price and avoid taxes. With small businesses, the owner is often asked to buy back equity in the company at the same terms as the sale price, and then to stay on to continue running the business for a fixed amount of time. Be open to alternate payment schemes, such as taking a lower initial sales price in return for a share of profits during the time you will remain with the company. Have a lawyer, accountant, or your broker advise you on the tax implications of the sale. You can save thousands of dollars by structuring the sale in the most tax advantageous way possible. Put all agreements in writing. Be sure potential buyers sign a confidentiality agreement to protect your information. Even before drawing up the final sales agreement, be sure to put the basics of the deal in writing. Get the purchase agreement into escrow. As with the sale of a home, you will want to get the sale into escrow to protect yourself in case the buyer walks away without cause. This involves putting earnest money into an escrow account while the buyer performs due diligence and organizes financing. If you walk away during or after this period, the buyer will keep the money in the account. If the buyer walks away, you will keep the money. Assist the buyer in performing due diligence. Once a sale has been agreed, the buyer will typically ask for more information, such as employee contracts and salaries, heath care contracts, vendor contracts, bank statements, etc. Furnish this information promptly to bring the sale to a swift close. Prepare the final documents. These will generally include a sales agreement, assignment of lease (if you are renting the property), security agreement, and noncompete agreement (in which you agree to wait a fixed period of time before starting a new, competing business). The sales agreement should include, at the minimum: Names of seller, buyer, and business. Assets being sold. Purchase price and allocation of assets. The terms of the agreement and payment terms. A list of inventory included in the sale. Any representation of warranties of the seller and buyer. Determination as to access to any business information. Determination as to the running of the business prior to closing the sale. Fees, including brokers fees. Date of closing. Speak with a financial advisor about what to do with your profits. Particularly if you are planning on retiring after selling your business, you will want to be certain to invest the profits so as to allow for continuing income throughout retirement.	Decide why you are selling. Get your documents in order. Determine the value of your business. Takes steps to increase the value of your business. Create a blind profile and selling memorandum. Decide if you will use a broker or sell your business yourself. Consider selling online if not using a broker. Make sure potential buyers are serious before giving out information about your business. Find multiple prospective buyers. Be patient. Don’t keep secrets. Know what buyers are looking for. Look for cultural compatibility. Allow room to negotiate the price. Be flexible regarding the terms of the sale. Put all agreements in writing. Get the purchase agreement into escrow. Assist the buyer in performing due diligence. Prepare the final documents. Speak with a financial advisor about what to do with your profits.
https://www.wikihow.com/Tease-Your-Hair	How to Tease Your Hair	Teasing your hair is a great way to add more volume, and all you need is a comb or brush and some hairspray. Start by taking a half-inch section of your hair by the crown and holding it taut. Then, take a rat tail comb or a small boar-bristle brush to comb the back of the section from about mid-shaft down to your roots. Comb the hair down towards your scalp 3 times. After you finish teasing the first section, pull it forward and clip it to your roots near the front of your head with a long hair clip so you can work on other sections. When you finish teasing all of the sections of your hair, unclip them, lay them all back down, and gently comb over the surface to smooth them out.	Shampoo your hair as you normally would. Before you start teasing your hair, wet your hair in the shower or underneath a bath or sink faucet until it's completely saturated. Then, massage a shampoo of your choice into your scalp to create a lather. Rinse the shampoo out completely. You can use a dry shampoo instead of regular shampoo if you prefer. Wash your hair with a volumizing shampoo to give your hair a little more lift. Skip the conditioner after you shampoo. Because conditioner softens hair and makes it smooth, it may keep your teased hair from holding its texture. Wash your hair with shampoo and don't follow up with a conditioner. If you have especially dry hair, apply some conditioner to only the ends of your hair. This should help to keep it from looking dry while also not interfering with the teased areas. Dry your hair to avoid damage. Teasing your hair when it's wet will likely damage it. You can let your hair air dry completely before you tease it, but you may get more volume by blowing it dry. Flip your head over and focus on drying the root area. Apply a volumizing product, such as mousse, after you wash your hair and before you dry it to create some more lift. Use dry shampoo as an alternative. If you don't have time to wash your hair and blow it dry, apply dry shampoo to your roots. This should add the appearance of volume and freshness you need in order to create a solid teased hairstyle. Brush out your tangles. Depending on the thickness and texture of your hair, you can use a paddle brush or a wide-tooth comb to detangle your hair. Start at the ends of your hair and work your way up towards the roots to avoid pulling your hair out. By brushing out your hair, you'll prevent tangles from getting caught when you tease your hair. Hold up a 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) section of hair at your crown. Create the section at your crown with the tail end of a rat tail comb. Pull the section straight up away from your head and hold it taut to get the best results. While teasing the crown is the most common method, you may want a bolder look for a Halloween costume or to get an 80's hairstyle. If you're going for a more extreme look, section all of your hair, not just the hair at your crown. Comb the hair down towards your scalp 3 times. Use a rat tail comb or a small boar-bristle brush to comb the back of your section from about mid-shaft down to your root area. Be gentle to avoid damaging your hair. Clip each section towards the front of your head. After you've finished teasing the first section, pull it forward and clip it to your roots near the front of your head with a long hair clip. This should keep the already-teased hair out of the way while you tease other sections. Create new sections underneath the first section and tease them. Use the tail end of your rat tail comb to create another ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) section just underneath the original section of hair. Tease the back of the new section and then clip it to the front of your head on top of the first section. Do this for all of your sections. If you want more volume and you've already teased a few sections this way, add a couple of sections at your crown that are just to the left and right. Clip these forward as you did with other sections. Smooth the surface of your hair with the comb. Once you've finished teasing your sections, unclip them and lay them all back down naturally against your head. Gently comb over the surface of the sections to smooth them out without removing volume. Spray the teased hair with a flexible hold salt spray. After you've gotten your hair the way you want it to be, spray some hairspray over the area to keep it intact for as long as possible. Flexible hold salt spray should keep your hair in place effectively without making it look stiff. If you're leaving your hair down, then your look is complete at this point. Lift your hair with a hair pick to enhance volume. To get a little more height, slide a hair pick into your teased hair. Then, gently lift the pick up while it's in your hair. Repeat this in different areas where your hair is teased until it looks uniformly taller. Wear your hair in a fancy fluffed-up ponytail. Tease a couple of sections of hair at the front center of your head, starting just behind your hairline. Smooth the surface back with a comb, spray it with hairspray, and put your hair in a ponytail. Wrap a piece of hair around the hair tie to hide it and secure the piece with a bobby pin. Then, hold your ponytail up and comb down from mid-shaft towards your hair tie. Try a voluminous half-up, half-down look. After teasing your crown, make a part that goes horizontally across your head and passes just in front of your ears. Use a few bobby pins to secure the teased hair at the back center of your head. Finally, gather all of the hair that's on the side of the part closest to your face. Comb it back gently over your teased hair and secure it at the back center of your head with a clip. Brush your hair from tips to roots to get it back to normal. After you've rocked a teased hairstyle, its important to carefully and patiently brush through your hair. The teasing will likely have made your hair feel knotted and matted, but you can detangle it with a soft bristle brush. Slowly and gently brush small sections of your hair from tips to roots until it's completely detangled. If you struggle to brush the tangles out of your hair, try applying more conditioner than you normally would. Apply it before shampooing, then rinse it out and wash your hair as you normally would.	Shampoo your hair as you normally would. Skip the conditioner after you shampoo. Dry your hair to avoid damage. Use dry shampoo as an alternative. Brush out your tangles. Hold up a 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) section of hair at your crown. Comb the hair down towards your scalp 3 times. Clip each section towards the front of your head. Create new sections underneath the first section and tease them. Smooth the surface of your hair with the comb. Spray the teased hair with a flexible hold salt spray. Lift your hair with a hair pick to enhance volume. Wear your hair in a fancy fluffed-up ponytail. Try a voluminous half-up, half-down look. Brush your hair from tips to roots to get it back to normal.
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Concrete-Patio	How to Clean a Concrete Patio	Before cleaning your concrete patio, remove your furniture and other items from the patio. Then, sweep up all of the dirt. Next, spray your patio down with your garden hose and use a sponge to scrub away any stubborn dirt or debris, such as chalk residue. If your patio is very dirty, use soapy water on your sponge. To treat stains, pour an equal parts vinegar-water solution onto the stain, then let it sit for 3-4 hours. Finally, use a stiff-bristled push broom to scrub away the stain.	Remove all furniture and other objects. Before getting started, you'll want to make sure your patio is completely clear. Find a place away from your work area to stash patio furniture, dining sets, planters, grills, toys and anything else that may be damaged by free-flowing water or cleaning solutions. Your work area should ideally be as empty as you can get it. Bring lightweight furniture inside, and move heavier pieces to the yard, sidewalk or a covered porch. Prolonged exposure to moisture can cause metal furniture and appliances to rust. Sweep away excess dirt. Use a broom to dislodge as much loose debris from the patio as you can. This will make it easier to reach the more stubborn stains underneath, as well as give you an idea how extensive the cleaning methods you employ will need to be. Substances like compact dirt, dried mulch or sidewalk chalk may need to be scrubbed by hand using an abrasive sponge. Spray the patio with a garden hose. Once you've swept the concrete, hose it down with a heavy stream of water. Push the dirt off to an adjoining section of the yard to drain. The concrete will then need time to dry before you can move on to other, more involved methods. If it's been awhile since you last cleaned your patio, add some mild liquid dish detergent to a bucket of warm water to make a soapy rinse. The surfactants in the soap will help break up dirt and oil more effectively. In some cases, a good hosing may be all you need to remove a thin layer of dirt and sediment. Combine distilled white vinegar with warm water. Pour the vinegar and water into a large bucket in equal quantities and stir them together. Vinegar is naturally acidic, and can help lift and dissolve stains from within the shallow pores of the concrete better than water alone. Use a ratio of two parts vinegar to one part water if your patio has been affected by moss or mildew growth. If you don't happen to have vinegar on hand, the same concentration of hydrogen peroxide should also do the trick. For slightly heavier or more persistent grime, add half a cup of baking soda to the vinegar solution. Douse the dirty concrete with the vinegar solution. Slosh the contents of the bucket directly over the surface of the patio. Making sure to cover as much area as you can so that the vinegar will be able to clean the concrete evenly. Apply the solution liberally. Vinegar isn't damage concrete, so you won't have to worry about accidentally using too much. It may be necessary to mix up more solution if you're cleaning a particularly large area. Allow the vinegar to sit for several hours. While vinegar makes an effective natural cleaner, it is relatively mild, which means it will take time to work. The solution will gradually seep down into the concrete, breaking up trapped and solidified dirt. Plan your cleaning project for a day with good weather to reduce the chances that unexpected rainfall will wash away the vinegar. Make better use of your time by tackling other household cleaning and maintenance tasks while the concrete is soaking. Scrub the patio clean. After a few hours have passed, you'll most likely notice that the vinegar has whisked away the worst of the mess. If any traces of dirt or discoloration remain, work them out by hand using a stiff-bristled push broom. Afterwards, hose off the patio once again and let it dry completely before replacing your belongings. You can also use an abrasive sponge to scour your patio with a little extra elbow grease. Avoid using wire scrubbers on concrete, as these can scratch or mark up smooth surfaces. Equip a high-powered pressure washer. The majority of common concrete stains can be coaxed out with enough force. For more noticeable stains like rust, mold and compacted dirt, a pressure washer may be just the thing you need. Pressure washers unleash a concentrated stream of water, chiseling difficult messes from smooth, hard surfaces. You can typically rent pressure washers from home improvement stores and gardening centers for just a few dollars a day. Spray off the surface of the patio. Aim the nozzle of the pressure washer downward and away from your body. Use slow vertical sweeping motions to push the dislodge dirt off of the patio Concrete is not easily damaged, so don't be reluctant to use the pressure washer on a higher setting. Make sure the surrounding area is set up for proper drainage. Otherwise, you could be left with standing water to deal with. Wait for the concrete to dry. Keep the patio clear until all remaining water has been drained and evaporated. It may be possible to speed the process along by wiping off excess water with a squeegee or dabbing it with a clean, dry towel. Once it's dry, you can put all furniture and other items back into place. Concrete patios need to be pressure washed an average of once or twice a year to keep them free from buildup that may eventually cause structural damage. Covering damp concrete with furniture can keep it from drying as quickly, and may provide a moist, shady place for mold to begin growing. Mix together chlorine bleach and warm water. Pour both liquids into a deep bucket or similar container, being careful not to let them spill or splash. Aim for approximately one quarter of bleach for every three quarts of water you use. Stir the bleach solution using a wooden dowel. Chlorine bleach is a caustic chemical that can be extremely harmful if ingested, inhaled or contacted with bare skin. Whenever possible, wear gloves, eye protection and a ventilator or breathing mask when working with bleach. Never combine bleach with hot water—the steam emitted from the water can carry bleach fumes with it, creating a potential breathing hazard. Heat may also partially neutralize the effects of bleach. Brush the bleach over the stained concrete. Apply the bleach solution using a long-handled brush or roller. As an alternative, you could place the chlorine mixture in a sprayer to avoid making a mess and exposing your extremities to harsh chemicals. Pay special attention to spotted mildew growth and areas with especially heavy discoloration. Test a sample of diluted bleach on an out-of-the way area of the concrete to make sure it won't leech the color out of a treated surface. Be sure to work in a well-ventilated space. If your patio is partially covered, leave the doors and windows open and plan on spending no longer than about ten minutes at a time inside the enclosure. Leave the bleach to sit for 15 minutes. The stain-fighting power of the bleach should take effect very quickly. To be on the safe side, it's a good idea to go somewhere else while the bleach is soaking into the concrete. If even bleach isn't enough to do away with trouble stains like hard water or rust, try using a sprinkle of trisodium phosphate. Pressure wash the patio. Finish by spraying the patio with a pressure washer to blast away any visible dirt or residue dissolved by the bleach. When you're finished, your concrete should look as good as it did when it was first poured! Give the patio ample time to dry, then have a few friends over to enjoy your clean, inviting outdoor space. A quick pressure washing or hosing will also help clear the air of irritating bleach fumes.	Remove all furniture and other objects. Sweep away excess dirt. Spray the patio with a garden hose. Combine distilled white vinegar with warm water. Douse the dirty concrete with the vinegar solution. Allow the vinegar to sit for several hours. Scrub the patio clean. Equip a high-powered pressure washer. Spray off the surface of the patio. Wait for the concrete to dry. Mix together chlorine bleach and warm water. Brush the bleach over the stained concrete. Leave the bleach to sit for 15 minutes. Pressure wash the patio.
https://www.wikihow.com/Speak-Thai	How to Speak Thai	It can take a lot of practice to learn to speak Thai, but you can start by learning some basic phrases. For instance, if you want to say “hello,” you would say “sà-wàt-dee,” and to say “goodbye” would be “báai baai” or “aa gòn ná.” To offer someone a friendly greeting in Thai, say “sà-baai dee mă,” which means “How are you?”	Master greetings. In order to speak Thai, it is important to start with the basics. Easy phrases such as "hello" and "goodbye" can be used to make any interaction more pleasant, no matter who you are talking to. Knowing these phrases will also assist you in understanding what you hear others say. "Hello" in Thai is สวัสดี (sà-wàt-dee) "Goodbye" in Thai is บ๊ายบาย (báai baai) or ลาก่อนนะ (laa gòn ná) "How are you?" in Thai is สบายดีไหม (sà-baai dee măi) "Have a nice day" in Thai is มีวันที่ดี! (Mī wạn thī̀ dī) Learn tourist phrases. If you ever go to Thailand, it will be important for you to know how to get around on your own. It is beneficial not only to know how to say these phrases, but to recognize when they are being said to you. "Where is the bathroom?" in Thai is ห้องน้ำอยู่ไหน (hông náam yòo năi) "How do you say _____ in Thai" is ภาษาไทย... พูดว่าอย่างไร (paasăa tai... pôot wâa yàang-rai) "Is there a restaurant near here?" in Thai is ร้านอาหารที่ใกล้ที่สุดอยู่ไหน? (ráan aa-hăan têe glâi sùt yòo năi?) Learn how to be polite. Expressing gratitude is important in any culture. An ungrateful guest is an unpleasant experience for anyone. Learn some expressions of gratitude in order to ensure a positive experience in Thailand. "Thank you" in Thai is ขอบคุณ (kòp kun) "Please" in Thai is ขอ... (Kor...) Learn the Thai alphabet. In order to start learning a language, knowing the alphabet is the first building block. Find a Thai language learning book in order to learn the alphabet, or go online and look at any website with the Thai alphabet listed. For example, at the website called Omniglot, you can find an alphabet and written pronunciations for English speakers. Find an app with phrases and their pronunciations, or look for a website you can visit frequently to help you get the pronunciations right. One app that may help is called “In 24 Hours Learn to Speak Thai.” Go online and look at your local library website to see if they have lessons on Thai that you can check out. These may be books, manuals, DVDs, or CD-ROM programs that you can watch or play on your computer. You can also buy Thai learning programs offline from websites like Amazon and Ebay. Study tones in Thai words. Thai is a tonal language, so learning the alphabet does no good until you have learned to pronounce each word carefully. Make sure that any learning programs you get have a verbal feature so that you can hear the words. One website that might help is thai-language.com. It shows you both the Thai script and English letter versions of Thai words, as well as what they should sound like. Find a native speaker. Whether you are inside Thailand or not, you can learn to speak Thai by exposing yourself to those who speak this language. This is called immersion. Find a native Thai speaker either by making friend with locals if you are located in Thailand, or finding a Thai community in your city. Make friends with a Thai speaker and integrate them into your life so that you are forced to speak Thai on a regular basis. The reason you need to practice speaking in a language to learn it, which is what immersion does, is because your brain will process language more like a native speaker. If you aren't living in Thailand, it will be more difficult to be “immersed,” but finding a native speaker to converse with on a regular basis will help more than silently studying the language. If you don't know anyone from Thailand in your city, visit places where you may meet a Thai person, such as at a college, a market, a local restaurant, a church, or classes at a community center. You can also try to find Thai speakers you can video chat with online. You may find Thai speakers in Facebook groups, or ask people you know on social media if they have any Thai friends who might be willing to Skype with you. Study Thai each day. Although to become a Thai speaker you do need to speak it, studying the basics of the language will help you understand what you are saying, which can help you remember how to speak Thai. This may help you learn to speak Thai faster. Look at the grammar structure. Ask yourself, where do adjectives and verbs occur in a sentence? For example, in Spanish, the adjective usually comes after the noun, whereas in English, the adjective usually comes before. In Thai, the verb structure is simpler than European languages, but its tones and sounds are extremely important. How you say a word can change the meaning. Meet with a native speaker frequently. While you are studying Thai, you should be speaking it on a regular basis. While it's important to understand the verb structure, it is more important to learn conversational basics in order to speak Thai. The complete grasp of grammar will come as you speak it. Make daily, bi-weekly, or weekly appointments with your Thai friend so that you don't get behind in practice. Look up words in a dictionary. As you learn Thai, look up words that you don't know. When you hear a person speaking Thai using words you have never heard before, either write them down or remember them so that you can look them up. Since simple sentences in Thai can be easier than the same sentences in English and Romance languages, start with simple greetings like “hello” (sa-wat-dee) and “how are you” (sa-baai dee mai). Focus on getting your pronunciations of new words correct. Ask your friends who speak Thai to help you. Watch, listen to, and write in Thai. In order to help you get the pronunciations right, listen to music in Thai or watch Thai speakers on TV and in internet videos. Hearing others speaking this language every day is important for you to speak Thai, and if you aren't in a community of Thai speakers all day long, substitute this with TV, internet videos, and music. If you write in Thai, this may also help you understand the language so that you can speak it with more accuracy. Visit Thailand. Whether not you are an expert Thai speaker, taking a trip to Thailand is an important part of learning to speak Thai. In Thailand, you will be inundated with the Thai language. You will see it on every billboard and poster, on every storefront and newspaper, and Thai is all you will likely hear. Costs once you are inside Thailand are pretty reasonable. There are 35 Thai baht to 1 US dollar, and a high-end hotel costs 3,000B per night (or about $85 USD). A plane ticket to Bangkok, Thailand, from Los Angeles in the U.S., for example, is about $900 round trip in August. The same ticket from London is about 585GBP ($860 USD). Try to stay with a Thai family so that you can be exposed to Thai all day. See if Thailand has programs like Airbnb and Couchsurfing to get space in a Thai home. Find a class that teaches Thai. Although not all colleges and community centers offer classes in the Thai language, you can find them online if nothing else. Finding a class to attend whether in person or online gives you an instructor to whom you may ask questions, gives you classmates to practice with, and it gives you tests to motivate you to remember what you learn. For example, the University of Washington in Seattle has a Department of Asian Languages and Literature that offers courses in Thai. There are online schools like Thai Style USA that offer you an online learning environment to master the Thai language. Learn about Thai’s tonal nature. Since you are in a class setting, you are most likely able to practice speaking Thai. It is important to practice speaking Thai so that you can master the different pronunciations of the Thai language. Since Thai is tonal, every syllable has a lot of meanings. Figure out linguistic signals. It is helpful when learning a new language to focus on a few linguistic signals that indicate different elements of language. For example, learning how Thai speakers express formality, when they are indicating a plural, and which letters denote gender can help you quickly pick up on what others are saying. For instance, Thai speakers make their statements formal by adding a particle to the end of each sentence. If a male is speaking, he adds a “krahp” to the end of a sentence to sound formal, and a female speaker adds “kha” to the end of a sentence. Practice speaking with classmates and the teacher. Practicing what you learn is truly the only way to speak Thai, especially since Thai is a language based in the tones of the words. If you don't speak what you see on the page, you will never get the pronunciations right. Practice conversations with your classmates and teacher. If you are in a live class, play games in Thai to practice. Take verbal tests. Test are a part of any class, including language classes. To help you get the tones correct, make sure that your teacher gives verbal tests. You need to have your tones tested so you can make sure you are getting them right. Remember, a word pronounced slightly different can have an entirely different meaning in Thai.	Master greetings. Learn tourist phrases. Learn how to be polite. Learn the Thai alphabet. Study tones in Thai words. Find a native speaker. Study Thai each day. Meet with a native speaker frequently. Look up words in a dictionary. Watch, listen to, and write in Thai. Visit Thailand. Find a class that teaches Thai. Learn about Thai’s tonal nature. Figure out linguistic signals. Practice speaking with classmates and the teacher. Take verbal tests.
https://www.wikihow.com/Prolong-a-Pregnancy-With-an-Incompetent-Cervix	How to Prolong a Pregnancy With an Incompetent Cervix	While being diagnosed with an incompetent cervix can feel scary, there are ways to prolong your pregnancy. Once your doctor diagnoses you, discuss treatment options, including a cerclage, which entails suturing the cervix closed. This common treatment allows many women to successfully carry a baby to term. You can also talk to your doctor about having a pessary, which raises and reinforces the cervix, put in place. A pessary can be used in conjunction with a cerclage or on its own, depending on your specific case. Whether you have these procedures or not, you'll also want to ask your doctor if bed rest would help prolong your pregnancy. Bed rest can range from not doing any heavy lifting or exercise to spending nearly all of your time reclined.	Know if you are at risk. Women who have previously had miscarriages in the second trimester (between weeks 14 and 27) are the most likely to have a cervical insufficiency, so it is important to disclose any prior pregnancy complications or miscarriages to your doctor. Women are not diagnosed with an incompetent cervix until they have suffered one or more late miscarriages. Knowing about this condition in advance will allow your doctor to monitor your condition more closely from the beginning. This can result in earlier detection of a weak cervix, which leads to an increased chance of prolonging the delivery. Any surgery on the cervix also puts women at risk, including a D&C, cervical cone, or LEEP. Be attentive to possible symptoms. Although it is possible for an incompetent cervix to be present without any outward symptoms, in some cases there may be warning signs. These would typically occur between 14 and 22 weeks of pregnancy and include backache, discharge or warm liquid felt within the vagina, and pelvic pressure. Contact your OB/GYN immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. Although they may be completely unrelated to an incompetent cervix, it is always best to err on the side of caution and let the doctor do a complete exam to rule it out. This might include an ultrasound. Keep in mind that diagnoses of cervical insufficiency are based on a woman's past medical history of miscarriage during the second trimester. If you do have a cervical insufficiency, you have some medical options. Discuss treatment options with your doctor. He or she will be able to lay out the possible options—cerclage, a pessary, and bed rest—and tell you which ones would best for you. Keep in mind that a cerclage (suturing the cervix closed) is by far the most common treatment, and allows many women with previous histories of miscarriage to successfully carry a baby to term. A pessary, similar to the outer ring of a diaphragm, changes the angle of the cervix and reinforces it. Consider with your doctor whether serial ultrasounds might be a good first step. With ultrasounds every two weeks during the second trimester of your pregnancy, the doctor can monitor the risk of an incompetent cervix. If he or she sees warning signs, then you can have a cerclage. Undergo a minimal surgery to get a cerclage. Once you are diagnosed with incompetent cervix, your doctor will likely suggest a cerclage. A cerclage is a procedure in which a stitch is placed around the cervix and tightened to keep the cervix closed. There are five types of cerclage that can be performed, and your doctor will determine which type is best for your situation depending upon how far along you are in your pregnancy. A cerclage is usually removed near the end of pregnancy to permit normal delivery. Occasionally, depending on conditions that are present during the pregnancy, the cerclage will be left in place and the mother will undergo a cesarean section to deliver the baby. Speak with your doctor about having a pessary put in place. A pessary is an apparatus that is positioned within the vagina to help raise up and reinforce the cervix. This may be used instead of, or in conjunction with a cerclage. Ask whether bed rest or pelvic rest might help. Bed rest may be prescribed by your doctor for an incompetent cervix. Bed rest restrictions can vary from simply avoiding any heavy lifting or housework, to total bed rest where you must remain in a reclining position at all times, including for bathing and going to the bathroom. Talk to your doctor about whether or not some type of bed rest might be a good option for you. You may also need to abstain from sex during a period of bed and pelvic rest. Ensure you are getting adequate rest. Even if you are not prescribed bed rest, ensuring that you get adequate rest is important. Make sure that you get plenty of sleep and avoid overexerting yourself. Ask your doctor about vigorous exercise. He or she might suggest you refrain from high-intensity workouts and from having sex. Because your cervix is weak, exercise can further exacerbate your condition. Do your kegels. Kegel exercises strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. To ensure that you are doing them correctly, while you are urinating clench your muscles to stop the flow of urine, and then release to continue the flow; that is what exercising your kegels feels like. While is it not certain that kegels will prevent an incompetent cervix, they do have certain benefits including enhanced sexual pleasure, aiding in vaginal birth, help for incontinence and a quicker postpartum recovery.	Know if you are at risk. Be attentive to possible symptoms. Contact your OB/GYN immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. Discuss treatment options with your doctor. Consider with your doctor whether serial ultrasounds might be a good first step. Undergo a minimal surgery to get a cerclage. Speak with your doctor about having a pessary put in place. Ask whether bed rest or pelvic rest might help. Ensure you are getting adequate rest. Ask your doctor about vigorous exercise. Do your kegels.
https://www.wikihow.com/Talk-With-Someone-Who-Doesn%27t-Speak-Your-Language	How to Talk With Someone Who Doesn't Speak Your Language	Talking with someone who doesn't speak your language may seem challenging, but with some creativity and patience, you can make it work. Try to determine if there are any shared words you may both understand, like yes, no, or okay, that you can use to communicate. You will also need to use gestures and pointing to convey what you want to say. It may seem silly, but you can also act out what you want to say. For example, if you're looking for a good restaurant, you might rub your belly and make motions like you're taking some bites with a fork. Another option is to try drawing a picture of what you need to say. If these methods don't work, try using a translation app on your phone.	Determine whether there is any possibility of verbal communication. Your first step should be to determine whether you and the person you are talking to know any of the same words. Even a few basic words can help, whether you can understand a few terms in their language or vice versa. If you recognize their language and you know a few words, that's great. If not, ask if the other person understands any English. English is the language of travel and business. It is likely that even in parts of the world education is not widespread, many people will still know a few words or phrases in English. If that fails, try any other languages you know, even if you only understand a little bit. See if the other person shows any signs of understanding. Just a few words can make communication much easier, even if they're not in either of your native tongues. Speak slowly. If it seems there is a chance the other person will understand even few words, try speaking to them in English (or any other language both you and he or she understand a little) very slowly. Slowing down will make it easier for him or her to understand. That said, try to keep a normal rhythm. When you slow down your speech, you may have a tendency to get into an odd, stilted rhythm and/or put emphasis on the wrong words. This can make you harder to understand. If you speak English with a strong regional accent (e.g. you live in the deep south or have a cockney accent), speaking slowly is doubly important. Don't shout. Many people have a tendency to raise their voices when talking to someone who doesn't speak their language, or doesn't speak it well. This isn't actually helpful. Avoid doing this. Shouting will only make you look foolish and may offend the person you are trying to communicate with. Keep your words simple. Use the simplest words you can to express yourself. Definitely stay away from any jargon, technical language, or similarly complex words. Likewise, stay away from the use of idioms or figures of speech. These are expressions that, by definition, are culturally specific, and are not likely to be understood by non-English speakers. For example, don't say something is "as easy as pie" or that you you need to "hit the sack." These common American expressions obviously don't have meanings that align with the literal meaning of the words. They are likely to seem bizarre and perplexing to non-native English speakers. Beware of challenging phrases. Similarly, use the simplest sentence structures you can. Use as few words as possible to get your meaning across. Avoid confusing structures, such as questions asked in the negative. Instead of saying: "You don't have any idea what I mean, do you?" ask "Do you understand what I mean?" Be consistent. Once you've chosen a word for something, don't switch to another term for same thing. This can add confusion and create misunderstandings. For example, if you are trying to ask where you can buy some pain medication, stick with that term, don't vary your words and say "aspirin" or "painkillers" or some other synonym a moment later, at least not if the person you are talking to seemed to understand the first term. Listen actively. Ask questions to make sure the other person is understanding you, and express your understanding when he or she successfully communicates something to you. Similarly, be on lookout for signals that she or he does not understand you, such a scrunched brow or the universal "huh?" Put it in writing. Many people who are just learning English understand things better in written form than via spoken language. If speaking isn't working, it might be worth writing down a few words. This also eliminates problems that might come about because of pronunciation issues, especially if you have a strong accent. Carrying a small notepad and pen for this purpose when you travel is a good idea. Be patient and polite. Interactions with someone who doesn't speak your language can be frustrating, both for you and the other person. Be as patient as you can, and try to keep your frustration to yourself. Do not laugh at the person, roll your eyes, or anything else that you wouldn't do in polite conversation with someone who does speak your language. Get a foreign language dictionary or phrasebook. If you are traveling to a country where English isn't common, it's good idea to pick up a dictionary and/or phrasebook that will help you understand and speak a few words and phrases in the dominant language. While a dictionary will give you a greater variety of words to choose from, a phrase book will contain useful sentences with the verbs already conjugated correctly. This can make you easier for others to understand. Small dictionary/phrasebook combinations are available for travelers via your local bookstore or online. Some travel guidebooks including a section of common phrases as well. Use gestures. Whether the person you are trying to communicate with can understand a single word you are saying or not, simple gestures can often be helpful in reinforcing meanings or conveying basic ideas. Use gestures such as pointing at objects that are almost universally understood. Using your hands to indicate size, location, and so on can be very helpful. Be careful, not all gestures are universal. Some common gestures in America have very different meanings in other places. For example, the common sign for "ok" or "perfect" made by touching the tips of your thumb and forefinger is an offensive gesture in Greece and Turkey. So keep it simple! Act it out. While it might seem silly, sometimes you can communicate by acting out what you are trying to communicate, like in a game of charades. People might laugh at you, but if you can get your point across, it's probably worth it. For example, if you are trying to find a good place to eat, you might act out the motion taking some bites with a fork, then rub your belly and and make a contented sound, such as "Mmmmm." Draw a picture. If you're carrying a notepad and pen or pencil, you may be able to communicate effectively by drawing things. Looking for the bus station? Try doing a quick sketch of a bus. You can pass the pad off to the other person and let them respond using a picture too, if that helps. Use an app. If you have a smart phone and access to the internet, there are numerous translation apps you can use to make conversation easier. Many of these allow you to simply talk into the phone and will translate what you've said to the language of your choice. Some of these apps are free. It's a good idea to download one before going on a trip somewhere where English isn't spoken.	Determine whether there is any possibility of verbal communication. Speak slowly. Don't shout. Keep your words simple. Beware of challenging phrases. Be consistent. Listen actively. Put it in writing. Be patient and polite. Get a foreign language dictionary or phrasebook. Use gestures. Act it out. Draw a picture. Use an app.
https://www.wikihow.com/Install-a-French-Drain	How to Install a French Drain	If you want to install a French drain, look for a spot with a downhill slope close to where water has been collecting. Plan a direct line from that spot to a ditch, a dry well, or the street, but only direct water into the street if you're redirecting surface water. Dig a trench that's 5-6 inches wide with a 1-2° slope, then line the trench with water-permeable fabric and add a thin layer of gravel over the fabric to keep it in place. Place fabric-wrapped perforated pipe that's 4 to 6 inches in diameter into the trench, then cover it grave and more fabric. Finally, replace the topsoil you removed when you dug the trench.	Look for a spot with a downhill slope close to the problem area. The spot will need to be downhill enough for the water to run away from the problem area. In general, the drain will need to have a 1-2 percent slope drop for every 100 feet (30 m) of length. The slope should start as close to the problem area as possible and move downward towards a draining site. For example, if you are trying to prevent surface water from collecting under your patio or in your yard, pick a spot close to your patio or a spot that tends to get very wet in your yard that has a downward slope. If you are trying to prevent flooding in your basement, you will need to run the drain around the foundation of your house below the finished flooring and position it downhill into a draining site. Check that the spot will drain into a ditch, the street, or a dry well. A drain made for moving surface water can usually drain into the street, as there will be small amounts of water running through it. A drain made for moving flood water should empty into a ditch or a dry well, as there may be larger quantities of water. The spot should slope downward into a clear draining point. If there is not a direct line from the spot to the draining point, you may need to curve the drain so it goes towards the draining point when you dig the trench. Pick a spot that is 5 to 6 inches (13 to 15 cm) wide. Make sure there is enough available ground at the location so you can put in a trench this wide. The trench does not need to be wider than 6 inches (15.2 cm), as you do not want to make it too wide. If there are any plants in the location that are taking up too much space, you may have to move them to make room for the drain. Go for a spot with sandy soil so it is easier to dig. Sandy soil will make removing the soil for the trench easier, especially if you plan to do it by hand with a shovel. If you have soil that is thick or rocky, you may need to buy or rent a trench digging tool to make digging easier. Use slotted PVC pipe for a more rigid drain. PVC pipe is a good option if you plan to a run a drain that does not snake around any objects or plants. It creates a strong, rigid drain for a trench with a straight slope downward. It also tends to last longer than corrugated pipe and is easier to clean out if it becomes clogged. Go for corrugated pipe with slots for a more flexible drain. If you need a French drain that can snake around trees or landscaping, use corrugated pipe. Make sure the corrugated pipe has slots so it can drain properly. Corrugated pipe is usually easier to work with than PVC pipe, as it is more flexible and bendable. But this can also make it prone to leaks and tears. Look for perforated pipe already encased in water-permeable fabric. You can buy perforated pipe that has already been wrapped in fabric at your local hardware store or online. This pipe is often sold as an easy install for home improvement projects. Get 4 or 6 inches (10 or 15 cm) wide pipe for the drain. This size will allow water to move through the pipe easily in a steady flow. Pipe that is too narrow can cause the water to pool or trickle too slowly when it rains. Pipe that is too wide can take up too much space in the trench and allow debris to get into the drain. Measure the location to get the right amount of pipe. Use a measuring tape to determine how long the pipe is going to be in the trench. Start at the beginning of the trench and measure down to the bottom of the trench. You may want to add a few extra inches to the measurement so you have more than enough pipe. You can then cut the pipe down to size when you put the French drain in. Get the location checked by your utility company to confirm it is safe to dig. Before you dig, call your utility company and ask them to inspect the area for any power lines or underground lines that cannot be touched or moved. They must give you all the clear for you to be able to dig the trench in the location safely. You should also consult the city codes for your area to confirm you can dig the trench legally. Most trenches are permissible as long as they are on your land and are not too large or deep. Call your local city building department to double check. Dig a shallow trench to redirect surface water. The trench should be 2 feet (0.61 m) deep and 1 to 1.5 feet (0.30 to 0.46 m) across. This will ensure the drain can catch any water on the surface of your property near your home and channel it away to a safe draining spot. A shallow trench can often be dug by hand using a shovel, as it is not too much dirt to move on your own. Create a deep trench if you want to avoid flooding in your basement. The trench should run around the entire perimeter of your home at footing level. If you are running a French drain around a finished basement, you will need to dig all the way down to access the footing at the basement's foundation. This is a deep trench that will require significant construction and effort. You may want to rent trench-digging tools to make the job easier. You may also need to remove any landscaping or walkways that are around the bottom of the house to put in the trench. If you want to avoid digging a trench this deep or the area does not have enough slope, you can run a pipe down to the basement to direct water into a basin and use a sump pump to lift out the water. This is a different method than using a French drain. Measure the grading using stakes and string. Put the stakes on either side of the trench every couple of inches to mark the dimensions of the trench. Then, tie a string around the stakes, forming two long lines of string on either side of the trench. Follow the grade marked by the strings as you dig to ensure the trench is the same dimensions all the way down. Use a shovel to dig the trench across the slope. Start at the top of the trench and dig your way down. Check the grading regularly as you dig to ensure you are creating the right dimensions. You may find this process easier if you ask friends or family to help you dig, especially if you are digging a long trench. Rent a trench digging tool for a faster dig. Look into renting a trench digger at your local hardware store or buy one, especially if you plan to do deep digging in your yard in the future. A trench digger is usually a must if you are digging a deep trench around the perimeter of your home, as it will make the process much faster and easier. Save the top soil and put the subsoil in a wheelbarrow. Scoop the top soil on one side of the trench so you can put it back on the trench when it is completed. Then, deposit the subsoil in a wheelbarrow so you can move it away easily. Use the subsoil to fill holes or area in your yard. You can also put the subsoil in a container or in the road so you can bring it to the dump or to your local gardening center later. Line the trench with water-permeable fabric. Place one layer of water-permeable fabric on the bottom and sides of the trench. The fabric will prevent dirt from getting into the gravel and help water move through the drain. You can get water-permeable fabric, sometimes called landscaping fabric, at your local hardware store or online. Place a thin layer of gravel over the fabric to keep it in place. Spread a light load of gravel with a shovel over the top of the fabric. This will help the corners of the fabric warp around the gravel, securing it in place. Wrap the drain in water-permeable fabric. For an extra layer of protection, you can wrap the pipe you are using for the drain in one layer of the fabric and secure it with tape. You can also use a specially made water-permeable sock or cozy that fits over the pipe. If you are using pipe that already has water-permeable fabric wrapped around it, you can skip this step. Place the drain with the drainage holes face down in the trench. Lay the pipe in the trench so the slotted holes face downward, as this allows the water to flow through the pipe into the draining site. Make sure you have enough pipe to fill the length of the trench. The pipe should sit snugly in the gravel. If you are running the drain by any trees or shrubs with deep roots, use a section of pipe that does not have any slots in these spots. This will prevent the roots from getting into the pipe and clogging it up. Fill the trench with 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm) of gravel on the top and sides. Use gravel that is 0.5 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) in size to cover the drain and fill the trench. Put the gravel in with a shovel, making sure it is evenly distributed in the trench. Place one more layer of water-permeable fabric, followed by the top soil. Lay the fabric on top of the gravel to protect the drain from debris and to help it better absorb water. You can then shovel the top soil on top of the fabric to cover it. You can also put sod on top of the topsoil to hide the drain, though this is not required. Test the drain to ensure it flows downward to a draining spot. Check that the French drain works properly by putting surface water by the top of the drain with a garden hose. Note if the drain then draws the water from the wet spot and deposits it to the draining site. Alternatively, you can wait for it to rain to see if the drain will work properly. If the drain does not collect the water properly, you may need to check that the slots on the drain are facing downward, rather than upward. If water does not flow through the drain properly, there may be debris or a blockage in the drain that needs to be removed for it to work.	Look for a spot with a downhill slope close to the problem area. Check that the spot will drain into a ditch, the street, or a dry well. Pick a spot that is 5 to 6 inches (13 to 15 cm) wide. Go for a spot with sandy soil so it is easier to dig. Use slotted PVC pipe for a more rigid drain. Go for corrugated pipe with slots for a more flexible drain. Look for perforated pipe already encased in water-permeable fabric. Get 4 or 6 inches (10 or 15 cm) wide pipe for the drain. Measure the location to get the right amount of pipe. Get the location checked by your utility company to confirm it is safe to dig. Dig a shallow trench to redirect surface water. Create a deep trench if you want to avoid flooding in your basement. Measure the grading using stakes and string. Use a shovel to dig the trench across the slope. Rent a trench digging tool for a faster dig. Save the top soil and put the subsoil in a wheelbarrow. Line the trench with water-permeable fabric. Place a thin layer of gravel over the fabric to keep it in place. Wrap the drain in water-permeable fabric. Place the drain with the drainage holes face down in the trench. Fill the trench with 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm) of gravel on the top and sides. Place one more layer of water-permeable fabric, followed by the top soil. Test the drain to ensure it flows downward to a draining spot.
https://www.wikihow.com/Politely-Decline-an-Invitation	How to Politely Decline an Invitation	To politely decline a formal invitation, start by returning the RSVP card immediately if there is one, or calling or emailing the host right away to let them know you can't attend. Then, follow up with a hand-written note to thank them for the invitation. You can briefly state a reason for missing the event, like having another obligation. Alternatively, say something like “I'm sorry to have to miss it” to politely decline the invitation without an explanation.	Respond in the manner requested ASAP. If invited to a wedding or another event for which an RSVP card is included, return the RSVP promptly. If you immediately know that you cannot or will not attend the event, let the host know right away not to expect you. If the invitation came without a RSVP card, look on the invitation for the preferred method of contacting the host. Send "regrets" for written invitations within a week. Don't give the impression that you may come if you know you won't. Stringing the host along as they prepare for their event will frustrate them. If you are not sure whether or not you can attend, call the host to explain your dilemma and ask when they need a solid answer. If you plan to attend but must be late, ask the host if that is ok. If the event includes a seated meal, it may not be possible to show up at anytime. However, your host may suggest you come at the conclusion of dinner before dancing begins. If no RSVP is requested, still call or write to the host with your regrets and thank them for including you. It is considered rude to ignore an invitation completely. “Regrets only” is often an option included on formal RSVP cards. If you do not send the card back, you are agreeing to attend. Follow up with a handwritten note. Thank the host for the invitation, say you will not be able to make it, and wish them luck with their event. You might also tell them you would love to see them another time, if appropriate. Just don't change your response! It's important to stick to your original decision. The type of note should match the type of invitation sent. For a wedding or bridal shower, send a formal card or use nice looking stationery. Never send a typed response to a personal invitation. Unless even your address on the envelope was typewritten, your host put time and effort into your invitation and you should do the same. Find examples of polite declines online if you are not sure what to say, but be sure to change the wording to fit your particular circumstances or manner of speaking. Don't get caught plagiarizing an example you found instead of taking time to write a sincere note. Be honest when giving any explanation(s). If you have another obligation, let him/her know. If you don't have another obligation, and can't comfortably explain why you don't want to go, just politely decline without offering a reason. Don't make up a reason for not attending. It will likely backfire when s/he finds out you lied, even if it was to protect his or her feelings. Don't feel the need to over-explain. For formal invitations, a simple “I'm sorry to have to miss it,” will suffice. If pressed for a reason, you can simply says, “It's personal.” Avoid relaying any guilt for needing to skip the event. This only wastes your time and energy and may be negatively accepted by your host. Send a congratulatory note and a gift, if appropriate. For an occasion where a gift might be expected, like a baby or bridal shower, a birthday party, or a special celebration like a wedding or graduation party, send a small and thoughtful gift with a written congratulations after you send your regrets. Don't wait until you can get a gift to send your regrets, though! Let the host know ASAP that you cannot attend, and send a gift and a written card later. Don't feel obligated to buy a gift for someone you don't know well or aren't related to. It is up to your own judgment as to whether your invitation warrants a gift. Respond in the manner requested. If the event was transmitted by evite, then you can send an email or personal message through social media. If the invitation was written, but on informal stationary, send a card in return. Call when a phone number is given, unless the invitation says texting is ok. Even if the option is given on the evite, avoid offering an explanation that all guests can see. It's much better to simply decline and send a personal message if you feel the need to say why you cannot attend. If your potential host is a close friend, it is best to tell them you can't make it in person, if possible, or at least over the phone. Send a written note also, closer to the date of the event, to wish them a happy party. Be honest, but also kind. If you just don't wish to go, be honest and tell the host you aren't interested in this particular event, but would love to come to other things s/he hosts in the future. Avoid agreeing to attend something you really don't want to attend. It will only disappoint your host more when you are expected and don't show up, or if you change your response at the last minute. It's ok to not feel guilty for not wanting to attend yet another baby or bridal shower in the spring. Wipe shame from your mind, and respond with a polite decline. Offer an alternative time to get together. If you are declining a friend's birthday party or graduation celebration, wish them a great party and offer an alternative date to celebrate when it's just the two of you. Be sure to offer your sincere disappointment that you cannot attend the original event, and thanks for thinking you were important enough to invite! Turn your regrets into a compliment sandwich. This is especially important when turning down informal, but very personal, get-togethers, like a date. Say, “That is very sweet of you, but I will have to pass. I'd love to do something else though, just as friends.” Don't embarrass your host by telling others about the invitation. Keep it to yourself, just as you would like others to do when you ask them out. Call after the event to ask how it went. If you were invited to a party or event by a close friend, call them afterwards to see how their event went. This gives you a chance to show them you are still thinking about them and happy for their success or accomplishment.	Respond in the manner requested ASAP. Follow up with a handwritten note. Be honest when giving any explanation(s). Send a congratulatory note and a gift, if appropriate. Respond in the manner requested. Be honest, but also kind. Offer an alternative time to get together. Turn your regrets into a compliment sandwich. Call after the event to ask how it went.
https://www.wikihow.com/Dry-Apricots	How to Dry Apricots	To dry apricots, first clean them by soaking them in water for a few minutes and rinsing off any dirt. Then, cut the apricots in half so you can remove the pits. Once you've removed the pits, turn the apricot halves inside out, which will help them dry out more thoroughly. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay the apricot halves on the sheet, spaced evenly apart. To dry the apricots, place the pan in a warm oven for 10-12 hours. Make sure to flip the apricots over 6 hours in, so they dry out evenly.	Buy or pick your apricots when they are fully ripe. Under-ripe fruit can become sour when dried. If they grow locally in your area, wait for the end of the season “canning specials” when you can get ripe fruit that you can use immediately, instead of keeping it around to eat raw. Look for big sales at your local supermarket. They will be ripe in late summer, or sometime between July and September, depending upon the year. Ripen firm apricots by placing them in a paper bag in the window. If you are worried your apricots will become overripe before you have time to dry them, you can place them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Clean your apricots thoroughly. Soak them for a few minutes in water to loosen dirt and then rinse them with running water. Discard any bruised apricots. Pit the apricots. You should cut them in half along the indentation, and then you can remove the pit. Turn the apricots inside out. Push the outside center up, so that there is more flesh exposed to the air. You will dry them with the flesh facing up. Take a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. If you have a large wire rack, place it above the rack to reduce drying times. Lay the apricot halves on the rack, or directly on the parchment paper. Make sure they are spaced evenly apart. Preheat your oven to its lowest setting. They will dry best at a warming temperature below 200 degrees (93 degrees Celsius). 175 degrees Fahrenheit (79 degrees Celsius) will work well for drying apricots. Space the oven racks several levels apart. Place the cooking sheets with racks in the oven. Wait at least 10 to 12 hours for the apricots to dry. Turn them at the halfway mark to ensure even drying. They should be slightly soft but leathery when they are done. The cooking time will vary depending upon the size of the apricots and the temperature at which you dry them. It will take less time to dry at 175 than 150 degrees. Choose your ripe apricots. Clean them with fresh water, just as you did in the oven drying method. Pit the apricots. Slice them along the indentation with a paring knife. Remove the pit and discard. Separate the halves and turn them inside out. Leave the skins on. You need to press the outside center until the flesh spreads out. Remove your dehydrator racks. Spread the apricots onto the racks with the flesh facing up. Make sure there is space between each piece of fruit for increased airflow. Replace the racks. Set the dehydrator at 135 degrees Fahrenheit (57 degrees Celsius). Read your manual to determine if this is the low, medium or high setting on your dehydrator. Wait approximately 12 hours or until the timer goes off. Larger apricot halves will take longer. Store dried apricots in sealed glass canning jars. Place them in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry. They will last several months.	Buy or pick your apricots when they are fully ripe. Look for big sales at your local supermarket. Ripen firm apricots by placing them in a paper bag in the window. Clean your apricots thoroughly. Pit the apricots. Turn the apricots inside out. Take a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Lay the apricot halves on the rack, or directly on the parchment paper. Preheat your oven to its lowest setting. Space the oven racks several levels apart. Wait at least 10 to 12 hours for the apricots to dry. Choose your ripe apricots. Pit the apricots. Separate the halves and turn them inside out. Remove your dehydrator racks. Replace the racks. Wait approximately 12 hours or until the timer goes off. Store dried apricots in sealed glass canning jars.
https://www.wikihow.com/Go-to-the-Beach-on-Your-Period	How to Go to the Beach on Your Period	To go to the beach on your period, you should wear a tampon or menstrual cup for swimming, which won't absorb water like pads do. If you're experiencing cramps, swimming will release endorphins and act as a natural painkiller for your body. Additionally, try snacking on fruits with lots of water in them, like watermelon and berries, to reduce cramping and prevent bloating. Also, consider setting up near a bathroom, so you can quickly change or check for leaking if you need to. If you break out in spots during your period, try using an oil-free SPF designed for faces to keep your skin at its best.	Wear a menstrual cup or tampon if you plan on going swimming. A pad absolutely will not work for swimming. It will quickly absorb all the water so it won't be able to absorb your blood, it will swell up to an embarrassing and obvious size, it won't stay snug in your swimming suit and may slip out and float to the surface. Tampons and menstrual cups collect the menstrual fluid before it even leaves your body, so the chances of leaking are pretty low. You can wear tampons for up to 8 hours and cups for up to 12, so you can go from sunning to swimming to playing beach volleyball without having to dash to the bathroom. Look for tampons labeled “active” or that are designed to be worn while playing sports. These are less likely to leak and are designed to stay put while you're swimming, running, or lunging to catch a frisbee. If you're worried about your tampon string showing, just bring a pair of nail clippers and carefully shorten the string after you insert the tampon. Otherwise, just tuck it into the lining of your suit and you should be fine. When you enter the water, your period can stop or become very light. The pressure of the water can act like a plug or little airlock and keep the menstrual fluid inside. But this is not guaranteed to happen, and you shouldn't count on it. Pack ample supplies. Put some back-up tampons in a little bag and then stash them in your beach bag so you're not caught without. Your flow could be heavier than expected and you might need to change your tampon a few times, or you might stay at the beach longer than expected and run up against the 8-hour time limit for wearing a tampon safely. Bring enough so you're able to change them every 4 hours. Keeping extra on-hand will give you peace of mind, so you can relax and enjoy yourself instead of wondering where you're going to find a fresh tampon. Bringing extra tampons might end up staving the day if your friend unexpectedly gets her period or forgot to bring her own supplies. Wear a dark colored swimsuit. This is not the time to wear your white bathing suit. There's always a slight chance of leakage, and since you won't be wearing a panty-liner to protect your suit from leaks, choose a suit in a dark color, like black or blue, to camouflage any accidents. If you're really stressing about leaks, slip on a pair of shorts or a cute sarong over your suit bottoms for an extra layer of protection. Bring over-the-counter pain relievers to combat cramps. What's worse than having menstrual cramps? Having menstrual cramps at the beach. Make sure you pack an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) and be sure to follow the package instructions. Don't forget water and snacks to take with it. Pack warm or hot water in a thermos with a little lemon. This can increase circulation and may help your muscles relax, easing your cramps. Consider trying to skip or delay your period if you're going on vacation. If you know your week-long beach vacation falls on the same week as your period, and you use hormonal birth control, you can choose to skip your period that month or simply get it a week later. This is safe to do every once in a while and doesn't impact the effectiveness of your birth control — though you should certainly check with your doctor. If you take birth control pills, don't take the inactive week of pills that you take when you get your period (they are usually marked or a different color). Instead, immediately begin a new pack. If you use a patch or a ring, remove it after three weeks as usual. But instead of going without for a week, immediately replace it with a new one. You may still have breakthrough bleeding when you skip your period, so you should still bring some panty liners, just in case. If you are on birth control, make sure you have an extra pack of pills or ring or patch, in case your insurance won't let you refill early (since you'll need a new pack a week earlier than usual). Drink lots of water and avoid salty foods to prevent bloating and cramps. You definitely don't want to feel bloated and uncomfortable on a day you're supposed to be frolicking in your swimming suit. Skip fried and super salty foods and instead snack on fruits with lots of water in them, like watermelon and berries, or calcium-rich almonds, which can reduce cramping. Avoid caffeine, which can make cramps worse. Drink water, caffeine-free tea, or lemonade instead of soda or alcoholic beverages, which can increase bloating. Set up near the bathroom. You don't need to camp out right outside the bathroom, but at least have one in sight so you know you can quickly go change or check for leaking if you need to. Also, an empty bladder and bowels can ease cramping, so visiting the bathroom frequently can help you stay comfortable. Use an oil-free SPF designed specifically for faces. Lots of women break out during their periods, and an oily sunscreen can make things worse. Find sunscreen that is formulated to use on your face that won't cause breakouts. If you're self-conscious about pimples or redness, use a tinted moisturizer over your SPF to even out your skin tone. A big pair of sunglasses and a cute sunhat can also camouflage period acne. Plus, you'll look super glamorous. Go swimming or get active to help stop cramps. It may be the last thing you feel like doing, but exercise is sometimes the best treatment for cramps. The endorphins released by your body will lift your mood and act as a natural pain killer. If you really don't feel like moving, elevate your feet on a stack of towels or your beach bag to help ease cramping. You can also lie on your stomach and take deep, slow breaths. Consider getting comfortable with tampons. A lot of women are intimidated by tampons before they first try them, but they're actually very comfortable, easy to wear, and convenient. Practice before you go to the beach (but while you are on your period—trying to wear a tampon when you don't have your period can be painful and dangerous) so you're feeling confident by the time you hit the water. Remember: tampons cannot get lost in your body. If something happens and the string comes off, it's very easy to get the tampon out. Just make sure you don't wear your tampon longer than 8 hours and you will be totally fine. Some women do have difficulty inserting tampons because their hymen is too tight or the vaginal opening is too small. If you are not able to insert a tampon after several tries, see your physician. Wear a pad and spend your day reading and sunbathing. If you don't plan on swimming, you may be able to get away with a thin pad in your suit. Make sure it doesn't have wings, and check in the mirror to make sure it's not too bulky or visible through your suit. Wear a cute pair of shorts or a sarong around your waist, just in case your pad shows through your bathing suit. Try swimming without a pad. It's tricky, and you may end up bleeding in the water anyway, but if you can't wear a tampon and you're dying to get into the water, give this a try. When you're ready to swim, go to the bathroom to remove your pad. Slip on a pair of shorts and hustle back to the water. Slip out of your shorts and leave them on the sand, then quickly get into the water. It's not foolproof, but the water may stop your period while you are swimming, or make the flow so light no one will notice. When you get out, immediately slip your shorts back on, grab a fresh pad, and go to the bathroom to put it in your suit. The pad may have trouble adhering to the wet material, so you may just want to change into panties and keep your shorts on.	Wear a menstrual cup or tampon if you plan on going swimming. Pack ample supplies. Wear a dark colored swimsuit. Bring over-the-counter pain relievers to combat cramps. Consider trying to skip or delay your period if you're going on vacation. Drink lots of water and avoid salty foods to prevent bloating and cramps. Set up near the bathroom. Use an oil-free SPF designed specifically for faces. Go swimming or get active to help stop cramps. Consider getting comfortable with tampons. Wear a pad and spend your day reading and sunbathing. Try swimming without a pad.
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Thick-Eyebrows	How to Get Thick Eyebrows	To get thick eyebrows, start by avoiding tweezing your brows completely for at least 6 weeks so that the hairs can grow back. Then, exfoliate your eyebrows each day using a soft brush to stimulate your hair follicles. Next, apply caster oil or coconut oil to your eyebrows in the evening and let it sit overnight before washing it off. Also, take a multivitamin that has Vitamin B, iron, and zinc in it to help hair growth.	Lay off the tweezers. One of the best ways to help your eyebrows grow back is by refraining from using your tweezers until you have the desired thickness. It can be tempting to tweeze those stray hairs, but you'll only continue to carry on with your current eyebrow shape if you don't let them grow back. It takes about six to eight weeks for eyebrows to grow back so try to be patient. Exfoliate your brows. Use an exfoliating sponge or a soft brush daily to remove dead skin cells from your eyebrows and to stimulate the hair follicles. Taking the sponge or brush, make soft, circular motions on your eyebrows. Make sure you are getting the right nutrients. If your diet is lacking in vitamins and nutrients that you need to retain a healthy body, this could be one of the contributions to your lack of hair growth in your eyebrows. Try to keep your diet rich in Vitamin B, omega-3s, iron, protein, and zinc and always make sure you are drinking enough water. You can also take a Vitamin B supplement like Biotin to help hair growth. Apply castor oil. Castor oil is an old remedy that helps stimulate eyebrow growth. Soak a cotton swab in castor oil and apply it to your eyebrows each night. Leave the oil on overnight and in the morning wash it off with some cleanser. Changes may take place in three to four weeks. Use coconut oil. Coconut oil has many great benefits, one of which is that it's a natural moisturizer, and it also has the ability to speed up hair growth. Apply coconut oil to your fingertips and wipe on eyebrows, leaving overnight. In the morning, wash with warm water. Create an olive oil and honey mixture. Olive oil is rich in vitamin E and thus can help stimulate hair growth. Measure out 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil and mix with a few drops of honey. Massage mixture into your eyebrows for a few minutes. Allow the mixture to set on your eyebrows for 30 minutes and then wash off with warm water. Note that honey is a natural lightener and could change the color of your eyebrows if you use it frequently. Apply milk to eyebrows. Because milk is high in Vitamin D, a nutrient that promotes hair growth, it can be beneficial to apply to your eyebrows. Dip a cotton ball in a glass of whole milk and apply to eyebrows, leaving the milk until it has dried. Then, rinse off with warm water. Use growth treatment products. If waiting patiently for your eyebrows to grow out or using natural methods hasn't produced any results, you can use a growth treatment to stimulate your hair growth. There are a number of growth treatments you can purchase for your eyebrows, so with adequate research you should be able to find one that corresponds to your desired thickness. Some growth treatments have been proven to work better than others. If you have done a lot of damage to your eyebrows by over-tweezing, you may need to invest in a higher quality product. Latisse, Rogaine, and Viviscal are all popular treatments. However, these products only work as long as you continually use them. Also, they are only effective for some people, and may not work for you. Keep in mind that while some treatments and serums are applied directly to eyebrows, some are consumed. Those consumed may help hair growth in your eyebrows, but they can also stimulate hair growth on other parts of your body so be prepared for this before you begin taking any treatments. Decide what your eyebrows should look like. Before you apply any makeup, you'll want to determine what will look the most natural on your eyebrows and the shape you want to achieve. To find the right length for your eyebrows, use a pencil and measure a 45-degree angle reaching from the outside of your nose to the outer corner of your eye. Traditionally, your brow should end where the pencil meets your eyebrow. The outside edge should be parallel or slightly higher than the inside edge. The inside of the eyebrow should line up with the center of your nostril.The arch should be positioned above the outer third of your eye. If you have an oval face, you may want to go for arched brows that are a little longer. For a heart-shaped or square face, choose a rounded brow. For a rectangular face, try curved brows. If you have a round face, choose an arched brow. Brush your eyebrows. Using a spooly brush, brush your eyebrows upwards, following the angle of your brows, starting with the thickest part of your brow and brushing to the end of your eyebrow. This will allow you to see where your brows are uneven or sparse. Use an eyebrow pencil. If you are looking to create the appearance of thick eyebrows, pick an eyebrow pencil similar to the shade of your eyebrows or a little darker, and lightly fill in your eyebrows in the areas that your hair is more sparse. Use short, dash-like strokes to mimic your eyebrow hairs. You want the pencil to fade in with the rest of your eyebrows, so use short strokes in the center of the brows. Don't just draw on eyebrows -- blend them in so they look natural. The edges of your brows should be a little more sparse than the center to create a natural look. Apply a powder. After you have filled in your eyebrows with a pencil, pick your desired powder color (if you are looking for darker eyebrows use a darker shade and if you are trying to lighten up your eyebrows choose a lighter shade). Using an angled brush, dab the tip into the powder and then apply by wiggling it into your brow. Do this until you have the definition you want. Be careful not to fill in too much in one area -- you're just trying to create the evenest brow. After you have the desired color and thickness, run a spooly brush or clean mascara wand through your brow to smooth it out and to give it your desired shape. Set your eyebrows. You may have achieved the look you want, but in order to keep it throughout the day you might want to apply a clear or colored gel. Run the gel along the shape of your eyebrows to hold the hairs and the makeup in place. Trace your eyebrows with powder. The final step to achieving thicker, darker eyebrows is by highlighting them on your face. Taking a fluffy brush, dip it in translucent powder and then brush around the perimeters of the brows, tracing their shape. This will define the edges even more and make your eyebrows look sharp.	Lay off the tweezers. Exfoliate your brows. Make sure you are getting the right nutrients. Apply castor oil. Use coconut oil. Create an olive oil and honey mixture. Apply milk to eyebrows. Use growth treatment products. Decide what your eyebrows should look like. Brush your eyebrows. Use an eyebrow pencil. Apply a powder. Set your eyebrows. Trace your eyebrows with powder.
https://www.wikihow.com/Draw-a-Girl%27s-Face	How to Draw a Girl's Face	To draw a girl's face, start by drawing an oval for the head and dividing it into 4 equal sections with a horizontal and vertical line that intersect in the middle. Then, draw 2 horizontal ovals near the top of each bottom section for the eyes. Next, mark a line halfway between the horizontal line and the bottom of the head, which will be the tip of the nose. Draw a line halfway between that point and the bottom of the head for the bottom of the mouth. Use these reference lines to draw the lips and nose before adding the finishing details.	Draw an oval and divide it into 3 sections to make the head. Make the oval slightly rounder than you normally would since girls tend to have rounder faces than boys. To divide the oval into 3 sections, start by drawing a horizontal line through the center. Then, draw a second horizontal line through the halfway point between the first line you drew and the bottom of the oval. Dividing the face into sections will make it easier to get the proportions of the face right later on. Draw the eyes on the top horizontal line. Girls have all kinds of eye shapes, but generally, they're drawn with larger and rounder eyes than boys are. Center the eyes on the horizontal line so the line runs through the center of each eye. Also, make the distance between the inner corner of each eye the same length as one eye. If you were to draw a third eye between the 2 eyes, it should fit perfectly. Add the pupils and eyelashes to the eyes. Girls tend to have longer, thicker eyelashes than boys. To create the appearance of long, thick eyelashes, shade in and thicken the upper and lower lash lines, making them thicker at the outer corners. When you're finished with the eyelashes, draw a large circle in each eye that's partially eclipsed by the upper lash line and that has an equal amount of white space on each side of it. Then, draw a smaller circle in each large circle and shade them in to make the pupils. Leave a tiny dot of white space in each pupil to make it look like there's light reflecting off of them. Draw an arched eyebrow above each eye. In general, girls' eyebrows are thinner and more arched than boys' eyebrows, but you can play around with the shape and thickness. To draw the eyebrows, start with your pencil slightly above the outer corner of one eye and draw a downward curving line that swoops down and starts to curve back upward as you get closer to the inner corner of the eye. Then, repeat over the other eye. To make the eyebrows thicker, lightly go over the lines you drew a few times and shade around the arches. Draw the tip of the nose along the bottom horizontal line. Like boys, girls have a variety of nose shapes, but their noses are usually drawn with fewer, softer lines to prevent them from looking too masculine. To draw the tip of the nose, start a little bit above the bottom horizontal line with the tip of your pencil lined up with the inner corner of the eye above it. Then, draw a short, curved line down toward the horizontal line that doesn't quite reach it, followed by an upward horizontal curve that swoops down and meets the horizontal line. Repeat the same steps on the other side of the face, but mirrored, to finish the tip of the nose. Avoid drawing the bridge of the nose since it can make the nose look too masculine. You'll be able to define the bridge later with shading instead of harsh lines. Use shading to softly define the bridge and tip of the nose. Start with your pencil at the inner end of the eyebrow on one side of the face. Then, lightly shade down along the bridge of the nose, stopping when you reach the bottom of the eye. Next, bring your pencil down to the nostril on the same side and lightly draw a vertical curved line up toward the bridge of the nose. Then, shade in the space between that line and the outer edge of the nostril to define the tip of the nose. Only do this on one side of the face. If you try to shade both sides of the nose, it may look too defined and masculine. Draw the lips halfway between the tip of the nose and the chin. For a conventional girl's face, you'll want to make the lips round and full. Starting with your pencil at the halfway point between the nose and chin, draw a short, horizontal, upward curve that's centered between the 2 sides of the face, which will be the dip at the bottom of the upper lip. Then, draw a slightly longer upward curve extending off each end of the first curve. Next, repeat the same steps slightly above the lines you just drew, and connect the ends of these outer curves with the ends of the first outer curves you drew to finish the upper lip. Finally, draw a long, upward curve from one corner of the lips to the other to make the lower lip. The outer corners of the lips should extend past the nostrils above them. Otherwise, the lips may look too small. Draw an ear on each side of the head. To draw the ears, start at one side of the head so your pencil is lined up with the outer edge of the eyebrow. Then, draw a short, horizontal, upward curve extending off the side of the head to make the top of the ear. Next, draw a vertical line curving outward that runs from the end of the top of the ear down to the side of the face right above where the tip of the nose falls. Instead of bringing the end of the curve all the way to the side of the face, leave a small gap and fill it in with a small, upward curve to make the bottom of the ear. Repeat on the other side of the head. Draw the hair with a hairline that starts below the top of the oval. This will give the face a soft, feminine hairline. If you draw the hairline right at the top of the oval, the forehead may look harsh and too big. After you draw the hairline, draw the outline of the hair so it's larger and wider than the oval itself, which will make the hair look fuller. Then, go in with your pencil and draw long lines down the length of the hair so it looks like it has individual strands. You can draw the hair tucked behind the ears, or you can draw it over the ears and erase any part of the ears that would be covered by hair. Draw an oval that’s narrower at the bottom and divide it into 4 sections. Avoid making any harsh, straight lines since cartoon girls usually have rounder faces. To divide the oval into 4 sections, start by drawing a vertical line down the center of it. Then, draw a vertical line that curves upward slightly and runs through the oval slightly below the halfway point on the vertical line. The sections at the top of the oval should be bigger than the sections at the bottom. Draw a small nose near the center of the oval. Cartoon girls are typically drawn with simple, rounded noses. Don't make the nose rigid or defined or it could look too masculine. To draw the nose, start with your pencil at the point where the vertical and horizontal lines intersect. Then, draw a line down away from that point, having it slightly curve away from the vertical line. Finally, draw a short line that curves back in toward the vertical line. Draw big, exaggerated eyes on top of the horizontal line. Make the eyes large and exaggerated so they look more cartoonish and feminine. Draw one eye on each side of the vertical line so the outer corners of the eyes are nearly touching the edges of the face. The inner corners of the eyes should fall along the same horizontal path as the top point on the nose, and they should both be the same distance from the vertical line. Give the eyes an almond shape that's flatter on the bottom and rounder on top. Add dark eyelashes to the tops and bottoms of the eyes. Cartoon girls are often drawn with dark, exaggerated eyelashes, so go over the upper and lower lash lines with your pencil to darken them. Then, between the tops of the eyes and the outer corners, draw thin, narrow triangles extending off the eyes. Shade them in so they look like eyelashes, and make them curve up slightly at the pointed ends so they look more feminine. When you're finished, repeat on the bottoms of the eyes, near the outer corners. Draw big pupils inside of the eyes. To draw the pupils, draw a large circle in each eye so the tops of the circles are slightly eclipsed by the tops of the eyes. Then, in the center of each circle, draw a small circle and shade it in. Finally, shade in the large circles so they're slightly lighter than the pupils, leaving some white space in the upper right corner of each circle so it looks like light is reflecting off of them. Draw the lips slightly below the bottom of the nose. Start with your pencil on the vertical line running down the center of the face. Then, draw a horizontal line with a slight peak in the center extending off of the vertical line. Next, repeat on the other side of the vertical line and connect the ends of these two lines with a horizontal line that's slightly curving upward to finish the upper lip. To make the bottom lip, start at an outer corner of the top lip and draw a curved line in toward the vertical line so they intersect about halfway between the top lip and the chin. Then, repeat on the other side to finish the bottom lip. When you're finished, you should have a large, rounded lower lip, which will help the cartoon face look more feminine. Add thin, arched eyebrows. Generally, cartoon girls are drawn with thin eyebrows that arch high above the eyes. To draw the eyebrows, start with your pencil slightly above the eyelash nearest the outer corner of one of the eyes. Then, draw an arched, downward curve over the top of the eye that ends along the same vertical path as the inner corner of the eye below it. When you're finished, repeat over the other eye. The eyebrows don't need to be the exact same length, but try to make them the same shape so they look balanced. Add ears with earrings on the sides of the heads. To draw the ears, start with your pencil on one side of the face, lined up with the outer corner of the eye. Then, draw a vertical oval along the side of the face that ends along the same horizontal path as the bottom of the nose. Next, draw a small circle that overlaps the bottom of the oval to make an earring. Repeat on the other side of the face to make the other ear. You can try drawing different shapes for the earrings, or you can leave them out altogether. Draw the hair around the head and add a hairline or bangs. Sketch an outline of the hair so it extends past the head, which will make the hair look fuller. You can also add bangs that swoop down over the forehead, or you can draw a downward curved line that runs across the forehead from one side of the head to the other to make a hairline. If you draw a visible hairline, make sure it's lower than the top of the head. Otherwise, the forehead will look too big. If you're drawing long hair, you can draw it tucked behind the ears and leave the ears as they are, or you can draw the hair over the ears and erase any parts of them that are covered.	Draw an oval and divide it into 3 sections to make the head. Draw the eyes on the top horizontal line. Add the pupils and eyelashes to the eyes. Draw an arched eyebrow above each eye. Draw the tip of the nose along the bottom horizontal line. Use shading to softly define the bridge and tip of the nose. Draw the lips halfway between the tip of the nose and the chin. Draw an ear on each side of the head. Draw the hair with a hairline that starts below the top of the oval. Draw an oval that’s narrower at the bottom and divide it into 4 sections. Draw a small nose near the center of the oval. Draw big, exaggerated eyes on top of the horizontal line. Add dark eyelashes to the tops and bottoms of the eyes. Draw big pupils inside of the eyes. Draw the lips slightly below the bottom of the nose. Add thin, arched eyebrows. Add ears with earrings on the sides of the heads. Draw the hair around the head and add a hairline or bangs.
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Surrogate-Mother	How to Become a Surrogate Mother	Before you try to become a surrogate mother, keep in mind that the requirements and policies will vary depending on where you live and what agency you go through. In general, you'll need to be between 21 and 45 years old, be in good health, and have had a previous successful pregnancy. You may also be required to undergo a psychological screening. If becoming a surrogate mother sounds like it's right for you, start researching reputable surrogacy agencies in your area.	Find out if you are a good candidate for surrogacy. There are not established legal requirements for being a surrogate, but most agencies have their own guidelines. In general, a woman must be between 21 and 45 years old, be in good physical health, have a stable family life, and have had a previous pregnancy that did not result in any complications in order to be considered a good candidate. Have a preconception checkup. Before you become pregnant, you should see your doctor to make sure that you are healthy enough. Your doctor may perform a physical exam, perform blood tests, and ask you about your personal and family history. If you have any chronic medical conditions or history that cause you to develop complications during pregnancy, your doctor will talk to you about the risks involved and what you can do to reduce them. If you are on birth control, be sure to ask your doctor how long you need to stop the medication before you try to become pregnant. You may need to get vaccinated for certain diseases that could be dangerous to an unborn child, including chickenpox and rubella. You should also consider getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV and chlamydia. These diseases can be harmful to an unborn baby, and may also result in pregnancy complications or fertility issues. If you are working with a surrogacy agency, these tests will likely be required. The intended parents may also be required to undergo certain screenings, including tests for diseases that may be transmitted to you or to the child during pregnancy, as well as psychological and genetic screenings. Have a psychological screening. If you are using a surrogacy agency, you will be required to undergo a psychological evaluation to ensure that you do not have any underlying desire to keep the child. Even if you aren't required to talk to someone about these issues, it is a good idea to do so for your own emotional well-being. It is very important that you understand how difficult it might be for you to part with a child that you carried for nine months. Surrogacy is a controversial issue because some people do not believe that a surrogate mother can truly give informed consent to give the baby up before it is born. Start taking prenatal vitamins. In order to provide the most benefit to the unborn child, you should start taking prenatal vitamins that contain folic acid before you start trying to get pregnant. Folic acid is most important to a fetus during the first few weeks of development, so if you wait until you know you are pregnant to start taking the supplements, you may have already missed the most crucial window. Know the different types of surrogacy. There are two different kinds of surrogacy: traditional surrogacy (also known as partial surrogacy or straight surrogacy), and gestational surrogacy (also known as full surrogacy or host surrogacy). With traditional surrogacy, the surrogate mother is artificially inseminated using sperm donated by the intended father, or in some cases by a sperm donor. The surrogate mother's own egg is fertilized, so she is the child's biological mother. This can create lots of legal complications because in some areas, the surrogate mother may be able to claim guardianship of the child based on the genetic link. With gestational surrogacy, the surrogate mother undergoes a procedure called in vitro fertilization (IVF), during which an embryo that was created in a lab, using eggs and sperm either from the intended parents or from donors, is implanted in her uterus. With gestational surrogacy, the surrogate mother is not genetically related to the baby. You can become a gestational surrogate for a close family member. You cannot become a traditional surrogate if the intended father is a close relative of yours because this increases the risk that the child will have a genetic disorder. Understand the laws in your area. The laws regarding surrogacy are extremely complicated in the United States. Because there is no federal law regarding surrogacy, each state has its own laws. In some states, it is illegal to enter into any kind of surrogacy agreement, and you may even go to jail for doing so. In other states, it is perfectly legal to enter into a surrogacy agreement and to be compensated for doing so. Many states allow contracts for gestational surrogacy, but not for traditional surrogacy, due to the potential for custody battles. If you live in a state that does not recognize surrogacy agreements as legal, you may end up being legally responsible for supporting the child, especially if the child was conceived using traditional surrogacy methods. The laws in some states also require that the intended parents undergo formal adoption proceedings after the child is born. In other states, legal guardianship can be established before the birth of the child. Decide if you will use an agency. If you choose to use a surrogacy agency, the agency will take care of matching you with a couple who wants a child. If you want to become a surrogate mother to help someone you already know have a child, you do not need to use an agency. It is also possible to arrange for a surrogacy agreement with a couple you don't know by answering or placing an ad, but keep in mind that agencies screen all potential candidates, and you will not have this protection if you do not use one. You will need to fill out an application and undergo certain medical tests in order to be accepted by a surrogacy agency. In some cases, the agency may have specific requirements for surrogate mothers beyond a clean bill of health. Whether you use an agency or not, it is very important that you trust the intended parents. You will have a great deal of contact with them during your pregnancy, so it is important that they be supportive and reliable. Make sure you look into the agency's background before signing any agreements. Not all agencies are reputable. Have your lawyer draft a contract. Because of all of the potential legal issues involved with surrogacy, it is extremely important to have good legal representation throughout the entire process. Your lawyer should draft a comprehensive contract that outlines the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved. This should be done before you undergo any medical procedures. Make sure your contract addresses important issues such as the amount of compensation the surrogate mother will receive, who will be responsible for paying medical bills, who will have custody of the child in the event that something happens to the intended parents during the pregnancy, what will happen if the surrogate mother gives birth to twins or triplets, what will happen if one party wants to terminate the pregnancy, and what will happen in the event of a miscarriage. Your lawyer should advise you of any other issues that need to be addressed in the contract. You should have your own lawyer, not the same one who represents the intended parents. If you work with a surrogacy agency, they may take care of the contract for you. It is still a good idea to have your own lawyer look it over before you sign it, just to make sure that you are fully protected. Visit a fertility doctor. Once you have undergone all of the necessary medical screenings and finalized your surrogacy contract, you will need to undergo a procedure, either artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization, to become pregnant. Both of these procedures involve the insertion of a thin catheter into the surrogate mother's uterus and are typically performed at fertility clinics. After the procedure, you will be required to undergo tests to confirm if you are pregnant. Intrauterine insemination is the most effective type of artificial insemination because the sperm is inserted directly into the uterus. This procedure is very quick and should not cause any pain. You may be given a mild sedative for IVF. You shouldn't feel any pain, but it may be slightly uncomfortable. You may be required to take hormonal supplements prior to the procedure in order to increase the likelihood that you will successfully become pregnant. Follow through with your obligations. The surrogacy contract will likely include clauses regarding your obligations to maintain a healthy pregnancy. Make sure to attend all of your required doctor's appointments and follow your doctor's recommendations for living a healthy lifestyle. It is also very important to maintain a good, open relationship with the intended parents. They will likely want to be very involved throughout your pregnancy. Get the support you need. If you find that it is more difficult being a surrogate mother than you expected, don't be afraid to talk about your feelings. Many surrogate mothers deal with complex emotions during their pregnancies, so you are not alone. Confide in your spouse or partner, if you have one. Attend support groups for surrogate mothers or seek out help online. These women will understand exactly what you are going through. See a counselor if necessary. Some surrogate mothers may need to seek professional help in order to cope with the psychological difficulties involved in carrying someone else's child.	Find out if you are a good candidate for surrogacy. Have a preconception checkup. Have a psychological screening. Start taking prenatal vitamins. Know the different types of surrogacy. Understand the laws in your area. Decide if you will use an agency. Have your lawyer draft a contract. Visit a fertility doctor. Follow through with your obligations. Get the support you need.
https://www.wikihow.com/Check-Out-of-a-Hotel	How to Check Out of a Hotel	To check out of a hotel, start by confirming the check out time with the front desk or on the hotel's website so you know when you have to be out of your room. Next, pack up all of your belongings and do a final sweep of the room to make sure you didn't forget anything. Then, bring your room key to the front desk, provide your name and room number, and state that you'd like to check out.	Check out with the front desk. Some hotels may refer to the front desk simply as “Reception” or the “Reception Desk.” This is normally located near the main entrance of the hotel where you checked in for your stay. With your baggage in tow, go to the front desk worker, give them your keys, and settle payment for your stay. When you arrive at the front desk, say something like, “Hi, I've been staying in room 222 and I'd like to check out.” Ask for an itemized receipt for your total bill. Fraud is relatively common at hotels. If your hotel refuses to give you a receipt, this may be a red flag. An itemized receipt is generally required to get reimbursement for expenses on a business trip. Be sure to ask for one when traveling on business. Check out online alternatively, if applicable. More and more, hotels are using online tools to make your stay more convenient. Some hotels may offer an online checkout. To find out if the hotel you're staying at has an online checkout, look for this information online at the hotel's website or ask the front desk. Many online check out services will send a bill to your email address, though you may be able to request that a physical bill be sent to your home. Get a receipt for any cash payments. If you've decided to pay cash for any of the services you've received at the hotel or to resolve penalties, ask for an itemized receipt. Compare this to your total receipt to make sure you weren't charged twice for the same thing. If a “clerical error” occurs and the hotel doesn't have a record of your payment, you may have to pay this fee again if you don't have a receipt. Remove and pack all items in drawers and closets. Items that you've hung in closets or tucked away in drawers can easily be forgotten. Out of habit, you may have put something in one of these places without thinking. Check all closets and drawers before leaving and pack your personal items in your bag(s). Check the bathroom for forgotten items. Toiletries and bathroom accessories, like towels and beauty tools, are often overlooked and left behind. Move towels on the floor to ensure nothing has been knocked on the ground and hidden from view. Scan shelves, under beds, and outlets before leaving. High up storage areas can hide outside of your normal view. Some items may have been kicked under or behind your bed. Outlets, especially ones hidden behind beds and dressers, may still have chargers plugged in. Guests often absently deposit items on shelves, making them easy to lose amidst hotel knickknacks decorating shelves. Gather your room key, possessions, and other checkout necessaries. In many cases, you'll have to bring your room key(s) to the front desk to check out. Gather your packed possessions near your room's entrance. Note your room number, if necessary. The front desk worker will usually ask for your room number and keys when checking out. Some hotels may require guests to leave their keys (usually magnetic card keys) behind in the room when checking out. Do a final sweep of the room before walking out the door. When all your things are packed and positioned at the room entrance, anything left behind will be more obvious. Before leaving to check out at the front desk, give the room one more look over. Leave a credit card with the front desk when necessary. Debit cards left with the front desk during check in are a high risk for fraud. In many cases, money illegally withdrawn from your debit account cannot be returned. Fraudulent transactions made on credit cards, however, can generally be contested for a full refund. If you don't have a credit card when checking in, see if you can substitute a driver's license or a similar item for a credit or debit card. Some hotels may only accept credit or debit cards. If the hotel you're staying it is insistent about holding a card, ask to see a manager. Ask the manager if you could pay a cash deposit as a substitute for the card. Be sure to get a receipt for the deposit. Some hotels may allow you to pay for your room with a Paypal account. In this case, you won't need a credit or debit card. Some hotels may charge additional fees for Paypal payments. Verify the check out time and procedure. Some hotels may charge a fee for checking out early or late. Most hotels provide general check out information to lodgers on pamphlets or signs in your room or at the front desk. Alternatively, look up check out information online. The check out policy will vary between hotels. For example, you may be able to leave your room key in your room when checking out. If you can't find check out info in your room or online, call the front desk. Ask about the check out time and whether there are any penalties for early or late checkout. Inquire about additional penalties, gratuities, and fees. Different hotels will have different policies about penalties, gratuities, and fees. Look online for a complete list of these for the hotel you're staying at. Ask the front desk about these for additional information or explanation. To check for gratuity on the sly, ask for an itemized receipt at some point. Any gratuities should be clearly indicated on the receipt. Prevent double tipping by not tipping when gratuity is included. Some common hotel fees include things like: a minibar restocking fee (on top of the cost of minibar items), a gym fee, holding fees for baggage, and fees for wireless Internet use. Set an alarm. If you're a heavy sleeper, you may want to set a few alarms. Position your alarm away from your bed so you don't turn it off and go back to sleep. Allow yourself enough time before checking out to pack your belongings and make your way to the front desk. Many hotels offer a free wake-up call service. Call the front desk the night before you check out and ask to be called with a reminder.	Check out with the front desk. Check out online alternatively, if applicable. Get a receipt for any cash payments. Remove and pack all items in drawers and closets. Check the bathroom for forgotten items. Scan shelves, under beds, and outlets before leaving. Gather your room key, possessions, and other checkout necessaries. Do a final sweep of the room before walking out the door. Leave a credit card with the front desk when necessary. Verify the check out time and procedure. Inquire about additional penalties, gratuities, and fees. Set an alarm.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Relish	How to Make Relish	To make relish, start by dicing cucumbers, red and green bell peppers, and a yellow onion. Then, soak the vegetables in a bowl of water for 6 hours, changing out the water after 5 hours. Next, simmer vinegar, sugar, minced garlic, dill seeds, mustard seeds, celery seeds, and turmeric in a saucepan for 5 minutes before adding the diced vegetables. Finally, bring everything to boil, and reduce the heat to a simmer for 10 more minutes.	Wash the vegetables. Rinse the cucumbers and peppers under cool, running water. Dry well with clean paper towels. Peel the onion and garlic cloves. You can peel the cucumbers too, if desired, but doing so is not necessary and only a matter of personal preference. Remove the seeds from the cucumbers. Slice each cucumber in half lengthwise. Drag a spoon down the lengthwise center of each half, removing the strip of seeds. While pickling cucumbers and English cucumbers are the easiest to work with, you can actually use regular cucumbers for this, too. The process will be the same and the relish should still taste just as great. Dice the cucumbers. Using a knife, cut off both ends of each cucumber. Dice the cucumbers into small pieces measuring 1/8 to 1/4 inch (3 to 6 mm). Chopping the cucumbers by hand will give you the greatest control over the size of the pieces, but to save time, you could use a food processor instead. Use a medium "chop" blade, and process the cucumbers very slowly to avoid turning them into mush. Dice the remaining vegetables. Dice the peppers and onion into 1/8 to 1/4 inch (3 to 6 mm) chunks. Mince the garlic as finely as possible. You'll also need to discard the stems, membranes, and seeds of the peppers before dicing them. As with the cucumbers, chopping by hand will give you more control, but you can use a food processor if desired. Process each vegetable separately. Toss the vegetables with salt and water. Place the diced cucumbers, peppers, and onions in a large bowl. Toss the vegetables together with the salt, then cover the entire batch with cold water. Note that you should not add the minced garlic to this mixture. Set it aside until later. The bowl you use should be made of glass, plastic, or another non-reactive material. The water should be very cold to keep the vegetables as fresh as possible. If desired, you can add 1 cup (250 ml) of ice to the water, as well, to cool the mixture further. Let the mixture rest. Set the mixture aside and let it rest for 4 to 6 hours at room temperature. Technically, you can move onto the next step after 2 hours if you're in a hurry. You can also allow the vegetables to soak overnight. Longer resting times should help prolong the lifespan of the relish, which is beneficial if you plan on storing it long-term. Check the mixture every hour or so. If the water level decreases significantly, add more cold water. If the water temperature becomes too warm, add more ice. Drain and rinse the vegetables. Pour the contents of the bowl through a fine mesh colander, discarding the soaking water. Thoroughly rinse the vegetables with cool, running water. Agitate the colander carefully while rinsing the vegetables to promote even coverage. Allow the rinse water to completely drain from the vegetables before continuing. Soak in fresh water. Return the vegetable mixture to the bowl and cover it with additional cold water. Allow the mixture to soak for another hour. Drain the vegetables again. Pour the contents of the bowl through the colander, discarding the water and keeping the vegetables. You do not need to rinse the mixture this time, but you may need to gently press the vegetables against the sides and bottom of the colander to squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible. Combine the vinegar, sugar, and spices. Place the vinegar, sugar, minced garlic, dill seeds, mustard seeds, celery seeds, and turmeric in a 4-qt (4-L) saucepan. Set the pan on the stove over medium-high heat. You can use white vinegar, cider vinegar, or red wine vinegar; each will add a slightly different flavor profile and tint to the finished relish. Similarly, you can use white sugar or brown sugar. White sugar works best with white vinegar and red wine vinegar, while brown sugar works best with cider vinegar. You can add the spices directly to the vinegar and sugar, but if you prefer a clear relish, consider placing them in a spice bag or cheesecloth satchel instead. This bundle of spices can be removed before you pour the relish into jars. Let the pickling mixture simmer. Allow the mixture to reach a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to medium and drop the liquid to a simmer. Allow the pickling mixture to simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. The sugar should be fully dissolved before you continue. Add the vegetables. Add the cucumbers, onions, and peppers to the simmering liquid. Increase the heat to medium-high again, and allow the liquid to reach a boil. After the mixture boils, reduce the heat to medium again to drop the liquid to a simmer. Continue cooking for about 10 minutes, or until most of the excess liquid evaporates. Stir the contents of the saucepan frequently to prevent them from burning and sticking to the saucepan. Prepare the jars. Sanitize the canning jars and lids in boiling water. Dry well with paper towels. If you have a dishwasher, you can clean the jars in the dishwasher instead of using boiling water. You'll still need to boil the lids, however. To reduce the amount of wait time, it's best to perform this step while simultaneously soaking or cooking the relish. Prepare a water bath. Fill a water canner halfway with water. Cover it with its lid, and start heating it over medium-high heat. Allow the water to reach a rolling boil. It's best to prepare this water bath while the relish cooks. If you don't have a water canner, you can use a large stockpot with a heat-proof rack placed in the bottom. Note that a water bath is only necessary if you plan on processing the cans of relish for long-term storage. If you intend to use the relish within one month, you can skip this part. Pack the relish into the jars. Ladle the finished relish into the sanitized jars, leaving 1/4 to 1/2 inch (0.6 to 1.25 cm) of empty headspace in each jar. Briefly and gently stir the sides of each jar to release as many air bubbles as possible. Use a damp cloth to wipe excess liquid from the jar rims, then tightly screw the lids on top of the jars. Process the jars for 10 minutes. Carefully lower the cans of relish into the boiling water. Allow the water to reach a boil again, then cover the canner and process the relish for 10 minutes. Do not allow the jars to touch each other or the sides of the canner. The hot water should cover the jars by at least 1 or 2 inches (2.5 or 5 cm). If you live at higher altitudes, you may need to process the jars longer. For altitudes between 1000 and 6000 feet (0.3 and 1.8 km), process the jars for 15 minutes. For altitudes above 6000 feet (1.8 km), process the jars for 20 minutes. Remove the jars. After you finish processing the jars, use jar tongs to remove them from the hot water. Cool them on a wire rack or folded towel for an hour, or until they drop to room temperature. After the jars cool, press on the center of each lid. If the lids stay down when pressed, the jars processed correctly. If it pops up, the jars are not sealed. Do not re-process unsealed jars; simply store them as you would store opened jars. Store sealed jars up to one year. Place the jars of processed, sealed relish in a cool, dark place. They should remain good for at least 6 months, but most will last for 12 to 18 months. Store open jars up to one month. Once you open the jars, keep them in your refrigerator and use the relish within one month. If you chose not to process the jars at all, you should still be able to store them in your refrigerator for up to one month.	Wash the vegetables. Remove the seeds from the cucumbers. Dice the cucumbers. Dice the remaining vegetables. Toss the vegetables with salt and water. Let the mixture rest. Drain and rinse the vegetables. Soak in fresh water. Drain the vegetables again. Combine the vinegar, sugar, and spices. Let the pickling mixture simmer. Add the vegetables. Prepare the jars. Prepare a water bath. Pack the relish into the jars. Process the jars for 10 minutes. Remove the jars. Store sealed jars up to one year. Store open jars up to one month.
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Water-Lilies	How to Grow Water Lilies	Water lilies are serene, floating plants that can make a great addition to your pond or garden. In the Northern Hemisphere, it's best to plant them in the spring when the temperature's warmer. It's easier to plant water lilies in containers, but you can plant them in your pond too. Water lilies need 6 to 8 hours of sunlight and should be planted at a 45-degree angle. If you're using a container, plant them in soil and fertilizer with a layer of pea gravel on top to stop the soil from floating away. Then, fill the container with water.	Plant water lilies in containers instead of directly in the ground. Use a wide, shallow pot or a mesh basket designed for aquatic planting. The container should have a diameter of 14 to 16 inches (36 to 41 cm). It's easier to maintain potted lilies. Additionally, a lily planted directly into the ground could eventually overwhelm your pond. When planted in the ground, a water lily's root system can cover a diameter of 15 feet (4.6 m) within 5 years. You can find aquatic plant necessities, including a mesh basket and aquatic soil, online, at your local garden center, or at a home improvement store. Use an aquatic planter if you don’t have a pond. If you have one, you can plant lilies in your pond or backyard water feature. If not, purchase a large aquatic planter, fill it with water, and submerge the pot that holds the lily. Go for an aquatic planter that's around 6 by 8 feet (1.8 by 2.4 m). Make sure it's designed for aquatic plants and doesn't have any drainage holes. Ensure your pond or container gets at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun. While lilies need a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight, more light encourages them to produce more flowers. Ideally, your lilies should get at least 8 hours of sun. Plant your lilies in the spring. Late April to early May is the best time to plant water lilies in the Northern Hemisphere. In cooler climates, plant when there's no risk of frost. There are 2 varieties of water lily: hardy and tropical. As their name implies, hardy water lilies can tolerate cooler temperatures. You still need to plant them in the spring, but maintaining a high water temperature isn't as important. Make sure your pond is warm if you choose tropical lilies. Tropical species can't tolerate water temperatures below 65 °F (18 °C), so make sure your pond or aquatic container can sustain warm water before planting. Ideally, your water should be at least 70 °F (21 °C). Purchase lilies with healthy crowns and leaves. You can find water lilies at your local nursery or garden center, or you could ask a friend with lilies for clippings. Look for plants with healthy crowns, or the part where the stems meet the roots. Check for stems that easily pull away from the crown, and look for yellow, curling, or damaged leaves. An unhealthy crown and yellow leaves are signs of crown rot. It's an incurable fungal infection, and is one of the only health issues that affect water lilies. Fill 3/4 of a container with aquatic loam-based soil, then add fertilizer. Line your pot or aquatic basket with a coarse fabric, such as hessian or burlap. Use a loam-based soil labeled for aquatic use, as standard potting soil is too fluffy and will float away when submerged. Add soil to the container until it's 3/4 full, then add aquatic fertilizer. The right amount of fertilizer depends on your product, so read the instructions for the fertilizer you purchase. A typical ratio is 10 grams (about 1/3 oz) of fertilizer for 1 gallon (3.8 L) of soil. Remove the lily from its old container and trim it. Gently pull the lily out of the old container and rinse away excess soil from its rhizome, or root system. Trim any old, fleshy roots with pruning shears, but leave white, hair-like roots intact. Trim away all old, fleshy roots. If you don't see any, you can skip trimming. Place the root ball in the soil at a 45 degree angle. Set the lily's root ball on top of the soil on the side of the container. Make sure the crown, or the part where the stems emerge, points at a 45 degree angle toward the center of the pot. If your lily hasn't matured and has a growing tip instead of stems, position the growing tip at the same level as the top of the soil. Add more soil and a top layer of pea gravel. Add more soil, but don't completely fill the container. Leave about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) between the top of the soil and container's rim. Lightly press the soil to pack it, then add a layer of pea gravel to help keep the soil from floating away. Rinse the pea gravel thoroughly before you add it. Make sure you don't pack the gravel tightly around the stems. If your lily isn't mature, leave a space in the gravel for the plant's growing tip, which should be level with the top of the soil. Water it well, then submerge the container in water. Soak the pot completely with a hose, then lower it into your pond or aquatic planter. For the first 3 to 4 weeks, submerge the pot so that 5 to 6 inches (13 to 15 cm) of water covers the crown and young leaves float on the water's surface. If necessary, stack bricks or other supports to keep the pot at the right height. Keeping the pot at a shallow height will encourage growth. When you submerge the container in water, lower it into the water at an angle so that air trapped inside can escape. Place the container at gradually deeper water levels. After about 3 weeks, lower the pot so 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm) of water covers the crown. As it grows, gradually lower it until 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm) of water covers the crown. Remove old flowers and leaves before they rot. If you plant in spring, you should see flowers by June. Flowers last 3 to 4 days, and should be trimmed and removed when they whither. You should also remove old leaves to prevent rot. Deadheading, or removing old flowers and leaves, will help keep your water clear and encourage new flowers to form. Fertilize lilies monthly during the growing season. Lilies are hungry plants, and should be fertilized with a slow release aquatic formula every 4 to 6 weeks. Lift the pot out of the water, and use your fingers to clear out small holes in the gravel and soil. Insert aquatic fertilizer tablets or pellets, then smooth over the gravel and submerge the pot. The amount of fertilizer to add depends on your product, so check its label for specific instructions. Some aquatic fertilizers specify 1 tablet per 1 gallon (3.8 L) of soil, while other products recommend 2 to 4 tablets for the same amount of soil. Bring tropical lilies inside when the water temperature dips below 65 °F (18 °C). If your pond freezes solid, you'll need to winterize hardy lilies inside, too. Store the pot in a large aquarium filled with water. If you can't store the entire pot, trim the leaves and remove the rhizome, then apply a dusting of fungicide. Store the rhizome in a plastic bag filled with peat moss, and keep the bag in a cool, moist place, such as a basement. If your pond is at least 18 inches (46 cm) deep and doesn't completely freeze, you can winterize your hardy lilies outside. Place the pot in the deepest part of the pond, where it'll be protected from cold air. Divide an overgrown lily every 2 to 3 years. Eventually, the rhizome will start to crowd the pot, and you'll need to divide it. In the spring, remove the rhizome, or root ball, from the pot and rinse away excess soil from the roots. Look for tuber-like shoots with distinct growing tips or emerging stems. Using a knife or pruning shears, cut the shoots and surrounding roots in lengths of at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) from the rest of the root ball. You'll likely be able to divide the root ball into several shoots. Plant each shoot in a separate container, then place them in your pond or give them to a friend.	Plant water lilies in containers instead of directly in the ground. Use an aquatic planter if you don’t have a pond. Ensure your pond or container gets at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun. Plant your lilies in the spring. Make sure your pond is warm if you choose tropical lilies. Purchase lilies with healthy crowns and leaves. Fill 3/4 of a container with aquatic loam-based soil, then add fertilizer. Remove the lily from its old container and trim it. Place the root ball in the soil at a 45 degree angle. Add more soil and a top layer of pea gravel. Water it well, then submerge the container in water. Place the container at gradually deeper water levels. Remove old flowers and leaves before they rot. Fertilize lilies monthly during the growing season. Bring tropical lilies inside when the water temperature dips below 65 °F (18 °C). Divide an overgrown lily every 2 to 3 years.
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-an-Air-Traffic-Controller	How to Be an Air Traffic Controller	If you want to be an air traffic controller, you can begin the process after receiving a bachelor's degree or 3 years of work experience that shows you can handle the pressure of the job, since an air traffic controller should be calm, alert, and deal with stress well. You will have to complete a training program and take the selection test at the end. If you do well, you may get an interview. The next step is to prepare for a rigorous screening for physical health, drugs, and security clearance before you're offered a job.	Be no older than 30 if you are new to the profession. People with previous experience as an air traffic controller can re-enter the profession if they are 31 or older, if they have prior experience as an air traffic controller before they turned 31. The DOD will hire civilian air traffic controllers over 30; however, the FAA will not train people with no prior experience who are older than 30. Civilian air traffic controllers who work for the Defense Department can also transfer to the FAA, provided they were 30 or younger when hired by the DOD. Be a United States citizen. The FAA only accepts citizens of the United States for its training programs. Meet the education and experience requirements. You can qualify to become an air traffic controller for the FAA if you meet one of the following requirements: Have a continuous year of experience as a civilian or military air traffic controller. Have 3 years of (any) work experience, a bachelor's degree or some equivalent combination of work experience and collegiate study. The FAA considers a year of college, 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours, equal to 9 months of work. Your experience and coursework should be of a nature that shows you can handle the duties of being an air traffic controller. Complete the FAA's Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) 2- or 4-year program and receive an official recommendation from the school whose program you attended. More information about this program is available from the FAA website. Know what you're up against. In 1981, President Reagan famously fired a whole bunch of striking ATCs. As a result, those who were newly hired then are now retiring. In 2009, there was a huge spike in numbers and now that number is being forced to drop. 4 years ago would've been a great time to become an ATC, but job prospects are a bit bleaker now. The BLS has job growth at a -3% rate. If you do want employment, it's preferred that you have military experience or rock the AT-CTI program. Wait for a PUBNAT opening or complete the AT-CTI program. If you're not already landing planes in the military (and most of us aren't), it's safe to say you're considering the two other paths: either getting hired directly by the FAA or going to an FAA-affiliated school. Let's cover both paths. If you're a regular Joe, you can wait for the FAA to announce an open posting on the USAJobs website. You must see the word PUBNAT in the title (stands for "public national" and is open to, you guessed it, the public) -- if that word isn't there, it is not open to the general public. Make sure to fill out all the information (and correctly) on the online application. If you don't, your application may be overlooked. If you're a regular Joe with time, money, and academic motivation, find a school that has an AT-CTI program -- a complete list can be found here. It's either a 2-year or 4-year program. If you go this route and complete it, you will be expedited through the process (though there is no guarantee of employment). Take the AT-SAT. 4 to 8 weeks after the PUBNAT announcement closes or 6 months prior to your graduation, you will be asked to take the AT-SAT (so check your email). When there are more applicants than testing slots, applicants are chosen at random. If you completed an AT-CTI program and weren't selected when you first applied to take the test, you are given priority for the next testing session provided you still meet the other requirements. The written test is a comprehensive, computer-administered test designed to evaluate your ability to learn how to be an air traffic controller. They will give you 8 hours with 75 minutes for breaks. You will be asked math questions, airplane control/dial questions, questions on radar, angles, and different flight scenarios, etc. Wondering how to study for it? Air Traffic Control Career Prep by Patrick Mattson is a good place to start. Get on the referral list. If you scored above 70 or above, you may get placed onto a referral list. You need to get on this list to proceed any further. Even if you do score a 70, you are not necessarily guaranteed anything -- there could be 14,395 people that got a 70.1. You will be notified via phone or email if you qualify. If you scored 70 to 84.9 you are deemed qualified. If you scored 85 and above, you are deemed well-qualified. Obviously, the FAA goes through the well-qualified list first. Receive notice to go through a PEPC or interview at a local facility. Once you're on the referral list, there are two routes you may be ushered through: the expedited route (at a PEPC (a pre-employment processing center) or the traditional route (at some local facility). Either way, eventually you'll get all your screenings and interview done -- this will be discussed in the next section, but you'll get notified of your path now. This should all be done in one day (probably). If that's the case for you, take some food with you and dress to impress. You'll be there all day (and there will only be candy and water and you'll be surrounded by people that are judging you as a possible candidate for this job. Leave the overalls at home. Fill out your e-QIP. Along will all the other stuff that will pile up in your inbox, you'll get notice to fill out your e-QIP. This is just a questionnaire you must fill out -- the electronic version of the SF-85/86 for Public Trust Positions. Be sure to do this -- it's the step that must be completed before the government initiates security checks on you (yay). If you're a terminal applicant, you'll fill out the SF-85. If you're an en route applicant, the SF-86. There are different types of air traffic controllers for different segments of flight. Tower controllers go from the gate to 5 miles (8.0 km) or so from the airport; approach controllers have the aircraft from about 60 miles (97 km) from the airport (below 18,000 ft); the center controller has the craft through higher altitudes to its destination, where the process gets reversed. Pass the MMPI-2. That stands for the Minnesota Multi-phasic Personality Inventory. It's pretty standard for all FAA, DoD, and CIA jobs. It's basically identifying your personality structure and your psychopathology. Whatever you do, don't answer the 567 questions like you think they want you to answer them. Answering "Have you ever lied?" with "No" will raise a red flag. Some of the questions are pretty ridiculous. Do you see animals that aren't there? Are people out to get you? Have you failed because others made you? Will people think you're nuts after you take this test because they want to see you fail? Dead serious. It's a lot of the same question over and over (in this case, "are you paranoid?") to see if you're consistent. If you fail it, you're not necessarily outta the game. You'll just probably get back-logged in the system for about three months and dealt with then. Pass a physical examination and drug screening. You need to be able to handle the physical rigors of being an air traffic controller, including having normal color vision. Once hired, you'll have to have an annual physical and drug screen to assure that you're still fit for the job, in addition to a hearing exam, blood pressure exam, and an EKG. The FAA does hire disabled veterans, provided their disabilities are such that they don't interfere with their ability to work as an air traffic controller Bring all your medical records with you. If you have an incomplete file, the process will go slower than it already is. Pass a security clearance. You know those questions employers ask you that you don't think they'll actually ever get around to verifying? Well, the FAA does that and takes it a step further. They will contact your references and people who know you. They will fingerprint you. They will research your criminal record exhaustively. They will check your credit. So everything you write down needs to be completely honest. If you have debt, don't fret. Tons of us do. It's only if you have six figures and it's all due to a gambling addition or you spent it all on pineapples or something will an eyebrow raise. Pass the FAA's interview. If you don't have previous experience as an air traffic controller, you must go through the FAA's testing and interview process. This is generally brief and to the point. The questions are fairly straightforward, talking about teamwork, stressful situations, and general questions any employer might ask. The interview is designed to evaluate applicants on their alertness, poise, diction and ability to give instructions in as few words as possible. Candidates are also evaluated for their ability to handle large amounts of information and to make quick decisions. You'll also be asked those super awesome questions like, "Why would you make a good ATC?" and "Where do you see your career going?" Not exactly tough stuff. Receive your TOL. That's your Tentative Offer Letter. HR will handle this. Once you get it (don't pester them for it; it'll come), it'll have your employment facility (in other words, where you'll be working) and how much you'll get paid. This is only a guarantee of employment IF you pass all the background checks and whatnot. Don't start celebrating just yet. Get the phone call. After it's all been cleared, your HR rep should call you and confirm when you'll be starting your classes. Each new ATC has to go through the FAA Academy before they begin work. They'll give you a time and a place -- would you like to have the spot reserved for you in the class? WHY, YES, YES YOU WOULD. Don't say no. A jillion other people are waiting for this offer, too. If you say no now, it could never happen again. Attend and graduate from the FAA Academy. The FAA Academy, located in Oklahoma City, trains those who pass the test for 12 weeks in the fundamentals of being an air traffic controller. Coursework includes FAA regulations, the airway system, how various aircraft perform and the use of equipment on the job. Those who graduated from the AT-CTI program can bypass the first 5 weeks of the Academy. Become certified as an air traffic controller. FAA Academy graduates are assigned to a facility where they work as "developmental controllers" under the supervision of experienced air traffic controllers. New controllers can expect to be certified within 2 to 4 years, depending on their performance and the availability of the facility staff to train them, while controllers with previous experience usually take less time to earn FAA certification. Once certified, you're subject to semiannual reviews of your performance. This is standard for any serious career. That six figure salary the BLS boasts isn't easy to come by. You'll need to work your way up the totem pole to find one of those. Start saving lives. You're gonna be doing some pretty cool stuff. Without you, those souls flying through the air would be up a creek without a paddle. While your job is really cool, it's also intense. You have to focus the entire time you're on the job. That's 8 hours of constant concentration. This job, while not physically exhausting, can be very mentally exhausting. It's not your average desk job. Airports run pretty much 24/7, so there's always things to be done. If you're a stickler for rest and relaxation, this isn't the career for you. Stay awake. Because of how planes are scheduled, you won't have consistent day, afternoon, or night shifts. If Ron works all the mornings and Sue works all the nights, Ron's constantly landing 3,429 planes at a time while Sue gets to read a book while she waits for United Flight 101 to come in. Tuesday you'll work in the morning and Wednesday you'll work graveyard to keep it balanced. In short, stay awake. Actually, ATCs falling asleep on the job is actually becoming a problem. As a result, they can no longer work alone during night shifts. However, scheduling is staying the same (it's only fair) and the shifts are, too (generally 8 hours long). If you have a family, this can put a serious damper on your bonding. Stay calm. You will be presented with a number of stressful situations. If nothing else, you'll be asked to do a 258 things at once. It's important that you keep a level head and don't freak out. You've been trained. You know what to do. Everything will be fine. If you remember to breathe, you'll be better off. Think of your training, what your superior would do, and handle the moment. It'll be over before you know it. When the rush hour ends, you can sit back with your coffee, start a conversation with the interesting ex-military guy you've been working with for a few months now, and take in how incredible your job is. Kudos! Stay sane. The stresses of being an air traffic controller are innumerable. If something goes wrong, you may end up blaming yourself and, beating around the bush aside, losing it. It's easy to get shaken, especially in the beginning. It's imperative that you understand that this career choice is the very definition of demanding. Sure, busier airports will require more of you, but every position (regardless of its location) will deprive you of sleep, demand ultimate concentration, and can be potentially quite jarring. Got it? They never said it'd be easy; they said it'd be worth it, right? This is a very, very respectable job -- it's simply important to know the benefits and drawbacks going in. When you go in with a level head, you're more likely to succeed.	Be no older than 30 if you are new to the profession. Be a United States citizen. Meet the education and experience requirements. Know what you're up against. Wait for a PUBNAT opening or complete the AT-CTI program. Take the AT-SAT. Get on the referral list. Receive notice to go through a PEPC or interview at a local facility. Fill out your e-QIP. Pass the MMPI-2. Pass a physical examination and drug screening. Pass a security clearance. Pass the FAA's interview. Receive your TOL. Get the phone call. Attend and graduate from the FAA Academy. Become certified as an air traffic controller. Start saving lives. Stay awake. Stay calm. Stay sane.
https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Backpack-for-School	How to Choose a Backpack for School	To choose a backpack for school, look for one that's made from a lightweight, durable material, like nylon or polyester. Additionally, pick one with wide, padded straps that you can adjust to fit you properly, while supporting the weight on your shoulders. You should also choose a backpack that has heavy, double-headed zippers, which provide easy access and will hold up over time. If you have a lot to carry, consider a full-zipper bag instead of a top-loading backpack, so it's easier to pull things in and out.	Consider size and pockets. Determine what size objects and how much weight you will carry to school. Also think about what sorts of pockets you will need. College students will have different needs from those of first-graders. Some things to keep in mind include: Do you need a compartment for your computer? Do you need a place to put your lunch? Do you need places to put pens, keys, or other small objects? Do you want water bottle holders or mobile phone pockets? How many binders, notebooks, and books will you need to carry at once? Choose a fabric. The fabric a backpack is made of will determine its weight, breathability, and durability. New synthetic fabrics will last longest, but leather ages with more character. Synthetic fabrics are lighter-weight than leather. If you choose a leather bag it will be much heavier even before you begin to load it. Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon are more water-resistant than natural fibers like cotton. Natural fibers like hemp are more environmentally sustainable than synthetics. If you care about having an eco-friendly bag choose a natural fiber. Check the zippers. Look closely at the closures for the pockets and make sure they are sturdy and easy to close. Choose double-headed zippers for easiest access. Look for heavy-duty zippers that will hold up over time. Consider current fashions. Style is an important feature of a school backpack. You will want a bag that looks good and is also similar to backpacks that are currently in style. Prints are fashionable right now, but consider solid colors too because you will wear the bag every day and it has to match a lot of outfits. About half of the backpacks sold by one of the biggest companies, Jansport, are black. If you want a sleek, timeless bag that will fit in with the crowd you can't go wrong with a black backpack. Try an eco-friendly bag. Backpacks made from recycled or sustainable materials are very trendy. Consider straps and padding. Think about how much padding you will need in order to carry the weight in your bag comfortably and safely. Choose a bag with wide, padded straps to properly support weight on your shoulders. Choose a bag with adjustable shoulder straps. The straps should be adjustable so that you make the bag sit firmly against the strongest part of your back. If the bag sways around or sits too low on your back it can cause back pain and spine problems, especially if it is very heavy. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a child's backpack should sit about two inches above the waist. Choose two straps instead of one. Pick a bag with two shoulder straps. Using only one strap can cause alignment problems for your back and spine or shoulder and neck injuries. Consider a waist strap. If you plan to carry very heavy loads regularly you may want a strap the clips over your waist to distribute the weight more. Consider a padded back. Some backpacks have padding on the back to add additional comfort. Consider messenger style bags. A bag with two straps instead of one will offer more even weight distribution and be better for your back, but messenger style bags with one strap might look more fashionable. Decide which advantage is more important to you. Look at top-loading backpacks and full-zipper bags. The classic backpack has a full zipper that goes all the way around from near the base on one side, over the top, to near the base on the other side. Other backpacks open only at the top and may include a flap that folds over as a closure instead of a zipper. Full-zipper bags allow for easy insertion and extraction of large items or a lot of items at once. Top loading bags may give a little extra space because the top flap can be fastened over large or protruding items such as a jacket. Consider a wheeled backpack. In recent years backpacks with wheels that can be pulled instead of carried have become more popular. These can be a good option for carrying heavy loads. Keep in mind that a wheeled bag will be much heavier even before it is loaded because of the added frame, handle, and wheels. If the bag is for a child, make sure they can lift it: when you do have to pick it up it will weigh more than a regular bag. Wheeled bags can be more difficult to move around in crowded areas such as a busy hallway between classes. Wheeled bags are great for carrying very heavy items like lots of textbooks that you don't want to lift and wear on your back. Some schools have rules about wheeled bags and some schools do not allow them so check before buying. Decide to buy online or in person. There are some advantages to buying online but finding a bag in person can give you a better feel for what you are getting Buying online may offer you more choices and a lower price. Shopping in person will enable you to try on the backpack, make sure it fits well, and examine the inside of the bag to see additional features. Choose a store. Backpacks are available at a variety of retailers. Big sellers may offer a lower price but specialty stores have more expertise. Consider these kinds of retailers: Online vendors like Amazon, these have a large selection and low prices. Online shoe sellers like Zappos carry bags and sometimes offer free shipping and allow you to try on products and return them for free if they don't fit well. Big box stores. Stores like Walmart or Target sell backpacks in physical stores and online. Sporting goods stores. Stores that sell sports equipment usually sell a lot of backpacks. Luggage stores. Retailers that specialize in luggage are a great place to find backpacks. Specialty bag makers. Some companies, like Jansport focus on backpacks. You can buy directly from these companies online or find their bags in stores that carry backpacks. Outdoors stores and backpacking stores. Retailers like L.L. Bean or North Face that focus on outdoor goods stock backpacks and they often have specialized salespeople who can help you select a bag and instruct you about proper fit. Try on backpacks in person. It may be tempting to order a backpack online but it is best to try them on in person to make sure they fit and to see other features. Try on the bag you want to buy to make sure it feels comfortable and can be adjusted to fit well. When viewing bags in person, open the bag to look at inside pockets and features. Often these are not visible in photos on online shopping sites.	Consider size and pockets. Choose a fabric. Check the zippers. Consider current fashions. Consider straps and padding. Choose a bag with adjustable shoulder straps. Choose two straps instead of one. Consider a waist strap. Consider a padded back. Consider messenger style bags. Look at top-loading backpacks and full-zipper bags. Consider a wheeled backpack. Decide to buy online or in person. Choose a store. Try on backpacks in person.
https://www.wikihow.com/Taper-Jeans	How to Taper Jeans	To taper jeans, start by putting on your jeans inside out and pinching around the calf or ankle area where you want the jeans to become more narrow. Next, use a fabric marker or chalk to mark lines on the area you want to take in, take the jeans off, and pin the fabric where you marked it. Then, use a sewing machine to sew along the marked lines, and cut away any additional fabric. To keep the cut lines from fraying, sew them together using a zigzag stitch pattern.	Put on your jeans inside out. Before you start making permanent changes to your jeans, put them on inside out and pull and pinch the excess fabric around the inner calf and ankle area that you'd like to make more narrow. Doing this while the jeans are inside out is best because you'll need to alter the inside seams to taper the jean correctly. Mark the area you want taken in. Using a washable fabric marker or chalk, mark small dots in a straight line where you're pinching the fabric. These dots should start right below your knees and continue down to the very bottom of the pant legs. Give yourself just a little extra room around the thicker part of the calf. You don't want to make them too tight to put on and take off. Pin the bunched material together. After you've taken the jeans off, use sewing pins to pin together the fabric at the dots you marked. The pinning should simulate the pinching you did while you were wearing the jeans. Sew and cut excess fabric. Using a sewing machine, sew along the dotted lines that you created on each pant leg from below the knees to the bottom of the jeans. Once you do this, use scissors to cut off the extra fabric, including the old seams. Make sure not to cut any closer to your new seams than ¼ inch or ½ inch. Sew the fabric together where you just cut off the old material. At this point, the raw edges that are exposed will need to be secured. In order to prevent fraying, sew the raw edges together using a zigzag stitch pattern. It may be difficult to make this look attractive, but that's okay because this stitch won't ever be visible while you're wearing the jeans. Put your jeans back on and cuff your preferred new hem length. Put your jeans back on, but the right way this time. Your jeans should now be much more fitted from your knee down, but the very bottoms of your jeans are most likely still too wide. Cuff your jeans so that the old hem is where you want your jeans to end. This decision will depend greatly on exactly what kind of jean you're aiming to create. Skinny jeans should end at the top of the ankle. Straight leg jeans should end at the bottom of your ankle, just before your foot. Ankle jeans should fall at the slimmest part of the ankle. Pin your cuffs. While keeping the jeans on, use sewing pins vertically to mark where you'll sew, making sure that the vertical pin tops all line up evenly and are equidistant from the bottom of the fabric. Sew across the pin tops and then cut off excess fabric. Take your jeans off and sew horizontal lines where your pin tops are. Once you're done, you can cut the bottom of your pants off, leaving about a quarter or half inch of fabric below where you just sewed. Zigzag stitch the edges to keep them from fraying. Just as you needed to create a zigzag stitch along the inside of the raw edges running vertically, you'll need to do the same horizontally on the bottom of the jeans. Flip right side in and iron smooth. Turn the edge back under so that you can see the original hem and iron over the bottom of the jeans to smooth and flatten them out. Iron along the seams to help them lie flat.	Put on your jeans inside out. Mark the area you want taken in. Pin the bunched material together. Sew and cut excess fabric. Sew the fabric together where you just cut off the old material. Put your jeans back on and cuff your preferred new hem length. Pin your cuffs. Sew across the pin tops and then cut off excess fabric. Zigzag stitch the edges to keep them from fraying. Flip right side in and iron smooth.
https://www.wikihow.com/Improve-Service-Quality-at-Your-Business	How to Improve Service Quality at Your Business	The best way to improve service quality at your business is to start an employee training program that focuses on how to be great at customer service. Have experienced employees teach new-hires about your service values. Give your employees goals and recognize when they meet them.	Invest in service training, rather than a quality control department. Depending on how large or small your business is, you may already have a quality control department. This department tracks and documents any quality issues and work to address them. But depending on a quality control department can actually set your business up for poor performance, as it may demonstrate to your other employees that quality is not their main concern. Investing in training that trains all workers at all levels, rather than solely in a quality control department, will let your workers know they have a responsibility for providing quality service, no matter their role in the company. Look at gaps in service training in your current workforce. Have your employees take a customer service seminar, online, or in person, as part of a performance improvement requirement. Organize training sessions that target specific issues or gaps, such as how to interact with customers at the cash register or how to handle a speech to a client in a meeting. For example, if you are trying to improve service at the cash register, set up a training session targeted at improving service at the register. You may discuss how to greet a customer at the register, how to ring them through quickly and promptly, and how to hand them their change or their charge card at the end of the transaction. You may also instruct your employees to do mock transactions, where one employee acts as the worker at the register and the other employee acts as the customer. Don't stop training employees after their first few days or weeks on the job. Teach employees that there is always more they can and should be learning about their job, your business, and how to serve customers. Set up a new-employee initiation program. This program will train new workers on quality and service as soon as they start work. It should be a well-rounded program that gives new workers a clear sense of your company's products, services, and core business strategy. It should also reinforce your company's approach to customers and commitment to quality customer service. The program should include an overview of your company's approach to service. Give examples of customer service issues you have had in the past and/or are currently dealing with, as well as the solutions you came up with to address these issues. This will help new hires understand your approach to service and how to problem solve these issues. Pair up an experienced employee with a new employee. The experienced worker can provide firsthand experience of your company's operations and of how to perform well in a certain position or role. The experienced worker can also give the new worker pointers on providing quality service for customers. If possible, conduct part of the new employee orientation yourself. Lead one of the training sessions to show the new employees you are committed to the new hire program. This will also give you a chance to teach the company values in the new hires right away and set the new employees up for success. Teach the 30/30 rule. This simple rule states that the employee should greet each customer within 30 steps or 30 seconds of entering the store. This attention will ensure that your customers feel welcomed and wanted, which will translate to a more positive view of your business. Make sure to train your employees to communicate welcome with their body language as well as their words. A “hello” will not mean much if it comes from an employee who does not make eye contact, smile, or stand up straight with open body language. If your business is web-based, set up an automatic response system so that your customers know their messages have been received and you are working on solving their issue. Tie your employee’s actions to the business’s overall performance. This means showing your employees that what they do every day in the workplace has a big effect on customer happiness and the bottom line. Tying individual behavior to a larger system will give your employees a sense of how important it is that they practice good quality service every day. One way of doing this is to challenge your employees to commit to providing the best service possible to customers for one month. At the end of the month, show your employees proof of improvement of sales and lower customer complaints. Encourage employees to think of customer service as a "story" about your business. Your employees are the principal way that customers will engage with your business. In most cases, how they behave toward customers creates the overall "culture" of a business or store. Understanding that their interactions with customers are not limited to a single exchange at a cash register, but that they actually inform how a customer feels about the entire place, will help motivate employees to provide quality service every time. For example, the grocery store Trader Joe's frequently performs at the top of its industry in customer service rankings because employees are trained to provide a friendly, laid-back store atmosphere and offer personal recommendations about products. This approach makes it fun to shop there, which draws customers back even though Trader Joe's stock is usually more limited than other grocery stores. Give your employees service quality goals. These goals should be challenging, but attainable. Research on goal setting has shown that setting specific and challenging goals leads to higher levels of employee performance. Avoid easy or vague goals, such as “just do your best”. Focus on specific actions and attitudes, like greeting every customer with a smile and a hello, helping them with a fitting room and sizing, and making sure their transaction at the register is fast and pleasant. For example, at Harrah's casino in Las Vegas, staff must meet goals that are set up based on the individual's position at the casino, as well as the goals set up by Harrah's group of hotels in the Vegas area. The managers at Harrah's work with the employees to make sure the goals are challenging, but attainable. Harrah's uses a combination of goal setting and future rewards to motivate both the individual employee and the team. Recognize and reward improvements in employee performance. Motivate your employees by acknowledging their accomplishments and their ability to reach or even surpass customer service goals. There are two primary ways to reward employees: Financial rewards: One of the easiest ways to implement financial rewards is to increase wages and hand out bonuses to your employees. But if you aren't in a position to hand out more money to your employees all at once, you can improve their finances in other ways. Give them any extra hours they request, offer more affordable health care options, and be flexible around their child or elder care needs. Non-financial rewards: Create a recognition program that shows your employees how much you appreciate their hard work and attention to customer service. Focus on a program that recognizes the employee's length of service, positive customer feedback or achievement of a customer service goal. Use rewards like plaques, certificates, company merchandise, gift certificates, or complimentary products. Though these rewards won't necessarily benefit the employee financially, they will give the employee a sense of pride and achievement that is crucial to maintaining her motivation. Let your employees know there is room for growth. Another way to motivate and empower your employees to is to provide opportunities to move up to higher positions in the company or business. Create leadership positions for long standing employees or employees that have demonstrated a high level of performance. Encourage newer employees to aspire to a higher position or role and provide them with opportunities to prove themselves. You may decide to conduct yearly performance reviews of your employees to let them know where they stand and how they can improve their performance for the next year. Performance reviews are also an excellent way to reinforce positive behaviors to your employees and show them where their career at the company might be headed. Emphasize problem-solving. It is crucial to emphasize to your employees that they must be helpful as well as friendly. A polite and helpful sales clerk who knows nothing about the merchandise she sells will not satisfy her customers. Similarly, an employee who acknowledges a problem exists without having the ability to address it will not likely impress a customer. If the employee cannot provide an immediate solution, train your employees to provide a “plan of action” for how the issue will be addressed as soon as possible. For example, if a customer has called with an issue with a lawnmower she purchased, but your store will be closing in five minutes, you could promise to send a person to her home first thing in the morning to repair it. Teach your employees to overcompensate for any issues or complaints. This is how to attain customer service that goes “above and beyond.” Every customer should leave your store or workplace happy. Even if you or a staff member makes a mistake, the customer should still be satisfied. Do not act defensive or accuse the customer of making a mistake. Listen patiently to the customer's complaint and offer your sincere apologies. Then, explain how you are going to solve the service issue for the customer. The most polite employee in the world will not make up for incompetence or an inability to solve a customer's issue. For example, a customer comes in with a blouse that fell apart in the washing machine. She has her receipt to prove she bought the blouse from your shop two days ago. The customer demands a refund for the blouse, as it was not cheap, but it did not hold up when washed. The employee calls you, the business owner, over to discuss how to best serve this customer. Start by apologizing to the customer for the poor quality of your inventory. Then, explain that though you do not do refunds (as stated on the receipt), you can offer her a gift card to the store in the full amount of the poor quality item, plus an additional discount on her next purchase. This way, the customer knows you have addressed her problem and you will not leave her dissatisfied. You should then assure the customer that you will investigate the manufacturer of the ruined clothing item and pull the remaining stock from your shelves. Customers who are unhappy should get incentives to return to your business. This is more likely to create goodwill than solving the problem alone. Listen to feedback from your employees. Your employees can provide valuable insights into possible improvements to your existing approach to quality service. Paying attention to their feedback also shows you care about what they have to say and take their opinion seriously. Conduct a quality survey at least once a year among your employees. Send it out by email and set a due date for the survey to be completed. You could also attach incentives or a prize draw to motivate your employees to submit their feedback. Maintain open communication with your employees by starting the work day with a pep talk before the doors of the store or shop open. Lay out your expectations for quality service for all customers who walk through the door. Demonstrate specific behaviors that show the customer that the employees value quality service, such as how to greet the customer at the door, chat with them as they pay at the register, and ask them if they would like help with a size, or would like to start a fitting room. Use concrete examples to show, rather than tell, your employees how to provide excellent service. Determine how quickly you are able to solve problems. According to one survey, 69% of customers define “good” customer service as having their issue or problem addressed quickly and efficiently. 72% of those interviewed said things like being transferred from person to person or having to explain the situation several times were major frustrations. Make efforts to determine how quickly you are able to address your customers' issues. You can ask about this in a survey. For phone calls or online customer inquiries via email or chat, you can use a timer to determine how long it takes to address the problem. Your employees may not always have the knowledge or authorization to solve a customer's problems. However, they should be trained to immediately identify the problem and find someone who can address the issue. For example, imagine that you own a beauty store and a customer has called because she wants to purchase a particular brand of nail polish, which you do not carry. Rather than tell the customer “We don't have that,” your employee should make an immediate effort to find out how your store can get that polish for the customer and tell her when the problem is solved. This type of behavior is not only friendly, it is helpful and prompt, and it will likely increase customer loyalty to your business. Ask for personalized feedback from customers. Most customers like being asked for feedback. It shows them you care about their experience and are willing to improve or adjust your approach. Ask for customer feedback in a personal way, face to face, or via a personalized email. Acknowledge the customer's response with a quick reply. Ask for details about the customer's recent purchases in your store or products from your company that she has used or has issues with. Encourage the customer to explain her experience in your store or workplace and how she thinks you can improve her experience. Create a customer service survey. Customer satisfaction has several key components, such as emotional satisfaction, loyalty, satisfaction with specific attributes of their experience, and intent to return to your business. Creating a survey for customers to take after each service experience will help you determine how effective your service is. Track emotional satisfaction by asking questions that determine the “overall quality” or happiness of the customer with her experience. Track loyalty by asking questions that determine whether the person would recommend your business to others. People are more likely to trust word of mouth than any other form of advertising. Track satisfaction with specific elements of the experience by asking targeted questions, such as “How satisfied were you with the speed of your service today?” or “How would you rate the length of time you had to wait?” Track the intention to return by asking questions like “Based on today, would you return?” or “Do you think your choice to visit our store was a good decision?” Incentivizing these surveys is a good way to get customers to complete them. Often, unhappy customers will simply not return to a place where they felt dissatisfied. However, if you offer an incentive for them to complete the survey and return to your business, such as a free dessert with the purchase of an entree or a discount on a purchase, they will be more likely to offer feedback and do business with you again. Track any issues or complaints. One way to track the quality of service at your business is to track any customer issues or complaints. Create a database for all customer feedback and use a scale to rank the customer's experience (5 being highly satisfied, 1 being highly unsatisfied). Be sure to also note any detailed comments on service from customers in the database. You can also use a net promoter score. A net promoter score keeps tabs on the number of customers who would recommend your business to their friends. A customer who answers 9 or 10 is seen as a promoter, a customer who answers 7 or 8 is seen as passive, and a customer who gives a company a score of 6 or lower is seen as a detractor. By subtracting the number of detractors from the number of promoters, your company can come to a net promoter score. The higher your net promoter score is, the better you are doing at retaining your customers and keeping them satisfied. Put processes in place to prevent issues from occurring again. Both you and your employee handled a customer complaint well, and worked hard to resolve it. But just because the customer left happy, this doesn't mean you simply move on. Take this as an opportunity to prevent future quality problems. Ask your employee: “What caused this problem and what can we do to ensure it never happens again?” Document the events that lead to the customer complaint or issue, as well as the solution your employee came up with to keep the customer happy. For example, maybe a customer needed a certain dress that afternoon, but there were none in stock in her size at the store. Rather than let the customer leave upset and empty handed, the employee called around to several other locations in the area to try to find a dress in the customer's size and have it put on hold for the customer. The customer then left the store thrilled at receiving great customer service and will be more likely to return to the shop again. A possible solution to prevent this customer issue from happening again is to have more dresses in stock in a certain size and to always check the stock list at the beginning of the work day to try to prevent low stock. Talk to customers face-to-face. Avoid the temptation to hide behind your employees. Customers love the ability to reach management easily with their questions, complaints, and concerns. Appear in person at your business at least once a week to show your dedication to your employees and your customers. During your face-to-face interactions with employees, you can also demonstrate how to conduct quality customer service. Involve yourself in your business's day to day operations. Not having a physical presence in the workplace can make you seem aloof and out of touch with your business. Consider your business type. Small businesses often have very different customer service expectations than mega big-box stores. Understanding why people choose your store or business will help you assist your customers in getting exactly what they want out of their interaction with you. If you are a large company, customers will likely expect a wide selection of goods or services, low prices, and quick “in and out” shopping experiences. If you are a small business, personal interaction, knowledge ability, and problem-solving are very important aspects to focus on. You probably cannot offer prices as low as a mega business, but your friendly expertise will make up for it. One study suggests that 70% of customers are willing to pay higher prices if they get excellent, personalized customer service. 81% of customers believe that small businesses provide better customer service overall than big businesses. Create a clear vision statement. Having a clear vision statement for your customer service mission is crucial. You will incorporate this vision statement into employee training and will likely also share it with customers. Your vision statement communicates your business's core values, what you're all about. Consider examples from very successful businesses. ACE Hardware, a very successful chain of independently-owned hardware stores, has been repeatedly recognized with awards as being a top customer service provider. Their customer service vision boils down to a very simple statement: “100% helpful.” This emphasis on helpfulness, not just friendliness, has helped them compete with big-box stores such as Home Depot and Lowe's. Another example is from Amazon, whose customer service vision is: “We see our customers as invited guests to a party, and we are the hosts. It's our job every day to make every important aspect of the customer experience a little bit better.” By using a metaphor (invited guests to a party), this vision statement clearly expresses Amazon's goals: to make customers feel welcomed and appreciated, and create a fun and enjoyable experience shopping there. Examine the public “face” of your business. Your employees are one aspect of your business's public “face,” which customers interact with every day. Other representations of your business's mission include your handling of customer service calls and interactions, your location (brick-and-mortar and/or online), and your approachability. This article will cover how to ensure your employees' customer service skills in-depth a little later. In general, consider that they represent the face of your company, so make sure that they are trained to be respectful, friendly, and knowledgeable. How do customers interact with you? Can they get a “live person” to speak to right away, or do they have to go through automated systems? Studies suggest that customers overwhelmingly prefer to speak to a person rather than navigate an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. If you have social media presences, how quickly do you respond to questions or comments on those accounts? What does your business location look like? Is it laid out well, easy to access, and clearly organized? This applies to brick-and-mortar locations and your online presences. Do your employees and your company structure give the impression that customers are free and welcome to approach you with issues? For example, is your contact information clearly located on your website, and do customers in your physical location know who to ask or where to go with questions? Make sure your employees know what “quality service” means to your business. New hires and experienced workers should all know what “quality service” means to you and your business. This definition may be made up of larger ideas, like “consistency, communication, and connection”, or more specific ideas that involve specific actions or attitudes. For example, if you own a retail business that sells clothing, your definition of “quality service” may include specifics like “always greet the customer when she walks into the store” or “offer to start a fitting room for a customer if she is holding one or more items in her hand.” The definition of “good” customer service is highly dependent on your industry and your customer base. For example, a friendly, talkative salesperson might be desired in a retail setting, but customers might not want their massage therapist to be chatty. Similarly, if your customers are older, they are more likely to appreciate in-person service, whereas younger customers may be more appreciative of easy answers over social media. Implement customer friendly technology. Most people do not use cash to pay for goods and services. Your business should respond to the needs and habits of your customers. Invest in a debit and credit card machine to make it easier for your customers to pay you quickly and easily. If you don't already have a Point Of Sale (POS) system, consider investing in one. A POS system is computer software that can track purchases made by your customers and what types of products or services they are buying. A POS system allows you to track what your customers prefer, what they like to buy, and how often they buy. A POS system will not only increase sales and help you to better market your products or services, it also makes your customer feel well taken care of. POS systems help you manage your inventory, provide special offers or promotions, and give your customer the right pricing. You won't have to worry about accidentally selling customers out-of-stock merchandise or wrongly priced items. Hire a web designer to create a professional website. Your website is often the first impression your customer will see for your business. Invest in a well designed website that showcases your products and services in an appealing way. Make sure your website has mobile usage, as many customers will be looking at your website on their phones. If you cannot afford to hire a web designer, you can create your own site using Wordpress. Make sure your website features the name of your business, your business' location, your company's contact information and your business hours. Don’t neglect your social media. The internet can act as a very efficient service tool for your business, especially if you use social media to your advantage. In today's competitive environment, every business should have a strong social media presence to connect with customers and keep customers engaged in their business. Create a Facebook page and an Instagram account for your business. Update your social media accounts regularly and involve your employees in the process of updating and posting on the accounts. Encourage the use of a hashtag for your business, such as #TheShoeStore, to help promote your business. Be prepared for customer feedback on social media. Many customers will likely post their customer service experiences on your public pages. This should motivate you to instill a high level of customer service at your business to keep the postings positive! Link your website to your social media, such as your Facebook page, Instagram account, or Twitter account. That way, customers will be directed to your other social media accounts, and other ways to connect with your business.	Invest in service training, rather than a quality control department. Set up a new-employee initiation program. Teach the 30/30 rule. Tie your employee’s actions to the business’s overall performance. Encourage employees to think of customer service as a "story" about your business. Give your employees service quality goals. Recognize and reward improvements in employee performance. Let your employees know there is room for growth. Emphasize problem-solving. Teach your employees to overcompensate for any issues or complaints. Listen to feedback from your employees. Determine how quickly you are able to solve problems. Ask for personalized feedback from customers. Create a customer service survey. Track any issues or complaints. Put processes in place to prevent issues from occurring again. Talk to customers face-to-face. Consider your business type. Create a clear vision statement. Examine the public “face” of your business. Make sure your employees know what “quality service” means to your business. Implement customer friendly technology. Hire a web designer to create a professional website. Don’t neglect your social media.
https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-Your-Fish-Is-Sick	How to Tell if Your Fish Is Sick	If you think your fish might be sick, check to see if it's staying close to the surface of the water and gasping for air, which might mean it's short of oxygen. If your fish loses its appetite or spits out food, take this as a sign it's sick. You may also see your fish lying at the bottom of the tank and acting lethargic. Additionally, check if the fish's tail is stiff, closed, or falling apart, since these are all signs of sickness. In addition, you may notice open soars, spots, or lumps on its body if your fish is unwell.	Observe your fish. See how your fish swims, breathes, eats and interacts with other fish. Get an idea for what is normal so you know when something abnormal is going on. A healthy fish has a decent appetite and is an active swimmer in your tank. Learn about your fish species. You will need to research specific requirements for the tank size, temperature, maintenance, equipment and food needed to keep the type of fish you have healthy. Salt water and fresh water fish have different requirements. Saltwater fish need more maintenance and are not as hardy as most freshwater fish. Their water composition must be checked regularly. You will need special equipment, such as a hydrometer to regularly measure the specific gravity of the water as well as quality salt mixes. Avoid stressing your fish. A low-stress environment is the best way to keep your fish healthy. When fish are stressed, their immune system is weakened so they are more susceptible to disease. Preventing stress through regular maintenance and care will go a long way to protect your fish from getting sick. Regularly maintain the tank through partial water changes. Change about a quarter of your tank's water every other week. Feed your fish a nutritious, varied diet. Most fish can do fine and even thrive on processed flake, stick or pellet food. Adding some variety in their diet will help add some nutrition and fiber, such as frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms, live or frozen brine shrimp and some vegetables. Do not overfeed your fish. Feed your fish only what they will eat in 3 minutes. Not only can excess food foul the water, but it can also make your fish sick. Check to make sure your filtration system is working effectively. Filters remove harmful toxins such as ammonia and nitrites from the water. Give your fish enough tank room to live comfortably. Don't overcrowd them. A good rule-of-thumb to follow is no more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) of fish per gallon. Put only compatible fish species together. You don't want your fish to eat, hurt or aggressively compete with each other. Peaceful fish will be stressed if kept with aggressive fish as well as fish species that communicate differently through body language. Maintain water temperature. Your tank's temperature needs to match the needs of your fish. Keeping the tank too cold or warm will stress your fish. For example, goldfish prefer temps under 70 °F (21.1 °C), while most tropical fish need the water to be around 73–79 °F (23–26 °C). Get your fish from a reputable store. Fish that have been living in an overpopulated, dirty tank will be under stress and could carry disease that might infect all your fish. Spend a little more for quality fish rather than fish that could die less than a month later. The store's fish tanks should be clean with active, brightly colored, unstressed fish. The store should offer return policies on fish and provide full credit on fish that die the first few days after purchase. Sales staff should be knowledgeable about fish as well as tank set up, sizes, inhabitants, diseases, ect. Generally, stores that specialize in aquariums and fish are best. Acclimate fish before adding them to your tank. Adding fish directly to your tank can stress fish and even kill them. The water in your tank and the store tank likely differ in temperature and water composition. The fish needs to gradually get used to its new environment. Keep store water out of your tank because it can carry diseases or parasites. If you can, quarantine new fish for 2 weeks before adding them to your tank. In this case, get the fish used to the quarantine bowl or tank's water first—not the main tank. Watch for signs of disease and adjust the water or medicate, if needed. Set the fish bag in your tank. After 30 minutes add ¼ cup of tank water into the bag. Do this every 15 minutes for an hour. If the bag gets too full just remove extra water. Afterward, net the fish and place it in its new tank. For the first few weeks, watch new fish carefully for signs of stress and disease. Check for symptoms of stress. Your fish will not be acting like they normally do. They may seem distressed, have no appetite, hide, have nicked fins or sores. If your fish is near the surface gasping for breath, this means it's probably not getting enough oxygen. This can happen due to poor water circulation, gill damage, or toxins in the water. Fish that are always in hiding indicate that either its companions are too aggressive or the tank doesn't have enough cover such as plants or rocks for the fish to feel safe while swimming. Fish with nicked fins or wounds that don't heal might be the target of aggression from other fish. Minor cuts should heal quickly. Stress may be suppressing the fish's immune system so it can't heal normally. Check to make sure you have followed good care and maintenance techniques and remove aggressive fish. Check for symptoms of disease. Fish can get diseases such as parasites, fungus or infections. If your fish is sick, then that fish has likely been stressed for some reason. On top of treating the disease, you will need to remove the stressors to ensure the fish gets better and no others get sick. Fish who are sick may not seem hungry or may spit out food. Sick fish may lay at the bottom of the tank for long periods of time and seem lethargic. Some sick fish may rub their body on tank décor to scratch themselves. Sick fish often acquire a dull color and turn pale or gray. The tails or fins of sick fish may be clumped, closed, stiff, or seem to be falling apart. Sick fish will have open sores, white patches, lumps or spots on their body. Some sick fish may have swollen or protruding eyes. Differences in scale appearance could indicate disease, such as if scales are raised. An abnormally swollen or hollow belly is another sign of a sick fish. Diagnose bacterial infections. Fish with bacterial infections can be very sick. The bacteria causing the infection can be either gram positive or gram negative but unless you consult a veterinarian you may not know which type of bacteria is the problem. Your fish may require antibiotic treatment. Tail Rot or Fin Rot—Fins or tails appear to be getting shorter or falling apart with reddish areas that may be infected. Dropsy—A fish with dropsy may have a bloated belly, raised scales and have a pine-cone appearance. Popeye (Exopthalmia)—The fish may have cloudy, protruding eyes or a bubble over the eye region. One or both eyes can be affected. Tuberculosis—Fish affected with tuberculosis may die suddenly. Symptoms can include open sores, body deformities, raised scales, fin and tail rot, and gray lesions. People can catch this deadly disease from handling infected fish. Do not handle sick fish and disinfect your hands after touching tank equipment. Septicemia (Red Streaks)—The fish may have bloody red streaks across its body or fins. They may also have clamped fins, bloating, ulcers, gasp for air and lethargy. Diagnose fungal infections. Like bacteria, fungus is naturally present in your tank. When fish are stressed or injured, the mucous layer they produce that protects them from infection becomes damaged. They are then susceptible to fungus. Cotton Wool Disease—There may be white, yellowish-brown, or whitish-gray growth on the body, fins or mouth. These growths may look like cotton tufts and can appear on the top of the fish as well. There could be redness around infected areas, along with lethargy, loss of appetite and body rubbing. Diagnose parasite infections. Fish with internal parasites may have a normal appetite but still appear to lose weight. They may also be lethargic. Ich (Ichthyophthirius)—This condition is caused by a parasite and will show up as white dots all over the fish's body and head that look like salt. Fins may be clamped. Velvet—The fish may be lethargic, have clamped fins, poor appetite, loss of color, may dart about and rub its body against décor and substrate. Body Slime Infection—A fish with this condition will be covered in a white film that can be raised in some areas, cloudy eyes and clamped fins. Diagnose other illness. Some diseases are syndromes that can have multiple causes, such as viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic or genetic. You may need to consult the advice of a specialist to figure out what is causing the disease. Swim Bladder Disease (SBD) or Bloat—Your fish may have trouble swimming, not be able to stay upright, or swim on his side. Puffy Gills—This condition causes inflamed, reddish gills and gasping for breath. Quarantine your fish. Putting your fish in a sick bowl or tank may help keep the disease from spreading. It will also make it easier to administer medications. Make sure to use tank water from the main tank to keep from stressing your fish further. Check that the main tank’s water quality, temperature and pH are acceptable. Check for toxin buildup. Look to see if any other fish are showing signs of stress or disease. Quarantine other sick fish and try to find out why your fish are stressed. Treat all illnesses as soon as possible. A fish specialist or veterinarian can help you decide on proper treatment for your fish and provide prescription medications. Though fish medications for most fish illnesses may be available at pet stores, many have not been evaluated or approved by CVM. For this reason, you may not be sure whether they contain the correct amount of drug or are safe and effective. Always read and follow medication directions. Don't overdose your fish. Make sure your fish are not a species that is sensitive to the ingredients. Use antibiotics sparingly. Antibiotic resistance is a real problem around the world that occurs when bacteria mutate and are no longer affected by the antibiotic treatment. Always try other treatments first and do not medicate healthy fish. Consider euthanizing very sick fish. Sometimes treatments just do not work so be prepared this possibility. Treat bacterial infections. Often, cleaning the fish tank and keeping conditions optimum can help your fish recover from an infection. However, using a product such as API Melafix Antibacterial Fish Remedy, Maracyn, antibacterial fish food or another antibiotic may help. Dropsy can be treated by adding no more than 2.5 teaspoons of epsom salts to the tank per 10 gallons (37.9 L) of water. This will draw some of the excess water out of the fish's body. Feed your fish antibacterial fish food for 7-10 days. Maracyn Two added to the water can also help. Fin-rot needs to be cured quickly because it can spread to the body. Treat with warm, clean water, a few drops of garlic juice, and a product that replaces the slime coat, such as Stress Coat by API. You may need Maracyn or an antibiotic like tetracycline. Popeye can be treated similarly to other bacterial infections with Maracyn or tetracycline and antibiotic fish food. Septicemia- A combination of Maracyn, other antibiotics like Kanamycin Sulfate and antibiotic fish food is the best way to treat this. Treat fungal infections. Treatment for fungal infections, such as cotton wool disease, includes salt baths using freshwater aquarium salt, an antifungal agent like phenoxyethanol or Rid Fungus. You can also try applying the anti-fungal and anti-bacterial agent, Gentian Violet. Treat parasite infections. Many organisms can make your fish sick. Formalin-based medications and copper sulfate are the most common treatments for parasite infections. However, changing certain conditions in the tank can also get rid of them. Ich can be treated with medication that is formalin based, contains malachite green, methylene blue or copper sulfate. Body slime infection can be treated with formalin-based medication, copper sulfate or potassium permanganate. These parasites are also sensitive to salt and temperature. Raising water temperatures to 86 °F (30 °C) and adding salt at a dose of 0.4 to 0.7 ounce per gallon for 7-14 days can cure slime disease. Velvet disease can be treated by dimming the lights of the aquarium. Since velvet is caused by a protozoan that needs chlorophyll for nutrients, a lack of light starves the organism of food. Treat other conditions. You can try to treat the symptoms of syndromes with the treatments already mentioned. More frequent water changes and tank maintenance can often help clear up problems in a few days or weeks. If your fish looks bloated, it may be constipated. To treat this, get a frozen pea. Shell it, thaw it, and cut into tiny pieces. Feed a few of these to your fish, then feed it nothing for a few days. You can also try feeding live, frozen, or freeze-dried daphne for the same results. Change part of the water regularly. Not changing the water regularly is the most common cause of illness in fish, so this is one of the most important things you can do to keep your fish healthy. Monitor the water quality and ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels by using water testing kits from your store. This will tell you how often and how much you need to change. Never change all of your tank water at one time. This change in water chemistry will likely stress your fish. You should not change more than 1/3 of the water in any 24 hour period. Some aquariums can do ok with changing 1/4 of the water every two weeks. However, most pet fish owners will need to do it more often. Changing 25% of your tank's water every other week helps to dilute and remove nitrates as well as replace trace elements and important buffers used up by bacteria. You will also need to remove wastes hiding in the nooks and crannies of your aquarium. To do this, vacuum the gravel when you change the water. The exception to this is saltwater aquariums that use live substrates at the bottom. Perform regular maintenance on your filter. If your filter is not removing ammonia properly because it is clogged, your fish will get stressed and eventually die. Cleaning the filter usually involves either rinsing them in used tank water or vacuuming them. Treat tap water. Tap water has chlorine or chloramine in it so it's safe for us to drink. However, these chemicals are toxic to fish and damages their gills, causing stress and illness. You will need to add the chemical sodium thiosulfate, available at fish stores, to the water before adding tap water to your tank. This will neutralize chlorine in the tap water. Chloramine can be neutralized through the use of products such as Amquel. These chemicals take care of the ammonia and chlorine in the chloramine molecules. If you don't want to use chemicals to remove chlorine, you can leave circulating water via a filter or air-stone in a bucket or tank for 24 hours. Keep the water pH stable. Your fish will get stressed from rapid pH changes in tank water. Aim for a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. This is ideal for most fish. Tank water tends to become acidic over time because of nitrates that build up. The pH can be raised or lowered using chemicals such as muriatic (hydrochloric) acid or phosphoric acid. Phosphoric acid can raise the phosphate level in your tank and cause algae growth. Always treat water for pH adjustments prior to adding it to the tank. You can also bubble CO2 (carbon dioxide) through the tank via CO2 injection systems. This will lower the pH without the need for chemicals. Add plants. Aquatic plants can help your aquarium establish its own natural eco-system, protect from early fish loss, release oxygen, keep algae at bay and purify your water. Plants can also make your tank look really cool! An aeration unit may not be required if you have healthy, aquatic plants in your tank. Aquatic plants will use up toxic ammonia and nitrites in your tank to grow. Faster growing plants like Cabomba, Ludwigia or Egeria Densa or other stem species can remove a lot of ammonia quickly. Add algae eaters. Your fish will benefit from having algae eaters control potentially harmful algae in the tank. These include shrimps, snails, and algae-eating fish.	Observe your fish. Learn about your fish species. Avoid stressing your fish. Maintain water temperature. Get your fish from a reputable store. Acclimate fish before adding them to your tank. Check for symptoms of stress. Check for symptoms of disease. Diagnose bacterial infections. Diagnose fungal infections. Diagnose parasite infections. Diagnose other illness. Quarantine your fish. Check that the main tank’s water quality, temperature and pH are acceptable. Treat all illnesses as soon as possible. Treat bacterial infections. Treat fungal infections. Treat parasite infections. Treat other conditions. Change part of the water regularly. Perform regular maintenance on your filter. Treat tap water. Keep the water pH stable. Add plants. Add algae eaters.
https://www.wikihow.com/Draw-a-Cartoon-Cat	How to Draw a Cartoon Cat	To draw a cartoon cat, start by drawing an angular oval for the head and triangles at each side for the ears. Next, overlap the head with a larger oval for the body before adding smaller vertical ovals for the legs. For the paws, draw smaller horizontal ovals before connecting the 4 legs with a line. To create a tail, draw a curved line with a small oval at the end. Then, add details to the cat such as eyes and a mouth. Finally, erase all unnecessary lines and color in the picture.	Make an angular oval for the head. Attach angular triangles for the ears. Overlap the oval with a much bigger oval for the body. Overlap further with smaller vertical ovals for the legs of the animal. Draw even smaller horizontal ovals for the paws. Join the ovals of the fore legs with a small curved line. Add a curved string-like line for the tail. Make an oval at the tip of the tail line. Draw all the details of the cat. Then erase all earlier lines. Color and shade the cat. Make a horizontally tapered oval for the head. Overlap it with a circle at its bottom. Add another circle at the bottom right of the earlier one. Attach two triangles on the top of the topmost oval. Join the bottom circles with straight lines. Extend three straight lines from the ovals and circles for the legs. Make small overlapping ovals for the paws of the forelegs. Create another couple of overlapping ovals for the hind legs. Make a small curved line for the tail. Create a couple of angular straight lines for the eyes and a triangle between them for the nose. Draw curved lines on either side of the eye-lines. Make small curves on either side from the tip of the triangle. Draw all the details of the cat based on the guide lines. Erase all the guidelines. Color the cat.	Make an angular oval for the head. Attach angular triangles for the ears. Overlap the oval with a much bigger oval for the body. Overlap further with smaller vertical ovals for the legs of the animal. Draw even smaller horizontal ovals for the paws. Join the ovals of the fore legs with a small curved line. Add a curved string-like line for the tail. Make an oval at the tip of the tail line. Draw all the details of the cat. Then erase all earlier lines. Color and shade the cat. Make a horizontally tapered oval for the head. Overlap it with a circle at its bottom. Add another circle at the bottom right of the earlier one. Attach two triangles on the top of the topmost oval. Join the bottom circles with straight lines. Extend three straight lines from the ovals and circles for the legs. Make small overlapping ovals for the paws of the forelegs. Create another couple of overlapping ovals for the hind legs. Make a small curved line for the tail. Create a couple of angular straight lines for the eyes and a triangle between them for the nose. Draw curved lines on either side of the eye-lines. Make small curves on either side from the tip of the triangle. Draw all the details of the cat based on the guide lines. Erase all the guidelines. Color the cat.
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Frozen-Pierogies	How to Cook Frozen Pierogies	To make pre-cooked, frozen pierogies, place them in a large, microwave-safe bowl and add enough water to cover the pierogies completely. Then, microwave on high power for 5 minutes before carefully draining the water and serving. If you'd prefer to use the stove, boil at least 2 quarts of water in a large pot. Once the water starts bubbling, add the frozen pierogies, boil them until they all float, and then add another 1 to 2 minutes. When the pierogies are done, either drain the water or scoop them out with a slotted spoon. For a crispier alternative, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and place your pierogies on a baking sheet greased with oil. Bake your pierogies for 18 to 20 minutes, turning them once halfway through.	Boil them in the microwave for the quickest option. Add the frozen pierogies to a large, microwave-safe bowl. Add enough water to cover the pierogies completely. Microwave the bowl on high power for 5 minutes, then carefully remove the bowl and check that the pierogies are hot and tender. Drain them and serve. 5 minutes of cooking is usually adequate for a 16 oz (450 g) package of about 12 frozen pierogies. Don't cover the bowl while microwaving. Use the stove for the classic boiling option. For a 16 oz (450 g) package of around 12 frozen pierogies, boil at least 2 US qt (1.9 l) of water in a large pot. Add the frozen pierogies and boil them until they all float, and then for 1-2 minutes more—typically 5-7 minutes total. Either drain the pot or scoop out the cooked pierogies with a slotted spoon and serve. Remember that these frozen pierogies are already fully cooked, so you really just need to heat them through. If you're planning to boil and then saute the pierogies, you can remove them from the boiling water as soon as they all float. Dry them quickly with paper towels before sauteing them. Saute the pierogies, either when still frozen or after boiling them. Heat about 0.25 c (59 ml) of butter, olive oil, or a combination of the 2 in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully place the pierogies in the pan and cook them until they are tender, heated through, and very lightly browned. Turn them regularly while cooking. If you're sauteing straight from frozen, it will usually take around 8-10 minutes to cook a 16 oz (450 g) package of about 12 pierogies. If you've already boiled the frozen pierogies, it will only take 2-3 minutes to lightly brown them. Bake frozen pierogies for a slightly crispier alternative. Preheat the oven to 400 °F (204 °C), and place a 16 oz (450 g) package of about 12 frozen pierogies on a baking sheet that you've lightly greased with cooking spray. Bake the pierogies for 18-20 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the pierogies are heated through and slightly browned. For added browning, add some cooking spray to the tops of the pierogies before baking, or brush them with a bit of melted butter. Deep-fry the pierogies if you like them really crispy. Choose a large, deep skillet or pot and add a 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) layer of cooking oil (for example, vegetable, canola, or peanut oil). Heat the oil to 350 °F (177 °C), then carefully add the frozen pierogies one at a time with a slotted spoon. Cook them for at least 4 minutes (until they all float), then remove them from the oil and lay them on a paper towel-lined plate. Use a kitchen thermometer to determine the temperature of your oil. Make sure you have enough oil to fully submerge the pierogies. If your pan or pot isn't large enough to fit an entire 16 oz (450 g) package of pierogies, cook them in 2 or more batches. Do not drop the pierogies into the oil, or it may splatter. Bring 2 US qt (1.9 l) or more of salted water to a boil. Pour the water into a large pot and place it over high heat on the stove. Add a heavy pinch of salt to the water as it comes to a boil. Use 2 US qt (1.9 l) of water for every 8-10 pierogies—roughly 12–16 oz (340–450 g). Add the frozen pierogies, stir them, and adjust the heat. Once the water is at a full boil, place the frozen pierogies into the pot, being careful not to splash hot water. They'll sink right away, so give the pot a good stir so the pierogies don't stick to the bottom. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain the water at a very gentle boil. Keep the pot uncovered while boiling the pierogies. Boil the pierogies until they float. This will usually take around 5 minutes total. If you are going to finish cooking the pierogies by sauteing them in a skillet, they're ready to remove from the water at this point. If, however, you want to serve them only boiled (that is, not boiled and then sauteed), let them cook for another 2-3 minutes after they float to the surface. Then, drain the water or remove the pierogies with a slotted spoon and stir them in a bowl with a bit of butter and/or olive oil. They're ready to serve at this point. Dry the boiled pierogies with paper towels it you’re going to saute them. After you boil the pierogies in water until they float (around 5 minutes), remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with a paper towel. Pat the tops of the pierogies with another paper towel to remove any excess water. If you don't remove the excess water from the pierogies, the oil will “spit” and splatter when you place them in the skillet to saute them. Heat 0.25 c (59 ml) of butter and/or oil in a large skillet. Place the skillet over medium heat and add butter, olive oil, or a combination of the two. Preheat the pan and oil for 2-3 minutes. This amount of oil is sufficient for 16 oz (450 g) of pierogies (about 12 pierogies). Saute the pierogies for 3-4 minutes, then turn them. Carefully add the pierogies one at a time to the heated oil. Space the pierogies out so they don't touch—if there isn't room, cook them in batches. Let them cook for 3 minutes, then check the undersides. If they're not yet golden brown, cook them for another minute. Flip the pierogies and finish cooking them. When the pierogies are browned to your liking on the bottom, flip them over with a spatula and cook them for another 3-4 minutes. When the other sides are nicely browned as well, remove them from the pan and serve. Melt 4 tbsp (60 g) of butter in a large skillet. Place the skillet over medium heat. It will take around 2-3 minutes for the butter to melt. If desired, you can use 2 tbsp (30 g) of butter and 0.125 c (30 ml) of olive oil. Add 12 frozen, pre-cooked pierogies to the pan. Carefully place the frozen pierogies in the pan one at a time so they don't cause the melted butter to splatter. You'll get about 12 pierogies in a standard 16 oz (450 g) package of frozen pierogies. If you are using uncooked frozen pierogies, you should boil them on the stove (until they float) or in the microwave (for 5 minutes), then pat them dry before adding them to the skillet. Put 0.75 c (180 g) each of sliced onions and mushrooms into the skillet. Simply dump the sliced onions and mushrooms on top of the pierogies, then nestle them down in between the pierogies with a spatula. If you don't care for mushrooms, you can use 1.5 c (360 g) of onions instead and omit the mushrooms. Cover the skillet for 2 minutes, then turn the pierogies. Place the lid on the skillet and allow the pierogies, onions, and mushrooms to cook for 2 minutes over medium heat. Then, lift off the lid, flip over all of the pierogies, and stir the onions and mushrooms a bit with your spatula. You should notice some slight browning on the pierogies at this point. Cook the pierogies for 2 more minutes in the covered skillet. Put the lid back on the skillet and let everything cook for another 2 minutes. Then take the lid off, flip the pierogies over, and stir the veggies once more. Cover the skillet and keep checking the pierogies every minute. Keep uncovering the skillet, flipping the pierogies, and stirring the onions and mushrooms until everything is browned to your liking. It will likely take 14-16 minutes total for the pierogies to heat through and become nicely browned on the outside. If the pierogies have browned in 12 minutes or less, turn down the heat to medium-low and cook them for a total of at least 14 minutes. Press down on a pierogi to make sure they are soft and heated through in the middle. Once they're nicely browned, the pierogies are ready to serve and enjoy!	Boil them in the microwave for the quickest option. Use the stove for the classic boiling option. Saute the pierogies, either when still frozen or after boiling them. Bake frozen pierogies for a slightly crispier alternative. Deep-fry the pierogies if you like them really crispy. Bring 2 US qt (1.9 l) or more of salted water to a boil. Add the frozen pierogies, stir them, and adjust the heat. Boil the pierogies until they float. Dry the boiled pierogies with paper towels it you’re going to saute them. Heat 0.25 c (59 ml) of butter and/or oil in a large skillet. Saute the pierogies for 3-4 minutes, then turn them. Flip the pierogies and finish cooking them. Melt 4 tbsp (60 g) of butter in a large skillet. Add 12 frozen, pre-cooked pierogies to the pan. Put 0.75 c (180 g) each of sliced onions and mushrooms into the skillet. Cover the skillet for 2 minutes, then turn the pierogies. Cook the pierogies for 2 more minutes in the covered skillet. Cover the skillet and keep checking the pierogies every minute.
https://www.wikihow.com/Expose-Brick	How to Expose Brick	To expose brick, first remove your furniture and personal belongings from the area you'll be working in. Cover the floor below the wall with plastic sheeting, and put on a respirator, goggles, and a pair of work gloves. Next, begin removing the plaster by chiseling it off with a hammer and masonry chisel. Be careful not to use so much force that you damage the underlying brick! Remove particularly stubborn sections of plaster with a crowbar or putty knife. Once the plaster is removed, scour the whole surface with a wire brush and let a mild soap solution soak on the wall for 10 minutes. To finish, wash the solution away with a wet cloth or sponge, then brush on 1-2 coats of brick sealant to protect the exposed brick.	Inspect the condition of the brick you want to expose before you begin. Use the tip of a chisel or knife to chip away a small piece of the plaster in an out-of-the-way area of the wall. If the brick below is intact and still has its original color, you can proceed with confidence. If it crumbles or breaks underneath your touch or looks cracked or porous, it's probably best to leave it alone. Attempting to expose deteriorated brick will only damage it further. If you're not careful, you could end up ruining the appearance of the brick or even compromising the stability of the wall. It's necessary to expose a portion of the brick in order to see if it's worth uncovering the rest. Brick doesn't always age gracefully, even when it's sealed away beneath another finishing material. Cover the floor below the wall with plastic sheeting. To prepare for restoration, start by removing any nearby furniture, fixtures, or personal belongings from the area you'll be working in. Then, spread out one or more sheets of plastic over the floor, covering as much territory as you can. Use painter's tape to secure the edges of the plastic to the floor at the base of the wall. Taking a chisel to a plaster wall can generate a considerable amount of dust and debris. By taking a few moments to put down a protective buffer, you stand to save yourself a lot of time and energy that you might otherwise spend deep-cleaning later on. It may also be a good idea to seal off air vents and doorways close to your work area to limit the amount of dust that makes its way into other parts of your home. Equip yourself with a respirator, goggles, and a pair of work gloves. It's important that you use a respirator that actually filters the air to avoid breathing in lungfuls of drifting dust. An ordinary facemask won't cut it for this project. And since this project is likely to take many hours, you'll want to pull on some thick, durable gloves to keep your hands comfortable while you go to work on the plaster. Plan on wearing a change of old clothes that you don't mind ruining. You may never get all the dust out of them once you're done. Use a hammer and masonry chisel to break up the bulk of the plaster. Start at the spot your tested earlier and position the tip of the chisel against the wall at a downward angle. Hit the back end with your hammer to drive the blade into the plaster and separate it from the brick. Continue chiseling one patch at a time, working your way inward from the edges. Alternatively, you can take care of the demolition phase with only a crowbar if you don't have a suitable masonry chisel. Use the rounded end for smashing and the pointed end for prying. There's no need to be delicate here, but don't get carried away, either. The idea is to use enough force to loosen the plaster without damaging the underlying brick. Pry off clinging sections using a crowbar or putty knife. If you're lucky, you'll send large chunks of plaster raining down with each strike of your chisel. If not, you'll need to give it a little encouragement. Wedge the tip of your crowbar or putty knife beneath the outer edge of stubborn sections and pull back forcefully to coax them free of the wall. You're more likely to remove the plaster in broad sheets using slow, controlled strokes than you are using quick, choppy ones. Keep a few large plastic tubs or buckets on standby to catch the plaster as it comes off of the wall. Go over the freshly-exposed wall with a wire brush. Once you've successfully removed plaster, give the entire surface a thorough scouring, applying moderate pressure with your brush. This will loosen any remaining debris that's too small to get at with your crowbar or putty knife. Work from top to bottom to avoid spreading more dust to sections you just brushed. If you notice your wire brush leaving scratches in the brick, one solution is to buff them out using a power drill fitted with a wire brush bit. Unlike the handheld brush, the rotary bit spins a circular direction, erasing conspicuous lines and scratches. Apply a mild soap solution to the wall and let it sit for 10 minutes. Combine equal parts water, liquid dish soap, and salt in a spacious container and stir them together until they form a thin paste. Use a clean cloth or sponge to spread this paste onto every exposed part of the wall in sections. Then, allow it to soak into the brick for at least 10 minutes. The exact quantity you mix up will depend on the size of the wall you're cleaning. It may be necessary to prepare multiple batches of the solution if you're cleaning an entire wall. As the solution sits on the brick, the salt will gradually wear down the tiny particles of plaster left behind while the detergent in the dish soap lifts away set-in dirt and oil. This solution is also perfect for regular cleanings once you've got your brick fully exposed and sealed. Wipe the entire wall with a wet cloth or sponge. Dunk your cloth or sponge in a container of clean, warm water and use it to wash away the soap solution, along with any dust and debris it's collected. Move your cloth or sponge along in smooth back-and-forth or circular motions, starting with the upper section of the wall. Continue rinsing until the brick is completely free of soapy residue. Wring out your cloth or sponge frequently, and change out the water in your container as soon as it becomes so murky that you can no longer see the bottom. Other options for cleaning exposed brick include sandblasting and applications of muriatic acid. Keep in mind, however, that these methods are far less gentle than a homemade soap solution, and are therefore more likely to damage brick that's become brittle with age. Roll or brush on 1-2 coats of brick sealant to protect the exposed brick. Apply the sealant the way you would ordinary paint, aiming for full, even coverage. Allow your first coat to dry for 2-3 hours, or until it's no longer tacky to the touch. Then, throw on a follow-up coat. Let this final coat cure for at least 1 week prior to decorating, painting, or otherwise interfering with the exposed brick. Choose a 100% acrylic sealant that's resistant to dirt, water, and scratches. Make sure the sealant you get offers a matte finish—you don't want to accidentally coat your brick in a high-luster gloss! A good brick sealant will safeguard your brick from deterioration as a result of exposure to air and moisture. This is especially important if the brick is more than a few years old.	Inspect the condition of the brick you want to expose before you begin. Cover the floor below the wall with plastic sheeting. Equip yourself with a respirator, goggles, and a pair of work gloves. Use a hammer and masonry chisel to break up the bulk of the plaster. Pry off clinging sections using a crowbar or putty knife. Go over the freshly-exposed wall with a wire brush. Apply a mild soap solution to the wall and let it sit for 10 minutes. Wipe the entire wall with a wet cloth or sponge. Roll or brush on 1-2 coats of brick sealant to protect the exposed brick.
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Action-to-Reduce-Air-Pollution	How to Take Action to Reduce Air Pollution	If you want to take action to reduce air pollution, there are several small steps you can take in your home and at work to help out. Car-related issues, from manufacturing to gasoline, are some of the biggest contributors to air pollution, so try reducing your car use by carpooling, taking public transportation, or walking or biking. Another way to help reduce air pollution is to conserve energy. Heating water requires a lot of energy, so try taking shorter showers and skipping baths. You can also use the cool setting on your washer. Turning off lights when you leave a room, turning the TV off when you're not watching, and unplugging your appliances when you're not using them are other simple ways to save electricity and reduce air pollution.	Question car culture. Industrial manufacturing practices are the primary reason the earth's air is polluted , but car-related pollution is the next biggest culprit. The manufacturing of cars and roads, the production of fuel, and the emissions that result from burning that fuel all play a part. Since many cities are laid out in such a way that driving is almost a necessity, it can be hard to determine the best way to combat this problem. No matter where you live, you can take action by finding creative ways to be less dependent on cars. It may not be practical to give up your car entirely, but you can still take action by reducing your use of your car. For example, instead of driving to the grocery store every other day, make one trip every week or week and a half, stocking up on everything you need all at once. Carpooling with your neighbors or signing up for a car share program are also great ways to reduce your car use. Take the bus, subway or train. If you live in New York City you're probably already used to taking mass transit wherever you go, but big cities aren't the only places that offer public transportation. Get familiar with your city or town's bus or train routes, and start replacing your car commute with a bus trip at least once a week. Work up to using public transportation as often as possible, only using your car when you can't figure out a good alternative. Taking a bus or train to work, school or any other activity has a lot of advantages. Aside from doing your part to reduce air pollution, you'll have extra time to read, knit, do crosswords, or people watch. Taking public transportation is also safer than driving, and will probably help reduce your anxiety level since you won't have to deal with rush hour traffic. Try walking or biking. Even better than taking public transportation is using your own energy to propel you where you want to go. You can probably walk to locations that are within a five minute drive of your house - and if you're adventurous and have the time, you may want to walk even further. If you're lucky enough to live in a place with good bike routes, start using them. In places with heavy traffic, biking can be the fastest way to get around. Keep your car in good condition. Get your car tuned up frequently and make sure it passes your city's smog test with flying colors. There are a few other things you can do to help your car make as small a dent as possible: Use an energy-conserving motor grade oil. Fill your gas tank in the early morning or late evening, when it's cool outside. This helps prevent as much gas from evaporating in the heat of the day. Take care not to let gas spill when you fill your tank. Instead of letting your car idle in long lines at fast food restaurants and bank drive-thrus, park your car and walk inside. Inflate your car's tires to the recommended pressure. This will produce the best performance for your car and reduces fuel usage. Make it rather than buy it. Use raw ingredients to make as many things as possible, instead of buying them at the store, is a great way to help reduce air pollution. That's because the practice of mass-producing, packaging, and shipping goods to make them readily available to consumers is directly responsible for industrial emissions that pollute the air. Take a look around your house and figure out items you could make instead of buying. Here are a few ideas: Food, of course! If you tend to buy a lot of pre-packaged food, then making your meals from scratch is a good place to start. Eliminating convenience foods and creating dishes with raw ingredients is healthier and better for the environment. For example, if you love spaghetti, make your sauce from raw tomatoes and garlic rather than buying a can of pre-made sauce. You can make your own pasta, too! Did you know you can make your own household cleaners? Instead of buying dish soap , laundry detergent and bathtub cleaner , make your own using nontoxic ingredients. Store your concoctions in glass jars. The same goes for homemade shampoo , toothpaste, deodorant and lip balm. Clothing is a bit trickier to make on your own, but if you're feeling ambitious and want to give it a try, start with basics like shirts and pants. If you're interested in becoming a full-time maker, look into the art of homesteading. Soon you'll be growing the tomatoes and garlic you need to make that sauce. Shop locally. When you do need to buy something instead of making it, try to buy items that are made and sold locally. You'll probably have better luck at locally-owned stores, rather than commercial stores, which tend to get their wares shipped in from all over the world, greatly contributing to air pollution. Here are some strategies for buying local: Shop at farmer's markets. This is the best way to shop for food grown and sold locally. Check the tags of clothing items. Try to buy items that were manufactured close to where you live. Though it can be quite expensive, consider buying items that were handmade by someone living close to you. If this isn't an option, getting secondhand clothes is another good way to cut down on consumption. Don't buy stuff online. Getting a book or clothing item online is extremely easy on the consumer's end, but think about the boats, planes and trucks required to deliver that item to your door. It should be something you only do sparingly. Choose less packaging. The plastic, foil and cardboard used in packaging is manufactured using practices that negatively impact air quality. No matter what you're shopping for, try to choose items that have less packaging. For example, instead of choosing a box of individually-wrapped granola bars, try making your own at home or buying granola bars from a bakery where they don't come wrapped in foil. If that's not an option, go for the items that come in recyclable packaging. Take your own cloth shopping bag to the store instead of choosing paper or plastic. Shop in the bulk food section instead of buying individually packaged items. Buy loose, fresh produce instead of canned or frozen produce. Buy extra large containers of items you use often so you don't have to purchase many smaller containers. Reuse, recycle, and compost. Managing your household waste effectively is another good way to reduce air pollution. Reusing, recycling and composting can have a big effect on your garbage output, which means less trash going into the landfills - big sources of air pollution. Try to buy items that come in glass containers so you can reuse them over and over again. Plastic is reusable, too, but be careful reusing it too often to store food, since chemicals can leach from the plastic into the food over time. Recycle your plastic, paper, aluminum, and other recyclables according to your city's guidelines. Make a compost pile in your yard, into which you can throw your vegetable peelings and other food scraps. After you've tended your pile for a few months, you'll have rick, black compost you can use to feed your garden. Use environmentally safe paints and cleaning products whenever possible. Such paints and cleaning products emit less smog-producing particles to the air and are better for your breathing health too. Follow manufacturers' recommendations to use and properly seal cleaners, paints, and other chemicals. Carefully following the instructions ensures that smog-forming chemicals can't evaporate. Reduce the use of lights and appliances. You've heard it a million times: turn off the lights when you leave a room, and don't leave the TV on all day! These small actions are more important than ever when it comes to reducing air pollution, since the electricity that runs your lights and appliances is generated by emissions-producing coal or natural gas plants. Here are a few more ideas for cutting back on the energy your household uses on a daily basis: Take advantage of natural light. Set up your work or study space near a window that gets bright light all day, so you won't have to switch the lights on. Have one room in the house be the "bright room" at night, rather than lighting up the whole house all the time. Your family can gather in the brightest room to read, study, or watch a movie before bedtime, rather than spreading out. Unplug your appliances when you aren't using them. That goes for big appliances as well as small ones - TVs, computers, toasters, coffee makers, etc. Even a phone charger left plugged in can sap energy all day long. Replace outdated large appliances with models that are designed to conserve energy. Buy your electricity from low or zero pollution facilities. Look into the options available in your area. Rethink your heating and cooling habits. Try to allow your body to acclimate to the changing seasons instead of using your heater and air conditioner to keep the temperature steady all year long. Blasting the heat and air is a major drain on energy, so break out your hand fans and warm sweaters to help you adjust to weather changes rather than relying on your thermostat. When you're at work or away on a weekend trip, make sure to adjust your thermostat so that it's not pumping in cool or hot air the entire time you're away. Don't take long hot showers or baths. Heating water requires a lot of energy, so being mindful of how much hot water you use is an important practice. You can start by taking shorter showers and skipping baths, since both require an abundance of hot water. Turn your water heater to 120 °F (49 °C), so that the water never heats beyond that temperature. Use the cool setting on your washing machine. Educate yourself. Different regions have different air pollution issues. There may be a factory nearby that's polluting the air in your city, or perhaps the local landfill is the main culprit in your area. To understand how you can best take action to reduce air pollution in your area, do some research to find out what the major sources are. Look online, read the newspaper, and ask around for information. If you're in school, your teachers might be able to point you in the right direction. Start talking about air pollution with people in your life, instead of glossing over the problem. Discussing the issue could lead to bright ideas or courses of action you wouldn't have thought up on your own. Plant trees. Trees reduce air pollution, and planting them is one of the most concrete, satisfying actions you can take to help the air quality in your region. Trees produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, which they turn into food. Find out what types of trees are best to plant in your area, and take action! Many cities have programs geared toward planting trees, like New York's MillionTreesNYC. Find out if there's a similar program where you live. Join a group working to fight air pollution. Individuals can take steps to reduce air pollution in their daily lives, but the ultimate solution will involve changing governmental policies regarding industrial emissions. If you're passionate about taking action to reduce air pollution, consider joining an organization whose goal is to do exactly that. You'll learn more about the education and experience you need to help bring about lasting change and reduce air pollution where you live.	Question car culture. Take the bus, subway or train. Try walking or biking. Keep your car in good condition. Make it rather than buy it. Shop locally. Choose less packaging. Reuse, recycle, and compost. Use environmentally safe paints and cleaning products whenever possible. Reduce the use of lights and appliances. Rethink your heating and cooling habits. Don't take long hot showers or baths. Educate yourself. Plant trees. Join a group working to fight air pollution.
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Record	How to Clean a Record	To clean a record, hold the record by the edges with clean hands to keep oils off of the grooves. Try using canned air to blow dust and dirt off of the record to improve sound quality and pre-clean the surface to prevent scratches. Use a record brush with soft bristles to wipe around the grooves. If you have a dirt spot on your record, warm 1 cup of distilled water until it's lukewarm, and wipe the surface with a clean, damp towel to clean the grooves. Always avoid wetting the label, and never clean records with products that contain alcohol.	Wash your hands first. If you're going to handle records for cleaning, thoroughly scrub your hands first. That prevents you from transferring as much dirt and natural oil from your hands to the records, which helps keep them cleaner. When washing your hands, use soap and water, and scrub for at least 20 seconds, getting in between your fingers as you do. Hold the record by the edge. To keep oils off the record, hold the record by pressing your hands along two opposite edges. Try not to touch the grooved part where the music plays. You can also use the paper label to hold the disc. Try canned air. It may be that you don't need to use a cleaning solution to clean the disc. You may be able to blow the majority of the dust and dirt off the disc using canned air, making the playback much better without using chemicals. You can find canned at big boxed stores near the electronics. It can help to blow off the record ahead of cleaning, anyway, so you don't scratch the record when you rub against the dust. Try a record brush first. If the record isn't that dirty, a brush meant specifically to clean records might be your best bet for cleaning. These brushes are designed to get in the grooves, while be soft enough not to scratch your record. Simply run the brush over the record, following the direction of the grooves. You can find a record brush online or a specialty music store. Look for a small hand-sized scrubber brush. Warm up distilled water. Warm water can help dissolve the dirt on your records. However, make sure it is just lukewarm, not hot, as that can hurt your records. You should be able to stick your hand in it easily. How much you warm up depends on how many records you have to clean. Start with a cup. Distilled water is better because it doesn't have the minerals and other additions that your tap water has. It can remove much of the grime on your records. Rub the record. Start near the middle, following the direction of the grooves. Move outward in a spiraling circle. Don't get the label wet. Once you reach the outer edge, move back the other direction, going inward in a spiraling circle. Switch to the other side. Let the record dry completely. Choose a cleaning product. You can't just pick up any old cleaning product to use on a record. They are too delicate for that, especially older records. Try a commercial cleaning product without alcohol, or if you're really in a pinch, a bit of dishwashing soap. There's some debate about whether or not to use isopropyl alcohol on records. Some say it's safe, while others say it can damage the record, especially older records. It's probably best to avoid any cleaner with alcohol in it. Prepare the cleaning solution and cloth. If you're using a commercial product, you likely won't need to do anything to the solution but apply it. For dishwashing soap, heat up about a cup of distilled water until its warm. Add in a drop or two of dishwashing soap and stir. You won't need a whole lot. Dip a microfiber cloth into the solution. Wring it out very well. You only want it lightly damp. Apply the solution. Rub the solution in, starting in the middle and working your way out. Make sure to follow the patterns of the grooves. Once you reach the outer edge, move back in towards the middle going the opposite way. Repeat if needed. Avoid getting the label wet. Rinse and dry. Once you've applied the soap, you need to take it off. Heat a small amount of distilled water until warm. With a clean microfiber cloth, dip the cloth in the water, and then wring it out thoroughly. Follow the same pattern on the record that you did before, moving outward and inward on both sides of the record. Once you're done, let it air dry.	Wash your hands first. Hold the record by the edge. Try canned air. Try a record brush first. Warm up distilled water. Rub the record. Choose a cleaning product. Prepare the cleaning solution and cloth. Apply the solution. Rinse and dry.
https://www.wikihow.com/Cap-a-Gas-Line	How to Cap a Gas Line	To cap a gas line, you'll need to remove any fittings or additional piping from the gas line and clean the exposed threading on the pipe. After that, you would cover the threading with Teflon tape before putting the cap on the gas line and tightening it with a wrench. Before you start working, make sure to locate the main valve on your gas meter and turn the gas off. Additionally, use a cap that matches your pipes, such as a brass cap if you have brass pipes or a black iron cap if your pipes are made of black iron.	Locate the gas meter. The gas meter is either near the garage or at the front of your house. It will either be under your house, in a cabinet, part of a multiple meter, or underground. The main gas valve is located at the gas meter. Find the main valve.On the gas meter, there are two pipes. One comes into meter from the gas supplier, and the other goes from the meter into your house. The main valve is located on the pipe that comes in from the gas supplier. The main valve looks like a thick rectangular metal tab with a hole. The valve is parallel to the line when it is on and perpendicular when it is off. On a multiple meter the valve is usually located at the top of a shared pipe. Each unit has an individual shut off valve. Make sure you know which meter is yours so you don't accidentally shut off someone else's gas supply. Check with your landlord to make sure the meter goes to your unit. Turn the valve off. Use a crescent wrench to turn it 90 degrees. There will be another metal rectangular tab that is fixed, which runs perpendicular to the gas line. When the gas is turned off, the holes on both of the tabs will line up. Turn the gas line off.Make sure the gas line's valve is also turned to the off position. Remove any fittings or additional piping on the gas line. Use a double wrench technique to loosen or remove the the fittings or piping so you don't destroy any other threaded fittings under the valve. A double wrench technique means holding the valve with one crescent wrench while loosening the fitting with another crescent wrench. If you are unable to use or don't have crescent wrenches, then use pipe wrenches instead. Use steel wool to clean the pipes. Brush the threading with the steel wool until it is clean. Make sure to clean any wool fibers left on the pipe. Wrap Teflon tape around the thread of the cap five times. Hold the tape down tight with your thumb on the first wrap. Then, overlap the tape with each wrapping until is covered. Make sure you wrap tape clockwise around the plug so it won't unravel as you thread it. Use Yellow Teflon Tape which is rated for gas. You can also use Teflon pipe dope. Apply the dope evenly on the threads on the gas line. Do not use the dope and tape together. Use the appropriate cap. If the pipe is brass, use a brass cap. If it is black iron, use a black iron cap. Put the threaded cap on gas line. Tighten the cap with your fingers. Once it is tight enough to stay on, use the double-wrench technique to fully tighten the cap. Do not tighten the cap too much. In fact, tightening the cap too much could crack the cap and cause a gas leak. Turn the main gas back on. Use your crescent wrench to turn the metal tab back to the on position. The metal tab should now run parallel to the incoming line from the gas supplier. Turn the gas line on. Once the gas is turned on, go back to the line and turn its valve on as well. If you do not turn the gas line on, then you will not be able to test for any possible leaking. Check for leaks. Put a 50/50 mixture of dish soap and water into a spray bottle and shake it. Spray the mixture onto the gas cap. If you do not see any bubbles, then the cap is installed correctly. However, if you see bubbles appear around the cap that means the gas is leaking. Repeat the steps until there is no leak. Besides looking for bubbles, listen for gas escaping. It will sound like hissing. Relight pilot lights. You may need to relight the pilot light on your water heater and on other appliances since you turned off the gas.	Locate the gas meter. Find the main valve.On the gas meter, there are two pipes. Turn the valve off. Turn the gas line off.Make sure the gas line's valve is also turned to the off position. Remove any fittings or additional piping on the gas line. Use steel wool to clean the pipes. Wrap Teflon tape around the thread of the cap five times. Put the threaded cap on gas line. Turn the main gas back on. Turn the gas line on. Check for leaks. Relight pilot lights.
https://www.wikihow.com/Drink-Moonshine	How to Drink Moonshine	Moonshine is a whiskey drink that you can either drink straight with a chaser or make a mixed drink out of. If you want to drink it straight with a chaser, drink pickle juice after your shot of moonshine to relieve the burning sensation. Alternatively, combine moonshine with cola for a classic, cool drink. For an especially boozy cocktail, mix a shot of moonshine with a can of light beer. To take some of the bitterness out of the alcohol, add ginger ale to your shot and pour it over ice.	Combine moonshine and cola for a classic drink. Since moonshine is a form of whiskey, you can easily make one of the most popular and tasty alcoholic beverages. Add your preferred amount of ice to a tall glass. Then, pour 2 shots of moonshine and 12 oz (335 mL) of cola over the ice for a cool drink. Some moonshines have a cola taste to them due to the flavor of distilled corn, so this can make for an even sweeter drink. Mix a can of light beer with a shot of moonshine for a boozy cocktail. Add 1 shot of moonshine into the bottom of a glass. Then, choose a lager or a light ale, and pour 12 oz (350 ML) of the beer into the glass. You can add ice for a cooler drink, or enjoy it without ice. Add ginger ale to moonshine to take some of the bitterness out of the alcohol. Put a shot of any flavor of moonshine into a highball glass with ice. Then, pour 12 oz (335 mL) of ginger ale into the glass over the ice. Taste the drink to see if it's acceptable, and add more ginger ale until you reach a suitable taste. You should always use non-alcoholic ginger ale, rather than a ginger beer, if you want to make a weaker drink. The alcohol in ginger beer can actually make the moonshine taste stronger. Make Tennessee-style iced tea with moonshine, iced tea, and lemonade. Mix together equal parts iced tea and lemonade to make an Arnold Palmer. Then, combine that with 1 part moonshine in a glass filled with ice. Be sure to stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure that it's evenly combined. You can also add 2-3 mint leaves and a wedge of lemon as a garnish for this refreshing beverage. Drink water after you drink moonshine to stay hydrated. Alcohol can make your body dehydrated, especially high-proof alcohol like moonshine. Drink water in between every alcoholic beverage, even if you drink whiskey often. When you finish your moonshine drink, have a full glass of water before having another. You can drink flavored water, like coconut water or a flavored sports drink, if you don't like the taste of plain water. Chase moonshine with a drink of pickle juice to relieve the burning. The alcohol taste of straight moonshine can leave your throat burning after just a small drink. Keep a glass of pickle juice nearby to counteract the burning by taking a drink of the juice after each drink of moonshine. This can be especially helpful if you never drink whiskey since the saltiness of the pickle juice neutralizes the burn of the alcohol. You can use any kind of pickle juice or brine that you have available. Pour smaller drinks to avoid a nasty hangover. Depending on what kind of moonshine you're drinking, it may contain trace amounts of chemicals that can be harmful if ingested in large quantities. Even in small quantities, they can cause terrible headaches and discomfort. To prevent this, make “half shots” of moonshine, or only take small sips from your glass to pace yourself. Keep in mind that illegally-distilled moonshine can contain very large amounts of methanol, which can cause blindness or even death if ingested.	Combine moonshine and cola for a classic drink. Mix a can of light beer with a shot of moonshine for a boozy cocktail. Add ginger ale to moonshine to take some of the bitterness out of the alcohol. Make Tennessee-style iced tea with moonshine, iced tea, and lemonade. Drink water after you drink moonshine to stay hydrated. Chase moonshine with a drink of pickle juice to relieve the burning. Pour smaller drinks to avoid a nasty hangover.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Liquid-Cocaine-Shot	How to Make a Liquid Cocaine Shot	To make a fruity liquid cocaine shot, combine a half shot each of orange, peach, and amaretto almond liqueurs along with a half shot of unflavored vodka in a cocktail shaker. Add a splash of pineapple juice, then fill the shaker halfway with ice. Put the lid on the cocktail shaker and shake until the mixture is well chilled. Pour the drink through a strainer into your shot glasses, then serve and enjoy responsibly.	Gather ingredients. For this recipe you will need a variety of liqueurs: orange, pineapple, and amaretto almond. You also want to grab some unflavored vodka and a small amount of pineapple juice that you can splash in at the end. You need a half shot, or 3/4 of an ounce (22 ml), of each. The original liquid cocaine shot was also very fruity, containing these ingredients: triple sec, amaretto almond liqueur, peach liqueur, peach schnapps, pineapple juice, cranberry juice, and lemon-lime soda. Chill the ingredients. For a sweet yet potent treat, chill the ingredients for the fruity liquid cocaine shot in the refrigerator before mixing them in your cocktail shaker. Alternatively, you can place room temperature ingredients in the shaker, allowing the ice you add later to chill them. Pour the liqueurs and vodka. Pour the half shots of orange liqueur, peach liqueur, amaretto almond liqueur, and vodka into a cocktail shaker. Add the pineapple juice. Add the splash of pineapple juice to the liqueur and vodka mixture. Add ice. Fill the cocktail shaker halfway with ice, on top of the liqueurs, vodka, and juice. Put the lid on and shake. Place the lid on the cocktail shaker and shake the mixture until it is well chilled. Shaking the mixture in a cocktail shaker is recommended for both sufficiently mixing the ingredients and chilling them. If you don't have a cocktail shaker, you can mix the ingredients in a blender and pour over ice, or mix them by hand with a spoon or whisk and pour over ice. Strain it. Pour the mixture through a strainer to remove the ice. It works best to strain the drink right from the cocktail mixer into your shot glasses. You can purchase a cocktail strainer that is specially designed, or get a cocktail shaker with a built-in strainer. In a pinch, you can just use a normal kitchen strainer, although it might get messy. If you chilled the mixture in the fridge without ice, skip the strainer and pour directly into the shot glasses. Serve. Serve this cocktail to your guests in stylish shot glasses. Bring the ingredients together. You will need several different hard liquors ( not liqueurs) for this recipe: silver tequila, vodka, gin, light rum, and pure grain alcohol. You only need a half ounce, or 15 ml, of each liquor to make this recipe for two shots. Typically this version of the shot is not chilled. However, if you want it cold, fill the cocktail shaker halfway with ice. For the pure grain alcohol, a popular and easy-to-find brand is Everclear®. Most variations of the liquid cocaine shot include Jagermeister or a flavored schnapps, making this "hard" version unique. This shot is VERY potent. DO NOT drive home if you drink this shot! Pour the liquors and alcohol. Pour the half ounces of silver tequila, vodka, gin, light rum, and pure grain alcohol over the ice (if desired). Shake the cocktail. While these liquors are in the shaker with the optional ice, shake it vigorously for a few seconds. This will thoroughly combine the liquors before consuming. Serve. Pour this drink from the cocktail shaker into two shot glasses, straining out the ice. Each person should drink the shot all at once. If you don't want to chill this shot, skip the cocktail shaker and pour each ½ ounce directly into the shot glass. You really do want to drink this shot all at once. This is a very strong shot, so taking your time makes it progressively more difficult to swallow (unless you are accustomed to drinking these types of liquor). Get your ingredients. This version of the liquid cocaine shot is made from only two ingredients: cinnamon schnapps and Jagermeister, and you need one shot of each to make this liquid cocaine shot for two. Jaegermeister is an herbal German liqueur made of 56 different herbal sources, such as blooms, roots, fruit, and herbs. The recipe is secret. The thick, sweet liqueurs mix to produce a strong-flavored cocktail shot. A popular brand of cinnamon schnapps is Goldschläger, found in most liquor stores. Another common version of the liquid cocaine shot is to mix the recipe in this method with a half shot of peppermint schnapps. Mix the ingredients. Mix a half shot of Jagermeister with a half shot of cinnamon schnapps in each of two shot glasses. Drink the shot immediately. Just as with the hard liquid cocaine shot, this shot is hard to take because it's so strongly flavored. Shooting it back quickly makes it easier to swallow.	Gather ingredients. Chill the ingredients. Pour the liqueurs and vodka. Add the pineapple juice. Add ice. Put the lid on and shake. Strain it. Serve. Bring the ingredients together. Pour the liquors and alcohol. Shake the cocktail. Serve. Get your ingredients. Mix the ingredients. Drink the shot immediately.
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Worrying-About-the-Future	How to Stop Worrying About the Future	If worrying about the future leaves you unable to enjoy today, then work on breaking down your fears and taking action on the things that are within your control. Start by writing down everything you're worried about, then figure out what you have control over. For instance, if you're worried about your marriage, then think about how to rekindle the romance or attend a couples therapy session. To rekindle the romance, for example, set aside 1 hour a day to spend alone with your partner.	Decide which worries are within your control. Write down everything you're worried about. Then, review the list and pull out all those that you can actually control. Rewrite them onto a separate list. The worries that are outside your control— save those for later. Make a step-by-step plan to deal with actionable worries. Take the worries that are within your control and make a plan to address each one. For instance, if you are worried about your marriage falling apart, consider rekindling the romance or attending couples therapy. List out, step-by-step, actionable ways you can deal with or address the particular worry. For instance, your debt is an actionable worry, so write out some realistic steps for attacking it. These might include putting all your extra money towards the smallest debt each month, getting a part-time job, or cutting back on luxuries. Do one thing everyday to move you closer to your ideal future. In order to stop the worries, you'll need to take daily action. Look at your list of steps and incorporate new habits into your daily routine. For example, if you want to rekindle the romance in your marriage, you might plan to have an hour of unplugged quality time with your partner each evening. Taking baby steps helps you build stronger habits over time rather than trying to do it all at once. Remember other times when you've overcome obstacles. Worry can seem debilitating and make you forget your true capabilities. Boost your confidence and resilience by calling to mind other similar situations that you have successfully gotten through. For instance, if you and your spouse nearly split years ago, you might draw on that memory (and the fact that you withstood the forces against you) to help you overcome the present-day roadblocks. Examine your progress every month. At the end of each month, look back over your progress and see how far you've come. Go through each goal you've set and see whether you are on track to completing it. In some cases, you may have surpassed your goal. In others, you might need to go back to the drawing board and figure out a new plan. Do this monthly to make sure you stay on course. Look for evidence supporting the outcome you fear. Take the worries you've identified as being out of your control and go through each one. Ask yourself what evidence there is to support this worry coming to pass. For instance, if you worry about getting fired from your job, question the evidence that supports your concern. Have you gotten several write-ups? Are you a liability to your employer? Has your employer threatened to fire you? If you answered “no" to those questions, then there's no evidence to support this worry. Entertain the worst-case scenario. You can empower yourself to cope with worries that are out of your control by thinking through how you would respond if they happened. Thinking about the worst-case can help you see that what you're worried about isn't as bad as it seems. Spend just a few minutes thinking through a few worst-case scenarios—don't go overboard or spend too much time on this. Let's say the worst-case scenario happened and you were fired from your job. Would being fired devastate you or would you be secretly relieved? Could you get a new job or possibly pursue a new career path? Would this outcome have disastrous effects that you could not handle? Getting fired can certainly be a terrible outcome, but, by doing this exercise, you'll likely realize that it wouldn't be the end of you. Take measures to prepare for the worst. Pinpoint the action steps you'd need to take if your worst-case scenario happened and then prepare accordingly. Taking even a little action towards the concerns that are not entirely within your control could help minimize your worries and help you feel more empowered. For instance, if you're worried about losing your job and that's out of your control, set aside an emergency fund to help you pay your bills while you hunt for a new job. If you're worried about developing a health condition that runs in your family, visit the doctor regularly, eat well, and exercise more often. Embrace your lack of control. Uncertainty can be frightening, but it can also be exhilarating if you change your perspective. Just think: when you don't know what will happen, that means anything could happen—which can be a good thing, too. You might find that embracing your lack of control opens you up to become more creative and take more risks. No matter how much you worry, it won't change the fact that everything is not in your control. Brain-dump daily to clear your worries and prevent mental overload. Worry can wreck your day if you don't reel it in. Aim to be more present-focused by taking a few minutes each morning to acknowledge your worries and then “empty" them out into a notebook. Clear your mind of everything that's weighing it down and then commit to not letting these worries intrude on your day. If you empty you worries out each morning, you'll have a better chance of staying present during the day. Focus completely on one task at a time. Being mindful ensures that you won't let worrying sneak back in because mindfulness requires complete attention on the present moment. As you go about your daily activities, try to immerse yourself fully in each task. Don't allow yourself to multi-task, either. For instance, if you are driving, turn off the radio, don't take calls, and tune in to the cars and scenery around you. If you ever notice your worries popping up, refocus on the single task you're doing. This helps you overcome worrying by focusing on the here and now. Check in with your breath throughout the day. Deep breathing is a great way to support your body's relaxation response and become more present-minded. If worry starts to creep back in, take a few moments to check in with your breath. Inhale deeply through your nose, hold it for a few seconds, and then exhale through your mouth. Repeat as needed. Use deep breathing to help you reconnect with the present moment whenever worries about the future arise. Start a gratitude practice. Rather than worrying yourself about a reality that could happen, be grateful for the good things that have already happened. Each evening, spend some time writing down 2 to 3 things that went well that day. You might write something like, “I arrived at work 20 minutes early" or “My friend bought me lunch.” A daily gratitude practice will help bring you back to the present instead of being so focused on future outcomes.	Decide which worries are within your control. Make a step-by-step plan to deal with actionable worries. Do one thing everyday to move you closer to your ideal future. Remember other times when you've overcome obstacles. Examine your progress every month. Look for evidence supporting the outcome you fear. Entertain the worst-case scenario. Take measures to prepare for the worst. Embrace your lack of control. Brain-dump daily to clear your worries and prevent mental overload. Focus completely on one task at a time. Check in with your breath throughout the day. Start a gratitude practice.
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Congestion-with-Herbs	How to Treat Congestion with Herbs	To treat congestion with herbs, try putting a few drops of eucalyptus, anise, or peppermint essential oil into a bowl of hot water for a steam treatment. It's safe to perform a steam treatment every 2 hours or so for relief, but remember to work carefully with essential oils since they're extremely concentrated. Fresh or dried oregano, thyme, and peppermint are great choices when sprinkled in a mug of hot tea. Also, adding spices like cardamom and cayenne pepper to your meals can help clear out congestion and give your meal a spicy kick!	Use eucalyptus. Eucalyptus is typically available as an oil instead of an herb. However, it is also available in lozenges, cough medicines, rubs, and bath salves. It has a strong scent and decongestant properties that can help with mucus build up. Eucalyptus has been proven safe for pregnant and nursing women as well as children and it has the GRAS status in the US.. However, never use the oil on children under two years old and always follow dosage instructions. Use a small amount, as the oil is very strong. Try putting a few drops into a bowl of hot water for a steam treatment. Never ingest eucalyptus oil unless specifically told to by your doctor. There are cold and cough medicines that have eucalyptus oil in them, but they have been formulated for ingestion. The oil is very concentrated and can be very dangerous if too much is ingested. Always ask your doctor before taking any dosage of eucalyptus oil orally. Try anise, thyme, and oregano. There are many different herbs that are helpful for congestion. Anise, thyme, and oregano are herbs that are safe for pregnant and nursing women as well as children in doses normally found in food and teas. They also have the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US. Anise is available as a seed and essential oil. Use 0.5 to 3 grams of the seed or 0.1 to 0.3 mL of the oil. Use the seed in loose leaf tea or the oil in steam treatments. Thyme and oregano are available as a fresh or dried herbs and are safe at any dosage. They can be added to foods and sprinkled into loose leaf tea. Use cardamom and cayenne pepper. There are other herbs that are decongestants and have additional qualities that can help with your congestion issues. Cardamom has antibacterial properties, which can help you fight bacteria or infection involved with your congestion. Cardamom has not been tested in pregnant and nursing women nor in children. Cayenne pepper works as a counterirritant, which means it irritates the mucous membranes with the result of increasing mucus production. Unlike with congestion, the mucus produced tends to be more liquid and easier to drain. Cardamom is available as a spice, as seeds, and as an oil. All can be used in cooking to help with congestion. The dosing depends on taste. Cayenne is available as a raw pepper, which can be eaten raw or cooked. You can also get it at powder, which can be used in recipes and mixed into beverages. There is no dosing information. The amount depends in taste. Try peppermint. Peppermint can be used as an herb or an essential oil. Its powerful smell help with decongestion. You can ingest peppermint oil, but only in small doses. It can cause heartburn. It is safe for pregnant and nursing women and children. It also has the GRAS status in the US. For tea, use 1 tsp of dried peppermint leaves in 1 cup of boiling water. Peppermint oil can be used in 1 to 2 mL doses on the skin. Ingest less than 1 mL at a time. Do not use peppermint or give peppermint products to small children and infants, as it can cause breathing problems in the young. Contemplate fennel seed and horseradish root. There are some herbs that you should use with caution because they are not safe for all individuals. Fennel seed is safe for children, but has not been tested in pregnant and nursing women. Despite this, it has GRAS status in the US. Horseradish root has not been tested in pregnant and nursing women or children. Horseradish root may also be irritating for some people, so use it with caution. Despite the caution, horseradish root has been tested and found effective for sinusitis and bronchitis , which are conditions that cause congestion. The common dosage for horseradish is 20 g of fresh root per day while you are suffering from congestion or respiratory issues. This can be added to recipes or in sauces. It also comes in supplement form, with dosing between two and three capsules per day. Fennel seed can be taken as a seed or as an oil. The daily dosage of the seed is 5 to 7 g and of the oil is 0.1 to 0.6 mL. Be cautious of pleurisy root. Pleurisy is an older term used to describe inflammatory conditions of the lung. Pleurisy root has been used since ancient times to treat this conditions, but little modern research is available of its effectiveness or side effects. Pleurisy root should not be used by pregnant or nursing women or by children. There are also some drug interactions with pleurisy root. Do not use pleurisy root with Digoxin (Lanoxin), any estrogens such as oral contraceptives, or diuretics (water pills) including chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), or hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, Microzide). Understand how steam helps. Most decongestant herbs are best taken as steam treatments, breathing the herbs in, directly into the nose, the lungs, and the sinuses. Steam can help open up the nasal passages, help thin out the sometimes thick mucus, and allow the mucus to drain out of the sinuses. These treatments can be used along with pain relievers, antibiotics, and antifungal treatments as well as for viral infections of the sinuses. If you are already seeing a physician, continue with those treatments along with steam treatments. If you are not seeing a physician and these treatments don't give you any relief within five to seven days, make an appointment to see a physician. You may be dealing with a more complicated situation. Use the right herbs for steam treatments. You can use dried herbs or the essential oils when you use the steam method for your decongestion. Essential oils tend to be a bit more effective because they are the concentrated forms of the herbs. You can also try a mixture of a couple different herbs or oils, such as eucalyptus and peppermint. These essential oils have either antibacterial, antifungal, or antiseptic properties. This means they can kill bacteria and other microorganisms that can infect the sinuses as well as help break up congestion. Be aware that allergic reactions are always possible with herbs. The first time you try an herb, do so for only three to five minutes for steam treatments and and then wait for 30 minutes to determine if you are experiencing any adverse reactions. If you do, choose another herb. Prepare herbal steam treatments. Fill a one quart pot with water. Place the pan on the stove and let it boil. Remove from heat, then add either one to two drop of the essential oils or 1/2 a teaspoon of dried herbs for one quart of water. Sit the pot aside and cover. Let the oil or herb steep in the hot water for five minutes. If you don't have a quart pot, a kettle or other pot that can hold at least a quart of water will work fine. Never place your head over boiling water. This can cause burns or serious injury. Cayenne pepper is the exception to the recipe for teas and steam decongesting. Use ⅛ to ¼ a teaspoon. This herb is very strong and is too overpowering in larger doses. Use the herbal steam treatment. Open the lid of the pot. Place your hand over the pot to test the temperature. It should be hot but not painful. If it is a good temperature, cover your head with a large, clean cotton towel, close your eyes, and place your head over the steaming pot that is away from the stove. Keep your face at least 12 inches away from the water. You want the heat to enter your nose and throat, but you certainly don't want to damage or burn yourself with heat. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth for five counts and then in and out through your mouth for two counts. Repeat for 10 minutes or as long as the water is still steaming. Try to blow your nose during and after the treatments. You can do this every two hours or as often as your schedule permits.	Use eucalyptus. Try anise, thyme, and oregano. Use cardamom and cayenne pepper. Try peppermint. Contemplate fennel seed and horseradish root. Be cautious of pleurisy root. Understand how steam helps. Use the right herbs for steam treatments. Prepare herbal steam treatments. Use the herbal steam treatment.
https://www.wikihow.com/Calm-Self-Harming-Thoughts	How to Calm Self Harming Thoughts	Self-harming thoughts can be challenging to deal with, but with a few therapeutic techniques, you can help calm your mind. When you notice any thoughts of self-harm, try mindful breathing. Just close your eyes and pay attention to each breath as it naturally comes and goes. You can also visualize a calm scene, a cute animal, or something that makes you feel relaxed. Try distracting yourself by doing a hobby you enjoy, watching videos, reading a book, or going for a walk. If you still feel like self-harming, talk to a friend or family member you trust. Or, call a self-harm hotline, like 1-800-273-TALK, for immediate help.	Use realistic positive thinking. Always try to pinpoint the source of thoughts that worry you. Work through these thoughts by asking yourself the following: What is bothering me? How does this make me feel? What happened the last time I felt this way? What can I do to stop feeling this way right now? For example, say you are distressed about your parents fighting. You might start by identifying that this is in fact causing you distress. Ask yourself how it makes you feel. Does it make you feel scared for the future of your family? Ask yourself what happened last time your parents fought: did they make up and get along for a time afterwards? Think back on some positive family interactions that occurred after the last time your parents fought. Because the mind is more sensitive to negative than to positive information, it is important to make that much more of an effort to use positive thinking. Change your thoughts. Do your best to think about something hilarious or something that generally makes you really happy. You can also try thinking about what is making you distressed in a different light. For example, try thinking about a really funny internet cat meme or something sweet that your partner did for you. To think differently about what is making you distressed, consider this example. Say you are distressed because you failed a test. Try instead thinking about your bad grade as a challenge that you can surmount on the next exam by studying harder. Another way to try to change your thoughts is to engage in self-compassion. To do this, try engaging in compassion-focused attention. This means to deliberately pay attention to your experiences as they unfold in the moment; do not judge your experiences but instead do your best to think about them with gentleness, empathy, and kindness. You can also try engaging in mindful breathing. To breath mindfully is to direct your attention to the sensations involved in your breathing, and to re-direct your attention to your breathing when your mind begins to wander to other thoughts or feelings.. Although these methods can be attempted on your own, you may see the best results by working together with a therapist. Try engaging in compassion-focused imagery. Think about what your ideal image of compassion looks like. Your image should bring to mind kindness and warmth. Is it someone caring for a cute animal or baby? Is it a scene in nature? Once you have picked your image of compassion, visualize it. Imagine the compassion it generates flowing through others and through yourself. Try distracting yourself by making a short mental list of other things that are better to focus on, such as plans for the weekend, new movies you want to see, or things you're passionate about. Have a few topics ready ahead of time so you can stay prepared. Be gentle on yourself. There are no such things as mistakes, there are only lessons. Every time you reason that you have failed, look again for the lessons. This isn't an exercise in being Pollyanna-ish or unrealistically optimistic; it's about identifying the things that you can gain from the experience rather than going over what went wrong. For example, if you fail a test, this can teach you that you might need to ask for tutoring or teacher help; it might mean that you didn't study in an organized fashion and need to implement such a system going forward. Create distance. If you are feeling overwhelmed by your feelings and like you are about to harm yourself as a way to cope, try creating some distance between yourself and your thoughts. To gain distance, try imagining yourself as an outsider who is viewing the situation that is making you sad. In addition, try thinking about yourself in the third person (i.e., she shouldn't harm herself because it won't really address the root of the problem). Be mindful. If you are distressed about something that is not relevant to the present moment (i.e., something that happened in the past or will happen in the future), try focusing on just the present moment. Pay full attention to all of your bodily sensations, all the different kinds of information coming in through each of your senses, and all of your thoughts about those perceptions and sensations. Talk to people when you feel down. If you are comfortable doing so, talk with trusted friends and family members about how you are feeling. You can also seek out help from a counselor, therapist, or other independent health professional. If you can't afford it, search online for advice about free services or budgeting (try googling free therapy + your city name). There will always be something available to help a person in distress. Another option is to talk with other people who self-harm; they may provide a unique sense of social support that helps calm you down. You can reach out to various hotlines such as the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-TALK) or the Self Injury Foundation (1-800-334-HELP) or the National Hopeline Network (1-800-SUICIDE) – 24-hour crisis hotlines available for people who are considering self-harm or suicide. Do something that you are proud of. Find a hobby, activity or pursuit that lets you shine. Keep involved in it regularly. This may help you to feel better about yourself and distract you from thoughts of self-harm. To find a hobby you like, try out several until something you like sticks. You can try this website for ideas: http://discoverahobby.com/ You can also ask friends or family what their hobbies are; sometimes it is funner to do a hobby if others you know do it as well. Try smiling. You might become calmer merely by smiling, even if you don't feel like it. This is called the facial feedback hypothesis; it suggests that the relationship between emotions and the face is bi-directional: that although we typically smile when we feel happy, smiling might actually cause us to feel happier or otherwise help us to be less distressed. Distract yourself. Rather than thinking about what is distressing you, try cooling off by watching a movie, reading a book, or hanging out with friends. If you do take in media, do your best to avoid anything that makes self harm look acceptable or cool. Try cognitive restructuring. Although this is no substitute for treatment from a mental health professional, you can still try this technique and the others on your own as a way to calm your thoughts of self-injury. In this technique, try to identify a distorted thought, then challenge it. For example, let's say you think that life is hopeless because you have no friends. Challenge this by doing the following: think hard about whether it is in fact true that you have no friends. Think about whether you have ever had any friends in the past. If you have, maybe you can get more in the future. Think about steps you might take to get new friends. For example, you could try new hobbies out on http://www.meetup.com. Try Socratic questioning. This technique, which involves posing questions to challenge the accuracy of one's thoughts, can help you figure out the usefulness and validity of the thoughts that are causing you to think about hurting yourself. For example, you if you feeling that you are going to hurt yourself in order to feel something, because you feel numb, you might ask yourself the following: "what would be an alternative way to feel something other than pain (what about trying something safer and more pleasurable")? Try replacement techniques. This involves replacing your self-injury behavior with aversive but ultimately not harmful experiences. This will allow you to 'self-injure' without your behaviors actually being injurious. For example, you might eat a hot chili, hold an ice cube in your hand, or take a cold shower instead of engaging in more harmful behaviors. Perform "Opposite Action. " This is a technique that is part of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, which has been successfully used to treat people with Borderline Personality Disorder. People with BPD frequently experience suicidal thoughts and impulses, and may also use self-harming behaviors. Opposite Action involves several steps: Use mindfulness to notice what you are feeling. Identify the action urge, such as the specific way you want to self-harm. Try to locate what prompted this feeling. For example, perhaps a friend has ended your relationship, and you are experiencing self-harming thoughts because you feel like no one will ever be there for you. Do not judge your emotion as "bad" or try to suppress it. It's the urge that is the problem, not the emotion. Emotions just exist. Consider whether your emotional impulse is helpful or not helpful. Would harming yourself help you address your deeper feelings of fear that no one will be there for you? No. Do the opposite of the emotional impulse. If your impulse is to self-harm, do something that is the opposite. For example, you might try to write yourself a kind letter, or practice a loving-kindness meditation. Join a support group. Sometimes it can help to be around others who are dealing with the same issues. There are a couple ways to search for a support group to join: Check out this website to see if there is a support group meeting that takes place near you: http://www.selfinjury.com/admissions/locations/ Try searching the internet with the terms "self-injury (or self-harm) support group + your city's name or zipcode".	Use realistic positive thinking. Change your thoughts. Be gentle on yourself. Create distance. Be mindful. Talk to people when you feel down. Do something that you are proud of. Try smiling. Distract yourself. Try cognitive restructuring. Try Socratic questioning. Try replacement techniques. Perform "Opposite Action. Join a support group.
https://www.wikihow.com/Determine-the-Sex-of-Puppies	How to Determine the Sex of Puppies	To determine the sex of your puppies, wait until they're about 3-4 weeks old, then gently pick them up and lay them on their back in your cupped hands. Find the belly button, where the umbilical cord was attached, then look about an inch below it to check for a raised button of flesh. This is the prepuce of the puppy's penis, and if you see one, the puppy is male. A smooth belly, on the other hand, means the puppy is female.	Pick up the puppy gently. Newborn and young puppies are very delicate. Handle them with care. Puppies can't see or hear very well before they're a few weeks old, so picking them up and holding them may make them nervous or fussy. Never pick up a puppy by its tail! Slide your hand under as much of the body as possible to offer the best support as you pick up the puppy. Handle puppies as little as possible during their first two weeks after birth. Over-handling them could upset the mother dog or harm the puppies. If possible, wait until the puppies are at least 3-4 weeks old before trying to determine their sex. They will have had enough time to bond with their mother and develop a bit by then. Hold the puppy in cupped hands. Lay the puppy in your hands on its back, with its paws in the air. Make sure you support the puppy's whole body with your hands so you don't stress their spine. Don't squeeze the puppy. It may be easier if you have someone else hold the puppy so you can do the visual inspection. You can also rest them on their backs on a warm towel spread on a table. This will help keep the puppy warm. Work quickly. Newborn puppies cannot maintain their own body temperature for several weeks after they're born. They can take a chill very easily. Don't hold the puppy away from its mother longer than is necessary. 5-10 minutes should be the limit for handling young puppies. Use a heating pad or hot water bottle wrapped in a towel in the puppy's bed to help keep it warm. Observe any distress. If the puppy shows signs of distress, such as squalling or squirming, put the puppy back with its mother immediately. The mother may also become distressed if she isn't used to you handling her pups. If you notice signs of her getting distressed, such as barking at you, put the puppy back with the mother. Look at the puppy’s belly. You will probably see a “belly button,” or umbilicus. This is usually located almost at the center of the belly, just below the rib cage. If the puppy was born within the last few days, the umbilical cord may still be attached. Once the umbilical cord shrivels and falls off -- which should happen within a few days -- there will be a little scar left behind on the belly. This scar is a slightly brighter color than the surrounding skin and feels a little bit thicker. Look below the bellybutton or umbilicus scar. If your puppy is male, there will be another small raised spot or “button” of flesh about an inch or so below the scar. This is the prepuce, or sheath, of the puppy's penis. The prepuce will have a small hole at the center. The prepuce may have little wispy hairs around it or even on it. Do not attempt to pull out or unsheathe a male puppy's penis until the puppy is at least 6 months old. Dogs have an os penis, or “penis bone.” You may damage the penis or penis bone if you attempt to forcibly unsheathe a young male dog's penis. Check for testicles. Male puppies will have testicles, although you may not be able to feel them before they are 8 weeks old. If you can locate the testicles, they will be high up between the puppy's hind legs. Depending on your puppy's size, its testicles will be about the size of a lima bean. By 8 weeks old, the testicles are usually enclosed in the sack-like scrotum. Feel the puppy’s belly. Unlike male puppies, female puppies will have smooth bellies (other than their umbilicus scar). Females do not have a prepuce. Examine the puppy’s rear end. A puppy's anus is located directly under its tail. If your puppy is male, you will only be able to see its anus. If your puppy is female, you will see a raised, fleshy area just under the anus. This is the vulva. The vulva of a female puppy is small and leaf-shaped. It has a vertical slit. It is usually located almost directly between the puppy's hind legs. The vulva may have some wispy hairs on it. Disregard the nipples. Just like humans and other mammals, both male and female dogs have nipples. They will not inform you of a puppy's sex. Consult your veterinarian. Puppies should have their first set of vaccinations at around six weeks old. If you can't figure out what sex your puppy is, your veterinarian can help you with this during a routine visit.	Pick up the puppy gently. Hold the puppy in cupped hands. Work quickly. Observe any distress. Look at the puppy’s belly. Look below the bellybutton or umbilicus scar. Check for testicles. Feel the puppy’s belly. Examine the puppy’s rear end. Disregard the nipples. Consult your veterinarian.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Ex-Jealous	How to Make Your Ex Jealous	The best way to make your ex jealous is to enjoy your life without them, because it will show that you can still be happy by yourself. Even though you might feel bad after the breakup, don't stop working, exercising, going out with friends, or doing what you love to do. To make them extra jealous, try some new hobbies and post some pictures of you having fun on social media. Another way to get your ex jealous is to completely ignore their life. By not liking their statuses or talking about them to mutual friends, they'll feel completely off your radar. If you run into your ex, be nice to them, no matter how difficult that sounds. By talking and smiling to them, you'll show them that you've moved on.	Stop all contact. One way to make your ex jealous is to sever all contact between the two of you right after you split. Shoot for a decent length of time, like 3-4 weeks. This lack of contact may get your ex to think about what you are doing. Have you moved on? Are you dating other people? Are you over the break up already? If your ex texts or calls you, don't respond. If your ex tries to contact you on social media, don't reply. Don't text or call him, especially to talk about the relationship. Get some distance. You want to make it look like you're moving on and not letting the breakup bother you. The key is to make your ex think about you and start wondering what you are doing because he doesn't know what you are doing, who you are seeing, or where you are going. Resist the temptation to text with your ex late at night. Late night melancholia may make you do things you'll regret in the morning. Don't give in if your ex texts for a booty call. Be strong and ignore those messages. After the period of silence, respond back with simple comments. Say something like, "hey," or respond to their text with something short and witty. Keep it light and casual. Keep all your common friends. When you break up, don't stop hanging out with the friends that you and your ex have in common. Instead, go hang out with your friends when invited somewhere, or go to the normal dinner in the city both of you used to attend together. Staying friends helps you remember that these people were your friends, too. There's no point in losing good friends just because you broke up. Going out with mutual friends also helps information get back to your ex. This is a good way to show that you are doing great and not moping around. Post pictures of yourself with the opposite sex. A good way to get under your ex's skin is to post pictures of yourself with the opposite sex. It doesn't matter if it's a colleague, a friend, or someone's sibling. Interacting and letting your ex see you with someone else helps show that you are moving on. It also shows that he is being replaced, which helps trigger jealousy. Decide which social media outlet your ex would be more likely to see. Then, post a few good pictures with someone. Don't overdo it. Don't post pictures with ten different people, and don't post tons of pictures. You want to tease your ex with the idea that you are with someone else. Don't be obvious that you are trying to make him jealous. You don't want to seem desperate. Hang out with the opposite sex. Hanging out and being friends with the opposite sex can also cause your ex to be jealous. Flirt, meet, and have fun with the opposite sex. Try to do it so that your ex finds out about it. This could be accomplished by posting about it through social media, or flirting with the opposite sex when mutual friends are around. Date other people with caution. If the ultimate goal is to get your ex back, then dating someone else can push him away. You don't want to sabotage your chances of getting back together if that is what you want. Act nice. When you see your ex, act nice. By talking to him, smiling, and asking how he is doing, you show that you are moving on and getting over it. This can help make him jealous. He may even think about how nice and great you are afterwards. Keep the conversation light and natural. Treat your ex like an acquaintance. Ask surface questions, not questions about who your ex is dating. If asked how you are doing, say you are doing well. Make sure not to oversell it. You don't want your ex to think you are faking. Don't be rude to him. That is a classic way of showing you are not over the breakup. If you say something mean to him, it could turn him off and make him glad you two broke up. Ignore your ex's life. Don't show your ex that you are interested in him at all. When he posts updates about life events, like a promotion or a trip, don't engage. Don't like the post, don't comment, and don't mention it to your friends. Make it so your ex thinks you are totally off his radar. If someone brings up something about your ex later, claim that you didn't know, even if you did. Make sure it's clear to your ex (even through the grapevine) that you are not interested in his life and are not keeping up with him. Act like you're totally fine. One key way to make your ex jealous is to not let on that you are upset. Even if you are heartbroken, pretend that you are good. Don't talk about the breakup, and don't let your ex see that you're sad. Make your ex think that you don't care that the relationship has ended. Don't talk about the breakup on social media. Don't update your status or tweet about how you are sad, refrain from posting sad lyrics, and make sure you don't make cryptic posts. Your ex may see this and think you are talking about the relationship. Try not to be too chipper. There's a line between being okay and over it and being fake happy. You want to seem genuine so as not to tip off your ex. Don't include your ex in your happiness. Don't update things like, "So happy single!" or "So happy without the ex!" Those comments show that you are definitely not fine. Live your life. This sounds like a basic concept, but the best way to make your ex jealous is to live your life. More importantly, enjoy your life. Be happy with where you are in life. Being happy tells your ex that you are happy even though you are alone and he is no longer in your life. Mean it. Don't just pretend to be happy, but actually feel it. You may be sad you are broken up, but focus on other things. Don't stop working, exercising, going out with your friends, or doing things that you enjoy. Instead, do all that and more. Take up a new hobby or do something you've never done before. Post pictures on social media of your life. Take a selfie while on a hike, post a picture while out with friends, and get someone to take a picture of you doing something you've never done before. When your ex sees these pictures, he will know you are living your life without him, and be jealous that you are still happy and doing awesome things. Enter your "me" phase. Since you are single now, focus on yourself. Don't mope around the house, waiting for your ex to call. Don't try to win him back. Don't try to contact him. Instead, make this time about you. Do things that make you happy. In the process of making yourself happy, you will make your ex jealous by doing things other than being sad you broke up. Plus, whether you are moping or going on your next adventure, word will get back to your ex. There's no better way to make him jealous than by not dwelling on him. Call up friends you haven't seen for a while. Arrange fun outings that will take your mind off your breakup. Take a trip. Don't let being single keep you from a weekend getaway or a day trip somewhere new. Get out of the house and explore the area. Get in shape. Sitting around eating ice cream and chocolate is not going to accomplish anything, except maybe an extra 5-10 pounds. Instead of letting yourself go as you get over the breakup, get moving. Drop a few pounds and tone your body to make your ex jealous when he sees your improved physical shape. Join a gym. You can lift weights, go to classes, and get out of the house. You might even meet someone. If you don't want to join a gym, then get outside. Go running, take a hike, ride a bicycle, or go kayaking. Try any kind of physical activity. Exercise helps boost your confidence. When you accomplish even small goals, like running a mile or hiking a trail, it helps make you more confident. Confidence is definitely something you want to have to make your ex jealous. Being a strong, confident individual is a cause for jealousy. Exercise not only will make you look better, but it will help you feel better. Engaging in activities gets your mind off of the breakup, and exercise releases endorphins into your brain that help lift your mood. Give yourself a makeover. Breakups hit everyone's self-esteem hard. To help yourself feel attractive and confident, do something to pamper yourself. Get a haircut. Grow a beard. Buy a new pair of shoes. Buy a new outfit. Do something nice for yourself to make yourself feel better. Go for simple changes instead of drastic. Don't go shave your head, pierce your tongue, or dye your hair blue because you are emotional. Instead, keep it small. Always look your best. Wherever you go, look your best. Even if you only go to the grocery store or to the gym, make sure you are putting forward your best face. That doesn't mean you have to wear your best, but look presentable and attractive. Ask yourself before leaving the house, "Would I want my ex to see me in this?" Looking great when you are around your ex is a great way to make him jealous. Show your ex what he is missing. Date other people. Just because you're not over your breakup doesn't mean you can't date other people, especially if you keep it casual. You don't have to be looking for the perfect person. Instead, go out and have fun. When it gets back to your ex that you are dating someone, he will more than likely be jealous. Don't use the person. Remember, the person you are dating has feelings, too. Instead, make sure he knows it's casual. Don't kiss him, and don't give him any reason to think it's more than it is.	Stop all contact. Keep all your common friends. Post pictures of yourself with the opposite sex. Hang out with the opposite sex. Act nice. Ignore your ex's life. Act like you're totally fine. Live your life. Enter your "me" phase. Get in shape. Give yourself a makeover. Always look your best. Date other people.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-Speakers	How to Make Your Own Speakers	To make your own speakers, you'll need copper wire, packing tape, a strong magnet, and a plastic container. First, wrap the copper wire around the magnet several times to make a coil so there are several feet of wire unwrapped on each side of the magnet. Then, remove the magnet and tape the wire coil to the bottom of the plastic container. Then, make a larger wire coil using a different round object and tape the coil to the top of the first one. Finally, put the magnet on top of the 2 coils and attach the ends of the copper wire to a music source.	Find copper wire, packing tape, and a strong magnet. While there is a lot of calibrating that goes into high end speakers, the basic technology is actually pretty simple. An electrical current is run through a wire that is attached to a magnet. This current makes the magnet vibrate, and those vibrations are picked up by our ears as sound. To hear the sound well you should also get a small plastic tupperware or cup. This will amplify the sound much like yelling into a cone amplifies your voice. Wrap the copper wire around the magnet several times to make a coil. You want to wrap the wire 6-7 times starting from the middle. Make sure you leave several feet of wire unwrapped on either side of the magnet. Tape this coil onto the bottom of your tupperware, but without the magnet. Use a bottlecap or other round object to make another, larger coil. Using both ends of the leftover copper wire, make an even large coil and tape this on top of the smaller one. Like before, you will leave roughly a foot of leftover wire on each side of the coil -- this is how you will attach your "speaker" to your music source. Place the magnet on top of the two coils. You want it to sit comfortable within both coils, but don't worry too much about touching every inch of wire. Attach both copper wires to a music source. The most common attachment is an 1/8th inch cable or "Auxiliary" cord (the input on most headphones). Wrap one end of the wire around the top of the metal input and the other around the bottom. Gator clips, which are small clamps that transmit electricity, can make attaching your copper wire to a music source easier. Tinker with your speakers to get better sound. Try using a stronger magnet, keeping your coils tighter, using different "amplifiers," and playing different music sources at different volumes. Understand the components of a speaker. While the basics of speaker technology have not really changed since 1924, audio technicians have been perfecting the design, electronics, and sound of speakers ever since. That said, all speakers contain a few basic components: Driver: Transforms an electrical signal into sound. Drivers come in many shapes and sizes, but all share the same function -- they make noise. Many speakers have multiple drivers to handle many frequencies. For example, "woofers" are large drivers that work well for low-frequency sounds like bass, while "tweeters" handle high frequencies. Crossovers: These small relays take complex electrical signals and break them up into smaller parts to send to different drivers, isolating bass, treble, and mid-range frequencies. Cabinet: This is the shell of a speaker where the electronics are housed. In order to eliminate noisy "resonance" or to get greater volume they are produced in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Buy a speaker kit. While you can certainly buy all of the parts separately, it is incredibly difficult to build good speakers without years of studying the principles of sound and electricity. However, the budding DIY speaker enthusiast has another option -- buying pre-designed speaker kits with drivers, crossovers, and cabinets included. When searching for a good speaker kit, you should consider: Is the cabinet is included? Many speaker kits only contain blueprints for the cabinet -- you will have to buy, cut, and fasten the wood together yourself. Is the crossover pre-connected? Depending on your comfort level with electronics, you may want to purchase a kit where the crossover is already assembled, or you can attach and solder the pieces yourself. How high-quality to you want your sound? Most audio professionals consult the Loudspeaker Design Cookbook or LDSB, for advice on choosing drivers and crossovers, and you can expect to pay more for better quality components. How powerful, or loud, do your speakers need to be. In general, this is determined by the size of you drivers. Solder the crossover together following the provided crossover pattern. You will need a soldering iron, hot glue, and a pattern to make sure your crossover works correctly. All speaker kits come with a chart illustrating how to attach everything, and sample patterns can be found with a quick internet search if you are working from scratch. This prevents your speakers from shorting or burning out. Make sure you completely understand how to read wiring diagrams before continuing. Once your parts are attached, secure them to a small board with a hot glue gun or zip ties. Finish by attaching your crossover cables to the drivers with speaker wire. Cut, stain, and assemble your cabinet according to your blueprint. If your cabinet is not provided for you, you will need to buy the wood and cut it to fit your drivers. Most speakers are rectangular, but talented carpenters can play with other shapes, from polygons to spheres, to get better sound. While all cabinets are different, there are a few guiding principles to their design: Use material that is at least 1.5" thick. Always measure your wood so that it fits together perfectly -- any sound that leaks out of the speakers will greatly diminish their quality. Fit the speakers together before adhering them. Wood glue is the preferred adhesive, but you can also use a drill and screws or biscuit clips as well. The paint or stain you chose for your cabinet will not affect the sound, but decorate your cabinet before installing components to protect your electronics. Be sure you are comfortable with carpentry equipment before building original speaker cabinets. Install your drivers and crossover. If you followed your blueprints correctly the drivers should fit snugly into the holes you cut on the front of the cabinet. Adhere the crossover board to the cabinet so that the cables to the driver are not stretched or stressed. The drivers are usually screwed into a plastic molding on the outside of the cabinet. Use wood glue or adhesive to securely fasten the crossover to the cabinet. Fill the rest of your speaker with "acoustic stuffing. " This specially designed fabric is meant to dampen sound inside the speaker so that you don't hear weird vibrations or echos. While not necessary, it can help the sound considerably.	Find copper wire, packing tape, and a strong magnet. Wrap the copper wire around the magnet several times to make a coil. Use a bottlecap or other round object to make another, larger coil. Place the magnet on top of the two coils. Attach both copper wires to a music source. Tinker with your speakers to get better sound. Understand the components of a speaker. Buy a speaker kit. Solder the crossover together following the provided crossover pattern. Cut, stain, and assemble your cabinet according to your blueprint. Install your drivers and crossover. Fill the rest of your speaker with "acoustic stuffing.
https://www.wikihow.com/Add-People-to-a-Photo	How to Add People to a Photo	To add people to a photo, try using a program like Adobe Photoshop to copy and paste them in. Before you begin, choose 2 photos that are compatible. For example, if your base photo is on a beach, you'll want to choose a photo of the person that's well lit. Open up the image of the person in Photoshop, and select them using the lasso tool. Start at their head and loop the lasso tool around their entire body. Then, click Edit and Copy to copy their image onto the clipboard. Now, open up your group photo and click Edit and Paste to paste them in. Make sure to resize the added person so they match the size of everyone else. You can do this with the Free Transform tool. If there's any original background surrounding the added person, use the Eraser tool to get rid of it.	Pick your photos. When you are trying to add a person to a picture, you want to make sure that you have a picture of the absent person that matches the photo you want to add them to. For example, if you want to add your best friend to a picture of a group of friends on the beach, don't try to use a picture of her in a Christmas sweater. It won't look right and people will be able to tell that you manipulated the photo. If you can find a picture where your friend is on a simple or uncomplicated background, that would be ideal. The busier the background, the more work you'll have to do when you erase it later. You want the picture of the person you are adding to be as big or bigger than the one you want to add them to. If you have to enlarge the person you are adding, they will become pixelated and give away your hard work to make them look like they belong in the picture. Also try to match color tone and lighting. If you are all on a beach, try to find one of your friend in the sun. You can manipulate the colors later, but it will be harder for you to work with later. Select the person. You need to open up the photo of the figure you are cutting out in Photoshop. Pick the lasso tool from your toolbar. It will be the icon that looks like a lassoed rope that is the third icon down from the top of the side toolbar. Start from a place near your figure and, holding down your left mouse key, loop around your figure. Once you get all the way around the person, the lines you drew will become highlight lines, which are dashed, moving lines around the edges you drew. You don't have to be super precise, just make sure you don't accidentally cut off part of their body. The extra background that you grab will be erased later. Copy and paste the figure. Now that your figure is highlighted, you need to copy the figure so you can paste it over into the group photo. Click on the Edit menu option at the top of the screen. From the pull down menu, click Copy. Now, you need to open your group photo. Once it is open, click on the picture. Then, go back up to the Edit menu and choose Paste from the pull down menu. This will paste your highlighted figured from the original image into the group image. Instead of using the menu bar, you can also hit the control (or command on a Mac) button and the C button. This will copy the image as well. To paste, just click control (or command) and V. Resize the figure. Now that your figure is in your image, you need to resize it to make it match the people in the group. To do this, you will use the Free Transform tool. Make sure the figure layer is selected, which you can do from the Layer window, which is typically on the right side of your work space. Once the figure layer is chosen, go to the Edit menu option and choose Free Transform. A box will appear on the outside of your layer. Holding down the shift key, click your mouse on the corner of the box and pull the box in, making the figure smaller. Keep shrinking until the figure looks about the same size as the people in the group photograph. Make sure you hold down the shift key. It will prevent you from changing the proportions of the figure in the picture. Instead of clicking the menu bar, you can click control (or command) and the T button to use the Free Transform tool. Erase the extra background. To make the figure look like she belongs in the image, you need to erase the original background from around the figure. To do this, you will need the eraser tool. To begin, click on the figure layer from the layer window. At the bottom of the layer window, there is a button with a grey rectangle with a white circle in the middle called the mask layer button. Click on this to isolate the image from the other layers. Now, click on the eraser tool on the toolbar on the left, which is about halfway down the bar and has a rectangular eraser on it. From the top of the screen, there are eraser options. Click the down arrow and change the size of the brush to something around 60 or 70 pixels by sliding the arrow over or typing in the new size. Also change the hardness at the bottom of the menu to 0. Now you can erase most of the extra background around your figure. Get close to the figure but don't erase any part of the figure. The extra bits left around their body will be erased with a smaller brush. If they are on a white or solid color background, you can use the magic wand tool to isolate the background and delete it. Just click the magic wand tool, select the color of the background, and then press delete once it is all highlighted. Finish isolating the figure. Now that the majority of the background is erased, you need finish removing all the excess background to isolate the figure. In your eraser options as the top, change the size of your brush to something between 20 and 30 pixels. You also need to change the hardness to at least 50. Once your eraser is done, zoom in on the picture by hitting the plus sign or changing the percentage on the bottom of your window. Get as close as you can, making the edges of the figure easy to see. Erase the rest of the background from the figure. If you mess up or accidentally erase part of the figure, you can simply press the undo button under Edit on the menu bar. Move the layer. Now that your figure is the same size as the rest of the group and is isolated, you need to move the layer to the position you want them to be in. To do this, make sure the figure layer is selected. Click the move tool, which is the one on the top of the toolbar on the left side of the screen. Once you click it, grab your figure layer and hold down the left mouse button while you drag it to the place you want it. Change the lighting. Now that the figure is the same size as the others, you need to match the color of them. With the figure layer selected, click on the icon beside the mask button on the bottom of the layer screen. It has a bi-color circle on it. When you click it, a menu screen will pop up. Click on the Curves option, which will make a dialog window pop up. It will have a square with a diagonal line through the middle of it. Click on the line in the middle, halfway up from the middle, and halfway down from the middle. Each of the dots that appear will allow you to move the line. Now you need to play with the levels in this option. You can move the lines up and down, adding and subtracting light and contrast as you go. Play around with the layer until it matches the group layer. If there is only a bit of a different between the layers, you can just change the brightness and contrast from the Image menu bar. Simply adjust the lines back and forth. You may have a dialog box pop up with you try to make a Curves layer on your figure. When it pops up, press OK to make the Curves mask layer. You can also change the lighting of the original group photo as well. If you want to change it, click on the background layer and pick the same icon on the bottom of the screen and follow the same steps as with the figure layer until the two layers are close to each other. Match the color. Now that the lighting is right on your figure, you need to make the hues of their skin match. To do this, make sure your figure layer is selected. Press the same bi-color circle at the bottom of the layer screen and choose Hue/Saturation from the menu. From the screen, you can change Hue, Saturation, and Brightness. Hue will change the color the highlight and low light colors to a different color. Saturation will change the concentration of the colors on your, making them brighter or duller. The brightness will change the overall lightness of the figure. You should play around with the dials until the figure matches the color of the group.	Pick your photos. Select the person. Copy and paste the figure. Resize the figure. Erase the extra background. Finish isolating the figure. Move the layer. Change the lighting. Match the color.
https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-an-Apple	How to Eat an Apple	"To eat an apple whole, twist off the stem and eat the skin and flesh of the fruit. You can eat right down to the core, but most people avoid eating the actual core and seeds since they aren't as flavorful as the rest of the apple. If you don't mind the slightly bitter taste and harder texture, you can eat this part of the fruit too. Alternatively, if you're planning on dipping your apple into a nut butter or honey, slice the apple into quarters first to make it easier to eat. "	Learn about the different varieties of apples. An apple is just an apple, right? Not when you've got a Fuji, a Golden Delicious, a Baldwin, and a Rome to choose between. There are literally hundreds of varieties of eating apples, cultivated for different properties of flavor and texture. While some are more available than others, depending on where you live, learning some basics will help you get the right kind of apple for your tastes. If you like sweet apples, Fuji, Jazz, Golden Delicious, and McIntosh are all creamy and sweet choices. If you like crunchy apples, Pink Lady, Honey Crisp, and Gala will give you the tooth you're looking for. If you want to bake with your apples, or like tart apples, Granny Smiths, Braeburns, and Jona golds are all solid choices. Look for ripe apples. At the store, or if you're really fortunate in the orchard, check to make sure that apples are firm to the touch and fragrant. A ripe apple should feel firm and should smell like an apple at the stem and at the blossom end. Some apples, like the Macintosh or the Jonathan, will feel slightly softer to the touch, because the flesh is somewhat mealier. That's perfectly fine. If they smell ripe, they are good to eat. Look for bruising, discolouration, and signs of worm infestation in your apples. Apples with brown soft spots or dark holes that look burrowed into the flesh should be avoided. Little superficial dark dots on the skin of the apple are fine to eat, however. In general, you're looking for signs of over-ripeness, not under-ripeness. All apples you get at the store should be ripe enough to eat right away. You're just trying to make sure you don't get any over-aged apples. Store your apples properly. Apples are harvested at their peak of ripeness, so they're perfectly fine to eat right away. You can keep them on the counter for a day or two. If you don't want to eat your apples right away, keep them in the refrigerator in a paper bag. Good either way. Saying that one bad apple spoils the bunch is more than just a tidy phrase. Apples produce ethylene as they ripen, which promotes ripening in other fruits around them. Never store apples in closed plastic bags, or they'll ripen and spoil very quickly. Go with paper. If you want to store a sliced apple or a halved apple, do so in the refrigerator. These will dry out and brown very quickly, but a little spritz of lemon juice on the flesh of the apple will help to keep it fresh for longer. Rinse the skin of the apple. Wash your apple under running water, and scrub the outside of the skin with a clean towel to clean it from excess pollen and dust from the store. Then dig in or start slicing it up. Some commercially available apples are covered in a thin layer of food-grade wax, if the tree it comes from has been sprayed. While people have varying opinions about food safety issues associated with eating this, it's commonly consumed and technically approved for consumption. If you have concerned about pesticides in the wax around your apple skin, remove the skin of the apple. Use a paring knife to remove the apple skin carefully, leaving as much of the white flesh as possible. The skin of the apple is the highest in fiber and a compound called ursolic acid, which has been linked to weight loss, respiratory health, and blood sugar regulation. Eat the apple whole. By far the most common way of eating apples is by biting right in and eating the skin and the flesh of the apple raw, rotating the apple around as you bite off what you want. If there is a stem in the apple, twist it off and discard it. It's common to eat right down to the hard, plastic-like core of the apple, with its small clutch of seeds, and then discard it. Contrary to popular belief, the "core" of apples are perfectly edible. According to some estimates, eating around and saving the core wastes around 30% of the edible flesh of each apple. Try eating the whole thing, starting at the bottom blossom end of the fruit. Apple seeds do contain a minuscule amount of cyanide, but at levels which are so small there's no threat of affecting your health. It's perfectly fine to eat them. Consider cutting the apple into slices. If you want to cut your apple into slices for snacking or dipping, use a small paring knife to remove the core and cut each half into bite-sized slices the size of your choice. Cut the apple in half, from the stem to the tail to split the core into two halves. Then, you can cut each half of the apple into slices. It's usually a good idea to remove the seeded core of the apple with a small paring knife. Alternatively, cut the apple across the "belly," between the stem and the tail, cutting through the core instead of down it. Eat apples slices with toppings or dips. Raw apple slices make excellent vehicles for dipping and topping, perfect for an afternoon snack, a quick breakfast, or a fun treat for a child. Dip in honey, caramel, or peanut butter for a fun and quick snack. Even the pickiest eaters often love apples dipped in peanut butter. Making caramel apples can be a fun cooking project with kids (or adults). Eat slices of sharp cheddar or swiss cheese with apple slices for a salty and sweet combination, or combine apples with sunflower seeds, peanuts, almonds, or a combination of other seeds and nuts for added protein. Consider cooling down the apple in the fridge for a few hours. It will make it very pleasant and refreshing snack. They can also be served with ice cream with caramel poured on top! Cook apples down into applesauce. If you bought too many apples and are worried they'll go bad before you can eat them raw, making your own applesauce is one of the best ways to get a longer life out of them. It couldn't be easier to make applesauce to your taste. You can keep the skin on the apples for added fiber content, if you like, or remove it if you'd prefer a smoother applesauce. Start by washing and cutting up your raw apples into bite-sized pieces. In a medium pot over medium-low heat, add the apples and a small amount of water to keep the apples from scorching. Let applesauce cook down, stirring regularly, until it reaches the desired consistency. Stir the apples regularly, adding brown sugar and cinnamon to them to suit your taste. You can eat fresh applesauce warm or let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate it for a cold version. Store applesauce in the refrigerator if you want to save it. Use apples in baking. Apple pies are one of the most iconic and perfect pies for a reason: apples make for great pie filling. Apples also make perfect additions to lots of different baking projects, adding sweetness, moistness, and texture to a variety of dishes. Check out the following baking ideas for creative ways to cook with apples: Apple pie Baked Apple Apple Cake Vegan Apple Cake Apple Muffins Juice apples. Take a look at the ingredients list of any commercial juice. Number one ingredient on most of them? Apple juice. That's because apple juice is sweet, delicious, and easy to mix with other more sour juices to create great combinations. If you have a juicer, cutting raw apples into slices and juicing them can be a great way of stretching other juices or drinking straight for a vitamin-packed treat. Apple cider or is another excellent drink that you can make at home, though it's technically somewhat different than juicing. To make cider, puree apple slices into a consistency similar to applesauce, then strain the pulp through cheesecloth. Store the resulting juice in the refrigerator. Heat cider and juice on the stove, adding cinnamon, rum, orange zest, clove, and other spicy additions for a great and warm holiday treat.	Learn about the different varieties of apples. Look for ripe apples. Store your apples properly. Rinse the skin of the apple. Eat the apple whole. Consider cutting the apple into slices. Eat apples slices with toppings or dips. Consider cooling down the apple in the fridge for a few hours. Cook apples down into applesauce. Use apples in baking. Juice apples.
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Lameness-in-Horses	How to Treat Lameness in Horses	To treat lameness in a horse's legs, start by giving your horse lots of rest, which will lower inflammation and reduce the risk of further injury. If your horse has a swollen limb, run a hose of cold water over the lame leg for 20 minutes at a time, once or twice a day, to remove the heat associated with swelling. To treat lower limb areas like the hoof, you can make a heat treatment by placing the hoof in a bucket full of hot water and 1 cup of Epsom salt, and allow it to rest for 15 to 20 minutes, 3 to 4 times per day.	Allow the horse to take plenty of rest. Box rest is the mainstay of lameness treatment for many horses. Depending on the nature of the lameness, horses may need rest for anywhere from a few days for a simple sprain, to weeks or even months for a more serious injury. Rest places less demands on an injured joint surface, where continued use would provoke further inflammation. Continuing to work a lame horse can potentially cause further physical damage, such as chip the inflamed cartilage lining to a join, and cause permanent harm. Also, working a lame horse provokes the release of further prostaglandins and hence worsens inflammation. By resting the horse you attempt to break this vicious circle. Cold hose the horse's leg for 20 minutes a day. Cold hosing is a simple form of hydrotherapy employed to reduce swelling in a limb It involves running cool water from a garden hose over the lame leg. This is usually done for 20 minutes once or twice a day. The principle is that the cold water removes the heat associated with swelling, while the water flow massages the tissue and helps disperse fluid build-up. Ideally, the water temperature should be very cold. The advantage of hosing is that the temperature remains constant and does not warm up (as with an ice pack). 20 minutes sessions are ideal because this is enough time to disperse heat, but is not enough time for the cold to compromise blood circulation to the limb. It is a good idea to smear Vaseline or grease over the horse's heel prior to hosing. This prevents the tissue of the heel becoming softened by the constant stream of water which could predispose it to cracking and infection. Unless your horse is very well-mannered, hosing is a two person job – one to hose and one to steady the horse. Depending on the nature of the injury your veterinarian will advise on how many days to continue hosing after the swelling has resolved. Try hot tubbing to treat lower limb lameness. Hot tubbing is used to treat lower limb lameness where the cause is a suspected abscess or a foreign body in the hoof, because hot tubbing softens tissues and helps to draw infection out. It involves immersing the foot in a bucket of hot 100°F (38°C) water containing Epsom salts to soften the sole of the foot and allow infection to drain. Always clean the hoof thoroughly before immersing in the clean water. If necessary use a hoof pick to clean the sole and frog, and wash the hoof in water ahead of tubbing. It is a good idea to remove the bucket handle to prevent the leg from accidentally getting trapped between the handle and bucket. Fill the bucket with hot water and add a cupful of Epsom salts. Stand the horse's leg into the bucket and keep it there for 15 to 20 minutes. As the water cools over time, remove the foot while you top the bucket up with hot water. After soaking for 20 minutes, place the hoof on a clean towel and dry it well. This procedure can be repeated 3 to 4 times daily. Use hot fomentation to treat abscesses and infection higher up on the leg. Fomentation has a similar indication as for tubbing (suspected infections, or abscesses), but is used on higher areas of the leg which are not practical to immerse in a bucket. To apply a hot fomentation, soak a clean towel in hot water and Epsom salts and wrap it around the swollen or inflamed part of the leg. Place a second towel in the bucket of water and Epsom salts. When the towel that is wrapped around the leg cools, replace it with the waiting hot one from the bucket. Use hot fomentation in 15 to 20 minute sessions, 3 to 4 times daily. Apply a poultice to reduce swelling after exercise. Poultices have a number of applications in that they can reduce swelling after hard exercise and draw out infection from an abscess. Traditionally bran poultices were popular, but with the advent of many excellent commercial poultices, (such as Animalintex) the need for messy home-prepared poultices has dropped off. Commercial poultices come as an impregnated sheet with a shiny side (face this away from the animal) and an absorbent side (applied to the injury). First cut your poultice to the desired size so that the injured area is completely covered. It can be used dry (great for reducing swelling) or wet (to draw out infection). Both methods are applied in the same way, but when using a wet poultice the precut material is soaked in hot water first, and allowed to cool to 100°F. The poultice is placed against the injury or swelling and held in place with a dressing such as Vetwrap self-adhesive bandage. Enough tension is applied to the bandage to stop it from slipping down, but not so much as to cut off the circulation to the limb. A poultice should never be left on for more than 12 hours, and it is preferable to change them 2 or 3 times daily. Use pain relieving medications to help with lameness. Pain relief has an important role to play in the treatment of lameness. Modern painkillers (analgesics) have a dual action of reducing pain and inflammation, and belong to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory group of drugs (NSAIDS). NSAIDs work by inhibiting the action of cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX1 and COX2). It is the COX enzymes that release prostaglandins that cause inflammation and pain. By blocking COX enzymes the mediators of inflammation (prostaglandins) are reduced and so pain is reduced. The most commonly used NSAID pharmaceuticals for the relief of bone and joint problems in the horse are aspirin, flunixin, and phenylbutazone. Give your horse aspirin for mild pain. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is effective against mild pain, swelling, and discomfort. Some aspirin products are available over the counter from pharmacies which makes them a useful first option treatment for mild lameness. AniPrin contains powdered acetylsalicylic acid mixed with a palatable molasses flavor base, designed to be mixed into the horse's feed. The dose is 10mg/kg once daily. For a 500kg horse this equates to 5,000mg (or 5 grams) of AniPrin. Two scoops are supplied with the product: the larger measures out 28.35grams, and the smaller 3.75grams. Thus, a typical 500kg horse requires 1.5 small scoops of AniPrin once daily on food. Never give aspirin to a horse that is taking other medications without first consulting your vet, and always provide a plentiful supply of fresh water. Use phenylbutazone to reduce pain and fever. Commonly known as "bute" amongst horse owners, phenylbutazone reduces pain and fever. Phenylbutazone is a prescription NSAID and needs to be prescribed by your vet. It should not be used in combination with other NSAIDs, steroids, or given on an empty stomach. Phenylbutazone interacts with some medications (such as phenytoin, sulfonamides, warfarin, barbiturates, and digoxin) so always speak to your vet before starting treatment. A typical equine preparation is of phenylbutazone is Butazolidin. The dose for a 454kg horse is 2 to 4grams once a day with or after food. It is available as 1gram tablets, an oral paste, or an oral powder containing 1g of phenylbutazone in a 10gram sachet. The manufacturer advises not to exceed 4g rams a day, and to administer the lowest effective dose where possible. Get a prescription for flunixin to reduce pain and inflammation. Flunixin is another prescription NSAID, sold commercially as Banamine. Banamine is a potent cyclooxygenase inhibitor which inhibits prostaglandin and therefore brings down inflammation. It is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and small intestine, and each dose works for 24 to 30 hours. The dose of Banamine is 1.1mg/kg once daily by mouth. Therefore, a 500kg horse requires 550 mg (0.5g), which is equivalent to one 20g sachet which contains 500mg of flunixin. Be aware of the possible side effects of NSAIDs. NSAIDS can reduce the blood supply to the stomach and kidneys. While this should not be significant in healthy, well-hydrated horses (especially when the medication is given with food), NSAIDs should never be given to dehydrated animals because this could concentrate the drug and amplify its damaging effects on the kidney. Other side effects of NSAIDs include gastric ulceration and possible worsening of pre-existing kidney disease. This can manifest itself as a loss of appetite, and increased thirst. The treatment involves stopping NSAID medications and giving drugs such as activated charcoal in order to protect the stomach lining. A horse diagnosed with renal disease may need intravenous fluid therapy to flush the accumulation of naturally occurring toxins that the kidney has not got rid of out of the system.	Allow the horse to take plenty of rest. Cold hose the horse's leg for 20 minutes a day. Try hot tubbing to treat lower limb lameness. Use hot fomentation to treat abscesses and infection higher up on the leg. Apply a poultice to reduce swelling after exercise. Use pain relieving medications to help with lameness. Give your horse aspirin for mild pain. Use phenylbutazone to reduce pain and fever. Get a prescription for flunixin to reduce pain and inflammation. Be aware of the possible side effects of NSAIDs.
https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-an-Expected-Value	How to Calculate an Expected Value	To calculate an expected value, start by writing out all of the different possible outcomes. Then, determine the probability of each possible outcome and write them as a fraction. Next, multiply each possible outcome by its probability. Finally, add up all of the products and convert your answer to a decimal to find the expected value.	Identify all possible outcomes. Calculating the expected value (EV) of a variety of possibilities is a statistical tool for determining the most likely result over time. To begin, you must be able to identify what specific outcomes are possible. You should either list these or create a table to help define the results. For example, suppose you have a standard deck of 52 playing cards, and you want to find the expected value, over time, of a single card that you select at random. You need to list all possible outcomes, which are: Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, in each of four different suits. Assign a value to each possible outcome. Some expected value calculations will be based on money, as in stock investments. Others may be self-evident numerical values, which would be the case for many dice games. In some cases, you may need to assign a value to some or all possible outcomes. This might be the case, for example, in a laboratory experiment where you might assign a value of +1 to a positive chemical reaction, a value of -1 to a negative chemical reaction, and a value of 0 if no reaction occurred. In the example of the playing cards, traditional values are Ace = 1, face cards all equal 10, and all other cards have a value equal to the number shown on the card. Assign those values for this example. Determine the probability of each possible outcome. Probability is the chance that each particular value or outcome may occur. In some situations, like the stock market, for example, probabilities may be affected by some external forces. You would need to be provided with some additional information before you could calculate the probabilities in these examples. In a problem of random chance, such as rolling dice or flipping coins, probability is defined as the percentage of a given outcome divided by the total number of possible outcomes. For example, with a fair coin, the probability of flipping a “Head” is 1/2, because there is one Head, divided by a total of two possible outcomes (Heads or Tails). In the example with the playing cards, there are 52 cards in the deck, so each individual card has a probability of 1/52. However, recognize that there are four different suits, and there are, for example, multiple ways to draw a value of 10. It may help to make a table of probabilities, as follows: 1 = 4/52 2 = 4/52 3 = 4/52 4 = 4/52 5 = 4/52 6 = 4/52 7 = 4/52 8 = 4/52 9 = 4/52 10 = 16/52 Check that the sum of all your probabilities adds up to a total of 1. Since your list of outcomes should represent all the possibilities, the sum of probabilities should equal 1. Multiply each value times its respective probability. Each possible outcome represents a portion of the total expected value for the problem or experiment that you are calculating. To find the partial value due to each outcome, multiply the value of the outcome times its probability. For the playing card example, use the table of probabilities that you just created. Multiply the value of each card times its respective probability. These calculations will look like this: 1 ∗ 4 52 = 4 52 {\displaystyle 1{\frac {4}{52}}={\frac {4}{52}}} 2 ∗ 4 52 = 8 52 {\displaystyle 2{\frac {4}{52}}={\frac {8}{52}}} 3 ∗ 4 52 = 12 52 {\displaystyle 3{\frac {4}{52}}={\frac {12}{52}}} 4 ∗ 4 52 = 16 52 {\displaystyle 4{\frac {4}{52}}={\frac {16}{52}}} 5 ∗ 4 52 = 20 52 {\displaystyle 5{\frac {4}{52}}={\frac {20}{52}}} 6 ∗ 4 52 = 24 52 {\displaystyle 6{\frac {4}{52}}={\frac {24}{52}}} 7 ∗ 4 52 = 28 52 {\displaystyle 7{\frac {4}{52}}={\frac {28}{52}}} 8 ∗ 4 52 = 32 52 {\displaystyle 8{\frac {4}{52}}={\frac {32}{52}}} 9 ∗ 4 52 = 36 52 {\displaystyle 9{\frac {4}{52}}={\frac {36}{52}}} 10 ∗ 16 52 = 160 52 {\displaystyle 10{\frac {16}{52}}={\frac {160}{52}}} Find the sum of the products. The expected value (EV) of a set of outcomes is the sum of the individual products of the value times its probability. Using whatever chart or table you have created to this point, add up the products, and the result will be the expected value for the problem. For the example of the playing cards, the expected value is the sum of the ten separate products. This result will be: EV = 4 + 8 + 12 + 16 + 20 + 24 + 28 + 32 + 36 + 160 52 {\displaystyle {\text{EV}}={\frac {4+8+12+16+20+24+28+32+36+160}{52}}} EV = 340 52 {\displaystyle {\text{EV}}={\frac {340}{52}}} EV = 6.538 {\displaystyle {\text{EV}}=6.538} Interpret the result. The EV applies best when you will be performing the described test or experiment over many, many times. For example, EV applies well to gambling situations to describe expected results for thousands of gamblers per day, repeated day after day after day. However, the EV does not very accurately predict one particular outcome on one specific test. For example, when drawing a playing card from a standard deck, on one specific draw, the likelihood of drawing a 2 is equal to the likelihood of drawing a 6 or 7 or 8 or any other numbered card. Over many many draws, the theoretical value to expect is 6.538. Obviously, there is no “6.538” card in the deck. But if you were gambling, you would expect to draw a card higher than 6 more often than not. Define all possible outcomes. Calculating EV is a very useful tool in investments and stock market predictions. As with any EV problem, you must begin by defining all possible outcomes. Generally, real world situations are not as easily definable as something like rolling dice or drawing cards. For that reason, analysts will create models that approximate stock market situations and use those models for their predictions. Suppose, for this example, that you can define 4 distinct results for your investment. These results are: 1. Earn an amount equal to your investment 2. Earn back half your investment 3. Neither gain nor lose 4. Lose your entire investment Assign values to each possible outcome. In some cases, you may be able to assign a specific dollar value to the possible outcomes. Other times, in the case of a model, you may need to assign a value or score that represents monetary amounts. In the investment model, for simplicity, assume you invest $1. The assigned value of each outcome will be positive if you expect to earn money and negative if you expect to lose. In this problem, the four possible outcomes therefore have the following values, relative to the $1 investment: 1. Earn an amount equal to your investment = +1 2. Earn back half your investment = +0.5 3. Neither gain nor lose = 0 4. Lose your entire investment = -1 Determine the probability of each outcome. In a situation like the stock market, professional analysts spend their entire careers trying to determine the likelihood that any given stock will go up or down on any given day. The probability of the outcomes usually depends on many external factors. Statisticians will work together with market analysts to assign reasonable probabilities to prediction models. For this example, assume that the probability of each of the four outcomes is equal, at 25%. Multiply each outcome value by its respective probability. Use your list of all possible outcomes, and multiply each value times the probability of that value occurring. For the model investment situation, these calculations would look like this: 1. Earn an amount equal to your investment = +1 * 25% = 0.25 2. Earn back half your investment = +0.5 * 25% = 0.125 3. Neither gain nor lose = 0 * 25% = 0 4. Lose your entire investment = -1 * 25% = -0.25 Add together all the products. Find the EV for the given situation by adding together the products of value times probability, for all possible outcomes. The EV, for the stock investment model, is as follows: EV = 0.25 + 0.125 + 0 − 0.25 = 0.125 {\displaystyle {\text{EV}}=0.25+0.125+0-0.25=0.125} Interpret the results. You need to read the statistical calculation of the EV and make sense of it in real world terms, according to the problem. For the investment model, a positive EV suggests that over time, you will earn money on your investments. Specifically, based on an investment of $1, you can expect to earn 12.5 cents, or 12.5% of your investment. Earning 12.5 cents does not sound impressive. However, applying the calculation to large numbers suggests, for example, that an investment of $1,000,000 would earn $125,000. Familiarize yourself with the problem. Before thinking about all the possible outcomes and probabilities involved, make sure to understand the problem. For example, consider a die-rolling game that costs $10 per play. A 6-sided die is rolled once, and your cash winnings depend on the number rolled. Rolling a 6 wins you $30. Rolling a 5 wins you $20. Rolling any other number results in no payout. Identify all possible outcomes. This is a relatively simple gambling game. Because you are rolling one die, there are only six possible outcomes on any one roll. They are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Assign a value to each outcome. This gambling game has asymmetric values assigned to the various rolls, according to the rules of the game. For each possible roll of the die, assign the value to be the amount of money that you will either earn or lose. Recognize that a “no payout” means you lose your $10 bet. The values for all six possible outcomes are as follows: 1 = -$10 2 = -$10 3 = -$10 4 = -$10 5 = $20 win - $10 bet = +$10 net value 6 = $30 win - $10 bet = +$20 net value Determine the probability of each outcome. In this game, you are presumably rolling a fair, six-sided die. Therefore, the probability of each outcome is 1/6. You may leave this probability as the fraction of 1/6 or convert it to a decimal by dividing on a calculator. The equivalent decimal is 1/6 = 0.167. Multiply each value times its respective probability. Use the table of values you calculated for all six die rolls, and multiply each value times the probability of 0.167: 1 = -$10 * 0.167 = -1.67 2 = -$10 * 0.167 = -1.67 3 = -$10 * 0.167 = -1.67 4 = -$10 * 0.167 = -1.67 5 = $20 win - $10 bet = +$10 net value * 0.167 = +1.67 6 = $30 win - $10 bet = +$20 net value * 0.167 = +3.34 Calculate the sum of the products. Add together the six probability-value calculations to find the EV for the overall game. This calculation is: EV = − 1.67 − 1.67 − 1.67 − 1.67 + 1.67 + 3.34 = − 1.67 {\displaystyle {\text{EV}}=-1.67-1.67-1.67-1.67+1.67+3.34=-1.67} Interpret the result. The EV for this gambling game is -1.67. In real world terms, this means that you can expect to lose $1.67 each time you play the game. Notice that, according to the rules of the game, it is impossible to lose $1.67. Your only options for each $10 bet are to win $30, win $20, or win nothing. However, on average, if you play this game many times, you can expect the outcome to equal an overall loss of $1.67 per play. If you play the game once, you might win $30 (net +$20). If you play a second time, you could even win again, for a total of $60 (net +$40). However, that luck is not going to continue if you keep playing. If you play 100 times, in the end you are likely to be down approximately $167.	Identify all possible outcomes. Assign a value to each possible outcome. Determine the probability of each possible outcome. Multiply each value times its respective probability. Find the sum of the products. Interpret the result. Define all possible outcomes. Assign values to each possible outcome. Determine the probability of each outcome. Multiply each outcome value by its respective probability. Add together all the products. Interpret the results. Familiarize yourself with the problem. Identify all possible outcomes. Assign a value to each outcome. Determine the probability of each outcome. Multiply each value times its respective probability. Calculate the sum of the products. Interpret the result.
https://www.wikihow.com/Strengthen-Your-Bladder-and-Urinate-Less-Often	How to Strengthen Your Bladder and Urinate Less Often	Urinating too often can be inconvenient, but there are simple exercises you can do to strengthen your bladder. Try waiting 5 to 10 minutes after you feel the urge to pee before you go to the bathroom. If you can, only go every 2 to 4 hours to help train your bladder. Kegel exercises are also a great way to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles after pregnancy or childbirth, or from general ageing. All you need to do is empty your bladder, then lie on your back and contract your pelvic floor muscles for a few seconds. These are the same muscles you'd use to stop urinating midstream. Practice tensing your pelvic floor muscles for 10 repetitions 3 times a day.	Recognize the benefits of Kegel exercises. Kegel exercises are a way to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles that may be weak from pregnancy, childbirth, surgery, aging, or being overweight. Anyone can do these discreet exercises at any time of day and they may help with urinary and fecal incontinence. The pelvic floor muscles support the uterus, bladder, small intestine, and rectum. Kegels work by forcing you to relax and contract your pelvic floor muscles. Kegels may work for anyone to help prevent urinary incontinence, especially during pregnancy. If you have severe urinary leakage when you sneeze, cough, or laugh due to weakened pelvic floor muscles, Kegel exercises may be less effective. Identify your pelvic floor muscles. You might be unsure where your pelvic floor muscles, but identifying them is very easy. This can help ensure that you're doing Kegel exercises properly and strengthen your pelvic muscles more effectively. The easiest way to find your pelvic muscles is by stopping urination midstream. If you successfully stop the flow of urine, you've identified your pelvic floor muscles. It may take you a couple of days to identify your pelvic muscles, but just keep trying and don't get discouraged. Empty your bladder. After you've identified your pelvic muscles, you're ready to do Kegel exercises. You'll need to empty your bladder to most effectively train your pelvic floor. Don't use Kegels to start or stop your urine stream. This can weaken your pelvic floor muscles, cause further incontinence, and may increase your risk of a urinary tract infection. Lie on your back. While you're first getting the hang of doing Kegels, or if you're having a hard time identifying your pelvic muscles, lie on your back. This can help you more effectively contract your pelvic floor muscles. Make sure to lie on your back only after you've completely emptied your bladder. Contract your pelvic floor muscles. Either on your back or, if you're a more advanced practitioner of Kegels, someplace else you choose, contract your pelvic muscles. Hold them for a count of five and then relax for a count of five. Try four or five sets of Kegel exercises. Eventually work up to contracting your pelvic floor muscles for 10 seconds and then relaxing them for 10 seconds. Don't hold your breath when you are contracting your muscles. Allow your breath to flow naturally. Focus on contracting only your pelvic floor muscles. You might be tempted to tighten your abdominals, thigh or buttocks muscles, but you should focus on contracting only your pelvic floor muscles. This can help maximize your pelvic floor strengthening. Practice Kegel exercise three times a day. Repeat your Kegel exercises at least three times a day. This can help you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles most effectively and help minimize incontinence. Work up to at least three sets of 10 repetitions a day. Notice a stronger pelvic floor. If you practice your Kegels regularly, you should notice a stronger pelvic floor within a few months. You may also notice a decrease in how often you need to urinate. Train your bladder. Bladder training is a behavioral technique in which you delay urination following the urge to use the bathroom. This technique may help increase the length of time between trips to the bathroom. Start bladder training by holding off using the bathroom for five to 10 minutes after the urge to urinate strikes. Your goal should be to increase the time between bathroom trips to two to four hours. Try double voiding. Double voiding is a technique whereby you urinate twice in a short amount of time. This technique may help you empty your bladder and avoid so-called overflow incontinence. The most effective way to “double void” is to empty your bladder and then waiting a few minutes and trying to urinate again. Schedule bathroom breaks. Waiting to urinate too long may exacerbate or cause incontinence. By scheduling regular bathroom breaks instead of waiting for the need to go, you may help strengthen your pelvic floor and control incontinence. Use the bathroom every two to four hours depending on how often you usually go and how much you drink. The more you drink, the more often you may need to use the bathroom. Drink fewer liquids. It's important to get enough water to maintain hydration and your overall health. But drinking too much water isn't good and may cause you to have to use the bathroom more often. Men should aim to drink about 13 8-ounce cups (3 liters) of fluid per day and women should drink about nine 8-ounce cups (2.2 litres). A good way to determine if you are properly hydrated is if your urine is a light yellow color in the toilet. Limit foods and drinks that irritate the bladder. Certain foods and drinks may irritate or stimulate urination. By reducing your consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and acidic foods, you may help control your incontinence. Reduce your intake of coffee, caffeinated teas, sodas, and milk Try and eat less acidic foods such as tomatoes, citrus fruits, and nuts. Eating too many salty foods may require you to drink and urinate more often. Limit how much protein you eat because it requires the body to excrete certain by-products in your urine, making you have to go more frequently. Take diuretics only when instructed by your doctor. Diuretics, which are sometimes called water pills, may make you have to urinate more often. If you are taking diuretics to treat high blood pressure, edema, kidney disorders, or diabetes insipidus (diabetes that causes frequent urination), talk to your doctor about alternative treatments. Be aware that if your doctor has prescribed diuretics, it may, in fact, be important for you to urinate frequently. Never discontinue prescribed medication without consulting your doctor first. Recognize abnormal urination. Most people urinate every three to four hours during the day. If you find that you're urinating more often than normal, see your doctor. Frequent urination is defined as needing to use the bathroom more often than you normally do. Frequently urination can happen during the day or at night. Frequent urination can affect your general health, well-being, as well as your ability to work and sleep. See your doctor. If you are experiencing more frequent urination or incontinence, see your doctor. She can rule out other conditions such as a urinary tract infection , bladder stones, diabetes, prostate issues, and other more serious conditions. See your doctor if you frequent urination and/ or incontinence has no apparent cause, including drinking more liquids, alcohol, or caffeine. If you have any of the following signs, it's also important to see your doctor: blood in your urine, red or dark brown urine, painful urination, pain in your side, difficulty urinating or emptying your bladder, an overwhelming urge to use the bathroom, and loss of bladder control. Keep a log of when you go to the bathroom. A precise diary, which need not cover a great span of time, may help your doctor understand your problem.	Recognize the benefits of Kegel exercises. Identify your pelvic floor muscles. Empty your bladder. Lie on your back. Contract your pelvic floor muscles. Focus on contracting only your pelvic floor muscles. Practice Kegel exercise three times a day. Notice a stronger pelvic floor. Train your bladder. Try double voiding. Schedule bathroom breaks. Drink fewer liquids. Limit foods and drinks that irritate the bladder. Take diuretics only when instructed by your doctor. Recognize abnormal urination. See your doctor.
https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-an-Egg-is-Bad	How to Tell if an Egg is Bad	One easy way to tell if an egg is bad is to carefully place it in a large bowl of water. If the egg sinks to the bottom on its side, it's fresh. If the egg sinks and stands up on one end, it's not fresh but it's still safe to eat. If the egg floats, there's a good chance it's bad. To know for sure, crack the egg open and smell it — If it smells like sulfur, it's gone bad.	Place the egg in question in a bowl or wide glass of cold water and see if it floats. There is a tiny air pocket inside eggs, and over time more and more air passes through their porous shells and into the egg. As more air enters the egg, the air pocket grows larger, making the egg more buoyant. If the egg lays on its side on the bottom of the bowl, it is at peak freshness. If the egg stands upright on one end but is still touching the bottom, it is aging past its prime but is still safe to eat. If the egg is floating, it is not a fresh egg. This does not necessarily mean it's bad or unsafe to eat. You should test the egg by cracking it open and looking for (or smelling) signs that it has gone bad. Hold the egg up to your ear and shake it, listening for a sloshing sound. As the egg ages and moisture and carbon dioxide escapes through the shell, the yolk and white begin to dry out and shrink, and the air pocket in the egg becomes bigger. A larger air pocket gives the egg more room to move around inside the shell and create a sloshing sound. A fresh egg should not make much, if any, sound when you shake it. A sloshing egg only indicates that the egg is old and does not mean the egg is unsafe for consumption. Crack the egg open on a plate or in a large bowl and check the quality of the yolk and white. The integrity of the egg will lessen as it ages, so it won't hold together as well as a fresh egg. Notice if the egg seems to spread over a wide distance on the plate, or if it stays relatively compact. An egg that spreads or seems a little watery has a thinner white and is past its peak freshness. If the yolk is flat and breaks easily, the egg is old. If the yolk moves around easily, this means the chalazae (the thicker strands of egg white that hold the yolk in place) have weakened and the egg is aging. Look at the color of the egg white. A cloudy white indicates a very fresh egg. A clear white means the egg is older (but may still be edible). Break the egg open and notice if it smells. This is the best indicator of a bad egg. A bad egg will have a pungent, foul odor when you break it open. The sulfurous smell will be obvious as soon as the egg is cracked (and possibly before), and the egg should be thrown out. A bad egg will have this foul smell, regardless of whether it is raw or cooked. Break the egg into a small dish and inspect the color. The color of the yolk will change based on the diet of the hen who laid it, so the shade of yellow or orange nothing to do with freshness. Instead, inspect the egg white, or albumen. If it is pink, green, or iridescent, the egg has been contaminated by Pseudomonas bacteria and is not safe to eat. If you see black or green spots inside the egg, it has been contaminated by fungus and should be thrown away. If the yolk of a hard-cooked egg has a green ring around it, this means the egg has been overcooked or was cooked in water with a high iron content. This egg is still safe to eat. If there is a blood or meat spot on the egg, it is still safe to eat and does not mean the egg is contaminated or has gone bad. A blood spot occurs when a blood vessel ruptures when the egg is forming and has nothing to do with freshness. Check the "sell-by" date on the package. The sell-by date may also appear as "not to be sold after" or "EXP." This date is, at most, 30 days from the day the eggs were packaged. Eggs that are kept refrigerated and are not broken should be good for at least 1 month beyond the sell-by date. The sell-by date appears as month/day in the United States. So eggs that must be sold by March 15th are labeled 03/15. "Sell-by" refers to the last date the eggs should be available for the public to purchase. Eggs should be pulled from the shelf after this date. It does not mean the eggs are bad or rotten after this date. Check the "best-by" date on the package. The best-by date may also be labeled as "use by," "use before," or "best before." The best-by label must be within 45 days of the date the eggs were packaged. Try to use these eggs within two weeks after the best-by date. "Best-by" refers to the period of time eggs are at their peak freshness, with the best texture, flavor, and binding and thickening properties. It does not mean the eggs are bad or rotten after this date. Use the 3-digit code that tells you when the eggs were packaged. Sell-by or best-by dates are not required by federal law (some states require them, other states forbid them), but all eggs must be labeled with the date they were packaged. This date usually appears as a 3 digit code using the Julian date calendar. This means eggs packaged on January 1st would be labeled 001, eggs packaged on October 15th would be labeled 288, December 31st 365. Look for the Julian date on the end of the carton. You'll see the plant code (a letter P followed by numbers) indicated where the eggs were packaged, and beside it you should find the Julian code. The European Union also requires that eggs are marked with a pack date. Even if eggs are sold loose and not in a marked carton, the consumer should have access to that information. Throw out any eggs that have been refrigerated and then sat out at room temperature for two hours or more. Once an egg has cooled in your refrigerator, it is important to keep it at the same temperature. A cool egg in a warmer environment begins to sweat, which can encourage bacteria to grow on the outside of the egg. Because the egg shell is porous, it is sometimes possible for the bacteria on the shell to pass into through and contaminate the egg. To prevent temperature fluctuations, store your eggs in the coldest part of your refrigerator, not on the door. The temperature is more likely to fluctuate on the door when it is opening and closing, which may cause your eggs to sweat. If you receive your eggs unwashed and at room temperature, they do not need to be refrigerated. Many countries, including most European countries, keep their eggs at room temperature. This is safe because eggs are laid with a protective "bloom" which naturally keeps bacteria out. Once the eggs are washed, however, they must be refrigerated. Also, in most European countries, the hens have been inoculated against Salmonella prior to laying their eggs. Use the packaging guidelines of your country to determine how long to keep your own eggs. If you have egg-laying hens and you're wondering when they will go bad, you can refer to your country's guidelines for freshness. It's a safe bet your eggs will be good for at least two months, if not more. If you're not sure how long you've had your fresh eggs or if you think they are older than two months, learn the signs of bad and old eggs to help you decide whether or not you should use them in your cooking.	Place the egg in question in a bowl or wide glass of cold water and see if it floats. Hold the egg up to your ear and shake it, listening for a sloshing sound. Crack the egg open on a plate or in a large bowl and check the quality of the yolk and white. Break the egg open and notice if it smells. Break the egg into a small dish and inspect the color. Check the "sell-by" date on the package. Check the "best-by" date on the package. Use the 3-digit code that tells you when the eggs were packaged. Throw out any eggs that have been refrigerated and then sat out at room temperature for two hours or more. Use the packaging guidelines of your country to determine how long to keep your own eggs.
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-Alternatives-to-De-Clawing-Your-Cat	How to Find Alternatives to De Clawing Your Cat	If your cat's claws or scratching habits are causing trouble, avoid declawing it since that will make it hard for your cat to naturally defend itself and climb, and opt instead for a less invasive alternative option, such as plastic nail caps. Your vet can help you glue these caps onto your cat's nails, and they will typically last six weeks before needing to be replaced. Because cats don't like the feeling of double-sided tape, foil, or sandpaper under their paws, you could also try using one of these household items to cover your furniture and deter unwanted scratching. Make sure you're also meeting your cat's scratching needs by providing it with a scratching post or pad, and rewarding it with praise and treats whenever it uses it.	Get your cat a scratching post. This can be a simple post or an elaborate cat tree. You should make sure it is at least 3 feet high. Most cats enjoy stretching will scratching. Whichever you choose, make sure to choose a good spot. Place it near something your cat currently likes to scratch. Try adding some catnip on the post for an extra sensory experience. Scratching posts are also great for keeping your cat's nails filed down naturally, which is an effective method of preventing painful scratches. If your cat is very young, get it a scratching post or board right away. Teaching the kitten that it should only scratch in allowed areas is important in order to discourage bad behavior in the future. Try rewarding the cat or kitten for scratching where it is allowed. Buy a scratching pad. Your cat may prefer a simple pad to a post. If your cat seems to like scratching carpet, look for a pad that has that as a covering. Corrugated cardboard is another popular material for scratching pads. Scratching pads are generally less expensive than posts. They also take up less space. Give your cat positive encouragement for using the pad. Try saying, "Wow, good kitty! Great job!". Use a upbeat, soothing tone of voice. Provide the cat with toys. Climbing posts, cat grass, and toys are all great ways to keep your cat entertained and busy. If your cat stays engaged, it's less likely that your cat will entertain itself with scratching up furniture. Go to your local pet supply store and ask an associate for help picking out some new items. Many cats like balls. Try ones that make noises and ones that light up. Cat toys are pretty inexpensive, so you can experiment to find ones that your cat enjoys. Try some toys, such as stuffed mice, that have cat nip in them. Give your cat attention. Sure, cats are pretty independent. But your cat also wants you to provide it with affection and stimulation. You can pet your cat, groom it, and play with it. Sometimes cats will scratch out of boredom. The more you interact, the less likely your cat is to be bored. If your cat looks like it wants to enjoy a good clawing session, direct it gently to one of your permitted clawing zones and items. Buy plastic nail caps. Your vet can help you glue these safe, effective caps onto your cat's nails. They last for about six weeks before needing to be replaced, and are available from vets, or some pet shops. Also, a quick internet search will likely yield a great deal of online shops to buy them from. If you feel comfortable applying the caps yourself, you can, or simply see your vet. Make sure to follow the instructions on the package. You don't want to make your cat uncomfortable by putting the caps on incorrectly. Cover furniture with unappealing items. Add a rug or some other item that can protect the surface of the furniture. For example, cats don't like their paws touching things like double-sided tape, foil, sandpaper, and even plastic runners on your carpet. Identify the things your cat tends to stay away from, and place these items over the ones you don't want your cat to scratch. Try placing these items on your couch when you go to work. You can take them off when you come home and are available to supervise your cat. Use unpleasant scents. Cats tend to dislike the smell of citrus. Try using a citrus essential oil to keep them off the furniture. Mix a few drops of oil in a spray bottle of water. Shake it up and spray lightly on the areas you want to keep your cat clear of. You can also try wetting a few cotton balls with the mixture and placing them around objects you want your cat to leave alone. The scent of menthol works, as well. Cats also tend to dislike the scents of vinegar, lavender, and coffee grounds. Block access to some rooms. Perhaps consider keeping the lounge room sacrosanct and cat-free. If there are certain rooms your cat seems to scratch up the most, just keep your cat out of these areas. Keep doors closed, and keep the cat contained to certain areas. Try giving the cat its own special spot, or perch. Maybe there is a certain window the cat likes to look out—provide the cat with a perch or pillow to sit on. If the cat feels happy in one spot in the house, it might be less likely to get bored and explore for new things to destroy. Understand that declawing is not a simple procedure. Declawing isn't as safe and easy as having your cat's nails trimmed. It is an actual surgical procedure that involves using a scalpel, laser, or strong clipper to remove the bone on the end of each toe. Since declawing isn't medically necessary for cats, there really aren't many real reasons or scenarios that make declawing a necessity. If, for example, the cat is especially prone to scratching and lives with a person dealing with a compromised immune system, then maybe declawing could be an option, to protect the health of the people in the household. Otherwise, cats really do not need to be declawed. Talk to your vet. Your vet will likely tell you that declawing is an unnecessary and potentially harmful procedure. Like any other major surgery, declawing comes with possible negative side effects and consequences. Recently declawed feet could potentially lead to infection, pain, and trouble walking. Try asking questions such as, "I would prefer not to declaw. What would you recommend I do to deter scratching?" Communicate regularly with your vet. If you notice a change in your cat's behavior, make sure to mention it. Lower your cat's stress. High stress levels can be the underlying cause behind your cat's scratching. If a cat is nervous or frightened, it might scratch as a way to mark its territory and feel more secure. Take care to try to give your cat a calm, happy life. Create a soothing environment. Try to keep your cat from exposure to loud noises. If there is a major change in the cat's life, such as a move, talk to your vet about how to handle this. Take your cat for regular check-ups.	Get your cat a scratching post. Buy a scratching pad. Provide the cat with toys. Give your cat attention. Buy plastic nail caps. Cover furniture with unappealing items. Use unpleasant scents. Block access to some rooms. Understand that declawing is not a simple procedure. Talk to your vet. Lower your cat's stress.
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Your-Teeth-Naturally	How to Clean Your Teeth Naturally	If you want to avoid the artificial ingredients in commercial toothpaste products, you can clean your teeth with natural ingredients instead. Try making a paste with 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 2 teaspoons of water and brushing your teeth with it. To add a little flavor and natural whitening properties, mix 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with ½ teaspoon of baking soda. Alternatively, mix ½ teaspoon of salt with 1 fluid ounce of water and dip your toothbrush in the mixture. You can also rub the inside of a banana peel on your teeth before brushing to help remove any stains.	Rinse your mouth with water immediately after eating. Removing any leftover food or residue from your teeth will help prevent stain and decay. This is an especially good idea if you're away from home and can't squeeze in a good tooth-brushing. Drinking water throughout the day and rinsing with clean water after meals is the most underrated method of overall oral health. Always avoid brushing right after very acidic foods, which can weaken your enamel. Instead, rinse with water. Use a water pick to pressure-wash your teeth. A water pick helps blast stuck-on food from the surface and between the crevices of the teeth and gums. It's an excellent and healthy way to cleanse your mouth after meals. Try oil pulling. Oil pulling is an Ayurvedic remedy in which you swish oil in your mouth to remove harmful germs and bacteria from your mouth. It also whitens teeth and freshens breath. Take a spoonful of oil and swish it in your mouth for 5 minutes to gain the benefits. If you can, try to swish the oil longer, for 15-20 minutes. To make sure the oil absorbs and detoxifies as much bacteria as possible, aim to do this with an empty stomach. Spit it out and wash your mouth thoroughly, preferably with lukewarm water. Coconut and olive oil are good choices. Brush your teeth for 2 minutes at least twice a day. Use gentle, circular motions to brush the surface of your teeth at the front and the back of your mouth. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle where your teeth meet the gums and use smooth back-and-forth motions. Then, use the tip of your brush to clean the interior side of your teeth. Turn the brush vertically and rub up and down across the front teeth. Brush every surface of each tooth 2-3 times to clean them. Brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes every time you brush. There is no adequate replacement for brushing your teeth. This is hands down the best way to remove plaque, food residue, and keep your mouth happy and clean. Use regular toothpaste to clean your teeth effectively. The toothpastes you see marketed as “natural” are typically identical to standard toothpaste except they don't have fluoride or food coloring. Neither fluoride nor food coloring are bad for your teeth to begin with, so there's no real benefit to brushing without them. Outside of any artificial colors and flavoring, there usually aren't any unnatural ingredients in toothpaste. Basically everything you find in your standard toothpaste is natural and safe. Look for toothpaste with the American Dental Association's (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. These toothpastes will always be high-quality. Brush your teeth with an empty toothbrush if you don’t use toothpaste. If you don't want to use a fluoride-based toothpaste, you can still use a toothbrush to remove the plaque and food residue in your mouth. Run the toothbrush under water and brush your teeth the way you normally would. Rinse your mouth out with water after brushing. You can use a fluoride-free toothpaste if you'd like, but it's not doing anything other than making your breath fresher. This is not nearly as effective as using a fluoride-based toothpaste. It's still better than doing nothing, though! Floss daily to remove food residue and plaque between your teeth. Pull out a 6–8 in (15–20 cm) length of floss. Slide the floss between 2 teeth and gently pull the floss against the side of the tooth while moving the floss back and forth. Do this 4-5 times. Then, pull it gently in the other direction to clean the other side of the tooth. Do this for each gap in your teeth to remove everything stuck in between your teeth. It only takes 4-5 minutes to floss and it's a great way to keep your teeth naturally clean! Floss your teeth after brushing your teeth at the end of the day. Floss is typically made with nylon or Teflon. There are organic flosses that you can use instead if you're looking for a natural option. It shouldn't matter, though. You're only rubbing your teeth with it and you aren't ingesting anything when you floss. Keep regular checkups and cleaning appointments with your dentist. Seeing your dentist regularly is a vital part of maintaining good dental health. Not only can your dentist help keep your teeth clean, but they can also look for signs of dental decay and treat them before they become serious. Ask your dentist how frequently you should come in for exams and cleanings. Some dentists recommend coming in every 6 months, while others recommend yearly appointments. You may need to see your dentist more often if you have any dental health problems. Your dentist may take X-rays to check for hidden cavities and other problems that aren't easy to spot with a visual exam. Call your dentist if you have tooth pain or other troublesome symptoms. Untreated dental problems can lead to more severe decay and other health issues. If you have a toothache, make an appointment with your dentist for a diagnosis and treatment. You should also call your dentist if you have symptoms such as: Bleeding, swelling, or redness in your gums Gums that appear to be pulling away from your teeth Permanent teeth that feel loose Pain in your teeth when you chew or eat hot or cold substances Bad breath or unpleasant tastes in your mouth Get emergency dental care for broken teeth or a serious infection. If one of your adult teeth breaks or falls out, this is considered a dental emergency. Call your dentist's emergency number or search for an emergency dental clinic. You should also call them if you have symptoms of a severe infection, such as: Swelling in your jaw or under your tongue Difficulty swallowing Tooth pain that is so severe that it keeps you awake or doesn't get better with over-the-counter painkillers	Rinse your mouth with water immediately after eating. Use a water pick to pressure-wash your teeth. Try oil pulling. Brush your teeth for 2 minutes at least twice a day. Use regular toothpaste to clean your teeth effectively. Brush your teeth with an empty toothbrush if you don’t use toothpaste. Floss daily to remove food residue and plaque between your teeth. Keep regular checkups and cleaning appointments with your dentist. Call your dentist if you have tooth pain or other troublesome symptoms. Get emergency dental care for broken teeth or a serious infection.
https://www.wikihow.com/Measure-Hips	How to Measure Hips	To accurately measure your hips, take off your outer garments, place your feet together and hold the end of a cloth tape measure against one of your hips at the widest point. Wrap the tape measure around your backside, being careful to make sure the tape measure doesn't twist. Pull the tape all the way around so it meets at the starting point, then use your fingers to mark where the tape meets so you can read the measurement.	Find a full-length body mirror. Although the hips are easier to measure by yourself than other areas of the body, a mirror will help you ensure the tape is not twisted or uneven. Therefore, stand in front of one to get your measurement. Take off your clothes. Remove your outer garments, such as your pants and shirt. You can leave on thin underwear and still obtain an accurate measurement. Wearing jeans or anything else too bulky will change the measurement. If you always wear the same bulky clothes, you can leave them on if you're just measuring to judge how much weight you've lost. However, if you're measuring for a pattern or clothes, it's important to be as accurate as possible. Place your feet together. Having your feet apart can create a measurement that's actually larger than your hip area. Put your feet together to take the measurement. At the very least, your feet shouldn't be wider than your shoulders, but together is better. Know the difference between your waist and hips. Your natural waist is the smallest part of your torso, where your body dips in. Your hips are below that, and they are usually wider than your waist. Your hip measurement includes your butt and your hips. Find the widest point. Your hip measurements should be taken at where your hips are the widest. That's because when you're taking measurements, you're trying to get an accurate representation of your body, and the hips represent the widest point on your bottom half. For clothes to fit accurately, you need to find the widest point. Once you have your tape measure in place, you may need to move up or down an inch or two to find the widest spot. Everyone's body is different, so it may take a few tries repositioning the tape measure to ensure you're measuring the widest spot. Hold a cloth tape measure on one hip. Hold one end on one hip. It doesn't matter which side you start with. You can also pull it more towards your middle if that's easier for you. Just make sure you hold on to that end as you bring the other end around. Cloth measuring tapes are soft and flexible tools you can find in sewing kits and craft stores. Most measuring tapes go up to 5 five or so. Most big box stores and drug stores will also carry sewing kits. You can also print a tape measure off the internet. You can find these with a simple search online. You simply cut them apart, align the edges, and then glue or tape them together. Of course, you need to be careful with this type of tape measure, as it can rip easily. However, don't try to use card stock, as that can be too stiff to get a good measurement. Don't use metal measuring tapes. Metal measuring tapes, the kind you use for do-it-yourself improvement projects, are not good for taking measurements of your body. They aren't flexible enough, so they won't give you an accurate measurement. Go around the back. Wrap it around your backside, being careful to make sure it doesn't twist. Pull the tape around to the other end from the other hip. Make sure you are getting it around your rear end at the same time. You can also start out holding both ends and step over the tape so it's on your backside. This movement can help if you have trouble wrapping it around the back. Check in the mirror. Now that you've got it wrapped around, check to make sure you've got it right in the mirror. The tape should be parallel to the floor all around, and it shouldn't be twisted at all. Make sure it looks even. You'll need to shift around to check out the back side of the tape. Turn to the side so you can see. If the tape measure doesn't look even, reposition it and try again. Make it snug. When measuring, the tape should be snug around your hips. However, it shouldn't be cutting off circulation. It should be tight enough that you can only fit a finger underneath it, no more. Read the measurement. You can look down to find out your measurement. You measurement is where the end of the tape meets a number as the tape measure comes around. You may need to look in the mirror to read the number more easily. Write down your hip measurement. Now that you've figured out what your hip measurement is, write it down so you can save it for later. You'll also need other measurements to make clothing, such as your bust, hip, thighs, waist, and inseam, depending on what you're making. Like your hips, you measure your thigh at the thickest part of your leg. The inseam is the inside of your leg from your crotch to where you want your pants to fall. If you have a pair of pants that are the length, you can measure the inseam on them instead of your body. Add a few inches when making clothing. When you make clothing, you don't make it to your exact measurements because then it would be skin-tight, which would mean it would be difficult to move. Therefore, you must add a few inches to make it more wearable. You add inches for two reasons. One, as already stated, is to make the clothing more wearable. However, you might also add inches to create a design. For instance, if you want a really flowing, poofy skirt, you might add more inches at the hip than for an a-line skirt. How much the cloth gives also affects how many inches you add. That is, if it is especially stretchy, you probably don't need to add as many inches. Most patterns will help you determine how many inches to add. However, if you are doing it yourself, you should add 2 to 4 inches (5.1 to 10 cm), depending on how tight or loose you want your clothing. Also, if you're a bit curvier, you may want to add more inches to allow for better movement.	Find a full-length body mirror. Take off your clothes. Place your feet together. Know the difference between your waist and hips. Find the widest point. Hold a cloth tape measure on one hip. Go around the back. Check in the mirror. Make it snug. Read the measurement. Write down your hip measurement. Add a few inches when making clothing.
https://www.wikihow.com/Put-on-Liquid-Foundation	How to Put on Liquid Foundation	To apply liquid foundation with your fingers, start with a clean and moisturized face. Then, pour a dime-sized amount of foundation onto the back of your hand or a makeup palette. Put 2 dabs of foundation on your forehead, 2 on each cheek, 1 on your nose, and 1 on your chin. Then, blend the foundation into your skin by tapping the makeup with your fingertips and spreading it around your face, getting rid of any distinct lines.	Cleanse and moisturize your face. Makeup should always be applied to a clean canvas. Wash your face using your normal cleanser and pat dry. If you have dry skin, apply a moisturizer and wait a few minutes before applying foundation to give the moisturizer a chance to work. If you are in a hurry or have applied too much moisturizer, blot your face with a tissue to remove excess moisturizer before applying foundation. Pour a dime-sized amount of foundation onto your palette of choice. You can either use the back of your hand, a small dish, or even a folded up napkin. Don't pour out too much. You can always add more later. Dip your fingertips into the foundation, and begin to dab it onto your face. Start with two dabs on your forehead, two on each cheek, one on your nose, and one on your chin. A little goes a long way with liquid foundation, and you can always add more to areas that need additional coverage. Use your fingertips to blend the foundation into your skin. Use either a patting/tapping motion with just the pads of your fingers, or make small, light circles with your fingertips. Begin with the areas that tend to have the most uneven skin tone (nose, cheeks, and forehead for most people) and work out from there. Make sure your circular motions are in an upward direction rather than a downward one. Pulling the skin downwards can cause your skin to sag over time. Think about blending the foundation lightly, not rubbing it in, and definitely not "slathering" it on. If you need more coverage, add more foundation to your face a dab at a time. When using your fingertips to apply foundation, the heat from your fingers will melt it before application. This is great if you are looking for less coverage. If you are going for a full-coverage look, use a generous amount of powder to set it afterwards. Blend the edges. Blend your foundation carefully into your jawline, hairline, and around your ears to avoid leaving distinct lines. If you have a sponge, use it to blend the foundation at your jawline using short downward strokes. If you notice a distinct color change at the jawline, you may need a different shade of foundation. It is normal for your face to be a little lighter than the rest of your body. If you find that your foundation is a little too light, you can blend it down to your neck. You can also try using a darker powder on top. Set your foundation. Wait 2-3 minutes for foundation to dry. If it is still noticeably moist, blot your face gently with a tissue. Apply other makeup, and then set your foundation with a translucent finishing powder. Apply the powder gently with a puff, and your makeup will last all day! Choose the correct sponge. The most popular sponges for applying liquid foundation are egg-shaped blending sponges made of antimicrobial foam. Both name brand and generic varieties are available at your local drugstore or cosmetics retailer. Cleanse and moisturize your face. Use your regular products, and allow a few minutes for your moisturizer to fully absorb. For a really flawless finish, you may also apply a makeup primer at this time. Dampen the sponge. Immerse the sponge completely in water, and squeeze it several times to make sure it gets thoroughly saturated. Then wring the sponge out so that it is damp, but not sopping wet. You can wrap the sponge in a towel or washcloth and squeeze to quickly remove excess water. Pour a dime-sized amount of foundation onto your palette of choice. You can either use the back of your hand, a small dish, or a folded up napkin. Don't pour out too much. You can always add more later. Dip the base of your sponge lightly into the foundation. Sweep it back and forth a few time, until the surface of the sponge is covered in a light, uniform layer of foundation. Dab or press the foundation into your skin. Instead of rubbing the foundation on, use quick dabbing motions to spread it around your face. Begin around the nose and cheeks, and continue applying with small, quick motions until you have an even coverage all over your face. Use the rounded, larger surface of the sponge or beauty blender for the larger areas on your face, such as your forehead, cheeks and jawline. Pressing the foundation in will create a flawless finish and fuller coverage by evening out skin texture. By rubbing or using strokes to apply your foundation, you risk applying an uneven amount to different areas of your face. This can also create lines where little hairs are present on the face. Use the point of the sponge for smaller areas. The pointed tip of the sponge is made for smaller areas, like the creases of the nose or around the eyes. Use a stippling or bouncing motion (short, quick dabs) to apply and blend with this part of the sponge. Blend the edges. Again, use a stippling motion to blend along the hairline, jawline and ears. Press the foundation into your skin by using dabbing motions. Do not sweep or rub the foundation in. Set your foundation. Wait 2-3 minutes for your foundation to dry. Blot with a tissue, if needed, and apply other makeup. Then apply a translucent finishing powder gently with a puff, or fluffy brush, and get ready for the compliments to come pouring in! Clean your sponge. When finished, rinse your sponge thoroughly with water, squeeze it out, and allow it to air dry. You should also clean your sponge with soap or a mild shampoo on a regular basis. Apply a small amount of soap, shampoo or brush cleaner, and squeeze your sponge several times until it is nice and sudsy. Then rinse thoroughly until no more bubbles appear, and allow to air dry. If your sponge has an odd smell or if it is not blending as well as it used to, you need to clean your sponge. If you do not clean your sponge regularly, it can grow bacteria and cause pimples or other skin irritations. Choose the correct brush. While many kinds of brushes can be used to apply foundation, the best choice is a dense, flat-top brush specially designed for applying foundation. Prepare your skin. Cleanse and moisturize your face using your regular products. Allow a few minutes for your moisturizer to fully absorb, and carefully blot any excess moisturizer with a tissue. For a perfect finish, you may also apply a makeup primer at this time. Pour a dime-sized amount of foundation onto your palette. You can either use the back of your hand, a small dish, or a folded up napkin. Spread the foundation out with your finger so that you have a thick even layer to dip your brush in. Dip the tip of the brush into the foundation. You only want to use the ends of the bristles. Don't dunk the brush or grind it into the foundation. Apply foundation to your face. Begin using a stippling, circular motion, starting at the nose, then move to the cheeks, chin, and forehead working in small circles. Work out from these central areas to the edges of your face, using short, quick strokes in the same direction. Remember to use a light touch, you want to sweep the foundation into your skin with the brush, not paint it on. Blend the edges. Continue to use a stippling motion to blend along the hairline, jawline and ears. Set your foundation. Wait 2-3 minutes for your foundation to dry. Blot with a tissue, if needed, and apply other makeup. Then apply a translucent finishing powder gently with a puff, or fluffy brush, and get ready for the compliments to come pouring in! Clean your brush. Blot your brush on a tissue to remove any remaining foundation. Clean your brush once a week using a mild shampoo or specialized brush cleaner. Finished.	Cleanse and moisturize your face. Pour a dime-sized amount of foundation onto your palette of choice. Dip your fingertips into the foundation, and begin to dab it onto your face. Use your fingertips to blend the foundation into your skin. Blend the edges. Set your foundation. Choose the correct sponge. Cleanse and moisturize your face. Dampen the sponge. Pour a dime-sized amount of foundation onto your palette of choice. Dip the base of your sponge lightly into the foundation. Dab or press the foundation into your skin. Use the point of the sponge for smaller areas. Blend the edges. Set your foundation. Clean your sponge. Choose the correct brush. Prepare your skin. Pour a dime-sized amount of foundation onto your palette. Dip the tip of the brush into the foundation. Apply foundation to your face. Blend the edges. Set your foundation. Clean your brush. Finished.
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Your-Motion-Sickness	How to Get Rid of Your Motion Sickness	To get rid of motion sickness, try drinking ginger tea, chewing raw ginger, or taking ginger pills since ginger is a natural remedy for nausea. Additionally, stick to eating bland foods during the trip, like crackers, bread, bananas, and applesauce, since heavy or greasy foods can exacerbate motion sickness. You should also try to sit near the windows, or in a spot without a lot of rocking, like the front seat of a car. Once you're moving, try distracting yourself with calming music to take your mind away from the motion.	Talk to your doctor before taking medications. You should discuss your options, even over-the-counter and home remedies, with your doctor before treatment. This is especially true if you have medical problems, allergies, are pregnant, or are treating a child. Remember that most of the available options will make you drowsy, and they should be taken about 30 minutes prior to your trip. Gravol or Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate), from the anti-histamine family, is an excellent option. It is available over-the-counter and helps to reduce motion sickness. Other antihistamines including diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can also be helpful, especially for children. Zofran (Ondansetron) is a prescription anti-nausea medication that your physician may offer you if Gravol or Dramamine alone is insufficient. Other anti-nausea medications may also be recommended. Try ginger. Ginger is a natural remedy for nausea. Drinking ginger tea, taking ginger pills (available over-the-counter), and even chewing raw ginger sometimes helps cure a person's nausea. Sipping ginger-ale, or eating foods with ginger (such as ginger cookies, as long as they contain natural ginger and not just artificial flavoring) can also be of help. Use an anti-nausea patch. These are available over-the-counter and are called the Scopolamine Transdermal Patch. They are small patches that are placed behind the ear and release the anti-nausea medication slowly. They can last up to 3 days. Place the patch behind your ear approximately 4 hours before you need it to kick in. Because it is more slow-release than medications in pill form, it is important to apply it well in advance. Eat bland foods during the trip. Crackers, bread/toast, bananas, rice, and applesauce are all good options. It is also best to avoid alcohol and caffeine, as they can exacerbate motion sickness. Stick to water, non-caffeinated tea, or juice instead, and make sure you stay hydrated during the trip. Don't eat heavy, greasy, or fried food. Choose where you sit wisely to minimize motion sickness. It is best to position yourself in areas where you can see out the window, and with the least motion or rocking as possible. In the car, sit in the front seat or drive. Mentally visualize the route before and during the trip to prepare yourself for the movement. On a boat, try to stay towards the middle as this is where it rocks the least. Keep your eyes on the horizon. Staying outside in the fresh air will also help. On an airplane, make sure you get a window seat. Stay away from the very back of the plane (this will be bumpier) and from the bulkhead (you'll have no visual cues when the plane is tilting). It's probably best to get a seat towards the front middle of the plane, above the wing. Distract yourself with calming music. A distraction, such as calming music, can bring your focus away from the movement of the plane or vehicle. Other things that might help include sucking on a flavored lozenge (ginger in particular may be helpful) or using aromatherapy scents like mint or lavender. Do not read in an attempt to distract yourself. Reading can lead to or worsen motion sickness. Close your eyes. Motion sickness occurs when your balance-sensing system (which includes your eyes, inner ear, and sensory nerves) experiences a conflict. You may sense movement with your inner ear, but you may not see any sign of movement (such as when you are on a plane or in a cabin on a boat). Reducing sensory input — closing your eyes, or lying on the ground if you have the space — can help lessen this conflict and may reduce motion sickness. Invest in a Sea Band or Relief Band. These and other similar products are advertised as reducing motion sickness by placing stimulation on other parts of the body, usually the wrists. It is unclear whether they are more than simply a placebo, but studies have shown that some people have success when wearing them. It is hypothesized that, when placed on the wrist, they stimulate the median nerve with pulse-like activity that counteracts the neurological signals for nausea from the stomach. If you are someone who prefers to combat your nausea without using medication, this may be a good option to try!	Talk to your doctor before taking medications. Try ginger. Use an anti-nausea patch. Eat bland foods during the trip. Choose where you sit wisely to minimize motion sickness. Distract yourself with calming music. Close your eyes. Invest in a Sea Band or Relief Band.
https://www.wikihow.com/Wear-Combat-Boots	How to Wear Combat Boots	To wear combat boots, try wearing a simple, solid color t-shirt and leggings and tucking the pants into your boots for a casual look. If you want to dress up your boots, pair them with cropped dress pants and a blouse with feminine details, like a floral print or frills. Alternatively, wear them with a knee-length skirt in a neutral color for a professional outfit, or a looser ruffled skirt for a softer look.	Choose a feminine dress for a sophisticated look. For a simple but classy outfit, pair combat boots with a short, structured dress in a solid color or bold print. If you want a more carefree look, opt for a longer, flowy dress that falls just above the top of the boots with a small print, like florals or mini polka dots. If you're going to be wearing the outfit to work or school with a short dress, make sure it's an appropriate length so you're not violating the dress code. A colourful dress should be the centre of your outfit so opt for black or grey combat boots so they don't steal the show. Coordinate a nice blouse with a pair of short boots. Choose a flowy blouse in a light color, like white, pastel pink, or pale yellow. Opt for a shirt with girly details like lace, ruffles, or frills. Tuck the top into a professional-looking skirt or cropped pants, and go for a pair of shorter boots to show off some ankle. For an edgier look, you can leave part of the shirt untucked to give a off a “high fashion” vibe. To keep with the soft and feminine vibe of a blouse, stick to a warm brown combat boot unless you're looking for contrast. Wear a skirt with your boots for a feminine look. Go for a black, gray, or tan pencil skirt that hits just above the knee to keep the outfit looking balanced and professional. If you're wearing a more structured top, select a looser skirt with ruffles or pleats. Avoid wearing a maxi skirt with your boots, as this can make the look unprofessional and disheveled by hiding the top edge of the shoes. If it's chilly outside, you can throw on a pair of opaque, black, or colored tights to keep your legs warm while also looking chic! To add even more femininity to the look, look for lace or knit boot socks or cuffs. These can soften the look of structured black boots that might otherwise look out of place. Put on a cardigan with ankle-height boots for a professional look. If you're wearing a more structured top, add a fitted cardigan sweater over your shirt to make the look more sophisticated. You could also try out a lace cardigan with a simple blouse and pencil skirt for an ultra-feminine look. Cardigans are also great for keeping warm as the weather gets cooler. Keep one on hand to dress up any outfit when the temperatures cool down! Pair cropped dress pants with shorter boots for an effortless, stylish outfit. Choose pants in dark colors like navy, brown, gray, or black. Go for a skinny or slim cut that falls just above the ankle, like cropped jeans or cigarette pants. If your pants are slightly too long, try rolling them up once to show a bit of skin between the top of the boot and the pants. For a dressy daytime look, wear black skinny jeans to create a slightly dressier look while elongating your leg. Wear tights or leggings tucked into slouchy combat boots. If the weather is a little chilly, keep your legs warm by throwing on a pair of leggings beneath your skirt and tuck them into the boots. Black or dark brown leggings will make your legs look slim to contrast with the chunkier boots, giving off a casual vibe. For a more feminine look, try wearing tights or leggings that have a slight shimmer to them to draw attention to your legs and shoes! Get a pair of distressed or acid-wash skinny jeans for a 90's-inspired look. Look for a pair of light-wash jeans with rips in the knee or a frayed hem. Opt for a baggier style, and roll up the hem 1-2 times to show off the top of your boots. If you already have a pair of regular light-wash jeans, you can rub sandpaper over the knees a few times to give them a destroyed look! If you want to pay tribute to the 90's in a more subtle way, simply pair the boots with light-wash jeans without rips or tears. Opt for a simple t-shirt or sweater in a solid color for your top. A fitted t-shirt or tank top creates a very casual look that is suitable for an ordinary day around the town. If you want to go for something a little more special, you could opt for a fitted blouse, chunky sweater, or button-down shirt. Plain colors are ideal for a laid back look, but a bold pattern in a vibrant color can also make a fashionable statement. Put on a loose plaid shirt to pay homage to the grunge era. To give your tribute to grunge an update, choose a shirt that nips in slightly at the natural waist and leave it partially or fully unbuttoned to reveal your shirt underneath. Stick to the classic red-and-black color scheme, or go for something a little more modern like yellow-and-black or blue-and-black. If you don't want to wear the shirt all day, try tying it around your waist with the sleeves in a knot in the front of your body. Tie the boots loosely for a disheveled look. Most traditional pairs of combat boots have tight, heavy-duty laces that go up the front of the boots. Untie them and pull on the laces in various sections to make them look mismatched and undone. For an even more casual look on shorter boots, you can remove the laces altogether as long as your foot stays in the boot. For taller boots, it's best to leave the laces in and untie them slightly. Removing the lace completely can make it difficult to walk! Wear a pair of rugged combat boots for a laid-back style. Choose a broken-in pair of combat boots that have been scuffed or polished to make the leather softer. These boots will likely be more comfortable, but won't have a structured look to them. Go for polished, new-looking boots for dressing up. Worn boots are often too casual for dressing up. Choose a pair of newer, structured boots that haven't had much wear for a cohesive look. Pick a classic pair in black or brown leather, and make sure there are no scuffs or marks on the material. There are also many new combat boots available in vegan leather, which is a newer development in fashion. Most vintage boots are made of traditional leather products. Opt for colored boots to add some interest to your outfit. Go for a bright color like red or white, which will coordinate with many outfits. Make sure the color is uniform all over the boot, with no discoloration on the toe or heel area, which can be a sign of wear. Make sure you choose a color that will go with what you normally wear. For example, if you wear a lot of bright, light colors, like pastels and light-wash jeans, white boots will pair perfectly with these color schemes. Pick a pair of boots with embellishments for a hint of femininity. Search online or in stores around the autumn and winter months to find boots with rhinestone studs, buckles, or embroidery. Choose a pair that are sturdy, and try on the boots make sure the embellishments don't affect the fit of the shoes. Keep in mind that boots with a lot of rhinestones and embellishments may begin to look worn fairly quickly, since some rhinestones might fall off. Save the receipt and take the boots back to the store if this happens within the store's time frame for returns. For higher end brands, the store will often replace or repair the boots for you. Choose a boot with a chunky heel to elongate your legs. Combat boots tend to have a slight 1 inch (2.5 cm) heel. If you're looking for a more feminine pair, try on boots have have a 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm) heel, which can make you look taller. Make sure you can walk in the boots comfortably before you purchase them!	Choose a feminine dress for a sophisticated look. Coordinate a nice blouse with a pair of short boots. Wear a skirt with your boots for a feminine look. Put on a cardigan with ankle-height boots for a professional look. Pair cropped dress pants with shorter boots for an effortless, stylish outfit. Wear tights or leggings tucked into slouchy combat boots. Get a pair of distressed or acid-wash skinny jeans for a 90's-inspired look. Opt for a simple t-shirt or sweater in a solid color for your top. Put on a loose plaid shirt to pay homage to the grunge era. Tie the boots loosely for a disheveled look. Wear a pair of rugged combat boots for a laid-back style. Go for polished, new-looking boots for dressing up. Opt for colored boots to add some interest to your outfit. Pick a pair of boots with embellishments for a hint of femininity. Choose a boot with a chunky heel to elongate your legs.
https://www.wikihow.com/Celebrate-Black-History-Month	How to Celebrate Black History Month	You can celebrate Black History Month by reading a book by a prominent Black author, listening to African American music from jazz to rap, and watching films centered on Black actors or cultural experiences. Head to local museums or colleges to take in Black History Month lectures and exhibitions. Read up on current issues facing the Black community, looking at articles from different viewpoints to form your own beliefs.	Read a book about the history of Black people in the U.S. The history of Black people in the United States dates back to 1619 when the first enslaved Africans were brought by European colonists to the New World. Following this, Africans and African-Americans have been a major part of every period of U.S. history. During Black History Month, make a point of filling the gaps in your knowledge about Black history by choosing a Black history book and reading it throughout the month. Some popular books on the topic include: Life Upon These Shores: Looking at African American History, 1513-2008 by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., The Souls of Black Folk by W. E. B. DuBois, and Incident in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Ann Jacobs. During Black History Month, your local library or bookstore will probably have a section devoted to Black history, and you can choose a book from there. If not, an employee can help you find one that fits your interests. Read a biography of a lesser-known Black historical figure. You've probably heard of the most famous, revolutionary Black figures (like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Barack Obama), but there are many unsung heroes as well. Browse the internet and your local library for sites and books about these lesser-known figures to broaden your perspective and appreciation Once you've found a person whose life interests you, head to a library or bookstore to pick up a biography about them. Consider learning about figures like the 18th century poet Phillis Wheatley; Madam C.J. Walker, the first female American self-made millionaire; and Lewis Howard Latimer, inventor of the carbon filament light bulb. If you'd like to pursue an interest in a well-known Black figure, look for biographies that delve deeper than what's commonly known. Learn about current issues faced by the African American community. Black activists and others continue to push for solutions to current problems plaguing the African American community and the country as a whole. Try to read about these topics from a variety or viewpoints, and keep an open mind as you do so. Some issues to read up about include criminal justice reform, racial bias, and income inequality. Remember that not everyone has the same opinion, and that approaching the issues from all sides will help you make informed, empathetic decisions. Continue learning about Black history and culture throughout the year. As many have pointed out, it's not enough to celebrate African American culture and history once a year. Use Black History Month as the spark that leads you to actively seek out and explore African American culture and history all year round. For example, you could make a goal to stay informed by reading news and opinion pieces about the Black community and the issues facing it. See which films are coming out this year that feature Black actors or stories about Black people. Mark their release dates on your calendar so you don't miss them. Always challenge yourself to question what stories are highlighted in the history you know. Ask yourself who might be left out and actively seek out their stories. Call out racism and prejudice whenever you see it. One of the results of learning about the history of Black people in the world is noticing instances of racism still occur today. Whenever you see prejudicial actions being taken against someone, you have a responsibility to speak out on their behalf if you can do so safely. Oftentimes, dealing with racism is as simple as asking someone why they said or did something and getting them to question their own motives. For example, if someone makes a joke based on a racist stereotype, you can ask them why they think it's funny. The other side of calling out racism is making sure that the people affected by it are okay and safe. If you can't get through to the person making the comments or doing the action, help the victim get out of the situation and calm down. Read Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s “I Have a Dream” speech. At the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered this speech, which focuses on the inequalities between the races in America and Dr. King's hope for a united, peaceful future. The speech marked a pivotal moment of the Civil Rights Movement, inspiring people to take action against racism—which it still does today. As you read, think about the truth of his words, for both the time he was speaking and today, and ask yourself what you can do to help make his dream a reality. Look up the speech online for a free version that you can read. There are also many videos of the speech that you can watch online to see Dr. King, who was a talented public speaker, deliver the speech. Read books or poems written by Black writers. The triumphs and struggles of the Black communities in America have been explored by Black writers throughout history and in many different forms. Make a goal to read at least 1 work by a Black writer this month, or challenge yourself with 1 book a week. You can enjoy classic works by W.E.B. DuBois, Zora Neale Hurston, Ralph Ellison, Richard Wright, and poet Langston Hughes. For more modern Black authors, check out books by Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, Octavia Butler, and Alice Walker. For modern poetry, read the works of celebrated African American poets like Maya Angelou and Gwendolyn Brooks. Listen to music made by Black artists throughout the month. You can focus on one genre or period of African American music, or go on a historical tour. Start with spiritual music sung by slaves, then check out ragtime, the blues, and jazz. Play some gospel and rap and notice the way the different genres contrast and play off of each other. Music made by black artists has had an enormous influence on music in the US and across the globe. Challenge yourself to listen for the elements of rap, hip-hop, and jazz that are often intertwined into other genres as well. Listen to revolutionary Black performers from the 20th century, such as Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong. Check out influential contemporary artists as well, like Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, and Alicia Keys. For contemporary gospel, listen to Alexis Spight, Geoffrey Golden, and Jekalyn Carr. Read essays and watch online talks about Black history. You don't have to read full books to engage with African American artists. Go online and look up “TED talks with black speakers” to watch short, enlightening videos by Black thinkers. Explore major newspapers and magazines and look for articles by prominent Black writers. TED Talks offer straightforward opinions and analyses from thinkers all over the globe. Check out their channel on YouTube or on their website to watch talks by Black speakers. Read essays on race, culture and life by celebrated contemporary Black writers like Zadie Smith and Ta-Nehisi Coates. You can also listen to influential speeches from Black leaders, or read transcripts of them. Check out and appreciate art made by Black artists from all eras of art history. Black visual artists have been making waves in the art world for years, with many using their medium to make striking statements about race or history. Search online for Black artists past and present and spend a few minutes each day looking at different works. Ask yourself what messages you see being portrayed, and why the artist made certain stylistic choices. For an even deeper look into what drives the artist, Google them and read a quick biography. Check out contemporary works by Hank Willis Thomas, Kara Walker, Kehinde Wiley, Jennifer Packer, and Nina Chanel Abney. You can also look at artists from past decades, including Lois Mailou Jones, Edmonia Lewis, and Edward Mitchell Bannister. Tune in to African American history specials on TV. Channels like TV One, BET, PBS and the History Channel often celebrate Black History Month by showing documentaries, shows, and movies about various aspects of Black culture and history. You can search for “Black History Month TV specials” online to get a general list of things to watch. For more detailed schedules, go to the channel's website look at their monthly schedule. Host a Black movie marathon to watch films directed by and starring Black people. Black people have always been part of the film industry, from being included in early films through racist caricatures to starring as complex and beloved leads in contemporary movies. Get together with some of your friends, make some popcorn, and queue up a few movies to watch. Afterward, discuss what you think about the representation of Black people and how this has changed (or not changed) over time. Some must-see movies to put on your list are The Wiz (1978), Nothing But a Man (1964), Daughters of the Dust (1991), If Beale Street Could Talk (2018), Hidden Figures (2016), and Show Boat (1936). Watch the movies with a critical eye. Ask yourself if the characters are represented uniquely and truthfully, and see whether the movies fall back on stereotypes or push against them. Appreciate Black cooking traditions by making a traditional soul food meal. Soul food is a classic in the American southeast and is majorly inspired by the recipes of enslaved Africans and Black people. While you make and enjoy this meal, you should also make an effort to understand the history that is behind the foods themselves. Foods, like collard greens , sweet potatoes, and cornbread all have their own unique histories that can help you to understand the history of Black people in the country. Popular soul foods include fried chicken , black eyed peas , and okra. A big part of soul food is the seasoning, so don't forget to add different herbs and spices to make sure all of your flavors are coming out! Garlic, onion, chili powder, salt, and pepper are all necessary ingredients for any dish. Support Black-owned businesses by purchasing from them and using their services. One of the most direct ways to have an impact on Black communities today is by supporting their work. Across the country, there are many businesses owned and managed by Black people. By shopping at these stores and choosing to use their services, you support local economies, help close the racial wealth gap, and foster stronger communities in your area. You can use an app like Official Black Wall Street to locate Black-owned businesses near you. Try out a new restaurant, retailer, or other business this month. Donate money to non-profit organizations that work to support Black communities. A great way to recognize the struggles, triumphs, and history of Black people in the U.S. is to donate to an organization that works to promote the success of Black communities, fight racism and inequality, and educate the public about issues that Black people faced throughout history and continue to face today. Any amount you give, no matter how small it seems to you, is helpful in furthering an organization's mission. There are many, many different organizations to choose from: The National Civil Rights Museum, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Black Lives Matter, and the National Urban League. You can also donate to money to organizations that work for specific causes within the Black community, like the Audre Lorde Project (LGBTQ+ issues), Black Girls Code (getting Black women into computer programming), and #Cut50 (reducing incarceration). Think of whatever causes you're already invested in and then see what Black organizations are, too. Head to a museum or gallery exhibit about African American history. Museums across America celebrate African American History Month with special exhibits on different aspects of Black history and art. Seeing historical objects or artworks in person is a hands-on way to learn about African American heritage and culture. Choose a local museum to see how African Americans have contributed to your community. You can also go to a local art gallery or museum that's featuring work by African American artists. If you have the funds and time to plan, consider traveling to Washington, D.C., to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture as well as the Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial. Attend lectures on Black culture if you can. Local universities and museums often celebrate Black History Month by inviting prominent speakers to talk about African American culture and history. To find a talk near you, search online for “Black history month local lectures.” Do a bit of background research into the speaker before going to a lecture. Get an idea of what they'll talk about, then listen closely as they speak. At the end, ask the speaker about something that puzzled or interested you. Talks might also be hosted by local African American groups. These talks and lectures are typically free and open to the public. Look for local events to celebrate the month with others. Most big cities host events for Black History Month, including film screenings, parades, performances, and conferences. Search “local Black History Month events” online to see what celebrations are being held near you. Atlanta, for example, has hosted a Black History Month Parade every year since 2012. New York City typically holds conferences on many topics, including Black Lives Matter and Black sexuality and gender. Look for events that push your boundaries and teach you something new. Go in with an open, curious mindset and delve into your own feelings and reactions to the things you hear. Organize your own event if your area doesn’t have one. If you don't have much time to plan, simply host a small get-together at your home. If you're planning a few months in advance, reach out to your local college, library, or city government to plan a larger celebration, like a parade, lecture, or film screening. If you're celebrating at your house, you could show a film that speaks about African American history. Make time to talk about the movie afterwards, and the issues it brings up. You could also host a book club. Have everyone read a short book by an African American author, then get together to talk about it one night over food and drinks. Participate in Black History Month activities at school. If you're in school, ask your teachers or administrators what activities or assignments are planned for Black History Month. Ask how you can get more involved or if you can even plan an activity yourself. You might ask if you can show a film, invite a speaker to your school, or even give an in-class presentation of your own on some aspect of Black history or culture. If you're a parent, you can encourage your child to get involved, or ask the school if you can volunteer to help run different events.	Read a book about the history of Black people in the U.S. Read a biography of a lesser-known Black historical figure. Learn about current issues faced by the African American community. Continue learning about Black history and culture throughout the year. Call out racism and prejudice whenever you see it. Read Dr. Read books or poems written by Black writers. Listen to music made by Black artists throughout the month. Read essays and watch online talks about Black history. Check out and appreciate art made by Black artists from all eras of art history. Tune in to African American history specials on TV. Host a Black movie marathon to watch films directed by and starring Black people. Appreciate Black cooking traditions by making a traditional soul food meal. Support Black-owned businesses by purchasing from them and using their services. Donate money to non-profit organizations that work to support Black communities. Head to a museum or gallery exhibit about African American history. Attend lectures on Black culture if you can. Look for local events to celebrate the month with others. Organize your own event if your area doesn’t have one. Participate in Black History Month activities at school.
https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Series-and-Parallel-Resistance	How to Calculate Series and Parallel Resistance	To calculate series resistance, which you should use when connecting the "out" side of one resistor to the "in" side of another in a circuit, use the formula Req = R1 + R2 +.... Rn. In this formula, n equals the number of resistors in a series. In order to find the parallel resistance, for when the "in" side and "out" sides of 2 or more resistors are connected, use the formula Req = 1/{(1/R1)+(1/R2)+(1/R3)..+(1/Rn)}. The solution will give you the total resistance for 2 or more resistors.	What it is. Series resistance is simply connecting the "out" side of one resistor to the "in" side of another in a circuit. Each additional resistor placed in a circuit adds to the total resistance of that circuit. The formula for calculating a total of n number of resistors wired in series is: R eq = R 1 + R 2 +.... R n That is, all the series resistor values are simply added. For example, consider finding the equivalent resistance in the image below In this example, R 1 = 100 Ω and R 2 = 300Ω are wired in series. R eq = 100 Ω + 300 Ω = 400 Ω What it is. Parallel resistance is when the "in" side of 2 or more resistors are connected, and the "out" side of those resistors are connected. The equation for combining n resistors in parallel is: R eq = 1/{(1/R 1 )+(1/R 2 )+(1/R 3 )..+(1/R n )} Here is an example, given R 1 = 20 Ω, R 2 = 30 Ω, and R 3 = 30 Ω. The total equivalent resistance for all 3 resistors in parallel is: R eq = 1/{(1/20)+(1/30)+(1/30)} = 1/{(3/60)+(2/60)+(2/60)} = 1/(7/60)=60/7 Ω = approximately 8.57 Ω. What it is. A combined network is any combination of series and parallel circuits wired together. Consider finding the equivalent resistance of the network shown below. We see the resistors R 1 and R 2 are connected in series. So their equivalent resistance (let us denote it by R s ) is: R s = R 1 + R 2 = 100 Ω + 300 Ω = 400 Ω. Next, we see the resistors R 3 and R 4 are connected in parallel. So their equivalent resistance (let us denote it by R p1 ) is: R p1 = 1/{(1/20)+(1/20)} = 1/(2/20)= 20/2 = 10 Ω Then we see the resistors R 5 and R 6 are also connected in parallel. So their equivalent resistance (let us denote it by R p2 ) is: R p2 = 1/{(1/40)+(1/10)} = 1/(5/40) = 40/5 = 8 Ω So now we have a circuit with the resistors R s , R p1 , R p2 and R 7 connected in series. These can now simply be added to get the equivalent resistance R 7 of the network given to us originally. R eq = 400 Ω + 20Ω + 8 Ω = 428 Ω.	What it is. What it is. What it is.
https://www.wikihow.com/Lose-Weight-Naturally	How to Lose Weight Naturally	To lose weight naturally, eat a balanced diet, which should include healthy proteins, like poultry, fish or low-fat dairy. You should also drink plenty of water to help you feel energized. Throughout the day, aim to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables, which will give you a lot of the nutrients your body needs for very few calories. When you eat rice or pasta, opt for whole grain products, which add fiber and other important nutrients to your diet. Along with these dietary changes, start a modest exercise routine, such as 15 minutes of walking or jogging per day. You should also aim to get 8 hours of sleep each night if you're an adult, since a lack of sleep can make you feel hungrier the next day.	Write up meal plans. When you're trying to change your diet and eat more healthfully, planning out your meals can be helpful. Write out your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack options for a week at a time. Note if you'll need to have a day of meal prep set aside to help make meals quicker. For breakfast you might have 1/2 grapefruit with a bowl of oatmeal, or you could have a scrambled egg with sauteed vegetables and low fat cheese. For lunch you could have a large salad with lettuce, spinach, beets, carrots, a handful of walnuts, 1/2 avocado , and beans (black or garbanzo). Drizzle a little balsamic vinegar over the top. For dinner you might go for grilled salmon (with a little dill and lemon), a serving of brown rice, and grilled zucchini. If you need a snack, go for protein and a fruit or vegetable. Try a hard-boiled egg and an apple or greek yogurt with blueberries and ground flax seed. Measure your portions. Calorie counting, limiting certain food groups or restricting carbs or fat isn't always an easy diet plan to follow or all that natural. Consuming all foods and keeping an eye on portions is an easier and more natural way to help start weight loss. When you're measuring and monitoring your portion sizes, you will naturally cut out some calories which can help you lose weight. Invest in a food scale, measuring cups or measuring spoons to help keep you on track. You may also want to measure any bowls, cups, or containers you have at home to see how much food they hold. Measuring portions doesn't mean you have to be hungry all the time, if you use strategies to feel more full. Eat a balanced diet. Eating the right foods will go a long way towards helping you lose weight and keep it off. Eating a balanced diet means that you're consuming adequate amounts of each nutrient your body needs to function. You'll need to consume the recommended servings of each food and food group to help you meet your daily nutrient needs. Measuring your portion sizes can help you manage this. In addition to eating foods from each food group, it's wise to each a large variety of foods within each food group. For example, every vegetable offers you a different array of healthy vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Replace your favorite fast food, sweets, and carbonated drinks with healthy substitutes. For example, you can replace candies with fruits and berries, soda with fresh juice or tea, ice cream with yogurt or cottage cheese, and so on. Consume 3-4 oz of protein at each meal. Protein is an incredibly nutrient in your diet. It also helps keep you satisfied which may help support your weight loss. Keeping your portions of protein to 3-4 oz per meal will help to keep calories in check. You should focus on the leaner meats to assist with weight loss. Go for fish, lean beef, poultry, eggs, low-fat dairy products, as well as different kinds of seeds and nuts. Include one serving of protein at each meal and snack to help you meet your daily minimum. Aim for at least 5 servings of veggies and fruits. These will provide you with many of the nutrients you need for very few calories. Although both fruits and vegetables are low in calories, it's still important to measure your portions. Keep your portions of fruit to 1 small piece or 1/2 cup chopped and keep vegetables to 1 cup or 2 cups of leafy salad greens. Since it's recommended to get a fairly large quantity of fruits and vegetables in each day, it may be easier to eat a serving or two at each meal and snack. Go for whole grains. The grain group includes a large variety of foods. Choosing 100% whole grains can add fiber, protein and other essential nutrients to your diet. Whole grains contain the germ, endosperm and bran. They include ones like: brown rice, whole wheat, millet, quinoa, and whole grain oats. One serving of grains is about 1 oz or 1/2 cup. It's recommended to make half of your grain choices whole grains if possible. Keep grains to 1-3 servings daily. This will help support your weight loss. Indulge in moderation. Don't start obsessing about counting calories and punishing yourself by never eating any sweets or fatty foods again. Instead, opt to eat fewer of the less healthier things and less frequently. Losing weight naturally means to never forbid certain foods or avoid them all together. Include your favorite foods in moderation. This might be once a week or 2 times a week or just a few times a month. If you eat a meal that's high in fat or sugar (like you go out for dinner, or go to a fast food place) compensate for that by eating meals that are low-fat and low in sugar for the next few days or hit the gym a little harder. Drink water. Keeping hydrated has many benefits when it comes to losing weight. In addition, stay well hydrated helps support a healthy body. Drinking the recommended 8 -13 glasses a day will support your weight loss and may make you feel energized. Stick to sugar-free, decaffeinated beverages as often as possible. Try: water, flavored water, decaf coffee or decaf tea. Skip sweetened beverages (like soda or sports drinks), highly caffeinated beverages (like energy drinks or shots) and fruit juices. Make slow changes. Trying to change everything at once is going to completely overwhelm your system and make it difficult to stick to the changes you're trying to make. Losing weight naturally and keeping that weight off means making total lifestyle changes. Start off with smaller changes. Add a 15 minute exercise routine to your day, or switch from using butter to olive oil when you're cooking. Start shifting how you think about food, so that you stop using it as a comfort routine (like you eat when you're sad, or bored, or upset, etc.). Start thinking about food as something you're putting in your body to fuel you, which means you want the best fuel possible and that means the healthier eating options. Set achievable goals. Once you have made the decision to lose weight, set some realistic and achievable goals that you can follow. Goal setting will help you to take action, and by taking that action you will start to see some weight loss results. Typically with more natural weight loss, you can expect to lose about 1-2 pounds per week. Exercise regularly. Getting into a regular exercise routine can help support your weight loss and improve your overall health. It's recommended to do about 150 minutes of cardio each week and include 2 days of strength training. Also increase your baseline or daily activities. Even doing things where you walk to the grocery store, or you take 15 minute breaks at work and go for a walk, can help with your weight-loss and your health. Exercise boosts your mood because it releases endorphins, which help make you happier, healthier, and more confident about yourself, which may help regulate your eating. Find exercise that you enjoy, that way you'll be excited for it rather than dreading it. Practice yoga, take dance lessons, go for a run in the prettiest neighborhood in your town or city. Don't think of it as a punishment, try to think of how you are benefiting your body and your health! Get an exercise buddy. It is much more fun and easier to stay on track with someone else to help you monitor yourself and to talk to. Get enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep worsens your overall mental and physical health and may make it harder to shed pounds and to keep them off. In addition, those who are sleep deprived have increased ghrelin production. This is a hormone that makes you feel more hungry the next day. Try to make sure that you get about 8 hours of sleep each night if you're an adult (as a teenager you should get a bit more sleep). Make sure to shut off all electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime. This means computer, iPod, cell phone, etc. The light from that messes with your circadian system, slowing your biological clock and making it harder to regulate your sleep appropriately. Skip fad diets. There are literally hundreds of diets and weight-loss schemes on the market promising quick weight loss in short periods of time. These can be unsafe, unhealthy and hard to follow long-term. Losing weight naturally is better for your overall health and you'll most likely keep your weight off long-term. Remember that there is no magical diet that's going to wipe away those pounds and keep them away once you're done with the diet. True, healthy weight-loss requires a lifestyle change and hard work. This doesn't mean there aren't good things to be gleaned from certain weight-loss programs. Many of them do emphasize a healthy diet and exercise, but not many of them discuss real and continued lifestyle change. Ditch diet foods. Studies have shown that if you're craving a treat, eating the fat-free, sugar free or "diet" versions may trigger you to eat more. Many foods that are designed to be "diet-friendly" aren't necessarily lower in calories. In addition, when you take out the sugar or fat from items, companies replace them with highly processed ingredients. Stick to your portion control and eat a small portion of the real deal. So instead of the fat-free, sugar-free ice cream bar, have a 1/2 cup of high quality, real ice cream. You'll be more satisfied in the end. Eat mindfully. People who are distracted while they eat (they're watching tv or reading a book, or surfing the internet) report being less satisfied than people who pay attention to what they're eating. Eating mindfully can help you focus and possible eat less. Make sure that you chew your food all the way and that you swallow before putting more food in your mouth. Eat deliberately and slowly. Pay attention to the food you're putting in your mouth: What is the temperature? The texture? Is it salty? Sweet? Spicy? When you're satisfied (not full), stop eating. If you're measuring and monitoring your portions, this will be a helpful guide to let you know when you've had enough to eat. Ask your doctor before beginning any new diet or exercise plans. You don't want to make changes too quickly, which can be harmful to your health. This is especially true when it comes to exercise, as pushing yourself too far too fast can result in injury. Your doctor can give you a physical check-up to make sure you're ready to start losing weight. Your doctor can help you lose weight in the healthiest way possible. Talk to your doctor if you aren’t losing weight after making changes. Your doctor can help you determine why you aren't losing weight, as well as how much weight is healthy for you to lose. They can determine if you may have an underlying health condition that's preventing you from losing weight, or if you need to make additional changes. In some cases, your doctor may recommend you talk to a therapist or counselor to confront the reasons you may be struggling to lose weight. Ask your doctor if your medication may be causing weight gain. Unfortunately, some medications can cause weight gain as a side effect. Your doctor can help you understand the risks and benefits of taking your medications. Then, they can give you advice on ways you can avoid gaining weight on your medication. Additionally, they may be able to find an alternative medication to the one you're taking. Work with your doctor to create a personalized diet and exercise plan. Finding the right plan for you can be difficult, but your doctor is there to help. They can recommend strategies that might work for you and can tell you what exercises are safe for you to do at this point. Your doctor may give you a referral to a dietician who can design a diet plan just for you. They'll take into consideration your goals, your eating schedule and what kinds of foods you like so that you can enjoy following your plan. Consider taking medication to help you lose weight, if your doctor prescribes it. If your weight is affecting your health, your doctor may recommend using medication to help you stay on track. Similarly, you may have a condition that's slowing your weight loss, such as hypothyroidism or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which requires treatment. Your doctor can help you understand the risks and benefits of medication.	Write up meal plans. Measure your portions. Eat a balanced diet. Consume 3-4 oz of protein at each meal. Aim for at least 5 servings of veggies and fruits. Go for whole grains. Indulge in moderation. Drink water. Make slow changes. Set achievable goals. Exercise regularly. Get enough sleep. Skip fad diets. Ditch diet foods. Eat mindfully. Ask your doctor before beginning any new diet or exercise plans. Talk to your doctor if you aren’t losing weight after making changes. Ask your doctor if your medication may be causing weight gain. Work with your doctor to create a personalized diet and exercise plan. Consider taking medication to help you lose weight, if your doctor prescribes it.
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-an-Attractive-Girl	How to Be an Attractive Girl	Being attractive starts with focusing on your health and confidence. One way to stay fit and healthy is to get involved in sports or dance. Another way to feel healthy is to eat right, so make sure at least 1/3 of each meal you eat is fruit or vegetables. You'll look better when you are rested, so try to get at least 8 or 9 hours of sleep every night. When you are at school, act confident by keeping your back straight and your head held high and eventually, you will start to feel more confident too.	Have good hygiene. Cleanliness matters. Shower and wash your face every day for a bright complexion and clean hair. Brush your Teeth every night before bed for a beautiful smile. Also remember to use deodorant, and consider keeping some in your backpack if you tend to sweat. Apply facial sunscreen (SPF 30 or more) every day after washing your face so you can protect your skin. A facial sunscreen will not clog your pores. Some girls find that sweat and body odor are easier to manage if they shave their armpits. This is not required in order to be attractive, and you can decide what's best for you. Try out light perfume for a finishing touch. Consider wearing makeup. Some girls like to wear a little makeup and others prefer the natural look. It's your choice. You may want concealer for acne, blush, lip gloss, and/or some eye makeup for fun. Feel free to experiment and find out what you like. There is no right or wrong with makeup. Try tricks that don't involve makeup, like dripping water on your eyelashes to make them clump together nicely, or brushing your lips with a toothbrush so they look fuller. Play with your hair. Experiment with different hairdos and accessories. Do you like ponytails, pigtails, braids, hair clips, ribbons, flowers, etc.? Some girls like to straighten or curl their hair, while others keep their natural texture. Figure out what works for you—up or down, fancy or simple. Find something that makes you happy and let your awesome hair shine. Be creative and fun with your outfits. If you see something that you love, then wear it, no matter what the fashion magazines say. Wear colors and styles that make you feel happy, and the boost in mood will make you even more attractive. Try asking a family member or friend to help you pick out colors that complement your skin tone when shopping. It may help to learn what your body type is, so you can choose outfits that best show off your figure. Remember that modesty doesn't determine beauty. You can look awesome in modest outfits or in more revealing ones. You decide what styles work best for you. Remember that clothes don't have moral value—modest clothes don't make you a "prude," and revealing clothes don't make you naughty or responsible for men's emotions. Dress in the way that makes you most comfortable and don't worry about it. Sometimes girls get harassed (followed, solicited, grabbed, remarked on, threatened) by boys or men. This is not caused by outfits, but by guys who refuse to control themselves and overstep the bounds of human decency. You deserve an environment free of harassment, so if this happens, tell a responsible adult. No matter what your outfit is, other people's awful behavior is not your fault. Harassment is serious and deserves to be treated as such. Take good care of your body. Get at least 8 hours of beauty sleep each night (9 or 10 is even better), fill at least 1/3 of your plate with fruits and veggies, and stay active. Try joining sports teams, going on a walk with your sister each evening, or going to the beach with friends. A healthy girl is a beautiful girl. Keep a straight posture and look people in the eye. Posture matters not just because you look great, but because it'll help avoid backaches and other issues. When you walk, hold your head high, walk with a purpose, and let the world see that you're awesome. Practice a confident walk at home, and you'll start to really feel it, even if you don't consider yourself a confident person. If you're disabled, that's okay. If you can't make eye contact, try looking at their nose, mouth, necklace, eyebrows... whatever is comfortable to you. If you use a wheelchair or walk differently (crutches, toe-walking, etc.), just use the best posture you can and practice your confident grin. Disabled girls are also capable of looking awesome. Learn to be confident. Confidence will attract others and make people value what you have to say. Practice walking confidently and "power posing" at home. Make a list of your strongest traits. Surround yourself with pictures of awesome women like you. Throw out the beauty magazines. These feed insecurity, and you don't need that in your life. Recognize that your opinions and feelings are just as important as anyone else's. It's good to be nice, but it's not good to constantly defer to others and never express your wants. Cultivate an attitude of cheer and appreciation. The feeling of gratitude plays a large role in happiness, so keep a journal of the things you're grateful for. Every night, write down 2 things you are thankful for today (e.g. "I'm thankful for my sister helping me with my homework" or "I'm thankful for the sunny weather"). Practice thanking people when they do nice things for you or your community. Build strong relationships with others. Hang out with your friends, be there for them when they need you, and practice good listening skills. Staying well-connected will improve your mental health, making you all the more confident and beautiful. Consider your friends, family members, and mentors. If you want to make friends, try joining clubs or volunteer opportunities where you can meet people like you. Or, reach out to a classmate or acquaintance. Don't be afraid to reach out when you need something! Remember, people like to be helpful, and being vulnerable allows them to show their true colors and be a great friend to you too. Try volunteer work. Volunteering is a great way to give to the community and let your kindness shine. Try joining to help a cause you believe in, like feminism, antipoverty groups, disability rights, environmentalism, et cetera. This will help you feel like a productive citizen, and you can meet other nice people like yourself! Work hard in school. Intelligence and hard work are very attractive traits. Whether you're nerdy or not, education is an important aspect of your future, and potential significant others will be attracted to a girl who has the knowledge to provide for herself. Remember that girls can be great at STEM subject areas. There are many incredible women scientists, mathematicians, etc. who are left out of the history books. (Search the internet for "women in _____" and see for yourself!) There are tons of jobs in these fields, so you would be super attractive to employers. It's okay if you're low on natural ability. Hard work is more important than inborn intelligence in the long run. Do your best, try hard, and you'll be great! Realize it's okay to be a little different. Everyone stands out in some little way—whether it's the size of their nose or their obvious disability accent. People tend not to care as much as you might think. (They may be too busy with their own troubles!) Don't let mean people make you feel ugly. Your big nose is elegant, your skin color is majestic, your curves are endearing, your body is powerful, your laugh is infectious, and you are worth getting to know. Don't worry too much about what others think of you. Attractiveness is subjective, and nobody has the same definition. Focus most on your own health and happiness, let beauty come naturally, and don't worry if you happen to bump into naysayers along the way. Be the best you can be, and let the rest fall into place.	Have good hygiene. Consider wearing makeup. Play with your hair. Be creative and fun with your outfits. Remember that modesty doesn't determine beauty. Take good care of your body. Keep a straight posture and look people in the eye. Learn to be confident. Cultivate an attitude of cheer and appreciation. Build strong relationships with others. Try volunteer work. Work hard in school. Realize it's okay to be a little different. Don't worry too much about what others think of you.
https://www.wikihow.com/Soak-Clothes	How to Soak Clothes	To pre-soak clothes in a washing machine, start a wash cycle with the machine empty so the chamber fills up with water. When it's half full of water, stop the cycle, add the usual amount of detergent, and put your clothes in for 20-30 minutes before restarting the cycle. If you want to soak your clothes in a separate container, fill a bucket with enough water to submerge the fabric, add the regular amount of stain remover or detergent, and swish it around so it dissolves. Then, soak the clothing for 20-30 minutes before washing as normal.	Pre-soak your clothes before washing. You can soak clothes directly in the chamber of your washing machine if you plan to machine wash them afterward. All you need to do is add detergent to the water drawn into the washing machine, then let the clothes soak for 20-30 minutes in the mix of detergent and standing water. It will be easier to soak clothes in a top-loading washing machine than in a side-loading machine. Check your side-loading machine for an integrated pre-soak function. Pre-soaking in the machine can be convenient because you won't need to transfer the fabric after the soak. However, you don't need to soak in the washing machine if you plan to hand-wash your clothes. Draw water into the laundry machine. Start the wash cycle with the machine empty so that the chamber fills up with water. Then, when it is at least half-full, stop the cycle so that you can prepare the soak. Add detergent or stain remover. Use the regular amount that you would use to wash your clothes.Swish and stir the cleaning agent to ensure that it dissolves into the water. When the detergent is evenly distributed and the water is soapy, you are ready to add your clothing. The recommended dose of detergent should be listed on the bottle of the cleaning product. If there is a cap to the detergent, you can usually get by with filling the cap. Soak your clothes. Put all of the clothes you wish to wash into the chamber of the laundry machine. Make sure that all garments are completely submerged beneath the water-and-detergent mixture. Leave the fabrics to soak for up to an hour unless otherwise directed. Leave tough stains to soak for even longer. If the fabric is resilient—say, denim or canvas—you can soak for several hours to launch a more powerful attack on the stain. Don't soak for too long! Fragile fibers like wool and cotton may begin to come apart or dissolve with extended exposure to stain-removal agents. This is especially the case if you are using an industrial-strength product like bleach. Rinse the soaked clothes to remove detergent. When the hour has passed, take the clothing out of the washing machine and rinse it thoroughly to remove the soaking detergent or stain-removal fluid. This step is generally considered optional if you plan to immediately run the clothing through the wash. Wash clothing as normal. If the soak did not remove the stain, then you may consider soaking again – but be careful not to be too hard on the fabric. A more intensive, localized soak or scrub might be the way to tackle a tough stain. Fill the soaking container. Use a bucket, tub, or trough deep enough to submerge the entire garment underwater. Suitable soaking spaces may include a clean laundry sink, a clean bucket, or even a baby's bath. Add enough water that you can submerge all of the clothing, but not so much that the addition of the clothing will displace the water and make it spill over. To avoid this problem: try first filling the bucket with the clothes that you want to soak, and then pouring the water over the clothing. You will need to locate a suitable container that can be filled with water and still take the added clothing size. Remember that the weight of the clothing will increase the water level! Add stain remover or detergent. Use the regular amount that you would use to wash your clothes. Swish and stir the cleaning agent to ensure that it dissolves into the water. Submerge the clothing. Add the clothing and push deep under the water so that all of the garments are completely covered with water. Push down any pieces of fabric that pop up above the waterline. If you are trying to remove a small, localized stain, then consider only soaking the stained corner of the fabric. This way, you won't need as much room. If the water spills over, then you've added too many garments. Try soaking in stages, or soaking simultaneously in multiple buckets. Let the clothing soak. The length depends on the fabric: e.g. denim can be soaked for hours, and wool or cotton should not be exposed to stain remover for longer than 20-30 minutes. Do a light soak (20-30 minutes) if you're just having a routine wash. Soak for longer if you're trying to intensively remove a heavy stain. Wash the soaked clothing as normal. Rinse the fabric out before washing to remove the detergent. If the soak did not remove the stain, then you may consider soaking again – but be careful not to be too hard on the fabric. A more intensive, localized soak or scrub might be the way to tackle a tough stain. Read the care labels before soaking. This is an absolute must. Some fabrics are ideally suited to soaking, but others will not stand up so well to the procedure. In general, heavy, durable fabrics are great to soak, whereas delicate garments might be better suited to a scrub. Be careful about soaking wool. It is a soft, delicate fabric, and a wool garment runs the risk of shrinking if you soak it for too long. Deal with individual stains. If stains are especially bad, then it usually pays to rub on a small amount of detergent or the suggested stain removal agent directly to the stain. Run a web search to determine the best practice for a particular type of stain: e.g. grass, blood, food, urine.	Pre-soak your clothes before washing. Draw water into the laundry machine. Add detergent or stain remover. Soak your clothes. Rinse the soaked clothes to remove detergent. Wash clothing as normal. Fill the soaking container. Add stain remover or detergent. Submerge the clothing. Let the clothing soak. Wash the soaked clothing as normal. Read the care labels before soaking. Deal with individual stains.
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Copy-of-Your-Medical-Records	How to Get a Copy of Your Medical Records	Getting a copy of your medical records is a relatively straightforward process. You'll need to contact your healthcare provider's Health Information Management Department and ask for an authorization form for your medical records. On the form, choose which information you want to receive, such as your history of physical examinations, specialist consultations, test results, medication lists, and operation reports. You may need to pay a small fee, but this shouldn't be more than a few dollars. You can request a physical or digital copy of your records. You should receive them within 30 days by law.	Know who can request medical records. Medical records often contain highly sensitive and private information. Only specific individuals have access to your medical records. States vary in procedures and policy in regards to handing out medical records, as do individual hospitals. However, federal law dictates that an individual has the right to access his or her medical records, make copies, and request amendments. For the most part, only you and your doctor have the right to access your medical records. In rare cases, you might need to obtain someone else's records. You will need a direct authorization signed by the patient. If the patient is incapacitated, legal documents will be needed to waive the signature. However, protocol for requesting someone else's records is a subject of debate and confusion in the medical community. If you need someone else's medical records for any reason, discuss the issue with an attorney to figure out the procedures necessary to obtaining that information. Married couples do not have the right to one another's medical records and signed authorization is needed to obtain a spouse's records. Parents usually have access to the medical records of children under 18 but there are some exceptions. If, for example, a child is over 12 some states allow records regarding reproductive health and sexual history to remain confidential. Gather the necessary material. To obtain your records, you need certain materials. Make sure you know you have all the necessary paperwork filled out before beginning the process of requesting records. Your healthcare provider's Health Information Management Department (HIM) can provide you with the authorization form specific to your hospital. This will need to be filled out in full. Information included in the authorization form varies from state to state and hospital to hospital. However, most forms ask for your address, date of birth, social security number, and phone number. You will also probably have to provide the dates you received treatment, what documents you want released, and your reasons for requesting the records. Many hospitals, in order to speed up the process, allow the authorization form to be filled out online. Check if this is an option at your hospital if completing the forms online is more convenient for you. When you go in to request your records, you will need a photo ID. Figure out what fees, if any, you need to pay. Fees vary from hospital to hospital, but there is specific protocol when it comes to charging for records. Be aware of this to avoid paying unlawful fees. Hospitals do have the right to charge fees for medical records. However, these fees are limited to the costs of the labor required to obtain the records. In other words, your hospital cannot use your records to make a profit. Usually, a hospital will charge a fee based on the number of pages in your records. There is a cap as to how much this fee is that varies from state to state. In New York, it's 75 cents a page and in California it's 25. Know what the maximum price per page is in your state and make sure you're not being overcharged. You can usually find this information on the Department of Health's website. To avoid these fees, ask your doctor to send the last SOAP Note from your final visit, or if you are in the hospital, request the discharge summaries that were dictated by your physician. Know what documents to request. On the authorization form, you will be asked to select what kind of records you want. If you're unfamiliar with medical terminology, this can be confusing. However, for patients, the following forms are most useful for tracking medical history and transferring doctors. Initial history and physical examination Any consultation reports conducted by specialists. Consultation reports review the patient's history, explain their medical needs, and lay out the reason another physician's advise is being requested. Operative reports, which document the details of a surgery Test results Medication lists Discharge reports, which include the dates you were dismissed from a hospital and any at home care your provider recommended Decide how you want to receive your records. You have a variety of options when it comes to receiving your medical records. Paper copies are what is generally requested, but you can request digital copies as well. If your hospital uses electronic records system, you can get your records in the form of a CD or USB drive. You can also have your information sent through email. Figure out what is most convenient for you and then make the request. Be prepared to wait. Receiving your medical records takes time. It is not a same day process and you should be aware of waiting periods. Legally, your provider has to send you your records within 30 days of your initial request. They may be able to apply for a one time 30 day extension, but must explain the cause of this delay Most facilities will not take 30 days and, on average, the waiting time is 5 to 10 days. If you need your records because you are switching doctors or for insurance purposes, keep the waiting period in mind. Plan ahead and request your records well ahead of time. Know your HIPAA Rights. HIPAA is the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act. You should be informed of your HIPAA rights when you start treatment with a new doctor, such as when you are admitted to a hospital or when you see a doctor for the first time. In general, HIPAA gives you the right to access your medical information and keep it private. This means that you have the right to: ask for a copy of your medical records. request corrections to your medical records. be notified about how your information may be used or shared. decide how your information may be used. get a report on how your information was used. file a complaint if you think your information is not being handled properly. Know you are entitled to your medical records. You are entitled to your medical records. This is federal law and a hospital cannot withhold records for any reason, including delinquent payment. As stated, hospitals can charge for paper but they cannot charge a searching fee. If a facility tries to refuse to release your records, or demands a hefty sum of money for their release, talk to an attorney. Refusal to release medical records is rare, but does sometimes occur. Understand this is illegal. Understand what information doctors can withhold. While you are legally entitled to most medical records, a doctor has the legal right to refuse to release certain documents regarding your medical history. These documents include: Personal notes Information regarding a minor over the age of 12, if the minor objects Any information the physician believes will cause substantial harm to you or others Information obtained from other physicians Substance abuse records or mental health records Appeal a refusal, if necessary. In some cases, you might want or need certain information a doctor can legally refuse to release. If, for example, you're transferring to a specialist a doctor's personal notes and observations can provide your new physician important insight into your condition. There is an appeal process if your provider refuses to release certain records. Regulations vary from state to state. Most states require you file a written appeal, citing your reasons for needing the information, to the Department of Health. Your provider must then submit an explanation for his or her refusal. A judge or committee decides whether or not the information should be released. If you win your appeal, your provider must legally release the documents. If you lose the appeal, the decision is final.	Know who can request medical records. Gather the necessary material. Figure out what fees, if any, you need to pay. Know what documents to request. Decide how you want to receive your records. Be prepared to wait. Know your HIPAA Rights. Know you are entitled to your medical records. Understand what information doctors can withhold. Appeal a refusal, if necessary.
https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Cockatoo	How to Choose a Cockatoo	When choosing a cockatoo, consider how vocal you want the bird to be. For example, if you want a cockatoo that can already talk, get an older bird that's been trained. If you want a cockatoo you can handle easily, get a younger bird or a well-socialized older one. Once you've decided on the personality you want, consider what you want your cockatoo to look like. For instance, decide if you want dark plumage or a colorful crest. If you plan to keep just 1 cockatoo, pick one that's used to being independent. Also, check for calm and friendly body language, like a lowered crest.	Decide how vocal you want your cockatoo to be. While cockatoos are known for their ability to mimic speech, not all cockatoos will be talkers. Additionally, most require training to learn to talk, so teaching your bird may require you to invest time in helping it learn words. Choosing an older bird can help you ensure that your bird is as vocal as you'd like because their personalities are more set, and some are already trained. To find out how vocal your older cockatoo is, talk to its former owner and spend some time with the bird to see how often it makes sounds or attempts to mimic speech. Keep in mind that you'll need to devote time every day to training your cockatoo to talk. Training involves talking to your cockatoo, repeating words, and rewarding it when it speaks or repeats what you say. Consider how often you want to handle your bird. Some cockatoos will perch on their human companion's finger, while others prefer not to be touched. Knowing if you want a tame bird can narrow your selection. Choosing a baby bird will allow you to get it used to being held. You may be able to find an older bird that is already used to being handled by humans. To find out if the bird is used to being handled, first talk to its former owner or caregiver. Then see if the bird will come to you. Wait until the bird is calm, and then offer it a treat from outside the cage. If it is tame, then it will come to you to get the treat. A cockatoo that is very used to being handled may even come out onto your hand the first time you try. If the bird does start to come to you, say, “Step up.” A trained cockatoo will step on your hand. Know your preferences in coloring and plumage. Each cockatoo will have its own coloring and plumage, even birds in the same subspecies. While some bird owners don't have a specific preference, others want their bird to fit a certain look. As you start bird shopping, decide how important your bird's looks will be to you. There are twenty-one subspecies of cockatoo that are divided into white and dark cockatoos. Rose breasted cockatoos, umbrella, moluccan, and sulphur-crested cockatoos are some of the most popular subspecies. Some bird owners choose a cockatoo because they like a particular subspecies. Since there are are many options, you will need to make this choice known while you look for a bird. If you prefer a show bird, then the plumage may be important to you. Decide if you want a baby or an adult. Both baby birds and adult birds have benefits and drawbacks, many of which stem from care requirements, personality, and training capabilities. Baby birds are easier to train, but they also require that the owner put in massive amounts of time to train them. Baby birds are also still growing, so their personality will evolve. Adult birds don't train easily, but many are already trained. They also have an established personality, so you know what you're getting in a pet. Many people are drawn to baby birds because you can raise them from birth, but their long life spans mean your baby bird may outlive you. Baby birds sometimes turn on their owners during sexual maturity. Cockatoos reach sexual maturity at 3- to 4-years of age. Older cockatoos will not change much in personality. Older cockatoos can have medical needs if they are very old. Common medical needs include fatty liver, psittacine beak and feather disease, obesity, lipomas (fatty tumors), bumblefoot (swollen foot with pus), and feather picking. Cockatoos have an average lifespan of 40 to 60 years. Because they live so long, a cockatoo will not be considered old until it is at least 30-years-old. However, a healthy cockatoo might not be considered “old” until it reaches 50-years-old. Look for a bird that has been raised to be independent. Cockatoos are social birds that are used to being in a flock. If you want to own a single cockatoo, then you will need it to be able to consider you its flock. A bird that has been raised to be independent from other cockatoos will more easily adapt to a human companion. You can get a baby and raise it to be independent. Alternatively, you can get two birds and keep them together. Check the bird’s crest. Cockatoos communicate through their crests. A calm, welcoming bird will have a lowered crest, while a raised crest may indicate that the bird is upset, defensive, aggressive, excited, or aroused. If the crest is raised, consider what is going on in the environment to determine the possible cause. For example, if it is very loud, then the bird might just be very excited. Look at the bird’s feathers. The feathers should be smooth and brightly-colored. Make sure that the bird has not been plucking its own feathers, which could be a sign of stress or aggression. If you can touch the bird, feel to make sure that its feathers are soft. Watch the bird when it stretches out its wings to make sure they aren't deformed in any way. See if the bird is alert. The bird should be alert and steady on its feet. It should stand on both feet rather than just one, which could indicate an issue with its leg or foot. Watch the bird move around to make sure that it is balanced. Pay attention to the bird when it walks to see if it has any issues walking normally. Check the bird’s eyes. The eyes should be bright, clear, and free of discharge. Make sure that the corners near the eyes are also clean. Move an object in front of the bird's eyes to see if you catch its attention. Look in the bird’s ears. The ears should be free of redness, discharge, and blockage. Be sure to look at the feathers below the ears to check for residue left by discharge. Check the bird’s beak. The beak should be the normal size for its type, so compare the beak to other cockatoos in its subspecies. The beak should be solid and strong, so notice if the bird appears to be having trouble using its beak to eat or play with toys. The mucus membranes on its beak should be pink. Check the mucus membranes for discharge or blockage. Watch the bird move about the cage to make sure that it uses its beak. Examine the bird's droppings in its cage. If they look watery or loose, it could be a sign that the bird is sick. Also, look at the bird's rear end to make sure there aren't any droppings matted on its feathers. Take your new bird to the vet. After you make your selection, take your new pet to an avian vet to make sure that it is in good health. This will also give your bird a chance to meet its new vet before you need to take it in for checkups, which could help prevent stress down the road. If there is a health problem, you can try to return the bird to the breeder or place you adopted it. If you want to keep the bird anyway, work with your vet to create a health plan for your bird. Consider adopting instead of buying. Sometimes people have to give up their birds because they can no longer care for them due to changing circumstances. Many of these birds still have a long life remaining. Adopting a surrendered bird can be a great option for a new bird owner since many of these birds are already trained and used to living with humans. Adopted birds may even be less expensive to take home. Contact your local shelter, or look online for birds available for adoption. Ask why the bird was surrendered, as well as how old the bird is. Ask if the bird is trained. Try petfinder.com or google “cockatoo breeders.” Look for pet stores or breeders. Find a local pet store or breeder that sells cockatoos. While you can find breeders online, it's best if you can watch the birds and try to handle them before making your choice. If you must buy online, ask if there are any guarantees on the bird. Ask if you can watch the bird through a video phone service like Skype or Facetime before making the purchase. To determine if the breeder is reputable, visit the site, talk to the breeder to find out how informed they are about cockatoos, ask for references, and google the breeder to look for complaints or bad reviews. Watch the cockatoos. Visit your local breeder, pet store, or adoption facility. Observe the available cockatoos and how they interact with each other. You should be able to learn about their personality, habits, and friendliness by watching the birds. Try to watch them for at least half an hour. Talk to the pet store employees or breeder. Ask the people who care for the birds about the birds and how they behave. If you are looking for a particular quality in your bird, ask which birds have that quality. Say, “Which of these birds is the friendliest?” Ask, “Are any of these birds aggressive?” Ask, “Which of these birds is the most independent?” Handle the bird that interests you. Once a bird catches your eye, ask to handle the bird. See if the bird will come to you and if it seems interested in human interaction. Always ask for permission before trying to handle a bird. Ask if the bird is aggressive before you try to touch it. Don't hold out your finger to the bird because it could bite you. Instead, calmly approach the bird. If the bird remains calm as you approach, offer your wrist or forearm, with your fist closed and the smooth side of your hand facing the bird. If the bird is okay with being handled, it will step onto your hand. Decide if you should get a pair of birds. Cockatoos are social birds and can benefit from living in pairs. Cockatoos need plenty of companionship and playtime, which is easy if you have a pair of birds. Keeping the pair together can prevent behavioral issues because the birds will be able to entertain each other. If you choose a single cockatoo, then you will need to be its companion, so be prepared to spend a lot of quality time with your bird.	Decide how vocal you want your cockatoo to be. Consider how often you want to handle your bird. Know your preferences in coloring and plumage. Decide if you want a baby or an adult. Look for a bird that has been raised to be independent. Check the bird’s crest. Look at the bird’s feathers. See if the bird is alert. Check the bird’s eyes. Look in the bird’s ears. Check the bird’s beak. Examine the bird's droppings in its cage. Take your new bird to the vet. Consider adopting instead of buying. Look for pet stores or breeders. Watch the cockatoos. Talk to the pet store employees or breeder. Handle the bird that interests you. Decide if you should get a pair of birds.
https://www.wikihow.com/Spot-Signs-of-Pancreatitis-in-Dogs	How to Spot Signs of Pancreatitis in Dogs	To spot signs of pancreatitis in dogs, keep an eye out for digestive distress, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Additionally, note any behavioral symptoms, such as a decreased appetite, depression, or lethargy. You also may notice your dog hunching its back due to abdominal pain. If you suspect your dog is suffering from pancreatitis, take it to the vet for an exam and blood work. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the treatment will depend on the severity of the pancreatitis, but you'll likely need to give your dog medicine and a special diet while it recovers.	Be on the lookout for digestive distress. If your dog has pancreatitis it is likely to experience problems digesting its food. Symptoms related to digestive distress include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If your dog throws up once or has one incident of diarrhea then you should just keep an eye on the dog to make sure the problems clear up. If your dog has repeated incidents of throwing up and diarrhea, then this could signal pancreatitis. Look for behavioral symptoms. When your dog is sick with pancreatitis the discomfort of the condition can impact your dog's behavior. Symptoms that can show up in your dog's behavior that are related to pancreatitis include lethargy, decreased appetite, and depression. Pay attention to changes in your dog's personality. If it is unusually withdrawn or sullen, then that could signal a health problem. Pancreatitis can also cause your dog to be low in energy. If it usually loves to play or go for a walk and it is currently resistant to any activity, this could signal a health problem. Look at your dog's posture. A dog having an attack of pancreatitis may have a hunched back due to abdominal pain. This is sometimes called a "praying position," with your dog's tail end up in the air while its front end is lowered onto the ground. The dog gets into this posture in response to the pain caused by pancreatitis, as this posture reduces the pain. Check your dog for a fever. Fever is one symptom of pancreatitis. If you can take your dog's temperature, do it. A dog's temperature is usually between 99.5 and 102.5F. If your dog has an elevated temperature, that is another sign that your dog may have pancreatitis. To check your dog's temperature , you can use either a rectal or ear thermometer. Assess your dog's risk factors. It is more likely that your dog has pancreatitis if it has some of the risk factors associated with the condition. These include: Obesity Hypothyroidism Blunt trauma on the area of the pancreas Diabetes Family history of pancreatitis Eating a very high-fat meal Taking certain medications Take your dog to its veterinarian. If you suspect that your dog has pancreatitis, you should get it looked at by a veterinarian. When meeting with the veterinarian tell him or her about your dog's symptoms, including when they started and how often they occur. If your veterinary office is not open when you notice the symptoms of pancreatitis you should take your dog to an emergency medical hospital. Get a diagnosis. Your veterinarian will attempt to get a definitive diagnosis for your dog's illness. If the veterinarian suspects pancreatitis, they are likely to do a physical examination and then measure the amount of pancreas enzyme in the dog's blood. This enzyme is known as pancreatic lipase. There are a variety of reasons your dog may have pancreatitis. These include: trauma to the pancreas, a side effect from medication, hypertriglyceridemia, eating an excessively high-fat meal, or due to another disease. However, in many cases of pancreatitis the cause cannot be identified. Treat the pancreatitis. Depending on the severity of the pancreatitis, the treatment will vary. For very mild pancreatitis, the treatment is usually just supportive, meaning that you allow the dog's body to recover naturally. However, the pancreas may need to be "shut down" temporarily to allow it to recover. This will require all food and liquids to be withheld so that the dog's pancreas doesn't secrete any enzymes. If food is withheld, the dog will need to be given intravenous fluids and electrolytes. This will keep its fluid levels stable and help it recover from any diarrhea or vomiting it has experienced. Additionally, the dog may be given medications to control its diarrhea and vomiting, as well as pain. If the veterinarian suspects an additional infection, your dog may also be prescribed antibiotics. Give supportive care at home. As your dog recovers from pancreatitis it will need to have food slowly reintroduced. Your veterinarian will give you directions for feeding your dog but that will usually include very small meals or a bland diet. A bland diet that works well for dogs recovering from pancreatitis is cooked white rice and cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts. These foods are very easy for the dog to digest.	Be on the lookout for digestive distress. Look for behavioral symptoms. Look at your dog's posture. Check your dog for a fever. Assess your dog's risk factors. Take your dog to its veterinarian. Get a diagnosis. Treat the pancreatitis. Give supportive care at home.
https://www.wikihow.com/Wash-New-Towels	How to Wash New Towels	To wash new towels for the first time, separate your white and colored towels into different loads and wash them separate from other clothes so the new dyes won't bleed. You can set the color in new towels by adding 1 cup of white vinegar to the washing machine. Then, add half the amount of detergent you'd normally use and wash the towels in warm water. When the cycle ends, fluff the towels and machine dry them as you normally would!	Wash your new towels before you use them. New towels can have chemical finishes on them, and they may contain dust and bacteria from sitting on the shelf at the store. Thoroughly washing your new towels will get rid of these things so your towels are clean when you go to use them for the first time. Check the label on your new towels for washing guidelines. Look for the label along the edge of one of your new towels. Some towels must be washed in hot or cold water, or they can't be machine dried. Follow the washing instructions on the label so you don't damage your new towels. Separate your white and colored towels. The dyes in new towels transfer more easily in the wash, so your white towels could end up changing color if you wash them with colored towels. Do 2 separate loads so your new towels keep their color. Wash your new towels in their own load. Don't add clothes or other laundry to the machine, especially for the first wash. The dyes from the new towels could discolor your other laundry, or dyes in your clothes could stain your white towels. Set the color in new colored towels with 1 cup (236.6 mL) of white vinegar. Pour the vinegar into the washing machine with the towels. Use half the amount of detergent you'd normally use. Then wash the towels in warm water (unless the label on the towels says not to). Wash your new towels like this for their first 2-3 washes. Fluff your new towels before machine drying them. Run your fingers over the towels and shake them with your hands to fluff them up. After you fluff them, machine dry them on a regular setting. Machine dry your towels with a large piece of nylon netting to remove lint. As the dryer runs, the towels will hit against the nylon netting and the lint will fall off them. Look for a piece of nylon netting at your local fabric store. Make sure the lint catcher in your dryer is cleaned out before you dry your new towels. Air-dry microfiber towels. Hang them on a clothesline or drying rack so they fully dry and don't develop mildew. Avoid washing microfiber towels in the dryer or overtime they'll get damaged by the heat. If you have no where to air-dry your microfiber towels, machine dry them on the lowest heat setting possible. Make sure your towels are fully dry before putting them away. Slightly damp towels can develop mildew if they're folded up or hung in a way that keeps them from drying. Check your new towels over when you take them out of the dryer to see if they're completely dry. If they're not, throw them back in the dryer or hang them up to air dry. Be careful not to over-dry your towels. Over-drying can damage the fibers in towels. Avoid washing your new towels with fabric softeners and dryer sheets. Softeners and dryer sheets contain waxes and chemicals that can damage towels and make them less absorbent. It's OK to use softeners and dryer sheets occasionally, but leave them out as much as possible. Wash your new towels every few days. Don't use your towels more than 3-4 times without washing them or they could develop a bad odor and bacteria. Washing your towels on a routine basis will keep them clean and fresh for longer. Schedule 2 days a week to wash your towels so it's easy to remember. Clean your new towels with bleach if needed. Use color-safe bleach on your colored towels, and non-chlorine bleach on your white towels. Make sure you're washing the towels on their own so the bleach doesn't get on your other laundry. Bleach will help remove stains from your new towels and make your white towels look more vibrant.	Wash your new towels before you use them. Check the label on your new towels for washing guidelines. Separate your white and colored towels. Wash your new towels in their own load. Set the color in new colored towels with 1 cup (236.6 mL) of white vinegar. Fluff your new towels before machine drying them. Machine dry your towels with a large piece of nylon netting to remove lint. Air-dry microfiber towels. Make sure your towels are fully dry before putting them away. Avoid washing your new towels with fabric softeners and dryer sheets. Wash your new towels every few days. Clean your new towels with bleach if needed.
https://www.wikihow.com/Survive-High-School-Orientation	How to Survive High School Orientation	Going to high school orientation can seem intimidating, but it's actually a great time to meet your future students and fellow classmates. If you receive any orientation materials, read through them the night beforehand. Get a good night's sleep, then eat a nice breakfast, shower, and get dressed before orientation. Bring a backpack with any forms you need, your orientation materials, and a notebook and pen in case you need to write anything down. If you can, try to arrive a few minutes early in case you need help figuring out where to go.	Review all orientation materials. It is likely that you received materials from your school regarding orientation. These materials should direct you on where you need to go and what you will need to do. Thoroughly review any instructions from the school regarding where you need to go and what time. These instructions will save you from being in the wrong place at the wrong time and potentially being embarrassed, as well as missing important information. Discuss logistics with your parents. The night before orientation is a great time to review with your parents what is going to happen the next day while you're at orientation. This is important because you'll need a thorough understanding of where you need to be and when. You may also need money to pay for certain things, depending on your school and its requirements, so you should discuss that with your parents. If your parents are required to be involved in orientation, they will need to work that into their schedules and be aware of dates and times. You can start a conversation with your parents by saying, “Can we talk about my orientation tomorrow? I'd like to go over a few things.” If you would like some extra time to walk around the school to find your classrooms, talk to your parents and let them know that you would like an extra hour or so to do this. You can say, “I'd like extra time at orientation to be able to walk around and see my classrooms” to start a conversation with your parents about this. Establish your transportation. Work with your parents or guardians to determine who will pick you up and drop you off or how to use the public transportation in your area, if applicable. Maybe you will even choose to walk or bike to your orientation if you live close enough. If your parents will be picking you up and dropping you off, work with them to determine what time you need to be there and what time you should be leaving the house to be there on time. Then work to determine how long you will be there and what time they should plan to pick you up. You can ask, “What time should we leave the house in the morning so that I get to orientation on time?” If one of your friends is going to orientation at the same time as you, you can ask if their parents would mind picking you up and/or dropping you off. Your parents and your friend's parents may even coordinate times that they can pick up and drop off you and your friend. Ask your parents' permission before doing this. You can also arrange to be with your friend at orientation, which could make it much more fun. If you will be using public transportation, look at bus/train schedules to find out what time you need to be at the bus or train stops. Google Maps will often provide routes via public transportation, which can be very useful and save you time. If you are walking, make sure that you know exactly how to get there. Talk to your parents about which route to take if you are unsure. If you plan to ride your bike, look it over night before. Make sure that the tires have air in them and that your bike is in working order. It would be a good idea to take it for a test ride if it's not too dark out. If the bike is broken, you will need to repair it yourself, ask a parent to assist you repair it, or take it to a shop. Pack your backpack. It's a good idea to bring a backpack to orientation because it is likely that you will be bringing home plenty of books and papers. Make sure to pack any forms that you or your parents filled out. Designate a special folder for these forms so that you don't lose them in the bottom of your backpack or get them mixed in with other papers. You can ask your parents if they have filled out the necessary forms by posing the question: “Have you filled out the forms for my orientation? I'm getting ready to pack my backpack.” If your high school provided you with a list of things that you'll need for orientation, review the list and make sure that everything is in your backpack and ready to go. If you need assistance, ask a parent or guardian for help with the task by saying, “Can you please help me make sure that I have everything on my list for orientation?” Set out your clothes and toiletries. It's a good idea to have the next day's outfit picked out and ready to go the night before so that you don't spend too long deciding what to wear the next morning and end up being late to your orientation. Pick out your outfit and set it aside on a hanger or neatly folded somewhere in your room. Pick out what shoes you would like to wear and set them near your outfit so that you know where they are and they are ready to go. Decide how you plan to style your hair for orientation. If you need to prepare anything for your hair the night before, you will be able to do so by already deciding how you plan to style your hair. Set out your toiletries in the bathroom or bedroom (depending on your preference). This is a good time to determine which shampoo, conditioner, soap, hair products, makeup (if applicable), and hair brushes you would like to use in the morning and have them ready to go. If you shower at night, make sure that you have the toiletries for your morning routine ready to go in your bedroom and/or bathroom to save time by having to look for things or not knowing what you would like to use. Get to bed early. It's a good idea to get plenty of rest the night before orientation so that you are well-rested and ready to face the day. If you have a nightly routine, start it a little earlier than usual and take your time so that you can prepare your mind and body for sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, a great way to fall asleep is to read while you are in bed. If you are worried about falling asleep quickly , try sipping on a warm drink before you go to bed, such as warm milk or chamomile tea. The warmth of the drink will help you relax. Taking a warm shower or bath before bed can help you fall asleep quickly. This is because the warmth of the shower or bath raises your body temperature and the subsequent cooling effect of stepping out of the shower or bath lowers your body temperature, inducing drowsiness. Wake up early. Waking up early will ensure that you will have plenty of time to get ready and prepare for the day ahead. Waking up early in general can be correlated with better grades. Set your alarm clock an hour earlier than you normally do so that you do not have to rush and can have a relaxing morning routine. Using an alarm clock will help wake you up at the desired time. If you have a phone, you can set an alarm using your iPhone or Android phone. This is generally done by using the default alarm application or downloading a third-party alarm application to use. Avoid hitting the snooze button. It's an important day and you need to make sure that you are able to leave your house on time and not be late to your orientation. Get ready for the day.This is the time for you to get ready for the day with your usual morning routine. Eat breakfast. Brush your teeth. Shower, if you choose to. Get dressed with the clothes you set out the night before. Style your hair, if you choose to. Apply makeup, if applicable. Check that you have everything. Before leaving the house, check your backpack to make sure that you have all the required forms, documents, and materials for orientation. Arrive at your school. If you have a schedule, look at it to see where you need to be at the time you have arrived. You may have to wait around for a bit, depending on how early you are. Follow all directions and listen carefully in the orientation. Take notes if you feel you need to. Remember that you can socialize with friends anytime, but the information you are getting at your orientation is critical to understanding how your school works and what the expectations are for its students. Meet up with your friends. If you know that some of your friends are going to orientation at the same time as you, arrange a time and place for you and your friends to meet. This way, you'll have someone familiar by your side while you are learning about your new school. Call, text, or message your friends the night before to find out what time they are going to be at their orientation. If they are going at the same time as you, ask if they would like to meet somewhere and go through orientation together. Being with a friend can make orientation much more fun! Remember to pay attention to information being given to you, even though you are with your friends. You don't want to miss out on anything important. Request your schedule. If you do not already have your schedule for school, it is likely that you will be receiving it at orientation. Follow the instructions given to you at your orientation to obtain your schedule. Once you receive your schedule, look it over to make sure that it is correct. If the classes look incorrect, ask a nearby teacher or instructor for help. You can say, “Excuse me, would you mind helping me? It looks like I have the wrong class on my schedule.” Review your schedule carefully to see what time your classes are and what classrooms they are located in. If you are with friends, you can compare your schedule with theirs to see if you share any classes. This can be the most exciting part of receiving your schedule! Obtain your identification (ID) card. This often involves standing in a line to get your picture taken. You may or may not receive the card the same day that you get the picture taken. When it is your turn, follow the photographer's instructions. They may tell you to face your body a certain way or to tilt your head in a certain direction. This is so that the pose in the picture looks consistent with the other students' pictures and so that your posture looks nice in the photo as well. After the photo is taken, depending on how your school works, you may receive the photo ID a few minutes afterward. If that is the case, you may be directed to stand in line again to receive your ID. After you receive your school ID, be sure to store it in a safe spot in your backpack or wallet. Obtain your textbooks. If you are receiving your textbooks at orientation, follow the instructions provided to you for getting them. Your school may have a “book room” that holds all of the textbooks. You may have to wait in a long line to receive your textbooks. When it is your turn, give your name or present your schedule to the teacher or school employee working there. They will retrieve the books for you. When you receive your textbooks, store them in your backpack. Find your locker. Once you have your schedule and information about your locker, you can find where it is located and make sure that the combination provided works and that the locker opens. Look over your locker to see if there is any damage. If there is, report it to a teacher or school employee. Practice opening and closing your locker a few times so that you are familiar with it. Find your classrooms. Once you have your schedule, and you are finished with your orientation activities, walk around the school to find your classrooms. This can be a fun activity to do with your friends. Obtain a map of the school if you do not know your way around. You can ask teachers or school employees if they have any maps or where you can find one. Once you know the location of your classrooms, try walking to them in the same order as your schedule. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with the routes you will be taking to classes every day. Talk to fellow students. If you have time, ask some students what grade they are in (even if you already know) to start a conversation. This is a great way to meet and introduce yourself to new people! You can start the conversation by saying, “Hi, my name is Sarah. I'm going into 10th grade. What grade are you going into?” After you have started the conversation, you can ask what teachers they have and if they have any favorite teachers. Try talking to at least two or three different people you don't know. It's good to step out of your comfort zone and talk to new people. You never know when you will have things in common with them and make a new friend! If your friend's friends are there and you haven't met them, try talking to a couple of them and getting to know them more. This is a great way to grow your circle of friends and meet new people, and it doesn't require you to step out of your comfort zone as much. You can say, “How do you know Michael?” which should start up a conversation and lead to talking about other things.	Review all orientation materials. Discuss logistics with your parents. Establish your transportation. Pack your backpack. Set out your clothes and toiletries. Get to bed early. Wake up early. Get ready for the day.This is the time for you to get ready for the day with your usual morning routine. Check that you have everything. Arrive at your school. Meet up with your friends. Request your schedule. Obtain your identification (ID) card. Obtain your textbooks. Find your locker. Find your classrooms. Talk to fellow students.
https://www.wikihow.com/Measure-Inductance	How to Measure Inductance	To measure inductance on a voltage current slope, connect the inductor coil to a pulsed voltage source and keep the pulse below 50 percent. Then you can set up the current monitors and begin your measure. You'll need to read the peak current in amperes and the amount of time between voltage pulses in microseconds. To calculate the inductance, multiply the voltage delivered in each pulse by the length of each pulse, and divide that product by the peak	Choose a 100-ohm resistor with 1% resistance. Resistors have colored bands that can help you tell them apart. A 100-ohm resistor will have a brown, black, and brown band. The final band at the far end will also be brown to represent 1% resistance. If you have a bunch of resistors to choose from, pick one with a known resistance value. Resistors are labeled when they are new, but they can be easy to mistake once they are out of the packaging. Always test inductance using a resistor you are familiar with to ensure you get an accurate result. Connect the inductor coil in series with the resistor. In series means the current passes through the coil one after the other. Start setting up a circuit by placing the coil and resistor next to each other. Make sure they have 1 terminal touching. To finish the circuit, you will also need to touch power wires to the exposed ends of the resistor and inductor. Purchase power wires online or at a hardware store. They will usually be red and black so you can easily tell them apart. Touch the red wire to the exposed end of the resistor and the black wire to the opposite end of the inductor. If you don't already have one, consider getting a breadboard. The holes in the board help a lot with connecting the wires and components. Wire a function generator and an oscilloscope into the circuit. Take the output leads from the function generator and plug them into the oscilloscope. Then, turn on both devices to make sure they are working. Once they are both on, take the function generator's red output lead and connect it to the red power wire in your circuit. Connect the oscilloscope's black input lead to the black wire in your circuit. A function generator is a piece of electrical testing equipment that sends electrical waves through the circuit. It allows you to control the signal moving through the coil so you can accurately calculate the inductance. The oscilloscope is used to detect and display the signal voltage running through the circuit. You need it to visualize the signal you're setting up with the function generator. Run a current through the circuit with the function generator. The function generator simulates currents the inductor and resistor would receive if they were actually being used. Use the control knob on the device to start the current. Try setting the function generator to something like 100 or 50 ohms. Make sure the generator is set to sine waves so you see big, curving waves flowing steadily across the screen. Access the generator's settings to change the wave type. Function generators can make square waves, triangular waves, and other varieties that aren't useful for calculating inductance. Monitor the input voltage and resistor voltage on the screen. Look to the oscilloscope screen for a pair of sine waves. One will be controllable through the function generator. The other, smaller wave comes from where the inductor and resistor meet. Adjust the function generator's frequency so the junction voltage listed on the screen is half of the original input voltage. For example, set the generator frequency so the voltage between the peaks of both waves is listed as 1 V, which you will see on the oscilloscope. Then, change it until the voltage is 0.5 V. The junction voltage is the difference between the sine waves on the oscilloscope. You need it to be half of the signal generator's original voltage. Find the frequency of the functional generator current. This will be displayed on the oscilloscope. Check the numbers on the bottom of the readout to find one in kilohertz, or kHz. Note this number, since you will need to use it in a calculation to find the inductance. If you need to convert hertz (Hz) to kilohertz, remember that 1 kHz = 1,000 kHz. For instance, 1 Hz / 1,000 kHz = 0.001 kHz. Calculate the inductance using a mathematical formula. Use the formula L = R * sqrt(3) / (2 * pi * f). L is the inductance, so you need the resistance (R) and the frequency (f) you figured out earlier. Another option is to type your measurements into an inductance calculator, such as at https://daycounter.com/Articles/How-To-Measure-Inductance.phtml. Start by multiplying the resistance of the resistor by the square root of 3. For instance, 100 ohms x 1.73 = 173. Next, multiply 2, pi, and the frequency. For example, if the resistance was 20 kHz: 2 * 3.14 * 20 = 125.6. Finish by dividing the first number by the second number. In this case, 173 / 125.6 = 1.38 millihenries (mH). To convert millihenries into microhenries (uH), multiply by 1,000: 1.38 x 1,000 = 1378 uH. Power the LCR meter and wait for it to turn on. A basic LCR meter is very similar to a multimeter normally used to measure things like voltage and current. Most meters are handheld with a readout screen that will display 0 after you press the power button. If it doesn't display 0, press the reset button to set the meter at 0. There are also larger electronic machines that make the testing process even easier than normal. They often have room for you to plug in the inductor coil for a more accurate result. Multimeters cannot be used to measure inductance. They don't have the ability, but fortunately, inexpensive handheld LCR meters are available online. Set the LCR to measure L, or inductance. An LCR meter can take several measurements, which will be listed on the dial. L means inductance, so it is the one you need. For handheld meters, turn the dial to point to the L. If you're using an electronic device, press the buttons on the screen to set the machine to L. LCR meters have multiple settings, so make sure you're using the correct one. The C setting is for capacitance and the R is for resistance. Set the meter to 100 kHz at 1 volt. LCR meters generally offer several different test settings. The lowest inductance test is usually something like 200 uH. If you're setting a tabletop meter, 100 kHz at 1 volt is perfect for most devices. Using the wrong setting makes the test more inaccurate. Most LCR meters are meant to test at a low current, but you should still avoid making the current stronger than what the inductor coil can handle. Connect the leads to the LCR meter. The meter will have a black and red lead just like a multimeter. The red lead fits in the plug marked as positive, while the black one fits in the plug marked as negative. Touch the leads to the terminal ends of the device you are testing to begin sending a current through it. Some LCR meters have a slot where you can plug in testing objects like capacitors and coils. Fit the device's terminals into the sockets to test it. Check the display screen to figure out the inductance. LCR devices perform inductance tests almost instantaneously. You should notice the readout on the screen change right away. It will show you a number in microhenries (uH). Once you have the number, you can shut off the meter and remove the device. Connect the inductor coil to a pulsed voltage source. The easiest way to get a pulsed current is by purchasing a pulse generator. It works similar to a regular function generator and hooks up to a circuit the same way. Hook the output lead from the generator to a red power wire you will need to connect to a sense resistor. Another way to get a pulse is by building the circuit to make your own. It can damage nearby electronics, so be careful when using it. Pulse generators give you more control over the current than a custom-built circuit, so rely on a generator if you have one available. Set up the current monitors with a sense resistor and oscilloscope. You will need a current sense resistor to put into the circuit. Set it behind the inductor, making sure the terminals touch before connecting a red power wire to the opposite end. Add the oscilloscope next by connecting its black input lead to a black power wire attached to the end of the inductor. Test the monitors after wiring everything into place. If everything works, you will see movement on the oscillator screen when the pulsed current activates. A current sense resistor is a special kind of resistor that takes up a minimal amount of power. It's also called a shunt resistor and it's necessary for getting an accurate voltage reading. Set the cycle of the pulse to 50% or less. Watch the pulse as it moves across the oscilloscope screen. The high points of the wave indicate when the pulse is active. Those high points need to be about the same length as the low points. The pulse cycle is the length of one complete wave on the oscilloscope. For example, the pulse could be active 1 second, then off 1 second. The wave pattern on the display would look very consistent since the pulse is only active for half the time. Read the peak current and the amount of time between voltage pulses. Check the oscilloscope for these measurements. The peak current is the crest of the tallest wave you see on the screen and will be measured in amperes. The time between these crests will be shown in microseconds. Once you have both measurements, you can calculate the inductance. There are 1,000,000 microseconds in a second. If you need to convert to seconds, divide the microseconds by 1,000,000. Multiply the voltage and the length of the pulses. Use the formula L = V*Ton/Ipk to calculate the inductance. All of the numbers needed should be right there on the oscilloscope. V stands for the voltage delivered by the pulses, Ton stands for the time between each pulse, and lpk means the peak current you measured earlier. For example, if a pulse of 50 volts is delivered every 5 microseconds: 50 x 5 = 250 volt-microseconds. Another option is to type the numbers into a calculator, such as the one at https://daycounter.com/Articles/How-To-Measure-Inductance.phtml. Divide the product by the peak current to get the inductance. Refer to the oscilloscope readout to determine the peak current. Plug it into the formula to successfully finish the calculation! For example, 250 volt-microseconds / 5 amperes = 50 microhenries (mH). Although the math seems pretty simple, setting up the measurement is more complex than other methods. Once you have everything working, figuring out the inductance is a snap!	Choose a 100-ohm resistor with 1% resistance. Connect the inductor coil in series with the resistor. Wire a function generator and an oscilloscope into the circuit. Run a current through the circuit with the function generator. Monitor the input voltage and resistor voltage on the screen. Find the frequency of the functional generator current. Calculate the inductance using a mathematical formula. Power the LCR meter and wait for it to turn on. Set the LCR to measure L, or inductance. Set the meter to 100 kHz at 1 volt. Connect the leads to the LCR meter. Check the display screen to figure out the inductance. Connect the inductor coil to a pulsed voltage source. Set up the current monitors with a sense resistor and oscilloscope. Set the cycle of the pulse to 50% or less. Read the peak current and the amount of time between voltage pulses. Multiply the voltage and the length of the pulses. Divide the product by the peak current to get the inductance.
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Evening-Primrose	How to Grow Evening Primrose	To grow evening primroses, you'll want to plant them in a sunny area with plenty of space for them to spread out. Plant the seeds in the spring after the last frost, since primroses need warm conditions. If you want to get a head start on your primroses, plant them indoors about 10 weeks before the expected last frost. Then, transfer them to an outdoor pot or ground soil when the weather warms up. You'll need to water the seedlings every couple of days to keep the soil moist for the first few months. After that, they should survive off rain water.	Decide if evening primrose is right for you. Be sure that it's appropriate to plant evening primrose where you are. Remember that this is a plant that spreads easily, so think about your local environment and biodiversity before planting. Because evening primrose spreads so rapidly, you don't want to plant it in a place that would need a self-contained plant or one that requires much care to spread into overgrowth. Choose a mostly sunny planting location. Evening primrose grows the best in mostly sunny locations. It can survive in partial shade, but it really needs quite a lot of direct sunlight if you want to get the most out of the blooming flowers. Evening primrose will not survive in a completely shaded area, so be sure there is some direct sunlight in the planting location you choose. Try to choose locations that are south-facing or west-facing, and that are somewhat sheltered from the elements. Choose the proper soil. For evening primrose, you need to use soil that drains easily. You'll plant the seeds in the soil and add water. But the water must be able to drain out, otherwise the plant could get overwatered. The soil should have a pH balance of 5.5 to 7. Evening primrose will grow in cool, warm, hot, or arid places. Purchase some evening primrose seeds. You should be able to find evening primrose seeds at your local home improvement or garden store. They typically come in seed packets. There are also various online sources where you can buy evening primrose seeds. You can also purchase evening primrose plants if you wish to avoid planting and tending to seeds/seedlings. Sow the seed after the last frost. Depending on your climate, plan to plant the seeds in the springtime, after the weather has begun to warm up. Optimal temperatures for evening primrose growth range from 18 °C (64 °F) to 22 °C (72 °F). As primarily annual plants that bloom from spring to fall, evening primrose does not tolerate cold weather very well. Plant the seeds in an equal mixture of soil, peat moss, and sand. You can plant the seeds indoors initially to help the seedlings get a jump start. If so, plant them ten weeks before the first frost-free date in your area. Also, make sure to place the seedlings by the windows while they are indoors to ensure they still get some direct sunlight. Transfer and/or thin out the seedlings. If you began growing your seedlings indoors to protect them from the cold, you'll need to transfer them to an outdoor pot or into the ground soil once they have sprouted and grown up to a couple of inches. Plant the seedlings 6 inches (15 cm) deep and approximately 8 in (20 cm) apart. You should try to transfer as much of the original soil as possible to protect the plant's root system. Dig a hole in the new container (or in the ground soil) that will hold the entire plant, soil and all. Then you can fill in any extra space with additional soil. Water the plants regularly until they're established. Once the plants are planted outside, you'll need to water them more frequently at first. A spritz of water once every couple of days should be good, but feel free to provide additional water if the soil seems dry. However, don't over-water them -- the soil should be moist, not muddy. Once the plants are well-established, they are quite hardy and require little maintenance (other than pruning). They can withstand hot, arid temperatures and semi-drought conditions. If you live in a dry climate, add a layer of mulch around the plants to help the soil retain moisture. Add fertilizer to the plants a few times throughout the year to help them grow. Let it grow. Evening primrose "thrives on neglect," so it's fairly hard to lose it for lack of nurture. The real problem is keeping it under control, because it self-seeds so readily. Be prepared to clean up any spread regularly. You will need to do very little maintenance once the plant has acclimated to its permanent location. Prune the buds. Evening primrose plants can spread quite wildly if they are not managed. Once your plant is done flowering and the blooms have faded each season, you'll want to prune them. Just snap off the flower stems and discard them. Doing this will prevent the seeds from ripening and spreading. It will also help your plant remain strong and sturdy while it is maturing and growing. If you want your evening primrose to spread, be sure to leave the buds intact. If you mow your lawn where the plants are growing, remember to raise the height of the blade so that the buds won't be chopped off. Keep it away from other potted plants. If you have potted plants in your yard, keep them away from your evening primrose. It's all too easy for evening primrose to spread into other potted plants and begin growing there. This could be problematic because it could crowd the existing plants, or overtake their root systems in the pot.	Decide if evening primrose is right for you. Choose a mostly sunny planting location. Choose the proper soil. Purchase some evening primrose seeds. Sow the seed after the last frost. Transfer and/or thin out the seedlings. Water the plants regularly until they're established. Let it grow. Prune the buds. Keep it away from other potted plants.
https://www.wikihow.com/Plump-Raisins	How to Plump Raisins	Plumping raisins makes them softer and juicier. First place the raisins in a bowl and submerge them in hot water. Let the raisins soak for about 15 minutes. Then, drain the raisins in a strainer. For even softer raisins, add the raisins to a saucepan and submerge them in water. Bring the water to a boil, then turn the heat off. Let the raisins sit for about 15 minutes before draining the water. You can make your raisins more flavorful by soaking them in juice or even alcohol instead of water.	Combine the raisins and liquid in a saucepan. Place the raisins inside a small saucepan. Pour water into the saucepan as well, using just enough to completely cover the raisins. Water works well as a default option, but for something more flavorful, experiment with other liquids. For instance, consider trying grape juice, orange juice, or another fruit juice. For more mature palettes, consider a little diluted wine or rum. Boil the mixture. Place the saucepan on the stove over high heat. Heat it until the liquid starts to boil, then immediately remove the saucepan from the heat source. Let stand for 5 minutes. Cover the saucepan with an appropriately sized lid and set it aside in a room temperature spot. Allow the raisins to soak in the hot liquid for a full 5 minutes. Drain the raisins. Pour any excess liquid out of the pan or remove the raisins from the pan using a slotted spoon. Regardless of how you accomplish it, you simply need to remove the plumped raisins from the liquid. You could drain the liquid by pouring the contents of the pan through a small colander. Alternatively, place the lid on the pan, leaving a 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) gap between the pan and the lid on one side. Pour the liquid out through this gap, carefully preventing the raisins from slipping through. If you need the raisins to be somewhat dry after you plump them up, spread them out onto a couple layers of clean paper towels. The paper towels should absorb some of the excess liquid. Use as desired. The raisins should be plump and ready to enjoy at this point. Arrange the raisins in a microwave-safe dish. Place the raisins in a microwave-safe plate or bowl, spreading them out so that they lie flat in a single layer. The raisins need to be in a single layer instead of being stacked on top of each other. Keeping the raisins in a single layer will ensure that they absorb the water more evenly during the heating process. Sprinkle the raisins with water. For every 1 cup (250 ml) of raisins used, pour 1 Tbsp (15 ml) of water over the dried fruit. Spread the water out as evenly as possible. Microwave for 30 to 60 seconds. Cover the dish and microwave the raisins on high until the raisins appear to absorb the water. If the container has its own lid, verify that it is also microwave-safe before using it. For any dish that does not have its own microwave-safe lid, consider covering the container loosely with plastic wrap or a paper towel. Keep the dish slightly vented on one side to prevent pressure from building up inside. Note that the liquid will not be completely absorbed when you pull the dish out of the microwave. The raisins should begin to look plump, but the rest of the absorption will occur upon standing. Let stand. Stir the heated raisins and replace the cover. Let them stand out at room temperature for 2 to 3 minutes after that. If you would prefer the raisins to be somewhat dry, pat them gently with paper towels after they have had a chance to absorb the liquid and cool down. Use the raisins. By the time you reach this step, the raisins should be somewhat plumper and ready to enjoy on their own or use in other recipes. Boil water. Fill a tea kettle with 1 cup (250 ml) or so of water and set it on your stove. Heat it on high until the water begins to boil. Water is the most common option used with this method, but you can experiment with other liquids for a more flavorful alternative. Grape juice enhances the raisins with their natural flavor, but other fruit juices, like orange juice or apple juice, can add greater depth and complexity. Alcohol, like wine or rum, could also be used. Instead of a traditional kettle, you could heat the water with an electric kettle or small saucepan, if preferred. Combine the raisins and boiling water. Place the raisins in a small bowl and pour the boiling water on top, making sure that the dried fruit remains fully submerged. Steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Keep the raisins in the hot water for as long as possible, or until they reach the level of plumpness you desire. Drain. Remove the raisins using a slotted spoon or pour them through a small colander to separate them from the liquid. It might be a wise idea to drain the excess liquid from the surface of the raisins by spreading them out onto clean paper towels. Gently pat them dry with additional paper towels to dry them even more thoroughly, if desired. Enjoy or use as desired. The raisins should be plump, juicy, and soft at this point. You can eat them like this or use them in a recipe that would benefit from plumped raisins. Combine equal parts water and alcohol. Pour 1/4 cup (60 ml) water into a bowl, followed by 1/4 cup (60 ml) wine or your alcohol of choice. Mix together gently until combined. Even though this method is labeled as a "cold soak," the water and alcohol should actually be at room temperature. Do not chill them before use. This method is referred to as a “cold soak” simply because no heat is used. Note that you must use some form of alcohol for this method if you want it to be as effective as possible. Wine is not the only alcoholic option you could use, though. For something a little less sweet, consider using rum, instead. Add the raisins. Pour the raisins into the bowl with the diluted alcohol, making sure that they are completely submerged in the liquid. Soak for 30 minutes. Allow the raisins to soak in the mixture for a full 30 minutes without disruption. Make sure that the raisins are soaking the mixture at room temperature. Do not chill them or heat them during this time. Drain. Remove the raisins from the alcohol using a slotted spoon. They should be notably plumper by this point. Squeeze them gently with your fingers to remove any excess liquid, if desired. If you don't have a slotted spoon handy, you could pour the contents of the dish through a small colander, instead. Discard the liquid and reserve the raisins. Consider draining the excess surface moisture off the raisins by blotting them with clean paper towels or allowing them to sit out on clean paper towels for a few minutes. Eat or use as desired. The raisins should be much plumper than before. You can eat them as they are or use them in other dishes.	Combine the raisins and liquid in a saucepan. Boil the mixture. Let stand for 5 minutes. Drain the raisins. Use as desired. Arrange the raisins in a microwave-safe dish. Sprinkle the raisins with water. Microwave for 30 to 60 seconds. Let stand. Use the raisins. Boil water. Combine the raisins and boiling water. Steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Drain. Enjoy or use as desired. Combine equal parts water and alcohol. Add the raisins. Soak for 30 minutes. Drain. Eat or use as desired.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Cheerleading-Hair-Bow	How to Make a Cheerleading Hair Bow	To make a cheerleading hair bow, start by cutting 3 different colored pieces of ribbon that are each 1 and a half feet long. Then, use a hot glue gun to connect the long edges of the pieces of ribbon so you have 1 long ribbon with 3 different colors. Next, create a loop with the ribbon so the ends are crossing each other and press the loop flat to make the 2 ears of the bow. Once you've done that, wrap a twist tie around the center of the bow to hold it in place. Finally, glue a hair tie to the back of the bow.	Grab a few different colors of ribbon. If you are using 2 different colors, cut them both to 1 1/2 feet (.45 m) long, but cut two sections of one. If you are using 3 different ribbons, cut them all to be 1 ⁄ 2 feet (0.5 m) long. Also cut a 3 inch (7.6 cm) piece of any of the ribbons for the middle of your finished hair bow. Don't worry about cutting your ends yet; we'll do that near the end. Using the glue gun, draw a line on the edge of the first ribbon piece. Do it as fast as possible so it doesn't dry. If you can, have someone else helping you -- four hands work faster than two. You probably don't want to get the glue on your carpet or nice counter top. Set down some newspapers or use a surface you're not worried messing up. Carefully place the second ribbon piece onto the wet glue. Press down cautiously and wait to dry. Try to get it as straight as possible -- you want each color to be displayed equally. If you have only two colors, be sure to have the odd color out in the middle. Draw another line of glue on the second ribbon piece. Do it fast! Pin down the ends of the first ribbon if you're worried about it moving. Carefully place the third ribbon piece onto the wet glue. Be careful while you press down as to not burn yourself. You should now have a tri-toned piece of ribbon, in all your school's colors (or whatever colors you want). Now the ribbon is complete and you can move onto forming the bow! Fold/form the ribbon into the cancer awareness symbol. Make sure there are no unnecessary twists in the ribbon. Smush the top loop back and down to form the two ears of the bow. Pinch the middle with your thumb and forefinger and squish it all together. You're not creating an actual tie and bow, it just looks like it. Now use the twist tie to keep it in place. Don't worry about the extra length of the twist tie; it'll be done away with later. Squirt a giant glob of glue on the back of the twist tie. This will be used to secure the hair tie to the ribbon piece. Try not to use too much -- you don't want to get yourself gloopy. The technical term! Put the hair tie into the glue. Hold it there for about 15 seconds. The longer, the better. Hot glue is generally permanent, so don't worry about your ribbon coming off. Secure the twist tie around the hair tie. Make sure the hair tie is under the ribbon to secure it in place. If the twist tie is still too long, cut off the excess. Cut a triangle out of the bottom of the tails to keep edges from fraying. Optional: You can remove the twist tie once the glue has dried or keep it there for extra strength. And, if you so choose, you can take that 3 inches (7.6 cm) of ribbon you cut out earlier and glue gun it over the twist tie to obscure it from view. Finished.	Grab a few different colors of ribbon. Using the glue gun, draw a line on the edge of the first ribbon piece. Carefully place the second ribbon piece onto the wet glue. Draw another line of glue on the second ribbon piece. Carefully place the third ribbon piece onto the wet glue. Fold/form the ribbon into the cancer awareness symbol. Smush the top loop back and down to form the two ears of the bow. Now use the twist tie to keep it in place. Squirt a giant glob of glue on the back of the twist tie. Put the hair tie into the glue. Secure the twist tie around the hair tie. Cut a triangle out of the bottom of the tails to keep edges from fraying. Finished.
https://www.wikihow.com/Pick-a-Cockatiel	How to Pick a Cockatiel	To pick a cockatiel, start by going to a reputable pet store or breeder and asking to see birds that are about 12 weeks old and fully weaned. They'll be the easiest to train. Then, look for a bird that's upright and active in its cage, because lively birds are typically healthy birds. Additionally, find a bird whose feathers are thick, glossy, and smooth, since feathers with bald spots or ragged edges can be a sign of illness. Finally, inspect the cockatiel's eyes to see that they're clear and bright, and its beak, which should be smooth and without discharge.	Contact an avian veterinarian or local bird club for solid references. Avian vets and local bird clubs can often tell you about the best bird breeders and pet shops in your area. Run an online search to get their contact information, then get in touch by calling or emailing them. Try using search terms like "avian vets in Austin" or "local birds clubs + your zip code" to find good reference sources. You can also get in touch with the National Cockatiel Society for helpful information by visiting https://www.ncscockatiels.org/. Research local pet shops and breeders to do your own investigating. Start by running an internet search on the pet shops and bird breeders in your area. Look for sellers with professional looking websites featuring clear images of the birds and shop interior. Check that the shop interior looks clean and well-lit. For example, you could use search terms like, "best bird breeders in Boston" or "cockatiel sellers in Fresno." Check out customer reviews to get more insight about the seller you're researching. Make sure the shop looks clean and the birds are well-groomed. Once you've chosen a location, visit the site in person. Take a look around the shop to see if everything is clean and tidy. Do the birds look happy and well-groomed? Are the cages brightly lit and well-maintained? Do the birds have plenty of room to move around? If the bird cages are dirty or cramped, or if there's a bad odor coming from the cages, look elsewhere for your new pet. If the birds themselves look ragged or have bald spots, try a different shop. Examine the droppings at the bottom of the bird cages. If they look discolored or runny, it could be a sign that the birds are sick. Cockatiels kept in overcrowded and dirty conditions are more susceptible to disease. Gauge how knowledgeable the shop owner is by asking questions. Find out what the birds are being fed and inquire about worming and other health issues. Ask about the ages and temperaments of the available birds. Solid, knowledgeable breeders and shop owners should be able to give you some information about each cockatiel's temperament. Find out if the pet shop isolates their baby cockatiels from the public. This is important because babies have extremely weak immune systems. Ask specific questions like, "What brand of pellets do you feed the birds? Have you introduced them to a variety of foods? Have the young birds been socialized? Which ones have the friendliest temperament?" Avoid purchasing cockatiels from a bird mart or bird fair. Cockatiels sold at crowded bird marts and bird fairs are exposed to many other birds every week. Cockatiels in these environments are often weak, sick, or diseased. It's not unusual for them to die a week or 2 after bringing them home. Stick to reputable pet shops and bird breeders to find the healthiest, strongest pet cockatiel. Get a fully weaned young bird that's about 12 weeks old. Cockatiels are usually weaned by the time they're 10 weeks old, but they need a week or 2 to adjust after that happens. Weaned cockatiels are easiest to train when they're about 12 weeks old. If you hear a young cockatiel making a screeching sound and you don't see it eating on its own, it probably isn't fully weaned. Ask the breeder or shop owner if the bird eats and drinks independently. Choose a young bird that has been hand-fed and socialized. Birds that have been hand-fed are usually the best options because they'll be quite tame already and they won't be afraid of humans. Ask the breeder how the birds are fed and if they've been socialized yet. Avoid parent-fed cockatiels that haven't been socialized. These birds will probably be afraid of people and you'll have to tame the bird yourself, which isn't easy. Confirm that the young birds weren't subject to inbreeding. Unfortunately, inbreeding can be an issue with cockatiels. Ask the shop owner or breeder about the bird's parents. Cockatiels that have been inbred are very likely to have genetic weaknesses and physical problems. Look for feathers that are thick, glossy, and smooth. Be sure to check under the bird's wings and the belly, too. Keep an eye out for bald patches, which indicate poor nutrition or sickness. Feathers with ragged edges are not a good sign. If the tips of the feathers look ragged and blackened, the cockatiel is either stressed or sick. The feathers should look clean and unstained by droppings. Look under the tail at the bird's vent area, too. Check for bright eyes and a smooth beak. Inspect the bird's tiny eyes and make sure there's no redness or discharge. The eyes will be almost black and should look bright and clear. Check the nose for discharge and blockages. Confirm that the beak has a smooth surface without growths or rough spots. Look closely and make sure the beak opens and closes evenly. Avoid birds with red, puffy eyes. The bird's face should not look sticky in any way. Choose a cockatiel that is alert and upright. Find a bird that is moving around actively and looks lively. Do not pick a bird that looks lazy or sleepy. Avoid birds that are sleeping on the bottom of the cage or in a corner. These are red flags that the bird is sick. Avoid birds that look puffed up and have their eyes closed. Check that the bird is steady—trembling is not a good sign. Some young birds tremble when they're nervous, but usually trembling indicates some kind of illness. Ask for a list of vaccinations and request a written receipt. The store owner should be able to provide you with a list of recent vaccinations against things like the polyomavirus, or they should give you health records of some kind for your chosen bird. It's also a good idea to find out if there's a return policy and get the related details. Obtain a written receipt for your purchase, just in case. Some shops may provide you with a 2-week guarantee of the bird's health, or some other form of health guarantee. Ask the owner or breeder for more information Go with the classic, gray-feathered cockatiel for the most affordable option. The classic cockatiel has mostly gray feathers on its body, with patches of white here and there. It also has a vibrant yellow crest on its head and tiny orange patches on its cheeks. These are typically the most affordable options, whereas some of the rarer cockatiels with color mutations will be more expensive. Classic gray cockatiels are usually the hardiest and most healthy options! Go for a Lutino if you want a white or yellow cockatiel. Lutinos retain the classic orange patches on the cheeks, but its feathers are all white with a slightly yellowish cast. Lutinos have black eyes, just like the classic gray varieties. Lutinos are often born with a genetic bald spot that they'll retain their whole lives. Lutinos are known to experience night fright and may be prone to fatty liver syndrome. Get an albino cockatiel for a unique-looking bird. Albino cockatiels are covered in completely white feathers and have red eyes. They look really neat, but keep in mind that albinos tend to be a little weaker than the classic gray cockatiels, so your bird may be more susceptible to illness and early death. If you get multiple albino birds, don't breed 2 albinos together. The resulting babies will be born weak and they won't be hardy or healthy pets. Get a Cinnamon variety for a brownish-red bird. Cinnamon cockatiels are very similar to the classic grays, but instead of having mostly gray feathers, Cinnamons have pretty, brownish-red feathers. All of the other physical characteristics are the same as the classic grays, including the yellow crest, black eyes, and orange cheeks. Go with a Whiteface variety if you want a totally white bird. Whiteface cockatiels don't have the characteristic yellow crests or orange patches on their cheeks. They also don't have the yellowish cast of the Lutino variety. Instead, they are completely white all over their body. The eyes are black like the classic grays.	Contact an avian veterinarian or local bird club for solid references. Research local pet shops and breeders to do your own investigating. Make sure the shop looks clean and the birds are well-groomed. Gauge how knowledgeable the shop owner is by asking questions. Avoid purchasing cockatiels from a bird mart or bird fair. Get a fully weaned young bird that's about 12 weeks old. Choose a young bird that has been hand-fed and socialized. Confirm that the young birds weren't subject to inbreeding. Look for feathers that are thick, glossy, and smooth. Check for bright eyes and a smooth beak. Choose a cockatiel that is alert and upright. Ask for a list of vaccinations and request a written receipt. Go with the classic, gray-feathered cockatiel for the most affordable option. Go for a Lutino if you want a white or yellow cockatiel. Get an albino cockatiel for a unique-looking bird. Get a Cinnamon variety for a brownish-red bird. Go with a Whiteface variety if you want a totally white bird.
https://www.wikihow.com/Form-a-Good-Habit	How to Form a Good Habit	It can be hard to form a good habit, but if you're persistent, you can do it. Set your goal, then break that down into smaller goals that can help you stay on track. For instance, if your goal is to drink 8 glasses of water a day, you might set a goal that for the first week, you'll drink 3 glasses of water every day, then add another glass each week until you reach your goal. Be persistent, and give yourself time, since getting into a habit can take weeks or even months.	Set your goal. Before you can begin to work on your new habit, it is worthwhile to consider your goal. Figure out exactly what you hope to accomplish. Make sure that your goal is specific, measurable, action oriented, realistic, and time bound (SMART) to increase your chances of success. Consider what you want to achieve and get as detailed as you can. Here are some questions to help. Specific means that the goal is targeted rather than broad and/or vague. What exactly do you want to achieve and why? Measurable means that the goal can be quantified (measured with numbers). What numbers are associated with your goal? How can it be measured using numbers? Action Oriented means that the goal is something that you can actively work towards and control. What specific activities are required for you to meet your goal? How often must you perform these activities? Realistic means that the goal is something you can actually achieve with the resources available to you. Is your goal something that you have the power and resources to achieve? Why or why not? Time Bound means that the goal has a beginning and ending or a deadline that you will hold yourself to. When will you start working towards the goal? When do you need to accomplish the goal by? What will happen if you succeed? What will happen if you fail? Identify the habit you want to form. Having good habits that are in line with the goals you want to achieve can improve your chances of attaining your goals. After you have set your goal and worked out all of the specifics of achieving that goal, identify a habit that is part of achieving that goal. Consider your goal and ask yourself, what good habit would help me accomplish this goal? For example, if your goal is to lose 10 pounds in 6 weeks, you might decide that you want to get into the habit of taking a walk every night at 7:00pm. Consider your motivation. Once you have identified your goal and the new habit you need to form to accomplish this goal, take some time to consider your motivation. Your motivation is the reason you want to form this new habit. Good motivation can be the difference between succeeding and failing at forming a new habit, so take your time to consider your motivation. Ask yourself: What are the potential benefits of forming this new habit? How will the new habit improve my life? Write down your motivation so that you can return to it whenever you need a boost. Start small. Even if the new habit that you want to form is something big, start by making a small change to increase your chances of success. If you make changes that are too drastic, you may not be able to keep up with them. For example, if you want to stop eating fried, fatty, and sugary foods, you might struggle to give them up all at once. Instead, you might find it easier to start by eliminating one category at a time. Give yourself time. Forming a new habit can take a long time. Some people can form a new habit in as little as a few weeks, while other people will take several months. As you work to form your new habit, just keep in mind that it may be a while before it is automatic. Try to be patient with yourself as you form your new habit. Expect obstacles. In the process of forming a new habit, you are bound to face some obstacles along the way. Understanding that you will face obstacles may help you to overcome them and keep working towards your new habit. It is also good to remember that even if you stumble along the way, that does not mean that you will fail. For example, if you fail to take your daily walk one day, don't get discouraged. Just acknowledge that you had a bad day and take your walk the following day. Create a cue. Having a cue can help remind you to perform the new behavior every day. Your best bet is to make your cue something that is already a part of your daily routine, such as taking your morning shower or making coffee. For example, if you want to develop the habit of flossing your teeth every time you brush, make brushing your teeth your cue to floss. Follow up brushing with flossing and over time this behavior should become automatic. If you can't think of a cue that will work with your desired new habit, try setting a daily alarm on your phone to remind you that it is time to perform the behavior. Change your environment. You can increase your chances of achieving your goals by making changes to your environment. Try to think of ways that you can alter your environment so that you will find it easier to perform your new habit. What environmental changes would help you to perform your good habit each day? For example, if you want to form the habit of going to the gym every morning before work, you can set yourself up for success by laying out your gym clothes the night before and putting your gym bag by the door. Become more mindful. Part of the reason why some people have trouble forming new good habits is because they are on autopilot and not thinking about the things they are doing. But by becoming more aware of your behavior, you may find it easier to form a new good habit. Ask yourself questions about the mindless behavior that prevents you from performing your good habit. For example, if you want to form the habit of going to the gym every morning, think about what stops you. What is your usual morning routine? How do you spend your time when you do not go to the gym? Why do you spend your time this way? How does it make you feel? The next time you catch yourself going into autopilot and falling back into bad habits, question your behavior and feelings to help yourself break out of the mindless cycle. Tell people. You can help to hold yourself accountable to performing your new habit by sharing your goal with others. Consider getting a friend to help keep you on track with sticking to your new habit. Maybe one of your friends is hoping to form a good habit of their own and you can return the favor. Make sure that the friend(s) you enlist to help you with your new habit will have some way of holding you accountable. For example, you could give your friend some money and tell them not to give it back to you until you have performed your good habit X number of times. Track your progress. Keeping track of your progress towards developing your habit can help you to stay motivated and strategize when things don't go as planned. Use a journal or an app on your phone to help you keep track of how often you perform your good habit. You might even consider sharing your progress on your social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, etc.). Making your progress public can help you to stay motivated to continue working on your good habit. Reward yourself for engaging in your good habit. You can help yourself stay motivated to continue working on your good habit by rewarding yourself. Choose a reward to give yourself once you have hit a goal. Simple things like rewarding yourself with a new outfit after you lose 10 pounds can make a big difference in your motivation to stick with your goals. Make sure that you choose rewards that are healthy and that you can afford to provide yourself. When you accomplish a goal, make sure that you give yourself the reward soon after. Raise your awareness. Bad habits can be hard to break because they have become ingrained and automatic. To overcome a bad habit, the first thing that you need to do is become more aware of the habit. You can raise your awareness of the bad habit by keeping a log of every time that you indulge in the bad habit. For example, if your bad habit is snacking between meals, write a check mark on an index card every time that you notice yourself snacking between meals. Do this for a week to see how often you engage in this habit. Being aware means just to 'watch' your actions and patterns that come out of a bad habit and not beating yourself over it. It is researched fact that you are more likely to make the same mistake or follow the same pattern again if you beat yourself over it. These patterns and bad habits will dissolve if you just become aware of them. Take steps to counteract the bad habit. Once you have become more aware of the habit, begin taking steps to counteract it. Try to distract yourself so that you do not engage in the bad habit. Make sure that you continue to record the instances of your desire to engage in the bad habit as well as the times that you resist the bad habit. For example, if you catch yourself reaching for a snack between meals, pour yourself a cup of water or go for a short walk instead. Reward yourself for resisting your bad habit. It is crucial to reward yourself for resisting the urge to engage in bad habits. The reward helps to motivate you to continue to resist the bad habit. Make sure that your reward is not to engage in the bad habit, but to do something else that is pleasurable. For example, if you manage to resist your urge to snack between meals for a full week, reward yourself with a new book or a trip to the salon.	Set your goal. Identify the habit you want to form. Consider your motivation. Start small. Give yourself time. Expect obstacles. Create a cue. Change your environment. Become more mindful. Tell people. Track your progress. Reward yourself for engaging in your good habit. Raise your awareness. Take steps to counteract the bad habit. Reward yourself for resisting your bad habit.
https://www.wikihow.com/Win-at-Tug-of-War	How to Win at Tug of War	To win at Tug of War, place an experienced team member with good lower body strength at the front of your group. Then, put your heaviest teammate or your teammate with the most endurance at the back of the group to serve as the anchor. Once the game starts, squat and lean back so your heels dig into the ground, which will help hold your team in place. Also, as the game progresses, take small steps back as a team. When the other team seems like they're getting tired, start taking larger steps back.	Gather 8 people of varying sizes and strength levels. The great thing about tug of war is that you can learn how to win as a team, even if you don't have the strongest people on your side! For organized leagues, you might also want to recruit 1-2 extra people as alternates in case someone gets hurt or has to miss a match. If you're planning to play in a league, make sure the combined weight of the people on your team is less than the stated rules, which can vary depending on the age group. Place a more experienced team member at the front to lead the tug. This person will act as the “leader” of the group. Choose someone who is a medium height for the team and has played tug of war before. This person should be able to keep a good grip on the rope while in a squatting position and have a lot of lower body strength to keep the front of the line from becoming too strained. It might be helpful to have the teammates stand from tallest to shortest and then pick one of the people close to the middle to be the lead tugger. Stagger the middle teammates based on their skills to encourage teamwork. Position a less experienced member in between 2 more experienced members of the team so they can communicate throughout the game. That way, the knowledgeable teammates can set the pace of the tug and less experienced teammates can work on building up endurance and strength. Talking and communicating throughout the game can be helpful for some members, but remember not to give away your strategy to the other team! Position someone with good endurance at the back of the team. Choose someone with good lower body strength and put them at the end of the rope so they can “anchor” the team. Make sure they're strong enough to continually pull the team back while maintaining a tight grip on the rope. In general, the anchor normally wraps the rope around their back and keeps the team moving backward. Normally, the anchor will set the pace for the tugging by taking a step back every 3-4 seconds. If the rest of the team can't keep up, it's up to the anchor to keep their grip and slow down so the rest of the team can reposition themselves. Grip the rope firmly with your palms up and hands positioned close together. Stand on the left side of the rope and pick up the rope with your right hand. Cradle the rope with your palm up, and place your left hand either right in front or right behind your right hand. Close your fist around the rope so that your thumbs are facing upward. Some sources recommend dusting your hands with chalk to help you grip the rope. This works well for some people, but you can still win without it! Squat and lean back to dig your heels into the ground when the whistle blows. When you line up for the game, position your feet so that they're about shoulder-width apart, and squat down so your knees are bent slightly. When the game begins, lean back at a 45-degree angle with your back straight to dig your heels into the ground and hold yourself in place. Don't pull or tug on the rope just yet, and instead let your weight do the work for you! If you bend your back or knees too much, you can cause unnecessary muscle strain, which can harm your endurance. Take small steps backward as a team, digging in with your heels. Before the match, talk to your teammates and plan to take a step back every 3-4 seconds, starting with your left foot. When the game starts, carefully lift and plant your left heel about 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) behind where it began. Then, repeat this with the right heel to slowly move backward, moving the other team. If you can, try taking larger steps as the opposing team begins to get tired. You shouldn't be pulling or tugging on the rope. Instead, just hold it tightly and keep it close to your body as you move back. You can talk to the player in front of you and listen to the player behind you throughout the game. However, avoid saying things like “pull” or “move back” during the game, as the other team might hear you and have time to get into a better position. Keep your left leg straight and push off of it as you move back to counterattack. If you're losing your footing, try turning your body toward the rope on your right side to set up a counterattack move. Dig your left foot into the ground horizontally to slow any forward movement, and push off of it to propel your body backward. Shuffle your feet back 1 inch (2.5 cm) at a time as you push yourself backward. If you can't pull back, just try to stay in place until the other team gets too tired to keep pulling. Then, it might be easier to start moving again.	Gather 8 people of varying sizes and strength levels. Place a more experienced team member at the front to lead the tug. Stagger the middle teammates based on their skills to encourage teamwork. Position someone with good endurance at the back of the team. Grip the rope firmly with your palms up and hands positioned close together. Squat and lean back to dig your heels into the ground when the whistle blows. Take small steps backward as a team, digging in with your heels. Keep your left leg straight and push off of it as you move back to counterattack.
https://www.wikihow.com/Plant-and-Care-for-a-Ranunculus	How to Plant and Care for a Ranunculus	Ranunculus grows from tubers or seeds, and all you need to care for these plants are plenty of sunlight, well-draining soil, and plant feed. Choose a sunny place to plant your ranunculus, as this plant thrives in warm climates. If you live in a location with heavy frosts, store the bulbs inside during the winter to protect them. Make sure that you plant the ranunculus in well-draining soil to keep the roots free from rot. To help your ranunculus thrive, give it plant feed every 2 weeks or so during spring through summer, which is the active growing season. Begin giving the plant a water-soluble feed as soon as the first bulbs appear. Water your ranunculus every 10 to 14 days after planting and then every 7 days when the first leaves appear. You don't need to water your ranunculus when it's dormant during fall.	Pick out a spot for your ranunculus based on your climate. Ranunculus plants prefer a sunny location but if you are in an especially hot climate they will tolerate some shade. Ranunculus tend not to tolerate heavy frost so if you are planting them in cooler climates it is recommended to store the tubers, which are also know as bulbs, inside for the winter. Storing ranunculus tubers will be covered in Step 6 of Method 2 further down in the article. Find a spot to plant your ranunculus where the soil drains well. Aside from planting your ranunculus in the sun, you should also keep the soil in mind when choosing a spot for your plant. Ranunculus grow well in well-drained soil and prefer rich, sandy ground. Avoid planting your ranunculus in areas where puddles remain long after rainfall, or if you know your soil is heavy clay. You can determine if your soil is predominantly clay by squeezing a handful of moist soil in your palm. If it clumps together, you likely have a clay-heavy soil. You can improve soil drainage by mixing your soil with a generous amount of substances such as plant fibers (bark or grass clippings) or well-rotted manure. These 'soil extras' will help your ranunculus to grow. Plant your ranunculus from tubers (aka bulbs) if possible. Tubers, or bulbs, are generally the preferred way to grow ranunculus. A tuber is similar to a root; ranunculus tubers look like spiders, claws, or bunches of bananas. Their odd appearance is helpful when it comes to planting. Plant the tuber with the pointed 'claw' end or 'spider's legs' facing downwards. To plant your tubers: You should plant smaller varieties so that they are about 2 inches (5.1 cm) deep and 5 inches (12.7 cm) apart from other tubers. Plant larger varieties, such as Ranunculus Tecolote, up to 12 inches (30.5 cm) apart. You don't need to soak them before planting. It's best to plant in batches of up to a dozen for maximum effect. Plant as soon as the last frosts have ended, usually in the spring. Water the tubers and the ground around them after you have planted them. Watering them will help to settle the soil. Do not water until sprouts emerge. Be aware that you can generally tell how many flowers you will get by looking at the bulb or tuber. The size of the bulb will help indicate the number of flowers it will produce. 'Jumbos' are the largest at around 3 inches (7.6 cm) diameter and will produce 30-40 flowers. Smaller tubers of around 2 inches (5.1 cm) diameter can produce a dozen or so. Try growing ranunculus from seed if you cannot purchase tubers. Ranunculus can also be grown from seed. It's best to sow the seeds indoors in September as ranunculus seeds prefer a cool temperature. To plant ranunculus seeds: Sow, or place, the seeds into pre-moistened compost that's lightweight and suitable for seed sowing. Do not cover the seeds with soil. Keep the soil moist and out of direct sunlight. Maintain the seeds at a temperature of around 70 °F (21 °C) and a little cooler at night. The seeds should germinate, or grow into small plants, in around two to three weeks. Wait until the young plants have around half a dozen leaves before transplanting them into larger pots. Protect these young plants from frost and transfer them into outdoor soil in the following spring if so desired. Consider planting your ranunculus in a container. To plant ranunculus tubers in pots, fill the container about three quarters full of soil. Place the tubers so that they are around 10 inches (25.4 cm) apart from each other and fill the container with soil so that the tubers are covered in about two inches of soil. Water the tubers to settle the soil. Remember container plants tend to dry out more easily than plants in the ground, so be mindful of watering over the growing season. Watering will be covered in Step 2 of Method 2. Keep in mind that ranunculus plants tend to make a large root system, so don't crowd them too much in containers. Keep animals away from the ranunculus, as the flowers are poisonous. All ranunculus plants are poisonous to livestock, and can also be harmful to pets and people. The plants have an unpleasant taste and cause blisters to form in the mouth. This generally means animals avoid eating them unless no other plants are available, which is good if you have deer in your area, but bad if you have pets. Consider planting the ranunculus in an area where your pets and livestock can't reach them, such as a fenced off garden or in a pot (which is covered in Step 6, the previous step, of this section). Feed your plants with ‘plant feed’ every 14 or so days. During the active growing season, which is generally spring through summer, try to support your plants by feeding them every fortnight (which is every 14 days). Start doing this as soon as the first buds appear on the plant. A general water-soluble plant feed or one that your rake into the soil is fine. This encourages the plant to produce flowers. You can purchase plant feed at your local gardening supply store. Water your ranunculus. You should make a point to water your tubers just after planting, as mentioned above. Continue to water your new plants once every 10 to 14 days. When the first foliage, or leaves, appear on your plants, you should try to water them once a week. Continue watering your plants once a week until fall comes around. In the fall, the ranunculus will die back, or go dormant, and will not need to be watered. Dormancy is covered more thoroughly in Step 5 of this section. Defend your ranunculus against pests. Sadly, ranunculus can fall prey to pests like slugs and aphids. Luckily, there are measures you can take to make sure that these pests stay away. Combat slugs with slug pellets, which are sprinkled around your ranunculus. You can purchase these pellets at a garden supply store. A standard aphid spray or insecticidal soap should be applied if aphid attack occurs. Remove withered flowerheads with sharp garden scissors. As with many flowering plants, it's advisable to remove spent flowerheads once they wither (when they dry up and die). This not only makes the plant look tidier, it also encourages other flowers to form and reduces the amount of energy the plant spends on seed formation, which helps preserve its strength. Use a sharp pair of scissors to snip off the dead heads as soon as they begin to look scruffy. Try to cut the flower at the base of the stem, which is located in amongst the foliage, or leaves. Allow your plant to ‘die back’ in the winter. Once the flowering season ends in fall, allow the foliage to die back. Dying back means that the plant becomes dormant until the next flowering season. To encourage the plant to regrow the next season: Refrain from cutting the dead growth away before the first frost. You don't need to water the plant while it is dormant; in fact, these plants do better if they are not watered while they are dormant in the winter. Store the ranunculus inside during the winter if you live in a climate that gets heavy frost. Ranunculus will tolerate a light frost if left in the ground through a fairly mild winter. If your local climate regularly experiences heavy frost then dig up the tubers and store them in a cool dark place such as a garden shed for the winter. Try to avoid bringing them into a heated space like your home as they tend to rot under these conditions. Understand that many gardeners view ranunculus as annuals. Because of the difficulty establishing ranunculus as perennials (plants which flower year after year), many gardeners just treat them as annuals (plants which flower only one year). However, if you are determined to see yours bloom again, dig up your tubers for the winter, as described in the previous step. Preserve blooms that you cut. Ranunculus make a beautiful cut flower that generally remains healthy for awhile after being cut if measures are taken to preserve the cut. To preserve the life of cut ranunculus flowers, cut them early in the morning just as the buds are starting to open. A good clean cut using a sharp blade will help make the cut clean. Snip the stem at the base of the plant just about the crown and within the foliage. This avoids leaving exposed cut stems.	Pick out a spot for your ranunculus based on your climate. Find a spot to plant your ranunculus where the soil drains well. Plant your ranunculus from tubers (aka bulbs) if possible. Be aware that you can generally tell how many flowers you will get by looking at the bulb or tuber. Try growing ranunculus from seed if you cannot purchase tubers. Consider planting your ranunculus in a container. Keep animals away from the ranunculus, as the flowers are poisonous. Feed your plants with ‘plant feed’ every 14 or so days. Water your ranunculus. Defend your ranunculus against pests. Remove withered flowerheads with sharp garden scissors. Allow your plant to ‘die back’ in the winter. Store the ranunculus inside during the winter if you live in a climate that gets heavy frost. Understand that many gardeners view ranunculus as annuals. Preserve blooms that you cut.
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Cat-with-a-Broken-Claw	How to Treat a Cat with a Broken Claw	To treat a cat with a broken claw, start by wrapping your cat up snugly in a blanket or towel so you can safely examine its claw. Then, hold a clean paper towel on the claw until the bleeding stops, which should take about 5 minutes. Or, if it won't stop bleeding, press cornstarch or flour into the end of the claw, or rub a bar of across it a few times. If the bleeding still won't stop, or if there's swelling, redness, heat, or pus, take your cat to a vet for treatment.	Wrap the cat up in a towel. You're going to need to examine the cat's paw a bit, so you'll need to make sure it can't bite or scratch you. The best way is to have someone help you. Contain the cat by wrapping it securely in a towel or blanket. Hug it so it has trouble moving, and then examine the paw. Leave its head out so it has space to breathe. You may think your cat would never bite you, but animals who wouldn't normally bite may lash out when in pain. Hold a paper towel on the nail. If the nail is bleeding, you need to stop the bleeding. You can simply hold a clean cloth on the nail for about 5 minutes until the bleeding stops. Try a styptic pencil. If the cut won't stop bleeding, you can use a styptic pencil instead. Rub it across the cut to help stop the bleeding. You can also use styptic powder or cauterizing powder. If you can't don't have those options available to you, try using cornstarch or flour pressed gently into the end of the nail. You can also try running a bar of soap across the nail a few times to pack the wound. Look for signs of infection. The claw may be doing more than bleeding. It may also have discharge, such as pus. If it does, it most likely has an infection, and it will definitely need to be treated by a vet. Also check for limping, heat, swelling, or redness, which indicate infection as well. If you suspect an infection at all, take the cat to the vet. The claw is connected to the bone, and infection in the claw could spread to the bone. Cut the nail if possible. If the claw isn't infected, you may be able to trim it at home. If you examine the claw, you may notice part of it that you can trim away easily. You can try to treat it, but you may still need to take the cat to the vet. Place a bandage on it. Once the claw stops bleeding, you may need to apply a bandage. The best way to bandage it is to apply a sterile gauze pad to the claw. You can wrap a layer of cotton gauze around next for padding. For the final layer, use a layer of elastic bandages that stick to themselves. Wrap it around the paw so that it is snug, but not tight. A bandage that is too tight can cut off circulation to the paw and cause permanent damage. Call your vet. A broken claw may not need treatment by a vet, particularly if it stops bleeding. However, sometimes this condition continues to be painful or develops an infection, and you'll need to see the vet. Make a call first to see what the vet recommends. Expect sedation and trimming. While your cat won't need to be knocked out completely, the vet may use light sedation to make it easier to work on the cat. Then, the vet will trim the nail with a professional trimmer. The vet may also need to drain pus if the infection is bad. Watch the vet bandage the nail. When the vet is done trimming back the nail, they'll apply a bandage. Pay attention to how the vet bandages the nail, so you can apply it properly at home. The vet will likely use an antibiotic ointment on the nail to help prevent infection. Give antibiotics and pain medications. Your vet will likely prescribe an antibiotic for prevention or treatment of infection. If the cat is in pain, the vet will also prescribe a pain medication. Change the bandages. You'll need to change the bandages for several days to help keep it clean. The vet should show you how to do it. You should also look to make sure an infection isn't developing. Protect the area from your cat. Many cats are bothered by the feeling of bandages on their feet and will work hard to remove them. Even worse, pain and discomfort caused by the broken nail will cause your cat to lick the area, leading to infection. If your cat will not leave the area with the bandage alone, you will have to purchase an e-collar (commonly called the "cone of shame") to prevent them from bothering the area. It is very important that your cat wear this collar at all times when you are not actively watching them. Visit the vet again. Because of the possibility of infection, you may need to visit the vet again. You certainly should if you notice infection, but the vet will likely want you to come back in a couple of days anyway, just in case.	Wrap the cat up in a towel. Hold a paper towel on the nail. Try a styptic pencil. Look for signs of infection. Cut the nail if possible. Place a bandage on it. Call your vet. Expect sedation and trimming. Watch the vet bandage the nail. Give antibiotics and pain medications. Change the bandages. Protect the area from your cat. Visit the vet again.
https://www.wikihow.com/Measure-Frame-Size	How to Measure Frame Size	There are 3 frame sizes, small, medium, and large, and they usually depend on a few things including your gender and your body measurements. To measure your frame size with your wrist, wrap a tape measure snugly around your wrist and write down the measurement. If you'd rather measure your elbow to figure out your frame size, bend your arm at a 90-degree angle so your forearm is perpendicular to the ground. Then, use a ruler to measure the width of your elbow. Once you've taken your measurement, look at the chart below to figure out your frame size.	Wrap a tape measure around your wrist (right or left). Take the end of your tape measure and bring it all the way around your wrist. Note the circumference of your wrist. You can use the tables below determine your frame size, according to your wrist size. Bend your arm at a 90 degree angle. Be sure that your forearm is perpendicular to the ground. It doesn't really matter which arm you use, but you may find that the table below works best if you use your dominant side. Finished.	Wrap a tape measure around your wrist (right or left). Note the circumference of your wrist. Bend your arm at a 90 degree angle. Finished.

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